Wipeout will be the first of 2 Japanese game show related programming that ABC will air tonite. Essentially, Wipeout is a rip-off of the Japanese game show Takeshi’s Castle. If you watch the clip below of Wipeout, it looks like MXC (a redubbed version of Takeshi’s Castle) on Spike TV, except the contestants are not Asian. Also the commentary as the contestants “wipeout” is identical to MXC’s style.

Based on the marketing strategy, ABC is placing the biggest bet on Wipeout rather than “I Survived a Japanese Game Show“. Looks like the are using Wipeout as a lead in for “I Survived a Japanese Game Show”. According to Yahoo!, Wipeout barely made the top 5 on the most searched new summer reality programs. We think Wipeout will “wipeout” before the summer is out.

Here’s ABC’s description of Wipeout

Human cannonballs! Human pinballs! Crashes, smashes and mud splashes! Twenty-four thrill-seekers will compete in the world’s largest extreme obstacle course designed to provide the most spills, face plants and wipeouts ever seen on television, in Wipeout, a painfully funny new reality series premiering TUESDAY, JUNE 24 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Each week 24 daring new contestants of all ages, shapes and sizes will go head to head through four rounds of grueling and physically demanding but wildly hilarious obstacle courses to win the title of Wipeout Champion and the grand prize of $50,000. The contestants and the courses change every week, with over-the-top obstacles including “Dizzy Dummy” the “Dirty Balls” and “The Dreadmill” – which will have contestants jumping hurdles on a 40-foot long treadmill at warp speed. In the end, only one contestant will win, while everyone else will Wipeout!

Big Balls! Dizzy Dummy! Sucker Punch! Topple Towers! Killer Surf! are just a few of the wild and wacky obstacles our contestants will attempt to master in the season premiere. Contestants include a a deputy sheriff, a pastor, a go-go dancer, a masseuse, a waitress, a car show model, a senior credit manager and a handyman.

“Wipeout” is hosted by John Henson (E! Entertainment’s “Talk Soup”) and John Anderson (ESPN’s SportsCenter). Jill Wagner is co-host.

Here’s a clip of Wipeout: