Small World IFT has closed a license deal for its hit reality gameshow format Big In Japan with TNT Russia, the distributor announced yesterday.

A 10-episode Russian remake of Big in Japan is poised to go into production in Tokyo as soon as it becomes possible to travel and film safely. The culture-clash game show, which took the top honors at the prestigious Rose d’Or Awards in 2009, has been adapted for seven territories and optioned in 19 since it launched on US network ABC in 2008.

The format sees nine Westerners travel to Tokyo to compete in a classic Japanese game show for a life-altering cash prize. On screen, the intrepid Westerners take on their Japanese opponents in a series of surreal challenges, with rounds including Dragon Up Your Nose, Big Foot Bang Bang and Stretchy Squid Face. When not covered in slime, wearing fat suits or attempting to crack eggs with their butts, the contestants live, eat and socialize according to Japanese culture and customs. As a result, Big in Japan not only captures the wild and wacky fun of a Japanese game show, but also shines a light on a unique and fascinating country.

Tim Crescenti, president of Small World International, said: “It’s a real feather in our fedora to welcome Russia to the Big in Japan family. Over 12 years, seven local adaptations and countless options, Big in Japan has proved itself to be that rarest of beasts — a format with genuine and enduring global appeal. Part of its charm is that it gives international audiences a ring-side seat at the craziest show on earth — who wouldn’t want to watch people play Dragon Up Your Nose? But for me, it’s what happens outside of the studio that makes Big in Japan such compulsive viewing. This is fish-out-of-water, worlds-colliding entertainment at its best — and certainly its maddest — yet the show has a heart, with the participants and viewers learning about themselves.”

The license deal with TNT follows the announcement in late June that Small World has entered into a first-look agreement with MGM Television, which has been ramping up its Global Formats division in recent months. Crescenti — who founded Small World with wife Colleen 15 years ago this week — is known for his ability to source compelling formats from previously untapped territories, including Thailand, Romania, Finland and South Korea. Best known internationally for his landmark discovery of Dragons’ Den (Shark Tank) in 2001, Crescenti’s recent hits include NBC’s hit show Better Late Than Never (Grandpas Over Flowers), starring Henry Winkler, William Shatner, George Foreman and Terry Bradshaw.