{{short description|American television executive producer (born 1968)}} {{Infobox person | name = Matt Kunitz | image = Matt Kunitz on the set of Wipeout (cropped).jpg | caption = Kunitz on the set of ''Wipeout'' in 2010 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|11|5}} | birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Television producer | spouse = | website = | children = }}
'''Matt Kunitz''' (born November 5, 1968) is an American television producer who specializes in reality television. In July 2008, the ''Los Angeles Times'' named him "The King of Reality TV."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-channel14-2008jul14-story.html|title=Just call Matt Kunitz the king of reality TV|first=Scott|last=Collins|website=Los Angeles Times|date=14 July 2008 |accessdate=1 May 2018}}</ref>
==Biography== Kunitz was supervising producer of ''The Real World'', one of the first reality television shows to gain a national audience, and was executive producer of NBC's ''Fear Factor''. ''The Wall Street Journal'' called ''Fear Factor'' "one of the biggest hits on TV -- and an important cash cow for NBC."<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB108320149462296941?categoryid=19&cs=1 | work=Wall Street Journal | title=For 'Fear Factor,' Getting Boring Is The Real Danger | first=Brooks | last=Barnes | date=April 29, 2004}}</ref> Kunitz spent six years in an overall production deal with NBC and Universal Studios, Inc. During his tenure, Kunitz served as executive producer of ''Dog Eat Dog'' and ''Late Friday'', as well as consultant on ''Lost'' and ''Treasure Hunters''. In March 2006, Kunitz left NBC Universal and began a two year overall deal with reality powerhouse Endemol USA, producers of ''Fear Factor'', ''Deal or No Deal'', ''Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'', and ''Big Brother''. Kunitz's first assignment at Endemol was to adapt and executive produce Endemol's U.S. version of the singing competition ''Operacion Triunfo'' for ABC, retitled ''The One: Making a Music Star''.
In 2008, Kunitz served as executive producer of ''Celebrity Circus'' for NBC. Kunitz executive produced ''Wipeout'', a stunt based competition he created for ABC. ''Wipeout'' became the highest-rated summer series of that year.<ref name="Ratings">{{cite news|title=Wipeout scores top Tuesday ratings |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3if15c9c648a5fa48d2b9e29f95cd82efd |work=The Hollywood Reporter |accessdate=2008-06-25 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080716020222/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3if15c9c648a5fa48d2b9e29f95cd82efd |archivedate=2008-07-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ''Wipeout'' format has been sold to more than 37 territories and Endemol has created an obstacle course in Argentina for those international editions.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117990861.html?categoryid=19&cs=1 | work=Variety | title=Sales no obstacle for 'Wipeout' | first=Steve | last=Clarke | date=August 20, 2008}}</ref> The second season of ''Wipeout'' premiered on May 27, 2009. It topped the 8 o'clock demos — ''So You Think You Can Dance'' included. With an audience of 9.69 million, ''Wipeout'' bested its Season 1 average and gave ABC its best numbers in the Wednesday-at-8 slot since November 2007. Kunitz explained to ''The New York Times '' that ''Wipeout'' "turned out to be a real family show" and that has led to its success.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stelter |first=Brian |date=2009-07-21 |title=Gluttons for Punishment Are Balm for ABC |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/arts/television/22wipe.html |access-date=2023-02-03 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ''Wipeout'' began its sixth season in May 2013. On March 29, 2014, the series won the 2014 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Reality Show for the third year in a row.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kids-choice-awards-2014-winners-692089 |title=Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards: The Winners|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=29 March 2014 }}</ref> On August 10, 2014, the series won the 2014 Teen Choice Award for Choice Summer TV Series.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/teen-choice-awards-2014-winners-724423|title=Teen Choice Award: The Complete Winners List|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Kimberly|last=Nordyke|date=August 10, 2014}}</ref>
On March 26, 2010, ''Variety'' announced a new two-year deal between Endemol USA and Kunitz.<ref>https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118016944.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&ref=bd_tv Kunitz To Stay At Endemol</ref> On June 10, 2010, ''Variety'' announced that Kunitz will executive produce a new series for ABC, ''"101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow"''<ref>{{Cite web |title=First on Variety: ABC picks up pilot to '101 Ways to Leave a Game Show' |url=http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2010/06/first-on-variety-abc-picks-up-pilot-to-101-ways-to-leave-a-game-show.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613073224/http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2010/06/first-on-variety-abc-picks-up-pilot-to-101-ways-to-leave-a-game-show.html |archive-date=2010-06-13 |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=Variety}}</ref> On August 15, 2010, Wipeout was renewed for a fourth season.<ref>https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i4a25a9f106904fc10233eb3861a0e42e | | work=The Hollywood Reporter | first=James | last=Hibberd | title=EXCLUSIVE: ABC renews 'Wipeout'</ref> In March 2011, ABC announced a summer pick up of "101 Ways to Leave a Game Show"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2011-03-17 |title=ABC Picks Up '101 Ways To Leave A Game Show' To Series For Summer |url=https://deadline.com/2011/03/abc-picks-up-101-ways-to-leave-a-game-show-to-series-for-summer-114804/ |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> In June 2011, NBC announced the return of ''Fear Factor''.<ref>http://www.aoltv.com/2011/06/02/fear-factor-interview-matt-kunitz/?a_dgi=aolshare_facebook /'Fear Factor' is Back, But When? And What's New? Producer Matt Kunitz Gives Details</ref> NBC ordered 10 hours of the series to return in the fall.
After six years at NBC Universal and six at Endemol, It was announced on March 20, 2012, that Kunitz would join FremantleMedia North America in a multi-year overall deal with the company behind Fox's ''American Idol'' and ''The X Factor'' and NBC's ''America's Got Talent'' to develop and produce new unscripted shows.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2012-03-20 |title=FremantleMedia Signs Deal With 'Wipeout' Creator Matt Kunitz |url=https://deadline.com/2012/03/fremantlemedia-signs-deal-with-wipeout-creator-matt-kunitz-246441/ |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
On December 2, 2014, it was announced that Kunitz had signed a new multi-year deal with Lionsgate, the studio behind the ''Twilight'' and ''Hunger Games'' franchises, ''Mad Men'', ''Nurse Jackie'' and ''Orange Is the New Black''. At Lionsgate, Kunitz will develop and produce unscripted programming through his Pulse Creative banner.<ref>https://deadline.com/2014/12/matt-kunitz-deal-lionsgate-tv-1201305436/|title=Reality Producer Matt Kunitz Inks Deal With Lionsgate TV</ref>
On January 19, 2016, Fox announced the pick up of ''Kicking & Screaming'', created and executive produced by Kunitz. The series is a comedic competition that teams 10 expert survivalists with pampered partners.<ref>https://deadline.com/2016/01/kicking-screaming-survival-reality-series-fox-matt-kunitz-lionsgate-1201686203/|title=Fox Orders ‘Kicking & Screaming’ Survival Reality Series From Producer Matt Kunitz</ref>
On October 18, 2016, CBS announced that Kunitz created and will executive produce ''Candy Crush''. The series will take the most popular mobile app and turn it into a live-action game show. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/candy-crush-live-action-game-939165|title='Candy Crush' Live-Action Game Show a Go at CBS|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=18 October 2016 |publisher=|accessdate=1 May 2018}}</ref>
On May 4, 2017, YouTube announced that Kunitz created and will executive produce ''Kevin Hart: What The Fit''. Kevin Hart will team up with celebrity friends and YouTube stars as they attempt to master a different trending, grueling and sometimes ridiculous workout. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/kevin-hart-fitness-show-youtube-newfronts-1202084655/|title=YouTube: Kevin Hart, Ellen DeGeneres & Demi Lovato To Topline New Ad-Supported Originals – NewFronts|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=5 May 2017|publisher=|accessdate=1 May 2018}}</ref>
On July 12, 2017, Vice News dubbed Kunitz "the Orson Welles of prime-time game shows."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IABnNawIRdE&t=20m39s/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/IABnNawIRdE |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Mueller's Legal Dream Team & D.A.R.E.: VICE News Tonight Full Episode (HBO)|last=VICE News|date=24 July 2017|publisher=|accessdate=1 May 2018|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
On May 3, 2018, YouTube announced a second season of ''Kevin Hart: What The Fit''.<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/05/03/smith-priyanka-chopra-youtube-new-series/579586002/|title= Will Smith, Priyanka Chopra are headed to YouTube with new projects</ref>
On January 4, 2019, The Producers Guild of America nominated ''Kevin Hart: What The Fit'' for the award for outstanding short form program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=2019-01-04 |title=Producers Guild Unveils Film And TV Nominations |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/producers-guild-awards-2019-nominees-movies-tv-full-list-1202529101/ |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
On May 2, 2019, YouTube announced a third season of ''Kevin Hart: What The Fit'' stating the first two seasons had driven over 275 million total views.<ref>https://deadline.com/2019/05/kevin-hart-what-the-fit-renewed-season-3-youtube-1202606413/|title= ‘Kevin Hart: What The Fit’ Renewed For Season 3 By YouTube</ref>
On April 29, 2020, TBS announced a revival of ''Wipeout'' with a twenty-episode run. Kunitz was slated to return.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2020-04-29 |title='Wipeout': TBS Reboots Obstacle Course Competition Format |url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/wipeout-tbs-reboots-obstacle-course-format-1202920674/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> The reboot premiered on April 1, 2021, as 2021's highest rated new unscripted cable show.<ref>[https://www.thewrap.com/wipeout-reboot-john-cena-nicole-byer-tbs-premiere-ratings//title=] ‘Wipeout’ Reboot is 2021's Highest Rated New Unscripted Show</ref> Just one month after its premiere, TBS announced a second season pickup of an additional twenty episodes.<ref>https://deadline.com/2021/05/tbs-renews-wipeout-trutv-orders-up-more-fast-foodies-1234759893/|title= TBS Renews ‘Wipeout’ & ‘Chad’ For Season 2; TruTV Orders Up More ‘Fast Foodies’</ref>
In 2023, Kunitz was brought on to executive producer and show run the inaugural season of Deal or No Deal Island for NBC.<ref>https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/deal-or-no-deal-island-heres-all-we-know-about-release-date-schedule-host-format-contestants-production-and-more/articleshow/107862451.cms?from=mdr/|title= Deal or No Deal Island: Here’s all we know about release date, schedule, host, format, contestants, production and more</ref> On May 7, 2024, NBC announced a second season pickup for the series. The first season averaged 5.8 million total viewers across all platforms and ranked as the top NBC unscripted series on Peacock.<ref>https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/deal-or-no-deal-island-renewed-season-2-nbc-1235994883/|title= ‘Deal or No Deal Island’ Renewed for Season 2 at NBC</ref>
Kunitz was named number 69 on Bernard Goldberg's list of ''100 People Who Are Screwing Up America''.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|0475187}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kunitz, Matt}} Category:1968 births Category:Living people Category:American television producers Category:American television show creators