Sketchy Details favorites Jen and Sylvia Soska, aka the Soska Sisters, aka the Twisted Twins, have taken a surprise career turn. It's a good surprise. The dangerous duo will be hosting a new game show on GSN called Hellevator. The advertising campaign is amazing, but it actually doesn't say a lot about the show. Here's the official description from GSN.
Be afraid. Be very afraid. From the twisted minds that brought you the “Paranormal Activity” franchise, comes HELLEVATOR: a terrifying new show that dares three friends to ride a haunted elevator into the depths of an abandoned warehouse. One player must get out on each floor and conquer a frightening challenge in order to earn money for the team. But if they don’t make it back in time, the elevator moves on without them. Two comedic masterminds pull the strings throughout the game – taking delight in the horror. Who will make it back to the surface with the prize, and who will be trapped forever? HELLEVATOR is produced by Matador and Blumhouse Productions in association with Lionsgate Television. Executive Producers are Jason Blum (“Paranormal Activity,” “The Purge,” “Sinister” and “Insidious”), who won a 2014 Emmy® Award for “The Normal Heart,” and was nominated for an Academy Award® for “Whiplash,” and Jay Peterson and Todd Lubin of Matador.
The Soskas as comedic masterminds? I'm down.
GSN is taking a page from American Horror Story and a page from viral haunted house videos. The little 15-30 second ads playing around the clock on GSN are largely audio clips of contestants losing their minds on set with whatever the Soskas throw at them. You can hear Jen and Sylvia cackle or taunt the contestants if you listen close enough.
Just imagine my 85 year old grandmother calling me to ask if I'm going to see that new Hell movie they keep advertising on GSN during reruns of The Match Game and Deal or No Deal. Then imagine me trying to explain how there could be a gameshow about people screaming in a darkened room.
There are also little clips going to different social media pages showing off a bit more of the game. Their Instagram is winning. Just look at this visual when you visit the account:
It's not just a creepy image collage reminiscent of the Saw IV opening classroom scene. It's also a video that finally shows us a little be of the gameplay. Not too much. Just enough to let me know that, while I'd love to fly in and hang out on set, I would not be a good contestant in the show.
Is this real life? I honestly wouldn't believe this kind of gameshow could happen in my lifetime. Fingers crossed the ratings are good because I'd love this to be a new Halloween tradition. I'm not going to hold my breath over, you know, running any other time of the year. A Christmas episode would be fun. Ooh, or a Valentine's episode? Or spring break edition?
Okay, I would like it to run year round. More horror on TV is always a good thing.
Hellevator premieres on GSN 21 October. Will you be watching?
