STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island’s own Tommy Bracco —a Broadway and reality television star best known for his appearance on “Big Brother Season 21″ and his Broadway roles in “Newsies” and “Pretty Woman: The Musical” — is set to compete on Fox’s newest game show, “99 to Beat,” which premieres Sept. 24.
Joining him is his father, Phil Bracco, as the duo competes against 98 other contestants in a series of unpredictable challenges for a chance to win a $1 million prize.
In an exclusive interview with SILive.com, Bracco — who was married back in April to Joey Macli — shared how the opportunity to compete with his father came about.
The journey began when his friend Rachel Reilly, also a Big Brother alum, reached out to him about the new show.
“Rachel Reilly is a friend of mine because we were both on ‘Big Brother,’” Bracco explained. “She was working with the ’99 to Beat’ casting department and called me two days before my wedding to ask if my husband and I wanted to do it. I said, ‘Could we touch base after the weekend? We’re about to walk down the aisle.’”
After the wedding, Bracco and his husband considered the opportunity, but scheduling conflicts made it impossible. That’s when Phil Bracco stepped in.
“My dad overheard the conversation, raised his hand and said, ‘I’ll go.’ I pitched it to Rachel, who pitched it to casting, and next thing we knew, we were on a plane to London.”
Anticipation builds
Tommy and Phil Bracco’s decision to compete together as a father-son duo has already sparked excitement among fans. As the premiere date approaches, anticipation continues to build.
Based on its British counterpart of the same name — which premiered in March and was hosted by Adam and Ryan Thomas — “99 to Beat” will premiere on Sept. 24, following the fourth season of The Floor, according to TV Insider.
Each week, 100 contestants will battle it out in games that test endurance, skill and luck. The goal is simple: don’t finish last. Players will be eliminated round by round until only one remains.
Hosted by comedian Ken Jeong and sports broadcaster Erin Andrews, the show promises high-energy, fast-paced competition. Jeong’s humor and quick wit, paired with Andrews’ charm and experience, are expected to deliver an entertaining viewing experience for all ages.
While most contestants are everyday people, a few recognizable faces will appear. Bracco’s reality TV and Broadway background adds a unique dynamic to the mix, especially for Staten Island viewers and reality television fans.
A major twist for the new game show is its grand prize, which was recently increased from $100,000 to $1 million. The announcement, made in mid-July, sparked emotional reactions from contestants.
“The announcement brought incredible excitement — and lots of tears,” producers said in an interview with Variety.
A trailer for “99 to Beat” has already been released, offering a sneak peek at the quirky challenges and intense competition.
How to watch
With its blend of humor, tension, and excitement, “99 to Beat” is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and entertaining shows of the fall season.
Tune in on Sept. 24 to see who will outlast the rest and claim the $1 million prize.
The American version airs live on FOX. If you are a cord-cutter, you can stream FOX for free via a trial on these streaming services:
Fubo TV — seven-day free trial. This service also appeals to the sports fan.
Direct TV Stream — five-day free trial.
On demand: Episodes are available to stream the day after they air on Hulu, which offers a 30-day free trial.