Leading the way

‘Hot Wheels’ competition comes to NBC

Unlock some memories and kick it into high gear with NBC’s newest competition series, “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge.”

Premiering Tuesday, May 30, the unscripted show is equal parts “nostalgia and creativity” (per NBC) as each contestant overhauls one of their most beloved and memorable vehicles, ultimately transforming it from an average automobile into their dream car. Hosted by “Top Gear’s” Rutledge Wood and featuring a panel of carloving celebrity guests, “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” is inspired by childhood fun and a healthy dose of friendly competition.

Hot Wheels, as a toy brand, was first unveiled at the International Toy Fair in 1968. Created and still owned by Mattel, the major toy producers behind other hits such as Barbie, Polly Pocket, American Girl and the Fisher-Price brand, Hot Wheels are a line of scale model cars designed as a “hot rod” style competitor to other toy car brands, such as Matchbox (which was eventually bought out by Mattel in the late ‘90s under the Tyco Toys deal). As time progressed and the Hot Wheels brand gained more traction, the company released everything from standard models to collector pieces and small, functional race tracks.

As an NBC series, the Hot Wheels brand picks up the pace once again, rounding the corner toward even greater success despite several failed film adaptation attempts since the early 2000s. The major network describes its new 10-episode competition as follows: “Each episode will invite two passionate car fans and Hot Wheels lovers into the Chrome Zone, where they will face off in each transforming an ordinary vehicle into an extraordinary Hot Wheels showstopper,

inspired by personal stories and pop culture touchstones. Working alongside a team of automotive magicians known as ‘The Car Pool,’ the two Superfans will manufacture their designs in high-tech, decked-out garages.”

NBCUniversal goes on to explain that there is also a chance to raise the stakes via “the Inspirationator 5000, a larger-than-life vending machine that will rev up in each episode to present the Superfans with a twist in the road.”

While Wood acts as host, he will surely not be the only familiar face seen during the wild ride. Among the celebrity judges making an appearance on “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” are “Community” and “The Soup’s” Joel McHale; comedian and star of the recently finished sitcom “Black-ish,” Anthony

Anderson; WWE Superstar Ettore Ewen, better known by the moniker Big E; and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star and “America’s Got Talent” host Terry Crews.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, two famous car lovers are also welcomed to the show’s premiere season as guest judges: former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno and star of the Fast and Furious saga, Sung Kang.

Leno, who also hosts the web series “Jay Leno’s Garage,” is the proud owner of roughly 180 cars and 160 motorcycles, valued at more than $52 million. Widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable car fanatics in Hollywood, Leno will bring his insight and interest to “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” as he assesses the final products presented by the eager contestants.

As for Kang, who originated the role of Han Lue in the third Fast and Furious film, subtitled “Tokyo Drift” (2006), the actor has collected several custom cars over the years. These include a Nissan 240SX, a 1967 Mustang Fastback and the 1973 Datsun 240Z he restored himself and which he “affectionately refers to as ‘Fugu Z,’ according to the Rubber B website, which featured Kang in a promotional profile for the Swiss watch brand. The article also signaled Kang’s involvement in the caraficionado community, mentioning how he frequently attends car shows across the country and even began his own car club called “The Midnite Club.”

Needless to say, “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” has some of the best in the business working under its hood. This makes it easy to accept the judges’ rulings on which contestant will reign victorious after they overhaul their run-of-the-mill automobiles into road-worthy works of art.

Corie Henson, executive vice-president of unscripted programming for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, announced her excitement for the program in a statement in late March, saying, “Everyone remembers their first car, the life experiences they had and the friends who came along for the ride. Hot Wheels is a legendary brand with broad appeal that has created a space for imaginations to run free. We are so thrilled to partner with Mattel to combine this nostalgia with fantastical, extreme car transformations.”

Henson also praised Wood’s energy and experience as the host of “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” when she continued: “It’s larger-than-life family viewing with edge and humor led by car enthusiast Rutledge Wood, whose creativity, credibility and passion for Hot Wheels makes him the perfect person to drive this wild competition.”

Don’t miss the excitement as contestants take to the stage for some grease-laden, paint-covered fun in the new NBC competition series, “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge.” The pressure is on as each team turns their TV highs into high-class luxury and their lows into lowriders under the watchful eye of Wood and, of course, the guest judges.

The series premieres Tuesday, May 30, on NBC.