Spec ops smackdown: ‘Most Lethal’ warriors wanted for new Spike TV series - Entertainment, TV, Television - Army Times

Spec ops smackdown: ‘Most Lethal’ warriors wanted for new Spike TV series

When it comes to the military’s most elite — that rarified world where everyone is “special” — who really is the best of the best?

It’s a question Spike TV will try to answer in a new reality commando competition dubbed “Most Lethal” — think “The Ultimate Fighter” for special ops. The winner will take home the title and a heavyweight purse of $100,000.

The show hopes to bring together “12 of the best-trained combatants in the world for the most intense reality series on television,” says Sharon Levy, Spike TV’s executive vice president of original series.

Set to air in summer 2011, the 10-part, one-hour show’s mission is to “determine who is fiercest,” according to an announcement from producer GRB Entertainment, creators of “Confessions: Animal Hoarding” and “Growing up Gotti.”

Casting is open to active-duty troops or recent veterans of any top-tier special ops combat unit.

“We’re looking for mostly U.S. military — Delta Force, Army Special Forces and Rangers, Navy SEALs and [explosive ordnance disposal team members], Air Force pararescue and Marine Force Recon — but we’re also hoping to have one or two from units like the British SAS or other foreign agencies,” casting director Blair Franklin says. Anyone on active duty would need to be able to take leave for about 45 days this spring for filming, he said.

Producers of “Most Lethal” are hoping to secure the Pentagon’s blessing to film the series at military facilities under the supervision of local evaluators and a hand-picked team of top-tier combat operators.

Franklin says the show’s sure-to-be dirty dozen will face off in a series of tests of raw strength and combat smarts.

Challenges will be modeled on real-world combat scenarios that will test everything from reconnaissance and urban combat chops to escape-and-evasion techniques and the finer points of “threat elimination.”

“It’s not enough for them to be fit and strong and great with weapons,” says producer Gary R. Benz. “We’re going to test every combat skill and tactical response in the book. Then, we’re going to throw away the book and find out what they learned on the battlefield.”

If you think you’re special ops smackdown material, send an e-mail to sofsearch@grbtv.com with some background on your military experience and a recent photo.