Hiding a seven-foot NBA legend sounds like an impossible challenge. ABC is turning that idea into a competition with its new reality series, Can You Hide… Shaq?, hosted by comedian Nicole Byer.
According to Variety, the show will feature eight contestants trying to disguise Shaquille O’Neal and keep him hidden in plain sight across Dallas, Texas. They will take on timed missions at different locations while trying to avoid being spotted. The competition will test their teamwork, creativity, and ability to keep one of the world’s most recognizable athletes out of sight.
The rules behind ABC’s unusual Shaquille O’Neal competition
The contestants will split into two teams, with each group receiving a mission and a set time to complete it. Their goal is to hide Shaq while keeping the number of times he gets spotted as low as possible. The team that completes its mission with the fewest sightings earns immunity for one member in the next round. That contestant then becomes the team’s captain.
The missions will take the groups across Dallas, including some of the city’s major landmarks. Locations featured in the show include the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Reunion Tower, and the ISD Athletic Center.
However, winning a mission does not guarantee the final prize. Contestants will also contribute money to the show’s growing “Shaq-pot.” One person will eventually claim the total prize money, but they must survive every round. They can do that by earning immunity or avoiding elimination through votes from the other contestants.
Shaq is also involved in the project as an executive producer. Can You Hide… Shaq? is produced by Fulwell Entertainment and Jersey Legends Productions, a division of Authentic Studios, in partnership with ESPN. Shaquille O’Neal, Ben Winston, Colin Smeeton, Mike Parris, Jeremy Castro, Emma Conway, Charlie Van Vleet, Shyam Balse, Adam Cooper, and Nicole Byer serve as executive producers.
The series premieres with two episodes on December 3, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT, on ABC and the ESPN app. Two more episodes will arrive on December 10. Episodes will stream on Hulu the following day.
