“The Contender” Is Back in the Ring

Like a prizefighter that won't stay down, Mark Burnett's boxing competition show The Contender returns to television this week in a new incarnation on Epix.  Debuting in 2005 on NBC, the series ran until 2009 on a variety of networks, including ESPN and Versus (now NBCSN) before retiring in 2009.  Nine years later, the show has a reprieve and is ready to fight again.  "I was excited when Mark approached me about the show returning," revealed series executive producer and showrunner Eric Van Wagenen during a recent conference call.  "I was involved with the show in its original form; season one as supervising editor; season two as a supervising producer and editor, and seasons three and four as executive producer and showrunner.  It was one of those shows people were passionate about and it had a loyal and devoted fan base."