The Mole (U.S. TV series)
| The Mole | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Also known as | 'The Mole: The Next Betrayal (2002) Celebrity Mole: Hawaii (2003) Celebrity Mole: Yucatán (2004) |
| Genre | Reality game show |
| Presented by |
Anderson Cooper (2001–2) Ahmad Rashād (2003–4) Jon Kelley (2008) |
| Theme music composer | David Michael Frank |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 45 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 43 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC, Fox Reality |
| Original release | January 9, 2001 – August 11, 2008 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | The Mole |
| External links | |
| Website | |
| Production website | |
The Mole is an American reality game show that aired on ABC. It was based on other versions of Belgian TV series The Mole that have aired in numerous countries. The Mole was produced by Stone Stanley Entertainment for its first four seasons. It was cancelled but was later picked up again after a four year hiatus. The fifth season was produced by Stone & Co. Entertainment.
The series is a reality competition in which the contestants work as a group to add money to a pot that only one of them will eventually win. Among the contestants is one person who has been designated "the Mole" by the producers and is tasked with sabotaging the group's money-making efforts. At the end of each episode, the contestant who knows the least about the mole, as decided by the results of a quiz, is eliminated from the game.
The series was first hosted by news reporter Anderson Cooper; for the third season, Ahmad Rashād replaced Cooper, and Rashād was in turn replaced by Jon Kelley for the fifth season. The third and fourth seasons featured celebrity contestants instead of average citizens. The series' logo is a bright green thumbprint.
The contestants typically meet for the first time at or shortly before the start of filming, shortly before their first task. They are given black duffel bags with the show's thumbprint logo and their names on them in which to keep their belongings. Each is also given a numbered journal which is the only place they are permitted to record information and thoughts about the other contestants.
Some contestants form "coalitions" with other contestants, ostensibly to share theories and observations about the other contestants. Some contestants attempt to cause others to believe that they are the Mole, on the premise that believing the wrong person is the Mole will result in them having poor quiz results.
Each mission (referred to as "tests" in season 1, and as "games" in seasons 2–4) generally has a cash reward towards the group pot for various levels of success. On occasion, a mission will have a cash penalty for failure. The missions comprise a wide variety of physical and/or mental (brain teaser) challenges posed to the contestants. Most are straightforward, and the rules are fully explained to all contestants. In some cases, however, a mission is not fully explained to all contestants, increasing its difficulty. In those cases, perhaps only selected contestants are informed of the full nature of the challenge, and must work towards a different goal than the rest. In rare instances, there are secret missions which only one, or none of the contestants are aware of.
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