RDF to debut interactive cartoon series

‘Sleuths’ allows viewers’ avatars to appear onscreen

By James Hibberd

Aug 24, 2009, 08:04 PM ET

RDF is looking to launch the U.S.’ first interactive animated series.

The reality production company behind such shows as Fox’s “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” and ABC’s “Wife Swap” is teaming with new-media company Artificial Life to design a TV series in which viewers can participate in the onscreen action.

In the proposed series, “Sleuths,” viewers customize their own avatar that will appear onscreen during the show’s live telecast. A quiz question will be asked three times per half-hour episode, and viewers will text their answers. Those who answer correctly continue to the next round; a wrong answer means elimination from the screen.

At the end of each episode, the top five avatars will appear onscreen standing with the show’s characters.

Bringing avatars into a live television environment is a pretty cool concept, though in practice the content and production and concept will have to be there. But I think we’ll see a lot of experimentation in this area, will be interesting to watch.