One of the most fun TV competitions of the 70s and 80s is making a return when Battle of the Network Stars airs on ABC this summer.

For the kids, this was an annual contest that featured favorites from TV shows across the three major networks battling in ridiculously themed competitions including circus and water stunts.

The show was cheesy fun, but stopped airing in the 90s. Now it’s back with a cast of classic and current TV stars that features some geek favorites.

ESPN’s Mike Greenberg is hosting with coaches Ronda Rousey and DeMarcus Ware.

Here’s an examination of the match ups.

TV Sitcoms (Bronson Pinchot, Tom Arnold, Dave Coulier, AJ Michalka, Tracey Gold) vs. TV Kids (Joey Lawrence, Corbin Bleu, Nolan Gould, Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields)

For fans of 80s and 90s TV, this is a dream list. However, if Bronson Pinchot doesn’t do the happy dance from Perfect Strangers, the battle is a failure.

Primetime Soaps (Ian Ziering, Josh Henderson, Gabrielle Carteris, Donna Mills, Mischa Barton) vs. ABC Stars (Olivia d’Abo, Shari Belafonte, Michael Fishman, Jason Hervey, Anson Williams)

Beverly Hills 90210 vs The Wonder Years. Who hasn’t wanted to see that?

Variety (Joanna Krupa, Nick Lachey, Vanessa Lachey, Gilles Marini, Jack Osbourne) vs. TV Sex Symbols (Keegan Allen, Traci Bingham, Rosa Blasi, Brant Daugherty, Galen Gering)

This is the battle where producers will really need to remind everyone why some of the people are considered stars.

Team Cops competes against Team TV Sitcoms on Battle of the Network Stars. Source: Entertainment Weekly

Cops (Erik Estrada, Larry Wilcox, Kelly Hu, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, Lorenzo Lamas) vs. TV Sitcoms (Todd Bridges, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Dave Foley, Willie Garson, Jenna von Oy)

Todd Bridges y’all. That’s right I said Todd Bridges.

White House (Cornelius Smith Jr., Marlee Matlin, Joshua Malina, LaMonica Garrett, Mary McCormack) vs. Lawyers (Elisabeth Rohm, Corbin Bernsen, Matt McGorry, Romi Dias, Catherine Bell)

Team White House will face off against Team Lawyers on Battle of the Network Stars. Source: Vulture

With all the Shondaland and The West Wing stars in this group I can’t really make any snarky comments.

TV Moms & Dads (Chad Lowe, Greg Evigan, Ted McGinley, Lesley Fera, Jackee Harry) vs. TV Kids (Jimmie Walker, Mackenzie Phillips, Jonathan Lipnicki, Krista Marie Yu, Jeremy Miller)

Jackee and Jimmie “JJ” Walker in the same battle is must see TV.

Famous TV Families (Danny Bonaduce, Barry Williams, Beverley Mitchell, Willie Aames, Charlene Tilton) vs. Doctors (Thomas Calabro, Taye Diggs, Rachelle Lefevre, Deidre Hall, Benjamin Hollingsworth)

How did they get Taye Diggs and Rachelle Lefevre for this? They actually have jobs.

Troublemakers (Vivica A. Fox, Paul Johansson, John Barrowman, Julie Benz, Catherine Bach) vs. TV Lifeguards (David Chokachi, Brande Roderick, Parker Stevenson, Nicole Eggert, Gena Lee Nolin)

It’s no secret Arrow’s John Barrowman is up for anything, so this should at least be an entertaining battle.

ABC Stars (Ted Lange, Troy Gentile, Jill Whelan, Denise Richards, Joely Fisher) vs. Variety (Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Adrienne Houghton, Cameron Mathison, Kelly Osbourne)

N’Sync stars plus Isaac from the Love Boat might be the most random match up of them all.

Cops (Marisol Nichols, Roma Maffia, Adrian Zmed, Fred Dryer, Ryan Paevey) vs. Sci-Fi/Fantasy (Lou Ferrigno, Vinnie Jones, Charisma Carpenter, Kevin Sorbo, Jill Wagner)

This is the one we really want to see since it features the Hulk, Cordelia from Buffy/Angel and Hercules.

Battle of the Network Stars premieres Thursday, June 29 at 9 pm on ABC.

So will you check out the sure to be ridiculous show? Which match up are you most interested in?

Source: TV Line

Published by Stephanie Holland

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