Watch Spell-Mageddon

Spell-Mageddon was a game show that aired on FreeForm (formerly known as ABC Family) in 2013. The show was hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, best known for his role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Christina Holleran was the resident dictionary expert. The show featured contestants who were tested on their spelling skills under extreme pressure, with a grand prize of $10,000 at stake.

The show consisted of three rounds, each with its own unique challenge. In the first round, called "Spell Pressure," contestants were asked to spell words while being subjected to various forms of pressure, such as being dunked in water or having to balance on a beam. The contestants had a limited amount of time to spell each word correctly, and any mistakes led to the contestant being eliminated.

The second round, called "Spell Disaster," was a physical challenge in which contestants had to spell words while being subjected to a variety of distractions and obstacles. They might be blasted with wind or have to dodge paintballs while trying to spell a word correctly. Again, any mistakes led to elimination.

The final round, called "Spell-A-Thon," was a traditional spelling bee format with one crucial twist - the contestants had to spell words backwards. The contestants would each be given a word and had to spell it backward correctly, with any mistakes leading to elimination.

Throughout the competition, contestants had the opportunity to use "lifelines" if they were unsure about a word. They could ask for a definition, ask for the word to be used in a sentence, or request that the word be spelled out loud. Contestants were also able to earn additional lifelines by completing challenges in between rounds.

Aside from the high-stakes competition and intense pressure, what really set Spell-Mageddon apart from other spelling bee shows was its unique sense of humor. Alfonso Ribeiro was a charismatic and engaging host, and he had a great rapport with the contestants. The various challenges and obstacles were often designed to be ridiculous and comedic, with contestants forced to spell words while wearing ridiculous costumes or holding a live chicken.

Overall, Spell-Mageddon was an enjoyable and engaging game show that combined the tension of traditional spelling bees with the fun and humor of physical challenges. The show was well-received by audiences during its brief run on FreeForm, and it remains a beloved favorite among fans of spelling bee competitions.

Spell-Mageddon is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between July 24, 2013 and on FreeForm