Fox Sets Competition Show ‘The Snake’ With Host Jim Jefferies

Fox is mounting its own entry into the burgeoning subgenre of unscripted TV that involves people playing a game, some of whom are secretly working to control the rest of the group.

Shorter version: Fox is doing its take on The Traitors.

The network’s show is called The Snake, and like its titular animal it contains a number of twists and turns (more on that in a couple of paragraphs). Comedian Jim Jefferies will host the series, which comes from Jersey Shore creator SallyAnn Salsano. It’s set to premiere in the summer.

“SallyAnn brings her uniquely original voice to Fox with this fresh take on the strategy competition series and a universally appealing concept that will captivate audiences,” said Fox Television Network president Michael Thorn in a statement. “Trust me — The Snake lives up to its name.”

Fox is calling The Snake a “social survival of the fittest” competition. It will feature 15 players who work in “various persuasive professions.” Here’s how the network describes the game: “Each contestant must leverage their unique skills, training and powers of persuasion as they face a multitude of challenges designed to showcase the traits needed to be successful in the game. The winner of each challenge becomes The Snake, earning control of The Saving Ceremony, an explosive, chain reaction elimination where it’s not about who wants you gone, but who is willing to save you. The Snake doesn’t just hinge on winning challenges — it’s about winning people over. The social aspect of the game never stops — connections are everything whether you’re making friends, faking friends, or sparking romantic connections. Promises are put to the test during the Saving Ceremony as players do everything in their power to avoid being picked last by The Snake, hoping to escape elimination.”

The winner will get a $100,000 prize.

“I’m thrilled to be hosting The Snake, a show about making friends and faking friends,” said Jefferies. “I’ve been training for this job my whole life. Growing up In Australia, and now living in Hollywood, I’ve been around plenty of snakes.”

The Snake joins fellow Traitors-esque shows The Trust and Million Dollar Secret at Netflix. The O.G. of the subgenre is The Mole, which first aired on ABC in the early 2000s and was revived at Netflix three years ago.

Fox Entertainment owns The Snake. Salsano’s 495 Productions is producing the series; Salsano is the showrunner and executive produces with Frank Miccolis and Kim Green.