Drew Carey Takes Helm of Revamped Undercover Boss on CBS After Four-Year Absence
CBS is bringing back Undercover Boss for Season 12 after a four-year hiatus, with Drew Carey hosting a reimagined version of the reality format. The new season will feature corporate leaders disguising themselves as entry-level employees to observe their actual workplace operations and workforce dynamics. CBS simultaneously ordered two new competition series: Stacks of Cash hosted by Mike O'Malley and 24 Hour Millionaire from Big Brother producers, though premiere dates remain to be announced.
Drew Carey, known for his long tenure hosting the game show "The Price is Right," will take on hosting duties for the returning reality series. The format itself remains rooted in its original premise: executives embed themselves within their own companies as low-level workers to observe authentic operations and employee experiences firsthand. CBS describes the upcoming season as a fresh interpretation of the established concept, though specific details about what distinguishes this version from its predecessors have not yet been disclosed.
The network is simultaneously expanding its unscripted programming slate with two newly ordered competition formats. "Stacks of Cash" emphasizes quiz-based gameplay with a physical component involving block-stacking mechanics, while "24 Hour Millionaire" takes inspiration from the proven "Big Brother" franchise structure, offering a million-dollar prize to competitors who endure a full day of continuous mental and physical challenges without rest periods.
The return of "Undercover Boss" and accompanying competition orders could signal CBS's strategic focus on reality and game show formats as stable programming anchors. These series may appeal to audiences seeking alternative entertainment during a period of streaming competition, while potentially influencing workplace culture discussions by highlighting employee experiences. The shows' success or failure could shape network investment decisions in unscripted content versus scripted programming, affecting industry employment and production patterns across the television landscape.