'Celebrity Boxing', an apparently irony-free spillover from MTV's animated 'Celebrity Death Match', entertained viewers with the likes of President Clinton-accuser Paula Jones and disgraced ice skater Tonya Harding punching it out.
It gave Fox some of its highest ratings, and success in the US is likely to see UK sister network BSkyB pick up the idea and take it on board -- think 'Celebrity Big Brother' with punches. The show managed to beat out reality TV rival 'Survivor' on CBS.
The show was a one-off special but the success has Fox executives' mouths watering for round two, with another show now looking set to air in May, providing the fading stars can be coaxed on screen.
Advertisers clearly had no qualms about being attached to the concept, as big-name brands including Chevrolet, McDonald's and VoiceStream Communications were all on board.
According to reports, only major sports events such as the baseball World Series and Super Bowl have given networks such healthy numbers.
More importantly, 'Celebrity Boxing' scored high ratings among the key 18-34 young adult demographic, who were clearly attracted by the high kitsch idea.
Harding, who clubbed skating rival Nancy Kerrigan in the knee with a lead pipe, was able to repeat her violent form and battered Jones into submission in the second round.
Other fights on Wednesday included Danny Bonaduce, of 'The Partridge Family', who knocked out Barry Williams, who played Greg in the original 'Brady Bunch'.
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