Shaquille O’Neal hosts new reality show

NBA legend and all-round big guy, Shaquille O’Neal has just announced he’s launching a reality show.

The 7’1″ basketball star will face world-class opponents from a wide range of sports, in an effort to prove he is truly the best. The show begins taping on Wednesday, when Shaq will face the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Superbowl champ, Ben Roethlisberger in an NFL duel. Other shows will see the 37-year old going head-to-head with Michael Phelps,Oscar De La Hoya, tennis diva Serena Williams and the St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols. He also hopes to battle Lance Armstrong, once the cycling king gets back home from France..

The unusual concept was all Shaq’s idea, and ABC were eager to put it on air, “He has a fun, sort of childish persona, and at the same time he’s a superstar,” John Saade, chief of ABC’s reality department told USA. “Our hope is that you come for the absurdity but stay for the sport.”

Each show will begin with some warm-up challenges and interaction with needy kids – to whom any prizes will go. Then, after Shaq and his rival decide on a handicap, the serious games will begin, “When it comes to competing, there is no joking around,” O’Neal told the press.

Despite a remarkable 17-year career in sports, Shaq says he’s not too skillful at tennis or baseball, but expects to crush his opponents at football and swimming. So how would the other stars do against him on the court, he was asked? “They’d be good,…but not good enough,” was the modest reply.

As well as shooting the hoops for more than a decade, Shaq has appeared as himself in a small range of movies, and even recorded some passable rap. But his last reality outing, “Shaq’s Big Challenge,’ got killed in the ratings and was hurriedly canceled. This latest venture is due to bow on August 18, and will air Tuesdays at 9pm, Eastern.