MTV‘s comedy series Ridiculousness recently completed shooting its fifth and sixth seasons at Hollywood Center Studios. The show, in which host Rob Drydek presents the most hysterical and absurd videos found on the internet, is shot multi-camera-style on Stage Nine before a live audience.
Season six, which is airing now, features a line-up of special guests, including rapper Future, R&B singer/songwriter Ne-Yo and internet video team Smosh, and introduces new categories like “Power Kiss,” “Everyday Demons,” “Human Glitches” and “Magnet Feet.”
Hollywood Center Studios supplies the show with a stage, an HD control room, HD camera systems, lighting, make-up and costume rooms, a green room, parking and other facilities. Production for seasons five and six was completed in three, two-week sessions with two episodes produced each shoot day. “We have a demanding and unusual production schedule,” said supervising producer Josh Green. “We shoot 10 episodes in two weeks. It could be stressful, but Hollywood Center Studios’ one-stop shopping makes it easy. When we come in, everything is there.”
These shoots can be unpredictable since much of what happens on the show is spontaneous and unrehearsed. One episode featured an appearance by Floyd Mayweather Jr. When Drydek challenged the boxer about his reputation for traveling with a million dollars in cash, Mayweather promptly emptied a Gucci bag containing the cash on the stage floor.
Recalling the episode, Green noted that he appreciates the security that comes with shooting on a gated lot. The studio provides easy access for celebrity guests and hassle free audience management.
“They always accommodate us,” Green said. “We’re happy to be there.”
