“Shark Tank” fans rejoice: ABC is renewing the business-reality cult-favorite for a second season, plus adding a familiar comedian to the show’s judging panel.
Jeff Foxworthy is joining the series as a Shark for three episodes. ABC is ordering eight hours total from executive producer Mark Burnett and Sony Pictures TV.
The five Sharks from the first season are all back: real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, infomercial pioneer Kevin Harrington, technology expert Robert Herjavec, fashion owner Daymond John and financial expert Kevin O’Leary.
Mixing in Foxworthy is an unusual choice. Though adding a celebrity is a sharp idea for boosting ratings, he’s not a name that leaps to mind when you think about business savvy. ABC points out he has his own line of beef jerky and BBQ sauces, in addition to expanding his comedy career to albums, books and forays into TV (including hosting Burnett’s game show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader”).
“Shark Tank” will resume production this fall and will air sometime in 2011.
