USA Network renews ‘Barmageddon’ for Season 2
Blake Shelton may be stepping away from The Voice after a long run, but his partnership with NBCUniversal continues: his bar-room game show, Barmageddon, co-created and co-hosted with Carson Daly, has been renewed for a second season on USA Network.
According to the network press release, the Barmageddon premiere was USA Network’s strongest new series launch in nearly three years in total viewers and its best unscripted debut in the 18–49 demographic in more than two years. The show also set a new record for USA Network in 7-day delayed viewing for an unscripted series, signaling strong audience interest both live and in delayed streams.
Nikki Bella may not be returning as host
Season one featured a rotating lineup of celebrity competitors — including Gwen Stefani, Sheryl Crow, Trace Adkins, Kane Brown, Lil Rel Howry, Malin Åkerman, and others — who faced off in a series of inventive bar-style challenges. The games mixed familiar pub pastimes with outrageous twists: Air Cannon Cornhole, Keg Curling, Drunken Axe Hole, and the tongue-in-cheek Sharts (also called “Shelton Darts”) were among the crowd-pleasing events.
WWE star and America’s Got Talent: Extreme judge Nikki Bella served as host for the first season, but the season-two announcement made no mention of her return. The omission leaves her status for the new season unclear.
More about Barmageddon
Season two is billed to bring new celebrity favorites, fresh games, and amplified antics. The series plays out in Blake Shelton’s Ole Red Nashville bar, where a lively studio audience, the hosts’ playful heckling, and the festive atmosphere help turn each episode into a party. The tone is competitive but lighthearted, emphasizing entertainment and spectacle over polished athleticism.
Each episode features two celebrities who compete across a set of five unique bar games. The stakes are characteristically humorous but meaningful: winners secure a prize intended to benefit a viral Internet personality that each celebrity has chosen to support. These supporters are typically people who gained notoriety online for memorable moments or mishaps; the show gives them a chance to step into the spotlight and receive a prize selected on their behalf.
Tension and comedy are heightened by the Wheel of Redemption. After losing a round, a celebrity can take a gamble on the wheel to try to even the score. That choice carries risk—and often results in hilarious consequences—while the winners walk away with the reward and the losers accept public good-natured ribbing. The format balances competitive play with a redemptive arc for viral stars, combining game-show momentum with moments meant to boost deserving internet personalities.
USA Network’s decision to order a second season reflects the show’s early ratings success and its appeal to viewers who enjoy celebrity-driven unscripted entertainment. Barmageddon’s mix of improvised banter from Blake and Carson, unexpected game mechanics, and a raucous live environment created a distinct identity that resonated with audiences. Season two aims to build on that momentum by introducing new games, fresh celebrity matchups, and continued support for the viral figures who inspired each episode’s prize.
As production ramps up, viewers can expect more of the rowdy energy and playful humiliation that made the premiere stand out. Whether or not all season-one personalities return, the core formula remains: comedic hosting, inventive bar games, celebrity competition, and a charitable twist that gives internet sensations a chance at redemption. Barmageddon’s renewal confirms the concept’s staying power and sets the stage for a louder, wilder second season at Ole Red Nashville.