The new CBS reality competition series “Buddy Games” was inspired by actor Josh Duhamel, whose tradition of bringing his childhood friends together for a weekend each summer is something special to him. Now this competition series gathers together groups of close friends for an adult summer camp, so to speak, and the chance to win a cash prize of $200,000. Not a bad chunk of change, but being with close friends is what is at the heart of this series.

Duhamel has reunited with his childhood friends for one weekend each summer for 20 years to compete in games and reacquaint themselves with each other. The show is hosted by Duhamel, and he said, “Being able to bring ‘Buddy Games’ to CBS is truly a dream come true for me. This is something my buddies and I have wanted to share with the world for a long time as we knew there was a relatability to it with other people doing similar things to strengthen their friendships. For me, getting to executive produce and host ‘Buddy Games’ while observing these groups of friends let loose and become part of this big family has been an honor and will be a lot of fun for viewers to watch.”

The show brings together six teams of four friends to compete in wacky physical and mental challenges. Will this craziness strengthen their relationships or tear a hole in them?

These friends have seen each other at their best and their worst, but going through these challenges brings a new element to their friendships. They will test each other and the other teams.

When teams are eliminated, they are gone. But when they are allowed to continue, the members must select which one of them will go because that is the name of the game. Choosing a friend to leave the competition is probably the most emotional part of the games.

There are some pretty wacky challenges these friends must endure — some on land and some in water. Also, some in mud.

It’s a fun show to watch as these friends let loose on this “vacation” from their everyday lives, reconnect, let their hair down and party. But they must keep their eyes on the prize in order to walk away with the $200,000.

Summer camp for adults is another way of looking at this experience. The caveat is that they must continue to endure grueling, albeit fun, challenges and keep their friendships strong at the same time.

The setting for this competition is a beautiful South Dakota lakeside retreat. So, even if they lose, they get to enjoy this picturesque locale and reunite with their buddies. Of course, the big money prize is the icing on the cake.

Duhamel’s experience inspired him to make two feature films and now he has brought the fun he and his buddies have enjoyed for two decades to television viewers, with the added bonus of the competitions for other groups of friends to enjoy the fun he and his buddies have relished in for over 20 years.

“Buddy Games” airs Thursdays on CBS. It also streams on Paramount+.

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