Shaquille O’Neal Vs. Phelps and Others

Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal is going head-to-head with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and Wimbledon champ Serena Williams, trying to beat them at their own sport.

The 7-ft.-1-in. player is filming a new reality TV series, in which he faces off with other sports stars, taking a crash-course in his opponent's field before they compete.

Called Shaq Vs. the show will feature boxer Oscar de la Hoya, baseball star Albert Pujols and Olympic volleyball gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor, in addition to Phelps and Williams.

ABC TV has already picked up five hour-long episodes, but O'Neal is pushing for a sixth as he tries to woo seven-time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong (currently running second in the 2009 race) to come on board.

It's an ambitious concept for the 38-year-old basketball player, who will be filmed training for just one week before each challenge. He'll also negotiate a handicap with each opponent to level the playing field.

O'Neal will executive produce the project, which launches in on August 18.

This is likely to be hilarious. Set the Tivo.

— Marissa Charles, Splash News