this is "nightline." >> tonight, swimming with killers. we're on a journey to the coast of norway with an adventurer determined to expose the majesty of orcas to the world. the firmer killer whale trainer getting a chance of a lifetime. >> we're ready to go swimming. >> why these apex predators are now at risk. here's your host! >> he got game. >> welcome to the 100,000 pyramid! >> michael strahan taking us behind the scenes at his star-studded game show "the 100,000 pyramid." >> what's this? >> booty. >> yes. >> revealing his secret preshow ritual. >> i have no idea what that means. but that's what we do. >> that was awesome. >> but first the "nightline 5." >> i love you, couch.

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good evening. thank you for joining us. tonight we join an adventurer on a journey to the freezing waters of norway coming face-to-face with wild killer whalts. they're an apex predator but now they're the ones being hunted. can the work of this modern-day

viking turn the tide? here's abc's gloria riviera. >> reporter: when you see them here, the limitless expanses of the blue oceans, it's hard to think of them like this. confined to tanks. >> they belong out there in the wild. >> reporter: at least that's the hope of marine biologist and adventurer andreas and his crew as they set out on a journey to the edge of the map. to come face-to-face with orca whales in a way few will ever see them. diving into arctic waters, risking life and limb to swim with the killer whales and capturing it all on camera. >> the part of our being out there is to show the orcas and the whales in their natural elements to us and everyone that sees them. it's very obvious that these animals do not belong in captivity. >> reporter: even though these mighty beasts are the apex predators of the sea, they are the ones at risk. >> firestorm tonight over a proposal to ban very popular

attraction at seaworld. >> the company is launching a big pr blitz. it is attacking the credibility of a stinging documentary that explores the death of a seaworld trainer -- >> reporter: it was four years ago, "blackfish" made waves for aquatic theme parks, highlighting what the filmmaker claims are the cruel realities of killer whale capture. >> when the whole hunt was over there were three dead whales in the net. >> reporter: underscoring the risk the trainers face when they dive into the tanks for performances. >> he said, there's been an accident. and a trainer was killed. >> reporter: the backlash against one-time staples like seaworld -- >> boycott seaworld! >> reporter: almost immediately tangible. >> i often look at the beautiful ocean and wish the whales confined at seaworld had freedom. >> reporter: orca whale breeding programs by and large ended in the u.s. whale shows as we knew them permanently canceled. now asian markets are getting into the act. has the effect of "blackfish"

caught on globally in air should? >> we are making rapid progress in the west, whereas in the east, they are going backwards. that's the new battleground. >> reporter: china has developed a booming appetite for aquatic entertainment. with over 40 sites across the untry and more under construction. premier parks have already angered conservationists with their beluga whale shows. but recently the company began acquiring orcas, captured from russian seas. some whales killed in the process. the live captures are allegedly transported by truck to china where there are no federal animal welfare laws regulating their care. >> what's happening in russia is they are taking animals from a single population. this population is probably less than 300 animals. they are mammal eaters. these are the ones that actually hunt and kill other dolphins, other seals, sea lions, et cetera. they're not fish eaters, the

vegetarians of the orca world, who are by and large the animals that are in captivity in the west. so when they get caught and they get put in a tank, they know how to hunt. i'm very concerned about the safety of these trainers. >> reporter: chinese state media releasing the first videos of their orca whales earlier this year. >> started with nine at one facility. we know there's four in a second facility. the concern is that if the facilities are successful, there's going to be another one that's going to be i want an oh character i want three orcas, i want nine orcas, who knows. >> reporter: video and social media a crucial tool for activists like dr. rose. >> we are doing everything we can to reach as many people as possible. these viral videos are getting literally birdseye views that we've never had of these animals before. >> they are on the top of the food chain and they are incredibly smart. you can see that by being in the water with them. as a storyteller they want to

share this. >> reporter: dubbed the modern-day viking andreas' trek to find the killer whales is not an easy one. >> to get to the whales we have to sale for sync to nine days along the norwegian coast, two-thirds of it. >> reporter: it takes over a week to reach trumpso, a town in northern norway near the whales' freezing feeding grounds. >> most of the year these orcas are out in open water where it's very difficult to follow them. >> reporter: andreas captains a sailboat, the "barba." he invites floridian and former orca trainer jess cope. for her this trip has intensely person alimonying. >> i have a picture from when i'm 6 years old sitting on shamu. fast forward 20 years later. i've got a video of me doing the whale show at the miami aquarium. this is before they changed everything. doing a show like that, it's not

about the people clapping and the audience. it really is about the relationship that you have with these animals that you've built over so many years. >> shame, shame, shame on you! >> reporter: she says once "blackfish" was released things started to change. >> it was just a very sad and disheartening experience to have all of a sudden our career be negatively viewed. >> reporter: eventually jess transitioned careers and miami sea aquarium stopped doing traditional whale shows. after connecting with andreas online she couldn't pass up an opportunity to swim with orcas again. >> i was thinking, this is too good to be true. heading to the airport. bye, florida. >> reporter: she sets on off to norway. >> landed in oslo. i'm so excited. it looks very cold outside. >> reporter: and boards the "barba." home sweet home. >> reporter: from there they set off into freezing waters. they must endure subzero temperatures.

navigate through snow storms and polar nights. >> some of the worst sailing is when you get caught in the bad weather. we've seen quite a few blizzards now. >> reporter: deal with cramped conditions below deck. >> hello! >> reporter: then the matter of actually finding the whales. >> i see two boats. two fishing vessels. no whales yet. >> reporter: eventually -- >> it's crazy! >> reporter: they see black fins over the waves. >> i've never seen anything so beautiful in my life. >> once we see whales, we approach them gently. sometimes we just hang around for hours and then at some point they will start coming up to the boat once they are relaxed and calm. >> i was so excited. i was just like, let's go, let's go! >> reporter: it's finally time to suit up. >> we're ready to go swimming. >> reporter: even though these animals are fierce hunters, they have only wet suits for protection. >> they're exceptionally powerful, they could kill you in second, they choose not to.

>> reporter: they dive in. and come face-to-face with the mighty orcas. >> when i first saw the whales in the water, i was emotional. it was just really incredible to see them there. in their natural habitat. >> reporter: the experience, indescribable. >> i got like so close. >> reporter: but recorded expertly for the public by andreas and his team. >> i think adding the human element to a documentary, people are to a greater extent able to identify themselves with the story that's being told. >> reporter: putting them one step closer to achieving their goal. raising awareness for the well-being of these gentle giants in the wild. and for jess, giving her a new outlet for the calling she felt all those years ago. >> this trip was completely invigorating. if anything it did spark back up

that enthusiasm to continue to work with marine mammals, continuing to grow that passion that i can hopefully share with other people all over the world. >> reporter: for "nightline" i'm gloria riviera. next, michael strahan gives us the secret to his success. behind the scenes of "the 100,000 pyramid." later, she served seven years in military prison for leaking classified information. now chelsea manning in an abc news "nightline" exclusive, her first tv interview as a free woman. looking up, not down. it's being in motion. in body, in spirit, in the now. boost® high protein it's intelligent nutrition with 15 grams of protein and 26 vitamins and minerals. for when you need a little extra. boost® the number one high protein complete nutritional drink.

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okay, his shaped and sized like a triangle in 3d. it's a great one in egypt, how cheerleaders stand on top of each other. did you get it? if you did you might be the perfect contestant for michael strahan's star-studded game show. here's my coanchor juju chang. >> what happens behind the scenes? >> we have a lot of fun. >> reporter: tonight "nightline" taking you behind the scenes of "the 100,000 pyramid" in primetime. you're about to walk on set. do you do special preparation exercises? >> i'm going to show you what we do. >> let's see it. >> on the final show right here. before every show, this is what we do. make a fist. we go, potato fries! have a great show! i have no idea what that means. where it came from. but that's what we do. >> that was awesome! >> michael strahan! >> reporter: full of laughs. >> it was not the word.

>> i give so much better. >> reporter: and mental hijinks. >> pass. oh! >> rope. >> yes. >> reporter: pyramid with michael strahan delivers vintage fun. >> welcome to the "100,000 pyramid." >> reporter: this sunday returning for a second season. >> i'm glad you're all here, we're going to have some fun, going to try to give you money today. >> reporter: bringing back classic game shows as part of abc's summer fun and games, "celebrity family feud." >> one of you is headed to youtube. >> reporter: to tell the truth. >> are you single and do you like cougars? >> reporter: and the gong show. for "pyramid," celebrities are paired with contestants from across the country. >> what's this? >> booty. >> yes. >> reporter: word association. >> describe these nonliving things that might talk to you. >> a child plays with this. >> a toy. >> yes. you wake up in the morning to -- >> alarm clock. >> yes. >> what kind of person is the

perfect $100,000 pyramid"? >> the perfect person is someone who has a grasp of communication. of looking someone in the eye and remaining calm within the fire of the storm of time. >> i feel like we're describing you. >> no. i'm horrible. no. you will not see me play this game, you will see me host this game. >> is it true that it was your favorite? >> yeah, of course. i remember -- i have five brothers and sisters. different age groups. this was something that fit into everybody. >> reporter: it's good old-fashioned fun mixed with edgy humor. >> i am your host michael strahan but it's cool did your grandma calls me dick clark. >> hey, they said i couldn't say dick. >> reporter: since the days of mr. clark the money pot has gotten bigger. >> your host dick clark! >> reporter: starting at $10,000, then 20, 25, 50, and now the winning team takes their

chances in the winner's circle to bring home $100,000. is it tough filling dick clark's shoes? or do you take that as inspiration? >> that's inspiration. because there was only one dick clark. if i tried to fill his shoes and be exactly what he was, i don't think this show would have lasted. >> reporter: dick clark hosted "pyramid" for 15 years in the '70s and '80s. >> the $25,000 pyramid is not a democracy. >> reporter: featuring a younger betty white in a track suit. >> spies. >> things that are mysterious. things that are undercover. >> reporter: the ever-stylish florence henderson. >> this man carries a briefcase. >> what is this enduring love affair with game shows? >> i think game shows bring you back to a time where it seemed like a different innocence, you can watch with your kids. there aren't a lot of ways you can sit with your kids and laugh together, bond over and

communicate. >> reporter: like fashion, game shows seem to go in and out of style every few decades. this summer abc's hoping game shows will be a winner once again. this season will showcase the mental gymnastics of l.l. cool j and tom bergeron. >> bob marley has these in his hair. >> ah, dread locks! i'm very white. >> reporter: we were there for the taping of an upcoming episode with "designated survivor" kal penn and abby elliot from "odd man out." >> tiny dancer? elton john? >> michael said you ended up having more fun than expected, is that true? >> oh, definitely. nervous in the beginning, definitely got in my head in the middle, but what when it was done i definitely wanted to play more. >> one, two, three, four. not the question but the answer. >> did you ever think that little kid watching that game on that couch would grow up to host that show? >> absolutely not. who did? i watched a lot of stuff and

i've done a lot of stuff that i've watched. and i am still in amazement. this is just another stack on top of the icing on the cake. >> reporter: strahan might just be having his cake and devouring it too. >> you got the morning show, you got the sports show, you got the game show. you've got the whole world. >> then because i've always been open to whatever came my way, how would you know you can't do something if you don't try? >> i've heard you speak to young kids and talk about yourself as the chubby little kid sitting on the couch watching that tv show. if you could talk to that kid what would you say to him? >> put down the cake. no you know what? i would just tell that kid, don't worry so much, just enjoy it. i think we get so lock the into, let me try this, let me try that, if you're not successful now, oh my god, i'm a failure. no, you're not. life is about failing. if you don't fail, you'll never know the feeling of how good it feels when you do succeed. >> reporter: words of wisdom for the game of life. >> we'll see you next time right

here on "the 100,000 pyramid." >> reporter: for "nightline" i'm juju chang in new york. >> $100,000 pyramid" premieres this sunday at 10:00 p.m. on abc. and next, transgender u.s. army soldier chelsea manning in an abc news "nightline" exclusive. her first tv interview since she was released from military prison. ♪ nobody does underwater stunts, sylvia. except me, of course. this is my stop. adios! ♪ if you're a stuntman, you cheat death. it's what you do. if you want to save fifteen percent or more on car insurance, you switch to geico. it's what you do. número uno!

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connection to nature is a right that the trust for public land is fighting to preserve. from boulevards to ball fields and ponds to playgrounds, together we have saved over 3 million acres of land. a park is a gift that is worth protecting.

help support the trust for public land and the gift of parks today. former army intelligence analyst chelsea manning was convicted for leaking the large trove of government secrets in u.s. history. she see she did it to spark public debate about the complexities of warfare and diplomacy. in her first tv interview since her release from military prison manning speaks to my night kline coanchor juju chang in an abc news "nightline" exclusive. >> do you feel as though you owe the american public an apology? >> i've accepted responsibility. no one told me to do this, nobody directed me to do this. this is me. it's on me. >> one could argue you took an oath to defend the constitution

against enemies. >> right. >> do you feel like you betrayed that oath? >> no. i think i stuck to it. i have a responsibility to the public, you know. it's not just about -- we all have responsibility. >> do you think you made an impact for the better? what do you think about the military today? >> the people who are in the military work very hard, often for not much money, to make their country better and to protect their country. i have nothing but utmost respect for the military. >> our thanks to juju. that was just a preview of her exclusive interview. tune into "nightline" next week for the full special edition "declassified: the chelsea manning story." thank you for watching abc news. as always we're online at abcnews.com and our "nightline" facebook page. thanks for the company, america. have a good weekend.