CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- Spike TV is set for a major original programming push next month as the cable channel announced its plans this week to launch two new series as well as the return of its animated comedy "Stripperella" and the hidden-camera show "Oblivious."
Here's a breakdown of the latest news (via press release):
NEW SERIES
10 THINGS EVERY GUY SHOULD EXPERIENCE
Premieres Monday, Feb. 2 (11:05-11:30 PM, ET/PT); encores Thursday, Feb. 5 (Midnight-12:30 AM, ET/PT), Saturday, Feb. 7 (2:00-2:30 PM, ET/PT & Midnight-12:30 AM, ET/PT) and Sunday, Feb. 8 (11:00-11:30 PM, ET/PT).
This monthly series features actual Spike TV viewers as they travel to the biggest and most-talked about sporting events. In each episode, two teams consisting of two friends compete to win the coveted opportunity to attend one of the selected events. This original Spike TV series kicks off with an episode from Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, TX. 10 Things Every Guy Should Experience is produced by Sergio Myers (MTV's Sorority/Fraternity Life).
CRASH TEST
Premieres Tuesday, Feb. 24 (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT); encores Sundays (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT & 2:30-3:00 AM, ET/PT).
The phrase, "Invitation Only" doesn't apply to the contestants on this reality show that has players trying to sneak into weddings, reunions, conventions and other parties. If the participants manage to make it past the velvet rope and sneak into an event, they will have to test their guile and guts as party crashers as they perform a series of tasks at parties to determine who is the ultimate party crasher. Crash Test will put the life into any party -- it's not a party until it's been crashed!
RETURNING SERIES
OBLIVIOUS
Premieres Tuesday, Feb. 24 (9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT); encores Sundays (9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT & 2:00-2:30 AM, ET/PT).
It's the game show you don't even know you're on! Using hidden cameras, Host Regan Burns is back and up to his usual tricks quizzing unsuspecting contestants where they least suspect it -- in a cab, at the hairdresser, in the bank, at the gas station, on the street, at a restaurant or in a bar. For every question the "oblivious" contestant answers correctly they win a cash prize.
STRIPPERELLA
Premieres Thursday, Feb. 12 (11:30 PM-Midnight, ET/PT). Regularly telecasts Thursdays (11:30 PM-Midnight, ET/PT).
Spike TV premieres seven brand new episodes of STRIPPERELLA. Stan Lee's STRIPPERELLA stars Pamela Anderson as the voice and moves of Erotica Jones who is a stripper by night and superhero, Stripperella by later night.
Thursday, Feb. 12 (11:30 PM-Midnight, ET/PT) "Evil Things Come in Small Packages" -- Small Fry is determined to make the rest of the world smaller than he is with his shrinking ray.
Thursday, Feb. 19 (11:30 PM-Midnight, ET/PT) "Eruption Junction, What's Your Function" -- Stripperella goes undercover as a high school student to find out why teens are mysteriously disappearing right before the big science fair.
Thursday, Feb. 26 (11:30 PM-Midnight, ET/PT) "The Bridesmaid" -- Always the bridesmaid, never the bride -- well after 30-some times, it's enough to make any one crack. The evil Bridesmaid is now out for vengeance against the grooms of the world. Stripperella goes under cover as a bride to try and stop the next batch of grooms from a deadly disappearance.
THE JOHN HENSON PROJECT
Premieres Sundays (10:00-10:30 PM, ET/PT); repeats Mondays (11:05-11:30 PM, ET/PT), Tuesdays (10:00-10:30 PM, ET/PT), Fridays (Midnight-12:30 AM, ET/PT) and Sundays (1:30-2:00 PM, ET/PT & 8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT).
John Henson brings his signature, irreverent humor to Spike TV with a new original, weekly half-hour series, THE JOHN HENSON PROJECT. Henson provides his comedic contemporary commentary on everything from current events, sports, pop culture and lifestyle through a guy's perspective.
MOST EXTREME ELIMINATION CHALLENGE
Telecasts Thursdays (9:00 PM-Midnight, ET/PT), Saturdays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT & Midnight-1:00 AM, ET/PT), Sundays (8:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT & 10:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT), Tuesdays (10:30-Midnight, ET/PT) and Wednesdays (11:00 PM- Midnight, ET/PT).
MOST EXTREME ELIMINATION CHALLENGE (MXC) features contestants engaged in ridiculous and often grueling athletic challenges. Using actual footage from one of the most popular primetime Japanese reality game shows, Takeshi's Castle, Spike TV's version is totally re-written and re-voiced by American announcers Vic Romano and Kenny Blankenship to create an entirely new comedic storyline.
RIDE WITH FUNKMASTER FLEX
Telecasts Saturdays (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT), Sundays (1:00-1:30 PM, ET/PT & 11:00-11:30 PM, ET/PT) and the following Saturday (11:00-11:30 AM, ET/PT)
Legendary DJ and car aficionado Funkmaster Flex takes viewers into his world of celebrity car culture with RIDE WITH FUNKMASTER FLEX -- the first ever car show from a hip-hop point of view. Each week, Funkmaster Flex rides alongside racing superstars, tours the most popular car shows, customizes cars and takes a look at cutting edge parts and systems.
SPIKE TV SPECIAL EVENTS/MARATHONS
BIKINIBOWL
Telecasts Sunday, Feb. 1 (2:00-7:00 PM, ET/PT).
Spike TV has the ultimate pre-show to the Superbowl with 5 hours of women in bikinis which include the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT SPECIALs, featuring some of the world's most beautiful women model the slightest bits of fashionable swimwear, and BIKINI HEAVEN, FHM Magazine's worldwide search for their new cover girl.
Sunday, Feb. 1 (2:00-3:00 PM, ET/PT) -- 1999 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT SPECIAL
Sunday, Feb. 1 (3:00-4:00 PM, ET/PT) -- 2000 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT SPECIAL
Sunday, Feb. 1 (4:00-5:00 PM, ET/PT) -- 2001 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT SPECIAL
Sunday, Feb. 1 (5:00-6:00 PM, ET/PT) -- 2002 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT SPECIAL
Sunday, Feb. 1 (6:00-7:00 PM, ET/PT) -- BIKINIHEAVEN
2004 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT SPECIAL
Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 11 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT); repeats Monday, Feb. 16 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT & 11:30 PM-12:30 AM, ET/PT), Saturday, Feb. 21 (2:00-3:00 PM, ET/PT) and Sunday, Feb. 22 (Midnight-1:00 AM, ET/PT).
In conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue that will hit newsstands on Wednesday, Feb. 11, Spike TV premieres the 2004 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT SPECIAL featuring some of the world's most beautiful women model the slightest bits of fashionable swimwear.
STRIPPERELLA MARATHON
Telecasts Thursday, Feb. 12 (9:00 PM-Midnight, ET/PT).
Leading up to brand new episodes of STRIPPERELLA, Spike TV presents a mini-marathon of this original, animated series. Stan Lee's STRIPPERELLA stars Pamela Anderson as the voice and moves of Erotica Jones who is a stripper by night and superhero, Stripperella by later night.
Thursday, Feb. 12 (9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) "Beauty and the Obese" (Part 1 of 2) -- Someone is turning the cities supermodels hideously fat. Is it the dubious modeling agent, Nairesec Rotcod? Or is it the dubious plastic surgeon, Dr.Cesarian? Or is it a third dubious person we haven't mentioned? One thing is certain ... whoever is behind this is dubious. It's up to Stripperella to find out before it's too late.
Thursday, Feb. 12 (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT) "Beauty and the Obese" (Part 2 of 2) -- Stripperella solves the mystery of who's been turning the cities supermodels hideously fat. She then has to save the day after learning that one of the supermodels has been literally "booby-trapped" with an exploding breast implant.
Thursday, Feb. 12 (10:00-10:30 PM, ET/PT) "Crime Doesn't Pay ... Seriously, It Really Doesn't" -- Stripperella goes up against that low-rate villain, CHEAPO, and his cowering henchmen.
Thursday, Feb. 12 (10:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT) "The Wrath of Klinko" -- Klinko, owner of a chain of copy stores, is using his copy machines to brain wash customers into criminals who will carry out his dirty deeds.
Thursday, Feb. 12 (11:00-11:30 PM, ET/PT) "Everybody Loves Pushy" - Stripperella uncovers the secret behind Pushy Galore's home shopping networks' success: her items are made out of human flesh!
Thursday, Feb. 12 (11:30 PM-Midnight, ET/PT) "Evil Things Come in Small Packages" - Small Fry is determined to make the rest of the world smaller than he is with his shrinking ray.
PRESIDENT'S DAY MARATHON
Telecasts Monday, Feb. 16 (10:00 AM-9:00 PM, ET/PT)
Spike TV salutes President's Day with a marathon of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT SPECIALS including an encore presentation of the 2004 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT SPECIAL.
THE TERMINATOR UNCUT (1984 Sci-Fi/Thriller)
Premieres uncut and in its entirety on Wednesday, Feb. 25 (9:00-11:30 PM, ET/PT).
A cyborg is sent back from the future on a deadly mission to kill Sarah Connor, a young woman whose life will have a great significance in years to come. Stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn.
MOVIE PREMIERES
Saturday, Feb. 7 (5:00-7:00 PM, ET/PT)
F/X (1986 Action/Crime)
A movie special effects man is hired to fake a real-life mob killing for a witness protection plan, but finds his own life in danger. Stars Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy.
Saturday, Feb. 14 (4:00-6:30 PM, ET/PT)
GREYSTOKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, LORD OF THE APES (1984 Adventure)
Tarzan is brought from the jungle back to civilization by an explorer who suspects that Tarzan is, in fact, John Clayton, the seventh Earl of Greystoke. Stars Christopher Lambert, Ian Holm and Andie McDowell.
Wednesday, Feb. 18 (9:00-11:30 PM, ET/PT)
THE KRAYS (1990 Drama)
True exploits of gangster twin brothers who ruled London's underworld in the 1960's. Stars Billie Whitelaw, Tom Bell and Gary Kemp.
Saturday, Feb. 21 (5:00-7:00 PM, ET/PT)
THE PROTECTOR (1985 Drama/Action)
The Protector: Billy Wong and his partner head to Hong Kong to investigate a kidnapping related to a kingpin's drug dealing. Stars Jackie Chan and Danny Aiello.
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