or


[01/17/08 - 01:12 PM]
'NBC's All-American Summer' Showcases NBC's Commitment to Year-Long Original Programming with Pickup of USA Network's Popular Country Music Talent Search 'Nashville Star' and Second Season Premiere of High-Octane Hit 'American Gladiators'
The first four seasons of "Star" have launched the careers of promising artists including Chris Young, Buddy Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Lance Miller and Angela and Zac Hacker.

[via press release from NBC]

'NBC'S ALL-AMERICAN SUMMER' SHOWCASES NBC'S COMMITMENT TO YEAR-LONG ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING WITH PICKUP OF USA NETWORK'S POPULAR COUNTRY MUSIC TALENT SEARCH 'NASHVILLE STAR' AND SECOND SEASON PREMIERE OF HIGH-OCTANE HIT 'AMERICAN GLADIATORS'

Series Will Provide Momentum Leading into NBC Universal's Exclusive Coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing

BURBANK - January 17, 2008 - As a primary summer component of "NBC's All-American Summer" ramping up to NBC Universal's exclusive coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, NBC has picked up USA Network's popular country music talent search "Nashville Star" and will premiere the second season of the high-octane hit "American Gladiators."

The announcement was made by Craig Plestis, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment.

"These exciting new reality shows will be a vital part of 'NBC's All-American Summer' building up to the drama of the Beijing Olympics," said Plestis. "We are thrilled to feature the powerhouse 'Gladiators' this summer and it's a real coup to bring 'Nashville Star' to NBC."

"Nashville Star" is the original grassroots talent search to find America's next great country music star and the longest running competition series on cable. The winner of this last installment received a major recording contract with Warner Bros. Nashville. The fifth season boasted Grammy-nominated host Jewel and Warner Bros. Records' Cowboy Troy. In addition, the show's previous hosts have included Wynonna Judd and LeAnn Rimes. A new host and judges for this season will be announced at a later date. Country music superstars who have made guest appearances on the show include Naomi Judd, Kenny Rogers, Big & Rich, Blake Shelton, Randy Owen, Phil Vassar, Bret Michaels and Little Big Town.

The first four seasons of the series have launched the careers of promising artists including Chris Young, Buddy Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Lance Miller and Angela and Zac Hacker -- the siblings who made it a family affair by coming in first and second respectively last season.

A massive multi-city casting search for this year's talent will kick off in early February and for the first time in the series' run "Nashville Star" will open the auditions not just to solo artists but also to duets and singing groups who are primed to compete. Another first for season six, in attempt to find the best of the best, the competition will be open to singers 16-years of age and older. The two-hour season premiere will feature a casting special where producers take viewers behind the scenes and introduce them to the best and worst talent vying to be the next "Nashville Star."

"Nashville Star" is created by Reveille and produced by 495 Productions and Picture Vision. Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens ("American Gladiators"), Mark Koops ("The Biggest Loser") and Sallyann Salsano ("Design Star," "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila") serve as executive producers.

The Sunday, January 6 debut of "American Gladiators" (5.9 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, 12.0 million viewers overall) grabbed the season's highest adult 18-49 rating for any new-series premiere on any network in the opening 15 weeks of the season. It was also NBC's top new-series premiere since "Heroes" launched in September 2006. In addition, "American Gladiators" has quickly established itself as a ratings behemoth among young men and young adults, with its January 6 premiere delivering the highest men 18-34 rating of any non-sports program on any network in the prior seven weeks. That telecast also claimed NBC's highest non-sports rating among adults 18-49 in the time period in nearly three years (since January 16, 2005). The most recent edition of "American Gladiators," on Monday, January 14, ruled its time period with the #1 ratings of the night on any network among men 18-49, men 18-34, adults 18-34, teens 12-17 and kids 2-11.

Hulk Hogan ("Hogan Knows Best") and Laila Ali ("Dancing with the Stars") host the iconic competition series, which returned with a fresh modern reinvention for the 21st century. Using splashy twists including special effects, water skills and the latest technology, the classic games have been upgraded with even higher thrills, impact, energy and spectacle.

Celebrating the everyday, true American heroes -- weekend warriors who excel and take pride in their physical fitness -- 24 contenders go up against the show's Gladiators, charismatic and eclectic warriors -- in the ultimate David & Goliath battle. The male Gladiators including Titan, Militia, Toa, Justice, Wolf and Mayhem and the female Gladiators Fury, Venom, Stealth, Crush, Hellga and Siren, have emerged as larger-than-life, break-out characters.

As in MGM's traditional "American Gladiators" franchise, everyday amateur athletes compete against the Gladiators in contests of physical strength and endurance. The series includes such classic events as Joust, The Wall, Hang Tough, Powerball, Assault, Pyramid, Gauntlet and the Eliminator along with two brand-new events including Earthquake and Hit & Run.

The 24 male and female contenders compete in three rounds of challenges where the final man and woman left standing will win a $100,000 top prize and will become Gladiators next season. All contenders have a unique story to tell and a compelling reason why they need to win. These unsung heroes combine brawn and heart in their effort to be worthy competitors, winning over the audience and turning them against the villainous Gladiators.

The series is currently casting for season two. For more information, please go to www.nbc.com.

"American Gladiators" is produced by MGM Television (the original producers of the show) and Reveille (NBC's "The Office" and "The Biggest Loser," "Nashville Star," "Ugly Betty"). Reveille's Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens and David A. Hurwitz ("Fear Factor") are the executive producers alongside Flor-Jon, Films Inc.'s Johnny Ferraro, original series creator.





  [january 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· AMERICAN GLADIATORS (NBC)
· BIGGEST LOSER, THE (USA)
· DANCING WITH THE STARS (ABC)
· DOUBLE SHOT AT LOVE, A (MTV)
· FEAR FACTOR (MTV)
· HEROES (NBC)
· HOGAN KNOWS BEST (VH1)
· NASHVILLE STAR (NBC)
· OFFICE, THE (NBC)
· UGLY BETTY (ABC)





[08/29/25 - 10:46 AM]
National Geographic Documentary Films Announces Global Acquisition of Streaming Rights to Werner Herzog Documentary "Ghost Elephants" Following Venice World Premiere
The documentary will make its U.S. premiere at the Telluride Film Festival this weekend.

[08/29/25 - 10:08 AM]
"Prison Break" Turns 20: Executive Producer Dawn Olmstead Curates Episode Collections on Hulu
It's been 20 years since Michael Scofield entered Fox River State Penitentiary on a mission: break brother Lincoln out.

[08/29/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "French Lover" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a jaded actor meets a down-on-her-luck waitress in Paris, their unexpected love story begins - but will it survive the glare of the spotlight?

[08/29/25 - 08:02 AM]
Video: Prime Video Unveils Paris Trailer and New Cast for the Final Episodes of "The Summer I Turned Pretty"
Joining the series in recurring roles are Corinna Brown, Fernando Cattori, Isaline Prevost Radeff, and Jahz Armando.

[08/29/25 - 05:43 AM]
"Sounds of Summer" - Feel-Good, Music-Packed Movie About Swedish Pop Icons Gyllene Tider Makes Exclusive US Debut Thursday, September 18, 2025 on Viaplay
Directed by Per Simonsson and named after the band's most enduring hit, "Sounds of Summer" is a breezy, very inspiring 97-minute ride that follows Gessle from small-town outsider to pop trailblazer.

[08/29/25 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "RIV4LRIES" - Official Trailer - Netflix
At a middle school in Pisa, no one has ever challenged the cool kids - until new girl Terry arrives with bold ideas and the rivalries begin.

[08/29/25 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind: UK" Season 2 - The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix
Who's saying "I still do?" Emma and Matt host this season's couples and special guests as tea is spilled and secrets are revealed in a fiery reunion.

[08/28/25 - 02:03 PM]
Wonder Project Announces October 5 Streaming Subscription Launch Date on Prime Video and Premiere Date for "House of David" Season Two; Unveils First Look Images of the Hit Drama Series
Season Two of the biblical drama series House of David from Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios follows the aftermath of the battle between David and Goliath and David's rise to the throne.

[08/28/25 - 12:12 PM]
Video: "The Hospital" - A Comedy Improv Sketch Show - Premieres Wednesday, September 10
The Hospital offers a "behind-the-scenes" look at what happens when you mix improv comedy with total medical negligence.

[08/28/25 - 11:02 AM]
Shudder Launches Biggest Ever Programming Event "Season of Screams" - Featuring a Monster Lineup of New Films, Series and Live Watch Parties on Shudder TV - From September 1 Through December 31
Shudder's "Season of Screams" features highly anticipated films such as the acclaimed Dangerous Animals, a new installment in the popular "V/H/S" franchise - "V/H/S/Halloween" - and the found footage breakout hits "House on Eden" and "Hell House LLC: Lineage."

[08/28/25 - 11:01 AM]
MGM+ Greenlights "Words + Music," Inspired by the Critically Hailed Audible Original Series, Featuring Grammy Winners Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, John Legend and Alanis Morissette
"Words + Music" is set to premiere this fall on MGM+ in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

[08/28/25 - 10:06 AM]
ESPN Unveils Deep Roster of NBA Game Commentators for 2025-26 Season
Veteran analyst Tim Legler will join ESPN's lead NBA broadcast team, which includes Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Breen, analyst and NBA Champion Richard Jefferson and reporter Lisa Salters.

[08/28/25 - 10:05 AM]
HBO Original Two-Part Documentary "Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television" Debuts September 9
The project takes audiences on a two-part journey through the history of Black representation on television, showcasing how Black artists and creators both shaped and revolutionized the medium while confronting the systemic challenges that have often undermined their contributions.

[08/28/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: National Geographic Documentary Films Unveils Trailer for "Lost in the Jungle," the Unbelievable Story of Four Indigenous Children Who Survived a Plane Crash in the Amazon, Ahead of World Premiere at Telluride Film Festival
For the first time ever, the four Indigenous children who survived the Colombian plane crash on May 1, 2023 - and then endured 40 days alone in the jungle - share their extraordinary story of survival, told in their own words.

[08/28/25 - 09:38 AM]
Video: Tubi Debuts Trailer for Stand-Up Comedy Special "Rel Talk" from Lil Rel Howery
"It feels amazing to bring this special to my city, my people, and now to the millions of folks watching on Tubi," said Howery.