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[08/03/09 - 12:04 PM]
TruTV Greenlights Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura and Two Additional Projects from A. Smith & CO. Productions
FULL THROTTLE and SURPRISE INSPECTION are also on tap from A. Smith & Co.

[via press release from truTV]

truTV Greenlights CONSPIRACY THEORY WITH JESSE VENTURA and Two Additional Projects from A. Smith & Co. Productions

Series Featuring Former Navy SEAL, Wrestler and Minnesota Governor to Premiere in Late 2009

Two Other Projects Being Developed with A. Smith & Co. are FULL THROTTLE and SURPRISE INSPECTION

truTV has ordered seven episodes of the series CONSPIRACY THEORY WITH JESSE VENTURA, one of three shows produced for the network by A. Smith & Co. Productions (Hell's Kitchen, Crash Course, I Survived a Japanese Game Show, Kitchen Nightmares). The other two projects are the four-part series FULL THROTTLE and two-part project SURPRISE INSPECTION. CONSPIRACY THEORY WITH JESSE VENTURA is slated to premiere on truTV in late 2009, while the other two shows are slated for the network in 2010. All three projects will be executive produced by A. Smith & Co. founders Arthur Smith and Kent Weed as well as A. Smith's Frank Sinton.

"We received a very positive response when we showed a preview of CONSPIRACY THEORY WITH JESSE VENTURA at this year's advertising upfront presentation, so it's very exciting to be able to greenlight it for a full series," said Marc Juris, executive vice president and general manager of truTV/IN SESSION. "We're also looking forward to working with the folks at A. Smith on FULL THROTTLE and SURPRISE INSPECTION as we continue to build the truTV brand through compelling original programming."

"With today's announcement that we are bringing SURPRISE INSPECTION to truTV, we are now producing three powerful series for this compelling network," stated Smith. "Each of our shows depict high-stakes action and fascinating characters that we are certain will grab the audience's attention. We look forward to kicking off our truTV relationship with CONSPIRACY THEORY WITH JESSE VENTURA, and there is no one better than Jesse Ventura to host a show dedicated to revealing the truth no matter how dangerous."

The following are descriptions of the three projects:

CONSPIRACY THEORY WITH JESSE VENTURA � He's undertaken some of the most dangerous missions in the world as a Navy SEAL. He's body-slammed giants in the wrestling ring as a WWE superstar. He's even conquered politics as the governor of Minnesota. Now, Jesse Ventura is about to face his greatest challenge yet: uncovering the most compelling plots and schemes.

FULL THROTTLE SALOON � This series will provide an inside look at the world's largest biker bar, Mike Ballard's Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis, S.D. The enormous indoor/outdoor bar has two large stages, its own campground and cabins, a burn-out area, a tattoo parlor and a sprawling dance floor. The Throttle is only open two weeks each year during the infamous Sturgis Biker Rally. To end up in the black, Mike and his team have to pull in a year's worth of receipts in these two wild weeks. He gambles that the country's most beautiful bartenders and biggest music acts will bring in the thousands of patrons he needs to make his number. But the recession may keep the bikers home this year. There's no telling if the weather is going to affect Sturgis attendance. And Mike is worried the big act he's bringing in � Korn � might not live up to expectations. All these gambles pile the stress on the team, but they must hold it all together for two weeks, or the Full Throttle Saloon could go bust.

SURPRISE INSPECTION � Rats. Roaches. Rotten food. Irate owners. It's all in a day's work for the army of public health inspectors, who spend each day keeping the nation's food supply safe from contamination and disease. truTV's cameras will follow inspectors in Providence, R.I., as they shine their flashlights into the darkest corners of some of the city's dirtiest places, including restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, gas stations, stadium concession stands, public swimming pools and health clubs. This show will be a compelling, fast-paced glimpse into the world of those who do their best to keep public places clean and safe.

Founded by Arthur Smith and Kent Weed in 2000, A. Smith & Co. Productions generates some of the most innovative, highly-rated and high quality unscripted programming for the domestic and international television marketplace. Since its launch the company has created over 600 hours of programming and developed and produced the number one show in America an astonishing 12 times and a top 5 show over 50 times. The company's current production slate includes the Emmy� nominated hit show Hell's Kitchen as well as Kitchen Nightmares with Chef Gordon Ramsay; I Survived a Japanese Game Show; Crash Course; the critically acclaimed documentary series American Gangster; UFC Countdown; and Pros vs. Joes 4: All-Stars. A Smith & Co.'s highly rated programming and executive team have been nominated for several awards including a DGA Award, a NAACP Image Award and a Rose d'Or of which they won two in 2009 for I Survived a Japanese Game Show.

truTV is television's destination for real-life stories told from an exciting and dramatic first-person perspective. Currently seen in 91 million U.S. households, the 17-year-old network enjoyed its best deliveries ever in key demographics in 2008. truTV features high-stakes, action-packed originals that give viewers access to places and situations they can't normally experience. truTV's primetime fan favorites include the original series The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest�, Black Gold, Speeders, Forensic Files and Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege and Justice. During the daytime, the channel features expert trial coverage under the name IN SESSION.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.





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· CONSPIRACY THEORY WITH JESSE VENTURA (TRUTV)
· FULL THROTTLE SALOON (DA)
· SURPRISE INSPECTION (TRUTV)





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