TV Guide Network Announces Original Programming & Development Slate for 2011-2012
LOS ANGELES (April 27, 2011) - As TV Guide Network continues to ramp-up its original programming and complete its full-screen transition across its 80 million homes footprint, the Network today announced its programming and development slate for 2011-2012. The Network will develop new original series with leading production companies Embassy Row, Ish Entertainment and Full Picture Entertainment, which includes a mix of Hollywood news, fashion and pop culture driven programming. In addition, TV Guide Network will premiere three new mini-series - "Hollywood Crimes and Misdemeanors," "Icons and Innovators" and "Moments That Changed TV Forever" - and nine branded original specials.
"TV Guide Network continues to invest in original programming, and we are excited to announce a slate of new series and branded specials that capture the excitement of Hollywood and its stars," said Diane Robina, Executive Vice President of TV Guide Network's Programming and Marketing. "We're also pleased to team-up with the industry's leading production companies to develop new original series in the coming year."
TV Guide Network's slate will include the following series in development:
Embassy Row will produce an insider's guide to the biggest television shows, movies and celebrities. The show will extend TV Guide Network's tradition of providing informative and entertaining coverage for the true TV fan in a weekly show. The host will anchor the show from high-energy, virtual set made of vivid and dynamic video. The show will be executive produced by Michael Davies ("Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" and "Watch What Happens Live").
Ish Entertainment will produce "Gossip Cop" based on the popular web site with the same name, which draws millions of fans each day. "Gossip Cop" will tackle the biggest, most entertaining, most outrageous celebrity stories of the week. The show will also find out what's fact and what's fiction in Hollywood, giving A-list celebrities the chance to "fight back" at the tabloids and set the record straight. The show will be executive produced by Michael Hirschorn ("All About Aubrey," "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" and "Rock of Love with Bret Michaels"), Dan Abrams (ABC News and co-founder of "Gossip Cop") and Michael Lewittes (creator and co-founder of "Gossip Cop").
· Full Picture Entertainment will produce a show that will take a comedic look back at the week in celebrity fashion. Clever segments such as "The Airport Walk of Shame" and "Dude, Where's My Fashion" will cover celebrity fashion moments when they happen in even the most unexpected places. The show will be executive produced by Desiree Gruber ("Project Runway") and Jane Cutler ("Project Runway").
TV Guide Network's new original mini-series will include the following:
"Hollywood Crimes and Misdemeanors" (working title): This four-part series looks at the headline-making crimes of Hollywood's rich and famous, from victimless crimes like Winona Ryder's shoplifting and Martha Stewart's insider trading, to major felonies such as the unexpected murder of Lana Turner's husband or the OJ Simpson case. Produced by Atlas Productions, "Hollywood Crimes and Misdemeanors" is scheduled to premiere in August 2011.
"Icons and Innovators" (working title): TV Guide Network and TV Guide Magazine team-up to cover TV's favorite icons of the past with their contemporary counterparts. It's history-in-the-making when the stars of current TV series sit down with the TV legends who inspired them to get into "the business." Produced by TV Guide Network, "Icons and Innovators" is a four-part series scheduled to premiere in October 2011.
"Moments That Changed TV Forever" (working title): TV Guide looks at the biggest milestone events in television history in a four-part series. Often these groundbreaking stories were a reflection of what was happening in society, such as Maude's abortion two months before Wade vs. Roe. Other moments, like Ellen's coming out/gay kiss, opened doors for future gay characters on TV. The special will include major TV news events, such as the Iran hostage crisis and how it helped to create "Nightline," and moments that brought the nation to a stand-still like the Chilean miners rescue. This series counts down over 60 years of jaw-dropping, tear-inducing, and history-making moments that have formed the landscape that is TV today. Produced by TV Guide Network, "Moments That Changed TV Forever" is scheduled to premiere in November 2011.
TV Guide Network will continue to bring TV fans its signature branded original specials. The following one-hour specials will be produced by TV Guide Network except "25 Biggest TV Blunders" which will be produced by Atlas Productions. All specials named are working titles.
· "25 Outrageous Hollywood Urban Legends": TV Guide reveals the truth behind some Hollywood's most famous tall tales. "25 Outrageous Hollywood Urban Legends" is scheduled to premiere in July 2011.
"Hollywood's Most Notorious Feuds": The feuds, fights and public splits of Hollywood's biggest stars are recounted. "Hollywood's Most Notorious Feuds" is scheduled to premiere in July 2011.
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Preview": Fans get a sneak peak at the highly anticipated final chapter of the Harry Potter series with exclusive on-set interviews with the film's biggest stars. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Preview" is scheduled to premiere in July 2011.
"TV's Best and Worst Bosses": This special will debate the middle managers, administrators and high-powered executives that made life heaven or hell for some of our favorite primetime characters. "TV's Best and Worst Bosses" is scheduled to premiere in July 2011
"25 Biggest TV Blunders Part 2": A follow-up to the popular TV Guide Network special of 2010 will look at TV's biggest faux pas, bloopers and bombs. "25 Biggest TV Blunders Part 2" is scheduled to premiere in July 2011.
"TV's Funniest Women of All Time": This countdown show will review the TV women who've kept fans in stitches throughout the years - from Lucille Ball's zany antics on "I Love Lucy" to Tina Fey's snappy dialogue on "30 Rock." "TV's Funniest Women of All Time" is scheduled to premiere in August 2011.
"Country Music Special": Travel across America as TV Guide talks the top country music stars at the most buzz-worthy tours of the year. "Country Music Special" is scheduled to premiere in August 2011.
"Favorite TV Catchphrases": TV Guide Network counts down the best tag lines, slogans and memorable sayings from the most popular shows, commercials and cartoons on TV. "Favorite TV Catchphrases" is scheduled to premiere in August 2011.
"Survivor Preview Special": Once again, TV Guide is the only national TV outlet allowed on location to preview the new season of "Survivor." The special will feature interviews the contestants, Jeff Probst's insider predictions and a revealing look at the newest Tribal Council set. "Survivor Preview Special" is scheduled to premiere in September 2011.
About TV Guide Network
TV Guide Network is the true entertainment insider and the only network that celebrates Hollywood, its stars and the shows that fans adore. Committed to buzz-worthy, breakout programming and a rich, multi-platform viewing experience, TV Guide Network is seen in more than 80 million homes nationwide and online at TVGuide.com, a one-stop fan destination reaching more than 23 million unique users per month. TV Guide Network is home to some of America's fan-favorite series including "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Weeds, "The Hills" and "Ugly Betty." The Network also takes fans behind-the-scenes of Hollywood with original programming that delivers the latest news on entertainment and pop culture, as well as live coverage of the industry's biggest events such as the Red Carpet at the Academy Awards(R) and Primetime Emmy(R) Awards. TV Guide Network, TVGuide.com and the TV Guide brand are owned by Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading next-generation studio, which produces the award-winning series "Mad Men" and "Weeds" and co-produces the acclaimed "Nurse Jackie," and One Equity Partners, the private equity arm of JPMorgan Chase.
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