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FOX Dreams Up More 'Nightmares'
Network really, really, really likes Gordon Ramsay
October 18, 2007


Gordon Ramsay of 'Kitchen Nightmares'

FOX has ordered up a second helping of Gordon Ramsay's "Kitchen Nightmares."

Produced by Grenada America and Optomen Television, "Kitchen Nightmares" features Chef Ramsay giving top-to-bottom overhauls for disastrously failing restaurants.

FOX initially ordered 10 episodes for the Americanized version of the original British format and it's believed that the second season order is comparable.

Airing in the ultra-competitive time 9 p.m. time period on Wednesday nights, "Kitchen Nightmares" has regularly finished fourth in both viewers and in the key 18-49 demo. FOX boasts that the show has represented a 21 percent demo bump over the time period average for the fourth quarter of 2006 and in its most recent airing, "Kitchen Nightmares" came very close to beating NBC's "Bionic Woman" in the young adult demo.

Ramsay is already at work on a new cycle of "Hell's Kitchen" and with a swift "Kitchen Nightmares" turnaround, FOX could become the chef's year-round home.

[Cajunboiler]

People will get tired if they see Ramsey year round.  Having Hell's Kitchen should be good enough.  They don't want to overuse him.

[Dade]

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CBS Cancels 'Laughlin,' Sets 'Amazing Race' Premiere
Hugh Jackman-produced 'Viva' bites the dust after only two airings
October 22, 2007

The first scripted cancellation of the fall season is CBS' "Viva Laughlin."

The network knew it was taking a chance with "Laughlin," a Hugh Jackman-produced adaptation of a quirky British musical miniseries, but apparently CBS' willingness to stand by the show was minimal, particularly with a fresh season of "The Amazing Race" already in the can.

"Laughlin" aired only twice, squandering a massive "CSI" lead-in on Thursday (Oct. 18) and then falling even harder in its first regular Sunday airing just days later. The Sunday "Laughlin" premiere did only a 1.2 rating in the key 18-49 demo, an embarrassingly low figure, particularly for a first place network.

Effective immediately, "Laughlin" is off CBS' schedule, replaced by a "CSI" repeat next Sunday.

The following week, on Nov. 4, CBS will premiere the 12th installment of its Emmy-winning reality juggernaut "The Amazing Race."

Winner of the last five Emmys for outstanding reality competition series, "The Amazing Race" will return to the Sunday night 8 p.m. ET slot it occupied in its most recent "All-Stars" edition.

"If there ever was a season that I consider one of the best, it's this one," says Bertram van Munster, series executive producer, director and co-creator. "It's insanely funny, fast-paced and dramatic all at once. Teams are in hot pursuit of one another at every location and its reality television at its nail-biting best."

[Dade]

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ABC, NBC Set Pre-Christmas Stunts
'Choirs,' 'Duel' fill airwaves in December
November 13, 2007


Nick Lachey

Though it probably has more to do with the time of year than the writers' strike, viewers should prepare for a whole lotta unscripted programming in mid-December.

ABC and NBC have each scheduled week-long events to fill a substantial portion of their prime-time lineups the week before Christmas. ABC will unveil a new came show called "Duel" over six nights starting Monday, Dec. 17. For the first four of those nights, it will compete with an NBC show called "Clash of the Choirs."

The latter will feature five well-known singers -- Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, Kelly Rowland, Michael Bolton and Blake Shelton -- assembling 20-person choirs from each of their hometowns (Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Houston, New Haven, Conn., and Oklahoma City, respectively) for a live competition based in New York. The champion choir will win a prize that will benefit its home community, such as building a playground or renovating a community center.

Each celeb will be responsible for assembling and directing their choirs, putting them through the paces of harmonizing, choreography and style. They'll also serve as judges for the other choirs' performances, though the ultimate decision will rest with viewers.

"Clash of the Choirs" will air at 8 p.m. ET from Monday, Dec. 17 to Thursday, Dec. 20, with the Monday and Wednesday shows running two hours.

"Duel" is one of several game shows likely to hit the airwaves later in the season, particularly if the writers' strike lasts into the new year. It's based on a French format that combines typical quiz-show elements with betting and bluffing.

Two players will go head-to-head, betting on each question based on how confident they are in the answer. An incorrect answer means elimination, unless the player has bet enough to cover the loss.

"Duel" is scheduled for 8 p.m. each night from Dec. 17-21, with the finale coming Sunday, Dec. 23. A host hasn't been named yet.

...............................

Courtesy of: TV GUIDE, TODAYS NEWS: OUR TAKE

Reality Bites: New Shows Lean on Dad, God, NASCAR

This Saturday, casting gets under way in L.A. for NBC's My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad, a new reality show from the makers of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? and The Biggest Loser.... The Peacock has also announced that its four-night American Idol-gone-gospel miniseries Clash of the Choirs will air Dec. 17-20. Michael Bolton, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, Kelly "I'm Not Beyoncé" Rowland and Blake Shelton will be seeking out the future Winanses.... On Nov. 24, E! will debut a one-hour strut-off called Last Model Standing: Miami Models, which promises to be exactly like America's Next Top Model, only way shorter and with a lot fewer prizes.... Finally, NASCAR is shopping a new reality competition called NASCAR: Serving It Up, in which chefs compete at... wait, this can't be right. Chefs cook at various races? That's ridiculous. How long until Paradise Hotel returns? — Ben Katner

Posted by  Matt Webb Mitovich 11/14/07 9:28 AM

[Dade]

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'American Gladiators' Rise in January
NBC sets series for Sunday nights
November 27, 2007


'American Gladiators' co-host Laila Ali

NBC has put another piece of its midseason schedule in place, slating the update of "American Gladiators" for Sunday nights in January.

The remake of the syndicated 1990s syndicated series will premiere on Sunday, Jan. 6, the network announced via an ad in Monday's episode of "Heroes." As of Monday morning, a formal premiere announcement hadn't followed.

That means we don't yet know which of the three shows NBC initially announced for Sunday nights in January will be bumped to make way for "Gladiators." In May the network set a midseason Sunday lineup of "Law & Order" at 8 p.m., "Medium" at 9 p.m. and new show "Lipstick Jungle" at 10.

The network could shuffle any of those pieces to other nights; NBC has picked up new series "Chuck" and "Life," but "Bionic Woman" and "Journeyman" are still in limbo. If the network opts to let either of them fall by the wayside, that would open up an hour on the schedule for one or more of the originally scheduled Sunday shows. One or more shows could also be held until later in the season in the event of a prolonged writers' strike.

Pro-wrestling legend Hulk Hogan and boxer/"Dancing with the Stars" contestant Laila Ali will host the show, in which amateur athletes take part in combat games against a set cast of "gladiators." The show will feature a number of the competitions from the original series, with amped-up special effects and some other new elements.

The show is produced by MGM Television, which also produced the original series, and Reveille, the company started by current NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman.

[Dade]

Courtesy of: REALITBLURRED

Winter 2007/2008 reality TV schedule

The winter debut season has arrived, with networks airing series that will take us through the holidays and kick off the new year. The following is a frequently updated list of noteworthy new and returning reality shows scheduled to air this winter whose networks have officially announced their debut dates and timeslots.

With the uncertainty over the writers’ strike, many shows are reportedly returning but don’t yet have firm dates; those are listed separately at the end. Times are in ET; as always, check listings first, as networks change their minds frequently. And new this quarter, for up-to-date news on that show, click the [news] link that follows.

Project Runway 4 [Bravo, Nov. 14, Wednesdays at 10]
news

Nimrod Nation [Sundance Channel, Nov. 26, Mondays at 9]

Real Housewives of Orange County [Bravo, Nov. 27, Tuesdays at 10] news (EDIT: not working)

Intervention [A&E, Dec. 3, Mondays at 9]

The Girls Next Door [E!, Dec. 9, Sundays at 10]

Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood [E!, Dec. 9, Sundays at 10:30]

Paranormal State [A&E, Dec. 10, Mondays at 10]

Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants [The CW, Dec. 12, Wednesdays at 8]

Clash of the Choirs [NBC, Dec. 17 to 20 at 8]

The Biggest Loser 5 [NBC, Jan. 1, Tuesdays at 8] news

The Apprentice 7 [NBC, Jan. 3, Thursdays at 9] news

Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann [ABC, Jan. 7, Mondays at 8] news

Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew [VH1, Jan. 10, Thursdays] news

Trading Spaces [TLC, early January] news

Make Me a Supermodel [Bravo, January] news

American Idol 7 [FOX, Jan. 15, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8] news

Big Brother 9 [CBS, late Jan./early Feb.] news

Survivor 16 [CBS, early Feb.] news

Transamerican Love Story [Logo, February]

When Women Rule the World [FOX, March 3, Mondays at 8]

Hell’s Kitchen 4 [FOX, April 1, Tuesdays at 9] news


Winter/spring debuts

America’s Next Top Model 10 [The CW] news

American Gladiators [NBC]

Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew [MTV] news

Beauty and the Geek 5 [The CW] news

Baby Borrowers [NBC]

The Bachelor 12 [ABC] news

Can You Duet? [CMT]

Farmer Wants a Wife [The CW]

My Dad is Better Than Your Dad [NBC]

Oprah’s Big Give [ABC]

Pussycat Dolls 2: Girlicious [The CW]

Supernanny [ABC]

Wife Swap [ABC]

posted Nov. 30, 2007 at 8:00 AM

[Dade]

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NBC Rewrites Midseason Schedule
'Biggest Loser,' '1 vs. 100' among unscripted additions
November 30, 2007


Bob Saget, host of '1 vs. 100'

NBC is loading up on unscripted fare in January, giving over nearly a third of its prime-time schedule to shows that won't be affected by the writers' strike.

The network, which has been putting small pieces of its midseason schedule in place over the past couple of weeks, has now added several more shows to its 2008 slate. Every weeknight will have at least one hour of unscripted programming, and as things stand now, at least six of NBC's 22 prime-time hours will be filled with reality or game shows.

The unscripted onslaught will start New Year's Day with a new season of "The Biggest Loser," which will feature two-person teams in this cycle. Game show "1 vs. 100" will return Friday, Jan. 4, sliding into the spot currently occupied by "Deal or No Deal."

"American Gladiators," meanwhile, will move into "Chuck's" 8 p.m. Monday spot on Jan. 7, following a two-hour premiere the previous night. "Chuck" has been picked up for a full season, but its pre-strike supply of episodes will likely be exhausted by then.

NBC also has "Celebrity Apprentice" scheduled for a Jan. 3 premiere and will likely continue with "Deal or No Deal" on Wednesdays.

For all the reality programming, NBC will also have some original scripted shows to air at midseason, strike or no strike. The network announced earlier this week that "Lipstick Jungle" will debut Thursday, Feb. 7; it will also have new episodes of "Law & Order" and "Medium," both of which are currently scheduled for Sunday nights.

[Dade]

Courtesy of: NBC UNIVERSAL MEDIA VILLAGE

NBC ANNOUNCES EXCITING LINE-UP OF REALITY SERIES PREMIERES IN JANUARY AS NEW 'AMERICAN GLADIATORS' DEBUTS ALONG WITH BRAND NEW SEASON OF 'THE BIGGEST LOSER' AND RETURN OF POPULAR GAME SHOW '1 VS 100'
Published: November 30, 2007

"American Gladiators" to Premiere with Two-hour Episode on January 6 and Resume January 7; "The Biggest Loser" Comes Back January 1, While '1 vs 100" Returns on January 4

Series Join Previously Announced "The Celebrity Apprentice" Premiering January 3


BURBANK, Calif. – November 30, 2007 - NBC announced today the premieres of three new and returning reality series in January, including the series debut of NBC's updated version of "American Gladiators" with a two-hour edition on Sunday, January 6 (9-11 p.m. ET) -- before the competition series moves to its regular day-and-time on Monday, January 7 (8-9 p.m. ET) -- as well as the fifth-season premiere of "The Biggest Loser" on Tuesday, January 1 (8-10 p.m. ET) and the return of the competition series "1 vs. 100" on Friday, January 4 (8-9 p.m. ET). These series join the previously announced premiere of "The Celebrity Apprentice" on January 3 (9-10 p.m. ET).
The announcement was made today by Craig Plestis, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment.

"We're kicking off the New Year with a bang," said Plestis. "With the adrenaline rush of 'Gladiators,' a brand-new twist on 'Biggest Loser,' the first million dollar winner on '1 vs 100' and the wildest boardrooms ever seen on 'Celebrity Apprentice,' NBC has a lot of excitement in store for reality fans in 2008."

Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali are the hosts of "American Gladiators," the iconic event/competition show which returns with a fresh modern reinvention for the 21st century. Using splashy twists including special effects, water skills and the latest technology, the classic games will be 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 -- contestants will go up against the show's gladiators, charismatic and eclectic warriors -- in the ultimate David & Goliath battle. As in MGM's traditional "American Gladiators" franchise, everyday amateur athletes compete against the gladiators in contests of physical strength and endurance. The series will include such classic events as The Joust, The Wall, Hang Tough and the Eliminator. The 12 new gladiators (six men and six women) are action-adventure stars ready to take down the everyday challengers with hard knocks and explosive attitudes. The new series will be 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 Hurwitz ("Fear Factor") are the executive producers.

The fifth cycle of "The Biggest Loser" will feature an all-new twist that will heighten the emotion and tension in the competition. For the first time ever in the history of the show, the excitement will double – it's couples! Teams of two will compete against each other rather than individuals. These teams -- including a mother and son, husband and wife, a divorced couple, best friends and brothers -- already have a special bond so they're playing not only for themselves, but also for their loved one. The series features trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels. Alison Sweeney (NBC's "Days of our Lives") hosts. "The Biggest Loser" is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3Ball Productions. Ben Silverman (NBC's "The Office," "Ugly Betty"), Dave Broome ("A Model Life with Petra Nemcova," "Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope"), JD Roth ("Age of Love," "Beauty and the Geek"), Todd A. Nelson ("Unan1mous," "Beauty and the Geek") and Mark Koops ("Blow Out," "Shear Genius") serve as executive producers.

This season, "The Biggest Loser" is averaging a 3.2 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 7.4 million viewers overall and has improved its time period versus NBC's average in the slot for the 2006-07 season by 23 percent in adults 18-49, 32 percent among women 18-49 and 44 percent among women 18-34.

Season two of NBC's popular game show "1 vs 100," hosted by comedian Bob Saget ("America's Funniest Home Videos," "Full House"), will kick-off with its biggest game yet -- a themed "Battle of the Sexes" episode – where one women will compete against 100 men and one man vs. 100 women to determine who's the smarter sex? In this exciting premiere episode, one person will win the top prize of $1 million dollars for the first time in the show's NBC history. Also new this season, in addition to the regular surprise mob guests, the series will feature a group of mob regulars including Sommore ("Queens of Comedy"), Ross Mathews ("The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"), Richard Rubin ("Beauty and the Geek"), Oscar the Grouch ("Sesame Street") and the Dahm Triplets (Playboy Playmates).

"1 vs 100" will also feature a new prize ladder that will tempt the players more than ever to take risks. To stay in the game, players must answer trivia questions and get every one right -- wrong answers from the mob eliminates them from the game, driving up the cash prize for the player. If the player can eliminate all 100 members of the mob, the player will go home with the $1 million top prize. However, if the player gets one answer wrong, the game is over and "the mob" will split the player's winnings up to that point and a new contestant gets to take on "the mob." "1 vs 100" is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA. The series is executive-produced by Scott St. John.

Last season, "1 vs 100" averaged a 2.8 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 9.6 million viewers overall.

[Dade]

Courtesy of: REALITY TV MAGAZINE

Big Brother 9 And Survivor 16 Officially Announced By CBS
Writing by Joe on Monday, 3 December, 2007 at 7:14 pm

Even though fan sites have been buzzing for weeks that the ninth edition of Big Brother would premiere in January or February, CBS just made it official today.  According to a CBS press release, the first ever Winter edition of Big Brother will premiere on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 9PM ET.

The Winter edition of Big Brother will also air Wednesday and Sunday broadcasts starting at 8PM ET.  In addition to Big Brother, CBS also announced the official premiere date for Survivor 16.  The series will return on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 8PM ET.  No official word on if it will be an All Stars edition, but strong rumors suggest it will be.

CBS also confirmed the return of one reality game show and announced a new reality game show.  Power of 10, which is hosted by Drew Carey, will return on Wednesday, January 2 at 8PM ET.   A new game show called Do You Trust Me has also completed production, but CBS did not make an exact scheduling announcement.

[Dade]

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CBS Sets 'Jericho,' 'Big Brother' Returns
Premiere dates for 'Survivor 16' and 'The New Adventures of Christine' also set
December 3, 2007


Skeet Ulrich of 'Jericho'

CBS doesn't seem too concerned about the ongoing writers' strike, announcing a spring line-up that includes both the triumphant return of "Jericho" and a new installment of "Big Brother."

Let's get the important business out of the way: Rescued from cancellation by an outpouring of nuts, "Jericho" will begin its seven-episode second season on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 10 p.m. ET, airing in the time slot where "Cane" is currently struggling.

"Jericho," the story of a plucky band of Kansas survivalists trying to kick-start society in the aftermath of a nuclear attack, will capitalize on the lead-in of the first-ever winter edition of "Big Brother."

Hosted, as always, by Julie Chen, "Big Brother" will also premiere on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 9 p.m. ET, following "NCIS." Additional installments of "Big Brother" will air on Wednesdays and Sundays at 8 p.m., premiering on Feb. 13 and Feb. 17.

The Wednesday "Big Brother" episodes will take the place of "Power of 10," as the summer competition hit begins a string of new episodes on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

In general, CBS won't lack for new programming, even in the scripted department, as Monday, Jan. 28 will see the premiere of "The Captain," featuring Chris Klein and Jeffrey Tambor, and the Emmy-winning "The New Adventures of Old Christine," which will air at 8:30 and 9:30 respectively, as "The Big Bang Theory" and "Rules of Engagement" go on hiatus (unlike the other Monday comedies, they lack the necessary number of repeatable installments).

Also returning is the 16th edition of "Survivor," which will premiere from a yet-to-be-announced location on Thursday, Feb. 7.

Plus, CBS' big Monday (Dec. 3) scheduling release included a new air-date for the "Lonesome Dove" prequel "Comanche Moon," which will now be sacrificed to the premieres of "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and "American Idol" on Sunday, Jan. 13, Tuesday, Jan. 15 and Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 9-199 p.m.

To recap, CBS' Jan. and Feb. scheduling highlights:

Wednesday, Jan. 2
8:00-9:00 PM -- "Power of 10" (Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM -- "Criminal Minds"
10:00-11:00 PM -- "CSI: NY"

Tuesday, Jan. 22 and Jan. 29
10:00-11:00 PM -- "48 Hours Mystery"

Monday, Jan. 28
8:00-8:30 PM -- "How I Met Your Mother"
8:30-9:00 PM -- "The Captain" (Series Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM -- "Two and a Half Men"
9:30-10:00 PM -- "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (Season Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM -- "CSI: Miami"

Thursday, Feb. 7
8:00-9:00 PM -- "Survivor" (16th Edition Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM -- "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"
10:00-11:00 PM -- "Without a Trace"

Tuesday, Feb. 12
8:00-9:00 PM -- "NCIS"
9:00-10:00 PM -- "Big Brother 9" (Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM -- "Jericho" (Season Premiere)

Wednesday, Feb. 13
8:00-9:00 PM -- "Big Brother 9" (Wednesday Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM -- "Criminal Minds"
10:00-11:00 PM -- "CSI: NY"


Sunday, Feb. 17
7:00-8:00 PM -- "60 Minutes"
8:00-9:00 PM -- "Big Brother 9"(Sunday Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM -- "Cold Case"
10:00-11:00 PM -- "Shark"

[Dade]

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'Shear Genius,' 'Top Design' Return to Bravo
It will be the sophomore season for both series
December 6, 2007

If there's going to be an influx of reality TV, at least the cable networks can make it stylish.

Bravo announced Thursday (Dec. 6) that its popular reality competition series "Shear Genius" and "Top Design" will both return for a second season in 2008. They join the cable channel's roster of hit reality shows that include the fashion design challenge "Project Runway" and cooking series "Top Chef."

"Shear Genius" offers 12 hairstylists a chance to compete for the coveted title, a styling feature in Allure magazine and $100,000 in seed money. In the first season, hosted by former "Charlie's Angels" star Jaclyn Smith, the competitors had to prove themselves worthy in creative and nerve-wracking challenges that included creating a day-to-evening 'do, straightening African-American hair, perfecting Vidal Sassoon's "Nancy Kwan" bob and using unconventional tools such as box cutters or garden shears to create a stylish coiffure.

The interior design series "Top Design" will be back with its own redesign, thanks to a makeover from Magical Elves, the production company behind "Top Chef" and "Project Runway."

"Like fashion designers and chefs, interior designers inhabit a rich, visual world that attracts fascinating personalities, so we are really excited to take on the challenge of bringing this successful show to the next level," said Dan Cutforth, an executive producer on the series.

On the show, a dozen new interior designers, artists and architects from around the country live in a decked-out West Hollywood loft and are pitted against each other for challenges that will challenge their creativity, aesthetic sensibility, time management skills and patience.

The winning designer will receive a $100,000 grand prize from LendingTree, a brand-new 2007 Acadia vehicle from GMC, an editorial feature in Elle Decor and the chance to showcase their design skills at the magazine's Dining By Design, NYC, a lavish affair where designers, celebrities, and the who's who of fashion convene for a night of style, drama, excitement, and spirited collaboration.

Casting for both series will begin in the upcoming weeks.

[Dade]

Courtesy of: ZAP2IT

ABC Wants You to 'Wipeout'
Network greenlights competition-show pilot
December 7, 2007

Take away the ingestion of disgusting animal parts from "Fear Factor" and what do you have? You have a pilot just greenlit by ABC.

The network has given the go-ahead to an unscripted show called "Wipeout," a competition show that requires contestants to work their way through what ABC describes as "the world's largest obstacle course." The show comes from "Fear Factor" and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" producer Endemol USA, the showbiz trade papers report.

"Wipeout" will feature 50 contestants per episode, all trying to wend their way through the aforementioned obstacle course in pursuit of a $50,000 prize. A casting notice on ABC's web site describes the game as "all the fun of 'Fear Factor' with none of the gross."

There's no timeline for the development of "Wipeout," though if ABC likes the pilot and the writers' strike lasts into 2008, it wouldn't be a big surprise to see the show on the air by season's end.

ABC and the other broadcast networks are reasonably well-stocked with reality programming for at least the next few months, having loaded up on shows in anticipation of a strike. A second wave of orders began this week, with NBC picking up a trio of series from "Ice Road Truckers" creator Thom Beers and now ABC's pilot order for "Wipeout."

[Dade]

Courtesy of; REALITY TV MAGAZINE

The Moment Of Truth Coming To FOX in January
Writing by Joe on Monday, 10 December, 2007 at 1:31 am



How much does FOX want their new reality game show The Moment Of Truth to be a success?  Enough that they willing to use the biggest show in television as a lead-in.  FOX has announced that The Moment Of Truth will premiere on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 from  9PM to 10PM ET/PT, right after American Idol.

In The Moment Of Truth, contestants will be put through a lie detector test in order to determine whether or not they are telling the truth for a chance to win half a million dollars.  To win the $500,000, contestants have to tell the truth.  However, it’s not as easy as it seems.

The first questions for the low dollar amounts are fairly easy, but the questions get more personal and difficult as the prize amount increases.   Before the game starts, contestants are strapped to a lie detector and asked a series of questions by a polygraph expert.  The polygraph expert records their answers.  Between the polygraph and the televised game, contestants can change their answers or walk away from the competition.  In the televised game, the contestants will also have to answer in front of spouses, relatives, and friends.

Example questions include:
Have you ever lied to get a job?
Do you find any of your spouse’s friends attractive?
Do you like your mother-in-law?
Have you ever stolen anything from work?
Would you cheat on your spouse if you knew you could get away with it?

The Moment of Truth is being produced in 23 other countries, including Spain, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

[Dade]

Courtesy of: TV GUIDE, TODAYS NEWS: OUR TAKE

In the Works: Amazing Race Goes On, and More

CBS has greenlit production on a 13th cycle of The Amazing Race, which currently is in the midst of Season 12.... VH1 has ordered new seasons of Celebrity Fit Club and Ego Trip's The (White) Rapper Show — each of which will have a twist. Per the Reporter, Fit Club will feature former cast members versus new D-listers, while Ego Trip's Miss Rap Supreme (as the follow-up is titled) will search for the next great female MC.... VH1 has also OK'd Viva Hollywood!, in which 12 Latino and Latina contestants aspire to be telenovela stars.  

Posted by  Matt Webb Mitovich 12/10/07 9:38 AM  

[Dade]

Courtesy of: REALITY TV MAGAZINE

ABC Announces Midseason Reality TV Schedule
Writing by Joe on Sunday, 16 December, 2007 at 1:11 am


Photo Credit: ABC/BOB D’AMICO

ABC has released its midseason primetime schedule, and no surprise that it contains several reality TV shows.  With the writers on strike, there is going to be more reality TV than ever before on network TV.  ABC’s upcoming reality shows are Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann, Oprah’s Big Give, Supernanny, Wife Swap, Just For Laughs, Dancing With The Stars, The Bachelor, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann will kick-off with a special two-hour premiere episode on Monday, January 7, 2008.  After the premiere, minety minute episodes of the series will air though January. Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor will both return with brand new seasons on Monday, March 17, 2008. Dancing With The Stars the Results Show will start airing at 9PM on Tuesday, March 25, 2008.

Just for Laughs is back with new episodes starting Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 8:30PM.  After the premiere, back-to-back episodes will air on Tuesday nights beginning January 8, 2008.  Wife Swap will premiere at 8PM on Wednesday, January 2, 2008.  Supernanny will also premiere on January 2, 2008 with special back-to-back episodes at 9PM and 10PM.

On Sunday nights, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will continue in its regular time spot of 8PM on Sundays.  It will be joined by Oprah’s Big Give, whicl will premiere on Sunday, March 2 at 9PM.

[Dade]

Courtesy of: ZAP2IT

'Oprah's Big Give' Assembles Team
Designer Nate Berkus to host ABC series
January 3, 2008


Nate Berkus

ABC's springtime series "Oprah's Big Give" has tapped an Oprah Winfrey regular as its host.

Designer Nate Berkus, who's made numerous appearances on Winfrey's daytime talk show, will serve as host of the series, in which contestants mount philanthropic projects in an effort to become the "Biggest Giver." It's scheduled to premiere Sunday, March 2.

"Who wouldn't want to be a part of a show whose entire premise is what you can do for other people?" Berkus says of his new gig. "I think it's fantastic."

The show has also assembled its panel of judges. Chef-author-philanthropist Jamie Oliver, NFL star Tony Gonzalez and Malaak Compton-Rock -- the wife of comedian Chris Rock and founder of the the charity styleWORKS -- will determine who goes home each week.

Over the course of the "Big Give," 10 people (whose identities will be revealed closer to the premiere date) will compete to see who can mount the most creative and effective efforts to help people in need. Each challenge will take place in a different city.

Winfrey, who's an executive producer of the show, will make appearances throughout its run and enlist some of her celebrity pals to appear as well. The winner will receive an undisclosed "major prize" for his or her efforts.

Ellen Rakieten, Harriet Seitler and Jonathan Sinclair created the show and will exec produce with Winfrey and "Amazing Race" veterans Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri.

[Dade]

Courtesy of: REALITYBLURRED

Challenges return to MTV with The Gauntlet 3

Just when it seemed as though MTV had given up on the Challenge shows as The Real World’s star fades, the network has announced a debut date for a new season of the show. The Gauntlet 3 will debut Jan. 23 at 10 p.m. ET, and again features 16 “veterans” and 16 newcomers who will “fight it out for over $400,000 in cash and prizes,” according to MTV.

For the series’ 15th season, which taped in Mexico last summer, the network promises “[i]nsane challenges, heart-stopping Gauntlets, crazy fights, surprising alliances, unexpected departures and more hook-ups than ever.” TJ Lavin returns to host, or whatever you want to call that thing he does when he talks.

The trailer for the new season—note to the people who run MTV.com: If you’re going to offer embeddable video, that video actually needs to play when it’s embedded, rather than just turning into a big, worthless link that says “This video available only on MTV.com.” If that’s true, then why the hell does it offer 2,182 characters of “Video Embed Code”?!—suggests that there’s more of the same, although the older people, like Coral and CT, look like they’ve tumbled around in the dryer a bit too long.

Gauntlet 3 [MTV]


posted Jan. 3, 2008 at 10:43 PM

[Dade]

Courtesy of: REALITY TV MAGAZINE

CBS Orders Three New Reality Shows
Writing by Jennifer_Brown on Monday, 14 January, 2008 at 9:35 am


Photo Courtesy: CBS

Who needs writers when you’ve got reality? At least that’s what it’s beginning to look like for CBS, who has answered the writers’ strike by ordering up three new reality TV shows.

Now this ought to be good…

First up is “Secret Talents of the Stars” — a talent program showcasing celebs who have a hidden talent. Could be singing, could be juggling, could be pretty darn entertaining to watch as the celebs battle, tournament-style, and show off their mad talent-show skillz.

Getting our furry friends in on the action…

Anytime you have a non-human starring in any show, things can go pretty wrong, pretty fast. Make it a reality show and you’ve got “America’s Top Dog,” a show which will have dog owners and their dogs living together and competing to see who has the best-trained dog.

Hey, whenever Ashton Kutcher’s involved, I’m in…

“Game Show in My Head” is the third of the new shows we’ll see on CBS (produced by Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, and Karey Burke). In this hidden camera show, participants will perform strange and embarrassing stunts in public in an attempt to win big bucks. Sounds like Jackass for the network TV crowd.

CBS has yet to announce when the new shows will air, but speculation is that we’ll see them sometime later this season or this summer.

[Dade]

Courtesy of: REALITY TV MAGAZINE

Bravo Seeking Casts for Top Design and Shear Genius
Writing by Jennifer_Brown on Tuesday, 15 January, 2008 at 9:50 am


Photo Courtesy: NBC

Hey, designers and hair-extraordinaires! As you know, Bravo has announced that there will be new seasons of Top Design and Shear Genius in 2008. Now they’re looking for casts for those shows.

Top Design, a show in which interior designers compete for a $100,000 cash prize, will be holding open casting calls at the following locations:

Friday, January 25, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Saturday, January 26, 10:00am – 12:00pm
SAN FRANCISCO
The Art Institute of California - San Francisco

Monday, January 28 & Tuesday, January 29, 12:00pm - 5:00pm
LAS VEGAS
World Market Center – Las Vegas

Monday, February 5, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
DALLAS
Dallas Market Center, World Trade Center

Friday, February 8, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
NEW YORK
New York Design Center

Saturday, February 9, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
LOS ANGELES
Spring Arts Center

Shear Genius, the high-end hairstyling competition, will be looking for stylists with mad hair skillz (who also want to win $100,000) at these locations:

Sunday, January 20, 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
DALLAS
Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy

Monday, January 21, 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
MIAMI
JPMS Hi Tech the School of Cosmetology

Sunday, January 27, 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.
LOS ANGELES
ISSE Beauty Show Lobby– Long Beach Convention Center

Sunday, January 27, 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
NEW YORK CITY
TIGI Advanced Hairdressing Academy- 2nd Floor

Monday, January 28, 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
CHICAGO
The Studio-Wella

Monday, February 4, 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco Institute
A Paul Mitchell Partner School

Additional casting information can be found at www.BravoTV.com/casting.

...

Bravo Announces “The Real Housewives of New York City”
Writing by Jennifer_Brown on Monday, 14 January, 2008 at 3:48 pm



Photo Courtesy: BravoTV

For those of you who can’t get enough of Vicki, Lauri, and Jeana, wait till you get a load of Alex, Bethenny, Ramona, Jill, and LuAnn. Who are those, you might ask? Well, dahling, they just happen to be the housewives of New York City.

Building on the success of hit reality tv show, The Real Housewives of Orange County, Bravo has announced a new series — The Real Houswives of New York City.

That’s right, viewers will get an up close and personal look at what it’s like to be the elite in one of the country’s most powerful cities: New York City. The socialites in this series will show viewers what it’s like to have to juggle charity fundraising galas, private school interviews, and trips to the Hamptons, as well as other money-driven activities.

The new series will feature the following ladies:

*High-powered career-type, Alex McCord, who juggles the demanding lifestyle of a graphic design career and two kids, with only the help of a husband and French Au Pair to assist her.

*”The Apprentice: Martha Stewart” runner-up, Bethenny Frankel — single and mega-busy with a blooming natural foods chef career. This one wants to settle down (perhaps with her Wall Street powerhitter boyfriend?) and raise a family.

*Charity-driven Jill Zarin (of Zarin Fabrics and Home Furnishings), who, along with being a mommy and stepmommy, must also try not to crumble under the pressure of socializing in both Manhattan and The Hamptons (Gee, some people have all the bad luck).

*Countess (yes, I said Countess) LuAnn de Lesseps fearlessly takes on the role of mommy, television personality, and etiquette guru.

*The creative type, Ramona Singer is an entrepreneur, busy with her jewelry, clothing, and skin care lines. Mommy of one, this housewife is all about the dinner party circuit.

“This series will explore the personal and professional lives of five ambitious women who in the upper crust of New York,” said Frances Berwick, EVP, Programming & Production, Bravo. “‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’ continues to thrive and this series will explore many of the same relatable issues – relationships, children, and work-life balance – while giving a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make it in the privileged world of Manhattan society.”

The Real Housewives of New York City premieres Tuesday, March 4, 11PM ET, and then will move to its regular time slot of 10PM ET on Tuesday, March 11, on Bravo.

[Dade]

Courtesy of: ZAP2IT

'Nashville Star' Migrates to NBC
Music show, 'Gladiators' set for summer runs
January 17, 2008


'Nashville Star' season five winner Angela Hacker

"Nashville Star" will be back on the air in 2008, but not in its longtime home.

Instead, the country-music competition will migrate from the USA Network to its broadcast sibling NBC. The show will join a second season of "American Gladiators" in what NBC is calling its "All-American Summer" lineup, leading up to its coverage of the Olympics in August.

"We are thrilled to feature the powerhouse 'Gladiators' this summer, and it's a real coup to bring 'Nashville Star' to NBC," says Craig Plestis, head of alternative programming at NBC.

"Nashville Star" has aired for five seasons on USA, helping launch the careers of Miranda Lambert, Buddy Jewell and last season's winner, Angela Hacker, who beat out her brother Zac to win the crown. About 3 million people watched last season's finale, a record for the show.

The show will also continue its run of replacing its host and judges after a season or two. Singers Jewel and Cowboy Troy hosted last season but won't make the leap to NBC; nor will judges Anastasia Brown, Blake Shelton and Randy Owen. Additionally, "Nashville Star" will open its competition to duos and groups as well as solo artists this season.

NBC announced the pickup of "American Gladiators" earlier this week. Both it and "Nashville Star" are produced by Reveille, the production company founded by now-NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman.