A&E NETWORK ANNOUNCES NEW DEVELOPMENT SLATE OF REAL-LIFE AND ALTERNATIVE SERIES
ONE SERIES IN PRODUCTION, SIX RETURNING SERIES AND TWO PILOTS IN DEVELOPMENT IN 2007
PASADENA, CA, JANUARY 9, 2007 � A&E Network announced today a new series in production, two new real-life pilots in development as well as new seasons of hit series The First 48, King of Cars, Intervention, Dog The Bounty Hunter, Gene Simmons Family Jewels and Criss Angel Mindfreak.
In making the announcement, Bob DeBitetto, Executive Vice President and General Manager, A&E Network said, �After wrapping up a year of double digit increases in our key demographics led by our successful Real-Life franchises, we will continue to build on those successes in 2007 with powerful new and returning series that continue to connect with our target audience.�
NEW SERIES IN PRODUCTION
PATTI NOVAK: AMERICA'S TOUGHEST MATCHMAKER (Working Title)
The search for true love is a national obsession, yet "feel good" dating solutions have left singles in the cold. Enter Patti Novak � a matchmaker on a mission. She's raw, she's real, she's brutally honest� and she�s very successful. Patti has been helping the lonely hearts of Buffalo, New York -- home to the most singles per capita in the nation -- with the perfect balance of heart and tough love. Each week, we will meet two singles desperate for Patti's help. We follow them from the initial interview, through the date, and finally, to the often painfully honest follow-up where Patti assesses their performance and reveals whether or not a match has been made. Prepare to cringe, laugh, and maybe even learn a few dating tips along the way. Production begins in January in Buffalo. The thirteen episode half-hour series is scheduled to premiere second quarter 2007. Colleen Conway is the A&E Executive Producer. PATTI NOVAK: AMERICA'S TOUGHEST MATCHMAKER (working title) will be produced for A&E Network by Sharp Entertainment. Matt Sharp is the Executive Producer along with Smash Advertising.
PILOTS
HOLLYWOOD DMV
From the producers of Dr. Katz comes A&E�s first ever animated pilot, HOLLYWOOD DMV. Like Dr. Katz, HOLLYWOOD DMV combines a workplace comic narrative with standup comedy. In this case, the simple narratives come from the characters working at the DMV as they work out their petty office dramas and their bizarre personality defects; the standup comedy comes from characters standing in line waiting to be helped played by actual standup comedians who complain about everything in the DMV and their lives (i.e. do their standup act). And since it is the Hollywood DMV, we can even see celebrities as they get around to doing what everyone eventually has to do � renew their driver�s license or re-register their car. The Hollywood DMV is the great equalizer, even to the famous and semi-famous citizens of Hollywood. Robert Sharenow is Executive Producer and Colleen Conway is Supervising Producer for A&E. HOLLYWOOD DMV is produced for A&E Network by Popular Arts Entertainment. Tim Braine and Kevin Meagher are the executive producers
ALIEN ENCOUNTERS
ALIEN ENCOUNTERS is the Real �X-Files.� It is the first show to tackle the controversial field of unexplained phenomena by investigating paranormal activity with its own objective and highly credible task force. Rather than piecing together sound bites from self-appointed experts of the �true believer� or die-hard �skeptic� ranks, AE team members will spread out and hit the field with attitude and unprecedented access to modern diagnostic resources, interviewing eyewitnesses, gathering physical evidence, and meeting with leading scientists and experts. ALIEN ENCOUNTERS will determine once and for all if in fact we are not alone and what other truths are really out there. Robert Sharenow is the A&E Executive Producer. ALIEN ENCOUNTERS is produced for A&E Network by Original Productions. Thom Beers is the Executive Producer and Phillip Segal is co-executive producer.
RETURNING SERIES
THE FIRST 48
For homicide detectives, the clock starts ticking the moment they are called. Their chance of solving a case is cut in half if they don't get a lead in THE FIRST 48�. Each passing hour gives suspects more time to flee, witnesses more time to forget what they saw, and crucial evidence more time to be lost forever. THE FIRST 48�, which posted double digit increases in all key demos in its fourth season follows detectives from around the country during these first critical hours as they race against time to find the suspect. Gritty and fast-paced, it takes viewers behind the scenes of real-life investigations with unprecedented access to crime scenes, autopsies, forensic processing, and interrogations. The fifth season of THE FIRST 48� begins Thursday, January 11th at 9pm EST/PST. Laura Fleury and Nancy Dubuc are A&E Executive Producers. THE FIRST 48� is produced for A&E Network by Granada America. Charles Tremayne and John X. Kim are the executive producers. Senior Series Producer is Wendy Greene
KING OF CARS
KING OF CARS returns hotter than ever, with faster rides, more rollercoaster wheeling and dealing, and even crazier costumed characters. The second season of the series, which is set in a Las Vegas based dealership run by a hip-hopping car dynasty magnate named Chop, premieres on Tuesday, January 30th at 11pm EST/PST. Life at Towbin Dodge heats up as Chop relentlessly drives his sales force to stay number one and build his car dynasty. Robert Sharenow and Colleen Conway are the A&E Executive Producers. KING OF CARS is produced for A&E Network by Hybrid Films. Daniel Elias and David Houts are the executive producers.
INTERVENTION
A&E Network�s critically acclaimed documentary series, which profiles people who are struggling with addictions and the friends and family members who are seeking to help them, returns for a third season on a new day and time: Fridays at 10:00pm EST/PST beginning March 16th. The last season averaged a million viewers adults 18-49 per episode, an increase of 29 percent over season one. Robert Sharenow and Colleen Conway are the A&E Executive Producers. INTERVENTION is produced for A&E Network by GRB Entertainment. Bryn Freedman and Sam Mettler are executive producers.
DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER
A&E�s hit series Dog the Bounty Hunter returns for its fourth season this spring. Despite Dog�s legal run-ins that have made headlines across the nation, Dog and his posse are coming back to risk their necks bringing in fugitives from the law. Capturing fugitives is no easy task, but Dog is a master at it. Having captured more than 6,000 to date, he employs strength, cunning, and the power of persuasion to catch his prey making this series a favorite among millions of viewers. Robert Sharenow and Neil A. Cohen serve as the A&E executive producers. DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER is produced for A&E Network by Hybrid Films. Daniel Elias and David Houts are the executive producers.
GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS
Legendary KISS rock star Gene Simmons and his unconventional family are giving their fans an encore performance in Season 2 of Gene Simmons Family Jewels which will premiere this Spring. The Dad is Gene Simmons- The legendary, tongue wagging demon of KISS. Mom is Shannon Tweed -- former Playmate of the Year, actress and model. And their kids, Nick and Sophie, are, well...surprisingly charming, well-behaved teenagers dealing with the trials and tribulations of adolescence, even though Mom and Dad are truly like no one else�s parents. Robert Sharenow and Didi O�Hearn are the A&E Executive Producers. GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS is produced for A&E Network by The Greif Company/A Day With, Inc and the Gene Simmons Company. Gene Simmons, Leslie Greif, and Adam Reed are the series executive producers.
CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK
Three-time Magician of the Year recipient, Criss Angel, returns in summer 2007 for a third season of A&E Network�s immensely mystical series CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK - the youngest skewing series in network history. Each week, viewers revel in witnessing Criss as he captivates live audiences with mind-boggling demonstrations of his skills, goes behind-the-scenes to research and execute his demonstrations with his crew, and meets celebrity friends who drop by to eagerly participate in his awe-inspiring antics. Robert Sharenow and Elaine Frontain Bryant are the A&E executive Producers. CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK is produced for A&E Network by Angel Productions Inc. and The Firm. Criss Angel, Dave Baram and Michael Blum serve as the executive producers.
About A&E Network
Now reaching more than 91 million homes, A&E Network offers a diverse mix of high quality entertainment; ranging from the network�s signature Real-Life Series franchise, including the hit series Dog the Bounty Hunter, Intervention, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, King of Cars, Inked and Criss Angel Mindfreak, to critically acclaimed original movies, dramatic series and the most successful justice shows on cable. A&E is the official basic cable home to the high-profile series 24, CSI: Miami and beginning in 2007, The Sopranos. The A&E Network website is located at www.aetv.com. The A&E Insider is located at www.aetv.com/insider. For more information and photography please visit us on the web at www.aetvpress.com.
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