|
FEBRUARY 2023 PREMIERES LED BY NEW EPISODES OF HIT DOCUMENTARY SERIES "ON PATROL: LIVE" WITH NEW ORIGINAL STORIES CELEBRATING WRESTLING ICONS, MLW UNDERGROUND WRESTLING, AN O.J. SIMPSON TRUE CRIME DOCUMENTARY AND THE METAL MOVEMENT IN MUSIC
"On Patrol: Live" New Episodes Every Friday and Saturday Night Starting at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT Featuring Host and Executive Producer Dan Abrams and Sgt. Sean "Sticks" Larkin Alongside Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson
"Chyna: Wrestling with Demons" New Original Special Celebrates the Wrestling Icon and the Heartbreak that Altered Her Legacy
"MLW Underground Wrestling" Weekly Primetime Events Showcase Professional Wrestling for a New Generation
"Autopsy: The Last Hours of... " Returns with New Stories About the Wrestling Legacies and Untimely Deaths of Professional Wrestlers Owen Hart and 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper
"O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder" Presents Never-Before-Seen Evidence Illuminating the Untold Story Behind the Grizzly Celebrity Murder Case
"When Metal Ruled the 80s 'The Rise of Metal'" and "When Metal Ruled the 80s 'Metal Goes Massive' Original Specials Celebrate the Epic Guitar Riffs, Wild Fashion and Shocking Band Behavior From a Decade of Decadence and Hardcore Headbanging
(Albuquerque, NM) Wednesday, January 25, 2023 - REELZ today announced its February 2023 premieres led by new episodes of On Patrol: Live along with a compelling lineup of new original stories about the shocking evidence left out of the O.J. Simpson trial, metal music and big hair bands of the 1980s, wrestling legends and the launch of MLW Underground Wrestling from the fastest growing wrestling league in the world Major League Wrestling (MLW). Chyna: Wrestling with Demons focuses on the groundbreaking career of the wrestling star known as "The Ninth Wonder of the World" whose struggles with mental health and substance abuse culminated in her death at just 46 years old. The return of Autopsy: The Last Hours of... celebrates the daring careers of wrestling stars Owen Hart and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper while also examining the circumstances surrounding their sudden deaths. In the two hour documentary O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder LAPD lead investigator on the double murder case Tom Lange gives a no-holds-barred look at the staggering amount of evidence that was never presented in court including never-before-seen crime scene photos, blood splatter analysis and an eye-opening look at the evidence found inside the infamous Ford Bronco. February 2023 premieres change tune in original specials When Metal Ruled the 80s "The Rise of Metal" and When Metal Ruled the 80s "Metal Goes Massive" spotlighting the loud, outrageous and defining sound of the 1980s as those who lived it share stories of the groundbreaking sounds, guitar masters and big hair bands that filled stadiums, stole hearts and changed music forever.
"We're thrilled our viewers have made On Patrol: Live a huge success and we look forward to sharing more action from the hit series where anything can and does happen," said Steve Cheskin, SVP of Programming at REELZ. "February premieres also bring a powerful mix of new stories as we take viewers inside the ring for MLW Underground Wrestling and present poignant looks at the real lives of beloved wrestlers, a jaw dropping true crime story about O.J. Simpson and exciting stories about the rise and dominance of metal music from its outrageous frontmen to the game changing impact of the music video."
Live action kicks off February 2023 premieres with new episodes of On Patrol: Live every Friday and Saturday at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT. On Patrol: Live follows live news-gathering protocols as its cameras document for viewers in real time the work of police officers on patrol from diverse departments across the country. Host and executive producer Dan Abrams, alongside Sgt. Sean "Sticks" Larkin (ret.) and Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson provide minute-by-minute live analysis and context, offering unique insight into the experiences of men and women of law enforcement appearing on the show. Before every new episode of On Patrol: Live is a new episode of On Patrol: First Shift every Friday and Saturday night at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT featuring Abrams, Larkin and Wilson who provide updates of past stories covered by the show and present a look forward to the coming live episode.
Sunday, February 5 brings a royal rumble of new original stories celebrating professional wrestlers Chyna, Owen Hart and 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper while also exploring the circumstances of their untimely deaths. First up at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT is Chyna: Wrestling with Demons about Joanie Laurer who emerged from obscurity to share wrestling's biggest stage as Chyna alongside legends including Triple H, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Chyna became the most featured female wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) but after four years she had a controversial split from the organization. Chyna leveraged her wrestling fame becoming a pop culture figure but as her novelty declined her life became fueled by addiction, pornography and tabloid headlines. Tragically, Chyna died at just 46 years old stunning fans and raising questions about what went wrong in the life of the once disciplined trailblazer.
WWE legend Owen Hart was an acrobatic star known for his technical prowess and carefully calculated moves but on May 23, 1999 Hart fell 78 feet from the rafters of an arena during a live performance. Autopsy: The Last Hours of... "Owen Hart" on Sunday, February 5 at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT explores his wrestling career and the accident that sparked controversy and prompted questions over who was to blame. The shocking death of 34-year-old Hart was unprecedented so how did one of the most talented and experienced wrestlers in the world end up falling to his death and was there anything going on in Hart's body that day that might have contributed to his death? Like Hart, professional wrestler 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper was a workhorse on the WWE roster and both were among those crowned with the prestigious Intercontinental Championship title. On Sunday, February 5 at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT Autopsy: The Last Hours of... "'Rowdy' Roddy Piper" examines his untimely death that cut short a dazzling career in which Piper was a wild and witty wrestling icon whose ability to trash talk was so good fans voted him World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) greatest villain. As Piper's star rose scripted feuds with Hulk Hogan and Mr. T sent his popularity skyrocketing but with it came real pain and injury. Piper was dedicated to fitness and was even performing in the ring less than two weeks before his death so what was going on with his health to cause his sudden death at 61 years old?
Wrestling stays at center stage as February 2023 premieres bring Major League Wrestling (MLW) to REELZ primetime with the launch of MLW Underground Wrestling on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT. The weekly series is a new era of wrestling for a new generation of fans featuring an electrifying mix of world class fighters including MLW World Champion Alex Hammerstone, "The Certified G" Real1, Women's Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie, John Hennigan, Jacob Fatu, "The World's Greatest Wonder" Microman and more. MLW Underground premieres with "Titan vs. Titan" featuring Hammerstone defending his title against ex-NFL player EJ Nduka in a Last Man Standing World Championship Match and also stars Real1, the Bomaye Fight Club and Mance Warner. Immediately following at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT is the REELZ premiere of the classic "MLW Battle RIOT IV."
From the high-flying battles inside the MLW ring February 2023 premieres shift to a riveting look at what happened inside the courtroom that led to the stunning acquittal of O.J. Simpson in the double murder trial of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. In O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder on Sunday, February 19 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT Tom Lange who was LAPD lead investigator on the double murder case presents detailed reconstructions of the brutal crime scene with step-by-step breakdowns of crucial evidence that prosecutors left out of the trial. Lange along with former colleagues who worked the case show viewers the full story of the evidence they believe points to one person - O.J. Simpson. Closing out February 2023 premieres are two rocking original specials about the spectacular rise and commercial success of metal music during the 1980s in When Metal Ruled the 80s "The Rise of Metal" on Sunday, February 26 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT followed by When Metal Ruled the 80s "Metal Goes Massive" at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT. When Metal Ruled the 80s "The Rise of Metal" relives the metal makeover of 1970s rock, Eddie Van Halen cements his status as a virtuoso guitar hero, LA becomes the epicenter for glitzy glam metal and thrash metal goes mainstream as Metallica rocks the charts. Then on When Metal Ruled the 80s "Metal Goes Massive" Guns N' Roses announces their arrival in LA with a seismic single that takes glam metal in a potent new direction while across the country in New Jersey Bon Jovi hammers the charts with hit after hit and late 1970s rockers KISS and Ozzy Osbourne reinvent themselves to show how established rock acts could thrive in the new metal era.
Below is February 2023 programming listed by premiere date and time. Full synopses for every show follow this list.
Friday, February 3
*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
*NEW* On Patrol: Live at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
Saturday, February 4
*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
*NEW* On Patrol: Live at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
Sunday, February 5
*NEW* Chyna: Wrestling with Demons at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
*NEW* Autopsy: The Last Hours of... "Owen Hart" at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT
*NEW* Autopsy: The Last Hours of... "'Rowdy' Roddy Piper" at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT
Tuesday, February 7
*NEW* MLW Underground Wrestling at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT
MLW Underground Wrestling at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT
Friday, February 10
*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
*NEW* On Patrol: Live at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
Saturday, February 11
*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
*NEW* On Patrol: Live at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
Tuesday, February 14
*NEW* MLW Underground Wrestling at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT
MLW Underground Wrestling at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT
Friday, February 17
*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
*NEW* On Patrol: Live at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
Saturday, February 18
*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
*NEW* On Patrol: Live at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
Sunday, February 19
*NEW* O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
Tuesday, February 21
*NEW* MLW Underground Wrestling at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT
MLW Underground Wrestling at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT
Friday, February 24
*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
*NEW* On Patrol: Live at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
Saturday, February 25
*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
*NEW* On Patrol: Live at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
Sunday, February 26
*NEW* When Metal Ruled the 80s "The Rise of Metal" at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
*NEW* When Metal Ruled the 80s "Metal Goes Massive" at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT
Tuesday, February 28
*NEW* MLW Underground Wrestling at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT
MLW Underground Wrestling at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT
Below are detailed descriptions for February 2023 programming in order of premiere date and time:
On Patrol: First Shift new episodes every Friday and Saturday at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT. Dan Abrams, Sean "Sticks" Larkin and Curtis Wilson provide updates of past stories covered by the show and present a look forward to the coming live episode. On Patrol: First Shift is produced by Half Moon Pictures for REELZ.
On Patrol: Live new episodes every Friday and Saturday at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT. Host and executive producer Dan Abrams alongside former Tulsa Police Department Sgt. Sean "Sticks" Larkin and Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson provide minute-by-minute live analysis and context offering unique insight into the experiences of men and women of law enforcement appearing on the show. The series follows live news-gathering protocols as its cameras document for viewers in real time the work of police officers on patrol across the country. On Patrol: Live also engages the community by inviting them into the series. "Citizen Ride-Alongs" give local residents, within the communities of the departments appearing on the show, a first-hand perspective as they ride along with officers followed by On Patrol: Live cameras on live nights; "Citizens On-Set" invites community members into the studio as guests where they can share their Ride-Along experiences and observations and comment on the night's live activities. Both features offer a unique opportunity for viewers and members of the community to gain unprecedented access to law enforcement - from routine calls and high-stakes incidents to tracking down fugitives of justice and recovering missing children. The live show content is complemented by public-service segments dedicated to tracking down America's worst and most wanted criminals as well as finding missing children through weekly "Missing" segments that air in conjunction with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Black and Missing Foundation (BAMFI). During these segments, series hosts Dan Abrams, Sean "Sticks" Larkin and Curtis Wilson call on the viewing public and OPL's broad social media footprint, known as #OPNation, to reach out to NCMEC's and BAMFI's special hotlines, should they have any information related to the missing persons. The segments are also shared via the show's platforms on Twitter (@OfficialOPLive), Instagram (@officialoplive) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ReelzOfficialOPLive/). Since the series premiere last summer fine minors have been recovered and reunited with loved ones after On Patrol: Live viewers saw the "Missing" segments and sent in tips. On Patrol: Live is produced by Half Moon Pictures for REELZ. Executive Producers are Dan Cesareo, John Zito, Lucilla D'Agostino, Paul Gordon, Joe Venafro and Dan Abrams.
Chyna: Wrestling with Demons premieres on Sunday, February 5 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT. Dubbed "The Ninth Wonder of the World" by the World Wrestling Federation Joanie Laurer aka Chyna enjoyed a groundbreaking career until her controversial exit from the organization in 2001. From the moment she exploded onto the wrestling scene in 1997 Chyna was a pioneer. No one had ever seen a 5'10" muscular woman pummel the most seasoned male wrestlers and Chyna relished the spoils that came with the limelight including a Playboy magazine centerfold and a legion of fans who showered her with accolades. But Chyna would arguably become more famous for her manic behavior, substance abuse and her untimely death than for the four short years she performed on wrestling's biggest stage. Almost immediately after leaving the WWF Chyna's life began a 14-year spiral peppered with arrests, porn, reality shows and tabloid headlines. It seems that mainstream Hollywood didn't know what to do with Chyna a larger-than-life woman who was the queen of one world but a misfit in the other. This is the story of a woman with an insatiable hunger to stay relevant and loved. Hear about the battles that made her a survivor as well as the heart-wrenching struggles that hastened her final day. Sharing their personal stories of Chyna are friends and colleagues including Tammy "Sunny" Sytch, Jade Cargill, Dr. Drew Pinsky and Diamond Dallas Page. Chyna: Wrestling with Demons is produced by AMS Pictures.
Autopsy: The Last Hours of... "Owen Hart" premieres on Sunday, February 5 at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT. On May 23, 1999 world renowned wrestler Owen Hart fell to his death plummeting 78 feet from the ceiling of an arena during a live television broadcast. He was due to make a spectacular entrance flying into the ring from the rafters as his superhero character "The Blue Blazer" but something went drastically wrong. At the age of just 34 years old Hart left behind a devastated wife and two young children. As the youngest child of Canadian wrestling legend Stu Hart and younger brother of WWF superstar Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Owen grew up within the industry. Despite attempts to follow other career paths his natural talent and flair for wrestling led him to the WWF stage at the age of 23. Within five years he had become one of the promotion's top stars. But how did one of the world's most talented wrestlers who was working for a multi-million-dollar company fall from such a great height? Using information from Hart's autopsy report, the police investigation and a first hand account from Jeff Jarrett, who was performing with Hart the night of the accident, along with insight from Hart's wife and children forensic pathologist and medical examiner Dr. Michael Hunter examines how this tragic accident occurred and if any health factors played a role. Autopsy: The Last Hours of... is produced by Potato, part of ITV Studios.
Autopsy: The Last Hours of... "'Rowdy' Roddy Piper" premieres on Sunday, February 5 at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT. Wild, witty and dangerous to know "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was one of the most legendary wrestlers of all time. When the news of his death hit the headlines on July 31, 2015 his legions of fans around the world were in shock. Infamous for his loud mouth and his explosive skills in the ring Piper rose to fame as the brash and bagpipe wielding villain of the burgeoning wrestling circuit of the 1980s. A fan favorite with an ability to infuriate the crowd like no other Piper would go on to be voted the greatest wrestling villain of all time. But this loving family man would die in his Los Angeles apartment at the age of just 61. In good health by all accounts he was even performing in the ring less than two weeks before his death so what could explain his early and unexpected death? Piper spent years rising through the ranks to become a household name alongside Hulk Hogan in the days of Wrestlemania but his wrestling world was ruthless and like many of his fraternity Piper relied on a toxic cocktail of steroids, painkillers, alcohol and cocaine to maintain his status as the main event and medicate for the pain that had been dealt to him. Famously, Piper was on record predicting his early death saying that he would not survive past the age of 65 but was his wrestling lifestyle the only reason for his premature demise or were there other hidden factors at play? Now renowned forensic pathologist and medical examiner Dr. Michael Hunter analyzes every detail of Piper's life to piece together what exactly was going on in his body to find the answers. Autopsy: The Last Hours of... is produced by Potato, part of ITV Studios.
MLW Underground Wrestling premieres on Tuesday, February 7 at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT. The fastest growing wrestling league in the world Major League Wrestling (MLW) comes to REELZ in new weekly primetime series MLW Underground Wrestling. This new era of wrestling for a new generation of fans features an electrifying mix of world class fighters including MLW World Champion Alex Hammerstone, "The Certified G" Real1, Women's Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie, John Hennigan, Jacob Fatu, "The World's Greatest Wonder" Microman and more. The journey into the underground begins with the premiere of "Titan vs. Titan" featuring Hammerstone vs. ex-NFL player EJ Nduka in a Last Man Standing World Championship Match and also stars Real1, the Bomaye Fight Club and Mance Warner. MLW wrestlers have distinct backgrounds with rich cultural connections making their journeys relatable and authentic to viewers. MLW also features some of next generation of some of the most iconic wrestling families in the sport including the Samoan Dynasty, the British Bulldogs and more. New episodes of MLW Underground Wrestling air Tuesdays at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT followed at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT with REELZ premieres of classic episodes of the most memorable and action packed matches in MLW history.
O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder premieres on Sunday, February 19 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT. Tom Lange, the LAPD lead homicide detective for the double murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, takes viewers through the mountain of evidence left out of the trial by the prosecution or misrepresented by the defense, all pointing to what he believes is the killer, NFL Hall of Famer and actor, O.J. Simpson. Lange brings a no-holds-barred take on the case and trial that rocked America re-examining evidence with world-renowned blood spatter expert and murder reconstructionist Rod Englert including a disturbing look at the trove of evidence from Simpson's white Bronco that investigators discovered but the prosecution never presented. O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder draws from Lange's personal 450-page journal about the investigation and trial sharing for the first time never-before-seen video recreations of the murders, photos of the crime scene and autopsies as well as audio including the only LAPD interview with Simpson recorded 15 hours after the violent crime. Lange says the dismissal of so much evidence was baffling and something he's never seen after working more than 250 homicide cases. Featuring all new interviews with retired LAPD Lab Director Michele Kestler, Simpson house guest Kato Kaelin and limo driver Allan Park. O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder is produced by Buck Productions Inc. in association with Connect3 and Greg Donis Entertainment.
When Metal Ruled the 80s "The Rise of Metal" premieres on Sunday, February 26 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT. As 1970s rock gets a makeover a dazzling Dutch guitarist rips up the rock'n'roll rule book and in L.A. a glitzy glam scene explodes onto the charts. Explore the genesis of 1980s glam metal scene through the stories of 1970s glam rock acts like Sweet and Slade and shock rocker Alice Cooper who created the template for what would follow in the next decade. At a time when disco and punk seemed to be the ascendant musical styles a back yard party band from California called Van Halen reinvented rock. Find out how a new wave of British heavy metal bands broke into the U.S. mainstream and see Metallica become the band that defined thrash metal. Guitarists Joe Bonamassa and Marty Friedman reflect on the musical and visual impact of KISS. Six string virtuoso Steve Vai explains how the arrival of Eddie van Halen was a game changer for rock while Twisted Sister's Dee Snider reveals how his wife encouraged his ever more outrageous styling. Those close to Def Leppard recall how the popularity of the music video was perfectly timed to help the Sheffield rockers gain a foothold with American audiences. When Metal Ruled the 80s "The Rise of Metal" is produced by Viacom International Studios UK.
When Metal Ruled the 80s "Metal Goes Massive" premieres on Sunday, February 26 at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT. Glam metal gets a cutting edge with the arrival of Guns N' Roses while a gang of New Jersey rockers take the world by storm and the hedonistic rock'n'roll lifestyle leads to tragedy. Glam rock pioneers KISS had led the way with showmanship in the 1970s but suddenly found themselves out of touch with new audiences until the release of "Kiss It Up" showed the band was willing to risk everything. Glam metal reaches mainstream success as British rockers Ozzy Osbourne and David Coverdale's Whitesnake muscle in on the U.S. metal boom. Also see how Guns N' Roses achieved global notoriety on the band's own uncompromising terms and how the fortunes of Bon Jovi turned around after the band broadened its appeal to embrace a wider audience. Derek Shulman signed Bon Jovi and shares his stories about pairing the band with song writer Desmond Child and the global hits that followed. Hanoi Rocks vocalist Michael Monroe recalls how the band's first trip to L.A. ended in tragedy while the team who mixed the multi-million selling debut album from Guns N' Roses remember the electric recording sessions which produced breakthrough hits. Sharing their stories of 1980s metal are Michael James Jackson, producer for KISS hit "Lick it Up", music historian, author and broadcaster Eddie Trunk as well as Michael Alago, A&R Elecktra Records 1983-2004. When Metal Ruled the 80s "Metal Goes Massive" is produced by Viacom International Studios UK.
About REELZ - REAL LIVES. REAL STORIES. REAL CELEBRITIES.(R)
REELZ is a leading independent television network that is home to the hit original series On Patrol: Live that follows law enforcement officers live from a diverse mix of police departments and sheriff offices across America. REELZ original programming is focused on real people in revealing stories ranging from the critically acclaimed and award-winning The Kennedys to Autopsy: The Last Hours Of and the network is also home to true crime stories and law enforcement action including Gangsters: America's Most Wanted, Mobsters, COPS, COPS Reloaded and Jail that take place in real communities across America.
REELZ is available in more than 40 million homes on DIRECTV (238), DISH Network (299), Verizon FiOS TV (692HD), AT&T U-verse (799/1799HD) and Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum, Mediacom, Philo, Freecast, DIRECTV Stream, Dish Sling and many other cable systems and major streaming services nationwide. Find REELZ in your area by visiting www.reelz.com. If REELZ is not available, or not in HD, on your cable, telco or streaming provider, we encourage viewers to call them and ask for it. Owned by Hubbard Media Group, REELZ is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM with national ad sales based in New York City with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles.
REELZ library programing is available in more than 30 million additional homes and growing via major streaming platforms such as Amazon Channels, Fire TV, Roku, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi, Samsung Smart TV+, Vizio, Crackle, Xumo, Redbox, FreeVee and Local Now.
As one of the last truly independent television networks remaining in today's media landscape REELZ has created the Independence Happens Here(R) website to help keep free thought and innovation alive by highlighting the importance of independent businesses. The website can be found at http://IndependenceHappensHere.com.
|
