Monday, March 5, 2012

The CW network announces summer series...one of them potentially interesting, two aggressively inane

The ballet series has the slightest chance of being half-decent; adults playing musical chairs or yet another "reality" show attempting to be a sexual tease on broadcast tv, essentially no chance.

From the CW (the sixth or seventh or possibly eighth largest US broadcast network these days, the product of the merger of the WB and UPN networks) this afternoon:

March 5, 2012 (Burbank, CA) ─ The CW Network today ordered three new original reality series for summer 2012: THE STAR NEXT DOOR, a nationwide music competition series from Queen Latifah; BREAKING POINTE, an inside look at the competitive world of ballet; and THE CATALINA, which follows the employees and guests at a rocking Miami hotel. These three new shows will join the previously announced game show OH SIT! on The CW’s most aggressive summer slate ever. Premiere dates and times will be announced at a later date.

“One of my first goals here at The CW was to increase the number of hours of original programming, both throughout the season and during the summer. With these four new reality series, we’re launching our biggest summer schedule yet which will boost our circulation during the summer months and provide us with a promotional platform for our fall launch,” said Mark Pedowitz, President, The CW.

From executive producer and hip-hop icon Queen Latifah and executive producer Dave Broome (“The Biggest Loser”), THE STAR NEXT DOOR will go on a nationwide search for undiscovered artists on the verge of stardom. In this new take on the music competition genre, superstar mentors, including pop legend Gloria Estefan and country star John Rich, will travel to where the talent is, immersing themselves in the lives and towns of these local performers and preparing them for the chance to represent their home city on stage, live, in front of America. THE STAR NEXT DOOR is produced by CBS’ Raquel Productions, 25/7 Productions and Flavor Unit Entertainment. Additional mentors and host will be announced at a later time.

BREAKING POINTE goes behind the stage curtain for an intense, unfiltered look at one of the most competitive ballet companies in the country, Ballet West, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Beneath the beauty and glamour of the dance and costumes is a gritty dog-eat-dog world of extreme athleticism, focus, dedication, passion, pressure and, of course, the hunt for the unattainable…perfection. Kate Shepherd (“Big Brother: According to Russell Brand”) and Bill Langworthy (“The City”) are executive producers. Izzie Pick Ashcroft and Jane Tranter are executive producers for BBC Worldwide Productions. BREAKING POINTE is from BBC Worldwide Productions.

With a nightlife as hot as the sun-soaked beaches during the day, THE CATALINA centers on the young, wild staff of The Catalina hotel in Miami’s South Beach. The fun-loving group, who form their own dysfunctional family unit, run a glamorous destination hotel while partying even harder than their guests. Eric Bischoff (“iMPACT Wrestling,” “Confessions of a Teen Idol”) and Jason Hervey (“iMPACT Wrestling,” “Confessions of a Teen Idol”) are executive producers. THE CATALINA is from Bischoff Hervey Entertainment.

OH SIT! is a fun, high-stakes, high-octane musical chairs competition, in which 20 thrill-seeking daredevils race head-to-head through five physically demanding, obstacle course-style eliminations as they each compete to claim a chair, to the sounds of a live band. At the end of the hour, only one contestant will be left sitting triumphant to seize the cash prize. OH SIT! is created and executive produced by Phil Gurin (“The Singing Bee,” “Shark Tank,” “The Weakest Link”), Richard Joel and Deena Dill. The series is from The Gurin Company and 405 Productions.

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