Turner Entertainment Networks, which includes TBS Superstation, Turner Network Television (TNT) and Cartoon Network, is making an unprecedented commitment to original programming to bolster each of its respective network slates, it was announced today by Mark Lazarus, president of Turner Entertainment Group. TBS Superstation will look to reality series as companions to its top line-up of contemporary sitcom classics such as Sex and the City, Everybody Love Raymond, Friends and Seinfeld, coinciding with the network's brand re-launch in June 2004.
TBS SUPERSTATION
TBS Superstation is launching production on two new reality series, including a reality spin on the classic Gilligan's Island series and an untitled relationship reality series from Bruce Nash (Meet My Folks) that tests the ultimate limits of love. The network's five additional series going into development include individual hidden-camera projects from comedians Jamie Foxx and Martin Lawrence; and a search for Mr. Right in Manhattan, hosted by Candace Bushnell (Sex and the City) from September Films (Bridezillas, Single in the City).
The following is a rundown of the reality series in production or in development at TBS:
Untitled Bruce Nash Relationship Series: Bruce Nash's Nash Entertainment (Meet My Folks, For Love or Money, Who Wants to Marry My Dad?) is creating the ultimate test of love for 10 women who are vying for the affections of one man. Each unexpected twist will put them through an emotional and physical gauntlet unlike any seen on a relationship show. The series will air this summer.
GILLIGAN'S ISLAND: TBS will collaborate with the creators of the original Gilligan's Island sitcom, Lloyd and Sherwood Schwartz, to shift the concept to the reality genre. It will feature a real-life skipper, first mate, millionaire couple, movie star, Kansas farm girl and professor. And, like the original show, they'll work together to try to get off the island. Episodes will be modeled after some of the situations that occurred on the original sitcom. The series is set to premiere in Fourth Quarter 2004.
OUT-FOXXED: This hidden-camera show, hosted by Kel Mitchell (Kenan and Kel, All That) and executive-produced by Jamie Foxx, Marcus King (The Jamie Foxx Show) and Stu Schreiberg of Triage Entertainment, gives family members an opportunity to 'out-foxx' each other with hidden-camera pranks.
Untitled Candace Bushnell Project: Hosted by Candace Bushnell (Sex and the City) and produced by September Films (Bridezillas, Single in the City), this show takes four single girls on a hunt for Mr. Right, or Mr. Right Now, in New York City. The show will follow the girls at work and at play, watching them date and convene regularly to swap dating notes and maybe even dates.
Untitled Martin Lawrence Project: Executive producers Martin Lawrence, Gay Rosenthal (Behind the Music) and Paul Barrosse (Totally Hidden Video) are the creative force behind this hidden-camera show in which comedians set up practical jokes to play on their unsuspecting friends, family members, celebrity pals and, sometimes even regular folks on the street.
Email webmaster
Write An Article!
![ETV Store](<IMG SRC="images/store.gif" WIDTH="129" HEIGHT="17" BORDER="0" ALT="ETV Store">){kind=link}