Friday, June 30, 2006

Down To Seven Couples as Aleksandra And Ben Eliminated On SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

Aleksandra Wojda And Ben Susak Are Eliminated On SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

Top 7 Couples Will Compete On The Next Performance Show Wednesday, July 5, On FOX

The second season of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE continued to leap ahead this week, with performances by the Top 8 couples on Wednesday and a special performance by Natasha Bedingfield last night. Compared to its average last summer, the Wed/Thu average of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE shows impressive gains, including +19% among Adults 18-49; +18% among Adults 18-34; +13% among Teens; and +18% in Total Viewers.

The three couples who received the fewest votes after Wednesday′s performance show were Ashlee Nino and Ben Susak; Jessica Fernandez and Jaymz Tuaileva; and Aleksandra Wojda and Dmitry Chaplin. After each of the six dancers performed a solo routine, the judges eliminated Wojda and Susak from the competition, ending their quest to become America′s favorite dancer. Wojda, 22, is a contemporary/lyrical/jazz specialist from Willow Springs, IL; and Susak, 18, is a contemporary specialist from Phoenix, AZ.

Having lost their partners to elimination, Chaplin and Nino will pair up for next week′s episodes.

The competition revs up on television′s hottest show when the remaining 7 couples (Dmitry Chaplin and Ashlee Nino; Musa Cooper and Natalie Fotopoulos; Ivan Koumaev and Allison Holker; Ryan Rankine and Heidi Groskreutz; Benji Schwimmer and Donyelle Jones; Jaymz Tuaileva and Jessica Fernandez; and Travis Wall and Martha Nichols) compete on a special two-hour performance show Wednesday, July 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The following night, Ne-Yo will perform, and the judges will send two more dancers home on the live results show Thursday, July 6 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Born into a family of musicians from Arkansas, Shaffer C. Smith, a.k.a. Ne-Yo, was raised in a single parent home. In hopes of greater opportunity, Ne-Yo′s mother relocated the family to Las Vegas, NV, where Ne-Yo would discover his passion.

A master in the art of storytelling, Ne-Yo began writing at an early age. A vivid imagination and creative energy have allowed him to write songs for multi-platinum artists such as Mary J. Blige, B2K, Faith Evans and Musiq. Ne-Yo also wrote Mario′s hit song "Let Me Love You" (which Ne-Yo co-wrote with Scott Storch), which finished out 2004 as the No. 1 most-played song of the year on radio.

Ne-Yo challenges popular music with his writing and vocal talents, expressing creativity through drawings, paintings, martial arts and song. The Def Jam artist recently released his debut album "In My Own Words," which went platinum this spring. Relying mostly on his in-house crew Compound, Ne-Yo creates both a unique sound and sentiment for his records, infusing pop melodies with rich, soulful production. Songs like the first single, "Stay" (featuring Peedi Crack), exemplify Ne-Yo′s nuanced, layered vocals. In "So Sick," which went to No. 1, he laments hearing love songs on the radio due to the feelings they conjure. This August, Ne-Yo will be touring with Chris Brown.

Photo Credit: Fox Television

Sneak Peek Of Season Two For CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK - Magician of the Year For Third Time

A&E has announced the rest of Season Two episode descriptions for the reality cult series CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK.

Upcoming Episodes include:

CHAD′S STORY - Airdate: July 5, 2006
Criss responds to an emotional letter from a young magician who battled leukemia only to lose his Dad to brain cancer. Criss helps Chad Juros achieve his dream of performing as a Las Vegas headliner. Criss also attempts a daring crate escape suspended high above Times Square, NY. Special guests: Lance Burton, Chad Juros.

CELEBRITY MINDS - Airdate: July 12, 2006
Criss uses hypnosis techniques to drop entire crowds of people to the ground before putting an entire restaurant′s patrons and staff under his control. His ability to read the minds of some well-known surprise celebrity guests including: Ice Cube, Vince Neil, Mark McGrath and Robin Leach will equally astound. This episode is chock full of Mindfreaks. Special guests: Ice Cube, Vince Neil, Mark McGrath and Robin Leach.

SUCKER - Airdate: July 19, 2006
PT Barnum was not the one who said, "There′s a sucker born every minute" but still gets the credit. In this episode, Criss and team perform an elaborate pickpocket ballet; demonstrate psychic surgery, and reveals the con-artist techniques used by three card monty dealers, card cheats and casino scammers. Criss blows the lid off anyone who uses magic to take advantage of the vulnerable.

CELEBRITY SÉANCE - Airdate: August 2, 2006
Criss Angel invites you to join celebrity friends "Crossing Jordan′s" Steve Valentine, singer/songwriter Deborah Gibson and Oscar-winning Three Six Mafia, for the most insane séance ever conducted. This episode proves once and for all, whether the living can communicate with the dead. Five brave souls will spend a night in one of the most haunted places in America, the Armagosa Hotel in Death Valley, known for paranormal activity as Criss tries to connect with forces beyond our comprehension. Which celebrities will remain in the house? Special guests: Steve Valentine, Deborah Gibson, Three Six Mafia.

METAMORPHOSIS - Airdate: August 9, 2006
On Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Criss performs one of his signature demonstrations the fastest Metamorphosis ever attempted in front of thousands of spectators. There are no curtains or covers, just an almost deadly wall of fire. Criss also receives the prestigious "Magician of the Year" Award for the third time!

RICE BURNERS - Airdate: August 16, 2006
Criss takes it underground in Long Island, New York and shares his passion for motorcycle trick riding with a crew of extreme riders who execute the craziest stunts on two wheels, and sometimes just one. Criss ups the ante when he makes a motorcycle vanish and reappear from nowhere, drives blind and demonstrates a fresh style of riding sure to astonish.

BACK TO SCHOOL - Airdate: August 23, 2006
Criss heads back to his Long Island home turf to visit some of his favorite haunts and neighborhood high schools. From the cafeteria to the football field, Criss freaks out the students and teachers and shows how to Mindfreak your friends.

PROPHECY
Criss stops his pulse and vital signs in five body locations in front of a certified medical staff and in front of thousands of spectators, predicts the outcome of a motor speedway race. Criss waits tables and does close up magic in his favorite hometown diner.

MILITARY SALUTE
Criss makes a Hummer appear from nowhere, as he visits Vandenburg Airbase in tribute to our men and women in uniform. This episode features mentalism, slight of hand and grand illusions. Criss tries to guess a soldier′s secret card by shooting it out of mid-air with a 9mm handgun. Criss produces a special surprise guest from an empty duffle bag in front of hundreds of airmen.

STRAIT JACKET KEEL HAUL
Towed through the ocean by his ankles off the coast of the Riviera Maya, Mexico, completely bound in a straight jacket, Criss attempts to survive being drowned alive in the most insane escape imaginable. Plus many more completely "loco" Mindfreaks!

SHARK CAGE ESCAPE
From Cozumel, Mexico, shackled, handcuffed and locked in a 3 foot by 3 foot 300 lb. steel cage, Criss is pushed overboard and sunk to the bottom of the sea in swift currents and must escape from the ocean floor with but one breath in one continuous shot. Plus many more Mindfreak′s that are completely "loco"!

Previously Aired Episodes

BUILDING FLOAT- Airdate: May 31, 2006
Criss takes Mindfreak Season 1′s highly rated levitation episode and lifts it beyond comprehension. Criss attempts the greatest levitation ever, floating from one tall building to another, in front of a random crowd in the middle of the day. This unique demonstration was inspired by the urban legend of DD HUME, a Scotsman known for his spectacular levitations in the early 1800′s. Criss also performs an amazing light bulb float, lifts a kid off the pavement by sticking his hand to his head, and teaches a trick audiences can do at home with a Styrofoam cup.

VANISH - Airdate: May 31, 2006
The art of magic has included disappearing acts for centuries. In this episode, Criss attempts his own incredible take on this illusion: to vanish a spectator surrounded 360 degrees by thousands of witnesses in broad daylight, in the middle of Las Vegas Fremont Street.

WALK ON WATER - Airdate: June 7, 2006
In this episode Criss attempts to literally walk on water in one continuous shot across an entire pool while skeptics swim below and around him. Criss′ also brings a mannequin to life and introduces some new Mindfreaks to his growing repertoire. Special guest: Lance Burton.

IN TWO - Airdate: June 7, 2006
One of the Mindfreakiest episodes ever. Cutting people in half has been synonymous with the act of magic throughout history. Now for the first time ever, Criss demonstrates his incomparable versions, without the use of covers, boxes, or trick clothes of any kind. You will not believe your eyes as Criss separates a woman on a park bench, saws himself in half, and explores the history and variety of extremity separations.

EASY RIDER - Airdate: June 14, 2006
Criss unveils the ultimate Mindfreak OCC Chopper and leads the crew on a wild magic filled ride culminating in the hair-raising "Death Trap" exhibition. In front of thousands, Criss pays homage to legendary stunt artist, Steve Baker, as he is suspended, chained and sealed inside a wooden box filled with more than ten rounds of explosives. Criss must escape before a stunt car rams into him in front of the huge crowd. Special guests: Amazing Johnathan, Steve Baker.

ANIMAL MAGIC - Airdate: June 14, 2006
Criss and the Mindfreak team pay tribute to the legendary careers of Siegfried and Roy as Criss performs some amazing animal demonstrations. From making a 4 1/2-ton Asian elephant vanish in the middle of the street surrounded by spectators, to a special magic performance for monkeys, this episode also features pigeons, trained cockroaches and a few human guests.

PARTY - Airdate: June 21, 2006
Get ready for an illusion filled, night on the town with Criss Angel, "Mindfreak style." From the chauffeured Escalades to the VIP section of some of Vegas′ hottest nightclubs, Criss and crew infuse incredible magic and insane illusions, into Sin City′s nightlife scene. Criss also teaches how to create your own Mindfreak at home and puts his hand right through a passerby. Special guests: Penn & Teller.

BIKE JUMP VANISH - Airdate June 28, 2006
As a longtime fan of motorcycle jump legend Evel Knievel, Criss attempts his first monumental jump. He trains with champion aerialist and world record jump holder, Trigger Gunn. Criss will hit an 60-foot long, 20-foot high ramp at 50 mph, if brothers Costa and JD don′t stop him first, What happens next is either disaster or the ultimate Mindfreak! Special guests: Trigger Gunn, Carey Hart, Ice Cube

Thursday, June 29, 2006

CBS With Help From Peoria, IL Family To Promote THE AMAZING RACE

CBS To Kick Off THE AMAZING RACE Promobile Tour With Help From A Peoria, Illinois Family

Beginning June 30, CBS steers its promotional machine into unchartered territory when the Network advertises on a motor home commandeered by a Peoria, Illinois man who is traveling the country this summer along with his wife and four teenage sons.

The family devised the innovative concept to sell advertising space on their motor home by posting information about their summer vacation plans on eBay.

"I saw this posting on the web and immediately thought a traveling motor home would be the perfect vehicle to reach AMAZING RACE viewers this summer," commented George Schweitzer, President of the CBS Marketing Group. "What better way to reach our core audience than by visiting them on the road and on their vacations at tourist sites across the country."

Beginning June 30, the Amazing Race Promobile will begin its journey from Peoria and will travel to various cities across the United States, visiting national landmarks including Yellowstone National Park and the Rocky Mountains, baseball games, campgrounds and annual summer events. During these visits, the family will canvas the city, disseminating promotional material for THE AMAZING RACE and spreading the word about the upcoming season and its new Sunday night time period. With cameras rolling, the family will interview people they meet along the way and will catch up with former Amazing Racers when they visit their hometowns. The interviews will appear as a webcast that will be streamed online on the CBS.com broadband channel, "Innertube."

The Amazing Race RV tour stops include: Des Moines, Iowa; Lincoln, Neb.; Denver; Salt Lake City; Yellowstone National Park; Billings, Mont.; Bismarck, N.D.; Minneapolis; Madison, Wisc., Milwaukee; Chicago; Nashville, Tenn. among others.

THE AMAZING RACE will air Sundays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) beginning this fall on CBS.

ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA Teams Up With MSN Again For Exclusive Content And Videos

MSN Presents the Ultimate in Online Rock ′n′ Roll: ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA Premieres July 5 Only on MSN

Exclusive online programming and special live events mark the return of the hit CBS series.

MSN today announced the premiere of online programming for ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA, the new season of the hit reality series returning to CBS in a special 90-minute broadcast on Wednesday, July 5 at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT. Before its broadcast premiere, ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA -- produced by Mark Burnett Productions and seen last season by more than 6 million TV viewers each week -- will premiere only on MSN(R) the morning of July 3, available on demand at the official series Web site (http://rockstar.msn.com/).

For the first time, weekly behind-the-scenes episodes containing all original footage will be streamed exclusively on the Web on MSN. Just as in season one, four types of content will be available each week: extensive and immersive behind-the-scenes unscripted drama (produced exclusively for MSN); one performance show and one results show (both produced exclusively for CBS); and extensive original wireless content. The MSN behind-the-scenes unscripted drama will allow viewers to learn what it takes for the contestants to choose their songs and prepare for their weekly performances, and to follow the characters as they develop and grow under enormous pressure. It will be available at http://rockstar.msn.com/, enabling on-demand viewing via streaming. In addition, a sneak peek at the trailer, video interviews with Supernova, the rockers′ bios and much more as part of the MSN-exclusive online content will be available on the site.

The second season of ROCK STAR features an all-star lineup of rock musicians who have joined forces to form a new supergroup called Supernova. Drummer Tommy Lee of Motley Crue, former Metallica guitarist Jason Newsted and former Guns N′ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke will be casting for a lead singer from a pool of 15 contestants selected in auditions across the U.S.

MSN content, which greatly increased the reach of the show last season by streaming more than 20 million videos and receiving millions of votes for contestants in the competition, will again offer visitors a close-up and personal experience of life in the rock ′n′ roll fast lane. Programming will include original behind-the-scenes video footage, replays of contestant performances, music downloads, contestant profiles, photo galleries, stories about Supernova, and contestants′ blogs on MSN Spaces. Online viewing of the TV show and online voting for contestants will be available only on MSN Video.

"ROCK STAR is a like a force of nature -- it′s an enormously exciting project that has millions of fans, and it allows us to show how compelling interactive online entertainment content can be," said Rob Bennett, general manager of Entertainment and Video Services for MSN. "This season we′re doing lots of fabulous programming around ROCK STAR to enrich the TV viewers′ experience and to provide visitors to MSN with the kind of off-the-charts entertainment experiences we′ve promised. Anyone who loves loud music and spends time online will want to catch all the rock ′n′ roll action of ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA."

ROCK STAR on the Road

Also new this year are MSN "Live Like a Rockstar" events, which will be kicked off at the legendary Roxy Theater in Los Angeles on July 13 with live performances by The Panic Channel, a new band featuring former members of Jane′s Addiction, and an opening act. Exclusive scenes of the new season of ROCK STAR will be screened at the show, and radio station Star 98.7 will feature live remote broadcasts from the event to promote MSN entertainment content and build traffic to the ROCK STAR Web site. This major event will also be presented in Chicago, Boston and New York on dates to be announced. Tickets are available only via promotional offerings to ROCK STAR fans, who may also participate in a variety of contests on the MSN ROCK STAR site.

"MSN is really turning up the volume and creating a lot of excitement for the return of ROCK STAR," said Mark Burnett, creator and executive producer of ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA. "The show′s popularity last season had a lot to do with the fantastic online experience MSN provided visitors to the site. This is what entertainment today is all about: synergy across multiple platforms. MSN is playing a huge role in bringing interactive entertainment and a wide range of rich content to broadband. We′re thrilled to collaborating with MSN on this breakthrough series."

The Dream of Being a Star Rocker Comes True

Last season on ROCK STAR, the rock sensation INXS auditioned for a new lead singer. Canadian heartthrob JD Fortune was selected to front the band, which has since recorded and released a new CD, "Switch," that debuted in the Billboard Top 20 and is currently going gold and platinum in countries around the world. INXS′ hit single, "Pretty Vegas," has helped the band sell out every concert on its North American tour.

Dave Navarro and Brooke Burke return to host ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA. In one of several changes being made for the second season of the series, a music celebrity or rock legend will appear as a guest on the show each week. The winner of the competition will record an original CD with Supernova, to be co- written and produced by Butch Walker, Rolling Stone Magazine′s 2005 "Hot Producer of the Year." The CD will be released in the fall and will be supported by a worldwide tour in early 2007.

ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA will air on CBS Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EDT/PDT and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT. Exclusive episodes on MSN will be available every Monday on demand at http://rockstar.msn.com/.

CBS Offer Viewers Everything For BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS - Internet, Cell Phone And Television

CBS′S BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS -- On-Air, Online And On Your Cell Phone

CBS Launches the Most Interactive Summer Yet For the New Season of BIG BROTHER

Entire Episodes of BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS Will Be Streamed on CBS.com′s New Broadband Channel "innertube" the Day After the Episode Airs on the Network

BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS will be on the air, online and on your cell phone this summer when CBS launches a multi-platform campaign that will bring audiences unprecedented coverage of their favorite - and not so favorite- All-Stars from inside the Big Brother house. BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS premieres Thursday, July 6 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

The multi-platform campaign will form an ambitious convergence of the three mediums -- TV, Internet and cell phones -- creatively linked to keep viewers entertained, informed and engaged throughout the summer.

Entire episodes of BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS will be streamed on CBS.com′s new broadband channel "innertube" beginning the morning after the episode airs on the Network. The episodes will be archived on "innertube" for viewing throughout the run of the summer series.

For the first time, CBS will offer around the clock coverage of BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS through a mobile subscription package:

"BIG BROTHER MOBILE PACK":Ê Big Brother knows and so will you. For the mobile subscription package,Êspecial producers will be monitoring the action inside the house around the clock to keep fans in the know with video clips,Êphotos, live breaking house alerts and daily insider summaries on their cell phones. Additionally, fans will have access to exclusive video, picture and text diaries of their favorite Houseguests. The service will be available on most major wireless carriers and fans will be able to subscribe via www.CBS.com and on-air callouts during BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS.

Other wireless elements outside of the package, which can also be accessed through www.CBS.com and on-air callouts during the show, include:

"AMERICA′S VOTE" sponsored by Cingular Wireless: Throughout the season, fans will have the opportunity to cast their votes for scenarios that will impact the outcome of the game for the Houseguests. Cell phone subscribers can send in their votes via text message on most major wireless carriers.

"AMERICA WINS ON BIG BROTHER" sponsored by Cingular Wireless: Each week, fans will have the opportunity to predict via text message which Houseguest will be the next to be voted out of the game. After each eviction, one lucky fan who chooses the correct evicted Houseguest will win $10,000.

Other "BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS" elements on the Internet include:

For the sixth year, CBS and RealNetworks®, Inc., will join forces to provide exclusive 24/7 live video streaming from inside the BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS house. The webcast coverage debuts immediately following the July 6 premiere of BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS and will be accessible through the official BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS website at CBS.com and through Real′s SuperPass subscription service at www.real.com/bigbrother.

The entire three-month live 24/7 internet feed of BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS is available through SuperPass. Subscribers to the 24/7 video stream can watch any one of four live camera feeds from inside the BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS house or catch all of the action at once with the special quad-cam view which allows fans to see four different video feeds simultaneously. Subscribers will also have access to an exclusive, subscribers-only web chat that will allow fans from across the country to converse about what they see live on the feeds. This year, Real and CBS are enhancing the Big Brother 24/7 experience with Big Brother-focused blogs, chat rooms, message boards, weekly polls and other new interactive features that allow fans to interact with each other and stay engaged with the show 24/7.

As in past years to preserve the drama for BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS television viewers, CBS may block or delay the webcast for a limited number of real-time events that transpire in the house.

Also returning is the popular HOUSE CALLS: THE BIG BROTHER TALK SHOW, a no-charge, half-hour, streaming video daily talk show about the summer reality series seen every Monday through Friday (1:00 PM/ET, 10:00 AM/PT) on CBS.com.

HOUSE CALLS is hosted by radio personality Gretchen Massey, host of "The Gretchen Massey Show" broadcast Sunday nights on CBS Radio′s 106.9 Free FM, San Francisco, Calif. A guest host will join Massey on HOUSE CALLS each week and former Big Brother Houseguests may be among the guest hosts. The hosts will interact with viewers through phone calls and e-mails, discuss events that transpire in the Big Brother house, offer prognostications, analyze strategies and interview former BIG BROTHER Houseguests as well as current Houseguests following their eviction.

All fans will have access to other key components of the official BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS website on CBS.com, including, detailed summaries of all the events that happen during each televised broadcast; a live 24/7 chat room; popularity and opinion polls; a virtual tour of the BIG BROTHER house; descriptions of the week′s challenges; voting history pages; photo galleries; and a houseguest section with complete profiles.

Returning for a second season on CBS.com is the Head of Household Blog in which fans will be able to hear straight from the Head of Household about life in the BIG BROTHER house, what it is like to be under the constant gaze of dozens of cameras and watched live on the Internet 24/7.

BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS premieres Thursday, July 6 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Following the premiere, BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS will be broadcast each week on Tuesdays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), Thursdays (8:00-9:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) and Sundays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). The Thursday broadcast, hosted by Julie Chen, will feature the live eviction of one of the houseguests.

Arnold Shapiro, Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan are the executive producers of BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS for Arnold Shapiro & Allison Grodner Productions, in association with Endemol Entertainment.

For more information on BIG BROTHER: ALL-STARS and the potential 20 houseguests, log on to www.cbs.com.

Lifetime Goes To The Dogs In New Reality Series OFF THE LEASH

Lifetime Television Orders New Half-Hour Reality Series OFF THE LEASH

A "Howlingly" Funny Behind-The-Scenes Look At A Hollywood Pet Talent Agency Where The Fur Flys As Obsessive Owners Compete To Make Their Pet The Next Big Animal Star

Six Episodes from Executive Producers Mechelle Collins and Kevin Dill (Bravo′s "Blow Out," MTV′s "Juvies") to Premiere in Fall 2006

Starring performing pooches, quirky pet owners and cutthroat animal agents, the new Lifetime Original Series OFF THE LEASH goes inside the tumultuous world of a real-life Hollywood pet talent agency to reveal just how far some women will go to find four-legged stardom for their beloved dogs, it was announced by Susanne Daniels, President, Entertainment, Lifetime Entertainment Services.

The new half-hour series from executive producers Kevin Dill and Mechelle Collins (Bravo′s "Blow Out," MTV′s "Juvies") exposes the inner workings of the star-maker machinery along with the excesses, intrigues and just doggone escapades of ambitious pet owners driven to unleash their inner animal.

"These are real stories about people who have big dreams of making their adored pet into a Hollywood star," said Daniels. Adding, "Pets are important family members in American homes today, and are more visible than ever in films, television and commercials. This show offers a humorous glimpse at the machinations behind how a pet makes it from the home to the big screen-and it′s just as full of absurd surprises as any human actor′s struggle for success. For these animals, it′s not about going on the newspaper, but getting in the newspaper."

Hollywood talent agents scout comedy clubs and actor showcases looking for new stars. The dog scout for Le Paws Hollywood Pet Agency searches the local Beverly Hills dog parks to sniff out prospects for the next "spokesdog." Tough-minded young businesswoman Michelle operates Le Paws. Her dedicated staff includes trainers, a talent manager and her entrepreneurial partner Stuart. Using ruthless "Glengarry Glen Ross"-style tactics, the sales team pitches potential clients to pay top dollar for a package of training classes. Signing the deal are women who treat their pets better than themselves, not unlike like stage mothers obsessed with making their child into a celebrity. In between auditions and photo shoots they trot their pooches to doggie spas and doggie yoga, outfit them in expensive doggie duds and make them sit with doggie therapists. With so much at stake, conflicts brew just beneath the surface - and practically everyone will do almost anything to prove their pet is not just a one-trick pony.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

SCI FI Channel Announces Premiere Date For WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO?

Stan Lee′s POW! Entertainment Spawns TV Reality Show

NBC′s SCI FI Channel has announced a July 27, 2006 launch date for Stan Lee′s POW! Entertainment′s new Reality Television Show WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO?

POW! Entertainment along with the SCI FI Channel and Nash Entertainment (Meet My Folks, For Love or Money, Who Wants to Marry My Dad?), are producing this new six-episode, one-hour weekly competition reality series that will challenge a lucky few to create their very own superhero and reward the winner with the best reality competition prize yet: immortality!

Each contestant begins with an original idea for a superhero, a self-made costume, and their best superhero mojo. From thousands of hopefuls, Stan Lee chooses 11 lucky finalists who must live together during the entire competition in a secret lair. There they will begin their transformations -- and the competition begins for the opportunity to become real-life superheroes. Over the course of the series, they will test their mettle, try to overcome their limitations, and do what it takes to prove that they truly are super.

The finalists will leave their former lives behind and live as their brainchild heroes 24/7, and Stan Lee in Donald Trump fashion, will be both Judge and Jury. As each week progresses, POW!′s aspiring heroes will be challenged with competitions designed to test their true natures. The superhero contestants will be tested for courage, integrity, self-sacrifice, compassion, and resourcefulness -- all traits that every true Stan Lee superhero must possess.

In the end, only one aspiring superhero will have the inner strength and nobility to open the gates to comic-book immortality. The winner of this six-week competition will walk away with their character immortalized in a new comic book created by Stan Lee himself. And that′s not all -- the winning character will also appear in an original SCI FI Channel movie!

Stan Lee and Gill Champion will be credited as Executive Producers along with Co-Executive Producers, Yuka Kobayashi also of POW! Entertainment and Gabriel Grunfeld of G & G Entertainment (Producer - Stepford Wives).

WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO? is yet another POW! Production that is now beginning to hit the streets.

For more information visit: http://www.whowantstobeasuperhero.tv/

Stan Lee, world-famous comic-book and motion-picture icon, founded POW! (Purveyors of Wonder) Entertainment Inc., an advanced media and entertainment company, together with award-winning producer Gill Champion and intellectual-property specialist Arthur Lieberman, Esq.

Many of Stan Lee′s former co-creations -- such as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Daredevil and the X-Men -- dominated the comic-book genre and now have successfully transcended to the big screen, breaking all-time box-office records and grossing billions of dollars in revenues.

C-SPAN Uncovers The Secrets OF THE CAPITAL Building

C-SPAN Uncovers the Hidden Corridors Under the Capitol Dome in Original TV Series, THE CAPITOL

Complementing July 4th celebrations, THE CAPITOL airs July 6-8 featuring a never-before-seen on TV look at the history, art and architecture of the U.S. Capitol Building

For Americans that can′t make it to Washington, D.C. for the Fourth of July, C-SPAN is taking viewers inside the U.S. Capitol building for a tour they couldn′t take even if they were here, as part of the network′s July presentation of The Capitol.

THE CAPITOL, a three-part, nine-hour series airing on Thursday, July 6 through Saturday, July 8 at 8 p.m. ET, offers a rare look inside a building that reflects the nation′s history. Through interviews with historians and Members of Congress, tours, and unprecedented access into the building′s public and private spaces, C-SPAN presents a groundbreaking view inside this American icon.

"This is the most extensive look at the history and the art and architecture of the Capitol ever seen on television," said Brian Lamb, CEO of C-SPAN. "The project just made sense for C-SPAN. We′ve spent 27 years covering events inside this building. Telling the story of the Capitol building helps tell the story of the United States."

THE CAPITOL′s highlights include:

* George Washington′s tomb was built in the basement of the Capitol and remains there today ... empty ... Learn why in part one.

* Explore the Old Senate Baths located in the crypt, where 19th century Senators would bathe before engaging in the era′s great debates.

* Exclusive looks as Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) opens the doors to the Republican Majority Leader′s office, located in the oldest section of the Capitol, and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) gives a tour of his personal hideaway space.

* Locate the bullet holes that remain in the House of Representatives chamber after a shooting by Puerto Rican nationals in 1954.

The recently debuted series was recorded in high-definition to capture the beauty of the Capitol building. Each part is approximately three hours long and includes taped video segments and studio interviews with historians and viewer phone calls from the series′ premiere on May 31. Part one is called, AN AMERICAN ICON, and explores the history of the Capitol; part two is titled, THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; and part three is called THE U.S. SENATE.

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 3 Finale on Spike TV is the Most Watched Ultimate Fighting Championship(R) Event Ever

Doubles the Viewership of NASCAR Race on FX Head-To-Head

Delivers More Men 18-49 and Men 18-34 Than Anything Else on Television in Timeslot

The live finale of Spike TV′s THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 3 drew 2.8 million viewers on Saturday, June 24 (9:00 PM - 12 Midnight) making it the most watched UFC event in history. The card was the highest rated Spike original telecast in the network′s history in Men 18-49 with a 2.85 rating.

The viewership peaked with 3.4 million and a 4.51 rating in Men 18-34 at 10:15 PM for the thrilling three-round, middleweight war between Kendall Grove and Ed Herman. The Spike TV finale easily outdrew NASCAR′s Dodge/ Save Mart 350 on FX which garnered 1.4 million viewers.

Overall, THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 3 finale tallied a 2.04 household rating, with a 2.85 in M18-49 (1,493,000 viewers), a 3.81 in M18-34 (1,000,000 viewers) and an average audience of 2.8 million viewers. Spike TV delivered more M18-49 and M18-34 in the time period than any other channel, broadcast or cable.

"You can′t get more action than the thrilling conclusion to another fantastic season of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER," said Kevin Kay, General Manager, Spike TV.

"We have reached the point when guys across the country say -- ′Did you catch the fight last night?′ -- and they are referring to a UFC fight," said Dana White, UFC President.

In what is the frontrunner for the 2006 UFC fight of the year, Hawaii′s Kendall "Spider" Grove scored a unanimous 29-28 decision over Portland, Oregon′s Ed "Short Fuse" Herman following three rounds of nonstop, breathtaking action in the Octagon. Grove secured the middleweight Ultimate Fighter crown and a six-figure contract with the UFC.

In the light heavyweight title bout, England′s Michael "The Count" Bisping scored a second round victory against a determined Josh Haynes from Medford, Ore to also secure a six-figure contract.

In the main event, Kenny "Ken-Flo" Florian scored a dominating first round victory over Canadian Sam Stout. The night′s first televised bout had Keith Jardine winning a three-round decision over Wilson Gouveia.

Bravo Sets Records For Best Second Quarter In Network History

Reality Shows TOP CHEF And THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY Pull Viewers In

Bravo sets network records in second quarter, delivering its highest second quarter performance in the history of the network for total day viewing among Adults 18-49 and 25-54, and achieving double-digit primetime increases across key demos. Bravo was the #1 cable entertainment network in 2005 for delivering advertisers a high concentration of affluent (HH $100K+) viewers in the Adults 18-49 and 25-54 demos. Bravo is again on course to maintain its status as the #1 upscale entertainment cable network on television for both demos, achieving cable′s highest concentration of viewership for 2Q06 among Adults 18-49 and 25-54 in affluent homes through May.

Bravo has witnessed year-to-year increases in viewership across all key demographics versus the second quarter of 2005. Bravo′s prime (Monday-Sunday 8-11 p.m.) increased by 10% in HH ratings (.44), 11% among total viewers (447,000), 25% among P18-34 (116,000), 14% by P18-49 (252,000) and 8% by P25-54 (260,000).

For total day, 2Q06 was Bravo′s best second quarter in history among both P18-49 and P25-54. Bravo also hit its best 2Q for the Mon-Sun 7P-2A daypart among P18-49 with 219,000 viewers in the key demo. In total day, year-to-year Bravo increased household ratings by 14% (.25), total viewers by +17% (to 242,000), P18-34 by +31% (to 71,000), P18-49 by +21% (143,000) and P25-54 by +16% (to 141,000).

Traffic to BravoTV.com remained strong with another record breaking quarter across all metrics, pulling in 2.7 million unique visitors and 61.5 million page views, representing increases of 90% and 245%, respectively, versus the same quarter a year ago. This marks the best performing second quarter ever for BravoTV.com.

Bravo′s success in the first part of the second quarter was driven by the breakout success of TOP CHEF and THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY, both new series introduced in 2006.

Season one of TOP CHEF averaged a 1.2 HH coverage rating and over 1.2 million total viewers, ranking as the top food series on cable among P18-49 (878,000) and P25-54 (826,000) for 2006 to-date. The TOP CHEF finale on 5/24/06 averaged a 1.4 HH coverage rating, 1.6 million total viewers, 1.1 million P18-49 and 1.1 million P25-54.

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY averaged 503,000 P18-49 and 440,000 P25-54, up from year-ago time-period delivery by +47% in P18-49 and +26% in P25-54. The series finale on 5/2/06 averaged a 1.0 Household rating, 977,000 total viewers, 817,000 P18-49 and 743,000 P25-54.

SPEED TV Brings PAYBACK - Custom Celebrity Cars Reality TV Show

SPEED Debuts Payback; New Original Series by Producer Bud Brutsman; Celebrities Payback the Unheralded People behind Their Rise to Fame - with a Trick New Custom Ride

Bud Brutsman, creator of hit reality shows OVERHAULIN' and RIDES, brings his talents to SPEED, with original series, PAYBACK. Debuting July 12 at 10 p.m. ET., Brutsman′s latest production taps the creativity of A-list celebrities, and their passion for the ′behind-the-scenes′ people who helped change their lives.

Through the genius of a who′s who from the custom car universe, these unheralded heroes will receive the ultimate PAYBACK - a trick new custom ride.

"This show promises to deliver a blast of fresh air ... with a steady whiff of newly refined high octane fuel mixed in," said Robert Ecker, VP of Programming for SPEED. "It blends diverse elements from the worlds of automotive customization and celebrity lifestyle with innovative storytelling techniques and honest human emotion. It′s a completely new spin on the entire notion of what the word ′payback′ means - and we mean it in a good way."

Payback will tell intriguing stories covering all walks of celebrity life, from the silver screen and network television, to professional sports and magazine covers. The inaugural episodes will include separate shows with late-night host and car nut Jay Leno and The Passion of the Christ lead, Jim Caviezel, sharing a little bit of their personal journeys. Future episodes include appearances by model and television host Brooke Burke and NBA superstar Tim Duncan. According to Brutsman, his goal is to create a show touching people′s lives on many different levels.

"Among all the great storylines in Payback, there′s an important message as well," said Brutsman, who began his production career in 1992. "This show is about the celebrities and their unknown heroes. Each custom car is really just a vehicle for them to say ′thank you′ in a public forum.

"You can′t believe how much fun these celebrities are having with each show," Brutsman continued. "The car - and half-hour television show - is basically a white canvas piece of creativity for them. It′s simply amazing to see how honored and blown away each recipient has been when a celebrity the stature of a Jay Leno or Jim Caviezel takes that much time and thought in doing something this unbelievable - for them. I want this to be an environment where it′s okay - and cool - to see well-heeled adults cry."

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Discovery Channel Examines The World Of A Killer And Their Minds In MOST EVIL

Discovery Channel takes viewers beyond the police tape and deep into the minds of the world′s most notorious, most merciless and most deadly criminals with an in-depth scientific look at the world′s MOST EVIL, premiering Thursdays at 10:00 PM (ET/PT), beginning July 13. Columbia University′s Dr. Michael Stone uses his "scale of evil," which has never before been profiled on television, to rank and measure the evil found within the infamous. Forensic psychiatrists, neurologists and psychologists use scientific evidence to unravel the inner workings of criminal masterminds. MOST EVIL is part of Discovery Channel′s forensics programming, with additional series and specials airing on Thursday nights through the fall.

Forensic psychiatrist Michael Stone examined, researched and faced down hundreds of killers to develop a hierarchy of "breathtakingly horrible" acts, listing 22 categories of evil. Accounting for the motive, method and madness of each evildoer, the categories range from those who kill in self- defense (Category #1) to jealous psychopathic lovers (Category #9) to serial torturers and killers (Category #22) - the most evil on Stone′s scale.

In each episode, Stone profiles some of the MOST EVIL minds of all time - including Ted Bundy, Dennis Rader (the "BTK" killer), Aileen Wuornos, Tommy Lynn Sells and Jeffrey Dahmer - and ranks each killer on his scale. Stone′s analysis provides clues as to what genetic, environmental and neurological factors may drive a person to kill and measures who is truly evil versus someone who commits evil acts.

The eight-episode series MOST EVIL includes rarely seen archival footage of courtroom and news statements and exclusive up-close interviews with convicted killers from behind prison bars. Leading experts in psychology and neurology will probe the dark corners of the human mind, interviewing subjects and using MRIs, brain scans, EEGs and other tests to examine the effects of telling lies on the brain, measure how people experience emotion and search for patterns of behavior and background that might identify the recipe that makes a killer. Personality traits such as egocentricity, lack of empathy or remorse, and even charm are highlighted as possible ingredients.

Upcoming episodes will present analysis of infamous liars, cold-blooded and psychotic killers, murderous women and partners in crime. Some experts have estimated that one in every 100 people can be considered a "psychopath," but not all psychopaths are prone to kill. What drives seemingly normal men and women to such horrific acts? Experts hope their scientific analysis can pinpoint such tendencies toward evil in hopes of one day preventing it.

Finale Of REALITY STARS FEAR FACTOR This Evening - Final Three Teams Compete

REALITY STARS FEAR FACTOR - Part 3

CAN YOU SEE THE DOLLAR SIGNS IN MY EYES?

It′s a battle of the most popular television reality stars in the final of a three episode series of FEAR FACTOR this evening on NBC.

Tonight , the stars from AMERICAN IDOL (Anthony Fedorov and Carmen Rasmusen), THE APPRENTICE (Craig Williams and Tana Goertz), and THE REAL WORLD (Mike "The Miz" Mizanin and Trishelle Cannatella) compete for $150,000. Only two stunts separate the teams from becoming the grand prize winners in the finale episode of reality stars FEAR FACTOR.

First, the men must fight off hypothermia as they search through thousands of pounds of ice for the keys that will release a sled holding the ladies. Then the men will use a crank to send the women down a tunnel to three separate stations. Along the way, thousands of spiders will be dumped on each of the women.

For the final stunt, each contestant is on the hood of a car dangling over 100 feet in the air. The teams must transfer balls to each other as the cars are separated. After 90 seconds, the cars will fall to the ground in a fiery explosion. The most successful team will win the grand prize of $150,000 and be named the FEAR FACTOR Champions.

New this season, host Joe Rogan will travel all over the country for "Fear Factor Home Invasion" challenging people to"FEAR FACTOR stunts right in their own homes for the chance to win a $5,000 Capital One credit card. This week′s home invasion takes us to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

REALITY STARS FEAR FACTOR will be shown this evening at 8:00 pm EST on NBC.

Casting Call For 1 VS 100 - Chance To Win Three Million Dollars

1 VS 100 - Win Up To 3 Million Dollars In Cash!

From the producers of NBC′s DEAL OR NO DEAL comes the newest game show phenomenon: 1 VS 100.

One player must outlast a mob of 100 in an intense battle of brains and greed with The Chance To Win a grand prize of 3 Million Dollars.

They are looking for all types of people 18 Years Or Older with great personalities and extensive general trivia knowledge, including pop culture.

If you think you have the expertise it takes to compete for A Chance To Win Up To 3 Million Dollars, please send an application, your contact information, a picture of yourself, and a few words that best describe you to: Contestants@1vs100.tv

For more information you can download the application at http://www.realitytvwebsite.com/news062706c.html.

CNN PRESENTS: DIRT TRACK WARRIORS - Auto Racing On Dirt Tacks

CNN PRESENTS: DIRT TRACK WARRIORS - Auto Racing On Dirt Tacks

CNN Presents Explores American Summertime Obsession in Dirt Track Warriors

Documentary Spotlights Small-town Sport With 30 Million Fans

Before NASCAR, high-speed race car drivers raced on dirt - and they still do. Dirt track automobile racing - an estimated billion dollar a year business with 30 million fans - is "the biggest sport you′ve never heard of," according to the new documentary CNN PRESENTS: DIRT TRACK WARRIORS, premiering on Saturday, July 1, at 8 p.m., with a replay at 11 p.m. Dirt Track Warriors re-airs on Sunday, July 2, at 2 a.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. All times Eastern.

Dirt Track Warriors is narrated by Miles O′Brien and features exclusive access to the personal and professional lives of the drivers of lightweight, high-horsepower racing machines called "dirt late model" cars. The documentary follows racing "bad boy" Scott Bloomquist, Chub "Chubzilla" Frank and teenager Josh "Kid Rocket" Richards through a season of high-speed, dirt-throwing racing, climaxing with dirt late model′s biggest prize, the World 100 at Eldora Speedway in rural Ohio.

The sport boasts 800 dirt tracks in 49 states. As Tim Lee, editor of Dirt Late Model magazine, explains: "Saturday night dirt track racing is like the summertime equivalent of Friday night football - especially in smaller towns. It′s a center of community."

Renowned NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, now the owner of Eldora Speedway, sometimes surprises spectators by racing there on his days off.

"I make my living driving on pavement every week, but I really think that dirt racing is where my passion has been," Stewart says. "I′ve always been more interested in dirt racing than pavement."

For Dirt Track Warriors, senior producer Ted Rubenstein interviewed dirt track's "kings" throughout the 2005 racing season and offers viewers a look at the grueling life on the dirt track circuit through heartland America, which sometimes puts great strain on the personal lives of the drivers and their families. With the eyes of the racing world on the World 100, viewers learn whether 17-year-old phenom Josh "Kid Rocket" Richards will qualify for his first World 100 competition; whether Scott Bloomquist, celebrating his 25th year in dirt track racing will win his fourth championship at Eldora; or, whether "Chubzilla" can repeat his 2004 first-place success.

CNN PRESENTS: DIRT TRACK WARRIORS was produced by Ted Rubenstein, with field producing by Emily Probst and Jamie Hutton. Mark Nelson is vice president and senior executive producer of CNN Productions. A CNN audio podcast with Dirt Track Warriors producer Ted Rubenstein is available by linking to: http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/services/podcasting/long.form/audio/2006/06/dirtwarriors.mp3

BIG SPENDER - Financial Rescue Series Coming To A&E - With Larry Winget As Host

Spend A Little Time With A&E Network Series Premiere BIG SPENDER

BIG SPENDER is a financial rescue series. Host, Larry Winget - a behavioral change expert who has personally traveled the road from rags to riches - uses a combination of strategies to help couples and families move from financial wreckage to responsible spending habits. Over the course of this half hour series, we peer into the lives of families with mountains of debt, no savings, no assets and disastrous spending habits. They had no hope at all...until now.

Every Sunday starting July 9th at 5:30 pm ET Larry ambushes our BIG SPENDER, catching them in the act. After confronting them with their problem, he gets them to agree to three weeks of financial boot camp.

During the three weeks, Larry has the people cutting their expenses, lessening their debt or increasing their income and taking responsibility for their actions with a myriad of activities customized to alleviate their particular situation. With his "tough love" people skills, Larry digs into the heart of the problem and gives them the stepping-stones they need to start implementing strategies and life altering spending habits that will lead them to financial health.

Larry Winget′s big message is "take responsibility." As speaker/author/consultant, he has traveled the country delivering his quirky brand of tough-love. As the author of "Money is Easy" and "Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get a Life," he has earned his financial reputation by experience --- he′s built a multi-million dollar business, went bankrupt, then built another fortune. He′s in-your-face, caustic, caring and funny as hell.

Monday, June 26, 2006

ABC Announces THE ONE: MAKING A MUSIC STAR - New Music Competition Show

Everything You′ve Ever Wanted to Know About What REALLY Goes on Behind the Scenes of a Music Competition Show Will Be Revealed

Summer Series Based on Endemol Spanish Smash Hit, OPERACISN TRIUNFO

The smash hit, critically-acclaimed Spanish Endemol series, OPERACISN TRIUNFO - which garnered a 70% share and broke Spanish television records -- is coming to the U.S. as THE ONE: MAKING A MUSIC STAR. The new series will premiere Tuesday, July 18 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) and the first results show will air Wednesday, July 19 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

THE ONE: MAKING A MUSIC STAR will follow the lives of 11 contestants as they attend a fully functioning music academy in Los Angeles. The music academy offers vocal coaching, choreography/dance lessons, image consulting, fitness training and more... all with the top experts in their given fields.

Contestants will be on camera essentially 24/7, providing a real-life soap opera as they live and work together in a house with state-of-the-art training and recording facilities. And behind the scenes, viewers will get to see all of the drama between the contestants, including romances, rivalries and more. All this leads to a weekly live performance, where this group of amateur singers will face the immense pressures of performing live in front of an audience of millions.

Each week a contestant will be eliminated; after 10 weeks/20 episodes, the eventual winner will receive a recording contract with a major record company.

THE ONE: MAKING A MUSIC STAR is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is the President of Endemol USA. The series is executive produced by Matt Kunitz, and will air with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

THE BIGGEST LOSER Is Holding Open Casting Calls In Eight Cities

NBC′S Hit Reality Show THE BIGGEST LOSER To Hold Casting Calls Across The Nation

NBC′s hit reality show THE BIGGEST LOSER will conduct a special search in eight cities for new contestants by holding open casting calls across the country.

THE BIGGEST LOSER is looking for outgoing, charismatic and candid individuals who are at least 18 years of age. Candidates should be ready to make their weight-loss dreams a reality, in addition to possessing personality, desire and a competitive edge to vie for this chance of a lifetime.

THE BIGGEST LOSER casting teams guarantee the first 800 people in line will be seen. People will not be allowed to line up prior to 8:00 a.m.

Casting calls will be held in the following locations:

JULY 1
SEATTLE, WA
24 Hour Fitness
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
18930 29th Avenue
West Lynnwood, WA 98036
** Please wear soft-soled shoes. Hard-soled shoes will need to be removed before entering the interview area.

BOSTON, MA
The Rack
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
24 Clinton Street
Boston MA 02109

JACKSONVILLE, FL
Jacksonville Landing
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
2 Independent Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32202

JULY 2
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Mall of America
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Rotunta Court
60 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425

JULY 8
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
KSL 5
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
55 North Third West
Salt Lake City, UT 84180
**Please do not bring any large bags, all bags subject to search. Parking available in east lot, fees may apply.

NEW YORK, NY
NBC Store
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
At Rockefeller Center
(Between 5th and 6th Avenue)
New York, NY

ATLANTA, GA
Wild Bill′s Atlanta
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
2075 Market Street
Duluth, GA 30096

JULY 9
CHICAGO, IL
Rock Bottom Brewery
11 a.m.-7 p.m.
One W. Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60610

Caroline Rhea ("Sabrina, The Teenage Witch") hosts THE BIGGEST LOSER (Wednesdays 9-10 p.m. ET), an unscripted series in which two competing teams follow comprehensive diet and exercise plans to undergo radical physical makeovers without using surgery. The contestants recruited from across the nation will travel to Los Angeles to have ten weeks with access to two of the top trainers in Hollywood, all meals provided and a chance to win $250,000.

Viewers unable to attend the casting call but still want to be considered can log onto NBC.com, click THE BIGGEST LOSER and apply.

Designers Announced For HGTV DESIGN STAR - Chance To Star In Own HGTV Show

Ten Talented Designers Vie for One Chance To Star in Own HGTV Show; Finalists Revealed for HGTV DESIGN STAR Series Premieres Sunday, July 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT

Hosting a television show may not have been on their radar when they first entered the design business, but now 10 designers, architects, decorators and artists have been named as finalists in the new weekly reality competition, HGTV DESIGN STAR, premiering Sunday, July 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The eclectic group, which includes a former beauty pageant finalist and mother of two from Utah, as well as three Harvard graduates, represents various lifestyles and life stages, personalities and preferences, education and experience, but all must prove their mettle in devilishly clever design challenges until only one remains to claim a coveted prize - starring in his or her own HGTV show.

During six of the eight episodes in the series, the finalists, many of whom are unaccustomed to collaborating or living with other designers, will have their work critiqued by three expert judges: renowned designer Cynthia Rowley; one of America′s favorite television designers, Vern Yip; and In Style executive editor Martha McCully. However, at the 10 p.m. ET conclusion of the series′ seventh episode on Sunday, September 3 through noon ET on Wednesday, September 6, viewers will have the opportunity to click on HGTV.com to vote for their favorite designer finalist. They also can text-in their choice via cell phone to HGTV1 or 44881. After the final viewer vote, one talented designer will catapult to fame as HGTV′s next design star.

The finalists already have overcome significant odds for the chance to participate in the network′s on-air quest to find its newest star. More than 1,500 designers submitted essays, portfolios and videos during last fall′s call for entries. Nine designers were selected by the show′s producers and network executives, while the 10th candidate was selected by viewers and online users during a week-long February vote on HGTV.com.

"The HGTV Design Star competitors come to the show from all over the country and from all walks of life, but they all have a passion for designing and a fierce desire to star in their own television show," said James Bolosh, vice president of original programming, HGTV. "Not one of these finalists wants to be eliminated, so each week viewers will see the incredible lengths they will go to in order to showcase their design expertise and develop a television persona, while holding their own among formidable competition."

The 10 finalists for HGTV Design Star include:

David Bromstad
Miami, FL
Age: 32
This handsome and often shirtless finalist is a trained and talented artist who attended Ringling School of Art and Design. That, coupled with his youthful energy and out-of-the-box thinking, makes David a great contender to become the HGTV Design Star. Earnest, passionate, talented and creative, David creates awe-inspiring work on many platforms including custom art, furniture building, and interior design, primarily for children's rooms. He describes his design POV as "a blend of styles incorporating realism and fantasy...transporting you to another reality."

Vanessa De Leon
Fairfield, NJ
Age: 25
Vanessa is a self-proclaimed "trend setter," who describes her style as "Glamilistic." She is a confident young designer, with a great deal to back it up. Only 25 years old, she has already been published eight times, and is not shy sharing information about her success. As a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology (NYC) and Berkeley College (NJ), Vanessa favors eclectic and contemporary design, but also has a strong knowledge of Feng Shui, which she brings to many of her projects. Vanessa, who grew up around the family furniture business, now has her own design firm and teaches an interior design course part-time at Berkeley College. She has little tolerance for people without serious design experience and says that, "those (people) who do not have any professional design experience should not even be considered for the show."

Tym De Santo
Fort Wayne, IN
Age: 46
Tym has excelled at many things in his life and calls his current job "Artist/Designer/Entrepreneur." As a pro-skier on the Audi Quatto Pro Tour; competitive snowboarder, skateboarder and tennis player; singer/songwriter; award winning photographer; sculptor and business executive, Tym brings an atypical design background to HGTV Design Star. He attributes his success to his vision and energy -- two traits he applies to everything he does, including fatherhood. Tym follows his passions and says he and his wife are, "both artists and are not starving."

While Tym has a Bachelors Degree in Art and Business, much of his design knowledge came through his own study and pursuit, beginning with building his own house when he was 28 years old. His specific art and design skills are most evident in his work as a good builder and executor for everything from furniture and houses to skate parks and Photoshop files. Tym believes, "Texture is the magic ingredient--don′t overlook it."

Teman Evans
Brooklyn, NY
Age: 26
Teman is one of identical twin brothers who have literally done everything in their lives together. Yet for the first time, in front of a national television audience, the 6′4" pair will not be a team.

Teman, the brother with the dreadlocks, has been described as outgoing, "driven and confident." He and his brother Teran are Harvard-graduate architects and world-traveled scholars of architecture and design who jointly own a firm and live together. Currently their design company is producing textile/fabric design and interiors, as well as jewelry that is available at a leading retailer and has been featured in national magazines such as O and Essence. Their design style is primarily minimalism and they both agree, "a space is never done. It will always be a work in progress."

Teran Evans
Brooklyn, NY
Age: 26
The other half of the twin brothers is Teran, who has been described as the "inventive" or "quiet brother who is always getting things done." Teran has shared all of his life experiences with his sibling, from their three years at Harvard to time living and working in Europe for the renowned Dutch architect and designer of the Prada boutiques, Rem Koolhaas. In addition, he and his brother Teman are classically-trained musicians who play five musical instruments between them. Since there can be only one HGTV Design Star, Teman and Teran must compete against each other for the coveted title.

Alice Fakier
Temple, TX
Age: 31
Alice loves lavish, accessorized, almost over-the-top design and is the finalist who was selected by viewers and online users during a week-long February vote on HGTV.com. She has a degree from Louisiana Tech School of Architecture and owns a freelance design business that features her mother as the only employee. A former owner of other related businesses, Alice is both wickedly smart and amazingly graceful in all social situations. She takes great pride in her work, believes in the truth, but is never a push-over. Newly-married and recently relocated to the small town of Temple, Texas, Alice′s design tips include, "fewer and larger accessories" and "resist the urge to overly coordinate."

Ramona Jan
Damascus, PA
Age: 49
A self-described renaissance woman, Ramona says she does everything "fine." In fact, this mother of an 11-year old daughter has had a rich and varied life, doing everything from restoring windows in historic homes to writing an ASCAP-winning song and holding a position as the Art Controller for a major financial institution′s multi-million dollar art collection. Ramona is not formally trained in design, but with such a diverse background it is not surprising that she loves to turn trash to treasure - what she can′t find, she makes. Her friends think she is eccentric, entertaining and endearing.

Joseph Kennard
Boston, MA
Age: 41
Joseph is an intellectual designer who plans everything and thinks deeply about every step of his work and his life. An entrepreneur with 14 years of professional experience, including six years running his own design business, Joseph is risking it all to join the cast of HGTV Design Star. This single, self-made man has Masters in Architecture from Harvard and is described by a friend as "the nicest guy you will ever meet with the charisma and empathy to turn a stranger into a friend in seconds."

Joseph believes, "good design should reveal the personalities of the people who occupy the space." He also likes to "infuse items with multiple functions;" for example the moveable shelves in his own apartment that also serve as room dividers when needed.

Temple McDowell
Farmington, UT
Age: 30
A former Miss Utah and a semi-finalist for the title of Miss USA 1997, Temple is a single mother of two boys. She lacks formal design training but after being around her father, who was an art dealer, she makes up for it with a natural eye for design, energy, hard work, and "in it to win it attitude." She has only completed home design projects for friends and family, but some have been ambitious, like turning the bedroom of the two girls for whom she was a nanny into a hidden garden -- complete with a picket fence and rope swing from the ceiling. Temple′s design premises include, "say no to clutter" and "don′t sacrifice style just because kids are in the home."

Donna Moss
Arlington, TX
Age: 49
A part-time airline stewardess, socialite and interior designer, Donna is the mother of grown daughters and a teenage son with a disability. She believes that hair and make-up done well will help in any situation. Completely self-taught, Donna has no formal design training but has been working at her own business for 20 years.

Among the many unique experiences that make up her life, Donna served in the Army immediately after high school which may account for her devotion to hard work. Her 20 years working as a flight attendant has made it possible for her to travel -- and shop -- in every city. Donna is a big fan of faux finishes, animal prints, and decorative painting. In her design and, it seems, her life, Donna strongly believes that "beauty is in the details...Accessorize! Accessorize! Accessorize!"

TREASURE HUNTERS Continues This Evening With Second Episode - Down To Nine Teams

Tonight at 9:00 pm EST on TREASURE HUNTERS - to find the second of seven artifacts, the remaining nine teams must crack the secret code of two of history′s most famous explorers.

Laird Macintosh ("Ultimate Playground") hosts this fast-paced adventure/mystery reality series where multi-player teams try to stay one step ahead of each other as they are mentally and physically challenged in their quest of a promised hidden treasure.

A special one hour encore recap presentation of last week′s episode will be shown at 8:00 pm EST this evening.

In this special presentation - where The Hunt Began where multi-player teams try to stay one step ahead of each other as they travel to historically significant locations around the globe and are mentally and physically challenged in their quest of a promised hidden treasure. The secrets of history protects seven mysterious artifacts that when combined, will reveal the key to the treasure. As ten teams of treasure hunters begin their search, one group of five teams find themselves in Alaska and the other group in Hawaii -- neither is aware the other group exists. As each team faces mental and physical challenges beyond their expectations in their respective environments, nothing prepares them for when both groups come face to face and realize the competition just got steeper.

Here, ten teams rush to the next location where a mixture of real history and brain-teasing challenges only allow nine teams to move to the next round.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

The Cast For Upcoming ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA Announced

Cast For ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA Revealed

15 Performers Compete To Be The New Lead Singer Of Supernova

Drummer Tommy Lee (Motley Cre) has formed Supernova with bassist Jason Newsted (Metallica) and guitarist Gilby Clarke (Guns N′ Roses)

CBS has announced the names of the 15 performers for ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA who will vie to be the new lead singer of Supernova, a new-band formed by drummer Tommy Lee (Motley Cre) with bassist Jason Newsted (Metallica) and guitarist Gilby Clarke (Guns N′ Roses).

After the winning singer is selected on the ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA finale in September, the band will record an original album, to be co-written and produced by Butch Walker (hit songwriter/producer for Avril Lavigne and Pink). The album will then be released in the fall before the band embarks on a world tour starting in early 2007.

ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA will air two weekly broadcasts, beginning with a special premiere on Wednesday, July 5 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT), followed by another special broadcast on Thursday, July 6 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) before moving to its regularly scheduled Tuesday (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) and Wednesday (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) time periods the following week.

The following are the 15 singers (in alphabetical order):

Zayra Alvarez
Dallas, TX

Dana Andrews
Augusta, GA

Magni Asgeirsson
Reykjavik, Iceland

Jenny Galt
Vancouver, BC

Jill Gioia
New York, New York
Matt Hoffer
Chicago, IL

Storm Large
Portland, OR

Josh Logan
Manchester, NH

Chris Pierson
Atlanta, GA

Patrice Pike
Austin, TX

Toby Rand
Melbourne, Australia

Phil Ritchie
Ocean City, MD

Dilana Robichaux
Houston, TX

Lukas Rossi
Toronto, ON, Canada

Ryan Star
New York, NY

COMEDY CENTRAL Announces That William Shatner To Be Roasted - Follows Pamela Anderson

COMEDY CENTRAL Roast of William Shatner′ to Air on Sunday, August 20 at 10:00 P.M.

COMEDY CENTRAL is taking command and putting William Shatner in the hot seat. Shatner is confirmed to brazenly travel where only the strongest have survived, as the all-comedy network′s newest Roastee. The show is scheduled to tape in August in Los Angeles. THE COMEDY CENTRAL ROAST OF WILLIAM SHATNER will air on Sunday, August 20 at 10:00 p.m.

"It takes a real man to follow Pamela Anderson into the Roast pit and William Shatner is truly a hero among men," said Elizabeth Porter, senior vice president, specials and talent for COMEDY CENTRAL. "By the end of this year′s Roast, Shatner may wish he was in a galaxy far, far away."

William Shatner has cultivated a career that has spanned over 50 years as Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor, director, producer, screenwriter, recording artist and author. He is one of pop culture′s most recognizable figures and has also established himself as a major Hollywood philanthropist.

Friday, June 23, 2006

Joy And Jason Are Voted Off On YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

Top 8 Couples Will Compete On The Next Performance Show Wednesday, June 28, ON FOX Natasha Bedingfield to Perform on the Results Show Thursday, June 29

The second season of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE kicked into high gear this week, with performances by the Top 9 couples on Wednesday and a special performance by Rihanna last night. Compared to its average last summer, the first eight episodes of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE show impressive gains, including +22% among Adults 18-49,+21% among Adults 18-34 and +17% among Teens.

The three couples who received the fewest votes after Wednesday′s performance show were Joy Spears and Dmitry Chaplin; Aleksandra Wojda and Jason Williams; and Heidi Groskreutz and Ryan Rankine. After each of the six dancers performed a solo routine, the judges eliminated Spears and Williams from the competition, ending their quest to become America's No. 1 dancer. Spears, 18, is a jazz/lyrical/hip-hop specialist from Killen, AL, and Williams, 20, is a contemporary/hip-hop/jazz funk specialist from Wilmington, NC.

Having lost their partners to elimination, Wojda and Chaplin will pair up for next week′s episodes.

The competition revs up on television′s hottest show when the remaining 8 couples (Dmitry Chaplin and Aleksandra Wojda; Musa Cooper and Natalie Fotopoulos; Ivan Koumaev and Allison Holker; Ryan Rankine and Heidi Groskreutz; Benji Schwimmer and Donyelle Jones; Ben Susak and Ashlee Nino; Jaymz Tuaileva and Jessica Fernandez; and Travis Wall and Martha Nichols) compete on a special two-hour performance show Wednesday, June 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The following night, Natasha Bedingfield will perform, and the judges will send two more dancers home on the live results show Thursday, June 29 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

British songstress Natasha Bedingfield began her music career at the age of 12, when she wrote her first song. In 2003, Bedingfield signed her first record deal and began working on her debut album, "Unwritten." In the U.S., the first single off the album, "These Words," quickly ascended into the Top 10 on the Top-40 airplay chart. Her second smash hit, "Unwritten," skyrocketed to No. 1 and became the first No. 1 pop single in the U.S. by a British female solo artist in 19 years.

Released in the UK in September 2004, "Unwritten" debuted at No 1 on the UK album sales chart and was platinum by its second week of release. This made Bedingfield one of only three female solo singers (along with Bonnie Tyler and Annie Lennox) to debut at No 1 with her first album. Her second single, "These Words," debuted at No. 1 on the UK sales, airplay and download charts. With this achievement, Bedingfield and her brother Daniel entered the Guinness World Records as the first siblings to have No. 1 singles in UK chart history. Bedingfield currently lives in Los Angeles and is working on her sophomore album.

Animal Planet Brings Music Driven CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT To Life

Animal Planet′s new series CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT introduces viewers to the next generation of wildlife filmmaking. Tristan Bayer, the son of famed wildlife cinematographer, Wolfgang Bayer, partners with his childhood sweetheart/best friend Vanessa Garnick to capture rare moments in nature.

Following the footsteps of his father, Tristan takes his own fresh and unique approach to wildlife filmmaking. Paired with Vanessa, who is a certified naturalist with a focus on ecology and a passion for rare and endangered species, the twosome travel the globe on an intrepid adventure to catch glimpses of endangered species and animals in fleeting, beautiful moments. Stops include Madagascar, India, Cocos Islands, Japan, Costa Rica, Mongolia and more!

Each episode is music driven, propelling the journey forward to the final act when Tristan and Vanessa′s one-hour adventure is compiled into a three-minute music video montage - nature′s soundtrack - played against tracks from emerging contemporary artists.

CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT premieres Monday, July 10, at 9:00 PM ET/PT

CNN Presents Reveals How TWA Flight 800 Could Happen Again

Ten Years Later, Government Safety Experts Warn More Explosions, Loss of Life ′Virtually Certain′

Twelve minutes into a July 17, 1996, Paris-bound flight from New York′s JFK International Airport with 230 passengers on board, TWA Flight 800 exploded and plunged into the Atlantic Ocean. There were no survivors. Ten years later, CNN Presents will air a two-hour documentary on the disaster and reveal why government officials say similar catastrophes are "virtually certain to occur."

CNN PRESENTS: NO SURVIVORS - WHY TWA 800 COULD HAPPEN AGAIN will premiere on Saturday, July 15, at 7 p.m., with a replay at 10 p.m. The documentary will re-air on Sunday, July 16, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. All times Eastern. CNN.com will launch a multimedia in-depth report at www.CNN.com/twa800 on Wednesday, July 5, as well as an audio podcast with CNN correspondent David Mattingly at www.cnn.com/podcasting.

CNN′s realistic animation of the doomed flight will show how an explosion in the Boeing 747′s center fuel tank caused the plane to break apart at 13,000 feet. While the cockpit and first-class section began to fall, the remainder of the fuselage continued to climb through the summer sky for approximately 30 seconds before plummeting into the ocean off the coast of Long Island.

Some eyewitnesses reported seeing what they thought was a missile. Jim Kallstrom, head of the FBI′s New York office, who lost a friend in the disaster - the wife of an FBI colleague - tells CNN: "I would have bet my rather meager government paycheck that it was an act of terrorism."

Federal officials were already on high alert. In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, destroyed by a bomb hidden by Libyan terrorists in the airliner′s baggage compartment. Terrorist Ramzi Yousef, mastermind of the first attack on the World Trade Center, was on trial in Manhattan for a separate plot to blow up U.S. jetliners. And, just weeks before the TWA 800 tragedy, a truck bomb killed 19 American servicemen at the Khobar Towers housing complex in Saudi Arabia.

As White House officials monitored the TWA 800 investigation, they were acutely interested in possible links to Mideast terrorism. "We especially wanted to look for an Iranian connection," former National Security Advisor Tony Lake tells Mattingly for No Survivors.

After an exhaustive investigation into the cause of the TWA explosion, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the probable cause was not terrorism, but an electrical short circuit that sparked an explosion in the vapor-filled center fuel tank. The NTSB warned that other aging planes were similarly vulnerable and, in fact, some safety experts had warned about the risk of fuel tank explosions as far back as the 1960s.

In a statement to CNN, Boeing says it has "implemented numerous fuel system improvements" and continues "to enhance an already safe fleet."

CNN Presents also shows the effects of the 10-year-old disaster on the victims′ families, who gather each year on a Long Island beach to mark the anniversary. From the beginning, the families bonded over their shared horror and eventual realization that the accident might have been prevented. For a few, their loss is compounded by the suspicion that the government has not revealed all it knows about the events of that terrible night.

Theories of U.S. Navy missiles fired in error and elaborate government cover-ups still exist. Internet conspiracy rumors snared even the late Pierre Salinger, a former Kennedy White House press secretary who claimed to have secret documents proving that the jetliner was hit by a U.S. Navy missile. Actually, the documents were the musings of a former airline pilot and had been circulating on the Internet for months.

"We knew the story of TWA 800 would be a compelling documentary," said Mark Nelson, vice president and senior executive producer of CNN Productions. "Right now, the airlines are trying to stop the Federal Aviation Administration from requiring additional safety equipment. The FAA says it′s needed to prevent future fuel tank explosions. The industry says it′s too expensive and unnecessary."

CNN PRESENTS: NO SURVIVORS - WHY TWA 800 COULD HAPPEN AGAIN features interviews with family members of those who perished in the crash, NTSB officials who eventually solved the case, former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta, top officials from the FAA and the industry′s Air Transport Association. No Survivors was produced by Andy Segal, Jim Polk, Jeffrey Reid, Kimberly Arp Babbit and Ben Burnstein. The managing editor was Steve Robinson. CNN Presents is the most honored documentary program in cable news.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

AMERICA′S GOT TALENT A Major Hit For NBC - Winning Last Night Ratings War

Last night′s debut of AMERICA′S GOT TALENT delivered NBC′s highest non-Olympic adult 18-49 rating and total viewership in the time period in 14 months, according to preliminary "fast affiliate-based" "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. Paced by AMERICA′S GOT TALENT, NBC won Wednesday night in adults 18-49 and in total viewers.

From 9-11 p.m. ET, the premiere of AMERICA′S GOT TALENT (4.6 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, 12.1 million viewers overall) scored NBC′s top results in the slot since April 20, 2005, winning its two-hour time period in adults 18-49 and total viewers versus competition that included Fox′s original series SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE.

AMERICA′S GOT TALENT was up 84 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC′s average in the time period last summer (4.6 vs. 2.5) and up 44 percent versus NBC′s average in the time period during the recently concluded 2005-06 regular season (4.6 vs. 3.2). This marks the highest 18-49 rating for any non-sports telecast on any network since the June 5 season finale of DEAL OR NO DEAL and second-highest since the May sweep ended on May 24.

In adults 18-49, this marks NBC′s second Wednesday win in the last four weeks. In total viewers, it′s NBC′s first Wednesday win since Dec. 21. Preliminary 18-49 averages for Wednesday night are: NBC, a 3.8 rating, 12 share; Fox, 3.5/11; CBS 2.3/7; ABC, 1.3/4; WB, 0.6/2; UPN, 0.3/1. In overall total viewers, June 21 preliminary results are: NBC, 10.2 million; Fox, 8.9 million; CBS, 7.8 million; ABC, 3.6 million; WB, 1.7 million; UPN, 0.7 million.

MASTER OF CHAMPIONS Premieres Tonight On ABC

MASTER OF CHAMPIONS, a one-hour weekly game show competition where only one contestant has unique skills, passion and determination sufficient to win the ultimate title -- Master of Champions -- will premiere tonight (Thursday, June 22) 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET, on the ABC Television Network.

Chris Leary, syndicated radio show host and sports reporter and commentator, is host, and Lisa Dergan-Podsednik is co-host. Baseball legend Steve Garvey and Olympic Gold Medalists Oksana Baiul and Jonny Moseley will make up the Panel of Champions.

Each week six competitors with some of the world's most unique talents face off in this one-hour competition to determine who is the best of the best. Our studio audience will pare the contestants down to three, who will then face the Panel of Champions for the final selection of one as the next Master of Champions! Contestants will participate in such unique and extreme challenges as the International Human Fireworks, Interpretive Pizza Tossing, Blind-folded Foot Archery, the Extreme Unicycle Obstacle Course and Amazing Drift Driving. The fearless competitors range in ages from ten up.

In some contests, two competitors perform the same stunt. In others, competitors perform different and unique tasks. The studio audience will score them first, and the last three standing will face the Panel of Champions for the final judgment. The winner will earn the title of Master of Champions and have his or her name permanently inscribed on the Wall of Masters.

We′ll see amazing stunts including: Two drivers, each with a cheese grater attached to the front of the car, using controlled, precision spins to grate a wheel of cheese; fifteen paintball pros creating art as the multi-colored paintballs explode on an enormous canvas -- and a recognizable image appears; and two X-treme unicyclists tackling a dangerously difficult obstacle course with never-before-seen freestyle tricks.

ABC Announces GREG BEHRENDT′S WAKE-UP CALL - New Relationship Show

Production Has Begun On GREG BEHRENDT′S WAKE-UP CALL, A One-Hour Weekly Reality Series Coming Midseason To ABC

Production has begun on GREG BEHRENDT′S WAKE-UP CALL, a one-hour weekly reality series in which Greg Behrendt, acclaimed author of He′s Just Not That Into You, will address one couple′s major issues and use his knowledge of relationships to give them the tools to fix theirs. Through his off-the-cuff comedy and bruised-and-battered romantic experience, Greg takes a close look from a different angle to give our couple advice from a friend, but also that of sage wisdom. GREG BEHRENDT′S WAKE-UP CALL will air midseason on the ABC Television Network.

Behrendt has co-authored two best selling books, He′s Just Not Than Into You and the recently released It′s Called a Break-Up Because It′s Broken. This fall he will also host his own syndicated talk show for Sony Pictures Television. Based in Los Angeles, Behrendt was a consultant for three consecutive seasons on HBO′s "Sex and the City," bringing his original male point-of-view to the writing staff. His acclaimed standup comedy has been seen on HBO, "The Tonight Show," "Late Show with David Letterman," "Late Night with Conan O′Brien" and Comedy Central.

GREG BEHRENDT′S WAKE-UP CALL is produced by Avalon Television Inc. Executive producers are Greg Behrendt, David Martin, Julie James, Jon Thoday, Richard Allen-Turner and James Bruce. Co-executive producer is Katherine Hall, and Tommy Calabrese is the executive in charge of production. Co-creators Garth Holsinger and Jason Irwin also serve as producers.

FOX Announces Fall Premiere Dates For The 2006-2007 Season - Three Reality TV Shows

FOX has announced the fall premiere dates for its new and returning series. Six new primetime shows and a new late-night entry join returning favorites on the fall schedule.

Includes are three Reality TV Shows - DUETS, NANNY 911 and TRADING SPOUSES: MEET YOUR NEW MOMMY

The premieres are listed below in chronological order. All times are ET/PT.

Monday, August 21
8:00-9:00 PM - PRISON BREAK (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM - ANISHED (Series Premiere)

Wednesday, August 30
8:00-9:00 PM - BONES (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM - JUSTICE (Series Premiere)

Thursday, August 31
8:00-10:00 PM - DUETS (2-Hour Series Premiere)

Tuesday, September 5
8:00-9:00 PM - STANDOFF (Series Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM - HOUSE (Season Premiere)

Thursday, September 7
8:00-8:30 PM - 'TIL DEATH (Series Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM - HAPPY HOUR (Series Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM - DUETS (Time Period Premiere)

[EDITOR'S NOTE : THE O.C. will premiere Thursday, Nov. 2, at 9:00 PM, after Baseball.)

Friday, September 8
8:00-9:00 PM - NANNY 911 (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM - DUETS Results Show (Series Premiere)

[EDITOR'S NOTE : TRADING SPOUSES: MEET YOUR NEW MOMMY will premiere Friday, Oct. 6, at 9:00 PM.]

Saturday, September 9
8:00-8:30 PM - COPS (Season Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM - COPS (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM - AMERICA'S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK (Season Premiere)

Sunday, September 10
8:00-8:30 PM - THE SIMPSONS (Season Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM - AMERICAN DAD (Season Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM - FAMILY GUY (Season Premiere)
9:30-10:00 PM - THE WAR AT HOME (Season Premiere)

[EDITOR'S NOTE: On Sundays in the fall, due to live NFL Football broadcasts, original programming will not be regularly scheduled from 7:00-8:00 PM. KING OF THE HILL will return at mid-season.]

Saturday, September 16
11:00 PM-Midnight - MADtv (Season Premiere)
Midnight-12:30 AM - TALK SHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN (Series Premiere

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Casting Call Announced For NANNY 911 On Fox - Looking For Families

NANNY 911 Hits The Road In Search Of Families At Their Wits′ End For The FOX Unscripted Series

Mind your manners ... because casting has begun for the third installment of FOX′s NANNY 911.

The family-oriented unscripted series follows an experienced team of British nannies who know that it takes more than a spoonful of sugar to get unruly tykes in line. Each nanny has a specific area of expertise, whether it′s proper etiquette or controlling temper tantrums, and all are ready to help exhausted parents tackle the tough issues creating chaos in their home.

NANNY 911 is seeking charismatic families who need help managing day-to-day obstacles. Whether you′re a single mom or dad, a blended family, adoptive parents or non-traditional caregivers, NANNY 911 wants to help you.

Casting events will take place in the following cities:

Tampa Auditions
WHEN: Saturday, June 24 from 12:00-2:00 PM
WHERE:
Westfield Citrus Park Mall (Food Court)
8021 Citrus Park Town Center
Tampa, FL 33625
CONTACT:
Tami Brandel or Mandy Hancock
(323) 806-2807
Nanny911florida@yahoo.com

Phoenix Auditions
WHEN: Sunday, June 25 from 1:00-4:00 PM
WHERE:
Fiddlesticks Family Fun Park (Center Pavilion)
8800 East Indian Bend Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
CONTACT:
Joanna Collins (323) 636-3635
Karen Happel (323) 351-5638
Nannycasting@gmail.com

New York City / Tri-State Area Auditions WHEN: June 26-August 2
CONTACT:
Lisa Ganz / Debbie Ganz (917) 678-9996
billywonka@aol.com / twinsworld1@aol.com

Los Angeles / San Diego / Northern CA Auditions
WHEN: June 26-July 19
CONTACT:
Joanna Collins (323) 636-3635
Karen Happel (323) 351-5638
Nannycasting@gmail.com
Des Moines Auditions
WHEN: July 7-July 13
CONTACT:
Peter Huntley (323) 636-3637
Vanessa Ranko (323) 219-5221
Nanny911casting@gmail.com

Charlotte Auditions
WHEN: July 7-July 13
CONTACT:
Deborah Tarica (323) 326-3767
Jon Unger (323) 806-3032
Nanny911casting@yahoo.com

Orlando Auditions
WHEN: July 12-July 18
CONTACT:
Tami Brandel or Mandy Hancock
(323) 806-2807
Nanny911florida@yahoo.com

Minneapolis / St. Paul Auditions
WHEN: July 14-July 19
CONTACT:
Peter Huntley (323) 636-3637
Vanessa Ranko (323) 219-5221
Nanny911casting@gmail.com

Richmond Auditions
WHEN: July 14-July 19
CONTACT:
Deborah Tarica (323) 326-3767
Jon Unger (323) 806-3032
Nanny911casting@yahoo.com

Additional information and applications can be found at www.fox.com/nanny911 or by calling the toll-free information number, 800-928-4515. Please note that the dates and cities may change; please call the hotline for the latest updates.

AMERICA′S GOT TALENT With Regis Philbin Premieres Tonight On NBC

Two-Hour Premiere Of New Talent Competition Series From Simon Cowell; Regis Philbin Hosts

Regis Philbin ("Live with Regis and Kelly") hosts the two-hour premiere of this new talent competition series which features a colorful array of hopeful future stars as they compete for a chance to win a one million dollar prize and become the most talented person in America.

Bringing the variety format back to the forefront of American culture, AMERICA′S GOT TALENT will showcase the hottest performers from across the country, all vying for a $1 million grand prize, with the winner being chosen by the television viewing audience.

Singers, dancers, comedic performers and unique acts of all ages will have a chance to strut and perform in front of a celebrity panel of judges including David Hasselhoff ("Baywatch"), Grammy award-winning singer and actress Brandy ("Moesha") and UK television/media personality Piers Morgan, who will determine which contestants advance to the semi-final rounds.

During the first four episodes, Hasselhoff, Brandy and Morgan will view auditions, and determine which contestants advance to the semi-finals. Over the next four semi-final episodes, two performers from each of these episodes will move on to the finale: one chosen by the television viewing audience and one by the celebrity panel of judges. America will cast the deciding vote on America′s most talented performer.

AMERICA′S GOT TALENT premieres tonight (Wednesday, June 21) at 8:00 pm EST on NBC.

Casting Call Announced For SABOTAGE - A New Reality Game Show

Open Casting Call for New Reality Game Show SABOTAGE

SABOTAGE, the new reality game show of espionage and mystery, begins a nationwide Open Casting Call on Monday, June 26, 2006 at the Navy Pier in Chicago. After Chicago, the casting staff will also hold live auditions in Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Orlando, and two full days in Los Angeles. The show is looking for participants who want to experience the adventure of a lifetime and possibly win $1 million.

Applicants interested in attending the live auditions should download an application at http://www.realsabotage.com/ , and bring the completed application to the open casting call. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and be citizens of the United States. Applicants will simply be given 3 minutes to say or do anything they want to try to convince the casting director why they should be chosen to be included on SABOTAGE.

If chosen to appear on SABOTAGE, applicants need to be available for the actual taping which is scheduled to begin in or around October 2006, lasting 30-40 days. Since SABOTAGE involves travel around the world, each applicant must bring a copy of a valid passport or a copy of a recent passport application. SABOTAGE is being produced by L. M. Beasley for Bergs, LLC with a projected broadcast in the spring 2007.

The casting call schedule is listed below. Interviews will take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. local times:

Chicago - June 26
Navy Pier

Cincinnati, OH/ Newport, KY - June 27
Newport on the Levee

Atlanta - June 30
Cafe Tu Tu Tango, 220 Pharr Road

Orlando - July 6
Cafe Tu Tu Tango, 8625 International Drive

Orange/Los Angeles - July 12
Cafe Tu Tu Tango, 20 City Boulevard

Hollywood/Los Angeles - July 13
Cafe Tu Tu Tango, 1000 Universal Center Drive

Live auditions will also take place in St. Louis, Las Vegas, and New York in late summer.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

REALITY STARS FEAR FACTOR Part 2 On NBC Tonight - Most Physically Demanding Stunts Ever

REALITY STARS FEAR FACTOR - Part 2

"There′s Nothing Wrong With Keeping Your Enemies Closer."

It′s a battle of the most popular television reality stars in a three episode series of FEAR FACTOR.

Stars from SURVIVOR (Jonny "Fairplay" Dalton and Twila Tanner), AMERICAN IDOL (Anthony Fedorov and Carmen Rasmusen), THE APPRENTICE (Craig Williams and Tana Goertz), and THE REAL WORLD (Mike "The Miz" Mizanin and Trishelle Cannatella) compete for $150,000.

With only four teams remaining, the competition starts off with one of the most physically demanding stunts ever on FEAR FACTOR.

Contestants will be challenged with making a rescue from a burning houseboat! Then, each of the women will be locked in a small submerged box filled with bugs, worms and other insects. Then the men must swim underwater and cut four cables to release the box to the surface. The slowest teams will be eliminated.

New this season, host Joe Rogan will travel all over the country for FEAR FACTOR HOME INVASION, challenging people to FEAR FACTOR stunts right in their own homes for the chance to win a $5,000 Capital One credit card. This week′s home invasion takes us to Simi Valley, California.

SHARK WEEK Returns With A Bite This Summer To Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel′s annual summer must-see event, SHARK WEEK, is back with a week of premiere programs that spotlight the sea′s apex predator. Airing July 30 through August 4 at 9PM (ET/PT), and produced in conjunction with leading shark researchers around the globe, SHARK WEEK provides viewers with valuable knowledge about the behavior and characteristics of this diverse and majestic species.

SHARK WEEK 2006 will kick off on Sunday, July 30 at 9PM (ET/PT) with a one-hour special DIRTY JOBS: JOBS THAT BITE, hosted by Mike Rowe of Discovery Channel′s popular Dirty Jobs series. For this world premiere special, Mike travels around the globe to go behind the scenes with the men and women who work with the ocean′s most efficient and deadly predator -- including great whites to bull, reef and tiger sharks.

In addition to DIRTY JOBS: JOBS THAT BITE, additional premiere specials airing in SHARK WEEK 2006 will provide viewers with fascinating facts about the diversity of sharks, and feature breathtaking images filmed by the world′s leading underwater cinematographers. Specials include:

* SHARK ATTACK SURVIVORS, a one-hour special premiering Monday, July 31 at 9PM (ET/PT), that investigates the secrets about the most deadly and misunderstood marine predator in the world. Discovery Channel explores the mysteries behind why these creatures of the deep can bite humans, as well as the best ways to survive an attack.

* PERFECT SHARK: Is there such a thing as a perfect shark? After all, sharks have been evolving for 400 million years - surely these formidable animals must be at the pinnacle of perfection? In PERFECT SHARK, premiering Tuesday, August 1 at 9PM (ET/PT), underwater filmmaker and shark expert Mike deGruy heads out into the world′s oceans in search of perfection in its top predators. He swims with a pair of gigantic whale sharks, meets several hundred hammerheads, joins a pack of ultra-fierce bull sharks, teases a pair of feisty bonnetheads, is chased by great whites, and carries out speed trials with ultra-fast makos.

* SHARKS: ARE THEY HUNTING US?: Nothing captures headlines like a shark attack. Each account clouds the waters with information that fuels our fear, but may not provide all the facts. This program, premiering Wednesday, August 2 at 9PM (ET/PT), examines the questions -- Are sharks really pack hunters like lions or wolves? Are they acquiring a taste for human flesh? Are attacks on the rise? Sometimes it′s hard to tell if the monster is just a myth. So what′s the truth about man-eating sharks? In this one-hour documentary hosted by animal behaviorist Dave Salmoni, who is a relative "newbie" around sharks, the Discovery Channel will expose the line between what′s real and what′s not.

* SHARK REBELLION: The Brazilian city of Recife is under siege. It appears as if its sharks have suddenly become man-eaters. Until a decade ago, surfers flocked there to ride the Atlantic rollers. Then, shark attacks began, with dozens of surfers and swimmers maimed or killed. To unravel the mystery of this shark rebellion, an international team of scientists, including the University of Florida′s Dan Huber, hunt for clues along Recife′s golden coastline. Using the evidence left by the sharks′ jaws, they′ll try to identify the culprits. The special premieres Thursday, August 3 at 9PM (ET/PT).

* SCIENCE OF SHARK SEX caps off SHARK WEEK on Friday, August 4 at 9PM (ET/PT). This world premiere special travels to the pass of Tiputa, in the atoll of Rangiroa in French Polynesia, to study one of the worldÕs greatest concentrations of grey reef sharks, and the deadly risks these sharks must take to give life. Cable television's longest-running programming event, SHARK WEEK first premiered in 1988 and remains a viewer favorite. Last year, SHARK WEEK was watched by 20.6 million people with eight million people tuning in to the premiere special, MythBusters: Jaws Special. The week also posted its highest household ratings since 2001, and its highest target demo ratings (persons 25-54) since 1996.

Lifetime Announces KARAOKE SUPERSTARS - The High-Stakes Karaoke Contest

Lifetime Orders New Docu-Film KARAOKE SUPERSTARS a Real-Life Drama About Four Young Women Struggling to Fulfill Their Dreams Who Take to the Stage in a High-Stakes Karaoke Contest

Two-hour Docu-Film from Go Go Luckey Productions (LAGUNA BEACH, ROLLERGIRLS) to Premiere This November on Lifetime

Four twenty-something women enter a suspenseful karaoke competition in an attempt to change their lives, find their voices and discover their true potential in the Lifetime docu-film KARAOKE SUPERSTARS, it was announced today by Jessica Samet, Senior Vice President, Reality Programming and Libby Beers, Vice President, Original Movies. Set in the obsession-driven Southern California karaoke scene, the two-hour docu-based movie is from Gary and Julie Auerbach′s Go Go Luckey Productions, the executive producers of LAGUNA BEACH and ROLLERGIRLS.

"Gary and Julie are truly pioneering storytellers who have created cutting edge and groundbreaking television. We′re thrilled to be partnering with them on this innovative project," said Samet. Added Beers, "The four women profiled in the docu-film have each reached a turning point, where they want to explore new possibilities for themselves. This is an exciting, upbeat drama about finding empowerment, friendship and personal transformation."

"We′re very excited to be doing KARAOKE SUPERSTARS with Lifetime. Deep inside, many Americans want to be superstars -- if only for a few minutes -- and karaoke gives you that," said Gary Auerbach.

Each contestant′s life story unfolds as she prepares for the qualifying preliminary rounds, the semi-finals, and the big showdown to determine the winner. They include:

* A makeup artist and a single mother, Cherene is still heartbroken over the break-up of her marriage. Through karaoke she is recovering her inner strength and vows to build a better future for herself and her daughter.

* For Michelle, a hair dresser and personal trainer from Wisconsin, karaoke helped her overcome her shyness and discover a natural talent for performing.

* Kristina, a paralegal by day, lost 60 pounds and exited an abusive relationship thanks to singing in karaoke competitions. She dreams of recording her own CD.

* After Kristin's hopes of becoming a professional dancer came to nothing, she turned to karaoke. Calling it a great "confidence booster," she works as a popular karaoke jockey and wants to sing with a rock band.

As the tension mounts during the competition and the night for the grand finale arrives, the lives of all four women intertwine in unexpected ways.