Brian Damage
03-31-2010, 11:58 PM
A&E is reloading primetime with a new crop of unscripted series that fit the channel's "real life drama" brand.
Joining the channel's roster of stars such as Gene Simmons and Kirstie Alley is one-time Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider. And the network of "Intervention" and "Hoarders" will tackle obesity with "Heavy."
Several new crime and justice shows are also on tap -- including one from rapper-turned-thesp Ice-T.
New round of pickups come as the channel, led by exec VP/general manager Bob DiBitetto and his team, come off the highest-rated quarter in A&E history, and that comes on the heels of the cabler's highest-rated year in 2009.
"There aren't that many networks ahead of us anymore," DiBitetto said. "We have solidified our position as the No. 5 network in cable (among total viewers)... It does feel like so many of the pieces we've been constructing over the past few years have come together and are jelling quite well."
Channel's growth has come following A&E's deliberate move to shed its previous, older-skewing programming mix and moved toward a brand heavy on edgy, unfiltered fare like "Dog the Bounty Hunter," "Paranormal State" and "The First 48."
A&E, which moved its long-running "Biography" series to its sister Bio channel, has also filled that celeb void by focusing on docuseries like "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" and the just-launched "Kirstie Alley's Big Life," as well as the upcoming "Bob Saget's Strange Days," "Teach: Tony Danza" and a project featuring David Hasselhoff.
Next up, A&E has ordered six episodes of "Growing Up Twisted," starring Snider, his wife Suzette and their children.
Evolution Film & Tape ("Real Housewives of Orange County") are behind "Twisted," which centers on the couple as the face off with their kids -- wannabe rock star Jesse, budding filmmaker Shane and 12-year-old Cheyenne.
"It's pre-sold programming, and that's always valuable in network TV," DiBitetto said of A&E's move toward celebrity fare. "We've learned by experience that if you present these celebrities in their natural habitat, that is of interest to our audience. We're not going to put David Hasselhoff on an island."
In the vein of "Intervention," "Heavy" will focus on 12 individuals (one per episode) whose lives were crippled by their weight -- and how their struggle to lose the pounds has impacted their lives. Tijuana Entertainment and Megalomedia are behind the 12-episode series.
"We've been fascinated by the weight loss space," DiBitetto said. "And our Monday night has been so successful, with 'Intervention' and 'Hoarders.' It's the night showcasing the human condition and the real struggles that people have. These shows are trying to offer redemption, they're not just downers."
As for the Ice-T series, "The Peacemaker" centers on gang interventionist Malik Spellman, who has spent the past 15 years helping the Los Angeles Police Department on violence prevention efforts.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017136.html?categoryId=1071&cs=1
Joining the channel's roster of stars such as Gene Simmons and Kirstie Alley is one-time Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider. And the network of "Intervention" and "Hoarders" will tackle obesity with "Heavy."
Several new crime and justice shows are also on tap -- including one from rapper-turned-thesp Ice-T.
New round of pickups come as the channel, led by exec VP/general manager Bob DiBitetto and his team, come off the highest-rated quarter in A&E history, and that comes on the heels of the cabler's highest-rated year in 2009.
"There aren't that many networks ahead of us anymore," DiBitetto said. "We have solidified our position as the No. 5 network in cable (among total viewers)... It does feel like so many of the pieces we've been constructing over the past few years have come together and are jelling quite well."
Channel's growth has come following A&E's deliberate move to shed its previous, older-skewing programming mix and moved toward a brand heavy on edgy, unfiltered fare like "Dog the Bounty Hunter," "Paranormal State" and "The First 48."
A&E, which moved its long-running "Biography" series to its sister Bio channel, has also filled that celeb void by focusing on docuseries like "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" and the just-launched "Kirstie Alley's Big Life," as well as the upcoming "Bob Saget's Strange Days," "Teach: Tony Danza" and a project featuring David Hasselhoff.
Next up, A&E has ordered six episodes of "Growing Up Twisted," starring Snider, his wife Suzette and their children.
Evolution Film & Tape ("Real Housewives of Orange County") are behind "Twisted," which centers on the couple as the face off with their kids -- wannabe rock star Jesse, budding filmmaker Shane and 12-year-old Cheyenne.
"It's pre-sold programming, and that's always valuable in network TV," DiBitetto said of A&E's move toward celebrity fare. "We've learned by experience that if you present these celebrities in their natural habitat, that is of interest to our audience. We're not going to put David Hasselhoff on an island."
In the vein of "Intervention," "Heavy" will focus on 12 individuals (one per episode) whose lives were crippled by their weight -- and how their struggle to lose the pounds has impacted their lives. Tijuana Entertainment and Megalomedia are behind the 12-episode series.
"We've been fascinated by the weight loss space," DiBitetto said. "And our Monday night has been so successful, with 'Intervention' and 'Hoarders.' It's the night showcasing the human condition and the real struggles that people have. These shows are trying to offer redemption, they're not just downers."
As for the Ice-T series, "The Peacemaker" centers on gang interventionist Malik Spellman, who has spent the past 15 years helping the Los Angeles Police Department on violence prevention efforts.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017136.html?categoryId=1071&cs=1