New York, U.S.A. – What does it mean to be Hispanic? The final season of Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr., the PBS television series that explores issues of race and identity through the genealogy of some of America’s best-known personalities, seeks to answer this question.

Through the family histories of actors Michelle Rodriguez and Adrian Grenier, and Linda Chavez – an author, syndicated newspaper columnist and political analyst for FOX News — host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. investigates American identities that took shape long before the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock.

The three subjects of Sunday’s episode all share Spanish colonial roots, yet each views him or herself very differently: as Native American, Puerto Rican, Dominican, or simply Latino.

Crisscrossing Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and the American Southwest, Professor Gates reveals underlying connections that show how Hispanic identity has emerged from the tangled histories of European, Native-American, and African peoples.

Such connections drive home the point that Gates makes in this series, as well as in his previous television productions: despite our diverse backgrounds and racial differences, Americans are much more deeply related than we commonly acknowledge.

In the past nine weeks of the series, viewers learned that married couple and award-wining actors Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon are distant relatives. Viewers saw how CNN anchor Dr. Sanjay Gupta, comedian Margaret Cho and media mogul Martha Stewart had similar ancestral stories, though their roots led to completely different parts of the globe.

The series also showed how Harry Connick and Branford Marsalis , musicians and best friends from New Orleans, both had European ancestors who immigrated to the slave-era South in 1850. And viewers discovered that musician John Legend and comedian Wanda Sykes shared dramatic, long-lost stories of freed black slaves in their respective family histories.

For this Sunday’s episode, the Finding Your Roots research teams trace the families of Chavez, Grenier, and Rodriguez back in time to uncover parallel stories about the interactions between Spaniards, Native Americans, and Africans in the New World. Chavez’s roots lead from bootleggers in Depression-era New Mexico all the way back to Spain in the 1500s — by way of the Pueblo Indians who the Spanish sought to suppress.

Grenier’s ancestry also has a strong connection to Native American tribes in the Southwest. His 11th great-grandfather, Hernan Martin Serrano, arrived in New Mexico in 1598 with the territory’s controversial “founder,” Don Juan de Onate — and found himself marrying into the Indians he came to fight.

Similarly, Rodriguez’s family is steeped in the racial politics in the Caribbean, where generations of her ancestors interbred — with cousins marrying cousins — to keep out African and Native American blood. In the end, Gates reveals that none of these families were as racially “pure” as they pretended to be — and that Hispanic identity is far more complex than we imagine.

Perhaps most surprising of all, Chavez’s ancestry links her to “Crypto-Jews” — Spanish Jews who converted to Catholicism to survive the Inquisition, yet continued to practice their religion in secret.

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WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, U.S.A. – Guitar Center and DIRECTV have announced that the 2012 season of their award-winning live performance and interview music television series Guitar Center Sessions will begin airing this May exclusively on DIRECTV. The new season will showcase seven new episodes featuring groundbreaking artists including Alanis Morissette, The All-American Rejects,Colbie Caillat and more.

The season kicks off with legendary guitarist Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators on May 18, at 9pm in 2D hi-definition on DIRECTV’s The Audience Network (channel 239). DIRECTV will also air the series in 3D on DIRECTV’s n3d.

View the trailer here: http://bit.ly/JXHG2v

Guitar Center Sessions features intimate interviews conducted by renowned music journalist Nic Harcourtwhich offer a rare behind the scenes view into the storied careers of music icons and the inspirations behind their music. Each episode also showcases exclusive live performances by the artists captured at Guitar Center’s famous Hollywood, CA location.

“With each episode we aim to present more than just the exceptional live performances given by our guest artists,” says Nic Harcourt. “We provide music fans a glimpse into the creative process behind the music and histories of their idols, revealing their unique stories of successes as well as struggles, offering a realistic inside look at what it takes to succeed as a musician.”

Upcoming Guitar Center Sessions 2012 Episode Schedule:

• May 18th     Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators
• June 1st       The All-American Rejects
• June 15th     Colbie Caillat
• June 29th     Alanis Morissette
• July 13th      Megadeath
• July 27th      Switchfoot
• August 10th  Sublime with Rome

Guitar Center’s musical expertise as the worlds largest retailer of musical instruments and equipment, paired with DIRECTV – the world’s largest pay TV provider – ensures that each episode is delivered in the highest audio and visual quality. This dynamic pairing lead Guitar Center Sessions to receive the International 3D Society’s award for Best Music Television Series in 2010.

“Our goal with Guitar Center Sessions is provide artists, emerging and established, with a highly credible platform to expose their music and riveting back stories to a large audience,” says Dustin Hinz, Director of Music Marketing and Artist Relations for Guitar Center. “By continuing to develop high quality original music programming that focuses on conversations and themes pertinent to the artist’s craft and creative process, Guitar Center continues to further its commitment to helping artists be heard in an ever changing, uncertain music business.”

Since its premiere in August of 2010 with the iconic Peter Gabriel, Guitar Center Sessions has gone on to feature 31 episodes with today’s most compelling artists including, Weezer, Jane’s Addiction, The Cult, CAKE, Jakob Dylan, Blondie, Social Distortion, Seether, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Bush and Peter Frampton.

Image Courtesy of  Guitar Center

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New York, U.S.A. - Comedy Central is taking “Futurama” fans on a 50 day multi-platform journey leading up to the series’ seventh season premiere on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. The “Countdown To ‘Futurama’” launches on Facebook on Tuesday, May 1 and for 50 consecutive days will provide fans with exclusive content including preview clips, character designs, episode stills, story boards and more each day. For the countdown kick-off, Comedy Central will post a sneak peek clip from the season premiere episode, “The Bots and the Bees.”

Beginning on Monday, May 7, CC Digital will feature the first of seven weekly podcasts, which will include a week’s worth of “Countdown to ‘Futurama’” content. Hosted by Executive Producer David X. Cohen, who will be joined by a rotating cast of other “Futurama” writers and producers, this all-new feature will provide viewers with inside commentary on each piece of exclusive content along with a first look at images from upcoming episodes, as well as character designs, stills, storyboards and concept sketches. The “Futurama” weekly podcasts will only be available on iTunes.

“Futurama” focuses on the life of Philip Fry (Billy West), a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy who accidentally freezes himself on December 31, 1999 and wakes up 1,000 years later with a fresh start at life at Planet Express, an intergalactic delivery company.

There he meets love interest Leela (Katey Sagal), a sexy cyclops with anger management issues, and best friend Bender (John DiMaggio), a beer-powered kleptomaniac robot. In 2011, the series earned two Emmys for Outstanding Animated Program and Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for Maurice LaMarche.

“Futurama,” created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening and David X. Cohen, is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television, with Rough Draft Studios, Inc. contributing the animation.
20th Century Fox Television, a division of News Corp, is a leading supplier of entertainment content domestically and around the world.

Image Courtesy of  Futurama

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Santa Monica, U.S.A. – TV Land is giving one of the original “Kings of Comedy” his own sitcom! Laugh-out-loud comedians Cedric “The Entertainer” and Niecy Nash star in the network’s newest original series, “The Soul Man” (formerly known as “Have Faith”), which begins production this week for a total of 12 episodes.

It was announced on April 28, by Keith Cox, executive vice president, development and original programming, TV Land. “The Soul Man” premieres Wednesday, June 20 at 10pm ET/PT, immediately followed by the season two premiere of TV Land’s hit sitcom, “ The Exes,” which stars Donald Faison (“Scrubs”), Wayne Knight (“Seinfeld”), David Alan Basche (“The Starter Wife”), Kelly Stables (“Two and a Half Men”) and Kristen Johnston (“3rd Rock From The Sun”).

“The Soul Man” revolves around R&B superstar-turned-minister Reverend Boyce “The Voice” Ballentine (played by Cedric) who was living the high life in Las Vegas at the top of the music charts (see the video for his 80′s hit, “Sex Wichoo” here) when he gets the calling to go from soul singer to soul saver.

Relocating to St. Louis with his wife, Lolli (Nash) and his daughter, Lyric (Jazz Raycole) to take over  the preaching duties in his father’s church - his family is not exactly eager to give up the fabulous superstar life for a humble one. The Reverend Boyce character originally appeared in a season two episode of “Hot in Cleveland” and a spinoff was developed by Cedric and “Hot in Cleveland” creator Suzanne Martin.

The comedy also stars John Beasley (“Everwood”) as Boyce’s father, Barton; Wesley Jonathan (“What I Like About You”) as his brother, Stamps; and Raycole (“My Wife and Kids”) as his daughter.

“We are beyond thrilled to have Cedric, Niecy and the whole cast become part of the ever-growing TV Land family,” said Cox. “We know that Cedric and Niecy’s chemistry coupled with a top-notch comedic cast will definitely make this sitcom pop.”

Cedric and Martin will serve as executive producers for “The Soul Man,” along with Eric Rhone and Emmy Award-winner Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner of Hazy Mills Productions, who also executive produce “Hot in Cleveland.” Keith Cox and Larry W. Jones will be executive producers for TV Land. Phoef Sutton (“Cheers”) is the showrunner and Stan Lathan (“The Steve Harvey Show”) serves as the director. The series is filmed in front of a live studio audience.

Please log onto www.tvlandpress.com for up-to-the-minute information, press releases and photos.

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The stars of the COMEDY CENTRAL hit series, “Workaholics,” will get some time off as Adam, Blake, Ders and Karl, head down South to host a massive house party at Icenhausers in Austin on Friday, March 16 during SXSW.

The Workaholics House invites fans to hang out, party, listen to live music, play games, and interact one-on-one with the stars of the show. The house is located at 83 Rainey Street and is open from 1:00 pm to 2:00 am. This event is open to the public and a SXSW badge is not required to gain entry.

The Workaholics House will host an outdoor stage with on-going live musical performances by bands including: Reptar, Youngblood Hawke, Party Supplies, Action Bronson, Freddie Gibbs, Cool Kids, Statik Selektah, Trash Talk and the Wavves, among others.  There will also be a special performance by the stars of “Workaholics” as they transform into their gangster rap group, The Wizards. In partnership with LRG clothing company, fans will receive t-shirts and other product give-aways.

From the minds of the hilarious and irreverent Internet sketch group Mail Order Comedy, “Workaholics” is a single camera comedy featuring three friends who work together as telemarketers from 9 to 5 and live together from 5 to 9. Dress codes, deadlines and waking up before noon are not things these guys are used to. They do their jobs and sometimes they even do them well, but they show up late, leave drunk and always live for the day…even if they don’t know what day it is. The third season of “Workaholics” debuts on May 29 at 10:30 p.m.

“Workaholics” is co-created by Mail Order Comedy’s Blake Anderson, Adam Devine, Anders Holm and Kyle Newacheck and 5th Year’s Dominic Russo and Connor Pritchard. The series stars Anderson, Devine and Holm and is directed by Newacheck. Kevin Etten serves as the show runner.

“Workaholics” is executive produced by Mail Order Comedy, Etten, 5th Year’s Russo and Pritchard, Avalon Television’s Richard Allen-Turner, David Martin, Jon Thoday and Isaac Horne as well as Gigapix Studios David Pritchard and co-executive produced by Avalon’s Dan Lubetkin. Seth Cohen and Jackie Phillips are the Executives in Charge of Production for COMEDY CENTRAL.

Available in 99 million homes nationwide, COMEDY CENTRAL (www.comedycentral.com), the only all-comedy network, is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned unit of Viacom. For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL’s press web site at www.comedycentral.com/press and follow on Twitter @ComedyCentralPR for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

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VH1 is celebrating two fascinating, career-driven women with a night dedicated to successful ladies looking to have it all. On Monday, March 19 the highly anticipated second season of ”La La’s Full Court Life” begins at 9PM* followed by VH1′s front row fashion show with the series premiere of ”Styled by June.”

“LA LA’S FULL COURT LIFE” SEASON TWO PREMIERES MONDAY, MARCH 19 AT 9:00 PM*

La La Anthony is back for an all new season of “ La La’s Full Court Life ” premiering March 19 at 9 PM ET/PT.  Since surviving her husband’s trade to the New York Knicks, La La Anthony is finally adjusting to life in the Big Apple. After spending the summer on stage in the show “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” La La’s passion for acting is skyrocketing.

With an upcoming role in the film “Think Like a Man” and the launch of a new make-up line, La La continues to balance motherhood, marriage and her flourishing career this season. Thanks to pals Kelly Rowland, Ciara, Monica and fan favorites, Po and Dice, it’s never all work and no play in “La La’s Full Court Life.”

“STYLED BY JUNE” SERIES PREMIERE MONDAY, MARCH 19 AT  9:30 PM ET/PT

Celebrity fashion stylist June Ambrose brings high-end fashion to VH1 with the new series “ Styled by June ,” premiering March 19 at 9:30 PM ET/PT. June is not only a go-to stylist for many big names in Hollywood including Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige, but is also the CEO of her own celebrity styling house, Mode Squad, Inc., Style Architect for the “The X-Factor USA,” and author of Effortless Style.

With her natural instinct and “no nonsense” attitude, June is giving viewers a sneak peek into her fabulous yet exclusive “Juniverse” as she works to  revamp the images and brands of celebrities Mischa Barton, Aubrey O’Day, Trina, Jaleel White, Shanna Moakler, Da Brat and Michelle Williams as they re-emerge into the spotlight.

For additional information on VH1 follow @VH1 on Twitter or “Like” VH1 on Facebook, and visit VH1.com for all the latest in music and celebrity news. For full episodes, clips and bonus content, visit StyledbyJune.vh1.com and Lala.vh1.com.

“La La’s Full Court Life” is executive produced by Cris Abrego and Angela Aguilera for 51 Minds Entertainment, La La Anthony and Carmelo Anthony for Krossover Entertainment and Steven Grossmanon behalf of The Collective. VH1 executive producers are Jill Holmes, Kristen Kelly and Jeff Olde.

“Styled By June” is executive produced by Michael Hirschorn and Wendy Roth and co-executive produced by Stacey Altman for Ish Entertainment. June Ambrose is also co-executive producer. VH1 executive producers are Shelly Tatro, Brad Abramson, Danielle Gelfand and Jeff Olde.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with the TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 99 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, and extensive video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

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Corus Entertainment’s newest service, ABC Spark, launches on Monday, March 26 with the day-and-date season premiere of the critically acclaimed The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

The primetime schedule will also include ABC Family original series Switched at Birth, Melissa & Joey, The Lying Game and Make It or Break It. ABC Spark, built on the foundation of the successful U.S. brand ABC Family, will also feature a slate of popular general entertainment programming that will complement the primetime lineup.

“With the launch of ABC Spark, the wait is over for Canada. Fans of hit series like The Secret Life of the American Teenager will now have unprecedented access to ABC Family programming, delivered across multiple platforms,” said Ted Ellis, Vice President, Programming, Kids and Family. “Nested blocks of ABC Family programming that aired on YTV, W Network and CMT leading up to the launch of the service have been very successful. Clearly, there is real appetite for these kinds of shows and we are excited to grow this brand in Canada.”

Viewers across Canada will have the opportunity to sample this new network during a free preview beginning Monday, March 26 through to Saturday, June 30.

ABC Spark’s primetime schedule to include:

The Secret Life of the American Teenager - Season 4 – New episodes!
Mondays at 8 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT starting March 26
From the creator of 7th Heaven comes a heartfelt one-hour drama that focuses on the relationships between families and friends and how they deal with an unexpected teen pregnancy.

The series’ regular cast includes popular actress Molly Ringwald (Sixteen Candles) and Golden Globe nominee Shailene Woodley (The Descendants, The O.C.). The series also stars Ken Baumann, Mark Derwin, India Eisley, Greg Finley, Daren Kagasoff, Megan Park and Francia Raisa with Steve Schirripa.

The Secret Life of the American Teenager picks up right where it left off after a dramatic summer finale, with Amy accepting a marriage proposal from boyfriend, and father of her son, Ricky and Adrian and Ben moving on from their tragic past. This season, the series continues to explore new and ever changing relationships with the introduction of several new characters. Despite the crazy relationships, there’s an undercurrent of discovery, honesty and growing up – even for the adults.

Make It or Break It - Season 3
Mondays at 9 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. PT starting March 26
Make It or Break It is a one-hour scripted drama, set in the world of competitive gymnastics and follows a group of teen Olympic hopefuls as they train and prepare for their day in the spotlight.

In Season 3, Payson (Ayla Kell), Kaylie (Josie Loren), and Lauren (Cassie Scerbo) move into the USA Training center to endure a rigorous eight-week training competition to make the cut for the 2012 Olympic gymnastics team. With a new coach and fierce competition – including the return of former rivals Kelly Parker and Jordan Randall - Payson, Kaylie and Lauren are pushed to their limits physically and emotionally.

The girls are closer than ever and committed to making the Olympic team together, but secret betrayals, questionable alliances and the reality of competing to make the final cut will test their loyalties like never before.

Switched at Birth - Season 1 – New episodes!
Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT starting March 27

A one-hour scripted drama, Switched at Birth, tells the story of two teenage girls who discover they were accidentally switched as newborns in the hospital. Vanessa Marano plays Bay Kennish, a girl who grew up in a wealthy family with two parents and a brother, while Daphne Vasquez (Katie Leclerc), is a girl who lost her hearing at an early age due to a case of meningitis and grew up with a single mother in a working class neighbourhood.

Things come to a dramatic head when both families meet and struggle to learn how to live together for the sake of the girls. This dramatic new series also includes Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City), and D.W. Moffett (Friday Night Lights). The series also stars Constance Marie, Lucas Grabeel and Sean Berdy asEmmett Bledsoe. Academy Award® winner Marlee Matlin is a recurring guest star as Melody Bledsoe, Emmett’s mother.

Bay’s father Angelo (Gilles Marini) is back and his motives continue to be questionable as he attempts to reunite the biological Vasquez family (himself, Regina, and Bay) and mend fences with Daphne. Bay and Emmett confront the obstacles of a hearing/deaf relationship, as Bay falls deeper for Emmett and meets his father.  Wilke (Austin Butler) heats up his romantic pursuit of Daphne, which complicates things between Toby (Grabeel) and Wilke.

The Lying Game - Season 1
Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. PT starting March 27
In The Lying Game, inspired by the Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars) book series of the same name, Emma (Alexandra Chando) is a kind-hearted foster kid who can’t catch a break. She finds out she has an identical twin sister, Sutton (also played by Chando), who, unlike Emma, was adopted by wealthy parents and is seemingly living an ideal life.

After their initial meeting,Sutton talks Emma into stepping into her life for a few days while she pursues a lead on their birth mother. Initially excited to do this favour for her sister, Emma soon learns that Sutton has gone missing and could be in trouble. Now, Emma must decide whether to come clean to Sutton’s family and risk her own safety in the hope of uncovering her twin sister’s true whereabouts, along with truth about why they were separated in the first place.

Melissa & Joey - Season 1
Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET/PT starting March 28
Melissa & Joey is a hit comedy starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence. Melissa Joan Hart portrays Mel, the grown-up former wild child of a political family who is now a local politician herself.

When her sister ends up in prison and brother-in-law flees after a scandal hits, Mel must take responsibility for her teenaged niece, Lennox, and adolescent nephew, Ryder. Spread too thin to manage by herself, help comes in the unlikely form of Joe (Lawrence) who, desperate for a job, moves in and becomes the family’s “manny.”

ABC Spark is available in Canada through a license agreement between Corus Entertainment and Disney/ABC Television Group. Built on the foundation of the successful U.S. brand ABC Family, ABC Spark is a multiplatform offering featuring original series and movies, as well as general entertainment programming. The 24-hour channel will have the same values, look, tone, essence and feel of ABC Family in the U.S. www.abcspark.ca

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Logo is evolving its programming focus with new series and development deals that reflect gays and lesbians’ increasing integration into mainstream culture today and their desire for shows that appeal to their multiple interests.

In the 6 years since Logo launched, there has been a seismic shift in culture and the network’s new programming slate reflects that. From the push for marriage equality, to the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and even the mass appeal of broadcast TV shows like “Modern Family” all signal a significant movement in today’s culture where “out” characters are celebrated for their success and values and the majority of gays and lesbians define themselves by multi-dimensional notions other than purely on their sexual orientation.

“Culturally, we’re past the tipping point. For gays and lesbians, it’s part of who they are, but they don’t lead with it, because many are leading fully integrated, mainstream lives,” said Lisa Sherman, Executive Vice President of Logo. “Our goal at Logo has always been to honestly reflect our viewers’ lives. We’re now reinforcing our commitment to them with programming that truly mirrors how many of them are living and want to be entertained today.”

Further evidence comes from a new study Logo conducted in partnership with Starcom Mediavest Group and its Beyond Demographics series.  Coming out this spring, the identity research gives light on how lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender community lives today.  For instance, early findings show that 53 percent conveyed that Gays don’t hide being gay, but that for them it’s not a priority to showcase it. And only 30 percent indicated that they preferred living and socializing in exclusively gay and lesbian communities.

“The gay community continues to evolve in size, influence and identity,” said Starcom Mediavest’s Esther Franklin, EVP, head of SMG Americas Experience Strategy.  ”Beyond Demographics allows us to understand the needs of this critical community as they emerge and to paint a clearer, more specific picture of what’s meaningful and relevant in their lives.”

Ellen Rakieten (Ellen Rakieten Productions), Ken Mok (10X10 Productions, “America’s Next Top Model”) and J. Paul Buscemi, Tony DiSanto and Liz Gately (DiGa), Go Go Luckey Entertainment (“Laguna Beach”) and T-Group (“Storage Hunters”) have all signed on to produce a diverse array of projects for Logo, covering docu-reality and competition genres.

Topics cover the ambition behind children’s beauty pageants, the stress of adopting a child, the dramas of running a West Hollywood family business and their passion for pets.  The network is also expanding the mission behind its hit series “RuPaul’s Drag U,” produced by World of Wonder, while adding programming that covers and comments on the pop culture that Logo viewers love.

“These new projects are anchored by stories that go deep into today’s world: Eden Wood has already accomplished more than most of us will in our entire lives.  Wanting to start a family is a universal desire, no matter who you love.  Families in business together during a recession could be the ultimate drama.

And pets are now surrogate children for a lot of people — who go to great lengths to celebrate them,” said Brent Zacky, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Logo.  “An expanded vision for ‘RuPaul’s Drag U’ and shows that review the more notorious elements of pop culture fill out our diverse menu of themes that will further engage and grow Logo’s audience.”

Image Courtesy of  Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock.com

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Spike TV has picked up three new original non-scripted series that furthers the network’s mission to create broader-appealing shows with real stakes involved.

Spike has ordered 10 episodes of “Full Bounty,” a reality competition series featuring 12 aspiring bounty hunters who risk life and limb to chase down actual fugitives; six episodes of “Tattoo Nightmares,” a show chronicling people’s often-hilarious horror stories behind their awful tattoos and their attempt to have them fixed; and six episodes of “Rat Bastards,” a series following the adventures of a group of guys in Louisiana who hunt down a nasty invasive species of giant swamp rats that wreak havoc on the Mississippiwetlands.

Spike TV has also ordered 13 new episodes of the popular series, “World’s Wildest Police Videos,” which formerly aired on FOX, and announced plans to air a two-part special, “Urban Jungle Man.”

Premiere dates and times for the new series will be announced shortly. ”These three new non-scripted shows share a theme of larger-than-life characters in extreme situations where the high stakes are real,” said Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series, Spike TV.  “They are perfect complements to our upcoming launches of “Big Easy Justice,” “American Digger” and “Diamond Divers,” which have similar distinctive characters.”

“Full Bounty” – In this unique reality competition series, 12 aspiring bounty hunters attempt to hunt down real criminals who are running from the law in an effort to win the actual bounty.  Each competitor will be doing this for the first time in their lives with the aid of law enforcement supervisors.

The contestant that tracks down and apprehends the most fugitives will win and advance while others will be eliminated in each episode.  The overall winner of the show will win a position with a prominent bail bond and fugitive recovery agency.  The stakes couldn’t be higher for each contestant as they risk their lives to rid the streets of potentially dangerous criminals, and live out the dream of becoming an actual bounty hunter. The series is created by Barry Poznick and John Stevens of Zoo Productions, an All3 media company.

“Tattoo Nightmares” - Real people with really bad tattoos seek the help of some of the best cover-up artists in the business to fix them.  The tattoos range from hilarious to downright disturbing, with reenactments that will show how these people wound up with their awful, ugly and embarrassing ink. The contestants will go under the needle of top tattoo artists to see if they can work a miracle and cover someone else’s mistake. “Tattoo Nightmares” is created by Sally Ann Salsano (“Jersey Shore”) and 495 Productions.

“Rat Bastards” – An invasive species of giant swamp rats are ravaging America’s Southern wetlands and are especially dangerous to the tenuous ecological system of the Mississippi delta region.  This non-scripted series follows a pack of industrious guys dubbed the “Cajun Commandoes” in Louisiana who hunt these elusive 40-pound menaces both to sell and to eat.

These determined rat hunters compete over a limited four month window to earn big bucks by capturing these loathsome pests for a bounty.  The series is co-created by Eli Holzman and Stephen Lambert of Studio Lambert and Royal Malloy, Duke Straub andColt Straub of American Chainsaw. They are also the production team behind the upcoming Spike series, “Diamond Divers.”

Spike will also create new episodes of “World’s Wildest Police Videos,” which will give viewers access to shocking and outrageous police footage never-before-seen on television.  From high-speed car chases that turn deadly and bank robberies gone wrong to international hostage holdups, the wildest police videos from around the world are on display.

Retired Sheriff John Bunnell hosts the series that is produced by Pilgrim Studios and Pursuit Productions. Executive Producers are Pilgrim Studios’ Craig Piligian andScott Popjes, and Pursuit Productions’ Paul Stojanovich, Jr., Robert Ballantyne and John Bunnell.  The original version was created by Paul Stojanovich Sr. and aired on FOX from 1998-2002.

Spike will air a two-part special, “Urban Jungle Man,” which follows the country’s preeminent extreme animal handler, John Brennan, who rescues, captures and relocates dangerous and exotic animals in New York City’s urban jungle. This non-scripted series chronicles Brennan’s daily adventures as he runs the Urban Animal Relocation team, a privately-owned exotic and dangerous animal relocation service whose perilous missions runs the gamut from removing an alligator from a bathtub to capturing an escaped deadly python.  

Bitten or stung by nearly every animal in existence, Brennan is fearless when it comes to apprehending nature’s deadliest creatures.  “Urban Jungle Man” is produced by Asylum Entertainment and will be shot throughout the country.

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With ratings as high as the on-set drama, VH1 announced that its one-hour hit reality series “Mob Wives” will be immediately followed with a half-hour post-show titled “Mob Wives: The Sit Down,” beginning Sunday, January 29 at 9pm ET/PT. The series will also be produced by TWC, Electus, Left/Right and JustJenn Productions who also produce “Mob Wives” and the upcoming “Mob Wives: Chicago.”

Hosted by VH1′s own Carrie Keagan (Big Morning Buzz Live), the post-show will feature 2-3 of the wives each week along with a special celebrity guest to discuss the episode immediately after it runs and to share some exclusive behind-the-scenes info.  The series has an initial order for 7 post-show episodes.

Now in its second season on VH1, “Mob Wives” (Sundays, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT) gives viewers an unfiltered look into the private worlds of six struggling “allegedly” associated women – Renee, Karen, Carla and Drita, along with new season 2 cast members Ramona and “Big Ang” – all of whom must pick up the pieces while their husbands or fathers do time for Mob-related activities.

United by a bond which few understand, the women are all struggling with their identities and their futures as they raise their kids as single parents in the New York City area. Season two premiere episodes have averaged a 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demo, up +63% from season one’s average.  The premiere episodes have also averaged 2.2 million total viewers, up +67% from season one.

“Mob Wives” has also consistently won its time period, making VH1 the #1 non-sports cable network among adults 18-49 all three weeks of its current season in the time slot.  This spring the network will debut a spin-off, “Mob Wives: Chicago,” where the hometown of Al Capone will serve as the backdrop for a new group of syndicate sisters.

Carrie Keagan is the host of VH1′s entertainment show ”Big Morning Buzz Live.”  She boasts well over 7,000 interviews to her credit with “Big Morning Buzz Live” and her own No Good TV, including an impressive list of exclusive and uncensored sit-downs with some of the biggest celebrities and public figures of our time.

Keagan produced and hosted 2 seasons of VH1 Classic’s “One Hit Wonders” and has co-hosted the live red carpet preshow for the Critics’ Choice Awards and co-hosted The Daily 10 (E!) along with live Emmy, Oscar and Golden Globe red carpet coverage. VH1′s Co-Star app will also be an element of the show.  Carrie will read fan tweets from Co-Star and additional fan tweets will be featured in the lower third graphics.

Users can ask questions all week long using #TheSitDown for their chance to have their question read on the show.  For additional information about “Mob Wives,” visit the official VH1 Mob Wives site at MobWives.vh1.com. Viewers can also find series updates on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mobwives and on Twitter @VH1 with the hashtag #MobWives.  For additional information about VH1 please go to https://twitter.com/#!/vh1.

Created and produced by Jennifer Graziano of JustJenn Productions, “Mob Wives“ is produced by The Weinstein Company (Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein), Electus (Ben Silverman, Jimmy Fox) and Left/Right (Banks Tarver, Ken Druckerman and Nina L. Diaz), with Electus International owning distribution rights across all platforms including television, motion picture, and digital.

Executive producers for VH1 include Shelly Tatro, Kari McFarland, Rick Hankey and Jeff Olde.  Sean Gottlieb serves as supervising producer for VH1.

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