[03.27.09 - 12:01 AM]

SUMMER SIZZLES BEGINNING THIS MAY ON FOX
Released by FOX

[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMER SIZZLES BEGINNING THIS MAY ON FOX

"SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE" BEGINS ANOTHER SEARCH FOR AMERICA'S FAVORITE DANCER MAY 21

NEW MEDICAL DRAMA "MENTAL" DEBUTS MAY 22

GORDON RAMSAY TURNS UP THE HEAT ON "HELL'S KITCHEN" JULY 21

"TEEN CHOICE 2009" CELEBRATES TEEN ICONS MONDAY, AUGUST 10

Television's hottest summer season begins this May with Season Five of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE and the premiere of new medical drama MENTAL. Fan-favorites heat up the summer with the next installment of culinary competition HELL'S KITCHEN and all-new episodes of DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS!, ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER?, COPS and AMERICA'S MOST WANTED.

As previously announced, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, the high-stepping summer sensation, again promises to keep viewers moving to a different beat, as dancers skilled in styles ranging from street to ballroom compete to be named America's favorite. Featuring host Cat Deeley, judges Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe and some of the country's greatest choreographers, Season Five of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE kicks off with a two-night, four-hour premiere Thursday, May 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, May 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

Once the DANCE auditions conclude, weekly performance shows will air Wednesdays (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and weekly results shows will air Thursdays (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

Medical drama MENTAL will debut Friday, May 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The series follows Dr. Jack Gallagher (Chris Vance), a dynamic, young psychiatrist who serves as Director of Mental Health Services at a Los Angeles hospital. At work he must reconcile his effective, yet highly unorthodox treatment methods with his conservative boss, hospital administrator Nora Skoff (Annabella Sciorra), a woman with whom he shares a romantic past. As Gallagher takes on new cases, he is confronted with patients battling unknown, misunderstood and often misdiagnosed conditions. Gallagher delves inside their minds to gain a true understanding of who they are, allowing him to uncover what just might be the key to their long-term recovery.

The summer gets even hotter when the next installment of HELL'S KITCHEN kicks off with a special two-hour premiere Tuesday, July 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The intensity continues Tuesdays beginning July 28 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) as Chef Gordon Ramsay narrows down the field of competing chefs until only one remains standing in the kitchen.

DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS! returns to lock-in the lyrics with all-new episodes Friday, May 22 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), and ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER? heads back to the classroom for summer session and all-new episodes Friday, July 3 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The most arresting night of television continues on Saturdays with a mixture of all-new and encore episodes of COPS (8:00-8:30 and 8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) and all-new episodes AMERICA'S MOST WANTED (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

As previously announced, TEEN CHOICE 2009, the annual special that celebrates the year's hottest teen icons in film, television, music, sports and fashion, will air Monday, August 10 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The coolest stars, best films and best TV shows of 2008-2009 will receive coveted Teen Choice Award Surfboards in categories such as Choice Breakout TV Show, Choice Reality/Variety Show, Choice Breakout Artist, Choice Male Hottie, Choice Female Athlete and Choice Hook-up.

[04.08.09 - 01:29 PM]
ABC ANNOUNCES ITS SUMMER SCHEDULE
Released by ABC
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ABC ANNOUNCES ITS SUMMER SCHEDULE, WITH THE RETURN OF "THE BACHELORETTE," "WIPEOUT," "HERE COME THE NEWLYWEDS" AND "I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW," AND THE PREMIERE OF THREE NEW SERIES, "THE GOODE FAMILY," "THE SUPERSTARS" AND "DATING IN THE DARK"

ABC announces its summer schedule, with the return of "The Bachelorette" on Monday, May 18; "Here Come the Newlyweds" on Monday, May 25; "Wipeout" on Wednesday, May 27; and "I Survived A Japanese Game Show" on Wednesday, July 8. Also premiering are three new series: animated comedy "The Goode Family" from Mike Judge, on Wednesday, May 27; "The Superstars," based on the classic Wide World of Sports series, on Tuesday, June 23; and alternative series "Dating in the Dark" on Monday, July 20.

Following is a list of the upcoming programming in chronological order (all times ET):

THE BACHELORETTE - SPECIAL TWO-HOUR PREMIERE MONDAY, MAY 18 (9:00-11:00 p.m.), AND REGULAR TIME PERIOD PREMIERE MONDAY, MAY 25 (8:00-10:00 p.m.) - Jillian Harris, the intelligent, independent, passionate woman who fell just short of her goal - hoping that Jason Mesnick could be her best friend, soul mate and future husband on the just completed hit series of "The Bachelor" - will have her own opportunity to find true love, starring in the fifth edition of "The Bachelorette." An instant fan favorite on "The Bachelor," Jillian, 29, a restaurant interior designer, will get to choose from among a group of the country's most eligible bachelors and is confident that she can find the love of her life on the series.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelorette" is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are the executive producers.

HERE COME THE NEWLYWEDS - PREMIERES MONDAY, MAY 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) -- The one-hour romantic comedy alternative series returns for a second season with nine just-married couples competing for a life-changing cash prize to help kick-start their new lives together and realize their dreams. Hosted by comedian Pat Bullard, "Here Come the Newlyweds" is all about relationships, the differences between men and women and the universal issues that every couple must face. In this eight-episode series, each couple faces a variety of mental and physical challenges that will test the love and passion they have for one another, as well as their competitive spirit. At the end of each episode, the field will be narrowed as the newlyweds vote to send one couple home. The stakes get higher as the potential nest egg grows, until one couple ultimately wins the grand prize.

The executive producers of "Here Come the Newlyweds" are Jay Blumenfield and Tony Marsh ("The Road to Stardom with Missy Elliott," "Dane Cook's Tourgasm"). The series is produced by The Jay and Tony Show in association with Warner Horizon Television.

WIPEOUT - PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m.) - Bigger, better, wilder than ever! ABC's hit series "Wipeout," the No. 1-rated summer series across all networks, returns for Season Two as wide-eyed and energized contestants compete in the world's largest extreme obstacle course, providing the biggest spills and best wipeouts ever seen on television.

The Qualifier boasts amazing new obstacles, including Plank in the Face, Hurtles and Gyro Sweeper. Brace yourself in the all new Wipeout Zone with the Catapult, Gears of Doom and more high stakes challenges. And the fan favorite obstacle -- the Big Balls -- will return, but with a twist: "The Motivator," a massive anvil, sneaks up on contestants propelling then onto the Big Balls if they hesitate.

Each week, 24 daring new contestants of all ages, shapes and sizes go head to head through four rounds of demanding but hilarious obstacle courses to win the title of "Wipeout Champion" and the $50,000 grand prize. In the end, only one contestant will win, while everyone else will Wipeout!

"Wipeout" is hosted by John Henson (E! Entertainment's "Talk Soup") and John Anderson (ESPN's "SportsCenter"). Jill Wagner is co-host. Executive producers are Matt Kunitz and Scott Larsen ("Fear Factor"). Shye Sutherland, Kevin Wehrenberg, Trice Barto and J. Rupert Thompson are co-executive producers. The series is produced by Endemol USA. David Goldberg is the chairman of Endemol North America.

THE GOODE FAMILY - PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 (9:00-9:30 p.m.) - "The Goode Family" is a new animated series from Mike Judge ("King of the Hill," "Beavis and Butt-head," "Office Space"), John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky ("King of the Hill," "Blades of Glory"). With standards always changing, no matter how hard you try to be good, it's virtually impossible these days . . . especially for the Goode family. Meet Gerald and Helen Goode, a couple who live by the motto WWAGD ("What Would Al Gore Do?"). Gerald, a college administrator, and Helen, a community activist, are determined to obliterate their carbon footprint on the planet: They're zealous vegans, drive a hybrid, and recycle everything possible. Even the family dog, Che, is vegan. In the words of Helen, all the Goodes want to do is buy organic apples and call minorities by their right names. But despite their best efforts, something always goes haywire with their politically correct plans.

"The Goode Family" is voiced by Mike Judge as Gerald, Nancy Carell as Helen, Dave Herman as Ubuntu, Linda Cardellini as Bliss and Brian Doyle Murray as Charlie.

John Altschuler, Mike Judge, Dave Krinsky, Michael Rotenberg and Tom Lassally are executive producers of the series, which is produced by MRC and 3 Arts Entertainment.

THE SUPERSTARS - PREMIERES TUESDAY, JUNE 23 (8:00-9:00 p.m.) -- "The Superstars," a fresh take on an old favorite, is based on ABC's classic "Wide World of Sports" series, "The Superstars," which pitted athletes from all different sports against each other to determine the best athlete in the world. Eight celebrities are paired with eight professional male and female athletes to compete against each other in varying sporting events. Each week a team will be eliminated until one team is ultimately crowned the winner. Competitors' athletic prowess will be put to the test with events including swimming, biking, running and kayaking, in addition to other head-to-head athletic challenges that will test strength, speed, stamina, agility, as well as an element of strategy. The six-episode series will be shot entirely on location at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.

"The Superstars" is produced by Juma Entertainment and Blue Entertainment Sports Television (BEST). Robert Horowitz, president, Juma Entertainment, Lewis Fenton, head of production, Juma Entertainment, Dennis Spencer, executive vice president, BEST and Michael Principe, managing director, BEST, are the executive producers.

I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW - PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) - Going into its second season, "I Survived A Japanese Game Show" is an unscripted reality/game show -- actually a show within a show - that takes an eye-opening, behind-the-scenes look at 12 Americans who are whisked away to Japan to compete in the ultimate Japanese game show. The results are sure to be hilarious, as this season will be even bigger and funnier than the last. The final winner will take home $250,000. Returning will be the witty game show host Rome Kanda ("Pink Panther," "Saturday Night Live"), who leads the contestants through all of the zany challenges; Mamasan, a house mother and resident pot stirrer; and Judge Bob, the rarely dynamic but always entertaining referee of the games.

The executive producers are Arthur Smith and Kent Weed for A. Smith & Co. ("Kitchen Nightmares," "Hell's Kitchen"); and David Sidebotham, Karsten Bartholin and Tim Crescenti for Babyfoot APS Denmark. "I Survived A Japanese Game Show" is one of only four U.S. shows nominated for a Rose D'Or Award, and the series received a DGA nomination for Best Reality Competition Show.

DATING IN THE DARK - PREMIERES MONDAY, JULY 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) - "Dating in the Dark" is a unique alternative series that asks the age-old question, "Is Love Blind?" Each week, three single men and three single women, all looking for love, will move into a house together, but be totally sequestered from the opposite sex. While they will have no chance of seeing each other in the light, they will have the opportunity to date in a completely dark room. Looks will be taken out of the equation as the men and women get to know each other and form bonds in total darkness. After several days of dating in the darkroom, the participants will select the one member of the opposite sex that they want to see revealed in the light. For the first time, the participants will see whom they've been dating, wooing, kissing, snuggling with and forming bonds with. And after they see each other in the light for the first time, they have to make the difficult decision...do they stay with the person they fell for in the dark, or leave them behind? Hosted by Rossi Moreale ("Can You Duet?," "Temptation").

"Dating in the Dark" is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol holding, along with Talpa Content, the format department of Dutch media entrepreneur John's de Mol's company. David Goldberg is the North America chairman of Endemol USA. The series is executive-produced by Tom Shelley and the co-executive producer is Richard Devinki.

Airdates for the remaining episodes of "Pushing Daisies," "Eli Stone" and "Dirty Sexy Money" were also announced, with "Pushing Daisies" returning to the schedule as of Saturday, May 30 through Saturday, June 13 at 10:00 p.m.; Eli Stone" on Saturday, June 20 through Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 p.m.; and "Dirty Sexy Money" on Saturday, July 18 through August 8 at 10:00 p.m.

Comedy "Surviving Suburbia" will move to a new night and time as of Wednesday, May 27, airing behind "The Goode Family" at 9:30 p.m.