NETWORK RENEWS "BRAXTON FAMILY VALUES" FOR A SECOND SEASON AND GREENLIGHTS THREE NEW ORIGINAL SERIES
Two Additional Series to Make their U.S. Debut on WE tv
NEW YORK, NY, May 10, 2011 – WE tv, the network devoted to showcasing and celebrating women and the relationships that define them, unveiled a robust slate of brand-defining programming today.
The 2011/2012 slate includes a second season renewal of the network’s popular original series, Braxton Family Values, starring singer/songwriter Toni Braxton and her four sisters – Tamar, Trina, Towanda and Traci – as they navigate the drama created by the relationships among them. Recently called "… guilty-pleasure gold" by Entertainment Weekly, the series is produced for WE tv by Magical Elves and will return with 13 all-new, one-hour episodes in 2012.
Rounding out WE tv’s schedule, the network also announced three brand new original series:
Amsale Girls profiles the personalities of the consultants and brides at the popular NYC bridal salon, Amsale; Texas Multi Mamas looks at the inner workings of modern families with multiple children; and The Willis Clan goes inside a family grooming their 12 children into extraordinary savants.
"Braxton Family Values has struck a chord with our audiences – it’s one of our most popular shows ever," said Kim Martin, President & General Manager, WE tv. "The series embodies the essence of WE tv’s brand – Life As WE Know It – as a women’s destination providing relatable, unfiltered stories about the real and dramatic moments that define modern family life. Our new slate, along with our other hit shows Joan & Melissa and Downsized, all tell stories of real women and the trials and tribulations of family life today."
In addition, WE tv will feature the U.S. premieres of Family Restaurant, about a family run Chinese restaurant and the upheavals planned by the kids to pull mom and dad into a new era, and the second season of The Cupcake Girls, showcasing best friends and business partners on their way to building a cupcake empire.
WE tv’s 2011/2012 ORIGINAL SERIES
Amsale Girls, 6×60
Premieres Sunday, June 12 at 10 pm
Brides spend up to $75,000 for an Amsale bridal gown and the women who work for Amsale are just as extraordinary as the dresses themselves. Every day, they deal with dozens of fittings, dress disasters, and the non-stop pressure of pleasing some of the most discriminating Manhattan brides. Outside of work, the girls serve as each other’s best friends and support systems as they face their own relationships, their upcoming nuptials, and life as a young woman. It’s all in a day’s work when you’re an Amsale Girl. Produced by Authentic Entertainment.
Texas Multi Mamas, 8×60
Premieres Tuesday, October 25 at 9 pm
Set in the great state of Texas, moms of multiples join to support one another as they rear their bountiful broods. Each mom brings her distinct personality and point of view to the drama – convinced that only her way is the right way. There’s plenty of chaos, fun and lots of love in these multiple birth families. Produced by Shed Media.
The Willis Clan, 6×60
Premieres in 2012
The Willis family is unlike any other. Parents Toby and Brenda encourage their 12 children to strive for excellence and accept nothing less. After a devastating car accident nearly claimed the life of Toby, he set his goal on raising his children to excel at their studies and a myriad of activities, from playing musical instruments to Irish River dancing, swing dancing, wrestling, writing, drawing, costume design, horseback riding and more. While the Willis family is a loving and supportive bunch, life isn’t always so simple. Mom and dad push their kids towards excelling which creates plenty of family drama and riffs between parents and kids. Produced by Rivr Media.
U.S. SERIES PREMIERES
Family Restaurant, 10×30
Premieres Tuesday, August 16 at 10 pm
The Lingnan is a family-run Chinese restaurant that’s become a legacy over its 60+ years in business. Mom and dad, Amy and Kinman Quon, have a regular clientele and are content with business. Their kids, however, are looking to spice things up. Miles, Mandy and Marty grew up working in the restaurant and see an opportunity to grow the Lingnan by hiring new kitchen talent, shaking up the menu and dragging the business into the 21st Century. Produced by Anaid Productions Inc.
The Cupcake Girls season 2, 14×30
Premieres Tuesday, June 21 at 10 pm
In the second season of The Cupcake Girls, best friends and business partners Heather and Lori expand their cupcake empire and their families. Lori struggles to balance work responsibilities with being a new mom while Heather is equally distracted by her new relationship and the couple’s decision to move in together. Heather’s parents, Kathie and Brian, continue to help the girls and new employees are hired to help with the burgeoning brand. Produced by Force Four Entertainment.
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED SERIES
Staten Island Cakes, 8×60
Premieres Tuesday, June 21 at 9 pm
Twenty-one-year-old Vinny Buzzetta is the talented executive pastry chef and owner of the go-to bakery for special occasion cakes and confections on Staten Island, The Cake Artist. By day, Vinny is boss at the bakery to his own mother, sister, and friends, but back at home it’s mom who lays down the law. Vinny must learn to navigate his roles as business owner, baker and artist, and find his place in his large, outspoken family. Produced by Nancy Glass Productions.
Downsized season 2, 10×60
Premieres Tuesday, August 16 at 9 pm
The second season of Downsized will continue to portray the Bruce family’s struggle to adjust to a scaled-back lifestyle and overcome their financial woes, amid mounting medical bills and the two oldest children preparing for college. Produced by Pie Town Productions.
Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? , 10×60
Premieres in January 2012
The series showcases the relationship of famous mother-daughter duo, Joan and Melissa Rivers, as Joan continues to live with her daughter and grandson as she searches for a home of her own in Los Angeles. Along the way, they share with audiences the drama, love, laughter and comedy of family life.
Fix My Family, 8×60
Premieres 2012
Dr. Tara Fields, a take-no-nonsense psychiatrist, moves in with a family for a week to help them begin to mend their broken relationships. Rolling up her sleeves, she unravels the cobwebs of miscommunication and histories gone toxic. She descends into the day-to-day drama and at the end of the week leaves the families with stronger bonds and a brighter outlook on the future. Produced by ISH Entertainment.
*All times are ET/PT.
About WE tv
WE tv (www.wetv.com) is the women’s network devoted to the wild ride of relationships during life’s defining moments. The original series, including Downsized, Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? and hit wedding shows – Bridezillas and My Fair Wedding with David Tutera, among others- underscore the network’s brand position and tagline, Life As WE Know It, which signifies the connection that women share based on similar life experiences. Whether it’s the thrill of getting married, the drama of modern family chaos or the excitement of a second chance, the stories on WE tv allow women to see themselves, someone they know or someone they’d love to know. Owned and operated by Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, WE tv is available in over 77 million homes and is available in HD and on demand.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media owns and operates some of the world’s most popular and award-winning entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, Wedding Central and Sundance Selects/IFC Entertainment (Sundance Selects, IFC Films, IFC Midnight, IFC Productions, IFC Center and SundanceNow). Additional information about Rainbow Media’s multiplatform brands is available at www.rainbow-media.com.