New York, NY, November 29, 2005– WE: Women’s Entertainment, the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them, announced today that the network will add six new series to its growing original programming slate. The new series, “Two Funny: Cotter & Louise,” “John Edward Cross Country,” “Skating’s Next Star,” “Million Dollar Wedding,” and “Rebel Gucci” will premiere on WE in 2006; “Hair Trauma!” will begin production in 2006 and premiere in first quarter 2007. Today’s announcement is part of WE’s ongoing commitment to produce original programming that is fun, relevant and engaging.
Original programming has garnered record ratings success for WE this year. In 2005 to date, eight of WE’s top 10 ranked telecasts for A18-49 delivery were originals for the network, compared to one in 2004*.
“When I joined WE almost one year ago one of my top objectives was to ramp up our original offerings,” said Kim Martin, Executive Vice President and General Manager of WE. “I am proud to say that original programming has increased 30% over the past year. With the addition of these six new series, we continue to offer our viewers shows that are intriguing, easily relatable and entertaining to watch.”
“Two Funny: Cotter & Louise” – 6 episodes
Two Funny: Cotter & Louise is a new half-hour show that follows the lives of Kerri Louise and Tom Cotter, two comedians featured on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. The funny duo juggles many roles as a married couple with two year-old twin boys, and also as working comics who travel across the country to keep their careers afloat. Cameras follow the family from late night feedings to late night curtain calls when Two Funny: Cotter & Louise premieres on WE in March 2006. The series is produced by Burrud Productions.
“John Edward Cross Country” – 8 episodes
Internationally acclaimed psychic medium, John Edward, returns to television March 2006 with his latest show John Edward Cross Country. Each one-hour episode features John conducting readings before audiences across the country, then visiting selected participants, at home, to better understand their readings and see how this experience has affected their lives and relationships. The series is produced by JECO Productions.
“Skating’s Next Star” – 6 episodes
What does it take to be a top world figure skater? Find out in Skating’s Next Star the new series from WE, set to premiere in March 2006. From the preliminary auditions to the final elimination, during each one-hour episode, viewers follow contestants through their struggles on the ice and the drama behind the scenes. Watch as professional skaters battle the pressure and each other in the hopes of becoming Skating’s Next Star. The series is produced by Major League Figure Skating.
“Million Dollar Wedding” – 6 episodes
WE has your engraved invitation to the most opulent weddings in America, scheduled for June 2006. Million-Dollar Weddings captures the drama and decadence of wedding planning on a budget… of over a million dollars. From custom made gowns and wedding songs, to hand-printed invitations and engraved Tiffany party favors, each one-hour episode will catch the most beautiful moments a million dollars can buy. The series is produced by Film Garden.
“Rebel Gucci” – 13 episodes
Follow Gemma Gucci, heir to the Gucci fashion empire, as she begins the journey towards her designer destiny, scheduled for October 2006. Though her family name is synonymous with haute couture, Gemma was raised away from the glitz and glamour of high fashion, until now. Watch in each hour episode as this Rebel Gucci, invades New York on a quest to break into the fashion industry and establish herself as the logical heir to the Gucci fashion throne. The series is produced by BCII.
“Hair Trauma!” (working title) – 6 episodes
Hairstylist to the stars, Ellin LaVar’s full-service salon in Manhattan is the stage of this real life “Beauty Shop”, complete with characters like her former opera singer and perfectionist brother, Jeffrey and downright raunchy sister, Kim. In each half hour episode cameras throughout the salon catch all the drama, from weaves gone wrong to dye job disasters. Production for Hair Trauma! will occur next year, and the series is scheduled to premiere on WE in March 2007. The series is produced by Red Moxie.
*Source: Nielsen Media Research, WE Total Day M-Su 10a-5a, 12/29/03-10/31/04 compared to 12/27/04-10/30/05
About WE: Women’s Entertainment
WE: Women’s Entertainment is the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them. With quality original programming including the hit series “Bridezillas,” unique movie packages like “Three Men and A Chick Flick,” topical specials and its public affairs initiative WE Empowers Women, the network supports women and appeals to their interests in pop culture, relationships and personal style. WE: Women’s Entertainment is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 56 million homes.