Michael Riley, president, ABC Family, today announced the pick-up of two reality series, "Dancing Fools," which will be hosted by Melissa Peterman, star of the network's hit comedy series, "Baby Daddy," and a docu-soap, "The Vineyard" (Working Title). Production on both series will begin this spring.
"Dancing Fools" is a half-hour unscripted comedy hosted by Melissa Peterman, who also stars in ABC Family's "Baby Daddy" -- which was the #1 new cable comedy of Summer 2012 in key women demos -- and in the upcoming ABC reality series, "Bet on Your Baby." Created and executive-produced by Phil Gurin ("The Singing Bee," "Oh Sit"), the series is produced by the Gurin Company.
"The Vineyard," a dramatic coming-of-age docu-soap, follows a handful of 20-somethings in Martha's Vineyard for the summer. Tight quarters, new friends and new rivals, all living, working and playing together, make this picturesque playground ripe for mischief and romance. "The Vineyard" is created and executive-produced by Dave Broome ("Biggest Loser") and Br
Ian Smith ("Masterchef"). The series is produced by 25/7 Productions.
Both reality series will premiere this summer with the recently announced one hour dramas "The Fosters," from executive producer
Jennifer Lopez, and "Twisted," from executive producer
Gavin Polone.
"Baby Daddy" launched as the network's #1 comedy series in
ABC Family history and will return for its second season in May 2013. The series follows Ben (Jen-Luc Bilodeau), a young man in his early 20s living the life of a bachelor as a bartender in New York City with his buddy, Tucker (Tahj Mowry), and his brother, Danny (Derek Theler), a professional hockey player. Their lives are turned upside down when they come home one day to find a baby girl left on the doorstep by an ex-girlfriend of Ben's. After much deliberation, Ben decides to raise the baby with the help of his friends and his protective and sometimes over-bearing mother, Bonnie (
Melissa Peterman), and his close female friend, Riley (
Chelsea Kane), who has had a secret crush on him since childhood. Riley is hopeful that Ben will finally take notice, but she doesn't realize that Ben's brother, Danny, is harboring a secret crush on her.
From executive producer
Jennifer Lopez ("American Idol," "What to Expect When You're Expecting," "The Back-Up Plan") and created by Bradley Bredeweg and
Peter Paige ("Queer As Folk"), who will also serve as writers and executive producers, "The Fosters" stars
Teri Polo ("Meet the Parents"),
Sherri Saum ("In Treatment"), Jake T. Austin ("Wizards of Waverly Place"), Hayden Byerly ("Parenthood"),
David Lambert ("Aaron Stone"), newcomer Maia Mitchell (star of Disney Channel's upcoming "Teen Beach Movie"), Danny Nucci ("Titanic") and Cierra Ramirez ("The Secret Life of the American Teenager"). The series is a one-hour drama about a multi-ethnic family mix of foster and biological kids being raised by two moms. Jo
Anna Johnson ("Make it or Break it"), Simon Fields, Benny Medina and Greg Gugliotta will also serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Nuyorican Productions, Inc., and Prodco, Inc.
