TLC's NY INK to Return for Season Two, 12/29

On Thursday, December 29 at 9 PM ET/PT, TLC brings back its hit series NY INK for a second season with ten hour-long episodes. Season one followed Ami James as he put it all on the line to become the Tattoo King of New York. Brash and loud with a big personality and heart to match, Ami James became a household name thanks to the groundbreaking series MIAMI INK in 2005. As the first tattoo artist to gain such celebrity, this quick-tempered artist set his sights on dominating the birthplace of American tattoo style: New York City. Ami and the rest of the Wooster Street Social Club crew are back, and after all the struggles of getting the NYC shop up and running over the past year, WSSC is on the tattoo map and business is booming. People are lining up to get tattoos from New York's finest artists, but with more money comes more problems.

The rollercoaster ride continues in season two with all the drama, pranks, incredible stories and amazing artwork emblazoned on the skin. For the first time ever, viewers will get a look inside Ami's personal life, with touching moments between him and his daughter. But with Ami spread thin with the huge demand at the shop and the need to hire more tattoo artists, he sees his family much less. Ami asks Tim to help out at the shop, and even though Tim hates running the business, he wants to help his friend. Will this put a strain on their relationship? The rivalry continues between Ami and banished tattoo artist Chris Torres, as people are coming into the shop asking for the controversial tattoo artist. Ami sees that he's losing business because Chris is not there to take on the requests of native New Yorkers, but will Ami and Chris be able to bury the hatchet to benefit both of their careers?

Meanwhile, Ami's apprentice and BFF Billy wants less grunt work and more opportunities to do real tattoos. As he continues to see the newer tattoo artists getting the tattoos he wants to do, Billy confronts Ami and things get heated. Their personal and professional relationship could be affected forever. On the other hand, shop manager Jessica decides that she's going to study to be a tattooer on her own rather than wait for Ami or someone else to invite her to be their apprentice. The other tattoo artists at the shop frown upon this as it is a tradition to be an apprentice and have a mentor. Jessica, who is also a single mom, won't listen, and is determined to reach her goal in order to support herself and her daughter.

This season also delves into the love lives of Megan, Tommy and Robear. Tattoo artist Megan is the IT girl. Megan amps up her night life, and is hitting the clubs, the DJ booth, and drags Jessica to a pole dancing class. Tommy misses his family in LA, which is also taking a toll on him. Robear, who has always kept his love life light, has decided it's time he thinks about settling down. Megan, Jessica and the rest of the Wooster Street crew decide to make Robear their project while they look to find ways to spice up Robear's love life.

NY INK is produced by Original Media for TLC.

Season one of NY INK on DVD will be available in stores and online wherever DVDs are sold, beginning Tuesday, December 20.

About TLC:

TLC is a global brand that celebrates extraordinary people and relatable life moments through innovative nonfiction programming. A top 10 cable network for women, TLC has built successful franchises around the Cake Boss and Say Yes to the Dress brands. In the first half of 2011, TLC had 23 series averaging 1.0 million viewers or more including Extreme Couponing, Sister Wives, 19 Kids and Counting, What Not To Wear, and NY Ink.

TLC is available in more than 99 million homes in the US and 75 million households in 34 countries internationally. A destination online, TLC.com offers in-depth fan sites, exclusive video content, and original editorial covering style, home, food, and more. Fans can also interact with TLC via On Demand services, on mobile platforms, including an iPhone App, and through social media such as Facebook or @TLC on Twitter. TLC is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 210 countries and territories.