truTV to Introduce 'Bigger, Bolder, Broader' Original Programming

"Bigger, bolder, broader" is the watch cry as truTV adds several new original series to its production and development slate. The network is placing a strong emphasis on comedic and action-packed "actuality" programming designed to appeal to its young adult and young male audience. Projects in the works include a unique new game show set on an airplane, which is being developed by Howie Mandel and his Production Company, Alevy Productions. truTV has also ordered a pilot starring Shaquille O'Neal and developed by Fishbowl Worldwide Media, with America's Funniest Home Videos creator/executive producer Vin Di Bona and Tosh.0 co-creator Mike Gibbons among the executive producers.

Marc Juris, executive vice president and chief operating officer of truTV says, "We're programming with an eye towards creating content that works across multiple screens and establishing ourselves as a truly multi-platform brand."

For this year's Upfront, rather than putting on a single large presentation, truTV hit the road to conduct in-person meetings with small groups of key clients. "Given the rapidly changing media environment, we decided the big budget upfront presentation does not provide the opportunity to sit down and develop unique solutions for our clients," Juris said. "This year we don't want to pitch. We want to partner."

Looking ahead, truTV is working in the development arena to craft additional on-target series for the network's audience. truTV is specifically focusing on the comedic reality genre, with an eye toward shows that tap into the network's recent success with the acquired hit Wipeout.

Here's a rundown of what truTV has coming down the pike:

New Series

Killer Karaoke - New series premiering later this year

Unlike anything else on TV, popular comedian and Jackass star Steve-O hosts this outrageous singing contest that challenges contestants to break out in song in the midst of extreme, hilarious and sometimes skin-crawling physical challenges. The hits just keep on coming as contestants try to carry a tune under fire. Killer Karaoke comes to truTV from Zodiak USA, producer of the network's popular Hardcore Pawn and Lizard Lick Towing.

Guinness World Records Gone Wild - New series premiering later this year

A new series that challenges everyday people to push themselves to do astonishing things for their place in history. Among the records the show will set out to break are the most panes of glass run through in one minute, fastest time to jump over three oncoming cars and the highest dive into 12 inches of water. Guinness World Records Gone Wild is produced for truTV by High Noon Entertainment (Cake Boss, Tough Love).

Container Wars - Cast-contingent series

This auction show is unlike any other auction show on television, because this one takes place in a commercial shipping port. The cast will compete against each other to buy the contents of huge shipping containers that have come from all around the world. They have no idea what's inside the containers until the doors are opened. They then have only have a few minutes to assess what's visible and decide whether to bid. The winner of each container then checks the contents in greater detail and decides on the amount of profit or loss they are likely to make. Container Wars comes to truTV from T Group Productions.

Hardcore Pawn: Fort Bragg - New series premiering in July

Guns Plus is a truly unique pawn store that is a favorite of the thousands of soldiers stationed at Fort Bragg, as well as their proud families, friends and supporters. Located next to the legendary military base, Guns Plus is staffed by military veterans, including ex-Marines and Special Ops soldiers, who have an amazing first-hand knowledge of the rare and collectible weapons that come through their doors on a daily basis. For this series, viewers will be taken behind the scenes for very different look at the pawn business, focusing almost entirely on weapons and military equipment. Hardcore Pawn: Fort Bragg comes to truTV from Zodiak USA, producer of the network's popular Hardcore Pawn and Lizard Lick Towing.

Development

Upload with Shaquille O'Neal (Working Title)

truTV has ordered a pilot of this new series from the producers of Tosh.0 and America's Funniest Home Videos. Basketball superstar and TNT NBA analyst Shaquille O'Neal and friends will round up the week's online video clips, as well as create their own viral videos and comment on and parody current pop culture stories. This pilot comes to truTV from Fishbowl Worldwide Media founded by entertainment industry veterans Vin Di Bona and Bruce Gersh, with the creative team led by Susan Levison. Di Bona, Gersh, Levison and Beth Greenwald serve as executive producers, along with Tosh.0's Mike Gibbons.

Jeff & Curtis Lose Weight (Working Title)

This new series takes the weight-loss concept and puts a truTV unique spin on it. Comedy duo Jeff Sloniker and Curtis Rainsberry are struggling to maintain their diets and workout regime as they battle the bulge... and each other. Guided by their trainer, they will try extreme diets, attend absurd exercise classes and generally humiliate themselves physically in public for the sake of losing a pound or two. At the end of each episode, the guys will weigh in, and the loser will have to perform a humiliating task drawn from the "Bowl of Pain." Jeff & Curtis Lose Weight is being developed for truTV by Rive Gauche Television.

Turbulence (Working Title)

truTV takes off for one truly outrageous game show in the sky. As contestants fly from one location to another, they must answer questions. Every correct answer banks money for a big weekend blowout in Las Vegas. And every wrong answer makes the flight a little bit bumpier. Turbulence comes to truTV from Howie Mandel's Alevy Productions. Mandel says, "I couldn't be more excited to be working with truTV on a project that I am really passionate about."

Returning Series

World's Dumbest... - Season 14 begins Thursday, June 7, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)

Operation Repo - Season 10 begins Wednesday, June 6, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)

Lizard Lick Towing - Season 2 returns Monday, June 11, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)

Storage Hunters - Season 2 premieres Tuesday, June 12, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)

Hardcore Pawn - Season 6 coming in July

Vegas Strip - Season 3 coming in July

truTV offers an entertaining look at the real world through outrageous characters, unpredictable situations and irreverent storytelling. Currently seen in 92 million U.S. households, truTV features such popular original series as Hardcore Pawn, Full Throttle Saloon, Lizard Lick Towing, Storage Hunters, Impractical Jokers, Operation Repo, South Beach Tow, Black Gold and World's Dumbest... , as well as the acquired hit Wipeout. In addition, truTV is a partner in airing the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. During the daytime, the channel features expert trial coverage under the name In Session.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.