John R. Harrison - Just when the world thought its favorite B-rate celebrities were long gone from the
entertainment industry they seem to pop up in the most obvious of places, reality television. Anything but real, these programs have somehow given the B to D list actors, performers and entertainment personalities of the world a second opportunity to shine, and of course earn some much needed dollars. Recently some of these reality programs are popping up in not so obvious places, however, such as the highly respected A & E channel on satellite TV. Known for its range of historical biographies, A & E is taking a detour, perhaps in an attempt to boost ratings, towards reality and throwing into the mixed some of the most beloved personalities of yesterday. The network has enjoyed success with its first batch of reality programs like the popular "intervention series" so why mess with a good thing? Now deciding to take a turn on the new HD world of television with their made for TV makeovers and newfound dedication to performing arts, are celebs like David Hasselhoff, Bob Saget, Dee Snider and Tony Danza.
Part of a pitch to advertisers, the programs include eight new series the channel plans to air, and a range of scripted crime shows and even a movie remake produced by Ridley and Tony Scott. Some of the subject matter will include fat parents looking for weight loss assistance, eating disorders, and the general batch of "rehab" based entertainment for a variety of vices. Planned programming will also follow "rehab" patients in the months following their interventions, showing how the day to day successes are accomplished in real life rehabilitation cases, away from some of the scripted TV glamour.
Moving back to the stars of yesterday, programming featuring David Hasselhoff will find the actor starring in a program about a stage dad, attempting to help his daughter make it as a musician in the tough as nails recording industry. The modern legend Bob Saget will be taking a feather out of the travel program cap and trolling the world looking for strange cultures, practices and occupations which can be exploited for satellite TV viewing entertainment. Former Twisted Sister front-man Dee Snider will be following in the footsteps of the Osbournes with his program "Growing up Twisted," which will explore how an 80's pop culture icon's life translates to the ho-hum of suburbia including wife, house and kids. A little more in the vein of the A & E many people used to know, Tony Danza will be manning the program "Teach: Tony Danza" which puts him in the lead as the actual English Teacher of a Philadelphia high
school classroom.
If looking for more exciting crime programming on satellite TV, the new crime-show lineup will include "The Squad: Prison Police" which follows special agents who investigate prison crimes, and "The Peacemaker" which follows a violence prevention counselor. It doesn't stop there for new A & E action, from the new Scott movie drama to be aired on the network to a slew of other new programming, it seems A & E will be the overhaul channel of the summer television viewing season. Stay tuned into satellite TV to see how the new shows go over!
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