A total of 12 new and returning series are set to mark their debut as CTV today announced its new 2004 Summer Line-Up. CTV’s Original Summer schedule kicks off with the return of homegrown heavy weight Canadian Idol (June 1) and is followed two weeks later by one of the season’s most anticipated new series, The Casino, from Mark Burnett Productions.
Four new series in total will make their debut on CTV while eight others will mark their return to the schedule (see below for titles). The injection of new programming guarantees Canadians will have another wealth of first-run, original television programming for the summer.
Last year, CTV’s summer line-up stood alone and unchallenged as 19 of The Top 20 Summer programs were found on CTV as outlined in Addendum below (Source: BBM National, June 9 – Sept. 9, 2003, all viewers 2+).
The four new series are: relationship-meddler The Ultimate Love Test (June 2), MTV import Pimp My Ride (June 6), The Next Action Star from Joel Silver (June 14) and the aforementioned unscripted drama The Casino (June 14). Meanwhile, returning to the schedule are Canadian Idol (June 1), Punk’d (June 6), For Love or Money (June 7), The Simple Life (June 15), Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica (June 15), Nip/Tuck (June 24), The Osbournes (July 4) and The Amazing Race (July 6). Synopses can be found below.
CTV’s Original Summer also includes a slate of five original movies, airing weekly, beginning May 25. CTV will debut Burn: The Robert Wraight Story (May 25), Prom Queen (June 1), Sleep Murder (June 13), Zeyda and the Hitman (Father’s Day, June 20) and The Death and Life of Nancy Eaton (June 27).
“Building a powerful, first-run summer schedule that resonates with Canadians is a priority,” said Susanne Boyce, CTV’s President of Programming and Chair of the Media Group. “This summer, viewers can experience another diverse mix of intense drama, unpredictable reality and comic diversion.”
SYNOPSES – NEW SERIES
The Casino – 13 x 1 hour
Premieres Monday, June 14th @ 9pm ET
From left to right: Tom Breitling and Tim Poster take over The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas and attempt to bring it back to it’s glory days in The Casino.
From reality titan Mark Burnett – An extraordinary 24/7, behind-the-scenes look at the real-life dramas unfolding at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, as its new owners, Tim Poster and Tom Breitling, take over the business and attempt to bring back the glory of its “Rat Pack” heyday. Conceived by Burnett and production partner Conrad Riggs, The Casino goes beyond the challenges facing Poster and Breitling to explore the personal dramas unfolding among some of the 3,000 employees inside this world — from cocktail waitresses, to pit bosses, to security, management and entertainers. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, this real-life cast of characters runs an elaborate high-stakes operation that caters to visitors from around the world seeking the thrill of Vegas.
The Ultimate Love Test – 8 x 1 hour
Premieres Wednesday June 2nd @ 10pm
Four couples at a crossroads are offered one hundred thousand dollars to put their relationship to the test. One person is sent away with a date who embodies everything their current partner is not. The new suitor shows them the life they think they desire. And at the end of the series they must decide whether to return to their old situation or take their life in a whole new direction. Produced by Renegade Productions.
The Next Action Star – 10 x 1 hour
Premieres Monday, June 14th @ 10pm then
moves to to it’s regular timeslot; Tuesdays @ 8pm
From Joel Silver, executive producer of the box-office blockbusters Matrix and Die Hard – Daring, charismatic men and women from across the U.S. compete against one another to become America’s next high-powered male and female action heroes, winning not only a cash prize, but the chance to star in the made-for-television-movie, Hit Me (working title) produced by Silver Pictures. During the series, the 14 finalists get the star treatment, living together in a Hollywood Hills mansion, while enduring a rigorous schedule that includes daily acting lessons, combat and stunt training, underwater work, descender training, race car driving and wirework. Each week, the climax of the episode will be a film screen-test, involving a breath-taking stunt action sequence competition — and each week one pair of contestants will be eliminated — until the final two are named the Next Action Stars — earning the chance to star in the Silver Pictures movie, Hit Me, the series’ finale airing in August. A presentation of Silver Pictures Television, GRB Entertainment and NBC Studios.
Pimp My Ride – 10 x 30 mins
Premieres Sunday, June 14th @ 7:30pm ET
It’s the ultimate car show. With the help of celebrity car enthusiast, rapper Xzibit, and world famous aftermarket shop West Coast Customs, who has pimped out cars for Shaquille O’Neal, 50 Cent, and Ludacris, Pimp My Ride takes a fan whose car is in serious need of an automotive makeover and transforms the less-than-luxurious ride into a tricked out triumph. From custom rims and paint, to plush interiors and lowered suspensions, to the latest in lighting, car audio and video accessories – one lucky fan is getting hooked up! The makeover begins when hip-hop impresario and host Xzibit pays a surprise visit to a fan and takes the viewer on an amusing tour of the fan‘s “diamond in the rough,” pointing out some of the “problem areas.” Then, it‘s off to West Coast Customs, where the team strips down the car to its bare bones and completely refurbishes it. In a matter of days, the makeover is complete and the new ride will have been officially pimped!
SYNOPSES – RETURNING SERIES
Canadian Idol – 33 episodes
Returns Tuesday, June 1st @ 8pm ET
Left to right: Zack Werner, Sass Jordan, Farley Flex, Jake Gold
As previously announced. Host Ben Mulroney, judges Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan and Zack Werner and correspondent Jon Dore return for a second season in the search for the next Canadian Idol.
For Love or Money – 12 episodes (10 x 1hr, 2 x 2hr)
Returns Monday June 7th @ 9pm ET with a two hour show. It then moves to 8pm.
Last summer‘s hottest unscripted drama returns for a third edition and again centers on 15 beautiful women who will compete for the affections of one lucky man. Host Jordan Murphy (Boston Public) guides the contestants through numerous twists and turns as they try to win the heart of a handsome and charming entrepreneur. This season the series breaks new ground by introducing an all-new game and a whole new twist. And this time, the price of love is even greater. But no matter how different the game may be, we‘re back to that very same question – Who is in it for Love…and who is in it for Money?
Punk’d – 16 x 30 mins
Returns Sunday, June 6th @ 7pm ET
Presenting back-to-back episodes every week as master prankster Ashton Kutcher returns for a (who knew?) second season. This reality series makes superstars suffer for your viewing pleasure. Celebrities Punk‘d this season include Hillary Duff, Missy Elliot, Usher, Tommy Lee, Katie Holmes, Mya, Lara Flynn Boyle, Ashanti, Halle Berry, Nicole Richie, OutKast and Amber Tamblyn. Punk’d premieres Wednesday, June 16 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on The Comedy Network.
The Simple Life 2: Road Trip – 8 x 30 mins
Returns Tuesday, June 15th @ 9pm. It then moves to Wednesdays @ 9pm ET
Celebutantes and best friends, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, who adjusted to life on a farm, will pack up their Louis Vuitton bags and once again, take their Beverly Hills ways on a road trip across America.
Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica – 10 x 30 mins
Returns Tuesday, June 15th @ 9:30pm. Moves
to it’s regular timeslot, Wednesdays @ 9:30pm
Pop stars Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson open their mansion doors once again to document their second year of matrimony. Don‘t miss the parties, the performing, the love, and of course, the ‘Jessica Moments‘ as these two lovebirds make their celebrity marriage work.
Nip/Tuck -16 x 1 hour
Returns Thursday, June 24th @ 10pm ET
Set in the sexy world of Miami’s South Beach, this sequel season continues to star Julian McMahon, Dylan Walsh, Joely Richardson, John Hensley and Valerie Cruz. The season opens with guest stars Famke Janssen, (Xmen) and Vanessa Redgrave (Mrs. Dalloway). The series will air at 10 p.m. in all markets.
The Osbournes – 10 x 30 mins
Returns Sunday, July 4th @ 10pm with back-to-back episodes.
The Osbournes: (clockwise, from top) Sharon, Kelly, Rob, Jack, and Ozzy
They’re *^&$!k* back! Ozzy, Sharon and the kids return to the airwaves beginning in July. The series will continue to air in its uncensored format at 10 p.m. in all markets with episodes airing back-to-back, giving viewers a double dose of the Osbournes each week. This season, Sharon faces pressure from the powers that be behind her new talk show. Meanwhile, the Osbournes‘ property undergoes some re-decorating.
The Amazing Race – 13 x 1 hour (90 minute premiere)
Returns Tuesday, July 6th @ 9:/0pm with a 90 minute premiere. Moves the it’s regular timeslot Tuesdays @ 10pm.
The fifth edition of the Emmy Award-winning series The Amazing Race returns with a special 90-minute premiere. This season pits 11 teams of couples against one another in another heart-pounding race around the globe for a prize of $1 million.
Addendum – Final Standings, The Top 20, Summer 2003
June 9 – September 9/03
BBM National – All Viewers
RANK Program Channel
1 Canadian Idol (Perf) CTV
2 Canadian Idol (Results) CTV
3 C.S.I CTV
4 Amazing Race CTV
5 For Love or Money CTV
6 For Love or Money 2 CTV
7 Law & Order: SVU CTV
8 The OC CTV
9 C.S.I:Miami CTV
10 Amer. Juniors (Perf.) CTV
11 News: CTV Evening News CTV
12 Sopranos CTV
13 Law & Order: SVU CTV
14 Law & Order: C.I. CTV
15 Nip/Tuck CTV
16 Law & Order CTV
17 According To Jim CTV
18 Amer. Juniors (Results) CTV
19 Movie:Sunday CBC
20 Jeopardy/Access Hollywood CTV