The CW today announced its schedule for Summer 2014, including the premieres of unscripted documentary series “Famous in 12,” comedies “Backpackers” and “Seed,” magic series “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” and “Masters of Illusion,” all-new episodes of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” and the return of “Beauty and the Beast.”
On Monday, June 2, “Whose Line is it Anyway?” moves to its new night, with original episodes at 8:00pm ET, followed by an encore episode at 8:30-9:00 pm ET. The romantic drama “Beauty and the Beast” then returns with original episodes at 9:00pm ET.
The all-new reality series “Famous in 12” premieres Tuesday, June 3 (8:00-9:00 pm ET). An unscripted series/social experiment, “Famous in 12” will film one fame-seeking family around the clock for 12 weeks straight. The family will be guided by the TMZ machine, which will create a series of opportunities for them. TMZ and Harvey Levin will help, and additional experts will be brought in throughout the course of the series to provide input and guidance on the path to fame, but it is up to the family to pull it off. Throughout their 12-week quest, the family will circulate through some of Los Angeles’ most populated – and popular – venues in order to seize opportunities that might come calling. Executive produced by David Garfinkle (“Naked and Afraid”), Jay Renfroe (“Naked and Afraid”) and Harvey Levin (“TMZ”), “Famous in 12” is from Renegade 83 and Harvey Levin Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television and Telepictures.
The original half-hour comedy “Backpackers” premieres Monday, July 14 (8:30-9:00 pm ET), following all-new episodes of “Whose Line.” Originally created as a digital series for The CW’s digital studio, CW Seed, “Backpackers” follows best friends Ryan (Noah Reid, “Titanic”) and Brandon (Dillon Casey, “Nikita”) as they race across Europe in search of Ryan’s missing bride-to-be, while also struggling with the eternal twenty-something question of what to do with their lives. When Ryan’s lost journal suddenly gets posted online and explodes across the internet, Ryan’s life dream of becoming a published author becomes real – if only he can track down the jerk who stole the journal. With Brandon’s slacker brother Andrew (Giacomo Gianniotti, “Reign”) in tow, they travel from Thailand to Canada in search of the missing journal, while also seeking the ultimate answers to life, love and partying.
“Backpackers” is produced by Shaftesbury U.S. and Smokebomb Entertainment, Shaftesbury’s award-winning digital media arm, in association with The CW Television Network. Developed for television and produced by Jay Bennett, “Backpackers” is executive produced by Maggie Murphy, Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie and Tom Mazza.
The half-hour comedy “Seed” premieres Monday, July 14 (9:30-10:00 pm ET), following encore episodes of “Whose Line.” From the creative team of Joseph Raso (“Zombies & Cheerleaders”) and award-winning writer/producer Mark Farrell (“This Hour Has 22 Minutes,” “Made in Canada,” “Corner Gas”), “Seed” tells the story of Harry (Adam Korson), a single, underachieving bachelor/bartender who is also a sperm donor. Harry reluctantly begins a relationship with three unique and separate recipient families – a laid-back lesbian couple with a 9-year-old son, a neurotically hopeful single mom-to-be, and an uptight, upper-class family with a rebellious teenage daughter – with whom he’ll come to share more than just his DNA. Produced by Force Four Entertainment.
“Seed” is executive produced by Joseph Raso, Mark Farrell, John Ritchie, Rob Bromley and Gillian Lowrey. The Force Four production team includes Supervising Producer Paula J. Smith (“Less Than Kind”) and Producer Karen Wentzell (“Trailer Park Boys”).
On “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” premiering Wednesday, July 30 (8:00-9:00 pm ET), aspiring magicians are invited to perform their best trick to try and fool the world-famous team of Penn & Teller. Anyone who succeeds wins the right to perform with Penn & Teller in their celebrated show at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The live studio audience and the TV audience watch along with Penn & Teller as they try to figure out the secrets. Penn and Teller see the trick only once and have to immediately try to work it out. The live studio audience knows there are no camera tricks, secret edits or helpful camera cuts. This is all real magic. British television and radio personality Jonathan Ross (“Friday Night with Jonathan Ross”) serves as host. P”Penn & Teller: Fool Us” is produced by September Films (part of DCD Media) for ITV, with executive producers Peter Adam Golden, David Green, Peter Davey and Andrew Golder.
Hosted by actor Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”), “Masters of Illusion” premieres Friday, August 1 (8:00-8:30 pm ET) with great escapes, fascinating sleight-of-hand and large scale illusions, all in front of a studio audience. The series features amazing magic performed by cutting-edge illusionists and escape artists, and performers in each episode display skills ranging from perplexing interactive mind magic to hilarious comedy routines. Live audience members and viewers at home will be baffled by the astounding skills of these modern illusionists.
“Masters of Illusion” is from Associated Television International with executive producers David McKenzie (“The 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards,” “Marie”), Al Schwartz (“The 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards,” “The Golden Globe Awards” 2013 & 2014, “The Gulf is Back”), Gay Blackstone (“The World Magic Awards” 2007-2009) and David Martin (“Marie”), along with co-executive producers Justin Pierce (“The Rocky Saga: Going the Distance”) and Jim Romanovich (“Inside Story: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”).
