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NYC Television Week 40 Under 40 Event to Showcase Media Innovators
It is the boldest survival experiment ever attempted. Ten participants enter the wilderness carrying only what they can fit in a small backpack. They are alone in harsh, unforgiving terrain with a single mission–stay alive as long as they can. They must hunt, build shelters and fend off predators. They will endure extreme isolation and psychological distress as they plunge into the unknown and document the experience themselves. No camera crew. No producers. It is the ultimate test of one’s will to survive.
Matt Simmons and Dr. Lorin Lindner run Lockwood Animal Rescue Center (LARC) a sanctuary that rescues wolves and wolf dogs from life-threatening situations. They are joined by a team of combat veterans, working to overcome the traumas of war.
Counting Cars follows Danny Koker, a.k.a. “The Count”, owner of the successful Counts Kustoms in Las Vegas, Nevada. The count has learned how to make a good business out of his extreme car addiction. He’ll do anything to find that perfect car. Each episode will follow the Count and his team as they hit the road on missions to find and buy American Classic Cars all over the country. To keep the money rolling in, the Count runs his business in the fast lane, often times, picking, buying and selling cars for resale in record time. Geared up on History.
The Book of John Gray is a dramedy docu-follow hybrid about the life of John Gray and his uniquely humorous way of helping people. John, who is an associate pastor at Houston’s Lakewood Church under Pastor Joel Osteen, is just beginning to achieve success. Known for his loud, hilarious, unconventional ways, John will give viewers unprecedented and intimateaccess into his church and home life. John uses his deep convictions, hard-earned wisdom and famous sense of humor to help people overcome their greatest challenges, all while facing his own everyday struggles as a husband and father.
Do you want to build a better future for yourself? Inspiring Life With Lewis Howes can help you do that. Lewis Howes and experts Gabby Bernstein, Jay Shetty, Gretchen Rubin, & Ramit Sethi help you overcome everyday challenges to live your greatest life.
Long before banks, ATMS and check-cashing services, there were pawn shops. Pawning was the leading form of consumer credit in the United States until the 1950s, and pawn shops are still helping everyday people make ends meet. Pawn Stars takes you inside the colorful world of the pawn business. At the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop on the outskirts of Las Vegas, three generations of the Harrison family–grandfather Richard, son Rick and grandson Corey–jointly run the family business, and there’s clashing and camaraderie every step of the way. The three men use their sharp eyes and skills to assess the value of items from the commonplace to the truly historic, including a 16th-century samurai sword, a Super Bowl ring, a Picasso painting and a 17th-century stay of execution. It’s up to them to determine what’s real and what’s fake, as they reveal the often surprising answer to the questions on everyone’s mind, “What’s the story behind it?” and “What’s it worth?”
During the program, audiences will learn about a great white called “El Monstruo,” or “The Monster,” which was found off the coast of Cuba in 1945. You’ll watch two teams of researchers try and find both a shark the size of the legendary great white, as well as a hammerhead called “The Queen” — both off the coast of the small, Caribbean nation.
“Killer Curves” is an original documentary film that explores the often dangerous trend of Black women who are increasingly turning to black-market surgery to enlarge their backsides to mirror the exaggerated curves of pop-culture stars such as Nicki Minaj, Kim Kardashian, and Cardi B.
Two weeks into the 1987 season, the NFL’s players went on strike. As the strike fanned fires across the country, no one felt the heat more than the 1500 replacement players, who were caught in the crosshairs of media fueled controversy between owners, players and fans alike.
American Grit is a new competition series starring WWE Superstar John Cena. Sixteen of the country’s toughest men and women will be split into four teams as they work together to face a variety of military-grade and survival-themed challenges. Cena and an elite group of mentors from the nation’s most exclusive military units will push these civilians beyond their limits. With up to a million dollars of prize money at stake, this is the ultimate test of strength, grit, the human spirit and most importantly, teamwork.
American Restoration follows Rick Dale and his crew of loose screws at Rick’s Restorations in Las Vegas, Nevada. Every day they they take rusty, beat-up items and restore them to their original glory. Whether it’s a giant gas pump from the 1940s or a Hopalong Cassidy bicycle from the 1950s, every restoration has high-end stakes as worthless rust is transformed into a valuable collectible. Every project presents a new set of challenges as Rick and his team strive to finish the job flawlessly and on time. The items Rick restores are part of the fabric that make up America’s culture. At Rick’s Restorations, everything old gets a second life.
Witness a modern-day medical marvel with an inside look at the body’s most amazing, most complex machine: the brain. Brain Surgery Live takes viewers into an operating room during an awake craniotomy, a procedure in which a portion of the skull is removed and the brain is operated on while the patient is fully awake and able to speak with the surgeons. There has never been a television show like this – offering a live view into the centre of a living brain.
In a California memorabilia shop in 2010, collector Randy Guijarro bought a tintype that looked to be a familiar figure, Billy the Kid – playing croquet with his gang known as The Regulators. As the gravity of the discovery began to set in, Guijarro initiated a chain of events that would lead him on a painstaking journey to verify the photograph’s authenticity.
A TV show that follows a group of up-and-coming movers and shakers in New York’s elite circles of real estate, fashion, and media. The all-female cast includes former “video vixen” turned realtor Melyssa Ford, real estate partner Brie Bythewood, modeling agency owner Mica Hughes, affordable-style expert Daisy Lewellyn, A Belle in Brooklyn blogger and author Demetria Lucas, and style and pop culture journalist Geneva S. Thomas. From Harlem to Brooklyn, life in the big city often resembles a small town when the women cross paths in their personal and professional lives. The self-starters built their reputations and successes without the help of a man, but they never underestimate the power of a girlfriend’s support. These independent ladies are aggressive in their pursuit of personal and career goals, but will the cost of success prove too steep as they climb their way to the top?
“Have vet, will travel” isn’t printed on his business cards, but it succinctly describes Dr. Bartholomew Buckeye Bottoms’ dedication to serving hundreds of clients across Hawaii who depend on his mobile veterinarian practice. Since 2007, Dr. Bottoms has delivered life-saving treatment to sick animals large and small on the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island, and Kauai. As seen in hourlong episodes of this reality series, Buckeye prides himself on going where other vets won’t — with his truck as his office, and faithful canine companion Kevin always by his side. Buckeye, by the way, is the son of actor Timothy Bottoms.
NFL Network takes you inside the story of the northern-most football team in the United States and the extreme conditions they battle on a daily basis to play the game they love.
The war began over a hundred years ago at a town dance in Hardy, Arkansas, when a member of the Evans family started a fight with the Russells that allegedly resulted in three deaths. The bad blood between the Evanses and the Russells escalated steadily throughout the years, and today, tensions are running higher than ever, forcing all who live in Hardy to pick a side – with Crowbar Russell or Kerry Wayne Evans.
Connecticut is home to some of the richest suburbs in America, but that doesn’t mean it’s impervious to pests. The state is infested with white-tailed deer, infamous for causing car accidents and spreading Lyme disease. That’s where Mike Andronaco and his buddies come in. The gang keeps the deer population at bay by hunting on the sprawling properties of wealthy landowners. Mike gets the meat and the residents get some relief, but it’s not that simple: a culture clash is unleashed when the arrows begin to fly.
America’s Most Badass details the exciting untold badass side of American icons. This season will feature the stories of Benjamin Franklin, Harry Houdini, Neil Armstrong, and other legendary figures – all in an effort to show how truly badass they were
Following boat captains as they navigate dangerous backwaters throughout the U.S.
Pawn Stars personalities Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell are panelists as contestants answer questions for a chance to win cash and items for sale from the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop.
Follows three generations of the Sumner family who run Knob Creek Gun Range, their family owned business in Knob Creek, Kentucky. At Knob Creek Gun Range, it’s up to the Sumner family to keep things running smoothly as customers use, try out and even purchase and sell weapons across a broad spectrum of firearms, from a cannon to a machine gun. They can even blow up whatever they bring to the range.
Oddities dives into the world of weird. Extraordinary science artifacts can be found in New York’s Obscura Antiques & Oddities. No item or story is too peculiar for the shops owners, Mike and Evan, nor are any lengths too great to get what they are after. From human bones to taxidermy pieces, the duo will hit the road to obtain whatever it is their client demands. In every episode, Mike and Evan employ their intuition and expertise to identify what’s the real deal, and what shouldn’t make the cut. No matter the odds, they always deliver.
Odd Folks Home steps into the lives of the intriguing customers that frequent Obscura Antiques & Oddities. These oddball customers are taking us into uncharted territories, as they tour their own home, showing off their unusual collections. These odd characters have a passion and expertise for their collections of scientific artifacts. Our guides will recount tales of their favorite collections, from antique automatrons to taxidermied beasts. In this show no two collections are the same! After years of careful hunting, these collections have shocking monetary and scientific value
Ball Boys follows the sports memorabilia business at the iconic Robbie’s 1st Base in Baltimore, MD. The shop’s run by the charming family-like sports fanatics who work there – Robbie Sr. and Junior, Sweet Lou and Shaggy. More than just a shop, Robbie’s First Base is like an old school barbershop where everyone has an opinion and is eager to share their stories and love of the game. Ball Boys features a wide range of transactions, some highly successful and others a sore disappointment. There’s no shortage of staff outings and straight-up trash talk with famous athletes and sports fans from around the nation. These guys know it all, and their enthusiasm for the world of sports is unbeatable.
These two powerhouses are well-respected in their individual fields. Bethenny Frankel is a self-made businesswoman who founded Skinnygirl Cocktails and expanded the Skinnygirl brand into a lifestyle empire. Fredrik Eklund is one of the top real estate entrepreneurs in New York City, with more than $5 billion in residential sales over the past 11 years. Together they’e got big ambitions to renovate properties and make a huge profit. With millions of their own money on the line, along with years of friendship, they tackle the ups and downs of scouting, buying, and designing multimillion-dollar homes. Putting two big personalities on the same job definitely creates a lot of funny moments, but it also comes with plenty of challenges as they try to stay on the same page. Beyond finding the properties to flip, they have to balance Fredrik’s caviar taste for furnishings with Bethenny’s penchant for staying on budget. Can they navigate the crazy world of real estate while maintaining their personal lives, all without killing each other?
How did a ticket to a boxing match seal the fate of notorious mobster Lucky Luciano? What does a farmer’s seed planter have to do with making America a superpower? And how did an X-Ray machine give Teddy Roosevelt the keys the White House? Sometimes the biggest moments depend on the smallest details-and the most ordinary objects. Buried in attics, hidden in private collections, and secreted away in the rarely seen archives are artifacts, objects and curiosities that come together to tell the epic story of America. From the producers of Pawn Stars and featuring Rick Harrison, United Stuff of America is a cross-country treasure hunt that uncovers America’s most fascinating stuff, and the unexpected stories it reveals about us and our most epic and notorious moments. This isn’t history from a textbook; it’s history that you can hold in your hands.
The baddest bosses of ATL’s hair game are back & ready to battle for the top. Maja still holds the crown, but when a new enemy makes her a target & Mushiya’s a “natural” threat, Maja won’t go down without a fight! Beautii looks to Maja to invest in her new venture while LaKenya bets Mushiya may have better bundles than Maja. Dedra’s new partner in crime, Tre’ is ambitious while highbrow salon owner, Stephen befriends Maja as a business move.
San Francisco puts a West-Coast spin on Science’s mega-hit series ODDITIES. The show follows crazy transactions as big, odd memorable characters come in out of the famed store Loved To Death, located in the heart of San Francisco. The shop’s cases and walls are overflowing with rare scientific curiosities; there’s something for everyone on the sales floor. This oddball staff led by shop owner, Audra, is always leaving the shop to hunt for more strange and obscure pieces to add to the inventory. Unique items and customers cycle through their doors each day, in addition to the wild experiences that happen outside the shop’s walls: This cast of characters have come to expect the unexpected.
“The Governor’s Wife” follows former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards and his 34-year-old wife, Trina, as they redefine a “new normal” in the new South. Edwin Edwards, now 85 years old and still dubbed the “King of Louisiana,” shocked the state (and his family) when he married Trina Grimes Scott, a woman 50 years his junior. This colorful couple heads a newly combined family comprised of Edwin’s daughters, Anna, a 62-year-old, four-time divorcée and Victoria, a hardened 60-year-old ex-showgirl, along with Trina’s sons from a previous marriage, Logan, 15 and Trevor, 13.
Swamp’d! is your riverboat to a remote town of people who live off of the land and are the masters of a domain not witnessed by most: the deep swamp of the Louisiana bayou. The show centers around P’Maw and the tiny bait shop he runs in Pierre Part, Louisiana. The shop acts as a Town Hall for this community of incredibly colorful characters.
The Principal’s Office is an outlandish series that takes viewers behind-the-scenes with some of America’s most dedicated school administrators. The show is an all-access yet lighthearted look at what happens behind the feared principal’s office doors. From unbelievable excuses to thwarted threats made on school property, these administrators have seen it all. Kids really do say the darndest things, especially when it comes to getting out of detention. Get both sides of the story as students speak up, and the principals lay down the law.
Its ratings-grabbing shows are rooted in breakthrough formats, strong storytelling and unforgettable casting; while covering a wide range of genres from bold survival, build and adventure to character-driven documentary, comedy, and infotainment.
Based in New York and Los Angeles, Leftfield is consistently churning out exceptional original programming that is developed internally and fueled by the industry’s best and largest casting team. In addition to original concept production, Leftfield also prides itself in forging great partnerships with independent producers and talent who want to collaborate on making their ideas a reality and finding a home in the competitive marketplace.
NYC Television Week 40 Under 40 Event to Showcase Media Innovators
EIN PresswireNYC Television Week 40 Under 40 Event to Showcase Media Innovators
NEW YORK, USA, July 24, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — Future US, the leading information and event producer for professional communications, entertainment and education technology markets, has announced its 2019 selections for NYC Television Week’s 40 Under 40 Awards.
Honorees will be recognized on the evening of October 30th, 2019 at 230 Fifth Penthouse in New York City.
“NYC Television Week’s 40 Under 40 Awards recognize the media innovators who are redefining the media landscape in an age of change,” said Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News VP and Global Editor-in-Chief, Bill Gannon. “As television evolves into a personalized video delivery model, businesses are transforming. This is a new Golden Age of media and we’re proud to recognize some of the individuals whose vision and hard work are having a profound impact.”
This year’s honorees include:
1. Daniel Alvarez, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations
2. Matthew Barnes, Disney Advertising Sales
3. Leonardo Bittan, HBO Latin America
4. Sebastian Burkhardt, Keshet International
5. Josh Clarke, Viacom
6. Jessica Daigle, TEGNA
7. Yoel Flohr, AMC Networks
8. Abe Geiger, Hudson MX
9. Ryan Gould, WarnerMedia
10. Ross Habif, A+E Networks
11. Evan Hills, Dstillery
12. Keith P. Hopkins, Nexstar Media
13. Terry Hurlbutt, ABC News
14. Sarah Jensen, Crown Media Family Networks
15. J-T Ladt, Fuse Media
16. Alison Levin, Roku
17. Erin Lim, E! Entertainment
18. Andrea Lipstein, Nielsen
19. Lauren Lumsden, Condé Nast Entertainment
20. Katie Maloney, CAA
21. Joseph Markowski, DAZN
22. Osvaldo “Ozzie” Martinez, Telemundo Station Group
23. Allison Martucci, Google
24. Benjamin Maughan, TiVo
25. Andrew McCollum, Philo
26. Tom McLoughlin, NY Interconnect
27. Roy Meyeringh, beIN SPORTS
28. Stefanie Meyers, STARZ
29. Kimberli O’Meara, INSP
30. Samira Panah Bakhtiar, Amazon Web Services
31. Kristi Salmon, Mediacom Communications Corporation
32. Austin Scott, Freewheel, A Comcast Company
33. Elisa Segovia, Univision
34. Sandra Smith, FOX News Channel
35. Andre Swanston, Tru Optik
36. Dana Ucciferri, Bloomberg
37. Lindsay Van Kirk, Xandr
38. Shawn Witt, Leftfield Pictures
39. Tristan Zimmerman, Debmar-Mercury
40. Kate Zuckerman, CBS News
Realscreen Awards: 2019 Winners
RealscreenNon-Fiction: Sports Documentaries
30 For 30: Year of the Scab
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: ESPN
Production Company: TEN100 and Leftfield Pictures
Executive Producer (Production Company): John Dorsey; Andrew Stephan; Brent Montgomery; David George
Executive Producer (Network): Libby Geist; Connor Schell; John Dahl
Non-Fiction: Archive-Based Programming
Wild Wild Country
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: Netflix
Production Company: A Duplass Brothers Production in association with Stardust Frames Productions and Submarine Entertainment
Executive Producer (Production Company): Mark Duplass; Jay Duplass; Josh Braun; Dan Braun
Non-Fiction: History & Biography
I Am Heath Ledger
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: Spike TV
Production Company: Network Entertainment
Executive Producer (Production Company): Paul Gertz; Robert Pirooz; Kent Wingerak; Derik Murray; Matt Amato; Tim Gamble; Steve Kotlowitz; Greg Zeschuk; Sandra Lim; Peter Scarth
Executive Producer (Network): Kevin Kay; Jon Slusser; Jaimee Kosanke
Non-Fiction: Social Issues & Current Affairs
TABOO
Original Broadcast Country: Belgium
Network/Platform: VRT- één
Production Company: Panenka
Executive Producer (Production Company): Kato Maes; Tom Lenaerts
Lifestyle: Food
Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: VH1
Production Company: Sequential Brands Group; Merry Jane and 495 Productions
Executive Producer (Production Company): SallyAnn Salsano; Martha Stewart; Kim Miller Olko; Snoop Dogg; Ted Chung
Executive Producer (Network): Nina L. Diaz; Trevor Rose; Paul Ricci; Fernando Mills and Paula Aranda
Lifestyle: Home (Design, Renovation Etc.)
Escape to the Chateau
Original Broadcast Country: United Kingdom
Network/Platform: Channel 4
Production Company: Kindling Media, a division of Spark Media Partners
Executive Producer (Production Company): Dale Templar; Steve Havers; Mark Baker
Lifestyle: Travel & Exploration
My Year with The Tribe
Original Broadcast Country: UK
Network/Platform: BBC Two
Production Company: Keo Films
Executive Producer (Production Company): Will Anderson and Andrew Palmer
Executive Producer (Network): Clare Paterson
Digital and Branded Content: Brand-Funded Content
Cold As Balls
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: YouTube (Laugh Out Loud Network’s YouTube channel)
Production Company: OBB Pictures
Executive Producer (Production Company): Michael D. Ratner; Sean Thomas Spencer; Scott Ratner; Eric D. Cohen; Kfir Goldberg; Dave Becky
Executive Producer (Network): Kevin Hart; Jeff Clanagan
Digital and Branded Content: Web Series/Programs – Non Fiction
Way Of The Wildcard
Original Broadcast Country: UK
Network/Platform: Red Bull Media House
Production Company: Just So Films
Executive Producer (Production Company): Jonny Madderson; Jono Stevens
Executive Producer (Network): Paul Shepherd
Digital and Branded Content: Web Series/Programs – Reality & Lifestyle
House Hunters Kids
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: People.com; HGTV
Production Company: Scripps Productions
Executive Producer (Network): Scott Brun
Non-Fiction: Crime & Investigation
The Trial: A Murder in the Family
Original Broadcast Country: UK
Network/Platform: Channel 4
Production Company: Dragonfly Film & Television
Executive Producer (Production Company): Emma Loach; Jonathan Smith
Non-Fiction: Arts & Culture
Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: Hulu
Production Company: Rare Bird Films
Non-Fiction: Environmental & Natural History
The Mountain Lion and Me
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: Smithsonian Channel
Production Company: Vision Hawk Films
Executive Producer (Production Company): Casey Anderson; Denny Staggs
Executive Producer (Network): Tria Thalman; David Royle
Non-Fiction: Science & Technology
A User’s Guide to Cheating Death
Original Broadcast Country: Canada
Network/Platform: VisionTV
Production Company: Peacock Alley Entertainment
Executive Producer (Production Company): Carrie Mudd
Executive Producer (Network): Moses Znaimer
Reality: Constructed Reality
Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds
Original Broadcast Country: England
Network/Platform: Channel 4
Production Company: CPL Productions
Executive Producer (Production Company): Trish Powell; Benjamin Leigh; Murray Boland; Danielle Lux
Executive Producer (Network): Lucy Leveugle
Reality: Docusoap
Wahlburgers
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: A&E
Production Company: 44 Blue Productions in association with Closest to the Hole Productions; Donnie D Productions & Leverage Entertainment
Executive Producer (Production Company): Mark Wahlberg; Donnie Wahlberg; Stephen Levinson; Rasha Drachkovitch; Sara Quick & David Hale
Executive Producer (Network): Devon Hammonds
Reality: Docureality
Born This Way
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: A&E
Production Company: Bunim Murray Productions
Executive Producer (Production Company): Gil Goldschein; Jonathan Murray; Laura Korkorian Executive Producer (Network): Elaine Frontain Bryant; Shelly Tatro
Competition: Game/Quiz Show
Hollywood Game Night
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: NBC Production Company: Universal Television Alternative Studio with Mission Control Media and Hazy Mills Productions
Executive Producer (Production Company): Sean P. Hayes; Todd Milliner; Michael Agbabian; Dwight D. Smith
Executive Producer (Network): Michael Binkow
Competition: Lifestyle
MasterChef Junior
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: FOX
Production Company: Endemol Shine North America; One Potato Two Potato
Executive Producer (Production Company): Elisabeth Murdoch; Robin Ashbrook; Adeline Ramage Rooney; Gordon Ramsay; Pat Llewellyn; Ben Adler; Eden Gaha; Georgie Hurford-Jones
Competition: Talent/Studio-Based
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: VH1
Production Company: World of Wonder
Executive Producer (Production Company): RuPaul Charles; Fenton Bailey; Randy Barbato; Tom Campbell; Steven Corfe; Mandy Salangsang
Executive Producer (Network): Pamela Post; Tim Palazzola
Competition: Reality Game
American Ninja Warrior
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: NBC
Production Company: A. Smith & Co. Productions and Tokyo Broadcasting System
Executive Producer (Production Company): Arthur Smith; Kent Weed; Anthony Storm; Brian Richardson
Best New Format
Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds
Original Broadcast Country: England
Network/Platform: Channel 4
Production Company: CPL Productions
Executive Producer (Production Company): Trish Powell; Benjamin Leigh; Murray Boland; Danielle Lux
Executive Producer (Network): Lucy Leveugle
Award of Excellence: Competition
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: VH1
Production Company: World of Wonder
Executive Producer (Production Company): RuPaul Charles; Fenton Bailey; Randy Barbato; Tom Campbell; Steven Corfe; Mandy Salangsang
Executive Producer (Network): Pamela Post; Tim Palazzola
Award of Excellence: Lifestyle
My Year with The Tribe
Original Broadcast Country: UK
Network/Platform: BBC Two
Production Company: Keo Films
Executive Producer (Production Company): Will Anderson and Andrew Palmer
Executive Producer (Network): Clare Paterson
Award of Excellence: Digital & Branded Content
Way Of The Wildcard
Original Broadcast Country: UK
Network/Platform: Red Bull Media House
Production Company: Just So Films
Executive Producer (Production Company): Jonny Madderson; Jono Stevens
Executive Producer (Network): Paul Shepherd
Award of Excellence: Non-Fiction
I Am Heath Ledger
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: Spike TV
Production Company: Network Entertainment
Executive Producer (Production Company): Paul Gertz; Robert Pirooz; Kent Wingerak; Derik Murray; Matt Amato; Tim Gamble; Steve Kotlowitz; Greg Zeschuk; Sandra Lim; Peter Scarth
Executive Producer (Network): Kevin Kay; Jon Slusser; Jaimee Kosanke
Award of Excellence: Reality
Born This Way
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: A&E
Production Company: Bunim Murray Productions
Executive Producer (Production Company): Gil Goldschein; Jonathan Murray; Laura Korkorian
Executive Producer (Network): Elaine Frontain Bryant; Shelly Tatro
Diversity & Inclusion
RISE
Original Broadcast Country: USA
Network/Platform: Viceland
Production Company: Vice Media
Executive Producer (Production Company): Heather Rae; Jordan Roberts; Tania Natscheff; Bernardo Loyola; Patrick McGuire
Executive Producer (Network): Spike Jonze; Eddy Moretti; Shane Smith; Michael Kronish
David Lyle Maverick Award
Randy Barbato & Fenton Bailey – World of Wonder Productions
Hall of Fame
SallyAnn Salsano
Exclusive: Andrew Schechter joins Leftfield Pictures as SVP, development
Daniele AlciniiLong-time network and development executive Andrew Schechter has been appointed senior VP of development at ITV America-owned production company Leftfield Pictures.
Reporting to Leftfield co-presidents Shawn Witt and Gretchen Palek, Schechter is tasked with overseeing the entire content development slate for Leftfield Pictures across all platforms.
Schechter joins Leftfield following a seven-year tenure at Scripps Networks, where he most recently served as VP of programming and development across Food Network, Cooking Channel and Travel Channel, developing such series as Guy’s Grocery Games, Cooks vs. Cons and Burgers, Brew & ‘Que.
Additionally, Schechter oversaw hundreds of hours of acclaimed unscripted culinary programming and worked with talent including Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Giada De Laurentiis, Anthony Anderson, Curtis Stone, Andrew Zimmern and Buddy Valastro.
Prior to Scripps, Schechter was a producer at Animal Planet, where his credits include I Shouldn’t Be Alive and Hillbilly Handfishin’, and was also a story producer on Discovery’s Whale Wars.
“Andrew is an integral piece of the Leftfield Pictures strategy as the label continues to bolster its growing slate,” said Witt and Palek in a joint statement. “His creativity and proven track record across multiple genres are invaluable assets as we usher in a new chapter of disruptive content.”
News of Schechter’s hiring follows on the heels of Leftfield’s recent series greenlights, including a Lewis Howes-hosted talk series for Facebook Watch and Animal Planet’s Wolves & Warriors. Leftfield’s survival series Alone was recently renewed for a fifth season on History
ITV’s Leftfield Pictures set for Facebook talk show
Kaltrina BylykbashiAnimal Planet Orders ‘Wolves & Warriors,’ Which Pairs Combat Vets With, Well, Wolves (Exclusive)
Tony MaglioAwoooooooo! Animal Planet has ordered new series “Wolves & Warriors,” which will pair combat vets suffering from PTSD with rescued wolves, TheWrap has learned exclusively.
Premiering later this year, “Wolves & Warriors” features U.S. Navy veteran Matt Simmons and Dr. Lorin Lindner, a clinical psychologist, the husband and wife team behind the Lockwood Animal Rescue Center (LARC). LARC has a unique purpose: to rescue wolves from dangerous domestic situations, illegal breeding operations, petting zoos and abuse or neglect scenarios and then introduce them to combat veterans suffering from PTSD, per Animal Planet’s official logline.
The program provides veterans the opportunity to heal the wounds of war, by personally caring for the 50 wolves at the sanctuary, it continued. LARC is closed to the public so rescue wolves and warriors meet in a safe and private space as they begin their journeys to recovery after the traumas they’ve suffered.
“Wolves & Warriors” is produced for Animal Planet by Leftfield Pictures where Gretchen Palek, Shawn Witt, Jason Carey, Dave Luce and Justin Comins serve as executive producers. For Animal Planet, Keith Hoffman is executive producer and Sarah Russell is producer.
Leftfield Pictures Ups Pair to Co-President Role (Exclusive)
Lacey RoseLeftfield Pictures is promoting from within.
Veteran executives Gretchen Palek and Shawn Witt are being elevated to co-presidents of the ITV America company, while Joe Weinstock is being upped to senior vp development. As part of the shuffle, Will Nothacker, who currently serves as senior vp development for Leftfield, will take on an expanded role within parent ITV America.
“In Gretchen, Shawn and Joe, we are bringing together a stellar team of executives, each with specific skill sets to lead Leftfield into a constantly evolving marketplace,” said ITV America president David George, to whom Palek and Witt will report, adding: “Their knowledge of each aspect of the market and their previous work at various networks, along with their understanding of the network business model and how it is changing, will enable us to evolve and adapt alongside our business partners.”
Collectively, the newly upped trio has logged 12 years at the unscripted powerhouse founded by ITV America CEO Brent Montgomery, who has been vocal about challenges — many of them, he believes, driven by a growing risk aversion on the network side — facing the unscripted business. Upon getting the top job at ITV in late 2015, Montgomery told THR: “We’re in a very chaotic time in the industry, and chaos creates opportunity.” (Montgomery famously sold New York-based Leftfield to ITV for $360 million in mid-2014.)
Witt joined the company behind Pawn Stars and Counting Cars in 2011. In that time, it has overseen such series as History’s Alone and Forged in Fire as well as FYI’s Tiny House Nation and NatGeo’s Brain Surgery Live. Palek came two years later, and has subsequently headed one of the unscripted industry’s largest casting and talent departments, which services the majority of the ITV America companies. She has spearheaded casting efforts on such shows as Netflix’s Queer Eye reboot, Fox’s American Grit and OWN’s The Book of John Gray.
For his part, Weinstock, who was hired in 2015, previously served as head of West Coast development for Leftfield, where he was responsible for the development of shows including NFL Network’s Tackle My Ride, Discovery’s Carspotting and Nat Geo’s Billy the Kid: Lost Evidence. In his new role, he’ll oversee all development on both coasts.
National Geographic to Air First Live Brain Surgery on TV (Exclusive)
Kate StanhopeHosted by Bryant Gumbel, the two-hour event will take viewers inside an awake deep brain stimulation surgery via handheld and robotic cameras in the operating room.
National Geographic Channel is going where U.S. television has never been before.
The network will air the first-ever live brain surgery later this month, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The two-hour event, titled Brain Surgery Live with Mental Floss, will give viewers an up-close look at an awake deep brain stimulation surgery. Filming will take place via two handheld cameras well as several robotic cameras with inputs directly in the doctors’ surgical equipment, allowing viewers to see live images as the brain is being operated on in real time. The special will mix live coverage from the operating room at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio with pre-produced informative packages on the brain.
Used to treat essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease, DBS surgery is an elective procedure in which an opening is made in the skull to access the brain. The patient is fully awake and able to speak while the brain is being operated on, which allows neurologists to know if they’ve pinpointed the affected area of the brain. Because of the delicacy of the procedure, it is only performed at select medical centers such as UH Case Medical Center, which helped to develop the surgical theater 3D surgical simulator that is used to map out the surgery and will be featured in the broadcast.
Bryant Gumbel will host Brain Surgery Live with commentary from neurosurgeon Dr. Rahul Jandial and neuroscientist and podcast host Cara Santa Maria. The event will air on Sunday, Oct. 25 on the National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Mundo and in 171 countries and 45 different languages. The show will be broadcast live on both the East Coast (9 p.m. ET) and West Coast (6 p.m. PT), and in countries including the United Kingdom, Latin America, France, Germany, Turkey, Australia and select parts of Asia. Other regions will air live to tape.
Emmy-winning director Joe Michaels (the Today show) and veteran news producer Robert Wheelock (Good Morning America) will helm the live broadcast, which is being produced by Leftfield Pictures. Wheelock will executive produce with Leftfield Pictures’ Brent Montgomery, David George, Shawn Witt, Gretchen Palekand Scott Miller, Mental Floss’ Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur, and National Geographic Channels’ Char Serwa and Mike J. Miller.
“We continue to celebrate the brain, inspiring and feeding viewers’ wonder and curiosity about the most complex and mysterious organ in the human body,” said Tim Pastore, National Geographic Channel president of original programming and production, in a statement. “We’re offering a real-time look into the center of a living brain that we hope will illuminate and teach, as well as tell a story that is unforgettable.”
Added George: “It’s extremely gratifying to offer National Geographic viewers around the world the chance to share in a life-changing medical experience, as it is happening, to highlight the extraordinary talent and commitment of a renowned medical team and institution, and to illuminate the wonders and complexities of the human brain.”
The neurosurgerical team will include Dr. Jonathan Miller, UH Case Medical Center’s director of the Center for Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery; Dr. Benjamin Walter, director of the Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Center and medical director of UH Case Medical Center’s Deep Brain Stimulation Program; and neurosurgeon Dr. Jennifer Sweet. The patient will be identified closer to the live taping after undergoing extensive screening and testing.
“By partnering with National Geographic and Mental Floss, two incredible brands with a passion for exploring science, we hope to demystify brain surgery, diminishing the fear and stigma of this operation,” said Miller. “We hope that this live broadcast of a deep brain stimulation surgery will educate viewers and offer a comprehensive look at this cutting-edge surgery.”
The event is one part of National Geographic Channel’s aggressive original programming push, which increasingly will focus on high-end fare. The network also has the upcoming anthology series Breakthrough, which hails from Imagine Entertainment’s Ron Howard and Brian Grazer and focuses on subjects including brain science. More recently, the network picked up a second season of the climate change docuseries Years of Living Dangerously. Nat Geo is moving further into new territories like late-night (Neil deGrasse Tyson’s StarTalk) and scripted programming (the period miniseries Saints & Strangers) as well.
Brain Surgery Live with Mental Floss premieres live on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET on National Geographic Channel.
Nat Geo, Mental Floss Partner on Unscripted TV Deal
Whitney FriedlanderNational Geographic Channel and publisher Mental Floss have announced plans to co-create unscripted television projects, Variety has learned exclusively.
The series will be produced by Leftfield Pictures. The first one is expected to be announced later this summer.
“The joining of these two incredible brands — one with a 127-year history of exploring the world, and the other a media icon for the current generation of knowledge seekers — seemed like a no-brainer,” said Tim Pastore, president of original programming and production, NGC U.S. “By combining our dual passion for exploring science, history, pop culture, the arts and so many other smart topics in between, I cannot wait to see what we accomplish together.”
These projects, which will include original programming as well as live special events, will air on National Geographic Channels in 171 countries. Additionally, each of the projects will receive support on both parties’ platforms.
”We are delighted with the opportunity to partner with National Geographic, in part because it has an outstanding global brand and also shares our quest to educate, inspire and entertain audiences worldwide,” said Will Pearson, president of Mental Floss. “This exciting partnership will allow both brands to create premium content for our core audiences that is the perfect blend of knowledge and entertainment.”
The deal comes as more publishers are seeking Hollywood tie-ins. Conde Nast Entertainment has a first-look deal for scripted series with 20th Century Fox TV. Just last week, Rodale struck a deal with UTA to develop scripted and unscripted programming opportunities based on the publisher’s line of health-focused media.
Bravo Sets Three New Series for January Debuts (Exclusive)
Kimberly Nordyke“Toned Up,” “Blood, Sweat & Heels” and “100 Days of Summer” all are set to debut after the new year.
Bravo is set to debut a trio of new unscripted series in January, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.
The fitness-themed Toned Up, New York-based Blood, Sweat & Heels and the Chicago-set 100 Days of Summer all will debut after the new year.
Toned Up stars Katrina Hodgson and Karena Dawn, best friends, roommates and business partners who run the website ToneItUp.com, which receives more than 1.8 million unique visitors a month. They use their so-called “yoga smarts” to push themselves and their brand to wild extremes. The series debuts at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on Thursday, Jan. 2
Blood, Sweat & Heels follows a group of “up-and-coming movers and shakers in New York’s elite circles of real estate, fashion, and media,” including former “video vixen” turned realtor Melyssa Ford, real estate partner Brie Bythewood, modeling agency owner Mica Hughes, affordable-style expert Daisy Lewellyn, A Belle in Brooklyn blogger and author Demetria Lucas and style and pop culture journalist Geneva S. Thomas. The series debuts at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday, Jan. 5.
100 Days of Summer chronicles a group of young, successful and driven Chicagoans working in the nightlife, fashion, real estate and business industries, including Vincent Anzalone, Ray Austin, Tara Clack, Phillips Demming, Jay Michael and Pascale Wellin. The show debuts at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Tuesday, Jan. 7 (a preview special airs at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on Thursday, Dec. 5).
100 Days of Summer is produced by Half Yard Productions, with Abby Greensfelder, Sean Gallagher and Nicole Sorrenti as executive producers.
Blood, Sweat & Heels is produced by Leftfield Pictures, with Brent Montgomery, David George, Dominick Pupa, Tess Gamboa and Caroline Self as executive producers.
Toned Up is produced by Fishbowl Worldwide Media, with Vin Di Bona, Beth Greenwald, Bruce Gersh,Susan Levison and Stephanie Bloch-Chambers serving as executive producers.
15303 Ventura Blvd. Building C, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Among Leftfield Pictures’ hit series are History Channel’s long running Pawn Stars and Counting Cars, as well as new series and specials including Book of John (OWN), Wolves and Warriors (Animal Planet), The Adventures of Dr Buckeye Bottoms (Nat Geo Wild), Alone (History), 30 for 30: Year of the Scab (ESPN) and Brain Surgery Live (Nat Geo).Previously, Palek was the SVP of Casting and Talent for the company where she headed up one of the largest casting departments in the industry. She spearheaded casting efforts for a number of series and projects for the ITV America group, including the reboot of Queer Eye (Netflix),The Job Interview (CNBC), Four Weddings (TLC), Forged in Fire (History), Tiny House Nation (FYI), American Grit (FOX) among many others. Prior to joining ITV/Leftfield, Palek was at Discovery Channel. There she helped grow and develop the company’s Talent Business Affairs, Talent Development & Casting, and Talent Strategy departments. During her tenure at Discovery Channel she not only led talent negotiations and renegotiations but also oversaw the network’s talent discovery and strategy objectives. Palek played a role in developing character-driven programming including shows such as Dual Survival, BBQ Pitmasters, and Alaska: The Last Frontier. In addition, she also successfully enhanced already existing series with fresh characters and experts on shows like Mythbusters, American Chopper, and Man vs. Wild, while routinely working with casts on some of the network’s biggest hit series such as Deadliest Catch, Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, and Fast n’ Loud. Furthermore, Palek fostered the network’s relationships with the celebrity community by bringing numerous high-profile personalities, such as Will Ferrell, Robin Williams, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Will.i.am, and Natalie Portman to Discovery’s airwaves during her time with the company. Gretchen hails from the great state of West Virginia and has a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from WVU
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During his tenure with the company, he developed, launched and oversaw daily production of Alone, Leftfield’s award-winning series entering its 6th season and to-date the longest survival experiment ever captured for television. Alone was History’s #1 series premiere of 2015, airing in more than 200 territories worldwide with original spinoffs in both Norway and Denmark. Witt has also developed, launched and overseen the multi-season hits Forged in Fire, Tiny House Nation, Counting Cars, American Restoration, Tackle My Ride, The Adventures of Dr. Buckeye Bottoms, and Pawnography.
Under his watch, Counting Cars became the #1 rated series premiere of all time for History and the #1 non-fiction series premiere on cable in 2012. In 2019, he shepherded Pawn Stars beyond 600 episodes and its 10th year. He also executive produced Brain Surgery Live, the first-ever live televised brain surgery, hosted by Bryant Gumbel and broadcast live to 171 countries in 45 languages worldwide, and Billy the Kid: New Evidence, both for the National Geographic Channel.
Additional Executive Producer credits include Wolves and Warriors (Animal Planet), 30 for 30: Deion’s Double Play (ESPN), Inspiring Life w/ Lewis Howes (Facebook), The Job Interview (CNBC), Tiny House Hunting (FYI), Football Town: Barrow Alaska (NFL), Engineering Disasters (History), Guntucky (CMT), Oddities (Science) and more.
Prior to joining Leftfield, Shawn was an Executive Producer at MTV, specializing in the development and supervision of daily live studio productions, reality series, clip shows, and live specials; including perennial hits Total Request Live, Pranked, and Parental Control. Shawn brings extensive creative, logistical and development experience to Leftfield/ITV having managed multiple, large production teams over the years in addition to being a hands-on show runner overseeing all aspects of production from concept through completion.
Shawn’s first job in the industry was working as an audience Page for the Late Show w/ David Letterman.
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Previously he spent 6+ years at Food Network, Travel Channel, and Cooking Channel where he developed shows such as Guy’s Grocery Games, Cooks vs Cons, and Burgers, Brew, & ‘Que and oversaw hundreds of hours of programming including Restaurant: Impossible, All-Star Academy, Giada at Home, and Extra Virgin. Andrew has worked with talent such as Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Giada De Laurentiis, Anthony Anderson, Curtis Stone, Buddy Valastro, and Andrew Zimmern (to name a few).
Prior to his time at Scripps Networks Interactive (now Discovery), Andrew worked as a producer at Animal Planet where he managed shows such as I Shouldn’t Be Alive, Hillbilly Handfishin’, Dogs 101, and the annual Puppy Bowl. Andrew served as a story producer on the third season of Whale Wars and began his career working in children’s television at Discovery Kids. A magna cum laude graduate of Boston University, Andrew resides in Brooklyn with his wife and son.
460 W. 34th Street 16th Floor New York, NY 10001
Prior to joining Leftfield, Trace founded Boomdozer Inc. where he developed, wrote and produced unscripted content across film, television and digital platforms, including the feature documentary, Food Evolution.
Sheehan also co-founded the independent production company, Preferred Content, which produced several critically acclaimed documentaries from Jiro Dreams of Sushi to Grace & Mercy and more.
Prior to Preferred, Sheehan was the Director of Development for Flame Ventures, Tony Krantz’s film and television production company, and Prana Animation Studios, where he did creative development on animated features for Disney and the Jim Henson Company amongst others.
Sheehan graduated from Duke University with a degree in international business, and has postgraduate degrees from the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
460 W. 34th Street 16th Floor New York, NY 10001
Experienced in both casting and field producing, he quickly built a diverse resume of producing credits on a wide array of shows for various networks, such as The Robert Irvine Show on The CW, and The Cromarties on USA . He came to the Leftfield Development team in October of 2018. Being versatile as a casting and field producer on studio shows, as well as in the field, he brings an intimate knowledge of the production process from start to finish.
460 W. 34th Street 16th Floor New York, NY 10001
While at Nat Geo, he contributed to a number of award-winning documentaries and series, including Free Solo, LA92, One Strange Rock, Mars and Wicked Tuna. Prior to that, Matt was a production assistant for Inside the NFL and various boxing events on SHOWTIME. Previously, he also oversaw the acquisitions and distribution of independent films for Philadelphia-based production company, Invincible Pictures.
For the past decade, she’s spearheaded casting for programming at networks such as Netflix, VICELAND, History, Bravo, Animal Planet, MTV, and Paramount. With a knack for exploring a variety of spaces, she’s cast competition series, host roles, food programming, nature docuseries and has even embedded in an off-grid community. Most recently, she was nominated for an Emmy for her work on ITV and Netflix’s groundbreaking reboot, Queer Eye, and is currently casting the seventh season of History’s hit series, Alone.
Prior to joining Leftfield Pictures and ITVA, Fegan worked for two years as a documentary filmmaking consultant for a non-profit in Bangalore, India.
alonecasting@itv.com We look forward to hearing from you!
If you or someone you know has an amazing or unique item that you'd like to sell on the show, we want to hear from you! We are looking for items from across the country, in addition to the Vegas area. Email us at pawnstarstvshow@gmail.com.
Be sure to include the following info:If you and your item qualify and are selected, you could meet the Harrison Family and be on Pawn Stars!
You are sending an email to Leftfield Pictures, the producers of Pawn Stars. You will be contacted only if they are interested in your item.