Cynopsis
04. 07 .10
UPFRONT 2010: SYFY
Yesterday at New York City's MoMA, the network celebrated its first anniversary of its worldwide brand transformation from Sci Fi Channel to Syfy, and revealed its slate of new series as well as it's reality programs in development. Syfy also introduced to the ad community attending the new results-focused advertising metric, The Syfy *Effect, promoting the network's collaborative sales approach and showcasing its successful ad partnerships this past year.
Syfy also made a handful of announcements about new and returning series:
• Syfy premieres new one-hour reality series Mary Knows Best (wt) on July 15 at 9p. The six-episodes series follows well-known psychic and mother of three, Mary Occhino as she manages a successful career including being host of Sirius Satellite Radio's daily show Angels on Call and juggling her large Italian-American family based on Long Island. Atlas Media Corp produces with production beginning this spring. This show is described as "The Osbournes for the sci fi enthusiasts!"
• Syfy okayed a second reality program slated to debut on July 15, as the 60m new series Paranormal Investigators (wt) will launch at 10p. The series will travel through the web and the world to uncover the truth behind intriguing and unexplained supernatural phenomena caught on camera. Production begins this spring from BASE Productions along with Sci Fi Channel Europe.
• Together, the new series Mary Knows Best and Paranormal Investigators will make up a new reality block on Thursday nights from 9-11p. Later on, the series Beast Legends from Yap Films, which investigates mythical monsters will join the reality block.
• Additionally, Syfy ordered a 90-minute pilot titled Three Inches penned by Harley Peyton (Twin Peaks). The action-adventure/fantasy project is about Walter, an unmotivated daydreamer who after being struck by lightning develops a "super" power trick where he can move any object three inches by using his mind. He is recruited by an unlikely band of superheroes. Fox Television Studios is producing along with Landscape Entertainment.
• Syfy also announced it renewed the reality series Destination Truth for a fourth season. Host Josh Gates will journey with viewers around the world in eight new episodes scheduled to premiere this fall. Destinations for the new season include Madagascar, Tanzania, Guam, Kenya and Cambodia. Season three of Destination Truth opens tonight at 10p with a look at the impish leprechaun in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Ping Pong Productions produces the series.
• Finally, Tracy Morgan (NBC's 30 Rock) will be back as host for Syfy's prank series Scare Tactics. Production of 13 new episodes comprising season four has started and the series is slated to premiere this fall.
Syfy's new reality series in development:
• Marcel's Quantum Kitchen - Chef and molecular gastronomist Marcel Vigneron (Top Chef) uses the science of cooking as his event and catering company are hired to produce food for a special event or celebration. Produced by Intuitive Entertainment.
• Force of Nature - Series follows Feng Shui master, Ariel Towne as he helps clients with a combination of new and ancient practices. Evolution Media produces.
• The Latimer Project - Series is about Jason Latimer, a three-time World Champion of Magic and owner of Latimer Corp., an illusion design firm. Jason and his team create mind-boggling illusions for their client roster. Pilgrim Films is producing.
• Mr. Impossible - Docu-soap follows rogue inventor, Denzo Molnar known as Mr. Impossible as he solves problems involving technology. Produced by Story house Productions.
• Paranormal Files - People who have lived through extraordinary paranormal experiences are profiled in this drama/docu-series from the creative team of Dimitri Doganis and Bart Layton (Locked Up Abroad). Produced by Raw TV.
• Face Off - Competition series involving the world of special effects make-up artists. Produced by Mission Control.
• The Dome Experiment - Twelve test subjects from various walks of life will enter "The Dome," a sealed bio-environment where they must rely on each other for their daily needs. Produced by 3 Ball Productions.
• Untitled Artifact Search Series - Action/adventure series spans the globe in search of some of history's most storied relics and artifacts. Mission Control produces.
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