Spike TV 2015 Upfront Brings Out Big Stars; Syfy Spring Premieres, Includes Return of Bitten with Laura Vandervoort

Thursday, March 05, 2015

Spike TV 2015 Upfront Brings Out Big Stars; Syfy Spring Premieres, Includes Return of Bitten with Laura Vandervoort

Spike TV had its annual upfront and we have some highlights from it. With a series of announcements including a new tagline and logo at an Upfront presentation to advertisers in New York City, Spike took a giant step further toward its mission of attracting a broader, gender-balanced audience. The tagline "Spike: The Ones To Watch" encompasses the network's strategic shift to a general entertainment network delivering compelling original entertainment with an edge and a distinctive point of view. It speaks to the network's bold personalities and a brand pushing the boundaries of the unexpected. With a dynamic multi-platform redesign, Spike's on-air look will reflect the brand's evolution. Among the stars who attended the Upfront presentation were Ben Kingsley, Dwayne Johnson, Jillian Michaels, Adam Carolla, Jon Taffer, Dave Navarro, John Krasinski, Stephen Merchant, LL Cool J & Chrissy Teigen.

Among the announcements Spike made today include: Spike TV has partnered with world-renowned entertainer, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia's $7 Bucks Productions, for a development deal to create and produce compelling and impactful programming for the network. Johnson and Garcia will executive produce shows ranging from big live events, specials, sports and initiatives surrounding our troops and veterans. The goal is to tap into people's humanity and touch lives, inspiring the audience while entertaining them.
Spike TV has partnered with Legendary Pictures to develop an original scripted series, Emergency Broadcast, that features a group of government first responders who confront the planet's most fantastic crises and disasters. Based on an original idea by Thomas Tull, Chairman and CEO of Legendary, the project reteams Legendary with longtime collaborator Max Brooks, the best-selling and critically-acclaimed author (World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, Zombie Survival Guide), who serves as a Consultant on the project.
Spike TV has green lit an additional eight episodes of the highly-anticipated new, original series, Lip Sync Battle. The series is based on the cultural phenomenon of lip sync battling seen by millions on television and online. Featured performers for the new eight episodes include Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Queen Latifah, Justin Bieber, Will Arnett, Alison Brie, Mike Tyson, and Terry Crews.

Syfy announced its spring 2015 premieres, which will include a new series and a sophomore season of Bitten. Highlights include: the premieres of the 13-part, epic mythological drama Olympus (April 2) and ghost-seeking unscripted series Haunting: Australia (March 24); the new season returns of fan favorites Lost Girl (April 17) and Bitten (April 17), and the Original Movie Lake Placid vs Anaconda starring Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street) (April 25) will be among the highlights of Syfy's spring programming slate. Back to Bitten, Season 2 of the popular supernatural thriller kicks off with a special two hour premiere returning Laura Vandervoort as Elena, the world's only female werewolf; Greyston Holt as Elena’s passionate partner Clay Danvers, and Greg Bryk as the Alpha Pack leader Jeremy Danvers. Beginning April 24, Bitten will air Fridays at 9PM, followed by Lost Girl at 10.

As for Olympus, the 13-part mythological drama series takes viewers into the action-packed world of humans, Gods and monsters. Starring Matt Frewer (Max Headroom, Orphan Black), Sonita Henry (Star Trek, The Fifth Element), Cas Anvar (Argo, The Expanse) and Graham Shiels (Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: Dark World), the gripping series captures the dangerous courage of a few brave men and women who banished the Gods to the realm of the unconscious - a place they called the Underworld or the Kingdom of Hades.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, January 29

The Goldbergs - "Geoff the Pleaser" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Adam questions his career path of filmmaking when “the other Adam” moves back from Los Angeles and warns him making it big in Hollywood isn’t easy. Meanwhile, the JTP house is in shambles, and Geoff becomes the home manager as they know how much he loves to please and can’t say no.

Schooled - "Titanic Love" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
The hit film has love on everyone’s brain, and Lainey has a realization about CB. Meanwhile, Principal Glascott uses the season’s bad football team to teach Coach Mellor how to be both a good winner and a good loser.

Modern Family - "Tree's a Crowd" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Dunphy house is bursting at the seams when Dylan’s hippie mom moves in and Claire’s lonely stepdad, Jerry, wants to pay them a visit. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria attempt to help Manny get over his big breakup with Sherry.

Single Parents - "Yarn and Pebbles" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
While Graham joins Derek at Ratso’s for a day of father-and-son bonding, a jealous Angie enlists Douglas to help her make sure they don’t bond too much. The twins and Rory eat all the food in Douglas’ house to save his life, and Poppy and Miggy try to help Will with a dating situation named “Kay,” only to have it backfire.

Last Man Standing - "Yours, Wine and Ours" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Kristin entrusts Mike with her gender reveal party.

Outmatched - "Pilot" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Kay and Mike cope with raising three high-IQ children.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 27)

Wednesday, January 29

Lakeith Stanfield (Atlanta) - Watch Lakeith on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jameela Jamil (The Good Place) - Jameela visits The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Kristen Bell (The Good Place) - Kristen appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Kumail Nanjiani (Bless the Harts/Silicon Valley) - Kumail drops by The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Dan Levy (Schitt's Creek) - Dan is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Tom Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) - Tom appears on a repeat of A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Aisling Bea (Living with Yourself) - Aisling is a guest on a repeat of A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse stops by Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Ilana Glazer (Broad City) - Ilana chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Billy Ray Cyrus (Still the King) - Billy Ray appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Tommy Davidson (Between Brothers) - Tommy talks about his new book Living in Color on NBC's Today in the 9am hour, on Tamron Hall (check your local listings), on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 11:30am ET and on the BUILD Series at 4pm.
David Alan Grier (The Cool Kids/The Carmichael Show/Bad Teacher/Life with Bonnie) - David is in the kitchen making brisket and dishing on his new Broadway show A Soldier’s Play on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
Kelly Ripa (Hope & Faith) - Kelly is a guest on E!'s Pop of the Morning at 11am and on People Now at 12pm.
Tim Robbins (The Brink) - Tim talks about VHYes on a repeat of Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Busy Philipps (Vice Principals/Cougar Town) - Busy talks about the Hotel Tonight travel app on a repeat of Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Danielle Fishel (Girl Meets World/Boy Meets World) - Danielle is a guest on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.