Lifetime Networks triples unscripted with new slate

May 3, 2011 by Kelly Anderson

Vanished With Beth Holloway

Lifetime is tripling its unscripted hours with 11 new original series, including spin-offs of Project Runway, for its 2011-2012 programming slate.

Project Runway will return for its ninth season this summer, with host Heidi Klum, mentor Tim Gunn and judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia. The series is produced by The Weinstein Company, Miramax Films, Bunim-Murray Productions and Full Picture Productions.

Complementing the original series are two new series: Project Runway All Stars, which brings back the most talented and memorable contestants, and Project Accessory, a competition series focused on finding the next great fashion accessory talent. Project Runway All Stars will be produced by The Weinstein Company and Bunim-Murray Productions, while Project Accessory will be produced by The Weinstein Company and Goodbye Pictures.

In addition to returning favorite Project Runway, Lifetime has also renewed hospital docu-drama One Born Every Minute and surprise military personnel reunion show Coming Home.

Other new series include Vanished with Beth Holloway (pictured), a docu-reality series hosted by the mother of missing teen Natalee Holloway. Lifetime has ordered 10 one-hour episodes of the series, launching on May 9. Holloway explores true mysteries of families who have been victimized by unsolved abductions, disappearances and unspeakable crimes. Vanished with Beth Holloway is produced by Jupiter Entertainment.

495 Productions and its executive producer SallyAnn Salsano (Jersey Shore) are behind Love Handles, an eight-part hour-long docu-series featuring a dual transformation of overweight couples. It’s set to debut in May.

The inhabitants of a famous Brooklyn neighborhood, many of them Russian-American, are the focus of Brighton Beach, a 12-part, half-hour series from Left/Right.

Dance Moms explores the world of competitive dance through the eyes of the young dancers’ overbearing mothers. The six-part, hour-long series is produced by Collins Avenue Entertainment.

The stories of people who have encountered dramatic incidents, from accidents to miracles, are at the focus of Sirens Media’s The Day that Changed My Life. The six-part, one-hour series will use in-depth interview segments and re-enactments to tell those stories.

Best friends and interior designers Tracy Hutson and Tanya McQueen will travel across America to find eclectic pieces for their L.A. home decor store in the seven-part, one-hour series To Live & Buy, from RelativityREAL.

The Tracey Gold Project (w/t) sees host Tracey Gold (Growing Pains) use her experience of battling anorexia to help other women overcome eating disorders. The six hour-long episodes are produced by GRB Entertainment.

The new Lifetime unscripted series join the previously announced The Conversation, with host Amanda de Cadenet and executive produced by Demi Moore, and the docu-series Roseanne’s Nuts, which follows Roseanne Barr as she manages a Hawaiian macadamia and live stock farm. Lifetime has ordered 16 half-hour episodes of Roseanne’s Nuts from 3 Ball Productions/Eyeworks USA and Full Moon & High Tide Productions.

Nancy Dubuc, president and GM of Lifetime Networks, said of the slate, “We have made great strides over the last year shaping our programming strategy to partner with proven producers and talent on quality dramas, reality series and movies. This diverse slate built upon great stories and characters is the right mix of bold, confident and relevant programming viewers can expect from Lifetime.”

Love Handles, set to launch in May, an hour-long docu-series from executive producer SallyAnn Salsano (Jersey Shore) featuring a dual transformation of overweight couples as they attempt to save their lives and relationships by confronting what lies at the core of the emotional, dietary and physical issues deeply affecting their well-being. Lifetime has ordered eight hour-long episodes from 495 Productions, with Salsano and Joel Zimmer serving as executive producers.

Tags: Brighton Beach, Bunim-Murray Productions, Dance Moms, GRB Entertainment, Left/Right, Lifetime, Lifetime Networks, Love Handles, Project Runway, Project Runway All Stars, RelativityREAL, SallyAnn Salsano, The Tracey Gold Project, To Live & Buy, Vanished with Beth Holloway