New York, NY - March 30, 2010 - On the heels of its best year ever, WE tv (www.WEtv.com) today announced a robust line-up of original series in production and development as well as a key series acquisition. From profiling the "Melrose Place" of retirement homes in the new original series SUNSET DAZE, to exploring the impacts of the economy on a modern family in DOWNSIZED, the slate reflects WE tv's mission of providing viewers with entertaining, timely stories about topics the modern woman cares most about - her children, her partner, her aging parents, the economy...and, of course, fashion.
"WE tv had a tremendous 2009, finishing the year with its highest ever primetime HH rating and W25-54 delivery, as well as the network's strongest year ever for its Sunday night bridal line-up," said Kim Martin, President & General Manager of WE tv and Wedding Central. "We have more viewers than ever before in our history and we're excited to bring them a new slate packed with conflict, drama and humor that addresses the issues that are most relevant to their lives."
WE tv's line-up features seven all new original series, including a pair of shows that examine mother-daughter relationships. MOTHER KNOWS BEST is an up-close-and-personal look at the lives of comedian Joan Rivers and daughter Melissa, as the vibrant mother moves to Los Angeles and into her daughter's home and life. In YOU'RE WEARING THAT?!? mothers and daughters share how they really feel about the other's wardrobe as they work with NY stylist Luciene Salomone to make some much-needed changes.
"This new slate underscores an important programming evolution for WE tv, expanding from its authoritative wedding niche to telling a wide range of stories about the various life stages of the modern woman," said John Miller, Senior Vice President of Original Productions & Development. "Women are craving this type of fresh content - entertaining stories that are resonant and that take them on a journey of emotions - and we're proud to be the network to give it to them."
WE tv commissioned a research study from the Insight Research Group to gauge the impact of the recession on women and how their spending behaviors have changed as a result. WE tv's "Resetter" study identifies that WE tv's viewers have "hit the reset button" with regard to finances. Despite indications that the recession may have ended, the women polled do not believe the recession is over, and they have made substantive changes to address new economic realities. Forty seven percent of women feel the recession has resulted in their becoming smarter about how they spend their money and one-third of women are now explaining the importance of financial responsibility to their children. A key finding of the study is that women actually feel empowered by the recession and have thrived in adversity by taking even more control over their family's finances. In fact, across almost every purchase category, women are more likely to make the final purchase decision now than they were before the recession started.
For the WE tv viewer, the recession has resulted in changed habits which appear to be sticking, even as the economy improves. For example, the findings indicate WE tv viewers are more willing to "trade-up" and spend more on an item if they feel it's of higher quality and has more long-term value. In addition, since the recession began, these women have become the chief finance managers of their households and have become motivated to be much more strategic and thoughtful about spending across all categories.
Added Martin: "WE tv knows that today's woman is a complex leader who is driven by emotions, finances and desires. Our recent 'Resetter' study shows that 25% of women are making more decisions about how to spend money than their partners. So, whether she's running a Fortune 500 business or a home, she is the family CFO and the key influencer on spending - and we recognize her authority."
GIRL MEETS GOWN showcases the hustle and bustle involved in running two of the nation's most popular bridal boutiques, Stardust Celebration in Dallas, Texas and The Stardust Salon in Plano, Texas. The new reality series takes a look at a number of soon-to-be brides as they work with the salon stylists to plan their wedding and find the dress of their dreams. The stylists face a huge variety of challenges - from overbearing mothers to fitting 10 differently-sized bridesmaids into a bride's restrictive dress choice. Each episode follows 3-4 brides and their devoted stylists on their emotional journey to find the perfect gown for the most important day of their lives.
Picture a retirement complex where the residents party like it's Spring Break, every day! In its newest reality series, WE tv pulls back the curtain on a group of outgoing, party-loving men and women who are all over 60 years old and living "La Vida Loca" in Surprise Arizona's Sun City, one of the country's largest retirement communities. From an ex-nun who skydives for fun, to a widow ready to break onto the dating scene with the help of her boozy flock of friends, the residents of Sun City are out to truly live the life they have left. SUNSET DAZE captures this Disneyland for the retirement set, where there are no jobs or children to get in the way of having fun.
What happens when you ask a seriously fashion-challenged mother and her equally style-less daughter to make each other over? Total Drama! YOU'RE WEARING THAT?!? is WE tv's eye-opening new series where a mother and daughter duo get to vent about what's NOT working in the other's wardrobe. Throughout the process, series host and NY stylist Luciene Salomone provides expert advice on how each woman can freshen up her style while addressing some of the women's underlying relationship issues as well. Among the mothers/daughters featured are "American Idol" contestant Kimberley Locke, professional poker player Annie Duke, and actress Charlene Tilton. Throughout YOU'RE WEARING THAT?!?, the mother and daughter duo are transformed and by the end of the journey, they have undoubtedly strengthened the bond they share.
In the first season of RAISING SEXTUPLETS, WE tv viewers met Jenny and Bryan Masche who were just coming to terms with the demands of raising toddler sextuplets. The new season opens as the Masche family's lives are turned upside down when Bryan decides to move the family to Florida to pursue a job in finance. The situation becomes critical as Bryan's job falls through and the Masches - now isolated from their family in Arizona - are forced to care for the children and survive on Jenny's nursing salary. Despite the stress, the Masches' optimism and the love of their children helps them to navigate through their rough times together.
Melissa Rivers is experiencing Los Angeles domestic bliss - she has a sweet young son, a great live-in boyfriend and her infamous mother, Joan Rivers lives on the opposite side of the country. In WE tv's brand-new series MOTHER KNOWS BEST?, Melissa's world is rocked when her mother Joan sets out to switch coasts, change her lifestyle and infiltrate Melissa's home. When Joan moves in and takes over her daughter's life, chaos ensues. At times loving and at times tumultuous, this ultimate mother/daughter showdown will address the question plaguing daughters since the beginning of time: does mother really know best?
The Bruce's are today's Brady Bunch, though this nine-member family is trying to survive difficult economic times. Laura had five kids, Todd had two. A few years after a blind date, they married and things were great until, just like a million other American families, the recession hit and the bottom dropped out of their lives. As they face the reality of having both of their homes in foreclosure, DOWNSIZED follows the family as they are forced to make radical lifestyle changes and begin living by extremely limited means, including making clothes and growing food themselves. DOWNSIZED captures this family navigating these changes with innovation and determination, challenging even their own notions of what they could never do, together.
Facing everyday problems is doable when you have the support of your family and a predictable day-to-day life. But, for some families problems grow when overlooked, sometimes becoming insurmountable. That's when Dr. Tara Fields, a take-no-baloney psychiatrist, moves in with the family for a week to help them repair their relationship. Rolling up her sleeves, she unravels sometimes the cobwebs of miscommunication and histories gone toxic. She descends into the day-to-day drama and at the end of the week leaves the families with stronger bonds and a brighter outlook on the future.
Merv Griffin once said: "Las Vegas without Wayne Newton is like Disneyland without Mickey Mouse." WAYNE'S WORLD focuses on the many women of the Newton family who essentially run the entertainer's on and off-stage life. The cameras capture how the Newton family manages to function in the very non-traditional city of Las Vegas - somehow making life work under the strangest of circumstances. It's an exclusive look at the life and people behind the legendary entertainer, who try to stay grounded in the most artificial city in the world.
WAYNE'S WORLD is being developed by Ping Pong Productions.
Following the women of Enchanted Florist in Las Vegas, this series showcases the employees fulfilling one "mission impossible" after another, while battling desert heat and dealing with their own fragile creations. WILD SERIES also captures the women's struggles to balance a tough work load with their personal lives.
A Staten Island family comes together to make the dreams of one of its own come true. The day-to-day operations and emotions of STATEN ISLAND CAKES takes center stage as Vinny, a 19-year old pastry prodigy runs one of New York City's most sought-after cake shops with the help of his very Italian and very opinionated family.