"Card Sharks"
For nostalgia buffs, classic game show "Card Sharks" is being brought back for the second time (it originally ran from 1978-81 and 1986-89). Of course, because in the era of "Fear Factor," guessing whether the next card turned over is going to be higher or lower than the one before for a chance to win $50,000 isn't terribly exciting, a few new twists have been added. Host Pat Bullard ("The New Love Connection," "Surprise Wedding" ) walks the two contestants through and helps them improve their chances with "Clip Chips." Bringing things into the interactive age, "Chip Clips" offer up "Video Dilemmmas" where contestants have to guess the outcome of videotaped pranks and man-on-the-street interviews.
Airs weekdays beginning Sept. 17
"ElimiDate"
Okay, so it is "Chains of Love" without the chains, but minus that gimmick it might actually have a chance. Four suitors, each picked as possessing a desired quality, must vie for the attention and affection of one single. Over the course of a day the suitors are eliminated in an often scathing manner. Viewers also get to see the contestants discuss their strategies and dis the competition. As an added element, each episode will take place in a different city across America, exposing the dating habits and qualities looked for in places as varied as California, Texas and New York. For those who just can't get enough and would like a little international flair, The WB will air "ElimiDate Deluxe" once a week in the fall, where the five are sent for dates in exotic locales around the globe. Because you never truly know someone until you've traveled with them.
Airs weekdays beginning Sept. 17
"Hot Ticket"
The boys on "At the Movies" are about to have some competition. Leonard Maltin ("Entertainment Tonight") and E!'s Todd Newton are teaming up to do a little movie show of their own. Each week the duo will give some sneak peeks at movie trailers, soundtracks and music videos. Plus, celebrity guests will stop by to offer their own movie reviews. If that weren't enough, Maltin and Newton will share obscure movie trivia and even show some gaffes from popular films.
Airs weekly on the weekends beginning Sept. 17
"Mutant X"
Cyclops and Wolverine aren't part of the regular cast, nor is Professor Xavier, but "Mutant X" is definitely of the same ilk as "X-Men," even if the press kit goes out of its way to state, in bold print, "'Mutant X' is not based on the 'X-Men' property." Enigmatic multi-millionaire Adam (John Shea, "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman"), uses his money and influence to help a group of genetic mutants harness their powers for good while the security chief for a secret agency (Tom McCamus) does his best to keep their existence a secret from the general public. Adam's elite team includes: Shalimar Fox (Victoria Pratt, "Cleopatra 2525"), who has at her disposal the skills of the animal kingdom; Brennan Mulwray (Victor Webster, "Days of Our Lives"), a charmer who can generate an astounding amount of electricity; Jesse Kilmartin (Forbes March, "All My Children"), who can manipulate his body mass so that he can be as immovable as concrete or steel; Emma deLauro (Lauren Lee Smith, "Christy"), a "telempath" who can manipulate the behavior of others by telepatically altering their feelings.
Airs weekly beginning the week of Oct. 1
"The Other Half"
No, it's not the male answer to "The View." Rather, it's "The View" hosted by men. Mario Lopez ("Saved By the Bell"), Danny Bonaduce, Dick Clark and Dr. Jan Adams tackle the issues of a woman's world from the point-of-view of men, while following the premise that why would you ask another woman what a man thinks about, or why they do something when you could ask a man instead. Still a certain "View" formula remains the same: Mario's the young one (Lisa Ling); Dick's the old one (Barbara Walters); Danny's the married family man (Meredith Vieira); and Dr. Jan is the black one (Star Jones). Diversity is live and well -- it's just in very carefully measured doses.
Airs weekdays beginning Sept. 10
"Shipmates"
It's about time they stocked "The Love Boat" with real people, rather than Charo. Using eight different Carnival Cruise ships, the show will follow two strangers on a three day, two night date as they sail the seas to the Bahamas, the Carribean, the Mexican Riviera and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. During each three-day cruise, camera crews on rotating shifts will document five couples as they pursue true love and/or lust from beginning to bitter(sweet) end. Chris Hardwick, a dating show pro from his days on MTV's "Singled Out," will host.
Airs weekdays beginning Aug. 27
"Rendez-View"
If putting yourself out there wasn't hard enough, now you can be graded on you dating performance. Hosts Greg Proops ("Whose Line Is It Anyway?" ) and Ellen Ladowsky (author, "How to Dump a Guy: A Coward's Manuel" ), along with with two celebrity panelists will "analyze, dissect and rate" a filmed date. They also plan on posing such questions as: What does it mean when a guy tells his date in a hot tub that he wants to play a "choo, choo." We think it means that date gets a "D."
Airs weekdays beginning Sept. 17
"Talk or Walk"
There's a theory that while in a relationship, one can never see it clearly. However, that's not to say that makes anyone else an expert just because they're on the outside and ready to voice an opinion. In "Talk or Walk," host Michael Baisden lets couples (romantic, as well as family members, friends and workmates) air their dirty laundry in front of a studio audience, hopefully in a way that "combines the emotion of daytime talk, conflict of court shows and the fascination of a relationship series." After they've spilled their guts, the audience and Baisden (who is also a relationship specialist and author, "Never Satisfied: How and Why Men Cheat" and "Men Cry in the Dark" ) will offer some solutions and say whether or not the issues raised can be resolved. Ultimately, the couple must announce their decision at the end of the episode. Will they stay and "talk" it out, or "walk" out the door? Better yet, on a follow up show, will they tell us what percent stuck with their decision?
Airs weekdays beginning Sept. 17
