or


[09/12/05 - 12:00 AM]
I Pity the Fool Who Doesn't Watch TV LanD...

[via press release from TV Land]

"I Pity The Fool" Who Doesn�t Watch TV Land�

Network Strikes Deal With Lions Gate Television For Reality Pilot Starring Mr. T

New York, NY, September 12, 2005 � TV Land today announced a deal with Lions Gate Television to produce a reality TV pilot starring the one and only Mr. T, entitled I Pity The Fool (working title). The pilot is expected to begin production in October and features Mr. T in the unlikely role of social scientist as he dishes out advice in classic �T� style to fans in need.

I Pity The Fool blends the conventions of a makeover show with fish-out-of-water conflict, resulting in a humorous twist on the format. Starring Mr. T in the role of motivational guru, the program focuses on specific concepts associated with personal or professional success, such as teamwork or determination. Those themes will be illustrated by hilarious anecdotes from Mr. T�s own life, followed by real world situations in which he becomes the catalyst for change.

�We are very excited to work with Mr. T and Lions Gate on I Pity The Fool,� states Sal Maniaci, Vice President of Development and Production, TV Land and Nick at Nite. �By putting Mr. T in an unfamiliar environment, viewers will have the experience of seeing him back up his famous words and attitude with concrete actions. Exposing our viewers to celebrated personalities that they love in formats that are new and unique is exactly the kind of original programming that TV Land is creating.�

�We believe Mr. T�s larger-than-life personality, disarming style and unique perspective on life will be a breath of fresh air in reality television,� said Kevin Beggs, president, programming and production, Lions Gate Television. �TV Land has shared our enthusiasm about this project from the beginning and we�re delighted to be in business with the network.�

I Pity The Fool is produced by Lions Gate Television in association with Left/Right Films and Remag Guerilla. Stephen Belafonte (Thank You for Smoking, Never Die Alone, Prison Ball), Ken Druckerman (Growing Up Gotti), and Banks Tarver (Growing Up Gotti) are executive producers.

The deal for Mr. T was brokered by The Buchwald Agency.

Lions Gate Television is the television production and distribution arm of Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE: LGF). With a total of five series currently on the air, the company is continuing its strategy of being an important supplier of content to cable and broadcast networks. Lions Gate Entertainment is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is a valuable source of stable and recurring revenue and serves as a foundation for the continued growth of the Company�s core businesses. The Lions Gate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

TV Land and Nick at Nite and all related logos and titles are trademarks of Viacom International, Inc.

Now seen in over 85 million U.S. homes and throughout Canada, TV Land presents popular dramas, sitcoms, westerns, Retromercials and original programming, all packaged in a unique, award-winning on-air environment. The network celebrates all things Classic TV with a specific viewer in mind: the first generation of people to grow up watching television. Known for its celebrated line-up of Classic TV ranging from I Love Lucy to Little House on the Prairie, TV Land has made its mark with clever, critically-acclaimed original programming, developed by TV Land Productions, which was created in 2003. Original programming includes such hits as the annual TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV; an original special that reunited the cast of The Brady Bunch in 2004's Emmy-nominated Still Brady: After All These Years; Chasing Farrah, which follows the real-life happenings of iconic actress and sex symbol, Farrah Fawcett; as well as several other series and specials that enhance the overall Classic TV viewing experience. For more information about TV Land's originals, visit www.tvland.com.

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, mtvU, VHI, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, MTV INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 12 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.





  [september 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· I PITY THE FOOL (TV LAND)





[06/02/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: BET Debuts Trailer and Announces Premiere Date for New Original Comedy Series, "Lot Patrol" from Manny Halley Productions
The series will premiere on BET on June 30, 2026 at 10 pm ET / 9 pm CT.

[06/02/26 - 09:29 AM]
Catch a New Season of "Lakefront Bargain Hunt Renovation" Premiering June 16 on Magnolia Network
With a bit of imagination and a lot of muscle, families transform their new vacation homes into the relaxing getaways they had always envisioned.

[06/02/26 - 09:21 AM]
BET Announces First-Ever Board of Advisors, Marking a New Era of Leadership and Cultural Stewardship
Established under the leadership of Louis Carr, President of BET, the Board brings together an influential collective of cultural icons, business leaders, and industry visionaries who will help guide BET's continued evolution as a force at the intersection of media, community, and culture.

[06/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" - Season 3 Official Trailer - Netflix
A new batch of hopefuls face fierce competition, high expectations and even higher kicks as they vie for a spot with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

[06/02/26 - 08:30 AM]
Video: The Reign Ends Here - "All the Queen's Men" Reveals Trailer and First Look at Fifth and Final Season Premiering June 10 Only on Paramount+
The series will launch with two episodes, followed by a weekly rollout culminating in the mid-season finale on Wednesday, July 22.

[06/02/26 - 08:01 AM]
"Kaulitz & Kaulitz" Season 3 - Exclusively on Netflix from July 23, 2026
Germany's most popular twins once again take us along for the ride in their turbulent lives, sharing intimate moments, arguments, and scenes that go straight to the heart.

[06/02/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Tony Hinchcliffe: Man of the People" - Sneak Peek - Netflix
Tony Hinchcliffe returns with another brutally unapologetic hour from comedy's favorite equal-opportunity offender.

[06/02/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV Unveils Trailer for Third Season of Its Globally Acclaimed Drama "Silo"
The 10-episode third season will premiere on Apple TV with the first episode on July 3, followed by one new episode every Friday through September 4, 2026.

[06/01/26 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "Husbands in Action" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A detective teams up with his ex-wife's new husband to chase down her kidnappers. Can this unlikely duo put aside their differences for one wild rescue?

[06/01/26 - 02:03 PM]
Exclusive Announcement Live From Crime Con 2026: Season 4 of the Hit Docuseries "Betrayal" to Stream on Hulu This August
In a room of thousands of fans of true crime and scandals, the team made a surprise exclusive announcement that Season 4 of the popular docuseries will stream on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for Bundle subscribers this August.

[06/01/26 - 02:02 PM]
"Squatters: Get the F*** Out of My House," A New Docuseries from Executive Producers Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, Begins Streaming June 4 on Hulu
The six-part series follows ordinary people blindsided by manipulators who know exactly how to weaponize tenant protections and turn the legal system against the very people it's supposed to protect.

[06/01/26 - 01:00 PM]
Starz Sets September 18 Premiere Date for Epic Time-Traveling Romantic Drama "Outlander: Blood of My Blood"
Season one introduced viewers to the two different, but equally passionate, love stories of Claire's and Jamie's parents as they met and fought to be together against all odds.

[06/01/26 - 12:50 PM]
ESPN Announces June MLB Game of the Day Schedule
The Game of the Day schedule is an out-of-market offering and is subject to local blackout restrictions.

[06/01/26 - 12:06 PM]
2026-27 CFP Broadcast Schedule Revealed
The home of the CFP since its inception in 2015, ESPN is in the first year of its new expanded package, which includes five games sublicensed to TNT Sports.

[06/01/26 - 11:04 AM]
ESPN Scored Most-Watched NCAA Women's College World Series Opening Thursday on Record
Arkansas-Nebraska averaged 1.4 million viewers, with a peak of 1.6 million.