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Two New Series - 'Lovespring International' & 'Angela's Eyes' - and Fantasia Starring in a Lifetime Original Movie Based on Her Life Highlight Lifetime Television's Summer Programming
LMN Premieres Monthly Showcase of Original Movies in August With 'Past
Tense' Starring Paula Trickey ('The O.C.')
- Gabby Reece Hosts Encore Presentation of 'Beach Girls' Saturday, May 27 -
NEW YORK, May 15 -- This summer, Lifetime Television
unveils a dazzling cavalcade of top-notch entertainment including two new
series, "Lovespring International" in June from Eric McCormack's ("Will &
Grace") production company Big Cattle Productions, and "Angela's Eyes" in
July from the producers of the Oscar-winning movie "Crash," along with
Fantasia starring in an August Lifetime Original Movie based on her life.
Also in August, LMN, the second highest-rated women's network, debuts
its first-ever monthly original movie showcase beginning with a taut
supernatural thriller, "Past Tense," starring Paula Trickey ("The O.C.").
Lifetime officially kicks off Summer 2006 during the Memorial Day
weekend when fitness expert Gabby Reece hosts an encore presentation of the
network's smash hit from last summer, "Beach Girls," airing Saturday, May
27.
Following are highlights of Lifetime's 2006 Summer Programming
Schedule:
"Lovespring International" -- premieres Monday, June 5 at 11PM (ET/PT)
-- The new half-hour improvisational comedy series is about a dating
service marketed to customers as an "elite Beverly Hills" company, despite
its location in Tarzana, California. Made up of dysfunctional misfits or
"relationship counselors," they desperately try to find love for their
clients although they have no idea how to do it for themselves. Starring:
Mystro Clark, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jennifer Elise Cox, Jane Lynch, Sam
Pancake and Jack Plotnick. "Lovespring International" is produced by Big
Cattle Productions and distributed by Lionsgate for Lifetime Television.
Eric McCormack, Michael Forman, Guy Shalem and Brad Isaacs are the
executive producers. The show was created by both Shalem and Isaacs.
"A GIRL LIKE ME: The Gwen Araujo Story" -- premieres Monday, June 19 at
9PM (ET/PT) -- Based on a true story, the Lifetime Original Movie follows
Sylvia Guerrero (Mercedes Ruehl, "Married to the Mob"), a single mother
whose teenager (J.D. Pardo, "American Dreams"), born Eddie Araujo, boldly
decides to live life as a female by growing long hair, wearing women's
clothing and make-up and eventually adopting the name Gwen, after her idol,
singer Gwen Stefani. Her difficult decision creates tension and conflict
within her traditional close-knit Latino family but over time, they slowly
learn to understand and accept Gwen's choice. When Gwen's transgender
status is discovered by four males at a local party, they brutally beat and
kill her. Gwen's senseless murder shakes her Northern California community
and makes headlines across the nation. Sylvia decides to dedicate her life
to bringing her daughter's killers to justice and advocating for the rights
of all transgender people. The LOM also stars Lupe Ontiveros ("Desperate
Housewives," "Selena"). Produced by Braun Entertainment Group and Sony
Pictures Television and co-executive produced by attorney Gloria Allred,
who represented the family during the murder trial.
"Angela's Eyes" -- premieres July 16 at 10PM ET/PT -- From the
producers of the Oscar-winning movie Crash, comes the hour-long drama
centering on Angela Henson (Abigail Spencer, "All My Children") a young FBI
agent who has the exceptional gift of knowing when someone is lying. She
discovered this skill at age 14, when she learned her "average" American
parents were actually spies. Attempting to right her parents' wrong, Angela
is now working with the same agency that brought her parents down. And
while her unique ability is advantageous in her career, it hinders her
personal life, preventing her to get close to the men she dates. Created,
written and executive produced by Dan McDermott and written and executive
produced by Scott Shepard. Academy Award-winners Tom Nunan and Cathy
Schulman ("Crash") also serve as executive producers. Produced by The
Cleary Company and Bull's Eyes Entertainment in association with NBC
Universal Television Studio.
"Not Like Everyone Else" -- premieres Monday, July 10 at 9PM (ET/PT) --
Alia Shawkat ("Arrested Development") and Illeanna Douglas ("Six Feet
Under") star in the Lifetime Original Movie based on the powerful true
story of Brandi Blackbear, a non-conforming teenage girl who feels her
civil rights have been violated when school officials conduct a modern-day
witch hunt in the aftermath of the Columbine High School shootings. "Not
Like Everyone Else" is produced by Jaffe Braunstein Films in association
with Sony Pictures Television for Lifetime Television. Michael Jaffe and
Howard Braunstein (Lifetime's "Odd Girl Out" and "Cyber Seduction: His
Secret Life") are the executive producers. Tom McLoughlin (Lifetime's "Odd
Girl Out," "She's Too Young") directs from a teleplay written by Jamie
Pachino ("What if God Were the Sun?" "Waving Goodbye").
"LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE: The Fantasia Barino Story" (working title)
-- premieres in August -- This Lifetime Original Movie is inspired by the
true story of Fantasia Barrino, a teenage single mother who overcame
poverty, sexual abuse and illiteracy by using her incredible voice to rise
to national prominence as the winner of "American Idol." The film is
directed by legendary choreographer, actress and director Debbie Allen
("Fame," "Girlfriends") and the ensemble cast includes Loretta Devine
("Dream Girls, "Crash"), Viola Davis ("Get Rich or Die Tryin'," "Traffic"),
Kadeem Hardison ("A Different World," Biker Boyz") and Jamia Simone Nash
("My Wife and Kids"). The film is produced by Ostar Productions for
Lifetime Television. Bill Haber ("Nightmares & Dreamscapes," "Uprising")
serves as executive producer and Ellyn Williams (Lifetime's "Hunger Point")
co-executive produces. John McMahon ("Nightmares and Dreamscapes") produces
the movie and Keith Glover wrote the teleplay based on the best-selling
autobiography "Life is Not a Fairy Tale" by Fantasia Barrino.
LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated
basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME
is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information
programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and
their families. LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real
Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment, and Lifetime Online are part of
LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst
Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.
SOURCE Lifetime Television
Web Site: http://www.lifetimetv.com
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