Spike TV Announces New Slate of Original, Non-Scripted Pilots

LOS ANGELES, May 8 -- Spike TV announces today a new slate of non-scripted original pilots that features some of the toughest guys on the planet who manage to succeed and thrive under some of the most perilous conditions. From battling the treacherous waters of the Mississippi to battling international foes overseas, Spike's development slate celebrates the incredible pursuits of an array of real guys geared to resonate with the Spike male-centric brand.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with some of Hollywood's most creative minds to present a development slate that we feel will further the notion that Spike is a true destination for original programming for guys," said Sharon Levy, senior vice president, original series, Spike TV.

Along with the new pilots, the network is making two talent announcements regarding previously announced pilots. Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling (TNA) Champion and former Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle will serve as host of "Caught in the Action," a comedic, hidden camera show from Hallock and Healey Entertainment. Cade Courtley, an actor, screen writer, and former Navy SEAL officer will host "Surviving Terror," produced by Wall to Wall.

The 2008 Spike TV non-scripted development slate includes:

RIVER MEN

"River Men" is a new docu-series about the rough and dangerous work of the men who make their living battling the mighty Mississippi River. Each day, these unsung heroes tow massive, football-field sized barges through the treacherous waters of the Mississippi River. Dangers lurk around every bend, as the "River Men" pilot their huge towboats and barges through locks, dams and narrow channels under threat of collisions, smashing into bridges, groundings, breakaway barges, men lost overboard, explosions, fires and sinking. All the while, the towboat crews battle extreme weather conditions -- record-breaking floodwaters, searing heat, icy cold and dense, impenetrable fog to get thousands of tons of cargo to its final destination. "River Men" is produced by Gay Rosenthal Productions, with Gay Rosenthal, Paul Barrosse as executive producers and Nicholas Carprio, Jeffrey Weaver and Eric Streit as co-executive producers.

USA VS. THE WORLD

"USA vs. The World" features average Americans who do some of the roughest jobs in the world, facing off against their foreign counterparts who have the same occupation. Each episode will feature three of the best Americans that perform a certain job and identify the country whose citizens might do it better. The American team will then travel to the opposing team's country in an attempt to beat the foreigners on their own turf. For example, the best alligator wranglers from Florida take on the crocodile wranglers of Northern Australia. "USA vs. The World" is produced by Lighthearted Entertainment, with executive producers Howard Schultz and Michael Maddocks ("Moment of Truth," "Extreme Makeover").

TANK AND COBRA

Tank and Cobra are an infamous, real-life bounty-hunting duo who has been catching bad guys for over ten years through their company Lightning Strike Force. Seemingly mismatched, William "Cobra" Stubbs is a middle-aged, self-proclaimed country boy while his partner is the younger and more hip, Gregory "Tank" Camaron. Bruce Toms ("Work Out," "Nanny 911") and Amy Shpall ("Work Out") of Liberal Media and Todd Dahlke of Necessary Evil serve as executive producers.

HUMAN PREDATORS

An informative and compelling one-hour series that reveals, through first hand accounts, the shocking tales of the people who take lives, either professionally or criminally. Executive Produced by Digital Ranch Productions ("Dogfights," "Murder by the Book," "Mail Call"), with Robert Kirk and Rob Lihani as Executive Producers and Co-Executive Producer Keith Guinto.

IDIOT HALL OF FAME

From the hilariously, twisted brain of veteran television producer Simon Andreae ("My Shocking Story," "Surgery Saved My Life") and his production company, The Incubator, comes a late-night half hour series, "Idiot Hall Of Fame." Using real footage, the series takes a humorous look at some of the most truly idiotic actions of all time.

This most recent slate announcement comes on the heels of the successful launch of the Spike original, non scripted series, "DEA," overseen by Levy. Produced by Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. and Size 12 Productions, "DEA" is averaging a robust 1.3 million viewers on Wednesday nights at 11pm on Spike, an increase of 45% compared to last year in the timeslot.

Spike TV is available in 96.1 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is http://www.spike.com.