E!, the cable network best known for its reality shows, is branching into scripted programming as part of its ambitious slate of new original shows. Ahead of its upfront presentation for advertisers, the NBCUniversal network announced some of the new shows for its audience.
The network’s goal is to have original shows on every day of the year. “E! continues to deliver for the pop culture fan through buzzy original programming, unparalleled entertainment news, and innovative digital initiatives,” Suzanne Kolb, President, E! Entertainment, said in a statement. “Across every platform, E! is more topical, trendsetting and up-to-the-minute than any other destination. With our slate of beloved franchises, the arrival of our first scripted series and a strong development slate, we're excited about the year ahead."
Old favorites will be returning, new additions to popular franchises will be coming and, of course, new reality shows will debut in the coming year.
E! already ordered The Royals, earlier this month. The show, centered on a modern British Royal Family, will star Elizabeth Hurley and is E!’s first original scripted show. It will premiere in early 2015.
The other new shows announced today include Escape Club (June 8), which centers on 12 people in their 20s living in a tropical paradise, separated from reality and Botched (September) focuses on two plastic surgeons who have to fixed ugly plastic surgery jobs.
New specials were also announced. These are: Ryan Seacrest: Biggest Moments on the Radio (April 23); Live from the Red Carpet: iHeartRadio Music Awards (May 1); Worst Thing I Ever (April); Secret Societies of Hollywood (April 17); and Beyond Candid with Giuliana: Lisa Vanderpump (May 11). Men of the Strip, a documentary on Las Vegas’ all-male revue, will air this summer.
Total Divas will be back on Sundays. Eric & Jessie: Game On returns on March 30 and Giuliana & Bill is back on April 1. Keeping Up With The Kardashians will air on Sunday again when it returns this summer. #RichKids of Beverly Hills will be back in August.
Two scripted shows are in development to make sure Royals isn’t alone for long. Songbyrd will center on a songwriter who can’t get her love life together, while Gucci will focus on Aldo Gucci’s relationship with his mistress.
E! also announced several new reality shows in development, including a New York #RichKids spinoff and a special about singer Lance Bass’ wedding.