MUMBAI: AETN International reaches Cannes for Mipcom with over 300 hours of new programming, featuring real-life series from the A&E Network and documentary series and specials from The History Channel.
The new real-life family series Gene Simmons Family Jewels (13 x ½ hr) follows Kiss. Mom is Shannon Tweed — former Playmate of the Year, actress and model. And their kids, Nick and Sophie, are, well…surprisingly charming, well-behaved teenagers dealing with the trials and tribulations of adolescence, even though Mom and Dad are like no one else’s parents. Gene and Shannon have been happily UNmarried for 23 years and have no plans of getting married any time soon. Gene is a rock star, and a multi-media magnate. He is also the kind of dad who brings Gatorade to his daughter’s soccer games and stands in the front row of his son’s rock band when they play gigs.
Gene Simmons Family Jewels reveals the side of Gene that he has kept hidden until now, and shows how the most non-traditional, traditional family in America manages to make it work under the oddest of circumstances. Produced by The Greif Company/A Day With, Inc and the Gene Simmons Company for A&E Network, informs an official release.
A high-speed real-life series, Driving Force (14 x ½ hr) stars racing legend John Force and his three drag racing daughters. John Force is the most accomplished and dominant figure in the sport of drag racing, a form of auto racing, with 119 career victories and an unprecedented 14 team championships in 16 years. The hook of the show: John is the father of four beautiful daughters – 36-year old Adria who has managed the finances for John Force Racing corporate headquarters since she was 20, and 23-year old Ashley, 19-year old Brittany and 17-year old Courtney, all of whom are following in their father’s tracks competing in the male-dominated field of high-speed drag racing. Racing is the backdrop for this true-life comedy that follows a father trying to bring his family together while also preparing for the next championship run. Driving Force is shot in HD. Produced by Schmaguuli, LLC for A&E Network.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES & SERIES
Combat Diary: The Marines of Lima Company (two hours) is an unflinching look at the war in Iraq, literally seen through the eyes of the Marines of Lima Company, which was hit harder than any other combat unit in Iraq; out of a company of 183 Marines, 23 died in combat. Using footage shot by the Marines themselves, including firefights, road-side explosions, soldiers playing around in their barracks and video letters home, Combat Diary: The Marines of Lima Company tells the story of the men who died and those who survived. Shot in HD. Produced by Viewfinder Productions, Inc. for A&E Network.
It is the oldest document of Western Civilization – a story that spans 4,000 years, and has remained secret… until now. The Book of the Dead is the first written description of any religion, the first time mankind wrote down their philosophy, the first time man expressed belief in heaven or a paradise afterlife, and is the likely source of the Ten Commandments. The Egyptian Book of the Dead (two hours) follows the ancient scroll from its creation in around 1800 BC near the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, to its re-discovery – and theft – in 1887, and the modern story its translation and resurrection. Shot in HD, the documentary features CGI and dramatic reenactments. Produced by Morningstar Entertainment for The History Channel.
FORMATS
Big Spender (13 x ½ hr) is a financial rescue series. Host Larry Winget, a behavioral change expert who has personally traveled the road from rags to riches, uses a combination of strategies to help couples and families move from financial wreckage to responsible spending habits. In each episode, Larry confronts a family about their problem and gets them to agree to three weeks of financial boot camp. During this time, Larry uses his “tough love” people skills to get the family to take responsibility for their actions with a myriad of activities customized to alleviate their particular situation and lead them to financial health. Larry Winget is a renowned speaker/ author/consultant, and is the author of Money Is Easy and Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get a Life. Produced by North South Productions for A&E Network.
Confronting Justice (10 x 1 hour) is a dramatic real-life series that explores the lives of people most affected by a serious crime: the victims, their families and the offender. The story of a painful event and its consequences are told first-hand by those directly involved as they prepare for an emotionally-charged face-to-face meeting. The victims and their family members hope to find answers to painful questions and the offender may find some answers too. Confronting Justice unflinchingly reveals this emotional, yet powerful encounter, which changes the lives of those involved forever. Produced by New Line Television in association with Cinemaria for A&E Network.
