On the subject of Four Weddings

Summer’s finally arrived, but LIVING’s got its own heatwave going on as the channel enjoys its best year ever , soaring by +13% year on year and becoming the no.1 non-terrestrial channel in peak .

The sparkling new schedule includes some exciting new original commissions;

Pamela Anderson: At Home with Joe and Pamela Anderson: When Joe came to Stay (tx September) are two hour long shows that follow East End actor and king of the jungle, Joe Swash as he gets to live out every man’s fantasy, spending a week with the legendary international pin-up, Pamela Anderson. From London to Malibu via Paris, Joe gets the once in a lifetime chance to live with his teenage fantasy crush and get to know not just the very public Pammy persona firsthand, but also the very private Pamela that lies behind the glitz and glamour – a 41 year old multiple divorcee, single mother of two and home-maker. But will Pamela live up to Joe’s high expectations and can the real Pammy live up to the myth that surrounds her? Can Joe overcome his nerves at finally meeting his ultimate fantasy to uncover what really makes her tick? And after a week together, travelling the globe, will she end up loving the cheeky chappie from north London or loathing him? The show will give viewers an all access all areas pass into the crazy, jetset world of one of the world’s most photographed women. From the high octane glamour of modelling for Vivienne Westwood in Paris and hanging out on Malibu Beach to a rare warts and all insight, as Joe helps Pam sort through her smalls in the trailer park where she’s currently living and Pam joins Joe for tea and at his mum’s, Joe lives and breathes Pamela’s life.

Dating in the Dark (tx September ‘09) is a new show (8 x 60′) that explores that million dollar question – do looks really matter? Just how important is aesthetic attraction when it comes to achieving emotional intimacy? Is attraction all in the pheromones? We will be putting paid to these theories as we offer singletons a totally unique way of meeting that special someone – in total darkness. Forget internet dating, this is guaranteed to be the latest trend in meeting a new partner that really puts the blind into blind date! Each episode three men and three women, all single and looking for love, will live in separate apartments within a specially designed house, only meeting each other in a dating room which is kept in pitch darkness: the Dark Room. With viewers following the action via state of the art infra-red cameras, our lovebirds will need to use all their senses to help them decide which of the daters is their perfect match. Will the pheromones kick in? Will a husky voice swing it? Will personality shine through and prove that true love really is blind? At the end of each episode our lonely hearts will pick the person they most want to date and that person will be revealed in the light for the first time. But will that mere 10 seconds of visual revelation strengthen or dilute their initial attraction? If they still want to go ahead with the date they either turn up in the library to prove their love – or walk away.

TV legend and pop culture icon, David Hasselhoff, is set to return to LIVING for a set of all-new specials, (title TBC, tx September). Following the runaway success earlier this year of The Hoff: When Scott Came To Stay on LIVING (March ‘09), the new shows continue the story and follow the whirlwind life of the epic Knight Rider and Baywatch star and now one of the judges on global smash hit America’s Got Talent. We’ll join David, currently filming the show in the UK, on a British road trip where he takes in the best of our summer in his inimitable way. Henley Regatta, Morris dancing, playing cricket and polo, having a traditional cockney knees up, gate crashing a university ball with a surprise performance and going in search of the Loch Ness Monster, The Hoff will be taking viewers on a tongue in cheek VIP journey through British summertime that’s anything but quintessential.

Death in Venice (tx October ‘09) Yvette Fielding and Paul O’Grady team up to form a dynamic duo facing the most challenging and fearsome investigation ever undertaken. They will put their lives on the line and brave possibly the most haunted location on the planet-Poveglia. Known as The Island of Horror this remote and feared spot, nestling in Venice’s lagoon on the coast of Italy, has witnessed the horrific dispatch of some 160,000 souls. In these two, two hour long specials Yvette and Paul will discover whether there is truth in Povegila’s reputation as a hot spot for vampires and ghosts and an island so feared that no public access is allowed. Plague, death, and insanity are the watchwords of this tortured little Venetian island. It is said that the foundations are built from the former inhabitants’ ashes…

Four Weddings is a new ten part series (tx Mondays from July 6th, 9pm) that sees four brides-to-be put their special day under the matrimonial microscope. Inviting three rival brides to critique their nuptials, all in a bid to win every newly wed’s dream prize – a luxury honeymoon. Harnessing our natural human compulsion to mentally critique all aspects of our friends and family’s big day – from the dress, to the venue, the speeches and the food – Four Weddings is wonderfully indulgent, compulsive viewing. Think Come Dine With Me, but for weddings. Today LIVING also reveals a special celebrity finale episode with the weddings of Nicola McLean (I’m a Celebrity) & footballer Tommy Williams, Terry Coldwell (East 17) & Faye Saterlay, US actress Sandra Dickinson (2.4 Children, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) & her intended Mark Osmond and the renewal of vows of TV presenter Phil Turner (60 Minute Makeover) and make up artist to the stars Gary Cockerill. Weddings to remember are guaranteed, but will it be a big day of delight, or matrimonial misery? Each week, viewers will witness four very different wedding days, and what is one bride’s dream could be another’s nightmare from pagan bikers, African extravaganzas, London Zoo, WAG wannabes to cave ceremonies. Whilst one of the four couples heads up the aisle, the other three will be watching in envy or outrage, as they set about scoring the service and judging the festivities. Everything is under contention, with dresses, venues, catering and presentation praised or pitied by the eager to impress couples, all vying to stage the winning wedding.

Make Me A Supermodel series 2 (tx Mondays from July 13th, 8pm) is the super slick reality hit show that follows a group of beautiful and talented men and women who compete for the healthy sum of $100,000 and the chance to be crowned the next great supermodel. The ever polished Tyson Beckford returns as the show’s host and mentor to the male models, whilst Australian supermodel Nicole Trunfio joins the show as mentor to the female models. Also, a new panel of esteemed judges joins the series, including world-renowned designer Catherine Malandrino, model Jenny Shimizu, famed photographer Perou and international model scout Marlon.

America’s Next Top Model series 12 (tx September) is on it’s way – exuberating cat fights, controversy and gorgeousness! The ‘firece’ Tyra Banks and Co. are back for another season with a crop of 13 new Top Model hopefuls vying for the title of America’s Next Top Model. Banks leads the panel of judges, which includes supermodel Paula Porizkova, runway expert J. Alexander and photographer Nigel Barker. Jay Manuel returns as the creative director and producer of all photo shoots. Expect the fiercest fights in fashion!

For further information please contact
Judy.wells@virginmediatv.co.uk