BBC America- December Highlights

[Press Release - Released by BBC America]

DOCTOR WHO: THE WATERS OF MARS - U.S. PREMIERE
Television's longest running science fiction series, shot in HD, has just three episodes to go before a new Doctor arrives on screen next year. The next special, Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars stars Tennant and British stage and screen actress Lindsay Duncan (Rome, Langford) as Adelaide, his cleverest and most strong-minded companion.

"Mars, 2059. Bowie Base one. Last recorded message: don't drink the water. Don't even touch it. Not one drop." All will be revealed as the Doctor and Adelaide face terror on the Red Planet in one of the scariest adventures yet. Peter O'Brien (Casualty, Neighbours) guest stars as Ed, Adelaide's second-in-command at the base.

Tune-in an hour before the premiere of The Waters of Mars for an exclusive one-hour special chronicling David Tennant's time in the TARDIS, exclusive interview footage and clips and get a sneak peek at what the final series of specials holds in store for David as the tenth Doctor. And after the premiere of The Waters of Mars catch a special episode of The Graham Norton Show featuring clips of David Tennant on Graham's infamous couch.

The remaining episodes, starring Tennant, will air over the holiday season as a two-part special. Airdates will be announced in early December.

Doctor Who Special premieres Saturday, December 19, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT
Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars premieres Saturday, December 19, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT
The Graham Norton Show Doctor Who Special premieres Saturday, December 19, 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

BRITAIN'S MISSING TOP MODEL - U.S. PREMIERE
Eight beautiful models, seven challenges, one incredible prize. However, this is not the average model show. These models are disabled - one lost her right arm in a bus accident, another is paralyzed from the chest down confined to a wheelchair and another is an all-American girl who suffered severe fractures and a traumatic brain injury from a car accident. Is the modeling world ready to open its books to one of them? These beautiful women defy all odds as they plan to break down barriers and open closed doors in the exclusive fashion industry. The aspiring models live in a penthouse together and face challenges in this ultimate model competition until one by one they're eliminated and the winner is featured in Marie Claire. The challenges include modeling lingerie in the window of a busy high street store, walking the catwalk, shooting a commercial and a photo shoot which pushes the models to their limits physically and emotionally.
Britain's Missing Top Model premieres Tuesday, December 1, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES SEASON 5 - U.S. PREMIERE
BAFTA and International Emmy award-winning Gordon Ramsay is back with a new season taking on two struggling ventures, both on the brink of collapse. With soaring food prices, thrifty clientele and unrelenting competition, he's determined to galvanize the owners, the staff and the local community to ensure their survival and keep customers coming back for more. But this time it's the diners he's reaching out to, encouraging the man on the street to put his money where his hungry mouth is. He also passes on tips to restaurant owners on how best to cope with the credit crunch.
Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares premieres Wednesday, December 2, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES USA SEASON 2 - CABLE PREMIERE
In Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares U.S.A., Ramsay once again exposes the harsh reality of running a restaurant but on this side of the pond. With his trademark mix of abrasive tell-it-like-it-is straight talking and inspirational leadership, he helps revamp restaurants in the Midwest, New York and California. Expect to see some familiar faces as Ramsay checks in with some of his past restaurateurs.
Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA premieres Wednesday, December 16, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

BBC AMERICA Reveals has all-new U.S. premiere documentaries every Thursday in December:

THE TRUTH ABOUT BINGE DRINKING - U.S. PREMIERE
British pop star Michelle Heaton takes an investigative look into the room-spinning, perception-altering world of binge drinking, which affects everyone from college to underage kids from desperate housewives to young professionals. Michelle is the guinea pig as she sets out to expose the dangers of binge drinking, the damage it does to mental and physical health and where the line is from having just a few drinks to binge drinking. She uncovers the truth behind binge statistics, meets people who are victims of this cultural phenomenon, talks to other role models who have fallen on and off the wagon and sees how her own life is effected during a 30 day experiment where she consumes a minimum of 60 drinks per week.
The Truth About Binge Drinking premieres Thursday, December 3, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

PEDIGREE DOGS EXPOSED - U.S. PREMIERE
In a controversial UK documentary that divided the British dog world, the practices and methods for breeding pedigree dogs are exposed with heartbreaking stories. A pug gasps for breath because his face is too flat, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel writhes in agony because of a brain condition and a distraught owner holds his beloved boxer who is fitting uncontrollably. The fallout from this documentary led to the BBC dropping its coverage of Crufts, the UK's equivalent of the Westminster Show. This documentary examines how many breeds have been so exaggerated they're unrecognizable from the fit and functional animals of a century ago. With international perspectives and testimony from top experts including The British Kennel Club, Pedigree Dogs Exposed unravels the historical, social and cultural reasons why purebred dogs today are in so much trouble.
Pedigree Dogs Exposed premieres Thursday, December 10, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

THE TRUTH ABOUT ONLINE ANOREXIA - U.S. PREMIERE
British TV and radio personality, Fearne Cotton, examines the ongoing trend for super-slim women and immerses herself in the worrying world of 'pro-ana' websites that encourage anorexia and starvation as a life choice. As Fearne explores the diet and exercise regime of a `pro-ana', she tests some of the extreme regimes they endorse and meets other girls who've embraced the same lifestyle. She explores the seductive nature of these `support' groups, examines the world of competitive dieting and looks at relationships ordinary women have with each other when it comes to diet and body image.
The Truth About Online Anorexia premieres Thursday, December 17, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

TOP GEAR POLAR SPECIAL - U.S. PREMIERE
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond are back with a special episode just in time for winter. It's the ultimate test of man against machine - or should that be dog against machine - as the boys set out on their most ambitious and arduous challenge to date. It's an epic land race starting in the town of Resolute, Northern Canada finishing 450 miles later at the magnetic North Pole as the team race their vehicles of choice across the tough terrain. Jeremy and James drive a specially converted car made by an Icelandic engineering team whose achievements include the first crossing of the Greenland Ice Cap by car and Richard travels by a sled pulled by a team of 10 Canadian Inuit dogs with his companion Matty McNair, an experienced explorer with telepathic understanding of her dogs. Pitting dog power against horse power and the nature of the terrain, there's no telling who will make it to the pole first.
Top Gear Polar Special premieres Monday, December 21,
8:00 p.m. ET/PT

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW NEW YEAR'S EVE SPECIAL - U.S. PREMIERE
The countdown to the New Year starts on BBC AMERICA with an all-new The Graham Norton Show New Year's Eve Special. Graham is ringing in the New Year with some of Hollywood's and Britain's hottest A-list celebrities, with his one-of-a-kind style and outrageous antics.
The Graham Norton Show New Year's Eve Special premieres December 31, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

MOVIES
THE GREAT ESCAPE - BBC AMERICA PREMIERE
This classic `60's film starring Steve McQueen, James Garner and Richard Attenborough is the story of the escape of Allied POW's from a German POW camp during World War II. The film was based on the novel and true story of a mass escape from a POW camp during WW II.
The Great Escape premieres Sunday, December 27, 7:00 p.m. ET/PT

STUNTS
REVEALING SUNDAY
Take a look back at past BBC AMERICA Reveals from women addicted to cosmetic surgery to others consumed by binge drinking to the highs and lows of smoking marijuana.
Revealing Sunday airs Sunday, December 6, starting at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT

DOCTOR WHO SUNDAY
It's a Who-marathon of some of the best Doctor Who episodes, including all of the most recent specials, Doctor Who: The Next Doctor andDoctor Who: Planet of the Dead leading up to the U.S. premiere of Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars.
Doctor Who Sunday airs Sunday, December 13, starting at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT

ABFAB EARLY NEW YEAR'S EVE
Eddie and Patsy are starting the New Year's Eve celebration early by popping open a bottle or two of champagne and getting a head start on the festivities with a six episode marathon featuring the wildest most hilarious Ab Fab moments.
AbFab Early New Year's Eve airs Sunday December 27, starting at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT

BBC WORLD NEWS AMERICA HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Please note that BBC World News America will not air from Thursday, December 24 through Friday, January 1. At 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, BBC AMERICA will carry a half-hour BBC World News program, followed by various programming at 7:30 .pm. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

ONGOING PREMIERES
Other series that continue to premiere new episodes in December include:
Wednesdays: Mary Queen of Shops
Fridays: Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Saturdays: Robin Hood, The Graham Norton Show

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor- sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 65 million homes.

Syfy Gives Greenlight to BEING HUMAN

[Press Release - Released by Syfy]

SYFY GIVES GREENLIGHT TO "BEING HUMAN"

New drama based on UK series to premiere in 2010

NEW YORK - October 29, 2009 - Syfy has ordered 13 episodes of Being Human from RDF Media USA, it was announced today by Dave Howe, President, Syfy, and Chris Coelen, CEO of RDF Media USA. Being Human will premiere on Syfy in Summer 2010.

Being Human is a re-imagining of the acclaimed BBC original. Three 20-something roommates, a ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf, struggle to keep their dark secrets from the world, while helping each other navigate the complexities of living double lives. The original UK series is produced by RDF subsidiary Touchpaper Television and executive produced by Rob Pursey.

"Being Human is a smart, contemporary, young and imaginative series that reflects Syfy's new brand positioning. We are very excited to adapt this for an American audience and bring it into Syfy's family of programming," said Dave Howe in making the announcement.

Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Content for Syfy and Co-Head, Original Content for Universal Cable Productions added, "We've loved this project and been tracking it for a while. Being Human definitely distinguishes itself as something new and different in a landscape filled with familiar supernatural fare. In adapting it, we intend to work closely with RDF to keep the wit, insight, and humor of the original, while opening up the series for a new audience."

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SKINS "Everyone" Season 3 Finale Clip

Don't miss the Season 3 finale of SKINS "Everyone" this Thursday at 9pm on BBC America.

While I started out not too sure about the new cast of Skins, throughout this season I have fallen in love with these new characters and love them almost as much as the first group. And by the look of this clip we're going to see more of the Effy, Cook, Freddie love triangle. Can't wait!

Synopsis: SKINS "Everyone" Season 3 Finale - Cook and Effy are in self-imposed exile from the gang, having gone to stay with Cook's father. Effy is running away from everything she's ever known and Cook enables her escape. Problem is, Cook is slowly falling out of lust, and in love with her. Back in Bristol, JJ tries to snap Freddie out of his depressed stupor, down about the loss of both his best friend, and the girl he loves.
Freddie and JJ force Effy to confront who she is and what she really wants. She has to make amends for the damage she's caused. She also has to decide whether to follow her heart. Can the four friends find a way forward together?

PRIMEVAL Volume Two (Series 3) DVD Review

I got a chance to take a look at the PRIMEVAL Volume Two DVD, which is now available to own (you can buy it on Amazon).

The DVD contains all 10 episodes from the third series of Primeval, as well as a few extras.

The third series of Primeval starts out as everyone is dealing with the aftermath of Stephen's death and Helen's betrayal. Cutter now only has two people left on his team, Abby & Connor, but it won't stay that way for long. Within the first episode, Cutter adds two new members to his team, Captain Becker, the new leader of the ARC's security forces, and Sarah Page, an Egyptologist. A little bit later in the season, we also meet another addition to the team, Danny Quinn, a maverick policeman.

Now I don't want to give to much away of what happens in series 3, but what I can say is that you are in for a treat. The season has some pretty great episodes and you won't believe some of the things that happen.

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PRIMEVAL Will Return in 2011

And for the good news of the day...

[Press Release - Released by BBC America]

New York, September 29, 2009 - A unique international collaboration has guaranteed the return of hit series Primeval to BBC AMERICA, and TV screens across the globe.

The groundbreaking deal between Impossible Pictures Limited (IPL), BBC Worldwide (BBCW) and ITV, will deliver 13 new episodes in 2011. It will also ensure that the spectacular special effects that have made Primeval such a huge success will continue throughout the new season.

Original co-production partners ITV, ProSieben and BBC Worldwide return to co-fund the new series, with BBC Worldwide becoming the majority funding partner. BBC AMERICA, takes on a full co-production credit for the first time and UKTV becomes a first-time investor.

Jonathan Drake, MD of Impossible Pictures Ltd says: “The dramatic changes in the business of broadcasting in the last 12 months have meant we have had to completely rethink how we put the funding together for a top-end series like Primeval. The fact that the series is so well established and loved both in the UK and overseas has meant that everyone has been willing to do their best to give us the backing we needed. With the continued enthusiasm of co-producers such as ProSieben and the fantastic support of the team at BBC Worldwide we have stitched together a ground-breaking clutch of deals that will guarantee Primeval’s ongoing success.”

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Mary Queen of Shops Comes to BBC America

[Press Release - Released by BBC America]

From the producers of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares and Gordon Ramsay’s F Word comes the next ‘tough love’ show, Mary Queen of Shops. The sassy and straight-talking retail guru Mary Portas saves small independent shop-owners, struggling in today’s market of corporate giants and helps them re-connect with the vision and drive that first got them into the fashion business. It’s not just about fixing the balance sheet - it’s about helping them rediscover their spirit, enthusiasm and sense of style. Mary Queen of Shops premieres Wednesday, October 14, 9:00pm ET/PT.

Each week Mary shares the tricks and tips she's learned from her years at the leading edge of fashion retailing including clients Louis Vuitton and Harvey Nichols. She gives the ultimate insider's guide on how to get the most out of shops and shopping and troubleshoots her way around the UK on a mission to help turn around struggling fashion boutiques - one shop at a time.

To experience first-hand what the businesses are really like, Mary visits the boutique while the owners are away. Once they return, Mary delivers her verdict and, after a frank heart to heart talk with the owners, she goes to work, revealing to staff and viewers exactly why their choices are ruining their business.

Having identified the problems, Mary starts turning the shop around: stock, décor and layout are revamped before a glamorous re-launch. With front row seats at London Fashion Week and tough sessions with the key people at some of the UK's leading fashion magazines, Mary uses all the tricks of the trade to whip these shops into fashionable shape. One month later Mary pays a return visit to see whether they have stuck to her rules. Will the place be buzzing with customers? Will the stock be flying off the shelves? Will the owner be working the shop floor like a rock star? Or will the shop and its owner be back where they started, in a fashion black hole?

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 64 million homes.

ROBIN HOOD Season 3 Review

Tonight, BBC America will premiere the third and last season of ROBIN HOOD. I got a chance to take a look at the first two episodes from the season, and while I still enjoyed the show, there were a few things that I missed from the first two seasons.

If you remember, last season ended with the tragic death of Marian and we sort of knew it would impact this season greatly.

The first episode opens as Robin and his band of outlaws return from the Holy Land. Robin announces that he doesn't want to be Robin Hood anymore and sends his gang away. His new "mission" now is taking revenge on Gisborne for killing Marian. But as you probably guessed, Robin doesn't stay alone for too long, because after all the show is called Robin Hood.

The episode also introduces a new character, Tuck, a traveling monk, who not only helps Robin regain his faith, but also becomes a new member of the gang. So far, I really enjoy him.

But Tuck is not the only new character this season. In episode two, we also meet Kate, a village girl, who through unfortunate circumstances becomes involved with the gang. It will be interesting to see how the dynamic between her and the gang evolves. I also wonder whose heart she will steal (because you know that's going to happen).

Overall, this new season starts out nice. However Marian's death has left too big of a hole to fill. Even the addition of Kate is not enough. Unfortunately, no one could ever replace Marian and the dynamic between her and Robin. It is very clear that this relationship gave something special to the show, and now that it's gone, Robin Hood has lost part of what made it such a great show.

On a positive note, I was really happy to see the rest of the gang back, including Much and Allan a Dale, who are my favorite characters. I think it's still going to be a fun season to watch and I'm curious to find out how it all ends.

So make sure to watch the season 3 premiere of Robin Hood when it premieres tonight, September 12, at 9pm on BBC America.

BBC America's October 2009 TV Schedule

[Press Release - Released by BBC America]

OCCUPATION – U.S. PREMIERE
Occupation is a searingly powerful drama that captures the lives of three British soldiers caught physically and emotionally in the cross-fire of the Iraq war. Described by one critic as "one of the very best British dramas of the decade," it's written by Peter Bowker, writer of the Golden Globe nominated Viva Blackpool and produced by the makers of Life on Mars and MI-5. Having participated in the invasion, and helped fly a critically injured child from Basra to a UK hospital, three soldiers find it impossible to slot back into civilian life. Driven by very different motives – each heads back to Basra. Sergeant Mike Swift (James Nesbitt, Five Minutes of Heaven, Jekyll) returns for the love of an Iraqi doctor, Aliyah (Lubna Azabal). Corporal Danny Peterson (Stephen Graham, Public Enemies, This Is England) returns for money, setting up a private security firm. Lance Corporal Lee Hibbs (Warren Brown, Shameless) returns because he passionately believes in the mission to rebuild the country and help the Iraqi people - and the mission is nowhere near accomplished. Amid growing sectarian conflict, and a boom time fuelled by billions of dollars from the U.S., their dreams of riches, love and making a difference come to define not just their lives but also the occupation itself. Occupation unveils a tale of wasted billions, lost lives, corporate greed, and a war that has left many questions unanswered.
Occupation, Part One premieres Sunday, October 18, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and Part Two premieres Sunday, October 18, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

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