Logo Greenlights Three Original Series for 2011 Including the Addition of Figure Skating Champion Johnny Weir To The Logo Family With A Brand New Season Of 'Be Good Johnny Weir'

NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Logo, the entertainment network for gays and their families and friends, from MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), announced today three new original series that have been given the greenlight for the network's 2011 slate, including two workplace docu-soaps and "Be Good Johnny Weir," the series that explores the life of one of America's most outspoken and colorful sports figures, three-time U.S. National Figure Skating Champion and World Medalist Johnny Weir.  Logo has acquired the first season of the series and will produce new episodes for an exclusive second season.  

In addition to "Be Good Johnny Weir," the network has greenlit "Pretty Hurts," from Go Go Luckey Productions, a comedic reality series that follows the staff and clients of a high-end Beverly Hills medical office that specializes in "liquid face lifts."  The other series is "Setup Squad," a workplace docu-soap from Leftfield Pictures ("Pawn Stars") focused on a Manhattan-based matchmaking service that pairs up professional "wing people" with those that are unlucky in love.  

The slate pick-ups come on the heels of recent news of two key acquisitions for the network including "Nip/Tuck," which started airing on Logo this month and "Will & Grace," which will begin airing in 2013.  

"Logo is in the business of creating fierce, original programming that gets everyone talking as we've demonstrated this year with our hit series 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' 'RuPaul's Drag U,' and 'The A-List: New York,' said Dave Mace, Senior Vice President of Programming, Logo.  "Johnny Weir's talent is as big as his irreverent personality.  'Pretty Hurts' would be a workplace sitcom – if it weren't actually real life in a Beverly Hills beauty destination.  And 'Setup Squad' will follow the hard-working angels who make the dating world a better place, whether you're gay or straight."

Details on greenlights follow:  

"BE GOOD JOHNNY WEIR"

SEASON 1 (9 episodes total – 7 x 30 minutes; 1 x 60 minutes; 1 90-minute documentary) Premieres Winter 2011

SEASON 2 (10 episodes – 30 minutes) Premieres Summer 2011

The first season of "Be Good Johnny Weir" delivers an absorbing portrait of an Olympic athlete whose personality is as big as his talent. Bright, quick-witted and extroverted, Weir is as comfortable walking in a downtown New York fashion show as he is on the ice, and he is known for giving candid, irreverent, responses at press events.  At the same time, Weir has the athletic prowess to back up his pop culture stardom, demonstrating both breathtaking grace and supreme technical skill.  He also injects his larger-than-life persona into his routines -- wearing sparkly self-designed "onesie" costumes portraying androgynous characters in controversial programs like "The Swan."  Weir was heavily favored going into the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics, but finished a disappointing fifth.

In the series, Weir realizes that talent alone does not make a champion - and at the age of 25 he knows he must dig deep if he is to secure what may be his last chance at a place on a U.S. Olympic team.  "Be Good Johnny Weir" follows Weir as he competes all over the globe, culminating in his appearance at the 2010 US Figure Skating Championships in January, the results of which determine whether or not he will vie for the Olympic gold on the world stage in Vancouver.

The new season will dive deeper into Johnny's work and personal life as he balances his skating with his growing ambitions in the entertainment business.

The first season of "Be Good Johnny Weir" was directed and produced by James Pellerito and David Barba, who also served as Executive Producers.  The series is produced and co-financed by Original Media.  Charlie Corwin and Jay Peterson are executive producers for Original Media.  Executive Producers for Sundance Channel are Sarah Barnett, Lynne Kirby and Ann Rose. 

The second season of "Be Good Johnny Weir" is directed and produced by James Pellerito and David Barba, who also serve as Executive Producers.  The series is produced and co-financed by Original Media.  Charlie Corwin and Jay Peterson executive produce for Original Media.  

"PRETTY HURTS" (10 Episodes – 30 Minutes) Premieres Feb 2011

"Pretty Hurts" is a comedic reality series starring Beverly Hills' lovable "injector to the stars" Rand Rusher.  Hollywood's high maintenance elites learn that "Pretty Hurts" when they come to Rand's office to get frozen, smoothed and plumped up with cosmetic injectibles – but the real funny stuff happens in between the needle pricks.

The staff is its own cast of fabulous LA eccentrics, headed up by Rand's ex, Curt, who manages the whole business – and the homes that he and Rand still share.  It's not always domestic bliss.  The rest of the staff juggles the ever shifting dynamics of Curt and Rand's relationship with the diva-ish demands of their over- the-top clientele.  Each episode follows at least one client's procedure -- and all the funny little dramas that really get under your skin when you're working with the ones you love.  

Julie Auerbach and Tina Gazzerro from Go Go Luckey Entertainment executive produce.

"SETUP SQUAD" 10 Episodes – 60 Minutes Premieres April 2011

No-nonsense Renee Lee has the business solution for people who stink at dating: she hooks them up with professional "wing" women and men from her agency.  From the producers of "Pawn Stars," "Setup Squad" is a docu-reality series where relationship misfits get saved from themselves by experts who coach them in 'the art of the pickup.'  The "wing" women and men are snappy and sexy:  two straight women, a lesbian, and a gay man – all fierce and fun and full of opinions about their ineffectual clients.   They give clients a crash dating makeover, transforming them from 'shabby & shy' to 'chic & confident'.  Then they provide a real shot at love, breaking the ice for them in social settings.  Then the real dramas unfold.  Will they land the deal?  Or get snubbed by their intended target?  And what happens when one of the experts gets a little too cozy with their client?  Find out in this highly charged reality series combining the most sizzling parts of dating shows with the most electric elements of workplace dramas.

Brent Montgomery, Colby Gaines and David George serve as Executive Producers for Leftfield Pictures.

All series are Executive Produced for Logo by Dave Mace and Christopher Willey.

For more on Logo and these series log on to LogoTV.com.  

ABOUT LOGO

Logo is the world's leading ad-supported cable, satellite, online, mobile and digital entertainment network from MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B) for gays and lesbians, their families and friends. Launched in 2005, Logo's cable channel is in more than 46 million homes across the United States and is complemented by a federation of online properties, including LogoTV.com, TripOutGayTravel.com, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com, 365Gay.com, DowneLink.com and NewNowNext.com. Logo's content is distributed across all leading download-to-own, streaming and mobile services. The most influential brand for the most influential audience, Logo provides a mix of original and acquired entertainment as well as news, social networking and community building that are authentic, smart, fun, entertaining, and inclusive. Logo joins MTV Networks' roster of popular and highly targeted brands which include MTV, Comedy Central, VH1 and Spike TV.

SOURCE Logo