VH1 is Making Transformations With Three New Shows and a Hit Series Acquisition From MTV Canada

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- VH1 has greenlit three new series, two about transforming people from the inside out and one that hopes to shed some light on a few untimely deaths.  "Transform Me" features three transgender female friends giving women a style makeover while helping them overcome some emotional road bumps.  In "Famous Crime Scene" VH1 will take the viewers to an actual crime scene of a famous murder or untimely death and explore the details behind the often murky circumstances.  "Undateable" based on the upcoming book, Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won't be Dating or Having Sex written by Ellen Rakieten and Anne Coyle, will reveal the secret list that gives guys everything they need to know to get out of their own way when it comes to dating, sex, love and relationships transforming them from undateable to dateable.  VH1 has also acquired the hit MTV Canada series, "Peak Season: Vancouver" just as the world focuses its attention on this beautiful city for the 2010 Winter Olympics.  

These programming additions come on the heels of several recent ratings successes with new series such as "Fantasia For Real" and "Let's Talk About Pep," which premiered in January to more than 2.3 million viewers and 1.9 million viewers, respectively.

"Transform Me"

VH1 and Left/Right Inc. have teamed up to bring to television the newest breed of fashion makeover shows with "Transform Me."  Each half-hour episode follows the makeover of one woman who has found herself in a style nightmare. The subjects expect to be made over in typical reality show fashion, but are in for a surprise when a team of three transgender women arrive to give them an expert transformation.  The new eight-episode 30-minute series is set to premiere March 15, 2010.

The ultra glamorous makeover team, led by Laverne Cox (VH1's "I Want to Work for Diddy") with Jamie Clayton and Nina Poon, travel across the country answering style-911 calls in their deluxe fashion ambulance, saving women from their clothing faux pas.  But unlike other makeover shows, this series focuses on overall transformations, helping to improve each woman on the inside as well as the outside.  The team will have to push each subject out of her emotional comfort zones and there will be no shortage of tears, arguments, and OMG! moments along the way.

Laverne, who appeared in the first season of VH1's "I Want to Work for Diddy" as the outspoken and poised transgender contestant, has also recently appeared in episodes of NBC's "Law and Order," HBO's "Bored to Death" along with several independent films, and has performed at Radio City Music Hall.

Based on an original concept and pitch by Laverne Cox and her production company Complete World Domination, "Transform Me" is executive produced by Banks Tarver and Ken Druckerman for Left/Right Inc. with Shelly Tatro, Danielle Gelfand, Kari McFarland and Jeff Olde serving as executive producers for VH1.

"Famous Crime Scene"

VH1 is returning to the scene of some of pop culture and music's most shocking deaths with "Famous Crime Scene."  The first episode will take an in-depth look at the murder of Tupac Shakur.  The additional six episodes will investigate the untimely deaths of Biggie Smalls, John Lennon, Anna Nicole Smith, Selena, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson. The seven episode half-hour series is set to premiere on Friday, February 12 at 9pm.  

While news accounts tell only part of the story, VH1 has rounded up the witnesses and investigators who were there to give viewers the intimate details from the initial 911 call to the investigators' final determination to help piece together what really happened.  Using expert interviews and true-to-life reenactments, as well as advanced computer graphics, viewers will witness full recreations of these historic events.  They'll tour virtual crime scenes searching for clues and learn the science behind the investigators' findings: ballistics, fingerprints, DNA evidence, toxicology, profiling and more.

Executive producing "Famous Crime Scenes," for VH1 are Shelly Tatro, Brad Abramson and Jeff Olde.  Supervising producer is Warren Cohen and Chris Martin is series producer and director.

"Undateable"

"Undateable" is a new five-hour VH1 special airing over five consecutive nights, which looks at all the things that men do wrong in the eyes of the opposite sex. The series is based on the upcoming book Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won't be Dating or Having Sex written by Ellen Rakieten and Anne Coyle.  "Undateable" is scheduled to begin its five night run on Monday, April 19.  

Ellen Rakieten spent the last 23 years as a key force in creating The Oprah Winfrey Show.  Anne Coyle is an award-winning advertising copywriter and owner of a nationally acclaimed interior design firm.  The show will take a fun look at the top 100 things guys do that make them "Undateable."

"Undateable" shows men how to avoid wearing the wrong things, doing the wrong things and of course, saying the wrong things that are all instant warning signs to women.  "Undateable" will be invaluable in helping teach men about their mistakes and women about what indiscretions are just "Red Flags" and which are the absolute "Kiss of Death."  So put away the Bluetooth, shave that goatee, put the dad jeans in the closet and join VH1 to learn about the things men do that make them "Undateable."

Executive producing "Undateable" for VH1 are Ellen Rakieten, Shelly Tatro, Karla Hidalgo and Jeff Olde.

"Peak Season: Vancouver"

VH1 has acquired the MTV Canada hit docudrama series, "Peak Season: Vancouver" an original half-hour series that takes an unfiltered look at the lives, loves and adventures of a tight-knit group of young adults in Vancouver/Whistler, BC.  The 10-episode series is set to air nightly on VH1 beginning Sunday, February 14 at 11:30pm*.

"Peak Season: Vancouver" offers a unique glimpse beneath the sparkling surface of this world-class ski resort and home to the 2010 Winter Olympics revealing the raw, real-life drama that unfolds amid the breathtaking scenery.  Featuring a diverse and dynamic cast, the series delivers a potent blend of drama, action, romance and comedy as the cast follow their hearts and chase their dreams all during the frenetic pace of peak season.  A lot happens in this resort playground when the locals and outsiders from around the world co-exist as everyone struggles to find love, friendship and themselves.  While every town has stories and secrets, few rival the ones from Vancouver as captured in this smash hit series.

For more information on these four new series including show clips and full episodes throughout their seasons, go to VH1.com.

"Peak Season: Vancouver" was executive produced by Evan Prager and Jesse Ignjatovic for Den of Thieves.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

*All times ET/PT

SOURCE VH1