VH1 Looks to Push Reality TV to the Extreme With New Series 'The X Life'

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- When you think of extreme sports you think of highly competitive, tatted-up, bad-boys with little regard for their own safety whose sole mission is to push the limits of physics beyond the edge of what is thought possible.  But there's a whole other layer that fuels their cutting-edge quest – the gorgeous, fearless, women who love them.  Together these two elements merge to form the nucleus of VH1's newest original series "The X Life" is set to premiere in early 2011.

"The X-Life" will follow some of the biggest names in action sports: Pierre Luc Gagnon (Vert Skater) and his girlfriend Denise Russo; Cory "Nasty" Nastazio (BMX Dirt Jumper) and his girlfriend Nicole Panattoni; and Jeremy "Twitch" Stenburg (FMX) and his wife Susie Stenberg.  All of these men have earned their place in the sports history books.  

As for the ladies, they have their own careers from helping to manage and market their husband's careers to being a top model to being a mom.  But when these guys are on tour you can bet the women are nearby as these guys are always on the edge of being seriously injured or worse.  These wives are fiercely protective, defensive and ready to throw down at a moment's notice. And if your husband isn't on the tour, good luck breaking into their clique.  These women are a tight-knit sorority bound by one common thread--their adrenaline junkie husbands.  

"The stars of action sports and the women who love them don't just live life on the edge they go beyond it whether they're on the track, the trail or just living their lives and we couldn't be more thrilled to bring that wild ride to VH1," stated Jeff Olde, EVP of Original Programming and Production, VH1.  "The couples of 'The X Life' will bring a real adrenaline rush to TV."

VH1.com and VH1 Mobile will offer sneak peek clips, extra content and full episodes of the series when it premieres in early 2011.

VH1's "The X Life" is executive produced by Cris Abrego for 51 Minds Entertainment, LLC. an Endemol Company and Joe Simpson for JT Entertainment. Ben Samek and Rabih Gholam for 51 Minds also executive produce for the series and the company. Jeff Olde, Jill Holmes and Sean Boyle are executive producers for VH1.

About 51 Minds Entertainment

The founders, Cris Abrego and Mark Cronin, formed this influential production company after joining forces to create the pop culture reality show, The Surreal Life. Widely credited for creating the celebreality genre of reality programming, 51 Minds has amused and shocked viewers with its enormously popular television series.  With such hits as Flavor of Love, Rock of Love, My Fair Brady, Gotti's Way, Real Chance of Love, and For the Love of Ray J, 51 Minds helped catapult VH1 to ratings success and still holds the record for the most watched programs on that channel. In April of 2008, the company was acquired by Endemol USA. Through this partnership, 51 Minds continues to run as a dynamic independent production company and has carried on producing hilarious and paramount shows within the 51 Minds' brand.

About JT Entertainment

Aside from his notable successes in the management world, Joe Simpson has led JT Entertainment in the packaging of five major television shows for both cable and network.   His hit show "Newlyweds" was the number one show in its time slot and catapulted reality television into public consciousness.  "The Ashlee Simpson" show also reached number one, jockeying only with "Newlyweds" for the top spot each week.  Joe worked with James Patterson to executive produce The Women's Murder Club for ABC and most recently worked with Jeff Olde as executive producer on "The Price of Beauty".  He has also served as producer on four films including Employee of the Month. 

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.

SOURCE VH1