Building on the success of the “Ghost Hunters” franchise, SyFy is looking to expand its reality series roster with several new series.
Details on the new shows is below.
SYFY ANNOUNCES AN EXPANSIVE SLATE OF NEW REALITY DEVELOPMENT
Series in the works include Molecular Gastronomist Marcel Vigneron, Feng Shui Master Ariel Towne, Illusionist Jason Latimer, and Rogue Inventor Deszo Molnar
New York, New York – March 16, 2010 – Syfy today announced its next generation of reality programming which partners with the top producers in the field to create a wide-ranging development slate of docu-soaps, competition/elimination, and investigative reality series. As part of its larger mandate to “Imagine Greater,” this new crop of unscripted series from Syfy will push the envelope of speculative, alternative worlds and lifestyles.
Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen
Utilizing the science of cooking, Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen stars one of America’s most notorious chefs, molecular gastronomist Marcel Vigneron (Top Chef). In each episode, Marcel and his new catering and event company will be hired by a demanding client to produce an extraordinary celebration or event. Based on the client’s requests, Marcel will dream up a theme and cuisine for the event, which range from a fairytale graduation party and a Goth-rock fashion show to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new subway line. He and his team of party planners and chefs will tap the depths of their imagination and culinary talents to create everything from the immersive décor to a delicious menu that emphasizes Marcel’s unique brand of avant-garde cooking.
Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen is a production of Intuitive Entertainment. Executive Producers: Kevin Dill and Mechelle Collins.
Force of Nature
Force of Nature follows the life of Ariel Towne, an average guy who just happens to be a Feng Shui master, as he interweaves contemporary, practical solutions with ancient mystical philosophies to help his wide range of clients achieve their goals. The show will tap into Ariel’s unique ability to translate a misunderstood, controversial discipline into an accessible tool relevant to virtually any client, situation, or space from personal homes to restaurants, stores, and even sports arenas. With Ariel as the guide, viewers will peer in on clients who are grappling with compelling, relatable problems – and desperately in need of Ariel’s help, and will be inspired by the amazing transformations that Ariel facilitates.
Force of Nature is a production of Evolution Media. Executive Produced by Douglas Ross and Co-Executive Produced by Alex Baskin.
The Latimer Project
Jason Latimer, three time World Champion of Magic and owner of Latimer Corp, an illusion design firm, is the creative genius behind the greatest illusions ever imagined. Together with his master builders, thinkers and illusioneers, this modern-day Harry Potter transforms everyday magic into epic visual trickery. From concept to creation, we follow the process behind Jason’s visions. Starting with doodles in a notebook ending in stunning illusions that can include elaborate ten-ton props, Jason and his team create breathtaking, mind-bending events for his clients.
The Latimer Project is a production of Pilgrim Films. Executive Produced by Craig Piligian.
Mr. Impossible
When the world’s most brilliant scientists and engineers can’t get the job done they turn to just one man… Dezso Molnar. This docusoap follows the travels and travails of the “rogue inventor” who is known simply as Mr. Impossible. No matter how difficult the problem or how futuristic the technology, Dezso always finds a way to make the seemingly impossible suddenly possible. Whether his inventions are being launched into space, raced at over 600 miles an hour across the Utah Salt Flats, or diving into the depths of the Mediterranean, he is always on the lookout for ways to change life as we know it.
Mr. Impossible is a production of Story House Productions. Executive Produced by Andreas Gutzeit.
Paranormal Files
From Dimitri Doganis & Bart Layton, the acclaimed creative team behind “Locked Up Abroad”, this tense, filmic and high-octane drama-documentary series brings to life the stories of people who have lived through paranormal experiences that defy explanation. Using the mixture of intimate first-hand testimony and grittly realistic drama that production company Raw is known for, Paranormal Files will take the audience into a world turned upside-down by extraordinary and terrifying events
Paranormal Files is a production of Raw TV. Executive Produced Dimitri Doganis & Bart Layton.
Face Off
Face Off is an exciting new competition/elimination series which explores the world of special-effects make-up artists and the unlimited imagination which allows them to create amazing works of living art. Each episode involves incredible reveals as we see the finished results of the competitors’ work. The show will go beyond simple effects make-up and incorporate many different skill sets including prosthetics, 3-D design, animatronics, sculpting, puppeteering, casting and molding.
Face Off is a production of Mission Control. Executive Produced by Michael Agbadian & Dwight Smith.
The Dome Experiment
Throughout history, social scientists have been studying “nature vs. nurture” and the great debate about what makes us a civilized society. The Dome Experiment will test the boundaries of Human Nature. Twelve test subjects from all walks of life (the leader, the worker, the entertainer, the provider, etc) will enter “The Dome”, a completely sealed bio-environment. Relying on each other for all of their daily needs (food, shelter, entertainment, security), they will face a series of challenges and experiments designed to expose the true nature of humanity. The results will be a fascinating look into the fragility of learned human behavior and will answer the question: what plays a bigger role – genetics or the environment?
The Dome Experiment is a production of 3 Ball Productions.
Untitled Artifact Search Series
From Michael Agbadian & Dwight Smith, this fast-paced action-adventure series travels the world in search of some of history’s greatest relics and artifacts, all of which are believed to hold hidden powers and mystical significance for ancient and modern cultures. Each episode will include Indiana Jones-type adventure and Da Vinci Code-style connections as the hidden truths and alternative theories of these mythical objects are explored like never before.
Untitled Artifact Search Series is a production of Mission Control. Executive Produced Michael Agbadian & Dwight Smith.
I get all my sci-fi from BBC America so Syfy can go turn into HGTV because I’m not watching anymore
I am skeptical that anything with the words “paranormal”, “Da Vinci Code” or “Feng Shui” have any place in a show that labels itself “reality”
Although I am perfectly aware that “reality TV” is itself an oxymoron.
Bleh. More junk instead of storytelling. Must suck to be a drama writer in Hollywood right now, especially a genre one.
Syfy is proving more and more to be the disease it’s named for:
STOP WEAKENING YOUR LINE UP WITH THIS CRAP!
Pass on all of them. And people wonder why I stopped getting cable and just hulu, netflix, or BT airways the shows I want to watch.
….and Fonzy jumps the shark. Fabulous. I already get Discovery. Did NBC hire the guys that came up with McDonald’s Pizza to run SIEFIE or whatever they call now?
You might not like it, but apparently these type of shows have been giving SyFy their best ratings. They’re a business.
Shows like Caprica can barely get 1 million viewers while Ghost Hunters get 2 million on average with half the production cost.
I think this shift in programming will hurt SyFy in the long run. When the market is saturated, and people stop watching these altogether, maybe they’ll switch back to more original scripted “science fiction” programming.
Okay, seeing as how there’s so much negativity here, I’ll play the optimist. It seems like ever since Sci-Fi went to SyFy, anything that comes out on that channel is automatically labeled drivel. Keep in mind they are still broadcasting Eureka, Warehouse13, Caprica, etc. Just on the title of this article alone one would automatically want to turn away in disgust, but actually a couple of these might actually be interesting. Just because they are reality doesn’t automatically make them crap, remember The Colony, recommended by Slice of Sci-Fi?
Mr. Impossible sounds like it might do better on Discovery, but hey, at least it’s not wrestling! I’d be interested in seeing what inventions this guy comes up with.
Face Off sounds like it could be a behind the scenes documentary style of show, where hopefully we get some views on how the puppetry in Farscape was done, how the aliens in movies are made up, etc.
The other shows sound like a very long stretch even to link them to science fiction. Quantum kitchen?? Only if Dominar Rygel is the host! 🙂
The Colony was on History Channel, wasn’t it?
But I like Destination Truth, and while Ghost Hunters doesn’t thrill me anymore, I thought Discovery Channel’s Ghost Lab was entertaining because of the characters doing the ghost hunting.
I don’t mind reality shows as long as they are entertaining and have at least some semblance of science or speculation about it. And if those reality shows bring in a cashflow that will allow the production of shows like Warehouse 13, Caprica, Eureka to continue, I won’t complain too much. And like ya said, at least it’s not more wrestling.
Oh for God’s sake! Obama Care and now this crap. The American Empire is drawing to a close.
Yes, that’s what’ll do it; health care and dumb TV shows. *eyeroll* I’m sure you were aiming for hyperbolic humor, but it came off as just being a doofus.
Obama-care is scary, evil and “real” reality. SYFY shows are stupid NON-reality that nobody producing it really cares about or thinks about.
@Mike, As someone who has not had any healthcare insurance in over five years, something that’s potentially dangerous for a woman my age, I will say that you know not about what you speak. I shouldn’t have to move to Hawaii or become a Canadian citizen in order to get checkups and dental care without having to choose between paying a medical bill or my mortgage or risk getting a lien on my home because I can’t pay for an emergency room visit. You don’t know what it’s like to live long-term on the outside of the safety net we’ve all grown up taking for granted, so hush and let me have a chance to get some peace of mind from getting a long overdue checkup an physical, and not have to wait until I’m employed again and *hope* that job will have healthcare benefits that I don’t have to pay half out the wazoo for before I get to use it.
Now everyone keep your snarky political comments (from both sides of the aisle, you sanctimonious puffs) off my scifi entertainment. You wanna talk politics, take it off here, and keep it off here. You’ve made me angry… you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.
Mike: The second part of your e-mail is true, but sadly doesn’t carry much weight on account of the first part being total crap.
Now, now . . . women your age shouldn’t go and get themselves all angry-like . . .
. . . btw, what age would that be we be talking about?
Old enough to remember the 60s and 70s, and be angry about Hollywood giving me all those same movies all over again 🙂
@tensaibaka: My complaint wasn’t with the shows themselves (although only a couple of them *might* belong on SyFy…the rest should go to other channels). It was with the fact that they’re hyping reality vs. scripted shows. Sure, that’s what seems to sell to the masses these days. However, SyFy used to be a place where you could count on them to at least attempt to tell some original stories. Even if some of them were crap 🙂
It’s the same problem with movies and music. The bigwigs want the best return on investment, so instead of taking a chance with something new they keep rehashing the same stuff over and over. For a creative person like myself, it’s disgusting.
I was going to say that I’m not watching SyFy anymore, until Summer reminded me about Eureka and Warehouse 13. I tried but I just couldn’t build up any enthusiasm for Caprica. Also, I thought some of the episodes of the last season of Eureka were a little repetitive and not as much fun as they used to be. Pretty soon I might only be watching one SyFy show.
SyFy can show all the so called “Reality TV” they want; I don’t own the channel, its not my place to tell them what to do. However, I have better things to do with my time then to watch their drivel.
One more point I wanted to make. Recently I was watching the movie Network, made back in the mid-70’s. There’s a scene were a secretary is reading a list of proposed new TV dramas. Each proposed series had a similar title such as “The Young Doctors” or “The Young Detectives.” Each of these shows sounded the same and had descriptions of identical stock characters, such as the idealistic new whatever and his/ her tough but fair boss.
Today all these proposed reality shows are starting to take on that same generic feeling. Ask yourself if anything on that list sounds remotely original or truly interesting.
Does anyone notice anything about the scripted shows on syfy? There is Warehouse 13, Stargate Univserse and Caperica. All three of these, to me, are ddecent, but a bit….remarcibly unremarcible.
Nonethless, it seems like the only show on syfy that is not reality or is not a sin off, is Warehouse 13.
All I ask, is if having one really good orginal scifi show on syfy that hard? Somthing that has nothing to d with solving crimes on a weekly basis. How hard is it to ask syfy to think outside the syfy air tight box?
You rock Summer.
Great – Another channel bites the dust. Does anyone remember when TLC used to have interesting programming? History, Discovery, NatGeo, they are all adding more and more Reality (cr@p) programming. The odd thing is, they started off as niche channels, supposedly catering to a niche viewing audience. Then somewhere along the line, apparently, it was deemed their ratings had to compete with NBC’s to get big ad dollars? And how do you compete with the networks? Entertain the masses. Unfortunately in America, it seems, that means dumbing down the programming. (i.e. “reality” – because, after all, ghosts are real, doncha know?) You get a bunch of stoned college kids to watch, and who cares about quality? The ad money is pouring in! Sell more Mountain Dew, Dude! me thinks its getting close to the day when its time to get rid of paid TV. Why should I pay to watch cr@p and get advertised at?