R. Thomas Umstead — Multichannel News, 11/10/2008 3:07:00 PM
SoapNet Monday announced it will launch three new original series in 2009, including a scripted show about a thirty-something woman trying to find her way in the worlld.
The series, Being Erica, follows the life Erica Strange (Erin Karpluk) a 32-year-old educated, underachieving single woman who struggles to understand why her life is heading nowhere and why she has not found her right path. The 13-episode series, which launches next spring, also stars Michael Riley and Tyron Leitso, according to the network,
A reality series, Greg Behrendt’s Wake-Up Call is slated to debut Jan. 8 and will feature Sex and the City consultant Greg Behrendt, who will address and seek to fix one couple’s major issues each week.
Behrendt will also host a series of interstitials throughout the network’s six week, “Sugar-Free Valentines,” programming event debuting Jan. 8 dedicated to the fun and romance surrounding Valentine’s Day.
A second reality series, Southern Belles (working title), will follow the lives of five single, Southern women in their 20s and 30s. The 10-episode series will be produced by Endemol USA (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Deal or No Deal, Big Brother)
“SoapNet remains committed to growing the soap genre and is increasing its original program offerings next year with new series that contain ‘soapy’ elements and compliment the serialized drama found in our daytime and primetime offerings,” said Brian Frons, president Daytime, Disney ABC-Television Group, in a statement. “In speaking to our viewers, we have learned that they are on a path of self discovery and each of our new series taps into that journey.”
