Fall means a new batch of reality TV; check out descriptions of new reality series.
The Chair
Starz
Premieres: Sept. 6
Airs: Saturdays at 11pm
Billed as “an original filmmaking experiment,” two aspiring young filmmakers are each given the same shoestring budget, the same script and the same location and asked to make wholly original theatrical releases. Mentored by Moore, actor/producer Zachary Quinto and others, excitable YouTube superstar Shane Dawson and sensitive indie filmmaker/actor Anna Martemucci display fascinatingly disparate constitutions and sensibilities on their way to creating works that will, through multi-platform viewer voting, earn one a $250,000 prize.
MORE: We talk with The Chair producers Zachary Quinto and Chris Moore!
Fake Off
truTV
Premieres: Oct. 27
Airs: Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT
Ten teams of performers compete in the art of faking, a mix of theater, acrobatics, black light and illusion, to put a jaw-dropping spin on moments in pop culture. Each week, the contestants are given themes like “Game Shows,” “The Titanic” or “Action Movies” and, after a week of rehearsals, they have 90 seconds to perform and blow away the judges and audience. Fake Off is hosted by actor and dancer Robert Hoffman and features judges Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas from music group TLC, actor/dancer/choreographer Harry Shum Jr. (Glee), and visual and concept designer Michael Curry. “When you see these performers,” says Thomas, “they’re faking it so well that it seems real. That’s what I’m looking for.”
Freak Out
ABC Family
Premieres: October
Airs: Tuesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 22, 9pmET/PT
Unsuspecting people are set up by their friends and family in unexpected and scary situations. Through the use of setups, stunts, makeup, pyrotechnics and situations tailored to each “mark’s” fears, the show delivers good scares, and big laughs. “It makes me think these poor people need either new family or better friends,” jokes Tom Ascheim, president of ABC Family.
Nail’d It
Oxygen
Premieres: Oct. 7
Airs: Tuesdays at 9pm
Eighteen of the fiercest nail designers compete against one another in a claw-filled elimination competition of mammoth manicure proportions. In each episode, three “Nailistas” craft flawless flat paint designs and over-the-top works of art using everything from gels, wraps, polishes, glitter, lace, rhinestones, 3-D objects and extreme materials. The winners of the first six episodes will compete in a four-part finale until only one artist is left standing and wins a life-changing $100,000 prize.
Manzo’d With Children
Bravo
Premieres: October 5
Airs: Sundays at 9pm ET
Caroline Manzo of The Real Housewives of New Jersey attempts to corral her larger-than-life Italian family. Eldest son Albie is single and ready to mingle, daughter Lauren is finally engaged to Vito, and youngest child Christopher is searching for his next outrageous business idea. It’s one crowded house filled with laughter and personality … and maybe a few rounds of the Ham Game.
Cutthroat Kitchen: Superstar Sabotage
Food Network
Premieres: October 8
Airs: Wednesdays at 9pm ET/PT
Sixteen of the food world’s bravest celebrities will sabotage each other as they battle in a five-episode culinary cage fight. With $75,000 at stake for their favorite charity, the celebs, under the mirth-filled eye of host Alton Brown, use their cunning and conniving cooking skills to achieve victory.
MORE: Food Network announces Cutthroat Kitchen: Superstar Sabotage competitors and schedule!
Threads
Lifetime
Premiering: Oct. 23 at 10:30pm
Airs: Thursdays at 10pm
Talented tween and teen fashion designers battle for a massive prize, including a scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). Former Project Runway winner Christian Siriano, Seventeen fashion director Gina Kelly and accessories editor Jasmine Snow, and YouTube style guru Ingrid Nilsen judge the competition, with Vanessa Simmons (Run’s House) serving as host.
Utopia
FOX
Premieres: Sept. 7
Airs: Tuesdays and Fridays at 8pm
Reality mega-producer Jon de Mol brings to the U.S. this groundbreaking social experiment based on a Dutch reality series of the same name. In the U.S. version, 15 everyday people leave their families for one year and move to an isolated and uninhabited area to build their dream society.
Friends of the People image © Jeremy Freeman/ TruTV
Fake Off image © Annette Brown/Turner Entertainment Networks
Freak Out Image © ABC Family/Eric McCandless
Nail’d It image of Adrienne Bailon © Andrew Eccles/Oxygen
Threads image © Quillard Inc./Lifetime