TV News: Travel Channel Adds Four New Original Series to its 2013 Programming Lineup

Adam Richman from “Adam Richman’s Fandemonium”

According to today’s Upfront presentation in New York City, Travel Channel will premiere Adam Richman’s Fandemonium beginning Sunday, July 14 at 10pm ET/PT, an exciting new series that will follow Travel Channel host Adam Richman as he searches for the biggest and wildest fan events across America. Three other new series have been greenlit for production as well: adventure series Get Lost (working title), Best Daym Takeout with YouTube’s Daymon Patterson as host, and Backroad Gold, hosted by antique car expert Corky Coker.

In addition, Travel Channel’s Hotel Impossible returns for a third season on Monday, August 12 at 10 pm ET/PT, and Mysteries at the Museum premieres its fifth season on Thursday, August 15 at 9 pm ET/PT. For a brief description of each new and returning series, check out the official press release below.

Daymon Patterson from “Best Daym Takeout”

New York, NY (April 23, 2013) – Today, at parent company Scripps Networks Interactive’s Upfront presentation at Alice Tully Hall in New York City, Travel Channel unveils to the advertising community many of the new original series rolling out over the next year. Four new series being added to the Network’s expanding programming slate for 2013 include the newest series for Travel Channel host Adam Richman, as he takes viewers across America in search of the biggest and wildest fan events this country has to offer in “Adam Richman’s Fandemonium,” premiering Sunday, July 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Additionally, three new shows have been greenlit for production including: adventure series “Get Lost” (wt), featuring survival expert husband and wife duo, Mykel Hawke and Ruth England, as they are blindly dropped in the wilderness and must rely on each other’s skills to survive and get back to safety; “Best Daym Takeout,” featuring YouTube sensation Daymon Patterson as he travels the country to give one-of-a-kind reviews of the best takeout joints from behind the steering wheel; and “Backroad Gold,” which shadows antique car expert Corky Coker on his journey off the beaten path to hunt down, refurbish and resell undervalued barn finds.

Greg Cunningham (left) and Corky Coker (right) from “Backroad Gold”

Travel Channel’s hit series “Hotel Impossible” returns for a third season premiering Monday, August 12 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, and follows hotel fixer Anthony Melchiorri as he rescues struggling hotels that are down to their last hope. “Mysteries at the Museum” has been re-upped for a fifth season and is set to premiere on Thursday, August 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, with host Don Wildman back to unearth the secrets, scandals and untold stories of America’s past.

“The Network’s personal journey over the last year has been one of exceptional growth and expansion – from new programming and expert hosts to a more broadened audience base. We remain committed to rolling out a dynamic programming line-up that provides the lean-forward experience our viewers look for when they tune into Travel Channel,” said Laureen Ong, President, Travel Channel. “From the inner workings and cultural roots of all types of fanhood, to the thrill of survival amongst the unknown, our new series continue to give viewers entertaining, informative and distinctive travel-related programming that only Travel Channel can deliver.”

NEW SERIES

“Adam Richman’s Fandemonium” (13×30) (formerly announced as “Tailgate Takeover”)

Premiering on Sunday, July 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

In “Adam Richman’s Fandemonium,” Adam Richman is on a mission to find the wildest fan events in America and meet the fanatics of anything worshipped, watched or celebrated. On his quest to discover the ultimate fans, Richman samples the tastiest foods, discovers the finest tailgate innovations and uncovers the storied history and insider secrets to what being a diehard fan is all about. Richman immerses himself into events that have a legendary base of obsessed, passionate fans – from the Daytona 500 to the Kentucky Derby.

“Adam Richman’s Fandemonium” is produced by Sharp Entertainment for Travel Channel. For Sharp Entertainment, the executive producers are Matt Sharp, Dan Adler, Bob Larson and Adam Richman, and the series producer is Nick Budabin. For Travel Channel, the executive producer is Brian Leonard.

“Get Lost” (wt) (6×60)

In “Get Lost,” former U.S. Army Special Forces survival expert, Mykel Hawke, and his journalist wife, Ruth England, face their biggest adventure yet. In this new original series, the married couple put their skills and relationship to the ultimate test as they are dropped blindly into the wilderness, with limited supplies and precious few clues as to where they actually are. They must rely on instinct, expertise and each other, to figure out where they are and how to get out. Each journey will test the strength of their relationship and depth of their survival skills as they climb, crawl and claw their way through forbidding landscapes to find their way back to civilization. Locations include the treacherous jungles of Latin America, the desolate swamps of the Southern U.S., deserted islands in the Caribbean, and other challenging and remote spots in the far reaches of the planet.

“Get Lost” is produced by Tremendous! Entertainment for Travel Channel. For Tremendous! Entertainment, the executive producers are Colleen Needles Steward, Shannon Keenan Demers and Jeff Sells. For Travel Channel, the executive producer is Bill Howard.

“Best Daym Takeout” (6×30) – Limited Series

Daymon Patterson is not your typical food critic. Every bit of his 6-foot-5-inch, 390-pound frame is filled with a lot of love – for both food and comedy! A certified YouTube sensation with tens of millions of views, he delivers a mouthful of commentary with larger-than-life personality from the driver’s seat of his car. In “Best Daym Takeout,” Patterson continues to give fans his unique reviews and off-the-wall commentary while traveling the country in search of the best carryout in each town he visits. From big city eats to small town shops, Patterson’s blend of comically poetic descriptions will have viewers craving delicious takeout all over America.

“Best Daym Takeout” is produced by Banca Studio in association with Lionsgate Television for Travel Channel. For Banca Studio in association with Lionsgate Television, the executive producers are Roy Bank and Bruce Klassen. For Travel Channel, the executive producer is Sean McKnight.

“Backroad Gold” (8×30)

“Backroad Gold” follows antique car expert Corky Coker as he scours the highways, back roads and small towns of America, wheeling and dealing for hidden riches such as antique cars, motorcycles, trucks, gas pumps and road signs. This is Coker’s life-long passion and his business – he is constantly on the road hunting for the next big find. Together with his expert team of restorers – which includes his father, son-in-law and daughter – Coker buys, restores, and sells all finds from his shop, Honest Charley’s Speedshop in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“Backroad Gold” is produced by Brentwood Communications International, Inc. for Travel Channel. For Brentwood Communications International, Inc., the executive producer is Bud Brutsman. For Travel Channel, the executive producer is Sean McKnight.

RETURNING SERIES

“Hotel Impossible” (13×60)

Premiering on Monday, August 12 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

Hotel “fixer,” Anthony Melchiorri returns for a third season to turn struggling hotels into bustling tourist destinations. Each episode features a hotel either not living up to its potential, or on the verge of closing. Melchiorri assesses each property and identifies its biggest problems. He then meets with the staff, from front desk receptionists to housekeeping to the owners themselves, to determine the key operation issues. Joining Melchiorri on location are a variety of highly experienced designers including Blanche Garcia, Casey Noble and new to this season, Carrie Drosnes, who will help transform key spaces in each hotel. Melchiorri has just days to convince the hotel staff and owners to let go of the reins, formulate a plan, revamp the hotel and re-motivate its staff. For some hotel owners, this is their last hope.

“Hotel Impossible” is produced by Atlas Media Corp. for Travel Channel. For Atlas, executive producers are Bruce David Klein, Lorri Leighton and Rob Green. For Travel Channel, the executive producer is Brian Leonard.

“Mysteries at the Museum” (13×60)

Premiering on Monday, August 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

In the fifth season of “Mysteries at the Museum,” the series continues to span the country, exploring local archives, storefront collections and the hallowed halls of stately institutions, to uncover the objects and artifacts that reveal the nation’s hidden secrets. History explorer and museum enthusiast Don Wildman scours a range of museums in search of extraordinary relics at the heart of tales that shock and amaze. From the U.S. Secret Service Museum in Washington, D.C. that displays the printing press used by one of the greatest con men in America, to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan that houses a Colt .45 semi-automatic pistol that almost ended Ford’s presidential term far sooner than anyone would have expected, these are a few of the sites that celebrate our nation’s distinguished past. Through gripping interviews, rich archival footage and arresting reenactments, “Mysteries at the Museum” brings to life the amazing artifacts from the center of the nation’s most notorious crimes and scandals, unexplained encounters, bizarre inventions and the most enthralling events of all time.

“Mysteries at the Museum” is produced by Optomen Productions, Inc. for Travel Channel. For Optomen, executive producers are Nicola Moody and Dominic Stobart. Series producer is Tim McConville. For Travel Channel, executive producer is David E. Gerber.