BRIEFS

Cable World, March 10, 2003

MTV PLANS NEW SHOWS WITH SNOOP, KUTCHER

MTV said last week that it plans to launch four new series this spring and summer: Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, a parody show starring Snoop Dogg; Punk'd, a sketch comedy show featuring Ashton Kutcher playing practical jokes on celebrity friends; Surf Girls, a reality show in which contestants train with some of the world's best female surfers to win a professional sponsorship deal; and TRL Presents: Duets, in which a music superstar provides a talented fan with the opportunity to record a duet. MTV also plans a weeklong TRL special, TRL at Your School Week.

SPEED SETS ADDITIONAL COVERAGE OF F1 RACES

Speed Channel reached a three-year agreement with the FIA Formula One World Championship, making the network the television home to the complete 16-race Grand Prix racing schedule in 2003, including September's United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis. While Formula One was originally the network's big draw, Speed has been increasingly featuring NASCAR programming.

IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S GOODLIFE TV

GoodLife TV Network will air all 104 original episodes of the original Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves as the Man of Steel. Marking the program's 50th anniversary, the network will run an eight-hour prime-time Superman Marathon on March 15.

WOMEN SEARCH FOR MEANING ON SHOWTIME

Showtime Networks acquired three series that focus on women searching for happiness and meaning in their lives: The Buccaneers, starring Mira Sorvino; Linda Green, with Liza Tarbuck; and Rescue Me, starring Sally Phillips. The shows, licensed by BBC Sales Co., will premiere on Showtime this year.

BRAVO AIRING 'ART CRIMES'

Bravo will follow the investigations of six of the most brazen art frauds and thefts in recent history in the new original documentary series Art Crimes and Mysteries, hosted by Jesse L. Martin of Law & Order. The program will appear for six consecutive weekdays, beginning April 7.