AMC is deepening its commitment to unscripted fare with a pair of new reality series revolving around Southern California's Venice Beach and the world of taxidermy, the network said Thursday.
The former, which currently bears the working title "Venice Beach Freakshow," is "a family drama" that focuses on former music producer Todd Ray's attempt to launch his own freakshow on the boardwalk of Los Angeles' famously eccentric Venice Beach. Ray will executive produce, along with Greg Johnston from Endemol USA. The eight-episode series is slated to premiere in the first quarter of 2013.
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“Untitled Taxidermy Series," (also a working title), will pit taxidermists from both rogue and classic schools of the craft against each other to create a distinct piece of art "that is judged on overall presentation, creativity and technique," the network said in a statement. Executive-produced by Go Go Luckey Entertainment (which brought the world "Laguna Beach"), the series will also consist of eight half-hour episodes and will debut in the first quarter of 2013.
In addition to the two new offerings, AMC has also renewed its previously existing reality series "The Pitch," which premiered in April and will return for a second season in the second quarter of next year.