TLC announced the schedule for the debut week of its summer lineup on Thursday, a slate that begins May 29 with a double dose of "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding."
The highest-profile show airing in week one of TLC's summer season is "Surprise Homecomings," hosted by Billy Ray Cyrus, aka Miley's dad. It settles onto the network later in June, but will get a sneak peak on May 30.
Another new TLC series, "NY Ink," receives its debut on June 2.
No word yet on when the excellently named "Ned Bruha: The Skunk Whisperer" will make its debut.
Also read: Discovery's 2011-12 Lineup: Billy Ray Cyrus, Gypsy Weddings and a Skunk Whisperer
Check out TLC's press release announcing the schedule below.
TLC SCHEDULES A RED HOT SUMMER
TLC is again the destination for the hottest series and specials on TV with an estimated 150 hours of all-new programming, including six new series, 14 returning seasons, and fresh specials throughout June, July, and August. Kicking off with a week of premieres, the network’s new summer schedule begins Memorial Day weekend.
"Summer days are perfect for the beach and pool side cookouts – but summer nights belong to TLC. With non-stop premieres of TV's most entertaining shows, TLC is bringing can't-miss entertainment all season long," said Amy Winter, General Manager, TLC.
TLC’s new summer schedule starts May 29 with these new series/seasons/specials:
Sunday, May 29
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding
Two specials airing 9p & 10p ET/PT
Monday May 30
Cake Boss
All-new episodes return, with a one-hour special at 9p-10p ET/PT
Surprise Homecoming
Series sneak peek 10p-11p ET/PT
(*series scheduled to premiere in June)
Tuesday May 31
The Little Couple
Season premiere, 10p-10:30p & 10:30p-11p ET/PT
Thursday June 2
NY Ink
New series premiere, 10p-11p ET/PT
Friday June 3
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding
Weekly time slot premiere, 10p-11p ET/PT
Saturday June 4
Niecy Nash's Wedding Bash!
All-new two-hour special, 9p-11p ET/PT
Sunday June 5
Sister Wives
Mid-season finale, 9p-10p ET/PT
Freaky Eaters
Season premiere, 10p-10:30p & 10:30p-11p
DESCRIPTIONS
Cake Boss
Season four continues with all new episodes featuring some of the bakery crew’s biggest cakes ever – including for NASA and a Transformers-themed cake for GM. Buddy is also balancing the demands of a newborn with the ongoing growth of Carlo’s and the launch of their new cake factory.
Freaky Eaters
In an all-new season, the series continues to tell the story individuals as they confront the painful truth behind their food obsessions and come face to face with the destructive side effects. In each episode, two experts, Psychotherapist Dr. Mike Dow and Nutrition Specialist J.J. Virgin, stage a food intervention in a bid to help this individual overcome the culinary compulsion.
Surprise Homecoming
The series, hosted by Billy Ray Cyrus, presents a series of surprise military homecomings. In each episode, viewers will watch as soldiers return home to the delight of their loved ones, paying off each personal story with "the" moment so sweet and raw that it cuts through, connecting us as fathers, mothers, husbands, and wives.
The Little Couple
Bill & Jen return with an all-new season, which picks up with them continuing their difficult journey to start a family. They are also completing building their house, and prepare for Jen’s parents to move to Houston. The couple also explores launching a new business, while balancing their already-hectic schedules.
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding
The hit UK series paints a visually arresting portrait of the secretive, extravagant and surprising world of gypsies and travellers in Britain today, by following their extraordinary rite-of-passage events – including weddings, communions and christenings. Each episode gives insights into the community's attitudes toward gender roles, education and outsiders. The series also explores the remarkable rituals, traditions and beliefs held by this minority group.
Niecy Nash's Wedding Bash!
The special follows Niecy Nash as she plans her wedding and celebrates her special day with fiancé Jay Tucker. TLC will join the couple as they search for their venue, discover the perfect dress, and ultimately, get married. The entire wedding experience will air as a two-hour television event days after the ceremony.
NY Ink
Tattoo artist Ami James leaves the warm sunny shores of Miami for the cold hard concrete and steel of New York City. The series follows Ami as he opens a shop, risking his reputation and finances on a huge new space, while recruiting an elite staff of artists whose personalities are as big as their tattoo skills.