Time to round up the day’s TV news:
— TLC, which plans more than 100 hours of original programming for the summer, has set premiere dates for several more series.
"Kate Plus 8" — minus Jon — kicks off Sunday, June 6, with episodes at 9 and 10 p.m. It’s a series of specials featuring Kate Gosselin and her kids on new adventures. She also stars in the channel’s "Twist of Kate," due later this year.
"Fabulous Cakes," premiering Friday, June 4, at 10 p.m. showcases three bakeries each week (no points for guessing their specialty).
And "Snow Men," which starts in July (exact date TBA), features the men and women who fight to reopen dangerous roads after extreme weather shuts them down. (Do you think they considered calling it "Snowplow!"?)
Previously announced titles and premiere dates are "Police Women of Memphis" (May 27 at 9), "Mall Cops: Mall of America" (May 27 at 10), "Cake Boss" (May 31 at 9), "One Big Happy Family" (June 1 at 9), "The Little Couple" (June 1 at 10), "Toddlers & Tiaras" (June 2 at 10), "I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant" (June 9 at 9), "Battle of the Wedding Designers" (June 18 at 10), "Inedible to Incredible" (June 21 at 10), "Cupcake Dreams" (July 16 at 10) and "Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta" (July 30 at 9).
New seasons of "19 Kids & Counting," "Lottery Changed My Life," "BBQ Pitmasters" and "LA Ink" start airing in August, along with the launch of "American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior."
— The Oakland Athletics’ Dallas Braden, who pitched the 19th perfect game in Major League Baseball history on Sunday, will present the Top Ten List on CBS’ "The Late Show With David Letterman" on Tuesday. He’ll be the sixth pitcher to visit "Late Show" after throwing a perfect game, following Kenny Rogers (8/1/94), David Wells (5/18/98), David Cone (7/21/99), Randy Johnson (5/19/04) and Mark Buehrle (7/27/09).
–Spike TV plans a one-hour special, "U.S. Navy: Pirate Hunters," about the dramatic increase in piracy off the coast of Africa. The back-door pilot from 44 Blue Productions will premiere Tuesday, June 8, at 11 p.m. following a special "Somali Pirate vs. Medellin Cartel" episode of "Deadliest Warrior" at 10 p.m.
— Syfy has acquired remake rights to British detective series "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)" from ITV Studios and plans to develop it as a pilot for a one-hour scripted series. ITV Studios will produce, with Josh Bycel ("Scrubs") and Jonathan Fener ("American Dad") writing and executive produceing Howard Braunstein of Jaffe/Braunstein Entertainment also will executive produce.
In the original late-1960s series, Hopkirk (Kenneth Cope) was murdered in the line of duty. He returned as a ghost, visible only to his former partner, Randall (Mike Pratt), and assisted him in fighting crime from beyond the grave. (If only he could be a vampire…)
–Ion Life, which describes itself as "the country’s first television network dedicated to the celebration of a healthy, active and empowered life," has added five new half-hour shows that are set to premiere this summer.
The U.S premieres of three daily half-hour series — “Gadget Girlz,” “Body Fuel” and “Smart Cookies” — are joined by daily half-hour fitness series “My Workout” and“Adrienne Reed’s Power Yoga.”
The following are descriptions of the five new series joining ION Life’s fall programming lineup:
"Gadget Girlz," hosted by four resident Gadget Girlz — Carolyn, Sasha, Ethel and Janelle — aims to tap into female interest in technology and educate viewers on the latest advances. “Gadget Girlz” is produced by Positive Living Documentaries.
“Body Fuel” looks at the role foods, liquids and supplements have on building strength. focuses on maximizing fitness results through the use of food and supplements. Featuring an award-winning executive chef, a professional sports trainer, a nutritionist and a bioscientist, the series looks at the science behind the food and the efficiency of how we combine foods and supplements to build strength. It’s also produced by Positive Living Documentaries.
The "Smart Cookies" say it’s time for women to take control of their financial lives and get what’s coming to them, whether it be a dream vacation, a condo or a pair of Seven jeans. Five dynamic young women focus on how to attract more money into your life, how to have fun doing it and how to afford what you really want. “Smart Cookies” is produced and distributed by Omni Film Production/Picture Box.
Cutting-edge fitness program "My Workout" combines fun and exercise, bringing together Hollywood’s top celebrity trainers for a workout that is engaging, entertaining and energizing. It’s produced and distributed by Shankly Productions.
"Adrienne Reed’s Power Yoga" is hosted by the superstar yoga instructor and each episode features a specific power yoga theme. Each segment highlights students of varying skill levels. It’s produced and distributed by Bluewater Media.
