NBC unveiled premiere dates for three new and returning series for Summer 2012 that include the return of “Love in the Wild” (Thursday, 6/7, 8-10 p.m. ET), the series debut of “Saving Hope” (working title; Thursday, 6/7, 10-11 p.m. ET) and the return of G4’s “American Ninja Warrior” (Monday, 5/21, 9-11 p.m. ET).
Following its special two-hour premiere on June 7, “Love in the Wild” will return in its regular time slot on Thursday, June 14 (9-10 p.m. ET). “American Ninja Warrior” will resume in its regular day and time on Monday, 5/28 (9-10 p.m. ET). It will also will premiere on G4 Sunday, 5/20 (9-11 p.m. ET). “Saving Hope” will continue in the Thursday (10-11 p.m. ET) time period.
The ever-engaging funny woman Jenny McCarthy returns to her hosting roots as she joins NBC’s adventure-dating series “Love in the Wild” as the host for the show’s second season. McCarthy will head to the tropical paradise of the Dominican Republic to guide contestants through rigorous adventures as well as the choppy waters of relationships in their quest to find love.
Last summer’s run of “Love in the Wild” averaged a 1.8 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.5 million viewers overall. In adults 18-49, “Love in the Wild” finished #1 or tied for #1 in its time period among ABC, CBS and NBC with seven of eight telecasts.
“Love in the Wild” puts relationships to the ultimate test with exhilarating and wild adventures that push participants to the limit, both physically and emotionally. Single men and single women, all looking for love, will experience a romantic quest unlike anything they could have ever imagined. These singles have tried it all — speed-dating, blind-dating, Internet dating — and now, they will journey to a tropical paradise to see if they can find that special someone.
“Saving Hope” is a new, hour-long original drama series that stars Erica Durance (“Smallville”), Michael Shanks (“Stargate Atlantis”), Daniel Gillies (“The Vampire Diaries”), Huse Madhavji (“Combat Hospital,” “Star!” “Daily”), Julia Taylor-Ross (“Rookie Blue”) and Kristopher Turner (“Rookie Blue,” “The Listener”). The series is from acclaimed Gemini Award-winning producers Ilana Frank and David Wellington (“The Eleventh Hour,” “Would Be Kings,” “Rookie Blue”).
When charismatic Chief of Surgery Charlie Harris (Shanks) at Hope-Zion Hospital ends up in a coma, he leaves the hospital in chaos — and his fiancée and fellow surgeon, Alex Reid (Durance), in a state of shock. Along with newly arrived star surgeon, Joel Goran (Gillies), Reid races to save Harris’ life. As the action unfolds, the comatose Harris explores the hospital halls in “spirit” form, not sure if he’s a ghost or a figment of his own imagination. Reid, along with her fellow doctors, press on to save his life and those of their other patients as they deal with the complicated and courageous decisions that are made in their daily struggle to keep hope alive.
“American Ninja Warrior” is a heart-racing obstacle course competition series with a nationwide search to find the ultimate athlete who will be crowned the first true “American Ninja Warrior.” The networks collaborated with the original Japanese broadcaster, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, to bring the competitive course over to the U.S., which is being held entirely on U.S. soil for the first time.
Six regional qualifying competitions throughout the country will determine the finalists who will ultimately have a shot at a $500,000 cash prize and the chance to win the “American Ninja Warrior” title in the national finals in Las Vegas.
