ABC Announces Summer Television Schedule

ABC announces its summer schedule, with the return "The Bachelorette" on Monday, May 24 (9:00-11:00 p.m.); "True Beauty" on Monday, May 31 (10:02-11:00 p.m.); a special two-hour blind date-themed episode of "Wipeout" on Tuesday, June 1 (8:00-10:00 p.m.), before the premiere on Tuesday, June 22 (8:00-10:00 p.m.); "Dating in the Dark" on Monday, August 9 (10:00-11:00 p.m.), and "Shaq VS" on Tuesday, August 10 (9:00-10:00 p.m.).

Also premiering are three new scripted series, "The Gates" on Sunday, June 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m.); "Scoundrels" on Sunday, June 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); and "Rookie Blue" on Thursday, June 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m.).

New alternative series premiering are "Downfall" on Tuesday, June 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m.), and "Bachelor Pad" on Monday, August 9 (8:00-10:00 p.m.).

ABC News' series joining the lineup are "Boston Med" on Thursday, June 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); "Primetime: Mind Games" on Tuesday, July 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); "Head Cases" on Thursday, August 19 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); and "Primetime: Crime" on Tuesday, August 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m.).

"Our strategy is to use the strength of our May programming to launch a strong summer schedule bolstered by three new scripted series," said Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment Group. "We've got more than 210 hours of original programming this summer, including the return of our hits 'Wipeout' and 'The Bachelorette.' ABC will be a summer destination for viewers."

Additional series and specials will be announced at a later date.

Following is a list of upcoming programming in chronological order (all times ET):

THE BACHELORETTE - PREMIERES MONDAY, MAY 24 (9:00-11:00 p.m.), AND MOVES TO ITS REGULAR TIMESLOT (8:00-10:02 p.m.) ON MONDAY, MAY 31 - Ali Fedotowsky has finally decided to risk it all for love. The energetic and charismatic career-oriented woman from San Francisco has re-prioritized her life - and now love comes out on top. She will have her own opportunity to find her soul mate when she stars in the sixth edition of "The Bachelorette."

Ali, 25, has been a fan favorite from the moment she stepped out of the limo with her sexy raspy voice and a peacock feather to meet Jake Pavelka on the last season of "The Bachelor." She became the front-runner for Jake's heart, but instead they found themselves in a heartbreaking situation when she made a gut-wrenching decision to choose a job she loved over the man she loved. Ali made the surprising safe choice to go back to work, but regretted it immediately. By the time she sorted out her work affairs, Jake had already moved on with his search for love with the three fabulous women who stayed with him, and he did not allow Ali to return. But it's not too late for Ali now. Admitting that she made one of the biggest mistakes of her life, she has let go of everything this time - her apartment, her job, her stability - to really make a life-changing commitment to put her heart first.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelorette" is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are the executive producers.

TRUE BEAUTY - PREMIERES MONDAY, MAY 31 (10:02-11:00 p.m.) - Executive producers Tyra Banks ("The Tyra Banks Show," "America's Next Top Model") and Ashton Kutcher (executive producer of "Punk'd" and "Beauty and the Geek") team up again to put their spin on beauty in Sin City. Five gorgeous women and five hot men will live together at Planet Hollywood Hotel and think they're competing to become the "Face of Vegas." Unbeknownst to them, they will be challenged and be put in moral situations to see which contestant really is kind, generous, compassionate and has what it takes to be truly beautiful inside and out.

At the end of eight episodes, one winner will be declared after successfully demonstrating that their inner beauty matches their outer beauty. The winner will receive a $100,000 cash prize and a feature article in People magazine.

Vanessa Minnillo (former host of "ET") returns as a host and judge, but will only reveal herself to the contestants once they're eliminated. Carson Kressley ("Queer Eye for the Straight Guy") will host as well as judge, and put his spin on things in a way only he can. Beth Ostrosky Stern, the wife of self-described "King of All Media" Howard Stern, will be making her broadcast television debut and share her opinions on beauty being a former model herself.

Executive producers of "True Beauty" are Denise Cramsey (ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"), Tyra Banks and Laura Armstrong for Bankable Productions, and Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, Karey Burke and Rod Aissa for Katalyst Productions. The series is a production of Warner Horizon Television.

WIPEOUT - SPECIAL TWO-HOUR SNEAK PEEK BLIND DATE-THEMED EPISODE TUESDAY, JUNE 1 (8:00-10:00 p.m.), BEFORE THE SERIES PREMIERE TUESDAY, JUNE 22 (8:00-10:00 p.m.) -- ABC's hit summer series "Wipeout" returns for Season Three. In a special sneak peek "Wipeout Blind Date"-themed episode, love is in the air as 12 single guys and 12 single girls are paired to take on the "Wipeout" course as their first date and a chance to win a grand prize of $100,000. New stunts to be featured this season are the Overdrive, Bruise Ball and Spin Cycle.

Contestants will compete in the world's largest extreme obstacle course, providing the biggest spills and spectacular wipeouts ever seen on television. "Wipeout" was recently nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award and was named Entertainment Weekly's best Guilty Pleasure Reality TV show of all time.

The third season of "Wipeout" will feature brand new, bigger, better and wilder obstacles, in addition to specially themed episodes including "Ladies Night" and "Family Edition." Each week, 24 energetic new contestants of all ages, shapes and sizes go head to head through four rounds of demanding but hilarious obstacle courses to win the title of "Wipeout Champion" and the $50,000 grand prize. In the end, only one contestant will be victorious, while everyone else will Wipeout!

The series is hosted by John Anderson (ESPN's "SportsCenter,"), John Henson ("Talk Soup") and co-hosted by Jill Wagner. "Wipeout" executive producers are Matt Kunitz ("Fear Factor") and Scott Larsen. Shye Sutherland, Kevin Wehrenberg, Trice Barto and J. Rupert Thompson are co-executive producers. The series is produced by Endemol USA. David Goldberg is the chairman of Endemol North America

THE GATES - PREMIERES SUNDAY, JUNE 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) - Nestled inside a private mountain community are The Gates. The image of perpetual suburban bliss, each street is lined with perfectly manicured homes protected by the massive iron gates, but a dark and delicious secret is buried just beneath the surface of this picturesque neighborhood.

Like most families that settle inside The Gates, the Monahans are unmoored from a complicated life they abandoned in Chicago. Named the new police chief of The Gates, Nick Monahan is expecting a change of pace in this quiet suburb. Nick's wife, Sarah, and their children, Charlie and Dana, are embarking on new adventures as well. Their house is to die for, but amidst the excitement, Sarah is still burdened with the revelation that her husband may not be the man she thought he was. Charlie and Dana will also face some challenges of their own: Along with navigating the trials and tribulations of adolescence, they'll also face the daunting task of fitting into their new upscale school, where their new friends run in tight-knit packs.

There's something very different about this place, almost... haunting. Unions will be complicated by friends with unnatural influence, insatiable housewives will struggle with ravenous cravings, and teenagers will be cursed with keeping their beastly instincts in check. The Monahans are facing an uncertain fate. Nick is about to be tangled up in a mystery where he will begin to piece together the dark truth about their new home, and the supernatural elements that lurk behind The Shadows of The Gates.

"The Gates" stars Frank Grillo as Nick Monohan, Marisol Nichols as Sarah Monahan, Rhona Mitra as Claire Radcliff, Luke Mably as Dylan Radcliff, Travis Caldwell as Charlie Monohan, Skyler Samuels as Andie Bates, Colton Haynes as Brett Crezski, Chandra West as Devon, Victoria Platt as Peg Mueller, Justin Miles as Marcus Jordan and Janina Gavankar as Leigh Turner. "The Gates" is produced by Fox Television Studios. The series is executive-produced by Gina Matthews and written and executive-produced by Grant Scharbo and Richard Hatem.

SCOUNDRELS - PREMIERES SUNDAY, JUNE 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) - "Scoundrels" is a one-hour comedy/drama series produced by ABC Studios that focuses on a family of small-time criminals who try to go straight after the father is sent to prison. Virginia Madsen, Independent Spirit Award winner as well as an Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee ("Sideways," "The Astronaut Farmer"), will play Cheryl West, the mother who must take charge and try to keep her kids on the straight and narrow.

"Scoundrels" also stars David James Elliott as Wolfgang "Wolf" West; Patrick Flueger as Logan West/Calvin "Cal" West; Leven Rambin as Heather West; Vanessa Marano as Hope West and Carlos Bernard as Sergeant Mack.

"Scoundrels" is based on a New Zealand series entitled "Outrageous Fortune." Lyn Greene & Richard Levine ("Nip/Tuck") and Francie Calfo serve as executive producers. John Barnett, whose company, South Pacific Pictures, produces the New Zealand series, will also be an executive producer. Co-executive producers will include Michael Larkin, Michael Goldstein, Bruce Cervi and John Lansing.

ROOKIE BLUE - PREMIERES THURSDAY, JUNE 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) - A fun, fresh, high-stakes drama with a twist of danger follows the lives of five young, ambitious cops right out of the Academy. From their very first day on the job, these rookies are plunged into the world of big city policing, a world where even the smallest mistake can have life-or-death consequences and serious emotional fall-out. The soul of this close-knit group is 26-year-old perfectionist Andy McNally (Missy Peregrym). Honest to a fault, all Andy has ever wanted to be is "good police." Her father was a cop, and while he wasn't the best cop -- or the best father - Andy knows she'll never find this sense of family, loyalty and excitement in any other job. The series explores the trials, triumphs, competition and camaraderie of Andy and her rookie family -- boyfriends, best friends, mentors and competitors -- who are about to learn that no amount of training can prepare them for life.

"Rookie Blue" stars Missy Peregrym as Andy McNally, Gregory Smith as Dov Epstein, Charlotte Sullivan as Gail Peck, Enuka Okuma as Traci Nash and Travis Milne as Chris Diaz. Tassie Cameron, Ilana Frank, David Wellington, Noreen Halpern and John Morayniss are the executive producers. "Rookie Blue" is produced by Thump Inc. and E1 Entertainment. E1 holds all international rights to the drama series.

ABC NEWS' BOSTON MED - PREMIERES THURSDAY, JUNE 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) - "Boston Med" picks up where the Peabody Award-winning "Hopkins" left off, going even deeper into the lives of caregivers and the cutting edge medical cases they confront inside the walls of America's top hospitals. In this original eight-hour series, the unforgettable stories of doctors, nurses and patients are adeptly woven to give each hour the pace and intensity of a drama. Whether it's the young resident in crisis doubting that she's good enough to become a Harvard-trained doctor, or the deployed soldier's pregnant wife praying for a miracle surgery to save her baby, "Boston Med" is sure to touch your heart. Filmed over four months at Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women's, and Children's Hospital Boston, this powerfully real series breaks new ground in the documentary landscape. Meet the charismatic Hollywood producer before either he or the filmmakers realize that, through a twist of fate, his face will be transplanted onto a Vietnam veteran badly scarred in an accident. The second face transplant performed in this country and the first anywhere to be so extensively filmed, this operation involved two dozen surgeons and up to a hundred additional doctors and nurses. It's a stunning example of both the high caliber medicine and the unprecedented and unique access captured by the filmmakers in "Boston Med."

DOWNFALL - PREMIERES TUESDAY, JUNE 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) "Downfall" is a unique, high-stakes, adrenaline-charged and larger-than-life game show from FremantleMedia North America ("The Price Is Right," "Family Feud," "Let's Make a Deal"). Played atop a tall building in the middle of a metropolitan landscape, the game has contestants quickly answer a series of trivia questions against the clock. If they play the perfect game, they could leave with a million dollars in cash and prizes. But if not, they could just as easily see their hopes and dreams slip through their fingers and off the side building -- literally.

ABC NEWS' PRIMETIME: MIND GAMES - PREMIERES TUESDAY, JULY 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) - The newest of Primetime's collection of limited series, this five-episode series takes you into the darkest corners of the human mind and how it can be twisted - real cases where "reality" gives way to fantasy. Discover what it's like to live a double life. Go inside an interrogation room to see the games police play to get suspects to confess - whether they're guilty or not. Hear from people who slavishly followed their new age leader into horrifying circumstances. Go inside the minds of kids who kill, and behind the scenes of the real-life War of the Roses - husbands and wives who turn their homes into battlefields.

BACHELOR PAD - PREMIERES MONDAY, AUGUST 9 (8:00-10:00 p.m.) - Twenty of the most unforgettable contestants/suitors from the hit franchise "The Bachelor" will reunite - all under one roof - for the all-new series "Bachelor Pad." The series, the first "all-star" reunion from previous seasons of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette," will feature the participants living together in a house in a competitive reality show. The show will also offer the 20 now-single contestants a "second chance" at finding love, something that didn't quite work out during their first stint on "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette."

Each week the reunited contestants will compete in challenges, some of which are inspired by incidents from prior seasons. Each two-hour episode will conclude with evictions from the residence. At the end of the six-episode run, one contestant will emerge victorious and will take home a cash prize -- and who knows, maybe even have found "the one." Participants and further details about the prize will be announced at a later date.

"The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" host Chris Harrison will host "Bachelor Pad." Executive producers of "Bachelor Pad" are Mike Fleiss, Martin Hilton and Jay Bienstock. The series is from Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television.

DATING IN THE DARK - PREMIERES MONDAY, AUGUST 9 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) - Back for its second season, "Dating in the Dark" is the unique reality series that asks the age-old question, "Is Love Blind?" Each week three single men and three single women, all looking for love, will move into a house together, but be totally sequestered from the opposite sex. While they'll have no chance of seeing each other in the light, they will have the opportunity to date in a completely dark room. Looks will be taken out of the equation as the men and women get to know each other and form bonds in total darkness. After several days of dating in the dark room, the participants will select the one member of the opposite sex that they want to see revealed in the light. For the first time, the participants will see whom they've been dating, wooing, kissing and forming bonds with. And after they see each other in the light for the first time, they have to make the difficult decision... do they stay with the person they fell for in the dark, or leave them behind? Hosted by Rossi Moreale.

"Dating in the Dark" is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol holding, along with Talpa Content, the format department of Dutch media entrepreneur John's de Mol's company. David Goldberg is the North America Chairman of Endemol USA. The series is executive-produced by Tom Shelly.

SHAQ VS - PREMIERES TUESDAY, AUGUST 10 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) - "Shaq VS" stars Shaquille O'Neal as he faces off against top athletes in their respective fields. In Season One, O'Neal faced off against Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh in beach volleyball, the St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols in baseball, Oscar de la Hoya in boxing and Michael Phelps in swimming. Episodes in Season Two will not rely solely on sporting matches but will also feature some fun, comedic non-sports competitions such as a spelling bee contest or a dance crew battle, among others. Casting for the second season is currently underway. "Shaq VS" is produced by Media Rights Capital in association with dick clark productions. Orly Adelson, Will Staeger and Barry Adelman of dick clark productions, Shaquille O'Neal, Scott Messick Perry Rogers and Steve Nash serve as executive producers.

ABC NEWS' HEAD CASES - PREMIERES THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) - A ground-breaking series into how science and technology are enabling us to look inside our heads and affect the processes of the brain. Is it possible to detect a murderous mindset before a child reaches his 7th birthday? Can a permanent electrical pulse, fitted to the brain like a pace-maker, stop people from eating and reduce the obesity epidemic? And is it now possible to reverse the effects of a stroke, so that an individual's four limbs are practically raised from the dead? Martin Bashir follows neurosurgeon Dr Julian Bailes as he pushes the brain to its limits.

ABC NEWS' PRIMETIME: CRIME - PREMIERES TUESDAY, AUGUST 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) - The series takes viewers inside investigations of breaking crime stories, and those that have been stumping authorities for years.

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