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KEVIN MICHAEL CONNOLLY PROJECT Among Travel Channel's Upcoming Pilot Series

By: Apr. 17, 2012
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Travel Channel has greenlit three pilots and announces the development of two original travel series to augment the Network's programming slate for 2012. New pilots include "Barn Finds" (wt), featuring antique car expert Corky Coker, who travels the back roads and small towns of the Deep South searching for priceless, rare American cars and automotive memorabilia; "Kevin Michael Connolly Project" (wt), which follows the author, photographer and self-proclaimed thrill-seeker - who was born without legs - as he travels the globe exploring new adventures; and "Power Trip with Jason Harper" (wt), featuring a travel, car and lifestyle writer who travels the world writing about his adventures from the driver's seat. The announcement was made today by Andy Singer, General Manager, Travel Channel.

Travel Channel's two new series in development explore new destinations and take viewers on a journey, whether it's around the world or around the block. The first series, "Coffee Hunter" (wt), spotlights businessman and adventurer Todd Carmichael as he travels the globe, often in dangerous locations, hunting for the highest-grade coffee in the world. "City Swappers" (wt), follows the adventures of two couples who have swapped homes, cars, friends, favorite restaurants, and culinary tastes in order to experience an alternative to the typical vacation.

"Our programming mission is to continue to provide a myriad of travel perspectives that not only entertain and inspire, but will take viewers beyond the guidebook," said Singer. "We're excited about our new shows in development which feature a group of new talent who each weave their own personal experiences and stories through each show's unique travel lens."

NEW GREENLIT PILOTS:

"Barn Finds" (wt) (two half-hour episodes) Produced by BCII with Travel Channel's Sean McKnight as Executive Producer

This half-hour series follows antique car expert Corky Coker, and his team, on a freewheeling road trip through the back roads and small towns of the Deep South. A man on a mission, Coker is on the hunt for barn finds - automotive diamonds-in-the-rough that have been hidden away or just forgotten for years. When he's on target, Coker is wheeling, dealing, shucking and jiving, all to get the best price on the right car to restore and resell at his shop, Honest Charley Garage. When he's distracted, Coker hits the scenic routes, roadside attractions and down-home restaurants - all the things that make for the kind of journey most of us no longer have time to take.

"Kevin Michael Connolly Project" (wt) (one hour pilot) Produced by Crazy Legs Production with Travel Channel's David Gerber as Executive Producer

Kevin Michael Connolly is an author, photographer and self-proclaimed thrill seeker who was born without legs - but he's never let that get in his way. Connolly is on a mission to discover all this world has to offer - new cultures, meeting remarkable people and tackling difficult physical challenges. Getting around with only his hands and his skateboard, viewers will experience what makes Connolly an inspiration to us all.

"Power Trip with Jason Harper" (wt) (one hour pilot) Produced by Departure Films with Travel Channel's Patrick McManamee as Executive Producer

Jason Harper - travel, automobile and lifestyle journalist, has the best job in the world! He travels the world writing about his adventures from the driver's seat of the world's most interesting vehicles. From burning up Italy's autostrada in a $300,000 Lamborghini, to a midnight Vespa cruise through a medieval Tuscan village with 80 of his newest friends, "Power Trip with Jason Harper" offers a unique and fresh perspective to the people, food, festivals, and cultures of different locales around the world. It's cultural anthropology from the driver's seat. This show offers fun, adventure, excitement and laughs around every turn.

SERIES IN DEVELOPMENT:

"Coffee Hunter" (wt): Produced by Nancy Glass Productions with Travel Channel's Bill Howard as Executive Producer

Would you risk your life for the perfect cup of coffee? Todd Carmichael would. As owner of La Colombe Torrefaction - a premium coffee company based in Philadelphia, he travels the globe, sleeping under his car, avoiding warlords and bodily-harm, risking it all to bring back the perfect cup o' joe. His business focuses on the best - coffee so rare it's sought by the world's top chefs and restaurants. Carmichael seeks out the most exotic, fascinating and dangerous places to find the perfect seed in the coffee plant. There's an amazing story behind every cup.

"City Swappers" (wt): Produced by Stone Circle Films with Travel Channel's Patrick McManamee as Executive Producer

"City Swappers" (wt) follows the adventures of two couples that have swapped homes, cars, friends, favorite restaurants and culinary tastes for their vacation. From the moment they arrive in their new home away from home, the traders will be challenged with a list of tips and tasks created for them by each other with one goal - to give the visiting couple a true insider's perspective on the best, the wildest, and the most awe-inspiring facets of their hometown.

TRAVEL CHANNEL (http://www.travelchannel.com) is a multiplatform travel lifestyle brand with the core mission of providing inspiring and compelling programming that takes viewers beyond their everyday destinations, making the unfamiliar familiar, whether it's around the world or around the block.

A dual feed network that is also available in HD, Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand, and is available in over 94 million U.S. cable homes. Owned and operated by Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), Travel Channel has offices in Chevy Chase, MD, and New York, NY. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.



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