NBC Announces Series Premieres for Summer 2012

NBC unveiled premiere dates for three new and returning series for Summer 2012 that include the return of "Love in the Wild" (Thursday, June 7, 8-10 p.m. ET), the series debut of "Saving Hope" (Working Title; Thursday, June 7, 10-11 p.m. ET) and the return of G4's "American Ninja Warrior" (Monday, May 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, May 28 (9-10 p.m. ET). "Saving Hope" will continue in the Thursday (10-11 p.m. ET) time period.

"American Ninja Warrior" will premiere on G4 Sunday, May 20 (9-11 p.m. ET).

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 that will feature even wilder adventures. 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. The host, best-selling author and activist recently reprised her recurring role on "Two and a Half Men" and re-joined hosts Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest in reporting live from Times Square on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" this past New Year's.

The Summer 2011 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. During elimination, all of the couples will come together to reveal whether a connection has been formed with their current partner -- or if they would like to switch and get to know someone else. At the end of every episode, heartbroken singles are sent home. The series culminates with just one couple left standing. "Love in the Wild" is produced by Endemol USA. Tom Shelly serves as executive producer.

For embeddable clips from "Love in the Wild," please visit http://www.nbc.com/love-in-the-wild .Please like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/loveinthewild and follow us on Twitter at @LoveInTheWild.

"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").

In "Saving Hope," 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.

"Saving Hope" is produced by Ilana C. Frank Films (ICFF) with Entertainment One (eOne), in association with CTV and NBC. The series is executive-produced by Ilana Frank and David Wellington for ICFF, Noreen Halpern ("Hell on Wheels," "Call Me Fitz") and John Morayniss ("The Firm," "Haven") for Entertainment One and Lesley Harrison. Executive producers and show-runners are Morwyn Brebner ("Rookie Blue") and AaRon Martin ("Being Erica"). The series was created by Malcolm MacRury ("Crash and Burn," "Republic of Doyle") and Morwyn Brebner. David Wellington directed the pilot.

G4 and NBC team up to air "American Ninja Warrior," the 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 (TBS), to bring the competitive course over to the U.S., which is being held entirely on U.S. soil for the first time. Following NBC's highly rated special airing of the "American Ninja Warrior" finale last summer, G4 and NBC have expanded their collaboration this year to take the worldwide phenomenon to the next level with G4 airing the preliminary rounds while NBC will broadcast the preliminary finals and the grand finale.

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 coveted "American Ninja Warrior" title in the national finals in Las Vegas. Over the past 15 years, only three competitors have successfully completed the infamous Ninja Warrior course atop Mount Midoriyama, Japan. "American Ninja Warrior" is back to find the toughest, most skilled U.S. competitors and give them a shot at conquering the almost impossible obstacle course.

A. Smith & Co. Productions returns to produce the fourth season of "American Ninja Warrior." "American Ninja Warrior" is executive-produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions' founders Arthur Smith and Kent Weed ("Hell's Kitchen," "I Survived a Japanese Game Show," "Pros vs. Joes"). Holly Wofford and Viki Cacciatore also serve as executive producers.

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