MTV Picks Up SHANNARA Straight to Series, Renews CATFISH, Sets Premiere Dates for HAPPYLAND, FAKING IT, and More

During MTV’s Television Critics Association press tour session, the network announced a new series, SHANNARA, based off the book series by the same name. Additionally, they revealed CATFISH had been renewed and released a few premiere dates. Check out what they had to say…

“SHANNARA
“Shannara” is set in our world, thousands of years after the destruction of our civilization. The story is centered on the Shannara family, whose descendants are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures continuously reshape the future of the world. The first season will be based on The Elfstones of Shannara, the second title in the series, a fan favorite which spent 16 weeks on the New York Times’ Bestseller list and is accredited with cementing the series’ place in the fantasy world.

The “Shannara” books are estimated to be the highest-selling un-adapted fantasy book series in the world. Terry Brooks is estimated to be the second highest-selling living fantasy author, after Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.

CATFISH: THE TV SHOW
“Catfish: The TV Show” has had continued success as Wednesday’s #1 original cable series with P12-34, and has been picked up for a fourth season that will air across MTV’s channels globally.

“Catfish: The TV Show” tackles the mystery and complexities of dating in a digital world. The hour-long series follows Nev Schulman, whose own online love drama was the subject of the “Catfish” film, and filmmaker Max Joseph as they take viewers on a deeply personal journey that goes inside the stories of young people as their online-only romantic relationships collide with first-time, real-life encounters.

“Catfish: The TV Show” is produced by Relativity Television and Catfish Picture Company LLC for MTV with Relativity Television’s Tom Forman, Brad Bishop, Julie Link Steffens serving as executive producers alongside David Metzler, Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost, Nev Schulman, Max Joseph, Andrew Jarecki and Mark Smerling. Marshall Eisen, Nomi Ernst Leidner, and Dave Sirulnick are executive producers for MTV. Relativity Television’s Jonathan Karsh is co-executive producer. Kelly Ostreicher is Supervising Producer, MTV. Jonathan Mussman is Executive in Charge, MTV.

ARE YOU THE ONE? – Monday, September 29 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT
“Are You The One?” season two returns September 29 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT with a twist that will challenge the contestants like never before, making the search for true love more difficult than they expect. The new season will air across MTV’s international channels soon after the U.S. premiere (check local listings).

On September 22, MTV will air a special that reunites the “Are You the One?” season one cast one last time to celebrate the biggest, most life changing event in Ethan and Amber’s lives – a BABY. Viewers will also find out what the cast has been up to – who’s made up, who’s broken up, and who’s hooking up, as they spend one wild weekend in Los Angeles together to throw an outrageous baby shower… AYTO-style.

“Are You The One?” concept by Executive Producers Howard Schultz, Rob LaPlante and Jeff Spangler of Lighthearted Entertainment. Scott Jeffress is executive producer for Lighthearted Entertainment. Lauren Dolgen, Tiffany Lea Williams, Matthew Parillo and Hannah Uszak are Executives in Charge for MTV. The first season of “Are You the One?” was the #1 program in its time slot across all TV with W18-24.

AWKWARD SEASON 4B – Tuesday, September 23 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT
Leading a solid Tuesday night comedy block on September 23, the second half of “Awkward” season four will debut at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT with the second season of scripted comedy “Faking It” premiering at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. “Awkward” was up 5% versus season 3B and was Tuesday’s #1 cable series with P12-34. “Faking It” was Tuesday’s #1 cable series in its timeslot.

When “Awkward” senior year continues this fall, the stakes are higher than ever for Jenna and her friends. As they anxiously await college admission verdicts, they try to contain Senioritis and relish their remaining time together. As much as they are all looking forward to graduation, which they see as the gateway to adulthood, they all have a lot to figure out before they arrive at that milestone: romances both new and old percolate, families are turned upside down by huge revelations, and friendships are tested. The sense of time running out heightens all of Jenna and Matty’s interactions as they try to figure out if they are meant to be just friends or more than that. Their fraught interactions are further complicated by a school scandal that triggers an all-out battle of the sexes. All this and more culminate in a shocking Spring Break finale at the beach. The new season of “Awkward” will air across MTV’s international channels soon after the U.S. premiere (check local listings).

Mike Chessler and Chris Albergheni are the executive producers of “Awkward.” The series was created by Lauren Iungerich. “Awkward” stars Ashley Rickards as “Jenna, Beau Mirchoff as ”Matty,” Molly Tarlov as “Sadie,” Jillian Rose Reed as “Tamara,” Brett Davern as “Jake,” Nikki DeLoach as “Lacey,” Desi Lydic as “Valerie,” Greer Grammer as “Lissa” and Mike Faiola as “Kevin.”

FAKING IT – Tuesday, September 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

“Faking It,” a romantic comedy series, returns to MTV with 10 all-new episodes on Tuesday, September 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. This season, everyone is faced with a dilemma that forces them to tell the truth or keep a secret. Best friends Amy and Karma struggle with figuring out their relationship after Amy revealed her true feelings for Karma. Questions are answered – will Karma find out about Liam and Amy’s hook-up? What will happen to ‘Karmy?’ Will Liam and Karma get back together? What are Lauren’s pills for? Can Shane really be in a celibate relationship?

“Faking It” was created by Dana Min Goodman and Julia Wolov. The series is Executive Produced by Carter Covington (“10 Things I Hate About You,” “Greek” “Hart of Dixie”). “Faking It” stars Katie Stevens as “Karma” (“American Idol”), Rita Volk as “Amy,” Gregg Sulkin as “Liam” (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), Michael Willett as “Shane” (“G.B.F.”) and Bailey Buntain as 
”Lauren” (“Bunheads”). “Faking It” season one will air across MTV’s international channels beginning in September 2014 (check local listings).

HAPPYLAND – Tuesday, September 30 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT

New dramedy series “Happyland” will premiere on Tuesday, September 30 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT, following “Awkward” and “Faking It.” “Happyland” is a soapy teen dramedy exploring the underbelly of one of the country’s most popular theme parks, going behind the scenes to reveal the not so magical reality of the park workers. The series centers on Lucy (Bianca Santos), the cynical teenage daughter of idealistic park princess mom, Elena (Camille Guaty). Having grown up in a world of manufactured happiness, Lucy wants to get out and experience something real. When Ian (Shane Harper), the new park owner’s son, arrives and sweeps her off her feet, Lucy is left wondering if fairy tale endings do exist after all. But when a scandalous secret turns her life upside down, she learns Happyland is far from a walk in the park.

“Happyland” stars Bianca Santos as “Lucy” (“The Fosters”), Camille Guaty as “Elena” (“Prison Break”), Shane Harper as “Ian” (“Awkward”), Katherine McNamara as “Harper” (“Contest”), Cameron Moulene as “Will” (“Raising Hope”), Ryan Rottman “Theodore” (“90210”) and was created by Ben Epstein. Storyline’s Neil Meron and Craig Zadan serve as executive producers along with Jill Cargerman.”

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Which show are you most excited about?

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