HBO Films
It’s a very slim week with only two decades producing any new programming, broadcast networks hoping to find some new programming that could carry over into the new season. One such 2006 series was a dramedy on ABC that became the only show to get a renewal that season on the network. 2006 also gave us a celebrity cooking competition and a reality show about large construction equipment that had a longer run than either of the other two shows. 2016 had three reality series, two about physical competition, a short-lived network drama, an animated Netflix series based on a classic movie monster, an Asian drama, and a TV movie about a moment in history that still impacts our lives in the US today. Scroll down to see all of the programming that debuted this week, and tell us if any of your favorites are celebrating milestone anniversaries.
1956
- No new shows premiered this week in 1956.
1966
- No new shows premiered this week in 1966.
1976
- No new shows premiered this week in 1976.
1986
- No new shows premiered this week in 1986.
1996
- No new shows premiered this week in 1996.
2006
Bad Robot
- April 16 – What About Brian (ABC, Two seasons, 25 episodes)
- April 17 – Celebrity Cooking Showdown (NBC, One season, 4 episodes)
- April 18 – Mega Movers (History, Three seasons, 38 episodes)
What About Brian was the last series to debut on ABC during the 2005-2006 season, and it was the only new series to be picked up for the 2006-2007 season. ABC ordered a 22-episode second season, but the order eventually was cut to 19 and the show ended on March 26, 2007. The Russo Brothers, later known for their Marvel films, directed the pilot episode with Dan Lerner. Other notable directors on the show were Michael Apted, Allison Anders, David Paymer, Matt Shakman, Robert Duncan McNeill, and Tom Verica.
Celebrity Cooking Showdown was hosted by Alan Thicke, with celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck, Cat Cora and Govind Armstrong. Colin Cowie and Gael Greene were the judges. Celebrity contestants included Alison Sweeney, Patti LaBelle, Tom Arnold, Ashley Parker Angel and Cindy Margolis.
2016
Superjacket Productions
- April 12 – Game of Silence (NBC, One season, 10 episodes)
- April 13 – S.T.R.O.N.G. (NBC, One season, 10 episodes)
- April 14 – American Grit (FOX, Two seasons, 20 episodes)
- April 14 – The Dude Perfect Show (CMT/Nickelodeon, Three seasons, 48 episodes)
- April 15 – Kong: King of the Apes (Netflix, Two seasons, 23 episodes)
- April 16 – Confirmation (HBO, TV movie)
- April 16 – Dramaworld (Viki, One season, 10 episodes)
Game of Silence was based on the Turkish series Suskunlar whose star, Timur Savci, was a producer of the American series.
S.T.R.O.N.G. was a competition reality series hosted by Gabrielle Reece. Sylvester Stallone was an executive producer. The show’s title was an acronym for ‘Start to Realize Our Natural Greatness’.
American Grit was also a competition reality series, hosted by Jon Cena, who was also an executive producer. The Dude Perfect Show moved from CMT to Nickelodeon following the first season. Kong: King of the Apes is the third animated series in the King Kong franchise.
Confirmation detailed Clarence Thomas’ Supreme Court nomination hearings and the controversy that unfolded when Anita Hill alleged she was sexually assaulted by Thomas. Kerry Washington played Hill, and Wendell Pierce played Thomas. Washington’s character in the hit TV series, Scandal, was based on Judy Smith, who appears as a character in the movie. Notable cast members include Greg Kinnear, Jeffrey Wright, Eric Stonestreet, Grace Gummer, Dylan Baker, Treat Williams, Alison Wright and Jennifer Hudson. The movie received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Television Movie and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for Washington, who was also nominated for the Golden Globe.
Each episode of Dramaworld ran between 10 and 20 minutes, and included cameos from K-pop and K-drama stars. The series was revived in 2021 with a new cast for a 10-episode season, with a run time of about 35 minutes per episode.