(July 13, 2011 – Burbank, CA) – Proving that it’s a very thin line between love and “h8,” reality hitmaker Mike Fleiss – creator and executive producer of the highly successful “The Bachelor” franchise – has been tapped as executive producer of The CW’s “H8R” (premiering September 14 and airing Wednesdays 8:00–9:00 p.m. ET/PT), hosted by Mario Lopez (“Extra,” “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew”). Fleiss joins “H8R” creators Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey (“Extra”) and Jeremy Spiegel (“Extra”), along with Lopez, as executive producers of the highly anticipated new one-hour reality series, which will be produced by Fleiss’ Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Harney (“Howie Do It”) will co-executive produce.
“This is an exciting show for a number of reasons. But to me, what gives ‘H8R’ legitimate breakout potential is that it is truly original. So much reality TV is completely derivative. Not ‘H8R,’” said Fleiss. “I guess you can say I’m a ‘h8r’ of lame, derivative programming.”
“Having the brains behind ‘The Bachelor’ onboard is the ultimate match for us, and I couldn’t be more excited to work with Mike Fleiss on ‘H8R,’” said Gregorisch-Dempsey. “This show is really a love letter to celebrities. You’ll see an unguarded side of stars you’ve never seen. ‘H8R’ has heart and an important message about not judging a book by its cover.”
Celebrities are constantly in the public eye – but not everyone is a fan. In “H8R,” well-known personalities go head-to-head with real people who don’t like them and try to win them over. Will these “h8rs” be impressed – or will they refuse to change their minds?
Connect With H8R Online:
A leading producer of reality programming who has made a significant impact on the genre, Fleiss is perhaps best known as the creator and executive producer of
The Bachelor franchise of hit relationship shows. The flagship program, “The Bachelor,” was recently renewed for a 16th season and will debut in early 2012. “The Bachelorette” is currently in its seventh season, and the second season of “Bachelor Pad” debuts later this summer. In his career, Fleiss has created over three dozen series and has been responsible for over 400 hours of primetime television, with credits ranging from “Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire?” to “High School Reunion,” “Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed” and many more.
In addition to his work in television, Fleiss is also a successful filmmaker. Most recently, he co-directed the documentary “God Bless Ozzy Osbourne,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and for which he received a Best New Director nomination. He is also a producer of the upcoming “Shark Night 3D.” Previously, Fleiss produced the remake of the classic feature film “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning,” as well as “Poseidon” – for Warner Bros. Pictures – and the
Hostel movies.
In 2011, Fleiss was awarded the Reality Rocks Humanitarian Award, presented to an individual who not only continues to make significant contributions to the genre of reality and lifestyle programming, but strives for the betterment of society through outstanding humanitarian endeavors. He was recognized for his generous contributions and charitable efforts which have had a tremendous impact on society, including his work with “The Bachelor Gives Back,” which supports various nonprofit organizations that enrich and empower communities around the world where we work, live and travel. He also actively supports the Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches.
About Warner Horizon Television:
Warner Horizon Television (WHTV) is one of the entertainment industry’s leading producers of scripted series for the cable marketplace and primetime reality series for both network and cable. Founded in 2006, this second production entity allows the Warner Bros. Television Group to expand its programming offerings and explore creative options made possible under a new business model. WHTV’s current unscripted series are “The Voice” for NBC, “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” “Bachelor Pad” and the upcoming “Take the Money and Run” for ABC, “H8R” for The CW and “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew” for MTV. Scripted programs from WHTV are “Rizzoli & Isles” and “Memphis Beat” for TNT, as well as “Pretty Little Liars” and “The Lying Game” for ABC Family.
###