Spike Lines Up Original Pilots

NEW YORK: Spike TV has a number of new pilots and projects in development, from both the scripted and non-scripted genres.

Among the non-scripted pilots that the network has slated are Weapon X, from Thom Beers, the producer behind Deadliest Catch; On the Rocks, in which restaurant and bar consultant John Taffer helps establishments turn around their operations; and Alternative History, an exploration of what the world would be like today had some of history’s most pivotal moments never occurred. There’s also Phowned!, which celebrates the art of the prank call, and Haunted Civilization, looking back at history using paranormal investigations. All of these pilots have working titles.

"Our new slate of non-scripted pilots speaks to our audience’s thirst for knowledge in topics relevant to them, provided in an exciting way," said Sharon Levy, the senior VP of original series at Spike TV.

The network’s scripted projects in development include Rebel League, a comedic look at the launch of a contemporary pre-hockey league designed to rival the NHL. Kings By Night follows a group of friends who open an illegal underground casino. Fort Bush features two misfit Army drill sergeants who have a penchant for hard partying.

These join the previously announced original scripted comedy pilots Back Nine, about a washed-up former U.S. Open golf champion, and Playing with Guns, about childhood friends who grow up to be small-town cops.