Twitter Pitch: @fleissmeister joins new @CW_network reality series H8R as executive producer: http://bit.ly/pdgR21 #thinlinebetweenloveandh8
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?