CMT amps up originals with stars

Series trails Wilson, McBride, Evans

By STEVEN ZEITCHIK

As part of a push for original programming, Viacom's CMT announced seven new programs Tuesday, including specials starring country music singers Gretchen Wilson, Martina McBride and Sara Evans and a hidden-camera skein from the producers of MTV's "Boiling Point."

Wilson and McBride will both appear in May's "CMT Diary," a half-hour series of specs that will follow country stars at home and on the road.

CMT also will take a shot at the contest format a la "Nashville Star," which airs on USA, when it preems the special "Opening Act," featuring Evans, this summer.

Cable net said it would also bow "Prankville," a practical-joke show with a country flavor, in May. Series is produced by Adam Dolgins and Frank Gregory of Fractured Hip Prods., the shingle behind the hidden-camera hit "Boiling Point" on CMT sister net MTV.

Other new pickups are "Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge," a six-episode series in which contestants get a dose of how tricky staying on the animal can be. Series is similar in some ways to May special "America's Top Cowboy," in which "the ultimate, great American cowboy" will be sought.

CMT is in 84 million homes, about 7 million fewer than its more prominent corporate sibs VH1 and MTV.

Other new series for the net include "Bandits vs. Smokies," a comedy featuring commentary about criminals trying to escape the law, and country-lifestyle skein "Born Country."

Net also announced renewals for "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team," "Trick My Truck" and "Country Fried Home Videos."