ReelzChannel unveils summer schedule

Programming includes animation, film features

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

ReelzChannel has been in production with animated program 'Miscasting.'

ReelzChannel, the new cable channel and broadband service devoted to the movies, has greenlit a slate of new summer programming -- including its first animated project and an irreverent take on the impact of film.

The new series, "What I Learned About (Blank) From the Movies," bows July 8, while the net has been in production on the shortform animated project "Miscasting," as well as more than 100 "Movie Takes" interstitials.

New programming comes as Reelz moves forward on its plan to expand its daily series block from three hours to four later this year. (Daily Variety provides newsroom updates for Reelz, which in turn streams a daily news brief on Variety's website.)

Reelz has picked up 10 episodes initially of "What I Learned," with each seg taking on a different topic -- such as sex, being ruthless, surviving a disaster, surviving high school and getting divorced.

While topical film clips are screened, comedians comment on those "valuable life lessons" hidden inside (in the vein of VH1's "Best Week Ever"). Boyd Vico and Brad Stevens exec produce the show for Reelz.

Following its July 8 preem, "What I Learned About (Blank) From the Movies" will bow in its regular Monday 6:30 p.m. slot on July 9. Meanwhile, the channel has picked up 26 "Miscasting" interstitials.

Animated shorts, which are being produced inhouse, take a comedic look at thesps attempting to audition for roles that are out of character (think Al Pacino reading for "Blades of Glory" or Woody Allen for "300").

As for "Movie Takes," more than 100 30-second interstitials have been produced for the channel. "Movie Takes" feature regular people commenting on their movie-centric loves and hates.

New programming joins signature series including "Dailies," "Secret's Out With Leonard Maltin," "The Directors" and "The Checklist."