WGN issued the following press release today regarding the addition of
“Wrestling with Death” reality show
Building on the bold expansion of its original programming slate,
WGN America has ordered to production its first two unscripted series, the
docudrama “Outlaw Country,” executive-produced by Bischoff Hervey
Entertainment’s Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey (“The Devils Ride”), and the
docuseries “Wrestling with Death,” executive-produced by Leftfield Pictures’
Brent Montgomery and David George (“Pawn Stars”). Kicking off the new year with
thirteen weeks of unscripted original programming, “Wrestling with Death” is set
to premiere Tuesday, January 13 (10:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 p.m. CT), followed by
“Outlaw Country” on Tuesday, February 24 (10:00 p.m. ET/ 9:00 p.m. CT).
Set in the town of Buckner, Missouri, “Outlaw Country” chronicles the
perennial battle between law enforcement and crime by following Steve and Mike
Cook, brothers who act as Sheriff and head of the Buckner Criminal Task Force,
respectively, as they clash with John and Josh Monk, brothers they suspect are
responsible for the town’s surge in crime. In this one hour docudrama, producers
were given full access to both the police force and the Monk Brothers’ camp,
providing an unprecedented look at crime in a small town from both sides of the
law. “Outlaw Country” is executive-produced by Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey
for Bischoff Hervey Entertainment (“The Devils Ride,” “Hardcore Pawn: Chicago”),
alongside Robert Kaprill and Peter Karlin. WGN America has ordered seven
one-hour episodes to premiere Tuesday, February 24, 2015 (10:00 p.m. ET / 9:00
p.m. CT).
Executive producers Leftfield Pictures (“Pawn Stars,” “American Restoration,”
“Counting Cars”) presents “Wrestling with Death,” a unique family docuseries
that introduces The Lathams of Osceola, Arkansas: morticians by day who run The
Wilson Funeral Home, and professional wrestlers by night who run The
Mid-Southern Championship Wrestling League. “Wrestling with Death” is
executive-produced by Brent Montgomery, David George, Alex Weresow and Jordana
Hochman, alongside Bill Katz and Michelle Katz for Espiritus Productions. Bill
Duncan and David Duncan serve as consulting producers. Twelve weekly
back-to-back half-hour episodes have been ordered to premiere Tuesday, January
13, 2015 (10:00 p.m. ET/ 9:00 p.m. CT).
WGN America launched its strategy of delivering distinctive, original
scripted and unscripted content last year. “Outlaw Country” and “Wrestling with
Death” join a growing stable of destination programming on WGN America, which
includes the second season premiere of its hit supernatural series “Salem” in
April 2015, along with the second season of its critically acclaimed original
drama “Manhattan” and exclusive syndicated series “Person of Interest” and
“Elementary,” all scheduled to premiere in 2015. The network also recently
announced a straight-to series order for the scripted drama “Outsiders”
(formerly “Titans”).
Follow “Outlaw Country” and “Wrestling with Death” on Twitter @OutlawWGNA and
@WrestlingWGNA. “Like” the series on Facebook at
Facebook.com/WrestlingWithDeathWGNA and Facebook.com/OutlawCountryWGNA, and join
the discussion with #OutlawCountry and #WrestleInPeace.
