MTV is getting into the cooking genre, with two food-themed shows among its four new unscripted pickups.
The network on Monday announced that it has ordered four new unscripted vehicles for 2014, just days after MTV programming president Susanne Daniels unveiled Nurses and Generation Cryo at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour.
Two of the four series are being eyed for primetime and two daily afternoon series hailing from Jersey Shore's SallyAnn Salsano and Rob Dyrdek, the latter of which Daniels teased in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
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The untitled virgins docuseries follows the lives of young adults as they navigate the world of relationships and sexual pressures while sharing virginity in common. Each episode of the hourlong weekly primetime entry will explore why cast members either kept or lost their virginity. The series will include informational resources from MTV's Emmy and Peabody-winning It's Your (Sex) Life campaign. The series hails from Endemol USA and producers Lauren Dolgen, Colin Nash, James DeSimas and Julie Schwachenwald.
MTV's House of Food is a drama-infused take on the cooking genre and follows aspiring young chefs with no formal training put to the ultimate challenge of culinary school while living under the same roof. Three of the country's best chefs will serve as teachers in Los Angeles, with the winner of the series earning an apprenticeship. The series hails from T Group Productions' Jenny Daly and Mike Duffy. MTV's Tony DiBari, Karen Frank, Elaine Metaxas, Matthew Parillo and Marcy Dyno are also on board.
On the afternoon programming front, Drydek will executive produce Snackdown, a half-hour daily cooking competition show where host Eddie Huang guides contestants through snack-themed challenges. Judges include model/foodie Chrissy Teigen, master chef Jason Quinn and a third yet to be named panelist. Prizes include cash and a published recipe in the upcoming Snackdown cookbook. The series hails from Superjacket Productions' Drydek and Shane Nickerson and Broken Road Productions' Todd Garner. MTV's Dolgen, Kristina Edwards and Michelle Klepper will oversee for the network.
Finally, half-hour daily entry The Ex and the Why hails from Jersey Shore mastermind Salsano. The series will feature former couples getting the second chance at either love or closure. Salsano's 495 Productions will produce, with MTV's Dolgen, James DeSimas and Jennifer Russakoff overseeing.
The series orders come as Daniels recently completed reviewing 19 new projects in the works. The executive recently told The Hollywood Reporterthat she's looking to add six to eight new reality series for next year, with each entry high on heart.
"We've got a pretty explosive lineup with this new slate of shows -- virgins, food and exes -- all part of the millennial palate," Daniels said Monday. "I'm very proud of our team who really dug deep to unearth unchartered areas or unique twists on genres that will appeal to our audience."
E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
