Venice Beach Freakshow Added to AMC's Reality Show Slate

Cable television network AMC has announced that it has ordered up a new reality show with a working title of "Venice Beach Freakshow" that will focus on the family running the strange boardwalk museum that features a collection of two-headed animals, a five-legged dog and the chupacabra of Mexican folklore.

AMC in a statement released last week also said it was moving ahead with another unscripted original series about taxidermists that will feature different contestants each week who will create artwork showcasing the craft of taxidermy.

"Behind the marquee of the Venice Beach Freakshow is an extended family drama that shows what it takes to give up everything and pull together to make a family business a success," said Joel Stillerman, AMC's executive vice-president of original programming, production and digital content, in a statement. "Untitled Taxidermy Series features the art-form of taxidermy, which can be as outrageous and shocking as it is beautiful."

The Venice Beach Freakshow will consist of eight, 30-minute episodes that will follow former music producer Todd Ray, his wife, Danielle, and their two children, Asia and Phoenix. The business is Ray's personal passion and the show will chronicle his dream to own and operate his own freakshow on the Venice Beach boardwalk.

The series is scheduled to premier in the first quarter of 2013 and will have Ray as an executive producer along with R. Greg Johnston of Endemol USA, the North American division of the world's largest independent television and digital production company. Endemol USA also produces "Big Brother," "Fear Factor" and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

AMC also has several popular scripted shows, including "Breaking Bad," "Mad Men" and "The Walking Dead."