• by David Goetzl , May 5, 2010

A&E will launch a new show next year that seeks to gain from the weight-loss genre led by NBC's "The Biggest Loser," while teeing up four follow-the-celebrity series for later this year. The announcements came as the network begins to approach advertisers for 2010-11 upfront deals. The "I'm Heavy" series will follow two individuals each episode struggling to shed pounds. With 10 episodes on order, it's an outgrowth of A&E's "Intervention" series.

Also spinning off the show is "Intervention: One Man Rehab," scheduled for five hour-long episodes, in which a team of supporters endeavor to help people prevent a relapse into addiction.

Coming late in 2010 is a "David Hasselhoff Project" that apparently breaks from the celeb's own pursuits and chronicles his role as the single father of two teenage aspiring singers and their attempts to break into the business. A&E says "we'll find out ultimately who is running the show in The Hoff household."

"Strange Days with Bob Saget" has the comedian in sort of an "Ali G" mode -- though not undercover -- immersing himself in peculiar situations, such as spending a week as a frat brother at a university, and riding 1,500 miles in a sidecar with "some hardcore" bikers.

"Teach: Tony Danza" will include seven hourlong episodes and follow the multitalented performer as he becomes a real-life teacher of sophomore English in a Philadelphia high school.

"Growing Up Twisted" is somewhat standard cable fare, chronicling Dee Snider (from band "Twisted Sister") in his life in suburbia with four kids.

A&E, by one measure, has posted ratings growth in the 18-to-49 demo this season, with a 9% increase.

This summer the net is also launching scripted series "The Glades," about an exiled Chicago cop in Florida who is pressed into detective duty.

In the returning area, A&E has ordered 18 more episodes of "Intervention," while "Criss Angel Mindfreak," "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" are coming back.

At A&E sister channel Bio, the network is debuting a William Shatner-fronted show, where he meets people who were suddenly thrust into the national limelight -- such as Iraq War veteran Jessica Lynch and victims of the DC Sniper -- and finds out what has happened since.