• by Wayne Friedman , April 9, 2008

While many TV networks have gone smaller in their upfront presentations this year, Discovery Networks unveiled a slew of upcoming TV series in a massive series of announcements.

Several new shows from the mothership Discovery Channel will continue to seek the drama in some dangerous jobs--made famous by the success of its "Deadliest Catch" series, which features the treacherous waters of the Bering Sea that fisherman face in their effort to catch Alaska King Lobster.

An upcoming Discovery show will go into the coalmine for "Coal," where there are gas explosions, roof collapses and dangerous machinery--all in sometimes pitch-black situations. In "Expeditions with Josh Bernstein," traveler Bernstein goes on unique journeys to Mail in West Africa, to lost civilizations in Peru, and other historical adventures.

Other new Discovery shows: "Prototype This"--where a team of inventors and engineers test seemingly impossible prototype machines, like new transportation machines--and "One Way Out," which offers extreme escape artist Jonathan Goodwin seemingly defying the odds in getting out of flooded offices, sinking cars and restaurant freezers.

"Time Warp" breaks down the unseen world of the ordinary in sometimes super-slow motion, such as a punch to the face or the break of a matchstick. "How Stuff Works" features an entertainment cast of experts showing how everything works.

TLC, the network of "American Chopper," "Trading Spaces" and "What Not to Wear," will add seven new shows in the coming year. One is a makeover series from the magazine "Real Simple," focused for women looking for a full lifestyle makeover. In the home design area, "Date My House" examines a house makeover and gives potential homeowners a chance to "date" the house before buying. "Your Place of Mine?" has two teams pitted against each other for a chance to win full room makeovers--or the chance to steal the other team's new room.

For the relationship side of things, "Single Moms" follows three women as they travel on a nationwide search for love--one where they can select men they'd like to get to know better before meeting them in person.

In "Singing Office," hosts Melanie Brown and Joey Fatone help workers find out if they really know the people in their office--via a singing competition.

"Ashley Paige" examines the business and personal life of the bikini designer through a new series. "Napoleon Complex" follows 12 students from famous makeup artist Napoleon Perdis as they go through a 10-week master-class boot camp.

"Animal Planet" will get seven new series--including new miniseries "Whale Wars"--coming in the fall 2008 that follow a new organization by a former Greenpeace member who uses unconventional and radical methods to stop illegal whaling operations. Also coming in 2009 is "Jockeys," which focuses on those riders of racehorses and the drama of their on- and off-the saddle lives.

For its "Planet Green" network--the new network to launch June 4, 2008--celebrities including Adrian Grenier, Tom Bergeron, Emeril Lagasse, Maria Menounos, Tom Brokaw and Tom Green will front some new series and specials.

Lagasse will focus on the challenges of chefs in going green on "Emeril Green." "Dancing with the Stars" host Bergeron eats and talks on "Supper Club with Tom Bergeron" with numerous celebrities as a renowned chef cooks up a green meal.

Travel Channel will get some new programming efforts, highlighted by "Dhani Tackles the Globe." Dhani Jones, linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, explores how sports are woven into local cultures, including Irish hurlers, Turkish wrestling camels and Japanese sumo wrestlers.