By Rick Gables
HGTV is on the lookout for America’s next home renovation superstar in Design Star: Next Gen, a new high-stakes competition series inspired by the network’s hit, HGTV Design Star. The series will premiere Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Pictured are host Allison Holker Boss, head judge Jonathan Adler and designer Lauren Makk. There will also be a rotating guest judge, as they scrutinize the work of the eight talented finalists. In a new twist, each competitor has their own design lab — a unique, house-like space that must be reimagined for each challenge. In the end, only one of the competitors can win the once-in-a-lifetime prize of $50,000 and their very own HGTV show.
It’s new dogs and more breeds when A&E Network premieres season three of America’s Top Dog, with back-to-back episodes on Tuesday, Aug. 24, starting at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The series features furry friends alongside their handlers facing off on a massive canine obstacle course designed to test their speed, agility, teamwork, and trust as they navigate a series of challenges over two rounds of competition. Award-winning veteran studio and sports broadcaster Curt Menefee and actor and comedian David Koechner serve as hosts and break down the action, while sideline reporter Rachel Bonnetta catches up with the teams down on the course. In the season premiere episode, five dogs repping the red, white and blue run the Canine Combine: a frisbee fanatic border collie, a water-fearing Doberman, a tiny but feisty terrier, a movie star German shepherd, and a police K9 – but only three will move on to the Dog House for a chance to win the Top Dog title. Each week, the winning team receives a $10,000 cash prize as well as an additional $5,000 to donate to the animal charity of their choice. In the final week of competition, the winning teams return for the ultimate face off for the title of America’s Top Dog and an additional $25,000.
ABC will premiere its new series The Ultimate Surfer on Monday, Aug. 23, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The series gathers some of the world’s greatest up-and-coming surfers to train and live together, as they battle it out at the World Surf League’s Surf Ranch, powered by Kelly Slater’s wave technology. Hosted by Jesse Palmer, the goal of these participants will be to compete against top athletes for a shot on the elite WSL Championship Tour.
