Lifetime to beef up programming

Cable’s Lifetime network plans to add an additional night of original programming, on Saturdays, with two new scripted series that will be launched in August. The hourlong shows haven’t been selected yet, but the network aimed at women is looking at pilots starring Gloria Reuben, Sharon Lawrence, Joely Fisher, Julie Warner and Adrian Pasdar.

Three new reality series are also joining the network’s lineup, starting April 14 with “What Should You Do,” offering tips for handling emergencies. In June comes “Secret Lives,” true stories of people with secrets. A makeover series will join the Saturday morning lineup, and there’s a “Designing Women” reunion in the works. In all, the network said it will invest $800 million in programming during the next two years.

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Elizabeth Jensen