The distance is daunting: 570 miles, from Boston to Washington. It's a challenge even for a seasoned hiker, but this trek is a rigorous path toward a new lifestyle for 12 morbidly obese people, contestants in ABC's new reality series "Fat March" (9 tonight).

"We'll prove that you don't need a gym, a mansion, a magic pill or a great diet to lose weight," said Steve Pfiester, one of two fitness trainers who, along with a medic, accompany the walkers.

	Richard Pasley Michael, left, Chantal and Loralie, and the other nine contestants on "Fat March," must walk more than 570 miles from Boston to Washington, D.C., in a contest to lose weight. Click photo for larger image.

The 10-week march begins at the Boston Marathon's starting line and finishes at the steps of the Capitol. The finale airs Sept. 10.

Pfiester said the contestants were shocked to learn they would spend nights in tents, not a luxurious mansion, as do participants on NBC's "Biggest Loser."

"They had never camped out before, and you'll see people being fatigued and so worn out they can't think about food," he said.

Besides shedding weight, the walkers will share a payout of up to $1.2 million, but each contestant who drops out or is voted off (for falling behind on the daily timed miles required) will cost the remaining competitors $10,000 of their $100,000 prize.

Pfiester said viewers will root for the walkers as they struggle with weather and injuries. "And you hope that when they return home, they'll change their environment. They will know how; the question is whether they will."

(Kathy Blumenstock, The Washington Post)

TNT casts new Bochco show

TNT has lined up a fairly high-wattage cast for Steven Bochco's latest TV project, including multiple Emmy nominee Jane Kaczmarek, Bochco regular Mark-Paul Gosselaar and former "Angel" regular J. August Richards.

The untitled pilot will also feature former "ER" star Gloria Reuben, Currie Graham ("NYPD Blue"), Melissa Sagemiller ("Sleeper Cell"), Teddy Sears and Jonathan Scarfe, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Bochco co-wrote the pilot with David Feige, a former public defender in the Bronx who authored a book, "Indefensible," based on his experiences. It will focus on law-school friends who now work on opposite sides of a case.

Gosselaar, who worked with Bochco on both "NYPD Blue" and "Commander in Chief," will play a public defender who often finds himself at odds with the court system's bureaucracy.

Reuben, whose recent credits include "The Sentinel" and Lifetime's "Missing," will play his boss, and Sears ("Studio 60," "Firehouse Dog") one of his colleagues.

On the other side of the aisle, Sagemiller and Richards will play young prosecutors with the district attorney's office, overseen by Graham.

Kaczmarek, an Emmy nominee in each of her seven seasons on "Malcolm in the Middle," is set to play the judge in the case, who's described as "stylish, imperious and a bit crazy" by the Hollywood Reporter.

(Zap2it.com)

'Band' sets its premiere

Left off the list when Fox announced its fall premiere dates earlier this month, "The Next Great American Band" will launch in October.

The talent search, from those genre masters at 19 Entertainment, will premiere Oct. 19 with a two-hour episode, presumably including audition footage. "The Next Great American Band" (Fox keeps calling that a working title) will then move into its regular 8 p.m. hourlong format beginning the next week.

Hundreds of bands from around the country auditioned for the show, with applicants ranging from hip-hop ensembles to country groups.

A set of judges will narrow the hopefuls down to 10 semifinalists, at which point the American people will take on voting responsibilities, just as they do on "Idol."

Also like "Idol," each week the contestants will perform within an established genre, although unlike "Idol" the bands will have the option of either doing original music or covers. The show's finale will pit three bands against each other in a battle of the bands for a contract with 19 Recordings.

(Zap2it.com)