NGC Tries Surviving West Point

National Geographic Channel will join the reality series trend this fall with
its original entry, Surviving West Point.

Producers had total access to the military-educational institution for more
than one year to shoot the program, which follows 12 cadets through their
freshman year. Filming began in 2001, and the fifth episode will illustrate the
impact on the academy of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Another new series, Phobia, will discuss different fears and follow
patients as they seek cures for them. It debuts Sept. 30, as does another series
the network did not discuss, Taboo.

According to press notes, the latter show will illustrate such practices as a
circumcision ritual in Africa that includes killing and eating a
dog.