Punk'd, The Pauly D Project: debut March 29th

MTV has announced that season nine of Punk’d will now debut on Thursday, March 29th. The cable channel had previously announced that the show would return on March 19th. These will be the first original episodes of the practical joke series since June 2007 when the show was cancelled.

This time around, producer Ashton Kutcher hands over the hosting duties to a different celebrity each week. They’ll include Miley Cyrus, Kellan Lutz, Hayden Panettiere, Bam Margera and Dax Shepard.

On the same night, the cable channel is also unveiling their Jersey Shore spin-off, The Pauly D Project, which revolves around Paul “Pauly D” Delvecchio.

Here’s the official press release:

MTV’S PAULY D MAKES HIS MOVE FROM THE “SHORE” TO MUSIC STARDOM ON “THE PAULY D PROJECT,” PREMIERING THURSDAY, MARCH 29 AT 10:30 P.M. ET/PT

The Return of the All-New “Punk’d,” Which Will Feature a Different Celebrity Host Each Week, Including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Many Others, Kicks Off the Night at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK, NY (February 8, 2012) – Two of MTV’s most iconic series and talked-about pop culture phenomenons get set to converge on Thursday, March 29, when the network marks the return of the previously announced all-new “Punk’d,” featuring a different celebrity host each week, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, followed by the first spin-off series from “Jersey Shore,” “The Pauly D Project,” at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

“The Pauly D Project” will give viewers an inside look at Pauly D’s life away from Seaside Heights, NJ, as cameras document his transition from world-famous housemate to world-class DJ with his best friends from his home state of Rhode Island along for the ride. While the 12-episode series retains the trademark humor, swagger and distinctive haircut that fans associate with Pauly D from “Jersey Shore,” it’s not always all girls, good times and good music. Aiming to become one of the world’s most successful and recognized names in the music industry, viewers will get to see Pauly D chase his dream as he signs a recording contract with rap icon 50 Cent’s G-Note Records, accompanies pop icon Britney Spears on her international “Femme Fatale” tour and tries to balance it all with the array of photo shoots, public appearances and media interviews that are now a part of his everyday life.

America knows Pauly D has seven friends for life from the “Shore” house but what they don’t know is that while his star has risen, he’s brought along his friends who were by his side back when he was a struggling DJ and not yet a part of TV’s #1 show. Set to take the music world by storm, the stakes for Pauly D have never been higher. Fame isn’t easy – but with his boys for life along for the ride to the top with him, it is sure to be a lot more fun.

The cast of MTV’s “The Pauly D Project” are:

Paul “Pauly D” Delvecchio

A DJ in his hometown of Johnston, Rhode Island, Pauly D shot to fame as one eighth of “Jersey Shore” – the highest rated series in MTV history. Pauly D got his start as a DJ at a local Rhode Island nightclub called ULTRA – where he forged the friendships viewers will see in his new series. Pauly D just announced a monthly music residency at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino beginning February 18, 2012. During the summer of 2011, the star helmed the turntables at Palms Casino Resort. In September, he entertained at iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, The Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys. Following a spot on Britney Spears’ Femme Fetale Tour with Nicki Minaj, Pauly was signed to hip-hop mogul 50 Cent’s record label, G-Note records. He was also voted the “#8 Best DJ in America” in 2010 and one of VIBE Magazine’s “Top 6 DJs Who Rocked 2011.”

Michael “Biggie” Morgan

Biggie is a DJ who became best friends with Pauly D when they were DJs together at Club ULTRA in Rhode Island. Biggie now works as Pauly D’s road manager, handling all the logistics, sound checks and technical issues and even setting up the equipment for their music gigs around the world. The man behind the man with the blowout, Biggie keeps Pauly D’s day-to-day life flowing seamlessly but sometimes to the detriment of his own personal life and relationship with his girlfriend Mary Jane. As Biggie struggles to remain loyal to his hometown girl while everyone else in his crew hooks-up, can love survive the whirlwind, jetset lifestyle Biggie has adopted in order to help his best friend make it to the top of the music charts?

Gerard “Big Jerry” Gialanella

Always calm, cool and collected – don’t let the laid-back exterior fool you. Jerry is the unofficial baby brother of Pauly D’s crew – and often the butt of their group’s jokes – but he’s been throwing elbows as a bouncer since he was 18-years-old. Becoming a part of a tight knit trio with Pauly D and Biggie when he was a bouncer at Club ULTRA, he now serves as Pauly D’s personal security and a much-needed confidante, protecting him from over-exuberant fans and haters across the globe. Newly slimmed down after losing over 140 pounds, he’s still always ready to protect his best friend and the things he’s witnessed on the road with TV’s most recognizable DJ would have to have been seen to be believed.

Ryan Labbe

Here comes trouble: Ryan is the guy responsible for bringing their group together as the club manager for ULTRA, where he gave Pauly D and Biggie some of their first gigs. Ryan is off-the-cuff and off-the chain and never holds back how he feels. He serves as Pauly D’s partner in crime and as a reality check for one of the kings of reality TV. By keeping it exceedingly real, their circle of friends is better for it. Always a man with a plan, Ryan is never without a great new business idea or venture.

Jason “JROC” Craig

JROC is known in Las Vegas’ most elite circles as “Mr. Vegas,” and serves as Pauly D and Co.’s West Coast social liaison. A respected marketing executive currently working for Hyde Bellagio, JROC introduced the crew to the city’s most popular spots, parties and sights during Pauly D’s residency at The Palms Resort and has since become a close friend to all four guys. He’s always got the insights on the hottest parties, restaurants, people and as female viewers are about to find out…is hot himself.

Leading up to premiere, fans can stay up-to-date on “The Pauly D Project” by logging onto remotecontrol.mtv.com for blog posts on the show and exclusive looks at photos, footage and interviews shot with the cast behind-the-scenes at their official photo shoot.

“The Pauly D Project” will also air internationally on MTV channels around the world starting in June 2012.

“The Pauly D Project” is produced by 495 Productions – the production company behind “Jersey Shore.” SallyAnn Salsano serves as Executive Producer of the series for 495 Productions and Jacquelyn French executive produces for MTV. Janay Dutton is Executive in Charge of Production of the series for MTV. Larry Rudolph and Adam Leber serve as Executive Producers of the “The Pauly D Project” for ReignDeer Entertainment.

“Punk’d,” which became a pop culture phenomenon, is back, revealing the vulnerable and fun-loving side of Hollywood’s A-list celebrities as only MTV can. This season, Ashton Kutcher is passing the torch to a different celebrity host each week, including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Kellan Lutz, Hayden Panettiere, Bam Margera and “Punk’d” alum Dax Shepard, among many others, who will punk their unsuspecting famous friends, who will include Khloe Kardashian Odom, “Teen Wolf’s” Tyler Posey, Demi Lovato, and many more.

The celebrity hosts will take “Punk’d” to a whole new level, with more complex, hilarious and fun punks than ever before. For the first time in the series’ history, the curtain will be pulled back, giving viewers an inside look at what goes on behind-the-scenes to pull off these elaborate pranks. Get ready for some real outrageously fun moments that you wouldn’t expect from your favorite stars!

“Punk’d” is executive produced by Katalyst’s Jason Goldberg and Ashton Kutcher. Lauren Dolgen, Colin Nash, Kristina Edwards and Jennifer Russakoff are the Executives in Charge of Production for MTV.

About MTV:

MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its Emmy(R), Grammy(R) and Peabody(R) award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. MTV’s sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unparalleled customized content for young males, music fans and college students, and its online hub MTV.com is a leading destination for music, news and pop culture. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.