'Super Size Me' filmmaker joins CNN

NEW YORK, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. filmmaker TV producer Morgan Spurlock, best known for the documentary "Super Size Me," will start an unscripted series on CNN, the network said Thursday.

The "Inside Man" series, to begin April 2013, will air weekends alongside a new CNN travel series hosted by chef-author Anthony Bourdain, the network said.

Bourdain currently hosts Travel Channel's culinary and cultural adventure programs "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" and "The Layover."

"Each week Spurlock will provide an insider's view into rarely seen sectors of American life that include gun lovers, marijuana growers, migrant farm workers and end-of-life caregivers," the network said in a statement.

CNN Worldwide Executive Vice President and Managing Editor Mark Whitaker said Spurlock's name was "synonymous with creative and thought-provoking documentary storytelling."

Spurlock -- who his bio says he watches "SpongeBob SquarePants" with his 5-year-old son Laken Saturday mornings -- is the creator of the reality TV series "30 Days," which aired on CNN rival Fox Broadcasting Co.'s FX cable network from 2005-2008.

In that show, Spurlock or some other person or group of people spent 30 days immersing themselves in a particular lifestyle with which they are unfamiliar -- such as working for minimum wage, being in prison or converting to Islam from Christianity -- while discussing related social issues.

He also directed the 2010 Fox documentary special "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special -- In 3-D! On Ice!" which examined the animated TV series as a "cultural phenomenon."

The Huffington Post said Thursday the announcement of Spurlock's show was the latest indication the network that originated 24-hour news was looking to chart a new path as a way out of its ratings slump.

There were reports earlier this month CNN was considering adding reality shows as a potential savior. The network said it was pursuing "non-fiction original series."