New on Bravo, MTV, Sci-Fi, TNN, Trio and USA
David
TCA Summer Press Tour: Cable, Day 2
By Brian Ford Sullivan
CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The Television Critics Association
began its summer press tour yesterday in which the various broadcast
and cable networks talk about their upcoming plans to the nation's top
critics and entertainment reporters. The first week of the annual
three week tour is devoted to cable as Tuesday saw Trio, ABC Cable
Network Group, ABC Family, Rainbow Networks, MTV Networks (CMT, MTV,
MTV2, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TNN, TV Land, VH1), Bravo, Universal
Television Group (Sci Fi Channel and USA) and Fine Living all holding
sessions for the press.
Here's a breakdown of the highlights of each network's presentation:
BRAVO -- The NBC-owned cable channel pushed its off-network
acquisition of "The West Wing," which will be launched as part of its
"West Wing Weekend" on August 7-10. In addition to a six-hour marathon
of the series (Sunday, August 10 beginning at 11 a.m. eastern), Bravo
will air the three-hour documentary "All the Presidents' Movies"
(Thursday, August 7 at 7:00/6:00c), spotlighting the various
president's relationship with movies over the years. Also set for the
lauch: broadcasts of Aaron Sorkin's "The American President"
(Saturday, August 9 at 8:00/7:00c), Clint Eastwood's "Absolute Power"
(Friday, August 8 at 8:00/7:00c) and a special episode of "Inside the
Actors Studio" featuring Martin Sheen (Sunday, August 10 at
8:00/7:00c). "The West Wing" will then go on to be stripped
Monday-Thursday at 7:00/6:00c and 11:00/10:00c beginning Monday,
August 11.
Bravo also revealed its plans for four new pilots (via press release):
Developed and produced by Sean Hayes and producing partner Todd
Milliner, "underExposed" is a pilot for a film-based reality contest.
Two up-and-coming filmmakers are chosen per episode to compete against
each other by shooting a four-minute short film -- from the exact same
script written by an experienced screenwriter. The filmmakers then
shoot their films over three days in their own hometowns with a fixed
production budget of $10,000. The finished shorts are screened for a
panel of expert judges and a winner is chosen to move on to the
finals.
"But I Played One on TV" sees real actors reprise the job that their
character performed while on television. In one possible scenario,
Judd Hirsch might actually drive a taxicab much like his character of
Alex on "Taxi." The three actors per episode face surprise challenges
and are graded by actual professionals in the field. The celebrities
will compete for prize money to be donated to their favorite
charities. The series pilot is produced by KPI (Bravo’s "Page to
Screen"). Bill Hunt, Vinnie Kralyevich and Kristy Sabat are the
development executives.
"Ready, Set, Van Gogh" is an "extreme arts" competitive reality show
that could be generally expressed as a cross among
"Junkyard-Wars"-meets-"Iron-Chef"-meets-the-arts. Dani Behr ("Extra")
hosts as each episode will feature three different arts competitions,
with a trio of professional artists competing to win at their
respective specialty. The pilot will feature chainsaw tree carving,
beach sand sculpture and junk art. With the clock ticking -- and no
prep time -- artists have to create a mesmerizing work that will be
judged by a panel of experts versed in the same art forms to determine
the winner. Subsequent episodes will follow other extreme art forms,
including graffiti, pavement and body art. "Ready, Set, Van Gogh" is a
one-hour pilot to be produced by GRP Productions (Gay Rosenthal).
In "Rewind," Bravo offers a new and fresh storytelling take on the
popular celebrity biography genre as each subject’s story is told in
reverse with clips, and interview footage. Each episode starts at a
specific moment in a celebrity’s life, possibly when the subject is
winning an award for excellence in their designated discipline. For
example, each episode could open a celebrity winning an Oscar, an Emmy
or a Grammy Award then proceed to highlight the subject’s life story
in reverse chronological order. The first part will focus on the quest
for the award or honor - such as what might have happened on the long
red carpet that led to public acclaim. The personal back-story will
follow until viewers have taken a sentimental journeyed all the way
back to childhood. The accent of the series will be to determine how
the element of destiny sets celebrities apart, especially when
underscored by the significance of their award. Danny Tepper is the
producer of "Rewind."
MTV -- The music channel announced it has picked up "The Osbournes"
for a third season of 20 episodes. The dysfunctional clan will return
in early winter 2004 for the fresh installments as the series will
follow, among other things, Sharon's launch of her nationally
syndicated talk show. Despite sagging ratings, the series has averaged
nearly 3 million viewers each week this summer making it one of MTV's
most watched on the channel.
The cable channel also hyped its upcoming original movie, "Wuthering
Heights," which recently wrapped production. Based on the Emily Bronte
book of the same name, the project stars Erika Christensen
("Traffic"), Mike Vogel ("Texas Chainsaw Massacre"), Chris Masterson
("Malcolm in the Middle"), Katherine Heigl ("Roswell") and Johnny
Whitworth ("The Rainmaker"). The two-hour movie, directed by Suri
Krishnamma ("A Man of No Importance," "New Year's Day") from a script
by Max Enscoe & Annie de Young ("Prince William"), will air in
September 2003.
Lastly, MTV profiled its forthcoming reality series "Newlyweds," which
will chronicle the first year of marriage of recording artists Jessica
Simpson and Nick Lachey. The series kicks off Monday, August 4 at
10:30/9:30c. R. Greg Johnston, Lois Curren and Rod Aissa are executive
producing the project with Larry Rudolph and Joe Simpson serving as
producers.
SCI FI CHANNEL -- Sci Fi continued to push its profitable Saturday
movies as the cable network will up its production to 22 originals for
the 2004-05 season with about two airing each month. In 2002, said
movies averaged a 1.4 household rating, 40% higher than the channel's
primetime average. Eight new telefilms were introduced (via press
release):
"Dead Rail": Deadly aliens arrive on Earth and board a bullet train on
its inaugural run to Las Vegas. Once a detective on board realizes the
danger, he must overcome his haunted past to destroy the aliens before
they can leave the train. Written by Brian Smith, founder of
SCIFI.COM’s Seeing Ear Theatre, and produced by Glow Worm.
"Darklight": A genetically-engineered creature carrying a deadly virus
escapes from a secret lab and goes on a rampage, spreading the virus
in the process. To stop the virus from reaching epidemic proportions,
"Lilith" is recruited. A superhuman warrior cursed with immortality,
"Lilith" must defeat the creature before it infects the entire planet.
Directed by Bill Platt, former development executive for SCI FI
Channel’s short-film series Exposure. Production begins in Sofia,
Bulgaria with UFO Films in July 2003.
"Chupacabra": The mythical Chupacabra is captured and smuggled aboard
a cruise ship en route to America. The creature escapes from its crate
and begins killing the ship’s passengers. Navy SEALs are brought in to
destroy the monster before the boat reaches dock. Produced by Regent
Films.
"Raptor Island": Raptors are discovered on a remote island when an
elite team journeys deep into the jungle to rescue a kidnapped
scientist. Produced by 100% Entertainment.
"Mansquito": A scientist trying to find a cure for the West Nile Virus
accidentally transforms herself and a junkie into mutant mosquito
creatures. To save the world from the crazy mutant, the scientist must
find and destroy the other “mansquito.” Produced by Nu Image.
"Alien Blood": An alien army invades Earth, demanding the sacrifice of
one million humans. In exchange, the aliens offer biological tools
that could cure disease and neutralize ecological dangers. But, a
small band of the human prisoners begin a rebellion to stop the
extraterrestrial attack. Produced by UFO Films.
"Larva": A dirty meatpacking company becomes overrun with larva but
still sells the contaminated meat. Customers get more than they
bargained for when the larva begins growing inside them. Produced by
Nu Image.
"Hammerhead": While working on stem-cell research, a scientist
transforms his subject into a mutant shark-beast. Having been kicked
out of a secret organization, he invites his former colleagues to his
lab and proceeds to use the creature to exact his revenge. Produced by
Nu Image.
Also getting hyped was Sci Fi's upcoming mini-series "Battlestar
Galactica," which premieres December 7. The channel also plans a
special Halloween-themed one-hour episode of "Scare Tactics" in
October (exact date TBA). New episodes of the series will continue to
run from now through the end of September.
TNN -- The big news for the Viacom channel was that filmmaker Spike
Lee has dropped his lawsuit against the channel, allowing TNN to go
forward with its name change to Spike TV. In a statement to the media,
Lee said, "On reviewing the circumstances concerning the name change
of the network, I no longer believe that Viacom deliberately intended
to trade on my name when naming Spike TV. As an artist and a
filmmaker, I feel that protection of freedom of expression is a
critical value and I am concerned that my efforts to stop Viacom from
using the Spike TV name could have the unintended consequence of
threatening the First Amendment rights of Viacom and others. I am
pleased to be able to resolve this matter and be able to work with
Viacom on new projects." Viacom responded with a statement saying "We
are pleased to put aside our differences with such a highly respected
and influential creative talent as Mr. Lee and we are delighted to
have resolved this lawsuit with him." No date was given for the
official name change.
In programming news, TNN revealed "Go Inside: Animal House," a new
one-hour documentary celebrating the 25th anniversary of the film
"Animal House." The special airs Sunday, August 24 at 9:00/8:00c with
an encore on Wednesday, August 27 at 9:00/8:00c.
TRIO -- The upstart cable network plans to turn its well-received
"Brilliant But Canceled" documentary into an ongoing series this
September. The new weekday strip launches on Labor Day (Monday,
September 1 at 8:00/7:00c) and will feature never-aired pilots in its
first week including "Fargo" starring a pre-"Sopranos" Edie Falco, the
half-hour comedy "Beat Cops" and "Savage," the 1973 Steven
Spielberg-directed program starring Martin Landau and Barbara Bain.
(Additional pilots will be announced closer to September.) Subsequent
weeks will be devoted to airing episodes of "brilliant but canceled"
series, much like the network did back in December. To help launch the
new block, Trio will air "Brilliant But Canceled: Pilot Season," a new
90-minute documentary about the pitch and creation process of
television series.
As for the rest of its weekday schedule, "Brilliant" bumps Trio's
"Sessions At West 54th" to 7:00/6:00c on that date. The "Sharp
Documentary" block however will continue at 9:00/8:00c as will "Late
Night with David Letterman" at 10:00/9:00c.
The network also announced it will premiere "September 11," a
"critically-acclaimed collection of emotionally stirring fictional and
experimental film shorts are directed by 11 renowned directors from
around the world who bring into play their own culture, memories and
stories of the tragic events of that day." The two-hour presentation
will be aired commercial free on Thursday, September 11 at 9:00/8:00c.
Finally, Trio unveiled a new original documentary series: "24 w/." The
series literally spends 24 hours with such pop culture icons Vera
Wang, Harvey Fierstein, *NSYNC and Tina Brown. The first batch of
episodes hits Sunday, October 19 and airs nightly through Saturday,
October 25 (exact time TBA).
USA -- The cable network announced it has renewed its talent search
"Nashville Star" for a second season. The new season, set for the
first quarter of 2004, will once again see country music hopefuls
competing for a recording contract with a major record label.
Reveille, a joint venture between Ben Silverman and Universal
Television, will continue to produce the series in association with
George Verschoor's Hoosick Falls Productions.
The channel will also add a new reality series this fall entitled
"Dream House USA." The eight-week, one-hour series features four
families competing to win their fantasy dream house. Denise Cramsey
("Trading Spaces") and Reveille's Ben Silverman ("The Restaurant") are
behind the project, which has each family design their perfect home,
room-by-room in just 24 days. A designer will assist each family as
they must complete one room in their "dream" house each episode. The
winning family will then actually have their house built. H.T. Owens,
Mark Koops and Joel Klein ("Fear Factor") will serve as co-executive
producers of the series along with Cramsey and Silverman.
The channel also revealed it has given its two-hour backdoor pilot
"Touching Evil" a series order for midseason 2004. The project, based
on the British Granada Television series, stars Jeffrey Donovan ("Book
of Shadows: Blair Witch 2") as David Creegan, a detective who suffers
a near fatal gunshot wound to the head only to return after a 12-month
psychological leave to work for the F.B.I.'s new Organized and Serial
Crime Unit, a rapid-response, elite crime squad. His brush with death
renders him fearless in his relentless pursuit of justice as he and
his partner Vera Farminga ("U.C.: Undercover") specialize in solving
shocking, high profile crimes. Allen and Albert Hughes ("Menace II
Society," "From Hell") are the executive producers of the series along
with Arnold Rifkin ("Tears of the Sun," "Crocodile Hunter") and Bruce
Willis ("Armageddon," "Die Hard"). Allen Hughes directed the pilot
from a script by Bruno Heller ("The Huntress"). No specific episode
order was given.
Finally, USA announced production is underway on "Hidden In The
Heartland: The Eric Rudolph Story," a new telefilm based on the true
story of accused terrorist Eric Rudolph who was recently arrested
after a five-year chase. Orly Adelson ("The Junction Boys" and USA
forthcoming "D.C. Sniper") will executive produce the project with Jim
Head and Jonathan Eskenas while Newsweek reporter Michael Isikoff and
investigative journalist Michael Reynolds will serve as creative
consultants. Cast and creative principals are expected to be announced
shortly with the film scheduled to air in the fourth quarter of 2003.
VH1 -- To be added shortly.
Session information on ABC Family, Rainbow Networks and Fine Living
was not available.
Upcoming TCA schedule: Wednesday (July 9) - Tennis Channel, Discovery
Networks, Comedy Central, HGTV, A&E Networks, Showtime; Thursday (July
10) - Turner, ESPN, HDTV panel, Lifetime, HBO.
Patty Winter
David <diml...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>from the futon critic
>
>TCA Summer Press Tour: Cable, Day 2
>By Brian Ford Sullivan
>
>(Thursday, August 7 at 7:00/6:00c), spotlighting the various
>president's relationship with movies over the years. Also set for the
>lauch: broadcasts of Aaron Sorkin's "The American President"
>(Saturday, August 9 at 8:00/7:00c), Clint Eastwood's "Absolute Power"
Okay, what are everyone's favorite movies about the presidency? The ones
that come to my mind offhand are The American President and Dave.
>MTV--
>
>The cable channel also hyped its upcoming original movie, "Wuthering
>Heights," which recently wrapped production.
I don't know whether to applaud this or to be very afraid...I guess
time will tell.
>SCI FI CHANNEL --
>Eight new telefilms were introduced (via press release):
And surprise, surprise--they're all horror films! No time for "wimpy"
sci-fi stories like "The Martian Chronicles" any more, I guess.
>USA --
>
>The channel also revealed it has given its two-hour backdoor pilot
>"Touching Evil" a series order for midseason 2004.
"Touching Evil" without Robson Green? Not in my house!
>Upcoming TCA schedule: Wednesday (July 9) - Tennis Channel, Discovery
>Networks, Comedy Central, HGTV, A&E Networks, Showtime; Thursday (July
>10) - Turner, ESPN, HDTV panel, Lifetime, HBO.
Given some of the terrific series TV movies that HBO and Showtime have
put out in recent years, I'll be eager to hear about their plans.
Patty
Adam H. Kerman
>Okay, what are everyone's favorite movies about the presidency? The ones
>that come to my mind offhand are The American President and Dave.
"Seven Days in May", the original, not that dreadfully boring one remade
without Rod Serling's script, staring Forest Whitacker and Sam Waterston.
Ian J. Ball
pat...@wintertime.com (Patty Winter) wrote:
> In article <3f0c7762...@news.cis.dfn.de>,
> David <diml...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >from the futon critic
> >
> >TCA Summer Press Tour: Cable, Day 2
> >By Brian Ford Sullivan
> >
> >SCI FI CHANNEL --
> >Eight new telefilms were introduced (via press release):
>
> And surprise, surprise--they're all horror films! No time for "wimpy"
> sci-fi stories like "The Martian Chronicles" any more, I guess.
I know. Only one of those sounded as interesting as, say "Alien Cargo"
(which itself was pretty 'C'-movieish, but at least was vaguely Sci-Fi).
> >USA --
> >
> >The channel also revealed it has given its two-hour backdoor pilot
> >"Touching Evil" a series order for midseason 2004.
>
> "Touching Evil" without Robson Green? Not in my house!
Having never seen the original, and liking the premise and the casting,
I'll check this one out (provided USA is smart enough to premiere it
when the nets are in reruns...).
--
Ian J. Ball | "I can't ask my roommate because he has
TV lover, and | a work disorder." - Katie about Henry
Usenet slacker | ATWT 04/09/03
ijb...@mac.com | http://homepage.mac.com/ijball/TV.html
Adam H. Kerman
>pat...@wintertime.com (Patty Winter) wrote:
>>>from the futon critic
>>>USA --
>>>The channel also revealed it has given its two-hour backdoor pilot
>>>"Touching Evil" a series order for midseason 2004.
>>"Touching Evil" without Robson Green? Not in my house!
>Having never seen the original, and liking the premise and the casting,
>I'll check this one out (provided USA is smart enough to premiere it
>when the nets are in reruns...).
With the guy from "Blair Witch II"? You saw that, but you never saw
"Touching Evil"?
William December Starr
diml...@yahoo.com (David) said:
> from the futon critic
>
> TCA Summer Press Tour: Cable, Day 2
> By Brian Ford Sullivan
[ *snip* ]
> MTV -- The music channel
Why does he call it that?
[ *huge snip* ]
> Finally, USA announced production is underway on "Hidden In The
> Heartland: The Eric Rudolph Story," a new telefilm based on the
> true story of accused terrorist Eric Rudolph who was recently
> arrested after a five-year chase. Orly Adelson ("The Junction Boys"
> and USA forthcoming "D.C. Sniper") will executive produce the
> project with Jim Head and Jonathan Eskenas while Newsweek reporter
> Michael Isikoff and investigative journalist Michael Reynolds will
> serve as creative consultants. Cast and creative principals are
> expected to be announced shortly with the film scheduled to air in
> the fourth quarter of 2003.
Hmm. I wonder how they plan to handle the issue of whether he got
help from the locals while he was hiding out. It's hardly known
either way for certain yet.
-- William December Starr <wds...@panix.com>
Ian J. Ball
Actually, I know him mostly from "The Pretender", and a couple of other
guest shots. I haven't seen BW2...
Adam H. Kerman
>"Adam H. Kerman" <a...@chinet.chinet.com> wrote:
>>Ian J. Ball <ijball***SPAM-No***@mac.com.invalid> wrote:
>>>pat...@wintertime.com (Patty Winter) wrote:
>>>>>from the futon critic
>>>>>USA --
>>>>>The channel also revealed it has given its two-hour backdoor pilot
>>>>>"Touching Evil" a series order for midseason 2004.
>>>>"Touching Evil" without Robson Green? Not in my house!
>>>Having never seen the original, and liking the premise and the casting,
>>>I'll check this one out (provided USA is smart enough to premiere it
>>>when the nets are in reruns...).
>>With the guy from "Blair Witch II"?
>Actually, I know him mostly from "The Pretender", and a couple of other
>guest shots. I haven't seen BW2...
Nor have I. Hm. Kyle on "The Pretender" from two episodes during the first
two seasons? Guess he didn't make much of an impression on me.
Just noticed that IMDb has Andrea Parker's character listed as "Ms. Parker".
Idiots.
Patty Winter
Adam H. Kerman <a...@chinet.chinet.com> wrote:
>
>Just noticed that IMDb has Andrea Parker's character listed as "Ms. Parker".
>Idiots.
Are you aware that information in the IMDb comes from users? If you
see incorrect information, feel free to send in a correction.
(Okay, who else rememembers when those listings were distributed
as Usenet postings? ;-))
Patty
Adam H. Kerman
>>Just noticed that IMDb has Andrea Parker's character listed as "Ms. Parker".
>>Idiots.
>Are you aware that information in the IMDb comes from users?
It used to come from users. Today it can come from studios and producers
as well. I don't know that that listing came from a viewer; I suspect that a
viewer wouldn't have gotten it wrong.
Patty Winter
>
>>Are you aware that information in the IMDb comes from users?
>
>It used to come from users. Today it can come from studios and producers
>as well. I don't know that that listing came from a viewer; I suspect that a
>viewer wouldn't have gotten it wrong.
I suppose that the studios have discovered the IMDb now, but any registered
user can still submit a correction.
Patty
Clifford Blau
>Here's a breakdown of the highlights of each network's presentation:
>
>BRAVO --
>"But I Played One on TV" sees real actors reprise the job that their
>character performed while on television. In one possible scenario,
>Judd Hirsch might actually drive a taxicab much like his character of
>Alex on "Taxi." The three actors per episode face surprise challenges
>and are graded by actual professionals in the field.
Thank goodness there's so much absurd stuff to laugh at. Otherwise I'd
lose my mind. Thanks for posting this.
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Ubiquitous
>MTV -- The music channel announced it has picked up "The Osbournes"
>for a third season of 20 episodes.
14:57... 14:58... 14:59...
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