Monday, June 25, 2007
According to Jim Renewed by ABC for 2008; Unsolved Mysteries To Return; NBC Notes
Broadcasting & Cable is reporting today that the 1987-97 series Unsolved Mysteries might be revived! HBO Television Distribution--reaching outside its own pay channel's original-programming ranks for the first time--and Cosgrove/Meurer Prods. are bringing back Mysteries, the granddaddy of hybrid reality/scripted crime- reenactment series.
They plan to make the classic show attractive to network buyers, through major reconstructive surgery. HBO began knocking on doors last week, offering an all-cash deal for 175 refurbished episodes of the documentary-style series about unsolved crimes and paranormal occurrences.
Lifetime has a contract to air reruns of the show, but that is expiring in 2008. HBO is taking out the series without a host, believed to be a first, and will leave it up to the acquiring cable network to choose the late Robert Stack's replacement.
Work is under way to expand the number of unsolved evergreen stories from four to five per episode, each cut down to a maximum of seven minutes. Cosgrove/Meurer and HBO are choosing their material from 900 hours of footage shot for the original 255 episodes.
They also plan to add newly produced updates--the most popular segments of the original series--that will focus on the solving of crimes and shedding new light on cold cases, which make up 60% of the stories, according to Executive Producer John Cosgrove.
Other additions include a new set, logo, music and, most important, the computerized effects needed to bring the stories up to current standards.
New weekly original episodes are also a distinct possibility and could come as part of the initial deal or at some point later.
NBC has quietly removed the summer encores of low-rated drama Friday Night Lights from its schedule. The show was repeating Sundays at 9pm, but was quietly replaced last night by a repeat of Law & Order, which did much better than Lights. Lights will return for a second season on Fridays at 10pm this fall, and NBC says they plan on returning the repeats either in late August or early September.
Meanwhile canceled drama Kidnapped is being burned-off during the late nights on most NBC affiliates on Sunday nights. It started last night on NBC stations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta etc. The #1 NBC station, WNBC in New York, is not airing it however. Check your local listings on Sunday nights for exact times (usually varies between 12-3am).
Finally, NBC is rushing to put new reality series The Singing Bee on the air ASAP because of Fox trying to put a similar show on air before they do. NBC was going to air Bee in late fall on Fridays at 8, but that will not happen now. The Singing Bee will premiere on Tuesday, July 10 at 9:30 PM ET following a 90-minute installment of America's Got Talent. Talent is hosted by former Dancing with the Stars alum Jerry Springer, so what does NBC do? They will bring another alum of Dancing with the Stars to host The Singing Bee. Last season's runner-up Joey Fatone will host!
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Tuesday, January 19
Call Your Mother - "Pilot" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Jean, an empty-nester mom, wonders how she ended up alone while her children live their best lives thousands of miles away. She decides her place is with her family, and as she reinserts herself into their lives, her kids realize they might actually need her more than they thought.
The Conners - "Protest, Drug Test and One Leaves the Nest" (ABC,
10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Harris’ job is in jeopardy after joining a protest she strongly believes in, leading to tense discussions within the family. Jackie makes a visit to Wellman Plastics only to realize the company is instituting supervised drug testing, inspiring Becky to lead her own protest.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 18)
Tuesday, January 19
- Dakota Johnson (Ben and Kate) - Catch Dakota on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. She also talks about Our Friend on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Yara Shahidi (grown-ish/black-ish) - Yara appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother) - Jason is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Craig Robinson (Ghosted/Mr. Robinson/The Office) - Craig will be on A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
- Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) - Aubrey appears on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
- Iain Armitage (Young Sheldon) - Iain chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Leslie Odom Jr. (Central Park/Big Day) - Leslie talks about the film One Night in Miami on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Tommy Davidson (Between Brothers) - Tommy will be on The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
- Cole Sprouse (The Suite Life of Zack & Cody/The Suite Life on Deck) - Cole appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Kyra Sedgwick (Call Your Mother) - Kyra talks about Call Your Mother on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project/The Office) - Mindy is a guest on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (September-January)
09/01 - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Season 14
09/01 - What We Do in the Shadows - The Complete Second Season
09/01 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray)
09/15 - Mom - The Complete Seventh Season
09/15 - South Side - Season 1
09/22 - Brockmire - The Complete Second Season
09/22 - Brockmire - The Complete Third Season
09/22 - Brockmire - The Complete Fourth Season
09/22 - Man with a Plan - Season Three
09/29 - The Bob Newhart Show - The Complete Series (2020 Release)
10/13 - The Jetsons - The Complete Series (Diamond Collection)
10/13 - Our Cartoon President - Season Two
10/23 - Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - The Complete Collection
10/27 - The Flintstones - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/27 - Head of the Class - The Complete Second Season (WBShop.com)
11/10 - Letterkenny - Seasons 5 & 6
11/10 - The Office - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/10 - Schitt's Creek - The Complete Collection
11/17 - Carol's Second Act - The Complete Series
11/17 - Robbie - Season 1
11/24 - Corporate - Season 1
11/26 - Man with a Plan - Season Four
12/01 - The Neighborhood - Season Two
12/15 - Avenue 5 - The Complete First Season
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