Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Nick at Nite March 2008 - George Lopez Week; TBS and TNT Upfront 2008- New Sitcoms, Dramas...and Match Game!
We will try to detail this more when more information comes, but this sounds like a, watch out, whoooooppppaaa week, as George would say! Discuss this month here.
TBS and TNT had its annual upfront yesterday and many original series are in the works for both cable networks.
TBS, television's top-rated comedy network, is ramping up its production of original programming with a slate of primetime comedy series in development, two late-night pilots ordered and three late-night projects in the works. The network, which currently ranks as ad-supported cable's #1 network in primetime delivery of young adults, has enjoyed tremendous success with such original programming as My Boys, The Bill Engvall Show and Frank TV. All three of those series are set to return.
Primetime projects in development include a sitcom adaptation of Jane Ganahl's bestselling memoir Naked on the Page: The Misadventures of My Unmarried Midlife, along with half-hour comedies from Dave Caplan (The Drew Carey Show) and Brian Hargrove (Titus). For late night, TBS has ordered pilot presentations of the animated series Stay Tooned (working title) and a new edition of the classic game show Match Game. TBS is also working on late-night comedies with Robert Townsend, The Jim Henson Company and Mark Wolper.
TNT is planning a significant boost in original programming, with 14 series in development and a plan to change most of the network's weekday, primetime schedule to originals by 2010. TNT's aggressive plan includes a mixture of scripted dramas, unscripted programs and the network's award-winning telecasts of the NBA. Under the new strategy, TNT will continue to showcase popular movies on Friday nights and weekends.
TNT has several new series in development. They join two recently greenlit projects Raising the Bar (working title), from executive producer Steven Bochco (NYPD Blue), and Leverage, from executive producer Dean Devlin (Independence Day). Both projects are expected to premiere in TNT's lineup later this year. TNT is also considering Truth in Advertising, from Greer Shephard and Michael M. Robin, executive producers of The Closer.
Scripted series in development include The Genie Chronicles, a fantasy-adventure from DreamWorks Television, producers of TNT's Into the West; Generations, a family drama from executive producer Robert Redford and writer/executive producer John Sacret Young (The West Wing, China Beach); Technophobia, from executive producer Mark Frost (Twin Peaks); an untitled project from the Hoosiers team of Angelo Pizzo and David Anspaugh; and an untitled drama based on characters created by crime novelist Tess Gerritsen.
For the first time, TNT is also branching into unscripted series, with several projects in development from such talents as Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Mark Burnett, Mark Wolper, former NBA star Kenny Smith and Gay Rosenthal.
TNT's current original programming successes include ad-supported cable's #1 series of all time, The Closer, starring Golden Globe winner Kyra Sedgwick. That series will return for its fourth season this summer. The network's highly successful Saving Grace, featuring Oscar winner Holly Hunter, also will return for a second season this summer. The show premiered in 2007, claiming ad-supported cable's largest audience of the year for a new series launch.
For full details on each new project with synopsis, click HERE!
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Monday, November 17
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Walk of Roses" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Calvin receives an unexpected honor that sparks mixed emotions, while Malcolm’s ghostwriting gig takes a wild turn after a viral outburst from his celebrity client.
DMV - "Blindspot" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Colette is crushed to learn that Noa is dating someone. So, Ceci encourages Colette to fight for him using magic. Meanwhile, Barb tries to find out who is defacing DMV property with childishly inappropriate drawings.
St. Denis Medical - "Two Docs, One Conf" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Ron and Bruce butt heads at a medical conference; Joyce tries to show her nurses some love for Nurse Appreciation Week.
The Paper - "The Five W's" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Ned slowly starts with his volunteer crew until Esmeralda forces an accelerated scramble for stories; Detrick and Travis, Mare and Barry, and Adam and Adelola form Woodward and Bernstein teams with limited results.
TV We Love - "Dynasty" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Cast and crew spill the secrets behind the on-set drama, outrageous glamour, and iconic '80s excess.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 17)
Monday, November 17
- Ms. Pat (The Ms. Pat Show) - Watch Ms. Pat on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Hank Azaria (The Simpsons/Brockmire/Free Agents/Herman's Head) - Hank is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Jeff Goldblum (Search Party) - Jeff stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Jane Krakowski (Schmigadoon!/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/30 Rock) - Jane appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Jimmie Walker (Good Times/At Ease/Bustin' Loose) - Jimmie is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
- Josh Hutcherson (Future Man) - Josh talks about Five Nights at Freddy's 2 on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Billy Bob Thornton (Hearts Afire) - Billy Bob, Andy Garcia and Demi Moore talk about the return of the hit show Lamdman and how each of them first met Drew on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Samuel Arnold (Emily in Paris) - Samuel talks about Netflix's Emily in Paris on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season
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