OWN Developing Two Tyler Perry Scripted Series; Seth MacFarlane to Host the Oscars in 2013

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

OWN Developing Two Tyler Perry Scripted Series; Seth MacFarlane to Host the Oscars in 2013

Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) has announced an exclusive partnership with Tyler Perry, the award winning actor, director, screenwriter, playwright and producer, to become his singular destination for all-new television series and projects, including two new scripted series for the network to premiere in mid-2013. These will be the first original scripted series for OWN and Perry will executive produce, write and direct both series. Perry's popular television series Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Meet the Browns and For Better or Worse have been massive hits with record-breaking ratings on cable. Perry had his first foray into television in 2007 with the hit series House of Payne, which premiered as cable's biggest comedy debut ever. The series remained basic cable's top-rated sitcom only until the premiere of Perry's second series Meet the Browns.

Stay with us for further updates on these two scripted series projects. Most likely they will be sitcoms, so that's good news! Does this new deal mean that OWN will have library rights to House of Payne or Meet the Browns? We're not sure yet, but it is possible. Stay tuned...

Seth MacFarlane

Acclaimed comedian and brilliant writer Seth MacFarlane will host The 85th Annual Academy Awards(R), telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have announced. This will be MacFarlane's first appearance on Oscar's stage. The 85th Annual Academy Awards will be broadcast live on Oscar(R) Sunday on February 24, 2013 on ABC. MacFarlane made his feature directorial debut this summer with the box office success Ted. He also co-wrote and produced the film, and voiced the title character. Ted has brought in over $420 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year.

Of course, MacFarlane is the creative force behind the television animated comedy Family Guy and co-creator of American Dad! and The Cleveland Show. In September he hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time, for the show's 38th season premiere. An accomplished live performer, he has played to sold-out audiences at London's Royal Albert Hall and New York's Carnegie Hall. In 2011 MacFarlane released his debut album, "Music Is Better than Words," which earned two Grammy(R) nominations. He also has earned 13 Emmy(R) nominations and won two for his work on Family Guy.

RELATED: See Seth MacFarlane guest star on a hilarious webisode of Lovin' Lakin -