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 -

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, March 12

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Big Birthday and Tequila Shots" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Mandy struggles to celebrate Georgie’s 21st birthday after hitting a rough patch in her career.

Ghosts - "St. Hetty’s Day 2: The Help" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
A St. Patrick’s Day staffing emergency gives Hetty the chance to step into an unlikely role at the restaurant as she regains her once-a-year ability to be seen and heard by the living. Meanwhile, Kyle returns to watch over the ghosts and finds himself caught in an amusing supernatural dynamic.

Animal Control - "Squirrels and Fat Cats" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Frank uncovers Emily and Shred's secret romance during a break-in at city supply; Victoria and Patel confront his daughter's school bully.

Going Dutch - "Tinker, Tailor, Colonel, Spy" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Rick takes a sabbatical from the CIA and returns to the base, hoping to rekindle his strained relationship with Capt. Maggie; paranoia runs high when a mole is suspected to be operating inside the base.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 9)

Thursday, March 12

Will Forte (The Four Seasons/HouseBroken/MacGruber/The Last Man on Earth/The Cleveland Show) - Catch Will on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Minnie Driver (Emily in Paris/Speechless/About a Boy) - Minnie is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Robert Smigel (Let's Be Real) - Robert stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Kristin Chenoweth (Stumble/Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Andy Cohen interviews Jennifer on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
Nathan Lane (Mid-Century Modern/Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys) - Nathan talks about Broadway's Death of a Salesman with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Ariana DeBose (Schmigadoon!) - Ariana joins Tamron to talk about her fashion evolution and her role in the all-star cast of the new series Scarpetta on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Lauren Graham (The Z-Suite/M.Y.O.B./Conrad Bloom/Townies/Good Company) - Lauren talks about Reminders of Him on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - NBC's Today catches up with Valerie in the 10am hour.
Phil Rosenthal (Creator of Everybody Loves Raymond) - Phil and Lily Rosenthal join Drew for a taste test of weird foods and talk about their children's book Just Try It! Someplace New! (A Phil & Lil Book) on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.