Studio Briefs & Project Development Briefs – Feb 28-Mar 2, 2015

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Studiobriefs11

28 Feb 2015

Studiobriefs11

 

We will be providing briefs of what comes out of the studios or independent project development on a daily basis and summarizing them in daily posts.   These will be a quick way to attempt to keep everyone updated on movement of projects.   This post is updated throughout the day.  So check back for the latest updates.

 

NON-SPECIFIC (NOT SPECIFIC TO A GIVEN ENTITY)

 

ABC/DISNEY/AMC FAMILY/LIFETIME

  • ABC’s new drama pilot under helmer Michael M. Robin, The Advocate has cast Kim Raver to star in the lead.   The Advocate comes from Sheldon Turner and Jennifer Klein’s Vendetta Productions as well as Warner Bros. TV. Turner and Klein executive produce, with Byrdie Lifson-Pompan and Valerie Ulene as consulting producers.   Inspired by the real story of former talent agent Lifson-Pompan who started a healthcare consulting and case management company by teaming up with medical doctor and health education specialist Ulene, The Advocate is about a tough, resourceful, type-A business woman, Francis “Frankie” Reese (Raver) at the top of her game when she encounters a medical scare through a dangerous misdiagnosis, experiencing firsthand the hazards of our healthcare system.  She leaves her successful career to become a relentless advocate for anyone caught up in the chaotic medical system.
  • Shondaland’s Shonda Rhimes is bringing a new drama pilot to ABC, The Catch and has cast Mirelle Enos in the lead.   Based on the novel by Kate Atkinson of same title, Jennifer Schur will adapt the script for ABC Studios and Rhimes and Betsy Beers will executive produce.   Co-executive producing are Helen Gregory and Kate Atkinson.   JulieAnne Robinson will direct the pilot and executive produce.    The Catch is a thriller about a woman about to be conned who is about to marry, but her slippery finance does not realize that she investigates fraud for a living and is not all she claims to be.   When his con encounters her lies, they begin a game of cat and mouse.   In The Catch Enos will play Alice, a feisty woman with a nervy spirit who is engaged to Kiernan, yet feels uneasy about going through with marrying him.   Clean and minimalist, she is also tough and competent overwrought with worry and exhaustion from her dedicated life-work as a forensic accountant in Chicago.

 

AMC NETWORKS/AMC ENTERTAINMENT/A&E

 

 

CBS/CW/CBSFILMS/SHOWTIME

  • Deadline:  Battle Creek Review:  Vince Gilligan’s Old Script Witty Addition to CBS’ Sunday, Says Dominic Patten
  • Variety PopPolitics:  How Madam Secretary Became an Antidote to Dark D.C. Dramas (Listen)
  • Deadline:  Larry David talks Seinfeld Money Myth, His Childhood on Sunday’s 60 Minutes -Watch
  • Pop, formerly TV Guide Network, will be hosting the 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy awards to be held on April 26 live on both coasts.   Michael Levitt will executive produce the broadcast.   It will broadcast from Warner Bros. lot. “We’re turning the page back to the glamour days of daytime TV,” Bob Mauro, President of NATAS explained. “This show will be produced on a soundstage where everybody in that room has worked at one time or another. It will be a throwback to old Hollywood.”  NATAS and Pop are looking at hosts for the event.  Nominations will be announced on March 26.  The Daytime Creative Arts Emmy’s ceremony will be held at the Universal Hilton on April 24.
  • Syndicated show, Judge Judy, produced by Big Ticket Pictures (a division of CBS), will be on air on CBS through 2020, announced Mar 2 by President & CEO of CBS Global Distribution Group, Armando Nuñez.  Judge Judy is executive produced by Randy Douthit who also directs the show.Included with the extended contract is a first-look production deal with Judy Sheindlin’s Queen Bee Productions which has launched in the past Hot Bench.  Sheindlin is 72 and has been starring in Judge Judy since September 1996 and earns approximately $45 Mil a year under her old contract.   Her current contract did not expire until 2017 with the early renewal, she will be on air another five years.Nuñez said: “She is a true television icon who entertains and inspires millions of fans each day on Judge Judy. We look forward to continuing to provide our station partners with her highly successful show and to working with her to create the next generation of hits.”“I’m thrilled to be working with my CBS family for five more years and very excited about this new adventure in production,”  Sheindlin said. “I loved the experience of creating and developing Hot Bench and look forward to replicating its success with more new, compelling and smart TV.”
  • Jane Lynch is coming to CBS to star in a new half-hour comedy,  Angel From Hell, the pilot penned by Tad Quill, who will also executive produce and directed by Don Scardino with CBS Television Studios producing.  Angel from Hell is about a woman named Amy (Lynch) who claims to be the guardian angel of another woman, Allison (uncast).   Amy is brassy, flamboyant and larger-than-life so when Allison encounters Amy and is told that she will be guarded by Amy, her angel, Allison cannot tell if she really is an angel or just plain nuts.
  • Helmer Adam Bernstein has cast KaDee Strickland as the lead in the hour-long pilot Doubt which hails from Timberman/Beverly and CBS TV Studios.  Doubt was written by and is executive produced by Tony Phelan and Joan Rater.   Doubt is about Sadie (Strickland) who is a smart, chic and successful defense lawyer for a boutique law firm who becomes romantically involved with one of her clients who may or may not be guilty of a brutal crime, shocking her colleagues and those who know her best.  Other cast are Elliott Gould, Laverne Cox, Dule Hill, and Kobi Libii with Neil Meyer co-starring for one-season arc.  Each season is designed to tackle a new case.

 

 

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION (AOL, AMAZON, HULU, NETFLIX, YAHOO)

  • Premiere dates for Wet Hot American Summer:  First Day at Camp, Season 3 of Orange is the New Black, and Sense8 have been set by Netflix.   The new sci-fi drama series from Andy & Lana Wachowski, Sense8 will premiere June 5; Orange is the New Black will return for Season 3 on June 12; and Wet Hot American Summer will debut July 17.  Netflix also announced original stand-up comedy specials which include Chris D’Elia:  Incorrigible premiering April 17; Jen Kirkman: I’m Gonna Die Alone (And I feel Fine) will debut May 22; and What Happened, Miss Simone will bow on June 26.
  • Adam Sandler’s Netflix Comedy, The Ridiculous Six craft services truck driver was nearly killed in a traffic accident two weeks ago in Santa Fe and is sill recoververing at Universtiy of New Mexico Hospital.  Around noon on Feb 18, Monique Silva was ejected from her truck when it overturned on the road leading to Santa Fe Municipal Airport following her attempt to over-correct a sharp turn.   She had to be airlifted to the hospital by helicopter, suffering from broken neck, shoulder, pelvis, jaw, 14 ribs and a collapsed lung.   She literally was clinically dead for about five minutes, without breathing until they paddled her back to life.   Her father, George Woodward said that she was moving her limbs, which is a good sign that there will not be any permanent paralysis.  Santa Fe police confirmed that no charged had been filed and that alcohol was not a factor, but they felt speed might have been a factor   It was the first time Silva had driven a catering truck according to Woodward (her father).
  • Deadline Exclusive:  Netflix Outbidding Movie Buyers?  Near Whopping Deal for Beasts of No Nation
  • Netflix Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos hs decided to streamline things and enter China’s market alone. “It’s unlikely that we would definitely pursue (a local partner model) as a strategy… These ventures become very complex and very difficult to manage, and ultimately difficult to be successful,” said Sarandos. Shows like House of Cards have proven very popular in China.  China has 60 of the audience using smartphones and tablets with 649 million internet users, the largest internet use in the world.   With regulations – Google, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter all blocked, it is a difficult market even though an attractive market.   Eight different licenses would be needed to launch Netflix into China and TV is “subject to a censorship and regulatory environment that we haven’t had to deal with,” according to Sarandos.   Censorship approval for a whole season must be garnered before they can broadcast, but shows like House of Cards and Marco Polo are produced a whole series at a time versus shooting each week.

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS (DISCOVERY CHANNEL)

 

 

DREAMWORKS /DREAMWORKS ANIMATION

 

 

 

FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP/FOX SEARCHLIGHT/NEW REGENCY

  •  Deadline Review:  The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Review:  Pete Hammond Happily Checks In
  • Michael Cuesta who is directing and executive producing the pilot, has cast Rob Kazinsky to play Frankenstein in the Fox drama about the monster.   Rand Ravich and Howard Gordon are also executive producing the project with Hugh Fitzpatrick co-executive producing.   Adhir Kalyan has been cast as Otto Goodwin, one of Frankenstein’s creators.  Inspired by Mary Shelley’s novel, Prichard (Kazinsky) is a morally corrupt, retired cop who, when brought back from the dead, is given a second chance at life.   He is younger and stronger and Pritchard must decide to choose between his old temptations and his new sense of purpose.   Pritchard is athletic, strong and handsome, yet in former life a former Marine and county sheriff who was murdered.   Pritchard has a new body, but his mind is still that of the 75-year-old badass sourpuss, cantankerous man who was murdered.

 

MGM, ORION, UNITED ARTISTS

 

 

NBC/UNIVERSAL STUDIOS/USA NETWORK/COMCAST/E!

 

 

LIONSGATE

 

 

SONY/TRISTAR/COLUMBIA

  • Rumor has it that Sony and Marvel are looking at Drew Goddard to pen and direct the new reboot of  Untitled Spider-Man.  Still early stages and Goddard has yet to meet with Sony execs, although that is expected to take place this week.   Goddard directed the Spider-Man spinoff-film Sinister Six.   The reboot will start afresh and not involve Andrew-Garfield in the starring role and the character is getting a revamp.
  • THR Exclusive:  Joseph Kosinski in Talks to Direct Sony’s Gran Turisomo – The Oblivion director would help the video game adaptation.

 

 

TIME WARNER/WARNER BROS./HBO/ TURNER/TNT/TBS/NEWLINE

  •  Deadline:  John Oliver Sexes Up 60 Minutes Report on Nation’s Crumbling Infrastructure With Ed Norton and Steve Buscemi
  • The Wonder List with Bill Weir’s and Finding Jesus:  Faith Fact, Forger boost CNN’s ratings.   Airing at 9 PM, Finding Jesus averaged 1.139 Mil viewers, 80% larger than the 634,000 watching Fox New and 314% larger than MSNBC’s 275,000 viewers.   Finding Jesus in the news demo was also strong at 371,000 compared to Fox News and MSNBC which each attracted 111,000.At 10 PM The Wonder List with Bill Weir found 706,000 viewers topping the cable news nets.   It’s debut ranked the top stop among nets with 294,000 compared to Fox News’ 148,000 and MSNBC’s 126,000.   Looking at the previous four weeks, CNN’s performance grew 122% in total viewers.
  • Warner Bros. has secured rights to , a memoir by Lynsey Addario in an auction.   They have also attached Steve Spielberg to direct, Peter Lazar to produce and Jennifer Lawrence to star in the drama. Lazar’s company Wynn Wygal will oversee the project with Racheline Benveniste and Julia Spiro overseeing from Warner Bros.  Addario won the MacArthur Fellowship in 2008 and was part of the New York Times team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2009 for International Reporting for her work on Waziristan.  In 2011, Addario was jailed for several days in Libya.  She has traveled to war-ridden nations of Afthanistan, Libya and Iraq.

 

 

VIACOM/COMEDY CENTRAL/PARAMOUNT/MTV

 

 

INDIE

The 3rd Annual Noble Awards Honor David Arquette, Nikki Reed, Gary Sinise, Rosario Dawson & More with Tribute to Paul Walker

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2015nobleawards

28 Feb 2015
#JoeMantegna #NikikiReed #IanSomerhalder #PatriciaArquette #DavidArquette #GarySinise #RosarioDawson #TyreseGibson #MichelleRodriguez #PaulWalker #CalebWalker

 

2015nobleawards

 

The 3rd Annual Noble Awards were held February 27, 2015 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel to honor  the entertainment industry’s philanthropic work.   A special tribute was given to the late-Paul Walker on behalf of his foundation, Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW)., hosted by Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson.

This year the trophies were created by kids of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ internal program that advocates healing through art.   The young designers will attend the event to co-present to celebrity recipients.

David Robinson, Morgan Creek’s CEO, executive produced the Awards and sits on the Foundation’s Board.

Some who presented included Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson attributing the late-Paul Walker, Academy Award-winner Patricia Arquette presented to her brother David, and Joe Mantegna presented to Gary Sinise.  Ian Somerhalder was there supporting  Nikki Reed and accepting for Years of Living Dangerously production’s award.

Noble Awards are not your typical celebrity awards show.   The Noble Awards spotlight those celebrities who have given to their fellow men and women, giving back to the world through their humanitarian work.   The goal of the Noble Awards is to provide the needed awareness for the many organizations and unify the efforts of celebrities, philanthropists, media outlets, and everyday citizens to coalesce around social change, becoming a catalyst for peace and service.  Every person has the capacity to change the world and affect the lives of those around them, but it takes a truly NOBLE heart to do so.”

Ten Noble Awards are given out each year to Celebrities and Entertainment Executives who have made an impact on society including Activism in Film, in Music, in Sports, and the from other categories, as well as one Noble Ambassador Award.

This year, individual Noble Awards went to the following, with three more awards given to productions for activism in Film and one Ambassador Award:

  • Rosario Dawson – her work on human rights
  • Gary Sinise – his work with various Veterans’ organizations
  • Nikki Reed – her work for animal advocacy with ISF and Wildlife Waystation
  • ShowTime’s Years of Living Dangerously Producers – for their capturing in film efforts in environmentalism
  • David Arquette – for his work to eradicate poverty an work with Feeding America
  • Former New Orleans Saints Safety, Steve Gleason – for the ALS  Ice Bucket Challenge
  • Jonathan Murray (Bunim/Murray Productions) for his youth-focused educational work on behalf of Television Academy Foundation
Eric Benet at the 2015 Nobel Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Eric Benet at the 2015 Nobel Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Zelda Williams at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Zelda Williams at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Joe Mantegna presenting and accepting award for Gary Sinise at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Joe Mantegna introducing Gary Sinise at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Gary Sinise accepting Noble Awards (with Joe Mantegna in background) at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Gary Sinise accepting Noble Awards (with Joe Mantegna in background) at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Herbie Hancock at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Herbie Hancock at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

David Arquette Receiving his Noble Award presented by sister, Patricia Arquette at 3rd Annual Noble Awards Feb 27, 2015. Image: dailymailUK

AnnaLynne McCord at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

AnnaLynne McCord at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Rosario Dawson accepting her Noble Award Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Rosario Dawson accepting her Noble Award Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Russell Simmons at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Russell Simmons at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Caleb Walker receives award on behalf of brother Paul from Tyrese Gibson & Michelle Rodriguez at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Caleb Walker receives award on behalf of brother Paul from Tyrese Gibson & Michelle Rodriguez at 2015 Noble Awards Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Joe Mantegna at 3rd Annual Noble Awards Feb 27, 2015

Presenter Joe Mantegna at 3rd Annual Noble Awards Feb 27, 2015 Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Honoree Nikki Reed with Ian Somerhalder at 3rd Annual Noble Awards Feb 27, 2015 Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Nikki Reed & Ian Somerhalder at 3rd Annual Noble Awards Feb 27, 2015

Presenter Michelle Rodriguez at 3rd Annual Noble Awards Feb 27, 2015 Image: JB Lacroix/WireImge

Michelle Rodriguez at 3rd Annual Noble Awards Feb 27, 2015

Honoree Rosario Dawson at 3rd Annual Noble Awards Feb 27, 2015 Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Rosario Dawson at 3rd Annual Noble Awards Feb 27, 2015

Honoree David Arquette at 3rd Annual Noble Awards Feb 27, 2015

Presenter Patricia Arquette at 3rd Annual Noble Awards Feb 27, 2015

‘The Big Bang Theory’ Daily Instagrams & Tweets – Feb 28-Mar 2, 2015

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28 Feb 2015

[Note:  Don’t forget to check out the Production Journals for more photos that may be posted during production weeks!]

This is a running account for the day of cast related Instagrams and Tweets so it continually gets updated through the day. Any on-set photos will be in the production journal associated for that week. Please check back often for updates.

Taping Dates and Info

Season 8, Episode 14 Production Journal

Season 8, Episode 15 Production Journal

Season 8, Episode 16 Production Journal

Season 8, Episode 17 Production Journal

Season 8, Episode 18 Production Journal

Season 8, Episode 19 Production Journal

Cast Appearances

 

BILL PRADY

 

 

STEVE MOLARO

 

JIM PARSONS (IG, but no Twitter)

 

JIM PARSONS & MAYIM BIALIK

 

MAYIM BIALIK

A photo posted by mayim bialik () on

 

A photo posted by mayim bialik () on

A photo posted by mayim bialik () on

 

KALEY CUOCO-SWEETING & RYAN SWEETING

 

 

A photo posted by on

 

A photo posted by on

 

 

JOHNNY GALECKI (IG only)

 

 

 

SIMON HELBERG & JOCELYN TOWNE

 

MELISSA RAUCH

 

KUNAL NAYYAR & NEHA KAPUR

 

A photo posted by Kunal Nayyar (r) on

KEVIN SUSSMAN

 

LAURA SPENCER

 

A photo posted by Laura Spencer () on

BOB NEWHART

 

KATE MICUCCI/Garfunkel & Oates

 

A photo posted by on

JOHN ROSS BOWIE

 

 

 

A photo posted by John Ross Bowie () on

A photo posted by John Ross Bowie () on

 

 

A photo posted by John Ross Bowie () on

 

on

 

WIL WHEATON/ANNE WHEATON

 

 

 

The Big Bang Theory’s Melissa Rauch’s Flick, ‘The Bronze’, Releasing July 10

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28 Feb 2015

Melissa Rauch film 'The Bronze'

Melissa Rauch film ‘The Bronze’

The Sundance Film Opener, The Bronze, written and  executive produced by Winston and Melissa Rauch will have a limited theatrical release beginning July 10 with a wider release planned for July 31.  Relativity, who bought the film opening night for $3Mil, is distributing the film.

Directed by Bryan Buckely, making his directorial debut,  the film was executive produced by Melissa and Winston Rauch, Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, Ryan Buckley, Michael C. Cuddy and Matt Lefebvre with Stephanie Lanhoff producing.  The Bronze stars Melissa Rauch and also stars Gary Cole, Thomas MIddleditch, Sebastian Stan, Hailey Lu Richardson and Cecily Strong.

The Bronze is about a former Olympic bronze-medal gymnast who after returning home, her life becomes washed up and she elevates herself to the town until a new younger gymnast starts to threaten her status.  The foul-mouthed, uncouth medalist is asked to take on the girl who could unseat her status.   Will she take on the rising young star or try to destroy the young gymnasts future?

 

 

Studio Briefs & Project Development Briefs – Feb 27, 2015

by
Studiobriefs00_StarTreck

27 Feb 2015

Studiobriefs00_StarTreck

 

We will be providing briefs of what comes out of the studios or independent project development on a daily basis and summarizing them in daily posts.   These will be a quick way to attempt to keep everyone updated on movement of projects.   This post is updated throughout the day.  So check back for the latest updates.

 

NON-SPECIFIC (NOT SPECIFIC TO A GIVEN ENTITY)

 

 

ABC/DISNEY/AMC FAMILY/LIFETIME

  • Former host of CBS’ Late, Late Show, Craig Ferguson who also is known for is role as Simon in Hot in Cleveland, and Nigel Wick on The Drew Carey Show, has just moved from CBS to ABC to join the cast of the ensemble, single-camera comedy pilot The King of 7B.  The King of 7B is penned by Howard Franklin who will executive produce as well with Dan Fogelman and Fogelman’s Rhode Island Avenue Productions banner.  David Frankel will helm the pilot and executive produce  and Ben Karlin will serve as showrunner.  The King of 7B is about an agoraphobic recluse named Prentiss (Ferguson) who ventures outside for the first time in 11 years when he sees who he believes could be his soul-mate moving into the building across the street.   Prentiss is described as refined, upright and regal.  Other cast include Carla Jiminez who plays Prentiss’ housekeeper, Juana; and Kirby Howell-Baptiste is Greta who delivers art to the reclusive Prentiss.  Ferguson also has delivered voices to many animated characters including Family Guy, SpongeBob Square Pants, Futurama, Archer and How to Train Your Dragon (both the original and the sequel).
  • ABC Family’s Big Daddy just got renewed for a fifth season.  The comedy stars Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Tahj Mowry, Chelsea Kane, Melissa Peterman and Derek Theler.   Dan Berendsen is the creator and showrunner.  Big Daddy just wrapped up season 4 with the finale airing on March 18 on ABC Family.  It ranks as the longest-running comedy on the cable net.  “Comedy is an important part of ABC Family’s makeup,” said Karey Burke, executive vice-president of programming and development at ABC Family. “We’re excited to see where Dan takes these lovable characters and look forward to more great comedy from the cast.”

 

 

AMC NETWORKS/AMC ENTERTAINMENT/A&E

  • WGN America’s Underground, produced by Akiva Goldsman has been given a 10-episode straight-to-series order.   Written by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, who will also executive produce with Goldsman from Weed Road Pictures, along with Tory Tunnell and Joby Harold from Safehouse Pictures,  Underground will begin production for a spring 2016 premiere.   Cast include Christopher Meloni, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Aldis Hodge and Jessica DeGouw, with discussions taking place as well with Kanye West to join the cast.   From Sony Pictures TV and Tribute Studios, Underground is about a group of slaves planning a daring escape from a Georgia plantation to cross 600 miles to freedom, who get help from a couple who secretly are abolitionist running a station on the Underground Railroad while they evade those who are to bring them back dead or alive.

 

 

CBS/CW/CBSFILMS/SHOWTIME

 

 

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION (AOL, AMAZON, HULU, NETFLIX, YAHOO)

 

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS (DISCOVERY CHANNEL)

 

DREAMWORKS /DREAMWORKS ANIMATION

 

FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP/FOX SEARCHLIGHT/NEW REGENCY

  • Fox’s new comic book based pilot, Lucifer has just cast Tom Ellis in the lead role as Lucifer.   The pilot is based on the Vertico/DC Comics, with the adaptation written by Tom Kapinos who will also executive produce along with Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman and Len Wiseman.   Wiseman will helm the project that comes from Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Aggressive Mediocrity and Warner Bros. TV.  Lucifer is about the titular character growing bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell so he resigns from his throne and abandons his kingdom for Los Angeles where he gets kicks out of helping the LAPD punish criminals.
  • Variety Exclusive:  James Franco in Talks for Comedy Why Him?
  • THR:  The Last Man on Earth:  TV Review
  • Deadline:  The Last Man On Earth Review:  Will Forte Show  Funny & Original, Says Dominic Patten
  • New Regency has acquired an Untitled thriller scripted by Gregory Burke and helmed by Yann Demange.   Plan B’s Dede Gardner, Brad Pitt and Jeremy Kleiner along with Angus Lamont and Molly Smith will produce the project. “Yann is an amazing new voice and someone we pursued for a long time,” said New Regency CEO Brad Weston. “Thanks to the incredible perseverance of Dede and Jeremy, we are very happy to be in the position to make this with Yann, Angus and Gregory.”  No further details on the plot are available at this time.
  • THR Exclusive:  Leonardo DiCaprio, New Regency Moving Ahead with The Crowded Room

 

MGM, ORION, UNITED ARTISTS

 

NBC/UNIVERSAL STUDIOS/USA NETWORK/COMCAST/E!

  • E! has confirmed that Kelly Osbourne is leaving Fashion Police.   The network gave the following statement:“Kelly Osbourne is departing E!s ‘Fashion Police’ to pursue other opportunities, and we would like to thank her for her many contributions to the series over the past five years, during which time the show became a hit with viewers.”   Those that follow Osbourne on twitter were likely not too surprised at her decision to leave the show.   It seems that there was a controversy as to whether or not she made an insensitive and possibly racial remark to Geuliana Rancic on the February 23 airing of Fashion Police about Disney starlet Zendaya.   Reports state that Osbourne said that Zendaya’s dreadlocked hairstyle at the Oscars probably “smells like pathouli oil” or “weed.”   Osbourne took to twitter to dispute that she ever stated such a thing and questioned whether she wanted to stay with the show:

    Of course this led to further tweets, but it was clear that Osbourne was likely going to exit as a result of her internet defense tirade.

 

 

LIONSGATE

 

SONY/TRISTAR/COLUMBIA

 

TIME WARNER/WARNER BROS./HBO/ TURNER/TNT/TBS/NEWLINE

 

VIACOM/COMEDY CENTRAL/PARAMOUNT/MTV

  • MTV has just renewed their matchmaking series Are You the One? for a third season, along with renewing for a 27th season The Challenge.   Two new series shows were also added, Girl Code Live and Greatest Party Story Ever.  Girl Code Live, a spinoff from Girl Code, has been given a 10-episode order for the 30-minute late night show hosted by Nessa, Carly and Awkwafina from Girl Code, delivering straight talk with celebrity and musical guests and games.  Girl Code Live is executive produced by Ryan Ling with MTV’s Paul Ricci and Karen Frank overseeing.The Greatest Party Story Ever will look at the worst and best tales of good times.   Based on a concept by Four Peaks Media Group and coming from Den of Thieves, the weekly 30-minute show will come from the first person story telling and animation delivering tales of debauchery and buddyhood.   Greatest Party Story Ever has been given a 10-episode order and is executive produced by Ben Nemtin and Jonnie Pen of Four Peaks Media along with Den of Thieves’ Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager.   Co-executive producing are Jordan Barrow, Jared Morrell and Ross Shuman.   Overseeing from MTV are Lauren Dolgen and Kristina Edwards.  Animation will be provided by ShadowMachine.
  • THR Exclusive:  Fault In Our Stars writers, Producers Reuniting for Next John Green Adaptation – Project called Looking for Alaska, Green’s first novel.
  • Deadline Exclusive:   Paramount in Talks to Acquire Rights to Sci-Fi Classic The Stars My Destination

INDIE

‘The Big Bang Theory’ Daily Instagrams & Tweets – Feb 27, 2015

by

27 Feb 2015

[Note:  Don’t forget to check out the Production Journals for more photos that may be posted during production weeks!]

{Note:  We apologize if we didn’t keep this post updated yesterday very well. Our live coverage of the Oscars and prep before and after took up our bandwidth.}

This is a running account for the day of cast related Instagrams and Tweets so it continually gets updated through the day. Any on-set photos will be in the production journal associated for that week. Please check back often for updates.

Taping Dates and Info

Season 8, Episode 14 Production Journal

Season 8, Episode 15 Production Journal

Season 8, Episode 16 Production Journal

Season 8, Episode 17 Production Journal

Season 8, Episode 18 Production Journal

Season 8, Episode 19 Production Journal

Cast Appearances

 

BILL PRADY

STEVE MOLARO

 

JIM PARSONS (IG, but no Twitter)

 

JIM PARSONS & MAYIM BIALIK

 

MAYIM BIALIK

 

 

 

A photo posted by mayim bialik () on

A photo posted by mayim bialik () on

 

KALEY CUOCO-SWEETING & RYAN SWEETING

 

A photo posted by on

 

JOHNNY GALECKI (IG only)

 

 

 

SIMON HELBERG & JOCELYN TOWNE

 

MELISSA RAUCH

 

A photo posted by Melissa Rauch () on

KUNAL NAYYAR & NEHA KAPUR

 

A photo posted by Kunal Nayyar (r) on

KEVIN SUSSMAN

 

LAURA SPENCER

 

BOB NEWHART

 

KATE MICUCCI/Garfunkel & Oates

 

JOHN ROSS BOWIE

 

 

WIL WHEATON/ANNE WHEATON

 

 

A photo posted by Wil Wheaton () on

A photo posted by Wil Wheaton () on

on

A photo posted by Wil Wheaton () on

Final Seven Episodes of Mad Men Debut on April 5 – Sneak Peeks

by
John Slattery as Roger Sterling

27 Feb 2015 1:44 PM PT

 

IT MAY BE THE END OF AN ERA, BUT THE PARTY’S NOT OVER YET

AMC RELEASES A FIRST LOOK VIDEO TO CELEBRATE THE UPCOMING FINAL EPISODES OF “MAD MEN”

 

John Slattery as Roger Sterling

John Slattery as Roger Sterling

In anticipation of the final seven episodes of AMC’s iconic series “Mad Men,” which debut on Sunday, April 5 at 10pm ET/PT, today the network released the lively on-air promo spot, “The Party’s Over.”  Earlier this week AMC released several gorgeous gallery images celebrating the return of the final season.

Trevor Einhorn as John Mathis and Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson

Trevor Einhorn as John Mathis and Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson

Set in 1960s New York, the sexy, stylized and provocative AMC drama “Mad Men” follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising.  The AMC drama made history as the first basic cable series ever to win the Emmy® for Outstanding Drama Series in four consecutive years.  Created by Emmy® winner and executive producer MatthewWeiner, “Mad Men” is anchored by an ensemble cast, including Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Jessica Paré, Rich Sommer, Aaron Staton, Kiernan Shipka, Jay Ferguson, and Christopher Stanley.

Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson and Jon Hamm as Don Draper

Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson and Jon Hamm as Don Draper

Travel Channel: ‘Time Traveling With Brian Unger’ Premieres with Back-to-Back Episodes April 20

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Brian Unger, host of Travel Channel’s “Time Traveling with Brian Unger”

27 Feb 2015 1:41 PM PT

TRAVEL CHANNEL’S ‘TIME TRAVELING WITH BRIAN UNGER’

BRINGS AMERICAN HISTORY TO LIFE WITH ASTONISHING CGI GRAPHICS AND

FASCINATING UNKNOWN TALES ABOUT NATIONAL TREASURES

 

New Original Series Premieres with Back-to-Back Episodes on

Monday, April 20 at 10:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

 

Brian Unger, host of Travel Channel’s “Time Traveling with Brian Unger”

Brian Unger, host of Travel Channel’s “Time Traveling with Brian Unger”

CHEVY CHASE, MD (February 19, 2015) – Travel Channel takes viewers on an unexpected journey back in time with the help of a witty tour guide and eye-popping CGI graphics. In the new half-hour original series, “Time Traveling with Brian Unger,” premiering with back-to-back episodes on Monday, April 20 at 10:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, audiences will be visually transported to America’s past and entertained by amazing tales of yesteryear – typically not found in guidebooks. Hosted by Unger, an experienced producer, commentator, actor and comedian with credits including “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “The Daily Show” and more, the series looks at iconic landmarks, personalities and events in a fresh, new way, revealing historical details many of us never knew occurred.

“This is a fun-formitive, historic thrill-ride through familiar events and places we often take for granted – a show in which past and present collide but, thankfully, no one gets hurt,” said Unger.

In the premiere episode of “Time Traveling with Brian Unger,” airing at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, Unger takes locals on an adventure to two vastly different but equally awe-inspiring symbols of American ingenuity.  First, Unger travels back to San Francisco in the midst of the Great Depression.  This ultra-modern city transforms to a time when the famous Golden Gate Bridge was merely a dream of chief engineer, Joseph Strauss.  Unger and his guests get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the bridge’s engineering and design. They take a rare look at the Golden Gate’s anchorage, then travel by boat underneath it as the bridge transforms before their eyes to its original design and construction. Unger also reveals the identity of the bridge’s real designer, Charles Ellis, who didn’t get credit until many years after the Golden Gate opened. Next, Unger travels back to New York City in 1913 for an adventure involving the very first building to “scrape the skies” of Manhattan – The Woolworth Building.  Guests get an exclusive tour of this Gothic skyscraper, built by “Five and Dime” mogul Frank Woolworth.  Nicknamed the “Cathedral of Commerce,” the building transitions back to the early 20thcentury, when the first tenants graced its elegant halls, elevators and offices. Unger leads the tour through Woolworth’s basement vault, as guests explore the hidden safes and lock boxes where Manhattan’s elite once kept their cash and jewels. Then, the ultimate bombshell is revealed, as Unger’s guests find out which top-secret World War II government project had offices in this very building. Afterward, Unger provides an exclusive look at Frank Woolworth’s private office that morphs into its original form – sheer elegance, only befitting a corporate mega-mogul such as Woolworth.

In the second episode, airing at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, the host travels through time to the Old West and the New West to relive two uniquely American stories. First stop, Tombstone, AZ, where the restored touristy town of today transforms before our eyes to the dusty Wild West locale of 1881. Once home to men like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, this historic location is where these gunslingers enforced their own brand of frontier justice. Unger busts a few myths about the infamous shootout at the O.K. Corral and reveals where the gunfight actually took place. Hint, it wasn’t at the O.K. Corral. Next, Unger travels to Las Vegas in the 1940s and ’50s. The present-day indoor mall that covers Fremont Street reverts back to the neon-lit glory days, when Hollywood celebrities like Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe flocked to Sin City to get ‘unhitched.’ Unger and his guests explore the sites of two former “divorce ranches.”  One is a pristine city park and the other an abandoned, overgrown lot. Audiences will be amazed as the weed choked lot morphs into the luxurious Boulderado ranch, frequented by Mickey Rooney.

“Time Traveling with Brian Unger,” previously greenlit for six episodes, has been upped to 13 half-hour episodes produced by Half Yard Productions for Travel Channel. For Half Yard Productions, the executive producers are Abby Greensfelder, Sean Gallagher and John Jones. For Travel Channel, the executive producer is Brian Leonard.

WEtv: ‘Mary Mary’ is Back with An Explosive Season 4 on Mar 5 at 9 PM ET/PT

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27 Feb 2015 1:35 PM PT

WE tv’s Original Series ‘MARY MARY’ Is Back With An Explosive, Fourth Season On Thursday, March 5 at 10PM ET/PT

Are the ladies of Mary Mary able to rebuild after the devastation that wreaked havoc on their lives last season?

In the wake of the shocking betrayals and devastation of last season, Erica and Tina Campbell attempt to reunite and rebuild in season 4 of WE tv’s MARY MARY, premiering Thursday, March 5 at 10PM ET/PT. As they forge ahead, secrets and ambitions are revealed at every turn making it difficult to move forward. With the ladies being drawn in two different directions and Mary Mary on hiatus and managerless; they must look within themselves, and each other, if there is any chance for Mary Mary to survive.

Devastated by Teddy’s actions, Tina and Teddy work through the heartbreak, to re-establish their foundation with the hopes of coming out stronger as a couple with love, music and wisdom to share.

Erica’s solo career has taken off and continues to thrive, however she quickly realizes that being a solo artist is more difficult than she anticipated. Without the support of the team behind the dynamic duo that is Mary Mary; she must buckle down, grab the reigns and overcome the challenges she faces with making it on her own. As Erica attempts to balance her personal life with her career, Tina is breaking out and embarking on her own solo project.  However, their record label has other plans for Mary Mary and Tina’s quest for artistic independence is met with resistance.

In the premiere episode, former Mary Mary manager, Mitchell Solarek, makes a surprise visit to Erica and Tina in hopes of making amends.  Tina sets to forgive and move on but it’s not so easy for Erica to follow suit.  Mitchell fueled by his revenge against Erica and Warryn for betraying him, focuses his energy on being part of Team Tina for her solo project; causing a rift between the sisters.

As the pressure from the label begins to build, Tina attempts to take control in the absence of a manager for Mary Mary. With both sisters having aspirations of their own, and their record label hungry for a new Mary Mary album, will Tina and Erica be forced to put their solo ventures aside? Tune In Thursday, March 5 at 10PM ET/PT on WE tv.

MARY MARY is produced for WE tv by Entertainment One (eOne) and executive produced by eOne’s Tara Long, John Morayniss and Eric Hoberman; WE tv’s Lauren P. Gellert and Kate Farrell; and Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary.

GET MORE MARY MARY AT WEtv.com For more on MARY MARY, visit www.wetv.com for sneak peeks, photo galleries, blogs, deleted scenes and more. You’ll also find the weekly behind-the-scenes scoop and exclusive videos. “Like” the MARY MARY ON WE tv (link: ) page on Facebook and follow on Twitter for the full insider experience.

 

Tune-in for New Episodes of ‘The Walking Dead,’ ‘The Talking Dead,’ ‘Comic Book Men,’ and ‘Better Call Saul’

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image006 (2)

27 Feb 2015 1:26 PM PT

TUNE-IN FOR A NEW EPISODE OF TV’S #1 SHOW AMONG ADULTS 18-49,

“THE WALKING DEAD,” AIRING ON SUNDAY, MARCH 1 AT 9PM ET/PT

 

FOLLOWED BY THE LIVE AFTER-SHOW “TALKING DEAD”

HOSTED BY CHRIS HARDWICK WITH “THE WALKING DEAD” STAR

ALANNA MASTERSON AT 10PM ET/PT

 

THEN, DON’T MISS A NEW EPISODE OF “COMIC BOOK MEN” AT MIDNIGHT ET/PT

 

AND CATCH A NEW EPISODE OF “BETTER CALL SAUL,”

THE #1 SERIES PREMIERE IN CABLE HISTORY

AMONG ADULTS 18-49 AND ADULTS 25-54 IN LIVE+3 RATINGS

AIRING MONDAY, MARCH 2 AT 10PM ET/PT

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASimage006 (2)E – Tune-in for a new episode of the undead television phenomenon, which continues to be the #1 show on all of television among the coveted 18-49 demographic.  A new episode of “The Walking Dead” airs on Sunday, March 1 at 9pm ET/PT on AMC.  Critics continue to rave about the series, including Erik Cain of Forbes who said “It’s all of this attention to detail, whether just a terrific shot of the train tracks or a moment of explosive gore – an impressive cinematic achievement.”

On the new episode of “The Walking Dead,” “Remember” – written by Channing Powell and directed by Greg Nicotero – molding into a new lifestyle is proving difficult for the group. Has life on the road proven too treacherous to go back to who they once were?

 

 

 

Then, viewers can catch a new episode of the live after-show “Talking Dead” hosted by Chris Hardwick with “The Walking Dead” star Alanna Masterson at 10pm ET/PT.

 

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Walt Flanagan, Michael Zapcic, Ashley Greene and Ming Chen

Viewers can stay tuned for a new episode of “Comic Book Men,” which airs on Sunday, March 1 at Midnight ET/PT.  On the new episode, “Secret Stashley,” Kevin’s assistant Ashley brings her feminine wiles to the Stash and learns about comic book retail; meanwhile, a pair of pro wrestlers wants to sell their comic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additionally, viewers will not want to miss a new episode of “Better Call Saul” airing on Monday, March 2 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.  After debuting on February 8 as the biggest series premiere in cable history among adults 18-49 based on Nielsen live/same day ratings, “Better Call Saul” is now confirmed as the #1 series premiere in cable history among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 in live+3 ratings, which include three days of time-shifted viewing.  Critics are raving about the series, including Matt Zoller Seitz of New York Magazine who said, “In this crime drama, Jimmy’s improvised soliloquies occupy the place of narrative honor where awesome displays of physical prowess would go in action series, and Odenkirk delivers them with immense intelligence.”

image008 (1)

Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks)

 

On the new episode of “Better Call Saul,” “Alpine Shepherd Boy” – written by Bradley Paul and directed by Nicole Kassell – when his efforts to drum up new business are interrupted by alarming news, Jimmy is pressured to make a difficult choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travel Channel Renews 8 Popular Series

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image006 (1)

27 Feb 2015 1:11 AM PT

TRAVEL CHANNEL RENEWS EIGHT POPULAR SERIES FOR 2015: ‘BBQ CRAWL,’

‘BIG TIME RV,’ ‘BIKINIS & BOARDWALKS,’ ‘GHOST ADVENTURES,’

‘HOTEL IMPOSSIBLE,’ ‘MYSTERIES AT THE MONUMENT,’

‘TRIP FLIP’ AND ‘XTREME WATERPARKS’

 

Network Announces April Premiere Dates for ‘Bizarre Foods,’

‘Man Finds Food,’ ‘Mysteries at the Museum’ and ‘The Dead Files’

left to right: Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern, Adam Richman and Don Wildman; Anthony Melchiorri and Bert Kreischer

left to right: Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern, Adam Richman and Don Wildman; Anthony Melchiorri and Bert Kreischer

CHEVY CHASE, MD (February 25, 2015) – Travel Channel announces the renewal of eight popular series, expanding its 2015 programming slate of innovative, provocative and engaging travel entertainment programming. The robust schedule will include new seasons from some of the faces of the network like Andrew Zimmern, Anthony Melchiorri, Bert Kreischer and Don Wildman; as well as shows that take our viewers around the world to exotic locales and on exciting adventures. The eight new seasons include: Season Three of “BBQ Crawl,” Season Two of “Big Time RV,” Season Three of “Bikinis & Boardwalks,” Season 11 of “Ghost Adventures,” Season Six of “Hotel Impossible,” Season Three of “Mysteries at the Monument,” Season Four of “Trip Flip” and Season Four of “Xtreme Waterparks.”

The network is also announcing dates for series with great storytelling by smart and entertaining talent premiering in April: “Bizarre Foods” premieres its eighth season on Monday, April 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, all-new original series “Man Finds Food” premieres Wednesday, April 1 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, the eighth season of “Mysteries at the Museum” premieres on Friday, April 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT and the seventh season of “The Dead Files” premieres on Saturday, April 25 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

“We are laying the groundwork for success with our returning series, a consistent schedule and great storytelling by smart and entertaining talent,” said Ross Babbit, senior vice president, programming and development, Travel Channel. “The shows that come back season after season are the backbone of our schedule. They demonstrate our commitment to owning the travel category, while attracting an upscale audience and creating a healthy environment for our new slate of 2015 programming.”

In Season Eight of “Bizarre Foods” with Andrew Zimmern, the three-time James Beard Award–winning TV personality, chef, food writer and culinary explorer is back with another round of exotic eats from around the globe. Zimmern believes that the best way to explore other cultures is by sharing food, even though what’s common fare in one country may be a challenge for the Western palate. “Bizarre Foods” is produced by Tremendous! Entertainment.

In “Man Finds Food,” host Adam Richman is on the ultimate hunt to uncover the most unique, surprising, delicious and hidden, off-the-menu food treasures across America. He searches for the dishes you would never find, and in places you would never expect. “Man Finds Food” is produced by Sharp Entertainment.

In Season Eight of the highly popular “Mysteries at the Museum,” history explorer and museum enthusiast Don Wildman continues to showcase his exploration across the United States and, for the first time, to other parts of the world. Throughout the new season, he continues to take a deeper dive into local archives, storefront collections and stately institutions, revealing more stories behind the objects and artifacts that reveal hidden secrets. “Mysteries at the Museum” is produced by Optomen Productions, Inc.

In Season Seven of “The Dead Files,” former NYPD Homicide Detective Steve DiSchiavi and medium Amy Allan head back on the road to help beleaguered homeowners as they uncover paranormal histories and mysteries buried within all-new haunted locations. As they arrive on scene, DiSchiavi and Allan investigate each case independently of one another to preserve the integrity of their individual findings. They avoid all contact with each other until the very end, when they reveal their shocking discoveries to the homeowner in each episode’s intense conclusion. “The Dead Files” is produced by Painless Entertainment, Inc.

 

RETURNING SERIES

“BBQ Crawl”

In Season Three of “BBQ Crawl,” viewers continue to follow Canada’s BBQ Champion Danielle Dimovski as she travels the BBQ competition circuit to experience the best BBQ and win a few titles along the way. “BBQ Crawl” will return to the network with 13 all-new, half-hour episodes and is produced by Beyond Distribution.

“Big Time RV”

“Big Time RV” is back with a new season giving viewers an all-access pass inside America’s largest, and most prestigious, RV dealership located in Tampa, Fla., and Tucson, Ariz. While touring and testing every make and model of RV available, the expert sales force and first-rate customization center work together to satisfy the demands of RV lovers looking to buy or rent the biggest, most over-the-top RVs in the business. “Big Time RV” will return to the network with 13 all-new, half-hour episodes and is produced by Half Yard Productions.

“Bikinis & Boardwalks”

From the sinfully delicious foods, to the adrenaline pumping thrill rides, to the unexpected nearby attractions and miles of gorgeous beach – “Bikinis & Boardwalks” returns with Season Three. Once again, viewers get an all-access pass to summer’s most sizzling destinations, including an inside scoop on what makes these playgrounds the ultimate summer hotspots. “Bikinis & Boardwalks” will return to the network with six all-new, half-hour episodes and is produced by Indigo Films.

“Ghost Adventures”

Zak Bagans and Aaron Goodwin return with all-new episodes in Season 11 of “Ghost Adventures.” In each episode, Bagans, Goodwin and the team travel to a different haunted destination where they meet with locals, eyewitnesses and experts in an attempt to piece together the haunted history of each site. They then begin a dusk-to-dawn “lockdown” investigation, using the latest scientific gadgets and technology in an effort to obtain physical evidence of the paranormal and uncover the truth behind each haunted mystery. “Ghost Adventures” will return to the network with 13 all-new, one-hour episodes and is produced by My Tupelo Entertainment.

“Hotel Impossible”

Hotel expert Anthony Melchiorri is back with an all-new season of the popular series “Hotel Impossible.” The hotel fixer is relentless when it comes to getting struggling and under-performing hotels all over the world back on their feet and on the path to success. In Season Six, viewers will see more special experts, new designers, hidden cameras, gadgets and technology that test, evaluate and measure different aspects of each hotel. “Hotel Impossible” will return to the network with 13 all-new, one-hour episodes and is produced by Atlas Media Corp.

“Mysteries at the Monument”

In Season Three of “Mysteries at the Monument,” host Don Wildman returns to uncover some of America’s most intriguing events and greatest triumphs that are linked to many of the history-rich monuments across the United States. These include iconic buildings, bridges, memorials, national parks, statues, sculptures and gravestones. “Mysteries at the Monument” will return to the network with 13 all-new, one-hour episodes and is produced by Optomen Productions, Inc.

“Trip Flip”

“Trip Flip” returns with Season Four featuring professional fun-seeker and host Bert Kreischer.  Once he’s found two random people to spontaneously agree to a surprise adventure, Kreischer then delivers an action-packed itinerary filled with the kind of hair-raising thrills, one-of-a-kind accommodations, mouthwatering food and unexpected twists that only Travel Channel can deliver. “Trip Flip” will return to the network with 13 all-new, half-hour episodes and is produced by High Noon.

“Xtreme Waterparks”

Back with Season Four, “Xtreme Waterparks” continues to give viewers an exclusive, adrenaline-filled spin on the wildest, over-the-top and exhilarating water rides in the world! From high-speed, gravity-defying water rides to the world’s tallest water slides – this series reveals the most insane, nail-biting waterparks around the globe. “Xtreme Waterparks” will return to the network with four all-new, half-hour episodes and three one-hour specials. The series is produced by High Noon Entertainment.

 

TRAVEL CHANNEL (http://www.TravelChannel.com) is a multiplatform travel lifestyle brand with the core mission of providing inspiring and compelling programming that takes viewers beyond their everyday destinations, making the unfamiliar familiar, whether it’s around the world or around the block. A dual feed network that is also available in HD, Travel Channel is the world’s leading travel media brand, and is available in over 94 million U.S. cable homes. Owned and operated by Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), Travel Channel has offices in Chevy Chase, Md., and New York, N.Y. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.

 

WGN American Unveils Provocative ‘Salem’ Art for Season 2 – Premieres April 5th 10/9c

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27 Feb 2015 1:07 PM PT

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In anticipation of the season two premiere of WGN America’s breakout hit supernatural thriller “Salem,” the network has released key art featuring Salem’s deadliest witch Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery), along with Tituba (Ashley Madekwe), Anne Hale (Tamzin Merchant) and Mercy Lewis (Elise Eberle).  Season two of “Salem” will debut on Sunday, April 5 at 10pm ET/9pm CT.

SALEM, a bold re-imagination of the infamous 17th-century witch trials, returns for season two at the dawn of a Witch War.  As the disease and devastation unleashed by a deadly supernatural ritual spread through the war-torn village, Salem’s most powerful witch, Mary Sibley, must face off against adversaries old and new who are vying for her throne.

From creators and writers Brannon Braga (“Cosmos,” “24”) and Adam Simon (“The Haunting in Connecticut”), “Salem” is a gripping one-hour drama that boldly re-imagines the infamous 17th century witch trials in colonial Massachusetts.  The series stars Janet Montgomery, Shane West (“Nikita,” “ER”), Seth Gabel (“Arrow,” “Fringe”), Ashley Madekwe, Tamzin Merchant (“Jane Eyre”), Elise Eberle (“The Astronaut Farmer”) and Iddo Goldberg(“Mob City”).  New to the cast of “Salem” for season two are Lucy Lawless (“Xena: Warrior Princess”, “Spartacus”), Stuart Townsend (“Betrayal,” “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”), Joe Doyle (“Raw”) and Oliver Bell (“The Saint”).

“Salem” is executive produced by Brannon Braga, Adam Simon, Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson and Prospect Park’s Josh Barry and Jeff Kwatinez.  Nick Copus directs and serves as co-executive producer.  The series is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios.

WEtv: Sneak Peek at tonight’s all new episdoe of ‘Marriage Boot camp: Reality Stars

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27 Feb 2015 1:03 AM PT

SNEAK PEEK: On Friday’s all-new episode of  ‘Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars’ (WE TV, 9pm) the boot-campers turn against Aviva after a wild food fight spirals out of control!

On tomorrow’s episode of “Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars,” “Let Them Eat Cake” airing Friday, February 27 at 9 PM ET/PT, frustrations are at an all-time high as the Boot Campers feel Aviva and Reid haven’t been giving the program their all. Things come to a head during a “eat my feelings” drill causing Aviva and Natalie to get into a food fight that quickly spirals out of control. Aviva wrongly accuses Natalie of hitting her causing everyone to turn against her. Plus, an ultimatum puts Tyson and Rachel’s relationship on the path of destruction. Will Tyson bite the bullet and commit to Rachel by saying “I do”….

Watch the drama unfold:

The Marriage Boot Camp is run by husband and wife, Jim and Elizabeth Caroll. Joined by their co-directors, Ilsa and David, they will push these reality celebrities to their limits, physically and mentally. There will be NO special treatment for them. They will be forced to face demons from their past that are still affecting them now and in turn ruining their relationships. Tough love tactics will peel back the layers of what makes these celebrities tick, as well as what is driving their marriage to the brink. Each episode delves deeper into the minefields of what is destroying their marriages using exercises like: forcing couples to say good-bye to their “dying” spouse in a terrible car wreck, to show them what life would really be like without them. In the end, the couples will answer the ultimate question: Is their marriage worth saving or are they better off apart?

Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars airs Fridays at 9pm on WE tv.

 

CBS Press Release: ‘Madam Secretary’ Mar 15 Episode 1.16 – Tamerlane

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Tamerlane01

27 Feb 2015 12:26 AM PT

Press Release

Title:   Tamerlane
Date:   March 15, 2015

ELIZABETH SECRETLY TRAVELS TO IRAN IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT A COUP THAT COULD IMPACT PRESIDENT DALTON’S ADMINISTRATION, ON “MADAM SECRETARY,” SUNDAY, MARCH 15

Anna Deveare Smith Guest Stars as Attorney General Mary Campbell

“Tamerlane” – Elizabeth secretly travels to Iran in an attempt to prevent a coup that could impact President Dalton’s administration. Also, she brings her staff up to speed on the investigation into Marsh’s death, on MADAM SECRETARY, Sunday, March 15 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Anna Deveare Smith (“Nurse Jackie,” “The West Wing”) guest stars as Attorney General Mary Campbell.

CHEAT TWEET:  Elizabeth tries 2 thwart a planned coup in Iran   #CBS 3/15 @8pm http://bit.ly/1LwIiJu

SERIES REGULARS:

Téa Leoni

(Elizabeth McCord)

Tim Daly

(Henry McCord)

Bebe Neuwirth

(Nadine Tolliver)

Željko Ivanek

(Russell Jackson)

Patina Miller

(Daisy Grant)

Erich Bergen

(Blake Moran)

Geoffrey Arend

(Matt Mahoney)

Kathrine Herzer

(Alison McCord)

Evan Roe

(Jason McCord)

Wallis Currie-Wood

(Stephanie “Stevie” McCord)

RECURRING CAST:

Patrick Breen

(Andrew Munsey)

Keith Carradine

(President Conrad Dalton)

Sebastian Arcelus

(Jay Whitman)

Nilaja Sun

(Juliet)

GUEST CAST:

Dion Graham

(Fred Cole)

Usman Ally

(Zahed Javani)

Johanna Day

(Admiral Ellen Hill)

Anna Deveare Smith

 (Attorney General Mary Perlowski)

Mike Pniewski

(Gordon Becker)

A George

(Marajel Javani)

Aiden Eyrick

(Abdol Javani)

Jaiya Chetram

 (Katan Javani)

Frank C. Williams

 (Ds Agent John Kendall)

Nathan Hinton

 (Fbi Agent 1)

Ahmed Lucan

 (Iranian Guard)

Nasser Faris

 (Jafar Alinejad)

Nikiya Mathis

 (Marcia)

Paolo Montalban

 (Military Teck)

Houshang Touzie

 (President Najid Shiraz)

Nambi E. Kelley

 (Mrs. Cole)

WRITTEN BY: David Grae

DIRECTED BY: Jonathan Brown

GENRE: DRAMA

 

Promotional Photos

All Photos:  © 2015 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

Reposted from spoilertv
Tamerlane01

Tamerlane01

 

 

 

Promotional Videos

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Sneak Peeks

 

 

 

CBS Press Release: ‘NCIS: Los Angeles ‘ Mar 16 Episode 6.18 – Leipei

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27 Feb 2015 12:20 AM PT

 

Press Release

Title:   Leipei
Airs:    March 16, 2015

WHEN A MAN IS MURDERED BY A DRONE, THE TEAM DISCOVERS HE WAS CONNECTED TO A TERRORIST GROUP THAT IS PLANNING ANOTHER LOCAL ATTACK, ON A REBROADCAST OF “NCIS: LOS ANGELES,” MONDAY, MARCH 16

“Leipei” – When a man is murdered by a small drone, the team discovers his connection to a terrorist group that is planning another local attack. With time running short, Nell must use her drone expertise to try to divert a disaster in Long Beach, on a rebroadcast of NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Monday, March 16 (9:59-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. (Originally broadcast 11/10/14.)

CHEAT TWEET: It’s up to Nell to save the port of Long Beach from a drone attack!! 3/16 9:59pm http://bit.ly/1JRXcyf

REGULAR CAST:

Chris O’Donnell

(NCIS Special Agent G. Callen)

LL COOL J

(NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna)

Linda Hunt

(Henrietta “Hetty” Lange)

Daniela Ruah

(NCIS Special Agent Kensi Blye)

Eric Christian Olsen

(LAPD Detective Marty Deeks)

Barrett Foa

(Tech Operator Eric Beale)

Renée Felice Smith

(NCIS Intelligence Analyst Nell Jones)

Miguel Ferrer

(NCIS Assistant Director Owen Granger)

GUEST CAST:

Alex Carter

(Frank Kouris)

William Shockley

(Rand Palmer)

Tamlyn Tomita

(Homeland Security Agent Shana Rollins)

Meagan Tandy

(Sierra Fisher)

Shaun Duke Moosekian

(Manager)

Rocky Abou-Sakher

(Man (Antonis Cosse/Elias Minas))

Charlie Wilson

(Boy)

WRITTEN BY: Kyle Harimoto

DIRECTED BY: David Rodriguez

GENRE: DRAMA, CRIME, MYSTERY

Promotional Photos

All Photos:  ©

Coming Soon!

 

 

 

 

 

Promotional Videos

Promo

Coming Soon!

 

Sneak Peeks

 

 

 

CBS Announces Summer 2015 Slate

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26 Feb 2015

Zoo,” a New Drama Based on James Patterson’s #1 Bestselling Novel,
Debuts Tuesday, June 30 at 9:00 PM

Perennial Reality Hit “Big Brother” Returns with a Special Two-Night Premiere, on
Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25, Both at 8:00 PM

“Under the Dome” Debuts with a Two-Hour Premiere on
Its New Night, Thursday, June 25 at 9:00-11:00 PM

Season Two of “Extant,” Starring Academy Award Winner Halle Berry,
Premieres Wednesday, July 1 at 10:00 PM

CBS today announced premiere dates for its lineup of original summer programing that includes the new drama ZOO, returning event series UNDER THE DOME and EXTANT, and the summer reality hit BIG BROTHER.

ZOO, a new drama based on the #1 bestselling novel by James Patterson, will premiere Tuesday, June 30(9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). In the series, a wave of violent animal attacks against humans begin taking place across the globe. As the assaults become more cunning, coordinated and ferocious, a young renegade biologist (James Wolk) is thrust into the race to unlock the pandemic’s mystery before there’s no place left for people to hide.

BIG BROTHER debuts with a special two-night premiere on Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25, both at 8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT. The Thursday edition, featuring the live eviction show hosted by Julie Chen, moves to its regular time period on July 2 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). The Sunday broadcast premieres June 28 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). Last summer, all three editions of BIG BROTHER regularly won their time periods in key young demographics and ranked among the summer’s top 10 programs in both adults 18-49 and adults 18-34.

UNDER THE DOME returns for its third season with a special two-hour premiere on its new night, Thursday, June 25 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT). It moves to its regular time period on Thursday, July 2 (10:00-11:00 PM), following BIG BROTHER, forming a strong two-hour block of established summer hit shows. Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel, UNDER THE DOME tells the story of a small town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. This season, Emmy Award winner Marg Helgenberger will guest star in an extended story arc, beginning with the premiere episode, as the town’s inhabitants figure out the Dome’s purpose and what it wants from them. UNDER THE DOME was last summer’s most-watched (11.32m) and highest-rated scripted program in adults 18-49 (2.8/09) and adults 25-54 (3.7/10).

EXTANT, a serialized mystery thriller starring Academy Award winner Halle Berry, makes its sophomore debutWednesday, July 1 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT). This season, astronaut Molly Woods (Berry) discovers she has unwittingly put the human race on a path to destruction, and that she and mysterious stranger J.B. Richter (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) may be the only hope for survival. In its first season, EXTANT was the most-watched new scripted program of the summer, winning its Wednesday 10:00-11:00 PM time period in viewers (8.65m) and key demographics.

About ZOO:

ZOO, based on the #1 bestselling novel by James Patterson, stars James Wolk, Kristen Connolly, Billy Burke, Nonso Anozie and Nora Arnezeder. Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, Scott Rosenberg and Michael Katleman are executive producers with James Mangold, Cathy Konrad, James Patterson, Bill Robinson, Leopoldo Gout and Steve Bowen. Brad Anderson is directing and also serves as an executive producer. ZOO is a CBS Television Studios production.

About BIG BROTHER:

BIG BROTHER follows a group of people living together in a house outfitted with more than 53 cameras and 97 microphones, recording their every move 24 hours a day. Each week, the House Guests will vote someone out of the house. At the end, the last remaining House Guest will receive the grand price of $500,000.

BIG BROTHER is produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan for Fly on the Wall Entertainment, in association with Endemol U.S.A.

About UNDER THE DOME:

UNDER THE DOME, based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel, stars Dean Norris, Mike Vogel, Rachelle Lefevre, Alex Koch, Colin Ford, Mackenzie Lintz and Eddie Cahill. UNDER THE DOME is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Amblin Television. Steven Spielberg, Neal Baer, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Stacey Snider, Peter Leto and Tim Schlattmann are executive producers.

About EXTANT:

EXTANT stars Halle Berry, new cast member Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Pierce Gagnon and Grace Gummer. EXTANT is a co-production of CBS Television Studios and Amblin Television. Steven Spielberg, Liz Kruger, Craig Shapiro, Mickey Fisher, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Halle Berry and Brooklyn Weaver are executive producers.

CBS SUMMER SCHEDULE

CBS Wednesday, June 24

8:00-9:00 PM              BIG BROTHER (Season Premiere, Night 1)

9:00-10:00 PM            CRIMINAL MINDS (Repeat)

10:00-11:00 PM          CSI: CYBER (Repeat)

 

CBS Thursday, June 25

8:00-9:00 PM              BIG BROTHER (Season Premiere, Night 2)

9:00-11:00 PM            UNDER THE DOME (Two-Hour Third Season Premiere)

 

CBS Sunday, Effective June 28

7:00-8:00 PM              60 MINUTES (Repeat)

8:00-9:00 PM              BIG BROTHER (Sunday Premiere)

 

CBS Tuesday, Effective June 30

8:00-9:00 PM              NCIS (Repeat)

9:00-10:00 PM            ZOO (Series Premiere)

10:00-11:00 PM          NCIS: NEW ORLEANS (Repeat)

 

CBS Wednesday, Effective July 1

8:00-9:00 PM              BIG BROTHER

9:00-10:00 PM            CRIMINAL MINDS (Repeat)

10:00-11:00 PM          EXTANT (Second Season Premiere)

 

CBS Thursday, Effective July 2

8:00-8:30 PM              THE BIG BANG THEORY (Repeat)

8:30-9:00 PM              THE ODD COUPLE (Repeat)

9:00-10:00 PM            BIG BROTHER (Regular Thursday Time Period Premiere)

10:00-11:00 PM          UNDER THE DOME (Regular Thursday Time Period Premiere)

 

CBS Announces ‘World CSI Day’ – A Global Attempt to Break the Guinness World Records® Title for World’s Largest TV Drama Simulcast

by

26 Feb 2015

THE “CSI” EPISODE THAT SERVED AS PLANTED SPIN-OFF FOR “CSI: CYBER” IS SCHEDULED TO AIR IN MORE THAN 150 COUNTRIES

Global Event Celebrates 15 Years of the “CSI” Franchise and the
March 4 Premiere of “CSI: Cyber”

“CSI: Cyber” Stars Academy Award® Winner Patricia Arquette

EXCLUSIVE COLLECTORS’ EDITION ART COMMISSIONED IN CELEBRATION

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – Feb. 26, 2015 – CBS has declared Wednesday, March 4 WORLD CSI DAY, and will embark on a global effort for CSI to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® Achievement for “Largest Ever TV Drama Simulcast.” The event will celebrate 15 years of the CSI franchise, one of the biggest and most successful in the world, and the U.S. premiere of CSI: CYBER. The current record for the largest TV drama simulcast was achieved by the special 50th anniversary episode of “Doctor Who,” which was broadcast in 98 countries across six continents in November 2013.

The global event will feature a worldwide simulcast of the CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION episode “Kitty” (OAD: 4/30/14), which aired as the planted spin-off for CSI: CYBER, the next generation and fourth series in the franchise. The episode will air in more than 150 countries at 7:00 PM, ET (12:00 GMT) and will be streamed in the U.S. on CBS.com from 4:00 PM, PT to 12:00 AM, PT. CSI: CYBER, starring Academy Award® winner Patricia Arquette, premieres that same night in the U.S. on Wednesday, March 4, at 10:00 PM, ET on CBS.

In celebration of WORLD CSI DAY and the CSI franchise, special collectors’ edition art was commissioned to commemorate each of the series in the franchise, which will take over the shows’ Facebook accounts, which reach more than 30 million fans worldwide, and their Twitter accounts, which have more than 800,000 followers worldwide, and be prominently featured on CBS.com.

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION premiered in the fall of 2000 with big ratings, ground-breaking production values and a storytelling form that influenced a generation of crime dramas. The series ranked as television’s #1 drama for seven seasons and became a global phenomenon, earning the title of the “most-watched show in the world” on six separate occasions, most recently in 2012. CSI has also developed into a major franchise for CBS, spawning three television spin-offs, books, video games and “CSI: The Experience,” an interactive educational exhibit about forensic science that travels around the world.

“When CSI premiered, I had no idea it would become the sensational global franchise it is today,” said Anthony Zuiker, creator of the CSI franchise and co-creator and executive producer of CSI: CYBER. “CSI has taken on Las Vegas, Miami, New York and now, with CSI: CYBER, we dive into the vast world of cyber crime, where we can instantly be connected to anyone, anywhere in the world at any time. I can’t think of a better way to kick off CSI: CYBER and celebrate 15 years of international success than with a worldwide simulcast.”

“CSI blazed a trail when it introduced the world to ‘feature’ television with its unique storytelling and innovative production values,” said Nina Tassler, Chairman, CBS Entertainment. “This groundbreaking show introduced the field of forensics into the cultural zeitgeist, and it’s a tribute to the vibrancy of the franchise that 15 years later, it can evolve yet again and dive into the cutting-edge field of cyber crime with CSI: CYBER.”

“CSI has taught us over the years the evidence does not lie,” stated David Stapf, President CBS Television Studios. “The kind of success the franchise has accomplished is a feat achieved by few and we are so proud of the cultural impact it has made, not just in the U.S., but around the globe.”

“The CSI franchise has been a center piece of television schedules around the world for the past 15 years,” said Armando Nuñez, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Global Distribution Group. “We are thrilled to celebrate this anniversary through a global simulcast event, supported by the licensees who have made the original series such a powerful brand in their markets.”

ABOUT CSI:

In the U.S., CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION recently completed its 15th season. It is a fast-paced drama about a team of forensic investigators trained to solve crimes by examining the evidence.  The series stars Ted Danson, Elisabeth Shue, Jorja Fox, Eric Szmanda, Robert David Hall, David Berman, Wallace Langham, Elisabeth Harnois and Jon Wellner.  Original cast member George Eads’ final episode aired Feb. 15, 2015. Jerry Bruckheimer, Carol Mendelsohn, Anthony Zuiker, Don McGill, Jonathan Littman, Louis Milito, Ann Donahue, Cindy Chvatal and original cast member William Petersen serve as executive producers. It is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Daltrey Funding LP Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

ABOUT CSI: CYBER:

CSI: CYBER is a drama inspired by the advanced technological work of real-life Cyber Psychologist Mary Aiken.  The show revolves around Special Agent Avery Ryan who heads the Cyber Crime Division of the FBI, a unit at the forefront of solving illegal activities that start in the mind, live online, and play out in the real world. Patricia Arquette, James Van Der Beek, Peter MacNicol, Shad Moss, Hayley Kiyoko and Charley Koontz star.  Carol Mendelsohn, Ann Donahue, Anthony Zuiker, Pam Veasey, Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman serve as executive producers.  It is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Content Partners Cyber, LP and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

ABOUT CSI: MIAMI AND CSI: NEW YORK:

CSI: MIAMI, which ran from 2002 to 2012, and CSI: NEW YORK, which ran from 2004 to 2013, were also produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Daltrey Funding LLC and Jerry Bruckheimer Television. CSI: MIAMI was nominated for an International TV Audience Award seven times and CSI: NEW YORK was nominated once. CSI: MIAMI ranked among television’s top five dramas, beginning with its debut in 2002-2003, for five consecutive seasons, peaking at 19.00 million viewers in 2004-2005. CSI: NY also ranked as one of television’s most-watched dramas from its debut in 2004-2005 through its final season, averaging a series best of 14.08 million viewers in 2006-2007.

*The worldwide simulcast at 12:00 GMT will take place on March 4 or March 5, depending on the country’s time zone.

Tennis Pro Genie Bouchard Visits Jim Parsons and Cast on Set of ‘The Big Bang Theory’

by

26 Feb 2015

A photo posted by Jim Parsons (ns) on

 

Today was a sporting day on the set of The Big Bang Theory!   Tennis Pro Genie Bouchard stopped by to visit with Jim Parsons and the cast and crew.  Needless to say, Bouchard had to steal “Sheldon’s spot” while there.

Bouchard befriended Parsons over email, introduced through their representatives a couple of years ago.  Last summer while playing Wimbledon as part of the Grand Slam tour, Parsons was in the box seat with Bouchard’s family watching the entire match and cheering her on.  It was there that they met face to face for the first time.   They have managed to keep up the friendship which thrills both tennis and Big Bang Theory Fans alike.

The Canadian tennis pro Bouchard is currently ranked number 7 in the world.   Her next tournament will be on hard surface playing the international Abierto Monterrey Afirme in Monterrey, Mexico March 2-8.   Following that she will play on hard service at BNP Paribas Open held at Indian Wells, California.

Bouchard had company on the set. She brought along her sister Beatrice.

A photo posted by on

A photo posted by B🐝 (d) on

 

NBC News: Maya’s Story: Actress Mayim Bialik Boosts Awareness, Donations Jump by $10K

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mayimfb2xcancerchildpost

26 Feb 2015

FILE - Actress Mayim Bialik And Husband Michael Stone To Divorce

 

Maya Rigler, the 10-year-old from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania battling cancer for the second time, has got a big name rooting her on: Mayim Bialik.

The 39-year-old actress, known for her role as Blossom on the 90s sitcom of the same name and as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler on “The Big Bang Theory,” took to Twitter and Facebook sharing the girl’s fight. She also asked fans to help the Bryn Mawr girl raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

mayimfb2xcancerchildpost

Maya has an orange-sized tumor on her pancreas formed by a rare type of cancer called atypical Ewing’s sarcoma. Doctors must shrink the tumor before they can remove it. The girl already fought and won a fight against a Wilms tumor on her kidney when she was 2-years-old.

Maya Rigler, 10, is battling a rare form of cancer. It’s the second time she’s fought the disease during her young life.

Read More

 

Studio Briefs & Project Development Briefs – Feb 26, 2015

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Studiobriefsnetstation

26 Feb 2015

Studiobriefsnetstation

We will be providing briefs of what comes out of the studios or independent project development on a daily basis and summarizing them in daily posts.   These will be a quick way to attempt to keep everyone updated on movement of projects.   This post is updated throughout the day.  So check back for the latest updates.

 

NON-SPECIFIC (NOT SPECIFIC TO A GIVEN ENTITY)

 

 

ABC/DISNEY/AMC FAMILY/LIFETIME

  • THR Review:  American Crime and Secrets and Lies:  TV Review
  • ABC’s pilot by Jenna Bans, an Untitled drama directed by Paul McGuigan has just case Joan Allen in the lead role to join other cast members Floriana Lima, Zach Gilford, and Margot Bingham.   Bans, David Hoberman, Todd Liberman and Laurie Zaks will executive produce.  The story is about the presumed death of a politician Clarire’s (Allen) young son, Adam Warren (Liam James), who returns to his community as a mysterious young man and is welcomed back.   A neighbor, who had been sitting in jail for his murder is released, forcing the responsible cop to re-examine the case.   A political animal herself, Claire, while devastated to learn of what her son had to endure, plans to use her son’s harrowing horrors to further her political ambition.   Lima plays a young reporters with the local paper.
  • Deadline Review:  Secrets & Lies Review:  Truth Is There’s Not Much There, Says Dominic Patten
  • THR:  ABC Teases How To Get Away with Murder Season 2 Renewal – Marking the closest confirmation for a second season renewal of ABC’s breakout drama.

 

 

 

AMC NETWORKS/AMC ENTERTAINMENT/A&E

  • Exceeding Q4 Wall Street expectations, AMC Networks posted a profit of $77.6 Mil 9$106 per share) compared with $35.4 Mil  ($.49 per share) in the same period a year ago.   Revnue rose 40% to $609.4 Mil and adjusted cash flow was at $194 Mil, up a whopping 96.9%.  Street analysts had predicted earnings of $71.6 Mil ($.99 per share) on revenue of $602.4 Mil.    Read More

 

 

CBS/CW/CBSFILMS/SHOWTIME

  • Deadline:  Conan Tells Jon Stewart Why He Went to Cuba
  • For Justice, based on James Patterson’s debut crime novel, “The Thomas Berryman Number,”  helmed by Ana DuVermay, has just added Philicia Rashad to the cast.  In the pilot, Rashad will play a gay black woman, Georgia Howe, a savvy Washington, who experienced discrimination for both her race and sexual orientation in life, fights to protect the independence and integrity of her high-profile Civil Rights Division.Hailed from CBS Television Studios and  James Patterson Entertainment,which have a first-look deal and Tribeca,  For Justice is written by Rene Balcer.  Patterson’s Edgar Award winning book centers on a messianic hit-man hired to assassinate the first black mayor of Nashville, triggering a desperate manhunt.  For Justice will focus on the repercussions from the events in the novel to present day.  An FBI agent who works in the Criminal Section of the Department of Civil Rights  Division finds herself caught between the radical family she was born into and her chosen professional life.Balcer will also serve as the Showrunner and Executive Produces with Tribeca’s Robert DiNiro and Jane Rosenthal, and James Patterson Entertainment’s James Patterson, Leopoldo Gout and Bill Robinson.  Tribeca’s Berry Welsh will serve as co-Executive Producer.
  • CBS’s Neal Baer, showrunner for the summer series Under the Dome has cast Emmy-winner Marg Helgenberger in an extended guest starring role for the series.   Details of her role are not yet available.   Under the Dome was the most watched summer series with 11.3 Mil viewers and the highest rated scripted series with adults 18-49 (2.8).
  • CBS also announced its summer line-up to not only include Under the Dome, but return of sophomore series Extant and the debut of Zoo, along with showing repeats of Elementary and Chuck Lorre’s Mom.Zoo is based on James Patterson’s best selling book, starring James Wolk.  Zoo will debut June 30th at 9/8c.   Based on Stephen King’s novel, Under the Dome returns to Thursday nights beginning June 25 with a two-hour premiere starting at 9/8c and then will return to its normal 10/9c time slot.   The Sci-fi drama Extant, starring Halle Berry will return July 1 at 10/9c.  See More
  • CBS’ Supergirl keeps adding to their cast, having Chyler Leigh and David Harewood join with regular roles on the series.   They have not only added cast members, but added Andrew Kreisberg to join Greg Berlanti and Ali Adler as a writer and executive producer.   Based on the DC Comic that centers around Kara, Superman’s cousin, born on the planet of Krypton who escaped amid its destruction and was fostered by the Danver family, she is taught how to be careful with her extraordinary powers which she soon unveils publicly at age 24.   Harewood will play the character Hank Henshaw (in the DC Comics is Cyborg Superman), a one-time CIA agent now running the Department of Extra-Normal Operations (DE) which tracks extraterrestrial threats on Earth.  Leigh will play Alexandra “Alex” Danvers who is Kara’s confident foster sister, fascinated by Kara’s powers and has developed a life-long obsession with science as a result, inspiring her to become a doctor.
  • Deadline Exclusive:  Arrow/Flash Superhero Team-Up Spinoff In Works at CW; Brandon Rought, Victor Garber, Wentworth Miller, Caity Lotz Star

 

 

 

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION (AOL, AMAZON, HULU, NETFLIX, YAHOO)

 

 

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS (DISCOVERY CHANNEL)

  • All3Media have named Jane Turton the new CEO of their UK-Headquartered production firm.  Turton had been the managing director before being promoted to CEO “to lead the global production company into its next phase of growth and creative excellence.” Her role as CEO begins immediately.  Turton has been with All3Media since October 2008 and had been leading their business on an interim basis after the previous CEO left.   All3Media had been acquired  by Discovery Communications and Liberty Global last year.  Discovery’s Executive VP of Corporate Development, James Rosenstock had this statement: Jane Turton has done an outstanding job of leading All3Media with a winning combination of creative acumen and operational excellence.” Liberty Global also commented via their President Niall Curran:”After a global search for a new CEO, Jane was the resounding and clear choice to lead All3Media’s business in 2015 and beyond.”  Twenty production and distribution companies make up All3Media, which continues to operate with an independent management team, led by Turton and with creative autonomy.  Turton gave a statement after being named to her new post, vowing to continue the firm’s global growth: “I am delighted to become CEO of All3Media, it’s a hugely exciting time to be leading an international production company. With its wealth of incredible talent and breadth of award winning content All3Media is in prime position to take full advantage of the opportunities opening up in the ever changing content market.”

 

 

DREAMWORKS /DREAMWORKS ANIMATION

 

FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP/FOX SEARCHLIGHT

  •  Fox’s The Deep Blue Goodby, based on John D MacDonald’s novel, has just cast Rosamund Pike to play opposite already cast Christian Bale.  The adaptation is penned by Dennis Lehane with Scott Frank working on the latest draft.  Helmed by James Mangold, Chernin Entertainment Group, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jennifer Davisson-Killoran are producing for Appian Way along with Amy Robinson.  MacDonald’s novel   is the first of a series of 21 books which follow a salvage consultant,  Tavis McGee (Bale), who for a fee recover others’ property, wooing women and getting in trouble with the bad guys along the way.
  • The scandal surrounding Fox’s The Factor‘s Bill O’Reilly over the Falkland Island reporting seems to not be affecting ratings at all.  The Factor drew its highest numbers this Wednesday night without any special guest or commentary on the reports of his claimed exaggerations covering the Falklands conflict in 1982.  O’Reilly drew 705,000 adults in the coveted Adults 25-54.  Compared to the same day a year ago, The Factor was up 62% and up 24% over the same day the previous week.   He brought in a steady 3.08 Mil viewers.   He also out-performed MSNBC’s special on President Obama’s immigration town hall which drew 129,000 adults in 25-54 and 907,000 viewers.
  • Fox’s drama pilot, Minority Report has cast Meagan Good in the female lead.  Coming from 20th Century Fox TV, Paramount TV, and Amblin TV, Minority Report is under the helm of Mark Mylod and written by Max Borenstein. Good will be joining Laura Regan, Daniel London and Li Jun Li to the cast. Minority Report is a sequel to the Steven-Spielberg directed movie, set ten years after the end of precrime in D.C.  Dash, one of the three seers, struggles to lead a normal human life, haunted by visions  of the future, when he meets detective Lara Vega (Good) who is not afraid to break a few rules.  Vega, haunted by her past just might help Dash find a purpose to his gift.
  • Deadline:  Greg Gutfeld to Pilot New Weekend Primetime Show for Fox News Channel
  • Stark Sands has also been added to the cast of Fox’s drama Minority Report (see above).  Identical twins Dash and Arthur possess unique ability to see into the future, specifically murders before they can happen.   Sands will play the dual role of the twins.

 

MGM, ORION, UNITED ARTISTS

 

NBC/UNIVERSAL STUDIOS/USA NETWORK/COMCAST

  • Deadline Exclusive:   Odyssey Crew Members Attacked and Hospitalized Filming in Morocco
  • The Kardashian clan will continue to be on E! for another three-years, according to NBCUniversal but not at the exaggerated $100Mil deal the New York Post’s Page Six reported, according to an NBCU spokesperson who denied to provide any details, but just stated “the story is grossly inaccurate.”  Bruce Jenner will not be part of Keeping Up with the Kardashians in the deal, making his exit in Season 10.   Jenner is currently in talks for his own show on E!
  • Jennifer Lopez’ cop drama Shades of Blue, executive produced by Ryan Seacrest,  has added Ray Liotta, Drea De Matteo, Vincent Laresca and Warren Kole to the cast.  Shades of Blue is about a group of tight-knit police officers who  are effective of keeping the streets safe, but also corrupt when it comes to protecting their own and lining their own pockets.   Harlee McCord (Lopez) is at the center of the story, who must decide between her own family’s welfare and that of her police family when one of the officers is forced to become a federal informant.Liotta will play Lieutenant Bill Wozniak, an enigmatic and resourceful patriarch of the crew of cops, often stepping outside the limitations of the law to protect his own precinct.   Wozniak goes on an all-consuming man-hunt when an informant betrays one of his own, driving him to dire extremes and testing his moral code.A tough, outspoken cop, Shirley Nazario is who deMatteo will play.  Shirley holds her own with her male crew-members, but covers her insecurities with her brash behaviors.   A mother of three, she insists that family comes first yet her suspicions and paranoia threaten to upend her personal life.The moral compass and bulldog for the team, Tony Espada will be played by Laresca.  Tony is devoted and loyal, who a hopeless romantic, suffers from unrequited love when he secretly falls in love with his married partner.Robert Staal is the character Kole will play, who is a relentless and ambitious up-and-coming FBI agent, desperate to make a name for himself, yet jeopardizes his ability to make his case against the group of corrupt cops with his growing obsession to make his place in the bureau.
  • NBC’s single-camera,  the US version of the Australian format horror comedy, Strange Calls has just cast Danny Pudi in the lead role.   Strange Calls will be penned by Blake McCormick who will executive produce alongside Aaron Kaplan, Tracey Robertson, Nathan Mayfield and Jason Winer.  Winer will direct the pilot.   20th Century Fox Television, Kapital Entertainment and Hoodlum are producing the series.  Strange Calls is about a former Seattle cop, Toby (Pudi), who due to a poor arrest record is transferred by his father to a remote town of Coolum.  No one wants to be out after dark in the town.   Toby quickly offends his Seargeant Lloyd (Patrick Brammal reprises his role from the original series), Toby is assigned a partner he doesn’t want.  Lonely eccentric Gregor opts to show Toby the ropes and Gregor insists with considerable justification that Coolum is a nexus of supernatural activity, second only to Transylvania.

 

 

LIONSGATE

  • Opening weekend for Insurgent is edging toward $57 Mil, according to industry tracking, which would make it a larger debut than the first film adaptation of Veronica Roth’s novels, Divergent.   With approximately an $85 Mil budget, Divergent went on to gross $288.7 Mil worldwide, $150.8 Mil domestic.  Insurgent adaptation was penned by Brian Duffield, Akiva Goldsman, and Mark Bomback,  with Robert Schwentke at the helm.   Lucy Fisher, Pouya Shahbazian and Douglas Wick produced.  The cast includes Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Naomi Watts, Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller, Kate Winslet, Octavia Spencer, Maggie Q, and more.   Woodley’s star meter and popularity with the tweens, a likely target audience for Insurgent, likely attributes to the predicted numbers.

 

 

 

SONY/TRISTAR/COLUMBIA

  •  Bob Osher, Sony Pictures Digital President has been ousted.  Osher oversaw Sony Animation and Imageworks for the past seven years.   Sony is restructuring the digital operations he led folding Imageworks (character animation and visual effects) arm under the Motion Pictures Group.  Other services previously under Osher included post-production services, worldwide product fulfillment, production services, and asset management which will be infused into both the Motion Picture Group and Sony Pictures Television.  Randy Lake, EVP of Sony Pictures Digital Productions will lead the organization and will report to the Television and Motion Picture Group, according to a staff memo sent out by CEO Michael Lynton.Lynton shared the following with employees:  “ Bob Osher, currently President of SPDP, has decided to leave the studio to pursue other interests. I want to thank Bob for his 11 years of service and acknowledge the important role he played in strengthening the financial and operational foundation of SPDP, including launching successful franchises for Sony Pictures Animation (CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS, SMURFS and HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA) as well as turning Sony Pictures Imageworks into a profitable leading visual-effects company. Please join me in thanking him for his many contributions and wishing him the best in his future endeavors. I want to thank Bob for his 11 years of service and acknowledge the important role he played in strengthening the financial and operational foundation of SPDP.Separately, we are making some operational changes to SPDP’s businesses in order to increase collaboration across the studio and unite teams that work closely together. Imageworks will now be part of the Motion Picture Group. Post Production Services, Worldwide Product Fulfillment, Production Services, and Asset Management will now be aligned with both the Motion Picture Group and Sony Pictures Television. Randy Lake, Executive Vice President of SPDP, will continue in his new role leading the organization, reporting jointly to both the Television and Motion Picture Group.” Lynton wrote.

 

 

TIME WARNER/WARNER BROS./HBO/ TURNER/TNT/TBS/NEWLINE

  • Variety:  Will Smith Focused on Career, Not Box Office Results
  • Alcon Entertainment acquired franchise rights to Blade Runner in 2011 are in negotiations with Denis Villeneuve to direct the Untitled sequel, with a now confirmed Harrison Ford reprising his role as Rick Deckard.   Previous director of the 1982 Blade Runner, Ridley Scott will executive produce for Alcon Entertainment.  Hampton Fancher and Michael Green have written the original screenplay on an idea by Fancher and Scott.   Fancher had previously co-written  with David Peoples the 1982 pic.   Bud Yorkin will produce the sequel along with Alcon’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson; Cynthia Sikes Yorkin will co-produce; and Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble (CEOs of Thunderbird Films) will Executive Produce.“We are honored that Harrison is joining us on this journey with Denis Villeneuve, who is a singular talent, as we experienced personally on Prisoners,” Kosove and Johnson said. “Hampton and Michael, with Ridley Scott, have crafted a uniquely potent and faithful sequel to one of the most universally celebrated films of all time, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with this amazing, creative team.”   From the conclusion of the 1982 film, the sequel will take place several decades later.   The sequel will be based on , graphic novel by Philip K. Dick.

 

 

 

VIACOM/COMEDY CENTRAL/PARAMOUNT

  • Update:  To the bullet under this – Brad Grey, Paramount Pictures Chief has just confirmed the pending exit of Adam Goodman as Film Group President.  The studio are actively looking at candidates to replace him ranging from internal executives to outsiders.   Below is the release from Grey:

    “I am writing to let you know that Adam Goodman is transitioning out of his role at Paramount Pictures. We have offered him a production deal on the lot and hope to continue our relationship moving forward.

    Adam has served as President, Paramount Motion Picture Group, since 2009. During his tenure, he has shepherded a diverse and successful slate of films, which he and his team worked on tirelessly and with great passion. His skill at making our pictures as good as can be is among his many meaningful contributions to our studio, and I am truly grateful.

    Adam leaves behind a deep and very strong group of talented senior creative executives who will help drive our future as we plan our precise creative management structure. To that end, I expect to have finalized our decision about a successor within the next sixty days.

    I want to thank Adam and know you all join me in wishing him well in his next step.

    Brad

  • Rumor is Paramount Pictures Film Group President Adam Goodman will be exiting his job even though he has a year left on his contract.   The Creative organization is currently under review, and a shake-up is anticipated.  Goodman, was a high level Production exeuctive at DreamWorks  who remained behind when the studio left Paramount, and has been in his position at Paramount for four years.  Criticism with Goodman is that Paramount has not generated enough product; Paramount Chairman & CEO Brad Grey and Vice-Chairman Rob Moore apparently are not satisfied with controls on production costs and projects that keep going over budget.  They don’t have a problem with film popularity.  They have had franchise  hits such as Transformers, Mission: Impossible and Star Trek, launched G.I. Joe and reworked (at an expense) Brad Pitt’s World War Z, which did well in earnings.   So production controls are the issue not hits.   Goodman is charged with managing the process.   Rumor is that the company plans to move forward without Goodman.  In the meantime, Goodman is preparing to exit his role.
  • Deadline:   Jon Stewart On Why He’s Leaving Daily Show:  Conservatives “Killing Me”
  • Epix, backed by Viacom, Lionsgate and MGM, is in negotiations for a 10-episode (straight to series) order for Graves starring Nick Nolte.   If negotiations turn to a signed deal, Graves would mark the first series for Epix, a premium TV/VOD service, which has been running documentaries, comedy and concert specials.   Graves is written and directed by Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote) and executive produced by Great Shapiro (The Hurt Locker).  Graves is about a former US President (Nolte) who  via an epiphany, realizes that some of his policies brought damage to the country.   He makes it a mission to right the wrongs, while his wife enter politics pursing her own career in public service.  Last November Viacom’s CEO Philippe Dauman said that Epix “prepares to add high quality original programming produced by Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM beginning at the end of 2015.”  The series pickup would support that comment, along with bringing in TV scripted executive Jocelyn Diaz as Executive Vice President of Original Programming to oversee Epix’ drama and comedy series projects.
  • Deadline Exclusive:  Will The Crow Fly with Jack Huston?

INDIE

  • Deadline:  Midnight Rider’s Hillary Schwartz Separated From Colleagues’ Trial; Could be Called As Witness
  • Benaroya Pictures’ feature film, Wake, starring Bruce Willis, Ben Kingsley, Ellen Burstyn and Piper Perabo, directed by John Pogue and produced by Michael Benaroya, Tobin Ambrust, David Alpert and Chris Cowles and executive produced by Frank Hildebrand has shut production after only about ten days into filming, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer.   It is rumored that the Benaroya Pictures had been calling around in recent days to seek help in securing financing.  The actors who were attached to the project already have other offers on the table and so the project is in jeopardy of losing its cast.  “Benaroya Pictures is working quickly to remedy the delay in production on the feature film Wake, and we are optimistic we will resume principal photography in approximately 2-3 weeks,” was given in a statement from the company.   Filming had been underway in Cleveland.   Wake was about a fearless sociopath (Willis) who returns to his childhood home on a remote island to attend his brother’s wake.   The island comes under siege and he must save the family that banished him from his ancestral home years ago.
  • SC International Pictures’ psychological thriller All I See is You, helmed and co-written by Marc Forester with Sean Conway, has cast Blake Lively and Jason Clarke to star.  Michael Selby, who runs SC International Pictures, will produce with Wing and A Prayer Pictures, LINK Entertainment and 2Dux2, as well as Forster who will additionally produce with Craig Baumgarten and Jillian Kugler.   Executive Producers include Ron Perlman for Wing And A Prayer and Renee Wolfe.  All I See is You is about a blind woman who’s eyesight is restored.  Upon regaining her eye sight, she begins to discover previous unseen and disturbing details about their marriage and themselves and their lives.