TBS / TNT 2008 Upfront -- Original Series Updates

[Pavan]

TBS

Top-Rated TBS Builds on Success with a Development Slate Of Primetime Sitcoms and Late-Night Projects

Slate Features Projects from Such Comic Talents as Robert Townsend, Elaine Pope, Betty Thomas, Dave Caplan, The Jim Henson Company, Mark Wolper and Brian Hargrove

Popular and Critically Acclaimed Series MY BOYS, THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW and FRANK TV Slated to Return

TBS, television's top-rated comedy network, is ramping up its production of original programming with a slate of primetime comedy series in development, two late-night pilots ordered and three late-night projects in the works. The network, which currently ranks as ad-supported cable's #1 network in primetime delivery of young adults, has enjoyed tremendous success with such original programming as MY BOYS, THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW and FRANK TV. All three of those series are set to return.

"We're very proud to be returning all of our new series for additional episodes and that the response has been so positive among young adults and critics," said Michael Wright, senior vice president in charge of the Content Creation Group for TBS and sister networks TNT and TCM. "It's a real validation of our strategy of working with veteran comedy talent to develop shows that complement the lineup of memorable comedies on TBS. Our goal is to continue to reach out to the very best talent in the business and give them the environment they need to help us build and enhance TBS's brand."

Primetime projects in development include a sitcom adaptation of Jane Ganahl's bestselling memoir Naked on the Page: The Misadventures of My Unmarried Midlife, along with half-hour comedies from Dave Caplan (The Drew Carey Show) and Brian Hargrove (Titus). For late night, TBS has ordered pilot presentations of the animated series STAY TOONED (working title) and a new edition of the classic game show MATCH GAME. TBS is also working on late-night comedies with Robert Townsend, The Jim Henson Company and Mark Wolper.

The following is a rundown of TBS's projects:

Primetime Series in Development

Untitled Elaine Pope/Betty Thomas Series

TBS has begun development on a new sitcom to be based on Jane Ganahl's sassy, insightful memoir Naked on the Page: The Misadventures of My Unmarried Midlife. Emmy winner Betty Thomas (Dream On, The Brady Bunch Movie) will direct, should TBS move forward. The pilot for the series will be adapted by Emmy winner Elaine Pope (Seinfeld, Alfie) from Ganahl's critically acclaimed book about one woman's rollercoaster ride through middle-age. Beginning with the launch of her wildly successful San Francisco Chronicle column "Single Minded" and ending with her 50th birthday, Ganahl's book follows one frenetic year in a smart, social, middle-aged woman's life. It's a year of prodigious change, both personal and professional, further complicated by hormonal upheaval, family issues and the stunning realization that, after a life filled with too many men to count, she may stay single.

Untitled Dave Caplan Series

Dave Caplan (The Drew Carey Show) is writing this project from Sony Pictures Television. It follows the life of a woman who manages to get through the day with surprisingly good humor despite very difficult circumstances: Her husband walks out, leaving her with two kids and a struggling lumberyard. Caplan is basing the premise on his own life, in which his single mother raised him and his two sisters while running a business. He serves as executive producer along with Original Film's Neal Moritz (The Fast and the Furious, I Am Legend) and Vivian Cannon (Thief).

Untitled Brian Hargrove Series

Brian Hargrove (Titus) is writing this domestic comedy about a low-level judge and her husband, who happens to be a prosecuting attorney. The project, set in Raleigh, N.C., comes to TBS from Endemol, with Hargrove and Jeremy Gold (How You Look to Me) serving as executive producers.

Late-Night Pilot Presentations Ordered

MATCH GAME

TBS has ordered a pilot presentation of an all-new, late-night edition of the long-running comedic game show MATCH GAME. The series, in which contestants match wits with a panel of celebrity guests, marks the network's biggest-ever foray into game shows. It comes to TBS from FremantleMedia North America.

STAY TOONED (Working Title)

This project features animated shorts as seen through the eyes of three animated "viewers" who surf through their cable spectrum in search of entertainment. It comes to TBS from Icebox 2.0, which is owned by Tal Vidgerson, Rob Lazebnik, John Collier and Howard Gordon. Executive producers are Vidgerson (The Hour News Hour) and writer-actress Henriette Mantel (The Awful Truth).

Late-Night Series in Development

Untitled Henson Sketch Show

The Jim Henson Company is working on this late-night sketch comedy that uses their signature puppetry style. Brian Henson and Lisa Henson are executive producers.

Untitled Robert Townsend Show

Robert Townsend is executive-producing, writing, directing and starring in this late-night sketch/variety show.

UNMADE (Working Title)

In this half-hour late-night comedy series, a family of made mobsters tries to transition into a legitimate business. This project comes to TBS from Warner Horizon Television and Mark Wolper Productions and is executive-produced by Mark Wolper.










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TNT


TNT Plans Dramatic Increase in Original Programming, Setting the Stage for a Major Primetime Shift

TNT Has 14 Series in the Works from Top Talent, Including Ridley Scott, Mark Burnett, Steven Bochco, Robert Redford and John Sacret Young

TNT is planning a significant boost in original programming, with 14 series in development and a plan to change most of the network's weekday, primetime schedule to originals by 2010. TNT's aggressive plan includes a mixture of scripted dramas, unscripted programs and the network's award-winning telecasts of the NBA. Under the new strategy, TNT will continue to showcase popular movies on Friday nights and weekends.

"This dramatic expansion of our original programming slate is an important and exciting step in the evolution of our network," said Michael Wright, senior vice president in charge of the Content Creation Group for TNT and sister networks TBS and TCM. "We've had great results with our early efforts because of the amazingly talented people who have been bringing their best work to us. We look forward to continuing that success. We're especially excited to add unscripted series to our lineup, which opens a whole new world of storytelling opportunities."

TNT has several new series in development. They join two recently greenlit projects RAISING THE BAR (working title), from executive producer Steven Bochco (NYPD Blue), and LEVERAGE, from executive producer Dean Devlin (Independence Day). Both projects are expected to premiere in TNT's lineup later this year. TNT is also considering TRUTH IN ADVERTISING, from Greer Shephard and Michael M. Robin, executive producers of THE CLOSER.

Scripted series in development include THE GENIE CHRONICLES, a fantasy-adventure from DreamWorks Television, producers of TNT's Into the West; GENERATIONS, a family drama from executive producer Robert Redford and writer/executive producer John Sacret Young (The West Wing, China Beach); TECHNOPHOBIA, from executive producer Mark Frost (Twin Peaks); an untitled project from the Hoosiers team of Angelo Pizzo and David Anspaugh; and an untitled drama based on characters created by crime novelist Tess Gerritsen.

For the first time, TNT is also branching into unscripted series, with several projects in development from such talents as Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Mark Burnett, Mark Wolper, former NBA star Kenny Smith and Gay Rosenthal.

TNT's current original programming successes include ad-supported cable's #1 series of all time, THE CLOSER, starring Golden Globe winner Kyra Sedgwick. That series will return for its fourth season this summer. The network's highly successful SAVING GRACE, featuring Oscar winner Holly Hunter, also will return for a second season this summer. SAVING GRACE premiered in 2007, claiming ad-supported cable's largest audience of the year for a new series launch.

The following is a slate of TNT's new projects in production or development:

Greenlit for Production

RAISING THE BAR (working title)

TNT has ordered 10 episodes of this series from the mastermind of legal dramas, Emmy winner Steven Bochco. The series follows the lives and cases of young lawyers who have been friends since law school but now work on opposing sides. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue) stars as an idealistic public defender who will stop at nothing to help those who cannot help themselves. Gloria Reuben (ER) plays his passionate and protective boss. Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle) plays the imperious judge who hears their cases. The series also stars Teddy Sears (Ugly Betty), Melissa Sagemiller (Sleeper Cell), Currie Graham (Boston Legal), J. August Richards (Conviction) and Jonathan Scarfe (Into the West). It was created by Bochco and lawyer/writer David Feige (author of the book Indefensible). RAISING THE BAR comes to TNT from ABC Studios and Bochco Media, with Bochco serving as executive producer. It is slated to premiere later this year.

LEVERAGE

TNT has ordered 13 episodes of this suspenseful, action-packed drama series starring Oscar winner Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People, Nero Wolfe) as a former insurance investigator who puts together a team of highly skilled thieves, hackers and grifters. Together, they act as modern-day Robin Hoods, going after the richest, greediest and most unjust. LEVERAGE co-stars Beth Riesgraf (Without a Trace), Aldis Hodge (Friday Night Lights), Christian Kane (Into the West) and Gina Bellman (Coupling). It comes to TNT from Dean Devlin's Electric Entertainment, with Devlin and John Rogers (Cosby) executive-producing. LEVERAGE is slated to premiere on TNT later this year.

In Consideration

TRUTH IN ADVERTISING

TNT has produced a pilot for this drama from the team behind the network's hit series THE CLOSER. It centers on a multi-million dollar advertising agency in Chicago and the creative talents working to keep it afloat after the death of one of its executives. Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) and Tom Cavanagh (Ed) star, with Monica Potter (Boston Legal) co-starring. TRUTH IN ADVERTISING comes to TNT from Warner Horizon. Greer Shephard and Michael M. Robin (THE CLOSER) serve as executive producers on this new project, along with THE CLOSER writers Hunt Baldwin and John Coveny.

In Development (Scripted)

GENERATIONS

This one-hour drama series crosses back and forth through time to follow the lives of three generations of the same family who have lived in the same house. The show comes to TNT from executive producer Robert Redford and writer/executive producer John Sacret Young (The West Wing, China Beach).

UNTITLED ANGELO PIZZO/DAVID ANSPAUGH PROJECT

From writer Angelo Pizzo and director David Anspaugh, the creators of Hoosiers and Rudy, comes this family drama set in Indiana in the 1950s. It explores the values and passions of small-town America and the families who inhabit it in a world growing faster and more modern with each passing day.

UNTITLED TESS GERRITSEN PROJECT

Boston medical examiner Maura Isles and police detective Jane Rizzoli join forces to solve crimes in Beantown. This project, based on Tess Gerritsen's popular series of crime novels, comes to TNT from executive producer Bill Haber (TNT's Nightmares and Dreamscapes).

THE GENIE CHRONICLES

This contemporary fantasy-adventure series features a female newspaper reporter who has discovered a magic lamp with an actual genie inside. The series follows them both as different people discover and use the lamp's power to make wishes come true. THE GENIE CHRONICLES comes from DreamWorks Television, producers of TNT's award-winning limited series Into the West.

TECHNOPHOBIA

From Mark Frost (Twin Peaks) comes this intriguing psychological drama that takes place in a bucolic American town where technology is advancing at a frightening pace. It is being produced by MRC Financing.

In Development (Unscripted)

WEDDING DAY

Each week, this uplifting and emotional series selects a different deserving bride from across the country and, with the help of her family and friends, makes her wedding dreams come true. WEDDING DAY comes to TNT from Mark Burnett Productions and DreamWorks Television, with executive producers Mark Burnett, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey and Janelle Fiorito.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

This unscripted series invites viewers to travel on the mile-long train of the famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the town without a zip code. Viewers will go behind the scenes of the legendary circus and enjoy the stories of people who have captivated the world. THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH comes to TNT from Earth Angel Productions, with Mark Wolper, Kenneth Feld, Nicole Feld, Al Hassas and Reza Izad serving as executive producers.

LEAN ON ME

Behind every famous figure stands an unsung hero, someone who has provided inspiration or motivation for success in life. This unscripted series will find uplifting drama in everyday life, celebrating mentors of some of the most successful and famous people in America. LEAN ON ME comes to TNT from former NBA player and current NBA on TNT announcer Kenny Smith, as well as Star Price Productions.

CRIMES OF THE CENTURY

This series examines the most notorious crimes of the last hundred years: incidents that have both shocked and fascinated the nation and were windows on the times in which they were committed. This series comes from Scott Free Productions, with Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and Skip Chaisson serving as executive producers.

SHADOW OF A DOUBT

Sometimes emotions get out of hand, leading a person down paths that shouldn't be traveled, where irrational acts of murder may seem the only way out. This series will take viewers there, presenting riveting true-crime tales. SHADOW OF A DOUBT comes to TNT from Star Price Productions, with Star Price executive-producing.

BEHIND THE DRAMA

This compelling series of one-hour documentaries will tell fascinating and largely unknown stories behind some of our greatest films, television dramas and leading actors. Each episode identifies and explores the central dramatic forces that drove people and events. BEHIND THE DRAMA comes to TNT from Gay Rosenthal, creator of the popular series Behind the Music.

[Sal]

How does Peachtree TV fit into all this? Will any of the shows you mentioned be on there as well or do they have something different in mind? Other than the classic series that they have in the morning, there really isn't much difference between TBS and Peachtree, and that's not a good thing!

[Pavan]

I don't know how PeachTree TV will be effected. Do they air the current originals? If so or if not, there is your answer.

[thebloodyscot]

Let's hope the new Match Game won't be a piece of BLANK. The last one wasn't that good. The NBA's all I watch on TNT

[Pavan]

Since it is will air in the late night, it will be like TV 14 I'm sure.

[thebloodyscot]

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

Since it is will air in the late night, it will be like TV 14 I'm sure.

ok

[Sal]

Originally Posted by thebloodyscot

Let's hope the new Match Game won't be a piece of BLANK. The last one wasn't that good. The NBA's all I watch on TNT

Talk about a waste of time...