TNT greenlights Ray Romano series

[Brian Damage]

After locking down Jerry Bruckheimer and Jada Pinkett Smith last week, TNT has put Ray Romano into its burgeoning original-programming slate.
The cabler has added an eighth hourlong to its series slate, greenlighting Ray Romano-produced character drama "Men of a Certain Age."

Series stars Romano alongside Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula, and is focused on three fortysomething college buddies who are each coming to terms with a midlife that doesn't live up to their previous expectations.

Series, from TNT Original Prods., was created by Romano and Mike Royce ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), who will serve as showrunner. Romano and Royce also hold the title of exec producer, along with Rory Rosegarten and Cary Hoffman.

Scott Winant helmed the pilot. TNT has placed a 10-episode order.

"The show isn't ever going to be weighty tome," said Royce, who calls his series a "dramedy." "We're really just trying to write out of our own experience and make the show relatable."

According to Royce, TNT is targeting a January 2010 premiere. A production start date has not been set.

Series is the third pilot in the past week to be greenlit by TNT, with the cabler announcing 10-episode orders for hospital drama "Time Heals," starring Pinkett Smith, and Bruckheimer-produced cop show "The Line," starring Dylan McDermott.

Under the direction of newly upped original programming topper Michael Wright, the Turner cable net has signaled its intention to program as many as three nights a week with original dramas in 2006.

On Jan. 26, the channel will bow its fifth hourlong series, "Trust Me," which stars Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh as Chicago ad execs.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=14&cs=1

[TeeVeeCloset]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Series is the third pilot in the past week to be greenlit by TNT, with the cabler announcing 10-episode orders for hospital drama "Time Heals," starring Pinkett Smith, and Bruckheimer-produced cop show "The Line," starring Dylan McDermott.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=14&cs=1

I've seen "The Line" pilot starring Dylan McDermott and it looks interesting and promising.....

[ryan423]

This is already my most anticipated show for next year !!!

[TeeVeeCloset]

Originally Posted by ryan423

This is already my most anticipated show for next year !!!

"The Line" or the Ray Romano series?...I do have "The Line" pilot.....

[ryan423]

Ray's pilot!

[catlover79]

Sounds interesting!!

[Chocolate Moose]

I saw the first show. I wasn’t crazy about it, but anythingnew takes time to develop.

[Scoobiedoo30]

Congrat's to Ray

[Crackinup]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Moose

I saw the first show. I wasn’t crazy about it, but anythingnew takes time to develop.

I have been loving this show. It came to my attention because the marketing company I work for picked up the campaign for the show and then I started seeing ads for it just about everywhere here in the city.

I have been a big fan of Ray since his stand up and Scott Bakula since Quantum Leap, I also remember Andre from Glory, one of my favorite period films.

The first ep was great, tho I felt that the Owen character was the most fully fleshed out in the first ep, but with episode 2 both Joe and Terry got their spotlight time and the writers did a great job with it.

It's also nice that TNT has the eps up on their website though for me it's just for review, since the show fits perfectly in my Heroes, The Closer, MOACA show line up.

[Schmoopie]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Moose

I saw the first show. I wasn’t crazy about it, but anythingnew takes time to develop.

I've been taping it just for the heck of it, but I haven't gotten around to watching it yet!