A new Kojak, Baretta, & McCloud on USA?

[Pavan]

Who loves ya baby?

That's what Ving Rhames will soon be saying, as star of a potential series of "Kojak" movies for cable's USA Network.

Rhames has agreed to take the title role, Lt. Theo Kojak, in a re-envisioning of the classic police drama. The late Telly Savalas originated the lollipop-sucking crime fighter role in the TV series, which last aired on ABC in 1990 but spent the majority of its run on CBS, where it debuted in 1973.

"Ving is such a versatile actor, with a powerful presence and unique persona, so it seemed like a great marriage," said Jeff Wachtel, USA Network's executive VP of series and longform programming. "Telly Savalas is so closely identified with the role, we needed someone this unique and powerful."

Rhames just completed a multi-episode arc of CBS drama "The District," and stars in Barry Levinson's upcoming DreamWorks film "Envy" as well as Ron Shelton's "Dark Blue" for MGM.

He earned a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Don King in HBO's "Don King: Only in America" and was widely recognized for his role in "Pulp Fiction."

Wachtel said that deals with both a top writer and director are in the works for the project, which will start out as a two-hour TV movie, with an option to do a series of movies.

"What's interesting about classic titles is they often attract unexpected fans," Wachtel said, "including people who might not normally think about doing television.

"Most people have heard of 'Kojak' -- so it's a great brand that we can reinvent and bring something contemporary and special to, to take it to the next level," Wachtel added.

Reuters/Variety

[Pavan]

As Robert Blake rots in jail, his television alter ego is getting a new lease of life.

Cable's USA Network on Friday commissioned an updated version of hit ABC series "Baretta" (1975-78), in which Blake played a cop who lived among criminals.

A day earlier, USA announced it was resurrecting another '70s cop show, "Kojak," with Ving Rhames filling in for the late Telly Savalas. USA will bankroll "Kojak" as a pilot plus a batch of two-hour movies, not a regular series.

"Library titles like 'Baretta' and 'Kojak' are brand names that feature colorful characters who are ripe for reinvention." said Jeff Wachtel, USA Network's executive VP of series and longform programming.

The producers are not locked into an Italian actor to play Det. Tony Baretta, citing black actor Jeffrey Wright and Colombian-born John Leguizamo as two actors who are reading the script. If all goes according to plan, Wachtel said, USA could have "Baretta" on its weekly schedule as early as next January.

Blake, 69, has been in jail since April, when he was charged with shooting his 44-year-old wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley, in May 2001. Kept in solitary confinement, his physical condition and demeanor have reportedly deteriorated.

[Flash72]

This is utterly ridiculous! I cannot believe that USA could even
fathom to try and redo "Kojak." There are just some characters
that cannot be duplicated, with Columbo, Fonzie, Captain Kirk, and Kojak being some of them. Telly Savalas "was" Kojak and though I may be wrong, I just do not see the audience buying anyone else in the role. However, one thing that might work in USA's favor is the fact that the series, with the exception of airings of the reunion films on WGN back in November, have probably never seen the show before. It has been several years since TV Land last aired the show, so, perhaps to some, the character will be brand new to them. But for those, like myself, that grew up watching Telly as "Kojak," Ving will be nothing but a poor imitation of the genuine article. I can only hope that this new version will cause some channel to air "all" of the "Kojak" episodes, instead of just a select few, like TV Land did.

[Pavan]

Add McCloud to that list now, lol:

Comedienne Brett Butler will star in a revival of "McCloud" for USA Network, as the basic cable channel continues to dust off old TV shows.

USA, which is part of Universal Television Group, just commissioned a series of "Kojak" movies with Ving Rhames in the lead role, as well as a back-door pilot of a new "Baretta," which will be re-set from Los Angeles to Detroit.

"McCloud," too, is getting turned on its ear. Originally, the cast was led by Dennis Weaver as a fish-out-of-water detective from rural New Mexico trying to navigate New York City. It aired on NBC in the 1970s.

"I told my mom that Margaret Cho is going to be Matlock next," Butler told Daily Variety.

"There is part of me that's really self-conscious about stepping into (Weaver's) boots," she added. "I loved that show. He made it possible to be a proletarian who is literate but still speaks with an accent.

"If they're going to put me on a horse and give me a six-gun, why the hell not?" Butler said, adding that she looks at the project "like a redneck in a kabuki."

Butler had been developing a different show at USA Network with Dan Petrie Jr., who will write the new "McCloud." That project would have seen the former "Grace Under Fire" star return to primetime as a single mom who's a private investigator.

"Each of these revivals needs its own fresh take," Jackie Lyons, USA Network senior VP of original series programming, said. "We thought, what if it's a woman -- what if it's the quintessential tough Southern woman? We had this deal with Brett, and it was perfect.

"Brett is an incredibly creative powerhouse," Lyons said. "She's very funny, very creative, very collaborative. So her voice will be very important in this."

Like the other two revivals, "McCloud" could air as soon as summer 2003 -- with, as Lyons put it, a lot of luck -- or more likely in January or summer 2004.

[Flash72]

"Mccloud" is one of my all time favorite shows, once again, I must
laugh my arse off at this preposterious notion of revamping classic
series. Perhaps, the "Mccloud" show might work, but again, you just cannot top the great Dennis Weaver. As with the others, I hope the new versions cause other channels to show the originals, "all" of the episodes, unlike A and E, which for some inexplicable reason, aired all of them but four.

[Sitcomwriter]

This is interesting news.I can't wait to see the final products.

[Zebra 3]

I'm starting to think that Hollywood is refusing to allow new ideas for both film and TV. - I may watch the McCloud remake depending who plays McCloud's horse's ass. - Thank goodness that there's still Peter Falk holding onto his role as Lt. Columbo.

[EricIdlefan]

No matter how hard they try and/or no matter if Ving Rhames is an excellent actor, Telly Salvavas always has, is, and forever will be Kojak. The original is the original that people so closely identify with in their minds.