New Original Animated Series "Fatherhood" coming to Nick@Nite in Spring, 2004

[Pavan]

I've known about this for a while, it's now official and probably air once a week, like on a Friday or Saturday night:

Nick at Nite Picks Up Bill Cosby's Best Seller 'Fatherhood' As Network's First Original Animated Series
David Alan Grier Signed to Star in Animated Version of Fatherhood To Be Executive Produced by Bill Cosby


NEW YORK, April 7 -- Nick at Nite, the evening and overnight programming arm of cable's highest-rated network, announced today that it will produce its first ever original animated series, Fatherhood. David Alan Grier ("Life With Bonnie," "DAG") has been signed to star in the series which is based on Bill Cosby's best selling book, Fatherhood (Doubleday/Dolphin). Cosby will executive produce the series for Nick at Nite along with Charles Kipps ("Little Bill," "Cosby Mysteries," "Law & Order") and David Brokaw ("Little Bill"). Bill Cosby was represented by William Morris Agency chairman Norman Brokaw and Mark Itkin, Executive Vice President. The announcement was made by Larry W. Jones, EVP & GM, TV Land and Nick at Nite.

"It's great to work for a dynamic company like Nick at Nite," said Cosby. "I hope the audience will enjoy the art of New Yorker cartoonist George Booth that inspired the look of these characters."

"We are thrilled and honored to join forces with America's most beloved and creative funnyman for the network's first original project," said Jones. "We've been looking for an original property much like The Cosby Show, that truly fits the Nick at Nite family viewing brand. What better way to launch our first original series than with an original Cosby gem."

This project marks the third installment of Cosby's animation "trilogy" which includes Little Bill for Nickelodeon, Fat Albert and now Fatherhood for Nick at Nite.

Each installment of the animated series will be a comedic yet insightful journey that features the challenges, life lessons and comical confusions of family life. David Alan Grier will star as the voice of "Dr. Bindlebeep," a high school teacher, loving husband and father of three. Sal Maniaci, Vice President, Development & Production, TV Land and Nick at Nite is overseeing the project.

Fatherhood, published in May 1986 became the fastest-selling hardcover book of all time. It remained for over half of its fifty-four weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List as #1. It has sold 2.6 million hardcover copies and 1.5 million paperbacks (published by Berkeley).

Since its launch on Nick at Nite (March 2002), The Cosby Show is the #1 program on the network. Every week, over 16 million people tune in to one of television's biggest and most influential hits of the modern area.

Nick at Nite is the home of television's modern classics including The Cosby Show, Cheers, Three's Company and All in the Family. The 17 year-old network, available in 86 million homes, offers timeless favorites the way our viewers love and remember them -- in prime time and restored to their original graphic quality.

Viacom Inc. is one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies, and a leader in the production, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, and music. Its properties include CBS Television, MTV Networks, Showtime Networks, Infinity Broadcasting, TDI Worldwide and Infinity Outdoor, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, Paramount Parks, UPN, Blockbuster, Simon & Schuster, and theatrical exhibition operations in North America and abroad. The company's Internet businesses include the MTVi Group, the CBS Internet Group, and Nickelodeon Online. Viacom also owns a half-interest in the Comedy Central cable channel. National Amusements, Inc., a closely held corporation, which operates approximately 1,300 motion picture screens in the U.S., the U.K., and South America, is the parent company of Viacom.

[TVJunkie101]

Sounds interesting. But of course, who is backing it? Bill Cosby. Sheesh.

[Czas na Zywiec]

I'm not surprised. Soon they'll be showing Little Bill and Cosby on N@N.

[DarleneIllyria]

Good night nurse. That's all I have to say.

[ClassicComedyFan2]

Well, they should make a new N@N vs. TVL commercial.

Nick at Nite is like a Bill Cosby and TV Land is like a REAL network showing REAL Classsics!!!!!

I can only see the N@N being like this by next year...

8:00 THe Cosby Show
8:30 The Cosby Show
9:00 Cosby
9:30 Cosby
10:00 Fatherhood
10:30 Fatherhood
11:00 Fat Albert
11:30 Fat Albert
12:00 Little Bill
12:30 Little Bill
1:00 The Bill Cosby Show
1:30 The Bill Cosby Show
2:00 THe New Bill Cosby Show
2:30 The New Bill Cosby Show
3:00 "Bill Cosby, Himself"
5:30 Kids Say the Dardnest Things

It's getting insane, I tell you! The man's funny, but this is just too PLAIN much!

[AKA]

"We are thrilled and honored to join forces with America's most beloved and creative funnyman for the network's first original project," said Jones.

Do your homework, Mr. Jones. Nick At Nite's first original project was the godawful Hi Honey I'm Home in 1991.

[Brett Ferino]

Cool thing there, Pavan! Cos rocks!

[Sitcomwriter]

I'm looking forward to it.As I've said that I've always wanted N@N to do originals again (just don't go overboard like CN) a cartoon with David Alan Grier wasn't what I had in mind but why not?

[Robert Tilton]

The problem seems to be that this is coming to Nick at Nite, not Nickelodian. It could take up little time on the schedule to start, but then later, it'll be in our faces. Consider Kids Say. Pav wrote this in Jan 2002 when it became a regular program. Note it replaced Diff'rent Strokes of course:

Originally posted by Pavanbadal
Starting Monday January 7th, 9 and 9:30pm e/p will be "Kids Say the Darndest Things." It will air Sun-Thurs 9-10pm e/p.

It is probably airing for either 2 reasons: Either it got great ratings for the 2 days it aired in December or it is a filler (holding) The Cosby Show slot until March. And yes it will still air on TNN Weekdays at 10-11am e/p.

So Diff'rent Strokes will probably return in March or so, hopefully.

I'll try to contact Nick at Nite to see the status on this change

Kids Say went from being a special program in Dec 2002 to being a Prime Time fixture that replaced Diff'rent Strokes on 2 Channels! (N@N and TNN) for...ah...diff'rent reasons.

This animated series may start out once a week, but it could be aired more often if ratings are good. It would look really bad on the old Nick at Nite Report Card. Cosby is oversaturated as it is.

Let's see what happens. If they aired it and Kids Say on Nickelodian, it would be all right. Both are more suited that way. Nick at Nite should be regular sitcom programs only.

[Pavan]

It is coming in Spring, 2004:

Nick at Nite Announces First Original Series, Fatherhood

New York, NY, May 6, 2003 – Nick at Nite, the home to modern classic TV, will premiere its first original animated series, Fatherhood, and add four sitcoms to its line-up over the next year, it was announced today by Larry W. Jones, Executive Vice President and General Manager, TV Land and Nick at Nite during the MTV Networks Upfront presentation held in New York today. Based on legendary comedian Bill Cosby’s best-selling book, “Fatherhood,” this original series will premiere in Spring, 2004 and be executive produced by Cosby. Additionally, joining the roster of Nick at Nite’s hit comedies will be Roseanne, Full House, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Who’s the Boss?

“Fatherhood is the perfect complement to Nick at Nite’s award-winning line-up of sitcoms like The Cosby Show,” said Larry W. Jones. “There is no better way for the network to venture into original programming than to team up with Bill Cosby, and with our new slate of programming, Nick at Nite truly is home to America’s favorite classic sitcoms.”

Fatherhood (Spring, 2004)

Nick at Nite’s first original animated series, Fatherhood, will premiere on the network in Spring, 2004. The series is based on Bill Cosby’s best-selling book “Fatherhood” and will star David Alan Grier (In Living Color, Life with Bonnie, Dag). Cosby will executive produce the series for the network along with Charles Kipps (Little Bill, The Cosby Mysteries, Law and Order) and David Brokaw (Little Bill). The project marks the third installment of Cosby’s animation “trilogy” which includes Little Bill for Nickelodeon, Fat Albert, and now Fatherhood for Nick at Nite.

Each installment of the animated series will be a comedic, yet insightful journey that features the challenges, life lessons and confusions of family life. David Alan Grier will star as the voice of Dr. Bindlebeep -- a high school teacher, loving husband and father of three. Sabrina Le Beauf, who played Sondra, Cliff Huxtable’s eldest child on the beloved hit sitcom The Cosby Show, will star as Dr. Bindlebeep’s wife. Sal Maniaci, Vice President, Development and Production, TV Land and Nick at Nite, is overseeing the project.

[Pavan]

Blair Underwood replaces David Alan Grier in Fatherhood now:

Blair Underwood Signed to Star in Animated Version Of Bill Cosby's Best Seller 'Fatherhood'

Nick at Nite's First Original Animated Series to be Executive Produced by Bill Cosby

NEW YORK, July 23 -- Nick at Nite, the evening and overnight programming arm of cable's highest-rated network, announced today that actor Blair Underwood has been signed to star in Nick at Nite's first ever original animated series, "Fatherhood." Underwood, who starred in the feature films "Full Frontal," Malibu's Most Wanted," Rules of Engagement" and "Deep Impact," will star in the network's first original animated series which is based on Bill Cosby's best selling book, "Fatherhood" (Doubleday/Dolphin). Cosby will executive produce the series for Nick at Nite along with Charles Kipps ("Little Bill," "Cosby Mysteries," "Law & Order") and David Brokaw ("Little
Bill"). The announcement was made by Larry W. Jones, Executive Vice President and General Manager, TV Land and Nick at Nite.
"Blair's exceptional body of work in film, television and theatre speaks volumes and we are thrilled that he has taken on this rich and very funny role in our first original project," said Jones.
Each half-hour episode of the animated series will be a comedic yet insightful journey that features the challenges, life lessons and comical confusions of family life. Underwood will star as the voice of "Dr. Bindlebeep," a high school teacher, loving husband and father of three. Jaime Mitchell is Supervising Producer and Director of the animated series. Serge Michaels serves as Art Director and Production Designer; Michele Weiss is Executive in Charge. Sal Maniaci, Vice President, Development & Production, TV Land and Nick at Nite is overseeing the project which is scheduled to premiere Spring, 2004.
Underwood's work in film, television and on the stage has earned him critical acclaim as well as numerous awards including several NAACP Image Awards as Outstanding Actor. This summer, Underwood will romance a leading lady in four episodes of the hit HBO series "Sex & the City." He will soon be seen starring in the independent feature film "How Did It Feel?" Written and directed by Daniel Farado, the character driven drama is based on his award-winning play of the same name and also stars Natasha Gregson Wagner.
"Fatherhood," published in May 1986, became the fastest-selling hardcover book of all time. It remained for over half of its fifty-four weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List as #1. It has sold 2.6 million hardcover copies and 1.5 million paperbacks (published by Berkeley).
Since its launch on Nick at Nite (March 2002), "The Cosby Show" is the #1 program on the network. Every week, over 16 million people tune in to one of television's biggest and most influential hit of the modern area.
Nick at Nite is the home of television's modern classics including "The Cosby Show," "Cheers," "Three's Company" and "All in the Family." The 17 year-old network, available in 86 million homes, offers timeless favorites the way our viewers love and remember them -- in prime time and restored to their original graphic quality.

[Sitcomwriter]

I'm actually looking forward to this show.

[Pavan]

FATHERHOOD, NICK AT NITE'S FIRST ORIGINAL
ANIMATED SERIES, PREMIERES ON FATHER'S DAY, JUNE 20

Blair Underwood to Star in Animated Version of
Bill's Cosby's Best Seller, "Fatherhood"

New York, NY, May 5, 2004 - Nick at Nite's first original, animated series, Fatherhood, based on Bill Cosby's best selling book, "Fatherhood" will premiere on the network on Father's Day, June 20 at 9 p.m. (all times ET/PT). Starring Blair Underwood, the series will be executive produced by Cosby for Nick at Nite along with Charles Kipps (Little Bill, Cosby Mysteries) and David Brokaw (Little Bill). The series will then take its place in its regularly-scheduled timeslot of Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning Tuesday, June 29 at 9 p.m. and repeat on Saturday at 10 p.m.

"We are thrilled and honored to join forces with America's most beloved and creative funnyman for the network's first original project," states Larry W. Jones, President, TV Land and Nick at Nite. "We've been looking for an original property much like The Cosby Show that truly fits Nick at Nite's fun, family viewing brand. What better way to launch our first original series than with an original Cosby gem."

Each half-hour episode of the animated series will be a comedic yet insightful journey that features the challenges, life lessons and comical confusions of family life. Underwood will star as the voice of "Dr. Bindlebeep," a high school teacher, loving husband and father of three. Sabrina LeBeauf (The Cosby Show) stars as his wife, Norma. Jamie Mitchell is Supervising Producer and Director of the animated series. Serge Michaels serves as Art Director and Production Designer; Michele Weiss is Executive in Charge. Sal Maniaci, Vice President, Development & Production, TV Land and Nick at Nite is overseeing the project.

Underwood's work in film, television and on the stage has earned him critical acclaim as well as numerous awards including several NAACP Image Awards as Outstanding Actor. He starred in the feature films Full Frontal, Malibu's Most Wanted, Rules of Engagement and Deep Impact, as well as the hit television series Sex & the City. He will soon be seen starring in the independent feature film How Did It Feel? Written and directed by Daniel Faraldo, the character driven drama is based on his award-winning play of the same name and also stars Natasha Gregson Wagner.

"Fatherhood" (Doubleday/Dolphin) was published in May 1986 and became the fastest-selling hardcover book of all time. It remained for over half of its fifty-four weeks on The New York Times Best Seller List as #1. It has sold 2.6 million hardcover copies and 1.5 million paperbacks (published by Berkeley).



The following is the schedule of episodes for Fatherhood (all times ET/PT):

#1 "Take My Daughter Please..."
Premieres: Sunday, June 20 at 9 p.m.
Encores: Tuesday, June 22 at 9 p.m.

Dr. Bindlebeep and Norma are awakened in the middle of the night by a bear in their garage. As animal control officers set about removing the bear, they realize their car is gone. But just after reporting the car stolen, the two discover that their daughter Angie is missing from her room. The mystery is solved moments later when police officers return Angie to the house. It seems that high school lothario James had talked Angie into slipping out and taking the car. The incident propels Dr. Bindlebeep and Norma into a bout of parent peer pressure as they wonder whether their kids are doing as well as other kids.


#2 "It's A Dad, Dad World"
Premieres: Tuesday, June 29 at 9 p.m.

When Dr. Bindlebeep, Norma, and the kids go to visit Dr. Bindlebeep's father Lester and mother Louise, Dr. Bindlebeep quickly slips back into the role of his father's son. Worse yet, the elder Bindlebeep is a health and exercise fanatic who is in better shape that Dr. Bindlebeep will ever be. But then Dr. Bindlebeep's father is injured during a game of touch football. Faced with a father who is now acting like a child, Dr. Bindlebeep must once again assume the role of a father, this time to his own father.


#3 "There Goes the Neighborhood"
Premieres: Tuesday, July 6 at 9 p.m.

Dr. Bindlebeep gives great fatherly advice about not judging others and giving them a chance. However, when a new neighbor moves next door he just can't seem to hear his own guidance. Dr. Bindlebeep spies on the prospective neighbors and offers tainted information about the neighborhood.


#4 "The Lyin' King"
Premieres: Tuesday, July 13 at 9 p.m.

Dr. Bindlebeep prepares to give a speech about truth in the media that evening and uses his captive family audience at the breakfast table to practice the speech and to preach about truth in general. (Of course, Dr. Bindlebeep leaves out the fact that he sneaks donuts during his morning walks and therefore often lies to Norma by omission). In any event, the family is sent off with a lecture on telling the truth, but Roy apparently doesn't listen. Driven by his desire to see a PG-13 movie, the twelve year-old tells a series of lies that sink him deeper and deeper into deception. While he does manage to see the movie, he realizes the consequences of lying can be far greater than it might seem.


#5 "Privacy"
Premieres: Tuesday, July 20 at 9p.m.

Dr. Bindlebeep looks forward to a Saturday alone and some golden "privacy". However, all plans are disrupted when the Wrangler comes by to catch a pesky rodent, Elkins the noisy neighbor barges in to watch his NASCAR racing, Katherine comes home with her little friend Molly and Angie and her friends decide to practice 'singing' in the living room Dr. Bindlebeep erupts and demands everyone out of his house.



#6 "Dad's Birthday"
Premieres: Tuesday, July 27 at 9 p.m.

It's Dr. Bindlebeep's birthday and just to make sure he gets something nice, he slips each of the kids a little extra money for his gift. All seems well as the family heads off to the mall to shop for Dr. Bindlebeep's presents. But just as Angie is about to buy her father a very nice fountain pen to add to his pen collection, James -- the most popular guy in high school -- strolls into the store and says he'll take Angie to a concert that night if she buys the tickets. But Angie doesn't have enough money for a nice present and concert tickets. What a dilemma!

[musicradio77]

"Fatherhood" is one of Bill Cosby's animated series will be shown on Nick at Nite for the first time since "Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids" back in the 70's.

[EmoJoe]

Nick@Nite is way too obsessed with Bill Cosby. He wasnt even a good actor in my opinion.