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23:50 - Bad News - News Reporter Comedy Receives Script Commitment Plus Penalty at ABC
In a competitive situation, ABC has nabbed Bad News, a single-camera comedy written/executive produced by Friends with Better Lives creator Dana Klein and executive produced by her frequent collaborator Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment.
Bad News, which has received a script commitment plus penalty, is a fish-out-of-water comedy that centers on a hard-hitting and well-respected NYC news anchor who after being fired is forced to take a job as a human interest reporter at a fifth-rate News station in small-town Nebraska. 20th Century Fox TV, where Klein is under an overall deal, is the studio. The project drew interest from multiple networks when it was taken out three weeks ago, ultimately landing at ABC.
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23:30 - NCIS: New Orleans - Episode 2.01 - Sic Semper Tyranis - Promotional Photos
23:30 - The CW and Tribune Resume Talks after Standoff
Thanks to Doc Holliday for the heads up.
The CW and Tribune resume talks after standoff
After talks between the CW and Tribune had stalled earlier this year (some sources had described the situation as a standoff), I hear the two sides have resumed conversations at the highest level. There are no signs of concern at the moment but sources indicate that there also isn’t “a sense of urgency,” so observers expect that negotiations may stretch into 2016. (Tribune’s affiliate deal does not expire until fall 2016.) There is a desire on both sides to keep the partnership going, though I hear both companies also have contingency plans in the works in case a new deal does not work out.
While the desire and intention is to work out a new affiliate agreement with Tribune, I hear the CW has alternative options in the Tribune markets. CBS has duopoly stations in а number of them, including Los Angeles. There are other potential scenarios (I hear that MyNetwork TV may be relying on year-to-year renewals, which could put a number of stations, including in the top three markets, in play potentially).
For Tribune, it would be a financial decision as the company has to pay a fee to carry CW programming. The company, which has been going through earnings up and downs as it is trying to rebuild the TV operation following the split from publishing, also is eyeing alternatives market-by-market.
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23:30 - Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life - Paula Abdul to Guest
The So You Think You Can Dance judge will play herself on the network's freshman comedy Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
In the episode, Cooper (Kingsman: The Secret Service star Jack Cutmore-Scott) and his roommates (Charlie Saxton and James Earl) run into Abdul while trying to earn some quick cash. The "Straight Up" singer joins previously announced guest stars Parker Young and Lyndon Smith.
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23:30 - Switched at Birth - Episode 4.14 - We Mourn, We Weep, We Love Again - Sneak Peeks
23:30 - Untitled Baseball Drama from Dan Fogelman Recies Put Pilot Commitment from FOX
Thanks to Jovan for the heads up.
The network has handed out a hefty put-pilot commitment for an untitled baseball drama from Dan Fogelman, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The drama follows a young female pitcher who defies the odds to become the first woman to compete in professional baseball. Fogelman (Fox's Grandfathered, ABC's Galavant) and Rick Singer (Younger, American Dad) will pen the script and executive produce the 20th Century Fox Television entry. Tony Bill and Helen Bartlett are also attached to exec produce.
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23:30 - Paradiso - Drama from Cirque du Soleil Media Receives Script Commitment Plus Penalty at FOX
Thanks to Jovan for the heads up.
Paradiso, a drama from Cirque du Soleil Media and 20th Century Fox TV, has been set up at Fox with a script commitment plus penalty. The project, which stems from the first-look deal for scripted series Cirque du Soleil Media inked with 20th TV in January, is said to be in the vein of Moulin Rouge.
Inspired by the dreamlike style of Cirque du Soleil’s live shows, Paradiso explores what would happen if a character like Amelie from Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s movie went into a place like the Moulin Rouge, with exhilarating performances every week.
Written by Yaniv Raz (Son Of Morning), Paradiso is a heightened soap that follows a girl pursuing her dream of performing at the Paradiso, the most glamorous nightclub in San Lorenzo (a fictional but contemporary city based on 1950s Havana). Once there, her bold personality will win her both friends and enemies in this politically charged world. Raz, who has extensive stage experience, executive produces with Cirque du Soleil Media’s Jacques Méthé and Gillian Ferrabee.
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23:30 - The Muppets - Josh Groban to Guest
This fall, American singer Josh Groban will guest star on the highly anticipated ABC series and -- thanks to Kermit! -- he'll be wooing the one and only Miss Piggy, ETonline exclusively reveals.
Groban will be playing himself in episode two and we've got the inside scoop from The Muppets executive producer Bill Prady on how Piggy lands her new man.
"One of my favorite things that I love is when people solve problems in the worst way and it backfires," Prady tells ETonline of Groban's role.
"Piggy is in a foul mood," the showrunner said. "So her ex-boyfriend, Kermit, decides that the best way to calm everything down is to essentially fix Piggy up with somebody, and he does it by going to that list they had when they were a couple -- the free pass list."
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23:30 - You're the Worst - Episode 2.01 - Interview + Sneak Peek
Thanks to RD for the heads up.
23:30 - MTV - Orders 3 New Comedy Pilots
MTV GREENLIGHTS “LADYLIKE,” FROM THE CREATORS OF “GIRL CODE;”
ORDERS THREE NEW SCRIPTED COMEDY PILOTS INCLUDING “UNTITLED KAPLAN/ELFONT PILOT,” “LITTLE DARLINGS” AND VEHICLE FOR COMEDIENNE NICOLE BYER
Santa Monica, CA (September 8, 2015) – MTV today announced moves to beef up its lineup of female-driven comedies, greenlighting new series “Ladylike” from the creators of the network’s “Girl Code,” and ordering pilots for three scripted comedies, including “Untitled Kaplan/Elfont Pilot,” “Little Darlings,” and a yet-untitled vehicle for comedienne Nicole Byer of “Girl Code.”
“We are excited to be in business with some of the smartest and funniest voices out there and can't wait to see these projects come to life,” said Mina Lefevre, Executive Vice President and Head of Scripted for MTV. “These unique and provocative comedies are the perfect way for us to expand our existing slate.”
“’Girl Code’ is all about smart and funny women who aren’t afraid to talk about anything, and ‘Ladylike’ takes that sensibility to the streets to raise hell and challenge a few gender norms along the way,” said Lauren Dolgen, Head of Reality Programming and Executive Vice President of Series Development.
Descriptions for “Ladylike” and the three pilot orders are as follows:
“Ladylike”– “Girl Code” alums Nicole Byer, Jade Catta-Preta, and Matteo Lane and comedian Blair Socci take to the streets in this hilarious half-hour hidden camera prank show as they redefine what it means to be “Ladylike”. With attitude and irreverence our cast will challenge social norms and unleash uncompromising and ridiculous situations on the unsuspecting public. “Ladylike” is Executive Produced by Ryan Ling (Bird Brain Productions).
“Untitled Nicole Byer Project” – Nicole Byer portrays a young adult who is forced to move in with her sister and four kids in the suburbs after causing a fire in her New York City apartment. Aunt Nicole will offer her own brand of advice to her sister’s kids while trying to get her life back on track. Executive Producers include Christian Lander, Avi Gilbert with 3 Arts Entertainment and Nicole Byer will be a consulting producer.
“Untitled Kaplan/Elfont Pilot” - From writing team and executive producers Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont (Leap Year, Can’t Hardly Wait). Paige and Jordan may be weed dealers, but in their eyes they are entrepreneurs. Their dope delivery app is quickly gaining popularity with foodies, celebrities and – the most particular and crucial consumer – hipsters. This pilot takes a hilarious look at two girls living in LA: desperate to succeed, find a little romance, and keep their clients happy and high – all with the least amount of effort possible. From Management 360 (Game of Thrones).
“Little Darlings” – Created by 27-year old Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, “Little Darlings” is a dark half-hour comedy about two very unlikely friends taking justice into their own hands and kicking literal ass on their college campus. Jules comes off as the perfect sorority dream girl, but little do her red-cup-toting sisters know, she’s got a completely different agenda come nightfall. Ophelia, your everyday stoner-hacker-hellion, has officially run out of effs to give, and when she discovers Jules may be the masked vigilante exacting justice on campus her interest in college life is re-energized. Stacey Sher will serve as executive producer and Robinson will co-executive-produce and wrote the pilot.
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23:30 - Shooter - Emily Rios Joins USA Network Pilot
Breaking Bad alum Emily Rios has been cast opposite Ryan Phillippe in the USA Network drama pilot Shooter, executive produced by Mark Wahlberg.
Written by John Hlavin (Underworld: Awakening) based on the 2007 Paramount feature starring Wahlberg as well as Stephen Hunter’s novel Point Of Impact, the action drama centers on Bob Lee Swagger (Phillippe), an off-the-grid former Marine sniper who is coaxed into action to thwart the killing of the President. Rios will play Nadine Memphis, an ambitious young FBI agent who unravels a conspiracy with Swagger at the center that puts a target on her back and forces her to form an uneasy alliance with him.
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23:30 - Legends of Tomorrow - BTS Photo
Thanks to RD for the heads up.
Table read. #legends pic.twitter.com/1x20dj611T
— Marc Guggenheim (@mguggenheim) September 4, 2015
