Blog Archives

May 8th, 2008.

May 1st, 2008.

April 24th, 2008.

April 17th, 2008.

April 10th, 2008.

April 3rd, 2008.

March 27th, 2008.

March 20th, 2008.

March 13th, 2008.

March 6th, 2008.

Feb 28th, 2008.

Feb 21st, 2008.

Feb 14th, 2008.

Feb 7th, 2008.

Jan 31st, 2008.

Jan 24th, 2008.

Jan 17th, 2008.

Jan 10th, 2008.

Jan 3rd, 2008.

Dec 27th, 2007.

Dec 20th, 2007.

Dec 13th, 2007.

Dec 6th, 2007.

Nov 29th, 2007.

Nov 22nd, 2007.

Nov 15th, 2007.

Nov 8th, 2007.

Nov 1st, 2007.

Oct 25th, 2007.

Oct 18th, 2007.

Oct 11th, 2007.

Oct 4th, 2007.

Sept 27th, 2007.

Sept 20th, 2007.

 A1 Web Links

tvview.tv - Daily Television Magazine - Primetime TV Listings Guide, News, Reviews, Chat, Blog.

Editor's Blog

Headlines & Links For Thursday, May 15th, 2008.

NBC NAMES JIMMY FALLON AS HOST OF 'LATE NIGHT' WHEN CONAN O'BRIEN TAKES OVER 'THE TONIGHT SHOW' IN 2009          NBC has identified the last piece in its late night succession plan, naming Jimmy Fallon as the new host of "Late Night" when Conan O'Brien moves to "The Tonight Show" in 2009.         (Read More)

“SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” RETURNS FOR SEASON FOUR THURSDAY, MAY 22, AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, ON FOX          Television’s hottest original dance show premiering Thursday, May 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, May 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.         (Read More)

NBC DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT SERVES UP USERS' FAVORITES          NBC Digital Entertainment today announced plans to premiere fan-favorite webisodes in July, vastly increased mobile streaming video offerings, the well-timed "SNL" Political Site and more community based features. The announcements were made by Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment.         (Read More)

RYAN SEACREST AND NBC WANT TO KNOW -- 'ARE YOU A MOMMA'S BOY?'          NBC will introduce "Momma's Boys," a new reality series to be executive-produced by Ryan Seacrest ("American Idol") and Andrew Glassman ("Average Joe").         (Read More)

NBC AND GM FORM IMPORTANT CROSS-PLATFORM MARKETING AND PROGRAMMING PARTNERSHIP FOR NEW NBC FALL DRAMA 'MY OWN WORST ENEMY'          NBC and GM announced an important cross-platform marketing and programming partnership that will make GM the exclusive automotive integration partner for NBC's new fall drama "My Own Worst Enemy".         (Read More)

NBC Announces Improv Scholarship Program in partnership with The Peoples Improv Theater (The PIT) in New York City          As part of their new Talent Diversity Initiative, NBC Universal is proud to announce its Improv Scholarship Program in partnership with The Peoples Improv Theater (The PIT) in New York City to support and promote diversity within the arts.         (Read More)

QUOTABLES: 'THE CHRIS MATTHEWS SHOW'          Predictions Sunday, May 11, 2008         (Read More)

NBC GIVES DARING FACEBOOK USERS THE CHANCE TO FACE OFF WITH 'THE OFFICIAL AMERICAN GLADIATORS CHALLENGE'          NBC will provide Facebook members the chance to face off in the interactive game "The Official American Gladiator Challenge.".         (Read More)

NBC.COM TAKES HOME ITS FOURTH WEBBY AWARD          NBC.com took home its fourth Webby Award, winning the People's Voice Award for Mobile Entertainment for its "Heroes" WAP site. The announcement was made by Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment.         (Read More)

DWIGHT YOAKAM KICKS OFF 'THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO'S' SEVENTH SEASON OF POPULAR OUTDOOR CONCERTS ON MAY 15, 2008 WITH THE MERCEDES-BENZ SUMMER CONCERT SERIES ON NBC          Dwight Yoakam will kick off "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno's" seventh season of popular outdoor concerts with the "Mercedes-Benz Summer Concert Series" on May 15.         (Read More)

FOUR MORE PLAYERS NAMED...COULD ONE OF THESE BE "THE MOLE"?          The next four of 12 players on ABC's "The Mole" are confirmed.         (Read More)

ABC ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF GRAND PRIZE FOR WINNER OF "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: GET IN THE PICTURE"          This summer's reality show, Disney's "High School Musical: Get in the Picture" [new title], will award one prize winner the chance of a lifetime.         (Read More)

CHOOSING TO FORGIVE" AN INTERFAITH RELIGION SPECIAL TO BE BROADCAST SUNDAY, JUNE 8 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK          CHOOSING TO FORGIVE, an interfaith religion special, will be broadcast Sunday, June 8 on the CBS Television Network. Check your local station for exact time.         (Read More) 

WHOOPI GOLDBERG TO HOST "THE 62ND ANNUAL TONY(R) AWARDS FROM RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL IN NEW YORK, SUNDAY, JUNE 15 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK           Tony Award-winning star of stage and screen Whoopi Goldberg ("Thoroughly Modern Millie") will host THE 62ND ANNUAL TONY® AWARDS         (Read More)

SOCIALITE KATHY HILTON TO GUEST STAR ON THE NUMBER ONE DAYTIME DRAMA, "THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS," TUESDAY, MAY 13          Socialite Kathy Hilton will guest star on CBS's THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, on Tuesday, May 13.           (Read More)

FOX INVESTS IN LIFE-CHANGING UNSCRIPTED SERIES “SECRET MILLIONAIRE”          FOX has picked up SECRET MILLIONAIRE, the unscripted series where America’s wealthiest individuals will go undercover into some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in America.           (Read More)

20^TH CENTURY FOX TELEVISION AND FOX BROADCASTING MAINTAIN PRIMETIME ANIMATION LEADERSHIP WITH CREATION OF ‘FOX INKUBATION’          Fox Broadcasting (FOX) and sister studio 20^th Century Fox Television (TCFTV) have partnered on an aggressive initiative entitled “Fox Inkubation” – a significant investment of resources aimed at continuing FOX’s domination of primetime animation and finding the next cartoon blockbuster.           (Read More)

“AMERICA’S MOST WANTED” REACHES 1000^th CAPTURE MILESTONE          AMERICA’S MOST WANTED, currently in its 21^st season, has achieved an incredible milestone: 1,000 fugitives have been captured.           (Read More)

2008 TONY AWARD(R) NOMINEES ANNOUNCED           Nominations in 26 competitive categories for THE 62ND ANNUAL TONY AWARDS® were announced.            (Read More)

Upcoming Guests For The Tonight Show Starring Jay Leno           May 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, & 23.            (Read More)

UPCOMING GUESTS ON THE "LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN" ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK          May 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.            (Read More)

LISTINGS FOR 'LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN'             May 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.            (Read More)

UPCOMING GUESTS ON "THE LATE LATE SHOW with CRAIG FERGUSON" ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK          May 15, 16, 19, 20, 21.            (Read More)

LISTINGS FOR 'LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY'          May 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.            (Read More)

QUOTABLES FROM 'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE'S' 'WEEKEND UPDATE WITH AMY POEHLER & SETH MEYERS' MAY 10, 2008            (Read More)

QUOTABLES FROM NBC'S 'LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN' MAY 5 - 9            (Read More)

From the home office in Wahoo, Nebraska... THE "LATE SHOW" TOP TEN "Signs There's Trouble at the Weather Channel"            (Read More)

ABC UNVEILS 2008-09 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

(May 13, 2008 - Editor)          Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment, today outlined ABC’s plans for next season and unveiled the network’s 2008-09 fall schedule before the advertising and media communities at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.

Scheduled to debut this fall are new drama “Life on Mars,” and new alternative series “Opportunity Knocks” from executive producer Ashton Kutcher.

Returning series on the fall schedule are “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Boston Legal,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Eli Stone,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Samantha Who?,” “Supernanny,” “Ugly Betty,” “Wife Swap” and “20/20.”  

In addition, “Saturday Night College Football” will return for a fourth season. 

New series for midseason include “The Goode Family,” “Scrubs” and “Untitled Ashton Kutcher/Tyra Banks Project". 

Other returning series include “According to Jim,” “The Bachelor,” “Lost” and ABC News’ “Primetime: What Would You Do?”

  “We’re returning our dominant core group of shows from last fall,” said McPherson. “The few openings we had we’ve filled with the kind of quality programming viewers have come to expect from ABC, and we have a very strong bench. As always, our focus is on delivering the best stories and most memorable characters on TV every day of the week, every week of the year.”

For the 2007-08 TV season, ABC holds second place to an “American Idol” and “Super Bowl”-driven Fox among Adults 18-49. The ABC airs 6 of the Top 15 TV shows this season in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic, including 3 of the Top 5 scripted series with “Desperate Housewives” (No. 1), “Grey’s” (No. 3) and “Lost” (No. 5). In addition, 4 of the Top 6 most-watched television shows are on ABC. ABC claims 5 of the Top 10 freshman series this season, including the No. 1 new comedy in “Samantha Who?” (also the most-watched new scripted series this season). For the 3rd straight season the Network remains a top destination for affluent viewers, delivering 5 of the Top 10 highest-rated TV series and each of the Top 3 scripted shows among Adults 18-49 in homes w/$100K+ annual income.

ABC was a standout performer during Fall '07, prior to the strike-related scheduling disruptions, leading its nearest competition (CBS) from the start of the season through the end of November by 11% on average in Adults 18-49. Furthermore, ABC delivered the No. 1 position among young adults on 7 of the first 10 weeks this season, and ranked either first or second on 6 of 7 nights of the week throughout the fall. ABC won the November Sweep in Adults 18-49, its third consecutive year to hold the top spot for the month in the key sales demo. 

ABC’s fall primetime schedule is as follows (all times listed are Eastern, with new shows in bold):

DAY                        TIME                        SERIES

MONDAY:                 8:00 p.m.                    “Dancing with the Stars”

                                             9:30 p.m.                   “Samantha Who?”

                                            10:00 p.m.                   “Boston Legal”

TUESDAY:                 8:00 p.m.                    “Opportunity Knocks”

                                           9:00 p.m.                   “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show”

                                           10:00 p.m.                   “Eli Stone”

WEDNESDAY:         8:00 p.m.                      “Pushing Daisies”  

                                            9:00 p.m.                       “Private Practice”

                                            10:00 p.m.                   “Dirty Sexy Money”

THURSDAY:                 8:00 p.m.                   “Ugly Betty”

                                                   9:00 p.m.                   “Grey’s Anatomy”

                                                  10:00 p.m.                   “Life on Mars”

FRIDAY:                        8:00 p.m.                   “Wife Swap”

                                        9:00 p.m.                   “Supernanny”

                                         10:00 p.m.                   “20/20”

SATURDAY:                  8:00 p.m.                   “Saturday Night College Football”

SUNDAY:                        7:00 p.m.                   “America’s Funniest Home Videos”

                                                       8:00 p.m.                   “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

                                                       9:00 p.m.                   “Desperate Housewives”

                                                      10:00 p.m.                   “Brothers & Sisters”

NEW FALL SERIES

DRAMA

“LIFE ON MARS”

“Life on Mars” is based on the BBC series created by Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan and Ashley Pharoah. The series revolves around Sam Tyler, a modern-day police detective who, after a car crash, mysteriously finds himself transported back to 1973 and still working as a detective.

“Life on Mars” stars Jason O’ Mara as Sam Tyler, Rachelle LeFevre as Annie Cartwright, Colm Meaney as Gene Hunt, Stephanie Jacobsen as Maya, Lenny Clarke as George Randall, Patrick Wenk-Wolff as Colin Raimes and Richard Benjamin as Milton Kornboll.

The series is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television and ABC Studios. Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, Scott Rosenberg, Jane Featherstone, Stephen Garrett and David E. Kelley are the executive producers. The pilot episode of “Life on Mars” was executive-produced by David E. Kelley, Stephen Garrett, Jane Featherstone, Tommy Schlamme and Bob Breech, and was produced by David E. Kelley Productions in association with Kudos Film & Television LTD and 20th Century Fox Television.

ALTERNATIVE

“OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS”

“Opportunity Knocks” is a new show that breaks the mold of typical game and reality shows. We will be showing up on America’s doorstep and testing how well they know their family. Our mobile team will arrive at “Anywhere, America” in a semi-truck that is full of flat screen TVs, new furniture and big cash prizes that the family can win right there. We will take the action of a game show directly into our contestants’ homes, setting up shop in a family’s front lawn. The instant our host, JD Roth, knocks on the front door, the game will begin. Hollywood will invade a suburban neighborhood, and each week one lucky family will play the game of a lifetime in front of all their friends and neighbors.

The host poses trivia questions to family members based directly on their lives, each other and articles found in and around their home. If they’re able to prove they know their family inside and out, they’ll win the prizes of their dreams.  

Executive producers for “Opportunity Knocks” are Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, Karey Burke, J.D. Roth and Todd A. Nelson. “Opportunity Knocks” is produced by Katalyst Films and 3 Ball Productions. 

RETURNING FALL SERIES

DRAMA

“BOSTON LEGAL”

Led by an Emmy Award-winning cast, “Boston Legal” returns for a fifth season to tell the professional and personal stories of a group of brilliant but often emotionally-challenged attorneys. Fast-paced and wildly comedic, the series confronts social and moral issues, while its characters continually stretch the boundaries of the law.

“Boston Legal” stars James Spader as Alan Shore, John Larroquette as Carl Sack, Christian Clemenson as Jerry Espenson, Gary Anthony Williams as Clarence/Clarice Bell, Tara Summers as Katie Lloyd, Saffron Burrows as Lorraine Weller, Taraji P. Henson as Whitney Rome, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

“Boston Legal” was created by David E. Kelley. Kelley and Bill D’Elia are executive producers. The series, which premiered October 3, 2004, is produced by David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television.

“BROTHERS & SISTERS”

“Brothers & Sisters” continues to follow the California-based Walker family through the complicated maze of American life today. The compelling one-hour drama series is about a collection of five enmeshed and somewhat damaged adult siblings and their strong but passionately devoted mother, Nora Holden (Oscar and Emmy Award winner Sally Field).

The Walkers’ lives have not been without challenge; romance, parenting, divorce, infidelity, addiction, war and even death have pushed each of them to the limit, but they continue to work toward living their lives as individuals, while loving each other unconditionally and trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy after the loss of their larger-than-life family patriarch, William Walker.

“Brothers & Sisters” stars Dave Annable as Justin Walker, Maxwell Perry Cotton as Cooper Whedon, Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Calista Flockhart as Kitty Walker, Balthazar Getty as Thomas Walker, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon, Rob Lowe as Senator Robert McCallister, Sarah Jane Morris as Julia Walker, Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Emily VanCamp as Rebecca Harper and Patricia Wettig as Holly Harper.

The series is executive-produced by Ken Olin (“Alias,” “thirtysomething”), Greg Berlanti (“Dirty Sexy Money,” “Everwood”), Monica Owusu-Breen (“Lost,” “Alias”) and Alison Schapker (“Lost,”  “Alias”). It’s produced by ABC Studios.

“DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES”

A primetime soap with a contemporary take on the “happily ever after,” “Desperate Housewives” takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia, where the secret lives of housewives aren’t always what they seem.

“Desperate Housewives” stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp, Eva Longoria Parker as Gabrielle Solis, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van De Kamp, Joy Lauren as Danielle Van De Kamp, Rachel Fox as Kayla Huntington, Dana Delany as Katherine Mayfair, Lyndsy Fonseca as Dylan Mayfair, Zane Huett as Parker Scavo and Brent and Shane Kinsman as Porter and Preston Scavo.

Marc Cherry is executive producer and creator. Sabrina Wind, George Perkins, Larry Shaw and David Grossman are executive producers. “Desperate Housewives” is produced by ABC Studios and is the winner of both the 2005 & 2006 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.

“DIRTY SEXY MONEY”

Power, privilege and family money are a volatile cocktail. Living proof of this are the Darlings of New York City, so absurdly wealthy, they put the “upper” in Upper East Side. This preeminent family are always getting mixed up with the wrong people and finding themselves in the middle of bad situations. It’ll take a miracle to take care of the legal and sometimes illegal needs of the Darlings. That miracle comes in the form of Nick George.

“Dirty Sexy Money” stars Peter Krause as Nick George, Donald Sutherland as Tripp Darling, William Baldwin as Patrick Darling, Natalie Zea as Karen Darling, Glenn Fitzgerald as Rev. Brian Darling, Seth Gabel as Jeremy Darling, Zoe McLellan as Lisa George, with Blair Underwood as Simon Elder, and Jill Clayburgh as Letitia Darling and Lucy Liu as Nola Lyons.

“Dirty Sexy Money” was created by Emmy-nominated Craig Wright (“Brothers & Sisters,” “Lost,” “Six Feet Under”). Wright, Greg Berlanti (“Brothers & Sisters,” “Everwood”), Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated Matthew Gross (“Day Break,” “Across the Universe”), Bryan Singer (“House,” “Superman Returns,” “The Usual Suspects”) and Daniel Cerone (“Dexter”) are executive producers. The series is produced by ABC Studios.

“ELI STONE”

Eli Stone is a partnership-track associate lawyer with a beautiful fiancée and a forgotten dream to change the world, when one day a vision of George Michael singing his song “Faith” leads him to a case defending the rights of a college sweetheart and her son. Propelled on a journey of self-discovery and guided by more mysterious visions, Eli is either suffering from delusions associated with a brain aneurysm…or receiving a call from God to become a modern-day prophet.

“Eli Stone” stars Jonny Lee Miller as Eli Stone, Victor Garber as Jordan Wethersby, Natasha Henstridge as Taylor Wethersby, Loretta Devine as Patti, Sam Jaeger as Matt Dowd, James Saito as Dr. Chen, Matt Letscher as Nathan Stone and Julie Gonzalo as Maggie Dekker.

Greg Berlanti (“Brothers & Sisters,” “Dirty Sexy Money,“ “Everwood”) and Marc Guggenheim (“Brothers & Sisters,” “Law & Order,” “The Practice”) are co-creators and executive producers. Chris Misiano
(“The West Wing”) also serves as executive producer and director. The series is produced by ABC Studios.

“GREY’S ANATOMY”

“Grey’s Anatomy” is the recipient of the 2007 Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Television Series and multiple Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series for the past two years.

The doctors of Seattle Grace Hospital deal with life-or-death consequences on a daily basis – it’s in one another that they find comfort, friendship and, at times, more than friendship. Together they’re discovering that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white. Real life only comes in shades of grey.

“Grey’s Anatomy” stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Katherine Heigl as Isobel “Izzie” Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O’Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey and Brooke Smith as Erica Hahn.

“Grey’s Anatomy” was created and is executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes (“Introducing Dorothy Dandridge”). Betsy Beers (“Casanova”), Mark Gordon (“Saving Private Ryan”), Krista Vernoff (“Law & Order”), Rob Corn (“Chicago Hope”) and Mark Wilding (“Jake: 2.0”) are executive producers. “Grey’s Anatomy” is an ABC Studios production.

“PRIVATE PRACTICE”

Having left behind Seattle Grace Hospital for Los Angeles and a new life full of promise, Addison Montgomery has joined the medical team at Oceanside Wellness Center, where the doctors are dedicated pros; it’s their private lives that need a little practice.

“Private Practice” stars Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, Tim Daly as Dr. Pete Wilder, Audra McDonald as Dr. Naomi Bennett, Paul Adelstein as Dr. Cooper Freedman, KaDee Strickland as Dr. Charlotte King, Chris Lowell as William Dell Parker, with Taye Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett and Amy Brenneman as Dr. Violet Turner.

“Private Practice” was created and is executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge”). Betsy Beers (“Grey’s Anatomy,“ “Casanova”), Mark Gordon
(“The Hoax,” “Saving Private Ryan”), Mark Tinker (“St. Elsewhere,” “NYPD Blue”), Robert Rovner and Jon Cowan are executive producers. “Private Practice” is an ABC Studios production.

“PUSHING DAISIES”

From Bryan Fuller (“Heroes,” “Wonderfalls”) and Barry Sonnenfeld (“Men in Black”) comes a series with an unprecedented blend of romance, fantasy and mystery, “Pushing Daisies,” a forensic fairytale about Ned, a young man with a very special gift. As a young boy Ned discovers that he can return the dead briefly back to life with just one touch. But his random gift isn’t without deadly consequences… as he soon finds out. In its first season, this critically-acclaimed series received three Golden Globe nominations.

Golden Globe nominee Lee Pace (“The Good Shepherd,” “Soldier’s Girl”), Golden Globe nominee Anna Friel ( the upcoming “Land of the Lost,” “Rogue Trader”), Chi McBride (“The Nine,” “Boston Public”), Tony nominee Ellen Greene (“Little Shop of Horrors”), Emmy and Tony winner Swoosie Kurtz (“Huff,” “Sisters”) and Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth (“The West Wing”) star in the visually stunning series from the Jinks/Cohen Company, in association with Warner Bros. Television. Tony winner Jim Dale, reader of the “Harry Potter” series of audio books, is the narrator.

In addition to Fuller and Sonnenfeld, Dan Jinks & Bruce Cohen (Academy Award winning producers of “American Beauty”) and Peter Ocko serve as executive producers.

“UGLY BETTY”

In the superficial world of high fashion, image is everything. Styles come and go, and the only constants are the super thin beauties who wear them. How can an ordinary girl from Queens possibly fit in?

If you took a moment to get to know Betty Suarez, you’d see how sweet, intelligent and hard-working she is (if a bit fashion-challenged). When publishing mogul Bradford Meade handed the reigns of Mode, the bible of the fashion industry, over to this son, Daniel, he specifically hired Betty as his son’s new assistant – mostly because she was the only woman Daniel wouldn’t sleep with. Both outsiders in their own way, Daniel and Betty form an unlikely team, each helping the other navigate the choppy waters of NYC’s fashion scene.

“Ugly Betty” stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Ashley Jensen as Christina, Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Michael Urie as Marc, Judith Light as Claire Meade, Christopher Gorham as Henry, Rebecca Romijn as Alexis and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater. Freddy Rodriguez is a recurring guest star as Gio. Lindsay Lohan will appear in a five-episode arc as Kimberly.

Based on “Yo Soy Betty La Fea,” the groundbreaking Colombian telenovela that became an international phenomenon, “Ugly Betty” is from ABC Studios. This past two seasons the series has been awarded three Emmy Awards, two GLAAD Awards, as well as Golden Globe, Peabody, DGA, NAACP, ALMA, CDG and Imagen Awards. Academy Award-nominee and Emmy Award winner Salma Hayek is executive producer, along with Jose Tamez (“The Maldonado Miracle”), Silvio Horta (“Urban Legend”) and Joel Fields (“Dirt”).

COMEDY

“SAMANTHA WHO?”

What if you had the chance to start over, to do it all again? For Samantha Newly (Christina Applegate), this fantasy becomes a reality after a hit-and-run accident leaves her in an eight-day coma. When she awakens in the hospital, she is surrounded by family and friends. The only problem is that she has no idea who they are – or who she is. In medical terms, Sam has retrograde amnesia, which allows her to fully function in the world but leaves her with no personal memories. Most people would deem this disorder a curse. But Sam has come to call it a miracle.

“Samantha Who?” won the People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy, and Applegate was nominated for a Golden Globe and SAG Award for her role.

“Samantha Who?” stars Christina Applegate as Samantha, Jennifer Esposito as Andrea, Kevin Dunn as Howard, Melissa McCarthy as Dena, Tim Russ as Frank, with Barry Watson as Todd and Jean Smart as Regina.

“Samantha Who?” was created by Cecelia Ahern and Donald Todd. Todd and Peter Traugott serve as executive producers. “Samantha Who?,” which is filmed in Los Angeles, is from ABC Studios.

ALTERNATIVE

“AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS”

Currently in its 18th season, and the longest-running primetime show in ABC history, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” features adults, children, pets and even inanimate objects at their spontaneous best. Tom Bergeron is the host. In its 18 seasons to date, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” has given away over $10 million in prize money and evaluated more than half a million videotapes from home viewers. 

Vin Di Bona is executive producer, with Todd Thicke and Michele Nasraway serving as co-executive producers. “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” which premiered on January 14, 1990, is from Vin Di Bona Productions.

“DANCING WITH THE STARS”

Hosted by Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Samantha Harris
(“E! Entertainment”), celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

“Dancing with the Stars” is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, “Strictly Come Dancing.” ABC’s version is produced in America by BBC Productions. Conrad Green serves as executive producer.

“EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION”

Put together one very run-down house, a deserving family, several opinionated designers, seven days and what do you get? The answer is “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” The show has won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality Program, as well as the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Reality Show/Makeover and the Family Television Award for Best Alternative/Reality Program.

Beginning this season, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” began featuring green elements on every episode with eco-friendly, low energy and recyclable sources being incorporated into the builds. Concluding the show’s two-year, 50-state tour will be a two-hour Season Finale on May 18 featuring three homes for a family (all on the same lot) and a church in Louisiana. In a first-ever effort to put together a coalition of past builders from all over the country, the show has called on the Building Industry to join forces and help with what might be the toughest challenge yet. In addition, the popular Australian vocal group, The Ten Tenors, will pay musical tribute to the builders at the church reveal, performing an emotionally charged version of “Here’s to the Heroes,” the title track to their most recent album.

The design team includes team leader Ty Pennington, with designers Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis, Michael Moloney, Ed Sanders, Tracy Hutson, Tanya McQueen, Eduardo Xol, John Littlefield, Rib Hillis and Didiayer. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is President of Endemol USA. The new season will be executive-produced by Anthony Dominici. The series premiered December 3, 2003, on the ABC Television Network.

“SUPERNANNY”

Jo Frost criss-crosses America taking on some of its toughest parenting challenges. Hailed by the New York Times as “fascinating” and “required viewing,” praised by Oprah Winfrey, David Letterman and Kelly Ripa, acclaimed by such publications as Newsweek, Hollywood Reporter and The New Yorker, and lauded by parents and nannies across America, “Supernanny” is a hit. Jo Frost, as Supernanny, can tame the wildest toddler, soothe the most savage six-year-old and get even the most difficult child to overcome problems with behavior, sleep, mealtime, potty training and other challenges that have vexed parents around the world for centuries. After just three episodes of the show aired in the U.K. in summer 2004, Jo Frost became Britain’s hottest new TV star and a godsend to desperate parents who were dazzled by her amazing results with unruly children. She debuted in America in early 2005 and captivated Americans as well with her practical, no-nonsense style, honed over 20 years of nannying. “Supernanny” is now an international phenomenon; it airs in 58 territories, almost all of them with Frost as Supernanny. The series was nominated for a People’s Choice Award, and fans loved her first two books, Supernanny: How to Get the Best from Your Children -- a national bestseller -- and
Ask Supernanny. Her new book, Jo Frost’s Confident Baby Care: What You Need to Know for the First Year from America’s Most Trusted Nanny, was published in May 2008.

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Holly Wofford are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Ricochet, Ltd.

“WIFE SWAP”

“Wife Swap,” the critically-acclaimed unscripted reality show that takes us into the intimate heart of the American family home, revealing the extraordinarily different ways families live their lives, is currently airing its fourth season.

Each week from across the country, two families with very different values are chosen to take part in a two-week long challenge. The wives from these two families exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover just what it’s like to live another woman’s life. It’s a mind-blowing experiment that often ends up changing their lives forever.

In the first week of the swap, the wives move in with their new family and adopt their very different lifestyle. They agree to follow a manual written by the departing wife that sets out the rules of their new household -- how they parent, shop, do the housework, manage their budgets and their social life. But then, in the second week, everything changes. The new wives take charge. They introduce their own set of rules and get to run the new household their way. It’s a radical shock to both families. The results are explosive, enlightening and often very funny. This is a show about the things that really matter to families across America.

NEW MIDSEASON SERIES

COMEDY

“THE GOODE FAMILY”

A new animated series from Mike Judge, creator of “King of the Hill.” “The Goode Family” is obsessed with doing the “right” thing, whether it’s environmentally, politically or socially. Unfortunately their efforts often have unintended comic consequences.

“The Goode Family” is voiced by Mike Judge as Gerald, Nancy Carell as Helen, Dave Herman as Ubuntu and Abby Elliot as Bliss.

Executive producers for “The Goode Family” are Mike Judge, David Krinsky, John Altschuler, Michael Rotenberg and Tom Lassally. The series is produced by MRC and 3 Arts Entertainment.

“SCRUBS”

“Scrubs” focuses on the strange experiences of Dr. John Dorian, or “J.D.,” a medical resident, as he continues on his healing career in a surreal hospital, crammed full of unpredictable staffers and patients -- where humor and tragedy can collide at any time.

“Scrubs” received two consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2005 and 2006. In its debut year, “Scrubs” was nominated for two Emmy Awards and a People's Choice Award. It has received a total of 10 Emmy nominations, and in 2005 the series won the Emmy for Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing. In 2004 “Scrubs” was honored with a prestigious Humanitas Prize. Beginning that same year, the series received three consecutive Producers Guild Award nominations from 2004-2006.

“Scrubs” stars Zach Braff as Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian, Donald Faison as Chris Turk, Sarah Chalke as Elliot Reid, Judy Reyes as Carla Espinosa, John C. McGinley as Dr. Perry Cox, Ken Jenkins as Dr. Bob Kelso and Neil Flynn as The Janitor.

“Scrubs” executive producer and creator is Bill Lawrence. The series is produced by ABC Studios.

ALTERNATIVE

“UNTITLED ASHTON KUTCHER/TYRA BANKS PROJECT”

A beauty pageant unlike any you’ve ever seen, from executive producers Ashton Kutcher and Tyra Banks.

OTHER RETURNING SERIES

DRAMA

“LOST”

Awarded the 2005 Emmy and 2006 Golden Globe for Best Drama Series, “Lost’s” action-packed mystery and adventure continues to bring out the very best and very worst in the people who are lost.

“Lost” stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Ben, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Terry O’Quinn as Locke and Harold Perrineau as Michael.

“Lost” was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof. Abrams, Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Jack Bender and Carlton Cuse serve as executive producers. “Lost,” which is filmed entirely on location in Hawaii and premiered on September 22, 2004, is from ABC Studios.

COMEDY

“ACCORDING TO JIM”

“According to Jim” returns for its eighth successful season as the macho “Everyman” who adores his family.

Jim (Jim Belushi) has it all: a gorgeous wife, Cheryl (Courtney Thorne-Smith), whom he challenges with his stubborn manliness but contagious charm; three precocious kids, Ruby (Taylor Atelian), Gracie (Billi Bruno) and Kyle (Conner Rayburn); and his brother-in-law, Andy (Larry Joe Campbell), his best friend, business partner and “partner in crime.”

“According to Jim” stars Jim Belushi as Jim, Courtney Thorne-Smith as Cheryl, Larry Joe Campbell as Andy, Taylor Atelian as Ruby, Billi Bruno as Gracie and Conner Rayburn as Kyle.

Executive producers are Jim Belushi, Warren Bell, Suzanne Bukinik, Jonathan Stark, Marc Gurvitz, John D. Beck, Ron Hart, John Peaslee and Judd Pillot. “According to Jim” is from ABC Studios.

ALTERNATIVE

“THE BACHELOR”

ABC’s “The Bachelor” is the original primetime romance reality series that offers one lucky man and 25 lucky women the unique opportunity to find true love.

The new Bachelor will get to know 25 women via a series of social gatherings and exotic, romantic dates – some in groups, some individually. He will introduce some of the women to his family, and will visit their hometowns for a slice of their lives in an effort to determine the woman with whom he is most compatible.

The series follows a gradual process of elimination each week, until the Bachelor ultimately decides on the one woman who has captured his heart. However, at any point along the way, should a woman decide that she is no longer interested in him, she may reject his invitation to continue dating. At the end of the journey, this gentleman will quite possibly have found true love. But the big question is: After all of this, if he pops the question, will she accept?

Hosted by Chris Harrison, “The Bachelor” is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss, David Bohnert and Martin Hilton are the executive producers.

ABC NEWS

“PRIMETIME: WHAT WOULD YOU DO?”

Using hidden cameras, “Primetime: What Would You Do?” sets up everyday scenarios and then captures people’s reactions. Whether people are compelled to act or mind their own business, John Quiñones reports on their split-second – and often surprising – decision-making process.

People often talk about how they think they would act in a difficult situation, but this series looks at how they actually do in the face of everyday dilemmas that test their character and values. According to the Columbia Journalism Review essay, “Primetime: What Would You Do?” is “the flip side of reality TV…rather than show how people act in manufactured situations when they know they’re being watched, they show us how people act when they don’t.”

David Sloan is the executive producer of “Primetime: What Would You Do?.” Robert Lange is the senior producer.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

CBS ANNOUNCES NEW 2008-2009 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

(05.14.2008  -  Editor)          CBS announced today its 2008-2009 Fall Primetime Lineup, featuring five new series - two comedies and three dramas - and the launch of a new comedy block on Wednesdays.  

The new series include ELEVENTH HOUR, a dramatic thriller from producer Jerry Bruckheimer about a special advisor to the government who investigates scientific crises and oddities; THE MENTALIST, starring Simon Baker as a former celebrity psychic-turned- detective who uses his gifted skills of  observation and expertise at "reading" people to solve crimes; THE EX LIST, a sexy comedic drama about a 30-something woman who searches her past relationships to find her future husband; and the comedies PROJECT GARY, starring Jay Mohr and Paula Marshall as dueling ex-spouses and parents trying to move forward with new relationships; and WORST WEEK about a good guy who is always trying to do the right thing, yet something always goes wrong - especially when he's around his girlfriend's parents. 

"We've been looking to expand our comedy lineup, and we now have the depth and development to make the move," said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment.  "Monday is already television's signature night for comedy and we think we can make the case that CBS is the signature network for comedy overall."

Added Tassler, "Our new dramas put a character twist on the highly successful procedural form with two exciting new leads in Simon Baker and Rufus Sewell.  And, rounding out the new slate is a very unique series with a dynamic young actress (Elizabeth Reaser, "Grey's Anatomy") that blends comedy, drama and romance in a concept that will have everybody thinking about their personal 'ex list.' "

The freshman series will join 18 returning programs on the current CBS lineup.

CBS will return network television's Number One drama franchise - CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION; CSI: MIAMI, CSI: NY - the Number One comedy, TWO AND A HALF MEN; the Number One news magazine, 60 MINUTES; and two franchise reality series -SURVIVOR and the five-time Emmy Award-winning THE AMAZING RACE.

Also returning are: THE BIG BANG THEORY, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, NCIS, WITHOUT A TRACE, THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, CRIMINAL MINDS, GHOST WHISPERER, NUMB3RS, COLD CASE, THE UNIT, 48 HOURS MYSTERY and CRIMETIME SATURDAY.

The new 2008-2009 schedule is:

On Monday, CBS adds a new comedy to television's top-rated comedy lineup. From 8:00-9:00 PM, the popular young adult comedy block of THE BIG BANG THEORY and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER returns.  Television's top comedy TWO AND A HALF MEN remains at 9:00 PM and serves as a lead-in for the new comedy WORST WEEK at 9:30 PM. CSI: MIAMI, the night's top scripted series, returns for its seventh season at 10:00 PM.

On Tuesday, NCIS opens the night at 8:00 PM and the hit drama WITHOUT A TRACE moves to 10:00 PM, creating a hammock position for the new drama THE MENTALIST at 9:00 PM.

On Wednesday, CBS opens a new night of comedy. The critically acclaimed THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, starring Emmy Award winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus, starts the night at 8:00 PM, leading into the new comedy PROJECT GARY. The successful tandem of CRIMINAL MINDS and CSI: NY return from 9:00-11:00 PM.

On Thursday, CBS adds a new drama to television's most-watched night. SURVIVOR returns at 8:00 PM, where it continues to dominate its time period, followed by the night's highest-rated show, CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, which provides a strong lead-in for the new suspenseful thriller ELEVENTH HOUR at 10:00 PM.

CBS adds a unique new series to its top-rated Friday. GHOST WHISPERER, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, returns at 8:00 PM leading into another female-lead show, THE EX LIST, at 9:00 PM, capped by the night's highest rated scripted series NUMB3RS at 10:00 PM.

Saturdays will feature CBS's CRIMETIME programming from 8:00-10:00 PM, followed by 48 HOURS MYSTERY, the night's top-rated program.

On Sunday, the perennial Number One news magazine, 60 MINUTES, kicks off its 41st season at 7:00 PM, followed by the return of the five-time Emmy Award-winning reality series THE AMAZING RACE at 8:00 PM.  The  successful  crime drama COLD CASE remains at 9:00 PM and the action drama THE UNIT joins the night at 10:00 PM. 

In addition to the new series for fall, the network announced the pick up of two programs for midseason. The new drama, HARPER'S ISLAND, is a murder mystery that unfolds as friends and family attend week-long festivities at a destination wedding on a secluded and picturesque island off the coast of Seattle, infamous for a homicidal maniac's rampage seven years ago. Also picked up for midseason is the comedy RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.

The new comedies are:

WORST WEEK is a comedy about Sam Briggs, an entertainment magazine editor who will do anything to please his girlfriend's parents ... but instead becomes a one-man wrecking crew whenever he's around them.  Sam (Kyle Bornheimer, "Jericho") and his girlfriend, Melanie Clayton (Erinn Hayes, "Kitchen Confidential"), have only one hurdle left to clear as they start their life together: breaking the news to Mel's conservative parents that they have a wedding in the works and a baby on the way.  Dick (Kurtwood Smith, "That '70s Show"), a stern Judge, and his wife Angela (Nancy Lenehan, "My Name is Earl"), are protective of their daughter, and are really trying to let go of the anger they feel toward Sam ... after all, disaster follows whenever he visits their house. But despite his best efforts, every time Sam takes one positive step forward in winning over his future in-laws, he inevitably takes two crushing steps back.  But with support and love from Melanie who stands up for him despite his knack for making himself look bad, Sam will hopefully charm his way into her family. Emmy Award winner Adam Bernstein ("30 Rock") directed the pilot.  Matt Tarses ("Scrubs") and Jimmy Mulville ("Whose Line Is It Anyway?") are the executive producers for Universal Media Studios and CBS Paramount Network Television.

PROJECT GARY stars Jay Mohr ("Ghost Whisperer") and Paula Marshall ("Nip/Tuck") in a comedy about Gary Barnes, a recently single painting contractor, and his controlling ex-wife, Allison, who face post-divorce mayhem after 15 years of marriage as they each embark on new relationships. He's the fun parent and she's the strict one.  Together, they share custody of their two children - Louise (Laura Marano, "Without a Trace"), a politically correct and environmentally conscious 11-year-old, and Tom (Ryan Malgarini, "How to Eat Fried Worms"), their socially awkward 14-year-old son who is nervous around girls.  Charming and acerbic, Gary hasn't dated since the split, but finally connects with Vanessa (Jaime King, "The Class"), a single mother whose condo he was hired to paint. He dreads telling Allison about Vanessa because it doesn't adhere to her belief in their marriage counselor's book, "Rules for the Perfect Divorce." However, when Allison tells him that she's engaged to their shrink, all bets are off and Gary decides it's time to move forward.  Now, in pursuit of post-marriage happiness, Gary must juggle his eclectic world of an ex-wife, their two kids, their shrink and his gorgeous new girlfriend.  Ed Yeager ("Still Standing") and Ric Swartzlander ("8 Simple Rules") are the executive producers for ABC Studios and CBS Paramount Network Television. 

The new dramas are:

THE MENTALIST stars Golden Globe Award nominee Simon Baker ("The Devil Wears Prada") as Patrick Jane, a detective and independent consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI), who has a remarkable track record for solving serious crimes by using his razor sharp skills of observation.  Within the Bureau, Jane is notorious for his blatant lack of protocol and his semi-celebrity past as a psychic medium, whose paranormal abilities he now admits he feigned. Jane's role in cracking a series of tough high-profile cases is greatly valued by his fellow agents. However, no-nonsense Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney, "Prison Break") openly resists having Jane in her unit and alternates between reluctantly acknowledging Jane's usefulness and blasting him for his theatrics, narcissism and dangerous lack of boundaries.  Lisbon's team includes agents Kimball Cho (Tim Kang, "Rambo"), Wayne Rigsby (Owain Yeoman, "The Nine"), and rookie member Grace Van Pelt (Amanda Righetti, "The O.C."), who all think Jane's a loose cannon but admire his charm and knack for clearing cases. Bruno Heller (creator of "Rome") is creator/executive producer, and Emmy Award winner David Nutter ("Band of Brothers") is the executive producer for Warner Bros. Television. 

ELEVENTH HOUR from acclaimed producer Jerry Bruckheimer follows Dr. Jacob Hood (Rufus Sewell, "The Illusionist"), a brilliant biophysicist and special science advisor to the government, as he investigates scientific crises and oddities. His jurisdiction is absolute and Hood is dogged in his pursuit of those who would abuse and misuse scientific discoveries and breakthroughs for their own gain. His passion and crusade is to protect the substance of science from those with nefarious motives.  He is called in at the eleventh hour and he represents the last line of defense. Based on the British miniseries by acclaimed science-fiction writer Stephen Gallagher, the series is executive produced by Bruckheimer ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Pirates of the Caribbean"), Jonathan Littman ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Cold Case"), Danny Cannon ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "CSI: Miami"), Cyrus Voris ("Bulletproof Monk"), Ethan Reiff ("Sleeper Cell"), Mick Davis ("Wake of Death"), and Paul Buccieri ("Fashion House") for Jerry Bruckheimer Television in association with Warner Bros. Television.

THE EX LIST is a comedic drama about Bella Bloom (Elizabeth Reaser, "Grey's Anatomy") - a single, 30-something, successful business owner who is surprised to learn from a psychic that she's already dated her future husband AND there's a catch:  if she doesn't find him in the next year, she'll remain alone forever.  During a bachelorette party for her sister, Daphne (Rachel Boston, "American Dreams"), Bella learns from the psychic she must revisit her past relationships and sort through the mistakes to find her soul mate. Skeptical, Bella  begins to analyze every past liaison and failed romance with her close circle of friends, Augie (Adam Rothenberg, "Mad Money"), an endearing guy who has listened to Bella's love woes since college, Vivian (Alex Breckenridge, "Dirt"), Augie's long-term girlfriend, and Cyrus (Amir Talai, "Campus Ladies"), who's chronically unemployed and full of wry observations.  Once Bella witnesses proof of the psychic's other predictions, her cynicism disappears and she begins her search.  Along her trip down break-up lane, Bella is determined to remain optimistic and receptive, believing that when destiny reopens doors to the past, every relationship can matter in the future.  Diane Ruggiero ("Veronica Mars") and Jonathan Levin ("Charmed") are executive producers for Twentieth Century Fox Television.

Following is the 2008-2009 CBS Television Network primetime schedule: 

CBS TELEVISON NETWORK 2008-2009 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

(N=New, NT=New Time, all times ET/PT)

MONDAY

8:00-8:30 PM              THE BIG BANG THEORY

8:30-9:00 PM              HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER

9:00-9:30 PM              TWO AND A HALF MEN

9:30-10:00 PM           WORST WEEK (N)

10:00-11:00 PM          CSI: MIAMI

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM              NCIS

9:00-10:00 PM           THE MENTALIST (N)

10:00-11:00 PM          WITHOUT A TRACE (NT)

WEDNESDAY

8:00-8:30 PM              THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE (NT)

8:30-9:00 PM             PROJECT GARY (N)

9:00-10:00 PM            CRIMINAL MINDS

10:00-11:00 PM          CSI: NY

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 PM              SURVIVOR

9:00-10:00 PM            CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

10:00-11:00 PM         ELEVENTH HOUR (N)

FRIDAY

8:00-9:00 PM              GHOST WHISPERER

9:00-10:00 PM           THE EX LIST (N)

10:00-11:00 PM          NUMB3RS

SATURDAY

8:00-9:00 PM              CRIMETIME SATURDAY

9:00-10:00 PM            CRIMETIME SATURDAY

10:00-11:00 PM          48 HOURS MYSTERY

SUNDAY

7:00-8:00 PM              60 MINUTES

8:00-9:00 PM              THE AMAZING RACE

9:00-10:00 PM            COLD CASE

10:00-11:00 PM          THE UNIT (NT)

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

FOX ANNOUNCES PRIMETIME SLATE FOR 2008-2009 SEASON

 (May 15, 2008  -  Editor)            Peter Liguori, Chairman, Entertainment; and Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, today unveiled the FOX primetime schedule for the 2008-2009 television season speaking before the national advertising community at New York City Center.

“Broadcast television needs a jolt. We feel it’s our responsibility, as the No. 1 network for the last four seasons, to provide that electricity,” said Liguori. “The goal of our business is entertaining viewers…they’re our lifeblood, and it’s incumbent upon us to make sure their first and favorite entertainment destination is FOX. 

Reilly added, “We’re going to make plenty of noise and yet potentially have more stability and success than we’ve had historically in the fourth quarter. We’ll be focused in the fall with two new series – one comedy and one drama – and then use our big assets in January to launch an even more powerful second season.”

The new event drama premiering this fall is FRINGE, a fantastical thriller from acclaimed writer/producer J.J. Abrams (“Lost”), Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (“Star Trek,” “Mission: Impossible III,” “Alias”). Joshua Jackson (“Dawson’s Creek”), John Noble (“Lord of the Rings”) and newcomer Anna Torv star as an unlikely trio who uncover a deadly mystery involving a series of unbelievable events and realize they may be a part of a larger, more disturbing pattern that blurs the line between science fiction and technology.

The new comedy slated for fall is DO NOT DISTURB (working title), an upstairs/downstairs workplace comedy starring Jerry O’Connell (“Crossing Jordan”) and Niecy Nash (“Reno 911!”) as the management team behind one the hottest and hippest hotels in New York City. 

One additional drama and one unscripted series will launch in midseason. From Joss Whedon, creator of groundbreaking cult favorites “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Firefly,” comes DOLLHOUSE, a gripping, high-action drama starring Eliza Dushku (“Tru Calling”) as Echo, a member of an underground group of “Actives” who have their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas to carry out a variety of missions. The Actives don’t just pretend to be new people – they become new people, yet they are never aware they are actually pawns in someone else’s game. SECRET MILLIONAIRE is a heart-warming new unscripted series that focuses on a different millionaire each week, who goes undercover to some of America’s most disadvantaged areas in search of everyday heroes to possibly change their lives forever.  

Two new animated comedies will also join the schedule in the spring. From the creators of FAMILY GUY and AMERICAN DAD, comes THE CLEVELAND SHOW (working title), the story of what happens when FAMILY GUY’s Cleveland Brown moves to Stoolbend, VA, to make good on a promise to his high school sweetheart. SIT DOWN, SHUT UP (working title), created by Emmy Award winner Mitchell Hurwitz (“Arrested Development”), follows a group of unconventional teachers and staff members working at a high school in a small northeastern fishing town who never lose sight of the fact that the students must ALWAYS come second.  

FOX kicks off the new season with special two-hour premiere events the week of August 25 including: PRISON BREAK Monday, August 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT); FRINGE Tuesday, August 26 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT); BONES Wednesday, August 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5^th GRADER? Friday, August 29 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).  

FOX series returning in 2008-2009 include: 24, AMERICAN DAD, AMERICAN IDOL, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK, ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5^th GRADER?, BONES, COPS, DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS!, FAMILY GUY, HELL’S KITCHEN, HOUSE, KING OF THE HILL, KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, MADtv, THE MOMENT OF TRUTH, PRISON BREAK, THE SIMPSONS, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES and ‘TIL DEATH.
 

Following are the FOX primetime schedule for 2008-2009 and synopses of the new series:

FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE: FALL 2008   (All Times ET/PT)

MONDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES           

9:00-10:00 PM            PRISON BREAK                       

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            HOUSE           

9:00-10:00 PM            FRINGE                         

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            BONES                       

9:00-9:30 PM            ‘TIL DEATH                       

9:30-10:00 PM            DO NOT DISTURB (wt)                         

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            THE MOMENT OF TRUTH                       

9:00-10:00 PM            KITCHEN NIGHTMARES                         

FRIDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5^th GRADER?                       

9:00-10:00 PM            DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS!                         

SATURDAY

8:00-8:30 PM            COPS           

8:30-9:00 PM            COPS           

9:00-10:00 PM      AMERICA’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK     

11:00 PM-Midnight            MADtv           

Midnight-12:30 AM            TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN

SUNDAY

7:00-8:00 PM            THE OT (NFL post-game)           

8:00-8:30 PM            THE SIMPSONS           

8:30-9:00 PM            KING OF THE HILL           

9:00-9:30 PM            FAMILY GUY           

9:30-10:00 PM            AMERICAN DAD                       

FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE: BEGINNING JANUARY 2009 (All Times ET/PT)

MONDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            DOLLHOUSE           

9:00-10:00 PM            24                       

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            AMERICAN IDOL           

9:00-10:00 PM            FRINGE                       

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            HOUSE                       

9:00-9:30 PM            AMERICAN IDOL Results Show                       

9:30-10:00 PM            TBA Comedy                        

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            HELL’S KITCHEN                       

9:00-10:00 PM            SECRET MILLIONAIRE           

FRIDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            BONES

9:00-9:30 PM            ‘TIL DEATH           

9:30-10:00 PM            DO NOT DISTURB (wt)  

SATURDAY

8:00-8:30 PM            COPS           

8:30-9:00 PM            COPS           

9:00-10:00 PM      AMERICA’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK     

11:00 PM-Midnight            MADtv           

Midnight-12:30 AM            TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN

SUNDAY

7:00-7:30 PM            COMEDY ENCORES

7:30-8:00 PM            COMEDY ENCORES

8:00-8:30 PM            THE SIMPSONS           

8:30-9:00 PM      KING OF THE HILL (January) / SIT DOWN, SHUT UP (wt) (spring)

9:00-9:30 PM            FAMILY GUY           

9:30-10:00 PM            AMERICAN DAD (January) / THE CLEVELAND SHOW (wt) (spring)                       

2008-2009 FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE NEW SERIES SYNOPSES  

The following new drama will premiere this fall on FOX:  

FRINGE (Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): From J.J. Abrams (“Lost”), Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the team behind “Star Trek,” “Mission: Impossible III” and “Alias,” comes a new drama that will thrill, terrify and explore the blurring line between science fiction and reality. When an international flight lands at Boston’s Logan Airport and the passengers and crew have all died grisly deaths, FBI Special Agent OLIVIA DUNHAM (newcomer Anna Torv) is called in to investigate. After her partner, Special Agent JOHN SCOTT (Mark Valley, “Boston Legal”), is nearly killed during the investigation, a desperate Olivia searches frantically for someone to help, leading her to DR. WALTER BISHOP (John Noble, “Lord of the Rings”), our generation’s Einstein. There’s only one catch: he’s been institutionalized for the last 20 years, and the only way to question him requires pulling his estranged son PETER (Joshua Jackson, “Dawson’s Creek”) in to help. When Olivia’s investigation leads her to manipulative corporate executive NINA SHARP (Blair Brown, “Altered States”), our unlikely trio along with fellow FBI Agents PHILLIP BROYLES (Lance Reddick, “The Wire”), CHARLIE FRANCIS (Kirk Acevedo, “Oz”) and ASTRID FARNSWORTH (Jasika Nicole, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) will discover that what happened on Flight 627 is only a small piece of a larger, more shocking truth.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Warner Bros. Television, Bad Robot Productions

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Bryan Burk, Jeff Pinkner, Alex Graves (pilot)

WRITERS: J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman

DIRECTOR: Alex Graves

CAST: Anna Torv as Olivia Dunham, Joshua Jackson as Peter Bishop, John Noble as Walter Bishop, Lance Reddick as Phillip Broyles, Kirk Acevedo as Charlie Francis, Mark Valley as John Scott, Blair Brown as Nina Sharp, Jasika Nicole as Astrid Farnsworth  

The new comedy premiering this fall is: 

DO NOT DISTURB (working title) (Wednesdays, 9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT): DO NOT DISTURB (working title) is a hilarious workplace comedy set at one of New York City’s hottest and hippest hotels: The Inn. Named one of the Big Apple’s “10 Best Places to Stay,” The Inn is just that – the “in” place to be, with its chic décor, stylish staff and celebrity clientele. Behind the scenes, however, the upstairs/downstairs dynamic tells quite a different story. The hotel’s top-notch reputation and sophisticated look is due in large part to NEAL (Jerry O’Connell, “Crossing Jordan”) – at least in his opinion. Although The Inn’s charismatic owner R.J. (guest star Robert Wagner) takes all the credit, Neal is the egotistical, hyper-stylish, detail-oriented general manager who will do whatever it takes to keep the hotel and its employees up to his standards. RHONDA (Niecy Nash, “Reno 911!”) is the head of Human Resources who also keeps Neal’s demands in check. She’s brash, fabulous and brutally honest and runs the HR department from her bullpen downstairs with a set of rules that are all her own. Rhonda does her best to keep the back of the house in line and the front of the house out of trouble. At the front desk handling check-in while wearing 6-inch Manolos is NICOLE (Molly Stanton, “Twins”), an aging model who is svelte, cynical and slightly starving. Fresh from Nebraska is JASON (Brando Eaton, “Zoey 101”), the naïve bellman who would prefer to work behind-the-scenes, but was hired to show off his chiseled face and perfect pecs at the front of the hotel. The downstairs staff includes MOLLY (Jolene Purdy, “Donnie Darko”), a reservations clerk who dreams of pop-singer stardom as much as she craves to be part of the action upstairs; and LARRY (Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “The Class”), the head of housekeeping who spends more time on the phone cleaning up his messes at home than he does cleaning up after the guests upstairs.   

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20^th Century Fox Television; Reveille, LLC; Principato-Young Productions

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Abraham Higginbotham, Howard Owens, Carolyn Bernstein, Paul Young, Peter Principato, Brian Dobbins

WRITER: Abraham Higginbotham

DIRECTOR: Jason Bateman

CAST: Jerry O’Connell as Neal, Niecy Nash as Rhonda, Molly Stanton as Nicole, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Larry, Brando Eaton as Jason, Jolene Purdy as Molly

GUEST STAR: Robert Wagner as R.J.  

The following new drama is slated for a midseason launch:

DOLLHOUSE (Mondays, 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT): Joss Whedon, creator of groundbreaking cult favorites “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Firefly,” returns to television and reunites with fellow “Buffy” alumna Eliza Dushku for a thrilling new drama, DOLLHOUSE. ECHO (Dushku) is an “Active,” a member of a highly illegal and underground group who have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas. Confined to a secret facility known as the “Dollhouse,” Echo and the other Actives including SIERRA (Dichen Lachman, “Neighbours”) and VICTOR (Enver Gjokaj, “The Unit”) carry out engagements assigned by ADELLE (Olivia Williams, “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Rushmore”), one of the Dollhouse leaders. The engagements cater to the wealthy, powerful and connected, and require the Actives to immerse themselves in all manner of scenarios – romantic, criminal, uplifting, dangerous, comical and the occasional “pro bono” good deed. After each scenario, Echo, always under the watchful eye of her handler BOYD (Harry Lennix, “Commander in Chief,” 24), returns to the mysterious Dollhouse where her thoughts, feelings and experiences are erased by TOPHER (Fran Kranz, “Welcome to the Captain”), the Dollhouse’s genius programmer. Echo enters the next scenario with no memory of before. Or does she? As the series progresses, FBI Agent PAUL SMITH (Tahmoh Penikett, “Battlestar Galactica”) pieces together clues that lead him closer to the Dollhouse, while Echo stops forgetting, her memories begin to return and she slowly pieces together her mysterious past. DOLLHOUSE revolves around Echo’s blossoming self-awareness and her desire to discover her true identity. But with each new engagement, comes a new memory and increased danger inside and outside the Dollhouse.  

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20^th Century Fox Television, Mutant Enemy Inc.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR: Joss Whedon

CAST: Eliza Dushku as Echo, Olivia Williams as Adelle, Tahmoh Penikett as Paul, Fran Kranz as Topher, Dichen Lachman as Sierra, Enver Gjokaj as Victor, Harry Lennix as Boyd  

The new unscripted series joining the FOX midseason schedule is:

SECRET MILLIONAIRE (Thursdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): SECRET MILLIONAIRE is a dramatic unscripted series that takes America’s wealthiest individuals away from their lavish lifestyles, sprawling mansions and private planes and places them undercover into some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in America. Shot under the guise of a documentary, the series reveals the dramatic personal return that millionaires will get when they leave their fortunes to invest in those less fortunate.  Challenged with living on minimum wage, the millionaires will immerse themselves in situations beyond their comprehension. They will work side-by-side with community members and befriend those in need to decide who should ultimately receive their gifts of a lifetime. The millionaires will be touched by the people they meet. Some will inspire with their dedication to helping others, while others will relay stories of overcoming tremendous odds. On the final day, the Secret Millionaires meet with the chosen recipients and reveal their true identity and intention: to give them at least $100,000 – oftentimes more – of their own money and to change their lives forever. SECRET MILLIONAIRE will engage viewers in important social issues, extol the virtues of volunteerism and change the lives of disadvantaged people – and the philanthropists who helped them – in unexpected ways.  

PRODUCTION COMPANY: RDF USA

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Chris Coelen, Greg Goldman, Bruce Toms

The new animated comedies joining the schedule in the spring include:    

THE CLEVELAND SHOW (working title) (Sundays, 9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT): Many years ago, CLEVELAND BROWN (voiced by Mike Henry) was a high school student madly in love with a beautiful girl named DONNA. Much to his dismay, his love went unrequited, and Donna wound up marrying another man. Cleveland once told Donna he would always love her, and if this man ever done her wrong, he’d be there when she called. Well, this man done her wrong. Donna’s husband skipped town with another woman, leaving Donna with a daughter and a baby. Now she’s come to Cleveland and offered him another chance at love. Unattached after the Loretta-Quagmire debacle and true to his word, Cleveland joyously accepts and he and CLEVELAND JR. move to Stoolbend, VA, to join their new family. Once in Stoolbend, Cleveland has a few surprises in store for him, including a flirtatious new stepdaughter, a 5-year-old stepson who loves the ladies, as well as a collection of neighbors that includes a loudmouth redneck couple, a British family seemingly stuck in the Victorian era and a family of bears living at the end of the block. FAMILY GUY was only the beginning. Get ready for THE CLEVELAND SHOW (working title)!

PRODUCTION COMPANY: 20^th Century Fox Television

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Seth MacFarlane, Rich Appel, Mike Henry

VOICE CAST: Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown  

SIT DOWN, SHUT UP (working title) (Sundays, 8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT): From Emmy Award-winning writer Mitchell Hurwitz (“Arrested Development”) and Eric and Kim Tannenbaum (“Two and a Half Men”) comes SIT DOWN, SHUT UP (working title), an animated comedy that focuses on the lives of eight staff members at a high school in a small northeastern fishing town (Go Baiters!) who never lose sight of the fact that the children must ALWAYS come second. We watch them grapple with their own egos, needs and personal agendas, their petty insecurities and prejudices, unrequited loves, and ruthless battles for power – and that’s just at the staff meeting. SUE SEZNO (Kenan Thompson, “Saturday Night Live”), a woman who frequently says “no,” is the acting principal of the school (the actual principal is recovering from a series of unfortunate accidents that might be seen as escape attempts). Then there’s Vice Principal STUART PROZACKIAN (Will Forte, “Saturday Night Live”) who has a terrifically positive and upbeat attitude... possibly from the performance-enhancing medication he’s been secretly put on by the other teachers. There is one educator who feels the focus should be on academics, but despite the old adage, at this school, those who can teach, teach gym – and that’s where LARRY SLIMP (Jason Bateman, “Juno,” “Arrested Development”) has been exiled to. Immensely frustrated, Larry nurses a crush on science teacher MIRACLE GROHE (Maria Bamford, “Stuart Little 2”), a woman whose superficial grasp on science is balanced by her superficial grasp on spirituality. Rounding out the staff is the aging German teacher WILLARD DEUTSCHEBOG (Henry Winkler, “Arrested Development,” “Happy Days”), a deeply defeated man whose yearbook quotation reads “If I believed in reincarnation, I’d kill myself tonight.” Uptight HELEN KLENCH (Cheri Oteri, “Saturday Night Live”) is a librarian whose life’s work in research and archiving can now be surpassed by the average Google search from the average cell phone. Proud ANDREW SAPIEN (Nick Kroll, “Best Week Ever,” “Cavemen”) is the flamboyant drama teacher. ENNIS HOFFTARD (Will Arnett, “Arrested Development”) is a fellow teacher and a self-obsessed body builder who yearns to be thought of as a “cool dude” by his students.  And finally there’s HAPPY (Tom Kenny, “SpongeBob SquarePants”), the plotting secretive custodian who’s assumed to be Hispanic despite the fact that his real name is Muhannad Sabeeh Fa’ach Nuaba. With a distinctive new look – a combination of animation against a live-action backdrop – SIT DOWN, SHUT UP is a series for the young and old at heart. It lampoons modern society while exposing the dreams, flaws and struggling humanity of our first and most formative authority figures: teachers.  

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Sony Pictures Television, 20^th Century Fox Television, Granada America, Tantamount

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Mitchell Hurwitz, Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum, Bill Oakley, Josh Weinstein

CAST: Will Arnett as Ennis, Maria Bamford as Miracle, Jason Bateman as Larry, Will Forte as Stuart, Tom Kenny as Happy, Nick Kroll as Andrew, Cheri Oteri as Helen, Kenan Thompson as Sue, Henry Winkler as Willard

*******************************************************************************************************************************

The CW Network Announces 2008-09 Fall Broadcast Schedule

(May 13, 2008  -  Editor)          The CW Network announced a fall launch date of September 1 and unveiled the schedule for its 2008-2009 season today at a presentation and party for advertisers, affiliates and national media in the Tent at Lincoln Center. The announcement was made by Dawn Ostroff, President of Entertainment, The CW.

“With shows that everyone is talking about, from GOSSIP GIRL and AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL to our upcoming 90210, our new lineup has the best Monday-Friday schedule flow we have ever had at The CW,” said Ostroff. “We are zeroed in on our target demo of young women 18-34 with both new and returning series, and each programming block provides a strong promotional platform for the following night. We’re confident that the quality of our shows for the fall season will make The CW the destination for young women.”

On Monday, the network will continue the successful combination of GOSSIP GIRL and ONE TREE HILL. GOSSIP GIRL was the most buzz-worthy show of last season and had the highest concentration of female teens of any series on broadcast television. GOSSIP GIRL will return to its 8:00-9:00 p.m. slot, followed by ONE TREE HILL from 9:00-10:00 p.m. ONE TREE HILL’s loyal fan base is the second youngest on television, and the series continued to grow last season despite its time period move.

On Tuesday, 90210, the most eagerly anticipated series of the fall, will premiere in the 8:00-9:00 p.m. timeslot. A fresh interpretation of the iconic 1990’s drama “Beverly Hills, 90210 ,” this spin-off features a dynamic cast of up-and-coming stars, familiar faces such as Lori Loughlin (“Summerland”) and Jessica Walter (“Arrested Development”), and guest star Jennie Garth, who will reprise her role from the original series. 90210 promises to deliver all the drama and excitement of the original series. In the 9:00-10:00 p.m. timeslot, the new series SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH brings a distinctively witty note to the Tuesday lineup. Based on the best-selling book “How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls” by Zoe Dean, SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH stars JoAnna Garcia (“Reba”) as the live-in tutor to wild and wealthy teenage twin sisters in fabulous Palm Beach. SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH makes the perfect companion piece for 90210.

On Wednesday, The CW’s top-rated series AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL ranked first in its time period in adults and women 18-34 and was the sixth highest-rated show on television among female teens last season. AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL returns in its successful 8:00-9:00 p.m. timeslot, followed by the new fashion reality show STYLISTA. From the creators of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL and “Project Runway,” and starring Elle magazine’s Fashion News Director, Anne Slowey, and Creative Director, Joe Zee, STYLISTA is “The Devil Wears Prada” reinvented as a reality series. With tough weekly challenges, 11 hopeful fashion enthusiasts will vie for a coveted editorial job and great prizes. Together, AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL and STYLISTA make up the fall’s most fashionable night of television.

On Thursday, the heroic team of SMALLVILLE and SUPERNATURAL will continue to offer viewers great special effects and gorgeous men. From 8:00-9:00 p.m., SMALLVILLE was The CW’s most-watched and highest-rated scripted series in total viewers and adults 18-49 last season. In the 9:00-10:00 p.m. hour, SUPERNATURAL is The CW’s third most-watched scripted program, despite the highly competitive timeslot.

Big changes are in store on Fridays when The CW will offer the only comedy option of the night with returning hits EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS and THE GAME. The counter-programming theme continues in the 9:00-10:00 hour with an encore presentation of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.

As previously announced, The CW is partnering with Media Rights Capital to program the Sunday night primetime block. Details on the individual series will be released at a later date.

For Midseason, the critically acclaimed drama REAPER will return for a second season with The Devil and his bounty hunter.

Following is The CW’s 2008-2009 primetime schedule, a night-by-night breakdown and accompanying details on all the programs.

THE CW’s 2008-2009 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

MONDAY

8:00-9:00 PM GOSSIP GIRL

9:00-10:00 PM ONE TREE HILL

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM 90210 (New Series)

9:00-10:00 PM SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH (New Series)

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL

9:00-10:00 PM STYLISTA (New Series)

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 PM SMALLVILLE

9:00-10:00 PM SUPERNATURAL

FRIDAY

8:00-8:30 PM EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS

8:30-9:00 PM THE GAME

9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL (Encore Presentation)
MONDAY

8:00-9:00 P.M. GOSSIP GIRL

Returning for its second season, GOSSIP GIRL is a one-hour drama based on an exclusive group of privileged prep school teens on Manhattan’s Upper East Side whose lives revolve around the blog of the all-knowing albeit ultra-secretive Gossip Girl. No one knows Gossip Girl’s identity, but everyone in this exclusive and complicated vicious circle relies on her website and text messages for the latest scoop. The series stars Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen, Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf, Penn Badgley as Dan Humphrey, Chace Crawford as Nate Archibald, Taylor Momsen as Jenny Humphrey, Ed Westwick as Chuck Bass, Jessica Szohr as Vanessa Abrams, Kelly Rutherford as Lily van der Woodsen and Matthew Settle as Rufus Humphrey. Filmed in New York and based on the popular series of young-adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar, GOSSIP GIRL is from College Hill Pictures and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Paramount Network Television with executive producers Josh Schwartz (“The O.C.”), Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), Leslie Morgenstein (“Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”) and Bob Levy (SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH).

9:00-10:00 P.M. ONE TREE HILL

Returning for its sixth season to the town of Tree Hill, last season ONE TREE HILL made the unprecedented move of taking the storylines four years into the future. Season four ended as the young characters graduated high school and season five began post-college, four years later. The show also dipped into the past, returning to incidents and events that impacted the lives of this close group of friends who call Tree Hill home. The series stars Chad Michael Murray as Lucas Scott, James Lafferty as Nathan Scott, Hilarie Burton as Peyton Sawyer, Sophia Bush as Brooke Davis, Bethany Joy Galeotti as Haley James Scott, Lee Norris as Mouth, Antwon Tanner as Skills and Paul Johansson as Dan Scott. ONE TREE HILL was created by Mark Schwahn and is executive produced by Schwahn, Joe Davola, Greg Prange, Mike Tollin and Brian Robbins. ONE TREE HILL is a Tollin/Robbins Production in association with Warner Bros. Television.

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 P.M. 90210 (New Series)

An edgy, contemporary spin-off of the iconic drama “Beverly Hills, 90210,” the new 90210 looks at life through the eyes of Annie Mills (Shenae Grimes, “Degrassi: The Next Generation”) and her brother Dixon (Tristan Wilds, “The Wire”), whose first day at West Beverly Hills High School leaves no doubt they’re not in Kansas anymore. The Mills family, including dad Harry (casting TBD) and mom Debbie (Lori Loughlin, “Summerland”), has relocated to Beverly Hills to keep an eye on Harry’s mother Tabitha (Jessica Walter, “Arrested Development”), a feisty-but-faded former television star and a charter member of the Betty Ford Clinic. For Annie and Dixon, the awkwardness of being the new kids is made worse by the fact that their dad has taken a job as the high school principal. The school is one big culture shock for Annie, a sweet and friendly girl with a passion for the theater, and Dixon, a star athlete and scholar who was adopted by the Mills family after they took him in as a foster child. Annie and Dixon have a close sibling relationship, which they’ll need to help them cope with all the new cliques and classmates, including Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord, “Nip/Tuck”), a hot, spoiled, rich girl; Ethan (Dustin Milligan, “Runaway”), a popular jock whose abilities rival Dixon’s; Navid (Michael Steger, “The Winner”), an aspiring reporter who heads up the school’s daily newscast; and Silver (Jessica Stroup, “Prom Night”), a rebel who produces and stars in a YouTube-type video series. Even the faculty seems hip and sophisticated at WBHHS, such as smart and funny teacher Ryan Matthews (Ryan Eggold, “Dirt”) and beautiful guidance counselor Kelly Taylor (guest star Jennie Garth, the original “Beverly Hills, 90210”). The Mills family has just begun to realize how much their lives are about to change. 90210 is produced by CBS Paramount Network Television with executive producers Gabe Sachs & Jeff Judah (“Freaks & Geeks”). Mark Piznarski (“GOSSIP GIRL) is the director and executive producer of the pilot.

9:00-10:00 P.M. SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH (New Series)

Twenty-three-year-old Megan Smith (JoAnna Garcia, “Reba”) has a Yale education, a relentlessly positive attitude and a plan to conquer the world of journalism, despite the fact that she is currently slaving away at a tabloid rag. Megan’s plan is thrown off course when, in one whirlwind day, she gets fired, meets cosmetics mogul Laurel Limoges (casting TBD) and becomes the live-in tutor for Laurel’s twin teen granddaughters in the heady Palm Beach world of wealth and power. The girls, Rose (Lucy Kate Hale, “Bionic Woman”) and Sage (Ashley Newbrough, “The Best Years”), are beautiful, rebellious and less-than-thrilled with their new tutor, but Megan is determined to win them over as she enjoys the perks of her new job ─ breathtaking private suite, gorgeous convertible and live-in chef Marco (Allan Louis, “Stomp the Yard”). Even the neighbors are fabulous in Palm Beach, and Megan quickly catches the eye of Will (casting TBD), the wealthy and extremely hot dilettante who lives on the estate next door and just happens to be dating Megan’s estranged sister Lily (casting TBD). Completing this romantic quadrangle is Megan’s best friend Charlie (Michael Cassidy, SMALLVILLE, “The O.C.”), who is secretly in love with her. Despite her own complicated romantic and family relationships, Megan is committed to making a difference in the lives of her two headstrong charges as she navigates the treacherous waters of high society in Palm Beach. SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH is based on the Alloy Entertainment book “How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls” by best-selling author Zoey Dean (“The A-List”). The series is from Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Paramount Network Television with executive producers Rina Mimoun (“Gilmore Girls,” “Everwood”), Bob Levy (GOSSIP GIRL) and Leslie Morgenstein (GOSSIP GIRL,“Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”). Michael Engler (“30 Rock”) directed the pilot.

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 P.M. AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL

Returning for its eleventh cycle, the runaway runway hit series stars Tyra Banks. The show gives real people an opportunity to prove that they can make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of supermodeling. With mentoring by Tyra Banks and exposure to high-profile fashion-industry gurus, young women of various backgrounds, shapes and sizes must endure a highly accelerated modeling boot camp and face weekly tests to determine who will make the cut as they vie for a professional modeling contract. The executive producers are Ken Mok (“Making the Band”), Tyra Banks and Daniel Soiseth (“Hell’s Kitchen”). The reality series was created by Tyra Banks and developed by Ken Mok and Kenya Barris. AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with Bankable Productions.

9:00-10:00 P.M. STYLISTA (New Series)

If “The Devil Wears Prada” were a reality show, it would be STYLISTA. Eleven aspiring fashion enthusiasts vie for a much-coveted editorial job with Elle magazine. They work as assistants to Elle’s Fashion News Director, Anne Slowey, a demanding but well-respected fashion icon. The competitors will carry out an assistant task and a fashion editorial assignment in each episode. Each week, in consultation with Elle’s Creative Director, Joe Zee, Anne fires one person, until the last assistant standing gets “promoted” to the coveted real-life job opportunity. The grand prize includes a paid editorial position at Elle magazine, a paid lease on a great apartment in Manhattan, and a clothing allowance at H&M, all for one year, valued at $100,000. STYLISTA is from 10 by 10 Entertainment, Inc. and Bankable Incorporated in association with Magic Molehill Productions, Inc. and Warner Horizon Television Inc. with executive producers Tyra Banks, Ken Mok, Eli Holzman, Desiree Gruber and Jane Cha.

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 P.M. SMALLVILLE

Returning for its eighth season, this new interpretation of the enduring Superman mythology and its classic characters blends realism and adventure into an exciting action series. Last season, Clark Kent and Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) became the sworn enemies that comic book aficionados have always known and loved. The season also brought storylines of Krypton and the El family, including the arrival of Clark’s cousin Kara, a.k.a. Supergirl (Laura Vandervoort), and the return of Brainiac (James Marsters). There were also exciting guest stars from the Superman mythology, including Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark”) and Helen Slater (“Supergirl”). Clark discovered more about his home planet, who his parents were, what his future holds and why he was sent to Earth. The series stars Tom Welling as Clark Kent, Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang, Erica Durance as Lois Lane and Aaron Ashmore as Jimmy Olsen. Reinterpreting the Superman mythology from its roots, SMALLVILLE was developed for television by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (“Shanghai Noon,” “Spiderman 2”), based on the DC Comics characters. The executive producers are Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson, Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer, James Marshall, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins and Joe Davola. The series is produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions and Warner Bros. Television. Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster.

9:00-10:00 P.M SUPERNATURAL

Returning for its fourth season, this haunting series follows Sam and Dean Winchester, two brothers bound by tragedy and blood to their dangerous, other-worldly mission. This past season, the clock was ticking as Sam and Dean journeyed into the dark world of the unexplained to find a way to break Dean’s deadly contract with the evil Lilith. The series stars Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester. SUPERNATURAL is from Warner Bros. Television in association with Kripke Enterprises Inc. and Wonderland Sound and Vision, with executive producers Eric Kripke (“Boogeyman”), McG (“Charlie’s Angels,” “The O.C.”), Robert Singer (“Midnight Caller”) and Kim Manners (“The X-Files”).

FRIDAY

8:00-8:30 P.M. EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS

Returning for its fourth season, this hit comedy was inspired by the childhood experiences of comedian Chris Rock. Rock also serves as the narrator of this hilarious, touching story of a teenager growing up as the eldest of three children in Brooklyn, New York during the early 1980s. Uprooted to a new neighborhood and bused into a predominantly white middle school two hours away by his strict, hard-working parents, Chris struggled to find his place. At the conclusion of season three, Chris’ excitement over graduation from middle school was ruined when his best friend announced his plans to attend a different high school in the fall. This responsible, resilient adolescent brings a distinct, funny spin to his everyday trials and traumas, in the Golden Globe- and People’s Choice-nominated comedy EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS. The single-camera comedy series stars Tyler James Williams (“Unaccompanied Minors”) as Chris, Terry Crews (“The Longest Yard”) as Julius, Tichina Arnold (“Martin”) as Rochelle, Tequan Richmond (“Ray”) as Drew, Imani Hakim as Tonya and Vincent Martella (“Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo”) as Greg. EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS is a production of CBS Paramount Network Television in association with Chris Rock Enterprises, Inc. and 3 Arts Entertainment. Co-creator and narrator Chris Rock (“Head of State”), co-creator and writer Ali LeRoi (“Head of State”), Michael Rotenberg (“King of the Hill”), Dave Becky (“Lucky Louie”) and Don Reo (“My Wife and Kids”) are executive producers.

8:30-9:00 P.M. THE GAME

Returning for its third season, THE GAME is a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the wives and girlfriends of pro-football players. This comedy tackles the way these women deal with egos, groupies and image consultants and shows how THE GAME is really played among the women behind the athletes. The series stars Tia Mowry (“Sister, Sister”) as Melanie Barnett, Coby Bell (“Third Watch”) as Jason Pitts, Pooch Hall (“Miracle’s Boys”) as Derwin Davis, Hosea Chanchez (“For Your Love”) as Malik Wright, Brittany Daniel (“White Chicks”) as Kelly Pitts and Wendy Raquel Robinson (“The Steve Harvey Show”) as Tasha Mack. THE GAME is a production of Happy Camper Productions and Grammnet Productions in association with CBS Paramount Network Television. Kelsey Grammer (“Frasier,” “Girlfriends”), creator Mara Brock Akil (“Girlfriends,” “Moesha,” “The Jamie Foxx Show”) and Steve Stark serve as executive producers.

9:00-10:00 P.M. AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL (Encore Presentation)

Returning for its eleventh cycle, the runaway runway hit series stars Tyra Banks. The show gives real people an opportunity to prove that they can make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of supermodeling. With mentoring by Tyra Banks and exposure to high-profile fashion-industry gurus, young women of various backgrounds, shapes and sizes must endure a highly accelerated modeling boot camp and face weekly tests to determine who will make the cut as they vie for a professional modeling contract. The executive producers are Ken Mok (“Making the Band”), Tyra Banks and Daniel Soiseth (“Hell’s Kitchen”). The reality series was created by Tyra Banks and developed by Ken Mok and Kenya Barris. AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with Bankable Productions.

SUNDAY

Details on the original series from The CW’s partnership with Media Rights Capital will be released at a later date.

MIDSEASON

REAPER

Returning for its second season, REAPER blends suspense and humor as it follows Sam, a slacker whose world turned upside down on his 21st birthday when he learned that his parents sold his soul to the Devil before he was born. Charged by the Devil himself to be Hell’s bounty hunter, Sam, with the aid of his goofball friends, Sock and Ben, and loyal girlfriend Andi, must track down evil-doers and send them back where they belong. Along the way, Sam has learned a lot about friendship, trust and the line between good and evil. The series stars Bret Harrison as Sam Oliver, Tyler Labine as Bert “Sock” Wysocki, Ray Wise as the Devil, Missy Peregrym as Andi Prendergast, Rick Gonzalez as Ben Gonzalez, Valarie Rae Miller as Josie Miller, Donavon Stinson as Ted and Andrew Airlie as Mr. Oliver. REAPER is from ABC Studios with executive producers Michele Fazekas (“Ed,” “Law & Order, Special Victims Unit”), Tara Butters (“Ed,” “Law & Order, Special Victims Unit”), Mark Gordon (“Grey’s Anatomy,” Criminal Minds”), Deborah Spera (“Criminal Minds”) and Tom Spezialy (“Desperate Housewives”).

(Back To Top) 

*******************************************************************************************************************************

NBC NAMES JIMMY FALLON AS HOST OF 'LATE NIGHT' WHEN CONAN O'BRIEN TAKES OVER 'THE TONIGHT SHOW' IN 2009

(May 12, 2008  -  Editor)          NBC has identified the last piece in its late night succession plan, naming Jimmy Fallon as the new host of "Late Night" when Conan O'Brien moves to "The Tonight Show" in 2009.

The announcement was made today by Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman, Co-Chairmen, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, at a press conference at the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center.

"We couldn't be happier to have Jimmy back on NBC and to have our number one-rated late night team fully in place for the future," said Silverman, "Jimmy is more than just a likeable guy and a great comedian, he is genuinely interested in what people have to say."

"Jimmy's proven track record and personality make him a natural for this important role that will bring a new generation of fans to 'Late Night,'" said Graboff. "He will put his own distinct mark on late night humor just as he did on 'SNL' and in his other creative endeavors."

Added Rick Ludwin, Executive Vice President, Late Night and Primetime Series, NBC Entertainment, "Simply put, Jimmy has all of the qualities for a late night host -- in addition to being funny, he loves talking to people on and off camera, he's a talented comedy writer and his time at 'SNL' demonstrated not only his ability to entertain, but also the work ethic and dedication it takes to succeed at hosting a nightly show."

A recognized comic talent, Fallon has demonstrated an ability to deliver versatile, standout performances while always staying grounded in his stand-up roots.

Fallon first garnered attention in 1998 when he joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" and quickly became an audience favorite for his memorable recurring characters and spot-on impressions and in 2000, Fallon became the co-anchor of the "SNL's" signature segment "Weekend Update" alongside Tina Fey.

Fallon ventured off into other television roles, including Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg's Emmy award-winning miniseries "Band of Brothers." A favorite among the MTV audience, Fallon hosted the MTV Movie Awards twice and hosted the MTV Video Music Awards in 2002. Fallon made an impressive turn guest hosting "The Late Show" for an ailing David Letterman in 2003.

Fallon made his feature film debut in Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous" and went on to appear in numerous films including Woody Allen's "Anything Else," "Fever Pitch" opposite Drew Barrymore and the indie "Factory Girl."

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

“SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” RETURNS FOR SEASON FOUR THURSDAY, MAY 22, AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, ON FOX

(May 12, 2008  -  Editor)          It’s time to pop, lock and drop in for an all-new season of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, the Emmy Award-winning hit series and television’s hottest original dance show premiering Thursday, May 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, May 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Hosted by Cat Deeley, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE continues to awe viewers as dancers compete in everything from hip-hop to salsa and disco to jive as they strive to be named America’s Favorite Dancer.

Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy will return this season as weekly judges. Each week, the third judging position will be filled by top choreographers including Mia Michaels, Napoleon D’umo and Tabitha D’umo and Adam Shankman, among others.

During the Season Four auditions, Lythgoe, Murphy and a guest judge traveled around the country in search of dancers who represent the rhythm of America. Episodes featuring auditions held in Dallas, Charleston, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Milwaukee and Washington, DC, will air on two consecutive Thursdays: May 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and May 29 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), as well as two consecutive Wednesdays: May 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and June 4 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

Talented dancers who spark the judges’ interest during auditions are invited to call-backs in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Round will air Thursday, June 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) during which the Top 20 finalists – 10 guys and 10 girls – will be announced.

It will then be up to America to help decide who remains in the competition. The first performance show featuring the Top 20 will air Wednesday, June 11 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The following night, Thursday, June 12 (9:00-10:00 PM, live ET/PT tape-delayed), the first LIVE results show will reveal the three couples with the fewest votes. These six dancers perform solo routines in front of the judges who then decide who stays in the competition and who goes home. 

Once the series is down to the Top 10 finalists, it’s solely up to America to decide who remains in the competition. Following the performance shows, viewers can vote for their favorite couples. The live results shows reveal who keeps dancing and who is eliminated from the competition.

RECAP (All times ET/PT)

Thursday, May 22 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 1

Monday, May 26 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 1 (encore)

Wednesday, May 28 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 2

Thursday, May 29 (8:00-10:00 PM) Auditions Episode

Wednesday, June 4 (8:00-10:00 PM) Auditions Episode

Thursday, June 5 (8:00-10:00 PM) Las Vegas Round

Wednesday, June 11 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 20 Perform

Thursday, June 12 (9:00-10:00 PM) Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) One guy and one girl are eliminated

Judges

Nigel Lythgoe: Currently the President of 19 Television, Lythgoe co-created and executive-produces the Emmy winning series SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. His other executive-producer credits include THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND and all seven seasons of AMERICAN IDOL which in 2007 received the prestigious Governors Award, the Television Academy’s highest honor, for IDOL GIVES BACK.  

Mary Murphy: In addition to her work as a judge on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Murphy has traveled for special guest appearances in Australia, Canada and Norway. Murphy is also a world-class technical dance instructor and is based at her Champion Ballroom Academy in San Diego, CA.  

Choreographers/Guest Judges

Mia Michaels: For her work on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, Michaels recently won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for her dance piece “Calling You.” Michaels recently choreographed Céline Dion’s “A New Day…” Currently her work can be seen on Céline Dion’s world tour, “Taking Chances” and Cirque du Soleil’s first touring show, “Delirium.”

Adam Shankman: After graduating from The Juilliard School, Shankman began his career dancing in music videos for Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. He then made the transition to choreographer, working on projects for Whitney Houston, Tony! Toni! Toné!, The Time and Stevie Wonder. His directorial debut was on “The Wedding Planner” starring Jennifer Lopez, he recently directed the feature film adaptation of “Hairspray” and he is currently directing “Bedtime Stories,” the upcoming Disney feature starring Adam Sandler. 

Tabitha D’Umo and Napoleon D’Umo: The husband and wife team have directed and choreographed numerous shows for casinos and companies such as NIKE, Levi’s and MAC. The duo has choreographed, performed and were assistant directors on the videos and music tours with many top recording artists. Napoleon and Tabitha are the directors of “Monsters of Hip Hop: The Show” held in Hollywood.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

NBC DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT SERVES UP USERS' FAVORITES

(May 12, 2008.  -  Editor)          NBC Digital Entertainment today announced plans to premiere fan-favorite webisodes in July, vastly increased mobile streaming video offerings, the well-timed "SNL" Political Site and more community based features. The announcements were made by Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment.

"We've learned a lot in the past few seasons about what the fans enjoy and we are building on that base," said Zigler. "Our experimentation with ground-breaking storytelling, new functionality and platform offerings will really pay off for the fans of our shows in the months and season to come. We are rolling out more original content from the shows they love, more community around those shows and more top of mind content in the case of the 'SNL' political site."

In the second series of "The Office" webisodes, which premieres on NBC.com, Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) pursues a unique solution in an effort to pay back his looming gambling debts. This installment also stars Oscar Nunez, Leslie David Baker and Craig Robinson.

In the first installment of the "Heroes" Webisodes, titled "Manhunt," users will uncover a new villain along with their motive. The fast-paced, twist-filled web series premieres mid-July on NBC.com and sets fans on a path that leads to the explosive premiere of the third season of "Heroes."

NBC.com has more for users on the go. There are over 30 show WAP sites with recaps, bios, photos, quizzes and over 500 short-form streaming clips. Users with iPhones will find a new mobile site devoted to improved functionality and speed that will better synch with the device.

"SNL" and NBC.com have teamed up to give users a break from election fatigue. Fans can watch classic "SNL" political clips, vote for their favorite "SNL" politician and play the "Whack A Politician" game.

Early this summer, "Jay's Garage" is opening its doors with "Your Garage." Users can upload video, photos and specs of their own personal cars and start virtual enthusiast clubs and chat in vehicle themed message boards. Through DriverTV, consumers interested in buying a car can research models using their high definition virtual showroom experiences.
Also launching today is the site for The Mercedes-Benz Summer Concert Series on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on NBC.com. Users will find weekly band videos, interviews and photos. John Melendez will interview both the bands and their fans. On select weeks, fans will also find exclusive second performances by their favorite bands.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

RYAN SEACREST AND NBC WANT TO KNOW -- 'ARE YOU A MOMMA'S BOY?'

(May 12, 2008.  -  Editor)          NBC will introduce "Momma's Boys," a new reality series to be executive-produced by Ryan Seacrest ("American Idol") and Andrew Glassman ("Average Joe") centering on a group of mothers who must help choose the perfect bride for their complacent sons, and ultimately, the series poses the question: "Who is really the most important woman in every man's life?" The series will premiere on the heels of NBC's All-American Summer and the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. The announcement was made today by Craig Plestis, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment.

In "Momma's Boys," love is in the air but the story is told from a new television perspective, because first, the women will have to get by mom.

Conflict results when numerous mothers and their eligible bachelor sons are housed together with several "brides-to-be." As the tension mounts, viewers will watch the controlling mothers search for their son's perfect mate.

Some of the possible brides are "nice girls", while others might not be as appealing to the mothers. As expected, rivalries are formed, drama mounts and emotion builds as crucial choices must be made.

"Ryan is an entrepreneur and multimedia star who can promote the series on massive platforms in unprecedented ways," said Plestis. "NBC knows that this buzz-worthy concept is in good hands with Ryan and Andrew on-board as creative executive producers."

"Anytime I make a decision either personally or professionally, I have to ask myself...what would my mother say? Like it or not, I am a true Momma's Boy. She is the most important woman in my life and she is never short of opinions. This series throws Mom right in the middle of all the drama. It's loud, it's wild and it's real. RSP and NBC have developed a strong partnership that allows the opportunity to both promote and create original content across my already existing media platforms," said Seacrest.

"Momma's Boys is going to be a loud, wild ride of emotions and drama, designed to answer the question – 'who is really the most important woman, in a man's life?' For our moms and for our guys, the stakes couldn't be higher," said Glassman.

"Momma's Boys" is a production of Ryan Seacrest Productions and Glassman Media. Andrew Glassman ("Average Joe") and Seacrest are the executive producers. Eliot Goldberg will serve as co-executive producer.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

NBC AND GM FORM IMPORTANT CROSS-PLATFORM MARKETING AND PROGRAMMING PARTNERSHIP FOR NEW NBC FALL DRAMA 'MY OWN WORST ENEMY'

(May 15th, 2008.  -  Editor)          NBC and GM announced an important cross-platform marketing and programming partnership that will make GM the exclusive automotive integration partner for NBC's new fall drama "My Own Worst Enemy" (starring Christian Slater). The show (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET starting this fall) will prominently feature two different GM cars -- one for each of the personalities embodied by Slater's character.

The deal was borne from NBC's April "InFront" meetings, where the company presented a full 65-week programming schedule six weeks before the traditional upfront presentations.

The announcement was made by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios; Mike Pilot, President, NBC Universal Sales and Marketing; and Dino Bernacchi, GM's Director of Branded Entertainment.

"This great partnership helps GM leverage our content and utilize our platform in a transformative way" said Silverman. "They are a market leader and we are a market leader. It validates our Infront strategy to be early and create a two-way conversation with our clients."

"Ben and his team have been very creative in their approach. It's not just been about media units, it's also about how we as an advertiser can dig deeper into their brands … and ours, " said Dino Bernacchi, GM's Director of Marketing Alliances and Branded Entertainment. "NBC has really been aggressive to promote alternative ideas in-program and around-the-program that leverages multiple touch points. We call it Fusion Marketing - partnering with the creative community around ideas that build relationships with a passionate audience but done through the lens of the entertainment property to showcase the cool, new great cars and trucks we offer. This deal sets a tone for how we'll be approaching this year's upfronts."

In addition to the on-air integration, the complete 360-degree agreement includes an on-air media buy, presence on NBCU's digital platforms and Out-of-Home properties, as well as additional outside promotion. The deal is the centerpiece of a larger strategic partnership between the two companies for the 2008/09 programming season involving some of NBC's premier entertainment and late-night properties.

"By partnering with GM so early in the process, we can take the necessary time to design a highly impactful integration that achieves their marketing objectives and resonates with their customers," said Pilot. "This is exactly what we were hoping to accomplish by getting a jump start on the season and starting an early dialogue with our clients."

Henry Spivey (Christian Slater, "Bobby") is a middle-class efficiency expert living a humdrum life in the suburbs with a wife, two kids, a dog, and a minivan. Edward Albright is an operative who speaks 13 languages, runs a four-minute mile, and is trained to kill with his teeth. Henry and Edward are polar opposites who share only one thing in common -- the same body.

When the carefully constructed wall between them breaks down, Henry and Edward are thrust into unfamiliar territory where each man is dangerously out of his element. "My Own Worst Enemy" explores the duality of a man who is literally pitted against himself. And it raises the question: who can you trust when you can't trust yourself? The series is produced by Universal Media Studios. Jason Smilovic ("Kidnapped") is the executive producer; David Semel (director of the "American Dreams," "Heroes" and "Life" pilots) is the director and executive producer.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

NBC Announces Improv Scholarship Program in partnership with The Peoples Improv Theater (The PIT) in New York City.

(May 9, 2008.  -  Editor)          As part of their new Talent Diversity Initiative, NBC Universal is proud to announce its Improv Scholarship Program in partnership with The Peoples Improv Theater (The PIT) in New York City to support and promote diversity within the arts.

NBC Universal and The PIT will each sponsor one student for The PIT's entire year-long improv program, which takes students from Level 1 to Level 5, and is taught by some of comedy's newest and greatest talents including Kurt Braunohler, Ptolemy Slocum, Rebekka Johnson and Ali Farahnakian.

"NBC is proud to join with the The PIT in sponsoring this vital scholarship that will encourage new voices within the minority community to learn valuable skills under the guidance of such an excellent program," said Marc Hirschfeld, Executive Vice President, Casting, NBC Universal Television. "This involvement underscores NBC Universal's continuing commitment to promote diversity."

"I love the idea of working with NBC, it is the channel I grew up with," said Ali Farahnakian, the owner and founder of The PIT, and former SNL writer. "To me NBC is television and the best it has to offer. To be in partnership with them in any way is an honor."

"I am thrilled and honored that NBC has offered to sponsor a new and improved Improv Scholarship program here," said Katie Goan, Managing Director of The PIT. "It's exciting that more students will now be able to experience the joys of improv due to this promising partnership."

All performers, particularly talented women and people of color with a strong desire to study improv, are eligible to apply. The candidate will submit an official Improv Scholarship application along with a five-minute DVD in which the candidate explains why he or she should be chosen and performs an original comedic work. The two scholarship recipients will be selected by The PIT and NBC Universal executives, and awarded in September.

Scholarship Details:

• Full ride scholarship to study improvisation in The PIT's one-year improv school for two students, Levels 1-5.
• SUBMISSION WINDOW OPENS: May 1, 2008 (All submissions must be received by August 1, 2008 by 5:00p EST to be considered.)
• Submission packet must include application, performance resume and a five-minute DVD.
• Scholarship awarded in September by The PIT and NBC Executives.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

QUOTABLES: 'THE CHRIS MATTHEWS SHOW'
Published: May 9, 2008

Predictions -- Sunday, May 11, 2008

RON ALLEN, NBC NEWS:
"May 20th: Oregon, Kentucky -- the day that Obama thinks he's going to get a majority of the pledged delegates. He's probably going to have a big speech, not in Louisville or Portland, but probably in a swing state -- Michigan or Florida -- and really make a pitch to get this thing moving to the general election."

KATTY KAY, BBC:
"John McCain is going to be doing more of these themed tours of America, and one of them is going to be on energy and global climate change. It could get him into trouble with Republicans, of course, and with the base, who don't think there is much climate change going on, but it is something that he's very passionate about and he's going to be talking about it."

JOHN HEILEMANN, NEW YORK MAGAZINE:
"In Michigan, Kwame Kilpatrick, the young African-American mayor of Detroit, was indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice recently. And that has polarized the Michigan electorate to such an extent that there are very senior Michigan Democrats who think that there's no way any black candidate, let alone Barack Obama, could carry Michigan in the fall. And if that is out of the Democratic category, Democrats have trouble; he'll have trouble winning."

MICHELLE COTTLE, NEW REPUBLIC MAGAZINE:
"I've been a little bit fascinated by this weird sexism bubbling up within establishment Democrats. I've been talking to 'Hillaryland' people and people on the Hill. They really believe that Nancy Pelosi doesn't like Hillary and it really has to do with girl-on-girl catfighting. It's very odd."

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

NBC GIVES DARING FACEBOOK USERS THE CHANCE TO FACE OFF WITH 'THE OFFICIAL AMERICAN GLADIATORS CHALLENGE'

(May 9, 2008.  -  Editor)          NBC will provide Facebook members the chance to face off in the interactive game "The Official American Gladiator Challenge." Based on NBC's hit series "American Gladiators," and in association with NBC.com, the interactive social gaming application -- which will include such high-octane competition as Hit & Run, Pyramid and The Wall -- will allow users to square off against gladiators, their friends and the entire Facebook community for the chance to win an official "American Gladiators" Joust Stick -- signed by the American Gladiators along with other top prizes. The application, http://apps.facebook.com/nbcgladiators/ , will go live and the challenge will begin today.

"This innovative game offers viewers the chance to enhance their gladiator experience by indulging in a full-spectrum fantasy competition that will challenge their minds but fortunately, leave them relatively unbruised," said John Miller, Chief Marketing Officer, NBC Universal Television Group and President, The NBC Agency. "We see this as a tremendous opportunity to engage fans of our shows in the environments where they are spending time, while also raising the profile of the series even further by tapping into the viral nature of social networks ."

"The Official American Gladiators Challenge" is focused on delivering a highly engaging personalized experience within popular social networks where viewers are spending increased amounts of time. Players will be able to compete as many times as they want in any of the three Gladiator challenges and then challenge their friends on Facebook to best their time and earn points.

The interactive experience will include a personalized dashboard of all gaming activity including scores, status, challenges and a real-time leader board. The leader board will include a ranking of each player's high scores among friends, the network and the global community by game and across games. Additionally, the application will feature a history of all pending and past challenges including links to detailed results pages where users can "talk smack;" as well as a badge that displays on their profile showing current score and rank.

Hulk Hogan ("Hogan Knows Best") and Laila Ali ("Dancing with the Stars") return to host the second cycle, which promises to be bigger and bolder than ever before on Monday, May 12 (8-10 p.m. ET). The series will air regularly on Mondays (8-9:30 p.m. ET). Using splashy twists including special effects, water skills and the latest technology, the classic games have been upgraded with even higher thrills, impact, energy and spectacle.

"American Gladiators" is produced by MGM Television (original series producer) and Reveille (NBC's "The Office" and "The Biggest Loser," "Nashville Star," "Ugly Betty"). Reveille's Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens and David A. Hurwitz ("Fear Factor") are the executive producers alongside Flor-Jon, Films Inc.'s Johnny Ferraro, original series creator.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

NBC.COM TAKES HOME ITS FOURTH WEBBY AWARD
Published: May 8, 2008

(May 8, 2008. – Editor)          NBC.com took home its fourth Webby Award, winning the People's Voice Award for Mobile Entertainment for its "Heroes" WAP site. The announcement was made by Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment.

"Mobile is really taking off as fans are beginning to enjoy and consume content on this platform," said Zigler. "The 'Heroes' fans are highly engaged and tech savvy so it's especially rewarding to be recognized for the 'Heroes' WAP site."

In addition to the "Heroes" WAP site win, NBC.com had four additional Webby Honorees. "Pale Force," the online animated series from Conan O'Brien and Jim Gaffigan, "Kenneth the Web Page," starring Jack McBrayer and "Heroes Evolutions" and "The Office" websites all were commended as Webby Honorees.

NBC.com has won three prior Webby Awards, an Emmy Award and leads all broadcast network websites with six wins and 11 nominations for the inaugural TV Guide Online Video Awards.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

DWIGHT YOAKAM KICKS OFF 'THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO'S' SEVENTH SEASON OF POPULAR OUTDOOR CONCERTS ON MAY 15, 2008 WITH THE MERCEDES-BENZ SUMMER CONCERT SERIES ON NBC

(May 8, 2008. - Editor)          Dwight Yoakam will kick off "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno's" seventh season of popular outdoor concerts with the "Mercedes-Benz Summer Concert Series" on May 15. This performance will mark Yoakam's 24th appearance on the show -- breaking the record for most musical performances as Yoakam will finally beat out long time rival and fellow country superstar Lyle Lovett for the title.

Held in the NBC Studio midway in Burbank, the outdoor concerts will feature some of the biggest names in music, including Usher, Sheryl Crow and Al Green. Additional performances will be announced throughout the summer.

The "Mercedes-Benz Summer Concert Series" on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" promises high-energy performances for the show and interactive components on the show's website. The site for The Mercedes-Benz Summer Concert Series on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" is on NBC.com. Users will find weekly band videos, interviews and photos. John Melendez will interview both the musicians and their fans. On select weeks, those logging in will also find exclusive second performances by their favorite musical guests.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

FOUR MORE PLAYERS NAMED...COULD ONE OF THESE BE "THE MOLE"?  

(May 09, 2008.  -  Editor)          The next four of 12 players on ABC's "The Mole" are confirmed - Nicole (Chicago, IL), Ali (St. Louis, MO), Bobby (Philadelphia, PA) and Mark (Mukwonago, WI). Dubbed television's smartest reality show, the new season of "The Mole" premieres MONDAY, JUNE 2 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC. Television Network. The series returns with all-new missions, locations and music, plus online and mobile interactivity, enabling more viewer participation during the 10 episodes. Jon Kelley ("Extra," "The National Sports Report") is host.
 
"The Mole," based on the hit Belgian format, is produced by Stone & Company Entertainment and follows a group of players as they try to figure out who among them is The Mole, a saboteur trying to keep them from winning money. Players must decide who they think The Mole is and then learn as much about him or her as they can, because, at the end of each one-hour episode, the player who knows the least about The Mole is immediately eliminated from the game. In the final dramatic episode, The Mole is revealed and one of two final players wins a substantial cash prize.
 
The highly-rated ABC unscripted series aired in various time periods during its four-season run, and was a consistent draw with key young adult viewers opposite established network competition, including NBC's "Law & Order" and the inaugural season of Fox's "American Idol." "The Mole" ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in its respective slots each season with Adults 18-34 and took second place in each of its time periods among Adults 18-49. Despite facing stiff demographic competition, "The Mole" improved each of its time periods among Adults 18-34.
 
Additional information about the show and players can be found at ABC.com. Here are mini-bios for the second batch of players to be announced:

NICOLE    Age: 32
Occupation: OBGYN doctor
Chicago, IL
Education: MD, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine

Nicole says she has the ability to be a social chameleon, a skill she's developed by growing up in a lower-middle class, African-American neighborhood, working in a white collar profession and dealing with a wide range of patients. She says she can be street or professional when she needs to be, has a strong personality and isn't shy about letting her opinions be known. Nicole is very proud of being a doctor and has no problem with being considered a diva. She is close with her mother and credits her with her success.

ALI        Age: 24
Occupation: Model
St. Louis, MO
Education: Associate's Degree, St. Louis Community College

Ali is a model who has worked as a ring girl for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She describes herself as "stunning" and believes her beauty helps her get her way, but also causes people to instantly dismiss her -- which she plans on using to her benefit in the game. Ali used to be a wild, party girl. She celebrated her 21st birthday with Motley Crue in Las Vegas. But now she treats her body as a temple. She has strong religious beliefs and has settled down with her boyfriend, a UFC fighter. She claims to have a 75% accuracy rate with shotguns and is experienced in fishing. Ali considers herself ambitious and caring, but also forgetful and prone to road rage. She plans on using her beauty and brains to outsmart other players.

BOBBY     Age: 25
Occupation: Restaurant manager
Philadelphia, PA
Education: B.A., Penn State

Bobby loves games, competing and winning, though you may not know it from his low key exterior. He's a hardcore fan of "The Mole" and used to host "Mole" viewing parties in his basement. He knows the game well and has a solid strategy to form coalitions with less intelligent players whom he can lead astray. Bobby feels that being selected as a player on "The Mole" is the fulfillment a lifelong dream, and that also being gay, his "gaydar" -- the ability to recognize other gay people -- will help him read others players in the game. Bobby considers himself loveable and generous, but also stubborn and vengeful. He used to work as a restaurant manager until recently, when his restaurant closed. Bobby feels his knowledge of the game guarantees him a spot among the final three players.

MARK         Age: 42
Occupation: High school history teacher/soccer coach
Mukwonago, WI
Education: B.A., University of Wisconsin, Whitewater

Mark is an extremely competitive high school soccer coach and world history teacher. He plays to win and has no tolerance for whiners. A huge fan of "The Mole," Mark has seen all the previous seasons and will be very intense and focused about playing the game. His only weakness is his family: Mark grew up poor, in a broken family, but his life turned around when he met his wife. He can get very emotional about his wife of 18 years and his three kids, whom he considers his life. He also has a fourth child on the way. Mark says he thrives on competition and being challenged, and has an IQ of 143. His strategy is to figure out an "end game," whereby he foresees a desired end and the most advantageous route for himself towards it, then does everything in his power to manipulate things in that direction.

(Back To Top)

******************************************************************************************************************************* 

ABC ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF GRAND PRIZE FOR WINNER OF "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: GET IN THE PICTURE"

(May 08, 2008.  -  Editor)          This summer's reality show, Disney's "High School Musical: Get in the Picture" [new title], will award one prize winner the chance of a lifetime - he or she will literally "get in the picture" when that person appears in a music video shown in the end credits of the feature film, Disney's "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," opening this fall.

Hosted by Nick Lachey, the television series debuts on ABC on Sunday, July 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) and runs Sundays and Mondays (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) for three weeks, then continues Mondays at 8:00 p.m., ET through mid-September. During the series, finalists will ultimately participate in a summer music program to hone their skills, and one talented newcomer will become a part of "High School Musical" history.

(Back To Top)

******************************************************************************************************************************* 

"CHOOSING TO FORGIVE" AN INTERFAITH RELIGION SPECIAL TO BE BROADCAST SUNDAY, JUNE 8 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

(May 14th, 2008.  -  Editor)          CHOOSING TO FORGIVE, an interfaith religion special, will be broadcast Sunday, June 8 on the CBS Television Network. Check your local station for exact time.

CHOOSING TO FORGIVE presents the idea of forgiveness from both a religious and a scientific point of view. Even though several major faiths teach us we must forgive those who do us wrong, the practice of forgiveness is not always a first choice ... even for the most devout. In recent years, the subject has interested psychologists and is studied as a potentially effective means of getting past wrongs and injustices done against them that individuals may have bottled up inside them for decades.

The broadcast features Dr. Robert Enright, author and professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who has championed the cause of forgiveness therapy as a scientific tool. One of his interests, in consultation with his wife Jeannette Knutson Enright, is the introduction of forgiveness education in the curricula of elementary schools (the first being Belfast, Northern Ireland and then Milwaukee and Madison, Wis.), as a way of training children to cope peacefully with stress and challenge.

The broadcast includes forthright and sometimes tearful interviews with a variety of individuals who have succeeded in getting on with their lives after terrifying experiences. They include those who have done so through an act of faith, and others who have had therapy. Lynn McGuinn and Talat Hamdani lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center; Eric Wurzel, whose mother deserted him as a child, became addicted to drugs and alcohol for 30 years and was able to forgive himself and his family; Rev. Walt Everett, whose son was murdered in 1987 befriended the killer over time and the two have appeared together to tell their stories and speak about forgiveness; Ada Wolf's son was murdered by an off-duty airman in 1965 and yet she grew over time to forgive and admire the killer; and Grace Roidt, who suffered for more than 30 years before talking to forgiveness therapists about her dysfunctional family and an older brother who raped her. Grace was able to get past the crimes of her youth with the help of Dr. Suzanne Freedman, now an Associate Professor at the University of Northern Iowa, who convinced her to try. We also visit the St. James (Catholic) school in Madison, Wis. to see first graders learn the basic steps in forgiveness. The program hopes to aid them in choosing to forgive throughout their lives.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

TONY AWARD-WINNING STAR OF STAGE AND SCREEN WHOOPI GOLDBERG TO HOST "THE 62ND ANNUAL TONY(R) AWARDS," TO BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL IN NEW YORK, SUNDAY, JUNE 15 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

(May 14th, 2008.  -  Editor)          Tony Award-winning star of stage and screen Whoopi Goldberg ("Thoroughly Modern Millie") will host THE 62ND ANNUAL TONY® AWARDS, the most anticipated evening in American theater, to be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York, Sunday, June 15 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET; delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.  Goldberg is currently the moderator on the television talk show "The View."

"I'm very excited to be hosting the Tony Awards," said Whoopi Goldberg.  "I love Broadway and I'm thrilled to be doing anything for the first time.  I'm gonna have a blast."

"Whoopi Goldberg is everything you look for in a host - she's funny, she's smart, she's won every award there is," said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment. "The industry has honored her and the audience obviously adores her. We're looking forward to having her be our ringleader on the Tony Awards on June 15."

Whoopi Goldberg is one of a very elite group of artists who have won the Grammy ("Whoopi Goldberg," 1985), the Academy Award ("Ghost," 1991), the Golden Globe ("The Color Purple," 1985 and "Ghost," 1991), the Emmy (as host of AMC's "Beyond Tara:  The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel," 2002) and a Tony (Producer of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," 2002), as well as countless other awards and honors as an actor, producer, host and author.  She currently moderates "The View."

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

SOCIALITE KATHY HILTON TO GUEST STAR ON THE NUMBER ONE DAYTIME DRAMA, "THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS," TUESDAY, MAY 13

(May 14th, 2008.  -  Editor)          Socialite Kathy Hilton will guest star on CBS's THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, on Tuesday, May 13 on the CBS Television Network.  Hilton will play herself, stopping in Genoa City to help good friend Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) find the perfect cover model for his new magazine, Restless Style.  

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS has been the Number One rated daytime drama for more than 19 years and celebrated its 35th anniversary on March 26, 2008.  The series is nominated for 17 2008 Daytime Emmy Awards, more than any other show, including Outstanding Drama Series.  The show is broadcast weekdays (12:30-1:30 PM (ET); 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon (PT)) on the CBS Television Network and is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company, in association with Sony Pictures Television.

(Back To Top) 

*******************************************************************************************************************************

FOX INVESTS IN LIFE-CHANGING UNSCRIPTED SERIES “SECRET MILLIONAIRE” 

(May 14th, 2008.  -  Editor)          FOX has picked up SECRET MILLIONAIRE, the unscripted series where America’s wealthiest individuals will leave their lavish lifestyles, sprawling mansions and private planes to go undercover into some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in America. Shot under the guise of a documentary, the series reveals the dramatic personal return that millionaires will get when they leave their fortunes to invest in those less fortunate.

Challenged with living on minimum wage, the millionaires will immerse themselves in situations beyond their comprehension. They will work side-by-side with community members and befriend those in need to decide who should ultimately receive their gifts of a lifetime. The millionaires will be touched by the people they meet. Some will inspire with their dedication to helping others, while others will relay stories of overcoming tremendous odds. On the final day, the Secret Millionaires meet with the chosen recipients and reveal their true identity and intention: to give them at least $100,000 – often times more – of their own money and to change their lives forever.

SECRET MILLIONAIRE will engage viewers in important social issues, extol the virtues of volunteerism and change the lives of disadvantaged people – and the philanthropists who helped them – in unexpected ways. The series is based on the RDF UK format and the Channel 4 hit “The Secret Millionaire.” Chris Coelen, Greg Goldman and Bruce Toms serve as executive producers.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

20^TH CENTURY FOX TELEVISION AND FOX BROADCASTING MAINTAIN PRIMETIME ANIMATION LEADERSHIP WITH CREATION OF ‘FOX INKUBATION’ 

(May 14th, 2008.  -  Editor)          In a bold move designed to build on over two decades of animation success, and in hopes of discovering the next Matt Groening, Seth MacFarlane or Mike Judge, Fox Broadcasting (FOX) and sister studio 20^th Century Fox Television (TCFTV) have partnered on an aggressive initiative entitled “Fox Inkubation” – a significant investment of resources aimed at continuing FOX’s domination of primetime animation and finding the next cartoon blockbuster.

In addition, the studio has created a new department focused entirely on animation and has tapped Jennifer Howell, formerly executive vice president of Important Films (Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s production company), and a former supervising producer on “South Park” to run it.  Howell reports to TCFTV chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden, who have teamed with FOX entertainment president Kevin Reilly to spearhead this ambitious new animation drive.

With over a dozen deals already in negotiations designed to feed the FOX pipeline, “Fox Inkubation” will develop animated series through the creation of fully-formed “shorts” rather than by traditional script development. Writer/animators will receive funding to produce a set of completed 2-minute shorts.  If the material shows promise, the individuals or teams will advance through the production process and create additional material, or possibly be teamed with an experienced producer to bring the idea to pilot and ultimately series.  The potential for digital distribution or viral marketing of the shorts is contemplated as part of the plan.

While Howell will run point for the studio on “Fox Inkubation,” she’ll also be charged with developing new TCFTV animated properties for internet portals, cable channels and other networks.

Reilly, Newman and Walden believe that this innovative approach to fostering animation will be more effective than traditional development, in which a pitch is ordered to script and then revised over time before a single frame of animation is produced. By directly greenlighting the animation, the team will have the opportunity to see jokes and situations that are unique to the visuals but aren’t always fully realized in script form. 

Several months ago, Walden and Newman set forth a plan to create a new department within the studio framework solely dedicated to animation. Concurrently, Reilly had made FOX’s long-term animation supremacy a priority.  With properties like THE SIMPSONS and FAMILY GUY driving a significant portion of their businesses, they set their sights on assembling a team of innovative executives to build on the powerhouse FOX/TCFTV animation brand. 

Ultimately, Walden and Newman recruited Jennifer Howell to serve as Senior Vice President, Animation and assigned Senior Vice President, Production Marci Proietto to oversee production of the department’s projects. A veteran of the form, Howell had been with Stone and Parker from the earliest days of “South Park” and worked with the pair since their original feature film, “Orgazmo.”  One week into production on the film, “South Park” was picked up to series and Howell became part of their permanent team. 

She worked closely with Stone and Parker on their other projects as well, including the critically acclaimed feature film “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” - released in 1999.   Howell also served as co-producer on the 2001 Comedy Central series “That’s My Bush!” which made fun of sitcoms and portrayed the Commander in Chief as the lovable, often bumbling, title character.  Additionally, Howell served as co-producer on Stone and Parker’s all-marionette, action-adventure feature “Team America: World Police,” released in 2004.

Marci Proietto has been with the studio since 1995 and has overseen production on virtually all of Twentieth Century Fox Television’s animated hits, including THE SIMPSONS, FAMILY GUY, KING OF THE HILL, AMERICAN DAD and “Futurama”.     As Senior Vice President, Production, she works closely with the shows’ creators Matt Groening, Seth MacFarlane and Mike Judge, as well as their teams of writers, animators, storyboard artists and production staffers, to ensure the nearly year-long production of each episode concludes on time and on budget.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

 “AMERICA’S MOST WANTED” REACHES 1000^th CAPTURE MILESTONE

(May 12th, 2008.  -  Editor)          AMERICA’S MOST WANTED, currently in its 21^st season, has achieved an incredible milestone: 1,000 fugitives have been captured as a direct result of the partnership between AMW, viewers and law enforcement. John Walsh, host of the series, will mark the milestone with a special episode of AMERICA’S MOST WANTED Saturday, May 17 (9:00-10:00 ET/PT) on FOX. The show will originate from Times Square in New York City and will highlight some of the greatest captures in AMW history. And, of course, the show will include information about current fugitives viewers can help law enforcement track down.

Capture 1,000 came after AMW received a tip that Dwight Smith, an accused killer from New York, was hiding out in Richmond, VA. The U.S. Marshals Service and the NYPD jumped on the tip, and Smith was arrested without incident just hours after AMW broadcast his profile on April 19. Full details of the case and the capture can be found at www.amw.com.

“Every one of the 1,000 fugitives our viewers have helped take down is a testament to what I say at the end of each broadcast,” says AMW host John Walsh. “You CAN make a difference.” 

When AMERICA’S MOST WANTED premiered in February 1988 on FOX, no one knew if asking television viewers for tips to help law enforcement catch fugitives would work – but it didn’t take long to find out. The first fugitive profiled had been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list for nearly a year, and thanks to AMW viewers, he was arrested just four days after the broadcast.

(Back To Top)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

  2008 TONY AWARD(R) NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

(05.14.2008. - Editor)          Nominations in 26 competitive categories for THE 62ND ANNUAL TONY AWARDS® were announced today at a news conference held at The New York Public Library for Performing Arts.   The event was broadcast live on CBS's "The Early Show," with anchor Harry Smith serving as the Master of Ceremonies. The announcements were made by Tony Award winners Sara Ramirez and David Hyde Pierce. 

THE 62ND ANNUAL TONY AWARDSÒ will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall, Sunday, June 15 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.  The nominees were selected by an independent committee of 23 theater professionals appointed by the Tony Awards Administration Committee.  The 2008 Tony Awards are presented by the League of American Theatres and Producers and the American Theatre Wing.

Among the multiple nominees which received Tony Award nominations are:  "In The Heights" (13), "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific," (11), "Sunday in the Park with George," (9), "August:  Osage County," "Gypsy," (7), "Passing Strange," (7) "Boeing-Boeing," (6) "Macbeth," (6) and "The 39 Steps" (6).

It was also announced that the 2008 Regional Theatre Tony Award will be given to Chicago Shakespeare Theater.  This award is given to a regional theater company that has displayed a continuous level of artistic achievement contributing to the growth of theater nationally.

Legitimate theatrical productions opening in any of the 34 eligible Broadway theatres during the current season may be considered for Tony nominations.  The 2007/2008 eligibility season began May 10, 2007 and ended May 7, 2008.  The Tony Awards will be voted in 26 competitive categories by 795 members of the theatrical community.  Ballots will be mailed at the end of this week.

The nominees are:

BEST PLAY (Award to Author, Award to Producer) 

AUGUST:  OSAGE COUNTY                      

Author: Tracy Letts

Producers: Jeffrey Richards, Jean Doumanian, Steve Traxler, Jerry Frankel, Ostar Productions, Jennifer Manocherian, The Weinstein Company, Debra Black/Daryl Roth, Ronald & Marc Frankel/Barbara Freitag, Rick Steiner/Staton Bell Group, The Steppenwolf Theatre Company

ROCK 'N' ROLL                                           

Author: Tom Stoppard

Producers: Bob Boyett & Sonia Friedman Productions, Ostar Productions, Roger Berlind, Tulchin/Bartner, Douglas G. Smith, Dancap Productions, Jam Theatricals, The Weinstein Company, Lincoln Center Theater, The Royal Court Theatre London

THE SEAFARER                                           

Author: Conor McPherson

Producers: Ostar Productions, Bob Boyett, Roy Furman, Lawrence Horowitz, Jam Theatricals, Bill Rollnick/Nancy Ellison Rollnick, James D'Orta, Thomas S. Murphy, Ralph Guild/Jon Avnet, Philip Geier/Keough Partners, Eric Falkenstein/Max OnStage, The National Theatre of Great Britain

THE 39 STEPS                                               

Author: Patrick Barlow

Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Harold Wolpert, Julia C. Levy, Bob Boyett, Harriet Newman Leve/Ron Nicynski, Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley, Manocherian Golden Prods., Olympus Theatricals/Douglas Denoff, Marek J. Cantor/Pat Addiss, Huntington Theatre Company/Nicholas Martin/Michael Maso, Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd.

BEST MUSICAL (Award to Producer)

CRY-BABY                                                   

Producer: Adam Epstein, Allan S. Gordon, Élan V. McAllister, Brian Grazer, James P. MacGilvray, Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Anne Caruso, Adam S. Gordon, Latitude Link, The Pelican Group, Philip Morgaman, Andrew Farber/Richard Mishaan

IN THE HEIGHTS                                         

Producers:  Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Jill Furman, Sander Jacobs, Goodman/Grossman, Peter Fine, Everett/Skipper

PASSING STRANGE                                    

Producers:  The Shubert Organization, Elizabeth Ireland McCann LLC, Bill Kenwright, Chase Mishkin, Barbara & Buddy Freitag, Broadway Across America, Emily Fisher Landau, Peter May, Boyett Ostar, Larry Hirschhorn, Janet Pailet/Steve Klein, Elie Hirschfeld/Jed Bernstein, Spring Sirkin/Ruth Hendel, Vasi Laurence/Pat Flicker Addiss, Wendy Federman/Jackie Barlia Florin, Joey Parnes, The Public Theater, The Berkeley Repertory Theatre

XANADU                                                      

Producers:  Robert Ahrens, Dan Vickery, Tara Smith/B. Swibel, Sarah Murchison/Dale Smith.

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL

CRY-BABY                                                    Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan

IN THE HEIGHTS                                          Quiara Alegría Hudes

PASSING STRANGE                                       Stew

XANADU                                                       Douglas Carter Beane

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (MUSIC AND/OR LYRICS) WRITTEN FOR THE THEATRE 

CRY-BABY                                                   

Music & Lyrics: David Javerbaum & Adam Schlesinger

IN THE HEIGHTS                                         

Music & Lyrics:  Lin-Manuel Miranda 

THE LITTLE MERMAID                               

Music:  Alan Menken

Lyrics:  Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater 

PASSING STRANGE                        

Music:  Stew and Heidi Rodewald

Lyrics:  Stew

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY

BOEING-BOEING                                        

Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Bob Boyett, Act Productions, Matthew Byam Shaw, Robert G. Bartner, The Weinstein Company, Susan Gallin/Mary Lu Roffe, Broadway Across America, Tulchin/Jenkins/DSM, The Araca Group

THE HOMECOMING                                   

Producers: Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Jam Theatricals, Ergo Entertainment, Barbara & Buddy Freitag, Michael Gardner, Herbert Goldsmith Productions, Terry E. Schnuck, Harold Thau, Michael Filerman/Lynne Peyser, Ronald Frankel/David Jaroslawicz, Love Bunny Entertainment

LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES                 

Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Harold Wolpert, Julia C. Levy 

MACBETH                                                    

Producers: Duncan C. Weldon & Paul Elliott, Jeffrey Archer, Bill Ballard, Terri & Timothy Childs, Rodger Hess, David Mirvish, Adriana Mnuchin, Emanuel Azenberg, BAM, The Chichester Festival Theatre

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL 

GREASE                                                        

Producers: Paul Nicholas and David Ian, Nederlander Presentations Inc., Terry Allen Kramer, Robert Stigwood

GYPSY                                                          

Producers: Roger Berlind, The Routh-Frankel-Baruch-Viertel Group, Roy Furman, Debra Black, Ted Hartley, Roger Horchow, David Ian, Scott Rudin, Jack Viertel 

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC                                          

Producers: Lincoln Center Theater, André Bishop, Bernard Gersten, Bob Boyet 

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE                                             

Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Harold Wolpert, Julia C. Levy, Bob Boyett, Debra Black, Jam Theatricals, Stephanie P. McClelland, Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley, Barbara Manocherian/Jennifer Manocherian, Ostar Productions, The Menier Chocolate Factory/David Babani

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY

Ben Daniels                                                      LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES

Laurence Fishburne                                          THURGOOD

Mark Rylance                                                   BOEING-BOEING

Rufus Sewell                                                     ROCK 'N' ROLL

Patrick Stewart                                     MACBETH

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Eve Best                                                           THE HOMECOMING

Deanna Dunagan                                              AUGUST:  OSAGE COUNTY

Kate Fleetwood                                               MACBETH

S. Epatha Merkerson                                        COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA

Amy Morton                                                    AUGUST:  OSAGE COUNTY

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Daniel Evans                                    SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

Lin-Manuel Miranda                           IN THE HEIGHTS

Stew                                                PASSING STRANGE

Paulo Szot                                        RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC

Tom Wopat                                       A CATERED AFFAIR

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Kerry Butler                                      XANADU

Patti LuPone                                      GYPSY

Kelli O'Hara                                       RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC

Faith Prince                                       A CATERED AFFAIR

Jenna Russell                                    SUNDAY IN THE PARK  WITH GEORGE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY

Bobby Cannavale                                MAURITIUS

Raúl Esparza                                      THE HOMECOMING

Conleth Hill                                        THE SEAFARER

Jim Norton                                         THE SEAFARER

David Pittu                                         IS HE DEAD?

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Sinead Cusack                                    ROCK 'N' ROLL

Mary McCormack                                BOEING-BOEING

Laurie Metcalf                                    NOVEMBER

Martha Plimpton                                TOP GIRLS

Rondi Reed                                       AUGUST:  OSAGE COUNTY

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Daniel Breaker                            PASSING STRANGE

Danny Burstein                         RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC

Robin De Jesús                         IN THE HEIGHTS

Christopher Fitzgerald                  MEL BROOKS MUSICAL YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

Boyd Gaines                               GYPSY

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

de'Adre Aziza                              PASSING STRANGE

Laura Benanti                             GYPSY

Andrea Martin                             MEL BROOKS MUSICAL YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

Olga Merediz                              IN THE HEIGHTS

Loretta Ables Sayre                  RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY

Peter McKintosh                              THE 39 STEPS

Scott Pask                                      LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES

Todd Rosenthal                               AUGUST:  OSAGE COUNTY

Anthony Ward                                 MACBETH

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

David Farley and Timothy Bird           

& The Knifedge Creative Network       SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE           

Anna Louizos                                    IN THE HEIGHTS

Robin Wagner                                  MEL BROOKS MUSICAL YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

Michael Yeargan                               RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY

Gregory Gale                                    CYRANO DE BERGERAC

Rob Howell                                       BOEING-BOEING

Katrina Lindsay                                 LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES

Peter McKintosh                                THE 39 STEPS

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

David Farley                                    SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

Martin Pakledinaz                             GYPSY

Paul Tazewell                                   IN THE HEIGHTS

Catherine Zuber                            RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY

Kevin Adams                                    THE 39 STEPS

Howard Harrison                              MACBETH

Donald Holder                                  LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES

Ann G. Wrightson                             AUGUST:  OSAGE COUNTY

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

Ken Billington                                   SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

Howell Binkley                                  IN THE HEIGHTS

Donald Holder                                   RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC 

Natasha Katz                                    THE LITTLE MERMAID

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A PLAY

Simon Baker                                    BOEING-BOEING

Adam Cork                                       MACBETH

Ian Dickson                                     ROCK 'N' ROLL

Mic Pool                                           THE 39 STEPS

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

Acme Sound Partners                        IN THE HEIGHTS

Sebastian Frost                                 SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

Scott Lehrer                                      RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC

Dan Moses Schreier                           GYPSY

BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY

Maria Aitken                                     THE 39 STEPS

Conor McPherson                              THE SEAFARER

Anna D. Shapiro                               AUGUST:  OSAGE COUNTY

Matthew Warchus                             BOEING-BOEING

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

Sam Buntrock                                     SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

Thomas Kail                                        IN THE HEIGHTS

Arthur Laurents                                  GYPSY

Bartlett Sher                                      RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Rob Ashford                                      CRY-BABY

Andy Blankenbuehler                         IN THE HEIGHTS

Christopher Gattelli                            RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC

Dan Knechtges                                  XANADU

BEST ORCHESTRATIONS

Jason Carr                                        SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

Alex Lacamoire & Bill Sherman           IN THE HEIGHTS

Stew & Heidi Rodewald                      PASSING STRANGE

Jonathan Tunick                                A CATERED AFFAIR 

REGIONAL THEATRE TONY AWARD 

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

SPECIAL TONY AWARD  

Robert Russell Bennett (1894-1981), in recognition of his historic contribution to American musical theatre in the field of orchestrations, as represented on Broadway this season by RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC.

SPECIAL TONY AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN THE THEATRE

 Stephen Sondheim

The Tonys were founded in memorial to Antoinette ("Tony") Perry, the American Theatre Wing's World War II chairperson.  The winners are selected by the governing board of Actors Equity, The Dramatists Guild, the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, the United Scenic Artists, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers, the Casting Society of America, the American Theatre Wing and members of the League of American Theatres and Producers, as well as journalists.

THE 62nd ANNUAL TONY AWARDS are a presentation of Tony Award Productions, which is a joint venture of the League of American Theatres and Producers and the American Theatre Wing.  Emmy Award winners Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment will return as executive producers.  Weiss will also serve as director.  Elizabeth Ireland McCann returns as managing producer and Joey Parnes will serve as coordinating producer for Tony Award Productions.

(Back To Top)