TV News Roundup – May 2009 – Week 1
We are trying something different this week. Scott’s News Roundup will be split into 4 articles with one being released each day. Please give us feedback if you like it this way or prefer the one big article.
‘Underbelly’ tops Oz TV kudos
‘Australians,’ ‘Border’ also take home awards
Nine’s crime drama “Underbelly” was the big winner at the 51st Logies, Australia’s annual TV awards. Other industry awards went to PBS’s “First Australians” for documentary; Seven’s “Border Security” for factual: ABC’s “The Hollowmen” for comedy; Seven’s Beijing Olympics coverage for sports; and Ten’s “H2O: Just Add Water” for tyke TV.
Leonard Nimoy reveals Fringe finale secrets, talks Transformers
“It’s the final scene of the episode, in which I appear with Olivia, with Anna Torv’s character. It’s very brief, but I think interesting, entertaining and there’s enough given in the scene to whet your appetite, that you’ll want to see more of this relationship and what it’s all about.”
Fox renews ‘Fringe’
Show is No. 1 new series in adult demo
Fox has renewed J.J. Abrams’ thriller “Fringe” for a full 22-episode second season. Abrams: “‘Fringe’ continues to gain momentum, creatively and with viewers. We couldn’t be more thrilled that ‘Fringe’ will continue to freak people out for at least another season!”
A Bunch of ‘Lost’ links
Writers talk about working on ‘Lost’
Scribes endure agony, ecstacy in telling story
‘Lost’s’ long journey had bumpy start
ABC show’s creative team rushed to make pilot
Gregg Nations maintains ‘Lost’ bible
Script coordinator keeps consistency in chaos
Fitting the pieces for ‘Lost’s’ endgame
There’s still room in storyline for twists, surprises
- The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Lost’ 100th Episode
- Cast Conversation: Evangeline Lilly
- Cast Conversation: Terry O’Quinn
- Cast Conversation: Yunjin Kim
NBC unveils primetime plans
Peacock orders six new series, renews three
New series pickups: two medical dramas, “Trauma” and “Mercy,” one-hour dramedy “Parenthood,” for midseason, the apocalyptic series “Day One,” and comedies “100 Questions for Charlotte Payne” and Chevy Chase’s “Community.”
As for renewals: “Southland,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Heroes” and “Medium.” Postponed verdict for “Chuck” and “Law & Order.” Both series appear likely to return, but the decision won’t be made until later in the month.
No surprise saves for “Life,” “My Name Is Earl” or “Howie Do It.”
Previously announced series pickups: “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “The Biggest Loser,” “The Celebrity Apprentice,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Friday Night Lights,” and new reality series series “The Marriage Ref,” “Breakthrough With Tony Robbins” and “Who Do You Think You Are?”
‘Family Guy’ spinoff nabs second season
Fox picks up second season before ‘Cleveland’s’ debut
Fox is so high on “Cleveland,” the upcoming spinoff from hit “Family Guy,” that it has ordered a second season. The new 13-episode pickup brings the total order for the show to 35 episodes — and that’s months before the series has even premiered
ABC gives ‘Christine’ fallback plan
Network inks deal to air show if CBS passes
ABC has closed a back-up deal for a 22-episode fifth-season order of comedy series “The New Adventures of Old Christine” if CBS doesn’t pick up the show
‘Ben-Hur’ chariot filling up
Miniseries cast includes Joseph Morgan, Emily VanCamp
“Ben-Hur,” a four-hour miniseries adaptating the 1880 Lew Wallace novel from a script by Alan Sharp (“Rob Roy”) also stars Ray Winstone as Ben-Hur’s adoptive father, Kristen Kruek (“Smallville”) as his sister and Hugh Bonneville as Pontius Pilate. It will air on ABC, Canada’s CBC, Spain’s Antenna 3 and Germany’s ProSieben.
‘Mad Men’ to return in August
AMC delays bow for award-winning drama
AMC has set an August start for the Emmy-winning drama’s third season. Show’s previous two seasons have bowed in mid-July. No word yet on the time frame for season three of the period drama, which ended its sophomore season in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962.
TNT set for a dramatic summer
‘Hawthorne,’ ‘Dark Blue’ join ‘Grace,’ ‘Closer’
TNT has rounded out its summer schedule, pairing new skeins “Hawthorne” and “Dark Blue” with established skeins “Saving Grace” and “Leverage,” creating a two-hour block of dramas on Monday through Wednesday nights.
CBS casts eye on ‘Deal,’ ‘Dating’
Network could revive classic gameshows
CBS could be reviving gameshow classics “Let’s Make a Deal” and “The Dating Game.” Network is looking to fill its daytime slot with the departure of long-running soap “Guiding Light.”
IFC ramping up in comedy arena
2009-10 slate includes project starring Chris Kattan
IFC’s new original series include “Food Party,” a surreal mixture of puppets, weird special effects and cooking hosted by Thu Tran and “Bollywood Hero,” centering on Kattan, who plays himself as he moves to India, where he’s been promised a starring role in a Bollywood film.
The Fine Print
This is by no means meant to be a comprehensive roundup of the entire weeks’ news. All stories are chosen by me for no other reason than that they got my attention and might capture yours. If something you think is more important chime in on the feedback; we’d love to hear comments and have a conversation about it.
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