TV News Roundup – May 2009 – Week 2
Two come aboard HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’
Director McCarthy, actor Dinklage in for pilot
Tom McCarthy has come aboard to direct HBO’s fantasy pilot “Game of Thrones,” which wil star Peter Dinklage as Tyrion, the Queen’s brother who is treated as an outsider because of his size. Based on George R.R. Martin’s best-selling “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels, “Thrones” is described as an epic struggle for power set in a vast and violent fantasy kingdom.
HBO picks up ‘Treme’
Eyes a fall debut for the David Simon drama
“The Wire” creator David Simon has a new series on HBO, the New Orleans-set “Treme,” a post-Katrina-themed drama that chronicles the rebuilding of New Orleans through the eyes of local musicians. The cast is led Wendell Pierce, includes Steve Zahn, Clarke Peters, Khandi Alexander, Melissa Leo, Kim Dickens and Rob Brown.
Networks countdown to upfronts
‘Whisperer,’ ‘Scrubs’ on the road to renewal
On tap for a series pickup at ABC: comedy “Modern Family,” dramas “Flash Forward,” “Happy Town,” “Cougar Town,” “Empire State” and Jerry Bruckheimer’s “The Unknown,” Ricky Blitt’s comedy “Romantically Challenged,” along with dramas “Eastwick,” “V” and “Limelight” and the untitled Kelsey Grammer comedy.
At CBS: the “NCIS” spinoff, legal drama “The Good Wife,” comedies “Accidentally on Purpose,” “Happiness Isn’t Everything” and “Waiting to Die.” And possibly medical dramas “Miami Trauma” and “Three Rivers.”
At Fox: drama “Human Target,” urban comedy “Brothers,” drama “Past Life,” comedy “Sons of Tucson” and medical drama “Maggie Hill” are possible.
At the CW: “Melrose Place,” with “Privileged” close to renewal, and possibles “Vampire Diaries,” “Beautiful Life,” “Light Years” and “Gossip Girl” spinoff.
ABC picks up ‘Flash Forward’
Network gives drama 13-episode order
ABC has officially picked up the drama “Flash Forward” for a 13-episode order. Based on Robert J. Sawyer’s novel, the series chronicles the aftermath of a global event in which everyone in the world blacks out for 2 minutes, 17 seconds and has mysterious visions of six months into the future. David Goyer and Brannon Braga co-wrote the pilot, which Goyer directed.
‘Robot Chicken’ crew sets new series
Adult Swim to launch stop-motion ‘Titan’ in September
Adult Swim is launching a stop-motion animation series about robots: “Titan Maximum,” a new comedy series from the creative team behind “Robot Chicken.” “Titan” is set 100 years in the future, when Saturn’s moon Titan is defended by an elite squadron of young, brash pilots whose spaceships combine to form the giant robot Titan Maximum. Because of budget cuts, the team has been disbanded but must hastily reassemble when a former team member turns rogue and tries to conquer the solar system.
“There were always teams of extraordinary young people with the fate of the universe in their hands,” co-head writer/producer Tom Root said. “In reality, that would end terribly. The last thing you want when giant monsters attack is a bunch of teenagers in charge of defending you. ‘Titan Maximum’ is about what would really happen if a team of idiot kids was in charge of a 6-story-tall robot.”
Mindy Kaling cues NBC deal
‘Office’ star to develop her own comedy show
Under terms of the two-year, seven-figure deal, Kaling will continue to write for and appear on “The Office” next season while simultaneously developing a comedy in which she would also star. On camera, Kaling stars as Kelly Kapoor, the chatty customer service representative at paper company Dunder Mifflin.
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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