TV News Roundup – July 2009 – Week 3
AMC Premieres Excusive “The Prisoner” Footage At Comic Con International 2009
Stars of AMC’s highly anticipated mini-series The Prisoner, including Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ, Thin Red Line, Pay It Forward), Jamie Campbell-Bower (Sweeney Todd, The Twilight Saga: New Moon) and Lennie James (Jericho) descend on Comic Con 2009 for a panel event and exclusive sneak preview of the highly anticipated six-part series. The Prisoner panel, scheduled for Friday, July 24 at 11:30am, also features The Prisoner writer Bill Gallagher (Conviction, Clocking Off) and AMC’s Vlad Wolynetz, vice president of production, and will be moderated by producer and director Robert Meyer Burnett. The Prisoner, a re-imagination of the 1960s cult classic created by the late Patrick McGoohan, premieres this November on AMC. During the hour-long event, Burnett will lead panelists in a discussion about their personal experience making The Prisoner, shooting the series in Namibia and South Africa, and the various themes explored in the re-imagination, among other topics, followed by an exclusive first look at the mini-series, and a Q&A session with attendees.
Sci Fi Channel morphs into Syfy
Rebranding kicks off Tuesday with New York event
The Sci Fi Channel is now Syfy. The rebranding marks the NBC Universal network’s effort to broaden its programming beyond the science fiction genre, and the network officially kicked off the new phase of its life July 7th. View the Syfy brand film “House of Imagination,” which features cast members from current programs online at www.syfy.com/imaginegreater.
Andrea Bowen returning to ‘Housewives’
Coming back to ABC series as a regular in the fall
Andrea Bowen is returning to the hit ABC series as a regular in the fall, sources said. On the show, Bowen was last seen in the Nov. 16 episode, in which Julie visited her mom (Teri Hatcher), bringing along her much older boyfriend Lloyd (Steven Weber).
Maiara Walsh is a ‘Desperate’ regular
Actress previously guest starred in two episodes
Maiara Walsh is joining the cast of ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” as a regular next season after guest starring in the last two episodes this past season. Walsh plays Ana, Carlos’ (Ricardo Chavira) gorgeous and manipulative niece who came to live with the Solises and already has been pushing Gaby’s (Eva Longoria Parker) buttons.
‘Desperate’ books Nordling, Mirchoff
Round out family for Drea DeMatteo’s character
Wisteria Lane’s newest resident, Drea DeMatteo, has found her family. Jeffrey Nordling and Beau Mirchoff have joined the cast of ABC’s dramedy “Desperate Housewives” as regulars next season. Nordling will be playing a New York landscape designer who moves to Wisteria Lane with his wife (DeMatteo) and their tightly wound, sexy and intense son (Mirchoff).
‘The Mentalist’ recruits Terry Kinney
Will play Agent Bosco in a recurring role
Veteran Terry Kinney has landed the all-important new recurring role on CBS’ hot crime drama “The Mentalist.” In at least seven episodes of the Warner Bros. TV-produced series’ upcoming second season, Kinney will play Agent Sam Bosco, a seemingly flat-footed policeman with a deceptively sharp intelligence. Bosco leads the California Bureau of Investigation’s Serial Crimes Unit and is brought in to assist in cracking the case of the elusive Red John serial killer, whose victims include the wife and daughter of CBI consultant Patrick Jane (Simon Baker).
Robin Williams ‘Self-Destructs’ for HBO
Stand-up special will premiere in December
Robin Williams is returning to HBO with “Weapons of Self-Destruction,” his first solo special for the premium cable network in seven years. The special will be taped in November at DAR Constitution Hall during the Washington DC stop of the comedian’s sold-out national tour. It is slated to premiere on HBO in December.
‘Hard Times’ ahead at MTV
Network orders comedy series from producing duo
The teen series, whose plot is drawing comparisons to HBO’s older-skewing new comedy “Hung,” chronicles the hellish life of RJ Berger, a desperately unpopular 15-year-old. When RJ’s anatomical gift is dramatically revealed in front of the whole school, he goes from anonymous to infamous and finds his first sliver of confidence. But he also has to deal with a best friend trying to capitalize on his newfound fame, a student body with no shortage of cruel jokes and an insane home life.
Jon Heder lands Comedy Central show
Net orders 10 episodes of scripted comedy
“Napoleon Dynamite” star Jon Heder has teamed with Will Ferrell and Adam McKay for an unusual Comedy Central sitcom deal. The network has ordered 10 episodes of a new multicamera comedy starring Heder as an out-of-work computer IT specialist who returns to his small hometown and moves in with his parents and younger brother. Ferrell, McKay and Chris Henchy will write and produce the series, and Ferrell might opt for an on-camera appearance or two.
Maura Tierney illness delays ‘Parenthood’
NBC drama postpones production, moves to midseason
The production start has been postponed for eight weeks to late September “due to medical evaluation that (Tierney) is undergoing,” NBC said. “We are unable to release further details and ask that you respect her privacy at this time.” “Parenthood” revolves around four siblings (Peter Krause, Tierney, Erika Christensen, Dax Shepard) and their parents (Bonnie Bedelia, Craig T. Nelson).
BBC One unveils fall schedule
Lineup includes new ‘Emma’ adaptation
High-end drama is prominent, together with a beefed up version of “Strictly Come Dancing” — known in the U.S. as “Dancing With the Stars” — and a new comedy mixing wildlife footage with voiceovers from celebs including Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, and Richard E. Grant. The drama includes a new “Doctor Who” special, “The Waters of Mars,” and a four-part adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma,” starring Jonny Lee Miller and Michael Gambon.
Dollhouse’s ‘Mellie’ says she’ll be back
“All I know for sure is that I’m coming back next season,” Orange County native Laurie says over the phone from Los Angeles, where she’s enjoying a break until Dollhouse begins filming again in late summer. “I don’t actually know in what form I’ll be back. The writers are kind of teasing meâ€everybody knows but me.”
FX takes aim with ‘Archer’
Network orders six episodes of toon
FX is setting aim on animation, ordering six episodes of the half-hour entry “Archer.” Show, which is still a working title, comes from scribe Adam Reed and centers on the employees of an international spy agency. Characters on the show will be voiced by Jon Benjamin (“Family Guy”), “SNL” alum Chris Parnell, Aisha Tyler, Judy Greer and Jessica Walter. Benjamin plays Sterling Archer, a suave spy who goes by the code name Duchess. Walter plays his mother, while Tyler is his ex-girlfriend, Agent Lana Kane. Greer plays his secretary; Parnell is the spy agency’s comptroller.
PBS offers surge of ‘Electric Company’
Network to expand weekly schedule
The current “Electric” borrowed a few elements from the 1970s original that featured Morgan Freeman and Rita Moreno, including the series’ signature “Hey you guys!” shout, but it stands mostly as a reinvention, with an emphasis on music and dance and a story arc augmenting interstitial segments. Exec producer Karen Fowler cited “Def Poetry Jam” and “Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk” as influences. “What we learned was, the instinct to create a show that was built of hip-hop and spoken words, shooting from the streets of New York, getting that street vibe, really made a lot of sense.”
Duo brings ‘Revelation’ to Showtime
Janollari, Wright to develop religion-themed drama
Showtime is developing “Revelation,” a religion-themed drama from David Janollari and “Dirty Sexy Money” creator Craig Wright. Hourlong project revolves around an unconventional minister who moves to a Texas church with his two teens after his wife suddenly dies. Wright was once a minister himself and plans to rely on his base of knowledge to tackle issues of religion, faith and spirituality.
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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