Tag: TV Biz (27-39 of 2565)

Apr 17 2013 11:30 AM ET

DirecTV orders Neil LaBute's 'Full Circle' to series

DirecTV is doubling down on scripted television: The satellite service provider announced today that it has ordered 10 episodes of Full Circle from filmmaker and playwright Neil LaBute, making his TV debut. The series “examines the human condition and relationships through a series of conversations between 11 people whose lives, unbeknownst to them, are intertwined,” according to a press release. It continues: “Full Circle is a modern day La Ronde meets My Dinner with Andre as it explores the nature of human contact and true togetherness in our current technology-driven world.”

LaBute will serve as writer and co-exec producer on the series. Nick Hamm, the producer/director behind DirecTV’s Rogue, will exec-produce/direct Full Circle.

“In dissecting how closely connected we all are, Full Circle will take viewers on a journey that will traverse the full range of human emotion. I know the series will flourish under the stewardship of Neil and Nick Hamm,” said DirecTV Senior VP Chris Long.

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Apr 16 2013 09:07 PM ET

Lorne Michaels on 'SNL' criticism: 'No one is ever completely satisfied'

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Image Credit: Chyna Photography

 While comedy has certainly changed since the inaugural days of Saturday Night Live, one thing certainly hasn’t: Naysayers.

But SNL executive producer Lorne Michaels, who was interviewed Tuesday by comedian Martin Short as part of a Comedy On TV luncheon hosted by the Hollywood Radio and Television Society, doesn’t let it faze him.

“You just kinda go, ‘yeah, it’s uneven; we’re doing 90 minutes,’” he said. “There’s a variety of styles….the political people can’t understand why you’re doing something so dumb. It’s just all ‘Why did they have that thing?’ No one is ever completely satisfied.”
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Apr 12 2013 02:25 PM ET

HBO will return 'The Newsroom' on....

The Newsroom will reopen on Sunday, July 14, HBO announced today.

In the second season of the drama from Aaron Sorkin, the staff of “News Night” chases a mysterious tip, which leads to a story that ultimately spins out of control.The Newsroom stars Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, Sam Waterston, John Gallagher, Jr., Alison Pill, Thomas Sadoski, Olivia Munn and Dev Patel star.

Also set for the second season: the arrival of Marcia Gay Harden, who will play the recurring role of Rebecca Halliday, a litigator who defends Atlantis Cable News in a wrongful termination suit.

‘The Newsroom’ at PaleyFest

Apr 10 2013 06:07 PM ET

'Being Human' renewed for season 4, more Syfy programming news

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Image Credit: Yanick MacDonald/Syfy

Get ready for more adventures of your favorite ghost/vampire/werewolf trio. Syfy has renewed Being Human for a fourth season.

The announcement is particularly welcome news for fans of the supernatural drama who were left with some tantalizing cliffhangers when Being Human‘s third season aired its finale earlier this week. The show is based on the British series of the same name, which recently aired its series finale on BBC Three.

Syfy had several announcements about upcoming programming today surrounding the cable network’s New York upfront presentation. Check out more Syfy news below. READ FULL STORY »

Apr 9 2013 01:03 PM ET

A&E gives series order to 'Those Who Kill'

A&E continues its killing streak. The network announced today that it greenlit Those Who Kill, an original scripted series based on a Danish crime series based on the work of author Elsebeth Egholm, for 10 one-hour episodes. Chloë Sevigny stars as Catherine Jensen, who is, in the way of these things, “a freshly minted and incredibly smart police detective who tracks down serial killers.”

Those Who Kill is not a crime procedural about serial killers — it’s a deep serialized character portrait of two compelling yet damaged individuals coming together through the revelation of their dark past,” said A&E President and General Manager Bob DeBitetto in a statement.

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Apr 8 2013 10:23 AM ET

Judge Judy to pound gavel through 2017

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Judy Sheindlin’s court will stay in session through 2017.

The star of the syndicated court show Judge Judy has signed a new multi-year deal with CBS Television Distribution. Her show, now in its (remarkable) 17th season, averages more than 9 million daily viewers — more than any other show in daytime TV.

For the last three seasons, Judge Judy finished as the No. 1 rated show in daytime. Naturally, it’s also the top-rated half hour syndicated court show for 860 weeks running.

Her show debuted on Sept. 16, 1996.

“Twenty-one is a terrific number,” Sheindlin said in a statement. “It’s when you officially become an adult, it’s a winning hand in blackjack and it’s the number of seasons we will have hit in 2017.   I am so fortunate to have a job that I still love, working with a staff I respect and with a company who is at the top of their game.”

Apr 5 2013 01:54 PM ET

History renews 'Vikings'

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History has ordered another season of Vikings, its first scripted drama series.

The cable net ordered another 10 episodes for its second year. Four episodes remain in its current season, with the season finale set for April 28.

Over the last five weeks, the drama has averaged 5 million viewers, 2.2 million adutls 25-54 and 1.9 million adults 18-49 on Sundays at 10. The period show focuses on (duh?) Viking society.

“Vikings is a win-win for us, said Dirk Hoogstra, EVP, Development and Programming, in a statement. “As our first scripted series, Vikings has paid off in a big way with critical acclaim, strong ratings and a passionate, loyal fan base. It came out of the gate strong and has stayed on top, solidifying History as a major player in the scripted genre, just as we are in reality.”

Production for season two will begin this summer. The series will return in 2014.

Read more:
The first trailer for History’s ‘Vikings’ trailer is here! — EXCLUSIVE VIDEO
History orders first scripted series from ‘Tudors’ creators
First Look: History’s ‘Vikings’

Apr 4 2013 05:35 PM ET

TLC's upcoming shows: Not AS crazy as you were expecting?

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Today, TLC announced a slate of new series, none of which involve strange addictions. The rundown:

• Women of Homicide: It tails the most elite female homicide detectives in the country. This is as close as you’re going to get to guilt-free TLC programming, because…

• Alaskan Women Looking for Love (working title): This one follows five women, some of whom have never left Alaska, who travel to Miami in search of men. We look forward to the bikini shopping montage.

• Husband Hunters: These women have everything picked out for their weddings but the grooms.

• My Teen Is Pregnant And So Am I: The special becomes a series, which means this must happen a lot. READ FULL STORY »

Apr 4 2013 05:24 PM ET

'Glee' guru Ryan Murphy shopping sex show

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Image Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Leave it to Ryan Murphy to find another tantalizing subject that should satiate his devoted audience.

EW has confirmed that the co-creator of Glee, American Horror Story and The New Normal is busy shopping a new script with Dexter co-executive producer Lauren Gussis that Deadline describes as a modern, provocative exploration of human sexuality and relationships.

It’s likely the project will end up on cable, where all of the good hibity-dibity seems to be happening these days. And there’s already a bidding frenzy in the works.

In fact, steamy sex series could become the next rage. In September, Showtime is scheduled to premiere Masters of Sex, a new drama starring Michael Sheen and the captivating Lizzy Caplan that’s about the real-life pioneers of the science of human sexuality. And you can’t study sex without watching someone have sex, right?

The drama was created by Michelle Ashford (The Pacific) and is based on Thomas Maier’s biography Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson.

Apr 4 2013 04:13 PM ET

'The Carrie Diaries' scoop: See Walt and Bennet kiss in the season finale -- EXCLUSIVE PHOTO

Patrick Harbron/The CW

Patrick Harbron/The CW

This coming Monday is the season finale of The CW’s The Carrie Diaries and marks a major episode for Brendan Dooling’s Walt — who is finally beginning to feel comfortable being gay. Case in point? The big smooch he plants on Bennet (Jake Robinson) on the streets of New York! “Walt is coming into his own,” explains Dooling. “He takes a very big step, a big leap in a direction he’s never gone before. He’s taking the bull by the horns. Instead of things happening to him and trying to figure them out, he’s in a position where he’s trying to assert himself.”
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Apr 3 2013 12:32 PM ET

Official: Jimmy Fallon to replace Jay Leno

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Image Credit: Andrew Eccles/NBC

It’s official: NBC announced today that Jimmy Fallon will succeed Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.

Leno will wrap up 22 years of hosting the franchise in spring 2014, at the end of network’s coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Fallon, who currently reigns at 12:30 a.m. with his Late Night, will then take over as the franchise’s sixth host.

As previously reported, The Tonight Show will return to its original home in 30 Rock in New York and will be executive-produced by Lorne Michaels (Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock). He replaces longtime EP Debbie Vickers.

It’s unclear who will take over Late Night, Fallon’s current show. An announcement is expected soon. READ FULL STORY »

Apr 1 2013 05:10 PM ET

'Smash': See Liza Minnelli duet with star Christian Borle -- EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

NBC’s Smash has seen its share of divas guest-starring, like Jennifer Hudson and Bernadette Peters. But the series scores a major coup with the grande dame of Broadway Liza Minnelli appearing as herself on this Saturday’s episode. Minnelli performs a duet with Tom (Christian Borle) while Ivy (Megan Hilty) watches from a nearby table. Watch the piano bar magic below. READ FULL STORY »

Mar 29 2013 12:37 PM ET

Barbara Walters to retire in 2014

Tags: , News
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Cue Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bookends”: Barbara Walters is expected to retire in 2014.

EW has confirmed that Walters, 83, will sign off from ABC in May 2014. A series of specials are set to air that will pay tribute to her long career in broadcast news.

Walter’s decision to retire comes at a time when the 17-year-old The View is preparing to make significant changes. Joy Behar announced that she was leaving the network talk show at the end of the season, and rumors persist that Elisabeth Hasselback may join her out the door.

Walters co-created the show in 1997.

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