One day after USA Network officially axed Common Law, it has canceled Fairly Legal. Fairly Legal, starring Sarah Shahi as mediator Kate Reed, aired for two seasons on USA after debuting in January 2011. The sophomore run ended in June with a season finale that averaged 2.5 million viewers. Shahi has already landed a major recurring gig on sister network NBC's firefighter drama Chicago Fire. Fairly Legal, created by Michael Sardo, also starred Michael Trucco, Virginia Williams and Baron Vaughn. Prior to the launch of season two, the series tapped Peter Ocko as new showrunner and introduced a new
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- 11/2/2012
- by Philiana Ng
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Though the 32-old Sarah Shahi seems far too beautiful to be a feisty lawyer like Kate Reed in USA Network Friday night series Fairly Legal, the way she plays against her looks illustrates that she understands her character far too well.
When the series debuted last season, Kate's father has just died, leaving her and the law firm he founded to adjust to his loss just as she changed professions from lawyer to mediator. To work there at his San Francisco firm, she had to endure her dad's much younger wife as heir to the firm and her boss.
With this second season, their tussle involves further twists and a new partner who both abrades and attracts Kate. As the show proceeds, episodes grapple with fairness, winning and the law.
Q: In this role, what responsibility do you feel towards lawyers?
SS: I actually don't feel any responsibility towards [them], to be honest with you.
When the series debuted last season, Kate's father has just died, leaving her and the law firm he founded to adjust to his loss just as she changed professions from lawyer to mediator. To work there at his San Francisco firm, she had to endure her dad's much younger wife as heir to the firm and her boss.
With this second season, their tussle involves further twists and a new partner who both abrades and attracts Kate. As the show proceeds, episodes grapple with fairness, winning and the law.
Q: In this role, what responsibility do you feel towards lawyers?
SS: I actually don't feel any responsibility towards [them], to be honest with you.
- 4/11/2012
- by Brad Balfour
- Aol TV.
When USA renewed "Fairly Legal" for a second season, they replaced showrunner Michael Sardo with Peter Ocko and decided to make some "creative changes," which entailed focusing more on the core characters than the mediation of the week, making it more of a character study than a legal procedural.
In the Season 2 premiere, it's hard to say whether those changes were readily apparent. On the one hand, there were some wonderful story arcs introduced that will play out all season - Reed & Reed being in trouble financially and bringing in a new partner, Justin deciding to challenge his current (awful) boss for the District Attorney's job, Justin's infidelity confession.
However, a large portion of the episode was still dominated by the case of the week, with Kate playing Nancy Drew instead of mediating. We're not criticizing - it was an interesting case and any time Michael Hogan gets punched by John Aylward,...
In the Season 2 premiere, it's hard to say whether those changes were readily apparent. On the one hand, there were some wonderful story arcs introduced that will play out all season - Reed & Reed being in trouble financially and bringing in a new partner, Justin deciding to challenge his current (awful) boss for the District Attorney's job, Justin's infidelity confession.
However, a large portion of the episode was still dominated by the case of the week, with Kate playing Nancy Drew instead of mediating. We're not criticizing - it was an interesting case and any time Michael Hogan gets punched by John Aylward,...
- 3/17/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Exclusive: Ryan Johnson (Ghost Rider) has joined USA Network’s drama Fairly Legal as a new regular for Season 2. On the series starring Sarah Shahi as lawyer-turned-mediator Kate Reed, Johnson will play Ben Grogan, a sharp, up-and-coming trial attorney with a knack for making money. He sees no shame in having been “that lawyer guy on the bus ads” and is completely unafraid to speak truth to power, or anyone else for that matter. Fairly Legal, from Universal Cable Prods, is undergoing creative changes going into Season 2, including a new showrunner, Peter Ocko, who replaced creator Michael Sardo.
- 10/28/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
For a second straight season, the producers of NBC's Chuck have recruited the female star of an iconic action sci-fi movie for a major recurring role. Last year it was The Terminator's Linda Hamilton, this year it's The Matrix's Carrie-Anne Moss. She will play a love interest/foil for John Casey (Adam Baldwin). More from our sister site TVLine, which has the story. Moss most recently starred in Lifetime's Michael Sardo pilot, which is not going forward.
- 7/30/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Lifetime has declined to pick up two in-development pilots to series. Both Meet Jane and an untitled project from Fairly Legal creator Michael Sardo failed to impress executives, according to Deadline. Meet Jane, written by Criminal Minds scribe Andi Bushell, starred Molly Parker as Jane, a woman who is forced to spy on her husband when he is suspected of leaking information to Russia. The project, which also starred 24 actor Rick Schroder as Jane's husband, was originally picked up to pilot in October last year. (more)...
- 7/27/2011
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
Lifetime has declined to pick up two in-development pilots to series. Both Meet Jane and an untitled project from Fairly Legal creator Michael Sardo failed to impress executives, according to Deadline. Meet Jane, written by Criminal Minds scribe Andi Bushell, starred Molly Parker as Jane, a woman who is forced to spy on her husband when he is suspected of leaking information to Russia. The project, which also starred 24 actor Rick Schroder as Jane's husband, was originally picked up to pilot in October last year. (more)...
- 7/27/2011
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
Lifetime has quietly passed on its remaining two pilots, Meet Jane and the untitled Michael Sardo project. Of the five pilots ordered under new Lifetime president and general manager Nancy Dubuc, two, Against the Wall and Exit 19, were picked up to series in February. Back then, Lifetime passed on the untitled Josh Berman pilot while keeping Meet Jane in consideration with some retooling and proceeding with production on the fifth pilot, the untitled Michael Sardo drama starring Carrie-Anne Moss. Now those two pilots also are not going forward, leaving the two cop dramas as the only series to come out of Lifetime's first batch of pilots ordered under the new regime. (Though they were developed under Evp Entertainment JoAnn Alfano, who left Lifetime in March and was replaced by A&E executive Robert Sharenow.) Meet Jane was written by Andi Bushell. She executive produced it with Mark Pedowitz, who has...
- 7/27/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
The USA network promised changes would occur with Fairly Legal prior to season two and the first big one came Friday afternoon. The show’s creator Michael Sardo stepped down as executive producer and showrunner. Peter Ocko, executive producer of Pushing Daisies and co-executive producer of The Office last season will step into both roles for the second season. Sardo may have a future role on the show but right now Sardo is working on the Normal pilot, a high-profile for the Lifetime network.
While numbers were good in its rookie season, averaging 4.6 million total viewers in Live+7, Fairly Legal failed to pin down its identity as a serious drama light-hearted comedy. Sarah Shahi was an instant star and was a big reason for the network to pick up a second season despite Fairly Legal failing to catch on with viewers in the same speed as White Collar, Burn Notice and Monk in the past.
While numbers were good in its rookie season, averaging 4.6 million total viewers in Live+7, Fairly Legal failed to pin down its identity as a serious drama light-hearted comedy. Sarah Shahi was an instant star and was a big reason for the network to pick up a second season despite Fairly Legal failing to catch on with viewers in the same speed as White Collar, Burn Notice and Monk in the past.
- 5/20/2011
- by Ernie Estrella
- BuzzFocus.com
Exclusive: Fairly Legal creator Michael Sardo has stepped down as executive producer and showrunner of the USA Network dramedy. Former Pushing Daisies executive producer Peter Ocko has been tapped as the new exec producer/showrunner on the series for its upcoming second season. The changeover is part of USA's plan for creative changes on Fairly Legal going into Season 2. When USA recently renewed the freshman series, the network's co-president Jeff Wachtel indicated that the decision was based on the show's appealing star, Sarah Shahi, and its potential but noted that there is room for improvement. "We think there is a creative and audience upside to the show," Wachtel said back then. "Not every first season is the best, and we think it is a show that can do better." While a solid performer -- Fairly Legal launched as the top new cable drama of the year in adults 18-49 and...
- 5/20/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Cables top-rated network, USA had their upfronts yesterday and co-presidents Jeff Wachtel and Chris McCumber announced that they will renew Fairly Legal for a second season after a solid debut season. During the Thursday night 10Pm time slot, the legal drama/comedy starring Sarah Shahi averaged 4.6 million total viewers in Live+7 day ratings.
Fairly Legal is about Kate Reed (Shahi) a top lawyer at her father’s firm in San Francisco who has an ethical conflict with what she does for a living. Kate decides instead to switch and become a mediator, but when her father dies and leaves the firm to his wife, Kate’s stepmother, played by Virginia Williams, in charge. Michael Trucco and Baron Vaughn also star on the show as Kate’s ex-husband/assistant District Attorney of San Francisco Justin Patrick and her assistant Leonardo.
Shahi became an instant draw for the network displaying great talent and beauty,...
Fairly Legal is about Kate Reed (Shahi) a top lawyer at her father’s firm in San Francisco who has an ethical conflict with what she does for a living. Kate decides instead to switch and become a mediator, but when her father dies and leaves the firm to his wife, Kate’s stepmother, played by Virginia Williams, in charge. Michael Trucco and Baron Vaughn also star on the show as Kate’s ex-husband/assistant District Attorney of San Francisco Justin Patrick and her assistant Leonardo.
Shahi became an instant draw for the network displaying great talent and beauty,...
- 5/3/2011
- by Ernie Estrella
- BuzzFocus.com
USA is keeping its streak of renewing every new series alive with a second-season pickup for Fairly Legal. The top cable network will make the announcement at its upfront presentation in New York later today. Production on 13 new episodes will begin in late summer for a premiere in the first quarter of 2012. While a solid performer -- Fairly Legal launched as the top new cable drama of the year in adults 18-49 and has averaged a 4.6 million total viewers in Live+7 -- the legal dramedy has not been a breakout series like most of USA's recent entries. The renewal decision was made based on the show's appealing star, Sarah Shahi, and its potential, USA's co-presidents Jeff Wachtel and Chris McCumber said. "We think there is a creative and audience upside to the show," Wachtel said. "Not every first season is the best, and we think it is a show that can do better.
- 5/2/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
As part of SyFy’s largest original programming in the network’s eighteen-year history, SyFy will premiere four scripted dramas this coming July beginning with brand new show, Alphas, leading the pack. July is packed with the return of summer scripted dramas Warehouse 13, Eureka, and Haven.
Check out the official description for Alphas and take a whiff at what SyFy is cooking in terms of scripted dramas and reality TV in development. With Stargate Universe and Caprica off the table, the network is sure keen on developing programming that expands the scope of what we’re used to at SyFy. Looking at ratings for the first quarter of 2011, the network has experienced a 17% increase in adults 18-34 and 13% in total viewers with the launch of new shows, Being Human and Face-Off.
At least the BSG story doesn’t stop with Caprica. SyFy is still developing Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome,...
Check out the official description for Alphas and take a whiff at what SyFy is cooking in terms of scripted dramas and reality TV in development. With Stargate Universe and Caprica off the table, the network is sure keen on developing programming that expands the scope of what we’re used to at SyFy. Looking at ratings for the first quarter of 2011, the network has experienced a 17% increase in adults 18-34 and 13% in total viewers with the launch of new shows, Being Human and Face-Off.
At least the BSG story doesn’t stop with Caprica. SyFy is still developing Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome,...
- 3/23/2011
- by Lillian 'zenbitch' Standefer
- ScifiMafia
Syfy is growing by leaps and bounds! We reported yesterday about Tommy Lee getting his own show on the cable network and now we have a whole crap load of announcements. Syfy really is imagining greater and more!
From the Press Release:
Syfy Unveils Largest Original Programming Slate In History Featuring 14 New Series And Events
Led By Premiere Of Alphas, Four Scripted Series Launch In July - Most Ever In A Single Month
Unscripted Development Slate Includes Projects With Tommy Lee And Deepak Chopra
New York - March 22, 2011 - Continuing the sizzling momentum of the Syfy global brand evolution, which has sparked imagination-driven hit series and double-digit growth in younger, upscale audiences as well as diverse new business ventures, Syfy President Dave Howe today will introduce the largest original programming slate in the channel's 18-year history, highlighted by 14 new original series and events comprising more than 100 hours.
The 2011 Syfy Upfront...
- 3/22/2011
- by brians
- GeekTyrant
Photo by Frank Ockenfels 3/USA Network
Baron Vaughn, who started out his career as a stand-up comic, and Virginia Williams, who almost made the cast of the Britney-Christina-jt-era Mickey Mouse Club, have both somehow managed to wind-up as characters in a law firm on USA's new drama Fairly Legal. The show stars Sarah Shahi as Kate Reed, a lawyer-turned-mediator at a law firm owned by her deceased dad's young, hot widow played by Virginia. Standing by Kate's side is Baron's character, her slightly nerdy assistant Leonardo Prince. The series has been getting great reviews and seems to be a fan favorite for USA, but as of yet, a second season pick-up has not been announced. We spoke with Virginia and Baron in a recent conference call about the chances for season two, working for USA and the atmosphere on the set.
A Second Season for Fairly Legal
Many actors...
Baron Vaughn, who started out his career as a stand-up comic, and Virginia Williams, who almost made the cast of the Britney-Christina-jt-era Mickey Mouse Club, have both somehow managed to wind-up as characters in a law firm on USA's new drama Fairly Legal. The show stars Sarah Shahi as Kate Reed, a lawyer-turned-mediator at a law firm owned by her deceased dad's young, hot widow played by Virginia. Standing by Kate's side is Baron's character, her slightly nerdy assistant Leonardo Prince. The series has been getting great reviews and seems to be a fan favorite for USA, but as of yet, a second season pick-up has not been announced. We spoke with Virginia and Baron in a recent conference call about the chances for season two, working for USA and the atmosphere on the set.
A Second Season for Fairly Legal
Many actors...
- 3/3/2011
- by Pop Culture Passionistas
- popculturepassionistas
Since the beginning of the freshman USA Network comedy-drama "Fairly Legal," San Francisco-based mediator Kate Reed (Sarah Shahi) has been coping with the loss of her father and legal mentor.
Her grieving process took a surprising twist at the end of episode two. The reading of the late Teddy Reed's will revealed that, while three-quarters of his estate went to, in equal measure, Kate and her brother, Spencer (Ethan Embry), and their stepmother, Lauren (Virginia Wiliams), the remaining one-quarter went to an unknown someone named David Smith.
In "The Two Richards," the episode airing Thursday, February 17, Kate and the show's fans get to meet David Smith -- played by "MacGyver" and "Stargate Sg-1" star Richard Dean Anderson.
This marks Anderson's first appearance on the show; he will be in a total of three episodes.
"We wanted someone," series creator Michael Sardo tells Zap2it, "who would, in a short amount of screen time,...
Her grieving process took a surprising twist at the end of episode two. The reading of the late Teddy Reed's will revealed that, while three-quarters of his estate went to, in equal measure, Kate and her brother, Spencer (Ethan Embry), and their stepmother, Lauren (Virginia Wiliams), the remaining one-quarter went to an unknown someone named David Smith.
In "The Two Richards," the episode airing Thursday, February 17, Kate and the show's fans get to meet David Smith -- played by "MacGyver" and "Stargate Sg-1" star Richard Dean Anderson.
This marks Anderson's first appearance on the show; he will be in a total of three episodes.
"We wanted someone," series creator Michael Sardo tells Zap2it, "who would, in a short amount of screen time,...
- 2/15/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
There is a new story up at Beginning of Line and this time it comes with really cool opening credits. You can check it out here: Safe Journey: Hypatian's Bluff. It was written by Beginning of Line editor Teresa Jusino.
There are also a couple of new interviews, one with Rhesa Sealy (Twitter) who wrote the last two installments of "Caprica: Season 2," and the other with Juanita Martinez (Twitter), fan artist and author of "Prototype."
A new week of Caprica auctions started yesterday. The new items are on Ebay.
Battlestar Galactica Online has been launched today. You can read the full press release at The Futon Critic. Here is a snippet:
Based on the internationally popular Syfy television series produced by Universal Cable Productions, Battlestar Galactica Online is a free-to-play, browser-based space combat Mmog that combines high-quality, 3D graphics with intense gameplay. Following a successful closed beta period that...
There are also a couple of new interviews, one with Rhesa Sealy (Twitter) who wrote the last two installments of "Caprica: Season 2," and the other with Juanita Martinez (Twitter), fan artist and author of "Prototype."
A new week of Caprica auctions started yesterday. The new items are on Ebay.
Battlestar Galactica Online has been launched today. You can read the full press release at The Futon Critic. Here is a snippet:
Based on the internationally popular Syfy television series produced by Universal Cable Productions, Battlestar Galactica Online is a free-to-play, browser-based space combat Mmog that combines high-quality, 3D graphics with intense gameplay. Following a successful closed beta period that...
- 2/8/2011
- by fanshawe
- CapricaTV
By GoodNCrazy
There’s alot of fuss these days about healthy eating. Trans fats are being banned. Fastfood restaurants are posting calorie counts. And The Biggest Loser is one ofNBC’s only hit shows. But don’t mention this good food revolution to the gangat EpicMealTime.com.
In a seriesof videos that would make Jamie Oliver weep, this culinary crew makesunspeakably large and fat-filled gastro-monstrosities. Their masterpiecesinclude:
Meat Salad –Needless to say these guys skip the lettuce and alfalfa sprouts. Instead theirsalad is comprised of flank stake, meatball “radishes,” “cucumber” sausages,pork croutons (aka ham cubes) and beer-bacon dressing. Defibrilator notincluded.
Epic Eggroll– This not so ancient Chinese secret consists of General Tao Chicken, noodles,Cantonese Style Chow Mein, Chicken Fried Rice and dumplings. Yes, they are allmixed together as the stuffing in a deep fried egg roll wrapper. And not to beoutdone, it comes with a giant gold leaf...
There’s alot of fuss these days about healthy eating. Trans fats are being banned. Fastfood restaurants are posting calorie counts. And The Biggest Loser is one ofNBC’s only hit shows. But don’t mention this good food revolution to the gangat EpicMealTime.com.
In a seriesof videos that would make Jamie Oliver weep, this culinary crew makesunspeakably large and fat-filled gastro-monstrosities. Their masterpiecesinclude:
Meat Salad –Needless to say these guys skip the lettuce and alfalfa sprouts. Instead theirsalad is comprised of flank stake, meatball “radishes,” “cucumber” sausages,pork croutons (aka ham cubes) and beer-bacon dressing. Defibrilator notincluded.
Epic Eggroll– This not so ancient Chinese secret consists of General Tao Chicken, noodles,Cantonese Style Chow Mein, Chicken Fried Rice and dumplings. Yes, they are allmixed together as the stuffing in a deep fried egg roll wrapper. And not to beoutdone, it comes with a giant gold leaf...
- 2/1/2011
- by Pop Culture Passionistas
- popculturepassionistas
Photo by PaulDrinkwater/NBC
FlashForwardactress Christine Woods has moved on to a new job playing one half of thefairly normal pair on Perfect Couples.She may be onto the next thing but dedicated Ff fans not forgotten last year’s underrated, canceled-too-soonseries. It’s especially hard to let go when the Universe seems to be sendingsignals to devotees that maybe the fantasy show wasn’t that far fetched.
For those of you that missed theshort-lived drama, here’s the premise. The entire world blacked out at theexact same time for precisely 137 seconds. Those with a future, saw where theywould be roughly six months later. Those who didn’t have a vision could prettymuch assume they might not live that long.
As the FBI started to unravel thebizarre mystery, they discovered other anomalies around the world. One of themost significant events was flocks of birds that dropped en masse from the sky.
FlashForwardactress Christine Woods has moved on to a new job playing one half of thefairly normal pair on Perfect Couples.She may be onto the next thing but dedicated Ff fans not forgotten last year’s underrated, canceled-too-soonseries. It’s especially hard to let go when the Universe seems to be sendingsignals to devotees that maybe the fantasy show wasn’t that far fetched.
For those of you that missed theshort-lived drama, here’s the premise. The entire world blacked out at theexact same time for precisely 137 seconds. Those with a future, saw where theywould be roughly six months later. Those who didn’t have a vision could prettymuch assume they might not live that long.
As the FBI started to unravel thebizarre mystery, they discovered other anomalies around the world. One of themost significant events was flocks of birds that dropped en masse from the sky.
- 1/27/2011
- by Pop Culture Passionistas
- popculturepassionistas
Photo by Tomdog [Cc-by-sa-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]
The Vampire Diaries in back tomorrow night on the CW with all new episodes. Tune in to find out what will happen to Elena, Stephan, Damon, Caroline and the gang of Mystic Falls. While you wait see what's in store for the end of this season from Nina Dobrev and Candice Accola. At a recent press event called "The Kick-Ass Women of the CW" the show's two female stars spoke about the future of Elena and Caroline and what women influenced them most in their careers.
While both women play supernaturals on The Vampire Diaries and are required to be tough chicks on a weekly basis, their influences are not based in the action genre. Candace admitted, "I know it's not necessarily stunt work, like kicking booty, but I think Lucille Ball was a pretty kick ass woman. She paved such a beautiful path for women in...
The Vampire Diaries in back tomorrow night on the CW with all new episodes. Tune in to find out what will happen to Elena, Stephan, Damon, Caroline and the gang of Mystic Falls. While you wait see what's in store for the end of this season from Nina Dobrev and Candice Accola. At a recent press event called "The Kick-Ass Women of the CW" the show's two female stars spoke about the future of Elena and Caroline and what women influenced them most in their careers.
While both women play supernaturals on The Vampire Diaries and are required to be tough chicks on a weekly basis, their influences are not based in the action genre. Candace admitted, "I know it's not necessarily stunt work, like kicking booty, but I think Lucille Ball was a pretty kick ass woman. She paved such a beautiful path for women in...
- 1/26/2011
- by Pop Culture Passionistas
- popculturepassionistas
Exclusive: Undercovers standout Ben Schwartz and Josh Lawson have been tapped to co-star opposite Don Cheadle in the Showtime dark comedy pilot House of Lies. The View co-star Sherri Shepherd is set to co-star opposite Christine Taylor in TV Land's untitled Terri Minsky comedy pilot, David Alan Basche (Lipstick Jungle) has come onboard the untitled Mike Reisman comedy pilot for TV Land, while Desperate Housewives alum Jeffrey Nordling has joined Lifetime's untitled Michael Sardo drama pilot starring Carrie-Anne Moss. Showtime's House of Lies, written by Matthew Carnahan based on the book by Martin Kihn, centers on Marty (Cheadle), a self-loathing highly successful management consultant from a top-tier firm who is never above using any means necessary to get his clients the information they want. Wme-repped Schwartz will play a member of Marty's team and his closest friend. Lawson (Romantically Challenged) will play Marty's Harvard-educated associate. TV Land's untitled Terri Minsky...
- 1/24/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Which Came First — The Chicken Or The Gay Dad?
Last week Out magazine published the results of their Love and Sex Survey and one of the most notable results was the very large generation gap between gay men on the subjects of gay marriage and having children.
While only 51% of those aged 36 to 45 want to get married, 80% of those 18 to 25 want to do so. The gap is even bigger when it comes to having children. While a whopping 70% of those under the age of 25 want little bundles of joy, only 31% of those over 25 are interested in changing diapers. Even though this is Out's first time doing this survey, I'd wager that even ten years ago, the gap wouldn't have been nearly so large.
Coincidentally — or not — this week saw the debut of USA's Fairly Legal, yet another show which includes an out gay man who is a dad. This comes...
Last week Out magazine published the results of their Love and Sex Survey and one of the most notable results was the very large generation gap between gay men on the subjects of gay marriage and having children.
While only 51% of those aged 36 to 45 want to get married, 80% of those 18 to 25 want to do so. The gap is even bigger when it comes to having children. While a whopping 70% of those under the age of 25 want little bundles of joy, only 31% of those over 25 are interested in changing diapers. Even though this is Out's first time doing this survey, I'd wager that even ten years ago, the gap wouldn't have been nearly so large.
Coincidentally — or not — this week saw the debut of USA's Fairly Legal, yet another show which includes an out gay man who is a dad. This comes...
- 1/21/2011
- by Michael Jensen
- The Backlot
USA has a real curiosity on its hands. Coming to you tonight is a new show, Fairly Legal, and what's curious about it is that I'm not in love with it yet. As you may now, I'm a big fan of everything USA has out there (though White Collar distanced itself from me with that last episode), and their new shows usually have me hooked long before I even get a chance to see them. I'm willing to give this one a chance, even though the first few episodes are rather rough, but just the fact that I'm not already completely invested makes it USA's poorest showings in quite a while.
Kate Reed (Sarah Shahi - The L Word, Life) has a fairly complicated life, and she's made her goal to remove the complications from the lives of others. She's a mediator. Recently a litigator (the show description says, "top litigator,...
Kate Reed (Sarah Shahi - The L Word, Life) has a fairly complicated life, and she's made her goal to remove the complications from the lives of others. She's a mediator. Recently a litigator (the show description says, "top litigator,...
- 1/20/2011
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Photo by Alan Zenuk/USA Network
USA's new dramedy Fairly Legal, starring Sarah Shahi (The L Word), Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galactica) and Virginia Williams (How I Met Your Mother), premieres tonight at 10 p.m. Sarah plays Kate Reed, an ex-attorney who now does mediation. She works for her father's widow (played by Williams) and has just divorced her husband (played by Trucco). The series' creator Michael Sardo does a nice job mixing comedy and drama within scenes, and has definitely taken the necessary steps to set the show apart from the sea of legal dramas on current television. We spoke with Sardo about the characters, the guest stars, and the pressure of creating a show.
We wondered why viewers would tune into this show with so much similar fare available, and asked Sardo if he has an idea of who will tune in? He replied, "I go from the point...
USA's new dramedy Fairly Legal, starring Sarah Shahi (The L Word), Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galactica) and Virginia Williams (How I Met Your Mother), premieres tonight at 10 p.m. Sarah plays Kate Reed, an ex-attorney who now does mediation. She works for her father's widow (played by Williams) and has just divorced her husband (played by Trucco). The series' creator Michael Sardo does a nice job mixing comedy and drama within scenes, and has definitely taken the necessary steps to set the show apart from the sea of legal dramas on current television. We spoke with Sardo about the characters, the guest stars, and the pressure of creating a show.
We wondered why viewers would tune into this show with so much similar fare available, and asked Sardo if he has an idea of who will tune in? He replied, "I go from the point...
- 1/20/2011
- by Pop Culture Passionistas
- popculturepassionistas
Fairly Legal creator and executive producer Michael Sardo remembers exactly when he realized he had found his leading lady.
"I had seen 90 women when Sarah Shahi came in. When the casting director pulled out a pretend gun in the audition scene, they all backed up," Sardo tells TVGuide.com. "Sarah's audition started, the casting director pulled out the fake gun, and she leaned in. Right then and there, I knew she was Kate."
Fearlessness was an important prerequisite for the role of mediator Kate Reed, the center of USA's new drama, Fairly Legal. After the sudden death of her father, both her mentor and best friend, Kate agrees to work for her difficult stepmother (Virginia Williams) to help keep her father's law firm afloat. When she's not settling disputes for bitter divorcees and powerful CEOs, Kate is also still dealing with her split from...
Read More >...
"I had seen 90 women when Sarah Shahi came in. When the casting director pulled out a pretend gun in the audition scene, they all backed up," Sardo tells TVGuide.com. "Sarah's audition started, the casting director pulled out the fake gun, and she leaned in. Right then and there, I knew she was Kate."
Fearlessness was an important prerequisite for the role of mediator Kate Reed, the center of USA's new drama, Fairly Legal. After the sudden death of her father, both her mentor and best friend, Kate agrees to work for her difficult stepmother (Virginia Williams) to help keep her father's law firm afloat. When she's not settling disputes for bitter divorcees and powerful CEOs, Kate is also still dealing with her split from...
Read More >...
- 1/20/2011
- by Kate Stanhope
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Fairly Legal comes to both the USA network, and TV Fanatic, on January 20.
We'll be covering this series in depth, posting details recaps, reviews, photos and quotes every week. The show stars Sarah Shahi as Kate Reed, a mediator in San Francisco.
Why a mediator and not a lawyer? And why San Francisco? Creator Michael Sardo tackled these questions in a recent conference call.
Why make Kate a mediator?
There are no rules; it’s all about the personality of the mediator. I thought that makes for very interesting drama.
I mean, it’s scary in a way. As I said earlier, essentially the show is two people have a conflict, put them in a room, close the door, send in Kate Reed, and I just thought that was a great fundamental challenge for a dramatist of how do you make something happen with that.
Why is the show set in San Francisco?...
We'll be covering this series in depth, posting details recaps, reviews, photos and quotes every week. The show stars Sarah Shahi as Kate Reed, a mediator in San Francisco.
Why a mediator and not a lawyer? And why San Francisco? Creator Michael Sardo tackled these questions in a recent conference call.
Why make Kate a mediator?
There are no rules; it’s all about the personality of the mediator. I thought that makes for very interesting drama.
I mean, it’s scary in a way. As I said earlier, essentially the show is two people have a conflict, put them in a room, close the door, send in Kate Reed, and I just thought that was a great fundamental challenge for a dramatist of how do you make something happen with that.
Why is the show set in San Francisco?...
- 1/8/2011
- by matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal)
- TVfanatic
Exclusive: The Matrix star Carrie-Anne Moss has been tapped as the lead in Lifetime's untitled Michael Sardo pilot. The project, from writer-executive producer Michael Sardo and Universal Cable Prods., centers on Ann Brown (Moss), New York's premiere celebrity psychologist. With her life and marriage in shambles, she leaves town to join her sister, the Dean at a teaching hospital, to become the chief of staff of the hospital's psych ward. There, she rediscovers her love for helping people while reconnecting with her sister, despite their volatile history. Gerard Bocaccio is executive producing the pilot with Sardo, while Timothy Busfield is set to direct. Moss, repped by Wme and manager Elizabeth Hodgson, is the latest feature actress to headline a cable pilot. Moss started off on TV, with roles on such series as Dark Justice, Models Inc. and F/X: The Series, before her big breakthrough in the 1999 feature The Matrix,...
- 12/14/2010
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
After going an entire year without having a single gay or bisexual man appear in their lineup, USA Network will be adding a gay male character to their fall schedule. Assuming the show isn't quickly canceled (unlikely on USA) this should help the network to improve on the "F" grade GLAAD gave them for their current lack of Glbt representation.
The show is called Facing Kate and stars Sarah Shahi as Kate Reed, a former attorney who becomes a "mediator" because she feels attorneys often aren't helping people.
Thirty-two-year old Ethan Embry will play Kate's gay brother, Spencer who will appear in five of the first twelve episodes.
Facing Kate's creator Michael Sardo (pictured right) spoke with AfterElton.com about how the character came to be. Given that the show is set in San Francisco, Sardo felt "it would be a little disingenuous to do a show set in...
The show is called Facing Kate and stars Sarah Shahi as Kate Reed, a former attorney who becomes a "mediator" because she feels attorneys often aren't helping people.
Thirty-two-year old Ethan Embry will play Kate's gay brother, Spencer who will appear in five of the first twelve episodes.
Facing Kate's creator Michael Sardo (pictured right) spoke with AfterElton.com about how the character came to be. Given that the show is set in San Francisco, Sardo felt "it would be a little disingenuous to do a show set in...
- 8/4/2010
- by dennis
- The Backlot
Hate your lawyer? You may love "Facing Kate."
USA latest dramedy stars Sarah Shahi as Kate Reed, a disgruntled lawyer who quits and becomes a mediator -- sort of the anti-lawyer.
"A mediator can be a lawyer who's resigned from the bar, which is what Kate's done," creator Michael Sardo tells the TCA members during the NBC networks press tour on Friday (July 30). "In a regular law show, you have all this artifice around and someone speaking for you or instead of you, whereas we just get right to the heart of it and do our little anti-law law show. Two people in a room in conflict, send in Kate, and things happen."
Kate is actually drawn to helping people, to the point of disregarding her own safety or perhaps regular social boundaries. This was a quality that the producers were looking for in their lead. Sardo gives an example...
USA latest dramedy stars Sarah Shahi as Kate Reed, a disgruntled lawyer who quits and becomes a mediator -- sort of the anti-lawyer.
"A mediator can be a lawyer who's resigned from the bar, which is what Kate's done," creator Michael Sardo tells the TCA members during the NBC networks press tour on Friday (July 30). "In a regular law show, you have all this artifice around and someone speaking for you or instead of you, whereas we just get right to the heart of it and do our little anti-law law show. Two people in a room in conflict, send in Kate, and things happen."
Kate is actually drawn to helping people, to the point of disregarding her own safety or perhaps regular social boundaries. This was a quality that the producers were looking for in their lead. Sardo gives an example...
- 7/30/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
3:30 p.m. Chase
In the new action show about U.S. Marshalls, Kelli Giddish plays Annie Frost, a Texan with a talent for chasing down the best of criminals. Giddish's co-star is someone we know well: Rose Rollins.
Rose said she plays "Daisy, aka Hurricane. I balance out the Chatterbox over here, which is Marco, because I am a woman of few words. I am the tactical specialist. I come from a tight knit family, second generation Nigerian."
And it's true — in the pilot, even when Rose is on screen, she's not saying much. But I feel like her role will grow as the show goes on and establishes itself. Also Executive Producer Jennifer Johnson says we'll see a friendship unfold between Annie and Lucy and "learn a secret" about Annie.
I asked Rose if she knows her character's romantic situation and she said there hasn't been any development...
In the new action show about U.S. Marshalls, Kelli Giddish plays Annie Frost, a Texan with a talent for chasing down the best of criminals. Giddish's co-star is someone we know well: Rose Rollins.
Rose said she plays "Daisy, aka Hurricane. I balance out the Chatterbox over here, which is Marco, because I am a woman of few words. I am the tactical specialist. I come from a tight knit family, second generation Nigerian."
And it's true — in the pilot, even when Rose is on screen, she's not saying much. But I feel like her role will grow as the show goes on and establishes itself. Also Executive Producer Jennifer Johnson says we'll see a friendship unfold between Annie and Lucy and "learn a secret" about Annie.
I asked Rose if she knows her character's romantic situation and she said there hasn't been any development...
- 7/30/2010
- by Trish Bendix
- AfterEllen.com
From a press release
Los Angeles, CA - March 15, 2010 - USA Network has announced today the pickup of its newest original series Facing Kate starring Sarah Shahi ("Life," "The L Word"), Michael Trucco (Battlestar Gallactica, One Tree Hill), Virginia Williams (The O.C., American Beauty) and Baron Vaughn (Invasion) in a first-ever co-production between Universal Cable Productions and Universal Networks International. Shooting on location in Vancouver, Facing Kate will debut with a 90-minute premiere followed by 11 one-hour episodes. The announcement was made today by Jeff Wachtel, president, original programming, USA Network, and co-head, original content, Universal Cable Productions.
"The combination of Michael's and Sarah's unique talents gives this funny, energetic and iconoclastic law show a completely fresh voice," said Wachtel. "We see Facing Kate as the perfect complement to our character-based series line-up."
Facing Kate centers on Kate Reed (Sarah Shahi), a top litigator who became frustrated with the endless...
Los Angeles, CA - March 15, 2010 - USA Network has announced today the pickup of its newest original series Facing Kate starring Sarah Shahi ("Life," "The L Word"), Michael Trucco (Battlestar Gallactica, One Tree Hill), Virginia Williams (The O.C., American Beauty) and Baron Vaughn (Invasion) in a first-ever co-production between Universal Cable Productions and Universal Networks International. Shooting on location in Vancouver, Facing Kate will debut with a 90-minute premiere followed by 11 one-hour episodes. The announcement was made today by Jeff Wachtel, president, original programming, USA Network, and co-head, original content, Universal Cable Productions.
"The combination of Michael's and Sarah's unique talents gives this funny, energetic and iconoclastic law show a completely fresh voice," said Wachtel. "We see Facing Kate as the perfect complement to our character-based series line-up."
Facing Kate centers on Kate Reed (Sarah Shahi), a top litigator who became frustrated with the endless...
- 3/15/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
By Josef Adalian
With TNT's "Saving Grace" about to end, USA Network has given thumbs up to "Facing Kate."
Basic cable's top-rated network Sunday announced its latest series pickup via the website of the Hollywood Reporter, with USA programming chief Jeff Wachtel telling the trade paper he's ordered 11 episodes of "Kate" on top of its 90-minute pilot.
The series, from Universal Cable Productions and Universal Networks International, is an hourlong drama series about a legal mediator. It stars Sarah Shahi and was created by Michael Sardo ("Caroline in the ...
With TNT's "Saving Grace" about to end, USA Network has given thumbs up to "Facing Kate."
Basic cable's top-rated network Sunday announced its latest series pickup via the website of the Hollywood Reporter, with USA programming chief Jeff Wachtel telling the trade paper he's ordered 11 episodes of "Kate" on top of its 90-minute pilot.
The series, from Universal Cable Productions and Universal Networks International, is an hourlong drama series about a legal mediator. It stars Sarah Shahi and was created by Michael Sardo ("Caroline in the ...
- 3/15/2010
- by Adalian
- The Wrap
It's ladies' year at USA Network.
The top basic cable network has handed out its second series order to a female-centered drama this year, "Facing Kate."
"Kate," toplined by Sarah Shahi, has been picked up for 11 episodes in addition to its 90-minute pilot and is being co-produced by Universal Cable Prods. and Universal Networks International.
That makes it two-for-two for USA, which in January picked up to series the other pilot from its 2009 development cycle, the Piper Perabo starrer "Covert Affairs."
That means that USA will launch two new series for a second year in a row after unspooling "Royal Pains" and "White Collar," both featuring male leads, in 2009.
The launch plan for "Covert" and "Kate" is still being worked out but it is expected to follow the pattern of "Pains" and "Collar," which premiered in the summer and in the fourth quarter, respectively.
"Kate" centers on Kate Reed (Shahi), a top litigator who,...
The top basic cable network has handed out its second series order to a female-centered drama this year, "Facing Kate."
"Kate," toplined by Sarah Shahi, has been picked up for 11 episodes in addition to its 90-minute pilot and is being co-produced by Universal Cable Prods. and Universal Networks International.
That makes it two-for-two for USA, which in January picked up to series the other pilot from its 2009 development cycle, the Piper Perabo starrer "Covert Affairs."
That means that USA will launch two new series for a second year in a row after unspooling "Royal Pains" and "White Collar," both featuring male leads, in 2009.
The launch plan for "Covert" and "Kate" is still being worked out but it is expected to follow the pattern of "Pains" and "Collar," which premiered in the summer and in the fourth quarter, respectively.
"Kate" centers on Kate Reed (Shahi), a top litigator who,...
- 3/14/2010
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sarah Shahi has landed the lead in USA Network's pilot "Facing Kate," lifting the contingency off the project.
The pilot, produced by Universal Cable Prods., centers on Kate (Shahi), a divorced San Francisco woman who leaves her job as a lawyer to become a mediator.
Michael Sardo wrote the script for "Facing Kate" and is executive producing the pilot with Steve Stark.
Shahi most recently played the female lead opposite Damian Lewis on NBC's cop drama "Life." Her series credits also include Showtime's "The L Word," ABC's "Alias" and the NBC comedy series "Teachers."
Shahi is repped by CAA and McKeon-Myones.
With its firm production order, "Kate" joins another female-centered pilot that USA recently picked up, "Covert Affairs" starring Piper Perabo.
The pilot, produced by Universal Cable Prods., centers on Kate (Shahi), a divorced San Francisco woman who leaves her job as a lawyer to become a mediator.
Michael Sardo wrote the script for "Facing Kate" and is executive producing the pilot with Steve Stark.
Shahi most recently played the female lead opposite Damian Lewis on NBC's cop drama "Life." Her series credits also include Showtime's "The L Word," ABC's "Alias" and the NBC comedy series "Teachers."
Shahi is repped by CAA and McKeon-Myones.
With its firm production order, "Kate" joins another female-centered pilot that USA recently picked up, "Covert Affairs" starring Piper Perabo.
- 10/21/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After building successful crime and medical franchises with "Monk," "Psych," "In Plain Sight" and "Royal Pains," USA Network is looking to mine the third classic TV drama genre -- legal -- with "Facing Kate."
The cable network has handed a cast-contingent pilot order to the project, from creator Michael Sardo and executive producer Steve Stark.
The show, produced by Universal Cable Prods., centers on Kate, a divorced lawyer who leaves her job to become a mediator.
"She realized that truth and justice are not always being found in the court room," Sardo said. "As a mediator, you lose a lot of constraints of the law; you're a referee in a room with no rules."
Sardo brought the idea to Stark, with whom he worked years ago on the NBC/Paramount comedy "Wings"; Sardo was a producer and Stark an executive on that '90s NBC series.
Stark had been looking...
The cable network has handed a cast-contingent pilot order to the project, from creator Michael Sardo and executive producer Steve Stark.
The show, produced by Universal Cable Prods., centers on Kate, a divorced lawyer who leaves her job to become a mediator.
"She realized that truth and justice are not always being found in the court room," Sardo said. "As a mediator, you lose a lot of constraints of the law; you're a referee in a room with no rules."
Sardo brought the idea to Stark, with whom he worked years ago on the NBC/Paramount comedy "Wings"; Sardo was a producer and Stark an executive on that '90s NBC series.
Stark had been looking...
- 9/30/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
USA Network is looking to extend its winning streak in original series with a development slate that includes projects from Stephen J. Cannell, Mike Newell and Tom Fontana, while fellow NBC Universal cable net Syfy is reteaming with director Bryan Singer for a six-hour limited series.
The announcements were made Wednesday during NBC Universal's portion of the summer TCA press tour.
The Syfy project has Singer, who first collaborated with the network on the 2005 miniseries "The Triangle," working on a new project in the vein of "The Da Vinci Code" and "National Treasure."
The series from Industry Entertainment is described as an action-adventure about the Mayan calendar predicting the end of the world. Singer is producing with Andrew Deane and Keith Addis.
"Our story will explore whether we are truly alone in the universe and other related mysteries, all of which are set against the backdrop of an incredibly exciting and fast-paced adventure,...
The announcements were made Wednesday during NBC Universal's portion of the summer TCA press tour.
The Syfy project has Singer, who first collaborated with the network on the 2005 miniseries "The Triangle," working on a new project in the vein of "The Da Vinci Code" and "National Treasure."
The series from Industry Entertainment is described as an action-adventure about the Mayan calendar predicting the end of the world. Singer is producing with Andrew Deane and Keith Addis.
"Our story will explore whether we are truly alone in the universe and other related mysteries, all of which are set against the backdrop of an incredibly exciting and fast-paced adventure,...
- 8/5/2009
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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