Universal Television Alternative Studio (Utas) is getting into business with Depp V. Heard producer Empress Films.
The Universal Studio Group-owned Utas has struck an exclusive first-look deal with the UK indie, which filmmaker Emma Cooper launched in 2020.
Empress is known for Netflix and Channel 4’s Depp V. Heard, as well three other Netflix titles, The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes, Who Killed Jill Dando? and The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann; and Sky and Peacock co-production Ghislaine Maxwell: Epstein’s Shadow.
The partnerships will provide Empress with access to Utas’s transatlantic development resources, IP library and talent roster.
“Emma Cooper is a world class talent who has created some of the most-watched factual hits globally in recent years,” said Toby Gorman, President of Utas. “As we look to grow our documentary and factual output, her track record makes her and the team at Empress ideal...
The Universal Studio Group-owned Utas has struck an exclusive first-look deal with the UK indie, which filmmaker Emma Cooper launched in 2020.
Empress is known for Netflix and Channel 4’s Depp V. Heard, as well three other Netflix titles, The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes, Who Killed Jill Dando? and The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann; and Sky and Peacock co-production Ghislaine Maxwell: Epstein’s Shadow.
The partnerships will provide Empress with access to Utas’s transatlantic development resources, IP library and talent roster.
“Emma Cooper is a world class talent who has created some of the most-watched factual hits globally in recent years,” said Toby Gorman, President of Utas. “As we look to grow our documentary and factual output, her track record makes her and the team at Empress ideal...
- 3/14/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon MGM Studios has a new head of global formats.
The company has promoted Anaïs Baker to the role. It follows the departure of Cj Yu, who held a similar role, at the end of last year.
Baker, who is LA-based, has been with the company for around two and a half years, previously working under Yu as a senior unscripted creative executive in the global formats team.
Before that, she was at BBC Worldwide, where she was a commissioning editor for its BBC Brit and BBC Lifestyle channels as well as an executive producer of content partnerships. She was also director of international format production and development at NBCUniversal, based out of London, where she worked on formats such as Hollywood Game Night as well as international adaptations of Top Chef and The Real Housewives.
Amazon MGM Studios global formats team is responsible for rolling out its formats including...
The company has promoted Anaïs Baker to the role. It follows the departure of Cj Yu, who held a similar role, at the end of last year.
Baker, who is LA-based, has been with the company for around two and a half years, previously working under Yu as a senior unscripted creative executive in the global formats team.
Before that, she was at BBC Worldwide, where she was a commissioning editor for its BBC Brit and BBC Lifestyle channels as well as an executive producer of content partnerships. She was also director of international format production and development at NBCUniversal, based out of London, where she worked on formats such as Hollywood Game Night as well as international adaptations of Top Chef and The Real Housewives.
Amazon MGM Studios global formats team is responsible for rolling out its formats including...
- 2/13/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
On Patrol: Live will have a new host, for the holidays.
The Reelz series is subbing in American Ninja Warrior host Matt Iseman over the Thanksgiving weekend. He will fill in for Dan Abrams on Friday November 24 and Saturday November 25.
The show is midway through its second season, coming up to 130 episodes.
The series, which features the work of police officers on patrol in real time, is normally hosted by Abrams, who also exec produces, alongside retired Tulsa Police Department Sgt. Sean “Sticks” Larkin and Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson.
It airs live Friday and Saturday nights from 9 pm to 12 am Et on Reelz as well as streaming live on Peacock.
Iseman has also hosted Evel Live on History Channel, Live Rescue on A&e and has appeared on Lip Sync Battle and Hollywood Game Night.
The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios-owned Big Fish Entertainment’s crime and investigation label Half Moon Pictures.
The Reelz series is subbing in American Ninja Warrior host Matt Iseman over the Thanksgiving weekend. He will fill in for Dan Abrams on Friday November 24 and Saturday November 25.
The show is midway through its second season, coming up to 130 episodes.
The series, which features the work of police officers on patrol in real time, is normally hosted by Abrams, who also exec produces, alongside retired Tulsa Police Department Sgt. Sean “Sticks” Larkin and Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson.
It airs live Friday and Saturday nights from 9 pm to 12 am Et on Reelz as well as streaming live on Peacock.
Iseman has also hosted Evel Live on History Channel, Live Rescue on A&e and has appeared on Lip Sync Battle and Hollywood Game Night.
The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios-owned Big Fish Entertainment’s crime and investigation label Half Moon Pictures.
- 11/22/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS is putting the pieces in place for its next late night show.
The network has named a host and hired the key creative team for After Midnight, which is set to take over the 12:35 a.m. Et spot in early 2024. The show is inspired by Comedy Central’s comedic game show @midnight and getting a truth-in-titling name change.
Comedian Taylor Tomlinson will host After Midnight. Tomlinson, who has two Netflix specials to her name, appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Wednesday following the afternoon announcement of the creative team.
Jack Martin, a veteran of @midnight and currently showrunner of CBS’ game show Raid the Cage, and Eric Pierce (The Challenge: USA, Hollywood Game Night) will be showrunners on the new series, which comes from CBS Studios, Stephen Colbert’s Spartina Industries and Funny or Die. Writer and comedian Jo Firestone (The Tonight Show, Joe Pera...
The network has named a host and hired the key creative team for After Midnight, which is set to take over the 12:35 a.m. Et spot in early 2024. The show is inspired by Comedy Central’s comedic game show @midnight and getting a truth-in-titling name change.
Comedian Taylor Tomlinson will host After Midnight. Tomlinson, who has two Netflix specials to her name, appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Wednesday following the afternoon announcement of the creative team.
Jack Martin, a veteran of @midnight and currently showrunner of CBS’ game show Raid the Cage, and Eric Pierce (The Challenge: USA, Hollywood Game Night) will be showrunners on the new series, which comes from CBS Studios, Stephen Colbert’s Spartina Industries and Funny or Die. Writer and comedian Jo Firestone (The Tonight Show, Joe Pera...
- 11/2/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CBS Studios and Stephen Colbert’s “@midnight” reboot has found its creative team.
“After Midnight,” which will premiere on CBS Television Network and Paramount+ in early 2024, has named Jack Martin and Eric Pierce, comedian Jo Firestone and Alexx Wells as co-executive producers. Martin and Pierce will also serve as co-showrunners, while Firestone serves as head writer.
@midnight, which ran on Comedy Central from 2013 to 2017, was a game show hosted by Chris Hardwick that posed Internet-themed questions to its three guests. Hardwick is not expected to return to the reboot.
A host and premiere date for the upcoming late night series will be announced at a later time.
In addition to Colbert and his wife Evelyn, “After Midnight” is executive produced by Spartina Industries president Carrie Byalick, “The Late Show executive producer Tom Purcell and Dixon Talent’s James Dixon.
The Spartina team is joined by executive producers Joe Farrell, Mike Farah,...
“After Midnight,” which will premiere on CBS Television Network and Paramount+ in early 2024, has named Jack Martin and Eric Pierce, comedian Jo Firestone and Alexx Wells as co-executive producers. Martin and Pierce will also serve as co-showrunners, while Firestone serves as head writer.
@midnight, which ran on Comedy Central from 2013 to 2017, was a game show hosted by Chris Hardwick that posed Internet-themed questions to its three guests. Hardwick is not expected to return to the reboot.
A host and premiere date for the upcoming late night series will be announced at a later time.
In addition to Colbert and his wife Evelyn, “After Midnight” is executive produced by Spartina Industries president Carrie Byalick, “The Late Show executive producer Tom Purcell and Dixon Talent’s James Dixon.
The Spartina team is joined by executive producers Joe Farrell, Mike Farah,...
- 11/1/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Netflix has added Sahara Bushue to its unscripted team, TheWrap can confirm.
Bushue had been consulting for the streaming giant since March. She will now join the company on a permanent basis on unscripted VP Brandon Riegg’s team. Her official title will be director of unscripted series.
Previously, Bushue worked as the senior vice president and head of unscripted for Westbrook Studios, the entertainment venture company founded by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. She was there for a little over two years when the company produced projects such as “Red Table Talk,” “Welcome to Earth,” “Amend: The Fight for America” and “Women of the Movement.”
Before that, Bushue was the senior vice president for alternative programming and development at NBC. Altogether, she was at the network for 13 years. Throughout her time at NBC, she’s worked on “America’s Got Talent,” “Ellen’s Game of Games,” “World of Dance,” “Little Big Shots” and “Hollywood Game Night.
Bushue had been consulting for the streaming giant since March. She will now join the company on a permanent basis on unscripted VP Brandon Riegg’s team. Her official title will be director of unscripted series.
Previously, Bushue worked as the senior vice president and head of unscripted for Westbrook Studios, the entertainment venture company founded by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. She was there for a little over two years when the company produced projects such as “Red Table Talk,” “Welcome to Earth,” “Amend: The Fight for America” and “Women of the Movement.”
Before that, Bushue was the senior vice president for alternative programming and development at NBC. Altogether, she was at the network for 13 years. Throughout her time at NBC, she’s worked on “America’s Got Talent,” “Ellen’s Game of Games,” “World of Dance,” “Little Big Shots” and “Hollywood Game Night.
- 10/13/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Netflix is staffing up its unscripted division.
Sahara Bushue, who was previously head of unscripted at Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and more notably spent nearly 13 years at NBC, has joined Brandon Riegg’s team. She is a director of unscripted series.
Bushue had been consulting for the streamer for many months but recently closed a deal to join the company on a permanent basis.
Given that she was previously SVP, Alternative Development and Current at NBC, where she worked on shows such as America’s Got Talent, Ellen’s Game of Games, World of Dance, Little Big Shots, and Hollywood Game Night, she brings experience of shiny-floor stage formats, social experiment, game shows to the streamer, which has been moving further into these genres, as well as live, which is a new area for Netflix.
Between November 2020 and March 2023, she was SVP and Head of Unscripted Television for Westbrook Studios,...
Sahara Bushue, who was previously head of unscripted at Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and more notably spent nearly 13 years at NBC, has joined Brandon Riegg’s team. She is a director of unscripted series.
Bushue had been consulting for the streamer for many months but recently closed a deal to join the company on a permanent basis.
Given that she was previously SVP, Alternative Development and Current at NBC, where she worked on shows such as America’s Got Talent, Ellen’s Game of Games, World of Dance, Little Big Shots, and Hollywood Game Night, she brings experience of shiny-floor stage formats, social experiment, game shows to the streamer, which has been moving further into these genres, as well as live, which is a new area for Netflix.
Between November 2020 and March 2023, she was SVP and Head of Unscripted Television for Westbrook Studios,...
- 10/13/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Jane Lynch is a work-obsessed CEO whose eyes get opened to the benefits of play thanks to six adventurous children who bring fun and color to a monotonous workplace. No, that is not the premise of a new Hollywood blockbuster, but a short brand film that is part of Danish toy company Lego Group’s Play Is Your Superpower campaign.
Lego says it is the brand’s “first-ever fully playable brand film, which celebrates the heroes that can emerge in a world that has forgotten how to play.” Indeed, the five-minute story contains clues that can be used to solve puzzles and unlock minifigures that can be personalized.
Lynch brings her humor and star power to the film, but she is not the only Hollywood name with a key role in the production. The film was directed by cinematographer, screenwriter and director Ellen Kuras, best known for her work on...
Lego says it is the brand’s “first-ever fully playable brand film, which celebrates the heroes that can emerge in a world that has forgotten how to play.” Indeed, the five-minute story contains clues that can be used to solve puzzles and unlock minifigures that can be personalized.
Lynch brings her humor and star power to the film, but she is not the only Hollywood name with a key role in the production. The film was directed by cinematographer, screenwriter and director Ellen Kuras, best known for her work on...
- 9/29/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ReachTV has appointed George Sealey as executive VP of development and production.
Sealey will oversee original content for the network and studio and will collaborate with networks, production companies and producers to license their content to ReachTV. He will also exec produce ReachTV’s new original series such as TasteBuds, The Business of Sports and Cultural Eats with Chef Eric Adjepong, which is a co-production with Chris and Cj Paul’s Oh Dip!!! Prods.
He will report to ReachTV founder and CEO Lynnwood Bibbens.
“George Sealey is one of the original trailblazers of unscripted entertainment,” Bibbens said in a statement. “His broad experience in development, production and licensing will help ReachTV continue to innovate new business models and build the streaming television network of the future.”
Prior to joining ReachTV, Sealey served as an executive VP of alternative programming and development at Universal Television Alternative Studios. In his role, he...
Sealey will oversee original content for the network and studio and will collaborate with networks, production companies and producers to license their content to ReachTV. He will also exec produce ReachTV’s new original series such as TasteBuds, The Business of Sports and Cultural Eats with Chef Eric Adjepong, which is a co-production with Chris and Cj Paul’s Oh Dip!!! Prods.
He will report to ReachTV founder and CEO Lynnwood Bibbens.
“George Sealey is one of the original trailblazers of unscripted entertainment,” Bibbens said in a statement. “His broad experience in development, production and licensing will help ReachTV continue to innovate new business models and build the streaming television network of the future.”
Prior to joining ReachTV, Sealey served as an executive VP of alternative programming and development at Universal Television Alternative Studios. In his role, he...
- 8/25/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amanda Kogan, the longtime agent known for focusing on non-scripted television, documentaries and podcasts, is making a career pivot, joining her husband Aaron as a manager at Aaron Kogan Management.
Kogan comes to Aaron Kogan Management from Gersh, where she’d been since 2020. She prior to that was a partner at WME, where she started her career in 2003.
Kogan has previously packaged such series as HBO Max’s Selena + Chef, NBC’s Hollywood Game Night, Helter Skelter: An American Myth on MGM+ and the upcoming Mastermind for Hulu, also selling such hit podcasts as The Joel Osteen Podcast (iHeart), The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever with Chris Harrison (iHeart), That Was Pretty Scary (Wondery) and The R Spot with Iyanla (iHeart).
Clients following Kogan to her next destination include pastor Joel Osteen, director-producer Lesley Chilcott (Netflix’s upcoming Arnold) and Cathy Heller, the self-help coach known for hosting The Cathy Heller Podcast.
Kogan comes to Aaron Kogan Management from Gersh, where she’d been since 2020. She prior to that was a partner at WME, where she started her career in 2003.
Kogan has previously packaged such series as HBO Max’s Selena + Chef, NBC’s Hollywood Game Night, Helter Skelter: An American Myth on MGM+ and the upcoming Mastermind for Hulu, also selling such hit podcasts as The Joel Osteen Podcast (iHeart), The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever with Chris Harrison (iHeart), That Was Pretty Scary (Wondery) and The R Spot with Iyanla (iHeart).
Clients following Kogan to her next destination include pastor Joel Osteen, director-producer Lesley Chilcott (Netflix’s upcoming Arnold) and Cathy Heller, the self-help coach known for hosting The Cathy Heller Podcast.
- 5/15/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Emma Willis To Helm Cbbc Fashion Format
Emma Willis is leading a kids fashion format for Cbbc, which has also unveiled a spin-off of popular football series Jamie Johnson. Willis and stylist Ayishat Akanbi are helming Style it Out from Horrible Histories producer Lion TV, which will seek the next generation of designers and stylists as kids are tested to create their own designs sustainably while celebrating individuality and creativity. The show was issued on a hefty BBC Children’s slate this morning as the BBC prepares to take children’s channel Cbbc off linear. Set in the high-stakes world of Hawx United’s elite football academy, Jamie Johnson F.C. is a spin-off of popular kids football drama Jamie Johnson, while Home Sweet Rome is a drama about a girl who moves from America to start a new life in Rome with her dad and stepmother Francesca. A number...
Emma Willis is leading a kids fashion format for Cbbc, which has also unveiled a spin-off of popular football series Jamie Johnson. Willis and stylist Ayishat Akanbi are helming Style it Out from Horrible Histories producer Lion TV, which will seek the next generation of designers and stylists as kids are tested to create their own designs sustainably while celebrating individuality and creativity. The show was issued on a hefty BBC Children’s slate this morning as the BBC prepares to take children’s channel Cbbc off linear. Set in the high-stakes world of Hawx United’s elite football academy, Jamie Johnson F.C. is a spin-off of popular kids football drama Jamie Johnson, while Home Sweet Rome is a drama about a girl who moves from America to start a new life in Rome with her dad and stepmother Francesca. A number...
- 4/12/2023
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
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Over a decade after serving up sarcasm and canapés, the aspiring actors of Party Down are back. The cult-favorite comedy series that first aired in 2009 has been revived for its third season on Starz, reuniting returning stars Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Martin Starr, Ryan Hansen and Jane Lynch and bringing on newcomers Jennifer Garner, Zoë Chao and Tyrel Jackson Williams. (Original star Lizzy Caplan was unable to join due to scheduling conflicts.)
Premiering Feb. 24, the latest season kicks off with Kyle (Hansen), who is on the verge of stardom and hires his old catering employer, Party Down, for an event and invites former colleagues Henry (Scott), Lydia (Mullally) and Constance (Lynch) as party guests. Ron (Marino) manages the business and Roman (Starr) is still on the team,...
Over a decade after serving up sarcasm and canapés, the aspiring actors of Party Down are back. The cult-favorite comedy series that first aired in 2009 has been revived for its third season on Starz, reuniting returning stars Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Martin Starr, Ryan Hansen and Jane Lynch and bringing on newcomers Jennifer Garner, Zoë Chao and Tyrel Jackson Williams. (Original star Lizzy Caplan was unable to join due to scheduling conflicts.)
Premiering Feb. 24, the latest season kicks off with Kyle (Hansen), who is on the verge of stardom and hires his old catering employer, Party Down, for an event and invites former colleagues Henry (Scott), Lydia (Mullally) and Constance (Lynch) as party guests. Ron (Marino) manages the business and Roman (Starr) is still on the team,...
- 2/22/2023
- by Danielle Directo-Meston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Apolo Ohno is skating over to Buchwald.
The eight-time Olympic medalist has inked with the agency for entertainment representation. Ohno, the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympic athlete of all time, scored eight Olympic medals in short-track speed skating while competing in three Winter Olympics. A record holder with the most Olympic medals by a U.S. Winter Olympian, Ohno is a member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
Following his success on the rink, Ohno competed in the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars, coming out on top in first place. He returned for the 15th all-star season. Ohno has hosted and appeared in TV shows like Minute to Win It, I Get That A lot, Hawaii 5-0, Hollywood Game Night and The Biggest Loser.
He served as an NBC sports analyst for the 2012 London Olympic Games, 2014 Sochi Olympic...
Apolo Ohno is skating over to Buchwald.
The eight-time Olympic medalist has inked with the agency for entertainment representation. Ohno, the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympic athlete of all time, scored eight Olympic medals in short-track speed skating while competing in three Winter Olympics. A record holder with the most Olympic medals by a U.S. Winter Olympian, Ohno is a member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
Following his success on the rink, Ohno competed in the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars, coming out on top in first place. He returned for the 15th all-star season. Ohno has hosted and appeared in TV shows like Minute to Win It, I Get That A lot, Hawaii 5-0, Hollywood Game Night and The Biggest Loser.
He served as an NBC sports analyst for the 2012 London Olympic Games, 2014 Sochi Olympic...
- 9/20/2022
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Estrella Media has hired former NBCUniversal exec Enrique Guillen to serve as the company’s new chief content officer. Guillen will report to Estrella Media CEO Peter Markham and be based in Burbank.
At Estella Media, Guillen will oversee U.S. domestic and global content strategy for the company’s TV, streaming, digital, audio, events and digital businesses, including developing, producing, and acquiring all television and film content, overseeing network and station programming, news, sports, digital content, and studio productions. He’ll also handle international distribution of Estrella Media content.
“Enrique brings impeccable credentials as a leading executive in global content development and distribution, and he is a perfect fit to help our company accelerate our leadership position,” said Markham. “We look forward to Enrique taking a prominent role in helping us plot our next phase of growth as the changes taking place in our industry present unprecedented opportunities for Estrella Media.
At Estella Media, Guillen will oversee U.S. domestic and global content strategy for the company’s TV, streaming, digital, audio, events and digital businesses, including developing, producing, and acquiring all television and film content, overseeing network and station programming, news, sports, digital content, and studio productions. He’ll also handle international distribution of Estrella Media content.
“Enrique brings impeccable credentials as a leading executive in global content development and distribution, and he is a perfect fit to help our company accelerate our leadership position,” said Markham. “We look forward to Enrique taking a prominent role in helping us plot our next phase of growth as the changes taking place in our industry present unprecedented opportunities for Estrella Media.
- 9/12/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
From “Hacks” and “Only Murders in the Building” to “Barry” and “Abbott Elementary,” we’re living in a golden age of comedy. While a few shows have been dominant at the Emmys lately, racking up nominations left and right, predicting the best comedy performances can still prove to be a difficult task. Case in point: Best Comedy Guest Actress.
This year, four of the slots in the category went to actresses from HBO Max’s hit comedy “Hacks,” about a legendary comedienne and her protégé. Apple TV+’s soccer-themed kindness explosion “Ted Lasso” and Hulu’s murder mystery-slash-true crime satire “Only Murders in the Building” fill the remaining two spots. But who will actually win?
Currently, Jane Lynch of “Only Murders” leads the field with 37/10 odds, and two Experts and eight Editors predicting her to win. She’s followed by Laurie Metcalf, Dame Harriet Walter, Harriet Sansom Harris, Jane Adams and Kaitlin Olson.
This year, four of the slots in the category went to actresses from HBO Max’s hit comedy “Hacks,” about a legendary comedienne and her protégé. Apple TV+’s soccer-themed kindness explosion “Ted Lasso” and Hulu’s murder mystery-slash-true crime satire “Only Murders in the Building” fill the remaining two spots. But who will actually win?
Currently, Jane Lynch of “Only Murders” leads the field with 37/10 odds, and two Experts and eight Editors predicting her to win. She’s followed by Laurie Metcalf, Dame Harriet Walter, Harriet Sansom Harris, Jane Adams and Kaitlin Olson.
- 8/16/2022
- by Kaitlin Thomas
- Gold Derby
Format
“Stranger Things” star Nikola Djuricko has been tapped to present the Serbian edition of NBCUniversal Formats’ entertainment series “Hollywood Game Night.” This is the 24th international edition of the series, joining adaptations in the U.K., France, Greece, Hungary and Thailand, among others. The show pairs celebrities with contestants as they compete in a variety of party games. The U.S. original was created by Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner and fronted by Jane Lynch. The Serbian version will be known locally as “Holivudiranje” and is a co-production between TV Una and NBCUniversal Formats, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Office
Ampere Analysis, which provides data, analytics and insight for the global entertainment business, has opened its first office in North America, in Culver City, Los Angeles. “It’s the ideal location for serving the firm’s growing roster of broadcast and...
“Stranger Things” star Nikola Djuricko has been tapped to present the Serbian edition of NBCUniversal Formats’ entertainment series “Hollywood Game Night.” This is the 24th international edition of the series, joining adaptations in the U.K., France, Greece, Hungary and Thailand, among others. The show pairs celebrities with contestants as they compete in a variety of party games. The U.S. original was created by Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner and fronted by Jane Lynch. The Serbian version will be known locally as “Holivudiranje” and is a co-production between TV Una and NBCUniversal Formats, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Office
Ampere Analysis, which provides data, analytics and insight for the global entertainment business, has opened its first office in North America, in Culver City, Los Angeles. “It’s the ideal location for serving the firm’s growing roster of broadcast and...
- 8/8/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Jane Lynch is looking to pick up her sixth career Emmy Award this year. She’s gunning to do it in the Best Comedy Guest Actress category for her performance as Sazz Pataki, Charles’s (Steve Martin) old stunt double, on the first season of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.”
Her submission is the penultimate episode of the first season, “Double Time.” In the midst of caring for Jan (Amy Ryan) after her stabbing, Charles learns that Sazz is stopping by to visit during the annual stunt convention. Sazz then shows up dressed exactly like Charles and, much to Jan’s shock, is a woman. As she takes a call from her agent (disclosing that she’ll be doubling for Tilda Swinton), Charles reveals that Sazz would also double for him in sex scenes, that everyone loved her more than him and that his ex-girlfriend had left him for her.
Her submission is the penultimate episode of the first season, “Double Time.” In the midst of caring for Jan (Amy Ryan) after her stabbing, Charles learns that Sazz is stopping by to visit during the annual stunt convention. Sazz then shows up dressed exactly like Charles and, much to Jan’s shock, is a woman. As she takes a call from her agent (disclosing that she’ll be doubling for Tilda Swinton), Charles reveals that Sazz would also double for him in sex scenes, that everyone loved her more than him and that his ex-girlfriend had left him for her.
- 8/5/2022
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Weakest Link — ” Pictured: Jane Lynch — (Photo by: Chris Haston/NBC) NBC has renewed the international smash hit game show “Weakest Link” for a third season, co-produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions and Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group. The network has greenlit 20 episodes of the lightning fast, quick-witted series hosted by Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch, who continues to executive produce. The fan-favorite show is a British import based on the iconic quiz show format distributed by BBC Studios. Production on the new season is set to begin this fall. “Weakest Link” won over U.S. audiences on NBC by delivering on all of the hallmarks that have earned the quiz show a place in pop culture, from the fast-faced game play testing general knowledge and trivia to its signature send off, memorably conveyed by Lynch as only she could, “You are the weakest link.
- 8/1/2022
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
The verdict is in, and it's good news for fans of The Weakest Link.
NBC announced Monday that it had placed an order for a third season, co-produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions and Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Moreover, the network has greenlit 20 episodes of the lightning-fast, quick-witted series hosted by Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch, who continues to executive produce.
The fan-favorite show is a British import based on the iconic quiz show format distributed by BBC Studios. Production on the new season is set to begin this fall.
The series managed to break through the crowded gameshow space, and the adaptation has been faithful to the original.
"You are the weakest link. Goodbye," Lynch says to contestants as they are eliminated from the game.
"The series has reached more than 17 million viewers this season across linear and digital platforms," NBC said in a statement.
NBC announced Monday that it had placed an order for a third season, co-produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions and Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Moreover, the network has greenlit 20 episodes of the lightning-fast, quick-witted series hosted by Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch, who continues to executive produce.
The fan-favorite show is a British import based on the iconic quiz show format distributed by BBC Studios. Production on the new season is set to begin this fall.
The series managed to break through the crowded gameshow space, and the adaptation has been faithful to the original.
"You are the weakest link. Goodbye," Lynch says to contestants as they are eliminated from the game.
"The series has reached more than 17 million viewers this season across linear and digital platforms," NBC said in a statement.
- 8/1/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
The variety game show “That’s My Jam” has been renewed for Season 2 at NBC, Variety has learned.
Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, the hourlong music and comedy variety game show draws inspiration from popular “Tonight Show” games. Each episode features two teams of two celebrities competing for a charity of their choice in a series of music, dance, and trivia-based games and musical performances.
Season 1 guests included “The Voice” coaches Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, John Legend and Blake Shelton, along with Terry Crews, Chance The Rapper, Taraji P. Henson, Kate Hudson, Bebe Rexha and more.
A special preview episode of the show aired in late November on NBC before moving to its permanent time slot on Jan. 3. The sixth episode aired on Jan. 31. Per NBC, the first episode of the season is up to a 2.1 rating in the 18-49 demo and 8.3 million viewers across all platforms. The first season is now streaming on Peacock.
Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, the hourlong music and comedy variety game show draws inspiration from popular “Tonight Show” games. Each episode features two teams of two celebrities competing for a charity of their choice in a series of music, dance, and trivia-based games and musical performances.
Season 1 guests included “The Voice” coaches Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, John Legend and Blake Shelton, along with Terry Crews, Chance The Rapper, Taraji P. Henson, Kate Hudson, Bebe Rexha and more.
A special preview episode of the show aired in late November on NBC before moving to its permanent time slot on Jan. 3. The sixth episode aired on Jan. 31. Per NBC, the first episode of the season is up to a 2.1 rating in the 18-49 demo and 8.3 million viewers across all platforms. The first season is now streaming on Peacock.
- 2/7/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: We have learned first that Netflix has set the cast for their adaptation of Annie Barrows’ New York Times bestselling book series Ivy & Bean and that is Emmy Award Nominee Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Emmy Award Winner Jane Lynch, Pretty Little Liars‘ Sasha Pieterse, Oscar nominee Nia Vardalos, Garfield Wilson, Jaycie Dotin and Marci T. House.
The group joins previously announced Keslee Blalock as Ivy; Madison Skye Validum as Bean and Lidya Jewett as Nancy in the series of one-hour family movies from the streamer.
In the Elissa Down-directed and Kathy Waugh and Jeff Stockwell-penned screenplay, Ivy and Bean never expected to be friends. Ivy is quiet, thoughtful and observant. Bean is playful, exuberant and fearless. However, sometimes an adventure reveals that opposites can become the best of friends.
Producers are Anne Brogan and Melanie Stokes as well as Lionsgate TV backed Kindle Entertainment.
Ivy & Bean reunites...
The group joins previously announced Keslee Blalock as Ivy; Madison Skye Validum as Bean and Lidya Jewett as Nancy in the series of one-hour family movies from the streamer.
In the Elissa Down-directed and Kathy Waugh and Jeff Stockwell-penned screenplay, Ivy and Bean never expected to be friends. Ivy is quiet, thoughtful and observant. Bean is playful, exuberant and fearless. However, sometimes an adventure reveals that opposites can become the best of friends.
Producers are Anne Brogan and Melanie Stokes as well as Lionsgate TV backed Kindle Entertainment.
Ivy & Bean reunites...
- 8/16/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
RuPaul Charles (“RuPaul’s Drag Race“) has won the Emmy for Best Reality Host five years in a row (2016-20), and is now the odds-on front-runner to snatch trophy #6 at the 2021 Creative Arts. If anyone has a chance of snatching away his Emmy this year, it’s Nicole Byer (“Nailed It”), according to our predictions. The comedian and actress is in second place to claim victory for hosting the popular Netflix bake-off competition series.
Following RuPaul and Byer on our odds chart, the reality host category is rounded out by Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness (“Queer Eye”) in third place, Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John and Kevin O’Leary (“Shark Tank”) in fourth place, and Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio (“Top Chef”) in fifth place. Of note, all five of these shows are also nominated in their respective series races: “RuPaul’s Drag Race,...
Following RuPaul and Byer on our odds chart, the reality host category is rounded out by Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness (“Queer Eye”) in third place, Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John and Kevin O’Leary (“Shark Tank”) in fourth place, and Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio (“Top Chef”) in fifth place. Of note, all five of these shows are also nominated in their respective series races: “RuPaul’s Drag Race,...
- 8/11/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Former NBC Exec & ‘The Apprentice’ Producer Chuck Labella Joins Ireland’s ShinAwiL To Lead U.S. Push
Exclusive: Chuck Labella, former talent executive at NBC, who worked on Donald Trump reality series The Apprentice, has joined Irish producer ShinAwiL as it looks to break into the U.S.
Labella has joined the company as its LA-based executive producer and has been tasked with packaging new shows for U.S. broadcasters and platforms as well as building partnerships with producers and talent.
ShinAwiL is best known for producing Irish versions of international formats such as The Voice, MasterChef, Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice and recently moved in to scripted, overseeing Miss Scarlett and the Duke.
Labella, who exec produced by the Republican National Convention in 2020, spent six years at NBCUniversal, working on shows such as Hollywood Game Night, The Voice, America’s Got Talent and Running Wild with Bear Grylls. After leaving in 2017, he worked on shows such as ABC’s Holey Moley and Fox’s The Masked Singer and before NBC,...
Labella has joined the company as its LA-based executive producer and has been tasked with packaging new shows for U.S. broadcasters and platforms as well as building partnerships with producers and talent.
ShinAwiL is best known for producing Irish versions of international formats such as The Voice, MasterChef, Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice and recently moved in to scripted, overseeing Miss Scarlett and the Duke.
Labella, who exec produced by the Republican National Convention in 2020, spent six years at NBCUniversal, working on shows such as Hollywood Game Night, The Voice, America’s Got Talent and Running Wild with Bear Grylls. After leaving in 2017, he worked on shows such as ABC’s Holey Moley and Fox’s The Masked Singer and before NBC,...
- 8/3/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
RuPaul Charles rewrote the Emmy history books last year when the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” mastermind won a record fifth statuette for Best Reality Host, breaking the tie he shared with “Survivor’s” Jeff Probst. And a sixth straight win looks like it’s on the horizon.
Ru remains out front in first place in our odds at 16/5, ahead of Nicole Byer (“Nailed It!), who’s next closest at 19/5. The hosts of “Queer Eye,” “Shark Tank,” and Tom Colicchio, Padma Laskhmi and Gail Simmons of “Top Chef” round out the top five at a virtual 9/2 tie.
The eight-time Emmy champ has never lost this category ever after first cracking the lineup in 2016. In 2019, RuPaul became the second person after Probst to four-peat in reality host. Probst won the category’s first four awards, from 2008-11, before being dropped completely; he has yet to return. Ru avoided that fate last year with...
Ru remains out front in first place in our odds at 16/5, ahead of Nicole Byer (“Nailed It!), who’s next closest at 19/5. The hosts of “Queer Eye,” “Shark Tank,” and Tom Colicchio, Padma Laskhmi and Gail Simmons of “Top Chef” round out the top five at a virtual 9/2 tie.
The eight-time Emmy champ has never lost this category ever after first cracking the lineup in 2016. In 2019, RuPaul became the second person after Probst to four-peat in reality host. Probst won the category’s first four awards, from 2008-11, before being dropped completely; he has yet to return. Ru avoided that fate last year with...
- 7/28/2021
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Two-time Emmy-nominated comedian, actor, singer and satirist, Randy Rainbow is partnering with Sean Hayes Hazy Mills Productions on a new podcast endeavor. The goal is to bring Randy’s sensational style of parody to audio while also incorporating a new form of interview not yet seen in the podcast space.
“I am beyond thrilled to work with Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner and the entire Hazy Mills team. Sean is a comedy icon and has always been an idol of mine, so this is very special to me.” Says Rainbow.
Rainbow is best known for his popular YouTube series, The Randy Rainbow Show. His musical parodies and political spoofs have garnered him worldwide acclaim and two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Short Form Variety Series. In 2019 he landed a spot on The New York Times Best Performances list, and in 2020 The Washington Post proclaimed Rainbow as Best Parody. His first viral...
“I am beyond thrilled to work with Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner and the entire Hazy Mills team. Sean is a comedy icon and has always been an idol of mine, so this is very special to me.” Says Rainbow.
Rainbow is best known for his popular YouTube series, The Randy Rainbow Show. His musical parodies and political spoofs have garnered him worldwide acclaim and two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Short Form Variety Series. In 2019 he landed a spot on The New York Times Best Performances list, and in 2020 The Washington Post proclaimed Rainbow as Best Parody. His first viral...
- 6/21/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Jane Lynch has been cast in a lead role in the ABC multi-cam comedy pilot “Bucktown,” Variety has learned.
Lynch joins previously announced cast members Shannon Woodward and Nicole Richie.
In the multi-cam sitcom, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, Amy (Woodward) finds refuge at her mom’s (Lynch) house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece, living there due to Amy’s sister’s latest rehab stint, and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren’t quite equipped to go it alone.
Lynch’s character, Helen, is described as rough around the edges and salty as hell, but the most loyal woman you’ll ever meet.
Lynch is one of the most celebrated comedy actresses working today. She is a 12-time Emmy nominee, having...
Lynch joins previously announced cast members Shannon Woodward and Nicole Richie.
In the multi-cam sitcom, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, Amy (Woodward) finds refuge at her mom’s (Lynch) house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece, living there due to Amy’s sister’s latest rehab stint, and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren’t quite equipped to go it alone.
Lynch’s character, Helen, is described as rough around the edges and salty as hell, but the most loyal woman you’ll ever meet.
Lynch is one of the most celebrated comedy actresses working today. She is a 12-time Emmy nominee, having...
- 3/22/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Mattel Television is developing a small-scale reality competition series for one of the world’s biggest fashion icons: Barbie.
The studio is co-producing “Barbie Fashion Battle,” a reality competition show centered around designing clothes for Barbie, along with “Hollywood Game Night” production company Mission Control Media.
Per Mattel, “Barbie Fashion Battle” features 12 up-and-coming adult designers who will be divided into two separate fashion houses, each headed by a celebrity fashion icon. The designers will then create miniature high-fashion collections for Barbie that are presented in cinematic reveal sequences. The winner will receive a cash prize as well as the opportunity to design a line of Barbie doll fashions for Mattel Creations, an e-commerce and content platform that features curated items for sale and highlights creator collaborations past and present.
Mattel Television’s Adam Bonnett will lead the project for the studio, with Dwight D. Smith and Michael Agbabian executive producing for Mission Control Media.
The studio is co-producing “Barbie Fashion Battle,” a reality competition show centered around designing clothes for Barbie, along with “Hollywood Game Night” production company Mission Control Media.
Per Mattel, “Barbie Fashion Battle” features 12 up-and-coming adult designers who will be divided into two separate fashion houses, each headed by a celebrity fashion icon. The designers will then create miniature high-fashion collections for Barbie that are presented in cinematic reveal sequences. The winner will receive a cash prize as well as the opportunity to design a line of Barbie doll fashions for Mattel Creations, an e-commerce and content platform that features curated items for sale and highlights creator collaborations past and present.
Mattel Television’s Adam Bonnett will lead the project for the studio, with Dwight D. Smith and Michael Agbabian executive producing for Mission Control Media.
- 3/22/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
NBC has given a 10-episode order to a U.S. adaptation of “The Wheel,” based on the new U.K. game show that has scored top ratings for the BBC.
Since premiering in November, “The Wheel” has become the BBC’s top-rated game show launch in a decade. The creatives behind the British format, production shingle Hungry McBear and Michael McIntyre (who hosts the U.K. version), will also produce the U.S. edition for NBC, along with Warner Bros. Unscripted Television’s Warner Horizon.
“It’s incredibly rare in this day and age for a new show to become an unqualified smash hit overnight … let alone in the biggest territory in Europe,” said Mike Darnell, President of Warner Bros. Unscripted Television. “We are thrilled to be in business with Hungry McBear and our amazing partners at NBC, who immediately saw ‘The Wheel’s’ potential and picked it up within 24 hours of the pitch.
Since premiering in November, “The Wheel” has become the BBC’s top-rated game show launch in a decade. The creatives behind the British format, production shingle Hungry McBear and Michael McIntyre (who hosts the U.K. version), will also produce the U.S. edition for NBC, along with Warner Bros. Unscripted Television’s Warner Horizon.
“It’s incredibly rare in this day and age for a new show to become an unqualified smash hit overnight … let alone in the biggest territory in Europe,” said Mike Darnell, President of Warner Bros. Unscripted Television. “We are thrilled to be in business with Hungry McBear and our amazing partners at NBC, who immediately saw ‘The Wheel’s’ potential and picked it up within 24 hours of the pitch.
- 2/8/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Just hours after the nominations for the Golden Globe Awards, the Writers Guild of America, West and Writers Guild of America, East announced the latest batch of nominees for the upcoming WGA Awards, including honorees from television, new media, and news.
AMC’s “Better Call Saul” nabbed four nominations, one in drama series and three in episodic drama, which recognizes scripts from individual episodes of the season. Of particular note from today’s WGA announcement is the notable achievement of both Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso” and Hulu’s “The Great” scoring nominations in both new series and comedy series. Both freshman shows also earned a nomination apiece in episodic comedy.
All the nominees will be celebrated at the joint 2021 Writers Guild Awards virtual ceremony, taking place on Sunday, March 21, 2021.
A partial list of nominees is below. A complete list of today’s nominations, including categories for radio/audio and...
AMC’s “Better Call Saul” nabbed four nominations, one in drama series and three in episodic drama, which recognizes scripts from individual episodes of the season. Of particular note from today’s WGA announcement is the notable achievement of both Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso” and Hulu’s “The Great” scoring nominations in both new series and comedy series. Both freshman shows also earned a nomination apiece in episodic comedy.
All the nominees will be celebrated at the joint 2021 Writers Guild Awards virtual ceremony, taking place on Sunday, March 21, 2021.
A partial list of nominees is below. A complete list of today’s nominations, including categories for radio/audio and...
- 2/3/2021
- by Libby Hill
- Indiewire
Exclusive: More than 15 years after the launch of premiere celebrity talent booking agency Jb Talent, the Beverly Hills-based company is rebranding as The Talent.
In making the announcement, CEO and Founder Jen Kasle said the change was a natural progression.
“Over the past 15 years, the growth and success of the company has been immense,” said Kasle. “It is clear to me that the company is only as great as the team I employ. Without the unique contributions of both Sarah Goldsmith (11 years with the company) and Julie Rashid (9 years with the company), who have served as my Vice Presidents of Talent, that success would not have been possible. As such, I am thrilled to announce the well-deserved promotions of both Sarah and Julie to Co-Presidents. With these advancements, it felt right to transition away from a name that represents individuals, and move toward a rebranding that embodies the spirit of...
In making the announcement, CEO and Founder Jen Kasle said the change was a natural progression.
“Over the past 15 years, the growth and success of the company has been immense,” said Kasle. “It is clear to me that the company is only as great as the team I employ. Without the unique contributions of both Sarah Goldsmith (11 years with the company) and Julie Rashid (9 years with the company), who have served as my Vice Presidents of Talent, that success would not have been possible. As such, I am thrilled to announce the well-deserved promotions of both Sarah and Julie to Co-Presidents. With these advancements, it felt right to transition away from a name that represents individuals, and move toward a rebranding that embodies the spirit of...
- 1/11/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Universal Studio Group chair Pearlena Igbokwe on Tuesday revealed the latest tweaks to the structure of the group that comprises Universal Television, Ucp and NBCUniversal International Studios, saying that the International Formats Group has joined the fold to be overseen by JoAnn Alfano, whose role has been expanded.
As part of the tweaks, Formats boss Enrique Guillen, EVP Commercial Strategy and International Development, will be reporting to Alfano, who will now oversee Current Programming for both Universal Television and Ucp. She will now hold the title of EVP Scripted Current Series and Head of International Business Development, Usg.
Usg still is searching for a new international president following the recent exit of Jeff Wachtel.
Alfano, the veteran Lifetime and Brillstein exec, had been EVP Scripted Programming at NBCUniversal International Studios before returning to the domestic side in 2018 as EVP Current Series and New Business Development for Universal Television. In her new role,...
As part of the tweaks, Formats boss Enrique Guillen, EVP Commercial Strategy and International Development, will be reporting to Alfano, who will now oversee Current Programming for both Universal Television and Ucp. She will now hold the title of EVP Scripted Current Series and Head of International Business Development, Usg.
Usg still is searching for a new international president following the recent exit of Jeff Wachtel.
Alfano, the veteran Lifetime and Brillstein exec, had been EVP Scripted Programming at NBCUniversal International Studios before returning to the domestic side in 2018 as EVP Current Series and New Business Development for Universal Television. In her new role,...
- 10/27/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
JoAnn Alfano is set to lead current programming for the both Universal Television and Universal Content Productions.
The announcement was made Tuesday by Pearlena Igbokwe, chairperson of Universal Studio Group, in a letter to staff obtained by Variety. In addition, Alfano will add the International Formats Group to her purview, with the group being folded into Usg. Her new title will be executive vice president of scripted current series and head of international business development for Usg. She will report to Igbokwe for formats and international business development and Ucp president Dawn Olmstead and the yet to be named president of Universal Television for current series.
“JoAnn is well respected across the industry and we are lucky to have someone who brings such a wealth of experience to this newly created role,” Igbokwe wrote.
Enrique Guillen, executive vice president of commercial strategy and international development, will now be reporting to Alfano.
The announcement was made Tuesday by Pearlena Igbokwe, chairperson of Universal Studio Group, in a letter to staff obtained by Variety. In addition, Alfano will add the International Formats Group to her purview, with the group being folded into Usg. Her new title will be executive vice president of scripted current series and head of international business development for Usg. She will report to Igbokwe for formats and international business development and Ucp president Dawn Olmstead and the yet to be named president of Universal Television for current series.
“JoAnn is well respected across the industry and we are lucky to have someone who brings such a wealth of experience to this newly created role,” Igbokwe wrote.
Enrique Guillen, executive vice president of commercial strategy and international development, will now be reporting to Alfano.
- 10/27/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Meredith Ahr is leaving NBCUniversal.
Ahr, who was President of NBC Entertainment’s Alternative and Reality Group, is departing after her former boss Paul Telegdy also left recently.
Her last day is today.
Her departure comes after an internal investigation into allegations of professional misconduct by Telegdy, who previously oversaw the reality group, and another separate complaint over alleged misconduct on and off the set of America’s Got Talent.
It also comes as the company’s latest restructure saw the appointment of Susan Rovner as Chairman, Entertainment Content for NBCUniversal’s Television and Streaming division.
Ahr was promoted in 2018 to the role of President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment.
The NBC vet oversaw all aspects of unscripted programming at the network, Universal Television Alternative Studio and first-run syndication, which includes Access Hollywood and The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Before that, she was President of Universal Television Alternative Studio, a role...
Ahr, who was President of NBC Entertainment’s Alternative and Reality Group, is departing after her former boss Paul Telegdy also left recently.
Her last day is today.
Her departure comes after an internal investigation into allegations of professional misconduct by Telegdy, who previously oversaw the reality group, and another separate complaint over alleged misconduct on and off the set of America’s Got Talent.
It also comes as the company’s latest restructure saw the appointment of Susan Rovner as Chairman, Entertainment Content for NBCUniversal’s Television and Streaming division.
Ahr was promoted in 2018 to the role of President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment.
The NBC vet oversaw all aspects of unscripted programming at the network, Universal Television Alternative Studio and first-run syndication, which includes Access Hollywood and The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Before that, she was President of Universal Television Alternative Studio, a role...
- 10/12/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
During the regular 2018-19 season, NBC launched six new scripted TV shows and four of them were cancelled. Which TV shows will be cancelled or renewed during the 2019-20 television season? Stay tuned.
NBC shows this season (so far): America's Got Talent, America's Got Talent: The Champions, The Blacklist, Blindspot, Bluff City Law, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago Pd, Council of Dads, Dateline NBC, Ellen's Game of Games, Ellen's Greatest Night of Giveaways, Good Girls, The Good Place, Hollywood Game Night, Indebted, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector, Little Big Shots, Making It, Manifest, New Amsterdam, Perfect Harmony, Songland, Sunnyside, Superstore, This Is Us, The Titan Games, The Voice, The Wall, Will & Grace, World of Dance, and Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.
There's lots of data that NBC execs look at when deciding whether to renew or cancel...
NBC shows this season (so far): America's Got Talent, America's Got Talent: The Champions, The Blacklist, Blindspot, Bluff City Law, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago Pd, Council of Dads, Dateline NBC, Ellen's Game of Games, Ellen's Greatest Night of Giveaways, Good Girls, The Good Place, Hollywood Game Night, Indebted, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector, Little Big Shots, Making It, Manifest, New Amsterdam, Perfect Harmony, Songland, Sunnyside, Superstore, This Is Us, The Titan Games, The Voice, The Wall, Will & Grace, World of Dance, and Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.
There's lots of data that NBC execs look at when deciding whether to renew or cancel...
- 9/24/2020
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Just as nearly everyone predicted, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” walked away with the Emmy Award on Sunday night for Best Competition Program (formerly known as Reality-Competition Program). This marks the VH1 show’s third victory in a row in the category. However, three trophies is nowhere close to the all-time record held by “The Amazing Race,” which claimed a whopping 10 through the years. In other words, “Drag Race” still needs to win the category seven more times to catch up with it.
See ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Winners List (Seasons 1 – 12)
Since CBS’s popular reality TV show didn’t air within the 2019-20 Emmy eligibility period, it didn’t have a chance to increase its numbers this year. However, “The Amazing Race” is scheduled to return October 14 so it’ll be back in the running at next year’s Emmys.
NBC’s “The Voice,” meanwhile, is in a holding pattern at four overall victories.
See ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Winners List (Seasons 1 – 12)
Since CBS’s popular reality TV show didn’t air within the 2019-20 Emmy eligibility period, it didn’t have a chance to increase its numbers this year. However, “The Amazing Race” is scheduled to return October 14 so it’ll be back in the running at next year’s Emmys.
NBC’s “The Voice,” meanwhile, is in a holding pattern at four overall victories.
- 9/21/2020
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner, whose Hazy Mills reimagined the Brothers Grimm tales as the brooding, dark supernatural cop drama Grimm, are looking to bring the literary classics by another famous writer, William Shakespeare, to television as a drama series set in present day America.
NBC has put in development The Stratford, a one-hour drama from Vincent Angell (The Rookie), Hazy Mills and Universal TV, where the company is based.
Written by Angell, The Stratford is set in a New York luxury hotel and centers on a young man’s search for his father’s killer in a modern reimagination of a Shakespearean world.
Behind the modern exterior, the characters in the show would be revealed to be updated versions of classic Shakesperean characters.
Angell executive produces the drama, whose title is a nod to Shakespeare’s birthplace, with Hayes and Milliner via their Hazy Mills. Universal TV is the studio.
NBC has put in development The Stratford, a one-hour drama from Vincent Angell (The Rookie), Hazy Mills and Universal TV, where the company is based.
Written by Angell, The Stratford is set in a New York luxury hotel and centers on a young man’s search for his father’s killer in a modern reimagination of a Shakespearean world.
Behind the modern exterior, the characters in the show would be revealed to be updated versions of classic Shakesperean characters.
Angell executive produces the drama, whose title is a nod to Shakespeare’s birthplace, with Hayes and Milliner via their Hazy Mills. Universal TV is the studio.
- 9/8/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Longtime producing partners Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner have signed with UTA, which also will represent their production company Hazy Mills Prods. The company is under a deal at Universal Television.
Hazy Mills landed a pilot order at NBC for comedy Jefferies this past development season. It has been rolled to next season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
At NBC, Hazy Mills is producing popular reality series Hollywood Game Night. The company’s series credits also include TV Land’s Hot In Cleveland and spinoff The Soul Man as well as NBC’s Grimm.
On the film side, Hazy Mills produced their first feature, comedy Lazy Susan, co-written and starring Sean Hayes. As an actor, Hayes also is coming off a starring turn in NBC’s Will & Grace revival, on which he reprised his Emmy-winning role as Jack.
Hazy Mills, which was at WME, also has built a branding entertainment business.
Hazy Mills landed a pilot order at NBC for comedy Jefferies this past development season. It has been rolled to next season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
At NBC, Hazy Mills is producing popular reality series Hollywood Game Night. The company’s series credits also include TV Land’s Hot In Cleveland and spinoff The Soul Man as well as NBC’s Grimm.
On the film side, Hazy Mills produced their first feature, comedy Lazy Susan, co-written and starring Sean Hayes. As an actor, Hayes also is coming off a starring turn in NBC’s Will & Grace revival, on which he reprised his Emmy-winning role as Jack.
Hazy Mills, which was at WME, also has built a branding entertainment business.
- 8/21/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
I recently joined Gold Derby contributors Riley Chow, Sam Eckmann and Kevin Jacobsen to size up the 2020 Emmy races for Best Competition Program and Reality Host in our latest slugfest (watch video above). While both categories are “not known for surprises,” as Eckmann puts it off the bat, our segment agrees that all bets are off this year with uncertainty around the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Will we see the return of old favorites or will increased viewing allow new(er) shows and faces to join the ranks?
SEEHeidi Klum (‘Making the Cut’) will set a new Emmy record if she and Tim Gunn are nominated for Best Reality Host
In Best Competition Program, five of last year’s six nominees are back in the running: “American Ninja Warrior,” “Nailed It!,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “The Voice” and “Top Chef,” with “The Amazing Race” being the only one to sit out this cycle.
SEEHeidi Klum (‘Making the Cut’) will set a new Emmy record if she and Tim Gunn are nominated for Best Reality Host
In Best Competition Program, five of last year’s six nominees are back in the running: “American Ninja Warrior,” “Nailed It!,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “The Voice” and “Top Chef,” with “The Amazing Race” being the only one to sit out this cycle.
- 7/27/2020
- by Luca Giliberti
- Gold Derby
Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman made it last year — at the Emmys. The former “Parks and Recreation” stars were nominated for Best Reality Host for their NBC crafting series “Making It,” and they are back in the running again for another shot to be just the second duo to win the award.
Poehler and Offerman are just the fourth co-host duo to be nominated in the category, which was added in 2008. The only pair that have won is Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, who prevailed in 2013 for “Project Runway.” After getting three straight bids as a solo entrant the first three years of the award, Klum was dropped in 2011 and ’12, after which she submitted with Gunn, which immediately paid off. They were nominated every year until 2018, their final season on “Project Runway.” Klum and Gunn are back this year for their new Amazon fashion series “Making the Cut.”
The other...
Poehler and Offerman are just the fourth co-host duo to be nominated in the category, which was added in 2008. The only pair that have won is Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, who prevailed in 2013 for “Project Runway.” After getting three straight bids as a solo entrant the first three years of the award, Klum was dropped in 2011 and ’12, after which she submitted with Gunn, which immediately paid off. They were nominated every year until 2018, their final season on “Project Runway.” Klum and Gunn are back this year for their new Amazon fashion series “Making the Cut.”
The other...
- 7/23/2020
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Peacock, the NBCUniversal streaming service that launched in April in Comcast homes, started expanding nationally overnight as Tuesday turned to Wednesday on the East Coast.
Along with Comcast’s X1 and Flex, Peacock will be available on Apple and Google platforms, Microsoft’s Xbox, Vizio and LG smart TVs, Cox Contour and, starting next week, Sony PlayStation. Talks are ongoing with major distributors like Amazon Fire and Roku, but those two top platforms are still on the sidelines as of now.
Peacock will offer 13,000 hours on its free tier and 20,000 hours on its subscription level, sourced from a range of networks and studios both inside and outside of NBCU. Nine Peacock Original movies and shows are available at launch, with others following through the end of the year. (Deadline reported Tuesday on the latest release dates for several shows arriving after today’s expansion.)
There will be more than 30 curated channels,...
Along with Comcast’s X1 and Flex, Peacock will be available on Apple and Google platforms, Microsoft’s Xbox, Vizio and LG smart TVs, Cox Contour and, starting next week, Sony PlayStation. Talks are ongoing with major distributors like Amazon Fire and Roku, but those two top platforms are still on the sidelines as of now.
Peacock will offer 13,000 hours on its free tier and 20,000 hours on its subscription level, sourced from a range of networks and studios both inside and outside of NBCU. Nine Peacock Original movies and shows are available at launch, with others following through the end of the year. (Deadline reported Tuesday on the latest release dates for several shows arriving after today’s expansion.)
There will be more than 30 curated channels,...
- 7/15/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
NBCUniversal’s Peacock is set to go live on July 15 for a national audience, stuffed with more than 20,000 hours for Premium subscribers — and more than 13,000 hours entirely for free.
So what’s on the service? Here’s a breakdown of what to stream on Peacock Free and Peacock Premium, including original TV shows and movies. While Peacock will be available on platforms including those from Apple, Google, Xbox, LG, Vizio, Comcast and Cox, it will not be on Roku or Amazon Fire TV.
Content on both tiers
Both Peacock’s free and premium tiers will feature current-season episodes and specials from NBC and Telemundo; news, sports and pop-culture programming; and more than 30 genre channels including live news from NBC News Now and Sky News, curated channels with clips from shows like “The Office” (which will roll off Netflix at the end of 2020 to come to Peacock in January 2021), “Saturday Night Live,...
So what’s on the service? Here’s a breakdown of what to stream on Peacock Free and Peacock Premium, including original TV shows and movies. While Peacock will be available on platforms including those from Apple, Google, Xbox, LG, Vizio, Comcast and Cox, it will not be on Roku or Amazon Fire TV.
Content on both tiers
Both Peacock’s free and premium tiers will feature current-season episodes and specials from NBC and Telemundo; news, sports and pop-culture programming; and more than 30 genre channels including live news from NBC News Now and Sky News, curated channels with clips from shows like “The Office” (which will roll off Netflix at the end of 2020 to come to Peacock in January 2021), “Saturday Night Live,...
- 7/14/2020
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
As if Jane Lynch hadn’t already found her calling as an extraordinary comedic actor, maybe she’s found a second calling as an extraordinary game show host. After winning a pair of Emmy Awards for hosting Hollywood Game Night, Lynch has been tapped to host the NBC reboot of The Weakest Link. It will be an [...]
The post Got A Game Show That Needs Hosting? Jane Lynch Is Game! appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Got A Game Show That Needs Hosting? Jane Lynch Is Game! appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 7/9/2020
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
"You are The Weakest Link." Get ready to hear those words again. The NBC series is returning with a new host. Jane Lynch will replace Anne Robinson as the host of the game show. Lynch also hosts Hollywood Game Night for the peacock network though that show's fate is currently unknown (season six finished airing on Sunday). The revival of The Weakest Link received a 13-episode order.
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- 7/9/2020
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
The hit British import and international game show format Weakest Link is making a comeback with Jane Lynch as host and executive producer. NBC has greenlit 13 episodes of the rapid-fire quiz show, with production to begin later this year.
Co-produced by BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm and Universal Television Alternative Studio, the new version of Weakest Link will deliver the fast-paced and quick-witted pillars of the original British format created by the BBC with a few modern twists, NBC says. The hybrid game show sees contestants answer general knowledge questions to bank prize money across multiple rounds. At the end of each round, the contestants vote out who they perceive to be the “Weakest Link” remaining.
“I’ve been a longtime fan of this game-changing quiz show since it first debuted,” said Lynch. “Each time the phrase ‘You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye.’ passes my lips, it will be with great reverence and delight.
Co-produced by BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm and Universal Television Alternative Studio, the new version of Weakest Link will deliver the fast-paced and quick-witted pillars of the original British format created by the BBC with a few modern twists, NBC says. The hybrid game show sees contestants answer general knowledge questions to bank prize money across multiple rounds. At the end of each round, the contestants vote out who they perceive to be the “Weakest Link” remaining.
“I’ve been a longtime fan of this game-changing quiz show since it first debuted,” said Lynch. “Each time the phrase ‘You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye.’ passes my lips, it will be with great reverence and delight.
- 7/8/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC is reviving the quiz show “Weakest Link” with “Hollywood Game Night’s” Jane Lynch set to take over as host, the network announced Wednesday.
The new version of “Weakest Link” will “deliver the fast-paced and quick-witted pillars of the original British format created by the BBC with a few modern twists,” according to the network. The hybrid game show sees contestants answer general knowledge questions to bank prize money across multiple rounds, with contestants voting out the “weakest link” at the end of each round.
“I’ve been a longtime fan of this game-changing quiz show since it first debuted,” said Lynch, who will also executive produce. “Each time the phrase ‘You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye.’ passes my lips, it will be with great reverence and delight.”
Also Read: NBC Orders Sci-Fi Drama 'Debris' From 'Fringe' Co-Showrunner Jh Wyman
The original “Weakest Link,” an import from...
The new version of “Weakest Link” will “deliver the fast-paced and quick-witted pillars of the original British format created by the BBC with a few modern twists,” according to the network. The hybrid game show sees contestants answer general knowledge questions to bank prize money across multiple rounds, with contestants voting out the “weakest link” at the end of each round.
“I’ve been a longtime fan of this game-changing quiz show since it first debuted,” said Lynch, who will also executive produce. “Each time the phrase ‘You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye.’ passes my lips, it will be with great reverence and delight.”
Also Read: NBC Orders Sci-Fi Drama 'Debris' From 'Fringe' Co-Showrunner Jh Wyman
The original “Weakest Link,” an import from...
- 7/8/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
NBC is reaching back to its unscripted past for a revival of game show Weakest Link.
Jane Lynch — who hosts the network's Hollywood Game Night — will serve as host for the new version, which NBC says will begin production later in the year. The network has ordered 13 episodes of the show, which is based on a British format. BBC Studios and Universal Television Alternative Studio are producing.
"I've been a longtime fan of this game-changing quiz show since it first debuted,” said Lynch. "Each time the phrase 'You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye'...
Jane Lynch — who hosts the network's Hollywood Game Night — will serve as host for the new version, which NBC says will begin production later in the year. The network has ordered 13 episodes of the show, which is based on a British format. BBC Studios and Universal Television Alternative Studio are producing.
"I've been a longtime fan of this game-changing quiz show since it first debuted,” said Lynch. "Each time the phrase 'You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye'...
NBC took the checkered flag in Nielsen’s primetime ratings on Sunday, when a NASCAR race led the broadcast network to finish first among adults 18-49 at the end of a long holiday weekend.
NBC was No. 1 in ratings with a 0.5 rating/3 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and third in total viewers with an average of 3.1 million, according to preliminary numbers. The race, which Kevin Harvick won in overtime, averaged a 0.6/4 and 4 million total viewers from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. NBC viewers then either got a rerun or an original “Hollywood Game Night,” dependent upon timezone.
ABC was second in ratings with a 0.4/3 and in viewers with 3.3 million, airing all reruns.
Also Read: 'Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular' Fizzles Out to New Ratings Lows
CBS and Univision tied for third in ratings, both with a 0.3/2. CBS was first in total viewers with 4.1 million, Univision was fourth with 792,000 viewers.
NBC was No. 1 in ratings with a 0.5 rating/3 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and third in total viewers with an average of 3.1 million, according to preliminary numbers. The race, which Kevin Harvick won in overtime, averaged a 0.6/4 and 4 million total viewers from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. NBC viewers then either got a rerun or an original “Hollywood Game Night,” dependent upon timezone.
ABC was second in ratings with a 0.4/3 and in viewers with 3.3 million, airing all reruns.
Also Read: 'Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular' Fizzles Out to New Ratings Lows
CBS and Univision tied for third in ratings, both with a 0.3/2. CBS was first in total viewers with 4.1 million, Univision was fourth with 792,000 viewers.
- 7/6/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
This weekly feature is in addition to TVLine’s daily What to Watch listings and monthly guide to What’s on Streaming.
With more than 530 scripted shows now airing across broadcast, cable and streaming, it’s easy to forget that a favorite comedy is returning, or that the new “prestige drama” you anticipated is about to debut. So consider this our reminder to set your DVR, order a Season Pass, pop a fresh Memorex into the Vcr… however it is you roll.
More from TVLineA Little Voice Dreams to Grow in Emotional Trailer for Apple TV+ Series From Sara Bareilles/J.
With more than 530 scripted shows now airing across broadcast, cable and streaming, it’s easy to forget that a favorite comedy is returning, or that the new “prestige drama” you anticipated is about to debut. So consider this our reminder to set your DVR, order a Season Pass, pop a fresh Memorex into the Vcr… however it is you roll.
More from TVLineA Little Voice Dreams to Grow in Emotional Trailer for Apple TV+ Series From Sara Bareilles/J.
- 7/4/2020
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
The BET Awards received a healthy audience boost this year thanks to a first ever simulcast on CBS.
The awards show’s 2020 telecast, which was hosted by Amanda Seales and featured appearances from an impressive array of talent (including Beyonce), amassed 3.7 million total viewers across BET, BET Her and CBS. For comparison, last year’s awards delivered almost exactly the same number of viewers for its multi-network simulcast. CBS contributed just under 2 million of those viewers this time around, with 1.6 million tuning in on BET.
You can find a complete list of the winners from Sunday night here, and a roundup of best moments from the show here.
Right before the awards, an edition of “60 Minutes” scored a 0.7 rating and 7.7 million viewers, the largest audience of the night across broadcast.
ABC technically topped the big four on the night, with “Celebrity Family Feud” leading that way at a 0.7 rating and 5.5 million total viewers.
The awards show’s 2020 telecast, which was hosted by Amanda Seales and featured appearances from an impressive array of talent (including Beyonce), amassed 3.7 million total viewers across BET, BET Her and CBS. For comparison, last year’s awards delivered almost exactly the same number of viewers for its multi-network simulcast. CBS contributed just under 2 million of those viewers this time around, with 1.6 million tuning in on BET.
You can find a complete list of the winners from Sunday night here, and a roundup of best moments from the show here.
Right before the awards, an edition of “60 Minutes” scored a 0.7 rating and 7.7 million viewers, the largest audience of the night across broadcast.
ABC technically topped the big four on the night, with “Celebrity Family Feud” leading that way at a 0.7 rating and 5.5 million total viewers.
- 6/29/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
60 Minutes took the top spot ratings-wise on Sunday night, delivering a 0.7 in the adults 18-49 demographic and netting 7.71 million viewers, which is a tick up on both counts from last week. This kicked off the night and led into the BET Awards on CBS. However, these numbers for the annual ceremony are solely from the broadcast portion of the ratings and will be adjusted with cume numbers from the simulcast.
At NBC, Hollywood Game Night dipped a tenth from last week with a 0.2 in the demo and 1.81 million viewers and was followed by reruns of The Titan Games and America’s Got Talent.
ABC started the night off with a repeat of America’s Funniest Home Videos and served fresh episodes of their Sunday night game show block. All three shows were down a tenth across the board with Celebrity Family Feud, Press Your Luck and Match Game.
Fox served another helping of encores with Last Man Standing, Duncanville, The Simpsons, Bless the Harts, Bob’s Burgers and Family Guy while the CW did the same with DC’s Stargirl and Penn and Teller: Fool Us.
At NBC, Hollywood Game Night dipped a tenth from last week with a 0.2 in the demo and 1.81 million viewers and was followed by reruns of The Titan Games and America’s Got Talent.
ABC started the night off with a repeat of America’s Funniest Home Videos and served fresh episodes of their Sunday night game show block. All three shows were down a tenth across the board with Celebrity Family Feud, Press Your Luck and Match Game.
Fox served another helping of encores with Last Man Standing, Duncanville, The Simpsons, Bless the Harts, Bob’s Burgers and Family Guy while the CW did the same with DC’s Stargirl and Penn and Teller: Fool Us.
- 6/29/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
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