TLC’s Slate: Driving A Hybrid

Anthony Crupi
APRIL 07, 2008 -

TLC’s Ambitious Upfront slate is designed to provide even more targeted programming to the network’s increasingly younger-skewing female audience, while building on recent ratings gains. Discovery Nets ad sales president Joe Abruzzese is particularly enthused about the untitled Real Simple project, noting that the partnership with the magazine “is an opportunity to try out so many interesting ideas,” adding that the Time Inc. brand “is a perfect extension of what TLC is all about. It should be a fun model to sell.”

Abruzzese says he’s also a fan of Scott Sternberg Productions’ The Singing Office, which has Joey Fatone and Melanie “Scary Spice” Brown attached as hosts. While at first blush the premise sounds a bit squirrely––Fatone and Brown hunt for unsung musical talent in America’s office parks and boardrooms––the show is based on a wildly popular Dutch format.

TLC president, gm Angela Shapiro-Mathes singles out another new strip that is also a departure for the net. When it premieres later this year, Single Moms will be TLC’s first dating show. “It focuses on women who are either divorced or widowed, and they have young children,” she says. “They’re not only looking for a companion, but also a chance to find a father figure for their children.”

TLC will try a hybrid genre on for size with Your Place or Mine?, which fuses the game-show format with home renovation. Your Place pits two teams against each other for a chance to win full-room makeovers. Although TLC has American Chopper lined up for a fifth season, it’s unlikely to return the other programs in its Thursday night “Turbo” block. Abruzzese says Turbo is being scrapped because “those shows don’t make a really good fit with TLC’s female-leaning audience.” Chopper will be aligned in a block devoted to unusual lives and lifestyles, rubbing elbows with the likes of returning series L.A. Ink and new entries Ashley Paige and Napoleon Complex.

In addition to the new projects in the hopper for 2008, TLC is going back to the well with the creators of some of its signature series. The network is working on an unnamed project with Chopper executive producer Craig Piligian and is in conversations with Jon & Kate Plus 8 executive producer Bill Hayes about a second series.

Along with cable’s best engagement stats among adults 18-49, Abruzzese also has a promising story in TLC’s recent youthful trend. In the last three years, the net has dropped its median age to 38 from 42.5. Moreover, TLC viewers tend upwardly mobile, boasting a median income of $63,000 per year, well above the U.S. median ($46,000). —AC

Discovery announces new shows at upfront

By Kimberly Nordyke
April 8, 2008

Discovery Communications Tuesday highlighted a slew of new programming across all of its networks — including Discovery Channel, TLC and the soon-to-launch Planet Green — during its upfront presentation to advertisers at the Beverly Wilshire.

TLC said it is shaking up its schedule with an “aggressive” slate of programming and a scheduling strategy that creates new opportunities for advertisers to be integrated into the network’s programming. Network executives said they’re building a new brand that “creates an environment with a sense of humor and a home for real-life, feel-good reality,” with the brand and content being organized into themed nights.

Monday will be the night for the network’s most successful family-based comedy-reality series along with new shows in that theme, Friday centers on makeovers, and Saturday is themed around home and decorating. The other nights will focus on relationships, careers and entertaining and include new genres like competition and games.

Returning series include family reality shows “Little People, Big World” and “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” makeover series “What Not to Wear,” home-design shows “Trading Spaces” and “Flip That House.” New to the schedule will be makeover series “Real Simple,” home-design series “Your Place or Mine?” and the Bob Guiney-hosted “Date My House,” relationship show “Single Moms” and career-themed “The Singing Office,” from Scott Sternberg.

Falling into what TLC calls the “unusual lives” programs are returning series “L.A. Ink” and “American Chopper” and the new shows “Ashley Paige,” about a bikini designer, and the tentatively titled “Napoleon Complex,” which follows students at a makeup academy.

Among the new series at Discovery Channel are “Expeditions With Josh Bernstein,” featuring the former History Channel personality that moved to Discovery last year; “How Stuff Works,” based on the Web site; “Prototype This!” in which inventors and engineers try to create innovative prototypes; “One Way Out,” centering on extreme escape artist Jonathan Goodwin; and “Time Warp,” which plays with time to lets viewers see events that normally happen way too quickly or slowly, like the break of a matchstick.

Newly announced event specials include “Inside Planet Earth,” “Nature’s Greatest Events,” “Raging Planet,” “Colony” and “Koppel on Discovery,” featuring Ted Koppel. “An Inconvenient Truth,” the documentary starring Al Gore, also will be making its premiere on Discovery.

Those programs join the recently announced the six-part series “Coal” and event special “Iditarod”.

Planet Green, the eco-friendly network launching June 4, has recruited a slew of well-known personalities to host or star in various environmental-themed series and specials. Adrian Grenier is starring in the tentatively titled “The Green Life,” in which the “Entourage” star and a team of experts will help celebrities and regular people learn how to transition to a “green” lifestyle.

Tom Green is set to host the tentatively titled game show “The Tom Green Project,” and Bill Nye will star in “Stuff Happens,” showing what happens to everyday things before and after we consume them. Green also has joined up with Tom Brokaw for a series of specials following on the heels of Discovery Channel’s “Global Warming: What You Need to Know with Tom Brokaw.”

Also on the slate is weekly entertainment magazine “Hollywood Green With Maria Menounos,” a partnership with “Access Hollywood.”

They join the previously announced “Wa$ted,” hosted by Annabelle Gurwitch; “Supper Club With Tom Bergeron”; “Battleground Earth: Ludacris vs. Tommy Lee”; and “Greensburg,” from Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company, Appian Way, and Craig Piligian’s Pilgrim Films & Television.

March 31, 2008
NY Magazine’s The Industry…

Nick Gunning for HSM:
Back in 2006, Lion Share set up a little project at Nickelodeon called Spectacular!, and no one cared. That’s because no one knew the TV movie was a high-school musical like, well, High School Musical. Robert Iscove will direct a cast of mostly unknowns including Zoey 101’s Victoria Justice.

Nickelodeon executives stress that songs will be performance-based, as opposed to “characters suddenly breaking into [idiotic] songs like in [that stupid] High School Musical [that we hate so much].” [HR]

Nickelodeon preps ‘Spectacular’ musical
By Borys Kit and Kimberly Nordyke
March 30, 2008

Watch out Disney: Nickelodeon is sharpening its notes to create its own high school musical.

The Viacom-owned kids network is prepping to shoot the telefilm “Spectacular!” a music-themed comedy set in high school.

Robert Iscove (”She’s All That”) is directing the film, which stars a cast of relative unknowns, including Tammin Sursok, Nolan Funk, Victoria Justice (Nickelodeon’s “Zoey 101″) and Simon Curtis. Shooting begins April 21.

“Spectacular!” which has been kept below the radar, centers on a preppy high school student (Sursok) who is part of the school’s Spectacular! choir. The group is in sad shape, with its most talented members either having graduated or been stolen away by a rival squad. The teen sees salvation in a cocky rocker (Funk), who reluctantly joins “Spectacular!” to win a money prize that would finance his rock ‘n’ roll dreams. But the rocker doesn’t factor in falling for the preppy girl.

Nick stresses that “Spectacular!” is not a classic musical. The songs in the movie will be performance-based rather than featuring characters suddenly breaking out into song like in Disney’s “High School Musical.”

Jim Krieg is the writer on the telefilm. Lauren Levine, Jessica Horowitz, Marjorie Cohn and Bill O’Dowd are executive producing “Spectacular!” Scott McAboy is producing. Levine and McAboy also are part of the producing team on another primetime Nick telefilm, the upcoming Christopher Meloni starrer “Gym Teacher.”

Although “Spectacular!” which shoots in Vancouver, is designed as a one-off, Nick is holding options on the talent for potential sequels. No airdate has been set, though the movie is intended to join the ranks of other original live-action programming on Nick, including the hit series “Zoey 101″ and “iCarly.”

Sursok, repped by Abrams Artists and Principato/Young, is a singer from Australia with three top five hits under her belt there. She appeared on the Aussie TV series “Home and Away” before moving to the U.S., where she appears on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.” She also will appear in Wayne Kramer’s feature “Crossing Over.”

Canadian Funk, repped by Abrams Artists, had a recurring gig on the CW’s “Aliens in America.”

Iscove recently wrapped production on “Love N’ Dancing,” starring Amy Smart. He is repped by Innovative, Todd Harris Management and attorney Alan Hergott.

Krieg, whose credits include USA Network’s “Monk” and Comedy Central’s “South Park,” is repped by Endeavor, Andrew Deane at Industry and attorney Chad Christopher.

Disney unearthed a gold mine with “Musical,” which became a surprise hit upon its debut in January 2006. The sequel, which aired in August, broke records for cable viewership, and the soundtrack was the second-best-selling album of 2007.

Sun., Mar. 18, 2007, 2:33pm PT

Jessica Lowndes
By STACY DODD

PLAYERS

Jessica Lowndes (”Kyle XY”) has booked a lead role in horror pic “Autopsy,” directed by Adam Gierasch. Warren Zide is producing through his FlipZide shingle, along with Jessica Horowitz. Lensing begins April 9 in New Orleans.

Thesp has appeared in Lifetime’s “To Have and to Hold” and Showtime’s “Masters of Horror.”

By Gregg Goldstein

New York - Matthew Lillard and Efren Ramirez are set to star in Flipzide Studios’ “American Summer,” a comedy about a pool boy and gardener who take over a Beverly Hills mansion and become neighborhood pimps.

Flipzide CEO Warren Zide is producing and Seven Arts International is financing the film from director J.B. Rogers (”American Pie 2″). Seven Arts also is financing Adam Gierasch’s horror flick “Autopsy”; both projects, with a combined budget of about $16 million, begin principal photography April 9 in New Orleans.

Lillard plays a pool boy who has managed to convince his parents he’s attending Harvard. After his apartment complex undergoes termite fumigation, he moves with a pretty escort/neighbor and a young friend into an empty mansion where he works and soon stumbles ino the world’s oldest profession. Ramirez (”Napoleon Dynamite”) plays the next-door gardener called in as “the muscle” of the operation.

“Summer” (formerly titled “Pool Boy”) and “Autopsy” are the first of a three-pfeature, $15 million-$20 million equity financing pact betwen FlipZide and Seven Arts. “Autopsy,” produced with Jessica Horowitz, features Jessica Lowndes, Ashley Schneider, Joe Reegan, Jenette Goldstein, and Robert LaSardo.

Lillard is repped by CAA, Mosaic and Ziffren Brittenham. Ramirez is repped by Kazarian Spencer and Associates and Ken Jacobson.

Fri Aug 18th 2006 at 4:18 am ET

Aldrich in real deal for ‘Son”

By Sheigh Crabtree

LOS ANGELES - Warner Bros. Pictures-based Alcon Entertainment has hired Matthew Aldrich to adapt the Elaine Marie Alphin novel “Counterfeit Son.”

Aldrich signed a six-figure deal to adapt Alphin’s thriller about a young man who tries to con a family out of their deceased son’s trust fund.

Producer Jessica Horowitz brought the Hartcourt Book imprint to Alcon senior vp development Steven Wegner, who will oversee with creative exec Jesse Israel.

“We always loved the book’s premise, and Matthew has taken it to a new level.,” Wegner said.

Alson’s co-presidents Broderick Johnson and Andrew Cosgrive with produce.

Alcon’s upcoming slate includes “One Missed Call,” starring Edward Burns and Shannyn Sossamon; and “P.S. I Love You,” starring Hilary Swank and set to begin filming next month in New York.

Alrich wrote “Cleaner” and “The Spinning Man” for producer Steve Golin.

He is repped by Amy Schiffman at Gersh, Jewel Ross at Silent R Management and attorney Jamie Feldman.

Mon., Jun. 6, 2005, 10:00pm PT

Cinderella shows

By JOSEF ADALIAN
Emmy voters looking to shake up the reality races certainly have plenty of choices.

There are more than 20 never-nommed skeins eligible for the reality competition category this year. In the noncompetitive category, the potential for surprise is even greater: “Project Greenlight” is the only show with multiple noms back in the hunt.

Here’s a look at four shows that stood out from the pack this year, even as they flew under the buzz radar:

THE ROAD TO STARDOM WITH MISSY ELLIOTT (UPN)

Hardly anyone noticed this street-smart search for a superstar, and it’s no wonder: Most of its episodes aired around the same time “American Idol” began its fourth season.

Those who did tune in, however, saw a show that took the “Idol” concept, flipped it and reversed it (as host Elliott might put it). While “Idol” takes its sweet time, “Missy” took multitalented diamonds in the rough and immediately put them to work on Elliott’s tour bus. Taking the contenders into the real world produced true drama while presenting a much more raw and realistic depiction of the path to fame. While she didn’t have a memorable catchphrase like “You’re fired,” Elliott was as compelling as Donald Trump as the final arbiter of each round.

(more…)

Our favorite snarky website is recapping “The Road to Stardom with Missy Elliot.” Head on over to check it (and all their hysterical show recaps) out at: www.televisionwithoutpity.com.

Get On the Bus, Gus!
By Potes | Season 1 | Episode 1 | Aired on 2005.01.05

Missy Elliott! She’s one of the hottest-selling female artists of all time! She’s also an established record producer; a five-time Grammy award winner; star of many cool and trippy videos featuring large quill pens, giant puffy suits, and cornfields; and lollipop enthusiast. And now, inspired, we might assume, by the multiple threat that is Tyra Banks, Missy is star and producer of her own reality show, which is a search for “America’s next music sensation.” And what with Fantasia Barrino burning up the airwaves, I’m not sure if America might be sensationed-out by now. But Missy is looking for “an all-around artist who can not only perform, but write original songs as well.” Something tells me that this bodes well for lyrics featuring the words “baby” and “boo.” Out of thousands who auditioned, only thirteen performers were chosen to go on tour with and “be mentored” by Missy. The winner will receive a recording contract with Missy’s label, Gold Mine Inc., a released single, and $100,000. Not too shabby. A cute Missy, wearing an Adidas hat and sitting on a stool, tells us, “But you gotta be hot. ‘Cause if you ain’t hot, then it’s not goin’ down. Heh heh.” Oh, Missy. Why did you have to win my love forty-five seconds into the show?!? It makes it so hard to retain my objectivity.

Missy says that some of the contestants had talent. At this, we see the supremely untalented-seeming Matthew singing a song about dancing to his song, and Brooklyn rapper Frank B., who comes out with the kind of amazing lyric “If you ain’t in charge, I’d like to speak to your boss/ I’m like a dentist, you should watch me, I can teach you to floss.” That must be from the song “Once Daily,” which appears on the album, Spit Into My Sink, Yo (Good Hygiene Ain’t for Suckas), which he released under the pseudonym of “Oral B.” Missy then says that some of the contestants just gave her a headache, and should have stayed home. We see a rather husky girl whose size 3xx shirt says, “Ain’t no shame in my game,” rap about her love of Fruity Pebbles. Whatever, Missy. Fruity Pebbles are totally delicious and arguably superior to Pebbles of the Cocoa variety. Let the girl sing. There is also a guy who wears a necktie and does some song about chickens. Missy just shakes her head.

(more…)

Jan. 05, 2005

The Road to Stardom With Missy Elliott
By Erik Pedersen

Bottom line: “The Road to Stardom With Missy Elliott” has a solid chance to click with the network’s youthful demo.

8 p.m., Wed., Jan. 4
UPN

This 10-part UPN series doesn’t advance the “dramality” genre, but it doesn’t further besmirch it, either. More serious-minded than “American Idol” and “Popstars,” “The Road to Stardom With Missy Elliott” has a solid chance to click with the network’s youthful demo.

Thirteen aspiring rappers and singers are picked from a nationwide audition to go on tour with R&B star Missy Elliott. Ranging in age from 19 to a downright fatherly 29, the contestants endure an elimination process that will ultimately score one of them $100,000 and a deal for a single released by Elliott’s label.

The aspirants are a reasonably likable bunch in the premiere — though scenes from Episode 2 tease the growing conflicts among them. There’s lots of camaraderie to go with the underlying competitiveness and stated sexual tension. While it’s fairly easy to separate the have-its from the have-it-nots, their determination and heart are the keys. Rappers are judged for their look and originality as much as their delivery, and the singers — too often confusing soul with adding four or five syllables to each sung word — must show poise and personality.

The straight-shooting but hardly acerbic judges — manager Mona Scott, producer Dallas Austin and singer Teena Marie — offer genuine critiques rather than simply dressing down the performers for viewer amusement. That’s a major plus. Each week, they’ll nominate two candidates to lose their tour laminates; the lollipop-sucking Elliott then sends one of them home — and seems to enjoy doing so.

Add a villainous road manager and a truly crappy tour bus — “I’ve never experienced a smell like that in my life,” one contestant says — and there’s potential for a more realistic portrayal of the dues-paying struggle for fame than such shows usually offer. That alone makes “The Road to Stardom,” from Shapiro/Grodner Prods. in association with Monami Prods., worth the ride.