or


[04/25/03 - 12:00 AM]
Studios Keep Producers Happy
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The folks behind such series as "Smallville," "The Bachelor," "Popular," "American Dreams," "The Bernie Mac Show" and "Everwood" all had reason to smile in the past month as they've each signed seven-figure deals with various studios to create, develop and executive produce new projects as well as stick with their current endeavors. Here's a rundown of recent happenings:

-- Prolific producers Mike Tollin and Brian Robbins, the duo behind the WB's quartet of "Smallville," "Birds of Prey," "What I Like About You," and "Black Sash" this season, have signed a two-year deal with Touchstone Television to develop, executive produce and direct new projects for the Disney-owned company. The pair's Tollin/Robbins Prods. had been at Warner Bros. Television for the past four years. Financial terms of the deal (which includes an option for another two years) were not disclosed however insiders place it in the high seven figures. The duo said they made the switch in order to escape Warner Bros. multitude of deals with other producers in favor of Touchstone's less cluttered environment. In addition to their series for the WB, the duo are behind such Nickelodeon shows as "All That" and "Nick Cannon" as well as TNN's "Slamball," HBO's "Arli$$" and the features "Big Fat Liar" and "Varsity Blues." The deal doesn't include its two pilots in the works for next season at ABC - "Better Days" (a.k.a. "The Flannerys") and "I'm With Her" - both which were developed at Warner Bros. The company is also behind FOX's untitled Glouberman/Orenstein comedy project and the WB's drama pilot "Ravens."

-- Al Gough and Miles Millar, the creators and executive producers of the WB's "Smallville," have signed a two-year, seven-figure deal with Warner Bros. Television to remain as showrunners on the young Superman drama. The duo (who previously created the short-lived UPN drama "The Strip") hope to remain focused on "Smallville" while at the same time working on feature scripts. In addition to writing the upcoming "The Amazing Spider-Man," Millar and Gough's feature credits include "Shanghai Noon" and its sequel, "Shanghai Knights," as well as "Lethal Weapon 4."

-- Reality guru Mike Fleiss ("The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette," "High School Reunion") has found a second home for his Telepictures-based Next Entertainment: CBS. The Eye has signed a seven-figure, multiyear deal to gain access to the prolific producer and his roster of reality showrunners which includes Scott Einziger ("The Amazing Race") and Lisa Levenson ("Big Brother 2"). The deal allows CBS to bring projects to Fleiss to produce, either by himself or with other Next-based producers. While he has a first-look deal with ABC for any project he (or his company) creates, that deal does not prevent him from producing series brought to him by other networks. CBS then, also as part of the deal, gets a second-look option on any projects he brings to ABC and are rejected. The deal completes the reality trifecta so to speak for CBS as the network has deals with three of the biggest players in reality television: Fleiss, Mark Burnett ("Survivor") and Simon Cowell (the upcoming "Cupid").

-- "Popular" producers Greer Shephard and Michael Robin have signed a new two-year, seven-figure deal to stay with Warner Bros. Television. The pair's original deal for their Shephard-Robin Co. was set to expire in mid-July. The announcement comes just in time for the duo's launch of the FX drama "Nip/Tuck" this summer (with fellow former "Popular" producer Ryan Murphy). Shepard and Robin are also behind the ABC drama pilot "The D.A.," starring Steven Weber.

-- "American Dreams" creator Jonathan Prince has sealed a two-year, seven-figure deal with Warner Bros. Television to develop new projects for the company as well as bring in young talent to the studio. Prince, who was previously at Universal Network TV, will continue to executive produce "Dreams" as part of the pact. Prior to creating "Dreams," Prince had been involved with such short-lived comedies as FOX's "Ask Harriet" and UPN's "Grown Ups." Currently, he also produces ABC Family's "My Life is a Sitcom," which was just picked up for a second season.

-- Larry Wilmore has found a new home at NBC after being kicked off FOX's "The Bernie Mac Show" due to creative differences. The Emmy and Peabody Award winning writer has signed a two-year, seven-figure deal with NBC Studios to create, develop and executive produce new series for the company as well as work on existing projects. In addition to creating "The Bernie Mac Show," Wilmore's credits include "The PJs," "In Living Color" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

-- "Everwood" creator and executive producer Greg Berlanti is set to stay at Warner Bros. Television as the producer has signed a three-year, seven figure deal with the studio. The pact calls for Berlanti to continue to stay with "Everwood" through next season while developing new projects for the company. The following season, he'll switch to being a non-exclusive consultant on the series instead of a showrunner. The deal also includes discretionary funds for Berlanti's production label Berlanti-Lidell Prods. with partner Mickey Lidell ("Go"), both of whom executive produce the WB drama. Previously to this season, Berlanti was a showrunner on another Frog drama, "Dawson's Creek," where he had a development deal with Sony Pictures TV.

-- While the kids may be graduating on "That '70s Show" this season, the executive producers/showrunners aren't. Husband-and-wife team Jeff and Jackie Filgo have signed a two-year, seven-figure deal to stick with Carsey-Werner-Mandabach where they'll remain in the current positions on the FOX comedy.

-- Former "Frasier" producer Saladin Patterson has inked a two-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox TV said to be valued in the low seven figures. The pact, which includes an option for a third year, calls for Patterson to co-executive produce one of 20th's existing comedy series as well as develop new projects for the studio.





  [april 2003]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· AMAZING RACE, THE (CBS)
· AMERICAN DREAMS (NBC)
· ARLI$$ (HBO)
· BACHELOR, THE (ABC)
· BACHELORETTE, THE (ABC)
· BERNIE MAC SHOW, THE (FOX)
· BETTER DAYS (ABC)
· BIG BROTHER (CBS)
· BIRDS OF PREY (WB)
· BLACK SASH, THE (WB)
· CUPID (CBS)
· DA, THE (ABC)
· DAWSON'S CREEK (WB)
· EVERWOOD (WB)
· FRASIER (NBC)
· GROWN UPS (UPN)
· HIGH SCHOOL REUNION (TV LAND)
· I'M WITH HER (ABC)
· MY LIFE IS A SITCOM (ABC FAMILY)
· NIP/TUCK (FX)
· ONE TREE HILL (CW)
· PJS, THE (WB)
· POPULAR (WB)
· SLAMBALL (SPIKE TV)
· SMALLVILLE (CW)
· STRIP, THE (UPN)
· SURVIVOR (CBS)
· THAT '70S SHOW (FOX)
· UNTITLED FRATERNAL TWINS PROJECT (FOX)
· WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU (WB)





[11/13/26 - 03:16 PM]
"Darius, Dolly and 60 Years of Celebration: Countdown to the CMAs with Robin Roberts" Honoring Country Music Legends and the CMA Awards' Milestone 60th Anniversary Airs Tuesday, Nov. 17, on ABC
Marking her 16th year as part of the annual tradition, "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts returns to host the one-hour primetime special that will celebrate six decades of unforgettable performances, iconic artists and defining moments in country music.

[11/13/26 - 02:55 PM]
NBA on ESPN November 11 Doubleheader Delivered 1.8M Viewers, Up 29 Percent from Last Year
The Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks matchup averaged 1.9 million viewers, while the Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets matchup averaged 1.7 million viewers.

[11/13/26 - 12:01 PM]
Video: "Honest Renovations: A Holiday Home Makeover 3" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
Jessica Alba and Lizzy Matins race to make a deserving family's home spotlight-ready before Christmas.

[11/13/26 - 11:05 AM]
Video: "The Trio" - A Network Original - Official Trailer
When college student Hugo rents a room from a wealthy family, he embarks on a euphoric summer as he forms an irresistible connection with Thora, a beautiful descendant of old money, and her childhood best friend August, who dreams of art.

[11/13/26 - 11:01 AM]
Netflix Reveals First Look Photo, Launch Year, and Title of "Magic: The Gathering" Animated Series, "Planeswalker"
The upcoming Netflix saga, created in partnership with Hasbro Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast, is a fresh adaptation of the popular card game that's enchanted players for more than 30 years.

[11/13/26 - 10:01 AM]
NBC Releases Premiere Date & First Look for "Sunset P.I."
"Sunset P.I." is a single-camera workplace comedy following Mickey Wilder (Jake Johnson) and the other private investigators at his Hollywood detective agency.

[11/13/26 - 09:54 AM]
Star-Studded "Grammy Night" on "Dancing with the Stars" Shoots to Season Highs Ahead of Semi-Finals
In fact, "Dancing with the Stars" stood as the No. 1 program overall on Tuesday among Adults 18-49 (1.59 rating).

[11/13/26 - 09:00 AM]
Peacock Unravels a Twisted Tale of Deception with New Documentary "Love Trapped: The Case of Laura Owens" (wt) Premiering in 2027
Based on the popular podcast, the documentary chronicles the extraordinary story of former "Bachelor" star Clayton Echard and his tumultuous relationship with a woman named Laura Owens.

[11/13/26 - 08:42 AM]
ABC News Wins Sunday Morning and Late-Night
"Nightline" was up over the previous week in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.

[11/13/26 - 06:31 AM]
Netflix Renews "Virgin River" for a Ninth Season
Alongside the renewal, Netflix also revealed that the fan-favorite series has reached another milestone this year, officially passing the half-billion views mark.

[11/13/26 - 06:07 AM]
Taylor Swift To Perform at "The 60th Annual CMA Awards"
A two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, Swift is nominated this year for Single of the Year with "I Knew It, I Knew You," marking her 26th career CMA nomination.

[11/13/26 - 05:31 AM]
The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Returns Live on NBC and Peacock Nov. 26, Bringing Holiday Magic to Life for Millions
For its 100th celebration, the Parade will once again bring millions together nationwide and feature an all-star lineup of music's biggest names, alongside iconic character balloons, imaginative floats and a special appearance by the one-and-only Santa Claus.

[11/13/26 - 05:19 AM]
NFL Quarterback Sam Hartman Named "The Bachelor" for Season 30
A Charlotte, North Carolina, native, Hartman plays for the NFL's Washington Commanders and is a standout alum of Wake Forest and Notre Dame, where he set legendary ACC records, including most career touchdown passes and 300-yard passing games.

[11/13/26 - 02:38 AM]
Video: "Dhindora" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
After a lottery ticket changes their lives, Bhuvan and his middle-class family soon find themselves caught up in a series of comic mishaps.

[11/13/26 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "The Riot" - Official Trailer - Netflix
1989 in a newly democratic Poland. A hardened prisoner and a politician on the rise must race to avert bloodshed at Mroki prison, where old ways die hard.