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)





[06/23/26 - 09:10 AM]
ESPN and Disney Jr. Encourage Preschoolers to Get in the Game, Team Up Again with Every Kid Sports to Expand Access to Youth Sports for Income-Restricted Families
"Me & Mickey: Let's Play Sports," a collaboration between Disney Jr., ESPN and Positive Coaching Alliance, will debut Monday, June 29, on Disney+, Disney Jr. (6:25 a.m. EDT/PDT) and Disney Jr. on Demand.

[06/23/26 - 09:06 AM]
Video: HBO Max Releases Official Trailer and Key Art for Max Original Comedy Series "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," Debuting July 23
Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon.

[06/23/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Her Kingdom Has Come - Paramount+ Reveals Trailer and First Look at Season 6 of "Tyler Perry's Ruthless" Premiering June 30
The series will launch with two episodes, followed by a weekly rollout culminating in the mid-season finale on Tuesday, August 25.

[06/23/26 - 09:00 AM]
The CW Network Named Exclusive Broadcast Partner for Both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA 2026 Competitions
Both competitions will air live from the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the renowned Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, marking the return of the two competitions to The CW for the first time since 2024.

[06/23/26 - 08:31 AM]
Netflix Unveils Upcoming Anime Slate Out of Annecy Festival
The Netflix Anime Studio Focus highlighted upcoming titles from some of Japan's most acclaimed creators and animation studios, spanning original stories, beloved manga adaptations, and returning fan-favorite franchises.

[06/23/26 - 08:23 AM]
BET Names Keke Palmer to Its Board of Advisors, Deepening a New Era of Leadership and Cultural Stewardship
Formed earlier this month under BET President Louis Carr, the Board brings together cultural icons, business leaders, and industry visionaries to help steer the ongoing growth of the 45-year-old network as a key player at the crossroads of media, community, and culture.

[06/23/26 - 07:01 AM]
A24's "The Drama" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max July 31
The film stars Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, and Hailey Benton Gates.

[06/23/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: 2026 MLB Home Run Derby - Official Trailer - Netflix
The best sluggers in baseball put their power to the test and chase home run glory live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

[06/23/26 - 07:01 AM]
"The Devil Wears Prada 2" Streams Exclusively on Disney+ and Hulu July 29
Gird your loins.

[06/23/26 - 06:30 AM]
"The View" Turns in Its Most-Watched Telecast in More Than 1 1/2 Years with Guest Vice President JD Vance
3.331 million viewers tuned into the episode, the highest since its post-presidential Election Day telecast.

[06/23/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "The Dink" - Official Trailer - Apple TV
A washed-up tennis pro must play pickleball in this new comedy movie. Starring Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen.

[06/23/26 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Chainsmoker Cat" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Catgirl Yani struggles to pay her rent and keep a job while feeding her smoking habit. As her loved ones' concerns grow, she must rethink her future.

[06/23/26 - 12:02 AM]
Netflix Unveils First Look at New Danish Thriller "The Secret Woman" - Premiering on August 28
The twist-filled thriller centers on Louise Andersen, whose peaceful life on a Norwegian island is shattered when a stranger insists she is actually Helene Söderberg, a woman who vanished from Denmark three years ago.

[06/23/26 - 12:01 AM]
Netflix Announces Third and Final Season of "Roosters"
In this third and final season, we once again follow the tight-knit friend group as they try to figure out life in the modern world.

[06/22/26 - 11:31 PM]
Video: "Alliance" - Official Trailer - Kunal Kemmu - Prime Video
"Alliance" is a competitive captive reality show blending high-stakes strategy, economy and psychological warfare.