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USA Network Announces Slate of Ambitious 'Character' - Driven Projects For 2008-09
NEW YORK, March 26 -- USA Network will bolster the
'Characters Welcome' brand by inviting a concierge doctor, a creative con
man, a reluctant mayor and an inquisitive nanny among others to join the
ambitious development slate for the 2008-09 season. A slate of four new
pilot scripts, ROYAL PAINS, WHITE COLLAR, SHIRLEYVILLE and THE NANNY FILES
were announced today by Jeff Wachtel, executive vice president, original
programming, USA Network.
"Our current development slate makes clear that we're committed to
strengthening our brand as the 'character network' and advancing our claim
as the #1 destination for quality original programming in basic cable,"
said Wachtel.
USA was the #1 entertainment network in 2007 in primetime for all four
quarters among the key demos of P18-49 and P25-54, and is pacing to have
its best quarter ever in 1Q08 among P25-54, with an average of 1.31 million
viewers. This is the first time in 10 years that one channel has swept all
four quarters among entertainment networks in both demos, and also USA's
best quarter ever on P2+ with a current average of 2.92 million viewers.
USA Network's upcoming slate includes:
ROYAL PAINS (working title/ fna UNTITLED CONCIERGE MEDICINE/ SICK RICH)
Anyone who's anyone in the Hamptons has a lawyer on retainer. Now meet
the newest accessory -- the concierge doctor. Young doctor Hank Lawson had
it all...thriving career, beautiful girlfriend, and swank NYC apartment.
With one fateful and principled decision in the ER, Hank loses it all.
Months later, single and blackballed from the medical community, Hank goes
for a weekend in the Hamptons with his best friend. Crashing a party at a
mega-mansion on the beach, Hank jumps into action when a guest requires
medical attention that only he is able to diagnose. The next morning, Hank
is summoned to another mansion. And then another. Hank's career is revived,
but in a way he's not exactly happy about, as he becomes the on-call doctor
for the rich, famous and infamous. The project is written and co-executive
produced by Andrew Lenchewski and executive produced by Rich Frank and Paul
Frank with John Rogers serving as producer.
WHITE COLLAR (working title)
The world's most creative con man escapes out of a maximum-security
prison by walking out the front door to find the lost love of his life. His
nemesis at the FBI tracks him down and uses him as a consultant to catch
other notorious and elusive criminals. From Fox Television Studios, written
and executive produced by Jeff Eastin ("Hawaii").
SHIRLEYVILLE (aka WELCOME HOMELAND)
After two tours of duty in Afghanistan, Dwight returns to his hometown
of Shirleyville. He wants nothing more than to readjust and get
reacquainted with his family. But when the Mayor suddenly dies, hometown
hero Dwight finds himself sworn in as the new Mayor. Now he has to maneuver
through the small town politics and quirky personalities of his hometown
while trying to govern...an assignment that often seems more fraught with
peril than fighting rebel insurgents. From writers Leo Geter and Jim
Leonard ("Close to Home").
THE NANNY FILES
From executive producer/writer Rick Copp ("Brady Bunch Movie") comes
THE NANNY FILES. Widower police chief Ray Corliss hires 28-year-old Emma
Staley to be his children's nanny. Unbeknownst to him, she gets involved in
solving his cases. Emma uses her skills as a nanny and her "nanny network"
(of other nannies, dog walkers, gardeners and neighbors) to find inside
information and solve the crimes. Ray's career drive and inability to
emotionally connect with his children, paired with Emma's outgoing
resourcefulness and knack for sticking her nose where it doesn't belong,
makes for a collision of wills and meeting of minds in this charming
dual-lead detective series. From Fox Television Studios, Joann Moore
("Swimming with Sharks") serves as co- executive producer.
USA's previously announced projects that are still in development
include THANK YOU FOR SMOKING, LIFE INSURANCE, AMERICAN GIRL, THE OLDEST
ROOKIE, HALO, THE EXPERT and CITIZEN'S ARREST.
USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series
and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television
shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 network in basic cable, USA
Network is seen in nearly 94 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site
is located at http://www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.
USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of
NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies
in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and
information to a global audience.
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