or


[07/29/09 - 12:56 PM]
Starz Pacts with Eric Schaeffer and Jill Franklyn for New Dramedy Set in Unlikeliest Place for Laughs
The show, tentatively titled "Failure to Fly," is set to debut in early 2010.

[via press release from Starz]

STARZ PACTS WITH ERIC SCHAEFFER AND JILL FRANKLYN FOR NEW DRAMEDY SET IN UNLIKELIEST PLACE FOR LAUGHS

�Failure to Fly' SET TO DEBUT IN EARLY SPRING 2010, ONLY ON STARZ

Burbank, CA and Denver, CO � July 29, 2009 � Eric Schaeffer has demonstrated a wicked and offbeat sense of humor in his acclaimed independent features and forays into TV. Writer/producer Jill Franklyn showed there are Emmy�-worthy laughs in a simple phrase like "Yada, Yada, Yada." Starz, for its part, has proven itself a home for unconventional programming with original series that have helped set them apart from the typical TV fare. So it makes sense that Starz has joined forces joining with Schaeffer and Franklyn to create a new half-hour series that wrings big laughs out of some profoundly troubled people.

The show, tentatively titled "Failure to Fly," is set to debut, exclusively on Starz, in early 2010, Starz EVP, Programming Stephan Shelanski, and Starz Media EVP, Originals Production and Development Bill Hamm jointly announced today. The 10-episode series is a surprisingly affirming dramatic comedy that revolves around the funny, sometimes poignant members of a support group for people who once tried to commit suicide but who are now embracing a new chance at life.

Schaeffer, the actor/director/writer/producer quadruple threat behind such features as If Lucy Fell, as well as the TV series "Starved" and "I Can't Believe I'm Still Single," will costar in "Failure to Fly" as well. The new Starz Originals series will be shot in New York City, where Schaeffer is based.

He is partnered with Franklyn, who was nominated for an Emmy� Award for co-writing the "Yada, Yada" episode of "Seinfeld," and has written on numerous series and amongst her features is the screenplay for My First Mister.

Dan Pasternack ("Starved," "Beggars and Choosers") will be executive producer along with Schaeffer and Franklyn on "Failure to Fly." Daniel Hank ("Starved") is producer on the series.

"Eric and Jill have the ideal sensibility and the track record for creating smart, funny and original entertainment, which is why we're sure they'll create TV's next stand-out comedy series," Shelanski said. "At Starz, we are focused on giving our audience the kind of quality programming they can't find anywhere else, and this new series will continue that tradition of fresh, fearless comedy."

"There will be nothing morose or morbid about this show; instead, we're looking at people who have seized a second chance at life, but they're a decidedly unusual group of people," Schaeffer said. "Jill and I can't wait to bring them to life � and keep them alive!"

"The best comedy typically comes from placing unforgettable characters in the most unexpected situations, and the setting of this show certainly speaks to that," Franklyn added. "Eric and I are really excited to be part of the original series and great movies on Starz."

Starz has already enjoyed success and critical acclaim for its ground-breaking comedies "Party Down" and "Head Case." The channel is equally committed to barrier-smashing drama series, with "Crash" getting set for its second season debut this fall, and the utterly original "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" due to premiere in January, 2010.

About Starz Entertainment

Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz� and Encore� brands with approximately 18.1 million and 31.9 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HD, Encore HD, Starz On Demand, Encore On Demand, MoviePlex On Demand, Starz HD On Demand, Encore HD On Demand, MoviePlex HD On Demand, and Starz Play. Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation, and is attributed to Liberty Entertainment Group, a tracking stock group of Liberty Media Corporation.

About Starz Media

Starz Media, LLC, is a programming production and distribution company operating worldwide. It includes the Film Roman, Anchor Bay Entertainment, and Manga Entertainment brands. Its units create animated and live-action programming � including theatrical films � and programming created under contract for other media companies. It distributes that programming, and programming acquired from outside producers, through home video retailers, theaters, broadcasters, ad supported and premium television channels, and Internet and wireless video distributors in the US and internationally. Starz Media (www.starzmedia.com) is a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation attributed to the Liberty Capital Group.





  [july 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· BEGGARS & CHOOSERS (SHOWTIME)
· CRASH (STARZ)
· GRAVITY (STARZ)
· HEAD CASE (STARZ)
· I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M STILL SINGLE: FROM PORTLAND TO PORTLAND (SHOWTIME)
· PARTY DOWN (STARZ)
· SPARTACUS (STARZ)
· STARVED (FX)





[06/30/25 - 11:02 AM]
"Sinners" with Black American Sign Language (BASL) Debuts July 4 on Max in the U.S.
This groundbreaking release marks the first time a streaming platform will exclusively debut a film interpreted in BASL.

[06/30/25 - 10:38 AM]
Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest to Air July 4 on ESPN Networks
Returning to the iconic corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues on Coney Island is 16-time Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest champion, Joey Chestnut.

[06/30/25 - 10:01 AM]
NASA+ Is Coming to Netflix This Summer
Audiences now will have another option to stream rocket launches, astronaut spacewalks, mission coverage, and breathtaking, live views of Earth from the International Space Station.

[06/30/25 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "Apocalypse in the Tropics" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Through a deep examination, this documentary from Oscar nominee Petra Costa explores the profound impact of evangelism on Brazil's political landscape.

[06/30/25 - 09:23 AM]
All-New Series "Survival Mode" Premieres Monday, July 7 on NBC
Across nine episodes, the series chronicles some of the most recent devastating disasters - including the Maui wildfires, the Amtrak 501 derailment, Superstorm Sandy, and the sinking of the Costa Concordia - through firsthand accounts from survivors and rare archival footage.

[06/30/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Going, Going, Gone: The Magic of the Home Run" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
This one is dedicated to the dinger. Comedian Roy Wood Jr takes us on a baseball journey all about the long ball.

[06/30/25 - 09:01 AM]
"Miley Cyrus: Something Beautiful" Visual Album Coming to Disney+ and Hulu July 16
The visual album premiered June 6 at the Tribeca Festival ahead of its one-night theatrical release in the U.S. and Canada on June 12.

[06/30/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys" - Official Trailer - Netflix
On August 19, experience the historic rise of one of the greatest teams in all of sports.

[06/30/25 - 07:26 AM]
Disney+ Adds Three New Premium Reality Commissions to Its Growing Slate of UK Unscripted Original Series
Highlights include the return of Britain's original and much-loved dating series "Blind Date", reimagined for a contemporary audience.

[06/30/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "My Oxford Year" - Official Trailer - Netflix
An ambitious American fulfilling her dream of studying at Oxford falls for a charming Brit hiding a secret that may upend her perfectly planned life.

[06/30/25 - 06:37 AM]
ESPN Reveals Special Honorees for The 2025 ESPYS Presented by Capital One Airing Wednesday, July 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Streaming Live on ESPN+
Oscar Robertson will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, Katie Schumacher-Cawley will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and David Walters and Erin Regan will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service.

[06/30/25 - 01:01 AM]
Video: Netflix Unleashes Teaser for "Troll 2"
When a dangerous new troll is awakened, unleashing devastation across Norway, beloved adventurers Nora, Andreas and Captain Kris are thrust into their most perilous mission yet.

[06/29/25 - 10:31 PM]
A Secret Society, Ritualistic Killings, and a Century-Old Curse Netflix and YRF Entertainment's "Mandala Murders" Premieres July 25
"Mandala Murders" is a first-of-its-kind mythological-crime thriller that promises to pull audiences into a world where every clue leads deeper into a long-buried prophecy.

[06/27/25 - 11:48 PM]
Development Update: Week of June 23-27
Updates include: Scott Speedman to topline ABC's "RJ Decker" pilot; Joel Kim Booster to pen latest "Pitch Perfect" spin-off at Peacock; and "Doctor Odyssey," "Grosse Pointe Garden Society" among the latest cancellations.

[06/27/25 - 02:29 PM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Gears Up for Summer Rising Week to Week in All Key Measures
Wednesday, June 11, was the most-viewed day of the week among Total Viewers (2.164 million).