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The popularity of period dramas among the TV networks continues. Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes is the latest to join the trend with Gilded Lillys, a drama for ABC from The Nine co-creator KJ Steinberg. Set in 1895 New York, the project revolves around the first true luxury hotel ever built in the city, the family who owns it, the staff who work it, and the people who pass through. Steinberg will write the script and executive produce with Rhimes and Betsy Beers. ABC Studios and Rhimes’ studio-based Shondaland are producing.
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Gilded Lillys sounds kind of lame. But the network would rather take a shot on someone like Shonda with a mediocre drama than on a newcomer with a unique idea. Oh well… that’s the game.
wait so is this going to be like GA and PP and have shonda writing and being heavily involved or like off the map where she just produces?
Could be interesting, but terrible title. So much so that it kind of turns me off the whole project.
Very promising!
how about just Gilded Age or Hotel Manhatten-the set dec better be superb, Mad Men has set the standard.
I find it funny how people think a show that’s been on 8 years is “mediocre”. Go watch Mad Men.
The fact that GA has been on for 8 years is irrelevant. GA was once an interesting series with interesting characters, but that was years ago. The quality of writing has been suffering since season 4. While people still watch, far fewer of them are watching. That says more about the quality of the series.
You are entitled to your opinion, but its just an opinion. The series as never been better. Its still doing strong in ratings and might surpass the mediocre drama ER.
You are being a hypocrite saying Anonymous’ statement is an “opinion,” then acting like yours is fact. Your statement on the show being “better than ever” is the opinion. The writing for the show has been very shaky for some time now, I’m sorry, but it happens. The ratings have declined and it is not the big hit it once was. I have no doubt that ABC will decide to end GA very shortly, like it did with Desperate Housewives.
Also, calling ER “mediocre” is a bit of a joke considering it jump-started many great careers, won multiple Emmys (many more than GA), and went on for 15 seasons. ER also could have gone on for more seasons, but they decided to end while they were still close to the top. Something GA would have had to have done 3-4 seasons ago. Don’t feel bad though, some other atrocious dramas that can’t be killed easily are “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and “One Tree Hill.” You will probably love those, if you don’t already.
I would watch this BUT agree the title needs changing…..
Great idea. Wrong producer. But the only producer who could ever get ABC to take this shot. How depressing is that. This brand is way over extended.
Well, ABC’s Scandal is getting good reviews from critics and has a great cast.
Heavens to betsy. This sounds terrific.
My money is on this never makes it to air…
Isn’t Steinberg the crazy guy who accused Shonda of stealing ideas from him?
Self-correction: It was Hank Steinberg who (wrongly) accused Rhimes of stealing from him, not KJ.
Wow, you clearly know a lot about KJ Steinberg.
KJ is a woman.
Just call it the rebooted series “Hotel” lol
and then bring back Dynasty as an opener…
[ring, ring] calling Joan Collins
I thought the exact same thing. Isn’t this Hotel set in a different time. James Brolin can be one of the hotel guest with his wife Connie Selleca. Ok I need help if I remember who was in Hotel
We must be old if we remember Hotel. Sounds the exact same except for the time period. Plus Hotel was on ABC. I’ve often thought instead of remaking stuff that worked already, why not revisit stuff that didn’t?
Nobody yet has brought up how cool it is that the late 1890s is passing through a black woman’s (Shonda’s) point of view/prism. Would be interesting to watch just for that element. Maybe it won’t be as carefree and rosy-colored as other period stuff (other than MadMen).
Now that is a good idea. Something different and, for me, something I would definately watch regulalrly. You don’t need cops everywhere to get people to tune in. I have nothing to do with this project in any way nor do I know anyone involved. I am just a viewer.
Sounds like “Faulty Towers” in Victorian drag.
1895 is boring. Sounds like copy and paste Downton Abbey/Upstairs Downstairs…but for Americans who give a crap about history…unless it’s on cable…and has lots of sex in it.
Sounds really lame. Have the nets just ran out of new ideas? What’s with all the recycling and/or period series?
If it looks and sounds like Age of Innocence, I’m in.
This is clearly Downtown Abby for those Americans who can’t stand any accent other then their own.
Great. Another period piece where actors of color will generally be stuck in subservient roles. If it’s historically factual. Not that Shondra Rhimes owes anything to people of color… but for goodness sake. There are so few people of color in strong decision making positions in Hollywood. Could she not come up with a project that features really strong, consistent story lines for non caucasian characters?!
I love Mad Men. I think it’s one of the best shows on tv. But I fear it’s started a fad of “period” themed shows, set in certain parts of our history when people of color were just after-thoughts. How about a drama featuring the everyday lives of the folks involved in the civil rights movement. Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Native, all Americans were an active or inactive part of that drama. Why not do that?! A show about a 19th century luxury hotel?! Who gives a shit.
ABC please! Enough with Shondaland and her cutesy crappy soaps already. No wonder cable is ruling. The last good thing on network TV was LOST
Let’s face it ABC needs all the help it can get…They are the worst network right now when it comes to TV shows…They have a wednesday night line-up that’s exceptional with Modern Family etc. Can’t stand the fact that Dancing with Stars is a hit–with what, Grannies? Please… Enough of you were correct in that GA has declined…my whole group of writer/producer friends were fans long, long ago and I don’t think that show is even mentioned at any roundtable gathering(for the last 4 years)…enough said! It would be a waste of my time to say anything more. Now as for this period piece..I love period pieces..if done right ..this could be a great show but then again it’s ABC.. My grandparents were born in the late 1800′s,there was enough drama in my family and people were more interesting back then than they are now… Dad was born in 1891.. I think I’m going to challenge this and write my own script…
E P I C FAIL.
This will never even get to air. ABC is wasting their time any money….Yawn
WHat I dont get is why they invest all time and money in scripts where she writes all the dialogue for her self? If you look at the words carefully and they way she talks some of the characters portrayed on Greys are her. THis show will be done in a matter of weeks. ABC is a cookie jar for people that are already there. they keep it in the family and are to scared to think outside of the box.
IT WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE HOW SHONDA RHIMES WILL MADE A 1895 NEW YORK CITY COME ALIVE. I AM HOPPINGTHAT ALL THE ANTI SHONDA RHIMES WILL BE PROVING WRONG. WILL IT ISN’T ANOTHER MEDICAL DRAMA THAT SHOW A PLUS DIRECTION. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT KIND OF FAMILY DRAMA THAT SHE WILL CREATED. GOOD LUCK TO THE FUTURE. YOUR TRULY CHARLES DAVID HASKELL
Why is it everybody talks about “Mad Men” (which I admittedly love) as if it were the only American TV show to do justice to period drama? As far as I’m concerned, it’s David Milch with “Deadwood” who set the real bar for authenticity. That show made every Western broadcast since the ’50′s look and sound ridiculous. ABC is the last place on TV where period drama should land. They will never ensure that the writing (with attention to period language), casting and scenic design truly reflect the age. This will be “Grey’s Anatomy” with bustles.