Nellie Andreeva

Tagline Television, the TV production division of management company Thruline, has set up a slew of projects at broadcast and cable networks including ABC, USA Network, TNT and IFC.

Five of the projects are through Universal Cable Prods., where Tagline has a first-look deal and a long-term relationship through Psych, Tagline’s first series, which will hit the 100-episode mark in its upcoming seventh season on USA. Tagline’s new projects with the studio have been sold to both USA and outside networks as part of UCP’s mandate to become a supplier to all networks.

At ABC, the companies have The Lisa Jones Club, a drama with dark comedic overtones written and co-executive produced by Barbara Marshall (Terra Nova). The project, which was sold on spec, revolves around down-on-their-luck suburban wives who embark on a criminal spree to make ends meet. Marshall is with APA and Industry Entertainment.

Also at ABC, Tagline and UCP recently sold half-hour comedy Michael Bolton’s Daughter Is Destroying My Life, starring the Grammy-winning singer as a heightened version of himself, written/exec produced by Tami Sagher and produced by actress Allison Miller, on whose experiences the project was based.

An untitled drama, referred to as Brainstorm, is set up at USA. Sian Heder (Men Of A Certain Age) is writing/executive producing the project, which follows brilliant neurologist Angie Hunter as she diagnoses the seemingly impossible mysteries of the brain, but her laser-like focus and unconventional wit rubs her patients the wrong way.

Also at USA, Tagline and UCP have Mean Moms, a half-hour comedy written/executive produced by Elizabeth Beckwith (Gleeclipse). It chronicles what happens when the ‘mean girls’ from high school years become the ‘mean moms’ at your kids’ school. Brainstorm and Mean Moms join another Tagline/UCP project at USA, an untitled one-hour about a brother and sister taking over the family’s investment firm, written by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett and executive produced by Psych creator Steve Franks. “With our successful partnership already solidified with seven seasons of Psych, the development process has been a dynamic time to work shoulder to shoulder with Tagline as we expand our cable and network business,” said Richard Rothstein and Maira Suro, UCP’s SVP, Development and Current Programming.

Tagline also has set up several projects outside of the UCP deal, including Blended, a half-hour comedy at ABC by Man Up! creator Christopher Moynihan, through ABC Studios. In it, four twentysomethings are thrust together when their grown parents marry. For Moynihan, repped by Rothman Brecher Kim and Thruline, this marks the first project under a two-year development deal with ABC Studios. Also at ABC, Tagline is attached to produce an untitled comedy by Bridesmaids co-writer Annie Mumolo, which was rolled from last season. Kat Likkel and John Hoberg (My Name Is Earl) are attached as showrunners. Additionally, Tagline partner Willie Mercer is executive producing High Life, the Will and Robin Reiser/JJ Philbin/Jake Kasdan comedy, that has a put pilot commitment at NBC. Also at NBC, Tagline is attached to produce projects developed for longtime Thruline client Blair Underwood under his deal with the network.

At TNT, Tagline has drama The Vine, written by Jeremy Bernstein (Leverage), who will co-executive produce with Chris Swain and Larry Bond. John Rogers serves as executive producer/showrunner. The Vine is about a lifestyle blogger who mobilizes her vast readership to solve crimes after the death of her father. Bernstein is repped by ICM Partners and Thruline; Rogers by CAA and Thruline.

Tagline also is developing Triggermen at IFC, an adaptation of the comic book series created by Kyle Winters and Mike Anderson. Writer-director Michael Davis (Shoot Em Up) is behind the dark comedy project, which chronicles the absurdist adventures of two semi-professional hitmen, best friends who struggle to navigate the world of contract killing. Davis is repped by ICM Partners and Artist International Management.

Additionally, Tagline has several projects in internal development at UCP: The Lincoln County Wars, a retelling of the Billy the Kid legend, which will be written by Robert Knott (Apalloosa) and executive produced by Emmy-winner Kirk Ellis (John Adams); Red, Black & Blue, a contemporary reconception of Hatfields and McCoys, set against the backdrop of a local fire and police station, by Kevin O’Hare; Dependents, a twisted family comedy by Working Class creator Jill Cargerman; and 60.40.20, a workplace comedy about three women at different stages of their lives, to be written by Mark Amato (ABC Family’s Baby Daddy). Elsewhere, Tagline has I Love Everybody set up at ABC Studios with author Laurie Notaro (Diary Of A Fat Bride), in which a reporter who burns all her bridges in NY must return home in disgrace to the small-town newspaper where she got her start.

Tagline TV was formed in 2003 by Mercer, Chris Henze, JB Roberts and Ron West, with Kelly Kulchak serving as president since the company’s inception. In addition to Psych, Tagline’s series credits include Comedy Central’s The Burn With Jeff Ross, ABC’s Man Up! and NBC’s 100 Questions. The company is repped by ICM Partners.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.