BBC Greenlights ‘Ladies’ Paradise’ Series Based On Emile Zola Novel

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Wednesday May 16, 2012 @ 4:00am PDTTags: BBC One, Ladies Paradise
Nellie Andreeva

BBC One is moving ahead with The Ladies’ Paradise, an eight-episode series loosely based on Emile Zola’s novel Au Bonheur Des Dames. Set in England’s first department store, the series tells the rags-to-riches story of Denise Lovett (Joanna Vanderham, Above Suspicion), a young girl who works in the store and gets caught up in the charms of the modern world. Denise is a 19th-century Working Girl – big-hearted, smarter than she’s taken to be and more ambitious than those pretty eyes suggest. BBC One put the series on the fast track a year ago with the hire of Bill Gallagher (Lark Rise) to write it. Marc Jobst is set to direct. Vanderham is with WME.

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TV TEASER: FX’s ‘Anger Management’ With Charlie Sheen

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 7:09pm PDTTags: Anger Management, Charlie Sheen, FX
Nellie Andreeva

Charlie Sheen embraces his train wreck reputation in the latest trailer for his upcoming FX comedy series Anger Management. The network is yet to show actual footage from the multi-camera sitcom, which premieres on June 28. It stars Sheen as anger management therapist with anger issues.
rtmp://streaming.deadline.com/ondemand/video/Anger_Train_30.flv

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Lachlan Murdoch Accused Of Possible Breach Of Oz Broadcasting Laws

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 5:50pm PDTTags: Australia, Lachlan Murdoch

Freelance journalist Don Groves is a Deadline contributor, based in Sydney.

Another day, another media controversy for the Murdoch clan. Rupert Murdoch’s eldest son Lachlan has been accused of a possible breach of Australian broadcasting laws. Avaaz, a New York-based global campaign organization that boasts more than 14 million members, today called on the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to launch an investigation into Lachlan’s Australian media holdings. Avaaz claims more than 300,000 members in Australia. It wants ACMA to determine whether the Murdoch scion is in a position to  exercise control of News Corp.’s Australian arm News Limited,  as he is a director of News Corp. The group contends that it would create an “unacceptable three way control situation” in breach of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, which forbids anyone from controlling a commercial radio licence, a commercial TV licence, and a newspaper  in the same licence area (in this case, Sydney). Murdoch is the chairman and a major shareholder in Network Ten and in the DMG Radio Australia network. News Limited controls 70% of Australia’s newspapers including the Sydney Daily Telegraph and the national broadsheet The Australian and owns 25% of the dominant pay-TV provider Foxtel.
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Fox Networks Ups Pair In Marketing Unit

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 4:29pm PDTTags: Bonnie O'Donnell, Fox Networks, Jody Vogelaar, Sol Doten

Fox Networks marketing executives Bonnie O’Donnell and Jody Vogelaar have been promoted to Vice President, Distribution Marketing for Fox Networks (FN), it was announced today by Jamia Bigalow, Senior Vice President, Distribution Marketing, to whom both will

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CBS Update: ‘Rules Of Engagement’ Talks Down To The Wire, ‘Mentalist’ On The Move

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 3:16pm PDTTags: CBS, Elementary, Rules of Engagement, The Mentalist, Vegas
Nellie Andreeva

Rules Of Engagement RenewalThe renewal of CBS‘ long-running sitcom Rules Of Engagement is going down to the wire. Less that 24 hours before CBS’ upfront presentation tomorrow, the network and Rules producer Sony Pictures TV continue to be deep in negotiations on a pickup. The two sides are still going back-and-forth on a number of issues, including the size of a potential seventh-season order, but there appears to be a will on both parts to make it happen. The show needs 13 episodes to get to the 100-episode mark. CBS only ordered two new comedy series for next season, so, as this season proved, having a reliable performer like Rules on the bench could come in handy. Read More »

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ABC First Look Teasers: 2012-13 New Shows

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 2:31pm PDTTags: 666 Park Avenue, ABC, How To Live With Your Parents (For The Rest Of Your Life), Last Resort, Malibu Country, Mistresses, Nashville, Red Widow, The Family Tools, The Neighbors, Zero Hour
Nellie Andreeva

ABC’s The Neighbors - Comedy
Produced by ABC Studios. From writer/executive producer Dan Fogelman and executive producers Aaron Kaplan, Jeff Morton and Chris Koch. Directed by Chris Koch (pilot):

ABC’s 666 Park Avenue – Drama
Produced by Bonanza Productions in association with Alloy Entertainment and Warner Bros Television. From writer/executive producer David Wilcox and executive producers Matthew Miller, Leslie Morgenstein, Gina Girolamo. Directed by Alex Graves (pilot):

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Fox Home Entertainment Ups Sales Trio

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 2:24pm PDTTags: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Don Jeffries, Greg Hammers, Joe Barrett

LOS ANGELES (May 15, 2012) – Three long-standing executives of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment’s sales team have been elevated to senior management positions it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Simon Swart. Don Jeffries has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Sales, North America, effective immediately, and will report to Swart. Additionally, Joe Barrett and Greg Hammers have been promoted to Senior Vice Presidents, National Sales, reporting to Jeffries.

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ABC Tells Advertisers It Can Guarantee Multimedia Audiences With A Single Deal

By DAVID LIEBERMAN, Executive Editor | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 1:50pm PDTTags: ABC, Anne Sweeney

ABC Ad Sales Upfronts 2012“We’re breaking down the walls” between different media, ABC Sales President Geri Wang told advertisers at the network’s upfront presentation today. “One deal. One CPM. One guarantee. Every screen. In a world of fragmentation, we … Read More »

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PBS Fall Schedule: ‘Midwife,’ ‘Dustbowl’ And Politics Showcased On Sundays

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 1:45pm PDTTags: Ken Burns, PBS, Upstairs Downstairs

PBS Fall 2012 SchedulePBS is playing to its strengths — British dramas, Ken Burns documentaries and plenty of political insight — with its just-announced fall schedule. As is custom with the public broadcaster, the emphasis is on Sunday night programming. With the success of Season 2 of Downton Abbey still fresh, PBS will air the UK hit miniseries Call The Midwife, debuting Sunday, September 30. Following Call The Midwife for most of the run is Season 2 of the new Upstairs Downstairs, airing Sundays Oct. 7 to Nov. 11. The latest documentary from Ken Burns, The Dust Bowl, airs Sunday November 18 and Monday November 19. In addition, PBS will repeat its well-received American Masters documentary on Dust Bowl folk hero Woody Guthrie on Thursday, November 16. With the political season heating up, PBS is ramping up its election coverage, once again airing “The Choice,” a politics-focused edition of the long-running Frontline on Tuesday, October 9. The public broadcaster will also air three Presidential debates and one Vice Presidential debate when they’re held in the fall. Read More »

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Jimmy Kimmel Skewers ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox & The Kardashains At ABC’s Upfront

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 1:32pm PDTTags: ABC, Jimmy Kimmel, Modern Family, Paul Lee
Nellie Andreeva

ABC Upfronts 2012On the heels of beating Jay Leno for the first time in-season last week and marking his 10th anniversary in late-night, Jimmy Kimmel returned to headline ABC’s upfront presentation today older if not wiser. Kimmel was introduced by a video featuring celebrities congratulating him on his anniversary, including Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, stars of ABC series and the Kardashian sisters. Kimmel started off by thanking the Kardashians for taking time “from their busy schedule of having sex with the Minnesota Timberwolves.”

Kimmel skewered ABC entertainment president Paul Lee for putting panned cross-dressing comedy Work It on the air last season. “Remember last year that show Work It? You know we were kidding, right? The fact that Paul Lee greenlit that should tell you everything you need to know about what Brits think about us.”

Related: ABC First Look Teasers: 2012-13 New Shows

On Lee, who was reportedly approached for the top job at the BBC. “He decided to stay. In the end, ABC has something that BBC would never have: dental.”

On ABC shows: “Dancing With The Stars is still going strong-ish. Last night I was watching the show, fell asleep fell off the couch and hit my head on the floor. And for the first time this season, I actually saw stars.” On ABC’s upcoming all-stars edition of Dancing: “Dancing With The Stars All Stars — how many times can we lie to you in a single title.” Also, “The upcoming Duets is unlike any other singing competition show… assuming you haven’t seen any other singing competition show.”

Related: 2012-13 ABC Schedule: Comedy Block On Friday, ‘Revenge’ Gets ‘Housewives’ Slot

Some of Kimmel’s shots at other networks:

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WGA Getting Out The Vote For ’101 Best Written TV Series’ List

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 12:30pm PDTTags: 101 Best Written TV Series, WGA

Los Angeles and New York – From its beginnings in the 1940s through present day, American television has been shaped by the words and stories of writers. In recognition of the role of writing in sustaining this extraordinary medium, the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) are launching 101 Best Written TV Series, the WGA’s list of outstanding television writing. Writers will be able to vote for their choices beginning on May 15, and results will be announced in the fall. The “101 TV” list will celebrate the craft of television writing over seven decades and follows the WGA’s 101 Greatest Screenplays list announced in 2006.

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Matt Olmstead To Run NBC’s ‘Chicago Fire’

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 12:04pm PDTTags: Breakout Kings, Chicago Fire, Matt Olmstead
Nellie Andreeva

Matt Olmstead Chicago FireBreakout Kings co-creator/executive producer Matt Olmstead is joining NBC’s new drama series Chicago Fire as executive producer/showrunner. Written by feature writers Derek Haas and Michael Brandt (3:10 To Yuma), Chicago Fire chronicles the lives of … Read More »

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MTV Video Music Awards Moving To L.A.’s Staples Center

By DOMINIC PATTEN | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 12:01pm PDTTags: Beyonce, MTV Video Music Awards, Staples Center

The network is bringing the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards to Staples Center for the first time on September 6. The show will air at 8 PM PST. No word on a host or the lineup (Russell … Read More »

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Adult Swim Puts Animated ‘Harold & Kumar’ In Development, Greenlights Seven Pilots

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 11:55am PDTTags: Adult Swim, Harold & Kumar, Lionsgate
Nellie Andreeva

Adult Swim 2012 ProgramsAhead of its upfront party tomorrow, Adult Swim has unveiled its development slate, which includes seven greenlighted animated and live-action pilots and an animated series based on the Harold & Kumar movies in development. The animated Harold & Kumar  project was taken to the marketplace in November by Lionsgate, which produces the movie franchise. Original Harold & Kumar Adult Swimwriters Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg are on board to write and produce and stars John Cho and Kal Penn will voice the lead characters and also produce. Adult Swim’s greenlighted pilots include an animated project from Community creator Dan Harmon. Here is the slate:

Untitled Animated Harold & Kumar Project (In Development) – An animated version of the eponymous blockbuster stoner comedy series. Produced by Lionsgate.

Rick & Morty – A genius inventor grandfather and his less than genius grandson, and the journeys in life they share. From Dan Harmon (Community) and Justin Roiland. (30-minute animated) Read More »

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Magic Johnson Names Paul Butler ASPiRE GM

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 11:55am PDTTags: ASPiRE, Magic Johnson, Paul Butler

Related: Robert Rodriguez, P. Diddy, Magic Johnson, Said Schwartz Begin 4 New Minority-Owned Indie Networks With Comcast

Los Angeles, CA – May 15, 2012 – Earvin “Magic” Johnson announced today that Paul Butler has been named general manager of ASPiRE, the new African-American network set to launch in June. Butler will oversee all operations for the programmer and report to Johnson, who is chairman of ASPiRE and the network’s Board of Directors.  He will be based at ASPiRE’s headquarters in Atlanta.

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ABC’s ‘Mistresses’ Summer-Bound, ‘Hulk’ Still Alive, Why ‘Happy Endings’ Is Moving

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 10:45am PDTTags: 666 Park Ave, ABC, Happy Endings, Hulk, Mistresses
Nellie Andreeva

Happy Endings ScheduleOriginally ordered for next summer but also considered for the upcoming season, ABC‘s racy new soap Mistresses will launch next May for a summer run, ABC’s Paul Lee said during a press call this morning. It will likely premiere on Monday after The Bachelorette.

Related: 2012-13 ABC Schedule: Comedy Block On Friday, ‘Revenge’ Gets ‘Housewives’ Slot

Also on the call, Lee addressed the decision to move Happy Endings and Don’t Trust The B— to Tuesdays against Fox’s New Girl after the two launched in the protected post-Modern Family slot. Lee said both shows have passionate audiences that would follow them to the new night. As for pitting them against other comedies, especially New Girl, Lee said, “I do think there is room on the networks for big ratings” for multiple series in the same slot. Opting not to put a comedy against New Girl last year but to do it this fall with Happy Endings is not a suggestion that ABC feels New Girl is getting weaker but confidence that Happy Endings “can open a comedy block at 9 PM on Tuesday,” Lee said.

Related: Single-Camera Comedy Mayhem: ABC, NBC & Fox To Clash In Tuesday 9-10 Hour In Fall Read More »

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Univision Unveils Facebook Integration And Zings NBC At Upfront Presentation

By DAVID LIEBERMAN, Executive Editor | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 10:43am PDTTags: Haim Saban, Univision

The event wasn’t all business, but the Latino-focused media company never lost sight of its main mission. Even singer Shakira, who performed for advertisers, recognized that the upfront was about relationship building. She ended her appearance directly addressing company owner Haim Saban, who was in the audience. She says that she considers herself “part of the Univision familiy. You can always, always count on me.” The Facebook news underscored the company’s big push this year into digital media. Univision says it will introduce its online programming destination, UVideos, this summer by having its celebrities and personalities participate in a series of live chats on Facebook. But Univision’s bottom line focus was laid out in Ad Sales and Marketing President David Lawenda’s opening presentation — the most direct and compelling sales pitch I’ve heard so far this upfront season. “Move 15% of your budget to Univision” he told the audience. “You have flat or declining media budgets,” he noted. His networks’ audiences are growing while the traditional English language networks ask for higher CPM unit rates on their flat or declining ratings. “The single biggest risk you can make going out of here today is to do what you did last year.” Execs fired their sharpest barbs at NBC. Univision says it beat the network’s prime time 18-to-49 audience on 195 nights. “NBC’s ‘Must See TV’ has become ‘Might See TV’,” Lawenda says.  Read More »

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RATINGS RAT RACE: No Howard Stern Surge For ‘America’s Got Talent’

By DOMINIC PATTEN | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 10:32am PDTTags: America's Got Talent, Dancing With The Stars, House, Howard Stern, Ratings

America's Got Talent RatingsIt was a night of finales and premieres and Howard Stern promising to play nice in primetime. The self-proclaimed King of All Media’s debut as a judge on NBC’s America’s Got Talent (3.6/10) was down 16% from last season’s May 31 opener but still won the 9 PM slot Monday. The two-hour season premiere came in just short of last week’s The Voice finale. On CBS, the hourlong finale of How I Met Your Mother (3.6/10) was up 9% from two weeks ago. The Two And A Half Men (3.8/10) finale was even with the previous week. Mike & Molly (3.3/8) and Hawaii Five-0 (2.7/7) were up 6% and 17% respectively in their season-enders.

Related: Howard Stern Promises To Keep It Clean On ‘America’s Got Talent’

CBS took the night in adults 18-49, but ABC won in total viewers. Read More »

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ABC Sets All-Star ‘Dancing With The Stars’

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Tuesday May 15, 2012 @ 9:12am PDTTags: ABC, Dancing With The Stars, Paul Lee
Nellie Andreeva

Dancing With The Stars All-StarThe upcoming cycle of Dancing With The Stars will be an all-star edition, ABC president Paul Lee announced during the network’s press call this morning. “We’re bringing fan favorites from the past 14 seasons,” Lee … Read More »

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