Several series considered strong contenders for pickup By Nellie Andreeva
Aug 6, 2008, 12:00 AM ET While most of Hollywood is getting into vacation mode as mid-August approaches, it's crunch time at ABC, which shifted its pilot production to early summer as a result of the writers strike. Screenings are scheduled for next week, but already there is early buzz on some pilots that are completed.
On the comedy side, three single-camera half-hours -- the untitled Victor Fresco project, "Never Better" and the untitled Kristin Newman project (aka "Single With Parents") -- are considered strong contenders for pickup.
In a vote of confidence for the Victor Fresco office comedy, starring Jay Harrington and Portia de Rossi, ABC's sister studio ABC Studios recently inked an overall deal with Fresco. Family comedy "Never Better" would mark the return to ABC of "My Wife and Kids" star Damon Wayans, while the Kristin Newman project stars Alyssa Milano as a thirty¬something woman trying to break free of her overbearing family.
On the drama side, "The Castle," starring Nathan Fillion as a horror novelist working for the NYPD, and Rob Thomas' "Good Behavior," toplined by Catherine O'Hara as the matriarch of a family of criminals, have tested well, while the large-cast Shakespearean drama "Prince of Motor City" is said to have potential.
A few high-profile pilots, including the Max Mutchnick/David Kohan comedy and "Captain Cook's Extraordinary Atlas," have not been delivered. ABC has been taking its time, asking for episodic story lines for most of the pilots before making series pickup decisions.
I am excited from what I heard about the Prince of Motor City. I hope it gets picked up. Do'nt know much about Good Behavior but it sounds like an interesting show.
I was able to read all of ABC drama pilots (but not all of their comedy ones), and I'm glad to see that both Good Behavior (which by far my favorite) and Prince Of Motor City (would be perfect with Desperate Housewives), are strongly being considered.
Castle was a comedic drama, but it could work for ABC. I also hope the net picks up the Untitled David Hemingson Project; its a law dramedy about a group of new lawyers, its pretty much Boston Legal meets Grey's Anatomy, but I definitely think it would for ABC.
Captain Cook's is well done, but I dont know if it could work on ABC; its very Harry Potter-esque and I think it would work better on ABC Family.
The Max Mutchnick/David Kohan comedy (also known as Fourplay), is a multicam comedy and its pretty funny. So I hope ABC picks that one up too (its about two best friends, one gay, the other straight, and their romantic partners).
Captain Cook's is well done, but I dont know if it could work on ABC; its very Harry Potter-esque and I think it would work better on ABC Family.
Something 'very Harry Potter-esque' is exactly what ABC needs. No need to drop to its cable network a project that has such as huge upside! I think this show would pair very well with either Pushing Daisies or LOST or both, or paired with any of their family-oriented shows such as EM:HE, Wipeout, AFV, Opportunity Knocks, etc.
Originally posted by ughreality: I am excited from what I heard about the Prince of Motor City. I hope it gets picked up. Do'nt know much about Good Behavior but it sounds like an interesting show.
Motor City has Andie MacDowell. I think she's a great actress, so I'll watch at least the first episode.
David Hemingson Project sounds very promising, so I hope it turns out well. Casting wise, I think it looks very good. Maybe it can be Grey's Anatomy in an Ally McBeal world.
I do hope ABC can get back into the comedy game. The sitcoms Single with Parents with Alyssa Milano and Bad Mother's Handbook with Alicia Silverstone sound perfect to go with Smantha Who.
The probably do need so more male-oriented programing, so maybe don't pick up Cupid. ABC has got enough prime time soaps.
Captain Cook's is well done, but I dont know if it could work on ABC; its very Harry Potter-esque and I think it would work better on ABC Family.
Something 'very Harry Potter-esque' is exactly what ABC needs. No need to drop to its cable network a project that has such as huge upside! I think this show would pair very well with either Pushing Daisies or LOST or both, or paired with any of their family-oriented shows such as EM:HE, Wipeout, AFV, Opportunity Knocks, etc.
Seeing how well the High School Musical fans crossed over, I think the last thing ABC needs is a Harry Potter-esque series. Perhaps for Fridays but really what ABC needs if they are going to go after the family crowd are the good old fashion family comedies. That doesn't mean According to Jim, where a big dope is the father and the mother is way to hot for him. What it means is give us something where the kids are real characters but the adults run the show. I'm thinking Family Matters or Step by Step or Home Improvement. Will these shows win awards? No. Will they pull in more viewers than ABC's wretched current comedy crop? Yes. And unlike SW?, these sorts of shows could actually pair up well with the likes of Dancing with the Stars, which appeals to all ages.
I think they should move The Wizards of Waverly place from Disney Channel to ABC Fridays. It's a fun show even adults could watch with their kids.
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Originally posted by mushu_jj:
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Originally posted by Chimaera:
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Captain Cook's is well done, but I dont know if it could work on ABC; its very Harry Potter-esque and I think it would work better on ABC Family.
Something 'very Harry Potter-esque' is exactly what ABC needs. No need to drop to its cable network a project that has such as huge upside! I think this show would pair very well with either Pushing Daisies or LOST or both, or paired with any of their family-oriented shows such as EM:HE, Wipeout, AFV, Opportunity Knocks, etc.
Seeing how well the High School Musical fans crossed over, I think the last thing ABC needs is a Harry Potter-esque series. Perhaps for Fridays but really what ABC needs if they are going to go after the family crowd are the good old fashion family comedies. That doesn't mean According to Jim, where a big dope is the father and the mother is way to hot for him. What it means is give us something where the kids are real characters but the adults run the show. I'm thinking Family Matters or Step by Step or Home Improvement. Will these shows win awards? No. Will they pull in more viewers than ABC's wretched current comedy crop? Yes. And unlike SW?, these sorts of shows could actually pair up well with the likes of Dancing with the Stars, which appeals to all ages.
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Posts: 5916 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: 20 September 2006
There's speculation the net may pick up two series Friday By Nellie Andreeva
Aug 14, 2008, 12:00 AM ET
It's pilot screening time this week at ABC, and the TV types are abuzz about the fate of the network's projects that, because of the WGA strike, are being seen by Alphabet brass six months after they were greenlighted to pilots.
The field is being narrowed down, and there is speculation ABC might pick up a drama and a comedy series Friday. Overall, the network is expected to greenlight at least three projects each on the comedy and drama side.
Two NYPD-themed one-hours -- ABC Studios' Nathan Fillion starrer "The Castle" and Sony TV's ensemble dramedy "The Unusuals" -- have emerged as front-runners.
Additionally, 20th's untitled Dave Hemingson legal dramedy screened well Wednesday. Rob Thomas' "Cupid" update, which has not been seen by ABC execs, also is rising, somewhat overshadowing Thomas' other hourlong pilot at ABC Studios, "Good Behavior."
Also a possibility: WBTV's fantasy "Captain Cook's Extraordinary Atlas," which has not screened.
On the comedy side, three single-camera half-hours continue to enjoy the strongest buzz: 20th TV's Victor Fresco office comedy and the ABC Studios-produced family shows "Never Better," starring Damon Wayans, and the Kristin Newman project, starring Alyssa Milano.
Originally posted by xwiseguyx: I think they should move The Wizards of Waverly place from Disney Channel to ABC Fridays. It's a fun show even adults could watch with their kids.
I agree and can we also add Life with Derek to the list. And since it's a Canadian produced show it would continue the current trend of airing Canadian productions.
Haven't seen it but guessing you're probably right here. That's So Raven and Hannah Montanna would've been instant TGIF hits 10 years ago.
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Originally posted by xwiseguyx: I think they should move The Wizards of Waverly place from Disney Channel to ABC Fridays. It's a fun show even adults could watch with their kids.
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Originally posted by mushu_jj:
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Originally posted by Chimaera:
quote:
Captain Cook's is well done, but I dont know if it could work on ABC; its very Harry Potter-esque and I think it would work better on ABC Family.
Something 'very Harry Potter-esque' is exactly what ABC needs. No need to drop to its cable network a project that has such as huge upside! I think this show would pair very well with either Pushing Daisies or LOST or both, or paired with any of their family-oriented shows such as EM:HE, Wipeout, AFV, Opportunity Knocks, etc.
Seeing how well the High School Musical fans crossed over, I think the last thing ABC needs is a Harry Potter-esque series. Perhaps for Fridays but really what ABC needs if they are going to go after the family crowd are the good old fashion family comedies. That doesn't mean According to Jim, where a big dope is the father and the mother is way to hot for him. What it means is give us something where the kids are real characters but the adults run the show. I'm thinking Family Matters or Step by Step or Home Improvement. Will these shows win awards? No. Will they pull in more viewers than ABC's wretched current comedy crop? Yes. And unlike SW?, these sorts of shows could actually pair up well with the likes of Dancing with the Stars, which appeals to all ages.
Originally posted by mushu_jj: Haven't seen it but guessing you're probably right here. That's So Raven and Hannah Montanna would've been instant TGIF hits 10 years ago.
quote:
Originally posted by xwiseguyx: I think they should move The Wizards of Waverly place from Disney Channel to ABC Fridays. It's a fun show even adults could watch with their kids.
quote:
Originally posted by mushu_jj:
quote:
Originally posted by Chimaera:
quote:
Captain Cook's is well done, but I dont know if it could work on ABC; its very Harry Potter-esque and I think it would work better on ABC Family.
Something 'very Harry Potter-esque' is exactly what ABC needs. No need to drop to its cable network a project that has such as huge upside! I think this show would pair very well with either Pushing Daisies or LOST or both, or paired with any of their family-oriented shows such as EM:HE, Wipeout, AFV, Opportunity Knocks, etc.
Seeing how well the High School Musical fans crossed over, I think the last thing ABC needs is a Harry Potter-esque series. Perhaps for Fridays but really what ABC needs if they are going to go after the family crowd are the good old fashion family comedies. That doesn't mean According to Jim, where a big dope is the father and the mother is way to hot for him. What it means is give us something where the kids are real characters but the adults run the show. I'm thinking Family Matters or Step by Step or Home Improvement. Will these shows win awards? No. Will they pull in more viewers than ABC's wretched current comedy crop? Yes. And unlike SW?, these sorts of shows could actually pair up well with the likes of Dancing with the Stars, which appeals to all ages.
Would it work though? ABC has already flunked with HSM: GITP and Camp Rock a couple weeks ago. It does well in the kids demo, but other then that it wouldnt it do bad?
Posts: 2162 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: 02 January 2008
