[caption id="attachment_44621" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Guilt - “Guilt” is a one-hour soapy drama about a young American woman in London who becomes the prime suspect in the savage murder of her roommate. (ABC Family/Nick Ray)Daisy Head/caption]
Freeform announced that production of its new Guilt TV series began in London, England, this week. Guilt is written, created and executive-produced by Kathryn Price and Nichole Millard. Writers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer are executive producing, as are directors Gary Fleder and Larry Shaw. Stephen McPherson also serves as executive producer.
The cast of Guilt includes: Billy Zane, Emily Tremaine, Daisy Head, Cristian Solmeno, Naomi Ryan, Kevin Ryan, Zachary Fall, Simona Brown, and Sam Cassidy. Last month, Freeform announced Tremaine had been cast in the lead role, Natalie Atwood. Arrow's Katrina Law was originally cast as Atwood, for the pilot.
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Freeform announced that production of its new Guilt TV series began in London, England, this week. Guilt is written, created and executive-produced by Kathryn Price and Nichole Millard. Writers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer are executive producing, as are directors Gary Fleder and Larry Shaw. Stephen McPherson also serves as executive producer.
The cast of Guilt includes: Billy Zane, Emily Tremaine, Daisy Head, Cristian Solmeno, Naomi Ryan, Kevin Ryan, Zachary Fall, Simona Brown, and Sam Cassidy. Last month, Freeform announced Tremaine had been cast in the lead role, Natalie Atwood. Arrow's Katrina Law was originally cast as Atwood, for the pilot.
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- 3/10/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
ABC Family is rounding out its cast for drama pilot Guilt from writers/executive producers Nichole Millard and Kathryn Price (The Game Plan) and executive producer Stephen McPherson. Billy Zane (Titanic), Daisy Head (Endeavour), Zachary Fall (Crossing Lines), Katrina Law (Arrow) and Kevin Ryan (Copper) have landed series regular roles on the pilot, a fictional story that draws parallels to the story of Amanda Knox, the American student convicted, acquitted, retried and…...
- 8/6/2015
- Deadline TV
ABC Family has handed out a fourth pilot order in two months to Guilt, a crime thriller from writers/executive producers Nichole Millard and Kathryn Price (The Game Plan) and executive producer Stephen McPherson. The fictional project draws parallels to the story of Amanda Knox, the American student convicted, acquitted, retried and acquitted again of the gruesome murder of her British roommate. Guilt is described as an edgy, soapy thriller that revolves around an…...
- 6/25/2015
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: NBC is looking to launch a family-friendly variety clip show franchise in the tradition of ABC’s stalwart America’s Funniest Home Videos. The network has given a six-episode order to an hourlong show from producers Stephen McPherson and Bruce Gersh. Tentatively titled NBC’s Epic Funnies, the series is built around the principles of Epic Fails and life moments gone wrong. McPherson and Gersh, who worked together at ABC, collaborated on several projects over the last year. That led to the duo recently launching a venture together, Hollywoodland Studio, with Epic Funnies as the first project. It was another ABC alum, Jeff Bader, now head of scheduling at NBC, that helped bring the show to the peacock network. Gersh has clip show experience. As an executive at ABC, he oversaw digital business for network shows including Afhv where he met the show’s creator/executive producer Vin di Bona,...
- 4/7/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Girlfriends alumna Tracee Ellis Ross is set to star opposite Anthony Anderson in his untitled ABC pilot (formerly Black-ish) from ABC Studios, Laurence Fishburne’s Cinema Gypsy and Principato Young. The single-camera comedy centers on an upper-middle-class black man (Anderson) who struggles to raise his children with some sense of cultural identity despite constant contradictions and obstacles coming from his liberal wife, old-school father, and his own assimilated, color-blind kids. Ross is repped by Impression, Paradigm and Hansen, Jacobsen, Teller. Australian actress Natasha Bassett has rounded out the cast of Fox’s half-hour pilot from writer Ricky Blitt, Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki and producer Stephen McPherson. It centers on a stunted, set-in-his-ways thirtysomething man (Jon Heder) she gets married — and her new husband (David James Elliott) and his three teenage children move in. Bassett plays Emma, a pretty and smart but rebellious 17-year-old who’s upset her dad...
- 2/20/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
After 15 years of impressive. work in Australian films and TV series, Don Hany has the chance to make a name for himself in the Us.
Meanwhile young Aussie actress Natasha Bassett has scored a role in a Fox network comedy pilot, Here.s Your Damn Family.
Hany, who starred in The Broken Shore, Serangoon Road, Devils Dust and Offspring, has landed the lead role in Warriors, the pilot for a Us drama series.
Hany will play George Mann, a trauma surgeon for a Us military hospital inspired by the Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Caring for injured servicemen takes its toll on Hany.s character. The pilot was written by Chris Keyser (Party of Five, Sisters) and will be produced by Mandeville TV and ABC Studios for the ABC network.
Bassett, whose credits include Mental, Rake, Wild Boys and the Oz-shot NBC series Camp, will play a...
Meanwhile young Aussie actress Natasha Bassett has scored a role in a Fox network comedy pilot, Here.s Your Damn Family.
Hany, who starred in The Broken Shore, Serangoon Road, Devils Dust and Offspring, has landed the lead role in Warriors, the pilot for a Us drama series.
Hany will play George Mann, a trauma surgeon for a Us military hospital inspired by the Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Caring for injured servicemen takes its toll on Hany.s character. The pilot was written by Chris Keyser (Party of Five, Sisters) and will be produced by Mandeville TV and ABC Studios for the ABC network.
Bassett, whose credits include Mental, Rake, Wild Boys and the Oz-shot NBC series Camp, will play a...
- 2/19/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Jon Heder is set to star opposite Jane Kaczmarek and David James Elliott in Fox’s half-hour pilot from writer Ricky Blitt and producers Johnny Galecki and Stephen McPherson. The Warner Bros-produced multi-camera comedy (known as Here’s Your Damn Family) centers on a stunted, intelligent but underachieving, set-in-his-ways thirtysomething man (Heder) living with his mom (Kaczmarek) who finds his perfectly organized world upended when she gets married — and her new husband (Elliott) plus his three teenage children move in. Napoleon Dynamite and Blades Of Glory star Heder is repped by Gersh, Mosaic and Jackie Eckhouse.
- 2/18/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Jag alum David James Elliott is set to co-star opposite Jane Kaczmarek in Here’s Your Damn Family, Fox’s half-hour pilot from writer Ricky Blitt, The Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki and producer Stephen McPherson. The Warner Bros. TV-produced multi-camera comedy centers on a stunted, set-in-his-ways thirtysomething man living with his mom (Kaczmarek) who finds his perfectly organized world upended when she gets married — and her new husband (Elliott) plus his three teenage children move in. Elliott’s Mike is a ruggedly handsome, straightforward, ‘man’s man’ widower. Also cast in the pilot are Peter DaCunha and Brendan Meyer as two of Mike’s three children. Elliott is repped by Gersh and manager Jeffrey Goldberg. DaCunha is with Coast to Coast; Meyer is with Gersh and Pay Management.
- 2/15/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
This story first appeared in the Jan. 31 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. The Director's Guild Of America doesn't dispense honorary awards as lavishly as some of the other guilds. It has given out its Diversity Award only four times in its history -- to TV producers Bruce Paltrow (1997), John Wells and Christopher Chulack (1999), Steven Bochco (2000) and former ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson (2005). But when members of the DGA convene for their annual awards dinner Jan. 25, the honor will again be on the table as it's presented to Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey's Anatomy and
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- 1/24/2014
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Malcolm In The Middle star Jane Kaczmarek is returning to Fox with a starring role in the network’s half-hour pilot from writer Ricky Blitt, The Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki and producer Stephen McPherson. The project, formerly titled Here’s Your Damn Family when it was picked up as cast-contingent pilot in November, is now a firm go. The multi-camera comedy produced by Warner Bros TV, the studio behind Big Bang, centers on a stunted, set-in-his-ways thirtysomething man living with his mom (Kaczmarek) who finds his perfectly organized world upended when she gets married — and her new husband plus his three teenage children move in. Blitt, Galecki and McPherson executive produce.
- 1/24/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
HBO is looking to France for its next hit show. The cable network will remake the French comedy "Hard," about a widow tasked with running her husband's failing pornography company.
According to Variety, which broke the news, former "Sex and the City" and "The Big C" writer/producer Jenny Bicks is adapting the show, which will be set in L.A.'s upper-class Brentwood neighborhood. The widow will have to walk the line between her normal life and her job as a porn company executive.
The show is in development with Bicks, Stephen McPherson and Vin Di Bona serving as executive producers. There is no word on when it's expected to go into production or debut. The original series ran for two seasons on France's Canal+. A third was announced in 2012 but has yet to air.
According to Variety, which broke the news, former "Sex and the City" and "The Big C" writer/producer Jenny Bicks is adapting the show, which will be set in L.A.'s upper-class Brentwood neighborhood. The widow will have to walk the line between her normal life and her job as a porn company executive.
The show is in development with Bicks, Stephen McPherson and Vin Di Bona serving as executive producers. There is no word on when it's expected to go into production or debut. The original series ran for two seasons on France's Canal+. A third was announced in 2012 but has yet to air.
- 1/8/2014
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Fox, Lionsgate TV and 20th Century Fox TV are all teaming with filmmaker David Mamet to develop a seven-hour event series dealing with the concept of the seven deadly sins.
The themes of the seven deadly sins (wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony) will serve as a backdrop of a series of interconnected stories reflects on the human condition.
Mamet plans to write and direct the first episode, and write at least two more segments. Stephen McPherson will also exec produce.
Source: Variety...
The themes of the seven deadly sins (wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony) will serve as a backdrop of a series of interconnected stories reflects on the human condition.
Mamet plans to write and direct the first episode, and write at least two more segments. Stephen McPherson will also exec produce.
Source: Variety...
- 12/20/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Los Angeles – The Directors Guild of America today announced that it will honor Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers of Shondaland with the Guild’s 2014 Diversity Award. The Award is being given for their commitment to diversity hiring, their long record of providing jobs and opportunities to women and minorities in DGA-covered categories, and for the example they set for the rest of the industry. The Award will be presented at the 66th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, January 25, 2014. The Diversity Award has only been given four times in its history: in 1997 to Bruce Paltrow, John Wells and Christopher Chulack; in 1999 to Steven Bochco; in 2000 to HBO; and in 2005 to Stephen McPherson. “The DGA Diversity Award is an exceedingly rare honor, given only when we feel strongly that someone is making a real difference in the hiring of women and minorities,” said DGA President Paris Barclay. “In the decade that Shonda...
- 12/3/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Fox Gives Cast-Contingent Pilot Order To Comedy From Ricky Blitt, Johnny Galecki & Stephen McPherson
Fox has given an early pilot order to a half-hour from writer Ricky Blitt, The Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki and producer Stephen McPherson. Here’s Your Damn Family, a multi-camera comedy produced by Warner Bros TV, the studio behind Big Bang, has received a cast-contingent order. The project was originally sold to Fox, where McPherson has a first-look deal, with penalty in September. It marked Galecki’s first sale as a producer, and now it is his first pilot order. Here’s Your Damn Family also represents the first pilot order for McPherson in his first season as a producer, in which he sold a dozen or so pitches. The comedy centers on a stunted, set-in-his-ways thirtysomething man living with his mom who finds his perfectly organized world upended when his mother/roommate gets married, and her new husband plus his three teenage children move in. Blitt, Galecki and McPherson executive produce.
- 11/12/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: In their second sale this season, Nichole Millard and Kathryn Price (The Game Plan) have set up drama Guilt at Fox with Stephen McPherson executive producing alongside them. The fictional project draws parallels to the story of Amanda Knox. Guilt, from Lionsgate TV and McPherson’s Wonder Monkey which has first-look deals at Fox and Lionsgate, is described as a sexy, soapy, twisted thriller about an American girl who is studying abroad in London. When her Irish roommate is brutally murdered, she finds herself the prime suspect and focus of an international media frenzy. The series will explore the different levels of guilt of everyone in this mystery – from the suspect, to the police, to the prosecution, to the defense team, to the tabloids, to the victim’s family. American Knox was studying in Italy when she was arrested and then tried for the gruesome murder of her English roommate.
- 9/27/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
CBS is developing a comedy from former network executives David Janollari and Stephen McPherson, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The semi-autobiographical Sister Whipped, written by executive producer Hank Nelken, centers on a man who is raised by his sisters. He searches to find the meaning to what it means to be a "guy" in the present day. Both Janollari and McPherson will serve as executive producers via their shingles David Janollari Entertainment and Wonder Monkey, along with Universal TV, where Janollari is under a three-year pact. McPherson, who inked partnership deals with Lionsgate TV and Fox earlier this
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- 9/13/2013
- by Philiana Ng, Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki is expanding his résumé to include producing. The actor is teaming with former ABC Entertainment chief Stephen McPherson to executive produce a multicamera comedy set up at Fox, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Photos: Behind the Scenes: 'The Big Bang Theory' Here's Your Damn Family revolves around a stunted, set-in-his-ways thirtysomething man -- who lives with his mom -- and finds his perfectly organized world upended when his mother/roommate gets married and her new husband plus his three teenage children move in. Ricky Blitt penned the script on spec and will executive produce the
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- 9/4/2013
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Comedy writer Ricky Blitt has teamed with The Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki and producer Stephen McPherson for Here’s Your Damn Family, a multi-camera comedy produced by Warner Bros TV, the studio behind Big Bang. The project has sold to Fox, where McPherson has a first-look deal, with penalty. It marks Galecki’s first sale as a producer. Here’s Your Damn Family centers on a stunted, set-in-his-ways thirtysomething man living with his mom who finds his perfectly organized world upended when his mother/roommate gets married, and her new husband plus his three teenage children move in. Blitt created the project on spec and then further developed it with Galecki. The two have been friends for more than a decade, since working together on another Blitt-written Fox comedy project, 2002 pilot Becoming Glen. Galecki played the title character in the project, who draws some parallels to the...
- 9/4/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Stephen McPherson is making his way back into TV. Nearly three years after his sudden exit as ABC Entertainment chief, the exec is staging a reentry with partnerships at Lionsgate TV and Fox Broadcasting Co. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that McPherson has signed a two-year first look deal with Lionsgate that will see him developing scripted and unscripted efforts at the studio. The production pact with Lionsgate comes on the heels of a development deal at the Fox network. The network has committed McPherson to develop at least three projects there, a deal that sees him working with longtime
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- 4/26/2013
- by Michael O'Connell, Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: After two and a half-years out of the Hollywood spotlight, former ABC president Stephen McPherson is eying a return as a producer with a deal at Fox Broadcasting Co. I hear the pact, which includes a production commitment, was orchestrated by Fox chairman Kevin Reilly, a longtime friend (and Cornell Phi Delta Theta fraternity brother) of McPherson, who stepped in to support McPherson in his return to TV. The two started their TV careers together, working as young executives at NBC under Warren Littlefield, and McPherson famously spoke out in Reilly’s defense when he was ousted by NBC in 2007, publicly blasting Reilly’s successor Ben Silverman, challenging him to “Be a man!” McPherson has been focused on his wine business since his abrupt exit from ABC in the summer of 2010. McPherson’s tenure at ABC was marked with some successes — he launched comedy megahit Modern Family. But he...
- 3/27/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Los Angeles, California (X17online) - Former ABC president Stephen McPherson testified Friday that he approved a plan to kill off Nicollette Sheridan's character, Edie Britt, months before the alleged abuse incident occurred between the actress and show creator Marc Cherry. McPherson's testimony backs the defense's case, which claims the decision to kill off Sheridan's role was made in May 2008 during a closed door meeting between the ABC chief, former Touchstone studio head Mark Pedowitz, executive producer Sabrina Wind, and defendant Marc Cherry. Sheridan's claims Cherry struck her in the head with his fingers occurred in September 2008. When questioned as to why there were no memos written about the meeting, McPherson said simply: "We wanted to keep it confidential. We always do that with any character on the show. We don't want it to get out." Sheridan's lawyers were quick to attack McPherson's credibility by raising questions as to...
- 3/12/2012
- x17online.com
Even with the testimony of former Touchstone studio head Mark Pedowitz and former ABC Entertainment head Stephen McPherson supporting Marc Cherry’s contention the final decision to kill off the Edie Britt character on Desperate Housewives was made in May 2008, long before the incident in which Nicollette Sheridan was hit in the head, her lawyer still believes the jury will see that it is all part of a conspiracy by ABC and Disney to lie about the real timing of the decision to fire his client. That’s what attorney Mark Baute said Friday afternoon after the second week of
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- 3/10/2012
- by Alex Ben Block
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Los Angeles, California (X17online) - Desperate Housewives stars Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman, and Marcia Cross will likely not be testifying in Nicollette Sheridan's trial against show creator Marc Cherry and his alleged abuse. Lawyers argue that Sheridan's co-stars aren't vital witnesses since none of them witnessed the incident in question, in which Cherry supposedly struck Sheridan in the head with his fingers. They are also uninformed as to the reason Sheridan's character Edie Britt was killed off. The trial, which is already running longer than expected, has been given a date of next week to wrap up, but both sides still have long lists of witnesses that they believe can support their argument and influence the verdict. Had Sheridan's co-stars taken part in the trial, they all were expected to side with the defense and support Cherry and ABC's version of events. The only Housewife who was not...
- 3/8/2012
- x17online.com
Freelance writer Dominic Patten is a Deadline contributor 3Rd Update, 4:35 Pm: Stephen McPherson killed Edie Britt. That’s according to defense lawyer Adam Levin in his opening statement late this afternoon. Levin claims that the former ABC Entertainment president gave Desperate Housewives creator/executive producer Cherry the Ok to kill off Nicollette Sheridan’s character on the series — months before an alleged head-slapping incident between the actress and Cherry. Levin told jurors that on May 22, 2008, Cherry along with fellow Housewives exec producer Bob Daily went to then-ABC Studios boss Pedowitz and asked him if they could kill off Sheridan’s character in a “tentpole” Season 5 story arc. Pedowitz agreed, and that same day the group went to McPherson with the idea. “The evidence will show,” Levin said, “that Mr. McPherson agreed”. Along with Sheridan and Cherry, who were both in court today, Pedowitz, Daily and McPherson are scheduled...
- 3/1/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
If you’re an ABC executive you have to be a bit nervous today since the news broke that the network’s prexy, Paul Lee, has let go of one of his executive staff members.
According to reports today, Suzanne Patmore-Gibbs, ABC’s Executive VP of Scripted Creative will be leaving the network after Lee decided to eliminate her position from the network’s book of executive titles.
Patmore-Gibbs’ removal comes after ABC’s total viewership dropped 4% compared to the same time last year. More damaging for Gibbs is the 10% decrease among the 18-49 demographic, which is a major problem when your advertisers’ primary target is the same demographic.
In addition, if you take a look at Zap2It.com's TVByTheNumbers "Renew/Cancel Index," which offers some insight into how likely it is that certain shows will return or not, you get a better view of what is going on in Paul Lee’s mind.
According to reports today, Suzanne Patmore-Gibbs, ABC’s Executive VP of Scripted Creative will be leaving the network after Lee decided to eliminate her position from the network’s book of executive titles.
Patmore-Gibbs’ removal comes after ABC’s total viewership dropped 4% compared to the same time last year. More damaging for Gibbs is the 10% decrease among the 18-49 demographic, which is a major problem when your advertisers’ primary target is the same demographic.
In addition, if you take a look at Zap2It.com's TVByTheNumbers "Renew/Cancel Index," which offers some insight into how likely it is that certain shows will return or not, you get a better view of what is going on in Paul Lee’s mind.
- 3/28/2011
- I Am Entertainment Magazine
ABC is looking to get back in the event mini-series business with Wicked, an eight-hour mini-series produced by Salma Hayek, TVLine's Michael Ausiello reports. The project is not based on the highly-successful Broadway musical but on Gregory McGuire's bestselling book that spawned it. Despite a long tradition of TV musicals like Cinderella, Annie and The Music Man at ABC that flourished under Susan Lyne as head of TV movies and mini-series and then entertainment president, the genre disappeared from the network under Lyne's successor Stephen McPherson. In fact, McPherson passed on the Wicked mini-series a couple of year ago, a decision that was reversed by new ABC president Paul Lee. Wicked, which is in active development, is being produced by ABC Studios and Hayek and Jose Tamez's studio-based Ventanarosa Prods. Erik Jendersen (Band of Brothers) is writing the script. For now, there are no plans for Hayek to star.
- 1/10/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
The Hollywood Reporter, once one of the biggest of the Hollywood trade papers, has been atrophying readers for years now as print journalism continues to lose ground to the Internet. The company tried to stop the hemorrhaging with a website of its own, but the site has floundered compared to other entertainment destinations like The Wrap, Indiewire, and Deadline.
Fighting to stay relevant -- and alive -- the company brought in former Us Weekly Editorial Director Janice Min back in June. Working alongside Richard Beckman, the chief executive of E5 Global Media (THR's parent company), Min's announced a bold new plan for THR -- the launch of a new glossy weekly magazine. The cynical amongst us are already wondering how jumping from a daily newspaper format that people weren't interested in to the also-on-the-decline weekly periodical market is a step forward, but Beckman and Min have a bold plan. We'll...
Fighting to stay relevant -- and alive -- the company brought in former Us Weekly Editorial Director Janice Min back in June. Working alongside Richard Beckman, the chief executive of E5 Global Media (THR's parent company), Min's announced a bold new plan for THR -- the launch of a new glossy weekly magazine. The cynical amongst us are already wondering how jumping from a daily newspaper format that people weren't interested in to the also-on-the-decline weekly periodical market is a step forward, but Beckman and Min have a bold plan. We'll...
- 9/13/2010
- by Alison Nastasi
- Cinematical
Welcome back! If you spent the summer trying to avoid news, here's what you missed: a season dominated by "American Idol" chaos, strong box office but fewer people seeing movies and stars including Adam Sandler and Steve Carell solidifying their value.
Hollywood is a hits-and-misses business, so even the town's most powerful endure ups and downs. For instance, on the same July weekend, Christopher Nolan proved he can deliver a non-Batman blockbuster ("Inception") and Jerry Bruckheimer suffered the second ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice") of his two summer disappointments.
THR takes stock of who gained and lost big during the summer months.
Winners
Christopher Nolan Christopher Nolan
A $160 million gamble, "Inception" became a dream within a dream for Warner Bros. and Legendary, grossing $697 million globally and whetting appetites for the filmmaker's next "Batman."
Tony Disanto Tony Disanto
The MTV programming president fought to air "Jersey Shore," then defended it against loud critics,...
Hollywood is a hits-and-misses business, so even the town's most powerful endure ups and downs. For instance, on the same July weekend, Christopher Nolan proved he can deliver a non-Batman blockbuster ("Inception") and Jerry Bruckheimer suffered the second ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice") of his two summer disappointments.
THR takes stock of who gained and lost big during the summer months.
Winners
Christopher Nolan Christopher Nolan
A $160 million gamble, "Inception" became a dream within a dream for Warner Bros. and Legendary, grossing $697 million globally and whetting appetites for the filmmaker's next "Batman."
Tony Disanto Tony Disanto
The MTV programming president fought to air "Jersey Shore," then defended it against loud critics,...
- 9/7/2010
- by By Matthew Belloni
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Forget 3D movies or departing "American Idol" judges. The hottest topic of chatter in Hollywood these days might be harassment and inappropriate workplace behavior.
In the past few months, allegations of improper workplace behavior have swept through the entertainment industry. A lawsuit is pending against "Bones" star David Boreanaz and 20th Century Fox Television, and two suits have been filed against filmmaker/actor Casey Affleck by women who worked on his Joaquin Phoenix documentary. Just last week, ABC topper Stephen McPherson resigned amid an internal investigation of alleged inappropriate behavior.
And later this month, a trial is scheduled in Los Angeles Superior Court between "Superman Returns" producer Jon Peters and a former assistant who claims she was harassed by, among other things, Peters exposing himself.
In each of these cases, all allegations of misconduct have been strenuously denied, and certainly, no misconduct has been proved.
Though these allegations have made...
In the past few months, allegations of improper workplace behavior have swept through the entertainment industry. A lawsuit is pending against "Bones" star David Boreanaz and 20th Century Fox Television, and two suits have been filed against filmmaker/actor Casey Affleck by women who worked on his Joaquin Phoenix documentary. Just last week, ABC topper Stephen McPherson resigned amid an internal investigation of alleged inappropriate behavior.
And later this month, a trial is scheduled in Los Angeles Superior Court between "Superman Returns" producer Jon Peters and a former assistant who claims she was harassed by, among other things, Peters exposing himself.
In each of these cases, all allegations of misconduct have been strenuously denied, and certainly, no misconduct has been proved.
Though these allegations have made...
- 8/5/2010
- by By Matthew Belloni
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
For a guy who confessed that as a Brit he is way too self-conscious to dance, new ABC Family Entertainment Group president Paul Lee did a pretty good job tap dancing around the controversial issues surrounding the departure of his predecessor Stephen McPherson. Facing the press and TV critics 36 hours after being officially appointed to the job, Lee looked confident, and the sleeves of his plaid shirt were symbolically rolled up. There will be no changes to ABC's fall launch plans, Lee said. "We’re locked and loaded. If you make last-minute changes, you can make more damages than good. Nor is he planning to emulate ABC Family's focus on "millennials" by making ABC skew younger. "This is a core 18-to-49 channel," he emphasized. Mostly Lee stuck to his talking pointsy, and, in his answers played up his status as an outsider. He also kept reverting to his previous...
- 8/1/2010
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
* ABC’s top PR guy Kevin Brockman trotted out a huge stuffed pink elephant and quickly acknowledged the other “elephant in room”—last week’s abrupt resignation of ABC president Stephen McPherson. He then warned the assembled press that newly-installed prez, ex ABC Family boss Paul Lee, would not be commenting on his predecessor’s controversial departure. “Tuesday’s statement still holds,” he said. “We have nothing new to add.”
* “I’m super unprepared,” Lee admitted at the start. “I’ve been in the job 36 hours. I apologize if I don’t have the answers to your questions. I do...
* “I’m super unprepared,” Lee admitted at the start. “I’ve been in the job 36 hours. I apologize if I don’t have the answers to your questions. I do...
- 8/1/2010
- by Michael Ausiello
- EW - Inside TV
Today is ABC's day at TCA. Of course, the abrupt resignation of Entertainment Group president Stephen McPherson on Tuesday was expected to be the predominant theme of the day. So ABC decided to tackle it head-on with an intro by Disney-abc TV Group's Evp communications Kevin Brockman, who walked out on stage before the first session carrying a large pink elephant plush toy. He said he would address "the elephant in the room... I realize you all may have questions. Tuesday’s statement still holds, and it is literally all we are going to say on the subject. So you may ask, but you will get the same answer... That is where we are." Then he picked up the elephant and carried it out. Coming up: new ABC Entertainment Group President nm2712251 autoPaul Lee[/link] in his public debut since he took over the job on Friday. Diane Haithman is contributing to Deadline's TCA coverage.
- 8/1/2010
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Beverly Hills -- Having cut short his vacation to face the media, new ABC Entertainment chief nm2712251 autoPaul Lee[/link] took the press-tour stage Sunday and said he wasn't planning changes to the network's fall schedule.
"We are locked and loaded here," he said. "You make changes (this close to the fall) and you can do more damage than good."
Noting that he had been on the job only 36 hours and is "super unprepared," Lee gently deflected critics who tried to pin down how his regime will differ from former ABC Entertainment leader Stephen McPherson, whose abrupt resignation last week amid an internal sexual-harassment investigation put the network in a less-than-ideal position for presenting its programming to the press at the annual Television Critics Assn. gathering.
"It's too early to take a view of where are hits are going to come from next year or the year after that," Lee said.
"We are locked and loaded here," he said. "You make changes (this close to the fall) and you can do more damage than good."
Noting that he had been on the job only 36 hours and is "super unprepared," Lee gently deflected critics who tried to pin down how his regime will differ from former ABC Entertainment leader Stephen McPherson, whose abrupt resignation last week amid an internal sexual-harassment investigation put the network in a less-than-ideal position for presenting its programming to the press at the annual Television Critics Assn. gathering.
"It's too early to take a view of where are hits are going to come from next year or the year after that," Lee said.
- 8/1/2010
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In 2004, Lloyd Braun was fired by ABC after greenlighting Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, and Lost. Disney Executives fired him because of Lost, which he had greenlit with no actual script (only an outline). The $11.5 million pilot episode was the most expensive in television history, and it was presumed by the execs that it would be a massive failure. (Braun was later given a homage by Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse — he became the "Previously on Lost" voice). So Braun got the axe and was replaced by Stephen McPherson, who in turn got to ride on the popularity of shows that Braun had begun.
McPherson (no relation to myself) had a very successful time with ABC, and that's not to say that the credit was all Braun's. McPherson helped shows like the three mentioned above expand greatly, and he introduced new shows like Dancing with the Stars and Ugly Betty to the network's roster.
McPherson (no relation to myself) had a very successful time with ABC, and that's not to say that the credit was all Braun's. McPherson helped shows like the three mentioned above expand greatly, and he introduced new shows like Dancing with the Stars and Ugly Betty to the network's roster.
- 7/31/2010
- by Sam McPherson
- TVovermind.com
Paul Lee has been named President of ABC Entertainment Group, the network announced Friday.
Lee, who as president of ABC Family transformed the channel into a top 10 cable network in total viewers, had been expected to assume the role. He replaces Stephen McPherson, who resigned from the post Tuesday.
ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson resigns; Paul Lee in?
In his new position, Lee will oversee the creative and business operations for ABC Studios, as well as development, programming, marketing and scheduling operations for the network...
Read More >...
Lee, who as president of ABC Family transformed the channel into a top 10 cable network in total viewers, had been expected to assume the role. He replaces Stephen McPherson, who resigned from the post Tuesday.
ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson resigns; Paul Lee in?
In his new position, Lee will oversee the creative and business operations for ABC Studios, as well as development, programming, marketing and scheduling operations for the network...
Read More >...
- 7/30/2010
- by Denise Martin
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Stephen McPherson said Thursday that he's going to fight back against reports that he was being investigated for claims of sexual harassment at the time of his exit.
Stan Rosenfield, his personal rep, said McPherson "is not going to sit back idly regarding the false and defamatory stories fueled by unknown and anonymous sources that are now appearing in the media since his resignation from ABC." ...
Read More >...
Stan Rosenfield, his personal rep, said McPherson "is not going to sit back idly regarding the false and defamatory stories fueled by unknown and anonymous sources that are now appearing in the media since his resignation from ABC." ...
Read More >...
- 7/30/2010
- by Kate Stanhope
- TVGuide - Breaking News
... USA (the network, not the fast-food capital of the world) has renewed In Plain Sight. And not just for one season, but for Two seasons. Why? Because it can. USA don't play by no rules, man. [Deadline Hollywood]
... Stephen McPherson resigned from his job as ABC's boss on Monday, and many speculated that it had as much to do with his inter-office reputation as it did with ABC's middling performance during his reign. Now reports are surfacing that ABC was in the... More >>...
... Stephen McPherson resigned from his job as ABC's boss on Monday, and many speculated that it had as much to do with his inter-office reputation as it did with ABC's middling performance during his reign. Now reports are surfacing that ABC was in the... More >>...
- 7/29/2010
- by Tim Surette
- TV.com
Stephen McPherson has quit his role as entertainment chief for ABC after reportedly being given an ultimatum by the company. Entertainment Weekly reports that the executive, who headed the division since 2004, was forced to resign by the network after a poor 2009-10 performance. McPherson said in a statement: "I want to thank the wonderful team of individuals who have worked with me throughout my time here and wish them nothing but the best." (more)...
- 7/28/2010
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
As I informed you guys a few months back, an active campaign has been undertaken by fans to "save" FlashForward, ABC's science fiction drama which premiered last fall, but was cancelled in May due to dwindling ratings. The campaign, titled "Save Flashforward!" has been running since that point, and even organized blackouts in front of ABC offices around the world, or urging others to vote for FlashForward as the most wrongful cancellation of 2010 (though they've had to fight it out with Legend of the Seeker fans). They've even taken to calling various networks (including SyFy and Starz) to get the series picked up by another network, a la Southland. They have had no indication of success other than rumors that ABC exec Stephen McPherson (no relation to myself) is "cracking." After all, we remember what happened when Jericho was brought back — it was cancelled all over again.
Today, Save Flashforward!
Today, Save Flashforward!
- 7/19/2010
- by Sam McPherson
- TVovermind.com
Fans of ABC’s “FlashForward” will be staging organized blackouts in major cities around the world on June 10th in hopes of seeing a future for the canceled show. The blackouts will resemble the fictional global blackout seen in the freshman drama where people collectively lost consciousness and saw a glimpse of their future lives.
The effort is organized by “Save FlashForward” with this mission statement:
“On October 6, 2009, the whole world blacked out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds, at the start of what promised to be ABC’s new hit show, FlashForward. In May, ABC canceled it, but still aired the explosive cliffhanger finale leaving fans begging for more. On June 10th, there will be another blackout, this time to change fate.”
Blackouts will be staged in front of ABC offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and will occur in other major cities including Detroit, Ontario, London, and Dublin, Ireland.
The effort is organized by “Save FlashForward” with this mission statement:
“On October 6, 2009, the whole world blacked out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds, at the start of what promised to be ABC’s new hit show, FlashForward. In May, ABC canceled it, but still aired the explosive cliffhanger finale leaving fans begging for more. On June 10th, there will be another blackout, this time to change fate.”
Blackouts will be staged in front of ABC offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and will occur in other major cities including Detroit, Ontario, London, and Dublin, Ireland.
- 6/5/2010
- by Lillian 'zenbitch' Standefer
- ScifiMafia
ABC may be forced to revive "FlashForward". In what can be called the most unique Save the Show move, fans of the series are staging a massive blackout for exactly 2 minutes and 17 seconds in front of ABC Network and affiliated offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta.
The devotees are hoping that the network would reconsider picking up the second season because there was no proper ending to the sci-fi series. The Alphabet pulled the plug after the season finale went into production, leaving the ending somewhat hanging in the air.
On June 10, fans from the cities will pretend to pass out in front of the network's headquarters. Fans even set up a special website in which can be found the announcement saying "On June 10th, there will be another blackout, this time to change fate."
Beside organizing the blackouts, they have also begun sending calendars with the 'fateful' date April 29 circled,...
The devotees are hoping that the network would reconsider picking up the second season because there was no proper ending to the sci-fi series. The Alphabet pulled the plug after the season finale went into production, leaving the ending somewhat hanging in the air.
On June 10, fans from the cities will pretend to pass out in front of the network's headquarters. Fans even set up a special website in which can be found the announcement saying "On June 10th, there will be another blackout, this time to change fate."
Beside organizing the blackouts, they have also begun sending calendars with the 'fateful' date April 29 circled,...
- 6/5/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
If you're like me, you really enjoyed FlashForward. The show took a while to get its legs, but once it did, it was fantastic. The entire second half of the season was absolutely fantastic, and I was disappointed when it was cancelled. Though it got to finish out its first season, the finale left me wanting more — after all, it ended on the cliffhanger of another flashforward. Fans were also left wondering about Mark Benford's survival after a giant explosion ripped through the FBI office just moments after everyone woke up from the flashforward. Mark didn't seem to have much of a chance, but knowing FlashForward, he probably parachuted out or something.
In any case, I know quite a few fans who have commented on my FlashForward cancellation articles wanting ABC to bring back the show for a second season. Well, fans, here's your chance to let your voice be heard.
In any case, I know quite a few fans who have commented on my FlashForward cancellation articles wanting ABC to bring back the show for a second season. Well, fans, here's your chance to let your voice be heard.
- 5/31/2010
- by Sam McPherson
- TVovermind.com
ABC's Development Czar, and network president, Stephen McPherson introduced the fall line-up today with one show constantly popping up in the margins. Lost. That's right, Lost is leaving the air this season – but the presence of ABC's acclaimed drama served as a constant reminder that ABC had established itself as a leader in the 'event' and 'appointment' TV markets. While the world shifts away from scheduled viewing, relying more and more on online, DVD, and on-demand, there are few programs that rank as must-see-on-broadcast-night. Lost not only qualifies in that category, it practically invented it for the modern age of TV viewers.
McPherson highlighted Lost to the press and advertising gurus in attendance at today's Upfronts, and assured all that ABC would remain the leader in this niche. And what better way to introduce the shows that ABC hopes will fill Lost's 'event' status shoes than Lost star Matthew Fox.
McPherson highlighted Lost to the press and advertising gurus in attendance at today's Upfronts, and assured all that ABC would remain the leader in this niche. And what better way to introduce the shows that ABC hopes will fill Lost's 'event' status shoes than Lost star Matthew Fox.
- 5/18/2010
- by Jon Lachonis
- TVovermind.com
Chicago – ABC continues to look for another “Lost” or “Modern Family” this fall with seven new shows announced today at their 2010 upfronts presentation. The network will see changes on four nights of the week but will bring back the sometimes on-the-bubble “Castle” in its Monday night timeslot while saying goodbye to “FlashForward,’ “Scrubs,” and “Better Off Ted”.
Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment Group, said this morning via press release, “Our passion for great storytelling is at the core of everything we do. Finding and supporting writers, directors, producers and actors who share that passion is critical to our success. Our shows are the product of these collaborations, and we are thrilled to add 10 new series to our schedule next year.” (Seven will premiere in the fall with three more reserved for midseason.)
ABC returns sixteen programs from the 2009-2010 season including “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “The Bachelor,” “Brothers & Sisters,...
Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment Group, said this morning via press release, “Our passion for great storytelling is at the core of everything we do. Finding and supporting writers, directors, producers and actors who share that passion is critical to our success. Our shows are the product of these collaborations, and we are thrilled to add 10 new series to our schedule next year.” (Seven will premiere in the fall with three more reserved for midseason.)
ABC returns sixteen programs from the 2009-2010 season including “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “The Bachelor,” “Brothers & Sisters,...
- 5/18/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Backing up Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof's statement during "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" about the end of "Lost", ABC President Stephen McPherson announced on Wednesday, February 3 that the last episode of season 6 will air on Sunday, May 23. The sci-fi series will wrap up in a two-hour finale starting at 8/7c.
"Lost" kicked off the sixth and final season on Tuesday also with a two-hour event. It absorbed 12.1 million viewers and dominated adults-18-to-49 demographic between 9/8c to 11/10c. It was ABC's best two-hour performance since November 2007.
" 'Lost' is an example of what happens when you put creativity above everything else, trust the creative vision, and take the risks required to be truly original," McPherson said in a statement. "It's a testament to staying true to the creative vision of one of the most iconic shows ever on television, and we're giving the producers an unprecedented opportunity to respect...
"Lost" kicked off the sixth and final season on Tuesday also with a two-hour event. It absorbed 12.1 million viewers and dominated adults-18-to-49 demographic between 9/8c to 11/10c. It was ABC's best two-hour performance since November 2007.
" 'Lost' is an example of what happens when you put creativity above everything else, trust the creative vision, and take the risks required to be truly original," McPherson said in a statement. "It's a testament to staying true to the creative vision of one of the most iconic shows ever on television, and we're giving the producers an unprecedented opportunity to respect...
- 2/4/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Rob Lowe is bidding farewell to his TV family on hit show Brothers & Sisters after announcing he's quitting the series.
According to Deadline Hollywood, the actor felt he was being underused as Senator Robert McCallister on the U.S. show, and requested to be released from his contract.
America's ABC network executives agreed, and there are now plans to make Lowe the lead in his own series.
ABC president Stephen McPherson tells the website, "We would like to keep Rob at ABC; we feel he should be anchoring his own franchise. We are in talks now.”
Lowe will depart Brothers & Sisters at the end of season four, which is set to air in the U.S. in February.
According to Deadline Hollywood, the actor felt he was being underused as Senator Robert McCallister on the U.S. show, and requested to be released from his contract.
America's ABC network executives agreed, and there are now plans to make Lowe the lead in his own series.
ABC president Stephen McPherson tells the website, "We would like to keep Rob at ABC; we feel he should be anchoring his own franchise. We are in talks now.”
Lowe will depart Brothers & Sisters at the end of season four, which is set to air in the U.S. in February.
- 1/22/2010
- WENN
Science-fiction has almost become a bad word with most networks striving for more reality-themed genre shows they feel will be more widely accepted by viewers. However, according to ABC president Stephen McPherson, the alphabet network remains committed to its genre programming, especially when it comes to "V" and "FlashForward." Among the recent casualties from the network is "Defying Gravity," an internationally produced series that was purchased for broadcast by ABC, which features a group of astronauts embarking on the first mission around the solar system. Mixed with a lot of personal drama and some hardcore secrets, the series did receive some critical praise but plummeted in the ratings. "'Defying Gravity' was an acquisition that we made, and we liked it, too," McPherson ...
- 1/14/2010
- GeekNation.com
Dancing With The Stars will reportedly feature fewer contestants when it returns to ABC later this year. The tenth season of the all-star dancing competition will premiere with a special two-hour episode on March 22. According to Ok, the network's president of entertainment Stephen McPherson has said that fewer celebrities will compete, following the ninth season which featured 16 famous faces competing for the glitter ball trophy. "There (more)...
- 1/13/2010
- by By Lara Martin
- Digital Spy
ABC is putting a strong faith in its Wednesday comedies line-up. The network announced during its winter Television Critics Association panel Tuesday, January 12 morning that it has renewed newbies "Modern Family", "Cougar Town" and "The Middle" for a second season. All three have performed solidly in ratings since their Fall premieres.
The Alphabet however, has no good news for "Ugly Betty" which joins the Wednesday slot and others like "Scrubs" and "Better Off Ted". Nevertheless, Head of Programming Stephen McPherson revealed they hope "Ugly" would grow after it was moved from Friday, saying "We still love that show."
As for "Scrubs", McPherson said, "I did resurrect 'Scrubs', so I would hope that there's a potential that that could grow, but I'm not going to lie and say those numbers are working for us." He added, there is no plan to move either "Scrubs" or "Ted" to replace canceled "Hank" on Wednesday.
The Alphabet however, has no good news for "Ugly Betty" which joins the Wednesday slot and others like "Scrubs" and "Better Off Ted". Nevertheless, Head of Programming Stephen McPherson revealed they hope "Ugly" would grow after it was moved from Friday, saying "We still love that show."
As for "Scrubs", McPherson said, "I did resurrect 'Scrubs', so I would hope that there's a potential that that could grow, but I'm not going to lie and say those numbers are working for us." He added, there is no plan to move either "Scrubs" or "Ted" to replace canceled "Hank" on Wednesday.
- 1/13/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Right off the bat at ABC's winter Television Critics Association panel Tuesday morning, head honcho Stephen McPherson gave reporters this tidbit of goodness: The Alphabet net has officially picked up Modern Family, Cougar Town and The Middle for second seasons. Things don't look so hopeful for Scrubs and Better Off Ted, but it's not all bad news—the network is standing behind fan faves Castle and Ugly Betty. Whoo! Here's what Stephen had to say: • McPherson says the network is disappointed in the way Ugly Betty has performed on Friday nights, but don't expect Team Suarez to close up shop anytime soon. He told reporters, "We still love that...
- 1/12/2010
- E! Online
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