The shakeups at Showtime continue. Showtime’s staff is being merged into its sister brand MTV Entertainment Studios, leaving nearly 120 Showtime staffers laid off in the transition, an individual with knowledge told IndieWire. Further, a number of the premium cable network’s veteran execs are exiting their current roles.
It’s unclear what departments are being impacted as part of the cuts, but Variety, which first reported the news, notes the layoffs could impact roughly 25 percent of Showtime’s staff.
New Showtime boss Chris McCarthy first announced in a memo to staff Monday morning that co-president Gary Levine would transition to an advisor role at what is now “Paramount+ with Showtime,” while co-president Jana Winograde is exiting her role. And in a follow-up note that mapped out the new organizational structure at the merged Showtime and MTV, McCarthy announced that four other executives would be departing.
Levine has been with...
It’s unclear what departments are being impacted as part of the cuts, but Variety, which first reported the news, notes the layoffs could impact roughly 25 percent of Showtime’s staff.
New Showtime boss Chris McCarthy first announced in a memo to staff Monday morning that co-president Gary Levine would transition to an advisor role at what is now “Paramount+ with Showtime,” while co-president Jana Winograde is exiting her role. And in a follow-up note that mapped out the new organizational structure at the merged Showtime and MTV, McCarthy announced that four other executives would be departing.
Levine has been with...
- 2/13/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
MTV Entertainment Studios and Showtime’s creative leadership teams are merging, with four more executives being laid off as the latter company’s upcoming consolidation with Paramount+ looms. Nina L. Diaz and Keith Cox will take on expanded roles as chief creative officer/president of content and president of scripted for Showtime/Mtves, respectively, reporting to Chris McCarthy.
News of the restructuring quickly follows McCarthy’s announcement earlier on Monday that Showtime co-presidents of entertainment Gary Levine and Jana Winograde’s roles would be eliminated; the former executive will take on a senior creative advisor role at the cable-streamer, while Winograde was let go as her position was consolidated. The shake-ups are a result of the larger ramifications of Showtime’s upcoming integration with Paramount+ later this year.
Also Read:
Showtime Entertainment Co-President Shake-Up: Jana Winograde Exits, Gary Levine Transitions to Creative Advisor
Diaz has largely served as an unscripted...
News of the restructuring quickly follows McCarthy’s announcement earlier on Monday that Showtime co-presidents of entertainment Gary Levine and Jana Winograde’s roles would be eliminated; the former executive will take on a senior creative advisor role at the cable-streamer, while Winograde was let go as her position was consolidated. The shake-ups are a result of the larger ramifications of Showtime’s upcoming integration with Paramount+ later this year.
Also Read:
Showtime Entertainment Co-President Shake-Up: Jana Winograde Exits, Gary Levine Transitions to Creative Advisor
Diaz has largely served as an unscripted...
- 2/13/2023
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
That didn’t take long at all: Just after revealing that Showtime co-presidents Jana Winograde and Gary Levine are stepping down from their current roles, with Winograde exiting entirely and Levine moving into an advisory position, parent company Paramount Global has revealed that the remaining Showtime team will be merging with sister brand MTV Entertainment Studios.
Within the combined entity — created as Showtime’s linear and streaming platforms are being integrated into Paramount+ and rebranded to Paramount+ With Showtime — a new leadership structure has been set by Paramount’s president and CEO of streaming Tom Ryan and president and CEO of Showtime and Paramount Media Networks Chris McCarthy.
In a memo to staff, McCarthy revealed the plan, noting that, as a result of the merging of departments, these execs will be leaving, along with with previously announced Winograde: Paramount Global Premium Group CFO and COO Michael Crotty; SVP of docs,...
Within the combined entity — created as Showtime’s linear and streaming platforms are being integrated into Paramount+ and rebranded to Paramount+ With Showtime — a new leadership structure has been set by Paramount’s president and CEO of streaming Tom Ryan and president and CEO of Showtime and Paramount Media Networks Chris McCarthy.
In a memo to staff, McCarthy revealed the plan, noting that, as a result of the merging of departments, these execs will be leaving, along with with previously announced Winograde: Paramount Global Premium Group CFO and COO Michael Crotty; SVP of docs,...
- 2/13/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The full extent of the changes at Showtime have started to emerge as the premium cable network has set its new leadership team under Nina L. Diaz, with more executives leaving following the corporate restructure.
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Showtime will merge with MTV Entertainment Studios as power has been fully codified under Chris McCarthy, who is now President and CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks ahead of its rebrand as Paramount+ with Showtime.
Docs chief Vinnie Malhotra is among a slew of executives exiting as part of the changes, which also includes Michael Crotty, who was COO and CFO,...
Related Story Showtime Executive Shakeup: Gary Levine Segues To Advisory Role; Jana Winograde Exits In Restructuring Related Story China Game For 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves', Sets Release In Step With Domestic Related Story 'Uncoupled' Picked Up By Showtime For Season 2 Following Netflix Cancellation As Part Of New Content Strategy
Showtime will merge with MTV Entertainment Studios as power has been fully codified under Chris McCarthy, who is now President and CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks ahead of its rebrand as Paramount+ with Showtime.
Docs chief Vinnie Malhotra is among a slew of executives exiting as part of the changes, which also includes Michael Crotty, who was COO and CFO,...
- 2/13/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
There are some people who were clearly born to be movie stars, whose combination of looks, charisma, and talent are just undeniable. Steve Martin is one of them. His '30s-matinee-idol meets playful-imp face combined with his comedic sensibilities being both anarchic and intelligent is a combination so dynamite, it's almost like he was destined to be on screen.
Yet the man whose career has spanned several decades, up to and including his current well-received Hulu series "Only Murders in the Building," was at one time considered not bankable enough to matter to executives at Paramount Pictures. The studio was where Martin and his collaborators (primarily co-writer Carl Gottlieb) developed what would become Martin's feature film debut, 1979's "The Jerk." In a quirk of the movie industry commonly known as "stupidity," Paramount executives decided not to shepherd Martin to the big screen, instead giving Universal the chance to receive box office success,...
Yet the man whose career has spanned several decades, up to and including his current well-received Hulu series "Only Murders in the Building," was at one time considered not bankable enough to matter to executives at Paramount Pictures. The studio was where Martin and his collaborators (primarily co-writer Carl Gottlieb) developed what would become Martin's feature film debut, 1979's "The Jerk." In a quirk of the movie industry commonly known as "stupidity," Paramount executives decided not to shepherd Martin to the big screen, instead giving Universal the chance to receive box office success,...
- 12/31/2022
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
I never worked on a TV show where a male writer declared it “rape day” or groped me or watched porn in the writers room, some of the actions attributed to Eric Weinberg. This was, as one female writer was quoted, “The worst of the worst.” This is the big stuff.
But in my nearly 20 years as a sitcom writer, I experienced plenty of medium to small stuff. Everything from a showrunner’s hanging women’s underpants on his lamp, to being told women aren’t funny, to being asked if my contribution to a script was making the coffee, to innumerable jokes about my breasts. Each time I’d laugh and blow it off. Yes, it wore me down. But I wanted to work. And it had happened on every show.
Except one. On that show, nothing like that happened. Ever.
When Michael Elias contacted me recently about the passing of Rich Eustis,...
But in my nearly 20 years as a sitcom writer, I experienced plenty of medium to small stuff. Everything from a showrunner’s hanging women’s underpants on his lamp, to being told women aren’t funny, to being asked if my contribution to a script was making the coffee, to innumerable jokes about my breasts. Each time I’d laugh and blow it off. Yes, it wore me down. But I wanted to work. And it had happened on every show.
Except one. On that show, nothing like that happened. Ever.
When Michael Elias contacted me recently about the passing of Rich Eustis,...
- 12/2/2022
- by Lisa Rosenthal
- The Wrap
Emmy-winning screenwriter Rich Eustis died October 30 in Thousand Oaks, Calif. at age 86, his family said. No cause was given.
Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery Related Story Howard Hesseman Dies: 'Wkrp In Cincinnati' DJ & 'Head Of The Class' Star Was 81 Related Story 'Head Of the Class' Reboot Canceled By HBO Max After One Season
Eustis was half of the writing team Eustis and Elias, who together created the hit show Head of the Class, which premiered in 1986 and ran for five seasons on ABC.
Born in Vancouver, BC, Eustis was a football star and journalist before moving to Los Angeles. He started his TV career on variety shows, writing for Dean Martin and John Denver before pairing up with his writing partner of two decades, Michael Elias.
He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special for An Evening with John Denver in...
Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery Related Story Howard Hesseman Dies: 'Wkrp In Cincinnati' DJ & 'Head Of The Class' Star Was 81 Related Story 'Head Of the Class' Reboot Canceled By HBO Max After One Season
Eustis was half of the writing team Eustis and Elias, who together created the hit show Head of the Class, which premiered in 1986 and ran for five seasons on ABC.
Born in Vancouver, BC, Eustis was a football star and journalist before moving to Los Angeles. He started his TV career on variety shows, writing for Dean Martin and John Denver before pairing up with his writing partner of two decades, Michael Elias.
He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special for An Evening with John Denver in...
- 11/12/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Writer Richard Eustis died On Monday, Oct. 31, at the age of 86 in Thousand Oaks, Calif, show writing partner Michael Elias confirmed to TheWrap.
The Emmy Award-winning screenwriter was best known for his ABC high school sitcom “Head of the Class,” which he co-created alongside Elias, his longtime writing partner. The series, which ran for five seasons from 1986 to 1991, was picked up for a 10-episode reboot in 2021 for HBO Max.
The original series detailed the stories of a group of bright students who live in Manhattan and attend the fictional high school Millard Fillmore High School in the Individualized Honors Program. The revival show — released Nov. 4 on HBO Max — was developed by Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen. The show wasn’t picked up for a second season.
Before his journey in television in Los Angeles, Eustis started off with a career in journalism. Some of his other work includes writing episodes...
The Emmy Award-winning screenwriter was best known for his ABC high school sitcom “Head of the Class,” which he co-created alongside Elias, his longtime writing partner. The series, which ran for five seasons from 1986 to 1991, was picked up for a 10-episode reboot in 2021 for HBO Max.
The original series detailed the stories of a group of bright students who live in Manhattan and attend the fictional high school Millard Fillmore High School in the Individualized Honors Program. The revival show — released Nov. 4 on HBO Max — was developed by Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen. The show wasn’t picked up for a second season.
Before his journey in television in Los Angeles, Eustis started off with a career in journalism. Some of his other work includes writing episodes...
- 11/11/2022
- by Raquel "Rocky" Harris
- The Wrap
Richard Eustis, an Emmy-award winning screenwriter and co-creator of 1986 ABC sitcom “Head of the Class,” died Oct. 30 at the age of 86 in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Eustis served as one-half of the writing team Eustis and Elias, along with writer and director Michael Elias, who together created the high school sitcom, which ran for five seasons from 1986 to 1991. The show followed a group of gifted high school students in the Individualized Honors Program at a fictional Manhattan high school called Millard Fillmore, along with their history teacher Charlie Moore, who was portrayed by Howard Hesseman. The actor left the show before its fifth season and was replaced by Billy Connolly, who played a teacher named Billy MacGregor. Connolly’s efforts netted him a spin-off show in 1992 for the network called “Billy,” which Eustis and Elias co-created and which ran for 13 episodes.
The original show received the revival treatment in 2021 through HBO Max,...
Eustis served as one-half of the writing team Eustis and Elias, along with writer and director Michael Elias, who together created the high school sitcom, which ran for five seasons from 1986 to 1991. The show followed a group of gifted high school students in the Individualized Honors Program at a fictional Manhattan high school called Millard Fillmore, along with their history teacher Charlie Moore, who was portrayed by Howard Hesseman. The actor left the show before its fifth season and was replaced by Billy Connolly, who played a teacher named Billy MacGregor. Connolly’s efforts netted him a spin-off show in 1992 for the network called “Billy,” which Eustis and Elias co-created and which ran for 13 episodes.
The original show received the revival treatment in 2021 through HBO Max,...
- 11/11/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
Director Carl Reiner's "The Jerk" is a magnum opus of rampant, unfettered buffoonery. The tale of Navin R. Johnson (Steve Martin), a white man raised by Black sharecroppers, is a snapshot of Martin at his clownish, "Wild and Crazy Guys" peak. Working with screenwriters Michael Elias and Carl Gottlieb, Martin fashions Navin's journey as the most ridiculous Horatio Alger story ever told. Navin gets his first taste of success when he finds his name in the phone book, and becomes a millionaire thanks to an invention that keeps people's glasses from sliding down their nose. It's a wildly quotable classic that launched Martin's big screen career, and, according to the folks who made it, is the beneficiary of many a happy accident.
One of the 1979 film's most uproarious elements is the Beverly Hills mansion Navin buys after hitting the big time. It's a gloriously gaudy sight gag that keeps on giving –- and,...
One of the 1979 film's most uproarious elements is the Beverly Hills mansion Navin buys after hitting the big time. It's a gloriously gaudy sight gag that keeps on giving –- and,...
- 11/3/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
In modern parlance, a jerk refers to a cruel, mean-spirited, or hateful person. In 2022, "jerk" is synonymous with "bully" or "a**hole." In 1979, however, when director Carl Reiner, Steve Martin, and screenwriters Carl Gottlieb and Michael Elias were making their comedy film "The Jerk," the word referred to a fool or a buffoon, someone who was clueless. Navin R. Johnson, Martin's character in "The Jerk," is most certainly clueless, seemingly unable to fully perceive the world around him. In a long tradition of well-meaning comedic fools, Navin sees the world as a glorious place, even as he encounters crime and horror. He is a modern-day Candide, fecklessly roaming the countryside, hastily discovering success and love, then just as quickly losing them through his own hubris and idiocy. In his book "Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life," Martin himself compared "The Jerk" to Dostoyevsky's novel "The Idiot."
It takes a very...
It takes a very...
- 10/31/2022
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Head of the Class has been expelled from HBO Max as the streamer has canceled the sitcom reboot after just one season. As first reported by Deadline, the Warner Bros. TV-produced series, which was developed by Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen and executive produced with Bill Lawrence, will not be returning for a second season. “We will not be moving forward with a second season of Head of the Class,” HBO Max said in a statement (via Deadline). “We were grateful to work with Bill, Amy, and Seth to bring back such an iconic series, and we thank them and the terrific cast for their hard work and dedication.” Head of the Class premiered on November 4, with the entire 10 episode season dropping on HBO Max. The show was a modern-day reboot of the classic Rich and Michael Elias sitcom of the same name that aired on ABC from 1986-91. The...
- 12/20/2021
- TV Insider
Exclusive: HBO Max has opted not to renew its Head of the Class series reboot for a second season. The news comes a little over a month after the entire 10-episode first season of the followup was released on the streamer Nov. 4. The multi-camera series, from executive producer Bill Lawrence and executive producers/showrunners Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen, launched to Ok reviews (67% on Rotten Tomatoes.)
“We will not be moving forward with a second season of Head of the Class, an HBO Max spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “We were grateful to work with Bill, Amy, and Seth to bring back such an iconic series, and we thank them and the terrific cast for their hard work and dedication.”
Based on the sitcom created by Rich Eustis & Michael Elias that aired on ABC from 1986-91, Head Of the Class revolves around a group of overachieving high school...
“We will not be moving forward with a second season of Head of the Class, an HBO Max spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “We were grateful to work with Bill, Amy, and Seth to bring back such an iconic series, and we thank them and the terrific cast for their hard work and dedication.”
Based on the sitcom created by Rich Eustis & Michael Elias that aired on ABC from 1986-91, Head Of the Class revolves around a group of overachieving high school...
- 12/17/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
(Welcome to ...And More, our no-frills, zero B.S. guide to when and where you can watch upcoming movies and shows, and everything else you could possibly stand to know.)
Back in March of 2021, HBO Max gave the green light to a 10-episode half-hour multi-camera reboot of the 1980s comedy "Head of the Class," originally created by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias. Now, we're just a few months away from the series debut and we've got everything you need to know about the "Head of the Class" reboot right here.
HBO Max is set to premiere the "Head of the Class" reboot in November, but a...
The post Head of the Class: Release Date, Cast, and More appeared first on /Film.
Back in March of 2021, HBO Max gave the green light to a 10-episode half-hour multi-camera reboot of the 1980s comedy "Head of the Class," originally created by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias. Now, we're just a few months away from the series debut and we've got everything you need to know about the "Head of the Class" reboot right here.
HBO Max is set to premiere the "Head of the Class" reboot in November, but a...
The post Head of the Class: Release Date, Cast, and More appeared first on /Film.
- 9/20/2021
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Bill Lawrence’s “Head of the Class” reboot has been picked up to series at HBO Max, the streamer announced Wednesday.
The half-hour multi-camera comedy is an adaptation of the ABC comedy that ran for five seasons in the 1980s. It centers on a group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — a teacher, Alicia Adams (“One Day at a Time” star Isabella Gomez), who wants them to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.
Jorge Diaz, Jolie Hoang Rappaport, Gavin Lewis, Dior Goodjohn, Brandon Severs (“Diary of a Future President”), Adrian Matthew Escalona and Katie Beth Hall also star.
Bill Lawrence is the executive producer on the series alongside writers Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen and Jeff Ingold of Lawrence’s Doozer Productions. Doozer’s Liza Katzer is co-executive producer. Phill Lewis directed the pilot.
The original “Head of the Class” premiered in 1986 and...
The half-hour multi-camera comedy is an adaptation of the ABC comedy that ran for five seasons in the 1980s. It centers on a group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — a teacher, Alicia Adams (“One Day at a Time” star Isabella Gomez), who wants them to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.
Jorge Diaz, Jolie Hoang Rappaport, Gavin Lewis, Dior Goodjohn, Brandon Severs (“Diary of a Future President”), Adrian Matthew Escalona and Katie Beth Hall also star.
Bill Lawrence is the executive producer on the series alongside writers Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen and Jeff Ingold of Lawrence’s Doozer Productions. Doozer’s Liza Katzer is co-executive producer. Phill Lewis directed the pilot.
The original “Head of the Class” premiered in 1986 and...
- 3/31/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Half-hour multicamera comedy “Head of the Class” has been given a 10-episode series order from streaming platform HBO Max.
The original series, which is being executive produced by Bill Lawrence (of “Ted Lasso” and “Scrubs”) alongside exec producers and writers Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen (of “Paradise Pd” and “American Vandal”), stars “One Day at a Time” actor Isabella Gomez as well as Jorge Diaz, Jolie Hoang Rappaport, Gavin Lewis, Dior Goodjohn, Brandon Severs, Adrian Matthew Escalona, and Katie Beth Hall, plus guest star Christa Miller.
“Head of the Class” — a reboot of the original 1980s comedy created by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias — centers on a “group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — a teacher, Alicia Adams, who wants them to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.”
Warner Bros. Television and Doozer Productions are producing the series, which will begin filming this summer in Los Angeles.
The original series, which is being executive produced by Bill Lawrence (of “Ted Lasso” and “Scrubs”) alongside exec producers and writers Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen (of “Paradise Pd” and “American Vandal”), stars “One Day at a Time” actor Isabella Gomez as well as Jorge Diaz, Jolie Hoang Rappaport, Gavin Lewis, Dior Goodjohn, Brandon Severs, Adrian Matthew Escalona, and Katie Beth Hall, plus guest star Christa Miller.
“Head of the Class” — a reboot of the original 1980s comedy created by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias — centers on a “group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — a teacher, Alicia Adams, who wants them to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.”
Warner Bros. Television and Doozer Productions are producing the series, which will begin filming this summer in Los Angeles.
- 3/31/2021
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Class is in session at HBO Max. The streamer has handed the reboot of Head of the Class a ten-episode order.
The series comes from Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence, fresh off the back of two Golden Globes nominations for Ted Lasso, and American Vandal writers Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen.
This comes after the project was handed a pilot order and five additional scripts in May 2020.
Based on the 1980s ABC comedy created by Rich Eustis & Michael Elias, the half-hour multicamera series stars One Day at a Time’s Isabella Gomez as teacher Alicia Adams, who wants her group of overachieving high school students to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.
Jorge Diaz (The Long Road Home), Jolie Hoang-Rappaport (Watchmen), Gavin Lewis (Little Fires Everywhere), Dior Goodjohn (Glee), Brandon Severs (Diary of a Future President), Adrian Matthew Escalona and Katie Beth Hall (Happy!) also star with...
The series comes from Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence, fresh off the back of two Golden Globes nominations for Ted Lasso, and American Vandal writers Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen.
This comes after the project was handed a pilot order and five additional scripts in May 2020.
Based on the 1980s ABC comedy created by Rich Eustis & Michael Elias, the half-hour multicamera series stars One Day at a Time’s Isabella Gomez as teacher Alicia Adams, who wants her group of overachieving high school students to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.
Jorge Diaz (The Long Road Home), Jolie Hoang-Rappaport (Watchmen), Gavin Lewis (Little Fires Everywhere), Dior Goodjohn (Glee), Brandon Severs (Diary of a Future President), Adrian Matthew Escalona and Katie Beth Hall (Happy!) also star with...
- 3/31/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gavin Lewis (Little Fires Everywhere) is set as a series regular in HBO Max’s multi-camera comedy pilot Head of the Class, a reboot of the popular 1980s ABC sitcom. The reboot hails from American Vandal writers Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen, Bill Lawrence and his Doozer Productions; and Warner Bros. Television, which produced the original series.
Written by Pocha and Cohen, based on the original series created by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias, the reimagined Head of the Class revolves around a group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — a first-time teacher, Alicia Adams (Isabella Gomez), who wants them to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.
Lewis will play Luke Burrows. Fourteen years old, driven, ambitious, and conservative Luke already has a 10 point life plan to follow in his senator father’s footsteps.
In addition to Gomez, Lewis joins previously announced Jolie Hoang-Rappaport.
Written by Pocha and Cohen, based on the original series created by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias, the reimagined Head of the Class revolves around a group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — a first-time teacher, Alicia Adams (Isabella Gomez), who wants them to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.
Lewis will play Luke Burrows. Fourteen years old, driven, ambitious, and conservative Luke already has a 10 point life plan to follow in his senator father’s footsteps.
In addition to Gomez, Lewis joins previously announced Jolie Hoang-Rappaport.
- 12/18/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Watchmen actress Jolie Hoang-Rappaport is going back to school. She is the latest to join the roster of the Head of the Class reboot at HBO Max.
Created by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias, the original Head of the Class ran on ABC from 1986-91. It followed a group of gifted students at the fictional Millard Fillmore High School in Manhattan and their history teacher Charlie Moore, played by Howard Hesseman.
The reimagined series isn’t too far from the original but will modernize it and swaps gender of the teacher. It revolves around a group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — teacher Alicia Adams, who wants them to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life. The news of Hoang-Rappaport’s casting comes after Deadline exclusively reported that One Day at a Time actor Isabella Gomez will be stepping into the role of Alicia Adams.
Created by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias, the original Head of the Class ran on ABC from 1986-91. It followed a group of gifted students at the fictional Millard Fillmore High School in Manhattan and their history teacher Charlie Moore, played by Howard Hesseman.
The reimagined series isn’t too far from the original but will modernize it and swaps gender of the teacher. It revolves around a group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — teacher Alicia Adams, who wants them to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life. The news of Hoang-Rappaport’s casting comes after Deadline exclusively reported that One Day at a Time actor Isabella Gomez will be stepping into the role of Alicia Adams.
- 11/30/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Screenwriter Michael Elias, who co-wrote 1979's The Jerk, reflects on lessons learned from Reiner on everything from TV to film, food — and toupees.
In 1973, George Shapiro was my manager. He said, "I'm assigning you to Carl Reiner. You'll be his writing partner." It sounded like, "Report to the Forum, you'll be sharing the backcourt with Jerry West."
I arrived at CBS Radford and met Carl. "George Shapiro sent me," I said.
Carl: "I know. We have a meeting this afternoon. But first, let's talk about lunch. Do ...
In 1973, George Shapiro was my manager. He said, "I'm assigning you to Carl Reiner. You'll be his writing partner." It sounded like, "Report to the Forum, you'll be sharing the backcourt with Jerry West."
I arrived at CBS Radford and met Carl. "George Shapiro sent me," I said.
Carl: "I know. We have a meeting this afternoon. But first, let's talk about lunch. Do ...
Screenwriter Michael Elias, who co-wrote 1979's The Jerk, reflects on lessons learned from Reiner on everything from TV to film, food — and toupees.
In 1973, George Shapiro was my manager. He said, "I'm assigning you to Carl Reiner. You'll be his writing partner." It sounded like, "Report to the Forum, you'll be sharing the backcourt with Jerry West."
I arrived at CBS Radford and met Carl. "George Shapiro sent me," I said.
Carl: "I know. We have a meeting this afternoon. But first, let's talk about lunch. Do ...
In 1973, George Shapiro was my manager. He said, "I'm assigning you to Carl Reiner. You'll be his writing partner." It sounded like, "Report to the Forum, you'll be sharing the backcourt with Jerry West."
I arrived at CBS Radford and met Carl. "George Shapiro sent me," I said.
Carl: "I know. We have a meeting this afternoon. But first, let's talk about lunch. Do ...
Disney is facing a class-action lawsuit from the screenwriter of the 1982 hospital parody “Young Doctors in Love,” who alleges that the studio has withheld millions in home video revenue.
Michael Elias filed the suit on Dec. 6 in Los Angeles Superior Court. His attorney, Neville Johnson, filed similar class-action lawsuits against six other studios in 2013 and 2014, resulting in multi-million dollar settlements.
The controversy dates to the early days of the Vcr, when the major studios would contract out to independent distributors for VHS production. The distributors would return 20% of their receipts to the studios. Later, the studios brought their home video distribution in-house, but did not adjust the profit calculation, the suit alleges.
“In other words, 80% of the revenue generated from such distribution is never subject to potential remittance to profit participants and is, instead, wrongfully kept by Disney outright,” the suit alleges.
According to the suit, Elias’ contract entitled him...
Michael Elias filed the suit on Dec. 6 in Los Angeles Superior Court. His attorney, Neville Johnson, filed similar class-action lawsuits against six other studios in 2013 and 2014, resulting in multi-million dollar settlements.
The controversy dates to the early days of the Vcr, when the major studios would contract out to independent distributors for VHS production. The distributors would return 20% of their receipts to the studios. Later, the studios brought their home video distribution in-house, but did not adjust the profit calculation, the suit alleges.
“In other words, 80% of the revenue generated from such distribution is never subject to potential remittance to profit participants and is, instead, wrongfully kept by Disney outright,” the suit alleges.
According to the suit, Elias’ contract entitled him...
- 12/11/2018
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
The prisoners locked in a Marine Corps jail in 1957 Japan are subjected to intense abuse and punishment from the guards. A filmed live performance of the Living Theatre.
Starring: Jim Anderson, Rufus Collins, Michael Elias, Warren Finnerty, Henry Howard, Steven Ben Israel, Gene Lipton, James Tiroff...
Starring: Jim Anderson, Rufus Collins, Michael Elias, Warren Finnerty, Henry Howard, Steven Ben Israel, Gene Lipton, James Tiroff...
- 8/13/2017
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
It's time for a big class reunion. Twenty five years ago today, Head of the Class aired its final episode on ABC.
Created by Michael Elias and Rich Eustis, the sitcom centers on history teacher Charlie Moore (Howard Hesseman) and his group of gifted students at a Manhattan high school. William G. Schilling played the principal and Charlie's students were played by Jeannetta Arnette, Leslie Bega, Dan Frischman, , Robin Givens, Khrystyne Haje, Jory Husain, Tony O'Dell, Brian Robbins, Kimberly Russell, Dan Schneider, Tannis Vallely, Michael DeLorenzo, Lara Piper, Rain Pryor, Jonathan Ke Quan, and De'voreaux White. Billy Connolly joined the cast in season five after Hesseman left the series.
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Created by Michael Elias and Rich Eustis, the sitcom centers on history teacher Charlie Moore (Howard Hesseman) and his group of gifted students at a Manhattan high school. William G. Schilling played the principal and Charlie's students were played by Jeannetta Arnette, Leslie Bega, Dan Frischman, , Robin Givens, Khrystyne Haje, Jory Husain, Tony O'Dell, Brian Robbins, Kimberly Russell, Dan Schneider, Tannis Vallely, Michael DeLorenzo, Lara Piper, Rain Pryor, Jonathan Ke Quan, and De'voreaux White. Billy Connolly joined the cast in season five after Hesseman left the series.
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- 6/25/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Metan Development Group and a coalition of North American TV and film writers have joined forces to launch Metan Wen Zhi Ku, a joint venture linking Western writing talent with transmedia projects for the China market.
Metan Wen Zhi Ku’s first project is a rom-com web series to be set in China, Europe and South America.
Metan president and CEO Larry Namer made the announcement with writers Art Eisenson and David Gittins on December 4.
The talent roster includes Marilyn Anderson, Michael Elias, Eric Estrin and Lynn Roth.
Metan Wen Zhi Ku will have access to a talent pool of more than 2,000 writers. After targeting China, the company plans to expand into India, Brazil and Russia.
Metan Wen Zhi Ku’s first project is a rom-com web series to be set in China, Europe and South America.
Metan president and CEO Larry Namer made the announcement with writers Art Eisenson and David Gittins on December 4.
The talent roster includes Marilyn Anderson, Michael Elias, Eric Estrin and Lynn Roth.
Metan Wen Zhi Ku will have access to a talent pool of more than 2,000 writers. After targeting China, the company plans to expand into India, Brazil and Russia.
- 12/2/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
With fall shows wrapped, Mad Men and Game of Thrones winding down, and the Louie and True Blood season premieres still weeks away, it’s the perfect time to curl up in front of your television set or computer (which actually seems really uncomfortable) and indulge in a little vintage TV series binge. While most of your old favorites are probably available to you on DVD, Netflix, or Hulu, several noteworthy classics inexplicably and unjustly aren’t. In some cases, no one even had the foresight to record every single episode back when they originally aired and then do their duty to mankind by illegally uploading the series onto YouTube or selling bootleg copies through shady-looking websites and, honestly, that’s just infuriating. If Emily’s Reasons Why Not – a 2006 Heather Graham snoozer that only aired one episode – is on DVD, then surely the following superior series should be released. Head of the Class...
- 5/30/2012
- by Amber Humphrey
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Sam Riley, who is your agent? Manager? Because they should get a raise. Or maybe you are really just that good. Because in what feels like two days, the once band mate (of the Leeds-based 10,000 Things) was starring in the indie hit Control as doomed rocker Ian Curtis, then alongside Eva Green and Ryan Philippe in Franklyn and now is starring in an American action thriller (13), a British action thriller featuring Helen Mirren (Brighton Rock) and Walter Salles’ On The Road playing Jack Kerouac, or Sal Paradise.
And here’s one more envy-inducing role: that of Christopher Marlowe, the successful poet who wrote alongside William Shakespeare and was killed in a bar room brawl. Marlowe was rumored to also be a spy for the queen, which the Anthony Burgess (A Clockwork Orange) novel, A Dead Man In Deptford, readily embraces. Television director Nick Copus will take on the adaptation from a script by Michael Elias.
And here’s one more envy-inducing role: that of Christopher Marlowe, the successful poet who wrote alongside William Shakespeare and was killed in a bar room brawl. Marlowe was rumored to also be a spy for the queen, which the Anthony Burgess (A Clockwork Orange) novel, A Dead Man In Deptford, readily embraces. Television director Nick Copus will take on the adaptation from a script by Michael Elias.
- 9/13/2010
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
Sam Riley ("Control," "Brighton Rock") has signed on to play British playwright Christopher Marlowe in "A Dead Man in Deptford" for Ballpark Prods. and Neversink Prods. according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Based on Anthony Burgess' novel, the story plays on the idea that notorious bar room brawler Marlowe was also a royal spy for Elizabeth I, and that his death at age 29 may have been an assassination ordered by the English Secret Service.
The cast also includes James Purefoy, Ray Winstone, Ed Speleers and Adam Sinclair. Michael Elias adapted the script and Nick Copus will direct. Shooting kicks off in the spring.
Based on Anthony Burgess' novel, the story plays on the idea that notorious bar room brawler Marlowe was also a royal spy for Elizabeth I, and that his death at age 29 may have been an assassination ordered by the English Secret Service.
The cast also includes James Purefoy, Ray Winstone, Ed Speleers and Adam Sinclair. Michael Elias adapted the script and Nick Copus will direct. Shooting kicks off in the spring.
- 9/13/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Filmmakers just can’t stop taking the lives of real-life icons and spinning stories about them. Shakespeare in Love is probably the most famous example, but now A Dead Man in Deptford – which will see Control’s Sam Riley starring as Christopher “Kit” Marlowe (who, coincidentally was played by an uncredited Rupert Everett in Shakespeare) in a tale outside of the usual biopic.Since little is known about the real life of the man who wrote plays such as The Tragical History of Dr Faustus and The Massacre at Paris, many rumours have cropped up about how he spent his time when he wasn’t hunched over a quill.The most common, and one used by Anthony Burgess in his eponymous novel, is that Marlowe’s lustful, bar-hopping ways were matched by the fact that he was a royal spy for Elizabeth I, and that his death at the age...
- 9/13/2010
- EmpireOnline
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