[via press release]
TV Land And Nick At Nite Unveil First Ever Development Slate Of Originals And Specials
Celebrated Television Icons Headline Production Talent Roster Including Bill Cosby, Kelsey Grammer, Henry Winkler, Peter Bonerz and David Steinberg
New York, NY- December 16, 2003 – Nick at Nite and TV Land, America’s leading Classic TV programmers, today announced their first-ever slate of original shows and specials, several of which are being spearheaded by some of the most celebrated names in the history of television. The development slate, which includes new programming from Bill Cosby, Kelsey Grammer, Henry Winkler, Peter Bonerz, David Steinberg and several others, could be seen on both networks as early as 2004. The originals will serve as a complement to Nick at Nite and TV Land’s successful acquired programming strategy, which currently ranks Nick at Nite the Number One ad supported cable entertainment network among Adults 18-49 during its programming hours. Over at TV Land, 2003 looks to be the most-watched year ever among its target audience of Adults 25-54. The slate was announced today by Larry W. Jones, Executive Vice President and General Manager, TV Land and Nick at Nite, and Sal Maniaci, Vice President of Development and Production, TV Land and Nick at Nite.
On Nick at Nite, the network intends to capitalize on its strong audience delivery from 9-10 PM with originals offering broad audience appeal. The network, which regularly programs contemporary classic sitcoms including The Cosby Show and Roseanne, will debut a new animated series, Fatherhood – based on Bill Cosby’s best-selling book of the same name – in June. Kelsey Grammer’s Grammnet Productions is currently in development on Zen & Buster, an animated comedy series about dogs in Hollywood and actor/director Peter Bonerz is currently in development on Return Engagement, about retired actors who share a Melrose Place-style apartment complex. Nick at Nite currently has several originals in various stages of development.
While Nick at Nite will pursue original comedy to complement its hit sitcom line-up, the TV Land originals will reflect the fun, passionate and TV-reverential on-air environment that embraces “all things television.” Among the projects currently in the TV Land pipeline include: TV Land Moguls, a six-part documentary series from CBS News Productions that chronicles the rise of some of television’s most successful producers; the return of The TV Land Awards, the network’s salute to enduring television shows and stars, which last year was seen by more than 25 million viewers and featured such presenters as Halle Berry and Matthew Perry; and a 30th anniversary salute to Happy Days, which Henry Winkler, who also starred in the show, will executive produce. TV Land also has several other shows in various stages of development.
The development slate includes the following:
Nick At Nite
Series
Fatherhood – Bill Cosby serves as executive producer of an animated series based on his best selling book, Fatherhood (Doubleday/Dolphin). Blair Underwood (“LA Law,” “Sex and The City”) stars. Charles Kipps (“Little Bill,” “Cosby Mysteries,” “Law & Order”) is executive producer and David Brokaw (“Little Bill”) is producer. (30 min.). Premieres: June ’04
Pilots
Exploding Baloney – Taking a cue from classic gags like the joy buzzer and hot pepper bubble gum, this hidden camera show features parents and teachers playing good-natured practical jokes on kids. Executive Producer Joe Boyd. (30 min.)
Series in Development
Alf’s Hit Talk Show – TV’s popular alien makes his triumphant return to prime time – this time as host of a television talk show who interviews celebrity guests. Executive Produced by Paul Fusco (“Alf”) and Burt Dubrow (“The Tom Green Show,” “Christopher Lowell,” “Jerry Springer”). (30 min.)
Zen & Buster – Kelsey Grammer stars – in voice-over – in this animated series about Hollywood pets who navigate their way through life, as seen through the eyes of dogs. Series is being produced by Grammer’s Grammnet Productions. (30 min.)
Kids Say The Darndest Things – Inspired by the famed Art Linkletter’s House Party segment and the Bill Cosby edition of the same name, this American TV classic returns. Produced by Art Linkletter, Eddie Kritzer and Irvin Atkins. (30 min.)
Return Engagement – Actor and director Peter Bonerz (“Just Shoot Me,” “Friends”) is set to produce and direct this comedy about retired actors who inherit a Melrose Place-type apartment complex. (30 min.)
Take 2 – Family sitcom about a classic TV star who becomes a psychologist and, despite being successful, is never able to escape the fact that he used to be a famous TV star. Created by Dan Schneider (“Big Fat Liar,” “All That,” “Kenan & Kel,” “The Amanda Show”). (30 min.)
My Man Marty – A long lost, ahead-of-its-time sitcom is found in a television network vault and finally gets a slot on the network schedule. Executive Producers Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert (“Kenan & Kel,” “Stripperella”) (30 min.)
The Tommy Lynch Project – A behind-the-scenes comedy about a hidden camera dating show. Executive Producer Tommy Lynch (Nickelodeon’s “Alex Mack,” “Romeo”). (30 min.)
TV Land
Specials and Series
TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV – TV Land honors the best of classic television shows and performers in this second annual two-hour award ceremony from the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, CA. Honors bestowed include Legend Award, Innovator Award, Pop Culture Award, Groundbreaking Role Award, and Future Classic Award. Executive Producers Michael Levitt, Larry W. Jones and Sal Maniaci. Supervising Producer is Greg Sills. Premieres: March ’04.
TV Land Moguls – Merv Griffin hosts this special that chronicles the select group of television’s pioneering producers — from the 50’s Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball to 80’s Aaron Spelling and 90’s David E. Kelly. Presented in six one-hour installments; produced by CBS News Productions. Premieres: April ’04
All Access Pass: The TV Land Awards– A behind-the-scenes look at the making of TV Land’s first annual awards show. (30 min.) Premieres: Jan. 28, 2004
Pilots
Living in TV Land – TV Land takes a look at a day in the life of classic TV stars. In one episode, for example, cameras follow Dick Van Patten (“Eight Is Enough”) and his TV star friends including Jack Klugman, Alan Thicke, Tim Conway and Bernie Kopell from the race track to the tennis court to a celebrity-filled poker tournament. Produced by Craig Nevius (“The Black Scorpion”). (30 min.)
Series in Development
TV Land Real Characters – A “mockumentary” series of famous TV characters (not the actors), using information culled from each series as well as actual anecdotes and biographical information revealed by various characters in the series. The colorful, albeit fictitious lives – from birth to present – of some of television’s most enduring characters are examined in this tongue-in-cheek series. (30 min.)
Table Read – This series reunites the casts from a popular television series in a reunion set around the script reading from a popular episode. Gay Rosenthal Productions (“Inside TV Land,” “Behind the Music”). (30 min.)
David Steinberg Project – A Fernwood Tonight-type look at Hollywood. New Executive Producer David Steinberg (“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Mad About You,” “Seinfeld”). (30 min.)
Hello Out There – An original comedy developed internally about the behind-the-scenes antics of running a classic TV network. (30 min.)
TV Land Collectibles – Antiques Road Show meets classic TV memorabilia. (30 min.)
Specials in Development
Happy Days Reunion – In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Henry Winkler, one of the star’s of this popular sitcom, is developing a one hour special that salutes this series that was set in the 1950’s and became the number one program in the 1970’s. Henry Winker to executive produce along with his partner Michael Levitt. (60 min.)
TV Land’s Greatest TV Moments – A comprehensive look at the extraordinary moments experienced only through television. From momentous news events such as Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream Speech” and Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon to Dallas: Who Shot J.R? and The Osbournes debut on MTV. Six one-hour installments from Gay Rosenthal Productions (“Inside TV Land,” “Behind The Music”).