Channel Surfing: 4.28.06
Sci-Fi Channel unveiled its development slate this week, which included a Battlestar: Galactica spin-off of sorts called Caprica. The project, from NBC Universal TV, executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick (Battlestar: Galactica), and writer Remi Aubuchon (24), will bet set over fifty years prior to the events in the current Sci-Fi Channel series Battlestar Galactica.Below is the series' concept, from the official press release from Sci-Fi Channel:
"The people of the Twelve Colonies are at peace and living in a society not unlike our own, but where high-technology has changed the lives of virtually everyone for the better. But a startling breakthrough in robotics is about to occur, one that will bring to life the age-old dream of marrying artificial intelligence with a mechanical body to create the first living robot - a Cylon. Following the lives of two families, the Graystones and the Adamas (the family of William Adama, who will one day become the commander of the Battlestar Galactica), Caprica weaves corporate intrigue, techno-action and sexual politics into television's first science fiction family saga."
Other projects announced to be in development at Sci-Fi include series from Jesse Alexander (Lost, Alias), Freddie Prinze Jr., and Eric McCormack.
While a recent convert to the ways of Battlestar: Galactica, I am now a devout follower and can't wait to have two BSG series on the air. Hopefully Sci-Fi will be smart and program them back-to-back and make the long wait between seasons a little more palatable. Fingers crossed.
Scribe Jane Espenson Signs Two-Year Deal with NBC Universal TV
Dashing all hopes that the CW would see the error of their ways and beg former Gilmore Girls writer Jane Espenson to take over as showrunner next season, former Buffy scribe Espenson has signed a two-year agreement with studio NBC Universal.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Espenson will join the writing staff of an existing NBC Universal television series and will also develop her own projects with the studio. And the deal--valued at seven figures--does not restrict her from working on only one-hour or half-hour programs.
I don't know about you, but I'd love to see Espenson's take on, say, the Dunder-Mifflin gang on The Office.
NBC to Continue to Fill Schedule with "Law & Order" Series
According to a press release from NBC, the Peacock network has renewed stalwart procedural series Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent for the 2006-2007 season.
"Since Law & Order's inception 16 years ago, these well-crafted series have come to define quality dramatic television," said NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly. "All of us at NBC are grateful to Dick Wolf and his amazing team for producing these extraordinary shows, and we're glad they'll be back again next season."
Next up for NBC: Celebrity Cooking Showdown: Special Victims Unit.
Netlet MyNetworkTV Unveils Three New (Soon to be Forgotten) Series
Maria Conchita Alonso, Dayanara Torres, and Sean Young have signed on to star in three new dramas currently in development at MyNetworkTV, FOX's replacement network for former UPN affiliates.
After telenovela-style dramas Desire and Secret Obsessions conclude their thirteen-week runs, the network will launch A Dangerous Love, Watch over Me, and Art of Betrayal. Like their network predecessors, each series will be comprised of a 65 hour-long episodes airing Monday through Friday over 13 weeks, with a recap episode airing every Saturday.
Thrilling, I know.
UPDATED: "Vanished" to Appear on FOX... And Other Early Pickup News
Vanished, from studio 20th Century Fox TV and creator Josh Berman (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), revolves around the disappearance of a senator's wife. The central mystery, part of a larger conspiracy, will be seen through the various perspectives of law enforcement, family members, and the media.
The drama, directed by Mimi Leder, will star John Allen Nelson, John Patrick Amedori, Ming-Na, Chris Egan, Robert Hoffman, Margarita Levieva, Joanne Kelly, Gale Harold, and Rebecca Gayheart.
Half-hour comedy 'Til Death revolves around a newlywed couple, played by Eddie Kaye Thomas and Kat Foster, who move to a new home next to a long-married couple, played by Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher. The comedy comes from Sony Pictures Television and executive producers Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith (The King of Queens).
Meanwhile, over at NBC, three more current dramas received early pick-ups for next season. NBC announced via press release that it had renewed long-running dramas Medium, Crossing Jordan, and Las Vegas, were all picked up for the 2006-2007 season.
"These three shows have A+ creative auspices and some of the most loyal audiences on television," said NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly. "I'm thrilled that we can count on them again next season."