The Primetime Dish

FOX ANNOUNCES PRIMETIME SLATE FOR 2008-2009 SEASON

TWO NEW DRAMAS, THREE NEW COMEDIES AND ONE UNSCRIPTED SERIES JOIN SCHEDULE

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED J.J. ABRAMS DRAMA “FRINGE” ALONG WITH COMEDY “DO NOT DISTURB” (working title) DEBUT IN FALL

JOSS WHEDON’S “DOLLHOUSE” AND NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES “SECRET MILLIONAIRE” TO PREMIERE MIDSEASON

NEW ANIMATED COMEDIES “THE CLEVELAND SHOW” (working title) AND “SIT DOWN, SHUT UP” (working title) DEBUT IN SPRING

FOX Kicks Off Season Early With Special Two-Hour Premieres Week of August 25

New York (Thursday, May 15, 2008) Peter Liguori, Chairman, Entertainment; and Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, today unveiled the FOX primetime schedule for the 2008-2009 television season speaking before the national advertising community at New York City Center.

“Broadcast television needs a jolt. We feel it’s our responsibility, as the No. 1 network for the last four seasons, to provide that electricity,” said Liguori. “The goal of our business is entertaining viewers, they’re our lifeblood, and it’s incumbent upon us to make sure their first and favorite entertainment destination is FOX.”

Read more »

CBS ANNOUNCES NEW 2008-2009 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

Five New Series Added: Two Comedies and Three Dramas

CBS Expands Comedy Lineup, Adding New Block on Wednesday 8:00-9:00 PM

Two New Dramatic Series to Launch Backed by “NCIS” and “CSI” Lead-Ins

New Series That Blends Comedy, Drama and Romance Joins Fridays Top-Rated Lineup

Eighteen Current Series Return to the Schedule

New Murder Mystery “Harper’s Island” Ordered for Mid-Season

CBS announced today its 2008-2009 Fall Primetime Lineup, featuring five new series - two comedies and three dramas - and the launch of a new comedy block on Wednesdays.

The new series include ELEVENTH HOUR, a dramatic thriller from producer Jerry Bruckheimer about a special advisor to the government who investigates scientific crises and oddities; THE MENTALIST, starring Simon Baker as a former celebrity psychic-turned- detective who uses his gifted skills of observation and expertise at “reading” people to solve crimes; THE EX LIST, a sexy comedic drama about a 30-something woman who searches her past relationships to find her future husband; and the comedies PROJECT GARY, starring Jay Mohr and Paula Marshall as dueling ex-spouses and parents trying to move forward with new relationships; and WORST WEEK about a good guy who is always trying to do the right thing, yet something always goes wrong - especially when he’s around his girlfriend’s parents.

“We’ve been looking to expand our comedy lineup, and we now have the depth and development to make the move,” said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. “Monday is already television’s signature night for comedy and we think we can make the case that CBS is the signature network for comedy overall.”

Added Tassler, “Our new dramas put a character twist on the highly successful procedural form with two exciting new leads in Simon Baker and Rufus Sewell. And, rounding out the new slate is a very unique series with a dynamic young actress (Elizabeth Reaser, “Grey’s Anatomy”) that blends comedy, drama and romance in a concept that will have everybody thinking about their personal ‘ex list.’ ”

The freshman series will join 18 returning programs on the current CBS lineup.

CBS will return network television’s Number One drama franchise - CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION; CSI: MIAMI, CSI: NY - the Number One comedy, TWO AND A HALF MEN; the Number One news magazine, 60 MINUTES; and two franchise reality series -SURVIVOR and the five-time Emmy Award-winning THE AMAZING RACE.

Also returning are: THE BIG BANG THEORY, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, NCIS, WITHOUT A TRACE, THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, CRIMINAL MINDS, GHOST WHISPERER, NUMB3RS, COLD CASE, THE UNIT, 48 HOURS MYSTERY and CRIMETIME SATURDAY.

The new 2008-2009 schedule is:

Read more »

THE CW ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR 2008-2009 SEASON

BUILDING THE POP CULTURE BUZZ, NEW SEASON LAUNCHES SEPTEMBER 1 WITH SCHEDULE FEATURING RETURNING HITS “GOSSIP GIRL” AND “AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL,” ALONG WITH HIGHLY ANTICIPATED “90210″

Monday Night Features Winning Team of Hit Dramas “Gossip Girl” and “One Tree Hill”

New Neighbors Move in Tuesday Night: “90210″ Ensemble Features Original Cast Member Jennie Garth in a Guest Starring Role, Followed By New Drama “Surviving the Filthy Rich”

Top-Rated “America’s Next Top Model” Leads Into New Fashion Reality Series “Stylista” on Wednesdays

Fan Favorites “Smallville” and “Supernatural” Return on Thursdays

Friday Night Gets a Counter-Programming Comedy Makeover With “Everybody Hates Chris” and “The Game,” Followed By An “America’s Next Top Model” Encore

Three Hours of Original Programming on Sunday From Media Rights Capital

The Devil Returns on “Reaper” for Midseason

May 13, 2008 (New York, New York) The CW Network announced a fall launch date of September 1 and unveiled the schedule for its 2008-2009 season today at a presentation and party for advertisers, affiliates and national media in the Tent at Lincoln Center. The announcement was made by Dawn Ostroff, President of Entertainment, The CW.

“With shows that everyone is talking about, from ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘America’s Next Top Model’ to our upcoming ‘90210,’ our new lineup has the best Monday-Friday schedule flow we have ever had at The CW,” said Ostroff. “We are zeroed in on our target demo of young women 18-34 with both new and returning series, and each programming block provides a strong promotional platform for the following night. We’re confident that the quality of our shows for the fall season will make The CW the destination for young women.”

Read more »

With ABC’s fall and spring line-up now out, it’s unfortunately official. “Cashmere Mafia” has been canceled. I guess we’ll have to be happy with NBC’s “Lipstick Jungle” next season. The show wasn’t bad, and I’ll probably pick it up for the blog. However I enjoyed CM much more.

ABC also announced that it was picking up the NBC comedy “Scrubs.”

ABC UNVEILS 2008-09 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

New Series Include “The Goode Family,” “Life on Mars,” “Opportunity Knocks,” “Scrubs” And “Untitled Ashton Kutcher/Tyra Banks Project”

Returning Series on the Fall Schedule Include “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Boston Legal,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Eli Stone,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Samantha Who?,” “Supernanny,” “Ugly Betty,” “Wife Swap” and “20/20”

Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment, today outlined ABC’s plans for next season and unveiled the network’s 2008-09 fall schedule before the advertising and media communities at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.

Scheduled to debut this fall are new drama “Life on Mars,” and new alternative series “Opportunity Knocks” from executive producer Ashton Kutcher.

Returning series on the fall schedule are “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Boston Legal,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Eli Stone,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Samantha Who?,” “Supernanny,” “Ugly Betty,” “Wife Swap” and “20/20.”

In addition, “Saturday Night College Football” will return for a fourth season.

New series for midseason include “The Goode Family,” “Scrubs” and “Untitled Ashton Kutcher/Tyra Banks Project.”

Other returning series include “According to Jim,” “The Bachelor,” “Lost” and ABC News’ “Primetime: What Would You Do?”

Read more »

ABC ANNOUNCES ITS SUMMER SCHEDULE WITH THE PREMIERE OF EIGHT ORIGINAL SERIES

ABC announces its summer schedule with the premiere of eight original series, including the return of “The Bachelorette” on Monday, May 19 (9:00-11:00 p.m.), following the performance show finale of “Dancing with the Stars”; “The Mole” on Monday, May 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); “Wipeout” on Tuesday, June 24 (8:00-9:00 p.m.); “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” on Tuesday, June 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m.); ABC News’ “Hopkins” on Thursday, June 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); “Dance Machine” on Friday, June 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m.); “High School Musical: Summer Session” on Sunday, July 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m.); and “Wanna Bet” on Monday, July 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m.).

Read On For Show Details
Read more »

It was no “Project Runway,” but in its own way it was fun. For those who enjoyed “Shear Genius” the first go round, it’s set to return this summer on Bravo. It will go on the list of things I’ll be watching, along with BB10 and whatever else comes along.

BRAVO’S ‘SHEAR GENIUS’ RETURNS FOR SEASON TWO AND STYLISTS CUT OR GET CUT

Series Premieres Wednesday, June 25 At 10 PM ET/PT

NEW YORK – April 30, 2008 – Lather. Rinse. Compete. Bravo turns the spotlight on high-end hair styling with the premiere of the second season of the creative competition series “Shear Genius” on Wednesday, June 25 at 10 PM ET/PT. Hosted by Golden Globe nominated actress, designer and entrepreneur Jaclyn Smith, “Shear Genius” offers a behind-the-scenes look at the competitive and creative world of high-end hairstyling. Famed celebrity hairstylist Kim Vo and Allure West Coast editor Kelly Atterton join the series this season as lead judges, and accomplished stylist Rene Fris returns as the competitors’ mentor.

Bravo’s nationwide search for talented hair stylists unearthed a group of gifted competitors from all over the country who will vie for the ultimate title of “Shear Genius,” $100,000 in seed money courtesy of Nexxus Salon Hair Care, an apprenticeship with Nexxus and a chance to style hair for an Allure magazine feature. This season, every challenge will be done on living hair models, and with challenges that range from cutting hair blind-folded to styling with food products that include caramel and even mustard, you can bet the drama will be bigger than ever. In each episode, host Smith, delivers the news to the chosen winning and losing stylist with input from Atterton and Vo, as well as a lineup of guest judges. Some stylists will get “cut” early and others will “blow away” the competition.

The stylists face two challenges per episode – the short cut challenge – testing technical hairstyling skills – and the elimination challenge, testing creativity and advanced skills. Every challenge will be inventive and extraordinary, pushing them out of their comfort zone and requiring more than just finesse with a comb and scissors. The stylists will also need to possess the ability to service the client’s needs, manage a staff and work as part of a team, simultaneously, in order to make it in the competition.

To meet the cast of “Shear Genius,” visit www.BravoTV.com. Photography and bios are available at www.nbcumv.com. Following are the 12 stylists competing on the series:

· Charlie – 38, Hometown: Denver, CO.
· Daniel – 28, Hometown: Tallahassee, FL; Resides in Dallas, TX.
· Dee – 37, Hometown: San Antonio, TX; Resides in Miami, FL.
· Gail – 25, Hometown: Dayton, OH; Resides in Columbus, OH.
· Glenn – 36, Hometown: Los Angeles, CA; Resides in Decatur, AL.
· Matthew – 37, Hometown: Dallas, TX.
· Meredith – 36, Hometown: Cleveland, OH; Resides in Chicago, IL.
· Nekisa – 29, Hometown: San Francisco, CA; Resides in: Concord, CA.
· Nicole – 24, Hometown: Houston, TX; Resides in: New York, NY.
· Oshun – 31, Hometown: Cleveland, OH; Resides in Los Angeles, CA.
· Parker – 31, Hometown: Miami, FL.
· Paulo – 37, Hometown: San Jose, CA.

“Shear Genius” is produced by Reveille Entertainment. Mark Koops, Julie Laughlin and Howard T. Owens serve as executive producers.

CBS to Present Nearly 90 Hours of Original Programming, Including Three New Reality Series, Two New Dramas, a Summer Edition of “Big Brother,” Two Mixed Martial Arts Live Events, “The Tony Awards” and a New Chapter in its “AFI’s 100 Years” Series

“Greatest American Dog” (Working Title) Premieres Thursday, July 10, 8:00 PM

“Million Dollar Password,” Hosted By Regis Philbin, Premieres Sunday, June 1, 8:00 PM

“Jingles,” (Working Title) from Executive Producer Mark Burnett, Debuts Sunday, July 27, 9:00 PM

“Big Brother” Returns with Three Weekly Editions Beginning Sunday, July 13

Mixed Martial Arts Comes to Primetime Network Television for the First Time with Two Live Events, Saturday, May 31 and Saturday, July 26

“Swingtown” Premieres Thursday, June 5, 10:00 PM (NEW PREMIERE DATE)

Original Drama Series “Flashpoint” Debuts Friday, July 11, 10:00 PM

“The American Theatre Wing’s 62nd Annual Tony Awards” to be Broadcast Sunday, June 15, 8:00 PM

“AFI’s 10 Top 10″ to Air Tuesday, June 17, 8:00 PM

New Summer Time Periods for “Without a Trace,” “Numb3rs” and “Cold Case”

CBS today unveiled its 2008 summer schedule comprising nearly 90 hours of original programming, including three new reality series (GREATEST AMERICAN DOG, MILLION DOLLAR PASSWORD and JINGLES), two new dramas (SWINGTOWN and FLASHPOINT), summer stalwart BIG BROTHER, two live mixed martial arts events (CBS ELITE XC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS), THE AMERICAN THEATRE WING’S 62ND ANNUAL TONY AWARDS and AFI’s 10 TOP 10.

The summer lineup will also see rebroadcasts of WITHOUT A TRACE, NUMB3RS and COLD CASE moving to new time periods.

Read on for show descriptions and schedules . . . .

Read more »

Begining in July, NBC will begin debuting webisodes of “The Office,” “Heroes,” and “Chuck.” But wait, it’s not just the old seasons on the web, these will be new shows developed for the web! There is no news on when they will start, how long they’ll last and how many episodes there will be.

The following is a press release on the webisodes from NBC . . . .

NBC DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT BRINGS MORE VIDEO, ORIGINAL CONTENT AND INTERACTIVITY FOR SUMMER AND FALL SEASON PROGRAMMING

“Heroes,” “Chuck” And “The Office” Webisodes On NBC.com Beginning July ‘08

Original Digital Production “Fears, Secrets & Desires” Launches This Summer

NEW YORK – April 2, 2008 – NBC Digital Entertainment today announced its full slate of content for the Summer and Fall seasons. Among the highlights are original webisodes for “Heroes,” “Chuck” and “The Office” as well as “30 Rock 360,” a new original digital production - “Fears, Secrets & Lies” and extensive digital features for each new show. The announcements were made by Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment.

“The breadth and depth of our digital content is literally exploding this season,” said Zigler. “We’re incredibly lucky to have such collaborative writers, producers and actors to work with, all of whom help us make the entertainment experience so much richer for our users.”

New chapters of webisodes for “Heroes,” “Chuck” and “The Office” will debut on NBC.com beginning in July. Additional chapters of webisodes for each show will roll out throughout the season. Each chapter of webisodes will continue to weave online with on-air creative to give fans a deeper entertainment experience.

“30 Rock” joins “The Office,” “Heroes” and “Lipstick Jungle,” and goes “360″ next season. Fans of the Emmy-winning comedy can learn from the best through Jack Donaghy’s Online Business Courses (or “Jack U”), have access to Jack’s blog and offer their own business advice by uploading videos. Other challenges for users will include submitting skits for “TGS,” enacting provided skits from “TGC,” user response to “Ask Tina” and guided tours of their workplaces (in response to Kenneth the Page’s tours).

NBC.com will also debut its second season of original productions with “Fears, Secrets & Desires.” This series, detailed below, will be available exclusively on NBC.com.

A comprehensive list of digital features, by show, follows.

Read more »

NBC has revealed its new 2008-09 line-up a month early instead of during the normal “upfront” week in May. The following is an official press release, detailing the new schedule as well as descriptions of their new shows. Reminder: NBC already renewed a few shows such as “Chuck,” “Life” and “Heroes.”

NBC REVEALS COMPLETE 52-WEEK PROGRAM STRATEGY, EARLIER THAN EVER, THAT GIVES ADVERTISERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE UNIQUE MARKETING SOLUTIONS

STAGGERED LAUNCHES AND PREMIERES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF NBC’S ‘SUPER SEASON’ OF EVENTS INCLUDING THE 2008 BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES AND SUPER BOWL XLIII

WITH ITS EXPANDING COMMITMENT TO YEAR-ROUND ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING, NBC DELIVERS ALMOST TWICE AS MUCH FIRST-RUN ENTERTAINMENT AS THE NETWORK BROADCAST 10 YEARS AGO

FALL, WINTER AND SUMMER SCHEDULES FEATURE NEWCOMERS ‘THE OFFICE’ SPINOFF, ‘MY OWN WORST ENEMY,’ ‘KATH & KIM,’ ‘KNIGHT RIDER’, ‘CRUSOE’, ‘KINGS,’ ‘THE PHILANTHROPIST,’ ‘MERLIN,’ ‘THE LISTENER,’ ‘SHARK TAGGERS,’ AMERICA’S TOUGHEST JOBS,’ ‘CHOPPING BLOCK’ AND MINISERIES ‘THE LAST TEMPLAR’ AND ‘XIII’

RETURNING SERIES FOR NBC’S 2008-09 TELEVISION SEASON INCLUDE THE ACCLAIMED DRAMAS ‘ER’ — IN ITS 15TH AND FINAL SEASON — ‘FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS,’ ‘LIPSTICK JUNGLE’, ‘MEDIUM,’ ‘LAW & ORDER’ AND ‘LAW & ORDER: SVU’

NEW YORK - April 2, 2008 - NBC today unveiled its new Fall lineup for the 2008-09 television season, introducing a schedule earlier than ever that combines some of the most acclaimed and popular returning series on television with four new programs that will join the schedule in the opening weeks of the season, including “Kath & Kim,” “Knight Rider,” “My Own Worst Enemy” and “Crusoe.”

Among the critically hailed series returning to the NBC schedule next season will be “ER,” the most-nominated series in Emmy Award history, returning for its 15th and final season on NBC’s Thursday night lineup, and the acclaimed “Friday Night Lights,” slated to re-join the Friday schedule in February as part of a unique broadcast partnership between NBC and DIRECTV.

Additionally, the most highly anticipated comedy of the upcoming season, “The Office” spinoff, from Executive Producer Greg Daniels, will get the highly coveted premiere timeslot post Super Bowl XLIII following a special original telecast of “The Office.”

Read more »