Category: News

munchman sees BONES 2014 Season Opener

by munchman

So what do you think? In this time-shifty era, is it a spoiler to give away the big shock of an episode if it’s already been broadcast? Or do I have to wait until I magically know that everybody in the universe who DVR’d it has watched the playback?

I ask cuz Lord knowz I don’t want to hurt anybody’s experience of the most upsetting event in the history of an otherwise sorta cute but mostly bland series.

Cuz– read article

Are You Ready for Dish Network’s Streaming Video Service?

We are! Can’t wait to see how this, the latest Adventure in New TV Paradigms, shakes out:

scrippsnet

by David Lieberman

HGTV, Food Network, and Great American Country aren’t the first channels that come to mind when one thinks about programming for millennials. But following an agreement announced this morning, the Scripps Networks Interactive channels will be part of the package that Dish Network is assembling for its planned broadband video service that will target young viewers who want a low-cost alternative to the full pay TV bundle that many consider to be too expensive. The companies agreed to a multi-year contract renewal that will add DIY Network and Cooking Channel to Dish’s “America’s Top 200? package, and give the No. 2 satellite company additional opportunities to offer Scripps’ services on its video on demand (VOD) offerings and TV Everywhere streaming platform for subscribers both in and out of the home. read article

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 9/27/14

Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are
by munchman

  • Gregg Hurwitz (V) is writing the pilot for NEW ANGELES, a series that not only sounds a lot like THE MATRIX when you read the P.R. (which the mighty muncher won’t put you through) but which also has Keanu Reeves attached. (And Roland Emmerich too. Strangely, no network has been announced as paying for this thing. Some people might wonder why, but not yers truly cuz…THE MATRIX? Again? And Keanu Reeves? Oi!)
  • Nick Rutherford & Allison Rich (some SMURFS stuff) have been added to the writing staff of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. (If you know ’em, time to send the biggest congratulation bouquets you can afford. Or not cuz…SNL writers? Remembering their old friends? Is there a basis for that in recorded history? Huh?)
  • Nikki Toscano (who has such a great name that who the hell cares about her credits?) is writing LAST HOUR, an action drama pilot for CBS. (It’s being done in “real time” ala 24, so whatcha think? Hit? Miss? Can Nikki‘s name save the day in (real) time?)
  • Nick Thomas (LET’S BE COPS) is writing the pilot for 100 GRAND, called an “action comedy that centers on two guys who learn how to grow up in the most unexpected way: paying off a debt for a local crime boss.” (Not rain on anybody’s parade but , um, and then what happens? Send your episode ideas to me at – no, wait, don’t bother. Not a chance in the Netherworld this’ll get on the air. C’mon, admit it – don’tcha know I’m right?

That’s it for now. Write in and tell munchilito what you’ve sold today. TVWriter™ can’t wait to brag to all your friends. (And, more importantly, enemies. Hehehe….)

WGA Probing Producers’ Use Of “Paper Teams” to Short-Change Writers

Why We Need the Writers Guild of America, West Dept:

Always looking for the crooked angle, some unscrupulous film and TV companies have found a way to hire two writers for the price of one. Taking advantage of young, mostly inexperienced writers, these companies pair them up to form what’s called “paper teams” – two writers who are forced to work together for half the pay. Even some older experienced writers have caved to the companies’ demands that they work as a team. It’s a violation of the WGA’s contract, but so far nobody’s been caught doing it – not that the WGA West isn’t trying.

“That’s the scam — to get two writers for the price of one,” a guild source told Deadline. “It’s one of those areas that in hard times, writers, in economic self-interest, will say, ‘I need a job so bad, I’ll take it even if it’s half-scale.’ It’s been going on as long as unscrupulous producers have been taking advantage of hard-pressed writers.” read article

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 9/25/14

Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are
by munchman

  • Lauren Iungerich (AWKWARD) is writing the pilot for COUCH DETECTIVE, an ABC series about a young woman detective who solves crimes “based on her encyclopedic knowledge of every true-crime TV special, police procedural and made-for-TV movie. (At last, a potential show for LB to work on! Time to hit the phones, boss. And yer friendly neighborhood munchman thinks it’s a pretty good idea too!)
  • James Ellroy (some crazy novelist) is developing an untitled noir series for HBO. (Which also could be right up LB’s alley. Are you reading this, man? Agent convo time, no?)
  • Larry Kaplow (HOUSE) has sold an untitled medical show with an eccentric protagonist to CBS. (With, methinks, a little help from his friends and producing partners on the project, Katie Jacobs and some babe name of Halle Berry. You guys got room for LB on this one? Huh?)
  • Seth Grahame-Smith (ABRAHAM LINCOLN, VAMPIRE HUNTER) is writing the pilot for THE THINGS THEY LEFT BEHIND, based on a Stephen King short story of the same name. (Uh-oh, just got a text from LB. “Stop looking at gigs for me, muncher!!! I’m too old, too rich, and way too full of my own self to work for anybody anymore, let alone the geniuses you’re trying to set me up with.” Gotcha, boss man, sorry. Too bad Stephen King doesn’t feel the same way. Every time he joins a project, even a Stephen King adaptation – well, you all know how it comes out. Not saying that you wouldn’t be brilliant if you were back in TV, LB, but–

(EDITED BY LB TO ADD: Muncher, I told you to SHUT UP!!!)

So, um, that’s it for now. Write in and tell munchilito what you’ve sold today. TVWriter™ can’t wait to brag to all your friends. (And, more importantly, enemies. Hehehe….)