Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are
by munchman
Beatrice Springborn is the new Head of Originals for Hulu’s new Content Department. (So, theoretically, if you know Ms. Springborn and have an original series idea you should ring her up ASAP. Yer Friendly Neighborhood Munchman’s prob, however, is that I can’t for the life of me figure out what “original” means in this context. Nor, for that matter, am I all that sure I trust any company that hands out titles like “Head” instead of, you know, “Vice President” or “Director.” For now I’ll just chalk this up to Hulu trying to be “original.” Which, actually, makes me more confused than ever.)
Dana Vachon (MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS) is adapting Stephen Frey‘s novel The Chairman into drama series for Spike TV. (And el muncho sure wishes I could keep track of the Stephen Freys and Frys and whatever cuz I’d love to find some scandal to report but gotta make sure I’m nailing the right guy. Can somebody help me out here?)
Nick Kreiss & Ian Wolterstorph (newbies) have sold EAST OF EXURBIA, a fantasy novel about brothers, debauchery, and a magical portal between worlds to X-Box for development as a series. Gotta admit – they had me at “debauchery.”
Speaking of debauchery – kidding, kidding, I swear!!! – Carol Mendelsohn (CSI) has left that show after 14 fucking years – not really fucking, I swear!!! – for undivulged reasons. (Which means that if you know her, give me a yell and let me know if something wonderful has happened that will affect TV writing and the future of humanity, or if Carol’s just made so much damn money as showrunner that she’s going to take it easy for the rest of her life, or anything in between. Thank you kindly.)
Stephen Scaia (HUMAN TARGET) is Kickstarting a new “love letter to Indiana Jones…featuring Indy’s daughter trying to track down her missing father.” (Does Stephen have the rights to do this as a TV or film project? How about Steven Spielberg’s blessing? Or George Lucas’? Hope not cuz that way, when this gets off the ground (it’s already reached its funding goal), the Lords of Legal Hell will go nuts and Chaos will rule. And you know how munchareeno luvs chaos!
Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are
by munchman
Kourtney Kang (HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER) has a new overall deal at 20th Century Fox TV, and her first task is to become co-exec of a new comedy series called FRESH OFF THE BOAT. (So if you know Kourtney and figure that you’re fresh enough to work on a show like that – bug the hell out of her about it. After all, a contact you can’t use isn’t really a contact…and who needs friends anyway?)
Doug Jung (BANSHEE) is adapting the “Indian reservation-noir” comic book Scalped for WGN America. (So if you know Doug or anything about life on any of the modern-day Lakota reservations in South Dakota, bug the hell out of everyone involved. They’re gonna need ya. No, sorry, not you,LB. Yer muncher’s talking to, heh, younger folk.)
Aasif Mandvi (THE DAILY SHOW) is now writing and producing HBO’s new comedy series, THE BRINK, as well as co-starring in it. (So if you’re one of those people who hangs with actors but not writers, but you want to write on a series, this could be a chance to worm your way in. Hey, that’s what Aasif is doing. Look out, creators Roberto Benabib & Kim Benabib, looks to el muncho like Aasif is eyeing your showrunning gig.
Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen (FRIENDS) are writing and producing the web series ROBIN BANKS AND THE BANK ROBBERS. (Proving that what goes up must indeed eventually come down. Not that doing a web series is by definition “down,” oh no, munchman would never say that. But…this is supposed to be a comedy, and the title clearly is supposed to be funny. And it ain’t, guys. Sorry, but…blech. Hmm, could the fact that Warner Brothers is one of the prodcos have something to do with the loss of the funny? Whatcha all think?)
Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are
by munchman
David Hudgins (PARENTHOOD) has a new overall deal at Sony Pictures TV. He’ll do new stuff. (And, knowing his work, even Yer Cynical Old Munchman is confident that it’ll be great. Of course, that doesn’t mean any of us will get to see it, but, hey, this munchy one lives in hope!)
Todd Stashwick (an actor on JUSTIFIED) is going legit with a writing gig working alongside Amy Hennig (bigtime video game writer-director) on the next STAR WARS game. (And with Amy’s brilliance and George Lucas no longer in the mix, who knows? It just might be a winner.)
Joe Port & Joe Wiseman (THE CRAZY ONES) are taking their box of tools and tricks to CBS for a couple of years, where they intend to write their tushies off. (Wiseman is an alum of LB’s very first television writing class back during LB’s original retirement – the one that didn’t stick – in Santa Fe, NM. And I have it from his very mouth that “Joe W is one of the best comedy writers ever. Here’s hoping that this time around he gets the support – especially the acting – that his and Joe P’s work deserves.” Yeppers, the boss actually said that. Heavy praise.)
Mark Fergus & Hawk Otsby (CHILDREN OF MEN) are adapting James S.A. Corey’sThe Expanse series of science fiction books into a series for, natch, Syfy. (CHILDREN OF MEN on one hand, Syfy on the other – the TV gods giveth, and then they taketh away. Better cross your fingers, or whatever your preferred begging the gods sign is, on this one.)
Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are
by munchman
Gary Lennon (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK) is developing a drama series for Showtime about a rehab community in Venice Beach during the ’80s. (Think Synanon but don’t say it cuz…lawsuits. Yer munch addic definitely would check this out, btw cuz…my dad, you know?)
Nick Kocher & Brian McElhaney (TV noobs) are bringing their web series about their adventures as friends, BRITANICK, to Comedy Central. (Cuz the only way they could feel comfortable in TV was to continue working for peanuts and bitching about being underpaid. Well, that’s the gist of what they said to yers truly, but, hey….)
Margaret Atwood‘s book trilogy, Oryx and Crake, Year of the Flood, and MaddAddam are being developed as a TV series at HBO. (So time to get in touch with Brandi-Ann Milbradt, who’s the producer over there and, I hear, leading the search for a writer or maybe even writers. Hmm, I’ve always liked the name Brandi-Ann. Do you suppose…?)
Lee Shipman & Brian McGreevy (HEMLOCK GROVE)are writing an adaptation of Philipp Meyer’s novel The Son for AMC, a drama about the “bloody rise and fall of one Texas oil empire. (One, y’hear? Not two or three. Just one and don’t you forget it.)
Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are
by munchman
Katja Blichfeld & Ben Sinclair (newbies!) have deal to move their web series HIGH MAINTENANCE to Vimeo’s new on-demand service. (In other words, the New Age of Television is upon us. Real TV on the web. This is huger than a mega-blunt. Really. Yer Friendly Neighborhood Munchie Guy congratulates Katja, Ben, and the rest of the gang at Janky Clown Prods. Oh, and Vimeo too, for doing this…for us, the viewers.)
Dan Harmon (COMMUNITY) is in talks with Hulu about bringing that very series to Hulu Plus for a sixth season. Dude wants “six seasons and a movie” and just ain’t gonna give up till he gets ’em. (So that means, what? That munchman still has to make nice to Dan cuz the Harmonizer may continue to be a force in the industry in spite of COMMUNITY being cancelled – again – by NBC? Damn, you have no idea how much energy this takes out of me….)
Matthew Cole Weis (STANDING STILL) has sold his spec comedy pilot, THIS IS ME to Fox. (Looks like another version of THREE MEN AND A BABY since it’s about: “a twentysomething who gets custody of his 11-year-old brother and decides to raise him with the help of his motley crew of roommates.” But, hell, my mother liked THREE MEN AND A BABY, so who knows?)/li>
If you know anybody at Dreamworks, or Netflix, now’s the time to kiss up cuz Netflix is committed to “several” (So…more than 1?) new seasons of DREAMWORKS DRAGONS, a spinoff of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON that’s been airing on Comedy Central till now. (Tip: Don’t say you’re Steven Spielberg’s buddy to get the gig. Another tip: Do say you’re his son or daughter, and if that works let me know so I can give it a try!)
