Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are
Sylvia Day’s romance novel series Crossfire has been optioned by Lionsgate for a TV series. So if that’s your kind of thing, time to have your agent get to working for you. (And don’t forget to tell us when you get the development gig so we can go viral by breaking the news.)
Chris Alberghini & Mike Chessler (90210 reboot) are the new showrunners of MTV’s AWKWARD, which was renewed last week. (Hmm, if we’d posted this news then would we have been a viral sensation? Guess that would depend on whether anybody cares about MTV anymore.)
Speaking of AWKWARD, creator and ex-showrunner Lauren Iumgerich has made a deal with Warner Brothers TV to develop a new comedy series for the studio. (Nothing is set up at a network yet, but from what we’ve heard about Lauren’s relationship with MTV we’re pretty darn sure that she’s happy as a clam to be in a new home.)
Karl Gajdusek & Shawn Ryan (LAST RESORT) are developing FREEDOM, an ABC drama pilot about a group of genius rebels out to save the U.S. (This sounds so ’70s to us that we don’t know whether to look forward to the show or just…cringe.)
Kevin Wade (BLUEBLOODS) has a new overall deal with CBS TV Studios, where he’ll continue to run BLUEBLOODS and develop new primetime drama. (We’ve been sitting for half an hour trying to think of something funny to say about this deal but we ain’t got nuthin’. Damn BLUEBLOODS is just too dull to even make fun of.)
Dana Calvo (MADE IN JERSEY) is writing an untitled ABC drama pilot about an eccentric detective and his “methodical female Partner” who work cases in Miami. (Actually, the announcement notes that “they solve cases that only seem to happen in the neon wilds of one of America’s most eclectic and vibrant cities,” which made us think, “Oh, MIAMI VICE.” Which in turn pushed that ’70s button again so excuse us while we slip into cringe mode early, just to be safe.)
Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are
Jennie Snyder Urman (EMILY OWENS, MD) is adapting JANE THE VIRGIN, a drama based on a Venezuelan telenovela, for the CW. (Hmm, if the GOP is so smart, why isn’t it trying to make big money from the Latino market, the way the TV biz is.)
Ben Aaronovitch (REVENGE OF THE DALEKS) has optioned his urban fantasy series, Rivers of London to London’s Feel Films. (This is the same Ben Aaronovitch who swore he’d never write for TV again. Well, maybe he’ll just supervise this time, which means, English TVWriter™ visitors, start your agents’ engines!)
Speaking of getting your agents in motion, word is out that the search is on for a writer to adapt Declan Hill’s book The Fix for international TV. (Whoa, 2 potential UK gigs in a row. What can this portend?)
Lauren Iungerich (AWKWARD) is leaving the show, which she’s been producing since creating it 3 years ago. (The way we hear it she was upset because MTV passed on her latest pilot and is showing the net a thing or two. Maybe she’ll move to Britain and kick RIVERS OF LONDON butt?)
Chris Crowe (LAST OF THE MOHICANS feature film) is writing the FX limited series, LAST OF THE MOHICANS. (Because the film did so well…oh, wait, that isn’t how it went down at all. Okay then, how about this: Because FX knows how much everyone likes to see a good, heartwarming Indian massacre? No? Well how about…?)
