Tag: TV writing deals

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 11/14/12

“In the beginning was the word.” (um, God, we think.)

  • John Ross Bowie & Kevin Sussman (Yes, both are actors on BIG BANG THEORY) have sold their animated comedy, DARK MINIONS, to Amazon Studios. (In case anyone thought for 1 second that Amazon’s web series production arm was going to find new talent.)
  • Chris Case (RETIRED AT 34) is writing the pilot for THE CLUB, a sitcom about golf, for CBS.  (In case anyone thought CBS development knew a thing about what the audience wants to see.)
  • Austin Winsberg (JAKE IN PROGRESS) is writing the pilot for Fox’s THE TAO OF MARTHA, a sitcom based on Jen Lancaster’s forthcoming book of the same name. (And, yes, the “Martha” in question is Martha Stewart, who will be producing, of course.)
  • Sara Gamble (SUPERNATURAL) is writing the pilot for NORFOLK, a naval drama, for the CW. (The “in case” on this is that we believe the CW is going with it just “in case” the kids of NCIS viewers might be willing to give it a try.)
  • Thompson Evans (HIT LIST) is writing the pilot of NIGHT HUNTERS, a cop drama, for Fox and MAX GENERAL, a medical show, for NBC. (And “in case” you’re wondering, yes, he’s a relative unknown and we’re sure that what helped get both these deals is that he has partnered up with the former head of NBC Entertainment, Warren Littlefield.)

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 11/13/12

“A word unwritten is a truth untold.” (Anon.)

  • Elizabeth Chandler (SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS) is writing the pilot for Fox’s family drama, THE BREAK, about a teenage girl sent to live with the father she’s never known…oh, and there’s surfing too. (Because JOHN FROM CLEVELAND did so well for HBO a few years ago, right?)
  • Sydney Sidner (THE RITE) is writing the pilot for the CW drama MERIDIAN HILLS, about the birth of women’s lib in the ‘7-s. (Because the CW does women – as opposed to “girls” – with such elan.)
  • Austin Winsberg (JAKE IN PROGRESS) is writing the pilot for Fox’s THE TAO OF MARTHA, a sitcom based on Jen Lancaster’s forthcoming book of the same name. (And, yes, the “Martha” in question is Martha Stewart, who will be producing, of course.)
  • Ron Moore (yeah, that Ron Moore) is masterminding a TV version of Diana Gabaldon’s OUTLANDER novels on Starz. (And you got it, it’s on Starz because everyplace the OUTLANDER team went turned them down.)
  • Fortune Feimster (who cares what else she’s done; what a great name!) is writing DISCOUNTED, a sitcom for ABC. (Which she’ll also produce and star in because, hey, she’s *Fortune Feimster*, you know?)

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 11/7/12

“Writing for love is called art. Writing for money is called sticking it to the neighbors.” (Anon.)
  • Peter Mohan (DUE SOUTH, EERIE, INDIANA) has signed an overall deal with Canadian prodco Shaftesbury that will keep him busy on THE LISTENER, an international hit on CTV and Fox International Channels, through the end of 2013. (For those who claim TVWriter™ gives Canadian writers short shrift.)
  • Diablo Cody (UNITED STATES OF TARA, JUNO) is writing the pilot for an ABC comedy called ALEX + AMY, about a millennial guy and a Gen X woman in love. (For those who claim TVWriter™ gives ex-sex worker writers short shrift.)
  • Michael Jacobs (BOY MEETS WORLD) is writing the pilot for a sequel to BMW for Disney Channel. (Proving that TV execs think that a sequel featuring characters who are now adults adults belongs on kids’ TV, even though the show about these same characters as kids worked just fine on an adult – ABC – channel. Or, in other words, WTF?)
  • John Logan (SKYFALL) is reteaming with director Sam Mendes and writing a not yet named pilot “in the vein of THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN for a not yet found network. (Proving that P.R. announcements can make even the most mundane spec script sound relatively interesting.)

Stephen Merchant’s HBO Series is a Go

This just in from Hollywood Reporter.Com:

Stephen Merchant Pilot Gets Series Order at HBO – by Michael O’Connell

Stephen Merchant is stayin in business with HBO. read article

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 11/3/12

“All’s fair in love and showbiz.” (Anon.)
  • Greg Malin (FRIENDS) is writing the pilot for the ABC sitcom TRIBES, adapted from the Israeli series, YOUR FAMILY OR MINE. (Proving that HOMELAND definitely has started an Israeli trend.)
  • Jordan Nardino (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) is writing the pilot for an untitled Fox comedy based on LifestyleLemonade.Com, a blog by Nikki Joel about her marriage to a WME agent who will go unnamed here because we like to pretend agents aren’t real/don’t actually exist. (Proving that even showbiz reality is a dreamworld.)
  • Nicholas Sparks (THE NOTEBOOK, DEAR JOHN) has TV deals for not one, not two, but three of his novels. Brandon Camp (LOVE HAPPENS) is adapting A BEND IN THE ROAD for TNT, John Norris (ONE TREE HILL) & Sparks are adapting THE FALLS for ABC Family, and Melissa Carter (JANE BY DESIGN)is writing DELIVERANCE CREEK for Lifetime. (Proving that if you have something that’s been done before, somewhere, TV will buy it…so get your Kindle books cracking!)
  • Michael Tolkin (DEEP IMPACT, THE PLAYER) is writing HOLLYWOOD & VINES, a series about a Hollywood family and its reaction to a star’s death, for ABC. (The fact that it was bought because “ABC is looking for its next REVENGE,” according to the H’wood Reporter proving again that, in TV, the concept that “If we can’t buy something that’s already succeeded we can at least copy it” still rules.)