The films are the first two titles in a 10-project deal between Stampede Ventures and Film AlUla.
Kidnap thriller Fourth Wall and romance adaptation Chasing Red have been revealed as the first two projects in a partnership between US outfit Stampede Ventures and Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla.
It kicks off an agreement secured in October, which will bring 10 productions worth $350m to the region in north-west Saudi Arabia over the next three years. The announcement was made at Red Sea International Film Festival.
Stampede Ventures CEO Greg Silverman is a producer of Fourth Wall alongside Jon Berg. The thriller...
Kidnap thriller Fourth Wall and romance adaptation Chasing Red have been revealed as the first two projects in a partnership between US outfit Stampede Ventures and Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla.
It kicks off an agreement secured in October, which will bring 10 productions worth $350m to the region in north-west Saudi Arabia over the next three years. The announcement was made at Red Sea International Film Festival.
Stampede Ventures CEO Greg Silverman is a producer of Fourth Wall alongside Jon Berg. The thriller...
- 12/2/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Stampede Ventures’ adaptation of Isabell Ronin’s YA romance webnovel Chasing Red will shoot in Saudi Arabia, it was announced at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah on Saturday.
The production is one of two films, alongside thriller Fourth Wall, that will kick-off a previously announced three-year, 10-project pact between Greg Silverman’s West Hollywood-based Stampede Ventures and the Royal Commission for AlUla’s film agency.
The news follows hot on the heels of the announcement this week by Stampede Ventures that the Chasing Red adaptation was in the works, in partnership with Wattpad Webtoon Studios.
The romantic drama revolves around straight-a student Veronica and rich playboy Caleb, who are brought together by an unexpected series of events.
Jessika Borsiczky is signed to direct, and casting is underway. Silverman is serving as producer with Jon Berg, while Gideon Yu, Chris Bosco, Mike Tadross and Grant Torre will be credited as Executive Producers.
The production is one of two films, alongside thriller Fourth Wall, that will kick-off a previously announced three-year, 10-project pact between Greg Silverman’s West Hollywood-based Stampede Ventures and the Royal Commission for AlUla’s film agency.
The news follows hot on the heels of the announcement this week by Stampede Ventures that the Chasing Red adaptation was in the works, in partnership with Wattpad Webtoon Studios.
The romantic drama revolves around straight-a student Veronica and rich playboy Caleb, who are brought together by an unexpected series of events.
Jessika Borsiczky is signed to direct, and casting is underway. Silverman is serving as producer with Jon Berg, while Gideon Yu, Chris Bosco, Mike Tadross and Grant Torre will be credited as Executive Producers.
- 12/2/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Stampede Ventures and Wattpad Webtoon Studios will team for a feature adaptation of Chasing Red, the YA romance webnovel by Isabelle Ronin that has garnered huge attention on the digital publishing platform, Wattpad.
Jessika Borsiczky (Sex/Life) has been set to direct from a screenplay by Lauren Schacher (Hooking Up), and casting is now underway.
Chasing Red tells the story of straight-a student Veronica, who refuses to be college heartthrob Caleb’s next “conquest,” even after a chance encounter sparks an undeniable attraction between them. But with nowhere to stay and on the run from a recent tragedy, Veronica finds herself in need of Caleb’s help, despite the secrets of their pasts threatening to tear them apart. Wattpad’s #2 English-language property, following the massively popular After series from Anna Todd, the webnovel has garnered over 260 million reads since its publication in 2017. It’s been published in print in seven languages,...
Jessika Borsiczky (Sex/Life) has been set to direct from a screenplay by Lauren Schacher (Hooking Up), and casting is now underway.
Chasing Red tells the story of straight-a student Veronica, who refuses to be college heartthrob Caleb’s next “conquest,” even after a chance encounter sparks an undeniable attraction between them. But with nowhere to stay and on the run from a recent tragedy, Veronica finds herself in need of Caleb’s help, despite the secrets of their pasts threatening to tear them apart. Wattpad’s #2 English-language property, following the massively popular After series from Anna Todd, the webnovel has garnered over 260 million reads since its publication in 2017. It’s been published in print in seven languages,...
- 11/29/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The NBC limited series The Thing About Pam, starring Renée Zellweger, concluded its run on Tuesday, April 13, but has clearly made its mark for the network as its top-rated new series of the 2021-2022 season.
The show centers on the 2011 murder of State Farm employee Betsy Faria, which resulted in her husband Russ’s conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her and was later exonerated. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp (Zellweger).
The series premiered in March and its opening episode performed decently with a 0.4 rating in the 18-49 demo and 2.79 million viewers. Since then, the episode jumped up to a 4.24 in the demo and tallied 14 million viewers – a 5x audience increase – across live, delayed and digital viewing, according to the network. The company also said that the pilot marked NBC’s best digital launch ever.
The show centers on the 2011 murder of State Farm employee Betsy Faria, which resulted in her husband Russ’s conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her and was later exonerated. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp (Zellweger).
The series premiered in March and its opening episode performed decently with a 0.4 rating in the 18-49 demo and 2.79 million viewers. Since then, the episode jumped up to a 4.24 in the demo and tallied 14 million viewers – a 5x audience increase – across live, delayed and digital viewing, according to the network. The company also said that the pilot marked NBC’s best digital launch ever.
- 4/27/2022
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Deadline has the first pair of exclusive tracks from Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli’s score for The Thing About Pam, which is set for release via Milan Records on April 15, following the airing of the NBC true-crime ratings hit’s finale.
The Blumhouse Television-produced limited series centers on the 2011 murder of State Farm employee Betsy Faria (Katy Mixon), which resulted in her husband Russ’s (Glenn Fleshler) conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her and was later exonerated. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Faria’s supposed friend, Pam Hupp (Renée Zellweger).
From Belousova and Ostinelli’s perspective, Pam is someone who “tromps through town like a predatory larger-than-life force that will crush anything that comes her way.”
The show’s main theme, “The Thing About Pam,” is billed as “a motif combined with a predatory march,...
The Blumhouse Television-produced limited series centers on the 2011 murder of State Farm employee Betsy Faria (Katy Mixon), which resulted in her husband Russ’s (Glenn Fleshler) conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her and was later exonerated. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Faria’s supposed friend, Pam Hupp (Renée Zellweger).
From Belousova and Ostinelli’s perspective, Pam is someone who “tromps through town like a predatory larger-than-life force that will crush anything that comes her way.”
The show’s main theme, “The Thing About Pam,” is billed as “a motif combined with a predatory march,...
- 4/14/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The series premiere of NBC’s Renée Zellweger-led limited series “The Thing About Pam” has increased its key demo rating by nearly 400% when counting a week’s worth of delayed and digital viewing, Variety has learned exclusively.
The debut episode of the Blumhouse Television-produced show, which aired at 10 p.m. on March 8, initially managed a 0.4 rating among adults 18-49 and 2.9 million total viewers in Live + Same Day Nielsen data.
When adding in seven days of delayed viewing across linear and DVR, plus digital platforms Hulu, NBC.com, the NBC app and Peacock, “The Thing About Pam” series premiere jumped to a 1.93 demo rating (up 387%) and 8.7 million viewers (+205%).
From the initial live + same day viewing, the first episode is up 387% in the demo (0.40 vs. 1.93) and up 205% in total viewers (2.9 million vs. 8.7 million).
Per NBC, “The Thing About Pam” is the top digital premiere on Peacock for any NBC show through...
The debut episode of the Blumhouse Television-produced show, which aired at 10 p.m. on March 8, initially managed a 0.4 rating among adults 18-49 and 2.9 million total viewers in Live + Same Day Nielsen data.
When adding in seven days of delayed viewing across linear and DVR, plus digital platforms Hulu, NBC.com, the NBC app and Peacock, “The Thing About Pam” series premiere jumped to a 1.93 demo rating (up 387%) and 8.7 million viewers (+205%).
From the initial live + same day viewing, the first episode is up 387% in the demo (0.40 vs. 1.93) and up 205% in total viewers (2.9 million vs. 8.7 million).
Per NBC, “The Thing About Pam” is the top digital premiere on Peacock for any NBC show through...
- 3/21/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
NBC today unveiled a promo and first-look photos for its crime drama series The Thing About Pam, starring two-time Academy Award winner Renée Zellweger, which is slated to premiere March 8 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt.
The show centers on the 2011 murder of State Farm employee Betsy Faria, which resulted in her husband Russ’s conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her and was later exonerated. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp (Zellweger).
Faria’s murder was previously examined in several episodes of Dateline NBC, becoming one of the most popular topics ever explored on the hit NBC franchise. It also became the subject of the popular 2019 podcast, The Thing About Pam, which remains one of the most downloaded podcasts on Apple Podcasts.
The Thing About Pam also stars Josh Duhamel, Judy Greer,...
The show centers on the 2011 murder of State Farm employee Betsy Faria, which resulted in her husband Russ’s conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her and was later exonerated. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp (Zellweger).
Faria’s murder was previously examined in several episodes of Dateline NBC, becoming one of the most popular topics ever explored on the hit NBC franchise. It also became the subject of the popular 2019 podcast, The Thing About Pam, which remains one of the most downloaded podcasts on Apple Podcasts.
The Thing About Pam also stars Josh Duhamel, Judy Greer,...
- 2/3/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
You might just do a double-take at Renée Zellweger‘s transformation into Pam Hupp, as seen in the first trailer for NBC’s limited series The Thing About Pam.
Premiering Tuesday, March 8 at 10/9c, and spanning six episodes, The Thing About Pam chronicles the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria. Though Betsy’s husband, Russ, was initially convicted, that verdict was later overturned, and Betsy’s death set off a chain of events that exposed a diabolical scheme involving Hupp.
More from TVLineTransplant Season 2 Gets NBC Premiere Date, Paired With Weakest LinkAdaptation of A'dam – E.V.A. Acclaimed Dutch Drama Gets Pilot...
Premiering Tuesday, March 8 at 10/9c, and spanning six episodes, The Thing About Pam chronicles the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria. Though Betsy’s husband, Russ, was initially convicted, that verdict was later overturned, and Betsy’s death set off a chain of events that exposed a diabolical scheme involving Hupp.
More from TVLineTransplant Season 2 Gets NBC Premiere Date, Paired With Weakest LinkAdaptation of A'dam – E.V.A. Acclaimed Dutch Drama Gets Pilot...
- 2/3/2022
- by Rebecca Iannucci
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: Gideon Adlon (Blockers), Sean Bridgers (The Underground Railroad), Glenn Fleshler (True Detective), Suanne Spoke (Station 19) and Mac Brandt (Lovecraft Country) have been cast opposite Renée Zellweger, Josh Duhamel, Judy Greer and Katy Mixon in NBC/Blumhouse’s limited series The Thing About Pam. The series, originally slated to begin filming Sept. 8, in late August paused pre-production in New Orleans on the eve of hurricane Ida. It has now set a new Oct. 7 start date.
Based on a true-crime phenomenon — the real-life, stranger-than-fiction story behind the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that was featured on Dateline NBC — The Thing About Pam is produced by Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co. The series is based on the murder of Faria (Mixon) that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction, though he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction later was overturned. The brutal crime set off a...
Based on a true-crime phenomenon — the real-life, stranger-than-fiction story behind the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that was featured on Dateline NBC — The Thing About Pam is produced by Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co. The series is based on the murder of Faria (Mixon) that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction, though he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction later was overturned. The brutal crime set off a...
- 9/24/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Judy Greer and Katy Mixon are set as leads opposite Renée Zellweger and Josh Duhamel on NBC/Blumhouse’s limited series The Thing About Pam.
Based on a true-crime phenomenon — the real-life, stranger-than-fiction story behind the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that was featured on Dateline NBC — The Thing About Pam is produced by Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co. The series, currently in pre-production and casting, is based on the murder of Faria (played by Mixon) that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction, though he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction later was overturned. The brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp (Zellweger).
Greer will play Leah Askey, the former Lincoln County prosecutor who tried Russ Faria twice for his wife’s murder.
Betsy Faria had stage 4 cancer when she was...
Based on a true-crime phenomenon — the real-life, stranger-than-fiction story behind the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that was featured on Dateline NBC — The Thing About Pam is produced by Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co. The series, currently in pre-production and casting, is based on the murder of Faria (played by Mixon) that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction, though he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction later was overturned. The brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp (Zellweger).
Greer will play Leah Askey, the former Lincoln County prosecutor who tried Russ Faria twice for his wife’s murder.
Betsy Faria had stage 4 cancer when she was...
- 8/30/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Peacock to Develop Millennial Nun Drama From ‘Thing About Pam’ Creator Jessika Borsiczky (Exclusive)
Peacock is developing a one-hour drama series about millennial nuns from “The Thing About Pam” creator Jessika Borsiczky, Variety has learned exclusively.
The series is titled “Called” and is based on the Huffington Post article “Behold, The Millennial Nuns” by Eve Fairbanks. The series will follow three young women at a convent, each on their own path, and each carrying secrets that force them to confront temptation, scandal, and self-discovery as they struggle with whether the answers do in fact lie in the Divine or back in the world they’ve left behind.
Borsiczky is writing the series and will also serve as an executive producer. Kristen Campo will also executive produce, with A+E Studios producing for Peacock.
The development deal keeps Borsiczky in the NBCUniversal fold. She most recently created the upcoming limited series “The Thing About Pam” starring Renee Zellweger for NBC. She was originally set to serve...
The series is titled “Called” and is based on the Huffington Post article “Behold, The Millennial Nuns” by Eve Fairbanks. The series will follow three young women at a convent, each on their own path, and each carrying secrets that force them to confront temptation, scandal, and self-discovery as they struggle with whether the answers do in fact lie in the Divine or back in the world they’ve left behind.
Borsiczky is writing the series and will also serve as an executive producer. Kristen Campo will also executive produce, with A+E Studios producing for Peacock.
The development deal keeps Borsiczky in the NBCUniversal fold. She most recently created the upcoming limited series “The Thing About Pam” starring Renee Zellweger for NBC. She was originally set to serve...
- 8/26/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
“The Witcher” writer Jenny Klein, who was on the creative team for NBC and Blumhouse Television’s limited podcast-to-screen adaptation “The Thing About Pam,” has been promoted to showrunner of the series. Klein, who has also written for “Supernatural” and “Jessica Jones,” replaces Jessika Borsiczky. Borsiczky left the project due to creative differences and thus far is still being credited as an executive producer.
Produced by Blumhouse, NBC News Studios, and Big Picture Co., “The Thing About Pam” is based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’s conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction was later overturned. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp, played by Renée Zellweger. In addition to the “Bridget Jones’s Diary” actress, Josh Duhamel, most recently seen on “Jupiter’s Legacy,” stars as Joel Schwartz,...
Produced by Blumhouse, NBC News Studios, and Big Picture Co., “The Thing About Pam” is based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’s conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction was later overturned. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp, played by Renée Zellweger. In addition to the “Bridget Jones’s Diary” actress, Josh Duhamel, most recently seen on “Jupiter’s Legacy,” stars as Joel Schwartz,...
- 8/24/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
NBC’s “The Thing About Pam” has a new showrunner, with Jessika Borsicsky stepping away from the Renee Zellweger-led limited series.
Borsicsky, who was originally attached to the project, has stepped down due to creative differences, TheWrap has confirmed. Executive producer Jenny Klein, a veteran of Netflix’s “The Witcher” and “Jessica Jones,” has been promoted to showrunner.
“The Thing About Pam” is a six-episode adaptation of the popular 2019 true-crime podcast of the same name about the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria. Her husband Russ was convicted of the crime, though he insisted he didn’t kill her and later had his conviction overturned. Per NBC, “This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp.”
Zellweger stars in NBC’s adaptation as Pam Huff, with Josh Duhamel playing Joel Schwartz, the defense attorney for Russ Faria.
The series stems from a...
Borsicsky, who was originally attached to the project, has stepped down due to creative differences, TheWrap has confirmed. Executive producer Jenny Klein, a veteran of Netflix’s “The Witcher” and “Jessica Jones,” has been promoted to showrunner.
“The Thing About Pam” is a six-episode adaptation of the popular 2019 true-crime podcast of the same name about the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria. Her husband Russ was convicted of the crime, though he insisted he didn’t kill her and later had his conviction overturned. Per NBC, “This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp.”
Zellweger stars in NBC’s adaptation as Pam Huff, with Josh Duhamel playing Joel Schwartz, the defense attorney for Russ Faria.
The series stems from a...
- 8/24/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
‘The Thing About Pam’: Jenny Klein Named Showrunner Of NBC Limited Series As Jessika Borsicsky Exits
Exclusive: Jenny Klein, executive producer on NBC/Blumhouse’s limited series The Thing About Pam, has been elevated to showrunner of the series starring Renée Zellweger and Josh Duhamel. She is replacing Jessika Borsiczky, who was originally attached as writer-showrunner but has left the project due to creative differences.
Klein’s involvement in the series stems from a one-year first-look deal she signed with Blumhouse Television earlier this year, marking her return to the indie studio after writing and producing its Facebook Watch drama Sacred Lies.
Based on a true-crime phenomenon — the real-life, stranger-than-fiction story behind the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that was featured on Dateline NBC — The Thing About Pam is produced by Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co. The series, currently in pre-production and casting, is based on the murder of Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction, though he insisted he didn’t kill her.
Klein’s involvement in the series stems from a one-year first-look deal she signed with Blumhouse Television earlier this year, marking her return to the indie studio after writing and producing its Facebook Watch drama Sacred Lies.
Based on a true-crime phenomenon — the real-life, stranger-than-fiction story behind the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that was featured on Dateline NBC — The Thing About Pam is produced by Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co. The series, currently in pre-production and casting, is based on the murder of Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction, though he insisted he didn’t kill her.
- 8/24/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Josh Duhamel will star opposite Renee Zellweger in the NBC limited series “The Thing About Pam.”
The series is based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’s conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction was later overturned. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp (Zellweger). Duhamel will play Joel Schwartz, Russ Faria’s defense attorney.
Duhamel most recently starred in the Netflix original series “Jupiter’s Legacy” based on the comic series of the same name. His other TV roles include “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G.,” “11.22.63,” “Las Vegas,” and “All My Children.” He will next be seen opposite Jennifer Lopez in the film “Shotgun Wedding.” He has previously starred in films like the “Transformers” franchise, “When in Rome,” “Lost in the Sun,” “Bravetown,” and “Misconduct.
The series is based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’s conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction was later overturned. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp (Zellweger). Duhamel will play Joel Schwartz, Russ Faria’s defense attorney.
Duhamel most recently starred in the Netflix original series “Jupiter’s Legacy” based on the comic series of the same name. His other TV roles include “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G.,” “11.22.63,” “Las Vegas,” and “All My Children.” He will next be seen opposite Jennifer Lopez in the film “Shotgun Wedding.” He has previously starred in films like the “Transformers” franchise, “When in Rome,” “Lost in the Sun,” “Bravetown,” and “Misconduct.
- 8/20/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Former Las Vegas resident Josh Duhamel is returning to NBC: The actor will star opposite Renée Zellweger in the network’s forthcoming true-crime limited series The Thing About Pam, our sister site Deadline reports.
Based on a true story, the six-episode midseason drama will chronicle the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria, for which her husband, Russ, was convicted despite insisting he did not commit the crime. Russ’ conviction was later overturned, but Betsy’s death set off a chain of events that exposed a diabolical scheme involving Pam Hupp (played by Zellweger). Duhamel will take on the role of Joel Schwartz,...
Based on a true story, the six-episode midseason drama will chronicle the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria, for which her husband, Russ, was convicted despite insisting he did not commit the crime. Russ’ conviction was later overturned, but Betsy’s death set off a chain of events that exposed a diabolical scheme involving Pam Hupp (played by Zellweger). Duhamel will take on the role of Joel Schwartz,...
- 8/20/2021
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: Josh Duhamel has been tapped to star opposite Renée Zellweger in NBC’s limited series The Thing About Pam.
Based on a true-crime phenomenon — the real-life, stranger-than-fiction story behind the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that was featured on Dateline NBC — The Thing About Pam is produced by Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co.
Written by Jessika Borsiczky, The Thing About Pam is based on the murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction, though he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction later wasoverturned. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp (Zellweger).
Duhamel will play Joel Schwartz, the defense attorney for Russ Faria.
The Betsy Faria case was examined on several episodes of Dateline, becoming one of the most popular topics to ever air on the hit NBC newsmagazine.
Based on a true-crime phenomenon — the real-life, stranger-than-fiction story behind the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that was featured on Dateline NBC — The Thing About Pam is produced by Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co.
Written by Jessika Borsiczky, The Thing About Pam is based on the murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction, though he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction later wasoverturned. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp (Zellweger).
Duhamel will play Joel Schwartz, the defense attorney for Russ Faria.
The Betsy Faria case was examined on several episodes of Dateline, becoming one of the most popular topics to ever air on the hit NBC newsmagazine.
- 8/20/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s been 28 years since the start of ABC’s “NYPD Blue,” 22 years since the premiere of HBO’s “The Sopranos” and 13 years since the launch of AMC’s “Breaking Bad.” And if the ratings guides and critical buzz for current shows have taught us anything, it’s that people still love an antihero story. But they are also pleased that the genre has evolved beyond stories of white men doing bad things.
Miranda Kwok, who developed “The Cleaning Lady” based on an Argentine format, thought she’d be pitching her dramatic tale about a Cambodian doctor-turned-American-hotel employee pulled into a moral gray area to cable and streaming networks. Instead, her partners at Warner Bros. Television said, “Let’s shoot for broadcast,” she recalls, because there was “definitely a greater appetite and desire for more diverse voices and perspectives.” The show was ultimately sold to Fox.
Like “Breaking Bad’s...
Miranda Kwok, who developed “The Cleaning Lady” based on an Argentine format, thought she’d be pitching her dramatic tale about a Cambodian doctor-turned-American-hotel employee pulled into a moral gray area to cable and streaming networks. Instead, her partners at Warner Bros. Television said, “Let’s shoot for broadcast,” she recalls, because there was “definitely a greater appetite and desire for more diverse voices and perspectives.” The show was ultimately sold to Fox.
Like “Breaking Bad’s...
- 8/12/2021
- by Whitney Friedlander
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix announced that “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” will return for Season 2 on July 6.
The sketch comedy series, which delivered some of TV’s most memeable moments, brings Robinson’s absurdist humor to life’s most bizarre and mundane situations.
“I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” is created and written by Robinson and Zach Kanin and executive produced by Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone (The Lonely Island), alongside Ali Bell, Alex Bach, Dan Powell and Alice Mathias, who directs with Kanin.
Watch a musical medley of songs from Season 1 featuring Robinson, Sam Richardson and Phredley Brown below.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
Dates
Apple TV Plus announced that “The Snoopy Show” will return with seven new episodes on July 9. The children’s animated series follows America’s favorite beagle and his feathered friend Woodstock, with each episode consisting of three, seven-minute stories.
The sketch comedy series, which delivered some of TV’s most memeable moments, brings Robinson’s absurdist humor to life’s most bizarre and mundane situations.
“I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” is created and written by Robinson and Zach Kanin and executive produced by Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone (The Lonely Island), alongside Ali Bell, Alex Bach, Dan Powell and Alice Mathias, who directs with Kanin.
Watch a musical medley of songs from Season 1 featuring Robinson, Sam Richardson and Phredley Brown below.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
Dates
Apple TV Plus announced that “The Snoopy Show” will return with seven new episodes on July 9. The children’s animated series follows America’s favorite beagle and his feathered friend Woodstock, with each episode consisting of three, seven-minute stories.
- 6/8/2021
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
NBCUniversal brought out the stars to its Upfront on Monday to demonstate how the company’s new content strategy might work in practice.
The company — which has decentralized its buying across linear broadcast, cable and streaming — relied on the likes of Will Smith, Kelly Clarkson, Kevin Hart and Renee Zellweger to help promote its message to advertisers.
They also broke some news including tying Jimmy Fallon down for another five years to host The Tonight Show as well as developing a reboot of classic game show Password, Will Smith teasing a cameo in his Fresh Prince of Bel-Air-inspired Peacock series (see below) and Snoop Dogg searching for the world’s dumbest criminals for the streamer.
There wasn’t a lot of business chat but the once-again virtual presentation was glitzy and also showed off NBCU’s upcoming slate of shows including NBC’s Ordinary Joe, La Brea, Grand Crew and American Auto,...
The company — which has decentralized its buying across linear broadcast, cable and streaming — relied on the likes of Will Smith, Kelly Clarkson, Kevin Hart and Renee Zellweger to help promote its message to advertisers.
They also broke some news including tying Jimmy Fallon down for another five years to host The Tonight Show as well as developing a reboot of classic game show Password, Will Smith teasing a cameo in his Fresh Prince of Bel-Air-inspired Peacock series (see below) and Snoop Dogg searching for the world’s dumbest criminals for the streamer.
There wasn’t a lot of business chat but the once-again virtual presentation was glitzy and also showed off NBCU’s upcoming slate of shows including NBC’s Ordinary Joe, La Brea, Grand Crew and American Auto,...
- 5/18/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Witcher writer and producer Jenny Klein has found a new home.
Klein, who has also written for Supernatural and Jessica Jones, has struck a one-year first-look deal with Blumhouse Television. She previously worked with Jason Blum’s company on Facebook Watch drama Sacred Lies.
This is Klein’s latest deal after she signed an overall with Amazon Studios in 2019. At the streamer, she was a co-exec producer on Hello Sunshine’s upcoming adaptation of the faux rock memoir Daisy Jones & The Six.
Klein will develop new material for The Good Lord Bird producer and will also serve as an executive producer and writer on Blumhouse’s NBC limited series The Thing About Pam, starring Renee Zellweger and showrun by Jessika Borsiczky.
2021 NBC Pilots & Series Orders
During her time on the Netflix video game adaptation, Klein also wrote “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher,” which leapt to No.
Klein, who has also written for Supernatural and Jessica Jones, has struck a one-year first-look deal with Blumhouse Television. She previously worked with Jason Blum’s company on Facebook Watch drama Sacred Lies.
This is Klein’s latest deal after she signed an overall with Amazon Studios in 2019. At the streamer, she was a co-exec producer on Hello Sunshine’s upcoming adaptation of the faux rock memoir Daisy Jones & The Six.
Klein will develop new material for The Good Lord Bird producer and will also serve as an executive producer and writer on Blumhouse’s NBC limited series The Thing About Pam, starring Renee Zellweger and showrun by Jessika Borsiczky.
2021 NBC Pilots & Series Orders
During her time on the Netflix video game adaptation, Klein also wrote “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher,” which leapt to No.
- 5/4/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Renée Zellweger is moving to the world of broadcast TV.
NBC announced Thursday that the two-time Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger is on board to make her broadcast TV debut as both star and executive producer of The Thing About Pam, the hard-to-believe, real-life story that became a worldwide true-crime phenomenon.
The project is a collaboration between Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios, and Zellweger's Big Picture Co.
"When you think about what qualifies something as a 'must watch,' I'm not sure you could do any better than the undeniable trifecta of Renee Zellweger, Blumhouse and 'Dateline,'" said Susan Rovner.
"The twists and turns of this saga are truly stranger than fiction, and in the hands of this incredibly talented artistic team, this series will bring a completely new perspective to a story that has already captivated millions."
The series has snagged a straight-to-series order and based on the...
NBC announced Thursday that the two-time Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger is on board to make her broadcast TV debut as both star and executive producer of The Thing About Pam, the hard-to-believe, real-life story that became a worldwide true-crime phenomenon.
The project is a collaboration between Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios, and Zellweger's Big Picture Co.
"When you think about what qualifies something as a 'must watch,' I'm not sure you could do any better than the undeniable trifecta of Renee Zellweger, Blumhouse and 'Dateline,'" said Susan Rovner.
"The twists and turns of this saga are truly stranger than fiction, and in the hands of this incredibly talented artistic team, this series will bring a completely new perspective to a story that has already captivated millions."
The series has snagged a straight-to-series order and based on the...
- 2/5/2021
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Renée Zellweger is headed to broadcast TV for the first time, courtesy of NBC’s freshly ordered miniseries The Thing About Pam.
Based on a true story, the six-episode project will chronicle the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria, for which her husband, Russ, was convicted despite insisting he did not commit the crime. Russ’ conviction was later overturned, but Betsy’s death set off a chain of events that exposed a diabolical scheme involving Pam Hupp (to be played by Zellweger).
More from TVLineLaw & Order: Organized Crime to Premiere Immediately After Svu Crossover Episode — Find Out WhenGood Girls, Manifest Returns Set...
Based on a true story, the six-episode project will chronicle the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria, for which her husband, Russ, was convicted despite insisting he did not commit the crime. Russ’ conviction was later overturned, but Betsy’s death set off a chain of events that exposed a diabolical scheme involving Pam Hupp (to be played by Zellweger).
More from TVLineLaw & Order: Organized Crime to Premiere Immediately After Svu Crossover Episode — Find Out WhenGood Girls, Manifest Returns Set...
- 2/4/2021
- by Rebecca Iannucci
- TVLine.com
NBC has given a straight to series order to crime drama “The Thing About Pam,” with Renee Zellweger set to executive produce and star.
The six-episode true-crime series from Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co. is based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria, which was explored on the NBC news magazine “Dateline” and in a 201 podcast.
“When you think about what qualifies something as a ‘must watch,’ I’m not sure you could do any better than the undeniable trifecta of Renee Zellweger, Blumhouse and ‘Dateline,’” said Susan Rovner, chairman, entertainment content, NBCUniversal . “The twists and turns of this saga are truly stranger than fiction, and in the hands of this incredibly talented artistic team, this series will bring a completely new perspective to a story that has already captivated millions.”
The series marks the first major project for NBC under Rovner, who joined the...
The six-episode true-crime series from Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co. is based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria, which was explored on the NBC news magazine “Dateline” and in a 201 podcast.
“When you think about what qualifies something as a ‘must watch,’ I’m not sure you could do any better than the undeniable trifecta of Renee Zellweger, Blumhouse and ‘Dateline,’” said Susan Rovner, chairman, entertainment content, NBCUniversal . “The twists and turns of this saga are truly stranger than fiction, and in the hands of this incredibly talented artistic team, this series will bring a completely new perspective to a story that has already captivated millions.”
The series marks the first major project for NBC under Rovner, who joined the...
- 2/4/2021
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
Renee Zellweger is set to make her broadcast TV debut as star and executive producer of the NBC limited series “The Thing About Pam,” which also hails from Blumhouse and NBC News program “Dateline.” The show, which will consist of six episodes, received a straight-to-series order from NBC.
This “The Thing About Pam” is an adaptation of the popular 2019 true-crime podcast of the same name. The case at the center of the podcast also got a bunch of airtime across a multi-episode investigation performed by “Dateline.”
The podcast, and now the show, is based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction. Russ insisted he did not kill his wife, and his conviction was later overturned. The brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp.
Jessika Borsiczky will write the series and serve as showrunner.
This “The Thing About Pam” is an adaptation of the popular 2019 true-crime podcast of the same name. The case at the center of the podcast also got a bunch of airtime across a multi-episode investigation performed by “Dateline.”
The podcast, and now the show, is based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction. Russ insisted he did not kill his wife, and his conviction was later overturned. The brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp.
Jessika Borsiczky will write the series and serve as showrunner.
- 2/4/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Exclusive: In her broadcast debut, two-time Oscar winner Renée Zellweger is set to headline and executive produce limited series The Thing About Pam, which has been greenlighted by NBC with a six-episode straight-to-series order.
Based on a true-crime phenomenon, the real-life, stranger-than-fiction story behind the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that was featured on Dateline NBC, The Thing About Pam is a collaboration between Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co.
The marquee series, one of the highest-profile packages to land on broadcast in quite awhile, marks the first major new scripted project under the purview of Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content. It also marks a return to broadcast for Blumhouse since the company’s very first foray into TV with the 2012 ABC drama The River as well as the first project to come out of Blumhouse TV’s partnership with NBC News Studios announced last year.
Based on a true-crime phenomenon, the real-life, stranger-than-fiction story behind the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that was featured on Dateline NBC, The Thing About Pam is a collaboration between Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co.
The marquee series, one of the highest-profile packages to land on broadcast in quite awhile, marks the first major new scripted project under the purview of Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content. It also marks a return to broadcast for Blumhouse since the company’s very first foray into TV with the 2012 ABC drama The River as well as the first project to come out of Blumhouse TV’s partnership with NBC News Studios announced last year.
- 2/4/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV News Roundup, Netflix released the first trailer for the third season of “Ozark” and the premiere weekend of “Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan” broke ratings records on Nickelodeon.
Casting
Mike Vogel, Adam Demos and Margaret Odette have joined the cast of the upcoming Netflix dramedy series “Sex/Life.” Vogel will play the husband of series protagonist Billie (Sarah Shahi); Demos will play the music mogul heartbreak that Billie hasn’t gotten over; Odette will play Billie’s best friend who accompanies her on the dating scene of Manhattan. Additionally, an entirely female directing team will helm the series, including Patricia Rozema, Jessika Borsiczky, Samira Radsi and Sheree Folkson. “Sex/Life” is executive produced by showrunner and writer Stacy Rukeyser, as well as Jordan Hawley and Borsiczky.
Netflix has announced new series regulars for its upcoming spy thriller “In from the Cold.” Ivanna Sakhno will play a young Russian...
Casting
Mike Vogel, Adam Demos and Margaret Odette have joined the cast of the upcoming Netflix dramedy series “Sex/Life.” Vogel will play the husband of series protagonist Billie (Sarah Shahi); Demos will play the music mogul heartbreak that Billie hasn’t gotten over; Odette will play Billie’s best friend who accompanies her on the dating scene of Manhattan. Additionally, an entirely female directing team will helm the series, including Patricia Rozema, Jessika Borsiczky, Samira Radsi and Sheree Folkson. “Sex/Life” is executive produced by showrunner and writer Stacy Rukeyser, as well as Jordan Hawley and Borsiczky.
Netflix has announced new series regulars for its upcoming spy thriller “In from the Cold.” Ivanna Sakhno will play a young Russian...
- 3/6/2020
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has added three to the cast of its upcoming dramedy series “Sex/Life.”
Mike Vogel, Adam Demos and Margaret Odette will join previously announced star Sarah Shahi in the series based on the Bb Easton book “44Chapters About 4 Men.”
The series tells the story of “a love triangle between a woman, her husband, and her past, which takes a deliciously steamy new look at female identity and desire,” according to Netflix.
Also Read: 'Love Is Blind' Reunion: 7 Most Shocking Moments, From a Surprise Proposal to 'B--, You're Sheisty'
Vogel will play Cooper Connelly, Demos will play Brad Simon, and Odette will play Sasha Snow.
Shahi plays Billie Connelly, described as “a woman with everything to lose, a suburban mother of two who goes in search of that sexy, single girl in the city she used to be ten years ago. She takes a fantasy-charged trip down memory lane...
Mike Vogel, Adam Demos and Margaret Odette will join previously announced star Sarah Shahi in the series based on the Bb Easton book “44Chapters About 4 Men.”
The series tells the story of “a love triangle between a woman, her husband, and her past, which takes a deliciously steamy new look at female identity and desire,” according to Netflix.
Also Read: 'Love Is Blind' Reunion: 7 Most Shocking Moments, From a Surprise Proposal to 'B--, You're Sheisty'
Vogel will play Cooper Connelly, Demos will play Brad Simon, and Odette will play Sasha Snow.
Shahi plays Billie Connelly, described as “a woman with everything to lose, a suburban mother of two who goes in search of that sexy, single girl in the city she used to be ten years ago. She takes a fantasy-charged trip down memory lane...
- 3/5/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Mike Vogel (The Brave) has been tapped as the male lead opposite Sarah Shahi in Netflix’s eight-episode dramedy series Sex/Life. Additionally, Adam Demos (UnReal) and Margaret Odette (Boogie) also have been cast in the project, which has set an all female directing team for the series. Patricia Rozema directs the first two episodes, followed by Jessika Borsiczky, Samira Radsi and Sheree Folkson.
Written by Stacy Rukeyser inspired by Bb Easton’s self-published memoir 44 Chapters About 4 Men, Sex/Life is the story of a love triangle between a woman, Billie Connelly (Shahi), her husband Cooper (Vogel), and her past which takes a deliciously steamy new look at female identity and desire.
Shahi’s Billie Connelly is a suburban mother of two who goes in search of that sexy, single girl in the city...
Written by Stacy Rukeyser inspired by Bb Easton’s self-published memoir 44 Chapters About 4 Men, Sex/Life is the story of a love triangle between a woman, Billie Connelly (Shahi), her husband Cooper (Vogel), and her past which takes a deliciously steamy new look at female identity and desire.
Shahi’s Billie Connelly is a suburban mother of two who goes in search of that sexy, single girl in the city...
- 3/5/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu has finally confirmed that Lifetime drama “UnReal” is moving to the streaming service for its fourth season. And here’s a twist: It’s debuting on Hulu today. And here’s another twist: This is, indeed, the series’ final season.
It’s a surprise move befitting “Everlasting,” the dating competition show-within-a-show that is the centerpiece of “UnReal.” Word of a deal between Hulu and series producer A+E Studios first leaked in May, but was never formally announced until today’s final reveal.
As part of the deal, “UnReal” will now be branded as a Hulu Original Series. Hulu already carries the off-net runs of the first three seasons of “UnReal,” which means the entire library — including all eight episodes of Season 4 — will be available on the service as of today.
“‘UnReal’ has captivated audiences on Hulu since season one, so when this opportunity came to us, we knew we couldn’t miss out,...
It’s a surprise move befitting “Everlasting,” the dating competition show-within-a-show that is the centerpiece of “UnReal.” Word of a deal between Hulu and series producer A+E Studios first leaked in May, but was never formally announced until today’s final reveal.
As part of the deal, “UnReal” will now be branded as a Hulu Original Series. Hulu already carries the off-net runs of the first three seasons of “UnReal,” which means the entire library — including all eight episodes of Season 4 — will be available on the service as of today.
“‘UnReal’ has captivated audiences on Hulu since season one, so when this opportunity came to us, we knew we couldn’t miss out,...
- 7/16/2018
- by Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
The fourth and final season of Lifetime’s UnReal is now available for streaming in its entirety on Hulu. As part of a new deal between Hulu and A+E Studios, the final installment joins the first three seasons of the Peabody Award-winning drama series from Sarah Gertrude Shapiro and Marti Noxon. Deadline reported in May that Lifetime had sold the fourth season to Hulu for a first run. Hulu had previously acquired the exclusive Svod rights to the show in 2016.
Season 4 follows Rachel (Shiri Appleby) and Quinn (Constance Zimmer) as they return to the set of Everlasting for an “All-Stars” themed season, which features former contestants and a new format. Co-creator Shapiro and showrunner Stacy Rukeyser both return for Season 4. New cast members include François Arnaud, Natalie Hall, Meagan Holder and Alejandro Muñoz. Zimmer returns as director for one episode, and Appleby directs two episodes, including the series finale.
The...
Season 4 follows Rachel (Shiri Appleby) and Quinn (Constance Zimmer) as they return to the set of Everlasting for an “All-Stars” themed season, which features former contestants and a new format. Co-creator Shapiro and showrunner Stacy Rukeyser both return for Season 4. New cast members include François Arnaud, Natalie Hall, Meagan Holder and Alejandro Muñoz. Zimmer returns as director for one episode, and Appleby directs two episodes, including the series finale.
The...
- 7/16/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Jessika Borsiczky -- an executive producer on "House of Lies" -- got more than she asked for after listing her contemporary Spanish crib on the market. Borsiczky bought the pad for $1.56 million back in 2009 and sold it for $2.27 million. Her asking price was $2.195 million, so someone Really wanted this 3 bedroom and 4 bathroom pad in Hancock Park. The 2,270 square foot house sits "on the best street in Windsor Square." Perfect timing on the sale ... since Showtime...
- 5/18/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star Glenn Howerton (also of “The Mindy Project”) will appear in multiple episodes of Showtime’s “House of Lies” next season. The actor will play Seth Buckley, a mayoral candidate who seeks advice from Clyde (Ben Schwartz). So, good luck with that, Seth. “House of Lies” stars Don Cheadle, Kristen Bell, Ben Schwartz, Josh Lawson, Donis Leonard Jr. and Glynn Turman. The series is based on tell-all book “House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Tell You the Time” by Martin Kihn. The TV adaptation was created by and is executive produced by Matthew Carnahan.
- 10/22/2015
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
NBC’s Red Bull Signature Series host Sal Masekela will be playing a different tune on Sunday when his band’s new song plays during the premiere of Showtime’s “House of Lies.”
Masekela and his musical partner, Sunny Levine — who make up the band Alekesam — released their single “All Is Forgiven” on iTunes on Friday, and it will feature on the comedy-drama on Jan. 11 at 10 p.m.
See photos: Not Quite America’s Pastime: 10 Obscure Sports That Made it To the Big Screen (Photos)
Masekela launched his career by becoming the face and voice of action sports as a...
Masekela and his musical partner, Sunny Levine — who make up the band Alekesam — released their single “All Is Forgiven” on iTunes on Friday, and it will feature on the comedy-drama on Jan. 11 at 10 p.m.
See photos: Not Quite America’s Pastime: 10 Obscure Sports That Made it To the Big Screen (Photos)
Masekela launched his career by becoming the face and voice of action sports as a...
- 1/9/2015
- by Debbie Emery
- The Wrap
Amazon is developing a pilot for a drama series set in 1910 Los Angeles, named Grand Ave, according to Deadline. The story will revolve around how a small town in southern California became the City of Angels, by focusing on a powerful family who, in this series, set history on its course. It's said that the show will be presented in what Deadline calls an "upstairs/downstairs fashion" that will demonstrate how "the destiny of a select few coincided with a major metropolis on the verge of its grand arrival." The...
- 10/25/2013
- Rollingstone.com
Amazon Studios is nothing if not ambitious in its foray into drama. One of its first two drama pilots, Chris Carter’s The After, is a thriller that takes place at the moment of apocalypse. Now the digital studio has put in development Grand Ave, a large-scale period drama set in 1910 Los Angeles. Written by Ian Goldberg (Once Upon A Time) based on a story he penned with producer Jessika Borsiczky (House Of Lies), Grand Ave chronicles the explosive, overnight transformation of L.A. from small town to iconic American city. The show revolves around a powerful, ruthless family and explores — in an upstairs/downstairs fashion — how the destiny of a select few coincided with a major metropolis on the verge of its grand arrival. Goldberg and Borsiczky, who worked together on ABC’s Flash Forward, will executive produce. 20th century Los Angeles is a popular drama setting this development...
- 10/25/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Diane Haithman contributes to Deadline’s TV coverage. If the 2011-2012 TV schedule is any indication, girls just want to be funny. There are probably more new comedies created, co-created or executive-produced by women in primetime than at any time in history: 2 Broke Girls (Whitney Cummings), The B**** In Apartment 23 (co-creator Nahnatchka Khan) and Girls (Lena Dunham, 2011’s best first screenplay winner at the Independent Spirit Awards for Tiny Furniture). There are more who also might find themselves in the Emmy mix, and Awardsline spoke separately to some of them: Jessika Borsiczky, co-executive producer of Showtime’s House of Lies; Emily Kapnek, creator and co-executive producer of ABC’s Suburgatory; Elizabeth Meriwether, creator and co-executive producer of the Fox comedy New Girl and Emily Spivey, the Saturday Night Live veteran who created and is a co-executive producer of NBC’s Up All Night. Awardsline: There’s been a lot said...
- 6/15/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
With recent hit shows like Nurse Jackie, Weeds, United States of Tara and Episodes, Showtime has carved themselves a piece of the comedy pie. Their latest entry is half-hour series called House of Lies, which is based on Marin Kihn’s book, House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Tell You the Time. The story revolves around a self-loathing management consultant named Marty (Don Cheadle, Ocean’s Eleven, Hotel Rwanda) who makes sure he gets his way by any means necessary. Working with him is a quick-witted Ivy-League grad, Jeannie Van Der Hooven (Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars).
Rounding out the cast are comediants Ben Schwartz (Undercovers), Josh Lawson ($quid The Movie), Dawn Olivery (Heroes), Glynn Turman (In Treatment), and Donis Leonard Jr. (The Fresh Beat Band). Jessika Borsiczky (Flash Forward) is the executive producer and Stephen Hopkins (Californication, 24) will direct and executive produce. Production will...
Rounding out the cast are comediants Ben Schwartz (Undercovers), Josh Lawson ($quid The Movie), Dawn Olivery (Heroes), Glynn Turman (In Treatment), and Donis Leonard Jr. (The Fresh Beat Band). Jessika Borsiczky (Flash Forward) is the executive producer and Stephen Hopkins (Californication, 24) will direct and executive produce. Production will...
- 4/7/2011
- by Ernie Estrella
- BuzzFocus.com
Plotting a possible return to the small screen, "Veronica Mars" star Kristen Bell has joined the cast of the Showtime comedy pilot "House of Lies." Showtime announced on Tuesday (Feb. 1) that Bell will play Jeannie Van Der Hooven, a "razor-sharp, Ivy-League [sic] graduate" working at the management consultant firm fronted by Don Cheadle's cutthroat Marty. "House of Lies" is adapted by Matthew Carnahan ("Dirt") from Martin Kihn's bestseller "House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Tell You the Time." Jessika Borsiczky is executive producing the pilot, which will be directed by Stephen Hopkins ("Californication"). ...
- 2/1/2011
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Former Veronica Mars star Kristen Bell has been tapped for a lead role opposite Don Cheadle in Showtime's dark comedy pilot House of Lies. Written by Matthew Carnahan based on the book by Martin Kihn, the project centers on Marty (Cheadle), a self-loathing highly successful management consultant from a top-tier firm who is never above using any means necessary to get his clients the information they want. Bell will play Jeannie Van Der Hooven, a razor-sharp, Ivy-League graduate who works at Marty’s firm. Bell joins previously cast Dawn Oliveri as Marti's ex-wife, Josh Lawson as Ben Schwartz as his co-workers, Glynn Turman as Marty’s psychoanalyst father; and Donis Leonard Jr. as his young son. Jessika Borsiczky is executive producing the pilot, which will be directed by Stephen Hopkins. Production is slated to begin in February in New York and Los Angeles. Bell's last regular TV role was on NBC's Heroes.
- 2/1/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: It could have easily gotten lost in the shuffle. Matthew Carnahan's half-hour script House of Lies, set in the world of corporate management consulting, was put in development under previous Showtime entertainment president Robert Greenblatt and was turned in just as the pay cable network was undergoing a regime change in the summer. But new Showtime programming chief David Nevins read it shortly after he started and got behind it right away, putting the project on the fact track and attaching Emmy winner Stephen Hopkins to direct it. Now I hear Nevins is eying it as his potential second pilot order following the pickup of drama Homeland starring Claire Danes. The green light is contingent on locking in the lead, which may not be far off. I hear Don Cheadle is in talks to star in the project, which is described as a sophisticated dark comedy about Marty,...
- 12/9/2010
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
"FlashForward" star Christine Woods knows that having a tattoo, like the visible one she has on her arm, can sometimes be a liability for an actor.
Luckily, that wasn't the case with her getting cast in ABC's "FlashForward," which returns to finish its freshman season on Thursday, March 18.
"These tattoos are mine and [my character] Janis'. I get to keep them on the show," Woods told Zap2it at a recent set visit. "It's so wonderful to actually keep your tattoo in a job. It takes away at least an hour in the makeup chair.
"This is what helped me get the job because people couldn't remember my name, but they remembered my tattoo. It's how I got the callback -- 'The girl with the thing on her arm.'"
That "thing" is the image of three circles on the inside of Woods' forearm, which the actress graciously extended to have its picture taken.
Luckily, that wasn't the case with her getting cast in ABC's "FlashForward," which returns to finish its freshman season on Thursday, March 18.
"These tattoos are mine and [my character] Janis'. I get to keep them on the show," Woods told Zap2it at a recent set visit. "It's so wonderful to actually keep your tattoo in a job. It takes away at least an hour in the makeup chair.
"This is what helped me get the job because people couldn't remember my name, but they remembered my tattoo. It's how I got the callback -- 'The girl with the thing on her arm.'"
That "thing" is the image of three circles on the inside of Woods' forearm, which the actress graciously extended to have its picture taken.
- 3/18/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Since we last saw "FlashForward" on ABC, the show has gone through a change in showrunners, banked a number of episodes and, according to executive producer Jessika Borsiczky, really figured out where it wants to go in the second half of the season.
When the show returns at 8 p.m. Et Thursday (March 18), it will begin a drive both to catch up with the April 29 that was in everyone's blackout visions and delve deeper into the characters' lives. The second half of the season, she says, is about "Can you fight your fate, do you want to fight your fate, and is the very act of fighting your fate going to make it come true?
"The biggest difference coming back is, I think we're going to have a lot more fun answering questions," says Borsiczky, who took over as showrunner after co-creator David Goyer departed to work on several movie...
When the show returns at 8 p.m. Et Thursday (March 18), it will begin a drive both to catch up with the April 29 that was in everyone's blackout visions and delve deeper into the characters' lives. The second half of the season, she says, is about "Can you fight your fate, do you want to fight your fate, and is the very act of fighting your fate going to make it come true?
"The biggest difference coming back is, I think we're going to have a lot more fun answering questions," says Borsiczky, who took over as showrunner after co-creator David Goyer departed to work on several movie...
- 3/18/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
"FlashForward's" Sonya Walger will have a new man in her life.
James Callis, known to "Battlestar Galactica" fans as Gaius Baltar, joins the ABC sci fi show as a "strange guy" who possibly helps or hinders Walger's character, Dr. Olivia Benford.
A quick refresher: Olivia, along with everybody else in the world, lost consciousness for 2 minutes 17 seconds, during which she had a "flashforward" vision of her future on April 29. Being happily married to FBI agent Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes), Olivia is understandably upset that her vision featured her having rather tender feelings for a man she's never met. Later, she runs into that man, Lloyd Simcoe (Jack Davenport), and gets reluctantly pulled into his life until he's seen getting taken away by force.
So how does Callis fit into Olivia's story?
Check out what Walger told Zap2it during visit to the "FlashForward" set on Thursday (March 11):
"[Olivia]'s roped into the FBI,...
James Callis, known to "Battlestar Galactica" fans as Gaius Baltar, joins the ABC sci fi show as a "strange guy" who possibly helps or hinders Walger's character, Dr. Olivia Benford.
A quick refresher: Olivia, along with everybody else in the world, lost consciousness for 2 minutes 17 seconds, during which she had a "flashforward" vision of her future on April 29. Being happily married to FBI agent Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes), Olivia is understandably upset that her vision featured her having rather tender feelings for a man she's never met. Later, she runs into that man, Lloyd Simcoe (Jack Davenport), and gets reluctantly pulled into his life until he's seen getting taken away by force.
So how does Callis fit into Olivia's story?
Check out what Walger told Zap2it during visit to the "FlashForward" set on Thursday (March 11):
"[Olivia]'s roped into the FBI,...
- 3/12/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
With delays aplenty, ratings declining and the departure of showrunner David Goyer, it's hard to stay optimistic about ABC's "FlashForward." Still, if there's any news that's going to lift the spirits of the science fiction show's fans, it's this — James Callis is joining the cast.
In an interview with Sci Fi Wire, newly minted co-showrunner Jessika Borsiczky revealed that Callis, who played the morally gray Doctor Gaius Baltar on "Battlestar Galactica," has a major role to play on "FlashForward" in the final episodes of the first season.
"I don't actually want to tell you anything about the character, because he's a really exciting, unusual character," Borsiczky teased. "So I think it's going to be fun for the audience. He's going to be involved with Olivia's trajectory... some of Olivia's journey."
As for how Callis landed a role on the show, Borsiczky said it all has to do with the actor's portayal of Baltar,...
In an interview with Sci Fi Wire, newly minted co-showrunner Jessika Borsiczky revealed that Callis, who played the morally gray Doctor Gaius Baltar on "Battlestar Galactica," has a major role to play on "FlashForward" in the final episodes of the first season.
"I don't actually want to tell you anything about the character, because he's a really exciting, unusual character," Borsiczky teased. "So I think it's going to be fun for the audience. He's going to be involved with Olivia's trajectory... some of Olivia's journey."
As for how Callis landed a role on the show, Borsiczky said it all has to do with the actor's portayal of Baltar,...
- 3/1/2010
- by Josh Wigler
- MTV Movies Blog
Loyal 'Battlestar Galactica' fans have something new to get excited about. James Callis, who played the slightly crazy Dr. Gaius Baltar on the former Syfy series "Battlestar Galactica," has joined this season of ABC's "FlashForward." Executive producer Jessika Borsiczky said Callis will play a major role in the last few episodes of this season as the show fights to earn what may be a tough renewal from ABC. "I don't actually want to tell you anything about the character, because he's a really exciting, unusual character," Borsiczky said about Callis' role. "So I think it's going to be fun for the audience. He's going to be involved with Olivia's trajectory ... Some of Olivia's journey." Not much more information about his role has been released yet - Callis' role is as shrouded ...
- 3/1/2010
- GeekNation.com
After what seems like forever, ABC’s “FlashForward” is due back on the air to continue its blackout conspiracy March 18, 2010, and from there, the network will air 13 new episodes in a row. When the show does return, it’ll have added a new castmember — James Callis, who plays Gaius Baltar on “Battlestar Galactica”, will be doing a multi-episode arc on the show. Speaking to SciFiWire, new showrunner Jessika Borsiczky wouldn’t say what Callis’ role would be, only that it’s “a big role”, especially in the later episodes to close out the show’s first year. “FlashForward”, in case some of you might have forgotten, stars Joseph Fiennes as an FBI agent who is investigating a mysterious event that caused a global blackout for 2 minutes and 17 seconds, during which everyone in the world sees their future.
- 2/27/2010
- by Nix
- SciFiCool.com
As Gaius Baltar on Battlestar Galactica, James Callis was an intriguing, mysterious figure.
It now sounds like he'll play a similar role on FlashForward.
Callis has landed a major role on the ABC drama. He'll come aboard for several episodes at this spring, Jessika Borsiczky told Sci Fi Wire in a new interview.
"When I watched Battlestar, every time he wasn't in a scene I couldn't wait for him to come back," the producer said. "And I really wanted to have an opportunity to work with him. Since the show was ordered, we've been excited to work with him. And I so just cast him in our show. He's playing a big role in some of the final episodes this season, and it was for that very reason."
Borsiczky describes Callis' character as "really exciting" and "unusual." He'll be involved in "some of Olivia's journey."
FlashForward returns on March 18. Prior to then,...
It now sounds like he'll play a similar role on FlashForward.
Callis has landed a major role on the ABC drama. He'll come aboard for several episodes at this spring, Jessika Borsiczky told Sci Fi Wire in a new interview.
"When I watched Battlestar, every time he wasn't in a scene I couldn't wait for him to come back," the producer said. "And I really wanted to have an opportunity to work with him. Since the show was ordered, we've been excited to work with him. And I so just cast him in our show. He's playing a big role in some of the final episodes this season, and it was for that very reason."
Borsiczky describes Callis' character as "really exciting" and "unusual." He'll be involved in "some of Olivia's journey."
FlashForward returns on March 18. Prior to then,...
- 2/26/2010
- by matt@iscribelimited.com (M.L. House)
- TVfanatic
You have wonder why ABC Studios released the first ten episodes of FlashForward on DVD considering they’re already available either on their website or Hulu. And yet, the two-disc set came out this week, a convenient package for those who may have missed out on the fun. And, if you like what you see, the package contains a coupon good for saving $10 on the Complete First Season, advertised as coming in August.
There are just two bonus features contained here: Creating Catastrophe, a 7:06 look at filming the explosive opening scenes from the pilot; and A Look Ahead, 4:48 of enticing clips that focuses more on the relationships than the overall mystery.
The mystery, for those who have yet to discover the series, is how all of mankind blacked out for 2:17 at precisely the same moment (10 p.m. Pst) and everyone experienced a glimpse into their future, April 29, 2010 to be exact.
There are just two bonus features contained here: Creating Catastrophe, a 7:06 look at filming the explosive opening scenes from the pilot; and A Look Ahead, 4:48 of enticing clips that focuses more on the relationships than the overall mystery.
The mystery, for those who have yet to discover the series, is how all of mankind blacked out for 2:17 at precisely the same moment (10 p.m. Pst) and everyone experienced a glimpse into their future, April 29, 2010 to be exact.
- 2/25/2010
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
Following the exit of FlashForward showrunner David Goyer, three new people have been appointed to that role.
Us TV network ABC has announced that Jessika Borsiczky, Lisa Zwerling and Tim Lea will be the new showrunners for the drama, which is presently filming its 17th and 18th episodes.
ABC also says the total number of episodes in this first season will be reduced from 23 to 22. Back in October, the network wanted 25 episodes, then cut it to 24, then 23, before the latest revision.
Goyer, who remains as an executive producer, co-created the show with Brannon Braga, and became a showrunner when Mark Guggenheim exited the role last autumn.
The show returns on March 18.
Us TV network ABC has announced that Jessika Borsiczky, Lisa Zwerling and Tim Lea will be the new showrunners for the drama, which is presently filming its 17th and 18th episodes.
ABC also says the total number of episodes in this first season will be reduced from 23 to 22. Back in October, the network wanted 25 episodes, then cut it to 24, then 23, before the latest revision.
Goyer, who remains as an executive producer, co-created the show with Brannon Braga, and became a showrunner when Mark Guggenheim exited the role last autumn.
The show returns on March 18.
- 2/12/2010
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
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