The first look of David E. Kelley’s investigative drama series “The Calling” were released Monday by Peacock, offering a glimpse into the show ahead of its Nov. 10 debut on the streamer.
Adapted from a series of novels by author Dror Mishani, the show’s plot follows a New York Police Department detective named Avraham Avraham (Jeff Wilbush), who typically relies on spirituality to guide his pursuit of truth until one investigation makes him rethink his beliefs.
The series stars Wilbush, Juliana Canfield, Karen Robinson and Michael Mosley.
One image highlights a particularly tense, yet slightly absurd moment where Wilbush is locked hands with a man wearing a hotdog suit in what looks like the context of an interrogation.
Behind the production is showrunner, writer and executive producer Kelley, whose lengthy career includes series such as “Picket Fences,” “The Practice,” “Ally McBeal” and “Big Little Lies.” Barry Levinson will also...
Adapted from a series of novels by author Dror Mishani, the show’s plot follows a New York Police Department detective named Avraham Avraham (Jeff Wilbush), who typically relies on spirituality to guide his pursuit of truth until one investigation makes him rethink his beliefs.
The series stars Wilbush, Juliana Canfield, Karen Robinson and Michael Mosley.
One image highlights a particularly tense, yet slightly absurd moment where Wilbush is locked hands with a man wearing a hotdog suit in what looks like the context of an interrogation.
Behind the production is showrunner, writer and executive producer Kelley, whose lengthy career includes series such as “Picket Fences,” “The Practice,” “Ally McBeal” and “Big Little Lies.” Barry Levinson will also...
- 9/26/2022
- by Katie Reul and Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Maverick TV, the All3Media-backed production company behind series such as Netflix’s American Barbeque Showdown, is adding a new reality series to its roster and a new head of development.
The company is developing a new docuseries with five-time NBA champion and former LA Laker Derek Fisher.
It has also hired Helga Eike as Head of Development. Eike joins from Westbrook’s Red Table Talk Productions and she was also previously President of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo producer Authentic Entertainment.
The Derek Fisher project will follow the basketball star and his wife, reality TV veteran, Gloria Govan, who previously starred on the Basketball Wives franchise, as well as their extended family. It will look at the drama of co-parenting in the public eye, high-profile exes and demanding teenagers as Fisher, who retired in 2014 before becoming head coach of the New York Knicks until 2016, is looking at life outside of basketball.
The company is developing a new docuseries with five-time NBA champion and former LA Laker Derek Fisher.
It has also hired Helga Eike as Head of Development. Eike joins from Westbrook’s Red Table Talk Productions and she was also previously President of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo producer Authentic Entertainment.
The Derek Fisher project will follow the basketball star and his wife, reality TV veteran, Gloria Govan, who previously starred on the Basketball Wives franchise, as well as their extended family. It will look at the drama of co-parenting in the public eye, high-profile exes and demanding teenagers as Fisher, who retired in 2014 before becoming head coach of the New York Knicks until 2016, is looking at life outside of basketball.
- 9/26/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Westbrook Studios, the production division of Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s media company, is expanding its unscripted activities with the hire of former NBC alternative exec Sahara Bushue.
Bushue, who was most recently SVP of Alternative Development & Current Programming at the network, has been named SVP and Head of Unscripted Television.
While at NBC, she developed and oversaw series including America’s Got Talent, Ellen’s Game of Games, World of Dance, Little Big Shots and Jimmy Fallon’s upcoming series That’s My Jam.
She has been tasked with expanding Westbrook Studios footprint in the unscripted space by identifying new series for development and creating a slate of projects. She will report to Westbrook Studios, Co-President, Head of Television, Terence Carter and starts her new position effective immediately.
She is the latest senior hire at the company, which is part of Westbrook Inc., the media company launched in 2019 by Jada Pinkett Smith,...
Bushue, who was most recently SVP of Alternative Development & Current Programming at the network, has been named SVP and Head of Unscripted Television.
While at NBC, she developed and oversaw series including America’s Got Talent, Ellen’s Game of Games, World of Dance, Little Big Shots and Jimmy Fallon’s upcoming series That’s My Jam.
She has been tasked with expanding Westbrook Studios footprint in the unscripted space by identifying new series for development and creating a slate of projects. She will report to Westbrook Studios, Co-President, Head of Television, Terence Carter and starts her new position effective immediately.
She is the latest senior hire at the company, which is part of Westbrook Inc., the media company launched in 2019 by Jada Pinkett Smith,...
- 11/9/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Authentic Entertainment President Helga Eike has joined Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s Westbrook as President of Red Table Talk.
This is a new position, signaling Westbrook’s plans to further expand the Red Table Talk brand beyond the hugely successful Facebook Watch talk show, featuring Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith and Adrienne Banfield-Norrisand, and its recently launched spinoff, Red Table Talk: The Estefans.
In her new role, Eike, a seasoned unscripted executive and producer, will oversee all aspects of Westbrook’s Red Table Talk business – from development and production of original programming, to brand extensions into podcast, literary, live experiences, and other ancillary products. Westbrook is in the process of developing additional Red Table Talk spinoffs and related content; Eike will focus those efforts of scaling the original Rtt format as well as creating new concepts that fit the brand’s mission to create intimate, communal spaces for healing conversations.
This is a new position, signaling Westbrook’s plans to further expand the Red Table Talk brand beyond the hugely successful Facebook Watch talk show, featuring Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith and Adrienne Banfield-Norrisand, and its recently launched spinoff, Red Table Talk: The Estefans.
In her new role, Eike, a seasoned unscripted executive and producer, will oversee all aspects of Westbrook’s Red Table Talk business – from development and production of original programming, to brand extensions into podcast, literary, live experiences, and other ancillary products. Westbrook is in the process of developing additional Red Table Talk spinoffs and related content; Eike will focus those efforts of scaling the original Rtt format as well as creating new concepts that fit the brand’s mission to create intimate, communal spaces for healing conversations.
- 10/23/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Fresh from making Quibi driving contest Elba vs. Block, Endemol Shine Group has devised an altogether different competition format for the soon-to-launch streamer — this time revolving around cleaning.
Endemol Shine producers Shine TV and Authentic Entertainment have been commissioned by Quibi to make Squeaky Clean (working title), in which three contestants battle it out over two rounds to be crowned a championed cleaner.
Taking place on the “shiniest-floor studio in competition history,” the winner in each of the eight episodes will be determined by a signature white glove and blacklight test.
Shine TV managing director Tanya Shaw said: “Cleaning is something we all do, some with more rigor than others, but what does it take to be the best? Working with Authentic for Quibi means we can answer this question on a global scale.”
Shaw is an executive producer alongside Authentic’s Helga Eike and Sara Reddy. Eike added: “We...
Endemol Shine producers Shine TV and Authentic Entertainment have been commissioned by Quibi to make Squeaky Clean (working title), in which three contestants battle it out over two rounds to be crowned a championed cleaner.
Taking place on the “shiniest-floor studio in competition history,” the winner in each of the eight episodes will be determined by a signature white glove and blacklight test.
Shine TV managing director Tanya Shaw said: “Cleaning is something we all do, some with more rigor than others, but what does it take to be the best? Working with Authentic for Quibi means we can answer this question on a global scale.”
Shaw is an executive producer alongside Authentic’s Helga Eike and Sara Reddy. Eike added: “We...
- 3/10/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Writer and producer Neal Baer, P.J. Palmer, filmmaker/producer behind the critically-acclaimed Lgbtq drama series Anyone But Me, and La-based writer Michael J. Wolfe are teaming to develop The Mystery of the 1957 Gay Wedding Photos as a docuseries. The series is being produced by Endemol Shine North America-owned studio Authentic Entertainment, which is working closely with the teams at One Archives Foundation in Los Angeles & John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives at the William Way Lgbt Community Center in Philadelphia.
The collection of photos, which are among the first to document a gay wedding, were printed circa 1957 at a neighborhood drugstore in North Philadelphia. The images, which are currently housed with One National Gay & Lesbian Archives at the University of Southern California Libraries and the John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives, capture special moments between two men tying the knot, including an exchange of rings in front of witnesses,...
The collection of photos, which are among the first to document a gay wedding, were printed circa 1957 at a neighborhood drugstore in North Philadelphia. The images, which are currently housed with One National Gay & Lesbian Archives at the University of Southern California Libraries and the John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives, capture special moments between two men tying the knot, including an exchange of rings in front of witnesses,...
- 7/25/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Forget all that “Winter is coming” stuff — CNBC is ready for summer. TheWrap can exclusively reveal the cable channel’s Summer 2019 slate, and we’ve also got your first look at JoJo Fletcher’s and Jordan Rodgers’ house-flipping series “Cash Pad,” among other shows.
This summer season, CNBC will air its biggest primetime slate yet, with more than 50 new hours of premieres. Included among them are three new original series: the aforementioned “Cash Pad,” as well as “Listing Impossible” and “Five Day Biz Fix” (working title). Returning are new installments of CNBC’s popular franchise series, “Deal or No Deal” with Howie Mandel, “The Profit: An Inside Look” with Marcus Lemonis, Season 3 of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” Season 13 of “American Greed” and Season 2 of “The Deed: Chicago.”
Watch a preview of the goings-on — including the “Bachelorette” alums’ show — via the video above.
Also Read: 'The Deed' Host Sidney Torres Reveals...
This summer season, CNBC will air its biggest primetime slate yet, with more than 50 new hours of premieres. Included among them are three new original series: the aforementioned “Cash Pad,” as well as “Listing Impossible” and “Five Day Biz Fix” (working title). Returning are new installments of CNBC’s popular franchise series, “Deal or No Deal” with Howie Mandel, “The Profit: An Inside Look” with Marcus Lemonis, Season 3 of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” Season 13 of “American Greed” and Season 2 of “The Deed: Chicago.”
Watch a preview of the goings-on — including the “Bachelorette” alums’ show — via the video above.
Also Read: 'The Deed' Host Sidney Torres Reveals...
- 4/16/2019
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
In today’s TV news roundup, “This Is Us” will not air next week due to the State of the Union and USA reveals “Pearson,” a spin-off of “Suits.”
First Looks
USA has revealed the trailer for “Pearson,” an upcoming spinoff of legal drama “Suits” starring Gina Torres as lawyer Jessica Pearson. A recently disbarred NYC legal expert, Pearson moves to Chicago and must adjust to the dirty politics of the Windy City and her role as the mayor’s fixer. “Suits” creator and executive producer Aaron Korsh will serve with Daniel Arkin as executive producers. Rounding out the cast will be Morgan Spector, Bethany Joy Lenz, Simon Kassianides, Eli Goree, Isabel Arraiza and Chantel Riley.
Dates
NBC has announced that the next episode of “This Is Us” will air on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 9 p.m. to accommodate the State of the Union address. The season finale will be moved to Tuesday,...
First Looks
USA has revealed the trailer for “Pearson,” an upcoming spinoff of legal drama “Suits” starring Gina Torres as lawyer Jessica Pearson. A recently disbarred NYC legal expert, Pearson moves to Chicago and must adjust to the dirty politics of the Windy City and her role as the mayor’s fixer. “Suits” creator and executive producer Aaron Korsh will serve with Daniel Arkin as executive producers. Rounding out the cast will be Morgan Spector, Bethany Joy Lenz, Simon Kassianides, Eli Goree, Isabel Arraiza and Chantel Riley.
Dates
NBC has announced that the next episode of “This Is Us” will air on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 9 p.m. to accommodate the State of the Union address. The season finale will be moved to Tuesday,...
- 1/29/2019
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Look out, Hgtv: CNBC is programming “Real Estate Thursdays” into its primetime lineup. The cable channel has ordered three new real estate series — including one from “Bachelorette” couple JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers — and renewed “The Deed: Chicago” for Season 2.
Also greenlit to series are the multimillion-dollar estate-sale show “Listing Impossible” and the fairly self-explanatory “Five Day Business Flip.” Finally, CNBC has placed “Simonsen Says,” which follows top real estate broker Lisa Simonsen, into development, the net announced Tuesday at the Television Critics Association press tour.
“Whether it’s investing or building or selling, real estate remains one of the best and fastest ways to build wealth,” said Jim Ackerman, executive vice president of CNBC’s primetime alternative programming. “These new shows and our returning series, ‘The Deed: Chicago,’ are a perfect fit for our primetime slate.”
Also Read: Ratings: 'America's Got Talent - The Champions' Sets New...
Also greenlit to series are the multimillion-dollar estate-sale show “Listing Impossible” and the fairly self-explanatory “Five Day Business Flip.” Finally, CNBC has placed “Simonsen Says,” which follows top real estate broker Lisa Simonsen, into development, the net announced Tuesday at the Television Critics Association press tour.
“Whether it’s investing or building or selling, real estate remains one of the best and fastest ways to build wealth,” said Jim Ackerman, executive vice president of CNBC’s primetime alternative programming. “These new shows and our returning series, ‘The Deed: Chicago,’ are a perfect fit for our primetime slate.”
Also Read: Ratings: 'America's Got Talent - The Champions' Sets New...
- 1/29/2019
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
CNBC is focusing on real estate as a programming growth area, with three new original series on that theme joining the primetime lineup in May.
The business network made the announcement during NBCUniversal’s day of cable network presentations at TCA winter press tour.
Listing Impossible follows superstar real estate agent Aaron Kirman and his team as they work to sell multi-million dollar estates that have languished on the market. Cash Pad (working title) is a home renovation series in which Bachelorette couple-turned-home flippers JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers transform ordinary homes and apartments into lucrative short-term rental properties. Five Day Business Flip (working title) features a husband-and-wife design duo who remodel small businesses by creating additional money-making operations for them and do it all in five days.
“Whether it’s investing or building or selling, real estate remains one of the best and fastest ways to build wealth,” said Jim Ackerman Evp,...
The business network made the announcement during NBCUniversal’s day of cable network presentations at TCA winter press tour.
Listing Impossible follows superstar real estate agent Aaron Kirman and his team as they work to sell multi-million dollar estates that have languished on the market. Cash Pad (working title) is a home renovation series in which Bachelorette couple-turned-home flippers JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers transform ordinary homes and apartments into lucrative short-term rental properties. Five Day Business Flip (working title) features a husband-and-wife design duo who remodel small businesses by creating additional money-making operations for them and do it all in five days.
“Whether it’s investing or building or selling, real estate remains one of the best and fastest ways to build wealth,” said Jim Ackerman Evp,...
- 1/29/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Authentic Entertainment today promoted Sara Reddy to Evp Current Programming. Reddy — whose credits include Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and Toddlers and Tiara — has worked for the Endemol Shine-owned production company off and on since 2007, most recently serving overseeing development.
The company behind such unscripted fare as Flipping Out and Trading Spaces today also announced the promotions of Brian Pargac to VP Development and Adriana Garcia to Director of Development. The moves are the first made by Authentic president Helga Eike since she joined the company in the summer.
“Authentic has always been a place that cultivates and promotes home-grown talent,” Eike said. “Sara, Brian, and Adriana have all put in the hours and proven themselves tremendously gifted as storytellers and executives. Sara’s deft touch with characters, Brian’s innate sense of story, and Adriana’s out-of-the-box approach to content put them at the top of their game.
The company behind such unscripted fare as Flipping Out and Trading Spaces today also announced the promotions of Brian Pargac to VP Development and Adriana Garcia to Director of Development. The moves are the first made by Authentic president Helga Eike since she joined the company in the summer.
“Authentic has always been a place that cultivates and promotes home-grown talent,” Eike said. “Sara, Brian, and Adriana have all put in the hours and proven themselves tremendously gifted as storytellers and executives. Sara’s deft touch with characters, Brian’s innate sense of story, and Adriana’s out-of-the-box approach to content put them at the top of their game.
- 1/29/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Authentic Entertainment co-founder and CEO Lauren Lexton, an Emmy Award-winning reality TV and documentary producer, is set to leave the production company she co-founded 18 years ago. The move comes eight years after Endemol acquired Authentic; the company is now a division of Endemol Shine North America.
Authentic’s former head of development, Helga Eike, will take over for Lexton, returning to the company as its new President. Eike, who most recently launched Red Bandit Media with ITV America, previously spent 10 years at Authentic Entertainment as Svp, Development.
Lexton, who has fulfilled her obligation of staying on for at least five years after selling the company, is expected to take a break after her 18-year run at Authentic and handpicked her successor. Over the years, Lexton has worked on thousands of hours of programming that spans more than 80 shows for more than 20 different networks. She has overseen the creation and production...
Authentic’s former head of development, Helga Eike, will take over for Lexton, returning to the company as its new President. Eike, who most recently launched Red Bandit Media with ITV America, previously spent 10 years at Authentic Entertainment as Svp, Development.
Lexton, who has fulfilled her obligation of staying on for at least five years after selling the company, is expected to take a break after her 18-year run at Authentic and handpicked her successor. Over the years, Lexton has worked on thousands of hours of programming that spans more than 80 shows for more than 20 different networks. She has overseen the creation and production...
- 7/17/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Authentic Entertainment co-founder and CEO Lauren Lexton will exit the company after 18 years.
Authentic’s former head of development, Helga Eike, will take over for Lexton, returning as the Endemol Shine North America-owned company’s president. Eike most recently launched Red Bandit Media with ITV America. She previously spent 10 years at Authentic Entertainment as senior vice president of development. An individual with knowledge of the situation said that Lexton hand picked Eike as her replacement.
“Lauren has developed and produced some of the most iconic unscripted series of the last two decades and helped build Authentic Entertainment into one of the leading production companies in our industry,” said Endemol Shine North America CEO Cris Abrego. “We are all truly thankful for her many contributions. And while we say a fond farewell to Lauren, we are happy to welcome Helga back to the studio that she helped lead to tremendous success,...
Authentic’s former head of development, Helga Eike, will take over for Lexton, returning as the Endemol Shine North America-owned company’s president. Eike most recently launched Red Bandit Media with ITV America. She previously spent 10 years at Authentic Entertainment as senior vice president of development. An individual with knowledge of the situation said that Lexton hand picked Eike as her replacement.
“Lauren has developed and produced some of the most iconic unscripted series of the last two decades and helped build Authentic Entertainment into one of the leading production companies in our industry,” said Endemol Shine North America CEO Cris Abrego. “We are all truly thankful for her many contributions. And while we say a fond farewell to Lauren, we are happy to welcome Helga back to the studio that she helped lead to tremendous success,...
- 7/17/2018
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Authentic Entertainment is losing longtime executive and co-founder Lauren Lexton.
The CEO, a trailblazer in reality TV programming, is set to depart after a 18-year tenure with the production company, which is now a division of Endemol Shine North America. Stepping in for Lexton will be Helga Eike. The company's former head of development, who departed in 2016 to launch Red Bandit Media, returns as president.
“Helga helped build Authentic, so it’s perfect that she will now run it." Lexton said Tuesday in a statement. "She’s one of the smartest people I know and I’...
The CEO, a trailblazer in reality TV programming, is set to depart after a 18-year tenure with the production company, which is now a division of Endemol Shine North America. Stepping in for Lexton will be Helga Eike. The company's former head of development, who departed in 2016 to launch Red Bandit Media, returns as president.
“Helga helped build Authentic, so it’s perfect that she will now run it." Lexton said Tuesday in a statement. "She’s one of the smartest people I know and I’...
- 7/17/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
ITV America and former Authentic Entertainment producer/exec Helga Eike have teamed to launch Red Bandit Media. The production outfit will be run by Eike, who will serve as president. The plan is to develop and produce unscripted programming across a range of unscripted styles and genres. Red Bandit joins the ever-growing ITV America portfolio that includes the Leftfield Entertainment group of production companies and ITV Entertainment as well as Thinkfactory Media, High…...
- 6/7/2016
- Deadline TV
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