Lionsgate will at long last launch its standalone film and TV studio business, Lionsgate Studios, on Nasdaq on Tuesday.
The studio, led by CEO Jon Feltheimer, said the transaction will see the spun-off company begin trading separate from Lionsgate’s Starz business and under the ticket symbol Lion. It expects to raise $350 million in proceeds. Lionsgate Studios is made up of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group and Television Studio business, along with a 20,000-strong film and TV library.
“This transaction reaffirms our longstanding belief in the value of premium content by enabling us to launch Lionsgate Studios as one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies,” Feltheimer and vice chair Michael Burns said in a statement ahead of the Nasdaq’s opening bell on Tuesday.
“It is an important step forward in the process of preparing strategically and financially for the full separation of our studio...
The studio, led by CEO Jon Feltheimer, said the transaction will see the spun-off company begin trading separate from Lionsgate’s Starz business and under the ticket symbol Lion. It expects to raise $350 million in proceeds. Lionsgate Studios is made up of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group and Television Studio business, along with a 20,000-strong film and TV library.
“This transaction reaffirms our longstanding belief in the value of premium content by enabling us to launch Lionsgate Studios as one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies,” Feltheimer and vice chair Michael Burns said in a statement ahead of the Nasdaq’s opening bell on Tuesday.
“It is an important step forward in the process of preparing strategically and financially for the full separation of our studio...
- 5/13/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lionsgate has moved one step closer to spinning off its film and TV studios business in a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (Spac) to create a separately traded public company.
Screaming Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Spac — often referred to as a blank check company — led by Spac sponsor Eagle Equity Partners and CEO Eli Baker in an SEC filing on Tuesday said the registration statement for the proposed merger has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which should pave the way for the deal to close and Lionsgate Studios to launch as a standalone company in early May by listing on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol Lion.
The merger prospectus has been mailed to Screaming Eagle’s shareholders and public warrant holders, and extraordinary shareholders meetings have been called for May 7. “The parties anticipate that the business combination will close in early May, subject to satisfaction...
Screaming Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Spac — often referred to as a blank check company — led by Spac sponsor Eagle Equity Partners and CEO Eli Baker in an SEC filing on Tuesday said the registration statement for the proposed merger has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which should pave the way for the deal to close and Lionsgate Studios to launch as a standalone company in early May by listing on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol Lion.
The merger prospectus has been mailed to Screaming Eagle’s shareholders and public warrant holders, and extraordinary shareholders meetings have been called for May 7. “The parties anticipate that the business combination will close in early May, subject to satisfaction...
- 4/17/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lionsgate has released its third quarter financial results after unveiling plans for a spinoff of its studio business from the premium cable and streaming platform Starz via a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (Spac) deal.
The studio swung to a third quarter net loss at $107.4 million, compared to a year-earlier profit of $15.2 million, on overall revenue falling to $975.1 million, against $1 billion in the same period of last year during the three months to Dec. 31, 2023.
Lionsgate posted an adjusted earnings per-share at 27 cents, compared to a year-earlier per-share earnings of 21 cents, which in the latest financial quarter beat an analyst estimate by six cents. Shares in the Hollywood studio rose in after hour trading by 60 cent, or .6 percent, to $10.86.
Lionsgate reported record trailing 12-month library revenue of $784 million in the quarter.
The studio business, made up of the film and TV divisions, saw revenue fall by 23 percent to $691.6 million. TV production revenue fell sharply to $285.4 million,...
The studio swung to a third quarter net loss at $107.4 million, compared to a year-earlier profit of $15.2 million, on overall revenue falling to $975.1 million, against $1 billion in the same period of last year during the three months to Dec. 31, 2023.
Lionsgate posted an adjusted earnings per-share at 27 cents, compared to a year-earlier per-share earnings of 21 cents, which in the latest financial quarter beat an analyst estimate by six cents. Shares in the Hollywood studio rose in after hour trading by 60 cent, or .6 percent, to $10.86.
Lionsgate reported record trailing 12-month library revenue of $784 million in the quarter.
The studio business, made up of the film and TV divisions, saw revenue fall by 23 percent to $691.6 million. TV production revenue fell sharply to $285.4 million,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer says spinning off his Hollywood film and TV studio business from Starz via a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (Spac) deal offers the best flexibility available before completing a planned and long-awaited full separation.
“We believe this transaction sets a valuation for the studio and increases our strategic optionality as we move toward separation,” Feltheimer told financial analysts during an after-market call on Thursday. His comments to investors follow Lionsgate unveiling plans last month to back into a Spac to create a separately traded public company with a $4.6 billion enterprise value.
Feltheimer told analysts the Spac deal was the best way to uncover hidden shareholder value for the studio and Starz assets after the Hollywood studio considered strategic alternatives. “We had a number of options available for executing this step in our overall strategic plan. We believe that we selected the best option for aligning with our goal of a full separation,...
“We believe this transaction sets a valuation for the studio and increases our strategic optionality as we move toward separation,” Feltheimer told financial analysts during an after-market call on Thursday. His comments to investors follow Lionsgate unveiling plans last month to back into a Spac to create a separately traded public company with a $4.6 billion enterprise value.
Feltheimer told analysts the Spac deal was the best way to uncover hidden shareholder value for the studio and Starz assets after the Hollywood studio considered strategic alternatives. “We had a number of options available for executing this step in our overall strategic plan. We believe that we selected the best option for aligning with our goal of a full separation,...
- 1/4/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Deal to create publicly traded pure play content company expected to close in spring 2024.
Lionsgate said on Friday it will separate its film and TV business and 18,000- strong library to create Lionsgate Studios Corp., a stand-alone publicly traded entity with an enterprise value of $4.6bn.
The studio business will merge with Screaming Eagle Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition rights company created for the transaction. The Starz TV network and streaming platform will remain wholly owned by Lionsgate.
The transaction is expected to close in spring 2024.
Lionsgate said in a press release the deal positions Lionsgate Studios as a “platform-agnostic,...
Lionsgate said on Friday it will separate its film and TV business and 18,000- strong library to create Lionsgate Studios Corp., a stand-alone publicly traded entity with an enterprise value of $4.6bn.
The studio business will merge with Screaming Eagle Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition rights company created for the transaction. The Starz TV network and streaming platform will remain wholly owned by Lionsgate.
The transaction is expected to close in spring 2024.
Lionsgate said in a press release the deal positions Lionsgate Studios as a “platform-agnostic,...
- 12/22/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Lionsgate’s long-gestating plan to split the studio with Starz is finally a go as the company announced today that Studios — the TV studio, motion picture group and film and television libraries — will merge with Screaming Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Spac (special purpose acquisition company) led by Eli Baker.
The separation is expected to close this spring turning Lionsgate Studios into one of the biggest global pure-play publicly-traded content companies and the hope is, an attractive acquisition target — adding more fuel to the media M&a chatter already in full swing. The Studios’ portfolio includes franchise properties The Hunger Games, John Wick, The Twilight Saga and Ghosts; a robust film and television production and distribution business; a leading talent management and production company; and a large film and television library that throws off significant cash.
Lionsgate has planned for nearly two years to separate the studio and Starz. CEO Jon Feltheimer...
The separation is expected to close this spring turning Lionsgate Studios into one of the biggest global pure-play publicly-traded content companies and the hope is, an attractive acquisition target — adding more fuel to the media M&a chatter already in full swing. The Studios’ portfolio includes franchise properties The Hunger Games, John Wick, The Twilight Saga and Ghosts; a robust film and television production and distribution business; a leading talent management and production company; and a large film and television library that throws off significant cash.
Lionsgate has planned for nearly two years to separate the studio and Starz. CEO Jon Feltheimer...
- 12/22/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
In a move it has telegraphed for some time, Lionsgate unveiled a deal to spin off its studios business in a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (Spac) deal to create a separately traded public company with a $4.6 billion enterprise value.
The proposed Spac-style merger follows strategic talks by the Jon Feltheimer-led company to spin off its studio division or Starz streaming platform. The studio business, comprising Lionsgate’s TV production and Motion Picture Group divisions and a 20,000-title film and TV library, will be combined with Screaming Eagle Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition rights company — often referred to as a blank check company — led by Spac sponsor Eagle Equity Partners and CEO Eli Baker.
The newly merged entity, Lionsgate Studios Corp., will be a publicly traded vehicle able to raise fresh capital and merge with existing businesses. Its biggest asset will arguably be its vast library of movies and television franchises.
The proposed Spac-style merger follows strategic talks by the Jon Feltheimer-led company to spin off its studio division or Starz streaming platform. The studio business, comprising Lionsgate’s TV production and Motion Picture Group divisions and a 20,000-title film and TV library, will be combined with Screaming Eagle Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition rights company — often referred to as a blank check company — led by Spac sponsor Eagle Equity Partners and CEO Eli Baker.
The newly merged entity, Lionsgate Studios Corp., will be a publicly traded vehicle able to raise fresh capital and merge with existing businesses. Its biggest asset will arguably be its vast library of movies and television franchises.
- 12/22/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lionsgate has named longtime media executive, investor and successful Spac specialist Harry Sloan to its board of directors effective immediately. It said Sloan qualifies as an “independent” director of the company under the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. He has not yet been appointed to serve as a member of any Board committee. He replaces David Zaslav, who exited the board in May after the Discovery-WarnerMedia merger was announced. It described its newest board member as “an experienced founder, public company chief executive officer and a leading investor in the media, entertainment and technology industries.” Since 2011, he has co-founded seven special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) with partners, including Jeff Sagansky and Eli Baker, raising over $4 billion in gross proceeds. All his SPACs have completed business combinations from sports betting giant DraftKings to mobile gaming company Skillz. Most recently, Sloane’s Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. raised $1.725 billion in its initial...
- 12/16/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Vanna Krantz, chief financial officer of Disney Streaming Services, will be named to the board of Skillz, the mobile e-sports platform that’s completing its merger with Harry Sloan’s Flying Eagle Acquisition Corp. Spac to become a public company.
Kranz, previously CFO of Disney-acquired BAMTech Media, is Skillz’ first director appointment as the company builds its board and will bring streaming experience to the future viewership of e-sports on the platform.
The Skillz deal, announced in September, is expected to close in the current fourth quarter. Krantz will joins the board once that happens.
Flying Eagle is a Special Purpose Acquisition Vehicle, or Spac. These are also called “blank check” entities that raise cash from investors, go public and look for companies to buy – meaning the acquisition targets also become public companies but in a process that’s faster and easier than a traditional initial public offering.
Skillz...
Kranz, previously CFO of Disney-acquired BAMTech Media, is Skillz’ first director appointment as the company builds its board and will bring streaming experience to the future viewership of e-sports on the platform.
The Skillz deal, announced in September, is expected to close in the current fourth quarter. Krantz will joins the board once that happens.
Flying Eagle is a Special Purpose Acquisition Vehicle, or Spac. These are also called “blank check” entities that raise cash from investors, go public and look for companies to buy – meaning the acquisition targets also become public companies but in a process that’s faster and easier than a traditional initial public offering.
Skillz...
- 10/13/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Jeff Sagansky and former MGM boss Harry Sloan are launching Flying Eagle Acquisition Corp, the pair’s sixth special-purpose acquisition company. The new entity’s Ipo, launching Friday, has been priced at $10 per unit for 60,000,000 units, which each consisting of one share of Class A common stock and one-fourth of one warrant to purchase one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share.
The new units will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “Feac.U.” The company said that after the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the shares of Class A common stock and warrants are expected to be listed under the symbols “Feac” and “Feac Ws,” respectively. The offering is expected to close March 10.
Sloan is listed as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the company, and Eli Baker is President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.
The new units will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “Feac.U.” The company said that after the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the shares of Class A common stock and warrants are expected to be listed under the symbols “Feac” and “Feac Ws,” respectively. The offering is expected to close March 10.
Sloan is listed as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the company, and Eli Baker is President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.
- 3/6/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Harry Sloan, known in Hollywood for, among other things, leading MGM in the 2000s, and former CBS executive Jeff Sagansky, have priced the initial public offering of their fifth public acquisition vehicle.
Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp., to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, will aim to raise $400 million, with plans to invest it in companies in technology, media and other sectors. Each unit issued in the Ipo consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-third of one warrant to purchase one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per whole share.
While it is not under the same microscope, the announcement of Sloan and Sagansky’s latest Ipo plan comes on the same day Uber held a high-profile but disappointing debut as a public company. Shares closed at $41.57, down 8% in an unusual dip for a new issue, which had already been in a conservatively priced initial range.
Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp., to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, will aim to raise $400 million, with plans to invest it in companies in technology, media and other sectors. Each unit issued in the Ipo consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-third of one warrant to purchase one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per whole share.
While it is not under the same microscope, the announcement of Sloan and Sagansky’s latest Ipo plan comes on the same day Uber held a high-profile but disappointing debut as a public company. Shares closed at $41.57, down 8% in an unusual dip for a new issue, which had already been in a conservatively priced initial range.
- 5/10/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran Hollywood executives Jeff Sagansky and Harry Sloan are launching Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp. with a $400 million initial public offering.
Diamond Eagle Acquisition is the fifth public acquisition vehicle since 2011 launched by Sagansky and Sloan. These kind of acquisition companies have gained in popularity in recent years as a means for investors to participate in new players in the media and digital sector — particularly with rivals emerging to Netflix in streaming technology.
Their other companies — Global Eagle Acquisition, Silver Eagle Acquisition, Double Eagle Acquisition and Platinum Eagle — raised a combined $1.6 billion for investment purposes. Diamond Eagle will be looking to invest in media companies as did Global Eagle, which moved into in-flight entertainment holdings, and Silver Eagle, which bought a 38% stake in Indian pay-tv service provider Videocon d2h.
The Ipo included 40 million units at $10 per unit. Each unit issued in the initial public offering consists of one share of...
Diamond Eagle Acquisition is the fifth public acquisition vehicle since 2011 launched by Sagansky and Sloan. These kind of acquisition companies have gained in popularity in recent years as a means for investors to participate in new players in the media and digital sector — particularly with rivals emerging to Netflix in streaming technology.
Their other companies — Global Eagle Acquisition, Silver Eagle Acquisition, Double Eagle Acquisition and Platinum Eagle — raised a combined $1.6 billion for investment purposes. Diamond Eagle will be looking to invest in media companies as did Global Eagle, which moved into in-flight entertainment holdings, and Silver Eagle, which bought a 38% stake in Indian pay-tv service provider Videocon d2h.
The Ipo included 40 million units at $10 per unit. Each unit issued in the initial public offering consists of one share of...
- 5/10/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Network: NBC
Episodes: 13 (half-hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: February 23, 2014 -- June 11, 2014
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: J. K. Simmons, Jenna Elfman, Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley, Lance Lim, and Jason Bateman.
TV show description:
This single-camera comedy series was inspired by the real life experiences of executive producer DJ Nash and tells the story of an unusual family that's drawn closer together after a divorce.
Mel Fisher (J.K. Simmons) chops down trees, teaches his daughter to drive, and plays football with his son. He could be considered a typical father -- except for the fact that he's blind. He's a lawyer who prides himself on not letting his limitation limit him. He and his wife are getting a divorce.
In some ways, Joyce (Jenna Elfman) is like a...
Episodes: 13 (half-hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: February 23, 2014 -- June 11, 2014
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: J. K. Simmons, Jenna Elfman, Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley, Lance Lim, and Jason Bateman.
TV show description:
This single-camera comedy series was inspired by the real life experiences of executive producer DJ Nash and tells the story of an unusual family that's drawn closer together after a divorce.
Mel Fisher (J.K. Simmons) chops down trees, teaches his daughter to drive, and plays football with his son. He could be considered a typical father -- except for the fact that he's blind. He's a lawyer who prides himself on not letting his limitation limit him. He and his wife are getting a divorce.
In some ways, Joyce (Jenna Elfman) is like a...
- 6/13/2014
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
There's a little good news for fans of NBC's cancelled sitcom Growing Up Fisher. The network is finally getting around to airing the last two episodes.
Growing Up Fisher follows an unorthodox family that becomes closer after the parents divorce. The cast includes Elfman, J. K. Simmons, Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley, and Lance Lim. Jason Bateman is the show's narrator.
The show was cancelled earlier this month due to low ratings. The network only ordered 13 episodes of the mid-season replacement series and the last two episodes have been scheduled and then bumped twice.
The peacock network has now made room for the final episodes on Wednesday, June 11th, at 8pm. They'll be followed by an NBC News special called "The People Vs. O.J. Simpson: What the Jury Never Heard."
Here are the episode descriptions:
"Growing...
Growing Up Fisher follows an unorthodox family that becomes closer after the parents divorce. The cast includes Elfman, J. K. Simmons, Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley, and Lance Lim. Jason Bateman is the show's narrator.
The show was cancelled earlier this month due to low ratings. The network only ordered 13 episodes of the mid-season replacement series and the last two episodes have been scheduled and then bumped twice.
The peacock network has now made room for the final episodes on Wednesday, June 11th, at 8pm. They'll be followed by an NBC News special called "The People Vs. O.J. Simpson: What the Jury Never Heard."
Here are the episode descriptions:
"Growing...
- 5/31/2014
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
NBC has decided to cancel their struggling comedy Growing Up Fisher after a single season of 13 episodes. While there won't be a second season, there are still two new episodes to come.
Growing Up Fisher follows an unorthodox family that becomes closer after the parents divorce. The cast includes Elfman, J. K. Simmons, Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley, and Lance Lim. Jason Bateman is the show's narrator.
The sitcom started off with okay ratings -- at least when compared to NBC's other comedies. They dropped over the course of the season however and hit a new series low this week with a 1.2 demo rating and 5.05 million total viewers. That surely didn't help this show's chances.
There are two unaired episodes remaining and NBC has announced that they will air in a one-hour block on Wednesday, May 28th.
Growing Up Fisher follows an unorthodox family that becomes closer after the parents divorce. The cast includes Elfman, J. K. Simmons, Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley, and Lance Lim. Jason Bateman is the show's narrator.
The sitcom started off with okay ratings -- at least when compared to NBC's other comedies. They dropped over the course of the season however and hit a new series low this week with a 1.2 demo rating and 5.05 million total viewers. That surely didn't help this show's chances.
There are two unaired episodes remaining and NBC has announced that they will air in a one-hour block on Wednesday, May 28th.
- 5/10/2014
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Jenna Elfman's last NBC sitcom, 1600 Penn, only lasted one short season because of low ratings. Will Growing Up Fisher be cancelled as well or will it be renewed for a second season instead? Stay tuned.
Growing Up Fisher follows an unorthodox family that becomes closer after the parents divorce. The cast includes Elfman, J. K. Simmons, Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley, and Lance Lim. Jason Bateman is the show's narrator.
The ratings are typically the best indication of a show's likelihood of staying on the air. The higher the ratings (particularly the 18-49 demo), the better the chances for survival. This chart will be updated as new ratings data becomes available -- usually the next day, around 11:30am Est/8:30am Pst. Refresh to see the latest.
How are your shows doing? Check the season rankings: ABC | CBS | The CW |Fox |...
Growing Up Fisher follows an unorthodox family that becomes closer after the parents divorce. The cast includes Elfman, J. K. Simmons, Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley, and Lance Lim. Jason Bateman is the show's narrator.
The ratings are typically the best indication of a show's likelihood of staying on the air. The higher the ratings (particularly the 18-49 demo), the better the chances for survival. This chart will be updated as new ratings data becomes available -- usually the next day, around 11:30am Est/8:30am Pst. Refresh to see the latest.
How are your shows doing? Check the season rankings: ABC | CBS | The CW |Fox |...
- 3/12/2014
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Sitcoms so often fall into that chasm between sweet and treacle. Clueless dads, overwhelmed moms and precocious kids tumble in, and no amount of mugging rescues them.
NBC's "Growing Up Fisher" deftly veers from the treacle yet is unabashedly sweet. Previewing Sunday, Feb. 23, after the Closing Ceremony of the Xxii Winter Olympics, it then settles into the Tuesday schedule on Feb. 25.
"Growing Up Fisher" is the story of the love a son has for his dad. Jason Bateman narrates, and it's told from 11-year-old Henry's (Eli Baker) perspective of having a great dad, Mel (J.K. Simmons), who never met an obstacle he couldn't overcome.
"Do you have any idea how hard it is having a father who's a blind lawyer?" creator DJ Nash, who based this on his dad, tells Zap2it. "I couldn't complain about anything. You know, like, 'Dad, I'm having trouble with my book report.' [And his response would be] 'I went to law school blind.
NBC's "Growing Up Fisher" deftly veers from the treacle yet is unabashedly sweet. Previewing Sunday, Feb. 23, after the Closing Ceremony of the Xxii Winter Olympics, it then settles into the Tuesday schedule on Feb. 25.
"Growing Up Fisher" is the story of the love a son has for his dad. Jason Bateman narrates, and it's told from 11-year-old Henry's (Eli Baker) perspective of having a great dad, Mel (J.K. Simmons), who never met an obstacle he couldn't overcome.
"Do you have any idea how hard it is having a father who's a blind lawyer?" creator DJ Nash, who based this on his dad, tells Zap2it. "I couldn't complain about anything. You know, like, 'Dad, I'm having trouble with my book report.' [And his response would be] 'I went to law school blind.
- 2/25/2014
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
"Growing Up Fisher" isn't exactly what you would call "edgy" comedy. When the plot doesn't get any crazier than a blind guy taking a chainsaw to a tree, it's hard to say that a show provides biting social commentary and meta humor.
But that's Ok. Sometimes it's nice to have a fun, well-acted, pleasant sitcom both about and for the family.
Based on the real-life story of show creator DJ Nash, "Growing Up Fisher" focuses on a slightly quirky family. Leading the oddness is J.K. Simmons ("The Closer") as Mel Fisher, a highly successful lawyer who is blind but refuses to let that be a factor in his life. Seriously, the guy doesn't tell clients he can't see and occasionally drives a car. At the beginning of the show, Mel and his wife Joyce (Jenna Elfman, "Dharma and Greg") get a divorce, essentially so they can each find themselves.
For Joyce,...
But that's Ok. Sometimes it's nice to have a fun, well-acted, pleasant sitcom both about and for the family.
Based on the real-life story of show creator DJ Nash, "Growing Up Fisher" focuses on a slightly quirky family. Leading the oddness is J.K. Simmons ("The Closer") as Mel Fisher, a highly successful lawyer who is blind but refuses to let that be a factor in his life. Seriously, the guy doesn't tell clients he can't see and occasionally drives a car. At the beginning of the show, Mel and his wife Joyce (Jenna Elfman, "Dharma and Greg") get a divorce, essentially so they can each find themselves.
For Joyce,...
- 2/23/2014
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
"Growing Up Fisher" is a classic sitcom -- assuming a classic sitcom features a blind dad, an immature mom, a couple of kids and a guide dog. Zap2it visited the set of this new comedy and talked to the actors of the Fisher family -- J.K. Simmons, Jenna Elfman, Eli Baker and Ava Deluca-Verley.
Simmons and Elfman talked about their characters, Mel and Joyce, and, for Simmons, the challenges of playing a crazy blind man on the show.
Deluca-Verley plays teenage daughter Katie. Much saner than her parents, Katie looks set to have some trouble with a returning-to-adolescence mom.
Henry, the 12-year-old kid at the center of "Growing Up Fisher," is played by Baker. What's a pre-adolescent's take on the character? Check it out below.
"Growing Up Fisher" premieres at a special time after the Winter Olympics closing ceremony on Sunday (Feb. 23). The show moves to its regular time Tuesday,...
Simmons and Elfman talked about their characters, Mel and Joyce, and, for Simmons, the challenges of playing a crazy blind man on the show.
Deluca-Verley plays teenage daughter Katie. Much saner than her parents, Katie looks set to have some trouble with a returning-to-adolescence mom.
Henry, the 12-year-old kid at the center of "Growing Up Fisher," is played by Baker. What's a pre-adolescent's take on the character? Check it out below.
"Growing Up Fisher" premieres at a special time after the Winter Olympics closing ceremony on Sunday (Feb. 23). The show moves to its regular time Tuesday,...
- 2/23/2014
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
J.K. Simmons can be a warm paternal presence, a comedic force, a terrifying human monster, or a wry closing-pitcher fifth wheel to the nominal protagonists. (See, respectively: the dad in Juno, J. Jonah Jameson in the Spider-Man trilogy, Schillinger on Oz, his recurring role as a psychiatrist in the Law & Orderverse.) To the extent that NBC’s new comedy Growing Up Fisher works at all, it works because of Simmons. The show is based on the actual life story of creator DJ Nash, and it’s narrated by an older version of his onscreen surrogate Henry (Eli Baker) — although it...
- 2/21/2014
- by Darren Franich
- EW.com - PopWatch
Clueless no more, Dan Hedaya is bringing some fatherly love to The Mindy Project.
The veteran actor (Clueless, Family Ties) is making his way to the Fox comedy this season as Danny’s Mia deadbeat dad, Vulture reports.
Little is known about the installment other than that his character is named Alan Castellano and he lives in Joshua Tree — a fact that brings Danny and Mindy to the California desert town.
Related | The Mindy Project‘s Midseason Hiatus
As TVLine previously reported, this same installment — penned by Kaling and recent Emmy winner Tracy Wigfield — “really advances [Danny and Mindy's] story romantically.” So… squee!
The veteran actor (Clueless, Family Ties) is making his way to the Fox comedy this season as Danny’s Mia deadbeat dad, Vulture reports.
Little is known about the installment other than that his character is named Alan Castellano and he lives in Joshua Tree — a fact that brings Danny and Mindy to the California desert town.
Related | The Mindy Project‘s Midseason Hiatus
As TVLine previously reported, this same installment — penned by Kaling and recent Emmy winner Tracy Wigfield — “really advances [Danny and Mindy's] story romantically.” So… squee!
- 12/3/2013
- by Megan Masters
- TVLine.com
1600 Penn’s short run on NBC may be over but Jenna Elfman is staying with the network. The Dharma & Greg alumna has officially been added to the cast of Growing Up Fisher with J.K. Simmons. Replacing Parker Posey on the upcoming midseason comedy, Elfman will play Joyce Fisher, the ex-wife of blind lawyer Mel Fisher. Simmons plays Mel in the show that centers on 11-year old son Henry dealing with his parent’s divorce. Eli Baker plays Henry with Ava Deluca-Verley as his teenage sister Katie. Former Friends star David Schwimmer directed the pilot. Formerly known as The Family Guide, Growing Up Fisher is from Universal Television and Aggregate Films. The series is executive produced by DJ Nash, Jim Garavente and Jason Bateman, who also serves as the show’s narrator. Jenna Elfman is repped by Wme and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
- 7/9/2013
- by DOMINIC PATTEN
- Deadline TV
It wasn’t that long ago that news spread Jenna Elfman was under consideration to take on the lead female role in Growing Up Fisher, formerly known as The Family Guide, after Parker Posey decided to leave the project shortly after it was given its series order. Now I can say with absolute certainty that Elfman has taken the role, which I was, and still am, glad she was offered. Some might not find her to be a desirable actress, but I’ve always enjoyed her spirit, even during her days on Dharma & Greg. I like to hope Growing Up Fisher will be a bigger success for Elfman than her last NBC series, 1600 Penn, was.
NBC closed their deal with Elfman, says TVLine, to take over the part of a divorced mother who finds her adolescence all over again, bringing her closer to her son (Eli Baker). Her son also...
NBC closed their deal with Elfman, says TVLine, to take over the part of a divorced mother who finds her adolescence all over again, bringing her closer to her son (Eli Baker). Her son also...
- 7/2/2013
- by Brody Gibson
- Boomtron
Jenna Elfman has joined "Growing Up Fisher."
According to TVLine, Elfman will co-star as Joyce Fisher opposite J.K. Simmons in the new NBC comedy previously titled "The Family Guide." Parker Posey played the role in the pilot, but exited the series following the completion of the pilot.
The midseason comedy follows Mel Fisher (Simmons), a blind lawyer whose divorce from Joyce (Elfman) winds up bringing the family together. Ava Deluca-Verley plays Katie, Mel and Joyce's teen daughter and Eli Baker stars as Henry, their 11-year-old son. Henry's life is turned upside down when his parents divorce and his father gets a guide dog.
"Arrested Development" star Jason Bateman provides the voice-over for "Growing Up Fisher." "Friends" star David Schwimmer directed the pilot.
Elfman is best known for her series "Dharma and Greg" and recently co-starred in NBC's "1600 Penn."
"Growing Up Fisher" is scheduled to debut on NBC midseason. See what...
According to TVLine, Elfman will co-star as Joyce Fisher opposite J.K. Simmons in the new NBC comedy previously titled "The Family Guide." Parker Posey played the role in the pilot, but exited the series following the completion of the pilot.
The midseason comedy follows Mel Fisher (Simmons), a blind lawyer whose divorce from Joyce (Elfman) winds up bringing the family together. Ava Deluca-Verley plays Katie, Mel and Joyce's teen daughter and Eli Baker stars as Henry, their 11-year-old son. Henry's life is turned upside down when his parents divorce and his father gets a guide dog.
"Arrested Development" star Jason Bateman provides the voice-over for "Growing Up Fisher." "Friends" star David Schwimmer directed the pilot.
Elfman is best known for her series "Dharma and Greg" and recently co-starred in NBC's "1600 Penn."
"Growing Up Fisher" is scheduled to debut on NBC midseason. See what...
- 7/1/2013
- by Chris Harnick
- Huffington Post
It’s official: Former 1600 Penn Flotus Jenna Elfman is returning to NBC next season as the female lead in Growing Up Fisher (fka The Family Guide).
TVLine has learned exclusively that the Peacock net has closed a deal with Elfman to replace the recently-exiled Parker Posey in the single-camera comedy, which is set to debut at midseason.
Related | Fall TV Preview: Your Guide to All That’s New for 2013-14
The series centers on a son (Eli Baker) who idolizes his blind father (J.K. Simmons) and enjoys his mom’s (Elfman) newfound adolescence after his folks divorce and, ultimately, grow closer.
TVLine has learned exclusively that the Peacock net has closed a deal with Elfman to replace the recently-exiled Parker Posey in the single-camera comedy, which is set to debut at midseason.
Related | Fall TV Preview: Your Guide to All That’s New for 2013-14
The series centers on a son (Eli Baker) who idolizes his blind father (J.K. Simmons) and enjoys his mom’s (Elfman) newfound adolescence after his folks divorce and, ultimately, grow closer.
- 7/1/2013
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
NBC has decided to change the name of their new mid-season sitcom from The Family Guide to Growing Up Fisher.
The comedy revolves around family members who become closer following a divorce. The cast includes J.K. Simmons, Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley and Lance Lim. Parker Posey starred as the family's mother in the pilot but that role is being recast.
The series is being executive produced by creator D.J. Nash, Jim Garavente, and Jason Bateman (who's also the sitcom's narrator).
What do you think? Do you plan on checking out Growing Up Fisher when it debuts sometime in mid-season?...
The comedy revolves around family members who become closer following a divorce. The cast includes J.K. Simmons, Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley and Lance Lim. Parker Posey starred as the family's mother in the pilot but that role is being recast.
The series is being executive produced by creator D.J. Nash, Jim Garavente, and Jason Bateman (who's also the sitcom's narrator).
What do you think? Do you plan on checking out Growing Up Fisher when it debuts sometime in mid-season?...
- 6/8/2013
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
The months between May and September can be a crazy time for the big television networks. They’ve made their choices of which pilots they want to air in the fall and, as always, there are some pilots that will need reshoots because so-and-so decided they didn’t want to be a part of the show anymore. There can be various reasons why an actor would drop out of a pilot after pick up, but sometimes no justification is given and we’re just supposed to roll with it even as we’re left scratching our heads. That’s how I felt when Parker Posey decided to up and leave NBC’s The Family Guide. And now the show needs a new leading lady! Thanks a lot for the extra work, Posey.
The single camera comedy, thankfully, has plenty of time to sort itself out, despite needing to reshoot all...
The single camera comedy, thankfully, has plenty of time to sort itself out, despite needing to reshoot all...
- 6/1/2013
- by Brody Gibson
- Boomtron
A pair of new NBC comedies are in recasting mode, with a well-known actress looking to take over one of the vacated parts.
The network wants Jenna Elfman -- who starred on NBC's "1600 Penn" this season -- to take a lead role in "The Family Guide," according to TVLine. She would replace Parker Posey, who left the show after filming the pilot. NBC will also recast two parts on "Undateable," which like "The Family Guide" is set for a midseason debut.
"The Family Guide" is about a boy (Eli Baker) and his relationship with recently divorced parents (J.K. Simmons plays his father), and how the family ultimately becomes closer after the divorce. DJ Nash, who previously worked with Elfman on "Accidentally on Purpose," created the show.
"Undateable" is going through its second recasting of the lead female role. Briga Heelan ("Cougar Town") replaced Aly Michalka during the pilot process.
The network wants Jenna Elfman -- who starred on NBC's "1600 Penn" this season -- to take a lead role in "The Family Guide," according to TVLine. She would replace Parker Posey, who left the show after filming the pilot. NBC will also recast two parts on "Undateable," which like "The Family Guide" is set for a midseason debut.
"The Family Guide" is about a boy (Eli Baker) and his relationship with recently divorced parents (J.K. Simmons plays his father), and how the family ultimately becomes closer after the divorce. DJ Nash, who previously worked with Elfman on "Accidentally on Purpose," created the show.
"Undateable" is going through its second recasting of the lead female role. Briga Heelan ("Cougar Town") replaced Aly Michalka during the pilot process.
- 5/30/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Former 1600 Penn FLOTUS Jenna Elfman may be returning to NBC next season as the female lead in The Family Guide.
TVLine has learned exclusively that the Peacock net is pursuing Elfman to replace the recently-exiled Parker Posey in the single-camera comedy, which is set to debut at midseason.
Related | Fall TV Preview: Your Guide to All That’s New for 2013-14
The series centers on a son (Eli Baker) who idolizes his blind father (J.K. Simmons) and enjoys his mom’s (Elfman) newfound adolescence after his folks divorce and, ultimately, grow closer.
Posey dropped out of the project shortly after it was ordered to series.
TVLine has learned exclusively that the Peacock net is pursuing Elfman to replace the recently-exiled Parker Posey in the single-camera comedy, which is set to debut at midseason.
Related | Fall TV Preview: Your Guide to All That’s New for 2013-14
The series centers on a son (Eli Baker) who idolizes his blind father (J.K. Simmons) and enjoys his mom’s (Elfman) newfound adolescence after his folks divorce and, ultimately, grow closer.
Posey dropped out of the project shortly after it was ordered to series.
- 5/30/2013
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
It's out with the old and in with the new when it comes to NBC comedy next season. The network renewed only two comedies this year -- "Parks and Recreation," which will be back in the fall with a full season, and "Community," which returns for another 13 episode arc at some point Tbd.
But NBC isn't cutting back on its commitment to comedy, they've simply ordered a slew of new shows including high-profile half-hours headlined by Emmy winners Michael J. Fox and Sean Hayes.
Here's a rundown of the six new comedies NBC presented to advertisers today (May 13) at its 2013 upfront at Radio City Music Hall in New York City:
"The Michael J. Fox Show" (Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. Et)
One of the most anticipated fall comedies on any network, "The Michael J. Fox Show" brings Emmy-winning TV comedy legend Fox back to television as a stay-at-home dad who...
But NBC isn't cutting back on its commitment to comedy, they've simply ordered a slew of new shows including high-profile half-hours headlined by Emmy winners Michael J. Fox and Sean Hayes.
Here's a rundown of the six new comedies NBC presented to advertisers today (May 13) at its 2013 upfront at Radio City Music Hall in New York City:
"The Michael J. Fox Show" (Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. Et)
One of the most anticipated fall comedies on any network, "The Michael J. Fox Show" brings Emmy-winning TV comedy legend Fox back to television as a stay-at-home dad who...
- 5/13/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
The Fall TV Season presentations for all the new network shows take place this week with the first announced today. Here's a full breakdown of which concepts have made the final list over on NBC.
The Peacock did not have a good year. Only one of its new shows, "Revolution," was a true hit. Another, "Chicago Fire," got renewed by the skin of its teeth whilst the fate of a third, "Hannibal," remains uncertain.
None of last year's new comedies survived, neither did two mid-season dramas, which leaves the network with some big holes to fill. Three dramas and three comedies will debut in the Fall ahead of three more dramas and two comedies mid-season. Two further dramas and a comedy are presently unscheduled.
Several other pilots didn't make the final cut and won't become series including the high-profile Charlize Theron-produced drama about the Hatfields and McCoys, the Bruckheimer-produced...
The Peacock did not have a good year. Only one of its new shows, "Revolution," was a true hit. Another, "Chicago Fire," got renewed by the skin of its teeth whilst the fate of a third, "Hannibal," remains uncertain.
None of last year's new comedies survived, neither did two mid-season dramas, which leaves the network with some big holes to fill. Three dramas and three comedies will debut in the Fall ahead of three more dramas and two comedies mid-season. Two further dramas and a comedy are presently unscheduled.
Several other pilots didn't make the final cut and won't become series including the high-profile Charlize Theron-produced drama about the Hatfields and McCoys, the Bruckheimer-produced...
- 5/13/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The new fall season is closer than you think, and NBC has released their full schedule. Apart from reality favorites The Biggest Loser and The Voice, they are mixing things up quite a bit.
Take a look at a complete preview of the shows coming your way, and mark your calendars. It looks good for NBC this year, and while I’m not sure all of these look like winners, I think you’ll find at least a couple that you’re really going to like.
Blacklist – Fall
The Blacklist — (Photo by: NBC)
For decades, ex-government agent Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader) has been one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives. Brokering shadowy deals for criminals across the globe, Red was known by many as “The Concierge of Crime.”
Now, he’s mysteriously surrendered to the FBI with an explosive offer: he will help catch a long-thought-dead terrorist, Ranko Zamani,...
Take a look at a complete preview of the shows coming your way, and mark your calendars. It looks good for NBC this year, and while I’m not sure all of these look like winners, I think you’ll find at least a couple that you’re really going to like.
Blacklist – Fall
The Blacklist — (Photo by: NBC)
For decades, ex-government agent Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader) has been one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives. Brokering shadowy deals for criminals across the globe, Red was known by many as “The Concierge of Crime.”
Now, he’s mysteriously surrendered to the FBI with an explosive offer: he will help catch a long-thought-dead terrorist, Ranko Zamani,...
- 5/13/2013
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
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