TNT and TBS unveiled (5/19) an array of plans for new programming, including several comedy projects that are being considered for TBS and a host of projects in development for TNT. The two cable giants staged a joint upfront presentation in New York, with appearances by stars including TBS’s Conan O’Brien, George Lopez and Ice Cube; and TNT’s Kyra Sedgwick, Ray Romano, Andre Braugher, Scott Bakula, Jada Pinkett Smith, Dylan McDermott, Timothy Hutton, Noah Wyle, Jason Lee, Alfre Woodard, Ben McKenzie, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Breckin Meyer and Angie Harmon.
Turner Entertainment Networks – parent of TNT and TBS – also unveiled a new array of options for advertisers under the name inContext. This umbrella includes TVinContext, launched in 2008, it takes ads and places them next to relevant content in programming. Turner is also launching LIFEinContext and BRANDSinContext, two initiatives that focus on tailoring ads to the lifestages of viewers and on new ways to integrate brands with programming.
TNT programming details:
This summer, TNT will air seven new or returning originals on four different nights: THE CLOSER, SAVING GRACE, DARK BLUE, LEVERAGE, MEMPHIS BEAT, RIZZOLI & ISLES and HAWTHORNE. Later this year, TNT will bring back the critically praised hit MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE.
In 2011, the network will debut a new series from Steven Spielberg and starring Noah Wyle called FALLEN SKIES, while the respected SOUTHLAND will return for a new season. TNT has also greenlit the buddy lawyer series FRANKLIN & BASH, starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue) and Breckin Meyer (Robot Chicken). FRANKLIN & BASH comes to TNT from Sony Pictures Television and executive producers Jamie Tarses (TNT’s HawthoRNe, TBS’s My Boys), Kevin Falls (Shark, The West Wing) and Bill Chais (Shark, Dirty Sexy Money).
TNT announced these development plans:
UNTITLED DON CHEADLE MEDICAL SHOW – Executive producers Don Cheadle (Crash, Iron Man 2), Kay Liberman (Traitor) and Lenore Zerman (Darfur Now) of Crescendo Productions; executive producer Brett King; executive producer/writer Ed Horowitz (Exit Wounds); and producer/writer Norm Solomon focus on 1971 Los Angeles, where a group of idealistic doctors open an urgent-care clinic in hopes of upholding the values that inspired them to become doctors in the first place. The project comes to TNT from Lionsgate Television and Cheadle’s Crescendo Productions.
GRAYSMITH – Based on the life of cartoonist, writer and part-time private detective Robert Graysmith (author of Zodiac and many other books), this series will follow the renaissance man himself as he uses an unconventional approach and unusual skills to solve crimes. GRAYSMITH comes to TNT from Scott Free Productions and executive producers Ridley Scott (Robin Hood, The Good Wife) and Tony Scott (The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, The Good Wife) and executive producer/writer Dan Gordon (The Hurricane).
GREEN DETECTIVE – Steven Bochco (NYPD Blue) and Jonathan Abrahams follow a quirky environmentalist who seeks the truth as an insurance adjuster for a big insurance company.
BRAIN TRUST – Dean Devlin (TNT’s Leverage) and Marco Schnabel (TNT’s The Librarian movie trilogy) delve into the world of an old-fashioned (and recently demoted) detective as he teams with four brilliant but socially awkward, sheltered academics to help him solve crimes. BRAIN TRUST comes to TNT from Electric Entertainment.
MISS PHILLY – Executive producer/writer Jamie Foxx (The Soloist, Ray), executive producer/writer Barbara Hall (Joan of Arcadia, Judging Amy) and executive producers Marcus King (The Jamie Foxx Show) and Jaime Rucker King (Ray) explore the pristine suburbs and urban war zones of Philadelphia, where the mayor has hired the first African-American police commissioner. She finds herself handling more than she ever expected.
DEAR GOD – Executive producers Mark Gordon (Private Practice, Grey’s Anatomy), Mark Burnett (Survivor), Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) and Deborah Spera (Army Wives, Criminal Minds), along with writer/executive producer Joel Fields (TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles), look into the dead letters bureau at the U.S. Postal Service, where a team of humanitarians try to help those on the verge of losing their faith by answering their letters to God. DEAR GOD comes to TNT from ABC Studios.
TBS programming details:
TBS will expand its programming lineup sharply in 2010 and 2011. Conan O’Brien’s new late-night show will debut 11/8. He will be followed by LOPEZ TONIGHT, the late-night show starring George Lopez that debuted in 2009. TBS’s lineup also includes the original series MY BOYS, ARE WE THERE YET? and the new animated series NEIGHBORS FROM HELL.
In addition, TBS has acquired exclusive cable rights to the CBS series THE BIG BANG THEORY, beginning in fall 2011. TBS has also greenlit the original series GLORY DAZE (working title), a 1980s-set comedy that centers on four buddies who navigate college life and pledge a fraternity. The ensemble cast includes Tim Meadows and is from TBS Productions, Warner Horizon Television and executive producers Walt Becker (Van Wilder) and Michael LeSieur (You, Me and Dupree).
TBS has these one-hour scripted series in development:
THE WEDDING BAND – The writing team of Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle (South Park) and executive producer Mike Tollin (Wild Hogs, Smallville) introduce a fresh comedy that centers on four friends. Some are married and some are single, all with day jobs and responsibilities, but they share one thing in common: They are in a wedding band. THE WEDDING BAND comes to TBS from FremantleMedia.
THE RABBIT FACTORY – From executive producer/writer Alan Loeb (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, New Amsterdam), executive producer Steven Pearl (The Beast) and Lionsgate Television, this series follows the detective team of Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs, two characters from the book series by Marshall Karp. Recently widowed Lomax and recently married Biggs work to protect and serve, navigating the daily challenges of their jobs while tackling their personal lives.
THE CATCH – Executive producer/writer Vic Levin (Mad About You) and executive producer Chris Albrecht focus on a widower who re-enters the world of dating, only to learn that he is quite the catch.
TBS has these animated series in development:
GOOD AND EVEL – Olive Productions (Stanley Tucci, Steve Buscemi and Wren Arthur), Gotham Group (Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman), Lionsgate Television and executive producer/writer Glenn Eichler (The Colbert Report, Beavis & Butt-Head) introduce the ultimate dysfunctional family. Voiced by acclaimed actors Tucci (Julie & Julia, The Lovely Bones) and Buscemi (Fargo, Boardwalk Empire), the show centers on Jack Good, a moral, upstanding family man, and his nefarious twin brother, Bo Evel, a rebel and drunk who’s been in and out of prison.
THE BLACK FAMILY – Executive producer/writer Ali LeRoi (Everybody Hates Chris, TBS’s Are We There Yet?); executive producer/artist Todd Goldman; executive producers Keenan Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans (Scary Movie, White Chicks, Little Man); and executive producer Rick Alvarez (Dance Flick) introduce a blended interracial family, the Blacks.
