or


[05/16/03 - 12:00 AM]
Studios Keep the Talent Deals Coming
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) - While many say that the era of the big studio deal is over, that hasn't stopped several actors and producers from landing hefty commitments in the past month. Here's a rundown of recent signings:

-- Writer-producers Jim O'Doherty and David M. Israel ("Grounded for Life") have signed a new two-year mid-seven-figure overall deal with Carsey-Werner-Mandabach. The duo is set to serve as executive producers/showrunners on the company's "The Tracy Morgan Show," which has been picked up for a midseason order by NBC. O'Doherty and Israel penned the script for the pilot and executive produced it with Lorne Michaels, Marcy Carsey, Caryn Mandabach, Tom Werner, David Miner and Dave Becky.

-- "Clone High U.S.A." creators Phil Lord and Chris Miller have inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television. The pair will develop and script original live-action and animated material for the company a well as work on the studio's existing comedy projects.

-- "24" co-creator and executive producer Robert Cochran has signed a new two-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television to remain as showrunner of the series while also developing new series projects for studio. Fellow co-creator and executive producer Joel Surnow signed a similar deal with 20th earlier this year. The duo, along with fellow writer/producer Howard Gordon, are all set to return to the drama next season.

-- Former "Frasier" writers/producers Christopher Lloyd and Joe Keenan are set to return to the series for its 11th and final season. The pair will share showrunning duties with current executive producer Dan O'Shannon. The news comes as the duo has inked a new, two-year, seven-figure overall production and development deal with Paramount Network Television. In addition to working on "Frasier," they'll create, develop and executive produce series projects for the studio once the comedy wraps next May. Lloyd was an executive producer on the series from its debut until May 2000 while Keenan joined "Frasier" in 1994 and was named co-executive producer in 1997. Keenan left shortly after Lloyd and the duo began developing new projects for Paramount as a team, landing a blind series commitment from CBS for the short-lived comedy "Bram and Alice."

-- Reality mogul Stuart Krasnow ("Weakest Link," "Dog Eat Dog," "America's Most Talented Kid") has signed a a new two-year, seven-figure overall development and production deal with NBC Studios. The pact calls for Krasnow to create, develop and executive produce unscripted projects for NBC while continuing his role as showrunner on "Dog." Krasnow also has several other projects in NBC's hopper: "Average Joe" (with fellow reality producer Andrew Glassman), "America's Most Talented Senior" and a hybrid reality/comedy pilot with Kathy Griffin ("Celebrity Mole") that's in contention for midseason.

-- "Saturday Night Live" head writer Tina Fey has sealed a new two-year deal to remain in that position (which she currently shares with co-head writer Dennis McNicholas) at least through the 2004-05 season. As part of the pact, Fey will develop her own primetime project for the Peacock with any production coming out of that deal would be produced by NBC Studios and "SNL" producer Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video.

-- "J.A.G." star David James Elliott has signed on for another two seasons of the military drama, earning himself a healthy raise in the process. Elliott will pull down about $300,000 per episode to remain with the series (or around $6.5 million per season), an increase of about $100,000 per episode from his previous deal. The pact was signed shortly before CBS' formal pickup this week of the series for its eighth season. CBS executives had expressed reservations about renewing the series before Elliott's deal was in place. Co-star Catherine Bell was previously inked through next season.

-- NBC Studios has signed the cast of "Will & Grace" through the 2004-05 season in keeping with the Peacock's renewal of the series through said season back in March of 2002. Leads Eric McCormack and Debra Messing are set to make $400,000 per episode for the next two seasons with supporting cast members Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes also receiving comparable raises.





  [may 2003]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· 24 (FOX)
· 30 ROCK (NBC)
· AMERICA'S MOST TALENTED KIDS (PAX)
· AVERAGE JOE (NBC)
· BRAM & ALICE (CBS)
· CLONE HIGH USA (MTV)
· DOG EAT DOG (NBC)
· FRASIER (NBC)
· GROUNDED FOR LIFE (WB)
· JAG (CBS)
· MOLE, THE (ABC)
· SEARCH FOR AMERICA'S MOST TALENTED SENIOR, THE (NBC)
· TRACY MORGAN SHOW, THE (NBC)
· WEAKEST LINK, THE (NBC)
· WILL & GRACE (NBC)





[09/19/25 - 08:00 AM]
CBS Partners with Autocamp and Hilton Honors for Bookable and Redeemable "Tracker"-Themed Stays at Autocamp's Seven Locations
The timing coincides with the show's third season premiere Sunday, October 19 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.

[09/19/25 - 06:00 AM]
HBO Max Returns to New York Comic Con with "It: Welcome to Derry" Fan Experience and Cast Panels for "It: Welcome to Derry" and "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms"
The streamer will bring fans inside the chilling world of "It: Welcome to Derry" with "Face Your Fears," an immersive horror fan experience set in a nostalgically familiar yet deeply unsettling 1960s child's bedroom where childhood fears become reality.

[09/19/25 - 03:01 AM]
Great American Media Announces Katie Leclerc and Ryan Carnes Set to Star in, "A Wisconsin Christmas Pie" (wt), New, Original Holiday Film for Great American Christmas 2025
In the film, pastry chef Emma Parker (Leclerc) returns from Chicago to her family's cherry orchard in Door County, Wisconsin for Christmas, she learns the farm is on the brink of being sold to developers.

[09/18/25 - 07:02 PM]
Manny Pacquiao, Robert Whittaker, and More: Netflix Announces Star Athletes for "Physical: Asia"
Each six-person squad is anchored by a national superstar who embodies the competitive spirit of their homeland.

[09/18/25 - 06:54 PM]
James Gunn to Appear on "Big Brother: Unlocked" Friday, Sept. 19
Gunn, a self-professed long-time superfan, will share his reactions to the season, the fallout from tonight's monumental double-eviction and his predictions for the rest of the season.

[09/18/25 - 04:01 PM]
Video: Two Awkward Souls, One Unlikely Connection - "Romantics Anonymous" Trailer and Key Art Hint at a Tangled Love Square
Streaming on October 16, "Romantics Anonymous" follows Sosuke (Shun Oguri) and Hana (Han Hyo-joo), two adults who have long stumbled through life avoiding romance - until a fateful encounter over chocolate changes everything.

[09/18/25 - 11:36 AM]
Great American Media Serves Up "Christmas By the Spoonful" (wt), Starring Jill Wagner and Trevor Donovan, An Original Movie Premiere for Great American Christmas 2025
In the film, Beth Green (Wagner) a devoted cafe owner, returns to her hometown of Snow Ridge to help her parents host the town's most cherished tradition, the annual Yuletide Potluck, a holiday potluck that welcome military families and veterans who might otherwise spend Christmas alone.

[09/18/25 - 11:15 AM]
NBC Comedy Locks in Comedy Slate Adding "Stumble" and "The Paper" to November Schedule
New series "Stumble" will debut Friday, November 7 at 8:30/7:30c; while "The Paper" is set to premiere Monday, November 10 at 8:30/7:30c.

[09/18/25 - 11:00 AM]
Starz Sets Lead Cast for Propulsive New Crime Drama "Fightland" as Production Begins in London
In addition, BAFTA-Award winner Otto Bathurst has been confirmed as director for the first two episodes, and Sebastain Thiel has been confirmed as a director on season one.

[09/18/25 - 10:31 AM]
"Starting 5" Season 2 - Date Announcement & First Look Photos
The new season - featuring Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton, and James Harden - premieres October 16 on Netflix.

[09/18/25 - 10:08 AM]
Video: "House of David" Season 2 Official Trailer - Watch Only on Wonder Project on Prime Video October 5th
As Saul's reign unravels, the nation stands on the edge of chaos.

[09/18/25 - 10:08 AM]
"106 & Sports" Set to Premiere October 15 on BET, Hosted by Cam Newton and Ashley Nicole Moss
Marking the 25th anniversary of the legacy show and capturing the energy of the iconic brand, "106 & Sports" delivers a fresh countdown highlighting sports, music, and entertainment like never before.

[09/18/25 - 10:03 AM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Reveals Season 34 Theme Nights
Each week, the celebrity and pro duos will dance routines set to iconic music celebrating legendary eras and artists, unforgettable pop-culture moments and more.

[09/18/25 - 10:02 AM]
ABC News Studios and "20/20" Announce "Robert Redford: The Life & Legacy of an American Icon - Special Edition of 20/20"
The one-hour special - airing Thursday, September 18 on ABC - celebrates the life and legacy of the actor and Oscar-winning filmmaker who passed away on September 16.

[09/18/25 - 10:00 AM]
"Saturday Night Live" to Premiere 51st Season Oct. 4 on NBC and Peacock with Three Back-to-Back Shows
Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler, and Sabrina Carpenter are among the first wave of hosts.