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[07/27/13 - 11:31 AM] NBC at TCA: "Fashion Star" Is Dead, "Celebrity Apprentice" Is Still Alive By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC) |
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LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- "At this point in our business, flat is the new up," NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt said in his opening remarks during the TCA Summer Press Tour.
Said statement referred to the Peacock being the only broadcast network even year-to-year in the ratings (September 24-July 21), but was quickly taken by the audience as a defeatist rallying cry.
He would later clarify that the annual "decline year-to-year in broadcast television from 5-7% has been happening for the last two decades. So it isn't just a recent phenomenon. And it's been happening partly because cable's just taking viewers away and I have lost count of how many networks do original programming these days. Is it three digits yet? But there's 50 networks doing programming. I wish we could get more respect for the good work that we do."
As for specific programming updates, here's a breakdown of the notable developments from the executive session:
-- Greenblatt, just prior to announcing their four new mini/limited series (read the story), indicated Mark Burnett's "A.D.: After the Bible" (formerly "A.D. Beyond the Bible") won't be ready until the next broadcast season (2014-15). Also still in the hopper on said front: a six-hour take on "Cleopatra" from executive producers Dan McDermott and Lorenzo Di Bonaventura.
-- Despite Donald Trump's proclamation that "Celebrity Apprentice" has been renewed, Paul Telegdy (President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment) indicates that's not entirely the case. "We always need to know that we can cast the show and that's the bit of process we're at which is the restocking [of celebrities] and that can take some time," he said. "So no, no plans for an announcement" about a pickup.
-- "Fashion Star" won't be getting a third season. Paul Telegdy confirmed said news to me in the post-session scrum.
-- Yes, they did shoot 13 episodes of "Save Me" even though only seven aired. We're told the network opted to shelve episodes two through seven - which were presumably filmed before Darlene Hunt replaced Alexa Junge as showrunner - and skip right to number eight as its "second" episode. In any case, it won't be back.
-- NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke also gave me a few updates on the development side. David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) is in negotiations to direct and executive produce "Girlfriend in a Coma," one of three pilots that were pushed from this past development cycle. "We're hoping between David and Dick [Wolf] we can go and attract a great lead for that and it's a pilot that we might get on course earlier than later." Christina Ricci was previously attached but bowed out in March. As for the other two, Salke says the comedy "The Donor Party" is "a bit on hold" while the Anthony E. Zuiker-produced "Wonderland" is "tough to do because of the ABC spin-off."
-- Among its other projects, Salke indicates Julian Fellowes's "The Gilded Age" is very much alive. "We love that," she said. "We're just waiting for him to emerge. He's going to write all the episodes. He comes in and talks to us every three or four months and it's wildly entertaining." As for when we'll see it, "the timeframe still is based on his availability." And finally, a proposed Roseanne Barr series likewise remains in the works. "We're working on the Roseanne show creatively and what that extended family show is. It's coming together. We're still discussing whether that's going to be a 10/90 or straight to series or 13 episodes or summer... that part of it is still in discussion."
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[12/04/25 - 01:31 PM] Heroes Rise Together! Disney+ Original Series "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Official Branded Merchandise Now Available Inspired by the series' rich storytelling, the dedicated e-commerce store will feature a wide variety of Camp Half-Blood-themed merchandise tailored for enthusiasts of the acclaimed series.
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[12/04/25 - 12:56 PM] Video: HBO Releases Official Trailer for the Original Drama Series "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," Debuting January 18 From the world of Westeros comes an endearing tale centered on the adventures of an unexpected duo.
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[12/04/25 - 12:07 PM] Video: "Mo' Waffles" - Official Trailer - Tubi Original When a hip hop legend vanishes before his waffle joint's opening, his oddball crew must crack the case, wondering if one of them could be the culprit.
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[12/04/25 - 12:00 PM] Video: A New Generation of Camp Rockers Vie to Become the Opening Act for Connect 3 in First "Camp Rock 3" Teaser The teaser includes a first look at the Jonas Brothers' return as Connect 3 and the new generation of campers joining the iconic franchise.
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[12/04/25 - 11:02 AM] "The Masked Singer" Returns with an All-New Season of Epic Themes and Massive Unmaskings on FOX! Season 14 takes its beloved themed episodes to new heights, celebrating some of the most recognizable and nostalgic moments in pop culture history.
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[12/04/25 - 11:01 AM] Video: AMC Networks Debuts Official Trailer for Sports Docuseries "Rise of the 49ers," Narrated by Executive Producer Tom Brady The limited series event, exploring the dramatic and iconic run of the San Francisco 49ers during the '80s and early '90s, premieres with the first two episodes on Sunday, February 1 at 9pm ET/PT, followed by the remaining two episodes on Monday, February 2 at 9pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC+.
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[12/04/25 - 10:39 AM] Meryl Streep, Jon Batiste, Kathryn Hahn, Regina Hall, Parker Posey, Zachary Quinto, Kelly Ripa and Adam Scott to Present Honors in the 19th Annual "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" This year, the third annual CNN Heroes Legacy Award will continue the new tradition of honoring not-so-everyday people dedicated to a lifetime of service by recognizing Robert Redford with a special tribute and appearance by former Vice President Al Gore accepting the award on behalf of the Redford family.
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[12/04/25 - 10:31 AM] "The Hunting Wives" Season 2 Adds Kim Matula and Alex Fitzalan The duo joins previously announced returning cast members Brittany Snow, Malin Akerman, Jaime Ray Newman, Dermot Mulroney, Evan Jonigkeit, George Ferrier, Karen Rodriguez, Hunter Emery, and Branton Box.
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[12/04/25 - 10:28 AM] "A CNN Special Event: Roy Wood Jr.'s Very Very Very Merry Holiday Special" Airs Sunday, December 14 at 8pm ET on CNN Filmed in front of a live audience in the nation's capital, Wood Jr. will dive into the joy, and occasional chaos, of the holiday season with his signature blend of sharp wit and warm humor.
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[12/04/25 - 10:01 AM] The World Knew Him as Dirty John: New Documentary Series Exposes the Real John Meehan From Bunim/Murray Productions, a Banijay Americas company, and Empress Films, director Emma Cooper and executive producers Julie Pizzi, Jesse Daniels, and Melissa G. Moore, comes the definitive documentary series of the man behind the myth.
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[12/04/25 - 10:01 AM] Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - Hularious Original "Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts" The latest special in the Hularious stand-up slate premieres Friday, December 19 on Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, in the US, and on Disney+ internationally.
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[12/04/25 - 09:41 AM] Hallmark Media Announces That Matthew Lawrence and TLC's Chilli Will Host an All-New, Original Series "Second Chance Love" The all-new, unscripted series gives five couples, ranging from their 30's to 70's and who dated 5 to 40 years ago, a second chance to reconnect with the one who got away against the backdrop of a romantic Italian resort.
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[12/04/25 - 09:32 AM] Food Network Will Kick Off 2026 with a Fresh New Competition Series, "Baking Championship: Next Gen" Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown are the hosts and judges of the series, due on Monday, January 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
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[12/04/25 - 09:31 AM] First Look - Bert Kreischer Stars in Netflix's "Free Bert" The new scripted comedy series, starring Bert Kreischer, premieres on Netflix in January 2026.
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[12/04/25 - 09:06 AM] PBS and WETA Announce Four-Part Documentary "Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History" with Henry Louis Gates Jr. to Premiere February 3, 2026 Black and Jewish Americans began on fundamentally different footing, but by the early 20th century, they were drawn together by entrenched racism and rising antisemitism.
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