UPN isn't looking very proactive in its programing
and look who the show runner for their one new drama is!
_____________
Greenwalt to Run 'Jake 2.0' as UPN Sets Series Orders
By Brian Ford Sullivan
CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) - UPN is all set to order four new comedies and one new drama next season as the struggling network put the finishing touches on its fall schedule yesterday.
Here's a breakdown of the latest rumblings:
-- So far UPN has ordered just one new drama series: "Jake 2.0," a sci-fi action drama from writer Silvio Horta. Former "Angel" and "Miracles" showrunner David Greenwalt has signed on to the series which comes from Viacom and Roundtable Entertainment. He'll produce the drama with Horta, Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo. As for its current dramas, the axe will swing on "The Twilight Zone" as "Jake 2.0" is set to be paired with "Enterprise." "Platinum's" fate however has yet to be determined.
-- On the comedy front, UPN has given series orders to four new comedies, all from Warner Bros. Television. As expected, the Will and Jada Pinkett Smith-produced "All of Us" and rapper Eve-led "Opposite Sex" got pickups, as did the Anthony Payne comedy "Rock Me Baby" and the redneck-themed "The Mullets."
-- All four of UPN's current comedies - "The Parkers," "One on One," "Girlfriends" and "Half & Half" - are set to return with two of them expected to move to a different night in order to tentpole a new two-hour comedy block.
-- Overall, UPN has made noise that its new comedy block could wind up on Wednesdays in order to avoid putting "Enterprise" against the WB's newly relocated "Smallville." The "Star Trek" series, along with "Jake 2.0" would then shift to Tuesday nights. Its Friday movie is also expected to remain intact.
_______________________
given the show orders here by WB for midseason replacements - I expect at least one of the dramas (tarzan/fearless/angel) maybe two (if they can get a show runner for GG spin off) to get the midseason hook ... If they are going to start the GG spin off its a lock for tue at 9 - which means the 9pm show fearless moves or gets canceled - and that still leaves them at least one other new drama they are hot on (one tree hill - 13 eps ordered) to start - so
depending on who performs best (tarzan/fearless/angel) one or two of them look to exit mid season
perhaps once smallville is established on wed - they will give it a new partner and then juggle the rest of the dramas deck chairs to up the overall network ratings average -- in any case if angel can't build an audience/or at least hold smallvilles lead in - I see a mid season exit.
The Futon's Upfront Notes: The WB
By Brian Ford Sullivan
CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) - As a supplement to the press releases issued by the networks, here's an addendum to all the fanfare that went on at each upfront presentation:
-- The WB's Thursday lineup turned out slightly different than expected. "Steve Harvey's Big Time" and "The Jamie JFK Experiment" were originally pegged for the 9:00/8:00c hour. The two will instead open the night followed by returning comedy "What I Like About You" and newcomer "Run of the House."
-- As for midseason orders, the Frog committed to six episodes each of "The Mayor" (Happy Madison/Sony), "The Help" (Original Productions/Warner Bros.) and the reality series "Make My Day" (Monkey Television UK/Brad Grey Television). The WB also picked up six episodes of the still untitled "Gilmore Girls" spin-off (Warner Bros.) in addition to its backdoor pilot. That order however is contingent on Warner Bros. finding a showrunner for the series. Lastly, the Frog's largest midseason commitment went to "One Tree Hill" with a 13 episode order.
Edited by: helpful information perhaps at: 5/14/03 9:14:35 am
at: 5/14/03 12:08:51 pm
That's freakin' hilarious...