This week marks 30 years since Friends first premiered, which is either a fun fact, or a painful reminder that you’re getting old and also Marcel the monkey is long dead.
To mark the occasion, there have been various Friends-themed events, including an auction of Friends props, as well as a line of limited edition Krispy Kreme donuts that presumably taste like beef trifle and Ross’ infidelity.
This week The Guardian spoke to some of the creatives involved with the show, including writer Adam Chase, who was nominated for three Emmys for his work on the show. Chase shared a number of interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits, including how the staff once dared a writer to eat “a 2.3kg can of beans for $3,000” during an all-nighter. Hey, we didn’t say they were glamorous tidbits.
On another occasion, a writer tried to avoid a rewrite session by “hiking up a bush-covered...
To mark the occasion, there have been various Friends-themed events, including an auction of Friends props, as well as a line of limited edition Krispy Kreme donuts that presumably taste like beef trifle and Ross’ infidelity.
This week The Guardian spoke to some of the creatives involved with the show, including writer Adam Chase, who was nominated for three Emmys for his work on the show. Chase shared a number of interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits, including how the staff once dared a writer to eat “a 2.3kg can of beans for $3,000” during an all-nighter. Hey, we didn’t say they were glamorous tidbits.
On another occasion, a writer tried to avoid a rewrite session by “hiking up a bush-covered...
- 9/20/2024
- Cracked
For a decade, Friends became every fan’s favorite sitcom. The relatability of the show about 6 friends navigating life in New York also saw stars like Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow becoming hugely popular. Each character in the show had interesting traits that became synonymous with the actors who played them.
A still from Friends (image credit: NBC)
Kudrow who portrayed the quirky and free-spirited Phoebe Buffay in the series, had some of the most hilarious scenarios involving her character. One of her recognizable traits was her efforts to become a musician which saw her unsuccessfully attempt to play the guitar. Interestingly, the actor who was initially uncomfortable with this instrument, requested the creators to allow her to play an entertaining percussion instrument instead.
This Friends Star Could Well Have Traded The Guitar For Bongos If She Had Her Way
One of the most humorous and endearing features...
A still from Friends (image credit: NBC)
Kudrow who portrayed the quirky and free-spirited Phoebe Buffay in the series, had some of the most hilarious scenarios involving her character. One of her recognizable traits was her efforts to become a musician which saw her unsuccessfully attempt to play the guitar. Interestingly, the actor who was initially uncomfortable with this instrument, requested the creators to allow her to play an entertaining percussion instrument instead.
This Friends Star Could Well Have Traded The Guitar For Bongos If She Had Her Way
One of the most humorous and endearing features...
- 7/25/2024
- by Sharanya Sankar
- FandomWire
Just days after the death of legendary TV producer Norman Lear at age 101, the new entertainment special “Norman Lear: A Life on Television” will air on CBS this Friday at 8 p.m., in addition to streaming on Paramount+.
The hourlong special, presented by “Entertainment Tonight,” will feature new interviews with Jimmie Walker of “Good Times” and Mackenzie Phillips of “One Day at a Time,” along with other stars of the comedies Lear created. An interview with Lear and “Entertainment Tonight” host Kevin Frazier to celebrate Lear’s 100th birthday a few years ago will also be featured. In the interview, Lear discussed his lengthy career in depth.
As a screenwriter and producer, Lear produced, wrote, created and developed over 100 shows, including “Sanford and Son,” “All in the Family” and “One Day at a Time” for CBS.
In other TV roundup news:
First Looks
Apple TV+ has released first look images from “Constellation,...
The hourlong special, presented by “Entertainment Tonight,” will feature new interviews with Jimmie Walker of “Good Times” and Mackenzie Phillips of “One Day at a Time,” along with other stars of the comedies Lear created. An interview with Lear and “Entertainment Tonight” host Kevin Frazier to celebrate Lear’s 100th birthday a few years ago will also be featured. In the interview, Lear discussed his lengthy career in depth.
As a screenwriter and producer, Lear produced, wrote, created and developed over 100 shows, including “Sanford and Son,” “All in the Family” and “One Day at a Time” for CBS.
In other TV roundup news:
First Looks
Apple TV+ has released first look images from “Constellation,...
- 12/5/2023
- by Caroline Brew, Valerie Wu and Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Last week, more than 400 TV creators and showrunners — all of them women — sent letters to top executives at Hollywood studios demanding that specific safety protocols be put in place for pregnant employees in states where abortion has been outlawed, or soon will be. Now, letters of support signed by 594 men — including J.J. Abrams, Jordan Peele, Greg Berlanti, Donald Glover, Aaron Sorkin, David E. Kelley, Taika Waititi and Ryan Murphy — have been sent to the same companies.
The text of the letter is short, simply saying the undersigned stand with their “female, trans & non-binary showrunner colleagues in demanding a response from our employers regarding the imminent crisis” at hand. It was delivered by replying-all to the first letter, and was sent to Disney, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Apple, NBC Universal, Amazon, Lionsgate and AMC.
These activist correspondences have been instigated by the Supreme Court’s June 24 Dobbs decison, which overturned Roe v.
The text of the letter is short, simply saying the undersigned stand with their “female, trans & non-binary showrunner colleagues in demanding a response from our employers regarding the imminent crisis” at hand. It was delivered by replying-all to the first letter, and was sent to Disney, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Apple, NBC Universal, Amazon, Lionsgate and AMC.
These activist correspondences have been instigated by the Supreme Court’s June 24 Dobbs decison, which overturned Roe v.
- 8/1/2022
- by Kate Aurthur
- Variety Film + TV
“Smelly Cat” is undoubtedly one of the most iconic musical moments of modern classic sitcom “Friends” and now, thanks to the HBO Max reunion special, the ditty has been updated for a whole new generation of fans.
It wasn’t quite a remix, but Lady Gaga added her signature belt to the closest thing to a hit Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) ever had.
Kudrow first sang “Smelly Cat” on the second season of “Friends,” in an episode entitled “The One With the Baby on the Bus.” The actor sat down on the recreated coffeehouse set to strum the tune almost 26 years since that first performance during “Friends: The Reunion.” She noted she should “be Phoebe for this” and sang the first verse alone. But, a simple trip down memory lane got a boost of star power when Gaga popped into Central Perk, guitar in hand, and joined Kudrow in the rendition of the song.
It wasn’t quite a remix, but Lady Gaga added her signature belt to the closest thing to a hit Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) ever had.
Kudrow first sang “Smelly Cat” on the second season of “Friends,” in an episode entitled “The One With the Baby on the Bus.” The actor sat down on the recreated coffeehouse set to strum the tune almost 26 years since that first performance during “Friends: The Reunion.” She noted she should “be Phoebe for this” and sang the first verse alone. But, a simple trip down memory lane got a boost of star power when Gaga popped into Central Perk, guitar in hand, and joined Kudrow in the rendition of the song.
- 5/27/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Fans are still reeling from the news that CBS comedy series Mom is coming to an end.
Over the last few days, the cast of the beloved show has been speaking out about the end date announcement.
The latest to speak out is Jaime Pressly, who has played Jill Kendall since Mom Season 2.
"I had the great fortune of being asked to join a show called @mom_cbs in its second season 7 years ago," the actress wrote on Instagram, adding that she didn't know of the series beforehand.
"But I knew with Chuck Lorre at the helm and @allisonbjanney and @annafaris as the leads it must be something special. So I jumped in head first not knowing what I was in for. Boy did I hit the jackpot. Being able to tell the stories of these beautifully flawed women supporting each other through recovery from addiction, loss, love, failures, wins,...
Over the last few days, the cast of the beloved show has been speaking out about the end date announcement.
The latest to speak out is Jaime Pressly, who has played Jill Kendall since Mom Season 2.
"I had the great fortune of being asked to join a show called @mom_cbs in its second season 7 years ago," the actress wrote on Instagram, adding that she didn't know of the series beforehand.
"But I knew with Chuck Lorre at the helm and @allisonbjanney and @annafaris as the leads it must be something special. So I jumped in head first not knowing what I was in for. Boy did I hit the jackpot. Being able to tell the stories of these beautifully flawed women supporting each other through recovery from addiction, loss, love, failures, wins,...
- 2/19/2021
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
According to the Union of British Columbia Performers, the 7th annual "Ubcp/Actra Awards", a peer-adjudicated performer awards show, has nominated a group of stunt performers from The CW's "Arrow" episodes "Brothers In Arms", "Life Sentence" and "Shifting Allegiances", plus "The Flash" episode "Think Fast", as they all compete for a 'Best Stunt' award, December 8, 2018 at the Vancouver Playhouse:
And the Nominees for Best Stunt (2018) are:
"Arrow' - Season 6 - "Brothers in Arms"
Stunt Coordinator: Eli Zagoudakis
Stunt Performers: Will Erichson, Curtis Braconnier
"Arrow" - Season 6 - "Life Sentence"
Stunt Coordinator Curtis Braconnier
Stunt Performer: Eli Zagoudakis
"Arrow" - Season 6 - "Shifting Allegiances"
Stunt Coordinator: Eli Zagoudakis
Stunt Performers: Jj Makaro, Curtis Braconnier
"The Flash" - Season 4 - "Think Fast"
Stunt Coordinators: Jon Kralt and Trevor Addie
Stunt Performers: Chad Bellamy, Adam Chase, Mark Chin Ken Do, Lucius Fairburn, Kevin Fortin, Kevin Haaland , Zen Humpage Cody Laudan, Brian Lydiatt,...
And the Nominees for Best Stunt (2018) are:
"Arrow' - Season 6 - "Brothers in Arms"
Stunt Coordinator: Eli Zagoudakis
Stunt Performers: Will Erichson, Curtis Braconnier
"Arrow" - Season 6 - "Life Sentence"
Stunt Coordinator Curtis Braconnier
Stunt Performer: Eli Zagoudakis
"Arrow" - Season 6 - "Shifting Allegiances"
Stunt Coordinator: Eli Zagoudakis
Stunt Performers: Jj Makaro, Curtis Braconnier
"The Flash" - Season 4 - "Think Fast"
Stunt Coordinators: Jon Kralt and Trevor Addie
Stunt Performers: Chad Bellamy, Adam Chase, Mark Chin Ken Do, Lucius Fairburn, Kevin Fortin, Kevin Haaland , Zen Humpage Cody Laudan, Brian Lydiatt,...
- 10/15/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Scott Varnham Feb 21, 2018
A look back when Channel 4 invited the cast and crew of Friends to film here in the UK, and other Us shows that made the trip...
Granted, if you’re reading this site then you already know that TV productions routinely use locations to double as other places. Due South was set in Chicago but filmed in Toronto. Community was set in Colorado but filmed in Los Angeles. But sometimes they wear their locations on their sleeves; for example, when they take a trip abroad to London. In this feature, we take a look at the reasons why several Us TV shows have filmed over the pond and showcased England in all its glory.
One reason for productions to film over here is that they could qualify for substantial tax breaks. For example, if a TV production’s core spending is all in the UK, they...
A look back when Channel 4 invited the cast and crew of Friends to film here in the UK, and other Us shows that made the trip...
Granted, if you’re reading this site then you already know that TV productions routinely use locations to double as other places. Due South was set in Chicago but filmed in Toronto. Community was set in Colorado but filmed in Los Angeles. But sometimes they wear their locations on their sleeves; for example, when they take a trip abroad to London. In this feature, we take a look at the reasons why several Us TV shows have filmed over the pond and showcased England in all its glory.
One reason for productions to film over here is that they could qualify for substantial tax breaks. For example, if a TV production’s core spending is all in the UK, they...
- 2/13/2018
- Den of Geek
Remember Kinvig, Clone, Not With A Bang? These are the UK sci-fi sitcoms you’re unlikely to see on comedy best-of lists…
With E4 sci-fi comedy commissions, Tripped and Aliens, and in-development Channel 4 projects, Space Ark and Graham Linehan/Adam Buxton collaboration The Cloud, in the works, a new crop of sci-fi sitcom could be making its way to UK TV.
Making funny sci-fi on a small-screen budget is tough enough without the additional pressure of having to attract viewers more traditionally down-to-earth in their sitcom tastes. Sci-fi sets and effects can be seen as prohibitively expensive by comedy commissioners (which is perhaps why the best UK sci-fi sitcoms of recent years has been on BBC Radio), and the genre’s niche status doesn’t scream mainstream hit. Over the years, one or two stand-outs have managed to straddle the sci-fi and comedy TV worlds, but plenty more have stumbled in the attempt.
With E4 sci-fi comedy commissions, Tripped and Aliens, and in-development Channel 4 projects, Space Ark and Graham Linehan/Adam Buxton collaboration The Cloud, in the works, a new crop of sci-fi sitcom could be making its way to UK TV.
Making funny sci-fi on a small-screen budget is tough enough without the additional pressure of having to attract viewers more traditionally down-to-earth in their sitcom tastes. Sci-fi sets and effects can be seen as prohibitively expensive by comedy commissioners (which is perhaps why the best UK sci-fi sitcoms of recent years has been on BBC Radio), and the genre’s niche status doesn’t scream mainstream hit. Over the years, one or two stand-outs have managed to straddle the sci-fi and comedy TV worlds, but plenty more have stumbled in the attempt.
- 7/23/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: CBS’ late-night host Craig Ferguson has sold two comedy projects to the eye network through his Green Mountain West production company, which has been under an overall deal at CBS TV Studios since 2006. Both are with well known comedy writers: Friends alum Adam Chase and Everybody Loves Raymond veteran Aaron Shure. Ferguson will serve as an executive producer on the two multi-camera projects, with his producing partner Rebecca Tucker also expected to have a producing role. CBS TV Studios is the studio. The untitled Ferguson/Chase project, written and executive produced by Chase, revolves around a group of male friends in their early 30s who decide to defy convention and try to stay single as long as possible even though everyone they know is getting married and having kids. Wme-repped Chase recently worked with CBS and CBS Studios on last season’s How To Be A Gentleman. The untitled...
- 9/28/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Next month, a new sitcom called "Work It," about two out-of-work salesmen who dress up as women to get jobs, will make its debut on ABC. There's nothing new about the premise -- Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari covered the same ground on the early-80s sitcom "Bosom Buddies" -- and the tone isn't exactly novel either. The stars of the show, Ben Koldyke and Amaury Nolasco, are operating in the prevailing frat-boy mode perfected by Bradley Cooper and Seann William Scott.
In May, an 84-second trailer of "Work It" hit the Internet, instantly attracting more blogger rage than most shows accumulate over the course of several seasons. Gobsmacked by the very fact that "This got made! And is going to series!", The Futon Critic lambasted the show's "limp attempts at misogyny," "groan worthy madcappery" and "Mrs. Doubtfire hijinx."
The Best Week Ever blog took special umbrage at the network's...
In May, an 84-second trailer of "Work It" hit the Internet, instantly attracting more blogger rage than most shows accumulate over the course of several seasons. Gobsmacked by the very fact that "This got made! And is going to series!", The Futon Critic lambasted the show's "limp attempts at misogyny," "groan worthy madcappery" and "Mrs. Doubtfire hijinx."
The Best Week Ever blog took special umbrage at the network's...
- 12/14/2011
- by Richard Rushfield
- Huffington Post
Next month, a new sitcom called "Work It," about two out-of-work salesmen who dress up as women to get jobs, will make its debut on ABC. There's nothing new about the premise -- Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari covered the same ground on the early-80s sitcom "Bosom Buddies" -- and the tone isn't exactly novel either. The stars of the show, Ben Koldyke and Amaury Nolasco, are operating in the prevailing frat-boy mode perfected by Bradley Cooper and Seann William Scott.
In May, an 84-second trailer of "Work It" hit the Internet, instantly attracting more blogger rage than most shows accumulate over the course of several seasons. Gobsmacked by the very fact that "This got made! And is going to series!", The Futon Critic lambasted the show's "limp attempts at misogyny," "groan worthy madcappery" and "Mrs. Doubtfire hijinx."
The Best Week Ever blog took special umbrage at the network's...
In May, an 84-second trailer of "Work It" hit the Internet, instantly attracting more blogger rage than most shows accumulate over the course of several seasons. Gobsmacked by the very fact that "This got made! And is going to series!", The Futon Critic lambasted the show's "limp attempts at misogyny," "groan worthy madcappery" and "Mrs. Doubtfire hijinx."
The Best Week Ever blog took special umbrage at the network's...
- 12/14/2011
- by Richard Rushfield
- Aol TV.
British TV producer Ash Atalla has sold his first 2 American projects — both comedies — to CBS. They are being produced by CBS TV Studios where Atalla and his company Roughcut TV signed a first-look deal last year. In the UK, Atalla served as a producer on The Office and executive producer on The It Crowd, both of which were remade in the U.S. by NBC. The formats’ travel to the U.S. put Atalla in contact with U.S. producers, executives and agents and got him thinking about a move across the pond for himself, too. “I thought the world of comedy was getting smaller and smaller, and I found myself knowing more and more about American television,” he said. “I really enjoyed the Americans, liked the longer runs of their shows and through that one day it may be interesting to develop shows directly for the American networks.” Atalla...
- 10/4/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
John Swihart is scoring the new CBS comedy How to Be a Gentleman. The show created by David Hornsby (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and based on the nonfiction book of the same name by John Bridges chronicles the friendship between an uptight columnist and his more freewheeling trainer. Hornsby also stars in the comedy alongside Kevin Dillon, Dave Foley, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Rhys Darby and Nancy Lenehan. Adam Chase (Friends) and Ted Schachter are executive producing the project with Hornsby. How to Be a Gentleman is set to debut on September 29, 2011 and will be airing every Thursday night on CBS. For more information about the comedy, visit the official show website.
Swihart is also scoring How I Met Your Mother, which is entering it’s seventh season on CBS, as well as the ABC Family hit show Switched at Birth, which recently has been given a back-season order...
Swihart is also scoring How I Met Your Mother, which is entering it’s seventh season on CBS, as well as the ABC Family hit show Switched at Birth, which recently has been given a back-season order...
- 9/19/2011
- by filmmusicreporter
- Film Music Reporter
As the networks roll out their fall schedules, CBS gets a chance to spend a lot of its day milling around the free snack table while surfing for new Apps. Whatever your thoughts might be on whether or not CBS has hot women, and is or isn't a network for old people (which it A- does, and B- nevertheless largely is), the fact is that they aren't rolling out a lot of new shows. P.S. don't write letters, if you haven't heard about CBS claiming it isn't for old people (or just for old people, I suppose) and has "hot women," that's not my fault.
You could go either way with the general idea that CBS is only putting out five new shows, while the other networks seem to have more new shows than they can juggle at once. On the one hand, CBS might be resting on its...
You could go either way with the general idea that CBS is only putting out five new shows, while the other networks seem to have more new shows than they can juggle at once. On the one hand, CBS might be resting on its...
- 5/22/2011
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
CBS has its own entry in the wave of "men struggle to find their place in today's world" comedies hitting the air next season. Say hello to "How to Be a Gentleman."
The show centers on Andrew Carlson (David Hornsby of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"), an etiquette columnist at a men's magazine who finds his job -- and outlook on life -- when the magazine's new owners want more Maxim-style content. He strikes up an unlikely relationship with Bert ("Entourage's" Kevin Dillon), a personal trainer who used to torment Andrew in high school but now may hold the key to his continued livelihood.
The series also stars Mary Lynn Rajskub ("24") as Andrew's sister, Rhys Darby ("Flight of the Conchords") as her husband, Dave Foley ("NewsRadio," "The Kids in the Hall") as Andrew's boss and Nancy Lenehan ("Worst Week," "My Name Is Earl") as Andrew's mom. Hornsby also created...
The show centers on Andrew Carlson (David Hornsby of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"), an etiquette columnist at a men's magazine who finds his job -- and outlook on life -- when the magazine's new owners want more Maxim-style content. He strikes up an unlikely relationship with Bert ("Entourage's" Kevin Dillon), a personal trainer who used to torment Andrew in high school but now may hold the key to his continued livelihood.
The series also stars Mary Lynn Rajskub ("24") as Andrew's sister, Rhys Darby ("Flight of the Conchords") as her husband, Dave Foley ("NewsRadio," "The Kids in the Hall") as Andrew's boss and Nancy Lenehan ("Worst Week," "My Name Is Earl") as Andrew's mom. Hornsby also created...
- 5/19/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Chicago – What do you do when your iron grip on success is getting weaker? Shake things up. That’s what CBS is doing this Fall by shuffling their line-up more significantly than any other network and adding five new series, which are detailed below.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Photo credit: CBS
The new dramas include J.J. Abrams’ “Person of Interest,” “Unforgettable,” and “A Gifted Man,” and the new comedies are called “2 Broke Girls” & “How to Be a Gentleman.”
In major schedule changes, “CSI” will move to Wednesdays, “The Good Wife” airs on Sundays, and “Rules of Engagement” has been shuffled off to Saturdays of all places.
19 shows return including “NCIS,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Criminal Minds,” “CSI,” “CSI: Miami,” “CSI: NY,” “The Mentalist,” “Blue Bloods,” “Rules of Engagement,” “48 Hours Mystery,” “The Good Wife,” “60 Minutes,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Mike & Molly,” “Survivor,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Two and a Half Men,...
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Photo credit: CBS
The new dramas include J.J. Abrams’ “Person of Interest,” “Unforgettable,” and “A Gifted Man,” and the new comedies are called “2 Broke Girls” & “How to Be a Gentleman.”
In major schedule changes, “CSI” will move to Wednesdays, “The Good Wife” airs on Sundays, and “Rules of Engagement” has been shuffled off to Saturdays of all places.
19 shows return including “NCIS,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Criminal Minds,” “CSI,” “CSI: Miami,” “CSI: NY,” “The Mentalist,” “Blue Bloods,” “Rules of Engagement,” “48 Hours Mystery,” “The Good Wife,” “60 Minutes,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Mike & Molly,” “Survivor,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Two and a Half Men,...
- 5/18/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
CBS announced its 2011-2012 primetime fall schedule today. The most anticipated show for me is J.J. Abrams' Person of Interest starring Jim Caviezel, Michael Emmerson and Taraji P. Henson. I am also a huge fan of Kat Dennings, so it will be neat to see how 2 Broke Girls turns out. There are a total of three new dramas, two new comedies, and 19 returning series.
Here is the press release:
CBS announced today its new 2011-2012 primetime schedule, ordering five new series and making key time-period moves for CSI and The Good Wife to strengthen its already top-rated primetime lineup. CBS will, once again, finish the season as America's most watched network, marking the eighth time it has done so in the last nine years.
The new series include three new dramas and two new comedies: Person Of Interest, a crime thriller from renowned executive producer J.J. Abrams starring Jim Caviezel,...
Here is the press release:
CBS announced today its new 2011-2012 primetime schedule, ordering five new series and making key time-period moves for CSI and The Good Wife to strengthen its already top-rated primetime lineup. CBS will, once again, finish the season as America's most watched network, marking the eighth time it has done so in the last nine years.
The new series include three new dramas and two new comedies: Person Of Interest, a crime thriller from renowned executive producer J.J. Abrams starring Jim Caviezel,...
- 5/18/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Two and a Half Men is staying put and CSI is getting the boot.
CBS unveiled its fall scheduled keeping Big Bang Theory on Thursdays and shifts veteran CSI from its longtime Thursday night anchor slot.
The network announced several new drams. J.J. Abrams’ Person of Interest stars Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson as an ex-cia agent and a billionaire who team to stop crimes. Interest gets to take over the coveted CSI spot on Thursdays. CBS also shifted The Good Wife to Sundays. “To move CSI out of that time period you need big guns and we do,” says CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler.
CBS unveiled its fall scheduled keeping Big Bang Theory on Thursdays and shifts veteran CSI from its longtime Thursday night anchor slot.
The network announced several new drams. J.J. Abrams’ Person of Interest stars Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson as an ex-cia agent and a billionaire who team to stop crimes. Interest gets to take over the coveted CSI spot on Thursdays. CBS also shifted The Good Wife to Sundays. “To move CSI out of that time period you need big guns and we do,” says CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler.
- 5/18/2011
- by James Hibberd
- EW - Inside TV
It's easy to forget that Entourage is still a thing, and it'll be even easier once it stops being a thing. In fact, Kevin Dillon, who plays Johnny Drama on the decreasingly popular show, is ready to move on as well. The actor has been tapped to star as a magazine columnist in a new CBS pilot called How to Be a Gentleman. As per The Hollywood Reporter: The comedy, penned by It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's David Hornsby, centers on Alan, a magazine writer who pens a column on how to be a gentleman. Hornsby will serve as an executive producer on the project, and Friends veteran Adam Chase will executive produce. Chase currently works on ABC comedy Better With You. The project is based off the book How to Be a Gentleman: A Contemporary Guide to Common Courtesy. So all in all, it [...]...
- 3/20/2011
- Nerve
It's almost closing time, "Entourage" fans and Johnny Drama is already moving on.
Kevin Dillon has signed on to star in CBS' "How to Be a Gentleman" after playing Johnny "Drama" Chase for eight seasons on HBO's hit show "Entourage." Dillon will star opposite David Hornsby in the comedy pilot.
Hornsby wrote the project, based on the book of the same name, which is a buddy comedy about Allan (Hornsby) and his old high school classmate Bert (Dillon). Uptight Allan will learn to live his life with the help of the genial and optimistic Bert, who doesn't quite understand personal boundaries.
Dillon has earned three Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Johnny Drama.
"Friends" executive producer Adam Chase is serving as executive producer and co-showrunner alongside "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's" Hornsby. Also executive producing the pilot is Ted Schachter.
Kevin Dillon has signed on to star in CBS' "How to Be a Gentleman" after playing Johnny "Drama" Chase for eight seasons on HBO's hit show "Entourage." Dillon will star opposite David Hornsby in the comedy pilot.
Hornsby wrote the project, based on the book of the same name, which is a buddy comedy about Allan (Hornsby) and his old high school classmate Bert (Dillon). Uptight Allan will learn to live his life with the help of the genial and optimistic Bert, who doesn't quite understand personal boundaries.
Dillon has earned three Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Johnny Drama.
"Friends" executive producer Adam Chase is serving as executive producer and co-showrunner alongside "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's" Hornsby. Also executive producing the pilot is Ted Schachter.
- 3/18/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Former Friends executive producer Adam Chase has joined CBS' comedy pilot How To Be A Gentleman, written by and starring It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's David Hornsby. Chase will serve as executive producer/co-showrunner on the pilot alongside Hornsby. If the pilot goes to series, for Chase it would be in second position to ABC's freshman comedy Better with You, on which Chase serves as a co-executive producer. Loosely based on John Bridges' book How To Be a Gentleman: A Contemporary Guide to Common Courtesy, the CBS TV Studios-produced show revolves around a magazine that has changed ownership and centers on Alan (Hornsby) who writes a column on how to be a gentleman - in all aspects of life. Also executive producing the pilot with Hornsby and Chase are Ted Schachter and Mrc. On Better with You, Chase, repped by Wme and Mosaic, reunited with fellow Friends exec...
- 3/2/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Comedy heavyweights from the Us and UK are teaming up on a new sci-fi comedy series for BBC Three. Adam Chase, an executive producer on Friends, has written the show and recruited Ash Atalla, who produced the UK version of The Office, to help him make it. Clone will star Jonathan Pryce (Pirates Of The Caribbean) as Dr Victor Blenkinsop, a scientist who creates the first human clone. The product is meant to be an elite super soldier, but turns out kindly and wimpish. Chase, whose only previous work in the UK was for the two London Friends episodes, said his idea was too radical (more)...
- 7/11/2008
- by By Dave West
- Digital Spy
Adam Chase is back at it. The former "Friends" executive producer begins filming Friday on his new comedy series "Clone," which is directed by "The King of Queens" alum Rob Schiller.
What's wrong with this picture? Well, "Clone" is a British show shot in London for BBC3.
With British scripted formats invading the U.S. marketplace in the wake of the success of "The Office," Chase went against the current, creating a show for the U.K.
"Clone" is a multicamera sci-fi comedy with single-camera and greenscreen elements. It stars Jonathan Pryce as a scientist who creates the first human clone. Intended to be a prototype supersoldier, the doctor quickly realizes his creation is more likely to hug someone than shoot them.
"Clone" is described as a fish-out-of-water tale, and that's exactly what Americans Chase and Schiller are in the British TV industry.
Chase's only British production experience was filming the two-part London episode of "Friends."
"I'd been thinking about doing a sci-fi comedy for a while but was concerned about getting it through the American development process," said Chase, who grew up with genre-mixing British fare like Monty Python. " 'Clone' is extremely violent; people die every week. Audiences (in the U.K.) are very sophisticated, and they have no problem switching form genre to genre."
A couple of years ago, Chase met Ash Atalla, producer of the British version of "The Office," when they served as judges on a sitcom-writing competition on BBC3. Chase shared his idea for "Clone," and Atalla quickly came aboard.
After letting it percolate for a while, Chase set out in summer 2007 to write it as a spec. He rented a one-bedroom apartment in London and penned the script in 2 1/2 months.
He and Atalla sent it to several networks; a couple were interested, and BBC3 offered a series order.
"It was a dream come true," Chase said. "Then I saw the budget. Here you get amazing creative freedom and a tiny budget."
The BBC commissioned the series for what is said to be $500,000 an episode -- less than a third of what a similar show would cost in the U.S. The money is transferred upfront, and there no overages are tolerated.
Schiller said he initially was shocked by the budget constraints but adjusted and even found a silver lining.
"It's good as it makes us lean and mean, thinking twice about what we do," he said.
"Clone" has only one 12-hour day onstage per episode for blocking, rehearsal and taping -- something done in the U.S. over three to four days. Chase and Schiller found themselves extensively prepping -- writing and rewriting every scene and storyboarding every shot.
During production, the actors rehearse in a church, and the writers do rewrites in a room next to the soup kitchen.
"There's a sign outside the entrance of the kitchen that says, 'Please don't use the yard as a lavatory,' " Chase said. "I don't walk through the yard anymore."
One good piece of news is that in the U.K., most TV shows pay talent little money. And with short orders of six to seven episodes, feature stars are willing to do them. That's how Chase was able to land Pryce.
For "Clone," Chase employed the American writers room model. His team consisted of five scribes: two Yanks, including old "Friends" pal Alexa Junge, and three Brits. That number has dropped to two part-timers during production.
Chase follows in the footsteps of former "Seinfeld" executive producer Fred Barron, who created the long-running BBC sitcom "My Family," which also uses the writers room model. Additionally, veteran sitcom producer Caryn Mandabach opened shop in the U.K. several years ago and is producing projects for BBC and ITV.
The BBC, which has a 25% quota for indie producers, recently opened its doors to outsiders even further with the implementation of Window of Creative Competition, a program reserving another 25% of BBC's programming real estate for anybody with an idea.
U.S. writers might get attracted by the prospect of getting paid in British pounds. With the dollar sliding against the pound, "I've got a de facto raise," Chase quipped.
Chase is looking to one day do a U.S. version of "Clone."
With the heat surrounding British formats, that might come soon. In fact, Chase recalls some advice he got from a Hollywood agent when he was contemplating doing a U.K. show: "The shortest route to get to American television is to produce for British television."
The work on "Clone" has taught Chase a thing or two about the U.K. TV business, including, "People are really polite when they give you bad news," and "They really like to stop for tea at 4 p.m."
But most of all, "we take a lot of things for granted in an American production," Chase says. "Bottom line, I've leaned how to produce a show of equal quality for a lot less money."...
What's wrong with this picture? Well, "Clone" is a British show shot in London for BBC3.
With British scripted formats invading the U.S. marketplace in the wake of the success of "The Office," Chase went against the current, creating a show for the U.K.
"Clone" is a multicamera sci-fi comedy with single-camera and greenscreen elements. It stars Jonathan Pryce as a scientist who creates the first human clone. Intended to be a prototype supersoldier, the doctor quickly realizes his creation is more likely to hug someone than shoot them.
"Clone" is described as a fish-out-of-water tale, and that's exactly what Americans Chase and Schiller are in the British TV industry.
Chase's only British production experience was filming the two-part London episode of "Friends."
"I'd been thinking about doing a sci-fi comedy for a while but was concerned about getting it through the American development process," said Chase, who grew up with genre-mixing British fare like Monty Python. " 'Clone' is extremely violent; people die every week. Audiences (in the U.K.) are very sophisticated, and they have no problem switching form genre to genre."
A couple of years ago, Chase met Ash Atalla, producer of the British version of "The Office," when they served as judges on a sitcom-writing competition on BBC3. Chase shared his idea for "Clone," and Atalla quickly came aboard.
After letting it percolate for a while, Chase set out in summer 2007 to write it as a spec. He rented a one-bedroom apartment in London and penned the script in 2 1/2 months.
He and Atalla sent it to several networks; a couple were interested, and BBC3 offered a series order.
"It was a dream come true," Chase said. "Then I saw the budget. Here you get amazing creative freedom and a tiny budget."
The BBC commissioned the series for what is said to be $500,000 an episode -- less than a third of what a similar show would cost in the U.S. The money is transferred upfront, and there no overages are tolerated.
Schiller said he initially was shocked by the budget constraints but adjusted and even found a silver lining.
"It's good as it makes us lean and mean, thinking twice about what we do," he said.
"Clone" has only one 12-hour day onstage per episode for blocking, rehearsal and taping -- something done in the U.S. over three to four days. Chase and Schiller found themselves extensively prepping -- writing and rewriting every scene and storyboarding every shot.
During production, the actors rehearse in a church, and the writers do rewrites in a room next to the soup kitchen.
"There's a sign outside the entrance of the kitchen that says, 'Please don't use the yard as a lavatory,' " Chase said. "I don't walk through the yard anymore."
One good piece of news is that in the U.K., most TV shows pay talent little money. And with short orders of six to seven episodes, feature stars are willing to do them. That's how Chase was able to land Pryce.
For "Clone," Chase employed the American writers room model. His team consisted of five scribes: two Yanks, including old "Friends" pal Alexa Junge, and three Brits. That number has dropped to two part-timers during production.
Chase follows in the footsteps of former "Seinfeld" executive producer Fred Barron, who created the long-running BBC sitcom "My Family," which also uses the writers room model. Additionally, veteran sitcom producer Caryn Mandabach opened shop in the U.K. several years ago and is producing projects for BBC and ITV.
The BBC, which has a 25% quota for indie producers, recently opened its doors to outsiders even further with the implementation of Window of Creative Competition, a program reserving another 25% of BBC's programming real estate for anybody with an idea.
U.S. writers might get attracted by the prospect of getting paid in British pounds. With the dollar sliding against the pound, "I've got a de facto raise," Chase quipped.
Chase is looking to one day do a U.S. version of "Clone."
With the heat surrounding British formats, that might come soon. In fact, Chase recalls some advice he got from a Hollywood agent when he was contemplating doing a U.K. show: "The shortest route to get to American television is to produce for British television."
The work on "Clone" has taught Chase a thing or two about the U.K. TV business, including, "People are really polite when they give you bad news," and "They really like to stop for tea at 4 p.m."
But most of all, "we take a lot of things for granted in an American production," Chase says. "Bottom line, I've leaned how to produce a show of equal quality for a lot less money."...
- 7/11/2008
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
'Prada' director joins Endeavor
David Frankel, director of the summer hit The Devil Wears Prada and the pilot of HBO's Entourage, has signed with Endeavor. Frankel comes to Endeavor from ICM on the heels of former ICM co-president Nancy Josephson's move to Endeavor as a partner (HR 8/9). Other former ICM clients making the move along with Josephson include writer-producers Adam Chase (Friends), Adam Glass (All About the Andersons), Mark Gross (Rodney), Christopher Keyser (Party of Five), Claudia Lonow (The War at Home), Steve O'Donnell (Jimmy Kimmel Live), Richard Sakai (The Simpsons), Tom Straw (Grace Under Fire), author Adriana Trigiani and Steve Young (Late Show With David Letterman).
- 8/31/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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