I'm told CW picked up How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls (WBTV/Alloy), which was expected. And I, too, think the title should be changed to "Surviving The Filthy Rich" as rumored. (Or, even better, "This Is Our Money-Grubbing Attempt to Clone Gossip Girls But Not Call It A Spin-Off".)
I know there have been lots of rumors to this effect in celebrity mags and infotainment shows. But one of my reliable TV business sources is hearing that Tori Spelling is going to be in the Beverly Hills, 90210 spinoff just picked up by the CW. Well, it's official: 90210 is ruined. Please, Les and Barry, reconsider! (Or did Aaron Spelling demand this in his will?)
Talk about a Maalox moment: this is the sort of major news that, coming as it does right before this week's upfront presentatioins by the networks, can give CW co-bosses Les Moonves (CBS) and Barry Meyer (Warner Bros) heartburn. According to the business wires, Pappas Telecasting Inc, the largest privately-held commercial broadcast operator in the U.S. filed for Chapter 11 Saturday with plans to sell its 30 TV stations under bankruptcy court protection. Pappas cited "the extremely difficult business climate for television stations across the country" in papers filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The Fresno, Calif.-based company's TV stations are affiliated with a number of broadcasters, and include two big Fox affiliates in Fresno and Omaha. But Pappas specifically blamed the "poor ratings of the CW Network" for some of the financial trouble that forced it into bankruptcy. Also cites as problems are the economic downturn, plunging advertising and the cost of converting from analog to digital TV broadcasting.
I just heard that well-liked veteran show The Unit "probably picked up at CBS".
2ND UPDATE: I hear How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls (WBTV/Alloy) is "probably" picked up at CW, It was considered a slam dunk, like 90210. (Is it true HTTFRG's title has been changed to "Surviving The Filthy Rich"?)
UPDATE: I've just been told that, as expected, the CW has picked up 90210, the spinoff to Beverly Hills, 90210. I reported earlier that it received the OK to hire writers. I hear the deal is closed with Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah to run the show, and the script is being rewritten. CW renewed The Game for another season. Both are CW/CBS Paramount shows. Meanwhile, the town is still waiting on CW news for Reaper. The network is pairing the Tyra Banks/Ken Mok contest show Stylista with that duo's America's Next Top Model. And Variety reports that the CW has pacted with indie producers Media Rights Capital to program the Sunday night lineup this fall, with MRC on board to produce two comedies and two dramas for the block aimed at adults 18-to-49, not CW's younger demos, and the specific shows will be announced at Tuesday's upfront presentation.
I'm told FBC has picked up Joss Whedon's new Dollhouse (20th Century Fox TV) for mid-season. Given his rabid Whedonesques, who don't take rejection well, I don't see how the network could have said no this time around.
As one of my sources complains, "They are secretive fucks." But I'm told CBS is giving two drama pilots, The Mentalist (WBTV) and also 11th Hour (WBTV/Jerry Bruckheimer TV) pickups. And the network is saying "maybe yes" to Mythological X (CBS/20th Century Fox TV) for midseason or possibly even fall. As for CBS comedies, I'm told the Untitled Ed Yeager Project is picked up. I'm told Yeager wrote the pilot alone and on spec and handed it to Rick Swartzlander who helped him get it to ABC Studios. So that's how Rick got attached as producer. But the town is still waiting on renewal news for a lot of shows at CBS, like The Unit or Moonlight.
I hear that, after intense negotiations with David Kelley about cutting the show's licensing fee, ABC has renewed Boston Legal for a 5th season. A source tells me: "Watch for the cast to be scaled down to Spader, Shatner, Candace, and fewer people around them." Sources are telling me that Kelley's other show for ABC, Life On Mars, "probably will be ordered" and is "looking like it should be officially picked up any minute." But insiders say it will have new showrunners: October Road alum Josh Applebaum and André Nemec.
I'm told the Directors Guild is getting involved same as the Screen Actors Guild vis a vis the indie Nailed and Capitol Films' financing woes. (Previous, ON SET DRAMA UPDATE: SAG Orders Actors On David O. Russell Film To Leave)
SUNDAY AM: Showing just how fiercely competitive the summer box office is right now, rival Hollywood movie studios are complaining to me they don't believe Warner Bros' domestic gross numbers released today claiming its disastrous Speed Racer came in 2nd behind Marvel's Iron Man in the weekend's Top 10 contest. All the other majors -- Fox, Sony, Paramount, Universal, Disney, and MGM -- have the anime actioner opening only 3rd. And they dispute WB's reporting that Speed Racer made $20.2 million for Fri-Sat-Sun because its projected Sunday number isn't seen as possible. "That's a very aggressive Sunday estimate to try and claim 2nd," one studio's top marketing and distribution mogul complained to me this morning, echoing the disbelief of most of his colleagues. "Warners is hoping moms want to go to Speed Racer for Mothers Day." (To give Warner Bros the benefit of the doubt, it's true that family pics do well on Mothers Day.) But all the other studios have Fox's romantic comedy What Happens In Vegas in 2nd place with $20 million, and Speed Racer only 3rd with $19.7 million. 
And the rival execs say that, since Speed Racer's gross was even softer than anyone thought, up only 18% on Saturday because of kiddie matinees compared to Friday, the Warner Bros film couldn't possibly get to $20 million for the weekend barring a box office miracle on Sunday. "Their estimate is utterly laughable!," a top exec at a rival major told me this AM. "That being said, from what I've heard, they are not trying to dress up the pig. They're resigned to it being a disaster... just not enough to stop them from fabricating a number to jump Fox for the #2 position." These kind of controversies don't develop often in Hollywood, but when they do, they can be ugly. That's because there is a certain code of honor among thieves, if you will -- a tacit agreement that every Hollywood studio will try to report weekend box office numbers as accurately as possible, even though there's a significant PR advantage to artifically moving a disappointing film up a slot in the Top 10 by inflating numbers. The irony is that these controversies get settled quickly, as soon as tomorrow when the actual theater by theater grosses for Sunday come in Monday and then determine the "actual" figures as opposed to the Sunday "estimates"...
Nobody is disputing distributor Paramount's figures that Marvel's summer blockbuster Iron Man made a platinum $15 million on Friday from 4,111 venues, and $21.6 million on Saturday, giving it an estimated FSS total of $50.5 million, or more than double the domestic box office gross of its nearest weekend competitor, to stay No. 1 again. Its new cume is a monster $177.1M. But Warner Bros' Speed Racer, whether its weekend total is $19.7 million or $20.2 million from 3,606 plays, made only half what the studio hoped, even with lowered expectations because of bad buzz and poor tracking. Not only is the anime actioner this summer's first summer bomb, but it's also doing dismally in key areas of its 30+ day and date opening foreign territories. The pic has gone bust in many international markets, with some disastrous openings in Europe in particular. Besides a too-long running time and a too-small audience of younger boys, the Wachowski siblings spent at least $160M making the pic, whereas Fox's What Happens in Vegas cost only $35 million. Hollywood is convinced Warner Bros has a major writedown on its hands. Vegas took in $7.1 million Friday and $7.5 million Saturday from 3,215 runs for a $20 million weekend. For much more analysis, see my 'Speed Racer' Crashes & Burns To Become First Summer Bomb and Weekend Prediction.
The rest of the Top 10 were holdovers: #4 Sony's Made Of Honor took in $7.6M for a new cume of $26.2M; #5 Universal's Baby Mama, $5.7M weekend, $40.3M cume; #6 Universal's Forgetting Sarah Marshall, $3.7M weekend, $50.7M cume; #7 Warner Bros' Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay, $3.1M weekend, $30.7M cume; #8 Lionsgate/The Weinstein Co's The Forbidden Kingdom, $1.9M weekend, $48.2M cume; #9 Fox's Nim's Island, $1.3M weekend, $44.2M cume; #10 Sony Classics' Redbelt, $1.1M weekend, $1.2M cume.
It didn't help that Nina Tassler is a longtime best pal of Exit 19 star Geena Davis because I'm told the CBS drama pilot (CBS Paramount TV / ABC TV Studios) is DOA. Sheesh, what are friends for? But I hear the script wasn't up to snuff.
UPDATE: I also just heard that FBC gave a "cast contingent" pilot pickup to the Shaun Cassidy drama Inseparable (ABC TV Studios). A source just told me he thinks the pilot will be re-shot.
Despite all the buzz, and exec producer McG, and a "phenomenal cast", Spaced is a no-go, I'm told. FBC just turned thumbs down on the WBTV/Wonderland pilot, which was adapted from the successful British TV series.
UPDATE: The Beverly Hills, 90210 Spinoff 90210 (CW/CBS Paramount), a slam dunk pickup, is hiring writers at the CW. I hear the deal is closed with Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah to run the show, and the script is being rewritten. Original alum Jennie Garth is joining. I bet Ian Ziering would pay the network to be cast...
I hear already-on-the-air one-hour Eli Stone and half-hour Miss/Guided, exec produced by Ashton Kutcher, are "really in the mix" at ABC. The network also picked up Ashton's family oriented game show, Opportunity Knocks.
UPDATE: As expected, FBC is picking up the J.J. Abrams pilot Fringe (WBTV/Bad Robot). He's the writer/exec producer. Network was really high on it all along.
UPDATE: After Fox cancelled, Back To You now being shopped to other networks.
FBC has picked up the animated comedy from Mitch Hurwitz Sit Down, Shut Up (Sony Pictures TV / Granada / Tantamount) to series. It's a 13-episode order. All star voice cast: Jason Bateman, Will Forte, Will Arnett...
As was expected, FBC also has picked up Cleveland (20th Century Fox TV), the spin-off of Family Guy, for 13 episodes.
I hear the pilot Bob & Doug (aka The Adventures of Bob and Doug McKenzie) is cooling back off, though not dead yet. FBC will take a look at the completed pilot when it's shot in July -- on hold til then.
The pilot The Pitts (20th Century Fox TV) is dead.
EXCLUSIVE! 3rd UPDATE: See new details about Capitol Films below. I'm told by knowledgeable sources that David O. Russell's indie political comedy Nailed which began filming in April was shut down by the Screen Actors Guild on Friday because of insufficient funds on deposit with the guild. I've also learned the Columbia, S.C. shoot is in trouble with both IATSE and Teamsters, and some of those union members have left the beleaguered $25 million budgeted production. Rumors also are circulating that the state of South Carolina could withdraw its incentive monies because of the financing problems. Filmmakers hope to resolve the cash crunch and re-start shooting next week since principal photography is only at the halfway point. "I am confident we will finish," an insider on the pic just told me. "The financing on this like most indies is based on bank loans and bridge loans. This is a matter of waiting on the bridge loan. Hopefully, it will all be resolved."
But new information coming my way says David Bergstein's Capitol Films behind the pic is troubled. In 2006, he acquired a leading UK-based international sales company which over the years had built a good reputation in the movie biz and made a wide range of commercial and critical successes, including Robert Altman's Gosford Park. But now I'm hearing from NYC film financing circles that "a shitload of people are owed a lot of money," in the words of one expert in the field. "I heard this week that his major financing source, a hedge fund, has shut down and left him in the lurch."
The filmmakers were able to get in a full day of shooting Thursday until SAG put its figurative foot down to protect its members during traditionally more dicey independent productions. I'm told co-stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel and the other name actors are all standing by to see if the movie can continue to completion. Some left the location for the weekend to spend Mothers Day with their families. My sources say James Brolin, who replaced Jimmy Caan after the veteran thesp got into a creative battle with Russell and quit, flew in early in the week and completed all his scenes before the movie was shut down. An insider confirms for me: "It's been touch and go the entire time. The financiers are doing the best they can. There's been a cash crunch, that's for sure. It's a drag, but they'll muddle through. Everyone seems happy and committed to the movie and hopeful all this stuff will get worked out."
Nailed is based on the novel Sammy's Hill authored by Al Gore's daughter Kristin (once a staff writer on the TV series Futurama) who co-wrote the script with Russell. The pic's predicament is unrelated to its helmer. True, the temperamental director is known for turbulent shoots especially when it comes to actors. Already on Nailed, Jimmy Caan stalked off the South Carolina set two weeks ago after he and the helmer couldn't agree on the best way for the actor to choke to death on a cookie during a scene. The film focuses on a naive small town waitress (Biel) who gets a nail lodged in her head and discovers a new-found sexual drive. When she travels to Washington to fight for better health care for the "bizarrely injured", she meets an unscrupulous U.S. congressman (Gyllenhaal) who attempts to take advantage of her. Brolin plays the U.S. Speaker Of The House. The movie also stars James Marsden, Catherine Keener, and Tracy Morgan. Those are a lot of name actors to be sidelined. One source with insider knowledge about the production told me Friday, "The actors are waiting to see if the movie will continue. It's kind of amazing, really."
See my previous from Friday night: EXCLUSIVE: David O. Russell Film Drama!
SUNDAY AM UPDATE: WHAT A DISASTER!
'Speed Racer' $20M Weekend Half What Warner Bros Hoped
Rival Studios Accuse WB Of Inflating #s
SATURDAY NOON UPDATE: I'm just receiving reports that Speed Racer also isn't doing well overseas where it opened day and date Friday in 30+ territories. Says a marketing and distribution source for another studio: "It is a disaster in the worst way. It was No. 6 in the UK and No. 9 in Germany and the numbers are horrific. Only Latin America showed signs of life -- but it was barely a pulse." I haven't seen any official international figures from Warner Bros yet. But the film was supposed to do better overseas where anime is a bigger draw than in the U.S.
As expected, Marvel's Iron Man is the blockbuster No. 1 for the second week in a row. According to distributor Paramount, it took in a str0ng $15 million Friday from 4,111 theaters (-62% from its opening) for what should be a $50 million weekend. Its new cume is a monster $141.4M. (I loved how star Robert Downey Jr. told Jay Leno this week that it's much better to have a blockbuster than an Oscar.) But the big story this weekend is what a big bomb Warner Bros' has released. It's now official: Speed Racer is the first domestic box office disaster of the summer. It placed only No. 3 Friday, well behind Fox's romantic comedy What Happens In Vegas, which opened with $7.1 million from 3,215 venues for what should be a $20 million weekend. (Photos of Robert Downey Jr at the Iron Man premieres in the UK and Australia...)
Despite a wide release into 3,606 theaters, the anime actioner starring Emile Hirsh opened Friday with only $6.1 million (and some studios said it was merely $5.7M). Even if today's kiddie matinees generate some of the usual high-octane and the movie moves up a notch to second place, it still won't move Speed Racer out of the slow lane or approach Warner Bros' own expectations of a mid-$30s million debut (and that was down from a hoped-for $40 mil a few days before...). The alarming fact is this film will struggle to even make $20 million for the weekend. At an estimated cost of at least $160 million (talk about a writedown!), this family fare is yet another case of a studio letting talent run amok: the Wachowski siblings delivered a long, loud, and lousy movie. (The Industry scuttlebutt is that Warner Bros Pictures Group prez Jeff Robinov, a one-time agent, gave way too much power to his former clients. Of course, the success of their Matrix franchise justified a certain degree of autonomy.) The film's biggest handicap is its 2 hour, 15 minute, running time, bucking the current trend of kid movies clocking in at a mercifully short 90 to 100 minutes. And then there are the bad reviews: only 27% positive among the cream of the crop of Rotten Tomatoes film critics. In addition, the pic should have been "aged up": it plays too young and limits its audience by appealing mostly to little boys. According to the "Parents and Kids" premium tracking, Speed Racer was first choice among parents and boys aged 7 through 11. Unfortunately, the Warner Bros film will get creamed by the competition from the Disney/Walden blockbuster Narnia 2 opening next weekend.
As for Fox's What Happens in Vegas and its tired "been-there, done-that" plot, stars Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz didn't deliver much box office firepower playing newlyweds. But the first-time-paired duo haven't been hot at the cineplex individually for a long while. Again, this is a case of movie stars, not box office stars. Some marketing mavens are hanging this on Ashton. "Guys just do not like him. He's a pretty boy toy and not someone guys feel they connect to," said an insider. "The upside is that the film cost only $35 million." Fox's well-oiled marketing machinery can make something out of nothing, and did that again here.
The rest of the Top 10 are holdovers.
FRIDAY PM: Here are very early numbers for Friday's domestic box office gross...
Marvel's Iron Man still the easy No. 1 blockbuster. -61% for $15M tonight. Looks platinum for Paramount distributed pic: $50+M weekend and cume $177M.
Fox's What Happens in Vegas #2 tonight with $6.8M for $19M-$20M wkd.
Warner Bros' Speed Racer only $6.6M tonight. Probably gets the kids matinee bump tomorrow and still ends up an oil-leaking #2 for the weekend at awful $23M-$24M.
Sony's Made of Honor #4 with $2.5M tonight for $8M weekend and cume of $26.6M.
Overall, this weekend's box office should be up at least 20% over last year's.
More analysis later...
See my Wkd Prediction: Problem-Plagued 'Speed Racer' Distant No. 2 To 'Iron Man'
SATURDAY UPDATE: ON SET DRAMA: SAG Shuts Down David O. Russell Film.
All new details...
FRIDAY PM: Details are sketchy, but sources tell me that David O. Russell's risque political comedy Nailed has been put on hold while shooting in South Carolina because of a "cash crunch" that's causing problems with SAG, IATSE and the Teamsters. Co-stars Jessica Biel and Jake Gyllenhaal (the pic also stars James Marsden, Catherine Keener, and Tracy Morgan) "are waiting to see if the movie will continue. It's kind of amazing, really," one source with insider knowledge about the production told me Friday. There are a lot of rumors circulating, and I'm trying to separate what's fact and what's fiction. But I can confirm the pic's predicament is solely related to its financing, not to its helmer. True, the temperamental director is known for turbulent shoots especially when it comes to actors. Already on Nailed, Jimmy Caan quit two weeks ago after he and the helmer couldn't agree on the best way for the actor to choke to death on a cookie during a scene. Russell also had well-documented differences with George Clooney (the two came to blows on the set of Three Kings) and Lily Tomlin (profane exchanges on the set of I Heart Huckabees... See my previous Lily 'Liberated' By F-Bomb/C-Word Video). But now the pic's woes go way beyond just a tense set.
FRIDAY 8:30 PM: Fox's 2007-2008 primetime season sitcom Back To You starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton as bickering TV co-anchors has been cancelled. Veteran 'Til Death starring Brad Garrett has been ordered by the network. I've just been told that the network's comedy pilot The Inn (20th Century Fox TV/ Reveille/Principato-Young Entertainment) is officially picked up to series now. Just before this decision, the pilot was given the go-ahead by Fox to meet writers. So they can hire now. Directed by Jason Bateman, the pilot "screened best," I was told earlier today. The network liked it from the start, even though its initial script was deemed "unreadable" by some people whose opinions I respect. Writer/Exec Prod: Abe Higgenbotham. Stars: Niecy Nash, Jerry O'Connell, Molly Stanton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jolene Purdy, Brando Eaton.
The jury in the federal trial of Hollywood P.I. Anthony Pellicano and 4 co-defendants still hasn't reached a decision after its first full week of deliberating. In the meantime, I thought you'd want to see this letter about Bert Fields (left, arriving at Roybal building read to testify; photo by Jim Stevenson for DHD) sent by his longtime pal and Greenberg Glusker law partner Bonnie Eskenazi to Arianna Huffington complaining about HuffPo's trial coverage and commentary by Allison Hope Weiner. Eskenazi used to be Fields' right-hand woman on most of his big cases. And Eskenazi also worked with Weiner (who's a lawyer) eons ago at the old Wyman Bautzer firm. I doubt there'll be a reunion party anytime soon. That said, I'm well aware that many of you will strenuously disagree with this letter, and many of you will vigorously defend it. Remember, I'm just the messenger:
May 9, 2008
Ms. Arianna Huffington
The Huffington Post
Re:Allison Hope Weiner’s May 1, 2008 ArticleDear Ms. Huffington:
I have read Allison Hope Weiner’s May 1, 2008 rant on the Huffington Post (“Pellicano Trial: The Jury Has The Case”) about how the “rich and powerful” people escaped the Pellicano case “without a scratch,” while the poor folks were prosecuted.
With no supporting facts at all, Ms. Weiner suggests in her agitated blog that the rich and powerful were guilty and should have been indicted, but escaped prosecution because of their wealth and power.
Apparently, Ms. Weiner didn’t notice that, these days, the federal government is regularly prosecuting rich and powerful people (including lawyers), convicting them and sending them to jail just to “set an example.” In the Pellicano case, itself, they’ve prosecuted a major film director, a music executive and a very prominent lawyer, all of whom would seem to fit in the “rich and powerful” category. Ms. Weiner’s frenzied assertion that people were not prosecuted in the Pellicano case because they were rich and powerful is demonstrable nonsense.
Her bizarre tirade suggests that my partner, Bert Fields, is one of those people who escaped prosecution “without a scratch,” because of his supposed wealth and power. She makes these wild and vitriolic assertions without the support of a single fact, except that Bert, like many others including the government itself, used Anthony Pellicano as an investigator.
This is not the first time Ms. Weiner has engaged in this kind of malevolent attack. She’s been at it for months, with no factual support, just repeating her venomous accusations.
Anthony Pellicano, himself, has repeatedly stated that he deliberately kept Bert in the dark about his methodologies. Mr. Pellicano even referred to Bert as “Mr. Clean Jeans,” whom he said would never approve of any questionable activity. He was right.
What Mr. Pellicano reported to Bert were findings about the cases on which he worked, not overheard conversations. Nothing Mr. Pellicano communicated to Bert in any way raised the specter of wiretapping. Notwithstanding Ms. Weiner’s spiteful and overheated prose, the suggestion that Bert “must have been” aware of illegal activity by Mr. Pellicano is simply preposterous.
The government investigated this matter for more than five years. Bert cooperated fully with that investigation. He spoke voluntarily to the FBI without counsel. Our firm turned over to the government hundreds of thousands of documents, including Bert’s own files. Bert even agreed to extend the statute of limitations, so that the government could complete its investigation. In connection with the recent trial, he announced that he was prepared to testify fully if called by either side. He spent two days in the courthouse waiting to be called. Apparently, to Ms. Weiner’s great disappointment, Bert wasn’t called by either side.
I’ve worked closely with Bert for many years, having first met Bert when I was opposing counsel in a very heated battle between two entertainment titans. So I can say from both sides of counsel table that Bert is the most honorable and upstanding lawyer I have ever known.
After more than five years of rigorous investigation, the government came up with no evidence that could support a charge that Bert Fields engaged in or knew of any criminal conduct. That is why he was not prosecuted. That is the only reason. It was not, as Ms. Weiner claims, because of wealth and power. Ms. Weiner’s continued hysterical diatribe against Bert is not journalism. It’s the bitter product of irrational malice.
Sincerely,
Bonnie E. Eskenazi
A major player in the Reality TV business, ICM agent Steve Wohl, has left that tenpercentery to head up the Reality TV division at Paradigm bringing with him America's Next Top Model Ken Mok and other clients. 
Wohl decided to jump after he went from head of ICM's Reality TV department, to co-head with Greg Lipstone, and then to working for Lipstone, because of personnel moves made by prez Chris Silbermann. Lipstone recently got another ICM promotion -- to sole head of the newly named International Television and Media division.
I already reported that, back in March, Lori Sale exited ICM's head of global branded entertainment to head up that new division at Paradigm. 
Since then, 5 junior agents in her ICM department have moved to Paradigm: Randy Smith, Kathlene Trihn, Sam Olsteen, Sean Barth and Jessica Love. But ICM retained the department's senior agents.
Then there's Jenny Fritz, the ICM motion picture lit agent who went to Paradigm a few months ago.
Paradigm's most recent ICM hire is more fall-out from last year's ICM-Ed Limato battle when the tenpercentery dumped all over several Limato loyalists. So fired ICM talent agent and one-time Limato assistant, Jim Osborne, went to Paradigm. Now Osborne just hired a young guy that ICM axed because he, too, was a Limato accolyte: Matt Eskander, who'll be a covering agent in the Paradigm talent department. Eskander spent several years as an agent under Limato's and Osborne's tutelage at ICM. He comes to Paradigm from Industry Entertainment where he worked as a manager for the past year.
Since I'm on the subject of ICM, I reported some weeks ago that clients of former ICM agent and now manager Brian Sher (his company is called Category 5) would be leaving that tenpercentery. The latest are Edwin Cannistraci and Frederick Seton, the writers of Pierre Pierre which has Jim Carrey attached and Jason Reitman directing. The duo just fired ICM and have parked themselves with Sher indefinitely.
LATEST: Fox Sitcom 'Back To You' Cancelled; 'The Inn' Pilot Picked Up
Here are more updates: I've just been told that The Inn (20th Century Fox TV / Reveille / Principato-Young Entertainment) was given the go-ahead by Fox to meet writers. I'm not sure if they can hire yet, "but it's looking good," a source explains. Directed by Jason Bateman, the pilot "is indeed good at FBC, and it screened best." Bruce Helford is gone from the Bernie Mac starrer Starting Under (WBTV / Mohawk), so the Fox comedy now needs a new showrunner. "The pilot stinks, but they want Bernie on air," a source explains. And the sitcom My Best Friend's Girl (Sony Pictures TV) is "heavy in the mix of CBS half-hours." Also, NBC isn't making any changes in its already announced schedule at Monday's upfront.
I've just been told that Jeff Leeds, the Los Angeles-based music industry reporter who was poached by The New York Times from the Los Angeles Times back in 2004, 
is now a victim of the Gray Lady's ongoing round of layoffs. I feel badly for him because he's always had a good handle on his beat. He also writes regularly and breaks news. "It came as a surprise. H was upset to be cut," an insider tells me. "But it's an odd beat to cut because it's not like there's overlap. It says a lot about how the paper views the music biz."
3rd UPDATE: Fox Sitcom 'Back To You' Cancelled; 'The Inn' Picked Up
2nd UPDATE: I've just been told that The Inn (20th Century Fox TV / Reveille / Principato-Young Entertainment) was given the go-ahead by Fox to meet writers. I'm not sure if they can hire yet, "but it's looking good," a source explains. Directed by Jason Bateman, the pilot "is indeed good at FBC, and it screened best." Bruce Helford is gone from the Bernie Mac starrer Starting Under (WBTV / Mohawk), so the Fox comedy now needs a new showrunner. "The pilot stinks, but they want Bernie on air," a source explains. And the sitcom My Best Friend's Girl (Sony Pictures TV) is "heavy in the mix of CBS half-hours." Also, NBC isn't making any changes in its already announced schedule at Monday's upfront.
UPDATE: I am told that Life On Mars (20th Century Fox TV) is getting completely recast and reshot except for Jason O'Mara. But ABC has ordered the drama pilot nonetheless. Amazing, and it's not even clear if David E Kelley will stay with it. I am also told that two ABC comedy pilots, The More Things Change (Regency) and the Untitled Cedric The Entertainer (ABC TV Studios), are dead at the network.
To date my April 24th "Hot List" of primetime pilots is holding up. But one alarming trend I'm seeing is that Big Media is demonstrating even more reluctance than usual to develop pilots their studios and networks don't own. This is yet one more reason so many primetime scripted series fail. Here are my updates:
ABC COMEDIES
The fact is that most of ABC's new stuff will need to go midseason because not only have few pilots yet been shot, but most are still only in the casting stage. Survivors are Stu Bloomberg's Bad Mother's Handbook (ABC TV Studios) in which Megan Mullally has now been cast opposite Alicia Silverstone, and the animated The Goode Family (Media Rights Capital) which has already gone into production on its 13-on-air commitment for 2009. Still awaiting more movement are previously touted This Might Hurt (20th Century Fox TV), Roman's Empire (CBS Paramount/Katalyst) and Nuclear Family (ABC TV Studios).
ABC DRAMAS
Captain Cook's Extraordinary Atlas (WBTV) has been given a huge budget. "It's this year's Pushing Daisies. It's very high concept and the network is very very high on it." Castle (ABC TV Studios/Beacon TV) and The Unusuals are still hanging in there. Prince Of Motor City (ABC TV Studios) has pulled ahead in terms of "really good buzz". What's new is that Life On Mars (20th Century Fox TV) has been shot and is said to be "definitely on the schedule" even though there's still no final decision whether David E Kelley will be leaving or not. Also Good Behavior (ABC TV Studios/South Pacific Pictures) has locked in comedienne Catherine O'Hara to star.
CBS COMEDIES
Nothing new with Single White Millionaire (WBTV) and Mike Birbiglia's Secret Public Journal (CBS Paramount/CBS), and both are still very viable.
CBS DRAMAS
Mythological Ex (CBS/20th Century Fox TV) is said to be a favorite of CBS execs who "really want it to work". WBTV/Jerry Bruckheimer's 11th Hour already has a 13-episode commitment. And The Mentalist (WBTV) is "looking good". No news about NY-LON (ABC TV Studios/Beacon TV). But thing are heading south for Can Openers (Sony Pictures TV). A newcomer to the list is Exit 19 (CBS Paramount/ABC TV Studios) since locked-in Geena Davis just happens to be Nina Tassler's longtime best friend.
CW DRAMAS
Both 90210 (CW/CBS Paramount) and How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls (WBTV/Alloy) have everyone saying they're locks.
FOX COMEDIES
WBTV/Wonderland's Spaced adapted from that British series is said to now have a "phenomenal cast". Cleveland (20th Century Fox TV) already has an order and Boldly Going Nowhere (20th Century Fox TV) already has a commitment. The Inn (20th Century Fox TV/ Reveille/Principato-Young Entertainment) is still getting great feedback.
FOX DRAMAS
WBTV/Bad Robot's Fringe from J.J. Abrams "tested really well". Joss Whedon's Dollhouse (20th Century Fox TV) looks like a lock. Paul Attanasio wroote a great pilot for Courtroom K (20th Century Fox/Heel & Toe Films), and the studio is now negotiating with Alfred Molina to star.
NBC COMEDIES
Nothing more to say about NBC's two new comedies Kath & Kim or The Office spin-off since both are already on the schedule.
NBC DRAMAS
Kings (Universal Media Studios) has already started production since it has a commitment along with My Own Worst Enemy (Universal Media Studios). The other drama, The Philanthropist (Universal Media Studios), is moving ahead and trying to find a new showrunner after writer-exec producer Tom Fontana left over creative differences.
The latest 61st Cannes Film Festival screenings guide is here.
Monday, May 12th, 2008
7:00 pm -- Wild Bunch Football Tournament
@ Stade St CassienTuesday, May 13th, 2008
TBD -- Paul Allen Yacht Party
9:00 am-6:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures
5:30 pm-7:30 pm -- Mandate International
@ The Penthouse at Villa D’EstelleWednesday, May 14th, 2008
TBD -- Macy Gray performing for Nikki Beach
@ Noga Hilton
TBD -- Chopard Party
@ Carlton
TBD -- Opening Night Film: Focus Features' Blindness
TBD -- Vicky Christina Barcelona
9:00 am-6:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures
10:00 am-10:30 am -- Kung Fu Panda Stunt with Jack Black
@ Carlton Pier
6:00 pm-8:00 pm -- DDA Press Cocktail
@ Majestic BeachThursday, May 15th, 2008
TBD -- Opening Night Gala
TBD -- UBBA, Abba Celine Kamina’s Company
@Top of The Majestic
TBD -- Screening of Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda
9:00 am-6:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures
6:00 pm-8:30 pm -- Yacht Cocktail Party, IM Global, Bunraku Bunraku
@ My Pegasus, Soleil Levant, Quai Albert Eduard Cocktail
7:00 pm-9:00 pm -- Velvet Octopus Cocktail Party
@ Nouma Blanc Apartment
7:00 pm-12:00 am -- Greenhouse and Prince Albert II Foundation Party
8:30 pm (sunset) -- WHV Beach Screening: Bonnie and Clyde
@ Plage Mace
9:00 pm-12:00 am -- City of Your Final Destination Party
hosted by Chopard @ Crystal Beach
9:00 pm -- Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda Party
@ Carlton Beach
10:00 pm-1:00 am-- Focus Films
@ 3.14 Beach La Croisette
Friday, May 16th, 2008
TBD -- Soho House Party
@ Chatteau De La Napoule
TBD -- Crystal Sky's Steven Paul birthday party
@ Carlton Ballroom
TBD -- Dennis Hopper Birthday Dinner
@ M/Y Oasis
TBD -- MGM Studios Party
TBD -- Sony Studios Party
TBD -- TWC Distributor Dinner
@ WTC Terrace, Gray D’Albion
9:00 am-6:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures
10:00 am-12:00 pm -- Reliance Big Picture Press Conference
@ Majestic, Salon Diane
12:00 pm-12:30 pm -- Ramco's You & I Photo Call
@ Carlton Beach
12:30 pm-2:00 pm -- Ramco's You & I Distributor Lunch
@ Carlton Terrace
2:00 pm-5:30 pm -- Ramco's You & I Press Conference
@ Carlton Grand Salon
4:00 pm-7:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures Cocktail Party @ Short Corner
5:00 pm-7:30 pm -- Ontario Media Development Corp and TIFFG cocktail reception
@ Plages des Palmes
6:00 pm-8:00 pm -- Future Films Cocktail Party
@ Future Films’ yacht “The Big D”, Jetee Albert Edouard
7:00 pm-9:30 pm -- The Weinstein Company's Igor Cocktail Reception
@ La Terrasse, Gray D’Albion
7:00 pm-11:00 pm -- A-list Private event
8:00 pm-2:00 am -- MEIFF Party
@ Century Beach Club
8:30 pm (sunset) -- WHV Beach Screening, Captain Blood
@ Plage Mace
9:00 pm -- Good News Group Dinner Party @ Carlton Beach
10:00 pm-1:00 am -- Ramco's You & I Party
@ Majestic Beach
10:00 pm -- ASmallworld and Porchlight Entertainment/Official ASW Party in honor of Emmanuel Jal: War Child & Running The Sahara
@ Nikki Beach
1:00 am-4:00 am -- Mike Tyson Movie After PartySaturday, May 17th 2008
TBD -- Official Selection Screening, Fortissimo: Tokyo Sonata
TBD -- Dennis Hopper’s Birthday Party
@ Casino
TBD -- Jean Pierre Celebrity Dinner Party series
9:00 am -- Fiji’s Financial Incentives for Filmmakers
@ Salon la Cote, Carlton Hotel
5:00 pm-7:00 pm -- Torino Film Festival Cocktail Party
@ Plage Le Goéland
5:30 pm-7:30 pm -- Bank of Ireland Party
@ Georgia Rose’ Jetee Albert Edouard, Vieux Port
6:00 pm-8:00 pm -- Cinemanx/Isle of Man Film Festival
@ "Benalex" Yacht, Quai Albert Edouard
6:00 pm-8:00 pm -- Regent MB Cocktail Party
@ Queen Margot, Cannes Harbor
6:00 pm-8:00 pm -- HP/Weinstein Co/Exodus Cocktail Party for Igor
@ Majestic HP Lounge
7:00 pm-9:30 pm -- The Weinstein Company Cocktail Reception
@ La Terrasse, Penthouse Terrace, Gray D’Albion
8:00 pm-10:00 pm -- Post Screening Cocktail Party for The Human Contract
@ Carlton Beach
8:00 pm -- Love Evolution
@ Nikki Beach
8:00 pm-10:00 pm -- Vanity Fair Dinner
@ Du Cap, Eden Roc
8:30 pm (sunset) -- WHV Beach Screening, Enter the Dragon
@ Plage Mace
10:00 pm -- Vanity Fair Party
@ Du Cap, Eden Roc
Sunday, May 18th, 2008
TBD -- Variety Party
@ The Grand
TBD -- Indiana Jones Premiere
@ Salle Lumiere, Palais
TBD -- Party for Unified Pictures with Moving Pictures Magazine
@ private villa
TBD -- Special Screening of Fortissimo's Ashes of Time Redux
TBD -- Critics Week Screening: Jeff Vespa's Nosebleed
TBD -- Jeff Vespa's Nosebleed Post Screening Cocktail Party
@ Bud Boat (TBD)
TBD -- New Line Cinema Party
9:00 am-6:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures
10:00 am-12:00 pm -- Bavaria Brunch
@ Bavaria Film International booth, Riviera H 9
11:00 am -- In Tandem's Islands in the Stream
@ Majestic Hotel
11:00 am-1:00 pm -- Film Financing Circle Brunch
@ Majestic Beach
1:00 pm-3:00 pm -- Ealing Studios Champagne Buffet
@ Pavilion Croisette
6:00 pm-8:00 pm -- British Film Institute & London Film Festival Party
@ Hotel Palais, Stephanie Roof Top Terrasse
6:00 pm-8:00 pm -- Toho-Towa Cocktail Party
@ Majestic, Salon Croisette
6:00 pm-8:00 pm -- Olswang
@ Martinez
6:00 pm-8:00 pm -- Bold Films Launch Party/Cocktail Reception
@ Century Beach
6:30 pm-8:30 pm -- Australian Government, Australian Film Commission reception
@ Atrium Beach
7:00 pm-9:30 pm -- Fujifilm Cocktail Reception
@ La Terrasse
7:00 pm-9:30 pm -- The Weinstein Company
@ La Terrasse, Penthouse Terrace, Gray D’Albion
8:00 pm-12:00 am -- The Works Distribution Barbeque & Bellini Party
@ Villa Les Moulinets
8:30 pm (sunset) -- WHV Beach Screening of Looney Tunes Cartoons
@ Plage Mace
9:00 pm -- Indiana Jones Party
@ La Plage
9:00 pm -- TBD -- Moving Pictures Magazine party with Celebrity Host Committee
@ aboard Anheuser Busch yacht “La Grande Fete”, Albert Eduardo JettyMonday, May 19th, 2008
TBD -- Chopard party
@ Carlton
9:00 am-6:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures
12:30 pm -- The Times/Sky Buffet Lunch
@ Club Diva
1:00 pm-3:00 pm -- IFG Lunch
@ Du Cap, Eden Roc
5:00 pm-7:00 pm -- Hampton’s Film Festival Party with Withoutabox and Film Finders
@ Plage des Palmes
5:00 pm-7:00 pm -- Producers Network drinks
@ Producers Club, Village International, Pantiero, Pavilion 210
6:00 pm-8:00 pm -- Red Carpet Screening of The Day After Peace
@ Olympia 1
6:00 pm-8:00 pm -- Mark Damon Book Release Party
@ Century Beach Club
6:00 pm-9:00 pm -- Film London Party
@ La Mandala Beach
6:00 pm-9:00 pm -- Fortissimo Films Cocktail Party
@ Majestic Beach
6:30 pm-9:00 pm -- Edinburgh International Film Festival Party
@ Long Beach Restaurant
7:00 pm-9:30 pm -- The Weinstein Company Cocktail Reception
@ La Terrasse
7:00 pm-9:00 pm -- Velvet Octopus Anniversary Drinks
@ Nouma Blanc Apartment
8:00 pm -- Ronald Perelman Cocktail party – Deluxe Entertainment Services Group
@ "Ultima III", Jetee’ Albert Edouard
8:30 pm (sunset) -- WHV Beach Screening of I Am A Fugitive From A Chain Gang
@ Plage Mace
9:00 pm -- Summit Entertainment Buffet Dinner for Red Cliff
@ Carlton BeachTuesday, May 20th, 2008
TBD -- Club Night
TBD -- WalkOnceMore @ Le Californie
TBD -- M1NT Festival House Cannes Burlesque Dinner Dance
9:00 am-6:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures
12:30 pm -- The Times/Sky Buffet Lunch
@ Club Diva
4:00 pm-6:00 pm -- Moving Pictures present The International Emerging Talent Film Festival/Macedonian Film Fund Party
@ Century Club, Vegaluna Plage
6:00 pm–8:00 pm -- Alberto Ferretti Cocktail Party
7:00 pm-9:30 pm -- The Weinstein Company
@ Penthouse Terrace, Gray D’Albion
7:00 pm-9:30 pm -- AVEX Entertainment Party
@ Martinez
8:30 pm (sunset) -- WHV Beach Screening of What's Up Doc
@ Plage MaceWednesday, May 21st, 2008
TBD -- Steven Soderberg's Guerrilla Movie After-Premiere
TBD -- SoHo House Party
TBD -- European Champions League Final
9:00 am-6:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures
6:45 pm -- I Am Because We Are Screening
@ Salle du 60e
7:00 pm -- WHV's You Must Remember This Screening
@ Salle Bunuel
8:30 pm (sunset) -- WHV Beach Screening of Blazing Saddles
@ Plage Mace
9:30 pm-11:30 pm -- WHV 85th Anniversary Celebration
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008
TBD -- In Competition Screening: Adoration
9:00 am-6:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures
12:00 pm-1:30 pm -- Press Screening of I Am Because We Are
@ Olympia
1:30 pm-2:30 pm -- Press Conference for I Am Because We Are
@ Majestic, Salon Diane
6:30 pm -- AMFAR Champagne Reception
@ Moulin de Mougins
8:00 pm -- AMFAR Dinner and Auction
@ Moulin de Mougins
8:30pm (sunset) -- WHV Beach Screening of Dirty Harry
@ Plage MaceFriday, May 23rd, 2008
TBD -- Dolce & Gabbana Party
TBD -- Ethan Hawke, Dennis Hopper and Bijou Philips after-party for Chelsea Hotel
TBD -- In Competition Screening: Synecdoche, New York
9:00 am-6:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures
12:30 pm -- Maybach Foundation Luncheon
@ Carlton
8:30 pm (sunset) -- WHV Beach Screening of Whatever Happened To Baby Jane
@ Plage Mace
10:00 pm -- Elle Magazine/DIOR Dinner Party
@ Du Cap, Eden RocSaturday, May 24th, 2008
9:00am-6:00pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving Pictures
8:30pm (sunset) -- WHV Beach Screening of The Matrix
@ Plage Mace
Sunday, May 25th, 2008
TBD -- Closing Ceremony
TBD -- Unified Party for What Just Happened
@ their villa
TBD -- Norse Films & Innovation Norway lunch event
TBD -- 2929
TBD -- Singapore MDA
9:00 am-6:00 pm -- Official Cannes Film Festival Short Corner
sponsored by Moving PicturesHOUSES/ LOUNGES/ LODGES/ SUITES/ CANNES VENUES
Anheuser Busch Yacht @ Docked in the first slip
Baoli by Xquisite Group & Moving Picture @ Restaurant Baoli
Chopard Jewelry & Watch Loan @ Carlton Hotel
The Green House
Hollywood Life Lounge
Macedonia Film Commission @ Century on the beach across from Carlton
Nikki Beach celeb lounge @ Nikki Beach on the Croisette
Norwegian Film Commission
M1NT Festival House Membership
Nike Lounge and cocktail party
Toshiba Daily Gifting Suite
Heineken Lounge
Net Flix Lounge
Adwil Gifting Suite @ Aboard “The Elegance”
Cannes Beauty Cafe
Verizon Lounge
Playstation 3 Gifting Suite and Lounge
The Main Event Lounge
Fred Segel Gifting Suite
Short Corner
Swarovski Bag and Jewelry Loan