Hollywood Reporter

'Are We There Yet' heads to TV

By Nellie Andreeva — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:07:00 EDT

TBS and Debmar-Mercury are looking for a threepeat with "Are We There Yet?," a comedy series based on the Ice Cube starring feature of the same name.

Martha Plimpton to do 'Grey's' arc

By Nellie Andreeva — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Martha Plimpton has been tapped for a multi-episode arc on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy."

Keegan Michael Key cast in 'Gary'

By Nellie Andreeva — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Keegan Michael Key is joining the cast of CBS' comedy series "Gary Unmarried" as a regular.

FX orders 'The League'

By Nellie Andreeva — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT

FX is joining "The League," ordering a semiscripted comedy pilot from "Curb Your Enthusiasm" executive producer/director Jeff Schaffer.

Disney eyes another teen star

By Paul Bond — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT

It's too early to compare her to Miley Cyrus or Vanessa Hudgens, but Disney Channel thinks it could have another star in the making and has given her the lead role in a new sitcom.

Writer Judi Ann Mason dies at 54

By Mike Barnes — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:50:00 EDT

Judi Ann Mason, a trailblazing African-American writer who spent more than three decades creating for television, film and the stage, died July 8 of a ruptured aorta in Los Angeles. She was 54.

Reelzchannel schedules 'Twilight' series

Staff report — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:38:00 EDT

Cable network Reelzchannel will launch a new weekly series, "Twilight Weekly: Spotlight," hosted by correspondent Naibe Reynoso, to offer updates on the "Twilight" films.

PBS leads News Emmy noms

By Nellie Andreeva — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:26:00 EDT

PBS leads the pack for the 30th annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards, dominating the field with 41 nominations.

NBCU promotes Hilary Smith

Staff report — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:33:00 EDT

NBC Universal has promoted Hilary Smith to senior vp communications of the Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks, which includes iVillage.

USA's ratings streak continues

By Anthony Crupi, Mediaweek — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:58:00 EDT

Michael Jackson was all over the dial last week, but in primetime it was business as usual as USA Network beat all comers with an average delivery of 3.2 million viewers.

Ron Howard to be honored at Austin fest

By Jay A. Fernandez — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:26:00 EDT

Director Ron Howard has been chosen for special honors at this year's Austin Film Festival.

Comcast adds 18 networks to online trial

By Paul Bond — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:04:00 EDT

CBS and 17 cable networks are joining the Comcast online video trial called Online on Demand.

Kathy Griffin to host Creative Arts Emmys

By James Hibberd — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:33:00 EDT

Comedian Kathy Griffin has been selected to host the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

BET series toasts music newcomers

By Lindsay Gordon, Billboard — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:56:00 EDT

BET Networks, in conjunction with Grey Goose vodka, will debut a TV and concert series July 27 dubbed "Rising Icons." Each 30-minute episode will offer a glimpse into the life of an emerging artist by chronicling their journeys at home and on tour.

Russell Brand returning as VMA host

By Nellie Andreeva — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:04:00 EDT

MTV says Russell Brand will host the Video Music Awards for the second year in a row.

BBC bosses hit out at culture secretary

By Mimi Turner — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:48:00 EDT

BBC bosses Tuesday hit out at accusations of "a pattern" of poor leadership from culture and media secretary Ben Bradshaw, warning the government not to engage in "personal criticism" when it came to a debate about the BBC's future.

Blockbuster, Samsung on-demand video pact

By Franklin Paul, Reuters — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:07:00 EDT

Blockbuster Inc. on Tuesday announced an agreement that allows consumers to instantly view movies and video from its OnDemand service on Samsung's televisions and electronics devices.

Star to undergo restructure

By Patrick Frater — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EDT

News Corp. is planning a major restructure of Star, its Asian TV entertainment business based in Hong Kong.

'Modern Family' man inks 20th pact

By Nellie Andreeva — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Hot off directing the most lauded comedy pilot this season, ABC's "Modern Family," Jason Winer has inked a new two-year overall deal with the studio behind it, 20th Century Fox TV.

Steven Weber moves to new 'Town'

By Nellie Andreeva — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Steven Weber is in negotiations to play a lead on ABC's midseason series "Happy Town." Additionally, Ben Schnetzer has landed a lead role on the ABC Studios-produced drama.

ShineReveille nabs 'The Wanted'

By Nellie Andreeva — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:43:00 EDT

ShineReveille International has acquired NBC's upcoming reality series "The Wanted" for worldwide distribution.

Web venture adds HBO, Cinemax

By Paul Bond — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:19:00 EDT

HBO and Cinemax will participate in Comcast's experiment to bring certain TV shows and movies to the Internet. Only subscribers to the cable channels will have access to the content online.

Bankruptcy looms for Sinclair

By Paul Bond — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:12:00 EDT

Shares of Sinclair Broadcast Group plunged 21% on Monday, the first trading day since the company warned that high debt and a weak advertising environment could force it into bankruptcy.

'Big Valley' film rolls out

By Jay A. Fernandez — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:09:00 EDT

Kate Edelman Johnson is planning a return to "The Big Valley."

Magna researcher leaves company

By Steve McClellan, AdWeek — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:52:00 EDT

Steve Sternberg, a 27-year Interpublic Group veteran and one of the more respected and quoted TV-research executives on Madison Avenue, is leaving the company.

FX orders animated comedy

By Nellie Andreeva — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:32:00 EDT

FX has greenlighted a new animated comedy series. Tentatively titled "Archer," the series from Adam Reed has received a six-episode order for a launch this fall.

Comcast to stream HBO, Cinemax online

Associated Press — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:58:00 EDT

And you thought the HBO hit TV series "Entourage" would never be streamed over the Internet -- at least legally.

Neil Patrick Harris to host Emmys

By James Hibberd — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:15:00 EDT

CBS announced the worst-kept secret in TV today: "How I Met Your Mother" co-star Neil Patrick Harris has been tapped to host the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards.

ABC's Bob Woodruff returns to Iraq War

Associated Press — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:14:00 EDT

ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff returned to Iraq on Monday for the first time since he was nearly killed there by a roadside bomb more than three years ago.

Former ABC president dies

By Mike Barnes — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:04:00 EDT

Mark Mandala, a 32-year veteran of ABC who served the network as president for a decade, died July 11 in Dorset, Vt., while playing a round of golf. He was 72.