ABC orders reality, comedy pilots
Brit hit 'Millionaire,' 'Detroit,' others greenlit for prod'n
"Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" from Celador Ltd. and Buena Vista Prods., executive produced by Paul Smith, gives regular people a chance to win $1 million for answering five questions with the help of their friends, family, the host and the studio audience.
"It's very modern, very dramatic and very moody," said Michael Davies, ABC's executive VP of entertainment, who adds that "Millionaire" is the fastest-selling quiz show format worldwide. ABC is considering the quiz show for fall, but it also may be launched as a summer strip.
Other reality pilots include the tentatively titled "Detroit Receiving" from "Real World" creators Bunim Murray in association with Touchstone TV. This reality series follows a young medical resident in training at a Detroit teaching hospital.
Much like a reality version of "ER," it will feature "their first night in the ER, their first (baby) delivery, their first surgery," Davies said. "It will show them as they're flung out into the real world, and their personal lives too."
In that same vein, Paul Stojanovich ("Cops") is producing a pilot presentation about young cops, which will feature their personal and professional lives. A number of cities are being considered as a backdrop for the show.
Davies is also developing a special/backdoor pilot called "The Best TV You've Never Seen," which features clips of TV shows from all around the world.
On the comedy front, Touchstone TV is making "Talk To Me," a sitcom about a single woman radio host from executive producer Suzanne Martin.
"Odd Man Out," from Warner Bros. and Ed Decter and John Strauss ("Chicago Sons") is a cast-contingent pilot about a 14-year-old boy surrounded by his mom and three sisters.
From Greenblatt Janollari is an untitled Alan Ball comedy about three male friends whose lives are disrupted when the young adult daughter of one of the men moves in.
"The Guide," also from the Greenblatt Janollari Studio and executive producer Rob Bragin, is a romantic comedy about a young couple using self-help.
ABC is also redoing last season's TGIF pilot "Carson's Vertical Suburbia," with Dan Palladino and Columbia TriStar TV.
Other comedy pilots, which have been in the works for some time, include "Anna Says," starring Tracy Pollan. From DreamWorks, Lottery Hill and executive producers Jill Davis and Scott Winant, the comedy is about a young, single ad exec in New York City dealing with her attraction to her business partner.
"True Love," from Studios USA, stars Adam Goldberg and Julie Delpy and is executive produced by Maya Forbes. It's about a young and somewhat mismatched unmarried couple.
Separately, after the success of WWII films like "Saving Private Ryan," CBS has ordered a Paramount and CBS Prods. WWII drama pilot called "Skylark," executive produced by Anita Addison and Michael Mankin, and directed by Rod Holcomb ("ER"). The drama focuses on the romantic liaison between a woman in the French resistance and an American flyer.
