TCA Briefs

Reports from the Television Critics Assn.

By PAULA BERNSTEIN

"2-Minute Drill," the new quizzer that "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" exec producer Michael Davies is developing for ESPN, will have nowhere near the payoff as "Millionaire." The prize "is not going to be anywhere near a million dollars," Davies said. Instead, in addition to cash prizes, ESPN will grant winners "fantasy prizes" such as covering an event for the sports cabler. The sports trivia gameshow will debut on Sept. 11. ESPN has ordered 26 episodes of the half-hour show.

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The number one issue facing MTV, according to the music cabler's programming prexy Brian Graden, is how to get away from the reality programming that was the cabler's "bread and butter mainstay for the last five or ten years." Suggesting that CBS' "Big Brother" is a ripoff of MTV's "The Real World," Graden said the net is looking for a new way to brand itself. "I think that the brand hallmark for the next five years will be interactivity, and that will once again put us ahead of the curve in terms of where the audience is." Graden then announced that MTV will premiere "Direct Effect" (DFX), a live, interactive hip-hop show hosted by Teck, who first came into the public eye as -- what else? -- a cast member on "The Real World."

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Nickelodeon has tapped "Pelswick," a primetime animated series that focuses on a wheelchair-bound kid, for an October bow. Created by nationally syndicated cartoonist and author John Callahan, who is a quadriplegic, "Pelswick" is produced by Nelvana. "Pelswick" will follow the daily life of a 13-year-old boy in a wheelchair and his best friends, Ace and Goon. "First and foremost, 'Pelswick' is a unique and funny property for kids," said Cyma Zarghami, exec VP and general manager at the kids' cabler. "Callahan has provided us with access to the world of the physically disabled with heroism and humor."

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Lifetime plans to introduce "Operation Style" (working title), a half-hour daytime series from designer Bradley Bayou, in October. During each episode, Bayou will focus on one woman's predicament from beginning to end, showing viewers how to solve everyday household dilemmas. "Operation Style" is produced by Beantown Prods. for Lifetime. Bayou is the co-exec producer. David Carr and David Comtois are exec producing.