Showtime goes for more 'Isaak'

Cabler picks up new episodes for summer 2003

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

Isaak

Low-rated but critically acclaimed series "The Chris Isaak Show" has been picked up for a third season by Showtime.

Cabler has picked up 13 additional episodes of the show, which stars the guitar-playing crooner as himself -- or at least a TV version of himself.

Showtime previously aired two 17-episode seasons of "Chris Isaak"; the show's first batch of episodes was rebroadcast on sibling cabler VH1.

Showtime now will produce "Chris Isaak" inhouse, a spokeswoman for the channel said. Viacom Prods. produced the first two seasons of the show. The series will go back into production in January, with a summer 2003 premiere.

Isaak's band members Kenney Dale Johnson, Hershel Yatovitz and Rowland Salley play themselves in the series. Co-stars include Kristin Datillo as Isaak's manager, Yola; Jed Rees as Anson, the band's keyboardist; and Greg Winter as Yola's rival at the management firm.

"Chris Isaak" has drawn plaudits from critics and a loyal fan base. Numerous musicans and bands have appeared on the show, including the Goo-Goo Dolls, Green Day, Paul Stanley, Stevie Nicks and Lisa Loeb.

Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider exec produce and write "Chris Isaak," which is also executive produced by Isaak and Mike Medavoy and Arnold Messer at Phoenix Entertainment.