For 'Love' and money at Alphabet
Net pacts with Renegade for skein
Alphabet has pacted with David Garfinkle and Jay Renfroe's Renegade 83 for six episodes of "Love for Sale," a relationship show in which established couples find their love put to the test.
Mostly known for its hit firstrun syndie entries "Blind Date" and "The 5th Wheel," Renegade has made a big push into primetime in recent months.
"We have this incredible opportunity with the explosion in reality," said Garfinkle.
"Love for Sale" extends that strategy. Execs at ABC and Renegade declined to provide any specific information about "Love for Sale," citing competitive factors and the fact that the skein -- expected to bow this summer -- is still very much in the early stages of development.
However, the project was pitched to several networks before ABC locked up the rights. According to competing alternative execs who heard the pitch, "Love for Sale" will offer an established couple a substantial sum of cash if one of them agrees to spend several weeks with a member of the opposite sex.
Unlike "Indecent Proposal," there'd be no requirement that the relationship be consummated. It's also possible that other aspects of the show could change as the project is developed at ABC.
Garfinkle said the skein will "open a lot of eyes."
"I think audiences are going to be captivated by the nature of this show," Garfinkle said. "When people hear about what this show is, they're going to be fascinated and really intrigued."
Renegade's current primetime output includes WB entry "The Surreal Life." Renegade produces the pseudo-celeb showcase alongside Brass Ring Prods. and Mindless Entertainment.
Renegade also landed a five-episode order at NBC to revive the classic gamer "Let's Make a Deal."
"Deal," which premieres Tuesday, March 4, is hosted by "Access Hollywood's" Billy Bush. NBC entertainment exec VP Jeff Gaspin approached Renegade just a few months ago to produce the show, along with Monty Hall Enterprises.
"We got the order so quickly. Gaspin called us and said, 'Can you do this?' " Renfroe said. "That was just two months ago, and Christmas and New Years fell in that time frame. If it does well, it's a great franchise for us."
As for the rest of Renegade's development slate, the company recently struck a deal with the WB to develop a laffer starring "Surreal Life" housemate and rapper-turned-preacher Hammer.
On the scripted front, Renegade developed an hourlong project and half-hour entry for Fox this season.
Romantic 'Hell'
The laffer "Dating Is Hell," from scribe Bix Skahill ("Life Without Dick"), follows six characters who go on bad dates every week. The sitcom, which takes place at night, begins and ends at the "American Graffiti-style diner where the group congregates.
The drama "Nicky and Max" follows the difficulties faced by a newly engaged couple. Lon Diamond ("Parker Lewis Can't Lose") penned the project. Fox ultimately passed on "Nicky and Max."
Renegade also recently entered the feature arena, partnering with producer Barry Josephson to create a romantic comedy loosely based on Renfroe's experience as a single man trying to make it on the dating scene while producing a hot dating TV show (aka "Blind Date").
"Barry came to us as a fan of 'Blind Date' and said that he'd love to get a story out of us," Garfinkle said.
Garfinkle and Renfroe, who started as partners at Gold Coast Entertainment ("Rendez-View"), moved on to launch Renegade 83 four years ago. The Endeavor-repped company was named after the mascot at their alma mater, Florida State, while the "83" reps the year they graduated.
Beyond current entries like "Blind Date," the duo have produced fare such as UPN's short-lived reality entry "Chains of Love," which Renegade handled with Endemol.
