CBS picks up six for 2008-09 slate
Network nabs two comedies, four dramas
ABC put the finishing touches on the sked it will unveil today with a nod to its long-gestating remake of Brit TV drama "Life on Mars." CW, which also presents today, made it official on drama "Surviving the Filthy Rich," previously titled "How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls."
In wrapping up its skeding decision, Fox by Monday had decided to pass on the Bernie Mac-Bruce Helford comedy that had earned a series commitment for Warner Bros. TV last fall. Network is said to be eager to develop something new with Bernie Mac, who remains in a deal at WB.
On the half-hour side, CBS gave a nod to "Project Gary," starring Jay Mohr as a recently divorced dad trying to navigate his return to the dating scene with the demands of his ex-wife and kids. Project, penned by Ed Yeager and Ric Swartzlander for ABC Studios and CBS Paramount Network TV, came on strong last week during CBS' pilot screenings process.
The other comedy pickup went to "Worst Week," based on a British format, adapted by scribe Matt Tarses for Universal Media Studios and the U.K.'s Hat Trick Prods. Multi-generation comedy revolves around a young couple in pre-wedding countdown phase dealing with nuttiness from their in-laws. Kyle Bornheimer and Erin Hayes star as the couple.
CBS' most talked-about drama property is 20th Century Fox TV's "The Ex List," based on an Israeli series about a woman who is warned by a tarot card reader that she needs to get married soon to a man who she's already known in her life. Diane Ruggiero penned the pilot, which stars Elizabeth Reaser.
CBS' drama docket next season will include another Brit TV adaptation, the thriller "Eleventh Hour," about a government investigator probing cases involving scientific anomalies. Rufus Sewell stars in Jerry Bruckheimer-produced series for Warner Bros. TV. Brit scribe Mick Davis handled the U.S. adaptation.
Also from Warner Bros. TV is "The Mentalist," from scribe Bruno Heller. It stars Simon Baker as man who uses his innate powers of deduction to aid police.
Murder mystery vehicle "Harper's Island," about a group of friends who meet on an island off of Seattle for a wedding, hails from CBS Par and "Jericho" producer Jon Turteltaub. Pilot was penned by Ari Schlossberg. There's talk that "Harper's Island" would go for midseason, but CBS execs would not confirm any details Monday.
CW's "Surviving the Filthy Rich," about a Yale-educated woman who's hired to serve as the live-in tutor to two wealthy heiresses, comes from Warner Bros. TV and scribe Rina Mimoun. Project is based on a book from Alloy Entertainment, which is a coproducer with WB on the series.
ABC is expected to shine a big spotlight on "Life on Mars" during its presentation at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. After lengthy negotiations, project has moved from producer David E. Kelley and 20th Century Fox TV to a coproduction with ABC Studios and a new trio of showrunners: Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg.
Series is based on the British time-traveler suspenser about a cop who through various circumstances finds himself transported back to 1973. Speculation is that "Mars" could land the plum Thursday 10 p.m. berth following "Grey's Anatomy" in the fall, while the time slot's current occupant, "Lost," is on its skedded hiatus until early in 2009.
Overall, ABC is expected to mostly stick with its sked as is without making any dramatic moves. It's a sign that execs were confident in the Alphabet's overall performance during this season, until the writers strike and the return of "American Idol" halted its momentum.
