It's not TV... It's Showtime via HBO

Talent raid includes Ullman, Hall, Falco, 'NFL'

By JOHN DEMPSEY

Showtime spent years bristling at comparisons to HBO. But lately it's been more than happy to pick up talent and projects from its rival.

Cabler is now taking over "Inside the NFL," which HBO canceled in March after a 31-year run. But the move is nothing new.

Showtime just renewed "Tracey Ullman: State of the Union" for a second season. HBO had a similar Ullman-produced sketch show from 1996 to 1999 called "Tracey Takes On ..."

"Dexter," the hit serial-killer melodrama on Showtime, stars Michael C. Hall, who was one of the ensemble stars on HBO's "Six Feet Under."

"Secret Diary of a Call Girl," the comedy-drama premiering on Showtime June 16, was brought to Showtime by one of its exec producers, Chris Albrecht, who was fired as chairman and CEO of HBO a year ago May.

And Edie Falco, co-star of "The Sopranos," just completed an untitled pilot for Showtime dealing with the head nurse of a hospital and her dysfunctional family.

Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117987056.html

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