Well, our big NY presentation went off without a hitch, despite the poor head of TNT/TBS/TCM/TruTV creative being felled by a kidney stone, hospitalized and then not being able to get a flight and having to wait at the airport for half a day. Fortunately, he had it so well organized that things were able to proceed until he got there.
All of the stars (Kyra, Holly and the newbies--Eric McCormick etc.) were there and they showed our :60 promo that we shot up in NY last month. Kyra was very complimentary of the spots and said what a nice job we did. Hooray! We watched a simulcast on the web during our session. Besides the shows that were represented at the Upfront, there's lots more on the horizon, so I should be able to keep pretty busy this year:
TNT orders big-name cop series
George Clooney, '24's' Joel Surnow among producers
By Paul J. Gough
NEW YORK -- TNT announced plans to extend its winning streak in scripted dramas with projects in development from big-time executive producers George Clooney, "24" co-creator Joel Surnow and others.
Four of the series in development are cop-themed. "Delta Blues" is about a Memphis cop who is also an Elvis impersonator. It's executive produced by Clooney, Grant Heslov, Abby Wolf-Weiss, Liz Garcia and Josh Harto (Warner Horizon Television and SmokeHouse). Another project is yet to be titled and focuses on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent. Surnow is the executive producer with Todd Robinson and also the writer. And "Angel City" is an "Adam-12"-like drama written by L.A. cop Will Beall and Barry Schindel with Mandalay Television.
None of the projects was mentioned at Turner's upfront, held at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Wednesday morning, the first time Turner had gone into upfront week. It's not likely to be the last, judging from the positive reaction from buyers and the good vibes afterward from Turner execs who put on an 81-minute program that had everything -- stars, lots of footage -- that their broadcast rivals so far have lacked.
Also in development are "Tough Trade," a look at Nashville music from Lionsgate Television and executive produced by Chris Offutt, Sean Furst and Bryan Furst; and an untitled family drama like "Little Miss Sunshine" executive produced by Rob Ulin.
Turner told advertisers that it was ready to dramatically increase its original content on TNT. The goal is to eventually have 80 percent original content weeknights, with original programming three nights a week by 2010.
