TV SALES
ABC has handed out a pilot order for the previous untitled 1/2 hour comedy MAN UP from writer/exec producer Christopher Moynihan. Series, which centers on a group of guys are all at different stages of romantic relationships, will also be exec produced by Ron West and Kelly Kulchak.
ABC has also picked up, and handed a pilot commitment to new laugher SMOTHERED from writers/exec producers Andrew Reich and Ted Cohen. Series, which is based on the writers’ lives, centers on a couple who find themselves dealing with their two sets of parents whose only thing in common is that their children are married to each other. The couple’s one-year-old brings the two opposing families together.
ABC is making another push towards mini-series events, picking up the planned 8-hour mini WICKED from writer/exec producer Erik Jendersen. Series, which is based on the book of the same name from writer Gregory McGuire, offers an alternate look at the land of Oz, where the true heroine is wrongfully cast as the “wicked” witch and actually turns out to be a freedom fighter who battles against the wizard for her homeland. Salma Hayek and Jose Tamez also exec produce.
HBO has decided they had a winner, and handed out a series order to previous untitled comedy GIRLS from writer/exec producer Lena Dunham. Series, which Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner also exec produce, revolves around the challenges and humiliations as well as the triumphs of being a 20-something female in the city.
TV RENEWALS
AMC has surprised no one, and handed out a fifth season renewal for critically acclaimed drama MAD MEN.
STARZ already made it abundantly clear that they were going to renew SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND for a second season, however apparently only made the “announcement” this past week.
TV CANCELLATIONS
While not a cancellation, so much as a failure to get picked up, the once promising excitement behind the David E. Kelley planned WONDER WOMAN series has disappeared, with no networks willing to step to the plate and give the show a chance. Kelley has in-turn, shelved the project.
THE HISTORY CHANNEL has pulled a head-scratching move, and decided (one day after the release of the trailer) to pull the Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear, Barry Pepper, Tom Wilkinson-starring mini-series THE KENNEDYS, due to not feeling it fit their audience demographic. The move, which left every network in town surprised, now has several placing offers to pick it up – Showtime the current frontrunner.
