TV SALES
ABC has fast become the most eager to get into the musical game, picking up a third musical project with the UNTITLED MENKEN/ZIPPEL/PENNETTE MUSICAL PROJECT from writer/executive producer Marco Pennette. Series, which Alan Menken and David Zippel co-created with Pennette, and will exec produce, and write music for, is described as St. Elmo’s Fire meets Rent and is said to center on a young female musician living with other musicians as they try to make their way into the world.
ABC has jumped headfirst into foreign reboots, however this time, it’s the redo of a foreign film in HEADHUNTER. Series, which will focus on the Danish film of the same name that focused on a professional headhunter entangled into a corporate power game, will be written by Eric Heisserer and exec produced by Laurie Zaks and Guy Stodel.
ABC has bought the action adventure series CITY OF DREAMS from writer/exec producer Scott Veach. The series, which is based on the novel of the same name written by William Martin, is pitched as being an ongoing series in the vein of “National Treasure”. Warren Littlefield will also exec produce.
ABC is moving ahead on the Americanized reboot of the Swedish tv series “Solsidan” with the new comedy SUNNYSIDE from writer/exec producer Victor Fresco. Series, which will also be exec produced by Warren Littlefield and Henrik Bastin, centers on a guy who moves, along with his wife and child, back to his hometown, where the couple then struggles not to turn into their parents.
CBS has picked up another Anthony Zuicker-produced pilot for development, snatching ahold of DETAIL from writer/exec producer Sarah Thorp. Series, which is inspired by top celebrity bodyguard Kim Maree Penn, will also be exec produced by Matthew Weinberg.
CW has jumped into the Zuicker game as well, picking up the new supernatural drama SPIRITS from writer/exec producer Jesse Alexander. Series, which will also be exec produced by Anthony Zuicker and Matthew Weinberg, centers on a team of three young women who seek out and solve paranormal mysteries.
CW has also picked up the hour-long musical series PRICKLY SPHERES from writer/exec producer Matt Goldman. The series, which will also exec produced by Jeff Kwatinetz, Rich Frank and Paul Frank centers on a talented teen who forgoes a classical music scholarship to Julliard to join a new indie rock band.
DISNEY CHANNEL has picked up new animated series GRAVITY FALLS from writer/exec producer/star Alex Hirsch. Series is pitched as being a stylized comedy, which centers on twin siblings who are thrust into the mysterious town of Gravity Falls, Oregon.
FOX is adding another animated series to its slate, picking up the UNTITLED GODFREY COMEDY from writer/exec producer Kenya Barris. Series, which will center on the day to day comedy of Godfrey’s life, will also be exec produced by comedian Godfrey, Bernie Cahill and Jordan Tilze.
FOX has jumped aboard the 1/2 hour comedy FREE RIDE from writer/exec producer Mark Perry. Series, which Michael Patrick Jann will direct and exec produce, centers on a middle aged man at the end of his rope, who accidentally falls to his death and wakes up as himself at age 18, on his first day of college, and is given the opportunity to relive his life differently.
STARZ has taken to the LA lifestyle, picking up the UNTITLED BOLTHOUSE/RIESEN PROJECT from writer/exec producer Vanessa Riesen. Series, which Hollywood “Scene-star” Brent Bolthouse will exec produce, will follow the lives of several people whose paths cross in great city of Los Angeles, with each episode taking place over the course of one night.
SyFy has made a late decision to jump back into the previously halted ALPHAS, ordering a 90-minute pilot, and an 11-episode order. Zak Penn and Michael Karnow wrote the pilot, which follows a team of ordinary citizens who possess extraordinary and unusual mental skills. Penn, Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein all executive produce.
TV RENEWALS
DISNEY CHANNEL has extended a second season return to freshman animated series FISH HOOKS.
TV ATTACHMENTS
Executive producer David Goodman (Family Guy) has signed on to join the new Fox animated series ALLEN GREGORY as exec producer/showrunner.
