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Posts published in “Year: 2008”

Just cut it

An NBC Universal memo that Zucker sent yesterday told the NBC employees that $500 million out of the budget is going to get cut next year.
Interestingly, NBC Uni’s profit grew by 10% this year.
CBS is also making cuts in its staff it seems.

Most of the NBC $500 million slash will be cuts in “staffing costs” (read job loss), although expect diminution in “promotional expenses” and other entertainment spending, ergo less money in the long run for TV production.

Is the economical crisis forcing “idea number 5” on the networks?

Television being primarily a business, Writers and other artists have their art dictated by their means, especially in the TV business.
Less money might mean more down-to-Earth/dialoguey shows…

In other media:
Fortunately for my depressive readers, I won’t be talking about this week’s B.O.
Max Payne numero uno and Chihuahua still on the loose.
CANNOT COMPUTE.

Crazy whorish money

Did you click because of the title?

Unfortunately for you, there ain’t no hos here dog.

But rest assured that this week, the madness never ends.
And that’s 2 crazies this week if you’re keeping tabs.

Let’s continue.

Remember that Argonaut Version 9.0 I was talking about yesterday?
Well the guys over at WB are making their own kind of Greek mythology adaptation.

Remember Troy?
I hope you don’t.

Yesterday was announced that Brad Pitt was going to star in another Homer adaptation, directed by George Miller (Mad Max).
This will be an all new take on Homer’s The Odyssey.
And by new, I mean futuristic.
Literally.
They are planning to take the story far into S-F territory.
God no.

Halfway around the world, Canal Plus is going to do, after their “Brit Week” earlier this year, an “American Week”.
And guess when.
The first week of November (election anyone?).
The week will be full of docs around the U.S., including one on H-Wood, with Antoine de Caunnes’ “Allez a LA!”, among others.
Also during the week will be showings of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.
Not to mention that C+ inked a deal earlier this week with… Dan Rather.
Yes.

Is C+ pimping itself out to get deals?

Meanwhile, I have news for you, Mad Men speccer.
Rest assured that your smooth spec is staying alive for a while. A third season is already optioned by AMC.
Although talks are still taking place between Lionsgate and Weiner…
Money money money.

Oh, and Sarah Palin is indeed guesting this Saturday on SNL.
Sad.

But hey, it’s the week-end.
Hooray!

What the fudge is going on?

Continuing on the “world has gone mad” trend…

I nearly had a heart attack today when I learned that several French shows (!!!) were being optioned and considered for the American market.
Bluagh…
Sorry, I just threw up a little in my mouth.

The first of those “shows” is Clara Sheller, the lame story of a single woman living with her gay BFF. As any other French TV production, the show sucked, and kinda tanked in the ratings (FYI, the show had to change network).
The fact that this show is even being considered for adaptation was a big hit for my frail little heart…
But then I continued reading on, and saw that Drew Barrymore was interested in both starring and producing the U.S. remake!

Pardon my French, but WHAT THE FUCK?!

Other crazy French acquisition are ‘Fais Pas ci, Fais pas ça,’, ‘Doom-Doom‘, and Hard (a comedy revolving around…porn).
Guess who’s in talks to adapt that last one?
Brett Ratner.
Ouch.

Why are they continuing to adapt foreign shows, especially French ones who suck, when there’s plenty of undiscovered talent out there?
I’m crying inside.