Will You Watch Charlie Sheen's New Sitcom, Anger Management?

Charlie Sheen has been given another sitcom.  Lionsgate TV has announced that he will star in a new series based on the 2003 Adam Sandler film, “Anger Management.”  He’ll play the part made famous by Jack Nicholson and he’ll have an ownership stake in the program.  We don’t know yet which network will air it.

How outrageous is this? 

CBS cut Sheen loose from Two and a Half Men in March because of his celebrated behavior away from the studio and the fact that he insulted producer Chuck Lorre.  The guy is an admitted drug user.  He’s torn up hotel rooms and he has been accused of spousal abuse.

What does it take to make production companies and networks to steer clear of stars who are trouble?  Would they even draw the line at murder?

When you think about it, it’s not surprising that companies like Lions gate and the distributor, Debmar-Mercury (owned by Lionsgate) would go into business with Sheen.  Too few businesses have scruples these days.

But in order for Anger Management to stay on the air, there must be viewers.  And that means people like you and me.  Will people watch?  I pledge here and now that I will not.  How about you? 

Please, let there be some evidence that American television audiences have standards.  Don’t watch and hope that others follow suit.  It’s important that producers and network executives know that the public won’t stand for behavior like Sheen’s and that a majority of us feel strongly enough about right and wrong to guarantee that individuals like Sheen are not rewarded by ratings and the subsequent income and accolades.

For your information, here is the Lionsgate news release announcing the new program:

Los Angeles, CA, July 18, 2011 — Former Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen is planning his return to series television in Anger Management, a new sitcom loosely based on Revolution Studios' 2003 hit comedy feature of the same name. Lionsgate-owned Debmar-Mercury, headed by Co-Presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, will distribute the series that will be produced by Lionsgate Television, led by Television Group President Kevin Beggs and COO Sandra Stern; Joe Roth and Revolution Studios' Vince Totino; Sheen manager Mark Burg's production company, Evolution Management; and Robert Maron.

Sheen will retain a significant ownership stake in the series inspired by the film, in which a mild-mannered, non-confrontational man is ordered to attend group anger management sessions led by a therapist who could probably use some anger management himself.

"I chose Anger Management because, while it might be a big stretch for me to play a guy with serious anger management issues, I think it is a great concept," Sheen said. "It also provides me with real ownership in the series, a certain amount of creative control and the chance to be back in business with one of my favorite movie producers of all time, Joe Roth."

"Who better than Charlie Sheen to tackle Anger Management," Roth said. "With Charlie's incredible talent and comedic gifts, he remains the leading man of TV sitcoms. I'm excited to collaborate with him once again."

Roth is also currently working with Lionsgate's Debmar-Mercury and Ice Cube's CubeVision on the TBS hit "Are We There Yet?" It is one of three hugely successful sitcoms (along with Tyler Perry's "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns") that are the result of a unique sitcom business model created by Marcus and Bernstein.

Marcus and Bernstein said in a joint statement, "Our sitcom model is all about building well-known brands around extraordinary talents like Charlie that, thanks to their large profit participation, are highly motivated to succeed.

It's not every day you can roll out a sitcom featuring the star of the biggest TV comedy of the past decade.

"We always look for series ideas that are noisy, accessible and relevant," said Lionsgate's Kevin Beggs. "Charlie Sheen in 'Anger Management' takes those criteria to a whole new level and we are thrilled to be in business with him, Evolution, Debmar-Mercury and Revolution Studios on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With a star of Charlie's magnitude, a producer as venerable as Joe Roth and a branded property as compelling as 'Anger Management,' this show has unique upside while still adhering to our disciplined business model."

Said Burg, one of the creative forces behind Lionsgate's "SAW" franchise, the most popular long-running horror franchise of all time, and a former executive producer of "Two and a Half Men," "We have been fielding numerous offers for Charlie since his departure from "Two and a Half Men," but none were as creatively and financially compelling as the package that Lionsgate, Debmar-Mercury, and Revolution presented us with Anger Management."

The deal was negotiated on behalf of Debmar-Mercury and Lionsgate by Sandra Stern. Sheen was represented by Jake Bloom and Leigh Brecheen of Bloom, Hergott, Diemer, Rosenthal, Laviolette & Feldman. Revolution and Joe Roth were represented by Matt Johnson of Ziffren Brittenham LLP.

Omissions for the Emmy Awards; A Mostly Ho-Hum List of Nominees

The 63rd Emmy Awards will be broadcast on Fox on Sunday, September 18^th.  Jane Lynch of Glee will be the host.

The list of nominees contains no huge surprises.  The only real newcomer is Melissa McCarthy nominated for her title role in Mike & Molly.

There were, however, some glaring omissions. 

Neil Patrick Harris was neither nominated for How I Met Your Mother nor for hosting the Tony Awards.  He was robbed because he killed during the Tonys, as he always does.  C’mon, how can you nominate Ryan Seacrest for American Idol over Harris?

I thought Mayim Bialik might have been recognized for her role as Amy Farrah Folwler opposite Jim Parsons’ Sheldon in Big Bang Theory.  Though the casting directors and the writers get credit for securing her and writing for her, she brings it as an actress, making that show better this season than it had been – and it started out great. 

I guess the producers of Modern Family believe their actors will have a better chance of winning in the supporting actor/actress in a comedy category because all four of the male leads and Sofia Vergara are nominated as supporters rather than leads.  Or, it’s believed that the show is an ensemble show without a “lead.”  But all of those actors, especially Vergara and last year's winner, Eric Stonestreet (Cameron), are absolutely outstanding and deserve the highest honors.

Speaking of Modern Family, I’m glad Nathan Lane is up for his guest starring role as Pepper Saltzman, but Ed O’Neil shone playing opposite him in that episode where Jay spends the evening with Mitchell and his friends, instead of seeing the Four Seasons.  He was unbelievably funny from the moment he realized his wife was taking him to a performance of Vivaldi music, not the 60’s group, until the end when Lane shows up at his door the next day for a “date.”  Brilliant writing and acting.

In the drama category, it’s been written that Kyra Sedgwick was ignored as lead actress in The Closer this year.  But she has been a winner and she hasn’t changed her performance since the show began, so I’d agree with that one. 

I still have mixed feelings about Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick in The Good Wife.  She isn’t as stiff as she was - she’s come out of her shell – though I still think that while the show is terrific, her acting is stilted.

Also in drama, where were the nominations for any of the actors on shows like White Collar (Willie Garson as Mozzie), Leverage (Timothy Hutton) and Rescue Me (Callie Thorne as Sheila, Michael Zegen as Damien)?

I don’t think the Emmy broadcast will be as exciting as it could be this year because the nominations are pretty ho-hum.   Of those who did get nominated, they are mostly from programs around for a while – Mad Men, Dexter, Good Wife, The Office, Friday Night Nights, Parks & Recreation, Glee, 30 Rock.  Next year should be more exciting because there are some great new programs and more are promised for the coming season.

Finally, Jane Lynch doesn’t seem like the greatest choice as host to me.  Fox could have picked a better name, though maybe not one from its own stable - unless Hugh Laurie was willing.

Quick Updates

Damages, Season 4, premieres tonight at 10 on Direct TV Audience Network.

Rescue Me is back for its at 7th and final season at 10 p.m. on FX.

There's a special on the making the Harry Potter series, "Creating the World of Harry Potter," tonight from 8 to 11 on Bio timed for the opening of the final movie this week.

(I think there's a DVR emergency at my house tonight.)

A Bachelor/Bachelorette Scorecard: How Could Host Harrison say “Many” have Found Soul Mates?

WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILER AT END

Trista and Ryan Sutter:
one of two surviving couples from
The Bachelor/Bachelorette Series.

Last night on The Bachelorette, host Chris Harrison had an “exclusive” interview with Emily Maynard about her break-up with Brad Womack after the two were engaged at the end of the last season of The Bachelor.

In his intro he said, and I quote:

“In the many seasons of The Bachelor and Bachelorette, I have seen hundreds of men and women come on this show to find love and I’ve seen many find their soul mates.  Some have gotten married and even had kids.  They’re dream of a romantic life has come true, but not everybody is so lucky.”

Is he kidding? How could the producers script Harrison as saying such?

By my count and via some research, I found that there are two couples from 21 seasons of  both The Bachelor and The Bachelorette still standing: Trista and Ryan and Ali and Roberto.  Some may consider Jason and Molly, but they were not a couple at the end of the show. They got together after Jason broke up with the woman he chose originally, Melissa. 

Harrison may be referring to couples who met through the franchise, but not on the same season.  Couples who are rumored to be dating by meeting on Bachelor Pad or via events planned around the show are the following:  Tenley Molzahn (Bachelor 14) and Kiptyn Locke (Bachelorette 5), Chris Lambton (Bachelorette 6) and Peyton Wright (Bachelor 10), Vienna Girardi (Bachelor 14) and Kasey Kahl (Bachelorette 6) and Michael Stagliano (Bachelorette 5 and Holly Durst (Bachelor 12).

How does ABC get away with the false statements?

I’m the first to admit that these programs are a great guilty pleasure, but they are by no means a vehicle for finding marriage and should not be billed as such, though the odds are showing good results for entrée to a TV career a la Dr. Travis Stork (The Doctors), Jillian Harris (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition), Ali Fedotowsky (FOX TV in San Diego) and others. 

Back to the original point.  ABC, the program’s producers and Chris Harrison should issue a disclaimer each time they speak.  And they should not be billing The Bachelor and The Bachelorette as anything more than The Dating Game.

Here’s the full rundown of which couples ended up together at the end of each season and how they’re relationships concluded, in case you haven’t had time to keep score.

The Bachelor:

Season One - Alex Marshall and Amanda Marsh – Split.

Season Two - Aaron Buerge and Helene Eksterowicz – Split.

Season Three - Andrew Firestone chooses Jen Schefft  - Split.

Season Four - Bob Guiney and Estella Gardinier – Split.  (Guiney went on to marry All My Children actress Rebecca Budig and they have since split).

Season Five – Jesse Palmer and Jessica Bowlin – Split.

Season Six - Byron Velvick and Mary Delgado – Split.

Season Seven - Charlie O'Connell and Sarah Brice – Split.

Season Eight - Travis Stork and Sarah Stone – Split.

Season Nine - Prince Lorenzo Borghese and Jennifer Wilson – Split.

Season Ten - Andy Baldwin and Tessa Horst – Split.

Season Eleven – Brad Womack - No Choice.

Season Twelve – Matt Grant and Shayne Lamas – Split.

Season Thirteen - Jason Mesnick and Melissa Rycroft – Split.  (Jason ends up marrying the runner up, Molly.)

Season Fourteen - Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi – Split.

Season Fifteen - Brad Womack and Emily Maynard – Split.

The Bachelorette

Season One – Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter – Married with two children.

Season Two – Meredith Phillips and Ian McKee – Split.

Season Three – Jennifer Schefft – No choice.

Season Four – DeAnna Pappas and Jesse Csincsak – Split.

Season Five – Jillian Harris and Ed Swiderski – Split.

Season Six – Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez – Engaged.

Season Seven – Ashley and ?  Spoiler alert: It is said by “Reality Steve” that Ashley picks J.P. who, as of last night, was still in the running among four bachelors on their way to a hometown, meet-the-parents date.  But the tabloids are not saying good things about the current state of their relationship.

Harry Smith Joins NBC News Magazine; Will this Program be Hard or Soft News?

Harry Smith, who announced he was leaving CBS last week, has been named an NBC correspondent who will contribute to the network’s new prime time news magazine to be anchored by Brian Williams.

The program, NBC promises, will not be a new version of Dateline NBC, but will have a harder news focus.  The network’s prime time ratings were down 15% this season from the previous year and it has a number of holes to fill in its line-up since cancelling the likes of Undercovers, Outlaw, Chase, The Cape, Perfect Couples, The Event, Law & Order: LA, Outsourced and America’s Next Great Restaurant.  So a cheaply made news program vs. entertainment is in order.

So will it be real news?

There is reason to believe that NBC will try to attain a reputation for this program not unlike the one now held by the vaunted 60 Minutes.  NBC’s news release said the new magazine will be an exciting showcase for journalistic excellence saying it will be a live broadcast built around the week’s biggest and most interesting events, meaningful and in-depth stories, and timely newsmaker interviews.  It adds that there will also be groundbreaking, constantly evolving digital editions of the magazine available online and via the show’s iPad app.

NBC has promised that other top names at NBC News, including those at MSNBC will contribute.  There aren’t many in the NBC group who are slouches, unless they draw down to Kathie Lee Gifford, host of the fourth hour of Today.

Further, the program’s executive producer will be Rome Hartman who was an executive producer at the BBC who previously worked at CBS.  He is the person who launched the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.  But don’t hold that against him.  He also worked at 60 Minutes and has won numerous awards.

But the network has also said the show will highlight the “fun side” of Brian Williams, who has been known to turn up on 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live where his anchorman’s stiffness disappears.

According to Robert Greenblatt, NBC Entertainment Chairman, “it’s about being relevant and engaging and also entertaining, which is what Brian uniquely does.  It’s his sensibility, personality and skill that can inform this.”

“First and foremost [Williams] is a newsman,” said Greenblatt. “But at the same time he has a really fun personality that I think can enliven a newsmagazine show [in a way] he can’t do on the evening news.”

Hmm.  So is it news or not?

While the network promises the lighter side of Bri-Wi, I’m sure the real answer is that NBC does not yet know exactly how this still unnamed show will play out, but it intends to be serious. 

While all news magazine viewership has been down, with the exception of a flat (ratings-wise) 60 Minutes, there is room for a news program in prime time that informs with a bit of humor, but does not turn the news into a circus side show like some others before it.

"All My Children" and "One Life to Live" Saved by Licensing Deal

Here is the Disney/ABC Television Group news release announcing the licensing deal that will deliver the two soaps to viewers online and, possibly, via another TV outlet:

ABC LICENSES ITS ICONIC SOAPS “ALL MY CHILDREN” AND “ONE LIFE TO LIVE TO PROSPECT PARK

EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR, MULTI-PLATFORM DEAL ALLOW THE SOAPS’ STORIES TO CONTINUE BEYOND THEIR FINAL AIR DATES ON ABC

BURBANK, CA – July 7, 2011 – ABC has licensed its iconic soaps, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” to Prospect Park, it was announced today by Brian Frons, President, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group & Janice Marinelli, President, Disney/ABC Domestic Television and Rich Frank & Jeff Kwatinetz of Prospect Park.  The exclusive multi-year, multi-platform deal enables the soaps’ stories to continue beyond their finale dates on ABC.  ABC will broadcast its final episode of “All My Children” on Friday, September 23^rd and will air the final episode of “One Life to Live” in January, 2012.

The licensing agreement, brokered by Disney/ABC Domestic Television Group, enables Prospect Park to continue production of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” beyond their life on ABC. Prospect Park will produce and deliver the two long-running programs to consumers via online formats and additional emerging platforms including internet enabled television sets. Under the terms of the arrangement, the programs will continue to be delivered with the same quality and in the same format and length.  Additional details of the new productions and tune-in will be forthcoming from Prospect Park.

“We are privileged to continue the legacy of two of the greatest programs to air on daytime television, and are committed to delivering the storylines, characters and quality that audiences have come to love for over 40 years. ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ are television icons, and we are looking forward to providing anytime, anywhere viewing to their loyal community of millions,” said Frank and Kwatinetz. “Technology changes the way the public can and will view television shows.  Now that there are so many devices available in addition to television sets, viewers are taking advantage of watching shows wherever they are and on any number of devices.  The driving force in making the switch and attracting new audiences is to have outstanding programs that people want to watch. We believe that by continuing to produce the shows in their current hour format and with the same quality, viewers will follow the show to our new, online network.”

“’All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ are iconic pieces of television history that captivated millions of fans since their beginning over 40 years ago,” said Frons. “Each of the shows have made an indelible mark on our culture’s history and informed our consciousness in their own way.  We are so glad Prospect Park has assumed the mantel for these shows and that they will continue for the fans.” 

Marinelli continued, “From the time the shift in the daytime strategy was announced, our hope was to find a new home for these treasured shows.   We are thrilled to license them to Prospect Park so the stories of life in Pine Valley and Llanview can continue to be told for the passionate and loyal fans that enjoy watching each day.”

“I’m just so happy that ABC found a home where the legacies of ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ can continue.  I’m excited for their future with Prospect Park,” added Agnes Nixon, creator of both “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.”  “It takes a lot of living to make a soap opera a serial, and the wonderful teams on both shows have done just that. Together, we are a big family that keeps going, and I’m looking forward to working alongside these wonderful people as we ensure that the shows will continue with all the love and excitement we’ve always had.  I also am so happy for our loyal fans, whom we love so much, and who have been so supportive over the last 40 plus years.”

Prospect Park is a media and production company founded in 2009 by entertainment industry veterans Jeffrey Kwatinetz and former Disney Studios head Rich Frank. Along with successful film and music divisions, the company’s television group has numerous shows in development and breakout network hits airing, including “Royal Pains” and “Wilfred.”

In April, ABC announced that it was expanding the focus of its daytime lineup to include more programming that is informative and authentic and centers on transformation, food and lifestyle.  “The Chew,” an innovative and groundbreaking daily talk show that celebrates and explores life through food, will premiere on September 26^th.  “The Revolution,” a daily show about health and lifestyle transformations, will replace “One Life to Live” in January 2012.

“All My Children” has revolved around the lives of the residents of fictional Pine Valley, a town which closely resembles the Philadelphia Main Line.  “All My Children” took home the 1998 Emmy-award for Outstanding Drama Series, the third time the show received this top honor, having also garnered the award in 1994 and 1992. “All My Children” has received more than 30 Emmy Awards and consistently distinguishes itself in the field of daytime drama. The show has historically been committed to and is often the first to tackle social issues, focusing on such topics as AIDS, abortion, cochlear implants, teenage alcoholism, racial bias, acquaintance rape, spousal abuse, homosexuality, Reyes syndrome, Vietnam MIAs, drug abuse, the risks of motherhood over 40, safe sex, pet therapy and organ donations, among others.  The show made television history airing daytime television’s first same-sex kiss between two lesbian characters as well as daytime television’s first same sex wedding between two women.  The show was the first to chronicle the coming out story of a transgender woman and to cast a real life Iraq war vet whose story reflected his real life experiences and injuries incurred in combat.

“All My Children” premiered on the ABC Television Network on January 5, 1970, as a half-hour show; seven years later it expanded to an hour. Julie Hanan Carruthers is executive producer.

Also created by Agnes Nixon, the Emmy Award-Winning “One Live to Live” is set in the fictional town of Llanview, which is modeled on a Philadelphia suburb. “One Life to Live” debuted on The ABC Television Network July 15, 1968 as a half hour show.  Ten years later, it grew to a full hour in 1978.  

“One Life to Live” has been lauded for its groundbreaking exploration of social issues, diverse canvas, award-winning performances and innovative storylines. Along with the history-making week of live shows in May 2002, “One Life to Live” is responsible for many “firsts” in Daytime television, including stories of interracial romance, illiteracy, medical misdiagnosis, racial prejudice, gang violence and teen pregnancy. The show received mass critical acclaim for its 1992 homophobia storyline, which captured national headlines when it introduced the character of a gay teen (played by then unknown Ryan Phillippe) and culminated with the emotional display of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. “One Life to Live” was honored by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) with the Outstanding Daytime Drama Award  in 1993, and again in 2005 and 2010.

In 2002, the show won its first-ever Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Drama Series category, and was nominated again in 2007 and 2008. Created by Agnes Nixon, “One Life to Live” debuted on July 15, 1968 and marked its 10,000th episode on August 17, 2007. Frank Valentini executive-produces. 

Ken Ziffren of Ziffren Brittenham advised Prospect Park on the deal and the company is represented by Skip Paul at Centerview Partners LLC.

# # #

Media as the 13th Juror: What the Casey Anthony Not Guilty Verdict Says about the Press and Those Who Work with It

As first reported in CommPro.Biz

http://blog.commpro.biz/?p=2556

The not guilty verdict in the Casey Anthony murder trial is shocking to some, because prior to the trial it seemed there was a great probability that the woman would be held responsible for her daughter’s death. Is the media guilty of jumping to conclusions and racing to its own verdict before the evidence was presented?

Yes, it certainly is. But who’s really responsible – the news organizations, the public relations teams for the prosecution and defense, or the general public for accepting what was generally reported by the media?

Anyone who watched the trial knows that the evidence presented did not point to guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In the end, the prosecution did not have solid evidence to connect Casey to two-year-old Caylee’s death, even though there was substantial circumstantial evidence.

There simply was no smoking gun.

Defense Attorney Jose Baez said Tuesday that he had mixed emotions about the case and that he had to work hard against media bias that existed during the search for Caylee and the case against Casey Anthony.

“You cannot convict someone until they have their day in court,” he said.

He’s right and the media, dating back to the O.J. Simpson trial, has not learned its lesson. In this case, there is enough culpability for all parties to have their share, starting with the Orange County (FL) District Attorney’s Office and the office of the Orange County Sheriff.

The prosecution put out all kinds of tidbits about the timeline. Surely, a mother would be found guilty if she didn’t report the fact that her child was missing right away. Traces of chloroform inside the trunk of Casey’s car and the presumed odor of human decomposition therein were considered damning. Likewise regarding the indication of duct tape at the crime scene and in the Anthony home and the Google searches found on the Anthony computer for the following terms: “neck-breaking,” “how to make chloroform” and “death.”

From a public relations standpoint, the prosecution did its job while the defense did not, reportedly because if its lack of budget and the fact that a public relations firm resigned after representing the Anthony family for a time. The defense was not able to match the district attorney’s office point for point and could not adequately promulgate a message of innocence based on its court presentation.

And the media. It did not do well in reporting both sides of the story. Reporters heard more from the prosecution than the defense and ran with what they had.

Where was the real evidence? The prosecution had not gone beyond the circumstantial. There was no murder weapon. There were no witnesses. No DNA that could link the accused to the victim that could prove anything beyond a mother who was in contact with her daughter. There were no telephone calls or tapes during which the mother or any family member could be heard admitting guilt.

And there was a lack of real investigative reporting. Media outlets, for the most part, did not question the lack of real support for any of the allegations and leaned heavily on the emotional side. Here was a mother who was accused of having a sordid past who was possibly the victim of sexual abuse, both of which could have unleashed demons leading to filicide. Casey Anthony seemed like she could be guilty.

Furthermore, when criminal cases are the constant subject of programs like Greta Van Susteren’s “On the Record,” Nancy Grace and Geraldo Rivera’s “Geraldo at Large,” there is a heavy assumption of guilt on the part of the accused.

Last night, Nancy Grace was still at it. She said she was more stunned by the outcome of this case than when O.J. Simpson was found not guilty of murdering Nicole Simpson in 1995. She went on to say that Anthony stood to profit from her case with a “big fat book deal” or a “made for TV movie” and even went so far as to add that she would “run right through” any income.

Finally, the public has to shoulder some of the blame. If there weren’t so many viewers for the talk shows named here and if there weren’t large, unquestioning audiences for most news and talk programs, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. The American public does need to question more and assume less.

It is easy to hate a mother who is accused of doing such harm to her child, but guilty verdicts, thankfully, are not predicated on feelings and probabilities. The system works because evidence is necessary and no such evidence proving guilt was presented in the Casey Anthony trial.

This happened back in 1995 and more than 15 years later it was happened again. Many were certain O.J. Simpson would be found guilty in his criminal trial, but he was not. We should not be so surprised that history has, to an extent, repeated itself.