Netflix Announces Date For ‘Arrested Development’ Season Four Premiere

Via Press Release:

Netflix To Launch New Season Of Arrested Development On May 26

Highly-Anticipated Fourth Season Launches with 15-Episodes (Not a Typo)

Twitter Pitch: We’ve made a huge mistake. There are actually 15 NEW episodes of #ArrestedDevelopment launching on @Netflix May 26

Apr 4, 2013

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Netflix will premiere its highly-anticipated fourth season of Arrested Development on Sunday, May 26, 2013. All 15-episodes of the Emmy^® Award-winning comedy from series creator/executive producer Mitchell Hurwitz will be available for members to watch instantly at launch.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101014/SF81638LOGO)

Arrested Development will be available to all Netflix members instantly at 12:01 AM PDT in territories where Netflix is available – U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Latin America, Brazil and the Nordics.

“Arrested Development is now widely viewed as one of the top TV comedies of all time and Mitch Hurwitz is bringing it to Netflix in a brand new way, crafted for the on-demand generation that has come to discover the show in the years since it last appeared on TV,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer for Netflix. “The highly anticipated return of this show is sure to make history all over again.”

“Ted said that?  Wow. Well don’t print this obviously, but he’s going to be immensely disappointed.  In truth we are doing something very ambitious that can only be done with Netflix as partners and on their platform.  Finally my simple wish for the show is coming true: that it be broadcast every second around the clock to every television, computer or mobile device in existence,” said series creator and executive producer Mitch Hurwitz.

Arrested Development centers around Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) and his eccentric family comprised of his son George Michael (Michael Cera), his father George Bluth Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor), his mother Lucille (Jessica Walter), his brothers George Oscar Bluth II (Will Arnett), Buster Bluth (Tony Hale) and sister Lindsay Funke (Portia de Rossi), and Lindsay’s husband Tobias (David Cross) and their daughter Maeby (Alia Shawkat).

Mitchell Hurwitz, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Jim Vallely and Troy Miller are executive producers on Arrested Development, and it is produced by Imagine TV and 20^th Century Fox Television for Netflix. Arrested Development has garnered accolades from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmy^®), AFI, the Golden Globes, Producer’s Guild Awards, Screen Actor’s Guild, the Television Critics Association and the Writer’s Guild, among others.

About Netflix, Inc.

Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with more than 33 million members in 40 countries enjoying more than one billion hours of TV shows and movies per month, including original series. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments. Learn more about how Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) is pioneering Internet television at www.netflix.com or follow Netflix on Facebook and Twitter. Netflix’s original series include the political drama “House of Cards,” which stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright; “Hemlock Grove,” Eli Roth’s murder mystery series based on Brian McGreevy’s gripping novel of the same name; Jenji Kohan’s upcoming series “Orange is the New Black,” which stars Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon and Jason Biggs; and the second season of “Lilyhammer,” which stars Steven Van Zandt.

SOURCE Netflix, Inc.

SHOCKER! HBO Renews ‘Game Of Thrones’ For Season Four Within 48 Hours Of Season Three Premiere

Considering that HBO renewed Game of Thrones for seasons two and three within 48 hours of the premieres of seasons one and two, respectively, this really should come as a surprise to no one.  I’m just going to copy and paste this piece and save it in my “Drafts” folder for next year.

Via Press Release:

HBO RENEWS GAME OF THRONES FOR FOURTH SEASON

——–

Season Three Soars To Highest Viewership Yet

——–

LOS ANGELES, April 2, 2013 – HBO has renewed GAME OF THRONES for a fourth season, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming.

Based on the bestselling fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin, GAME OF THRONES is an epic story of treachery and nobility set on the continent of Westeros, where summers and winters can last years, and only the lust for power is eternal. The Emmy^®– and Golden Globe-winning series launched its ten-episode third season Sunday, March 31 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO, with other episodes debuting subsequent Sundays at the same time.

Among the early critical praise for the third season, the Hollywood Reporter called GAME OF THRONES “addictive and outstanding,” while Newsday termed the series “superb,” awarding the show an A+. The Chicago Tribunehailed the show as “spellbinding” and the Washington Post described it as “masterful.”

According to early data, GAME OF THRONES’ season three premiere March 31 on HBO topped the series’ highs, with record viewership for both the 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) airing and gross audience across the three plays. At 9:00 p.m., it averaged 4.4 million viewers, outperforming (+4%) the previous high of 4.2 million viewers from last season’s finale. GAMES OF THRONES improved 13% in comparison to last season’s premiere of 3.9 million viewers. Across the three plays for the night, 6.7 million viewers tuned in, surpassing last season’s debut night of 6.3 million viewers by 7%. Last season, GAME OF THRONES had an average gross audience (HBO linear plays + HBO On Demand/HBO GO + DVR) of 11.6 million viewers.

For more on the series, visit facebook.com/GameOfThrones and twitter.com @GameOfThrones #GameOfThrones.

Season three credits: The executive producers of GAME OF THRONES are David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger, Bernadette Caulfield; co-executive producers, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis, George R.R. Martin, Vanessa Taylor; produced by Chris Newman, Greg Spence.

AMC: ‘The Walking Dead’ Season Four Begins Shooting In May, New Showrunner Named

Via Press Release:

Season Four of AMC’S “THE WALKING DEAD” Begins Production May 6 in Atlanta

AMC Confirms Scott M. Gimple As Showrunner and Executive Producer For Season Four Greg Nicotero and Tom Luse Elevated to Executive Producers With Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert New York — February 27, 2013 — AMC announced today that the cast and crew of “The Walking Dead” return to Atlanta, Georgia on Monday, May 6th to begin production on season four. AMC also confirms Scott M. Gimple as showrunner and executive producer for the series’ fourth season to premiere in October with 16 episodes. Gimple has been on the show’s writing staff since season two. Co-Executive Producer, Emmy ® Award-winning Special Effects Makeup Supervisor and Director Greg Nicotero and Producer Tom Luse have also been elevated to executive producers.?“The Walking Dead” is based on the comic book series created and written by Robert Kirkman and published by Skybound, Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics. Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert continue to serve as executive producers for season four. “Scott has been an essential part of this show since he came aboard at the very beginning of season two. He’s contributed to guiding this show in a substantial way that has resulted in a lot of the key scenes and storylines fans have dubbed signature moments of ‘The Walking Dead,’” said Kirkman. “I am thrilled to begin work on a brand new season of ‘The Walking Dead’ with Scott at the helm, and I truly believe we could be embarking on what will be the best season of this show yet.” “Scott’s voice has been an integral one since he joined the show. Greg Nicotero is a true artist whose work is simply brilliant. And, Tom Luse has really created the machine that allows this very large show to get made week to week. We congratulate all three in their new roles on the series and look forward to ramping up production on season four,” said Joel Stillerman, AMC’s EVP of original programming, production and digital content. “I’m thrilled to continue the tradition of the spectacular, cinematic, horrifying, exciting and emotional storytelling of ‘The Walking Dead,’” said Gimple. “I’m a huge fan of the comics, and started with the show on the other side of the set, as an avid viewer. Over the past two years, it’s been an incredible privilege making such great television with the best cast and crew I’ve ever worked with – I can’t wait to make some more.” Gimple has written some of the most celebrated and talked-about episodes from seasons two and three including episode 306 (Hounded) and last season’s climatic mid-season finale episode 207 (Pretty Much Dead Already), which revealed Sophia in the barn. Gimple previously worked on NBC’s acclaimed series “Life” and ABC’s cult favorite “Flashforward.” “Flashfoward” began as a collaboration with David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight, Man of Steel) with whom he co-wrote both the Sony feature film Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and episodes two and three in the upcoming inaugural season of Starz’ “DaVinci’s Demons.” Gimple also worked for Matt Groening’s Bongo Comics, where he wrote and edited “Simpsons Comics.” He has also written stories for the comic books “What If?” and “Spider-Man Unlimited.” Nicotero (Kill Bill, Transformers, Inglorious Basterds) and his team received the Emmy ® Award for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup two years in a row (2011/2012) for their work on “The Walking Dead.” In addition to leading the visual and special effects and makeup for the series, Nicotero has directed several episodes. Luse (Remember the Titans, “One Tree Hill,” Jeepers Creepers, “The Joneses,” “Everwood”) has been with the show since the beginning of production and was instrumental in setting up the production of AMC’s first owned scripted series. Based in Atlanta, he manages and oversees the day-to-day production of the series. * * * About AMC AMC reigns as the only cable network in history to ever win the Emmy ® Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. AMC’s original dramas include “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad,” “The Walking Dead” “The Killing” and “Hell on Wheels.” AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with its slate of unscripted original series, as well as curated movie franchises like AMC’s Can’t Get Enough and AMC’s Crazy About. AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM. # # #

SyFy: ‘Lost Girl’ Renewed For Fourth Season

Via Press Release:

SYFY RENEWS SEXY SUPERNATURAL SERIES LOST GIRL – #1 CABLE DRAMA AMONG ADULTS 18-49 AND ADULTS 25-54 IN ITS TIME PERIOD – FOR FOURTH SEASON BEGINNING IN 2014

NEW YORK – February 28, 2013 – Syfy has renewed its sexy supernatural series Lost Girl – the #1 original cable drama among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 in its time period – for a fourth season. The all-new 13 episode fourth season will begin airing in 2014.

In the series’ current third season, which ends Monday, April 22 at 10PM (ET/PT), Lost Girl is averaging 676,000 Adults 18-49, 721,000 Adults 25-54 and 1.3 million total viewers.

Anna Silk (Being Erica) stars as seductress Bo, a Succubus (a powerful female entity in folklore) who feeds off sexual energy. Bo is one of the Fae, creatures of legend who pass as humans. Faced with choosing between an allegiance to the Dark or Light Fae clans, Bo takes the middle path between the human and Fae worlds while embarking on a mission to unlock the secrets of her origin.

Lost Girl co-stars Kris Holden-Ried (The Tudors, Underworld 4) as “Dyson”; Ksenia Solo (Life Unexpected; Black Swan) as “Kenzi”; Zoie Palmer (The Guard, Instant Star) as “Lauren”; Rick Howland (Billable Hours, Murdoch Mysteries) as “Trick” and K.C. Collins (Owning Mahowny, Doomstown) as “Hale.”

Lost Girl was developed by Prodigy Pictures, in association with Shaw Media and Showcase. Executive producers are Jay Firestone and Emily Andras. Vanessa Piazza is producer. Produced by Wendy Grean.

Lost Girl is produced with the participation of the Canadian Media Fund created by the Government of Canada and the Canadian cable industry, and with the assistance of the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit Program.

About Syfy

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

About Prodigy Pictures

Founded in 2006 by Jay Firestone and later joined by Producer Vanessa Piazza, Prodigy Pictures leads the way in the production of quality film, television and cross-platform media. Prodigy is responsible for the critically acclaimed television series Lost Girl, which has electrified viewers around the world and has amassed a loyal following. Lost Girl is currently airing its third season on Showcase in Canada and Syfy Channel in the U.S. Prodigy’s other credits include the thriller Stuck, as well as the original television mini-series XIII and XIII: The Series.

Prodigy has several projects in development, including the dramatic fantasy series Bedtime Stories and the sci-fi series Dark Matter. Features in development include the adaptation of William Gibson’s groundbreaking and award winning sci-fi novel, Neuromancer, and an adaptation of Monkey’s Paw.

SHOCK! (Not Really) ‘Downton Abbey’ Renewed By ITV For Fourth Season

EDITOR’S NOTE: By the time this piece has been published, the first episode of the new season will already have aired in the U.K.  Since we in the U.S. are convinced that the rest of the universe revolves around us, this is irrelevant.  That being said, U.S. audiences will see season three to air in January and PBS is looking for ways to bring the season four premiere closer to its U.K. counterpart.

Via Press Release:

ITV Commissions a fourth series of Downton Abbey

Published: Friday, 23 November 2012, 4:43PM

23/11/2012

Laura Mackie and Gareth Neame talk about the phenomenal success of the drama, the Christmas Day 2012 extended special episode and the new series commission.

Downton Abbey will return to ITV1 in 2013 for a fourth series of the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama.

Filming of eight new episodes for autumn 2013 plus an extended special episode for Christmas 2013 begins at Highclere Castle and Ealing Studios in February next year.

The opening and closing episodes will again be feature length with series four continuing the story of the Crawley family and their servants in the early 1920s.

Gareth Neame, Managing Director of Carnival Films, the show’s makers and Executive Producer of Downton Abbey said well-loved characters both above and below stairs will return along with the arrival of some new faces.

“Viewers can look forward to more drama, comedy, love, hatred, jealousy, rivalry, ambition, despair and romance.”

Laura Mackie, Director of Drama at ITV, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome back a drama series that has become a much anticipated part of all our lives every autumn and achieved success around the globe.

“Creator, writer and executive producer Julian Fellowes and the production team, led by Gareth and the producer Liz Trubridge, never rest on their laurels and have exciting plans for the fourth series.”

But first fans of the hit drama should prepare for both laughter and tears in a two-hour special to be screened on ITV1 at 9pm this Christmas Day.

“We hope the Downton family of viewers will gather together to watch this major TV event as a shared Christmas night experience,” said Laura.

“Last year’s special episode set the nation talking on Boxing Day and 2012’s Christmas Day episode is no different. As ever, Downton will take its audience through a whole range of emotions.  All of life’s experiences will feature in this episode.

“This is one episode you will want to see live with millions of others – and best have the tissues ready.”

It sees Lord and Lady Grantham and family heading for a summer break in The Highlands of Scotland, leaving most of their servants back at home.

The annual visit to his Scottish cousins at Duneagle Castle, where the piper calls the tune for breakfast and dinner, is the highlight of Robert’s (Hugh Bonneville) year.

Duneagle is the home of young, headstrong Lady Rose (Lily James), who was sent home in the last episode of series three after her dalliance with a married man.

The castle is a grander step up from Downton, with deer stalking and fishing also on hand in the stunning surrounding Scottish countryside.

During the special episode Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) discovers that newspaper editor Michael Gregson (Charles Edwards) also happens to be on holiday in Scotland and may not be there just for the sketching and fishing.

While Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Mary (Michelle Dockery) disagree about Mr Gregson’s motives towards unlucky-in-love Edith.

Personal servants John Bates (Brendan Coyle), his wife Anna (Joanne Froggatt), Molesley (Kevin Doyle) and O’Brien (Siobhan Finneran) accompany the family on their trip north.

O’Brien discovers a kindred spirit below stairs in the form of her opposite number, Susan’s lady’s maid Wilkins (Simone Lahbib).

But who will be left reeling at the Gillies’ Ball?

The Scottish scenes were shot on location at Inveraray Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell.

Meanwhile back in Yorkshire, estate land agent Tom Branson (Allen Leech) has stayed behind at Downton with young daughter ‘Sybbie’.

In spite of the family’s attempts to integrate the former chauffeur into their world, he continues to live between the Crawleys and the servants below stairs. He’s still grieving for wife Sybil, the youngest daughter, who died after giving birth to their first child.

Butler Mr Carson (Jim Carter) faces the task of keeping the household servants concentrated on their work polishing the silverware and cleaning the rooms.

But with the family away, minds begin to wander to other things – including the forthcoming Thirsk Country Fair.

“While the cat’s away, the mice will play,” explained executive producer Gareth.

“The Grantham’s do not live at Downton Abbey 12 months of the year. They would go to London for the summer season and also go away on holidays like this.

“And when that happens the domestic staff of Downton would remain. What will they get up to while the family is away?”

In a not to be missed special episode, wise housekeeper Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan) tells Mr Bates: “Life is full of surprises.”

And that is certainly true at the great house this Christmas Day.

Could there be romance in store for cook Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nicol)?

New housemaid Edna (MyAnna Buring) joins The Restless servants around their big table as they look forward to the country fair.

Downton Abbey has become a worldwide phenomenon screened in over 200 countries.

The third series, just broadcast in the UK, premieres on Masterpiece on PBS in the USA on January 6.

“Downton has a whole life beyond the episodes themselves. It has leapt out of the television set and become part of both the national and global conversation,” explained Gareth.

“It is now part of culture and society and that’s a very different experience for all of us involved in making the show.”

Both Gareth and Laura praised the “genius” of astute observer and master storyteller Julian Fellowes, who writes all the episodes.

“Not only is he a superb craftsman, he also has an extraordinary work ethic. It is a mammoth undertaking to write all those episodes,” said Gareth.

“The main credit for the success of Downton is by far and away down to Julian. I’ve not had the fortune to work with anyone else who combines so many talents.”

It is no secret that Julian is a lifelong fan of the Rovers Return regulars.

“He has learned an awful lot as a viewer of Coronation Street and has an extraordinary sense of serial drama writing,” explained Gareth.

“Julian knows that you want a core group of characters who almost become an extension of your family. But you also need new blood coming in to shake things up a bit.”

Laura pointed to the seamless introduction of new characters in the last series, including scullery maid Ivy (Cara Theobold), as well as Alfred (Matt Milne) and Jimmy.

“That is one of the reasons why we always feel confident about the future of Downton Abbey,” she said.

With consolidated ratings averaging 11.9 million viewers for series three which equates to a 40% share of the available audience, Downton Abbey is undoubtedly the most popular drama in recent memory.  The final episode of the last series also achieved over 12 million viewers, which was a fitting climax to such a globally successful series.
“We’re always very pleased with the audience reaction to the series,” said Laura. “From the very first series Julian created an ensemble of memorable characters. Of course there are some you may like more than others but they’re all incredibly well drawn.
“He knows them all so well and is able to quickly integrate new characters into the drama so you feel as if they have always been there. That’s a real gift.

“Julian, Gareth and the production team manage to keep the absolute essence of what people liked in the first place and yet they almost treat every series as though it’s a new drama.

“So each series feels fresh and yet it always delivers those things you love. As we move through the different eras there’s always more to enjoy.”

Added Laura: “Julian has also always had that ability to write a balance of the big story and the tiny little details. So in series three, for example, we saw a jazz club for the first time as part of Rose’s story – and also cocktails being served at Downton.”

With the announcement of a fourth series, Laura said there is plenty for the Downton audience to look forward to.

Gareth agreed: “Everyone who works to bring Downton Abbey to the screen is incredibly proud of the show and want to cherish it.

“We’re in rude health and have a long way still to go – starting with a not to be missed and truly memorable Christmas Day episode.”

Downton Abbey screens on ITV1 on Christmas Day at 9pm.

AMC: ‘The Walking Dead’ Renewed For Season Four, Glen Mazzara Leaves As Showrunner

Via Joint Statement from AMC and Glenn Mazzara:

December 21, 2012 – 

Today, AMC announces the season 4 pick-up of The Walking Dead. 

AMC also jointly announces with Glen Mazzara today that for future seasons, the two parties have mutually decided to part ways.  Glen guided the series creatively for seasons 2 and 3.  AMC is grateful for his hard work.  We are both proud of our shared success.

Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward, and conclude that it is best to part ways.  This decision is amicable and Glen will remain on for post-production on season 3B as showrunner and executive producer.

SyFy – ‘Haven’ Renewed For Fourth Season (UPDATE: PRESS RELEASE INCLUDED)

Since I can’t find a press release to confirm this, I’m just going to have to trust Deadline because they don’t screw things like this up. There’s also this issue that SyFy has a tendency to bury important announcements in other press releases and I just don’t want to go through a month’s worth of them finding the official announcement.  So, as noted, and not surprisingly, SyFy has renewed the hit drama, Haven, for a fourth season.  If you followed us from the beginning you’d know that one of my earliest reviews was of Haven and to say that I was non-plussed would be putting it mildly.  I didn’t make it through the second episode. Now, it is true that some of the most horrible shows have lasted forever (see: Two and a Half Men, CSI) but normally when a series has the kind of successful run that Haven has had, there is usually something to it.

So, what do you think?  Should I give Haven another shot?

Here’s my original review of Haven.  Feel free to call me an idiot if it’s warranted, just like Connie, the queen of grammar and spelling, did at the end of the review (I’m also a “moran,” apparently).

Read Deadline’s piece, here.

UPDATE: PRESS RELEASE BELOW…

SYFY RENEWS HIT SERIES HAVEN FOR FOURTH SEASON WITH 13 NEW EPISODES 

SERIES IS THE #1 CABLE PROGRAM AMONG ADULTS 18-49 AND ADULTS 25-54, FRIDAYS AT 10PM 

NEW YORK – November 9, 2012 – Syfy’s hit series Haven, the #1 cable program among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 in its Friday 10-11PM (ET/PT) time period (based on Live +7 data), will return for a fourth season of 13 new episodes in 2013, it was announced today by Mark Stern, President, Original Content, Syfy, and Co-Head, Original Content, Universal Cable Productions.

The current third season is Haven’s best ever in Adults 25-54, averaging 1.2 million viewers, jumping five percent from season two (Live +7 data). Overall, season three of Haven is averaging 2.4 million total viewers and 942,000 Adults18-49. The September 21 season premiere attracted 2.8 million total viewers, a series record and up ten percent from the season two premiere.

Said Stern, “We couldn’t be happier to see the story of Audrey Parker and the creepy, quirky town of Haven continue next year. Season three has hit a creative and critical high and we’re very excited to see where the talented production team takes our colorful cast of characters led by the perfect trifecta of Emily Rose, Eric Balfour and Lucas Bryant in season four.”

Haven, based on the novella The Colorado Kid from renowned author Stephen King, follows former FBI agent Audrey Parker, who becomes a cop in the small town of Haven, Maine, and soon discovers the town’s many secrets, which also hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of her lost past – This season the story behind those secrets is finally revealed and all of Audrey’s questions will be answered leading up to Haven’s shocking Season three finale.

From leading independent studio Entertainment One (eOne), Haven is co-commissioned by Shaw Media in Canada and globally via Universal Networks International (UNI).

The creative team behind Haven includes executive producers John Morayniss (Rookie Blue, Hell On Wheels) from eOne Television and David MacLeod (Legends of the Fall, The Ray Bradbury Theater) of Big Motion Pictures, who are joined by Lloyd Segan, Shawn Piller, Scott Shepherd (Stephen King’s The Dead Zone, Greek) of Piller/Segan/Shepherd and Matt McGuinness (Journeyman, Dark Blue) as well as Sam Ernst & Jim Dunn (Stephen King’s The Dead Zone), who also developed the series.

Haven is produced by Entertainment One and Big Motion Pictures in association with Piller/Segan/Shepherd and airs on Syfy in the U.S., Showcase in Canada and internationally on Universal Networks International’s channels. Entertainment One controls the worldwide distribution rights to the one-hour series and concluded a deal with Germany’s Tele München Group (TMG) for the television rights in Continental Europe.

About Syfy

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com) and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

CBS: ‘Made In Jersey’ Canceled, ‘Undercover Boss’ To Replace

If you hadn’t already heard, CBS’s freshman series Made in Jersey has been unceremoniously canceled after airing only two episodes.  The ratings were so poor on this show that CBS didn’t even bother to burn the remaining episodes of their initial order off, choosing instead to replace the series on Friday nights with NCIS and Hawaii Five-O reruns for three weeks and a return of Undercover Boss (a series ideally suited for CBS in the 8:00 p.m. timeslot on Friday) on November 2nd.  See the revised schedule, here.

I’m not particularly surprised by this move because as noted in my preview,

“This looks so horrible we don’t want to waste any effort commenting on it further because it’s not worth our time. It’ll be lucky to get a two-paragraph review when it premieres.”

… and that was based exclusively on the trailer.  The upside is that it was gone so quickly, I didn’t have to do a review of it which is really good because I’ve had to review far more absolutely horrible shows this year than I ever thought possible.

Via Press Release:

EMMY AWARD-WINNING REALITY SERIES “UNDERCOVER BOSS” RETURNS FOR ITS FOURTH SEASON ON FRIDAY, NOV. 2, ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Companies Going Undercover This Season Include Modell’s Sporting Goods, Tilted Kilt and Cinnabon Inc.

CHEAT TWEET: Emmy Winning @undercover_cbs returns Nov 2 w/ Modell’s Sporting Goods. Later episodes 2 feature @tiltedkiltpub & @Cinnabon http://bit.ly/QSyDUM

October 11, 2012 – The fourth season of the Emmy Award-winning reality series UNDERCOVER BOSS will premiere Friday, Nov. 2 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) as Mitchell B. Modell, CEO of Modell’s Sporting Goods, ventures to the frontlines of his popular sporting goods and athletic apparel store for an unfiltered look into the inner workings of his corporation.

Companies whose bosses have signed up for undercover missions this season include:

• Modell’s Sporting Goods (Mitchell B. Modell, CEO): As America’s oldest family-owned-and-operated retailer of sporting goods, athletic footwear, active apparel and fan gear, this chain has spanned four generations and expanded to more than 150 store locations throughout the Northeast.
• Tilted Kilt (Ron Lynch, President):  Founded in 2003, Tilted Kilt is one of the fastest growing restaurant franchises in the nation with 65 restaurants across the U.S. The Celtic-themed sports pub and restaurant features servers wearing sexy tartan outfits.
• Cinnabon Inc. (Kat Cole, President): Cinnabon Inc., now synonymous with the cinnamon roll, is the most recognized sticky, gooey, sweet treat in America. These popular cinnamon rolls can be found in nearly 1,000 franchised baked goods outlets.

The air schedule for the new season of UNDERCOVER BOSS is as follows:

• Friday, Nov. 2: Modell’s Sporting Goods (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)
• Friday, Nov. 9: Tilted Kilt (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)
• Friday, Nov. 16: Cinnabon Inc. (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)

Additional companies and airdates will be announced at a later date.

With the return of UNDERCOVER BOSS on Nov. 2, CSI: NY will move to the 9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT time period beginning this Friday, Oct. 12. MADE IN JERSEY has been pulled from the schedule.

UNDERCOVER BOSS earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program in 2012.  Each week, the series follows a different executive as they leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their companies.  While working alongside their employees, they see the effects their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organizations and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering and rewarding the unsung heroes who make their companies run.

UNDERCOVER BOSS is produced by Studio Lambert, Ltd.  Stephen Lambert, Eli Holzman and Chris Carlson are executive producers.

Photos are available on www.cbspressexpress.com

Website: http://www.cbs.com/shows/undercover_boss/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#!/UndercoverBossCBS?fref=ts

Twitter: @undercover_cbs

CBS Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CBSTweet

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FX: ‘Louie’ Season Four Premiere Delayed Until May 2014

THR is reporting that Louis C.K.’s hit series, Louie which just ended its third season, will be on hiatus until spring 2014 instead of the previously scheduled premiere date of  summer 2013.  Citing exhaustion, FX president and GM John Landgraf told reporters that Louis C.K. had requested and received an extended hiatus.

“Louie has continued to raise the bar and recharge his batteries. I don’t think there’s anyone else in business who’s produced, starred, directed and edited all but seven episodes … I’m not surprised he needs a bit of a break.”

On a personal note, Louie is a very funny show, but I can’t get excited about waiting two years for a 13-episode season of a basic cable comedy.  Thanks, but I probably won’t be coming back.

CINEMAX: ‘Strike Back’ Renewed For Third (Actually Fourth) Season

Cinemax has renewed their guilty-pleasure action thriller series, Strike Back, for a third season with the network.  Note, this will actually be the fourth season of the series as the first season aired in the U.K. under the title Chris Ryan’s Strike Back based on the novel of the same name.  Check out our review of the series, here.

Via Press Release:

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2012 – The Emmy®-nominated series STRIKE BACK will return to CINEMAX in 2013 for a third season of ten new episodes, which will shoot in South Africa and Hungary. CINEMAX/HBO will again produce the series with Partners Left Bank and Sky, who will air the series in the U.K. Returning for season three will be Left Bank’s Andy Harries as executive producer, series producer Michael Casey and head of production Marigo Kehoe. Sky’s Huw Kennair-Jones will executive produce.

Others returning for season three include director Michael Bassett (“Silent Hill: Revelation 3D”) and writers Simon Burke (“Persuasion”), James Dormer (“MI-5”) and Richard Zajdlic (“EastEnders”). Additional directors and writers will be announced as they are confirmed. Due to plot spoilers in upcoming episodes of season two, the cast of season three will be announced at a later date as well.

Also returning to the drama series for next season are the show’s confidential consultants, who work in the field of counterterrorism. Their expertise is a resource for story, lingo, procedure, accuracy, character development and regional issues, providing a look inside the highly secretive black ops world. They also train the cast in battle tactics, weapons and fighting, as the lead actors do most of their own stunts.

Debuting in 2011, STRIKE BACK was the first collaboration between CINEMAX/HBO and Sky. The first season introduced an unlikely pair of operatives in the stealth counterterrorism unit Section 20: Sgt. Michael Stonebridge (Philip Winchester), an exceptional British Special Forces (SBS) soldier, and the less-conventional Damien Scott (Sullivan Stapleton), a former U.S. Delta Force member. In the second season, currently debuting new episodes Fridays at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT) and concluding its run Oct. 12, the team tracks nuclear triggers stolen by a powerful businessman with dangerous geo-political ambitions, while the two lead characters face personal challenges and contend with the pressures of their high-stress work.

In addition to Philip Winchester (“Crusoe,” “Camelot”) and Sullivan Stapleton (“Animal Kingdom,” the upcoming “Gangster Squad,” “300: The Battle for Artemesia”), season two stars of STRIKE BACK include Rhashan Stone (“Episodes”) and Michelle Lukes (“Alexander”). Season two guest stars include Rhona Mitra (“Underworld: Rise of the Lycans”), Charles Dance (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”), Vincent Regan (“Snow White and the Huntsman”), Liam Garrigan (“Pillars of the Earth”) and Shane Taylor (“Band of Brothers”).

The Los Angeles Times said the show “shoots high with plenty of action and thrills and a simmering bromance that’s fun to watch,” while New York’s Daily News hailed STRIKE BACK as “appointment television for the next 10 weeks” and the Washington Post described it as a “stylish and addictive new counterterrorism series.”

Recently nominated for an Emmy® in the category of Outstanding Main Title Design, STRIKE BACK was the first original primetime series on CINEMAX in more than 15 years. The next series to debut will be “Hunted,” launching Oct. 19, starring Golden Globe nominee Melissa George (“In Treatment,” “30 Days of Night”) and created and executive produced by Frank Spotnitz (“The X-Files”), followed in Jan. 2013 by “Banshee,” executive produced by Alan Ball (HBO’s “True Blood”) and Greg Yaitanes (“House”).

For more on the series, please visit facebook.com/cinemax, twitter.com @Cinemax #StrikeBack and youtube.com/Cinemax.

STRIKE BACK is a CINEMAX Presentation in association with British Sky Broadcasting Limited; a Left Bank Pictures Production; executive producers, Andy Harries for Left Bank and Huw Kennair-Jones for Sky; series producer, Michael Casey.