Dark Shadows

[sam7777]

I loved Dark Shadows in the 70's. I even loved Dark Shadows with Ben Cross in the 90's. I'm not a fan of soaps typically but this one works for me. It's also past time we had a decent vampire show on TV.



A new iteration in the works from the WB:

Dark Shadows (warner bros./john wells prods.)

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Development Update: February 19



DARK SHADOWS (WB) - Rob Bowman ("The X-Files" ) has been tapped to direct the Frog's remake of the cult classic series. Warner Bros. Television and John Wells Productions are behind the project, which is executive produced by Wells, Dan Curtis and Mark Verheiden.

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I still see dead lesbian cliches

Edited by: sam7777  at: 4/12/04 11:21 am

[xita]

I love the old dark shadows and I'll give the new one a chance. I am recent convert. I've gone through about seven DVD collections since December and it's like tv crack. It's just so good. I love the cheese... god I love the mistakes, the poor production values. I love the sense of satisfaction when Barnabas gets to kill the truly evil like reverend Trask!

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"No more twat. No more twat for me. Twat gets me into trouble!" - Crack Whore Jenny, The L Word

Edited by: xita  at: 3/15/04 6:07 pm

[WebWarlock]

The old one (60s) was so full of cheese, but there was an honesty to it. I have the same feelings for it as I do Doctor Who. I loved it as a kid. I even dedicated my witch book to Angelique, the witch from Dark Shaddows (as well as the Charmed girls and Willow and Tara).



The early 90's version was a little more polished (duh) and I enjoyed it as well. I still have all of those episodes on tape.



Will I watch the new one? Hell yes.



I'll give it my support, it might even get me to like vampire shows again.



Warlock

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Web Warlock

Coming Soon to The Other Side, The Netbook of Shadows: A Book of Spells for d20 Witches

"Razzle, dazzle, drazzle, drone, time for this one to come home." - The Replacements, "Hold My Life"

[sam7777]

I don't mind shows that are soap operas as much as I hate shows that become bad soaps when the creators run out of ideas. Good soaps are fun with an operatic hyper reality. Bad soaps become boring therapy diaries about characters you couldn't give a damn about. I always though "Dark Shadows" was a good soap because it had a that operatic tone. But then I do like operas with stories about problems that take on a huge significance. Where love can have world saving or destroying powers. Where emotions elevate characters to prominence rather than throw them into boring mundane realities. I think that's why I have always liked "Dark Shadows" though I'm not a soap fan.



barnabasvamp: Yeah like "Twilight Zone", DS had cheesy production values but was still good. You know the story must be keeping your busy when you can ignore those awful 70's hair styles. I figured even if the WB doesn't decide to make "Dark Shadows" a series, there's still alot to talk about for the original version.



Dark Shadows was a real cult show. We are still talking about it 30 years and more later. How many of todays' "cultural phenomenon", "Fan favorite" and "genius" creator shows will we still be talking about 30 years from now?

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I still see dead lesbian cliches

Edited by: sam7777  at: 3/16/04 1:41 pm

[barnabasvamp]

How cool is that, a Dark Shadows thread!



I have seen a couple of the new shows, but *sigh* they're just not the same.



Not only are there mistakes, and an occasional microphone seen hanging overhead, we must not forget about the bad hair! Poor Barnabas



Too funny.



BV

It's the passion in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.

[barnabasvamp]

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Dark Shadows was a real cult show. We are still talking about it 30 years and more later. How many of todays' "cultural phenomenon", "Fan favorite" and "genius" creator shows will we still be talking about 30 years from now?

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I completely agree with you here. There aren't many that will become a true classic and withstand time.



I think started out kinda slow. Probably because parents were a little concerned about letting their kids watch a show with "such violence"! *LOL* Little did they know.



I was living in Ca and it came on in the early afternoon, so we were pretty much left to ourselves and the TV after school while adults were busy!(Jeezz, telling my age! )



You occasionally felt sorry for the villans, as well as the victims, much like Buffy, which I think will be around a long time also.



BV

It's the passion in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.

[sam7777]

barnabasvamp: I disagree on Buffy. IMHO Willow/Tara is what will be remembered with the unfortunate caveat of the awful cliched end. I don't think anyone will be talking about BTVS 5 years from now but that's OT in any case so back to "Dark Shadows".



One of the exec producers from "The West Wing" is working on it so I have hopes for decent show. The possibility of a new version of "Dark Shadows" is the first TV show that's gotten me excited in along time. I'm really looking forward to having a good vamp show back on TV since "Forever Knight" went off the air. I think the WB made a great decsion to greenlight the pilot for this show. Six scripts have been ordered to go with the pilot:

Development Update: March 12

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DARK SHADOWS (WB) - Marley Shelton ("Uptown Girls" ) is the first to join the cast of the Frog's revival of the Dan Curtis gothic soap opera. She'll play Victoria Winters in the updated version, a role originally played by Alexandra Isles, Betsy Durkin and Carolyn Groves over the course of the original's 1966-1971 run on ABC and Joanna Going in the more recent 1991 NBC version. P.J. Hogan ("My Best Friend's Wedding" ) has also come aboard to direct the pilot, replacing the project's original director, Rob Bowman. Bowan exited due to scheduling conflicts involving his upcoming Jennifer Garner-led feature "Elektra." Mark Verheiden, John Wells and Dan Curtis are executive producing the new "Shadows," which is set up at Warner Bros. Television and John Wells Productions. The Frog has also committed to six episode scripts beyond the pilot installment, leading several industry insiders to believe it's a shoe-in to make the WB's fall 2004 schedule.

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I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The time has come for the return of the Gothic soap IMHO.

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I still see dead lesbian cliches

Edited by: sam7777  at: 3/17/04 9:40 am

[barnabasvamp]

You're exactly right. Willow and Tara will be remembered, and maybe some of the early shows that were cute and camp.



I do hope the new Shadows will bring back the Gothic type soaps, and we may even find ourselves entertained!



BV

It's the passion in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.

[sam7777]

More casting news: Development Update: April 5

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DARK SHADOWS (WB) - Alexis Thorpe ("Days of Our Lives" ) , Jenna Dewan ("The Hot Chick" ) and Jason Shaw ("Charmed" ) are set to round out the cast of the Frog's "Dark Shadows" revival. Shaw and Dwann will play Joe Haskell and Sophia respectively while Thorpe is set as Kelly Greer, a new character created specificially for the updated version. Production began this weekend on the Warner Bros. Television/John Wells Productions drama pilot, which also stars Blair Brown, Marley Shelton, Ivana Milicevic, Alec Newman, Jessica Chastain, Martin Donovan, Matt Czuchry and Alexander Gould.

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I still see dead lesbian cliches

Edited by: sam7777  at: 4/12/04 11:21 am

[xita]

Have they gotten a maggie evans yet? I hope they don't get rid of that character. Oh god, I am so excited, I hope it doesn't suck.

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"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[skittles]

Xita, Maggie Evans was the one of the character replacement for Victoria Winters. They had a few "governesses" during the incarnations of Dark Shadows..... do you remember Kate Jackson as Daphne??

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which also stars Blair Brown, Marley Shelton, Ivana Milicevic, Alec Newman, Jessica Chastain, Martin Donovan, Matt Czuchry and Alexander Gould.

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If this is right, then they've got the matriarch "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard" part cast. Blair Brown starred in The Days & Nights of Molly Dodd during the late 80's.



But I think I'm in agreement, the original is the best.

skittles



If you tell a joke in the forest and nobody laughs, was it a joke?

[xita]

No, actually maggie evans was there right from the beginning in the first soap. Later on when Victoria left they brought in as the governess but she was there originally as well as her own character.

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"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[skittles]

oh, well, I came late to the show... and I can admit when I'm wrong...



Thanks, xita.

skittles



If you tell a joke in the forest and nobody laughs, was it a joke?

[xita]

I only know cause I just started watching lol. Ask me any of the later stuff and I won't know.

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"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[skittles]

Ok, what did Maggie Evans do in the beginning of the show??

skittles



If you tell a joke in the forest and nobody laughs, was it a joke?

[xita]

She was a waitress at the very beginning that's what I know happened, but didn't get a chance to see cause that's not in the dvd. Joe Haskell takes transfers his affection from Carolyn to Maggie. Victoria is kidnapped by Mathew and is saved by the ghost of Josette, which I believe was played by Maggie (same actress).



Later, when Barnabas first shows up to Collinwood, he takes to Maggie Evans right away and tries to make her into Josette and had her trapped in his house for a while. Later he becomes obsessed with Victoria.

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"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[skittles]

I remember Barnabas being obsessed with Maggie/Josette & locking her in the "Old House" but that was a running theme, if I remember correctly.



It was definitely a "soap opera"... but the sets were better than some of the BBC drama sets I've seen from that time... but not by much. (much cardboard??)



Thanks, xita & I'm envious of your dvds. But someday.....

skittles



If you tell a joke in the forest and nobody laughs, was it a joke?

[Hemiola]

The music geek in me is forcing me to remark that no one here has pointed out one of the more important innovations of the original "Dark Shadows" series.



Although I was not a fan (it came on while I was still in school ), I was able to catch a few episodes when I found myself at home during the day.

Most "soap operas" up to this time had little in the way of musical accompaniment, and what little there was usually consisted of a few chords supplied by an electronic organ (a fact that Carol Burnett delighted in making fun of in her hilarious "As The Stomach Turns" parodies ). "Dark Shadows" was the very first "soaper" to have a musical score provided by a FULL ORCHESTRA. This important addition was much remarked upon at the time and contributed enormously to the "classy" atmosphere of the show.



Little bit o' trivia--I wonder how many people here know why these serialized stories were/are called "soap operas". I used to think that it had to do with the fact that they were descendants of the old Victorian melodramas, wherein such things as snowstorms were simulated on stage by falling soap flakes. In fact, it comes from the fact that most of the early radio serials (such as "The Loves of Helen Trent") were sponsored by companies such as Procter and Gamble .

[skittles]

They were sponsored by the soap making companies... for the "woman of the house" to listen to on the radio... their major audience was "housewives" ... so they were called "soap operas"



And, Hemiola, I think that one of the "songs" (Josette's Theme??) from DS also was played on major radio stations at the time... not necessarily Top 40, but I know I heard it on the "musak" type stations.

skittles



If you tell a joke in the forest and nobody laughs, was it a joke?

[tyche]

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From Cinescape.com - By Patrick Sauriol - 2004-04-12th

An Atreides cast as a vampire in DARK SHADOWS

Alec Newman, from the Dune miniseries, who is the new Barnabas Collins, was Drogyn, from "Hole in the World : Angel 5x15".

Filming has begun on the new DARK SHADOWS series, to be broadcast on The WB Network this fall. The cast of the new SHADOWS has now been filled out and starring as the gothic vampire Barnabas Collins is Alec Newman. The Scottish-born actor is best known to genre fans as Paul Atreides in The Sci Fi Channel’s adaptations of FRANK HERBERT’S DUNE and CHILDREN OF DUNE. Newman also recently made a guest appearance on another WB series, that being none other than ANGEL. Irony indeed.

The remaining cast members include Marley Shelton as Victoria Winters; Ivana Milicevic as Angelique Winters; Martin Donovan as Roger Collins; Jessica Chastain as Carolyn Stoddard; Matt Czuchy as Willie Loomis; and Alexander Gould as David Collins. PETER PAN director P.J. Hogan is directing the pilot episode and the network is committed to making five more episodes at least.

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From Nypost.com - By Don Kaplan

April 8, 2004 -- ’DARK Shadows" - one of TV’s oldest and weirdest cult classic series - is nearly ready to rise from the grave. The gothic soap opera - about a family of vampires and other assorted ghouls - originally aired on ABC from 1966 to 1971 and briefly returned for a few months in 1991. The updated "Dark Shadows," from producer John Wells, the TV heavyweight responsible for "ER," "West Wing" and "Third Watch," is being filmed as a pilot for The WB network.

While the original "Dark Shadows"’ was a low-budget, black-and-white production, sources told The Post yesterday that the new one will be "highly stylized" using vivid lighting and colors to communicate tension and fear.

Like the original, the new version will focus on the mysterious Collins family, who live on a creepy estate in Collinsport, Maine. It will feature the family’s infamous "cousin" from England, Barnabas, a 200-year-old bloodsucker who was first introduced in the second season of the original series.

Of course, The WB is looking for a new vampire show to fill the shoes of two of its signature series - "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" - that won’t be on the air next year.

But "Dark Shadows" sources insist the new show is geared more to attract the same audience that watched "The X-Files."

"It’s not going to be ’Buffy’ and it’s not going to be ’Angel,’ " a source said, adding quickly, "although we love both of those shows."

"Dark Shadows" still has legions of die-hard fans who like to dress up like their favorite characters, chat heavily online about the series and even meet face-to-face every year at "Dark Shadows" festivals.

"We read the Web sites to get their feedback - a lot," the source said. "We hope they’ll be watching."

The show’s producers have even asked Jonathan Frid, the actor who originally portrayed Barnabas, to make a cameo in the new version. (He turned them down.)

But, the source says, "This is not going to be your mother’s ’Dark Shadows.’ "

The new show may have a shot, the source says, because it would fill a hole in current TV programming: "There’s nothing on TV right now that’s truly scary.

"I don’t think you need to see things to make them scary, it’s more about what might be behind a door than actually seeing exactly what’s there," the source said.

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What kind of novels do you write: fiction or nonfiction? - US immigration officer to Ian McEwan

[sam7777]

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"We read the Web sites to get their feedback - a lot," the source said. "We hope they’ll be watching."

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It's nice to see they are interested in the original fans of the show rather than just dismiss them as Moore did on his BG retread. Why throw away any potential audience? I hope they do go more for the horror aspect and much much less on young adult angst. I like Alec Newman in Dune so am looking forward to see how he does with Barnabas.

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I still see dead lesbian cliches

[WebWarlock]

I watched a little bit of Dune again last night, Alec Neuman is an *interesting* choice, but hey, it could work.



As big as a horror fan as I am I am hopping more for the soap opera angle myself! Really. That is what I enjoyed about Dark Shadows in the past.



Warlock

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Web Warlock

Coming Soon to The Other Side, The Netbook of Shadows: A Book of Spells for d20 Witches

"I’m so glad that I know more than I knew then.

Gonna keep on tryin’ till I reach the highest ground." - Stevie Wonder, "Higher Ground"

[sam7777]

I just hope it's more like an adult soap and not just a dressed up Dawson's Creek like the WB's other genre shows tended to be. More casting news:



Development Update: April 14

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DARK SHADOWS (WB) - Kelly Hu ("X2: X-Men United" ) is the latest addition to the Frog's "Dark Shadows" update, where she'll play Dr. Julia Hoffman, a physician who learns Barnabas Collins' (Alec Newman) vampire secret. Warner Bros. Television and John Wells Productions are behind the remake, which also stars Martin Donovan, Matt Czuchry, Alexander Gould, Blair Brown, Marley Shelton, Ivana Milicevic, Jessica Chastain, Alexis Thorpe, Jenna Dewan and Jason Shaw.

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I think Kelly Hu is a great choice for Dr Hoffman. Barnabas is the original and still best tortured vampire IMHO. It'll be great to have Dark Shadows back on. I plan to sample the first few eps and see it it's a keeper. It'll be a drag if I like it and it's cancelled like the 90's version of DS was but that's the biz. I've learned not to get attached to anything on TV.

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I still see dead lesbian cliches

Edited by: sam7777  at: 4/14/04 4:25 pm

[WebWarlock]

Neat.



Oh I am expecting it will be a little more polished than the original. But I am also expecting a little Dawsons thrown in; it is the WB after all.



I think I am going to spend my summer re-watching the old Dark Shadows on DVD. Get me in the mood. Maybe I'll start with the 1990s one first. That is if my tape is fit enough condition to play.



Warlock

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Web Warlock

Coming Soon to The Other Side, The Netbook of Shadows: A Book of Spells for d20 Witches

"I’m so glad that I know more than I knew then.

Gonna keep on tryin’ till I reach the highest ground." - Stevie Wonder, "Higher Ground"

[sam7777]

Yeah Kelly Hu is great. One fo the producers of the show is from "West Wing" a show I liked so I have hopes they can break out of the WB formula and still succeed. The WB's formula certainly hasn't given them good ratings this season so maybe they are open to something new. I'm hoping that Dark Shadows will have a more operatic soap tone. Have to wait and see but as I like the cast and creators, I'll give it a shot for a few eps. I've reached a point where if the show isn't good the first couple of eps, I am gone. If I find out that it's good later, I'll catch it in syndication or rent it if it gets that far. These days I'm much more cognizant of who is writing and producing behind the camera and it plays an increasing role in my desire to watch a show. The prodducers include the original shows producer, Dan Curtis so I'm hoping for some nods for original fans of the show like me. Here's the producer list from Futon Critic:



dan curtis (the original "dark shadows")

john wells ("er," "the west wing," "third watch")

mark verheiden ("smallville")

p.j. hogan ("my best friend's wedding")



I hope it makes it to air. The WB has been notoriously bad at taking projects to completion: "Fearless" or keeping a show runner: "Birds of Prey".

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I still see dead lesbian cliches

[WebWarlock]

Yeah I was looking forward to "Fearless". Too bad really.



The good thing is Dark Shadows has a near Trek-like fan devotion. That can also be a disadvantage if the 'old guard' dislikes it.



But the timing is also different than the early 90s when 'mark II' was on. We have Anne Rice, White Wolf, Blade and yes Buffy to thank for that.



I used to LOVE vampire tales, but recent events has cured me of that. But I have been in the mood lately for something new, or in this case something old.



Warlock

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Web Warlock

Coming Soon to The Other Side, The Netbook of Shadows: A Book of Spells for d20 Witches

"I’m so glad that I know more than I knew then.

Gonna keep on tryin’ till I reach the highest ground." - Stevie Wonder, "Higher Ground"

[sam7777]

Yeah I would have liked to see "Fearless". More casting news for DS:

Development Update: April 21

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DARK SHADOWS (WB) - Michael D. Roberts ("The District" ) will round out the cast of the Frog's update of the cult classic series. He'll play Sheriff George Patterson in the project, a role previously played by Dana Elcar, Dennis Patrick, and Michael Cavanaugh in the show's previous incarnations.

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I still see dead lesbian cliches

Edited by: sam7777  at: 4/21/04 4:49 pm

[barnabasvamp]

Oh, thanks for the update in regards to casting!



I'm starting to get excited about all this, and I think those of us that remember the "old" shows might enjoy a new take on this classic.



Given the number of shows of this kind that have been on recently, it does stand a chance!



BV

It's the passion in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.

[sam7777]

It always gives me a warm glow when a TV show remake has the blessings of the orginal producers (unlike BG). As a fan of the 70's series, I'd hate for them to dump everything just to make it trendy but I'm not prurist as I also like the 80's version:

Curtis Likes New Shadows

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Longtime TV producer Dan Curtis, who is developing a new version of his classic vampire soap opera Dark Shadows for The WB, told an audience at the Beverly Hills branch of the Museum of Television and Radio that the new series "looks pretty good," the Zap2it Web site reported. Curtis is developing the updated show with ER producer John Wells and Smallville writer Mark Verheiden, and The WB will announce in May whether it has picked it up as a series, the site reported.

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I'll definitely sample this one come fall. With this and Nikki & Nora on UPN, I may finally have a reason to watch network TV again if only to sample a few eps after the drought of the last two seasons. There's been decent stuff on the networks but not for a genre fan like me since BoP went off the air.

[tyche]

Seems like Dark Shadows might make it to the airwaves:

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From http://www.mediasharx.com:


Fri, 07 May 2004 14:01:34

Network Pilot Moves

By Marcus Ferrell



The WB has officially picked up JACK & BOBBY for fall 2004. The show, from Steve "Scoop" Cohen and Greg Berlanti, will be about a single mother (Lahti) who's raising two boys, one of whom will eventually become president in 2040. Thomas Schlamme and Mickey Liddell are executive producing. Vanessa Taylor is co-executive producing.



Meanwhile, http://www.BarnabasUndead.com is reporting that they have heard that the Frog will likely pass on the DARK SHADOWS pilot. The WB reportedly only had two drama slots available for the fall schedule and JACK & BOBBY takes one of them; THE MOUNTAIN will likely take the other. The show, like the 1966 original, would have centered on the Collins family of Widow's Hill and the supernatural events that surround them.



Insiders at NBC are saying that the pilots for JOEY, D.O.T.S. and the untitled one from Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline have tested relatively well, while the Alyson Hannigan pilot HOME & HARDWARE, THE FRIENDLYS, WEEKENDS, and FOSTER HALL have not. The dramas REVELATIONS, HAWAII and an untitled medical mystery from Jason Horwitch, Bob Cooper, Scott Vila and Michelle Ashford are "hot" right now and are looking good for the fall.



Over at ABC, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, Tim Daly's pilot EYES, the untitled pilot starring John Stamos, the Jessica Simpson pilot, the Jennifer Love Hewitt sitcom, the Rodney Carrington project and DOING IT have all tested well. However, negative reactions have been received for HARRY GREEN & EUGENE and the untitled Earthquake project.



Miramax TV has picked up the TV rights to Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin's novel THE NANNY DIARIES and plans to turn it into a sitcom. The book is about a 21-year old college student that takes a job as a nanny for a wealthy New York family that starts to fall apart when she's hired on. Miramax Films is also developing a film version of the book. Dana Klein (FRIENDS) will be the supervising producer. Harvey Weinstein is executive producing. (Source: Hollywood Reporter, Variety)

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What kind of novels do you write: fiction or nonfiction? - US immigration officer to Ian McEwan