Exclusive: Roku is ramping up its adventure series slate.
The streamer has ordered three new series to launch later this year – Fight to Survive, hosted by American Ninja Warrior’s Akbar Gbajabiamila, Reptile Royalty, featuring the Reptile Zoo in Fountain Valley, California, and UFO Cowboys following a group of ranchers as as they investigate paranormal happenings along the 37th Parallel.
Fight to Survive will take audiences on a journey to a remote, tropical island for an intense survival competition. A social experiment that drops 17 survivalists onto a remote, tropical island, it will feature contestants from past seasons of Survivor, Naked and Afraid and Alone.
The eight-part series explores the true nature of survival of the fittest, where competitors can challenge one another by force – fighting for essential tools and resources. The survivalists must endure not only each other, but also brutal natural conditions, on their quest to win up to...
The streamer has ordered three new series to launch later this year – Fight to Survive, hosted by American Ninja Warrior’s Akbar Gbajabiamila, Reptile Royalty, featuring the Reptile Zoo in Fountain Valley, California, and UFO Cowboys following a group of ranchers as as they investigate paranormal happenings along the 37th Parallel.
Fight to Survive will take audiences on a journey to a remote, tropical island for an intense survival competition. A social experiment that drops 17 survivalists onto a remote, tropical island, it will feature contestants from past seasons of Survivor, Naked and Afraid and Alone.
The eight-part series explores the true nature of survival of the fittest, where competitors can challenge one another by force – fighting for essential tools and resources. The survivalists must endure not only each other, but also brutal natural conditions, on their quest to win up to...
- 1/25/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Buzzfeed announced that Paul Ricci will join the company to lead unscripted television for BuzzFeed Studios. In the role, Ricci will oversee all unscripted television programming for the company’s Hollywood arm and entire portfolio of brands including BuzzFeed, Complex, Tasty and HuffPost. Ricci will report directly to the head of studios, Richard Alan Reid.
Ricci has more than 20 years of television experience within the entertainment industry, most recently co-founding development company BoomTown Content Co. In addition to Ricci’s hiring, BuzzFeed Studios will enter into a strategic development partnership with BoomTown Content Co. to develop new unscripted television projects. Recent projects include “The Kids Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” on Peacock, “Who Wants To Be An Astronaut?” on Discovery and other projects in varying stages. BoomTown Content Co. will continue to be helmed by co-founder Mark Efman.
At Viacom — now Paramount Global — Ricci served as Head of Alternative Series for MTV and VH1,...
Ricci has more than 20 years of television experience within the entertainment industry, most recently co-founding development company BoomTown Content Co. In addition to Ricci’s hiring, BuzzFeed Studios will enter into a strategic development partnership with BoomTown Content Co. to develop new unscripted television projects. Recent projects include “The Kids Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” on Peacock, “Who Wants To Be An Astronaut?” on Discovery and other projects in varying stages. BoomTown Content Co. will continue to be helmed by co-founder Mark Efman.
At Viacom — now Paramount Global — Ricci served as Head of Alternative Series for MTV and VH1,...
- 8/9/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
BuzzFeed Studios has hired Paul Ricci, formerly the head of alternative programming and development for MTV and VH1, to lead unscripted TV.
Reporting up to BuzzFeed Studios head Richard Alan Reid, Ricci will oversee unscripted projects across BuzzFeed Inc.’s brands, which include BuzzFeed, Complex, Tasty and HuffPost. Scripted projects will continue to be led by Charlotte Simms, BuzzFeed’s director of development for scripted TV.
Ricci comes to BuzzFeed after spending more than a decade at Paramount Global, then called Viacom, as a producer and executive at MTV and VH1 overseeing alternative series like Rob Dyrdek’s Ridiculousness and Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg’s Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party. Prior to that role, Ricci led development and programming for MTV2, launching shows like Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ’n Out, Guy Code and Girl Code.
Most recently, the executive co-founded...
BuzzFeed Studios has hired Paul Ricci, formerly the head of alternative programming and development for MTV and VH1, to lead unscripted TV.
Reporting up to BuzzFeed Studios head Richard Alan Reid, Ricci will oversee unscripted projects across BuzzFeed Inc.’s brands, which include BuzzFeed, Complex, Tasty and HuffPost. Scripted projects will continue to be led by Charlotte Simms, BuzzFeed’s director of development for scripted TV.
Ricci comes to BuzzFeed after spending more than a decade at Paramount Global, then called Viacom, as a producer and executive at MTV and VH1 overseeing alternative series like Rob Dyrdek’s Ridiculousness and Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg’s Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party. Prior to that role, Ricci led development and programming for MTV2, launching shows like Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ’n Out, Guy Code and Girl Code.
Most recently, the executive co-founded...
- 8/8/2022
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jimmy Fallon-exec produced series The Kids Tonight Show and Clash of the Cover Bands are set to launch this fall.
Peacock has set the hosting line-up – including four talented young kids – for its child-friendly version of a late-night show and sister network E! has unveiled a trailer for its competition series Clash of the Cover Bands, both of which come from The Tonight Show host and his production Electric Hot Dog, which has a big overall deal with Universal Television Alternative Studio.
The Kids Tonight Show, which Deadline revealed earlier this month had set Brian McCann as head writer, will launch on the streamer on Thursday October 14.
Clash of the Cover Bands, which is hosted by Stephen “tWitch” Boss with Meghan Trainor, Adam Lambert and Ester Dean serving as celebrity judges, launches on Wednesday October 13 at 9:30pm.
The former will be hosted by Recker Eans, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Olivia Perez...
Peacock has set the hosting line-up – including four talented young kids – for its child-friendly version of a late-night show and sister network E! has unveiled a trailer for its competition series Clash of the Cover Bands, both of which come from The Tonight Show host and his production Electric Hot Dog, which has a big overall deal with Universal Television Alternative Studio.
The Kids Tonight Show, which Deadline revealed earlier this month had set Brian McCann as head writer, will launch on the streamer on Thursday October 14.
Clash of the Cover Bands, which is hosted by Stephen “tWitch” Boss with Meghan Trainor, Adam Lambert and Ester Dean serving as celebrity judges, launches on Wednesday October 13 at 9:30pm.
The former will be hosted by Recker Eans, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Olivia Perez...
- 8/31/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Brian McCann, who has worked on a slew of late-night shows with Conan O’Brien, has been named head writer and exec producer of Jimmy Fallon’s The Kids Tonight Show.
McCann has worked on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien and the recently ended Conan on TBS. He has also worked on shows including MTV’s Nikki & Sara Live, FX’s Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell and Netflix’s The Who Was Show and also written a kids’ book, Wannabe Farms, which was released by Penguin in early 2020.
He has now taken up head writing and exec producing duties for the first major late-night show aimed at children.
The Kids Tonight Show, which will launch on streamer Peacock, is hosted by kids, with kids in charge of everything. It will shoot in 30 Rock’s Studio 6A across the...
McCann has worked on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien and the recently ended Conan on TBS. He has also worked on shows including MTV’s Nikki & Sara Live, FX’s Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell and Netflix’s The Who Was Show and also written a kids’ book, Wannabe Farms, which was released by Penguin in early 2020.
He has now taken up head writing and exec producing duties for the first major late-night show aimed at children.
The Kids Tonight Show, which will launch on streamer Peacock, is hosted by kids, with kids in charge of everything. It will shoot in 30 Rock’s Studio 6A across the...
- 8/11/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu announced “Nine Perfect Strangers” will premiere on August 18 and be released weekly, while “Only Murders in the Building” will premiere on August 31 and be released weekly.
Based on the bestselling book by Liane Moriarty, “Nine Perfect Strangers” takes place at a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation. Nine “stressed city dwellers” try to get on a path to a better way of living there over the course of 10 days (taking place over eight episodes).
“Nine Perfect Strangers” stars Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon, Luke Evans, Bobby Cannavale, Regina Hall, Samara Weaving, Melvin Gregg, Asher Keddie, Grace Van Patten, Tiffany Boone and Manny Jacinto.
Director Jonathan Levine serves as an executive producer alongside Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Jodi Matterson for Made Up Stories; Kidman and Per Saari for Blossom Films; Moriarty, David E. Kelley, John Henry Butterworth, Molly Allen, Samantha Strauss and McCarthy. Co-showrunners Kelley and...
Based on the bestselling book by Liane Moriarty, “Nine Perfect Strangers” takes place at a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation. Nine “stressed city dwellers” try to get on a path to a better way of living there over the course of 10 days (taking place over eight episodes).
“Nine Perfect Strangers” stars Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon, Luke Evans, Bobby Cannavale, Regina Hall, Samara Weaving, Melvin Gregg, Asher Keddie, Grace Van Patten, Tiffany Boone and Manny Jacinto.
Director Jonathan Levine serves as an executive producer alongside Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Jodi Matterson for Made Up Stories; Kidman and Per Saari for Blossom Films; Moriarty, David E. Kelley, John Henry Butterworth, Molly Allen, Samantha Strauss and McCarthy. Co-showrunners Kelley and...
- 5/18/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, Showtime announced the release date for “Couples Therapy: The Covid Special,” and Starz cast German actor Alicia von Rittberg as young Queen Elizabeth in “Becoming Elizabeth.”
Casting
Starz cast Alicia von Rittberg as the lead in the network’s upcoming project, “Becoming Elizabeth.” The eight-episode series tells the story of Queen Elizabeth before she ascends to the throne, unraveling the drama and strategies involved in selecting a successor to King Henry VIII. Von Rittberg, a German actor, has previously acted in such projects as “Fury,” which screened at the London Film Festival; “Our Kind Traitor,” and the Netflix series “Charite.” She is represented by United Agents and Die Agenten in Germany.
First Looks
FX unveiled a new trailer for its three-episode limited series “Black Narcissus,” which premieres Nov. 23 and will be available on FX on Hulu the following day. Based on Rumer Godden‘s novel,...
Casting
Starz cast Alicia von Rittberg as the lead in the network’s upcoming project, “Becoming Elizabeth.” The eight-episode series tells the story of Queen Elizabeth before she ascends to the throne, unraveling the drama and strategies involved in selecting a successor to King Henry VIII. Von Rittberg, a German actor, has previously acted in such projects as “Fury,” which screened at the London Film Festival; “Our Kind Traitor,” and the Netflix series “Charite.” She is represented by United Agents and Die Agenten in Germany.
First Looks
FX unveiled a new trailer for its three-episode limited series “Black Narcissus,” which premieres Nov. 23 and will be available on FX on Hulu the following day. Based on Rumer Godden‘s novel,...
- 10/27/2020
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
TruTV has given a 10-episode order to Big Trick Energy, a comedic unscripted illusionist stunt series featuring master magicians and daredevils Chris Ramsay, Eric Leclerc, Wes Barker and Alex Boyer.
In the series produced by Diga Studios, Ramsay, Leclerc, Barker and Boyer impress unsuspecting people on the street with their extreme stunts. You can watch a preview clip above.
Per the network, “from shock collar card tricks to mind bending one of their own cars in broad daylight, no stunt is off limits and no line is uncrossable to these self-proclaimed “Abracadipshits.” Viewers will also get a peek behind the curtain when they reveal how some of these unforgettable experiences were created.”
“They’re more magical Jackasses than self-proclaimed Abracadipshits, but it goes without saying that Chris, Eric, Wes and Alex are making magic cool again,” says Corie Henson, EVP, head of unscripted programming for TBS, TNT, and truTV. “They’re charming,...
In the series produced by Diga Studios, Ramsay, Leclerc, Barker and Boyer impress unsuspecting people on the street with their extreme stunts. You can watch a preview clip above.
Per the network, “from shock collar card tricks to mind bending one of their own cars in broad daylight, no stunt is off limits and no line is uncrossable to these self-proclaimed “Abracadipshits.” Viewers will also get a peek behind the curtain when they reveal how some of these unforgettable experiences were created.”
“They’re more magical Jackasses than self-proclaimed Abracadipshits, but it goes without saying that Chris, Eric, Wes and Alex are making magic cool again,” says Corie Henson, EVP, head of unscripted programming for TBS, TNT, and truTV. “They’re charming,...
- 10/27/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Facebook has picked up a new reality series starring NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal for its video service Facebook Watch.
“Big Chicken Shaq” will chronicle O’Neal’s journey as he angles to balance his already busy life with the restaurant – determined to maintain his singular humor in the process. Over the course of eight episodes, fans will be given numerous opportunities to interact with Shaq and offer opinions that will impact how the new restaurant unfolds.
“It’s going to be so much fun designing my own restaurant, and I can’t imagine a better group of people to do it with than with my incredibly loyal Facebook fans,” O’Neal said. “It’s an opportunity for us to collaborate together, and I know the Facebook community will offer terrific feedback.”
The series is produced by the Content Group’s Asylum Entertainment.
“We’re proud to help create a...
“Big Chicken Shaq” will chronicle O’Neal’s journey as he angles to balance his already busy life with the restaurant – determined to maintain his singular humor in the process. Over the course of eight episodes, fans will be given numerous opportunities to interact with Shaq and offer opinions that will impact how the new restaurant unfolds.
“It’s going to be so much fun designing my own restaurant, and I can’t imagine a better group of people to do it with than with my incredibly loyal Facebook fans,” O’Neal said. “It’s an opportunity for us to collaborate together, and I know the Facebook community will offer terrific feedback.”
The series is produced by the Content Group’s Asylum Entertainment.
“We’re proud to help create a...
- 7/25/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
The CW set premiere dates for new dramas “iZombie” and “The Messengers” on Sunday. The network also announced a return date for “Supernatural,” which will now move to a new night.
See Photos: The CW Diversity Scorecard: From ‘Arrow’ to ‘Vampire Diaries’
“iZombie,” starring Rose McIver as a recently turned zombie who eats brains and helps solve crimes, premieres on Tuesday, March 17 at 9 p.m.. Apocalyptic drama “The Messengers” premieres Friday, April 10 at 9 p.m., just after the series premiere of “Cedric’s Barber Battle” at 8 p.m. and the season premiere of improv comedy show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?...
See Photos: The CW Diversity Scorecard: From ‘Arrow’ to ‘Vampire Diaries’
“iZombie,” starring Rose McIver as a recently turned zombie who eats brains and helps solve crimes, premieres on Tuesday, March 17 at 9 p.m.. Apocalyptic drama “The Messengers” premieres Friday, April 10 at 9 p.m., just after the series premiere of “Cedric’s Barber Battle” at 8 p.m. and the season premiere of improv comedy show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?...
- 1/11/2015
- by Travis Reilly
- The Wrap
A&E Network has announced a slate of new non-fiction series and pilots to add to its lineup.
New series include Love Prison, a unique social experiment where an online couple meets for the first time on a remote island with cameras capturing ever moment for one week with no escape, and Dogs of War, a series about the nonprofit organization Paws and Stripes that matches veterans experiencing Ptsd with potentially lifesaving best friends. Among the pilots in development is the previously announced Big Brew Theory, from executive producer Mark Wahlberg, which follows four MIT grad students and four MIT...
New series include Love Prison, a unique social experiment where an online couple meets for the first time on a remote island with cameras capturing ever moment for one week with no escape, and Dogs of War, a series about the nonprofit organization Paws and Stripes that matches veterans experiencing Ptsd with potentially lifesaving best friends. Among the pilots in development is the previously announced Big Brew Theory, from executive producer Mark Wahlberg, which follows four MIT grad students and four MIT...
- 5/8/2014
- by Jake Perlman
- EW - Inside TV
The Herbert Brothers (working title) follows five brothers who launched an advertising empire after creating the No. 1 Super Bowl commercial. A&E Network has ordered the new nonfiction series from Zig Zag Productions. Production is underway on eight half-hour episodes with the series slated to premiere this summer on A&E. The Herbert Brothers made advertising history when their homemade commercial won the “Doritos Crash the Super Bowl” contest and ranked No. 1 on the USA Today ad meter. The brothers took their $1,000,000 winnings, established an advertising agency in their hometown of Batesville, In and continued developing commercials for major companies like Pepsi, Go Daddy and Shasta. Matt Gould, Danny Fenton and Mark Efman are executive producing for Zig Zag Productions. Lily Neumeyer is exec producer for A&E Network.
- 4/1/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
The CW came to TCA this morning to announce it had bought a barbershop competition series hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, a magician reality series hosted by Penn & Teller, and a four-hour event series about the Holy Grail. Barber Battle visits different barbershops across the country in each of its 10 episodes. The most talented barbers will compete to showcase their artistry — from portraits to landmarks to ballparks — on someone’.s head. Judges, locations and contestants will be announced later. Cedric exec produces along with Mark Efman (.Charlemagne & Friends,. .A&E Biographies.). On each of the nine episodes of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, aspiring magicians are invited to perform their best trick. Anyone who succeeds in fooling Penn & Teller wins the right to perform with them at their show at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. A live studio audience and viewers watch along with Penn & Teller as they try to figure out the secrets.
- 1/15/2014
- by ERIK PEDERSEN
- Deadline TV
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