Exclusive: Wednesday and Elvis producer Gail Berman, founder and CEO of The Jackal Group, has signed a three-year overall deal with Sony Pictures Television. Under the pact, which starts today, the industry veteran will develop and produce scripted series for cable and streaming platforms.
Berman, an Oscar, Emmy and Tony-nominated producer and the only woman to have held top posts at both a major film studio and a broadcast television network, is coming off receiving the Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television at the 2024 PGA Awards.
“We are thrilled to partner with Gail,” said Katherine Pope, President, Sony Pictures Television Studios. “Beyond being a true legend, Gail is a brilliant producer and creative force, always doing the work with unwavering grace.”
Aligning with an independent TV studio is a natural next step for Berman who has spent a large part of her career as an independent producer, first working in...
Berman, an Oscar, Emmy and Tony-nominated producer and the only woman to have held top posts at both a major film studio and a broadcast television network, is coming off receiving the Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television at the 2024 PGA Awards.
“We are thrilled to partner with Gail,” said Katherine Pope, President, Sony Pictures Television Studios. “Beyond being a true legend, Gail is a brilliant producer and creative force, always doing the work with unwavering grace.”
Aligning with an independent TV studio is a natural next step for Berman who has spent a large part of her career as an independent producer, first working in...
- 5/1/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Ray Cusick, who designed the look of the genocidal Daleks for the longrunning science fiction show Doctor Who, has died at the age of 84, according to the BBC. Cusick’s daughter said he died in his sleep after a short illness.
The Daleks made their debut in the second-ever Doctor Who adventure, which premiered in 1963 and was written by Terry Nation. Future Alien director Ridley Scott, who was then working at the BBC, had been originally scheduled to design the look of the Daleks but, because of a scheduling conflict, Cusick was handed the task. In 2005, Cusick confirmed the rumor...
The Daleks made their debut in the second-ever Doctor Who adventure, which premiered in 1963 and was written by Terry Nation. Future Alien director Ridley Scott, who was then working at the BBC, had been originally scheduled to design the look of the Daleks but, because of a scheduling conflict, Cusick was handed the task. In 2005, Cusick confirmed the rumor...
- 2/24/2013
- by Clark Collis
- EW - Inside TV
Those of us of a certain generation will remember growing up watching BBC children's comedy Rentaghost, which aired between 1976 and 1984.
The series featured a London company run by Fred Mumford, a recently-deceased slacker determined to be more productive than he was during his life. He set up an agency hiring out ghouls and ghosts to the living. Later the business was taken over by Harold and Ethel Meaker.
The regular characters included jester Timothy Claypole (Birmingham actor Michael Staniforth); Victorian gentleman Hubert Davenport (Michael Darbyshire); Hazel McWitch (Molly Weir); Nadia Popov (Sue Nicholls, who went on to play Audrey Roberts in Coronation Street), a hayfever-stricken spook who teleported every time she sneezed; and a pantomime horse called Dobbin.
Well, the whole daft thing is coming back, this time on the big screen. Russell Brand had been set to star as Fred Mumford in a Warner Bros attempt at a movie...
The series featured a London company run by Fred Mumford, a recently-deceased slacker determined to be more productive than he was during his life. He set up an agency hiring out ghouls and ghosts to the living. Later the business was taken over by Harold and Ethel Meaker.
The regular characters included jester Timothy Claypole (Birmingham actor Michael Staniforth); Victorian gentleman Hubert Davenport (Michael Darbyshire); Hazel McWitch (Molly Weir); Nadia Popov (Sue Nicholls, who went on to play Audrey Roberts in Coronation Street), a hayfever-stricken spook who teleported every time she sneezed; and a pantomime horse called Dobbin.
Well, the whole daft thing is coming back, this time on the big screen. Russell Brand had been set to star as Fred Mumford in a Warner Bros attempt at a movie...
- 10/16/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Ben Stiller will star in Fox's adaptation of the BBC children's television comedy show "RentaGhost."According to Variety, Langley Park's Kevin McCormick is producing along with Patrick Pidgeon, as well as BermanBraun's Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun.The comedy had been in development at Warner Bros. with Russell Brand starring before Fox acquired it.Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant ("Night at the Museum") will write the script.The original show was created by Bob Block and ran for 58 episodes between January of 1976 and June of 1984.The premise centered on the recently-deceased loser Fred Mumford being determined to be more productive in the afterlife than he was during his 27 years with the living. He establishes the temp agency for the dead,...
- 10/13/2011
- by Adnan Tezer
- Monsters and Critics
Ben Stiller has replaced Russell Brand in the Hollywood remake of British children's TV series Rentaghost.
The Night at the Museum star will play the boss of a company which hires out ghosts.
The original series, which ran from the mid-1970s to 1984, featured British actors Michael Staniforth, Edward Brayshaw, Anthony Jackson and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star Michael Darbyshire.
The Night at the Museum star will play the boss of a company which hires out ghosts.
The original series, which ran from the mid-1970s to 1984, featured British actors Michael Staniforth, Edward Brayshaw, Anthony Jackson and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star Michael Darbyshire.
- 10/13/2011
- WENN
Let's face it. Being dead has to have its fair share of suckage. Never mind the whole maggots feasting on you thing ... that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
According to Variety Ben Stiller will star in RentaGhost, based on the British comedy series about a temp agency for the dead, for 20th Century Fox, which has tapped the Night at the Museum team of Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant to pen the script.
Fox recently acquired rights to the comedy, which had been in development at Warner Bros. with Russell Brand toplining. Kevin McCormick is producing through his Langley Park shingle with BermanBraun's Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun.
The original BBC series, created by Bob Block, ran for 58 episodes between 1976 and 1984 and centered on the recently-deceased Fred Mumford being determined to be more productive in the afterlife than he was during his 27-year existence. Mumford established RentaGhost -- renting out ghouls,...
According to Variety Ben Stiller will star in RentaGhost, based on the British comedy series about a temp agency for the dead, for 20th Century Fox, which has tapped the Night at the Museum team of Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant to pen the script.
Fox recently acquired rights to the comedy, which had been in development at Warner Bros. with Russell Brand toplining. Kevin McCormick is producing through his Langley Park shingle with BermanBraun's Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun.
The original BBC series, created by Bob Block, ran for 58 episodes between 1976 and 1984 and centered on the recently-deceased Fred Mumford being determined to be more productive in the afterlife than he was during his 27-year existence. Mumford established RentaGhost -- renting out ghouls,...
- 10/12/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Ben Stiller will star in Rentaghost, based on the British comedy series about a temp agency for the dead, for Fox. Variety reports that Fox is in negotiations to acquire rights to the comedy, which had been in development at Warner Bros. with Russell Brand toplining. Fox has tapped the Night at the Museum team of Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant to pen the script. The original BBC series, created by Bob Block, ran for 58 episodes between 1976 and 1984 and centered on the recently-deceased Fred Mumford being determined to be more productive in the afterlife than he was during his 27-year existence. Mumford established RentaGhost -- renting out ghouls, ghosts and other specters -- to the living but things do not go according to plan. Michael Staniforth, Edward Brayshaw, Michael Darbyshire and Anthony Jackson starred in the TV series.
- 10/12/2011
- bloody-disgusting.com
Ben Stiller is set to headline a film adaptation of the 70's British comedy series Rentaghost , Deadline reports. Originally set up at Warner Bros. late last year with Russell Brand attached to star, the rights have now shifted to 20th Century Fox, who have brought aboard the Night at the Museum pair of Tom Lennon and Robert Ben Garant to provide the screenplay. Stiller will play Fred Mumford, a fellow who, though a slacker in life, has become determined to make something of himself as a newly deceased ghost. He winds up setting up a afterlife temp service, getting ghosts to rent themselves out for use by the living. Created by Bob Block, the original series aired on BBC1 from 1976 to 1984. (Photo Credit: Adriana M. Bar)...
- 10/12/2011
- Comingsoon.net
TV Legend Gerry Anderson is to join the crew of Leicester's National Space Centre on March 19 and 20 for a celebration of British science fiction.
The publisher, producer, director and writer is famous for TV classics such as Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999, Joe 90, UFO and The Protectors.
On both days of the event, visitors will be able to meet the man who created the Supermarionation puppetry technique used in many of his series.
Anderson will be joined by a host of guests and characters, including Gareth Thomas who played the title role in Blake's 7.
There will be displays and talks by Mat Irvine and Mike Tucker on the launch of their new book that charts their careers leading the teams in the BBC Visual Effects Department. Between them they have worked on hundreds of shows including Doctor Who, Red Dwarf and Rentaghost.
A display of original props and...
The publisher, producer, director and writer is famous for TV classics such as Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999, Joe 90, UFO and The Protectors.
On both days of the event, visitors will be able to meet the man who created the Supermarionation puppetry technique used in many of his series.
Anderson will be joined by a host of guests and characters, including Gareth Thomas who played the title role in Blake's 7.
There will be displays and talks by Mat Irvine and Mike Tucker on the launch of their new book that charts their careers leading the teams in the BBC Visual Effects Department. Between them they have worked on hundreds of shows including Doctor Who, Red Dwarf and Rentaghost.
A display of original props and...
- 2/28/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired feature film rights to the Brit children's TV show comedy, "Rentaghost." The movie version, described as a "Beetlejuice"- like comedy, will be a studio vehicle for comedian Russell Brand.
Brand would play 'Fred Mumford', "...a recently deceased guy determined to be more productive as a corpse than he was during his life as a slacker. He attempts to set himself up in a business with a couple of other ghouls, starting a temp agency for the dead. Mumford and cohorts rent out ghouls and ghosts to the living, until things go awry..."
The original series, created by Bob Block, aired on the UK's BBC1 from 1976-1984, following the antics of a group of spooks who worked for a firm called 'Rentaghost', which leased out the ghosts for various tasks.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Rentaghost"...
Brand would play 'Fred Mumford', "...a recently deceased guy determined to be more productive as a corpse than he was during his life as a slacker. He attempts to set himself up in a business with a couple of other ghouls, starting a temp agency for the dead. Mumford and cohorts rent out ghouls and ghosts to the living, until things go awry..."
The original series, created by Bob Block, aired on the UK's BBC1 from 1976-1984, following the antics of a group of spooks who worked for a firm called 'Rentaghost', which leased out the ghosts for various tasks.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Rentaghost"...
- 12/11/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Russell Brand will star in Warner Bros.' adaptation of the BBC children's television comedy show "RentaGhost."According to Variety, Langley Park.s Kevin McCormick is producing along with BermanBraun's Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun. Brand will receive an executive producing credit. The original show was created by Bob Block and ran for 58 episodes between January of 1976 and June of 1984.The premise centered on the recently-deceased loser Fred Mumford being determined to be more productive in the afterlife than he was during his 27 years with the living. He establishes the temp agency for the dead, RentaGhost, renting out ghosts to the living.Anthony Jackson, Edward Brayshaw, Michael Darbyshire and Michael Staniforth starred in the TV series. Brand stars in Warners' upcoming...
- 12/10/2010
- by Adnan Tezer
- Monsters and Critics
Warner Bros. recently picked up the rights to a British comedy series called Rentaghost, and the studio will be bringing in Russell Brand (Get Him to the Greek) to star in the feature film version that the studio is developing.
The movie version of this show is described as a Beetlejuice-style afterlife comedy, and according to Deadline, Brand would play Fred Mumford, "a recently deceased guy determined to be more productive as a corpse than he was during his life as a slacker. He attempts to set himself up in a business with a couple of other ghouls, starting a temp agency for the dead. Mumford and cohorts rent out ghouls and ghosts to the living, until things go awry."
This is a perfect role for Brand, and I'm sure he'll be hilarious in it. The original series was created by Bob Block, and it aired on BBC1 from 1976-...
The movie version of this show is described as a Beetlejuice-style afterlife comedy, and according to Deadline, Brand would play Fred Mumford, "a recently deceased guy determined to be more productive as a corpse than he was during his life as a slacker. He attempts to set himself up in a business with a couple of other ghouls, starting a temp agency for the dead. Mumford and cohorts rent out ghouls and ghosts to the living, until things go awry."
This is a perfect role for Brand, and I'm sure he'll be hilarious in it. The original series was created by Bob Block, and it aired on BBC1 from 1976-...
- 12/9/2010
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
RentaGhost, RentaGhost, RentaGhost! It's showtime! So it doesn't work exactly like Bettlejuice but its close enough for our taste plus our friend across the pond Russel Brand is starring in the remake of the British horror/comedy TV series of the same name. For those not familiar with Brand's work, he's "cheeky" as hell and perfect for this film adaptation...
According to Deadline, Brand has been cast to play the character Fred Mumford who is a "recently deceased guy determined to be more productive as a corpse than he was during his life as a slacker. He attempts to set himself up in a business with a couple of other ghouls, starting a temp agency for the dead. Mumford and cohorts rent out ghouls and ghosts to the living, until things go awry."
The original series was created by Bob Block and ran on BBC1 from 1976-1984. The movie (being...
According to Deadline, Brand has been cast to play the character Fred Mumford who is a "recently deceased guy determined to be more productive as a corpse than he was during his life as a slacker. He attempts to set himself up in a business with a couple of other ghouls, starting a temp agency for the dead. Mumford and cohorts rent out ghouls and ghosts to the living, until things go awry."
The original series was created by Bob Block and ran on BBC1 from 1976-1984. The movie (being...
- 12/9/2010
- by Keepers of the Bid
- Horrorbid
Warner Bros has acquired the rights to the British comedy show "RentaGhost" and will develop it into a "Beetlejuice"-style afterlife comedy film for Russell Brand (Get Him to the Greek) to star in. Brand will play Fred Mumford, a recently deceased man determined to be more productive as a corpse than he was during his life as a slacker. He attempts to set himself up in a temp agency that rents out ghosts to the living. The original series was created by Bob Block and ran on BBC1 from 1976-1984. The movie is currently searching for writers to pen the script.
- 12/9/2010
- WorstPreviews.com
According to Deadline, Warner Bros. has bought the rights to the British comedy show “RentaGhost.” The site also described it as “a Beetlejuice-style afterlife feature comedy vehicle for Russell Brand.” Brand will play Fred Mumford, a deceased guy who is determined to be more productive than his life as a slacker. He created a temp agency to rent out ghosts and ghouls to the living until things gone awry. The BBC television series was created by Bob Block and ran from 1976 to 1984. Gig Patta's Take: I could easily picture Russell Brand in the role. Now who would play the silly jester? Source: Deadline...
- 12/9/2010
- LRMonline.com
Not content with just remaking different kinds of American projects, Hollywood has outstretched its claws across the pond so that it may dig into another popular UK series.
According to Deadline New York Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to the British comedy show "RentaGhost" and will develop it into a Beetlejuice-style afterlife feature comedy vehicle for Russell Brand.
He'll play Fred Mumford, a recently deceased guy determined to be more productive as a corpse than he was during his life as a slacker. He attempts to set himself up in a business with a couple of other ghouls, starting a temp agency for the dead. Mumford and cohorts rent out ghouls and ghosts to the living until things go awry.
The original series, created by Bob Block, ran on BBC1 from 1976-1984. Look for more soon!
- Uncle Creepy
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
According to Deadline New York Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to the British comedy show "RentaGhost" and will develop it into a Beetlejuice-style afterlife feature comedy vehicle for Russell Brand.
He'll play Fred Mumford, a recently deceased guy determined to be more productive as a corpse than he was during his life as a slacker. He attempts to set himself up in a business with a couple of other ghouls, starting a temp agency for the dead. Mumford and cohorts rent out ghouls and ghosts to the living until things go awry.
The original series, created by Bob Block, ran on BBC1 from 1976-1984. Look for more soon!
- Uncle Creepy
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
- 12/9/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Call it Beetlejuice with a British twist. Warner Brothers has just acquired the rights to a late 1970s/early 1980s British television comedy called Rentaghost that they're developing as a vehicle for blossoming movie star [1] Russell Brand. The movie is about a slacker named Fred Mumford who decides he wants to be more productive as a ghost than he was a person. So, he starts a business where ghosts can be rented out to the living. Producers are currently out to writers. Read more after the break. Deadline [2] broke the news about the show's purchase. What's odd is that Rentaghost, which ran for nine "series'" from January 1976 though June 1984, was originally marketed towards families. As created by Bob Block, the show was reportedly more silly than satirical and didn't exhibit the type of humor that Brand is branding himself with. Mainly, off color stuff such as the Arthur [3] remake and Get Him To The Greek.
- 12/9/2010
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
I love when a studio and typecast star collaborate to bring something new and unique to theaters. Warner Bros has acquired the rights to the British comedy show Rentaghost and will develop it into a Beetlejuice-style afterlife feature comedy vehicle for Russell Brand. He'll play Fred Mumford, a recently deceased guy determined to be more productive as a corpse than he was during his life as a slacker. He attempts to set himself up in a business with a couple of other ghouls, starting a temp agency for the dead. Mumford and cohorts rent out ghouls and ghosts to the living, until things go awry. The original series, created by Bob Block, ran on BBC1 from 1976-1984. Langley Park's Kevin McCormick will produce with BermanBraun's Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun. Brand will be executive producer. They're going right out to writers.
- 12/9/2010
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: Warner Bros has acquired the rights to the British comedy show RentaGhost and will develop it into a Beetlejuice-style afterlife feature comedy vehicle for Russell Brand. He'll play Fred Mumford, a recently deceased guy determined to be more productive as a corpse than he was during his life as a slacker. He attempts to set himself up in a business with a couple of other ghouls, starting a temp agency for the dead. Mumford and cohorts rent out ghouls and ghosts to the living, until things go awry. The original series, created by Bob Block, ran on BBC1 from 1976-1984. Langley Park's Kevin McCormick will produce with BermanBraun's Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun. Brand will be executive producer. They're going right out to writers. Bb's Andrew Mittman brought in the project.
- 12/9/2010
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
It would seem that these days, there’s nothing Russell Brand won’t consider remaking. He’s already set to hit our screens in Arthur, and now he’s taking aim at another, not-quite-so-high-profile comedy classic: Rentaghost.Yes, really. The 80s children's TV show that many of you will recall, some even fondly, about the agency for oddball spooks, ghouls, witches and other supernatural types, really is becoming a film for Warner Bros.Brand is planning to star and act as executive producer on the film remake, though exactly what role he’s taking is not yet clear. Deadline says he’ll be Fred Mumford (as played by Anthony Jackson in the show), the man behind the temp agency. Yet surely he’d be a better fit for wacky Jester Timothy Claypole?Rentaghost ran for nine series between 1976 and 1984 (you can get the first series on DVD if you’re...
- 12/9/2010
- EmpireOnline
Thespian, reality TV champ, panto supremo, celeb socialite - there are many strings to Christopher Biggins's bow, but he is perhaps summed up best as a "bubbly showbiz personality". The camp comic veteran, who turned 60 last Christmas, first caught the public's imagination with appearances in The Likely Lads, Some Mothers Do 'Ave Em and most famously as Lukewarm in Ronnie Barker's Porridge during the 1970s. Biggins's other memorable screen roles included kids' series Rentaghost, children's gameshow On Safari, Minder (more)...
- 4/17/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
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