TNT order big-name cop series (Clooney, Wahlberg...)


NEW YORK -- Turner Broadcasting announced Wednesday it will try to extend its winning streak in ed dramas on TNT with a group of series in development from such players as George Clooney, Donnie Wahlberg and "24" co-creator Joel Surnow.

Four of the TNT series revealed Wednesday at Turner\'s upfront presentation at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City are cop-themed.

Among the cop shows, "Delta Blues" is about a Memphis policeman who is also an Elvis impersonator. It\'s executive produced by Clooney, Grant Heslov, Abby Wolf-Weiss, Liz Garcia and Josh Horto, from Warner Horizon Television and SmokeHouse.

"Morse Code" is set in Boston and stars Wahlberg as a DEA agent, as previously reported. It is produced by Wahlberg, Jon Avnet and Walon Green with Warner Horizon Television.

Surnow\'s project is yet to be titled, focusing on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent. Surnow is the executive producer with Todd Robinson and also the writer.

"Angel City" is an "Adam-12"-like drama written by L.A. cop Will Beall and Barry Schindel with Mandalay Television.

Also in development are "Tough Trade," a l-o-o-k at Nashville music from Lionsgate Television and executive produced by Chris Offutt, Sean Furst and Bryan Furst; and an untitled family drama like "Little Miss Sunshine" executive produced by Rob Ulin.

It\'s in addition to several other dramas that will debut in the next year as well as new episodes of existing dramas "The Closer" and "Saving Grace," TNT executives said.

Also on tap for TNT is its first uned drama, "Wedding Day." The Mark Burnett Productions/DreamWorks Television series will make the wedding dreams of couples true.

Fellow Turner network TBS is developing several projects, including a single-camera comedy written and executive produced by William H. Macy and Steven Schachter, which will star Macy. It\'s from Sony Pictures Television.

Another comedy pilot will star Joey "Run" Simmons of Run-DMC, executive produced by Russell Simmons, Stan Lathan and Winifred Hervey.

And it will break into late-night television with "National Banana Already in Progress," a sketch show from Jerry Zucker, and development plans for several others: A comedy/reality series from Jonathan Murray and Gil Goldschein that brings middle-aged men back to their fraternity; a sketch-show executive produced by Jamie Foxx and Marcus King; and "Top Ten," a competition among comedians.

TBS will renew "10 Items or Less," one of its sitcoms, as well as give a 26-episode order to "Tyler Perry\'s House of Payne."
TNT orders big-name cop series
George Clooney, \'24\'s\' Joel Surnow among producers

By Paul J. Gough

May 14, 2008, 08:03 AM
Related
More upfront news at Pilot Log
Donnie Wahlberg into drama at TNT
NEW YORK -- Turner Broadcasting announced Wednesday it will try to extend its winning streak in ed dramas on TNT with a group of series in development from such players as George Clooney, Donnie Wahlberg and "24" co-creator Joel Surnow.

Four of the TNT series revealed Wednesday at Turner\'s upfront presentation at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City are cop-themed.

Among the cop shows, "Delta Blues" is about a Memphis policeman who is also an Elvis impersonator. It\'s executive produced by Clooney, Grant Heslov, Abby Wolf-Weiss, Liz Garcia and Josh Horto, from Warner Horizon Television and SmokeHouse.

"Morse Code" is set in Boston and stars Wahlberg as a DEA agent, as previously reported. It is produced by Wahlberg, Jon Avnet and Walon Green with Warner Horizon Television.

Surnow\'s project is yet to be titled, focusing on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent. Surnow is the executive producer with Todd Robinson and also the writer.

"Angel City" is an "Adam-12"-like drama written by L.A. cop Will Beall and Barry Schindel with Mandalay Television.

Also in development are "Tough Trade," a l-o-o-k at Nashville music from Lionsgate Television and executive produced by Chris Offutt, Sean Furst and Bryan Furst; and an untitled family drama like "Little Miss Sunshine" executive produced by Rob Ulin.

It\'s in addition to several other dramas that will debut in the next year as well as new episodes of existing dramas "The Closer" and "Saving Grace," TNT executives said.

Also on tap for TNT is its first uned drama, "Wedding Day." The Mark Burnett Productions/DreamWorks Television series will make the wedding dreams of couples true.

Fellow Turner network TBS is developing several projects, including a single-camera comedy written and executive produced by William H. Macy and Steven Schachter, which will star Macy. It\'s from Sony Pictures Television.

Another comedy pilot will star Joey "Run" Simmons of Run-DMC, executive produced by Russell Simmons, Stan Lathan and Winifred Hervey.

And it will break into late-night television with "National Banana Already in Progress," a sketch show from Jerry Zucker, and development plans for several others: A comedy/reality series from Jonathan Murray and Gil Goldschein that brings middle-aged men back to their fraternity; a sketch-show executive produced by Jamie Foxx and Marcus King; and "Top Ten," a competition among comedians.

TBS will renew "10 Items or Less," one of its sitcoms, as well as give a 26-episode order to "Tyler Perry\'s House of Payne."

Source: HollywoodReporter.com