By April MacIntyre Jul 9, 2008, 2:29 GMT
TCA (Television Critics Association) meetings at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills kicked off today. The tour is a semi-annual gathering of television journalists from around the country.
The January tour was canceled because of the writers strike.
The first call to order was TV One, which promised Rev. Al Sharpton, sadly a no-show at the last minute due to a personal issue.
TV One conducted mini-sessions for "Murder in Black and White," a doc-series about unsolved civil rights-era murders with filmmaker Keith Beauchamp, who devoted 11 years to "The Untold Story of Emmitt Till" which got the case re-opened, though no convictions were born from it.
Beauchamp will produce four one-hour documentaries, each examining another unsolved race murder from the same era. Over 100 such cases exist that the FBI is reviewing hopefully to take action before witnesses and suspects die.
"Black Men Revealed," a male chat fest was announced, and the channel will offer complete coverage of the Democratic National Convention.
Fuse network released a statement at TCA announcing three new original series to air this fall, including “Redemption Song" a chance at music stardom; “Tour Me A New One” touring the globe opportunities; and “Rock Bottom” a quasi-band intervention set up for clashing creatives.
Also announced by Fuse were “You Rock, Let’s Roll,” a music dating game show, on Monday, July 14 at 6pm ET and “The Weekly Riff,” a music, pop culture, entertainment roundtable, on Friday, July 25 at 11pm ET.
Fuse offered mini-synopsis on the upcoming original programming (all are working titles):
“Redemption Song” - takes ten struggling women as they seize one last chance to make it big. Each week, contestants will compete in a series of outlandish music-related challenges ending with a winner who will receive a major record deal and star in her own music video airing on Fuse. Produced by Zig-Zag Productions USA.
“Tour Me A New One” - This half hour series follows comedian Nate Jackson to the far-flung musical corners of the earth. Viewers will meet the world’s most interesting, entertaining and devoted music fans – and observe them in their fascinating natural habitats. Produced by Screaming Flea Productions.
“Rock Bottom” -“Rock Bottom” takes an honest look at the stresses that constantly push and pull at rock bands, hip hop groups and other musical outfits. Each week Fuse follows a rising musical group as they stage an intervention and give one troubled band member dealing with drug addiction, alcoholism or personality problems, a choice - clean up your act or get replaced. Produced by Film Garden Entertainment.
Next was Hallmark Channel's movie preview extravaganza, and a cavalcade of stars came to discuss their roles.
In a nutshell: Jane Seymour is a sex-pot fastidious Type A personality who solves murders. Quote: "I'm not a reality person, I like drama, I have six kids so that's enough reality for me." Additional Quote: "I lost 22 pounds and was made a size zero, which was interesting," when asked about her "Dancing with the Stars" experience. Movie: "Dear Prudence."
Daphne Zuniga plays a con-woman who hails from old Boston society, and gets grungier as she ventures west. Quote: "I got grimier as we were further into the story." Greg Evigan is her male lead. Movie: "Mail Order Bride."
Florence Henderson, Donna Mills talked about getting on well and working with the great Lance Henriksen and Pam Grier. Quote: (When asked about her Brady TV kids reality TV shows) "Chris Knight...(Surreal Life) they were forcing him to marry that girl, I went and counseled them and told they should reconsider, but they went ahead and got married anyway..." Henderson said she was a certified hypnotherapist, and in that role Knight had asked whether she would counsel the marriage. She said no, but that she "would counsel the divorce." Movie: "Ladies of the House."
Ed Asner is grandpa and mentors his grandson in life in his movie. He had the best zingers; when asked what the kid (Alex Black) learned from him, he replied: "I taught him how to roll a really good reefer," then shared his unrequited and mutually shared lust for Cloris Leachman: "Of course she has a thing for me, she's a woman!" The pending possible strike? ""I doubt it, I truly doubt it, the town has been fairly terrorized this year and actors don't have more guts than the average person. They realize the tremendous cost. Probably, if push came to shove, most would vote against it. I myself would vote for it, but I would be in the minority as I usually am," and shared that when Kirk Kerkorian took over MGM back in the sixties, it turned the "glowing white marble palace" into a dump. The business today, he lamented, is "everything on the cheap, no tradition anymore." Movie: "Generation Gap."
Christmas movie/Dad-daughter reconciliation flick with Tom Arnold as a widower who finally bonds with daughter Candace Cameron after a sleigh accident helps them both find the true meaning of Christmas. Quote: "Yeah, never stayed at a Bed and Breakfast before, it was June in Vermont, and no air-conditioning..." Movie: "Moonlight & Mistletoe."
Leslie Anne Warren and Meredith Baxter are friends with a secret and a challenge. Both women looked fit and fabulous, they take good care of themselves. No Quote, really is a secret-you have to watch and find out. Movie: "Bound by a Secret."
"John from Cincinnati alum Chandra West tried to defend David Milch's odd HBO cancelled series, that she even admitted made no sense to her. Quote: "But I worship at the altar of David Milch, he is a genius.." Movie: "For the Love of Grace."
Cheech Marin plays a priest. A gringo couple come to Mexico and miraculous things happen. Quote: "Tommy (Chong) and I are getting together and will be doing something soon..." Movie: "Expecting a Miracle."
Cicely Tyson, Eriq La Salle, Michael Michelle and Michael Beach talk about their tale of redemption. La Salle testily deflects all "ER" questions, prefers to stay on point. Quote: "I have no idea why they are calling me 'Miss' Cicely Tyson," Tyson responds when asked by a reporter why she was being referred to as that in the press materials and promo. She also told reporters she keeps learning more about her craft with every new project. Movie: "Relative Stranger."
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