Smallscreen News

James Franco clip from Hollywood Heights on Nick at Nite (VIDEO)

By April MacIntyre Jun 27, 2012, 17:44 GMT

This Friday, June 29, at 9:00 P.M. (ET/PT), actor James Franco will make his debut on Nick at Nite’s brand-new primetime family drama, Hollywood Heights.

This Friday, June 29, at 9:00 P.M. (ET/PT), actor James Franco will make his debut on Nick at Nite’s brand-new primetime family drama, Hollywood Heights. 

Appearing in a multi-episode arc - Franco stars as Osborne "Oz" Silver, an eccentric movie mogul who lives life to the fullest, often outrageously.  

Offbeat, seductive and ruthless when he has to be, Oz adores making movies and does whatever it takes to make the films he wants.  We hope you will cover in advance of his debut this Friday night.

With an ensemble cast featuring telenovela star Carlos Ponce (Couples Retreat), each hour-long episode reveals the ups and downs of dealing with friends, family, love and the pursuit of their dreams.

Hollywood Heights special preview beginning Monday, June 11.  The debut episode will encore every night at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) through Friday, June 15, with the series premiering on Monday, June 18 at 9:00 P.M. (ET/PT). 

Adapted for a U.S. audience from the wildly popular Mexican telenovela Alcanzar una Estrella, Hollywood Heights follows the journey of a teenage girl whose life changes drastically when she becomes a star and wins the love of her rock and roll idol, and both are tested by setbacks, heartbreak and deception.  The first season of the 80-episode series, co-produced with Televisa in association with Sony Pictures Television, will air weeknights at 9p.m. through October 2012.

Hollywood Heights centers on Loren Tate (Brittany Underwood, One Life to Live), a shy teen whose musical aspirations inch closer to reality when she wins a songwriting contest sponsored by Eddie Duran (Cody Longo, Fame), a rock star at the top of his game.  Although Loren and Eddie’s budding partnership – on-stage and off – faces obstacles, their strong family bonds inspire them to keep going.  Loren finds the support system she needs in her single mom, Nora (Jama Williamson, Parks and Recreation), as Nora returns to the dating scene for the first time in years.  Meanwhile Eddie’s unbreakable bond with his father, Max (Carlos Ponce, Couples Retreat, telenovela actor/singer) – strengthened by family tragedy – is challenged by Eddie’s budding romance with a beautiful, but manipulative model and aspiring actress, Chloe Carter (Melissa Ordway, 17 Again).  As Loren begins a meteoric rise on the music scene and Eddie’s star begins to fade, together they learn that the road to love and stardom often carries a heavy price tag.  Justin Wilczynski (Kaya) also stars as Eddie’s bitter former friend, Tyler Rorke.

The series is executive produced by six-time Emmy Award-winner Jill Farren Phelps (General Hospital, One Life to Live) and co-executive produced by Hisham Abed (The Hills and The City) and Josh Griffith (Young and the Restless, As the World Turns) who also serves as head writer. 

Phelps has worked as an executive producer at all three major broadcast networks producing daytime dramas, for a total of five programs.  She began her television career on Santa Barbara where she ultimately rose to Executive Producer and later served as Executive Producer on Guiding Light before going to Another World in the same capacity.  Afterward, Phelps returned to ABC Daytime serving as Executive Producer of One Life to Live and later moved to executive produce General Hospital from 2001-2011.

On May 30, NickatNite.com will launch its Hollywood Heights show site, which will include a ‘Character Connection’ section for viewers to get to know the new series’ characters.  Viewers can keep up with the show on Twitter by following @HHBuzz.

JAMES FRANCO Makes His Highly Anticipated Debut on Nick at Nite's "Hollywood Heights" from Jessica Wilson on Vimeo.