Annie Potts Talks Turkey about GCB and Chick-Fil-A

Annie Potts as Gigi Stopper in the woefully short-lived GCB.

By the time in 1986 when Annie Potts showed up on the small screen in the role for which she will always be best remembered, Designing Women's Mary Jo Shively, I'd already loved her for years.  Anyone who came of age in the '80s may remember Potts' brilliant best-friend role in 1986' Pretty in Pink, or her wacky Ghostbusters receptionist Janine in both the original 1984 film and its 1989 sequel.

After Designing Women ended in '93, Potts went on to many more TV roles; the Kentucky native was awfully convincing to me as the Italian-American chef Dana Palladino, when she replaced Susan Dey as the female lead in the final two seasons of CBS' underrated sitcom Love & War.  Later, Potts headlined Lifetime's 1998-2002 series Any Day Now, and has also had regular or recurring roles on Huff, Joan of Arcadia, Men in Trees and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

But of all Potts' roles, it was GCB about which I was most excited in recent years, bringing her back to the Southern milieu in which we all know she particularly shines.  I was shocked in May when ABC announced the show's cancellation -- surely the network could have given this fun romp of a show more of a chance to grow.

With the at that point soon-to-be GCB star Annie Potts
at the TCA convention in Pasadena, CA
January 2012

This past January, as GCB was about to make its debut, I had met Potts at the Television Critics of America conference in Pasadena, and took the photo, at right; both of us were full of hope that GCB would be ABC's next big soapy hit.  Cut to last week, at the TCA Summer conference in Beverly Hills, when I again spoke with Potts at a luncheon given by the Hallmark Channel, where the actress will be appearing in the TV movie The Music Teacher later this year.  It's always a pleasure talking with her, because of the way she answers questions; she speaks slowly, every word clearly being carefully chosen.  And so when Annie Potts speculates about the reasons behind GCB's premature demise, and about being a Southerner in the age of Chick-Fil-A, I'm that much more excited to listen.  Our interview, below:

Must Hear TV:  There’s a campaign out there to save GCB, if you’ve seen it on Facebook and Twitter.  Do you think it’ll have any effect?

I know.  But I believe if it was going to have any effect, then it would have had an effect already, regrettably.  Really regrettably.  Ah, GCB, RIP!  Bummer.

MHTV:  What do you think happened?

I think a lot of different things.  I think our ratings could have been a little better.  But you know they hardly give anything a chance.  I think if they’d given us a little time, we could have done better.  I think in the end, there were some advertising problems, because big advertisers had had some complaints.  If they get 10 emails going, “We don’t think you should be advertising during that…”  People got all flustered about what they thought we were, without seeing what we were doing.

MHTV:  Where were these people when the novel Good Christian Bitches [on which the show was based] came out?  It had the word “Bitches” in the title, and GCB didn’t even have that.

Yes, but I think it was implied.   There are some who were associated with it who felt like if we’d just named it something else, like “Homemade Sin” or something, that people wouldn’t have gotten their feathers ruffled from the get-go.  And that maybe we could have [lasted.]

MHTV:  It’s a shame people could be so closed-minded.  Not even seeing a show, yet three initials gets them riled up.

We could have named it “WTF,” and really pissed people off!

MHTV:  I wonder if that would have pissed Christians off as much as the idea that they think they’re being made fun of, with “GCB.”

I don’t know.  My Christian friends welcomed it, because I think everybody likes to smoke out hypocrisy when they can.  It’s like, “Hello, do you see how you’re saying one thing and doing another?”  So I felt that there was a lot of support in the Christian community.  But it only takes a few.

If you haven't heard, Chick-fil-A has
long supported hate groups like
the National Organization for Marriage
which advocate against gay rights.
Please don't patronize Chick-fil-A!

MHTV:  Speaking of Christians and the South, we happen to be in this moment right now where there’s a culture war going on, and Chick-fil-A has gotten itself embroiled.  You’re a Southerner, and you have obviously worked with gay people in Hollywood.  Do you have an opinion about this controversy?

Yes, I know about it.  I think maybe the problem is people having opinions on it.  I think if whoever is the head of Chick-fil-A had not espoused a bigoted opinion – it’s like, what does anybody care who people love?  They should be more interested in that they love.  Isn’t that what everybody’s supposed to be doing, and not be judgmental about who?  But, see, I’m judging him saying that.

MHTV:   I’m judging him too.  Because even if he’s entitled to his opinion, he’s supporting suppression of my rights with money we might be spending on his chicken sandwiches.

Yes, well I won’t eat there.  That’s all.  I grew up in a little town, and if somebody did something you didn’t like, my daddy would just say “We don’t trade there anymore.”  And I’d say, “We’ve been going to that gas station for 15 years!”  And he’d say, “We don’t trade there anymore.”  So I would say to Chick-fil-A, if people want to change things, then you just say, “We don’t trade there anymore.”

Of course, with the power of the media now, that’s essentially the same thing kind of closed GCB down.  People saying, “We’re not going to trade there.  We’re not going to tune into that show.”  Well fine, you don’t tune into the show.  And just keep it to yourself.

MHTV:  I thought it was a loving portrayal of Texans.  Yes, it pointed out hypocrisy, but I think everybody knows that that’s an element of Texas and of Big Religion.   I didn’t think it made particular fun of them.

I don’t think so either.   I know that it was not the intent of our creator, and our writers, who were almost all Christian.  Church every Sunday Christians.

MHTV:  This means we have another opportunity to bring you back to network television.  Do you have anything in your sights?

I’m trying to develop something right now.  But that is a long row to hoe always.  I love doing series television.  I’m a real workhorse in that way.  I love the work.  The work is hard, and the hours are long, but it’s what I’ve done for most of my adult life, and that’s what I like to do.

MHTV:  TV more than film at this point?  There are so many films fans love you in, too.

I think there are more opportunities for me in television.  Most movies are made for 14-year-old boys.

MHTV:  You’d have to be the long-suffering mom in film at this point.

I am a long-suffering mother.  So I would be happy to play that role.  But I think the roles are just better, with a little more complexity, in TV.

MHTV:  What kind of character would you like to play next?  A Southern woman again, or do you want to mix it up?

I always like to mix it up.  Although I think on television, there is some evidence that the kind of closer you are to the character you’re playing, the more successful you are.  And playing Southerners is something I really like to do.  I know them well, and I like to do that because I feel like sometimes Southerners aren’t portrayed as if they are complex characters.  And I always beg to differ on that.  And also, when you are playing a Southerner, you can say the most awful things and get away with it!

MHTV:  As long as it’s followed with “Bless your heart,” right?

That’s right.  So there are benefits to that, especially on TV.

Where Will Who Do You Think You Are Go?

 This morning on Sirius XM OutQ radio's The Frank DeCaro Show, actor/author/producer Dan Bucatinsky appeared to promote his funny new book, Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight?:  Confessions of a Gay Dad (Bucatinsky's answer, by the way:  no.  Especially if as said gay dad, you start coordinating outfits to your diaper bag.)

The multi-talented, multi-hyphenate Bucatinsky will be appearing tonight (Tuesday, June 12) at the Barnes & Noble in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood, to sign the book (and next Monday, June 18 at the B&N at The Grove in LA). In addition to juggling raising two kids, ages 7 and "4 3/4" with husband Don Roos, the author is about to be plenty busy:  late in this past season, he appeared in a recurring role on Shonda Rimes' Scandal, and he revealed on the air this morning that  he's about to join Rimes' original, flagship show, Grey's Anatomy, as a member of its writing staff.  Bucatinsky also continues to produce, along with Lisa Kudrow, Showtime's hit comedy series Web Therapy, which is about to debut its second season on July 2 with episodes featuring none other than Meryl Streep. (Season 1 will be released on DVD and Blu Ray next week.)

But the one thing I didn't expect to hear from the busy Bucatinsky on the show this morning was a piece of bad news:  his and Kudrow's beautifully produced celebrity genealogy show, Who Do You Think You Are, will not be returning to NBC.  I don't remember hearing this at the upfront, where NBC did trumpet its moves of Whitney and Community to Friday nights, where the network (ill-advisedly) hopes to create a hip comedy block.  I had thought that, as in past years, WDYTYA might return to NBC's Friday night at midseason; however, Bucatinsky says this is not to be.

He is hopeful that the show may find a new home -- particularly because he says the WDYTYA staff is currently in the middle of researching some more fascinating celebrity stories.  If you've never caught the show, check it out here.  So many of the episodes contain fascinating historical tidbits and mini-mysteries -- I'd recommend last season's Rita Wilson episode for a beautiful combination of both.

Rally Around Cougar Town

Just a few weeks ago, I wrote a piece for an upcoming of CBS Watch Magazine, about the historic moment when, due to popular outcry, CBS' '80s cop show Cagney & Lacey was brought back from the dead.

Since then, only a select few shows have been saved by the fans; as Judah Friedlander's character Frank Rossitano once said in my favorite line from 30 Rock, "They sent peanuts to save Jericho, and they sent douchebags to save Entourage" (although I don't think in real life Entourage was ever in any danger.)

Now, in today's social media world, Cougar Town is taking the same approach -- but, brilliantly, they're doing it preemptively.  When the show didn't land a spot on ABC's schedule for this past fall, we Cougar Town fans were worried -- as was Abed on NBC's similarly endangered Community, who in a brilliant gag, had to console himself with YouTube episodes of the show's British inspiration "Cougarton Abbey."

But this winter, when ABC announced its spring schedule with Cougar Town STILL missing, that's when fans really got worried -- and the show's creator/executive producers Bill Lawrence and Kevin Biegel began a clever word-of-mouth campaign to keep their show alive.  As Lawrence notes in an email just this morning to TV critics, "Trying everything; we just all like our jobs too much."

Presumably at the show's expense, the producers have flown the CT actors to appear at episode screening parties in cities across the US, and plied fans with T-shirts -- and as Lawrence admits, to ABC's legal department's dismay, also free wine and the chance at a walk-on role.  In another ballsy move, they even held a cocktail party for the critics of the TCA last month, in the bar of the very hotel where ABC had presented its Cougar Town-less spring schedule just hours before.

Luckily, when the network's Work It bombed after two episodes (too many), it became clear that Cougar Town could inherit that half-hour time slot, and it was quickly announced that that was the plan.  So the show is now set to return on Tuesday, February 14 at 8:30 PM Eastern/Pacific.  I'm concerned that this fun, snarky show might have an incompatible lead-in in Tim Allen's new family sitcom Last Man Standing, but I'm not going to quibble -- I'm just glad that Cougar Town season 3 is about to begin.  (And as Lawrence notes in his email, at least Fox was kind enough to take the time slot competition Glee off the air for 7 weeks.)

Below, the season 3 highlight reel teasing great stuff to come on Cougar Town.  I've seen several of the episodes, and can tell you that the show remains as sharp and funny as ever, with many romantic, beautiful moments masterfully mixed in.  Enjoy!
 
Bill Lawrence on WhoSay

Who Does Reba McEntire Think She Is?!

As much as I rail against unscripted or "reality" shows, I do have to admit that a few, like The Amazing Race or  my other favorite, Who Do You Think You Are, are not only entertaining but enlightening, containing real, useful information to improve our world (as opposed to say, what Jersey Shore does for mankind.)

Today, at the Television Critics' Convention (TCA) in Pasadena, NBC announced the cast of celebrities exploring their family roots on WDYTYA.  It's again a fun group -- I can't wait until the start of the season!

1/6/2012 01:29

NBC ANNOUNCES THE CELEBRITIES TRACING THEIR FAMILY TREES ON SEASON THREE OF ‘WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?’ PREMIERING FEBRUARY 3

Martin Sheen, Marisa Tomei, Blair Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rob Lowe, Helen Hunt, Rita Wilson, Edie Falco, Rashida Jones, Jerome Bettis, Jason Sudeikis and Paula Deen Take a Look Inside Their Family Histories on NBC’s Genealogy Alternative Series Produced by Lisa Kudrow

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.-- January 6, 2012-- Viewers can take an up-close and personal look inside the family history of some of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities when NBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are?” returns for its third season on Friday, February 3 (8-9 p.m. ET). The celebrities who star in the series are Martin Sheen, Marisa Tomei, Blair Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rob Lowe, Helen Hunt, Rita Wilson, Edie Falco, Rashida Jones, Jerome Bettis, Jason Sudeikis and Paula Deen. From executive producers Lisa Kudrow (“Friends,” “Web Therapy”) and Dan Bucatinsky (“Lipstick Jungle,” “The Comeback”) – through their production company Is or Isn’t Entertainment and Shed Media U.S. (“Supernanny,” “The Real Housewives of New York City”) -- “Who Do You Think You Are?” is an adaptation of the award-winning hit British television documentary series that leads celebrities on a journey of self-discovery as they unearth their family trees that reveal surprising, inspiring and even tragic stories that often are linked to crucial events in American history. “We're very excited about the stories we have this season. This fantastic group of people we have will take us to countries we haven't visited before which is thrilling and gives us glimpses into crucial details of history that not only shaped their families, but our world,” said executive producers Kudrow and Bucatinsky. “This is what we love about this series; it's so enriching for us the viewer, as well as the participants and their families.” From Ireland’s freedom fighters to the American Revolutionary War, and from the African nation of Cameroon to Bulgaria, “Who Do You Think You Are?” will reveal the fabric of humanity through everyone’s place in history. Each week a different celebrity takes a journey into their family’s past, traveling all over the world. While giving viewers an in-depth look into their favorite stars’ family tree, each episode will expose surprising facts and life changing encounters that will unlock people’s emotions, and show just how connected everyone is not only to the past, but to one another. Ancestry.com continues in its role as NBC and Shed Media’s official partner on the series, helping to provide the exhaustive research used to build each story. “’Who Do You Think You Are?’ is such a beautiful showcase for the type of discoveries people can make through family history research,” said Josh Hanna, Executive Vice President for Ancestry.com. “We are extremely proud to help produce a program that inspires so many to begin their own journey of discovery and are excited to see it grow more this season.” “Who Do You Think You Are?” is produced by Shed Media U.S. in association with Is or Isn’t Entertainment. Alex Graham, Kudrow, Bucatinsky, Jennifer O'Connell and Al Edgington are the executive producers. The unique, award-winning series is based on the popular BBC television documentary series from Wall to Wall Productions, created and executive-produced by Graham.

Sue Sylvester Working to Save the Community

This morning, at the New York offices of Sirius XM Satellite Radio, my hubby Frank DeCaro sat down with Glee and American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy for an hourlong chat for the OutQ station's fab new interview series, "Iconography."

You'll have to tune in to OutQ to hear the juicy interview in its entirety. But there is one thing I can share with you now -- it's not exactly a "spoiler," because the engineers at Sirius had to wrap the recording right before I asked Ryan the final question of the day from my spot in the audience (where I sat next to his fiance, David.)

I asked Ryan how he felt about other shows parodying Glee -- flattered? Annoyed? A little of both? "I realize that that is obviously flattering," he answered -- but added that he's careful not to watch any such parodies, so that he can be sure never to end up copying them in writing Glee, accidentally "doing a parody of their parody."

When I mentioned that last week's episode of Community took some seemingly loving shots at Glee, Ryan seemed intrigued. "Do you guys like that show?" he polled the in-studio audience, getting nods to the affirmative. He must like it, too, because he then revealed a possible spoiler: with Community now on the endangered list at NBC, he at one point was thinking of having Sue Sylvester head a campaign to save it.

It's ironic: NBC's Community shows some on-screen love for ABC's seemingly endangered Cougar Town, only to be itself bumped off the midseason schedule -- and then given a possible shout-out by Fox's Glee. It's nice to see such cross-network love. Now if only more viewers would show up in support.

Snag Yourself Some Happy Endings

If, like Fern here [sorry -- old SNL reference I love], you're not too bright, and haven't yet discovered ABC's Happy Endings -- already one of TV's strongest and funniest comedies after just one abbreviated season -- there's hope for you yet: the season 1 DVDs arrive on September 20. Just around the time of my birthday, meaning I know I'm gonna get some Happy this year!

Here's the press release:

Happy Endings – Sony Pictures Television’s break-out comedy on ABC about a witty group of friends whose social life is given a jolt by the breakup of the couple who brought them all together -- debuts on DVD September 20th when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases Happy Endings: The Complete First Season. The Two-Disc DVD set ($35.99 SRP) contains all 13 episodes as well as special features that include deleted scenes, outtakes, a special “Mike Relm Remix” music video and more!

Happy Endings’ talented ensemble includes Eliza Coupe (TV’s “Scrubs”), Elisha Cuthbert (TV’s “24”), Zachary Knighton (TV’s “FlashForward”), Adam Pally (TV’s “Californication”), Damon Wayans Jr. (The Other Guys), and Casey Wilson (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”). The show is executive produced by Jamie Tarses (TV’s “HawthoRNe” and “Franklin & Bash”), Jonathan Groff (TV’s “How I Met Your Mother”), Joe Russo (TV’s “Community”), Anthony Russo (TV’s “What About Brian”) and co-executive produced by creator David Caspe (the upcoming feature film, “I Hate You Dad”).

Orange Homophobe Scores Big

I guess it's true what they say: everyone loves a pig roast!

Although I have to say, my pal Lisa Lampanelli rocked the roast, Jeffrey Ross was his usual great self, and I loved Marlee Matlin, Whitney Cummings, Gilbert Gottfried, Snoop Dogg and even Larry King. And who didn't enjoy seeing Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino bomb so badly?!

DONALD TRUMP IS RATINGS GOLD FOR COMEDY CENTRAL

SETTING RECORDS ACROSS MULTIPLE SCREENS AND LEADING COMEDY CENTRAL TO ITS

MOST-WATCHED TUESDAY PRIME AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS AND PERSONS 18-49 IN HISTORY

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Trump Roast Is Most-Watched Ever Among Men 18-24

And #1 In Prime Across All Of TV For The Night

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#1 In All TV Across All Key Demos In Its Timeslot

(Persons 18-49, Persons 18-34, Men 18-34 And Men18-24)

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#TrumpRoast And Top Roasters Trend Worldwide On Twitter On Tuesday Night

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Donald Trump and COMEDY CENTRAL were crowned kings of Tuesday night, March 15! The “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Donald Trump“ scored big with the viewers on-air and online. The Tuesday night premiere at 10:30 p.m. pulled in 3.5 million total viewers, 5.50 rating M18-24, making this special the #1 highest rated COMEDY CENTRAL Roast EVER and #1 in ALL TV in Prime among M18-34. The Roast along with Tosh.0 leads the network to the highest Tuesday Prime among total viewers and P18-49.

Ratings Performance

· “Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump” delivered 3.5 million Total Viewers and a 2.21 P18-49 rating, 4.27 M18-34 rating and 5.50 M18-24 rating.

· Historical – Most-watched COMEDY CENTRAL Roast ever with M18-24 and the 2^nd most-watched with M18-34, behind “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Flava Flav” in 2007.

· Timeslot – #1 in ALL TV in its timeslot (10:30 p.m.-midnight) across all key demos: P18-49, P18-34, M18-34 and M18-24. Among total viewers, “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Donald Trump” took the #1 spot in cable.

· Prime – “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Donald Trump” was the most-watched show in ALL TV with M18-24 and tied for #1 among M18-34 (“Tosh.0”).

· Best Tuesday Night COMEDY CENTRAL Prime – The channel averaged a 1.13 P18-49 rating and 1.8 million total viewers in its best Tuesday Prime ever ( 8 p.m.-11 p.m.). It was also the 2^nd most-watched Tuesday Prime ever among P18-34 (855k) and M18-34 (578k), behind 1/25/11.

Online Performance

· Overall yesterday there were over 43,000 mentions across the social web about the “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Donald Trump.

• The #trumproast hashtag was used over 27,000 times during the Tuesday broadcast.

• The “Fireside Chat Room With Jeff Ross,” the comedycentral.com LIVE streaming pre-show primed the pump, as mentions of “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Donald Trump” and the #trumproast hashtag started to climb in the 9 p.m. hour and peaked in the 11 p.m. hour with 21,000 mentions. (the half-hour pre-show began at 9:30 p.m. EST)

NBC Gives Early Renewal for The Office, Parks & Rec and Community for 2011-12

Interesting announcement today from NBC: they've renewed The Office, Parks & Recreation and Community for next season. Just yesterday, industry pundits like Nikki Finke were reporting that a Parks & Rec renewal looked likely, because NBC had been making preliminary moves towards syndicating the show, meaning they'd likely want to keep producing more episodes. And Community, although ratings-challenged, has a rabid -- and as noted, demographically desirable -- core of fans (including me.)

Another Thursday night neighbor, 30 Rock, was already renewed last November (by former NBC Prez Angela Bromstad; today's moves come from the new guy, Bob Greenblatt, formerly of Showtime.) But this announcement raises a couple of questions/issues for me:

1) NBC sure is showing some blind faith in The Office, that the show will maintain its quality -- and its ratings -- next season in the absence of Steve Carell's Michael Scott.

And 2) What does this mean for the other NBC Thursday comedies, namely Outsourced and Perfect Couples? My guess is that these two are doomed -- but will NBC keep us waiting until May to find out officially?

Here's the announcement:

NBC PICKS UP THREE RETURNING COMEDIES FOR 2011-12 IN 'THE OFFICE,’ ‘PARKS AND RECREATION’ AND ‘COMMUNITY’

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – March17, 2011 – NBC has issued pickups for three returning comedy series in 2011-12 that include “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation” and “Community,” it was announced today by Bob Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.

"I am so pleased to renew these three outstanding comedies which are all at the top of their game creatively,” said Greenblatt. “Along with '30 Rock,' they represent the best of what the NBC comedy brand stands for in terms of originality, wit, and sophistication. 'The Office' continues to fire on all cylinders on the most competitive night of television; 'Parks & Recreation' has come into its own this season as the rightful companion to 'The Office'; and 'Community' is one of the freshest comedies on any network and a solid foundation for Thursday night."

"The Office" (Thursdays, 9-9:30 p.m. ET) is delivering a 4.0 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49 and 7.7 million viewers overall through the season's first 25 weeks, ranking in primetime's top 15 in adults 18-49 and top five in adults 18-34 (excluding NFL pre- and post-game shows), making it NBC's #1 scripted show in both categories. "The Office" is the #2 most upscale primetime show on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox or CW in terms of its concentration of adults 18-49 living in homes with $100,000-plus incomes, behind only NBC's "30 Rock."

Season to date, "Parks and Recreation" (Thursdays, 9:30-10 p.m. ET) is delivering a 2.8/7 in 18-49 and 5.5 million viewers overall. With its move this season to Thursday's 9:30 p.m. ET half-hour, "Parks and Recreation" is up versus last season by 17 percent in adult 18-49 rating (2.8 vs. 2.4) and up 9 percent in total viewers (5.5 million vs. 5.1 million). In the valuable adult 18-34 demographic, "Parks and Recreation" is NBC's #2 scripted series and ranks in the top 20 overall with a 3.2 rating.

"Community" (Thursdays, 8-8:30 p.m. ET) is averaging a 2.1/6 in 18-49 and 4.7 million viewers overall, continuing to deliver solid numbers in a time period that includes competition from Fox' "American Idol," CBS's "Big Bang Theory" and ABC's "Wipeout." "Community" is also one of the most upscale primetime series on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox or CW, with a top-15 ranking in its concentration of adults 18-49 living in home with $100,000-plus incomes.

One of television's most critically acclaimed comedies, “The Office” has been nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series every season and won the award in 2006. Its ensemble has also been nominated every season since 2006 for the SAG Award (winning in 2007 and 2008) and was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for four consecutive seasons (2007-2010). The series received the George Foster Peabody Award in 2006.

In a recent cover story, Entertainment Weekly proclaimed that “Parks and Recreation” is “TV’s smartest comedy.” GQ magazine also enthused: “Look: This is the best comedy going right now.”

TV critics continued to rave about “Community” this season. Time magazine’s James Poniewozik wrote: “Episode by episode, ‘Community’ makes some of the best half-hours on TV.” “‘Community’ is a fantastical, dreamlike jewel-box of a show….it’s a pretty amazing ride…” Also, TV Guide’s Matt Roush called the series, “TV’s most adventurous and unpredictable sitcom.”

In addition, both “Parks and Recreation” and “Community” were honored last week by the prestigious William S. Paley Festival.

From Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille and Universal Media Studios comes “The Office,” the hilarious documentary-style look into the humorous and sometimes poignant foolishness that plagues the world of 9-to-5 based on the award-winning BBC hit. A fly-on-the-wall "docu-reality" parody about modern American office life, "The Office" delves into the lives of the workers at Dunder Mifflin paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Regional manager Michael Scott (Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Steve Carell, "Despicable Me,” “Date Night") is the boastful tour guide.

Also starring are Jenna Fischer ("Walk Hard"), John Krasinski ("Away We Go"), Rainn Wilson ("The Rocker"), B.J. Novak ("Inglorious Basterds”), Ed Helms ("The Hangover"), Leslie David Baker ("Malcolm in the Middle"), Brian Baumgartner ("Arrested Development"), Kate Flannery ("The Heir Apparent"), Mindy Kaling (" No Strings Attached "), Angela Kinsey ("Tripping Forward"), Paul Lieberstein (writer, "King of the Hill"), Oscar Nuñez (" The Proposal "), Phyllis Smith ("Arrested Development"), Creed Bratton (former member of The Grass Roots), Craig Robinson ("Hot Tub Time Machine”), Ellie Kemper ("Important Things with Demetri Martin") and Zach Woods ("The Other Guys"). "The Office" is executive-produced by Ben Silverman, Greg Daniels, who developed the series for American audiences, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Howard Klein and Paul Lieberstein.

Named the #1 TV Show of 2010 by New York magazine, "Community," is a smart, exuberant comedy series about a band of misfits who attend Greendale Community College. At the center of the group is Jeff Winger (Joel McHale, "The Soup"), a fast-talking lawyer whose degree has been revoked. Winger forms a study group who eventually learn more about themselves than their course work. Also among the series stars who comprise the group are comedy legend Chevy Chase ("Fletch"), Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel"), Yvette Nicole Brown ("Rules of Engagement"), Danny Pudi ("Greek"), Alison Brie ("Mad Men"), Donald Glover ("30 Rock") and Ken Jeong ("The Hangover").

“Community" was created by Dan Harmon ("The Sarah Silverman Program") who serves as executive producer with Russ Krasnoff ("The Soloist"), Joe Russo ("Arrested Development"), Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development"), Garrett Donovan ("Scrubs"), Neil Goldman ("Scrubs") and Gary Foster ("The Soloist"). The series is a Krasnoff Foster Entertainment, Harmonious Claptrap, Russo Brothers, Universal Media Studios production in association with Sony Pictures Television.

“Parks and Recreation” -- from Emmy Award-winning executive producers Greg Daniels (NBC’s "The Office," "King of the Hill") and Michael Schur (NBC’s "The Office," "Saturday Night Live") -- is a hilarious ensemble comedy that landed on dozens of critics' "Top 10" lists in 2010. It follows Leslie Knope (Emmy Nominee Amy Poehler, NBC’s "Saturday Night Live," "Baby Mama") a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, and her tireless efforts to make her quintessentially American town just a little bit more fun.

Leslie's office mate is Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari, "Human Giant," "Scrubs"), a fashion-obsessed wannabe player while Leslie's boss, Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman “Children’s Hospital”), hates the very government he works for. Rounding out the characters are Leslie's best friend Ann (Rashida Jones, "I Love You, Man," "The Office"), her ex-boyfriend Andy (Chris Pratt, “Everwood”), and Ron's assistant April (Aubrey Plaza, “Funny People”). Also working in the parks department are Donna (Retta, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") and Jerry (Jim O'Heir, "Castle"). In addition, the show features state auditors Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott, “Party Down”) and Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe, “Brothers and Sisters,” “The West Wing”), who were introduced at the end of the second season.

"Parks and Recreation" is a production of Deedle-Dee Productions, Fremulon, 3 Arts Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. Along with Daniels and Schur, Howard Klein (“The Office”) and David Miner (“30 Rock”) also serve as executive producers for the series.

Who Do You Think You Are renewed for season 3

There's one piece of good news in NBC's announcement today: the renewal for season 3 of Who Do You Think You Are. If you haven't caught this series (Fridays at 8 PM Eastern) yet, tune in for a smart, emotional, engaging hour that will inspire you to dig into your own family tree.

As for The Biggest Loser and The Sing-Off... I still maintain that they are two of the horsemen of the apocalypse. If you tune in for The Biggest Loser... well, you are what you watch.

2/22/2011 04:39

NBC PICKS UP POPULAR ALTERNATIVE SERIES ‘THE BIGGEST LOSER,’ ‘WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?’ AND ‘THE SING-OFF’ FOR 2011-12

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – February 22, 2011 -- NBC issued pickups for three returning alternative series in 2011-12 in "The Biggest Loser," "Who Do You Think You Are?" and the singing competition series "The Sing-Off."

The announcement was made today by Bob Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.

"Alternative series such as these three bona fide hits are important not only to their loyal audiences but also as strong components of the NBC schedule," said Greenblatt. “They are each unique, attention-getting shows with terrific producing and talent auspices, and we're proud to be associated with them."

"The Biggest Loser 10" averaged a 3.1 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 8.3 million viewers overall in the fall and "The Biggest Loser 11" is averaging a 3.3/9 in 18-49 and 9.0 million viewers overall so far this winter. "The Biggest Loser" is NBC's #1 entertainment series among women 18-49 and women 25-54. The series consistently over-indexes in upscale demos.

Season two of "Who Do You Think You Are?" is off to a solid start, averaging a 1.4 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 7.0 million viewers overall over its first two weeks, making it NBC's #1 Friday series so far this season in total viewers. Over those opening two weeks, "Who Do You Think You Are?" was #1 in the time period in all key female demos while scoring NBC's highest 18-49 and total-viewer results in the Friday 8-9 p.m. (ET) slot since October 8. Upcoming episodes will feature Kim Cattrall, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lionel Richie, Ashley Judd and Steve Buscemi.

This season's cycle of "The Sing-Off" averaged a 3.2 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 9.2 viewers overall, jumping versus the prior season by 28 percent in 18-49 rating and 27 percent in total viewers. Each of the five telecasts this season out-delivered each of the four telecasts of last season in 18-49 and total viewers. This year's December 20 finale, in which Pop Gospel sensations Committed were crowned champions, tied as the #1 primetime telecast of that week in adults 18-49.

NBC’s popular series "The Biggest Loser" launched season 11 “Couples Edition” in January with two new trainers -- Brett Hoebel and Cara Castronuova who join returning trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels -- in an engaging new twist that has changed the game completely. Eleven teams of two came to the "Biggest Loser" ranch hoping to transform their bodies, their health and their lives. At the beginning of this season, host Alison Sweeney offered the 11 family and friend teams the unprecedented opportunity to choose whether to work out with trainers Harper and Michaels at the ranch -- or work out at a secret location with the two new trainers (Hoebel and Castronuova), whose identities were initially a mystery. What ensues is a riveting ride of intense emotions, surprising turns and "can’t miss" moments as the two groups fight their weight loss battles.

"The Biggest Loser" is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3Ball Productions. Ben Silverman (NBC's "The Office," "Ugly Betty"), Dave Broome ("Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope"), JD Roth ("Unan1mous," "Beauty and the Geek"), Todd A. Nelson ("Unan1mous," "Beauty and the Geek"), Howard T. Owens ("MasterChef," "The Buried Life") and Todd Lubin ("30 Days," "Nashville Star") serve as executive producers.

NBC’s acclaimed alternative series "Who Do You Think You Are?" follows some of today's most-beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees. During each episode, viewers will be taken on a personal and often mysterious journey following some of America's best-known celebrities into their ancestral pasts, as they uncover stories of heroism and tragedy, love and betrayal, secrets and intrigue that lie at the heart of their family history. At the same time, "Who Do You Think You Are?" celebrates the twists and turns of a great nation and the people who made their way here in search of freedom and opportunity.

From executive producers Lisa Kudrow ("Friends," "The Comeback") and Dan Bucatinsky ("Lipstick Jungle," "The Comeback"), in conjunction with their production company, Is or Isn't Entertainment, and Shed Media U.S., the series is an adaptation of the award-winning hit British television documentary series from Wall to Wall Productions, created and executive-produced by Alex Graham. Jennifer O’Connell and Al Edgington also serve as executive producers.

"The Sing-Off" premiered this season on December 6 as a five-night event hosted by multi-platinum recording artist Nick Lachey. The celebrity judges who critique the singing groups with their expertise are Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five), Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men) and Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls). The program showcases the country’s Top Ten a cappella groups performing popular songs like viewers have never heard them before. There’s no lip-synching, back-up bands or safety net. They are singing for America’s vote with the winner walking away with the ultimate prize -- a Sony Music recording contract and $100,000.

"The Sing-Off" is produced by Joel Gallen’s ("America’s Best Dance Crew") Tenth Planet Productions, Outlaw Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television. Joel Gallen, Deb Newmyer and Sam Weisman are executive producers. Josh Greenberg serves as co-executive producer.

Kick-Ass Ladies of the CW

Last Friday, on the penultimate day of the Television Critics of America tour in Pasadena, CA, the CW network presented a panel of its finest ladies, calling it the "Kick-Ass Women of the CW."

On the panel were Nikita's Maggie Q and Lyndsy Fonseca, Vampire Diaries' Candice Accola, Hellcats' Aly Michalka, and Smallville's Erica Durance. Check out my coverage for web site wetpaint.com, where I spoke to each of these ladies (except Durance) and Vampire Diaries' showrunner Kevin Williamson as well, to get the scoop on what to expect this spring.