“The Blues Brothers” is getting the animated treatment with a series officially in development. Also in today’s TV news roundup, Bravo’s “Odd Mom Out” has scored more guest stars for its second season, plus daytime panel show “The Preachers” has landed a summer test-run on Fox-owned stations.
DEVELOPMENT:
Bento Box Entertainment announced plans today to develop and produce “The Blues Brothers,” as an animated comedy series. The project, which has been in the works for years, hails from Dan Aykroyd and former “Saturday Night Live” writers Judy Belushi and Anne Beatts. The music-centric series will center on the adventures of Jake and Elwood Blues, two brothers who belong to a blues band. While no network is attached, Bento Box will shop around the project as a primetime comedy series. The independent studio is currently behind Fox’s “Bob’s Burgers,” among other shows.
GREENLIGHTS:
Amber Rose will host her own VH1 talk show this summer. The weekly program will feature Rose conducting celebrity interviews and leading conversations within the topics of culture, motherhood, relationships, friendships, race and entrepreneurship. Dr. Phil and Stage 29 Productions will produce.
Fox and Warner Bros. are teaming up to present a three-week summer preview of panel talk show “The Preachers.” Premiering July 11 on New York and Los Angeles’ Fox-owned stations, the series will be exec produced by “The View” co-creator Bill Geddie.
CASTING:
Bravo’s “Odd Mom Out” has added guest stars Molly Ringwald, Meredith Vieira, Amy Sedaris and John Hodgman for the scripted comedy’s second season. These names will join previously announced guest stars Drew Barrymore and Blythe Danner. Ringwald will play Joy Greene, the author of a well-received self-help book; Vieira as child psychologist Dr. Baldwin; Sedaris as a DMV agent; and Hodgman as Brad, the husband of Barrymore’s character. The new season will also include appearances by cast members of Broadway’s “Hamilton.”
Rosie Perez, Ron Livingston, Christine Taylor and Parker Posey have landed recurring guest roles on TBS‘ “Search Party.” “Broad City’s” Brandon Micheal Hall has also been cast as a series regular to the dark comedy, which is slated to premiere this summer. “Search Party” will center on a group of 20-somethings who become involved in a mystery after an old friend disappears. Alia Shawkat, John Early, John Reynolds and Meredith Hagner star.
PREMIERE DATES:
SundanceTV has set a Aug. 24 date for the U.S. debut of its Italian crime-drama series “Gomorrah.” A hit among Italian audiences, the series was based on a non-fiction book by journalist Roberto Saviano.
DEALS:
To advance its stake in non-scripted content, STX Entertainment has inked multi-year production deals with Brant Pinvidic’s INvelop Entertainment and Ryan Holcomb’s Tower 2 Productions. STX’s non-scripted division recently announced its move to create original programming for the U.S., China and India.
