After setting up a new legal drama at Fox last fall (titled “Justice”, and is loosely inspired by her life), real-life “fixer” Judy Smith adds to her growing slate of projects, with another scripted drama also sold to Fox, from writer… Continue Reading →...
- 1/31/2017
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
After setting up a new legal drama at Fox a month ago (titled “Justice”, which is loosely inspired by her life), real-life “fixer” Judy Smith adds to her growing slate of projects, with another scripted drama also sold to Fox,… Continue Reading →...
- 10/11/2016
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Angelina Jolie wants to get through this with as little scandal as possible (see what we did there?). E! News confirms that the A-lister's team has hired famous crisis manager Judy Smith to help with her highly publicized divorce with Brad Pitt. And this is pretty interesting, considering Smith is the real-life Olivia Pope who inspired Kerry Washington's character in the hit Shonda Rhimes series. "She is typically a calming non-combative influence," a source tells us. "Certainly seems like someone to give better advice than what she has been apparently been getting." In other words, it's handled. "Judy and her firm have a long history of handling issues that...
- 9/30/2016
- E! Online
Blake Shelton says he has never been to rehab and says the magazine that claimed he had almost ruined his career. Blake has filed a sworn declaration in his lawsuit against In Touch, which claimed he went to rehab after hitting "rock bottom." Blake has a laundry list of items the magazine published he says are false: -- "I have never been to rehab." -- "I did not then nor have I ever hit rock bottom.
- 3/17/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Aliens will begin taking over Capitol Hill in BrainDead, an upcoming horror comedy series that's received a 13-episode straight-to-series order from CBS and is slated to premiere next summer.
Press Release: "Studio City, Calif. – CBS has given a straight-to-series order for 13 episodes of “BrainDead,” a one-hour comic-thriller from Robert and Michelle King, acclaimed creators and executive producers of “The Good Wife.” The series will be broadcast in summer 2016.
“BrainDead” is the first project from Robert and Michelle King as part of their new three-year producing deal with CBS Television Studios. “BrainDead” will be executive produced and written by the Kings. Ridley Scott, David Zucker and Liz Glotzer will serve as executive producers for CBS Television Studios, Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions, all of whom previously collaborated on “The Good Wife.” Judy Smith will serve as co-executive producer.
“BrainDead” follows a young fresh-faced Hill staffer getting her first job in Washington,...
Press Release: "Studio City, Calif. – CBS has given a straight-to-series order for 13 episodes of “BrainDead,” a one-hour comic-thriller from Robert and Michelle King, acclaimed creators and executive producers of “The Good Wife.” The series will be broadcast in summer 2016.
“BrainDead” is the first project from Robert and Michelle King as part of their new three-year producing deal with CBS Television Studios. “BrainDead” will be executive produced and written by the Kings. Ridley Scott, David Zucker and Liz Glotzer will serve as executive producers for CBS Television Studios, Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions, all of whom previously collaborated on “The Good Wife.” Judy Smith will serve as co-executive producer.
“BrainDead” follows a young fresh-faced Hill staffer getting her first job in Washington,...
- 7/22/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Outlander, The Ranch, The Way, and other TV productions have made recent TV show casting, TV movie casting, and TV directing news. These shows and movies air on Starz, Netflix, and Hulu.
Outlander (Starz)
Laurence Dobiesz has joined the cast of Starz’s “Outlander” in the role of Alex Randall
Dobiesz’s character is the younger brother of Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies)
Despite the shared DNA and physical resemblance, Alex Randall possesses nothing of his older brother Black Jack’s ruthless brutality.
A curate and secretary for the Duke of Sandringham, Alex is described as gentle, loving, and kind.
The Ranch (Netflix)
Ashton Kutcher is reuniting with 2.5 Men co-showrunners Don Reo and Jim Patterson and That ’70s Show co-star Danny Masterson for a new multi-camera comedy series on Netflix…a sibling comedy starring Kutcher and Masterson and created by Reo and Patterson.
Written by Reo and Patterson, The Ranch...
Outlander (Starz)
Laurence Dobiesz has joined the cast of Starz’s “Outlander” in the role of Alex Randall
Dobiesz’s character is the younger brother of Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies)
Despite the shared DNA and physical resemblance, Alex Randall possesses nothing of his older brother Black Jack’s ruthless brutality.
A curate and secretary for the Duke of Sandringham, Alex is described as gentle, loving, and kind.
The Ranch (Netflix)
Ashton Kutcher is reuniting with 2.5 Men co-showrunners Don Reo and Jim Patterson and That ’70s Show co-star Danny Masterson for a new multi-camera comedy series on Netflix…a sibling comedy starring Kutcher and Masterson and created by Reo and Patterson.
Written by Reo and Patterson, The Ranch...
- 6/17/2015
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
Our work dramas may never escalate to the heights that they do on ABC's new series "Scandal." On the first episode alone protagonist Olivia Pope, played by actress Kerry Washington, tackled a double White House affair and the murder of a young Washingtonian believed to have been killed by her decorated military boyfriend.
But real-life crisis manager, and the inspiration for Pope's character, Judy Smith, knows that crises run the gamut. While her boutique crisis management firm, Smith and Company, has worked behind the scenes helping calm the international hysteria over the Sars pandemic; advising Kobe Bryant and Michael Vick during their run-ins with the law; and shaping the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's reputation following the 9/11 attacks, Smith is well versed on dealing with everyday dilemmas, too.
"I like to believe in the good in people. But we're all going to screw up from time to time," Smith told Washingtonian magazine last month,...
But real-life crisis manager, and the inspiration for Pope's character, Judy Smith, knows that crises run the gamut. While her boutique crisis management firm, Smith and Company, has worked behind the scenes helping calm the international hysteria over the Sars pandemic; advising Kobe Bryant and Michael Vick during their run-ins with the law; and shaping the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's reputation following the 9/11 attacks, Smith is well versed on dealing with everyday dilemmas, too.
"I like to believe in the good in people. But we're all going to screw up from time to time," Smith told Washingtonian magazine last month,...
- 4/8/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Our work dramas may never escalate to the heights that they do on ABC's new series "Scandal." On the first episode alone protagonist Olivia Pope, played by actress Kerry Washington, tackled a double White House affair and the murder of a young Washingtonian believed to have been killed by her decorated military boyfriend.
But real-life crisis manager, and the inspiration for Pope's character, Judy Smith, knows that crises run the gamut. While her boutique crisis management firm, Smith and Company, has worked behind the scenes helping calm the international hysteria over the Sars pandemic; advising Kobe Bryant and Michael Vick during their run-ins with the law; and shaping the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's reputation following the 9/11 attacks, Smith is well versed on dealing with everyday dilemmas, too.
"I like to believe in the good in people. But we're all going to screw up from time to time," Smith told Washingtonian magazine last month,...
But real-life crisis manager, and the inspiration for Pope's character, Judy Smith, knows that crises run the gamut. While her boutique crisis management firm, Smith and Company, has worked behind the scenes helping calm the international hysteria over the Sars pandemic; advising Kobe Bryant and Michael Vick during their run-ins with the law; and shaping the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's reputation following the 9/11 attacks, Smith is well versed on dealing with everyday dilemmas, too.
"I like to believe in the good in people. But we're all going to screw up from time to time," Smith told Washingtonian magazine last month,...
- 4/8/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Aol TV.
Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice creator Shonda Rhimes says she wasn’t interested in tackling another show when Grey’s executive producer Betsy Beers approached her with a new idea. “[But Beers] kept telling me, ‘You need to meet a woman named Judy Smith,’” Rhimes told critics assembled for Day 2 of ABC’s TCA Winter Press Tour sessions. Turns out Smith is the founder and president of Impact Strategies, a crisis communications firm. That’s “fixer,” for short — the kind of person that high-profile folks hire to make their missteps and faux pas go away. Smith’s case load spans the Iran-Contra affair [...]...
- 3/28/2012
- by Lori Acken
- ChannelGuideMag
Getty Shonda Rhimes
In the early days of “Grey’s Anatomy,” creator Shonda Rhimes had to learn to let go. “We started hearing directly from fans who not only loved these characters but very quickly felt a sense of ownership,” she says.
Viewers of the soapy medical drama set at Seattle’s Grace Mercy West Hospital led an online revolt in reaction to some storylines, like when hunky stroke victim Denny Duquette’s ghost seemingly returns from the dead. Ms.
In the early days of “Grey’s Anatomy,” creator Shonda Rhimes had to learn to let go. “We started hearing directly from fans who not only loved these characters but very quickly felt a sense of ownership,” she says.
Viewers of the soapy medical drama set at Seattle’s Grace Mercy West Hospital led an online revolt in reaction to some storylines, like when hunky stroke victim Denny Duquette’s ghost seemingly returns from the dead. Ms.
- 5/13/2011
- by Amy Chozick
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Formerly known as the “Untitled Shonda Rhimes “Fixer” Project,” the show now has an official title, and it is: Damage Control.
As already reported on this site, the series is based on the life of real-life Washington-based PR guru Judy Smith – former White House press aide under President George H. Bush, who also counseled Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick, Senator Larry Craig, worked on the prosecution of former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court hearings, the Chandra Levy investigation and the Enron Congressional inquiry.
Kerry Washington has signed on to star as Judy Smith (who’ll be known as Olivia Price in the series), who’s described as “stylish but weary, too smart for her own good, something of a legend, formidable, driven, insightful, intuitive and fearless; heads up a team of crack legal experts.”
Also co-starring in the series pilot will be Columbus Short who will...
As already reported on this site, the series is based on the life of real-life Washington-based PR guru Judy Smith – former White House press aide under President George H. Bush, who also counseled Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick, Senator Larry Craig, worked on the prosecution of former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court hearings, the Chandra Levy investigation and the Enron Congressional inquiry.
Kerry Washington has signed on to star as Judy Smith (who’ll be known as Olivia Price in the series), who’s described as “stylish but weary, too smart for her own good, something of a legend, formidable, driven, insightful, intuitive and fearless; heads up a team of crack legal experts.”
Also co-starring in the series pilot will be Columbus Short who will...
- 2/20/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Pilot season is in full swing right now, and while any one of the new pilots currently in development could be the one to potentially replace "Community" or "Parks and Recreation" (boo!), the casting news coming out of pilot season so far has been eye-pleasing, at the very least. There are no guarantees that any of these pilots will be picked up next year, but given the personalities attached, there are quite a few that are not too difficult to envision working. The networks, too, may be beginning to understand cable has already picked up: The dullards may passively tune into "Two and a Half Men" on a weekly basis, but what's most important in our DVR-driven television audiences are shows with followings, shows that attract viewers that want to watch live, that watch in groups, and that buy the DVDs, and that watch on Hulu, where it's more difficult to avoid advertisements.
- 2/17/2011
- by Dustin Rowles
ABC is nearly done picking up pilots for fall and, like over at NBC, there’re some intriguing high-concept ideas mixed in with the network’s usual “Can we have another sexy hit soap like Grey’s Anatomy pretty-please?” Also like at NBC, there’s a new entertainment president at the helm picking the titles — Paul Lee, who used to run things over at ABC Family before being called up to the big show.
What good about ABC’s dramas this year is I’m grasping to find a trend — that means there’s eclectic stuff rather than the network...
What good about ABC’s dramas this year is I’m grasping to find a trend — that means there’s eclectic stuff rather than the network...
- 2/10/2011
- by James Hibberd
- EW - Inside TV
Lost star Henry Ian Cusick is returning to ABC with a lead role on new Shonda Rhimes pilot about professional fixer Olivia Price and her dysfunctional staff, TV Line reports.
Cusick will play the male lead on the show - a handsome, intense and brilliant litigator who works for Olivia. Price is based on the real-life PR guru and "fixer," Judy Smith.
Smith served as a White House press aide under President George H.W. Bush, then counseled Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick and other embattled stars in a PR capacity.
Kerry Washington has been cast as the lead in Shonda's new pilot, which, if picked up, would give her four ABC shows (Off the Map, Private Practice and Grey's Anatomy).
Cusick started off as a recurring character on Lost before being promoted to series regular as Scottish solder Desmond Hume. Are you excited to see him back on TV?...
Cusick will play the male lead on the show - a handsome, intense and brilliant litigator who works for Olivia. Price is based on the real-life PR guru and "fixer," Judy Smith.
Smith served as a White House press aide under President George H.W. Bush, then counseled Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick and other embattled stars in a PR capacity.
Kerry Washington has been cast as the lead in Shonda's new pilot, which, if picked up, would give her four ABC shows (Off the Map, Private Practice and Grey's Anatomy).
Cusick started off as a recurring character on Lost before being promoted to series regular as Scottish solder Desmond Hume. Are you excited to see him back on TV?...
- 2/10/2011
- by steve@iscribelimited.com (Steve Marsi)
- TVfanatic
Welcome to the Tvo News Wormhole. Tread lightly.
- First up, the CW officially greenlit "The Secret Circle" adaptation to pilot, according to Deadline. The pilot, which is based on the L.J. Smith novels, rounds out the six pilots up for contention on The CW for this fall, which include "Hart of Dixie", "Awakening", "Dani Lowinski", "Heavenly", and "Cooper and Stone." Kevin Williamson, who is responsible for turning L.J. Smith's other novels, The Vampire Diaries, into a mega hit on the small screen, is attached as an executive producer.
- Kerry Washington ("For Colored Girls") has been picked to headline in the new Shonda Rhimes pilot, "In Crisis", for ABC, Deadline reports. Washington's role will be that of Olivia Price, who is based on real life "professional fixer" Judy Smith, as she tries to wrangle her personal life and professional life as a crisis management consultant. Columbus Short ("Stomp The Yard...
- First up, the CW officially greenlit "The Secret Circle" adaptation to pilot, according to Deadline. The pilot, which is based on the L.J. Smith novels, rounds out the six pilots up for contention on The CW for this fall, which include "Hart of Dixie", "Awakening", "Dani Lowinski", "Heavenly", and "Cooper and Stone." Kevin Williamson, who is responsible for turning L.J. Smith's other novels, The Vampire Diaries, into a mega hit on the small screen, is attached as an executive producer.
- Kerry Washington ("For Colored Girls") has been picked to headline in the new Shonda Rhimes pilot, "In Crisis", for ABC, Deadline reports. Washington's role will be that of Olivia Price, who is based on real life "professional fixer" Judy Smith, as she tries to wrangle her personal life and professional life as a crisis management consultant. Columbus Short ("Stomp The Yard...
- 2/10/2011
- by Mark O. Estes
- TVovermind.com
Wondering if you’ll ever see Rachel’s pint-size rival Sunshine again? Well, the answer is yes — and lots of her.
Pop starlet Charice told HollywoodLife.com Tuesday night that she’ll be back on Glee soon enough, and not just for a quick cameo.
”I’m doing Glee, of course,” she said. “I’m on for four more episodes, which is exciting.” Details on Sunshine’s return are scarce, but she’s hoping she’ll get to showcase her diva side, with songs like “Beyoncé’s ‘Crazy In Love.’” We concur.
Curious about other things happening in TV land today?...
Pop starlet Charice told HollywoodLife.com Tuesday night that she’ll be back on Glee soon enough, and not just for a quick cameo.
”I’m doing Glee, of course,” she said. “I’m on for four more episodes, which is exciting.” Details on Sunshine’s return are scarce, but she’s hoping she’ll get to showcase her diva side, with songs like “Beyoncé’s ‘Crazy In Love.’” We concur.
Curious about other things happening in TV land today?...
- 2/9/2011
- by Megan Masters
- TVLine.com
Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes is basically ABC's cash cow. Since her breakout hit she's also found success with Grey's spinoff Private Practice and premiered a new medical drama, Off The Map, last month. And that's not all: Rhimes is stepping out of her hospital comfort zone with her newest endeavor, In Crisis, which focuses on PR maven Judy Smith as she aids the images of politicians and other public figures.
read more...
read more...
- 2/9/2011
- by Anna Breslaw
- Filmology
Well, well, well… how about that?
Kerry Washington has signed on to star in Shonda Rhimes’ still untitled drama for ABC – aka the series that’s based on the life of famous PR guru Judy Smith, a former White House press aide under President George H. Bush, who also counseled Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick, Senator Larry Craig, worked on the prosecution of former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court hearings, the Chandra Levy investigation and the Enron Congressional inquiry.
Kerry will star as Judy Smith (who’ll be known as Olivia Price in the series), who’s described as “stylish but weary, too smart for her own good, something of a legend, formidable, driven, insightful, intuitive and fearless; heads up a team of crack legal experts.”
Also co-starring in the series pilot will be Columbus Short who will play a lawyer on her team.
The synopsis...
Kerry Washington has signed on to star in Shonda Rhimes’ still untitled drama for ABC – aka the series that’s based on the life of famous PR guru Judy Smith, a former White House press aide under President George H. Bush, who also counseled Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick, Senator Larry Craig, worked on the prosecution of former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court hearings, the Chandra Levy investigation and the Enron Congressional inquiry.
Kerry will star as Judy Smith (who’ll be known as Olivia Price in the series), who’s described as “stylish but weary, too smart for her own good, something of a legend, formidable, driven, insightful, intuitive and fearless; heads up a team of crack legal experts.”
Also co-starring in the series pilot will be Columbus Short who will play a lawyer on her team.
The synopsis...
- 2/9/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Exclusive: In her first regular TV series gig, Kerry Washington has signed on to topline Shonda Rhimes' untitled drama pilot for ABC aka In Crisis. Actor-dancer-choreographer Columbus Short (Stomp the Yard) is set to co-star in the pilot based on the career of famous crisis management consultant Judy Smith. The pilot, from ABC Studios, revolves around the life and work of professional fixer Olivia Price (Washington) and her dysfunctional staff. Olivia Price is described as something of a legend, a formidable, driven, insightful, intuitive and fearless woman. Short will play a lawyer on her team. From the get-go, Washington had been a front-runner for the lead, which was written African American, something very unusual for a network drama. The rest of the roles on the pilot are being cast colorblind, which is also how Rhimes cast Grey's Anatomy. CAA-repped Washington, known for such movies as Ray and The Last King of Scotland,...
- 2/9/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Got my dirty mitts on the casting sheet for an upcoming new yet-to-be-titled Shonda Rhimes project. At first glance at the list of characters and their descriptions, I didn’t instantly make the connection to one of the handful of previously announced new Shonda Rhimes series, all of which we’ve kept up with on this blog.
A search revealed that I was looking at the casting sheet for a project that was announced back in December. Here’s that post again:
Another Shonda Rhimes TV show gets a greenlight from ABC. The still untitled project centers on the life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff. ABC brass reportedly read Rhimes’ script on Thursday and greenlit it to pilot on Friday. The series is based on the life of famous PR guru Judy Smith, a former White House press aide under President George H. Bush; she also counseled Monica Lewinsky,...
A search revealed that I was looking at the casting sheet for a project that was announced back in December. Here’s that post again:
Another Shonda Rhimes TV show gets a greenlight from ABC. The still untitled project centers on the life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff. ABC brass reportedly read Rhimes’ script on Thursday and greenlit it to pilot on Friday. The series is based on the life of famous PR guru Judy Smith, a former White House press aide under President George H. Bush; she also counseled Monica Lewinsky,...
- 1/27/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Shonda Rhimes has revealed some more details of her new television project. Rhimes, who created Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice, is currently working on a pilot about a PR consultant. According to Deadline, she explained: "[The main character is] a crisis manager, loosely based on a real professional fixer named Judy Smith, who shepherded Monica Lewinsky and the Chandra Levy families through their scandals and issues as well as those of many others. "My fixer is not necessarily Judy Smith but is based a lot on her... It revolves around the life of a fixer and her fairly (more)...
- 1/11/2011
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
With Shonda Rhimes unleashing another ensemble medical drama staffed by hotties into ABC primetime, critics at press tour want to know: How is her latest production, Off the Map, not just Grey’s Anatomy in the jungle? (Or, as Ken Tucker dubs it, “Grey’s Anatomy with flies”).
“Because it’s not,” insists Rhimes, who then passes the baton to the series creator and showrunner Jenna Bans. “It’s really Jenna’s characters and I’m just lucky enough to get a part of it.”
Bans elaborated:
“On a character level, you’re getting a huge difference. And the jungle is their pharmacy.
“Because it’s not,” insists Rhimes, who then passes the baton to the series creator and showrunner Jenna Bans. “It’s really Jenna’s characters and I’m just lucky enough to get a part of it.”
Bans elaborated:
“On a character level, you’re getting a huge difference. And the jungle is their pharmacy.
- 1/10/2011
- by James Hibberd
- EW - Inside TV
Updated, 1/7: Each year, the five broadcast networks develop hundreds of scripted dramas and comedies in hopes they’ll become the next NCIS and Desperate Housewives, or the latest Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory. And like every year, a great deal of them are not worth mentioning here — mostly because they involve the bland types of cops, lawyers, and doctors who you’ve already seen fighting crime or sneaking a kiss on the way to the ER.
But fascinating projects continue to pass the first smell test at the broadcast networks. The key is whether the suits take...
But fascinating projects continue to pass the first smell test at the broadcast networks. The key is whether the suits take...
- 1/6/2011
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside TV
Starz has confirmed to EW that Camelot — starring Joseph Fiennes, Eva Green, and Jamie Campbell Bower as Merlin, Morgan, and Arthur, respectively — will debut on the network on April 1. I await plenty of sword innuendo.
ABC has picked up a drama pilot from Shonda Rhimes about the “life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff.” The series is inspired by Judy Smith, a crisis management consultant who worked on cases involving Michael Vick and David Paterson and advised Monica Lewinsky. So where was she when this happened? [Variety]
Will Smith is developing a crime series set in China with Fox and Overbrook Entertainment.
ABC has picked up a drama pilot from Shonda Rhimes about the “life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff.” The series is inspired by Judy Smith, a crisis management consultant who worked on cases involving Michael Vick and David Paterson and advised Monica Lewinsky. So where was she when this happened? [Variety]
Will Smith is developing a crime series set in China with Fox and Overbrook Entertainment.
- 12/20/2010
- by Kate Ward
- EW.com - PopWatch
Merry Chrismukkah, Shonda Rhimes.
After ample experience with the fallout of PR snafus thanks to the uh, more "outspoken" castmembers of Rhimes' flagship show, Grey's Anatomy, she was inspired to create a show about the people in a PR firm and the people who love them (since this is Rhimes' show, as the reigning queen of workplace romance on TV, these are often the same people).
Inspired mostly by the career of PR political power player Judy Smith (who handled, among many, the scandals of David Paterson and Bill Clinton), In Crisis revolves around a professional image "fixer" and her staff and was developed by Rhimes' company Shondaland. ABC loved it and greenlit it within 24 hours of being screened on Thursday.
read more...
After ample experience with the fallout of PR snafus thanks to the uh, more "outspoken" castmembers of Rhimes' flagship show, Grey's Anatomy, she was inspired to create a show about the people in a PR firm and the people who love them (since this is Rhimes' show, as the reigning queen of workplace romance on TV, these are often the same people).
Inspired mostly by the career of PR political power player Judy Smith (who handled, among many, the scandals of David Paterson and Bill Clinton), In Crisis revolves around a professional image "fixer" and her staff and was developed by Rhimes' company Shondaland. ABC loved it and greenlit it within 24 hours of being screened on Thursday.
read more...
- 12/20/2010
- by Anna Breslaw
- Filmology
Shonda Rhimes cannot be stopped.
ABC has ordered its first pilot this development season, and fittingly, the prolific Grey's Anatomy writer-producer got the nod for her untitled project based on Judy Smith.
The professional "fixer" (PR guru/crisis manager) inspired the latest effort from Rhimes, who also created Private Practice and Off the Map, which premieres January 12.
ABC may soon rename itself the Shonda Broadcasting Company.
It was a quick turnaround for the newest project from ABC Studios and Rhimes' studio-based Shondaland banner. ABC brass read the script and ordered a pilot in 24 hours.
The early order also comes weeks before the typical start of the networks' pilot pickup season. Judy Smith herself will serve as a co-executive producer and consultant.
She served as a White House press aide under President George H. W. Bush, and counseled Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick and other embattled stars in a PR capacity.
Sound like a show you'd watch?...
ABC has ordered its first pilot this development season, and fittingly, the prolific Grey's Anatomy writer-producer got the nod for her untitled project based on Judy Smith.
The professional "fixer" (PR guru/crisis manager) inspired the latest effort from Rhimes, who also created Private Practice and Off the Map, which premieres January 12.
ABC may soon rename itself the Shonda Broadcasting Company.
It was a quick turnaround for the newest project from ABC Studios and Rhimes' studio-based Shondaland banner. ABC brass read the script and ordered a pilot in 24 hours.
The early order also comes weeks before the typical start of the networks' pilot pickup season. Judy Smith herself will serve as a co-executive producer and consultant.
She served as a White House press aide under President George H. W. Bush, and counseled Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick and other embattled stars in a PR capacity.
Sound like a show you'd watch?...
- 12/20/2010
- by steve@iscribelimited.com (Steve Marsi)
- TVfanatic
Shonda Rhimes and ABC will partner on a new pilot about the life and work of a professional fixer, based on the career of PR guru and crisis management consultant Judy Smith. THR reports that the pilot was penned by "Grey's Anatomy" and spin-off "Private Practice" showunner Rhimes, through ABC Studios and Rhimes' Shondaland production company. Smith is a former White House press aide who served under President George H. W. Bush, and has given crisis management advice through the company Impact Strategies LLC to Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick and Senator Larry Craig, and has worked on the Iran Contra investigation, the prosecution of former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry for cocaine possession, the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court confirmation...
- 12/19/2010
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
ABC has picked up its first pilot of the season from Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice creator Shonda Rhimes, the network announced Saturday.
The untitled project will follow the life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff. The main character is based on famous crisis management consultant Judy Smith. Over the last two decades, Smith has guided many public figures, including...
Read More >...
The untitled project will follow the life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff. The main character is based on famous crisis management consultant Judy Smith. Over the last two decades, Smith has guided many public figures, including...
Read More >...
- 12/19/2010
- by Kate Stanhope
- TVGuide - Breaking News
3 news items worth mentioning on this lazy Saturday afternoon…
- First, Will Smith is teaming up with Chinese filmmaker Eva Jin to develop an hour-long crime drama TV series for Fox, set in China. It will focus on a crime-fighting American female college student studying abroad in China. No further details are available. Interesting…
- Another Shonda Rhimes TV show gets a greenlight from ABC. The still untitled project centers on the life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff. ABC brass reportedly read Rhimes’ script on Thursday and greenlit it to pilot on Friday. The series is based on the life of famous PR guru Judy Smith, a former White House press aide under President George H. Bush; she also counseled Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick, Senator Larry Craig, worked on the prosecution of former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court hearings, the...
- First, Will Smith is teaming up with Chinese filmmaker Eva Jin to develop an hour-long crime drama TV series for Fox, set in China. It will focus on a crime-fighting American female college student studying abroad in China. No further details are available. Interesting…
- Another Shonda Rhimes TV show gets a greenlight from ABC. The still untitled project centers on the life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff. ABC brass reportedly read Rhimes’ script on Thursday and greenlit it to pilot on Friday. The series is based on the life of famous PR guru Judy Smith, a former White House press aide under President George H. Bush; she also counseled Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick, Senator Larry Craig, worked on the prosecution of former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court hearings, the...
- 12/18/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
ABC's prolific writer and producer Shonda Rhimes -- the woman responsible for creating "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" and producing the upcoming "Off the Map" -- may soon have another series on her hands.
Deadline reports the network has given a pilot order for her untitled project about publicists working in high-profile crisis management. Loosely based on the life of communications consultant and former White House press aid Judy Smith, it's the first pilot ABC has ordered this development season.
Rhimes last pilot was 2007's backdoor pilot for "Private Practice." And based on ABC's quick approval, this one could be just as successful. After delivering the script to the network on Dec. 16, it took less than 24-hours to get the go-ahead.
Deadline reports the network has given a pilot order for her untitled project about publicists working in high-profile crisis management. Loosely based on the life of communications consultant and former White House press aid Judy Smith, it's the first pilot ABC has ordered this development season.
Rhimes last pilot was 2007's backdoor pilot for "Private Practice." And based on ABC's quick approval, this one could be just as successful. After delivering the script to the network on Dec. 16, it took less than 24-hours to get the go-ahead.
- 12/18/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
ABC has greenlit its first pilot for the 2011-12 development season – a new drama from uber-producer Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers (Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice). Penned by Rhimes, the untitled project revolves around the life and work of a professional “fixer” and her “dysfunctional staff,” an ABC spokeswoman says. The character is based on the career of Judy Smith, a crisis management consultant who has guided corporations, politicians and public figures over the last 20 years.
Smith is a co-executive producer. The project will be produced under Rhimes’ Shondaland shingle for ABC Studios.
Smith is a co-executive producer. The project will be produced under Rhimes’ Shondaland shingle for ABC Studios.
- 12/18/2010
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside TV
Exclusive: ABC has ordered its first pilot this development season, and fittingly, it is from the network's most prolific writer-producer Shonda Rhimes. The untitled project, about the life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff, is based on the career of famous PR guru and crisis management consultant Judy Smith. It was written by Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice creator Rhimes, her first pilot script since the two-hour May 2007 Grey's Anatomy episode that served as backdoor pilot for spinoff Private Practice. It was a quick turnaround for the new project, which hails from ABC Studios and Rhimes' studio-based Shondaland banner. ABC brass read Rhimes' script on Thursday and 24 hours later, they greenlit it to pilot. The early order comes weeks before the traditional start of the broadcast networks' pilot pickup season. Icm-repped Rhimes will executive produce with her Shondaland partner, UTA-repped Betsy Beers. Judy Smith will serve...
- 12/18/2010
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Somewhere, around 5 years ago, I thought that a West Wing spin-off series would have worked, revolving around Allison Janney’s Cj Craig character in the world of a high-profile publicist. Well, now I am getting my wish, as Vulture has learned that Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Gossip Girl) is creating a new series for ABC inspired by the career of legendary public-relations consultant Judy Smith — the woman who’s helped guide Bill Clinton, Michael Vick, and New York Governor David Patterson through various scandals and snafus.
Based on the show’s description, there will be more than a few clichéd Rhimes-esque soapy twists involved. Per the logline the article reports, the currently untitled project, “In Crisis” will revolve around the life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff.
Based on the show’s description, there will be more than a few clichéd Rhimes-esque soapy twists involved. Per the logline the article reports, the currently untitled project, “In Crisis” will revolve around the life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff.
- 12/1/2010
- by Kevin Coll
- FusedFilm
Grey’s Anatomy/Private Practice auteur Shonda Rhimes is working on a drama contender for ABC’s slate about public relations expert Judy Smith, who helped the likes of Bill Clinton and Michael Vick through major scandals, network reps confirm. (Vulture first reported the news.) The show, which is just in the script stages now, will include both procedural elements — with the case-of-the-week format so popular on doctor and lawyer shows — and the soapy-quirky antics of the staff that Rhimes has perfected on her other series. The project is one of several Rhimes has in the pipeline; her doctors-without-borders drama...
- 11/30/2010
- by Jennifer Armstrong
- EW - Inside TV
Good and bad news for "Life Unexpected" fans: Kristoffer Polaha be staying within the CBS /CW family, just not on their beloved show. CBS has signed the star to a talent holding deal, meaning he will headline a new project set for next fall. Sources say the actor was offered the deal the same day The CW decided to not give "Life Unexpected" a full-season order. Polaha is thus far the only dramatic actor on CBS' roster this pilot season. [Deadline]
"Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" creator Shonda Rhimes is creating a new series for ABC set in the world of public relations crisis management. The show will be based on the career of legendary public relations consultant Judy Smith, who worked with Bill Clinton, Michael Vick and New York Governor David Paterson. Not much is known about the project (it doesn't have a title yet), other than it is being...
"Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" creator Shonda Rhimes is creating a new series for ABC set in the world of public relations crisis management. The show will be based on the career of legendary public relations consultant Judy Smith, who worked with Bill Clinton, Michael Vick and New York Governor David Paterson. Not much is known about the project (it doesn't have a title yet), other than it is being...
- 11/30/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Shonda Rhimes knows a thing or two about dealing with PR landmines. See Washington, Isaiah, and to a lesser extent, Heigl, Katherine. Fittingly, Rhimes is now developing a new series about a crisis manager, based on real-life consultant Judy Smith.
With Bill Clinton, Michael Vick, and New York Governor David Paterson among her scandal-plagued clients, Smith inspired Rhimes' newest, currently-untitled drama.
The project (which some development trackers had been calling In Crisis) will revolve around the life and work of a professional "fixer" and her dysfunctional staff.
Rhimes is writing the script for the pilot and will executive produce with her ABC Studios–based Shondaland production company. Smith is also set to be a producer.
The show is being developed for the 2011–12 TV season, and while it is still in its infancy, the idea sounds like something ABC executives might be rather keen on.
The network has failed to develop...
With Bill Clinton, Michael Vick, and New York Governor David Paterson among her scandal-plagued clients, Smith inspired Rhimes' newest, currently-untitled drama.
The project (which some development trackers had been calling In Crisis) will revolve around the life and work of a professional "fixer" and her dysfunctional staff.
Rhimes is writing the script for the pilot and will executive produce with her ABC Studios–based Shondaland production company. Smith is also set to be a producer.
The show is being developed for the 2011–12 TV season, and while it is still in its infancy, the idea sounds like something ABC executives might be rather keen on.
The network has failed to develop...
- 11/30/2010
- by steve@iscribelimited.com (Steve Marsi)
- TVfanatic
Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes is reportedly developing a new drama about public relations. According to New York Magazine, the untitled project is loosely based on the life of PR consultant Judy Smith. The show, which is being developed for ABC, is expected to focus on a PR executive and her "dysfunctional" staff. Rhimes is writing the script and will executive produce the project with her company Shondaland and Smith. (more)...
- 11/30/2010
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
After dealing with the lives of doctors for Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and the upcoming Off The Map, creator Shonda Rhimes is throwing her scalpel out the window taking a spin into the harrowing world of public relations.
Vulture reports that Shonda Rhimes is penning a "PR crisis management" themed series for ABC, the network who made her a household name. The PR show, which is tentatively titled In Crisis will be inspired by the life of Judy Smith, a well known PR rep whose client list makes us know that she has to be pretty darn good at her job. For example, Michael Vick? That had to have been a nightmare Freddy Krueger wouldn't want to touch.
The show is still in developing stages, but don't expect a straight up procedural if it hits the air. Rhimes will incorporate the soapy ingredients which have made her dramas instant hits among fans,...
Vulture reports that Shonda Rhimes is penning a "PR crisis management" themed series for ABC, the network who made her a household name. The PR show, which is tentatively titled In Crisis will be inspired by the life of Judy Smith, a well known PR rep whose client list makes us know that she has to be pretty darn good at her job. For example, Michael Vick? That had to have been a nightmare Freddy Krueger wouldn't want to touch.
The show is still in developing stages, but don't expect a straight up procedural if it hits the air. Rhimes will incorporate the soapy ingredients which have made her dramas instant hits among fans,...
- 11/30/2010
- by Mark O. Estes
- TVovermind.com
Filed under: TV News
Fran Drescher is already back on TV in some areas with a trial run of her new talk show, but fans around the country could be welcoming her back to primetime very soon. TV Land has ordered a pilot based on Drescher's life.
According to Deadline Hollywood, TV Land has ordered 'Happily Divorced' from Drescher and her ex-husband Peter Marc Jacobsen. The two previously created and wrote 'The Nanny' together.
Drescher will executive produce, co-write and possibly star in 'Happily Divorced,' a sitcom about a woman who is thrown back into the dating world when her husband comes out as gay.
TV Land has also ordered a pilot for 'Rip City,' a multi-camera office comedy from 'Lizzie McGuire' and 'Less Than Perfect' creator Terri Minsky.
In other TV news ...
o. Rumors of Nicole Scherzinger and Cheryl Cole headlining the American 'X Factor' are heating up.
Fran Drescher is already back on TV in some areas with a trial run of her new talk show, but fans around the country could be welcoming her back to primetime very soon. TV Land has ordered a pilot based on Drescher's life.
According to Deadline Hollywood, TV Land has ordered 'Happily Divorced' from Drescher and her ex-husband Peter Marc Jacobsen. The two previously created and wrote 'The Nanny' together.
Drescher will executive produce, co-write and possibly star in 'Happily Divorced,' a sitcom about a woman who is thrown back into the dating world when her husband comes out as gay.
TV Land has also ordered a pilot for 'Rip City,' a multi-camera office comedy from 'Lizzie McGuire' and 'Less Than Perfect' creator Terri Minsky.
In other TV news ...
o. Rumors of Nicole Scherzinger and Cheryl Cole headlining the American 'X Factor' are heating up.
- 11/30/2010
- by Chris Harnick
- Aol TV.
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.