Tag: NBC

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The Music Man is next musical on NBC’s list to tackle

A live presentation of Meredith Willson’s Tony Award-winning musical The Music Man will be seen in the near future on NBC, the network’s chairman Bob Greenblatt revealed Monday morning.

No timetable or casting has been set for the production, which will likely follow the previously announced live broadcast of Peter Pan on December 4.

Both come on the heels of NBC’s massively successful telecast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, starring Carrie Underwood, last December.

The Music Man tells the story of con man Harold Hill, who arrives in a small Iowa town and attempts to sell the community on the creation of a boys’ band. He suddenly falls for Marian, the local librarian, and his conscience gets in the way of his ill deeds.

(source)

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NBC to revive “HEROES” with 13 episode mini-series

 NBC has ordered 13 episodes of a new standalone arc titled Heroes Reborn, with all storyline and character details currently being kept under wraps.

The miniseries will air sometime in 2015, preceded by a web series that will introduce the characters and new storylines.

 This promo aired during Saturday night’s Olympic coverage:

(via TVLine)

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NBC edits out IOC anti-discrimination statement from opening ceremony at Sochi Olympics

Deadspin reports that NBC edited out IOC president Thomas Bach making a “strong statement against ‘any form of discrimination’ and in favor of tolerance.”

The world heard Bach’s statement, but Americans did not. Here is the edited out portion of the speech:

Now you are living in an Olympic Region. I am sure you will enjoy the benefits for many, many years to come. Thousands of volunteers have welcomed us with the well-known warm Russian hospitality. Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers. Bolshoi spasiba, valantyoram! Thank you very much to everyone. Russia and the Russians have set the stage for you, the best winter athletes on our planet. From this moment on you are not only the best athletes, you are Olympic Athletes.

You will inspire us with your outstanding sports performances. You have come here for sports. You have come here with your Olympic dream. The International Olympic Committee wants your Olympic Dream to come true. This is why we are investing almost all of our revenues in the development of sports. The universal Olympic rules apply to each and every athlete- no matter where you come from or what your background is.

You are living together in the Olympic Village. You will celebrate victory with dignity and accept defeat with dignity. You are bringing the Olympic Values to life. In this way, the Olympic Games, wherever they take place, set an example for a peaceful society. Olympic Sport unites people. This is the Olympic Message the athletes spread to the host country and to the whole world. Yes, it is possible to strive even for the greatest victory with respect for the dignity of your competitors. Yes, Yes, it is possible – even as competitors – to live together under one roof in harmony, with tolerance and without any form of discrimination for whatever reason. Yes, it is possible – even as competitors – to listen, to understand and to give an example for a peaceful society.

Head over to Deadspin where both the full version of the speech and the edited version (with a cut-away shot) are posted.

Boo on NBC. This is going to be a story…

(via JMG)

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NBC announces PETER PAN will be next live broadcast musical

BroadwayWorld has the details:

“We’re very pleased to be underway on ‘Peter Pan’ as our next live holiday musical for the whole family,” said NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt. “We were all delighted to see how ‘The Sound of Music Live!’ struck such a chord in December and brought nearly 19 million people to the live telecast plus another several million viewers over the weekend. In the hopes that lightning strikes twice, we think we’ve landed on another great Broadway musical – which ironically also starred Mary Martin – that is a timeless classic for all audiences, young and old, who just never want to grow up.”

“We’re thrilled to be reteaming with NBC and Bob Greenblatt in bringing ‘Peter Pan’ back to its roots as a live television event,” said Zadan and Meron. “We hope to create the joy that has made this musical so beloved. We would like a whole new generation to experience ‘Peter Pan’ and for families across the country to share the magic.”

Featuring the iconic songs “I’m Flying,” “I’ve Gotta Crow,” “I Won’t Grow Up,” and “Never Never Land,” and a book full of magic, warmth, and adventure, PETER PAN is the perfect show for the child in all of us who dreamed of soaring high and never growing up.

The broadcast is scheduled for December 4, 2014.

Casting is currently underway although no names have been attached yet.

Post your opinions here – who would you cast in the leading roles?  Good choice for the next “live” TV musical?

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NBC’s Bob Costas: We will be talking about Russia’s anti-gay laws at Sochi Olympics

The Huffington Post is reporting that NBC Sports anchor Bob Costas said yesterday at a press event that NBC will not ignore Russia’s anti-gay laws during their coverage of the Sochi Olympics:

“If Putin doesn’t drag his butt into the studio, then we’ll talk about it without him,” Costas said during an Olympics press preview.

“But if he shows up, we’d rather talk to him. Wouldn’t you rather hear it from the horse’s mouth? I would. That’s what I was trying to say.”

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NBC announces Hillary Clinton mini-series to star Diane Lane

NBC has announced a mini-series about Hillary Clinton which will star Diane Lane:

NBC announced here on Saturday that it was preparing a four-hour mini-series based on the life of Mrs. Clinton and hoped to broadcast it before any possible formal declaration that she was running. That would avoid the possibility of other candidates demanding equal time, said Robert Greenblatt, NBC’s top entertainment executive.

Mr. Greenblatt said NBC bought the project even though it had no script yet, though the deal came with a star attached: Diane Lane, who was nominated for an Academy Award in 2003 for her leading role in the film “Unfaithful.” The Clinton project will be written and directed by Courtney Hunt, who was nominated for an Oscar for writing the film “Frozen River.”

NBC’s release described the project as a mini-series that would “recount Clinton’s life as a wife, politician and cabinet member from 1998 to present.” That would include her run for the presidential nomination in 2008.

A spokesperson for Clinton declined to comment on the series, saying he had been unaware of its development. Get ready for the right-wing to issue its usual rants about the mainstream media colluding with Democrats.

(h/t JMG)

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Megan Hilty to join Sean Hayes new series on NBC

Yay! This didn’t take long!

Love Megan Hilty and very happy to read that she’s already booked her post-SMASH gig on TV:

Hilty will re-team with Sean Hayes, who guest-starred on Smash, for his upcoming NBC comedy Sean Saves the World, according to TVLine.

On the show, Hayes stars as a dad who must figure out how to parent his 14-year-old daughter (Samantha Isler) while dealing with a temperamental new boss (Thomas Lennon) at work.

Hilty has been tapped to replace Lindsay Sloane as Liz, Sean’s long-time loyal friend and co-worker.

(source)

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Today Show news: Matt Lauer in, Ann Curry may be out

From TMZ.: Matt Lauer has signed a new, long-term deal with the “Today” show. He will become way richer than he already is, and we’re told the next move will be to send Ann Curry packing.

As TMZ first reported, Matt Lauer got close to his $30 million a year asking price, nearly doubling his $17 million a year current salary.

It’s sad news for Ann Curry, because sources say Lauer does not want her as his co-host, and it appears her fate is now sealed.

NBC sources say Ann’s likely replacement will be Savannah Guthrie.

I’m personally a BIG fan of Ann Curry.  I think she’s terrific and a huge loss for NBC is this ends up being the story.

Matt Lauer is over-rated and not nearly worth DOUBLE his salary.  Just my opinion….