This Sunday, Fox was planning to air cross-over episodes of “Family Guy,” “American Dad” and “The Cleveland Show” revolving around a hurricane.

In light of the recent deadly storms and tornado damage in the Southeast, the network has decided to postpone the episodes until next season.

The concept was to have the hurricane affect characters on all three animated programs, all a brainchild of Seth MacFarlane.

In a story in Hollywood Reporter, MacFarlane said Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly wanted a theme night like they used to for sitcoms  in the 1980s.

“There were talks initially of doing a crossover with all the characters from all the shows but it became a little bit of a conundrum because you have three different staffs, each of whom is used to writing three different sets of characters,” he said. “This idea of an outside force that sweeps its way through all three shows seemed like a cool way to accomplish that.”

The New York Daily News provided the plot …

Continue reading Fox postpones hurricane-themed ‘Family Guy,’ ‘American Dad,’ ‘Cleveland Show’ shows after recent storms »

The EUE/Screen Gems Studio Complex buildlings have a Spanish Mission Revival architectural style

Atlanta is trying to fashion itself as Hollywood South.

The signs are easy to see on the streets of metro Atlanta, from Grant Park to Covington. Clusters of trailers, purposeful people walking around with wireless headsets, cameras strewn about. Movies and TV shows have become commonplace in these parts.

But most TV work is done on sets, inside former warehouses in Peachtree City (Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva”), Decatur (the CW’s “The Vampire Diaries”) and Southwest Atlanta (VH1’s upcoming “Single Ladies”). Tyler Perry shoots his two shows (and soon a third) at his own studios which aren’t open to other companies.

Therein lies the need for an independent studio space that opened last year where the Lakewood Antiques Market used to be: EUE/Screen Gems Studio Complex.

Three TV shows have already committed space there: BET’s gospel competition program “Sunday Best,” BET’s biggest …

Continue reading Atlanta’s EUE/Screen Gems now housing three TV series »

CREDIT: Bravo/Wilford Harewood

Bravo is in talks with Kim Zolciak and NeNe Leakes to do spin-off shows, according to two sources who are familiar with the negotiations but not authorized to talk about them.

Kim’s show would be about her life with Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann and her new baby, due soon.

NeNe’s show would be about her efforts to break into Hollywood after moving to Los Angeles later this year.

But if these two shows are to come to fruition, Bravo would also like to keep at least one on the “Real Housewives” show. Kim and NeNe are arguably the most prominent stars on the cast after three seasons.

The problem: their last blow-up season three makes it clear the two no longer trust each other, much less like each other. This dynamic must be creating challenges for  Bravo producers shooting season four since they want to maximize interaction among the six cast members while Kim and NeNe probably want to spent as little time face to face as possible.

Production …

Continue reading Bravo in talks to do spin-off shows for Kim Zolciak and NeNe Leakes »

NBC

The Gnarls Barkley song Cee Lo Green sang a few years ago “Crazy” became an instant classic. Apparently, so has his more recent hit “Forget You” (and its more profane versions). It’s now been the most played song in Atlanta radio for seven weeks, with no contender in sight ready to take over.

The song was spun 250 times last week with top spins again on Wild (99), Q100 (93) and Star 94(47) with 11 spins on V-103, too. Two songs are quite a bit behind: Katy Perry’s “E.T.” has 216 spins, virtually all on Wild and Q100 and ditto with Black Eyed Peas’ “Just Can’t Get Enough.” If either song gets picked up by Star 94, they might have a shot at ousting Cee Lo.

The Black Eyed Peas song gained the most spins this week, up 88 spins.

Top 10 songs in Atlanta radio
1. Cee Lo Green “F-You” 250 (-4)
2. Katy Perry “E.T.” 216 (+6)
3. Black Eyed Peas “Just Can’t Get Enough” 214 (+88)
4. Rihanna “S&M” 203 (+1)
5. Kanye West “All of the Lights” 178 (+12)
6. Chris Brown “Look At Me Now” 158 …

Continue reading Seven weeks for Cee Lo Green’s ‘Forget You’ as most played track on Atlanta radio »

Phil Keoghan at Regal Cinema Atlantic Station April 27, 2011 for a screening of his film "The Ride" for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Ailena Gibby Parramore, director of special events, introduces him.

Phil Keoghan marvels over how much time has passed since  “The Amazing Race” debuted a decade ago. Over 18 cycles and more than 14 months of actual competition, he has visited more than 80 countries, and clocked in more than 500,000 miles in travel.

“I was in my 30s when this started,” he said Wednesday at a Midtown Starbucks. “Now I’m in my 40s. I may end up doing this in my 50s. Then we’ll have to do Amazing Race for senior citizens!”

When he complimented me on my hat, I noted that he is wearing hats on the show now. He said he started doing so because he’s had to skin damage on his face from extended sun exposure due to all the outdoors activity he’s done over the years as well as “The Amazing Race” itself.

And he joked that his skin is even more exposed on top of …

Continue reading Interview with Phil Keoghan, host of ‘The Amazing Race’ »

Adult Swim’s longest-running show “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” has lost its “Teen Hunger” after 100 episodes.

The show, coming back May 8, is now going to be called “Aqua Unit Patrol Force 1.”

Why? I spoke with the two creators Dave Willis and Matt Maiellaro today and failed miserably when it came to getting a straight answer about anything.

The show moves its four main characters – Frylock, Master Shake, Meatwad and Carl – from New Jersey to Seattle.

“Now with 20 percent more atittude,” Willis said.

“We got tired of New Jersey,” Maiellaro said.

“All three marry Courtney Love and move to Oklahoma City,” Willis suggested.

“We don’t know anything about Seattle except it rains,” Maiellaro added.

“We’re reintroducing America to what made them buy a TV in the first place,” Willis said.

“We are so stoned, Rodney!” Maiellaro said.

“We are quote machines” Willis said, triumphantly.

The new name reflects the fact they will now fight crime, something the characters in the original version …

Continue reading Adult Swim changes name of ‘Aqua Teen Hunger Force’ to ‘Aqua Unit Patrol Force 1′ »

No surprise here but it’s worth reporting: the CW’s “The Vampire Diaries” is getting a third season.

It’s the top-rated show on the CW both overall (averaging four million viewers, counting DVR usage) and among 18-34 female, the network’s target.

The drama starring Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev and  Paul Wesley has studios in Decatur and often shoots in Covington. There is no doubt we’ve got a keeper here, assuming the tax credits survive in future years.

The CW also gave the green light for its veteran reality show “America’s Next Top Model,” despite alarmingly slipping ratings. But it will do its first “all stars” edition.

Three other scripted shows have also been cleared for more seasons: “Gossip Girl,” “Supernatural” and “90210.” “One Tree Hill” was not included, nor were two new shows “Nikita” or “Hellcats.” “Smallville” had previously been announced to end its 10-year run next month.

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By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV …

Continue reading The CW’s ‘The Vampire Diaries’ (shot in metro Atlanta) gets third season renewal »

AP

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Chris Jericho, the pro wrestler, was placed on the mat for good on “Dancing With the Stars.”

He’s a class act and came across as likable and warm through the weeks. He used his athleticism, competitiveness and acting ability to spice up the dance floor every week.

At this point, there are no really bad dancers left.   And Jericho had the lowest score when his tango disappointed the judges and he landed with a 22. A 22 is a respectable score but everybody else scored at least a 25 (with Romeo and Chelsea Kane garnering the first 10s of the season.)

Jericho knew he was vulnerable and didn’t perform his best this week.

“Everybody here is so evenly matched,” he noted tonight.

Now it only gets tougher as the remaining six celebrities have to do two dances next week.

Kendra, who is arguably the …

Continue reading Who is out fifth on ‘Dancing With the Stars’? »

Tyler Perry's new dramedy "For Better or Worse" is based on his film "Why Did I Get Married?"

TBS sure loves Tyler Perry.

The Atlanta-based network has ordered a third show from Perry called “For Better or Worse,” set to debut later this year while “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” will be retired next year after six years on the air.

But “For Better or Worse” won’t be a family-friendly sitcom like “Payne” and “Meet the Browns.” TBS describes the new show as a “dramedy” targeting young adults and will be based on the Perry hit films “Why Did I Get Married?” and “Why Did I Get Married Too?” Michael Jai White (The Dark Knight) and Tasha Smith (Couples Retreat) will reprise their respective roles as television anchor Marcus and salon owner Angela.

As of right now, it’s a 30-minute series. Perry will use a “single camera” set up like “The Office” or “Modern Family,” not the traditional three-camera  sitcom such as “The Big Bang Theory” or “Mike & Molly.”  It will be shot at Tyler …

Continue reading TBS orders a third Tyler Perry show ‘For Better or Worse’ as ‘House of Payne’ ends its run »

Monica Pearson and John Bachman will host the new Channel 2 Action News 4 p.m. newscast starting May 26 after “The Oprah Winfrey Show” ends its 25-year run.

Pearson has been with the station for more than three decades and currently anchors the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts as well. She has said she plans to retire next year.

(UPDATE, 6 p.m. Here’s a question I forgot to answer on the intial blog entry. Here’s how this impacts the other newscasts.) Jovita Moore, who co-anchors the 5 p.m. news with Justin Farmer, will take over the 11 p.m. slot for Pearson, working again with Farmer. Pearson will continue to anchor the 6 p.m. newscast. Pearson has no complaints: “After working the 11 p.m. for 36 years, I can’t wait to go to plays in the evening and go to dinner with my husband without having to watch the clock to get back to work. I will have a life!!!!” she said in an email.)

Bachman, who joined Channel 2 about four years ago, has been the primary weekend anchor and …

Continue reading Monica Pearson, John Bachman to host new 4 p.m. Channel 2 Action News newscast, post Oprah »