Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 18, 2014 16:40:34 GMT -6
variety.com/2014/tv/news/showtime-orders-cameron-crowe-j-j-abrams-comedy-pilot-roadies-1201223028/
It’s soundcheck time at Showtime. The pay cabler has ordered a pilot for a comedy series from Cameron Crowe and J.J. Abrams revolving around roadies on a hot-ticket rock ‘n’ roll tour.
Crowe wrote the script and will direct the pilot for Warner Bros. TV’s “Roadies,” with Abrams on board as exec producer. Winnie Holzman, of “My So-Called Life” and “Wicked” fame, will serve as showrunner. The pilot will be an hourlong production but the prospective series is envisioned as a half-hour.
“Cameron Crowe is one of my all-time movie heroes,” said Showtime entertainment prexy David Nevins. “Winnie Holzman created and wrote one of my favorite TV shows ever. J.J., among many other things, is a consummate television producer. Best of all: the comedy script they’ve come up with together is brilliant, original and full of life.”
Crowe and Abrams have been talking about collaborating on the project for some time. Crowe, of course, is familiar with the world from his early days as a cub reporter for Rolling Stone — a period he chronicled in the 2000 feature “Almost Famous.”
“We’re fans of crews, those workers up on the rigging towers, or walking feverishly with eight phones on their belt. Those quietly devoted people live huge lives, they’re often the real keepers of the flame,” Crowe said.
Abrams enthused: ” ‘Roadies’ is Cameron Crowe at his most musically passionate, colorful-character best.”
Show will revolve around the lives of tour crew members who create a de facto family while moving a mega stage production around the country.
Holzman and Bryan Burk of Abrams’ Bad Robot banner will also exec produce, with Bad Robot’s Kathy Lingg serving as co-exec producer. Gail Levin, a casting director who has worked with Crowe on numerous films, is on board to cast the pilot.
“The opportunity to work with Cameron Crowe is both an honor and a dream come true,” said Holzman. “I’m grateful to J.J. Abrams, and to Showtime, and thrilled to be along for the ride.”
Crowe’s latest feature, a romantic comedy set among military contractors in Hawaii, is set for release by Sony Pictures on Christmas Day.
It’s soundcheck time at Showtime. The pay cabler has ordered a pilot for a comedy series from Cameron Crowe and J.J. Abrams revolving around roadies on a hot-ticket rock ‘n’ roll tour.
Crowe wrote the script and will direct the pilot for Warner Bros. TV’s “Roadies,” with Abrams on board as exec producer. Winnie Holzman, of “My So-Called Life” and “Wicked” fame, will serve as showrunner. The pilot will be an hourlong production but the prospective series is envisioned as a half-hour.
“Cameron Crowe is one of my all-time movie heroes,” said Showtime entertainment prexy David Nevins. “Winnie Holzman created and wrote one of my favorite TV shows ever. J.J., among many other things, is a consummate television producer. Best of all: the comedy script they’ve come up with together is brilliant, original and full of life.”
Crowe and Abrams have been talking about collaborating on the project for some time. Crowe, of course, is familiar with the world from his early days as a cub reporter for Rolling Stone — a period he chronicled in the 2000 feature “Almost Famous.”
“We’re fans of crews, those workers up on the rigging towers, or walking feverishly with eight phones on their belt. Those quietly devoted people live huge lives, they’re often the real keepers of the flame,” Crowe said.
Abrams enthused: ” ‘Roadies’ is Cameron Crowe at his most musically passionate, colorful-character best.”
Show will revolve around the lives of tour crew members who create a de facto family while moving a mega stage production around the country.
Holzman and Bryan Burk of Abrams’ Bad Robot banner will also exec produce, with Bad Robot’s Kathy Lingg serving as co-exec producer. Gail Levin, a casting director who has worked with Crowe on numerous films, is on board to cast the pilot.
“The opportunity to work with Cameron Crowe is both an honor and a dream come true,” said Holzman. “I’m grateful to J.J. Abrams, and to Showtime, and thrilled to be along for the ride.”
Crowe’s latest feature, a romantic comedy set among military contractors in Hawaii, is set for release by Sony Pictures on Christmas Day.