Daly to host NBC’s `Later’
Carson Daly of MTV’s “Total Request Live” has been signed as host of NBC’s talk show “Later.” The new three-year pact with NBC Studios, announced by Jeff Zucker, president of NBC Entertainment, will allow Mr. Daly to continue hosting “TRL.” As part of his agreement, Mr. Daly will also be available to host or appear on other programs under the NBC umbrella. The new Daly-hosted “Later” is set to debut in early 2002.
“Later” (1:35 a.m. to 2:05 a.m. ET Monday through Thursday) debuted in 1988 with host Bob Costas, who was followed by Greg Kinnear in February 1994. TV personality Cynthia Garrett assumed the hosting chores in 2000 and continued until “Later Presents SCTV” started at the beginning of this year.
ABC to air `George Lopez Show’
ABC has made a 13-episode commitment for a new comedy starring stand-up comedian and radio personality George Lopez, who is the latest find of Bruce Helford, the longtime executive producer of ABC’s “The Drew Carey Show.”
The series, tentatively titled “The George Lopez Show,” is slated for midseason and will be executive produced by Mr. Helford, actress Sandra Bullock, Deborah Oppenheimer and Robert Borden. Ms. Bullock is committed to making a special appearance in the premiere episode. The series is produced by Mohawk Productions and Fortis Films in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Mr. Lopez currently hosts a morning radio show on KCMG-FM in Los Angeles. The L.A. native will headline a “family comedy” in the tradition of “All in the Family” and “Roseanne,” said Stu Bloomberg, co-chairman of ABC Television Entertainment Group. Specifically, the series will focus on George’s busy home life with his wife, kids and grandmother and his job as a union rep at a large airplane parts factory in Los Angeles.
Lewis, Siegal take Diplomatic posts
Diplomatic, a production company formed in 2000 by “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” executive producer Michael Davies, has named Steven Lewis as senior vice president of production and Andrew Siegal as vice president of production.
Mr. Lewis will oversee Diplomatic’s production of “Two Minute Drill” for ESPN and the upcoming series “Ultimate Reality” for the Arts & Entertainment Network, “Smush” for USA Network and “The Runner” for ABC. Mr. Lewis, who will be based in Diplomatic’s New York office, reports to Matti Leshem, executive vice president of production. Mr. Siegal will oversee all East Coast production for Diplomatic, including “Two Minute Drill,” which is currently shooting its third season. Mr. Siegal reports to Mr. Lewis.
`Big Brother 2′ finale vs. `Friends’
CBS is scheduling the live season finale of “Big Brother 2” for 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. (ET) Thursday, Sept. 20-against the season premiere of NBC’s “Friends” and the series premiere of the Peacock’s “Inside Schwartz.” The final “Big Brother 2,” coinciding with the first week of the 2001-02 season (starting Sept. 17), will air 82 days into the reality show’s summer 2001 run. For the final broadcast of “BB2,” the evicted housemates (Sheryl, Autumn, Shannon, Mike, Kent and Krista, so far) will return as jurors to cast their vote on which of the last two housemates is deserving of the $500,000 grand prize.
Gough, Ingold promoted at NBC
NBC has promoted Erin Gough and Jeff Ingold to vice president of current series programs, with both moving from directors of current series programs. Ms. Gough, who along with Mr. Ingold reports to Ted Frank, senior vice president of current programs, will continue to oversee “Friends,” “Ed” and “Three Sisters” as well as the midseason series “Leap of Faith,” “The Hank Azaria Show,” Tikiville” and a pilot starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Mr. Ingold, who began his stint as director of current programming in August 2000, oversees returning comedies “Just Shoot Me” and “Will & Grace” as well as the new fall 2001 drama “UC: Undercover” and comedies “Inside Schwartz” and “Scrubs.”
Hollywood Notes
Aug 20, 2001 • Post A Comment