Fox won 5 awards for its news shows at the 18th annual Television Critics Association Awards held last weekend. “The Bernie Mac Show” won Outstanding Achievement in Comedy and Bernie Mac won the Individual Achievement in Comedy award. Fox drama “24” took home the honors of Outstanding New Program and Program of the Year. A Fox show, “The Simpsons,” also claimed the first-ever Heritage Award, which recognizes programming whose influence has had an impact on society and popular culture. Other winners include “Six Feet Under” (HBO) for Outstanding Achievement in Drama; “Band of Brothers” (HBO) for Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials; and Michael Chiklis, “The Shield” (FX), for Individual Achievement in Drama.
Weisbarth to set off Fireworks TV
Industry veteran and broadcast executive Michael Weisbarth has been tapped as President of Fireworks Television, where he will oversee all of the company’s TV programming, including Tribune’s upcoming weekly hour “Adventure, Inc.” Most recently, Mr. Weisbarth was head of West Coast drama programming for A&E. In this role, he developed one-hour drama and long-form movies and miniseries for the network. Before that he served as president of Alliance Television.
UPN season debuts announced
UPN will premiere its fall lineup the week of Sept. 23, with the exception of its Wednesday night dramas. Sept. 18, sophomore “Enterprise” and newcomer “The Twilight Zone” will hit the screens. The following Monday, Sept. 23, UPN’s sitcom night will be unveiled with “The Parkers,” “One on One” and “Girlfriends” all returning to join freshman “Half and Half.” Tuesday, Sept. 24, will see the new season debut of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” followed by the series debut of “Haunted.” As for expanding into Saturday and Sunday night prime time, CBS Entertainment President and CEO Leslie Moonves acknowledged that the company was exploring the matter but said they would have to talk with affiliates, noting that Fox ownership of about a dozen UPN stations could make expansion difficult.
Tann toeing the New Line TV
Steven Tann has joined New Line Television as senior VP, creative affairs, in charge of developing new programming. He also will oversee production of “The Twilight Zone,” produced by New Line in association with Trilogy Entertainment, which premieres on UPN this fall. Mr. Tann, who will be based in Los Angeles, developed “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Melrose Place,” “Charmed” and “7th Heaven.” He was previously with Columbia TriStar Domestic Television, where he supervised drama and comedy series and created the reality TV division, and before that was at Spelling Television.
NATPE names two to its board
NATPE has appointed two executives to its board of directors. Emerson Coleman, VP, programming, Hearst-Argyle Television, and Stephen Davis, president and CEO of Carlton America, are now on board the organization. The appointments of Mr. Coleman and Mr. Davis further expand NATPE’s reach and presence within both the U.S. and international communities as the association continues to increase its activities and membership across the globe, according to President Bruce Johansen.
Koondel’s role expands at Paramount TV
Paramount Domestic Television has added cable sales to the responsibilites of senior VP, national sales manager Scott Koondel. Effective immediately, Mr. Koondel will have complete oversight of all theatrical cable sales, off-network and first-run, for Paramount Domestic Television, including upcoming strip “Life Moments,” which is set to debut this fall in national syndication and as a first-run cable series on The Hallmark Channel. Mr. Koondel will continue to oversee all national domestic syndication sales for the division’s entire first-run and off-network programming library.