Tonight, Lifetime will jump on the sentimental trend of reuniting veteran actresses for our giddy enjoyment by airing Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas, a festive romp that stars Loni Anderson (Wkrp in Cincinnati), Morgan Fairchild (Falcon Crest), Linda Gray (Dallas), Donna Mills (Knots Landing) and Nicollette Sheridan (Knots Landing).
The holiday flick from longtime producer Larry A. Thompson (Liz & Dick) follows five soap opera divas as they reunite to shoot the final Christmas episode of their long-running sudser.
“I’ve known all these ladies all these years,” he told Deadline. “We’ve worked together, made movies together, and Donna Mills I’ve managed since Knot’s Landing and I still do. So between managing Donna and being friends with the ladies, I said it might be fun to have all these ladies in a movie. And there’s been a trend lately of older stars joining together to be in movies,...
The holiday flick from longtime producer Larry A. Thompson (Liz & Dick) follows five soap opera divas as they reunite to shoot the final Christmas episode of their long-running sudser.
“I’ve known all these ladies all these years,” he told Deadline. “We’ve worked together, made movies together, and Donna Mills I’ve managed since Knot’s Landing and I still do. So between managing Donna and being friends with the ladies, I said it might be fun to have all these ladies in a movie. And there’s been a trend lately of older stars joining together to be in movies,...
- 12/2/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Holy high waisted jeans! Lifetime has a big ’80s themed surprise in store for the holidays.
As the tentpole for its holiday movie slate, Lifetime will air Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas, a festive romp starring Loni Anderson (Wkrp in Cincinnati), Morgan Fairchild (Falcon Crest), Linda Gray (Dallas), Donna Mills (Knots Landing) and Nicollette Sheridan (Knots Landing).
Filmed earlier this year, the movie follows five soap opera divas as they reunite to shoot the final Christmas episode of their long-running sudser. The producer, Alex (Travis Burns) and director Nell (Taylor Ann Thompson), who happen to be old college friends, do their best to keep things on the rails but as the ladies come together, old rivalries resurface that threaten to tear the production apart. With the show nearly canceled before it even begins due to the ladies’ famous diva behavior, they reluctantly agree to set aside their...
As the tentpole for its holiday movie slate, Lifetime will air Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas, a festive romp starring Loni Anderson (Wkrp in Cincinnati), Morgan Fairchild (Falcon Crest), Linda Gray (Dallas), Donna Mills (Knots Landing) and Nicollette Sheridan (Knots Landing).
Filmed earlier this year, the movie follows five soap opera divas as they reunite to shoot the final Christmas episode of their long-running sudser. The producer, Alex (Travis Burns) and director Nell (Taylor Ann Thompson), who happen to be old college friends, do their best to keep things on the rails but as the ladies come together, old rivalries resurface that threaten to tear the production apart. With the show nearly canceled before it even begins due to the ladies’ famous diva behavior, they reluctantly agree to set aside their...
- 10/3/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Betty White had a mischievous side, and she loved to have fun and crack jokes on the set of “The Golden Girls.” But there were times when she was all business.
Those times were often on Monday mornings. In the early years of the NBC comedy, White, the legendary performer who died this week at the age of 99, would often sit with “Golden Girls” executive producer Tony Thomas and dig into the overnight ratings for the hit sitcom that aired in Saturday time slots for the entirety of its 1985-1992 run.
“When I think of Betty, I think of fun,” Thomas told Variety. “She liked to have a good time at work. We laughed a lot. She was just the best.”
Thomas and White had a bond from their mutual experience of having grown up alongside with the medium of television. Thomas is the son of legendary entertainer Danny Thomas,...
Those times were often on Monday mornings. In the early years of the NBC comedy, White, the legendary performer who died this week at the age of 99, would often sit with “Golden Girls” executive producer Tony Thomas and dig into the overnight ratings for the hit sitcom that aired in Saturday time slots for the entirety of its 1985-1992 run.
“When I think of Betty, I think of fun,” Thomas told Variety. “She liked to have a good time at work. We laughed a lot. She was just the best.”
Thomas and White had a bond from their mutual experience of having grown up alongside with the medium of television. Thomas is the son of legendary entertainer Danny Thomas,...
- 1/1/2022
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Super Deluxe is developing “Silver Foxes,” a new gay comedy series from “The Golden Girls” collaborators Stan Zimmerman and James Berg, Variety reported. The duo has previously written and/or produced for “Roseanne” and “Gilmore Girls,” in addition to creating the Lifetime series “Rita Rocks” in 2008. George Takei, Leslie Jordan, Cheri Oteri, and Bruce Vilanch all participated in early readings of the script.
The series is inspired by the 2011 documentary “Gen Silent,” which exposed the discrimination Lgbtq seniors experience in nursing homes. The half-hour, single camera series follows two older gay men and a younger twink who rescue a friend from a closeted life at a homophobic assisted living facility. They bring him back to their mid-century Palm Springs home for a life of friends and fabulousness.
“Every one of us is getting older,” said Zimmerman. “Especially with gays and lesbians and transgender [people], we create our own families—and that...
The series is inspired by the 2011 documentary “Gen Silent,” which exposed the discrimination Lgbtq seniors experience in nursing homes. The half-hour, single camera series follows two older gay men and a younger twink who rescue a friend from a closeted life at a homophobic assisted living facility. They bring him back to their mid-century Palm Springs home for a life of friends and fabulousness.
“Every one of us is getting older,” said Zimmerman. “Especially with gays and lesbians and transgender [people], we create our own families—and that...
- 3/27/2018
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Exclusive: ABC Family and WWE Studios are getting in the ring together for the first time with the TV movie Christmas Bounty. The two are developing the action comedy for a 2013 broadcast during the network’s 25 Days Of Christmas programming block. WWE wrestling champion The Miz will be one of the stars. Andrew Black, Vivian Lee, James Berg and Stan Zimmerman wrote the script. Set to start production early next year, the film follows an elementary school teacher who is forced to return to her former life as a bounty hunter to save the family business. The female lead has not been cast. The Miz, whose real name is Michael Mizanin, has been in front of the camera a lot this year: In April, he took over the lead role in WWE Studios’ Marine 3: Homeland from Randy Orton, and also starred in Queen Of The Ring. He started out...
- 10/26/2012
- by DOMINIC PATTEN
- Deadline TV
Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone are back — and we’ll drink to that!
BBC America and Logo are reviving the cult comedy Absolutely Fabulous for three new specials, it was announced Monday. Ab Fab creator Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley will reprise their aforementioned roles as the boozy broad and her gal pal. So, how happy does this news make you, sweetie darlings?
Ready for more of today’s TV dish? Well…
• A new Sons of Anarchy promo has hit the web, and if you had any hesitations about tuning in for the FX drama’s fourth season premiere on Tuesday,...
BBC America and Logo are reviving the cult comedy Absolutely Fabulous for three new specials, it was announced Monday. Ab Fab creator Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley will reprise their aforementioned roles as the boozy broad and her gal pal. So, how happy does this news make you, sweetie darlings?
Ready for more of today’s TV dish? Well…
• A new Sons of Anarchy promo has hit the web, and if you had any hesitations about tuning in for the FX drama’s fourth season premiere on Tuesday,...
- 8/29/2011
- by Megan Masters
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: ABC Family has put in development Maid In Miami, a half-hour comedy project from Rita Rocks creators Stan Zimmerman and James Berg and Glee‘s executive music producer Adam Anders. Singer-actress Christina Millian is in negotiations to star in the project, about a young maid who is an aspiring singer. Zimmerman and Berg are writing the script and will executive produce with Anders, often dubbed Glee‘s music man. Millian has an existing relationship with ABC Family — she has starred in two holiday original movies for the channel, Snowglobe and last year’s Christmas Cupid. ABC Family has a successful track record segueing the stars of ABC Family movies to series — it recently did it with Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, who took on their own comedy series, Melissa & Joey, after topping the 2009 ABC Family film My Fake Fiance. Berg and Zimmerman, whose credits also include Gilmore Girls and Roseanne,...
- 8/29/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Lifetime has renewed comedy "Rita Rocks" for a second season with a 20-episode order.
"It's smart, it's funny and it appeals to anyone who has ever tried to carve out a little time for herself," said Lifetime's exec vp entertainment JoAnn Alfano.
Developed as a companion piece for Lifetime's well performing repeats of "Reba," the Mrc-produced "Rita Rocks" stars Nicole Sullivan as an overworked mom who forms a garage band.
Co-starring on the series are Richard Ruccolo as Rita's husband, Jay, and Tisha Campbell-Martin as her friend and bandmate, Patty.
Production on the second season of "Rita" is slated to begin immediately.
Series creators Stan Zimmerman and Jim Berg will serve as showrunners and will continue to exec produce alongside Mindy Schulthesis and Michael Hanel.
"It's smart, it's funny and it appeals to anyone who has ever tried to carve out a little time for herself," said Lifetime's exec vp entertainment JoAnn Alfano.
Developed as a companion piece for Lifetime's well performing repeats of "Reba," the Mrc-produced "Rita Rocks" stars Nicole Sullivan as an overworked mom who forms a garage band.
Co-starring on the series are Richard Ruccolo as Rita's husband, Jay, and Tisha Campbell-Martin as her friend and bandmate, Patty.
Production on the second season of "Rita" is slated to begin immediately.
Series creators Stan Zimmerman and Jim Berg will serve as showrunners and will continue to exec produce alongside Mindy Schulthesis and Michael Hanel.
- 3/2/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lifetime has given a full-season pickup to "Rita Rocks."
The network has ordered seven additional episodes of the comedy series from Media Rights Capital, bringing the first-season order to 20.
"Rita," starring Nicole Sullivan as a wife and mother who forms a garage band, premiered Oct. 20, airing as a strip for a week before moving into its regular time slot at 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The series, which marks Lifetime's first original comedy in 10 years, is averaging 956,000 viewers per first-run episode.
" 'Rita Rocks' was developed as a companion to Lifetime's most popular comedy, 'Reba,' and 'Rita Rocks' has either built on or held the 'Reba' audience for five of the first six original episodes," Lifetime executive vp entertainment JoAnn Alfano said. "Having a nearly 100% audience retention rate is unheard of when launching a new comedy, but 'Rita Rocks' has achieved that feat."
"Rita" also stars Richard Ruccolo,...
The network has ordered seven additional episodes of the comedy series from Media Rights Capital, bringing the first-season order to 20.
"Rita," starring Nicole Sullivan as a wife and mother who forms a garage band, premiered Oct. 20, airing as a strip for a week before moving into its regular time slot at 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The series, which marks Lifetime's first original comedy in 10 years, is averaging 956,000 viewers per first-run episode.
" 'Rita Rocks' was developed as a companion to Lifetime's most popular comedy, 'Reba,' and 'Rita Rocks' has either built on or held the 'Reba' audience for five of the first six original episodes," Lifetime executive vp entertainment JoAnn Alfano said. "Having a nearly 100% audience retention rate is unheard of when launching a new comedy, but 'Rita Rocks' has achieved that feat."
"Rita" also stars Richard Ruccolo,...
- 11/10/2008
- by By Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"Fashionistas" is walking down a different runway.
Set up at Paramount Pictures four years ago, the chick-lit comedy project, based on Lynn Messina's debut novel, now has attached Donald Petrie to direct and produce independently.
Original producers Christine Peters and Michael Cerenzie of Cp Prods., which is based at Paramount, brought on Petrie and Kirsten Lea's Kellagio Entertainment to co-produce outside of the studio.
Lea will executive produce under Kellagio's LoveLea Films along with Phil Viardo.
With its echoes of the successfully translated "The Devil Wears Prada," "Fashionistas" traces the career of a young designer working at a design firm who plots to take down her ruthless boss by inventing a fictitious must-have designer.
Danny Fischer and Paula Chorley, a former fashion executive, are writing an adaptation of the book. James Berg and Stan Zimmerman wrote earlier drafts. The producers plan to sew up filming by the end of this year.
"As 'Sex and the City' and 'Mamma Mia!' have proved, there is a real hunger for female-driven comedies," Peters said. " 'Fashionistas' is the perfect marriage of humor and flirtation set in the exciting world of fashion and designers."
Petrie, repped by Wma, just finished filming "My Life in Ruins" for Fox Searchlight. He worked with Peters on "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," and his filmography includes "Mystic Pizza" and "Miss Congeniality."...
Set up at Paramount Pictures four years ago, the chick-lit comedy project, based on Lynn Messina's debut novel, now has attached Donald Petrie to direct and produce independently.
Original producers Christine Peters and Michael Cerenzie of Cp Prods., which is based at Paramount, brought on Petrie and Kirsten Lea's Kellagio Entertainment to co-produce outside of the studio.
Lea will executive produce under Kellagio's LoveLea Films along with Phil Viardo.
With its echoes of the successfully translated "The Devil Wears Prada," "Fashionistas" traces the career of a young designer working at a design firm who plots to take down her ruthless boss by inventing a fictitious must-have designer.
Danny Fischer and Paula Chorley, a former fashion executive, are writing an adaptation of the book. James Berg and Stan Zimmerman wrote earlier drafts. The producers plan to sew up filming by the end of this year.
"As 'Sex and the City' and 'Mamma Mia!' have proved, there is a real hunger for female-driven comedies," Peters said. " 'Fashionistas' is the perfect marriage of humor and flirtation set in the exciting world of fashion and designers."
Petrie, repped by Wma, just finished filming "My Life in Ruins" for Fox Searchlight. He worked with Peters on "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," and his filmography includes "Mystic Pizza" and "Miss Congeniality."...
- 7/30/2008
- by By Jay A. Fernandez and Steven Zeitchik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lifetime has yet another treat for comedy fans out there. The network recently picked up its first original comedy in a decade. Created and executively produced by Stan Zimmerman and Jim Berg, Rita Rocks is set to hit Lifetime in the fall, with 13 episodes ordered by the network, to be produced by Media Rights Capital. Lifetime has paired Rita Rocks with their off-net run of Reba in a one-hour block that promises laughter and fun.
Raines star Nicole Sullivan is set to star as Rita, a woman whose unfulfilled life as a married, working mother who rediscovers her spunk when she becomes a musician in a garage band. Co-starring in the comedy offering are Richard Ruccolo, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Kelly Gould and Raviv Ullman.
Network executives are looking forward to welcoming the new show, especially following the success of Army Wives.
"Viewers tell us that they love our comedies,...
Raines star Nicole Sullivan is set to star as Rita, a woman whose unfulfilled life as a married, working mother who rediscovers her spunk when she becomes a musician in a garage band. Co-starring in the comedy offering are Richard Ruccolo, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Kelly Gould and Raviv Ullman.
Network executives are looking forward to welcoming the new show, especially following the success of Army Wives.
"Viewers tell us that they love our comedies,...
- 6/12/2008
- by BuddyTV
- buddytv.com
Stan Zimmerman and James Berg have been brought on to write The Ivy Chronicles, a comedic drama that Jerry Weintraub is producing for Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film is based on the best-seller by Karen Quinn. "Ivy" chronicles the story of a New York woman who loses her Wall Street job, her husband and her high-end apartment. She tries to forge a new life with her two daughters by establishing a kindergarten referral service for well-heeled Manhattanites vying to get their tots into the country's choice schools. Tracey Jackson wrote a previous draft.
Jessica Goodman is overseeing for the studio.
Weintraub, who recently was honored as producer of the year at ShoWest, has two releases set for summer: Ocean's Thirteen and Nancy Drew.
Zimmerman and Berg, whose credits include A Very Brady Sequel, have Beached set up at Fox 2000 for director Betty Thomas and The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, based on the popular 1947 film and subsequent late-'60s sitcom, also at Fox.
Zimmerman will make his stage directorial debut in the spring at Los Angeles' Celebration Theatre with a 30th anniversary revival of Albert Innaurato's play Gemini, with Peter Onorati, Stephanie Faracy and Mindy Sterling set to star.
The film is based on the best-seller by Karen Quinn. "Ivy" chronicles the story of a New York woman who loses her Wall Street job, her husband and her high-end apartment. She tries to forge a new life with her two daughters by establishing a kindergarten referral service for well-heeled Manhattanites vying to get their tots into the country's choice schools. Tracey Jackson wrote a previous draft.
Jessica Goodman is overseeing for the studio.
Weintraub, who recently was honored as producer of the year at ShoWest, has two releases set for summer: Ocean's Thirteen and Nancy Drew.
Zimmerman and Berg, whose credits include A Very Brady Sequel, have Beached set up at Fox 2000 for director Betty Thomas and The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, based on the popular 1947 film and subsequent late-'60s sitcom, also at Fox.
Zimmerman will make his stage directorial debut in the spring at Los Angeles' Celebration Theatre with a 30th anniversary revival of Albert Innaurato's play Gemini, with Peter Onorati, Stephanie Faracy and Mindy Sterling set to star.
- 4/30/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lindsay Lohan is in negotiations to topline "Fashionistas" for Christine Peters' CFP Prods. and Paramount Pictures. Writers Stan Zimmerman and James Berg have come on board to adapt Lynn Messina's debut novel of the same name, on which the feature is based. The book is set in the world of a glossy magazine where young fashion designer Vig, the role that Lohan would play, leads the charge to seek revenge on her demanding female editor. Her plan backfires, leaving her to juggle being a lowly assistant by day and the secret "It" designer and toast of New York by night -- all while falling in love with New York's hottest bachelor.
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