New animated series from Bill Cosby and Kelsey Grammer are part of Nick at Nite and TV Lands first-ever slate of original shows and specials. The development slate, which also includes new programming from Henry Winkler, Peter Bonerz, David Steinberg and several others, could be seen on both networks as early as 2004. The originals will serve as a complement to Nick at Nite and TV Land's successful acquired programming.
Nick at Nite, which regularly programs contemporary classic sitcoms including, THE COSBY SHOW and ROSEANNE, will debut a new animated series, FATHERHOOD - based on Cosby's best-selling book of the same name in June. Grammer is developing ZEN & BUSTER, an animated comedy series about dogs in Hollywood.
While Nick at Nite will pursue original comedy to complement its hit sitcom lineup, the TV Land originals will reflect the fun, passionate and TV-reverential on-air environment that embraces "all things television," according to by Larry W. Jones, evp/gm of TV Land and Nick at Nite, and Sal Maniaci, vp of development and production, TV Land and Nick at Nite, who jointly announced the lineup.
Alf, TV's popular alien makes his triumphant return to primetime - this time as host of a television talk show who interviews celebrity guests, in ALFS HIT TALK SHOW for Nick at Night.
Among the projects currently in the TV Land pipeline include: TV LAND MOGULS, a six-part documentary series from CBS News Prods. that chronicles the rise of some of television's most successful producers; the return of THE TV LAND AWARDS, the network's salute to enduring television shows and stars, which last year was seen by more than 25 million viewers and featured such presenters as Halle Berry and Matthew Perry; and a 30th anniversary salute to HAPPY DAYS, which Henry Winkler, who also starred in the show, will exec produce.
FATHERHOOD - Cosby serves as exec producer of an animated series based on his best selling book, FATHERHOOD (Doubleday/Dolphin). Blair Underwood (LA LAW, SEX AND THE CITY) stars. Charles Kipps (LITTLE BILL, COSBY MYSTERIES, LAW & ORDER) is exec producer and David Brokaw (LITTLE BILL) is producer of the 30-minute series, which premieres June 2004.
ZEN & BUSTER - Grammer stars as the lead voice in this animated series about Hollywood pets who navigate their way through life, as seen through the eyes of dogs. The 30-minute series is being produced by Grammer's Grammnet Prods.
TV Land and Nick at Night are part of Viacom, a leading global media company, which also owns CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN and Spike TV. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.
