Logo, the network for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) viewers, has greenlit a diverse slate of scripted series ranging from traditional drama to edgy comedy, including two animated series, RICK AND STEVE and SLINK. These and live-action comedy series, THE RULES, and the drama, HEARTLAND, were announced today (Feb. 15, 2006) by Brian Graden, president, MTV Networks Music Group Ent. and president, Logo.
For too long, gay and lesbian stories were largely untold, and these new projects, as diverse as the community itself, make themselves heard, said Graden. Protagonists include a gay man raising his family in the heartland, a lesbian creating her own rules in life, and a pair of animated toy-brick characters first brought to life in the short film Rick and Steve. We are privileged to showcase the work of talented, truthful writers.
Rick and Steve cohabitate in West Lahunga Beach, where they make their fabulously decorated double-income-no-children home. That is, until Ricks lifelong lesbian friend, Kirsten, asks him to be the father of her child. However, Kirstens wife, Dana, and Ricks husband, Steve, are mortal enemies. The insults fly, nothing goes unspoken, and the ugly truth about domestic bliss never looked so cute. RICK AND STEVE was created by Q. Allan Brocka who serves as co-exec producer with W. Lance Reynolds.
SLINK is an irreverent animated series about the lives, loves and high drama of five lesbian felines whose wealthy, deceased owner has willed them a mansion in Malibu. She left them the house but not quite enough to sustain the lifestyle to which theyve become accustomed, so they moonlight as cat burglars and steal from their neighbors the Hollywood elite. From Threshold Animation Studios, series exec producers are Larry Kasanoff and Michael Apostolina. Producers are Kristy Scanlan and George Johnsen.
THE RULES: A LESBIAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (working title), is based on the short film by Michelle Paradise and Lee Friedlander. Logos new original comedy series follows Jennifer Baker, an irreverent and quirky lesbian who is looking for Ms. Right. In each episode, Jennifer offers several rules of lesbian life, most of which shes learned the hard way. Shes surrounded by her helpful surrogate family, a group of friends with very distinct personalities who are always there for her to offer advice no matter what kind of drama may arise. THE RULES was created by Paradise and Friedlander (GIRL PLAY). Series is exec produced by Friedlander, Paradise and Billy Grundfest and co-produced by Abbie Ludwig.
An original scripted drama, HEARTLAND follows gay Columbia University student HG Goodmanson who returns to his Iowa hometown for a quick visit, but finds his family in crisis and must make a life-changing decision either stay on the farm and help his family, or return to the city where college and a budding romance await. HEARTLAND is created and co-exec produced by Mark Christopher (54, Pizza).
Logo is the ad-supported network targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) viewers, launched by MTV Networks. The network launched June 30, 2005, with more than a 1,000 hours of content and has more than 19 million subscribers across the U.S. Logo offers a 24/7 schedule of original series, specials and a library of more than 350 major feature films. Logo provides LGBT audiences with a place where they can see themselves and be themselves through a mix of original and acquired entertainment programming that is authentic, smart and inclusive.
MTV Networks (www.mtv.com), a unit of Viacom, is one of the worlds leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 120 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.
