CBS to revamp new drama 'Three Rivers'

Don't you just love the TV development cycle? The networks rush all spring to cast and complete pilots  to present them to advertisers in May and then spend all summer retooling many of them before launching them in the fall.

CBS has decided to shoot its new medical drama, "Three Rivers," at Paramount Studios instead of the Pittsburgh hospital where the first pilot was filmed. Created by Carol Barbee ("Jericho"), the drama is set in a preeminent transplant hospital and centers on the lives of the organ donors, the recipients and the healthcare workers who care for them. Each story is told from those three points of view.

According to a source close to the project, CBS wants the pilot to have a "warmer" look and will essentially build a hospital on the Paramount lot. Production on the original pilot was limited to certain areas of the working hospital in which it was filmed, and executives hope this change will help expand the universe of the show.

To that end, Barbee also is looking to add recurring characters -- specialists and a social worker -- who will pop in and out of episodes. One of them will probably become a love interest for Dr. Andy Yablonski, a highly skilled workaholic organ transplant surgeon, played by Alex O'Loughlin ("Moonlight"). The role of Dr. Sophia Jordan, head of surgery, which was played by Julia Ormond, will be recast.

Rob Bailey ("CSI: NY"), who served as co-executive producer on the first pilot, will be the show's director and executive producer.

The cast also includes: Joaquim de Almeida, Christopher J. Hanke, Daniel Henney, Justina Machado and Katherine Moennig.

"Three Rivers" will air Sundays at 9 p.m.

-- Maria Elena Fernandez

Credit: Alex O'Loughlin and Katherine Moennig/CBS

Comments

[Faye]

Thanks for this information. I hope this show is a great success for Alex and the others and if retooling helps that, then so be it. However, I wonder if there is any way of seeing the pilot for those of us who are interested? Is it something they could show at Paley? Given all the time and money that went into it (I understand they used some real medical personnel) it seems a shame to just discard it.

[Natalie]

Three Rivers did need a change. A warmer environment sounds great. A love interest for Alex O'Loughlin's character really great. When Alex played Mick St. John on Moonlight, his love interest was Beth Turner, played by Sophia Myles. The two never got a chance to be together...together, the show left it's fans hanging. Every hot, sexy doctor needs a love interest, just look at Grey's Anatomy. Alex is so much hotter than McDreamy. I'll call him McHot...mmm...I'll think of something better. What should we call Alex's new doctor?

[Helen Lang]

Re: Letterman
It is time for David Letterman to step down. He calls himself a comedian but only delivers sarcastic remarks. Conan O'Brien is the one to watch until you change your lkineup and get Letterman off the air.

[lanouette]

I believe the revamping will make the show better. can't wait to see Alex O'Loughlin in Three Rivers

[darci]

Three Rivers is going to be terrific! I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of this until yesterday when I saw a promo video set to “Swim” by Jack’s Mannequin (a fantastic song by the way). This really looks like an interesting and original spin on the medical drama concept, and I loved Alex O’Laughlin in Moonlight, so I can’t wait to see this show…October can’t come soon enough!

FYI the promo video is on YouTube at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eJrY4HiLZM

[Jeff]

Why couldn't the producers find a vacant hospital(like the people on "Scrubs" did)and convert it for filming? That would be a moneysaver, and ecologically sound, instead of taking a risk on building a new set for a show that has no guarantee of success.

[Amy]

Please be sure to hightlight and feature the City of Pittsburgh and it's sports teams in the scripts. Shows that try to claim Pittsburgh always fail to understand the culture and people of the city. Anyone from that region instantly sees through it and does not support the show. If you capture Steeler fans--you will be amazed at their loyalty! There is a very unique accent that cannot be ignored and/or faked! Not everyone has it, but some characters should definitely speak with the local accent and use the local terms. You may need to explain them to another character on the show so that the audience understands it. Please visit the city and talk to the people!

[beebull]

JERICHO was the best thing Carol Barbee ever did that's what she needs to be working on.