Suge Knight to be subject of Showtime documentary

 
Showtime is developing a documentary on controversial music figure Marion "Suge" Knight, the co-founder of Death Row Records, the famed West Coast rap label.

Director Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") will direct the documentary, which will explore Knight's exploits and his effect on rap and hip-hop. Producers said the film will feature Knight's accounts of "how it all happened, why it all fell apart and what the next chapter holds for one of America's most iconic and mythologized figures."

While regarded as one of the most influential figures in the rap world, Knight also had several run-ins with the law and was feared by many in the industry.

Knight is also scheduled to spearhead the film's soundtrack, which will feature songs from major artists and lesser known names.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chuck Philips, a former Los Angeles Times reporter who wrote several articles about Knight, is a co-producer on the film.

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-- Greg Braxton

Photo: Suge Knight in 2003. Credit: Los Angeles Times

 

 

Emmys 2011: Edie Falco won't root for her favorite shows

Edie Falco, nominated at the Emmy Awards for lead actress in a comedy series for Showtime's "Nurse Jackie," seemed relaxed about the impending telecast only moments before airtime. The fourth season of the series hasn't begun shooting yet, she said, and being at the ceremony gave her an opportunity to see her colleagues in advance of filming. "I miss my friends and I'm excited to see them."

Falco said she wasn't rooting for any other programs, since most of the ones she watches "aren't gonna be here tonight," she smiled. Indeed, cast members from Falco's admitted favorite shows -- "The First 48" and "Househunters International" -- were nowhere to be found on the red carpet.

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-- Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Edie Falco. Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times.

New DGA survey highlights TV's continuing struggle with diversity

 

The continuing lack of diversity in prime-time television was highlighted with the release of a Directors Guild of America survey that cites a troubling trend in the hiring of minority and female directors.

The survey conducted by the DGA of more than 2,600 episodes of 170 scripted series on broadcast and cable during the 2010-11 season found that white males directed 77% of all episodes, and white females directed 11% of all episodes. Minority males directed 11% of all episodes, and minority females directed 1% of all episodes. 

Leaders of the guild, which has traditionally pushed for more inclusion of women and minorities, expressed disappointment with the findings,  which show little change from a similar survey of the 2009-2010 season.

As Company Town notes, Nine shows singled out by the DGA as shutting out minority and female directors include HBO's "Bored to Death," Showtime's "Weeds" and FX's "Justified." Sixteen other shows hired women and minorities for fewer than 15% percent of episodes.

The survey comes a few weeks after the revelation of claims by advocates who say there are indications that NBCUniversal, which pledged to increase diversity in front of and behind the camera, has fallen short of those pledges that were made during the process of merging NBCUniversal and Comcast.

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-- Greg Braxton

Photo: Zach Galifianakis and Jason Schwartzman in HBO's "Bored To Death," one of the series cited by the Directors Guild of America as hiring no minority or female directors. Credit: Paul Schiraldi

 

Fall TV: Claire Danes is on dangerous ground in 'Homeland'

 
Claire Danes was one of the most notable Emmy Award winners last  year for her uncanny portrayal of autistic scholar and animal behavior expert Temple Grandin in HBO's "Temple Grandin." The role showed a more adult side of the actress who first came to prominance as a teenager in the groundbreaking drama "My So-Called Life."

But Danes is displaying more edge in her new role as CIA agent Carrie Mathison in Showtime's new drama "Homeland." Mathison has suspicions that a rescued POW who returns as a war hero may be a terrorist planning an attack. However, the agent is battling her own personal demons, and she could very well be wrong.

"She's not immediately likable, she's extremly exacting of herself and others," Danes said. "Carrie is really struggling, and I think she's doing it valiantly."

For more on Danes and "Homeland," read here.

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— Greg Braxton

Photo: Claire Danes. Credit: Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times.

 

'The Big C' gets a big 3: a third-season renewal

'
"The Big C," Showtime's comedy starring Emmy nominee Laura Linney as a woman shaking up her life after learning she has terminal cancer, has been renewed for a third season.

The renewal comes just a few days before the second-season finale, which will air Monday.

Showtime executives said 10 new episodes would go into production early next year and will air in the second quarter of 2012.

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Photo: Laura Linney in "The Big C." Credit: Jordin Althaus / Showtime.

 

'The Franchise': Q&A with Barry Zito

It’s been a tough year for Giants pitcher Barry Zito, one of the ballplayers whose lives have been chronicled for the past several months on Showtime’s documentary-style “The Franchise: A Season with the San Francisco Giants.”

On the field, the Giants are stumbling in their bid to repeat as World Series champions — not that their troubles are going to upset too many Dodgers fans. The pitching-rich, hitting-poor Giants — who spent a good chunk of the season atop the National League West — are suddenly looking up at the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks.

Zito, once the highest-paid pitcher in baseball, has struggled to find his groove since joining the Giants in 2007. And this season he’s endured foot and ankle injuries that have limited his playing time and led to a chorus from some in Giants-land to trade or release the one-time Cy Young Award winner.

Off the field, Zito’s father Joe — who once composed and arranged music for Nat King Cole in the 1960s — nearly died last October from a heart ailment.  In a recent episode, viewers learned that the elder Zito took $50 out of his weekly paycheck of $262 to pay for pitching lessons for his son, who now lives in the Hollywood Hills. (The series concludes Wednesday.)

Here's a Q&A with the 33-year-old pitcher and his thoughts on his dad, this season, the television series, and whether he’d watch a similar show about the Dodgers.

The episode with your father was very personal — talk about the decision to bring the cameras along.

Well, it came as a surprise to some close friends because my dad has been out of the social scene for many months now. He hasn’t seen a lot of friends, so nobody has really been over there to see him. And then I thought it was important to honor him on camera; you know, he had a lot do with my upbringing and pitching. So some close friends were surprised that we allowed a camera crew back there before we let them, but it was really important to me, and I’m just really thankful for every day I have with him.

TCA 2011: New shows bring Showtime into the real world

"Dexter," "The Borgias," "Weeds" and "Nurse Jackie" are among the popular Showtime series that revolve around high concepts of serial killers, corrupt royalty, pot-selling soccer moms and pill-popping nurses. But upcoming series on the premium cable network will be more grounded in the so-called real world.

Showtime's president of entertainment, David Nevins, said the network is gradually evolving into a renewed sensibility with series such as "Homeland," about a former prisoner of war who may or may not be a terrorist, and "House of Lies," about a self-loathing management consultant.

"We're getting into shows that have scope and bigness and are relevant to the world we live in," Nevins said. "We believe in real diversity of programming. We will be sophisticated and adult but can also be bigger and edgy."

Photos: Which veteran actors are returning to TV this fall?

"Homeland," which stars Claire Danes and Damian Harris, will premiere in October, while "House of Lies," which stars Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell, is scheduled to premiere Jan. 8.

Upcoming on the Showtime schedule is "Laughing Stock," a new series that will feature interviews with top comedians as they explain their art and the state of comedy. Steve Carell ("The Office") and David Steinberg ("Sit Down Comedy With David Steinberg") are executive producers, and Chris Rock, Tina Fey and Ellen Degeneres wil be among the comedians participating.

Nevins said he was also proud of Showtime's reliance on its veteran slate, which he categorized as "renewable resources" that keep growing in creativity, attracting bigger audiences.

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Photo: Josh Lawson, Kristen Bell, Jeannie Van de Hooven, Don Cheadle, Dawn Olivieri and Ben Schwartz of "House of LIes." Photo credit: Showtime.

TCA 2011: Showtime's 'Homeland' has 'fortuitous' timing

What attracted mostly-movie actress Claire Danes to a cable TV series? Sure, the role was “compelling” -- a formidable, bipolar CIA agent. But nudity and cursing sealed the deal.

“I think that’s more appealing than the relatively moderate work hours [of broadcast television],” she said.

Danes appeared Thursday at the Television Critics Assn.  media tour at the Beverly Hilton to promote her new series “Homeland,” along with fellow stars Damian Lewis and Morena Baccarin and executive producers Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa (both of whom are "24" alums).

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“Homeland” is a psychological thriller that centers on a CIA officer (Danes) who is convinced there's a conspiracy tied to Al Qaeda that led to the rescue of a U.S. soldier (Damian Lewis) who had been missing and presumed dead. All the makings of a gripping movie, except it will unfold as a 13-episode season.

“I think that one of the things movies can’t do is offer … the breadth of a story about terrosirm,” Gansa said. “It can’t be handled effectively in the short time frame of a movie. “

The series, which was shot in Charlotte, N.C. (prison scenes were filmed in Israel), will premiere Oct. 2 -- less than a month after the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

“It is just a confluence of events,” Gansa said. “The timing is significant, accidental and fortuitous.”

And, the cast and crew were working on the second episode when it was announced that Osama Bin Laden had been killed, Gordon said.

All of these events are likely to affect the way people view the show, he said.

“'24' existed in a real post-9/11 world and Jack Bauer was an action hero,” he said. “In response to that, 10 years later things have become deeper and more complex and the heart of this show is really psychological: How America is dealing with that 10-year period.”

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-- Yvonne Villarreal
twitter.com/villarrealy

Photo: Claire Danes, left, in a scene from Showtime's "Homeland." Credit: Showtime

Showtime sets premiere dates for 'Dexter' and 'Homeland'

Mark your calendars: There will be blood Oct. 2

Showtime announced Thursday at Comic-Con 2011 that the sixth season of 'Dexter" will make its fall return then.  

It will be followed by the debut of the new Claire Danes psychological thriller "Homeland," about a CIA officer (Danes) who becomes convinced that there's a conspiracy tied to Al Qaeda that led to the rescue of a U.S. soldier (Damian Lewis) who had been missing and presumed dead.

For more dispatches from Comic-Con, check out our sister blog Hero Complex. 

For more on what's to come in the fall from Showtime, here's a look:

 

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-- Yvonne Villarreal

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 Photo: Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan in "Dexter."  Credit: Showtime.

Video credit: Showtime

2011 Emmy nominations: Stars talk about working, being nominated and celebrating

The nominations for the 2011 Emmy Awards were announced early this morning, with plenty of surprises mixed in with the evergreens. (See the full list here.)

The Los Angeles Times spoke to a number of nominees about the Emmys and the roles that nabbed them a chance at an award.

Some nominees -- like "Justified's" Walton Goggins -- didn't even try to downplay their excitement: "I feel like I’m floating in a vat of liquid gratitude," he said. "It’s surreal. This may never happen again in my lifetime but to go through this experience now, it doesn’t get better than this." 

Idris Elba, who was nominated both for his role in "Luther" and a guest role on "The Big C," was doubly knocked out : "It’s incredible. You wait for one bus and two come along. They’re both great surprises."

Matthew Weiner is no Emmy newbie, but he still seemed thrilled: "There’s something extra sweet about it because, four years into it, you just don’t expect to be in it." He also revealed that he already had an ending in mind for the series, three seasons down the line. "I do. I do. I do. I do have an ending in mind." So what is it? We'll have to wait, apparently. Said Weiner, "I’m keeping it close to the vest in case I change my mind."

"Mad Men's" John Slattery -- who has received a supporting actor nomination for every season "Mad Men" has been on the air -- spoke eloquently about inhabiting the role of Roger: "On TV, the most challenging thing is not to assume you know how your character would react just because you’ve played it for years. You want to deliver the joke, but you don’t want your character to be a joke. Also, people wonder about the clothes and the cigarettes and the drinks -- but you don’t play the period, you play the scene. You play each moment as it comes."

Michael C. Hall, who is nominated once again for his role on "Dexter," talked about the particular challenges this past season: "In the fifth season we sort of had to take responsibility for the mess in Dexter’s world. He had a big share in Rita’s death. It was difficult to try to play this guy who maintains some sort of disconnect from his emotions and still process all of that."

And Johnny Galecki of "Big Bang Theory" spoke about playing a character smarter than he is: "I’d say he’s much more intelligent than I am. I can only pretend to think like this guy. I can understand how he feels as [if he's] the underdog outcast. That is something I can relate to. I wasn’t the most popular kid growing up."

Matt LeBlanc knows all about awards: "I’m familiar with not winning," he joked.  Asked if he'd spoken to any of his costars from "Episodes," he quipped, "They’re probably bitter and angry. I’ll call them and rub it in. They’re all in London."

For Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton of "Friday Night Lights," the nominations are a lovely complement to the end of the series. Said Britton, "After five seasons, it just feels incredible to have the show recognized. It was long deserved, I think." Chandler talked about hearing the news: "My wife came out and said, 'Guess what, you just got nominated!' I immediately asked, 'What about Connie?' She told me that she got one too. Then she shoved me in the swimming pool."

 Mireille Enos of "The Killing" talked about the backlash to the show's finale. "I loved the reaction," she said. "It's evidence of how attached people had gotten to the show. My hunch is that the people who are screaming loudest are the ones who are going to be the first to watch the next season."

Who was overlooked? Slattery mentioned "Mad Men's" Vincent Kartheiser, who plays Pete Campbell.

And what about the stiffest competition among fellow nominees? "Modern Family" star Sofia Vergara pointed to  certain popular octogenarian: "Betty White is on the list, that can’t be good for anyone."

Michael C. Hall couldn't choose one name. "Oh, gosh, I don’t know. It’s strange," he said. "We’re not running a 100-yard dash. We’re all doing very different things. It’s a strange thing deciding whose is best. Good luck to the voters doing that."

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-- Joy Press

Photo: Top: Michael C. Hall at The Los Angeles Times' 3rd Annual The Envelope: Primetime Emmy Screening Series panel in Los Angeles. Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images. Bottom: Sofia Vergara in "Modern Family." Credit: ABC.

What do Showtime's 'Dexter' and Kim Kardashian have in common? Casey Anthony?

Dexter Morgan, you are being summoned. Many people enraged over the "not guilty" verdict in the Casey Anthony murder trial have resorted to airing their frustration on Twitter, proclaiming the services of the venerated fictional serial killer are needed.

Anthony was acquitted Tuesday in the death of her 2-year-old daughter. Soon after the verdict was read, Dexter Morgan quickly became a popular trending topic on the social media site. Why? Because the central character of the Showtime series "Dexter," played by Michael C. Hall, moonlights as a serial killer who snuffs guilty suspects.

Tweets began pouring forth: @lehmo23 wrote, “A job for Dexter Morgan #caseyanthonyverdict”;  @myrontan wrote, “Casey Anthony the baby killer found not guilty. Your move, Dexter”; and @iPaulGibson tweeted, “well i guess we all know what season 6 will be for Dexter Morgan… #CaseyAnthony wrapped in plastic.”

And there were hundreds more just like those seeking a way to right what many viewed as a wrong decision in a case that captivated the nation.

Showtime would not comment on the matter.

'Weeds' creator Jenji Kohan talks about whether Season 7 is the last and life as a showrunner

"Weeds" begins its seventh season Monday night, and rumor has it that it may be the show's last. Jenji Kohan, who created the series, says she doesn't know yet if this will be the last gasp for drug dealer Nancy Botwin (Mary Louise Parker) -- newly out of prison -- who flees California this season for the anonymity of New York City.

Kohan is a child of showbiz. Her father, Buz Kohan, was an Emmy-winning TV writer and her brother David co-created "Will & Grace." But she says she hasn't always had the easiest time making her way in the industry.  She took time from writing and filming the rest of the season to discuss the dark dramedy and her career as a showrunner.

Is this the final season of "Weeds"?

I don’t know. My deal’s up in January and I haven’t heard anything yet from the network or the studio, so I honestly couldn’t tell you.

Are you writing as if it's the end?
I’ve got two plans [laughs]. My favorite thing is having options.

So you're creating two sets of endings depending on whether it gets renewed?

It is not easy. But I don’t want to get caught with my pants down, I want to do [the ending] right.

Did you start out wanting to be a TV writer?

My impetus was vengeance, initially. I had an ex-boyfriend who said I had a better chance of getting elected to Congress than getting on the staff of a television show. I don't like to be told I can't do something. So I quit my day jobs -- I had three -- and I moved in with a friend studying for her medical boards. I'd watch tapes of shows and write my spec scripts and she would study anatomy. Now she heals people ... and I'm still doing the exact same thing.

What shows were you watching then?

At that time, it was "Roseanne" and "Seinfeld." I’d grown up on comedies like "Cheers" and "Cosby" and "The Life and Times of Molly Dodd." ... I really was influenced by ["Molly Dodd"]. I found it whimsical and smart, it was one of my favorite shows. And one of my first internships was with Jay Tarses [creator of "Molly Dodd"]. I thought, 'I'm going to sit at his knee and learn the secrets of brilliant television. But instead I was mixing dressing into salads and buying capuccinos for a crew -- this was before Starbucks!

What was your first writing job?

My first job was "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." ... My ex-sister-in-law's father gave my specs in an elevator to an agent who lived in his building. I got very lucky. I came from a family that worked in this business, but when I expressed my interest they were like, "Go to law school."

Before creating "Weeds," you worked on several shows with women at their center, including "Tracey Takes On," starring Tracey Ullman, and "Gilmore Girls."

"Tracey" was a huge turning point for me. What I learned on "Tracey" was how to run a healthy show, where everyone was good at what they do and kind to one another and when they're done, they go home. Not to mention that I had someone running the room who I could hand a piece off to who would immediately perform it and let me know how it was. I also learned I am not a performer. We'd turn in our drafts and the whole room would take parts and read them out and perform them for Tracey -- but I was quickly relegated to reading stage directions. I was the joke slayer. I hear it all in my head but it just doesn't come out of my mouth right.