Scary 'found footage' of lost boat crew takes ABC down 'The River'

The discovery of "found footage" is riding the pop culture zeitgeist these days, ranging from the surprise box office hit "The Devil Inside" to the popularity of the "Paranormal Activity" franchise.

The producers of ABC's "The River" are hoping to bring that same shaky feeling of jumpy and erratic camerawork that exposes strange doings to "The River," about a film crew that may have met a strange fate in the Amazon. One of the key producers of the series, which will premiere Feb. 7, is Oren Peli, who wrote, directed and produced the first "Paranormal Activity" film.

Peli said in a session promoting the series during the ABC portion of the Television Critics Assn. press tour that he first came up with the idea of a documentary film crew getting caught in the rain forest and a rescue mission trying to find them as a concept for a movie. After talking with Steven Spielberg and other producers, he reasoned that the concept might make a compelling television series.

But fellow executive producer Michael Green said that although the series is filmed in Hawaii and pivots on people who are lost and in a dangerous situation, it will not be similar to "Lost." The show will be more intent on scares and strange bumps in the night.

"Each episode will be its own horror movie," Green said. "There will also be longer arcs that will reward viewers who hang in there. But our inspiration is much more 'The X Files' than 'Lost.' "

"The River revolves around the disappearance of wildlife expert and TV personality Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood), who journeys around the world with his wife and son. When he goes missing deep in the Amazon, his family, friends and crew set off on what the producers call a "a dangerous and deadly journey" to locate him. They encounter weird happenings and unseen dangers.

Although the emphasis is on scares, Green said the key to unnerving viewers will be to make the characters relatable. "I asked the network how scary are you willing for me to go, and they said I could be as scary as you want as long as you care about the people."

Some of those characters may be put in dangerous situations that producers hinted might leave to their demise, making some of the performers wonder how long they might last on the show. Leslie Hope, who plays Cole's wife Terri, recalled how she thought she was pretty secure playing Keifer Sutherland's pregnant wife during the first season of "24," only to have her character get "stabbed in the gut" and killed in the season finale.

Zack Estrin, another executive producer, joked that because of that, Hope's character would be around "for 40 episodes."

ALSO:

"Portlandia": Staight outta Portland

Jon Hamm lets March 25 "Mad Men" date out of the bag

Late night: Anderson Cooper would like to ban the Kardashians

-- Greg Braxton

Photo: Cast of "The River." Credit: ABC

J.J. Abrams won't get 'lost' with serialized stories in 'Alcatraz'

Star producer J.J. Abrams has been behind hit films and several of TV's most popular -- and confusing -- serialized shows, including "Alias" and "Lost."

He recalled coming across an episode of "Alias" while visiting a friend's house several years ago and "after four minutes, I was saying, 'What the ... is going on with this show?' and I knew and I had worked on it."

Abrams said his new drama, "Alcatraz," will not have the same intense serialized direction. Sure there will be familiar Abrams elements -- the show contains time travel and a group of investigators trying to unravel giant, perhaps supernatural and otherworldly, elements. But the stories will be more self-contained.

"I love serialized TV," Abrams said as he discussed the new series during the Fox portion of the Television Critics Assn. press tour. "But this show will be more episodic, with a wide arc." The main focus of the show will be going after the bad guy of the week.

The show follows a trio of investigators exploring the reappearance of 302 of Alcatraz's most dangerous prisoners and guards 50 years after they vanished. The show stars Sam Neill, Sarah Jones and Jorge Garcia.

The show marks Garcia's second series with Abrams; he starred in "Lost." Garcia acknowledged that he's back on an island. But there's a different kind of creepiness going on with "Alcatraz" that has nothing to do with smoke monsters and jungle dwellers.

"Alcatraz is like an old skeleton, just crumbling," said Garcia, though adding that the prisoners in the show "are really clean cut."

RELATED:

Kiefer Sutherland says "Touch" is not an effort to bury Jack Bauer

Fox cartoons will take on "Saturday Night Live"

-- Greg Braxton        

Photo: The cast of "Alcatraz." Credit: Fox Television

Chelsea Handler is not herself in 'Are You There, Chelsea?'

NBC's new series "Are You There, Chelsea?" is based on Chelsea Handler's books of humorous essays based on her wild life. Handler has a recurring role in the sitcom, but she's not playing herself — she's playing her sister. Laura Prepon is playing a younger version of Chelsea Handler, and has several scenes with the real Chelsea.

Got it?

Handler, Prepon and the producers of the series acknowledge that there might be a bit of head-scratching about the show during their session at the NBC portion of the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Pasadena.

"Everyone was a bit confused at first, but we're doing promos and I think we're doing a good job of getting the word out," said Prepon, who is best known for her starring role on "That '70s Show."

"Are You There, Chelsea?" stars Prepon as the twentysomething Chelsea, a brash, fun-loving cocktail  waitress who "lives life to its fullest," with the help of her friends, colleagues and family. Handler, who is also an executive producer of the series, plays Chelsea's sister Sloane, who is a conservative new mother who has little in common with her more carefree sister.

Handler says the series' Chelsea is inspired by her but is a softer version.

"I was a lot angrier than she was," said Handler. "I was just barreling through life with no rhyme or reason. There is an essence of that, but we also license Laura to do what she wanted with the character." She quipped, "I like myself much better than her."

Tom Werner, who produced several groundbreaking series during his time with Carsey-Werner, compared the Chelsea character to the main character in "Roseanne." "She's not sweet. She's brave and unapologetic." 

Even though the character is based on her, Handler never considered taking on the role of Chelsea. She's too busy hosting her late-night "Chelsea Lately" on E!, producing other series such as "After Lately," doing comedy concerts around the country and writing books.

"I didn't have time to star in my own show," she said. "I really like my E! show. I like being under the radar."

Lenny Clarke, who plays Chelsea's father, praised Handler for juggling so many projects. "Plus, she's hot!" he proclaimed.

Not missing a beat, Chandler told Clarke she was not having sex with him. Her actual words were much cruder.

RELATED:

Josh Lucas serves up paranoia in "The Firm"

NBC's Bob Greenblatt: "We had a really bad fall"

— Greg Braxton

Photo: Chelsea Handler (3rd from left in front row) and Laura Prepon (4th from left in front row) with the cast and crew of "Are You There, Chelsea?" Credit: Chris Haston / NBC

TCA 2011: Tim Allen is a new 'Man' in ABC comedy

This post has been corrected. See the note at the bottom for details.

One thing is clear about Tim Allen's new ABC comedy, "Last Man Standing." James Brown's classic "It''s a Man's Man's Man's World" will NOT be the theme song.

"Last Man Standing" is a vehicle for Allen's testosterone-fueled persona that he strutted with his popular "Home Improvement." But unlike that series, Allen is now surrounded by women instead of men.

"I really wanted to flip-flop 'Home Improvement,' " Allen said as he discussed the series during ABC's portion of the Television Critics Assn. press tour. "I really wanted to investigate an area where this guy is operating around all these women who are intelligient and loving."

In "Last Man Standing," Allen plays Mike Baxter, who travels around the world for his duties as an executive at an iconic outdoor sporting goods store. He is happily married to Vanessa (Nancy Travis) and has three daughters. When hard times hit the store, Mike decides he should stay closer to home, which will allow him more time to spend with his daughters, who are all experiencing various problems.

Allen said there are similarities between his two shows. Instead of working around tools as he did on "Home Improvement," he will be dealing with "hunting and guns."

Allen said he had been considering returning to prime time television in a dramedy. But none of those opportunities worked out.

He also compared working for the Disney-owned ABC under its current leadership as opposed to the '90s when "Home Improvement" was on the air.

"It's a tighter leadership, and the whole landscape has changed," he said, pointing to websites such as Hulu, where TV shows can be seen for free. He said in its heyday, "Home Improvement" commanded 30 million viewers: "We could have told the president what to do," he quipped.

He added that that now networks, with lesser revenue, have to do more with less. He joked, "We drink water out of a hose."

For the record, 2:19 p.m. Aug. 9: A previous version of this post said that "Home Improvement" was an '80s show and that Hula was a website where TV content could be viewed for free. The show debuted in 1991, and the name of the website is Hulu.

RELATED:

'Desperate Housewives' will end its run on ABC

Sarah Michelle Gellar to return to 'All My Children'

TCA 2011: Are 'Pan Am' stewardesses oppressed or 'lucky'?

-- Greg Braxton

Photo: Tim Allen and Nancy Travis talk to the press about "Last Man Standing." Credit: Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images.

 

TCA 2011: Are 'Pan Am' stewardesses oppressed or 'lucky'?

 
In the pilot of ABC's new drama "Pan Am," a voiceover says: "The Pan Am stewardess can travel all around the world without suspicion." But the show's producers and cast can't avoid the suspicions of reporters about the message being sent by the series set in the 1960s.

When the cast and producers appeared Sunday at the Television Critics Assn. media tour in Beverly Hills to promote the series, they were peppered with questions about the sexism depicted in the show.

The series highlights some of the domineering treatment of flight attendants, such as mandatory weigh-ins and girdle checks. But those involved with the show caution against focusing too heavily on such practices.

"It was part of the irony of the profession," said creator and executive producer Jack Orman, noting the freedom that came with the vocation. "I think female audiences in large numbers will like it."

Christina Ricci, who plays flight attendant Maggie, hopes viewers will see the bigger picture about "a group of lucky women."

"As soon as anybody sees five minutes of the show," Ricci said, "those misconceptions about what it meant for women is going to be gone. It will send a message of how these women were free and in charge of their lives."

Executive producer Nancy Hult Ganis, a Pan Am flight attendant in the late '60s and early '70s, also addressed the question, pointing out flight attendants' large role in the labor and feminist movements.

"I think [flight attendants] still have great memories of that time and had great adventures," she said.

"Pan Am" premieres Sunday, Sept. 25, on ABC.

RELATED:

Coverage of TCA 2011 on Show Tracker

'Desperate Housewives' will end its run on ABC

-- Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

 

Photo: Margot Robbie as Laura in a scene from ABC's "Pan Am." Credit: ABC

'Desperate Housewives' will end its run on ABC

 
It's official: 'Desperate Housewives" will end its run at the end of its eighth season, ABC chief Paul Lee announced Sunday during the Television Critics Assn. media tour.

"It is an iconic show," Lee said. "We are so proud of it. I just wanted to make sure that this show that put this network on the map ... had its victory lap, had a chance to really set out every episode and build an arc [in its final season]."

The confirmation comes after rumors of its finish began swirling recently. "Desperate Housewives," created by Marc Cherry, launched on the network in 2004, premiering to more than 20 million viewers. But ratings have since fizzled, with this past season averaging fewer than 12 million viewers.

The upcoming eighth season will be the first without Cherry serving as executive producer; he stepped down to focus on other projects. But the mastermind behind Wisteria Lane appeared before reporters Sunday to offer his sentiments on the series' conclusion:

"I think the only thing harder than creating a great show is knowing when to end it," he said. "It's something that's weighed on my mind for quite a while now."

"I'm very aware of [shows] overstaying their welcome," he added.  "I just didn't want that to happen to 'Desperate Housewives.' I wanted to go out as the network still saw us as a viable show and a force to be contended with. ... I wanted to go out in the classiest way possible."

Cherry said discussions on when to end the show began more than a year ago, with talks about doing a season nine, though Cherry said he had had nothing planned story-wise for a ninth season. 

When asked about the cast's reaction, Cherry said he's spoken to half of the cast:

"It was bittersweet and lovely," he said. "The women knew it was a possibility. There was a touch of shock but not completely."

Addressing a possible spin-off, Cherry joked that he told Eva Longoria, who plays Gabrielle, "I was going to put you in a van and have you solve mysteries." More seriously, Cherry said he considered doing a spin-off of some sort but decided against it to focus on new and different opportunities.

The eighth season is scheduled to premiere Sept. 25 as a lead-in for the new 1960s-set spy thriller, "Pan Am."

-- Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

RELATED:

Upcoming season expected to be last for "Desperate Housewives"

Show Tracker: Complete coverage of 'Desperate Housewives'

Photo: From left, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher and Marcia Cross in ABC's "Desperate Housewives." Credit: Peter Stone /ABC

TCA 2011: The promises of Ryan Murphy on 'American Horror Story'

 

Ryan Murphy has a reputation of  giving mixed signals about just who will be returning to his series (see: “Glee”). So when Murphy, who appeared Saturday to promote his new FX series “American Horror Story” at the Television Critics Assn. media tour,  was asked whether it was still the plan to rotate the characters of his new show after 13 episodes (which was part of the early report about the series), he chose his words a little more carefully.

“It’s not necessarily true that this cast is doing it for one year,” he said. “We’re keeping it open.”

One thing that is necessarily true: The producers do know what the the last episode of the psychological thriller will be about. “It’s very unexpected and exciting for me,” he said.

“American Horror Story,” from Murphy and Brad Falchuk, who in addition to having created "Glee" were the masterminds behind "Nip/Tuck," centers on a married couple, played by Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”) and Dylan McDermott (“The Practice”). The spouses, in an effort to cope with infideility and a miscarriage, move their family cross-country to rebuild their relationship. But they find their new home brings with it other problems, eerie ones:  like Constance,  a disturbing nosey neighbor  played by Jessica Lange, who waltzes in the home without warning,  a maid who takes on different incarnations, and a frightening creature in the basement.

They’re the kind of occurrences that might cause a family to vacate immediately, but they don’t.  And the horror genre trope of why they stay will get an answered in the first couple of episodes.

“That was the most important thing that we worked on,” Murphy said. “We will explain why they are still there.”

FX renews 'Wilfred, 'Louie,' 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'

 
More laughs on the way for FX: The network has renewed comedies "Wilfred," "Louie" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

The announcement was made by network chief John Landgraf at the Television Critics Assn. media tour in Beverly Hills.

Australian import "Wilfred," which stars Elijah Wood and Jason Gann as man and dog buddies, will return for a 13-episode second season. "Louie," from comedian Louis C.K., will come back for a third season, also 13 episodes long. And "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," from Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day and Rob McElhenney, will return for two more seasons, with an option to return for a 10th.

--Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

Photo: Elijah Wood and Jason Gann in a scene from "Wilfred" on FX. Credit: FX

TCA 2011: Is 'Terra Nova' a dinosaur show or a western?

Yes, it's chockablock with dinosaurs and other nasty beasts. But the producers of Fox's new sci-fi epic "Terra Nova" describe the show more as a western.

Speaking to reporters Friday at the Television Critics Assn. media tour in Beverly Hills, executive producer Brannon Braga repeatedly dubbed the series as a "frontier" story -- it's just that in this case, the family is time-traveling to a prehistoric frontier, where instead of native tribes they encounter some rather large reptiles. 

It may take awhile to get that message across, though. "It's going to be impossible to keep your kids away from the dinosaur show," said executive producer Rene Echevarria, with the tone of a man who knows exactly what his project's big selling point is.

Dinosaurs are a big part of what has made the show so difficult to shoot and edit. "Terra Nova" was announced well over a year ago but visual-effects artists had to create new motion-capture technology and software to make the show work.

"All of the visual effects houses we initially approached said, 'Nah, can't be done. Not on time,'" Echevarria said.

It helped that they just happened to have someone with some dinosaur expertise: "Jurassic Park" director Steven Spielberg, who also serves as an executive producer on the series, although his day-to-day involvement has been limited. "He has a lot of input on the dinosaurs," Braga said.

Producers have continued noodling with the pilot, most recently adding scenes at the beginning to give more back story on Jim Shannon (Jason O'Mara), the tough cop whose family is at the center of the drama.

The hope is that though audiences may come for the dinosaurs, they'll stay for the Shannons, who face their own internal battles as they struggle to adjust to their new environment.

As O'Mara joked to reporters: "We're also cheaper than the dinosaurs."

ALSO:

'Million Dollar Money Drop' dropped by Fox

End may be near for 'Desperate Housewives'

Dude! Check out those 'Jersey Shore' Italy ratings!

-- Scott Collins
twitter.com/scottcollinsLAT

Photo: Jason O'Mara, from left, Landon Liboiron, Naomi Scott, Alana Mansour and Shelley Conn in Fox's fall drama "Terra Nova." Credit: Brook Rushton / Fox.

TCA 2011: Simon Cowell hopeful 'X Factor' will be America's pick

 

“It looks like nothing else you’ve ever seen before.”

That’s the prevailing sentiment Simon Cowell kept drilling to reporters who attended the Television Critics Assn. Media tour in Beverly Hills. He was referring to Fox’s "The X Factor," which marks his return to TV judging following his departure as the curmudgeon judge on “American Idol” last year. Cowell, who also serves as an executive producer on the "The X Factor," was joined by fellow judges Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid, Nicole Scherzinger, host Steve Jones and the show’s producers.

“I wouldn’t have made the show unless I thought it was going to be different,” he said.

On the British import, solo singers as well as groups can compete. The age range is wider, with people as young as 12 eligible to compete -- something Cowell surely regrets: He says the younger contestants "are more lippy than any other contestants I've had in my life. I was quite traumatized." There’s a boot-camp phase where contestants are mentored by one of the judges. Then there’s the prizes: The winner receives a $5-million recording contract and, Fox announced Friday, a Pepsi commercial spot to air during the Super Bowl.

Pretty epic. Then again, Fox seems to have a lot riding on the series along with the network’s sci-fi effort “Terra Nova.”  Buildup for “The X Factor” is big and controversy over the selection of judges has amplified that.  When Fox president Kevin Reilly addressed reporters later in the day, he downplayed the expectations.

“If [‘The X Factor’] can do half of what we hope it can do in the fall, Fox will be something to reckon with,” he said.

Cowell, ever the cocky one, was more self-assured.

“You don’t do anything to get the silver medal,” he said. “You do it to be No. 1. In the next few weeks we’re going to do all we can to be the best show."

RELATED

Full Show Tracker coverage of 'The X Factor'

--Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

Photo: The faces of Fox's "The X Factor," from  left: L.A. Reid, Nicole Scherzinger, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Steve Jones. Credit: Fox.

TCA 2011: 'New Girl' Zooey Deschanel hearts downtown L.A.

 
These days, Zooey Deschanel and the L.A. Times are like peanut butter and jelly. Or perhaps oil and water.

When the actress-singer appeared Friday at the Television Critics Assn. media tour in Beverly Hills to promote her new Fox comedy, "New Girl," it wasn't long before she was asked what she loves about ... downtown L.A.

If you'll recall, Deschanel got a lashing from Times columnist Patt Morrison for supposedly dissing the metropolis during the recent royal palooza. Deschanel fired back in a blog post of her own, taking issue with Morrison's characterizations. Morrison then came back with another response. The back-and-forth had seemingly ended -- at least until it was brought up today.

"I didn’t actually make that statement," she said. "But it's cool.  I love downtown L.A."

When probed to offer her favorite hangouts, Deschanel offered the following:

-- Disney Hall: "I've played many shows there."

-- Chinatown: "I love walking around Chinatown. Go get some dim sum. Lovely."

-- Angelus Plaza: A spot she's quite familiar with having shot scenes for her film "(500) Days of Summer" there. 

"I've been downtown many times. I love all of L.A. And that is all I’m going to say about it."

She was more animated when discussing her new series, in which she plays Jess, a twentysomething girl scorned by her significant other and forced to move in with three single guys.

"I'd like to think [the part] was written for me," she said.  Jess is quirky and awkward, has an obession with "Dirty Dancing" (particulary, the "Time of Your Life" finale moment) and a penchant for singing at random moments -- which comes naturally for Deschanel, who has released albums and was tapped to do the show's theme song.

But how long can Jess really be the "New Girl"?

"Ten seasons," Deschanel quipped.

That's a lot of "Time of Your Life" snippets. Bring it on.

RELATED:

Coverage of TCA 2011 on ShowTracker

Fox announces fall premiere dates

Watch a sneak preview of Fox's 'New Girl' starring Zooey Deschanel

-- Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

Photo: Zooey Deschanel in a scene from "New Girl," which premieres this fall. Credit: Fox

TCA 2011: Dr. Drew Pinsky will now treat 'regular folks' on TV

 
“Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew,” “Sober House,” “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew,” “16 and Pregnant,” “Teen Mom”  and “Dr. Drew Pinsky.” Breathe. Now add “Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers.” Could there come a time when Dr. Drew Pinsky seeks his own services for treatment on overexposure?

When asked if others might perceive all his TV ventures as crossing the line into fame-monger territory, Pinsky replied: "I understand that people could think that ...We’ll find out.”

Pinsky is adding to his already full plate -- he began hosting "Dr. Drew Pinsky" on HLN in the spring -- with a new daytime series, "Dr. Drew's Lifechangers," on the CW this fall. The daily, half-hour show will air in a two-episode block from 3-4 p.m. (an original episode will be followed by a repeat) beginning in the fall. Pinsky and a panel of experts -- which will sometime include the likes of Halle Berry, Patrick Dempsey and Kelly Rippa -- will offer help to people dealing with various personal issues.

Viewers can expect to get acquainted with Pinsky's wife and triplet children. There will also be an element similar to "Loveline," the long-running radio show on KROQ that Pinsky co-hosts, which will be called Love Lab.

Pinsky said it was the ability to venture away from the celebrity world he's become immersed in that attracted him to the project.

"One of the things that comes across my Twitter feed is 'why don’t you deal with regular folks?' " he said. He added that he had originally intended "regular" people to take part in "Celebrity Rehab" along with the stars, but that those prospects fell through. "I'm very anxious that here we work with regular people."

RELATED:

Coverage of TCA 2011 on Showtracker

Dr. Drew Pinksy is invading your TV ... again

Dr. Drew to talk 'the bottom line' with  Miley Cyrus and Snooki

-- Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy