CBS Orders Chuck Lorre, Robin Williams/David E. Kelley Shows, 4 Others
Top-rated CBS has ordered two new dramas and four new comedies to its 2013-14 roster, including a David E. Kelley comedy starring Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar.
The network also ordered "Mom," from "Big Bang Theory" creator Chuck Lorre, starring Anna Faris and Allison Janney as a newly sober mother and daughter living in the Napa Valley, and the Jerry Bruckheimer drama "Hostages" with Toni Collette and Dylan McDermott.
Also read: 'Criminal Minds' Renewed by CBS
CBS made the announcements ahead of its upfront presentation to advertisers. The network has less room on its schedule than its rivals because it is the top-rated and most-watched, meaning it has less retooling to do.
Written by executive producer Jeffrey Nachmanoff, "Hostages" centers on a family caught in the middle of a grand political conspiracy that will change their life forever. It is based on the Israeli format created by Alon Aranya, Omri Givon and Rotem Shamir, who also executive produce with Jonathan Littman.
"Intelligence," written and executive produced by Michael Seitzman, focuses on a U.S. Cyber Command unit that has been created around one agent with a very special gift -- a microchip that has been implanted in his brain that allows him to access the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Josh Holloway ("Lost") stars alongside Marg Helgenberger ("CSI") and Meghan Ory in the CBS Television Studios and ABC Studios co-production. David Semel, who directed the pilot, executive produces with Tripp Vinson and Rene Echevarria.
Also read: NBC Picks Up 'Chicago Fire' Spinoff, 'Undateable,' 'Ironside' Pilots
Lorre, who has launched a string of successful shows on CBS, looks to score another hit with "Mom." Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. is producing in association with Warner Bros. Television. Eddie Gorodetsky, who co-wrote the pilot with Gemma Baker and Lorre, executive produces, while Baker is a producer. Pamela Fryman ("How I Met Your Mother") directed the first episode.
Kal Penn, Tony Shalhoub and Jerry O'Connell star in "We Are Men," playing experienced guys who mentor a younger fella, played by Chris Smith, in a short-term rental complex. The half-hour single-camera pilot from CBS Television Studios was written and directed by Rob Greenberg, who also executive produces alongside Eric and Kim Tannenbaum.
Also read: CW Picks Up 'Tomorrow People,' '100,' 'Star-Crossed,' 'Reign'
CBS Television Studios is also producing Greg Garcia's half-hour, multi-camera sitcom titled "The Millers." Will Arnett, Margo Martindale, J.B. Smoove and Beau Bridges star in the comedy about a recently divorced guy's life getting more complicated when his parents have marital problems of their own. Executive producer Garcia wrote the pilot, which was directed by James Burrows.
"Crazy Ones," a half-hour, single-camera comedy from 20th Century Fox Television, stars Williams and Gellar as a father and daughter working together in advertising. Jason Winer, who co-created NBC's cancelled "1600 Penn", directed the pilot written by executive producers David E. Kelley and Dean Lorey. Bill D'Elia, John R. Montgomery and Mark Teitelbaum also executive produce.
Related Articles:
