The cable network’s scripted development slate includes five event series, including behind-the-scenes account of the 2012 terrorist attack on the American diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, whose aftermath still echoes in Washington. The projects hail from such auspices as Tom Fontana, Chris Collins, Leslie Greif, Rock God & Gene Simmons, Bobby Moresco, Jonathan Koch and Steve Michaels, Craig Piligian and Dimitri Doganis & Bart Layton. “We’re concentrated on launching one or more special event series that we see as a great way to get to hour dramatic series,” said Spike TV’s EVP Original Series Sharon Levy, who oversees the network’s scripted development. Each project features Spike’s mission to thrill, inspire, and entertain as we’re broadening and expanding our brand.”

This marks Spike TV’s return to its scripted roots — the network’s last foray into scripted was with the 2007 event series The Kill Point. While the focus is for all five projects to be true events that “everyone wants to watch when it happens and that have a zeitgeist element to them,” some could live on beyond the original run, Levy said. For instance, Hit Men, a drama from Greif and Simmons about the mob’s takeover of the 1970s music industry, could continue as a series, while iHuman, about the intersection of technology and humanity and how their relationship evolves, could become an umbrella of films tackling the subject. Here are details about Spike TV’s scripted project in development from Asylum Entertainment:

WHITEY BULGER PROJECT


Written by Academy Award-winning writer, Bobby Moresco (“Crash”) and produced by Jonathan Koch and Steve Michaels of Asylum Entertainment (“The Kennedys”), this movie event chronicles the raw and unfiltered rise and fall of Whitey Bulger, one of America’s most notorious criminals.  This four-hour epic delves deep into the life of Boston’s most infamous organized crime leader, who ruled New England’s criminal underworld with an iron fist for decades. Bulger’s larger-than-life story takes us from his days as a low-level street thug to FBI informant, to mob boss bent on undermining the competition, to the FBI’s most wanted list, and fugitive on the lam for sixteen years.

NEW YORK, NY – Written and directed by Joel Surnow, Emmy® Award-winner and co-creator of the hit series “24”, small time is his debut feature film and loosely based on his real life experiences. The agreement with ABF covers all North American rights and today’s announcement was made by Anchor Bay Entertainment’s President, Bill Clark.

“small time is a real gem for us and we’re really looking forward to working with Joel,” commented Kevin Kasha, Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and Co-Productions. “The team loves this film and we are excited to be distributing it.”

“small time is a very personal film and has been a labor of love for everyone who worked on it,” said Surnow. “Kevin Kasha and his talented team at Anchor Bay share our passion for the film and have high expectations for its performance. I feel very fortunate to have them as partners.”

Shot in 20 days in and around Los Angeles, small time chronicles the story of Al Klein, the owner of a used car lot who is at a crossroad in his life. He still pines for his ex-wife, Barbara; his business partner, Ash Martini, is a good-time Charlie who refuses to grow up and his son, Freddy, the love of his life, has just graduated high school. Klein’s life gets thrown into a tailspin when Freddy announces he wants to punt college and move in with dad so he can become a salesman at the car lot. small time co-stars Devon Bostick (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), Xander Berkeley (Terminator 2, “24”) and Kevin Nealon (“Weeds,” Anger Management).

Joel Surnow is best known as the co-creator/executive producer of the award-winning TV series, “24.” He has received Emmys for Best Drama and Best Dramatic Writing, a Golden Globe for Best Drama, a Producer of the Year Award from the PGA, a Best Writer from the Hollywood Caucus and 2003 WIRED Rave Award as one of the “people changing your mind.” He co-wrote and produced the highly-acclaimed mini-series “The Kennedys,” which was nominated for 10 Emmy™ Awards. He began his career as head writer on the first season of “Miami Vice.” From there, he became Executive Producer of “The Equalizer.” In the mid-90s, he adapted the movie, La Femme Nikita, for television where it became a hit series for the then-new USA Network. Over the years, he’s provided writing and producing services for such distinguished and popular shows such as “Wiseguy,” “Nowhere Man,” “Bay City Blues” and “The Commish.” small time is Surnow’s debut film.

small time is an Asylum Entertainment production, produced by K.C. Warnke. Stan E. Hubbard, Jonathan Koch, Steve Michaels, Lawrence Rogow and Colleen Surnow executive produced the film. Paradigm Finance Group negotiated the deal on behalf of small time with Anchor Bay Films.

The Lylas, which stars sisters Tiara, Tahiti and Presley as they move from their home in Hawaii to join big sister Jaime in Los Angeles as they work to record their first album together, will air Friday nights beginning in the fall. The series, which consists of eight hourlong episodes, hails from Asylum Entertainment (The Kennedys), Steve Michaels, Jonathan Koch, David Garner, Ben Ricciardi, Glenn Carrano, Lauren Gellert and Suzanne Murch.

Pregnant & Dating will join WE tv's Saturday lineup in the summer and focus on five pregnant women as they continue to search for Mr. Right. The eight-episode hourlong series is produced by GRB Entertainment (Intervention) with Gary R. Benz, Michael Branton, Tracy Mazuer, Gellert and Annabelle McDonald on board as executive producers.

The Ruckers: Southern Royals follows three modern African American sisters -- Ruby, Ellen and Ione -- who are the heirs to one of the oldest and most prominent Southern families in the Carolinas. The Kardashian-like entry will follow the trio as they entertain celebrity friends and explore their personal problems, including finances and divorce. The six-episode hourlong series will join the schedule on Thursdays in the fall and is produced by Bunim/Murray Productions (Keeping Up With the Kardashians) with Jonathan Murray, Gil Goldschein, Steven Greener, Datari Turner, Gordon Bijelnoic, Jeff Jenkins, Melissa Bidwell, Gellert and McDonald exec producing.

"This new scheduling strategy, coupled with some amazing programming, presents a clear opportunity for WE tv to grow its audience and for our advertising partners to reach captivated and engaged viewers," WE tv president and GM Kim Martin said.

The three series join Bridezillas spinoff Marriage Bootcamp and the rebooted David Tutera Unveiled, among others, at the network.

The male-skewing cable network has given a series order Urban Tarzan, a show that features extreme animal handler UrbanTarzan (formerly known as John Brennan), who rescues, captures and relocates dangerous and exotic animals.

Urban Tarzan has been picked up for 10 half-hour episodes to premiere in spring 2013 and will be shot in various locations in the U.S.

The show will center on UrbanTarzan as he runs the privately-owned service Urban Tarzan Animal Relocation. Missions include capturing a deadly python in a residential neighborhood to tracking down a lion that escaped from sanctuary. Assistant Jay "The Caveman" Cassidy will also be featured.

The series is produced by Asylum Entertainment. Steve Michaels and Jonathan Koch will serve as executive producers. The original concept came from UrbanTarzan, Lorraine Yarde and Marke Basile.

The series will consist of eight, half-hour episodes and premiere in third quarter 2013. Produced by Asylum Entertainment (The Kennedys, Addicted, The Locator), Owner's Manual will test one of the most common divides among man - those who read the owner's manual and those who do not. Representing each side of this divide, Ed Sanders (photo: at right) (Extreme Makeover Edition) and Marcus Hunt (HGTV's Hammer Heads) are put to the test in a weekly challenge where they attempt to operate today's most advanced, dangerous and powerful machinery and technology - from a fighter jet to a submarine, and more. With opposing points of view and conflicting methods of practice -- one man works strictly from the rule book, while the other uses only his instincts -- the real test will be how this "everyman" duo can collaborate to accomplish their challenge. Owner's Manual is executive produced by Steve Michaels, Jonathan Koch, Alex Piper and Jerry McNutt.

"The minute we saw this show, we knew it was a great concept," said Joel Stillerman, AMC's EVP of original programming, production and digital content. "Every adult in the world falls into one of two categories. You either read the owner's manual or you don't. As a non-owner's manual person, I have a whole shelf in my house dedicated to parts that never found their way into things I have assembled. Watching Ed and Marcus go at it every week in the great tasks that Asylum is putting together is going to be truly compelling entertainment no matter what side of the Owner's Manual divide you live on."

AMC's Stillerman, Jason Fisher, SVP of production, and Mary Conlon, VP of non-scripted original programming, oversee the development and production for the network's unscripted series.

When those three series end their runs, the second seasons of fellow unscripted efforts The Pitch, Small Town Security and recently ordered Road Show (working title) will join Thursday later in the year.

As for the new project, Owner's Manual comes from Asylum Entertainment. It pits stars Ed Sanders (Extreme Makeover) and Marcus Hunt (Hammer Heads) against one another in a duel over whether a task can be performed better using a manual or not.

"The minute we saw this show, we knew it was a great concept,” said Stillerman. “Every adult in the world falls into one of two categories. You either read the owner's manual or you don't. As a non-owner's manual person, I have a whole shelf in my house dedicated to parts that never found their way into things I have assembled. Watching Ed and Marcus go at it every week in the great tasks that Asylum is putting together is going to be truly compelling entertainment no matter what side of the Owner's Manual divide you live on."

The series is executive produced by Steve Michaels, Jonathan Koch, Alex Piper and Jerry McNutt. AMC’s Stillerman, SVP of production Jason Fisher and VP of non-scripted original programming Mary Conlon oversee the development and production for the network’s unscripted series.

Produced by Asylum Entertainment (The Kennedys), the series and chronicle the sisters’ path from Hawaii to LA — where they are living and working together on their debut album — and their relationship as sisters-turned-business partners. “The Lylas are fierce, independent women, leaving their home — and in some cases their relationships and kids — for a chance at pursuing their love of music,” said Lauren Gellert, WE tv’s SVP Production & Development. “Their story is one filled with all of the drama and chaos that comes from making a major life change, with the added spice of doing it alongside your sisters.” The Lylas just released their first single, “Come Back”, and corresponding music video.

AMC's unscripted block will kick off with the second season of Comic Book Men, airing at 9 p.m. At 9:30 p.m., the previously announced Freakshow (from Greg Johnston from Endemol USA and Todd Ray from Living Wonders) will follow the family behind the Venice Beach Boardwalk's titular tourist attraction. Taxidermy competition Immortalized (executive produced by Go Go Luckey Entertainment) will debut at 10 p.m.

“With an expanding slate of unscripted series, it makes perfect sense for us to create and build a new night for these great stories, in the same way we have made Sundays a true destination for our award-winning original dramas,” said AMC EVP of original programming, production and digital content Joel Stillerman. “We are excited to have Thursday night as the new home for unscripted on AMC, as we continue to showcase distinct storytelling that explores authentic characters and original worlds.”

When those three series end their runs, the second seasons of fellow unscripted efforts The Pitch, Small Town Security and recently ordered Road Show (working title) will join Thursday later in the year.

As for the new project, Owner's Manual comes from Asylum Entertainment. It pits stars Ed Sanders (Extreme Makeover) and Marcus Hunt (Hammer Heads) against one another in a duel over whether a task can be performed better using a manual or not.

"The minute we saw this show, we knew it was a great concept,” said Stillerman. “Every adult in the world falls into one of two categories. You either read the owner's manual or you don't. As a non-owner's manual person, I have a whole shelf in my house dedicated to parts that never found their way into things I have assembled. Watching Ed and Marcus go at it every week in the great tasks that Asylum is putting together is going to be truly compelling entertainment no matter what side of the Owner's Manual divide you live on."

The series is executive produced by Steve Michaels, Jonathan Koch, Alex Piper and Jerry McNutt. AMC’s Stillerman, SVP of production Jason Fisher and VP of non-scripted original programming Mary Conlon oversee the development and production for the network’s unscripted series.

The second season of  BRAQUO, produced by Capa Drama, Canal+ and Bad Company, picked up the best drama series award, while three-parter Black Mirror, produced by Zeppotron for the UK’s Channel 4, won best TV movie/miniseries.

Also in the scripted space, Brazil’s TV Globo picked up the telenovela prize for THE ILLUSIONIST and took a second award in the comedy category for The Invisible Woman, coproduced by Conspiração Filmes.

Terry Pratchett: CHOOSING TO DIE, produced by Keo Films for the BBC, was named best documentary; and SONGS OF WAR, a coproduction between ZDF, Arte and A&O Büro in Germany, took the prize for best arts programming.

THE AMAZING RACE AUSTRALIA, produced by Seven Productions, Active TV and ABC Studios, was named best non-scripted entertainment.

The awards were presented at a ceremony held in New York.

Lifetime has tapped Jewel to star in RING OF FIRE, a biopic about the late country singer June Carter Cash.

The project is based on Carter Cash's son John Carter Cash's memoir Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash. Richard Friedenberg (Lifetime's Of Two Minds) will adapt, with Southland's Allison Anders on board to direct. John Carter Cash, Steven Michaels and Jonathan Koch will executive produce.

American Horror Story's Matt Ross will play Johnny Cash in the story that tracks June's life from her childhood in Virginia through her rise to fame as she performed with icons like Elvis Presley and her relationship with the Man in Black.

Like the Joaquin Phoenix-Witherspoon feature WALK THE LINE, the Lifetime telepic will chronicle the singer-songwriter's relationship with her third husband and detail her efforts to save his life as he battled substance abuse. Witherspoon picked up an Oscar for her portrayal of Carter Cash in the 2005 movie.

"Many people know about the legendary love story of Johnny and June, but June Carter Cash has her own epic journey filled with triumphs, tragedies, loves and losses," Lifetime exec vp Rob Sharenow said in announcing the news Thursday. "This movie will explore all aspects of the woman behind the icon, and we're thrilled Jewel will be playing the role."

The biopic marks the first scripted effort for the "You Were Meant for Me" singer following her hosting gig on Bravo's music competition series Platinum Hit. She has appeared as herself in numerous projects, including WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY and ABC's MEN IN TREES, among others.

Jewel, a four-time Grammy nominee and children's book author, is repped by CAA; Ross is with ICM and Framework Entertainment. Asylum Entertainment will produce The June Carter Cash Story.

By MIKE FLEMING | Tuesday May 22, 2012 @ 2:34pm EDT
Tags: A&E IndieFilms

EXCLUSIVE: A&E IndieFilms, the feature production arm of the A&E Network, has partnered withAsylum Entertainment to make the feature documentary Happy Valley. It’s about the drama that rocked the Penn State University community after it was learned school officials covered up allegations that former Nittany Lions assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky allegedy abused a youth in the showers of the school locker room. The docu will be produced by Passion Pictures’ John Battsek, whose One Day In September won the Oscar, and director Amir Bar-Lev. They teamed previously with A&E IndieFilms on My Kid Could Paint That and the superb sports-themed expose The Tillman Story. Asylum produced The Kennedys. Bob DeBitetto, David McKillop and Molly Thompson will be exec producers for A&E IndieFilms. Asylum principals Jonathan Koch and Steve Michaels will produce with Battsek.

Koch, who is Asylum Entertainment’s president, served his youth as a camp counselor for The Second Mile, the nonprofit organization for underprivileged kids that was founded by Sandusky. Penn State, one of the most storied and stable college football programs in the nation, was rocked to the core in November when a grand jury indicted Sandusky for alleged sex crimes against young boys, some he came in contact with through The Second Mile.

The key charge was that a Penn State assistant coach, then a graduate assistant, witnessed Sandusky molesting a 10-year-old boy in 2002. He did not stop the act, nor did he call the police. Even more shockingly, school higher-ups, including legendary coach Joe Paterno, were told the following day. They did nothing, enabling ex-coach Sandusky to continue bringing children to the campus for years. Sandusky has denied the charges. An administrative house-cleaning followed amidst public outrage that the behavior was allowed to continue, including the dismissal of Paterno during the football season. After 46 years of coaching the team and amassing the most wins for a Division I college football program, Paterno was ousted, his legacy in shambles, and he died soon after.

Earlier today, a judge in Harrisburg, Pa., ruled that Sandusky’s trial will not be delayed and that his day in court will come early next month. Sandusky, Paterno’s former defensive coordinator, will be tried on 52 criminal counts of alleged abuse of 10 boys over a period of 15 years.
“When you are raised in Happy Valley, you feel as though nothing like this could ever happen there,” Koch said. “This project has such gravity, importance and significant personal meaning to me, and I am honored that this extraordinary team of filmmakers has joined me to tell the story.”

Beverly Hills Pawn is the first series born out of a development deal with Asylum Entertainment that the U.S. cable network, which focuses on programming about movies. It will focus on a high-end pawn shop in Los Angeles and star shop owner Yossi Dina, a businessman and former army captain “known for his iron fist and superior taste in luxury good,” according to the show’s billing.

The half-hour show is one of three original series unveiled this week as part of the channel’s fall line-up.

“With each new series, we’ll showcase our network’s TV About Movies approach with more original programming to take viewers behind the scenes of our series, into the careers of the casts and creators and deep into the vast world of movies that are inspired by the timeless intrigue of politics and religion, the lives of the rich and famous, and life during wartime,” said Reelz CEO Stan E. Hubbard in a statement.

KESLASSY CANNES -- Hulu has acquired exclusive subscription VOD rights in the U.S. to the first two seasons of "Braquo," Olivier Marchal's dark-edged thriller skein. Commissioned by Canal Plus and repped in international markets by Zodiak Rights, the one-hour crimer has been described as a French twist on "The Shield," as it turns on cops from a Paris gang-busting unit who've gone rogue. It drew the paybox's best ratings ever for a French-language drama, and has been greenlit for a third season with Abdel Raouf Dafri -- who penned "A Prophet" -- back on board to write. Pact was announced during the Zodiak presser at the Mipcom TV market, which kicked off Monday in Cannes.

"Braquo" is being adapted into an English-language series penned by "24's" Stephen Kronish. Jane Millichip, managing director of Zodiak Right's London office, said Steven Michaels and Jonathan Koch at Los Angeles-based Asylum Entertainment could soon close a deal with a U.S. pay TV net. "The U.S. market has always been difficult to get into and SVOD services like Hulu or Netflix have truly opened the door," said Millichip. "These are fantastic outlets for foreign-language or U.K. drama series because they cater to higher-end, discerning audiences." 

The series, a rare venture for Spike into Animal Planet/National Geographic territory, follows UrbanTarzan as he runs the Urban Tarzan Animal Relocation team, a privately owned exotic and dangerous animal relocation service whose missions run the gamut from capturing a deadly python on the loose in a residential neighborhood to tracking down a lion that escaped from an animal sanctuary.

URBAN TARZAN is produced by Asylum Entertainment and will debut on Spike in the spring of 2013.  Steve Michaels and Jonathan Koch serve as executive producers. The original concept for the show was created by UrbanTarzan, Lorraine Yarde and Mark Basile.