CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The Television Critics Association began its winter press tour this week in which the various broadcast and cable networks talk about their upcoming plans to the nation's top critics and entertainment reporters.
Here's a breakdown of the highlights of USA's presentation (via press release):
USA Network today unveiled highlights of its upcoming programming development slate. The announcement of an original movie and three limited series was made by Jeff Wachtel, executive vice president, series and longform programming.
Following are synopses and details regarding the projects:
USA Original Movie
36 CANDLES
USA Network pays homage to the 1984 classic coming-of-age flick Sixteen Candles with a two-hour original movie sequel, 36 Candles. Set twenty years after the original comedy, the definitive movie about first love returns in this look at what happens "happily ever after..." Samantha Baker comes home in time for her high school reunion and 36th birthday -- a day she wants to forget but can't since her dysfunctional family keeps reminding her. Farmer Ted, Long Duk Dong and first love Jake Ryan all converge on Shermer High for the reunion festivities. Confronted with her past and at a crossroads in her own life, Sam must figure out if what she wants at 36 is the same as what she wanted when she was 16 years old. Blue Crush producers Buffy Shutt and Kathy Jones of Shutt-Jones Prods. are developing the film with Ken Holdren producing.
USA Original Limited Series
4400
4400 centers on the return of 4400 people who, previously presumed dead or reported missing, reappear on Earth. Though they have not aged physically, some of them seem to have deeper alterations ranging from superhuman strength to an unexplained healing touch. A government agency is formed to track the 4400 people after one of them commits a murder. 4400 is created by Scott Peters (The Outer Limits), written by Peters and Rene Echevarria (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Dark Angel) and executive produced by Francis Ford Coppola and American Zoetrope, and Ira Behr. The science fiction drama will be produced by Viacom Prods. and Renegade 83 with Viacom producing the limited series.
SCARFACE
This remake of the film Scarface reinvents the cult classic with a contemporary spin exploring story lines set in the Miami-based crime world. The multi-hour gangster drama will follow a modern urban criminal whose ambition thrives on pop culture, drugs and fame.
AFFAIRS TO REMEMBER
USA Network is teaming up with executive producer Craig Anderson (Wilder Days) for Affairs to Remember, a six-hour limited series exploring infidelity from the perspectives of several interweaving couples. Craig Anderson Productions (Midwives, The Christmas Shoes) will executive produce with Cynthia Saunders (Profiler) set to write and produce.
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