LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- Three new original movies and four new reality series are just some of the projects in the works at A&E for the 2006-07 season.
The news comes as the network is experiencing a whopping 22% growth among adults 18-49 (0.45 rating) and 10% growth among adults 25-54 (0.53 rating) in year-to-year comparisons so far this year. Here's a breakdown of all of A&E's announcements made by Bob DeBitetto, the network's executive vice president and general manager, at the TCA's Summer Press Tour on Thursday:
BACK IN ACTION (original movie) - The life of Iraq war veteran Captain David Rozelle is set to be the focus of an original movie from Jaffe-Braunstein Films. Rozelle, in spite of losing his right foot in combat, has since gone on to snowboard, walk the New York City marathon and compete in a triathlon. William Bingham ("Faith of My Fathers") is adapting Rozelle's book of the same name for the small screen with Michael Jaffe and Howard Braunstein executive producing.
GOD OR THE GIRL (five-part limited series) - The Wolper Organization ("Penn & Teller: Bullshit") is behind this limited series, about five men - all with girlfriends - deciding whether to enroll in a seminary. Bitetto described the series as "eye-opening and provocative" and that it should "raise dialogue about the way young people view religion today."
HITCHCOCK AND THE MAKING OF PSYCHO (original movie) - The true-story behind the famed Alfred Hitchcock classic will be the focus of this telefilm, from Traveler's Rest Films in association with Alan Barnette Productions. The project, to be written by John McLaughlin, will weave in the narrative of Ed Gein, the real-life serial killer who served as the inspiration for Norman Bates, and a chronicle of Alfred Hitchcock's production. Tom Thayer and Alan Barnette will executive produce.
JACKPOT DIARIES (six one-hour episodes) - Gay Rosenthal Productions has scored a six-episode order for this reality series, about big-jackpot lottery winners and how their lives are transformed when they suddenly become millionaires. No other details were given.
LIVE FROM NEW YORK (original movie) - JB Rogers ("See Arnold Run") is directing and executive producing a docudrama about the creation of NBC's "Saturday Night Live." He'll direct from a script by James A. Miller, using the book he co-authored with Tom Shales as the basis. Michael Goldstein and Gerry Abrams will also executive produce for Cypress Point Productions. No other specifics were mentioned.
RELEASED (pilot in development) - The first 24 hours after a prison inmate is released - sometimes one who was wrongfully imprisoned - is the basis of this project, from Scott Sternberg Productions.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE (pilot in development) - New Line Television is behind this project, which features victims and their families confronting the convict who brought tragedy to their lives. It's understood the series will be told from the victim's point of view as he or she prepares to come face to face with those responsible.
The network's previously announced commitments include: "Dallas S.W.A.T." (six one-hour episodes from Granada America), "Random 1" (10 one-hour episodes from Random 1 Productions), "Roller Girls" (13 one-hour episodes from Go Go Luckey Productions) and "Spying on Myself" (six one-hour episodes from Scott Sternberg Productions) as well as new seasons of "Growing Up Gotti" and "The First 48."
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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