ABC embracing 'Motherhood'
BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 6 (UPI) -- ABC executives have agreed to bring the Internet comedy "In the Motherhood" to the U.S. TV network for 13 episodes.
The Internet comedy stars actresses Leah Remini, Jenny McCarthy and Chelsea Handler, who act out stories written by real-life mothers.
The 13 episodes ABC Studios has ordered will be written by Jennifer Konner and Alexandra Rushfield, Hollywood Reporter said Friday. MindShare producers David Lang and Peter Tortorici, who work on the Internet series, will serve as co-producers along with the writing pair and Stu Bloomberg.
Casting is under way.
The Reporter said the network also recently picked up the freshmen comedies "Better Off Ted" and "Single With Parents," along with the new series "Castle," "The Unusuals" and "Cupid."
Script work to delay '24' filming
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Filming of the U.S. TV series "24" will be delayed 18 days while the script is polished, but series officials say the new season's release will not be affected.
The Hollywood Reporter said Friday that while filming of the popular FOX series will be temporarily shut down Sept. 15, the stoppage will not impact the scheduled January release of the series' seventh season.
Series Executive Producer Howard Gordon made the decision to stop filming following the completion of the 18th episode amid concerns of script quality.
The action series previously was set back as the season's plot line was reworked, and the recent nearly five-month writers' strike also temporarily halted production.
The Reporter said before the 2009 premiere of "24," which follows a government agent desperately trying to stave off disaster, FOX will air a two-hour prequel Nov. 24.
Two more 'Spider-Man' movies likely
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- A Sony Pictures Entertainment spokesman says negotiations are nearly complete with Hollywood star Tobey Maguire for two more "Spider-Man" movies.
Sony spokesman Steve Elzer said the studio is in negotiations with the star of the first three "Spider-Man" installments, along with the movies' director, Sam Raimi, for two encores, The Hollywood Reporter said Friday.
The ongoing negotiations with Maguire come as industry rumors had other actors ready to pull on Spider-Man's tights, but Elzer assured fans Maguire was the studio's "only choice."
"The studio never considered any other actor. Tobey was our only choice and the only person we've discussed the role with," he said.
The two Columbia Pictures movies may be shot back-to-back in 2009 and producer Laura Ziskin says she would like to have "Spider-Man 4" in U.S. theaters by May 2011.
The Reporter said the three previous "Spider-Man" films have been Sony's most profitable franchise, having earned a worldwide total of $2.5 billion.
T-Pain wins big at BMI Awards
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Sept. 6 (UPI) -- The hip hop singer T-Pain was a top winner at the annual BMI Urban Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., winning songwriter of the year honors.
The "Epiphany" singer was honored by Broadcast Music Inc. for his musical efforts of the last year, including his work with fellow musical artists, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.
The performer also made a personal disclosure during Thursday's awards ceremony at the Wilshire Theatre, the newspaper said.
"I lost 40 pounds!" T-Pain, whose real name is Faheem Rasheed Najm, told the assembled crowd.
Meanwhile, former Jackson 5 performer Marlon Jackson was on hand with several of his brothers to accept a BMI Icon award for their career-long musical efforts.
The Times said while pop star Michael Jackson did not join his siblings for the ceremony, singer Janet Jackson was there to personally award her brothers with the honorary award.
