Tag Archives: NBC

The Lesbian Reboot of ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ Has Been Nixed

Last year we reported NBC was planning a big, lesbian reboot of Xena: Warrior Princess, but that reboot is apparently dead in the water.

The reboot, which was set to bring back co-creators Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi, was going to focus more on the lesbian relationship between the Amazonian goddess and Gabrielle – played by Lucy Lawless and Renee O’Connor respectively in the original.

But problems occurred when it was announced that writer and showrunner Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost, The 100) left the project over creative differences.

When he left the project in April he wrote:

I’m heartbroken to have left the Xena project over insurmountable creative differences. The character is dear to me, and to millions of fans worldwide, and I truly believe that now — more than ever — a land in turmoil cries out for a hero. I truly hope that the alchemy of creative elements that has to come together to make possible either a reboot or revival of this amazing property will someday coalesce, and that Xena will return in a way that does honor to what came before while looking to the future.”

It was rumored that these creative differences stemmed from him wanting to put the lesbian relationship front-and-center, which lead to today’s announcement from NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke that the reboot won’t go forward at all.

Salke told the Hollywood Reporter.

Nothing is happening on that right now. We looked at some material; we decided at that point that it didn’t warrant the reboot.”

NBC says it hasn’t closed itself off entirely to a reboot down the line so, while you wait for them to get their shit together and make the right decision on this, catch up on the original show on Hulu.

Could It Be? Writer Hints That New ‘Xena’ Reboot Could Be Super Queer Affair

After some “are they/aren’t they?” confusion last year, the Xena reboot is definitely moving ahead on NBC.

The network has already assigned executive producer, and writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach to the project.

And, if that name is familiar, it’s because Grillo-Marxuach is also a writer CW’s show, The 100, and was responsible for writing the recent controversial episode Thirteen. An episode in which we so the beloved character Lexa (Alycia Debnam Carey) killed off.

Lexa was a leading character, who was also the current love interest of lead protagonist Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor). However, when Debnam Carey signed on for the second season of Fear the Walking Dead as Alicia, The 100 knew they’d have to wrap up Lexa’s storyline before the actress left. They chose to kill her off.

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So how does this tie into the Xena reboot?

For years, fans of Xena have known the Warrior Princess and her companion Gabrielle were more than just friends. The network and the times just hadn’t caught up with them.

But in 2016 things look to be changing.

A fan of The 100 recently asked Grillo-Marxuach if the reaction to Lexa’s death would influence his writing on future projects like Xena.

 

His response was awesome:

I am a very different person with a very different world view than my employer on the 100 – and my work on the 100 was to use my skills to bring that vision to life.

Xena will be a very different show made for very different reasons. There is no reason to bring back Xena if it is not there for the purpose of fully exploring a relationship that could only be shown sub-textually in first-run syndication in the 1990s. It will also express my view of the world – which is only further informed by what is happening right now – and is not too difficult to know what that is if you do some digging.”

http://okbjgm.tumblr.com/post/140591060316/do-you-think-the-fans-reaction-to-lexas-death#notes?ref_url=http://www.hitfix.com/harpy/sounds-like-the-xena-reboot-is-going-to-be-super-gaygood#_=_

So, we wait with baited breath, and wonder if his words will hold true.

7 Reasons Why We Need ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ Back on Our Screens

Great Xena: Warrior Princess maybe back on our screens.

So, here are 7 reasons why a Xena reboot is long overdue.

1. Because she dawned the age of the female superhero

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2. Because no one has battle cry was like Xena’s – Ayayayayayaya!

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3. Because an episode of Xena is basically a history lesson – from Trojan War and the political world of Julius Caesar, we saw it all.

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4. Because Xena and Gabrielle lesbian love story broke our hearts were

Long before on-screen couples like Alex and Piper could declare their love explicitly, Xena and Gabrielle just bathed wordlessly together.

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5. Because no one can accessorise like Xena can accessorise

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6. Because Gabrielle was the best sidekick, ever

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7. Because Lucy Lawless rocks

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Yes! ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ Reboot in the Works at NBC

It time to get your battle armour ready, as Xena: Warrior Princess maybe heading back to our television screens – fifteen years after the last episode of the show aired.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the original executive producers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, are apparently planning a “modern reboot” – however, the pair still want the show’s main star, Lucy Lawless, heavily involved – with insiders saying she will be working both on set and behind the scenes.

At this year’s Comic-Con, Lawless shared her frustration that a reboot has not yet been made.

I’ve been pitching that show … because … there’s a swell of interest still. I’m always being peppered with questions [about] when the Xena movie is coming. Guys, I’m pitching my ass off to make it happen, whether it’s with me or not. I think it’d be funny to have a reboot like Ash vs. Evil Dead — like middle-aged Xena in a muumuu with a bad attitude and a smoking habit. … Bring [actor] Ted Raimi [who played Joxer] in … [and maybe] Bruce Campbell.”

She added

I don’t know what the hold-up is; it’s about who has got the rights, but that’s a piss-poor excuse anymore. Find who has got the rights, freakin’ pay it. It’s better to have 80% of something than 100% of nothing. Don’t waste this opportunity; reinvigorate that franchise!”

During its six-season run, the show’s popularity excelled – largely due to Xena’s on/off lesbian relationship with her companion Gabrielle, with the pair now regarded as feminist and LGBT icons.

The news follows a report by TV watchdog Ofcom earlier this month, which claimed broadcasters are failing to make minorities feel represented on screen. The report revealed that a majority of the LGBT community feel that they are either under-represented on television or portrayed in a negative way.

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Revisiting Xena comes as reboots continue to be in high demand as broadcast and cable networks alike look to proven commodities (and fan bases) to cut through the clutter in an increasingly competitive scripted landscape. Key to their success is having the original producers involved.

For its part, NBC is also readying a Coach follow-up with star Craig T. Nelson. Fox, meanwhile, is bringing The X-Files back in January and has plans to produce another run of Prison Break after successfully reviving 24 on top of its film-to-TV take on Minority Report. 

Sad News, Lesbian Sitcom ‘One Big Happy’ Cancelled After Just 6 Episodes

According to reports the US series – which was produced by Ellen DeGeneres and written by Liz Feldman– won’t be returning to screens after it was cancelled by producers NBC.

The comedy stared Elisha Cuthbert as a lesbian who who has made a deal with her best friend (Nick Zano) to have a baby together, and happens to get pregnant just as he meets and marries the love of his life (Kelly Brook).

The comedy is loosely based on the experience of its showrunner, and comedian Liz Feldman, and marks NBC’s latest attempt to put the spotlight on LGBT families.

Also read: Liz Feldman, Creator of ‘One Big Happy’  Was Told New NBC’s Lesbian Comedy Would “Never Make It on the Air”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKI_LyICtDI

Bosses announced they are dropping it after six episodes as it has struggled to find an audience. Not only that, but the sitcom was slammed by critics with The New York Times describing it as “an intelligence-insulting sitcom”.

The San Francisco Chronicle added: “There’s nothing funny about One Big Happy, the performances are wooden and irritating.

 

 

Liz Feldman, Creator of ‘One Big Happy’  Was Told New NBC’s Lesbian Comedy Would “Never Make It on the Air”

In a broadcast television season that has found success with diversity (ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat, Black-ish, Fox’s Empire), NBC brings another new family to our TV screens – One Big Happy.

The comedy stars Happy Endings’ Elisha Cuthbert as a lesbian who who has made a deal with her best friend (Nick Zano) to have a baby together, and happens to get pregnant just as he meets and marries the love of his life (Kelly Brook).

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The comedy is loosely based on the experience of its showrunner, and comedian Liz Feldman, and marks NBC’s latest attempt to put the spotlight on LGBT families.

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The idea of the show is based on my relationship with my best friend, a straight guy. We were two peas in a pod and had a plan to have a family together when he met the love of his life. What that did to me really surprised me; I was jealous and I felt really weird that I was jealous, and then I felt crazy about it. So I wrote a pilot about it. Sometimes I think the truth has a way of resonating more than any big agenda you could have.”

Liz Feldman

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Feldman said that she went to multiple networks with the initial idea, but struggled to get the show created.

To be honest, it’s hard to get a show on the air. It takes some sort of miraculous chain of events. So, sure, I think adding the fact that there’s a potentially controversial character makes it more difficult, but that’s why I am so happy to be on NBC because they are willing to take this risk.

They have always been pretty supportive and groundbreaking in that way — from the moment I pitched them the show in the room they instantly wanted to do this. I pitched this to every major network and they were the only ones who wanted to do that. I heard things like, “This is a great idea”; “We would love to work with you in some capacity”; “This show will never make it on the air.”

Liz Feldman

Ellen Degeneres is the executive producer for the show, but her influence on Feldman runs deep.

As a writer and comedian, I can’t overstate Ellen’s influence on me. When she was authentic [and personally came out] it changed my life. It was just a silly little half-hour comedy show, but it changed my life and made me feel differently about myself. That is always something I carried with me, which I hope One Big Happy will be able to do for other people.”

Liz Feldman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKI_LyICtDI

Ellen’s New Show – ‘The Slaps’

Have you heard about The Slap? No, well its a new four-episode American mini-series on NBC, which stars a list critically acclaimed actors – Zachary Quinto, Melissa George, Peter Sarsgaard and Uma Thurman.

To help promot the new show Ellen DeGeneres created a little parody on the The Ellen Show. A hilarious video cutting together all of the times she has fake-slapped people in her comic sketches… and we’re not gonna lie, we thought the actual The Slap would have been a little more like this:

The actual show explores how a family deteriorates after a father is taken to court for slapping another person’s child. The series is a remake of the Australian show of the same name, and that in turn was based on a novel. The first episode aired on Feb. 12, with the second airing this week on NBC.

First Look At Hannibal Season 3 And Gillian Anderson Has A Key Role

Although you will have to wait until summer for the main course, this video should at least give a little taste of things to come in the third season of NBC’s acclaimed, cult-favorite thriller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEaKAmAXzQ8

In just two short seasons, Hannibal has made a name for itself.

Why? Well, one, it’s incredibly violent, two the twisting storyline, and three it’s incredibly well cast. Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen are tremendous as the leads, and the supporting cast –  Laurence Fishburne, Caroline Dhavernas, Anna Chlumsky, Raúl Esparaza, Katherine Isabelle, and Michael Pitt – are equally talented.

For the past 2 seasons Gillian Anderson, has played a minor, but important role – playing psychotherapist to Hannibal’s psychopath. However, in season 3 she’ll be bumped up to “series regular” status, with the new season picking up a year after the final moments of ‘Mizumono‘, which left viewers with the sight of Lecter and Dr Du Maurier jetting off to destinations unknown.

In the new trailer we see Will Graham (Darcy) on the hunt for Hannibal Lecter (Mikkelsen) in Florence, Italy. We also glimpse Anderson – yes!

The third season is expected to take elements from Thomas Harris’ Hannibal novels, including Hannibal Rising and Red Dragon. According to showrunner Bryan Fuller, the series will mash up elements from the books in a unique way—including revealing a very different origin story for the good doctor.

We look forward to seeing how Gillian Anderson role fits into this storyline.

 

Ellen DeGeneres Says Her New Comedy on NBC Is Not a Show About Lesbians (Even Though it Features One)

Ellen DeGeneres has a new comedy coming to NBC called One Big Family. However, her role is not in front of the camera, but behind the scene where she is the executive producing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKI_LyICtDI

The show stars Elisha Cuthbert as Lizzy, a lesbian who agrees to get pregnant and start a family with her straight male best friend Luke (Nick Zano), right before he falls in love with and marries a British girl named Prudence (Kelly Brook).

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However despite featuring a lesbian, Ellen says the goal of the show was to make people laugh, not break new ground on TV with another lesbian show.

“It just happens to be a very funny show. It happens to have a lesbian character in it. It’s not like I formed a production company and said, ‘Bring me all your lesbian scripts.’ I’m not just going to be a lesbian machine that just turns out stuff.”

Ellen DeGeneres

DeGeneres, who made TV history in 1997 when her character came out on the ABC comedy Ellen added:

“That’s all I wanted to do was put out really funny material [that’s] smart and thought-provoking. If this is thought-provoking and helps people open their minds a little bit and see a multiracial couple, to see a lesbian character and to see a guy who is her best friend that has a relationship, that’s a whole other story…

They’re just going to be people that you love and watch and don’t think twice about any of it being weird. It’s just friendship or family or whatever that is. I think friendship is obvious, but family is not so obvious. Family changes all the time.”

Ellen DeGeneres