August 15, 2008
If you liked Jennifer Lopez traipsing like Cinderella with Ralph Fiennes in the 2002 romantic comedy Maid in Manhattan, then you are going to like what ABC is cooking up. Chad Hodge, creator of the short-lived CW drama Runaway, is currently in negotiation with the network for the TV version of the $100 million-grossing feature.
The prospective hour-long dramedy will not be an exact reproduction of Maid in Manhattan, which featured Marisa Ventura (Lopez), a struggling single mom who's working at the upscale Manhattan hotel, where a wealthy politician meets her and falls in love after he mistakes her for a socialite.
July 30, 2008
The hip but harsh era of the 1970s will be brought back in the new drama Studio, a project being developed by the Showtime network. From Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, Studio focuses on the classic drugs and disco lifestyle of the past. It was penned by Runaway writer Chad Hodge and produced by MRC. The Hollywood Reporter also notes that Bryan Singer has been rumored to direct the project, that is, if his busy schedule would allow it. He has, however, signed on as executive producer with producing partner Alex Garcia.
Studio will be revolving around the iconic New York nightclub, Studio 54. It follows the story of the wild and flamboyant co-founder Steve Rubell and begins with the events leading to the opening of the club in April 1977. Still in development, Studio has been labeled as a fictional series and certainly not a biopic of Rubell, or a docudrama.
July 15, 2007
Aside from his exposure in the silver screen, Donnie Wahlberg was known as Paul Rader on the drama series Runaway. His character was wrongly accused of the murder of Erin Baxter, a beautiful young associate in his law firm. As the patriarch of his family, he relocated them from Potomac, Maryland to Bridgewater, Iowa to hide away from the law and the killer that’s hunting them.
July 15, 2007
Nathan Gamble got his television break on short-lived drama series Runaway, which follows a family frequently on the run from the law and from a killer. He portrayed the character Tommy Rader, the younger son of Paul Rader (Donnie Wahlberg) and Lily Rader (Leslie Hope) and brother to Hannah Rader (Sarah Ramos) and Henry Rader (Dustin Milligan). As the youngest, he had difficulty in keeping up lies regarding his family secret. Unfortunately, the series was officially canceled on October 18, 2006, only airing three out of the 13 episodes ordered by The CW.
September 13, 2006
Fall 2006 New Shows Rank: #15
Gist of the Show:
The Raders may seem like a normal mid-western family, but they have a secret; father Paul Rader was convicted of a crime he didn't commit and the whole family is now on the run. Not only that, on Runaway, the Raders are hunted by the real killer, who committed the crime Paul Rader was convicted of.
Cast Member Looking To Reclaim Former Glory:
Former "New Kid on the Block-er" and brother of Marky Mark, Donnie Wahlberg.
Similar in Theme to:
"Cape Fear"
Time Slot Competition:
Heroes, Two and a Half Men, The Bachelor.
Likelihood of Second Season:
22%...if it were on a big network, I don't think it'd make it through the season, but the CW has lower standards.
Final Word:
Runaway is from "Sex and the City" creator Darren Star and (since word is the pilot is less than mediocre) it may have solely been Star's clout that got Runaway into production. The premise allows for myriad story possibilities, so Runaway's future is up in the air.
-Oscar Dahl
<< Return to 2006 Fall Preview: New Shows 11-23