CBS Pilot Update: Will ‘LA Confidential’ Find Streaming Home?

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

http://deadline.com/2018/05/cbs-pil...ial-streaming-home-cba-all-access-1202390889/

CBS Pilot Updates are being discussed for All-Access and in the Broadcast schedule

CBS picked up five of its drama pilots to series, F.B.I., which already had a series commitment, Magnum PI, The Red Line, The Code, and God Friended Me, and three of its comedy pilots, Welcome to the Neighborhood, Untitled Damon Wayans Jr. and Fam.

All CBS pilots that did not get series orders are dead at the broadcast network, including such profile projects as the Cagney & Lacey reboot and the Gloria Calderon Kellett’s comedy History of Us.

As is the case every year, studios will try to find new homes for many of the pilots that got a pass which is always a daunting task. But there is an intriguing proposition among the pilots that didn’t make the cut at CBS – 1950s drama LA Confidential, based on James Ellroy’s classic novel.

It a project that drew the same reaction throughout pilot season – from script stage to network screenings – it’s a great show but does it belong on CBS? (CBS in 2012 took a chance with a period crime drama, Vegas, which only lasted one season.) Because of that, from the get-go there has been speculation that LA Confidential could go to CBS’ streaming sibling CBS All Access.

LA Confidential was one of the best received pilots at CBS this season, described as beautifully shot with premium quality that could work on a streaming platform.

I hear LA Confidential producer CBS Studios, which last season was able to get its passed-on CW pilot Insatiable picked up to series at Netflix, plans to shop it to digital platforms. I hear sibling CBS All Access has first crack because of its corporate ties.

So far, there has been a perception that, as part of CBS All Access’ effort to establish its own identity, the platfoprm has been reluctant to take in a project that originated on CBS.

Additionally, some say that the addition of LA Confidential may dilute CBS All Access’ upcoming drama series Strange Angel, which also is set in the 1950s. Others argue that both series could co-exist and could actually create stronger environment for both to do well.

Regardless of the outcome, there is a lot of good will for the pilot and a strong effort to find it a new home.

 

[LKellerIII]

http://deadline.com/2018/05/cbs-pil...ial-streaming-home-cba-all-access-1202390889/

CBS Pilot Updates are being discussed for All-Access and in the Broadcast schedule

There have got to be all sorts of problems doing a period show taking place in the past. I remember that with Mad Men, (took place in the 1960's), the show runners went to painful lengths to make sure everything on the sets were period correct. Then, if they got anything wrong, even the slightest detail like say, a toaster on a kitchen set that wasn't actually used until the mid-1970's, people on the internet would crap all over that week's episode. And Man Men was filmed almost exclusively indoors, so they didn't often have to worry about period-correct cars, billboards, store signs, etc.

I'm sure they are increased production costs that go along with that. I liked Vegas, but there were serious weaknesses. The "Vegas Strip" set they built was oddly proportioned - it didn't look realistic, and it looked totally like what it was - an exterior set. And being a car-guy, it bugged me that they thought it was OK to use any car from the 60s and 70s as a car that was on the road in 1960. Then the other production mistakes - like a character driving down the street in a car, but the column shifter was still clearly in the "Park" position. Call me picky, but it ruined by ability to suspend disbelief for the show.

A show set in the late 1940s presumably wouldn't have as many problems, because there are simply not as many people still alive from that era to pick nits at the realism. But still - a concern, I'm sure.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/kim-cattrall-cbs-all-access-tell-me-a-story-1202819759/

Update Kim Cattrall to join "Tell Me a Story" on All Access.

 

[Uncle Kaimbridge]

Then the other production mistakes - like a character driving down the street in a car, but the column shifter was still clearly in the "Park" position. Call me picky, but it ruined by ability to suspend disbelief for the show.

My favorite production blooper punching bag is Emergency!, with the frequent interchange of the new and old engine and squad trucks!

 

[LKellerIII]

My favorite production blooper punching bag is Emergency!, with the frequent interchange of the new and old engine and squad trucks!

OMG, as the kids, say - yes. I recall that Police Story (the 70s LAPD drama based on the Joseph Wambaugh books), would have high-speed chases through downtown LA. Our heroes in the Chevy Caprice squad car would slide around a corner chasing the bad guys, and a Ford Torino or AMC Matador squad car would come out the other side. Being a car-guy, this confused the hell out of me, until I realized that they were using stock footage, and the viewer was supposed to assume that all black and white cop cars were alike.

As a little kid, I recall well when Chevy Corvettes went from the vertical tail-lights on the fenders, to the double round lights on the rear deck. So, naturally, when Buz and Tod (later Linc) on Route 66 go their new 62 Vette with the round lights, but they still showed stock footage of the older models, it was a distraction for me. How did 2 basically homeless young men afford a new Corvette every year, anyway? IIRC, there was some back story, like Tod was a rich kid, or something.

What can I say - I grew up being a car nerd...