Turner's TNT Goes "Boom," as TBS Locates "The Office" Alums

As it heads into its busy Summer launch period, TNT is unveiling a new marketing campaign: "TNT Drama. Boom." Michael Wright, president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM), explains: "It's time to evolve and grow TNT– and that starts with refreshing the brand and evolving our content along with it. All of it is meant to work together to deliver a clear promise to the audience: If you're in the mood for drama that thrills, turn to TNT."

TNT's new original series set for 2015 include "Public Morals," from writer-director-producer-star Edward Burns, described as a "gritty, intense crime drama set in the world of the Vice Division of the New York City Police Department in the 1960s." TNT also has "Proof," a supernatural drama starring Jennifer Beals and Matthew Modine, about a doctor who explores whether there's a afterlife.

Here are the TNT Scripted Series in Development:

Anonymous
Producers: Wild West Picture Show Productions, Peter Billingsley (Iron Man, Sullivan & Son), Vince Vaughn (Sullivan & Son, Wedding Crashers), Victoria Vaughn (Couples Retreat), Chris Collins (Sons of Anarchy, The Wire) Writer: Chris Collins (Sons of Anarchy, The Wire)
When a highly trained, ex-Special Ops soldier uncovers a global cover-up that forces him to go off the grid, he discovers a new purpose helping those who cannot help themselves.

Breed
Producers: Invention Film Co, Nicky Weinstock, Scott Winant (True Blood), John Scott Shepherd (Save Me, Life or Something Like It)
Writer: John Scott Shepherd (Save Me, Life or Something Like It)
This atmospheric, supernatural drama centers on a volatile race of creatures who are committing brutal murders in the Pacific Northwest, and the reluctant FBI investigator who pairs with a female assassin to track them. Breed mixes suspense, excitement and humor to create an exhilarating ride full of unexpected moments and unforgettable characters.

Ed McBain's 87th Precinct
Producers: Donnie Wahlberg (Boston's Finest), Jonathan Baruch, Rob Wolken
One of the longest-running crime series ever published, Ed McBain's 87th Precinct series includes 82 novels. This new series centers on Detective Steve Carella and the 87th Precinct as they investigate the toughest cases while juggling their own personal struggles.

Fix-It Men
Producers: Mark Gordon (Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy), Nick Pepper, Joe Carnahan (The Blacklist), John Glenn (Eagle Eye, The Lazarus Project)
Director: Joe Carnahan (The Blacklist)
Writers: John Glenn (Eagle Eye, The Lazarus Project) and Joe Carnahan
Studio: Sonar Entertainment
A team is sent back in time from 2027 to 2014 to disrupt a series of events that will lead to a cataclysmic war in the future – but something goes wrong, trapping them in 2014 Manhattan. Cut off from their time and their families, the team must try to complete their unprecedented, high-stakes mission without any help from the future.

Kali
Producers: Steve McPherson (Wonder Monkey Entertainment), Gonzague Requillart (La Parisienne D'images), Harley Peyton (Dracula, Friends with Benefits)
Writer: Harley Peyton (Dracula, Friends with Benefits)
Awakened on a train with no memory of who she is or how she got there and then discovering that a chip has been implanted in her brain to transform her into a powerful human weapon, Kali must embark on a harrowing journey of survival and redemption. She will find herself at the center of two warring teams fighting to control her as she begins the battle to take back her life. Based on a French web series.

President X
Producers: Greg Berlanti (Arrow, Brothers & Sisters), Nick Wootton (Prison Break, NYPD Blue), Alon Aranya (Betrayal, Hostages), Rob Golenberg (Betrayal)
Writer: Nick Wootton (Prison Break, NYPD Blue)
Studio: Warner Horizon
This conspiracy thriller opens as President Dominic Avery awakens from a 13-month coma. Battered and out-of-office, he realizes that the attempt on his life wasn't from foreign terrorists. It was a homegrown plan. No longer the President, he uses his Detroit-bred cunning to investigate his own murder attempt, unearthing suspects in the new administration, the wealthy political world and even his own family. President X is an engrossing and intense thriller packed with heart-stopping discoveries.

The Shop
Producers: James Middleton (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Jaime Paglia (Eureka), Robbie Thompson (Supernatural)
Writer: Robbie Thompson (Supernatural)
Studio: Universal Cable Productions
Based on characters created by Stephen King, this supernatural thriller centers on The Shop, a mysterious organization that once exploited the pyrokinetic abilities of a young girl named Charlie McGee. Twenty years after bringing the organization to its knees in a blaze of fire, Charlie has been tracked down by one of its former members, Henry Talbot. Talbot introduces Charlie to a group of people just like her, all products of The Shop with their own unique abilities. It turns out The Shop is very much alive, bigger and badder than ever, and its dark experiments are unleashing terrifying new entities on the world. It's now up to Talbot, Charlie and the rest of the team to find The Shop and destroy it for good.

On the TBS side, Turner sure does love "The Office." Not only is Steve Carrell the producer of the new police spoof "Angie Tribeca," but fellow alum Ed Helms and John Krasinski have projects lined up there too.

Besides "Angie Tribeca," starring Rashida Jones, new shows coming to TBS in 2015 include "Buzzy's," about pals who work at a barbershop. David Kohan and Max Mutchnick executive produce. And "Your Family or Mine," which focuses on a different side of young couple's family each week.

Here are the TBS Series in Development:

Good Bread
Producers: Ed Helms and Mike Falbo (Pacific Electric Picture Co.), Pat O'Neill (Knight and Day), Writer: Pat O'Neill (Knight and Day)
From executive producer Ed Helms, Good Bread is a half-hour comedy about a tough but likeable, by-the-book real estate developer forced to partner with an idealistic young woman whose efforts to lead a meaningful, non-cynical life have become a disaster. The show takes place in and around the Good Bread Cafe, which sits at the epicenter of an urban neighborhood teetering on the brink of gentrification, a place where classes, cultures and personalities collide.

Jackass of All Trades
Producer: John Krasinski, Adam Goldworm (Masters of Horror), Seth Fisher (Blumenthal) & Daniel McKey, Sunday Night Productions
Writers: Seth Fisher (Blumenthal) & Daniel McKey
Executive-produced by John Krasinski, this comedy centers on an emotionally stunted adult doing what it takes to provide for his family. He's a Jack-of-all-trades who often gets work from odd jobs online with the help of his genius – or mentally unstable – brother-in-law who lives behind his house.

Jake & Amir
Producers: Ricky Van Veen (College Humor), Ed Helms and Mike Falbo (Pacific Electric Picture Co.), Mike Lisbe & Nate Reger, Amir Blumenfeld & Jake Hurwitz,
Writers: Mike Lisbe & Nate Reger (Cougar Town, Men at Work), Amir Blumenfeld & Jake Hurwitz
Amir Blumenfeld and Jake Hurwitz (better known as Jake & Amir) are the subjects of this odd-couple comedy about two best friends and co-workers: Jake, the sensible "regular guy," and Amir, the obsessive oddball. Together they must navigate the cubicles of their workplace, stand up to the corporate man and try to function with their dysfunctional co-workers, all while maintaining their shenanigans. Based on the most popular and longest-running web series in the history of College Humor, this comedy is being executive-produced by Ed Helms.

Scenes from Wondercon: TV Guide Magazine's Showrunner Panel; TNT Panel; More

It's becoming an Easter Eve tradition: Heading down to Anaheim on the Saturday of Wondercon to moderate TV Guide Magazine's "Fan Favorites Showrunner" panel. And we had a good one this year, with folks from all walks of the TV landscape: Comedy, animation, comic book adaptations, thrillers, sci-fi, more.



Panelists included Steve Callaghan (Family Guy), Chris Carter (The X-Files), Marc Guggenheim (Arrow), Andrew Kreisberg (Arrow), Steven Molaro (The Big Bang Theory) and Rockne S. O'Bannon (Revolution), as well as Jane Espenson (Once Upon a Time) and John Rogers (Leverage).



We discussed a wide range of topics, from why so many major characters are being killed on TV (Callaghan gave the back story on Brian's short-lived death on "Family Guy") to how and when show runners have fights with fans on Twitter.



As part of the panel, we also screened "Showrunners," directed by Des Doyle, which spotlights the creative forces responsible for overseeing every element of production on television's most popular dramas and comedies.



Here's me with the panel, backstage before it began. I was excited to finally meet many of the folks on these panels I didn't know, including Jane Espenson, "Arrow's" Kreisberg and Guggenheim, and John Rogers, who it turns out is a former comedian.



Thanks to Geraldine Agoncillo for taking all of these great photos for TV Guide Magazine.



Also: Thanks to my colleague Rich Sands, who organized the panel and made it happen.



Earlier in the day, I also moderated the panel for TNT's upcoming thriller "Legends." Stars Sean Bean, Ali Larter, Tina Majorino and Morris Chestnut plus executive producer David Wilcox were there. Yes, we made many jokes about whether Sean's character will survive season 1. Low-hanging fruit.



The scene outside the Anaheim Convention Center. I like the fact that it's not nearly as hectic or crowded as San Diego Comic-Con. The floor this year did feel bigger however, and I think it will continue to grow as the convention that takes place right before the summer movie season starts.



Fake Michonne.



Sugar Frosted Fat, they're gr-r-rooooss!



Yeah, the nut jobs were out in full force.



Wackiest booth might go to "The Room," the low-budget movie that still has a weird cult following.

L.A. CAMEO: The Early Los Angeles of TNT's "Mob City"

You may remember last summer I posted some pics from the set of Frank Darabont's new Los Angeles noir-themed TNT drama "Mob City" (back then it was still being called "Lost Angels"), including the meticulously constructed re-creation of 1940s-era City Hall. At the time, I chatted with location manager Scott Poole (who also works on "Mad Men"), who lamented all of the renovation and gentrification taking place downtown. It's great for the city, but alas, not good for productions looking to re-create old L.A.

"The surge of money being put in downtown (is a problem for us)," he told me. "The places we've filmed over the part 20 years that had still been intact, they're all being renovated."

Still, Poole and his team did a good job utilizing the spots that can still double for 1940s L.A. And the show also managed to balance a mix of real and faux locations. See below for images from the second episode of "Mob City."


This is 1947 Los Angeles, so here's a Red Car from the Sunset line.


Alexa Davalos (as Jasmine Fontaine) steps off the Red Car.


The Hollywood outpost of Miceli's (where interiors were also filmed for a scene).


This may be my favorite detail of the whole episode: A newspaper stand with the "Los Angeles Examiner" logo on it. (The Examiner, of course, was famous for emphasizing its Black Dahlia coverage during the year that "Mob City" is set.)


Here's some creative license. Obviously the seedy Bunker Hill of that era is long gone, so it's all up to the producers to create something. "Bunker Hill Bill's" never existed, but for the purpose of "Mob City" it did.


You can't do a period Los Angeles drama without a Union Station scene! And it looks great here.


Davalos, as Jasmine, strolls inside. Luckily, there's still plenty of Union Station that looks authentically straight out of the 1940s.


A flashback in the episode takes us back to a re-creation of how 1920s downtown L.A. must have felt like.


My other favorite shot from this episode: In the 1927 flashback, you catch a glimpse of City Hall (completed in 1928) under construction.

Tour A Rediscovered 1920s Speakeasy Under Downtown's King Eddy Saloon (VIDEO)

In honor of the launch of TNT's new L.A. noir drama MOB CITY, everyone's favorite historic tour operator, ESOTOURIC, conducted a look inside downtown's King Eddy Saloon and a rediscovered 1920s speakeasy below. "Mob City" author John Buntin was on hand as well. Watch above.

Check out a tour of the "Mob City" set (back when it was being produced under the working title "Lost Angels"), including a replica of 1940s City Hall, here.

A Peek Inside the 1940s Los Angeles of TNT's "Lost Angels"

The era of Mickey Cohen, Police Chief William Parker and LA Mayor Fletcher Bowron comes alive in Frank Darabont's upcoming drama "Lost Angels." Based on the John Buntin book "L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City," Jon Bernthal ("The Walking Dead") stars as the fictional character Joe Teague, a police investigator who encounters a part real/ part fictionalized version of 1940s Los Angeles.

Earlier this week at the Television Critics Association press tour, we got a chance to tour the "Lost Angels" set at Red Studios in Hollywood. The show's production designer, costume director and location manager took pride in how they re-created that era of Los Angeles history. We got a look at a remade version of City Hall, where some of the LAPD resided back then. And we also got a look at a fictional club (a composite of some real clubs of the era), where the good guys and the bad guys mingled.

The show's outfits and design were influenced by Malibu tile -- in particular the color you see at Union Station. Some of the show's outdoor scenes were shot there, along with usual suspects like the Biltmore Hotel.

I got a chance to chat with location manager Scott Poole, who also works on "Mad Men" -- a show that, as you know, we love to watch in part to see how L.A. doubles as midcentury New York. Poole lamented all of the renovation and gentrification taking place downtown. It's great for the city, but alas, not good for productions looking to re-create old L.A. He remembers visiting the Original Pantry when "Mad Men" first started, expecting to shoot there. But as he arrived, workers had just started turning part of the Pantry into Riordan's Tavern -- so alas, the Pantry is no longer a go-to place for period pieces. Now that Clifton's Cafeteria is being redone, that's "also off the books now," he says. "The surge of money being put in downtown (is a problem for us). The places we've filmed over the part 20 years that had still been intact, they're all being renovated."

Here are more scenes from the set of "Lost Angels," including that actual copy of inside City Hall:

Lunch with Vince Vaughn

Vince Vaughn outside the Turner lunch at Del Posto, May 16

One of the highlights of covering the network upfront presentations in New York earlier this month was an annual lunch at Del Posto that Turner Broadcasting throws for the talent, producers and key executives of TNT and TBS. This year, I got to sit at a table with Courteney Cox and Vince Vaughn, among others. Since Vince was right next to me, we struck up a conversation about our kids and about Chicago (where he lives, and where I went to college) and about Los Feliz (and how Maria and I recently watched "Swingers" on Netflix for the first time in years). That got us to chatting about how much Los Feliz (the Derby, R.I.P.) and downtown L.A. has changed -- and we began to talk about Northeast L.A., and some of our favorite spots in Eagle Rock and Highland Park. Vince is the exec producer of the new TBS comedy "Sullivan and Son," but is heading down to Atlanta this summer to star in the new movie "The Internship" with Owen Wilson.



Meanwhile, in what was a total strange coincidence, a few days later I got this email pitch from one of those random P.R. factories that's forever sending me random pitches:

Dear Michael Schneider :

Do you feel frazzled, disconnected, unhappy? Chances are good, either you or someone you know has just lost their zest. Shea Vaughn has discovered the solution – a remarkable blend of wellness training, inspiration and practical advice. For added interest this charismatic personality is also the mother of Vince Vaughn, the award-winning actor and comedian.

We would very much appreciate your help in getting this message out to your audience via your blog. We are sure that many of your readers would greatly benefit from the wealth of knowledge and experience Vaughn shares in her book. Thank you.

If only I had gotten this pitch before lunching with Vince -- it would have been another conversaton, I'm sure.

Mike in New York: Upfront Roundup

And so ends another crazy, non-stop week in New York, as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and The CW (plus TBS/TNT, USA, Univision, ESPN and more) pimped their new shows to advertisers. I wrote about some of the presentations last week; here are a few more moments from later in the week. Above, "2 Broke Girls" stars Beth Behrs and Kat Dennings, in their diner costumes, opened the CBS upfront.



And then, "NCIS: Los Angeles" star LL Cool J -- oh yeah, you might remember his late 80s hip-hop career -- rapped about CBS' dominance ("CBS is a phenomenon... something like a phenomenon") along side an opera singer.



Possibly the best part of the CBS upfront: A look at what CBS boss Leslie Moonves' Pinterest page might look like. Notice the Julie Chen pics. And lots of cute puppies.



Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy appear on stage at the CBS upfront -- but in character, which is one of my big upfront pet peeves. It never works. Partly because they reference being on a show while acting like they're in character. Turner thankfully stopped doing that this year.



T.I. performs at the Adult Swim upfront.



The following day, Flo Rida hits the stage at the CW's morning upfront presentation.



The new stars of the CW join the stage with network boss Mark Pedowitz.



The CW's top execs, with the fall 2012 schedule above them.



Erykah Badu and Mark Ronson at the USA Network upfront.

More stories from upfront: ABC To Bring Back TGIF with Tim Allen and Reba McEntire

Network Q&A: TBS/TNT's Michael Wright On Why He Saved Cougar Town And Plans For Next Season

Network Q&A: CBS' Nina Tassler on Her Fall Schedule

New Showrunners to Replace Dan Harmon on Community

Spending Time with the 'Men of a Certain Age'

(Photo: Maarten de Boer/SAG Foundation)

I had a blast on Tuesday night moderating a panel for TNT's "Men of a Certain Age," which -- to borrow an old TV Guide feature -- is easily one of the Best Shows That You're Not Watching. Star/co-creator Ray Romano was battling a fierce cold and fellow star Andre Braugher had to catch a late flight, but both were there and in funny form, along with the cast's third member, Scott Bakula. Also on stage: Co-creator Mike Royce.

The panel, held as a part of the SAG Foundation's "Conversations" series, gave plenty of insight into the the creation of "Men of a Certain Age," and how the show is tough to categorize (which could be why it struggles to attract a larger audience). It's the most dramatic role of Ray Romano's career, and it's the most comedic of Andre Braugher's. It's a show about a group of men, but it's not a show about a bunch of guys acting like stereotypical guys. It's simply a funny, and deep, show about the what it's like to be struggling to achieve and maintain your life as you approach 50.

For Romano and Royce, it also represented a change of pace after writing set-up-joke-set-up-joke sitcoms. But like "Raymond," it continues in the classic style of "write what you know" comedy -- with strong results.

A few things gleaned from the panel:

-- Romano's character, Joe, has a gambling problem -- and Romano admits that his character's gambling is a bit autobiographical. That includes Joe's habit of making "self bets" -- promising himself a reward (like Lakers tickets) only if he achieves a goal. Romano says he considered making a "self bet" episode of "Raymond" but decided it would be too dark for that comedy.

-- Romano and Royce originally offered Braugher's role to "The Wire's" Wendell Pierce -- but Pierce was already committed to HBO's "Treme." That's when Braugher was suggested. When Romano and Royce checked his IMDB credits, they couldn't find a single comedy on his resume -- but knew he was too good to pass up.

-- Bakula notes that he's nothing like his manchild character, Terry, but that he's intrigued to see the character finally mature and perhaps settle down.

The second half of season two debuts June 1 on TNT. Among the storylines, Joe looks to get his gambling under control but winds up reviving his friendship with his bookie, who's struggling with cancer. Meanwhile, Owen (Braugher) tries to find new ways to save the struggling car dealership he inherited from his dad.

Send Me Your Questions for Ray Romano and Everyone Else Behind TNT's "Men of a Certain Age"

I wasn't sure what to make of TNT's "Men of a Certain Age" at first. A dramatic comedy on TNT, the "we know drama" network? A much more serious Ray Romano? A much less serious Andre Braugher? A non-quantum leaping Scott Bakula?

Then I checked it out -- and was immediately drawn in. Sure, I'm 10 to 15 years younger than these guys, but I'm fast approaching being a "man of a certain age" myself. And the show's compelling mix of middle age angst and humor (this is from "Everybody Loves Raymond" sitcom vets Romano and Mike Royce, after all) easily makes it my favorite show on TNT.

I'll be moderating a SAG Found ation panel on Tuesday all about "Men of a Certain Age" and featuring stars Romano, Braugher and Bakula, as well as Royce. Got any questions for the stars or creators? Hit me up on email or leave a suggestion below.

"Men of a Certain Age" returns to TNT with six all-new episodes beginning Wednesday, June 1, at 10 p.m.