weekly television news

[FH]

GENE SIMMONS Reality Show On The Way - Sep. 9, 2003

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons is in "negotiating with a television outlet for a Gene Simmons reality show," according to Gene's latest posting on his web site. "Also, [i] am having discussions about a SECOND possible show — different in concept. But, that's all I can say for now about these two projects."

"[i] am proud to announce that my cartoon show, 'My Dad The Rock Star' (Nelvana) debuted on Teletoons (the Canadian Cartoon Channel) on the 6th of Sept. The first go 'round (because the show is Canadian/French financed) is in Canada and France. Thereafter, it will see the light of day in America and the world.

"We have 26 episodes, I'm proud to say. I've gotten calls from people who have seen it and liked it."

"I've also been spending some time developing two new TV REALITY SHOWS that are developing a good head of steam. More on this as it develops."

[ericgtr]

Hmmm.. don't know quite what to make of this [img]images/smilies/headscratch.gif[/img]

[FH]

The Flash Speeds to The WB Source: Variety Friday, September 12, 2003

The Flash, an ordinary man with superhuman speed, is headed for The WB's Fall 2004 schedule, as the network has committed to a pilot based on the DC Comics superhero. Writer/producer Todd Komarnicki is writing the pilot and will executive produce.

Just like The WB's Smallville, the new take will have a "no tights, no flights" philosophy, which means the character won't be clad in the classic red suit. He'll also have a cool 21st-century mantra that will guide his life.

"Once our hero gets his calling, he's given the advice, 'Live fast so others don't die young,' " Komarnicki tells Variety.

The new version will also add another element - time travel. The hero will be a fresh-out-of-college Gothamite who discovers he has the ability to move very fast - so fast, in fact, that he can travel backward or forward in time. He'll use that skill to right wrongs, save lives and kick ass.

Each week will have self-contained storylines, or missions, in addition to ongoing plot points. A mentor will train him and there's a legacy of Flashes before him.

[FH]

David Letterman will be a dad. He announces on the ''Late Show'' that girlfriend Regina Lasko is pregnant by Gary Susman

If David Letterman seems a little less cranky and more reflective of late, it's because he's been sitting on big news. ''I have something to tell you all,'' he told the ''Late Show'' audience at Thursday's taping of Friday's episode, the New York Daily News reports. "I'm going to be a father.'' He joked that girlfriend Regina Lasko is so big, ''there's some tunnels we can't get through any more'' and that, at 56, he's old enough to be the baby's father and grandfather. Said bandleader Paul Shaffer, ''If this doesn't soften you up, nothing will.''

The child would be the first for Letterman, who was previously married for seven years to college sweetheart Michelle Cook. He's been dating Lasko, 43, for a decade, since she came to work for him at ''Late Show.'' (In an aside to Lasko's parents, he said that a wedding was under discussion.) He did not mention the baby's sex or due date, but a show insider tells the New York Post that Lasko is indeed ''huge, like six or seven months.'' Of the host, a show source told the Post: ''He's nervous, but he's psyched.''

Letterman's first Friday guest, Cuba Gooding Jr., gave Dave a congratulatory cigar and told him, ''Life is over as you know it.'' He added, ''I'm serious, man, I got two boys. If you have a girl, maybe good luck to you.''

(Posted:09/12/03)