Rush frontman-bassist Geddy Lee, Simple Minds lead singer Jim Kerr and Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley appear in a new documentary about the origins and high points of pioneering Toronto radio station Cfny.
Veteran film producer Matt Schichter makes his directorial debut with Cfny: The Spirit of Radio, which has just wrapped post production. Other artists appearing in the doc include Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies), Peter Hook (New Order/Joy Division), Lol Tolhurst (The Cure), Emily Haines (Metric), Ben Kowalewicz (Billy Talent) and Andy McCluskey (Omd).
During the 1970s and 1980s, major record companies and large independent labels relied on records being played on local radio in major markets to promote commercial releases. Toronto’s Cfny, which launched in a small city suburb in 1960, eventually became hugely influential in breaking punk and new wave acts after evolving into an alternative radio station on the FM dial.
In 1979, Rush drummer Neil Peart wrote a song,...
Veteran film producer Matt Schichter makes his directorial debut with Cfny: The Spirit of Radio, which has just wrapped post production. Other artists appearing in the doc include Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies), Peter Hook (New Order/Joy Division), Lol Tolhurst (The Cure), Emily Haines (Metric), Ben Kowalewicz (Billy Talent) and Andy McCluskey (Omd).
During the 1970s and 1980s, major record companies and large independent labels relied on records being played on local radio in major markets to promote commercial releases. Toronto’s Cfny, which launched in a small city suburb in 1960, eventually became hugely influential in breaking punk and new wave acts after evolving into an alternative radio station on the FM dial.
In 1979, Rush drummer Neil Peart wrote a song,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Barbara Hall’s CBS drama series Madam Secretary features a female Secretary of State. Now the veteran creator has set her sights on a new drama project for CBS about a woman in a position of power, Ms. Mayor.
The project, now in development at the broadcast network, hails from former CBS chairman Nina Tassler and producer Denise Di Novi via their PatMa Productions. Written by Hall, in Ms. Mayor, when a young activist runs for Mayor of NY on a whim, her surprise victory launches her onto a political stage that she’s not prepared for, but is determined to take on with her idealistic enthusiasm.
Hall, Tassler and Di Novi executive produce. CBS Television Studios is the studio.
Tassler and Di Novi launched independent studio PatMa Productions earlier this year with focus on diverse voices, gender parity, and giving women and people of color more opportunities both in...
The project, now in development at the broadcast network, hails from former CBS chairman Nina Tassler and producer Denise Di Novi via their PatMa Productions. Written by Hall, in Ms. Mayor, when a young activist runs for Mayor of NY on a whim, her surprise victory launches her onto a political stage that she’s not prepared for, but is determined to take on with her idealistic enthusiasm.
Hall, Tassler and Di Novi executive produce. CBS Television Studios is the studio.
Tassler and Di Novi launched independent studio PatMa Productions earlier this year with focus on diverse voices, gender parity, and giving women and people of color more opportunities both in...
- 9/7/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter news team, we're about to see Grey's Anatomy's main actress Ellen Pompeo aka Meredith Grey (above) branch off and do something different, but you guys don't need to worry. Grey's Anatomy will still remain her main gig. She's not crazy. Grey's Anatomy has been extremely good to her. We just got done reading a story about how many houses she owns. It's insane! Anyways, I digress. So, Ellen's new gig that she has lined up consists of her producing a new show for ABC. The Hollywood Reporter is telling us that it's a courtroom drama type of show. They've already given it a name at this point. It's called,"Big Law." They say it's an adaptation of the Colombian format La ley del corazo. They pointed out that the show is officially in development at ABC. The general description for...
- 10/24/2017
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
Sara Ramirez is returning to TV. The Grey's Anatomy fan favorite is joining the cast of CBS's Madam Secretary in the wake of Bebe Neuwirth's departure. Ramirez will play Kat Sandoval, described as "a brilliant political strategist, legendary in D.C. for her talent and for abruptly dropping out of politics until Elizabeth manages to coax her back into the State Department." She makes her debut in the Sunday, Nov. 19 episode of the CBS drama. "We're very excited that Sara is joining the cast," Barbara Hall, executive producer and series creator, said in a statement. "She brings a fresh perspective and a fun, energetic quality to the State Department staff." ...
- 10/24/2017
- E! Online
Sara Ramirez, welcome to the State Department: Madam Secretary has added the Grey’s Anatomy alum as a series regular in Season 4, CBS announced Tuesday.
Ramirez will play Kat Sandoval, “a brilliant political strategist, legendary in D.C. for her talent and for abruptly dropping out of politics until Elizabeth manages to coax her back into the State Department,” according to the official character description. The part will be Ramirez’s first on-camera gig since leaving Grey‘s (though she voices Queen Miranda in the animated children’s series Sofia the First).
Ramirez will first appear in the Madam Secretary episode airing Sunday,...
Ramirez will play Kat Sandoval, “a brilliant political strategist, legendary in D.C. for her talent and for abruptly dropping out of politics until Elizabeth manages to coax her back into the State Department,” according to the official character description. The part will be Ramirez’s first on-camera gig since leaving Grey‘s (though she voices Queen Miranda in the animated children’s series Sofia the First).
Ramirez will first appear in the Madam Secretary episode airing Sunday,...
- 10/24/2017
- TVLine.com
“There used to be confines to our storylines,” Madam Secretary star Téa Leoni says. She’s sitting in the Queens television studio where her CBS drama is filmed — Henry’s new office, to be exact, but we’ll get to that in a moment — and reflecting on how Elizabeth McCord’s political reality hasn’t changed drastically since the series premiere in 2014… but since the 2016 American election, the outside world sure has.
“Certainly, the handcuffs are off. [Now,] no one’s going to look at this show and say, ‘That would never happen.’ That world left the building,” Leoni tells TVLine.
“Certainly, the handcuffs are off. [Now,] no one’s going to look at this show and say, ‘That would never happen.’ That world left the building,” Leoni tells TVLine.
- 10/6/2017
- TVLine.com
CBS has put in development drama series Family Business from a duo of CBS veterans. The project hails from one of the most prolific CBS drama creators, Barbara Hall, and long-time CBS executive Glenn Geller, who exited his post as the network’s entertainment president in May to segue to a producing deal with CBS TV Studios. This is his first CBS sale. Written by Hall, Family Business is a multi-generational CIA spy family show told through the eyes of its youngest…...
- 8/28/2017
- Deadline TV
Sara Bareilles on stepping into the role she spent four years writing.The singer-songwriter behind “Waitress” took over the lead role two weeks ago. (New York Times) The Olivier Awards conjure a record-breaking nine wins for “Harry Potter.”At the April 9 awards, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” shattering the record for most statues ever presented to a theatrical production, winning nine accolades in total, including best new play. (Backstage) John Cleese is returning to TV. He’ll star in “Edith,” a six-part series about old flames who rekindle a romance. (BBC) Wonder how showrunners are dealing with the current president?Shonda Rhimes, Frank Pugliese, Melissa James Gibson, Barbara Hall, and David Mandel—all creators and writers of political shows—got together to discuss how to depict (or ignore) the country’s political situation. (New York Times) The Oscars just changed their rules. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and...
- 4/14/2017
- backstage.com
Madam Secretary executive producer David Grae has signed a two-year overall deal with CBS Television Studios, the studio behind the CBS drama series currently in its third season. Under the pact, Grae will continue as executive producer on Madam Secretary, expected to be renewed for a fourth season, alongside creator/exec producer/showrunner Barbara Hall, while also developing new projects for the studio. This is the first overall deal for Grae, who began his career as a…...
- 3/22/2017
- Deadline TV
Need a little relief from the fraught, frustrating realm of real-world politics and foreign policy? Look no further than the Madam Secretary fall finale, which solved huge problems both foreign (Iran-Israel relations) and domestic (President Dalton’s independent bid to stay in office) in under an hour.
“We picked a couple of international issues that we don’t feel are going to be easily resolved anytime soon, or maybe in our lifetime, and then in our fictional world, we gave ourselves some success with two things,” executive producer Barbara Hall tells TVLine.
VideosGood Wife Spinoff Trailer: Get Your First Look...
“We picked a couple of international issues that we don’t feel are going to be easily resolved anytime soon, or maybe in our lifetime, and then in our fictional world, we gave ourselves some success with two things,” executive producer Barbara Hall tells TVLine.
VideosGood Wife Spinoff Trailer: Get Your First Look...
- 12/19/2016
- TVLine.com
[“Gilmore Girls” fans have been waiting to hear the “final four words” for almost a decade, but it turns out not everyone was ready for them. Below, IndieWire TV Critic Ben Travers (a casual fan), Senior Film Critic David Ehrlich (a “Gilmore Girls” lifer), and TV Editor Liz Shannon Miller (who only recently binged the series) interpret the extreme feelings experienced in those final seconds and try to find an answer as to how we can all move forward, together. Be warned: the discussion contains spoilers for “A Year in the Life,” up through those final four words, and for more on the ending, be sure to read Senior Editor Hanh Nguyen’s report on what’s next.]
‘Gilmore Girls’: The Ending Was Perfect, So Please Don’t Make More
Read More: ‘Gilmore Girls’ Final Four Words: Let the Debates Begin About That Brilliant Ending
Ben: While it’s arguably belittling to “A Year in the Life” — which I liked quite a bit overall — to start asking, “What’s next?” so soon after completing the six-hour binge, I think the heavily teased “final four words” demand that we start there. To me, the reveal of Rory’s pregnancy felt like a classic cliffhanger ending setting up more narrative to come. And because so much coverage (including our own) led us to believe Netflix’s revival was here to provide the proper ending to a series denied one during its initial run, such a major last-second reveal could easily be seen as misleading to fans who were tuning in for some closure. There’s been no word from Amy Sherman-Palladino,...
‘Gilmore Girls’: The Ending Was Perfect, So Please Don’t Make More
Read More: ‘Gilmore Girls’ Final Four Words: Let the Debates Begin About That Brilliant Ending
Ben: While it’s arguably belittling to “A Year in the Life” — which I liked quite a bit overall — to start asking, “What’s next?” so soon after completing the six-hour binge, I think the heavily teased “final four words” demand that we start there. To me, the reveal of Rory’s pregnancy felt like a classic cliffhanger ending setting up more narrative to come. And because so much coverage (including our own) led us to believe Netflix’s revival was here to provide the proper ending to a series denied one during its initial run, such a major last-second reveal could easily be seen as misleading to fans who were tuning in for some closure. There’s been no word from Amy Sherman-Palladino,...
- 11/28/2016
- by David Ehrlich, Liz Shannon Miller and Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Barbara Hall has signed a new two-year overall deal with CBS, TheWrap has learned. Hall, who created the hit CBS drama “Madam Secretary,” will continue to serve as the executive producer on that series while developing new projects under the terms of the deal. “Madam Secretary” is averaging 10.3 million viewers per episode this season and a 1.29 rating in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic. Also Read: Ratings: CBS Rides 'NCIS' to Another Easy Tuesday Win In addition to “Madam Secretary,” Hall created two other shows for CBS: “Judging Amy” and “Joan of Arcadia.” She also served as a writer and producer for the.
- 2/17/2016
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
Barbara Hall, creator/executive producer of Madam Secretary, has signed a new two-year overall deal with the studio behind the sophomore CBS drama series, CBS Television Studios. Under the pact, she will continue as executive producer/showrunner on Madam Secretary while also developing new projects for the studio. Madam Secretary, starring Tea Leoni, is averaging 12.47 million viewers in the Sunday 8 Pm slot and ranks high with upscale audiences. Before Madam Secretary…...
- 2/17/2016
- Deadline TV
Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Send any/all of the above to askausiello@tvline.com
Question: Any Good Wife scoop on Cary? —Mohammad
Ausiello: I finally have an answer to the burning “Does he bat for Team Gay?” question. Remember a few months ago when Cary seemed to doth protest too much when his underling hit on him? Well, Ep Robert King reveals that the odd, seemingly out of nowhere exchange was neither a seed being planted for a bigger storyline nor a non sequitur. “We liked how Cary was out of step...
Question: Any Good Wife scoop on Cary? —Mohammad
Ausiello: I finally have an answer to the burning “Does he bat for Team Gay?” question. Remember a few months ago when Cary seemed to doth protest too much when his underling hit on him? Well, Ep Robert King reveals that the odd, seemingly out of nowhere exchange was neither a seed being planted for a bigger storyline nor a non sequitur. “We liked how Cary was out of step...
- 12/17/2015
- TVLine.com
If you’re worried that Madam Secretary might wind down the suspense as the first half of its season draws to a close, we’ve got one word for you: nyet.
Because Sunday’s fall finale (CBS, 8/7c) finds Elizabeth and President Dalton traveling to Switzerland to try to find a solution to their Russia problem — easier said than done, considering Russian ruler Maria Ostrov is gunning for World War III.
RelatedCancellation Jitters: 8 Shows in Danger
“We’re leading into everybody trying to get together and figure out how to deal with this radical leader in a way that can help everybody avoid world conflict,...
Because Sunday’s fall finale (CBS, 8/7c) finds Elizabeth and President Dalton traveling to Switzerland to try to find a solution to their Russia problem — easier said than done, considering Russian ruler Maria Ostrov is gunning for World War III.
RelatedCancellation Jitters: 8 Shows in Danger
“We’re leading into everybody trying to get together and figure out how to deal with this radical leader in a way that can help everybody avoid world conflict,...
- 12/13/2015
- TVLine.com
Gorgeous Madam Secretary on-screen married couple Tim Daly and Téa Leoni outed themselves as a real-life item at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April, but Daly admits he's had his eye on someone else for years.
People caught up with him Tuesday night at the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights' Ripple of Hope Awards gala in New York City, where several members of the Kennedy family gathered for a mini-reunion. Honorees included Georgia Congressman John Lewis, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Evercore co-founder Roger Altman and Unesco Ambassador Marianna Vardinoyannis.
"I am friends with Kerry and Bobby Kennedy – and Ethel,...
People caught up with him Tuesday night at the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights' Ripple of Hope Awards gala in New York City, where several members of the Kennedy family gathered for a mini-reunion. Honorees included Georgia Congressman John Lewis, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Evercore co-founder Roger Altman and Unesco Ambassador Marianna Vardinoyannis.
"I am friends with Kerry and Bobby Kennedy – and Ethel,...
- 12/9/2015
- by Sara Hammel, @sarawriting
- People.com - TV Watch
Showrunners from across network and cable television gathered this past Saturday at Produced By: NY's "The Art (and Business) of Showrunning" panel to talk about what the job means and how it has been affected by a changing television landscape. They discussed in detail the dawn of shorter episode orders, Hollywood's gender bias and how they think about diversity when running their shows. Read More: 'The Americans' Showrunner Joe Weisberg Already Knows How the Show Will End The panelists included Barbara Hall ("Madam Secretary"), Robert and Michelle King ("The Good Wife"), Clyde Phillips ("Nurse Jackie," "Dexter"), Darren Star ("Younger," "Sex and the City") and Joe Weisberg ("The Americans"). Check out highlights from the panel below. What exactly does a showrunner do, anyways?The showrunner is always one of a show's executive producers, but, as Phillips explained, the title of showrunner is "not...
- 10/27/2015
- by Karen Brill
- Indiewire
Talk about a cameo of epic diplomatic proportions. Earlier this year, Madeleine Albright caused a tizzy in both the D.C. and L.A. hemispheres when it was announced she would be guest starring in the second season of the CBS drama Madam Secretary. The episode, which aired two weeks ago, was a ratings and critical success – but, according to showrunner Barbara Hall, it didn’t come without a few amusing filming problems along the way. Albright is still an in-demand Capitol Hill woman, after all. People need her on the phone! Television can wait!“We were about to shoot with her and she went to go take a phone call,” Hall said at “The Art (and Business) of Showrunning” panel at Produced By: New York on Saturday. “It was taking a long time, 30 or 45 minutes, but she had been summoned into an important phone call so we didn’t ask.
- 10/25/2015
- by Devon Ivie
- Vulture
A missing plane brings major changes to Sunday's Madam Secretary season-two premiere. In the CBS drama's season-one finale, Elizabeth McCord (Tea Leoni) learned that there wouldn't be espionage charges pressed against her, while Elizabeth and Henry's (Tim Daly) daughter Stevie (Wallis Currie-Wood) began a potentially problematic relationship with President Dalton's (Keith Carradine) son, Harrison (Jason Ralph). Executive producers Barbara Hall — who created the show — and Lori McCreary spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about Elizabeth stepping up to the plate when the president's plane vanishes and executive producer Morgan Freeman auditioning for his role
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- 10/3/2015
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The New York Television Festival announced its 2015 line-up on Tuesday, featuring an opening night screening of Wgn America’s “Manhattan” and a live performance by Dan Harmon. Other events include a screening of Pivot’s “Please Like Me” and Q&A with creator Josh Thomas and the all-female Creative Keynote Panel with Courtney Kemp Agboh (“Power”), Blair Breard (“Louie”), Barbara Hall (“Madam Secretary”) and Stephanie Laing (“Veep”). The festival will also screen 50 selections from the Independent Pilot competition, which will be eligible for development deals with the festival’s partners. Also read: See TheWrap Magazine's First Ever Fall TV Issue: The New Broadcast It List.
- 9/23/2015
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Madam Secretary, Season 1, Episodes 18-22
Created by Barbara Hall
Airs Sundays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
The final few episodes leading up to the season finale have been very episodic, with the season finale tying up all loose ends into a very satisfying conclusion. Each episode delivers an interesting and clear standalone crisis situation that is interwoven well with the ongoing narrative. The series as a whole has been one of the finest and consistently entertaining shows from last year’s fall lineup. Madam Secretary manages to keep interest by presenting honest and relateable characters in situations that are compelling and diverse, and has a strong perspective. This political procedural drama has truly grown into an impressive and worthy television staple that has earned its second season order.
The main thread that has been lingering in the background since the pilot has been Elizabeth McCord’s suspicion of foul play...
Created by Barbara Hall
Airs Sundays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
The final few episodes leading up to the season finale have been very episodic, with the season finale tying up all loose ends into a very satisfying conclusion. Each episode delivers an interesting and clear standalone crisis situation that is interwoven well with the ongoing narrative. The series as a whole has been one of the finest and consistently entertaining shows from last year’s fall lineup. Madam Secretary manages to keep interest by presenting honest and relateable characters in situations that are compelling and diverse, and has a strong perspective. This political procedural drama has truly grown into an impressive and worthy television staple that has earned its second season order.
The main thread that has been lingering in the background since the pilot has been Elizabeth McCord’s suspicion of foul play...
- 5/10/2015
- by Jean Pierre Diez
- SoundOnSight
Madam Secretary, Season 1, Episodes 12-17
Created by Barbara Hall
Airs Sundays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
Madam Secretary‘s first season has been built on the backbone of the mysterious murder of the former Secretary of State and the question of what he was involved in that would cause him to be murdered. The answers have been coming in slowly throughout the season, as Elizabeth McCord’s list of suspects are cut shorter and shorter. One of the main suspects that McCord had under investigation in the first half of the season was White House Chief of Staff Russell Jackson, whom she confronted with her suspicions in the mid season finale “Game On”, concluding that arc in away that fell in line with the tone of the series.
The show’s return has seen Russell Jackson brought into the loop, but not the President himself, as they all agree not...
Created by Barbara Hall
Airs Sundays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
Madam Secretary‘s first season has been built on the backbone of the mysterious murder of the former Secretary of State and the question of what he was involved in that would cause him to be murdered. The answers have been coming in slowly throughout the season, as Elizabeth McCord’s list of suspects are cut shorter and shorter. One of the main suspects that McCord had under investigation in the first half of the season was White House Chief of Staff Russell Jackson, whom she confronted with her suspicions in the mid season finale “Game On”, concluding that arc in away that fell in line with the tone of the series.
The show’s return has seen Russell Jackson brought into the loop, but not the President himself, as they all agree not...
- 3/23/2015
- by Jean Pierre Diez
- SoundOnSight
Madam Secretary‘s Elizabeth McCord is always one cool politico, no matter what tricky feat of international diplomacy is demanded of her. But those behind the scenes of CBS’ Sunday-night drama admit that its Season 2 pickup last month provided a welcome respite from the nerve-racking renwal waiting game.
“It was a big relief to get it early,” executive producer Lori McCreary says with a laugh.
“Huge,” chimes in fellow Ep Barbara Hall.
Video | CBS Sneak Peek: Madam Secretary Under Fire and More
And now that the pressure is off the series’ team, they can focus on how it’s about...
“It was a big relief to get it early,” executive producer Lori McCreary says with a laugh.
“Huge,” chimes in fellow Ep Barbara Hall.
Video | CBS Sneak Peek: Madam Secretary Under Fire and More
And now that the pressure is off the series’ team, they can focus on how it’s about...
- 2/28/2015
- TVLine.com
Had these pilots been given the green light, we might have been without Breaking Bad, 24, Hannibal, Community and more…
It’s not all grumble and moan round here when TV networks decline to pick up pilots. Sometimes, we’re even grateful.
Hindsight teaches that every so often, passing on a particular show is the best thing a channel could have done. Not ordering one pilot to series spurs its creators on to start another, and frees up its cast to join new projects.
Had the failures below all thrived, there’s a chance we could now be living in a world with no Breaking Bad, Hannibal, or even South Park. Had these pilots gone on to enjoy healthy, lengthy lives, then Jack Bauer, Oberyn Martell, Chandler Bing and more might all be unrecognisable today.
Here then, are the TV pilots we’re grateful weren’t taken to series because their...
It’s not all grumble and moan round here when TV networks decline to pick up pilots. Sometimes, we’re even grateful.
Hindsight teaches that every so often, passing on a particular show is the best thing a channel could have done. Not ordering one pilot to series spurs its creators on to start another, and frees up its cast to join new projects.
Had the failures below all thrived, there’s a chance we could now be living in a world with no Breaking Bad, Hannibal, or even South Park. Had these pilots gone on to enjoy healthy, lengthy lives, then Jack Bauer, Oberyn Martell, Chandler Bing and more might all be unrecognisable today.
Here then, are the TV pilots we’re grateful weren’t taken to series because their...
- 2/24/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Madam Secretary, Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot”
Written by Barbara Hall
Directed by David Semel
Airs Sundays at 8pm Est on CBS
Much like the hit CBS series The Good Wife, the producers of Madam Secretary drew inspiration from headline news for the show’s creation. When the attack on Benghazi happened in 2012, the producers saw potential for a series that would center on a female Secretary of State who bears some similarity to Hillary Clinton. The series showed real potential for a female lead who could display the professionalism, leadership, and command needed to show the decision making that goes on behind the scenes of a Secretary of State’s office. There is clearly a market for television shows that feature women with strong characters within the recent wave of programming that have presented women in power roles, either political or similar, who have great depth and skill; shows with characters...
Written by Barbara Hall
Directed by David Semel
Airs Sundays at 8pm Est on CBS
Much like the hit CBS series The Good Wife, the producers of Madam Secretary drew inspiration from headline news for the show’s creation. When the attack on Benghazi happened in 2012, the producers saw potential for a series that would center on a female Secretary of State who bears some similarity to Hillary Clinton. The series showed real potential for a female lead who could display the professionalism, leadership, and command needed to show the decision making that goes on behind the scenes of a Secretary of State’s office. There is clearly a market for television shows that feature women with strong characters within the recent wave of programming that have presented women in power roles, either political or similar, who have great depth and skill; shows with characters...
- 9/23/2014
- by Jean Pierre Diez
- SoundOnSight
Last night, CBS debuted Madam Secretary, the new show from Joan of Arcadia creator Barbara Hall in which Téa Leoni plays the secretary of State, to a very good-size audience. In his review, Vulture's Matt Zoller Seitz wrote, "Madam Secretary is ... attuned to the ways in which women exercise (and are expected to exercise) great power on those occasions when they manage to acquire it." When John Horn, host of Southern California Public Radio's new arts and entertainment show, the Frame, spoke with Hall, she spoke about how her time being a woman in a man's world has influenced Madam Secretary and her other shows. (Listen to Horn and Hall's interview below and subscribe to the Frame at iTunes or Stitcher.)There’s been a fair amount of talk that your main character, Elizabeth McCord, is an idealized version of a Secretary of State, perhaps even Hillary Clinton. How do...
- 9/22/2014
- by John Horn
- Vulture
CBS is getting political with its new Sunday freshman drama with Tea Leoni. Madam Secretary, from executive producers Barbara Hall, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary, centers on the personal and professional life of a maverick female secretary of state, Elizabeth McCord (Leoni) as she drives international diplomacy, wrangles office politics and balances a complex family life. The idea was borne out of a lunch conversation between McCreary, Freeman and CBS Entertainment chairman Nina Tassler around the time of the Benghazi trials, which prompted questions about how highly sensitive situations would be handled in D.C. It was crucial, from Hall's
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- 9/21/2014
- by Philiana Ng
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CBS has scheduled its new drama "Madam Secretary" to air on Sunday nights before "The Good Wife," which means two things: 1)You should expect its start time to often be interfered with by football (though its regular timeslot is 8 p.m. Eastern, it's tentatively set to debut this weekend at 8:30), and 2)CBS hopes that Téa Leoni and friends can do for political drama what Julianna Margulies and company have done for the law genre: find a way to juggle the formulaic procedural qualities of a broadcast network drama with the narrative and moral complexities of what you can find on cable. "Madam Secretary" — which stars Leoni as Elizabeth Faulkner McCord, a former CIA analyst and college professor appointed to be Secretary of State after her predecessor dies in a plane crash — doesn't lack for talent on either side of the camera. The show was created by Barbara Hall, the...
- 9/19/2014
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
Madam Secretary CBS Premieres: Sept. 21 Airs: Sundays at 8pm Who’s In It? Téa Leoni, Tim Daly, Bebe Neuwirth The Naked Truth’s Leoni returns to series television after a 16-year absence, playing Elizabeth McCord, a former CIA analyst turned college professor (and a married mom) who unexpectedly rises to the role of U.S. secretary of state, in this drama co-executive produced by Morgan Freeman and Judging Amy’s Barbara Hall. “I’ve always really enjoyed a fish out of water — a lively fish out of water — and by about page 2 of the script, I knew that’s what this was going … Continue reading →
The post Madam Secretary on CBS: Tea Leoni returns to TV! appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
The post Madam Secretary on CBS: Tea Leoni returns to TV! appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
- 9/15/2014
- by Lori Acken
- ChannelGuideMag
[In case you've Forgotten, and as I will continue to mention each and every one of these posts that I do: This is *not* a review. Pilots change. Sometimes a lot. Often for the better. Sometimes for the worse. But they change. Actual reviews will be coming in September and perhaps October (and maybe midseason in some cases). This is, however, a brief gut reaction to not-for-air pilots. I know some people will be all "These are reviews." If you've read me, you've read my reviews and you know this isn't what they look like.] Show: "Madam Secretary" (CBS) The Pitch: "Yo NBC, I see your shocking show about a woman who's a detective And a mother and I raise you... A Secretary." "That's not actually all that progressive." "Of State?" "Good enough." Quick Response: It seems silly that "Madam Secretary" has to steal its core premise from ABC's short-lived "Commander in Chief" -- A woman with ties to a Virginia university is chosen to become a DC power-player due to her outsider credentials and lack of interest in higher office -- but nearly everything in the set-up to "Madam Secretary" is silly, from the excruciating posturing from President Keith Carradine -- "You don't think outside the box. You don't even know there is a box." -- to the Vast Government Conspiracy that may or may not be afoot. [Hint -- It is. It always is.] If you get past all of the silliness, maybe you'll be able to see a confident...
- 8/3/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Tea Leoni will make her return to television in the new CBS drama Madam Secretary.
Tea Leoni To Star In 'Madam Secretary'
In Madam Secretary, Leoni will play newly appointed secretary of state Elizabeth McCord. Elizabeth’s husband will be played by Tom Daly. Though Leoni’s character is starting off in the cabinet in the West Wing, the actress is optimistic that McCord will one day make her play for the presidency.
“Wait until year four,” Leoni said Thursday at the Television Critics Association.
Leoni also addressed why she’s deciding to return to television now, when she’s turned down a number of offers over the years. The mother of two revealed that now that her kids are older, she’s in a position where she can spend more time away from home to commit herself to a TV project.
"My kids at 15 and 12 are ready.
Tea Leoni To Star In 'Madam Secretary'
In Madam Secretary, Leoni will play newly appointed secretary of state Elizabeth McCord. Elizabeth’s husband will be played by Tom Daly. Though Leoni’s character is starting off in the cabinet in the West Wing, the actress is optimistic that McCord will one day make her play for the presidency.
“Wait until year four,” Leoni said Thursday at the Television Critics Association.
Leoni also addressed why she’s deciding to return to television now, when she’s turned down a number of offers over the years. The mother of two revealed that now that her kids are older, she’s in a position where she can spend more time away from home to commit herself to a TV project.
"My kids at 15 and 12 are ready.
- 7/18/2014
- Uinterview
The hot-button topic at this summer’s Television Critics Association press tour is diversity on fall TV. The question: Should CBS take a page out of ABC’s book this season?
CBS chief Nina Tassler preceded the Q&A portion of her panel by mentioning her network’s diverse line-up. That caught the ear of several critics who vocalized their concern that, unlike ABC’s Black-ish, Cristela, and Fresh Off the Boat, CBS’s comedies all appeared “extremely white.” (For the record, that’s Mom, Mike & Molly, 2 Broke Girls, Two and a Half Men, The Millers, and The Big Bang Theory.
CBS chief Nina Tassler preceded the Q&A portion of her panel by mentioning her network’s diverse line-up. That caught the ear of several critics who vocalized their concern that, unlike ABC’s Black-ish, Cristela, and Fresh Off the Boat, CBS’s comedies all appeared “extremely white.” (For the record, that’s Mom, Mike & Molly, 2 Broke Girls, Two and a Half Men, The Millers, and The Big Bang Theory.
- 7/17/2014
- by Marc Snetiker
- EW - Inside TV
"Madam Secretary" shares a Washington D.C. setting with one of TV's hottest dramas, "Scandal," but the similarities will end there. "Secretary," a new CBS drama starring Tea Leoni as a one-time CIA analyst who steps into the role of Secretary of State, airs on Sunday nights beginning this fall, serving as a natural bridge between the in-depth current events reporting of "60 Minutes" and the high class drama of "The Good Wife." So don't expect to see Leoni sleeping with the President or facing off with a mother who's an international terrorist. As executive producer Barbara Hall ("Joan of Arcadia") explained during a panel discussion at the TCA 2014 summer press tour, she's aiming for something more, shall we say, realistic. "From what I understand about 'Scandal' and [NBC's] 'State of Affairs,' [our show] is a little less heightened reality than that," Hall explained. "We're really trying to pull back the curtain on...
- 7/17/2014
- by Geoff Berkshire
- Hitfix
Madam Secretary follows the journey of Elizabeth McCord (Tea Leoni) when she unexpectedly is asked to be Secretary of State. She's not a politician, but a former CIA analyst and friend of the President.
Stars Leoni and Tim Daly (Henry McCord) along with Executive Producers Barbara Hall, Lori McCreary, Morgan Freeman were on stage for the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour to talk about their new political drama.
Stars Leoni and Tim Daly (Henry McCord) along with Executive Producers Barbara Hall, Lori McCreary, Morgan Freeman were on stage for the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour to talk about their new political drama.
- 7/17/2014
- by editor@buddytv.com
- buddytv.com
The broadcast networks have more than two dozen shows debuting this fall, including a new Shondaland drama, and a trip to Gotham, a third NCIS and a Flash-y Arrow offshoot. To help you prep for it all, TVLine is offering First Impressions of the not-for-review pilots.
Next up on our list….
Photos Fall TV Preview: Your Guide to What’s New!
The Show | CBS’ Madam Secretary (Sundays at 8/7c, premiering Sept. 21)
The Competition | NBC’s Sunday Night Football, ABC’s Once Upon a Time and Fox’s The Simpsons/Brooklyn Nine-Nine
The Cast | Tea Leoni (The Naked Truth), Tim Daly...
Next up on our list….
Photos Fall TV Preview: Your Guide to What’s New!
The Show | CBS’ Madam Secretary (Sundays at 8/7c, premiering Sept. 21)
The Competition | NBC’s Sunday Night Football, ABC’s Once Upon a Time and Fox’s The Simpsons/Brooklyn Nine-Nine
The Cast | Tea Leoni (The Naked Truth), Tim Daly...
- 7/6/2014
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: Emmy-winning character actor Željko Ivanek (Damages) has joined the cast of CBS‘ new drama series Madam Secretary as a regular after guest starring in the pilot. Written by Barbara Hall and exec produced by Morgan Freeman, Madam Secretary, from CBS Studios, stars Téa Leoni as Elizabeth McCord, the shrewd, determined, newly appointed Secretary of State who drives international diplomacy, battles office politics and circumvents protocol as she negotiates global and domestic issues, both at the White House and at home. Ivanek, repped by SMS Talent and Leading Artists, plays the President’s intimidating and opinionated Chief of Staff Russell Jackson.
- 5/22/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
With the oncoming end of the 2013-2014 television season, many network channels, and television fans, are looking ahead to the fall, when the 2014-2015 television season kicks off. With a stable of shows that already include hourlong dramas such as The Good Wife and sitcoms such as Mom, many were interested to hear what CBS would be picking up, especially with the end of long-running sitcom How I Met Your Mother this past television season. The new shows that shall be appearing on CBS, starting from the fall, are NCIS: New Orleans, CSI: Cyber, Madam Secretary, Stalker, The McCarthys, The Odd Couple, Scorpion and Battle Creek. CBS released the trailers for some of their new shows, which can be seen below.
1) Stalker
Airing on Wednesdays at 10 pm Est, Stalker is created by The Vampire Diaries and The Following‘s Kevin Williamson, and stars Maggie Q and Dylan McDermott as detectives...
1) Stalker
Airing on Wednesdays at 10 pm Est, Stalker is created by The Vampire Diaries and The Following‘s Kevin Williamson, and stars Maggie Q and Dylan McDermott as detectives...
- 5/16/2014
- by Deepayan Sengupta
- SoundOnSight
Welcome back to TV, Téa Leoni! The Naked Truth star is headlining CBS' new drama Madam Secretary where she plays the newly appointed secretary of state. In the drama, Leoni plays Elizabeth McCord, a former CIA analyst-turned-college professor who gets an offer from the president that she can't refuse. "There was something—I adored her. I adored her by page two, there's no sarcasm to her. Sarcasm is too slow," Leoni told E! News' Kristin Dos Santos about her character. "I want to wake up and be her every day." The show, which hails from Barbara Hall of Judging Amy fame and Morgan Freeman, follows the character as she battles office politics, international...
- 5/15/2014
- E! Online
Here are the first looks at CBS‘ new dramas and comedies as part of the 2014-2015 series orders. The network has made full trailers of most of its fall series now that its upfront presentation has concluded in New York — including summer series Extant. Still to come, midseasoners Battle Creek, CSI: Cyber and The Odd Couple. Here’s the rest: Related: CBS 2014 Schedule Extant – Summer Drama Produced by CBS Television Studios. From executive producers Steven Spielberg, Greg Walker, Mickey Fisher, Brooklyn Weaver, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, and Adam Rodin. Madam Secretary – Fall Drama Produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Revelations Entertainment. From executive producer/writer Barbara Hall, executive producer/director David Semel and executive producers Lori McCreary and Morgan Freeman. NCIS: New Orleans – Fall Drama Produced by CBS Television Studios. From writer/executive producer Gary Glasberg and executive producers Mark Harmon and Jeffrey Lieber. Scorpion – Fall Drama Produced by CBS Television Studios.
- 5/14/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
All week long as the other networks have been frantically renewing and canceling established shows and picking up new shows, CBS has been the cool kid leaning up against the wall in a leather jacket smoking a cigarette. [Yes, I'm picturing Pre-Upfronts Week as a '50s problem drama.] Late Friday (May 9), CBS decided to get in on the action, announcing seven series pickups, five dramas and two comedies. [Actually, it's kinda only six series pickups, since Vince Gilligan's "Battle Creek" had been acquired as a 13-episode series commitment pre-pilot.] On the drama side, CBS is moving forward with the "Battle Creek," the planted spinoff "NCIS: New Orleans," "Stalker" (formerly "Untitled Kevin Williamson"), "Scorpion" and "Madam Secretary." On the comedy side, CBS has ordered "The McCarthys" and "The Odd Couple" to series. It's unclear which shows are headed for midseason and which are targeted for fall. And CBS isn't expected to announce any additional pickups or cancellations today. So let's get down to the details on CBS' new shows for the 2014-15 season,...
- 5/9/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Nick Jandl (Green Lantern) and Cameron Scoggins (The Happy Sad) have signed on to CBS’ untitled David Marshall Grant drama pilot, from CBS TV Studios and Timberman-Beverly. The soapy medical show, based on an Israeli format, revolves around quadruplets – three brothers and a sister – who grew up on a reality show. Jandl, repped by Greater Vision Artists, will play Jonathan, the oldest of the quadruplets who’s fresh out of his residency and new to Easton Hospital, an eminent institution headed by his mother (Jamie Lee Curtis). Scoggins, repped by Gersh and Perennial Entertainment, will play Michael, another one of the quadruplets who runs an inner-city clinic. Katherine Herzer has been cast in CBS drama pilot Madam Secretary, from CBS Studios and Revelation Entertainment. Written by Barbara Hall and directed by Dave Semel, the project explores the personal and professional life of maverick female Secretary of State Elizabeth McGill (Tea Leoni...
- 3/10/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Bebe Neuwirth and Erich Bergen are set to co-star opposite Tia Leoni in CBS drama pilot Madam Secretary, from CBS Studios and Revelation Entertainment. Written by Barbara Hall and directed by Dave Semel, the project explores the personal and professional life of maverick female Secretary of State Elizabeth McGill (Leoni) as she drives international diplomacy, wrangles office politics and balances a complex family life. Emmy and Tony winner Neuwirth, repped by ICM Partners, plays Elizabeth’s Chief Of Staff. Up-and-comer Bergen, who co-stars in Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys, plays Elizabeth’s young, loyal assistant, and the only person on her staff she actually hired. Also cast in the pilot is Evan Roe as Adam, Elizabeth’s teenage son, a budding anarchist. Bergen is with Dba and Anonymous; Roe with House of Representatives and Trilogy Talent. Hall is exec producing the pilot with Semel and Revelation’s Lori McCreary, Morgan Freeman and Tracey Mercer.
- 3/7/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Tony winner and Frasier alum Bebe Neuwirth is returning to series television. The actress has signed on to co-star in CBS' political drama Madam Secretary, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Photos: Faces of Pilot Season 2014 Created and written by Homeland's Barbara Hall, the drama centers on the personal and professional life of a maverick female secretary of state (Tea Leoni) as she drives international diplomacy, wrangles office politics and balances a complex family life. Neuwirth will play Nadine, the chief of staff to Leoni's Elizabeth. The role marks Neuwirth's return to series television following roles in Frasier, Cheers, Deadline,
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- 3/7/2014
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Patina Miller (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay) has been cast in CBS drama pilot Madam Secretary. Written by Barbara Hall and directed by Dave Semel, the series explores the personal and professional life of maverick female Secretary of State Elizabeth McGill (Tea Leoni) as she drives international diplomacy, wrangles office politics and balances a complex family life. Miller, repped by UTA and The Katz Co, will play Daisy, McGill’s press coordinator. Hall is exec producing with Semel and Revelations’ Lori McCreary, Morgan Freeman and Tracey Mercer. Related: 2014 CBS Pilots Ciara Bravo (Big Time Rush) and Nolan Sotillo (Prom) have booked lead roles on Fox’s pilot Red Band Society, from Amblin TV and ABC Studios. It is a coming-of-age drama that explores with dark humor the daily lives of a group of teenagers living in a hospital who become unlikely friends. Bravo, repped by The Savage Agency, Management 101 and attorney Bob Myman,...
- 3/6/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Body of Proof alum Geoffrey Arend has signed on as a series regular opposite Tea Leoni and Tim Daly in CBS’ drama pilot Madam Secretary, from creator/ep Barbara Hall, ep Morgan Freeman and CBS Studios. Written by Hall, the series explores the personal and professional life of a maverick female Secretary of State (Leoni) as she drives international diplomacy, wrangles office politics and balances a complex family life. Arend, repped by UTA and Tge, will play Matt, a speechwriter for Secretary of State McGill (Leoni). Lori McCreary and Tracy Mercer also exec produce. Related: 2014 CBS Pilots Friday Night Lights alum Matt Lauria has been tapped for a starring role opposite Frank Grillo in DirecTV’s gritty drama series Navy St., returning to the satcaster where Fnl ended its run. From Byron Balasco and Endemol Studios, the dark family drama is set against the backdrop of Navy Street, a Venice,...
- 2/26/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Tim Daly has been cast in the upcoming CBS series “Madam Secretary,” from “Joan of Arcadia” creator Barbara Hall. Daly will play Henry, the wife of Leoni’s Secretary of State Elizabeth McGill and the father of their two children. Henry is described as a professor who’s something of a tweedy academic and an expert on and college professor of medieval religious history. He can talk about St. Thomas Aquinas for hours without repeating himself. The former “Private Practice” actor joins a cast that includes “The Naked Truth” actress Tea Leoni. Also read: Janet McTeer Cast in Vince Gilligan,...
- 2/25/2014
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Tim Daly is getting political for CBS. The Private Practice alum will co-star opposite Tea Leoni in the network's drama pilot Madam Secretary, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Photos: Faces of Pilot Season 2014 From Homeland's Barbara Hall, Madam Secretary centers on the personal and professional life of a maverick female secretary of state (Leoni) as she drives international diplomacy, wrangles office politics and balances a complex family life. Daly will play Henry, Secretary of State Elizabeth McGill's husband. The character is a professor and father of their two children who is described as a tweedy academic and a
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- 2/24/2014
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sought-after pilot director David Semel is spoken for this season, as he has been tapped to helm CBS’ drama pilot Madam Secretary, starring Tea Leoni. The project, from creator/exec producer Barbara Hall and exec producer Morgan Freeman, explores the personal and professional life of a maverick female Secretary of State (Leoni) as she drives international diplomacy, wrangles office politics and balances a complex family life. Wme-repped Semel has directed the pilots for such series as American Dreams, Heroes, No Ordinary Family, Person Of Interest and most recently TNT’s Legends and CBS’ Intelligence. Related: Tea Leoni To Star In CBS Drama Pilot ‘Madam Secretary’ Jeffrey Reiner (Friday Night Lights) is set to direct NBC’s drama pilot Salvation, from Liz Heldens, Universal TV and David Janollari Entertainment. The family saga is set against the backdrop of a Texas mega church where faith, family and corruption are explored in equal measure.
- 2/3/2014
- by ERIK PEDERSEN
- Deadline TV
News and notes from all over TV:
- Cinemax's crime drama "Banshee" has been renewed for a third season, the network announced Thursday (Jan. 30). The show is currently airing Season 2 Friday nights at 10 p.m. Et/Pt, as the net grows ever tighter around the man pretending to be Banshee Sheriff Lucas Hood (Antony Starr). Season 3 is scheduled for a 2015 release.
- Jimmy Fallon has lined up his final guests for his tenure on "Late Night." Following three "Best Of" compilations from Feb. 3-5, on Feb. 6 Fallon will welcome Colin Farrell, Chris Pratt and 2 Chainz performing with The Roots. Fallon's last "Late Night" on Feb. 7 will feature Andy Samberg and The Muppets.
- The finale of "American Horror Story: Coven" earned the best Live+Sameday ratings for a finale in the franchise's history, earning 4.2 million total viewers, which is up 85 percent over last year's "Asylum" finale. It also ranked third...
- Cinemax's crime drama "Banshee" has been renewed for a third season, the network announced Thursday (Jan. 30). The show is currently airing Season 2 Friday nights at 10 p.m. Et/Pt, as the net grows ever tighter around the man pretending to be Banshee Sheriff Lucas Hood (Antony Starr). Season 3 is scheduled for a 2015 release.
- Jimmy Fallon has lined up his final guests for his tenure on "Late Night." Following three "Best Of" compilations from Feb. 3-5, on Feb. 6 Fallon will welcome Colin Farrell, Chris Pratt and 2 Chainz performing with The Roots. Fallon's last "Late Night" on Feb. 7 will feature Andy Samberg and The Muppets.
- The finale of "American Horror Story: Coven" earned the best Live+Sameday ratings for a finale in the franchise's history, earning 4.2 million total viewers, which is up 85 percent over last year's "Asylum" finale. It also ranked third...
- 1/30/2014
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Tea Leoni has found two new gigs at once — one as an an actress, and one as the U.S. Secretary of State. “The Naked Truth” actress Leoni has been cast to star in the drama “Madam Secretary,” which earlier this week received a pilot order from CBS. Also read: CBS Orders Dating Comedy Pilot ‘Save the Date’ The drama will revolve around the personal and professional life of a maverick female Secretary of State as she drives international diplomacy, wrangles office politics and balances a complex family life. “Joan of Arcadia” creator Barbara Hall is writing and executive producing the project.
- 1/29/2014
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
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