TV News: USA Announces an Ambitious Slate of New Programming

USA has announced a very ambitious slate of dramas and comedies in development. Building on its already successful branding, the network is adding to its usual character-driven summertime shows.

Among the dramas are the previously announced Political Animals, the pilot Graceland and the development of Bang Bang, Rare, Mine Fields, Fallen, We Counted Your Knives and an untitled Dick Wolf Project. These new dramatic series follow in the footsteps of USA’s highly successful series Suits and Necessary Roughness, freshmen dramas from last summer.

Along with these dramas are several comedies in the works. Joining the previously acquired Modern Family are the following series from such Hollywood heavyweights as Kelsey Grammer, Mark Gordon, Denis Leary and Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun: Regulars, Benched, The Diccio Brothers, Start Up, Paging Dr. Freed and Sirens.

Following are the descriptions of the shows from USA’s two press releases:

Dramas:

BANG BANG – An unlikely partnership is formed when veteran hitman Danny is saved by rival novice hired gun Marco, while executing a target. This dynamic duo pair up to execute contracts, if they don’t kill each other first. Based on the French film, “Doom Doom.” Writer/executive producer is Tim Schlattmann (“Dexter,” “Smallville”). Executive Produced by Pierce Brosnan & Beau St. Clair of Irish DreamTime Productions. From Fox Television Studios.

RARE– “Tour” is San Francisco’s hottest new restaurant – an exciting fusion of world cuisines that’s drawing crowds across all demographics in the Bay Area. Part of its allure may be the chef, a mysterious ex-special forces captain who’s good with a knife both inside and outside the kitchen. Even if he tries to resist his old violent life, he will be unlikely to keep it entirely outside his new establishment. Writer/executive producer is Larry Golin (“Cross Bronx”) with Cory Concoff executive producing. From Fox Television Studios.

MIND FIELDS– At MIT, the pranks (or as they’re known there, “hacks”) are truly legendary. After one particularly striking graduation hack goes awry, a legendary prankster is dumped by his girlfriend and goes underground for many years, his only public gesture a series of grand romantic stunts he constructs with a lovestruck fellow alumni. MIND FIELDS explores the fusion of science and creativity as these three geniuses reunite amidst the upstairs and downstairs of New York society. Helmed by writer/producers Lisa Joy (BURN NOTICE, graphic novel “Headache”) and Bryan Fuller (“Pushing Daisies,” the upcoming “Mockingbird Lane” and “Hannibal”), with executive producers Howie Mandel and Mike Marks. From Universal Cable Productions.

FALLEN – After an accident, a gruff, macho cop — known for his “act first, ask questions later” approach — develops the rare condition of synesthesia and suddenly finds himself seeing “emotions.” His partner doesn’t quite understand this “touchy-feely” approach to solving crimes, but there’s no doubt that this new insight is helping clear cases. Based on the novel “Fallen” written by T. Jefferson Parker. Ed Decter & John Strauss (“There’s Something About Mary,” IN PLAIN SIGHT) are adapting for Sony Pictures Television.

WE COUNTED YOUR KNIVES – An Army medic returns home and becomes a pharmaceutical sales rep in the hopes of finding the elusive American dream. Along the way he helps those who cannot afford medical services while pushing the drugs his company sells. Writer is playwright Michael Batistick (“Ponies”). Produced by Doug Liman, David Bartis (executive producers of COVERT AFFAIRS and SUITS) and Gene Klein and Lindsay Sloane of Hypnotic for Universal Cable Productions.

UNTITLED DICK WOLF PROJECT – An insurance investigator who works at a traditional firm takes an untraditional turn – he gets divorced and marries a trophy wife, who happens to be a man. Project is from Dick Wolf and Peter Jankowski (creator of “Law & Order,” LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”) and Danielle Gelber of Wolf Films. Produced by Wolf Films for Universal Cable Productions.

Comedies:

REGULARS – A misfit group of customers and employees at a suburban New Jersey bar express their joys, sorrows and observations through karaoke. Executive produced and written by Andrew Leeds & David Lampson. Executive produced by Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein (BermanBraun). From Universal Television.

BENCHED – After losing her boyfriend and her high-powered job as an attorney all on one day, Nina finds that the only job available to her is at the Public Defender’s office. She quickly realizes that the system is more screwed up than her own crazy personal life. Written by Michaela Watkins and Damon Jones. Executive produced by Mark Gordon (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Criminal Minds”) along with the Mark Gordon Company. From ABC Studios.

THE DICICCO BROTHERS – From comedy icon Kelsey Grammer and writer Ed Cannistraci comes the story of a promising dot-com entrepreneur who moves to the very politically correct culture of Silicon Valley with dreams of making it big. His dreams may unravel though when his colorful, blunt, and unrefined extended family arrives to “offer their support.” Story by Ed Cannistraci & Chris Cannistraci and teleplay by Ed Cannistraci (“Pierre Pierre”). Executive produced by Kelsey Grammer (“Medium,” “Girlfriends,” “The Game”), Brian Sher and Stella Stolper, with Grammnet Productions. From Universal Cable Productions.

START–UP – Matt and Josh don’t want to settle in life, love or in deciding on what job to get out of college. They don’t want to be cogs in some big company’s machine – they want the new American dream…being their own bosses and creating a start-up. Now all they have to do is land on an idea and hey, what could be so hard about that? Written by Justin Spitzer, (“The Office”) and executive produced by Peter Traugott (“Samantha Who?,” “Jake In Progress”), comes a comedy about the great lengths this group of friends will go to dream big and cash out.
From Universal Television.

PAGING DR. FREED – From Michael Feldman (“That’s So Raven”) comes PAGING DR. FREED, a comedy about two gynecologist brothers who inherit their father’s thriving medical practice after he suffers a heart attack during an attempt at “playing” doctor with his young secretary. Along with taking over the family business, these brothers also must deal with something else their father left behind – their overbearing, neurotic mother. Trusted and beloved by their patients, these guys are professionals when it comes to women but only from the neck down. From Fox 21.

SIRENS – The distinct comedic point of view of Denis Leary returns to television with SIRENS. Teaming up with the co-creator of “Wedding Crashers,” Bob Fisher, Leary’s new comedy follows three of Chicago’s best EMTs whose sometimes self-loathing, other times narcissistic, and always downright self-destructive personalities make them unqualified for sustaining relationships, friendships and most occupations. They are, however, uniquely qualified for saving anyone unlucky enough to wind up in their ambulance. From Fox Television Studios.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!