William Shatner – Weird or What? Produced by Cineflix Productions, in Weird or What? William Shatner will investigate and analyze all that is weird in the world, including everything from paranormal phenomena to weird and wonderful creatures, from medical oddities to mysterious disappearances, and bizarre natural disasters to mystical monster attacks. Simon Lloyd, CEO, Cineflix Programming, William Shatner and Rod Parker are Executive Producers. Cineflix International will distribute Weird or What? internationally across all platforms excluding the USA. “Our show is weird and wonderful,” said Shatner. “It’s also whacky. If the mystery of the world around us interests you, then this is your adventure.” Said Charles Tremayne, Cineflix Executive Vice President of Programming. “William Shatner is instantly recognizable to generations of TV fans and has established cult status in the science genre. We are thrilled and proud that he has agreed to bring his talent and unique wit to our newest science programme.” Recently described as “one of the greatest pop culture icons of the 21st Century” Emmy and Golden Globe–winning actor William Shatner has logged an impressive 50–plus years in front of the camera. On television, he starred as the legendary Captain Kirk on Star Trek in the 1960s, a streetwise cop on T.J. Hooker in the 1980s, and most recently as a master litigator on both The Practice and Boston Legal. Ant & Dec (Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly) – Push the Button FremantleMedia brought to MIPTV Push the Button, the Gallowgate format which was the UK’s highest rated new entertainment launch this year on ITV1. Push the Button supersizes and revitalises the traditional family game show, pitting two enthusiastic families against each other in a series of fun challenges. Each family starts with a cash sum and enters an energetic race against the clock as the money decreases throughout each game. As soon as each task is complete, families must Push the Button to stop the cash counting down. The show is big, bright and boisterous; families compete in physical games, trained performances, a wildcard game and a head to head. They could face anything from learning to play the trumpet or yodelling with an expert, or even building the biggest wedding cake ever. The perfect prime time ratings winner, Push the Button’s format of hilarious physical games brings the family back to centre–stage. In the UK, the show is hosted by comedy and TV presenting duo Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, better known as Ant and Dec. Rob Clark, President of Worldwide Entertainment, FremantleMedia said: “We’re delighted to be able to extend our relationship with Gallowgate and work again with Ant and Dec. Push the Button is a fantastically creative format and its family friendly approach to entertainment is the perfect position for FremantleMedia at this market. We’re confident that Push the Button will be a great commercial success.” Push The Button won an audience of 7.3 million viewers for its premiere episode and was the highest rated show of the day across all UK networks. Performing particularly well for young adults, the programme consistently ranks first in its time period for Adults 16–34 and exceeds ITV1’s prime time average by up to 80%. Missy Peregrym and Gregory Smith – Rookie Blue Universal Networks International, the global channels division of NBC Universal, and E1 Entertainment confirmed their continued partnership with NBCU’s acquisition of exclusive global pay–TV rights (excluding U.S., Canada, France and Germany) to 13 x 1 hour episodes of new police drama Rookie Blue. Rookie Blue is a character– driven, workplace drama about five young rookie cops just out of the police academy. They have bonded together, fought together, drank together, worked together and slept together. Now they’re on the job together. They’re kids with guns, experiencing firsthand the hardest kind of policing there is. This group of twenty– somethings is about to learn the hard way that no amount of training can prepare them for the job…Or for real life. The cast includes Missy Peregrym (Reaper, Heroes) Gregory Smith (Everwood), Enuka Okuma (24) and Travis Milne (My Green House), along with Charlotte Sullivan (M.V.P) Ben Bass (Would Be Kings), Eric Johnson (Smallville), Matt Gordon (Rent–A–Goalie), Noam Jenkins (Flashpoint), Melanie Nicholls King (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) and Aidan Devine (M.V.P.). Producer Ilana Frank (Would be Kings) serves as the series Executive Producer. Gemini Award–winning screenwriter Tassie Cameron (Flashpoint) is Copper’s Showrunner and Head Writer. E1 Entertainment’s Noreen Halpern (Hung) and John Morayniss (Haven) also serve as Executive Producers. The drama will be broadcast mid–2010 in the United States by the ABC network and by Universal Networks International in all other territories around the world. It is a further example, in addition to Stephen King’s Haven (co–financed by Universal Networks International and E1 Entertainment) of quality, first– run original content invested in by Universal Networks International to boost their newly revitalized portfolio of five core brands – Syfy Universal, Diva Universal, Studio Universal, Universal Channel and 13th Street Universal. Jason Priestley – Call Me Fitz E1 Entertaiment, Amaze Film and Television and Big Motion Pictures brought television star Jason Priestley to MIPTV to promote new half–hour series Call Me Fitz. Priestley plays Fitz, a charismatic pre–owned car salesman who pushes the boundaries of acceptable behaviour just a few steps far… “It’s a great chance to get back to Canada and flex some comedic muscles,” quipped Priestley. “I get to play a guy who is the embodiment of Freud’s ‘id.’ The writing is sharp, edgy and so fast it leaves you gasping for air. You don’t often have a chance to get paid to be morally bankrupt.” Scheduled to air on The Movie Network and Movie Central in 2010, Call Me Fitz is a screwball black comedy created by writer and Executive Producer Sheri Elwood (Defying Gravity). Set against the backdrop of a family–owned dealership, the series focuses on the exploits of Fitz when, after he botches a test drive and puts a customer in a coma, finds himself face to face with a new salesman on the lot, Larry, a dogooder claiming to be his ‘conscience.’ If Fitz is a man who lives for the moment, Larry’s the foil, ready to pick up (and refurbish) the wreckage that he leaves behind. If the Odd Couple had substance abuse problems and sold cars this would be that show. Idris Elba – Luther Starring Idris Elba (The Wire), Luther is a thrilling crime series, crackling with energy, distinctive characters and snappy, clever dialogue. On a moral crusade, too often with only his convictions for company, John Luther is a deeply troubled man, a philosophical cop possessed by the insoluble problem of evil and justice in a Godless world. Confronting depravity in its many terrible forms, over a succession of psychological duels between hunter and hunted, perpetrator and prey, Luther reveals his capacity for violence as well as kindness; his sudden vulnerability and dizzying, visionary mind; why his wife left him for another man, and why his colleagues are frequently left open–mouthed in awe. As the stakes get ever higher and more personal, Luther’s lonely path pulls him towards the very edge of temptation. Will the relentless pursuit of light tip him into the ultimate darkness? Starring Idris Elba (The Wire, American Gangster), Ruth Wilson (Small Island, Jane Eyre), Steven Mackintosh (Criminal Justice, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels ), Indira Varma (Rome, The Whistleblowers), Paul McGann (True Dare Kiss, Sea of Souls), Saskia Reeves (Red Riding, Frank Herbert’s Dune), Warren Brown (Occupation, Shameless) Directors Brian Kirk (The Tudors, Dexter), Sam Miller (Spooks, This Life), Stefan Schwartz (Shooting Fish, The Best Man) Producer Katie Swinden (Spooks); Executive Producer Phillippa Giles (Emma, Jane Eyre) Writer Neil Cross (Spooks, The Fixer) Cesar Millan – Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan Everyone’s favorite canine calmer, Cesar Millan attended this year’s MIPTV for the first time. The best–selling author and star of the iconic series, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan made an appearance to help promote the show’s all–new sixth season to the international marketplace. Produced by MPH Entertainment and Emery/Sumner Productions and distributed by Rive Gauche Television, the Emmy Award– nominated Dog Whisperer follows Millan as he uses his special abilities to communicate with and rehabilitate dogs. The therapy, however, doesn’t stop with the pets. Millan often has to re–train the dogs’ owners to be more effective leaders for their furry friends. Simply put, Millan is the $40 billion pet care industry’s most recognized and sought–after authority working in the field of dog welfare and rehabilitation. In addition to co–creating and starring in Dog Whisperer, Millan has co–authored four books, including the New York Times #1 Bestseller, Cesar’s Way, Be the Pack Leader, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan: The Ultimate Episode Guide, A Member of the Family and How to Raise the Perfect Dog. He has also released numerous instructional DVDs and CDs, and continues to host a popular series of seminars where attendees learn how to apply his training and rehabilitation techniques. In addition, Millan recently launched a U.K. pet product line, produced by Ultimate Products that include dog beds, bowls, and gift sets, specifically designed for dogs’ needs. Rive Gauche Television has distributed Dog Whisperer in over 100 international countries. The worldwide broadcast line– up includes: TV4 (Sweden), TV Norge (Norway), Cuatro (Spain), Foxtel’s Biography Channel (Australia), UBC (Thailand), MTV OY (Finland), IBA (Israel), Canal Vie (Canada), Discovery Network’s Animal Planet Channel (Latin America), Fox (Japan), National Geographic International Channels (UK, Benelux, Germany and Italy), TV 2 (Denmark), and SBS (Belgium) among others. The internationally popular hit TV series is also the National Geographic Channel’s flagship series in the United States. Terry Pratchett and Charles Dance – Going Postal Leading independent distributor ALL3MEDIA International has partnered with the award– winning Mob Film Company and broadcaster Sky1, UK to launch the landmark new HD drama special Going Postal, based on the bestselling novel from the legendary author Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. Prior to it’s launch at MIP TV 2010 and the show’s delivery to SKY – the distributor confirmed two deals with very strong interest in other territories. In Germany, leading home video distributor KSM as secured rights for the territory whilst in Australia BBC Worldwide Channels has secured an exclusive pay–TV window for the show – further terrestrial deals are expected. A stunningly imaginative tale of deviousness, love, redemption and postage stamps, Going Postal is produced by the Mob Film Company, exclusive producer of Discworld adaptations and the team behind the critically acclaimed Hogfather and The Colour of Magic. Featuring a stellar cast including Charles Dance (White Mischief, Bleak House, Jewel in the Crown), David Suchet (Agatha Christie’s Poirot) and Richard Coyle (Coupling), the 2 x 2 hour mini–series is set to broadcast in the UK on Sky1 later this year. Louise Pedersen, managing director at ALL3MEDIA International said, “We are very pleased to work with the highly respected and renowned producer Mob Film Company in bringing this spectacular drama to fruition. We are seeing great demand from international broadcasters looking for major drama productions for their primetime schedules.”