ESPN Eyes Scripted-Series Entry
By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 9/12/2002 1:00:00 PM
ESPN is looking to join the original-series business.
The total sports network -- which made its original film debut last spring with controversial Bobby Knight film A Season on the Brink -- wants to take its first plunge into the series waters next summer by committing to a show with 11 one-hour installments.
'This is the next logical step in our original-entertainment-programming evolution,' said Mark Shapiro, ESPN senior vice president and general manager of programming. 'Sports is drama, sports provides escape. There are a lot of casual sports fans out there who aren't necessarily interested in Xs and Os but enjoy the stories of sports.'
ESPN Original Entertainment has initiated the process, contacting writers, directors and producers. 'We're speaking with creative people inside and outside of the Hollywood community and we want to identify several scripts before moving forward,' Shapiro said.
He declined to comment about what ideas the network would prefer. Sources, however, suggested that ESPN might look to serialize the ups and downs of a fictitious team and its characters.
The network -- which will begin shooting its second original film, TheJunction Boys, a look at Bear Bryant's (Tom Berenger) infamous training camp as coach of the Texas A&M football team, Sept. 16 -- is about to add new shows to its Tuesday-night lineup beginning Sept. 17.
Focus Group features ESPN senior VP of research and sales development Artie Bulgrin as a moderator for fans weighing in on the pros and cons of various topical sports issues, and reality show Beg, Borrow & Deal features two teams vying to complete sports-related tasks in a race across America.
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