With their longest running comedy series (Weeds) winding down, one might think that Showtime would have a slew of announcements about the future face of their network. But today at their bi-annual TCA presentation in Los Angeles, David Nevins was able to sit back and bask in the success of the programs he currently has. Having already announced the pick-up of Masters of Sex and Ray Donovan (both of which debuted clips to the select critics in the room, LA TV Insider Examiner included), attention was turned, instead, to what Showtime has already been doing well, not what they hope to do later.
- THE BIG C WILL WRAP UP WITH FOUR ONE-HOUR INSTALLMENTS. “From its inception, the show has been unique and we’ve found a creative way to bring conclusion to Cathy’s story,” Nevins addressed the critical darling that recently wrapped its third season. He also noted that fans shouldn’t assume anything about the show’s end or Cathy’s (Laura Linney) status. “They have a very interesting and novel, and I think, form-breaking way on how to handle the bigger picture.”
- DEXTER‘S FINAL TWO SEASONS NOT SET IN STONE. Though Showtime recently announced that the planned arc for their serial killer drama was two more years, Nevins admitted today that he is willing to keep his options open. “I think that’s the likely scenario and what I’ve said before…but I’m not making any announcements today, and I think plans can always change. I think plans have gotten rewired this year in a really interesting way.”
- INSIDE COMEDY HAS BEEN RENEWED. The second season of this interview series will feature great comedians ranging from Tina Fey and Carol Burnett to Jim Carrey and writer/producer extraordinaire Judd Apatow. According to Nevins, Showtime is interested in the “taste-makers of comedy” to come on this show and tell their stories.
- SHOWTIME EXPANDS THEIR DOCUMENTARY GAME. Upcoming projects include an inside look at Suge Knight and one about Tommy Mottola, ironically coming from Brett Ratner. Mottola’s documentary will explore everything from making pop stars to the rise and fall of the industry, due to elements like Napster. First up, though, Larry Wilmore’s Race, Religion & Sex, which was shot on the road in Salt Lake City, Utah, will air on August 25th 2012. Oliver Stone’s Untold History of America (which he also narrates) will air on November 12th 2012.
- EPISODES MAY BECOME A BENCHMARK COMEDY FOR SHOWTIME. Though no official deal or decision was signed yet, Nevins shared that he fully expected and wanted Episodes to return for a third season. When speaking of the show’s creators David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, he pointed out that “they like their shows to be hand-crafted. They want to write them all together; they want to edit them all together. [So] we tend to be a little slower to get them on the air, but my intention is to keep going.”
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