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Kyle Loftus has been named President of Independent Artist Group, the agency announced on Wednesday.

Loftus is a homegrown success story who started at the agency 16 years ago as an intern, in its previous incarnation as APA, quickly moving up the ranks. He’s the rare agent to reach such heights in his 30s, at a time when achieving upward mobility in the ten-percenter business is fairly tricky. In addition to his new title, he will join the Iag Board of Directors.

In a statement on the appointment, Iag CEO Jim Osborne, a longtime mentor and partner of Loftus, said, “Kyle has been instrumental in building an architecture at Iag that allows us to seamlessly integrate innovative opportunities for our clients across all divisions. Through his leadership, we’ve created multiple strategic pathways to help our clients diversify and grow their businesses. His exceptional ability to connect talent, music, IP,...

On ‘Average Joe’s BET premiere Joe, a plumber, discovers his deceased father’s secret life: an alliance with Russian mobsters, broken when his father stole $10 million and a Lamborghini. The mobsters now believe Joe possesses their stolen assets. He must uncover the truth and locate the money. The series was created by Robb Cullen and […]

Average Joe: Series Premiere...

Quick Links Average Joe Is a Dark Comedy Involving the Russian Mob What Happens in Average Joe's Season 1 Finale? The Mysterious Guest at the Door in Average Joe, Explained

With the announcement that BET's dark comedy series Average Joe has been renewed for Season 2, along with its breakout success on Netflix, the mysterious final shot of Season 1 has become a teasing cliffhanger viewers have been trying to solve. The series concerns Joe Washington (Deon Cole), a working-class plumber who uncovers a shocking secret at his father's funeral involving $10 million stolen from the Russian mob. As Joe tries to make sense of his surprising discovery and learn what his father was up to before his demise, danger courts him and his friends from every angle.

Average Joe Season 1 concludes with Joe answering his front door to an unknown visitor and decrying whatever he's shown on his doorstep, which remains invisible to viewers.

Joe’s a regular, everyday guy: average, you might say. Born and raised in Pittsburgh; blood runs Steelers black and gold; works as a plumber. Got a wife, a kid, a house to pay off. Like anyone, he’s hit with all kinds of feelings when his dad — also an ordinary, working-class man — dies unexpectedly. But in the thick of that grief comes another sudden blow, this one dealt straight to the head. And when Joe comes to, there’s a ruthless gangster in his face demanding the money he says Joe’s father owes him … or else.

How can this be real, Joe struggles to believe, that his father was in cahoots with the Russian mafia? Just as you’re also likely wondering, could Average Joe,the dark comedy thriller — from series creator Robb Cullen (Mr. Robinson) and co-producer McG, starring Deon Cole (Cole Hearted) —...

When Donald Glover first approached showrunner Francesca Sloane about adapting “Mr. & Mrs. Smtih” for Amazon Prime, she “started laughing,” and thought it was a “weird Donald Glover joke that he randomly spit out.” She was confused as to why he would pick the 2005 action-comedy of all movies, but as the conversation evolved, the project began taking shape in her mind.

“We discussed why people get married, what is it like to fight for somebody, how would it be to take this big blockbuster hit and use our sensibilities of quiet moments and filter that throughout the series,” Sloane explained. “And also, what is it like to have a woman run and write this show in such a masculine-charged genre? So, it started to sound like something that made sense to us.”

As part of Variety’s A Night in The Writers’ Room, Sloane was joined by showrunner and creator of “Average Joe” Robb Cullen,...

Average Joe is returning for a second season. BET+ has renewed the dark comedy-drama series starring Deon Cole. The show premiered last summer, and the tenth and final episode of the season was released on August 17th.

Also starring Tammy Townsend, Malcolm Barrett, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Michael Trucco, Ashley Olivia Fisher, and Pasha Lychnikoff, the Average Joe series is based on the life of co-creator Robb Cullen. The story follows the life of a blue-collar plumber (Cole) who discovers that his father led a secret life and stole millions of dollars and a car from dangerous people just before he died.

Of the renewal, Cole said in a statement, "Hold on tight, A Lot Of Action! This one will be crazy. Let's go!"

Scott Mills, President and CEO, BET Media Group, added, "We congratulate...

BET wants some Emmys.

In a year where major streamers and legacy networks dominate the Emmy conversations, BET Media Group, which includes BET+ and BET Studios, has had a record-breaking year for its critically acclaimed content, such as Lee Daniels’ racy sitcom “The Ms. Pat Show,” the drama thriller “Average Joe” and the dark comedy “Diarra From Detroit.” All in all, the legacy broadcast media network has submitted in over 35 Primetime Emmy categories, the most in its history.

BET+ surprised many in 2022 and 2023 when it picked up back-to-back nominations for “The Ms. Pat Show” director Mary Lou Belli. A veteran in the TV business, she’s helmed notable episodes of “Sister, Sister,” “Monk” and “NCIS.” After dropping its fourth season on May 23, Belli is up for consideration once again for the premiere episode “I’m the Pappy,” alongside co-creator and showrunner Jordan E. Cooper for “The Book of Denise” episode.

BET+ is signing up for more Average Joe.

The streamer has renewed the dramedy starring Deon Cole for Season 2, TVLine has learned.

More from TVLinePalm Royale Renewed for Season 2Sight Unseen Renewed in Canada; The CW's Plans for Season 2 TBDCriminal Minds Scores Early Renewal Ahead of Season 17 Premiere

Inspired by creator Robb Cullen’s life, the story follows Joe, a blue-collar plumber who discovers that his recently deceased father lived a double life working for the Russian mob and stole millions of dollars from them. After being attacked by these dangerous associates looking for the lost funds, he’s forced to kill in self-defense.

Exclusive: BET+ has picked up darkly comedic drama series Average Joe, headlined by Deon Cole, for a second season.

Created by Robb Cullen, Average Joe was released June 26, 2023 to strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes), quickly becoming the #1 scripted drama series on BET+ in its debut week.

Season 2 is slated to begin production in late 2024 in South Africa. In an unusual move for an ongoing original series on another streamer, Season 1 of Average Joe will be made available on Netflix this summer, sources said. That would give the comedic drama exposure and raise awareness ahead of its second season on BET+.

Inspired by Cullen’s life, Average Joe is set in “The Hill” district of Pittsburgh. Blue-collar plumber Joe Washington (Cole) discovers his recently deceased father lived a secret second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died. Now those people think Joe knows where the money is.

When an estimated 1,000 international TV buyers descend on Los Angeles for the annual TV event known as the LA Screenings, they will see a contracted market still recovering from the twin Hollywood strikes of last year and, to a somewhat lesser extent, the pandemic.

It kicks off with the LA Screenings Independents, held May 15-17 for smaller studios and distributors at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel, which are then followed by screenings at the major studios’ respective lots across May 18-22 where they present their latest shows. They may also host a variety of events for their clients during those days, which may include cocktail receptions and luncheons or dinners with talent and executives.

While stalled projects ramped up as soon as the strikes ended, some delays were inevitable. “A couple of months ago I was wondering if we were going to be entertaining [buyers],” says Lisa Kramer, president, International Content Licensing,...

Directed by Robb Cullen, Average Joe is a dark comedy thriller now streaming on BET+. This ten-part series revolves around Joe, a plumber residing in Pittsburgh whose life goes far beyond the concept of average. Living happily with his loving wife, Angela, and beautiful daughter, Jennifer, Joe’s world takes a drastic turn after the accidental death of his father, Teddy Washington. In the aftermath, Joe stumbles upon an unsettling revelation in his father’s truck towing store. This discovery turns Joe’s once-blissful life into a living nightmare as he comes to terms with his father’s dual identity.

Spoilers Ahead

What Happens In The Series?

Average Joe‘s protagonist, Joe Washington had a challenging childhood, as Teddy wasn’t an ideal father. Teddy used to leave Joe alone in the woods to let him find his way home, a strange practice that Joe adapted to to prepare for the worst scenarios.

Monday again? How does this keep happening? If you’re a fan of “Yellowstone” and its various spinoffs, you had a good, or at the very least informative week last week. The show’s co-creator Taylor Sheridan said in an interview that the show will return for the final episodes of Season 5 at some point, and that the conclusion might be longer than the six episodes originally promised.

“Ted Lasso” fans also got positive news last week, though admittedly a bit more ambiguous. Series star and co-creator Brendan Hunt indicated that more seasons of the show or new spinoffs are possible in some form, but that everyone who worked on it needed to take a break and come back to see what potential really exists for more.

Until those shows make their way back to airwaves and streaming platforms, however, there is a fantastic lineup of new shows and movies coming to streaming this week!

Money can do strange things to people. It can even make people willing to kill. That’s a lesson Joe Washington learns the hard way in “Average Joe,” the new series coming to BET+ on Monday, June 26. Joe learns that his father led a secret life filled with illicit deeds and earnings, and the people he wronged are expecting Joe to make it right, or pay with his life. You can watch Average Joe: Season 1 with a 7-Day Free Trial of BET+.

How to Watch ‘Average Joe’: Season 1 Premiere When: Monday, June 26, 2023 Where: BET+ Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of BET+. 7-Day Free Trial$9.99 / month bet+ via amazon.com About ‘Average Joe’: Season 1 Premiere

Inspired by the life of creator Robb Cullen, “Average” Joe is a darkly comedic, intense one-hour drama set in “The Hill” district of Pittsburgh. Blue-collar plumber, Joe Washington, discovers his recently deceased...

BET+’s new darkly comic thriller Average Joe may or may not be better than Netflix’s Ozark — I never loved Ozark, but maybe you did and so be it — but the gap between the two shows isn’t as great as the inevitable gap in coverage would seem to suggest.

Average Joe and Ozark are both highly derivative pieces of violent, ethically twisty pulp made somewhat distinctive by their regional specificity, irritatingly washed-out cinematography and sitcom-honed leading men repressing their natural timing to play a tamped-down everyman.

Though it doesn’t yet realize aspirations that could generously be described as Jim Thompson meets August Wilson — that’s a show I would very much watch — Average Joe has the feeling of a potential breakout for BET+, though it’s impossible to know what a “breakout for BET+” would mean in this landscape.

It’s an easily digestible genre offering that...

If you just watched your favorite show's season finale and you're feeling down because you think there's no good TV until September (and with the strike? Eeek!), think again!

Summer is full of wonderful shows you won't want to miss.

From compelling family dramas to shocking sci-fi series, we've got complex mysteries, teen angst, crafty criminals, and resourceful heroes.

When you're not busy applying sunscreen, lying poolside, or firing up the barbecue, you'll definitely want to check out the top 17 shows you Must watch this summer!

1. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+) June 15 We are ready to boldly go where no men have gone before once more as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds takes flight on June 15. As our writer has noted, this incarnation delights purists and new fans alike with its bold direction and risk-taking. Season 1 ended with Chin-Riley being taken into custody for hiding her Illyrian side! We'll be reviewing it weekly,...

If you're looking for a new show to watch this summer, Average Joe should be on your list.

The BET+ original series premieres Monday, June 26, but you'll have to watch it weekly.

The streaming service is dropping the first two episodes on the premiere date before settling into one episode a week and concluding with a two-episode season finale on August 10.

Sometimes, releasing all the episodes at once works, but based on the trailer alone, we'll have plenty to discuss with this show.

Thankfully, Whitney Evans will be running point on reviews, so we'll be able to delve into the show's nuances.

Inspired by the life of creator Robb Cullen, Average Joe is a darkly comedic, intense one-hour drama set in The Hill district of Pittsburgh.

Blue-collar plumber, Joe Washington, discovers his recently deceased father lived a secret second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died.

Exclusive: Tammy Townsend, Malcolm Barrett, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Michael Trucco, Ashley Olivia Fisher and Pasha Lychnikoff are set as series regulars opposite previously announced Deon Cole in BET+’s upcoming dark comedy series Average Joe. The series, which received a cast contingent script-to-series order in February, hails from Robb Cullen and McG.

Set in The Hill district of Pittsburgh and inspired by Cullen’s life, Average Joe follows blue-collar plumber, Joe Washington (Cole) who discovers his recently deceased father lived a secret, second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died. Now those people think Joe knows where it is. A bloody and violent confrontation triggers a chain of events that force Joe and his close-knit circle of family and friends out of their very average and mundane lives into a life or death race against time to find the truth and the millions.

Townsend plays Angela Washington,...

Exclusive: Eric Dean Seaton, who has directed episodes of Superman & Lois, Batman and Black-ish among others, is set to direct the first episode of BET+’s upcoming dark comedy Average Joe, starring Deon Cole. The series, which received a cast contingent script-to-series order in February, hails from Robb Cullen and McG.

Set in The Hill district of Pittsburgh and inspired by Cullen’s life, Average Joe follows blue-collar plumber Joe Washington (Cole), who discovers his recently deceased father lived a secret, second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died. Now those people think Joe knows where it is. A bloody and violent confrontation triggers a chain of events that force Joe and his close-knit circle of family and friends out of their very average and mundane lives into a life-or-death race against time to find the truth and the millions.

The dark comedy is written by Cullen,...

McG, who has been busy producing movies for Netflix, returned to broadcast television this season with three pilots on three different networks for his Wonderland Sound and Vision banner, True Lies, based on James Cameron’s 1994 movie, on CBS; Not Dead Yet starring Gina Rodriguez on ABC; and the Jensen Ackles-produced Supernatural prequel The Winchesters on the CW. Over the last couple of days, all three were picked up to series. Additionally, BET+ just picked up Wonderland’s series Average Joe, created by Robb Cullen and starring Deon Cole.

The slate of four series on the air harkens back to Wonderland’s most prolific time in television a decade ago when the company also had four series with Supernatural, Nikita, Chuck and Human Target. The company’s executive team includes McG’s longtime partner, Mary Viola, who serves as President, and EVP Corey Marsh.

True Lies, whose pilot was...

Exclusive: Deon Cole (Black-ish) has been cast in the lead role of BET+’s upcoming dark comedy Average Joe. The series, which received a cast contingent script-to-series order in February, hails from Robb Cullen and McG.

Set in The Hill district of Pittsburgh and inspired by Cullen’s life, Average Joe follows blue-collar plumber, Joe Washington (Cole) who discovers his recently deceased father lived a secret, second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died. Now those people think Joe knows where it is. A bloody and violent confrontation triggers a chain of events that force Joe and his close-knit circle of family and friends out of their very average and mundane lives into a life or death race against time to find the truth and the millions.

The dark comedy is written by Cullen, who will executive produce alongside McG, Mary Viola and Corey...

It’s a busy morning of pilot pickups at ABC.

The network has ordered a pilot for single-camera comedy Not Dead Yet, which comes from The Real O’Neals creators Casey Johnson and David Windsor with McG exec producing.

The project is based on Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter, which was published in 2020.

It is the latest pilot ordered at the network from This Is Us alums – Johnson and Windsor currently serve as co-exec producers on the NBC series – after it picked up a drama from Kay Oyegun earlier this morning.

2022 ABC Pilots & Series Orders

Not Dead Yet follows Nell Stevens, broke, newly single and feeling old, a a self-described 40-something disaster, who works to restart the life and career she left behind 10 years ago. When she lands the only job she can find – writing obituaries – Nell starts getting life advice from an unlikely source.

Exclusive: Cop Out writer Robb Cullen is working on a dark comedy drama inspired by his own life for BET+.

The streamer has teamed with Cullen and McG on Average Joe.

The project, which has received a cast contingent script-to-series order, is a darkly comedic, one-hour ensemble set in The Hill district of Pittsburgh.

It follows blue-collar plumber, Joe Washington, who discovers his recently deceased father lived a secret, second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died. Now those people think Joe knows where it is. A bloody and violent confrontation triggers a chain of events that force Joe and his close-knit circle of family and friends out of their very average and mundane lives into a life or death race against time to find the truth and the millions.

Average Joe is written and created by Cullen, who has created series including ABC...

“My Little Pony,” an animated movie aimed at family audiences, is heading to Netflix.

Paramount Pictures was originally set to distribute the film, which had been scheduled to open in theaters on Sept. 24, 2021. Hasbro’s entertainment studio Entertainment One produced the movie and sold it to Netflix. It will retain distribution rights in China.

Though the exact release date is unclear, “My Little Pony” is expected to land on Netflix later this year.

In the wake of ongoing movie theater closures, Hollywood studios have continued to either postpone their upcoming films or send them to streaming services. Paramount has sold several titles to streamers amid the pandemic, including Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall’s “Coming 2 America,” Aaron Sorkin’s courtroom drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “Without Remorse” starring Michael B. Jordan. Elsewhere, Disney moved “Mulan, “Soul” and “Raya and the Last Dragon” to Disney Plus, and...

Rlj Entertainment is set to release the action/comedy Once Upon A Time In Venice on DVD and on DVD/Bd combo on Aug. 15, 2017. Directed by Mark Cullen (Cop Out) who co-wrote the film with Robb Cullen (“Back in the Game”), Once Upon A Time In Venice stars Bruce Willis (Die Hard Franchise), John Goodman (The Big Lebowski), Jason Momoa (“Game of Thrones”), Famke Janssen (X-Men Franchise) and Thomas Middleditch (“Silicon Valley”). Rlje will release Once Upon A Time In Venice on Aug. 15, 2017 on DVD for an Srp of $29.96 and on DVD/Bd combo for an Srp of $34.97. Bruce Willis plays Venice Beach P.I. Steve Ford: a detective who’s good with the ladies, bad with the punches, and wild about his dog, Buddy. But when his beloved pet is stolen by local thugs, Steve makes a questionable alliance with their devious leader, Spyder (Jason Momoa). Teaming up...

While there’s little chance that Bruce Willis will ever again get to work with the kind of material and behind-the-camera talent that helped make him a wiseass action star in the 1980s and ’90s, he tries the fourth or fifth next best thing with Once Upon A Time In Venice, a tiresome imitation of smart-alecky Shane Black whodunits like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Last Boy Scout. Willis plays Steve Ford, a Venice Beach private eye and disgraced loose cannon cop whose beloved Parson Russell terrier gets abducted by drug dealer Spyder (a conceptually Latino Jason Momoa) while he’s supposed to be working a case for local real estate developer Lou The Jew (Adam Goldberg)—a simple enough premise that first-time director Mark Cullen and his co-writer and brother, Robb Cullen, excruciate into 35 minutes. (The dog doesn’t even show up until the 20-minute mark.) That ...

Bruce Willis has been creeping up on Nicolas Cage’s bread and butter — C-level action movies that pass through the multiplex with little in the way of fanfare and less in the way of actual audience interest — for a few years now, turning in roles in mostly underseen films like “Fire With Fire,” “Precious Cargo,” and “Vice” with startling regularity (while, somehow, still landing genuinely exciting parts in films like the upcoming “Death Wish” remake and the long-hyped “Glass”). But Mark Cullen’s ruthlessly boring and decidedly dismal “Once Upon a Time in Venice” marks a new low in Willis’ still-trucking action career, one that even Cage would likely flinch at, even if it does feature an entire sequence dedicated to naked skateboarding.

Slipshod from the start, the film opens with voiceover narration care of Thomas Middleditch, who — despite serving as our entry point into the crime-ridden but colorful Venice,...

Hayden Christensen only has one shot to save his son's life in the new trailer and poster for First Kill with Bruce Willis. This action-thriller is the latest from director Steven C. Miller, who recently wrapped production on the highly-anticipated Escape Plan 2: Hades, starring another big screen icon, Sylvester Stallone. First Kill actually marks the third collaboration between Steven C. Miller and Bruce Willis, following 2015's Extraction and last year's Marauders.

Lionsgate debuted the first trailer today, along with the poster which features both Hayden Christensen and Bruce Willis. In order to reconnect with his son Danny (Ty Shelton), big shot Wall Street broker Will (Hayden Christensen) takes his family on a hunting trip to the cabin where he grew up. While out hunting with Danny, the trip takes a deadly turn when they stumble upon several robbers and witness the murder of one of the criminals.

After becoming...

Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.

– Kino Lorber has acquired the North American rights to Bill Morrison’s “Dawson City: Frozen Time,” about the true history of a collection of 533 reels of film (representing 372 titles) dating from the 1910s to 1920s, which were lost for over 50 years until being discovered buried in a sub-arctic swimming pool deep in the Yukon Territory. The film tells the unique history of a Canadian gold rush town and how cinema, capitalism and history intersect.

“Dawson City” had its world premiere at the 73rd Venice Film Festival and North American premiere at 2016 New York Film Festival. The film also played at the BFI/London Film Festival and the 2017 Rotterdam International Film Festival, and screened Thursday at the TCM...

Voltage Pictures financed Once Upon A Time In Venice. Separately, Mongrel Media to distribute Colossal in Canada; Saban Films acquires True Crimes.

Rlj Entertainment has picked up all Us rights from Voltage to the action-comedy Once Upon A Time In Venice.

The film will open theatrically and on VOD on June 16 and stars Willis as a private eye in Venice Beach, California, who takes on a local gangster when his beloved dog is kidnapped.

The ensemble includes John Goodman, Thomas Middleditch, Justice League and Aquaman star Jason Momoa, X-Men’s Famke Janssen, Adam Goldberg and Kal Penn.

Mark Cullen directed and reunites with Willis after he co-wrote the 2010 Kevin Smith action-comedy Cop Out with Robb Cullen.

Voltage Pictures chief Nicolas Chartier produced with Laura Ford, Zev Foreman, Cullen and Cullen. Voltage president and COO Jonathan Deckter served as executive producer with Stephen J. Eads.

Voltage financed and produced the project and sold out to international buyers as an untitled...

RLJ Entertainment has picked up the U.S. rights to the action comedy “Once Upon a Time in Venice” starring Bruce Willis and Jason Momoa, Mark Ward, RLJ’s Chief Acquisitions Officer, announced Tuesday. Directed by Mark Cullen, the film also stars John Goodman, Thomas Middleditch, Famke Janssen, Adam Goldberg and Kal Penn. The film is the second collaboration between Willis and writers Cullen and Robb Cullen, who previously worked on “Cop Out” in 2010 together. “Once Upon a Time in Venice” follows Venice Beach P.I. Steve Ford (Willis), a detective who is good with the ladies and bad with the punches and who.

NBC has given a second-season order to summer comedy series “The Carmichael Show,” while canceling its other freshman summer comedy “Mr. Robinson,” TheWrap has learned. Starring comedian Craig Robinson of “The Office” as a music teacher, “Mr. Robinson” originally received a series order for the 2014-15 season. It was developed as a single camera comedy by “The Office’s” Owen Ellickson and Greg Daniels with Universal Television producing. Showrunners Mark and Robb Cullen joined the show when it became a mutlicamera project. Also Read: Ratings: NBC's 'Carmichael Show' Is Most-Watched Broadcast Summer Comedy Debut in 8 Years NBC eventually burned off all six.

I like Craig Robinson a lot, and I wish his self-titled NBC sitcom about a small-time Chicago musician and substitute teacher were better. Created by Office writer-producer Owen Ellickson, executive produced by Greg Daniels, and overseen by Mark and Robb Cullen, screenwriters of the lamentable Cop Out, Mr. Robinson is not great, not bad; it’s just okay. Twenty years ago, a show like this might’ve run for four seasons, because most people treated TV as an appliance and didn’t especially care what flickered across their screens as long as it was competently executed and either awful or not too intellectually demanding. This one hits the old-broadcast-network sweet spot, and unfortunately that means it’s not good enough. Except for some game attempts to diversify the supporting cast, a handful of likable musical numbers, and a few sexually tinged lines that seem discordant only because this is an...

Mr. Robinson isn’t a show for everyone, which is largely a function of the fact that Welcome Back, Kotter wasn’t for everyone, and owed a lot of the success it had to limited alternatives.

Don’t get me wrong, Welcome Back, Kotter was not only a great show, but it managed a surprising amount of influence on the landscape of television for decades… it just wasn’t for everyone.

Mr. Robinson stars Craig Robinson as a part-time substitute/part-time singer who runs into an old flame and hopes to rekindle things. When he learns that she now teaches at their old High School, he takes the first chance he gets to substitute there.

Mr. Robinson is laid-back almost to a fault… well, probably to a fault. He quickly hints that he wasn’t very serious about school, and hasn’t been very serious about anything since, but he...

It turns out that Craig Robinson’s (The Office) new NBC comedy has more in common with its star than just a name. In Mr. Robinson, Robinson plays a musician who substitute teaches a Chicago high-school music class to pay the bills. “I came up in Chicago, taught in Chicago, and I have a band named The Nasty Delicious,” Robinson says of the similarities between him and his character. “And of course I’ve got a crush on [costar] Meagan Good. That’s all real life.” The rest, Robinson says, is the imagination of writers and executive producers Mark and Robb Cullen. Mr. … Continue reading →

The post The nasty and delicious of Craig Robinson’s “Mr. Robinson” appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.

The present-day Bruce Willis trying his hand at blending comedy with other genres hasn’t really been working out as well as we might hope, but he’s keeping at it. And with an already impressive cast aboard, his new, untitled project has added Adam Goldberg, Ken Davitian, Victor Ortiz, Tyga and David Arquette. Mark and Robb Cullen, whose last attempt to blend Willis and wackiness was Cop Out (red flag? We’re going to call it more sort of maroon) are also directing this one, which had been filming under the title Going Under, but is now, according to Variety, without a name. Willis is playing an La gumshoe whose prized pet pooch Buddy is pet-napped by a notorious gang. He’ll have to do the gang’s bidding while they have the animal hostage, his life complicated further by two vengeful Samoan brothers and a loan shark’s henchmen.

Exclusive: John Goodman, Stephanie Sigman, Adrian Martinez, Kal Penn and Emily Robinson have joined Bruce Willis in the Mark & Robb Cullen-directed untitled comedy for Voltage Pictures that just got underway in Venice Beach. They round out a cast that includes Jason Momoa, Thomas Middleditch and Famke Janssen. Willis plays an L.A.-based private investigator whose professional and personal worlds collide after his loving pet Buddy is stolen by a notorious gang. A series of…...

If Neo can do it with "John Wick," why not John McClane?

Bruce Willis is set to star as a Los Angeles private investigator in Mark and Robb Cullen's untitled action-comedy at Voltage Pictures.

Willis plays a contemporary version of a hard-boiled detective. His professional and personal worlds collide when his dog Buddy is stolen by a notorious gang.

He soon faces off against ruthless gang leaders, angry Samoan brothers, a loan shark and his goons and other shady characters in his effort to get Buddy back.

Mark Cullen, Robb Cullen, Nicolas Chartier, Zev Foreman and Laura Ford will produce. Filming begins June 29th in Venice, California.

Source: Variety...

Voltage Pictures will finance and produce an untitled Bruce Willis action comedy and is in the midst of talks with Cannes buyers.

Willis plays a Venice Beach private investigator who goes up against gang leaders, Samoan brothers and a loan shark after his dog is stolen.

Production is scheduled to commence on June 29 in Venice, California. Mark and Robb Cullen will direct and produce alongside Voltage chief Nicolas Chartier, Zev Foreman and Laura Ford.

Voltage, CAA and Wme represent Us rights to the film.

“Once I sat in a room with Mark and Robb and heard their vision, I was convinced they would deliver a killer fun fast-paced, cool, action comedy,” said Chartier. “This is the perfect film for Bruce, going back to his great roles in The Whole 9 Yards and Pulp Fiction.”

Chartier brokered the deal on behalf of Voltage with CAA and Julian Zajfren of Ziffren Law on behalf of Willis and Mark Ankner of Wme...

Bruce Willis is joining another untitled project.

The Hollywood star will reunite with his Cop Out writers Mark and Robb Cullen for an untitled comedy, reports Deadline. The Cullen brothers will helm and produce the movie.

When his pet Buddy is stolen by a notorious gang, the Los Angeles private investigator finds himself doing the gang's biddings while being chased by Samoan brothers and other characters as he sets out to bring back his beloved pet.

In Cop Out, Willis and Tracy Morgan play NYPD veteran cops Jimmy and Paul, who track down Paul's stolen memorabilia baseball card.

Just last week, it was announced that Willis is joining Woody Allen's untitled 2016 project alongside Blake Lively, Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg.

Back in April, Willis and director John Pogue exited Wake, which was reportedly shut down due to a lack of funds.

Watch a trailer for Cop Out below:...

Exclusive: Bruce Willis is re-teaming with Cop Out writers Mark and Robb Cullen for an untitled comedy about a down-but-not-out L.A-based private investigator whose professional and personal worlds collide when his loving pet Buddy is stolen by a notorious gang. A series of bizarre circumstances find him doing the gang's bidding, while being chased by two vengeful Samoan brothers, a loan shark's goons and other assorted shady characters. Willis’ private dick goes to…...

NBC, which has struggled with comedy this season, is making a major push in the genre in the summer with two new series, Mr. Robinson and The Carmichael Show, set to debut in August. They will be joined by Welcome To Sweden, which will return for a second season in July.

Last summer, NBC premiered Welcome To Sweden and Undateable, both of which were renewed for a second season. Summer traditionally has been a reserved territory for burn-off shows, so Undateable‘s solid showing was a surprise. (The comedy’s second season recently launched in-season with The Voice as a lead-in.) The network also set summer premiere dates for new alternative series The Island (May 25), which will air behind America Ninja Warrior; and I Can Do That (May 26), which will be paired with America’s Got Talent; as well as return dates for Food Fighters (July 2), Hollywood Game Night (July 7), Running Wild With Bear Grylls...

Running from the Friday 26th of September to Sunday 28th, the Fingal Film Festival has revealed it's line-up, offering everything from workshops to screening of some of the finest independent films from all over the world. The festival unofficially begins Friday morning with an animation workshop with Rob Cullen from Boulder Media (responsible for Cartoon Networks the Amazing World of Gumball), while the afternoon will play host to a screening of Irish feature documentary One Ocean: No Limits, which follows the journey of one Irish novice rower as he attempts to row across the Atlantic Ocean, from Morocco to Barbados, a part of a crew of six. Later that evening the festival will officially kick off with the premier of Gia Copolla's (daughter of Gian-Carlo and granddaughter of Francis Ford) teenage drama Palo Alto, starring Emma Roberts, James Franco, and Val Kilmer, based on Franco's short story collection of the same name.

Ben Koldyke, coming off ABC’s freshman comedy Back In the Game, has joined NBC’s recently picked-up six-episode comedy series Mr. Robinson in a new co-starring role opposite Craig Robinson. The addition of Koldyke’s character is part of the changes to the single-camera project, which is being reworked by its new creative team, led by executive producers/showrunners Mark Cullen and Rob Cullen. Mr. Robinson stars Robinson as a journeyman musician who gets a job as a music teacher at a middle school. Koldyke, repped by Gersh Agency and manager Brian Medavoy, plays a gym teacher at the school. Koldyke’s series credits also include HBO’s Big Love and CBS’ How I Met Your Mother. Related: 2014 ABC Pilots Manish Dayal, who co-stars in DreamWorks’ upcoming feature The Hundred-Foot Journey, has joined the CW pilot Identity, exec produced by Alex Kurtzman and Bob Orci. It centers on Mia...

A couple of The Office alums have new shows potentially on tap for the 2014-15 TV season. Last fall, CBS passed on the hourlong procedural Backstrom starring Rainn Wilson, but the project has now been granted new life at Fox. The network has ordered 13 episodes of the crime drama, which is based on author Leif G.W. Persson’s book series of the same name. Created by Bones mastermind Hart Hanson, Backstrom stars Rainn Wilson as “an offensive, irascible detective” who tries to change his self-destructive behavior to no avail. Backstrom leads Portland’s Serious Crimes Unit, which is where the procedural element comes in. Hit the jump for the full press release and news concerning a new NBC series starring Craig Robinson. Additionally, THR reports that NBC has ordered six episodes of Mr. Robinson, starring Craig Robinson. The single-camera comedy revolves around a musician who gets a job as a...

Craig Robinson's "Mr. Robinson" has received a series order from NBC, reports Variety. The show follows a musician who takes a job as a middle school music theater and, while teaching the kids blues, rock and roll and more, finds out how to put school rules to the test. Peacock has given the project a six-episode order. Robinson will of course star in the project from 3 Arts Entertainment and Universal TV. Mark Cullen, Rob Cullen, Howard Klein and Mark Schulman are serving as executive producers.

NBC is back in business with Craig Robinson, a network representative told TheWrap. It has given a six-episode series order to “Mr. Robinson.” “The Office” alum will star as a journeyman musician who lands a job teaching music at a middle school. While teaching the kids everything from rock to the blues, he simultaneously learns how to put the school’s rules to the test. Also read: NBC Sets ‘Voice’ Season 6 Premiere, Shakira and Usher’s Return Mark Cullen, Rob Cullen, Howard Klein and Mark Schulman will executive produce the show for Universal TV and 3 Arts Entertainment. “The Office” showrunner Greg Daniels was originally attached.

NBC has handed a six-episode series order to Mr. Robinson, a single-camera comedy starring The Office‘s Craig Robinson, TVLine has confirmed.

The project, which has been in development at the Peacock for more than a year, finds the comic-actor playing a journeyman musician who takes a job as a music teacher at a middle school.

Back in the Game EPs Mark Cullen and Robb Cullen will serve as showrunners (the replace former Office boss Greg Daniuels, who is no longer involved).

A year after it was ordered to pilot, Craig Robinson‘s NBC comedy project, Mr. Robinson, is going to series with a six-episode order. The single-camera comedy is going on the air with a new behind-the-scenes team as Mark Cullen and Rob Cullen have come on board as executive producers/showrunners. The Office developer/exec producer Greg Daniels, who oversaw the development and executive produced the pilot starring The Office regular, will no longer be involved. (He also ended his relationship with Mr. Robinson producer Universal TV earlier this year.) Also gone is the project’s writer, fellow Office alum Owen Ellickson, and Gabe Miller and Jonathan Green, who helped rewrite the pilot script. All three served as exec producers on the pilot. Mr. Robinson stars Robinson as a journeyman musician who gets a job as a music teacher at a middle school. While teaching the kids everything from rock to the blues,...

Here’s to you, Craig Robinson, NBC loves you more than you can know.

The Office star’s comedy project just received a six-episode order from the broadcast network. In the new series, Robinson will play a musician who gets a job as a music teacher at a middle school. According to NBC, “while teaching the kids everything from rock to the blues, he simultaneously learns how to put the school’s rules to the test.” So kind of School of Rock-with-Darryl.

Robinson is coming off his big-screen co-starring turn in the hit comedy This Is the End, and...

NBC is back in business with Craig Robinson. Nearly a year after ordering comedy Mr. Robinson to pilot, the network has handed out a six-episode series order for the vehicle starring The Office alum, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Mr. Robinson centers on a journeyman musician (Robinson) who gets a job as a music teacher at a middle school. While teaching the kids everything from rock to the blues, he simultaneously learns how to put the school's rules to the test. Brothers Mark Cullen and Robb Cullen have boarded the project, from Universal Television and 3 Arts, and will

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