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Janet Tamaro, who has sold nine pilots that include originals, adaptations of novels, and foreign formats, has signed with APA.

Tamaro is a television writer, series creator, executive producer and showrunner. She created and served as showrunner on the award-winning TNT series Rizzoli & Isles, which ran for seven seasons and continues to rank as one of the cabler’s biggest hits.

Over the course of her extensive career, Tamaro has sold projects to Amazon, HBO, TNT, Fox and Lifetime. Other major writing credits include Bones, Lost, CSI: NY, Line of Fire, Trauma, Tell Me You Love Me, Sleeper Cell and Law & Order: Svu. She was part of the Lost writing staff that won the WGA Award for “Best Dramatic Series,” and received an Emmy nomination for her work on Sleeper Cell.

Tamaro was named by a trade publication as one of the Top 50 Showrunners for 2010, 2011, and 2012. She is...

Exclusive: Women’s advocacy organization WeForShe has revealed its 2020 list of top unproduced, female-written TV scripts. Scroll down for the list in full.

According to organizers, the sixth WriteHer List came from hundreds of nominations by network and studio execs, showrunners, producers and directors.

Submissions of comedy scripts surged this year, the org said, with almost half the list being comprised of half-hour dramedy, or multi-cam scripts. Ya, procedural, sci-fi and family drama were also popular.

Some projects are already being set up, the firm said. Bliss is with Participant, CBS TV Studios is attached to Coma Girl from actress and writer Liz Vassey (who starred in and got a writing start on CBS’s CSI) and Rocket Jump is attached to produce Space Trash.

WeForShe created the annual list to aid executives in their search for women writers. All scripts must be written by a woman (or writing team...

Jane (Angie Harmon) and Maura (Sasha Alexander) have cracked their last case for the Boston Police. "Ocean Frank," the Rizzoli & Isles TV series finale, ran last night on TNT. Developed by Janet Tamaro, the Rizzoli & Isles TV show is based on the series of novels by Tess Gerritsen. The cast also includes Jordan Bridges, Idara Victor, Adam Sinclair, Bruce McGill, and Lorraine Bracco.The Rizzoli & Isles TV show finale was directed by Michael Robin and written by Russ Grant and Jan Nash, the latter of whom has served as showrunner for the last three seasons. She talks about wrapping up the procedural drama. Warning: Rizzoli & Isles spoilers, after the jump.Read More…...

TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles — as in Jane and Maura, played by Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander — closed their final case together on Monday, before leaving the Boston Pd behind to embark on new, separate adventures.

RelatedRizzoli & Isles Sasha Alexander Hails ‘Beautiful’ Series Finale

As the detective and M.E. went about divining who was behind the internal decapitation of an abusive husband, Kent surreptitiously recorded goodbyes from Korsak, Angela and Frankie (whose accidentally spilled the beans about his and Nina’s engagement when the camera was running). At episode’s end, the montage — Jane’s own farewell message included — was...

After seven seasons on Rizzoli & Isles, this Monday’s episode took Sasha Alexander someplace she had never been before — behind the camera, as director of the TNT drama.

RelatedThe Librarians Season 3, Michelle Dockery’s Good Behavior Get TNT Premiere Dates

And it’s not just any old episode the actress got to helm. Rather, “For Richer or Poorer” (airing Monday at 9/8c) drops the none-too-tiny bombshell that Dr. Maura Isles once was, for a brief moment, married to rich kid Edward Dunn (played by Life Unexpected‘s Kristofer Polaha).

With this and just three other episodes left in the series’ run,...

Rizzoli & Isles has been around for five seasons, and the 18-episode release of the latest season is headed your way. It hits June 9th, and has some interesting bonus features.

The show has had some ups and downs, with some episodes feeling decidedly clunky, but it hasn’t hurt the ratings, and the show has become the hit of TNT.

The release puts this one in your hand in time for the sixth season premiere, in case you need to do any catching up and/or revisiting.

Check out all the info below, and make sure to pick up your copy.

Four-Disc Set Includes All 18 Episodes from the Show’s Fifth Season

Plus Never-Before-Seen Bonus Material

Get set for another exciting season of the chartbusting, suspenseful hit cable series Rizzoli & Isles, with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s (Wbhe) release of Rizzoli & Isles: The Complete Fifth Season, available June 9, 2015. Angie Harmon...

Now in its 13th year, Nyu Tisch School of the Arts' Fusion Film Festival celebrates women in film, television and new media. The upcoming festival, which runs from February 26-28, will feature events with TV legends Amy Sherman-Palladino ("Gilmore Girls") and Janet Tamaro ("Rizzoli and Isles"), "American Psycho" director Mary Harron in conversation with Mary Lambert ("Pet Sematary") and cinematographer Reed Morano, Fusion's "Woman of the Year." Among on-the-rise DPs, few are as impressive or as downright tenacious as Reed Moran, the youngest member to ever be admitted to the prestigious Asc. Following her breakout work on the award-winning "Frozen River," she's repeatedly proved her mettle, shooting indies such as "The Skeleton Twins" and "Kill Your Darlings" as well as HBO's critically acclaimed series "Looking." Leading up to this year's Fusion Film Festival, Morano...

Following prolonged negotiations, TNT has renewed Rizzoli & Isles. The cop drama starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander based on the novels by Tess Gerritsen will return for a sixth season, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The run will consist of 18 episodes — the show's largest single-season order to date. The series, which tapped Jan Nash to take over for creator and showrunner Janet Tamaro in season five, will return in early 2015 for its three remaining episodes of the season. Nash will return as showrunner in season six, which will again return in the summer. Thus far, season five

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To say Jan Nash came in to Rizzoli & Isles with an unenviable task would be an understatement.

The former Without a Trace producer replaced creator/executive producer Janet Tamaro as showrunner in November, just three months after star Lee Thompson Young committed suicide at age 29. The final episodes of Season 4 were devoid of Young, but his character, Det. Barry Frost, hadn't been written out yet. Instead, he was said to be on vacation visiting his mom...

Read More >...

TNT has found a new showrunner for Rizzoli & Isles. Jan Nash, who worked on TNT's Memphis Beat and CBS' Without a Trace, will succeed creator-showrunner Janet Tamaro, who exited the procedural at the end of production on the fourth season, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Tamaro, who had overseen the show since 2010 and will be a consulting producer on season five, developed Rizzoli & Isles from characters created by best-selling author Tess Gerritsen. Story: 'Rizzoli & Isles' Showrunner to Step Down Rizzoli & Isles stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander as Jane Rizzoli, a tough Boston police

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Exclusive: Jan Nash is joining TNT‘s flagship drama series Rizzoli & Isles as executive producer/showrunner. She will succeed creator/executive producer Janet Tamaro, who stepped down as showrunner in September, right after the series wrapped production on Season 4. One of the first orders of business for Nash and her writing team will be dealing with the death of Rizzoli & Isles co-star Lee Thompson Young, who committed suicide in August during the filming of the second-to-last episode of Season 4. His death was not addressed in the final episodes of Season 4 and will be dealt with at the opening of Season 5. Rizzoli & Isles is TNT’s No. 1 show of all time and the No. 2 scripted series in the history of ad-supported cable television, behind only AMC’s The Walking Dead. The series reunites Nash with Warner Bros TV and its cable division Warner Horizon. She previously worked with the studio on another TNT drama series,...

One of Rizzoli & Isles‘ central ladies is stepping down.

Photos | Fall TV Spoiler Spectacular: Exclusive Pics and Scoops on 45 Returning Favorites

Janet Tamaro, who served as showrunner since the TNT drama’s premiere, will exit her role in advance of Season 5, according to Deadline. No replacement has been named.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Tamaro is expected to stay on as a consultant.

“It’s time to challenge myself and develop new projects. TNT and Warner Horizon have been a dream to work with, and I look forward to doing it again,” Tamaro said in a statement. “The heartache for...

Updated: It’s never good news when the creator/showrunner of a successful series exits. That has happened on TNT’s flagship drama Rizzoli & Isles, with Janet Tamaro, who developed the series based on the novels by Tess Gerritsen and served as executive producer/showrunner on the first four seasons. The departure of Tamaro, who will remain as a consultant while developing new projects, comes less than a month after production on Rizzoli & Isles was shut down and the show’s writers had to regroup following the sudden passing of co-star Lee Thompson Young. It also comes just as production wrapped on Season 4. (The death of Young, who committed suicide during the filming of the second to last episode, will be addressed at the beginning of Season 5.) It follows persistent talk about discord on the Rizzoli & Isles set and speculation that Tamaro may depart. “This is what we all dream of getting to do,...

TNT's hit series "Rizzoli & Isles" is about to get a creative shake-up. Janet Tamaro will step down as showrunner at the end of Season 4, Variety reports.

Tamaro decided to not renew her contract for Season 5, but will remain on board the series as a consulting producer. Tamaro has helmed the series since it premiered on TNT in 2010, and a new showrunner to take her place has yet to announced.

Currently, Tamaro has two new TV projects in development. "I did four seasons that I'm incredibly proud of, and the show is in great shape," Tamaro says. "It's been phenomenal, but I'm at the top of my game creatively and really want to use the juice I have to produce other projects...I do so love writing female characters, and I want to do more!"

While Tamaro says that the recent suicide of cast member Lee Thompson Young "was not the reason" for her move,...

“Rizzoli & Isles” showrunner Janet Tamaro will step down following the TNT series’ fourth season, an individual with knowledge of the move told TheWrap on Friday. Tamaro, who has served as executive producer and showrunner on the series, is departing to develop new projects. She will remain on as a consultant for the series, which is based on the series of novels by Tess Gerritsen. Tamaro said that she’s “at the top of my game” thanks largely to “Rizzoli & Isles,” but that it’s “time to challenge myself.” “This is what we all dream of getting to do,” Tamaro said.

Rizzoli & Isles is losing its showrunner. Janet Tamaro, who has overseen the procedural since its 2010 debut, will step down after the end of the current fourth season of TNT's top drama, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The remaining four episodes are scheduled to air in early 2014. She is expected to stay on as a consultant for season five, slated for a 2014 premiere. A new showrunner has not yet been named. With Tamaro transitioning from day-to-day responsibilities on Rizzoli & Isles, she will focus her attention on developing new projects. “This is what we all dream

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What had ETonline readers buzzing this week?

1. 'Jett Jackson' Star Lee Thompson Young Dies From Apparent Suicide

Lee Thompson Young, who starred on Disney's The Famous Jett Jackson, was found dead Monday morning of an apparent suicide by gunshot, police confirmed to Et.

He was 29 years old.

Police responded at about 9:45 a.m., after a welfare check was called on Young when he didn't show up to set this morning on TNT's Rizzoli & Isles, in which he currently appears. Officers arrived, who pronounced him dead on the scene.

Young's long time manager Jonathan Baruch released the following statement.

"It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning. Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed. We ask that you please respect the privacy of his family and friends at this very difficult time."

"Everyone...

Rizzoli & Isles dedicated Tuesday's episode to Lee Thompson Young, the star of the TNT series who was found dead Monday of an apparent suicide. After airing the episode, a memorial card was shown onscreen: "In Loving Memory of Lee Thompson Young, 1984 - 2013." The card was followed by silent footage of the 29-year-old actor on Rizzoli & Isles as Detective Barry Frost, a character he played since the pilot episode. After news broke of Young's tragic death, the drama series, which also stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, halted production until further notice. Authorities have yet to release the official cause of death. Rizzoli & Isles executive producer Janet Tamaro released a...

The "Rizzoli & Isles" family is speaking out after the sudden death of its star Lee Thompson Young, who's been a series regular on the TNT series since 2010.

"Everyone at 'Rizzoli & Isles' is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young. We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man," a joint statement on behalf of TNT, Warner Bros. and executive producer Janet Tamaro read. "He was truly a member of our family. Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on- and off-screen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace. We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to his family, to his friends and, most especially, to his beloved mother."

Tamaro also took to Twitter to share her thoughts.

We are all without the words to truly express our collective grief and profound sadness...

Very sad news today out of the television world:

Lee Thompson Young, a veteran actor who has appeared as Detective Barry Frost on Rizzoli & Isles since 2010, was found dead today at his residence in Los Angeles. He was 29 years old.

Sources tell TMZ that Young was late for work this morning, prompting his landlord to open his apartment door to check on the star and finding his corpse inside, reportedly the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"We are all without the words to truly express our collective grief and profound sadness at the loss of such a sweet, bright light," Tweeted Rizzoli & Isles creator Janet Tamaro not long after the tragic news broke.

Young broke into acting on Disney Channel’s The Famous Jett Jackson in 1998 and also appeared in episodes of Scrubs, FlashForward and Smallville. We send our thoughts and best wishes to the 29-year old actor's friends and loved ones.

Lee Thompson Young, star of "The Famous Jett Jackson," has died. The actor, who started on the Disney Channel hit at 14, died at 29 years old after 15 years on screen.

Young played the titular character in "The Famous Jett Jackson" for four years, including a Disney Channel Original Movie. Following the end of "The Famous Jett Jackson," Young made regular guest appearances on several of TV's most-popular shows -- on "Smallville," he was DC Comics hero Victor Stone/Cyborg and he also had a multi-episode arc on "Scrubs."

Other TV roles included the short-lived "South Beach," on which he starred opposite Vanessa Williams and Giancarlo Esposito, and "FlashForward" with Joseph Fiennes and John Cho. Following "FlashForward's" cancellation, Young joined the cast of TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles." On the popular crime series, Young played Detective Barry Frost, Rizzoli's (Angie Harmon) partner.

After the news broke, "Rizzoli & Isles" showrunner Janet Tamaro responded on...

Update, 12:25 Pm: Production on TNT’s hit drama Rizzoli & Isles has been shut down in light of the sudden passing of co-star Lee Thompson Young, whose body was discovered in his apartment after he failed to show up for work this morning. The producers of the series, in which Thompson played star Angie Harmon’s partner on the force, are currently evaluating whether to resume production tomorrow or go on hiatus while the cast and crew cope with Young’s death and writers figure out how to write off his character. Here is TNT, Rizzoli & Isles‘ studio Warner Bros TV and executive producer Janet Tamaro’s statement today on Young’s death: “Everyone at Rizzoli & Isles is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young. We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. He was truly a member of our family.

Disney Channel star turned Rizzoli & Isles cast member Lee Thompson Young was found dead at his Los Angeles apartment on Monday morning.

Per TMZ, which was first to report on the tragedy, the 29-year-old actor suffered a fatal gunshot wound that appeared to be self-inflicted.

ABC News has since confirmed Young’s death.

Production on the back half of Rizzoli’s current season was suspended Monday and possibly will take a short hiatus. A statement from TNT, Warner Bros. TV and Rizzoli & Isles Ep Janet Tamaro reads as follows:

Everyone at Rizzoli & Isles is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young.

Lee Thompson Young, who starred on Disney's The Famous Jett Jackson, was found dead Monday morning of an apparent suicide by gunshot, police confirm to Et.

He was 29 years old.

Related - Remembering Cory Monteith

Police responded at about 9:45 a.m. Monday, after a welfare check was called on Young when he didn't show up to to set this morning on TNT's Rizzoli & Isles, in which he currently appears. Officers arrived, who pronounced him dead on the scene.

Young's long time manager Jonathan Baruch released the following statement.

"It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning. Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed. We ask that you please respect the privacy of his family and friends at this very difficult time."

"Everyone at Rizzoli & Isles is devastated by the news of...

Lee Thompson Young, who starred as the lead in Disney Channel's The Famous Jett Jackson, has died in a suicide. He was 29.

Los Angeles Police Department confirms to People that officers responded to an early morning call and found the actor dead in his apartment.

"It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning," Young’s longtime manager, Jonathan Baruch, said in a statement released to People.

"Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed. We...

Lee Thompson Young, who starred as the lead in Disney Channel's The Famous Jett Jackson, has died in a suicide. He was 29. Los Angeles Police Department confirms to People that officers responded to an early morning call and found the actor dead in his apartment. "It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning," Young’s longtime manager, Jonathan Baruch, said in a statement released to People. "Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed. We ask...

Actor Lee Thompson Young -- who played the main character on Disney's "The Famous Jett Jackson" -- has died after what officials believe is a suicide. He was 29. Young had consistent work on TV. Since playing a teenage secret agent, he had recurring roles on "The Guardian," "Scrubs," "Smallville" and "FlashForward." He also played the Boston police detective Barry Frost on TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles." TMZ reports that police are saying Young's body was discovered with a gunshot wound that appears to be self-inflicted. Some crew from"Rizzoli & Isles" who were waiting on him alerted his landlord who opened the door, discovering Young's body. Statement from TNT, Warner Bros. and Rizzoli & Isles Executive Producer Janet Tamaro: "...

Warner Bros Domestic Television Distribution a broadcast weekend off-net window for the TNT drama Rizzoli & Isles in 95% of the country for a fall 2015 debut. The detective series debuted its fourth season June 25 as the highest-rated cable premiere of the summer, drawing 6.6 million total viewers, with 2.3 million adults 25-54 and 1.8 million adults 18-49 — up double digits in viewership and the key demos compared with the previous season. Rizzoli & Isles has been sold into 170 markets including stations owned by Fox, CBS, Sinclair, Hearst, Gannett, Lin, Local TV, Cox, Raycom, Weigel, Meredith, Mission, Nexstar, New Age, Journal, Scripps, Gray, Grant, Max Media, London, West Virginia, Media, Lockwood, Drewry, Cordillera, Bonten, Bahakel, Citadel, Diversified, Woods, Schurz and Mckinnon. The show was developed for TV by Janet Tamaro, who serves as executive producer with Bill Haber and Michael Katleman. The series is from Hurdler Productions and Ostar Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television. Bet...

Fans of TNT's Blockbuster Crime-Drama Rizzoli & Isles can rejoice as production Begins on Season 4 with Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander. The series is set to return this summer. TNT has ordered 15 episodes for the fourth season of Rizzoli & Isles, which is slated to begin this summer. TNT's Rizzoli & Isles was developed for television by executive producer Janet Tamaro from characters created by best-selling crime novelist Tess Gerritsen. In the series, Angie Harmon plays tough-as-nails Boston police detective Jane Rizzoli, while Sasha Alexander is the smart, impeccably dressed medical examiner Maura Isles. Despite being complete opposites, the two women share an offbeat chemistry and strong working relationship that lets them solve complex murder mysteries in the...

London -- UKTV, the multi-channel network operator owned by BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, has inked a deal with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution to secure future seasons of Boston cop drama series Rizzoli & Isles for U.K. audiences. Alibi, UKTV's channel set up to carry British and American crime drama as part of UKTV’s network, has currently scheduled the third season of the drama for January 2013. Financial details were not disclosed. Based on Tess Gerritsen's crime novels and developed for television by Janet Tamaro (Bones, Lost), Rizzoli & Isles stars Angie Harmon (Law & Order) as

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TNT has started its renewals with a fourth season order to its new flagship series, Rizzoli & Isles, and a second season pickup of freshman Dallas. After excelling behind The Closer on Mondays, the series has drawn 7.1 million viewers in its new Tuesday 9 Pm timeslot and ranks as summer’s #1 returning scripted series on basic cable. TNT has ordered 15 episodes of Rizzoli & Isles, with the fourth season slated for 2013. “Anchoring a new night in its third season, Rizzoli & Isles has proven itself to be a strong and enduring hit, not only in terms of the great storylines and performances, but also in terms of the show’s stellar ratings,” said TNT’s head of programming Michael Wright. Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander star in Rizzoli & Isles, which was developed for television by executive producer Janet Tamaro from characters created by best-selling crime novelist Tess Gerritsen. Rizzoli & Isles comes to TNT from...

After last season's cliff-hanger on TNT's Rizzoli & Isles (the BFFs were at a major crossroads), executive producer Janet Tamaro wanted Season 3 to start with a bang. Then it hit her: Who would be disappointed at seeing Angie Harmon (Rizzoli) in a hooker outfit? "The story line just crackled from there," Tamaro says. "The only problem was, we couldn't get her out of character!"

Read More >...

Q- You are the current Director of WGA's Showrunner Training Program at Writers Guild of America West. How many applicants did you have for this year?

A- We had over eighty applicants for about twenty five slots. The application process is a two step process. First applicants have to be recommended by current show runners or creative executives. Once they've been recommended, they fill out an application. I review the applications and we end up interviewing about fifty candidates. Out of those fifty candidates we invite approximately twenty five people to participate in the Program. This year's first session was on Saturday, January 14th and it (the program) ran for six consecutive Saturdays.

Q- How long has the Showrunner Training Program been in existence, and can you give the readers a background of its origins?

A- The Showrunner Training Program is the brainchild of writer producer, Jeff Melvoin, who's currently...

When "Rizzoli & Isles" returns to TNT Monday night (Nov. 28), Sasha Alexander's Maura Isles is definitely carrying the more lighthearted end of the story. That won't last.

Alexander tells Zap2it that "it gets darker for Maura as the episodes go," and that by the time the finale airs in December, people may find themselves choosing sides between Maura and Jane Rizzoli (Angie Harmon).

"You're going to learn a lot of things about her by the time we finish, and when we get to the finale, it's really intense," Alexander says.

We also talked about the chemistry she has with Harmon, how fans perceive the relationship between Jane and Maura and more.

Zap2it: The show seems to have a pretty good sense of how to balance the darker and lighter moments. How do you play it?

Sasha Alexander: It's sort of like a recipe where you throw in a bunch of different flavors,...

I don’t know about you, but I’ve missed the heck out of everyone’s favorite raspy voiced detective and high-fashion medical examiner these past few months. Rizzoli & Isles is set to return Monday, Nov. 28 on TNT for a winter mini-season of five new episodes.

That means we should all prepare ourselves for a whole new round of eye sex, Totally Gratuitous, Totally Gay Touching and full-on lesbian subtext from Det. Jane Rizzoli and Dr. Maura Isles. How about a little taste of what’s to come?

So, per series creator Janet Tamaro we should expect unusual things, unusual relationships, unusual cases and an unusually high number of lesbian fans throwing things at their TVs if Maura and Tommy hook up.

If Tommy and Maura hook up, I swear I will shoot a bitch through my own abdomen Jane Rizzoli-style. I realize that these characters are ostensibly “straight.” But...

Prevention Magazine has announced they will host the first-ever “Prevention Healthy TV Awards,” an evening in celebration of television programming and personalities that delivers the best message and role models for healthier lifestyles.

The evening will commence with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a presentation spotlighting the inaugural honorees. The “Healthy TV Awards” winners were featured in the September issue of Prevention Magazine.

Among those who will be attending are Diane Salvatore, Editor-in-Chief of Prevention, along with Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland), Mary Murphy (So You Think You Can Dance), Alison Sweeney (The Biggest Loser), Cat Cora (Iron Chef), Jackie Warner (Bravo’s Work Out), Kathy Kaehler (Kathy Kaehler Fitness), Darlene Hunt (Creator and Executive Producer, The Big C), Vivian Cannon (Executive Producer, The Big C), Todd Lubin (Executive Producer, The Biggest Loser), Janet Tamaro (Executive Producer, Rizzoli & Isles), Mark Stegemann (Writer/Producer, Men of A Certain Age), Anne Fox (Producer,...

Rizzoli & Isles showrunner Janet Tamaro has defended the decision to move away from the show's literary roots. The TNT cop drama, which stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, is based on the novel series by writer Tess Gerritsen. "You have to, as a television writer, make [the characters] your own because [otherwise] what's the point?" Tamaro told The Futon Critic. She added: "Some of my viewers have gravitated to the books and some of her readers have moved to the series. I only get the occasional, 'Why did you [do that]?!'" (more)...

TNT has some pretty cool shows on, Falling Skies and Southland are my personal favorites. The Closer is a really enjoyable show as well. The Fall/Winter schedule has been released for the networks lineup. Keep reading for all the details.

Let us know what your favorite show is on TNT?

Official Press Release:

After scoring its most successful summer of original programming ever, including the launch of mega-hit Falling Skies, TNT is set to heat up the fall and winter with a terrific lineup of popular and acclaimed original series and a showcase of new original movies. The drama network’s slate includes the return of basic cable’s top two series of all time, The Closer, starring 2010 Emmy® winner Kyra Sedgwick, and Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; all-new episodes of the hit caper series Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and a new season of the critically acclaimed Southland.

One down, two to go...

Lolita Davidovich will guest star on a December episode of Rizzoli & Isles, coming on board the TNT hit as Melody Patterson, one of Vince Korsak’s three ex-wives. She's the ex whose child Vince raised for a decade.

According to TV Line, Melody returns because she wants Vince to invest in her new business. It's a character producer Janet Tamaro says she "tailored" specifically for Davidovich, who hasn't appeared on a series since a stint in 2009 on Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Rizzoli & Isles wraps up its summer season on September 12 and then returns in the late fall.

Lolita Davidovich has signed up for a guest role on Rizzoli & Isles. The L Word actress will play Melody Patterson, the former wife of detective Vince Korsak (Bruce McGill), according to TV Line. "I have always wanted to work with Lolita, and tailored this role for her," said the show's executive producer Janet Tamaro. Davidovich has previously appeared in episodes of CSI, Criminal Minds and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her film credits include 1998's Gods and Monsters and 2002's (more)...

TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles will shed light on Det. Vince Korsak’s past by introducing viewers to one of the top cop’s three (!) ex-wives — and Lolita Davidovich (Blaze) has scored the plum gig.

TVLine has learned exclusively that in a December episode titled “Seventeen Ain’t So Sweet,” Davidovich will guest-star as Melody Patterson, the former Mrs. whose son Vince raised for 10 years. What brings her back into his orbit — romantic pining? A wish to reflect on old times? How about… her hope that her former hubby will invest some coin in her new business. Hmm.

TNT Renews Rizzoli...

Bill O'Reilly recently took a short break from "The O'Reilly Factor" to film his guest appearance on the TNT crime series "Rizzoli and Isles." The Fox News host admitted that acting was more difficult than his usual gig as a pundit.

Speaking to "Entertainment Tonight" on set, O'Reilly said, "I'm used to just me and some pinhead guest and I'm pounding that person but now I've gotta be listening to the nuance of the lines." He joked, "I could've done four 'Factors' in the time it takes to do one scene on this dopey program."

He revealed that he will play himself on the show, where he will appear opposite actresses Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander. He joked, "See nobody is as obnoxious as me. They couldn't find an actor to play me." Harmon called O'Reilly's performance "fantastic," joking, He's very very good at playing himself." When asked how it was working with O'Reilly,...

In our final part of our roundup of this summer’s television scores, we’ll take a look at the shows on TNT, Syfy, HBO and Lifetime. Also check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the series for the composers on all the other major network and cable shows of the summer.

TNT:

The most successful new show of the summer on TNT is the sci-fi series Falling Skies. The project starring Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Drew Roy, Sarah Carter and Maxim Knight is produced by Steven Spielberg and centers on an alien invasion of Earth and the resistance formed by the survivor. Also producing are Graham Yost (Justified) and Robert Rodat (writer of Saving Private Ryan). Noah Sorota is scoring the show. Check out our announcement from earlier this year here and visit Tracksounds for an audio interview with the composer. The two-hour season finale is airing tonight on TNT.

Rizzoli & Isles creator and executive producer Janet Tamaro had been thinking about creating a female buddy cop show for a while. But when her co-executive producer Bill Haber brought her the Rizzoli & Isles series by bestselling author Tess Gerritsen, she found her perfect vehicle. The former reporter, who has a masters in journalism from Columbia University, had covered crime and courts extensively while working for ABC News, Inside Edition and America’s Most Wanted before switching to screenwriting. She had previously written and produced on shows like CSI: NY, Bones and Lost.

Left to right: Angie Harmon, Tess Gerritsen, Sasha Alexander and Janet Tamaro

Since premiering on TNT last summer, Rizzoli & Isles has become the highest-rated basic cable show. Its ratings remain high in the second season and its stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander have broken out big time and graced magazine covers together. Tamaro spoke with AfterEllen.com...

Jessica Hills Author Tess Gerritsen

Tess Gerritsen is the author of the Rizzoli & Isles books, and the second season of the television series based on her work begins tonight. Gerritsen, who practiced internal medicine as a physician for five years, now spends her time penning suspense novels that deal with medicine and forensic science.

Gerritsen returned to her first love–writing–while on maternity leave. She started with romance suspense novels, because she used to read romances during her medical residency.

Rizzoli & Isles co-creator Janet Tamaro has dismissed speculation concerning the nature of the central duo's relationship. The showrunner told the Los Angeles Times that there is no romantic element to the friendship between Rizzoli (Angie Harmon) and Isles (Sasha Alexander). "[We have] two gorgeous actresses together who have great, natural chemistry," she argued.

"[But they] are straight women who don't fear the interest in or the speculation about their relationship." Alexander agreed that the crime-fighting pair are simply "friends and colleagues". "Women in the workplace are often portrayed as catty and (more)...

Rizzoli & Isles showrunner Janet Tamaro has revealed details about the show's second season premiere. She told TV Guide that Jane Rizzoli (Angie Harmon) will be "reluctant" to return to work, having shot herself to save her brother in the first season finale. "I didn't want Jane coming back to work to balloons and cake," she explained. "I wanted a reluctant hero. She experienced a trauma and she's stalling about working again." Tamaro also confirmed that the upcoming second season will feature a greater focus on romance (more)...

Bill O'Reilly has signed up for a guest role in the new season of Rizzoli & Isles. According to TV Guide, the Fox News anchor will appear in one episode of the show as a "potential murder suspect". O'Reilly is friends with Rizzoli & Isles creator Janet Tamaro and the show's star Angie Harmon, who plays Jane Rizzoli. Speaking about O'Reilly's visit to the set last year, Tamaro said: "He took one look (more)...

Bill O'Reilly: pundit. Cable news superstar. Murderer?

The Fox News host will play Bill O'Reilly, potential murderer, on a fall episode of TNT's cop show "Rizzoli & Isles," it was reported Friday. According to TV Guide, O'Reilly has long known the show's creator, Janet Tamaro, with the two first meeting when they worked together on "Inside Edition."

When he took a tour of the set last summer, and remarked, upon seeing an autopsy table, "Yeah a lot of people would like to see me on that," the seeds for his guest turn were planted. The episode will shoot in July and air sometime in the fall.

"Rizzoli & Isles," featuring Angie Harmon (O'Reilly's conservative friend) and Sasha Alexander, is a crime show set in Boston. The second season starts July 11th on TNT.

For more on the guest appearance, click over to TV Guide.

Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly is planning to guest star as himself — playing a "potential murder suspect" — on an episode of Rizzoli & Isles this coming season.

He and show creator Janet Tamaro have known each other ever since Tamaro's first TV job at Inside Edition, where they worked together. O'Reilly is also friendly with Rizzoli star Angie Harmon, an outspoken conservative.

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