Mark Harmon scored big when he ended up being cast in the hugely successful television series NCIS. Like most long-running television shows, NCIS experienced significant change and growth during its years on air. One of those changes included actually writing scripts for the show as it went on.
Mark Harmon once explained how the actors worked on ‘NCIS’ without being given a script Mark Harmon | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Harmon has been a part of NCIS since its inception. His name was floated around with a list of other A-listers at the time like Harrison Ford and Kevin Bacon. But Harmon was the actor that NCIS made a serious effort in trying to recruit. After casting director Susan Bluestein suggested Harmon, however, others behind the show figured he’d pass on the series.
“Mark was a big deal, and everybody thought, ‘We’ll make an offer to Mark Harmon, and when we don’t get him,...
Mark Harmon once explained how the actors worked on ‘NCIS’ without being given a script Mark Harmon | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Harmon has been a part of NCIS since its inception. His name was floated around with a list of other A-listers at the time like Harrison Ford and Kevin Bacon. But Harmon was the actor that NCIS made a serious effort in trying to recruit. After casting director Susan Bluestein suggested Harmon, however, others behind the show figured he’d pass on the series.
“Mark was a big deal, and everybody thought, ‘We’ll make an offer to Mark Harmon, and when we don’t get him,...
- 11/11/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
One of the most stunning moments in NCIS history came early on in the show’s run. In the season 2 finale, Sasha Alexander’s Agent Caitlin Todd was abruptly killed off. The character was shot in the head by a rogue Mossad officer named Ari Haswari (Rudolf Martin).
The shock death of a major character left NCIS fans reeling – and wondering why the show’s writers would kill off Agent Todd. In the past, Alexander has said that her departure was due to the show’s grueling workload. Once the show’s writers knew she wanted to leave, they decided to give her the most dramatic exit possible, insiders explained to The Hollywood Reporter in a recent oral history of the show.
Sasha Alexander explained why she quit ‘NCIS’ Pauley Perrette, David McCallum, and Sasha Alexander of ‘NCIS’ | Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Alexander was part of the original NCIS cast. She...
The shock death of a major character left NCIS fans reeling – and wondering why the show’s writers would kill off Agent Todd. In the past, Alexander has said that her departure was due to the show’s grueling workload. Once the show’s writers knew she wanted to leave, they decided to give her the most dramatic exit possible, insiders explained to The Hollywood Reporter in a recent oral history of the show.
Sasha Alexander explained why she quit ‘NCIS’ Pauley Perrette, David McCallum, and Sasha Alexander of ‘NCIS’ | Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Alexander was part of the original NCIS cast. She...
- 10/30/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
‘NCIS’ Creators Considered a Lot of A-list Actor to Play Gibbs — From Alec Baldwin to Patrick Swayze
Fans of NCIS eagerly await season 21 updates, as we can’t wait to find out when the beloved series returns. Unfortunately, we don’t anticipate Mark Harmon’s character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, appearing. Harmon played Gibbs for 19 seasons before calling it quits. And before Harmon got the job, NCIS creators considered A-list stars to play Gibbs.
‘NCIS’ creators considered A-listers to play Leroy Jethro Gibbs instead of Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon wasn’t always who NCIS creators wanted to play Leroy Jethro Gibbs. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, it was revealed that other A-list stars were considered for the role.
Charles Floyd Johnson, executive producer for Jag and NCIS, spoke about the casting challenges production initially faced. “I know Harrison Ford was a name that everybody thought about for Gibbs because he was so perfect,” Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter. “But, I don’t think it ever got further than,...
‘NCIS’ creators considered A-listers to play Leroy Jethro Gibbs instead of Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon wasn’t always who NCIS creators wanted to play Leroy Jethro Gibbs. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, it was revealed that other A-list stars were considered for the role.
Charles Floyd Johnson, executive producer for Jag and NCIS, spoke about the casting challenges production initially faced. “I know Harrison Ford was a name that everybody thought about for Gibbs because he was so perfect,” Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter. “But, I don’t think it ever got further than,...
- 10/28/2023
- by Lauren Weiler
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
NCIS fans can’t wait to hear more about season 21 — but we’ll be missing one of the most significant characters from the show. David McCallum played medical examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard for 20 seasons, even outlasting Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Before McCallum was cast in the series, serious disagreements existed about him joining the crew. Here’s what a series director said about threatening to cancel NCIS over McCallum.
‘NCIS’ creators were ready to cancel the show if Ducky actor David McCallum wasn’t cast
NCIS fans can’t imagine the series without David McCallum playing Ducky Mallard. While it doesn’t seem like anyone else could play the medical examiner-turned-historian, there was a lot of disagreement regarding McCallum’s casting at the start of the series.
Past NCIS director James Whitmore Jr. recounted the drama to The Hollywood Reporter. “When they cast David McCallum as Ducky,...
‘NCIS’ creators were ready to cancel the show if Ducky actor David McCallum wasn’t cast
NCIS fans can’t imagine the series without David McCallum playing Ducky Mallard. While it doesn’t seem like anyone else could play the medical examiner-turned-historian, there was a lot of disagreement regarding McCallum’s casting at the start of the series.
Past NCIS director James Whitmore Jr. recounted the drama to The Hollywood Reporter. “When they cast David McCallum as Ducky,...
- 10/22/2023
- by Lauren Weiler
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When Mark Harmon decided to leave NCIS after nearly two decades of work as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, fans were certain it was the end of the series. Harmon had become the show in many ways, and fans couldn’t see a path through the departure of the show’s guiding light. It worked out, though. Harmon walked away to look for other projects and spend time with his family, and NCIS continued. It might be surprising to learn that Harmon was one of many actors considered for the part of Gibbs when NCIS was in development. The casting team even discussed casting Harrison Ford of Star Wars and Indiana Jones fame in the role. A meeting probably never took place about the part, though.
‘Star Wars’ star Harrison Ford was thought to be “perfect” for the part of Gibbs on ‘NCIS’
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, NCIS executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson...
‘Star Wars’ star Harrison Ford was thought to be “perfect” for the part of Gibbs on ‘NCIS’
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, NCIS executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson...
- 10/18/2023
- by Andrea Francese
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Although NCIS was well-liked from the get-go, not even an elite investigation could have foreseen the show becoming a hit that would span decades and launch a franchise.
It began in spring 2003 as a backdoor pilot for CBS’ sturdy military-law procedural Jag. Co-created by Jag mastermind Donald P. Bellisario (Magnum, P.I., Quantum Leap) and Don McGill (Numbers, CSI), NCIS follows special agents from D.C.’s Naval Criminal Investigative Service, led by Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The show’s initial core cast included Michael Weatherly (Tony Dinozzo), Sasha Alexander (Caitlin Todd), Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto) and David McCallum (Ducky Mallard). Twenty years later, the series continues to thrive, as it stands as CBS’ No. 1 broadcast drama for five straight seasons and has launched four spinoffs, with the first international entry, NCIS: Sydney, debuting this fall on the network.
In celebration of the series’ premiere on Sept. 23, 2003, The Hollywood Reporter...
It began in spring 2003 as a backdoor pilot for CBS’ sturdy military-law procedural Jag. Co-created by Jag mastermind Donald P. Bellisario (Magnum, P.I., Quantum Leap) and Don McGill (Numbers, CSI), NCIS follows special agents from D.C.’s Naval Criminal Investigative Service, led by Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The show’s initial core cast included Michael Weatherly (Tony Dinozzo), Sasha Alexander (Caitlin Todd), Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto) and David McCallum (Ducky Mallard). Twenty years later, the series continues to thrive, as it stands as CBS’ No. 1 broadcast drama for five straight seasons and has launched four spinoffs, with the first international entry, NCIS: Sydney, debuting this fall on the network.
In celebration of the series’ premiere on Sept. 23, 2003, The Hollywood Reporter...
- 9/25/2023
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ahead of the 20th anniversary of NCIS — which falls today, Saturday, September 23 — producers, casting agents, and network execs reminisced about the CBS procedural’s origins, including the actors who were in consideration for lead roles. “I know Harrison Ford was a name that everybody thought about for [Leroy Jethro] Gibbs [ultimately played by Mark Harmon] because he was so perfect,” executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter for a 20th-anniversary oral history for the show. “But I don’t think it ever got further than, it was a name thrown out.” Added former CBS casting head Peter Golden, “When you sit down, and you have an initial conversation about casting, no name is off the table. Back in the early 2000s, the Harrison Fords of the world [rarely did TV]. But that didn’t mean you didn’t put them on the list.” Monty Brinton/CBS NCIS casting director Susan Bluestein listed off other people considered...
- 9/23/2023
- TV Insider
The original NCIS team almost looked quite different.
In a very fun THR.com oral history that marks the well-watched Jag offshoot’s 20th anniversary, assorted NCIS vets let loose about who else had been eyeballed back in the day for the roles of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Caitlin Todd and Ducky.
More from TVLineThe King of Queens' Kevin James and Leah Remini Mark CBS Comedy's 25th Anniversary, Remember the Late Jerry StillerBig Brother Recap: Who Went Home in the Season's First Double Eviction? And Will They Stay Gone?NCIS: Sydney Gets New Premiere Date, Time Slot at CBS
Harrison Ford...
In a very fun THR.com oral history that marks the well-watched Jag offshoot’s 20th anniversary, assorted NCIS vets let loose about who else had been eyeballed back in the day for the roles of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Caitlin Todd and Ducky.
More from TVLineThe King of Queens' Kevin James and Leah Remini Mark CBS Comedy's 25th Anniversary, Remember the Late Jerry StillerBig Brother Recap: Who Went Home in the Season's First Double Eviction? And Will They Stay Gone?NCIS: Sydney Gets New Premiere Date, Time Slot at CBS
Harrison Ford...
- 9/22/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
CBS has touted its improvement in diversity with a number of its new slate featuring African American leads but has vowed to continue in its effort to become more representative.
The network unveiled a raft of new series this morning and it was noticeably more diverse than in previous seasons.
Chuck Lorre’s Bob ♥ Abishola stars Folake Olowofoyeku as the lead love interest of Billy Gardell’s Bob, a middle-aged compression sock businessman from Detroit who unexpectedly falls for his cardiac nurse, a Nigerian immigrant. Courthouse drama All Rise (left) stars Simone Missick as Judge Lola Carmichael, a highly regarded and impressive deputy district attorney who doesn’t intend to sit back on the bench in her new role, but instead leans in, immediately pushing the boundaries and challenging the expectations of what a judge can be. Psychological mystery drama Evil stars Mike Colter as a priest-in-training and a carpenter,...
The network unveiled a raft of new series this morning and it was noticeably more diverse than in previous seasons.
Chuck Lorre’s Bob ♥ Abishola stars Folake Olowofoyeku as the lead love interest of Billy Gardell’s Bob, a middle-aged compression sock businessman from Detroit who unexpectedly falls for his cardiac nurse, a Nigerian immigrant. Courthouse drama All Rise (left) stars Simone Missick as Judge Lola Carmichael, a highly regarded and impressive deputy district attorney who doesn’t intend to sit back on the bench in her new role, but instead leans in, immediately pushing the boundaries and challenging the expectations of what a judge can be. Psychological mystery drama Evil stars Mike Colter as a priest-in-training and a carpenter,...
- 5/15/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS has lined up new human resources procedures ahead of the fall TV season, including a confidential third-part reporting system and new on-set Hr reps for all of its shows.
The changes were announced in a joint memo to staff from CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl and CBS Television Studios president David Stapf on Monday.
“The details for these programs are still being finalized and will be formally announced before our shows start production this summer,” the duo wrote. “We wanted you to hear about it from us first.”
Also Read: Peter Golden Out as Head of Casting at CBS
The biggest change is the addition of “human resources production partners” for every CBS TV Studios production. CBS says each partner will be a “highly trained” Hr executive who will be present on set on a regular basis to “provide a recognizable name and face for everyone…to confidentially discuss any potential workplace situation.
The changes were announced in a joint memo to staff from CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl and CBS Television Studios president David Stapf on Monday.
“The details for these programs are still being finalized and will be formally announced before our shows start production this summer,” the duo wrote. “We wanted you to hear about it from us first.”
Also Read: Peter Golden Out as Head of Casting at CBS
The biggest change is the addition of “human resources production partners” for every CBS TV Studios production. CBS says each partner will be a “highly trained” Hr executive who will be present on set on a regular basis to “provide a recognizable name and face for everyone…to confidentially discuss any potential workplace situation.
- 5/6/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
After a string of high-profile problems, CBS is instituting new human-resources measures across the company.
CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl and CBS Television Studios president David Stapf sent a memo to staffers today, informing them of the new measures being implemented. The memo, a copy of which was obtained by Variety, states that each CBS Studios production will now have a dedicated Hr person assigned to it.
“These will be highly trained Hr executives who will be on our sets on a regular basis to ensure safety and build trust with the cast, producers and staff,” the memo states. Furthermore, CBS is installing a new third party system for filing complaints with Hr.
“Professionals outside of CBS will receive these calls and emails, providing another confidential reporting option for our production employee base,” the memo says. “In addition, with the support of Laurie Rosenfield and the Hr specialists, we will...
CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl and CBS Television Studios president David Stapf sent a memo to staffers today, informing them of the new measures being implemented. The memo, a copy of which was obtained by Variety, states that each CBS Studios production will now have a dedicated Hr person assigned to it.
“These will be highly trained Hr executives who will be on our sets on a regular basis to ensure safety and build trust with the cast, producers and staff,” the memo states. Furthermore, CBS is installing a new third party system for filing complaints with Hr.
“Professionals outside of CBS will receive these calls and emails, providing another confidential reporting option for our production employee base,” the memo says. “In addition, with the support of Laurie Rosenfield and the Hr specialists, we will...
- 5/6/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Just hours after longtime CBS Corp. CEO Les Moonves exited the company in September over sexual misconduct allegations, the company’s interim CEO Joe Ianniello assured staffers in an internal memo that CBS “has a steadfast commitment to diversity, inclusion and a safe and positive working environment.”
He and the leadership of the company’s TV operations have reiterated that commitment over the past eight months, and today CBS Entertainment President Kelly Kahl and CBS TV Studios President David Stapf unveiled the first steps of CBS’ plan to greatly expand the company’s human resources operations with the goal of making access to Hr representatives easier and less intimidating.
In an internal memo obtained by Deadline, Kahl and Stapf announced “a very expanded and visible Human Resources structure supporting all CBS Studios’ productions.”
“A big part of this will be the introduction of ‘human resources production partners’ assigned to all shows,...
He and the leadership of the company’s TV operations have reiterated that commitment over the past eight months, and today CBS Entertainment President Kelly Kahl and CBS TV Studios President David Stapf unveiled the first steps of CBS’ plan to greatly expand the company’s human resources operations with the goal of making access to Hr representatives easier and less intimidating.
In an internal memo obtained by Deadline, Kahl and Stapf announced “a very expanded and visible Human Resources structure supporting all CBS Studios’ productions.”
“A big part of this will be the introduction of ‘human resources production partners’ assigned to all shows,...
- 5/6/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS’ head of casting Peter Golden is leaving the network, TheWrap has confirmed.
Golden’s departure is effective immediately, an individual with knowledge tells TheWrap.
In recent months, Golden’s name has come up in unflattering reports regarding the culture at CBS. Last week, Whitney Davis, a former CBS diversity executive, accused Golden of passing over minority actors in favor of white ones. “It is my opinion that Peter Golden doesn’t find minority performers to be as talented as white actors,” she said.
Golden denied that comment in a statement to TheWrap last week, saying: “The claims and innuendos made about me by Ms. Davis are categorically untrue.”
Also Read: Former CBS Executive Whitney Davis Accuses Network of 'Systemic' Racial and Sexual Discrimination
Variety first reported on Golden’s departure, adding that Golden’s ouster comes after “numerous” complaints were made against him by the casting department, including instances of verbal abuse.
Golden’s departure is effective immediately, an individual with knowledge tells TheWrap.
In recent months, Golden’s name has come up in unflattering reports regarding the culture at CBS. Last week, Whitney Davis, a former CBS diversity executive, accused Golden of passing over minority actors in favor of white ones. “It is my opinion that Peter Golden doesn’t find minority performers to be as talented as white actors,” she said.
Golden denied that comment in a statement to TheWrap last week, saying: “The claims and innuendos made about me by Ms. Davis are categorically untrue.”
Also Read: Former CBS Executive Whitney Davis Accuses Network of 'Systemic' Racial and Sexual Discrimination
Variety first reported on Golden’s departure, adding that Golden’s ouster comes after “numerous” complaints were made against him by the casting department, including instances of verbal abuse.
- 5/3/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
CBS’ longtime Head of Casting Peter Golden has stepped down effective immediately, a network spokesman confirmed to Deadline. A respected veteran casting executive, he is leaving after 23 years at the network.
The move comes after Golden’s name became involved in several controversies surrounding CBS over the past few years related its diversity record and corporate culture.
For a couple of seasons, especially from 2016-2017, CBS was criticized over the lack of diversity in the lead casts of its new series. The issue came to a head after the network picked up new shows with all-male leads, the majority of them Caucasian, for two consecutive years. As part of the criticism, it was revealed that CBS’ casting department, led by Golden, consisted entirely of white executives.
CBS eventually hired a non-white casting executive, though he left for Netflix after a brief stint at the network. CBS has made a concerted...
The move comes after Golden’s name became involved in several controversies surrounding CBS over the past few years related its diversity record and corporate culture.
For a couple of seasons, especially from 2016-2017, CBS was criticized over the lack of diversity in the lead casts of its new series. The issue came to a head after the network picked up new shows with all-male leads, the majority of them Caucasian, for two consecutive years. As part of the criticism, it was revealed that CBS’ casting department, led by Golden, consisted entirely of white executives.
CBS eventually hired a non-white casting executive, though he left for Netflix after a brief stint at the network. CBS has made a concerted...
- 5/3/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran exec Peter Golden is departing his longtime post as head of casting at CBS, Variety has learned. The move follows complaints to human resources about Golden’s behavior made by members of the CBS casting department. It also comes just months after Golden’s name surfaced in reporting on sexual-misconduct allegations against ousted CBS CEO Leslie Moonves, and fewer than two weeks after a former CBS executive wrote in Variety that Golden discouraged the casting of minority actors in CBS television shows.
To Variety‘s knowledge, none of the complaints made against Golden are related to sexual misconduct.
Sources tell Variety that in one Hr complaint, Golden was alleged to have complained to another member of the casting department that casting had become too thorny a process, and that he wished it could be as simple as it was when CBS cast “How I Met Your Mother” and the...
To Variety‘s knowledge, none of the complaints made against Golden are related to sexual misconduct.
Sources tell Variety that in one Hr complaint, Golden was alleged to have complained to another member of the casting department that casting had become too thorny a process, and that he wished it could be as simple as it was when CBS cast “How I Met Your Mother” and the...
- 5/3/2019
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
The head of CBS' casting department is leaving the network.
Peter Golden is stepping down effective immediately, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Golden's name surfaced in connection with a pair of controversies about the network's culture in recent months.
CBS confirmed that Golden is departing the network, but declined further comment.
Golden was mentioned in a New York Times exposé about former CBS chief Les Moonves in which he was told to make a casting offer to actress Bobbie Phillips after Phillips claimed Moonves had sexually assaulted her. The actress went public with her allegation in the newspaper's November ...
Peter Golden is stepping down effective immediately, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Golden's name surfaced in connection with a pair of controversies about the network's culture in recent months.
CBS confirmed that Golden is departing the network, but declined further comment.
Golden was mentioned in a New York Times exposé about former CBS chief Les Moonves in which he was told to make a casting offer to actress Bobbie Phillips after Phillips claimed Moonves had sexually assaulted her. The actress went public with her allegation in the newspaper's November ...
Broadway casting director Cesar A. Rocha has joined CBS Entertainment as Director, Casting. He will be a new addition to the network’s casting department, reporting to Peter Golden, Evp, Talent and Casting and head of the department. Rocha, who comes from New York-based Telsey & Company, will work on CBS' current series, as well as upcoming comedy and drama pilots and alternative projects. CBS' top executives faced tough questions about casting diversity on the network’s…...
- 1/17/2018
- Deadline TV
The Television Academy, the group that hands out the primetime Emmy Awards, has chosen 11 members to serve on the board of governors for the first time and two others to return to the board for another term, it was announced Tuesday. The new members elected for the first time and the area they represent are Ted Biaselli (children’s programming); Jill Daniels (animation); Peter Golden (casting directors); Tammy Golihew (public relations); Beatriz Gomez (Los Angeles area); Terry Ann Gordon (costume design & supervision); Norman Leavitt (make up artists/hair stylists); Sam Linsky (television executives); Janet Carol Norton (professional representatives); Philip Segal
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- 11/11/2014
- by Alex Ben Block
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CBS Entertainment has promoted casting executives Karen Church and Fern Orenstein to the role of senior VP, casting. Both will report to Peter Golden, CBS’ executive VP in charge of talent and casting. “For over a decade, I’ve been fortunate enough to work side by side with Karen and Fern, two of the industry’s most talented casting executives,” Golden said in a statement. “Their relationships with casting directors, agents, managers, showrunners and executives are unparalleled, their knowledge of actors is immeasurable, and their passion, dedication and commitment are boundless.” Church, who joined CBS as a director of casting in 1998 and began working in comedy in 2000, handles casting of series-regular and guest star roles on “The Big Bang Theory,” “Two and a Half Men,” “2 Broke Girls," "Mom," and "The Millers," among others. Meanwhile, Orenstein handles casting long-form and event series, reality programming, and the network's original mobile content. She...
- 9/18/2014
- backstage.com
Karen Church and Fern Orenstein just landed new roles, as senior vice president, casting for CBS Entertainment. Church and Orenstein have both been promoted to the position, CBS's executive vice president, talent and casting Peter Golden said Thursday. Also read: CBS’ Les Moonves Sidesteps Ray Rice Scandal; Touts NFL's ‘Phenomenal Ratings,’ Rising Ad Rates Reporting directly to Golden, the pair join CBS casting senior vice presidents Lucy Cavallo in Los Angeles and Amy Herzig in New York. Church (pictured at left), was previously vice president, casting at CBS Entertainment, and will oversee the casting of series regular and guest-starring roles on CBS comedies.
- 9/18/2014
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Penn Jillette has been trying to raise money for his film project, "Director's Cut" on Donald Trump's crowdfunding site, FundAnything, and he's enlisted some celebrity friends to help him The actor-magician wrote the film, which -- if it can raise enough money -- will be directed by Adam Rifkin and produced by Jillette, Rifkin, and Jillette's manager Peter Golden. Jillette wants to play a bad guy and is asking celeb friends like Ben Stiller, Teller, Joan Rivers, Neil Patrick Harris and Trey Parker and Matt Stone to "Make Penn Bad." "He has turned into one mean son of a bitch," said Joan Rivers in her video "Penn is Bad." Everyone has similarly awful things to say about Penn, except for Teller who is, as usual, simply speechless. Check out their videos below and watch all of the celeb videos here. Joan Rivers -- Penn is Bad Ben Stiller --...
- 10/16/2013
- by Paula Bernstein
- Indiewire
In the latest celebrity crowdfunding news, Penn Jillette has turned to Donald Trump's crowdfunding site, FundAnything, to raise money for his film, "Director's Cut," Variety reports. The actor-magician wrote the film, which -- if it can raise enough money -- will be directed by Adam Rifkin and produced by Jillette, Rifkin, and Jillette's manager Peter Golden. He's already off to a good start. In the first day of his campaign -- with the goal of raising $999,972 -- Jillette has already raised more than $133,000 with 45 days to go. "Help me -- Hollywood won't let me make 'Director's Cut,'" Jillette writes on the FundAnything page for the film. He continues: "Director's Cut" is a crazy idea for a movie. It's different than anything you’ve seen before. It’s scary, funny, and very meta. I like movies that are scary, but I don’t want them to be dirt dumb.
- 9/19/2013
- by Paula Bernstein
- Indiewire
Listed below are the studios and offices for network and cable television.ABCLos Angeles Offices: 500 South Buena Vista StreetBurbank, CA 91521-4651(818) 460-7777Los Angeles Casting: Keli Lee (Executive VP, Casting); Ayo Davis (VP, Casting), Claudia Ramsumair (VP of Casting), Sandi Logan (Executive Director, Casting), Randi Chugerman (Executive Director, Casting); Gene Blythe (Casting Consultant), Billy Murphy, John Villacorta (Managers of Casting), Karen Noble (Casting Coordinator).New York Offices: 77 West 66th StreetNew York 10023(212) 456-7777New York Casting: ABC157 Columbus Avenue, 2nd FloorNew York 10023.Rosalie Joseph, C.S.A. (VP, Casting), Marci Phillips, C.S.A. (Executive Director of Casting), Janet Murphy Butler (Executive Director of Casting & Talent Relations), and Justin Borgstahl (Coordinator).CBSLos Angeles Offices: CBS Television City7800 Beverly Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90036(323) 575-2345Cbs Studios4024 Radford Ave.Studio City, CA 91604(818) 655-5000Los Angeles Casting: Peter Golden (Executive VP, Talent & Casting), Lucy Cavallo (VP, Casting), Fern Orenstein (VP, Casting), Karen Church (VP,...
- 9/14/2010
- backstage.com
Lisa Miller Katz lives for those moments of discovery, those special auditions when she knows an actor's nailed a part. "When you see it in your office, and then you bring it to someone else's office and they see it, it's great," she says. "Those moments are so exciting." The veteran casting director has experienced plenty of those moments over the years, having worked on such monster hits as "Everybody Loves Raymond," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," and "The King of Queens." More recently, she cast the freshman series "Accidentally on Purpose," the comedic feature "Fired Up," and the NBC pilot "This Little Piggy."Puzzle PiecesI was an actor in high school but not in college. I think I realized that I didn't really have the talent. I majored in communication arts—I knew I wanted to do something in the industry. My second job out of school, I was...
- 5/14/2010
- backstage.com
The decades-old taboo that drama series with minority leads cannot work finally might be broken.
Halfway through the castings of broadcast drama pilots this season, the top-billed actors on four pilots are non-Caucasian.
What's more, the four projects are among the highest-profile drama pilots this year.
The spy couple at the center of J.J. Abrams' "Undercovers" for NBC is played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Boris Kodjoe. "Undercovers," co-written by Abrams, marks his first pilot directing effort since "Lost" six years ago.
Forest Whitaker is the lead on CBS' "Criminal Minds" spinoff; Laz Alonso tops the Fox action-drama "Breakout Kings," directed and exec produced by Gavin Hood; and Freddy Rodriguez headlines CBS' CIA drama "Chaos," directed and executive produced by Brett Ratner.
Last year's crop of broadcast pilots included only one fronted by a minority actor, the LL Cool J starrer "NCIS: Los Angeles." The season before that, there were no pilots led by minorities.
Halfway through the castings of broadcast drama pilots this season, the top-billed actors on four pilots are non-Caucasian.
What's more, the four projects are among the highest-profile drama pilots this year.
The spy couple at the center of J.J. Abrams' "Undercovers" for NBC is played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Boris Kodjoe. "Undercovers," co-written by Abrams, marks his first pilot directing effort since "Lost" six years ago.
Forest Whitaker is the lead on CBS' "Criminal Minds" spinoff; Laz Alonso tops the Fox action-drama "Breakout Kings," directed and exec produced by Gavin Hood; and Freddy Rodriguez headlines CBS' CIA drama "Chaos," directed and executive produced by Brett Ratner.
Last year's crop of broadcast pilots included only one fronted by a minority actor, the LL Cool J starrer "NCIS: Los Angeles." The season before that, there were no pilots led by minorities.
- 2/16/2010
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Like many of today's top casting directors, Victoria Burrows got her start when personal computers were nonexistent, FedEx was in its infancy, faxes and videotape machines were rare, and black-and-white glossies were everywhere. "It used to be hard-copy pictures, then sit down and meet an actor," says Burrows with little nostalgia. "Often, you wouldn't tape them; you would just read them and do callbacks. That's all gone because of computers."Now, working on such motion-capture films as Disney's A Christmas Carol and Mars Needs Moms!, she spends her days in casting sessions with partner Scot Boland, calculating how actors' performances will translate in neoprene wetsuits covered with white dots and subsequently rendered by 3-D animation software. The auditions are uploaded to a computer and stored with other information on the servers of Cast It, a popular database management system that allows them to be viewed instantly by anyone with a password to the company account,...
- 4/2/2009
- by Todd Longwell
- backstage.com
Top independent casting director Meg Liberman is joining the executive ranks as senior vp casting for CBS Paramount Network TV.
Liberman will oversee the day-to-day casting for all studio shows, reporting to Peter Golden, executive vp talent and casting for CBS Par TV Group. She replaces Sheila Guthrie, who will return to her independent casting career.
"Meg has incredible relationships with writers, directors, agents and fellow casting directors, and she has an encyclopedic knowledge of actors," Golden said. "Sheila is highly respected, and we're looking forward to continuing our relationship with her."
Liberman founded her own company in 1984 before partnering with Marc Hirschfeld from 1987-99. For the past nine years, since Hirschfeld left to become exec vp casting for NBC, Liberman has been partners with Cami Patton.
Liberman, a second-generation Hollywood casting director whose mother Pat Harris cast such series as "Get Smart," has won two Emmys, with Hirschfeld for the HBO miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon" in 1998 and with Patton for "Band of Brothers" in 2002.
"I look forward to working alongside her on the NBC/Paramount series 'Medium' and competing against her in the talent marketplace," Hirschfeld said.
Liberman's credits also include "Seinfeld" and "3rd Rock From the Sun" (with Hirschfeld) and, most recently, ABC's "Pushing Daisies," HBO's "The Pacific" and CBS/Par's new drama "The Philanthropist."
On the feature side, Liberman/Patton cast the blockbuster hit "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."...
Liberman will oversee the day-to-day casting for all studio shows, reporting to Peter Golden, executive vp talent and casting for CBS Par TV Group. She replaces Sheila Guthrie, who will return to her independent casting career.
"Meg has incredible relationships with writers, directors, agents and fellow casting directors, and she has an encyclopedic knowledge of actors," Golden said. "Sheila is highly respected, and we're looking forward to continuing our relationship with her."
Liberman founded her own company in 1984 before partnering with Marc Hirschfeld from 1987-99. For the past nine years, since Hirschfeld left to become exec vp casting for NBC, Liberman has been partners with Cami Patton.
Liberman, a second-generation Hollywood casting director whose mother Pat Harris cast such series as "Get Smart," has won two Emmys, with Hirschfeld for the HBO miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon" in 1998 and with Patton for "Band of Brothers" in 2002.
"I look forward to working alongside her on the NBC/Paramount series 'Medium' and competing against her in the talent marketplace," Hirschfeld said.
Liberman's credits also include "Seinfeld" and "3rd Rock From the Sun" (with Hirschfeld) and, most recently, ABC's "Pushing Daisies," HBO's "The Pacific" and CBS/Par's new drama "The Philanthropist."
On the feature side, Liberman/Patton cast the blockbuster hit "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."...
- 8/18/2008
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ann Donahue, one of the executive producers of CBS' CSI series franchise and showrunner of CSI: Miami, is set to talk about the casting process as keynote speaker during the Talent Managers Assn.'s "An Evening With CBS," to be held Tuesday at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. The event, moderated by Robert J. Dowling, editor-in-chief and publisher of The Hollywood Reporter, also will feature a preview and discussion of CBS' new lineup. The panel discussions will include five senior casting executives from CBS: Peter Golden, executive vp talent and casting; Sheila Guthrie, senior vp talent and casting, network TV; Fern Orenstein, vp casting, movies and miniseries; Lucy Cavallo, vp casting, drama; and Karen Church, vp casting, comedy. Also involved in the panel discussion will be series casting directors including Risa Bramon-Garcia (CSI: NY), Lisa Miller Katz (CBS' Everybody Loves Raymond) and Molly Lopata (movies-of-the-week and miniseries). The event, which starts at 7 p.m., is open to TMA members, managers, agents, industry professionals and media. TMA is a 50-year-old nonprofit trade group that represents professional managers in the entertainment industry.
Peter Golden has been promoted to executive vp talent and casting at CBS. Golden, who was upped from senior vp, will add casting oversight of Paramount Network Television to his duties of supervising all talent and casting operations for CBS primetime, daytime and reality series; longform projects; and specials. He will report to CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler and Paramount Network TV president David Stapf. "Peter's ability to spot talent, both new and veteran stars, has been key to CBS' success," Tassler said.
- 10/13/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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