Tina Fey

Production Begins on ADMISSION Starring Paul Rudd and Tina Fey; Lily Tomlin Joins Cast

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 14th, 2012 at 11:22 am

Production commences this week on About a Boy director Paul Weitz’s dramedy Admission.  Tina Fey stars as an admissions officer at Princeton University whose life is thrown for a curve when she runs into an old friend (Paul Rudd) while visiting an experimental New Hampshire high school.  The full synopsis, included in the press release, elaborates a bit more on the plot of the dramedy and I can assure you that it’s much more than a one-note romantic comedy.  Additionally, the announcement notes that Lily Tomlin has joined the cast that also includes Gloria Reueben, Wallace Shawn, and Michael Sheen.

I’m a big fan of About a Boy, and I’m eager to see the chemistry between Fey and Rudd.  Both are undeniable comedic talents, but Rudd has more experience on the drama side of things so it’ll be interesting to see Fey get a bit more serious.  Hit the jump to read the press release, which includes the synopsis.

NBC Renews PARENTHOOD; Orders 13-Episode Final Season of 30 ROCK [Updated]

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 10th, 2012 at 2:33 pm

Two on-the-bubble NBC shows have officially been given the order for new seasons.  The critical favorite yet ratings challenged drama Parenthood has been renewed for a 15-episode fourth season (per TV Line).  Showrunner Jason Katims is no stranger to ratings issues despite favorable reviews, as he led the stellar Friday Night Lights through five seasons of “will it be renewed?” drama.  I’m a fan of the ensemble and tone of Parenthood, but Katims will most likely have his hands full next season as his medical pilot County is said to be close to a pick up.  That show will star Jason Ritter, who led the doomed The Event and has been a frequent guest star on Parenthood.

Hit the jump for news regarding renewals for The Office and a final season for 30 Rock, as well as speculation about the fate of Community and Parks and Recreation. [Update: The Office hasn't officially been renewed yet, but with deals almost done for the main cast members a renewal is expected]

Vera Farmiga and Andy Garcia to Star in Indie Rom-Com ADMISSIONS; Michael Sheen Joins Tina Fey and Paul Rudd Comedy ADMISSION

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: April 26th, 2012 at 8:33 pm

 

More casting news to report today, this time from two similarly titled features.  You might also want to check out the casting updates on Colin Farrell, Willem Dafoe and Rooney Mara. Check out the Admission/Admissions casting below:

• Vera Farmiga and Andy Garcia will team up for the indie romantic comedy, Admissions, in which they strike up a spontaneous romance when they meet while taking their children to tour the same college.
• Michael Sheen will join Tina Fey and Paul Rudd in the similarly titled/themed Admission, featuring Fey as an unmarried college admissions counselor who falls for an old flame (Rudd).

Hit the jump for more details (and clarification) on each project.

Alec Baldwin Says 30 ROCK’s Upcoming Seventh Season Will Be Its Last

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: April 16th, 2012 at 3:40 pm

This afternoon at a gathering of The National Press Club, during some lobbying for Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit group that advocates for increased federal funding of the arts, The Huffington Post reports that Alec Baldwin dropped some good and bad news for fans of the NBC comedy series 30 Rock. Apparently the actor will definitely be sticking around for the series’ entire seventh season this fall, but apparently that season of the Tina Fey show will be the last. Honestly, it makes sense considering the show would really lose one of its strongest parts if Baldwin were to really leave, and seven seasons is enough for almost any series, especially a comedy that runs an average of 24 episodes a season. The series is still going strong with outrageous jokes and hilarity, and while I’ll be sad to see it go, I’d rather see it finish on top rather than puttering out and getting canceled.

Nancy Meyers to Direct THE INTERN with Tina Fey and THE CHELSEA with Felicity Jones

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: April 13th, 2012 at 5:03 pm

Fans of director Nancy Meyers (It’s Complicated) now have, not one, but two reasons to cheer.  Meyers has recently been attached to direct two new projects:

• The Intern, a comedy starring Tina Fey as a founder of an e-business fashion company who reluctantly brings a 70-year-old widower intern on board.
• The Chelsea, a dramedy starring Felicity Jones (Like Crazy) that revolves around an ensemble cast who reside in New York’s Chelsea Apartments.

Hit the jump for more on both projects.

30 ROCK Plans Another Live Episode for April 26th

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: March 29th, 2012 at 12:06 pm

Just as the series did back in 2010, 30 Rock is going even more meta again as the series, which has a sketch show similar to Saturday Night Live inside of the series (Inception!), will be doing another live episode. Tina Fey took on the task back in 2010, and now on Thursday, April 26th, the show will again be live from Studio 8H.

When their Kabletown bosses announce they will no longer pay for TGS to be a live show, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) and Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) realize their lives will actually be easier if they shoot canned episodes fast and cheap. Only Kenneth the Page (Jack McBrayer) objects, urging that nothing can replace the communal experience of live television. He tries to convince the TGS staff to fight for their right to be live by taking them and our audience through a magical look back at the illustrious history of Studio 6H. See what they did there? The episode will be done twice so both East and West coast audiences get the live treatment. The first live episode was a great success and it was clear the cast was having a lot of fun. There were plenty of cameos as well and this one should be no different.

Paul Rudd May Replace Owen Wilson in ADMISSION Opposite Tina Fey

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 14th, 2012 at 7:13 am

Quite the comedic pairing may now be in the works. Tina Fey has long been attached to Paul Weitz’s adaptation of the Jean Hanff Korelitz novel Admission, and we recently reported that Owen Wilson was eyeing a role in the project. The story centers on an Ivy League admissions officer (Fey) whose life is thrown for a loop by both a potential student and an alternative high school teacher who has long fancied her. Wilson was looking at taking on the high school teacher role, but 24 Frames now reports that Wilson is no longer attached and producers are currently out to Paul Rudd to take over the role. Apparently Rudd is very interested in the project (who wouldn’t be interested to star opposite Fey?), but no official deal has been struck.

Weitz has experience in the dramedy arena with About a Boy and I’m excited to see Fey stretch her dramatic chops. Rudd is icing on the cake if he signs on, and he’s more than proven his talent in both the comedy and drama realms. I’m highly enthused by the pairing of Fey and Rudd, so hopefully a deal comes through. Admission is expected to shoot this June while Fey is on hiatus from 30 Rock.

Owen Wilson May Join Tina Fey in Paul Weitz’s ADMISSION

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 2nd, 2012 at 12:18 pm

Over a year ago, we heard that Tina Fey was looking to star in About a Boy director Paul Weitz’s adaptation of the Jean Hanff Korelitz novel Admission. We haven’t really heard much about the project since that time, but things may be heating up as Vulture reports that Owen Wilson is now eyeing a role in the film. The story centers on an Ivy League admissions officer (Fey) who strikes up a relationship with a potential student and is forced to confront a painful secret from her past as a result. If Wilson signs on, he would play a teacher at an alternative high school who falls for Fey.

Weitz’s plan is to make the film at Focus Features, which hopefully means this relationship dramedy will be more in the vein of About a Boy than Little Fockers. I’m intrigued to see Fey go the dramatic route, and Wilson’s already proven his talent in the drama arena. The actor is (unsurprisingly) is fielding a number of offers following his charming turn in last year’s Midnight in Paris. Whether he signs on or not, Admission is expected to shoot in June while Fey is on hiatus from 30 Rock.

Full List of 2012 Oscar Presenters Includes Christian Bale, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis and the Cast of BRIDESMAIDS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 23rd, 2012 at 2:22 pm

We’re only a few short days away from the 84th Academy Awards, which means all that prognosticating and “fake controversy” business will finally come to an end on Monday morning. Until next year, that is. Nevertheless, a number of presenters have been announced over the past few weeks and we figured we’d bring you a full list of all the pretty celebrities scheduled to appear during Sunday night’s telecast. Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Emma Stone, The Muppets and the leading ladies from Bridesmaids will (hopefully) be bringing the funny, and today the Academy announced that last year’s winners in the acting categories will return to present. I really, really liked the way the awards were given out a few years back with past winners speaking directly to each of the nominees, so I’m hoping Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Natalie Portman, and Colin Firth will be doing something similar.

Hit the jump to read the full list of presenters and performers, and be sure to check back this weekend to see how yours truly and Matt Goldberg think the awards will stack up in our predictions feature. Billy Crystal hosts the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, February 26th.

Shawn Levy Talks Animated KING KONG Re-Imagining KONG, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, and FANCY NANCY with Tina Fey

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 20th, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Over the past few days, we’ve been bringing you excerpts from Steve’s wide-ranging interview with director Shawn Levy. We’ve already shared what he had to say about the Real Steel sequel, Frankenstein, Fantastic Voyage, and Interns, and just yesterday we shared updates on The Ten Best Days of My Life starring Amy Adams and Home Movies, a time supernatural family comedy.

Today we’re bringing you what Levy had to say about Kong, an animated adaptation of the King Kong story being developed at Fox Animation, the visual effects-heavy family comedy Devil You Know (which was written by Parks and Recreation creator Michael Schur), and his adaptation of the popular Fancy Nancy series with Tina Fey.  Hit the jump for more.

30 ROCK Season Five DVD Review

by Rob Wieland    Posted: December 11th, 2011 at 6:39 am

30 Rock has come a long way from being the “Untitled Tina Fey Project”. While it hasn’t been a ratings blockbuster, it’s crawled its way inside pop culture in a way other shows would kill for. It’s also launched (and relaunched) the careers of its leads, Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin. The fifth season of a show is a milestone of its success, since it now has enough episodes to sell to syndicators. Being able to sell the same work multiple times is always a good feeling. Does the show still have what it takes? Hit the jump to take a look at how season five pans out.

Tina Fey, Ed Helms and Justin Timberlake to Host SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE in May

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: April 25th, 2011 at 2:11 pm

With the season’s end getting nearer, NBC has just announced the final three hosts to conclude this season of Saturday Night Live, and it should be a great finish. First up will be SNL alum Tina Fey returning for her third time as host on May 7th with musical guest Ellie Goulding making her debut on the late night sketch series. Then the following week on May 14th, another NBC star will take the stage for his first time hosting with The Office regular Ed Helms. Just in time to promote The Hangover Part II, the comedian will be joined by musical guest Paul Simon for his eighth appearance on the show. Finally, going out with a bang, Justin Timberlake, who has made waves on SNL with Dick in a Box and more, will host on May 21st with Lady Gaga as musical guest. Should be a hell of a summer for Timberlake with Bad Teacher and Friends with Benefits and also hitting theaters. Do you like this final wave of SNL hosts?

Tina Fey Gains ADMISSION; John Michael Higgins Joins WE BOUGHT A ZOO

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 10th, 2011 at 5:51 pm

Tina Fey is in final negotiations to star in director Paul Weitz’s (Little Fockers) Admission.  Per Variety, Admissions will follow a college admissions officer (Fey) who strikes up a relationship with a potential student and is forced to confront a painful secret from her past as a result.  Karen Croner (One True Thing) will adapt the Admission script from the Jean Hanff Korelitz novel of the same name.

To check out a full synopsis of Korelitz’s book and to learn about John Michael Higgins’ latest role in We Bought a Zoo, hit the jump.

Steve Carell and David Steinberg to Produce a Documentary About the Evolution of Comedy

by Ramses Flores    Posted: December 2nd, 2010 at 6:40 pm

Steve Carell and comedian David Steinberg will be teaming up to produce a documentary about the history of modern comedy.  According to Deadline, the documentary will “chronicle the evolution of comedy over the past sixty years through the eyes of several generations of comedians.”  Carell and Steinberg are already working on the currently untitled documentary, which will include interviews with such comedians as Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Lily Tomlin, Don Rickles, Carol Burnett, Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Judd Apatow, Robin Williams, Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock, Jane Lynch, and Tina Fey.  The amount of talent involved with the film is definitely impressive and Carell seems to agree by saying, “We’re honored that so many legendary comedic performers have chosen to be part of this.”

The duo plan to target the film for a TV distribution deal and I’m sure that more than one channel will be happy to air the documentary when it’s finished.  This would also mark Carell’s second venture into producing a work for television after yesterday’s announcement that NBC has picked up a comedy series based on Carrell’s early days working as a mail carrier in Littleton, Massachusetts.

David Cross Exclusive Interview MEGAMIND; Plus Updates on KUNG FU PANDA 2 and POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGRET

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 1st, 2010 at 10:35 am

Opening this weekend is DreamWorks Animation’s next 3D movie Megamind. Featuring the voices of  Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill and David Cross, Megamind is the story of the villain that actually wins.  Imagine if Lex Luthor killed Superman.  What would his life be like without a worthy adversary to fight?  What would make him happy?  These are the questions Megamind must face.

Anyway, last weekend DreamWorks held a press junket here in Los Angeles and I got to sit down with David Cross (he plays Megamind’s assistant Minion).  During my exclusive interview, we talked about TIFF 2010, all the different animated projects he’s been working on, making Megamind, working for DreamWorks, what’s the status of Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom, will The Increasingly Poor Decision of Todd Margret get a second season and what was making that show like, and a lot more.  Hit the jump to read or listen to what David Cross had to say.

Finally, I’m not sure if I’ll be transcribing the press conference with Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, David Cross and director Tom McGrath.  So in case I don’t, you can click here to listen to the audio.

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