In this latest news round-up, speculation ensues on what changes the networks will announce in the coming months for shows like Without A Trace and Cold Case. Some networks look to Canada for fresh programming, and economic benefits, and actor Mark Wahlberg gets involved in what is perhaps one of our old favorites:

Wahlberg’s “Prisoners” – Same Old Hat?

What’s wrong with this picture? A new script for a dark crime thriller called Prisoners has caught the attention (and commitment) of actor Mark Wahlberg and all the major studios in Hollywood.  The project is said to resemble the likes of films, Seven, and The Silence of The Lambs. The problem? The plot centers on the story of a Boston man who takes the law into his own hands after his six year-old daughter and best friend are kidnapped.

Unfortunately this sounds like a few other films (i.e. Mel Gibson’s latest project, Liam Neeson’s Taken, and others..) we’ve seen. Being the optimist, I’ll wait to the see the finished project, but so far it sounds like more of the same hard boiled plot. I applaud the fact this comes from a fresh and previously unknown writer (Aaron Guzikowski).

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Your favorite crime drama shows are always in danger of being…messed with.

Just ask any fan of these canceled series: The Shield, Prison Break (just a few episodes left…and poof), Life On Mars, Eli Stone, Boston Legal, Battlestar Galactica, etc.).

In a few weeks, networks announce the series line-ups (upfronts), so some shows may either be moved, postponed, or (*gasp*) canceled. Variety reports the series Eleventh Hour will be giving up its nightly spot to a new CBS mystery series called Harper’s Island in April. There’s also speculation that Without A Trace, Cold Case or The Unit could sit on the bench in the fall.

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Does NBC and CBS need economic stimulus?

Bloomberg is reporting both networks have turned to Canadian TV to reduce their prime-time programming costs. Evidently, U.S. networks have made shows in Canada for years to get tax benefits. And we thought it was just because the shows were so good.

Some of the examples mentioned in the article are CBS/CTV’s Flashpoint, and two new up -and-comer crime series, The Bridge, and The Listener. It’s no surprise networks are seeking frugality as advertising revenue goes down. However this all adds up, viewers who have increasingly beefed up their TV time here in the U.S. still get the best end of the deal…awesome programming.

Image: Newscom

Post from: FBI Dramas

Mel Gibson filming a scene from “Edge of Darkness” in Boston’s South End. Gibson plays Boston homicide detective Tom Craven investigating the death of his activist daughter.

The film is based on the BBC miniseries Edge of Darkness. The film follows a veteran homicide detective, Tom Craven, who works for the Boston Police Department. His only child, a daughter who is an activist, is murdered right in front of his home. The film is in post-production, and was filmed in Boston and Massachusetts.

Directed by Martin Campbell, the Darkness screenplay is based on a story written by what seems to be a slew of writers.

I’m not sure if the biggest news here is that Gibson is getting back to acting portraying a cop, or if it’s that a studio wants to get back in with Gibson. Since his mega production projects, The Passion of The Christ, and Apocalypto, this may very well be his first acting role (since his lead in M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs).

Some of Gibson’s darker roles are from films such as The Patriot, Conspiracy Theory, and Payback.

Image: Newscom

Post from: FBI Dramas