Posted: Wed., Oct. 8, 2003, 10:00pm PT

WB wins 'Space' race
Net beats out 3 others for right to redo series

By JOSEF ADALIAN

Woo

Petrie


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The WB has won the rights to the new "Lost in Space," shelling out more than
$2 million for the red-hot family drama.
At least three other webs made serious bids for the 20th Century Fox TV/Fox
TV Studios project, which is being put together by scribe Doug Petrie ("Buffy
the Vampire Slayer"), helmer John Woo and the Kevin Burns/Jon Jashni shingle
Synthesis (Daily Variety, Sept. 24). Terence Chang and Suzanne Zizzi of Woo's
Lion Rock Prods. are also on board as exec producers.
In the end, however, the WB's track record with both fantasy skeins and
family-based hours -- along with a healthy pilot production commitment --
convinced
the studios involved to set up "Lost" at the Frog.
"We think the WB is the perfect network to support a show like this," said
20th Century Fox TV prexy Gary Newman.
Along with its $2 million-plus pilot commitment, weblet had to rework its
business template with 20th in order to make the deal, agreeing to both a
premium
license fee of roughly $1.2 million per episode and a provision that ensures
the studio will, in success, eventually snag a full-cost license fee for the
series. Frog plans to offer the arrangement to other studios, though only for
top-tier projects with extraordinary auspices.
"We needed to create a deal that was advantageous to both ourselves and 20th
Century Fox TV," said WB co-CEO Jordan Levin, who confirmed the new agreement
but declined to discuss specifics.
Frog and 20th clashed three years ago over a renewal deal for "Buffy the
Vampire Slayer." That history no doubt was one reason both sides wanted to make
sure a solid financial framework was in place before they embarked on a costly
new hourlong project.
'Rewarding' relationship
"With the exception of (the final season of) 'Buffy,' we've had a good and
rewarding business relationship with 20th," Levin said. " 'Reba' has been the
most recent example of shows that have been win-win for both sides."
Indeed, Levin confirmed the WB is going forward with a full season of 20th's
"Angel," which has done well in its new timeslot this season. Net had an
option to cut back to 13 episodes if it wanted to do so.
As for "Lost," Levin said the WB was the most logical home for the
Endeavor-packaged project, which, like "Buffy," will explore a larger theme (the
modern
family) against a fantastic backdrop (outer space). Petrie will write and exec
produce, with Woo attached to direct via his Lion Rock Prods.
Lead-in opportunities
What's more, "We had a relationship with Doug. He speaks our language as a
writer," Levin said. "There are also compelling lead-ins we have available with
'Charmed' and 'Smallville.' And we've been a network that's proven the ability
to program with both the family and fantasy genres and keep those shows on
the air."
Petrie confirmed his vision for "Lost in Space" is for a show that's "not
about hardware."
"It's not about laser blasters and starships and funky aliens, though there
will be bags of all of those," Petrie said. "That stuff is just the best window
dressing, the way monsters provided a way for 'Buffy' to say high school is
hell. The show is going to be more based on what's going on with the typical
American family rather than a sweeping space opera."
Newman said Petrie, Woo, Burns and Jashni have "come up with a great
contemporary take on this property that makes it accessible and a great
coming-of-age
story."
Won't play doctor
New "Lost" won't feature a Dr. Smith character, though there will be a robot.
Skein will be set in 2097.
Concurring with Newman, Burns said the WB "made a strong and convincing case
that they knew best how to position and promote this property."
"Doug's vision for this show is so perfectly detailed and realized, it was
important that we went to a network that really understood it," he added.
Synthesis, formed by Burns and Jashni to bring new life to the creations of
Irwin Allen, last revived "Lost" at NBC as a telepic; that project went away
following the death of original "Space"-man Jonathan Harris.
Pod squad
Fox TV Studios topper David Grant said the "Lost" deal is an example of how
FTVS' pod strategy can work successfully.
"It's important to pay attention to these hallmark Irwin Allen properties,"
he said. Burns and Jashni are "experts on anything Irwin Allen. And the goal of
Fox TV Studios is to provide a home for really talented people."
In addition to running Synthesis, Burns heads nonfiction production shingle
Prometheus Entertainment, while Jashni is prexy of Ashok Amritraj's Hyde Park
Entertainment.



Dave and Jeanette Berry
Studio 6
60 Britannia Road East #136
Mississauga Ontario Canada L4Z 2T2
1-647-273-234
1-905-781-4282
memfiss03@...
jeanetteozlis@...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toyslostinspaceandtime


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