PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — A roundup of news Wednesday from the Television Critics Association winter meeting, at which TV networks and streaming services are presenting details on upcoming programs.
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CUE THE MUSIC
A live production of the stage musical “Hairspray” may be coming to NBC this year.
The network hopes to air the musical in December, NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt told a TV critics’ meeting Wednesday.
NBC has made something of a cottage industry with live musicals, including “The Sound of Music,” ”Peter Pan” and “The Wiz.”
Greenblatt, who cautioned that contracts remain to be signed for “Hairspray,” said NBC has started a musical trend for other networks. Fox is airing a live production of “Grease” on Jan. 31, and ABC plans a TV movie of the big-screen film “Dirty Dancing.”
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, executive producers for NBC’s previous musicals, will have the same jobs for “Hairspray,” the Tony Award-winning musical from composer Marc Shaiman and his co-lyricist, Scott Wittman.
The network has scored hits — “The Wiz” and Carrie Underwood in “The Sound of Music” — and a miss with “Peter Pan.”
“I don’t think there’s an infinite number of these that can be done, but we’re still doing it,” Greenblatt said.
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MORE MEYERS
Seth Meyers has a secure late-night seat at NBC for another five years.
The network announced Wednesday that the “Saturday Night Live” veteran has extended his contract to remain host of “Late Night” through February 2021.
NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt told a TV critics’ meeting that Meyers’ political commentary would be especially welcome in “a crazy election year.”
In the ratings, Meyers’ “Late Night” bests CBS’ “Late Late Show” and ABC’s “Nightline” in direct competition, NBC said. He took over as host of “Late Night” in February 2014.
NBC also announced that Meyers will host a 2016 New Year’s Eve “Late Night” prime-time special that will highlight the year’s news.
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AP Television Writer Lynn Elber contributed to this report.
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