Gail Berman News

Syfy has inked actor Shane McRae to star in the two-hour pilot for the action thriller Rewind from BermanBraun and Universal Cable Productions. Jack Bender (Lost, Alphas) is set to direct the pilot penned by Justin Marks, who will also executive produce with Tom Spezialy, Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein. Rewind is set to begin production in April 2012.

Discovery Channel will premiere UNCHAINED REACTION, a new series executive produced by Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman of MYTHBUSTERS.

According to TVGuide.com, the CBS network has just picked up a comedy pilot from comedialn Louis C.K. and Spike Feresten. The pilot, currently untitled, will be written and executive produced by the duo along with Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein

Discovery Channel announces UNCHAINED REACTION, a new series executive produced by Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman of MYTHBUSTERS. The duo also serve as judges for the six-part series, which pits two teams of varying backgrounds against each other to build an elaborate chain reaction contraption. But they're not creating a mere string of dominoes - teams must utilize ingenuity, innovation and know-how to build contraptions on a massive scale. UNCHAINED REACTION is set to premiere on Discovery Channel in March 2012.

Syfy has given a two-hour pilot greenlight to the action thriller Rewind from BermanBraun and Universal Cable Productions, it was announced today by Mark Stern, President of Original Content, Syfy and Co-Head of Original Content for Universal Cable Productions.

Lifetime has green lit the two-hour original movie-backdoor pilot Sworn to Silence, starring Neve Campbell (Scream, Party of Five), it was announced today by Nancy Dubuc, President and General Manager of Lifetime Networks.

Syfy has signed actress Valerie Cruz (Off the Map, True Blood, Dexter) as a recurring guest star on its newest original series Alphas, it was announced today. The action drama from Universal Cable Productions and BermanBraun Television is currently shooting in Toronto and will premiere Monday, July 11 @ 10:00PM ET/PM.

It survived the legendary 'Perfect Storm.' Now, the Hannah Boden, Captain Linda Greenlaw's legendary fishing vessel, returns to the treacherous but lucrative waters of the North Atlantic as SWORDS: LIFE ON THE LINE returns for its third season, premiering Thursday, May 12 at 10PM e/p on Discovery Channel.

USA Network continues to expand its portfolio of character driven original series with 13 projects in development from industry heavyweights including Nathan Lane, Mark Gordon and Kara DioGuardi, plus Parkes/MacDonald Productions, it was announced today by Chris McCumber and Jeff Wachtel, co-presidents, USA.

According to Reuters, THE GLEE PROJECT, which will go behind the scenes of casting a guest spot for FOX's hit musical comedy, has been attracting thousands of auditionees around the world. Twelve finalists have been chosen from the initial 40,000 that have auditioned for the reality show, which will air on Oxygen in June.

Mark Stern was named President, Original Programming, Syfy, it was announced today by Dave Howe, President, Syfy and Chiller, to whom he reports. Stern also serves as co-head, original content, Universal Cable Productions, and will now have creative oversight on the newly formed Syfy Films, a joint venture with Universal Pictures.

NBC is offering viewers a sneak peek at the new NBC series 'The Cape' (two-hour premiere Sunday, January 9, 9-11p.m. ET). In a special promotion, DC Comics will offer viewers the chance to view the one-hour pilot episode of 'The Cape' via their free comic book iPad application during the week preceding the show's premiere on NBC - January 5 through January 8. This is the first time DC Comics has offered long form video through their iPad application (which is also available for the iPhone) and Digital Comics Store. 'The Cape' will move to its regular timeslot on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET starting January 17th. The series stars David Lyons ('ER') as Vince Faraday, a cop who is unjustly accused of a crime and becomes a secret crime fighter.

NBC will introduce a new superhero this month with the premiere of the drama series 'The Cape,' and in anticipation of the show's two-hour premiere on Sunday, January 9 (9-11 p.m. ET), NBC will partner with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation for a unique campaign to highlight historic statues all over the city.

NBC will introduce a new superhero this month with the premiere of the drama series 'The Cape,' and in anticipation of the show's two-hour premiere on Sunday, January 9 (9-11 p.m. ET), NBC will partner with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation for a unique campaign to highlight historic statues all over the city.

Syfy has enlisted Alphas (working title) to join its slate of original scripted series by greenlighting the wry, action-adventure project from writers Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand, The Avengers, The Incredible Hulk) and Michael Karnow, it was announced today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Content, Syfy and Co-Head of Original Content for Universal Cable Productions. Eleven episodes have been ordered in addition to the 90-minute pilot directed by Jack Bender (director and executive producer of Lost). Universal Cable Productions will produce the series with BermanBraun Television. Executive Producers are Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein for BermanBraun and Zak Penn.

The Hollywood Reporter Publisher Lori Burgess (L) and mentee arrive at The Hollywood Reporter's Annual Power 100: Women In Entertainment Breakfast held at The Beverly Hills Hotel on December 7, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California.

Oxygen Media and Casting Duo, in association with Robert Ulrich, casting director of 'Glee,' will begin the casting search for 'The Glee Project' with open calls in Chicago on Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19 and in Dallas on Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9. Aside from these open calls, the team will also be reaching out to the next wave of professional performers through official industry channels in order to ensure everyone is included in this opportunity. 'The Glee Project,' where performers will compete for a multi-episode guest-starring role on season three of hit series 'Glee,' will premiere on Oxygen in June 2011.

Syfy has inked critically lauded actor David Strathairn to star in the action-adventure pilot Alphas from writers Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand, The Avengers, The Incredible Hulk) and Michael Karnow, it was announced today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions, which is the studio for the project. Strathairn won rave reviews and received Best Actor Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and Academy Award nominations for his portrayal of Edward R. Murrow in the film Good Night, and Good Luck. Alphas is executive produced by Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun for BermanBraun Television and will be directed by Jack Bender (director and executive producer of Lost). Gene Stein is also executive producer. It is slated to commence production next month in Toronto.

Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-hosts of Discovery Channel's MythBusters series, have signed a multi-year deal to co-executive produce the popular science show. In addition, Hyneman and Savage have formed a new production company and they will team with BermanBraun to develop and create additional television series with Discovery Channel.

Syfy has inked award winning director/executive producer Jack Bender as director/executive producer for the action-adventure 90-minute pilot, Alphas (working title) from writers Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand, Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk) and Michael Karnow, it was announced today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions, which is the studio for the project. Bender just wrapped six seasons as an executive producer and director on the critically acclaimed series LOST, and directed Sunday's much anticipated series finale. Alphas is executive produced by Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun for BermanBraun Television and is slated to commence production in Toronto this summer.