http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/nbcs-munsters-reboot-mockingbird-lane-unlikely-to-go-forward/ (http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/nbcs-munsters-reboot-mockingbird-lane-unlikely-to-go-forward/)
NBC's 'Munsters' reboot 'Mockingbird Lane' unlikely to go forward
By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Monday October 1, 2012 (*at*) 6:31pm PDT
It looks like NBC's Mockingbird Lane pilot won't be going to series. There is no final decision, but I hear that the network brass are leaning towards passing on the project, a reboot of the classic 1960s sitcom The Munsters. The project from Bryan Fuller had been in the works at NBC for a couple of seasons, originally developed by the previous regime during the 2010-11 development cycle. Fuller's script was one of very few Bob Greenblatt kept in play when he took over the network in January 2011. It was redeveloped and in November 2011, it was ordered to pilot around the same time another Fuller-written drama, Hannibal, landed a script-to-series deal at NBC.
Like Fuller's previous series, Pushing Daisies, Munsters was to feature striking visuals mixed with all the classic Munsters archetypes. Rolled to June, the pilot landed Bryan Singer as director and assembled a cast led by Jerry O'Connell as family patriarch Herman Munster, Portia de Rossi as his wife Lily and Eddie Izzard as Grandpa. The pilot was lauded for its visual style but pulling off the high-concept premise — a show about a family of "monsters" — was always considered a risky proposition. In the end, I hear it didn't quite work. Meanwhile, Fuller is busy working on Hannibal, a series based on the Hannibal Lecter character, which has a 13-episode midseason order.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Whew!
According to Bryan Fuller's Twitter, he asked NBC about the information in this article and they said it was not true.
So, this is made up. No decision has been made yet.
I should elaborate. I know the article says no decision, but they aren't leaning either way.
Could...could it be? My God...All these years, I didn't believe him. He told me over and over, and I didn't believe him...but...there's a chance. There's a chance that I was wrong; that we were all wrong. I want to have faith, I do. I want to believe that the stories are true. That...That the Great Pumpkin does exist.
Please, let this be a sign. Please, Great Pumpkin, do not forsake us when we need you the most.
Quote from: darkmonkeygod on October 02, 2012, 02:33:42 AM
http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/nbcs-munsters-reboot-mockingbird-lane-unlikely-to-go-forward/ (http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/nbcs-munsters-reboot-mockingbird-lane-unlikely-to-go-forward/)
NBC's 'Munsters' reboot 'Mockingbird Lane' unlikely to go forward
By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Monday October 1, 2012 (*at*) 6:31pm PDT
It looks like NBC's Mockingbird Lane pilot won't be going to series. There is no final decision, but I hear that the network brass are leaning towards passing on the project, a reboot of the classic 1960s sitcom The Munsters. The project from Bryan Fuller had been in the works at NBC for a couple of seasons, originally developed by the previous regime during the 2010-11 development cycle. Fuller's script was one of very few Bob Greenblatt kept in play when he took over the network in January 2011. It was redeveloped and in November 2011, it was ordered to pilot around the same time another Fuller-written drama, Hannibal, landed a script-to-series deal at NBC.
Like Fuller's previous series, Pushing Daisies, Munsters was to feature striking visuals mixed with all the classic Munsters archetypes. Rolled to June, the pilot landed Bryan Singer as director and assembled a cast led by Jerry O'Connell as family patriarch Herman Munster, Portia de Rossi as his wife Lily and Eddie Izzard as Grandpa. The pilot was lauded for its visual style but pulling off the high-concept premise — a show about a family of "monsters" — was always considered a risky proposition. In the end, I hear it didn't quite work. Meanwhile, Fuller is busy working on Hannibal, a series based on the Hannibal Lecter character, which has a 13-episode midseason order.
awesome news!
One question I have is if they completed the pilot film, or it's about to be completed?
I believe the pilot is finished. It might be in Post Production now, but I'm pretty sure the filming is done.
:laugh:
I knew there was a reboot in the works, but I didn't pay much attention to it until this post....So the new series was going to have all the original characters, but none of them were going to be in costume/ they were just going to look like normal people? Is this not the worst idea ever?!?
I'm all for taking a new and original spin on something, but having The Munsters be regular looking people (but monsters on the inside) would be like having a reboot of The Creature From the Black Lagoon with the Creature being played by Michael Phelps looking like a regular dude that just swims really well and eats people (or has tiny little gills on his neck)....
Quote from: Haunted hearse on October 02, 2012, 10:58:01 AM
One question I have is if they completed the pilot film, or it's about to be completed?
Its not uncommon for pilots, even filmed ones, to never see the light of day. In fact, most don't.
Well if the film is in post-production, and is given a public viewing, I hope one of the things that's being done is having the shilouettes of two Robots and a guy at the bottom of the screen, and maybe they could comment on the action as the film progresses.
Quote from: darkmonkeygod on October 02, 2012, 02:33:42 AM
http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/nbcs-munsters-reboot-mockingbird-lane-unlikely-to-go-forward/ (http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/nbcs-munsters-reboot-mockingbird-lane-unlikely-to-go-forward/)
The pilot was lauded for its visual style but pulling off the high-concept premise — a show about a family of "monsters" — was always considered a risky proposition. In the end, I hear it didn't quite work.
A show with Jerry O'Connell as Herman Munster 'didn't quite work'...
That's being KIND. ;D
updated---KNX reporting this am that the solo effort will not be scrapped, but aired on October 26th, 8pm on NBC, as a Halloween Special
Tune in!
Gee I have to work that night, so I guess I'll have to miss it, which would also be the case if I didn't have to go to work.
Many pilots air, but the series never get picked up. Sam Jones as "The Spirit," even Tobe Hooper's "'Salem's Lot" was a backdoor pilot. I'll watch this thing just to see how bad it is, since I'm NOT a "Nielsen Family."
Guess its better to have one TV movie than a failed TV series . . .
Much rejoicing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjjZGyYcH9E#ws)
Wait...are we all rooting against the Munsters reboot? ...I must be out of the loop. Why?
Quote from: terrypierson on October 14, 2012, 06:47:51 PMWait...are we all rooting against the Munsters reboot? ...I must be out of the loop. Why?
No, not everyone is rooting against it. Some are, based on what we know about it so far, and some are taking the "let's see the pilot, first" option.
Quote from: terrypierson on October 14, 2012, 06:47:51 PM
Wait...are we all rooting against the Munsters reboot? ...I must be out of the loop. Why?
For me this is why:
(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/10/Mockingbird_Lane_Key_Art_a_p.jpg)
(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/10/Mockingbird_Lane_Pilot_1_a_p.jpg)
(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/10/Mockingbird_Lane_Pilot_2_a_h.jpg)
(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/10/Mockingbird_Lane_Pilot_4_a_h.jpg)
(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/10/Mockingbird_Lane_Pilot_6_a_h.jpg)
vs this:
(http://www.dreadcentral.com/img/news/aug11/munsters.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGcBiM_9r1E/TjxT1FvQ8EI/AAAAAAAAWlg/K1WFlT2kj_0/s1600/grandpa+al+lewis.jpg)
(http://www.peoplequiz.com/images/quizzes/Herman-Munster.jpg-3538.jpg)
(http://www3.whig.com/whig/blogs/ihavealottoshare/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/eddie_munster-pd1.jpg)
(http://theblackcatcloset.com/ebay/RN759A.jpg)
(http://www78.homepage.villanova.edu/william.cosulich/pp.jpg)
(http://www.retroweb.com/universal/univ_munsters_020.jpg)
Quote from: terrypierson on October 14, 2012, 06:47:51 PM
Wait...are we all rooting against the Munsters reboot? ...I must be out of the loop. Why?
Pick any one of the usual remake/reboot arguments and there you go!
I'll be watching, hell they already remade The Munsters; Anyone remember the abysmal Munsters Today!? And the so-so mid 90's Munster movies?! Do we really need another attempt at trying to copy the original?! No, a remake/reboot was never needed, no one was clamoring for this to happen but it did! And I for one would rather see the series live or die (Looks like it's already dead!) by it's own merits (Using the characters/setting not withstanding.) in its own way instead of being another tired attempt at cloning!
Quote from: Count_Zirock on October 11, 2012, 07:18:37 PM
Many pilots air, but the series never get picked up. Sam Jones as "The Spirit," even Tobe Hooper's "'Salem's Lot" was a backdoor pilot. I'll watch this thing just to see how bad it is, since I'm NOT a "Nielsen Family."
A Salem's Lot series would have been great.
Show creator Bryan Fuller is a very talented guy (see Dead Like Me, Pushing Daises) if anyone can pull this off, it's him. Those who are dismissing the project without seeing it first would probably be wise to check it out despite their apprehension. The whole thing could fall flat on it's face, but Fuller has done enough in my book to give this a shot with an open mind.
The execs that greenlit this two years ago aren't even at NBC anymore. So, reports that the current execs weren't wowed by the pilot is no surprise. They have no investment in it. If it tanks, their hands are clean. I'm liking a couple of things I saw in the teaser, but I'm still not convinced this "reimagining" will work. Oct. 26th isn't that far away, so we'll all see how it turned out soon enough.
So I just watched MockingBird Lane online.....Much better than I thought it would be. I will say the following....Portia de Rossi was nice looking, but no Yvonne De Carlo. The acting was so so. Jerry O'Connell's portrayal of Herman was nothing that special. Eddie Izzard's portrayal of Grandpa was much better than I thought (and bloody). The writing was not bad. The gore factor was decent for network TV. I would watch this show again (for now).
Quote from: vintagehalloweentoys on October 27, 2012, 01:11:18 PM
So I just watched MockingBird Lane online.....Much better than I thought it would be. I will say the following....Portia de Rossi was nice looking, but no Yvonne De Carlo. The acting was so so. Jerry O'Connell's portrayal of Herman was nothing that special. Eddie Izzard's portrayal of Grandpa was much better than I thought (and bloody). The writing was not bad. The gore factor was decent for network TV. I would watch this show again (for now).
Same here.
I didn't hate it and am kind of looking forward to more. Wasn't thrilled with emo Eddie. But at least Lily and Grandpa didn't sparkle.
5 Reasons Why NBC Should Extend Its Stay on "Mockingbird Lane" (http://www.tvequals.com/2012/10/29/5-reasons-why-nbc-should-extend-its-stay-on-mockingbird-lane/)
That was an insult to the Munsters,I'm glad that they passed on it
Quote from: frankenbill on November 10, 2012, 11:51:12 AM
That was an insult to the Munsters,I'm glad that they passed on it
Right on. Couldn't agree more.
JP
Quote from: frankenbill on November 10, 2012, 11:51:12 AM
That was an insult to the Munsters,I'm glad that they passed on it
If you want to talk about an insult, there's "Munsters Today", and that show has fans. I like the fact they didn't attempt to replicate the original characters, since there is no replacing Lewis, Gwynne, or De Carlo, so I'm glad they went for a different direction with the characters. I also preferred this Marylin to Debbie Watson from "Munsters Go Home". I always thought that Marylin was the weakest character in the original series, since she must have been extremely thick to have a full working life in the out side world, and still regard herself as a freak.
I read last week, that it is possible that NBC may revisit the notion of bringing this to episodic TV after all
Quote from: Haunted hearse on November 10, 2012, 01:08:59 PM
If you want to talk about an insult, there's "Munsters Today", and that show has fans. I like the fact they didn't attempt to replicate the original characters, since there is no replacing Lewis, Gwynne, or De Carlo, so I'm glad they went for a different direction with the characters. I also preferred this Marylin to Debbie Watson from "Munsters Go Home". I always thought that Marylin was the weakest character in the original series, since she must have been extremely thick to have a full working life in the out side world, and still regard herself as a freak.
Al Lewis was actually considered for Grandpa, but declined when he was told he'd have to audition for the role he originated!
Quote from: Opera Ghost on January 23, 2013, 06:54:24 PM
I read last week, that it is possible that NBC may revisit the notion of bringing this to episodic TV after all.
But it won't be with Fuller or this cast. It seems to me the only reason it didn't get picked up was a change in execs at NBC. Otherwise, this would have been a "go" back in September.
Quote from: Count_Zirock on January 23, 2013, 10:22:25 PM
But it won't be with Fuller or this cast. It seems to me the only reason it didn't get picked up was a change in execs at NBC. Otherwise, this would have been a "go" back in September.
Ah...thanks Count...did not see that
Quote from: Opera Ghost on January 24, 2013, 11:27:09 AM
Ah...thanks Count...did not see that
No problem. It's what I do. ;)
Quote from: Count_Zirock on January 23, 2013, 10:17:39 PM
Al Lewis was actually considered for Grandpa, but declined when he was told he'd have to audition for the role he originated!
What a shame those Dunderheads screwed up including Al Lewis, which may have made "Munsters Today" worth watching.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on January 28, 2013, 01:39:34 PM
What a shame those Dunderheads screwed up including Al Lewis, which may have made "Munsters Today" worth watching.
It didn't really make The Munster's Revenge worth watching but it did/does give the movie a little cred! I think it is still the combo team of Al and Fred that make that one bearable on some level.
Well, it's NBC/Universal. They'll reboot it again in about 5 years, the way they did with "The Incredible Hulk" after Ang Lee's "Hulk" tanked.