The experiment Amazon Studios used to decide which of its pilots to give series orders to – which consisted of making all 14 pilots available on Prime Instant Video on April 19 for viewers to watch and give feedback on – seems to have been a success as five of those pilots were picked up. Sometime this year, and early 2014, five original series will air on Prime Instant: comedies Alpha House and Betas, and children shows Annebots, Creative Galaxy and Tumbleaf. The choosing of these pilots was made in part on feedback from viewers, which would mean, in theory, these were the best Amazon had to offer.
But the experiment isn’t over. Deadline reported Amazon would continue to use this method in the future; feeling as though allowing the audience to have an impact on what shows would be picked up was a huge success. In a way, it’s genius. You’re...
But the experiment isn’t over. Deadline reported Amazon would continue to use this method in the future; feeling as though allowing the audience to have an impact on what shows would be picked up was a huge success. In a way, it’s genius. You’re...
- 5/29/2013
- by Brody Gibson
- Boomtron
So far, Amazon Studios' radical approach to production has made more progress in the television realm than in movies. And so the company has greenlit five original TV series to be available exclusively on Prime Instant Video later this year and in early 2014. Deemed most popular by Amazon and LOVEFiLM customers, going into series production are comedy pilots "Alpha House," Garry Trudeau's political story starring John Goodman about four senators-turned-unlikely-roommates, and "Betas," executive producer Michael London's series about four young entrepreneurs attempting to make it big in techland, and kids pilots "Annebots," about a kid scientist and her robots, "Creative Galaxy," Angela C. Santomero, portrait of alien artist, and animated "Tumbleaf," about a whimsical fox searching for adventure. “We are thrilled at the enthusiastic customer response to our first original pilots,” said Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios. “We built Amazon Studios so that customers could help...
- 5/29/2013
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Longmire & The Glades
A&E's returning series "Longmire" and "The Glades" both saw viewership rises in their season returns this past week.
The Wyoming-based crime drama "Longmire" scored 4.3 million viewers for its second season premiere, a 12% in adults 18-49 from the pilot.
The fourth season debut of Matt Passmore-led "The Glades" scored 3.3 million viewers, up 6% in overall viewers from its third season launch. It did, however, drop slightly in adults 18-49. [Source: THR]
Amazon.com
Amazon Studios has made its decision to green light five of the fourteen proposed original series for its subscription video service. The five includes three kids shows - "Annebots," "Creative Galaxy" and "Tumbleaf" - and two comedies.
The first is the John Goodman-led senator roommates comedy "Alpha House," the other is the Ed Begley Jr.-led Silicon Valley startups comedy "Betas". [Source: Variety]
Pump
Arnold Schwarzenegger has sold the drama "Pump" to Showtime. The series traces the...
A&E's returning series "Longmire" and "The Glades" both saw viewership rises in their season returns this past week.
The Wyoming-based crime drama "Longmire" scored 4.3 million viewers for its second season premiere, a 12% in adults 18-49 from the pilot.
The fourth season debut of Matt Passmore-led "The Glades" scored 3.3 million viewers, up 6% in overall viewers from its third season launch. It did, however, drop slightly in adults 18-49. [Source: THR]
Amazon.com
Amazon Studios has made its decision to green light five of the fourteen proposed original series for its subscription video service. The five includes three kids shows - "Annebots," "Creative Galaxy" and "Tumbleaf" - and two comedies.
The first is the John Goodman-led senator roommates comedy "Alpha House," the other is the Ed Begley Jr.-led Silicon Valley startups comedy "Betas". [Source: Variety]
Pump
Arnold Schwarzenegger has sold the drama "Pump" to Showtime. The series traces the...
- 5/29/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Amazon Studios has given the greenlight to five pilots, including comedies starring John Goodman and Ed Begley Jr. “Alpha House,” about four senators living together in Washington, D.C., and “Betas,” about tech entrepreneurs trying to make it big, are going to series along with kids pilots “Annebots,” “Creative Galaxy,” and “Tumbleaf.” Once completed, the series will air exclusively on Prime Instant Video later this year and in early 2014. Amazon gave the go-ahead a month after posting its pilot slate—eight comedies and six kids series—online and soliciting feedback from viewers. “We built Amazon Studios so that customers could help decide which stories would make the very best movies and TV shows,” Roy Price, director of Amazon Studios, said in a statement. “It’s exciting to see the process in motion, doing exactly what we set out to do. The success of this first set of pilots has given...
- 5/29/2013
- backstage.com
Amazon has greenlit five original series from its crop of fan-voted pilots, including the comedy "Alpha House" starring John Goodman.
The other pickups are another comedy, "Betas," and three kids' shows: "Annebots," "Creative Galaxy" and "Tumbleaf."
"Alphas," created by "Doonesbury" author Garry Trudeau, is about four senators who share a house in Washington. It also stars Mark Consuelos ("All My Children"), Clark Johnson ("The Wire") and Matt Malloy ("Tanner '88").
"Betas" stars Jon Daly, Joe Dinicol, Charlie Saxton and Karan Soni as four friends working in Silicon Valley and trying to create the next big app. Ed Begley Jr. also stars.
"Annebots" follows a girl who builds three robots to help her perform science experiments. "Creative Galaxy" comes from the creator of "Super Why!" and has interactive elements to help kids learn. "Tumbleaf" follows a fox named Fig as he explores the world around him.
Amazon put all of its...
The other pickups are another comedy, "Betas," and three kids' shows: "Annebots," "Creative Galaxy" and "Tumbleaf."
"Alphas," created by "Doonesbury" author Garry Trudeau, is about four senators who share a house in Washington. It also stars Mark Consuelos ("All My Children"), Clark Johnson ("The Wire") and Matt Malloy ("Tanner '88").
"Betas" stars Jon Daly, Joe Dinicol, Charlie Saxton and Karan Soni as four friends working in Silicon Valley and trying to create the next big app. Ed Begley Jr. also stars.
"Annebots" follows a girl who builds three robots to help her perform science experiments. "Creative Galaxy" comes from the creator of "Super Why!" and has interactive elements to help kids learn. "Tumbleaf" follows a fox named Fig as he explores the world around him.
Amazon put all of its...
- 5/29/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Alpha House
“A political comedy from the mind of Garry Trudeau starring John Goodman with a cameo from Bill Murray. Needless to say this show has a lot of potential and I can’t wait for more episodes.” “John Goodman shines in this series. Love the supporting cast. The show is intelligent, funny and unique. Can’t wait for more shows!” “This show was witting and fun. The actors are great and they are what intially drew me to the show. I would definitely watch if the pilot was given the green light.”
Betas
“If this show doesn’t continue, I don’t know what I will do. I was hooked from the very beginning! I need to know if the boys sell their app! I need them to beat Valet Me!” “The characters are great. The humor is witty, dry and hilarious. The premise for the show is not...
“A political comedy from the mind of Garry Trudeau starring John Goodman with a cameo from Bill Murray. Needless to say this show has a lot of potential and I can’t wait for more episodes.” “John Goodman shines in this series. Love the supporting cast. The show is intelligent, funny and unique. Can’t wait for more shows!” “This show was witting and fun. The actors are great and they are what intially drew me to the show. I would definitely watch if the pilot was given the green light.”
Betas
“If this show doesn’t continue, I don’t know what I will do. I was hooked from the very beginning! I need to know if the boys sell their app! I need them to beat Valet Me!” “The characters are great. The humor is witty, dry and hilarious. The premise for the show is not...
- 5/29/2013
- Hollywonk
After debuting a host of pilots in an attempt to challenge Netflix and Hulu's hold on the premium online content industry, Amazon has chosen the five shows it will order as full series. Garry Trudeau's Alpha House and Michael Lehmann’s Betas are among the chosen few. Alpha House, a comedy about four politicians sharing a house in DC, will bring celebrity appeal to Amazon; Trudeau produces the series while John Goodman stars, with Goodman receiving particular praise for his performance. In the first episode, Stephen Colbert and Bill Murray make cameos. “We're thrilled to have emerged safely from this harrowing exercise in online democracy,” said Trudeau. “All of us at Alpha House thank both Amazon and its wise and wonderful customer base for such a happy outcome. As the future of episodic TV packs up and moves to Seattle, we hope the audience will continue to have as...
- 5/29/2013
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Five new shows are coming to Amazon.
Comedy "Alpha House," "Betas" and three children's series -- Annebots," "Creative Galaxy" and "Tumbleaf" -- will all become full series on Amazon's Prime Instant Video later this year and in early 2014.
The Amazon shows were posted with several other comedy pilots for public viewing and Amazon said it would decide which pilots would become the company's first foray into original programming based on viewer feedback and streams.
"We are thrilled at the enthusiastic customer response to our first original pilots," Roy Price, director of Amazon Studios, said in a statement. "We built Amazon Studios so that customers could help decide which stories would make the very best movies and TV shows. It’s exciting to see the process in motion, doing exactly what we set out to do. The success of this first set of pilots has given us the push to try...
Comedy "Alpha House," "Betas" and three children's series -- Annebots," "Creative Galaxy" and "Tumbleaf" -- will all become full series on Amazon's Prime Instant Video later this year and in early 2014.
The Amazon shows were posted with several other comedy pilots for public viewing and Amazon said it would decide which pilots would become the company's first foray into original programming based on viewer feedback and streams.
"We are thrilled at the enthusiastic customer response to our first original pilots," Roy Price, director of Amazon Studios, said in a statement. "We built Amazon Studios so that customers could help decide which stories would make the very best movies and TV shows. It’s exciting to see the process in motion, doing exactly what we set out to do. The success of this first set of pilots has given us the push to try...
- 5/29/2013
- by Chris Harnick
- Huffington Post
It’s all Greek to Amazon — at least when it comes to the retail site’s first original series for adults.
The company announced today that it has chosen five of the 14 pilots it posted online in April to become full-blown series: Alpha House, a political comedy created by Doonesbury’s Garry Trudeau that stars John Goodman (and features a cameo by Bill Murray); Betas, a Silicon Valley-set comedy starring Ed Begley Jr.; and Annebots, Creative Galaxy, and Tumbleaf, three series aimed at kids.
Each show proved popular with Amazon customers, whose feedback was taken into account during the selection process.
The company announced today that it has chosen five of the 14 pilots it posted online in April to become full-blown series: Alpha House, a political comedy created by Doonesbury’s Garry Trudeau that stars John Goodman (and features a cameo by Bill Murray); Betas, a Silicon Valley-set comedy starring Ed Begley Jr.; and Annebots, Creative Galaxy, and Tumbleaf, three series aimed at kids.
Each show proved popular with Amazon customers, whose feedback was taken into account during the selection process.
- 5/29/2013
- by Hillary Busis
- EW - Inside TV
Amazon's first pilot pickups include "Alpha House" with John Goodman, "Betas," and three kids shows, the company announced Wednesday. The company sought feedback from customers to help decide which of several shows should be given the greeenlight to produce a full series of episodes that will begin airing later this year and in 2014. Among the chosen are "Alpha House," about four senators living together, which comes from "Doonesbury" creator Garry Trudeau, stars Goodman, and features a Bill Murray cameo. "Betas," meanwhile, is about four tech entrepeneurs. The company also greenlit the childrens'...
- 5/29/2013
- by Tim Molloy
- The Wrap
Four senators with the same address, four friends with the same Silicon Valley dream. A kid scientist with robot helpers, an alien artist taking colorful journeys, and a whimsical fox searching for adventure. Comedy pilots Alpha House and Betas, along with kids’ pilots Annebots, Creative Galaxy and Tumbleaf, have been given the greenlight to begin production on a full series of episodes that will air exclusively on Prime Instant Video later this year and in early 2014.
Amazon and LOVEFiLM customers gave feedback that Amazon Studios used to decide which comedy and kids pilots should be made into Amazon’s first original series.
“We are thrilled at the enthusiastic customer response to our first original pilots,” said Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios. “We built Amazon Studios so that customers could help decide which stories would make the very best movies and TV shows. It’s exciting to see the process in motion,...
Amazon and LOVEFiLM customers gave feedback that Amazon Studios used to decide which comedy and kids pilots should be made into Amazon’s first original series.
“We are thrilled at the enthusiastic customer response to our first original pilots,” said Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios. “We built Amazon Studios so that customers could help decide which stories would make the very best movies and TV shows. It’s exciting to see the process in motion,...
- 5/29/2013
- Hollywonk
The people have spoken. After offering all 14 of its original pilots online and giving viewers the power to determine which should move forward, Amazon has greenlighted John Goodman's Alpha House and Ed Begley Jr.'s Betas, along with three children's offerings, to series. Alpha House stars Goodman and was written by Academy Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize winner Garry Trudeau (Doonesbury, Tanner ’88). The comedy, which features Goodman (Roseanne, Argo, Treme), Clark Johnson (The Wire), Matt Malloy (Six Feet Under, Law & Order) and Mark Consuelos (American Horror Story: Asylum, Guys With Kids), follows four senators who live together in a rented house in Washington. For
read more...
read more...
- 5/29/2013
- by Lesley Goldberg , Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“I come from a theater background. Aaron Sorkin is my favorite. I love talk. Dialogue to me is my stock in trade so I loved it. Learning about it all was actually really cool. I read the Steve Jobs biography. I looked into also to be able to get into it and explain it and explain it in a way that actually made sense to me was actually really fun.”
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Betas star Joe Dinicol on mastering the tech talk his character so smoothly delivers (watch the show for free here)...
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Betas star Joe Dinicol on mastering the tech talk his character so smoothly delivers (watch the show for free here)...
- 5/15/2013
- Hollywonk
Friends with a dream of creating something amazing, something that the public can’t get enough of – this could describe the characters in Betas, a new comedy set in the world of Silicon Valley startups. It also could describe the guys who created the show, Evan Endicott and Josh Stoddard.
They met while working at Alexander Payne’s production company, and started writing together. Their first optioned work is Betas, one of 14 Amazon original pilots now playing for free at Amazon Instant Video and LOVEFiLM. Viewer response will help determine which of these children’s shows and comedies return with full seasons.
We asked Evan and Josh about their show, what they learned from working at Alexander Payne’s production company and how they tapped into the impact that social media has made on our culture as a whole.
Where did you come up with the idea for Betas?
Evan:...
They met while working at Alexander Payne’s production company, and started writing together. Their first optioned work is Betas, one of 14 Amazon original pilots now playing for free at Amazon Instant Video and LOVEFiLM. Viewer response will help determine which of these children’s shows and comedies return with full seasons.
We asked Evan and Josh about their show, what they learned from working at Alexander Payne’s production company and how they tapped into the impact that social media has made on our culture as a whole.
Where did you come up with the idea for Betas?
Evan:...
- 4/27/2013
- Hollywonk
With the recent release of House of Cards and Hemlock Grove, Netflix has established serious interest in the original programming market. Amazon, another major player in online streaming services with Prime Instant Video, has made the first major step to follow suit. Late last week, 16 pilots were made available for free streaming on Amazon – 8 comedies and 6 children’s series. Most buzz has surrounded the pilot for Zombieland, a series written by the creators of the 2009 film of the same name. But some of the other pilots feature experienced production and acting credits (notably John Goodman in Alpha House and Jeffrey Tambor in Onion News Empire). Amazon is letting viewers fill out mini-surveys for each pilot as a means of collecting feedback to help decide whether or not a series gets picked up for a full season. Sound On Sight is here to offer some feedback for the comedy pilots:
Alpha House...
Alpha House...
- 4/23/2013
- by Sean Colletti
- SoundOnSight
AmazonStudios is taking a more unusual approach by letting viewers decide what they want to keep watching. The company has kicked off its screening process this weekend by unveiling its inaugural slate of 14 pilots — eight comedies and six kids shows, all made available for free on AmazonInstant Video, LoveFilm UK and LoveFilm Germany. Viewers are being invited to watch the pilots and Amazon is welcoming feedback from its audience. According to Deadline, the company will evaluate feedback from an online panel recruited on Amazon preview as well as traditional offline focus groups to decide if they greenlight a series or not. The highest-profile series is Zombieland, but the two that look most interesting are Alpha House, starring John Goodman with cameos by Bill Murray and Stephen Colbert; and Onion News Empire. Amazon has not yet decided how many of the shows will make the cut, nor when they will premiere.
- 4/20/2013
- by Kyle Reese
- SoundOnSight
As it just did with Zombieland, Amazon Studios acknowledged the existence of its comedy pilot Betas after the project was cast and well into production. Set in the land of Silicon Valley start-ups where the right algorithm can make you king, Betas, written by Evan Endicott and Josh Stoddard, follows four computer geeks and their quest for nerd fame as they attempt to crack the ultimate code. Ed Begley Jr, Jon Daly, Joe Dinicol, Margo Harshman, Charlie Saxton and Karan Soni star in the pilot, written by Michael Lehmann (Heathers) who will direct and produce with Alan Freedland & Alan Cohen and Michael London. Betas, the eighth comedy pilot added to Amazon’s roster, will be made available — along with the other seven comedy pilots and six children’s pilots — for free on Amazon Instant Video and Lovefilm UK/Germany. “Amazon is giving us a chance to work outside the TV...
- 3/27/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Betas, a comedy pilot from creators and producers with credits including True Blood, King of the Hill, and Sideways, is the latest addition to the Amazon Studios production slate. The show is about four friends trying to make it big in Silicon Valley, and joins seven other comedies (and six children’s shows) in Amazon’s pilot lineup. All will premiere this spring on Amazon Instant Video and LOVEFiLM.
Evan Endicott and Josh Stoddard wrote and created Betas. Michael Lehmann (Heathers, True Blood, Dexter, American Horror Story) is directing the pilot and executive producing, along with Emmy Award winners Alan Freedland and Alan Cohen (King of the Hill, Due Date, American Dad), and Academy Award nominee Michael London (Sideways, The Visitor, The Informant).
“Amazon is the new television frontier because they are providing a chance to connect directly with audiences, especially those hungry for high-quality original content,” London said. “Betas...
Evan Endicott and Josh Stoddard wrote and created Betas. Michael Lehmann (Heathers, True Blood, Dexter, American Horror Story) is directing the pilot and executive producing, along with Emmy Award winners Alan Freedland and Alan Cohen (King of the Hill, Due Date, American Dad), and Academy Award nominee Michael London (Sideways, The Visitor, The Informant).
“Amazon is the new television frontier because they are providing a chance to connect directly with audiences, especially those hungry for high-quality original content,” London said. “Betas...
- 3/27/2013
- Hollywonk
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