Coming on the heels of the news that Shaquille O'Neal and his wife Shaunie are headed for divorce, rumors are starting to surface about the NBA star having an affair with Laura Govan, the fiance of Wizards star Gilbert Arenas.
According to the website Young, Black and Fabulous, Shaq, who has also starred on his own reality show Shaq's Big Challenge, and Govan have allegedly been more than friends for five years now. Both have reportedly been flying to each other's towns and meeting up at different events, and even spending last Christmas together when Shaq was still playing in Phoenix, where Laura just so happened to be there "visiting her sister".
According to the website Young, Black and Fabulous, Shaq, who has also starred on his own reality show Shaq's Big Challenge, and Govan have allegedly been more than friends for five years now. Both have reportedly been flying to each other's towns and meeting up at different events, and even spending last Christmas together when Shaq was still playing in Phoenix, where Laura just so happened to be there "visiting her sister".
- 11/11/2009
- by editor@buddytv.com
- buddytv.com
Shaq is back at ABC.
The network is once again launching a reality series with the basketball star. In "Shaq Vs.," Shaquille O'Neal will compete against top-name athletes at their own sports.
The network has lined up a pretty impressive array of names for Shaq to battle. He'll swim against Michael Phelps, play football with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, play tennis vs. Serena Williams, beach volleyball with Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor and box Oscar de la Hoya, among others.
"These athletes may be on top of their game, but I am up for the challenge," said O'Neal. "I plan to train hard and win, so look out."
The one-hour series will premiere Aug. 18. Media Rights Capital, in association with Dick Clark Productions, will produce.
"Shaq is the only one with the athletic skills and personality to carry this unique project," said John Saade and Vicki Dummer, co-heads of Alternative Series,...
The network is once again launching a reality series with the basketball star. In "Shaq Vs.," Shaquille O'Neal will compete against top-name athletes at their own sports.
The network has lined up a pretty impressive array of names for Shaq to battle. He'll swim against Michael Phelps, play football with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, play tennis vs. Serena Williams, beach volleyball with Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor and box Oscar de la Hoya, among others.
"These athletes may be on top of their game, but I am up for the challenge," said O'Neal. "I plan to train hard and win, so look out."
The one-hour series will premiere Aug. 18. Media Rights Capital, in association with Dick Clark Productions, will produce.
"Shaq is the only one with the athletic skills and personality to carry this unique project," said John Saade and Vicki Dummer, co-heads of Alternative Series,...
- 7/20/2009
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Greg Goldman has exited his post as RDF USA executive vp development and current to become an independent producer.
He is launching a production company, Blackbird Television, inking an exclusive one-year first-look deal with Rdf USA.
At Rdf, which has a fluid executive structure, Goldman was a member of the senior programming team alongside Mike Duffy, Lauren Gellert, Claire O'Donohoe and Jennifer Danska, all of whom will continue to oversee the company's slate under CEO Chris Coelen.
Since joining Rdf in 2006, Goldman helped develop, sell and exec produce such series as "Don't Forget the Lyrics" at Fox, "Hitched or Ditched" at the CW, "Shaq's Big Challenge" at ABC and "The Two Coreys" at A&E.
Before joining Rdf, he was executive director of alternative series and specials at ABC.
Goldman was at the center of a 2008 lawsuit filed by a couple of reality producers against Rdf over "Coreys," which reportedly has been settled.
He is launching a production company, Blackbird Television, inking an exclusive one-year first-look deal with Rdf USA.
At Rdf, which has a fluid executive structure, Goldman was a member of the senior programming team alongside Mike Duffy, Lauren Gellert, Claire O'Donohoe and Jennifer Danska, all of whom will continue to oversee the company's slate under CEO Chris Coelen.
Since joining Rdf in 2006, Goldman helped develop, sell and exec produce such series as "Don't Forget the Lyrics" at Fox, "Hitched or Ditched" at the CW, "Shaq's Big Challenge" at ABC and "The Two Coreys" at A&E.
Before joining Rdf, he was executive director of alternative series and specials at ABC.
Goldman was at the center of a 2008 lawsuit filed by a couple of reality producers against Rdf over "Coreys," which reportedly has been settled.
- 7/15/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC senior vps Vicki Dummer and John Saade have been given the reins of the network's alternative series, specials and late-night.
Dummer and Saade, both veteran unscripted executives at the network, have overseen the day-to-day operations of the department since April, when ABC's former reality maven, Andrea Wang, departed to head Lifetime, and have been considered the primary candidates to succeed her.
In their new capacity, Saade and Dummer will jointly oversee development, current and production for ABC's alternative series, with Saade focusing on development and Dummer on current and specials. They will report to ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson.
"John and Vicki have impressive track records, incredible creative instincts and really complement each other in their skill sets," McPherson said. "They make a great team and continually discover, develop and execute original alternative programming. Their expanded responsibilities will continue to help ABC excel in the genre."
Dummer and Saade were instrumental in the shepherding of such ABC reality series as Dancing With the Stars, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Supernanny and American Inventor.
ABC had a ho-hum summer with unscripted series The Ex-Wives Club, Shaq's Big Challenge, The Next Big Thing, American Inventor and Fast Cars & Superstars. The network is gearing up for the return of its reality juggernaut Dancing.
Dummer joined ABC in 1996, when she worked in the network's comedy department, handling such series as 8 Simple Rules, According to Jim, Dharma & Greg, The Drew Carey Show, Less Than Perfect and Whose Line Is it Anyway? She segued to a split duty in the unscripted and current departments in 2000, when she was upped to vp current programming and alternative series development.
Dummer and Saade, both veteran unscripted executives at the network, have overseen the day-to-day operations of the department since April, when ABC's former reality maven, Andrea Wang, departed to head Lifetime, and have been considered the primary candidates to succeed her.
In their new capacity, Saade and Dummer will jointly oversee development, current and production for ABC's alternative series, with Saade focusing on development and Dummer on current and specials. They will report to ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson.
"John and Vicki have impressive track records, incredible creative instincts and really complement each other in their skill sets," McPherson said. "They make a great team and continually discover, develop and execute original alternative programming. Their expanded responsibilities will continue to help ABC excel in the genre."
Dummer and Saade were instrumental in the shepherding of such ABC reality series as Dancing With the Stars, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Supernanny and American Inventor.
ABC had a ho-hum summer with unscripted series The Ex-Wives Club, Shaq's Big Challenge, The Next Big Thing, American Inventor and Fast Cars & Superstars. The network is gearing up for the return of its reality juggernaut Dancing.
Dummer joined ABC in 1996, when she worked in the network's comedy department, handling such series as 8 Simple Rules, According to Jim, Dharma & Greg, The Drew Carey Show, Less Than Perfect and Whose Line Is it Anyway? She segued to a split duty in the unscripted and current departments in 2000, when she was upped to vp current programming and alternative series development.
- 9/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- NBC won Tuesday's primetime with the combination of America's Got Talent and freshman hit The Singing Bee.
NBC prevailed in the first two hours of primetime in viewership and the adults 18-49 demographic before splitting the victory at 10 p.m. with ABC, which tied in adults 18-49. Both the most-watched show and the highest-rated show in adults 18-49 belonged to NBC, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research.
The night began with a big win for America's Got Talent (10.7 million, 3.1 rating/10 share in adults 18-49) between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. There was a comfortable margin between Talent and ABC's Just for Laughs (7.3 million, 2.5/8) not to mention CBS' repeat NCIS (7.8 million, 1.7/8) and Fox's On the Lot (2.3 million, 1.0/3).
CBS improved at 9 p.m. with Big Brother (7.1 million, 2.8/8), while ABC declined with Shaq's Big Challenge (5.5 million, 2.1/6) and Fox came in fourth in adults 18-49 with a repeat House (5.9 million, 2.0/6). NBC won with "Bee" (9.8 million, 3.2/9), which was about even with last week.
NBC prevailed in the first two hours of primetime in viewership and the adults 18-49 demographic before splitting the victory at 10 p.m. with ABC, which tied in adults 18-49. Both the most-watched show and the highest-rated show in adults 18-49 belonged to NBC, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research.
The night began with a big win for America's Got Talent (10.7 million, 3.1 rating/10 share in adults 18-49) between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. There was a comfortable margin between Talent and ABC's Just for Laughs (7.3 million, 2.5/8) not to mention CBS' repeat NCIS (7.8 million, 1.7/8) and Fox's On the Lot (2.3 million, 1.0/3).
CBS improved at 9 p.m. with Big Brother (7.1 million, 2.8/8), while ABC declined with Shaq's Big Challenge (5.5 million, 2.1/6) and Fox came in fourth in adults 18-49 with a repeat House (5.9 million, 2.0/6). NBC won with "Bee" (9.8 million, 3.2/9), which was about even with last week.
A Web site looming large in the shadow of YouTube is getting seen by Hollywood in a whole new light.
DailyMotion, a Paris-based video hub second only to Google's prize purchase in online traffic among sites specializing in video sharing, has locked a deal to license programming from production company RDF USA. It is one of the first such pacts DailyMotion has made as it seeks to supplement its massive stash of user-generated content.
How RDF USA -- best known for supplying TV shows like ABC's Shaq's Big Challenge to broadcast and cable channels -- is getting in business for the first time with a Web site reflects the changing dynamics of Internet video. And DailyMotion is leading the charge, having launched officially in the U.S. several weeks ago with a staff of handpicked old-media veterans from the likes of Viacom and Time Warner.
Consider DailyMotion the most popular Web site you've never heard of: The site had 37.5 million unique users worldwide and 3.2 million in the U.S. in May and topped YouTube in its home base of France. YouTube dwarfs DailyMotion in the U.S., but its 4.7 million streamers (which translates to people who actually watch videos as opposed to just visiting) in April led other indie dot-com comers, including MetaCafe and Break.com, according to comScore Media Metrix.
"While it will clearly be very difficult for any video site to replicate what YouTube has accomplished, DailyMotion.com is stating the strongest case at the moment, both domestically and internationally," said Erin Hunter, executive vp media and entertainment solutions at comScore.
DailyMotion, a Paris-based video hub second only to Google's prize purchase in online traffic among sites specializing in video sharing, has locked a deal to license programming from production company RDF USA. It is one of the first such pacts DailyMotion has made as it seeks to supplement its massive stash of user-generated content.
How RDF USA -- best known for supplying TV shows like ABC's Shaq's Big Challenge to broadcast and cable channels -- is getting in business for the first time with a Web site reflects the changing dynamics of Internet video. And DailyMotion is leading the charge, having launched officially in the U.S. several weeks ago with a staff of handpicked old-media veterans from the likes of Viacom and Time Warner.
Consider DailyMotion the most popular Web site you've never heard of: The site had 37.5 million unique users worldwide and 3.2 million in the U.S. in May and topped YouTube in its home base of France. YouTube dwarfs DailyMotion in the U.S., but its 4.7 million streamers (which translates to people who actually watch videos as opposed to just visiting) in April led other indie dot-com comers, including MetaCafe and Break.com, according to comScore Media Metrix.
"While it will clearly be very difficult for any video site to replicate what YouTube has accomplished, DailyMotion.com is stating the strongest case at the moment, both domestically and internationally," said Erin Hunter, executive vp media and entertainment solutions at comScore.
- 7/27/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- A two-hour reality block gave NBC the victory in Tuesday's primetime, though freshman hit The Singing Bee started to show signs of faltering.
America's Got Talent was the night's top show in viewership, and "Bee" prevailed in the adults 18-49 demographic, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research.
A 90-minute Talent (9.8 million, 2.8/10) got the night started well for the peacock, winning all three half-hours between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. "Bee" (9.4 million, 3.1/9) won at 9:30 p.m. But both shows were down from last week, with Talent down from last week's 3.2/10 in the demo and "Bee" falling from last week's 3.7/11.
But it was still enough to beat an hour of ABC's Just for Laughs (7.4 million, 2.5/9) and Fox's On the Lot (2.2 million, 0.9/3), both at 8 p.m., and ABC's Shaq's Big Challenge (4.8 million, 1.9/6) and CBS' Big Brother (6.8 million, 2.6/8) at 9 p.m.
CBS and NBC split at 10 p.m. with 48 Hours Mystery (5.9 million, 2.1/6) winning in adults 18-49, while "Law & Order: SVU" (6.9 million, 2.0/6) won in viewership.
America's Got Talent was the night's top show in viewership, and "Bee" prevailed in the adults 18-49 demographic, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research.
A 90-minute Talent (9.8 million, 2.8/10) got the night started well for the peacock, winning all three half-hours between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. "Bee" (9.4 million, 3.1/9) won at 9:30 p.m. But both shows were down from last week, with Talent down from last week's 3.2/10 in the demo and "Bee" falling from last week's 3.7/11.
But it was still enough to beat an hour of ABC's Just for Laughs (7.4 million, 2.5/9) and Fox's On the Lot (2.2 million, 0.9/3), both at 8 p.m., and ABC's Shaq's Big Challenge (4.8 million, 1.9/6) and CBS' Big Brother (6.8 million, 2.6/8) at 9 p.m.
CBS and NBC split at 10 p.m. with 48 Hours Mystery (5.9 million, 2.1/6) winning in adults 18-49, while "Law & Order: SVU" (6.9 million, 2.0/6) won in viewership.
- 7/26/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBC took the crown in total viewers and the demo Tuesday night on the strength of reality competition series America's Got Talent and The Singing Bee.
"Bee" was the most-watched program of the night, averaging 10.8 million total viewers and a 3.6 rating/10 share in the adults 18-49 demo in its 9:30-10 p.m. slot, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research. "Bee" fell 29% in the demo from its premiere last week.
Talent, which aired from 8-9:30 p.m., averaged 10.3 million and a 3.2/10. That was good enough for second place on the night, though the episode marked its lowest Tuesday rating of the summer.
Also at 8 p.m., original programming included ABC's Just for Laughs special (8.3 million, 2.7/9) and a new installment of Fox's struggling reality series On the Lot (2.2 million, 0.9/3).
A new episode of CBS' Big Brother at 9 p.m. averaged 6.9 million and a 2.7/8, off 4% year-over-year in the demo, while ABC's Shaq's Big Challenge drew 5.4 million and a 1.9/6.
"Bee" was the most-watched program of the night, averaging 10.8 million total viewers and a 3.6 rating/10 share in the adults 18-49 demo in its 9:30-10 p.m. slot, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research. "Bee" fell 29% in the demo from its premiere last week.
Talent, which aired from 8-9:30 p.m., averaged 10.3 million and a 3.2/10. That was good enough for second place on the night, though the episode marked its lowest Tuesday rating of the summer.
Also at 8 p.m., original programming included ABC's Just for Laughs special (8.3 million, 2.7/9) and a new installment of Fox's struggling reality series On the Lot (2.2 million, 0.9/3).
A new episode of CBS' Big Brother at 9 p.m. averaged 6.9 million and a 2.7/8, off 4% year-over-year in the demo, while ABC's Shaq's Big Challenge drew 5.4 million and a 1.9/6.
- 7/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- NBC came away with an overwhelming victory in Tuesday's primetime thanks to another winning performance by America's Got Talent.
The two-hour Talent was the night's top show with 11.4 million viewers and a 3.7 rating/12 share in adults 18-49, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research. It was down in both measures compared with last week (12.5 million, 4.4/14), but it was still enough to overpower anything else between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
There were only a handful of other originals on broadcast TV, including another episode of On the Lot (2.3 million, 1.1/4) on Fox and the premiere of Shaq's Big Challenge (4.4 million, 1.7/5) on ABC. "Lot" was about even with last week (2.5 million, 1.1/4), while Challenge was only marginally better than the two repeats of ABC's According to Jim that aired in the hour last Tuesday night.
NBC won all three hours of primetime, with 10 p.m. going to Law & Order: SVU (8.7 million, 2.8/8) against the premiere of ABC's Primetime: Family Secrets (5.8 million, 2.1/6) and CBS' 48 Hours Mystery (6.3 million, 1.8/5).
The two-hour Talent was the night's top show with 11.4 million viewers and a 3.7 rating/12 share in adults 18-49, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research. It was down in both measures compared with last week (12.5 million, 4.4/14), but it was still enough to overpower anything else between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
There were only a handful of other originals on broadcast TV, including another episode of On the Lot (2.3 million, 1.1/4) on Fox and the premiere of Shaq's Big Challenge (4.4 million, 1.7/5) on ABC. "Lot" was about even with last week (2.5 million, 1.1/4), while Challenge was only marginally better than the two repeats of ABC's According to Jim that aired in the hour last Tuesday night.
NBC won all three hours of primetime, with 10 p.m. going to Law & Order: SVU (8.7 million, 2.8/8) against the premiere of ABC's Primetime: Family Secrets (5.8 million, 2.1/6) and CBS' 48 Hours Mystery (6.3 million, 1.8/5).
- 6/28/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
RDF USA and ABC are looking to throw their weight around online for the broadcaster's upcoming fitness-themed series "Shaq's Big Challenge".
RDF, which is producing the unscripted format for ABC, has joined with the network, online health company Waterfront Media and series star Shaquille O'Neal to launch a substantial companion site, ShaqsFamilyChallenge.com, in advance of the series and which is expected to continue after it ends.
RDF's strategy deviates from established practices in TV/online tie-ins, which typically dictate that a significant investment in a Web extension only comes after a TV franchise finds ratings traction -- a difficult task in the summer viewing season.
RDF USA CEO Chris Coelen envisions the site and the program driving traffic to each other. "When you add all the pieces together, we think the whole will be greater than the sum of its parts," he said.
Added Bruce Gersh, senior vp business development at ABC Entertainment: "As we figure out different business models, this is another way to go.
RDF, which is producing the unscripted format for ABC, has joined with the network, online health company Waterfront Media and series star Shaquille O'Neal to launch a substantial companion site, ShaqsFamilyChallenge.com, in advance of the series and which is expected to continue after it ends.
RDF's strategy deviates from established practices in TV/online tie-ins, which typically dictate that a significant investment in a Web extension only comes after a TV franchise finds ratings traction -- a difficult task in the summer viewing season.
RDF USA CEO Chris Coelen envisions the site and the program driving traffic to each other. "When you add all the pieces together, we think the whole will be greater than the sum of its parts," he said.
Added Bruce Gersh, senior vp business development at ABC Entertainment: "As we figure out different business models, this is another way to go.
- 6/21/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.