John Ridley, George Tillman Jr. and Robert Teitel set to Executive Produce
 
LOS ANGELES: July 21, 2004 -- Showtime has tapped film and television writer/producer John Ridley ("Undercover Brother," "Three Kings," "Platinum") to develop a single camera half-hour comedy series based on the highly successful film franchise "Barbershop," it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, President of Entertainment for Showtime Networks Inc., and Hank Cohen, President of MGM Worldwide Television. George Tillman Jr. and Robert Teitel (SHOWTIME'S "Soul Food," "Men of Honor"), who have produced all three films in the franchise, will serve as executive producers of the television series under their State Street Pictures production banner.
 
"'Barbershop' has come to stand for irreverent, one of a kind, character-driven comedy, and I can think of no better brand to take Showtime further into the single-camera comedy business," said Greenblatt.

 

"Showtime has one of the most diversified audiences in the television business, thanks in large part to the success of 'Soul Food' and the breadth of ethnic programming we are known for. 'Barbershop' is the perfect vehicle to continue that tradition. I'm thrilled that, along with MGM, the film's producers, and the addition of the immensely talented John Ridley, we were able to come up with an idea for a fresh comedy series that will translate beautifully to the small screen."
 
"The growth of this franchise speaks to the extraordinary appeal of 'Barbershop,'" said Cohen. "The talent that we've assembled for the TV version of 'Barbershop' is evidence of MGM and Showtime's commitment to work with the best talent and to produce outstanding television that reaches out and entertains audiences of diverse backgrounds. It's the richness of the characters and the humanity of the storytelling that ultimately brings us all together. This is what touched the movie audience and this is what we will capture for the television show."

 

In the last two years, MGM has released "Barbershop" and "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" starring Ice Cube, Eve and Cedric The Entertainer. Both were critical and commercial successes that earned $140 million domestically with a wide crossover audience appeal. The studio recently wrapped the third film in the franchise, "Beauty Shop," starring Queen Latifah, Djimon Hounsou, Alicia Silverstone and Mena Suvari, which is set to be released later this year.

 

"The Wall Street Journal" praised the original film as "grandly entertaining," while the "New York Times" called it a, "warm, generous...neighborhood comedy" with "fine comic acting." Like the movies, the series will be set primarily inside a neighborhood barbershop on the South Side of Chicago and will follow a diverse cast of characters commenting on their lives, loves and families.

 

Ridley started his career as a stand-up comedian in New York and has written several successful novels, including "Stray Dogs," "Everybody Smokes in Hell" and "The Drift." His novel "Love is a Racket" was named one of the Ten Best Books of 1998 by the "Los Angeles Times." Ridley has also served as a writer on numerous TV series including "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Martin" "Third Watch," "Trinity" and "The John Larroquette Show." He created, wrote and executive produced UPN's series "Platinum" about two brothers running a hip-hop/rap record label. Ridley also wrote and produced the feature films "Three Kings," with George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube, and "Undercover Brother," with Eddie Griffin and Dave Chappelle. His directorial debut, "Cold Around the Heart," won a Best Director award at the Urbanworld Film Festival, and he is writing and directing the upcoming film "Let Me Take You Down."

 

Tillman and Teitel are one of Hollywood's most successful creative teams, and the hit "Barbershop" films are only a sample of their prestigious credits. Teitel produced the Fox feature film "Soul Food," written and directed by Tillman, which was then adapted into the popular Showtime series of the same name. The duo previously produced "Men of Honor," which Tillman also directed, staring Robert De Niro, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Charlize Theron, about the first African-American U.S. Navy diver and the man who trained him. Tillman and Teitel are currently producing Malcolm Lee's upcoming comedy feature "Roll Bounce," starring Chi McBride and Bow Wow, as well as "Sports Babysitter" about a star NFL quarterback who has to be minded by a child psychologist after he misbehaves in public and jeopardizes his endorsement deals.

 

Pearlena Igbokwe is the creative executive on behalf of Showtime Networks Inc. and Craig Roessler is the creative executive on behalf of MGM Television.

 

SHOWTIME's roster of successful scripted series includes the upcoming drama !HUFF, staring Hank Azaria, as well as THE L WORD, QUEER AS FOLK, DEAD LIKE ME, PENN AND TELLER: BULLSHIT! and FAMILY BUSINESS. The premium network will also premiere the upcoming political reality series AMERICAN CANDIDATE in August.
 
MGM Worldwide Television Distribution handles global distribution of film and television product as well as co-productions for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. Through this distribution unit, approximately 4,000 feature films and 10,100 television episodes are available to the global television market. Its series lineup includes the series STARGATE ATLANTIS, the animated children's series STARGATE INFINITY, the Post-apocalyptic drama JEREMIAH, the action-adventure series SHE SPIES and the critically acclaimed series STARGATE SG-1 and THE OUTER LIMITS. MGM Worldwide Television Distribution also produces such original made-for-television movies and miniseries as the contemporary thriller "Carrie" and the groundbreaking drama THE L WORD. The company also distributes NBC Enterprises-produced programming in all territories outside of North America, including the series "Boomtown," "American Dreams" and "Hidden Hills," as well as the runaway hits "Will & Grace," "Crossing Jordan," "Providence" and "Profiler." For more information on MGM, visit MGM Online at http://www.mgm.com.

 

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL" and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO", SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC xtra. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD®, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND". SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME® is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.