Amid reports that it was in the running to pick up the acclaimed comedy "Arrested Development," Showtime channel unveiled its new slate Thursday, including "Liza with a Z," a recently restored live performance by Liza Minnelli that has not aired on TV in 34 years.
Public radio's Ira Glass will make a new series based on his program, "This American Life," for Showtime. Damon Wayans will produce a new comedy sketch show, "The Underground," that Showtime said would be like his groundbreaking show "In Living Color," but "on steroids." And Jonathan Rhys-Meyers will play a young Henry VIII in a new period drama, "The Tudors."
- Showtime's head of entertainment, Robert Greenblatt, said that Showtime was in negotiations to pick up "Arrested Development," winner of the Emmy Award for best comedy, should Fox decide to cancel it. ABC has also expressed interest in picking up "Arrested Development." Though poorly rated on network TV, the show would certainly give a lift to Showtime's subscriber base and ratings, which are far behind HBO's but did rise in the past year, according to its chairman Matthew Blank.
- Greenblatt announced that the reality series starring illusionists Penn and Teller had been renewed for two more seasons. However, the futures of other Showtime series, including "Barbershop," are on hold pending a decision on "Arrested Development."
- UPN announced Thursday that Chris Rock and Will Smith will each direct episodes of the shows they helped create, the comedies "Everybody Hates Chris" and "All of Us." Both episodes will air this spring.
- QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We consider this his lost sixth film." -- Producer Neil Meron on Bob Fosse, who choreographed and directed "Liza with a Z," the 1972 television special that will air April 1 in a restored version on Showtime
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