stars on screen
Under the (AB)C: Live TV version of ‘The Little Mermaid’ coming soon
By Michelle Rose
TV Media
Under the (AB)C: The Disney-
owned ABC Television Network
has announced it’s dipping a toe
in the well-charted waters of
live TV musicals with “The Little
Mermaid Live!,” coming Tuesday,
Nov. 5.
That’s big news for fans of Ariel
and her underwater friends, and
anyone wishing to be part of that
world.
But keep in mind that ABC’s
“live” version won’t be 100
per cent live. Instead, expect to
see the classic animated film
mixed with all-new live musi-
cal performances, complete
with lavish costumes and sets,
plus a few songs from the Tony
Award-nominated Broadway
musical.
You know her best as the voice
of “Moana” (2016), but this
time Hawaiian-born Auli’i Crav-
alho will be performing as Ariel.
Queen Latifah will play the part
of villainous Ursula, while reg-
gae star Shaggy has signed on to
perform as Ariel’s crab sidekick,
Sebastian.
Not to be confused with
the planned live-action movie
remake (that one will star Halle
Bailey), the idea of a “Little Mer-
maid” TV event has been sim-
mering on the back burner since
2017, when ABC first announced
the project then shelved it just a
few months later. This time, the
concept — which will fall under
the “Wonderful World of Disney”
banner — was fast-tracked to
coincide with the 30th anniver-
sary of the film’s original release
in 1989.
And there are high hopes it
will drum up additional interest
for the Disney Plus streaming
platform, which will launch the
following week (Nov. 12) and is
already expected to be a serious
Netflix challenger.
’Platform’ Pilot: B.J. No-
vak — a.k.a. Ryan “The Temp”
Howard on NBC’s “The Office”
— recently celebrated his 40th
birthday. So what kind of birthday
gift do you give a person who is
already an accomplished author,
director and TV producer? A pilot
order, according to FX.
24 | Screentime
Auli’i Cravalho is set to star in “The Little Mermaid Live!”
FX Networks gave Novak the
these episodes, except that the
green light to produce a pilot for
first will feature a dramatic sto-
a new half-hour anthology series
ryline about a sensitive subject
titled “Platform.” And if the series while the other has a lighter tone
is picked up, count on Novak to
and includes a short animation
continue wearing multiple hats
element.
as writer, director and executive
Production is already under-
producer.
way, with Lucas Hedges (“Lady
Per the official release from FX, Bird,” 2017), Kaitlyn Dever
“Platform” uses “the boldest is-
(“Booksmart,” 2019), Jon Bern-
sues of our times as a jumping-off thal (“The Punisher”), Ed Asner
point to tell singular, character-
(“The Mary Tyler Moore Show”)
driven stories about the world we and more starring in the first
live in today.”
episodes.
Technically, this initial pilot
But back to Novak. The TV
order is for two episodes (more
funnyman and littérateur (he’s a
on that later), with each episode
bestselling author, too) can easily
serving as a one-off story featur-
draw on past TV experiences to
ing different cast members (think
ensure future success. And many
“Black Mirror”-style casting).
fans are hoping his latest project
Few details are known about
will get a full series order.
August 21, 2019 | East Oregonian and Hermiston Herald
During his time on “The Of-
fice,” Novak penned a total of 15
episodes, including the very funny
“Diversity Day,” and he directed
a number of episodes between
2009 and 2012. He also served
as executive producer, writer
and director (and had a recurring
role) on the Fox/Hulu series “The
Mindy Project,” which starred fel-
low “Office” co-star/best friend/
ex-girlfriend Mindy Kaling.
‘Power’ Out: The sixth and
final season of Starz’s most-
watched series has been given its
own title (“The Final Betrayal”),
an extended run (15 episodes in-
stead of 10) and a premiere date
(Sunday, Aug. 25). So is this truly
the end of “Power”? Not exactly.
Rumors of “Power” spinoffs
have persisted since last fall,
when it was revealed show
creator Courtney Kemp had
signed a new development and
production deal with Lionsgate
(Starz’s parent company). In May,
executive producer Curtis Jack-
son, a.k.a. 50 Cent, announced
the series’ end on social media
and revealed spinoffs were com-
ing down the pipeline, “so don’t
trip.”
Even Starz president of pro-
gramming Carmi Zlotnik is think-
ing franchise: “As one chapter
comes to an end, another will be-
gin. Courtney Kemp and 50 Cent
have created a world rich with
complex and dynamic characters,
and there are a number of stories
we plan to tell as we continue to
explore and expand the ‘Power’
universe.”
And what universe is that? The
one inhabited by members of the
glitzy Manhattan elite and the
gritty underworld of drug deal-
ing. The two-time NAACP Image
Award-winning drama is about,
well, power. In last season’s
finale, Tommy (Joseph Sikora,
“Jack Reacher,” 2012) went from
a brother-in-arms to top-of-the-
hit-list after shooting Angela (Lela
Loren, “Gang Related”). We can
expect Ghost (Omari Hardwick,
“Nobody’s Fool,” 2018) to seek
vengeance this season, and you
better believe he’s going to be
ruthless. Tune in Sunday to watch
the action unfold.