ION Media Networks Adds Boston Legal
One-Hour Off-ABC Drama from Twentieth Television Joins M*A*S*H , The Drew Carey Show , Baywatch
By Paige Albiniak & Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/19/2008 10:06:00 AM
ION Media Networks picked up Twentieth Television’s Boston Legal for a primetime weeknight run this fall.
The one-hour off-ABC drama, written and produced by David E. Kelley, stars James Spader, William Shatner and Candice Bergen.
The Emmy Award-winning show joins some veteran off-network series ION picked up in recent months, including Twentieth’s M*A*S*H, Warner Bros.’ The Drew Carey Show and Litton Entertainment’s Baywatch. Baywatch starts its run Monday, March 3, and it will air Mondays-Thursdays at 10 p.m.
Under the watch of new chairman and CEO Brandon Burgess, ION is in the process of reinventing itself. Besides the new programming acquisitions, the company has also been cleaning up its books and making some new hires.
John Lawson, former president of the Association of Public Television Stations, just came on as executive vice president of policy and strategic initiatives. And Eleo Hensleigh, formerly head of marketing at the Disney-ABC cable and TV groups, is now chief marketing officer.
“With a streamlined ownership structure and financial support now in place, we will turn our attention to growing the business,” Burgess said in a statement. “We are building a top-notch team, investing in content and developing our marketing message."
As for the series, “Boston Legal will be to ION Television what Denny Crane is to Crane, Poole & Schmidt -- bold, outrageous and positively entertaining,” Burgess added. “Smart writing with humor and heart and an all-star cast, including James Spader, Candice Bergen and William Shatner, make this one of the best shows on television.”
Twentieth president and chief operating officer Bob Cook added, “We are excited that ION Television will be sharing with their viewers this Emmy Award-winning program, exemplifying the best in television writing and acting.”
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