Rideback, CBS TV Studios, Thinking Hat Partner on Second Year of Campfire Writers’ Room

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRobert and Michelle King are attached to executive produce a series adaptation of the iHeart Media true crime podcast “Happy Face” currently in development at CBS All Access, Variety has learned.“Happy Face” is inspired by the true story of Melissa Moore, who discovered at age 15 that her father, whom she loved dearly, was the prolific serial killer known as Happy Face.

Peter White Television EditorEXCLUSIVE: CBS Studios has struck a global first-look deal with Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures International and has set its first project – an adaptation of Ragnar Jónasson’s best-selling Nordic noir book The Darkness.The two companies will work together to source, acquire and develop premium scripted content for the international market that is creatively anchored outside the United States.The first project is a series adaptation of Jónasson’s The Darkness,

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentShooting has resumed in Rome on romantic drama “Eddie & Sunny,” helmed by U.S. director Desmond Devenish and starring Gabriel Luna (“Terminator: Dark Fate”) and Joanna Vanderham (“Warrior”).The previously unannounced film is the second international shoot to resume filming in Italy, following Sky original series “Domina,” after production was forced to stop due to the coronavirus crisis in February.

Ed Meza @edmezavarIn her debut feature film, “Why Not You,” writer-director Evi Romen explores the tragic consequences of a deadly attack in a gay club in Rome and the ostracization of outsiders in a small South Tyrolean community in northern Italy.The story follows Mario, a troubled but artistic young man, portrayed by Thomas Prenn (“Biohackers”), who longs to leave his provincial village for the wider world.

Stormzy‘s #Merky Books has announced its second annual New Writers’ Prize.Launched last year, the prize aims to discover underrepresented writers from ages 16-30 in the UK and Republic of Ireland.“I know too many talented writers that don’t always have an outlet or a means to get their work seen and hopefully #Merky Books can now be a reference point for them to say ‘I can be an author’ and for that to be a realistic and achievable goal,” Stormzy said of the prize.“Reading and writing as a kid

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAnna Faris is leaving the CBS multi-cam sitcom “Mom” ahead of the show’s upcoming eighth season.“The past seven years on ‘Mom’ have been some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my career,” Faris said in a statement. “I’m so thankful to Chuck, the writers, and my amazing castmates for creating a truly wonderful work experience.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe cast of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” is reuniting at HBO Max to celebrate the show’s 30th anniversary.Series star Will Smith and series regulars Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, and Alfonso Ribeiro will all be part of the special, as will DJ Jazzy Jeff. It is set to tape on Sept.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCBS All Access is developing a series about former NYPD detective Derrick Parker with Tip “T.I.” Harris attached to star and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson onboard as an executive producer, Variety has learned.The project is currently titled “Twenty Four Seven.” It is based on the book “Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of the Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay Investigations from NYPD’s First ‘Hip-Hop Cop'” by Parker and Matt Diehl.During his time with the NYPD, Parker worked

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe cast and creators of “The West Wing” are reuniting to perform together for the first time in nearly two decades in a special set at HBO Max, Variety has learned.“A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote” will debut on the streamer this fall. It will feature a theatrical staging of the “Hartsfield’s Landing” episode from the show’s third season and will be shot at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles in early October.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterBreakout TikTok star Sarah Cooper is developing a single-camera comedy at CBS inspired by her book “How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men’s Feelings.”In a competitive situation with a penalty attached, Cooper is attached to co-write and executive produce the potential series, with Cindy Chupack onboard as co-writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Nina Tassler, Denise Di Novi, and Joan Boorstein will executive produce under their PatMa Productions banner.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterShow business has often proven to be fertile ground for humor, and this year’s Emmy comedy series race is no different. Several of the shows up for the top TV prize in that genre this year offer a funny look inside different aspects of the industry.

Christopher Vourlias Romanian lawmakers voted Wednesday night to revise the country’s 35-45% cash rebate, topping up the €50 million ($59 million) annual fund to finance the cashback scheme through 2023 and breathing fresh life into the local film industry.The move ended an anxious period of speculation for the Romanian biz, which saw months-long delays in applications for the rebate after a bureaucratic reshuffle following a change in government last winter.

Arkane Studios has announced that its upcoming next-gen game Deathloop has been delayed until next year.Deathloop will now release in the second quarter of 2021, as revealed through a meassge to the community via the game’s official Twitter page.The game is being helmed by the developer’s French division, Arkane Lyon, and due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic the team has adjusted to working from home.

Reno 911! revival, set to arrive Thursday, Aug. 24.

Bernie Sanders has unleashed a scathing attack on President Donald Trump, suggesting that under him “authoritarianism has taken root in our country.” Addressing the opening night of the virtual Democratic National Convention on Monday, the Vermont senator said Trump had proved incapable of controlling the coronavirus outbreak, coping with the economic fallout and addressing institutional racism in the United States and climate change threatening the globe.

Also Read: Kristin Urquiza, Whose Father Died of COVID-19, Skewers Trump in Unflinching DNC Speech (Video)Which is when he got to the part about Nero. “This president is not just the threat to our democracy, but by rejecting science he has put our lives and health in jeopardy,” Sanders said.