If the 2015 TCAs are anything to go by, TV continues to increase diversity, experiment with form, and welcome women over 35. Cases in point: Eva Longoria, Dolly Parton, and Pamela Adlon will take part in three very different projects for the small screen.
Longoria will executive produce and star in a 13-episode comedic miniseries called Telenovela, in which the Desperate Housewives castmate will play Ana Maria, a diva who must navigate behind-the-scenes drama that’s much crazier than the passion and plot twists she portrays in front of the camera. Developed by Chrissy Pietrosh and Jessica Goldstein for NBC, Telenovela will also delve into how soap operas are made.
The peacock network will also host a series of TV movies about the life and music of the grande dame of country, Ms. Dolly Parton herself. “We’re going to try and create uplifting movies the entire family can enjoy together,” commented NBC exec Bob Greenblatt, who noted that such programming is “pretty untapped” on the small screen today. The family-friendly messaging is a great fit with Parton, whose 55-year career makes the singer/actress an icon to multiple generations. Parton will produce the TV movies and may appear on screen in at least one of them.
Over on cable, Louie love interest Pamela Adlon will create and star in her own FX show, Better Things. Adlon will pen the pilot and executive produce the series with Louis C.K., which will center on “a working actor trying to earn a living, navigate her three daughters’ lives, having fun with a friend or two, and also — just maybe — squeezing in some sex once in a while. Her life is funny to watch, but you wouldn’t want to live it (except sometimes).” If Sam is anything like Adlon’s dry, sardonic character on Louie, we’re all in.
