NBC Looking at 'Shaun of the Dead' Series

NBC is remaking The Rockford Files, and it has cast Dermot Mulroney to play Jim Rockford. I'm going to need more convincing about that, but I've pretty much made up my mind on this: No Shaun of the Dead TV series, please. The Guardian reports that NBC and its UK subsidiary, Working Title, might produce a bunch of big screen to small screen adaptations. It's a cost-cutting move for a corporation over the barrel because it affords NBC to bring familiar stories and characters to prime time. On that basis, it's hard to blame the network for looking into it; TV is all about giving people what they want and NBC is having no luck thinking of new ideas that accomplish that. I singled out Shaun of the Dead for two reasons: 1) I'd very much like a zombie TV series and 2) Just not that one. Some of the other films that are being looked into as possible TV spin-offs include Bridget Jones, Billy Elliot, Nanny McPhee, Notting Hill, and Four Weddings and a Funeral. They all have potential as episodics, and obviously Bridget Jones brings with it the largest built-in audience. Of course, to be truly financially responsible, they'd all require some changes, because cash-strapped NBC is not going to shoot a bunch of shows in the UK. Bridget Jones, though, might have to stay where it is. I can't see moving that one. And yes, this might really happen. "We have a tremendous reservoir [of content] at NBC, yet this hasn't really been done much before," said NBCU International president Pete Smith. Would NBC roll them out all at once? I think you could argue both sides of that, but the network needs shows so badly, I wouldn't be surprised.

Comments

[JP]

The ironic part is after watching the bonus features on the "Zombieland" blu-ray, it was originally conceived as a TV pilot.

I agree with you though, "Shaun of the Dead" as a TV series would be bad idea. Just thought that was an interesting side bar.

[adam]

Why the ill will towards SotD, Collin? Or is it just that movie as a TV series? I thought the movie was a great horror-comedy hybrid with a great story.