'Alias' Premiere Primed for Princely Boost
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) -- ABC is giving the second season premiere of "Alias" the royal treatment: the net-work is speeding up production on its buzzworthy Prince William biopic to ensure the movie will be ready for broadcast Sunday, Sept. 29, as a lead-in to the sophomore bow of the femme spy show. "Prince William," which stars Jordan Frieda ("Band of Brothers") as the young royal, had been intended as a November sweeps tentpole. Instead, it will serve as the season premiere for "The Wonderful World of Disney," airing from 7- 9 p.m. "Alias" will follow, with the season premiere of "The Practice" scheduled for 10 p.m. What's more, ABC will promote the "Alias" season premiere via a 60-second theatrical trailer that will play on several thousand screens nationwide. The trailer, which was approved by "Alias" creator J.J. Abrams, will play only in PG-13 and R-rated pictures. Despite strong critical notice, lots of Emmy nominations and solid ratings last year, "Alias" producers will no doubt take all the help they can get. This fall, the Jennifer Garner starrer will be up against the much-anticipated return of HBO's "The Sopranos," as well as Fox's "Malcolm in the Middle." ABC says it's fully committed to making sure "Alias" both survives and thrives. "There's no greater priority at the network this season," said a top-level network executive. Alas ABC, which did not have too much else to smile about last season, isn't yet prepared to give "Alias" the biggest boost it might offer the show: a better time slot.
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) -- ABC is giving the second season premiere of "Alias" the royal treatment: the net-work is speeding up production on its buzzworthy Prince William biopic to ensure the movie will be ready for broadcast Sunday, Sept. 29, as a lead-in to the sophomore bow of the femme spy show. "Prince William," which stars Jordan Frieda ("Band of Brothers") as the young royal, had been intended as a November sweeps tentpole. Instead, it will serve as the season premiere for "The Wonderful World of Disney," airing from 7- 9 p.m. "Alias" will follow, with the season premiere of "The Practice" scheduled for 10 p.m. What's more, ABC will promote the "Alias" season premiere via a 60-second theatrical trailer that will play on several thousand screens nationwide. The trailer, which was approved by "Alias" creator J.J. Abrams, will play only in PG-13 and R-rated pictures. Despite strong critical notice, lots of Emmy nominations and solid ratings last year, "Alias" producers will no doubt take all the help they can get. This fall, the Jennifer Garner starrer will be up against the much-anticipated return of HBO's "The Sopranos," as well as Fox's "Malcolm in the Middle." ABC says it's fully committed to making sure "Alias" both survives and thrives. "There's no greater priority at the network this season," said a top-level network executive. Alas ABC, which did not have too much else to smile about last season, isn't yet prepared to give "Alias" the biggest boost it might offer the show: a better time slot.
