Nielsen sleighs ABC
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - ABC has greenlit production on ``Santa Who?,'' a ''Wonderful World of Disney'' holiday picture starring Leslie Nielsen as Santa Claus. Production begins next month.
Nielsen will play a Santa stricken by amnesia after falling out of his sleigh two days before Christmas. Tommy Davidson (``In Living Color'') is set to play Santa's head elf, who's charged with finding the missing man in the red suit. Steven Eckholdt (``It's Like, You Know...'') and Robin Lively (``Savannah'') have also been cast.
Nielsen is best known for his starring roles in the ``Airplane'' and ``Naked Gun'' comic franchises.
Meanwhile producer Tribune Entertainment has ordered a pilot for ``All You Need is Love,'' a new relationship series from Stone Stanley Entertainment, the production company of MTV's ``Loveline.''
Based on a format created by Dutch producer Endemol, the company behind CBS' upcoming ``Big Brother,'' ``All You Need is Love,'' is a fast-paced show revolving around a guest with a love problem. Host Jim Davidson (``Pacific Blue'') will lead the show's crew as it attempts to help the guest resolve his or her issue, whether it be a crush, a breakup or a fantasy. The format already airs in 13 countries,
Once the pilot, scheduled to begin production this summer, is delivered, Tribune will determine whether to take the project out for a potential fall 2001 debut as a half-hour show. It has not decided whether to aim the show at the syndication, cable or broadcast network markets.
Reuters/Variety
03:19 06-23-00
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