NBC to show more of 'T.H.E.M.'

By Andrew Wallenstein, Hollywood Reporter, 8/21/2003

NEW YORK -- Not to be outdone by ABC and David Blaine, NBC is conjuring up its own prime-time showcase for street magicians. "T.H.E.M.," which stands for "Totally Hidden Extreme Magicians," features a troupe of 10 to 12 tricksters who confound unwitting bystanders they encounter on the street with mind-boggling illusions.

After sampling the half-hour pilot in May, NBC's alternative programming department ordered a second episode with an eye toward giving it a test run sometime during the fall season, either back-to-back or in separate time slots.

"It's like `Candid Camera' meets the world of magic," said Ken Mok (UPN's "America's Next Top Model"), who serves as executive producer and director of "T.H.E.M."

"We're hoping for a series order because we think this can run a long time."

'Early Show' names a new producer

CBS's "The Early Show," which has struggled with perennial third-place ratings, announced yesterday that it has named long-time ABC News producer Victor Neufeld as an executive producer of the morning show.

In his number two position, Neufeld will work closely with senior executive producer Michael Bass on the broadcast. He is scheduled to start work Sept. 8.

Neufeld, 56, worked at ABC for 30 years, spending 16 of them building up "20/20" as its executive producer. He has also worked as a senior producer of "ABC Evening News," a precursor to "World News Tonight." Most recently, Neufeld served as senior executive producer of news magazines, including "20/20" and "Primetime Thursday."

SUZANNE C. RYAN

'The Wire' gets a third season

HBO announced yesterday that it has renewed its drama series "The Wire" for a third season.

The series, created by David Simon, is told from the point of view of both the police and their targets in Baltimore. The second season concludes Sunday. The 12-episode third season will begin shooting in the first quarter of 2004.

SUZANNE C. RYAN

Barr loses second show

With ABC Family deciding to drop Roseanne Barr's "Domestic Goddess Hour," it was only a matter of time before its "making-of" documentary got the hook as well.

As expected, ABC has canceled "The Real Roseanne Show," which chronicled Barr's attempts to return to television with a sort of lifestyle-cooking-talk show that was to have been called "The Domestic Goddess Hour" on ABC Family.

"The Real Roseanne" was designed to build interest for "The Domestic Goddess Hour," which was scheduled to premiere Sept. 20 on ABC Family.

A combination of factors -- including pending hysterectomy surgery for Barr and a never-nailed-down concept for the show -- led ABC Family to shut down production. Anemic ratings for "The Real Roseanne" may also have played a part.

KNIGHT RIDDER

Globe on NECN

Here's what's happening on "Around the Globe" today on NECN:

12:30 p.m.: "Globe at Home" -- Sports writer Andy Nesbitt previews Saugus's next step in the Little League World Series.

4 p.m.: "Around the Globe"

6:30 p.m.: "New England Business Day"

8 p.m.: "NewsNight" Schedule is subject to change.

On Boston.com

Noon: Globe gardening columnist Carol Stocker chats about preparing for fall.

2 p.m.: Globe handyman columnist Peter Hotton gives tips on home repair.

Talk of the dial

5 p.m. WBNW-AM (1120) -- "PM Magazine." Guests: Tobin Smith, market analyst; Karl Jennings, Nash & Company; Raquel Mullaney, Comfort Keepers.

Midnight WBZ-AM (1030) -- "Steve LeVeille Show." Guest: Mel Simons, presents the "Audio Clip Trivia Quiz."

Other radio highlights

7:30 a.m WCRB-FM (102.5) -- Saint-Saens' Havanaise; Handel's Oboe Concerto No. 1; Mozart's "Linz" Symphony.

Noon WUMB-FM (91.9) -- "Live at Noon." Guest: Jonathan Byrd, folk singer, discusses his new CD and performs.

Noon WGBH-FM (89.7) -- Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 15 in D, Op. 28, "Pastoral"; Symphony No. 8.

4 p.m. WCRB-FM (102.5) -- Brahms's Academic Festival Overture; Mozart's 6 Contredanses; Tchaikovsky's Valse-scherzo.