Recently, I reported that Penn alum Joe Port (C'97) and his writing partner Joe Wiseman had their TV pilot "Family Album" most likely scheduled for a mid season slot on Fox.
Now, more good news. Yesterday it was announced that Fox has signed a two-year overall deal with them. (source)
Fantastic news, and the inspirational story here for DT readers is how the Joes got their start together.
For those of you looking to write and produce, after the jump read their story and take note!
Over the past couple of months I wrote a few posts about some alumni who had TV pilots in development with the networks.
Recently, all the networks have been announcing which pilots they've picked up and so far, it looks like 3 separate Penn alumni have TV shows with the big networks.
After the jump, find out who these alumni are and more about their pilots.
Writer Joe Port (C’97, DP Cartoonist) hopes someone buys into his Five Year Plan.
Specifically the ABC network.
A month ago, Joe shot a pilot for ABC (produced by NBC) called Five Year Plan, that he and his writing partner Joe Wiseman created and exec produced together. It stars Steve Howey, Will Sasso, Brooke D'orsay, Lee Thompson Young, Joy Osmanski and Steve Rosen.
Per Joe,
“The basic idea is we introduce this young group of people, we learn what their respective five year plans are, and then we watch them as they try to make those dreams come true. The pilot was directed by Gail Mancuso. We're all done editing itnow and have gotten a lot of good feedback so far (my mother Phyllis Port (C'60) claims, "It's a winner!"). We should know pretty soon whether or not it will be picked up to series.”
Before this, Joe worked on The Office, Just Shoot Me and per Joe, “many shows that you've never heard of.”
Joe’s not the only Hollywood Penn writer in his family. His brother Moses Port (C’91) and writing partner David Guarascio (C'91) executive produced last year's CW show Aliens in America and are currently developing projects for Sony.
Writing partners David Guarascio (C'91) and Moses Port (C'91),(former co-producers and writers of Just Shoot Me and 2001 "Penn in Pictures" panelists) debut their CW show, Aliens in America Monday, October 1. Check your local listings for times.
Joey Volpe (W'09) recently emailed me to let me know that he worked on The Bachelor this summer and that we should all check it out on Mondays on ABC.
In addition to America's Most Smartest Model mentioned above, Mark Cronin (Eng '86) also has another 2(!) shows: I Love New York 2 on Monday nights at 9 pm on VH1 as well as Gotti's Way. Check your local listings for times.
CBS has ordered Mike Sikowitz's (C'88, Sigma Alpha Mu) pilot called My Best Friend's Girl - A comedy series about a guy who falls in love with his best friend's ex-wife. Mike's credits include being a writer/producer for The Class and Grounded for Life.
A few years ago, my (former) writing partner and I attended the pilot taping of a show Mike had called Grown Men - a single-camera comedy about a group of five frat brothers who meet up at a friend's funeral. I really liked the pilot but it wasn't picked up.
Alumni out there, do you have something on the TV Schedule? Add your comment below!
"Keep up the DAMN good work. It's not until I'm about to graduate that I really start to appreciate other Penn alums who try to keep the network going with websites like Dueling Tampons and more. Keep it up!"
-Mike Tate (C'10)
"Just wanted to send a note to say thanks for your continued work w/ Dueling Tampons. it's one of the various e-news blasts I read most days. I really liked the one about '3 generations at Penn'."
-Jody Girgenti (C'98)
"As an outsider to the entertainment industry and to LA, DuelingTampons.com gave me an excellent jumping-off point to start my job search. It enabled me to learn about Penn alums in the entertainment industry and conduct necessary preliminary research. From there I was able to reach out to our incredible alumni network, schedule introductory meetings and phone calls, eventually land an interview, and finally secure an internship at a top Hollywood studio."
-Steve Gottlieb (C'04)
"By the way, Dueling Tampons may be one of the greatest names for a penn-related website!"
Andrew Erace (C'07)
"Whenever I'm looking to waste time on the internet, Dueling Tampons is at the top of my list right up there with the Onion, the Superficial, and Leverged Sell Out."
Scott Kend (C'02)
"I love what you are doing for Penn with this website. Keep it up!"
Adam El Sehamy (C'09)
"Thanks for doing your part to unify Penn through Dueling Tampons--it's already been a great resource, and I'm only an incoming freshman. I am truly looking forward to my next four years at Penn and beyond. Thanks again."
-Haywood L. Perry III (C'12)
"Just want to thank you for all you are doing re: DT. You've reenergized my feelings toward Penn and now I have a son who will be applying to Penn"
-Joan L. (W'80)
"Great site. I've really enjoyed everything I've come across since I first came across it. Keep up the good work."
-A.J. Cabrera (C'04)
"Great site —when I first came across it, it took me by surprise. I hadn't used the phrase DT in years, you totally made me laugh. Thanks for that."
-Jason Seiden (W'95)
"I got all misty-eyed looking at the Dueling Tampons site. I mean it gave me sense memory of Penn... of the Walk when it was cold, or being in McNeill with Abiel, or being in German class, or taking 20 extra minutes to get to class because of seeing everyone I knew on Locust Walk, or people that sat in my classes that are now really famous or important... just a great site"
-Chris Hartwell (C'95)
"Love you website..! Very fun to read - I cannot believe what alums (that are WAY younger than us) are accomplishing...very cool...!"
-Dorie Clayman (C'96)
"I'm really digging your website. It's nice to have someone keeping track of all us Quaker over-achievers."
-Jeff Levin (C'07)
"Thank you for your website. I've not been in touch with Penn for YEARS, am speaking at the Bookstore and they wrote to me about Dueling Tampons. I've spent the afternoon going around inside it. so thank you!"
Michael Rosen
"Hey, I'll be entering Penn in the Fall as a '12 student. Just trying to get a feel for the campus before I come and Dueling Tampons seems like it has got a big place on campus."
-Eric Jacob Maltiel (SEAS'12)
"I love the way you are reaching out to Penn alums and this site...keep up the good work"
-Jennifer Merves Robbins (C'92)
"I just found dueling tampons, and im hooked. i had no idea so many alum do what i want to do when i grow up!" -Danielle Hannah (C'03)
"Dueling Tampons has an AWESOME reputation on campus here, and I see you and your site everywhere!"
-Matt Amalfitano (C'11)
"Your site's a great way to keep up with Penn stuff with a laugh. Thanks."
-David Toturgul (C'99)
"What you do on Dueling Tampons I think really provides many Penn students with inspiration for their future careers, as I know it has done with me."
-Ryan Townsend (C'08)
"I really like all the Penn stuff, makes me feel at home... I had a good laugh at the name of the website, it only took me a split second to get it!"
-Dan Gutin (C'97)
"Dueling Tampons is an awesome resource. Thanks for representing LA (my hometown!) and the entertainment industry!"
-Joey Volpe (C'09)
"your dueling tampons site rocks"
-Jordan Rockwell (C'00)
"Big fan of the website! I find it a must read!!"
-Troy Majnerick, Penn New Student Orientation Coordinator
"I just want to thank you. I am a cinema studies major at Penn and your site is an amazing creative and networking resource for me. I love it." -Dustin Blank (C'09)
"It's great to see you bringing together the community of Penn alums who took a possibly more interesting route and are doing some really cool things."
-Tara Todras-Whitehill (C'00, Eng'00)
"This is the kind of value-added, life-giving nectar that Matt spoons out so regularly, and for which I am forever...FOREVER...indebted to him."
-Adam Hellegers (C'96)
"The Dueling Tampons site is really impressive. I think Penn should just hand the alumni network over to you :)"
-Eric Barker (C'94)
Alumni Attending Events Because of DT:
"Logan [Levkoff] was here on Friday and was featured in the October 2 Penn Current and today's DP. I heard about her through DT.com, so thanks Matt!" -Fran De La Torre (C'04)
Writer Joe Port (C’97, DP Cartoonist) hopes someone buys into his Five Year Plan.
Facebook 
MySpace 
Friendster 
Twitter 
Digg 
As I continue to be inundated by TV promos, I'm realizing that there are a good number of alumni both in front of and behind the camera...
Read More......
Entertainment Related
Penn Memories
More Fun
Holiday Related Posts
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Hanukkah
Christmas
Mardis Gras
St. Patrick's Day
Easter