American TV with an Israeli accent

November 9, 2011 - 8:02 AM by

The cast of the Israeli version of 'Life Isn't Everything' with Avi Kushnir in the middle.

We used to be known as the ‘people of the book.’

Then Israel became the ‘startup nation,’ vaunted for its hi-tech prowess. Now the trend seems to be broadening out… into television.

Israeli TV show premises are big in demand in Hollywood. In addition to the series that have already been made over the years based on Israeli shows like ‘In Treatment’ (B’Tipul) and the short-lived ‘Traffic Light’ (Ramzor), there are currently three Israeli series that are in development by US studios.

The latest is the YES Stars series ‘Danny Hollywood’, about a young filmmaker who investigates the mysterious death of her musical idol. She travels back in time, meets and falls in love with him, and then tries to prevent his untimely death.
The CW network bought the rights to the comedy-drama, with A-level executive producers Mark Harmon of ‘NCIS,’ Eric and Kim Tannenbaum of ‘Two and a Half Men,’ on board.

‘Danny Hollywood’ joins ‘Life Isn’t Everything’ on CBS, NBC’s adaptation of the mystery drama ‘Timrot Ashan,’ or (Pillars Of Smoke), and HBO’s The Naked Truth.

‘Life isn’t Everything’ based on Avi Kushner’s popular “Hahaim Ze Lo Hakol’ was brought to Hollywood by Noa Tisbhi, the successful Israeli actress/media mogul who also brokered the deal a few years back that brought ‘In Treatment’ to HBO.
The creator of the Israeli ‘Life Isn’t Everything,’ Daniel Lappin, will be involved in writing the US version of the show. Lappin and Tishbi will also serve as executive producers along with Mike Sikowitz who worked on ‘Friends.’

Life Isn’t Everything is about a middle-aged, recently divorced couple who were bad at marriage and discover they are now really bad at divorce – messy, can’t help but being involved in each others’ lives. It produced 150 episodes and recently wrapped its ninth and final season on Channel 2 to big ratings. 33% of all Israeli viewers tuned in for the series finale.

‘Pillars of Smoke’ is a drama, in its second season in Israel, set in the Golan Heights that follows the police investigation into the disappearance of a cult the area. It’s been called parts Twin Peaks, Northern Exposure and Lost. It was pitched to NBC by the owner of Herzliya Studios and the HOT cable company Alon Aranya, who will serve as the US show’s executive producer.

So, Israeli parents, instead of pushing your kids into hit-tech, medicine and law, it looks like the future lies in TV.

Tags: • Category: A New Reality, Business, General, Israeliness, Pop Culture, tv 

Comments

One Comment on American TV with an Israeli accent

  1. LarryInLA on Wed, Nov 9th 2011 6:53 PM

    2. You’ve missed probably the most successful Israeli import thus far: Showtime’s “Homeland” currently airing its 7th one-hour episode. It being produced here by the guys responsible for “24″ on Fox. It stars Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin…. Here’s a link to the first episode, available for free online at http://bit.ly/sejd5U…

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