TVSquad

Starz, the cable network, is getting into original production and their first project will be based on the 2005 Best Picture Oscar-winning film Crash. Glen Mazzara, whose credits include Life, The Shield, Stand-Off and Nash Bridges, has been named executive producer/showrunner for the drama series. Lionsgate TV will co-produce with Starz, and they've greenlighted 13 episodes.

The controversial film, which dealt with the intersecting lives of a myriad of people living in Los Angeles in just 48 hours, centers on the character of Detective Graham Waters. Waters, a police detective, is struggling with his career, his drug addict mother and a criminal brother. The role was played by Don Cheadle (Picket Fences), who was also one of the film's producers. He is expected to reprise the part in the Starz production and may even direct a few episodes. In addition, director/co-writer/producer Paul Haggis and others from the film are also on board for Starz.

(S01E01/S01E02) To be honest, I was sold on this one long before we finally got a look at what the Drive team has been working on all this time. I count myself as a Tim Minear fan, so his involvement was enough to get me interested. Add in a cast including Nathan Fillion (Firefly), Melanie Lynskey (Two And A Half Men), Kevin Alejandro (Sleeper Cell), Kristin Lehman (Tilt), Dylan Baker (The Book Of Daniel), and Taryn Manning (Hustle & Flow), and you really have something.

USA Today has an article up about Lost producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof. It focuses mostly on their relationship and how they work together. The two are long time friends. Cuse actually gave Lindelof his first writing gig on Nash Bridges. They even manage to catch up with J.J. Abrams who weighs in with his thoughts on how the two are doing with the show. I've read a number of pieces like this about Cuse and Lindelof over the last couple years. They always come across as good guys that are enjoying what they are doing. It's worth a look for Lost fans, or fans of how TV works.

The part that scares me is the little bit where the producers say season three "will offer more romance and adventure." It's something they hinted at in their podcast toward the end of last season. Now, the Lost team does a lot of things well, but for me, romance isn't one of them. If I want cheesy romance I'll find that tape of Falcon Beach from this past summer. In my big list of Lost questions, "Will Kate choose Jack or Sawyer?" is way down the list.