'Anderson" Move From Ch.11 To Ch.5 This Fall

Starr Report
Last Updated: 9:32 AM, February 28, 2012
Posted: 10:15 PM, February 27, 2012


With the arrogance and self-congratulatory pretension that runs rampant in Hollywood – and in show business, in general – it’s always great to hear about someone doing something genuinely nice for others.

I’m referring here to Joey Travolta’s company, Inclusion Films, which functions as a “practical film workshop” for adults with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy. The 20-week workshop teaches the process of making a short film (from pre- to post-production) and pairs students with professionals (production crews, writers, set-builders etc.) with the goal of finding students jobs in the industry.

Well, Aaron Kaplan, the producer of Fox’s “Terra Nova,” took notice of Inclusion Films – and has staffed two of his eight upcoming pilots (“Daddy’s Girls” for NBC and the untitled Dan Fogelman project for ABC) with Inclusion Films graduates.

“When I heard about the inspiring work that Inclusion Films is providing to adults with developmental disabilities, I reached out to Joey immediately,” Kaplan says. “We’re thrilled about providing these graduates a real-world opportunity and equally excited about the skills they bring to our team.”

How cool is that?

(And, yes, Joey is John Travolta’s brother.)

Inclusion Films is, by the way, conducting one of their summer camps at St. Peter’s College in nearby Englewood, NJ this summer (the first two weeks of August) in conjunction with Marblejam Kids. The Travolta family grew up in Englewood (Bergen County), so it’s a nice “giving back to the community” gesture.

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Anderson Cooper’s “Anderson” has retained its mantle as the season’s top-rated syndicated freshman talk show. Its numbers have grown exponentially since its premiere last fall and, in the most recent syndicated ratings period, “Anderson” averaged nearly 2.1 million viewers and performed strongly in its core demo (women 25-54) – nothing to sneeze at.

“I think we’ve found what works,” says Terence Noonan, “Anderson’s” executive producer, who also launched “Dr. Oz” into syndicated orbit. “We’ve found that keeping the show topical and fresh [has helped the numbers] and we’ve had some amazing bookings, from Madonna to Janet Jackson to Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon. The show has really become a go-to destination for A-list celebrities.”

Noonan says the biggest change in the show’s format, since its launch last fall, was making “Anderson” a multi-topic show. “It’s hard to get the numbers to move, but our staff has done an amazing job, along with Anderson, in moving the needle. To move the show this far, in this short amount of time, is unprecedented.

“We’re a show that can deliver on a range of emotions, and I think that’s what people are looking for in daytime.”

Whatever they’re doing, it’s working.

“Anderson,” by the way, will move to Ch. 5 (from Ch. 11) in the fall.