from VARIETY, October 6

Showtime, NBC line up love, $
Morgan & Wong pact for 'Hobby,' 'Den'

By JOSEF ADALIAN
 
Scribe-helmer duo Glen Morgan and James Wong ("Final Destination") are delving into the worlds of love and money with a pair of high-profile projects set up at Showtime and NBC via Neal Moritz and Marty Adelstein's Original.

Duo will offer a modern take on the world of high-end prostitution for Showtime with an hour dubbed "The Hobby," one of the first major projects put into development by Bob Greenblatt since the exec took over as chief programmer for the feevee cabler.

Old profession, new take

As for "The Hobby," Wong said the skein will explore how the Internet has changed prostitution.

"Because of the Net, there's a community that now exists. The whole hooker/pimp thing has changed somewhat," he said. "It's the world's oldest profession, but there's a whole new wrinkle to it."

In the new Net world of escorts, johns refer to themselves as "hobbyists" while hookers are known as "providers." "The Hobby" will focus on four people from each group, with one madam at the center.

"This is an intricate character drama about the complex ways in which people procure companionship and sex, especially on the Internet," Greenblatt said. "Morgan and Wong are going to put their inimitable spin on it, and I can guarantee you it will be water-cooler television. This is exactly the kind of show that will begin to redefine this network as a place for writers with unique visions."

"The Hobby" reps a homecoming of sorts for Morgan and Wong, since Greenblatt developed the duo's first TV skein ("Space: Above and Beyond") when he was at Fox.

Both "The Hobby" and "Den of Thieves" were packaged by Endeavor. Morgan and Wong, who have several feature projects in the works, are also repped by Original and Peter Nelson.

Date in print: Mon., Oct. 6, 2003, Los Angeles