Post by Valerie on May 27, 2006 4:44:10 GMT -5
BURBANK, Calif. – May 26, 2006 – NBC announced the renewal of daytime's youngest drama "Passions" for an eighth season and that the show's creator James E. Reilly will continue his role as consulting producer and head writer and Lisa de Cazotte will continue as executive producer. The announcement was made today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment and Annamarie Kostura, Vice President, Daytime Programs.
" 'Passions' continues to attract a loyal fan base as well as a youthful audience that appreciates its wildly inventive storylines," said Kevin Reilly. "We are glad to continue our creative relationship with the show as a reflection of our commitment to daytime programming."
"Jim and Lisa are a winning combination," added Kostura. "Their enthusiasm and love of the genre has created fun, fresh storytelling and we're thrilled to continue our relationship with them for what promises to be another imaginative season."
NBC's "Passions," which debuted in July 1999, is the newest drama to be introduced to daytime television and is the only daytime drama launched in the last decade that remains on the air. "Passions" continues to excel among younger viewers, ranking #2 for the season among women 18-34 and 18-24 behind only NBC's "Days of our Lives," and ranking #1 among girls 12-17.
The Emmy Award winning daytime drama combines quirky characters with traditional love stories to generate continual interest from the daytime community. "Passions" has been nominated for 27 Emmy Awards, winning four. And, this past year was nominated for two NAACP Image Award nominations and won a GLAAD Media Award and an AFTRA American Scene Award.
The series has successfully created unique online campaigns with "Passions Red" and "Passions Vendetta," launched a popular clothing line this spring (www.CraneCouture.com), and recently announced the formation of an online spin-off titled "The Cove," which will premiere exclusively online later this year.
Based on the rich history and mystery of the harbor community of Harmony, "Passions" explores the lives, loves and losses of four core families: the Cranes, the Lopez-Fitzgeralds, the Bennetts and the Russells, each of whom have their own distinct and diverse challenges and desires.
"Passions" is the creation of celebrated daytime drama scribe James E. Reilly, who is considered by many industry insiders to be one of the most innovative and prolific writers of his time.
"Passions" is produced by NBC Universal Television Studio in association Outpost Farms Productions, Inc. and is taped in Studio City, California. Lisa de Cazotte is the executive producer.
