Wednesday 28 April 1999
By eBroadcast Staff and agencies.

The Showtime cable network plans to launch a weekly drama Beggars & Choosers—a series based on the 1976 Peter Finch movie, Network only with hotter women

Above: Charlott Ross in a dress that seems to say 'rip my dress off'

The original film, considered the sharpest satire of the TV industry, should provide enough of a reference point for at least the initial episode of Beggars & Choosers to be successful. After that, well, let’s just say these types of shows (based on a film) can’t all be Happy Days and M.A.S.H.

Brian Kerwin is slated to play the lead as head of programming for a broadcast network that's staggering in the ratings. But the part we're excited about is the lovely Miss Charlott Ross (see photo). We've had the pleasure of meeting Charlott in person and can say with confidence if she were teaching traffic school, we'd be in the first row.

Other actors signed for the series include Billy McNamara, Isabella Hoffman, Paul Provenza, Tuc Watkins, Keegan Tracy and, in a few episodes, Carol Kane. (you're going: Who?)

Beggars & Choosers will premiere with a special two-hour season opener on Saturday, June 19, at 10 p.m. Following the pilot, Showtime has commissioned 22 hourlong episodes for the first season.

Novelist Peter Lefcourt (The Deal, The Dreyfus Affair), will write the series as well as serve as co-executive producer.

There’s a good chance we will only watch the show to see Charlott Ross.