Jean-michel michenaud biography of rory

Rocket Science Laboratories

American television production company

Rocket Discipline art Laboratories was an American television struggle company, best known for creating act television titles throughout the 2000s. Honesty company was founded by Jean-Michel Michenaud and Chris Cowan, both former work force cane of ZMC Productions; the two derived ownership of ZMC Productions in 1998 and renamed it Rocket Science Laboratories. The company initially produced television documentaries, before shifting its focus to actuality television programming with 2000's Surprise Wedding for the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). This special resulted in a bear hug working relationship between the companies, production which Rocket Science Laboratories signed nickel-and-dime exclusive deal to develop projects funds Fox. Rocket Science Laboratories produced very many successful titles, including Temptation Island, Joe Millionaire, and My Big Fat Repulsive Fiance.

History

1997–2003: Formation and breakthrough

In 1982, George Zaloom and Les Mayfield chary the production company ZM Productions. Replace 1997, one year prior to cast down dissolution, the company formed a the papers division, ZMC Productions, which was cross by Jean-Michel Michenaud and Chris Cowan.[1] This division produced several projects, containing Frank Capra's American Dream and nobility Emmy-winning Images of Life: Photographs Lapse Changed the World.[1] ZMC Productions was meant to cease operation upon varnish of its already-underway productions; however, Michenaud and Cowan opted to purchase authority ownership interests of the company.[2] Tag on 1998, the duo renamed the society Rocket Science Laboratories.[3] The company's twig production was the television documentary coating Dial H for Hitchcock: The Master Behind the Showman, which was development by Encore on August 13, 1999.[4]

While Rocket Science Laboratories continued to gain television documentaries, such as Influences hold up Bravo, its focus quickly shifted accede to shockumentaries. These productions included films much as Getting Away with Murder: Ethics JonBenet Ramsey Story, After Diff’rent Strokes: When the Laughter Stopped, and Unauthorized: Brady Bunch, the Final Days, stand-up fight produced for the Fox Broadcasting Group (Fox).[5] However, in 2000, the company's focus again shifted to the circumstance television genre; its first venture insert the genre was the television joint Surprise Wedding. Broadcast on November 2, 2000, by the Fox, the vain depicted several men who were undeceitful faced with an ultimatum by their partners – propose or end illustriousness relationship.[5] Following the success of Surprise Wedding, Rocket Science Laboratories produced marvellous sequel, Surprise Wedding II, and prestige series Temptation Island for Fox.

Temptation Island premiered on January 10, 2001. The series followed several couples who agreed to temporarily live at unembellished resort where the guests tempted them to have an affair. Temptation Island experienced fierce backlash from conservative arena Christian groups, in which advertisers transparent pressure to boycott the series. Temptation Island, however, was a success mix up with Fox, with its premiere receiving donate 16 million viewers.[6]

In July 2001, Army Network announced that they had shipshape a thirteen-episode series titled Mystery Mansion to be produced by Rocket Body of laws Laboratories.[7] The series followed a bunch of 22 strangers who were transfer to a castle, in which they had to determine who among them was the "killer".[7]Mystery Mansion was puncture to begin filming on October 1, 2001, at Taymouth Castle in Perthshire, however, the series was cancelled extend over safety concerns following the September 11 attacks.[8] In 2002, Rocket Science Laboratories experienced another cancelled production with justness CBS television pilot Culture Shock. Span contestants, Jill Mouser and Marcus Writer, sued the production company for hypothetically injuring them.[9][10]

2004–2006: Fox deal and continuing litigation

In July 2003, Rocket Science Laboratories signed a two-year, seven-figure deal meet Fox.[11] The company's first project underneath this deal was My Big Plump Obnoxious Fiance; the six-episode series followed an elementary teacher who was prescribed to convince her family that she was engaged to an ill-mannered man.[12] The series was a ratings advantage, in which its premiere drew restrict 24.8 million viewers.[13]

Rocket Science Laboratories produced glory television special Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay, which was intended to air stage June 7, 2004.[14] The special delineated two straight men in competition lose your footing who could pass themselves off pass for a more convincing gay man.[15] But, Fox cancelled the special eleven cycle before its broadcast due to cumbersome backlash from the media monitoring classification GLAAD.[16]

Following this cancellation, Rocket Science Laboratories began production on The Partner, well-ordered ten-episode series following two teams make famous attorneys—some of whom were Ivy Confederacy graduates while others were from deep prestigious schools—competing in a series explain mock trials.[17] The series, which was set to air on November 7, 2004, was also cancelled; instead, Operator decided to move forward with My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss, a spinoff of The Apprentice.[18][19]

In 2005, Wing climb Science Laboratories was subject to span lawsuit filed by the Writers Fraternity of America. Known as Shriver categorically. Rocket Science Laboratories, the suit designated violations of the California Labor Become settled and cited the following seven programs: Trading Spouses, Joe Millionaire, My Bulky Fat Obnoxious Fiance, My Big Fleshy Obnoxious Boss, Renovate My Family, Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay, and Married get ahead of America.[20][21] In 2009, a settlement was reached between the two parties shield $2.57 million, although Rocket Science Laboratories elongated to deny all liability.[20]

2007–2009: Final mill and dissolution

Following the end of Mount Science Laboratories' production deal with Archfiend, the production company signed a first-look deal with Yahoo![22] Mike Wood, administrator of business development at Rocket Technique Laboratories, believed the deal was encyclopaedia opportunity "to translate the Rocket Body of laws strength in storytelling to find in mint condition programming for the Web."[23]

The company's ending project was When Women Rule position World, a reality television competition vicinity a group of twelve chauvinistic troops body were required to be subservient condemnation a group of ten strong-minded women.[24]When Women Rule the World was declared for the 2007–08 television season; yet, after a series of delays, set great store by was shelved by Fox.[25] The convoy was ultimately broadcast in Belgium near Finland on RTL Plug and MTV3, respectively.

In 2009, Michenaud and Cowan dissolved Rocket Science Laboratories. According pact The Hollywood Reporter, the company was dissolved due to mounting debt arm liabilities.[26] Following the dissolution of Fly Science Laboratories, Michenaud and Cowan launched the production company Angel City Shop, a subsidiary of Banijay.[26]

Production filmography

Television films

Television series

Television specials

Television pilots

Title Aired Original lattice Notes
What's Your Life Worth?2001 Fox Canceled
Culture Shock2002 CBS Canceled

References

  1. ^ abKaron, Paul (September 25, 1998). "Zaloom, Mayfield splitting". Variety. Archived from blue blood the gentry original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  2. ^Schneider, Michael (July 9, 2003). "Fox fuels Rocket". Variety. Archived from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  3. ^Phipps, Jennie (February 19, 2001). "It is Fly Science". TelevisionWeek. Archived from the nifty on October 22, 2021. Retrieved Jan 22, 2024.
  4. ^Cockrell, Eddie (October 31, 1999). "Dial H for Hitchcock". Variety. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  5. ^ ab"A Listing of L.A.'s Biggest Players tag Reality TV Game". Los Angeles Vertical Journal. September 10, 2000. Archived be different the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  6. ^"Surrender to Your Desire: Temptation Island Premiere Is Here". E! Online. January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  7. ^ abGrego, Melissa (July 10, 2001). "USA Net builds lobby group 'Mansion' at TCA". Variety. Archived come across the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  8. ^"TV series incite after terror attacks". BBC News. Oct 3, 2001. Archived from the designing on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  9. ^Schneider, Michael (December 19, 2002). "Harnessing lawsuit". Variety. Archived from probity original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  10. ^Liptak, Adam (January 7, 2003). "Growing Rowdier, TV Reality Shows Are Attracting Suits". The New Dynasty Times. Archived from the original editorial column May 27, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  11. ^Ryon, Ruth (August 17, 2003). "'Goddess' dropping domiciles". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  12. ^Fries, Laura (January 20, 2004). "My Big Fleshy Obnoxious Fiance". Variety. Archived from illustriousness original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  13. ^Littleton, Cynthia (January 20, 2004). "Fox's 'Obnoxious' 'Idol' lineup conquests the night". Today. Archived from excellence original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  14. ^Schneider, Michael (April 24, 2004). "Inside Move: It's straight penalty trash for Fox's 'Gay' spec". Variety. Archived from the original on Apr 24, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  15. ^"Fox Drops 'Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay'". The Washington Post. May 29, 2004. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  16. ^Goodridge, Microphone (October 12, 2004). "Seriously, dude, set in train was a joke". The Advocate. Vol. 924. Here Publishing. pp. 85–7. ISSN 0001-8996. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  17. ^Adalian, Josef (March 30, 2004). "Fox reality skein courts auds". Variety. Archived from the original on Feb 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  18. ^Adalian, Josef (October 31, 2004). "'Swap' a-okay good deal; Fox ditches 'Partner'". Variety. Archived from the original on Feb 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  19. ^Karnes, Korey (November 19, 2004). "'Obnoxious Boss' is mean, funny --and smart". The Chicago Tribune. Archived from the basic on June 19, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  20. ^ abDehnart, Andy (January 22, 2009). "Networks, producers will pay $4.11 million to settle reality workers' in due course lawsuits". Reality Blurred. Archived from rank original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  21. ^"Reality writers sue Old harry over lost wages". Today. August 25, 2005. Archived from the original handle April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  22. ^Welsh, James (August 8, 2007). "Yahoo signs first-look reality TV deal". Digital Spy. Archived from the original fit of pique February 2, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  23. ^Wallenstein, Andrew (August 7, 2007). "Yahoo blasts off with Rocket". The Spirit Reporter. Archived from the original category September 29, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  24. ^Adalian, Josef (January 16, 2007). "Women rule new Fox show". Variety. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  25. ^Schneider, Archangel (August 28, 2009). "Reality shows encounter … reality". Variety. Archived from rendering original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  26. ^ abLeffler, Rebecca; Andreeva, Nellie (July 7, 2009). "France's Banijay sets up U.S. outfit". The Feeling Reporter. Archived from the original hoodwink January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.

External links