You can expect a galaxy of stars as local entertainment king Mark Burnett brings you the “People’s Choice Awards” and kicks off the go-for-the-gold season. MB is Executive Producer of the extravaganza, along with a team of top pros.
There’s no academy on this one. Instead, the fans decide, from familiar Malibu faces like Robert Downey Jr. and Leonardo DiCaprio in the Favorite Movie Actor category to Jennifer Aniston and Sandra Bullock in the Favorite Movie Actress slot.
On the television end, you have everyone from Robin Williams to Stephen Colbert.
The festivities take place on Jan. 8 and will be broadcast live. The guest list is impressive with Jessica Alba, Christina Aguilera, Sandra Bullock, Ellen DeGeneres and LL Cool J, to name a few.
Mark Burnett, the man behind “Survivor” and recent Emmy-winner for his hit show “The Voice,” has been a busy man of late and so has his wife, “Touched by an Angel” star and producer, Roma Downey.
The two Malibu locals collaborated on the popular History Channel epic “The Bible.”
The tale of Jesus was a hit for History this year. Now fans can expect a follow-up, and a jump, from cable to network. NBC announced the sequel “A.D.” is in the works and is scheduled to air in the spring of 2015.
The 12-hour miniseries will be produced by Mark and Roma along with Richard Bedser. It picks up where it left off. This time, it tells the story of the New Testament after the crucifixion.
NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke issued a statement, saying, “Lives were completely altered in an instant and the immediate aftermath of Christ’s death had an impact on his disciples, his mother Mary, and key political and religious leaders of the time. In the first episode alone, you see the last moments of the Crucifixion: Judas taking his own life after betraying Christ, Peter denying Jesus three times and then the miracle of the Resurrection.”
British playwright and screenwriter Simon Block is said to be hard at work on the project.
“The Bible” premiered its 10-episode run last March and obviously struck a chord with audiences. It snagged 13.1 million viewers. The program was one of the most-watched cable series of the year.
Mark and Roma are also working on a feature film spinoff, “Son of God,” which will chronicle the life of Jesus. It will be released in theaters next month.