'Starter,' 'Burn' Heat Up USA's Summer Slate

Zap2It.com | March 28, 2007

Debra Messing, 'The Starter Wife'

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The fun starts after the Memorial Day weekend

USA Network will attempt to continue its basic-cable domination this summer by presenting six original series, more than any other cable network has ever offered during that period.

USA's two new kids on the cable block will be the Debra Messing vehicle "The Starter Wife" and the spy drama "Burn Notice."

"With 'The Starter Wife' and 'Burn Notice' joining our hits 'Monk,' 'Psych,' 'The 4400,' 'The Dead Zone' and 'WWE Raw,' we're looking at about 100 hours of original content," says Bonnie Hammer, president, USA Network and Sci Fi Channel. "It clearly positions USA as an industry leader, the go-to place for strong original programming."

"Starter Wife" is a six-hour television event premiering on May 31. Based on the best-selling novel by Gigi Levangie Grazer, the episodes will follow the after-divorce adventures of a woman (Messing) who has been married to a wealthy, influential Hollywood studio head. Joining Messing are Joe Mantegna, Judy Davis, Anika Noni Rose, Miranda Otto, Peter Jacobson, Stephen Moyer, Aden Young and Chris Diamantopoulos.

"Fried Green Tomatoes" helmer Jon Avnet directs from a screenplay by Sara Parriott & Josann McGibbon.

Following a month later on Thursday, June 28 is the debut of "Burn Notice," starring Jeffrey Donovan. The series revolves around secret agent Michael Weston (Donovan) who gets the titular burn notice, which is how a spy gets fired and taken out of the game. Unfortunately, Weston has no idea why he's suddenly an untouchable, and trying to get to the bottom of the mystery is rather difficult and dangerous without being able to use his previous resources and contacts. Gabrielle Anwar, Bruce Campbell and Sharon Gless also star.

USA was the No. 1 basic cable network in 2006, a trend that carried over through 2007.