I had no idea Maria Menounos was running a burgeoning entertainment empire; I just know her as the co-host of Extra, the entertainment news program; and that's just barely, since I don't watch the show.
But she clearly has her hands in several different pots – including producing upcoming reality TV shows with Emmett/Furla; the first one being something called Teen Court, which is currently in development with Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson.
There's more… Details from the press release…
Santa Monica, CA – November 27, 2012 — Extra Host Maria Menounos, partner Keven Undergaro and their company, Underman/Omegagirl Inc., have announced a partnership with Emmett/ Furla Films to launch an unscripted division. Randal Emmett, co-founder of Emmett/Furla made the official announcement today. Projects currently in development are Curtis Jackson's (50 Cent) Teen Court based on a revolutionary teen court program, designed to redeem youth offenders under Jackson’s and his celebrity friend's guidance; Jailhouse Weddings, based on a family of ex-cons turned ministers whose business is to wed prisoners to their outside partners; and Stan Lee's Comic Book, based on Stan Lee's search for the next great comic book creator and character, with the winner landing a movie deal with Emmett / Furla.
“Maria is a trailblazer and one of the hardest working women in our industry. Keven is a creative innovator who knows how to execute. Together, with the depth and resources of Emmett Furla Films, we foresee great success in the area of unscripted TV. It's yet another exciting achievement for our company,” stated Emmett. As Menounos added: “Randall Emmett is on the path to be the next Bruckheimer and Keven and I can't wait to share our resources with him and Emmett / Furla to create the most diverse, fun and groundbreaking roster of shows.” Tim Sullivan, recently promoted to Development Executive at Emmett / Furla Films will serve as liaison to both parties.
Most recently, Underman/Omegagirl Inc. sold their untitled reality show to the Oxygen Network. Described as 'My Big Fat Greek Modern Family', the show centers on Menounos’ glamourous life in Hollywood, her boyfriend of 14 years and her colorful and opinionated immigrant parents, who happen to live with them! Menounos and Undergaro also own AFTERBUZZ TV, an online broadcast network, specializing in wrap up shows of favorite TV shows, to a weekly audience of 12 million from over 75 countries. With over 200 hosts on roster and 100 shows in production, AfterBuzz TV is the largest pure new media platform in the world. Underman/Omegagirl Inc’s first feature “Serial Buddies,” the first serial killer buddy comedy starring Artie Lange, Beth Behrs, Christopher Lloyd, Chris McDonald, Kathie Lee Gifford, Henry Winkler and Menounos, directed by Undergaro, is due for theatrical release in the spring.
Presently, Emmett / Furla is shooting LONE SURVIVOR with Eric Bana and Mark Wahlberg to be distributed by Universal Studios. BROKEN CITY, starring Academy Award® Winner Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Mark Wahlberg premieres on January 18, 2013. 2 GUNS and THE TOMB premiere in mid-to-late 2013.
