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Former Eagles star Terrell Owens suits up for television
Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: Sports
PHILADELPHIA (KRT) - If locally based Banyan Productions can cut a deal with one of the seven million TV networks out there, Terrell Owens television will become the latest in a never-ending line of "reality" programs in the not-too-distant future.
The soon-to-be former Eagles wide receiver has reached an agreement with Banyan, which is best known for its production of "Trading Spaces" on TLC.
Banyan said in a news release that T.O. TV plans to combine Owens' "passion for working out with his natural curiosity about other people."
The release said: "Guests on the show will come from the worlds of sports, entertainment and even politics - and no subject will be off limits. The show will rely on T.O. witty personality and tendency to speak his mind."
Banyan executive Tom Fowler said his company is in negotiations with several networks that have an interest in the show.
"We're hoping to get it started as soon as possible," Fowler said. "I would be surprised if this didn't take off extremely soon based upon T.O.'s interest and the interest we've received from some networks.
There's an appetite for this type of programming. It's a celebrity-fitness-based program. This is a fresh approach to this type of programming."
The idea, Fowler said, took shape with a call to Owens in mid-December, shortly after his much-publicized banishment from the Eagles. He had no concerns about working with Owens.
"I don't worry for a second about that," he said. "He's a terrific guy. What happened with the Eagles was between him and the Eagles. This is a totally different arena, and I don't expect any problems at all with him."
Who knew T.O. was auditioning for his own TV show when he started doing those crunches on his driveway in August?
So, can we expect to see Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb on the premier episode of T.O. TV?
"If I were a betting man, I'd probably say no," Fowler said. "Maybe the second or third episode, but not the pilot."
The soon-to-be former Eagles wide receiver has reached an agreement with Banyan, which is best known for its production of "Trading Spaces" on TLC.
Banyan said in a news release that T.O. TV plans to combine Owens' "passion for working out with his natural curiosity about other people."
The release said: "Guests on the show will come from the worlds of sports, entertainment and even politics - and no subject will be off limits. The show will rely on T.O. witty personality and tendency to speak his mind."
Banyan executive Tom Fowler said his company is in negotiations with several networks that have an interest in the show.
"We're hoping to get it started as soon as possible," Fowler said. "I would be surprised if this didn't take off extremely soon based upon T.O.'s interest and the interest we've received from some networks.
There's an appetite for this type of programming. It's a celebrity-fitness-based program. This is a fresh approach to this type of programming."
The idea, Fowler said, took shape with a call to Owens in mid-December, shortly after his much-publicized banishment from the Eagles. He had no concerns about working with Owens.
"I don't worry for a second about that," he said. "He's a terrific guy. What happened with the Eagles was between him and the Eagles. This is a totally different arena, and I don't expect any problems at all with him."
Who knew T.O. was auditioning for his own TV show when he started doing those crunches on his driveway in August?
So, can we expect to see Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb on the premier episode of T.O. TV?
"If I were a betting man, I'd probably say no," Fowler said. "Maybe the second or third episode, but not the pilot."