Hollywood Bracing for Wave of Trump-Inspired TV Pitches, Fox Boss Says

If you haven’t had enough of the real Donald Trump, don’t worry. Fictionalized versions of him may be flooding your TV screens soon enough.

The boss of the Fox Television Group, which produces fare ranging from “This Is Us” to “The Simpsons,” predicts that pitch meetings are about to get Trump-y, now that the volatile real estate mogul is about to move into the Oval Office and is dominating headlines with virtually every tweet.

“I’m sure we will,” Gary Newman, co-chairman and CEO of Fox Television Group, said in an interview Wednesday with TheWrap at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, when asked if he expects a wave of Trump-inspired scripts.

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He added that most TV writers had already finished working up their pilot ideas for the current development season before the November election. But, “I’m sure next year, we’re gonna get pitches that will have Trump-like characters at the heart of shows, and we’ll certainly listen,” Newman said.

“Probably among the community of writers working in Hollywood, few would have believed right up until the day of the election that this was the direction it was going to go,” he added.

But the election won’t change the fundamental need for Fox – and other broadcasters – to find hits. That means shows that appeal to many millions of people, regardless of political affiliation.

Also Read: Fox Boss Gary Newman Talks 'Pitch,' 'Exorcist,' 'This Is Us'

“We have talked a lot over the years about how we can’t be programming to ourselves, we can’t program within the bubble of Los Angeles and maybe the bubble of New York,” he said. “That there’s a big, broad country between the two coasts, and we have to be mindful of their interests and sensibility.”

Fox is controlled by News Corp. billionaire Rupert Murdoch, a Trump supporter, who last year took the reins at Fox News Channel following the ouster of Roger Ailes, who had been accused of sexual harassment by numerous women.

But Newman said neither Murdoch nor any other senior executive has issued any edicts that programming should be Trump-friendly.

“We do not get those sorts of messages from our company,” he said. “Fox News is a very separate sort of entity, and we don’t receive any pressure from our management about doing shows that are appealing to certain groups or anything. And honestly, my personal political feelings are not that relevant to the programs we’re selecting …. We’re trying to appeal to a broad audience.”

23 Stars Definitely Not Performing at Trump Inauguration (Updating Photos)

Donald Trump is so unpopular with Hollywood that two talent wranglers told TheWrap they were offered ambassadorships in exchange for booking top singers. Here are some artists who have said publicly they wouldn't perform for the occasion.
GARTH BROOKS

He may have quibbled when confronted by TMZ, but no, Garth Brooks will not be performing at the inauguration.
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IDINA MENZEL

The "Wicked" star got a little snarky when asked to comment on Donald Trump having trouble locking down Inauguration performers, telling Vanity Fair, "It's karma, baby."
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THE CHAINSMOKERS

A rumor that turned out to be a joke from a journalist aside, no, the DJ duo will not be performing.
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THE DIXIE CHICKS

Their manager, Simon Renshaw, told TheWrap that their hit "Not Ready to Make Nice" should be the anthem of every entertainer dealing with Trump. He said of anyone who agrees to perform: “I hope that the check that they get is in the nine figures. Because it’s probably the last check they’re ever going to get.”
ELTON JOHN

Despite a Trump transition team member claiming on the BBC that the "Tiny Dancer" singer would be performing at a concert on the Mall to celebrate "the first American president in U.S. history that enters the White House with a pro-gay rights stance," nope. Not true.
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ANDREA BOCELLI

The operatic Italian tenor declined an offer to perform at the inaugural events, PageSix reported, fearing a backlash among his fans.
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CELINE DION

The French Canadian hit-maker declined an approach from Trump ally and Las Vegas hotelier Steve Wynn to perform, TheWrap reported.
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KANYE WEST

The hip-hop giant may have met with the president-elect (and put off his own presidential bid until at least 2024) but Tom Barrack, head of Trump's inaugural committee, told CNN, "He is not performing at the inauguration."
ERIC McCORMACK

The "Passengers" and "Will & Grace" star and singer said he'd be willing to perform -- but only after "a lobotomy."
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ICE-T

“I just got call to perform at the Inauguration … I didn’t pick up and Blocked the number,” the rapper tweeted. Trump's team declined to confirm or deny.
KISS

Gene Simmons told TMZ in December that the band had been approached about performing but declined -- in part because they would be touring in Europe at that time.
ADAM LAMBERT

Former "American Idol" finalist and Queen frontman told the BBC that he'd pass on playing the inauguration no matter how big the check that was offered. "I don't think I would take the money on that one," he told the BBC. "I don't think I'd be endorsing that."
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MICHAEL RAPPAPORT

The actor and comedian will not only not perform, he also has strong words for anyone who does, saying they "should be ashamed of themselves."
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ALEX WOLFF
The "Patriot's Day" actor, who is also in a band with his brother Nat Wolff, did not mince words when asked if he would perform: "I’m not going to elaborate further because I know when to be tight-lipped, but no f---ing way."
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CHARLOTTE CHURCH

The Welsh singer-songwriter tweeted her decline of an invitation to perform on January 10, saying "a simple Internet search would show I think you're a tyrant. Bye."
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ISSA RAE

The HBO "Insecure" creator and star said in December she would have to be "'Weekend at Bernie'ed" to show up to Trump's inauguration.
TheWrap
REBECCA FERGUSON

The British pop star also declined a Trump inauguration -- though she said she'd consider accepting if she was allowed to perform Billie Holiday's classic protest song "Strange Fruit."
MOBY

The DJ announced on Instagram on January 9 that he had been approached to perform, and he declined, saying: "I guess I’d DJ at an inaugural ball if as payment #trump released his tax returns."
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JAN CHAMBERLIN

This Mormon Tabernacle Choir member made waves in late December by quitting the group rather than perform at the inauguration.
CNN
FRANK SINATRA

Were the late iconic singer still alive today, he "would never support a bigot" by performing at Trump's inauguration, according to his daughter Nancy.
Frank Sinatra Enterprises
PAUL ANKA

After agreeing to perform at the inauguration, the legendary singer backed out of plans to perform “My Way” for President-elect Donald Trump. Anka insisted the decision is not out of protest.
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R KELLY

Then R&B star was forced to deny reports that he would performing at the inaugural festivities tweeting: “Despite the rumors circulating online, R. Kelly will not be performing at this years [sic] inauguration ceremony,” the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer tweeted Thursday night. “Any reports stating otherwise are simply untrue.”

“End. Of. Story.,” Kelly added.
JENNIFER HOLLIDAY

After confirming her participation, Holliday eventually pulled out, calling the decision to perform a “lapse in judgement.”
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Performers including Garth Brooks, Celine Dion and The Chainsmokers have made other plans for January 20

Donald Trump is so unpopular with Hollywood that two talent wranglers told TheWrap they were offered ambassadorships in exchange for booking top singers. Here are some artists who have said publicly they wouldn't perform for the occasion.

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23 Stars Definitely Not Performing at Trump Inauguration (Updating Photos)

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