Who chooses the Biographys seen on A&E? The Google reply to' An idea
for a TV show'  was helpful, but since our idea has been developed 
specifically with the Biography format in mind, a straight line to the
appropriate producers would be helpful. The shows are similar in
format. Are they produced in house? If not, which agents do they use?

The actual filming of A&E's "Biography' series is apparently farmed
out to Foxstar, which is a division of 20th Century Fox Television:

"Foxstar Productions: high-quality non-fiction programming (Producers
of programming for 'Biography' on A&E)"

Digital Hollywood
http://www.digitalhollywood.com/LATuesdayFive.html

Here's some info on A&E's programming chiefs:

"JANUARY 14, 2003 - 

Carolanne Dolan, the executive in charge of A&E Network's Biography
series, has left her post. An A&E representative on Tuesday confirmed
Dolan's departure...

Last week, [A&E Executive VP and General Manager Abbe] Raven announced
the hire of Robert DeBitetto as senior vp of programming for A&E and
the promotion of Nancy Dubuc to vp of documentary development.
DeBitetto is expected to play an important role in overseeing
Biography."

MediaWeek
http://www.mediaweek.com/mediaweek/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1795840

"[January 2003] Nancy Dubuc has been named A&E Network's new Vice
President of Documentary Development, it was announced by Abbe Raven,
Executive Vice President and General Manager, A&E. Ms. Dubuc joins the
Network after three years with The History Channel. In her new role,
Ms. Dubuc will oversee A&E's series development for documentary
programs. In addition, she will be responsible for developing and
producing the Network's documentary specials. Prior to joining A&E,
Ms. Dubuc was the Director, Historical Programming, for The History
Channel."

WriteNews
http://www.writenews.com/2003/011003_soundbytes.htm 

From the "A&E Network Fact Sheet":

"WEB SITE: The A&E web site is located at www.AETV.com. The Biography
web site can be found at www.Biography.com.

SENIOR EXECUTIVES: 
Nick Davatzes, President & CEO, A&E Television Networks
Whitney Goit II, Executive VP, A&E Television Networks
Abbe Raven, Executive VP & GM, A&E Network
Robert Debitetto, Senior VP, Programming, A&E Network
Artie Scheff, Senior VP, Marketing, A&E Network

PRESS CONTACTS: 
Michael Feeney, Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications
212-210-1328
Marlea Willis, Director, Public Affairs & Communications 212-210-1327
Vicky Kahn, Manager, Program Publicity, Public Affairs 212-210-9762
Gina Nocero, Manager, Program Publicity, Public Affairs, 212-210-9163
Eileen Fitzpatrick, Listings Editor 212-210-1329
Donielle McGrail, Coordinator, Public Affairs 212-210-1486"

National Cable & Telecommunications Association
http://www.ncta.com/guidebook_pdfs/AE_Network.pdf

" NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2003--Robert DeBitetto, a 20-year
entertainment and media executive, has been named Senior Vice
President of Programming, A&E Network... In his new role, DeBitetto
will oversee A&E's programming department, including the creative
development of original movies, series, documentaries and specials, as
well as acquisitions for the Network...

CONTACT: 
A&E Network, New York 
Sal Petruzzi, 212/210-1360"

BusinessWire
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?bw.010603/230062343

"A&E has elevated Didi O'Hearn to VP and executive producer of its
signature nightly series "Biography" as part of an aggressive push to
reverse the network's 18-month slide in the ratings.

'We're re-energizing the 'Biography' franchise,' said Bob DeBitetto,
senior VP of programming for A&E. The reinvigoration, he said,
includes the signing of Joanna Jordon, an executive with Central
Talent Booking, to help O'Hearn gain access to the wish list of
celebrities who have still not given their okay to the 'Biography'
treatment."

Murph's Place
http://www.murphsplace.com/crowe/variety03a.html

"Didi O'Hearn has been promoted to vp and executive producer of A&E
Network's 'Biography' series. O'Hearn oversees all aspects of the
nightly program. She was programming director at A&E's spinoff
Biography Channel. Before that, O'Hearn spent 10 years as a senior
producer for A&E and its sibling History Channel."

Hollywood Reporter
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/people/executive_suite.jsp

"In June, A&E Network named Deirdre O'Hearn Vice President and
Executive Producer of the Emmy Award-winning BIOGRAPHY series on the
A&E Network. In her new role, Ms. O'Hearn will oversee all aspects of
the critically acclaimed series, BIOGRAPHY... Under the auspices of
Ms. O'Hearn, A&E Network has contracted famed talent booker, Joanna
Jordon of Central Talent Booking. Ms. Jordan and Central Talent
Booking will serve as a liaison between BIOGRAPHY and the
entertainment community."

Cable TV Info
http://talk.cabletvinfo.com/talk/showthread.php?t=489

From all of this, it seems to me that the best people for you to
contact are Robert DeBitetto, Senior Vice President of Programming,
Nancy Dubuc, Vice President of Documentary Development, and Didi
O'Hearn, VP and Executive Producer of the "Biography" series:

 Mr. Robert DeBitetto
 Senior Vice President of Programming
 A&E Television
 235 East 45th Street
 New York, New York 10017

 Ms. Nancy Dubuc
 Vice President of Documentary Development
 A&E Television
 235 East 45th Street
 New York, New York 10017

 Ms. Deirdre O'Hearn
 Executive Producer, "Biography"
 A&E Television
 235 East 45th Street
 New York, New York 10017

The main telephone number for A&E is 212-210-1400. However, I strongly
advise that you make contact by mail. If your proposal is of interest,
private telephone arrangements can then be made, and meetings can be
scheduled.

You may also want to contact Joanna Jordan, of Central Talent Booking,
who (as mentioned in two of the articles linked above) serves as a
liaison between the entertainment community and A&E's Didi O'Hearn.

 Ms. Joanna Jordan, President
 Central Talent Booking
 140 West 57th St., Suite 8C 
 New York, NY 10019
 Phone 212-765-5777
 Fax 212-765-9799

Central Talent Booking
http://www.centraltalentbooking.com/contact.html

Search terms used:

"a&e" + "biography" + "producer"
"a&e" + "biography" + "programming"
"biography" + "foxstar"
"robert debitetto"
"bob debitetto"
"didi o'hearn"
"deirdre o'hearn"
"joanna jordon"
"joanna jordan"
"central talent booking"

I hope this information will be useful! If anything is unclear, or if
a link does not function, please request clarification; I'll be glad
to offer further assistance before you rate my answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

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Request for Answer Clarification by annmariegarvin-ga on 26 Sep 2003 17:12 PDT

Pinkfreud-ga,

May I direct another question to you in the future?(for a fee. of course)

---

Request for Answer Clarification by annmariegarvin-ga on 26 Sep 2003 17:16 PDT

Pinkfreud-ga,

Repeat: Is there a way I can request your services in the future?

---

Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 26 Sep 2003 17:53 PDT

Thank you very much for the five-star rating and the nice tip!

If, in the future, you would like to direct a question specifically to
me, all you need to do is include the phrase 'For pinkfreud-ga only'
in the title or body of the question. I check GA quite often
throughout the day and evening hours, and I'm usually here 7 days a
week, so I'm sure to see your request.

~pinkfreud

I found the information extremely helpful, and prompt. Many thanks.