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UPN gives full season order to ‘All of us’ and ‘Eve’
MUMBAI: Latest fall addition to the UPN programming line up, All of us and Monday night hit Eve, have been given a full season order, announced UPN president entertainment Dawn Ostroff
Produced by celebrity couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, All of us is inspired by the domestic adventures of the couple and reflects a new generation’s enlightened attitude toward the extended family dynamic with humor, sensitivity and heart, while the Monday night hit Eve, starring hip-hop sensation Eve as Shelly, a beautiful and intelligent woman of the new generation trying to navigate the exhilarating world of 21century love, sex, romance and career.
Touted as the most watched shows on UPN, the channel decision to pick up the two new shows for a full season indicates popularity of the comedies and networks streak to developing and launching new comedy hits.
Part of UPN’s new Tuesday comedy block, All of us has quickly become the network’s breakout hit. With over 4.5 million, according to the channel statistics, having tuned in to watch the series, All of us is deemed as the most watched series and highest rated show among persons 12-34 (2.3/7) of the 2003-2004 season. According to the statistics, the comedy has managed to beat the final season performance of popular horror thriller Buffy The Vampire Slayer when compared to the all key demographics, including +5 per cent among adults 18-34, +5 per cent among adults 18-49 and +17 per cent among total viewers.
Whereas ratings of Eve, which joined UPN’s Monday night comedy block on 15 September 2003, have grown by +17 per cent in the Network’s target demographic of adults 18-34, +6 per cent among adults 18-49, and +10 per cent among total viewers, as well as among female categories. In its last outing, Eve ranked as UPN’s most watched Monday comedy, with around 4.5 million viewers tuning in, for the first time this season.
Starring Duane Martin (Deliver Us from Eva) as Robert James Sr, Elise Neal (UPN’s The Hughleys) as Tia Jewel, LisaRaye (The Players Club ) as Neesee James, Khamani Griffin (Daddy Day Care ) as Robert James Jr. and Tony Rock (The Chris Rock Show ) as Dirk Black, All of us is produced by Overbrook Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. The show marks return of the Will Smith (Men in Black II ) and Jada Pinkett Smith (The Matrix Reloaded) after nearly a decade. Along with the couple James Lassiter (Ali ) and Betsy Borns (Friends ) will be the executive producers for the show.
Produced by the Greenblatt Janollari Studio in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc, Eve stars Shelly Williams, Jason George (Barbershop, UPN’s Platinum) as JT Hunter, Ali Landry (Spy TV ) as Rita Lefleur, Natalie Desselle-Reid (For Your Love) as Janie Egins, Brian Hooks (Bulworth ) as Nick Delaney and Sean Maguire (Off Centre ) as Donovan Brink. Executive produced by Robert Greenblatt and David Janollari (UPN’s One on one, Platinum and Six Feet Under ). Meg DeLoatch (UPN’s One on one ) is the creator, co-executive producer and the writer. Eve, Troy Carter and Dave Duclon are co-executive producers. EVE is a production of The Greenblatt Janollari Studio in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.
With Indian penchant for the sitcoms, the both shows seem an ideal contender to vie for some desi eyeballs.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
