Day One

By: Valerie Milano Miami, FL (HOLLYWOOD TODAY) 1/24/11

 Day 1 of NATPE 2011 began with a lively and exciting breakfast panel poolside at the Fontainebleau Hotel. The setting was perfect on a nice, warm, breezy morning on lawn chairs which many NATPE guests attended. Many members of the cast and executives of this popular USA cable show were in attendance, which was moderated by Stephan Battaglio, Business Editor of TV Guide Magazine.

 “Burn Notice”-style gun shots rang out and grenades blew up plants around the pool. Sharon Gless (a real smoker and “gets paid to smoke” on the show), lit one after Matt Nix, Creator/showrunner for “Burn Notice” shot himself.  Loud bangs echoed the pool area, and Nix even had fake blood on his shirt.  At this point Jeff Wachtel, USA Network/Universal President of Programming said he needed a cigarette now too.

 Gabrielle Anwar, (Fiona), lives full time in Miami, mostly because of the need to keep her kids in school. Stunt doubles showed up at the end and did fight scenes on and around the stage then Gabrielle hit one over the head with a bottle.

Sponsored By: TV Guide Magazine

Sharon Gless

Moderator(s): Stephen Battaglio, Business Editor, TV GUIDE MAGAZINE
Panelist(s): Jeff Wachtel, President of Programming/Co-head of Content, USA Network/Universal Cable Productions; Matt Nix, Creator/Showrunner/EP, BURN NOTICE, Fox Television Studios, USA Network; Gabrielle Anwar, Actress, BURN NOTICE, USA Network; Sharon Gless, Actress, BURN NOTICE; David Madden, President, Fox TV Studios