TV: The President Is Missing

Showtime "has won the latest hotly contentious presidential race" by acquiring the rights to adapt The President is Missing, the upcoming novel from President Bill Clinton and James Patterson, into a TV series. Indiewire reported that the book, which is scheduled for release next June by Knopf and Little, Brown, "tells the story of what happens when a sitting U.S. president suddenly disappears. Clinton, who's long been a fan of Patterson and political thrillers, brought his insider knowledge of what it's like to hold the most powerful office in the land."

"I'm really enjoying writing this book and working with Jim, and I can't wait to see Showtime bring the characters to life," said Clinton.

Indiewire noted that "insiders said Clinton and Patterson met with at least 16 different outlets while pitching the project. Showtime had a bit of an edge, however, thanks to Clinton's long-standing relationship with CBS chairman/CEO Leslie Moonves. (CBS also produces and airs Zoo, which Patterson executive produces.)"

In an unfortunate choice of words, David Nevins, Showtime Networks president/CEO, called landing the book "a coup of the highest order," adding that the "pairing of President Clinton with fiction's most gripping storyteller promises a kinetic experience, one that the book world has salivated over for months and that now will dovetail perfectly into a politically relevant, character-based action series for our network."

Patterson commented: "The White House is such an exciting world to explore and is made even more so with the unique insights of a former President. Rich storytelling opportunities for this series abound."

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