JU N E/ JU L Y 2 0 1 0 grow in circulation.” The Times also reported that both Hollywood’s tradeTHRandVarietyhave had drastically reduced revenues because “movie studios and talent agencies have cut back on congratulatory and ‘for your consideration’ awards ads.” In a sidebar column, Times’ Patrick Goldstein wrote that “I’d always predicted that THR would be the most likely paper to be pushing up daisies, since Variety had a stronger brand.” Peter Keefe: 1952-2010 Producer Peter Keefe, 58, most noted as the creative force behind the children’s animated TV series Voltron, passed away on May 27. Keefe succumbed to throat cancer at the home of his sister Mollie in Rochester, New York, where he was born. Keefe is survived by his wife Pamela; his stepson, James; his mother Anne, a former KMOX (St. Louis) radio talk show host; and five siblings. In the mid-1980s, Keefe adapted two distinct Japanese animated series (Go LionandDierugger) into a single storyline that became a kids entertainment phenomenon —Voltron. Debuting in U.S. syndication in 1984, Voltron: Defender of the Universe rose to become the number one series in kids’ syndication during the 1984 and 1985 broadcast seasons. It is also considered the first Japanese animé series to be adapted for the U.S. and global market (the series was broadcast in more than 100 countries worldwide). AfterVoltron,Keefecreatedwhatindustry analysts regard as the first successful U.S.- French animated co-production with Denver the Last Dinosaur. Created entirely by Keefe, the cartoon series premiered in U.S. syndication in 1988. Airing in over 90 countries, Denver the Last Dinosaur became another global hit for Keefe. In 1989, Keefe co-founded Zodiac Entertainment, a New York City-based joint venture with the U.K.’s Central IndependentTelevision.Under theZodiac banner, Keefe created and produced three multi award-winning animated series, including Widget, The Mr. Bogus Show and Twinkle. Keefe’s Widget has been hailed as the first animated series to blend entertainment with pro-social and environmental messages aimed at children. All three of the Zodiac animated series have earned awards from such distinguished organizations as the National Educational Association. Keefe’s other high-prof ile accomplishments include serving as producer of Nine Dog Christmas, a 2005 animated holiday special that was broadcast on Cartoon Network in the U.S., and the Disney Channel in Europe and Asia. Warner Home Video released the special worldwide to the home entertainment market. His most recent creation, currently in development, is Z-Force (Zodiac Force), an animated series that features 12 action heroes and is based on the ancient Oriental Zodiac. Amaster pitchman, Keefe distinguished himself not only for his creative and marketing savvy, but also for his trademark black handlebar mustache, long blond hair and cowboy boots, and his rich vocabulary. Over the last two decades, Keefe created, produced and sold over 600 half hours of award winning children’s and family entertainment programming both in the U.S. and internationally. Keefe began his career in television entertainment as an on-camera movie critic for the public television outlet in St. Louis. He switched gears from talent to producer in 1983 as vp and executive producer for World Events Productions, which was also based in St. Louis. Famous quotes Look, can we get this straight: It’s football, OK? Football. Not soccer. A.A. Gill in Vanity Fair, June 2010 Editorially speaking, this publication will no longer refer to football with the derogatory moniker of “soccer,” and what in the U.S. media is wrongly called “football,” we’ll refer to as “American football.” VideoAge, January 2010 Reed_ATF V2 270x360.indd 1 5/6/10 11:02:48 AM
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