Mark Phillips (producer)
Encyclopedia
Mark Phillips is the owner of Mark Phillips Philms & Telephision, located in Los Angeles
, California
. He is currently the executive producer of My Ghost Story
on bio
and The Protectors
on A&E
. More recently, Phillips produced Inside: Predator Task Force and SWAT USA California for Court TV/truTV.
, studying drama and journalism at Humber College
and humanities at York University
in Toronto
. He earned a BA in communications from Loyola Marymount University
. In 1993 he received his MBA, with an emphasis in marketing and an international certificate, from Loyola Marymount Graduate School of Business.
At age 21, Phillips served as Director of Program Development at Columbia Pictures Television
Canada, and while there was producer of the final season of the public affairs television series Under Attack, a position he held at the ripe young age of 19. He also produced Confrontation and was supervising producer (and occasional director) of The Alphabet of Life, a dramatic reality series. He produced a family film called Thunder for CBC Television
and Learning Corporation of America. He also worked as a writer and producer at the CBC's Toronto
station, CBLT, and wrote, directed and produced numerous commercials.
Philips was a staff developer/producer at Bob Banner
Associates and on staff at Barry & Enright Productions
, where he produced the game show Bullseye
and was a staff writer for the game shows The Joker's Wild
, Joker, Joker, Joker!, Play the Percentages
and Tic-Tac-Dough
.
, first as a staff producer, then as Director of Syndication, Network Daytime and Special Projects. His stint at MGM/UA began when he was hired to write and produce the game show Love Me, Love Me Not, which aired on the USA Network. Later, as an MGM/UA executive, Phillips oversaw development and series production of Kids Incorporated
for the Disney Channel
and Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater
for CBS
. He was also involved with the development and production of the 1987 revival of Sea Hunt
; at the behest of Van Gordon Sauter, he became the writer and senior segment producer of Group One Medical. In 1990 Phillips joined with long time collaborator Kent Skov owner of The LA Connection Theater as a comedy writing team on Into the Night with Rick Dees
for ABC
. In 1993 Skov and Phillips reunited once more to produce Movie Madness Mystery for A&E -- for which they were nominated a Cable Ace Award for best comedy special.
Phillips executive produced and wrote two one-hour episodes of TLC
series Undercover Stings and K-9 Cops. He was the Executive Producer and writer of his first incarnation of Lie Detector on Fox
, hosted by Marcia Clark
, and Filthy Liars, piloted for FX. In the 1990s Phillips spent four years as the Senior Supervising Producer of Real Stories of the Highway Patrol
, overseeing over 600 episodes of the show. He also produced two seasons of the bodybuilding series Gotta Sweat starring Cory Everson
for ESPN2
. In 2000 Phillips was hired as Co-Executive Producer of Friends or Lovers, a relationship game show that aired on USA Network
. Phillips also Executive Produced an updated version of the classic game show It Takes Two
for The Family Channel
, which was hosted by Dick Clark.
In 2004, Phillips developed and Executive Produced the re-launch of the TV Guide Network, specifically a daily magazine series titled What's On
, plus a number of other shows. Before that he developed and produced two pilots for King World named Tributes and Extreme Trivia. In 2005 Phillips produced his second incarnation of Lie Detector for Pax, the program received much attention for giving such notorious persons as Paula Jones and Swift Boat Veterans a world class polygraph test to prove their allegations—even proving that Deserai Bradford did indeed stalk Colin Farrell.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He is currently the executive producer of My Ghost Story
My Ghost Story
My Ghost Story is an American television series on the paranormal, which premiered on July 17, 2010 on the Biography Channel. The series features ghost stories told from a person's own experience with the supernatural. Each episode features first hand eyewitness accounts of stories of encounters at...
on bio
The Biography Channel
The Biography Channel is an American digital cable television channel owned by A&E and based on the television series of the same name. A version of the channel also airs on ONO and Telefónica in Spain and on Sky Digital and cable television in the United Kingdom, a version of the channel also...
and The Protectors
The Protectors
The Protectors is a British television series, an action thriller created by Gerry Anderson. It is Anderson's second TV series using live actors as opposed to electronic marionettes, and also his second to be firmly set in the present day...
on A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
. More recently, Phillips produced Inside: Predator Task Force and SWAT USA California for Court TV/truTV.
Education and early career
Born in England, Phillips began his career in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, studying drama and journalism at Humber College
Humber College
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning is a polytechnic college in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Humber offers more than 150 programs including: bachelor’s degree, diploma, certificate, post-graduate certificate and apprenticeship programs, across 40 fields of study. Humber serves...
and humanities at York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. He earned a BA in communications from Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University is a comprehensive co-educational private Roman Catholic university in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions located in Los Angeles, California, United States...
. In 1993 he received his MBA, with an emphasis in marketing and an international certificate, from Loyola Marymount Graduate School of Business.
At age 21, Phillips served as Director of Program Development at Columbia Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television, Inc. is an American and global television production/distribution subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment. In turn, the latter is part of the Japanese conglomerate Sony.-Background:...
Canada, and while there was producer of the final season of the public affairs television series Under Attack, a position he held at the ripe young age of 19. He also produced Confrontation and was supervising producer (and occasional director) of The Alphabet of Life, a dramatic reality series. He produced a family film called Thunder for CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
and Learning Corporation of America. He also worked as a writer and producer at the CBC's Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
station, CBLT, and wrote, directed and produced numerous commercials.
Philips was a staff developer/producer at Bob Banner
Bob Banner
Robert James Banner, Jr. was an American producer, writer and director. From 1967 to 1972 he co-produced The Carol Burnett Show.- Life and career :...
Associates and on staff at Barry & Enright Productions
Barry & Enright Productions
Barry & Enright Productions , was a United States television production company that was formed in 1947 by Jack Barry and Dan Enright.-History:Jack Barry and Dan Enright first met at radio station WOR in New York, where...
, where he produced the game show Bullseye
Bullseye (US game show)
Bullseye is an American game show that aired in syndication from September 29, 1980 to September 24, 1982. Jim Lange was the host, and the program was produced by Jack Barry and Dan Enright. Jay Stewart was the announcer for the first season, and Charlie O'Donnell announced for the second season...
and was a staff writer for the game shows The Joker's Wild
The Joker's Wild
The Joker's Wild is an American television game show that aired at different times during the 1970s through the 1990s. Contestants answered questions based on categories that were determined randomly by a mechanism resembling a slot machine....
, Joker, Joker, Joker!, Play the Percentages
Play the Percentages
Play the Percentages is an American game show hosted by Geoff Edwards which aired in syndication from January 7 to September 12, 1980. Bob Hilton became the main announcer after Jay Stewart announced for the first several weeks....
and Tic-Tac-Dough
Tic-Tac-Dough
Tic-Tac-Dough is an American television game show based on the pen-and-paper game of tic-tac-toe. Contestants answer questions in various categories to put up their respective symbol, X or O, on the board. Three versions were produced: the initial 1956–59 run on NBC, a 1978–1986 run initially on...
.
Later career
Phillips spent 3 years at MGM/UA TelevisionMGM Television
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television is an American television production/distribution launched in 1955 and a subsidiary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc....
, first as a staff producer, then as Director of Syndication, Network Daytime and Special Projects. His stint at MGM/UA began when he was hired to write and produce the game show Love Me, Love Me Not, which aired on the USA Network. Later, as an MGM/UA executive, Phillips oversaw development and series production of Kids Incorporated
Kids Incorporated
Kids Incorporated, is an American children's television program that was produced from 1984 to 1993. It was largely a youth-oriented program with musical performances as an integral part of each and every storyline....
for the Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
and Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater
Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater
Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater is an Japanese-American co-produced animated series based on the popular Japanese character, Hello Kitty. The series involved her and her friends doing their own version of popular fairy tales and stories...
for CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. He was also involved with the development and production of the 1987 revival of Sea Hunt
Sea Hunt
Sea Hunt was an American adventure television series that was aired in syndication by Ziv Television Programs from 1958 to 1961 and was popular in syndication for decades afterwards. The series originally aired for four seasons, with 155 episodes produced...
; at the behest of Van Gordon Sauter, he became the writer and senior segment producer of Group One Medical. In 1990 Phillips joined with long time collaborator Kent Skov owner of The LA Connection Theater as a comedy writing team on Into the Night with Rick Dees
Rick Dees
Rigdon Osmond "Rick" Dees III is an American comedic performer, entertainer, and radio personality, best known for his internationally syndicated radio show The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown and for the novelty song "Disco Duck." He is a People's Choice Award recipient, a Grammy-nominated...
for ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. In 1993 Skov and Phillips reunited once more to produce Movie Madness Mystery for A&E -- for which they were nominated a Cable Ace Award for best comedy special.
Phillips executive produced and wrote two one-hour episodes of TLC
TLC (TV channel)
TLC is an American cable TV specialty channel which initially focused on educational content. Since 1991 TLC has been owned by Discovery Communications, the same company that operates the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and The Science Channel, as well as other learning-themed networks...
series Undercover Stings and K-9 Cops. He was the Executive Producer and writer of his first incarnation of Lie Detector on Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
, hosted by Marcia Clark
Marcia Clark
Marcia Rachel Clark is an American prosecutor, author, and television correspondent who gained fame as the head prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson murder case.-Early life:...
, and Filthy Liars, piloted for FX. In the 1990s Phillips spent four years as the Senior Supervising Producer of Real Stories of the Highway Patrol
Real Stories of the Highway Patrol
Real Stories of the Highway Patrol was a half hour syndicated television series which ran in the United States for six seasons from 1993 to 1999 for a total of 780 episodes, capitalizing on the success of "real-life" police series such as COPS...
, overseeing over 600 episodes of the show. He also produced two seasons of the bodybuilding series Gotta Sweat starring Cory Everson
Cory Everson
Corinna Kneuer , best known by her stage name Cory Everson, is an American female bodybuilding champion and actress. She won the Ms. Olympia contest six years in a row from 1984 to 1989.-Education:...
for ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
. In 2000 Phillips was hired as Co-Executive Producer of Friends or Lovers, a relationship game show that aired on USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
. Phillips also Executive Produced an updated version of the classic game show It Takes Two
It Takes Two (game show)
It Takes Two is a game show in which contestants gave numerical answers to questions . The original program was created and produced by Ralph Andrews and aired on NBC from March 31, 1969 to July 31, 1970 at 10:00 AM Eastern...
for The Family Channel
ABC Family
ABC Family, stylized as abc family, is an American television network, owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company...
, which was hosted by Dick Clark.
In 2004, Phillips developed and Executive Produced the re-launch of the TV Guide Network, specifically a daily magazine series titled What's On
What's On
What's On is a weekly half-hour TV series that airs on Fairchild Television.-Format:Originally started in 1996, the show is currently the longest-running program in Fairchild Television history. "What's On" is a 30 minute informative program that introduces viewers to events happening in and...
, plus a number of other shows. Before that he developed and produced two pilots for King World named Tributes and Extreme Trivia. In 2005 Phillips produced his second incarnation of Lie Detector for Pax, the program received much attention for giving such notorious persons as Paula Jones and Swift Boat Veterans a world class polygraph test to prove their allegations—even proving that Deserai Bradford did indeed stalk Colin Farrell.
Credits
- My Ghost Story (2008, 2009, 2010)Creator, Executive Producer
- The Protectors (2009)Executive Producer, Writer
- Inside Predator Task Force (2007) Executive Producer, Writer
- SWAT USA -- California (2006 2007)Executive Producer, Writer
- K-9 Cops (2002) (executive producer, writer)
- Lie Detector (2005) (executive producer, writer, creator)
- The Jer-Z-Y Games (2000) (executive producer)
- Friends or Lovers (2000) (executive producer)
- It Takes Two (1997) (executive producer)
- Real Stories of the Highway Patrol (1993 to 1997) (Senior Supervising Producer)
- Movie Madness Mystery (1993) Producer, Writer
- Into the Night with Rick Dees (1990) Writer, Producer
- Lie Detector with Marcia Clark (1998) Executive Producer, Writer, Creator
- Filthy Liars (1999) Executive Producer, Writer, Creator
- Extreme Trivia (2001) Executive Producer, Writer
Awards and honors
- Cable Ace Award, 1994, nominated (producer, Movie Madness Mystery for A&E)
- Blue Ribbon Panelist, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
- International Panelist, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences