On a quest for diversification

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have helped to revive the musical genre in film, executive producing “Chicago,” a possible Oscar contender. But they’ve been busiest as the leading producers of musicals and offbeat programming on TV, including high-profile biographical movies and a series due to premiere in January. Below, a sampling of these projects.

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“Veritas: The Quest” (premiering on ABC

Jan. 27)

The action-adventure series is Storyline’s first leap into series television under its deal with Disney’s Touchstone Television.

The show tells the story of a 17-year-old boy (Ryan Merriman) and his archeologist father (Alex Carter) who discover the mysteries of life together -- not unlike the classic animated series “Jonny Quest.” The show, developed by writers Patrick Massett and John Zinman (“Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”) and directed by Bryan Spicer, has been described as a hybrid of “Alias” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

To help launch the series, the network has moved Sunday-night stalwart “The Practice” to 9 p.m. Mondays -- immediately following “Veritas.” The midseason show is one of several that ABC Entertainment President Susan Lyne is counting on to reverse the network’s sagging fortunes.

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“Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows” (ABC, February 2001)

Produced by the singer’s younger daughter, Lorna Luft, it drew an estimated 20.3 million viewers on opening night -- the largest audience for a made-for-TV movie since CBS’ “Jesus” in May 2000.

Terry Blanchard as the teenage Garland and Judy Davis as the adult version both earned Emmy awards for their portrayal of the woman some regard as Hollywood’s greatest entertainer. Directed by Robert Allan Ackerman, the ABC broadcast captured a total of five Emmys.

Based on Luft’s book “Life With Judy,” the show presents a loving portrait of a former vaudeville baby whose personal and professional ups and downs continue from her ascent to stardom in the 1930s to her death from a drug overdose in 1969 at age 47.

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The Beach Boys: An American Family (ABC, February 2000)

This four-hour miniseries zoomed in on the band that defined the California surf sound, while internal conflicts threatened to break them apart. It focuses, in particular, on the emotional pain of Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, and their father’s attempt to sabotage their lives.

One of the producers of the project was sitcom actor John Stamos (“Full House”) -- a drummer in a touring version of the band. He originally planned to play Dennis but, by the time he signed a deal with Storyline, he was too old for the part.

Instead, newcomer Nick Stabile won the role with relative unknowns Frederick Weller (Brian), Ryan Northcott (Carl), Matt Letscher (Mike Love) and Ned Vaughn (Al Jardine) rounding out the cast.

Not everyone was impressed. “The actors may resemble the Beach Boys, but when it’s time to perform their songs, they’re animatronic, and when it’s time to emote, they’re unconvincing,” said the Houston Chronicle. Still, the network got healthy ratings with the shows, which served up a good dose of ‘70s nostalgia.

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“Martin and Lewis” (CBS: November 2002)

“Martin and Lewis” follows the tumultuous 10-year friendship between Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin -- a brilliant comic team torn apart by personal incompatibility. Written and directed by John Gray, the movie tracks the duo in their prime -- when they shot 10 movies and became a TV fixture.

Critics praised both lead actors, who had to rely on film clips because they were too young to remember the pair. Jeremy Northam (“Gosford Park”) played the cool, detached Martin, while Emmy winner Sean Hayes (“Will & Grace”) re-created the insecure Lewis.

Lewis was reportedly unhappy about the project when it was in development, but by the time it aired he had become one of its strongest supporters.

-- Elaine Dutka