 |
 |
[03/24/10 - 12:01 AM]
Development Update: Wednesday, March 24
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
|
|
LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
Looking to keep track of all the various projects in development? Click here to visit our signature "Devwatch" section. There visitors can view our listings by network, genre, studio and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!
BOSTON MED (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet has commissioned a new reality series that "puts cameras in the hallways, surgery wards and emergency rooms" of three Boston-area hospitals: Massachusetts General, Children's Hospital Boston and Brigham & Womens. The hour-long project, which is expected to air on Thursday nights for seven to eight weeks this summer, comes from ABC News' Terence Wrong (Peabody Award-winner "Hopkins 24/7"). Among the featured stories: the first-ever filming of a face transplant in this country. Additional details are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
THE CAPE (NBC) - Keith David ("Death at a Funeral") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about a former cop (David Lyons) framed for a crime he didn't commit who becomes The Cape, a masked hero, to clear his name. He'll play Max Malini, the leader of "The Carnival of Crime" - a group of carnival-themed bank robbers, who becomes Vince's mentor. His character is further detailed as a showman/magician/escape-artist with "a faded-Errol-Flynn-feel about him." Dorian Missick, James Frain, Jennifer Ferrin and Summer Glau also star in the Universal Media Studios-based hour, which Simon West is directing from a script by Tom Wheeler.
PLEADING GUILTY (FOX) - John Larroquette ("Boston Legal") is once again returning to the legal genre, booking a role on the drama pilot, about Mack Malloy (Jason Isaacs), an ex-cop and recovering alcoholic now serving as a partner in a top-drawer corporate law firm. He's on board as Martin Gold, the managing partner of the Chicago-based firm who "dines on human marrow [and] always uses the right fork." Madchen Amick and Omid Abtahi co-star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which Jon Avnet is helming off a script by Jason Tracey.
THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW (HBO) - The pay channel is moving forward with a second season of the series, an animated adaptation of Ricky Gervais' hit podcasts featuring stream-of-consciousness exchanges between Gervais, his collaborator Stephen Merchant and their offbeat friend Karl Pilkington. The trio also serve as executive producers alongside Bob Higgins and Glyn Hughes for Media Rights Capital and Wildbrain. Said pickup however isn't the result of large numbers for its viewership: to date it's averaging just 180,000 viewers an episode, with a 0.1 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic.
RIDE ALONG (FOX) - Jennifer Beals ("Lie to Me") has booked the female lead in the drama pilot, a police procedural set (and filmed) in Chicago. She's set as Teresa Colvin, Chicago's first female police chief. Her character is additionally detailed as follows: "A fast riser and skilled cop, Teresa has arrived at the very top of the Chicago Police Department in a very short period of time. She did this by proving herself on the streets, by charming those in power above her and by absorbing everything Jarek [Jason Clarke] taught her over the years." The 20th Century Fox Television-based ensemble also stars Billy Lush, Devin Kelley, Matt Lauria and Todd Williams. Charles McDougall is directing from a script by Shawn Ryan.
SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT (ABC) - Don Johnson ("Just Legal") is set to star opposite Mary Steenburgen in the comedy pilot, about a conservative father whose life is turned upside down when his grown kids move back in with him. He'll play Bob Dobson, the family patriarch and provider. Chad Kultgen is behind the project, which comes from ABC Studios and the Sony Pictures Television-based Tantamount.
UNTITLED KEVIN KLINE PROJECT (HBO, New!) - Oscar-winner Kevin Kline ("A Fish Called Wanda") is set to star in and executive produce a potential new drama at the pay channel about "a prominent doctor (Kline) who must restart his life after serving a 15-year prison sentence for murdering his mistress." David Auburn ("Proof") is penning the hour, which he's executive produce alongside Kline, Gavin Polone and Kline's manager Judy Hofflund. No other specifics were given.
UNTITLED PAULA ABDUL/KENNY ORTEGA PROJECT (NBC, New!) - Paula Abdul ("American Idol"), Kenny Ortega ("High School Musical") and 3 Ball Productions ("The Biggest Loser") are looking to team for a potential new dance competition series at the network. 3 Ball originated the format, which would presumably feature Abdul and Ortega as host and choreographer, respectively. No other specifics were given other than it involves impromptu, large scale public performances (a la the parade scene in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"). Ortega is formally on board while a deal with Abdul has yet to close.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [april 2025]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[04/01/25 - 10:30 AM]
10 CBS Series Deliver 10 Million or More Viewers in Live+35 Multiplatform Viewing
Three other series generated nearly 8 million or more viewers with 35 days of multiplatform viewership.
|
[04/01/25 - 10:04 AM]
Holly Madison Returns for New Season of Investigation Discovery's "The Playboy Murders"
With six all-new cases, season three premieres on Monday, May 5 at 9:00/8:00c on ID and streams on Max.
|
[04/01/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Watch the Trailer for "LOL: Last One Laughing Colombia" Season 2 Launching on Prime Video on April 16th with a Brand-New Format
In the new season, the main dynamic change is the introduction of "pairs" where contestants compete in duos, creating new alliances and rivalries between the partnered comedians, unlike the previous season where individuals competed against each other directly.
|
[04/01/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Tires" Season 2 - Date Announcement - Netflix
The comedy series starring Shane Gillis returns June 5.
|
[03/31/25 - 09:29 PM]
Season Eight of Adult Swim's Global Hit Series "Rick and Morty" Arrives May 25
Adult Swim announced the premiere date and released a first look at "Rick and Morty" Season Eight as part of today's traditional April Fools' Day broadcast special.
|
[03/31/25 - 12:01 PM]
Shudder Marks Its 10 Year Anniversary with Year-Long Celebration of Killer Films & Series, Special Fan Events, Nationwide Screening Tour, Customized Merch and More
Shudder 10, which kicks off during the streamer's annual "Halfway to Halloween" horror-thon, will also feature a nationwide screening tour, "Shudder 10 Screening Series," featuring a curated selection of Shudder films.
|
[03/31/25 - 11:03 AM]
"When Calls the Heart" Wraps Season 12 as #1 Most-Watched Program on Entertainment Cable This Year To-Date
"'When Calls the Heart' delivers the charm, warmth, and community of Hallmark's signature storytelling, and we're pleased that the series continues to drive stellar ratings after 12 seasons and counting," said Samantha DiPippo.
|
[03/31/25 - 11:00 AM]
Disney Branded Television Renews "Wizards Beyond Waverly Place" for Season Two on Disney Channel and Disney+
Premiering on Disney Channel, Disney+ and Disney Channel On Demand, the new season begins production next month in Los Angeles.
|
[03/31/25 - 11:00 AM]
CBS Expands "An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile," A New Primetime Concert Special Airing Sunday, April 6
The special, featuring live performances, captivating stories about the pair's enduring friendship and an intimate look at their new joint album, will now run 90 minutes.
|
[03/31/25 - 10:30 AM]
"TMZ Presents: The Menendez Brothers: The Prison Interview" Premieres Monday, April 7 at 9/8c on FOX
The Menendez Brothers exclusively speak for the first time in decades for a joint interview with TMZ about their last chance for freedom and reveal what they'll do with their lives if they're released.
|
[03/31/25 - 10:23 AM]
Video: Preview - "The Motherhood" Starring Connie Britton - Hallmark Channel
Each of the six one-hour episodes of The Motherhood follows Britton, a single mother herself, as she connects with another single mother who is juggling the demands of work, parenting, and self-care.
|
[03/31/25 - 10:00 AM]
Summer Is in Sight! Prime Video Releases First-Look Images for the Final Season of "The Summer I Turned Pretty"
The series will return to Cousins Beach this July with an 11-episode season and will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.
|
[03/31/25 - 09:00 AM]
HBO Original Drama Series "House of the Dragon" Begins Production on Season Three
New cast members include Tommy Flanagan as Ser Roderick Dustin and Dan Fogler as Ser Torrhen Manderly.
|
[03/31/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Black Mirror" Season 7 - Six New Episode Titles Revealed! - Netflix
Nurture AI life forms, disrupt reality and step inside a remastered classic film in this genre-bending season of the mind-melting anthology series.
|
[03/31/25 - 07:16 AM]
Britt Lower, Milo Ventimiglia, Logan Browning, and Erin Richards Join Sam Worthington in Netflix's "I Will Find You"
The prison break thriller series from Harlan Coben is about an innocent father who while serving life for the murder of his own son receives evidence that his child may still be alive.
|
|
|
|
