CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from various wire reports each morning:

AMERICAN CANDIDATE (FX) - The cable channel has scrapped its plans for the reality series due to cost concerns. The project, from famed documentary producer R. J. Cutler, was set to chronicle the grass-roots campaigns for next year's presidental election as mounted by candidates selected by the show's producers. Ultimately it was decided the series would be too elaborate and expensive for the cable network to produce. Cutler said he was in talks to move "Candidate" to another TV outlet in time for its planned fall premiere.

FAME (NBC) - The Debbie Allen-hosted revival of "Fame" will launch with a two-hour premiere on Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00/7:00c.

FOR LOVE OR MONEY (NBC) - The Peacock's twist on the "Joe Millionaire" formula will bow with a two-hour opener on Monday, June 2 at 9:00/8:00c. Fresh installments will then run Mondays at 9:00/8:00c sandwiched between repeats of "Fear Factor" and new episodes of "Meet My Folks."

JAKE 2.0 (A.K.A. WEAPON X) (UPN) - UPN's nanobot drama pilot "Weapon X" has been renamed "Jake 2.0."

LAS VEGAS (A.K.A. CASINO EYE) (NBC) - NBC's Vegas-themed drama pilot will simply be titled "Las Vegas."

LAST COMIC STANDING: THE SEARCH FOR THE FUNNIEST PERSON IN AMERICA" (NBC) - The network's comedian search, hosted by Jay Mohr, will begin on Tuesday, June 10 at 9:00/8:00c.

THE NEXT ACTION STAR (NBC) - The Peacock has postponed its Joel Silver-produced reality series until midseason 2004.

PARTNERS IN CRIME (A.K.A. VIOLENT CRIME) (CBS) - The Eye's drama pilot about two Boston-based female detectives has a new title.

THE RISE (FOX, New!) - Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Veritas: The Quest") are set to team with Lizzie Weiss ("Blue Crush") and Touchstone Television to develop a weekly song-and dance-filled drama called "The Rise." The project, which has a premium script order from FOX, will revolve around the ups and downs of showbiz as seen through the eyes of a group of aspiring young singers and dancers living together in a Los Angeles house. Weiss wrote the pilot script and Zadan and Meron will produce under through Storyline Entertainment.

SLICE O' LIFE (ABC) - Rainn Wilson ("Six Feet Under") and Michael Blieden have signed onto Janeane Garofalo's comedy pilot for the network, which is being considered for ABC's midseason 2004 schedule.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters