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[05/07/03 - 12:00 AM]
Pilot Update: May 7
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

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

Note: As we get closer to the upfronts, much of our daily "pilot update" will be focused on the buzz surrounding particular pilots. Keep in mind that such information often changes quickly so those that were sure things yesterday may be dead in the water today.

COUPLING (NBC) - The Peacock's plans for the BBC import may be put on hold but not due to quality issues. The series' racy content continues to raise eyebrows and may end up driving away advertisers. NBC has promised however that if it does make the schedule it will not air before 9:30/8:30c, after the annointed "family hour" ends.

HAPPY FAMILY (NBC) - The John Larroquette/Christine Baranski comedy pilot continues to be mentioned as a strong contender for the post "Frasier" Tuesday, 9:30/8:30c slot this fall.

LAS VEGAS (NBC) - James Caan's ensemble drama is heavily favored to receive either a Friday or Sunday slot on the Peacock's schedule.

LINES OF DUTY (ABC) - Jeff Melvoin ("Northern Exposure," "Mister Sterling") has joined Rod Lurie and Marc Frydman as an executive producer on the Alphabet's early pick-up from DreamWorks TV and Touchstone TV. Melvoin will help series creator Lurie, who has a busy feature schedule, execute the show on a day-to-day basis.

THE LYON'S DEN (NBC) - The Rob Lowe-led legal drama remains a strong contender for a fall series order.

MISS MATCH (NBC) - The Alicia Silverstone-led drama pilot continues to look like a shoo-in for a series order as various sources have indicated producers have begun staffing the series.

THE O.C. (FOX) - Bob DeLaurentis ("Providence") has been named executive producer/showrunner of the network's newly picked-up drama series from Warner Bros. TV. He will executive produce the series alongside McG, Josh Schwartz and Joseph Dougherty.

ONCE AROUND THE PARK (NBC) - Despite strong early buzz, the Peacock's Heather Locklear-led project now seems unlikely to receive a series order for the fall thanks to reportedly poor viewer testing. While a midseason order with some changes is a possibility, NBC executives may scrap the show's concept (Locklear plays a divorced mother of two kids) entirely and start over with a new project for the actress. A decision on the series is expected by week's end.

SKIN (FOX) - Jerry Bruckheimer's latest is steadily building buzz at the network.

STILL LIFE (FOX) - The Kip Koenig-produced drama appears to be slowly gaining momentum to make FOX's fall or midseason schedule.

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU (NBC) - Solid buzz continues to keep the Timothy Busfield/Annie Potts comedy afloat for a possible fall series order.

TOUCH 'EM ALL MCCALL (NBC) - Like "Once Around the Park," despite early buzz on the project thanks to star Tom Selleck's involvement, the Peacock comedy pilot appears to have little chance of making the network's schedule.

UNTITLED TRACY MORGAN PROJECT (NBC) - The "SNL" star's comedy pilot is being eyed for Tuesday nights, possibily paired with Whoopi Goldberg's project for the Peacock.

UNTITLED WHOOPI GOLDBERG PROJECT (NBC) - The "Hollywood Squares" host's project is looking good to land on the Peacock's Tuesday schedule this fall.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [may 2003]  
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· COUPLING (NBC)
· FRASIER (NBC)
· HAPPY FAMILY (NBC)
· HOLLYWOOD SQUARES (SYNDICATION)
· LAS VEGAS (NBC)
· LINE OF FIRE (ABC)
· LYON'S DEN, THE (NBC)
· MISS MATCH (NBC)
· MISTER STERLING (NBC)
· OC, THE (FOX)
· ONCE AROUND THE PARK (NBC)
· PROVIDENCE (NBC)
· SKIN (FOX)
· STILL LIFE (FOX)
· STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU (NBC)
· TOUCH 'EM ALL MCCALL (NBC)
· TRACY MORGAN SHOW, THE (NBC)
· WHOOPI (NBC)





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