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

CRACKING UP (FOX) - David Hemingson ("Just Shoot Me") has signed a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television in which he'll create, develop and executive produce new projects for the studio. Also as part of the pact, which has an option for a third year, he'll come on board FOX's midseason comedy as co-executive producer.

HILARY'S CHOICE (A&E, New!) - The cable channel has greenlighted a telefilm about former First Lady Hilary Clinton based on Gail Sheehy's bestselling novel. The project will focus on Hilary's post-Presidency years including her run for the Senate. Production is set for later this year with a 2004 air date. The telefilm is a co-production of A&E, Carlton America and U.K.-based JAM Pictures.

THE 'L' WORD (Showtime) - Eric Mabius ("Cruel Intentions") is set to replace Scott Bairstow as the male lead in cable channel's upcoming lesbian drama. He'll play a UCLA swim coach who moves into a West Hollywood neighborhood with his Wisconsin girlfriend (Mia Kirshner) only to have her stumble into an affair with a female neighbor (Katrina Lombard).

RED MARS (Sci Fi) - Gale Anne Hurd has come on board to produce the six-hour mini-series, which has been in development at the channel for over two years. Based on Kim Stanley Robinson's novel of the same name, the project follows the first colonists on the red planet. Gregory Widen ("Highlander") is set to write the script with production being eyed for a late 2004 air date.

V: THE SECOND GENERATION (NBC, New!) - The Peacock has made a script commitment for a three-hour telefilm based on the 1980s TV franchise of the same name. Original creator Kenneth Johnson is on board to write, direct and executive produce the project while original stars Marc Singer, Robert Englund, Jane Badler and Faye Grant are also in early talks to reprise their roles. Set 20 years after the events of the original, the telefilm will see the "visitors" now firmly entrenched on Earth. It's when a mysterious new ally joins the Resistance that the tide could turn. The project is being eyed for a fall 2004 air date should it go into production.

UNTITLED WILL WRIGHT PROJECT (FOX, New!) - Will Wright, the creator of the videogame "The Sims," has signed a first-look development deal with the channel. The pact calls for Wright to bring any TV projects he creates to the channel, which could range from sitcoms to dramas to reality series.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters