or


[06/27/03 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: June 27
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

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

THE BIG HOUSE (ABC) - The Kevin Hart-led comedy pilot has officially been given a midseason order of 13 episodes. ABC had previously planned to pick up the series at its upfront presentation (even flying out the cast to New York) however backed out at the last minute for undisclosed reasons. The sitcom, which comes from 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television, centers on a wealthy, pampered guy from Malibu (Hart) who moves to Philadelphia to live with his blue-collar relatives after his father loses all of his money. Stephen Engel, Brian Grazer and David Nevins are the executive producers on the project, ABC's only midseason comedy order thus far.

THE BROTHERHOOD OF POLAND, N.H. (CBS) - Actor Chris Penn ("Reservoir Dogs") is in final talks to join the cast of the David E. Kelley drama, where he would replace Brian Haley on the project. The series stars Randy Quaid and John Carroll Lynch as two of three brothers who face midlife challenges in the small town of Poland. Penn would then play the unemployed, youngest brother Waylon Shaw, a lovable optimist who is married and has a teen daughter. Ann Cusack and Angela Goethals play his wife and daughter, respectively.

GAME OVER (UPN) - The netlet has given the CGI-animated comedy pilot a midseason order of six episodes. The project, which comes from the Carsey-Werner-Mandabach studio, centers on the Smashenburns, an ordinary suburban family who live in an alternate video game universe inhabited by action heroes, monsters and cartoon characters. Marisa Tomei and Patrick Warburton voice the heads of the Smashenburn clan on the series, which is executive produced by David Sacks, David Goestch, Jason Venokur and Ross Venokur.

JOAN OF ARCADIA (CBS) - Hart Hanson ("Judging Amy") has been named a consulting producer on the series. The news comes as the producer has inked a new two-year, seven-figure overall development deal with 20th Century Fox Television. As part of the pact he'll develop new projects for the studio, one of which has been given a put pilot commitment from CBS, as well as work on its existing properties. As for "Joan," Hanson's services on the Sony Pictures Television series is for the initial batch of 13 episodes of the drama. 20th TV struck a deal with CBS to loan the producer out to the upcoming series, which airs Fridays at 8:00/7:00c this fall, to land the blind put pilot commitment from the network, which is being targeted for fall 2004.

LAW & ORDER (NBC) - Wolf Films and Universal Network Television have picked up actor Sam Waterston's option to stick with the long-running series through at least the 2004-05 season (the current length of NBC's deal for the show). Waterson is the third-longest-serving actor currently on the show (behind only Jerry Orbach and S. Epatha Merkerson) where he has earned three lead actor Emmy nominations (in 1997, 1999 and 2000).

NAVY N.C.I.S. (A.K.A. N.C.I.S.) (CBS) - The Eye network has changed the title for its upcoming "J.A.G." spin-off yet again. Originally "N.C.I.S.," the series has been retitled "Navy C.I.S.," then "Naval C.I.S.," then reverted back to "N.C.I.S." and now has apparently settled on "Navy N.C.I.S."

TWELVE DAYS OF TERROR (Discovery) - The cable channel has wrapped production on its first original movie in its 18-year history. Scheduled to air in early 2004, the telefilm chronicles the series of real-life shark attacks in 1916 that later inspired the Peter Benchley novel "Jaws." Shot in Cape Town, South Africa, "Terror" features John Ryhs-Davies ("The Lord of the Rings") and newcomers Colin Egglesfield and Jenna Harrison among the cast. Jack Sholder ("The Hidden") directed the project from a script by Jeffrey Reiner, J.T. Allen and Tommy Lee Wallace.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [june 2003]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· BIG HOUSE, THE (ABC)
· BROTHERHOOD OF POLAND, NH, THE (CBS)
· GAME OVER (UPN)
· JAG (CBS)
· JOAN OF ARCADIA (CBS)
· JUDGING AMY (CBS)
· LAW & ORDER (NBC)
· NCIS (CBS)





[07/09/25 - 10:31 AM]
"Queer Eye" to Conclude with 10th and Final Season
The Fab Five (Antoni Porowski, Jeremiah Brent, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo, and Tan France) return for one last round of unforgettable makeovers and heartfelt transformations.

[07/09/25 - 10:02 AM]
Highly Anticipated "Wicked" Special Gets Nov. 6 Air Date on NBC and Peacock Ahead of the Nov. 21 Theatrical Release of "Wicked: For Good"
Previously announced at the NBCU Upfront presentation, Academy Award-nominated stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will lead a one-time-only two-hour "Wicked" special event at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

[07/09/25 - 09:02 AM]
Paramount+ Returns to San Diego with "The Lodge" Fan Experience and Other New Exclusive Brand Activations During Comic-Con International
New this year is the "Paramount+ Mountain Experience" convention floor booth featuring a towering mountain crane challenge, and an outdoor "Nerd Out" fan booth.

[07/09/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: "Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
Slaying solo travel like only Tracee can!

[07/09/25 - 09:00 AM]
New OWN Docuseries "Heart & Hustle: Houston" Premieres August 2, Spotlighting a Powerful Sisterhood of Black Women
These women are redefining what it means to be a boss, a wife and a mother while navigating entrepreneurial life plus a labyrinth of unique daily challenges.

[07/09/25 - 08:37 AM]
Video: Peacock Releases Official Trailer, Key Art, and New Images for Season 2 of "Twisted Metal"
The new season premieres on Peacock with three episodes on July 31, followed by new episodes every Thursday through August 28.

[07/09/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Long Story Short" - Official Teaser - Netflix
From the creator of "BoJack Horseman," a comedy for anyone who has ever loved or hated their family.

[07/09/25 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes" - Official Trailer - Netflix
One of the greatest manhunts in New York City history comes to life in this gripping three-part series.

[07/09/25 - 07:04 AM]
ESPN Original Series "Running with the Wolves" to Premiere July 29 on ESPN and ESPN+
The four-part docuseries follows daytime television icons Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa as they dive headfirst into the high-stakes world of Italian football - not as spectators, but as team owners.

[07/09/25 - 07:00 AM]
Video: "The Amateur" - Coming Soon - Hulu
Starring Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne, Rachel Brosnahan, and Jon Bernthal, the film streams July 17 only on Hulu.

[07/09/25 - 07:00 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Unveils Gripping Teaser for Season Four of "The Morning Show"
The 10-episode fourth season will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, September 17 with the first episode, followed by one episode weekly until November 19.

[07/09/25 - 06:02 AM]
GameTV/Paramount+ in Canada Miniseries "Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story" Taps Andrew "King Bach" Bachelor, Mark McKinney, Karen Robinson and Ennis Esmer to Join Cast
The six-episode series is Canadian sprinter Johnson's definitely-not-biased account of the doping controversy that rocked the 1988 Olympics when he tested positive for banned steroid use.

[07/09/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Wednesday" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Nevermore is back in session as Wednesday tangles with a new principal, a devious campus stalker and a waning grip on her psychic powers.

[07/09/25 - 03:00 AM]
HBO Max Is Back
It's good to be Home.

[07/09/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "Letters from the Past" - Official Trailer - Netflix
If I had the chance to live that morning all over again, would I still open the letter?