or


[07/31/03 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: July 31
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

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

ANGEL (WB) - Sarah Thompson ("Boston Public") and Mercedes McNab ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") have each signed on to appear in six episodes of the drama's upcoming fifth season. Thompson will play Eve, the new assistant to Angel (David Boreanaz) at the law firm Wolfram & Hart while McNab will reprise her role as Harmony, the ditsy vampire and former flame of Spike (the previously announced new regular James Marsters). The additions are designed to fill the void left by exiting regulars Charisma Carpenter and Vincent Kartheiser. Thompson's character is said be considered a possible love interested for Angel. The producers are also hoping to lure several "Buffy" alums to make appearances this season, however no firm commitments have been made.

EATER (FX) - The sci-fi mini-series, produced by Jan de Bont and based on Gregory Benford's novel, is still in the works according to Fox TV Studios movies/mini-series VP Eric Poticha. The project was originally announced in August 2001.

EMPIRE FALLS (HBO) - Helen Hunt, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ed Harris and Robin Wright Penn are all in final talks to join the cast of the Paul Newman-led telefilm. Director Fred Schepisi is also close to signing on to helm the project, an adaptation of Richard Russo's novel.

JUDGING AMY (CBS) - Adrian Pasdar ("Mysterious Ways") has signed on to appear in at least 10 episodes of the drama's fifth season beginning with its season premiere. He's set to play an assistant D.A. and potential love interest for the title character (Amy Brenneman).

K STREET (HBO) - Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney's production company, Section Eight, has signed a two-year development deal with Warner Bros. Television. The pact already had its first project: a telefilm about legendary newsman Edward R. Murrow directed by Clooney and written by Jon Robin Baitz ("People I Know"). Like Clooney's previous effort "Fail Safe," the telefilm would air live. The deal comes on the heels of Clooney and Soderbergh's first TV project "K Street," set to air this fall on HBO.

MURDER AT THE PLAYBOY MANSION (USA, New!) - The cable channel is set to go forward with a new telefilm which revolves around a murder that takes place at one of Hugh Hefner's parties. In a comedic twist several Playboy Playmates are enlisted to help solve the crime. Dan Petrie, Jr. wrote the script and will direct the project with Hefner himself and Alta Loma Entertainment's Dick Rosenzweig executive producing. The new project comes just two weeks after the pair sealed a deal with comic book legend Stan Lee to create a cartoon about superhero Playmates. Fox TV Studios is behind the telefilm, with movies/mini-series VP Eric Poticha ("44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shootout") spearheading the project.

NEXT ACTION STAR (NBC) - Distributor GRB Entertainment has licensed the Joel Silver-produced reality series to several networks across the globe, including Sky One in the U.K., TVNZ in New Zealand and Sony's AXN action channels. The 10-episode series, set to premiere at midseason on NBC, features a nationwide search for a pair of actors (one male and one female) who will star in a telefilm produced by Silver. In addition to Silver, GRB topper Gary R. Benz will executive produce the project along with Rick Telles and Cris Abrego of Brass Ring Entertainment and Gregory Noveck and Steve Richards of Silver Pictures Television.

SHOP & STYLE (Syndication) - NBC will launch a new weekly shopping series on select owned-and-operated stations (currently affiliates New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Philadelphia have been lined up) beginning Monday, August 4. The project, hosted by standup comics Lynne Koplitz (Food Network's "How to Boil Water") and Kerry McNally, is a one-hour version of the company's 24-hour shopping network, ShopNBC. During the first week, ShopNBC itself will simulcast the series after which it will go exclusive to the local stations. NBC is using the show, in which viewers will be able to purchase various products, to highlight its 12-year-old ShopNBC channel in a similar way it used last week's airing of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" to showcase the Bravo series. Currently set to appear in the first week are Cheryl Tiegs, "Fear Factor" winner Olivia Jones and home and garden expert Rebecca Kolls. Diane Masciale ("Dateline NBC") will executive produce the series with John Gilmartin directing.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [july 2003]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· 44 MINUTES: THE NORTH HOLLYWOOD SHOOTOUT (FX)
· ANGEL (WB)
· BOSTON PUBLIC (FOX)
· BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (UPN)
· DATELINE NBC (NBC)
· EATER (FX)
· EMPIRE FALLS (HBO)
· FAIL SAFE (CBS)
· FEAR FACTOR (MTV)
· JUDGING AMY (CBS)
· K STREET (HBO)
· MURDER AT THE PLAYBOY MANSION (USA)
· MYSTERIOUS WAYS (PAX)
· NEXT ACTION STAR, THE (NBC)
· QUEER EYE (BRAVO)
· SHOP & STYLE (SYNDICATION)





[05/28/25 - 01:01 PM]
Peacock Unveils Cunning, Cutthroat and Chaotic New Cast of "House of Villains" Season Three, Premiering Early 2026
Production begins this week as the villains return to the iconic house from seasons one and two.

[05/28/25 - 12:04 PM]
Garcelle Beauvais Extends Partnership with Lifetime to Executive Produce and Star in Two New Original Movies
On tap are "Taken at a Truck Stop: A Black Girl Missing Movie," an emotionally charged thriller and continuation of the "Black Girl Missing" franchise, and "Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love," the highly anticipated sequel to the hit romance that captivated viewers last year.

[05/28/25 - 11:35 AM]
"The American Music Awards" Hosted by Jennifer Lopez Posts Largest Audience Since 2019
The live broadcast delivered 4.73 million viewers, up +34% from its last live broadcast in 2022 (airing November 20, 2022, on ABC).

[05/28/25 - 10:19 AM]
ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" Averaged 1.7 Million Viewers for NLCS Rematch Featuring Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Mets
Said telecast was up 11% versus last year's "Sunday Night Baseball" average.

[05/28/25 - 09:06 AM]
Apple's "The Morning Show" Returns for Season Four on Wednesday, September 17
Season four of "The Morning Show" opens in spring 2024, almost two years after the events of season three.

[05/28/25 - 09:03 AM]
FX's "Welcome to Wrexham" Scores Season Five Order
Also revealed today were new details about FX and Disney+ Latin America's "Necaxa," a new docuseries from Eva Longoria in partnership with Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, the three of whom are all investors in Aguascalientes, Mexico-based Club Necaxa.

[05/28/25 - 09:01 AM]
Netflix's "Leanne" Starring Leanne Morgan and from Co-Creator Chuck Lorre - First Look & Date Announcement
All 16 episodes will premiere globally on July 31.

[05/28/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - "The Kollective" (Only on Hulu)
Taking audiences around the world from Budapest to St. Petersburg to London, "The Kollective" is a gripping thriller about a group of intrepid young citizen journalists who, after a sudden tragedy, find themselves sucked into a globe-spanning web of government lies and corruption.

[05/28/25 - 09:00 AM]
First-Time Tony Nominee Darren Criss and Tony Award Winner Renee Elise Goldsberry to Host "The Tony Awards: Act One"
The live pre-show with exclusive content is available to viewers for free on Pluto TV - the leading free streaming television service - beginning Sunday, June 8 at 6:40-8:00 PM, ET/3:40-5:00 PM, PT.

[05/28/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Prime Video Drops a Gripping Trailer and Official Key Art for "Countdown," Starring Jensen Ackles, Eric Dane & Jessica Camacho
The pulse-pounding series will debut exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on Wednesday, June 25, with a three-episode premiere.

[05/28/25 - 08:11 AM]
TLC's "Match Me Abroad" Returns for a Second Season Beginning June 22
The series returns for a second season, following six American singles who take a bold step to find love across international borders.

[05/28/25 - 08:01 AM]
"The Gentlemen" Season 2 Announces Cast as Filming Begins
Joining the cast for season two will be Hugh Bonneville, Benjamin Clementine, Benedetta Porcaroli, Michele Morrone, Sergio Castellito, Amra Mallassi, Tyler Conti, British professional boxer Chris Eubank Jr and TV host, DJ and entrepreneur Maya Jama.

[05/28/25 - 08:01 AM]
Nicole Curtis Rescues Neglected Historic Homes In Detroit and Wyoming in a New Season of HGTV's "Rehab Addict" Premiering Tuesday, June 24, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Across the fresh four episodes, she will embark on one of her biggest challenges yet - fighting to save two derelict properties that are 1,500 miles apart.

[05/28/25 - 07:52 AM]
Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Telecast on ABC Attracts Largest Live Audience Ever for Iconic Event
The audience broke the event's record viewership of 2.0 million that watched last year's race, with viewership peaking at 2.6 million during the 10:30-10:45 a.m. quarter hour.

[05/28/25 - 07:10 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Unveils Trailer for "Smoke," Gripping New Crime Drama from Creator Dennis Lehane Debuting June 27, 2025
"Smoke" follows an arson investigator who begrudgingly teams up with a police detective as their race to stop two arsonists ignites a twisted game of secrets and suspicions.