or


[02/04/04 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: February 4
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

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

ALIAS (ABC) - J.J. Abrams, the show's creator and executive producer, has signed a multi-year, high-seven-figure deal with Touchstone Television to keep his Bad Robot Television production company at the studio. In addition, Thom Sherman, ABC's chief of drama development, and Bryan Burk, Abrams' development partner, have been named president and executive vice president, respectively, of Bad Robot. Sherman had been running ABC's drama department for the past three seasons where he developed such series as "Line of Fire" and "Karen Sisco," not to mention "Alias." ABC executives Julie McNamara and Heather Kadin will fill in for Sherman for the remainder of the current development season. As for Abrams, the prolific producer already has two projects in the hopper for the 2004-05 season: the survival drama "Lost" and the bounty-hunter themed "The Catch."

ANDROMEDA (Sci Fi) - The cable run of the veteran syndicated drama on Sci Fi will kick off with its two-hour pilot on Friday, March 26 at 7:00/6:00c.

CELESTE IN THE CITY (ABC Family) - The cable channel has scheduled its latest telefilm, which stars Majandra Delfino ("Roswell") and Nicholas Brendon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), for Sunday, March 14 at 8:00/7:00c. Here's how ABC Family describes the project (via press release): "When Celeste (Majandra Delfino) makes the big move from Maine to New York City for her first job after college at the city's top newspaper, she is in for a rude awakening.- Not only is she only a fact checker instead of an editorial assistant, but she's lacking the confidence and wardrobe to make it in the Big Apple.- All of that is about to change when Celeste's cousin Dana (Nicholas Brendon) and a group of his best friends decide to make Celeste look as smart and sophisticated on the outside as she is on the inside, in the ABC Family original movie CELESTE IN THE CITY."

CITY OF DREAMS (A.K.A. UNTITLED JIMMY SMITS PROJECT) (NBC) - The Jimmy Smits-led drama project is now running under the title "City of Dreams." Smits stars as a slick L.A. private investigator who specializes in fixing problems for high-end clients. Jerry Bruckheimer ("C.S.I.") and writer David Mills ("Kingpin") are behind the project, which comes from Warner Bros. Television. It's not clear if NBC has given a green light to produce a pilot for the project.

COOKING LESSONS (CBS, New!) - New York Times food writer Amanda Hesser's book "Cooking for Mr. Latte: A Food Lover's Courtship, With Recipes" is set to be the focus of a new comedy at the Eye. Emily Fox ("New York Minute") is on board to write and executive produce the project, which has a pilot commitment, along with Kim and Eric Tannenbaum through their Tannenbaum Co. and Warner Bros. Television. "Cooking" is expected to revolve around the exploits of a female food critic. Hesser's book detailed her year-long courtship of New Yorker writer Tad Friend.

THE DEAD ZONE (USA) - Sarah Wynter ("24") has landed a recurring role on the show's upcoming third season, which is set to premiere in June. No details were given about her character.

HUB (NBC) - Heather Locklear ("Melrose Place") has landed the lead in the NBC pilot, an ensemble drama set behind the scenes at an international airport. She joins the previously cast Blair Underwood ("Sex and the City") and David Paetkau ("Final Destination 2") as Harley Random in the project. Interestingly enough, Locklear was offered said role last season when "HUB" was being targeted for fall 2003 consideration. The actress instead opted for the lead in the comedy "Once Around the Park," which did not get picked up for a series order. Mark Gordon ("Speed") and Nick Thiel ("Magnum, P.I.") are the executive producers of "HUB," which comes from NBC Studios and Mark Gordon Productions.

MARRIAGE 101 (WB, New!) - The Frog has given a pilot order to a new comedy about a young married couple who move in with the husband's friends. Boyce Bugliari and Jamie McLaughlin are writing and executive producing the project, which comes from 20th Century Fox Television and Brad Grey Television, along with Brad Grey and Peter Traugott.

MEN'S ROOM (NBC) - Some additional details have emerged about the project: Danny Zuker ("Coupling," "Off Centre") is the man behind the pilot, which explores the lives of men in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

MY LIFE IS A SITCOM 2 (ABC Family) - The second season of the series is set to roll out on Sunday, March 7 at 7:30/6:30c. The new season tracks first season star, and stay-at-home dad, Joe Mozian of Old Greenwich, CT as he travels the country in search of real people to portray his various family members and friends in a sitcom pilot based loosely on his own life.

QUEEN FOR A DAY (Lifetime, New!) - The cable channel is looking to revive the classic 1956-64 game show. Phil Gurin ("The Weakest Link") is behind new version, which will air as a one-hour backdoor pilot special in June. "Producers will sweep the nation, holding open auditions in which nominatorswill have the opportunity to convince the panel that their mother, sister, friend, co-worker, among others, should be 'Queen for a Day," according to a network press release. "In addition, viewers can log onto http://www.lifetimetv.com to learn more about the special and nominate their choices. Once the four finalists have been selected, cameras will track the potential "Queens" and whisk them away to a Los Angeles studio. There, they will get the royal treatment and have a chance to make their case to the judges and a studio audience who will cast the ultimate vote for one lucky woman, who will win a dream prize package." Gurin's The Gurin Company is producing the special.

UNTITLED JASON HORWITCH PROJECT (NBC) - Neal McDonough ("Boomtown") is back at the Peacock, as the actor has landed the lead in Jason Horwitch's medical drama. McDonough's involvement lifts the cast-contingent component on the project, which comes from NBC Studios and Landscape Entertainment. Horwitch and Landscape's Scott Vila and Bob Cooper are the executive producers.

UNTITLED JOHN STAMOS PROJECT (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet has given a put pilot commitment to a new romantic comedy in which the entire season takes place over the course of a couple's first date. John Stamos ("Thieves") is attached to star in the project, a co-production of 20th Century Fox Television and Brad Grey Television, which will be written and executive produced by Austin Winsberg ("Still Standing").

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [february 2004]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· 24 (FOX)
· ALIAS (ABC)
· ANDROMEDA (SCI FI)
· BOOMTOWN (NBC)
· BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (UPN)
· CATCH, THE (ABC)
· CELESTE IN THE CITY (ABC FAMILY)
· CITY OF DREAMS (NBC)
· COOKING LESSONS (CBS)
· COUPLING (NBC)
· CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (CBS)
· DEAD ZONE, THE (USA)
· JAKE IN PROGRESS (ABC)
· KAREN SISCO (ABC)
· KINGPIN (NBC)
· LAX (NBC)
· LINE OF FIRE (ABC)
· LOST (ABC)
· MEDICAL INVESTIGATION (NBC)
· MEN'S ROOM, THE (NBC)
· MY LIFE IS A SITCOM (ABC FAMILY)
· OFF CENTRE (WB)
· ONCE AROUND THE PARK (NBC)
· QUEEN FOR A DAY (LIFETIME)
· ROSWELL (UPN)
· SEX AND THE CITY (HBO)
· STILL STANDING (CBS)
· THEN CAME MARRIAGE (WB)
· THIEVES (ABC)
· WEAKEST LINK, THE (NBC)





[08/08/25 - 09:10 AM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Notches Summertime Win with Best Total Viewer Audience in Over Three Months
In addition, the show earned its best rating among Households in nine weeks and its best numbers among both Women 18-49 and Women 25-54 in five weeks.

[08/08/25 - 08:37 AM]
Disney Jr. Unveils New Slate at "Disney Jr. Let's Play!" Event
Highlights included new series "Cars: Lightning Racers," inspired by Disney and Pixar's Academy Award-winning "Cars" films, with Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy reprising their iconic roles.

[08/08/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Love Con Revenge" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Cecilie Fjellhøy - from "The Tinder Swindler" - partners with a female private investigator to help other victims of romance fraud get genuine payback.

[08/08/25 - 06:06 AM]
FOX Sports Embarks on the 2025 NFL Season With the Most-Decorated Voices in Football
Following their celebrated call of Super Bowl LIX, which set an all-time viewership record, FOX NFL's lead announce team of critically acclaimed and award-winning play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt and seven-time Super Bowl champion and analyst Tom Brady return for their second season together.

[08/08/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "Abandoned Man" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After serving time in prison for his brother's crime, a man warily reunites with family, finding hope and healing in a life-changing bond with his niece.

[08/07/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "Aema" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In 1980s Korea, a movie star and a starlet defy male-dominated industry rules and backstage corruption while filming the provocative "Madame Aema."

[08/07/25 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Kiss or Die" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In a death kiss game unlike anything ever seen before, comedians' desires and improvisation spark non-stop laughs! Who will give the best kiss and become the protagonist?

[08/07/25 - 10:03 AM]
"Not So Fast, My Friend: A Lee Corso Special" to Debut August 22 on ESPN in Advance of the Legendary Analyst's Final "College GameDay" Show
The primetime special will highlight Corso's extraordinary life, his larger-than-life personality and the immeasurable impact he has had on college football as a player, coach and broadcaster.

[08/07/25 - 09:35 AM]
ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball Presented by Capital One" Schedule Update: Boston Red Sox Visit New York Yankees on August 24
With both teams in the MLB Postseason hunt, the matchup adds another chapter to baseball's most storied rivalry.

[08/07/25 - 09:06 AM]
VH1's "Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out" Celebrates 20th Anniversary with 20 New Episodes Starting September 1 at 9 PM ET/PT
Taped in front of a live audience in Atlanta, this upcoming slate reignites the high-energy, old-school vs. new-school competition, blending comedic legends and rising stars in a celebration of wild, unfiltered fun.

[08/07/25 - 09:00 AM]
Roku Originals Books a Return Trip with Second Season Renewal of "Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross"
With record-breaking viewership, the series has become the most-watched unscripted Roku Original within the first two weeks of launch in terms of unique viewers.

[08/07/25 - 09:00 AM]
"Wizards Beyond Waverly Place" Season 2 Premieres Sept. 12 on Disney Channel and Oct. 8 on Disney+
Joining Selena Gomez ("Alex Russo") in guest roles for the second season include Freya Skye (Piper), Harvey Guillén (Gossip Stone), Kirsten Vangsness (Bigelow McFigglehorn), Recker Eans (Quentin), Tobias Jelinek (Lord Morsus), Patrick Bristow (Wiz M.D.) and Eleanor Sweeney (Bella Bianchi).

[08/07/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: We TV and ALLBLK Release First Look at the Hit Music Competition Series "Deb's House"
The new season premieres Friday, August 22 at 9:30 PM ET/PT exclusively on We TV and streaming on ALLBLK and AMC+.

[08/07/25 - 08:07 AM]
Video: Peacock Releases Official Trailer, Key Art, and New Images for "The Paper"
The series premieres on Peacock with four episodes on September 4, followed by two new episodes every Thursday through September 25.

[08/07/25 - 08:02 AM]
Southland Conference and ESPN Announce Extension to Media Rights Deal Through 2031
The new six-year agreement delivers unprecedented visibility for Southland student-athletes, coaches, and programs - anchored by a robust slate of nationally televised games and hundreds of Southland digital events annually across ESPN platforms.