CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
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THE APPRENTICE (NBC) - The Peacock is reportedly considering a spin-off of the popular reality series revolving around winner Bill Rancic's new job of overseeing the construction of a 90-story Trump International Hotel and Tower in his hometown of Chicago. The project, which is still in the early stages of development, may even include appearances by other "Apprentice" cast members.
DREAM JOB (ESPN) - The cable channel has picked up the series for a second cycle of six episodes which will debut in January 2005. Just over 1 million viewers on average watched the show's inaugural season which saw college senior Mike Hall win a one-year contract with ESPN's "SportsCenter." "Dream Job" comes from ESPN Original Entertainment in association with Jumbolaya Productions and BlondEndeavor.
HIGH SCHOOL REUNION (WB) - The Frog has scheduled an additional recap/reunion episode of the series for Sunday, May 2 at 9:00/8:00c. Here's how the WB's press materials describe the installment: "All seventeen classmates gather for the first time since the reunion in a special featuring previously unseen material and interviews. Revelations include the answers to these questions: Did Heather F. (The Sophomore Vixen) move on from her resentment of Denise? (The Ex)? Did good-hearted LouAnn (The Cheerleader) leave her boyfriend back home for her high school sweetheart Johnny (The Quarterback)? Did sexy Amanda (The Sophomore Tease) and Trevor (The Pipsqueak) find true love? Did Denise win back her ex-husband Gabe (The Jock)? The show is hosted by former talk show host and MTV and BET host Ananda Lewis. (#208)"
THE JANE PAULEY SHOW (Syndication) - The former "Dateline NBC" host's syndicated talk show is set to kick off Monday, August 30 on local stations across the country. The series has been cleared by distributor NBC Enterprises in 98% of the country including NBC owned-and-operated stations in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
THE NORTH SHORE (FOX) - James Remar ("Sex and the City") is set to take over for Rob Estes in the role of Vincent Boyd, the managing partner of the hotel where the series takes place. "Shore," which comes from 20th Century Fox Television, is set to premiere Monday, June 14 at 8:00/7:00c.
SORRY CHARLIE (FOX) - Nadia Dajani ("Sidewalks of New York") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, which stars Stephen Root and Valerie Bertinelli as parents who struggle with the fact that their kids are growing up. Dajani's role wasn't specified in the project, which comes from Sony Pictures Television and Jersey Television.
STILL LIFE (FOX) - Various industry insiders have confirmed FOX's option on the actors expires June 30. The network has yet to schedule the long-delayed series, originally targeted for a midseason 2004 bow.
WILL & GRACE (NBC) - The Peacock has released a detailed description of "I Do/Oh No, You Di-in't," the show's one-hour sixth season finale, which airs Thursday, April 29 at 9:00/8:00c: "Opting to forego a picturesque fall wedding and elope in Las Vegas, Karen (Megan Mullally) hops a plane to "sin city" with fianc� Lyle (guest star John Cleese) and faithful friends Will (Eric McCormack) and Jack (Sean Hayes), in the process bumping into superstar Jennifer Lopez who is vacationing and agrees - on behalf of Rosario (Shelley Morrison) - to sing at the ceremony. Meanwhile, Leo (guest star Harry Connick, Jr.) returns from Cambodia to meet up with Grace (Debra Messing) at the wedding, but their reunion is delayed by a freak design accident. Tim Curry ("The Rocky Horror Picture Show") also guest stars as Lyle's visiting brother Marion."
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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