or


[05/31/05 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: May 27-31
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

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

Looking to keep track of all the various projects in development? Click here to visit our newly revamped "Series in Development" charts. Visitors can now filter our listings by network, genre and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!

CAMPUS CONFIDENTIAL (ABC Family) - Nicole Paggi ("Hope & Faith") has joined the cast of the upcoming telefilm, about two friends (Carlson Romano, Keri Lynn Pratt) who decide to publish a tabloid exposing the embarrassing secrets of the popular kids that rule the school. Paggi will play one of said popular kids in the project, which also stars Katey Sagal and Teddy Dunn. Production has already begun on the project, which Melanie Mayron is directing from a script by David Kukoff and Matt Roshkow with Julie Yorn, Marc Gordon and Paul Frank producing.

THE CLOSER (TNT) - The cable channel has announced that the Kyra Sedgwick-led drama series will debut commercial-free on Monday, June 13 at 9:00/8:00c. No details were given however about which advertiser or advertisers is/are sponsoring the event.

CRUMBS (ABC) - Writer/producer David Walpert ("Happy Family," "Just Shoot Me") has signed a two-year (with an option for a third), seven-figure overall deal with Touchstone Television. The pact calls for Walpert to develop new projects for the studio as well as join ABC's midseason comedy "Crumbs" as a co-executive producer.

LAGUNA BEACH: THE REAL ORANGE COUNTY (MTV) - The second season of the unscripted "docu-soap" will reportedly premiere on Monday, July 25 (time TBA). As a build up to the show's sophomore season, MTV will air a marathon of its inaugural run on Sunday, July 10 with a launch special Monday, July 11 (both times TBA).

MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (FOX) - Creator/executive producer Linwood Boomer reportedly plans to step down as showrunner of the veteran comedy when it returns for its seventh season this fall. Matthew Carlson, who's been a co-executive producer on the series for the past three years, is expected to take over the role. Boomer, who plans to focus on the development aspect of his recently signed overall deal with Regency Television (read the story), won't completely exit the series however - he'll retain an executive consultant credit as well as potentially direct some installments of the upcoming season.

MINDING THE STORE (TBS) - The cable channel has confirmed the Pauly Shore-led unscripted series will bow on Sunday, July 17 at 10:00/9:00c. It's understood back-to-back episodes of the series will run each week through Sunday, August 14. Here's how the network's press materials describe the project: "MINDING THE STORE opens with Mitzi Shore reluctantly handing over the reins of her legendary Comedy Store to her youngest son Pauly, in the hopes that maybe he can pump some life back into it. With his plans of renovations, new promotions and A-list talent, Pauly�s goal of making the comedy club great again proves to be a daunting task, especially since his mom just can�t seem to let him take over completely. Equally as daunting are Pauly�s attempts to regain his professional footing as an actor, taking classes and telling his agent to put him up for serious, more dramatic roles. He also runs into problems as he tries to juggle relationships with the women in his life and finally date someone �appropriate.�"

NIP/TUCK (FX) - Jessalyn Gilsig, who's recurred the past two seasons as sex-addict Gina Tusso, will be upped to series regular when the cable drama returns for its third season this fall. No specifics were given as to how Gilsig's character will re-enter the life of Julian McMahon's character, with whom she initially planned to raise her baby.

THE REAL WORLD (MTV) - A launch special detailing the cast of the show's 16th edition has been scheduled to air on Monday, June 6 at 10:30/9:30c. The series will then settle into its regular Tuesday, 10:00/9:00c time period on June 21.

SILVER BELLS (CBS) - Tate Donovan ("The O.C."), Michael Mitchell and Lourdes Benedicto ("N.Y.P.D. Blue") have all joined the cast of the Anne Heche-led telefilm, based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Luanne Rice. "Bells" tracks the Manhattan-based story of a widow (Heche) who takes a teenage boy (Mitchell) under her wing following his falling out with his Christmas-tree farmer father (Donovan). Donovan's character then crosses paths with Heche's when he returns the following holiday season. Benedicto then will play the best friend of Heche's character. Production is underway on the project with Dick Lowry directing from a script by Jim McGrath with Richard Welsh and Brent Shields executive producing.

THE SOPRANOS (HBO) - According to promos that ran before the pay channel's presentation of "Empire Falls" over the weekend, the long-delayed sixth season of the mob drama will premiere in March of 2006. In addition, newcomer "Rome" was specified as premiering in September of this year.

STUCK WITH U (A.K.A. UNTITLED SCHOOL PROJECT) (ABC Family) - The upcoming unscripted series, about four university students who are forced to live with one of their parents, is now understood to be running under the title "Stuck With U." The series, which is being shot at Philadelphia's Drexel University, is currently set to debut in August (date/time TBA).

SURVIVOR (CBS) - Cable channel Outdoor Life Network has scored the off-network repeat rights to the veteran reality franchise. Networks reps and creator/executive producer Mark Burnett are expected to make a joint announcement today detailing the news. No premiere date or financial details were given however.

WILD 'N' OUT (MTV) - The Nick Cannon-led sketch comedy competition has been slated to premiere on Wednesday, July 13 (time TBA). The eight-episode series pits two sketch comedy teams (one lead by Cannon, another by a celebrity guest) as they face off in several rounds of improv games. Cannon is also executive producing the project along with his manager Michael Goldman and Power Entertainment's Tony DiSanto, Andrew Hoegl and Jonathan Singer.

UNTITLED MARIA LOPEZ PROJECT (Syndication, New!) - Sony Pictures Television has inked Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Maria Lopez to a talent holding deal. It's expected said pact will lead to the development of a syndicated court series featuring the Cuban-born judge. No other details were specified.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [may 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· BACK ON CAMPUS (ABC FAMILY)
· CAMPUS CONFIDENTIAL (ABC FAMILY)
· CLOSER, THE (TNT)
· CRUMBS (ABC)
· EMPIRE FALLS (HBO)
· HAPPY FAMILY (NBC)
· HOPE & FAITH (ABC)
· JUDGE MARIA LOPEZ (SYNDICATION)
· JUST SHOOT ME (NBC)
· MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (FOX)
· MINDING THE STORE (TBS)
· NEWPORT HARBOR: THE REAL ORANGE COUNTY (MTV)
· NICK CANNON PRESENTS: WILD 'N OUT (VH1)
· NIP/TUCK (FX)
· NYPD BLUE (ABC)
· OC, THE (FOX)
· REAL WORLD, THE (FACEBOOK)
· ROME (HBO)
· SILVER BELLS (CBS)
· SOPRANOS, THE (HBO)
· SURVIVOR (CBS)





[12/03/24 - 09:10 AM]
Max Sets January 16 Premiere Date for New Animated Original Series "Mermicorno: Starfall"
The series invites audiences into a dazzling underwater world where a team of Mermicornos (enchanting mermaid-unicorns) embark on exciting, hilarious and stylish adventures to save the ocean from the evil Ika Inkblot.

[12/03/24 - 09:06 AM]
Peacock's Fan-Favorite Drama Series "Bel-Air" Renewed for Fourth and Final Season
Set in modern-day Los Angeles, "Bel-Air" reimagines the iconic culture-defining '90s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" through a new, dramatic take on Will's complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air.

[12/03/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Big Boys" - Official Trailer - Hulu
A comedy about two mismatched boys who strike up an unlikely friendship when they're thrown together at university. They'll explore, experiment, and try to discover themselves, whilst also helping one another along the way.

[12/03/24 - 08:44 AM]
Sean Hannity to Host New Long-Form Interview Show "Sean" on FOX Nation
Episode one kicks off with iconic actor, writer and director Sylvester Stallone alongside his wife, entrepreneur, and model Jennifer Flavin Stallone.

[12/03/24 - 07:34 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Unveils Trailer for Stunning Docuseries "The Secret Lives of Animals"
Hailing from the acclaimed BBC Studios Natural History Unit, the series will debut globally on December 18 on Apple TV+.

[12/03/24 - 07:13 AM]
Apple TV+ Unveils First Look at Season Two of Psychological Thriller "Surface" Starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw
The eight-episode second season premieres globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, February 21, followed by new episodes every Friday through April 11.

[12/03/24 - 07:01 AM]
"Smile 2" Possesses Paramount+ - Critically Acclaimed Second Installment of the Box Office Hit Horror Franchise Is Available to Stream Now Exclusively on Paramount+
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

[12/03/24 - 07:00 AM]
Sky and Starz Darkly Comic Thriller "Sweetpea" to Return for a Second Killer Season
Season 2 will see Rhiannon Lewis return with a vengeance as her killer secret continues to spiral, and she becomes more twisted than ever.

[12/03/24 - 06:31 AM]
Philomena Cunk Returns for a One-Hour Special, "Cunk on Life," Where She Will Try to Answer the Age Old Question "What's The Point of It All?"
Netflix will stream it globally outside of the UK and Ireland starting January 2.

[12/03/24 - 06:00 AM]
"Family Guy" Returns to Adult Swim's Primetime Lineup in 2025 with Episodes Airing Every Weekday at 10PM ET/PT
To mark the return of "Family Guy," Adult Swim will also host a three-day marathon of episodes every evening from 7pm to 5am ET/PT beginning Wednesday, January 1.

[12/03/24 - 04:01 AM]
Liza Minnelli's Highly Anticipated Memoir Optioned for Television Adaptation by Magnolia Hill Productions and Warner Bros. Television
The project is the result of over 15 years of deeply personal recorded conversations between Minnelli and her long-term creative partner Michael Feinstein, a Grammy and Emmy nominee, Tony Award recipient, and the world's leading authority on the Great American Songbook.

[12/02/24 - 01:26 PM]
Apple TV+ Announces "Lucky," New Limited Series Starring Anya Taylor-Joy
In "Lucky," Taylor-Joy stars as a young woman who left behind the life of crime she was raised in years ago, but must now embrace her darker, criminal side one final time in a desperate attempt to escape her past.

[12/02/24 - 01:00 PM]
"Saturday Night Live" Returns Dec. 7 with Three Shows to Close Out 2024
Chris Rock and Martin Short will follow the previously announced Paul Mescal as hosts.

[12/02/24 - 11:36 AM]
All-New Survivalist Competition Series "Extracted" Set to Premiere Monday, February 10 on FOX
"Extracted" features 12 untrained competitors attempting to survive extremely grueling conditions, perilous terrain, and the threat of fearsome predators in the unforgiving Canadian wilderness.

[12/02/24 - 11:20 AM]
Video: "Light Shop" - Official Trailer - Hulu
A series about six lost strangers who find themselves drawn to a mysterious shop that inexplicably holds the key to their past, present and future.