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)





[04/02/26 - 12:31 PM]
Paramount+ Greenlights New Reality Series, "Team Moms," Executive Produced by Kim Kardashian and Love Island Producers, ITV
"Team Moms" launches viewers into the world of nationally competitive youth baseball via immersion into the Legendary Prep Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona's first and only baseball prep school.

[04/02/26 - 12:01 PM]
Jamie Bell and Charlie Heaton Lead a New Generation of "Peaky Blinders" and First Look of Bell as Duke Is Revealed
Jessica Brown Findlay, Lashana Lynch, and Lucy Karczewski are also on board.

[04/02/26 - 12:01 PM]
"Wizards Beyond Waverly Place" Returns for One Last Spell This Summer on Disney+ and Disney Channel
Executive producer Selena Gomez to make her directorial debut with the premiere episode.

[04/02/26 - 11:44 AM]
First-Ever "American Idol" Simulcast on ABC and Disney+ Surges Double Digits
Season to date, "American Idol" averages 5.11 million Total Viewers and stands as one of the few shows to notch year-over-year gains this season.

[04/02/26 - 11:11 AM]
Sarah Drew and Eric Johnson to Headline "When I Said I Do" (wt), The New Movie Inspired by Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black's Beloved Duet of the Same Name
The movie is set to premiere Saturday, May 23 at 8/7c as part of the network's upcoming spring "Love of a Lifetime" original movie slate.

[04/02/26 - 11:07 AM]
Thursday Night Heats Up as "9-1-1: Nashville" and "9-1-1" Soar to Best Performance of the Season
On linear over three days, "9-1-1" earned 5.94 million Total Viewers, also nearly matching the show's previous season high in January.

[04/02/26 - 11:05 AM]
Hulu's Critically Acclaimed Comedy Series "Deli Boys" Returns for a Second Season on May 28
Andrew Rannells and Kumail Nanjiani join as recurring guest stars for the second season, alongside series regulars Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, Poorna Jagannathan and Fred Armisen.

[04/02/26 - 10:58 AM]
ESPN to Present WNBA Expansion Draft Friday, April 3
Malika Andrews will host the special, joined by analysts Carolyn Peck and Monica McNutt.

[04/02/26 - 10:31 AM]
Louis C.K. to Headline the Hollywood Bowl May 5 as Part of Netflix Is a Joke Fest
This summer, his newest stand-up special, "Ridiculous," will premiere globally on Netflix.

[04/02/26 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Comedy Special "Ramy Youssef: In Love" Debuts April 17
Whether it's his marriage, being a dog parent, AI, or religion, Ramy comes at everything with his own brand of heart and humor.

[04/02/26 - 09:36 AM]
Netflix Wins Hot Package "The Corrections"; Orders Limited Drama Straight-to-Series Starring Meryl Streep
The series - from Paramount Television Studios - will be directed by Cord Jefferson, and written and adapted by author Jonathan Franzen.

[04/02/26 - 09:10 AM]
Video: "Smiling Friends" - Final Episodes Trailer - Adult Swim
Watch the final two episodes of "Smiling Friends" on Sunday, April 12.

[04/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
"Sofia the First: Royal Magic" Premieres May 25 on Disney Jr. with the First 8 Episodes Streaming Next Day on Disney+
It was also announced today that Moana, Rapunzel, Jasmine, Cinderella, Aurora and Elena of Avalor will make special appearances throughout the series, offering guidance, wisdom and support when Sofia needs it the most.

[04/02/26 - 08:35 AM]
New Faces Join "The Chi" Ensemble Cast for Its Final Season on Paramount+
Daryl Dunning II, Biko Eisen-Martin, Akilah A. Walker, Laila Odom, Liza Jessie Peterson, and Anthony B. Jenkins are among the latest additions.

[04/02/26 - 08:35 AM]
Great American Media Sets "An Accidental Arctic Christmas," Reuniting Beloved Fan Favorites Cameron Mathison and Jill Wagner, From Executive Producer Candace Cameron Bure
Maya Rose Skabar also stars in the film, which will premiere as part of the upcoming all-star Great American Christmas on Great American Pure Flix, Great American Family, and GFAM+.