or


[08/05/05 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: August 4-5
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!

BETHESDA (New!) - Writer/producers Patrick Massett and John Zinman ("Veritas: The Quest") have pacted with Imagine Television ("24") for a new medical drama set at the famed naval hospital. While firm details weren't released, it's understood the series will explore the lives of doctors as they deal with fallout from political and military actions. Imagine most likely will begin pitching the various broadcast networks in the coming weeks.

FREDDIE (ABC) - Madchen Amick ("Jake in Progress") has joined the cast of the Alphabet's freshman comedy. She'll take over for Megyn Price in the role of Allison, the sister-in-law of Freddie Prinze Jr.'s character. No reason was given for Price's recasting. "Freddie" premieres Wednesday, October 5 at 8:30/7:30c on ABC.

KIDNAPPED (NBC) - "Karen Sisco" alums Jason Smilovic and Michael Dinner are set to team with Sarah Timberman's Sony Pictures Television-based 25C Productions (CBS's "Conviction") for a new serialized drama at NBC, which will track the story of a kidnapping over the course of an entire season (a la "24"). The project, which was previously in the works at FOX (read the story), has been given a put pilot commitment by the Peacock. Smilovic will write the pilot script with Dinner most likely directing and the pair executive producing with 25C's Timberman and Carl Beverly.

THE LAST GENERATION (NBC, New!) - Steffan Postaer's book of the same name is on track to be the focus of a new drama series at NBC from Touchstone Television and Mike Medavoy's Phoenix Pictures. The project, which screenwriter Mikko Alanne will adapt for the small screen, revolves around a vision of the near future in which humans can no longer reproduce. Should it go forward, the series would mark Medavoy's first foray into television. He'll most likely executive produce alongside Brad Fischer, also of Phoenix Pictures.

NOTORIOUS (NBC) - Tori Spelling's failed NBC comedy pilot is reportedly close to a revival at VH1. It's understood the cable channel is in talks to order eight episodes of the series, a comedic take on Spelling's real-life experiences as a privileged Hollywood daughter trying to lead a normal life. Spelling herself co-created and executive produced the pilot with writer/producers Chris Alberghini and Mike Chessler ("Whoopi"). VH1 will produce the series - marking its first scripted effort since the short-lived 2001 anthology series "Strange Frequency" - where it will take over for NBC Universal Television. "noTORIous," which is set to begin production in Los Angeles shortly for an early 2006 premiere, also stars Loni Anderson, Zachary Quinto, Danielle Nicolet and James Carpinello.

NUMB3RS (CBS) - Diane Farr ("Rescue Me") has joined the cast of the drama series, which returns for its second season this fall. She'll play Special Agent Megan Reeves, a Quantico grad assigned to Don Eppes's (Rob Morrow) unit in the Los Angeles F.B.I. office. It's understood she'll initially be listed as a guest star before becoming a permanent fixture on the show. Farr's casting undoubtedly is meant to fill the void left by Sabrina Lloyd, who exited the series shortly before its freshman run concluded. As for Farr's duties on "Rescue Me," it's not clear how her character will be written out of the series following her duties on its second season.

OVER THERE (FX) - The second week of the military drama was seen by 2.56 million viewers, a surprising 37% dip from its stellar premiere numbers last week (4.06 million). Among adults 18-49, "Over There" fell a similar 33% from its debut (1.2/3 vs. 1.8/5). Nevertheless, said numbers in the key demographic were the best of all basic cable series on the night.

THAT '70S SHOW (FOX) - Carsey-Werner Co.'s Tom Werner and Mosaic Media Group's Eric Gold and Jimmy Miller have banded together to form Werner-Gold-Miller, signing a two-year development and production deal with Warner Bros. Television in the process. The news comes within months of Carsey-Werner's decision to withdraw from active TV development. In addition, writer/producers Jeff and Jackie Filgo ("That '70s Show") will go with Werner to the new banner, having previously been set up at Carsey-Werner, while the WB's Mike Clements has been brought in to run the new company's day-to-day operations. As for Gold and Miller, the pair will continue to manage their impressive client list - which includes Will Ferrell, Judd Apatow, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Rock, Judd Apatow, Jay Roach and Sacha Baron Cohen.

UNTITLED JON FAVREAU/FAISON LOVE PROJECT (FOX, New!) - Actor-turned-director Jon Favreau ("Elf") has booked a new comedy at FOX starring "Elf's" Faison Love. The project, which is in talks to be set at 20th Century Fox Television, features Love as a New York-based subway token collector in the newly gentrified Harlem neighborhood. Favreau will co-write the pilot script and possibly direct should his schedule permit. While not yet greenlighted, FOX has given the project a script order with a small penalty attached if it doesn't go to pilot.

UNTITLED RICHARD LAGRAVANESE/MARIE WEISS PROJECT (NBC, New!) - Feature writers Richard LaGravanese ("Living Out Loud") and Marie Weiss ("The Ref") are reportedly close to landing an untitled project at the Peacock. No details were given about the project other than it is set up at Sarah Timberman's Sony Pictures Television-based 25C Productions.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [august 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· 24 (FOX)
· CONVICTION (CBS)
· FREDDIE (ABC)
· JAKE IN PROGRESS (ABC)
· KAREN SISCO (ABC)
· KIDNAPPED (NBC)
· LAST GENERATION, THE (NBC)
· NUMB3RS (CBS)
· OVER THERE (FX)
· RESCUE ME (FX)
· SO NOTORIOUS (VH1)
· STRANGE FREQUENCY (VH1)
· THAT '70S SHOW (FOX)
· UNTITLED FAVREAU & LOVE PROJECT (FOX)
· UNTITLED LAGRAVANESE & WEISS PROJECT (NBC)
· VERITAS: THE QUEST (ABC)
· WHOOPI (NBC)





[12/05/25 - 08:31 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Monkeypaw Productions' "Him" Beginning December 19
The film stars Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies and more.

[12/05/25 - 08:01 AM]
BET+ Original Film, "Vera's Holiday Flop," Premieres Thursday, December 18
The film stars Charity Jordan, Terri J. Vaughn, Griff, Chrissy McDaniel, Tyler Chronicles, Algebra Blessett, Jelani Akil, Scotty ATL, and Saycon Sengbloh.

[12/05/25 - 07:01 AM]
Academy Award Winner Cillian Murphy Returns as the Legendary Gypsy Gangster Tommy Shelby in "Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man"
In select theaters March 6 and on Netflix March 20.

[12/05/25 - 07:01 AM]
Apple's Acclaimed Comedy "Platonic" Lands Season Three Renewal
"Platonic" follows a platonic pair of former best friends approaching midlife (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) who reconnect after a long rift.

[12/05/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Time Flies" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Fresh out of prison and low on options, two women run a fumigation business - until a shady client pulls them back into the life they fought to escape.

[12/05/25 - 04:01 AM]
Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Following the Separation of Discovery Global for a Total Enterprise Value of $82.7 Billion (Equity Value of $72.0 Billion)
This acquisition brings together two pioneering entertainment businesses, combining Netflix's innovation, global reach and best-in-class streaming service with Warner Bros.' century-long legacy of world-class storytelling.

[12/05/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: Netflix Unveils the First Look for "Land of Sin" - Premiering on January 2, 2026
Set in the Scanian countryside, this five-part series follows the investigation of a young teenager who is found dead on the Bjäre peninsula.

[12/04/25 - 04:01 PM]
Don Lee, Lee Jin-uk, and Lalisa Manobal to Star in Netflix Action Thriller "TYGO"
Produced by Big Punch Pictures and AGBO, with co-production by Nova Film Inc and B&C Group, the film brings together powerhouse Korean and global talent in an explosive new chapter of the "Extraction" universe.

[12/04/25 - 01:31 PM]
Heroes Rise Together! Disney+ Original Series "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Official Branded Merchandise Now Available
Inspired by the series' rich storytelling, the dedicated e-commerce store will feature a wide variety of Camp Half-Blood-themed merchandise tailored for enthusiasts of the acclaimed series.

[12/04/25 - 12:56 PM]
Video: HBO Releases Official Trailer for the Original Drama Series "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," Debuting January 18
From the world of Westeros comes an endearing tale centered on the adventures of an unexpected duo.

[12/04/25 - 12:07 PM]
Video: "Mo' Waffles" - Official Trailer - Tubi Original
When a hip hop legend vanishes before his waffle joint's opening, his oddball crew must crack the case, wondering if one of them could be the culprit.

[12/04/25 - 12:00 PM]
Video: A New Generation of Camp Rockers Vie to Become the Opening Act for Connect 3 in First "Camp Rock 3" Teaser
The teaser includes a first look at the Jonas Brothers' return as Connect 3 and the new generation of campers joining the iconic franchise.

[12/04/25 - 11:02 AM]
"The Masked Singer" Returns with an All-New Season of Epic Themes and Massive Unmaskings on FOX!
Season 14 takes its beloved themed episodes to new heights, celebrating some of the most recognizable and nostalgic moments in pop culture history.

[12/04/25 - 11:01 AM]
Oxygen Renews Tentpole Series "Snapped" for Two New Seasons
The series will return for seasons 37 and 38, along with the expansion of the franchise with "Snapped: Killer Moms" (wt).

[12/04/25 - 11:01 AM]
Video: AMC Networks Debuts Official Trailer for Sports Docuseries "Rise of the 49ers," Narrated by Executive Producer Tom Brady
The limited series event, exploring the dramatic and iconic run of the San Francisco 49ers during the '80s and early '90s, premieres with the first two episodes on Sunday, February 1 at 9pm ET/PT, followed by the remaining two episodes on Monday, February 2 at 9pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC+.