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)





[05/07/26 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video's "We Were Liars" Casts Six New Series Regulars for Season Two
Josh Dallas, Costa D'Angelo, Parker Lapaine, Peyton List, Elysia Roorbach and Madison Wolfe are among the latest additions.

[05/07/26 - 07:01 AM]
NBC Sports' 2026 Notre Dame Football Schedule Headlined by Primetime Games Against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, Miami, Michigan State, and SMU
Notre Dame opens its season with its 2026 Shamrock Series game against Wisconsin on Sunday, September 6, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock from Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers.

[05/07/26 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Survival of the Thickest" The Final Season - Official Teaser - Netflix
She's going out in style. The final season premieres July 2, only on Netflix.

[05/07/26 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Alice and Steve" - Official Trailer - Hulu
Best friends. Bad decisions. Meet Alice and Steve.

[05/07/26 - 06:02 AM]
Video: "I Will Find You" - Official Teaser - Netflix
An innocent father serving life for the murder of his own son receives evidence that his child may still be alive - and must break out of prison to find out the truth.

[05/07/26 - 06:01 AM]
Netflix to Bring First Looks at "Charlie vs. The Chocolate Factory" Film, Upcoming Anime Slate Including "The One Piece", and Jason Reitman & Gil Kenan for "Ghostbusters" Series to Annecy Festival
Netflix returns to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival with a genre-spanning line-up of films and series featuring visionary filmmakers, as well as up-and-coming talent.

[05/07/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Fear Takes Hold in New Trailer for Apple TV's Psychological Thriller "Cape Fear"
Fear will take hold this summer when the 10-episode limited series makes its global debut on Friday, June 5, 2026 with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through July 31, 2026 on Apple TV.

[05/07/26 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Untold UK: Jamie Vardy" - Official Trailer - Netflix
From part-time footballer to Premier League legend, this is the story of Jamie Vardy's unprecedented path and his rise to the top against all odds.

[05/07/26 - 01:55 AM]
Video: "Kartavya" - Official Trailer - Netflix
With his family's safety at stake and menacing threats closing in, a police officer must decide how far he'll go to uphold his duty.

[05/06/26 - 08:33 PM]
Shane Gillis' "Tires" Races Back to Netflix with Season 3 on August 13, 2026
Shane Gillis, John McKeever and Steve Gerben broke the news live during the "Netflix Is a Joke Fest Presents: Bill Simmons with the Creators of Tires" event at The Wiltern.

[05/06/26 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "Teach You a Lesson" - Official Teaser - Netflix
When respect collapses in schools, unconventional inspectors arrive to set things right - with sharp, no-nonsense lessons you won't find in textbooks.

[05/06/26 - 02:01 PM]
FOX Hits the Road with Return of Beloved Global Sensation "Highway to Heaven"
Slated to debut during the 2027-28 season, the series will introduce longtime fans and a new generation to the franchise's timeless themes of compassion, humanity, and second chances.

[05/06/26 - 01:31 PM]
Apple TV Lands "Disavowed," New Action Thriller Starring and Executive Produced by James Marsden
Marsden will play legendary CIA Case Officer Brad Griffin, who is abruptly fired in the middle of a global hunt for an elusive assassin responsible for killing his colleague.

[05/06/26 - 12:02 PM]
Oscar Isaac Is Hitting the Casino in Martin Scorsese's New Vegas Series
The Netflix series hails from showrunners/executive producers/writers Brian Koppelman and David Levien, who are no strangers to the world of gambling.

[05/06/26 - 11:34 AM]
FOX Sports, Big Machine Racing Productions and Chassy Media Announce "Bobby Rahal: True American Racer" Premiering May 8 on FS1
The compelling new documentary celebrates the life and legacy of Bobby Rahal, one of American motorsports' most legendary champions.