or


[03/02/06 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: March 2
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 branded "Devwatch" section. There visitors can view our listings by network, genre, studio and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!

20 QUESTIONS (ABC) - Jesse Bradford (Ryan Pierce on "The West Wing"), William Lee Scott (TNT's "The Winning Season") and China Shavers (Olivia Evans on "ER") have all joined the cast of the drama pilot, about an idealistic young State Department employee who inadvertently stumbles onto a deadline conspiracy to undermine the United States. Bradford will play the lead role in the Touchstone Television-based hour, which Michael Engler is directing from a script by Thomas Hines. Scott and Shavers then will play Burnet and Angela respectively. The trio joins the previously cast Ben Shenkman. Matthew Gross and John Wirth also serve as executive producers.

60 MINUTE MAN (ABC) - Erika Alexander (Dee Mulhern on "Street Time"), Colm Meaney (Cowen on "Stargate: Atlantis"), Orla Brady (Atia on "Empire") and Sarah Jones (Suzie Smith on "Queer as Folk") have all scored roles on the drama pilot, about a suburban man (David James Elliott) who doesn't remember what he did for one hour each day, driving him to figure out whether he's part of a major national conspiracy. They'll play Jane, Charlie, Kate and Cami respectively in the Touchstone Television-based hour, which comes from creator Graham Yost and fellow executive producers Chris Brancato and Bert Salke. Jon Avnet directs.

ALPHA MOMS (NBC) - Justina Machado (Vanessa Diaz on "Six Feet Under") and Scott Holroyd (Mark on "That '70s Show") have both booked roles on the single-camera comedy pilot, about a corporate mom who tries to balance kids, a stay-at-home husband and a job. Machado will play Nena while Holroyd is set as Mark in the project, which comes from NBC Universal Television and creator Kerry Ehrin. Bill Lawrence directs.

COMMUNITY SERVICE (NBC) - Victor Nelli, Jr. ("Kitchen Confidential") has been tapped to direct the comedy pilot, about a New York big-shot real estate agent who moves home to rural Ohio. David M. Israel and Jim O'Doherty are behind the NBC Universal Television-based half-hour, casting of which has yet to be announced.

IN PLAIN SIGHT (USA) - Nichole Hiltz ("Good Girls Don't") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about a no-nonsense female federal marshal (Mary McCormack) who works in the witness protection branch of the government even though her friends and family are led to believe she is a glorified meter maid. She'll play Brandi in the NBC Universal Television-based hour, which also stars Fred Weller and Todd Williams. Mark Piznarski is directing the project from a script by David Maples with Paul Stupin also serving as an executive producer.

JERICHO (CBS) - Gerald McRaney (George Hearst on "Deadwood") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about a small town in Kansas that's dealing with life after a series of nuclear attacks destroys most of America's big cities. He joins the previously cast Michael Gaston, Sprague Grayden, Lennie James, Eric Knudsen, Skeet Ulrich and Kenneth Mitchell in the CBS Paramount Network Television-based project, which comes from director Jon Turteltaub and creator Stephen Chbosky.

PALM SPRINGS (The CW) - Michael Cassidy (Zach Stevens on "The O.C."), Amber Heard ("North Country") and newcomer Ellary Porterfield have all joined the cast of Kevin Williamson's drama pilot for the network, about a troubled teen who moves to a gated community in Palm Springs where he uncovers some dark secrets. They'll play Cliff, Greta and Liza respectively in the Lionsgate Television/Outerbanks Entertainment-based hour, which Scott Winant is directing from a script by Williamson.

'TIL DEATH (FOX) - Kat Foster (a recent guest on "The Book of Daniel") has joined the cast of the Sony Pictures Television-based comedy pilot, about newlyweds who move in next door to a couple who has been married for 25 years. She's believed to be playing Steph, the wife of Eddie Kaye Thomas's character. Brad Garrett also stars in the half-hour, which James Burrows is directing from a script by creators Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa.

UNTITLED CHRIS SHERIDAN PROJECT (NBC) - Eddie McClintock (Jody Crumb on "Crumbs") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about two brothers - one's a life-long criminal (Bruno Campos) while the other is an F.B.I. agent - and their families who live next door to each other. He'll play the latter role, the casting of which lifts said contingency off the pilot's production. While not specified, McClintock's involvement is likely in second position to his duties on "Crumbs." Chris Sheridan is behind the half-hour, which is set up at 20th Century Fox Television.

UNTITLED PATRICIA HEATON PROJECT (ABC) - Mo Collins (Starla on "Arrested Development") is set to star opposite Patricia Heaton in the comedy pilot, about a widowed mother (Heaton) who joins the P.T.A. where she befriends two women she initially dislikes. No details about her character were given. Christine Zander is behind the Touchstone Television-based half-hour, which has recently added Ted Wass ("I'm With Her") as director. Heaton (via Four Boys Productions), Nina Wass and Gene Stein also serve as executive producers.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [march 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· 20 QUESTIONS (ABC)
· 60 MINUTE MAN (ABC)
· ALPHA MOM (NBC)
· ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (NETFLIX)
· BOOK OF DANIEL, THE (NBC)
· COMMUNITY SERVICE (NBC)
· CRUMBS (ABC)
· DEADWOOD (HBO)
· EMPIRE (ABC)
· ER (NBC)
· GOOD GIRLS DON'T (OXYGEN)
· GREAT MALONES, THE (NBC)
· HIDDEN PALMS (CW)
· I'M WITH HER (ABC)
· IN PLAIN SIGHT (USA)
· JERICHO (CBS)
· KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL (FOX)
· OC, THE (FOX)
· QUEER AS FOLK (SHOWTIME)
· SIX FEET UNDER (HBO)
· STARGATE ATLANTIS (SCI FI)
· STREET TIME (SHOWTIME)
· THAT '70S SHOW (FOX)
· 'TIL DEATH (FOX)
· UNTITLED PATRICIA HEATON PROJECT (ABC)
· WEST WING, THE (NBC)
· WINNING SEASON, THE (TNT)





[05/28/26 - 12:30 PM]
CNN to Air Expansive "The Fourth in America: Celebrating 250" Programming Including "Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy"
Throughout the night, Anderson and Andy will be joined by an array of special guests - including celebrated American icons, cultural legends, and inspiring everyday heroes whose stories reflect the spirit, resilience, and diversity of the United States.

[05/28/26 - 11:00 AM]
CBS Outpaces Competitors with Eight of the Top 25 Series Across All Streaming and Broadcast Originals in Nielsen's All-Series Ranker
CBS has the most top 25 series of any streaming or broadcast competitor and twice as many as its closest broadcast competitor, including six series with 10+ million viewers.

[05/28/26 - 10:31 AM]
Netflix's "The God of the Woods" Adds Damon Gupton, Susannah Perkins, Benjamin Walker, Nell Fisher & Autumn Molina
Previously announced cast members include Kerry Condon, Maya Hawke, and Ella Rubin.

[05/28/26 - 10:31 AM]
FOX Delivers Most-Watched UFL Game Since League Started in 2024
1,593,000 viewers watched as Louisville defeated Dallas 37-23 on Sunday.

[05/28/26 - 10:26 AM]
FOX Scores with 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
6,635,000 viewers watched Felix Rosenqvist edge David Malukas by 0.0233 seconds with a last-lap pass to win the Indy 500 Sunday on FOX.

[05/28/26 - 10:00 AM]
"Presidential 1776 Award" Special to Be Broadcast Tuesday, June 30 on CBS
The national final marks the conclusion of the first-ever Presidential 1776 Award competition, a nationwide civics challenge created to celebrate America's top high school students and their knowledge of our nation's founding principles.

[05/28/26 - 09:31 AM]
Video: BET Debuts Trailer and Announces Premiere Date for Original Docuseries "OG Stories" Hosted by Music and Film Mogul Damon Dash
This raw and candid series, hosted by record executive, film producer, director, and actor Damon Dash, will air weekly on BET over five weeks, beginning on June 17.

[05/28/26 - 09:21 AM]
Guy Fieri Serves Up Epic Food and Great Conversation in New Food Network YouTube Series "Guy's Feast Club"
From local joints to home-cooked spreads, Fieri caters to his guests' cravings by connecting over what he knows best - food.

[05/28/26 - 09:06 AM]
Karen Gillan Joins "Shrinking" Season 4
"Shrinking's" circle is expanding.

[05/28/26 - 09:05 AM]
Comedian Tom Segura's YMH Studios and FOX Creator Studios Seal Multi-Project Partnership
Under the agreement, FCS and YMH Studios will develop, finance, and produce a broad slate of original content to be released via YMH Studios' direct-to-consumer platforms.

[05/28/26 - 09:05 AM]
CBS News Names Investigative Journalist, Best-Selling Author and Filmmaker Nick Bilton Executive Producer of "60 Minutes"
"It is an extraordinary honor to lead the next chapter of '60 Minutes,' one of the most important journalism institutions in this nation's history," said Bilton.

[05/28/26 - 09:04 AM]
A&E's Two-Part Documentary "Scott Peterson: The New Evidence" to Premiere Thursday, July 16 at 9PM ET/PT and Friday, July 17 at 8PM ET/PT
The special revisits the investigation through the lens of newly surfaced evidence, presenting a fresh and deeply detailed perspective on a case that has remained both high-profile and deeply polarizing.

[05/28/26 - 09:00 AM]
The Summer That Changed Hollywood: Peacock Celebrates 25 Years of Universal's "Fast & Furious" Saga and DreamWorks Animation's "Shrek" Films
This June, shift into high gear and journey far, far away to celebrate 25 years of fast cars and fairy tales by revisiting both legendary franchises streaming exclusively on Peacock.

[05/28/26 - 09:00 AM]
Three All-New "The Simpsons" Episodes Streaming This Summer Exclusively on Disney+
The episodes include double-episode "Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition" streaming June 17, and full-length episodes "Simpsley" streaming July 3, and "Yellow Mirror" streaming August 26.

[05/28/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Gamechangers: The Ashlyn Harris Story" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
Soccer superstar Ashlyn Harris rose from a chaotic childhood, overcoming tragedy to become a two-time FIFA World Cup champion and USWNT hero.