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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 signature "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!
ACTION NEWS (FOX) - Aimee Garcia ("The George Lopez Show") and Paul Campbell ("Battlestar Galactica") have both joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about recently reunited co-anchors (Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton) at a Buffalo TV station. Garcia will play Montana Stevens, who's described in the casting notice as: "Mid 20s. Action News' weather anchor. In an extreme-weather city, you need a forecaster with expertise. Instead, Buffalo gets former-child-beauty-pageant-winner Montana Stevens. Living her childhood dream of a career in television, Montana is a sexy, perky ray of sunshine, in those rare instances when she's not overcome with insecurity and doubt. Montana has most men wrapped around her finger, especially Nate." Campbell then is set as Nate Resink, who's detailed as: "26-32. Nate is the News Director at Action News, a smart young corporate-type whose sole mission is to get Action News back to number one. While he lacks a news background (management sent him over from the sales department), that never stops him from enthusiastically suggesting ways to "take the snooze out of the news." He is determined to not get steamrolled by Chuck, but usually does. He's equally determined not to be manipulated by the flirty weather girl, Montana, but usually loses that battle as well."
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Aimee Garcia (Montana Stevens), Fred Willard, Kelsey Grammer (Chuck Tatham), Patricia Heaton (Patty Carr), Paul Campbell (Nate Resink)
Writers: Christopher Lloyd, Steven Levitan
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Christopher Lloyd (Levitan-Lloyd Productions), Steven Levitan (Levitan-Lloyd Productions)
Studio: 20th Century Fox Television
ALL FALL DOWN (ABC) - James Brolin ("Wedding Wars") and Misha Collins ("24") have both landed roles on the drama pilot, about a successful Atlanta lawyer (Alyssa Milano) who returns to her messy family in Savannah, Georgia with her newborn son. They'll play the father and brother of Milano's character, respectively. The former is further detailed as a charismatic, larger-than-life family attorney.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Alyssa Milano (Annie), James Brolin, Mary Steenburgen (Claire), Misha Collins (Joey)
Writer: Rina Mimoun
Director: Lawrence Trilling
Executive Producers: Rina Mimoun
Studio: Warner Bros. Television
THE APOSTLES (FOX) - Jessalyn Gilsig ("Heroes") has landed a role on the drama pilot, about the off-duty lives of cops and their families. She's set as Christine Rydell, an L.A.P.D. lieutenant in internal affairs.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Jessalyn Gilsig (Christine Rydell), Keith Robinson (Preacher), Leslie Hope, Shawn Hatosy (Peter), Yara Martinez (Erin)
Writer: Charles Pratt, Jr.
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Charles Pratt, Jr.
Studio: 20th Century Fox Television
CASHMERE MAFIA (ABC) - Lucy Liu ("Ugly Betty") has booked one of the principal roles on the drama pilot, about four successful female executives in New York. She'll play Dylan, one of the quartet.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Frances O'Connor (Zoe), Julian Ovenden (Eric), Lucy Liu (Dylan), Miranda Otto (Caitlin)
Writer: Kevin Wade
Director: Peyton Reed
Executive Producers: Darren Star (Darren Star Productions), Gail Katz, Kevin Wade
Co-Executive Producer: Susie Fitzgerald (Darren Star Productions)
Studio: Sony Pictures Television
DASH 4 CASH (The CW) - Kelsey Grammer and Steve Stark's Grammnet Productions has inked a one-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television, The pact, which begins in June and has an option for a second year, is the first of its kind for company outside of CBS Paramount Network Television, where it has been based for almost 15 years. The deal won't affect any of the company's series currently based at the studio - "Girlfriends," "The Game" and "Medium" - or its CW comedy pilot "Dash 4 Cash."
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: TBA
Writers: Boyce Bugliari, Jamie McLaughlin
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Kelsey Grammer (Grammnet Productions), Steve Stark (Grammnet Productions)
Co-Executive Producers: Boyce Bugliari, Jamie McLaughlin
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television
GENERATION KILL (HBO) - The cable channel has greenlit the mini-series, based on Evan Wright's book about his experiences as an embedded reporter with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion during the Iraq war's first phase in 2003. In addition, David Simon and Ed Burns ("The Wire") have come aboard to co-write and executive produce the project alongside Company Pictures' George Faber and Charles Pattinson ("Elizabeth I"). The pair will take over for Adi Hasak, who was originally attached to pen the project. As for specifics, the mini-series will reportedly be shot as seven one-hour installments with production on the six-month shoot set to begin this summer in Namibia, Mozambique and South Africa. Andrea Calderwood ("The Last King of Scotland") is producing while Nina Noble will serve as a co-executive producer.
Commitment: In production
Cast: TBA
Writers: David Simon, Ed Burns
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Charles Pattinson (Company Pictures), David Simon, Ed Burns, George Faber (Company Pictures)
Co-Executive Producer: Nina Noble
Producer: Andrea Calderwood
Studio: Company Pictures
LAS VEGAS (NBC) - In addition to its renewal for the 2007-08 season (read the story), the Peacock has confirmed cast members James Caan and Nikki Cox will not return for the show's fifth go around. "I've had a wonderful four years, worked with great people and made friends for life working on 'Las Vegas,'" Caan said in a statement. "But I'm eager to return to where my heart is, which is film, and due to the show's schedule, I've missed some great opportunities to do that." As for Cox, her departure is said to stem from efforts to reduce the show's budget. "I'm very sad and shocked," Cox said (through a spokesperson). "I wish them all the best of luck and had a great time working on the shows."
LAW & ORDER (NBC) - Rick Eid, who currently serves as a co-executive producer on the flagship "Law & Order" series, has inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with NBC Universal Television. The pact, which begins this spring, calls for him to develop new series projects for the studio.
LOS DUQUES (CBS) - Eddie Matos ("General Hospital") has signed onto the drama pilot, about the lives of three generations of the Duques, a powerful Latin American family. He'll play Henry Duque, the youngest brother of Jimmy Smits' character.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Eddie Matos (Henry Duque), Jimmy Smits (Alex Vega), Nestor Carbonell (Frank Duque)
Writer: Cynthia Cidre
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Cynthia Cidre, Jimmy Iovine (Interscope Records), Jimmy Smits (El Sendero Productions), Jonathan Prince, Polly Anthony (Interscope Records)
Studios: ABC Television Studio, CBS Paramount Network Television
SKYLER'S REVOLUTION (FOX, New!) - Skyler Stone ("Con") has scored a pilot presentation order for a new improv series along the lines of MTV's "Punk'd." The Warner Horizon Television-based project, which Stone will executive produce alongside McG and Trip Taylor, centers on real people who are taken out and sent to live out various adventures. Ahmed Ahmed, Jesse Heiman, Zach Johnson, Jessica Coccoli and Matt Wheeler also star with Wonderland Sound and Vision's Peter Johnson also serving as a co-executive producer.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot (7-10 minute presentation)
Cast: Ahmed Ahmed, Jesse Heiman, Jessica Coccoli, Matt Wheeler, Skyler Stone, Zach Johnson
Writer: Skyler Stone
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: McG (Wonderland Sound and Vision), Skyler Stone, Trip Taylor
Co-Executive Producer: Peter Johnson (Wonderland Sound and Vision)
Studio: Warner Horizon Television
UNTITLED GABE SACHS/JEFF JUDAH PROJECT (ABC) - Kym Whitley ("Standoff") has scored a role on the comedy pilot, about the lives of co-workers at a top law firm. She'll play Theresa, the team's paralegal.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Ashley Williams (Julie), Ayda Field (Elise), Kym Whitley (Theresa)
Writers: Gabe Sachs, Jeff Judah
Director: Gary Halvorson
Executive Producers: Gabe Sachs, Jeff Judah
Studio: ABC Television Studio
UNTITLED VICTORIA PILE PROJECT (ABC) - Kathleen Rose Perkins ("Help Me Help You") is the first to be cast in the comedy pilot, about the eccentric characters at a police precinct. She'll play Zoe Sherman, an unspecified character in the half-hour.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Kathleen Rose Perkins (Zoe Sherman)
Writer: Victoria Pile
Director: Victoria Pile
Executive Producers: Chris Godsick, Victoria Pile
Studios: ABC Television Studio, CBS Paramount Network Television
UP ALL NIGHT (CBS) - Andy Ackerman ("Rules of Engagement") has signed on to direct the sitcom pilot, about a group of people who hang out at a bar from midnight-6 a.m.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: TBA
Writer: Scott Silveri
Director: Andy Ackerman
Executive Producers: Scott Silveri
Studio: Warner Bros. Television
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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