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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!
CALIFORNICATION (Showtime) - The pay channel is expected to announce today it has ordered 12 episodes of the comedy pilot, about a writer (David Duchovny) who juggles a 16-year-old daughter (Madeleine Martin), an ex-wife (Natascha McElhone) whom he still cares for and an insatiable appetite for beautiful women. Tom Kapinos is behind the single-camera half-hour, which is being eyed for the post-"Weeds" slot beginning in August. Stephen Hopkins directed the pilot and is executive producing alongside Duchovny and Kapinos.
Commitment: Ordered to series (12 episodes)
Cast: David Duchovny (Hank Moody), Evan Handler (Charlie), Madeleine Martin (Becca Moody), Madeline Zima (Mia), Natascha McElhone (Karen Moody)
Writer: Tom Kapinos
Director: Stephen Hopkins
Executive Producers: David Duchovny, Stephen Hopkins, Tom Kapinos
Co-Executive Producer: Melanie Greene
Co-Producer: Kate Garwood
Studio: TBA
THE CAPTAIN (CBS) - Chris Klein ("American Dreamz") and comedian Al Madrigal have both joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a guy (Fran Kranz) who moves into an old Hollywood building. Klein is set as Marty, the guy's best friend, a successful financial planner. Madrigal then will play Jesus, the building's daytime doorman.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Al Madrigal (Jesus), Chris Klein (Marty), Fran Kranz (Josh), Jeffrey Tambor (Saul), JoAnna Garcia (Hope), Raquel Welch, Valerie Azlynn (Astrid)
Writer: John Hamburg
Director: John Hamburg
Executive Producers: John Hamburg
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television
HOUSE (FOX) - Co-executive producers Garrett Lerner and Russel Friend have inked a two-year overall deal with producer NBC Universal Television. The pact will cover their duties on the smash FOX series as well as up them to executive producers next season.
I'M IN HELL (CBS, New!) - Jason Biggs ("American Pie") is set to topline a new comedy pilot for the Eye, about a Wall Street maven who's killed in a Blackberry-related car accident only to be sent back devoid of all the trappings of his previous existence due to overcrowding in Hell. Aron Abrams and Greg Thompson ("Everybody Hates Chris") are behind the single-camera project, which they wrote and will executive produce for CBS Paramount Network Television. Biggs and his manager Peter Kiernan will also receive producing credits.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Jason Biggs (Nick)
Writers: Aron Abrams, Greg Thompson
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Aron Abrams, Greg Thompson
Producers: Jason Biggs, Peter Kiernan
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television
THE MIDDLE (ABC) - Ricki Lake ("Gameshow Marathon") has signed on for the lead role on the comedy pilot, about an extended lower-middle-class family in the Midwest. She'll play Frankie, the central character and the narrator of the show, a harried but game mom. Also cast are newcomers Brenna O'Brien, Atticus Shafer and Michael Mitchell as Sue, Brick and Elvis respectively.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Atticus Shafer (Brick), Brenna O'Brien (Sue), Michael Mitchell (Elvis), Ricki Lake (Frankie)
Writers: DeAnn Heline, Eileen Heisler
Director: Chris Koch
Executive Producers: DeAnn Heline, Eileen Heisler
Studio: Warner Bros. Television
REAPER (The CW) - Valarie Rae Miller ("Smith") is the latest to book a role on the drama pilot, about a young man (Bret Harrison) who essentially becomes Satan's bounty hunter, reclaiming souls that have somehow escaped from hell. No specifics about her character were released.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Bret Harrison (Sam), Nikki Reed (Andi), Rick Gonzalez, Tyler Labine (Sock), Valarie Rae Miller
Writers: Michele Fazekas, Tara Butters
Director: Kevin Smith
Executive Producers: Deborah Spera (The Mark Gordon Company), Mark Gordon (The Mark Gordon Company), Michele Fazekas, Tara Butters
Studio: ABC Television Studio
THE THICK OF IT (ABC) - Michael McKean is set to reteam with frequent collaborator Christopher Guest on the comedy pilot, about workers in the office of a low-level congressman. He'll play a dissipated former campaign manager who is now chief of staff.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Michael McKean, Oliver Platt, Rhea Seehorn (Ollie)
Writers: Mitchell Hurwitz, Richard Day
Director: Christopher Guest
Executive Producers: Armando Iannucci, Mitchell Hurwitz, Paul Telegdy (BBC Worldwide Productions), Richard Day
Studio: Sony Pictures Television
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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