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LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
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2007-2008 SEASON PILOTS (Various) - New titles have been issued for a quartet of pilots - The CW's drama "I'm Paige Armstrong" is now dubbed "I'm Paige Wilson," Maggie Friedman's previously untitled CW drama is now running under the title "Spellbound," Greg Garcia's comedy "Fugly" for CBS has been rebranded "The Stumps of Hollywood" and Jon Harmon Feldman's "Bedrooms & Boardrooms" for ABC is now reportedly running under the moniker "Perfect Gentlemen."
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (NBC) - The Peacock has commissioned six additional scripts for the freshman drama as it moves closer toward a second season renewal. The series, which wraps its season tonight, however isn't expected to receive a formal pick up until the network's upfront presentation next month.
LAS VEGAS (NBC) - Tom Selleck ("Boston Legal") is understood to be in talks to join the cast of the series next season. He'd play the smart, powerful, fun-loving new owner of Montecito Resort & Casino, a role designed to fill the void left by the exit of James Caan. No other details were given.
POP DYNASTY (CBS, New!) - Jermaine, Tito and LaToya Jackson are set to team with Jamie Foxx, Marcus King and Greg Shelton for a potential new "American Idol"-esque competition designed to find a new superstar singing family (a la the Jacksons). The project, which is expected to receive an eight-episode order, will follow the performance/elimination format used by "Idol" with an additional focus on the personal aspects of the families and how they interact as a group. The Jacksons will all serve as judges with Foxx, King and Shelton executive producing alongside Halima Rashid, Steve Kroopnick and Triage Entertainment's Stu Schreiberg.
Commitment: Ordered to series (eight episodes)
Cast: Jermaine Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Tito Jackson
Writer: TBA
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Greg Shelton, Halima Rashid, Jamie Foxx, Jermaine Jackson, Marcus King, Steve Kroopnick, Stu Schreiberg
Studio: Triage Entertainment
REUNITED: THE REAL WORLD (MTV, New!) - The cable channel reportedly has ordered six episodes of a "Real World" reunion series featuring the Las Vegas cast members. Production is set to begin at the Palms Casino Resort next week for a potential spring premiere. Bunim-Murray Productions is behind the project with Jon Murray and Jim Johnston serving as executive producers. Ken Chien will also serve as a supervising producer.
Commitment: Ordered to series (six episodes)
Cast: Alton Williams, Arissa Hill, Brynn Smith, Frank Roessler, Irulan Wilson, Steven Hill, Trishelle Cannatella
Writer: TBA
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Jim Johnston, Jon Murray
Supervising Producer: Ken Chien
Studio: Bunim-Murray Productions
SWINGTOWN (CBS) - Kyle Searles ("7th Heaven") and newcomer Aaron Howles have both landed roles on the drama pilot, about the effect that developments like wife swapping and key parties had on American families in the 1970s. Searles will play Logan Rhode, a stoner friend of Shanna Collins's character, while Howles is set as Bruce "B.J." Miller, Jr., the son of Jack Davenport's character.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Aaron Howles (Bruce "B.J." Miller, Jr.), Brittany Robertson (Samantha Saxton), Grant Show (Tom Decker), Jack Davenport (Bruce Miller), Josh Hopkins (Roger Thompson), Kyle Searles (Logan Rhode), Lana Parrilla (Trina Decker), Miriam Shor (Jill Thompson), Molly Parker (Gail Sexton), Shanna Collins (Laurie Miller)
Writer: Mike Kelley
Director: Alan Poul
Executive Producers: Mike Kelley
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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