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[04/20/07 - 05:59 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday-Friday, April 18-20
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
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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!
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC) - "Frasier" alums Anne Flett-Giordano and Chuck Ranberg ("The Game") as well as Lori Kirkland Baker ("Freddie") are all set to join the writing staff of the dramedy next season. The trio will also serve as co-executive producers. Said additions are understood to fill the void left by exiting executive producer/co-showrunner (and fellow "Frasier" alum) Joe Keenan.
DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS (NBC, New!) - Christian Slater ("Alone in the Dark") is set to topline a potential new drama at the Peacock from writer/producers Mark Cullen and Robb Cullen ("Las Vegas"). Slater's official web site details the project as follows: "It's all about America and the things that get swept under the carpet. Im playing a charecter named 'John Manners', a journalistic investigator who pushes the envelope." Dee Johnson ("Commander-In-Chief") penned the original pilot script, which the Cullens are set to polish. The trio then will executive produce alongside Armyan Bernstein ("Children of Men") and Laurie Zaks for the ABC Television Studio and Bernstein's Beacon banner.
GHOST WHISPERER (CBS) - P.K. Simonds ("Point Pleasant") has come aboard as an executive producer of the Eye's supernatural drama. He'll serve alongside fellow executive producers John Gray, Kim Moses and Ian Sander should the series return for a third season this fall.
MICHAEL IAN BLACK DOESN'T UNDERSTAND (Comedy Central, New!) - "Stella" co-creator Michael Ian Black has booked a pilot order for a new pop culture-themed variety series which will incorporate everything from sketch comedy, field segments and studio bits. Black will host and executive produce the potential half-hour alongside Jim Biederman ("Kids in the Hall") with Michael Showalter ("Reno 911!: Miami") serving as a co-executive producer and Black's manager Ted Schachter as a producer.
SIDE ORDER OF LIFE (Lifetime) - Michael Pavone ("Prison Break") has been tapped as an executive producer on the upcoming drama series, about a young magazine photographer (Marisa Coughlan) who suddenly re-evaluates her life and impending nuptials after learning some life-altering news. He'll serve alongside executive producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen as well as creator/co-executive producer Margaret Nagle.
SLACKER CATS (ABC Family) - The cable channel reportedly will announce next week it has given a series order to a redeveloped version of the 2001 WB animated pilot of the same name, about two - you guessed it - slacker cats. Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley are still behind the half-hour, which was directed by Seth Kearsley ("Family Guy"). Paul Harrod ("The PJs") helmed the original five minute presentation, which was also executive produced by Jeffrey Auerbach ("Corpse Bride"), Tom Turpin ("The PJs") and Will Vinton ("The PJs") via the latter's Will Vinton Studios. IDT Entertainment and Film Roman are co-producing the ABC Family series.
TRAP TEAM (NBC, New!) - John McLaughlin ("Point Pleasant") and Dario Scardapane ("The Darkling") are developing a new drama at the network about a cop's careerlong pursuit of an elusive serial killer. Joe Carnahan ("Narc") reportedly is in talks to direct the hour, which is set up at Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey's NBC Universal Television-based Film 44 banner. McLaughlin, Scardapane, Berg and Aubrey then will executive produce with Film 44's John Cameron serving as a co-executive producer.
UNTITLED ERIK BORK PROJECT (NBC, New!) - Erik Bork ("Just Legal") has landed a script commitment from the Peacock for a new drama about an alpha female boss who shakes up a male-dominated workplace. The untitled hour is based at Dave Bartis and Doug Liman's ("Mr. & Mrs. Smith") NBC Universal Television-based Dutch Oven banner. All three then will serve as executive producers.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[03/27/26 - 03:16 PM]
Official Trailer for HBO's Harry Potter Series, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," Shatters Records as HBO and HBO Max's Most-Watched Ever by More Than Double, Amassing +277 Million Organic Views in 48 Hours
The series will debut Christmas 2026 on HBO and will be available to stream exclusively on HBO Max.
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[03/27/26 - 01:01 PM]
Hugely Popular "Chicago" Series Set to Return to NBC in the Fall
"Chicago Fire" will begin its 15th season in the fall, "Chicago P.D." its 14th and "Chicago Med" its 12th.
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[03/27/26 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Rounds Out Cast of "Kennedy" with Production Underway in London
The new drama series based on Fredrik Logevall's book, "JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956," will explore the triumphs and tragedies of the Kennedy family from Chernin Entertainment.
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[03/27/26 - 09:48 AM]
FOX Sports Assembles Top-Tier Roster for 2026 Major League Baseball Regular Season Coverage
Entering their fifth season together, first-ballot Hall of Famer John Smoltz and Emmy Award-winning play-by-play announcer Joe Davis call FOX Sports' top regular season and playoff games.
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[03/27/26 - 09:46 AM]
ABC News Is #1 in Total Viewers in Late-Night, Friday Night and Sunday Morning
"20/20" scored its best Adults 25-54 performance in 11 months.
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[03/27/26 - 09:21 AM]
"The Morning Show" News Incoming - Sean Hayes Joins the Cast of Season 5
Apple TV confirmed the news on social media this morning.
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[03/27/26 - 08:01 AM]
HBO Original Documentary Series "The Dark Wizard" Debuts April 14
The four-part documentary series is an up-close and unflinching portrait of Dean Potter, one of the world's most influential and controversial climbers, BASE jumpers, and highline walkers.
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[03/27/26 - 07:01 AM]
ESPN Original "Why Not Us: UMES Volleyball" to Premiere March 30
Presented by Andscape and produced by Sport & Story, the latest installment follows the inspiring journey of the newly formed men's volleyball team at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore - the first men's volleyball program at a Division I HBCU.
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[03/26/26 - 02:05 PM]
"The Madison" Marks Taylor Sheridan's Biggest Debut Season Launch with 8 Million Views Globally for Paramount+
The debut of the six-part series also marks the biggest freshman season launch for the prolific creator among women 35+.
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[03/26/26 - 12:49 PM]
Apple Original Films Lands New Sci-Fi Thriller "Liminal"
Starring Vanessa Kirby and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, the feature will be directed by Louis Leterrier.
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[03/26/26 - 12:01 PM]
"After the Flood" Returns to BritBox: Tensions Rise in High-Stakes Season Two Premiere
Other April highlights include "A Taste For Murder," "Silent Witness," and "Death in Paradise."
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[03/26/26 - 12:00 PM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Added on April 8
The game replaces the previously scheduled Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons matchup.
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[03/26/26 - 11:30 AM]
BET and Paramount+ Announce the Sixth Season Renewal of Multi-Emmy-Nominated Comedy "The Ms. Pat Show"
The upcoming season will be among the first BET originals to stream on Paramount+, which becomes the new streaming home for BET content beginning in June, bringing the beloved series to a global platform with nearly 80 million subscribers.
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[03/26/26 - 11:01 AM]
"Saturday Night Live" Springs Into April with Back-to-Back Episodes
Jack Black and Colman Domingo will host on April 4 and April 11, respectively.
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[03/26/26 - 10:03 AM]
Sony Pictures Television Advertiser Sales Heads Into 2026 Upfront Bringing Advertisers Branded Content Opportunities Within High Volume of Originals and a Safe Harbor of Entertainment Programming
The studio continues to elevate its media investment opportunities for advertisers through Game Show Network, a top 10 cable network and a top five general entertainment network.
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