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[05/04/07 - 06:09 PM]
Development Update: Week of April 30-May 4
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!
CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS) - Chris Mundy, a co-executive producer on the series, has inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with co-producer the ABC Television Studio. The pact covers his duties on the veteran drama, which is a lock to return next season. He'll also develop new series projects for the studio.
DIVORCE COURT/JUDGE ALEX (Syndication) - Twentieth Television has extended both syndicated series through the 2008-09 season. The former, hosted by Lynn Toler, is currently in its eighth season while the Alex Ferrer-hosted latter is in the middle of its sophomore run.
FAITHFUL/THE SPORTSWRITER (HBO, New!) - The pay channel is developing a pair of sports-themed mini-series. First up is a small screen take on Stephen King and Stewart O'Nan's tome "Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season." Bill Diamond is on board to pen the project, which would track how the team - through the eyes of fans, players and the front office - ended its 86-year drought and won the 2004 World Series over the course of six one-hour installments. Bill Haber, via his Ostar Productions will executive produce while Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner is expected to receive a producing credit. Also in the works is an adaptation of Richard Ford's Pulitzer Prize-winning book trilogy about the life of New Jersey sportswriter Frank Bascombe. The books - "The Sportswriter," "Independence Day" and "The Lay of the Land" - tell the story of Bascombe's life from Vietnam to 9/11. James Mangold ("Walk the Line") is set to direct the planned six-hour project, which will be written by Mark Bomback ("Live Free or Die Hard") with Mangold and Cathy Konrad executive producing through their Tree Line banner.
FARMER WANTS A WIFE (The CW, New!) - The netlet has given an eight-episode order to a new reality dating series in which 10 women fed up with big city dating are introduced to a country-fried bachelor who offers the promise of the simple life. FremantleMedia North America's Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Super Delicious principals Adam Cohen, Cara Tapper and Joanna Vernetti are all behind the project, which is based on a UK format. As for specifics, it's understood the women will compete for "the farmer's" attention via a series of challenges designed to test their adeptness at farm living with one woman being sent home each week.
THE LIFE & TIMES OF TIM/PLAYING CHICKEN (FOX) - Veteran producer Tom Werner has signed a two-year overall deal with Warner Bros. Television. The news comes on the heels of the dissolution of his Werner-Gold-Miller banner with former partners Eric Gold and Jimmy Miller. The pact, which won't affect his current commitments to the FOX comedy pilots "The Life & Times of Tim" and "Playing Chicken," calls for him to develop new series projects for the studio alongside the company's former chief Mike Clements.
OUR THIRTIES (ABC) - Warren Littlefield has signed a two-year overall deal with the ABC Television Studio. The pact will keep his Littlefield Co. based at the studio where he'll continue to develop new series projects with his company's chief Andy Bourne. His last effort - the ensemble comedy "Our Thirties" for ABC - didn't make the cut for the 2006-07 season.
PEEP SHOW (Spike TV, New!) - The cable channel is the latest network to take a crack at importing the popular British comedy, about the lives and romantic pursuits of two very different twentysomething men. Robert Weide ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") is on board to potentially write and direct the half-hour as well as executive produce alongside Andrew O'Connor, Phil Clarke and RDF USA's Chris Coelen. U.K.-based Objective and RDF subsidiary Pangea then will co-produce. It's not clear how the U.S. version will vary from the U.K. original, which often featured P.O.V. shots from the characters themselves.
SUNSET TAN (E!, New!) - The cable channel has issued a six-episode order to a new reality series about the lives and loves of staffers and clients of a Los Angeles tanning salon. The project, from Mechelle Collins and Kevin Dill's Intuitive Entertainment ("Blow Out"), is set to bow on Monday, May 28 at 10:30/9:30c following the fifth season launch of "The Simple Life." Subsequent episodes then will air on Sundays at 10:30/9:30c. Among the storylines mentioned for the first season: twins who want to tan their names on their bodies; a dead person whose final wish was to be tan; and a Hawaiian Santa Claus looking to get bronzed.
TMZ (Syndication) - "Intervention" executive producer Bryn Freedman has been tapped as the day-to-day showrunner of the upcoming syndicated newsmagazine. Technically though, she'll serve as a co-executive producer reporting to executive producers Harvey Levin, managing editor of TMZ.com, and Jim Paratore, founder of paraMedia Inc. Also signing on: Charles Latibeaudiere as a supervising producer, Lee Brownstein as the show's director and Dana DeMars as the executive in charge of production. Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution is behind the half-hour, which has been cleared on stations covering 95% of the country for a September 10 launch.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[05/23/25 - 11:39 PM]
Development Update: Week of May 19-23
Updates include: Prime Video cancels "The Wheel of Time" after three seasons; NBC rounds out cast of comedy pilot "Stumble"; and Starz opens writers' rooms for three projects.
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[05/23/25 - 08:02 AM]
ESPN Selects Top Major League Baseball Rivalries for "Sunday Night Baseball" on June 8 and June 15
The New York Yankees to host Boston Red Sox on June 8; and Los Angeles Dodgers to host San Francisco Giants on June 15.
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[05/23/25 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Grenfell: Uncovered" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Survivors, witnesses and experts tell the story of the tragic fire that engulfed a residential tower block in London - and the investigation that ensued.
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[05/22/25 - 02:02 PM]
Bravo's "Top Chef" Heads to Milan for Season 22 Finale
Host Kristen Kish, head judge Tom Colicchio and perennial judge Gail Simmons are also joined at the final table by culinary powerhouses Richard Blais, Carlo Cracco, Sarah Cicolini, Tim Flores, Gregory Gourdet, Genie Kwon, Santiago Lastra, Hunter Lewis and Clare Smyth.
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[05/22/25 - 01:02 PM]
"Soaring to Life: The Making of How to Train Your Dragon" Special to Air Friday, June 6 at 8 P.M. on NBC and Next Day on Peacock
The film opens in theaters nationwide on June 13.
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[05/22/25 - 12:39 PM]
Summer Heats Up with New Sizzling Viaplay Original Series "Mafia" and "In the Name of Love" as Streamer Announces July and August U.S. Premieres
Other highlights include "Johanna Möller - Sweden's Most Hated Woman" on Thursday, July 10.
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[05/22/25 - 12:18 PM]
"Survivor" Finale Is CBS' Most-Watched Wednesday in a Year
The three-hour season 48 finale was the #1 broadcast of the night among Adults 25-54 with 0.9.
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[05/22/25 - 11:31 AM]
FOX Nation to Present Patriotic-Themed Programming Ahead of Memorial Day 2025
Additionally, Martha MacCallum will host a new episode of "The Final Journey of the Forgotten Warriors," sharing the stories of Korean War Veterans that fought for our country during "The Forgotten War."
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[05/22/25 - 10:03 AM]
Josh Hartnett to Star in Newfoundland Limited Series at Netflix
He'll play a hard-bitten fisherman whose remote town is being terrorized by a mysterious sea creature.
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[05/22/25 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art - Hulu Original "Atsuko Okatsuka: Father"
Premiering on Friday, June 13 on Hulu, this is the eighth original special in Hulu's new stand-up comedy slate, Hularious.
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[05/22/25 - 09:07 AM]
"The Other Bennet Sister" Finds Its Mary Ella Bruccoleri to Star in New BritBox Drama Based on the Best-Selling Novel by Janice Hadlow
Bruccoleri will take on the role of one of Jane Austen's most unassuming characters: Mary Bennet - the seemingly unremarkable and overlooked middle sister in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
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[05/22/25 - 09:06 AM]
Discovery's Annual "Shark Week" Kicks Off July 20th, 2025 at 8PM ET/PT
A full programming schedule for "Shark Week" will be distributed in the coming weeks.
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[05/22/25 - 09:04 AM]
Prime Video Announces July 9 Premiere Date for "Ballard"
The series, the latest in the Bosch universe, will debut all 10 episodes exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on Wednesday, July 9.
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[05/22/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "KPop Demon Hunters" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey aren't selling out stadiums, they're using their secret identities as demon hunters to protect their fans from ever-present supernatural danger.
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[05/22/25 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Rosario Tijeras (Mexico)" Season 4 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Years after Rosario's sacrifice, her legend haunts her daughter, Ruby. As the teen's life takes a dangerous turn, secrets from her past begin to unravel.
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