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[05/25/07 - 07:19 PM]
Development Update: Week of May 21-25
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!
BREAKING BAD (AMC) - The cable channel is reportedly close to ordering the drama pilot to series. The project stars Bryan Cranston ("Malcolm in the Middle") as a middle-aged New Mexico high school teacher who becomes a crystal-meth dealer after he learns he has terminal cancer. Vince Gilligan is behind the hour, which is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Mark Johnson�s Gran Via Productions.
CARPOOLERS (ABC) - Sitcom veteran Marsh McCall ("20 Good Years") has been tapped as the executive producer/showrunner of the upcoming comedy, which follows the lives of four men (Fred Goss, Jerry Minor, Jerry O'Connell, Tim Peper) who carpool to work together each day. Said involvement is tied to McCall's overall deal with producer ABC Studios. Creator Bruce McCulloch, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and David Miner also serve as executive producers on the half-hour.
CASHMERE MAFIA (ABC) - Writer/producer Jeff Rake ("Bones") is set to join the midseason drama as its executive producer/showrunner. Rake recently reupped his two-year overall deal with producer Sony Pictures Television. It's understood he'll stay focused on "Mafia" for the next two years, turning to development after that. Darren Star, Gail Katz and creator Kevin Wade also serve as executive producers on the project, which stars Lucy Liu, Frances O'Connor, Miranda Otto and Bonnie Somerville as four successful female executives, friends since college, who rely on one another as they juggle the demands of career, family, hard choices and high ambitions in New York.
DATELINE NBC (NBC) - The Peacock has opted not to renew the contract of its veteran anchor Stone Phillips, who has been with the series since its launch in 1992. It's understood he won't be replaced when it expires in June. Co-anchor Ann Curry then will instead serve as the main anchor of the newsmagazine, which will return next season on Saturday nights in the fall and Sunday nights after football wraps.
GAY ROBOT (Comedy Central) - The comedy pilot, about a robot who discovers after an unfortunate incident involving a wine cooler and his circuit boards that he is gay, is reportedly being redeveloped as an animated project by Comedy Central and Sony Pictures Television. Nick Swardson co-wrote the original pilot (as well as voiced the title character) with Tom Gianas and executive produced alongside Happy Madison's Adam Sandler, Jack Giarraputo and Doug Robinson. Said development is apparently the result of positive feedback from the pilot and various clips being available on such sites as MySpace (where Gay Robot has his own page), BitTorrent and Sony-owned Grouper.
THE LAST LARRY (Comedy Central, New!) - Dana Gould ("The Simpsons") is developing a "Shaun of the Dead"-esque sitcom at the cable channel set in a post-apocalyptic world in which the few remaining survivors are trying to get on with their lives. The network has commissioned a script for the project, which Gould will write, executive produce and potentially star in. Tom Lassally and Dave Becky of 3 Arts Entertainment will also serve as executive producers. Gould most recently served as co-executive producer on the FOX comedy, exiting after the show's 18th production cycle last fall.
LAW & ORDER (NBC) - Rene Balcer, who has been attached to the franchise since its first season (not to mention developed spin-off series "Criminal Intent"), is moving back to the mothership for the show's 18th season. The veteran returned to the drama this past spring, helping shape the last batch of episodes. This season he'll take over for Nick Wooton as showrunner, a role which he previously served from 1996-2001.
LIFE (NBC) - "House" mainstay Daniel Sackheim has come aboard the freshman drama as an executive producer. The move comes as the director/producer inks a new two-year overall deal with NBC Universal Television Studio, the producer of both "House" and "Life." There he'll serve alongside creator Rand Ravich and fellow executive producer Far Shariat.
OCTOBER ROAD (ABC) - Co-creators Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec have landed a seven-figure, multiyear overall deal with ABC Studios, the show's producer. The pact will cover their duties on the show's sophomore season as well as any future development. It's understood the deal was signed prior to ABC renewing the series for a second season, a sure sign of the studio's faith in the duo.
UGLY BETTY (ABC) - Bill Wrubel ("Will & Grace") has inked a two-year overall deal with ABC Studios. The pact calls for the writer/producer to come aboard "Betty" as a co-executive producer as well as develop new series projects for the studio. Wrubel's addition comes as "Betty's" writing staff goes through a heavy turnaround. At least five writers have been let go to date. On the flip side, Dawn DeKayser ("The Geena Davis Show") has joined the staff as a producer.
THE WATCH (NBC) - Charles McDougall, who helmed ABC's drama pilot "Big Shots" this past development season, has signed on to direct the hour, about a suburban Neighborhood Watch group gone awry. His involvement lifts the director-contingency off the pilot's production. Ed Decter and John J. Strauss are behind the Sony Pictures Television/Pariah-based project, which is also executive produced by Gavin Polone and Jamie Tarses.
WEEDS (Showtime) - Andy Milder, who plays Dean Hodes, the husband to Elizabeth Perkins's character, has been upped to series regular for the show's third season. Look for the show's junior go around to launch on Monday, August 13 at 10:00/9:00c.
WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB (ABC) - "ER" alum R. Scott Gemmill has come aboard the drama as its showrunner while Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts ("Pepper Dennis") have also signed on as co-executive producers. The group, each of which has an overall deal with producer 20th Century Fox Television, will serve alongside executive producers Liz Craft, Sarah Fain, James Patterson, Brett Ratner and Joe Simpson. "Club" stars Angie Harmon, Laura Harris, Aubrey Dollar, Paula Newsome as four girlfriends who solve tough murder cases in San Francisco.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[05/24/18 - 10:30 AM]
"Baskets" Renewed for a Fourth Season on FX
"'Baskets' continues to deliver thanks to the dream creative team led by Jonathan Krisel and Zach Galifianakis, and we couldn't be happier to order a fourth season to air next year," Eric Schrier said.
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[05/24/18 - 10:03 AM]
Showtime(R) to Air Uninterrupted "Twin Peaks" Emmy(R) FYC Marathon on Saturday, June 2
In addition, all parts are also available to subscribers on multiple television and streaming providers' devices, websites and applications and their free On Demand channels.
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[05/24/18 - 10:00 AM]
Ben Stiller, Lauren Graham, Anne Hathaway, Connie Britton, Minnie Driver, Olivia Munn and Retta Join "The Red Nose Day Special"
As previously announced, Jack Black, Jennifer Garner, Kristen Bell, Kelly Clarkson, Julia Roberts, Ed Sheeran, Marlon Wayans, Sean Hayes, Zooey Deschanel, Tony Hale, Sasheer Zamata, Jane Lynch, Akbar Gbajabiamila, Matt Iseman and Jack McBrayer will also participate in the special.
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[05/24/18 - 09:29 AM]
CMT Reveals New Summer Programming Slate
"Bachelorette Weekend," premiering Thursday, August 2, follows the staff of Bach Weekend, a Nashville-based company specializing in creating once-in-a-lifetime bachelor/bachelorette experiences for would-be brides and grooms celebrating their final fling before the ring.
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[05/24/18 - 09:05 AM]
Pop Superstar Meghan Trainor to Perform on The 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards
Trainor joins the RDMA line-up of previously announced performers Charlie Puth and Maddie Poppe.
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[05/24/18 - 08:47 AM]
"CMT Crossroads" Heats Up Downtown Nashville with Outdoor Event Featuring Leon Bridges and Luke Combs Premiering Thursday, June 28 at 10PM ET/PT
The one-hour show will feature chart-topping hits as well as new songs from both critically-acclaimed artists.
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[05/24/18 - 08:18 AM]
Wednesday's Broadcast Ratings: FOX Wins Finale Showdown Among Adults 18-49
"Empire" powers the network to a demo victory over CBS and its "Survivor" closer.
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[05/24/18 - 08:14 AM]
"Northern Rescue" Coming Soon to Netflix
After the death of his wife Sarah, John West (William Baldwin) packs up his three children and moves from their hectic urban life to his small northern hometown to take command of the local Search & Rescue service.
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[05/24/18 - 08:07 AM]
Get Your Tissues Ready! "Queer Eye" Season Two Debuts June 15
"Queer Eye" is back and ready to transform the stylistically challenged into hip and happening savants at the hands of the new Fab Five.
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[05/24/18 - 07:52 AM]
Smithsonian Channel(TM) Launches Groundbreaking New Series "The Pacific War in Color"
The groundbreaking new eight-part series traces the epic struggle of the Pacific War using rare and never-before-seen color visuals from every corner of the conflict.
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[05/24/18 - 07:22 AM]
ESPN's Coverage of NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 Up 30 Percent From 2017
ESPN spins the numbers for Wednesday, May 23.
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[05/24/18 - 06:30 AM]
CBS' "The Late Late Show with James Corden" Returns to Broadcast Special Episodes from the Historic Central Hall Westminster in London, June 18-21
Corden will host a star-studded lineup of guests in his native country, including Cher, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Niall Horan and Foo Fighters.
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[05/23/18 - 09:26 PM]
CBS to Pull the Plug on "Code Black" After Three Seasons
Executive producer Michael Seitzman took to Twitter with the news this evening.
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[05/23/18 - 12:14 PM]
ESPN and ESPN+ to Become Exclusive Media Home of UFC in the U.S.
Starting in January 2019, ESPN+ and ESPN become the exclusive digital and linear distributors in the United States for UFC, showcasing 42 live events, 30 of which will feature a full card of 12 UFC bouts.
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[05/23/18 - 12:08 PM]
Commit to Real Love Every Tuesday Night on Lifetime with New Seasons of "Married at First Sight" and "Seven Year Switch"
Joining the schedule on Wednesday nights is the new docuseries "Seatbelt Psychic," following renowned psychic medium Thomas John as he brings his gift of communicating with the dead to the masses, one car ride at a time.
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