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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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[11/05/26 - 01:00 PM]
FOX Entertainment Studios Signs First Look Deal with Cottage Industry Entertainment
The deal encompasses a slate of scripted television series and feature films based on both original projects and literary adaptations, including "The Whittiers," the New York Times bestselling novel by Danielle Steel, which FOX has recently optioned for television adaptation.
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[11/05/26 - 12:01 PM]
HBO Original Documentary "The Hotline" Debuts November 18
The film offers an unprecedented look inside an overdose prevention helpline Never Use Alone (NUA), which connects people using opioids with compassionate operators, acting as a fragile tether between life and death.
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[11/05/26 - 10:31 AM]
Video: HBO Max Unveils Official Trailer for HBO Original Documentary Series "The Killing of the Golden Rooster" Debuting November 12
All three episodes will be available on HBO Max beginning November 12.
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[11/05/26 - 10:31 AM]
"Clarkson's Farm" Star Kaleb Cooper Headlines New Series "Kaleb Off the Farm," Coming to Prime Video January 8
The show follows Kaleb's adventures Down Under as he heads from Diddly Squat Farm to the Outback, in search of farming gold in Australia.
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[11/05/26 - 10:01 AM]
NBC Releases "The Rockford Files" Premiere Date & (760) JIM-ROCK Hotline
The premiere episode will air Saturday, Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT immediately following NBC's NFL telecast.
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[11/05/26 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Docu-Comedy Series "Oobah: Scams for a Better Tomorrow" Debuts November 22
Known for his viral stunts, including creating London's #1-rated fake restaurant, Oobah Butler sets his sights on the world's biggest industries and most powerful institutions.
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[11/05/26 - 09:30 AM]
"Yaga" Is the #1 Exclusive Series Launch in the History of AMC+
The series also charted as the #1 social drama across all U.S. TV and streaming on its premiere day.
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[11/05/26 - 09:21 AM]
Video: "Get Huge: Looksmaxxing to Death" - Official Trailer - Hulu
What happened to Leo Longevity? From Academy Award winner Adam McKay comes a Hulu original documentary.
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[11/05/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Style Wars" - Official Trailer - Hulu
72 fashion fanatics face off on a stage where looks, age, profession, experience, and fame mean nothing compared to the fit. Who will rise to the top?
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[11/05/26 - 09:01 AM]
Hallmark Christmas Cruise 2027 to Set Sail Aboard Celebrity Reflection
With overwhelming fan demand leading to sold-out cruises every year since its inaugural sailings in 2024, the Hallmark Christmas Cruise is a can't-miss holiday tradition with joyful fun and immersive programming that create lasting memories.
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[11/05/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Andrew Yancy Is Back in New Trailer for "Bad Monkey" Season Two
It will make its global debut on Apple TV with one episode on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through February 3, 2027.
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[11/05/26 - 09:00 AM]
Chris Pratt to Receive King of Comedy Award at "CBS Presents Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards (KCAs)"
Pratt will receive the coveted Silver Blimp in celebration of his career, before facing Nickelodeon's iconic slime.
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[11/05/26 - 08:31 AM]
Record Breaking Comedian Nate Bargatze Sets Fourth Netflix Stand-Up Special "Good for Nathan"
The special, premiering November 24, was filmed in Fort Worth, Texas.
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[11/05/26 - 08:01 AM]
Jonathan Pryce, James D'Arcy, Lena Olin, Camille Cottin, Alun Armstrong, Jessica Raine and Paul Ready join Sky Original "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
Produced by Left Bank Pictures, the eight-part mystery thriller is a timely evolution of one of the world's most celebrated literary thriller franchises, with the Millennium novels having sold more than 100 million copies worldwide.
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[11/05/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Witness a Savage Homecoming in the Final Season of "Yellowjackets" Premiering November 20
"Yellowjackets" is the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness.
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