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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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[05/06/24 - 11:41 AM]
Bravo's "Vanderpump Rules" Three-Part Reunion Begins May 14 at 8 P.M. ET/PT
Extended and uncensored versions of the shocking reunion will be available to stream next day on Peacock.
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[05/06/24 - 10:36 AM]
ABC Thursday Dramas Dominate as "9-1-1," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Station 19" Deliver Stellar Multiplatform Audiences for Season Premieres
The "9-1-1" season debut also marked ABC's top MP+35 premiere in Total Viewers for the 2023-2024 season to date.
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[05/06/24 - 10:02 AM]
A Record-Setting Month! ESPN Earns Its Highest April Prime Time Audience on Record, Averaging 2.1 Million Viewers Each Night
In the same month, ESPN's total day audience was its highest in 12 years, dating back to 2012, as ESPN averaged 781,000 viewers in any given hour.
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[05/06/24 - 10:01 AM]
Paramount+ Orders New Comedy Series "Crutch" Starring Tracy Morgan
The series centers on its titular character, Francois "Frank" Crutchfield (Morgan) - or "Crutch" to those that know him well - a Harlem widower whose empty nest plans are put on hold after his millennial son and free-spirited daughter move back home.
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[05/06/24 - 09:59 AM]
First Look: Jim Parsons & Mayim Bialik on the Series Finale of "Young Sheldon," May 16
The pair last appeared on screen together in "The Big Bang Theory" series finale, which aired in May 2019.
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[05/06/24 - 09:02 AM]
The Landmark 20th Season of "Deadliest Catch" Premieres Tuesday, June 11 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel
Since its debut, the 59-time Emmy-nominated series has revolutionized unscripted television, utilizing best-in-class cinematography and storytelling to capture every death-defying moment at sea and captivating generations of viewers with authentic, tenacious characters.
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[05/06/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Unstable" Season 2 - Official Announcement - Netflix
Ellis (Rob Lowe) lays out a series of challenges and mind games for Jackson (John Owen Lowe) to see if he has what it takes to succeed him as the heir to the Dragon empire, but does a newcomer have other ideas?
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[05/06/24 - 09:01 AM]
FOX Nation to Launch New Sean Hannity Fronted Series "Outlaws and Lawmen: The West" on May 8
Over the course of four episodes which will drop weekly on Wednesday nights, Hannity will delve into true stories of legendary wild west outlaws and lawmen, exploring law versus crime and hero versus villain, ultimately revealing the rugged path that led to the rise of modern law enforcement.
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[05/06/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy" - Teaser Trailer - Disney+
History will be rebuilt. "LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy" arrives September 13, only on Disney+.
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[05/06/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
The film follows the life of Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra in the aftermath of his ALS diagnosis at age 37.
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[05/06/24 - 09:00 AM]
NATAS Announces Melody Thomas Scott, Edward J. Scott and Lidia Bastianich to Receive Lifetime Achievement Honors at "51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards"
The honors will be presented in person on June 7 and June 8 at the historic Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles. T
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[05/06/24 - 08:53 AM]
HGTV Stars Taniya Nayak, Ty Pennington and Alison Victoria Face-Off in New Season of Home Renovation Competition Series "Battle on the Beach" Premiering Monday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Primed with the series' biggest-ever renovation budget of $100,000 and invaluable advice from their illustrious mentors, the teams will transform the rundown homes into the most desired waterfront dwellings on the beach.
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[05/06/24 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Kevin Hart: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Comedy's biggest stars gather to honor - and roast - Kevin Hart as he accepts the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in a heartfelt, hilarious ceremony.
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[05/06/24 - 08:02 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Unveils Trailer for New Docuseries "Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza," Premiering May 21
What started as a farewell tour for the band Jane's Addiction rose from the underground to launch a cultural movement and change music forever.
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[05/06/24 - 12:31 AM]
Video: "In Good Hands 2" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A newly reunited father and son grapple with new beginnings after tragedy, but can they manage to fill the void left by a beloved wife and mother?
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