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[12/21/07 - 06:31 PM]
Development Update: Week of December 17-21
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!
AMC ORIGINAL SERIES (AMC, New!) - The cable channel has added four new projects to its development slate. Said efforts will eventually result in one of two pilots the network plans to order next year. The other pilot will be based off its previously announced projects. As for the newcomers, they are: "Fort Smith," from "24's" Robert Cochran, about Isaiah Parker, who polices the Five Points - comprised of five different Indian tribes - with his posse in the lawless post-Civil War West; an untitled hour from Alison Anders and Terry Graham, about Comanche leader Quanah Parker, who fights the U.S. Army for the rights to his tribe's land; "Greenfields," from playwright Nicky Silver ("Raised in Captivity"), about a psychiatrist who breaks his patient out of jail; and "Uninvited Guest," from "Less Than Zero" screenwriter Harley Peyton and Mandalay's Peter Guber and Elizabeth Stephens, about a character who suffers from multiple personality disorder.
THE AMERICAN MALL (MTV, New!) - MTV is teaming with "High School Musical" producers Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush for a romantic comedy/musical set at a mall in the vein of the Disney Channel sensation. Nina Dobrev and Rob Mayes will topline the project, about Ally, a high school grad/singer-songwriter (Dobrev), who battles to save her mother's music store and to keep the boy she loves (Mayes), a musically gifted young janitor who fronts a garage band. Autumn Reeser also stars as Ally's mean-girl adversary Madison, the spoiled and ruthless heiress to the owners of the mall, while Wade Allain-Marcus, Bianca Collins, Rodney To, Neil Haskell, Brooke Lyons, David Baum, Blythe Auffarth, Yassmin Alers, Bresha Webb, Neil Haskell and Al Sapienza round out the cast. Production is set to begin next month at a mall in Provo, Utah with Shawn Ku ("Pretty Dead Girl") directing. Borden is producing "Mall," which was originally set up as a feature at Columbia Pictures prior to "Musical's" release, with Rosenbush and Arata Matsushima serving as executive producers. "Mall" then will premiere this summer with a DVD release a couple of days later.
BACKYARDS & BULLETS (NBC) - The Peacock has opted not to move forward with the drama pilot, about a suburban Neighborhood Watch group gone awry. The news comes as a result of the network letting its options on the cast expire. The show's ensemble included Abigail Spencer, Billy Burke, Casey LaBow, Enuka Okuma, Jessalyn Gilsig, Kristen Lehman, Lou Diamond Phillips, Mathew St. Patrick and Richard Ruccolo. Charles McDougall directed the Sony Pictures Television/Pariah-based hour from a script by Ed Decter and John J. Strauss. Pariah's Gavin Polone and Jamie Tarses also served as executive producers.
COCO CHANEL (Lifetime, New!) - The cable channel is developing a biopic/mini-series about the famed fashion icon featuring Barbora Bobulova and Shirley MacLaine as the designer in the early and later periods of her life, respectively. Christian Duguay ("Human Trafficking") is on board to direct the Alchemy Television Group-based project, which is currently filming. Enrico Medioli ("Once Upon a Time in America") penned the script while Lux Vide SpA, Pampa Productions, Rai and France 2 are co-producing alongside Alchemy. The two-part effort, which is being done in cooperation with Chanel's estate, tracks her upbringing in an orphanage outside Paris through her move to reinvent herself in her 70s, after spending years in exile.
KAYA (MTV) - MTV development chief Tony DiSanto confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter this week the series, the network's first scripted effort in more than five years, won't be returning for a second season. "Kaya" opened its 10-episode run on Monday nights following "The Hills" before being banished to Saturday nights after failing to capitalize on said lead-in. DiSanto however was quick to note the network still plans to push forward in the scripted genre as several projects are in the works, including an untitled effort from Adam Ripp and Steven Wolfson as well as "Darius," from "Law & Order" veteran Michael S. Chernuchin.
SAINT OF CIRCUMSTANCE (FOX, New!) - "The Office" alum David Denman is set to topline a new single-camera comedy pilot for FOX about a man going through a midlife crisis who quits his dead-end office job to be a paramedic on the night shift. "Scrubs" star Zack Braff is in talks to direct the ABC Studios-based half-hour, which was created by Braff's brother, Adam ("Andrew Henry's Meadow"). Denman then will play the lead role of Wayne with the Braffs executive producing alongside Emile Levisetti. Production on the pilot is expected to begin after the WGA strikes concludes.
UNTITLED CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER PROJECT (ABC) - ABC Studios has extended the options on the entire cast of the multi-camera comedy pilot, about a family man (Cedric the Entertainer) who always has been the proud breadwinner but has difficulty adjusting when his wife's (Regina Hall) hobby turns into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Production on the project, which also stars Charles Malik Whitfield, Jasmine McNeal, Melissa Peterman, Peter Mackenzie and Steven Wash, Jr., was completed in October. Ken Whittingham directed from a script by co-creators Cedric the Entertainer, Michael Soccio and Rock Reuben.
WIFE SWAP (ABC) - Lifetime's purchase of the show's off-network rights from Disney-ABC Domestic Television on Tuesday (read the story) is said to be valued at $250,000 per episode. The four-year pact, which begins in October, gives the cable channel the right to play reruns of the series twice a day.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[11/13/25 - 01:36 PM]
Major League Soccer Is Coming to Apple TV Starting in 2026
Starting next season, fans can watch every regular-season match, the annual Leagues Cup tournament, the MLS All-Star Game, the Campeones Cup, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and more - all included with an Apple TV subscription.
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[11/13/25 - 01:12 PM]
Great American Media Is National Linear, Digital, and Streaming Home of the 137th Rose Parade Presented by Honda
The Rose Parade has named legendary athlete, entrepreneur, and transformative philanthropist, Earvin "Magic" Johnson as Grand Marshal of the 2026 Rose Parade.
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[11/13/25 - 11:01 AM]
Peacock Brings the Ultimate Sunday Night Football Watch Party Serving Up Touchdowns and Tea with "Reality Hot Seat" - Streaming Live Throughout the Houston Texans-Kansas City Chiefs Matchup on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 8 P.M. ET
Leading the charge is an all-star panel ready to call the game like it's their favorite reunion special: "Boston Rob" Mariano, Heather Gay, TV and podcast host Justin Sylvester and Kate Chastain.
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[11/13/25 - 11:00 AM]
"The Celebrity Traitors" UK to Premiere on Peacock Thursday, Nov. 20
An average of 11.1 million people tuned in to watch the final episode of this year's Celebrity version last week in the UK - the biggest live audience of the year for a single UK TV show.
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[11/13/25 - 11:00 AM]
Prime Video Hands Comedy All Stars Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson November 25 Premiere Date for "Good Sports"
Premiering November 25 exclusively on Prime Video, new episodes of "Good Sports" will stream every Tuesday in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[11/13/25 - 10:00 AM]
12 Bakers Are Ready to Sleigh the Competition and Battle for the Title of First-Ever "Next Level Baker!"
The series premieres Thursday, December 4 at 9:00/8:00c on FOX.
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[11/13/25 - 09:45 AM]
Melissa Peterman to Host "Countdown to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade"
On the eve of the iconic "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," viewers will enjoy an all-access look at the Macy's Parade Studio to discover exactly what it takes to create the famous floats and balloons prior to their journey through the streets of New York.
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[11/13/25 - 09:32 AM]
Wonder Project's Inspiring Docuseries, "Redemption," Premieres on the Wonder Project Subscription on Prime Video in the U.S. on Sunday, November 16
The limited docuseries chronicles the Ohio State football team's unforgettable 2024 season, culminating in a national championship, but this story goes much deeper than touchdowns and trophies.
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[11/13/25 - 09:06 AM]
Golf Channel Announces New Morning Programming Beginning January 2026
New morning programming on Golf Channel is highlighted by on-course reporter Smylie Kaufman bringing his popular show and podcast, "The Smylie Show," to Golf Channel on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. ET.
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[11/13/25 - 09:02 AM]
Prime Video Announces November 17 Release Date for "Hazbin Hotel: Live on Broadway" Season 2 Premiere Concert Event
Hosted by series lead Erika Henningsen, at New York's historic Majestic Theater, the concert event features performances of the show's hit songs from Seasons One and Two.
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[11/13/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Kathleen Madigan: The Family Thread" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
The one-hour special will premiere November 21, 2025 on Prime Video.
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[11/13/25 - 09:00 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "The Shuffle" Debuts November 25
The documentary is the first in a new series of short football films, made in partnership with NFL Films, and will debut in advance of the new season of "Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East."
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[11/13/25 - 08:30 AM]
"Mad Men" Comes to HBO Max December 1
This marks the first time the series is available to stream in 4K, giving audiences and longtime fans the opportunity to enjoy the series' authentically-crafted elements with crisp detail and enhanced visual clarity.
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[11/13/25 - 08:03 AM]
Star Designer Bobby Berk Turns Chaotic Collections Into Dream Digs in New HGTV Series "Junk or Jackpot?" Premiering Friday, Dec. 26, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT
Executive produced by actor, wrestler and entrepreneur John Cena, the six-episode season will follow Bobby as he meets passionate people who are in desperate need of a life-changing renovation and will soon discover the hidden monetary value of their massive and unusual collections.
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[11/13/25 - 08:00 AM]
Apple TV Unveils First Look and Premiere Date for All-New Wildlife Series "Born to be Wild"
Filmed over several years across three continents, the six-part documentary series follows six endangered young animals as they grow up in our world but are destined to return to theirs.
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