 |
 |
[02/01/08 - 06:16 PM]
Development Update: Week of January 28-February 1
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
|
|
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!
ABC FAMILY ORIGINAL SERIES (ABC Family) - The cable channel has firmed up its original series plans for 2008 and beyond. It's understood recently completed pilots "The Middleman" and "Roomies" have been ordered to series as has a new untitled hour from "7th Heaven" creator Brenda Hampton. "Middleman," from writer-producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach, stars Natalie Morales as a twentysomething struggling artist who's recruited by a secret agency to fight comic book-type villains alongside the title character (Matt Keeslar), a sci-fi superhero who serves as her guide. Jeremiah Chechik directed the pilot, which also stars Britt Morgan and Mary Pat Gleason. As for "Roomies," the multi-camera comedy stars Tyler Francavilla and David Weidoff as, you guessed it, roommates. Kieron Quirke and Robin French created the project, which is also executive produced by Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis of Acme Productions. Andy Cadiff directed the pilot. And finally, the Hampton hour is described as a teen relationship series similar in sensibility to "Juno." All three newcomers are said to have commitments of at least six episodes. "Middleman" and "Roomies" were part of a quartet of pilots ordered last year, the others being "Samurai Girl" and "Happy Campers." Hampton's project is believed to be a straight series commitment, contingent on casting the lead role.
Meanwhile in related ABC Family news, the network is in talks with Canadian broadcaster CBC to import the comedy "Sophie," about a young woman (Natalie Brown) whose picture-perfect life comes crashing down. 13 episodes have been completed of the half-hour, which bowed on January 9 on the network. Sebastian Spence, Amy Lalonde, Jeff Geddis, Mimi Kuzyk, Sara Botsford, Chantelle Chung and Catherine B�rub� also star in the project, which comes from Jocelyn Deschenes of Sphere Media Plus. The show itself is based on a French-language series that aired in Quebec before it was transplanted to the CBC. Lastly, ABC Family also confirmed a decision is expected soon on the fate of "Lincoln Heights" while "Wildfire," currently in its fourth season, won't be renewed for a fifth season.
DIRT (FX) - FX has confirmed Danny Comden ("I'm With Her") has completed a three-episode arc on the show's upcoming second season. He plays Ted Rothman, an almost-divorced president of a major TV studio who wants to rekindle a romance with Courtney Cox's character. The new season bows Sunday, March 2.
FRINGE (FOX) - Australian actress Anna Torv has scored the lead role on the two-hour drama pilot, about a young, tough FBI agent who is forced to confront the spread of unexplained phenomena and work with an institutionalized scientist whose work might be at the center of a coming storm. She'll play Olivia Warren, the agent in question. Also signing on are Blair Brown and Jasika Nicole. The former will play Nina Cord, a 16-year veteran at Prometheus Corp., a cutting-edge research facility, while Jasika Nicole is playing the recurring role of Astrid Farnsworth, a stunning federal assistant. They join the previously cast John Noble, Kirk Acevedo, Lance Reddick and Mark Valley. Alex Graves is helming the Warner Bros. Television/Bad Robot-based drama, which comes from co-creators Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and J.J. Abrams. The group also executive produces alongside Bad Robot's Bryan Burk.
UNTITLED FASHION MAGAZINE ASSISTANT PROJECT (The CW, New!) - "America's Next Top Model's" Tyra Banks and Ken Mok have scored a series commitment from the netlet for a new reality series in which aspiring assistants compete to become assistant editors at a fashion magazine. The project, which has an eight-episode commitment, is expected to begin production in April for a launch in late spring or summer. As for specifics, each episode will feature two different challenges - an individual one and a team one with the winner of the former making the pairings for the latter. Each team challenge then will focus on submitting a page for "The Book," a mock edition of the magazine, with the loser's page going in the trash and one of its members being sent home. Banks and Mok will executive produce the project via their respective banners, Bankable Productions and 10x10 Entertainment, alongside Eli Holzman, who developed "Project Runway" at Miramax Television, and Full Picture's Jane Cha and Desiree Gruber, fashion experts and managers of "Runway" host Heidi Klum. It's understood the "Runway" team came up the initial idea for the series and pitched it to the CW, who in turn paired them with Banks and Mok. Talks are underway with various magazines to sponsor the show with the editors themselves likely appearing as judges. It's not clear if Banks herself will appear on camera.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [february 2008]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[06/18/18 - 03:19 PM]
VH1's Record Breaking Phenomenon Continues with the Return of "Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood" Monday, July 23 at 8PM ET/PT
Ripped straight from the headlines, Tinseltown heats up as R&B songstress Kimberly Pate, formerly known as K. Michelle, returns to the franchise alongside several newcomers and series vets climbing their way to the top in the toughest city in showbiz.
|
[06/18/18 - 02:38 PM]
Bravo Media's "Shahs of Sunset" Returns for a New Season on August 2 at 9PM ET/PT
Though feisty best friends Golnesa "GG" Gharachedaghi, Mercedes "MJ" Javid, Mike Shouhed, and Reza Farahan have gone through just about everything together, the adventure is only just beginning as they each embark on the newest chapter in their lives.
|
[06/18/18 - 02:01 PM]
Global Humanitarian and Music Icon Janet Jackson to Receive Inaugural "Impact' Award at the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards
Jackson joins previously announced honorees including Carrie Underwood, who will be receiving the "Hero" Award, and Kelly Clarkson, who will be receiving the "Icon" Award.
|
[06/18/18 - 01:10 PM]
Global Road Entertainment's Unscripted & Alternative Division to Join The Miss America Organization in Producing "The 2019 Miss America Competition"
Award-winning producer Phil Gurin, the company's president of Unscripted & Alternative Television, will join the team serving as an executive producer.
|
[06/18/18 - 10:34 AM]
"Steven Universe" Returns for Five-Night Event Monday, July 2 on Cartoon Network
The five-episode arc, "Heart of the Crystal Gems," comes on the heels of "A Single Pale Rose," which left fans reeling from the revelations about the Crystal Gems' former leader, Rose Quartz.
|
[06/18/18 - 10:07 AM]
Video: Trailer Released for Sundance Now's "Next of Kin," Making Its U.S. Debut on Thursday, June 21st
All episodes of the six-part drama star Archie Panjabi and Jack Davenport, and will be available to binge at once.
|
[06/18/18 - 10:02 AM]
Showtime(R) Orders First Ever Weekly Late-Night Talk Show Starring Desus and Mero
The first ever weekly late-night talk show on Showtime will feature popular TV and podcast personalities Desus and Mero, speaking highly off the cuff and chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics and more.
|
[06/18/18 - 10:01 AM]
Marshmello and Disney's "DuckTales" Set to Debut Special Collaboration of "Fly" Music Video Saturday, June 23, on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW
A mix of animation and live-action, the music video launches Scrooge, his nephew Donald, great-nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie and their friend Webby into a musical outer space adventure.
|
[06/18/18 - 09:21 AM]
CNN's "The History of Comedy" Returns for Season Two on Sunday, July 15
The six-part docuseries examines what makes people laugh and how comedy has affected the social and political landscape throughout history.
|
[06/18/18 - 08:32 AM]
Schedule Change Alert - Reelz Summer Premieres
Look for new episodes of "Collision Course" and "Murder Made Me Famous" on Sunday, August 12 and Saturday, August 18, respectively.
|
[06/18/18 - 08:20 AM]
Sunday's Broadcast Ratings: ABC Holds Onto Top Spots with Game Show Lineup
The Alphabet wins the evening in both total viewers and adults 18-49.
|
[06/18/18 - 07:00 AM]
CBS Announces 16 New Houseguests for "Big Brother's" Milestone 20th Season!
This season's cast includes a flight attendant, a former undercover cop, a cyber security engineer and a Vegas entertainer, among others.
|
[06/18/18 - 06:00 AM]
Video: Set Sail with Netflix's New Trailer for "Like Father" Starring Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammer
When a workaholic young executive (Kristen Bell), is left at the altar, she ends up on her Caribbean honeymoon cruise with the last person she ever expected: her estranged and equally workaholic father (Kelsey Grammer).
|
[06/18/18 - 04:10 AM]
"Hache," A Vibrant Netflix Original Thriller Series, Coming to Members Globally in 2019
Inspired by real events, "Hache" is the story of Helena (Adriana Ugarte) a woman catapulted to the heroin trafficking business in the Barcelona of the 60s.
|
[06/17/18 - 08:42 AM]
Saturday's Broadcast Ratings: "Jurassic Park" Tops Adults 18-49 for NBC
The Peacock's telecast of the 1993 film leads the night in demos.
|
|
|
|
