 |
 |
[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 |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[11/06/26 - 09:31 AM]
ABC Announces 2027 Midseason Premiere Dates
The midseason schedule kicks off on Tuesday, January 5, with the Season 5 premiere of "Will Trent," followed by the Season 3 premiere of last season's No. 1 drama among Adults 18-49, "High Potential," and the series debut of "Surviving a Scandal."
|
[11/06/26 - 09:16 AM]
"Nobody Wants This" Renewed for Season 4 on Netflix
Across all three seasons, the series has achieved 78.5 million cumulative views and reached the Top 10 in 89 countries.
|
[11/06/26 - 09:15 AM]
SpongeBob SquarePants "Merry Christmas, Mr. Plankton" Hour-Long Special to Debut Friday, Nov. 27 on Nickelodeon and Paramount+
In this festive episode, SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs and an unlikely group of friends must team up to save Christmas after Plankton takes over the North Pole. Lewis Black guest stars as Santa.
|
[11/06/26 - 09:01 AM]
"The End of Oak Street" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max November 13
The film stars Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella and Christian Convery.
|
[11/06/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "A Disney Holiday Short: The Invisible Horse" Coming Soon
A little magic, before the whole story unfolds.
|
[11/06/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "an open field" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Years after a Boeing 737 crash near a small Ethiopian village, its residents and a grieving family find healing in this award-winning short documentary.
|
[11/06/26 - 08:01 AM]
BET Sets Friday, November 27 Premiere for "You Can Go Home Again," Following Award-Winning Rapper, Actress, Producer and Entrepreneur Queen Latifah's Mission to Build Affordable Housing in Her Hometown
The film is directed by Muta'Ali and executive produced by Shakim Compere and Loretha Jones.
|
[11/06/26 - 07:05 AM]
Video: Melania Trump and Prime Video Unveil Official Trailer for "Melania, The Series"
The two-part series reveals never-before-told stories, offering unprecedented insight into Melania Trump's life, including the extraordinary days immediately following the 47th Presidential Inauguration.
|
[11/06/26 - 06:16 AM]
Apple TV Announces Season Three for "Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars"
Today, on the heels of the season two finale, Apple TV announced an eight-part third season for award-winning docuseries.
|
[11/06/26 - 06:11 AM]
Fox Corporation Completes Acquisition of Roku
The combination of FOX's premium live sports, news and local programming with Roku's open connected TV platform reaching across more than 100 million households creates new opportunities for the Company to serve its viewers, advertisers and partners.
|
[11/06/26 - 06:02 AM]
Video: "Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure" - Official Announcement - Netflix
Before Hawkins, there was Marion.
|
[11/06/26 - 06:01 AM]
Netflix Premieres "Who Killed the Banker's Widow?" on December 4
The documentary revisits a murder that shook one of Spain's wealthiest families and brought to light a complex web of family disputes, secrets and financial interests.
|
[11/06/26 - 05:31 AM]
"The Label," the New Series Starring Christian De Sica and Claudio Santamaria Coming Soon to Netflix
The cast also includes Cristiana Capotondi, Ornella Muti, Sofia Conti, Madior Giorgio Fall and Martina Gatti.
|
[11/06/26 - 05:01 AM]
Video: "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth" - Official Trailer #2 - Netflix
Brad Pitt stars as the sometime stuntman doing odd jobs and dangerous favors in 1977 LA. David Fincher directs a script by Quentin Tarantino.
|
[11/06/26 - 02:03 AM]
Video: Prime Video Drops Trailer, Key Art and First Look Images for "Alan Carr's Great Big Bucket List"
The series will launch on Prime Video on November 27 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
|
|
|
|
