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[03/12/08 - 05:50 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday, March 12
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!
DISCOVERY PLANETGREEN SERIES (New!) - TLC will celebrate the upcoming launch of Discovery PlanetGreen (formerly Discovery Home Channel) with a handful of "green"-themed episodes of its current series as well as previews of the rebranded network's original series. Said newcomers include "Wasted" (Tuesday, April 15 at 8:00/7:00c), "Greenovate" (Tuesday, April 15 at 8:30/7:30c) and "Gadget's Electric Garage" (Wednesday, April 16 at 8:00/7:00c). Further details about the projects will be announced in the coming weeks. As for TLC, "Little People, Big World" (Monday, April 15), "What Not To Wear" (Friday, April 18) and "Date My House" (Saturday, April 19) are among the participating series.
DIVORCE COURT/THE HUGHLEYS (TV One) - TV One has scored the off-network rights to Twentieth Television's comedy "The Hughleys" and its long-running court show "Divorce Court." The former will launch with a 10-hour marathon on Saturday, April 5 starting at 8:00/7:00c with episodes regularly airing weekdays at 6:30/5:30c and 11:30/10:30c. As for "Court," the cable channel has been showcasing 120 "best of" episodes featuring Judge Mablean Ephriam weekdays at 4:00/3:00c and 4:30/3:30c since last month. No financial details were released about either deal, which is for three years.
ER (NBC) - Aida Turturro ("The Sopranos") has signed on while Australian actor David Lyons is in talks to play recurring roles on the veteran medical drama. The news comes as the Peacock and producer Warner Bros. Television enter negotiations to bring the series back for a 15th - and final - season. Industry insiders suggest the pickup hinges on a reduction on "ER's" license fee. The series traditionally gets a jump on filming its subsequent season, so production on the first four episodes of season 15 would follow on the heels of the completion of season 14's last six installments. As for the actors, Turturro will play a car accident victim while Lyons is being eyed as a handsome new doctor who lacks a conscience.
THE FBI (FOX) - The network has passed on the Brian Grazer-produced drama despite giving it a hefty series commitment back in August. No reason was given for the decision, which has led Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox Television to begin shopping the series to other networks, including CBS and TNT. Chap Taylor penned the pilot script, which centers on an Iraq War vet who is appointed as the new head of the FBI's Critical Incidents Response Group. John Eisendrath and David Nevins are executive producing alongside Grazer and Taylor.
NASHVILLE STAR (NBC) - Grammy winner John Rich, one half of the multiplatinum duo Big & Rich, will be a judge/mentor on the show's upcoming sixth season. In addition, producer Reveille has formed a joint venture with AEG Live and Warner Bros. Records to promote a "Nashville Star" concert tour across North America and release songs from this season's winner and other contestants, respectively. Billy Ray Cyrus is hosting the series, which launches its first NBC aired season on Monday, June 9.
SIT DOWN, SHUT UP (FOX, New!) - Mitch Hurwitz, Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum's Tantamount has landed its first pilot order, an animated take on the Australian live-action series of the same name. The project, which is being co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Granada International, focuses on the lives of seven staff members at a high school in a small northeastern fishing town who are preoccupied with their own needs and agendas, meaning the students always come second. It's understood much like "The Pitts," a table read of the show for the network's executives will serve as its de facto pilot. Brendan Reed and Tim McLoughlan created the Australian version, which ran on Channel Ten in 2001.
SPACED (FOX) - Australian actor Josh Lawson has been tapped for the male lead in the comedy pilot, about two strangers who pose as a married couple in order to rent an apartment. It's understood the network had been putting the finishing touches on a talent holding deal with the actor prior to his casting. Simon Pegg played said role in the U.K. version. Adam Barr is adapting the U.S. incarnation of the project, which is set up at Warner Bros. Television, McG's Wonderland Sound & Vision and the ever-busy Granada International.
UGLY BETTY (ABC) - Showrunner Silvio Horta has inked a two-year, mid-seven-figure overall deal with ABC Studios. The pact, the first major one announced since the close of the WGA strike, will cover his duties on the Thursday night entry as well as call for him to develop new series projects for the studio.
X-TERMINATORS (Discovery, New!) - Reality guru Thom Beers ("Deadliest Catch") will roll out his latest original series, "X-Terminators," on Monday, April 14 at 10:00/9:00c. The series revolves around a team of pest control technicians. Leading into the newcomer will be new episodes of "Dirty Jobs" at 9:00/8:00c.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[01/29/26 - 12:56 PM]
"Dirty Rotten Scandals" Premieres Wednesday, March 4 at 9PM ET/PT on E!
This season explores the darker side of some of America's most beloved television shows by delivering untold stories from past participants and new original reporting.
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[01/29/26 - 12:11 PM]
Mandy Patinkin Signs on to Play Odin in Prime Video's "God of War" from Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios
Based on PlayStation's massively popular ancient mythology-themed video game, the series has received a two-season order, with pre-production underway in Vancouver, and casting has begun.
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[01/29/26 - 12:00 PM]
Presenters Announced for "68th Annual Grammy Awards," Sunday, Feb. 1 on CBS
Carole King, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Doechii, Harry Styles, Jeff Goldblum, KAROL G, Lainey Wilson, Marcello Hernández, Nikki Glaser, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah and Teyana Taylor are among the featured talent.
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[01/29/26 - 11:17 AM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors on February 11
This matchup replaces the previously scheduled Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets game.
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[01/29/26 - 11:03 AM]
Paramount+ to Premiere True-Crime Documentary "Wild Boys: Strangers in Town" on February 18
The two-part documentary chronicles the astonishing true story of two young brothers who emerged from the forests of British Columbia in the summer of 2003, claiming they had been raised entirely off the grid - without schools, doctors or any record of their existence.
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[01/29/26 - 11:01 AM]
HBO Orders New Limited Series "The Chain" from Damon Lindelof
Details are under wraps, but Lindelof is said to be expanding the mythology of Adrian McKinty's award-winning thriller.
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[01/29/26 - 10:11 AM]
Olafur Darri Olafsson Signs on to Play Thor in Prime Video's "God of War" from Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios
Previously announced cast members include Ryan Hurst as Kratos and Max Parker as Heimdall.
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[01/29/26 - 10:10 AM]
CNN Original Series Releases First Look and Introduces "Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever"
Produced by EverWonder Studio, the series will premiere later this spring as part of CNN Originals' anticipated 2026 programming slate.
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[01/29/26 - 10:05 AM]
Bravo's "Top Chef" Returns for Season 23, Serving Bold Flavors and Carolina Charm
The Emmy, James Beard and Critics Choice Award-winning series returns Monday, March 9.
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[01/29/26 - 10:02 AM]
ESPN Original Series "On the Edge: World Cup Ski Racing" to Premiere January 30
The five-episode series follows the world's most elite ski racers across the 2025-26 season and 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
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[01/29/26 - 09:38 AM]
FOX Nation Goes Deep Inside the Power, Scandal and Secrets of America's Early Presidents in New Docudrama "The White House"
The eight-part series brings to life the shocking true stories of the presidents, spouses, family members, confidantes, and adversaries, not just in the stately, public rooms of the White House, but in the intimate spaces they shared all under one roof.
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[01/29/26 - 09:31 AM]
HBO Max Launches "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" Inspired "Squire For Hire" Social Series, Taskrabbit Partnership and Sweepstakes
The digital campaign brings the spirit of Westeros to life, along with a fan sweepstakes that offers a unique way for audiences to feel as if they're part of the story.
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[01/29/26 - 09:30 AM]
Video: Starz Releases Emotional Final Trailer for the Timeless Romantic Drama "Outlander," Premiering March 6
The groundbreaking, time-traveling drama returns on Friday, March 6, with new episodes streaming weekly on Fridays.
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[01/29/26 - 09:05 AM]
57th NAACP Image Awards to Honor A$AP Rocky with Vanguard Award for Fashion
He is also nominated for three NAACP Image Awards for his role in "Highest 2 Lowest," which has garnered a total of nine nominations.
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[01/29/26 - 09:01 AM]
Netflix Announces Katt Williams' Fourth Stand-Up Special, "The Last Report"
Back for his fourth Netflix stand-up special, comedy icon Katt Williams delivers his famously bold takes on conspiracies, celebrities and the world at large in this electrifying set.
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