or


[03/18/08 - 05:44 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, March 18
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!


12 MILES OF BAD ROAD (HBO) - The pay channel has opted not to move forward with the dramedy, which stars Lily Tomlin as the matriarch of a wealthy Texas family whose real estate business and absurd wealth complicate the simplest family matters. Only six of the 10 episodes ordered by the network were completed before the WGA strike. It's understood executive producers Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason have been quietly shopping the produced installments to other several other networks, including TNT (which subsequently passed) and Lifetime. Industry insiders suggest the network ultimately felt the show's creative vision wasn't right for the channel. HBO Entertainment and Mozark Productions co-produced the series, which also stars Gary Cole, Mary Kay Place, Katherine LaNasa, Kim Dickens, Eliza Coupe, Leslie Jordan, Ivana Milicevic, David Andrews, Sean Bridgers, Texas Battle and Cameron Richardson.


EXIT 19 (CBS, New!) - Geena Davis ("Commander-in-Chief") is set to topline a new potential drama at the Eye about a quirky homicide detective on the mean streets of Manhattan who also is a single mom to two kids in the suburbs on Long Island. Jeffrey Bell ("Day Break") is behind the project, which is set up at ABC Studios and CBS Paramount Network Television. The network has ordered a pilot presentation of the series, which Bell wrote based on an original script by Michael Nankin. He'll also executive produce alongside former ABC Studios-based producers Gene Stein and Nina Wass. Davis herself will also receive a co-executive producer credit.


THE INN (A.K.A. UNTITLED ABRAHAM HIGGINBOTHAM PROJECT) (FOX) - Abraham Higginbotham's multi-camera comedy has been given the go ahead to produce a pilot. The project, which stars Niecy Nash ("Reno 911"), revolves around the help at a hip New York hotel. 20th Century Fox Television is co-producing the half-hour alongside Reveille and Principato-Young Entertainment. Higginbotham, Peter Principato, Paul Young and Brian Dobbins then are the executive producers. FOX originally gave the project a put pilot commitment late last year.


MYTHOLOGICAL X (CBS) - Timothy Busfield ("Lipstick Jungle") has signed on to direct the drama pilot, about a woman who, after learning from a psychic that she already has dated the man she's supposed to marry, revisits all her past relationships. He'll work from a script by Diane Ruggiero. The project, which is based on an Israeli format, is set up at 20th Century Fox Television. Ruggiero and Jonathan Levin are the executive producers.


REVOLUTION (Sci Fi) - David Smith is the apparently the first to be cast on the two-hour drama pilot, about the simmering unrest among the colonists at a 22nd century Earth outpost. He'll play one of the revolutionaries. In addition, Michael Rhymer ("Battlestar Galactica") has apparently come aboard to direct the pilot, where he'll take over for Simon West. West still serves as an executive producer alongside co-creators Ed Redlich and John Bellucci. West's producing partner Jib Polhemus also serves as a co-executive producer.


SPACED (FOX) - Feature helmer Charles Stone ("Drumline") is set to direct the comedy pilot, which is based on a British import about two strangers (one played by Josh Lawson) who pose as a married couple in order to rent an apartment. Adam Barr is behind the single-camera half-hour, which comes from Granada International, Warner Bros. Television and Wonderland Sound and Vision. Serving as executive producers alongside Barr then are McG, Peter Johnson and Robert Green.


TOWER (CBS) - Oscar winner Davis Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth") has been tapped to direct and executive produce the drama pilot, about a group of Chicago reporters who treat breaking news as cases to solve. Meredith Stiehm created the project, which is set up at CBS Paramount Network Television.


WORST WEEK (CBS) - Kurtwood Smith ("That '70s Show") and Nancy Lenehan ("The New Adventures of Old Christine") have booked the final principal roles on the comedy pilot, about a young couple (Kyle Bornheimer, Erinn Hayes) who must navigate the politics of their soon-to-be in-laws (Smith, Lenehan) during a family holiday. Smith's casting is in second position to his duties on the NBC drama pilot "Play or Be Played." His character, Dick Cook, is further detailed in the casting notice as follows: "Mid-Late 50s. A fit, handsome, very serious man. He's a prominent judge who is predisposed to disapprove of the blundering Sam. Stern and no-nonsense, Dick is ready to give Sam another chance - but when Sam shows up hours late for dinner in the wee hours, clad only in a plastic garbage bag, Dick begins to seriously question whether Sam is worthy of his daughter. In fact, he would call Sam a horse's ass - but that's not fair to horses or asses. And, to Dick's increasing dismay, Sam's high-jinks are just beginning." Lenehan then is set as Angela Cook: "Mid 50s. mother. She's a naturally attractive woman who is aging very well and perhaps because she's well-preserved by a steady stream of alcohol. She's a bit fluffier and less judgmental than her stern husband - but when Sam shows up at the house at 2 a.m. clad only in a garbage bag, Angela's boozy good humor is sorely tried." Marc Buckland is directing the Hat Trick Productions/Universal Media Studios-based project from a script by Matt Tarses.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [march 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· 12 MILES OF BAD ROAD (HBO)
· BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SCI FI)
· COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF (ABC)
· DAY BREAK (ABC)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· DO NOT DISTURB (FOX)
· EX LIST, THE (CBS)
· EXIT 19 (CBS)
· LIPSTICK JUNGLE (NBC)
· NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, THE (CBS)
· PLAY OR BE PLAYED (NBC)
· RENO 911! (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· REVOLUTION (SYFY)
· SPACED (FOX)
· THAT '70S SHOW (FOX)
· TOWER (CBS)
· WORST WEEK (CBS)





[12/02/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of November 24 - "Stranger Things" Escapes the Upside Down to Take No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
The series returned last week with Volume 1 of its fifth and final season, touting the biggest premiere week ever for an English language show in the history of Netflix, amassing 59.6 million views and securing No. 1 on the English TV list.

[12/02/25 - 11:02 AM]
"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026" Announces Explosive Performance Lineup
Superstar performers include 50 Cent, Charlie Puth, Chappell Roan, Demi Lovato, Maren Morris, Mariah Carey, OneRepublic, Pitbull, Post Malone, and more!

[12/02/25 - 10:03 AM]
TNT Sports & Shaquille O'Neal's New "Dunkman" Limited Series Takes Flight Thursday, Dec. 4, Showcasing 40 of the Top Dunkers from Around the World
The six-episode competition will star O'Neal as commissioner and judge alongside a rotating panel of former dunk contest champions Vince Carter, Dwight Howard, Nate Robinson and Mac McClung, and Naismith Hall of Famer Chris Webber.

[12/02/25 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Is Developing Erotic Series "Hancock Park" with Rege-Jean Page
The Emmy nominee will star as a different kind of royalty: a member of Los Angeles high society whose family is struggling to hold onto their status.

[12/02/25 - 09:08 AM]
Stream Formula E Races Live on The Roku Channel
Join The Roku Channel for the excitement of the 2025-2026 season, kicking off this Saturday, December 6, in São Paulo, Brazil.

[12/02/25 - 09:06 AM]
"RuPaul's Drag Race" Ruveals the New Queens of Season 18, Premiering Friday, January 2 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on MTV
In the premiere episode, the new cast of queens will show their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent in the first challenge of the season: "Reclaim! Renew! Rejoice!"

[12/02/25 - 09:01 AM]
The Sixth Season of the Emmy Award-Winning "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman" Premieres December 16
The sixth season features conversations with actor, director, and producer Michael B. Jordan, creator sensation and entrepreneur MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), and Emmy and Screen Actors Guild award-winning actor, producer and director Jason Bateman.

[12/02/25 - 09:00 AM]
CBS and the Recording Academy Present "A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music," A Star-Studded Special Airing Sunday, Dec. 28 on CBS and Paramount+
"NCIS" star, producer and entrepreneur Wilmer Valderrama and singer-songwriter, actress and producer Roselyn Sánchez will co-host the evening, highlighting Latin music's lasting impact and widespread influence in the United States.

[12/02/25 - 08:16 AM]
TLC's Hit Series "1000-lb Sisters" Returns on January 6 with a Brand-New Season
Sisters Amy and Tammy are stepping into transformative chapters of their lives, and nothing is off-limits.

[12/02/25 - 08:01 AM]
"Stranger Things: The Finale" Fan Screening Locations Confirmed For December 31 & January 1: Get Your Seat Now!
Fans can visit www.st5finale.com for the full list of locations and for information on how to RSVP.

[12/02/25 - 08:00 AM]
FOX Entertainment Global Secures Strong International Sales for Studio Ramsay Global Hits "Next Level Chef" and "Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service"
"Next Level Chef," produced and created by Studio Ramsay Global, has now sold in 138 territories, including ITV (UK), Bell Media (Canada), Disney/Hulu (U.S.), Foxtel (Australia), among others.

[12/02/25 - 07:31 AM]
Nicholas Hoult and Daisy Edgar-Jones Tangle in "Mosquito" for Disney+, A Wry Relationship Comedy from Writer Tony McNamara
The British powerhouse leads play Kate and Ed, a recently married couple whose secrets begin to reveal as daily life chips away at the personas they present... all started by an intrusive mosquito.

[12/02/25 - 07:23 AM]
The Ink Factory Sets Le Carre Series "Legacy of Spies" for BBC and MGM+
The cast is anchored by Matthew Macfadyen as George Smiley, Charlie Hunnam as Alec Leamas, Daniel Brühl as Jens Fielder and Devrim Lingnau Islamoglu as Doris Quinz.

[12/02/25 - 07:17 AM]
Video: "Ripple" - Official Trailer (New Series)
Watch all episodes of "Ripple" on December 3 on Netflix.

[12/02/25 - 07:01 AM]
AMC Networks & TNA Wrestling Announce Agreement to Bring TNA's Flagship Weekly TV Show to AMC: "Thursday Night iMPACT!"
The TNA-AMC partnership kicks off live from the Curtis Culwell Center in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex on Thursday, January 15, 2026.