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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!
ACCIDENTAL FRIENDSHIP (Hallmark, New!) - Chandra Wilson ("Grey's Anatomy") is set to topline a new original movie at the cable channel about a woman who finds herself homeless whose life looks to be tumbling into an abyss until she unexpectedly crosses paths with a female police officer who helps put her life back on track. Anna Sandor ("Felicity: An American Girl Adventure") penned the project, which is set to go into production early next month to premiere sometime in late November or December. Michael Prupas is producing for Muse Entertainment.
CAN OPENERS (CBS) - Jay Hernandez ("Six Degrees") has joined the cast of the drama pilot presentation, which centers on Susan (Lauren Lee Smith), a brain surgeon who fights to survive in the competitive boys club that is the seven-year neurosurgical residency. He'll play Barry, a third-year resident who is willing to break the rules to get what he wants and also has a thing for Susan. Omar Gooding also stars in the Sony Pictures Television/Apostle Productions-based project, which comes from executive producers Denis Leary, Jim Serpico and creator Elle Johnson.
CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD (NBC) - "The Today Show's" Al Roker is in talks to host the upcoming celebrity edition of the veteran game show. FremantleMedia North America is behind the project, which is set to roll out this summer. No other details were released.
NEVER BETTER (ABC, New!) - Dave Walpert ("Miss Guided") has scored a pilot order from the Alphabet for a new single-camera comedy about a man in recovery who's now trying to be a good husband and father despite his somewhat misguided attempts. The project is set up at ABC Studios where Walpert is writing and executive producing alongside John Heyman and Warren Littlefield of the Littlefield Co. No other details were released.
REVOLUTION (Sci Fi) - Billy Campbell ("The 4400"), Rowena King and Steve Sandvoss have all joined the cast of the two-hour drama pilot, about the simmering unrest among the colonists of a 22nd century Earth colony. Campbell will play Tom Hart, a solder-turned-farmer who displays all the qualities of being a true leader, with King as Olivia Agee, the new governor of the colony, and Steve Sandvoss, Tom's older son, Chris. The trio joins the previously cast David Smith. Michael Rhymer is directing the CBS Paramount Network Television-based project from a script by Ed Redlich and John Bellucci. Simon West and Jib Polhemus are executive producing alongside Redlich and Bellucci.
ROMAN'S EMPIRE (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet has commissioned a pilot presentation for a new single-camera comedy from Al Higgins ("Malcolm in the Middle"). The CBS Paramount Network Television-based project, which is based on the BBC comedy of the same name, revolves around a lovable guy who, after getting dumped by his girlfriend, tries but cannot extricate himself from her wealthy family and her outrageous father. Higgins penned the pilot script and is executive producing alongside Katalyst Films's Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg and Karey Burke and Tiger Aspect's Andrew Zein and Ben Cavey.
SUNSET TAN (E!) - The cable channel has ordered a second season of the reality series, about the staff of a chain of tanning salons in Los Angeles. Among the storylines for the new season, due this summer: the launch party of a Vegas location, the staff heading into the country for a weekend of ranching and the ousted duo known as the "Olly Girls" looking for new jobs outside the tanning industry. E! Studios and Intuitive Entertainment co-produce the half-hour with Mechelle Collins, Kevin Dill and Jay James serving as executive producers.
UNTITLED KRISTIN NEWMAN PROJECT (ABC, New!) - Kristin Newman ("How I Met Your Mother") is the latest to land a pilot commitment from the Alphabet, this time for a new single-camera comedy about a thirtysomething woman who tries to break free of her overbearing and dysfunctional family, friends and boss. The project is set up at ABC Studios with Newman and DreamWorks Television's Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank serving as executive producers. No other specifics were given.
UNTITLED ROBERT WUHL PROJECT (HBO, New!) - Robert Wuhl ("Arli$$") has reupped his development deal with HBO, a network which he has been based for over 12 years. The 18-month extension calls for the actor/producer to continue to develop new series projects for the pay channel. Already in the works: an untitled single-camera half-hour of which no details were released. "I think I know what an HBO series should be," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "And I've always been on time and under budget." Most recently Wuhl toplined the specials "Assume the Position With Mr. Wuhl" at the network.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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