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[04/17/08 - 05:47 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, April 17
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!
DOLLHOUSE (FOX) - Harry Lennix, Miracle Laurie and Amy Acker have booked the final principal roles on the upcoming drama, about a top-secret world of people programmed with different personalities, abilities and memories depending on their mission. The news was confirmed by creator Joss Whedon to Whedonesque.com today. Lennix will play Boyd Langton, who's detailed in the casting notice as follows: "Late 40s-60, any ethnicity, gruff, about to make the descent from 'good-looking' to 'fatherly'. An ex-cop, Boyd is Echo's 'handler' - her guard/bodyguard. Hates himself for taking this job, but he'd lay down his life to protect the people he feels he's exploiting." Laurie then is set as the recurring role of November - "20's, any ethnicity, beautiful and heavy. Another Doll, a hopeful child in the house and everyone else you need her to be outside. A comforting, radiant presence, who tends to get fewer of the criminal gigs and more of the personal ones." - with Acker as Dr. Claire Saunders - "30-60, attractive, smart and a little sad. Looks after the physical well-being of the dolls. Has an acid wit that she usually reserves for Topher, who may only be kidding about being smitten with her. (Or he may not)." The trio joins the previously cast Dichen Lachman, Eliza Dushku, Enver Gjokaj, Fran Kranz, Olivia Williams and Tahmoh Penikett. 20th Century Fox Television is producing.
STARTING UNDER (FOX) - Andrea Parker ("Less Than Perfect") and newcomer Silvana Arias have both joined the cast of the comedy pilot, which stars Bernie Mac as a larger-than-life man who, after a divorce, has to live with and work for his twentysomething son, Bernard (Bert Belasco). Parker is set to play Jada, a single, hard-working, blue-collar employee of Bernard's who develops an interestingly complicated relationship with him, while Arias is set as Rosa, a Guadalajara native who clashes with Mac when he accuses her of being an illegal immigrant (and turns out to be right). Ken Davitian also stars in the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which Andy Ackerman is directing from a script by Bruce Helford.
THIS MIGHT HURT (ABC) - Josh Dean ("Free Ride"), Vanessa Lengies ("American Dreams") and Hayes MacArthur ("The Game Plan") are the first to be cast in the pilot, a semi-scripted comedy set at a medical practice run by a fiftysomething pediatrician and his brainy internist son (Dean) and an OBGYN. Dean's role of Dr. Ethan Malinow is further detailed as follows in the casting notice: "30, any ethnicity. Mitch's baby-faced, hard-working son, a paragon of self-control who is nonetheless considered a "good, benevolent king" by his friend and co-worker Reid, he is just about to take over his father's medical practice when Mitch returns from a two year suspension. A principled internist with an encyclopedic knowledge of symptoms and sicknesses, Ethan resents his father's philandering and prescription drug abuse but buries these feelings (along with most emotions) beneath a veneer of professionalism, and it's literally making him ill. Though his confidence and charm have blossomed in the absence of Dr. Mitch, Ethan still lacks the dynamic people skills of his larger-than-life father. The staff respects Ethan, but loves Mitch. Ethan knows this, and it drives him nuts. In part because he cares about her and in part to get back at his dad, Ethan becomes engaged to Claire Keating, daughter of Mitch's rival, Miles Keating, and even finds himself considering using underhanded methods to remove Mitch from his post."
Lengis then is set as Lily Birdsall - "20s, any ethnicity and sweetness incarnate, na�ve and disarmingly sincere. Lily exudes a warmth that invites total strangers to spill their guts. Before becoming the new receptionist at Wilshire Total Health, Lily worked as a pharmaceutical sales rep, a job she stumbled into after answering an ad that asked: "Do you want to get paid to help people feel better?" Her empathy made her the worst salesperson ever -- especially when she discovered, to her horror and distress, that the pill she was selling gave people diarrhea. Spontaneously hired by Dr. Mitch, she's thrilled to finally be in a position to really help people. Lily's youth and enthusiasm are a constant threat to age-obsessed Sofia. Ethan, on the other hand, is captivated by Lily, especially given what a stark contrast she provides to his fianc�e." - while MacArthur's role is that of Reid Traveiso - "30, any ethnicity. He's a handsome, cocksure, slightly dim bulb nurse who runs a secret gambling operation out of his nursing station. Nurse Traveiso wears his unconventional career choice like a badge of honor, and believes his scrubs turn women on as much as any doctor's - he just didn't have to work as hard to get them. Though he genuinely likes Ethan, and has a father of his own, Reid believes that he and Mitch share an amazing father/son bond and he magnanimously encourages Ethan to cultivate a bond with Mitch, too. While Reid is as likely as Mitch to indulge in certain vices, he is also awed by Mitch's philosophical side, and eager to be mentored by him in all things metaphysical." Jason Winer is behind the 20th Century Fox Television-based project, which he's directing from his own script.
UNTITLED DAVID KOHAN/MAX MUTCHNICK PROJECT (ABC) - Alan Tudyk ("3:10 to Yuma") is the first to sign onto the comedy pilot, about two men - one straight, one gay (Tudyk) - who are lifelong best friends and business partners. Warner Bros. Television is behind the half-hour, which comes from co-creators (and real life best friends/business partners) David Kohan and Max Mutchnick.
UNTITLED LOUIS C.K./PAMELA ADLON PROJECT (CBS, New!) - "Lucky Louie" alums Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon are set to reteam for a potential new multi-camera comedy at the network and CBS Paramount Network Television. The pair have been given a script commitment to co-write and co-star in said half-hour, which would revolve around a married couple who have been together too long and have too many children. C.K. then would also serve as an executive producer.
UNTITLED MARISSA JARET WINOKUR PROJECT (Syndication, New!) - Sony Pictures Television has inked a deal with "Dancing With the Stars" vet Marissa Jaret Winokur to develop a daytime talk show around the actress. It's understood Sony was in a bidding war with other several other studios to land the actress's services. The resulting project then is being eyed for a fall 2009 launch. Not surprisingly, format specifics are still in the early stage.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[04/30/26 - 10:31 AM]
Meet the Six Contestants Competing on "Fear Factor: 48 Hours of Fear," Where Fear and Sleep Deprivation Are Guaranteed!
The two-week special event airs Thursday, May 14 and May 21 on FOX.
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[04/30/26 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Announces New Series "Minimum Wage," Set to Debut Later This Year
Based on the breakout American High Shorts series of the same name, which has drawn over 30 million views across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram since launching in May 2024 and will debut exclusively on Netflix later this year.
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[04/30/26 - 10:00 AM]
Starz Greenlights Untitled Drama Series Set in the Electrifying World of the Black Rodeo
Infused with hip hop swagger and country soul, the series unfolds in Southeast Texas, where rodeo isn't just what you do - it's who you are.
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[04/30/26 - 10:00 AM]
Video: An Epic Story 450 Million Years in the Making - NBC Unveils "Surviving Earth" Trailer and Key Art
The highly anticipated landmark docuseries will now premiere Thursday, June 11.
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[04/30/26 - 09:42 AM]
ABC Renews "Shifting Gears," "Scrubs" for 2026-27 Season
Both moves were confirmed on social media this morning.
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[04/30/26 - 09:11 AM]
Award-Winning Comedian, Entertainer & Cultural Sensation Druski Set to Host "BET Awards" 2026
This year's event airs live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28 at 8 PM ET/PT.
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[04/30/26 - 09:09 AM]
Discovery Channel May Programming Highlights
Newcomers "Naked and Afraid: Global Showdown" and "In the Eye of the Storm: Chasers" will be joined by returning series "Deadliest Catch," "Homestead Rescue" and "The Last Woodsmen."
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[04/30/26 - 09:01 AM]
Season Two of "Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman" Premieres Friday, June 5 on USA Network
Following a breakout first season, Strowman will eat his way through 12 American culinary capitals, including Seattle, Detroit, Austin, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Atlanta, New York, Houston, Bristol, and Nashville.
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[04/30/26 - 09:01 AM]
Jesse Collins Entertainment Set to Produce the 78th Emmy Awards Airing Live Sept. 14 on NBC and Peacock
Nominations will be announced by the Television Academy on Wednesday, July 8, streaming live at 8:30 a.m. PT on Emmys.com.
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[04/30/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Spotlights Trailer for "It's Not Like That" Starring Scott Foley Timed to Global Launch
The show blends heartfelt drama with warmth and humor, focusing on connection, second chances, and the realities of modern family life.
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[04/30/26 - 09:00 AM]
Watch The Skies! Season 7 of The History Channel's "The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch" Returns May 19
The new season will follow ranch owner Brandon Fugal and his fearless team of credited scientists and researchers as they employ cutting-edge science and technology to identify what or who is behind all of the high-strangeness that has long been reported on the 512-acre Utah property.
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[04/30/26 - 08:00 AM]
Saif Ali Khan Anchors a Story of Duty and Dilemma, Red Chillies Entertainment's Next with Netflix, "Kartavya"; Out on May 15
The film brings to screen a tense heartland story of a police officer pushed to his limits in a morally complex world.
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[04/30/26 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "The Crash" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A teen slams her car into a building, killing her boyfriend and his friend. What seems like a tragic accident becomes a murder case in this documentary.
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[04/30/26 - 07:28 AM]
Great American Media Begins Production on Season 2, Original Series, "Crossroad Springs," as Audience Momentum Builds Across All Platforms
Season two is slated to premiere this Fall, streaming on Great American Pure Flix and premiering on Great American Family and GFAM+.
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[04/30/26 - 07:01 AM]
Prime Video Launches "Obsession Is in Session," A New Initiative Celebrating Young Adult Storytelling and Fandom Culture
"Elle," "Every Year After," "Maxton Hall - The World Between Us," "Off Campus," and "Sterling Point" are among the featured projects.
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