or


[05/11/08 - 04:33 PM]
Development Update: Sunday, May 11
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!


90210 (The CW) - The CW is officially returning to the famed zip code, various sources confirmed this afternoon. The project had always been a shoo-in to make the netlet's schedule however network executives held off from a formal announcement until all the pieces fell into place, including the addition of showrunners Jeff Judah and Gabe Sachs. The news comes on the heels of yesterday's confirmation that Jennie Garth would be a part of the series on a recurring basis. The show's ensemble includes AnnaLynne McCord, Dustin Milligan, Jessica Stroup, Jessica Walter, Lori Loughlin, Michael Steger, Ryan Eggold, Shenae Grimes and Tristan Wilds. CBS Paramount Network Television is producing.


BOSTON LEGAL/LIFE ON MARS (ABC) - The Alphabet has renewed the David E. Kelley-produced drama for a fifth season of at least 13 episodes. Industry scuttlebutt however suggests that said renewal is the price the network will pay for the prolific writer/producer to depart his pilot "Life on Mars." "October Road" co-creators Andre Nemec, Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg have been in talks to serve as the newcomer's showrunners however Kelley himself had to sign off on any such hiring. It's believed then that Kelley used such leverage as part of his negotiations to bring "Legal" back for a fifth go around. Nevertheless, both series are expected to be part of ABC's fall schedule, to be announced on Tuesday.


THE GAME/STYLISTA (A.K.A. UNTITLED FASHION MAGAZINE ASSISTANT PROJECT) (The CW) - The netlet has commissioned a third season of its "Girlfriends" spin-off "The Game" while Tyra Banks is getting a second hour on its schedule. The latter project, now dubbed "Stylista," features 11 aspiring fashion enthusiasts as they compete for an editorial job with Elle magazine. The CW originally ordered eight episodes of the series earlier this year (read the story). As for specifics, "Stylista" is designed along the lines of "The Apprentice" with contestants working on tasks for Elle's fashion news director, Anne Slowey, with one being eliminated each week by Slowey and Elle's creative director, Joe Zee. Said winner then receives a $100,000 prize package, including a paid lease on an apartment in Manhattan, a clothing allowance at H&M as well as an actual paid editorial position at the magazine. Banks is executive producing alongside Ken Mok, Eli Holzman, Desiree Gruber and Jane Cha via their respective companies 10x10 Entertainment, Bankable Productions, Full Picture and Magic Molehill Productions for Warner Horizon Television. As for "The Game," speculation suggests that the series - along with fellow returning comedy "Everybody Hates Chris" - will shift to Friday nights this fall. As for The CW's other comedies, the network pulled the plug on "Girlfriends" in the wake of the WGA strike while "Aliens in America" isn't expected to make the cut.


INSEPARABLE (FOX) - The drama's lengthy development is set to continue as the network has given the project a cast-contingent pilot order for midseason consideration. Toby Stephens was previously cast in the hour, which at the time was contingent on creator Shaun Cassidy's latest draft of the script. Since then Stephens's option has expired, forcing producers to search for a new lead. ABC Studios will continue to produce the project, which concerns a forensic psychiatrist who has an alternate personality as a result of a traumatic childhood event.


MY BROTHER'S HOT (AND OTHER DILEMMAS) (ABC) - Beau Bridges, Annie Potts, Amanda Detmer and Eric Winter have all joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a thirtysomething woman named Lou (Alyssa Milano) who tries to break free of her overbearing and dysfunctional family, friends and boss. The news was reported by Milano herself via her blog. As for character specifics, Bridges is playing Joe, whom the casting notice details as: "Late 50s-Early 60s, amiably beer-bellied. Joe is Lou's father, who amicably divorced her mother when Lou was 12 and married another woman, who subsequently left him and their two children, Teri-Jo (age 9) and Dylan (age 7). A rather cavalierly irresponsible dad (he admits it) who lets them watch things like serial killers on TV because, after all, they're going to find out about them sooner or later, Joe has a system whereby when he really screws up with his kids, they get a pay-back designed to make them feel better; mostly, though, he relies on Lou to keep things running smoothly. He is very loving and completely non-judgmental, though, and his screw-ups never come from a malicious place. He loves being a dad, and would rather be covered in kids on the couch than anywhere else. Currently, Joe has just decided to marry again, a lovely woman named Nancy, but the kids take against her and demand, as screw-up payback, a trip to Tijuana that is not at all child-appropriate."

Potts then is set as Elizabeth - "Late 50s. Professionally dressed (she works for the corporate office of a hotel chain), still sexy, a force of nature, loving, charming, frustrating, totally self-absorbed. Elizabeth divorced Lou's father when Lou was 12 and has devoted her life to her career and her travels with her various (younger) boyfriends, though she frequently checks in with Lou to criticize, instruct and gloat. Mildly amused by her ex husband Joe's second wife, Elizabeth doesn't find his current fiancee so funny, and in fact begins to feel the lack of her own motherly skills in the face of the naturally nurturing Nancy. Well aware that Lou has sublimated her own life to that of her family, Elizabeth suddenly has an epiphany about the selfish course of her own life, and vows to change her tune and spend more time with the one love of her life: Lou." - with Detmer as Sasha - "30s. Lou's best friend since childhood (so close that Lou's mother Elizabeth considers her 'soul daughter'), No B.S., uber-fashionista, with a vibe a bit like a younger version of Elizabeth, Sasha is married to a man she refers to as The Husband, who is short (this worries her) but rich (this pleases her). Sasha is well aware of Lou's propensity to neglect her own life in favor of taking care of her parents, and Sasha is forever nagging Lou to do something for herself, like take a trip out of town to see if Nice Chicago Guy floats her boat. Sasha agrees to come over to Lou's family get together to help Joe's kids accept their new stepmom, and she's bowled over by Joe's fiancee's hunky son - and intrigued by the thought that this guy's gonna be Lou's new brother."

And finally, Winter is on board as Charlie: "Early-Mid 30s, handsome in a "Matthew McConaughey" way, nice, and incredibly charming. Charlie is the son of Nancy, the woman who's going to marry Lou's father Joe. Though technically Charlie and Lou will be step brother/sister, there are definitely sparks between them. Charlie is a free-spirit and, Lou will point out, a bit of a Peter Pan, who is very good at having a good time, and not particularly in a rush to settle down, even as the years pass. The warm, well-adjusted son of a warm, well-adjusted mother, Charlie doesn't seem fazed by the chaotic turn his family life just took. He will be yet another force to keep Lou tied to this family." Kristin Newman is behind the half-hour, which comes from ABC Studios and DreamWorks Television.


NEW AMSTERDAM (FOX) - Multiple sources have confirmed the freshman drama won't be returning for a second season. The series, which averaged a so-so 7.15 million viewers on Monday nights this season, wrapped its run last month. Among all of FOX's new dramas, "Amsterdam" beat out "K-Ville" (5.52 million) and "Canterbury's Law" (6.15 million) but fell short of the recently renewed "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" (10.84 million).


OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (ABC) - J.D. Roth has been tapped to host the game show, in which the contestants can win everything from cash to plasma TVs - literally from their own home. Roth's company 3 Ball Productions is behind the project, which is being co-produced with Katalyst Films. Roth, Todd A. Nelson, Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg and Karey Burke then are the executive producers. It's believed the Alphabet is targeting the show for a late summer or early fall start.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [may 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· 90210 (CW)
· ALIENS IN AMERICA (CW)
· APPRENTICE, THE (NBC)
· BOSTON LEGAL (ABC)
· CANTERBURY'S LAW (FOX)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS (CW)
· GAME, THE (BET)
· GIRLFRIENDS (CW)
· INSEPARABLE (FOX)
· K-VILLE (FOX)
· LIFE ON MARS (ABC)
· NEW AMSTERDAM (FOX)
· OCTOBER ROAD (ABC)
· OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (ABC)
· SINGLE WITH PARENTS (ABC)
· STYLISTA (CW)
· TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES (FOX)





[03/18/24 - 01:59 PM]
Chrissy Metz, Jaime Ray Newman, Katie Lowes, and George Ferrier Join as Series Regulars for Starz's New Drama "The Hunting Wives"
Production on the thrilling new series has started in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[03/18/24 - 11:30 AM]
Video: ALLBLK Releases Trailer for the World Premiere of New Thriller, "The Influencer" Premiering Thursday, April 4
The original film stars Christina Cooper as Niecy Fields, a social media influencer on the cusp of stardom.

[03/18/24 - 10:06 AM]
E! Announces Trendsetting Guest Judges and Pioneering Disruptors for New Cutting-Edge Design Competition Series "OMG Fashun" with Julia Fox
Handcrafted is the new haute couture on "OMG Fashun" as Julia inspires pioneering fashion disruptors to upend traditional style convention, break the rules and redefine cool.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Peacock Debuts Trailer For New Original Documentary "Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal" Premiering April 1
The documentary looks at the remarkable career of the late Windham Rotunda also known as Bray Wyatt, one of the most skillful, tenacious, and creative WWE Superstars of all-time.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
NBC Is the Official Home of Competition and Games This Summer with a Slate of Powerhouse Hit Series
NBC is the summer home for both the Paris Olympic Games and high-stakes competition with a robust lineup of returning powerhouse favorites, including "America's Got Talent," "American Ninja Warrior," "Password," "The Wall" and "Weakest Link."

[03/18/24 - 09:02 AM]
Netflix Announces News About 26 Upcoming Nordic Titles - Including 12 Brand New Titles
Plus: the streamer offers new looks at "Deliver Me," "The Helicopter Heist," "Ronja the Robber's Daughter," "Billionaire Island" and season two of "Baby Fever."

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The rebels gear up for battle against the ruthless forces of the Motherworld as unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge - and legends are made.

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Disney's "Wish" - Streaming April 3rd - Disney+
Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Wish" is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force - a little ball of boundless energy called Star.

[03/18/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Our Living World" - Cate Blanchett - Official Trailer - Netflix
This stunning nature series narrated by Cate Blanchett explores the intelligence, resourcefulness and interconnectedness of life on our planet.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Acorn TV Fan-Favorite "Harry Wild" Returns Monday, May 13
Season three consists of six episodes and will be available on Acorn TV in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video Orders "Beast Games" from MrBeast and Amazon MGM Studios
Based on his already successful YouTube show, "Beast Games" is set to become the biggest reality competition series ever with 1000 contestants competing for a $5 million dollar cash prize which will be the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.

[03/18/24 - 07:14 AM]
ESPN+ Original Series "Full Court Press" Presented by State Farm Featuring Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso and Kiki Rice to Premiere May 11 & 12 on ABC and ESPN+
From Iowa's historic preseason game that broke attendance records all the way through the WNBA draft in April, the series uses unparalleled access, exclusive interviews, and unique game footage, to transport audiences into the lives of these exceptional athletes.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Scoop" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatization gives an insider account of how the women of Newsnight secured Prince Andrew's infamous interview.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Debuts Trailer for Season Two of Iconic Emmy Award-Winning Series "Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock," Premiering Globally March 29
Award-winning season two cast includes the return of Daveed Diggs alongside Ariana DeBose, Brett Goldstein, Catherine O'Hara, Adam Lambert and K-pop group aespa in guest star roles.

[03/18/24 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Joy" - First Look Teaser - Netflix
Starring Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy, the new film based on the story of the birth of IVF.