or


[05/12/08 - 12:03 PM]
Development Update: Monday, May 12 (Afternoon)
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!


CBS 2008-09 SEASON COMEDIES (CBS) - The Eye kicked off Monday by picking up its comedy pilots "Worst Week" and "Project Gary" (previously known as "Untitled Ed Yeager Project"). "Week," which is based on the U.K. series "Worst Week Of My Life," tells the story of a young couple (Erinn Hayes, Kyle Bornheimer) who have to navigate the politics of dealing with their soon-to-be in-laws (Nancy Lenehan, Kurtwood Smith). Jay Malone also stars in the Universal Media Studios-based half-hour, which comes from creator Matt Tarses and director Marc Buckland. The pair are also executive producing alongside Jimmy Mulville of Hat Trick Productions. As for "Gary," Jay Mohr toplines said project, which revolves around a middle-class dad trying to navigate new waters with his kids, his ex and his newfound romantic life. Jaime King, Laura Marano, Paula Marshall and Ryan Malgarini round out the show's cast while Ed Yeager and Ric Swartzlander are the executive producers for ABC Studios and CBS Paramount Network Television.


CBS 2008-09 SEASON DRAMAS (CBS) - "Eleventh Hour," "The Mentalist," "Harper's Island" and "The Ex List" (formerly known as "Mythological X") are the first members of the Eye's 2008-09 drama class, various sources confirmed today. Rufus Sewell and Marley Shelton topline "Hour," about a special science adviser to the government who, with his feisty female bodyguard in tow, saves people from the worst abuses of science. Danny Cannon helmed the Warner Bros. Television-based pilot from a script by Mick Davis. The pair are also executive producing alongside Cyrus Voris, Ethan Reiff, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman and Robert Green. "Mentalist," also from Warner Bros. Television, stars Simon Baker as a mentalist who uses his skills of observation to solve crimes as an independent detective working with the police. Amanda Righetti, Owain Yeoman, Robin Tunney, Shaun Toub and Tim Kang round out the show's ensemble. Bruno Heller created the hour, which was helmed by pilot wunderkind David Nutter. Next up is "Island," a horror story that unfolds during the course of a season as a group of friends meet on an island off the Seattle coast for a destination wedding. Elaine Cassidy and Ryan Merriman both star in the project, which comes from CBS Paramount Network Television and Jon Turteltaub's Junction Entertainment. Ari Schlossberg penned the pilot presentation, which Turteltaub directed and executive produced alongside his Junction partners Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik. And finally, "List" stars Elizabeth Reaser as 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 in the hopes of finding him. Diane Ruggiero is behind the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which also stars Adam Rothenberg, Alexandra Breckenridge, Amir Talai and Rachel Boston. Timothy Busfield directed while Jonathan Levin executive produced alongside Ruggiero.


ELI STONE/OCTOBER ROAD/WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB (ABC) - The Alphabet is moving forward with a second season of "Eli Stone" while both "October Road" and "Women's Murder Club" won't make the 2008-09 season cut. Various schedules making the rounds have "Stone" setting up shop on Tuesday nights at 10:00/9:00c this fall, however nothing has been confirmed at this point. As for "Club" and "Road," both were widely considered longshots to return next season as the latter finished as the network's least-watched drama (5.34 million viewers on average) while the former's recent relaunch on Tuesday nights didn't click with audiences.


LIFE ON MARS (ABC) - As expected, ABC has officially ordered the long-in-the-works drama pilot to series. Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg have also closed their deals to serve as the newcomer's showrunners. Jason O'Mara stars in the hour, which is based on the U.K. series of the same name. 20th Century Fox Television, ABC Studios, David E. Kelley Productions and Kudos Productions are co-producing.


SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH (A.K.A. HOW TO TEACH FILTY RICH GIRLS) (The CW) - The netlet has added the drama pilot to its 2008-09 roster. Said hour, which is based on Zoey Dean's young adult book series, centers on a Yale-educated young woman (Joanna Garcia) hired to be the live-in tutor/life coach to two rich heiresses (Ashley Newbrough, Lucy Kate Hale) in Palm Beach. Marsha Mason and Michael Cassidy also star in the project, which comes from Warner Bros. Television and Alloy Entertainment. Bob Levy, Leslie Morgenstein and creator Rina Mimoun are the executive producers.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [may 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· ELEVENTH HOUR (CBS)
· ELI STONE (ABC)
· EX LIST, THE (CBS)
· GARY UNMARRIED (CBS)
· HARPER'S ISLAND (CBS)
· LIFE ON MARS (ABC)
· MENTALIST, THE (CBS)
· OCTOBER ROAD (ABC)
· PRIVILEGED (CW)
· WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB (ABC)
· WORST WEEK (CBS)





[01/07/26 - 01:01 PM]
AMC/AMC+ Unveil First Look at "The Audacity," The Highly Anticipated Drama from Emmy Award-Winner Jonathan Glatzer
The series stars Billy Magnussen, Sarah Goldberg, Zach Galifianakis, Lucy Punch, Simon Helberg, and more.

[01/07/26 - 01:00 PM]
51st Season of "Saturday Night Live" Returns Jan. 17 with Three Back-to-Back Shows
Teyana Taylor and Alexander SkarsgÄrd will follow the previously announced Finn Wolfhard as the first hosts in 2026.

[01/07/26 - 12:32 PM]
Bowl Season on ESPN Networks Delivers Strongest Audience Since 2015-16
ABC delivered its largest non CFP bowl audience in 12 years, averaging 6.2 million viewers across six games.

[01/07/26 - 11:00 AM]
"Real Time with Bill Maher" Renewed Through 2028, With Season 24 Debuting January 23
Hosted by Bill Maher, the long-running series continues its mix of a sharp opening monologue, one-on-one interviews, roundtable discussions, and the show's signature segment "New Rules."

[01/07/26 - 10:13 AM]
Nominations Announced for the 32nd Annual Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA
The event will stream live globally on Netflix Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT from the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall.

[01/07/26 - 09:34 AM]
FX's "The Lowdown" Renewed for Second Season on FX and Hulu
Production on season two will begin in Tulsa this spring.

[01/07/26 - 09:29 AM]
In 2025, Fans Power ESPN and "ESPN on ABC" to Its Most-Watched Year in Over a Decade
ESPN networks increased industry-leading sports share to 35 percent, up from 31 percent in 2024.

[01/07/26 - 09:11 AM]
Netflix Announces New Comedy Series "A Hundred Percent" Starring Nick Kroll, Sam Richardson, Jason Mantzoukas, and Vanessa Bayer
The half-hour comedy is about a group of friends working inside the Thought Leader industrial complex.

[01/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Relationship Goals" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Stream the film, starring Kelly Rowland and Cliff "Method Man" Smith, February 4 on Prime Video.

[01/07/26 - 08:32 AM]
FOX Entertainment Introduces FOX Creator Studios New Creator-Led, Digital-First Division to Partner with Next-Gen Talent, Developing New Formats, Building Future of Global IP and Reaching Audiences Where They Are
The new studio debuts with a focus on food content and an inaugural roster boasting some of the world's most influential culinary voices, including Gordon Ramsay, Rosanna Pansino, Jolly, Sorted Food, Food Theorists, and Little Remy Food.

[01/07/26 - 08:00 AM]
Television Legend Judge Judy Sheindlin Marks 30-Year Milestone with All-New Season of "Judy Justice" on Prime Video January 19
The series will debut with three episodes on premiere day and new episodes released every weekday until April 10.

[01/07/26 - 06:01 AM]
What Next? Netflix Reveals Series, Films and Games Coming in 2026
Upcoming season premieres include "Beef" on April 16; "Sweet Magnolias" on June 11; and "Virgin River" on March 12.

[01/07/26 - 06:00 AM]
Video: The Heist You Can't Miss - Prime Video's "Steal" Trailer and Key Art Debut
All six episodes will be available on January 21, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[01/07/26 - 05:32 AM]
Video: TV One Drops Exclusive First Look for "Fatal Attraction: I'd Kill to Be You"
The series explores real stories of friendships that turn into dangerous fixations, romantic envy, and co-worker rivalries gone wrong.

[01/07/26 - 04:03 AM]
Netflix Supports Warner Bros. Discovery Board's Commitment to Merger Agreement
After a comprehensive and rigorous review process with its independent financial and legal advisors, the WBD Board reaffirmed its conclusion that the transaction with Netflix is in the best interests of WBD stockholders.