or


[05/16/08 - 06:24 PM]
Development Update: Friday, May 16
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) - Rob Estes ("Women's Murder Club") has joined the cast of the "90210" revival, about the Mills, a three-generation Beverly Hills family. He'll play said clan's patriarch, Harrison "Harry" Mills, who's detailed in the casting notice as follows: "Late 30s-Early 40s. He's a graduate of Beverly Hills High. He went "back East" for college and has never looked back. He was proud to escape what he perceived as the shallow culture of his upbringing. His viewed his mother's wealth and fame as obstacles to be overcome rather than qualities to be embraced. He has a real do-gooder gene. He met his wife in Africa during his stint in the Peace Corp. He began his career in education in the Teach For America program. (College grads can teach without a certificate in poor/needy school districts.) He has become a rising star in educational circles, managing to turn around a notorious East St. Louis high school into a model school of high achievement. Returning to Beverly Hills was not his ambition; it's simply the hand he's been dealt. He's a loving dad, though his children often find they have to share him with his thousand other "kids." Sometimes his children wish he'd be less of a pal and more of normal dad. Still, they recognize they're in the "lucky" category." Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah are behind the CBS Paramount Network Television-based hour. Production on the series is set to begin next month.


DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER (A&E) - The cable channel has confirmed the one-time signature series will rejoin the network's lineup on Wednesday, June 25. Said installments will initially be repeats with first-run episodes coming a few weeks later. A&E pulled the series back in October following the release of a tape featuring series star Duane "Dog" Chapman using a racial slur in a profanity-laced tirade about his son's girlfriend, who is black. The network has a handful of episodes yet to air from the show's fourth season while production is underway on its fifth go around.


MAIL ORDER BRIDE (Hallmark) - Daphne Zuniga ("One Tree Hill") and Greg Evigan ("Journey to the Center of the Earth") have both signed onto the original movie, about a woman (Zuniga) whose friend dies before coming out West to be a mail-order bride. Evigan then will play the mobster who "owns her and involves her in illegal activities she no longer wants to be a part of," according to the network's press release. Blueprint Entertainment is behind the project, which Anne Wheeler is directing from a script by Tippi and Neal Dobrofsky. Sunta Izzicupo and Dori Weiss are the executive producers. Production is underway in Vancouver for a November premiere on the cable channel.


ROMAN'S EMPIRE (ABC) - Comedian Nick Thune is the first to join the cast of the comedy pilot, about a lovable guy who can't extricate himself from his ex-girlfriend's wealthy family and her outrageous father. He'll play Leo Park, said lovable guy, in the project, which comes from creator Alan J. Higgins and co-producers CBS Paramount Network Television, Katalyst Films and Tiger Aspect Productions. Marc Buckland is directing.


THE STARTER WIFE (USA) - Danielle Nicolet ("Heartland") has joined the cast of the upcoming series, a follow-up to last year's Debra Messing-led mini-series of the same name. She'll play Chantal, a newcomer to the group, who's described in the casting notice as follows: "Early 30s. Chic, whip-smart, and humorous African-American woman, born and raised on the wrong side of the tracks in the Bronx. A streetsmart woman with tons of money, new to L.A. with husband Devon, new star Dodger shortstop. Chantal, a stay-at-home-mom, is deeply devoted to her family, but in a hip, inspiring, and nouveau-riche kind of way. Chantal has no problem standing up for herself or others, especially if she senses any sort of injustice. Her greatest weakness is her unfounded jealousy regarding her husband, who's been faithful to her since they were high school sweethearts. After a rocky start, she and Molly become close friends and Chantal becomes the new member of the "coven" with Joan and Rodney." Chris Diamantopoulos, David Alan Basche and Judy Davis also star in the project, which rolls out in October.


SUBURBAN SHOOTOUT (HBO) - Kelly Preston ("Medium") is the latest addition to the pilot, a dark comedy about a woman who escapes the city for suburban bliss only to find herself caught between two rival gangs of homicidal housewives vying for control of the town. She'll play Camilla, the formidable leader of one of the gangs, in the project, which also stars Kerri Kenney and Rachael Harris. Barry Sonnenfeld is directing from a script by Michelle Ashford.


UNTITLED VICTOR FRESCO PROJECT (ABC) - Mike Fresco ("My Name Is Earl"), brother of creator Victor Fresco, has been tapped to helm the single-camera comedy pilot, about a moral guy trying to do right in an amoral world. Andrea Anders and Portia de Rossi star in the half-hour, which is based at 20th Century Fox Television.


THE UNUSUALS (ABC) - Adam Goldberg ("Entourage") has joined the ensemble cast of the pilot, an offbeat dramedy set at a New York police precinct. He'll play Delahoy, a detective nursing a brain tumor and trying to die a noble death in the line of duty. Monique Gabriela also stars in the project, which comes from creator Noah Hawley and Sony Pictures Television. Stephen Hopkins is directing.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [may 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· 90210 (CW)
· BETTER OFF TED (ABC)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER (A AND E)
· ENTOURAGE (HBO)
· HEARTLAND (TNT)
· MAIL ORDER BRIDE (HALLMARK)
· MEDIUM (CBS)
· MY NAME IS EARL (NBC)
· ONE TREE HILL (CW)
· ROMAN'S EMPIRE (ABC)
· STARTER WIFE, THE (USA)
· SUBURBAN SHOOTOUT (HBO)
· UNUSUALS, THE (ABC)
· WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB (ABC)





[04/26/24 - 12:07 PM]
Oxygen True Crime's "Accident, Suicide or Murder" Returns for a Fifth Season on Saturday, May 18 at 8 P.M. ET/PT
The series explores the unbelievable true stories of suspicious deaths that either initially appear to be an accident, suicide or murder.

[04/26/24 - 12:00 PM]
The "2024 American Music Awards" to Air for the First Time on CBS, Sunday, Oct. 6
The AMAs celebrate the year's top achievements in music determined by the fans, for the fans.

[04/26/24 - 11:40 AM]
#1 and #2 Court Shows "Judge Judy" and "Hot Bench" Renewed Through 2025-26 in 95% of the Country
"Hot Bench" was reupped for two more years by CBS Stations in major markets, as well as stations owned by Sinclair, Nexstar, Tegna, Scripps, FOX Stations, Gray and Weigel.

[04/26/24 - 11:00 AM]
The Word-Twisting Game Show "Lingo," Hosted By RuPaul Charles, to Premiere Friday, May 24 on CBS
Host RuPaul Charles brings his one-of-a-kind personality to this clever, competitive and unpredictable game where teams of two face off in fast-paced puzzle rounds to guess letters that reveal seemingly simple words.

[04/26/24 - 09:33 AM]
Paramount+ Announces "Apartment 7A," A New Original Film Starring Golden Globe Winner Julia Garner, to Premiere This Fall
Set in 1965 New York City, the film tells the story prior to the legendary horror classic Rosemary's Baby, exploring what happened in the apartment before Rosemary moved in.

[04/26/24 - 09:00 AM]
Video: China Anne Mcclain & Kylie Cantrall Perform "What's My Name (Red Version)" from "Descendants: The Rise of Red" Soundtrack in New Music Video
"Descendants: The Rise of Red" premieres Friday, July 12 exclusively on Disney+, followed by a special encore on Friday, August 9, at 8:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel.

[04/26/24 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Secrets of the Neanderthals" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The film takes viewers on a journey from their preconceptions of Neanderthals as a dim-witted creature to a complex and creative people, through the lens of a unique, ongoing excavation and a landmark new discovery - the best-preserved Neanderthal skeleton found in over a quarter century.

[04/25/24 - 02:31 PM]
On the Heels of "The Daily Show's" Huge Ratings Growth, The Emmy Award-Winning Franchise Expands Its All-Star News Team
The show enlists Troy Iwata, Josh Johnson, and Grace Kuhlenschmidt as Correspondents.

[04/25/24 - 01:01 PM]
Greed, Lust and Wrath Turn Deadly in New Oxygen True Crime Series "Sins of the South" Premiering Sunday, May 12th at 8:00 PM ET/PT
With a deliciously delightful Southern inflected narration, each of the 12-hour-long episodes unravel the twists and turns of a?real-life?murder, highlighting the disturbing crimes of the?South and the wickedness that led to it.

[04/25/24 - 11:31 AM]
Netflix Greenlights Leanne Morgan Scripted Comedy from Co-Creator Chuck Lorre
Additionally, Morgan will do two stand-up specials for Netflix.

[04/25/24 - 11:01 AM]
Netflix & Shondaland Announce New "Bridgerton" Season 3 Product Collections & Brand Collaborations
In celebration of its upcoming Season 3 premiere, Netflix and Shondaland are announcing new product collections with leading lifestyle brands that speak to the essence of the Bridgerton universe and the underpinnings of the romantic Regency era releasing this spring.

[04/25/24 - 10:37 AM]
ABC's "Will Trent" Continues Momentum as Series Logs Highest Total Viewer Audience to Date and Highest Adults 18-49 Rating in Over a Year
After 35 days of viewing on ABC, Hulu and digital platforms, "Will Trent" continues its ratings climb in episode three of season two, growing to 11.23 million Total Viewers and marking its highest multiplatform telecast to date.

[04/25/24 - 10:07 AM]
Video: "Prom Dates" - Official Trailer - Hulu
"Prom Dates" follows best friends Jess and Hannah, who made a pact at 13 to have the perfect senior prom.

[04/25/24 - 10:02 AM]
HGTV Picks-Up New Season of Popular Hawaii-Based Series "Renovation Aloha"
The new season is slated to premiere in 2025.

[04/25/24 - 10:01 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Debuts Official Trailer and Key Art for Third Season of "Mayor of Kingstown"
In season three, a series of explosions rock Kingstown and its citizens, as a new face of the Russian mob sets up shop in the city, and a drug war rages inside and outside prison walls.