 |
 |
[05/23/08 - 05:22 PM]
Development Update: Friday, May 23
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!
24 (FOX) - Eric Lively ("The L Word"), Tony Todd ("Chuck") and Gil Bellows ("The Agency") have all booked roles on the show's two-hour prequel, which will feature Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) battling an international crisis in Africa while the U.S. ushers in a new president on Inauguration Day. Lively will play the president's son with Todd as General Juma, a cruel African dictator; and Bellows as a State Department officer ordered to serve Jack Bauer with a subpoena and to appear before the Senate. It's not clear if any of the actors will carry over into the seventh season. They join the previously cast Robert Carlyle as Benton, Jack's mentor in Africa, in the event, which premieres Sunday, November 23.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JIMMY JAXX (FOX, New!) - Smart Entertainment ("Blades of Glory") is looking to develop a new animated series loosely based on the life of Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. The project, which is still in the early stages of development, would revolve around a rocker who attempts to balance his crazy lifestyle on the road with a calmer existence at home, not to mention his tattoos, which literally come to life and are constantly trying to lead him down the wrong path. The company's John Jacobs is executive producing the project alongside writers Michael Davidoff ("Working"), Steven Ilous ("Polar Express"), Bill Rosenthal ("Tripping the Rift") and Steve Freeman ("Stripperella"). In addition to lending his voice, Lee will serve as a producer.
ROMAN'S EMPIRE (ABC) - Kelsey Grammer ("Back to You") has been tapped as the title character on the single-camera comedy pilot, about Leo Park (Nick Thune), a lovable guy who, after getting dumped by his girlfriend, tries but cannot extricate himself from her wealthy family, the Prettys, and her outrageous, overbearing father, Roman (Grammer). Also landing roles in the CBS Paramount Network Television/Katalyst Films/Tiger Aspect Productions-based project are Christine Woods as Nikki, Leo's aforementioned girlfriend; Laura Leigh and Carla Gallo as Nikki's sisters Kelly and Jenny; and Zachary Knighton as either Nikki's new boyfriend Seb or Leo's best friend Jace. Alan J. Higgins penned the pilot script and is executive producing alongside Andrew Zein, Ashton Kutcher, Ben Cavey, Jason Goldberg and Karey Burke. Marc Buckland is directing.
SINGLE WITH PARENTS (ABC) - Meagen Fay ("How I Met Your Mother") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a thirtysomething woman (Alyssa Milano) who tries to break free of her overbearing and dysfunctional family, friends and boss. She'll play Nancy, who's detailed in the casting notice as follows: "Middle aged, doughy, sweet-looking, nurturing, good-natured. Nancy is Joe's new fiancee, and the mother of 30something Charlie. A motherly mother who bakes cookies and knows how to cook, Nancy doesn't swear - she says things like "Sweet Cheeses" - but she doesn't mind turning her hand at her future step-kids' new Wii and she very sweetly (but pointedly) makes a comment about Elizabeth's age in response to a crack about her own. She's sweet, but she's got everyone's number, and she will be an ally for Lou in trying to get Joe to be a more responsible parent. Like her son, she's unfazed by the chaotic new family she's about to step into." Amanda Detmer, Annie Potts, Beau Bridges and Eric Winter also star in the half-hour, which comes from ABC Studios, DreamWorks Television and creator Kristin Newman.
SONS OF ANARCHY (FX) - Ron Perlman has joined the cast of the upcoming drama, about a notorious outlaw motorcycle club's efforts to protect their California town from drug dealers and local corporate developers. He'll take over for Scott Glenn as Clay Morrow, the club's president and stepfather of the central character, Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam). It's understood the change was made as part of an effort to shift the project's tone in a more darkly comedic direction. Drea de Matteo, Katey Sagal and Maggie Siff also star in the hour, which was created by Kurt Sutter. Allen Coulter helmed the pilot.
UNTITLED VICTOR FRESCO PROJECT (ABC) - Jay Harrington ("Desperate Housewives") has scored the lead role in the pilot, an office comedy that centers on Ted (Harrington), the highly moral head of research and development at a major company. Also signing on are Malcolm Barrett and Jonathan Slavin as two of the company's researchers. They all join the previously cast Andrea Anders and Portia de Rossi. Victor Fresco created the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, which Mike Fresco is directing.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [may 2008]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[05/26/26 - 11:14 AM]
TLC Announces Season Two of "Jay & Pamela" as the Couple Embraces Life's Next Chapter
The series returns Tuesday, June 30 at 10 PM ET/PT on TLC.
|
[05/26/26 - 11:00 AM]
"Dutton Ranch" Is the Biggest Original Series Debut in Paramount+ History
In addition to its record-setting performance on Paramount+, "Dutton Ranch" is also the #1 streaming series according to Nielsen based on average audience for the week of May 11 according to preliminary data.
|
[05/26/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Calabasas Confidential" - Official Trailer #2 - Netflix
Fresh out of college, a tight-knit group of friends, exes and rivals returns to hillside SoCal luxury and unfinished drama in this opulent reality series.
|
[05/26/26 - 09:41 AM]
Paramount+ Turns Up the Drama This Summer with the Return of "All the Queen's Men" and "Ruthless"
"All the Queen's Men" premieres its fifth and finale season on Wednesday, June 10; and the eagerly awaited sixth season of "Tyler Perry's Ruthless," returns on Tuesday, June 30.
|
[05/26/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy" - Sneak Peek - Netflix
The special honors one of the most influential and beloved figures in film, celebrating a career that has redefined comedy and left a lasting impact on global audiences.
|
[05/26/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "The Root Of The Game" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Brazil lives, breathes and exports várzea. This series delves into the stories behind the beautiful game - one with the power to change lives.
|
[05/26/26 - 05:01 AM]
Video: "The Ribbon Hero" - Official Teaser - Netflix
Brought to life by a powerhouse team of creators, this new anime film arrives August 8, 2026, only on Netflix.
|
[05/26/26 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "Norway: The Dark Horse" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Hope and history collide as an elite Norwegian squad fights to end a 26-year wait and earn a place at the 2026 World Cup in this rare-access documentary.
|
[05/25/26 - 01:08 PM]
MLB on ESPN Schedule Updates: Seattle Mariners Visit Baltimore Orioles on June 11; Defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers Host American League-Leading Tampa Bay Rays on June 15
Commentator assignments for both games will be announced soon.
|
[05/25/26 - 12:01 PM]
Heading to OKC! ESPN Presents Exclusive Coverage of the NCAA Women's College World Series
The final two teams face off in the best-of-three series, beginning on June 3.
|
[05/25/26 - 08:32 AM]
Netflix Announces Five New Brazilian Productions and Expands Its Presence at Rio2C 2026
Netflix will participate in five panels throughout the event, bringing together executives, creators and partners to discuss topics such as the future of audiovisual production in Brazil and Latin America, sports storytelling, and models of collaboration and financing for Brazilian cinema.
|
[05/25/26 - 08:31 AM]
"MED," Production Begins on Netflix's First Medical Drama, Starring Clara Moneke
Starring Clara Moneke and set in a university hospital, the series immerses viewers in the intense world of young doctors in training, exploring the emotional, ethical and deeply human challenges of the profession.
|
[05/25/26 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "The Marked Woman" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a woman is found in a shipping container with no memory of who she is, two detectives race to figure out her identity - and who wants her dead.
|
[05/24/26 - 09:02 PM]
Video: "President Curtis" - New Series Coming in July - Adult Swim
The new series is coming in July on Adult Swim.
|
[05/24/26 - 08:46 AM]
Video: HBO Max Unveils Coming Soon Spot Featuring First Looks at Several Upcoming Originals
The spot features never-before-seen footage from "Conan O'Brien Must Go," "Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness," "Monsters of God," "The Gilded Age," "The Man Will Burn," "War," and "Youth."
|
|
|
|
