 |
 |
[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 |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[08/27/26 - 09:01 AM]
ESPN and Words + Pictures Announce October 8 Premiere for "Saban," Landmark ESPN Original Series on Hall of Fame Icon Nick Saban
The series tells the story of Saban's remarkable career, highlighted by his 17 seasons at Alabama, where he led the Crimson Tide to six national championships and reestablished the program as the preeminent force in college football.
|
[08/27/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Stavros Halkias: Uncle Stav" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Fresh off becoming an uncle this year, Stavros Halkias is back for his second Netflix special, "Uncle Stav."
|
[08/27/26 - 08:01 AM]
HBO Original Comedy Series "Youth," from Sharon Horgan, Debuts September 20
The series follows a 50-year-old divorcee's search for sex and love whilst juggling caring for her ailing parents and parenting her should-be grown up son.
|
[08/27/26 - 07:59 AM]
Paramount+ Sets September 4 Premiere for Original Football Docuseries "The Program: Texas Tech"
Produced by Skydance Sports and Second Wind Creative, the four-part series gives unprecedented access into the Texas Tech University Red Raiders College Football Program through one of the most consequential off-seasons in the history of the sport.
|
[08/27/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Unabomber" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this drama inspired by true events, Ted Kaczynski's path from Harvard prodigy and test subject to the Unabomber unfolds as the FBI hunts him down.
|
[08/27/26 - 07:01 AM]
BET's Hit Drama "Tyler Perry's Sistas" Returns for the Second Half of Its Milestone 10th Season, Wednesday, October 7, at 9/8c on BET
KJ Smith Black, Mignon, and Crystal Reneé Hayslett, Jordan Coleman, and Tunde Oyeneyin return as series regulars, joined by Angela Beyince, Devale Ellis, Brian Jordan, Jr., Chris Warren, Angela Beyince, Branden Wellington and Monti Washington.
|
[08/27/26 - 07:00 AM]
CBS Presents "Remembering Dolly: A Rhinestone Life," An "Entertainment Tonight" Special, to Air Sunday, Aug. 30 at 8:00 PM on CBS and Stream on Paramount+
Hosted by Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner, the special celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of Dolly Parton.
|
[08/27/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Go Team!" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When their team-building event gets downgraded to a tiny village, a cheese company's staff think it can't get worse - then they learn about the layoffs.
|
[08/27/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Toy Story 5" - Coming to Disney+ September 23rd
The toys have a new home... on Disney+.
|
[08/27/26 - 06:00 AM]
CBS Announces Inaugural Special "America's Tailgate on CBS," Hosted by Nate Burleson with Co-Host Melanie Collins, Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7
The brand-new event from Nashville will feature correspondent Whitney Cummings; A-list musical performances in "Music City" from Chase Rice, Gabby Barrett, John Legend and Sheryl Crow; and special appearances by NFL MVP and executive producer Josh Allen and "The NFL Today's" Kyle Long and Russell Wilson.
|
[08/27/26 - 05:01 AM]
Video: "The Ramparts of Ice" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Koyuki wrestles with longing as Minato drifts on thin ice. Meanwhile, Miki and Yota face a strained bond. Can the four friends untangle their feelings?
|
[08/27/26 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "Real Men 2" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Mattia, Luigi, Riccardo and Massimo continue their journey to fit the ever-changing mold of manhood as new jobs and old flings keep them on their toes.
|
[08/27/26 - 03:01 AM]
Great American Media Brings Entire "When Hope Calls" Journey Home: Season One Streams on Great American Pure Flix This Fall, Production Begins on Season Four for World Premiere Early 2027
Returning for season four are Cindy Busby, Christopher Russell, Sarah Fisher, Nick Bateman, Jillian Murray, Trevor Donovan, Hanneke Talbot, Jon McLaren, Neil Crone, Simon Arblaster, and Wendy Crewson.
|
[08/26/26 - 10:01 PM]
Video: Netflix Unveils Main Poster and Trailer for "Delusion"
"Delusion" plunges viewers into a chilling mystery set in the quiet district of Chiang Khan, Loei Province.
|
[08/26/26 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Possible Love" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A laid-off worker and his wife cross paths with a documentary filmmaker and her spouse and confront their hidden desires.
|
|
|
|
