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[08/05/08 - 06:52 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, August 5
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
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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!
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? (FOX) - Twentieth Television and Mark Burnett Productions are reportedly close to moving forward with a syndicated version of the successful FOX game show in the fall of 2009. The project, like NBC's "Deal or No Deal," would feature a condensed half-hour version of the parent hourlong show. Jeff Foxworthy is expected to host both the FOX and the syndicated incarnations.
CONFESSIONS OF A CONTRACTOR (CBS, New!) - Richard Murphy's upcoming book, about Henry Sullivan, a blue-collar Los Angeles contractor who oversees high-end renovations for wealthy clients, is heading to the small screen. Shawn Ryan ("The Shield") is on board to shepherd the project, which has a put pilot commitment from the network and 20th Century Fox Television. Murphy will pen and co-executive produce the pilot with Ryan supervising and serving as its executive producer via his MiddKid Productions banner. Said hour is loosely on Murphy's own experience remodeling homes in L.A. off and on for 12 years. As for specifics, the book has Henry falling for two of his female clients, who happen to be former best friends. Anonymous's Jeff Okin, Murphy's manager, and Paul Green will also receive executive producing credits.
GARY UNMARRIED (CBS) - Ed Begley Jr. ("Recount") has joined the cast of the freshman comedy, which stars Jay Mohr as a newly divorced dad. He'll take over for Larry Miller as Dr. Krandall. His character is detailed in the casting notice as follows: "50-60, Male, intelligent, educated but a bit of a pompous blowhard. Dr. Krandall is the family therapist, who has been counseling Gary and Allison during their divorce. He is now engaged to be married to Allison, and comes to Gary's house to offer his services as a therapist to help Gary process his feelings about this awkward situation. Basically a decent guy who wants to help, Dr. Krandall mediates as Gary, Vanessa and Allison vent a few grievances." Producers are also recasting Louise, the daughter of Mohr's character. Laura Marano played the role in the original pilot. No reason for the changes were given.
HARPER'S ISLAND (CBS) - "Supernatural" alum Katie Cassidy has joined the cast of the midseason drama, about a group of friends who meet on an island off the Seattle coast for a destination wedding - to terrifying results. She'll play Trish Wellington, whom the casting notice describes as: "Mid 20s, Caucasian female. The bride. Radiant, dignified, intelligent, and perfectly put-together, with her charm and lovely personality she almost seems too good to be true. The heiress to the Wellington family fortune, she has fallen in love with Henry Dunn, a local boy who used to work on her daddy's boats during the summer. Intent on having the perfect wedding, she has invited dozens of friends to spend a perfect weekend on Harper's Island. But Trish has at least two surprises in store for her." Samantha Noble originated the role in the project's initial pilot presentation. Christopher Gorham and Elaine Cassidy also star.
HYPER-CHONDRIAC (NBC, New!) - Brian Frazer's memoir, subtitled "One Man's Quest to Hurry Up and Calm Down," is being developed as a potential single-camera comedy at the network. Jason Dean Hall ("Grand Theft Auto") is on board to pen the 20th Century Fox Television-based project, with the ever-busy Ryan Murphy executive producing. Frazer's tome details his journey to resolve the stress that was causing all of his unusual ailments. The adaptation then will center on Brian, a pharmaceutical salesman who's forced to sell his wares at hospitals and, as a result, consistently thinks he's suffering from a wide range of maladies. Murphy then is on board to direct from a script by Hall, who will serve as a co-executive producer.
RISE OF THE GARGOYLE (Sci Fi, New!) - Eric Balfour ("24") is set to topline a new original movie for the cable channel about an ancient gargoyle monster whose terror is unleashed in modern-day Paris. He'll play Jack Richmond, a struggling author whose outlandish theories on pagan architecture make him the laughingstock of the academic world. Caroline Neron, Jason Salinger, Nick Mancuso and Tanya Clarke also star in the project, which is currently in production at Romania's Mediapro Studios. Muse Entertainment's Michael Prupas and RHI Entertainment's Robert Halmi Sr. are executive producing with Bill Corcoran as director, Pierre Jodoin as the director of photography and Francois Sylvestre and Andreea Stanculeanu producing.
TRIVIAL PURSUIT: AMERICA PLAYS (Syndication) - Actor/reality staple Christopher Knight has been tapped to host the upcoming game show, based on the iconic Hasbro board game. Production on the series begins this week for a September 22 launch on stations across the country, including FOX affiliates in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Wheeler-Sussman Productions is producing the half-hour with Debmar-Mercury distributing.
UNTITLED POLITICAL THRILLER (AMC) - Jason Horwitch and Joshua Maurer's drama for the cable channel has been given the green light to produce a pilot. The untitled hour revolves around a secret society that pulls the strings on the world political stage and an analyst at a national think tank who discovers that his employers are not who they seem to be. Horwitch penned the pilot and is executive producing alongside Maurer. Production is set to begin in October.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[05/08/25 - 09:03 AM]
Executive Produced by Peyton Manning, History's "The Mega-Brands That Built America" Returns for Season 3 on June 1
Topics explored this season include: Rise of the Internet Store, Office Superstars, Hardware Heroes, Denim Dynasties, Czars of the Selfie, Handheld Brains, and more.
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[05/08/25 - 09:02 AM]
Video: "Adults" - Official Trailer - FX
The ensemble comedy series is about a group of twenty-somethings in New York trying to be good people, despite being neither "good" nor "people" yet.
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[05/08/25 - 09:01 AM]
A&E Unveils Provocative New Docuseries "Secrets of the Bunny Ranch" Premiering Thursday, June 12 at 9PM ET/PT
Featuring never-before-heard interviews, the six-part special chronicles the rise of the Bunny Ranch and its charismatic owner, Dennis Hof revealing the complex legacy of the brothel and its broader influence on society's views of power, sex, and agency.
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[05/08/25 - 09:00 AM]
TLC's New Series "1000-Lb Roomies" Serves Up Big Personalities, Bigger Challenges, and a Whole Lot of Heart
Join Jasmine aka "Jaz" and Nesha, two vibrant personalities who went from online strangers to inseparable friends and roommates, as they embark on a mission to reclaim their health.
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[05/08/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Prime Video Releases Official Trailer and Key Art for Action-Packed Second Season of "The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy"
All eight episodes will debut exclusively on Prime Video on Tuesday, May 27 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[05/08/25 - 08:03 AM]
"Mermicorno: Starfall" Returns with Season Two, Premiering May 15 on Max
The series has become a standout performer on Max, currently ranking #11 and holding a top 15 spot year-to-date in the Kids & Family genre.
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[05/08/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "The Old Guard 2" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Andy and her team of immortal warriors return to protect humanity from a powerful new enemy threatening their very existence.
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[05/08/25 - 08:00 AM]
Gripping Limited True Crime Docu-Series, "The Killer Clown: Murder on the Doorstep," Premieres Thursday, June 5 on SundanceTV, Sundance Now and AMC+
Airing weekly on SundanceTV, the series chronicles the jaw dropping true story behind the murder of Florida resident Marlene Warren, a young wife and mother, who was brutally gunned down on her own doorstep by a person dressed as a clown.
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[05/08/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Apple's Sports Comedy "Stick" Tees Off with Trailer
The 10-episode series will make its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first three episodes on Wednesday, June 4, followed by one new episode every Wednesday, through July 23.
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[05/08/25 - 06:01 AM]
Tubi's "Breaking Bear" Assembles a Star-Packed Cast
Brendan Fraser, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Annie Murphy join the wildly anticipated adult animated comedy with Elizabeth Hurley and Josh Gad.
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[05/08/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Ginny & Georgia" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Netflix
As Georgia's trial sends shockwaves through Wellsbury, Ginny and Austin become entangled in a web of lies and betrayal, where no one emerges unscathed.
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[05/08/25 - 02:26 AM]
Video: "Clarkson's Farm" Season 4 - Official Trailer
Jeremy Clarkson is back at Diddly Squat Farm with his biggest idea yet, a pub!
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[05/08/25 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Kings of Jo'Burg" - Season 3 Official Teaser - Netflix
Veronica Masire now bears the responsibility of the family curse, as she picks up where her brother left off - ruling Jo'Burg with legacy and power.
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[05/08/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "Barracuda Queens" Season 2 - Official Teaser - Netflix
It's been five years, but it only takes the girls a few hours to start scheming again when Lollo returns from Paris.
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[05/07/25 - 03:26 PM]
MTV Greenlights TV's Longest Running Reality Competition Series "The Challenge" for Season 41
"The Challenge" season 41 returns this summer featuring fan favorite veterans Aneesa Ferreira, Leroy Garrett, and CT Tamburello.
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