 |
 |
[08/05/08 - 06:52 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, August 5
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!
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
|
|
|
 [august 2008]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[12/11/18 - 03:01 PM]
Ted Bundy Is the Subject of Netflix's Next Documentary Series
"Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes," from director Joe Berlinger, premieres January 24.
|
[12/11/18 - 01:00 PM]
Monday's Broadcast Ratings: NBC, "The Voice" Top Viewers, Demos
The Peacock narrowly holds off CBS in both categories.
|
[12/11/18 - 12:29 PM]
Official First Look: Hulu Original "Shrill"
Aidy Bryant, Lolly Adefope, Luka Jones, Ian Owens and John Cameron Mitchell star in the series, due on Friday, March 15.
|
[12/11/18 - 12:21 PM]
Brenda Song, Mike Vogel & Dennis Haysbert Star in Netflix's "Secret Obsession"
The film follows a young woman who suffers amnesia after a violent attack, but when her memories start coming back, she no longer knows who to trust.
|
[12/11/18 - 12:08 PM]
Video: In 10 Days the Journey Begins - A New "Bird Box" Trailer Has Just Debuted!
The film will be released globally on Netflix on December 21 and will have an expanded theatrical release in additional theaters in the U.S., and throughout Europe.
|
[12/11/18 - 12:05 PM]
The ABC Television Network Picks Up "Bless This Mess," New Single-Camera Comedy Starring Lake Bell and Dax Shepard, to Series
The project was originally shot as a pilot for FOX earlier this year.
|
[12/11/18 - 12:01 PM]
truTV's Emmy(R)-Nominated Comedy "At Home with Amy Sedaris" Returns for Season 2 on Tuesday, February 19
Guest stars include Matthew Broderick, Justin Theroux, Susan Sarandon, Fred Armisen, Rose Byrne and more.
|
[12/11/18 - 11:17 AM]
EPIX(R) Dark Comedy "Get Shorty," From MGM Television, Renewed for Season Three with Premiere Slated for 2019
In season three, Miles (Chris O'Dowd) embraces more ruthless methods as he settles scores and attempts to climb the Hollywood ladder.
|
[12/11/18 - 11:12 AM]
Video: "Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski" - Netflix Trailer Debut
The Leonardo DiCaprio-produced documentary launches Friday, December 21.
|
[12/11/18 - 10:55 AM]
Whitney Thore Questions Career and Life Choices on a New Season of TLC's "My Big Fat Fabulous Life"
Thore isn't holding anything back for the fifth season, premiering Tuesday, January 1 at 8:00/7:00c.
|
[12/11/18 - 10:30 AM]
Discovery Family Introduces Young Viewers to a New Generation of Heroes in "Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy" Beginning Saturday, January 5
Additionally, beginning Saturday, December 29, viewers can catch a special two-part pre-premiere on Discovery Family GO.
|
[12/11/18 - 10:01 AM]
Bidi Bidi Bom Bom! Selena's Incredible Life Story Is Coming to Netflix as a Scripted Series!
"Selena: The Series" was developed alongside, and will be executive produced by, The Quintanilla family.
|
[12/11/18 - 09:50 AM]
Smithsonian Channel(TM) Investigates the Everyday Threat of Disastrous Bird Strikes in "Bird vs. Plane: Miracle on the Hudson"
The special premieres Tuesday, January 15 at 9:00/8:00c on Smithsonian Channel.
|
[12/11/18 - 07:03 AM]
Video: "Siempre Bruja: Always a Witch" - Date Announcement - Netflix
The series, due on February 1, will follow 18 year old Carmen, a Colombian slave and witch from the 17th century who, in a desperate attempt to save her loved one, travels in time to present day Cartagena.
|
[12/11/18 - 07:01 AM]
Michaela Coel and John Goodman Star in "Black Earth Rising," An Intricate Thriller from the Creator of "The Honourable Woman"
All eight episodes of the gripping political thriller premiere January 25 on Netflix.
|
|
|
|
