 |
 |
[09/26/08 - 06:24 PM]
Development Update: Friday, September 26
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!
BUNKER HILL (A.K.A. MORSE CODE) (TNT) - The Donnie Wahlberg-led drama has been given a pilot commitment by the network. Wahlberg plays Mike Moriarty in the project, "a crime drama about a young war hero/Drug Enforcement Administration officer who works in his hometown of Boston." Walon Green and Jon Avnet are behind the Warner Horizon Television-based hour, which Avnet is directing from a script by Green. Wahlberg himself is also executive producing.
LIFE ON MARS (ABC) - Director Gary Fleder, who most recently helmed the pilots to ABC's "Finnegan" and "Life on Mars," has reupped his overall deal with sibling ABC Studios. Under the pact, he's developing an untitled hour with "Jericho" co-creator Jonathan Steinberg about a 25-year-old who becomes a senator. He'll executive produce the project via his Mojo Films banner alongside the company's development chief Mary Beth Basile. Earlier this week, Fleder signed on to direct The CW pilot "Light Years" from creator Liz Tigelaar.
THE NEW MCTOMS (FOX, New!) - Boyce Bugliari and Jamie McLaughlin (The CW's "Dash 4 Cash") are developing a new hybrid multi- and single-camera half-hour about a conservative matriarch who must face the reality of her three children marrying ethnically diverse spouses. The project is set up at Salma Hayek and Jose Tamez's ABC Studios-based Ventanarosa banner. Bugliari, McLaughlin, Hayek and Tamez then are executive producing the comedy, which has a script commitment from the network.
PROJECT RUNWAY (Bravo/Lifetime) - In a surprise move to all parties involved, a New York judge has granted a preliminary injunction on the Weinstein Co., temporarily barring the show's move from Bravo to Lifetime or marketing any such move. Said decision could derail the show's sixth season launch in January on Lifetime. Production nevertheless is continuing in Los Angeles. Lifetime inked a blockbuster five-year, $150 million deal with the Weinstein Co. back in April to acquire the series (read the story), which included 10 additional cycles of "Runway" (two 14-episode seasons per year) as well as spin-offs "The Models of Project Runway" and "Project Pygmalion" (14 episodes each) not to mention the broadcast rights to 70 Weinstein movies. NBC Universal subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Weinstein Co. claiming it didn't give NBC Universal-sibling Bravo proper notification that another party had made an offer for "Runway." The claim stems from a January 2007 agreement which reportedly gave Bravo the right of first refusal for any outside bid. In any case, Judge Richard Lowe III has ordered NBC Universal to post a minimum $20 million bond as part of the trial proceedings. A timetable on how the case will proceed is expected to be set in the next month.
TRUE BLOOD (HBO) - Mehcad Brooks, Todd Lowe, Deborah Ann Woll and Michelle Forbes have been named series regulars on the show's recently ordered second season. All four actors currently recur on the inaugural season - Brooks as Benedict "Eggs" Talley, a mellow, guitar-strumming refugee from a hard life; Lowe as Terry Bellefleur; Woll as Jessica; and Forbes as Maryann.
UNTITLED DAVID GUARASCIO/MOSES PORT PROJECT (FOX, New!) - "Aliens in America" alums Moses Port and David Guarascio have booked a new single-camera comedy at the network about a twentysomething man who starts taking a mood enhancer called Blisstilan and, after snapping out of his funk, takes a job at the pharmaceutical company behind the product. The man must now navigate working for his new boss, a high-powered female executive who boasts the nickname "The Velvet Hammer." No studio was listed as being attached. Port and Guarascio will pen the pilot and executive produce.
UNTITLED DOUG JUNG PROJECT (TNT, New!) - The cable channel is in final negotiations with Jerry Bruckheimer for a new drama pilot from creator Doug Jung ("Big Love") based on an original idea by Danny Cannon. The untitled hour, which Cannon will direct from a script by Jung, is described as a "character-based police drama that follows a squad of young undercover LAPD officers as they walk the line between doing their job and being seduced into the easy money and corruption of the crime world." Cannon, Jung and Bruckheimer then will executive produce alongside Jonathan Littman for Warner Horizon Television.
THE WONDERFUL MALADYS (HBO, New!) - Sarah Michelle Gellar ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") is set to topline and executive produce a potential new comedy at the pay channel about the dysfunctional lives of three adult siblings in New York who lost their parents at a young age. Feature writer Charles Randolph ("The Interpreter") is behind the half-hour, which he penned on spec last year. Gellar's character then is detailed as having "a kind of zealous immaturity - like a drug addict with a to-do list." It's understood HBO is fast-tracking the project to begin production early next year. Gellar and Randolph are executive producing alongside Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [september 2008]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[01/24/25 - 01:02 PM]
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" Tops Late-Night in Adults 18-49 - Rising +45% Over Previous Week
Head-to-head against competition for the week, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" led late-night among Adults 18-49 (0.16).
|
[01/24/25 - 01:01 PM]
"Tamron Hall" Kicks Off the New Year Strong with Most-Viewed Episode of the Season, Featuring Daytime Exclusive Interview with Sports Icon Deion Sanders
During the week of January 6, "Tamron Hall" grew week to week by double digits in all key measures: +11% in Households, +43% with Women 18-49, +16% with the coveted Women 25-54 demo, and +13% among Total Viewers P2+, hitting a 4-week high.
|
[01/24/25 - 12:31 PM]
Paramount Network Announces Season 10 Renewal of Hit Series "Bar Rescue"
From 3 Ball Productions, Season 9 will return with new episodes on Sunday, February 23 at 10 PM ET/PT.
|
[01/24/25 - 11:07 AM]
Lifetime Announces All-New Octomom Movie & Six-Part Documentary Series This March with Natalie Suleman
Kristen Gutoskie stars in "I Was Octomom: The Natalie Suleman Story," premiering Saturday, March 8 at 8:00/7:00c.
|
[01/24/25 - 10:00 AM]
Video: We TV Releases a First Look of the Highly Anticipated New Season of "Love After Lockup"
The new season follows a new crop of couples, including fan favorites, from "Love During Lockup" as they discover more love, new doubts, and encounter unforeseen obstacles in their relationships.
|
[01/24/25 - 09:37 AM]
Key Art Debut: Hulu Original Series "Shoresy"
Created by and starring Jared Keeso, "Shoresy" returns for season four on Wednesday, February 26 with all six new episodes exclusively available in the U.S. on Hulu.
|
[01/24/25 - 09:13 AM]
ABC Tuesday Dramas "Will Trent," "High Potential" and "The Rookie" Build Momentum Following Midseason Premieres
On the heels of its second-season renewal and after seven days of multiplatform viewing, "High Potential" scored another series high in Total Viewers (13.19 Million) and Adults 18-49 (2.44 rating).
|
[01/24/25 - 09:07 AM]
Food Network Celebrates Springtime Magic with the Return of "Spring Baking Championship"
Premiering Monday, March 10 at 8pm ET/PT and streaming on Max, host Jesse Palmer transforms the baking studio into The Little Shop of Spring Magic, where anything is possible - from rainbow cheesecakes to dessert deceptions that look like dinner.
|
[01/24/25 - 09:00 AM]
Starz Unveils March 7 Premiere Date for the Explosive Return of "Power Book III: Raising Kanan"
Plus: Season one of "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" will be available for free sampling on the Starz app and across participating OTT streaming and on-demand platforms beginning January 31 through February 28.
|
[01/24/25 - 08:00 AM]
Court TV Unveils Original Limited Series, "Trial & Error: Why Did O.J. Win?"
The series takes a deep dive into the infamous double murder trial of O.J. Simpson; a case that was captured by Court TV cameras and helped ignite the nation's ongoing obsession with true crime.
|
[01/24/25 - 07:16 AM]
Video: "Suits LA" Debuts Trailer & Key Art for the New Series
The series stars Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt and Bryan Greenberg.
|
[01/24/25 - 07:03 AM]
Video: "Boarders" Season 2 - Official Trailer - A Tubi Original
Series two sees a new era for St Gilbert's with the now acting headmistress Carol Watlington-Geese (who also happens to be the mother of Jaheim's nemesis, Rupert) at the helm - and she wants Jaheim, Leah, Toby, Omar and Femi gone.
|
[01/24/25 - 06:31 AM]
Additional Casting Announced for the Olivier Award-Winning Theatrical Event "Stranger Things: The First Shadow"
The play will begin performances Friday, March 28 and officially open Tuesday, April 22 at Broadway's Marquis Theatre (210 West 46th Street).
|
[01/24/25 - 05:35 AM]
Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Doechii, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira, and Teddy Swims to Perform at "The 67th Annual Grammy Awards"
As announced last week, this year's telecast will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect others.
|
[01/23/25 - 06:35 PM]
Video: Trailer and Key Art Debut - Hulu's "SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)" - Premieres February 13
The film examines the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone, the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic and enigmatic Sly Stone.
|
|
|
|
