 |
 |
[11/03/08 - 06:22 PM]
Development Update: Monday, November 3
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!
BLOCK PARTY (CBS, New!) - The Eye has ordered seven episodes of a new reality series that pits a neighborhood of families against each other for a significant prize. Reality guru/film producer Mike Fleiss ("The Bachelor") and his Next Entertainment are behind the project, which comes from Warner Horizon Television. No other details were given about the series, which is set to begin casting shortly. The pickup marks the first project commissioned by incoming CBS reality chief Jennifer Bresnan.
CHANGING POSITIONS (NBC, New!) - "Meet the Parents" and "Meet the Fockers" co-writer Jim Herzfeld has booked a new multi-camera comedy at the Peacock about a Wall Street guy in his late 30s who loses everything and is forced, along with his wife and their teen kids, to move in with his parents. Universal Media Studios and Doug Liman and David Bartis's Dutch Oven are behind the half-hour, which Herzfeld will write and executive produce. The Hollywood Reporter goes on to add that the parents are "a wealthy, very sexually active couple in their mid 50s who live in a large compound in the Hollywood Hills after amassing a fortune making (and starring in) instructional sex videos in the 1980s when they also invented the 'standing O' position."
GREY'S ANATOMY (ABC) - Co-star Brooke Smith has been let go from the popular drama, fueling speculation her ouster was related to her character's recently revealed sexual orientation. The actress, whose final episode airs on November 6, told Entertainment Weekly: "I found out in mid-September soon after shooting the monologue that aired last week where Erica has the revelation that she's gay. They even came down and told me it was a great scene -- one of the best they ever shot on the show. So I was really, really shocked. I was floored when they told me [I was being let go]. It was the last thing I expected. In fact, when they told me I asked, "When is this happening?" And they said, "The [next episode] is your last," which is the one that airs this Thursday. So it was very sudden." Executive producer Shonda Rhimes subsequently released a statement saying: "Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian. Clearly it's not an issue as we have a lesbian character on the show � Calliope Torres. Sara Ramirez is an incredible comedic and dramatic actress and we wanted to be able to play up her magic. Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run. The impact of the Callie/Erica relationship will be felt and played out in a story for Callie. I believe it belittles the relationship to simply replace Erica with 'another lesbian.' If you'll remember, Cristina mourned the loss of Burke for a full season."
HEROES (NBC) - Co-executive producers Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb have exited the show due to creative differences. The pair, who joined the series after its pilot, are the first victims of an expected overhaul of the show's writing staff, which includes Cathy Mickel Gibson, Joe Pokaski, Lori Motyer, Aron Eli Coleite, Rob Fresco, Jim Chory, Adam Armus and Kay Foster. Creator Tim Kring executive produces the series alongside Dennis Hammer, Allan Arkush and Greg Beeman. The news comes after the Universal Media Studios-produced "Heroes" posted a series low 8.20 million viewers last week. That, coupled with an overall creative backlash and rumblings of overruns on its sizable $4 million per-episode budget, lead to the shakeup.
KING OF THE HILL (FOX) - ABC reportedly is eyeing the animated veteran following the news FOX won't be moving forward with a 14th cycle of the series. The Alphabet is home to "Hill" co-creator Mike Judge's (and fellow "Hill" executive producers John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky's) new animated effort "The Goode Family," due at midseason. Producer 20th Century Fox Television however would only confirm another network is interested in the show, but didn't offer any specifics. Due to the lengthy lead time needed for animated projects, it's unlikely "Hill" could make the move until late 2009 or early 2010.
KINGS (NBC) - Michael Green, the creator and executive producer of the upcoming drama, has inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with producer Universal Media Studios. The pact covers his duties on the newcomer as well as his future development.
STATEN ISLAND (FX, New!) - Lawrence O'Donnell ("The West Wing") is developing a new drama at the cable channel about a compromised police chief based in the famed New York City borough. Mandalay Television, FX Productions and Fox 21 are producing the project, which O'Donnell will write and executive produce.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters, Entertainment Weekly
|
|
|
 [november 2008]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[06/12/25 - 02:00 PM]
Adult Swim Reveals New and Returning Series and a Forthcoming Special Featuring Top Industry Creators at Annecy International Animation Film Festival
Adult Swim also announced that the new quarter-hour comedy "Women Wearing Shoulder Pads" will premiere globally beginning Sunday, August 17 at midnight ET/PT.
|
[06/12/25 - 12:43 PM]
Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe Developing "Hit Squad" Animated Series Based on Gerry Anderson's Imaginative and Groundbreaking World
Set in 1990s London, the series follows an international team of talented spies hellbent on putting death before dishonour as they battle the murky world of hidden foes and dangerous villains.
|
[06/12/25 - 12:01 PM]
The History Channel and A+E Factual Studios Announce a Sweeping Nonfiction Event Series Building on the Legacy of History's Blockbuster Hit with "The Bible Revealed" (wt)
The 10-hour series represents a bold return to one of the network's most successful and influential properties, "The Bible," which remains one of the highest-rated titles ever for The History Channel.
|
[06/12/25 - 12:00 PM]
We TV Unveils All-Star Lineup of Celebrity Guest Judges for Season 2 of "Deb's House"
This season, Ms. Deb will be backed by an all-star lineup of famed artists who know what it takes to make it to the top.
|
[06/12/25 - 11:45 AM]
Prime Video Renews "Surf Girls" for Second Season
The five-part second season - titled "Surf Girls: International" - will premiere later this summer on Prime Video.
|
[06/12/25 - 11:31 AM]
Video: Peacock Debuts Trailer for New Original Series "Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together"
The eight-episode unscripted series is led by Nelly and Ashanti Haynes, who not only star in the show but also serve as executive producers, bringing their real-life chemistry and creative vision to the screen.
|
[06/12/25 - 11:01 AM]
ESPN Showcases the 2025 UFL Championship Game Presented by Underdog on Saturday in Primetime
This Saturday, the XFL Champion DC Defenders take on the USFL Champion Michigan Panthers from The Dome at the America's Center in St. Louis, both competing for a chance to hoist the trophy for the first time.
|
[06/12/25 - 10:31 AM]
Video: "Almost Cops" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When an overeager community officer and a reckless ex-detective are forced to team up, plenty of chaos ensues on the streets of Rotterdam.
|
[06/12/25 - 10:15 AM]
NBC Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of "Jaws" in Three-Hour Airing with a Special Introduction from Director Steven Spielberg on Friday, June 20 at 8 P.M. ET/PT
Plus: beginning June 15, "Jaws" will start streaming exclusively on Peacock through July 14.
|
[06/12/25 - 10:00 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "Enigma" Debuts June 24
Chronicling the divergent paths of iconic pioneers April Ashley, Amanda Lear, and others, acclaimed filmmaker Zackary Drucker explores questions of identity and survival, revealing the disparate but intertwined stories of women whose lives helped shape trans culture and history.
|
[06/12/25 - 09:50 AM]
Video: Preview - "Christmas at Sea" - Hallmark Channel
The series premieres Monday, July 7 at 8:00/7:00c on Hallmark Channel as part of Christmas in July.
|
[06/12/25 - 09:09 AM]
ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball Presented by Capital One" Schedule Update: American League-Leading Detroit Tigers to Host Minnesota Twins on June 29
The Tigers and Twins are currently in first place and second place, respectively, in the American League Central.
|
[06/12/25 - 09:02 AM]
Netflix Gets Animated at Annecy!
Throughout the festival, award-winning filmmakers and creators, like Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Alex Woo, Genndy Tartakovsky and more, pulled back the curtain to reveal exclusive clips and sneak peeks of Netflix's upcoming animated slate - giving festivalgoers an early taste of the magic to come!
|
[06/12/25 - 09:01 AM]
The Emmy Award-Winning "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman" Renewed for Two More Seasons
The sixth season will premiere later this year.
|
[06/12/25 - 09:01 AM]
"Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+" Debuts July 21 on Disney Jr. and Next Day on Disney+
The series continues the adventures of Mickey and pals from the original global hit which aired from 2006-2016 and is still breaking records as a Top 3 series for preschoolers on streaming and over 5 billion views on YouTube.
|
|
|
|
