or


[11/18/08 - 06:24 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, November 18
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!


BROTHER SAM (HBO, New!) - Dan Fogler ("Balls of Fury") has been tapped to play Sam Kinison in a biopic about the life of the late comedian. Tom Shadyac ("Evan Almighty") is attached to direct and executive produce the project, which is based on the memoir of the same name (subtitled "The Short, Spectacular Life of Sam Kinison") written by Bill Kinison and Steve Delsohn, Kinison's brother and manager, respectively. Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini ("American Splendor") penned the adaptation with David Permut producing, Steve Longi as co-producer and Bill Kinison as executive producer for Permut Presentations and Shadyac's Shady Acres. The news marks the end of an eight year journey by Shadyac to produce the film, which was originally set up as a feature at Universal Pictures. Kinison himself was no stranger to HBO as his appearance on the Rodney Dangerfield-hosted "Young Comedians" special in 1984 is widely credited with launching his career.


MAKING FRIENDS WITH BLACK PEOPLE (NBC, New!) - Nick Adams's book about the state of race relations in the U.S. is set to be the focus of a potential new comedy at the Peacock. "The Game's" Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil are on board to shepherd the adaptation with the latter likely directing from a script by the former. As for specifics, "Making Friends" will center on two guys - one African-American and one white - who become close friends, but who don't necessarily see things the same way. The half-hour is set up at Universal Media Studios with Industry Entertainment's Dianne Fraser and Eryn Brown serving as co-executive producers and Adams himself receiving a co-producer credit.


UNTITLED EVAN GOLDBERG/SETH ROGEN PROJECT (Showtime, New!) - "Pineapple Express" writers/producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have booked a potential comedy at the pay channel about the lives of three twentysomethings who learn about life and love while running a pornography shop. Newcomer Matthew Bass will pen the script and co-executive produce with Rogen and Goldberg executive producing. No other specifics were released.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [november 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· BROTHER SAM (HBO)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· GAME, THE (BET)
· MAKING FRIENDS WITH BLACK PEOPLE (NBC)
· UNTITLED GOLDBERG AND ROGEN PROJECT (SHOWTIME)





[10/20/25 - 01:24 PM]
NBC's "The Voice" Announces Rock Legend Joe Walsh and Country Superstar Zac Brown as Season 28 Mega Mentors
Alongside the coaches, Walsh and Brown bring their dynamic artistry and long-standing industry experience to guide the artists into their most powerful performances yet.

[10/20/25 - 09:31 AM]
Netflix Announces Family Drama Series "Kennedy" Illuminating the Untold Story of America's Most Iconic Dynasty
Beginning in the 1930s, the first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.

[10/20/25 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Mo Amer: Wild World" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this timely and fiercely honest hour, the comedian celebrates his Palestinian heritage, relives the birth of his son, takes aim at the TSA and much more.

[10/20/25 - 08:05 AM]
Food Network's Weekend Chat Show "The Kitchen" Comes to an End
The final episode will premiere Saturday, December 13 at 11am ET/PT.

[10/20/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "The Son of a Thousand Men" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In a small village, a lonely fisherman yearning for a son is drawn to an ethereal light that links him to others and their long-buried secrets.

[10/20/25 - 06:02 AM]
Video: "The Crystal Cuckoo" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Hoping to learn more about her heart donor, a young doctor arrives in a mountain town where decades of mysterious tragedies plague the small community.

[10/19/25 - 02:01 PM]
"Sins of Kujo" Comes to Life in New Live-Action Series Set for Spring 2026
Premiering worldwide in spring 2026, the series promises a thrilling exploration of law, morality, and the dark underbelly of modern society, led by a powerhouse cast and creative team.

[10/19/25 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "The Big Fake" - Official Teaser - Netflix
A master of forgery. A criminal of art. Toni Chichiarelli arrives in Rome with the dream of becoming a painter, but his talent leads him elsewhere - from art galleries to state secrets.

[10/17/25 - 05:26 PM]
HBO Max Launches Japanese Collection This October
From romance and comedy to action and thrillers, this slate showcases the vibrancy of Japanese storytelling.

[10/17/25 - 01:16 PM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Hits Season Highs with Best Audience Performance Since July
"Live" has now ranked as the No. 1 talk show in syndication for 139 consecutive weeks across all key measures.

[10/17/25 - 10:38 AM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Continues Historic Hot Streak - Rising for Fourth Straight Week Since Premiere with 6 Million Total Viewers
Plus: "High Potential" dominated the 10 p.m. hour with 4.15 million Total Viewers and a 0.33 rating among Adults 18-49.

[10/17/25 - 10:01 AM]
51st Season of "Saturday Night Live" Continues with Three Back-to-Back Shows in November
Miles Teller is on tap to host on November 1, followed by Nikki Glaser on November 8, and Glen Powell on November 15.

[10/17/25 - 09:05 AM]
All-New Season of "The Last Woodsmen" Premieres Friday, November 14 at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Deep in the untamed wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, veteran logger Jared Douglas returns to put everything on the line in the new season.

[10/17/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia" - Sneak Peek - Netflix
A brutal mob war between John Stanfa and Joey Merlino plunges '90s Philadelphia into chaos and bloodshed in this captivating true-crime series.

[10/17/25 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Me late que si" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A desperate, ordinary man, fed up with his misfortune, hatches a daring heist and assembles a very unusual group to attempt the impossible: stealing a live lottery jackpot.