 |
 |
[01/08/09 - 06:55 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, January 8
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!
AMC AT THE TCA - AMC topper Charlie Collier confirmed that despite prolonged contract negotiations between creator/executive producer Matthew Weiner and Lionsgate Television, the Emmy-winning drama will indeed return for a third season this summer. "As long as we get the writers' room up and running over the next few months, we're fine," Collier told reporters, adding that he's optimistic a deal with Weiner will be reached. Meanwhile, "Breaking Bad" is set to roll out its second season on Sunday, March 8 at 10:00/9:00c while the mini-series "The Prisoner" will launch in November.
ER/POLICE (A.K.A. LAPD) (NBC) - After weeks of heated negotiations, NBC is set to order six episodes of John Wells's new drama "Police" as well as three additional installments for "ER's" final season. The Peacock had originally hoped to order 13 episodes of the newcomer, however producer Warner Bros. Television was hesitant to commit to deficit-financing such a large commitment with so few real estate options on the network next season due to Jay Leno taking over the 10:00/9:00c hour. As for "ER," the three extra episodes will push the previously announced March 12 finale of "ER" into April with "Police" potentially assuming the Thursday, 10:00/9:00c slot on the following week. The Peacock is expected to finalize the shows' respective end and start dates - as well as a new home for "Kings" (previously set for a March 19 launch) - during the TCA Winter Press Tour next week. Arija Bareikis, Benjamin McKenzie, Kevin Alejandro, Michael Cudlitz, Michael McGrady, Regina King, Shawn Hatosy and Tom Everett Scott all star in "Police," the pilot of which was directed by Christopher Chulack from a script by Ann Biderman.
THE MORNING SHOW WITH MIKE & JULIET (Syndication) - Citing economic concerns, Twentieth Television has decided not to renew the syndicated talk show for the 2009-10 season. "Over the past two years, we set out to produce a high-quality show that provided viewers with an engaging source of entertainment; we believe we accomplished this goal," Twentieth's Bob Cook said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the current serious economic conditions made it challenging to continue producing the type of unique program that we wanted to deliver." Despite the cancellation, the series will continue to air until September with first-run installments being produced through June. It's believed participating stations, mostly Fox owned-and-operated, will opt to expand their local news programming rather than program the time periods with other offerings.
MY NAME IS EARL (NBC) - Distributor Twentieth Television has cleared the show's off-network run in more than 25 markets, bringing its clearance to stations covering 47% of the country. "Earl," along with a syndicated take on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, are both being offered for a fall 2009 start.
RONNA & BEVERLY (Showtime, New!) - "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan is set to team with Jessica Chaffin and Jamie Denbo for a new comedy at the pay channel based on the latter pair's sketch of the same name. Said half-hour then would revolve around two middle-aged women in Boston (played by Chaffin and Denbo) who decide to self-publish and aggressively promote a dating guide for Jewish singles, "You'll Do a Little Better Next Time." Paul Feig ("The Office") is already attached to direct the project, which is on track to shoot a presentation reel in early February. In addition to reprising their roles, Chaffin and Denbo will co-write the script alongside Kohan for Lionsgate Television.
UNTITLED STEPHEN GAGHAN PROJECT (ABC, New!) - Oscar-winner Stephen Gaghan ("Traffic") has inked a seven-figure put pilot commitment from the network, following a bidding war with FOX. The pact calls for Gaghan to write, executive produce and direct - should his schedule permit - a new drama pilot for the Alphabet. No other details about the hour were given, which has yet to be set up at a studio however Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios are said to be in the running.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [january 2009]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[02/25/26 - 03:35 PM]
"20/20: The Au Pair, The Affair and Murder" About a Twisted Love Triangle Delivers Best Adult 25-54 Performance in 10 Months and Strongest Delivery in Adults 18-49 in 11 Months
Hitting new season highs for the second straight week, "20/20" improved on the previous week in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49.
|
[02/25/26 - 02:59 PM]
Netflix's "Untamed" Season Two Casts New Roles
The newly added cast will join previously announced Eric Bana, Shea Whigham and Kelly Hu.
|
[02/25/26 - 02:46 PM]
ABC News Is No. 1 Broadcast Network for Coverage of the State of the Union, Beating NBC by 1.4 Million and CBS by 1.7 Million
Said coverage ranked No. 1 among the broadcast networks in all key target demos: Total Viewers (4.912 million), Adults 25-54 (1.125 million) and Adults 18-49 (886,000).
|
[02/25/26 - 10:30 AM]
Medical Mysteries Take Over Wednesdays on TLC Starting Wednesday, March 4 at 8PM ET/PT
Highlights include the return of "Untold Stories of the ER" on August 19 at 9:00/8:00c.
|
[02/25/26 - 10:12 AM]
The CW Network Sets Season 4 Premiere of Hit Series "Sullivan's Crossing"
The series will return for its highly-anticipated 10-episode fourth season on Monday, April 20 (8:00-9:00pm ET/PT).
|
[02/25/26 - 10:01 AM]
Martin Clunes to Guest Star on "Best Medicine"
Clunes, the BAFTA award winning original star of the UK's "Doc Martin," guest stars as Martin's father, Robert Best on Tuesday, March 3 on FOX.
|
[02/25/26 - 09:07 AM]
FOX Sports, AV8 Productions, Allez! Sports, and Hello Sunshine Announce New Documentary Special "You See L.A." Premiering March 1 on FS1
The one-hour documentary special explores the human stories, emotional stakes, and deep community surrounding UCLA's Women's Basketball team during one of the most pivotal seasons in its program's history.
|
[02/25/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere" - Official Trailer - Netflix
With rare access and no holds barred, the acclaimed documentarian investigates a growing ultra-masculine network and its controversial influencers.
|
[02/25/26 - 08:01 AM]
Peacock Launches the Official "House of Villains" Podcast Hosted by "Survivor" Fan-Favorite and "House of Villains" Season Three Competitor Tyson Apostol
Each week, Tyson invites a fellow Season Three villain to unpack their strategic betrayals, shifting alliances, and iconic meltdowns - diving into the psychology of villainy and savoring the act of making excellent reality TV.
|
[02/25/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Homicide: New York" - Season 2 Official Trailer - Netflix
Detectives and prosecutors revisit their most challenging murder cases in this chilling true-crime documentary series from the creator of "Law & Order."
|
[02/25/26 - 08:01 AM]
Matt Dillon to Star in MGM+'s Drama Series "The Magnificent Seven"
Dillon, who also serves as an executive producer, will reprise the iconic role of Chris Adams, originally played by Yul Brynner, who becomes the leader of seven gunslingers who sign onto the task of protecting a group of innocent villagers from a mercenary land baron hellbent on stealing their land.
|
[02/25/26 - 08:00 AM]
HBO Renews "Industry" for a Fifth and Final Season
"We're privileged to have joined the small, esteemed club of dramas that have run for five seasons on HBO," said creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay.
|
[02/25/26 - 07:01 AM]
HBO Max to Premiere "Song of the Samurai" - New Live Action Series from Hit Japanese Studio The Seven
The new series is the latest Japanese title to launch exclusively on HBO Max through WBD's partnership with U-NEXT and is set to premiere internationally on May 9.
|
[02/25/26 - 07:01 AM]
CNN Films Boards "Homecoming: The Tokyo Series" as Streaming Partner
The film will begin streaming on Friday, March 27 exclusively for CNN's streaming subscribers.
|
[02/25/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Pretty Lethal" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
An action-packed thriller where five ballerinas, on their way to a prestigious dance competition, are barely on speaking terms when their bus breaks down in a remote forest.
|
|
|
|
