 |
 |
[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 |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[03/27/26 - 03:16 PM]
Official Trailer for HBO's Harry Potter Series, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," Shatters Records as HBO and HBO Max's Most-Watched Ever by More Than Double, Amassing +277 Million Organic Views in 48 Hours
The series will debut Christmas 2026 on HBO and will be available to stream exclusively on HBO Max.
|
[03/27/26 - 01:01 PM]
Hugely Popular "Chicago" Series Set to Return to NBC in the Fall
"Chicago Fire" will begin its 15th season in the fall, "Chicago P.D." its 14th and "Chicago Med" its 12th.
|
[03/27/26 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Rounds Out Cast of "Kennedy" with Production Underway in London
The new drama series based on Fredrik Logevall's book, "JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956," will explore the triumphs and tragedies of the Kennedy family from Chernin Entertainment.
|
[03/27/26 - 09:48 AM]
FOX Sports Assembles Top-Tier Roster for 2026 Major League Baseball Regular Season Coverage
Entering their fifth season together, first-ballot Hall of Famer John Smoltz and Emmy Award-winning play-by-play announcer Joe Davis call FOX Sports' top regular season and playoff games.
|
[03/27/26 - 09:46 AM]
ABC News Is #1 in Total Viewers in Late-Night, Friday Night and Sunday Morning
"20/20" scored its best Adults 25-54 performance in 11 months.
|
[03/27/26 - 09:21 AM]
"The Morning Show" News Incoming - Sean Hayes Joins the Cast of Season 5
Apple TV confirmed the news on social media this morning.
|
[03/27/26 - 08:01 AM]
HBO Original Documentary Series "The Dark Wizard" Debuts April 14
The four-part documentary series is an up-close and unflinching portrait of Dean Potter, one of the world's most influential and controversial climbers, BASE jumpers, and highline walkers.
|
[03/27/26 - 07:01 AM]
ESPN Original "Why Not Us: UMES Volleyball" to Premiere March 30
Presented by Andscape and produced by Sport & Story, the latest installment follows the inspiring journey of the newly formed men's volleyball team at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore - the first men's volleyball program at a Division I HBCU.
|
[03/26/26 - 02:05 PM]
"The Madison" Marks Taylor Sheridan's Biggest Debut Season Launch with 8 Million Views Globally for Paramount+
The debut of the six-part series also marks the biggest freshman season launch for the prolific creator among women 35+.
|
[03/26/26 - 12:49 PM]
Apple Original Films Lands New Sci-Fi Thriller "Liminal"
Starring Vanessa Kirby and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, the feature will be directed by Louis Leterrier.
|
[03/26/26 - 12:01 PM]
"After the Flood" Returns to BritBox: Tensions Rise in High-Stakes Season Two Premiere
Other April highlights include "A Taste For Murder," "Silent Witness," and "Death in Paradise."
|
[03/26/26 - 12:00 PM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Added on April 8
The game replaces the previously scheduled Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons matchup.
|
[03/26/26 - 11:30 AM]
BET and Paramount+ Announce the Sixth Season Renewal of Multi-Emmy-Nominated Comedy "The Ms. Pat Show"
The upcoming season will be among the first BET originals to stream on Paramount+, which becomes the new streaming home for BET content beginning in June, bringing the beloved series to a global platform with nearly 80 million subscribers.
|
[03/26/26 - 11:01 AM]
"Saturday Night Live" Springs Into April with Back-to-Back Episodes
Jack Black and Colman Domingo will host on April 4 and April 11, respectively.
|
[03/26/26 - 10:03 AM]
Sony Pictures Television Advertiser Sales Heads Into 2026 Upfront Bringing Advertisers Branded Content Opportunities Within High Volume of Originals and a Safe Harbor of Entertainment Programming
The studio continues to elevate its media investment opportunities for advertisers through Game Show Network, a top 10 cable network and a top five general entertainment network.
|
|
|
|
