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[01/08/09 - 06:55 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, January 8
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
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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
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[11/07/25 - 03:00 PM]
Peacock Renews "Love Island: Beyond the Villa" for Season Two
The cast of season two includes Bryan Arenales, Gracyn Blackmore, Jeremiah Brown, Clarke Carraway, Amaya Espinal, Hannah Fields, Pepe Garcia, Iris Kendall, TJ Palma, Andreina Santos, Chris Seeley, Belle-A Walker, Coco Watson and Taylor Williams and other islanders from season seven.
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[11/07/25 - 10:31 AM]
Video: Rockstar Lestat Is Ready for His Close-Up in New Behind-the-Scenes Teaser from Season Three of AMC Networks' Critically Acclaimed Series - "The Vampire Lestat" Debuts 2026 on AMC and AMC+
Resentful of the perfunctory portrayal in the trashy bestseller "Interview with the Vampire," the Vampire Lestat (Sam Reid) sets his story straight in a way only the Vampire Lestat can - by starting a band and going on tour.
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[11/07/25 - 10:00 AM]
Nate Bargatze to Host New Game Show, "The Greatest Average American"
The series premieres Wednesday, February 25 (9:02-10:02 p.m. EST), on ABC and next day on Hulu.
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[11/07/25 - 09:02 AM]
From Shiz to Studio 6B: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" Celebrates "Wicked" Week Nov. 16-19
"The Tonight Show's" week-long celebration will feature a magical lineup of the film's stars and special musical moments.
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[11/07/25 - 08:36 AM]
Super Bowl XLIV Champion Quarterback Drew Brees Joins FOX Sports as NFL Game Analyst
Brees is set to make his debut on Sunday, November 16 on FOX.
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[11/07/25 - 08:30 AM]
Nominations Revealed for "The 68th Annual Grammy Awards," A Celebration of a Landmark Year in Music
The Grammy Awards will return to Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, February 1, 2026 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/5:00-8:30 PM, live PT) and will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.
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[11/07/25 - 08:03 AM]
Video: Prime Video Announces Release Date And Debuts Teaser Trailer For Season Two of "The Night Manager"
The first three episodes will debut on Sunday, January, 11, 2026, on Prime Video, with one new episode releasing every Sunday, until the season finale on Sunday, February 1.
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[11/07/25 - 07:31 AM]
Netflix Announces "Win the Mall" (W/T) Competition Series
Over eight episodes, 10 teams of expert shoppers face off against each other as they attempt to gain control of storefronts, increase their spending power, and outmaneuver their rivals.
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[11/07/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "The Stringer: The Man Who Took The Photo" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A former Saigon photo editor reveals a secret he's been plagued with for 52 years, setting off a gripping two-year investigation into the truth behind one of the Vietnam War's most iconic photographs.
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[11/07/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails" - Official Trailer
Purr-pare for a pawe-some adventure.
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[11/06/25 - 11:36 PM]
Video: "The Family Man" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Outlawed and on the run, Srikant Tiwari faces sinister forces threatening to ignite chaos in Northeast India, uncovering a conspiracy that could plunge the nation into war.
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[11/06/25 - 07:01 PM]
Video: "Stranger Things 5" - First Five Minutes - Netflix
With Hawkins under lockdown, El in hiding and danger lurking at every turn, the entire party unites with a single goal: to hunt and kill Vecna.
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[11/06/25 - 02:15 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54
"Nightline" was up on the previous week by double digits in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.
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[11/06/25 - 02:09 PM]
OWN's "Love & Marriage: Huntsville" Back with New Episodes Starting November 15
Also, this December OWN presents the first-ever holiday specials for "Love & Marriage: Huntsville" and "Reality with the King," both hosted by executive producer Carlos King.
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[11/06/25 - 11:28 AM]
Love, Lies & High Stakes Drama: Viaplay Announces Must-See December U.S. Premieres
Highlights include the new true crime documentary series "Murdering Love."
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