or


[02/27/09 - 06:56 PM]
Development Update: Friday, February 27
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!


90210 (The CW) - Rebecca Rand Kirshner Sinclair has inked a new two-year, seven-figure overall deal with CBS Paramount Network Television. The pact calls for the executive producer to assume the showrunning duties from current captains Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah next season. The writer/producer, who joined the series with episode nine, had been set to focus on development next season with only a consulting role on "90210." The network and studio nevertheless are said to be happy with Sinclair's input and subsequently offered her the show's top role. It's not clear if Sachs and Judah will remain with the series for season two.


CRASH COURSE (ABC, New!) - Orlando Jones and Dan Cortese are set to host a new reality series for the network in which contestants navigate an outrageous obstacle course - featuring everything from weather hazards to falling rocks - in a stunt car. Production on the pilot is set to begin this weekend with Arthur Smith and Kent Weed ("I Survived a Japanese Game Show") executive producing. It's understood the network is eyeing the project as a companion piece to its summer hit "Wipeout."


EMPIRE STATE (ABC) - David Morse ("John Adams") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a blue-collar man falling in love with a wealthy woman. He'll play the boy's strong-willed, caring father. Michael Nouri also stars in the hour, which comes from creator Michael Seitzman, executive producer Mark Gordon and director Jeremy Podeswa.


INSIDE THE BOX (ABC) - "Viva Laughlin" alum Lloyd Owen is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about a Washington-based news network. He'll play a suave Englishman tapped to replace the retiring bureau chief. Betsy Beers, Richard E. Robbins and Shonda Rhimes are the executive producers of the hour, which comes from ABC Studios and director Mark Tinker.


MAGGIE HILL (FOX) - Denis O'Hare ("Milk") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a brilliant surgeon (Christina Cole) who endures adult-onset schizophrenia and thrives. He'll play a top schizophrenia doctor who treats Cole's character. Stephen Hopkins is helming the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour from a script by Ian Biederman.


MELROSE PLACE (The CW) - Katie Cassidy, who stars in CBS's upcoming drama "Harper's Island," has joined the cast of the netlet's "Melrose" update. She'll play Ella Flynn, "an up-and-coming publicist with a big career ahead of her." Michael Rady also stars in the hour, which comes from CBS Paramount Network Television, director Davis Guggenheim and co-creators Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin.


THE PHILANTHROPIST (NBC) - Former Peacock scripted chief Teri Weinberg has inked a two-year, first-look deal with her former employer. The pact gives the network first crack at her Yellow Brick Road banner's output. In addition, she'll also join the upcoming drama "The Philanthropist" as an executive producer. There she'll serve alongside fellow executive producers Charlie Corwin, Peter Horton and creator Tom Fontana.


SEE CATE RUN (ABC) - Ben Feldman ("Living With Fran") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a young prosecuting attorney (Amy Smart) who one day is going to be a serious contender for president of the U.S. He'll play her boyfriend, an ADA who works with her. John Scott Shepherd created the hour, which comes from ABC Studios and director Dean Parisot.


VAMPIRE DIARIES (The CW) - Steven R. McQueen ("Everwood") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about Elena, "a tragic young heroine who is the object of passion for two vampire brothers -- one good, one evil -- who are at war for her soul and for the souls of her friends, family and other residents of the small town in which she resides." He'll play Jeremy, Elena's outcast cute younger brother. Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson are behind the project, which comes from Warner Bros. Television and Alloy Entertainment.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [february 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· 90210 (CW)
· CRASH COURSE (ABC)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· EMPIRE STATE (ABC)
· EVERWOOD (WB)
· HARPER'S ISLAND (CBS)
· I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW (ABC)
· INSIDE THE BOX (ABC)
· JOHN ADAMS (HBO)
· LIVING WITH FRAN (WB)
· MAGGIE HILL (FOX)
· MELROSE PLACE (CW)
· PHILANTHROPIST, THE (NBC)
· SEE KATE RUN (ABC)
· VAMPIRE DIARIES, THE (CW)
· VIVA LAUGHLIN (CBS)
· WIPEOUT (TBS)





[10/03/25 - 02:17 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting '25 MLB Wild Card Series
Across eight games, the MLB Wild Card Series is averaging 4.4 million viewers, up 65% from last year.

[10/03/25 - 12:37 PM]
BET+ Sets October 23 Premiere for "Carl Weber's The Family Business" Season 6
The 10-episode season will premiere with two episodes, followed by one episode weekly, with the finale on Thursday, December 18.

[10/03/25 - 12:07 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Continues to Shatter Records - Growing Two Weeks in a Row Since Season Premiere for First Time Since 2005
Plus: "High Potential" hit a season high in Total Viewers (4.24 million), growing by double digits over the show's comparable third episode from last fall.

[10/03/25 - 10:57 AM]
Legends, Champions and Icons of October Highlight FOX Sports' Postseason Broadcaster Lineup
FOX Sports begins its Postseason coverage Saturday, October 4 at 4:00 PM ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One as the New York Yankees face the Toronto Blue Jays.

[10/03/25 - 10:05 AM]
All-New Season of "Gold Rush" Returns with High-Stake Risks and Land Fury on Friday, November 7 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
With only a few short months to mine, top bosses and rising underdogs collide in a race to claim new ground, move more dirt, and strike it rich.

[10/03/25 - 09:12 AM]
FOX Nation Secures Exclusive U.S. Rights to Docuseries "Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar"
The acclaimed series will make its anticipated U.S. debut on FOX Nation on Monday, October 6.

[10/03/25 - 08:02 AM]
TNT Sports to Be Exclusive Home of 2025 NLDS & NLCS
Both best-of-five NLDS series begin Saturday, October 4.

[10/03/25 - 08:01 AM]
TNT Sports Sets BIG EAST Men's College Basketball Schedule for Inaugural 2025-26 Season
TNT Sports' regular season BIG EAST men's basketball schedule will feature 40 appearances by St. John's, UConn, Creighton, Xavier, and Marquette, programs that each clinched berths in last season's NCAA Men's Tournament.

[10/03/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "27 Nights" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a woman is admitted by her daughters to a psychiatric clinic for her carefree ways, an expert must judge if she is ill or simply wants to enjoy life.

[10/03/25 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Steve" - Official Trailer #2 - Netflix
Over one intense day, the devoted head teacher of a last-chance reform school strives to keep his students in line while facing pressures of his own.

[10/03/25 - 03:02 AM]
Miguel Herran Will Play Poli Diaz in "El Porto the Vallecas," the New Film by Daniel Calparsoro for Netflix
Inspired by true events, the film follows the life of Policarpo "Poli" Díaz (Miguel Herrán), a young man from Vallecas who, despite a childhood marked by poverty and family violence, became a boxing legend in 1980s Spain, even fighting for the world lightweight title.

[10/03/25 - 03:01 AM]
Netflix Honors Jane Goodall with Posthumous Release of "Famous Last Words" Docuseries Following Her Passing
The series showcases reflective interviews with some of the world's most influential cultural figures, who agreed to sit down and discuss their legacy, and give their final words, with the understanding that it would only be shared with the world after they passed.

[10/02/25 - 04:09 PM]
ESPN Delivers the Most-Watched WNBA Semifinals Ever
Game 5 between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces averaged 1.8 million viewers, peaking at 2.1 million.

[10/02/25 - 03:01 PM]
Video: "Twisted Wonderland" - Trailer - Disney+
Your favorite villains reimagined in ways you've never dared to dream.

[10/02/25 - 02:51 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting Day One of MLB Wild Card Series
Coverage of Red Sox versus Yankees averaged 6.5 million viewers, peaking at 9.9 million.