 |
 |
[03/30/09 - 06:08 PM]
Development Update: Monday, March 30
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!
ACE IN THE HOLE (CBS) - Newcomers Skylar Astin and Darien Provost have joined the cast of the Adam Carolla-led comedy pilot, which stars Carolla as a husband and father who works as a driving instructor. Provost will play his nine-year son while Astin is set as his teenage stepson. Carolla and Kevin Hench co-created the half-hour, which is set up at CBS Paramount Network Television.
DIAMONDS (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet has picked up the broadcast rights to a new four-hour mini-series from Alchemy Television. The ensemble drama, featuring Judy Davis, James Purefoy, Derek Jacobi, Louise Rose and Joanne Kelly, tells five storylines linked to the "personal and political effects of the blood diamond trade on a global scale." Sienna Films is behind the $15 million production, which was originally filmed in South Africa and Canada for the CBC and the U.K. It's understood it will turn up here in late May following the sweeps period. As for specifics, Davis stars as "a U.S. senator who travels to Africa to find out why her daughter was killed at a diamond mine in Sierra Leone." Andy Wilson helmed the project from a script by David Vainola wrote.
HAPPINESS ISN'T EVERYTHING (CBS) - Mary Steenburgen ("Joan of Arcadia") is returning to the small screen, this time on the comedy front. She's been cast as Audrey Veill, the mother of Jason Biggs's character in the comedy pilot, about adult siblings (Biggs, Ben Schwartz) and their parents (Dreyfuss, Steenburgen) who are overly involved in one another's lives. James Vallely and Mitch Hurwitz are behind the project, which comes from the Sony Pictures Television-based Tantamount banner.
THE SHARK TANK (ABC) - The network has ordered seven episodes of the series, in which aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ventures to five multimillionaire tycoons each week. Mark Burnett is behind the project, which is based on a Japanese format. BBC America currently airs its U.K. incarnation, "The Dragon's Den." Production was completed on a pilot last fall, which featured such beefed up elements as "a huge auditorium and placing the investors behind an intimidating desk." Burnett however admits said changes took away from "the interpersonal tension between ambitious entrepreneurs struggling to convince five strangers to part with their money" and will now be dialed down. On board as "the sharks" then are Robert Herjavec (focus: internet), Kevin Harrington (infomercials), Barbara Corcoran (real estate), Kevin O'Leary (venture capitalist) and Daymond John (clothing). No air date has been set.
STATE OF ROMANCE (NBC) - "Mad TV" alum Bobby Lee has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, which is described as a modern day "Pride and Prejudice" set in Chicago. He'll play Andrew, an unspecified character. Barbara Wallace and Tom Wolfe are behind the half-hour, which is based at Universal Media Studios.
UNTITLED JUSTIN ADLER PROJECT (NBC) - Leslie Bibb ("Kings") and John Michael Higgins ("Kath & Kim") have both joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about adult siblings and their controlling mother. Bibb is set as Vanessa, the eldest child, a perfect domestic goddess. Higgins, whose casting is in second position to "Kath & Kim," then will play Charles, her husband, a wealthy professional polo player. Justin Adler penned the half-hour, which comes from the Sony Pictures Television-based Tantamount.
UNTITLED ANITA RENFROE PROJECT (ABC) - "The Drew Carey Show" alum Ryan Stiles is set to star opposite Anita Renfroe in the comedy pilot, about a couple raising kids. He'll play her husband Paul, the pastor of their town. Amy Welsh and Rob Hanning are behind the project, which likewise comes from the Sony Pictures Television-based Tantamount.
WAITING TO DIE (CBS) - T.J. Miller ("Carpoolers") and comedian Nick Thune have been tapped for the lead roles on the comedy pilot, about two simple guys who are happy with their lives - no matter how bad things might look from the outside. They'll play Lonnie Ponce and Jeff Helmut, respectively. Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen co-created the half-hour, which again comes from the ever-busy Sony Pictures Television-based Tantamount.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [march 2009]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[08/25/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Drops Official Trailer and Key Art for "Hotel Costiera," The New Original Series starring Jesse Williams, Launching September 24
Set in Italy in the stunning Amalfi Coast, the transportive series boasts an exceptional Italian and international cast.
|
[08/25/25 - 05:01 AM]
Netflix House Will Open in Philadelphia on November 12 and in Dallas on December 11
Once you're inside, you can dive into activities that immerse you in your favorite titles with a mix of complimentary and paid experiences.
|
[08/25/25 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "She Said Maybe" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When German-raised Mavi learns she belongs to a superrich Turkish dynasty, new family expectations quickly turn her world and love life upside down.
|
[08/24/25 - 10:31 PM]
Video: A Daring Inspector, The Notorious Swimsuit Killer, and One Epic Cat-and-Mouse Chase - Netflix Unveils Trailer for "Inspector Zende"
When serial killer Carl Bhojraj escapes prison and resurfaces in Mumbai, the determined Inspector Zende steps up to nab the cunning fugitive once more.
|
[08/24/25 - 05:01 PM]
Netflix Sets Date for "Crime Scene Zero": Korean Role-Playing Murder Mystery Arrives September 23
In this crime-solving reality show, players take on the roles of detectives and suspects. With clues and wits, can they expose the culprit among them?
|
[08/22/25 - 09:16 AM]
MGM+ Renews Thriller Horror Series "The Institute" for Season Two
"Set free but hunted, new dangers await the escapees from the Institute and I can't wait," said Stephen King.
|
[08/22/25 - 09:13 AM]
Oxygen's True Crime Investigative Series "Cold Justice" Returns for Season Eight on Saturday, September 13 at 8 P.M. ET/PT
Season seven of "Cold Justice" was Oxygen's most-viewed program in 2024, delivering an average of 748K total viewers (P2+) on a live +7 days of time-shifted viewing basis.
|
[08/22/25 - 08:30 AM]
Video: Official Trailer for "Doc" Season 2 Premiering Sept. 23 on FOX!
The series begins its second season of the life-affirming medical drama following the heartbreak and victories of hard-charging, brilliant physician Dr. Amy Larsen (Molly Parker) as she rebuilds her life after a car crash erased eight years of her memory.
|
[08/22/25 - 07:13 AM]
TNT Sports to Debut Expansive Programming Lineup for Inaugural Season of Big 12 Football Across TNT, truTV, HBO Max & Bleacher Report
Live game coverage for the network will kick off with the Arizona Wildcats hosting the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors on Saturday, August 30, at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV and HBO Max.
|
[08/22/25 - 07:00 AM]
What's New on HBO Max This September
Highlights include the debut of the new drama "Task" as well as documentaries "Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television," "The Devil Is Busy," and "Prime Minister."
|
[08/21/25 - 05:01 PM]
From "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch" to "Devil May Cry" Season 2, Netflix Goes Big on Adult Animation!
"Sakamoto Days," "Blue Eye Samurai," and "Record of Ragnarok" were also showcased by the streamer.
|
[08/21/25 - 04:18 PM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Kicks Off Season 38 Tuesday, Sept. 2
Season 38 picks up where Season 37 left off, following an unprecedented run of ratings dominance, a spring move to "Live"'s brand-new studio in Disney's New York headquarters, plus Emmy nominations for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Hosts.
|
[08/21/25 - 03:01 PM]
Video: "Hell of a Summer" - Trailer - Hulu
Directed by and starring Billy Bryk and Finn Wolfhard.
|
[08/21/25 - 12:09 PM]
Peacock's Highly Anticipated Comedy "The Paper" Will Now Drop All 10 Episodes on Its Sept. 4 Premiere Date
With initial reaction to the series overwhelmingly positive, executives at Peacock and Universal Television, as well as the producers, thought it made the most sense to allow and encourage audiences to binge the series.
|
[08/21/25 - 11:01 AM]
Video: "The Great British Baking Show" Collection 13 - Official Trailer - Netflix
The new season premieres Friday, September 5 on Netflix.
|
|
|
|
