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[03/30/09 - 06:08 PM]
Development Update: Monday, March 30
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!
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
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[04/01/26 - 01:31 PM]
Netflix Steps Up to the Plate: MLB Opening Night on Netflix Scores 3 Million US Viewers
The action continues later this year with the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 13 and MLB at Field of Dreams on August 13, both streaming live only on Netflix.
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[04/01/26 - 01:01 PM]
From Controversy to Comeback, A WWE Legend's Unfiltered Story Chronicled in Peacock's "The Heartbreak Kid: Becoming Shawn Michaels," Premiering Monday, April 13
This intimate look at Michaels spotlights his incredible ability and the personal struggles that led to one of the most improbable redemption stories in WWE history.
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[04/01/26 - 10:30 AM]
Disney and National Geographic Invite Audiences to "Step Into Wonder" This Earth Month to Celebrate and Explore the World Around Them
From new premieres and immersive activations to global storytelling and conservation milestones, this monthlong celebration reflects Disney's belief that understanding our planet is the first step toward protecting it.
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[04/01/26 - 10:25 AM]
PBS and VA250 Announce Production of "America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together" (wt)
Timed to coincide with the nation's Semiquincentennial, the two-hour broadcast will celebrate the ideas, people, and defining moments that gave rise to the United States.
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[04/01/26 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix's "Tires" Adds Rachel Blanchard, Garret Dillahunt, Anjelica Bette Fellini and Matt Walsh to Season 3
They join previously announced Season 3 guest stars Jamie Lynn Sigler, Billy Magnussen, Taylor Misiak, Sofia Hasmik, Bobby Lee and Dan Soder.
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[04/01/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Releases Official Trailer and Key Art, and Reveals All Star Guest Cast for Upcoming Animated Series, "Kevin," from Aubrey Plaza, Joe Wengert, and Dan Murphy
Addison Rae, Cary Elwes, Charles Melton, Debby Ryan, Joe Locke, Nicole Byer, Patti LuPone, Quinta Brunson, Stephanie Allynne, Tig Notaro and more join the cast.
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[04/01/26 - 10:00 AM]
Starz Sets May 8 Premiere Date for Richly Layered, Prestige Period Drama "Amadeus" Starring Emmy Award Nominees Will Sharpe as Wolfgang "Amadeus" Mozart and Paul Bettany as His Rival, Antonio Salieri
The spectacular five-part reimagination offers a symphony of genius, rivalry and vengeance as classical music's most fascinating relationship is explored.
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[04/01/26 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "Million Dollar Secret" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this cutthroat competition series, an undercover millionaire must hide in plain sight and evade elimination to keep the money and win the game.
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[04/01/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Disneynature's Orangutan" - Stream on Disney+ April 22
Narrated by Josh Gad, "Disneynature's Orangutan" premieres April 22, exclusively on Disney+.
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[04/01/26 - 08:10 AM]
HBO and BBC Co-Production "First Day on Earth" Adds Additional Cast
The series follows Henri (Michaela Coel), British-Ghanaian novelist who is on the run - from herself, her life, her partner, and that weird guy at her book talk.
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[04/01/26 - 08:07 AM]
HGTV Hits "My Lottery Dream Home" and "Zillow Gone Wild" Spotlight More Fantasy-Filled Real Estate Beginning Friday, May 1, at 9 and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT
"My Lottery Dream Home" was a top 5 program last year among Adults 25-54 that attracts more than 15.2 million viewers each month.
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[04/01/26 - 07:01 AM]
Netflix's "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" Season 2 Returns May 27
After solving the Andie Bell case, Pip (Emma Myers) is determined to fix the fallout - and stay away from any more investigations.
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[04/01/26 - 07:01 AM]
HBO Original Sports Documentary Series "U.S. Against the World: Four Years with the Men's National Soccer Team" Debuts May 12
Beginning with never-before-seen footage of the USMNT at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, cameras capture the players through training camps and international matches, as well as intimate off-the-field moments at home and abroad.
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[04/01/26 - 06:52 AM]
ESPN Announces New Women's Basketball Alt-Cast: "Courtside at the Women's Final Four Presented by AT&T"
Hosted by Jess Sims, "Courtside" welcomes rugby Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher for both semifinal games, as well as the championship.
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[04/01/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Someone Has to Know" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a teen goes missing, a detective and his team launch a tireless investigation to solve the mystery in this drama series inspired by true events.
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