 |
 |
[04/10/09 - 06:05 PM]
Development Update: Friday, April 10
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!
2009-10 BROADCAST NETWORK PILOTS (Various) - Directors have been confirmed for a dozen of this year's pilots. Set for helming duties are: Kenny Ortega ("High School Musical") on NBC's "Legally Mad"; Luke Greenfield ("Aliens in America") on ABC's "The Law"; Andy Ackerman ("The New Adventures of Old Christine") on CBS's "The Bid D"; Jason Ensler ("Kath & Kim") on CBS's "The Eastmans"; Daniel Minahan ("True Blood") on CBS's "House Rules"; Kenneth Fink ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") on CBS's "Miami Trauma"; Dan Attias ("Big Love") on CBS's "Three Rivers"; Mimi Leder ("Vanished") on CBS's "Untitled Frank Military Project"; Peter Sollett ("Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist") on NBC's "State of Romance"; Anthony & Joe Russo on NBC's "Untitled Justin Adler Project"; Ted Wass on CBS's "Waiting to Die"; and Thomas Schlamme ("Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") on NBC's "Parenthood."
ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE (CBS) - Nicolas Wright has booked a role on the comedy pilot, about a movie critic (Jenna Elfman) who finds herself accidentally pregnant after a fling with a much younger man (Jon Foster). He'll play Davis, one of said man's scruffy friends. Claudia Lonow is behind the half-hour, which comes from CBS Paramount Network Television and director Pamela Fryman.
BACK (CBS) - Jimmy "Jax" Pinchak and Emily Meade have both been cast in the drama pilot, about a man (Skeet Ulrich) who disappeared in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks only to suddenly show up, eight years later. They'll play his children, Michael and Shannon, respectively. Mark Pellington is helming the CBS Paramount Network Television-based hour from a script by creator Dean Widenmann.
BROTHERS (FOX) - Carl Weathers has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a retired football player (Michael Strahan) who returns to his hometown and starts working to reconnect with his family. He'll play his old coach. Don Reo is behind the Sony Pictures Television-based half-hour, which Ted Wass is directing.
COMMUNITY (NBC) - Danny Pudi has scored a role on the comedy pilot, about a group of misfits at a community college. He'll play Abed, one of the group, which also includes Chevy Chase and Joel McHale. Anthony and Joe Russo are helming the Sony Pictures Television-based half-hour, which comes from creator Dan Harmon.
DAY ONE (NBC) - April Grace is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about the residents of an apartment building who must band together after a global apocalypse. She'll play one of said residents, Max, a British busybody. In addition, the Universal Media Studios-based project has been now confirmed as a two-hour pilot. Alex Graves is directing from a script by creator Jesse Alexander.
EVA ADAMS (FOX) - Kat Foster ("'Til Death") has been confirmed as a cast member on the drama pilot, about a womanizer at a sports management firm who is magically transformed into a woman. She's playing Grace Wainright, the only one who believes Eva's (Rhea Seehorn) story who must now school her in the ways of womanhood. David Denman and James Van Der Beek also star in the Mark Waters-helmed hour, which comes from creator Kevin Falls and Sony Pictures Television.
THE FISH TANK (CBS) - Andrew Caldwell, Elena Franklin and Lyndsy Fonseca are the latest additions to the comedy pilot, about a teenager (Drake Bell) who finds himself living the dream when his parents give him the house to himself five days a week. Fonseca will play his girlfriend Jessie with Caldwell and Franklin as friends Gabe ("chubby, over-exuberant") and Vanessa ("sexy, screwed up"), respectively. Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith are behind the project, which is set up at Sony Pictures Television.
THE GOOD WIFE (CBS) - Graham Phillips ("Ben 10: Race Against Time") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a disgraced politician's wife (Julianna Margulies) who carves out her own niche as a defense attorney. He's set as her 14-year old son Zach in the CBS Paramount Network Television-based hour, which comes from co-creators Michelle and Robert King. Charles McDougall is directing.
LIGHT YEARS (The CW) - Austin Basis has likewise been confirmed as a cast member on the drama pilot, about a smart, sassy teenager (Britt Robertson) who reunites with her birth parents. He's playing Math, the teddy bear friend of her biological father Nick "Baze" Basile (Kristoffer Polaha). Kerr Smith and Shiri Appleby also star in the hour, which comes from creator Liz Tigelaar, director Gary Fleder and CBS Paramount Network Television.
LOST & FOUND (NBC) - Bahar Soomekh and Andre Holland have both been confirmed as cast members on the drama pilot, about a quirky, offbeat detective (Katee Sackhoff) who's banished to working on John and Jane Doe cases. The former will play Abigail Nezhukumatathil-Grant, a Martha Steweart-esque medical examiner, while the latter is set as Gayle Dixon, the authoritative secretary of the squad's lieutenant. Michael Engler helmed the Universal Media Studios-based hour from a script by Chris Levinson.
MERCY (NBC) - James LeGros and Delroy Lindo have both landed roles on the drama pilot, about the highs and lows of the lives of three nurses (Taylor Schilling, Jamie Lee Kirchner and Michelle Trachtenberg). LeGros is set as Dr. Harris, the ICU's Chief Resident, while Lindo is playing Dr. Parks, Mercy Hospital's Chief of Staff. Elizabeth Heldens is behind the hour, which comes from Universal Media Studios. Adam Bernstein is directing.
OFF DUTY (NBC) - Ken Jeong and Antonio Ortiz have each been confirmed as cast members on the comedy pilot, about Glenn Falcon, a once-legendary police detective (Bradley Whitford) on his way down who complicates the life of his new partner (Romany Malco), a straight shooter on his way up. Jeong is playing a fellow detective whom Falcon has nicknamed "Jackie Chan" while Antonio Ortiz is set as the son of Malco's character. Adam Bernstein directed the Universal Media Studios-based project, which was penned by Jason Mantzoukas.
PARENTHOOD (NBC) - Max Burkholder has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about the lives of four adult siblings wrestling with - you guessed it - parenthood. He'll play Max, the eight-year-old son of Peter Krause's character. Thomas Schlamme is directing the Universal Media Studios-based hour from a script by Jason Katims.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS (Showtime) - The cable channel has decided to pass on the drama pilot, about a family run pharmaceutical company. The news means that the network has ultimately passed on all of its pilots for the 2009-10 season, including "Ronna & Beverly," "The End of Steve" and its "The L Word" spin-off "The Farm." Ellen Burstyn, Josh Lucas and Tim Blake Nelson co-starred in the hour, which comes from writer/director Tim Robbins. No specific reason was given for the decision however industry insiders speculate everything from an already healthy original series slate to concerns by its parent company CBS Corporation over its subject matter.
SONS OF TUCSON (FOX) - Frank Dolce, Davis Cleveland and Troy Gentile have all joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about charming but misguided hustler (Tyler Labine) hired by three rich young brothers to act as their "father" while their real one serves time for a white-collar crime. They'll play the aforementioned brothers - Gary (14), Robby (8) and Brandon (16), respectively. Todd Holland is helming the 20th Century Fox Television-based project from a script by Greg Bratman and Tommy Dewey.
THIS LITTLE PIGGY (ABC) - Brandy Norwood ("Moesha") is the latest addition to the comedy pilot, about three grown siblings who wind up living under the same roof. She'll play Tina, the wife of one of them (Jeff Davis). Kevin Rahm, Andrea Parker and Rebecca Creskoff also star in the ABC Studios-based project, which Andrew D. Weyman is directing from a script by Brian Bradley and Steven Cragg.
TRUST ME (TNT) - As expected, the cable channel has pulled the plug on the freshman drama after one season. The series bowed on January 26 to 3.4 million viewers, despite a "The Closer" lead in that provided twice the audience. The following week it fell to 1.9 million and was eventually shuttled off to Tuesday nights in March. Co-star Eric McCormack has already moved on, having booked the lead on Tad Quill's comedy pilot for ABC.
UNTITLED ANITA RENFROE PROJECT (ABC) - Skyler Samuels ("Wizards of Waverly Place") has joined the cast of the pilot, a family comedy starring comedian Anita Renfroe. She'll play Libby, one of Anita's three children. Spencer Breslin and Tucker Albrizzi also star as her siblings with Ryan Stiles as her dad. Jamie Widdoes is helming the Sony Pictures Television-based half-hour, which was written by Amy Welsh, Rob Hanning and Anita Renfroe.
UNTITLED SHERRI SHEPHARD PROJECT (Lifetime) - Tammy Townsend, Reagan Gomez, Jeremiah W. Birkett and Kali Rocha are the latest additions to the comedy pilot, which stars "The View" co-host. Gomez will play Sherri's know it all sister while Townsend is set as her best friend, Celia Marson. Birkett then is believed to be playing Randy Gregg, a doctor who serves as Sherri's love interest, with Rocha as Summer Dickie, an "over achieving, survive at all costs kind of girl." Andrew D. Weyman is on board to direct the half-hour, which comes from creator Dave Flebotte and ABC Studios.
WAITING TO DIE (CBS) - B.J. Bales, Sarah Wright and Josh Gad are all on board the comedy pilot, about two simple guys (Nick Thune, T.J. Miller) who are happy with their lives - no matter how bad it might look from the outside. Bales will play Donald, the guys' boss at work - a GNC-type nutrition store. Wright and Gad then are set as their friends Brandi, who's very hot and not so smart, and Simon, who's married and a regular guy. Ted Wass is helming the Sony Pictures Television-based half-hour, which comes from creators Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [april 2009]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[05/14/26 - 05:01 PM]
"Sunday Night Football" on NBC and Peacock - 15-Time #1 Primetime Show - Unveils 2026 Schedule
It all begins with the NFL's season opener as the New England Patriots visit the champion Seattle Seahawks in a Super Bowl LX rematch on Wednesday, September 9 on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo.
|
[05/14/26 - 05:01 PM]
FOX NFL's Loaded 2026 Regular Season Schedule Features Most Windows of Any Network
In Week 10, FOX NFL presents its first tripleheader in over a decade, opening coverage on Sunday, November 15, at 9:30 AM ET with an international game from Munich between the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions.
|
[05/14/26 - 05:01 PM]
ESPN to Deliver Company's Largest NFL Game Portfolio Ever, Headlined by Top-Tier Matchups on "Monday Night Football" and the International Series on NFL Network
Comprised of "Monday Night Football" and NFL Network, the company will present 28 games during the regular and postseason, plus Super Bowl LXI, marking game 29.
|
[05/14/26 - 05:01 PM]
"NFL on CBS" Follows Record-Breaking Season with Showstopping 2026 Schedule Led by TV's No. 1 Program
Building on last season's historic viewership and with more than 100 regular-season games, CBS Sports continues to demonstrate the unmatched power and reach of its multiplatform approach across broadcast television and streaming on Paramount+.
|
[05/14/26 - 05:01 PM]
Prime Video Announces 2026 "Thursday Night Football" Schedule
An exciting mix of cross-divisional games, elite quarterback showdowns, and the first ever NFL regular season game at the Bills' brand-new Highmark Stadium highlight the regular-season slate.
|
[05/14/26 - 11:10 AM]
TLC Introduces "Little Singles" A New Relationship Series About Love, Friendship, and Life Without Limits
The new relationship series follows a vibrant, tight-knit group of little people for a rare opportunity to date, connect, and build community.
|
[05/14/26 - 10:34 AM]
FOX Sports Films Announces New Documentary Special "The 500: Immortality at Indy" Premiering May 16 on FOX
Hosted by James Hinchcliffe, the special reveals the defining moments at the Indianapolis 500 that turn drivers into legends.
|
[05/14/26 - 10:31 AM]
Video: "Bad Thoughts" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Tom Segura unleashes hilarious chaos with a fresh set of twisted tales from the darkest recesses of his imagination.
|
[05/14/26 - 10:07 AM]
"Rooster" Capped Off a Standout First Season, Becoming HBO's Most-Watched Comedy Debut in Over 15 Years
The series is averaging 6.5 million U.S. viewers per episode, with the finale reaching 2.2 million viewers in its first three days.
|
[05/14/26 - 10:01 AM]
Home Run! ESPN Scores Most-Consumed College Softball Regular Season on Record
The 2026 campaign featured four of ESPN's eight most-watched regular season games of all-time and delivered a record-high 10 games with more than 500,000 viewers.
|
[05/14/26 - 10:01 AM]
Kelsey Plum Joins WNBA on Prime as Player Contributor
Throughout the season, Plum will join the WNBA on Prime studio team to help highlight key storylines around the league, provide on-court insight and authentic analysis.
|
[05/14/26 - 10:00 AM]
BET and Paramount+ to Premiere "Tyler Perry's The Oval" Season 7 on May 20
The 22-episode season will air weekly, concluding on Wednesday, September 30.
|
[05/14/26 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "Outlast: The Jungle" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this ultimate survival game, the contestants must outlast not only the jungle and its elements but also the psychological and social challenges posed by their fellow competitors.
|
[05/14/26 - 09:11 AM]
Date Announcement: Hulu's "Never Change!"
In 2008 the graduating class of North Meadows High School had their senior year cut short due to a disastrous tornado. Now in their mid 30's they're being forced to return home and finish high school once and for all.
|
[05/14/26 - 09:08 AM]
New Season of "Maine Cabin Masters" Premieres May 25 on Magnolia Network
There's no shortage of work for Maine-based builder Chase Morrill, whose specialty is renovating rustic cabins and camps all over the Pine Tree State.
|
|
|
|
