or


[08/04/09 - 08:09 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, August 4
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!


AMERICAN IDOL (FOX) - Paula Abdul has departed the ratings juggernaut after eight seasons. The judge broke the news herself via her Twitter account: "With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to #IDOL... I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all... being a part of a show that I helped from day 1become an international phenomenon." FOX, FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment subsequent released a statement saying, "Paula Abdul has been an important part of the 'American Idol' family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best." Said development spells the end of protracted negotiations between Abdul and the producers. Kara DioGuardi closed her deal yesterday while fellow judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson had already been under contract for season nine.


CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS) - D.B. Sweeney has booked a six-episode arc on the upcoming season of the series, executive producer Ed Bernero tells Entertainment Weekly. "He's playing a U.S. Marshal who's brought in to help with a big [case] that arcs through the first part of the season," Bernero said. "He's a contemporary of our team and knows several members of our team really well."


GAME OF THRONES (HBO) - Jennifer Ehle is the latest addition to the drama pilot, an adaptation of the George R.R. Martin fantasy-book series. She'll play Catelyn Stark, "Ned Stark's (Sean Bean) wife who originally was betrothed to Ned's older brother. When the older brother was killed, she fulfilled her duty by marrying Ned and securing the alliance between their two houses." Production on the pilot is set to begin in October.


RITA ROCKS (Lifetime) - "Pushing Daisies" alum Swoosie Kurtz has landed a recurring role on the show's second season. She'll play the mother of the title character (Nicole Sullivan) in an unspecified number of episodes.


YOU DON'T KNOW JACK (HBO) - Oscar-nominee Brenda Vaccaro ("Once Is Not Enough") is the latest addition to Barry Levinson's biopic of Jack Kevorkian (Al Pacino). She'll play the Jack's doting sister, Margo Janus. Danny Huston, John Goodman and Susan Sarandon also star.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [august 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· GAME OF THRONES (HBO)
· PUSHING DAISIES (ABC)
· RITA ROCKS (LIFETIME)
· YOU DON'T KNOW JACK (HBO)





[01/22/26 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Pavane" - Official Teaser - Netflix
Three lonely strangers meet at their department store jobs and find solace in each other's company while they explore connection and the nature of love.

[01/22/26 - 03:39 PM]
Special Premiere of "The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins" Is the Season's Most-Watched Comedy Episode
The series drew 5.8 million viewers and a 1.4 rating in the 18-49 demo in its special premiere that aired Sunday, January 18.

[01/22/26 - 01:30 PM]
CBS Presents a Behind-the-Scenes Look at "Music's Biggest Night" on "Inside the 68th Annual Grammy Awards," Friday, Jan. 30 on CBS
The special is hosted by renowned New Zealand DJ, producer and broadcaster Zane Lowe.

[01/22/26 - 12:48 PM]
ABC Wednesday Comedies Score with Stellar Midseason Premieres
"Shifting Gears" and "Abbott Elementary" are among top scripted shows of the week in adults 18-49.

[01/22/26 - 12:02 PM]
E!'s "Hot Goss" Is Back! Series Expands as Long-Form YouTube Interview Series
Hosted by Eyal Booker and Lonnie Marts IIV, "Hot Goss" dishes on Hollywood's trending pop culture headlines with bold hot takes, juicy secrets, and plenty of laughs - all delivered shirtless from inside a sauna.

[01/22/26 - 11:01 AM]
CBS Renews 10 Additional Series for the 2026-2027 Season
This brings the total number of series ordered for the 2026-2027 season to 16.

[01/22/26 - 11:01 AM]
Video: "Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Now she's ready to tell her side of the story...

[01/22/26 - 10:06 AM]
TNT Sports Announces First Half of 2026 MLB Tuesday Regular Season Schedule on TBS
Come October, TNT Sports will conclude its 53rd year of baseball by providing exclusive coverage of the 2026 American League Division Series presented by Booking.com and 2026 American League Championship Series across its networks and platforms.

[01/22/26 - 10:01 AM]
Need Another Hockey Fix? "Shoresy" Returns for Season 5 on February 21
In addition, Hulu has announced the pickup of season 6, which will premiere in 2027.

[01/22/26 - 10:01 AM]
"American Idol" Season 9 Introduces New 'Ohana Round
Filmed at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, a three-episode arc follows the iconic Hollywood Week, with the brand-new 'Ohana Round featured as one of those episodes, offering hopefuls a distinct moment in the competition.

[01/22/26 - 10:00 AM]
NBA on ABC: "NBA Saturday Primetime Presented by Wingstop" Returns January 24 with Rivals Week Tripleheader
In addition, ABC's "NBA Sunday Showcase presented by Popeyes" returns on February 8 and spotlights marquee Sunday afternoon matchups as the NBA regular season intensifies heading toward the playoffs.

[01/22/26 - 09:51 AM]
AMC Networks, The Global Leader in Targeted Streaming, Unveils Relaunch of Sundance Now as the Definitive Streaming Home of Independent Film
Following the model of AMC Networks' suite of market-leading specialty streamers, Sundance Now will provide a hand-selected, algorithm-free offering curated by and for independent film enthusiasts.

[01/22/26 - 09:06 AM]
Paramount+ Original Comedy Series "Can You Keep a Secret?" to Premiere on February 12
The hit British series follows a domineering granny who fakes her husband's death for the insurance money - only for her family to discover that the biggest threat isn't the law, but her.

[01/22/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord" - Official Teaser Trailer - Streaming April 6 on Disney+
Chains can be broken. Empires can be shattered.

[01/22/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Reveals "Invincible" Season Four Official Trailer and Key Art - The Viltrumite War Is Coming
The critically acclaimed adult-animated superhero series will return on March 18, 2026.