or


[08/26/09 - 06:33 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday, August 26
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!


HANK (ABC) - Melissa McCarthy ("Samantha Who?") is returning to the Alphabet for a multi-episode arc on the freshman comedy, Entertainment Weekly reports. She'll play Dawn, the wife of David Koechner's character and sister-in-law to Kelsey Grammer's Hank. No other details were given about the role.


JACKSON FAMILY DYNASTY (A.K.A. THE JACKSON FAMILY) (A&E) - The cable channel is moving forward with its reality series about the lives of Jackson 5 members Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy Jackson. A&E commissioned an hourlong backdoor pilot special earlier this year, which was designed to give "unprecedented access into their world as they embark on their most personal reunion album and tour." With the death of Michael Jackson however the project will now be refocused on "the impact of Michael's death on the extended Jackson clan." Point Seven Entertainment ("Jamie Foxx Presents Laffapalooza") is behind the series, with Jodi Gomes and Lori Hannah serving as executive producers.


LIE TO ME (FOX) - Lennie James ("Jericho") has been cast as a potentially recurring nemesis for Tim Roth's character on the show's second season. Entertainment Weekly reports he'll play Ray Marsh, "a charming Brit who ran scams with Lightman way back when and who is now on the FBI and Scotland Yard watch lists. Ray once took the fall for Lightman and spent time in prison as a result. Now, after a 20-year estrangement, Ray is back to collect what he believes he is owed." James will make his first appearance in the fifth episode back.


THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF... (Bravo) - Broadcast & Cable reports NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has cleared the franchise for an off-network run beginning in the fall of 2010. Between its Orange County, New York City, New Jersey and Atlanta - as well as the soon-to-launch Washington, D.C. - editions, the company will have more than 100 hours of "Housewives" available for the syndication package. Already on board are the NBC and Hearst television station groups on an all-barter basis (i.e. no cash, just half the advertising time for national ad sales) with additional clearances potentially on the way.


UNTITLED GARLAND TESTA PROJECT (ABC, New!) - "King of the Hill" executive producer Garland Testa has scored a script commitment from the Alphabet for a new multi-camera comedy about "young parents trying to maintain the fun of their youth while trying to grapple with the adult concerns of parenthood." The project, which has a penalty attached should it not go to pilot, is set up at 20th Century Fox Television where Testa has an overall deal.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [august 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· HANK (ABC)
· JACKSONS, THE: A FAMILY DYNASTY (A AND E)
· JAMIE FOXX PRESENTS LAFFAPALOOZA (SHOWTIME)
· JERICHO (CBS)
· KING OF THE HILL (HULU)
· LIE TO ME (FOX)
· REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA, THE (BRAVO)
· REAL HOUSEWIVES OF DC, THE (BRAVO)
· REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY, THE (BRAVO)
· REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK CITY, THE (BRAVO)
· REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY, THE (BRAVO)
· SAMANTHA WHO? (ABC)
· UNTITLED GARLAND TESTA PROJECT (ABC)





[06/27/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print" - Official Trailer - HBO
Ms. wasn't just a magazine-it was a revolution. Told through the lens of three directors and the covers that made history.

[06/27/25 - 07:31 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams "Drop" Beginning July 11
Directed by Christopher Landon, the action-thriller film stars Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane and Jeffery Self.

[06/27/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano" - Official Trailer #2 - Netflix
Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano headline a historic all-women's boxing mega-event from Madison Square Garden. Presented by Most Valuable Promotions.

[06/27/25 - 05:32 AM]
Video: "The Family Man" Season 3 - Official Announcement - Prime Video
The wait is over. New season. New mission.

[06/26/25 - 12:16 PM]
Netflix's "Vladimir" Casts Leo Woodall in Titular Role
The limited series is being adapted from Julia May Jonas's acclaimed novel.

[06/26/25 - 10:36 AM]
"Free Bert," A New Scripted Comedy Series from Actor and Comedian Bert Kreischer, Is Coming to Netflix
Netflix confirmed the news on social media this morning.

[06/26/25 - 10:33 AM]
Hallmark Channel's Original Series "The Chicken Sisters" Will Return for Season Two Sunday, August 10, Streaming Next Day on Hallmark+
Follow along in this new chapter as the Moore-Hillier women learn to rise above the roost with new challenges, starring Schuyler Fisk, Genevieve Angelson, Lea Thompson and Wendie Malick.

[06/26/25 - 10:05 AM]
Discovery Channel Builds on Shark Week Momentum with Powerhouse Summer Slate Featuring Five New and Returning Series
Newcomers include "Naked and Afraid: Apocalypse" and "Animals on Drugs."

[06/26/25 - 09:10 AM]
Boxing Champion Laila Ali Jumps Into the Ring as Host of Food Network's "Chef Grudge Match" Where Culinary Rivals Battle to Settle Old Scores
Each episode features two head-to-head battles where resident judge Jet Tila welcomes a guest judge to help determine who walks out with $10,000 cash, the losing chef's most coveted knife and bragging rights for life.

[06/26/25 - 09:01 AM]
Starz and Hallmark+ Announce New U.S. Streaming Bundle Now Available on Prime Video
New customers can access both streamers for $13.99/month, more than 25 percent savings.

[06/26/25 - 09:01 AM]
"Marvel's Iron Man and His Awesome Friends" Premieres Aug. 11 on Disney Jr. and Next Day on Disney+
The first 10 episodes will be available on Disney+ in the U.S. and select international markets and Disney Jr. on Demand the following day, Tuesday, August 12, and will continue rolling out globally throughout 2025 and 2026.

[06/26/25 - 08:30 AM]
Video: "Surf Girls: International" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
The series follows five up-and-coming female surfers representing their home countries as they travel the world competing in the Challenger Series.

[06/26/25 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix's "Black Rabbit" Starring Jude Law & Jason Bateman - First Look & Date Announcement
Starring and executive produced by Jude Law and Jason Bateman, this propulsive thrill ride will premiere globally September 18, only on Netflix.

[06/26/25 - 08:00 AM]
A New Season of "Life After Lockup" Premieres Friday, August 1 at 8 PM ET/PT on We TV
The series follows seven former inmates and their significant others from the hit series "Love After Lockup" and "Love During Lockup" as they navigate their emotional journey to keep their love alive and stay free.

[06/26/25 - 07:20 AM]
Video: "To Kill a Monkey" - Official Trailer - Netflix
An old friend coaxes Efemini into the alluring world of cybercrime, where every decision he makes draws him deeper into a moral minefield.