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)





[04/28/26 - 12:16 PM]
Netflix Expands "Stranger Things" Universe: "Tales From '85" Scores Early Season 2 Renewal
"Stranger Things: Tales From '85" debuted in the Netflix Global Top 10 at #7 this week, securing a spot in the top 15 animated series debuts of all time.

[04/28/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of April 20 - Charlize Theron Climbs to No. 1 with "Apex" in This Week's Top 10
Another warning to be careful who you trust, the psychological thriller series "Unchosen" debuted at No. 1 on the English TV list with 10.4 million views.

[04/28/26 - 11:01 AM]
HBO Original Sports Documentary Series "U.S. Against the World: Four Years with the Men's National Soccer Team" Debuts May 12
The five-part documentary series is an unprecedented look inside the United States Men's National Soccer Team (USMNT) in the leadup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America this June.

[04/28/26 - 10:01 AM]
Dave Chappelle's Pulling Up on Netflix Is a Joke Fest with Star-Studded Music and Comedy Shows
For three nights from May 7-9, the comedian takes over the legendary Hollywood Palladium with shows that blend comedy and music with surprise guest appearances.

[04/28/26 - 09:08 AM]
CNN Original Series "Craig Ferguson: American on Purpose" Premieres Saturday, May 30 at 9PM ET/PT
Timed to America's 250th anniversary, the five-episode sees Ferguson travel coast-to-coast to explore the defining ideas, and contradictions, at the heart of the United States.

[04/28/26 - 09:02 AM]
Video: "Between Father and Son" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In just a few suspenseful minutes, a lawyer's world tilts as her visit to her fiancé's family estate ignites an irresistible bond with her future stepson.

[04/28/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Perfect Match" Season 4 - Official Trailer - Netflix
More swaps. More sparks. More drama. Reality stars from "Love Is Blind," "Vanderpump Rules," "Love Island" and more shake up the game, but who'll find their perfect match?

[04/28/26 - 09:00 AM]
CBS Presents "Forever Young: A Grammy Salute to Rod Stewart Live," Airing Tuesday, May 19 on CBS and Paramount+
This two-hour celebration brings viewers on stage and behind the scenes for an all-access concert experience.

[04/28/26 - 08:53 AM]
"Crime and Punishment in America," New Documentary from Lynn Novick, to Air on PBS in November 2026
Samuel L. Jackson, Laura Linney, Bobby Cannavale, Matthew Rhys, Michael Stuhlbarg, David Hyde Pierce, and BD Wong will lend their voices to the four-part, eight-hour documentary series.

[04/28/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Soccer Meets America" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
This riveting series reveals how the convergence of key events transformed the United States into the global soccer powerhouse it is today.

[04/28/26 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video Unveils Premiere Date and Glimpse at "Sterling Point"
The series will debut all eight episodes globally on August 5, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.

[04/28/26 - 07:16 AM]
Video: "Welcome to Wrexham" - Season 5 Official Trailer - Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac - FX
The new season returns Thursday, May 14 on FXX and Hulu.

[04/28/26 - 07:06 AM]
Apple TV's Emmy Award-Winning Series "Ted Lasso" Returns for Season Four on August 5
Season four marks the return of fan favorites, including Emmy Award winner Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Emmy Award winner Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Jeremy Swift, alongside new additions Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern and Grant Feely.

[04/28/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Funny AF with Kevin Hart" - Live Semi-final and Grand Finale - Official Trailer - Netflix
The break of a lifetime is at stake as the competition turns live and the last remaining comics square off - with the winner crowned by your vote.

[04/28/26 - 07:01 AM]
Great American Media Announces Mario Lopez, Tony Danza, and Dominic Lopez to Star in New Original Christmas Movie, "Christmas at the Starlight"
In their first known scripted on-screen pairing as father and son, Lopez and Danza bring extraordinary warmth, charisma, and generational appeal to a timeless holiday story about family, legacy, faith, and the traditions that lead us home.