or


[09/18/09 - 06:03 PM]
Development Update: Friday, September 18
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!


THE BORGIAS (Showtime, New!) - Feature helmer Neil Jordan is developing a new historical drama at the pay channel about the infamous Borgia clan, "the notorious Italian noble family that ran amok during the Renaissance." Showtime is said to be close to a pilot commitment for the project, which also comes from DreamWorks Television and Robert Zemeckis's ImageMovers banner. Jordan penned the script on spec and has completed a story bible for the series. He'll also executive produce alongside Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank of DreamWorks and Zemeckis, Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey of ImageMovers. As for specifics, the series will revolve around Rodrigo Borgia, "who served as Pope Alexander VI from 1492-1503 before dying suddenly, and his murderous and larcenous children Lucrezia, Cesare and Juan."


CHUCK (NBC) - Vinnie Jones ("X-Men: The Last Stand") is set to guest star on the show's third season. He'll play Karl Stromberg, "an expert hit man with a soft side." No other details were given about said role.


IN PLAIN SIGHT (USA, New!) - John McNamara ("Eyes") has been tapped as the showrunner of the series, which returns for its third season next year. He'll take over for David Maples and Paul Stupin, who announced their departure earlier this year. The news is the result of a new overall deal the prolific writer/producer has inked with Universal Media Studios. In addition to his "Sight" duties, he'll develop new series projects for the studio. Production on the new season of "Sight" begins in January in Albuquerque.


LEAPFROG (ABC, New!) - Shana Goldberg-Meehan ("Joey") has landed a pilot commitment from the Alphabet for a new multi-camera comedy about "two sisters at different stages in their romantic relationships - one sister is in a happy, long-term relationship but isn't married; the other gets pregnant and winds up quickly marrying her new beau." Warner Bros. Television is the studio attached.


PREGNANCY PACT (Lifetime) - Thora Birch and Nancy Travis are the first to be cast in the original movie, which is inspired by "the true story of the boom of teen pregnancies at Gloucester High School in Massachusetts." Birch will play Sidney Bloom, "an opinionated blogger who returns to her hometown to investigate the sudden spike in teenage pregnancies at her old high school." Travis then is set as Lorraine Dougan, "head of a local conservative-values group and mother of Sara, a pregnant 15-year-old." The Gloucester story drew national attention after a Time magazine story suggested the pregnancies were the result of a pact among the girls. Robert M. Sertner and Frank von Zerneck are behind the project, which Rosemary Rodriguez will direct from a script by Pamela Davis and Teena Booth.


UNTITLED BRETT PAESEL/MARSH MCCALL PROJECT (ABC, New!) - Brett Paesel and Marsh McCall have booked a script commitment from the Alphabet for a new comedy about Megan McPhee, "a newly divorced woman who, in an attempt to rebuild her life, takes a rather unusual job." ABC Studios is behind the multi-camera half-hour with Warren Littlefield also executive producing.


UNTITLED PENN & TELLER PROJECT (ABC, New!) - Vegas magicians/comedians Penn and Teller ("Penn & Teller: Bullshit") are set to topline a potential new dramedy at the network about a pair of "magicians by night and reluctant detectives by day." Leonard Dick ("House") is writing the Warner Bros. Television-based project and will executive alongside the duo. Peter Golden is also onboard as a co-executive producer.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [september 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· BETTER WITH YOU (ABC)
· BORGIAS, THE (SHOWTIME)
· CHUCK (NBC)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· EYES (ABC)
· HOUSE (FOX)
· IN PLAIN SIGHT (USA)
· JOEY (NBC)
· PENN & TELLER: BULLSHIT (SHOWTIME)
· PREGNANCY PACT (LIFETIME)
· UNTITLED MCCALL & PAESEL PROJECT (ABC)
· UNTITLED PENN & TELLER PROJECT (ABC)





[12/20/24 - 11:33 AM]
Season Finale of NBC Drama "Brilliant Minds" Will Now Air as a Special Event with Back-to-Back Episodes on Monday, Jan. 6
The original season finale date was a week later on January 13.

[12/20/24 - 11:04 AM]
ID's New Series "The Curious Case Of..." to Premiere with Explosive, Expanded Episode Focused on Former "Jackass" Star Bam Margera's Controversial Legal Guardianship
Featuring "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" legal analyst Beth Karas, the series will dive into some of the most shocking true crime cases and unbelievable scandals.

[12/20/24 - 10:32 AM]
FOX Sports Films, SMAC Entertainment, BZ Entertainment and NFL Films Announce "The Madden Cruiser: A Bayou Adventure with Bill Belichick" Airing Super Bowl Sunday on FOX
The one-hour special features eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick as he travels in the iconic "Madden Cruiser" bus of Hall of Fame legend John Madden on an unforgettable road trip through Louisiana's football country with a host of special guests.

[12/20/24 - 10:02 AM]
Onyx Collective Presents Winter Premiere Dates and First Looks for Documentary Film "SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)" and New Comedy Series "Deli Boys"
The former premieres Thursday, February 13 while the latter launches on Thursday, March 6.

[12/20/24 - 09:27 AM]
MTV's "Teen Mom" Celebrates Its Sweet 16 with a New Season of "Teen Mom: The Next Chapter" on Thursday, January 30th at 8PM ET/PT
The groundbreaking docu-series that has never shied away from authentic, unfiltered narratives will return for its milestone 16-year anniversary with Amber Portwood, Ashley Jones, Briana DeJesus, Catelynn Baltierra, Cheyenne Davis, Jade Cline, Leah Messer, Maci McKinney and Mackenzie McKee.

[12/20/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Bandidos" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Lilí and Miguel's peaceful escape is shattered when she's forced into a risky quest for the Tear of Fire diamond, risking everything to save her friends.

[12/20/24 - 08:31 AM]
Video: New Netflix Sports Promo Highlights Upcoming Sports Programming
Netflix continues to expand its sports slate, offering members a wide variety of sports programming across series, films and live events, including the recent record-breaking Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight and the upcoming NFL Games on Christmas Day and the debut of "WWE Raw" on Netflix next year.

[12/20/24 - 07:31 AM]
"Stranger Things 5" - That's a Wrap!
Production on the fifth and final season has officially wrapped, set to premiere in 2025.

[12/20/24 - 06:01 AM]
Netflix Secures U.S. Rights to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 and 2031
The agreement covers all languages, with studio shows and top-tier talent planned with a dual telecast for both English and Spanish language broadcasts in the U.S.

[12/20/24 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Lisabi: A Legend Is Born" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The epic tale of the birth and rise of legendary folk hero Lísàbí Agbongbo-Akala, destined to save the Egba people in the face of a treacherous leader.

[12/20/24 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind: Germany" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The experiment comes to Germany as local singles seek true love and a commitment that lasts a lifetime, all before meeting each other face-to-face.

[12/19/24 - 08:01 PM]
Video: "Incognito" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The mission? Lock target and finish the job.

[12/19/24 - 01:33 PM]
HBO Original Film "For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story" to Debut on Max Friday, December 20
In celebration of the Kennedy Center honoring Arturo Sandoval and prior to this Sunday's airing of the ceremony, Max will be bringing the 2000 multiple Emmy-nominated HBO original film to Max for the first time.

[12/19/24 - 01:01 PM]
The Holiday Cheer Will Be in Houston as Pentatonix Performs the National Anthem During NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix
Plus: The Steelers will honor the U.S. armed forces with a special National Anthem performance by Voices of Service.

[12/19/24 - 12:59 PM]
HBO Renews "Dune: Prophecy" for a Second Season
Across Max territories, the first episode has amassed approximately 15 million viewers.