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LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
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BBQ PIT MASTERS (TLC, New!) - The cable channel has commissioned eight episodes of a new reality series focusing on the world of competitive grilling. Original Media ("L.A. Ink") is behind the project, which is set to launch on Wednesday, December 2. Said order comes on the heels of second season pickups for its fellow food-based efforts "Cake Boss" and "Ultimate Cake Off." The former averaged a solid 2.2 million viewers during its freshman run while "Cake Off" is currently drawing over 1.0 million per installment.
GOSSIP GIRL (The CW) - Kevin Zegers ("50 Dead Men Walking") has booked a multi-episode arc on the much-ballyhooed soap. He'll play Damien, an international bad-boy love interest for Taylor Momsen's character. No other specifics were given.
PUSHING DAISIES (ABC) - Executive producer Barry Sonnenfeld has inked a two-year, first-look deal with ABC and its production sibling ABC Studios. The pact calls for the prolific director/producer to develop new series projects for the duo as well as direct one of their upcoming pilots. Already in the works is an untitled multi-camera comedy about "a harried mom who finds a suit that turns her into a 'supermom' when she puts it on." Laura House penned the half-hour, which has a script commitment, which Sonnenfeld will executive produce (and potentially direct) alongside Stu Bloomberg. Separately, Sonnenfeld is still shepherding CBS's "Things a Man Should Never Do Past 30," based on David Katz's frequent feature for Esquire. Said half-hour is being reworked into a multi-camera comedy by David Litt for Sony Pictures Television.
UNTITLED CRAIG WRIGHT/MARK BURNETT PROJECT (CBS, New!) - "Dirty Sexy Money" creator Craig Wright is set to team with reality guru Mark Burnett for a potential new drama about "a lawyer who, after a near-fatal car crash, is offered a second chance at life by the ghost of his ex-wife." The news marks Burnett's first scripted effort since the WB pilot "Commando Nanny" back in 2004. The Eye has committed to a script to the Sony Pictures Television-based hour with a penalty attached should it not go to pilot. Wright will pen the hour and executive produce alongside Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey ("Touched by an Angel").
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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