or


[10/02/09 - 06:14 PM]
Development Update: Friday, October 2
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!


ANGRY BOYS (HBO, New!) - Australian comedian Chris Lilley ("Summer Heights High") has booked a 12-episode order from the pay channel for a new mock-documentary style comedy about what it's like to be a male in the 21st century. Like his previous effort "High," Lilley will play multiple characters as well as write and executive produce alongside Laura Waters via their Princess Pictures banner. The news marks HBO's first co-production with an Australian partner as "High" was a straight acquisition. Pre-production on the series begins this month in Australia.


BOYS & GIRLS GUIDE TO GETTING DOWN (Comedy Central) - The cable channel has commissioned a pilot for the comedy, based on Paul Sapiano's 2006 indie feature of the same name. Said half-hour will "follow several characters through fast-paced adventures, while the show's narrator gives tips and explains how the characters plan to 'get down.'" Sapiano, John Lynch and Luke Greenfield are executive producing the project, with Greenfield attached to direct. "Getting Down" was announced back in May as part of the network's 2009-10 development slate.


FLASH FORWARD (ABC) - Michael Ealy ("Sleeper Cell") has scored a recurring role on the freshman drama. He'll play the nemesis of Joseph Fiennes's character, details of which weren't released. The series opened to strong numbers last month on Thursday nights for the Alphabet.


HOUSE RULES (CBS) - The Eye has picked up the actors' options through the end of 2009. The news marks the second time the actors, which include Zoe McLellan, Eion Bailey, Kristin Bauer, Tawny Cypress, Anna Chlumsky and Denzel Whitaker, have been put on hold. Said hour revolves around the freshman class of elected representatives in Washington, D.C. Daniel Minahan helmed the ABC Studios-based project from a script by Michael Seitzman. Deborah Spera and Mark Gordon also serve as executive producers.


HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (CBS) - Rachel Bilson ("The O.C.") is set to guest star on the show's 100th installment, Entertainment Weekly reports. She'll play an unspecified character in the episode, which will once again tease the identity of the title character. The milestone episode is likely due to air in January.


MIDNIGHTERS (NBC) - Alloy Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television are taking another stab at bringing Scott Westerfeld's novel to the small screen, this time at NBC. The Peacock has given a script order to the project, to be written by Chad Hodge ("Runaway"). Said hour revolves around "a group of people born at the stroke of midnight who have access to the 25th hour of each day, which they use to stop crime." Darren Lemke previously shepherded an adaptation at The WB back in 2005. Hodge then will executive produce the new incarnation alongside Alloy's Bob Levy and Leslie Morgenstein.


MOUTHPIECE (Showtime, New!)/YOU AND ME AND HE (CBS, New!) - Veteran comedy writer Carol Leifer ("Rules of Engagement") has landed a single-camera at Showtime and a multi-camera half-hour at CBS. The Showtime effort, "Mouthpiece," stars Mario Cantone and Marlee Matlin as members of a high-powered law firm. Meanwhile CBS is behind "You and Me and He," about "a recently divorced woman who enters a gay relationship only to find out that she is pregnant with her ex-husband's baby." Fox Television Studios is producing the former while Sony Pictures Television and Happy Madison are behind the latter. Both have script commitments from their respective networks with Leifer writing and executive producing.


ROMANTICALLY CHALLENGED (ABC) - Australian actor Josh Lawson ("Chandon Pictures") has been cast in the lead role of the upcoming comedy series, about a thirtysomething man (Lawson) torn between his new girlfriend (Alyssa Milano) and needy best friend (Kyle Bornheimer). Eric Christian Olsen previously toplined the project, the producers of which opted to recast his role. Ricky Blitt is behind the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which has a 12-episode commitment (including the pilot) for midseason.


THE STATION (FOX) - The network has extended its options on the cast of the comedy pilot through the end of the year. John Goodman, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Justin Bartha, Rob Huebel and Whitney Cummings all co-starred in the single-camera half-hour, about a "covert CIA operative (Justin Bartha) and his workmates, who are on a mission in Central America to install a new dictator." Kevin Napier penned the 20th Century Fox Television-based project, which was directed by David Wain and executive produced by Ben Stiller. It's understood should it move forward, some tweaking will take place.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [october 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· ANGRY BOYS (HBO)
· BOYS AND GIRLS GUIDE TO GETTING DOWN (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· FLASH FORWARD (ABC)
· HOUSE RULES (CBS)
· HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (CBS)
· MIDNIGHTERS (CW)
· MOUTHPIECE (SHOWTIME)
· OC, THE (FOX)
· ROMANTICALLY CHALLENGED (ABC)
· RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (CBS)
· RUNAWAY (CW)
· SLEEPER CELL (SHOWTIME)
· STATION, THE (FOX)
· SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH (HBO)
· YOU AND ME AND HE (CBS)





[07/07/26 - 12:47 PM]
NFL Network Presents 2026 NFL Preseason Slate, Featuring 19 Live Games; ESPN Expands Its Schedule with 12 Additional Matchups on the ESPN App
The 32-game live preseason slate (with all 48 games available via replay on NFL Network) adds to ESPN's expansive Year of the Super Bowl programming.

[07/07/26 - 12:05 PM]
Ian Ziering to Host "The Great American Road Rally," New Celebrity Road-Trip Television Event Premiering This Fall on The CW
Originally scheduled for May 13 through July 22, the series will now premiere on Wednesdays from September 2 through November 25.

[07/07/26 - 11:27 AM]
FOX Sports Sets All-Time U.S. Soccer Viewership Record with 30 Million Watching Belgium-USMNT
The network's coverage reached a peak audience of 36.895 million viewers from 9:15-9:30 PM ET.

[07/07/26 - 11:26 AM]
"Shark Tank" Returns for Season 18 with a Powerhouse Roster of Guest Sharks
Additionally, Kendra Scott and Rashaun Williams have been elevated to permanent Sharks, joining Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, Daniel Lubetzky and Kevin O'Leary.

[07/07/26 - 11:01 AM]
Video: 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby - Official Teaser - Netflix
The best sluggers in baseball put their power to the test and chase home run glory live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

[07/07/26 - 10:59 AM]
MLB on ESPN Schedule Updates: July 20 Doubleheader Features Dodgers-Phillies and Cardinals-Angels; Tigers Visit Cubs on July 22
ESPN's exclusive Major League Baseball coverage throughout the season also includes MLB Game of the Day on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited plan subscribers, plus "Baseball Tonight" coverage surrounding marquee matchups.

[07/07/26 - 10:13 AM]
Video: Disney+ and Hulu Debut "Rabbit Hole" Trailer
The half-hour 10-episode original series will debut as the largest ensemble of digital stars ever brought together for a premium series.

[07/07/26 - 10:11 AM]
The Maine Cabin Masters Take on Their Biggest Project Yet in New Series "Maine Cabin Masters: All Inn"
The series follows the team as they transform a rundown bed and breakfast into a stunning 12-acre lakeside inn.

[07/07/26 - 10:01 AM]
First Look - "Let's Marry Harry" Premieres August 5 on Netflix
The series follows heartthrob Harry Jowsey, who is done playing the field and is handing over the reins of his love life to those who know him best.

[07/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Mariska Hargitay to Host 78th Emmy Awards on NBC
The ceremony is set for Monday, September 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT from the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live, airing live coast-to-coast on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

[07/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
New Episodes of AspireTV's "Downright Delicious with Yo-Yo" to Return Thursday, August 6
In this fun series, Grammy-nominated rapper and foodie Yolanda "Yo-Yo" Whitaker is whipping up some of her favorite dishes, cocktails, desserts and more.

[07/07/26 - 09:45 AM]
"Big Brother" Introduces a New Cast of Houseguests to a Game Where the Past, Present and Future Collide
This season's cast includes an MMA fighter, rocket scientist, game show host, daughter of an '80s pop star, and a Drag Race All Star, among others.

[07/07/26 - 09:30 AM]
Video: Starz Drops Action-Packed Full Trailer for Upcoming Revenge Drama "Fightland"
Set against the high-stakes world of British boxing, "Fightland" is a gripping story of redemption, betrayal and brutal ambition - in and out of the ring.

[07/07/26 - 09:16 AM]
Netflix Bringing Fan-Favorite Videos from Digital Publishers to Members Beginning August 3
BuzzFeed Studios, Condé Nast, Hearst Magazines, Penske Media's PMX brands, People Inc., and Tastemade are among the digital publishing partners.

[07/07/26 - 08:30 AM]
Vice Studios' Cuba Pictures to Adapt Award Winning Documentary Maternity Broken Trust Into Scripted Series Starring Jason Isaacs
The documentary investigated alleged failures in maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust (NUH).