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[12/10/09 - 06:13 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, December 10
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
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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!
AMERICA: THE STORY OF US (History) - Meryl Streep, Michael Douglas, Colin Powell, Brian Williams, Buzz Aldrin, Tommy Franks, Donald Trump, John Lasseter and Stevie Wonder have all been tapped to participate in the upcoming 12-part event, which will "focus on the elements that distinguish American democracy, the conflicts that shaped it and the myriad social and industrial innovations that have fueled the country's prosperity." Said talent will serve as on-camera commentators with Jane Root executive producing via her Nutopia production banner. "America" is due sometime in 2010.
DELTA BLUES (TNT) - Alfre Woodard ("Three Rivers") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about Dwight Hendricks (Jason Lee), "a Memphis police officer who lives with his mother (Celia Weston) and moonlights as a tribute artist." She'll play "the formidable new lieutenant who tries to exercise her power over Dwight," a role presumably in second position to the hiatused "Rivers." Warner Horizon Television and Smokehouse Productions are behind the hour, which also stars Abraham Benrubi, DJ Qualls, Leonard Howz, Robyn Lively and Sam Hennings. Clark Johnson is directing from a script by Joshua Harto and Liz Garcia.
FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS (HBO) - Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement have announced via their web site their pay channel series won't be returning for a third season. "We've noticed the less we say about the future of the show, the more people want to talk about it, so in an effort to reverse this trend we are today announcing that we won't be returning for a 3rd season," said the statement. "We're very proud of the two seasons we made and we like the way the show ended. We'd like to thank everyone who helped make the show and also everyone who watched it. While the characters Bret and Jemaine will no longer be around, the real Bret and Jemaine will continue to exist." The show wrapped its second season back in March.
GLEE (FOX) - Tony-winning actress Idina Menzel ("Wicked") is reportedly in talks to recur on the back half of the show's freshman season. She would play the coach to glee club "Vocal Adrenaline," the McKinley High glee club's main competition. Menzel had already been the focus of a fan campaign to cast her as Rachel Berry's (Lea Michele) biological mother. Also signing on for a five to six episode arc is Jonathan Groff. He'll play the lead male vocalist of "Vocal Adrenaline" and a potential love interest for Rachel Berry. Groff co-starred opposite Michele in the Broadway production of "Spring Awakening."
KEEP HOPE ALIVE (FOX) - Kate Micucci ("Scrubs") has landed a role on the comedy pilot, about Jimmy (Lucas Neff), "a 25-year-old single parent raising an infant with the help of his quirky family after the mother of the baby -- with whom he had a one-night stand -- ends up on death row." She'll play Mike, "an unkempt, fairly oblivious cousin of Jimmy living in a tent in the laundry room of their great-grandmother's house." Said role was originally envisioned a male. Garrett Dillahunt, Kate Micucci, Martha Plimpton and Olesya Rulin also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, which Michael Fresco is directing from a script by Greg Garcia.
THE SIX (ABC, New!) - Merv Griffin Entertainment has landed a presentation order from the Alphabet for a new game show based on the Russian format "What? Where? When?" Said project, which has been running for 35 years in its home country, is being redubbed "The Six," after the number of contestants on the show. The late Vladimir Voroshilov created (and hosted) the series, which pits a panel of six knowledgeable persons against the viewing audience. Said experts are tasked with answering audience-submitted questions listed on a spinning horizontal wheel divided into segments. If the experts answer correctly in the allotted 60 seconds they receive a point, if they don't the audience receives a point with question's author also earning a prize. (Sample question: "They first appeared in 1908 in Mexico. There were two of them. Over time, they came closer and closer together, like wings of a black raven. Name them." Answer: "Frida Kahlo's eyebrows.") Exact format details however are still being worked out. Merv Griffin's Roy Bank is executive producing the project alongside Ukranian-born actor Alex Reznik, Jonathan Barry and Ron Ward. Dwight Smith and Michael Agbabian are the showrunners with Brian Veskosky serving as a co-executive producer.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[11/13/26 - 08:01 PM]
Video: "A Filipino Christmas" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Discover the true meaning of the season in this touching anthology featuring estranged friends, a snowy Christmas, office rivals and clashing sisters.
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[11/13/26 - 03:16 PM]
"Darius, Dolly and 60 Years of Celebration: Countdown to the CMAs with Robin Roberts" Honoring Country Music Legends and the CMA Awards' Milestone 60th Anniversary Airs Tuesday, Nov. 17, on ABC
Marking her 16th year as part of the annual tradition, "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts returns to host the one-hour primetime special that will celebrate six decades of unforgettable performances, iconic artists and defining moments in country music.
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[11/13/26 - 02:55 PM]
NBA on ESPN November 11 Doubleheader Delivered 1.8M Viewers, Up 29 Percent from Last Year
The Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks matchup averaged 1.9 million viewers, while the Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets matchup averaged 1.7 million viewers.
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[11/13/26 - 12:01 PM]
Video: "Honest Renovations: A Holiday Home Makeover 3" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
Jessica Alba and Lizzy Matins race to make a deserving family's home spotlight-ready before Christmas.
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[11/13/26 - 11:05 AM]
Video: "The Trio" - A Network Original - Official Trailer
When college student Hugo rents a room from a wealthy family, he embarks on a euphoric summer as he forms an irresistible connection with Thora, a beautiful descendant of old money, and her childhood best friend August, who dreams of art.
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[11/13/26 - 11:01 AM]
Netflix Reveals First Look Photo, Launch Year, and Title of "Magic: The Gathering" Animated Series, "Planeswalker"
The upcoming Netflix saga, created in partnership with Hasbro Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast, is a fresh adaptation of the popular card game that's enchanted players for more than 30 years.
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[11/13/26 - 10:01 AM]
NBC Releases Premiere Date & First Look for "Sunset P.I."
"Sunset P.I." is a single-camera workplace comedy following Mickey Wilder (Jake Johnson) and the other private investigators at his Hollywood detective agency.
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[11/13/26 - 09:54 AM]
Star-Studded "Grammy Night" on "Dancing with the Stars" Shoots to Season Highs Ahead of Semi-Finals
In fact, "Dancing with the Stars" stood as the No. 1 program overall on Tuesday among Adults 18-49 (1.59 rating).
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[11/13/26 - 09:00 AM]
Peacock Unravels a Twisted Tale of Deception with New Documentary "Love Trapped: The Case of Laura Owens" (wt) Premiering in 2027
Based on the popular podcast, the documentary chronicles the extraordinary story of former "Bachelor" star Clayton Echard and his tumultuous relationship with a woman named Laura Owens.
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[11/13/26 - 08:42 AM]
ABC News Wins Sunday Morning and Late-Night
"Nightline" was up over the previous week in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.
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[11/13/26 - 06:31 AM]
Netflix Renews "Virgin River" for a Ninth Season
Alongside the renewal, Netflix also revealed that the fan-favorite series has reached another milestone this year, officially passing the half-billion views mark.
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[11/13/26 - 06:07 AM]
Taylor Swift To Perform at "The 60th Annual CMA Awards"
A two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, Swift is nominated this year for Single of the Year with "I Knew It, I Knew You," marking her 26th career CMA nomination.
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[11/13/26 - 05:31 AM]
The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Returns Live on NBC and Peacock Nov. 26, Bringing Holiday Magic to Life for Millions
For its 100th celebration, the Parade will once again bring millions together nationwide and feature an all-star lineup of music's biggest names, alongside iconic character balloons, imaginative floats and a special appearance by the one-and-only Santa Claus.
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[11/13/26 - 05:19 AM]
NFL Quarterback Sam Hartman Named "The Bachelor" for Season 30
A Charlotte, North Carolina, native, Hartman plays for the NFL's Washington Commanders and is a standout alum of Wake Forest and Notre Dame, where he set legendary ACC records, including most career touchdown passes and 300-yard passing games.
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[11/13/26 - 02:38 AM]
Video: "Dhindora" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
After a lottery ticket changes their lives, Bhuvan and his middle-class family soon find themselves caught up in a series of comic mishaps.
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