 |
 |
[01/19/10 - 07:33 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, January 19
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!
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? (Syndication) - Twentieth Television has cleared the syndicated incarnation of the game show for a second season. The series is a go in the top five markets, including WPIX New York, KTTV/KCOP Los Angeles and WFLD/WPWR Chicago. Mark Burnett and Zoo Productions are behind the project.
BODY OF EVIDENCE (ABC, New!) - Chris Murphey ("Dead Lawyers") has snagged a pilot order from the Alphabet for a new drama about Megan Hunt, "a former neurosurgeon-turned-medical examiner who brings a unique and crime-solving perspective to the ME's office that often puts her at odds with her superiors." Murphey penned the hour and is executive producing alongside Matt Gross, on whose idea the project is based. ABC Studios is producing.
HAPPY ENDINGS (ABC, New!) - Newcomer David Caspe has booked a pilot commitment from the network for a new single-camera comedy about "a couple that breaks up at the altar, forcing them and their group of friends to figure out how to maintain their friendships after the split." Sony Pictures Television is behind the half-hour, which is executive produced by Jamie Tarses and her studio-based FanFare Productions banner.
NEVERMIND NIRVANA (FOX, New!) - Ajay Sahgal is once again developing the multi-camera comedy, about "two brothers from a traditional Indian background - one defies his family's expectations by dating a Caucasian woman, while the other agrees to enter an arranged marriage." FOX has ordered a pilot for the 20th Century Fox Television-based project, the third time it has received such a commitment. NBC originally took a stab back in the spring of 2004 with Kal Penn and Judy Greer in the lead roles. David Schwimmer helmed the half-hour, which didn't make the cut for the 2004-05 season. The producers then opted to reshoot the pilot that summer with Sahgal himself as the male lead but the Peacock passed on that incarnation as well. FOX topper Kevin Reilly shepherded both versions while at NBC, making its revival not much of a surprise. Sahgal won't topline the FOX version, which is likewise based on his experiences as the son of Indian immigrants who eventually married a Caucasian woman (actress Kelli Williams). It's not clear if original executive producers Schwimmer, Jamie Tarses and Karey Burke will be involved in the update.
THE ODDS (CBS, New!) - Feature writer/director Jeff Wadlow ("Never Back Down") has scored a pilot order from the Eye for a new drama billed as "a buddy cop show set in Las Vegas where the cops are just as outrageous as the crimes they solve." Wadlow penned the Warner Bros. Television-based hour and is executive producing alongside Joel Silver with Beau Bauman producing. No other specifics were given.
OFF THE MAP (ABC) - The Alphabet has greenlit production on Jenna Bans's ("Grey's Anatomy") drama pilot, about "three doctors, each anxious for a fresh start, [who] leave the comfort of the States to work at an isolated tropical clinic, where they face both exotic and unusual medical challenges as well as personal ones." ABC Studios is behind the hour, which is set up at Shonda Rhimes's studio-based Shondaland banner. Bans and Rhimes then will executive produce alongside Betsy Beers.
THE STRIP (A.K.A. UNTITLED THOMAS LENNON PROJECT) (NBC) - The Thomas Lennon led comedy has received a pilot order from the Peacock. The multi-camera half-hour revolves around "a former child star (Lennon) who now owns a Hooters-type restaurant in a strip mall on the outskirts of Vegas." Lennon and Robert Ben Garant co-wrote the script to the Universal Media Studios-based project, which Garant will also co-star in a supporting role. The duo will also executive produce alongside Peter Principato and Paul Young.
TORCHWOOD (FOX) - Russell T. Davies is developing a U.S. incarnation of the "Doctor Who" spin-off about "a covert group that investigates and fights alien activity." BBC America currently holds the broadcast rights to the original incarnation, which wrapped its third season last summer. The Hollywood Reporter suggests co-star John Barrowman may be part of the new version, however the project is still in the early stages of development. Davies, Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter are the executive producers attached for BBC Worldwide Productions.
UNTITLED BROADWAY MUSICAL PROJECT (Showtime) - Theresa Rebeck ("Canterbury's Law") has been tapped to pen the potential drama, which "chronicles the development of an original Broadway musical, from the inception of the idea through the opening night and everything in between." Storyline Entertainment's Craig Zadan and Neil Meron and DreamWorks Television's Steven Spielberg, Daryl Frank and Justin Falvey are all behind the hour, which would spawn an actual Broadway musical at the end of the first season. Also on board are Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman as songwriters, who are expected to receive an executive producing credits.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [january 2010]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[11/12/26 - 02:30 PM]
NBC Sports' "Coast 2 Coast Tuesday" Highlighted by Celtics-76ers Delivers NBA's Largest Pre-Christmas, Non-NBA Tip-Off Tuesday Audience Ever
Viewership peaked at 4.7 million from 8:45-9:00 p.m. ET during Boston-Philadelphia.
|
[11/12/26 - 12:02 PM]
Your First Look at "The Spot," A New Psychological Thriller Starring Claire Danes and Ewan McGregor
The series premieres January 13 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
|
[11/12/26 - 11:01 AM]
MTV's "Caught in the Act: Unfaithful" Renewed for Season Five
Seasons 1 through 4A of the investigative series, hosted by reality TV star Tami Roman, will also be available to stream on Paramount+ starting Wednesday, December 9.
|
[11/12/26 - 10:01 AM]
Milo Manheim and Jennifer Tilly Return to "School Spirits" Season Four, Maria Dizzia Upped to Series Regular in the Paramount+ Original Series
As previously announced, season four is currently in production in Canada.
|
[11/12/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "The Baddest Speechwriter of All" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Clarence B. Jones, Martin Luther King Jr.'s lawyer and speechwriter, reflects on his sacrifices for activism and the surprising truths of making history.
|
[11/12/26 - 10:01 AM]
Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Iconic Comedy "I Love Lucy" with a Special Night of Programming, Thursday, Dec. 17 on CBS
The special will be followed by back-to-back colorized episodes of the classic series: "The Christmas Show" (9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) and "Never Do Business with Friends" (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
|
[11/12/26 - 09:57 AM]
Teyonah Parris Joins "Before I Let Go" as Yasmen, Alongside Danielle Brooks as Hendrix
Two powerhouse talents. Two exciting new additions. Coming to Peacock.
|
[11/12/26 - 09:15 AM]
Jamie Miller to Open "Kids' Choice Awards (KCAs)" with Special Performance of Viral Hit "Babydoll," Capping an Epic Celebration of Iconic Dance Crazes Through the Decades
Featuring a cast of dancers and a cameo by JYT, the high-energy opening number will celebrate some of pop culture's most memorable dance crazes across the decades before culminating in Miller's performance.
|
[11/12/26 - 09:10 AM]
Prime Video Welcomes CJ McCollum to "NBA on Prime" Team
In this role, McCollum will make select appearances in studio programming throughout the 2026-27 NBA season beginning tomorrow, November 13 in "NBA Nightcap."
|
[11/12/26 - 09:01 AM]
Netflix's "Big Mistakes" Welcomes Randall Park, Debi Mazar, T.R. Knight and Jeff Perry as Season 2 Wraps Production
Lorenzo de Moor and Poorna Jagannathan were previously announced as new recurring cast members for season 2.
|
[11/12/26 - 09:01 AM]
NBC Sets Newest "One Chicago" Crossover Event for Jan. 13
Over the three episodes, an unexpected suspect (in the death of a patient at Chicago Med) will be the focus of a dramatic investigation that involves characters from "Med," "Fire" and "P.D."
|
[11/12/26 - 09:01 AM]
Disney+ to Stream The Game Awards 2026 Live on December 10
Honoring the video game industry's most innovative games, studios and creative talent of 2026, fans will get front-row access to the night's prestigious awards, world premiere game announcements and musical performances as they happen live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
|
[11/12/26 - 08:45 AM]
"The View" Is Celebrating Season 30 with a Trip to Italy in May 2027
The talk show is taking viewers on an adventure to one of the world's top travel destinations, with great guests and a guided tour of the beautiful country, exploring the food, the culture and everything Italy has to offer.
|
[11/12/26 - 08:31 AM]
Sara Canning Is Lacing Up Her Stakes as Coach Brady in "Icebreaker," Now in Production
The new college romance drama series is based on the #1 New York Times best-selling novel by Hannah Grace.
|
[11/12/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Jean-Michel Basquiat" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Never-before-seen artwork, rare footage and intimate interviews with loved ones explore legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's humanity beyond his work.
|
|
|
|
