 |
 |
[04/16/10 - 12:02 AM]
Development Update: Friday, April 16
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 BEAR WHISPERER (Animal Planet) - The Discovery sibling has ordered three episodes of a new reality series about professional bear wrangler Steve Searles, who "uses humane tactics to help control the bear population in Mammoth Lakes, California." The network aired a special featuring Searles on January 7 that served as a backdoor pilot. LMNO Productions is the producer.
BEACH LANE (NBC) - Patton Oswalt has departed the comedy pilot, about a celebrity author (Matthew Broderick) hired by an irresponsible millionaire heir (Oswalt) to run his struggling small-town newspaper in the Hamptons. Said development comes within days of Oswalt's casting. No reason was given for the decision however producers reportedly have also offered the comedian a different part. Aimee Garcia, Henry Zebrowski and Kristen Johnston also star in the Universal Media Studios-based half-hour, which comes from creator Paul Simms and Broadway Video Television.
BURN NOTICE (USA) - The cable channel is set to announce a two-year pick-up of its Jeffrey Donovan-led franchise. The massive commitment comes as the series preps for the launch of its fourth season on Thursday, June 3 at 9:00/8:00c. Seasons five and six - both to run between 15-18 episodes - will likewise roll out in successive summers. Meanwhile, USA has also landed the off-cable rights to the drama from Fox Television Studios. Repeats of the series will air weeknights on the network beginning in October of 2011. That's in addition to MyNetworkTV's acquisition, which will see back-to-back repeats air on Wednesday nights this fall.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (DirecTV) - Emily Rios ("Men of a Certain Age") and Lynn Blackburn ("Noises Off") are both set to recur on the show's fifth season. The former will play Epyck, a rebel goth girl, with Blackburn as "a smart, tough, and dedicated teacher at East Dillon" who befriends Connie Britton's character. Said season rolls out this fall on DirecTV.
HAWAII FIVE-O (CBS) - "Lost" co-executive producer Paul Zbyszewski has signed a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with CBS Television Studios. The pact calls for the writer/producer, also the creator of ABC's short-lived "Day Break," to develop new projects for the studio as well as serve in a similar capacity on the CBS pilot "Hawaii Five-O" should it go to series.
IN TREATMENT (HBO) - Three-time Oscar nominee Debra Winger ("Terms of Endearment") is reportedly in talks to join the cast of the show's upcoming third season. She'll play one of the show's featured patients, "a former big star who is battling insecurity and fear about her career." No other details were given.
MEMPHIS BEAT (TNT) - Sunny Mabrey ("xXx: State of the Union") has booked a recurring role on the upcoming drama, which stars Jason Lee as Dwight Hendricks, "a Memphis police officer who lives with his mother (Celia Weston)" and "his intimate connection with the city and its people sets him apart from his fellow officers." She'll play Dwight's ex-wife, Charlene Campbell, a role originated by Robyn Lively in the pilot. No reason for the change was given. "Beat" launches Tuesday, June 22 at 10:00/9:00c.
PLAYING WITH GUNS (Spike TV, New!) - Danny Masterson ("That '70s Show") and Joey Kern ("Super Troopers") are set to topline a new comedy pilot at the cable channel about "childhood best friends who become police officers in their hometown for the everyday perks." Brian Robbins ("Blue Mountain State") is on board to helm the half-hour as well as executive produce via his Varsity Pictures banner alongside Sharla Sumpter Bridgett for Lionsgate Television. Bob Castrone, Brian Levin and Jason Zumwalt co-wrote the script and will serve as co-executive producers. Production is set to begin this month in Wilmington, North Carolina.
PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (ABC Family) - Janel Parrish ("Heroes") and Holly Marie Combs ("Charmed") have each landed roles on the soon-to-launch drama, about four estranged best friends who are reunited one year after their best friend and queen bee of the group, Alison, goes missing only to discover they are receiving messages from an anonymous "A" who knows all their secrets. Parrish will play Mona Vanderwall ("thin and attractive"), the ultrapopular friend to the show's main quartet. Combs then is set as Ella Montgomery ("attractive, well read and liberal"), the mother of Lucy Hale's character. The newcomer bows Tuesday, June 8 at 8:00/7:00c.
REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER (HBO) - The pay channel has ordered a ninth season of the veteran talk show. 35 new episodes will roll out beginning in January. That's in addition to its current 24-episode eighth season, which will run into November. To date, "Real Time" is averaging an aggregate 3.8 million viewers each week when its various encores and DVR viewership is facted in. Maher himself is in the midst of a two-year deal with the network which calls for him to host the series as well as executive produce alongside Scott Carter, Sheila Griffiths, Brad Grey, Marc Gurvitz and Billy Martin. He'll also film another stand-up special and develop a new unscripted project for the network however no specifics were given.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [april 2010]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[07/22/25 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Former contestants and producers reveal the intense, damaging reality behind the success of "The Biggest Loser" in this provocative documentary series.
|
[07/22/25 - 08:29 AM]
Video: Prime Video Unveils the Trailer, Key Art, and Premiere Date for "Betty la Fea: La Historia Continua" Season 2
With the stellar return of Ana María Orozco and Jorge Enrique Abello alongside much of the original cast, the second season will unfold across 10 episodes, released two episodes per week.
|
[07/22/25 - 08:04 AM]
ESPN, ABC and Disney+ Score Historic Viewership for 2025 WNBA All-Star Events
The Skills Challenge & 3-Point Contest and the WNBA All-Star Game averaged 1.3 million viewers and 2.2 million viewers, respectively.
|
[07/22/25 - 08:01 AM]
Apple's Acclaimed Comedy "Loot" to Return for Season Three on October 15, 2025
The 10-episode third season of "Loot" will debut globally with the first two episodes on Wednesday, October 15 on Apple TV+, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through December 10.
|
[07/22/25 - 08:00 AM]
Video: Trailer and Key Art Debut - "Dope Girls"
The six-part period drama premieres Tuesday, July 29, streaming exclusively in the U.S. on Hulu.
|
[07/22/25 - 07:15 AM]
The King Rules on AXS TV in the Elvis Week Tribute, Airing All Week Starting Monday, August 11, Daily at 4P ET
Elvis Week swings into action on August 11, with Elvis Presley as a young serviceman who wagers he can woo a hard-to-get dancer in the 1960 favorite "G.I. Blues."
|
[07/22/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Rivers of Fate" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a teen is kidnapped by a sex trafficking ring, a river pirate and a fierce mother embark on separate quests to find her - until their paths cross.
|
[07/22/25 - 06:31 AM]
Video: Stop-Motion Series "Pokemon Concierge" Unveils Heartwarming Trailer for New Episodes Returning September 4
Welcome back to Pokémon Resort! Join Haru as she pampers more guests, mentors new staff and grows as a reliable concierge with Psyduck by her side.
|
[07/22/25 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "Fatal Seduction" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Vilakazi's desire to keep his sinister secrets hidden forces Nandi to reunite with old foes and spurned lovers - all to shield her daughter from danger.
|
[07/21/25 - 04:00 PM]
Video: First Look at "Doc" Season 2 Premiering Sept. 23 on FOX!
The second season of Doc follows powerhouse physician Dr. Amy Larsen (Molly Parker) as she continues to rebuild her life after a car crash erased eight years of her memory.
|
[07/21/25 - 12:05 PM]
Video: ESPN, Disney+, and Skydance Sports Announce Premiere Date and Unveil New Trailer for "The Kingdom," Debuting August 14 on ESPN, ESPN+ and Disney+
The six-episode docuseries on the Kansas City Chiefs will explore the franchise's indelible and distinctive place in the NFL's landscape for more than six decades of history while offering an exclusive, revealing chronicle of the team's extraordinary 2024 season.
|
[07/21/25 - 10:30 AM]
Tatiana Maslany and Jake Johnson Star in "Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed," A New Dark Comedic Thriller from David J. Rosen Coming to Apple TV+
Blackmail, murder, and youth soccer.
|
[07/21/25 - 10:09 AM]
ESPN's Outstanding Nielsen Viewership for First Six Months of 2025: At the Halfway Mark, ESPN has Achieved Multiple Successes Across the Board
ESPN on its own is up 4% year-over-year across the entire day (24 hours of programming) and up 9% when isolating the primetime hours (8-11 p.m. ET).
|
[07/21/25 - 10:06 AM]
Apple's Emmy Award-Winning, Cultural Phenomenon "Ted Lasso" Kicks Off Production on Season Four in Kansas City
In addition to Jason Sudeikis, Emmy award-winner Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Emmy award-winner Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Jeremy Swift are all set to return as their beloved characters and celebrated members of AFC Richmond.
|
[07/21/25 - 10:01 AM]
First Look and Date Announcement: "Futurama" Season 13
Season 13 lands on Hulu on September 15 at 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET with all 10 episodes at once.
|
|
|
|
