[11/15/10 - 06:27 PM] Development Update: Monday, November 15 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!
DANNI LOWINSKI (The CW) - Amanda Walsh ("Sons & Daughters") has been tapped for the title role in the drama pilot, about "a scrappy hairdresser (Walsh) who has worked her way through law school and finally graduates only to be brushed off by law firms that aren't interested in her type." Richard Shepard is helming the CBS Television Studios-based hour, based on the popular German series of the same name, from a script by Jennie Snyder Urman. It's understood the off-cycle pilot is now being targeted for fall 2011 rather than a potential midseason berth.
FREAKY EATERS (TLC) - The cable channel has reportedly ordered a second season of the series, about the "struggles of an unusual and often overlooked segment of the population - those with a bizarre compulsion towards a particular food." The show's six-episode freshman run averaged 1.2 million viewers. The new season then is expected to roll out sometime next summer.
FREE (CBS, New!) - Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith ("'Til Death") have booked a new multi-camera comedy at the Eye about "a married couple who explore their freedom and start to have fun and live their life when they drop their kids off at college." The pair, who are also behind NBC's "My Life As an Experiment," will write and executive produce the half-hour for Sony Pictures Television.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK (ABC) - David Eick and Guillermo del Toro are in negotiations to write and direct, respectively, the potential small screen take on the Marvel Comics icon. Said hour, likely targeted for a fall 2012 launch following the July 2012 release of "The Avengers" feature, would once again follow the exploits of physicist Bruce Banner whose accidental exposure to gamma radiation transforms him into the jade giant when he loses control of his emotions. Both would executive produce and receive a "developed by" credit with Marvel Television and ABC Studios co-producing. Jeph Loeb, Joe Quesada and Exile Entertainment's Gary Ungar will also serve as executive producers.
LOVE IN THE WILD (NBC) - The Peacock has ordered eight episodes of the project, a dating series billed as "The Bachelor" meets "Survivor." Tom Shelly is behind the Endemol USA-based series, which is expected to roll out next summer. As for specifics, it's understood "Wild" involves 20 men and women who are paired off and dropped into "a remote location with nothing but a map and each other to rely on." As each duo makes its way through the jungle they'll be presented with various challenges and ultimately the opportunity to switch partners should they desire.
MEDIUM (CBS) - Patricia Arquette told Entertainment Weekly over the weekend she believes the series has been canceled. The Eye rolled back the show's season order from 22 to 13 episodes last month however has yet to announce its ultimate fate. Production is underway on the last two installments of the aforementioned order. "I was trying to get information from the writers about the last episode," Arquette added. "I don't know what it's going to be, but they're really excited about it. They're like, 'we're just going to burn the whole thing down!' I'm really excited."
THE RABBIT FACTORY (TNT) - Director Gregory Hoblit has reportedly exited the project over creative differences with creator Allan Loeb. Steven Weber and D.L Hughley star in the drama pilot, about a widowed police and his newly married partner as they delve into a world of mystery, intrigue and occasional hijinks. Lionsgate Television is behind the hour, which is based on Marshall Karp's book of the same name.
UNTITLED COLIN COWHERD PROJECT (CBS, New!) - Bill Martin and Mike Schiff ("Hank") are developing a new comedy at the Eye loosely based on the life of ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd. Said half-hour is set up at CBS Television Studios with Eric and Kim Tannenbaum also serving as executive producers. Cowherd himself will also receive a producer credit. Details about the project however weren't specified.
UNTITLED MICHAEL KEATON PROJECT (HBO, New!) - Michael Keaton ("The Other Guys") has inked a first-look deal with the pay channel. The pact gives the network first crack at new series projects from the actor which he'll direct, executive produce and potentially star. Keaton's most recent TV stints include TNT's mini-series "The Company" in 2007 and the telefilm "Live From Baghdad" for HBO in 2002.
UNTITLED NICK THUNE PROJECT (NBC, New!) - Spike Feresten ("Talkshow With Spike Feresten") and comedian Nick Thune are set to team for a potential comedy at the Peacock about "a group of twentysomethings new to Los Angeles seen through the eyes of the newest arrival, played by Thune." Feresten will write and executive produce the half-hour with Thune also serving as a co-executive producer. Universal Media Studios and 3 Arts Entertainment are co-producing.
