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[03/22/11 - 11:11 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, March 22
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!
BIRD DOG/THE RABBIT FACTORY (TNT) - On the heels of ordering the Eric McCormack-led drama "Perception" to series, the cable channel has reportedly passed on the other two drama pilots from said development cycle. "Bird Dog," from writer/director Mike Robe and Warner Horizon Television, revolved around an unlikely partnership between two cops (Gerald McRaney, Ashley Williams) who happen to be father and daughter. "The Rabbit Factory," from writer Alan Loeb and Lionsgate Television, tracked a recently widowed police detective (Steven Weber) and his newly married partner (D.L. Hughley) as they delve into a world of mystery, intrigue and occasional hijinks. Currently in the pipe at TNT are the "Dallas" reboot as well as the cast-contingent "Generations."
BOSS (Starz) - Connie Nielsen ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit") has joined the cast of the upcoming drama, about Thomas Kane (Kesley Grammer), "the mayor of Chicago who is diagnosed with a degenerative mental condition that only he and his doctor know about." She'll play his wife, Meredith ("suited, immaculately groomed"), whom his marriage has disintegrated to the point they only speak in public. Gus Van Sant is directing the pilot to the Lionsgate Television-based hour, from writer Farhad Safinia.
DAMAGES (DirecTV) - Judd Hirsch ("NUMB3RS") is the latest actor set to recur on the show's upcoming fourth season. He'll play a former mentor of Patty's (Glenn Close), "a man who took her under his wing during her first job out of law school," but now spends his time "at the bottom of a bottle." Other new additions this season include Chris Messina, Dylan Baker and John Goodman.
FREE AGENTS (NBC) - Natasha Leggero ("Last Comic Standing") has been cast in the comedy pilot, about "two quirky co-workers - Alex (Hank Azaria) and Helen (Kathryn Hahn) on the rebound who are attracted to one another." She'll play Emma, Alex's opinionated executive assistant. Mo Mandel co-stars in the Universal Media Studios-based half-hour, which Todd Holland is directing from a script by John Enbom.
MAD MEN (AMC) - Matthew Weiner is reportedly on track to sign a new deal with producer Lionsgate Television to continue as showrunner of the Emmy-winning series. Said negotiations will likely push the start of production by several weeks, potentially bumping its usual summer debut into the fall or beyond. No other details were given.
THE RIVER (ABC) - Daniel Zacapa has scored a role on the drama pilot, about the search in the Amazon for Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood), a missing TV explorer, led by his wife Tess (Leslie Hope) and son Lincoln (Joe Anderson). He'll play Emilio Valenzuela, who along with his daughter Jahel (Paulina Gaitan), run the engine room of the S.S. Hopewell, the vessel spearheading the search. Eloise Mumford, Paul Blackthorne, Shaun Parkes and Thomas Kretschmann also star. Meanwhile, Zack Estrin ("No Ordinary Family") has joined the project as part of an overall deal with producer ABC Studios. There he'll serve as an executive producer alongside showrunner Michael Green and ultimately take over said post for the back nine of its presumed freshman run. Green, who's based at 20th Century Fox Television, will then transition back to development. Should the pilot not get ordered to series, Estrin will join another ABC Studios-based property.
UNTITLED SUSANNAH GRANT PROJECT (CBS) - "Law & Order" alumnus S. Epatha Merkerson has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about Michael Halstead (Patrick Wilson), an ultra-competitive surgeon whose life is changed forever when his ex-wife, Anna Lindberg (Jennifer Ehle), dies and begins teaching him what life is all about from the hereafter. She'll play Rita, Michael's "don't cross her" assistant. Afton Williamson and Julie Benz also star in the CBS Television Studios-based hour, to be directed by Jonathan Demme.
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[08/19/25 - 11:05 AM]
Paramount+ Announces Two New Docuseries: "Don't Date Brandon" and "Thirst Trap: The Fame. The Fantasy. The Fallout."
Both projects explore the dark undercurrents of digital connection, obsession and betrayal, and will stream exclusively on Paramount+ this fall.
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[08/19/25 - 11:00 AM]
AMC Networks' September Highlights Include "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon," "Murder Before Evensong," "Guts & Glory" and More
New additions include the new AMC+ exclusive series "The Red King," premiering Thursday, September 25.
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[08/19/25 - 10:13 AM]
NBC Sports Delivers Most-Watched Premier League Opening Weekend in U.S., Headlined by Record-Setting Manchester United-Arsenal Match on NBC & Peacock
The Manchester United-Arsenal match on NBC, Peacock, and NBC Sports Digital platforms on Sunday, featuring 2024-25 PL runner-up Arsenal earning a 1-0 victory, averaged 2.0 million viewers.
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[08/19/25 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix's "The Vince Staples Show" Season 2 Date Announcement & First Look
In the wake of a tragic death, Vince embarks on a wild journey in search of inner peace. However, his path is littered with reminders of his haunted past.
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[08/19/25 - 10:00 AM]
Video: First-Look Trailer of "Celebrity Weakest Link" Premiering Monday, Sept. 15 at 9/8c on FOX and Next Day on Hulu
The premiere season showcases celebrities competing in themed-episodes including a "Glee" Homecoming, TV Moms, Ex-Wives Club, 8 Degrees of Jane, Roasters, Reality Couples, High School Reunion, TV Doctors, Holiday Night, Football Legends and more!
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[08/19/25 - 09:03 AM]
FOX Sports Delivers Network's Most-Watched NFL Preseason Game Since 2021
This past Sunday, 5.1 million viewers tuned in to FOX's preseason coverage of the Chicago Bears 38-0 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
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[08/19/25 - 08:31 AM]
Cristela Alonzo Returns to Netflix with Even More Class in New Special, "Upper Classy"
In this newest special, Cristela is in the pursuit of happiness.
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[08/19/25 - 08:30 AM]
The American Music Awards Returns to CBS and Paramount+ in 2026 with a New 5-Year Partnership
Following this year's top-rated broadcast, the 52nd American Music Awards will return with a must-see live show Memorial Day weekend, May 2026 from Las Vegas.
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[08/19/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: National Geographic Unveils Jet-Fueled Trailer for New Docuseries "Top Guns: The Next Generation," Taking Viewers Inside the U.S. Navy's Elite Aviation Program
The six-part series premieres September 16 at 9:00/8:00c on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
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[08/19/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Wolf King" - Season 2 Trailer - Netflix
As he fights for his throne and faces enemies from all sides, Drew learns the heavy burden of being king - and the daunting task of choosing a queen.
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[08/19/25 - 08:01 AM]
Apple's Emmy-Nominated Comedy "Palm Royale" Returns for Season Two on November 12
Season one of "Palm Royale" was led by a renowned ensemble cast including Allison Janney, Ricky Martin, Carol Burnett, Josh Lucas, Leslie Bibb, Amber Chardae Robinson, Mindy Cohn, Julia Duffy and Kaia Gerber.
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[08/19/25 - 07:32 AM]
Phil Simms Returns to NBC Sports to Call Big Ten Football Games Live on Peacock This Fall
Simms will be on the call for NBC Sports' college football season-opener on Friday, August 29, as the Illinois Fighting Illini host the Western Illinois Leathernecks at 7:30 p.m. ET exclusively on Peacock.
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[08/19/25 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Maledictions" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The daughter of a rising political star is taken by the very man he trusted most.
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[08/19/25 - 07:14 AM]
From Inmate to Insider, Oxygen's "Death Row Confidential: Secrets of a Serial Killer" Premieres Saturday, September 13 at 9:00 P.M. ET/PT
Oxygen examines the gripping story of convicted killer Joseph Naso, and how a fellow inmate came to connect him to many additional cold cases, with the help of Investigator Ken Mains.
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[08/19/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Ballad of a Small Player" - Official Teaser - Netflix
Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell) is laying low in Macau - spending his days and nights on the casino floors, drinking heavily and gambling what little money he has left.
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