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[04/05/12 - 11:14 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, April 5
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!
CASSANDRA FRENCH'S FINISHING SCHOOL FOR BOYS (MTV) - Michael Lehmann ("Heathers") has been tapped to direct the pilot, about a 22-year-old overachiever who gets her dream job as a lawyer for a Hollywood studio but can't find a guy ready for a real, mature relationship that decides to lock one up in her basement in order to train him to become the perfect gentleman. He'll work from a script by Eric Garcia, who likewise penned the novel upon which the project is based. Krysten Ritter also serves as an executive producer. (Deadline.com)
CULT (The CW) - Andrew Leeds ("Bones") has been cast in the drama pilot, about Skye Yarrow (Jessica Lucas), a production assistant on a wildly popular television show named "Cult," who teams with Jeff Sefton (Matt Davis), a journalist blogger, to investigate the rabid fans of the series who might be re-creating crimes seen on the program in real life. He'll guest star as Kyle Segal, the current executive assigned to the show. Alona Tal and Robert Knepper also star in the Warner Bros. Television-based project, from director Jason Ensler and writer Rockne S. O'Bannon. (Deadline.com)
DOWNWARDLY MOBILE (NBC) - Jason Antoon, Kendra Jain and Hector Duran will round out the cast of the comedy pilot, about Rose Davis (Roseanne Barr), the proprietor of a mobile home park and surrogate mother to all of the unique people who live there in a challenging economy. They'll play various tenants: Antoon as the stay-at-home dad of his and Sheila's (Romy Rosemont) wild child daughter, Skar (Jain); and Duran as Ricky, a shy and timid but sweet 13-year-old boy whom Rose takes under her wing. Greg Cromer, John Goodman, Mary Birdsong and Salli Richardson-Whitfield also star in the project, from 20th Century Fox Television and co-creators Barr, Eric Gilliland and John Argent. Gail Mancuso is directing. (Deadline.com)
DRUNK HISTORY ACROSS AMERICA (Comedy Central, New!) - The cable channel has ordered a pilot presentation for a potential comedy based on the award-winning Funny or Die series of shorts, featuring historical reenactments presented by a besotted narrator. Writer Derek Waters and director Jeremy Konner are behind the project, which Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy will executive produce via their Gary Sanchez Productions banner alongside the duo and Owen Burke. Ferrell, Jim Carrey, Ryan Gosling, Jack Black, Don Cheadle, Michael Cera, Zooey Deschanel, John C. Reilly, Crispin Glover, Jason Ritter and Danny McBride were among the actors featured in the series. (Deadline.com)
OH F---, IT'S YOU (CBS) - David Walton ("Bent") has booked the male lead on the comedy pilot, about a notorious womanizer who, after surviving a health scare, realizes that "the one" is his ex-turned-gal pal/business partner (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), who's already engaged to a nice guy (Ryan Gaul). He'll play said fellow Nick Miller ("good looking in an easy-going kind of way"), taking over for the previously cast Bryan Greenberg. Said role is formally in second position to Walton's duties on the NBC comedy, which is not expected to return. Director James Burrows and co-creators Greg Berlanti and Greg Malins are behind the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which also stars Greg Grunberg and Matt Cook. (Deadline.com)
STARS EARN STRIPES (NBC, New!) - Dick Wolf and Mark Burnett are set to team for a new competition series at the Peacock in which celebrities attempt the rigors of military training - from a staged hostage rescue to correctly placing a laser target atop a mountain. The project will likewise pay a tribute to our troops and first responders by bringing said tasks a spotlight. As for specifics, each of the nine planned participants will be paired with a trainer whose job it is to prepare them for the rigors of the weekly challenge at a top-notch, secret military training facility. Wolf and Burnett executive produce the project with David Hurwitz. (Deadline.com)
AND IN OTHER NEWS... - Jimmy Smits has been tapped for a season-long arc on "Sons of Anarchy" as a Latino gangbanger with an exit strategy who becomes a dangerous mentor for Charlie Hunnam's Jax (Deadline.com); feature writers Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins have inked a two-year overall deal with ABC Studios (Deadline.com); Chris Caldovino will recur on "Boardwalk Empire" as Tonino, a driver and strong arm (Deadline.com); Cassandra Freeman likewise will turn up on VH1's "Single Ladies" (Deadline.com); Seth Peterson will return to "Burn Notice" as Michael's (Jefferey Donovan) troubled brother Nate for five episodes (Deadline.com); Peri Gilpin is bound for the season finale of "CSI" as the wife of Ted Danson's D.B. Russell, while executive producer Don McGill has inked a new three-year overall deal with producer CBS Television Studios (EW.com, Deadline.com); "House" executive producers Garrett Lerner and Russel Friend have signed a two-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television, ending their run at Universal Television (Deadline.com); Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio will guest on the season finale of "Grimm" as the latest weekly anatgonist (TVLine.com); and "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" will make the exodus from Planet Green to the Cooking Channel following the former's rebranding to Destination America (THR.com).
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[05/07/26 - 10:09 AM]
BET Announces the Return of the Black + Iconic Soiree on May 23, 2026 at MGM National Harbor, Hosted by Laverne Cox, Celebrating Culture, Community, and Impact
The Black + Iconic Soirée brings together luminaries, advocates, and changemakers for an intimate evening of recognition, reflection, and celebration.
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[05/07/26 - 10:02 AM]
New Episode Of HBO Original Documentary Series "The Yogurt Shop Murders" Debuts May 22
The first four episodes of the series are currently available to stream on HBO Max.
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[05/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Starz Sets June 12 Premiere Date for Visceral and Haunting Drama "The Listeners," Starring BAFTA and Golden Globe Nominee Rebecca Hall
Adapted from Jordan Tannahill's bestselling novel of the same name, the female-driven series centers on Claire Kutty, a popular English teacher who suddenly begins to hear a low, persistent hum that no one else around her can hear.
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[05/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Performers Announced for "The 52nd American Music Awards" Live Monday, May 25
Hootie & the Blowfish, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma, Riley Green, SOMBR, Teddy Swims and Twenty One Pilots will all deliver can't-miss performances featuring some of today's biggest hits and fan favorites.
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[05/07/26 - 09:30 AM]
PBS America @ 250 Continues with Semiquincentennial-Themed Programming to Mark the Nation's Historic Anniversary
New programming will air throughout 2026 and will include rebroadcasts of Ken Burns's groundbreaking 12-hour film, "The American Revolution."
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[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils Commentator Roster for 2026 Roland-Garros
Live coverage from Paris will be presented across TNT, truTV and HBO Max in the U.S., combining elite match analysis, signature studio programming and expansive cross-platform storytelling.
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[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Criminal Minds: Evolution" Season 19 Trailer & Key Art Announcement
This season will premiere with two episodes, with each episode dropping weekly thereafter through the season finale on July 23.
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[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
The History Channel Partners with The White House on New "Mission to Honor: A 250th Salute to American Veterans" Initiative
At the heart of the initiative is a series of first-person video profiles featuring veterans from World War II through the Global War on Terror.
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[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: HBO Releases New Teaser and Images for the Upcoming Original Series "Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness," Featuring President Obama and Larry David
In addition to David, the series will feature select "Curb Your Enthusiasm" actors and noteworthy guest stars.
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[05/07/26 - 09:00 AM]
E! Greenlights "Cocktail Wars" Hosted by Lance Bass and Joey Fatone
The series pits America's buzziest mixologists against each other in a lively, high-stakes showdown for $10,000 per episode.
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[05/07/26 - 08:59 AM]
Wells Adams Named Co-Host of "Big Break x Good Good" Presented by Golf Galaxy Returning This August on Golf Channel
A self-admitted golf nut and long-time fan of Big Break, Adams joins Big Break Dominican Republic winner, former LPGA Tour pro and Golf Channel personality Blair O'Neal as co-host for Season 24.
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[05/07/26 - 08:31 AM]
"The Forsytes" Season 3 Starts Production and Announces New Cast
Gregg Sulkin and Gabriel Antunes have joined the returning ensemble.
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[05/07/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "The Chi" Says Goodbye - Trailer and Key Art Unveiled for Landmark Final Season, Premiering May 22 on Paramount+
Produced by 20th Television, Lena Waithe's acclaimed drama series will conclude with 10 episodes rolling out weekly every Friday.
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[05/07/26 - 08:01 AM]
Apple TV's "The Dynasty: UConn Huskies" Set to Premiere Globally August 21, 2026
Featuring exclusive interviews with the 2025 National Championship team alongside voices from across generations of UConn basketball, the series offers a rare, inside look at the players carrying the program forward while reflecting on the legacy that built it.
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[05/07/26 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video's "We Were Liars" Casts Six New Series Regulars for Season Two
Josh Dallas, Costa D'Angelo, Parker Lapaine, Peyton List, Elysia Roorbach and Madison Wolfe are among the latest additions.
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