or


[04/17/12 - 11:11 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, April 17
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!


AMC ORIGINAL SERIES (New!) - The cable channel hosted its third annual "bake-off" last week in which executives listened to elaborate pitches for six potential dramas using visual aids and demo reels. Among the efforts were "Turn," from Craig Silverstein, about George Washington's spy ring; "Philly Lawyer," from Richard LaGravenese, about a law student; "Crystal Pines," from Jake Paltrow and Robbie Kinberg, about a journalist who signs up for a cloning experiment; "F/V Mean Tide", from Jason Cahill, about a Maine lobster fishing family; "Sacred Games," from Kerry Williamson, an epic story of crime and punishment in modern Mumbai based on the novel by Vikram Chandra; and the previously announced "Low Winter Sun," from Chris Mundy, an adaptation of the New Zealand Gothic murder mystery series. As many as two of the aforementioned projects could be ordered to pilot. (Deadline.com)


THE ANGRY BUDDHIST (Showtime, New!) - Seth Greenland's upcoming novel is being developed as a drama at the pay channel. Said hour will center on three brothers - "a cop studying Buddhism, an unrepentant criminal and a wily U.S. Congressman running for his third term" - whose lives are derailed after a murder. Anonymous Content is behind the project, which Greenland himself will adapt for the small screen and executive produce alongside David Kanter. (Deadline.com)


COUNTER CULTURE (ABC) - Production on the comedy pilot, about three aging sisters - Nonie (Delta Burke), Billie (Kerri Kenney) and Joyce (Margo Martindale) - running their family diner together in West Texas, has been halted following an injury to Burke, who had a fall on the set yesterday. Said development will likely delay shooting for at least a week and producers are hoping to still complete production in time for fall consideration at the network. ABC Studios and Sony Pictures Television are behind the multi-camera project, from writer Stephnie Weir and director Ted Wass. (Deadline.com)


HOWIE MANDEL'S WHITE ELEPHANT (NBC, New!) - The Peacock has reportedly ordered seven episodes of a new game show which takes a cue from the much-ballyhooed form of gift exchange. Mandel himself will host the project and executive produce via his Alevy Productions alongside Mike Marks. As for specifics, six contestants will select one package from an assortment of wrapped gifts, one of whom is initially tapped to open their item. They must subsequently decide whether to keep it or trade with another contestant (including, when the time comes items that are already opened) with the "exchange" going on until all gifts are opened. The contestant with the least valuable item then is eliminated and the selection begins anew until two contestants remain, who ultimately can either share their gifts or attempt to win it all and risk winning nothing. No target date was given. (EW.com)


AND IN OTHER NEWS... - Netflix chief Ted Sarandos revealed all 10 episodes of "Arrested Development's" revival will premiere together on a single day sometime next year (Vulture.com); Bree Turner, who plays spice shop proprietress and Fuchsbau Rosalee, will be upped to series regular on "Grimm" next season while executive producers Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner's Hazy Mills has inked a new two-year overall deal with producer Universal Television (TVLine, Deadline.com); "Nurse Jackie" co-creators Linda Wallem and Liz Brixius are exiting the series after four seasons while Showtime is looking for a new showrunner for a potential fifth season (Deadline.com); Amy Acker is bound for the season finale of "Person of Interest" as "an attractive psychologist who caters to the rich and powerful" (TVGuide.com); Laura Vandervoort, Michael Weston and Laurie Williams are the latest actors set to guest on "White Collar" (TVLine.com; THR.com); and Dan Futterman and Roger Bart will recur on USA's upcoming "Political Animals" as the Bureau Chief of the Washington Journal and the President's Chief of Staff, respectively (Deadline.com).






  [april 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· ANGRY BUDDHIST, THE (SHOWTIME)
· ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (NETFLIX)
· COUNTER CULTURE (ABC)
· CRYSTAL PINES (AMC)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· DIVIDE, THE (WE)
· F/V MEAN TIDE (AMC)
· GRIMM (NBC)
· LOW WINTER SUN (AMC)
· NURSE JACKIE (SHOWTIME)
· PERSON OF INTEREST (CBS)
· POLITICAL ANIMALS (USA)
· SACRED GAMES [HINDI LANGUAGE] (NETFLIX)
· TAKE IT ALL (NBC)
· TURN: WASHINGTON'S SPIES (AMC)
· WHITE COLLAR (USA)





[02/27/26 - 01:28 PM]
Paramount to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery to Form Next-Generation Global Media and Entertainment Company
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close in Q3 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances and approval by WBD shareholders, with a vote expected in the early spring of 2026.

[02/27/26 - 12:30 PM]
The Jaw-Dropping Fifth and Final Season of Starz's Hit Drama Series, "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" Set to Premiere June 12
To date, the series has accumulated over 21 billion minutes viewed across all episodes and remains one of Starz's top-performing series.

[02/27/26 - 09:12 AM]
Team USA Hockey Olympic Gold Medalists Hilary Knight, Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes to Appear Together on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Monday, March 2
The episode will also feature guests Nicole Kidman, Luke Thompson and a cooking demo by Chef Mario Carbone.

[02/27/26 - 08:12 AM]
Paul Wesley Joins Season Three of Hit Apple TV Series "The Buccaneers"
Wesley will play the role as Frank, a mysterious but charming stranger who arrives into Nan and Mrs. St. George's world, turning it upside down.

[02/27/26 - 07:31 AM]
Peacock to Exclusively Stream Focus Features' "Hamnet" Beginning March 6
Directed by two-time Academy Award-winning director ChloƩ Zhao, the film tells the untold story behind one of Shakespeare's most memorable works and celebrates the power of imagination and the creative spirit.

[02/27/26 - 07:01 AM]
Prime Video Debuts First-Look Image of Ryan Hurst as Kratos and Callum Vinson as Atreus On Set of New Series "God of War"
The series is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions, and has received a two-season order.

[02/27/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Netflix and Apple TV Join Forces to Stream Formula 1 Thrills
The entire new season of "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" is now on Netflix globally and Apple TV in the U.S.

[02/26/26 - 08:46 PM]
"Dandelion": Netflix Adapts "Gintama" Creator Hideaki Sorachi's Debut Work into New Anime Series
Set within the Send-Off Department of the Japanese Angel Federation, Dandelion follows "Angels" Tetsuo Tanba and Misaki Kurogane as they scramble to track down Earthbound spirits - souls unable to move on and find peace - and gently guide them to pass on.

[02/26/26 - 06:01 PM]
Video: "Still Shining" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After falling in love as teens, two young adults drift apart - only to reunite 10 years later and confront their heartbreak, growth and new challenges.

[02/26/26 - 02:46 PM]
Netflix Declines to Raise Offer for Warner Bros.
"The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval. However, we've always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance's latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid," said co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters.

[02/26/26 - 02:19 PM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Soars to Season High with Best Audience in Over a Year
"Live" has now ranked as the No. 1 talk show in syndication for 157 consecutive weeks across all key measures.

[02/26/26 - 02:08 PM]
Britbox Unveils Spring Slate with "The Lady" Starring Mia McKenna-Bruce; Premieres March 18
Other highlights include the return of "Hope Street" and the debut of "Mudtown."

[02/26/26 - 01:36 PM]
Paramount Comments on Warner Bros. Discovery Board's Determination of Paramount's Proposal as Superior
David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, said: "We are pleased WBD's Board has unanimously affirmed the superior value of our offer, which delivers to WBD shareholders superior value, certainty and speed to closing."

[02/26/26 - 01:16 PM]
Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors Determines Revised Proposal from Paramount Skydance Constitutes a "Company Superior Proposal"
Under the terms of the Netflix merger agreement, this notice triggers a four business day period during which Netflix has the right to propose revisions to the Netflix merger agreement so that the PSKY proposal would cease to constitute a "Company Superior Proposal."

[02/26/26 - 01:00 PM]
FOX Television Network Renews Hit Joel McHale Series "Animal Control" for Season Five
In addition, the first three seasons of the series are currently streaming on Netflix, and the show has been sold in territories around the world.