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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!
1600 PENN (NBC) - The Peacock has ordered the single-camera comedy, about a dysfunctional First Family, to series. Jon Lovett, Josh Gad and Jason Winer co-created the half-hour, which Winer also directed for 20th Century Fox Television. Bill Pullman stars as President Dale Gilchrist with Jenna Elfman as his wife and stepmom to his four kids: gregarious, clumsy Skip (Josh Gad); overachiever, perfectionist Becca (Martha MacIsaac); sensitive, scrawny Xander (Benjamin Stockham); and direct, tough Marigold (Amara Miller). Andre Holland also stars as Marshall Malloy, Dale's Press Secretary and surrogate son. (Deadline.com)
ANIMAL PRACTICE (A.K.A. ANIMAL KINGDOM) (NBC) - The Justin Kirk-led comedy - about George Coleman, a veterinarian who loves animals but usually hates their owners - is the latest single-camera project to land a series commitment at the Peacock. Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka co-created the pilot, which is set up at the Universal Television-based American Work, while Anthony and Joe Russo directed and executive produced. Amy Huberman also stars as his ex-girlfriend Dorothy, who returns to his life as his new boss; with Bobby Lee and Tyler Labine as fellow vets Doug and Kim; and Kym Whitley as a nurse. (Deadline.com)
[UPDATED!] Here's NBC's official descriptions:
The Gilchrists are just the average American family dealing with all the everyday issues - like a grown kid who's forced to move back home, children who are smarter than their teachers and a stepmom (Jenna Elfman, "Dharma and Greg") desperately trying to win over the kids. They're loving, fun and a little crazy. In other words, just like everybody else. With one exception: they live in a very special house. The White House! Whether it's entertaining foreign dignitaries, sneaking away for a night out, dealing with middle school crushes or putting out fires - figuratively and sometimes literally - there's never a dull moment in the Gilchrist White House. For example, the First Son (Josh Gad, star of Broadway sensation "The Book of Mormon") is one of the administration's biggest liabilities, but also the glue that holds this family together. The President (Bill Pullman, "Independence Day," "While You Were Sleeping") knows too well that the only thing harder than being Head of State is being head of the family. Also starring are Martha MacIsaac ("Superbad"), Andre Holland ("Friends with Benefits"), Amara Miller ("The Descendants") and Benjamin Stockham ("Sons of Tucson").
"Modern Family" meets "The West Wing" in this election-year comedy from Emmy-winning executive producer/director Jason Winer ("Modern Family"). The executive producers are Winer, Gad and Jon Lovett (former White House speechwriter). Winer also directed the pilot. "1600 Penn" is produced by 20th Century Fox.
Meet Dr. George Coleman (Justin Kirk, "Weeds"), a top-dog New York veterinarian. With an unorthodox style of operating, George's success comes from his undeniable gift with animals of all kinds. That is, all but the human kind. Dorothy Crane once held the key to George's heart, but today she also holds the key to the family business as she takes over Crane Animal Hospital. Not only is she George's new boss, but her romantic history with him and her lack of experience with animals is seriously cramping his style. Dorothy is whip-smart and ambitious, and she's going to make George pay for the past. Needless to say, he's determined not to make any changes in his (animal) kingdom - which includes poker games with a resident capuchin monkey. Also starring are Tyler Labine ("Reaper," "Sons of Tucson") as Dr. Doug Jackson, a vet who's great with animals but hapless in matters of the heart, Bobby Lee ("Harold & Kumar") as Dr. Yamamoto, and newcomer Betsy Sodaro as Angela.
"Animal Practice" is a production of Universal Television and American Work Inc. The executive producers are Scot Armstrong ("The Hangover Part II," "Old School") and Ravi Nandan ("Best Friends Forever") of American Work Inc. ("Best Friends Forever") along with Emmy Award winners Joe & Anthony Russo ("Community," "Arrested Development"). "Animal Practice" was written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka ("The Sitter"), who also serve as executive producers. Directed by the Emmy-winning Russo brothers, "Animal Practice" is a comedy where the animals are running the asylum.
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