 |
 |
[08/24/12 - 11:19 PM]
Development Update: Friday, August 24
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!
BIG CITY (ABC, New!) - Josh Siegal and Dylan Morgan ("30 Rock") have booked a new single-camera comedy at the Alphabet about "a suburban family trapped in the big city." Sony Pictures Television-based FanFare is behind the half-hour, which has a penalty attached, with the company's Jamie Tarses also serving as an executive producer. Siegal and Morgan recently signed a two-year overall deal with the studio. (Deadline.com)
THE FARM (NBC) - Matt Jones ("Breaking Bad") has boarded the potential spin-off of "The Office," which follows Rainn Wilson's Dwight living at the Schrute family beet farm/bed and breakfast. He'll play Dwight's mysterious cousin Zeke, joining the previously cast Majandra Delfino and Thomas Middleditch. Wilson and Paul Lieberstein are behind the Universal Television-based project, which will air as a backdoor pilot later this season. (Deadline.com)
GUIDE TO DIVORCE (Showtime, New!) - Marti Noxon ("Glee") is finalizing a deal for a semi-autobiographical comedy at the pay channel about "the relief, the emotional minefield, the freedom, the familial complications and the sexual exploration that all come with divorce after a long-term relationship, told from the perspective of four women in their 40's." She'll write and executive produce the half-hour via her Luckypants banner alongside Vicki Iovine, Dawn Olmstead and Meryl Poster. No studio was indicated. (Deadline.com)
THE SECRET LIVES OF WIVES (Lifetime) - Salli Richardson-Whitfield ("Eureka") is the first to be cast in the drama pilot, which will explore the unvarnished truth behind the marriages of four different women, breaking down the creative ways each close friend nurtures, maintains and endures what many see as an impossible convention of modern life. She'll play Reed, "the sultry host of a call-in radio show that caters to women's fantasies. But her radio persona is at sad odds with her personal life, as her marriage of 17 years is on the rocks." Lin Pictures and Warner Horizon Television are behind the hour, which is inspired by the book by Iris Krasnow. Jill Gordon penned the script. (Deadline.com)
UNTITLED J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI PROJECT (ABC, New!) - "Babylon 5" creator J. Michael Straczynski is developing "a pandemic thriller project" at the Alphabet "described as a blend of procedural and serialized elements." Georgeville Television and Overbrook Entertainment are behind the hour, which is being eyed for a potential straight-to-series order. James Lassiter and Jada Pinkett Smith then will executive produce alongside Straczynski. (Variety.com)
UNTITLED MO MANDEL PROJECT (FOX, New!) - Actor/writer Mo Mandel ("Free Agents") has scored a script order for a semi-autobiographical comedy at the network billed as "a sibling rivalry show in the vein of 'Step Brothers.'" The single-camera project comes from the Sony Pictures Television-based Happy Madison with Doug Robinson executive producing alongside Mandel, who may play one of said characters. (Deadline.com)
WRECKING BALL (The CW) - Richard Hatem's 2008 drama, about "a JFK Jr.-type brash young man from a well known political family who teams with an idealistic twenty-something girl volunteer from his failed Congressional campaign to solve underdog cases of the week through their own legal firm," has been given a fresh script order by the netlet. Said hour was originally greenlit to pilot in March of 2008 but the order was ultimately rescinded when a deal couldn't be struck with producer Fox Television Studios. CBS Television Studios has since been tapped to co-produce the project with Ross Fineman executive produce producing alongside Hatem. (Deadline.com)
AND IN OTHER NEWS... - ABC has closed deals with the cast and creators of "Kings of Van Nuys" to tape a new pilot for the project, an import of the U.K. comedy "Only Fools and Horses" (Deadline.com); the ever-busy Josh Berman has inked a new two-year overall deal with Sony Pictures Television, home to his two series "Drop Dead Diva" and "The Mob Doctor" (Deadline.com); director Mark Pellington has signed a one-year development deal with ABC and its sibling ABC Studios, home to his recently sold drama "Shelter" from writer John Hlavin (THR.com); Wilmer Valderrama has inked a talent holding/development deal with 20th Century Fox Television (Deadline.com); Denise Richards will guest on "90210's" 100th episode, due November 26, as "a sexy West Beverly High School Alum turned wealthy socialite" (EW.com); Drew Barrymore, Jessica Biel, Nicole Sullivan, Cheryl Tiegs, Jessica Stroup, Julie Hagerty, Kat Foster and Nana Visitor will reprise their roles as Brian's ex-girlfriends on an upcoming episode of "Family Guy" (EW.com);
Maz Jobrani will visit "Men at Work" as "the owner of a Lebanese chicken restaurant who befriends James Lesure's Gibbs" (TVLine.com); Brooklyn Silzer has been cast as Danny (Carmine Giovinazzo) and Lindsay's (Anna Belknap) daughter Emma on "CSI: NY," a role previously played by twins Nadia and Talia Hartounian (TVGuide.com); Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. (a.k.a. T.I.) will guest on "Hawaii Five-0" as "a member of a crime syndicate investigated by a Jersey-based Danny (Scott Caan) and his partner back in 2001" (TVLine.com); Paloma Guzmán is bound for "Person of Interest" as "the beautiful, smart and spoiled party girl daughter of a Brazilian diplomat" (TVLine.com); Tom Waits will lend his voice to "The Simpsons" as "someone who helps introduce Homer to a community of survivalists" (TVLine.com); and Tania Raymonde will recur on "Switched at Birth" as a street artist who befriends Vanessa Marano's Bay (TVGuide.com).
|
|
|
 [august 2012]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[05/06/26 - 02:01 PM]
FOX Hits the Road with Return of Beloved Global Sensation "Highway to Heaven"
Slated to debut during the 2027-28 season, the series will introduce longtime fans and a new generation to the franchise's timeless themes of compassion, humanity, and second chances.
|
[05/06/26 - 01:31 PM]
Apple TV Lands "Disavowed," New Action Thriller Starring and Executive Produced by James Marsden
Marsden will play legendary CIA Case Officer Brad Griffin, who is abruptly fired in the middle of a global hunt for an elusive assassin responsible for killing his colleague.
|
[05/06/26 - 12:02 PM]
Oscar Isaac Is Hitting the Casino in Martin Scorsese's New Vegas Series
The Netflix series hails from showrunners/executive producers/writers Brian Koppelman and David Levien, who are no strangers to the world of gambling.
|
[05/06/26 - 11:34 AM]
FOX Sports, Big Machine Racing Productions and Chassy Media Announce "Bobby Rahal: True American Racer" Premiering May 8 on FS1
The compelling new documentary celebrates the life and legacy of Bobby Rahal, one of American motorsports' most legendary champions.
|
[05/06/26 - 11:26 AM]
Video: Official Trailer for New Animated Fantasy Series "Dragon Striker" Revealed
Blending European fantasy with Japanese animation influences, the series follows an underdog hero's journey, brought to life through high-stakes battles, visually stunning action and expansive mythology.
|
[05/06/26 - 11:05 AM]
"Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch" - Tune-In to the Season Premiere on Wednesday, May 27 on Discovery Channel
Fueled by clues in a cryptic Mormon journal, an all-new team of treasure hunters, Josh Feldman and his father Ron, take over the search for the Aztec lost gold on Blind Frog Ranch and uncover a series of hidden chambers they believe contain the fortune they have been searching for.
|
[05/06/26 - 11:02 AM]
"The Season" Is Exclusively Streaming on Hulu in the US on June 17, 2026
A group of friends in Hong Kong's elite boating scene find their summer getaway descending into betrayal and power plays as hidden agendas surface.
|
[05/06/26 - 11:01 AM]
Hallmark's Runaway Hit Series "Hope Valley: 1874" Renewed for Season 2
Exclusively for Hallmark+, the eight-episode series will return for season two in 2027.
|
[05/06/26 - 10:10 AM]
Video: Hulu Releases Trailer for "Deli Boys" Season Two Ahead of May 28 Launch
Turns out inheriting a criminal empire was the easy part... and more money really does mean more problems.
|
[05/06/26 - 10:01 AM]
Strong Month of Sports Propels ESPN Studio Shows to Record Viewership for April
The entire lineup of ESPN studio shows was up 21% overall in viewership over April of 2025 and up 10% year-over-year (YOY) in the coveted Persons ages 18-49 demographic.
|
[05/06/26 - 09:32 AM]
Ken Burns's Film "The American Revolution" to Stream for Free on PBS in Lead Up to 250th Anniversary on July 4, 2026
All six episodes will be available on PBS.org and on the PBS App.
|
[05/06/26 - 09:01 AM]
HBO Original Comedy Special "Josh Johnson: Symphony" Debuts May 22
In his debut HBO stand-up special, Emmy-nominated comedian, writer, and actor Josh Johnson performs all new material about our shared experiences as humans.
|
[05/06/26 - 09:01 AM]
Final Season of FX's "The Bear" Premieres June 25 on FX and Hulu
All eight episodes will be available to stream at debut.
|
[05/06/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Legally Blonde" Prequel "Elle" Drops Exclusive Images and Official Teaser Trailer
The series, produced by Amazon MGM Studios in association with Hello Sunshine, premieres on July 1, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
|
[05/06/26 - 08:01 AM]
HGTV Reboots Popular 72-Hour Renovation Series with "Crashers" Starring NKOTB Bandmate and Home Reno Expert Jonathan Knight
The 13-episode season will follow Jonathan Knight as he ambushes folks anywhere from furniture boutiques to the hardware store or even the local paint shop to offer them a fast-paced reno with a catch.
|
|
|
|
