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[06/09/08 - 05:21 PM]
Development Update: Monday, June 9
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!
DIRT (FX) - The cable channel has officially pulled the plug on the Courtney Cox-led drama after two seasons. Just 1.06 million viewers turned into the show's final episode on April 13 (including a 0.6 rating/2 share in adults 18-49), literally a third of its premiere audience from 2007 (3.74 million viewers, 1.8 rating/5 share in adults 18-49). ABC Studios and FX Productions were behind the hour, which was executive produced by Matthew Carnahan, Joe Fields, David Arquette and Courtney Cox.
THE INSIDER (Syndication) - Lara Spencer has reupped her contract with the "Entertainment Tonight" spin-off. The new pact will see her move permanently from New York to Los Angeles for the show's fifth-season premiere on September 8. Said date also marks the show's switch to high definition as well as the debut of its new set. As for Spencer, she'll serve as the de facto anchor following former co-anchor Pat O'Brien's decision to reduce his duties to that of special correspondent (alongside Victoria Recano and Steven Cojocaru).
NEVER BETTER (ABC) - Jane Lynch ("Two and a Half Men") and Kathleen Rose Perkins ("Tell Me You Love Me") have both come aboard the comedy pilot, about Keith (Damon Wayans), a recovering alcoholic trying to be a good husband and father. Lynch is playing Linda, Keith's AA sponsor, while Perkins is set as Claire, an AA member who has a contentious relationship with Keith. They join the previously cast Matt Winston and Nicole Ari Parker in the ABC Studios-based half-hour. David Walpert penned the pilot script which Marc Buckland is directing.
THE PRINCE OF MOTOR CITY (ABC) - Morris Chestnut ("The Game Plan") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, a gothic family soap inspired by "Hamlet" that centers on Billy (Warren Christie), a young Harvard philosophy professor forced to return to Detroit to take over the family's auto company and reconnect with his ex-girlfriend, Meg (Piper Perabo). He'll play the recurring role of Leo Moore, who's detailed in the casting notice as: "32, African-American, gorgeous, gallant, and intelligent, he is Meg's boyfriend of over a year who works with Meg's father, Paul. Leo is crazy about Meg but senses unfinished business between Meg and Billy." Andie MacDowell, Aunjanue Ellis, Benny Ciaramello and John Carroll Lynch also star in the ABC Studios-based hour, which Jack Bender is directing from a script by Hamish Linklater and Jessica Goldberg.
SAMURAI GIRL (ABC Family) - Stacy Keibler ("What About Brian") has landed a role on the upcoming limited series, about a 19-year-old Japanese girl named Heaven (Jamie Chung) who sets out to take down her adopted father's evil empire. She'll play Heaven's rival and the ex-fiancee of her love interest, Jake (Brendan Fehr). Anthony Brandon Wong, Kenneth Choi, Kyle Labine, Saige Thompson, Darryl Quon and Steven Brand also star in the project, which was created by Luke McMullen. ABC Studios and Alloy Entertainment are co-producing.
SCREAM QUEENS (VH1, New!) - The cable channel's latest reality search will focus on 10 unknown actresses as they compete for a "major" role in an upcoming horror movie from Lionsgate Films. The project, which Lionsgate is producing alongside Joke Productions, will also feature the aforementioned actresses as they are schooled by acting coach John Homa while their skills and progress will be judged by a yet-to-be-named director. VH1 has committed to eight hourlong episodes of the series, which is being targeted for a fall launch. Joke Fincioen and Biagio Messina are the executive producers with Jim Ackerman, Dave Hamilton and Jeff Olde overseeing the project for VH1.
UNTITLED BOBBY LEE PROJECT (Comedy Central) - The Bobby Lee-led comedy has been given the green light to produce a pilot. Troy Miller ("Flight of the Conchords") has been tapped to direct and executive produce the half-hour, which focuses on the "Mad TV" veteran's point of view on living in a multicultural world. The pilot then will see Lee trying to bridge the racial divide between blacks and Koreans. Lee co-wrote the project alongside Dick Blasucci and Michael Hitchcock. The trio will also executive produce via Miller's Dakota Pictures banner.
THE UNUSUALS (ABC) - Amber Tamblyn ("Joan of Arcadia") is the latest addition to the pilot, a dramedy set at a New York police precinct. She'll play Casey Shraeger, a smart detective who also is the black sheep of her wealthy family. Adam Goldberg, Harold Perrineau and Monique Gabriela also star in the project, which comes from Sony Pictures Television and creator Noah Hawley. Stephen Hopkins is directing.
VIRTUALITY (FOX) - Joy Bryant, Sienna Guillory, Nelson Lee, Omar Metwally and Richie Coster have all joined the ensemble cast of the two-hour drama pilot, about Earth's first starship, which is equipped with advanced virtual reality modules. They'll play Alice Thibadeau, Rika Goddard, Kenji Yamaguchi, Dr. Eyal Meyer and Jimmy Johnson, respectively. The group joins the previously cast James D'Arcy, Jimmi Simpson and Kerry Bishe. Peter Berg is helming the Universal Media Studios-based project, which was created by Michael Taylor and Ronald D. Moore.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[06/14/24 - 02:08 PM]
Discovery's "Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing" Returns Sunday, July 14 at 8PM
The group, a mix of fan favorites and polarizing personalities, will risk everything for a chance to take home a coveted cash prize and be crowned the Last One Standing.
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[06/14/24 - 11:00 AM]
"Knox Goes Away" Begins Streaming on Max July 26
Academy Award nominee Michael Keaton directs and stars in this unpredictable thriller as John Knox, a hit man attempting to make amends before his recently discovered dementia takes over.
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[06/14/24 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "Barbecue Showdown" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Netflix
The mouthwatering cooking competition returns as nine contestants face off in a fiery battle to be the next barbecue champion.
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[06/14/24 - 09:31 AM]
First Look - Hulu's "Hit-Monkey" Season 2
Season 2 of "Hit-Monkey" will premiere Monday, July 15 on Hulu.
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[06/14/24 - 08:11 AM]
Discovery's "In the Eye of the Storm" Premieres Sunday, July 14 at 10PM
Firsthand accounts and compelling eyewitness footage of dangers close calls from inside epic natural disasters are revealed in the new series.
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[06/14/24 - 08:05 AM]
"Mind Your Business" Reaches More Than 2 Million Households, Becomes Bounce TV's Most-Watched Original Series Premiere
The first two episodes premiered back-to-back on Bounce on Saturday, June 1, and its initial airing burst included special presentations on Bounce's sister network ION and local owned & operated Scripps networks.
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[06/14/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Brain Works" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Cha Tae-hyun is a detective with an altruistic brain. Jung Yong-hwa is a neuroscientist with an extraordinary brain. The two can't stand each other but must partner up to solve a crime involving a rare brain disease.
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[06/14/24 - 04:29 AM]
Adult Swim Announces New and Returning Series at Annecy International Animation Film Festival
"For two decades, Adult Swim has pushed the boundaries of animation, repeatedly surprised its audience and launched and grown careers - and we're not that interested in stopping," said Michael Ouweleen, president, Adult Swim.
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[06/13/24 - 04:31 PM]
Higher Ground Extends Creative Partnership with Netflix
Under the terms of the agreement, Higher Ground will have a multi-year, first look deal with Netflix for all its film and television projects.
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[06/13/24 - 04:09 PM]
Video: Tribeca Film Festival Premieres "In the Arena: Serena Williams," New Upcoming ESPN+ Original Series; New Series Trailer Debuts
Premiering July 10 on ESPN+, the eight-part series provides the most complete, intimate, and compelling account of her legendary career, featuring firsthand perspective from Williams and key figures throughout her life.
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[06/13/24 - 03:02 PM]
Video: Apple TV+ Debuts Trailer for "Sunny," Upcoming Mystery Series Starring Rashida Jones
The darkly comedic mystery series will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, July 10 with the first two episodes, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through September 4.
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[06/13/24 - 03:01 PM]
Video: "Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Starring Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict, the dramatic new thriller premieres on July 11.
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[06/13/24 - 02:00 PM]
Audience for NBA Finals Game 3 on ABC and ESPN Up Two Percent from 2023
The Boston Celtics victory over the Dallas Mavericks to take a commanding 3-0 averaged 11,426,000 viewers, peaking with 13,926,000 viewers at 10:45 p.m. ET.
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[06/13/24 - 12:01 PM]
Jimmy Fallon Extends Deal with NBCUniversal Through 2028
"For nearly 30 years, Jimmy Fallon has brought laughter into the homes of millions and charmed audiences from the stages of 30 Rock," said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBCUniversal Media Group.
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[06/13/24 - 12:01 PM]
ESPN Major League Baseball Schedule Update: Baltimore Orioles Host Defending World Series Champion Texas Rangers June 30 on "Sunday Night Baseball"
In addition, ESPN will exclusively televise the Wednesday, July 10 matchup between two National League heavyweights as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani visit the Philadelphia Phillies and Bryce Harper at 7 p.m.
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