or


[03/15/07 - 01:53 AM]
Development Update: Thursday, March 15
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!


CALIFORNICATION (Showtime) - The pay channel is expected to announce today it has ordered 12 episodes of the comedy pilot, about a writer (David Duchovny) who juggles a 16-year-old daughter (Madeleine Martin), an ex-wife (Natascha McElhone) whom he still cares for and an insatiable appetite for beautiful women. Tom Kapinos is behind the single-camera half-hour, which is being eyed for the post-"Weeds" slot beginning in August. Stephen Hopkins directed the pilot and is executive producing alongside Duchovny and Kapinos.

Commitment: Ordered to series (12 episodes)
Cast: David Duchovny (Hank Moody), Evan Handler (Charlie), Madeleine Martin (Becca Moody), Madeline Zima (Mia), Natascha McElhone (Karen Moody)
Writer: Tom Kapinos
Director: Stephen Hopkins
Executive Producers: David Duchovny, Stephen Hopkins, Tom Kapinos
Co-Executive Producer: Melanie Greene
Co-Producer: Kate Garwood
Studio: TBA


THE CAPTAIN (CBS) - Chris Klein ("American Dreamz") and comedian Al Madrigal have both joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a guy (Fran Kranz) who moves into an old Hollywood building. Klein is set as Marty, the guy's best friend, a successful financial planner. Madrigal then will play Jesus, the building's daytime doorman.

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Al Madrigal (Jesus), Chris Klein (Marty), Fran Kranz (Josh), Jeffrey Tambor (Saul), JoAnna Garcia (Hope), Raquel Welch, Valerie Azlynn (Astrid)
Writer: John Hamburg
Director: John Hamburg
Executive Producers: John Hamburg
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television


HOUSE (FOX) - Co-executive producers Garrett Lerner and Russel Friend have inked a two-year overall deal with producer NBC Universal Television. The pact will cover their duties on the smash FOX series as well as up them to executive producers next season.


I'M IN HELL (CBS, New!) - Jason Biggs ("American Pie") is set to topline a new comedy pilot for the Eye, about a Wall Street maven who's killed in a Blackberry-related car accident only to be sent back devoid of all the trappings of his previous existence due to overcrowding in Hell. Aron Abrams and Greg Thompson ("Everybody Hates Chris") are behind the single-camera project, which they wrote and will executive produce for CBS Paramount Network Television. Biggs and his manager Peter Kiernan will also receive producing credits.

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Jason Biggs (Nick)
Writers: Aron Abrams, Greg Thompson
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Aron Abrams, Greg Thompson
Producers: Jason Biggs, Peter Kiernan
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television


THE MIDDLE (ABC) - Ricki Lake ("Gameshow Marathon") has signed on for the lead role on the comedy pilot, about an extended lower-middle-class family in the Midwest. She'll play Frankie, the central character and the narrator of the show, a harried but game mom. Also cast are newcomers Brenna O'Brien, Atticus Shafer and Michael Mitchell as Sue, Brick and Elvis respectively.

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Atticus Shafer (Brick), Brenna O'Brien (Sue), Michael Mitchell (Elvis), Ricki Lake (Frankie)
Writers: DeAnn Heline, Eileen Heisler
Director: Chris Koch
Executive Producers: DeAnn Heline, Eileen Heisler
Studio: Warner Bros. Television


REAPER (The CW) - Valarie Rae Miller ("Smith") is the latest to book a role on the drama pilot, about a young man (Bret Harrison) who essentially becomes Satan's bounty hunter, reclaiming souls that have somehow escaped from hell. No specifics about her character were released.

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Bret Harrison (Sam), Nikki Reed (Andi), Rick Gonzalez, Tyler Labine (Sock), Valarie Rae Miller
Writers: Michele Fazekas, Tara Butters
Director: Kevin Smith
Executive Producers: Deborah Spera (The Mark Gordon Company), Mark Gordon (The Mark Gordon Company), Michele Fazekas, Tara Butters
Studio: ABC Television Studio


THE THICK OF IT (ABC) - Michael McKean is set to reteam with frequent collaborator Christopher Guest on the comedy pilot, about workers in the office of a low-level congressman. He'll play a dissipated former campaign manager who is now chief of staff.

Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Michael McKean, Oliver Platt, Rhea Seehorn (Ollie)
Writers: Mitchell Hurwitz, Richard Day
Director: Christopher Guest
Executive Producers: Armando Iannucci, Mitchell Hurwitz, Paul Telegdy (BBC Worldwide Productions), Richard Day
Studio: Sony Pictures Television


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [october 2025]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· CALIFORNICATION (SHOWTIME)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS (CW)
· GAMESHOW MARATHON (CBS)
· HOUSE (FOX)
· I'M IN HELL (CBS)
· MIDDLE, THE (2007 VERSION) (ABC)
· REAPER (CW)
· SMITH (CBS)
· THICK OF IT, THE (ABC)
· WEEDS (SHOWTIME)
· WELCOME TO THE CAPTAIN (CBS)





[10/16/25 - 12:58 PM]
Lifetime Announces Annual "It's a Wonderful Lifetime" Holiday Movie Slate Kicking Off November 29th
Featured talent this year includes Brandy Norwood, Kane & Katelyn Brown, Loretta Devine, Debbi Morgan, Arielle Kebbel, Tyler Hilton, James Lafferty, Vivica A. Fox, Jackée Harry, Sy'Rai Smith, Nischelle Turner, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, and others.

[10/16/25 - 12:31 PM]
Video: "The Witcher" Season 4 - Character Trailer - Netflix
Scattered to fates unknown, Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri traverse the war-torn Continent and its countless enemies in the hope of finding each other again.

[10/16/25 - 11:32 AM]
A+E Global Media and Rachael Ray's Free Food Studios Cook Up Expanded Programming Partnership with Over 100 New Episodes Ordered
The network has ordered 110 new episodes of Ray's programming, including new episodes of "Meals in Minutes," that will continue to focus on her approachable and comforting cooking style.

[10/16/25 - 11:18 AM]
Video: "Don't Date Brandon" - Official Trailer - Paramount+
Brandon seemed like the perfect boyfriend, but when Amber reaches out to his ex-wife Athena, the truth begins to unravel, revealing a disturbing history of lies, restraining orders, and a criminal past.

[10/16/25 - 11:01 AM]
"Pop Culture Jeopardy!," from Sony Pictures Television, Returns for a Second Season on Netflix
"We couldn't be more thrilled to be partnering with the exemplary team at Netflix, to bring more episodes to our passionate and loyal viewers," said Suzanne Prete.

[10/16/25 - 11:00 AM]
CBS Unwraps a Festive Holiday Lineup!
CBS celebrates the 2025 holiday season with an all-new lineup of joyful holiday programming!

[10/16/25 - 10:31 AM]
Video: "Marines" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The coming of age docuseries follows the members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the US military's "force in readiness" in the Pacific.

[10/16/25 - 10:02 AM]
Video: Tubi Debuts Trailer for New Horror Film "Glamping" a Killer Weekend Getaway Just in Time for Halloween
What begins as an influencer's dream cabin getaway with her friends soon unravels into a nightmare when a masked killer crashes the trip.

[10/16/25 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Three-Part Documentary Series "Alex vs ARod" Debuts November 6
From the pinnacle of athletic success to the depths of scandal, Alex Rodriguez saw his prolific baseball career marred by a high-profile suspension for performance-enhancing drug use.

[10/16/25 - 09:22 AM]
Video: "Honest Renovations: A Holiday Home Makeover" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
The latest installment in the franchise premieres Monday, November 10.

[10/16/25 - 09:02 AM]
Apple and NBCUniversal Introduce the Apple TV and Peacock Bundle
Customers in the U.S. can save over 30 percent by subscribing to the Apple TV and Peacock Premium bundle for $14.99 per month, or Apple TV and Peacock Premium Plus for $19.99 per month, through either app or website.

[10/16/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Squid Game: The Challenge" - Season 2 Official Trailer - Netflix
Featuring new, unpredictable challenges and high-stakes games from the hit series, this reality competition brings the "Squid Game" phenomenon to life.

[10/16/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "LEGO Disney Frozen: Operation Puffins" - Official Trailer - Available on Disney+ October 24
After the events of "Frozen," Anna and Elsa want to start fresh in Arendelle, and make the castle feel a bit more comfortable.

[10/16/25 - 08:33 AM]
"On Patrol: Live" on Reelz+ Streaming Service Now Available on Apple TV
The expanded availability for Reelz+ comes on the heels of the network celebrating its 300th episode of "On Patrol: Live."

[10/16/25 - 08:31 AM]
Anderson Silva Faces Chris Weidman in the Ring for a Historic Trilogy Showdown on Most Valuable Promotions "Jake vs. Tank" on Friday, November 14 from Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, Live Globally Only on Netflix
"Jake vs. Tank" is the culmination of four years of callouts and a brewing rivalry between Jake "El Gallo de Dorado" Paul and Gervonta "Tank" Davis.