 |
 |
[03/24/10 - 12:01 AM]
Development Update: Wednesday, March 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!
BOSTON MED (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet has commissioned a new reality series that "puts cameras in the hallways, surgery wards and emergency rooms" of three Boston-area hospitals: Massachusetts General, Children's Hospital Boston and Brigham & Womens. The hour-long project, which is expected to air on Thursday nights for seven to eight weeks this summer, comes from ABC News' Terence Wrong (Peabody Award-winner "Hopkins 24/7"). Among the featured stories: the first-ever filming of a face transplant in this country. Additional details are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
THE CAPE (NBC) - Keith David ("Death at a Funeral") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about a former cop (David Lyons) framed for a crime he didn't commit who becomes The Cape, a masked hero, to clear his name. He'll play Max Malini, the leader of "The Carnival of Crime" - a group of carnival-themed bank robbers, who becomes Vince's mentor. His character is further detailed as a showman/magician/escape-artist with "a faded-Errol-Flynn-feel about him." Dorian Missick, James Frain, Jennifer Ferrin and Summer Glau also star in the Universal Media Studios-based hour, which Simon West is directing from a script by Tom Wheeler.
PLEADING GUILTY (FOX) - John Larroquette ("Boston Legal") is once again returning to the legal genre, booking a role on the drama pilot, about Mack Malloy (Jason Isaacs), an ex-cop and recovering alcoholic now serving as a partner in a top-drawer corporate law firm. He's on board as Martin Gold, the managing partner of the Chicago-based firm who "dines on human marrow [and] always uses the right fork." Madchen Amick and Omid Abtahi co-star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which Jon Avnet is helming off a script by Jason Tracey.
THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW (HBO) - The pay channel is moving forward with a second season of the series, an animated adaptation of Ricky Gervais' hit podcasts featuring stream-of-consciousness exchanges between Gervais, his collaborator Stephen Merchant and their offbeat friend Karl Pilkington. The trio also serve as executive producers alongside Bob Higgins and Glyn Hughes for Media Rights Capital and Wildbrain. Said pickup however isn't the result of large numbers for its viewership: to date it's averaging just 180,000 viewers an episode, with a 0.1 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic.
RIDE ALONG (FOX) - Jennifer Beals ("Lie to Me") has booked the female lead in the drama pilot, a police procedural set (and filmed) in Chicago. She's set as Teresa Colvin, Chicago's first female police chief. Her character is additionally detailed as follows: "A fast riser and skilled cop, Teresa has arrived at the very top of the Chicago Police Department in a very short period of time. She did this by proving herself on the streets, by charming those in power above her and by absorbing everything Jarek [Jason Clarke] taught her over the years." The 20th Century Fox Television-based ensemble also stars Billy Lush, Devin Kelley, Matt Lauria and Todd Williams. Charles McDougall is directing from a script by Shawn Ryan.
SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT (ABC) - Don Johnson ("Just Legal") is set to star opposite Mary Steenburgen in the comedy pilot, about a conservative father whose life is turned upside down when his grown kids move back in with him. He'll play Bob Dobson, the family patriarch and provider. Chad Kultgen is behind the project, which comes from ABC Studios and the Sony Pictures Television-based Tantamount.
UNTITLED KEVIN KLINE PROJECT (HBO, New!) - Oscar-winner Kevin Kline ("A Fish Called Wanda") is set to star in and executive produce a potential new drama at the pay channel about "a prominent doctor (Kline) who must restart his life after serving a 15-year prison sentence for murdering his mistress." David Auburn ("Proof") is penning the hour, which he's executive produce alongside Kline, Gavin Polone and Kline's manager Judy Hofflund. No other specifics were given.
UNTITLED PAULA ABDUL/KENNY ORTEGA PROJECT (NBC, New!) - Paula Abdul ("American Idol"), Kenny Ortega ("High School Musical") and 3 Ball Productions ("The Biggest Loser") are looking to team for a potential new dance competition series at the network. 3 Ball originated the format, which would presumably feature Abdul and Ortega as host and choreographer, respectively. No other specifics were given other than it involves impromptu, large scale public performances (a la the parade scene in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"). Ortega is formally on board while a deal with Abdul has yet to close.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [april 2026]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[04/23/26 - 03:13 PM]
"Euphoria" Season 3 Premiere Surpasses 20M Global Viewers, Up 68% vs. Season 2
Episode 2 matched the premiere with approximately 8.5 million U.S. viewers in its first three days.
|
[04/23/26 - 02:50 PM]
Goal! ESPN Airs Two Most-Viewed First Round Game 2's on Cable Ever, Continuing Successful Start to 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Monday's Philadelphia Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins matchup (Game 2, 7 p.m. ET) delivered 1.6 million viewers and Tuesday's Boston Bruins-Buffalo Sabres matchup (Game 2, 7:30 p.m.) delivered 1.2 million viewers, setting the new Game 2 record.
|
[04/23/26 - 02:02 PM]
"The Cult of Natureboy," A New Four-Part Docuseries That Offers a Raw and Unfiltered Look Inside a Modern Cult, Premieres April 28 on Hulu
In 2016, a rising social media star named Eligio Bishop, also known as "NatureBoy," used his platforms to recruit followers into a group he called Carbon Nation, encouraging them to abandon their families and join his vision of a self-proclaimed Black utopia.
|
[04/23/26 - 01:03 PM]
Apple TV Sets New Comedy Series, Elizabeth Banks to Star and Executive Produce
The series is set to begin production in Los Angeles this year.
|
[04/23/26 - 12:19 PM]
USA Sports Delivers Most-Watched Match in LOVB Volleyball History to Cap Inaugural Season of Record Viewership on USA Network
The first Finals match on Thursday, April 16, which Salt Lake won 3-2 in a closely-contested fifth set, averaged 163,000 viewers, ranking as the most-watched LOVB game of all-time.
|
[04/23/26 - 12:01 PM]
FOX Renews Hit Competition Series "Fear Factor: House of Fear" for Season Two
Johnny Knoxville returns to lead the high-stakes competition, where one contestant will conquer their fears, claim the grand prize, and earn the right to proclaim, "Fear Is Not a Factor!"
|
[04/23/26 - 12:00 PM]
A24's "The Moment" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max May 29
A rising pop star navigates the complexities of fame and industry pressure while preparing for her arena tour debut.
|
[04/23/26 - 11:08 AM]
Rule of Culture #2026: "Las Culturistas Culture Awards" to Air Simultaneously on Bravo and Peacock on June 17 at 9 P.M. ET/PT
The show will tape Saturday, May 30 in Los Angeles at The United Theater on Broadway.
|
[04/23/26 - 11:05 AM]
A New Season of "Deadliest Catch" Returns Friday, May 8 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel
With a new king crab population appearing far north, the fleet relocates 225 miles to St. George Island, facing colder weather and more extreme seas than any season before as they work to sustain their livelihoods in rapidly changing waters.
|
[04/23/26 - 10:01 AM]
Season Two of the Max Original Documentary Series "On the Roam," Starring Jason Momoa, Debuts May 14
The six-episode season will debut new episodes weekly leading up to the season finale on June 18.
|
[04/23/26 - 09:30 AM]
AMC Global Media's May Highlights Include "The Audacity," "Devil in Silver," "You're Killing Me," "Tales From the Crypt" and More
Also featured next month is the return of Acorn TV's annual "Murder Myster May" celebrating the best in murder mysteries with a lineup of new premieres every week.
|
[04/23/26 - 09:08 AM]
Video: "The Great American Baking Show" Season 4 - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
Casey Wilson and Andrew Rannells welcome eight of the nation's best aspiring bakers to the tent.
|
[04/23/26 - 09:01 AM]
Prime Video Welcomes Cynthia Cooper, Lindsey Harding, Kara Lawson, LaChina Robinson, Teresa Weatherspoon, and Ty Young to Lineup for Expanded WNBA Coverage
Today, Prime announced additions to its on-air talent lineup ahead of the league's 30th season.
|
[04/23/26 - 08:31 AM]
"The Chi" Sets May 22 Premiere Date for an Unforgettable Final Season on Paramount+
Produced by 20th Television, the 10-episode final season will roll out weekly every Friday.
|
[04/23/26 - 08:01 AM]
"A Different World" Sequel Wraps Production in Atlanta Adding Cliff "Method Man" Smith and More to Cast
The show will explore the lives and loves of a new generation at the iconic fictional HBCU, Hillman College.
|
|
|
|
