[04/17/12 - 11:11 PM] Development Update: Tuesday, April 17 By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)
LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
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AMC ORIGINAL SERIES (New!) - The cable channel hosted its third annual "bake-off" last week in which executives listened to elaborate pitches for six potential dramas using visual aids and demo reels. Among the efforts were "Turn," from Craig Silverstein, about George Washington's spy ring; "Philly Lawyer," from Richard LaGravenese, about a law student; "Crystal Pines," from Jake Paltrow and Robbie Kinberg, about a journalist who signs up for a cloning experiment; "F/V Mean Tide", from Jason Cahill, about a Maine lobster fishing family; "Sacred Games," from Kerry Williamson, an epic story of crime and punishment in modern Mumbai based on the novel by Vikram Chandra; and the previously announced "Low Winter Sun," from Chris Mundy, an adaptation of the New Zealand Gothic murder mystery series. As many as two of the aforementioned projects could be ordered to pilot. (Deadline.com)THE ANGRY BUDDHIST (Showtime, New!) - Seth Greenland's upcoming novel is being developed as a drama at the pay channel. Said hour will center on three brothers - "a cop studying Buddhism, an unrepentant criminal and a wily U.S. Congressman running for his third term" - whose lives are derailed after a murder. Anonymous Content is behind the project, which Greenland himself will adapt for the small screen and executive produce alongside David Kanter. (Deadline.com)COUNTER CULTURE (ABC) - Production on the comedy pilot, about three aging sisters - Nonie (Delta Burke), Billie (Kerri Kenney) and Joyce (Margo Martindale) - running their family diner together in West Texas, has been halted following an injury to Burke, who had a fall on the set yesterday. Said development will likely delay shooting for at least a week and producers are hoping to still complete production in time for fall consideration at the network. ABC Studios and Sony Pictures Television are behind the multi-camera project, from writer Stephnie Weir and director Ted Wass. (Deadline.com)HOWIE MANDEL'S WHITE ELEPHANT (NBC, New!) - The Peacock has reportedly ordered seven episodes of a new game show which takes a cue from the much-ballyhooed form of gift exchange. Mandel himself will host the project and executive produce via his Alevy Productions alongside Mike Marks. As for specifics, six contestants will select one package from an assortment of wrapped gifts, one of whom is initially tapped to open their item. They must subsequently decide whether to keep it or trade with another contestant (including, when the time comes items that are already opened) with the "exchange" going on until all gifts are opened. The contestant with the least valuable item then is eliminated and the selection begins anew until two contestants remain, who ultimately can either share their gifts or attempt to win it all and risk winning nothing. No target date was given. (EW.com)AND IN OTHER NEWS... - Netflix chief Ted Sarandos revealed all 10 episodes of "Arrested Development's" revival will premiere together on a single day sometime next year (Vulture.com); Bree Turner, who plays spice shop proprietress and Fuchsbau Rosalee, will be upped to series regular on "Grimm" next season while executive producers Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner's Hazy Mills has inked a new two-year overall deal with producer Universal Television (TVLine,Deadline.com); "Nurse Jackie" co-creators Linda Wallem and Liz Brixius are exiting the series after four seasons while Showtime is looking for a new showrunner for a potential fifth season (Deadline.com); Amy Acker is bound for the season finale of "Person of Interest" as "an attractive psychologist who caters to the rich and powerful" (TVGuide.com); Laura Vandervoort, Michael Weston and Laurie Williams are the latest actors set to guest on "White Collar"(TVLine.com;THR.com); and Dan Futterman and Roger Bart will recur on USA's upcoming "Political Animals" as the Bureau Chief of the Washington Journal and the President's Chief of Staff, respectively (Deadline.com).
