or


[02/04/04 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: February 4
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:

ALIAS (ABC) - J.J. Abrams, the show's creator and executive producer, has signed a multi-year, high-seven-figure deal with Touchstone Television to keep his Bad Robot Television production company at the studio. In addition, Thom Sherman, ABC's chief of drama development, and Bryan Burk, Abrams' development partner, have been named president and executive vice president, respectively, of Bad Robot. Sherman had been running ABC's drama department for the past three seasons where he developed such series as "Line of Fire" and "Karen Sisco," not to mention "Alias." ABC executives Julie McNamara and Heather Kadin will fill in for Sherman for the remainder of the current development season. As for Abrams, the prolific producer already has two projects in the hopper for the 2004-05 season: the survival drama "Lost" and the bounty-hunter themed "The Catch."

ANDROMEDA (Sci Fi) - The cable run of the veteran syndicated drama on Sci Fi will kick off with its two-hour pilot on Friday, March 26 at 7:00/6:00c.

CELESTE IN THE CITY (ABC Family) - The cable channel has scheduled its latest telefilm, which stars Majandra Delfino ("Roswell") and Nicholas Brendon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), for Sunday, March 14 at 8:00/7:00c. Here's how ABC Family describes the project (via press release): "When Celeste (Majandra Delfino) makes the big move from Maine to New York City for her first job after college at the city's top newspaper, she is in for a rude awakening.- Not only is she only a fact checker instead of an editorial assistant, but she's lacking the confidence and wardrobe to make it in the Big Apple.- All of that is about to change when Celeste's cousin Dana (Nicholas Brendon) and a group of his best friends decide to make Celeste look as smart and sophisticated on the outside as she is on the inside, in the ABC Family original movie CELESTE IN THE CITY."

CITY OF DREAMS (A.K.A. UNTITLED JIMMY SMITS PROJECT) (NBC) - The Jimmy Smits-led drama project is now running under the title "City of Dreams." Smits stars as a slick L.A. private investigator who specializes in fixing problems for high-end clients. Jerry Bruckheimer ("C.S.I.") and writer David Mills ("Kingpin") are behind the project, which comes from Warner Bros. Television. It's not clear if NBC has given a green light to produce a pilot for the project.

COOKING LESSONS (CBS, New!) - New York Times food writer Amanda Hesser's book "Cooking for Mr. Latte: A Food Lover's Courtship, With Recipes" is set to be the focus of a new comedy at the Eye. Emily Fox ("New York Minute") is on board to write and executive produce the project, which has a pilot commitment, along with Kim and Eric Tannenbaum through their Tannenbaum Co. and Warner Bros. Television. "Cooking" is expected to revolve around the exploits of a female food critic. Hesser's book detailed her year-long courtship of New Yorker writer Tad Friend.

THE DEAD ZONE (USA) - Sarah Wynter ("24") has landed a recurring role on the show's upcoming third season, which is set to premiere in June. No details were given about her character.

HUB (NBC) - Heather Locklear ("Melrose Place") has landed the lead in the NBC pilot, an ensemble drama set behind the scenes at an international airport. She joins the previously cast Blair Underwood ("Sex and the City") and David Paetkau ("Final Destination 2") as Harley Random in the project. Interestingly enough, Locklear was offered said role last season when "HUB" was being targeted for fall 2003 consideration. The actress instead opted for the lead in the comedy "Once Around the Park," which did not get picked up for a series order. Mark Gordon ("Speed") and Nick Thiel ("Magnum, P.I.") are the executive producers of "HUB," which comes from NBC Studios and Mark Gordon Productions.

MARRIAGE 101 (WB, New!) - The Frog has given a pilot order to a new comedy about a young married couple who move in with the husband's friends. Boyce Bugliari and Jamie McLaughlin are writing and executive producing the project, which comes from 20th Century Fox Television and Brad Grey Television, along with Brad Grey and Peter Traugott.

MEN'S ROOM (NBC) - Some additional details have emerged about the project: Danny Zuker ("Coupling," "Off Centre") is the man behind the pilot, which explores the lives of men in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

MY LIFE IS A SITCOM 2 (ABC Family) - The second season of the series is set to roll out on Sunday, March 7 at 7:30/6:30c. The new season tracks first season star, and stay-at-home dad, Joe Mozian of Old Greenwich, CT as he travels the country in search of real people to portray his various family members and friends in a sitcom pilot based loosely on his own life.

QUEEN FOR A DAY (Lifetime, New!) - The cable channel is looking to revive the classic 1956-64 game show. Phil Gurin ("The Weakest Link") is behind new version, which will air as a one-hour backdoor pilot special in June. "Producers will sweep the nation, holding open auditions in which nominatorswill have the opportunity to convince the panel that their mother, sister, friend, co-worker, among others, should be 'Queen for a Day," according to a network press release. "In addition, viewers can log onto http://www.lifetimetv.com to learn more about the special and nominate their choices. Once the four finalists have been selected, cameras will track the potential "Queens" and whisk them away to a Los Angeles studio. There, they will get the royal treatment and have a chance to make their case to the judges and a studio audience who will cast the ultimate vote for one lucky woman, who will win a dream prize package." Gurin's The Gurin Company is producing the special.

UNTITLED JASON HORWITCH PROJECT (NBC) - Neal McDonough ("Boomtown") is back at the Peacock, as the actor has landed the lead in Jason Horwitch's medical drama. McDonough's involvement lifts the cast-contingent component on the project, which comes from NBC Studios and Landscape Entertainment. Horwitch and Landscape's Scott Vila and Bob Cooper are the executive producers.

UNTITLED JOHN STAMOS PROJECT (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet has given a put pilot commitment to a new romantic comedy in which the entire season takes place over the course of a couple's first date. John Stamos ("Thieves") is attached to star in the project, a co-production of 20th Century Fox Television and Brad Grey Television, which will be written and executive produced by Austin Winsberg ("Still Standing").

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [february 2004]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· 24 (FOX)
· ALIAS (ABC)
· ANDROMEDA (SCI FI)
· BOOMTOWN (NBC)
· BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (UPN)
· CATCH, THE (ABC)
· CELESTE IN THE CITY (ABC FAMILY)
· CITY OF DREAMS (NBC)
· COOKING LESSONS (CBS)
· COUPLING (NBC)
· CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (CBS)
· DEAD ZONE, THE (USA)
· JAKE IN PROGRESS (ABC)
· KAREN SISCO (ABC)
· KINGPIN (NBC)
· LAX (NBC)
· LINE OF FIRE (ABC)
· LOST (ABC)
· MEDICAL INVESTIGATION (NBC)
· MEN'S ROOM, THE (NBC)
· MY LIFE IS A SITCOM (ABC FAMILY)
· OFF CENTRE (WB)
· ONCE AROUND THE PARK (NBC)
· QUEEN FOR A DAY (LIFETIME)
· ROSWELL (UPN)
· SEX AND THE CITY (HBO)
· STILL STANDING (CBS)
· THEN CAME MARRIAGE (WB)
· THIEVES (ABC)
· WEAKEST LINK, THE (NBC)





[03/18/24 - 01:59 PM]
Chrissy Metz, Jaime Ray Newman, Katie Lowes, and George Ferrier Join as Series Regulars for Starz's New Drama "The Hunting Wives"
Production on the thrilling new series has started in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[03/18/24 - 11:30 AM]
Video: ALLBLK Releases Trailer for the World Premiere of New Thriller, "The Influencer" Premiering Thursday, April 4
The original film stars Christina Cooper as Niecy Fields, a social media influencer on the cusp of stardom.

[03/18/24 - 10:06 AM]
E! Announces Trendsetting Guest Judges and Pioneering Disruptors for New Cutting-Edge Design Competition Series "OMG Fashun" with Julia Fox
Handcrafted is the new haute couture on "OMG Fashun" as Julia inspires pioneering fashion disruptors to upend traditional style convention, break the rules and redefine cool.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Peacock Debuts Trailer For New Original Documentary "Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal" Premiering April 1
The documentary looks at the remarkable career of the late Windham Rotunda also known as Bray Wyatt, one of the most skillful, tenacious, and creative WWE Superstars of all-time.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
NBC Is the Official Home of Competition and Games This Summer with a Slate of Powerhouse Hit Series
NBC is the summer home for both the Paris Olympic Games and high-stakes competition with a robust lineup of returning powerhouse favorites, including "America's Got Talent," "American Ninja Warrior," "Password," "The Wall" and "Weakest Link."

[03/18/24 - 09:02 AM]
Netflix Announces News About 26 Upcoming Nordic Titles - Including 12 Brand New Titles
Plus: the streamer offers new looks at "Deliver Me," "The Helicopter Heist," "Ronja the Robber's Daughter," "Billionaire Island" and season two of "Baby Fever."

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The rebels gear up for battle against the ruthless forces of the Motherworld as unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge - and legends are made.

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Disney's "Wish" - Streaming April 3rd - Disney+
Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Wish" is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force - a little ball of boundless energy called Star.

[03/18/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Our Living World" - Cate Blanchett - Official Trailer - Netflix
This stunning nature series narrated by Cate Blanchett explores the intelligence, resourcefulness and interconnectedness of life on our planet.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Acorn TV Fan-Favorite "Harry Wild" Returns Monday, May 13
Season three consists of six episodes and will be available on Acorn TV in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video Orders "Beast Games" from MrBeast and Amazon MGM Studios
Based on his already successful YouTube show, "Beast Games" is set to become the biggest reality competition series ever with 1000 contestants competing for a $5 million dollar cash prize which will be the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.

[03/18/24 - 07:14 AM]
ESPN+ Original Series "Full Court Press" Presented by State Farm Featuring Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso and Kiki Rice to Premiere May 11 & 12 on ABC and ESPN+
From Iowa's historic preseason game that broke attendance records all the way through the WNBA draft in April, the series uses unparalleled access, exclusive interviews, and unique game footage, to transport audiences into the lives of these exceptional athletes.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Scoop" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatization gives an insider account of how the women of Newsnight secured Prince Andrew's infamous interview.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Debuts Trailer for Season Two of Iconic Emmy Award-Winning Series "Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock," Premiering Globally March 29
Award-winning season two cast includes the return of Daveed Diggs alongside Ariana DeBose, Brett Goldstein, Catherine O'Hara, Adam Lambert and K-pop group aespa in guest star roles.

[03/18/24 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Joy" - First Look Teaser - Netflix
Starring Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy, the new film based on the story of the birth of IVF.