or


[06/10/05 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: June 8-10
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 newly revamped "Series in Development" charts. Visitors can now filter our listings by network, genre and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!

THE AMAZING RACE (CBS) - GSN's off-network acquisition of the veteran reality series (read the story) is reportedly valued in the $6 million dollar range. The four-year deal, which includes the rights to the first eight editions of the series (as well as the option to purchase the ninth and tenth installments), means the cable channel will pay an estimated $55,000 per episode. Said numbers put the GSN deal on par with VH1's recent off-network acquisition of "America's Next Top Model" but behind OLN's $10 million pact for the repeats rights to "Survivor." "The Amazing Race" will begin airing daily on GSN at 9:00/8:00c beginning Monday, July 11. Meanwhile in other "Race"-related news, executive producer Hayma "Screech" Washington has inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with CBS. The pact calls for Washington to continue in his duties on "Race" as well as develop new scripted comedies and dramas for the network. Prior to joining "Race," Washington was an executive producer on Disney Channel's "Phil of the Future."

THE BERNIE MAC SHOW (FOX) - Warren Hutcherson ("Moesha") and Steve Tompkins ("Entourage") are reportedly close to signing on as the new showrunners of the FOX comedy, which returns for its fifth season this fall. The pair would take over for Pete Aronson, who is leaving the series after two seasons at the helm. Hutcherson already serves as an executive producer on "Mac," which he joined during its first season. No reason was given for Aronson's exit from the Regency Television/20th Century Fox Television-produced series.

BOUND (FOX, New!) - Fox 21-based Benderspink ("Free Birds," "Beauty and the Geek") are developing a new horror-themed drama at FOX about a family that moves into their dream house only to slowly discover that it's their worst nightmare. Mark Kruger ("Revelations") has been tapped to write the script to the project with Gary Auerbach ("Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County") attached to direct should it go forward. Both will also serve as executive producers along with Chris Bender, JC Spink and Benderspink president Julie Plec. FOX has given a script order to the project for the 2006-07 season. Benderspink also continues to work on an untitled animated comedy pilot presentation from Chuck Swenson ("Rugrats") and Brian Lynch for the network.

GHOST WHISPERER (CBS) - Non-writing producers Ian Sander and Kim Moses have inked a new two-year overall deal at Touchstone Television. The pact will keep the pair's Sander/Moses Productions set up at Touchstone where they're executive producing the CBS fall entry "Ghost Whisperer." In addition, the duo will develop new projects for the studio as well as produce "Confessions of a Desperate Housewife," a series of webisodes on ABC.com tied to the Alphabet's monster hit "Despereate Housewives."

THE GRAHAM NORTON EFFECT (Comedy Central) - Logo, MTV Networks' gay-themed network which launches on June 30, has purchased the repeat rights to the short-lived Comedy Central talk show. In addition, Logo has also scored the rights to Graham Norton imports "Graham Norton in New York" (10 episodes) and "V Graham Norton" (5 episodes). No financial details were given about the deal.

HBO ORIGINAL SERIES (HBO) - 1.59 million viewers tuned into "Entourage's" second season bow on Sunday (including a 0.9 rating/2 share among adults 18-49), down 17.89% from its launch last summer (1.9 million on 7/18/04). The premiere of lead-out "The Comeback" fared even worse that same night, earning just 1.51 million viewers with a 0.8/2 among adults 18-49. Meanwhile on Monday, the fifth and final season bow of "Six Feet Under" drew 2.62 million viewers, off a whopping 37.62% from its fourth season debut (4.2 million on 6/13/04). Said numbers however were when "Six Feet Under" aired on Sunday nights.

KICKED OUT (ABC Family, New!) - The cable channel has given a series order of eight half-hour episodes to a new reality project from High Noon Entertainment (Food Network's "Unwrapped"). Each installment of the series, which begins production next week for an August launch, tracks a family as they kick their unmotivated, jobless twentysomething into gear by booting them out of the house. Said slackers will then experience some tough love via challenges (all devised by their parents) designed to teach them responsibilities such as keeping a job, managing a budget and furnishing their own apartment. High Noon CEO Jim Berger will executive produce "Kicked Out" with James Flint ("My Life Is a Sitcom") serving as a co-executive producer.

THE REAL GILLIGAN'S ISLAND (TBS) - A disappointing 1.9 million viewers tuned into the two-hour second season bow of the series on Wednesday, including a 3 share among adults 18-49. Said numbers were literally half of those from its debut last year (4.0 million on 11/30/04).

REBA (The WB) - Writer/producer Matt Berry has inked a new two-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television. The pact, financial terms of which weren't specified, calls for Berry to continue in his duties as an executive producer on the veteran WB comedy as well as develop new projects for the studio.

WILD CARD (Lifetime) - The six remaining unaired installments of the defunct drama series will begin Saturdays at 11:00/10:00c starting tomorrow night on Lifetime. Repeats will also continue to run on Sunday nights in the 12:00/11:00c slot.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [june 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· AMAZING RACE, THE (CBS)
· AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL (VH1)
· BEAUTY AND THE GEEK (CW)
· BERNIE MAC SHOW, THE (FOX)
· BOUND (FOX)
· COMEBACK, THE (HBO)
· DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
· ENTOURAGE (HBO)
· FREE RIDE (FOX)
· GHOST WHISPERER (CBS)
· GRAHAM NORTON EFFECT, THE (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· KICKED OUT (ABC FAMILY)
· MOESHA (UPN)
· MY LIFE IS A SITCOM (ABC FAMILY)
· NEWPORT HARBOR: THE REAL ORANGE COUNTY (MTV)
· REAL GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, THE (TBS)
· REBA (CW)
· REVELATIONS (NBC)
· SIX FEET UNDER (HBO)
· SURVIVOR (CBS)
· UNTITLED LYNCH & SWENSON PROJECT (FOX)
· WILD CARD (LIFETIME)





[07/07/26 - 02:14 PM]
Jennifer Beals Joins New CBS Original Series "NCIS: New York"
Jacqueline Byers, Shane Harper and Devin Druid also join the cast of the series, led by LL Cool J and Scott Caan.

[07/07/26 - 02:09 PM]
FOX Scores 11.107 Million Viewers for Portugal-Croatia - Most-Watched Non-USMNT FIFA Men's World Cup Telecast in English-Language U.S. History Excluding a Final
Said coverage hit a peak viewership of 16.023 million viewers from 8:45 - 9:00 PM ET.

[07/07/26 - 01:22 PM]
OWN Reveals "Put a Ring on It: Cheathab," A New Love and Relationship Series Premiering Friday, July 31
The new spin-off series follows long-term couples whose relationships have been rocked by infidelity as they move into the Miami-based "Cheathab House" to confront the trust issues, jealousy, and unresolved wounds threatening their futures.

[07/07/26 - 01:19 PM]
FX's "The Shards" to Feature Original Music from Troye Sivan, Leland and Hayes Warner
Inspired by the 1980s setting of the show, the songs help drive the suspense, seduction and obsession of "The Shards," premiering Wednesday, August 5 with two episodes.

[07/07/26 - 12:47 PM]
NFL Network Presents 2026 NFL Preseason Slate, Featuring 19 Live Games; ESPN Expands Its Schedule with 12 Additional Matchups on the ESPN App
The 32-game live preseason slate (with all 48 games available via replay on NFL Network) adds to ESPN's expansive Year of the Super Bowl programming.

[07/07/26 - 12:05 PM]
Ian Ziering to Host "The Great American Road Rally," New Celebrity Road-Trip Television Event Premiering This Fall on The CW
Originally scheduled for May 13 through July 22, the series will now premiere on Wednesdays from September 2 through November 25.

[07/07/26 - 11:27 AM]
FOX Sports Sets All-Time U.S. Soccer Viewership Record with 30 Million Watching Belgium-USMNT
The network's coverage reached a peak audience of 36.895 million viewers from 9:15-9:30 PM ET.

[07/07/26 - 11:26 AM]
"Shark Tank" Returns for Season 18 with a Powerhouse Roster of Guest Sharks
Additionally, Kendra Scott and Rashaun Williams have been elevated to permanent Sharks, joining Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, Daniel Lubetzky and Kevin O'Leary.

[07/07/26 - 11:01 AM]
Video: 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby - Official Teaser - Netflix
The best sluggers in baseball put their power to the test and chase home run glory live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

[07/07/26 - 10:59 AM]
MLB on ESPN Schedule Updates: July 20 Doubleheader Features Dodgers-Phillies and Cardinals-Angels; Tigers Visit Cubs on July 22
ESPN's exclusive Major League Baseball coverage throughout the season also includes MLB Game of the Day on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited plan subscribers, plus "Baseball Tonight" coverage surrounding marquee matchups.

[07/07/26 - 10:13 AM]
Video: Disney+ and Hulu Debut "Rabbit Hole" Trailer
The half-hour 10-episode original series will debut as the largest ensemble of digital stars ever brought together for a premium series.

[07/07/26 - 10:11 AM]
The Maine Cabin Masters Take on Their Biggest Project Yet in New Series "Maine Cabin Masters: All Inn"
The series follows the team as they transform a rundown bed and breakfast into a stunning 12-acre lakeside inn.

[07/07/26 - 10:01 AM]
First Look - "Let's Marry Harry" Premieres August 5 on Netflix
The series follows heartthrob Harry Jowsey, who is done playing the field and is handing over the reins of his love life to those who know him best.

[07/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Mariska Hargitay to Host 78th Emmy Awards on NBC
The ceremony is set for Monday, September 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT from the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live, airing live coast-to-coast on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

[07/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
New Episodes of AspireTV's "Downright Delicious with Yo-Yo" to Return Thursday, August 6
In this fun series, Grammy-nominated rapper and foodie Yolanda "Yo-Yo" Whitaker is whipping up some of her favorite dishes, cocktails, desserts and more.