or


[06/28/05 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: June 27-28
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 9/11 PROJECT (NBC) - The Peacock has reportedly pulled the plug on its planned eight-hour mini-series, which would have chronicled the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The decision comes despite scripts being completed by writer/producer Graham Yost and pre-production already being underway on the project, a planned co-production of Imagine Television and NBC Universal Television. No formal reason was given by NBC or Imagine however industry insiders suggest financial worries over the planned $20 million budget not to mention competition from ABC's own 9/11 project for casting and other resources were the major issues. While ABC has yet to formally announce its 9/11 project, Marc Platt ("Legally Blonde") is attached to executive produce while offers are said to be out to such actors as Harvey Keitel ("Be Cool").

COLD CASE (CBS) - Creator/executive producer Meredith Stiehm has inked a three-year overall deal with Paramount Network Television. The pact calls for her to create, develop and executive produce new series projects for the studio. The deal won't be completely exclusive however as it's understood Stiehm is expected continue in her showrunning duties on "Cold Case" for at least one more season with Paramount loaning out her services to producer Warner Bros. Television. Stiehm had previously been set up at Warner Bros. Television for the past five years.

CRASH (FX, New!) - Writer/producer Paul Haggis ("Million Dollar Baby") is looking to bring his successful feature film "Crash," a gritty drama about race relations in Los Angeles, to the small screen. Haggis, who won an Emmy for his writing on ABC's "thirtysomething," has pacted with Lions Gate Television to develop the series for cable channel FX. In addition, talks are said to be underway with Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, Brendan Fraser and Ludacris (among others) to reprise their roles from the feature film as well as co-writer Bobby Moresco to write the show's pilot script. Haggis then would likely serve as an executive producer along with Moresco.

DALLAS S.W.A.T. (A&E, New!) - Production is underway on a "Dallas S.W.A.T.," a pseudo-spin-off of the network's popular reality series "The First 48." "Dallas," which comes from Granada Television, tracks the day-to-day operations of the Dallas police department's high-stakes tactical unit. A&E has committed to six hours of the project, which likely launch early next year.

MTV ORIGINAL SERIES (MTV, New!) - The cable channel has detailed its latest development slate, which includes nine new projects: "Yo Mamma," from Evolution Film & Tape, features Wilmer Valderama ("That '70s Show") as he searches for the country's most outrageous trash talkers; "Welcome to Crunkville" has contestants moving in with Atlanta-based hip-hop artists The Ying Yang Twins with the chance to win the deed to their mansion; the self-titled "Omarion" features the recording artist's attempt to becoming a corporate mogul a la Sean "P. Diddy" Combs; "Mr. Rooney's Barbershop," which comes from Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola, offers a look into the Queens, N.Y.-based barbershop where local cutters scout for hip-hop talent from the 'hood; "Homewrecker" has former "Jackass" star Ryan Dunn helping revenge-seeking viewers wreak havoc on someone's home; "There and Back" details the potential comeback of former O-Town singer Ashley Angel who is now broke, engaged and about to become a father; "Beyond Normal" tracks MTV News correspondent Gideon Yago as he helps young people whose lives have been turned upside down by crisis or conflict; "8th & Ocean" is a docu-soap about the lives of wannabe fashion models in Miami Beach; and "Ten Years Later" is a scripted comedy based on the real-life story of former public-access star Jake Fogelnest ("Squirt TV").

SCRUBS (NBC) - Buena Vista Television has cleared off-network repeats of the veteran NBC comedy on local stations covering more than 50% of the country, including 18 of the top 20 markets. Among the stations signing on for the "Scrubs" run, which starts in September 2006, are: WNYW/WWOR New York, KCAL Los Angeles, WFLD/WPWR Chicago, WPHL Philadelphia, WLVI Boston, KTVU/KICU San Francisco, KDFW/KDFI Dallas and WTTG/WDCA Washington. With 93 episodes already in the can, "Scrubs" would traditionally have begun its off-network run this fall however limited demand forced Buena Vista to delay the sale until 2006. Stations won't pay cash for the "Scrubs" episodes, but rather give three minutes of ad time per half-hour to Buena Vista for national ad sales.

UNTITLED GARY FLEDER/JAMES YOSHIMURA PROJECT (New!) - Director Gary Fleder ("Blind Justice," "The Evidence") and Peabody-winning writer James Yoshimura ("Homicide: Life on the Street") are set to team for a new drama project for Touchstone Television. The untitled project, no details of which were specified, is the result of a two-year deal Fleder recently signed with the studio and a blind script commitment Touchstone had made to Yoshimura. Said pact also sets up Fleder's Mojo Films (and his producing partner Eric Timm) at the studio.

WALKER, TEXAS RANGER (CBS) - The Eye has greenlit production on "Walker, Texas Ranger: Ring of Fire," a new two-hour revival of the 1993-2001 series. Chuck Norris, Sheree Wilson and Judson Mills will all reprise their roles for the project with Aaron Norris directing from a script by original series writers John Lansing and Bruce Cervi. As for plot specifics, "Ring of Fire" reportedly sees Walker (Norris) investigating whether one of his Ranger buddies is a serial killer - or just being framed - as well as trying to track down a teen on the run from a crime syndicate. Aaron Norris also told Daily Variety "Ring of Fire" shouldn't be considered a reunion as the action will pick up "as if we've been doing the show the whole time." He added: "Reunions are more about one-offs... I would like to do more of these." Nevertheless, there will be some changes to the "Walker" franchise, most notably a more urban feel thanks to shooting taking place in Dallas (instead of Vancouver or California) and more use of technology to assist the Rangers. Production is set to begin July 20 with Al Ruddy, Leslie Grief and the Norris brothers executive producing via Paramount Network Television.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [june 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· 8TH & OCEAN (MTV)
· 9/11 PROJECT, THE (NBC)
· BEYOND NORMAL (MTV)
· BLIND JUSTICE (ABC)
· COLD CASE (CBS)
· CRASH (STARZ)
· DALLAS SWAT (A AND E)
· EVIDENCE, THE (ABC)
· FIRST 48, THE (A AND E)
· HOMEWRECKER (MTV)
· JACKASS (MTV)
· OMARION (MTV)
· PATH TO 9/11, THE (ABC)
· SCRUBS (ABC)
· SHOP, THE (MTV)
· TEN YEARS LATER (MTV)
· THAT '70S SHOW (FOX)
· THERE & BACK: ASHLEY PARKER ANGEL (MTV)
· WALKER, TEXAS RANGER (CBS)
· WALKER, TEXAS RANGER: TRIAL BY FIRE (CBS)
· WELCOME TO CRUNKVILLE (MTV)





[06/25/26 - 02:06 PM]
BET's 4th Annual Black + Iconic Soiree to Premiere June 29, Exclusively on Paramount+
Hosted by Emmy-nominated actress, producer, and advocate Laverne Cox, with Lavelle Dontae serving as Red Carpet Host, this year's celebration highlighted the power, influence, and impact of Black LGBTQ+ leaders and allies across entertainment, advocacy, business, and media.

[06/25/26 - 01:30 PM]
Starz in Development to Adapt International Bestseller "The Wolf King"
The bestselling romantasy book series by Lauren Palphreyman follows a captive princess who gets kidnapped by a brooding werewolf alpha and plunged into a bloodthirsty war.

[06/25/26 - 12:01 PM]
Video: "Breaking Bear" - Official Trailer - Tubi Original
A family of bears run a drug empire to raise money to save their forest from frackers and an endless array of psychotic enemies.

[06/25/26 - 12:01 PM]
The 62nd Academy of Country Music Awards Will Return to the World-Renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 16, 2027
This year's event drove an estimated $53 million in total economic impact for the Las Vegas region.

[06/25/26 - 11:45 AM]
ESPN Presents "All of Wimbledon. All in One Place" June 29 - July 12
Every match from all courts stream live on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited plan subscribers.

[06/25/26 - 11:31 AM]
Emmy Award Nominee Lizzy Caplan Plunges Into the Insanity of FX's "Far Cry" Coming to FX and Hulu
The limited series from Noah Hawley and Rob Mac, who will also star, will retain the franchise's signature standalone storytelling format with each season set in a new setting following a new cast of characters.

[06/25/26 - 10:01 AM]
NBC Greenlights Emmy-Nominated Event Series "The Americas" for a Second Season
Expanding on the tentpole series, special episodes will roll out in the leadup to season two, starting with "The Americas: A Wild 250th," airing July 2 at 9pm ET/PT on NBC and next day on Peacock.

[06/25/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - Hulu Original "Furious"
From creator and executive producer Elizabeth Meriwether, "Furious" follows an FBI agent, Alice Black (Emmy Rossum) on the hunt for a mysterious and calculating female serial killer.

[06/25/26 - 10:00 AM]
Wonder Project Orders Two Seasons of First Original Kids' Series "Fluff Piece"
Created by Sylvia Brindis, Shane Snow, and Brian Donegan, "Fluff Piece" will premiere July 9 on Wonder Project, with two new episodes released weekly.

[06/25/26 - 09:31 AM]
Peacock's "The Paper" Reveals September 9 Premiere Date and First Look Images for Season Two
In season two, after sweeping the Ohio Journalism Awards, Ned searches for a journalistic crusade, coming for a local private club and jeopardizing the paper, while he and Mare try to figure out their attraction, Esmeralda struggles to find her place, and the staff gradually mature as reporters.

[06/25/26 - 09:26 AM]
TNT Sports and DAZN Unveil Star-Studded Broadcast Team Beginning with Inaugural "The Fight" Event on July 4
TNT Sports host Adam Lefkoe will anchor studio coverage alongside one of boxing's all-time greats, Terence Crawford, boxing analyst and Hall of Famer Tim Bradley Jr., and former two-time world champion Shawn Porter.

[06/25/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Ransom Canyon" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Staten and Quinn chase risky new ventures to bring hope and prosperity back to Ransom Canyon - and grapple with their true feelings for one another.

[06/25/26 - 09:01 AM]
Join the Chase in Searchlight Pictures' "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come," Streaming on Hulu July 2
Moments after surviving an all-out attack from the Le Domas family, Grace (Samara Weaving) discovers she's reached the next level of the nightmarish game - and this time with her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) at her side.

[06/25/26 - 09:01 AM]
"Jay-Z in 8" A Candid and Intimate 8-Part Conversation Years in the Making, An HBO Original Documentary Series Debuting This Fall
The series debuts this fall on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max in the U.S.

[06/25/26 - 09:01 AM]
Nominees Announced for "The 2026 ESPYS Presented by Capital One," Airing Wednesday, July 15, at 8 P.M. ET on ABC and Streaming on the ESPN App
Top nominees include Jalen Brunson, Myles Garrett, Alysa Liu, Matthew Stafford, Rory McIlroy, Lionel Messi, Shohei Ohtani, Mikaela Shiffrin, Victor Wembanyama, and A'ja Wilson.