or


[07/06/05 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: July 4-6
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!

24 (FOX) - In the first bit of news about "24's" upcoming fifth season, James Morrison has been upped to series regular on the veteran drama. He'll continue in his role of Bill Buchanan, the head of the show's Counter Terrorism Unit. No other details were given.

3 LBS. (CBS) - The drama pilot, about a group of brain surgeons (including Dylan McDermott, Mark Feuerstein and Reiko Aylesworth) in Los Angeles, remains under consideration at the Eye as the network has picked up the options of the cast as well as ordered an additional script. In addition, creator Peter Ocko has inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with the pilot's co-producer, Paramount Network Television. The pact covers his duties on the project, which he wrote on spec, should it get ordered to series as well as calls for him to develop other projects for the studio.

ALIAS (ABC) - TNT's preliminary September schedule indicates its off-network run of the ABC spy drama will begin Monday, September 26 at 6:00/5:00c. No other details were given.

DEADWOOD (HBO) - Gerald McRaney, who guest starred in the show's second season finale as George Hearst (the father of famed newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst), is set to return in said role for a multi-episode arc on the series next year. No other details however were given.

EUREKA (Sci Fi) - Matt Frewer ("Taken") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a U.S. marshal (Colin Ferguson) who gets stranded in an eccentric think-tank community in the Pacific Northwest. He'll play Jim Taggart, who's described in the casting notice as: "45. A big Aussie, he is a self-dubbed "Biological Containment Specialist." Taggart works for Sheriff Cobb; it's his job to make sure that the town's security is not breached. Dressed in camouflage, he drives a Humvee and using a tranquilizer gun, takes down anybody or anything that could prove problematic." He joins the previously cast Greg Germann, Salli Richardson-Wittfield, Joe Morton, Debrah Farentino, Jordan Hinson, Maury Chaykin and Erica Cerra in the project, which comes from NBC Universal Television.

FOUR KINGS (NBC) - Lester Lewis ("Happy Family") has inked a two-year overall deal with Warner Bros. Television. The pact calls for Lewis to serve as the showrunner of NBC's midseason comedy "Four Kings." There he'll serve alongside fellow executive producers (and creators) David Kohan and Max Mutchnick. In addition, he'll also create new projects for the studio. Lewis spent the past development season as an executive producer of fellow NBC midseason comedy pilot "Thick and Thin" and was also a consulting producer on "The Office."

THE GHOST WHISPERER (CBS) - Writer/producer John Wirth ("The District") has been tapped as the drama's showrunner. Wirth, who recently signed a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with Touchstone Television, will serve as an executive producer along with creator John Gray and non-writing executives Ian Sander and Kim Moses. In addition, as typical with these type of deals, he'll also develop new projects for the studio. Wirth spent the past development season behind the CBS drama pilot "Love Monkey," which wasn't ordered to series however is still said to be under consideration for midseason.

HOT PROPERTIES (ABC) - Christina Moore ("That '70s Show") has joined the cast of the upcoming comedy series, about four women who work at an upscale Manhattan real estate office. She'll take over for Audra Blaser in the role of Emerson in the Warner Bros. Television-based project, which also stars Gail O'Grady, Nicole Sullivan, Sofia Vergara, Stephen Dunham and Evan Handler.

JAKE IN PROGRESS (ABC) - Emmy-winning writer/producer Jeff Greenstein ("Will & Grace") has signed a seven-figure overall deal with Touchstone Television. The two-year pact calls for Greenstein to develop new projects for Touchstone as well as join ABC's comedy "Jake in Progress" as an executive producer. He'll serve as co-showrunner along with creator Austin Winsberg. Greenstein takes over for Jeffrey Richman, who has since moved on to FOX's "Stacked."

JUST LEGAL (The WB) - Newcomer Jaime Lee Kirchner has joined the cast of the Frog's new fall drama, about a brilliant prodigy lawyer (Jay Baruchel), and his mentor (Don Johnson), a jaded defense attorney. She'll play a young woman who went to school with Baruchel's character. Veanne Cox, Raphael Sbarge, Michael Mitchell and Peyton List also star in the project, which comes from Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros. Television.

LAW & ORDER (NBC) - Peter Jankowski, an executive producer on all of the "Law & Order" series, has signed a new two-year production deal with Dick Wolf's NBC Universal Television-based Wolf Films. The pact calls for Jankowski to continue in his duties as president and chief operating officer of the company, which include overseeing its creative and administrative aspects.

NICK CANNON PRESENTS: WILD 'N' OUT (MTV) - Promos currently running on the cable channel note MTV has pushed back the premiere of the improv-competition series by one week. "Wild 'n' Out" will now launch on Thursday, July 28 at 10:00/9:00c.

THE SHOWBIZ SHOW WITH DAVID SPADE (Comedy Central) - David Spade's half-hour celebrity-mockfest has been slated to premiere Thursday, September 15. No specific time period however has been specified.

STRONG MEDICINE (Lifetime) - Eileen Boylan ("Sleepover") is set to appear in three upcoming episodes of the veteran cable drama. She'll play the edgy, artistic daughter of Rick Schroder's character. No details were given when her character's first appearance will air.

THE TONY DANZA SHOW (Syndication) - Buena Vista Television is mulling some changes to the talk show when it returns for its second season this fall. Danza's sidekick Ereka Vetrini and two of the show's producers have been axed while Gloria Estefan is reportedly being groomed to replace Danza completely if ratings don't perk up. The company however has yet to comment on Estefan's involvement. The recording artist had previously been rumored to take over "The Wayne Brady Show" during its final days two years ago.

TRAILER FABULOUS (MTV) - The "Mobile Home Disaster"-esque makeover series has been slated to premiere Wednesday, August 3 at 10:00/9:00c according to promotions currently airing on the cable channel. MTV has committed to 10 episodes of the series, which is hosted by recording artist Brooks Buford.

THE TRIANGLE (Sci Fi) - Lisa Brenner ("The Librarian: Quest for the Spear") is the latest addition to the cast of the upcoming mini-series, about a disparate group of professionals brought together to investigate the dangerous truths behind the Bermuda Triangle. She'll play the wife of Lou Diamond Phillips's character, the pilot of a Greenpeace expedition that encounters a deadly force in the mysterious area. Eric Stoltz, Catherine Bell, Michael Rodgers, Bruce Davison and Sam Neill also star in the project, which comes from executive producers Dean Devlin and Bryan Singer.

UNTITLED SAM GIANCANA PROJECT (TNT, New!) - The life of famed 1960s Chicago mob boss Sam Giancana is set to be the focus of a six-hour limited series currently in development at TNT. Mark Wolper ("Salem's Lot") and Warner Bros. Television are behind the project, which would track the story behind the powerful mob leader and his ties to the John F. Kennedy presidency and such celebrities as Frank Sinatra. No other details were given.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [july 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· 24 (FOX)
· 3 LBS. (CBS)
· ALIAS (ABC)
· DEADWOOD (HBO)
· DISTRICT, THE (CBS)
· EUREKA (SYFY)
· FOUR KINGS (NBC)
· GHOST WHISPERER (CBS)
· HAPPY FAMILY (NBC)
· HOT PROPERTIES (ABC)
· JAKE IN PROGRESS (ABC)
· JUST LEGAL (WB)
· LAW & ORDER (NBC)
· LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT (USA)
· LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (NBC)
· LIBRARIAN, THE: QUEST FOR THE SPEAR (TNT)
· LOVE MONKEY (CBS)
· MOBILE HOME DISASTER (CMT)
· NICK CANNON PRESENTS: WILD 'N OUT (VH1)
· OFFICE, THE (NBC)
· SALEM'S LOT (TNT)
· SHOWBIZ SHOW WITH DAVID SPADE, THE (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· STACKED (FOX)
· STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS: TAKEN (SCI FI)
· STRONG MEDICINE (LIFETIME)
· THAT '70S SHOW (FOX)
· THICK & THIN (NBC)
· TONY DANZA SHOW, THE (SYNDICATION)
· TRAILER FABULOUS (MTV)
· TRIANGLE, THE (SCI FI)
· UNTITLED SAM GIANCANA PROJECT (TNT)
· WAYNE BRADY SHOW, THE (SYNDICATION)
· WILL & GRACE (NBC)





[03/28/24 - 11:07 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion" Debuts April 9
The film uncovers the toxic culture of the teen brand Brandy Melville and the global ramifications of mass-produced clothing known as fast fashion.

[03/28/24 - 11:02 AM]
FX's "Welcome to Wrexham" Shifts Season Three Premiere Date
The May 2 premiere will include the first two episodes of the eight-episode season, with a new episode available each following Thursday.

[03/28/24 - 10:36 AM]
Claire Danes Will Reunite with "Homeland" Showrunner & Executive Producer Howard Gordon on the Netflix Limited Series "The Beast in Me"
A grieving author finds a new subject in a real estate mogul who was once the prime suspect in his wife's disappearance. Her investigation spirals into a game of cat and mouse that might turn deadly.

[03/28/24 - 10:32 AM]
Roku Originals Reunites "The Real Bros of Simi Valley" for New Movie; Directed by Jimmy Tatro
"The Real Bros of Simi Valley: High School Reunion" is a continuation of the beloved original series, co-created by Jimmy Tatro and Christian Pierce, which became a social media phenomenon generating over a billion views across video platforms.

[03/28/24 - 10:04 AM]
Bravo Reveals Returning Cast for "The Real Housewives of New York City" Season 15
After a successful first bite out of the Big Apple, all six ladies of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City" will return for season 15, including Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy, Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank and Brynn Whitfield.

[03/28/24 - 10:03 AM]
Matt Barnes and Anansa Sims Give a Close-Up Look at Navigating Love, Co-Parenting, Fame and More in New Series, "The Barnes Bunch," Premiering Friday, April 19 at 10PM ET on WE tv
This endearing new series follows NBA champion and successful Podcaster, Matt Barnes, alongside his fiancée, model and reality personality, Anansa Sims, as they navigate love, forgiveness, and personal growth while reconciling their past.

[03/28/24 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Dan Da Dan" - Official Trailer - Netflix Anime
This is the story of Momo, a high school girl from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult freak.

[03/28/24 - 10:01 AM]
"Karamo" Renewed for Third Season in National Syndication
"Karamo" is hosted by reality television personality, author, actor, producer and activist Karamo.

[03/28/24 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "Neal Brennan: Crazy Good" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Comedian Neal Brennan riffs in this stand-up special on crypto, social media flexes, sex compliments and the link between greatness and mental health.

[03/28/24 - 09:03 AM]
ESPN+ Unveils Major League Baseball Game Schedule for March and April
ESPN+ will stream a game every day in April, featuring all thirty Major League Baseball Clubs.

[03/28/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Jurassic World: Chaos Theory" - Teaser Trailer - Netflix After School
Set six years after the events at Camp Cretaceous, members of "The Nublar Six" are struggling to find their footing off the islands, navigating a world now filled with dinosaurs and people who want to hurt them.

[03/28/24 - 09:01 AM]
WWE on A&E Continues with Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias Joining "WWE Rivals" & More "WWE's Most Wanted Treasures" & "Biography: WWE Legends"
Kicking off on Sunday, April 14, "WWE's Most Wanted Treasures" will feature WWE Hall of Famers Booker T, Mick Foley, and Lita as they hunt for iconic memorabilia and share the history behind some of the most famous items in WWE history.

[03/28/24 - 09:00 AM]
"The Omen" Complete Franchise, Streaming Now on Hulu
To celebrate the new theatrical release, catch up on the supernatural saga with all five films available to stream on Hulu!

[03/28/24 - 08:29 AM]
Video: Prime Video Releases the Official Trailer for Horror Anthology Series "THEM: THE SCARE" Starring Deborah Ayorinde, Luke James, Pam Grier, and More!
This second installment will consist of eight episodes and premieres on Thursday, April 25, in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[03/28/24 - 08:16 AM]
Netflix Lights Up the Sky with 1,000 Drones to Reveal May 1 Launch Date for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Epic Saga, "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar"
In the series, arch nemeses Mallikajaan and Fareedan are locked in a battle for succession of Heeramandi, where courtesans reign as queens.