or


[04/12/06 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: April 11-12
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 branded "Devwatch" section. There visitors can view our listings by network, genre, studio and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!

10.5: APOCALYPSE (NBC) - The Peacock has booked the "10.5" sequel for Sunday, May 21 at 9:00/8:00c with part two airing Tuesday, May 23 at 9:00/8:00c. Here's how the network describes the project: "Two years ago, the west cost crumbled... the rest of the country is next. Beau Bridges and Kim Delaney star in an explosive, action-packed sequel to the movie that chilled a nation. Now, a desperate bid to save the entire country might be too little, too late when a series of catastrophic events leads to one, inescapable conclusion... the apocalypse is at hand."

20 GOOD YEARS (NBC) - Jake Sandvig (Lash on "Sky High") and Heather Burns (Cheryl on "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous") have both scored roles on the comedy pilot, about two New York men (John Lithgow, Jeffrey Tambor) in their 50s who decide to make the most of the next 20 years of their lives. Sandvig will play Hugh, the son of Tambor's character, while Burns's role wasn't specified. Marsh McCall and Michael Leeson are behind the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which Terry Hughes is directing. Eric Gold, Jimmy Miller, Mike Clements and Tom Werner also serve as executive producers.

A.K.A. (A.K.A. EDISON) (CBS) - The John Leguizamo-led drama pilot, about an L.A. detective who relies on impersonations and disguises to solve crimes, is now apparently running under the title "A.K.A." Arija Bareikis, Currie Graham, Deidrie Henry, Jake T. Austin and Joe Manganiello also star in the CBS Paramount Network Television/Touchstone Television-based hour, which comes from creators Ron Milbauer and Terri Hughes. Kevin Rodney Sullivan is directing while Mandeville Films's David Hoberman and Leguizamo himself also serve as executive producers.

CABLE RATINGS ROUND-UP (Various) - HBO's "The Sopranos" once again led all cable programs for the week of April 3-9 with 8.6 million viewers tuning in while lead-out "Big Love" (4.2 million, #5) posted its best numbers since its premiere (4.6 million on 3/12/06). Two original movies - TNT's "Avenger" (3.5 million, #8) and Lifetime's "Fatal Desire" (3.1 million, #T9) - also finished in the top 15 as did a new "South Park" (3.0 million, #11) on Comedy Central and Sunday's repeat of "Family Guy" on Adult Swim (2.9 million, #T14). Over on FX, week two of "Thief" tumbled to 1.34 million viewers, where it lost nearly half of its premiere audience (2.54 million on 3/28/06).

DRIVE (FOX) - Filming on the drama pilot, about an underground road race across America, reportedly won't begin until June, likely bumping its series consideration until midseason 2007 at the earliest. Ben Queen and Tim Minear are behind the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which stars Alan Ruck, Emily Stone and Melanie Lynskey. Greg Yaitanes is directing.

FLIRT (The CW) - Tamala Jones (Tonya on "One on One") and Bree Turner (Marjorie on "Good Girls Don't...") have both joined the cast of the pilot, a workplace comedy about the sole man (Wayne Brady) working at a women's magazine. They'll play two of Brady's co-workers. Touchstone Television is behind the half-hour, which comes from creator Barry Wernick and executive producers Claudia Lonow, Kevin Kelly Brown and Lawrence Bender. Gary Halvorson is directing.

FREE RIDE (FOX) - Rob Roy Thomas, the show's creator, has inked a multi-year, seven-figure overall deal with producer Fox 21. The pact will keep Thomas aboard the series should it return for a second season as well as give him the option to develop new projects for the 20th Century Fox Television sibling.

UNTITLED SHANA GOLDBERG-MEEHAN PROJECT (ABC) - Andrew W. Walker (Scott on "Hot Properties") is the latest addition to the comedy pilot, about two sisters (Marisa Coughlan, Kaley Cuoco) who live together, despite having grown up under different circumstances. No details on his character were given. Brad Raider and Jane Lynch also star in the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which Andy Ackerman is directing from a script by creator Shana Goldberg-Meehan.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE GYM (CBS) - Nadia Dajani (Reilly on "Emily's Reasons Why Not") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about three best friends with young kids - all with very different attitudes toward marriage, motherhood and their careers. She'll join Teri Polo and Jennifer Aspen as one of said moms in the Warner Bros. Television-based project, which John Pasquin is directing from a script by creator Gabrielle Allan.

YOU'VE REACHED THE ELLIOTTS (CBS) - Kyle Kaplan (Chad the Chomper on "Hannah Montana") is set to play son to Chris Elliott in his semi-autobiographical comedy pilot, which also stars Danielle Savre, Christopher McDonald and Cynthia Stevenson. Rob Des Hotel is behind the half-hour, which comes from Warner Bros. Television-based producers Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [april 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· 10.5 (NBC)
· 10.5: APOCALYPSE (NBC)
· 20 GOOD YEARS (NBC)
· AKA (CBS)
· AVENGER (TNT)
· BIG LOVE (HBO)
· DRIVE (FOX)
· EMILY'S REASONS WHY NOT (ABC)
· FAMILY GUY (FOX)
· FATAL DESIRE (LIFETIME)
· FLIRT (CW)
· FREE RIDE (FOX)
· GOOD GIRLS DON'T (OXYGEN)
· HOT PROPERTIES (ABC)
· ONE ON ONE (UPN)
· SEPARATED AT WORTH (ABC)
· SOPRANOS, THE (HBO)
· SOUTH PARK (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· THIEF (FX)
· WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE GYM (CBS)
· YOU'VE REACHED THE ELLIOTTS (CBS)





[03/20/26 - 01:01 PM]
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" Tops Late-Night for Third Week in a Row Among Adults 18-49
The Thursday, March 5, episode scored the show's top telecast across all three weeks among Adults 18-49 (0.21 rating), with the show's best rating in the key adult demo in four weeks.

[03/20/26 - 10:40 AM]
Discovery Channel Greenlights Seven New Series to Premiere in 2026
Highlights include new spin-offs of "Naked and Afraid" and "In the Eye of the Storm."

[03/20/26 - 10:09 AM]
"Saturday Night Live UK" Begins Historic Run on March 21
Ahead of "SNL UK's" launch tomorrow (March 21), Sky has confirmed an additional two episodes, extending the run to eight 75 minute shows.

[03/20/26 - 09:32 AM]
The Clock Never Stops in Return of Groundbreaking Culinary Competition Series "24 in 24: Last Chef Standing"
The new season premieres Sunday, April 26 at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network and streams the next day on HBO Max and discovery+.

[03/20/26 - 09:13 AM]
"Betrayal," The Hit Docuseries Based on the No. 1 True Crime Podcast, Is Coming to Primetime with All-New Stories Premiering Sunday, March 29, on ABC, and Streams Next Day on Disney+ and Hulu
Following three seasons of "Betrayal," the popular docuseries streaming on Hulu, the podcast-turned-docuseries is making the leap to primetime television, featuring a new story each week.

[03/20/26 - 09:00 AM]
A24's Oscar Nominated and Golden Globe Winning Film "Marty Supreme" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max April 24
The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, Tyler Okonma, Abel Ferrara, Fran Drescher, Luke Manley, and Koto Kawaguchi.

[03/20/26 - 08:31 AM]
Kevin Hart to Be Roasted Live on Netflix from the Epic Final Night of Netflix Is a Joke Fest, Hosted by Shane Gillis
The special will stream live on Netflix Sunday, May 10, 2026.

[03/20/26 - 07:13 AM]
Tubi Greenlights Sequel to Hit Original Film "R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead"
Inspired by R.L. Stine's beloved "The Haunting Hour," the young-adult horror movies blend just the right mix of chills and thrills, delivering a frightfully fun experience.

[03/20/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Jeff Ross: Take a Banana for the Ride" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Making his Broadway debut, legendary comic Jeff Ross turns the spotlight on himself in a one-man show that is as heartfelt as it is hilarious.

[03/20/26 - 05:31 AM]
Netflix's "Assassin's Creed" Begins Production in Rome, Italy
The original story will be set in Rome 64 AD.

[03/19/26 - 06:01 PM]
Awkward Teen Moments and Heartfelt Laughs Drive Prime Video's Korean Coming-of-Age Series "Absolute Value of Romance"
The youthful Korean coming-of-age series arrives exclusively on Prime Video April 17.

[03/19/26 - 02:34 PM]
10,784,000 Viewers: World Baseball Classic Final on FOX and FOX Deportes Delivers Most-Watched WBC Telecast Ever
Viewership peaked with 12,148,000 from 10:30-10:45 PM ET on FOX.

[03/19/26 - 01:17 PM]
Maya Hawke to Star in Netflix's Series Adaptation of "The God of the Woods"
The multi-generational drama series is set in the Adirondacks, exploring the Van Laar family's dark secrets, class tensions, and the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of 13 year old Barbara Van Laar from her family's summer camp - in the wake of an earlier family tragedy that may be related.

[03/19/26 - 01:16 PM]
Renee Rapp Joins "The Morning Show" for Season 5
New network talent.

[03/19/26 - 01:03 PM]
3 Million "Outlander" Fans Drive the Epic Season Eight Premiere to a Four-Year Series High
The episode, entitled "Soul of a Rebel," secured the top spot for the week among all scripted cable programs.