or


[04/24/06 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: April 20-24
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!

A&E ORIGINAL SERIES (A&E) - The cable channel has confirmed both "Inked" and "Criss Angel: Mindfreak" will debut their second seasons on Wednesday, May 31 while newcomers "Driving Force" and "Gene Simmons' Family Jewels" will bow on Monday, July 17 and Monday, August 7 respectively. In addition, both "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and "The First 48" have been given fourth season renewals (joining the previously announced pick-ups of "Intervention" and "Dallas S.W.A.T."). Finally, A&E has given an eight-episode order to its reality project "Sons of Hollywood" (a docu-soap featuring celebrity kids Randy Spelling, Sean Stewart and Dave Weintraub). The I Candy-based series, from executive producers J.T. Taylor, Nancy Dubuc, Robert Sharenow and Michael Morrison, is set to launch in the first quarter of 2007. And if that wasn't enough, Irwin Entertainment has booked a pilot order at the network for "The Beach," a docu-soap about the lifeguards who live, work and party in Orange County's Huntington Beach.

BARABOO 2010 (NBC)/GENERATIONS (CBS) - Emmy-winner Cheryl Holliday ("King of the Hill") has signed a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with NBC Universal Television. The pact will cover her duties on the cast-contingent pilots "Generations" (for CBS) and "Baraboo 2010" (for NBC) should either move forward to series. In addition, she'll develop other new projects for the studio as well as potentially join one of its existing series.

GILMORE GIRLS (The WB) - Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and fellow executive producer Dan Palladino won't be returning for the show's seventh season, the pair confirmed on Thursday. "Despite our best efforts to return and ensure the future of 'Gilmore Girls' for years to come, we were unable to reach an agreement with the studio and are therefore leaving when our contracts expire at the end of this season," they said in a joint statement to the press. The news comes in spite of a reported $5 million offer by Warner Bros. Television to oversee what many speculate will be "Gilmore's" final season on the soon-to-launch CW network. It's understood the Palladinos were holding out for a two-year commitment from the studio, a demand hampered by the cast only being signed through the 2006-07 season. In their place, writer David Rosenthal has been tapped as showrunner.

HBO ORIGINAL SERIES (HBO) - Recently launched promos on the pay channel indicate "Deadwood's" third season will bow on Sunday, June 11 at 9:00/8:00c. That same night look for "Entourage" to debut its third season at 10:00/9:00c followed by the premiere of newcomer "Lucky Louie" - HBO's first multi-camera sitcom - at 10:30/9:30c.

HUSTLE (AMC) - The cable channel has confirmed the series will return for its third season of six episodes on Saturday, July 1 at 10:00/9:00c. The series wrapped its initial 12-episode run - featuring its six-episode freshman and sophomore efforts - earlier this month.

THE JANICE DICKINSON MODELING AGENCY (Oxygen) - The Janice Dickinson-led reality series - in which the former "America's Next Top Model" judge starts her own Hollywood modeling agency - reportedly will debut on Tuesday, June 6 at 10:00/9:00c.

MAKE IT HAPPEN (ABC, New!) - eBay is partnering with Tom Mazza's Madison Road Productions and executive producers Flody Suarez ("The Book of Daniel") and Jay Blumenfield & Tony Marsh ("Family Business") for a potential new reality series in which a team of experts help families identify their "hidden treasures" and put them up for auction on the famed web site in order to raise funds for making the family's dreams come true. Casting is currently underway on the project (visit here for more info), which could be ready to air as early as this summer. Blumenfield and Marsh then would serve as showrunners on "Happen" with Suarez and Mazza also executive producing.

MTV ORIGINAL SERIES (MTV) - Promos currently running on the cable channel indicate the Jamie Kennedy-led "Blowin' Up" will launch on Tuesday, May 16 at 10:30/9:30c. Meanwhile, "Laguna Beach's" spin-off "The Hills" has had its premiere bumped from May 24 to May 31 at 10:00/9:00c. And lastly, look for "Pimp My Ride," "Making the Band" and "Run's House" to return with new installments on Thursday, June 15 (exact times TBA).

SCRUBS (NBC) - Bill Callahan, a co-executive producer on the series, has inked a two-year, seven-figure pact with producer Touchstone Television. The deal will keep Callahan on board the veteran comedy should it return next season as well as give him the option to develop new projects for the studio.

UNTITLED PAUL ABDUL PROJECT (Syndication, New!) - CBS Paramount Domestic Television reportedly is developing a new syndicated project around "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul. No details about the format or other specifics were released. Abdul also serves as a special correspondent on the company's "Entertainment Tonight."

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [april 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL (VH1)
· BARABOO 2010 (NBC)
· BEACH, THE (A AND E)
· BLOWIN' UP (MTV)
· BOOK OF DANIEL, THE (NBC)
· BUY IT NOW (ABC)
· CRISS ANGEL: MINDFREAK (A AND E)
· DALLAS SWAT (A AND E)
· DEADWOOD (HBO)
· DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER (A AND E)
· DRIVING FORCE (A AND E)
· ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT (SYNDICATION)
· ENTOURAGE (HBO)
· FAMILY BUSINESS (SHOWTIME)
· FIRST 48, THE (A AND E)
· GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS (A AND E)
· GENERATIONS (CBS)
· GILMORE GIRLS (CW)
· HILLS, THE (MTV)
· HUSTLE (AMC)
· INKED (A AND E)
· INTERVENTION (A AND E)
· JANICE DICKINSON MODELING AGENCY, THE (OXYGEN)
· KING OF THE HILL (HULU)
· LUCKY LOUIE (HBO)
· MAKING THE BAND (MTV)
· NEWPORT HARBOR: THE REAL ORANGE COUNTY (MTV)
· PIMP MY RIDE (MTV)
· RUN'S HOUSE (MTV)
· SCRUBS (ABC)
· SONS OF HOLLYWOOD (A AND E)
· UNTITLED PAUL ABDUL PROJECT (SYNDICATION)





[08/29/25 - 10:46 AM]
National Geographic Documentary Films Announces Global Acquisition of Streaming Rights to Werner Herzog Documentary "Ghost Elephants" Following Venice World Premiere
The documentary will make its U.S. premiere at the Telluride Film Festival this weekend.

[08/29/25 - 10:08 AM]
"Prison Break" Turns 20: Executive Producer Dawn Olmstead Curates Episode Collections on Hulu
It's been 20 years since Michael Scofield entered Fox River State Penitentiary on a mission: break brother Lincoln out.

[08/29/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "French Lover" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a jaded actor meets a down-on-her-luck waitress in Paris, their unexpected love story begins - but will it survive the glare of the spotlight?

[08/29/25 - 08:02 AM]
Video: Prime Video Unveils Paris Trailer and New Cast for the Final Episodes of "The Summer I Turned Pretty"
Joining the series in recurring roles are Corinna Brown, Fernando Cattori, Isaline Prevost Radeff, and Jahz Armando.

[08/29/25 - 05:43 AM]
"Sounds of Summer" - Feel-Good, Music-Packed Movie About Swedish Pop Icons Gyllene Tider Makes Exclusive US Debut Thursday, September 18, 2025 on Viaplay
Directed by Per Simonsson and named after the band's most enduring hit, "Sounds of Summer" is a breezy, very inspiring 97-minute ride that follows Gessle from small-town outsider to pop trailblazer.

[08/29/25 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "RIV4LRIES" - Official Trailer - Netflix
At a middle school in Pisa, no one has ever challenged the cool kids - until new girl Terry arrives with bold ideas and the rivalries begin.

[08/29/25 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind: UK" Season 2 - The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix
Who's saying "I still do?" Emma and Matt host this season's couples and special guests as tea is spilled and secrets are revealed in a fiery reunion.

[08/28/25 - 02:03 PM]
Wonder Project Announces October 5 Streaming Subscription Launch Date on Prime Video and Premiere Date for "House of David" Season Two; Unveils First Look Images of the Hit Drama Series
Season Two of the biblical drama series House of David from Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios follows the aftermath of the battle between David and Goliath and David's rise to the throne.

[08/28/25 - 12:12 PM]
Video: "The Hospital" - A Comedy Improv Sketch Show - Premieres Wednesday, September 10
The Hospital offers a "behind-the-scenes" look at what happens when you mix improv comedy with total medical negligence.

[08/28/25 - 11:02 AM]
Shudder Launches Biggest Ever Programming Event "Season of Screams" - Featuring a Monster Lineup of New Films, Series and Live Watch Parties on Shudder TV - From September 1 Through December 31
Shudder's "Season of Screams" features highly anticipated films such as the acclaimed Dangerous Animals, a new installment in the popular "V/H/S" franchise - "V/H/S/Halloween" - and the found footage breakout hits "House on Eden" and "Hell House LLC: Lineage."

[08/28/25 - 11:01 AM]
MGM+ Greenlights "Words + Music," Inspired by the Critically Hailed Audible Original Series, Featuring Grammy Winners Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, John Legend and Alanis Morissette
"Words + Music" is set to premiere this fall on MGM+ in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

[08/28/25 - 10:06 AM]
ESPN Unveils Deep Roster of NBA Game Commentators for 2025-26 Season
Veteran analyst Tim Legler will join ESPN's lead NBA broadcast team, which includes Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Breen, analyst and NBA Champion Richard Jefferson and reporter Lisa Salters.

[08/28/25 - 10:05 AM]
HBO Original Two-Part Documentary "Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television" Debuts September 9
The project takes audiences on a two-part journey through the history of Black representation on television, showcasing how Black artists and creators both shaped and revolutionized the medium while confronting the systemic challenges that have often undermined their contributions.

[08/28/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: National Geographic Documentary Films Unveils Trailer for "Lost in the Jungle," the Unbelievable Story of Four Indigenous Children Who Survived a Plane Crash in the Amazon, Ahead of World Premiere at Telluride Film Festival
For the first time ever, the four Indigenous children who survived the Colombian plane crash on May 1, 2023 - and then endured 40 days alone in the jungle - share their extraordinary story of survival, told in their own words.

[08/28/25 - 09:38 AM]
Video: Tubi Debuts Trailer for Stand-Up Comedy Special "Rel Talk" from Lil Rel Howery
"It feels amazing to bring this special to my city, my people, and now to the millions of folks watching on Tubi," said Howery.