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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 signature "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!
ATLANTA (CBS) - Dondre Whitfield ("Jake in Progress") and newcomer Christine Woods have joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a man (Freddie Prinze Jr.) and woman (Leslie Bibb) who meet at a funeral and can't seem to stay away from each other. They'll play Marcus and Angela, the respective best friends of the lead characters.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Christine Woods (Angela), Dondre Whitfield (Marcus), Freddie Prinze, Jr. (Eric), Leslie Bibb (Jessica)
Writer: Paul Reiser
Director: Harold Ramis
Executive Producers: Craig Knizek (Nuance Productions), Paul Reiser (Nuance Productions)
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR (Lifetime, New!) - Production has been completed on the telefilm, about a teenager and her longtime crush who find themselves transported to their wedding 20 years in the future where they find neither of them is prepared for what adulthood has in store. Katee Sackhoff ("Battlestar Galactica"), Sage Brocklebank ("Psych"), Kim Poirier ("Dawn of the Dead") and Tommy Lioutas ("Whistler") all star in the project, which is set to air on Monday, July 16 on the cable channel. David Winkler directed the film from a script by Nancey Silvers and Ron Fassler. Blueprint Entertainment's John Morayniss, Noreen Halpern and Ira Pincus are the executive producers while Stephen Onda Productions' Stephen Onda and Blueprint's Bernard Bourret are producing.
Commitment: In the can
Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Kim Poirier, Sage Brocklebank, Tommy Lioutas
Writers: Nancey Silvers, Ron Fassler
Director: David Winkler
Executive Producers: Ira Pincus, John Morayniss, Noreen Halpern
Producers: Bernard Bourret, Stephen Onda
Studio: Blueprint Entertainment, Stephen Onda Productions
THE BEAST (FOX) - Rebecca Budig ("All My Children") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a womanizing veterinarian (Steve Howey). She's set as P.J. Wickwire, who's described in the casting notice as follows: "Late 20s. This skilled, smart and beautiful young woman ("even her laugh is hot") is hired as a third partner at Ty's veterinary office. She's wanted to be a vet ever since she worked at an animal shelter as a girl and genuinely loves helping people and their pets; she wants to make a difference. She's furious to learn Ty may have hired her for her looks, and equally annoyed with herself for finding Ty attractive. Sparks fly between the two, even as they butt heads over Ty's womanizing and PJ's desire to change his work habits."
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Georgia Engel (Doris Droop), Ian Gomez (Ron Little), Josh Dean (Frank Hopper), Rebecca Budig (P.J. Wickwire), Steve Howey (Tyler Droop)
Writer: Tucker Cawley
Director: James Widdoes
Executive Producers: Tucker Cawley
Studios: CBS Paramount Network Television, FremantleMedia North America
DASH 4 CASH (The CW) - Ben Falcone ("Joey") and Robert Hoffman ("Vanished") have booked the final principal roles on the comedy pilot, about six teams participating in a racing reality competition that tests their mettle and brings out the best and worst in each of them. Falcone is playing Gerry, who's detailed in the casting notice as follows: "Early-Mid 30s. Overly sensitive, mealy-mouthed and average looking (read: nowhere near Melanie's league), he's a Jon Lovitz-type successful commercial real estate agent who joins the Dash 4 Cash race with his emasculating wife Melanie because their marriage counselor thinks it will strengthen their marital bond. He really wants to be seen as a manly leader, but his decisions (like picking up a hitchhiker) are clueless at best, dangerous at worst."
Hoffman then is set as Michael - "24-27, smart, funny, wry and unathletic, he is the polar opposite of his father Calvin and is highly aware that he was not Calvin's first choice for a partner. (In fact, he was about 20th down the line.) Kind and easy-going, Michael has a degree in psychology and is currently a fly-fishing instructor, neither of which has earned him his father's respect. Though he's not thrilled to be participating in Dash 4 Cash, he does want to form a better relationship with his dad and takes steps toward making that happen. Sparks fly between Michael and Noelle, another contestant." He replaces the previously cast Jonathan Chase.
In addition, Cynthia Addai-Robinson's character has been confirmed as Meredith, where she'll take over for Serah D'Laine - "20s, gorgeous and overly sweet. She's a good Christian girl who loves Jesus, charity work, stylish clothes and sexy outfits - not necessarily in that order. Though she appears harmless and well-meaning at first, Meredith quickly manipulates Iqbal and Ronnie into helping her and Dottie solve the puzzles and advance in the race, even suggesting a "secret alliance" with the boys that serves only to benefit her team." And finally, Maulik Pancholy's character is now named Iqbal in lieu of Pablo.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Ben Falcone (Gerry), Bert Belasco (Durkin), Brianna Brown (Noelle), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Meredith), Janina Gavankar (Melanie), Johann Urb (Rick), Jud Tylor (Dottie), Kevin Christy (Ronnie), Kyle Bornheimer (Nick), Maulik Pancholy (Iqbal), Rick Hall (Calvin), Robert Hoffman (Michael)
Writers: Boyce Bugliari, Jamie McLaughlin
Director: Betty Thomas
Executive Producers: Kelsey Grammer (Grammnet Productions), Steve Stark (Grammnet Productions)
Co-Executive Producers: Boyce Bugliari, Jamie McLaughlin
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television
EIGHT DAYS A WEEK (The CW) - Jerrika Hinton ("Zoey 101") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about four twentysomethings who work under the top movers and shakers in New York. She's set as one of the bosses, an owner of an art gallery.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Anna Chlumsky (Riley), Christina Milian (Olivia), Jerrika Hinton, Johnny Lewis (Ben), Mario Lopez (Peter), Robert Ri'chard (Sarge), Rosa Blasi (Randi)
Writers: Marcie Ulin, Meredith Lavender
Director: Arlene Sanford
Executive Producers: Sean Hayes (Hazy Mills Productions), Todd Milliner (Hazy Mills Productions)
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television
MEDIUM (NBC) - The network has reportedly ordered six additional scripts of the veteran drama as the series inches closer toward renewal. "Medium," currently in its third season, is widely expected to return on either NBC or CBS next season. CBS Paramount Network Television, the show's producer, inked a massive $1.3 million per episode off-network deal with Lifetime in 2005 (read the story) making it a cash cow for the studio, a CBS corporate sibling.
TRAVELING IN PACKS (ABC) - "The Wedding Bells" alum Missi Pyle has been tapped for one of the lead roles in the comedy pilot, about three women in their 30s (Virginia Williams, Shawnee Smith, Pyle) who find out that living together has benefits and is a lot more fun than living alone. She'll play Mary, one of the trio.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Michael Boatman (Bob), Missi Pyle (Mary), Shawnee Smith (Ivy), Virginia Williams (Carol)
Writer: Jhoni Marchinko
Director: James Burrows
Executive Producers: Jhoni Marchinko
Studio: Warner Bros. Television
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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