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[04/20/07 - 05:59 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday-Friday, April 18-20
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
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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!
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC) - "Frasier" alums Anne Flett-Giordano and Chuck Ranberg ("The Game") as well as Lori Kirkland Baker ("Freddie") are all set to join the writing staff of the dramedy next season. The trio will also serve as co-executive producers. Said additions are understood to fill the void left by exiting executive producer/co-showrunner (and fellow "Frasier" alum) Joe Keenan.
DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS (NBC, New!) - Christian Slater ("Alone in the Dark") is set to topline a potential new drama at the Peacock from writer/producers Mark Cullen and Robb Cullen ("Las Vegas"). Slater's official web site details the project as follows: "It's all about America and the things that get swept under the carpet. Im playing a charecter named 'John Manners', a journalistic investigator who pushes the envelope." Dee Johnson ("Commander-In-Chief") penned the original pilot script, which the Cullens are set to polish. The trio then will executive produce alongside Armyan Bernstein ("Children of Men") and Laurie Zaks for the ABC Television Studio and Bernstein's Beacon banner.
GHOST WHISPERER (CBS) - P.K. Simonds ("Point Pleasant") has come aboard as an executive producer of the Eye's supernatural drama. He'll serve alongside fellow executive producers John Gray, Kim Moses and Ian Sander should the series return for a third season this fall.
MICHAEL IAN BLACK DOESN'T UNDERSTAND (Comedy Central, New!) - "Stella" co-creator Michael Ian Black has booked a pilot order for a new pop culture-themed variety series which will incorporate everything from sketch comedy, field segments and studio bits. Black will host and executive produce the potential half-hour alongside Jim Biederman ("Kids in the Hall") with Michael Showalter ("Reno 911!: Miami") serving as a co-executive producer and Black's manager Ted Schachter as a producer.
SIDE ORDER OF LIFE (Lifetime) - Michael Pavone ("Prison Break") has been tapped as an executive producer on the upcoming drama series, about a young magazine photographer (Marisa Coughlan) who suddenly re-evaluates her life and impending nuptials after learning some life-altering news. He'll serve alongside executive producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen as well as creator/co-executive producer Margaret Nagle.
SLACKER CATS (ABC Family) - The cable channel reportedly will announce next week it has given a series order to a redeveloped version of the 2001 WB animated pilot of the same name, about two - you guessed it - slacker cats. Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley are still behind the half-hour, which was directed by Seth Kearsley ("Family Guy"). Paul Harrod ("The PJs") helmed the original five minute presentation, which was also executive produced by Jeffrey Auerbach ("Corpse Bride"), Tom Turpin ("The PJs") and Will Vinton ("The PJs") via the latter's Will Vinton Studios. IDT Entertainment and Film Roman are co-producing the ABC Family series.
TRAP TEAM (NBC, New!) - John McLaughlin ("Point Pleasant") and Dario Scardapane ("The Darkling") are developing a new drama at the network about a cop's careerlong pursuit of an elusive serial killer. Joe Carnahan ("Narc") reportedly is in talks to direct the hour, which is set up at Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey's NBC Universal Television-based Film 44 banner. McLaughlin, Scardapane, Berg and Aubrey then will executive produce with Film 44's John Cameron serving as a co-executive producer.
UNTITLED ERIK BORK PROJECT (NBC, New!) - Erik Bork ("Just Legal") has landed a script commitment from the Peacock for a new drama about an alpha female boss who shakes up a male-dominated workplace. The untitled hour is based at Dave Bartis and Doug Liman's ("Mr. & Mrs. Smith") NBC Universal Television-based Dutch Oven banner. All three then will serve as executive producers.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[05/07/26 - 02:00 PM]
Class Is in Session: FOX Announces New Celebrity Game Show "Nation's Dumbest" - The Only Competition You Don't Want to Win
Taking attendance as host is acclaimed comedian Jack Whitehall, who presides over the chaos as contestants relive the highs and humiliations of school life - from pop quizzes and report cards to recess and parent teacher conferences - all while trying to stay out of last place.
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[05/07/26 - 01:10 PM]
ESPN Debuts Short Documentary "Messi: The Forgotten Tape / Messi: La Cinta Olvidada"
Debuting Sunday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, the documentary highlights the pivotal moment that helped shape Lionel Messi's international future and altered the trajectory of global football.
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[05/07/26 - 12:21 PM]
FOX Television Network Renews "Murder in a Small Town" for Season Three
Joining the cast is Peter Gallagher as Rod Finlayson, a charismatic, uber-independent, capable yet unreliable figure.
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[05/07/26 - 11:01 AM]
First Look & Date Announcement - Hulu Original "Hannah Berner: None of My Business"
The special will premiere on Friday, June 5 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S., and on Disney+ internationally.
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[05/07/26 - 10:46 AM]
CNN Original Series "This Land" Premieres Sunday, June 7 at 9pm ET/PT
Produced by October Films, the series will air two episodes weekly on Sundays at 9pm and 10pm ET/PT on CNN.
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[05/07/26 - 10:09 AM]
BET Announces the Return of the Black + Iconic Soiree on May 23, 2026 at MGM National Harbor, Hosted by Laverne Cox, Celebrating Culture, Community, and Impact
The Black + Iconic Soirée brings together luminaries, advocates, and changemakers for an intimate evening of recognition, reflection, and celebration.
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[05/07/26 - 10:02 AM]
New Episode Of HBO Original Documentary Series "The Yogurt Shop Murders" Debuts May 22
The first four episodes of the series are currently available to stream on HBO Max.
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[05/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Starz Sets June 12 Premiere Date for Visceral and Haunting Drama "The Listeners," Starring BAFTA and Golden Globe Nominee Rebecca Hall
Adapted from Jordan Tannahill's bestselling novel of the same name, the female-driven series centers on Claire Kutty, a popular English teacher who suddenly begins to hear a low, persistent hum that no one else around her can hear.
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[05/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Performers Announced for "The 52nd American Music Awards" Live Monday, May 25
Hootie & the Blowfish, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma, Riley Green, SOMBR, Teddy Swims and Twenty One Pilots will all deliver can't-miss performances featuring some of today's biggest hits and fan favorites.
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[05/07/26 - 09:30 AM]
PBS America @ 250 Continues with Semiquincentennial-Themed Programming to Mark the Nation's Historic Anniversary
New programming will air throughout 2026 and will include rebroadcasts of Ken Burns's groundbreaking 12-hour film, "The American Revolution."
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[05/07/26 - 09:06 AM]
Tubi Greenlights YA Original Film "Sidelined 3" as Final Installment of the Hit Franchise
Stars Noah Beck and Siena Agudong are confirmed to reprise their roles as Drayton and Dallas, with Charlie Gillespie also returning in his role as Skyler.
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[05/07/26 - 09:04 AM]
Video: "Wonder Dogs" - Official Promo - Wonder Project
Six ranchers. Six puppies from the same litter. One year to turn them into working dogs - and one will be crowned Wonder Dog champion.
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[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils Commentator Roster for 2026 Roland-Garros
Live coverage from Paris will be presented across TNT, truTV and HBO Max in the U.S., combining elite match analysis, signature studio programming and expansive cross-platform storytelling.
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[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Criminal Minds: Evolution" Season 19 Trailer & Key Art Announcement
This season will premiere with two episodes, with each episode dropping weekly thereafter through the season finale on July 23.
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[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
The History Channel Partners with The White House on New "Mission to Honor: A 250th Salute to American Veterans" Initiative
At the heart of the initiative is a series of first-person video profiles featuring veterans from World War II through the Global War on Terror.
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