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[05/25/07 - 07:19 PM]
Development Update: Week of May 21-25
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!
BREAKING BAD (AMC) - The cable channel is reportedly close to ordering the drama pilot to series. The project stars Bryan Cranston ("Malcolm in the Middle") as a middle-aged New Mexico high school teacher who becomes a crystal-meth dealer after he learns he has terminal cancer. Vince Gilligan is behind the hour, which is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Mark Johnson�s Gran Via Productions.
CARPOOLERS (ABC) - Sitcom veteran Marsh McCall ("20 Good Years") has been tapped as the executive producer/showrunner of the upcoming comedy, which follows the lives of four men (Fred Goss, Jerry Minor, Jerry O'Connell, Tim Peper) who carpool to work together each day. Said involvement is tied to McCall's overall deal with producer ABC Studios. Creator Bruce McCulloch, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and David Miner also serve as executive producers on the half-hour.
CASHMERE MAFIA (ABC) - Writer/producer Jeff Rake ("Bones") is set to join the midseason drama as its executive producer/showrunner. Rake recently reupped his two-year overall deal with producer Sony Pictures Television. It's understood he'll stay focused on "Mafia" for the next two years, turning to development after that. Darren Star, Gail Katz and creator Kevin Wade also serve as executive producers on the project, which stars Lucy Liu, Frances O'Connor, Miranda Otto and Bonnie Somerville as four successful female executives, friends since college, who rely on one another as they juggle the demands of career, family, hard choices and high ambitions in New York.
DATELINE NBC (NBC) - The Peacock has opted not to renew the contract of its veteran anchor Stone Phillips, who has been with the series since its launch in 1992. It's understood he won't be replaced when it expires in June. Co-anchor Ann Curry then will instead serve as the main anchor of the newsmagazine, which will return next season on Saturday nights in the fall and Sunday nights after football wraps.
GAY ROBOT (Comedy Central) - The comedy pilot, about a robot who discovers after an unfortunate incident involving a wine cooler and his circuit boards that he is gay, is reportedly being redeveloped as an animated project by Comedy Central and Sony Pictures Television. Nick Swardson co-wrote the original pilot (as well as voiced the title character) with Tom Gianas and executive produced alongside Happy Madison's Adam Sandler, Jack Giarraputo and Doug Robinson. Said development is apparently the result of positive feedback from the pilot and various clips being available on such sites as MySpace (where Gay Robot has his own page), BitTorrent and Sony-owned Grouper.
THE LAST LARRY (Comedy Central, New!) - Dana Gould ("The Simpsons") is developing a "Shaun of the Dead"-esque sitcom at the cable channel set in a post-apocalyptic world in which the few remaining survivors are trying to get on with their lives. The network has commissioned a script for the project, which Gould will write, executive produce and potentially star in. Tom Lassally and Dave Becky of 3 Arts Entertainment will also serve as executive producers. Gould most recently served as co-executive producer on the FOX comedy, exiting after the show's 18th production cycle last fall.
LAW & ORDER (NBC) - Rene Balcer, who has been attached to the franchise since its first season (not to mention developed spin-off series "Criminal Intent"), is moving back to the mothership for the show's 18th season. The veteran returned to the drama this past spring, helping shape the last batch of episodes. This season he'll take over for Nick Wooton as showrunner, a role which he previously served from 1996-2001.
LIFE (NBC) - "House" mainstay Daniel Sackheim has come aboard the freshman drama as an executive producer. The move comes as the director/producer inks a new two-year overall deal with NBC Universal Television Studio, the producer of both "House" and "Life." There he'll serve alongside creator Rand Ravich and fellow executive producer Far Shariat.
OCTOBER ROAD (ABC) - Co-creators Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec have landed a seven-figure, multiyear overall deal with ABC Studios, the show's producer. The pact will cover their duties on the show's sophomore season as well as any future development. It's understood the deal was signed prior to ABC renewing the series for a second season, a sure sign of the studio's faith in the duo.
UGLY BETTY (ABC) - Bill Wrubel ("Will & Grace") has inked a two-year overall deal with ABC Studios. The pact calls for the writer/producer to come aboard "Betty" as a co-executive producer as well as develop new series projects for the studio. Wrubel's addition comes as "Betty's" writing staff goes through a heavy turnaround. At least five writers have been let go to date. On the flip side, Dawn DeKayser ("The Geena Davis Show") has joined the staff as a producer.
THE WATCH (NBC) - Charles McDougall, who helmed ABC's drama pilot "Big Shots" this past development season, has signed on to direct the hour, about a suburban Neighborhood Watch group gone awry. His involvement lifts the director-contingency off the pilot's production. Ed Decter and John J. Strauss are behind the Sony Pictures Television/Pariah-based project, which is also executive produced by Gavin Polone and Jamie Tarses.
WEEDS (Showtime) - Andy Milder, who plays Dean Hodes, the husband to Elizabeth Perkins's character, has been upped to series regular for the show's third season. Look for the show's junior go around to launch on Monday, August 13 at 10:00/9:00c.
WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB (ABC) - "ER" alum R. Scott Gemmill has come aboard the drama as its showrunner while Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts ("Pepper Dennis") have also signed on as co-executive producers. The group, each of which has an overall deal with producer 20th Century Fox Television, will serve alongside executive producers Liz Craft, Sarah Fain, James Patterson, Brett Ratner and Joe Simpson. "Club" stars Angie Harmon, Laura Harris, Aubrey Dollar, Paula Newsome as four girlfriends who solve tough murder cases in San Francisco.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[08/18/25 - 04:57 PM]
Candace Cameron Bure Stars in Second Installment of "The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries," A Case for the Yarn Maker Great American Family Original Movie Premiere, October 4
The film is adapted from bestselling novelist Candace Havens' novel.
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[08/18/25 - 04:16 PM]
"Better Late Than Single" Will Be Back for Season 2
Praised for its fresh take on the dating reality genre, Season 1 won viewers' hearts with the cast's endearing journeys - from awkward first steps to heart-fluttering transformations that reminded audiences of their own first experience with love.
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[08/18/25 - 04:01 PM]
"Dept. Q" - Netflix Announces Second Season
Season 2 will be filmed and set in Edinburgh following the success of the location in the first series.
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[08/18/25 - 02:00 PM]
Video: First Look at Season Four of "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" Premiering Thursday, Sept. 25 on FOX and Next Day on Hulu
The 18 new recruits are: Kody Brown, Brittany Cartwright, Randall Cobb, Eric Decker, Jessie James Decker, Andrew East, Shawn Johnson East, Mark Estes, Gia Giudice, Teresa Giudice, Chanel Iman, Brianna LaPaglia, Johnny Manziel, Eva Marcille, Ravi V. Patel, Christie Pearce Rampone, Jussie Smollett and Nick Young.
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[08/18/25 - 01:30 PM]
FOX Entertainment Studios Rounds Out Senior Leadership Team, Elevating Dana Tafoya-Cameron to EVP & Head of Bento Box Entertainment and Appointing Michelle Huynh as EVP, Studio Content Operations
Both executives report directly to Fernando Szew, President & Head of FOX Entertainment Studios and assume roles critical to advancing the studio's creative strategy and shaping its vision for the future.
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[08/18/25 - 01:01 PM]
Video: "Top End Bub" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Sometimes you have to sink before you swim.
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[08/18/25 - 11:23 AM]
Apple Original Films Lands "The Dink," A New Sports Comedy Feature
All-star cast led by Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris, Chloe Fineman, Aaron Chen, Patton Oswalt, Chris Parnell and Christine Taylor, with Ben Stiller, Andy Roddick, and John McEnroe.
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[08/18/25 - 11:04 AM]
A&E Reveals Provocative New Docuseries "Secrets of Celebrity Sex Tapes" Premiering Monday, September 8 at 9PM ET/PT
Across eight episodes, hear the story behind each tape and how these iconic moments ignited public obsession, sparked outrage in the cultural zeitgeist and altered the lives of those involved.
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[08/18/25 - 11:01 AM]
Natalie Dormer Joins the Cast of New "Extraction" Series
Dormer joins the previously announced Omar Sy and Boyd Holbrook.
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[08/18/25 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Renews "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" for a Third Season
With the latest auditions and training camp complete and football season about to kick off, cameras have been rolling in Texas capturing every moment for Season 3.
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[08/18/25 - 09:01 AM]
Pioneering Creator and Former NASA Engineer Mark Rober Is Coming to Netflix
The former NASA engineer turned social media star, teacher, inventor, and philanthropist, is coming to Netflix with a new Kids and Family competition series in 2026.
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[08/18/25 - 07:14 AM]
Video: Official Trailer - Joanna Gaines Invites Viewers Into Her Kitchen, With "Magnolia Table: At the Farm"
For the first time, fans old and new will get episodes concurrently on Magnolia Network and Food Network, as well as streaming on HBO Max the same day.
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[08/18/25 - 07:01 AM]
"Frankenstein," A Film by Guillermo del Toro, Is Coming to Select Theaters October 17 and on Netflix November 7
Starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz.
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[08/18/25 - 07:00 AM]
First Performers and Honorees Revealed for 2025 MTV VMAs, Airing Sept. 7 on CBS
Alex Warren, Busta Rhymes, J Balvin ft. DJ Snake, Ricky Martin, Sabrina Carpenter and sombr are the first round of superstar performers.
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[08/18/25 - 06:09 AM]
ABC News Announces "Search for the Truth: The Amanda Knox Story," Airing Friday, Aug. 22
The timely special features an exclusive primetime interview with Amanda Knox, who discusses the yearslong battle to prove her innocence after being wrongfully convicted of her roommate's 2007 murder.
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