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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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[07/31/14 - 02:37 PM]
Join the Paladins from ABC's "The Quest," As They Live Tweet During the Series Premiere, Thursday, July 31
Join the 12 would be heroes as they live tweet during the East Coast Broadcast of tonight's premiere episode airing 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT.
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[07/31/14 - 01:51 PM]
Showtime(R) Premieres Ray Donovan Webisodes "Behind the Fix" Starring Steven Bauer and Katherine Moennig
Fans will get an inside look on how Ray's (Liev Schreiber) team pulls off their "fixes," woven directly from the plotlines on screen.
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[07/31/14 - 01:13 PM]
College Football: ESPN's Game and Studio Roster Includes More Than 100 On-Air Commentators
The lineup is highlighted by announcers with familiar and new assignments, the addition of former coaches Mack Brown and Butch Davis, and nationally recognized former SEC players and renowned sportscasters on SEC Network.
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[07/31/14 - 12:20 PM]
Here Comes the Bride: A Duggar Wedding Unveiled in an All-New Season of "19 Kids & Counting"
The series returns with all-new episodes beginning Tuesday, September 2 at 9:00/8:00c.
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[07/31/14 - 11:51 AM]
"Sharknado 2: The Second One" Devours the World - Record-Setting 3.9 Million Total Viewers and 1.6 Million Adults 18-49 for Syfy Original Movie
Syfy spins the numbers for Wednesday, July 30.
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[07/31/14 - 11:40 AM]
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Announces the Start of Production on "The Christmas Shepherd" Starring Teri Polo and Martin Cummins
The film is part of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas, featuring traditional and classic Christmas films suitable for family audiences.
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[07/31/14 - 11:15 AM]
Bravo Media Acquires "The Real Housewives of Melbourne" Premiering Sunday 8/3 at 12PM ET/PT with Back-to-Back Episodes
The 12-episode series follows the lavish lives of six successful Melbourne socialites as they live life on their own terms and enjoy the pampered and cultured lifestyle that the "world's most liveable city" has to offer.
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[07/31/14 - 11:11 AM]
FOX Sports Tees Up Faxon & Fay for 2015 USGA Championships Coverage Team
Eight-time PGA TOUR winner Brad Faxon and former USGA executive director David Fay will serve as analysts alongside host Joe Buck, analyst Greg Norman and reporter/host Holly Sonders.
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[07/31/14 - 10:56 AM]
"Tonight Show" Tops "Kimmel" and "Late Show" Combined for the Late-Night Ratings Week of July 21-25 in 18-49, Hitting a Five-Week High
NBC spins the late-night numbers for the week of July 21-25.
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[07/31/14 - 10:13 AM]
Video: "BoJack Horseman" - New Trailer
The Netflix series - due on Friday, August 22 - features the voices of Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul, Paul F. Tompkins and Patton Oswalt.
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[07/31/14 - 10:00 AM]
E! Celebrates "Chelsea Lately" Throughout August with a Star Studded Run Up to the Live Finale on August 26th
As this groundbreaking show ends, E!'s "Queen of Late Night" will welcome some of the biggest names in Hollywood throughout the month of August, as well as some of Chelsea's fabulous friends.
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[07/31/14 - 09:56 AM]
BBC America Announces Special Programming and Nationwide Theatrical Events to Launch "Doctor Who's" First Season Starring Peter Capaldi
Chris Hardwick will host "Doctor Who: Live Pre-Show" at 7:30pm ET and "Doctor Who: After Who Live" at 11:00pm ET following the premiere of "Intruders" on August 23.
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[07/31/14 - 09:21 AM]
Animal Planet's "Too Cute! Pint Sized" Delivers Double the Cute in Half the Time, Beginning August 16, at 8 PM ET/PT
Each episode focuses on two litters of the world's most delightful darlings, and with pint-sized episodes, the best moments of the first eight weeks of life are packed into one extra-cuddly half hour.
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[07/31/14 - 09:10 AM]
Brady Quinn Joins FOX Sports for College Football & NFL Coverage
In the booth, Quinn pairs with two veteran play-by-play announcers, teaming with Tim Brando for college games and Dick Stockton when on NFL assignment.
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[07/31/14 - 09:01 AM]
Cornell Bhangra Wins "Today's Got Talent" Contest, Joins the Top 48 Acts on NBC's "America's Got Talent"
The act will join the quarter-final rounds on "AGT" and perform live Tuesday, August 12 for the chance to win the $1 million prize.
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