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[10/19/07 - 06:50 PM]
Development Update: Week of October 15-19
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!
THE CLEANER (A&E) - Benjamin Bratt ("E-Ring") has been tapped for the lead role on the drama pilot, about a man who finds his calling in helping others - by any means necessary. Bratt's casting lifts said contingency off the pilot's production. In addition, David Semel ("Life") is in talks to helm and executive produce the CBS Paramount Network Television-based project, which was written by co-creators/executive producers Jonathan Prince and Robert Munic. The network has also asked for an additional script beyond the pilot. Jay Silverman and Warren Boyd also serve as co-executive producers.
CODE MONEYS (G4) - The cable channel has renewed the series for a second season of 13 episodes, citing a solid performance in the network's target 18-34 demographic. Creator/executive producer Adam De La Pena is behind the animated half-hour, which is set to return in April.
THE COLLECTION (The CW, New!) - Elisa Bell ("Little Black Book") is developing a new dramedy based on the life of famed designer Isaac Mizrahi. Mizrahi himself is co-executive producing the hour, which comes from ABC Studios and Sander-Moses Productions. Bell then will pen the pilot script and executive produce alongside Ian Sander and Kim Moses. As for specifics, the project reportedly will use the fashion world backdrop to tackle various issues, from racism to drugs to sexuality. It's also understood the producers are eying a heavy online component, much like fellow Sander-Moses production "Ghost Whisperer."
CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (CBS) - After weeks of speculation, co-star Jorja Fox confirmed to Entertainment Weekly on Monday she's quitting the veteran drama (read the story). Production on what will be her final episode is expected to be completed this week for an air date in mid-November. "There are all these things I want to do. Some are personal. Some are professional. And I really need to do some of them before I get too old," explained Fox. "If I thought the show were on its last legs, I would have tried harder to stay the course. But I feel like its going to be around for a while, so if I don�t want some of those dreams to pass me by. I have to get off the ride for a while." An expanded interview about the decision will appear in the magazine's latest issue, on newsstands this week.
DIARY OF A MANHATTAN CALL GIRL (HBO, New!) - "Sex and the City" creator Darren Star is back in business with HBO, this time for a new comedy based on Tracy Quan's semi-autobiographical column "Nancy Chan: Diary of a Manhattan Girl" for Salon.com. The project then will track how power, sex and money collide through the eyes of a group of Manhattan's highest-paid escorts forced to juggle their johns, jobs and relationships. Star is penning the pilot script and executive producing alongside Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas via his Sony Pictures Television-based Darren Star Productions.
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT (Syndication) - Mark Steines has reupped his deal with CBS Television Distribution to remain as co-anchor on the veteran syndicated newsmagazine. No financial details or the length of the pact was released. Steines has been with the show since 1995, graduating from weekend and substitute anchor to Mary Hart's co-host in 2004.
L.A. GANG UNIT (A&E, New!) - 44 Blue Productions ("Caesars 24/7") has booked a pilot order from the cable channel for a new docusoap about the elite gang unit of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The half-hour project then would follow the highly experienced officers of the department's Gang Task Force who work in South Central Los Angeles. 44 Blue's Rasha Drachkovitch and Shane Conrad are executive producing alongside A&E's Robert Sharenow and Laura Fleury. Production has been underway for the past two months.
LOST (ABC) - Disney-ABC Domestic Television's sale of the show's off-network run to G4 and Sci Fi on Tuesday (read the story) is reportedly valued at $200,000 per episode, with the latter coughing up 75% of the bill. Both network's windows, believed to be for six years, are set to begin in the fall of 2008 with G4 running the series Monday-Friday (along with some weekend plays) while Sci Fi is expected to stack the show on Monday nights with four back-to-back episodes starting at 7:00/6:00c. In addition, G4 will feature unedited versions of the series under its "2.0" branding that includes interactive and Web-based elements.
MAN OF YOUR DREAMS (NBC, New!) - Jay Lacopo ("The Third Wheel") has scored a cast-contingent pilot order from NBC for a new multi-camera comedy about a womanizer who uses his expertise to help romantically challenged women. Conan O'Brien's Universal Media Studios-based Conaco Productions is behind the half-hour, which Lacopo will executive produce alongside O'Brien and the company's Jeff Ross and David Kissinger.
THE OAKS (FOX) - Michael Cuesta ("Dexter") has inked a two-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television. The pact calls for the prolific director/producer to develop new series projects for the studio as well as helm various pilots. Cuesta, who co-created and helmed the studio-based "Babylon Fields" for CBS last season, is currently directing the pilot for fellow studio property "The Oaks" at FOX.
SOME MOTHERS DO 'AVE 'EM (FOX, New!) - "That '70s Show" alum Phil Stark is set to pen a U.S. version of Raymond Allen's U.K. comedy of the same name about Frank Spencer, a man who seems to always be surrounded by disaster. The project is set up at BBC Worldwide Productions and Sony Pictures Television where Stark will executive produce alongside BBC's Paul Telegdy and Ian Moffitt. FOX has given a script commitment to the half-hour with a penalty attached if it doesn't go to pilot.
UNTITLED DAMON WAYANS PROJECT (ABC, New!) - "My Wife & Kids" co-creators Damon Wayans and Don Reo are developing a new multi-camera comedy at the Alphabet once again featuring the comedian. The untitled project, which is based at ABC Studios, casts Wayans as a recent widower who has to take in the 19-year-old stepson he never knew. The pair then will write and executive produce the half-hour, which has a script commitment from the network.
UNTITLED SHERRI SHEPHERD PROJECT (The CW, New!) - "The View" co-host Sherri Shepherd is looking to topline and executive produce a new semi-autobiographical comedy for the netlet about a married woman who discovers her husband has been cheating on her and has an illegitimate child. She subsequently agrees to let the child and her mother move in with the family. Dave Flebotte ("Will & Grace") is on board to pen the half-hour which he'll executive produce alongside Shepherd and ABC Studios-based producers Nina Wass and Gene Stein.
UNTITLED VICTOR FRESCO PROJECT (ABC, New!) - Victor Fresco ("Andy Richter Controls the Universe") has landed a put pilot order from the Alphabet for a new single-camera comedy about a man whose morals are tested working for a large, faceless mega-corporation. The network has given a script commitment to the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, plus a penalty if it isn't ordered to pilot. As for specifics, said man, Ted, is described as a charming, likeable thirtysomething who heads up the research and development department at a Fortune 500 company. He's also understood to be a single father of an 8-year-old who keeps him honest.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[11/10/26 - 12:30 PM]
Hiding a Larger-Than-Life Legend in Plain Sight: New Competition Series "Can You Hide... Shaq?" Premieres Thursday, Dec. 3, on ABC and the ESPN App
Shaquille "Shaq" O'Neal is larger than life and one of the most recognizable figures on the planet. So, can you actually hide him?
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[11/10/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of November 2 - "A Dog's Perfect Christmas" Unwraps the No. 1 Spot in This Week's Top 10
"Taken: Natalee Holloway" premiered in the No. 1 spot of the English TV list, gathering 12.9 million views.
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[11/10/26 - 11:00 AM]
Season 3 of the HBO Original Late-Night Comedy Series "It's Florida, Man." Debuts December 4
New episodes of the six-episode season will debut weekly on Fridays at the same time, concluding with the finale on Friday, January 8.
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[11/10/26 - 10:30 AM]
Award-Winning Actor Taye Diggs, Stars in FOX's Upcoming Holiday Event "The Chosen: The Three Kings," on Monday, December 14 @ 8/7c on FOX and Next Day on Hulu
Piter Marek (Melchior) and Rahul Rai (Gaspar) star alongside Taye Diggs (Balthasar).
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[11/10/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - "The Circle"
The series will debut three new episodes weekly at 6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET on November 17, airing Tuesdays through Thursdays for five weeks.
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[11/10/26 - 10:00 AM]
Spin Master and Nickelodeon Announce New "PAW Patrol" Spinoff Featuring Skye
"Skye's Pup Squad" is an all-new 2D animated series in which best friends Skye, Everest and Liberty set out to rescue animals in need.
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[11/10/26 - 09:15 AM]
Recording Artists Ashe and Sofi Tukker Set to Take the Stage at "Kids' Choice Awards (KCAs)"
Additional music performance news and show details will be announced at a later date.
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[11/10/26 - 08:46 AM]
Video: Apple TV Debuts "Fraggle Rock: A Holiday Gift" Premiering December 4
The joyful special reunites audiences with beloved Fraggles Wembley, Gobo, Red, Mokey and Boober for a festive new adventure filled with holiday magic, friendship and new musical numbers.
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[11/10/26 - 08:02 AM]
24 Hometown Bakers Revealed for the "Pillsbury Bake-Off Classic" Primetime Special on CBS
Joining host Drew Barrymore and celebrity chef judges Christina Tosi and Dook Chase is celebrated baker and author Amirah Kassem, who will serve as the special's roaming sideline reporter.
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[11/10/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Clashing Through The Snow" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
This rivalry is going the distance.
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[11/10/26 - 08:00 AM]
Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake Team Up for a Special Thanksgiving Episode of "The Tonight Show"
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Timberlake's album "FutureSex/LoveSounds," the episode brings Timberlake and Fallon together for a night of unforgettable music and comedy.
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[11/10/26 - 07:31 AM]
First Look at "The Age of Innocence" Coming to Netflix February 18, 2027
Starring Camila Morrone, Kristine Froseth and Ben Radcliffe, this contemporary reimagining of Edith Wharton's tale of forbidden love in 19th century New York is a heart-rending romance exploring freedom, duty, identity, and love in all its forms.
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[11/10/26 - 07:10 AM]
TBS's "All I Watch for Christmas" and TNT's "Christmas Maximus" Programming Kicks Off the Holiday Season Beginning Friday, November 13
Continuing the annual tradition, TBS and TNT will ring in the holidays with 24-hour movie marathons of "Elf," "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," and "A Christmas Story."
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[11/10/26 - 07:01 AM]
The CW Network and PBR Announce Multi-Year Extension to Broadcast PBR Teams Series Events
The new multi-year agreement extends The CW's relationship with PBR, which began during the 2025 season.
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[11/10/26 - 07:00 AM]
Acorn TV's Hit Crime Drama "Art Detectives," Starring Stephen Moyer, Returns with a Two-Part Special This December
"Art Detectives," which debuted in 2025 as Acorn TV's most-watched new series premiere ever, will premiere a six-episode second season in 2027.
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