or


[02/15/08 - 05:25 PM]
Development Update: Week of February 11-15
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

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!


24 (FOX) - Co-creator/executive producer Joel Surnow is departing the series after seven and a half seasons. "I did some soul-searching," Surnow told the trade publications. "I took it as an opportunity to write on my own and do other things." The news comes on the eve of his overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television expiring. Surnow's exit nevertheless won't derail the show's production as fellow executive producer Howard Gordon has served as the day-to-day showrunner in recent years alongside co-creator Robert Cochran.


CW NOW (The CW) - In a follow up to our February 8 report (read the story), The Hollywood Reporter has subsequently confirmed the series has indeed been canceled. "While you always wish the ratings were higher, we are proud of 'CW Now' and how it improved every week from a creative standpoint," CW COO John Maatta said in a statement. "The program was a highly collaborative endeavor, and you can't put a price tag on what we learned from this project." The show's final broadcast is set for February 24.


HOLE IN THE WALL (FOX, New!) - FremantleMedia North America is looking to import the Japanese game show in which contestants, dressed in spandex and hard hats, play a game of human Tetris versus a shape-changing moving barrier in order to avoid being knocked into a pool of water. YouTube.com and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" have popularized the format domestically. Fuji Television originated the family-friendly show in July of 2006. As for specifics, teams gain or lose points depending on whether they manage to stay dry through each round. Stuart Krasnow is on board to executive produce the U.S. version alongside FremantleMedia chief Cecile Frot-Coutaz.


IFL BATTLEGROUND (MyNetworkTV) - The fledgling netlet has opted out of a second season of its formerly top-rated series. The show was widely reported as being part of the network's 2007-08 season plans over the summer. Its March 12 launch scored a then record 0.8 household rating but ultimately sagged by its final first-run airing on September 24. Repeats were featured briefly on Saturday nights during October and November. IFL coverage nevertheless will continue on previous partner Fox Sports Net as well as the newly added HDNet.


POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS/THE UNITED STATES OF TARA (Showtime) - The pay channel has confirmed both pilots are still a go following the strike's resolution. In addition, Craig Gillespie ("Lars and the Real Girl") has signed on to direct the latter project, about a woman (Toni Collette) with multiple-personality disorder. "Juno" screenwriter Diablo Cody penned the half-hour, which comes from DreamWorks Television. Tim Robbins then is behind "Effects," a drama about a family that runs a pharmaceutical company and the political, scientific and bureaucratic machinery that makes up the pharmaceutical industry. Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Daniel Thomas also serve as executive producers.


THE RICHES (FX) - The cable channel has slated the show's second season to launch on Tuesday, March 18 at 10:00/9:00c. Like fellow sophomore entry "Dirt," only seven of the 13 episodes ordered were shot prior to the strike. The network has opted to bring back both series with truncated runs rather than wait until their original 13-episode order was completed. Izzard, Minnie Driver, Shannon Woodward, Noel Fisher, Aidan Mitchell, Margo Martindale, Gregg Henry, Todd Stashwick and Jared Harris all star. FX Productions and Fox Television Studios are co-producing.


UGLY BETTY (ABC) - Executive producers Marco Pennette and James Hayman have been let go from the series, the same week it was renewed for a third season. The news marks its latest behind-the-scenes shuffle, coming on the heels of letting five writers go after its freshman run. Silvio Horta, Salma Hayek and Jose Tamez will continue on as the remaining active executive producers.


UNTITLED DENISE RICHARDS PROJECT (E!, New!) - Denise Richards's long-rumored reality series has been officially announced by the cable channel. E! staple Ryan Seacrest ("Keeping Up With the Kardashians") is executive producing the project, which will focus on Richards's life as a single mom following her high-profile divorce from Charlie Sheen. The proposed series made headlines earlier this year after Sheen went to court over Richards's decision to allow their children in front of the cameras. Ryan Seacrest Productions's Eliot Goldberg will serve as a co-executive producer. No launch date was specified.


UNTITLED JUSTIN HARTLEY PROJECT (The CW) - Justin Hartley ("Smallville") has inked a talent holding deal with the network. The actor toplined two recent pilots for the network - "Aquaman" and "Spellbound" - and was brought in to replace Johnny Lewis on the midseason entry "Eight Days a Week." That project has been in limbo since the WGA strike as only the original pilot has been completed thus far. Said deal then calls for the CW to find a new project for the actor.


UNTITLED DAVID KOHAN/MAX MUTCHNICK PROJECT (ABC, New!) - "Will & Grace" creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick have landed the first major TV sale since the end of the WGA strike, pacting with ABC for a new multi-camera comedy at the network. The semi-autobiographical project, which was written on spec prior to the strike, revolves around two men - one straight, one gay - who are lifelong best friends/business partners that find their relationship threatened after each begin serious romantic relationships. Said half-hour, which is based at Warner Bros. Television and has a pilot commitment, is not to be confused with their CBS effort from last season, about a gay writer and a straight writer who are best friends and their hot young assistants.


WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB (ABC) - R. Scott Gemmill, Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain have all been let go from the freshman drama. Said development comes as the Alphabet mulls the fate of the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which will ultimately hinge on finding a replacement. Craft and Fain, who created the series, will remain under their overall deals with 20th, as will Gemmill.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [february 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· 24 (FOX)
· AQUAMAN (CW)
· AUSTIN GOLDEN HOUR (CW)
· CW NOW (CW)
· DENISE RICHARDS: IT'S COMPLICATED (E)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· DIRT (FX)
· EIGHT DAYS A WEEK (CW)
· ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW, THE (SYNDICATION)
· FOURPLAY (ABC)
· HOLE IN THE WALL (CARTOON)
· IFL BATTLEGROUND (MYNETWORKTV)
· KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS (E)
· POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS (SHOWTIME)
· RICHES, THE (FX)
· SMALLVILLE (CW)
· SPELLBOUND (CW)
· UGLY BETTY (ABC)
· UNITED STATES OF TARA, THE (SHOWTIME)
· UNTITLED KOHAN & MUTCHNICK PROJECT (CBS)
· WILL & GRACE (NBC)
· WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB (ABC)





[12/08/23 - 12:21 PM]
OWN Sets Premiere Date for New Series "First-Time Buyer's Club" on Saturday, December 30 at 9PM ET/PT
Teacher-turned-realtor Amina Stevens aims to educate and inspire clients who are intimidated by the overwhelming housing market.

[12/08/23 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "The Trust: A Game of Greed" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this reality series, strangers compete to share a quarter of a million dollars. Will they split it evenly - or cut each other out to raise their take?

[12/08/23 - 08:01 AM]
ABC News Studios Announces the Once-in-a-Lifetime Documentary Event "Disney 100: A Century of Dreams - A Special Edition of 20/20"
The documentary takes viewers on a magical journey that started in 1923, featuring a century of stories and experiences that will touch the hearts of audiences everywhere.

[12/08/23 - 12:01 AM]
Anime Adaptation of "Rising Impact" Takes Flight on Netflix in June 2024
Embodying friendship and hard work, the manga captured hearts and minds in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

[12/07/23 - 07:02 PM]
Peacock's Live-Action Comedy "Twisted Metal" Starring Anthony Mackie Scores Second Season Renewal
The series premiered on July 27 getting off to a fast start, establishing itself as our most-binged original in its first week and currently ranks among Peacock's top three originals of all time as it continues to attract new viewers every week.

[12/07/23 - 02:17 PM]
"Big Brother Reindeer Games" Announces the Nine "Big Brother" Legends Competing in the Hit Reality Show's Ultimate Holiday Showdown
This ultimate holiday showdown brings together legendary former players, including previous winners and America's Favorite Players.

[12/07/23 - 01:07 PM]
Fan-Favorite Crime Drama, "The Madame Blanc Mysteries," Returns to Acorn TV with a Christmas Special on December 25
The special serves as the first episode in the series' seven-episode third season.

[12/07/23 - 12:31 PM]
ESPN and Disney Entertainment Television Team Up with Brittney Griner to Exclusively Share Her Story Across Multiple Platforms
A documentary feature from ESPN Films and scripted series development with ABC Signature are in the works, and she will sit down for her first exclusive interview with ABC News' Robin Roberts.

[12/07/23 - 12:26 PM]
NewsNation and The CW Network Deliver More Than 4 Million Viewers for GOP Presidential Primary Debate
The CW Network, which simulcast the debate, delivered more than 2.5 million viewers and nearly 500,000 viewers among adults 25 to 54, making the debate The CW's most watched primetime program since 2018.

[12/07/23 - 11:36 AM]
Video: First Look - New Hulu Original Series "Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise"
Sexy and sizzling with secrets, this seductive new docusoap follows a group of uber-rich and on-the-rise locals and expats navigating the rocky waters of their relationships, friendships, and careers in the paradise that is Grand Cayman.

[12/07/23 - 11:01 AM]
Emmy Award Winner Ray Romano First to Join Netflix's "No Good Deed" from Executive Producer Liz Feldman
The half hour, dark comedy follows three very different families vying to buy the very same 1920s Spanish style villa that they think will solve all their problems. But as the sellers have already discovered, sometimes the home of your dreams can be a total nightmare.

[12/07/23 - 11:01 AM]
Video: "Silver" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
When 17 year old Liv moves to London, she meets the mysterious Henry and his group of friends, who pull her into the thrilling world of dreams.

[12/07/23 - 10:20 AM]
"MTV Unplugged Presents: A Hip Hop 50th Celebration of Jersey's Finest" Music Special to Premiere Thursday, December 14th at 9PM ET/PT on MTV
An elite lineup of the Garden State's greatest superstars joined forces on-stage for a once-in-a-lifetime episode of the iconic music series taped at the historic Newark Symphony Hall.

[12/07/23 - 10:01 AM]
Video: AMC+ and Sundance Now Reveal Trailer and Key Art for Enchanting New Drama "Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale" Ahead of January 4 Premiere
It takes place in the idyllic English town of Sanctuary, where for hundreds of years witches have lived peacefully, as valued members of society. Until now...

[12/07/23 - 09:08 AM]
George & Cindy Anthony Take Polygraph in New A&E & Lifetime Cross-Network Special "Casey Anthony's Parents: The Lie Detector Test"
The two-hour film, due on Thursday, January 4, is produced by York & Wilder and features new interviews with George and Cindy by journalist Tony Harris.