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[02/22/08 - 06:30 PM]
Development Update: Week of February 18-22
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!
12 MILES OF BAD ROAD (HBO) - A decision is reportedly forthcoming on the fate of the freshman series, an hourlong comedy about a Dallas real estate agent (Lily Tomlin) and her family. Six of the 10 episodes ordered were completed before the strike and the HBO brass is mulling whether to complete production on the remaining installments. Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason are behind the project, which also stars Mary Kay Place and Gary Cole.
BOSTON LEGAL (ABC) - ION Media Networks's purchase of the show's off-network run on Tuesday (read the story) is reportedly valued between $175,000 to $200,000 per episode. Said pact with Twentieth Television, which kicks off in September, covers all episodes filmed to date with a ceiling of 106 hours. The deal isn't exclusive as Twentieth also hopes to sell an additional weekday window to a cable network. ION however can opt to match any potential bidder's offer in order to keep exclusivity. Twentieth previously cleared a weekend run of the series on local stations covering 50% of the country.
ELEVENTH HOUR (CBS) - British actor Rufus Sewell ("John Adams") is set to topline the CBS pilot, about a special science adviser to the government who, with his feisty female bodyguard in tow, saves people from the worst abuses of science. Sewell will play said adviser, Jacob Hood, a role originated by Patrick Stewart in the U.K. version. Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Granada International Media and Warner Bros. Television are all behind the hour, which Danny Cannon is directing from a script by Mick Davis. The pair then will executive produce alongside Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman and Robert Green.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (NBC) - NBC and Universal Media Studios are reportedly in talks with several other networks to carve out an additional broadcast window for a potential third season of the drama. The CW, DirecTV, E!, G4 and TNT were among the networks mentioned by the trade publications this week. A deal however may prove to be a challenge as "some people familiar with the talks have complained that Peacock's asking price for [the show] is too high." Nevertheless, all of the parties involved have declined to comment on the negotiations.
IN THE LOOP WITH IVILLAGE (Syndication) - The syndicated talk show, which airs on the 10 NBC owned-and-operated stations, will cease production at the end of next month. The news had been widely expected following the clearance of Warner Bros.' upcoming offering "The Bonnie Hunt Show" on said stations this fall. It's unclear what will fill the hour until then.
LAS VEGAS (NBC) - TV Guide's Michael Ausiello has reported NBC won't renew the series for a sixth season. "Vegas" wrapped its fifth season this past Friday to the tune of 7.98 million viewers (including a 2.3 adults 18-49 rating), bringing its season average down to 8.29 million viewers. Last season, in which the series aired in the earlier 9:00/8:00c hour, "Vegas" averaged 8.96 million viewers and a 2.8 rating among adults 18-49. NBC however won't confirm said cancellation as the fate of all its returning series won't be decided until April, when its new fall schedule is announced.
LAW & ORDER (NBC) - After months of speculation, Jesse L. Martin will exit his nine-year role of Ed Green on the series after this season. It's understood he'll film at least one more episode to explain his character's departure after which a new partner will be brought in for Jeremy Sisto's Cyrus Lupo. Already on the top of the list - Anthony Anderson ("K-Ville"), whom sources suggest is close to signing a 13-episode commitment with the option for more.
LIBERTYVILLE/RITA ROCKS (Lifetime, New!) - Lifetime is set to team with Media Rights Capital to develop a new multi-camera comedy for the network. The deal calls for MRC to film two pilots for the channel - "Libertyville," about a divorced mother fearful of dating whose life is complicated by her lazy 22-year-old daughter and cantankerous father who live with her; and "Rita Rocks," about an overworked wife and mother in the middle of a full-blown identity crisis who starts a garage band with her postwoman and neighbor. Lifetime may then pass on both projects with the caveat being if they do so, two more pilots will be filmed, one of which ultimately must be given a series commitment. The resulting series will be co-owned by Lifetime and MRC with an eye towards an accelerated production schedule to syndicate it as quickly as possible. As for the projects themselves, Christine Ebersole will topline "Libertyville," which comes from creator Tom Saunders and fellow executive producer Caryn Mandabach. Said title comes from the name of Saunders's hometown in Ohio. The project was previously set up at Lionsgate Television but didn't move past the script stage. Stan Zimmerman and Jim Berg then are behind "Rita." Both projects are expected to film next month with Mindy Schultheis and Michael Hanel ("Reba") consulting and MRC's Keith Samples executive producing.
MOONLIGHT (CBS) - Showrunner/executive producer Chip Johannessen has exited the series, which was recently asked to produce four more episodes for the spring. Executive producer Joel Silver and the writing team will collectively shepherd the remaining installments as a new showrunner won't be named until when/if the show is renewed for a second season. No reason was given for Johannessen's departure. The writer/producer joined the series earlier this season to take over for original showrunner David Greenwalt.
ROOMMATES (A.K.A. ROOMIES) (ABC Family) - Dorian Brown ("Psych") has been tapped for the female lead on the upcoming multi-camera series. The show, about pals who move in together post-college, had been contingent on finding said lead following the departure of Megan Stevenson. She joins the previously cast Tyler Francavilla, Tommy Dewey, Tamera Mowry and David Weidoff. Kieron Quirke and Robin French are behind the half-hour, which is also executive produced by Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis of Acme Productions.
SPLITSVILLE/UNTITLED TOM FORMAN PROJECT (CBS, New!) - The Eye has added two more pilots to its reality roster - "Splitsville," a game show for divorcing couples who battle it out for their belongings in a series of competitive challenges; and an untitled effort featuring a team of law enforcement officials helping people who have been victims of a crime. Actor/producer Jamie Kennedy and Magic Molehill Productions's Jay Bienstock and Jeffrey Kramer are behind the former while "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" creator Tom Forman is behind the later. The pair join the previously greenlighted trio of "Secret Talents of the Stars," "Game Show in My Head" and "America's Top Dog" read the story).
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[02/06/26 - 12:49 PM]
TBS Unveils First Superstar Guests for "Foul Play with Anthony Davis" with More A List Names to Come
LeBron James, Draymond Green, Jordan Chiles, and Rickea Jackson will kick off series premiere on Monday, April 6.
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[02/06/26 - 09:16 AM]
Netflix's "Untamed" Heads to Hawaii for Season 2
Season two of the hit mystery thriller series will take place in Hawaii, as a new case brings Eric Bana's Kyle Turner to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
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[02/06/26 - 08:00 AM]
All Six Seasons of "Schitt's Creek" Arrive on HBO Max Tomorrow in the U.S.
The beloved comedy follows rich video-store magnate Johnny Rose, his soap-star wife Moira, and their two kids, son David and socialite daughter Alexis.
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[02/06/26 - 07:36 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams "Wicked: For Good" Beginning March 20
The feature's Peacock debut will be accompanied by a sing-along version of the film and a full collection of bonus content.
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[02/06/26 - 07:12 AM]
"Disaster: The Chernobyl Meltdown" Coming Soon from CNN Original Series, National Geographic International and Windfall Films
Co-produced by CNN Original Series, National Geographic EMEA and Windfall Films, the series will premiere with two episodes on Sunday, March 1 at 9:00/8:00c.
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[02/06/26 - 07:01 AM]
NHL on ESPN Networks: Viewership Up Nearly 40% Year-Over-Year Through First Four Months
Through 22 games, the NHL on ESPN networks is averaging 795K viewers, +39% YoY.
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[02/06/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Strangers in the Park" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A former communist militant and a "live and let live" man form an unlikely friendship on a park bench, sharing their life stories with humor and heart.
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[02/06/26 - 12:31 AM]
Next on Netflix Thailand 2026: The Widest Variety of Thai Stories, All in One Place
Netflix is deepening its commitment to Thai storytelling with its most ambitious slate to date: three new series, four films, and Netflix's first local documentary feature.
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[02/05/26 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Pavane" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Three lonely strangers meet at their department store jobs and find solace in each other's company while they explore connection and the nature of love.
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[02/05/26 - 02:03 PM]
Great American Media Signs Exclusive Multi-Picture Deal with Fan-Favorite Actress, Merritt Patterson
The company also announces the first film of the new deal is "Meet Me in the Margins," adapted from bestselling author Melissa Ferguson's novel of the same name.
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[02/05/26 - 12:42 PM]
"20/20" Ranks No. 1 in the Two-Hour Time Period Across the Board
Hitting new season highs on January 30, "20/20" grew from the previous week in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.
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[02/05/26 - 11:31 AM]
Apple Original Films Lands Global Rights to Sundance Film Festival Selection "The Last First: Winter K2"
Director Amir Bar-Lev tells a complex, harrowing and moving story that unpacks the industry of extreme mountain climbing and its changing culture.
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[02/05/26 - 11:01 AM]
HBO Original "Murder in Glitterball City," A Two-Part Documentary, Debuts February 19
Inspired by the non-fiction book "A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City" by David Dominé, the film chronicles a 2010 murder case that starts with a 911 phone call that leads police to the gruesome discovery of a body buried in the basement of a Victorian mansion.
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[02/05/26 - 11:01 AM]
Video: ALLBLK Releases Trailer and Key Art for New Original Feature Film, "Deb Is Boss" Premiering Thursday, March 5
Before becoming a powerhouse music executive who launched Gucci Mane, Nicki Minaj, and French Montana, Deb Antney (Lil Mama) was a street-smart survivor navigating the dangerous underworlds of Queens, NY and Boston, MA.
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[02/05/26 - 10:31 AM]
Nicolette van Dam and Bas Smit Present the Dutch Version of "Love Is Blind"
"Love Is Blind: Netherlands" arrives on Netflix in 2026.
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