or


[05/07/08 - 05:24 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday, May 7
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!


CAPRICA (Sci Fi) - Esai Morales ("Jericho") has been tapped for one of the lead roles in the upcoming two-hour/backdoor pilot, a prequel to the network's "Battlestar Galactica." He'll play Joseph Adama, the father of William Adama (Edward James Olmos in the current series), a deeply passionate man with a strong sense of justice and someone you wouldn't want as your enemy. He joins Paula Malcomson on the Universal Media Studios-based project, which comes from creators Remi Aubuchon and Ronald D. Moore. Jeffrey Reiner is directing.


HARD KNOCKS (HBO) - The Dallas Morning News reported today that the HBO series will revisit the Dallas Cowboys for its fourth season, due this summer. The show's 2002 edition followed the eventual 5-11 team under then coach Dave Campo. It's understood NFL Films will begin the five-to-six-week production in late July at the team's Oxnard, California training facility.


LIFE ON MARS (ABC) - "October Road" creators Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg are reportedly in talks to come aboard the potential freshman drama as its executive producers/showrunners. Appelbaum and Nemec are based at ABC Studios which likewise is in negotiations to co-produce the series alongside 20th Century Fox Television. The group however is waiting to get the blessing from creator David E. Kelley, who penned and executive produced the long-in-the-works pilot. It's believed financial considerations are the impetus for Kelley's exit. Kudos Film and Television's Jane Featherstone and Stephen Garrett are still on board as executive producers. Tommy Schlamme helmed the pilot, which stars Jason O'Mara as a cop, who after being hit by a car in the present day, finds himself transported to the 1970s.


OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet is said to be moving forward with a new game show from Katalyst Films and 3 Ball Productions in which the game is literally taken to the contestants' homes. Family members then can win everything from cash to plasma TVs by answering trivia questions about their lives and about items found in and around their home. 3 Ball's JD Roth and Todd A. Nelson are executive producing the project alongside Katalyst's Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg and Karey Burke.


UGLY BETTY (ABC) - The sophomore dramedy is set to relocate to New York City next season following the state's decision to triple its tax credit for film and TV productions to 30%, with New York City proper offering an additional 5% credit. "Betty's" pilot was actually shot in New York City before ABC Studios shifted production to Los Angeles. The move nevertheless will likely cause 150 L.A. crew members to lose their jobs, however most are expected to be reassigned to other studio-based properties. Conversely, the majority of the show's ensemble cast are already based in New York themselves. The "Betty" writers are expected to remain on the West Coast.


UNTITLED EDIE FALCO PROJECT (Showtime) - Peter Facinelli, Paul Schulze, Merritt Wever, Eve Best and Haaz Sleiman have all joined the cast of the Edie Falco-led comedy pilot, about a strong-willed New York nurse (Falco). In addition, Anna Deavere Smith has signed on as a recurring character - Mrs. Akalitus, the reluctant hospital administrator. As for the principal members, Facinelli will play Dr. Cooper, a likable "golden boy" who appears to be in control but is actually a bundle of nerves; Schulze is set as Falco's boyfriend, Eddie, a pharmacy tech; with Wever as Zoey, a first-year nurse; Sleiman as Maurice, a.k.a. "Momo," a gay Muslim nurse; and Best as Dr. O'Hara, a loner whose only friend at the hospital is Falco's character. Evan Dunsky is behind the Lionsgate Television-based project, which Allen Coulter is directing.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [may 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· CAPRICA (SYFY)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· HARD KNOCKS (HBO)
· JERICHO (CBS)
· LIFE ON MARS (ABC)
· NURSE JACKIE (SHOWTIME)
· OCTOBER ROAD (ABC)
· OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (ABC)
· UGLY BETTY (ABC)





[12/06/25 - 02:46 PM]
Paramount and UFC Announce New Seasons of "Dana White's Contender Series" and "The Ultimate Fighter"
Beginning in 2026, Paramount+ in the U.S., Latin America, and Australia will become the exclusive home for all episodes of both series.

[12/06/25 - 02:27 PM]
Video: "School Spirits" Returns - Paramount+ Drops First Look at Season Three Premiering January 28
The date was unveiled alongside first look images at today's Paramount+ CCXP panel in São Paolo, Brazil featuring series lead and executive producer Peyton List.

[12/06/25 - 02:12 PM]
Video: Oscar-Nominee Paul Giamatti Surprises Fans at CCXP and Reveals Exclusive Scene from "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy"
The series will premiere globally with two episodes on Thursday, January 15 on Paramount+, and in Japan on Tuesday, January 23.

[12/06/25 - 10:47 AM]
Hulu Debuts First-Look Images from "The Testaments" Out of Brazil Comic Con
"The Testaments," a new chapter from the showrunner and executive producers of "The Handmaid's Tale," is coming in April 2026 to Hulu.

[12/06/25 - 10:31 AM]
Video: Date Announcement & Teaser Debut - Hulu's "Paradise" Season 2
The second season of the Emmy Award-nominated series premieres Monday, February 23 with three episodes, followed by new episodes weekly on Hulu and Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the US and Disney+ internationally.

[12/05/25 - 03:31 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in Total Viewers
"Nightline" improved on the previous week in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, hitting nine-week highs in both measures.

[12/05/25 - 03:30 PM]
In Anticipation of "Avatar: Fire and Ash," ABC News to Premiere Two New Specials This December
First up: "Avatar: A New Era - Special Edition of 20/20" premieres Friday, December 12 on ABC.

[12/05/25 - 02:05 PM]
ESPN Networks Deliver Best College Football Regular Season Since 2011; "College GameDay Built by The Home Depot" Scores Most-Watched Season Ever
ESPN networks aired the most-watched game in 34 of 42 key Saturday windows, including seven of 14 noon windows, 13 of 14 late afternoon windows and all 14 prime windows.

[12/05/25 - 12:35 PM]
2025 CFB Viewership Surges on FOX & FS1
The 2025 regular season wrapped with big numbers for "Big Noon Saturday," "Big Noon Kickoff" and more - including year-over-year gains across the board.

[12/05/25 - 11:00 AM]
CBS Premiere Week Episodes Post Gains and Lead In Live Plus 35-Day Multiplatform Viewership
"Tracker" delivered 17.3 million viewers, up +6% versus its year-ago premiere.

[12/05/25 - 10:05 AM]
"Landman" Booms Into a Third Season Renewal and Breaks Viewing Records on Paramount+
The second season is set to be a top three series among all original content the week of November 17 and a top two series for the week of November 24 according to Nielsen preliminary data.

[12/05/25 - 09:45 AM]
Video: "Taylor" - A CW Documentary Special - Trailer
The special - airing Saturday, December 13 - explores the global phenomenon of Taylor Swift and digs deep across the musician's 20-year career, a period that has seen her transcend the realm of pop star to become a cultural icon like no other.

[12/05/25 - 08:45 AM]
ESPN Delivered Most-Watched Women's College Volleyball Season on Record
Said coverage averaged 190,000 viewers, up 36% from the 2024 season.

[12/05/25 - 08:31 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Monkeypaw Productions' "Him" Beginning December 19
The film stars Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies and more.

[12/05/25 - 08:01 AM]
BET+ Original Film, "Vera's Holiday Flop," Premieres Thursday, December 18
The film stars Charity Jordan, Terri J. Vaughn, Griff, Chrissy McDaniel, Tyler Chronicles, Algebra Blessett, Jelani Akil, Scotty ATL, and Saycon Sengbloh.