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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!
BABY LOVE (TNT, New!) - Project Cuddle, a national organization that works to save babies from being abandoned or harmed, is set to be the focus of a potential new telefilm at the cable channel. John Stamos is executive producing the project (via his St. Amos Productions), which would tell the true story of Project Cuddle founder Debbe Magnusen's enduring battle to prevent baby abandonment. Andy Wolk ("Lincoln Heights") is already on board to write and direct the Sony Pictures Television-based film with St. Stamos's Marc Alexander serving as a co-executive producer.
HULK HOGAN'S CELEBRITY CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING (CMT) - Reality staples Danny Bonaduce, Dennis Rodman, Dustin "Screech" Diamond, Todd Bridges and Trishelle Cannatella as well as '80s pop star Tiffany, Playboy playmate Nikki Ziering, Erin Murphy (Tabitha Stephens on "Bewitched"), Frank Stallone and super-heavyweight boxer Eric "Butterbean" Esch are all set to compete on the upcoming reality series. In addition, professional wrestling manager Jimmy Hart will join Hogan and former World Championship Wrestling president Eric Bischoff as judges on the show, while former pro wrestlers Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake and Brian Knobbs will serve as the cast's coaches. Production is underway in Los Angeles on the eight-episode series for a fall premiere. Eric Bischoff, Hulk Hogan and Jason Hervey serve as the executive producers alongside CMT's Bob Kusbit and Melanie Moreau.
LITTLE BRITAIN (HBO) - "Friends" alum David Schwimmer is set to helm the Los Angeles studio segments of the upcoming series, an import of the famed U.K. sketch comedy series starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams. In addition, Rosie O'Donnell and Sting are among the celebrities set to appear in said segments. Simon Fuller, Larry Brezner, David Steinberg, Walliams, Lucas and director Michael Patrick Jann are the executive producers of the half-hour, which rolls out this fall. Stephanie Cone Laing is producing.
SAVING GRACE (TNT) - Nancy Miller has sealed a new overall deal with "Grace" producer Fox Television Studios. The pact covers her duties on the cable drama, which returns next month, as well as calls for her to develop new series projects for the studio where she'll oversee and mentor young writers. Fellow studio-based creator Matt Nix ("Burn Notice") inked a similar deal last month.
UPPITY FILMS PROJECTS (New!) - Samuel L. Jackson ("Afro Samurai") has inked a two-year first-look deal with CBS Paramount Network Television. The pact gives the CBS-sibling first crack at any of Jackson's potential development via his Uppity Films banner. While Jackson will not be featured in a starring role on any show he develops, industry insiders suggest he is open to the idea of limited appearances.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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