or


[07/11/08 - 06:59 PM]
Development Update: Friday, July 11
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!


DAMAGES (FX) - Mario Van Peebles is set to return for the show's second season. He'll reprise his role of Agent Harrison for at least six episodes. In addition to acting, Van Peebles helmed two episodes of the series last season. He's expected to do the same for fellow FX entry "Sons of Anarchy," which rolls out on Wednesday, September 3 at 10:00/9:00c.


HARPER'S ISLAND (CBS) - "Ugly Betty" co-star Christopher Gorham has been tapped as the male lead on the upcoming drama, about a group of friends who meet on an island off the Seattle coast for a destination wedding. He'll play Henry Dunn, the wedding's groom. Ryan Merriman played said role in the original presentation. The network and producers previously announced most of the cast - save for female lead Elaine Cassidy, who plays Henry's childhood friend - has been dropped in favor of new blood. Gorham, a regular on "Betty" this past season, is expected to return for at least one episode of the show's third season, due this fall.


HEROES (NBC) - Ntare Mwine ("The Riches") is the latest addition to the show's third season. He'll play an African who is artistic and close to many of the original heroes. Said arc is believed to be for nine episodes.


LIFETIME AT THE TCA - In addition to renewing "Army Wives" for a third season, the cable channel outlined some of its upcoming unscripted plans. New projects include a reality series about Kim Porter, the ex of rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs and mother to three of his children. Said effort will follow Porter as she adjusts to a new life in Los Angeles as a single mom. Blair Underwood and Eye Candy Productions are producing. Also in the works are "Mom's Cooking," from Boy Wonder Productions, in which daughters surprise their moms by having a crew film them as they create their unique or special dishes; and a daytime talk show hosted by "How to Look Good Naked's" Carson Kressley in which he interviews real people and offers viewers insight into fashion and other topics. Ray Giuliani ("The Greg Behrendt Show") is executive producing the pilot, to be filmed in September. Previously announced were "Cook Yourself Thin," from Tiger Aspect; "The Week the Women Went," from BBC Worldwide; and "Love & Salsa" (a.k.a. "Salsa and the City"), from Mario Lopez and Gay Rosenthal.


UGLY BETTY (ABC) - Val Emmich ("Cashmere Mafia") has booked a recurring role on the show's third season. He'll play Jesse, a potential love interest for the title character. His casting is likely tied to the exit of her current love interest Christopher Gorham (see above).


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [july 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· CASHMERE MAFIA (ABC)
· COOK YOURSELF THIN (LIFETIME)
· DAMAGES (AUDIENCE)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· GREG BEHRENDT SHOW, THE (SYNDICATION)
· HARPER'S ISLAND (CBS)
· HEROES (NBC)
· LOVE & SALSA (LIFETIME)
· RICHES, THE (FX)
· SONS OF ANARCHY (FX)
· UGLY BETTY (ABC)
· UNTITLED CARSON KRESSLEY PROJECT (LIFETIME)
· UNTITLED KIM PORTER PROJECT (LIFETIME)
· WEEK THE WOMEN WENT, THE (LIFETIME)





[04/22/26 - 01:00 PM]
ESPN Opens NBA Playoffs with Most-Watched Playoff Game of Opening Weekend
Saturday's Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers matchup on ABC averaged 5.2 million viewers, peaking at 6.4 million viewers during the 11 p.m. ET quarter hour.

[04/22/26 - 12:01 PM]
HBO Original Film "Miss You, Love You," Starring Allison Janney and Andrew Rannells, Debuts May 29
A blunt, grieving widow, Diane Patterson (Allison Janney) is forced to plan her husband's funeral with a total stranger: her estranged son's assistant, Jamie Simms (Andrew Rannells).

[04/22/26 - 11:17 AM]
USA Sports Announces 2026 WNBA on USA Network Schedule, Highlighted by Wednesday Night Doubleheaders, Marquee Matchups and 2026 WNBA Finals Games
The WNBA on USA Network schedule tips off on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10, as 2025 WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson and the defending champion Las Vegas Aces visit Cameron Brink, Kelsey Plum and the Los Angeles Sparks at 6 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

[04/22/26 - 11:11 AM]
NBC Sports Announces Its Complete 2026 WNBA Regular-Season Schedule Across NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN
NBC Sports' 2026 WNBA slate of 22 regular season games begins with the reigning WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces visiting the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, May 17 at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

[04/22/26 - 11:07 AM]
NBC Sports' Manchester City-Arsenal Is Most-Watched Premier League Match in U.S. History
Coverage averaged 2.6 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, Telemundo and NBC Sports Digital platforms this past Sunday.

[04/22/26 - 11:06 AM]
ESPN, ABC Announce 2026 WNBA Regular Season Schedule
ESPN, which has televised the WNBA since the league's inaugural season in 1997, will tip off its 30th consecutive season on Saturday, May 9, with expanded coverage across ESPN, ABC, Disney+ and ESPN Deportes.

[04/22/26 - 11:03 AM]
Video: "We'll Be Fine" - Trailer - Hulu
Some love stories don't just consume you... they undo you.

[04/22/26 - 10:03 AM]
"In the Eye of the Storm: Chasers" - New Docu-Series Premieres Sunday, May 17 on Discovery Channel
The six-part series captures raw, harrowing encounters as storm chasers, outfitted with their own camera rigs and advanced weather tech, race into the American Midwest during one of the most active tornado seasons in decades.

[04/22/26 - 09:32 AM]
Record Setter! ESPN Opens 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with Three Most-Watched First Round Games on Cable Ever, Excluding Game 7's
The Philadelphia Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins matchup (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET) drew 2.1 million viewers, becoming the most-viewed First Round Playoff game ever on cable (excluding game 7's).

[04/22/26 - 09:29 AM]
Stage Set in the Steel City: ESPN's "College GameDay Built by The Home Depot" to Air Live from the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh
The Draft marks ESPN's first major event of the 2026 football season, culminating with ESPN's first-ever Super Bowl on February 14, 2027.

[04/22/26 - 09:11 AM]
Video: Jaw-Dropping Official Trailer for Highly Anticipated Drama "The Vampire Lestat" Released
The wild and captivating next chapter in Anne Rice's Immortal Universe follows Lestat as the world's first immortal rock star on an electric multi-city tour, while he's haunted by "muses" from his rebellious past.

[04/22/26 - 09:01 AM]
Start Your Engines... "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" Season 11 Unveils Its Iconic Cast Ahead of Friday, May 8 Premiere on Paramount+
With the return of the high-stakes "Tournament of All Stars" format, the competition reaches new heights across 12-episodes packed with jaw-dropping runway looks, unforgettable performances, and the kind of drama only Drag Race can deliver.

[04/22/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Send Help" - Trailer - Hulu
Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien star in the film, which streams on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ May 7.

[04/22/26 - 08:51 AM]
"High Potential" Shoots to Six-Week High with Season Two Finale
On linear over seven days, the show earned 8.71 million Total Viewers and a 0.61 rating among Adults 18-49, also marking a six-week high in both measures and standing as the No. 1 show of the night.

[04/22/26 - 08:18 AM]
Cara Banks Named Lead Play-by-Play Voice for NBC Sports' Coverage of LPGA Tour
Banks debuts in her new role at this weekend's Chevron Championship - the first major championship of the 2026 LPGA Tour season.