 |
 |
[08/05/08 - 06:52 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, August 5
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!
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? (FOX) - Twentieth Television and Mark Burnett Productions are reportedly close to moving forward with a syndicated version of the successful FOX game show in the fall of 2009. The project, like NBC's "Deal or No Deal," would feature a condensed half-hour version of the parent hourlong show. Jeff Foxworthy is expected to host both the FOX and the syndicated incarnations.
CONFESSIONS OF A CONTRACTOR (CBS, New!) - Richard Murphy's upcoming book, about Henry Sullivan, a blue-collar Los Angeles contractor who oversees high-end renovations for wealthy clients, is heading to the small screen. Shawn Ryan ("The Shield") is on board to shepherd the project, which has a put pilot commitment from the network and 20th Century Fox Television. Murphy will pen and co-executive produce the pilot with Ryan supervising and serving as its executive producer via his MiddKid Productions banner. Said hour is loosely on Murphy's own experience remodeling homes in L.A. off and on for 12 years. As for specifics, the book has Henry falling for two of his female clients, who happen to be former best friends. Anonymous's Jeff Okin, Murphy's manager, and Paul Green will also receive executive producing credits.
GARY UNMARRIED (CBS) - Ed Begley Jr. ("Recount") has joined the cast of the freshman comedy, which stars Jay Mohr as a newly divorced dad. He'll take over for Larry Miller as Dr. Krandall. His character is detailed in the casting notice as follows: "50-60, Male, intelligent, educated but a bit of a pompous blowhard. Dr. Krandall is the family therapist, who has been counseling Gary and Allison during their divorce. He is now engaged to be married to Allison, and comes to Gary's house to offer his services as a therapist to help Gary process his feelings about this awkward situation. Basically a decent guy who wants to help, Dr. Krandall mediates as Gary, Vanessa and Allison vent a few grievances." Producers are also recasting Louise, the daughter of Mohr's character. Laura Marano played the role in the original pilot. No reason for the changes were given.
HARPER'S ISLAND (CBS) - "Supernatural" alum Katie Cassidy has joined the cast of the midseason drama, about a group of friends who meet on an island off the Seattle coast for a destination wedding - to terrifying results. She'll play Trish Wellington, whom the casting notice describes as: "Mid 20s, Caucasian female. The bride. Radiant, dignified, intelligent, and perfectly put-together, with her charm and lovely personality she almost seems too good to be true. The heiress to the Wellington family fortune, she has fallen in love with Henry Dunn, a local boy who used to work on her daddy's boats during the summer. Intent on having the perfect wedding, she has invited dozens of friends to spend a perfect weekend on Harper's Island. But Trish has at least two surprises in store for her." Samantha Noble originated the role in the project's initial pilot presentation. Christopher Gorham and Elaine Cassidy also star.
HYPER-CHONDRIAC (NBC, New!) - Brian Frazer's memoir, subtitled "One Man's Quest to Hurry Up and Calm Down," is being developed as a potential single-camera comedy at the network. Jason Dean Hall ("Grand Theft Auto") is on board to pen the 20th Century Fox Television-based project, with the ever-busy Ryan Murphy executive producing. Frazer's tome details his journey to resolve the stress that was causing all of his unusual ailments. The adaptation then will center on Brian, a pharmaceutical salesman who's forced to sell his wares at hospitals and, as a result, consistently thinks he's suffering from a wide range of maladies. Murphy then is on board to direct from a script by Hall, who will serve as a co-executive producer.
RISE OF THE GARGOYLE (Sci Fi, New!) - Eric Balfour ("24") is set to topline a new original movie for the cable channel about an ancient gargoyle monster whose terror is unleashed in modern-day Paris. He'll play Jack Richmond, a struggling author whose outlandish theories on pagan architecture make him the laughingstock of the academic world. Caroline Neron, Jason Salinger, Nick Mancuso and Tanya Clarke also star in the project, which is currently in production at Romania's Mediapro Studios. Muse Entertainment's Michael Prupas and RHI Entertainment's Robert Halmi Sr. are executive producing with Bill Corcoran as director, Pierre Jodoin as the director of photography and Francois Sylvestre and Andreea Stanculeanu producing.
TRIVIAL PURSUIT: AMERICA PLAYS (Syndication) - Actor/reality staple Christopher Knight has been tapped to host the upcoming game show, based on the iconic Hasbro board game. Production on the series begins this week for a September 22 launch on stations across the country, including FOX affiliates in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Wheeler-Sussman Productions is producing the half-hour with Debmar-Mercury distributing.
UNTITLED POLITICAL THRILLER (AMC) - Jason Horwitch and Joshua Maurer's drama for the cable channel has been given the green light to produce a pilot. The untitled hour revolves around a secret society that pulls the strings on the world political stage and an analyst at a national think tank who discovers that his employers are not who they seem to be. Horwitch penned the pilot and is executive producing alongside Maurer. Production is set to begin in October.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [august 2008]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[09/23/26 - 01:25 PM]
David Mitchell Is Back on the Case, Breakout Mystery "Ludwig" Returns for Season Two on BritBox
Other October highlights include new seasons of "Celebrity Escape to the Country," "Time," and "Would I Lie to You?"
|
[09/23/26 - 11:01 AM]
Top 10 Most-Watched Prime Original Films & Series for the Week of September 14
"Reacher," "Neagley," "Sterling Point," "El Juicio," and "The Grand Tour" led all original series worldwide.
|
[09/23/26 - 11:00 AM]
Dolly Parton Tribute with Performance by Kacey Musgraves Set for the "2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)" Sunday, Sept. 27 on CBS
With three career nods, Musgraves is nominated this year in Best Country for "Dry Spell."
|
[09/23/26 - 10:31 AM]
"A Man on the Inside" Season 3 Adds New Guest Stars
The series will come to a conclusion when it returns for its third and final season, which begins production in San Francisco, California.
|
[09/23/26 - 10:23 AM]
NBC Debuts "St. Denis Medical" Season Three First Look
The series returns Monday, November 2 on the network.
|
[09/23/26 - 10:07 AM]
Blood, Benders and the Bridge: Paramount+ Is Headed to New York Comic Con with "Dexter: Resurrection," "Avatar: Seven Havens" and "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy"
From October 8-10, con-goers can catch first-looks, cast conversations and exclusive reveals from the three series.
|
[09/23/26 - 10:03 AM]
FOX Sports Feasts on Multi-Platform Presentation of 2026 NFL Thanksgiving Day Game Across FOX, FOX One, Tubi and FOX Deportes
This year's massive Thanksgiving Day game features the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles live in 4K.
|
[09/23/26 - 10:02 AM]
Video: "Bite Size Terror" - Official Trailer - Tubi Original
A bite-sized horror anthology where seemingly harmless encounters, desires, and decisions take terrifying turns.
|
[09/23/26 - 10:01 AM]
"Million Dollar Secret" Returns to Netflix, But This Time with a Celebrity Twist
In this version, celebrities will try their hand at the ultimate game of deception.
|
[09/23/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Jamie Foxx: Take Care of Yourself" - Official Trailer - Hulu
"Jamie Foxx: Take Care of Yourself" delivers a much-needed dose of self-care in his most honest, evolved, and unforgettable chapter yet.
|
[09/23/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Shark Tank" - Season Premiere Wednesday, September 30 on ABC and Stream on Hulu
It's time to ignite a spark for a new season of entrepreneurs stepping into the Tank!
|
[09/23/26 - 09:32 AM]
"Be My Guest with Ina Garten" Is Back with Brand-New Episodes Filled with Special Guests, Good Food and Great Conversation
The season kicks off with a visit from the creative, award-winning pastry chef Christina Tosi who joins Ina for a perfect day of cooking and conversation at the barn.
|
[09/23/26 - 09:23 AM]
"Katseye: Wild Hearts" Streams October 16 on Disney+ and Hulu
The film is a captivating journey into the group's bold new era while celebrating the fans who helped make it possible.
|
[09/23/26 - 09:01 AM]
A24's "The Invite" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max October 23
The film stars Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton.
|
[09/23/26 - 09:00 AM]
Video: AMC+ Unveils Sneak Peek at Highly Anticipated Revenge Thriller, "Kill Jackie," Starring and Executive Produced by Catherine Zeta-Jones
The series' debut on AMC+ coincides with the streamer's limited time offer of a one-year subscription for $39.99, available now through October 12.
|
|
|
|
