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[10/15/08 - 06:10 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday, October 15
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!
THE AMAZING MRS. NOVAK (Lifetime) - Amy Pietz ("Aliens in America"), Tom Verica ("American Dreams") and Kristen Dattilo ("The Chris Isaak Show") are the first to be cast in the drama pilot, about a supermarket manager who unexpectedly becomes the governor of New Jersey. Pietz will play the title role of Trish Novak with Verica as her husband Frank and Dattilo as her sister-in-law Goldie. Vanessa Taylor is behind the hour, which comes from Warner Horizon Television and Kudos Film & Television. Carolyn Bernstein, Jane Featherstone and Stephen Garrett also serve as executive producers.
ELI STONE/THE GOODE FAMILY (ABC) - The Alphabet has asked for four more scripts of "Eli Stone," which returned for its second season last night. It's understood the network is pleased with the episodes filmed to date and gave the actual go ahead shortly before yesterday's premiere. Meanwhile, midseason entry "The Goode Family" has likewise been asked for seven additional scripts. The early request is a result of the lead time needed to potentially produce additional episodes the series, an animated comedy from "King of the Hill" co-creator Mike Judge.
THE IRENA SENDLER STORY (CBS, New!) - Anna Paquin ("True Blood") is set to topline a new Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation about Irena Sendler, a Polish woman credited with saving the lives of thousands of Jewish children during World War II. Paquin will play the Nobel Peace Prize nominee, who died at age 98 earlier this year. Production on the telefilm is set to begin next month in Riga, Latvia, for an April premiere. John Kent Harrison is directing from his own script, based on Anna Mieszkowska's book "Mother of the Children of the Holocaust: The Irena Sendler Story," with Brent Shields and Jeff Most executive producing.
JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (NBC, New!) - Josh and Jonas Pate ("Surface") have scored a script commitment from the Peacock for a new drama based on the famed Greek myth following a bidding war with at least one other network. The project, which has a penalty attached should it not move forward to pilot, is expected to be shot entirely on green screen, a la the recently launched Sci Fi series "Sanctuary." The Pates then are penning the pilot and will executive produce for Media Rights Capital. NBC previously aired an "Argonauts" mini-series (from Hallmark Entertainment) back in May of 2000.
MADE OVER (ABC, New!) - "Miss/Guided" co-creator Caroline Williams has landed a put pilot order from the Alphabet for a new comedy about a shallow, image-obsessed cosmetics executive who has a crisis of conscience and quits her job. She subsequently joins a younger woman with completely different values to start a unique consulting company. The project, which Williams will write and executive produce, is set up at Warner Bros. Television.
MEDIUM (NBC) - The Peacock has asked for three more scripts of the drama, which is set to return at midseason on the network. Thus far NBC has only ordered 13 episodes for the show's fifth season. The additional scripts however suggest that number may increase in the coming months.
RITA ROCKS (Lifetime) - The Nicole Sullivan-led comedy, which bows with a weeklong stunt next week, has gotten an order for three additional scripts. Following the aforementioned stunt, "Rita" will air Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c starting October 28.
UNTITLED DAVID E. KELLEY PROJECT (NBC, New!) - David E. Kelley's latest legal drama has received a series commitment from the Peacock, home to his 1986-1994 drama "L.A. Law." The newcomer, which Kelley wrote on spec, is set in a Chicago law firm and revolves around an aging partner and his daughter who works with him as well as a host of eccentric characters around them. The news marks Kelley's first new project since moving to Warner Bros. Television earlier this year. Kelley will then executive produce the pilot, which has a multimillion-dollar penalty if it doesn't go to series.
UNTITLED TRIBECA PROJECTS (CBS, New!) - Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal have inked a three-for-one pilot deal with CBS. The pact calls for the pair's Tribeca Productions to develop three projects for the network, one of which is ultimately guaranteed a pilot order. Already in the works: an untitled hour set in New York from Oscar-winner William Monahan ( "The Departed"). No other specifics about the project were released.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[12/17/25 - 02:06 PM]
Apple TV Expands "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" Universe with New Spin-Off Series
The thrilling new untitled Young Lee Shaw prequel stars Wyatt Russell, reprising his role as Colonel Lee Shaw.
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[12/17/25 - 01:46 PM]
CBS Celebrates the Life and Legacy of a Hollywood Legend in "CBS News: Rob Reiner - Scenes from a Life" to Be Broadcast Dec. 21, 8:30 PM, ET/8:00 PM, PT
The one-hour special replaces the previously announced holiday-themed episodes of "Hollywood Squares," which move to Monday, December 22 at 10:00/9:00c.
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[12/17/25 - 01:30 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks #1 in Total Viewers
"Nightline" also posted week-to-week increases in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54.
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[12/17/25 - 01:00 PM]
CBS Media Ventures Adds Three Titles to Their Distribution Slate for Fall 2026
"Adam's Law," "America's Funniest Home Videos," and "American Mayhem" are all on tap.
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[12/17/25 - 12:00 PM]
CBS Is Turning All of America Into an Epic Adventure for the "Survivor 50 Challenge"
For the first time ever, newcomers, longtime viewers and anyone who loves a good challenge will have the chance to strategize, uncover clues, solve riddles and track down authentic immunity idols hidden in their state.
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[12/17/25 - 11:59 AM]
Video: Official Season 8 Trailer - "The Rookie"
On Tuesday, January 6 on ABC, get ready for a season premiere with explosive action, unexpected alliances, and cases that stretch across continents.
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[12/17/25 - 11:30 AM]
FOX Entertainment Studios Signs Producer Jeffrey Levine and His Bronson Canyon Pictures to Multi-Year First-Look Deal
Under the agreement, Levine will develop and produce scripted television series for the studio across broadcast, streaming, and emerging digital storytelling platforms.
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[12/17/25 - 10:16 AM]
Versant Announces Long-Term Partnership Extension with Rory McIlroy and Launch of New Production Venture
Under the agreement, which extends through 2038, Rory McIlroy will continue to serve as the global face and partner of GolfPass, reinforcing the platform's premium positioning and its commitment to best-in-class golf experiences.
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[12/17/25 - 10:05 AM]
Video: "Scars of Beauty" - Second Season Confirmed - HBO Max
After much gossip and rumors, we're here to clarify that... it's real!
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[12/17/25 - 10:05 AM]
Video: "Tyler Perry's Sistas" Returns for Season 10 - Premieres January 7 at 9/8c
Tyler Perry's hit series returns for Season 10 with new drama, deeper friendships, and unexpected twists.
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[12/17/25 - 10:00 AM]
"Hollywood Squares" Kicks Off Season 2 with Star-Studded Celebrity Lineup
This season's newcomers who will share the board with famed center square Drew Barrymore include Anthony Anderson, Glenn Close, Kat Dennings, Fortune Feimster, Zarna Garg, Jay Mohr, Padma Lakshmi, Joel McHale, Ariana Debose and Arsenio Hall.
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[12/17/25 - 10:00 AM]
AMC Networks' January Highlights Include "Gangs of London," "Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale," "My Life Is Murder," "Planet Earth: Kingdom" and More
Other premieres include the new series "Wolf" on AMC+ and Shudder, based on Mo Hayder's acclaimed Jack Caffrey novels.
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[12/17/25 - 09:46 AM]
Netflix Announces Series Adaptation of Liz Moore's "The God of the Woods"
Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the new series follows the wealthy Van Laars as they fight to hold their family together, unearthing devastating secrets in the process.
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[12/17/25 - 09:43 AM]
The Academy Partners with YouTube for Exclusive Global Rights to the Oscars and Other Academy Content Starting in 2029
The multi-year deal begins in 2029 with the 101st Oscars ceremony and runs through 2033.
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[12/17/25 - 09:34 AM]
ESPN to Debut "MNF Playbook with Next Gen Stats" Dec. 22, An NFL Data-Cast Aimed at Avid Fans; Complements "Monday Night Football" and ESPN NFL Postseason Slate
In Week 16 and 17, Luke Kuechly - the former Carolina Panthers standout linebacker and seven-time Pro Bowler - will team up with ESPN NFL analysts Dan Orlovsky and Field Yates from ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Conn.
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