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[10/30/08 - 06:31 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, October 30
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!


BOLDLY GOING NOWHERE (FOX) - Newcomer Lennon Parham has been tapped for the female lead on the comedy pilot, about what happens day-to-day on an intergalactic spaceship helmed by a rogue captain (Ben Koldyke). She'll play Joyce, the ship's by-the-book pilot. Also signing on are Chad L. Coleman as Cobalt and Artemis Pebdani as Startemis. Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton are behind the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, which Wayne McClammy is directing.


COUGAR TOWN (ABC, New!) - "Friends" alum Courteney Cox and "Scrubs" creator Bill Lawrence are set to team for a new single-camera comedy about an attractive, newly single 40-year-old mom (Cox) with a 17-year-old son. The Alphabet has ordered a pilot to the project, which is set up at ABC Studios. Lawrence is penning the half-hour alongside Kevin Biegel and executive producing with Cox. Lawrence's Doozer and Cox's Coquette banners are the midst of overall deals with the studio. Cox guest stars on the first three episodes of "Scrubs's" new season.


GLEE (FOX) - Stephen Tobolowsky ("Heroes") and Jane Lynch ("Two and a Half Men") have both landed recurring roles on the potential drama, about a Spanish teacher (Matthew Morrison) tasked with taking over a high school glee club. Lynch will play Sue Sylvester, whom the casting notice details as: "30-45, all ethnicities. The anal, tightly wound, and ruthlessly ambitious leader of the Harrison High cheer leading squad." Tobolowsky then, based on his age, is believed to be playing Sandy Ryerson: "35-45, all ethnicities. He's gay, but covers it...most of the time. With a pastel sweater thrown over his shoulders, Sandy is the former Glee Club teacher, who is given the axe after an episode of inappropriate touching. Later, Sandy runs into Will, the new Glee Club coach, and reveals that he's found himself a profitable sideline -- selling medical marijuana to needy, weed-addicted customers like Ken Tanaka." Cory Monteith, Jayma Mays, Jessalyn Gilsig and Lea Michele also star in the hour, which comes from co-creators Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy.


OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (USA) - Emily Rose ("Brothers & Sisters") has been tapped for the lead role on the drama pilot, about a top trauma surgeon who, upon returning from a tour of duty in Iraq, finds herself working at a dysfunctional military hospital. Her casting lifts said contingency off the pilot's production. John Peaslee and Judd Pillot are behind the hour, which is based at Universal Cable Productions. Conan O'Brien and David Kissinger of Conaco Productions also serve as executive producers.


PRETTY LITTLE MISTAKES (NBC, New!) - Bruce Marshall Romans and Kiersten Van Horne are developing a new drama at the Peacock based on the novel of the same name by Heather McElhatton. The project, which is being supervised by "Friday Night Lights" showrunner Jason Katims for Universal Media Studios, follows a female protagonist as she decides between college or travel following graduation from high school. It's not clear how the series will mirror the book's choose-your-own-adventure aspect, which leads to 150 possible endings. Fuse Entertainment's Mikkel Bondensen and Kristen Campo are also on board as executive producer and producer, respectively.


PRIVILEGED (The CW) - "Do Not Disturb" alum Dave Franco has landed a multi-episode arc on the freshman drama. He'll play a love interest for Lucy Hale's Rose character. No other specifics were released.


UNTITLED ICE CUBE PROJECT (NBC, New!) - Actor/rapper Ice Cube is developing a new hourlong dramedy at the Peacock. The project, specifics of which weren't released, is understood to a buddy cop show. Universal Media Studios is behind the hour, which Cube will write and executive produce alongside Cube Vision's Matt Alvarez. Cube however isn't attached to star but could potentially make guest appearances.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters, Entertainment Weekly





  [october 2008]  
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· BOLDLY GOING NOWHERE (FOX)
· BROTHERS & SISTERS (ABC)
· COUGAR TOWN (TBS)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· DO NOT DISTURB (FOX)
· FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (DIRECTV)
· FRIENDS (NBC)
· GLEE (FOX)
· HEROES (NBC)
· OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (USA)
· PRETTY LITTLE MISTAKES (NBC)
· PRIVILEGED (CW)
· SCRUBS (ABC)
· TWO AND A HALF MEN (CBS)
· UNTITLED ICE CUBE PROJECT (NBC)





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