 |
 |
[11/03/08 - 06:22 PM]
Development Update: Monday, November 3
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!
BLOCK PARTY (CBS, New!) - The Eye has ordered seven episodes of a new reality series that pits a neighborhood of families against each other for a significant prize. Reality guru/film producer Mike Fleiss ("The Bachelor") and his Next Entertainment are behind the project, which comes from Warner Horizon Television. No other details were given about the series, which is set to begin casting shortly. The pickup marks the first project commissioned by incoming CBS reality chief Jennifer Bresnan.
CHANGING POSITIONS (NBC, New!) - "Meet the Parents" and "Meet the Fockers" co-writer Jim Herzfeld has booked a new multi-camera comedy at the Peacock about a Wall Street guy in his late 30s who loses everything and is forced, along with his wife and their teen kids, to move in with his parents. Universal Media Studios and Doug Liman and David Bartis's Dutch Oven are behind the half-hour, which Herzfeld will write and executive produce. The Hollywood Reporter goes on to add that the parents are "a wealthy, very sexually active couple in their mid 50s who live in a large compound in the Hollywood Hills after amassing a fortune making (and starring in) instructional sex videos in the 1980s when they also invented the 'standing O' position."
GREY'S ANATOMY (ABC) - Co-star Brooke Smith has been let go from the popular drama, fueling speculation her ouster was related to her character's recently revealed sexual orientation. The actress, whose final episode airs on November 6, told Entertainment Weekly: "I found out in mid-September soon after shooting the monologue that aired last week where Erica has the revelation that she's gay. They even came down and told me it was a great scene -- one of the best they ever shot on the show. So I was really, really shocked. I was floored when they told me [I was being let go]. It was the last thing I expected. In fact, when they told me I asked, "When is this happening?" And they said, "The [next episode] is your last," which is the one that airs this Thursday. So it was very sudden." Executive producer Shonda Rhimes subsequently released a statement saying: "Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian. Clearly it's not an issue as we have a lesbian character on the show � Calliope Torres. Sara Ramirez is an incredible comedic and dramatic actress and we wanted to be able to play up her magic. Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run. The impact of the Callie/Erica relationship will be felt and played out in a story for Callie. I believe it belittles the relationship to simply replace Erica with 'another lesbian.' If you'll remember, Cristina mourned the loss of Burke for a full season."
HEROES (NBC) - Co-executive producers Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb have exited the show due to creative differences. The pair, who joined the series after its pilot, are the first victims of an expected overhaul of the show's writing staff, which includes Cathy Mickel Gibson, Joe Pokaski, Lori Motyer, Aron Eli Coleite, Rob Fresco, Jim Chory, Adam Armus and Kay Foster. Creator Tim Kring executive produces the series alongside Dennis Hammer, Allan Arkush and Greg Beeman. The news comes after the Universal Media Studios-produced "Heroes" posted a series low 8.20 million viewers last week. That, coupled with an overall creative backlash and rumblings of overruns on its sizable $4 million per-episode budget, lead to the shakeup.
KING OF THE HILL (FOX) - ABC reportedly is eyeing the animated veteran following the news FOX won't be moving forward with a 14th cycle of the series. The Alphabet is home to "Hill" co-creator Mike Judge's (and fellow "Hill" executive producers John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky's) new animated effort "The Goode Family," due at midseason. Producer 20th Century Fox Television however would only confirm another network is interested in the show, but didn't offer any specifics. Due to the lengthy lead time needed for animated projects, it's unlikely "Hill" could make the move until late 2009 or early 2010.
KINGS (NBC) - Michael Green, the creator and executive producer of the upcoming drama, has inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with producer Universal Media Studios. The pact covers his duties on the newcomer as well as his future development.
STATEN ISLAND (FX, New!) - Lawrence O'Donnell ("The West Wing") is developing a new drama at the cable channel about a compromised police chief based in the famed New York City borough. Mandalay Television, FX Productions and Fox 21 are producing the project, which O'Donnell will write and executive produce.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters, Entertainment Weekly
|
|
|
 [november 2008]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[01/20/26 - 01:01 PM]
Netflix: What We Watched the Second Half of 2025
"KPop Demon Hunters" took the world by storm, breaking records as our most-watched title over a six-month period with 482M views.
|
[01/20/26 - 01:00 PM]
Peacock's "House of Villains" Returns for Season Three with More Rivalries, Roasts and Ruthless Showdowns as the Comedic Competition Series Premieres Thursday, Feb. 26
Hosted by Joel McHale, the hit comedy competition series brings together 11 reality all-stars who must scheme, strategize and shade each other in different challenges for a chance to win $200,000 and the title of "America's Ultimate Supervillain."
|
[01/20/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of January 12 - "The Rip" Confiscates the No. 1 Spot in This Week's Top 10
Mistrust was the theme of the week, as viewers put the murder-mystery thriller "His & Hers" at No. 1 on the English TV list with 29.5 million views.
|
[01/20/26 - 11:38 AM]
NBC Will Air Its Comedy "Stumble" on Friday, Feb. 20 Immediately Following That Evening's Coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
"Stumble" regularly airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m., with encores on Mondays at 8:30 p.m.
|
[01/20/26 - 10:11 AM]
Angel Reese Joins the Cast of "The Hunting Wives" in the Co-Starring Role of "Trainer Barbie"
Season two of the series is now in production.
|
[01/20/26 - 10:05 AM]
Introducing the Cast of "Kennedy" - A New Netflix Drama Series Exploring the Lives, Loves, Rivalries and Tragedies That Shaped the Most Iconic Dynasty in Modern History
Joining Michael Fassbender as Joe Sr. are Laura Donnelly as Rose; Joshuah Melnick as Jack; Ben Miles as Eddie Moore; Saura Lightfoot-Leon as Kick; Cole Doman as Lem Billings; Nick Robinson as Joe Jr.; Lydia Peckham as Rosemary; and Imogen Poots as Gloria Swanson.
|
[01/20/26 - 09:16 AM]
Production Underway on Season 2 of Acclaimed Arctic Comedy "North of North" for Netflix, APTN and CBC
The highly anticipated new season will premiere later in 2026.
|
[01/20/26 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix Is a Joke Fest Returns to Los Angeles Bolder Than Ever
Los Angeles will see over 35 venues for the festival's most impressive lineup yet from the Hollywood Bowl, The Greek Theatre and the Intuit Dome, to iconic comedy hubs like The Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, and Hollywood IMPROV.
|
[01/20/26 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Glitter & Gold" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Ahead of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, go inside the high-stakes, high-drama world of ice dance as the sport's top couples skate for gold and glory.
|
[01/20/26 - 07:02 AM]
Prime Video Releases First-Look Images and Release Date for Upcoming Comedy, "Bait"
"Bait" stars Ahmed as Shah Latif, a struggling actor, whose last chance to hit it big comes in the form of an audition of a lifetime.
|
[01/20/26 - 07:01 AM]
Alan Chikin Chow Is Coming to Netflix to Form the Next K-Pop Sensation
Chow, the most-watched YouTube Shorts creator, is partnering with Netflix for a new scripted series in collaboration with HYBE America, the U.S. arm of the Korean music and entertainment company.
|
[01/20/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV Debuts Trailer for Season Two of Global Hit Drama "The Last Thing He Told Me"
The eight-episode second season will debut globally with the first episode on Friday, February 20, 2026, followed by one episode every Friday through April 10, 2026.
|
[01/20/26 - 06:01 AM]
"Marty, Life Is Short," The Definitive Documentary on Comedian Martin Short, Is Coming to Netflix May 12
Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, the film takes a look at one of the most influential comedians of a generation through never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews.
|
[01/20/26 - 04:06 AM]
Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery Amend Agreement to All-Cash Transaction
The all-cash transaction continues to be valued at $27.75 per WBD share, unchanged from the prior transaction structure.
|
[01/19/26 - 03:59 PM]
ESPN and Words + Pictures Announce "Saban," Landmark Docuseries on Legendary Life and Career of Hall of Fame Icon Nick Saban
The series will tell the story of Nick Saban's extraordinary career, highlighted by his 17 seasons at Alabama, where he led the team to six national titles and reestablished the Crimson Tide as the preeminent program in college football.
|
|
|
|
