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[12/19/08 - 06:15 PM]
Development Update: Friday, December 19
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!
BORED TO DEATH/HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA (HBO) - The pay channel has issued eight-episode commitments to both comedy pilots - the Jason Schwartzman-led "Bored to Death" and the Bryan Greenberg/Victor Rasuk-toplined "How to Make It in America." The latter half-hour revolves around Ben (Greenberg) and his friend Cam (Rasuk), enterprising twentysomethings who hustle their way through New York determined to achieve the American dream. Shannyn Sossamon and Scott "Kid" Mescudi also star in the project, which comes from creator Ian Edelman and fellow executive producers Stephen Levinson, Mark Wahlberg, Rob Weiss and Julian Farino (who also directed the pilot). "Death" then centers on Jonathan (Schwartzman), "a struggling thirtysomething Brooklyn writer with a drinking problem who, after a painful breakup with his girlfriend, decides to emulate his heroes from the novels of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett." Jonathan Ames is behind the project, which also co-stars Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis. Sarah Condon, Dave Becky, Stephanie Davis and Troy Miller are executive producing alongside Ames. Alan Taylor helmed the pilot.
COCAINE COWBOYS (HBO, New!) - Frequent collaborators Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay are teaming up once again, this time for a drama at the pay channel about the early days of cocaine trafficking in Miami. "Cold Case" creator Meredith Stiehm has been tapped to pen the hour, which is inspired by Billy Corben's 2006 documentary of the same name. The project is set up at Bruckheimer's Warner Bros. Television-based banner, marking the first collaboration between the studio and HBO. Bruckheimer, Bay and Stiehm then will executive produce alongside Jonathan Littman with KristieAnne Reed serving as a consulting producer.
THE KARENSKYS (CBS) - Desi Lydic has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a woman (Sasha Alexander) who returns to her hometown and is reunited with her large, eccentric family. She'll play Bernadette, the woman's sister. Mather Zickel, Tinsley Grimes and Todd Stashwick also star in the half-hour, which comes from Universal Media Studios and creator Linwood Boomer. Pamela Fryman is directing while Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun are executive producing alongside Boomer.
THE MIDDLE (ABC) - Charlie McDermott is the latest addition to the Patricia Heaton-led comedy pilot, which tells the story of a middle-class Midwestern family through the eyes of the mother (Heaton). He'll play Axel, the oldest child. DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler are behind the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which Julie Anne Robinson is directing.
PERFECT 10 (ABC Family) - Brett Cullen ("Lost") and Peri Gilpin ("Frasier") have both joined the cast of the drama pilot, about three families dealing with the trials and tribulations of the world of competitive gymnastics. They'll play Mark and Kim Keeler, the parents of the Olympic hopefuls Becca (yet to be cast), the dedicated, focused one; and Payson (Ayla Kell), immature, happy-go-lucky one. Also signing on are Rosa Blasi and Jason Manuel Olazabal as Ronnie and Alex Cruz, parents to Kaylie (Josie Lopez, "a girl who wants to stay small and limber for her sport but is clearly growing into a woman") and Bradford (Marco James, "equally attractive but a lot more clueless"). And rounding out the third clan are single mom Chloe Kmetko (Susan Ward) and her kids Emily (Chelsea Hobbs, "perhaps the most naturally gifted gymnast, she has had only scattershot training, but was born to do this") and Brian (Wyatt Smith, "a cute smart ass who happens to be in a wheelchair with paralysis"). Holly Sorensen is behind the hour, which comes from Adam Cohen, Cara Tapper and Joanna Vernetti's Super Delicious Productions.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[12/04/25 - 01:31 PM]
Heroes Rise Together! Disney+ Original Series "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Official Branded Merchandise Now Available
Inspired by the series' rich storytelling, the dedicated e-commerce store will feature a wide variety of Camp Half-Blood-themed merchandise tailored for enthusiasts of the acclaimed series.
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[12/04/25 - 12:56 PM]
Video: HBO Releases Official Trailer for the Original Drama Series "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," Debuting January 18
From the world of Westeros comes an endearing tale centered on the adventures of an unexpected duo.
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[12/04/25 - 12:07 PM]
Video: "Mo' Waffles" - Official Trailer - Tubi Original
When a hip hop legend vanishes before his waffle joint's opening, his oddball crew must crack the case, wondering if one of them could be the culprit.
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[12/04/25 - 12:00 PM]
Video: A New Generation of Camp Rockers Vie to Become the Opening Act for Connect 3 in First "Camp Rock 3" Teaser
The teaser includes a first look at the Jonas Brothers' return as Connect 3 and the new generation of campers joining the iconic franchise.
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[12/04/25 - 11:02 AM]
"The Masked Singer" Returns with an All-New Season of Epic Themes and Massive Unmaskings on FOX!
Season 14 takes its beloved themed episodes to new heights, celebrating some of the most recognizable and nostalgic moments in pop culture history.
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[12/04/25 - 11:01 AM]
Video: AMC Networks Debuts Official Trailer for Sports Docuseries "Rise of the 49ers," Narrated by Executive Producer Tom Brady
The limited series event, exploring the dramatic and iconic run of the San Francisco 49ers during the '80s and early '90s, premieres with the first two episodes on Sunday, February 1 at 9pm ET/PT, followed by the remaining two episodes on Monday, February 2 at 9pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC+.
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[12/04/25 - 10:39 AM]
Meryl Streep, Jon Batiste, Kathryn Hahn, Regina Hall, Parker Posey, Zachary Quinto, Kelly Ripa and Adam Scott to Present Honors in the 19th Annual "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute"
This year, the third annual CNN Heroes Legacy Award will continue the new tradition of honoring not-so-everyday people dedicated to a lifetime of service by recognizing Robert Redford with a special tribute and appearance by former Vice President Al Gore accepting the award on behalf of the Redford family.
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[12/04/25 - 10:31 AM]
"The Hunting Wives" Season 2 Adds Kim Matula and Alex Fitzalan
The duo joins previously announced returning cast members Brittany Snow, Malin Akerman, Jaime Ray Newman, Dermot Mulroney, Evan Jonigkeit, George Ferrier, Karen Rodriguez, Hunter Emery, and Branton Box.
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[12/04/25 - 10:28 AM]
"A CNN Special Event: Roy Wood Jr.'s Very Very Very Merry Holiday Special" Airs Sunday, December 14 at 8pm ET on CNN
Filmed in front of a live audience in the nation's capital, Wood Jr. will dive into the joy, and occasional chaos, of the holiday season with his signature blend of sharp wit and warm humor.
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[12/04/25 - 10:01 AM]
The World Knew Him as Dirty John: New Documentary Series Exposes the Real John Meehan
From Bunim/Murray Productions, a Banijay Americas company, and Empress Films, director Emma Cooper and executive producers Julie Pizzi, Jesse Daniels, and Melissa G. Moore, comes the definitive documentary series of the man behind the myth.
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[12/04/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - Hularious Original "Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts"
The latest special in the Hularious stand-up slate premieres Friday, December 19 on Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, in the US, and on Disney+ internationally.
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[12/04/25 - 09:41 AM]
Hallmark Media Announces That Matthew Lawrence and TLC's Chilli Will Host an All-New, Original Series "Second Chance Love"
The all-new, unscripted series gives five couples, ranging from their 30's to 70's and who dated 5 to 40 years ago, a second chance to reconnect with the one who got away against the backdrop of a romantic Italian resort.
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[12/04/25 - 09:32 AM]
Food Network Will Kick Off 2026 with a Fresh New Competition Series, "Baking Championship: Next Gen"
Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown are the hosts and judges of the series, due on Monday, January 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
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[12/04/25 - 09:31 AM]
First Look - Bert Kreischer Stars in Netflix's "Free Bert"
The new scripted comedy series, starring Bert Kreischer, premieres on Netflix in January 2026.
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[12/04/25 - 09:06 AM]
PBS and WETA Announce Four-Part Documentary "Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History" with Henry Louis Gates Jr. to Premiere February 3, 2026
Black and Jewish Americans began on fundamentally different footing, but by the early 20th century, they were drawn together by entrenched racism and rising antisemitism.
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