 |
 |
[01/14/09 - 06:41 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday, January 14
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!
2009-10 BROADCAST NETWORK PILOTS (Various) - The Hollywood Reporter has published a list of scripts that are reportedly in the mix for pilot pickups. Previously announced projects include the "Untitled Ian Biederman Project," "Wild Boys," "Two Dollar Beer" and "The Station" at FOX; "The Witches of Eastwick" and "The Return" at ABC; "The Streets of San Francisco," "Hawaii 5.0," "Confessions of a Contractor" and the "NCIS" spin-off at CBS; and "Melrose Place" at The CW.
Newly revealed efforts include (creators and details, if available, in parenthesis) dramas "Masterwork" (Paul Scheuring, a thriller in the vein of "The Da Vinci Code"), "Untitled Jack Orman Project," "Untitled Adi Hasak Project," "Human Target" (Jon Steinberg, based on the comic book of the same name), "Reincarnationist" (David Hudgins), "Forge" (Jason Richman) and "Untitled Manny Coto/Brian Helgeland Project" at FOX; comedies "Walorsky" (Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka), "Don't Trust the Bitch at Apt. #23" (Dave Hemingson and Nahnatchka Khan) and "Sons of Tucson" (Greg Bratman and Tommy Dewey), also at FOX; dramas "Day One" (Jesse Alexander), "Girls Chasing Men" (Kerry Ehrin), "Garrick" (Ben Elton), "Trauma" (Dario Scardapane and Peter Berg) and "Untitled Hank Steinberg Project" at NBC; dramas "Happy Town" (Scott Rosenberg, Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec) and "The Gates" (Richard Hatem) at ABC; comedy "No Heroics" (Jeff Greenstein and Drew Pearce) at ABC; untitled medical dramas from the duos of Curtis Hanson & Carol Barbee and Jerry Bruckheimer & Jeffrey Lieber, respectively, at CBS; and the drama "Vampire Diaries" (Kevin Williamson) at The CW.
CBS AT THE TCA - During the Eye's executive session at the TCA Winter Press Tour, network topper Nina Tassler confirmed a slew of developments. Among them: they've ordered an extra 23rd episode of "The Mentalist"; "Swingtown," as long expected (co-stars Jack Davenport and Brittany Robertson have already moved on to new pilots), won't return for a second season on CBS or anywhere else; the network's 2009-10 development slate should include 10 pilots - five comedies and five dramas; a proposed "NCIS" spin-off will be set up via a backdoor pilot episode of the series later this season; and lastly, musician John Mayer is close to a deal to host a potential new variety series for the network, which could air weekly or as seasonal specials.
EVA ADAMS (FOX) - Rhea Seehorn ("Head Cases") has scored the title role on the drama pilot following a lengthy search. The project, which also stars James Van Der Beek and David Denman, centers on Adam Evanson, an egotistic, sexist agent who, under a witch's spell, turns into a woman so he can endure the harassment he has been dishing out. Kevin Falls is behind the Sony Pictures Television-based hour which Mark Waters is directing. Jamie Tarses and Jessica Tuchinsky are also executive producing alongside the duo.
GOSSIP GIRL (The CW) - The first details about a proposed spin-off of the much buzzed about soap emerged on Wednesday. It's understood the project will focus on the pre-"Gossip Girl" adventures of Kelly Rutherford's Lily van der Woodsen as a wild teenager in 1980s Los Angeles. Mark Piznarski, who helmed the parent show's pilot, will do the same for the spin-off, from a script by co-creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. Said installment will air as a backdoor pilot on May 11. As for specifics, the series will track Lily Rhodes (her maiden name) as she moves in with her sister, the black sheep of the family, after a falling out with her parents, where she'll have to make the transition from a wealthy Montecito boarding school to a public school in the San Fernando Valley. Additionally, the untitled hour will also eventually - but not initially - explore Lily's pre-"Gossip Girl" relationship rocker Rufus Humphrey (played as an adult by Matthew Settle). Schwartz and Savage are executive producing alongside Alloy Entertainment's Bob Levy and Leslie Morgenstein for Warner Bros. Television and CBS Paramount Network Television.
SHOWTIME AT THE TCA - Network chief Bob Greenblatt shared the first details of the pay channel's proposed "The L Word" spin-off featuring Leisha Hayley's character Alice Pieszecki. It's understood she'll be sent to prison - for reasons yet to be revealed on the parent show - and the new series will focus on her experiences there in what's being dubbed as the female "Oz." Melissa Leo, Famke Janssen and Laurie Metcalf all guest starred in the pilot and may or not may not become regulars should the series move forward. Greenblatt reportedly hopes to make a decision about the project's future in the next couple of months after a cut is turned in. Meanwhile, the network also confirmed "The Tudors" will roll out its eight-episode third season on Sunday, April 5. As previously announced, the new season features singer Joss Stone as Henry VIII's (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. The producers also confirmed a potential fourth season would be its last as executive producer Michael Hirst and company hope to subsequently move on to "Camelot," their take on the King Arthur myth, at the network.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [january 2009]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[12/09/25 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Kicks Off Its Winter Lineup with Special Advance Premiere Dates for New Series "Best Medicine" and Returning Comedy Series "Animal Control" Following FOX NFL Doubleheaders
Plus: look for a two-night premiere event for new drama series "Memory of a Killer," starring Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperiloi, beginning immediately after the NFC Championship Game.
|
[12/09/25 - 10:31 AM]
John Stamos, Dale Dickey, and Cam Gigandet Join "The Hunting Wives" Season 2
The trio joins previously announced new cast members Kim Matula and Alex FitzAlan, alongside returning cast members Brittany Snow, Malin Akerman, Jaime Ray Newman, Dermot Mulroney, Evan Jonigkeit, George Ferrier, Karen Rodriguez, Hunter Emery, and Branton Box.
|
[12/09/25 - 10:01 AM]
BET+ Original Film, "A Soulful Christmas," Premieres Thursday, December 25
The film stars Kaci Walfall, Myles Truitt, Shanice, Kenny Lattimore, Taylor Symone, E. Roger Mitchell, Towanda Braxton, KB Holland, Kyler Chavis, Gail Everett-Smith, Gerard Catus, Ryan James, and Elijah Resurreccion.
|
[12/09/25 - 09:31 AM]
"The Upshaws" Returns to Netflix on January 15 with Final Season
As Regina makes a run for office and Bennie's garage falls on hard times, the Upshaws will always find a way to keep it real, loud and full of love.
|
[12/09/25 - 09:22 AM]
Viaplay January 2026 Exclusive U.S. Premieres: "Sport vs. Money," "Stayer," "The Curse," "Scenes After a Marriage"
"Slayer" follows an aging rock musician forced to confront his greatest challenge when the mother of his child dies tragically - struggling to balance fatherhood, fame, and the haunting choices of his past.
|
[12/09/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Official Trailer - "The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball" Season 2
The series, produced by Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, returns on Monday, December 22 only on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers.
|
[12/09/25 - 09:01 AM]
The History Channel's New Series "History's Deadliest with Ving Rhames" to Premiere on Monday, January 26
The 10-part series produced by Propagate Content will reveal the unbelievable details surrounding the world's most prolific and powerful killers.
|
[12/09/25 - 08:10 AM]
Roku Originals Hits the Road for Sophia Bush and Lauren Holly Comedy Feature "Broad Trip"
From Muse Entertainment and Motion Content, the film recently wrapped production and will debut on The Roku Channel in May 2026.
|
[12/09/25 - 08:09 AM]
FOX Nation Taps Zachary Levi for New Docudrama "David: King of Israel" Slated for Early 2026
Released weekly, the program brings to life the thrilling, turbulent and deeply human story of David, the shepherd boy who rose to become the greatest king in Israel's history, and whom Christians regard as the ancestor of Jesus Christ.
|
[12/09/25 - 08:08 AM]
OWN Announces "Maxxed Out": A Bold New Financial Intervention Series Premiering January 10, 2026
This unflinching eight-episode series reveals how money (and mismanaged money) can strain even the strongest relationships.
|
[12/09/25 - 08:01 AM]
Tyrese Haliburton Joins "NBA on Prime" as Player Contributor
Haliburton will make his debut tonight on "NBA on Prime's" postgame show, "NBA Nightcap," following the Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals doubleheader featuring the Miami Heat at Orlando Magic (6:00 p.m. ET) and New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors (8:30 p.m. ET).
|
[12/09/25 - 07:01 AM]
Apple TV Reveals First Look at "Margo's Got Money Troubles" from David E. Kelley
Based on Rufi Thorpe's bestselling novel of the same name, the eight-episode series will premiere globally on Wednesday April 15, 2026 with three episodes, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through May 20, 2026.
|
[12/09/25 - 07:01 AM]
Prime Video Reveals First-Look Images and Premiere Date for "56 Days," Starring Dove Cameron and Avan Jogia
All eight episodes will be released on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
|
[12/09/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Unlocked: A Jail Experiment" - Season 2 Official Trailer - Netflix
At an Arizona correctional facility, a sheriff implements a bold experiment to grant incarcerated men more agency in this eye-opening reality series.
|
[12/09/25 - 06:01 AM]
The Game is Afoot! Prime Video Releases First-Look Images for "Young Sherlock" Series
The thrilling series, brought to life by visionary director and executive producer Guy Ritchie, charts the origin story of Sherlock Holmes in an irreverent, action-laden mystery that follows the iconic detective's early adventures.
|
|
|
|
