 |
 |
[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 |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[04/28/26 - 12:16 PM]
Netflix Expands "Stranger Things" Universe: "Tales From '85" Scores Early Season 2 Renewal
"Stranger Things: Tales From '85" debuted in the Netflix Global Top 10 at #7 this week, securing a spot in the top 15 animated series debuts of all time.
|
[04/28/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of April 20 - Charlize Theron Climbs to No. 1 with "Apex" in This Week's Top 10
Another warning to be careful who you trust, the psychological thriller series "Unchosen" debuted at No. 1 on the English TV list with 10.4 million views.
|
[04/28/26 - 11:01 AM]
HBO Original Sports Documentary Series "U.S. Against the World: Four Years with the Men's National Soccer Team" Debuts May 12
The five-part documentary series is an unprecedented look inside the United States Men's National Soccer Team (USMNT) in the leadup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America this June.
|
[04/28/26 - 10:01 AM]
Dave Chappelle's Pulling Up on Netflix Is a Joke Fest with Star-Studded Music and Comedy Shows
For three nights from May 7-9, the comedian takes over the legendary Hollywood Palladium with shows that blend comedy and music with surprise guest appearances.
|
[04/28/26 - 09:08 AM]
CNN Original Series "Craig Ferguson: American on Purpose" Premieres Saturday, May 30 at 9PM ET/PT
Timed to America's 250th anniversary, the five-episode sees Ferguson travel coast-to-coast to explore the defining ideas, and contradictions, at the heart of the United States.
|
[04/28/26 - 09:02 AM]
Video: "Between Father and Son" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In just a few suspenseful minutes, a lawyer's world tilts as her visit to her fiancé's family estate ignites an irresistible bond with her future stepson.
|
[04/28/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Perfect Match" Season 4 - Official Trailer - Netflix
More swaps. More sparks. More drama. Reality stars from "Love Is Blind," "Vanderpump Rules," "Love Island" and more shake up the game, but who'll find their perfect match?
|
[04/28/26 - 09:00 AM]
CBS Presents "Forever Young: A Grammy Salute to Rod Stewart Live," Airing Tuesday, May 19 on CBS and Paramount+
This two-hour celebration brings viewers on stage and behind the scenes for an all-access concert experience.
|
[04/28/26 - 08:53 AM]
"Crime and Punishment in America," New Documentary from Lynn Novick, to Air on PBS in November 2026
Samuel L. Jackson, Laura Linney, Bobby Cannavale, Matthew Rhys, Michael Stuhlbarg, David Hyde Pierce, and BD Wong will lend their voices to the four-part, eight-hour documentary series.
|
[04/28/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Soccer Meets America" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
This riveting series reveals how the convergence of key events transformed the United States into the global soccer powerhouse it is today.
|
[04/28/26 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video Unveils Premiere Date and Glimpse at "Sterling Point"
The series will debut all eight episodes globally on August 5, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.
|
[04/28/26 - 07:16 AM]
Video: "Welcome to Wrexham" - Season 5 Official Trailer - Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac - FX
The new season returns Thursday, May 14 on FXX and Hulu.
|
[04/28/26 - 07:06 AM]
Apple TV's Emmy Award-Winning Series "Ted Lasso" Returns for Season Four on August 5
Season four marks the return of fan favorites, including Emmy Award winner Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Emmy Award winner Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Jeremy Swift, alongside new additions Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern and Grant Feely.
|
[04/28/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Funny AF with Kevin Hart" - Live Semi-final and Grand Finale - Official Trailer - Netflix
The break of a lifetime is at stake as the competition turns live and the last remaining comics square off - with the winner crowned by your vote.
|
[04/28/26 - 07:01 AM]
Great American Media Announces Mario Lopez, Tony Danza, and Dominic Lopez to Star in New Original Christmas Movie, "Christmas at the Starlight"
In their first known scripted on-screen pairing as father and son, Lopez and Danza bring extraordinary warmth, charisma, and generational appeal to a timeless holiday story about family, legacy, faith, and the traditions that lead us home.
|
|
|
|
