 |
 |
[02/23/09 - 06:55 PM]
Development Update: Monday, February 23
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 SEASON PILOTS (Various) - The CBS drama "Confessions of a Contractor" and ABC single-camera comedies "Funny in Farsi" and "Planet Lucy" have been pushed to the next development cycle. The trio had been operating under various contingencies - cast-contingent in the case of "Contractor" and "Lucy" and director- and showrunner-contingent for "Farsi" - all of which were not met by the networks' respective deadlines on Friday. Richard Murphy's "Contractor," based on his novel of the same name, was dubbed as "an insider's look at the sexy and provocative world of L.A. seen through the eyes of a successful contractor." Jeff Okin and Shawn Ryan also served as executive producers for 20th Century Fox Television. "Farsi" and "Lucy" were likewise based on books - the former a memoir by Firoozeh Dumas about an Iranian-born girl's experiences growing up in Newport Beach in the 1970s; and the latter Fiona Neill's book "Slummy Mummy" about "an endearing, disaster-prone everywoman who gives up an impressive professional career to be a stay-at-home mom raising three kids." Jeffrey Hodes and Nastaran Dibai penned the "Farsi" adaptation while Gabrielle Allan was behind "Lucy." ABC Studios was behind both half-hours with Sony Pictures Television co-producing the latter.
ACE IN THE HOLE (CBS, New!) - Adam Carolla is set to topline and co-write a new comedy pilot for the network about a husband and father (Carolla) who works as a driving instructor. Carolla penned the pilot alongside his "The Hammer" partner Kevin Hench. The pair are also executive producing alongside Jackhole Productions principals Jimmy Kimmel and Daniel Kellison. CBS Paramount Network Television is the studio attached while James Dixon, Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun are also on board as executive producers.
BROTHERS & DETECTIVES (ABC) - Jimmy Wolk ("Front of the Class") has been tapped for the lead role on the drama pilot, about a low-level detective (Wolk) whose genius 11-year-old brother helps him solve crimes. Daniel Cerone is behind the ABC Studios-produced hour, which is based on the Argentinean format.
COMMUNITY (NBC) - "The Soup" host Joel McHale is the first to be cast on the comedy pilot, described as "Stripes" in a community college. He'll play Jeff, "a lawyer who is back at school after his college degree is deemed invalid." Anthony and Joe Russo ("Carpoolers") have also signed on to direct the pilot, which comes from creator Dan Harmon and Sony Pictures Television.
GLEE (FOX) - Jennifer Aspen ("Rodney") has scored a role on the drama, due later this year. She'll play Kendra, additional details of which weren't specified. Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Mark Salling and Jenna Ushkowitz also star in the hour, which comes from co-creators Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy.
HAPPY TOWN (ABC) - Dean Winters ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") has joined the cast of the two-hour drama pilot, about a small town rattled by the return of a serial kidnapper. He'll play a man whose daughter was kidnapped years ago. Andre Nemec, Josh Applebaum and Scott Rosenberg are behind the ABC Studios-based project, to be helmed by Gary Fleder.
SCAR TISSUE (HBO) - John Sayles ("Honeydripper") has signed on to pen the drama pilot, about the childhood of Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis. Said hour will center on "the rocker's early years living in West Hollywood with his father, who, at that time, sold drugs and mingled with rock stars on the Sunset Strip, all while aspiring to get into showbiz." Sayles will also executive produce the project alongside Jason Weinberg, Catapult 360 partners Marc Abrams and Michael Benson as well as Kiedis himself.
SEE CATE RUN (ABC) - Liza Lapira ("Dexter") and Marc Blucas ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") have joined the cast of the Amy Smart-led drama pilot, about a young prosecuting attorney who one day is going to be a serious contender for president. Blucas will play a legendary campaign guru who sees the girl's potential while Lapira is set as an attorney who works and lives with her. ABC Studios and director Dean Parisot are behind the project, which comes from creator John Scott Shepherd.
TRAUMA (NBC) - Aimee Garcia has joined the cast of the pilot, a drama set in the high-energy world of medical emergencies out in the field. She'll play the newest member of an EMT team. Dario Scardapane is behind the hour, which comes from Universal Media Studios and Film 44. Jeffrey Reiner is directing.
WASHINGTON FIELD (CBS) - Matthew Yang King ("NUMB3RS") has booked a role on the drama pilot, about the FBI's National Capital Response Squad. He's set as the team's bomb expert. Jon Cassar is helming the CBS Paramount Network Television-based hour, which comes from co-creators Edward Allen Bernero, Jim Clemente and Tim Clemente.
THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK (ABC) - Jaime Ray Newman and Veronica Cartwright have both landed roles on the drama pilot, about three young witches who come into their powers. Newman will play one of them, Kat, a good-natured nurse and a mom of five kids, while Cartwright's role wasn't specified. Maggie Friedman penned the Warner Bros. Television-based hour, which David Nutter is directing.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [february 2009]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[06/23/26 - 12:31 PM]
Video: DC, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Releases Official Trailer for "Batman: Knightfall"
Part one of the trilogy premiered tonight at the 2026 edition of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival with an official release planned for later this year.
|
[06/23/26 - 12:01 PM]
Video: Paramount+ Releases Official Trailer for "The Real Wolf of Wall Street"
The three-part documentary event premieres on Tuesday, July 14, exclusively on Paramount+.
|
[06/23/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of June 15 - "I Will Find You" Chases Down No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
At No. 2 on the English TV list was "Outlast: The Jungle" with 3.9 million views.
|
[06/23/26 - 11:16 AM]
Terry Crews Will Host Macy's 4th of July Fireworks on NBC
The star-studded event will feature performances by Noah Kahan, Post Malone, Salt-N-Pepa, Bebe Rexha, Shaboozey and Blake Shelton.
|
[06/23/26 - 10:03 AM]
Disney+ and Hulu to Stream "Rabbit Hole" - pocket.watch Creator-Led Show Premieres July 13th
The half-hour 10-episode original series will debut as the largest ensemble of digital stars ever brought together for a premium series.
|
[06/23/26 - 10:02 AM]
HBO Original Documentary Series "The Man Will Burn" Debuts July 9
The series goes behind the scenes to chronicle the evolution and ethos of Burning Man, the 40-year-old cultural event and temporary city built in the Nevada desert.
|
[06/23/26 - 09:10 AM]
ESPN and Disney Jr. Encourage Preschoolers to Get in the Game, Team Up Again with Every Kid Sports to Expand Access to Youth Sports for Income-Restricted Families
"Me & Mickey: Let's Play Sports," a collaboration between Disney Jr., ESPN and Positive Coaching Alliance, will debut Monday, June 29, on Disney+, Disney Jr. (6:25 a.m. EDT/PDT) and Disney Jr. on Demand.
|
[06/23/26 - 09:06 AM]
Video: HBO Max Releases Official Trailer and Key Art for Max Original Comedy Series "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," Debuting July 23
Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon.
|
[06/23/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Her Kingdom Has Come - Paramount+ Reveals Trailer and First Look at Season 6 of "Tyler Perry's Ruthless" Premiering June 30
The series will launch with two episodes, followed by a weekly rollout culminating in the mid-season finale on Tuesday, August 25.
|
[06/23/26 - 09:00 AM]
The CW Network Named Exclusive Broadcast Partner for Both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA 2026 Competitions
Both competitions will air live from the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the renowned Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, marking the return of the two competitions to The CW for the first time since 2024.
|
[06/23/26 - 08:31 AM]
Netflix Unveils Upcoming Anime Slate Out of Annecy Festival
The Netflix Anime Studio Focus highlighted upcoming titles from some of Japan's most acclaimed creators and animation studios, spanning original stories, beloved manga adaptations, and returning fan-favorite franchises.
|
[06/23/26 - 08:23 AM]
BET Names Keke Palmer to Its Board of Advisors, Deepening a New Era of Leadership and Cultural Stewardship
Formed earlier this month under BET President Louis Carr, the Board brings together cultural icons, business leaders, and industry visionaries to help steer the ongoing growth of the 45-year-old network as a key player at the crossroads of media, community, and culture.
|
[06/23/26 - 07:01 AM]
A24's "The Drama" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max July 31
The film stars Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, and Hailey Benton Gates.
|
[06/23/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: 2026 MLB Home Run Derby - Official Trailer - Netflix
The best sluggers in baseball put their power to the test and chase home run glory live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
|
[06/23/26 - 07:01 AM]
"The Devil Wears Prada 2" Streams Exclusively on Disney+ and Hulu July 29
Gird your loins.
|
|
|
|
