or


[02/27/09 - 06:56 PM]
Development Update: Friday, February 27
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!


90210 (The CW) - Rebecca Rand Kirshner Sinclair has inked a new two-year, seven-figure overall deal with CBS Paramount Network Television. The pact calls for the executive producer to assume the showrunning duties from current captains Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah next season. The writer/producer, who joined the series with episode nine, had been set to focus on development next season with only a consulting role on "90210." The network and studio nevertheless are said to be happy with Sinclair's input and subsequently offered her the show's top role. It's not clear if Sachs and Judah will remain with the series for season two.


CRASH COURSE (ABC, New!) - Orlando Jones and Dan Cortese are set to host a new reality series for the network in which contestants navigate an outrageous obstacle course - featuring everything from weather hazards to falling rocks - in a stunt car. Production on the pilot is set to begin this weekend with Arthur Smith and Kent Weed ("I Survived a Japanese Game Show") executive producing. It's understood the network is eyeing the project as a companion piece to its summer hit "Wipeout."


EMPIRE STATE (ABC) - David Morse ("John Adams") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a blue-collar man falling in love with a wealthy woman. He'll play the boy's strong-willed, caring father. Michael Nouri also stars in the hour, which comes from creator Michael Seitzman, executive producer Mark Gordon and director Jeremy Podeswa.


INSIDE THE BOX (ABC) - "Viva Laughlin" alum Lloyd Owen is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about a Washington-based news network. He'll play a suave Englishman tapped to replace the retiring bureau chief. Betsy Beers, Richard E. Robbins and Shonda Rhimes are the executive producers of the hour, which comes from ABC Studios and director Mark Tinker.


MAGGIE HILL (FOX) - Denis O'Hare ("Milk") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a brilliant surgeon (Christina Cole) who endures adult-onset schizophrenia and thrives. He'll play a top schizophrenia doctor who treats Cole's character. Stephen Hopkins is helming the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour from a script by Ian Biederman.


MELROSE PLACE (The CW) - Katie Cassidy, who stars in CBS's upcoming drama "Harper's Island," has joined the cast of the netlet's "Melrose" update. She'll play Ella Flynn, "an up-and-coming publicist with a big career ahead of her." Michael Rady also stars in the hour, which comes from CBS Paramount Network Television, director Davis Guggenheim and co-creators Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin.


THE PHILANTHROPIST (NBC) - Former Peacock scripted chief Teri Weinberg has inked a two-year, first-look deal with her former employer. The pact gives the network first crack at her Yellow Brick Road banner's output. In addition, she'll also join the upcoming drama "The Philanthropist" as an executive producer. There she'll serve alongside fellow executive producers Charlie Corwin, Peter Horton and creator Tom Fontana.


SEE CATE RUN (ABC) - Ben Feldman ("Living With Fran") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a young prosecuting attorney (Amy Smart) who one day is going to be a serious contender for president of the U.S. He'll play her boyfriend, an ADA who works with her. John Scott Shepherd created the hour, which comes from ABC Studios and director Dean Parisot.


VAMPIRE DIARIES (The CW) - Steven R. McQueen ("Everwood") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about Elena, "a tragic young heroine who is the object of passion for two vampire brothers -- one good, one evil -- who are at war for her soul and for the souls of her friends, family and other residents of the small town in which she resides." He'll play Jeremy, Elena's outcast cute younger brother. Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson are behind the project, which comes from Warner Bros. Television and Alloy Entertainment.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [february 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· 90210 (CW)
· CRASH COURSE (ABC)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· EMPIRE STATE (ABC)
· EVERWOOD (WB)
· HARPER'S ISLAND (CBS)
· I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW (ABC)
· INSIDE THE BOX (ABC)
· JOHN ADAMS (HBO)
· LIVING WITH FRAN (WB)
· MAGGIE HILL (FOX)
· MELROSE PLACE (CW)
· PHILANTHROPIST, THE (NBC)
· SEE KATE RUN (ABC)
· VAMPIRE DIARIES, THE (CW)
· VIVA LAUGHLIN (CBS)
· WIPEOUT (TBS)





[02/26/26 - 10:31 AM]
More Stars Take the Stage to Present at the 98th Oscars
Javier Bardem, Chris Evans, Chase Infiniti, Demi Moore, Kumail Nanjiani and Maya Rudolph are among the featured talent.

[02/26/26 - 10:30 AM]
Video: AMC Networks Unveils Captivating Sneak Peek Scene from "The Vampire Lestat"
In the new rock and roll centric season, the Vampire Lestat goes on an electric multi-city tour while being haunted by "muses" from his wild and rebellious past.

[02/26/26 - 10:21 AM]
Feed the Children Teams Up with FOX's "Next Level Chef" to Put Child Hunger to Bed
The year-round campaign rallies the public alongside donors, volunteers, and partners to provide kids with the food and resources they need to rise and thrive every day.

[02/26/26 - 10:01 AM]
"Running Point" Season Two Returns April 23 on Netflix
Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) is no longer the surprise choice to lead the Los Angeles Waves, she's the one everyone is watching.

[02/26/26 - 10:01 AM]
Season Three of the HBO Original Comedy Series "The Comeback" Debuts March 22
New episodes of the eight-episode season will debut weekly leading up to the series finale on Sunday, May 10.

[02/26/26 - 10:00 AM]
CBS Launches New Podcast "NCIS: Partners & Probies" Hosted by Series Stars Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover, Offering Fans an Inside Look at the #1 TV Franchise Worldwide
Premiering Tuesday, March 3, new episodes will roll out weekly.

[02/26/26 - 09:14 AM]
FOX Sports Assembles World-Class Broadcast Team for 2026 World Baseball Classic
Headlining FOX MLB's coverage of Team USA matchups and knockout rounds are highly acclaimed play-by-play announcers Joe Davis, Adam Amin and Kevin Kugler; expert analysts John Smoltz, A.J. Pierzynski and Adam Wainwright; and veteran reporters Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci.

[02/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art - "Sunny Nights" Starring Will Forte & D'Arcy Carden
After a critical acclaimed Australian debut, the darkly comedic crime drama starring Will Forte and D'Arcy Carden makes its U.S. debut on March 11 on Hulu.

[02/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
BritBox Announces April 7th Premiere for "A Taste for Murder"
The six-part crime procedural produced by Eagle Eye Drama and in association with ITV Studios stars Warren Brown, Phyllis Logan, and Cristiana Dell'Anna, and was shot on location in Croatia and Italy last year.

[02/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
Prime Video Announces March 19 Premiere Date for "Meal Ticket"
The feature-length documentary from Roc Nation, Known Originals, and Creative Control chronicles the history of a storied basketball tradition - the McDonald's All American Games.

[02/26/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Dynasty: The Murdochs" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The series offers an unprecedented look at one the world's most powerful families at a crossroads, as its patriarch, Rupert Murdoch, makes one last play to ensure his legacy at all costs.

[02/26/26 - 08:04 AM]
ESPN and the Horizon League Extend Long-Standing Rights Agreement
ESPN linear networks will remain the home of the Horizon League men's basketball semifinals and championship, six regular season men's basketball contests and the women's basketball championship game.

[02/26/26 - 08:01 AM]
Production for Netflix's "A Different World" Sequel Is Officially Underway in Atlanta
The alumni cast Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Darryl M. Bell, and Cree Summer will be joined by Charnele Brown and Jenifer Lewis of the original series.

[02/26/26 - 08:00 AM]
Video: Exclusive First Look at the Explosive New Season of "Mama June"
The eighth season premieres Friday, March 13 at 9 PM ET/PT on We TV and streaming only on All Reality.

[02/26/26 - 07:01 AM]
UK Broadcaster Sky Enters the Ring as Co-Commission Partner on Starz's Boxing Drama "Fightland" Executive Produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson
The series recently wrapped season one production in London.