[07/13/09 - 06:29 PM] Development Update: Monday, July 13 By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)
LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
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AMERICAN IDOL (FOX) - Host Ryan Seacrest has inked a new pact with producer 19 Entertainment to keep the multihyphenate on the series through the 2012 season. The deal, reportedly valued at $45 million over three years (and triple his current paycheck), also calls for Seacrest to develop broadcast projects with the CKX-based company. Said agreement won't overlap with Seacrest's overall deal with Comcast Entertainment Group, which is for his cable-related services. As for "Idol's" judges, both Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson are still under contract for next season while negotiations are underway with Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi.
PARENTHOOD (NBC) - Co-star Maura Tierney has divulged the health issue which is postponing production on the freshman drama. "In an effort to guard my privacy, it seems that the wording of NBC's press release has unfortunately caused some confusion and undue alarm about my health. I have discovered a tumor in my breast which requires surgery," Tierney said in a statement. "I will not know either my exact diagnosis or course of treatment until that surgery is performed. My doctors have all assured me this is a very treatable condition. I'm very optimistic as to the outcome and want to thank everyone who has sent positive thoughts and support. I look forward to going back to work soon." The aforementioned delay is said to be for eight weeks, forcing the series to be held back for midseason.
REVELATION (Showtime, New!) - "Dirty Sexy Money" creator Craig Wright has booked a script order from the pay channel for a new drama about "an unconventional minister who moves to a Texas church with his two teens after his wife suddenly dies." Wright, himself a former minister, will pen and executive produce the hour alongside David Janollari with CBS Television Studios producing. No other specifics were given.
YOU DON'T KNOW JACK (A.K.A. BETWEEN THE DYING AND THE DEAD) (HBO) - Susan Sarandon and John Goodman are set to star opposite Al Pacino in the pay channel's biopic of Jack Kevorkian. Goodman will play Nicol, "a friend and co-worker of Kevorkian since 1961 and a steadfast supporter of the right to die," with Sarandon as Janet Good, "an activist with the Hemlock Society who becomes one of Jack's staunchest supporters, working side by side with him to make humane suicide available to the terminally ill and suffering." Barry Levinson is helming the project from a script by Adam Mazer based on Neal Nicol and Harry Wylie's book "Between the Dying and the Dead: Dr. Jack Kevorkian's Life and the Battle to Legalize Euthanasia." Levinson then is also executive producing alongside Steven L. Jones, Lydia Dean Pilcher and Glenn Rigberg.
[06/19/13 - 01:39 PM] TNT Bumps Newcomer "72 Hours" to Friday Nights The reality competition series, which had been airing on Thursdays at 9:00/8:00c, will relocate to Fridays effective immediately.
[06/19/13 - 12:17 PM] ESPN to Present World Series of Poker Main Event To kick off ESPN's WSOP coverage, the inaugural World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific Main Event Final Table will air on Tuesday, July 23.
