or


[08/04/09 - 08:09 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, August 4
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!


AMERICAN IDOL (FOX) - Paula Abdul has departed the ratings juggernaut after eight seasons. The judge broke the news herself via her Twitter account: "With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to #IDOL... I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all... being a part of a show that I helped from day 1become an international phenomenon." FOX, FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment subsequent released a statement saying, "Paula Abdul has been an important part of the 'American Idol' family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best." Said development spells the end of protracted negotiations between Abdul and the producers. Kara DioGuardi closed her deal yesterday while fellow judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson had already been under contract for season nine.


CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS) - D.B. Sweeney has booked a six-episode arc on the upcoming season of the series, executive producer Ed Bernero tells Entertainment Weekly. "He's playing a U.S. Marshal who's brought in to help with a big [case] that arcs through the first part of the season," Bernero said. "He's a contemporary of our team and knows several members of our team really well."


GAME OF THRONES (HBO) - Jennifer Ehle is the latest addition to the drama pilot, an adaptation of the George R.R. Martin fantasy-book series. She'll play Catelyn Stark, "Ned Stark's (Sean Bean) wife who originally was betrothed to Ned's older brother. When the older brother was killed, she fulfilled her duty by marrying Ned and securing the alliance between their two houses." Production on the pilot is set to begin in October.


RITA ROCKS (Lifetime) - "Pushing Daisies" alum Swoosie Kurtz has landed a recurring role on the show's second season. She'll play the mother of the title character (Nicole Sullivan) in an unspecified number of episodes.


YOU DON'T KNOW JACK (HBO) - Oscar-nominee Brenda Vaccaro ("Once Is Not Enough") is the latest addition to Barry Levinson's biopic of Jack Kevorkian (Al Pacino). She'll play the Jack's doting sister, Margo Janus. Danny Huston, John Goodman and Susan Sarandon also star.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [august 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· GAME OF THRONES (HBO)
· PUSHING DAISIES (ABC)
· RITA ROCKS (LIFETIME)
· YOU DON'T KNOW JACK (HBO)





[10/29/25 - 02:11 PM]
NBC Unveils Lineup of New and Returning Beloved Holiday Programming
"These holiday events and specials bring audiences together in ways nothing else can," said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment. "NBC is your home for heartwarming traditions, joyful celebrations, and unforgettable moments."

[10/29/25 - 11:37 AM]
FOX Entertainment Studios Inks First-Look Deal with Golden Globe-Winning and Academy Award and Emmy-Nominated Powerhouse Taraji P. Henson's TPH Entertainment
Under this partnership, Henson will serve as executive producer and content originator for both scripted and unscripted television programming, spanning comedy, drama, and reality formats.

[10/29/25 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Wins Hostage Thriller "Rabbit, Rabbit" in a Competitive Situation; Orders Hot Package Straight to Series
Starring Adam Driver, the series comes from writer Peter Craig and director Philip Barantini.

[10/29/25 - 10:00 AM]
Acorn TV's Fan Favorite Crime Drama "Harry Wild" Returns for a Feature-Length Special on November 24
The special will wrap up season four of the series where, after an apparent poisoning occurs at Vicky's (Danielle Ryan) and Cormac's (Muiris Crowley) wedding, Harry (Jane Seymour) springs into action, alongside the FBI.

[10/29/25 - 09:03 AM]
ESPN and Athletes Unlimited Announce Multi-Year Distribution Deal Covering More Than 50 Nationally Televised Games Annually
As part of this three-year agreement, ESPN will carry 50 exclusive AUSL games annually beginning in 2026, including 47 regular season matchups and the best of three-game AUSL Championship Series.

[10/29/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Leanne Morgan: Unspeakable Things" - Official Trailer - Netflix
From sharing the key to a long marriage to trying CBD for the first and last time, Leanne Morgan is spilling all the sweet tea with her Southern charm.

[10/29/25 - 08:17 AM]
Discovery Channel November Programming Highlights
Newly announced premieres include the launch of "The Last Captains" on Sunday, November 2; plus the return of "Street Outlaws: Locals Only" on Monday, November 17.

[10/29/25 - 08:05 AM]
"Breaking Bad's" Betsy Brandt Joins New Season of AMC Networks' "Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches"
She'll play the series regular role of Katherine on the series' third season, which begins production this week in Vancouver, Canada.

[10/29/25 - 08:02 AM]
Video: "The Forsytes" - The Critics Are Raving
Mark your calendars for the U.S. premiere on Sunday, March 22 at 9:00/8:00c on PBS.

[10/29/25 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Jake vs. Tank" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Jake Paul collides with Gervonta "Tank" Davis in a Most Valuable Promotions blockbuster boxing mega-event live from the Kaseya Center in Miami.

[10/29/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "50 Seconds: The Fernando Baez Sosa Case" - Official Trailer - Netflix
This documentary series explores the case of Fernando Báez Sosa, whose fatal beating by a group of young men was caught on video, shocking Argentina.

[10/29/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: New Teaser - Hulu Original Series "A Thousand Blows" Season 2
The critically acclaimed series from creator Steven Knight returns on January 9, 2026 on Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, and Disney+ internationally.

[10/29/25 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "The Crystal Cuckoo" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Hoping to learn more about her heart donor, a young doctor arrives in a mountain town where decades of mysterious tragedies plague the small community.

[10/29/25 - 03:00 AM]
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Announces Additional Presenters and Performers for 2025 Induction Ceremony
They join the previously announced lineup of presenters and performers, which includes Beck, Brandi Carlile, David Letterman, Doja Cat, Elton John, Flea, Iggy Pop, J.I.D, Killer Mike, Maxwell, Missy Elliott, Olivia Rodrigo, Questlove, RAYE, Sleepy Brown, Taylor Momsen, Teddy Swims, and Twenty One Pilots.

[10/28/25 - 07:02 PM]
Video: "Seventeen: Our Chapter" - Official Trailer - Disney+
13 stories. 1 bond.