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[09/24/09 - 06:04 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, September 24
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
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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!
24 (FOX) - Stephen Root ("True Blood") is the 16th addition to the show's massive season eight ensemble, due in January. He'll play Ben Prady, an officer of the Department of Corrections looking into a parolee gone missing, in a multi-episode arc.
AMERICAN IDOL (FOX) - The network and Simon Cowell are reportedly in talks to import his U.K. series "The X Factor." Said development comes as negotiations continue with the judge to extend his current pact, which ends after the upcoming season. The "Idol" portion of the deal is said to be valued in the nine-figure range to return for two more seasons while "Factor" could net just as much per season. Cowell's existing "Idol" deal prohibited him from bringing "Factor" to the U.S., hence the added pressure to either keep Cowell exclusive or fold "Factor" under the FOX tent.
THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW (TBS) - The cable channel has pulled the plug on the sitcom after three seasons. In a statement released to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the network said: "TBS has cancelled The Bill Engvall Show after three seasons. We had a great experience working with Bill and the cast. Bill is a terrific comic, and we have tremendous respect for him. While the show didn't attract the audience we need to renew it for another season, we're proud of the work of everyone involved."
THE CAPE (NBC, New!)/THE MYSTERIES OF OAK ISLAND (FOX, New!) - Tom Wheeler ("Empire") has landed script commitments - with penalties attached - for new dramas at FOX and NBC. The former, the Warner Bros. Television-based "The Mysteries of Oak Island," revolves around "a single mom and her two children who inherit a 200-year-old lighthouse on [a] mysterious island off the coast of Nova Scotia known for numerous quests to find treasure believed to be buried there." Meanwhile, "The Cape" centers on "a former cop framed for a crime he didn't commit who becomes the Cape, a masked hero, to clear his name and reunite with his son." Said hour, set in the fictional Jefferson City ("a Los Angeles-type city where corrupt private industries are taking over everything"), comes from Universal Media Studios and fellow executive producers Lloyd Braun and Gail Berman.
HOUSE (FOX) - Entertainment Weekly reports Jennifer Morrison is departing the series later this season. Said development is being billed as "a creative decision on the part of producers." It's understood Morrison's character, who will say goodbye during an episode in November, won't be killed off but rather exit for other reasons. Producers nevertheless reportedly will leave the door open for future appearances.
LAWMAN (FX) - "Dirty Sexy Money" alum Natalie Zea has joined the cast of upcoming drama, about "a modern-day, 19th-century-style lawman (Timothy Olyphant) enforcing his brand of justice." She'll play the ex-wife of said character after guest starring in the pilot. Sony Pictures Television and FX Productions are behind the hour, which rolls out early next year.
SKY JOCKEYS (FOX, New!) - RDF Media and UKTV, a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Virgin Media, are set to team for a potential new animated comedy set inside an airport. Anil Gupta (U.K.'s "The Office") and Richard Pinto ("Mutual Friends") are behind the half-hour, the pilot of which has been sold to FOX. The project is a result of RDF Media's new script-development deal with UKTV's digital outlet Dave which calls for the company to develop three half-hour scripts, including "Sky Jockeys," at least one of which will be picked up for broadcast sometime in late 2010. No other details about "Jockeys" however were released.
UNTITLED JIM BREUER PROJECT (NBC, New!) - "SNL" alum Jim Breuer is set to topline a new multi-camera comedy at the Peacock about "a father who decides to stay home and raise his three daughters and at the same time take care of his elderly parents." Wil Calhoun ("What I Like About You") is penning the half-hour for Sony Pictures Television. It's understood the project, which has a script commitment, is inspired by Breuer's recent documentary "More Than This," which followed the comedian as he embarked on a stand-up tour with his father. Breuer and Calhoun then will executive produce alongside Brian Robbins and Sharla Sumpter of Varsity Pictures and Judi Brown-Marmel of Levity Entertainment Group.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[11/18/25 - 01:00 PM]
Video: "Family Guy" Hulu Exclusive Holiday Special Trailer and Key Art Debut
The Hulu exclusive special premieres Friday, November 28 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
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[11/18/25 - 01:00 PM]
"Bridezillas" Returns with a Fresh "I Do!" Premiering Today, Exclusively on AMC Networks' New Streamer All Reality
Tamar Braxton, known for her long-standing presence in reality television, brings new life, humor and her signature flair to the return of the pop culture phenom, which debuts with two episodes today, and new episodes dropping every Friday, beginning November 28.
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[11/18/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of November 10 - "The Beast in Me" Plays Mind Games at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Those wishing to escape into fantasy opted for "The Witcher" Season 4, placing the series at No. 2 on the list with 3.6 million views in its third week in the Top 10.
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[11/18/25 - 12:01 PM]
Disney, ESPN and the NBA Team Up to Present Second "Dunk the Halls" - The Real-Time, Animated NBA Game: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks on Christmas Day - Live from Main Street, U.S.A.
The innovative alternate presentation will be available on ESPN2, Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD and the new ESPN App via ESPN DTC or pay TV authentication.
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[11/18/25 - 11:01 AM]
"Twisted Metal" Season Three Is Coming to Peacock
The streaming service confirmed the news on social media this morning.
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[11/18/25 - 10:09 AM]
Tubi Serves Up the First Look at "Mo' Waffles," a Wild New Comedy from TikTok Duo A Twink and a Redhead and Robin Jordan, Premiering December 19th
When a hip hop legend vanishes before his waffle joint's opening, his oddball crew must crack the case, wondering if one of them could be the culprit.
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[11/18/25 - 10:02 AM]
Video: Official Trailer & Key Art - "Dance Moms: A New Era" Season 2
The A+E Factual Studios series returns with all episodes on Monday, December 8 only on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers.
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[11/18/25 - 10:01 AM]
TNT Sports Announces Commentators for GEICO Players Era Men's & Women's Championships
Coverage of the GEICO Players Era Men's Championship on both Monday, November 24 and Tuesday, November 25 will begin on TNT at 12:30 p.m. ET.
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[11/18/25 - 10:01 AM]
BET+ Original Film, "Son of the Preacher," Premieres Thursday, November 27
The film stars Gabrielle Graham, Chris LeBlanc, Darren Herbert, Rachel Crawford, Ronnie Rowe, Tkaia Green, and Karen Burthwright.
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[11/18/25 - 09:30 AM]
Prime Video Sets the Heist in Motion: First Look and Premiere Date for "Steal" Unveiled
All six episodes will be available on January 21, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[11/18/25 - 09:01 AM]
NBC to Air 78th Emmy Awards Live on Monday, Sept. 14 from the Peacock Theater
The date of Emmy Award nominations will be announced in the coming months.
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[11/18/25 - 09:00 AM]
Reunion Announcement: Hulu's "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" Season 3 Reunion Special
The special premieres December 4 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.
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[11/18/25 - 09:00 AM]
The 28th Annual "Family Film and TV Awards," Hosted by Julie Chen Moonves, to Air Dec. 13 on CBS and Paramount+
Legendary magic and comedy duo Penn & Teller will receive the Outstanding Family Entertainers Award, celebrating 50 years of captivating audiences, and the night will feature special performances by country music superstar Blake Shelton.
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[11/18/25 - 08:16 AM]
Ira Levin's Novel "The Boys from Brazil" Is Coming to Netflix
Adapted by Peter Morgan and directed by Alex Gabassi, this five-part historical thriller stars Jeremy Strong, August Diehl, Daniel Brühl and Gillian Anderson.
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[11/18/25 - 08:02 AM]
First Look Images and Premiere Date for New Game Show "What's in the Box?" Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris
Giant boxes conceal jaw-dropping prizes, wild surprises and unexpected reveals in "What's in the Box?," a high-stakes arching game show that tests smarts, strategy and stamina.
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