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[10/21/09 - 06:29 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday, October 21
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!
BOYFRED (ABC, New!) - Newcomers Blake Silver, Jarrod Zimmerman, Alan Schmuckler and Michael Mahler have landed a script order from the Alphabet for a new comedy about six twentysomething friends who use a web site to keep in touch after one of them moves overseas. The project, which has a penalty attached, is based on a 15-minute presentation the quartet shot last summer for $6,000. Thomas Schlamme has subsequently come on board to executive produce the half-hour, which is set up at Sony Pictures Television. As for specifics, said effort revolves around Fred, "a Web designer in Chicago whose girlfriend goes overseas, so he creates a Web site for their circle of friends to keep in touch." In addition, "many of the show's characters are involved in Chicago's music scene, and their music blogs are central to the shared Web site, Boyfred.com." Silver directed the presentation with Schmuckler, Mahler and Zimmerman starring and Schmuckler and Mahler providing original music.
FLASH FORWARD (ABC) - Marc Guggenheim has stepped down as co-showrunner of the freshman drama. The move comes as production wraps on the show's original 13 episode order, which Guggenheim was brought in to supervise alongside co-creator David Goyer. Goyer then will fly solo for the remaining 12 episodes of its 25-installment freshman run. As for Guggenheim, he'll transition to development through his overall deal with producer ABC Studios.
I'M WITH STUPID (ABC, New!) - Judy Greer ("Miss/Guided") is set to topline a new multi-comedy at the network about Kas Sienkiewicz, "a Manhattanite who has a fling with a park ranger while on safari in South Africa" who returns home to find the ranger has tracked her down where his "limited intellectual capabilities" are ultimately revealed. Elaine Szewczyk, whose novel upon which the show is based, is penning the half-hour alongside Allan Loeb. Loeb, Steven Pearl and Richard Lewis then are executive producing the project, which has a script commitment, with Szewczyk serving as a co-executive producer. ABC Studios is producing the half-hour, which was originally developed by Lionsgate Television.
OLIVE PRODUCTIONS PROJECTS (Various, New!) - Steve Buscemi, Stanley Tucci and Wren Arthur's Olive Productions has booked a pair of projects around town. At HBO there's an untitled hour from Stu Zicherman ("Six Degrees") about "a brilliant, one-time powerful politician struggling to rebuild his career and relationships with his family and friends after being brought down by a scandal." Tucci is attached to play said role. Meanwhile, TBS has ordered "Good and Evel," an animated comedy about twin brothers Jack Good and Bo Evel who were "stolen by gypsy cab drivers at birth and taught how to behave and drive badly, Bo is a career petty criminal, and Jack bends over backward to mend his brother's ways and help his dysfunctional family." "Daria" co-creator Glenn Eichler penned said half-hour, which also comes from The Gotham Group's Lee Stollman and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein. Both projects are set up at Lionsgate Television where Olive has a first-look deal. Buscemi, Tucci and Arthur then will executive produce alongside the aforementioned creators.
UNTITLED PAUL RUST PROJECT (NBC, New!) - Paul Rust ("I Love You, Beth Cooper") is set to write and star in a new comedy at the Peacock based on his stint as a Wal-Mart employee. Universal Media Studios and Conan O'Brien's Conaco banner are behind the half-hour, which will track Rust's story of graduating from the U. of Iowa, returning to his hometown of LeMars, Iowa and taking a job at Wal-Mart (to be replaced by a fictional big-box store) - "only to find that his co-workers included his former high school principal." Rust, O'Brien and David Kissinger will then serve as executive producers.
WE ARE HERE (ABC, New!) - Hilary Winston ("My Name Is Earl") is developing a new comedy at the Alphabet about "four friends from the U. of Texas, all of whom still live in Austin, but deal with the arrival of adulthood in different ways." Anthony and Joe Russo ("Community") are also on board to executive produce the half-hour for Sony Pictures Television. The network has given a script commitment to the project with a penalty attached.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[09/02/26 - 12:01 PM]
Top 10 Most-Watched Prime Original Films & Series for the Week of August 24
"Reacher," "Sterling Point," "Off Campus," "Ride or Die," and "The Traitors" led all original series worldwide.
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[09/02/26 - 12:00 PM]
Judge Judy Gets Candid About Life and Celebrates 30 Years as a TV Icon During "Judge Judy: Unfiltered, Unforgettable," A Primetime Special Airing Tuesday, Sept. 22 on CBS
This groundbreaking special reveals how the last three decades cemented Judy Sheindlin (aka "Judge Judy") as one of television's most iconic personalities.
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[09/02/26 - 11:31 AM]
"Fan Level Midnight: Devoted to The Office" Makes Its Exclusive Streaming Premiere on Peacock September 7
The six-part docuseries explores the enduring legacy, cultural impact and devoted fanbase behind the beloved series through never-before-heard stories, original interviews with cast and creatives including Kathy Bates, Seth Rogen and Andy Buckley, archival interviews and more.
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[09/02/26 - 11:31 AM]
BritBox Announces "Ludwig" Christmas Special Starring David Mitchell and Sir David Suchet
Set in Yorkshire, the 60-minute Christmas episode sees John, Lucy and Henry arrive at a remote Christmas themed hotel for what should have been a much-needed escape, when a sudden blackout turns the festivities into a locked-room murder mystery.
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[09/02/26 - 11:01 AM]
NBC Debuts First Look Images for "Newlyweds"
A later-in-life love story about a free-spirited woman, Jeanie (Téa Leoni), and a buttoned-up professor, James (Tim Daly), who marry impetuously after a whirlwind courtship.
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[09/02/26 - 11:01 AM]
"Hell's Kitchen" Is Serving Up a Fiery New 25th Season This Fall with an Ambitious New Class of Chefs, All Under 25!
Don't miss the season premiere airing Thursday, September 24 at 8:00/7:00c on FOX and next day Hulu.
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[09/02/26 - 10:31 AM]
Video: "The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this documentary, a journalist and a detective uncover the truth about a killer whose charm masked a trail of failed marriages and suspicious deaths.
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[09/02/26 - 10:23 AM]
Video: "Marshals" Season 2 - Official Trailer - CBS
Kayce Dutton is back. "Marshals" returns for Season 2, kicking off CBS Premiere Week, Sunday, October 4.
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[09/02/26 - 10:02 AM]
Shaquille O'Neal, Authentic Brands & TNT Sports' "Dunkman" to Expand in 2027, Introducing Team Competitions, Junior Division & Global Regional Qualifiers Series
The world's first professional dunk league will officially return in 2027, highlighted by an expanded slate of premium events.
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[09/02/26 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Starz Releases Explosive Trailer for "S.W.A.T. Exiles"
The spin-off of the fan favorite, hit series "S.W.A.T.," raises the stakes of the legacy series, introducing a bold new era.
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[09/02/26 - 09:33 AM]
"Pati Jinich Explores Panamericana" Returns For Second Season
The three-part second season continues Jinich's journey, inspired by the Pan-American Highway.
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[09/02/26 - 09:31 AM]
Drew Binsky Brings His Travels to Netflix September 19
Beginning September 19, members can watch a curated collection pulled from Drew's content library, including his latest episode "Entering The World's Narrowest Island (100 Feet Wide)," with new episodes dropping day-and-date alongside Drew's channels.
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[09/02/26 - 09:16 AM]
New Series "Playing with Matches" Pits Undercover Couples Against Each Other
In the upcoming unscripted series, a group of undercover couples from all walks of life will compete in the ultimate game of romantic deception.
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[09/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Nimesh Patel Makes His Netflix One-Hour Stand-Up Debut with "Buy the Dip"
In this hilarious, no-punches-pulled special, Nimesh takes aim at the absurdity of parenting, the insanity of his Indian family, and the rampant corruption in DC.
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[09/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Being Heumann" - Official Teaser - Apple TV
Judy didn't wait for change. She fought to make it happen.
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