 |
 |
[10/21/09 - 06:29 PM]
Development Update: Wednesday, October 21
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!
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
|
|
|
 [october 2009]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[10/26/26 - 12:02 PM]
From Tipoff to One Shining Moment: CBS Sports & TNT Sports Unveil 2026-27 College Basketball Schedule
For the 29th time, CBS Sports will present the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Semifinals (Saturday, March 13) and Championship (Sunday, March 14), as well as the Big Ten Women's Basketball Championship on Sunday, March 7.
|
[10/26/26 - 11:32 AM]
ESPN's NBA Opening Week Delivered Its Largest Audience Since 2014
The Philadelphia 76ers' victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers averaged 2.5 million viewers, up 26% from last year's comparable game.
|
[10/26/26 - 11:04 AM]
Ready for More Magic? "Coven Academy" Season 2 Is Coming
Freeform confirmed the news on social media this morning.
|
[10/26/26 - 11:00 AM]
FOX's All-New "Baywatch" Series Premiere Wednesday, January 6 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
The series will celebrate the franchise's enduring legacy, while re-energizing it for today's global audience.
|
[10/26/26 - 10:00 AM]
Hulu Announces Provocative New Docuseries "Get Huge: Looksmaxxing to Death"
The three-part series will debut November 10 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and on Disney+ internationally.
|
[10/26/26 - 09:26 AM]
"CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton" Scores Nearly 5 Million Total Viewers on ABC and Disney+
The special ranked No. 1 in Total Viewers from 9-11 p.m. (4.74 million), leading its closest competitors in the timeslot by double digits.
|
[10/26/26 - 09:23 AM]
Amy Madigan to Star Alongside Viola Davis in New Thriller "Ascent" for Paramount+
Madigan will play Rachel, a former executive at Ascent Ventures and Catriona's (Davis) lifelong mentor.
|
[10/26/26 - 09:05 AM]
TLC Uncovers The Case That Had America Asking, "Who Did This?" in New Special, "The Mad Pooper"
The two-hour special premieres Thursday, November 19 at 8PM ET/PT.
|
[10/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
"Ali G: Who Iz I?," Starring and Directed by Sacha Baron Cohen, Is Coming to Prime Video October 28
Sacha Baron Cohen's new film marks his directorial debut.
|
[10/26/26 - 08:31 AM]
BET and the City of Chicago Partner to Bring the "Soul Train Awards" Home
Hosted by Anthony Anderson, the 2026 ceremony will take place at the Harris Theater and celebrate Soul Train's enduring legacy and the city that helped launch a cultural phenomenon.
|
[10/26/26 - 08:14 AM]
MGM+ Greenlights the Supernatural Horror Investigation Series "The Black Tapes" Starring Emmy-Nominee Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
The eight-episode supernatural horror investigation series is based on the hit horror podcast of the same name created by Terry Miles and Paul Bae.
|
[10/26/26 - 07:01 AM]
Prime Video Announces November 5 Premiere Date for "Terrell & T.O."
The documentary captures the turbulent rise from childhood to Hall of Fame of NFL trailblazer Terrell Owens, whose undeniable talent and outspoken personality made him one of the most celebrated, scrutinized, and misunderstood figures in NFL history.
|
[10/26/26 - 06:01 AM]
Netflix Announces the Start of Production on "Jotade", the Adaptation of Santiago Diaz's Novel
Jotadé is an unconventional police officer: brazen and irreverent, yet sharp, sincere, and fiercely loyal to both his colleagues and his Romani community.
|
[10/26/26 - 12:01 AM]
This Diwali, Home Is Where the Heart Is: Netflix Announces a Heartwarming New Film "Dilwali Diwali" Premiering November 5
The film features a heartwarming festive family reunion and the wonderfully messy dynamics of intergenerational relationships.
|
[10/24/26 - 04:11 PM]
Jackpot, Bravoholics! BravoCon Returns to Las Vegas Oct. 22 - 24, 2027
Fans will enjoy unparalleled access to their favorite Bravolebrities through must-see panels, immersive activations, exclusive meet-and-greets, photo opportunities and exciting surprises, experiencing the Bravo universe like never before.
|
|
|
|
