or


[10/29/09 - 06:17 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, October 29
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!


THE C WORD (Showtime) - Oliver Platt ("Huff") is the latest addition to the comedy pilot, which stars Laura Linney as Cathy, "a suburban wife and mother forced to face a diagnosis of cancer but who manages to find the lighter side of a dark situation." He'll play her husband, Paul, "a narcissistic but lovable manchild." John Benjamin Hickey and Phyllis Somerville also star in the half-hour, which is also expected to feature Gabourey Sidibe in a recurring role. Darlene Hunt wrote the script, to be directed by Bill Condon, with Neal Moritz, Vivian Cannon and Linney also serving as executive producers.


DAD CAMP (VH1, New!) - 3 Ball Productions has booked a new reality series at the cable channel in which "first-time fathers receive a crash course in grown-up responsibilities." The project is the latest effort by VH1 to rebrand its image away from its current controversial light. No other specifics were given about the project, which will be executive produced by JD Roth, Jeff Olde, Adam Greener, Todd Nelson, Matt Assmus, Jill Holmes, Sean Boyle and Csherian Coleman.


DEFYING GRAVITY (ABC) - In an interview with CliqueClack.com, creator James Parriott indicates the sets for the series have been struck and the actors have been released from their contracts. Said development comes as Fox Home Entertainment prepares to release the 13 completed episodes on DVD on January 19. ABC ran eight installments over the summer but has remained mum on air dates from the remaining five episodes (which have since broadcast in Canada). Sources suggest it's unlikely those episodes unseen by U.S. viewers will be broadcast here before said date.


DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC) - Marc Cherry and Bob Daily have both reupped their respective overall deals with ABC Studios. The two-year extensions will keep the creator and his top lieutenant at the helm of the veteran soap should it run through its ninth season. Currently the principal cast members are only locked in through the 2010-11 season, the show's seventh. Cherry likewise will continue to develop new projects for the studio, including a previously announced drama co-written by Alexandra Cunningham. Also in the works is a multi-camera comedy from writers Jeffrey Bowen and Hunter Bell about two mismatched brothers - one gay and one straight - who share a gynecological practice, but neither knows the first thing about women. Sabrina Wind and Michael Barresse are also attached as executive producers to said half-hour, which Cherry is shepherding.


UNTITLED DAN FESMAN PROJECT (NBC, New!) - Dan Fesman ("NCIS") is developing a new drama at the network about "a master magician whose career is in ruins after he develops stage fright and agoraphobia" who is subsequently recruited by an elite law enforcement agency to take an unusual approach to cracking tough cases. David Percelay ("Level 9") and Jon Amiel ("Entrapment") are also on board to executive produce the hour for Universal Media Studios. Amiel is likewise attached to direct.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [october 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· BIG C, THE (SHOWTIME)
· DAD CAMP (VH1)
· DEFYING GRAVITY (ABC)
· DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· HUFF (SHOWTIME)
· LEVEL NINE (UPN)
· NCIS (CBS)
· UNTITLED BELL & BOWEN PROJECT (ABC)
· UNTITLED CHERRY & CUNNINGHAM PROJECT (ABC)
· UNTITLED DAN FESMAN PROJECT (NBC)





[10/13/26 - 12:01 PM]
Peacock Greenlights New Series "Assassins" from Executive Producers Scarlett Johansson, Brien Meagher & Rhett Bachner
In "Assassins," a group of players compete in a ruthless game of cunning strategy and wit inspired by the massive global phenomenon played in real life around the world.

[10/13/26 - 12:01 PM]
Emmy-Winning HBO Original Comedy Series "Girls," Created by and Starring Lena Dunham, to Return for a Limited Run
Returning cast will include Dunham as Hannah, Allison Williams as Marnie, Jemima Kirke as Jessa, Zosia Mamet as Shoshanna, Andrew Rannells as Elijah.

[10/13/26 - 11:08 AM]
Video: "The Holiday Spark" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
Joey Graziadei and Jamie Chung find a little holiday magic in "The Holiday Spark."

[10/13/26 - 11:02 AM]
NBC Sports Announces 2026-27 Big 12 Men's Basketball Schedule Featuring 20 Games Across Peacock and NBCSN
The Big 12 conference slate begins on Wednesday, Jan. 6, with the first of three doubleheaders on Peacock and NBCSN, as Texas Tech hosts Baylor at 8 p.m. ET and UCF visits Arizona at 9 p.m. ET.

[10/13/26 - 11:02 AM]
ESPN and the Big 12 Announce Men's Basketball TV Schedule for 2026-27 Season, Tipping Off November 6
ESPN's five-week Big Monday slate begins Monday, February 1, and continues through March 1, featuring marquee conference matchups including No. 19 Kansas at No. 18 Houston, No. 18 Houston at No. 9 Texas Tech and No. 4 Arizona at No. 20 BYU.

[10/13/26 - 11:01 AM]
Video: "Narnia: The Magician's Nephew" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig brings C.S. Lewis' beloved story to the screen for the first time in a sweeping adventure that invites dreamers of all ages to experience the creation of Narnia.

[10/13/26 - 10:08 AM]
Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly Reunite This Fall on the CBS Original Series "NCIS: Origins"
The episode airs Tuesday, October 20 (10:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

[10/13/26 - 10:01 AM]
BET Launches "Nick Cannon @ Night," Bringing Candid Conversation to Late Night, Premiering Tuesday, October 20
Hosted by Nick Cannon, BET's modern late-night conversation series brings together entertainers, creators, cultural leaders, doctors, and professionals for candid, funny, and thought-provoking conversations.

[10/13/26 - 10:00 AM]
Hulu and ESPN Announce New Documentary "Spectacle: Michael Jackson at the Super Bowl" Coming February 2027
In January of 1993, the world of sport, entertainment and broadcast was forever transformed when Michael Jackson took the stage at the Rose Bowl during the Super Bowl XXVII Halftime show.

[10/13/26 - 09:42 AM]
"From," The Terrifying Sci-Fi Horror Series, Is Coming to Netflix
Seasons 1-3 premiere October 19 on the streaming service.

[10/13/26 - 09:30 AM]
National Geographic Explorers Uncover Deep-Sea Wonders with Groundbreaking Tech as They Chase Critical Solutions to Dilemmas Facing Life Across All Five Ocean Basins in "Expedition: Saving Our Seas"
The one-hour special premieres Friday, November 13 at 9:00/8:00c on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

[10/13/26 - 09:30 AM]
FOX Entertainment and Hartbeat Form IP Development and Global Distribution Partnership
The pipeline launches with a slate of 25 live-action titles, spanning thriller, drama, and faith-based storytelling.

[10/13/26 - 09:17 AM]
Katherine Waterston Joins the Cast of "The Best of Us" for Paramount+
Waterston will play Amy Smith, a lawyer and the soon-to-be ex-wife of Jason (Jeremy Strong).

[10/13/26 - 09:06 AM]
Great American Media Welcomes 2027 with the 138th Rose Parade Presented by Honda
From the streets of Pasadena to living rooms across America, this treasured New Year's Day tradition will come alive with extraordinary floral artistry, stirring musical performances and spectacular pageantry.

[10/13/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: NBC Debuts Official Trailers for Monday Night Comedies "St. Denis Medical" & "The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins"
Both series return Monday, November 2 starting at 8:00/7:00c.