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)





[10/05/26 - 11:06 AM]
Bravo's "Southern Charm" Returns for Season 12 with Secrets Simmering in the South on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 9 P.M. ET/PT
Charmers Venita Aspen, Salley Carson, Craig Conover, Austen Kroll, Madison LeCroy, Molly O'Connell, Rodrigo Reyes, Whitner Slagsvol and Shep Rose return.

[10/05/26 - 11:01 AM]
NBC Sports to Present 60+ Big East Men's and Women's Basketball Games in 2026-27 on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN
NBC Sports will present a slate of nearly 65 Big East basketball regular-season and tournament games this season, with 47 Big East men's games and 16 women's games presented across NBC, Peacock and NBCSN.

[10/05/26 - 11:01 AM]
Apple TV's Hit Thriller "Imperfect Women" to Return for a Gripping Second Season
The series is returning for a compelling new chapter set on Martha's Vineyard that will revolve around fan-favorite character Eleanor, played by Kerry Washington, who will reprise her role and serve as executive producer alongside Elisabeth Moss.

[10/05/26 - 11:01 AM]
Prime Video Debuts First Look Images for New Original Series "Bloodaxe," from the Creator of "Vikings"
All eight episodes will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide, and as previously announced, "Bloodaxe" has been picked up for a second season which is currently in production in Ireland.

[10/05/26 - 11:00 AM]
Paramount+ Renews "Tulsa King" for a Fifth Season Ahead of the Season Four Premiere on October 16
Season five will return to Dwight "The General" Manfredi's mafia roots, relocating production from Atlanta to New York to coincide with the storyline, with production now underway.

[10/05/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: NBC Debuts Official Season 3 Trailer, Photos & Key Art for "Happy's Place"
Guest stars this season include James Denton, Jane Lynch, and Justina Machado.

[10/05/26 - 09:01 AM]
The Soul Train Awards Nominees Are In, and Fans Decide the Winners in Two New Categories!
Voting is open now through October 16, and fans can see who takes home the trophies Friday, November 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET, with a simulcast on CBS, BET Her, VH1, MTV2, and LOGO.

[10/05/26 - 08:31 AM]
BritBox Reveals Further Cast Joining Edward Bluemel in "Hercule"
Jessica Alexander, Honor Swinton Byrne, Omari Douglas, Paul Forman, Arthur Hughes, Ralf Little, River Medway, Katherine Parkinson, Natalie Quarry, Toby Stephens set to join the much-anticipated series.

[10/05/26 - 08:01 AM]
Food Network Sets Premiere Date For New Season of "Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking"
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the iconic first film in the series, the new season introduces a tournament twist with four teams of three, each representing one of the four Hogwarts Houses - Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin.

[10/05/26 - 08:01 AM]
Prime Video Casts Sean Teale, Sarah Jeffery, Megan Stott, Lili Simmons, Anthony Keyvan, JoBeth Williams in "Things We Never Got Over"
The project is the series adaptation of Lucy Score's bestselling novel.

[10/05/26 - 07:19 AM]
Video: "The Institute" Season 2 (MGM+ 2026 Series) Official Trailer
The series returns for a new season November 8 on MGM+.

[10/05/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Animals" - Official Trailer #2 - Netflix
When their son is kidnapped, an LA mayoral candidate and his wife scramble to raise the ransom while making choices that could tear their world apart.

[10/05/26 - 07:01 AM]
Prime Video Releases Key Art for the Final Season of "Maxton Hall - The World Between Us"
The third and final season of the most successful international scripted original series in Prime Video history premieres worldwide on Prime Video on December 9, 2026.

[10/05/26 - 06:01 AM]
David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz Announce Their CEO Leadership Team for Skydance Following Anticipated Close of Warner Bros. Discovery Acquisition
Drawing on deep expertise across entertainment, technology, and business operations, the CLT brings together leaders from both companies and reflects their complementary strengths.

[10/05/26 - 06:01 AM]
"CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton" Reveals Star-Studded Lineup
The special airs Wednesday, October 21 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC and Disney+ in the U.S. and internationally, available next day on Hulu, and will be filmed before a live audience at Belmont University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.