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[11/30/09 - 06:24 PM]
Development Update: Monday, November 30
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!
COUGAR TOWN (ABC) - Ryan Devlin ("Veronica Mars") has scored a recurring role on the freshman comedy. He'll play Smith, a love interest for Busy Phillipps's character. Further details about his character however weren't released.
FUNNY IN FARSI (ABC) - Barry Sonnenfeld ("Pushing Daisies") has been tapped to direct and executive produce the comedy pilot, based on Firoozeh Dumas's memoir about his experiences growing up in Newport Beach, California during the 1970s. The Alphabet originally issued the project a director-contingent order during its last development cycle. In any case, Sonnenfeld will work from a script by Jeffrey Hodes and Nastaran Dibai ("Rita Rocks") for ABC Studios. His involvement is tied to a first-look deal the director/producer inked with the studio earlier this year. The pact also called for Sonnenfeld to direct two pilots for the studio.
KEEP HOPE ALIVE (FOX) - Garrett Dillahunt ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about Jimmy (Lucas Neff), "a 25-year-old man raising an infant with the help of his quirky family after the mother of the baby, with whom he had a one-night stand, ends up on death row." He'll play Jimmy's dysfunctional father and boss, "who is not thrilled to find himself a grandfather and worries that the baby might carry her mom's homicidal gene." Martha Plimpton and Olesya Rulin also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, which Michael Fresco is directing from a script by Greg Garcia.
THE MENTALIST (CBS) - Aunjanue Ellis ("E-Ring") has booked a multi-episode arc on the sophomore drama. She'll play the CBI's "beautiful but tough" new boss, who "is brought in to restore discipline and morale to the division after the murder of three agents." Ellis takes over for Gregory Itzin's Virgil Minelli, who is being written out to accommodate the actor's return to "24" later this season. Her first episode will likely air in the spring.
RAISING THE BAR (TNT) - The cable channel has passed on ordering a third season of the legal drama. "Everyone at TNT had a great experience working on 'Raising the Bar' with Steven Bochco and the rest of the show's terrific cast and crew," said the network in a statement. "We're proud of the series and appreciate the efforts of all of the creative people who were involved. Unfortunately, ratings for 'Raising the Bar's' second season did not reach the levels required for TNT to renew the series." The network still has three episodes yet to air of the series however when or if they will be broadcast wasn't specified.
ROOSTER TALES (FOX, New!) - Matthew McConaughey is developing an animated comedy at the network based on the life of his brother Rooster. The project, to be penned by Kell Cahoon ("Psych"), follows "the world of a beer-swilling, redneck sheriff who marries a much younger woman from Mexico [only to realize] he's gained not only a wife but an entire clan - 114 members and counting." McConaughey and Cahoon will executive produce the half-hour alongside Mark Gustawes for the actor's J.K. Livin' Productions. It's understood FOX beat out TBS and Comedy Central for the project, which has a script commitment.
TOUGH TRADE (Epix) - Lucas Black ("The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift") and Cary Elwes ("Disney's A Christmas Carol") have both been cast in the drama pilot, about the Tucker family, "a Nashville music dynasty whose penchant for drink, debauchery and divorce has left it on the verge of bankruptcy." Black will play "an extremely talented guitarist and singer who could have followed in the Tucker legacy started by his grandfather (the previously cast Sam Shepard) and father (Elwes) but has no interest in pursuing a career in country music." Chris Offutt and Jenji Kohan are behind the hour, which is set up at Lionsgate Television.
UNTITLED JASON MANTZOUKAS PROJECT (FOX, New!) - Jason Mantzoukas (NBC's "Off Duty") has landed a script order from the network for a new medical comedy about "a female doctor who is unraveling at the seams." 20th Century Fox Television and The Chernin Co. are behind the half-hour, which Mantzoukas will executive produce alongside Peter Chernin and Katherine Pope.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[09/18/25 - 11:52 AM]
Video: "House of David" Season 2 Official Trailer - Watch Only on Wonder Project on Prime Video October 5th
As Saul's reign unravels, the nation stands on the edge of chaos.
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[09/18/25 - 11:36 AM]
Great American Media Serves Up "Christmas By the Spoonful" (wt), Starring Jill Wagner and Trevor Donovan, An Original Movie Premiere for Great American Christmas 2025
In the film, Beth Green (Wagner) a devoted cafe owner, returns to her hometown of Snow Ridge to help her parents host the town's most cherished tradition, the annual Yuletide Potluck, a holiday potluck that welcome military families and veterans who might otherwise spend Christmas alone.
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[09/18/25 - 11:15 AM]
NBC Comedy Locks in Comedy Slate Adding "Stumble" and "The Paper" to November Schedule
New series "Stumble" will debut Friday, November 7 at 8:30/7:30c; while "The Paper" is set to premiere Monday, November 10 at 8:30/7:30c.
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[09/18/25 - 11:00 AM]
Starz Sets Lead Cast for Propulsive New Crime Drama "Fightland" as Production Begins in London
In addition, BAFTA-Award winner Otto Bathurst has been confirmed as director for the first two episodes, and Sebastain Thiel has been confirmed as a director on season one.
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[09/18/25 - 10:31 AM]
"Starting 5" Season 2 - Date Announcement & First Look Photos
The new season - featuring Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton, and James Harden - premieres October 16 on Netflix.
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[09/18/25 - 10:08 AM]
"106 & Sports" Set to Premiere October 15 on BET, Hosted by Cam Newton and Ashley Nicole Moss
Marking the 25th anniversary of the legacy show and capturing the energy of the iconic brand, "106 & Sports" delivers a fresh countdown highlighting sports, music, and entertainment like never before.
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[09/18/25 - 10:03 AM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Reveals Season 34 Theme Nights
Each week, the celebrity and pro duos will dance routines set to iconic music celebrating legendary eras and artists, unforgettable pop-culture moments and more.
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[09/18/25 - 10:02 AM]
ABC News Studios and "20/20" Announce "Robert Redford: The Life & Legacy of an American Icon - Special Edition of 20/20"
The one-hour special - airing Thursday, September 18 on ABC - celebrates the life and legacy of the actor and Oscar-winning filmmaker who passed away on September 16.
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[09/18/25 - 10:00 AM]
"Saturday Night Live" to Premiere 51st Season Oct. 4 on NBC and Peacock with Three Back-to-Back Shows
Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler, and Sabrina Carpenter are among the first wave of hosts.
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[09/18/25 - 10:00 AM]
CBS Studios Returns to New York Comic Con with "Star Trek" Universe Panel and New Series "NCIS: Tony & Ziva"
CBS Studios is back at New York Comic Con, offering exclusive first looks, panel discussions, screenings and unique fan experiences.
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[09/18/25 - 09:30 AM]
French HBO Original Series "The Seduction" Debuts November 14
To be the hero of your own story, you sometimes have to be the villain in others'.
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[09/18/25 - 09:30 AM]
Video: Starz Releases Heart-Pounding Teaser Trailer for the Final Season of "Outlander"
As the groundbreaking series prepares for its last chapter, the teaser shares a glimpse into the heart-wrenching journey that lies ahead for Claire and Jamie's enduring love story.
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[09/18/25 - 09:10 AM]
CBS and Dick Clark Productions Announce New "Golden Eve" Primetime Special, Honoring Golden Globes Cecil B. DeMille and Carol Burnett Award-Recipients, Airing Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026
The special will air as a marquee event during Golden Week, a new dynamic week-long experience across Paramount platforms as well as celebratory kick-off events ahead of the 83rd Annual Golden Globes, the first major awards show of the season, airing live Sunday, January 11, 2026.
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[09/18/25 - 09:02 AM]
Video: "Chad Powers" - Eli Manning + Glen Powell Sneak Peek - Hulu
A sneak peek brought to you by the "Chad Powers" multiverse...
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[09/18/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "The Chair Company" - Official Trailer - HBO Max
Ron witnessed a problem. It was a big problem.
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