 |
 |
[11/30/09 - 06:24 PM]
Development Update: Monday, November 30
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!
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
|
|
|
 [november 2009]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[06/04/26 - 01:15 PM]
Starz Greenlights "Power: Legacy" with Joseph Sikora and Michael Rainey, Jr. Reprising Their Iconic Roles
"Power: Legacy" sees the return of Tommy Egan to New York, where he partners with Tariq St. Patrick to take the city by storm.
|
[06/04/26 - 01:04 PM]
ESPN Presents Comprehensive UFL Postseason Coverage, Culminating with the 2026 United Bowl on ABC & ESPN Deportes
The UFL playoffs begin Sunday, June 7, on ABC at 3 p.m. as the defending UFL champion DC Defenders take on the Orlando Storm in the Storms' inaugural UFL season, as both teams look to punch their championship ticket.
|
[06/04/26 - 12:04 PM]
Discovery Channel June Programming Highlights
This June, look for all-new seasons of "Expedition Unknown," "In the Eye of the Storm," and "Contraband: Seized at the Border."
|
[06/04/26 - 11:01 AM]
FX's "The Marriage Plot" Limited Series Ordered for FX and Hulu
Sadie Sink is attached to star and executive produce the project, which will be adapted from the acclaimed novel by Jeffrey Eugenides.
|
[06/04/26 - 10:09 AM]
Patricia Heaton to Star in and Executive Produce MPI Original Films' New Legal Drama Pilot "Public Interest"
Set inside a nonprofit public interest law firm in Washington, D.C., "Public Interest" follows Ingrid Erickson, an attorney unexpectedly thrust into the firm's top leadership role after its longtime president suffers a sudden heart attack, and her unconventional team as they fight for everyday people facing impossible odds.
|
[06/04/26 - 10:01 AM]
Star-Studded Line-Up of Performers and Presenters Revealed for the "79th Annual Tony Awards" Live Sunday, June 7 on CBS
Rachel Zegler, who will return to Broadway next Spring, will deliver a special tribute to "A Chorus Line," which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
|
[06/04/26 - 09:40 AM]
Joshua Jackson Joins "Your Friends & Neighbors" Season 3
He's no stranger to a tight-knit neighborhood.
|
[06/04/26 - 09:31 AM]
"Paul Simon: The Quiet Celebration Concert" Premieres in the U.S. on Disney+ and Hulu June 26
The nearly two-hour live concert film was recorded during the legendary singer-songwriter's "A Quiet Celebration Tour."
|
[06/04/26 - 09:01 AM]
NBC to Air "Alan Jackson: The Last Show"
Filmed before a sold-out crowd at Nashville's Nissan Stadium, the special will capture a once-in-a-generation farewell from one of country music's most beloved and influential artists.
|
[06/04/26 - 09:01 AM]
Ms. Lauryn Hill to Receive the Living Legend Icon Award at the "BET Awards" 2026 Sponsored by Sprite
Culture's Biggest Night will broadcast live on Sunday, June 28 at 8 PM ET/PT, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with Druski as host.
|
[06/04/26 - 09:00 AM]
Prime Video Releases First-Look Images and Premiere Date for Season Two of "Batman: Caped Crusader"
The highly anticipated returning animated noir series from DC Studios, Warner Bros. Animation, Bad Robot Productions, and 6th & Idaho will premiere all 10 episodes on Friday, July 31.
|
[06/04/26 - 08:31 AM]
Peacock Orders "The Break-In," New Mystery Series from Carnival Films and Writer Megan Gallagher
In the aftermath of a devastating home invasion, Alice Rathbone refuses to accept that the tragic event was simply random.
|
[06/04/26 - 08:05 AM]
Food Network Fires Up July with Four All-New Series, One Brand New Tournament and a Fan-Favorite Return
The BBQ charcoals will be glowing, engines will be revving, and the drama will be scorching this July on Food Network where new and returning series will combine for the network's hottest summer yet.
|
[06/04/26 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix's "Devil May Cry" Renewed for Third and Final Season!
Across two seasons, "Devil May Cry" has appeared on the Netflix Global Top 10 for four weeks with season 1 accumulating 21.7M views in 2025 and season 2 already accumulating 6.4M views in just two weeks.
|
[06/04/26 - 07:30 AM]
Tubi Announces Multi-Project Slate with Kevin "KevOnStage" Fredericks
Tubi is deepening the collaboration across formats and genres, spanning two new seasons of "Safe Space," a new scripted workplace comedy as well as his first stand-up special and original feature films on the platform.
|
|
|
|
