or


[12/17/09 - 06:36 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, December 17
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 BEAUTIFUL LIFE (The CW) - The netlet has opted to put all five completed episodes of the series on YouTube.com with HP serving as its sponsor. "Life" was axed back in September, just two weeks into its run. At the time it was reported production was underway on its seventh episode however only five were completed. "When 'The Beautiful Life' concluded on broadcast television, we were deluged by fans imploring us to bring back 'TBL,'" executive producer Ashton Kutcher said in a statement released to the press. "Working with innovative companies like HP and YouTube, we are thrilled to be ending this year by releasing the remaining episodes of 'The Beautiful Life' and taking part in a unique marketing program that could only occur online."


CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS) - Richard Shepard, who helmed the show's 2005 pilot, has been tapped to do the same for its upcoming spin-off. In addition, he'll direct one other pilot for the Eye during the upcoming developing cycle. The spin-off, about another group of FBI profilers, is set to shoot in February and air as an episode of the parent series later this season. Ed Bernero and Chris Mundy are penning the script and executive producing alongside Mark Gordon and Deborah Spera.


DR. DONNA (USA, New!) - Liz Kruger and Craig Shapiro have booked a new drama at network billed as "a dramedy about a sports therapist." The pair will pen the script and executive produce for Sony Pictures Television. No other details however were released.


THE FRESHMAN (USA, New!) - The 1990 Matthew Broderick/Marlon Brando feature is being eyed for the small screen by the cable channel. Andrew Bergman, who wrote and directed the film, is developing a new small screen take which will once again center on "a wide-eyed NYU freshman (Broderick) who unwittingly becomes an errand boy for a Mafia boss (Brando)." The hour is set up at Sony Pictures Television with Bergman and Michael Edelstein executive producing. Sony is likewise behind three other potential remakes: "Heathers" and "Charlie's Angels" at ABC and of the film "St. Elmo's Fire" at Fox.


THE EVENT (NBC, New!) - Steve Stark ("Medium") is developing a new drama at the Peacock about "the unraveling of the greatest government cover-up in U.S. history." Nick Wauters penned the hour, which is set up at Universal Media Studios. Stark and Russ Buchholz then will also executive produce via the former's Steve Stark Productions. Also at NBC, the company is shepherding "a project based on chef Paula Deen's life story, which the two executive produce with Barry Weiner." Outside of the Peacock, Stark has an untitled hour at Lifetime about "an unconventional female psychologist embedded within the Dallas Police Department" and "Stick," about "a Chicago hockey player who, after getting suspended from the league for unruly conduct, discovers that he has a knack for helping people in trouble," at USA. Gay Walch is behind the former while Mark Altman and Steve Kriozere penned the latter.


SHAMELESS (Showtime) - Emmy Rossum, Allison Janney and Justin Chatwin have all landed roles on the pay channel's import of the veteran U.K. drama about the Gallaghers, "a working-class Chicago clan dealing with the recession." The previously cast William H. Macy plays the patriarch of said family who "usually ends up passed out on the living room floor, so their smart but unpredictable 18-year-old daughter Fiona (Rossum) is tasked with keeping her five younger brothers and sisters on the straight and narrow." Chatwin then is set as Steve, "a car thief who falls in love with Fiona," with Janney in the recurring role of "a pivotal character that will become a love interest for Macy." Mark Mylod is directing the Warner Bros. Television-based pilot from a script by Paul Abbott and John Wells.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [december 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· BEAUTIFUL LIFE, THE (CW)
· CHARLIE'S ANGELS (ABC)
· CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS)
· CRIMINAL MINDS: SUSPECT BEHAVIOR (CBS)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· EVENT, THE (NBC)
· FRESHMAN, THE (USA)
· HEATHERS (PARAMOUNT)
· MEDIUM (CBS)
· NECESSARY ROUGHNESS (USA)
· SHAMELESS (SHOWTIME)
· ST. ELMO'S FIRE (NBC)
· STICK (USA)
· UNTITLED GAY WALCH PROJECT (LIFETIME)
· UNTITLED PAULA DEEN PROJECT (NBC)





[05/08/26 - 09:18 AM]
TNT Sports Delivers Its Most-Watched MLB Regular Season Start Since 2015
The Yankees/Mariners season opener on March 31 delivered 562,000 viewers and peaked at 735,000, making it the most watched opener on TBS since 2012.

[05/08/26 - 08:30 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - Hulu's "Not Suitable For Work"
The series will premiere with three episodes on June 2, then two episodes weekly until the finale on June 23, only on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.

[05/08/26 - 08:01 AM]
ABC Announces Summer 2026 Premiere Dates and Unscripted Renewals
New seasons of "Celebrity Family Feud," "Press Your Luck," and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" will join the previously announced newcomer "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro."

[05/08/26 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "James." - Official Trailer - Netflix
A raw and honest look at the man behind Colombia's iconic No. 10 on his road to the 2026 World Cup.

[05/08/26 - 07:16 AM]
CNN Film "Why We Dream" to Premiere Memorial Day at 8PM ET/PT
The film chronicles the final generation of World War II veterans as they return to France and is produced by Delta Air Lines' Window Seat Studios in partnership with Vice Media's Pulse Films.

[05/08/26 - 07:01 AM]
"Forever" Season 2 Starts Production in Los Angeles
Additionally, Malaika Guttoh is set to join the cast as a series regular with Avery Wills Jr. and Tre McBride joining as recurring guests.

[05/08/26 - 02:31 AM]
Netflix Announces Standalone Sequel to Global Hit "La Palma"
"Florida" (working title) picks up just hours after the volcanic eruption on the island of La Palma, shifting the focus to a Norwegian community in Florida that is still unaware that a devastating tsunami is on its way.

[05/07/26 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Viral Hit" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When he accidentally goes viral after a brawl, a weak and broke teen realizes livestreaming fights against delinquents could change his life.

[05/07/26 - 02:00 PM]
Class Is in Session: FOX Announces New Celebrity Game Show "Nation's Dumbest" - The Only Competition You Don't Want to Win
Taking attendance as host is acclaimed comedian Jack Whitehall, who presides over the chaos as contestants relive the highs and humiliations of school life - from pop quizzes and report cards to recess and parent teacher conferences - all while trying to stay out of last place.

[05/07/26 - 01:10 PM]
ESPN Debuts Short Documentary "Messi: The Forgotten Tape / Messi: La Cinta Olvidada"
Debuting Sunday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, the documentary highlights the pivotal moment that helped shape Lionel Messi's international future and altered the trajectory of global football.

[05/07/26 - 12:21 PM]
FOX Television Network Renews "Murder in a Small Town" for Season Three
Joining the cast is Peter Gallagher as Rod Finlayson, a charismatic, uber-independent, capable yet unreliable figure.

[05/07/26 - 11:01 AM]
First Look & Date Announcement - Hulu Original "Hannah Berner: None of My Business"
The special will premiere on Friday, June 5 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S., and on Disney+ internationally.

[05/07/26 - 10:46 AM]
CNN Original Series "This Land" Premieres Sunday, June 7 at 9pm ET/PT
Produced by October Films, the series will air two episodes weekly on Sundays at 9pm and 10pm ET/PT on CNN.

[05/07/26 - 10:09 AM]
BET Announces the Return of the Black + Iconic Soiree on May 23, 2026 at MGM National Harbor, Hosted by Laverne Cox, Celebrating Culture, Community, and Impact
The Black + Iconic Soirée brings together luminaries, advocates, and changemakers for an intimate evening of recognition, reflection, and celebration.

[05/07/26 - 10:06 AM]
Coach Kelly Clarkson Returns This Fall on "The Voice"
NBC confirmed the news on social media this morning.