or


[02/18/10 - 12:06 AM]
Development Update: Thursday, February 18
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!


187 DETROIT (ABC) - Natalie Martinez ("Sons of Tucson") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about "Detroit's top homicide division as seen through the cameras of a fictitious documentary crew." She'll play Ariana Sanchez, a tough detective in her fifth year with the squad. She joins the previously cast Aisha Hinds and John Michael Hill in the ABC Studios-based hour, which was written by Jason Richman. Jeff Nachmanoff is directing.


BACK NINE (Spike TV, New!) - The cable channel has ordered a pilot for a potential new single-camera comedy about "a hard-drinking, larger-than-life, washed-up former U.S. Open champion [who] travels the country competing in small-time tournaments with Tiger, his sex-addicted longtime caddy, in order to qualify again for the PGA Tour." John Schneider ("The Secret Life of the American Teenager") is already attached to star as Ronnie Barnes, said golfer, with Miguel A. Nunez Jr. in talks to play Tiger. The latter character's name is a coincidence as co-creators Jason Filardi ("17 Again") and Mark Perez ("Accepted") penned the half-hour nearly a year ago. The pair will also co-direct the pilot and executive produce alongside John Lynch.


FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (NBC) - "(500) Days of Summer" screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber have landed a pilot order from the Peacock for their single-camera comedy, which was originally set up at ABC. The Alphabet initially gave the project a script commitment back in September with a penalty attached if it didn't make it to pilot. Said half-hour didn't make the cut and producer 20th Century Fox Television subsequently found a new home at NBC. David Dobkin ("Wedding Crashers") is still on board to direct the project, which "explores modern-day romance through the eyes of five friends each looking for 'the one' but in the meantime settling for 'friends with benefits.'" Neustadter, Weber and Dobkin then are executive producing alongside Imagine Television's Brian Grazer and David Nevins.


LOST WEEKEND (The CW, New!) - Justin Hochberg ("The Apprentice") and Brett Ratner ("Women's Murder Club") are developing a new reality series at the netlet revolving around a large scale scavenger hunt. The project is set up at 20th Century Fox Television, where Ratner's Rat Television signed an overall deal back in December. As for specifics, it's understood the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas will be featured in the show as part of Ratner's relationship with global casino chain Kerzner International, for whom he directed various commercials. Exact format details however weren't released. "Weekend" nevertheless is being eyed for either a summer 2010 or midseason 2011 series order.


NATHAN VS. NURTURE (NBC) - "Better Off Ted" star Jay Harrington has scored the lead role on the comedy pilot, about "an overachieving heart surgeon who reunites with his birth father and underachieving brothers 35 years after his adoption." He'll play Griffin Birk, said doctor, who was originally named Nathan by his birth parents. Said casting is in second position to "Ted," which isn't expected to return for a third season. James Burrows is directing the Sony Pictures Television-based project, which was penned by David Guarascio and Moses Port. "Nathan" is slated to film on Tuesday, March 23, the earliest multi-camera pilot currently scheduled.


NINE LIVES (NBC) - The Peacock is redeveloping Steven Spielberg and Leslie Bohem's long-in-the-works mini-series as a weekly drama. Said effort was originally put in the pipeline at the then Sci Fi Channel back in August of 2003, eventually landing a 12-hour commitment in January of 2006. The project however ultimately didn't go into production. The Peacock has since revived "Lives," with Bohem penning a new script for a potential straight-to-series order. Spielberg is expected to return as an executive producer, as are his DreamWorks Television partners Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey. Here's how Sci Fi originally detailed the project: "Nine Lives unfolds as an epic story of love, exploring the greatest mystery of all... what happens after you die? The drama focuses on several characters, each grieving over the loss of a loved one. First by accident, then intentionally induced, each has discovered how to reunite with their loved ones in the afterlife through near-death experiences. But each journey to the other side brings closer an unknown evil, which is about to be unleashed on mankind."


NO ORDINARY FAMILY (ABC) - Autumn Reeser ("Entourage") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about the Powells, a typical American family whose members discover they have special abilities. She'll play Katie Andrews, the perky and energetic lab assistant to Stephanie, the mother of the aforementioned family. Michael Chiklis also stars in the ABC Studios-based hour, which comes from co-creators Greg Berlanti and Jon Harmon Feldman. David Semel is directing.


NOMADS (The CW, New!) - Ken Sanzel ("NUMB3RS") has squeezed in a pilot presentation order from the netlet for a new drama about "a group of nearly broke young backpackers traveling the world who agree to earn money by working secret missions for the CIA." Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and David W. Zucker are also on board to executive produce the project, which Sanzel is directing from his own script. CBS Television Studios, Warner Bros Television and Scott Free Productions are co-producing.


THE ODDS (CBS) - "Scrubs" co-star Donald Faison has landed a role on the drama pilot, about Las Vegas cops who are as outrageous as the crimes they solve. He's set as Tyler LaSalley, homicide's new lieutenant who's not nearly as affluent as he and his family would like to be. While not specified, Faison's involvement is presumably in second position to "Scrubs." Sullivan Stapleton also stars in the Warner Bros. Television-based hour, which comes from creator Jeff Wadlow.


OUTSOURCED (NBC) - Newcomer Ben Rappaport has been tapped for the lead role on the single-camera comedy pilot, about "a recently demoted manager at a novelties company who is shipped to India to manage a ragtag group of customer-service reps." He'll play Todd Donovan, said manager at Mid America Novelties, in the project. Josh Hamilton originated the role in its feature incarnation. Ken Kwapis is helming the Universal Media Studios-based half-hour, which was penned by Robert Borden.


TOP GEAR (History, New!) - The cable channel is reportedly looking to import the veteran U.K. series, in which outrageous automotive challenges and stunts are performed after making crazy transformations to cars. NBC took a stab at bringing the format to the States in 2008 with Adam Carolla, Eric Stromer and Tanner Foust serving as co-hosts. No details were given about History's incarnation, nor any producers named.


TWO AND A HALF MEN (CBS) - Courtney Thorne-Smith ("According to Jim") is set to recur on the veteran comedy. She'll play Lindsay, "a girlfriend for Alan (Jon Cryer) who is a deeply neurotic, recently divorced mother of a rotten 16-year-old boy." It's not clear when her first episode will air.


UNTITLED DANA GOULD PROJECT (ABC) - Todd Stashwick ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") is the latest addition to the comedy pilot, about "a high school guidance counselor and father to two young children (Dana Gould) who is caught between the old-school parenting beliefs of his father (Brian Dennehy) and his wife's progressive ideals." He's on board as Stan Nolan, Dana's older brother, "a former college football superstar now married with four kids and down on his luck." Gould penned the multi-camera half-hour, which comes from Warner Bros. Television.


UNTITLED TRACY ANDERSON PROJECT (The CW, New!) - Celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson is set to be the focus of a potential reality series on the netlet. Said effort, which comes from Ryan Seacrest Productions, would follow single mom Anderson as she trains and keeps celebrities in shape. Among her client list over the years: Madonna, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson and Shakira. No other details were given. It's understood, like "Lost Weekend" (see above), The CW is considering a summer 2010 or midseason 2011 series order for the project.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [february 2010]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· ACCORDING TO JIM (ABC)
· APPRENTICE, THE (NBC)
· BACK NINE (SPIKE TV)
· BETTER OFF TED (ABC)
· CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO)
· DETROIT 187 (ABC)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· ENTOURAGE (HBO)
· FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (NBC)
· LOST WEEKEND (CW)
· NATHAN VS NURTURE (NBC)
· NINE LIVES (NBC)
· NO ORDINARY FAMILY (ABC)
· NOLAN KNOWS BEST (ABC)
· NOMADS (CW)
· NUMB3RS (CBS)
· ODDS, THE (CBS)
· OUTSOURCED (NBC)
· SCRUBS (ABC)
· SONS OF TUCSON (FOX)
· TOP GEAR (BBC AMERICA)
· TOP GEAR (HISTORY)
· TOP GEAR (NBC)
· TWO AND A HALF MEN (CBS)
· UNTITLED TRACY ANDERSON PROJECT (CW)
· WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB (ABC)





[06/19/25 - 06:01 AM]
Great American Media Announces World Premiere of "Grounded in Love," Starring Danica McKellar and Trevor Donovan, Streaming on Great American Pure Flix, August 7, Premiering on Great American Family, September 27
In the film, Annie (McKellar), a spirited, Manhattan-based flight attendant, thrives on adventure and freedom, until an unexpected airline merger grounds her career and a breakup with a self-absorbed boyfriend leaves her questioning everything.

[06/19/25 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "Catalog" - Official Teaser - Netflix
A recently widowed workaholic clumsily navigates life with his kids, guided by his late wife's online tips. Can he ace this crash course in parenthood?

[06/18/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "Wall to Wall" - Official Teaser - Netflix
A man who poured his life savings into a new apartment discovers its walls are full of disturbing noises, hostile neighbors and unsettling secrets.

[06/18/25 - 04:59 PM]
ID Unveils Premiere Date for "A Killer Among Friends," New True Crime Series Narrated and Executive Produced by Jennifer Love Hewitt
The six-part series will explore a group of interconnected individuals who are collectively haunted by a murder of one of their own, serving as the catalyst to unravel secrets, suspicions, and betrayals between friends.

[06/18/25 - 01:38 PM]
A Special Edition of 20/20: "Karen Read: The Verdict" Airs Tonight, Wednesday, June 18 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC, Next Day on Hulu
Moments after a verdict is reached in her second trial, ABC News chief national correspondent Matt Gutman brings viewers the latest details on the trial as well as interviews with O'Keefe's friends, family members, and those at the center of the case that has captivated the country.

[06/18/25 - 01:05 PM]
Great American Media Enters 2025-2026 Upfront with New Partnerships, Original Content, and Growing Audiences
New and fan favorite series include "Crossroad Springs," "County Rescue," and "When Hope Calls," alongside marquee events like the Rose Parade and "Great American Rescue Bowl."

[06/18/25 - 11:59 AM]
Lifetime Announces New Movies Centered on Women Finding Resilience Through Their Faith Despite Harrowing Circumstances
Chrissy Metz, Alexa PenaVega, Kat Graham and Paula Patton are among the featured talent.

[06/18/25 - 11:31 AM]
Video: "People and Places" - Official Trailer - Disney+
The world is full of wonder - and it's closer than you think.

[06/18/25 - 11:14 AM]
First Look: Hulu's "Zarna Garg: Practical People Win"
The comedy special premieres Friday, July 18 on Hulu.

[06/18/25 - 11:01 AM]
Video: "Trainwreck: Balloon Boy" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A homemade flying saucer lifts off, and a 6-year-old boy might be inside. National panic ensues - but what truly happened? This documentary investigates.

[06/18/25 - 11:00 AM]
AMC Networks' July Highlights Include "Nautilus," "Hell Motel," "The Furry Detectives," "The Madame Blanc Mysteries," "Call of the Night" and More
Other highlights include the premieres of "Kostas" and Summertide" on Acorn TV.

[06/18/25 - 10:01 AM]
"MTV's The Challenge: Vets and New Threats" Premieres Wednesday, July 30 at 8PM ET/PT
This season, fresh faces and new threats have entered the arena with one goal: upend the old order and take it all.

[06/18/25 - 10:00 AM]
Video: "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" - Season 17 Official Trailer - FX
In Season 17, the Gang craves money and parasitic social privileges.

[06/18/25 - 10:00 AM]
2025 "NBA Draft Presented by State Farm" Exclusively on ESPN Platforms June 25-26
ABC and ESPN will both offer distinct presentations of the NBA Draft's first round on June 25, starting at 8 p.m. ET.

[06/18/25 - 09:06 AM]
"Disney Jr. Let's Play!" to Be Held at Disney California Adventure Park on Friday, Aug. 8, and Downtown Disney District on Saturday, Aug. 9, and Sunday, Aug. 10
Throughout the weekend, guests will be able to participate in multiple limited-time photo opportunities, including a themed wall in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure along with the regular Disney Jr. programming available at the park.