 |
 |
[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 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[05/02/25 - 10:31 AM]
Netflix's "Little House on the Prairie" Rounds Out Ingalls Family Cast
Introducing Crosby Fitzgerald as Caroline, Luke Bracey as Charles, Skywalker Hughes as Mary, and Alice Halsey as Laura.
|
[05/02/25 - 09:26 AM]
ESPN's WNBA Coverage Returns in Full Force: Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo & Holly Rowe Lead Broadcast Team; Expanded Pregame Shows and Star Talent Highlight 2025 Season
Play-by-play voice Ryan Ruocco and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe return for their 13th season together as ESPN's lead WNBA broadcast team.
|
[05/02/25 - 09:11 AM]
Video: Disney Drops Music Video for First Single "The Place to Be," From This Summer's Music-Fueled "Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires"
The latest installment of the music-fueled franchise - premieres Thursday, July 10, at 7 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and streams the next day, Friday, July 11, on Disney+.
|
[05/02/25 - 09:03 AM]
FOX Sports Films Premieres Second Season of Popular Dirt Racing Docuseries "Dirt" May 6 on FS1
FloSports will stream every episode of the second season 24-hours after its debut on FS1 on the FloRacing YouTube channel.
|
[05/02/25 - 09:01 AM]
Rachael Ray's "Meals in Minutes" and "Global Soul Kitchen" with Deborah VanTrece Return May 26 on FYI Network
Both series are part of A+E Networks' Home.Made.Nation multi-platform lifestyle programming block.
|
[05/02/25 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix's "Little House on the Prairie" Found Its Laura Ingalls
Alice Halsey will play Laura Ingalls.
|
[05/02/25 - 07:00 AM]
Global Hit Series "The Chosen" Season 5 Premieres Exclusively on Prime Video June 15, 2025 in the U.S. and Will Stream Internationally in Select Territories in July
Season 5 will debut in three parts over three weeks, with the first two episodes premiering on June 15, followed by three episodes on June 22 and the last three episodes on June 29.
|
[05/01/25 - 01:18 PM]
Video: Following a Standout Sundance World Premiere, National Geographic Documentary Films Unveils Trailer for Critically Acclaimed and Award-Winning "Sally," Ahead of National Space Day
The film will premiere on National Geographic on Monday, June 16 at 9:00/8:00c and be available to stream globally the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
|
[05/01/25 - 12:31 PM]
Video: Official Trailers - Peacock Emerging Artist Series
"Older Hotter Wiser," "The Kouncil," "The Warehouse Phase" and "People Like Me" will all premiere May 19, only on Peacock.
|
[05/01/25 - 11:46 AM]
Video: MTV's "Jersey Shore Family Vacation" Unveils Explosive Season 8 Trailer
This season marks the 15th anniversary since the crew's first wild summer in Seaside Heights - and includes an epic reunion at the OG shore house!
|
[05/01/25 - 11:31 AM]
Renowned Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Now Comes to Lifetime for Transformative New Series "The 6000 lb. Diaries with Dr. Now" with New Episodes Beginning May 26
The series follows 10 morbidly obese individuals whose combined weight exceeds 6,000 pounds, each at a critical crossroads in their journey to survival and self-reclamation.
|
[05/01/25 - 11:01 AM]
"Human Footprint" Season 2 Premieres June 25, 2025 on PBS
Hosted by biologist and Princeton University professor Shane Campbell-Staton, Ph.D., the series' six new episodes explore the global impact of Earth's most ingenious, destructive, and adaptive species... humans.
|
[05/01/25 - 11:01 AM]
Shudder Checks Into "Hell Motel," An All-New Limited Series from "Slasher" Creators Aaron Martin and Ian Carpenter Premiering Tuesday, June 17
The eight-episode limited series starring Emmy Award-winner Eric McCormack debuts with a two-episode premiere on Tuesday, June 17 on Shudder and AMC+, with new episodes releasing weekly on Tuesdays.
|
[05/01/25 - 11:00 AM]
Season Three of the HBO Original Drama Series "The Gilded Age" Debuts June 22
The American Gilded Age was a period of immense economic and social change, when empires were built, but no victory came without sacrifice.
|
[05/01/25 - 10:20 AM]
Video: Official Trailers - "Revival" Season 1 & "Resident Alien" Season 4 - Syfy
"Revival" premieres Thursday, June 12 at 10:00/9:00c; while "Resident Alien" returns Friday, June 6 at 11:00/10:00c.
|
|
|
|
