 |
 |
[02/25/10 - 12:01 AM]
Development Update: Thursday, February 25
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!
BODY OF EVIDENCE (ABC) - John Carroll Lynch ("K-Ville"), Windell Middlebrooks ("Scrubs") and Geoffrey Arend ("Trust Me") are the first to be cast in the drama pilot, about Dr. Megan Hunt, "a brilliant and tenacious neurosurgeon-turned-medical examiner." Lynch will play Bud Morris, a detective who initially butts heads with Hunt. Middlebrooks then is set as Dr. Semo Solomona, the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner (originally written for "a Samoan man whose girth brings new meaning to 'throwing his weight around the office.'"). Rounding out the trio is Arend as Dr. Elliot Gross, "boyish, geeky in an endearing way, and utterly non-threatening," another doctor at the ME's office. Chris Murphey penned the hour, which is set up at ABC Studios.
CHAOS (CBS) - Tim Blake Nelson ("The Incredible Hulk") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about "a group of rogue CIA operatives combating bureaucratic gridlock, rampant incompetence and political infighting." He's believed to be playing Casey Malick, an ex-marine who considers himself a human weapon and expresses "little interest in people [and] content to spend his days inside a gym, or in his own head." Freddy Rodriguez and James Murray also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which Brett Ratner is directing from a script by Tom Spezialy.
CRASH (Starz) - The pay channel has reportedly passed on a third season of the drama, based on the Oscar-winning film of the same name. Said report indicates the series "failed to meet audience expectations and led to a writeoff of $8 million derived from production costs in the fourth quarter." "Crash" wrapped its sophomore run back in December.
THE EVENT (NBC) - Scott Patterson ("Gilmore Girls") and Sarah Roemer ("Fired Up!") have both signed onto the drama pilot, about Sean (Jason Ritter), "a regular man fighting his way through the mysterious circumstances of a conspiracy to assassinate the U.S. president." She'll play Sean's girlfriend, Leila Gasiorowski, "an MIT-educated biochemist who disappears as part of the conspiracy to force her father, Mark Gasiorowski (Patterson, described as "affable, Marlboro Man good looks"), an airline pilot, to crash an airliner into the presidential retreat." Nick Wauters is behind the Universal Media Studios-based hour, which also stars Ian Anthony Dale and Zeljko Ivanek.
FRESHMEN (ABC) - "The Deep End" co-star Ben Lawson has been cast in the comedy pilot, about "three first-year members of Congress who live together in a row house in Washington." He'll play one of them, Vince Rapp, who's "classically good looking, in a 'frat president' kind of way, works out, perfect hair, etc." Lawson's involvement is in second position to the midseason drama, which isn't expected to return. Sarah Chalke and Taran Killam also star in the half-hour, which comes from creator Greg Malins. Pamela Fryman is directing for 20th Century Fox Television.
HMS (The CW) - Megan Boone ("My Bloody Valentine") has been tapped for the lead role on the drama pilot, about the freshmen class at Harvard Medical School. She'll play Nell Larson, "a first-year HMS student intimidated by her new surroundings." Also signing on as her fellow classmates are Sarah Jones ("Sons of Anarchy") as Brittany Lace ("classy, fearless, super bright, super rich") and Tasso Feldman ("CSI: NY") as Leo ("tall, arrogant"). Amy Holden Jones penned the script to the project, which also features Hayden Panettiere as a co-executive producer. CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television are co-producing.
HOW TO BE A BETTER AMERICAN (ABC) - Jason Jones ("The Daily Show With Jon Stewart") has been cast as the lead in the comedy pilot, about "a father who embarks on a journey to be a better person and drags his family along kicking and screaming." He'll play said man, Hugh Pell, in the half-hour, which comes from co-creators Brian Bradley and Steven Cragg. ABC Studios is producing.
THE ODDS (CBS) - Kelly Hu ("CSI: NY") has scored a role on the drama pilot, about two Las Vegas cops (Donald Faison, Sullivan Stapleton) who are as outrageous as the crimes they solve. She's set as Tanya Jin, an "intelligent and attractive" Assistant District Attorney who sees the best in our heroes. Kenneth Fink is helming the Warner Bros. Television-based hour, which was penned by Jeff Wadlow.
PRIME SUSPECT (NBC) - The Peacock has postponed production on the drama pilot until June. Said development is the result of casting issues as the producers have yet to find their Jane Tennison (played by Helen Mirren in the original U.K. series). Mick Jackson is attached to helm the two-hour pilot off a script by Hank Steinberg. Erwin Stoff and Paul Buccieri also serve as executive producers for Universal Media Studios and ITV Studios.
SUGARLOAF (A&E) - The cable channel is expected to formally announce today it has ordered the drama pilot to series. Matt Passmore stars in the Miami-set hour, about "a homicide detective who's run out of Chicago following a sex scandal and becomes wrapped up in a murder case." Clifton Campbell is behind the Fox Television Studios-based project, which could roll out as early as this summer. 13 episodes are set to be shot on location with Campbell executive producing alongside Gary A. Randall. Carlos Gomez, Kiele Sanchez and Uriah Shelton co-starred in the pilot, which was directed by Peter O'Fallon.
TRAFFIC LIGHT (FOX) - David Denman ("The Office") is set to star in the comedy pilot, about three best friends in Chicago who are in various stages of their relationships. He'll play Mike, "the red light," a married lawyer "who still is trying to get this male-female thing down pat." Nelson Franklin also stars in the half-hour, which comes from Bob Fisher and 20th Century Fox Television.
UNTITLED DOV DAVIDOFF/NEAL BRENNAN PROJECT (Showtime, New!) - Comedians Dov Davidoff and Neal Brennan have booked a pilot presentation order from the pay channel for a new hybrid comedy series. Chernin Entertainment and Fox 21 are behind the project, which will feature the duo as they "begin each day at a coffee shop discussing dating, relationships and other personal matters." The show then will "veer into sketches, man-on-the-street interviews and other elements to enhance the themes the two discuss." Brennan and Davidoff will co-write the pilot and executive produce alongside Peter Chernin and Katherine Pope.
WRIGHT VS. WRONG (ABC) - Andy Fickman ("Race to Witch Mountain") has been tapped to direct the comedy pilot, about a female Republican pundit and her staff. He'll work from a script by Stephanie Weir. Sony Pictures Television and Tantamount are co-producing with the latter's Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum and Mitch Hurwitz also serving as executive producers.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [february 2010]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[01/29/26 - 12:56 PM]
"Dirty Rotten Scandals" Premieres Wednesday, March 4 at 9PM ET/PT on E!
This season explores the darker side of some of America's most beloved television shows by delivering untold stories from past participants and new original reporting.
|
[01/29/26 - 12:11 PM]
Mandy Patinkin Signs on to Play Odin in Prime Video's "God of War" from Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios
Based on PlayStation's massively popular ancient mythology-themed video game, the series has received a two-season order, with pre-production underway in Vancouver, and casting has begun.
|
[01/29/26 - 12:00 PM]
Presenters Announced for "68th Annual Grammy Awards," Sunday, Feb. 1 on CBS
Carole King, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Doechii, Harry Styles, Jeff Goldblum, KAROL G, Lainey Wilson, Marcello Hernández, Nikki Glaser, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah and Teyana Taylor are among the featured talent.
|
[01/29/26 - 11:17 AM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors on February 11
This matchup replaces the previously scheduled Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets game.
|
[01/29/26 - 11:03 AM]
Paramount+ to Premiere True-Crime Documentary "Wild Boys: Strangers in Town" on February 18
The two-part documentary chronicles the astonishing true story of two young brothers who emerged from the forests of British Columbia in the summer of 2003, claiming they had been raised entirely off the grid - without schools, doctors or any record of their existence.
|
[01/29/26 - 11:01 AM]
HBO Orders New Limited Series "The Chain" from Damon Lindelof
Details are under wraps, but Lindelof is said to be expanding the mythology of Adrian McKinty's award-winning thriller.
|
[01/29/26 - 10:11 AM]
Olafur Darri Olafsson Signs on to Play Thor in Prime Video's "God of War" from Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios
Previously announced cast members include Ryan Hurst as Kratos and Max Parker as Heimdall.
|
[01/29/26 - 10:10 AM]
CNN Original Series Releases First Look and Introduces "Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever"
Produced by EverWonder Studio, the series will premiere later this spring as part of CNN Originals' anticipated 2026 programming slate.
|
[01/29/26 - 10:05 AM]
Bravo's "Top Chef" Returns for Season 23, Serving Bold Flavors and Carolina Charm
The Emmy, James Beard and Critics Choice Award-winning series returns Monday, March 9.
|
[01/29/26 - 10:02 AM]
ESPN Original Series "On the Edge: World Cup Ski Racing" to Premiere January 30
The five-episode series follows the world's most elite ski racers across the 2025-26 season and 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
|
[01/29/26 - 09:38 AM]
FOX Nation Goes Deep Inside the Power, Scandal and Secrets of America's Early Presidents in New Docudrama "The White House"
The eight-part series brings to life the shocking true stories of the presidents, spouses, family members, confidantes, and adversaries, not just in the stately, public rooms of the White House, but in the intimate spaces they shared all under one roof.
|
[01/29/26 - 09:31 AM]
HBO Max Launches "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" Inspired "Squire For Hire" Social Series, Taskrabbit Partnership and Sweepstakes
The digital campaign brings the spirit of Westeros to life, along with a fan sweepstakes that offers a unique way for audiences to feel as if they're part of the story.
|
[01/29/26 - 09:30 AM]
Video: Starz Releases Emotional Final Trailer for the Timeless Romantic Drama "Outlander," Premiering March 6
The groundbreaking, time-traveling drama returns on Friday, March 6, with new episodes streaming weekly on Fridays.
|
[01/29/26 - 09:05 AM]
57th NAACP Image Awards to Honor A$AP Rocky with Vanguard Award for Fashion
He is also nominated for three NAACP Image Awards for his role in "Highest 2 Lowest," which has garnered a total of nine nominations.
|
[01/29/26 - 09:01 AM]
Netflix Announces Katt Williams' Fourth Stand-Up Special, "The Last Report"
Back for his fourth Netflix stand-up special, comedy icon Katt Williams delivers his famously bold takes on conspiracies, celebrities and the world at large in this electrifying set.
|
|
|
|
