[11/14/11 - 11:11 PM] Development Update: Monday, November 14 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!
BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE (NBC, New!) - Michael McDonald ("Cougar Town") has snagged a pilot order from the Peacock for a new drama set in "a society where humans co-exist with mechanical androids that look like us but are treated like second-class citizens." McDonald penned the hour on spec 10 years ago before landing at ABC and ABC Studios two-and-a-half years ago. The Alphabet subsequently passed with the studio ultimately finding it a home at NBC. Universal Television will then co-produce the hour alongside ABC Studios with McDonald serving as an executive producer. (Deadline.com)A GIFTED MAN (CBS) - The Eye has asked for three additional episodes of the freshman drama, bringing its season total to 16 episodes. Through seven originals, the Patrick Wilson-led hour has averaged a so-so 8.28 million viewers but a problematic 1.2 rating among adults 18-49. (Deadline.com)IMPERFECT JUSTICE (Lifetime, New!) - Alison Cross ("The Protector") is set to adapt Casey Anthony prosecutor Jeff Ashton's memoir of the same name, subtitled "Prosecuting Casey Anthony," for the small screen. Said effort "chronicles the three years he spent trying to convict Anthony of the murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee." Fox Television Studios is behind the project, which "aims to tell the story of the sordid murder case from the perspective of the prosecution team." Jean Abounader and Michelle Manning then will executive produce alongside Cross. (Variety.com)LAST MAN STANDING (ABC) - Kevin Abbott ("Surviving Suburbia") is set to take over as showrunner of the Tim Allen-led comedy from creator Jack Burditt, who's departing the series for personal reasons. Marsh McCall and Andy Gordon have been serving as interim showrunners while Burditt dealt with a family tragedy earlier this year. Abbott currently serves as a consulting producer on TV Land's "Retired at 35," where he's expected to be let out of his current contract. He's likewise behind the Reba McEntire vehicle "Malibu Country," which has a put pilot commitment at the Alphabet. (Deadline.com)RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (CBS) - The Eye has reportedly rolled back its commitment to the veteran comedy this season to 15 episodes, including two leftover installments from last spring. To date this season "Rules" has averaged 11.48 million viewers and 3.6 rating among adults 18-49, a significant improvement from the time period's previous time period holder "How to Be a Gentleman" (8.39 million viewers, 2.6 rating among adults 18-49). Earlier today, CBS revealed newcomer "¡Rob!" will assume the Thursday, 8:30/7:30c slot beginning January 12. (Deadline.com)AND IN OTHER NEWS... - Anna Kournikova will not be returning as a full time trainer on season 13 on "The Biggest Loser"(THR.com); Kiernan Shipka will guest on ABC's "Apartment 23" as James Van Der Beek's on-screen daughter for a film which casts him as a single dad (EW.com); Megan Mullally will turn up on "Up All Night" as a rival to Maya Rudolph's character Ava (EOnline.com); Laura Benanti has booked a three-episode arc on "Law & Order: SVU" as the estranged wife of Danny Pino's Nick Amaro (TVGuide.com); Kelsey Grammer will once again play himself on "30 Rock" later this season (TVGuide.com); plus Derek Webster will take over for Joseph C. Phillips as the Mayor of New York City on "Castle"(TVLine.com).
