 |
 |
[04/05/12 - 11:14 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, April 5
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!
CASSANDRA FRENCH'S FINISHING SCHOOL FOR BOYS (MTV) - Michael Lehmann ("Heathers") has been tapped to direct the pilot, about a 22-year-old overachiever who gets her dream job as a lawyer for a Hollywood studio but can't find a guy ready for a real, mature relationship that decides to lock one up in her basement in order to train him to become the perfect gentleman. He'll work from a script by Eric Garcia, who likewise penned the novel upon which the project is based. Krysten Ritter also serves as an executive producer. (Deadline.com)
CULT (The CW) - Andrew Leeds ("Bones") has been cast in the drama pilot, about Skye Yarrow (Jessica Lucas), a production assistant on a wildly popular television show named "Cult," who teams with Jeff Sefton (Matt Davis), a journalist blogger, to investigate the rabid fans of the series who might be re-creating crimes seen on the program in real life. He'll guest star as Kyle Segal, the current executive assigned to the show. Alona Tal and Robert Knepper also star in the Warner Bros. Television-based project, from director Jason Ensler and writer Rockne S. O'Bannon. (Deadline.com)
DOWNWARDLY MOBILE (NBC) - Jason Antoon, Kendra Jain and Hector Duran will round out the cast of the comedy pilot, about Rose Davis (Roseanne Barr), the proprietor of a mobile home park and surrogate mother to all of the unique people who live there in a challenging economy. They'll play various tenants: Antoon as the stay-at-home dad of his and Sheila's (Romy Rosemont) wild child daughter, Skar (Jain); and Duran as Ricky, a shy and timid but sweet 13-year-old boy whom Rose takes under her wing. Greg Cromer, John Goodman, Mary Birdsong and Salli Richardson-Whitfield also star in the project, from 20th Century Fox Television and co-creators Barr, Eric Gilliland and John Argent. Gail Mancuso is directing. (Deadline.com)
DRUNK HISTORY ACROSS AMERICA (Comedy Central, New!) - The cable channel has ordered a pilot presentation for a potential comedy based on the award-winning Funny or Die series of shorts, featuring historical reenactments presented by a besotted narrator. Writer Derek Waters and director Jeremy Konner are behind the project, which Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy will executive produce via their Gary Sanchez Productions banner alongside the duo and Owen Burke. Ferrell, Jim Carrey, Ryan Gosling, Jack Black, Don Cheadle, Michael Cera, Zooey Deschanel, John C. Reilly, Crispin Glover, Jason Ritter and Danny McBride were among the actors featured in the series. (Deadline.com)
OH F---, IT'S YOU (CBS) - David Walton ("Bent") has booked the male lead on the comedy pilot, about a notorious womanizer who, after surviving a health scare, realizes that "the one" is his ex-turned-gal pal/business partner (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), who's already engaged to a nice guy (Ryan Gaul). He'll play said fellow Nick Miller ("good looking in an easy-going kind of way"), taking over for the previously cast Bryan Greenberg. Said role is formally in second position to Walton's duties on the NBC comedy, which is not expected to return. Director James Burrows and co-creators Greg Berlanti and Greg Malins are behind the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which also stars Greg Grunberg and Matt Cook. (Deadline.com)
STARS EARN STRIPES (NBC, New!) - Dick Wolf and Mark Burnett are set to team for a new competition series at the Peacock in which celebrities attempt the rigors of military training - from a staged hostage rescue to correctly placing a laser target atop a mountain. The project will likewise pay a tribute to our troops and first responders by bringing said tasks a spotlight. As for specifics, each of the nine planned participants will be paired with a trainer whose job it is to prepare them for the rigors of the weekly challenge at a top-notch, secret military training facility. Wolf and Burnett executive produce the project with David Hurwitz. (Deadline.com)
AND IN OTHER NEWS... - Jimmy Smits has been tapped for a season-long arc on "Sons of Anarchy" as a Latino gangbanger with an exit strategy who becomes a dangerous mentor for Charlie Hunnam's Jax (Deadline.com); feature writers Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins have inked a two-year overall deal with ABC Studios (Deadline.com); Chris Caldovino will recur on "Boardwalk Empire" as Tonino, a driver and strong arm (Deadline.com); Cassandra Freeman likewise will turn up on VH1's "Single Ladies" (Deadline.com); Seth Peterson will return to "Burn Notice" as Michael's (Jefferey Donovan) troubled brother Nate for five episodes (Deadline.com); Peri Gilpin is bound for the season finale of "CSI" as the wife of Ted Danson's D.B. Russell, while executive producer Don McGill has inked a new three-year overall deal with producer CBS Television Studios (EW.com, Deadline.com); "House" executive producers Garrett Lerner and Russel Friend have signed a two-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television, ending their run at Universal Television (Deadline.com); Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio will guest on the season finale of "Grimm" as the latest weekly anatgonist (TVLine.com); and "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" will make the exodus from Planet Green to the Cooking Channel following the former's rebranding to Destination America (THR.com).
|
|
|
 [april 2012]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[06/04/26 - 01:15 PM]
Starz Greenlights "Power: Legacy" with Joseph Sikora and Michael Rainey, Jr. Reprising Their Iconic Roles
"Power: Legacy" sees the return of Tommy Egan to New York, where he partners with Tariq St. Patrick to take the city by storm.
|
[06/04/26 - 01:04 PM]
ESPN Presents Comprehensive UFL Postseason Coverage, Culminating with the 2026 United Bowl on ABC & ESPN Deportes
The UFL playoffs begin Sunday, June 7, on ABC at 3 p.m. as the defending UFL champion DC Defenders take on the Orlando Storm in the Storms' inaugural UFL season, as both teams look to punch their championship ticket.
|
[06/04/26 - 12:04 PM]
Discovery Channel June Programming Highlights
This June, look for all-new seasons of "Expedition Unknown," "In the Eye of the Storm," and "Contraband: Seized at the Border."
|
[06/04/26 - 11:01 AM]
FX's "The Marriage Plot" Limited Series Ordered for FX and Hulu
Sadie Sink is attached to star and executive produce the project, which will be adapted from the acclaimed novel by Jeffrey Eugenides.
|
[06/04/26 - 10:09 AM]
Patricia Heaton to Star in and Executive Produce MPI Original Films' New Legal Drama Pilot "Public Interest"
Set inside a nonprofit public interest law firm in Washington, D.C., "Public Interest" follows Ingrid Erickson, an attorney unexpectedly thrust into the firm's top leadership role after its longtime president suffers a sudden heart attack, and her unconventional team as they fight for everyday people facing impossible odds.
|
[06/04/26 - 10:01 AM]
Star-Studded Line-Up of Performers and Presenters Revealed for the "79th Annual Tony Awards" Live Sunday, June 7 on CBS
Rachel Zegler, who will return to Broadway next Spring, will deliver a special tribute to "A Chorus Line," which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
|
[06/04/26 - 09:40 AM]
Joshua Jackson Joins "Your Friends & Neighbors" Season 3
He's no stranger to a tight-knit neighborhood.
|
[06/04/26 - 09:31 AM]
"Paul Simon: The Quiet Celebration Concert" Premieres in the U.S. on Disney+ and Hulu June 26
The nearly two-hour live concert film was recorded during the legendary singer-songwriter's "A Quiet Celebration Tour."
|
[06/04/26 - 09:01 AM]
NBC to Air "Alan Jackson: The Last Show"
Filmed before a sold-out crowd at Nashville's Nissan Stadium, the special will capture a once-in-a-generation farewell from one of country music's most beloved and influential artists.
|
[06/04/26 - 09:01 AM]
Ms. Lauryn Hill to Receive the Living Legend Icon Award at the "BET Awards" 2026 Sponsored by Sprite
Culture's Biggest Night will broadcast live on Sunday, June 28 at 8 PM ET/PT, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with Druski as host.
|
[06/04/26 - 09:00 AM]
Prime Video Releases First-Look Images and Premiere Date for Season Two of "Batman: Caped Crusader"
The highly anticipated returning animated noir series from DC Studios, Warner Bros. Animation, Bad Robot Productions, and 6th & Idaho will premiere all 10 episodes on Friday, July 31.
|
[06/04/26 - 08:31 AM]
Peacock Orders "The Break-In," New Mystery Series from Carnival Films and Writer Megan Gallagher
In the aftermath of a devastating home invasion, Alice Rathbone refuses to accept that the tragic event was simply random.
|
[06/04/26 - 08:05 AM]
Food Network Fires Up July with Four All-New Series, One Brand New Tournament and a Fan-Favorite Return
The BBQ charcoals will be glowing, engines will be revving, and the drama will be scorching this July on Food Network where new and returning series will combine for the network's hottest summer yet.
|
[06/04/26 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix's "Devil May Cry" Renewed for Third and Final Season!
Across two seasons, "Devil May Cry" has appeared on the Netflix Global Top 10 for four weeks with season 1 accumulating 21.7M views in 2025 and season 2 already accumulating 6.4M views in just two weeks.
|
[06/04/26 - 07:30 AM]
Tubi Announces Multi-Project Slate with Kevin "KevOnStage" Fredericks
Tubi is deepening the collaboration across formats and genres, spanning two new seasons of "Safe Space," a new scripted workplace comedy as well as his first stand-up special and original feature films on the platform.
|
|
|
|
