or


[06/27/03 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: June 27
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:

THE BIG HOUSE (ABC) - The Kevin Hart-led comedy pilot has officially been given a midseason order of 13 episodes. ABC had previously planned to pick up the series at its upfront presentation (even flying out the cast to New York) however backed out at the last minute for undisclosed reasons. The sitcom, which comes from 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television, centers on a wealthy, pampered guy from Malibu (Hart) who moves to Philadelphia to live with his blue-collar relatives after his father loses all of his money. Stephen Engel, Brian Grazer and David Nevins are the executive producers on the project, ABC's only midseason comedy order thus far.

THE BROTHERHOOD OF POLAND, N.H. (CBS) - Actor Chris Penn ("Reservoir Dogs") is in final talks to join the cast of the David E. Kelley drama, where he would replace Brian Haley on the project. The series stars Randy Quaid and John Carroll Lynch as two of three brothers who face midlife challenges in the small town of Poland. Penn would then play the unemployed, youngest brother Waylon Shaw, a lovable optimist who is married and has a teen daughter. Ann Cusack and Angela Goethals play his wife and daughter, respectively.

GAME OVER (UPN) - The netlet has given the CGI-animated comedy pilot a midseason order of six episodes. The project, which comes from the Carsey-Werner-Mandabach studio, centers on the Smashenburns, an ordinary suburban family who live in an alternate video game universe inhabited by action heroes, monsters and cartoon characters. Marisa Tomei and Patrick Warburton voice the heads of the Smashenburn clan on the series, which is executive produced by David Sacks, David Goestch, Jason Venokur and Ross Venokur.

JOAN OF ARCADIA (CBS) - Hart Hanson ("Judging Amy") has been named a consulting producer on the series. The news comes as the producer has inked a new two-year, seven-figure overall development deal with 20th Century Fox Television. As part of the pact he'll develop new projects for the studio, one of which has been given a put pilot commitment from CBS, as well as work on its existing properties. As for "Joan," Hanson's services on the Sony Pictures Television series is for the initial batch of 13 episodes of the drama. 20th TV struck a deal with CBS to loan the producer out to the upcoming series, which airs Fridays at 8:00/7:00c this fall, to land the blind put pilot commitment from the network, which is being targeted for fall 2004.

LAW & ORDER (NBC) - Wolf Films and Universal Network Television have picked up actor Sam Waterston's option to stick with the long-running series through at least the 2004-05 season (the current length of NBC's deal for the show). Waterson is the third-longest-serving actor currently on the show (behind only Jerry Orbach and S. Epatha Merkerson) where he has earned three lead actor Emmy nominations (in 1997, 1999 and 2000).

NAVY N.C.I.S. (A.K.A. N.C.I.S.) (CBS) - The Eye network has changed the title for its upcoming "J.A.G." spin-off yet again. Originally "N.C.I.S.," the series has been retitled "Navy C.I.S.," then "Naval C.I.S.," then reverted back to "N.C.I.S." and now has apparently settled on "Navy N.C.I.S."

TWELVE DAYS OF TERROR (Discovery) - The cable channel has wrapped production on its first original movie in its 18-year history. Scheduled to air in early 2004, the telefilm chronicles the series of real-life shark attacks in 1916 that later inspired the Peter Benchley novel "Jaws." Shot in Cape Town, South Africa, "Terror" features John Ryhs-Davies ("The Lord of the Rings") and newcomers Colin Egglesfield and Jenna Harrison among the cast. Jack Sholder ("The Hidden") directed the project from a script by Jeffrey Reiner, J.T. Allen and Tommy Lee Wallace.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [june 2003]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· BIG HOUSE, THE (ABC)
· BROTHERHOOD OF POLAND, NH, THE (CBS)
· GAME OVER (UPN)
· JAG (CBS)
· JOAN OF ARCADIA (CBS)
· JUDGING AMY (CBS)
· LAW & ORDER (NBC)
· NCIS (CBS)





[03/27/24 - 01:43 PM]
FOX Entertainment Unveils New Structure with Three-Pillar Focus on Global Studio Operations, Linear & Streaming Platforms and Worldwide Sales & Licensing
The new FOX Entertainment will consist of three primary business segments, including FOX Entertainment Studios, the FOX Television Network and FOX Entertainment Global.

[03/27/24 - 01:03 PM]
Video: "Big Mood" - Official Trailer - A Tubi Original
Best friends Maggie and Eddie have lived in each other's pockets for ten years. But with the future looming, can their relationship survive?

[03/27/24 - 12:32 PM]
This April, Series "Mud Madness" Debuts on Discovery Channel, Alongside All-New Seasons of "Ghost Adventures: House Calls" and "Contraband: Seized at the Border"
"Mud Madness" is a brand-new series that follows the off-road subculture of extreme Big-Tire UTV mud racing and the passionate characters that drive the sport.

[03/27/24 - 12:25 PM]
Ten American Bakers Travel to Paris for Food Network's Ultimate Pastry Competition "Next Baking Master: Paris"
Premiering Monday, May 6, the series demands that competitors prove their mettle in the pillars of great baking and pastry: technique, artistry, flavor, innovation, and inspiration.

[03/27/24 - 12:00 PM]
Video: HBO Releases Official Teaser for "The Jinx - Part Two," Debuting April 21
In Part Two, the filmmakers continue their investigation for the next eight years, uncovering hidden material, Robert Durst's prison calls, and interviews with witnesses who had not come forward until now.

[03/27/24 - 12:00 PM]
Backstabbery Is Back as E! Announces Conniving New Cast of "House of Villains" Season Two, Premiering This Fall
Season one cast member Tiffany "New York" Pollard returns for a chance at redemption.

[03/27/24 - 10:02 AM]
Lifetime Greenlights "Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story" Starring Jana Kramer and Austin Nichols
Kramer, who has openly spoken about domestic abuse, will film a new a PSA for Lifetime's Stop Violence Against Women initiative to align with the subject matter of this movie.

[03/27/24 - 10:00 AM]
"The Steve Wilkos Show" Renewed for 18th Season in National Syndication
The show is hosted by Steve Wilkos, the straightforward, tough-talking former Chicago police officer and United States Marine.

[03/27/24 - 09:59 AM]
Starz's Hit Drama Series "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" Scores Early Season Five Renewal
The third installment in the "Power" franchise, "Raising Kanan" recently concluded its explosive third season and is currently filming season four in New York.

[03/27/24 - 09:30 AM]
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively Officially Reuniting for Paul Feig-Helmed Sequel, "A Simple Favor 2"
The highly anticipated sequel is a co-production with Lionsgate and follows the studio's 2018 release of "A Simple Favor," which was a critical and commercial success, earning more than $97 million at the worldwide box office and achieving Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes.

[03/27/24 - 09:17 AM]
FOX Nation Partners with Martin Scorsese for New Docudrama "Martin Scorsese Presents: THE SAINTS"
Slated for November, the series will encompass eight one-hour episodes exploring the remarkable stories of eight men and women who risked everything to embody humanity's most noble and complex trait - faith.

[03/27/24 - 09:00 AM]
Academy Award Winner and Tony Award Nominee Ariana DeBose Returns to Host "The 77th Annual Tony Awards," Airing Live Sunday, June 16, on CBS and Paramount+
DeBose will also serve as producer and choreograph the opening number for this year's show.

[03/27/24 - 08:58 AM]
"NKOTB" Bandmate Jonathan Knight Returns for Season Three of Hit HGTV Series "Farmhouse Fixer" on Tuesday, April 23, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
The series, which attracted more than 15 million viewers to its previous season, will follow Jon, best known as a member of the Grammy-nominated band New Kids on the Block, and his go-to designer Kristina Crestin, as they take on a slew of risky renovations.

[03/27/24 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Good Times" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this edgy, irreverent reimagining of the TV classic, a new generation of the Evans family keeps their heads above water in a Chicago housing project.

[03/27/24 - 06:01 AM]
Hulu on Disney+ Launches Today in the U.S. for Disney Bundle Subscribers
Bundle plans are available starting at $9.99/month, while Disney+ and Hulu each remain available as standalone offerings.