or


[03/21/05 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: March 21
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 newly revamped "Series in Development" charts. Visitors can now filter our listings by network, genre and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!

ALL IN (NBC) - Janeane Garofalo ("The Larry Sanders Show") has been cast in the lead role of the comedy pilot, about a single mother of three (Garofalo) who's a whiz around the poker table, but who could use some of those same smarts in raising her kids. Garofalo's involvement lifts the cast-contingency off the pilot, which is based on the life of real-life poker champ Annie Duke. In addition, Garofalo and her managers David Rath and Kara Welker will receive a producing credit on the project, which comes from Warner Bros. Television, Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky's Is or Isn't Entertainment and Jack Burditt ("I'm With Her").

AMERICAN CRIME (CBS) - Jennifer Finnigan ("Committed") has been cast in the lead role of the drama pilot, about a female prosecutor who juggles the world of suburban crime with the challenges of being a new mom. She'll play Annabeth, said prosecutor, in the project, which also stars John Carroll Lynch. Finnigan's involvement is apparently in second position to "Committed" should that series return for a second season. Simon West is directing the Warner Bros. Television/Bruckheimer Television-based project, from a script by creator Jim Leonard. Leonard then also serves as an executive producer along with Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman.

THE DIVE FROM CLAUSEN'S PIER (Lifetime) - Michelle Trachtenberg ("Ice Princess") is set to topline the original movie for the cable channel, about a small-town woman's journey of self-discovery after her fiance suffers a serious accident. The project, which is based on Ann Packer's best-selling novel of the same name, will be directed by Harry Winer from an adaptation by John Wierick ("The Matthew Shepard Story"). Mel Gibon's Con Artists Productions and Fox TV Studios are producing "Dive" with Brenda Friend ("Joan of Arc"), Con Artists's Bruce Davey and Nancy Cotton and Fox TV Studios' David Madden and Lisa Demberg executive producing.

FATHOM (NBC) - Carter Jenkins ("Unfabulous") has been cast as Miles in the drama pilot, about a group of naval officers, oceanographers and fishermen from around the world who encounter a group of mysterious sea creatures. His character is described in the casting notice as: "13. Out wakeboarding with his friends, this kid has a terrifying experience after he dumps in the ocean and spots a bizarre sea creature nearby. The son of affluent parents who are usually too busy to pay attention to him, Miles enlists his friend Phil's help in investigating the situation. Already in trouble for his wakeboarding stunt, Miles defies his parents, "borrows" their boat, and ends up harvesting an egg from the monster in question. He takes the strange egg home and is delighted when his new and apparently voracious "pet" hatches out, unbeknownst to the rest of his family." Lake Bell (as Daughtery Carstarphen), Rade Serbedzija (as Dr. Clay Ling) and Leighton Meester (as Savannah, the sister of Miles), Jay Ferguson (as Richard Owen) also star in the NBC Universal Television-based project, which comes from creators Josh Pate and Jonas Pate.

MEET THE BARKERS (MTV) - The cable channel has confirmed the new reality series "Meet the Barkers" - about the life of the mohawked drummer of blink-182 and his wife, a former Miss USA turned TV actress - will premiere Wednesday, April 6 at 10:00/9:00c. "The Nick Lachey Project" is expected to follow that same night at 10:30/9:30c, however MTV has yet to confirm the show's launch date and time.

THE OFFICE (NBC) - Viewers looking to check out the Peacock's take on "The Office" will have more than one opportunity this month as cable siblings Bravo, CNBC and USA will all rebroadcast the show's first two installments shortly after their premiere on NBC. USA will encore said episodes on Thursday, March 31 at 6:00/5:00c and 6:30/5:30c; Bravo that same night at 11:00/10:00c and 11:30/10:30c; and CNBC on Friday, April 1 at 10:00/9:00c and 10:30/9:30c with additional encores later that night at 1:00 and 1:30 a.m. eastern.

OLD CHRISTINE (CBS) - Clark Gregg ("In Good Company"), Hamash Linklatter ("Gideon's Crossing") and Trevor Gagnon ("Big Fish") have all joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a divorced mom (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who tries to keep pace with everyone around her. The trio will play the woman's ex-husband, brother and son respectively. Warner Bros. Television is behind the project, which comes from creator/executive producer Kari Lizer ("Will & Grace").

UNTITLED DEBORAH KAPLAN/HARRY ELFONT PROJECT (ABC) - Sophina Brown ("Chappelle's Show") has been cast as the final principal cast member of the single-camera comedy pilot, about the dating lives of a group of thirtysomething singles in Philadelphia. She'll play Wendy in the Touchstone Television-based project. Her character is described as: "30's, any ethnicity. Feminine lesbian, a bit dissatisfied with her life, speaks her mind, she works for Jane [Julie Bowen] at the bakery. Although she dates women, Wendy has the same type relationship dilemmas as the rest of the gang. Claims her life would be much simpler if she was interested in men - but she's not." Michael Landes (as Todd), Alan Tudyk (as Oakes), Lucy Davis (as Paige) and Mark Umbers (as Sam) also star in the project, which will be both written and directed by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont. The pair also serve as executive producers along with Jamie Tarses and Karey Burke.

UNTILTED MICHAEL CALEO PROJECT (ABC) - Ann Cusack ("The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H.") and Sarah Steele ("Spanglish") have both joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about dueling neighbors (Lenny Clarke, Brian Benben) who have to contend with one another when their wives and kids become friends. Cusack will play the wife of Clarke's character while Steele is set as their daughter. Touchstone Television is behind the project, which comes from executive producers Michael Caleo and Matt Gross.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [march 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· BROTHERHOOD OF POLAND, NH, THE (CBS)
· CHAPPELLE'S SHOW (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· CLOSE TO HOME (CBS)
· COMMITTED (NBC)
· DEAL (NBC)
· DIVE FROM CLAUSEN'S PIER, THE (LIFETIME)
· GIDEON'S CROSSING (ABC)
· I'M WITH HER (ABC)
· LOVE LIFE (ABC)
· MATTHEW SHEPARD STORY, THE (NBC)
· MEET THE BARKERS (MTV)
· NEIGHBORS (ABC)
· NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, THE (CBS)
· NICK LACHEY PROJECT, THE (MTV)
· OFFICE, THE (NBC)
· SURFACE (NBC)
· WILL & GRACE (NBC)





[02/21/25 - 10:00 AM]
FOX's "The Quiz with Balls" Hosted by Jay Pharoah Rolls Into Season Two with Renewal of Hit Game Show
The popular game show pits brains against balls, combining a high stakes quiz show and a large-scale physical competition with each episode featuring two families competing for $100,000 in an epic "battle of the balls."

[02/21/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "CHAOS: The Manson Murders" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Directed by Errol Morris, the film untangles a web of conspiracy involving the CIA, LSD, Jack Ruby, the Manson Family, and Vincent Bugliosi, casting doubt on the official story of the 1960s' most infamous killing spree.

[02/21/25 - 08:00 AM]
"The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" Begins Streaming Exclusively on Max February 28
Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan.

[02/21/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: Netflix Unveils the Premiere Date and First Look of Dome Karukoski's "Little Siberia"
A pastor's faith turns upside down when a meteorite lands in his small Finnish town, its impact stirring up chaos and criminal intentions.

[02/20/25 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "When Life Gives You Tangerines" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In Jeju, a spirited girl and a steadfast boy's island story blossoms into a lifelong tale of setbacks and triumphs - proving love endures across time.

[02/20/25 - 04:01 PM]
ESPN Statement on Decision to Opt Out of Major League Baseball Deal
"We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN's coverage super-serves fans," said the company.

[02/20/25 - 01:22 PM]
Lifetime Announces Two New Original Movies for This Spring
Look for "Taken at a Basketball Game," starring D.B. Woodside and Claire Qute, on March 15; followed by "Wife Stalker," starring Keshia Knight Pulliam, on March 29.

[02/20/25 - 01:01 PM]
Leighton Meester to Guest Star in "Nobody Wants This" Season 2
She'll be playing Kristen Bell's middle school nemesis who Joanne crosses paths with as an adult.

[02/20/25 - 12:30 PM]
Hulu Renews Hit Drama Series "Paradise," from Dan Fogelman and Starring Sterling K. Brown, for a Second Season
Following the season one finale on Hulu on March 4, "Paradise" will air a full first season run on ABC beginning Monday, April 7 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

[02/20/25 - 12:00 PM]
Feature Documentary on Popular Dutch Actor Rutger Hauer "Like Tears in Rain" Makes Exclusive US Debut Thursday, March 13, 2025 on Viaplay
Through private, never-before-seen footage and candid interviews with family, friends and colleagues, his goddaughter Sanna Fabery de Jonge uncovers his intimate world in the revealing, acclaimed documentary.

[02/20/25 - 12:00 PM]
CBS Renews Nine Additional Series for the 2025-2026 Season
Additionally, the network has ordered two more seasons of hit comedy "Ghosts," taking the series through the 2026-2027 season.

[02/20/25 - 11:30 AM]
Presenters Announced for the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards
The only awards show for actors, by actors, the SAG Awards will feature a star-studded lineup of presenters, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who will present the SAG Life Achievement Award to two-time Academy Award-winning actor, producer, author, and activist, Jane Fonda.

[02/20/25 - 11:00 AM]
What's New on Max This March
This March, stream March Madness live from the opening tip-off of the First Four all the way to the Elite 8.

[02/20/25 - 11:00 AM]
Prime Video Unveils First-Look Images and Release Date for Devilish New Series "The Bondsman," Starring Kevin Bacon
All eight episodes will be available on April 3, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[02/20/25 - 10:11 AM]
Omar Sy to Star in a High-Octane Series Set in the "Extraction" Universe at Netflix
Executive produced by The Russo Brothers and Sam Hargrave, the series follows a mercenary as he navigates a dangerous mission to rescue hostages in Libya and finds himself trapped between warring factions and ruthless killers.