LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
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COMPLETE SAVAGES/EYES (ABC) - In addition to today's summer programming announcements (read the story), ABC is expected to burn off the four remaining unaired installments of its freshman comedy "Complete Savages" on Friday nights beginning in June (exact date/time TBA) as well as any "Eyes" holdovers from the regular 2004-05 season. However, with repeats of "Lost" taking over the Wednesday, 10:00/9:00c hour starting June 1, its not clear in what time period the "Eyes" episodes would air. No mention was made of airing "life as we know it's" two unaired episodes however fans can expect to see them as part of its planned August 23 release on DVD (click here for more information).
THE FALLEN ONES (Sci Fi)/MURDER AT THE PRESIDIO (USA) - Both original movies have quietly been rescheduled by their respective networks. "Fallen," which stars Casper Van Dien, will now air on Saturday, May 14 at 9:00/8:00c, one week later than previously indicated while "Murder" will debut on Monday, May 2 at 9:00/8:00c, two days after its initially announced April 30 premiere date.
LOST (ABC) - Writer/producer Steven Maeda ("C.S.I.: Miami") has signed a two-year overall deal with Touchstone Television. The pact calls for Maeda to come aboard as a co-executive producer on ABC's "Lost" next season as well as develop original projects at the studio.
THE MIRACLE WORKERS (ABC, New!) - While not specified in its summer plans (read the story), the Alphabet has reportedly given a six-episode order to a new reality series in which people with problems, both medical and otherwise, get them resolved by experts. DreamWorks Television and Renegade 83 Entertainment are behind the project, which could roll out as early as August. Much like its popular "feel good" reality series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Supernanny," there will be no competitive aspect to the series. Instead a recurring "dream team" of physicians will help individuals with such issues as arranging a heart procedure for one critically ill family member or securing psychological care for the person's spouse and children. No other details were available.
UNTITLED STAR WARS PROJECTS (New!) - "Star Wars" creator George Lucas told fans at the "Celebration III" fan convention in Indianapolis over the weekend (his first appearance at such an event in 18 years) that Lucasfilm is developing two new TV series set in the popular science fiction universe. The first is an animated 3-D half hour series that expands upon "Clone Wars," Genndy Tartakovsky's well-received animated series for Cartoon Network. The other is a live action spin-off that would focus on some supporting characters who've been introduced in the movies. Both series would be set in the years between "Episode III" ("Revenge of the Sith") and "Episode IV" ("A New Hope"). Lucas has reportedly been speaking with "Aeon Flux" creator Peter Chung about heading up for the former project, which will likely take advantage of the new CGI animation facility Lucasfilm is building in Singapore. As for the live action offering, Lucas told the fans: "We're probably not going to start that for about a year. Like on 'The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles,' we want to write all the stories for the entire first season all at once. I'm going to get it started and hire the showrunners and all of that, then I'll probably step away." In addition, despite the assumed ties to Cartoon Network and FOX - no networks are currently attached to either project.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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