LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
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EXTREME MAKEOVER (ABC) - The Alphabet reportedly plans to burn off an unaired installment ("Episode 321") from the show's third season on Thursday, June 30 in its regular 9:00/8:00c time slot.
HBO JUNE 2005 HIGHLIGHTS (HBO) - The pay channel has released its June 2005 schedule which confirms various premiere dates on the network. "Entourage" will kick off its second season on Sunday, June 5 at 9:00/8:00c followed by the series premiere of "The Comeback" at 9:30/8:30c. Encores of both series will also air on Monday nights at 10:00/9:00c ("The Comeback") and 10:30/9:30c ("Entourage"). Meanwhile, "Six Feet Under" will launch its fifth and final season on Monday, June 6 at 9:00/8:00c with encores on Sundays at 10:00/9:00c. Said scheduling decisions are understood to have been made in order help HBO expand its original scripted programming brand beyond Sunday nights.
LAS VEGAS (NBC) - Writer/producer Gardner Stern has signed a new two-year, seven-figure overall deal with NBC Universal Television. The pact calls for Stern to continue in his executive producing duties on "Las Vegas" as well as develop new projects for the studio.
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (FOX) - Co-executive producer Alex Reid has inked a two-year, seven-figure development deal with 20th Century Fox Television and Regency Television. In addition to remaining on "Malcolm in the Middle," he'll create and develop new series projects for the studio. The pact also calls for Reid to direct two episodes of "Malcolm's" upcoming seventh season.
MARTHA (A.K.A. UNTITLED MARTHA STEWART PROJECT) (Syndication) - Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution have confirmed Martha Stewart's upcoming talk show - which now features the simple title "Martha" - will launch on Monday, September 12 on local stations across the country. The series has been cleared on local stations covering an impressive 92% of the country. The one-hour project will film at Manhattan's Chelsea Television Studios and feature everything from field pieces, to in-studio segments with celebrity guests to human interest pieces. In addition, Rob Dauber ("The Rosie O'Donnell Show") has been named a co-executive producer of the series.
UNTITLED MEGAN MULLALLY PROJECT (Syndication, New!) - Emmy-winning "Will & Grace" star Megan Mullally is reportedly close to pacting with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution to host a syndicated talk show for the company beginning in the fall of 2006. It's understood the seven-figure pact will work around Mullally's production schedule on "Will & Grace" even if it returns for the 2006-07 season. No specific details about the project were mentioned, other than it will showcase Mullally's personality as well as her comedy and music skills. The actress and NBC Universal reps are said to be searching for potential showrunners for the talk show.
USA JUNE 2005 HIGHLIGHTS (USA) - As expected, the cable channel has confirmed the fourth season of its original series "The Dead Zone" will premiere on Sunday, June 12 at 10:00/9:00c. Like last summer, "The Dead Zone" will follow new episodes of "The 4,400" (which airs at 9:00/8:00c). Speaking of "The 4,400," USA will rebroadcast all six hours of the show's first season on Sunday, June 5 beginning at 1:00 p.m. eastern as a lead in to its two-hour second season premiere that night at 9:00/8:00c.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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