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[05/25/07 - 07:19 PM]
Development Update: Week of May 21-25
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
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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!
BREAKING BAD (AMC) - The cable channel is reportedly close to ordering the drama pilot to series. The project stars Bryan Cranston ("Malcolm in the Middle") as a middle-aged New Mexico high school teacher who becomes a crystal-meth dealer after he learns he has terminal cancer. Vince Gilligan is behind the hour, which is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Mark Johnson�s Gran Via Productions.
CARPOOLERS (ABC) - Sitcom veteran Marsh McCall ("20 Good Years") has been tapped as the executive producer/showrunner of the upcoming comedy, which follows the lives of four men (Fred Goss, Jerry Minor, Jerry O'Connell, Tim Peper) who carpool to work together each day. Said involvement is tied to McCall's overall deal with producer ABC Studios. Creator Bruce McCulloch, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and David Miner also serve as executive producers on the half-hour.
CASHMERE MAFIA (ABC) - Writer/producer Jeff Rake ("Bones") is set to join the midseason drama as its executive producer/showrunner. Rake recently reupped his two-year overall deal with producer Sony Pictures Television. It's understood he'll stay focused on "Mafia" for the next two years, turning to development after that. Darren Star, Gail Katz and creator Kevin Wade also serve as executive producers on the project, which stars Lucy Liu, Frances O'Connor, Miranda Otto and Bonnie Somerville as four successful female executives, friends since college, who rely on one another as they juggle the demands of career, family, hard choices and high ambitions in New York.
DATELINE NBC (NBC) - The Peacock has opted not to renew the contract of its veteran anchor Stone Phillips, who has been with the series since its launch in 1992. It's understood he won't be replaced when it expires in June. Co-anchor Ann Curry then will instead serve as the main anchor of the newsmagazine, which will return next season on Saturday nights in the fall and Sunday nights after football wraps.
GAY ROBOT (Comedy Central) - The comedy pilot, about a robot who discovers after an unfortunate incident involving a wine cooler and his circuit boards that he is gay, is reportedly being redeveloped as an animated project by Comedy Central and Sony Pictures Television. Nick Swardson co-wrote the original pilot (as well as voiced the title character) with Tom Gianas and executive produced alongside Happy Madison's Adam Sandler, Jack Giarraputo and Doug Robinson. Said development is apparently the result of positive feedback from the pilot and various clips being available on such sites as MySpace (where Gay Robot has his own page), BitTorrent and Sony-owned Grouper.
THE LAST LARRY (Comedy Central, New!) - Dana Gould ("The Simpsons") is developing a "Shaun of the Dead"-esque sitcom at the cable channel set in a post-apocalyptic world in which the few remaining survivors are trying to get on with their lives. The network has commissioned a script for the project, which Gould will write, executive produce and potentially star in. Tom Lassally and Dave Becky of 3 Arts Entertainment will also serve as executive producers. Gould most recently served as co-executive producer on the FOX comedy, exiting after the show's 18th production cycle last fall.
LAW & ORDER (NBC) - Rene Balcer, who has been attached to the franchise since its first season (not to mention developed spin-off series "Criminal Intent"), is moving back to the mothership for the show's 18th season. The veteran returned to the drama this past spring, helping shape the last batch of episodes. This season he'll take over for Nick Wooton as showrunner, a role which he previously served from 1996-2001.
LIFE (NBC) - "House" mainstay Daniel Sackheim has come aboard the freshman drama as an executive producer. The move comes as the director/producer inks a new two-year overall deal with NBC Universal Television Studio, the producer of both "House" and "Life." There he'll serve alongside creator Rand Ravich and fellow executive producer Far Shariat.
OCTOBER ROAD (ABC) - Co-creators Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec have landed a seven-figure, multiyear overall deal with ABC Studios, the show's producer. The pact will cover their duties on the show's sophomore season as well as any future development. It's understood the deal was signed prior to ABC renewing the series for a second season, a sure sign of the studio's faith in the duo.
UGLY BETTY (ABC) - Bill Wrubel ("Will & Grace") has inked a two-year overall deal with ABC Studios. The pact calls for the writer/producer to come aboard "Betty" as a co-executive producer as well as develop new series projects for the studio. Wrubel's addition comes as "Betty's" writing staff goes through a heavy turnaround. At least five writers have been let go to date. On the flip side, Dawn DeKayser ("The Geena Davis Show") has joined the staff as a producer.
THE WATCH (NBC) - Charles McDougall, who helmed ABC's drama pilot "Big Shots" this past development season, has signed on to direct the hour, about a suburban Neighborhood Watch group gone awry. His involvement lifts the director-contingency off the pilot's production. Ed Decter and John J. Strauss are behind the Sony Pictures Television/Pariah-based project, which is also executive produced by Gavin Polone and Jamie Tarses.
WEEDS (Showtime) - Andy Milder, who plays Dean Hodes, the husband to Elizabeth Perkins's character, has been upped to series regular for the show's third season. Look for the show's junior go around to launch on Monday, August 13 at 10:00/9:00c.
WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB (ABC) - "ER" alum R. Scott Gemmill has come aboard the drama as its showrunner while Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts ("Pepper Dennis") have also signed on as co-executive producers. The group, each of which has an overall deal with producer 20th Century Fox Television, will serve alongside executive producers Liz Craft, Sarah Fain, James Patterson, Brett Ratner and Joe Simpson. "Club" stars Angie Harmon, Laura Harris, Aubrey Dollar, Paula Newsome as four girlfriends who solve tough murder cases in San Francisco.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[05/01/24 - 05:16 PM]
Video: First Look at "The 1% Club" Hosted by Patton Oswalt - Premiering Monday, June 3 at 9/8c on FOX!
The series will be available early to Prime Video customers starting Thursday, May 23.
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[05/01/24 - 12:00 PM]
The CW Network Sets Season Premiere Dates for "All American: Homecoming" and "61st Street"
The series return on Monday, July 8 and Monday, July 22, respectively.
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[05/01/24 - 11:24 AM]
Guy Fieri Hits the Road for an Adventure Through the American West on the New Season of "Guy's All-American Road Trip"
Buckle up as the journey kicks off on Friday, June 7 at 9:00/8:00c on Food Network.
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[05/01/24 - 11:00 AM]
Prime Video Orders "The Better Sister" Starring Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks from Tomorrow Studios
Olivia Milch and Regina Corrado will serve as showrunners and executive producers on the series, with Craig Gillespie as director and executive producer.
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[05/01/24 - 10:04 AM]
TNT's Top-Rated True Crime Anthology "Rich & Shameless" Returns in May After NBA Western Conference Finals
Subjects include Brett Favre's alleged involvement in a welfare scheme, the NFL "Bountygate" scandal, Yasiel Puig's harrowing odyssey from Cuba to the MLB, and how an attempt to throw a boxing match led to murder.
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[05/01/24 - 09:31 AM]
Netflix Announces Seven Comedy Specials Coming Soon From Ali Wong, Bert Kreischer, Deon Cole, Fortune Feimster, Gabriel Iglesias, Jo Koy And Michelle Buteau
The announcement is timed with the kickoff of Netflix Is a Joke Fest in Los Angeles which runs through May 12.
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[05/01/24 - 09:07 AM]
Hulu Has Apes: "Planet of the Apes" Franchise - Now Streaming
Binge watch the entire "Planet of the Apes" franchise on Hulu, perfectly timed for the theatrical release of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," hitting theaters worldwide on May 10.
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[05/01/24 - 09:03 AM]
Binge All Your Iconic Fan-Favorite Disney Films During Freeform's "30 Days of Disney" This June
Viewers will relive their childhood with films that span across the full Walt Disney catalog, including Disney's-Pixar's "Inside Out," "National Treasure," "Avatar," "Spider-Man" (2002) and many more!
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[05/01/24 - 09:02 AM]
Video: Peacock Releases Trailer for Original Sports Documentary Series "Bronx Zoo '90: Crime, Chaos and Baseball"
Premiering May 16 on Peacock, the series details the tumultuous 1990 New York Yankees season through firsthand accounts of those closest to the team.
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[05/01/24 - 09:02 AM]
Lifetime Announces Airdate for Gypsy Rose Blanchard Docuseries "Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up"
The series follows Gypsy as she experiences life as a free woman, including reconnecting with family and finally living with her husband Ryan Anderson for the first time.
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[05/01/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Reveals Official Trailer for Ninth Season of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars"
The new season begins streaming exclusively on the service on Friday, May 17 with two all-new episodes featuring Keke Palmer and Stephanie Hsu as guest judges.
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[05/01/24 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Nickelodeon Reveals Trailer and Key Art for All-New Animated Series "The Fairly Oddparents: A New Wish" Premiering Monday, May 20
Produced by Nickelodeon Animation, the 20-episode series premieres Monday, May 20 on Nickelodeon in the U.S. and will be available on Netflix internationally later this year.
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[05/01/24 - 09:00 AM]
Video: MGM+ Announces "Billy the Kid" Season Two: Part Two Premiere Date with New Trailer
The series returns Sunday, June 2 at 9:00/8:00c.
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[05/01/24 - 09:00 AM]
Prime Video's "Sausage Party: Foodtopia" Reveals Season One Premiere Date
All eight episodes of the outrageous comedy will be available on July 11 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[05/01/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Empty Nest Refresh" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
Liza Koshy and Orlando Soria team up with young adults leaving home in this touching home improvement series.
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