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[02/01/08 - 06:16 PM]
Development Update: Week of January 28-February 1
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!
ABC FAMILY ORIGINAL SERIES (ABC Family) - The cable channel has firmed up its original series plans for 2008 and beyond. It's understood recently completed pilots "The Middleman" and "Roomies" have been ordered to series as has a new untitled hour from "7th Heaven" creator Brenda Hampton. "Middleman," from writer-producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach, stars Natalie Morales as a twentysomething struggling artist who's recruited by a secret agency to fight comic book-type villains alongside the title character (Matt Keeslar), a sci-fi superhero who serves as her guide. Jeremiah Chechik directed the pilot, which also stars Britt Morgan and Mary Pat Gleason. As for "Roomies," the multi-camera comedy stars Tyler Francavilla and David Weidoff as, you guessed it, roommates. Kieron Quirke and Robin French created the project, which is also executive produced by Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis of Acme Productions. Andy Cadiff directed the pilot. And finally, the Hampton hour is described as a teen relationship series similar in sensibility to "Juno." All three newcomers are said to have commitments of at least six episodes. "Middleman" and "Roomies" were part of a quartet of pilots ordered last year, the others being "Samurai Girl" and "Happy Campers." Hampton's project is believed to be a straight series commitment, contingent on casting the lead role.
Meanwhile in related ABC Family news, the network is in talks with Canadian broadcaster CBC to import the comedy "Sophie," about a young woman (Natalie Brown) whose picture-perfect life comes crashing down. 13 episodes have been completed of the half-hour, which bowed on January 9 on the network. Sebastian Spence, Amy Lalonde, Jeff Geddis, Mimi Kuzyk, Sara Botsford, Chantelle Chung and Catherine B�rub� also star in the project, which comes from Jocelyn Deschenes of Sphere Media Plus. The show itself is based on a French-language series that aired in Quebec before it was transplanted to the CBC. Lastly, ABC Family also confirmed a decision is expected soon on the fate of "Lincoln Heights" while "Wildfire," currently in its fourth season, won't be renewed for a fifth season.
DIRT (FX) - FX has confirmed Danny Comden ("I'm With Her") has completed a three-episode arc on the show's upcoming second season. He plays Ted Rothman, an almost-divorced president of a major TV studio who wants to rekindle a romance with Courtney Cox's character. The new season bows Sunday, March 2.
FRINGE (FOX) - Australian actress Anna Torv has scored the lead role on the two-hour drama pilot, about a young, tough FBI agent who is forced to confront the spread of unexplained phenomena and work with an institutionalized scientist whose work might be at the center of a coming storm. She'll play Olivia Warren, the agent in question. Also signing on are Blair Brown and Jasika Nicole. The former will play Nina Cord, a 16-year veteran at Prometheus Corp., a cutting-edge research facility, while Jasika Nicole is playing the recurring role of Astrid Farnsworth, a stunning federal assistant. They join the previously cast John Noble, Kirk Acevedo, Lance Reddick and Mark Valley. Alex Graves is helming the Warner Bros. Television/Bad Robot-based drama, which comes from co-creators Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and J.J. Abrams. The group also executive produces alongside Bad Robot's Bryan Burk.
UNTITLED FASHION MAGAZINE ASSISTANT PROJECT (The CW, New!) - "America's Next Top Model's" Tyra Banks and Ken Mok have scored a series commitment from the netlet for a new reality series in which aspiring assistants compete to become assistant editors at a fashion magazine. The project, which has an eight-episode commitment, is expected to begin production in April for a launch in late spring or summer. As for specifics, each episode will feature two different challenges - an individual one and a team one with the winner of the former making the pairings for the latter. Each team challenge then will focus on submitting a page for "The Book," a mock edition of the magazine, with the loser's page going in the trash and one of its members being sent home. Banks and Mok will executive produce the project via their respective banners, Bankable Productions and 10x10 Entertainment, alongside Eli Holzman, who developed "Project Runway" at Miramax Television, and Full Picture's Jane Cha and Desiree Gruber, fashion experts and managers of "Runway" host Heidi Klum. It's understood the "Runway" team came up the initial idea for the series and pitched it to the CW, who in turn paired them with Banks and Mok. Talks are underway with various magazines to sponsor the show with the editors themselves likely appearing as judges. It's not clear if Banks herself will appear on camera.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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[01/21/25 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Golden Kamuy -The Hunt of Prisoners in Hokkaido-" - Official Trailer - Netflix
With two map pieces secured, Sugimoto and Asirpa continue their hunt for the remaining 22 tattooed convicts whose bodies hold the key to hidden treasure.
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[01/21/25 - 03:01 PM]
Find Destined Romance without Phones in Japanese Reality Dating Series "Offline Love"
In the Netflix series, 10 men and women embark on a journey to find love in the picturesque city of Nice, without using digital devices.
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[01/21/25 - 01:00 PM]
FOX's Animation Domination Returns with the Season Premieres of "Family Guy," "Grimsburg" and "The Great North," Plus All-New Episodes of "Krapopolis," on Sunday, February 16
Plus: all-new episodes of "The Simpsons" return beginning Sunday, March 30.
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[01/21/25 - 12:00 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of Jan. 13: "Back in Action" Hits the Mark with Chart-Topping Debut
There was plenty of love for "XO, Kitty's" second season, which premiered on January 16 and debuted at No. 2 on the English TV list with 14.2 million views.
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[01/21/25 - 11:33 AM]
Golden Globe Winner Uma Thurman Joins the Showtime Original Series "Dexter: Resurrection" Starring Michael C. Hall
Thurman will play the series regular role of Charley, the Head of Security for mysterious billionaire Leon Prater.
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[01/21/25 - 11:10 AM]
Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City" Two-Part Reunion Begins Tuesday, January 28 at 9 P.M. ET/PT
Host Andy Cohen is joined by Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy, Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank, Brynn Whitfield and Racquel Chevremont to reflect on a tumultuous season that left relationships more fractured than ever before.
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[01/21/25 - 11:00 AM]
What's New on Max This February
Highlights include new seasons of "The White Lotus" and "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," premiering February 16.
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[01/21/25 - 10:08 AM]
"Abbott Elementary" - Season 5, Here We Come!
ABC confirmed the renewal on social media this morning.
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[01/21/25 - 10:02 AM]
OWN's Unscripted Series "Family or Fiance" Returns with All-New Episodes Beginning Saturday, February 8 at 9PM ET/PT
Hosted by renowned relationship coach Tracy McMillan, this high-stakes social experiment brings real-life couples and their disapproving families together for three days to unpack their differences.
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[01/21/25 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Renews "The Lincoln Lawyer" for Season 4
Season 4 will consist of 10 episodes and will be based on the sixth book in The Lincoln Lawyer series by Michael Connelly, The Law of Innocence.
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[01/21/25 - 10:01 AM]
The History Channel to Premiere New Six Part Docuseries "Thomas Jefferson" Beginning on Presidents' Day on Monday, February 17 at 8PM ET/PT
"Thomas Jefferson" offers an objective and comprehensive look into the complex life and achievements of the United States' third president, who was widely considered to be one of the patron saints of America's most sacred beliefs, and a central architect in the story of American democracy.
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[01/21/25 - 10:00 AM]
Ninth Season of "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Presented by Wingstop" Starts January 25 with Blockbuster Tripleheader
ESPN's ninth season tips off on January 25 with a blockbuster tripleheader to close out NBA Rivals Week highlighted by an NBA Finals rematch, a Western Conference Semifinals rematch and LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Stephen Curry and Golden State Warriors.
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[01/21/25 - 09:08 AM]
Video: "The Eastern Gate" - Official Trailer - Max
The enemy is close. The series premieres January 31 on Max.
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[01/21/25 - 09:01 AM]
Netflix's "Running Point" - Date Announcement, Key Art & Images Debut
When a scandal forces her brother to resign, Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) is appointed president of the Los Angeles Waves, one of the most storied professional basketball franchises, and her family business.
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[01/21/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Announces "Tribunal Justice" Season Two Premiere on January 27 and Releases Official Trailer
The fan-favorite courtroom series has already been renewed for a third season ahead of the season two debut.
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