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[02/15/08 - 05:25 PM]
Development Update: Week of February 11-15
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!
24 (FOX) - Co-creator/executive producer Joel Surnow is departing the series after seven and a half seasons. "I did some soul-searching," Surnow told the trade publications. "I took it as an opportunity to write on my own and do other things." The news comes on the eve of his overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television expiring. Surnow's exit nevertheless won't derail the show's production as fellow executive producer Howard Gordon has served as the day-to-day showrunner in recent years alongside co-creator Robert Cochran.
CW NOW (The CW) - In a follow up to our February 8 report (read the story), The Hollywood Reporter has subsequently confirmed the series has indeed been canceled. "While you always wish the ratings were higher, we are proud of 'CW Now' and how it improved every week from a creative standpoint," CW COO John Maatta said in a statement. "The program was a highly collaborative endeavor, and you can't put a price tag on what we learned from this project." The show's final broadcast is set for February 24.
HOLE IN THE WALL (FOX, New!) - FremantleMedia North America is looking to import the Japanese game show in which contestants, dressed in spandex and hard hats, play a game of human Tetris versus a shape-changing moving barrier in order to avoid being knocked into a pool of water. YouTube.com and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" have popularized the format domestically. Fuji Television originated the family-friendly show in July of 2006. As for specifics, teams gain or lose points depending on whether they manage to stay dry through each round. Stuart Krasnow is on board to executive produce the U.S. version alongside FremantleMedia chief Cecile Frot-Coutaz.
IFL BATTLEGROUND (MyNetworkTV) - The fledgling netlet has opted out of a second season of its formerly top-rated series. The show was widely reported as being part of the network's 2007-08 season plans over the summer. Its March 12 launch scored a then record 0.8 household rating but ultimately sagged by its final first-run airing on September 24. Repeats were featured briefly on Saturday nights during October and November. IFL coverage nevertheless will continue on previous partner Fox Sports Net as well as the newly added HDNet.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS/THE UNITED STATES OF TARA (Showtime) - The pay channel has confirmed both pilots are still a go following the strike's resolution. In addition, Craig Gillespie ("Lars and the Real Girl") has signed on to direct the latter project, about a woman (Toni Collette) with multiple-personality disorder. "Juno" screenwriter Diablo Cody penned the half-hour, which comes from DreamWorks Television. Tim Robbins then is behind "Effects," a drama about a family that runs a pharmaceutical company and the political, scientific and bureaucratic machinery that makes up the pharmaceutical industry. Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Daniel Thomas also serve as executive producers.
THE RICHES (FX) - The cable channel has slated the show's second season to launch on Tuesday, March 18 at 10:00/9:00c. Like fellow sophomore entry "Dirt," only seven of the 13 episodes ordered were shot prior to the strike. The network has opted to bring back both series with truncated runs rather than wait until their original 13-episode order was completed. Izzard, Minnie Driver, Shannon Woodward, Noel Fisher, Aidan Mitchell, Margo Martindale, Gregg Henry, Todd Stashwick and Jared Harris all star. FX Productions and Fox Television Studios are co-producing.
UGLY BETTY (ABC) - Executive producers Marco Pennette and James Hayman have been let go from the series, the same week it was renewed for a third season. The news marks its latest behind-the-scenes shuffle, coming on the heels of letting five writers go after its freshman run. Silvio Horta, Salma Hayek and Jose Tamez will continue on as the remaining active executive producers.
UNTITLED DENISE RICHARDS PROJECT (E!, New!) - Denise Richards's long-rumored reality series has been officially announced by the cable channel. E! staple Ryan Seacrest ("Keeping Up With the Kardashians") is executive producing the project, which will focus on Richards's life as a single mom following her high-profile divorce from Charlie Sheen. The proposed series made headlines earlier this year after Sheen went to court over Richards's decision to allow their children in front of the cameras. Ryan Seacrest Productions's Eliot Goldberg will serve as a co-executive producer. No launch date was specified.
UNTITLED JUSTIN HARTLEY PROJECT (The CW) - Justin Hartley ("Smallville") has inked a talent holding deal with the network. The actor toplined two recent pilots for the network - "Aquaman" and "Spellbound" - and was brought in to replace Johnny Lewis on the midseason entry "Eight Days a Week." That project has been in limbo since the WGA strike as only the original pilot has been completed thus far. Said deal then calls for the CW to find a new project for the actor.
UNTITLED DAVID KOHAN/MAX MUTCHNICK PROJECT (ABC, New!) - "Will & Grace" creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick have landed the first major TV sale since the end of the WGA strike, pacting with ABC for a new multi-camera comedy at the network. The semi-autobiographical project, which was written on spec prior to the strike, revolves around two men - one straight, one gay - who are lifelong best friends/business partners that find their relationship threatened after each begin serious romantic relationships. Said half-hour, which is based at Warner Bros. Television and has a pilot commitment, is not to be confused with their CBS effort from last season, about a gay writer and a straight writer who are best friends and their hot young assistants.
WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB (ABC) - R. Scott Gemmill, Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain have all been let go from the freshman drama. Said development comes as the Alphabet mulls the fate of the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which will ultimately hinge on finding a replacement. Craft and Fain, who created the series, will remain under their overall deals with 20th, as will Gemmill.
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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