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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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[04/15/24 - 12:00 PM]
CBS Announces Series Order for New Daytime Drama "The Gates"
The specific time period, launch date and other series details will be announced at later dates.
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[04/15/24 - 12:00 PM]
"The Rookie" Renewed for Season 7 by ABC
John Nolan, once the oldest rookie in the LAPD, has used his life experience, determination and sense of humor to keep up with rookies 20 years his junior.
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[04/15/24 - 11:34 AM]
Lifetime Greenlights "Yoga Teacher Killer: The Kaitlin Armstrong Story"
The story, based on actual events, tells the tale of a tangled love triangle gone very wrong.
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[04/15/24 - 11:23 AM]
Bang! ESPN to Exclusively Televise 2024 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament Eastern Conference Games
At 7 p.m. ET on April 17, the Miami Heat (8th seed) and Jimmy Butler will visit the Philadelphia 76ers (7th seed) and Joel Embiid.
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[04/15/24 - 11:19 AM]
A Special Encore of "Billy Joel: The 100th - Live at Madison Square Garden" Will Air Friday, April 19 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)
The music special, celebrating Joel's record-breaking 100th consecutive performance at Madison Square Garden and featuring some his most iconic songs, originally aired Sunday, April 14.
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[04/15/24 - 10:32 AM]
AMC Networks' May Highlights Features New Season of "Interview with the Vampire," New Crime Thriller "Scrublands" and Return of "Harry Wild"
These films, series and more join an extensive catalogue of compelling dramas, beloved franchises, highly anticipated films and timely collections on AMC+, Acorn TV, ALLBLK, Shudder, Sundance Now, and anime-focused HIDIVE, all month long.
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[04/15/24 - 10:01 AM]
Video: National Geographic Sets Date and Unveils Trailer for Critically Acclaimed Heartwarming Documentary "Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story"
The emotionally powerful film shows audiences how the ability to love can reawaken us to the beauty of nature.
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[04/15/24 - 09:00 AM]
Video: "Outer Range" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Look for all seven episodes to drop on Thursday, May 16, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[04/15/24 - 08:10 AM]
Apple TV+ Announces Explosive New Documentary Event "Hollywood Con Queen," Featuring the Unbelievable Story of One of Hollywood's Biggest Scams, to Premiere May 8
Based on the original reporting of investigative journalist Scott Johnson, and his book published by Harper Collins titled, "Hollywood Con Queen: The Hunt for an Evil Genius," "Hollywood Con Queen" explores the shocking story behind one of Hollywood's biggest scams.
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[04/15/24 - 08:07 AM]
TNT Sports to Present Exclusive 2024 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament Doubleheader, Tomorrow, April 16
Tomorrow night's opening contest will feature the eighth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James traveling to take on the seventh-seeded New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson at 7:30 p.m.
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[04/15/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Thelma the Unicorn" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Based on the best-selling books. Starring Brittany Howard as Thelma.
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[04/15/24 - 08:01 AM]
ESPN Films Greenlights 30 for 30 Documentary on Trailblazing Broadcaster Stuart Scott
The film is directed by Andre Gaines and executive produced by ESPN Films, Run & Shoot Filmworks, and Cinemation Studios.
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[04/15/24 - 07:02 AM]
Emmy-Winning "Tamron Hall" Renewed for Sixth Season with ABC Owned Television Stations and Leading Broadcast Groups
"Tamron Hall" currently ranks No. 3 out of the nine one-hour syndicated talk shows.
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[04/15/24 - 07:01 AM]
Reelz Announces Public Service Initiative with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
The partnership will include exclusive to Reelz, public service announcements (PSAs) that will air in all day parts in 2024 and 2025 and will be further promoted on social media channels of the two organizations.
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[04/15/24 - 06:03 AM]
ABC News Studios Announces New Special with Country Star Lainey Wilson from Robin Roberts' Production Unit
"Lainey Wilson: Bell Bottom Country" begins streaming on Hulu on Wednesday, May 29.
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