or


[08/31/09 - 06:21 PM]
Development Update: Monday, August 31
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

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) - Mido Hamada ("Path to 9/11") is the latest addition the show's ever-expanding season eight ensemble. He'll play the recurring role of Mehran, "the leader of a group of operatives in an Islamic country working against their president." No other details were given.


DROP DEAD DIVA (Lifetime) - "American Idol" alum Paula Abdul has filmed a cameo for the show's September 20 episode. In said installment, she appears in a dream sequence as a judge (wearing "a chunky belt and glittery skirt below a flowing top crafted from a black judge robe") who motivates Brooke Elliott's character "to sue a clothing retailer that only sells small dresses."


HOUSE (FOX) - Michael Weston is set to reprise his role as Lucas Douglas on an upcoming episode of the series, Entertainment Weekly reports. The actor recurred last season as a private eye House hires to spy on his colleagues. Said role was apparently considered for a potential spin-off series however nothing materialized.


MERCY (NBC) - "Star Trek: Voyager" alum Kate Mulgrew is set to recur on the freshman drama, about a group of nurses and their relationships. She'll continue on as Jeannie Flanagan, the alcoholic mother of the Taylor Schilling's character, after guest starring in the pilot. No other details were released.


PARKS & RECREATION (NBC) - Entertainment Weekly reports Fred Armisen has booked a guest role on the show's sophomore season. He'll play the counterpart to Amy Poehler's character from Pawnee's sister city. "Leslie arranges for [Armisen and his colleagues] to come for a visit, but they're from a city in Venezuela," co-creator Michael Schur told the publication. "They're very confused because in Venezuela the government is so powerful; their parks department travels with military escorts and motorcades and stuff. They have all the money in the world because of their oil and they [don't understand] why Pawnee's parks department is so rinky-dink."


UNITED STATES OF TARA (Showtime) - Joshua Leonard ("Humpday") is set to recur on the show's upcoming second season. He'll play Ricky, a "boho-trustifarian." No other specifics were given about the role.


UNTITLED MATT WILLIAMS PROJECT (ABC, New!) - Former ABC mainstay Matt Williams ("Home Improvement," "Roseanne") has scored a script commitment from the network for a new multi-camera comedy about "a sports psychologist and father of three who runs his office out of his home and faces the challenges of being an involved dad in today's world." Williams will pen and executive produce the half-hour alongside his Wind Dancer Productions partners Carmen Finestra and David McFadzean. ABC Studios is behind the project, which has a penalty attached if it doesn't go to pilot.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [august 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· 24 (FOX)
· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· DROP DEAD DIVA (LIFETIME)
· HOUSE (FOX)
· MERCY (NBC)
· PARKS & RECREATION (NBC)
· PATH TO 9/11, THE (ABC)
· STAR TREK: VOYAGER (UPN)
· UNITED STATES OF TARA, THE (SHOWTIME)
· UNTITLED MATT WILLIAMS PROJECT (ABC)





[01/29/25 - 10:41 AM]
Awesomeness TV Lands the Rights to "That Friend," from Comedian and Digital Star Sabrina Brier
Set against the vibrant, Gen Z-driven energy of New York City, the upcoming series will follow a 20-something aspiring influencer as she navigates the chaos of building her podcast while balancing life with her three best friends, coping with a dwindling bank account, and chasing her dreams of making it big.

[01/29/25 - 10:19 AM]
CBS' "FBI" Tuesday Up from Its Season Average
The flagship "FBI" averaged 8.36 million Live+SD viewers, up +1% from its STD average (8.31 million viewers).

[01/29/25 - 09:02 AM]
Video: "Hot Wheels Let's Race" Season 3 Trailer - Netflix Jr
Coop and his friends have trained for this moment their whole lives. Now, three epic races will decide who wins the Hot Wheels City Ultimate Garage!

[01/29/25 - 09:02 AM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Skyrockets to Season Highs in All Key Measures Earning Best Total Viewer Audience and Household Rating in Nearly a Year
The show earned its best Total Viewer audience (2.52 million) and its best Household numbers (1.68 rating) in nearly a year.

[01/29/25 - 09:01 AM]
Jazwares Goes Deeper Into the Upside Down with Netflix's "Stranger Things" to Launch All-New Toy Line
Jazwares will launch a robust product line inspired by the show's beloved characters and themes from the highly anticipated "Stranger Things 5" season and its animated series spinoff currently in the works.

[01/29/25 - 09:00 AM]
"Survivor" Announces the 18 New Castaways Competing on the 48th Edition with a Two-Hour Season Premiere on Wednesday, Feb. 26
The trailblazing reality series, which shifts to 90-minute weekly episodes beginning Wednesday, March 5 at 8:00 PM, returns with a bold new group of competitors, inspired gameplay and momentous tribal councils.

[01/29/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Official Trailer Released for Clever Crime Comedy "Ludwig" Starring David Mitchell
The detective show broke viewership records out of the UK, with more than 9.5 million viewers and a second season already confirmed.

[01/29/25 - 08:45 AM]
Prime Video Orders Megan Park Drama Sterling Point to Series
Park created the series and will also direct, executive produce, and co-showrun alongside Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage.

[01/29/25 - 08:22 AM]
Suspenseful Whodunnit Series "Who Shot Otto Mueller?" Makes Exclusive US Debut Thursday, February 13, 2025 on Viaplay
This twisty contemporary thriller, which received a Best International Series nomination at Geneva International Film Festival, explores the deadly consequences of family secrets, betrayal, and revenge, all while testing the limits of loyalty and justice.

[01/29/25 - 08:00 AM]
Special Performances to Highlight "The 67th Annual Grammy Awards" Include a Star-Studded Salute to the Life and Legacy of Quincy Jones, Tributes Celebrating the City of Los Angeles and Annual in Memoriam Segment
Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Cynthia Erivo, Herbie Hancock, Jacob Collier, Janelle MonĂ¡e, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent and Stevie Wonder are set to appear.

[01/29/25 - 07:39 AM]
Lesley Manville and Tim McMullan to Return for "Marble Hall Murders"
This is a follow-up to the critically acclaimed fan-favorites "Magpie Murders" and "Moonflower Murders," which premiered on "Masterpiece" in 2022 and 2024, respectively.

[01/29/25 - 05:36 AM]
Hallmark Announces Expansive New Partnership with Network Star Lacey Chabert Across Product, Series, and Film Businesses
Chabert will continue her partnership with Hallmark Media through hosting and executive producing a second season of "Celebrations with Lacey Chabert," as well extending her multi-picture movie deal, where she will star in, develop, and produce Hallmark film projects into 2025 and beyond.

[01/28/25 - 09:31 PM]
Video: "The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Experience a legendary saga of pride, passion and fierce competition that transcends the game.

[01/28/25 - 12:30 PM]
ESPN Celebrates Black History Always on February 5 with Inaugural All-Black Staffed NBA Broadcast
In total, more than 40 Black employees will contribute to ESPN's NBA coverage across game and studio platforms throughout the day, the majority of whom contribute to its basketball coverage year-round.

[01/28/25 - 12:17 PM]
ABC News Studios Announces Two Gripping New True Crime Docuseries to Premiere in February, Streaming Exclusively on Hulu
Look for "Wicked Game: The Devil in the Desert" on February 4, followed by "The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer" on February 18.