or


[03/21/05 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: March 21
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 newly revamped "Series in Development" charts. Visitors can now filter our listings by network, genre and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!

ALL IN (NBC) - Janeane Garofalo ("The Larry Sanders Show") has been cast in the lead role of the comedy pilot, about a single mother of three (Garofalo) who's a whiz around the poker table, but who could use some of those same smarts in raising her kids. Garofalo's involvement lifts the cast-contingency off the pilot, which is based on the life of real-life poker champ Annie Duke. In addition, Garofalo and her managers David Rath and Kara Welker will receive a producing credit on the project, which comes from Warner Bros. Television, Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky's Is or Isn't Entertainment and Jack Burditt ("I'm With Her").

AMERICAN CRIME (CBS) - Jennifer Finnigan ("Committed") has been cast in the lead role of the drama pilot, about a female prosecutor who juggles the world of suburban crime with the challenges of being a new mom. She'll play Annabeth, said prosecutor, in the project, which also stars John Carroll Lynch. Finnigan's involvement is apparently in second position to "Committed" should that series return for a second season. Simon West is directing the Warner Bros. Television/Bruckheimer Television-based project, from a script by creator Jim Leonard. Leonard then also serves as an executive producer along with Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman.

THE DIVE FROM CLAUSEN'S PIER (Lifetime) - Michelle Trachtenberg ("Ice Princess") is set to topline the original movie for the cable channel, about a small-town woman's journey of self-discovery after her fiance suffers a serious accident. The project, which is based on Ann Packer's best-selling novel of the same name, will be directed by Harry Winer from an adaptation by John Wierick ("The Matthew Shepard Story"). Mel Gibon's Con Artists Productions and Fox TV Studios are producing "Dive" with Brenda Friend ("Joan of Arc"), Con Artists's Bruce Davey and Nancy Cotton and Fox TV Studios' David Madden and Lisa Demberg executive producing.

FATHOM (NBC) - Carter Jenkins ("Unfabulous") has been cast as Miles in the drama pilot, about a group of naval officers, oceanographers and fishermen from around the world who encounter a group of mysterious sea creatures. His character is described in the casting notice as: "13. Out wakeboarding with his friends, this kid has a terrifying experience after he dumps in the ocean and spots a bizarre sea creature nearby. The son of affluent parents who are usually too busy to pay attention to him, Miles enlists his friend Phil's help in investigating the situation. Already in trouble for his wakeboarding stunt, Miles defies his parents, "borrows" their boat, and ends up harvesting an egg from the monster in question. He takes the strange egg home and is delighted when his new and apparently voracious "pet" hatches out, unbeknownst to the rest of his family." Lake Bell (as Daughtery Carstarphen), Rade Serbedzija (as Dr. Clay Ling) and Leighton Meester (as Savannah, the sister of Miles), Jay Ferguson (as Richard Owen) also star in the NBC Universal Television-based project, which comes from creators Josh Pate and Jonas Pate.

MEET THE BARKERS (MTV) - The cable channel has confirmed the new reality series "Meet the Barkers" - about the life of the mohawked drummer of blink-182 and his wife, a former Miss USA turned TV actress - will premiere Wednesday, April 6 at 10:00/9:00c. "The Nick Lachey Project" is expected to follow that same night at 10:30/9:30c, however MTV has yet to confirm the show's launch date and time.

THE OFFICE (NBC) - Viewers looking to check out the Peacock's take on "The Office" will have more than one opportunity this month as cable siblings Bravo, CNBC and USA will all rebroadcast the show's first two installments shortly after their premiere on NBC. USA will encore said episodes on Thursday, March 31 at 6:00/5:00c and 6:30/5:30c; Bravo that same night at 11:00/10:00c and 11:30/10:30c; and CNBC on Friday, April 1 at 10:00/9:00c and 10:30/9:30c with additional encores later that night at 1:00 and 1:30 a.m. eastern.

OLD CHRISTINE (CBS) - Clark Gregg ("In Good Company"), Hamash Linklatter ("Gideon's Crossing") and Trevor Gagnon ("Big Fish") have all joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a divorced mom (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who tries to keep pace with everyone around her. The trio will play the woman's ex-husband, brother and son respectively. Warner Bros. Television is behind the project, which comes from creator/executive producer Kari Lizer ("Will & Grace").

UNTITLED DEBORAH KAPLAN/HARRY ELFONT PROJECT (ABC) - Sophina Brown ("Chappelle's Show") has been cast as the final principal cast member of the single-camera comedy pilot, about the dating lives of a group of thirtysomething singles in Philadelphia. She'll play Wendy in the Touchstone Television-based project. Her character is described as: "30's, any ethnicity. Feminine lesbian, a bit dissatisfied with her life, speaks her mind, she works for Jane [Julie Bowen] at the bakery. Although she dates women, Wendy has the same type relationship dilemmas as the rest of the gang. Claims her life would be much simpler if she was interested in men - but she's not." Michael Landes (as Todd), Alan Tudyk (as Oakes), Lucy Davis (as Paige) and Mark Umbers (as Sam) also star in the project, which will be both written and directed by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont. The pair also serve as executive producers along with Jamie Tarses and Karey Burke.

UNTILTED MICHAEL CALEO PROJECT (ABC) - Ann Cusack ("The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H.") and Sarah Steele ("Spanglish") have both joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about dueling neighbors (Lenny Clarke, Brian Benben) who have to contend with one another when their wives and kids become friends. Cusack will play the wife of Clarke's character while Steele is set as their daughter. Touchstone Television is behind the project, which comes from executive producers Michael Caleo and Matt Gross.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [march 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· BROTHERHOOD OF POLAND, NH, THE (CBS)
· CHAPPELLE'S SHOW (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· CLOSE TO HOME (CBS)
· COMMITTED (NBC)
· DEAL (NBC)
· DIVE FROM CLAUSEN'S PIER, THE (LIFETIME)
· GIDEON'S CROSSING (ABC)
· I'M WITH HER (ABC)
· LOVE LIFE (ABC)
· MATTHEW SHEPARD STORY, THE (NBC)
· MEET THE BARKERS (MTV)
· NEIGHBORS (ABC)
· NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, THE (CBS)
· NICK LACHEY PROJECT, THE (MTV)
· OFFICE, THE (NBC)
· SURFACE (NBC)
· WILL & GRACE (NBC)





[05/09/24 - 02:31 PM]
ID's New Series "Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders" Examines the Insidious, Dark Underbelly of the Digital World
The new, six-episode series unpacks shocking true crime stories involving influencers and digital communities across the social media landscape.

[05/09/24 - 02:07 PM]
National Geographic Announces Second Season of Disney+ Original Series, "Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory"
With filming currently underway, the National Geographic Explorer and BAFTA-winning cinematographer Bertie Gregory and his team will travel to the most spectacular corners of our planet to take viewers deep into the natural world and showcase extraordinary animal lives.

[05/09/24 - 02:02 PM]
A Dynamic Lineup of Fresh Originals, Exclusive Live Sports, Returning Hits and Beloved Franchises Supercharge NBCUniversal's Cable Portfolio Across Bravo, E!, Oxygen True Crime, Syfy and USA Network for 2024-25 Season
New series highlights across the portfolio include "Making It in Manhattan" (Bravo), "Revival" (Syfy) and "Untitled Cori Broadus and Snoop Dogg Project" (E!).

[05/09/24 - 12:32 PM]
Paramount+'s "Frasier" Starring Kelsey Grammer Starts Production on Season Two
Peri Gilpin will also reprise the iconic role of Roz Doyle as a recurring guest star, with the legendary James Burrows returning to direct two episodes of the new season.

[05/09/24 - 12:30 PM]
National Geographic Orders New Season Pick-Up of Award-Winning Series, "Trafficked: Underworlds with Mariana van Zeller"
Production is currently underway, with Peabody and duPont Award-winning journalist Mariana van Zeller continuing her harrowing exploration into the inner workings of the most dangerous black markets on the planet.

[05/09/24 - 11:38 AM]
"Law & Order: Organized Crime" Moves to Peacock for Upcoming Fifth Season
John Shiban is returning as showrunner for season five.

[05/09/24 - 11:01 AM]
Video: "Exploding Kittens" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Earth sucks, so God (Tom Ellis) gets fired and sent to Earth to reconnect with humanity. The catch? He's trapped in the body of a chubby house cat.

[05/09/24 - 11:00 AM]
Video: AMC Networks Releases Official Trailer for Riveting Sci-Fi Thriller "Orphan Black: Echoes" Premiering Sunday, June 23
Set in the near future, "Orphan Black: Echoes" takes a deep dive into the exploration of the scientific manipulation of human existence.

[05/09/24 - 10:13 AM]
Hulu Teases First Peek at Dame Jilly Cooper's "Rivals" Coming in 2024
Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner, Nafessa Williams, Katherine Parkinson, Bella Maclean and David Tennant star in the eight-part series, based on the celebrated novel by Dame Jilly Cooper.

[05/09/24 - 10:04 AM]
ABC News Studios Announces New True-Crime Docuseries "The Beauty Queen Killer: 9 Days of Terror," Streaming Only on Hulu Beginning Thursday, May 16
The new true-crime docuseries delves into the harrowing stories of the women who survived rampaging killer Christopher Wilder.

[05/09/24 - 10:02 AM]
FX's "The Bear" - Season Three Premieres June 27 Exclusively on Hulu
The first teaser for Season 3 was also released today and is available here - along with a first-look image.

[05/09/24 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial" - Official Trailer - Netflix
This six-part documentary series from director Joe Berlinger explores the shocking rise and fall of Hitler and his enablers who were fueled through propaganda, censorship and a campaign of antisemitism.

[05/09/24 - 09:59 AM]
Video: Starz Releases Jaw Dropping Trailer and Key Art for Fourth and Final Season of "Power Book II: Ghost"
Part one of "Power Book II: Ghost" debuts on Friday, June 7, at midnight ET on the Starz app, coinciding with the 10th Anniversary of "Power's" debut on Starz.

[05/09/24 - 09:59 AM]
The CW New Series "The Big Bakeover" Premieres June 14
Bakery expert, business professional and author Nancy Birtwhistle is on a mission traveling across America to save struggling bakeries.

[05/09/24 - 09:48 AM]
Special Episode of "Cold Justice" Airs Sunday, May 12 at 8:00PM ET/PT on Oxygen True Crime
The all-new special episode will follow prosecutor Kelly Siegler as she shares exclusive updates on past cases, answers burning questions, and catches up with victims' family members and fan-favorite cops, to bring audiences an inside look into the justice they're bringing to the victims.