or


[03/24/10 - 12:01 AM]
Development Update: Wednesday, March 24
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!


BOSTON MED (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet has commissioned a new reality series that "puts cameras in the hallways, surgery wards and emergency rooms" of three Boston-area hospitals: Massachusetts General, Children's Hospital Boston and Brigham & Womens. The hour-long project, which is expected to air on Thursday nights for seven to eight weeks this summer, comes from ABC News' Terence Wrong (Peabody Award-winner "Hopkins 24/7"). Among the featured stories: the first-ever filming of a face transplant in this country. Additional details are expected to be released in the coming weeks.


THE CAPE (NBC) - Keith David ("Death at a Funeral") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, about a former cop (David Lyons) framed for a crime he didn't commit who becomes The Cape, a masked hero, to clear his name. He'll play Max Malini, the leader of "The Carnival of Crime" - a group of carnival-themed bank robbers, who becomes Vince's mentor. His character is further detailed as a showman/magician/escape-artist with "a faded-Errol-Flynn-feel about him." Dorian Missick, James Frain, Jennifer Ferrin and Summer Glau also star in the Universal Media Studios-based hour, which Simon West is directing from a script by Tom Wheeler.


PLEADING GUILTY (FOX) - John Larroquette ("Boston Legal") is once again returning to the legal genre, booking a role on the drama pilot, about Mack Malloy (Jason Isaacs), an ex-cop and recovering alcoholic now serving as a partner in a top-drawer corporate law firm. He's on board as Martin Gold, the managing partner of the Chicago-based firm who "dines on human marrow [and] always uses the right fork." Madchen Amick and Omid Abtahi co-star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which Jon Avnet is helming off a script by Jason Tracey.


THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW (HBO) - The pay channel is moving forward with a second season of the series, an animated adaptation of Ricky Gervais' hit podcasts featuring stream-of-consciousness exchanges between Gervais, his collaborator Stephen Merchant and their offbeat friend Karl Pilkington. The trio also serve as executive producers alongside Bob Higgins and Glyn Hughes for Media Rights Capital and Wildbrain. Said pickup however isn't the result of large numbers for its viewership: to date it's averaging just 180,000 viewers an episode, with a 0.1 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic.


RIDE ALONG (FOX) - Jennifer Beals ("Lie to Me") has booked the female lead in the drama pilot, a police procedural set (and filmed) in Chicago. She's set as Teresa Colvin, Chicago's first female police chief. Her character is additionally detailed as follows: "A fast riser and skilled cop, Teresa has arrived at the very top of the Chicago Police Department in a very short period of time. She did this by proving herself on the streets, by charming those in power above her and by absorbing everything Jarek [Jason Clarke] taught her over the years." The 20th Century Fox Television-based ensemble also stars Billy Lush, Devin Kelley, Matt Lauria and Todd Williams. Charles McDougall is directing from a script by Shawn Ryan.


SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT (ABC) - Don Johnson ("Just Legal") is set to star opposite Mary Steenburgen in the comedy pilot, about a conservative father whose life is turned upside down when his grown kids move back in with him. He'll play Bob Dobson, the family patriarch and provider. Chad Kultgen is behind the project, which comes from ABC Studios and the Sony Pictures Television-based Tantamount.


UNTITLED KEVIN KLINE PROJECT (HBO, New!) - Oscar-winner Kevin Kline ("A Fish Called Wanda") is set to star in and executive produce a potential new drama at the pay channel about "a prominent doctor (Kline) who must restart his life after serving a 15-year prison sentence for murdering his mistress." David Auburn ("Proof") is penning the hour, which he's executive produce alongside Kline, Gavin Polone and Kline's manager Judy Hofflund. No other specifics were given.


UNTITLED PAULA ABDUL/KENNY ORTEGA PROJECT (NBC, New!) - Paula Abdul ("American Idol"), Kenny Ortega ("High School Musical") and 3 Ball Productions ("The Biggest Loser") are looking to team for a potential new dance competition series at the network. 3 Ball originated the format, which would presumably feature Abdul and Ortega as host and choreographer, respectively. No other specifics were given other than it involves impromptu, large scale public performances (a la the parade scene in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"). Ortega is formally on board while a deal with Abdul has yet to close.


Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [march 2010]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· BIGGEST LOSER, THE (USA)
· BOSTON LEGAL (ABC)
· BOSTON MED (ABC)
· CAPE, THE (NBC)
· CHICAGO CODE, THE (FOX)
· DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (TFC)
· HOPKINS 24/7 (ABC)
· JUST LEGAL (WB)
· LIE TO ME (FOX)
· PLEADING GUILTY (FOX)
· RICKY GERVAIS SHOW, THE (HBO)
· SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT (ABC)
· UNTITLED ABDUL & ORTEGA PROJECT (NBC)
· UNTITLED KEVIN KLINE PROJECT (HBO)





[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[04/15/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Thelma the Unicorn" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Based on the best-selling books. Starring Brittany Howard as Thelma.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.