or


[02/04/04 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: February 4
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:

ALIAS (ABC) - J.J. Abrams, the show's creator and executive producer, has signed a multi-year, high-seven-figure deal with Touchstone Television to keep his Bad Robot Television production company at the studio. In addition, Thom Sherman, ABC's chief of drama development, and Bryan Burk, Abrams' development partner, have been named president and executive vice president, respectively, of Bad Robot. Sherman had been running ABC's drama department for the past three seasons where he developed such series as "Line of Fire" and "Karen Sisco," not to mention "Alias." ABC executives Julie McNamara and Heather Kadin will fill in for Sherman for the remainder of the current development season. As for Abrams, the prolific producer already has two projects in the hopper for the 2004-05 season: the survival drama "Lost" and the bounty-hunter themed "The Catch."

ANDROMEDA (Sci Fi) - The cable run of the veteran syndicated drama on Sci Fi will kick off with its two-hour pilot on Friday, March 26 at 7:00/6:00c.

CELESTE IN THE CITY (ABC Family) - The cable channel has scheduled its latest telefilm, which stars Majandra Delfino ("Roswell") and Nicholas Brendon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), for Sunday, March 14 at 8:00/7:00c. Here's how ABC Family describes the project (via press release): "When Celeste (Majandra Delfino) makes the big move from Maine to New York City for her first job after college at the city's top newspaper, she is in for a rude awakening.- Not only is she only a fact checker instead of an editorial assistant, but she's lacking the confidence and wardrobe to make it in the Big Apple.- All of that is about to change when Celeste's cousin Dana (Nicholas Brendon) and a group of his best friends decide to make Celeste look as smart and sophisticated on the outside as she is on the inside, in the ABC Family original movie CELESTE IN THE CITY."

CITY OF DREAMS (A.K.A. UNTITLED JIMMY SMITS PROJECT) (NBC) - The Jimmy Smits-led drama project is now running under the title "City of Dreams." Smits stars as a slick L.A. private investigator who specializes in fixing problems for high-end clients. Jerry Bruckheimer ("C.S.I.") and writer David Mills ("Kingpin") are behind the project, which comes from Warner Bros. Television. It's not clear if NBC has given a green light to produce a pilot for the project.

COOKING LESSONS (CBS, New!) - New York Times food writer Amanda Hesser's book "Cooking for Mr. Latte: A Food Lover's Courtship, With Recipes" is set to be the focus of a new comedy at the Eye. Emily Fox ("New York Minute") is on board to write and executive produce the project, which has a pilot commitment, along with Kim and Eric Tannenbaum through their Tannenbaum Co. and Warner Bros. Television. "Cooking" is expected to revolve around the exploits of a female food critic. Hesser's book detailed her year-long courtship of New Yorker writer Tad Friend.

THE DEAD ZONE (USA) - Sarah Wynter ("24") has landed a recurring role on the show's upcoming third season, which is set to premiere in June. No details were given about her character.

HUB (NBC) - Heather Locklear ("Melrose Place") has landed the lead in the NBC pilot, an ensemble drama set behind the scenes at an international airport. She joins the previously cast Blair Underwood ("Sex and the City") and David Paetkau ("Final Destination 2") as Harley Random in the project. Interestingly enough, Locklear was offered said role last season when "HUB" was being targeted for fall 2003 consideration. The actress instead opted for the lead in the comedy "Once Around the Park," which did not get picked up for a series order. Mark Gordon ("Speed") and Nick Thiel ("Magnum, P.I.") are the executive producers of "HUB," which comes from NBC Studios and Mark Gordon Productions.

MARRIAGE 101 (WB, New!) - The Frog has given a pilot order to a new comedy about a young married couple who move in with the husband's friends. Boyce Bugliari and Jamie McLaughlin are writing and executive producing the project, which comes from 20th Century Fox Television and Brad Grey Television, along with Brad Grey and Peter Traugott.

MEN'S ROOM (NBC) - Some additional details have emerged about the project: Danny Zuker ("Coupling," "Off Centre") is the man behind the pilot, which explores the lives of men in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

MY LIFE IS A SITCOM 2 (ABC Family) - The second season of the series is set to roll out on Sunday, March 7 at 7:30/6:30c. The new season tracks first season star, and stay-at-home dad, Joe Mozian of Old Greenwich, CT as he travels the country in search of real people to portray his various family members and friends in a sitcom pilot based loosely on his own life.

QUEEN FOR A DAY (Lifetime, New!) - The cable channel is looking to revive the classic 1956-64 game show. Phil Gurin ("The Weakest Link") is behind new version, which will air as a one-hour backdoor pilot special in June. "Producers will sweep the nation, holding open auditions in which nominatorswill have the opportunity to convince the panel that their mother, sister, friend, co-worker, among others, should be 'Queen for a Day," according to a network press release. "In addition, viewers can log onto http://www.lifetimetv.com to learn more about the special and nominate their choices. Once the four finalists have been selected, cameras will track the potential "Queens" and whisk them away to a Los Angeles studio. There, they will get the royal treatment and have a chance to make their case to the judges and a studio audience who will cast the ultimate vote for one lucky woman, who will win a dream prize package." Gurin's The Gurin Company is producing the special.

UNTITLED JASON HORWITCH PROJECT (NBC) - Neal McDonough ("Boomtown") is back at the Peacock, as the actor has landed the lead in Jason Horwitch's medical drama. McDonough's involvement lifts the cast-contingent component on the project, which comes from NBC Studios and Landscape Entertainment. Horwitch and Landscape's Scott Vila and Bob Cooper are the executive producers.

UNTITLED JOHN STAMOS PROJECT (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet has given a put pilot commitment to a new romantic comedy in which the entire season takes place over the course of a couple's first date. John Stamos ("Thieves") is attached to star in the project, a co-production of 20th Century Fox Television and Brad Grey Television, which will be written and executive produced by Austin Winsberg ("Still Standing").

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [february 2004]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· 24 (FOX)
· ALIAS (ABC)
· ANDROMEDA (SCI FI)
· BOOMTOWN (NBC)
· BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (UPN)
· CATCH, THE (ABC)
· CELESTE IN THE CITY (ABC FAMILY)
· CITY OF DREAMS (NBC)
· COOKING LESSONS (CBS)
· COUPLING (NBC)
· CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (CBS)
· DEAD ZONE, THE (USA)
· JAKE IN PROGRESS (ABC)
· KAREN SISCO (ABC)
· KINGPIN (NBC)
· LAX (NBC)
· LINE OF FIRE (ABC)
· LOST (ABC)
· MEDICAL INVESTIGATION (NBC)
· MEN'S ROOM, THE (NBC)
· MY LIFE IS A SITCOM (ABC FAMILY)
· OFF CENTRE (WB)
· ONCE AROUND THE PARK (NBC)
· QUEEN FOR A DAY (LIFETIME)
· ROSWELL (UPN)
· SEX AND THE CITY (HBO)
· STILL STANDING (CBS)
· THEN CAME MARRIAGE (WB)
· THIEVES (ABC)
· WEAKEST LINK, THE (NBC)





[11/22/24 - 01:31 PM]
Video: "Suits LA" Arrives February 2025 - NBC
The all-new spinoff of the beloved legal drama, starring Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt, and Bryan Greenberg, lands on the West Coast.

[11/22/24 - 12:11 PM]
Video: Peacock Releases First Look at the Third Season of Emmy Award-Winning Reality Competition Series "The Traitors" Returning January 9 with Alan Cumming as Host
Last season, "The Traitors" became the #1 unscripted series in the U.S. across all streaming platforms during launch week, according to Nielsen.

[11/22/24 - 10:15 AM]
Apple's Drama "Your Friends & Neighbors" Lands Early Season Two Renewal
Starring and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm, "Your Friends & Neighbors" will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, April 11 with two episodes, followed by one new episode weekly through Friday, May 30.

[11/22/24 - 09:01 AM]
Apple Original Films' "Fly Me to the Moon" to Premiere December 6, 2024
Since its debut in theaters worldwide, the film has received the Verified Hot certification on Rotten Tomatoes by fans.

[11/22/24 - 08:03 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Blumhouse's "Speak No Evil" Beginning December 6
The psychological horror thriller stars James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, Scoot McNairy, and more!

[11/22/24 - 07:35 AM]
2024 "Emirates NBA Cup" Championship Game Exclusively on ABC and ESPN+ December 17
In addition, ESPN platforms will exclusively present a semifinal game and a quarterfinal game as part of its 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Round coverage.

[11/22/24 - 07:12 AM]
Peacock and Sky's Original Hit Drama Series "The Day of the Jackal" Scores Second Season Renewal
In the US it ranked #1 on Peacock's Top 10 TV Shows on its platform and was a Top 5 streaming original in the US for its opening weekend (according to preliminary Nielsen data).

[11/22/24 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Chef's Table" Volume 7 - Official Teaser - Netflix
Meet five world-class chefs who redefine culinary boundaries with delicious, innovative dishes honoring their diverse cultures and personal philosophies.

[11/22/24 - 05:41 AM]
"They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce" Set for January 2025 on ESPN
Airing on Friday nights/early Saturday mornings, the new personality-driven, one-hour program will take its inspiration from traditional late-night television, emphasizing a comedic approach throughout all five scheduled episodes which run in conjunction with the finale of the NFL regular season and playoffs.

[11/22/24 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "Ad Vitam" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After escaping an attempted murder, Franck Lazarev (Guillaume Canet) must find his wife Léo, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious group of armed men.

[11/21/24 - 04:01 PM]
"Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die" Premieres December 10: A Battle for Supremacy Begins
In the shadows of Korea's rugby world, seven teams engage in a fierce battle of strength, strategy, and teamwork - all vying to be crowned champion.

[11/21/24 - 04:00 PM]
ABC Presents a Two-Night Special Event To Commemorate the Diamond Anniversary of "Mary Poppins"
First, "The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20," a two-hour special from ABC News Studios chock full of rarely seen footage, photos and stories from the film's living legends, airs Wednesday, November 27 on ABC and streams next day on Hulu and Disney+.

[11/21/24 - 01:32 PM]
2024 International Emmy Nominees on Hulu
Check out these Emmy-worthy international series streaming on Hulu.

[11/21/24 - 01:12 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Semifinals Is Top Program of the Night in Adults 18-49 and All Key Women Demographics
The spectacular season 33 penultimate episode grew over the previous week's 500th episode celebration in both Total Viewers (5.19 million vs. 5.13 million) and Adults 18-49 (0.75 rating vs. 0.71 rating), hitting a season high in Total Viewers.

[11/21/24 - 01:05 PM]
NBC Orders Five Additional Episodes of Its Friday Night Comedy Hit "Happy's Place"
The "Happy's Place" premiere has hit 14 million viewers across all platforms.