LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
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JAKE IN PROGRESS (ABC) - Creator/executive producer Austin Winsberg has signed a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with the show's producer 20th Century Fox Television. The pact will likely keep Winsberg on "Jake" should it return for a second season as well as develop new half-hour and one-hour series projects for the studio. Winsberg previously had a blind script commitment from 20th, which will now be folded into the new deal.
KEVIN HILL (UPN) - Taye Diggs has inked a one-year development deal with Touchstone Television. The pact, which also has the option for a second year, sets up Diggs's newly formed production company O-Tay Productions at the studio. There Diggs and his longtime manager Abe Hoch will develop and executive produce original projects.
MAKING THE BAND 3 (MTV) - The cable channel has renewed the band search for an eighth cycle, which will continue Sean "P. Diddy" Combs's quest to create an all-girl pop group. Last night's one-hour season finale saw Combs eliminating all but three of the 19 girls from the competition. Auditions are expected to begin this month in New York, with additional open calls continuing across the country over the summer. The new season will then premiere in the fourth quarter of this year. To date this season, "Band" has consistently won the Thursday, 10:00/9:00c half-hour among cable viewers 12-34.
UNTITLED DANNY ZUKER PROJECT (FOX, New!) - Danny Zuker ("The Men's Room") is developing a single-camera comedy for the network and 20th Century Fox Television. No details were available about the project. Zuker also recently signed a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with 20th which calls for him to continue with his development at the studio as well as possibly join an existing 20th series.
UNTITLED JON LOVITZ PROJECT (CBS, New!) - The Eye has given a pilot presentation order to a new hidden-camera series hosted by "Saturday Night Live" alumnus Jon Lovitz. David Franske and Wayne Rice's Pottle Productions are behind the project, which will feature Lovitz as he sets up unsuspecting guests in outrageous situations. Production is set to begin this month in Las Vegas.
YES, DEAR (CBS) - Co-executive producer Bobby Bowman has signed a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television. The pact calls for the writer/producer to develop new comedy projects for the studio as well as possibly join an existing studio property. Bowman recently completed his duties on "Yes, Dear's" shortened fifth season.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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