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!
THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW (TBS) - Tim Meadows ("Help Me Help You") has joined the cast of the upcoming comedy, about a family counselor (Bill Engvall) whose own family could maybe use a dose of counseling. He'll play a friend of Engvall's character, a doctor.
Commitment: Ordered to series (eight episodes)
Cast: Bill Engvall (Will Pearson), Graham Patrick Martin (Trent Pearson), Jennifer Lawrence (Lauren Pearson), Nancy Travis (Susan Pearson), Skyler Gisondo (Bryan Pearson), Steve Hytner (Bob), Tim Meadows
Writers: Bill Engvall, Michael Leeson
Director: James Widdoes
Executive Producers: Bill Engvall, J.P. Williams (Parallel Entertainment), Michael Leeson (Welladay)
Studio: TBA
GAME SHOW IN MY HEAD (CBS, New!) - Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg ("Beauty and the Geek") have booked a pilot order from the Eye for a new game show in which contestants take on crazy tasks while competing for $1 million. The Fox 21-based project, which itself is based on a yet-to-debut U.K. format, will be executive produced by the duo via their Katalyst banner alongside Hat Trick's Jimmy Mulville and Leon Wilde ("Whose Line is it Anyway?").
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: TBA
Writer: TBA
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Ashton Kutcher (Katalyst Films), Jason Goldberg (Katalyst Films), Jimmy Mulville (Hat Trick Productions), Leon Wilde (Hat Trick Productions)
Studio: Fox 21
GRAVITY (The CW) - Matt Czuchry ("Gilmore Girls") has scored a role on the drama pilot, about the daily lives of a sexy ensemble of rookie cops and their training officers in Los Angeles. He'll play Ray, an unspecified character. Czuchry's involvement is in second position to his duties on "Girls."
Commitment: Ordered to pilot (14-20 minute presentation)
Cast: Matt Czuchry (Ray), Brooke Nevin (Hilary), Ryan Merriman (Will)
Writer: Caleb Kane
Directors: Jonas Pate, Josh Pate
Executive Producers: Darryl Frank (DreamWorks Television), Justin Falvey (DreamWorks Television)
Co-Executive Producer: Caleb Kane
Consulting Producer: Charles Segars
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television
THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES (FOX) - Owain Yeoman ("The Nine") has been confirmed as a cast member on the drama pilot, which is based on the "Terminator" franchise. He'll play Cromartie, one of the two Terminators on the series (the other played by Summer Glau) - one of which is "good."
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Lena Headey (Sarah Connor), Owain Yeoman (Cromartie), Richard T. Jones (Van Meter), Summer Glau (Cameron), Thomas Dekker (John Connor)
Writer: Josh Friedman
Director: David Nutter
Executive Producers: Andrew G. Vajna (C2 Pictures), David Nutter, Josh Friedman, Mario Kassar (C2 Pictures)
Producer: James Middleton
Studio: Warner Bros. Television
UNFIT KIDS (ABC, New!) - Shaquille O'Neal is set to be the focus of a new reality series at the Alphabet. The hourlong project, which is based on the Channel 4 series "Ian Wright's Unfit Kids," focuses on the Miami Heat center as he embarks on a campaign to help Florida elementary and junior high school kids lose weight. Production is currently underway on the show's six-episode order in Broward County, Florida for a potential summer launch. O'Neal, Rick Ringbakk, Perry Rogers, Chris Handy and Mike Perris then are executive producing for RDF Media.
Commitment: Ordered to series (six episodes)
Cast: Shaquille O'Neal
Writer: TBA
Director: TBA
Executive Producers: Chris Handy, Mike Perris, Perry Rogers, Rick Ringbakk, Shaquille O'Neal
Studio: RDF Media
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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