May 15, 2008

Fox schedules sci-fi, reality

Sci-fi action dramas and hour-long reality shows populate Fox’s schedule for next season, which includes new shows from top creative producers J.J. Abrams (“Lost”) and Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”). Fox’s lineup includes three new dramas, two comedies and an unscripted series. The network plans to once again launch its fall season earlier than most competitors. Full story

May 14, 2008

THR Live Feed: Dawn Ostroff in 3-D

The CW had a rough year. All the networks had a rough year, but the CW really had a rough year. Yet on Tuesday, the CW had almost an ideal upfront presentation for the year they had. After entertainment president Dawn Ostroff took the stage, the net's fall series titles were floating on the stage behind her -- bobbing, waving, breathing. The titles were not standard screen projections, but 3-D. A high-tech hologram display. More

THR Live Feed: ABC computing the bottom line

ABC's upfront presentation strategy was so different in every respect to NBC's, it almost seemed as if the network was straining to achieve total polarity. NBC tried to stimulate ad buyer's right-brain feelings about its familiar shows; ABC appealed to their left-brain sense of logic. More

MTV Tres draws plan for animated series

MTV Tres' new programming lineup emphasizes musical discovery and includes the channel's first shortform animated series, it said at its upfront presentation in New York. More

ABC upfront: Jimmy Kimmel one-liners

A sampling of one-liners from Jimmy Kimmel (riffing on labor disputes, the "Scrubs" move, "Cavemen," etc.). More

CBS returns to crime, comedy roots

Crime and comedy are coming back in full force to CBS' schedule next season as the network re-embraces the genres that have performed best for it in recent years. After taking a creative detour last fall with outside-the-box concepts, CBS is adding some new procedurals and opening up another night of comedy. More

TNT orders cop series from Clooney, other big-names

Turner Broadcasting announced Wednesday it will try to extend its winning streak in scripted dramas on TNT with a group of series in development from such players as George Clooney, Donnie Wahlberg and "24" co-creator Joel Surnow. Four of the TNT series revealed Wednesday at Turner's upfront presentation at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City are cop-themed. Full story

Donnie Wahlberg to star in, produce drama at TNT

Donnie Wahlberg and Jon Avnet have teamed with TNT to develop a crime drama about a young war hero-turned-Drug Enforcement Administration officer working in his hometown of Boston. Wahlberg, a Boston native, is expected to star in the tentatively titled "Morse Code," from Warner Horizon TV. Full story

May 13, 2008

CW announces fall lineup

CW viewers will see a pretty familiar schedule next season. The network is leaving Monday and Thursday nights intact, while adding only three new series to its weeknight schedule: the "Beverly Hills, 90210" spinoff, dubbed "90210"; drama "Surviving the Filthy Rich" (formerly "How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls"); and reality show "Stylista." Full story

CBS picks up 'Old Christine,' 'Mother'

96915_d0484b2 "The New Adventures of Old Christine" is returning to CBS with a 22-episode order. Additionally, CBS has picked up "How I Met Your Mother," "The Unit" and "Rules of Engagement," while canceling "Shark" and cult favorite "Moonlight." Full story

CBS not renewing 'Moonlight'

Moonlightmick1 CBS' vampire drama "Moonlight" will not rise again. Sources confirm the fan favorite will not be renewed by the network for a second season. Full story

THR Live Feed: NBC's TV Funhouse

Gladiatornbc_2 From the moment you first see them -- the men in black with computer display screens embedded in their chests -- you know you're in for an experience. Or an Experience. The NBC Experience -- the upfront presentation/party/interactive museum/theme park ride. More

Past Deadline: Have upfronts become down and outs?

There's always been something magical about upfront week. It's like spring training for baseball fans. Anything is possible. Every rookie is a potential phenom, every veteran is on the cusp of a career season and every team has a shot at the World Series. More

THR Live Feed: Ben Silverman on 'Philanthropist'

Silverman_ben_120x150 Asked about the executive producer shakeup on “The Philanthropist” after the Jimmy Fallon press conference, NBC co-chair Ben Silverman confirmed reports that the network had creative differences with original showrunner Tom Fontana. More

ABC unveils fall lineup

18301 ABC announced its new fall lineup in NY on Tuesday. It includes several expected pickups, such as alternative game show “Opportunity Knocks,” the David E. Kelly time-traveling police drama “Life on Mars” and transplanted NBC comedy “Scrubs.” Among the surprises at the presentation: The 2008-09 season will be "Boston Legal's" last and "Oprah's Big Give" is not coming back. Full story

Hannah Storm to join ESPN

26371storm_hannah341x182 Former CBS "Early Show" co-host Hannah Storm will join ESPN in August as one of the central anchors for the channel's new daytime SportsCenter block Mondays through Friday. Full story

May 12, 2008

Megan Mullally cast in ABC comedy

Mullally_potts_341x182 Megan Mullally (pictured, left) has been tapped to star opposite Alicia Silverstone in the ABC comedy pilot "Bad Mother's Handbook." In other casting news, Annie Potts (pictured, right) and Amanda Detmer have come aboard ABC's untitled Kristin Newman comedy pilot, while Domenick Lombardozzi, Jacob Vargas, Malachi Weir, Tasha Smith and Tzi Ma have joined the network's drama presentation "Finnegan." Full story

CW's 'Reaper' gets a second life

Reaper_341x182 The CW has picked up cult-favorite supernatural drama "Reaper" for a second season. The show will return for 13 episodes midseason and will likely be paired with "Supernatural" on Thursday nights after "Smallville" concludes its run. Full story

' 'Til Death,' the comedy that cannot die

Tildeath_4 The big surprise this weekend was Fox canceling comedy "Back to You" and, for a third time, renewing its sitcom zombie, the appropriately named " 'Til Death" -- a show that seemingly cannot be killed by any traditional weapon such as low ratings, viewer apathy or critical disregard. More

ABC picks up 'Life on Mars'

ABC Monday closed a deal to pick up "Life on Mars" to series. Additionally, the network renewed freshman drama "Eli Stone" and officially canceled "October Road" and "Women's Murder Club." Full story

'Boston Legal' will return

Boston_legal The stalemate between ABC and "Boston Legal" creator David E. Kelley is headed to a resolution. After intense negotiations, the network on Sunday reached an agreement with Kelley to bring "Legal" back in the fall. The network had originally intended to hold "Legal" for midseason. Full story

CBS orders 'Eleventh Hour,' more

CBS has started making its series orders. The network on Monday morning ordered the dramas "Eleventh Hour," from Jerry Bruckheimer, the Simon Baker starrer "The Mentalist," and "Mythological Ex" as well as comedies "Worst Week" and "Project Gary" (formerly untitled Ed Yeager). Full story

Jimmy Fallon in for Conan on 'Late Night'

26193fallon_jimmy341x182_2 One of the worst-kept secrets in TV was announced Monday: Jimmy Fallon will take over the hosting duties of "Late Night" when Conan O'Brien leaves for "Tonight." Full story

Eric Stoltz joins 'Battlestar' prequel

Eric Stoltz has signed on to star opposite Esai Morales in Sci Fi Channel's two-hour "Caprica" pilot, while Frances Fisher has been tapped for an eight-episode arc on the network's "Eureka." Full story

ESPN nets US Open rights

ESPN said Monday that it would acquire the cable rights to the US Open of tennis beginning in 2009. Financial terms of the six-year deal between ESPN and the U.S. Tennis Assn. weren't announced. Full story

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About Pilot Season

  • Inside the broadcast networks' 2008-09 development season: the latest news and pilot charts compiled by The Hollywood Reporter’s Nellie Andreeva, James Hibberd and Kimberly Nordyke.

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