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It’s that time of year again: Deadline’s annual Hot List for the first very early intel on the 2010-2011 primetime pilots for the broadcast networks. Based primarily on feedback from scripts/table reads/dailies as the vast majority of pilots have not been completed yet, these have heat heading into the final weeks before the network upfronts. Polled are agents, executives, showrunners, producers, directors, writers, as well as word from the set or editing room. Look for frequent updates:
MIDLAND: Called an early standout on the drama side at the script stage. Attracted hot feature director Marc Webb (500 Days Of Summer, Spidey reboot). Continues to be one of 2 frontrunners.
RIDE-ALONG: The other frontrunner. Shawn Ryan doing a cop drama. ‘Nuff Said.
BREAKOUT KINGS: The U.S. Marshals drama heats up with promising dailies.
TERA NOVA: Steven Spielberg’s dino drama is expected to fulfill one of the Peter Chernin company’s series commitments. Midseason launch.
TRAFFIC LIGHT: The Israeli format is a big favorite on the comedy side.
KEEP HOPE ALIVE: After a couple of casting tweaks, the new Greg Garcia comedy looks strong.
WILDE’S KINGDOM: Will Arnett who is starring reportedly killed at the table read of this single-camera comedy.
MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED: The ensemble comedy may live up to its name with positive buzz.
SECURITY (formerly Untitled Adam Goldberg): Third time could be the charm for Christian Slater who stars in this talked-about comedy set at a digital-security firm.
NBC right now is the agencies’ wet dream. With more needs at 10 PM than any other network following the quick demise of The Jay Leno Show, NBC is supposed to pick between 5 and 7 new drama series for next season. Here are the early frontrunners:
ROCKFORD FILES: Pre-sold title, great baby boomer nostalgia, comes from House creator David Shore
UNDERCOVERS: J.J. Abrams. That about sums it up.
CHASE: Strong early buzz on this Jerry Bruckheimer-produced thriller.
KINDREDS: Solid effort from David E. Kelley with Oscar-winner Kathy Bates in the lead.
LAW & ORDER: LA: Done deal. The Law & Order spinoff set in Los Angeles already has been picked up to series for fall.
LOVE BITES: Cindy Chupack’s anthology dramedy series stars two of the hottest young actresses, Becki Newton and Jordana Spiro.
THE EVENT: NBC brass is looking for an event series, and this conspiracy theory thriller’s chances look good so far.
THE CAPE: Promising dailies for the Simon West-directed high-concept drama is giving it a lift. But it may have to fight with The Event for a spot on the schedule.
On the comedy side:
THIS LITTLE PIGGY: Against all odds. This was a leftover project from last season produced by the sister studio of a rival network, ABC. Yet the sibling comedy is packing some serious heat.
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS: Another hot ABC transplant. (ABC passed onits own project in February.)
NEXT: Paul Reiser’s semi-autobigraphical comedy also is heating up in the filming stage. (I won’t go for the easy Mad About You one-liner.)
OUTSOURCED, PERFECT COUPLES: Both have supporters at NBC.
HAWAII FIVE-O: Iconic brand, CBS staple Alex O’Loughlin as Steve McGarrett. Looks like a sure bet, along with:
CRIMINAL MINDS SPINOFF: Same reasons as above. Forest Whitaker stars.
CHAOS: Good buzz on the Brett Ratner-directed CIA drama.
DEFENDERS: The legal drama starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell also looks promising. Maybe competing with Chaos for a series order.
UNTITLED BAYS/THOMAS COMEDY: Great auspices (How I Met Your Mother creators Carter Bays, Craig Thomas. And great table read (Everyone loved Kyle Bornheimer and Jaime Pressly).
MIKE & MOLLY: Ditto. Comes from reigning comedy king Chuck Lorre.
BLEEP MY DAD SAYS (aka SHIT MY DEAD SAYS): Ditto again. The Twitter sensation in the hands of Will & Grace creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan. With William Shatner as the larger-than-life central character, this had a hilarious table read.
NO ORDINARY FAMILY: An early drama standout from top showrunner Greg Berlanti. This high-concept drama has been garnering momentum through casting (landing Michel Chiklis as the lead), and through filming.
THE WHOLE TRUTH: Solid legal show. Good chemistry between stars Joely Richardson and Rob Morrow
TRUE BLUE: Scribes Jon Feldman and Chris Brancato’s different take on the cop drama sets it apart. Having a strong woman lead in Poppy Montgomery helps on a female-centric ABC.
BODY OF EVIDENCE: One of the best-liked drama scripts at the network. Big–name star in Dana Delany.
WRIGHT VS. WRONG: Early frontrunner on the comedy side based on a well-received script by Stephnie Weir and a solid table read. Very strong cast, too, led by Debra Messing.
NIKITA: Strong buzz for the La Femme Nikita reboot starring Maggie Q has made it an early frontrunner.
UNTITLED WYOMING PROJECT: Classic CW genre: family soap, from a proven showrunner, Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino.
BETWIXT: The drama about “changelings” falls into CW’s current sweet spot: genre shows. (A possible Vampire Diaries companion?)
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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was anyone at the Mike & Molly run thru yesterday, how did it go?
Love Bites obviously indicates that My Boys is being cancelled by TNT.
that and the fact that kyle howard did another pilot
I doubt it. Actors want to protect themeselves just in case, but, in my opinion, the show is very good, so if TBS wants to keep “My Boys” as they build an even stronger comedy presence (e.g., by adding Conan), the show is in a good position to stay on.
Does this mean that Rex is Not Your Lawyer is likely dead at NBC? Also kind of surprising that Beach Lane and the Adam Corolla project are not mentioned, given that NBC could use some well known names to attract new viewers. Any word on The Strip from the Reno 911 crew?
saw THE STRIP. it’s about as good as Kelsey Grammer’s BACK TO YOU. watchable, but not must see TV. feel like those RENO guys might have had their sensibility noted to death.
Isn’t it about time to start adding the cable channels to this list? They’re producing better material anyway.
I agree, where is cable channels list.
YES…Cable Channels list please
Some of the best shows on TV.
Another vote to add cable to these reports. (Love ‘em!)
Cable channels are on a different timetable (for the most part). April/May is all about primetime network pick-ups…
They so need to pick up “WYOMING PROJECT” and put it with Life Unexpected!!!
just praying they pick up life unexpected. it’s too good to die.
What a sorry state of affairs. Most of these pilots are so horribly written, it’s not wonder I’m turning down work left and right.
Sallo — Not saying you’re wrong about the quality of the material, but you do realize this comment makes you sound like an arrogant jackass, right?
Sallo, just list your Emmy awards.
Just list your emmys, Sallo.
Sallo prefers writing posts.
It’s “not wonder,” indeed.
I’ll bet on Reiser…dude is poised for a return, and hes good comfort food for NBC which they need….
NBC doesn’t need to go back to the people who made them successful 20 years ago (see Seinfeld’s “Marriage Ref”), they need to develop the comedy stars of tomorrow…
They should do Dancing with the Comedy Stars of Tomorrow and really get some ratings.
No word on “Boston’s Finest” on ABC? I’ve been really hoping that would get picked up.
CBS will fail for a third time with O’Laughlin with 5-0. Why they don’t get he’s too dull to lead a series I don’t know. Nina still has a woodie for him I guess.
Why doesn’t CBS get that O’Laughlin should have played Dano instead of McGarrett? It was a terrible pilot season script-wise but 5-0 was actually a decent re-boot and then they go and miscast it.
O’Laughlin seems to have a rabid internet following largely of ladies.
Perhaps that’s what keeps his career afloat?
CBS should bring Moonlight back. Frankly, I think it would be a hit with the post-Twilight insanity.
Reiser, shecky o’leary? Seriously? The man is old news AND old looking. Did you see him in (not) “Funny People?” Scary. Do the viewers of 30 Rock wanna see Mr. My Two Dads return 20 years later? Nope!
I would be interested in your take on NBC’s “Our Show.” Not only does it have Larry Charles but it is also a semiscripted project which making it somewhat unique.
Word on the street is that Ghost Whisperer is dead.
Did you get your Wright vs. Wrong tip from Debra Messing’s agent or Stephanie Weir’s agent??
The “WYMING PROJECT” absolutely must get picked up…no doubt.
Oh yeah. I’m sure you’re a huge talent, Sallo.
Funny that Ride-Along is so “hot”. They are on day 7 of shooting. Isn’t it a bit early????
Shawn Ryan can do no wrong.
What is the buzz about NBC’s Our Show? Am surprised it is not on your list, since Larry Charles is at the helm and the semiscripted format is intriguing,
None of those titles triggers my imagination! though I am excited by the new abrams project!
It would be a damn shame if MY BOYS is over. It’s so well written, and the cast is amazing.
Definitely. My Boys is such a great show with a great ensemble cast. I’m looking forward to The Pink House being picked up by NBC, because I think it would be very similar to My Boys.
Can you shed any light on why Patrick J. Adams was suddenly replaced by Ryan Hanson on Friends with Benefits. Will the show continue to film in Chicago if it get’s picked up by the network or was that just for the pilot?
It didn’t actually shoot in Chicago.
Patrick is a great actor, but more fit for the dramatic roles, not comedy.
I think Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg’s cop show sounds great ,but I think they have just finished filming it, so probably too soon to hear anything about it. And I am crossing my fingers for the Medical show with Sissy Spacek and Skeet Ulrich. Hope to see them in you next Hot List.
I am not big on doc shows (already too many of them, along with lawyer and cop shows – I would love to see more diversity on the genres but the trend seems to be the other way). But I’d like to see what a cast made up of Sissy Spacek, Skeet Ulrich, Amy Smart, and Janeane Garafolo can do.
That was a great script. I’m not a fan of doc shows either but the characters are super compelling and that’s a great cast.
ugh seriously? that script was so awful, and what a dreary topic! it only got picked up because john wells was attached. and casting skeet and amy as leads is a deathnail.
Heard from a friend who saw a rough cut that The Strip is really funny…Cheers + Reno 911. What happened to Matthew perry’s show???
ANY NEW ON THE HOT NEW SHOW JUSTIFIED on FX?
Why is rex is not your lawyer not there? You have david, david tennant probley one of the best actually the best actor from the UK in his own US series and they aren’t picking it up? You can see they are not thinking that one through.
A more interesting list might be what is dead or not doing well. This point it seems anything with a pulse is listed..
Wyoming Project seems like something that would have fit on The WB. Just don’t see a family drama on The CW. Seems like a better fit for ABC Fam. Hopefully for Amy it’s not another Return of Jezebel James.
Good idea. I would love to know why the following are (apparently?) dead:
The Station – Ben Stiller banana republic CIA spoof with John Goodman and Carla Guigino? How can that not make the short list???
How to Be a Better American with Jason Jones. I thought he would make a great lead actor for the premise, but I can see how that would be tricky to pull off successfully.