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HLN Set To Air Daytime Emmy Awards 
Grant Bowler Cast As Richard Burton Opposite Lindsay Lohan … 
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Cannes Surprise Screening: Change Of Plans On Juan Antonio … 
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On The Road To Awards Season? Kerouac Book Finally Makes It … 
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‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ Moving To March 2013 To … 
Directors Fortnight Says It Must “Police … 
‘Chronicle’ Helmer Josh Trank Takes On … 
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TOLDJA! ICM Management Buyout Complete 
DESPERATE: HuffPo & Oprah Team Up Now 
Hot Trailer: ‘The Great Gatsby’ 
How Did Women Pilot Writers Fare For 2012? 
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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These observations are pretty generic. Will Arnett killed at the table read? A solid effort from David Kelley? Hmmmm… I’m not sure you can tell what’s “hot” from this list. As Nellie herself said – most of these aren’t even edited yet.
This is so depressing. Remember when the “Sons of Tucson” pilot was being (rightly) celebrated? Now it’s gone after only four episodes. All that work and money and potential, gone in a handful of air dates… Why does anybody bother?
I cut myself off –
Here’s what I’m hearing at NBC Comedy
Favorites:
The Strip.
This Little Piggy.
Next.
Nathan Vs. Nurture.
Perfect Couples.
Maybes:
Beach Lane.
Carolla.
Busts:
Friends with Benefits.
The Pink House.
Outsourced.
Here’s what I’m hearing at NBC Drama (aside from the already picked up L&O)
Favorites:
Love Bites.
Rockford.
Undercovers.
Rex Is Not Your Lawyer.
Maybes:
The Event.
The Cape.
Kindreds.
Busts:
Rough Justice (Jimmy Smits).
The Chase.
Interesting, though I’m curious about how you’re hearing it. I’d love to believe it though, if only because I loved Rex’s script. Wouldn’t The Chase getting knocked out be the first Nutter pilot to ever not get picked up though (or at least, one of very few, hence the hyperbole)?
I think that NBC list is just guesses. Rex is WAY Dead according to most insiders. NBC wants into Bruckheimer biz and Chase has solid early buzz so no chance it’s on a bust list. And as you said, it has the Nutter factor. Bruckhemier plus Nutter = LOCK.
These aren’t guesses – verified information from multiple execs BUT anything can happen.
For instance, The Chase may still get picked up but it hasn’t turned out great from what I am hearing. Nutter has a great track record of getting pickups but let’s look at some of his recent series orders — Eastwick, Sarah Conner, Dr. Vegas, Traveler. And Bruckheimer has had his share of busts lately – The Forgotten, Miami Medical, Eleventh Hour.
I know two writers who are meeting on Rex next week. From what I hear, NBC still hasn’t seen the final cut but were very encouraged by early screenings.
The only other thing I know for sure is that Love Bites has not come in as funny as NBC would have liked it to. Execs still are fond of the show but given that its an anthology, it could be a tough sell.
Tom, most of your info is wrong. As time will tell. By the way, the show is called “Chase” not “The Chase.”
one last thing –
I’ve heard from a bunch of people – agents, execs, etc. – that No Ordinary Family is terrible. I’m not sure how that could be given the great Greg Berlanti’s involvement, but… But I point this out only because Nellie’s list seems to definitely be off in places. The fact is – as we all know, most of this info comes from agents. It’s fun to talk about but ultimately probably not worth a whole lot.
My friend and I went to a taping of The Pink House; it was not good at all.
Just interested on why Friends With Benefits is listed in the ‘Bust’ column.
I I know I thought it didn’t bode well that Adams was changed out for Hansen with little or no explanation. I’m wondering if it was done before or after any of the pilot was filmed or rehearsed. Wondering if it was a lack of chemistry between Adams and Danneel Harris or that it just turned out that Adams wasn’t the right fit overall. I was hoping this series would fly as I think Harris is a talented actress and the premise sounded sort of interesting.
Here’s hoping The Event goes from Maybe to Definitely. It sounds promising and could snap up the soon to be bereaved 24/Lost viewer.
The Cape sounds like it could be fun – James Frain as a villain, Summer Glau finally stretching beyond those autistic/robot roles – but the premise could be too corny. Wouldn’t mind if that didn’t make it.
what’s wrong with OUTSOURCED?
i want to see outsourced too. i loved the movie it is a sure bet its going to be picked up
Why isn’t Our Show on your list???
Ugh. All I want from NBC is Rex is Not Your Lawyer, so I’m a little dismayed not to see it here. Love Bites and The Cape both look so terrible.
I’m waiting for Rex is not your Lawyer Too. Any news? I think the British people have had him long enough.
Saw the Bleep My Dad Says pilot taping. Shatner was amazing. Mutchnick and Kohan are two of the funniest in the biz. Been to many of these and I can say CBS would be foolish to not use this gem to build a solid night of comedy.
Is “The Station” at Fox getting a positive outlook? I know they were doing a lot of reshoots on it.
The best pilots that weren’t picked up last year are better than this stuff.
How can Alex O’Loughlin be given another chance to fail. Three Rivers was garbage.
Nina is crazy for that guy. She should have cast him on the wonderful medical pilot that wasn’t picked up by CBS.
Modern Family is the only show picked up with anything going on.
AMC, FX, Showtime… at least they have some taste and vision.
I’m SHOCKED that there’s no mention of MR. SUNSHINE. I got a copy of it sneaked to me by a friend at Sony and it’s easily ONE OF THE FUNNIEST PILOTS I’VE EVER SEEN. Reminded me of how I felt when I saw the 30 Rock or Modern Family pilot. Allison Janney and Matthew Perry together are almost too much to handle. I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave them an early pickup so they could get to hiring a staff… hey but what do I know, I’ve only been writing for two decades.
I agree!!! MR. SUNSHINE was incredible, I was really looking forward to it!! Directed by Schlamme, also starring Andrea Anders…sounded like a winner.
Saw midland at a pilot testing tonight. It was tedious. Solid premise but horrible execution.
What do you hear about 187 detroit at ABC or Pleading Guilty at Fox? Two of the better scripts doing the rounds this year with two solid stars set for the leads.
I was on the set of Pleading Guilty. Jason Isaacs is GREAT — funny, tough, smart. One of my favorite scripts this year. Avnet directs great pilots. Hart Hanson is an awesome showrunner and did a great pass on the pilot script. High hopes for this one.
I worked on 187 Detroit. Cast was great. Direction was solid. This might be the best pilot this year.
I was also at the Midland test screening. Agree that the execution wasn’t very good. Also saw a test screening of the Untitled Logjammers project. Not sure what network this is for but we all loved it. Breakout potential.
What about CBS and the Tom selleck starter Reagan’s law?
Looking forward to this show. Great cast.
Has anyone heard anything about Generation Y or Traffic Light or Nathan vs. Nurture?
THIS LITTLE PIGGY taping was awesome. So freaking good. This could help bring NBC back to it’s sitcom success (That people actually watch)
Crossing my fingers for “TRUE BLUE” and “LOVE BITES”. Love Poppy Montgomery and Becki Newton!
I’m not saying that everything is awful and I know it isn’t easy to make a show but… geesh! We all know there are some really creative talented people out there with great ideas but it all ends up looking like the same tired, uninspired crap. There are also actors out there who aren’t former movie stars who could carry a well written show and wouldn’t cost you an arm and leg so financially you could give the show a chance.
I guess I’m silly looking to the networks for something different that they won’t crush the life out of.
Just heard that taping of Who Gets the Parents went great. Hardliner, I was also at taping of Bleep My Dad Says and it was solid. I’d bet on it.
Who Gets the Parents taping was fantastic. Jane Kaczmarek is hysterical.
“shameless” at showtime?
Shameless has already been picked up…they’ve ordered 12 episodes. Very much looking forward to that!! And I am hearing really, really great things about TEEN WOLF…written by Jeff Davis…any word if that’s been picked up? Looking forward to both of these!!
Hey what about the Sissy Spacek medical drama and Tom Selleck’s cop show? I think they will be strong contenders given the fact CBS didn’t get them to star in a series and not think they were going to pick them up…
Selleck’s show will be a definite winner. Not sure about another medical drama but love Sissy Spacek.
I really love Tom Selleck! I am hoping his show to be picked up.
Okay, come on people how the hell did they pick that up to pilot. What we’re ripping off “Big Love” now and we’re doing it badly. Fox has no idea what they’re doing.
The Midland script was actually great.
Yes, it is one of the best scripts out there this season. Saying it’s a rip-off of “Big Love”, as Midland stated above, is lame. The two shows are nothing alike. It’s like saying “How I Met Your Mother” is a rip off of “Friends” or “The Middle” is a rip off of “Roseanne”. They may have a common element between them but they are all such completely different shows.
Most Likely to Succeed. So good!
Will someone please tell me if The Cape and The Event are any good? What is the likelihood that both will get on the air. The Cape sounds a bit old fashioned.
Any “Mr Sunshine” news? Anybody see it? I thought it sounded like a lock to get picked up.
Awwww, I just realized Boston’s Finest isn’t on the ABC hot list. Not that we need another cop show, but Katee Sackhoff is the lead. That alone would make it worth checking out.
Mr. Sunshine, anyone? ABC half-hour comedy with Matthew Perry….looks good….