New Series

Steven Spielberg has attached himself to a new Halo TV project.

The legendary director will executive produce the project, which will be overseen by Halo 4 developer 343 Industries.

“The Halo universe is an amazing opportunity to be at that intersection where technology and myth-making meet to produce something truly groundbreaking,” Spielberg said during the Xbox One reveal event.

Little else is known about the project, despite the fact it will air on Xbox One. So far there is no word on which characters will take part and where in the Halo universe the series will be focussed.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will team up with Entourage producers Mark Wahlberg and Steve Levinson on a new HBO dramedy.

Johnson will join his fellow Pain & Gain co-star Wahlberg on the project that will centre on athletes. Peter Berg is on board to direct the pilot.

The project will follow the lives of both current and retired athletes living in Miami, with Johnson playing one.

Glee’s Mike O’Malley has landed himself the lead role in a new pilot.

The actor has joined the new single-camera comedy Welcome to the Family, which is written and executive produced by Mike Sikowitz (Rules of Engagement).

The project will focus on a white family and a Latino family who are brought together when their children fall in love.

O’Malley will play the patriarch of the white family. Continue reading »

Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint is making the move to TV after being cast in a major US pilot.

The British actor, known for playing Ron Weasley in the film franchise, has picke dup the lead role in superhero comedy Super Clyde.

Grint will play Clyde, a shy and neurotic fast food worker who makes the decision to become a superhero. He inherits a large sum of money from an Uncle and decides that money will be his secret super power. Continue reading »

The new cop comedy from Parks and Recreation’s Dan Goor and Mike Schur has added Stephanie Beatriz to its cast.

Beatriz, who recently made an appearance alongside Sofia Vergara in Modern Family, will play the female lead opposite Andy Samberg in the untitled comedy.

The plot centres on a diverse group of detectives at a New York City precinct and Beatriz will play a “sexy and frightening police officer who is tough, opinionated and unpredictable”. Continue reading »

Fallen Canadian media mogul Conrad Black is making a comeback by hosting a new Canadian TV show.

Black, who was released from prison in May 2012 after serving time for fraud and obstruction of justice charges, will front a talkshow produced by Moses Znaimer’s ZoomerMedia.

The series will be entitled The Zoomer and its first run will consist of 26 episodes.

Black told The Globe and Mail: “I give an editorial opinion and interview somebody and there are going to be a couple of panels… I will have a lot of people that I know in this and other countries who are fairly prominent who will be happy to be interviewed. We should make it moderately interesting.”

On the show he will debate various topics, including the U.S. judicial system, prison reform and gun control, with co-host Denise Conlon presenting a round-table discussion segment. Continue reading »

It’s that time of year again when the American networks start ordering pilots.

Here is a quick round-up of the pilot projects going ahead so far. Continue reading »

Some of Jessica Simpson’s music may be laughable but is her life really all that funny?

NBC certainly think so as they are basing a semi-autobiographical sitcom around the singer and Fashion Star judge.

The network has begun developing the yet-to-be-named sitcom with Robin and Nick Bakay, the comedy geniuses behind Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Hmmm…

“We are thrilled to team up with the multi-talented Jessica Simpson to bring this new sitcom to life on NBC as she is truly a modern-day Lucy with incredible comedic chops,” series producer Electus chairman Ben Silverman says. “From running a fashion empire to wrangling her public image as a new mom, we see Jessica’s character approach a variety of ‘everyday’ circumstances that will get audiences laughing out loud.” Continue reading »

A TV series based on the early years of Justin Bieber’s life is reportedly in the works at ABC.

TV Guide has reported that the US network is brewing up a comedy project that would focus in a young Bieber and his family.

The Canadian singer will reportedly serve as an executive producer on the series alongside his manager Scooter Braun.

The single camera comedy was first conceived last year at ABC but has since been revived for consideration next season. Continue reading »

Travel+Escape and Buck Productions announce the start of production and casting for the exclusive new travel series Real Family Vacations (working title). The 13-episode series will premiere in the winter of 2013.

Travelling with kids is always an adventure, and Real Family Vacations is about chronicling these real families, on real trips with real life moments. Families will be chosen to chronicle their adventure with cameras given to them by Buck Productions. For eligibility and more information go to www.RealFamilyVacationscasting.com.

“People love to chronicle their trips,” said Marcia Martin, SVP Original Content, Blue Ant Media. “But this isn’t just family photos in front of monuments and on sunny beaches – its the uncut version of what really happens on family vacations when the camera keeps rolling.” Continue reading »