sf/f TV development news - 2013

[Temis the Vorta]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

Yay, thanks mods!

 

[RJDiogenes]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

Psycho prequel in the works from A&E.

Okay, that's not strictly supernatural, but I'm stretching the rules to let it in here.

A&E said today that it is in early development on Bates Motel, a drama series that serves as a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s horror classic Psycho. Bates Motel, from Universal TV and writer Anthony Cipriano, will delve into how Norman Bates’ dark, twisted backstory from childhood through his teen years and will chronicle how his mother, Norma, and her lover damaged Norman, helping shape the most well-known serial killing motel owner in history.

This could be interesting. Psycho IV actually featured Joe Stefano's version of Norman Bates' childhood in flashback, but it wasn't really that great. And there was another pilot for a show called Bates Motel back in the 80s-- it was about a guy who inherited the property after Norman died, and rebuilt it... only to discover it was haunted (it seems like it would have been a Love Boat kind of show).

 

[Christopher]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

Psycho IV actually featured Joe Stefano's version of Norman Bates' childhood in flashback, but it wasn't really that great.

I thought it was the only one of the sequels that was worthwhile. For one thing, it was the only one that went for an intelligent psychological examination of the character rather than reducing it to a cheap slasher flick. For another, I very much agree with Stefano's motivation behind telling the story, which was to show that mental illness is treatable and healing is possible, unlike the second and third movies which treated Norman as incurable just so they could imitate the first film.

And there was another pilot for a show called Bates Motel back in the 80s-- it was about a guy who inherited the property after Norman died, and rebuilt it... only to discover it was haunted (it seems like it would have been a Love Boat kind of show).

That was just a pilot? Funny, I could've sworn it was actually a short-lived series.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

From the writers of Green Lantern? I think I'll pass.

Babylon Five from the writers of Murder She Wrote.

Just saying

 

[RJDiogenes]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

Psycho IV actually featured Joe Stefano's version of Norman Bates' childhood in flashback, but it wasn't really that great.

I thought it was the only one of the sequels that was worthwhile. For one thing, it was the only one that went for an intelligent psychological examination of the character rather than reducing it to a cheap slasher flick. For another, I very much agree with Stefano's motivation behind telling the story, which was to show that mental illness is treatable and healing is possible, unlike the second and third movies which treated Norman as incurable just so they could imitate the first film.

Interesting. I disagree, though. I thought II was the best sequel, in part because it did show him as cured until the very end, when he was broken down by the relentless persecution. I thought it was a very sympathetic and poignant portrayal of Norman. III was well directed, but lacking in story (although it did have its moments). IV had some good ideas, but was rather bland-- and if I remember correctly, the timeline seemed rather fudged. I did like the "present day" portrayal of Norman, though.

And there was another pilot for a show called Bates Motel back in the 80s-- it was about a guy who inherited the property after Norman died, and rebuilt it... only to discover it was haunted (it seems like it would have been a Love Boat kind of show).

That was just a pilot? Funny, I could've sworn it was actually a short-lived series.

I'm almost positive it was just a pilot, although that could just mean that I only watched the first one.

 

[Christopher]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

IMDb seems to agree it was just a pilot. And I'm no longer sure of my own recollection. Maybe it's just that I read in Starlog about it being developed as a series and what the creators' plans for it were, and in my memory I confused potential with reality.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

I didn't expect Skiffy's oddball Defiance "interactive-TV" experiment would ever see the light of day, but there's progress to report: the lead actor has been cast. Dunno the guy, but he sure looks like a grizzled old space marine type.

Set on a future Earth, Defiance introduces players and viewers to a world where humans and aliens live together on a planet ravished by decades of war and transformed by alien terra-forming machines. It centers on Jeb Nolan (Bowler), the law keeper in the bustling frontier boomtown of Defiance that is one of the new world’s few oasis of civility and inclusion. Nolan is a former Marine who fought in the alien conflict and suffered the loss of his wife and child in the war. The trauma transformed him into a lone wanderer in the wilds of this new and dangerous world. Defiance seems to be blending Western and alien themes, something that last year’s feature Cowboys & Aliens attempted to do, but the series is set in the future.

Number of pilot orders to expect from the networks this year.

NBC - about 10 dramas (9 already picked up) and 10-12 comedies

ABC - 10-12 dramas (3 already filled), 10-12 comedies (3 already filled)

FOX - 5 dramas (2 slots already filled) and 8-10 comedies with 3 picked up so far

CBS - 7-9 dramas, 7-9 comedies and none of them will be worth watching

CW - between 6-8 dramas and possibly 1 or 2 comedies, all of which will involve teenage vampire love triangles.

 

[TheNatureRoy]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

I didn't expect Skiffy's oddball Defiance "interactive-TV" experiment would ever see the light of day, but there's progress to report: the lead actor has been cast. Dunno the guy, but he sure looks like a grizzled old space marine type.

Set on a future Earth, Defiance introduces players and viewers to a world where humans and aliens live together on a planet ravished by decades of war and transformed by alien terra-forming machines. It centers on Jeb Nolan (Bowler), the law keeper in the bustling frontier boomtown of Defiance that is one of the new world’s few oasis of civility and inclusion. Nolan is a former Marine who fought in the alien conflict and suffered the loss of his wife and child in the war. The trauma transformed him into a lone wanderer in the wilds of this new and dangerous world. Defiance seems to be blending Western and alien themes, something that last year’s feature Cowboys & Aliens attempted to do, but the series is set in the future.

Could be interesting.

 

[Jetfire]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

http://www.ksitetv.com/10886/the-cw...ty-the-beast-the-carrie-diaries-make-the-cut/

Looks like 'Arrow' and 'Beauty & The Beast' will shoot for The CW...and 'The Carrie Diaries'...but that isn't SF/F.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

Also reported here in its own snarky thread:

SyFy greenlights Rewind pilot.

The thriller revolves around a team of military field operatives and civilian scientists who must use untested technology to travel back in time to alter past events in order to change the future and avoid a devastating terrorist attack.

Not that this gang cares what the CW does, buuuuttt, they just gave pilot orders to Arrow and Beauty and the Beast.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

http://www.ksitetv.com/10886/the-cw...ty-the-beast-the-carrie-diaries-make-the-cut/

Looks like 'Arrow' and 'Beauty & The Beast' will shoot for The CW...and 'The Carrie Diaries'...but that isn't SF/F.

BAH! Ninja'd in my own thread?

 

[Jetfire]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012



I really only care about 'Arrow' with no news of 'Deadman'...that I am aware of.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

More Beautiful People casting:

http://www.deadline.com/2012/01/5-actots-cast-in-nbc-pilot-beautiful-people/

Andrea Parker, Jud Tylor, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Madisen Beatey and Cody Christian have been added to the cast of NBC’s drama pilot Beautiful People.

Parker will play the wealthy Roberta, whose life is turned upside down when her rebellious teen daughter (Beatey) starts a romance with a Mechanical boy (Christian), the son of Lydia’s Mechanical servant David (Patrick Heusinger) and his wife Susan (Tylor). Echikunwoke will play the boss of Lydia’s other son, attorney Gregory (James Murray)

 

[Christopher]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

Wow, casting Megalyn Echikunwoke in a show called Beautiful People is definitely living up to the title.

 

[Mistral]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

Also reported here in its own snarky thread:

SyFy greenlights Rewind pilot.

The thriller revolves around a team of military field operatives and civilian scientists who must use untested technology to travel back in time to alter past events in order to change the future and avoid a devastating terrorist attack.

Not that this gang cares what the CW does, buuuuttt, they just gave pilot orders to Arrow and Beauty and the Beast.

So they are reviving the series Time Cop? Or is that 7 Days?

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

Wow, casting Megalyn Echikunwoke in a show called Beautiful People is definitely living up to the title.

Yup, very pretty. Lots for the girls and boys in the audience to look at in this one.

And the inevitable teen romance, too.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Rewind vs Source Code

Also reported here in its own snarky thread:

SyFy greenlights Rewind pilot.

more:

the network has announced that they've given a two-hour pilot greenlight to a new action thriller involving time travel called Rewind. The show comes from writer Justin Marks who is about to become famous for writing the screenplay for David Fincher's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

sounds like a fun pilot. Not sure about the series each week.

Rewind is set to begin production in April 2012.

http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2...rom-the-writer-of-20000-Leagues-Under-the-Sea

and by the way similar to Source Code?:
Cbs "source code" drama

THR reveals that CBS has picked up the rights from ABC to develop Duncan Jones’ “Source Code” into a TV series.

In the small screen version, the premise will be tweaked slightly, and will follow “three former federal agents who are part of a top-secret program [and] they’ll use Source Code technology to jump into the consciousness of people involved in tragic events.”

also see from December 2009.“Murmurs” Sci-Fi time-travel drama by CBS in development

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

ABC picks up 666 Park Ave.

Based on Alloy’s book series by Gabriella Pierce, the show is set up at a historic apartment buildings in New York City and centers on a young couple who become its managers. They unwittingly begin to experience supernatural occurrences, which complicate and endanger the lives of everyone in the residence.

Now that one sounds fun! Maybe a tamer American Horror Story, with a whole building as the playground rather than just one mansion?

 

[JD]

Re: sf/f TV development news - 2012

Intriguing.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

666 Park Ave

Now that one sounds fun! Maybe a tamer American Horror Story, with a whole building as the playground rather than just one mansion?

It sounds like Ghostbusters as a dramedy rather than an action comedy. Yes a series would have a lot of characters and long arcs. Lots of period flashbacks within the building.
Yes probably ABC wants something like American Horror Story bu without the gore and controversial not-for-broadcast-network topics and horror. More supernatural. I think the idea would suit CBS more but am glad ABC made a development choice on this.