DEFIANCE (Syfy) - Mia Kirshner and Fionnula Flanagan are the latest to board the near future drama, about a completely transformed planet Earth, inhabited by the survivors of a universal war. Kirshner will play Kenya, "the self-assured, dauntless town madam whose unvarying devotion to the town of Defiance has inexorably woven her into many of its complicated affairs," with Flanagan as Nicky, "the popular ex-mayor of the town whose intrinsic expertise from her years on the job have made her a trusted mentor to her successor, Amanda (Julie Benz)." Graham Greene, Grant Bowler, Jaime Murray, Stephanie Leonidas and Tony Curran also star in the Universal Cable Productions-based project, from writer Rockne S. O'Bannon and director Scott Charles Stewart. (Deadline.com)
GO ON (NBC) - The Peacock has ordered the Matthew Perry-led comedy pilot - about an irreverent yet charming sportscaster, who after his wife dies, finds surprising solace from the members of his support group - to series. Scott Silveri is behind the Universal Television-based half-hour, which also stars Allison Miller, Bill Cobbs, Julie White, Khary Payton, Laura Benanti and Suzy Nakamura. Todd Holland directed and executive produced alongside Silveri and Dark Toy's Karey Burke. (Deadline.com)
THE LIFE & TIMES OF TIM (HBO) - The pay channel has once again pulled the plug on the animated comedy. The show's third season averaged a very modest 123,000 viewers during its 10-episode run. HBO previously axed the series in June of 2010 before issuing a resurrection two months later. (@SteveDildarian)
SECOND GENERATION WAYANS (BET) - Tatyana Ali ("Love That Girl") has joined the cast of the freshly ordered comedy, a scripted take on the lives of siblings Craig Wayans, Damien Dante Wayans and George O. Gore II. She'll play Maya, "Damien's quick-witted personal assistant who struggles to keep the guys in line." Devon Shepard, Marlon Wayans and Rick Alvarez are the executive producers. (Deadline.com)
HURT PEOPLE (Cinemax) - The potential William Petersen-led drama has found a home at the pay channel, which has a commissioned a pilot for the project. Said hour revolves around Hollis Brown (Petersen), "a veteran hitman employed by the crime family that killed his wife [who] has been enlisted to hunt down his estranged daughter who is intent on destroying those responsible for her mother's death." Peter Macmanus penned the hour and is executive producing alongside Petersen and Cynthia Chvatal as well as GK-tv's Graham King, Tim Headington and Craig Cegielski. (Deadline.com)
AMC ORIGINAL SERIES (New!) - The cable channel hosted its third annual "bake-off" last week in which executives listened to elaborate pitches for six potential dramas using visual aids and demo reels. Among the efforts were "Turn," from Craig Silverstein, about George Washington's spy ring; "Philly Lawyer," from Richard LaGravenese, about a law student; "Crystal Pines," from Jake Paltrow and Robbie Kinberg, about a journalist who signs up for a cloning experiment; "F/V Mean Tide", from Jason Cahill, about a Maine lobster fishing family; "Sacred Games," from Kerry Williamson, an epic story of crime and punishment in modern Mumbai based on the novel by Vikram Chandra; and the previously announced "Low Winter Sun," from Chris Mundy, an adaptation of the New Zealand Gothic murder mystery series. As many as two of the aforementioned projects could be ordered to pilot. (Deadline.com)
THE ANGRY BUDDHIST (Showtime, New!) - Seth Greenland's upcoming novel is being developed as a drama at the pay channel. Said hour will center on three brothers - "a cop studying Buddhism, an unrepentant criminal and a wily U.S. Congressman running for his third term" - whose lives are derailed after a murder. Anonymous Content is behind the project, which Greenland himself will adapt for the small screen and executive produce alongside David Kanter. (Deadline.com)
COUNTER CULTURE (ABC) - Production on the comedy pilot, about three aging sisters - Nonie (Delta Burke), Billie (Kerri Kenney) and Joyce (Margo Martindale) - running their family diner together in West Texas, has been halted following an injury to Burke, who had a fall on the set yesterday. Said development will likely delay shooting for at least a week and producers are hoping to still complete production in time for fall consideration at the network. ABC Studios and Sony Pictures Television are behind the multi-camera project, from writer Stephnie Weir and director Ted Wass. (Deadline.com)
HOWIE MANDEL'S WHITE ELEPHANT (NBC, New!) - The Peacock has reportedly ordered seven episodes of a new game show which takes a cue from the much-ballyhooed form of gift exchange. Mandel himself will host the project and executive produce via his Alevy Productions alongside Mike Marks. As for specifics, six contestants will select one package from an assortment of wrapped gifts, one of whom is initially tapped to open their item. They must subsequently decide whether to keep it or trade with another contestant (including, when the time comes items that are already opened) with the "exchange" going on until all gifts are opened. The contestant with the least valuable item then is eliminated and the selection begins anew until two contestants remain, who ultimately can either share their gifts or attempt to win it all and risk winning nothing. No target date was given. (EW.com)
SUPER FUN NIGHT (CBS) - Edi Patterson and Deborah Baker Jr. will round out the cast of the comedy pilot, about three nerdy female friends - Kimmie (Rebel Wilson), Helen-Alice (Jenny Slate) and Marika (Patterson) - on their quest to have super fun every Friday night. Patterson will play the aforementioned Marika ("a classic grenade who always wears ill-fitting sports attire") with Baker as Jazmine, Kimmie's younger, prettier sister. The previously cast Alan Ritchson plays the latter's boyfriend Jason with Kevin Bishop as Richard, Kimmie's new co-worker/love interest. Mark Cendrowski is directing the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which was penned by Wilson. (Deadline.com)
THE UNPROFESSIONAL (ABC) - Zachary Gordon ("Diary of a Wimpy Kid") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about Hilary Pfeiffer-Dunne (Mary McCormack), a high-powered executive who now faces the biggest challenge of her life when she finds herself unemployed and acting as a full-time mom to her two teenagers. He'll play her son Dylan ("a smart ass - because he's smart"), taking over for the previously cast Aiden Potter. Said change was made following the table read with the producers opting to age up the character. Greg Germann, Horatio Sanz, Mo Gaffney and Sabrina Carpenter also star in the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, from writer Kari Lizer and director Craig Zisk. (Deadline.com)
