Development Update: The 26th of January

4TH REICH, THE (Showtime, New!) - Sonya Winton and Jonathan Kidd have sold a potential drama to the netlet billed as "a high-octane crime thriller delving into race, religion, and politics through the lens of a dogmatic faction of the neo-Nazi movement in South Boston." Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal of Tribeca Productions are executive producing the CBS Television Studios-based hour, which tracks "a former leader is sprung from jail by agreeing to become a confidential informant to the FBI, he assimilates back to his old life and finds his estranged 15-year-old son has been co-opted by his former best friend and now current leader of the Brotherhood." Winton and Kidd then will serve as co-executive producers with Tribeca's Berry Welsh as a producer. (Deadline.com)

ADVOCATES, THE (CBS) - Bruno Heller's legal drama - about "a female lawyer and a male ex-con who team up as victim advocates, going to the edge of the law to right wrongs and fight for the underdog" - has booked a pilot commitment at the network. Warner Bros. Television is behind the hour which Heller penned and will executive produce. (Deadline.com)

BAD TEACHER (CBS) - Hilary Winston's small screen take on the 2011 feature - about "a sexy, foul-mouthed divorcee who becomes a teacher to find her next husband" - has scored a pilot order from the Eye. Original screenwriters Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg also serve as executive producers on the single-camera project via their Quantity Entertainment banner, which is set up at Sony Pictures Television. (Deadline.com)

BROWSERS (Amazon) - Bebe Neuwirth ("Frasier") is the first to be cast in the pilot, a musical comedy set in contemporary Manhattan that follows four young people as they start their first jobs at a news website. She'll play their boss in the single-camera project, from writer David Javerbaum and director Don Scardino. 3 Arts Entertainment's David Miner also serves as an executive producer for Amazon Studios. (Deadline.com)

COMPANY TOWN (A.K.A. NORFOLK) (The CW) - The drama - about "a scandal at a Naval base in Virginia, which touches the lives of both civilians and military personnel in the area" - has booked a pilot order at the netlet. Writer Sera Gamble and director Taylor Hackford are behind the project, which is set up at CBS Television Studios and Bill Haber's Ostar Productions. (Deadline.com)

SELECTION, THE (The CW) - Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain have received the green light to produce a second pilot for the project, set 300 years in the future in which a working class young woman is chosen by lottery to participate in a competition for the Royal Prince's hand to become the nation's next queen. Warner Bros. Television is once again behind the hour, which is based on Kiera Cass's novel of the same name. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED GOOR/SCHUR PROJECT (FOX) - Terry Crews ("Are We There Yet?") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a diverse group of detectives in a precinct at the very edge of New York City. He'll play Terry Jeffords ("early 40s, built like an NFL linebacker only stronger"), the Sergeant who runs the 191st Precinct. Andy Samberg also stars as Jake Peralta, a detective at the squad. In addition, Phil Lord and Chris Miller ("21 Jump Street") have signed on to helm the single-camera project, working from a script by Dan Goor and Michael Schur for Universal Television. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED MICHAEL J. FOX PROJECT (NBC) - Juliette Goglia ("Easy A") is the latest addition to the upcoming comedy, about Mike Burnaby (Michael J. Fox), "a former lead anchor at a local station in New York City who decides to go back to work after Parkinson's forced him to take time off." She'll play Eve, Mike's middle child, "who is whip-smart but not book-smart and likes to game the system." Conor Romero and Jack Gore also star as his other kids, Ian and Graham; with Katie Finneran as Mike's younger sister Leigh, Betsy Brandt as Mike's wife and Wendell Pierce as Harris Green, Mike's close friend and old boss. Sam Laybourne and Will Gluck are behind the single-camera project, from Sony Pictures Television. (THR.com)

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY (A.K.A. CHEUY & DAN) (NBC) - The Mike Sikowitz-penned comedy - about "how cultures collide when a white family and a Latino family are bonded together by their children who fall in love followed quickly by an unplanned pregnancy" - is the latest to score a pilot order at the Peacock. Sony Pictures Television is behind the single-camera project, with Sikowitz serving as executive producer. (Deadline.com)

2 WRONGS (A.K.A. UNTITLED MICHELLE MORGAN PROJECT) (FOX) - Michelle Morgan has received a pilot commitment from the network for her comedy, about "a couple whose friends and family don't think they are right for each other." The single-camera effort is set up at the 20th Century Fox Television-based Chernin Entertainment with Peter Chernin and Katherine Pope as well as Kaplan Perrone Entertainment's Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone executive producing alongside Morgan. (Deadline.com)

ADVOCATES, THE (CBS) - Pilot wunderkind David Nutter has signed on to direct and executive produce the drama, about "a female lawyer and a male ex-con who team up as victim advocates, going to the edge of the law to right wrongs and fight for the underdog." Nutter, who has delivered 17 of his 18 pilots to series, will work from a script by Bruno Heller for Warner Bros. Television. (Deadline.com)

BROWSERS (Amazon) - Newcomers Dustin Ingram, Constance Wu, Bridgette Davidovici, Marque Richardson and Chris Wood have all been cast in the pilot, a musical comedy set in contemporary Manhattan that follows four young people as they start their first jobs at a news website. Details on their roles weren't given. Bebe Neuwirth also stars in the half-hour, from writer David Javerbaum and director Don Scardino. Amazon Studios is producing. (Deadline.com)

ENLISTED (A.K.A. UNTITLED KEVIN BIEGEL PROJECT) (FOX) - Kevin Biegel's comedy - about "three very different brothers working together in the Army at a small base in Florida" - has been given a pilot commitment by the network. 20th Century Fox Television is behind the single-camera project with Mike Royce also expected to serve in some capacity alongside Biegel. (Deadline.com)

GATES, THE (NBC) - Ken Marino and Aasif Mandvi are the latest to board the comedy pilot, about the hijinks that ensue when parents drop off and pick up their kids at school each day. The former will play Mark, "a loveable, sweet, well-meaning, puppy-dog of a guy, a type B, or C, maybe even D to his wife's (Kathleen Rose Perkins) type-A personality." Mandvi then is set as another dad at the school, "a super-driven, competitive Yale-educated lawyer who's one of these comedically intense guys who pushes his kids way too hard." Christina Kirk, Diana Maria Riva, John Grisetti and Justin Chon also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based project, from director Marc Buckland and writers Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith. (Deadline.com)

JACK JOHNSON (HBO, New!) - Beau Willimon ("Ides of March") is spearheading a new four to six part mini-series at the pay channel about the storied life of the first African-American world heavyweight champion. Ken Burns and Playtone's Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman are on board to executive produce the project, which will be based on Geoffrey C. Ward's book "Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson." Burns, who was behind the Emmy-winning documentary of the same name, will also direct while Willimon will serve as a co-executive producer. (Deadline.com)

TOGETHERNESS (HBO, New!) - Mark and Jay Duplass ("Jeff, Who Lives at Home") have likewise booked a single-camera comedy pilot at the pay network about "two couples living under the same roof who struggle to keep their relationships alive while pursuing their individual dreams." Said duo penned the half-hour and will direct and executive produce with production eyed for an April start. Stephanie Langhoff also serves as a co-executive producer for their Duplass Brothers Productions banner. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED ANDREW GURLAND PROJECT (FX, New!) - Andrew Gurland ("The Last Exorcism") has scored a pilot order from the cable channel for a comedy about "a married man who is given permission by his wife to get a mistress in order to save their marriage." Said effort is set up at FX Productions with Paul Young and Peter Principato executive producing alongside Gurland. Salamo Levin will serve as a producer. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED CRAIG ROBINSON PROJECT (NBC) - The Craig Robinson-led comedy - about "a talented musician with rough edges who adjusts to his new life as a music teacher in a big-city middle school, where he encounters teacher politics and the temptations of single moms" - has scored a pilot order at the Peacock. Owen Ellickson penned the single-camera project and is executive producing alongside Greg Daniels, Tracy Katsky, Howard Klein and Mark Schulman for Universal Television. Robinson will also receive a producer credit. (Deadline.com)

BELIEVE (NBC) - Mark Friedman and Alfonso Cuarón's drama - about "the unlikely relationship between a girl in possession of a great powers and the man who is sprung from prison to protect her from those trying to hunt her down" - has been given a pilot order from the Peacock. Warner Bros. Television-based Bad Robot Productions is behind the hour, with J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk executive producing alongside the aforementioned duo. (Deadline.com)

BOOMERANG (UNTITLED DAVEY HOLMES PROJECT) (FOX) - The Davey Holmes-penned drama - about "a family who serve as assassins for the federal government" - is moving forward to pilot at the network. Warner Bros. Television is behind the hour, with John Wells and Andrew Stearn executive producing via their John Wells Productions banner. (Deadline.com)

DOUBT (ABC) - The David Shore-penned hour - about "a former cop who's now a cunning, but charming low-rent lawyer who uses his street smarts to work the system for his clients while battling his own demons and wooing his ex-wife" - is the latest to snag a pilot order from the Alphabet. Said effort is set up at Sony Pictures Television, home to Shore's overall deal. (Deadline.com)

FLEMING (BBC America) - Lara Pulver, Samuel West, Lesley Manville, Rupert Evans and Anna Chancellor have all been cast in the four-part drama, "a no holds barred look at Ian Fleming (Dominic Cooper), the man behind the James Bond legend whose real life was as exciting, eventful and sexually charged as his famous creation." Pulver will play Ann O'Neill, Fleming's wife; with Manville as Fleming's mother Eve; and Evans as his brother Peter. Rounding out the cast are West as Admiral John Godfrey, the inspiration for the M character; and Chancellor as Lieutenant Monday, an inspiration for Miss Moneypenny. Mat Whitecross is directing from a script by John Brownlow and Don MacPherson with production set to begin next month. (Deadline.com)

HUNDRED, THE (The CW) - The post-apocalyptic drama - about 100 juvenile delinquents tasked with re-colonizing the planet 97 years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization - has earned a pilot commitment from the netlet. Warner Bros. Television is behind the hour, which is based upon the upcoming young adult book series by Kass Morgan. Alloy Entertainment's Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo also serve as executive producers. (Deadline.com)

INFLUENCE (ABC) - The drama, about "two brothers - a bipolar genius in human psychology and a slick ex-con - who head a unique agency designed to solve their clients' problems using the real science of human motivation and manipulation," has been ordered to pilot by the Alphabet. Kyle Killen is behind the hour, which is set up at 20th Century Fox Television. (Deadline.com)

KILLER WOMEN (ABC) - Hannah Shakespeare's drama - about "the only woman in the notoriously male Texas Rangers: a ballsy, beautiful badass who knows how to get to the truth and isn't afraid to ruffle a few feathers on her way there" - has scored a pilot commitment from the network. Ben Silverman, Martin Campbell and Latin World Entertainment's Sofia Vergara and Luis Balaguer also serve as executive producers on the hour, which is set up at ABC Studios. (Deadline.com)

OXYGEN (The CW) - The Meredith Averill-penned drama - "an epic romance between a human girl and an alien boy when he and eight others of his kind are integrated into a suburban high school 10 years after they landed on Earth and were consigned to an internment camp" - has booked a pilot commitment at the netlet. Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, Scott Rosenberg, Richard Shepard, Sean Furst, Bryan Furst and Daniel Gutman also serve as executive producers on the hour, which is set up at CBS Television Studios. (Deadline.com)

REIGN (The CW) - Stephanie Sengupta and Laurie McCarthy's drama - a fantastical reimagining of the teenage Mary Queen of Scots - has booked a pilot order at the netlet. CBS Television Studios is behind the hour, which opens as "she arrives in France as a 15-year-old, betrothed to Prince Francis, and with her three best friends as ladies-in-waiting." (Deadline.com)

SAFE AT HOME (ABC) - James Caan ("Magic City") is in final negotiations to star in the comedy, about "a recently divorced single mother who temporarily moves in with her estranged father, a beer-swilling former baseball player." Robb and Mark Cullen are behind the single-camera project, which has landed a pilot order at the Alphabet. 20th Century Fox Television is behind the half-hour with Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment executive producing alongside the Cullens. (Deadline.com)

SPY (ABC) - The Alphabet's import of the U.K. comedy - about "a well intentioned father of a highly intelligent and verbal son, who also happens to be his complete opposite, who inadvertently takes a job at the Secret Service in order to prove himself a worthy father" - has been given a pilot commitment. Simeon Goulden penned the ABC Studios-based half-hour with Hat Trick Productions' Jimmy Mulville and Helen Williams also serving as executive producers. (Deadline.com)

UNDATEABLE (NBC) - Adam Sztykiel's multi-camera comedy - about "two very different guys who are bonded by their common inability to attract women" - has been added to the Alphabet's pilot roster. Warner Bros. Television-based Doozer is behind the half-hour, which is based on Ellen Rakieten and Anne Coyle's book of the same name (subtitled "311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won't Be Dating or Having Sex"). Bill Lawrence and Jeff Ingold are also executive producing. (Deadline.com)

UNDER THE DOME (CBS) - Britt Robertson ("The Secret Circle") is the latest to board the upcoming drama, the story of a small town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. She's set as Angie, "an attractive young waitress and aspiring nurse who's always dreamed of escaping the town of Chester's Mill." Alex Koch, Colin Ford and Natalie Martinez also star in the project, from Amblin Television and CBS Television Studios and based on Stephen King's best-selling novel. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED J.H. WYMAN PROJECT (FOX) - J.H. Wyman's near future drama - in which all LAPD officers are partnered with highly evolved human-like androids - has been greenlit to pilot by the network. J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk also serve as executive producers on the hour, which is set up at their Warner Bros. Television-based Bad Robot banner. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED JOHN MULANEY PROJECT (NBC, New!) - John Mulaney ("Saturday Night Live") has booked a pilot order from the Peacock for a young ensemble comedy loosely based on his life. The multi-camera project, from Universal Television and written by Mulaney, is being executive produced by Broadway Video Television's Lorne Michaels and 3 Arts Entertainment's Dave Becky and David Miner. (Deadline.com)

'Being Human' creator on new series: 'It's more epic than ever before'

Being Human will be more "epic" than ever before in its fifth series, creator Toby Whithouse has claimed.

The writer revealed that the theme of the new six-part series is 'The Trinity' - establishing the show's new lead trio, Hal (Damien Molony), Tom (Michael Socha) and Alex (Kate Bracken).

"It was their skill and passion that would stop me rocking and dribbling and draw me out from under my desk to actually write the scripts," Whithouse joked.

"And so this series title belongs to them. The new heroes of Being Human - the new trinity."

Whithouse claimed that series five would again "up the ante" for the BBC Three cult drama.

"Blowing Mark Gatiss and a baby up at the end of series four was good, but we could do better," he said. "We wanted to tell a story that was even greater, even more labyrinthine and epic than anything we've done before.

"Slowly a story about sacrifice and misplaced courage started to take shape. Our heroes would be driven to compromise their own fragile humanity to safeguard the rest of the world; and less scrupulous characters would endanger the lives of others in pursuit of their own agendas."

Being Human returns to BBC Three on Sunday, February 3 at 10pm.

Manti Te'o Interview Gives 'Katie' a Ratings Surge

Katie Couric's interview with Manti Te'o delivered ratings gold for Couric's syndicated daytime talk show "Katie." And unlike Te'o's significant other, the numbers are real.

Thursday's "Katie" episode with Te'o scored a 2.6/7 metered-market household rating -- the highest rating for the show since its Sept. 10 debut.

In contrast, the Wednesday episode of "Katie" averaged a 1.9/5.

The rating also represents a 30 percent boost over the prior four-week average for "Katie."

In addition, the sit-down with the football player placed "Katie" at the top of its time slot in the top markets of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia.

During the interview, Te'o said he had been hoaxed when he was learned that his supposed girlfriend -- a woman he called Lennay Marie -- was a fiction. She supposedly died of leukemia in September.

However, Te'o -- who was fawned over by sports media because of the fraudulent story -- chose not to divulge the truth.

"You stuck to the script," Couric replied. "And you knew that something was amiss, Manti."

"Katie, put yourself in my situation," the football player said. "I, my whole world told me that she died on Sept. 12. Everybody knew that. This girl, whom I committed myself to, died on Sept. 12."

Simon Cowell gives his approval to "sensational" 'X Factor' musical

Simon Cowell has praised the forthcoming X Factor musical after previewing the show.

The ITV talent contest's former judge and mentor announced that he was attending a workshop for the production via Twitter today (January 25) and later told his followers that he had enjoyed the performances.

"The X Factor musical is sensational! It's a yes from me," he tweeted.

The music mogul then responded to a fan who asked whether he thought the Harry Hill-penned show was better than West End hit Jerry Springer: The Opera.

"Yes. I really think it is," Cowell said. "The songs are fantastic and the story is really funny."

Earlier this week, Cowell - who is back in the UK filming the latest series of Britain's Got Talent - said that he was approaching the project like a TV show. He also joked about holding open auditions for those hoping to play him on stage.

"Musicals are not my business but I'm going to approach it like I would a TV show," he explained.

"The team have spent a long time working on this, and from the very first time I met Harry Hill he was absolutely besotted with the idea.

"Who would play me? We may have to do an audition show. That would be a good idea."

The as-yet untitled X Factor musical is scheduled to open in spring 2014.

Heidi & Spencer come second to Rylan Clark in Celebrity Big Brother

Heidi & Spencer have come second in Celebrity Big Brother.

The controversial Hills duo fell at the final hurdle to winner Rylan Clark.

Speaking to Brian Dowling against chants of "Off! Off! Off!", Heidi said she had found her experience "really hard" as "strangers in a different country".

Asked by Dowling whether viewers had seen the "real" Heidi & Spencer, the latter said: "For sure."

When the CBB host then read out some of the couple's bad press, Spencer called "the authors of these headlines... brilliant".

Heidi added: "It's just a game, you're supposed to try to win."

Regarding 'clap-gate', Heidi insisted that there had been a "miscommunication", and she had been clapping because other housemates' successes had been applauded and she was "proud of... [her] marriage".

The duo also insisted that they had known they were not speaking to a real fan for the uproar-creating 'Big Blogger' segment, although they admitted they had not thought they were communicating with the other housemates.

Spencer said he would have spoken about the other contestants as he did regardless, commenting: "Absolutely - you try living with them."

When Dowling asked why the Americans thought they had been nominated so much, they said the others had "never really liked us". Spencer added that he had "not [been] up for knowing others" and "didn't come here to meet any new friends" but to be "champions".

They ended the interview by thanking viewers who voted for them, saying: "We truly love you."

TV Tonight 26th of January 2013

The daily list in alphabetical order, of all the new episodes airing.

48 Hours S26E14: "Crazy Love"
Austin City Limits S38E09: "Bob Mould/Delta Spirit"
Bakuman. S03E17: "Season 3, Episode 17"
Ben 10: Omniverse S01E19: "Store 23"
Bleach (US) S14E17: "Power of the Soul! Los Lobos, Attack!"
Britain's Brightest S01E04: "Episode 4"
Casualty S27E20: "Broken Heart Syndrome"
Celebrity Ghost Stories S04E26
Cesar Millan's Leader of the Pack S01E04: "Miles To Go"
Click (UK) S14E04: "Series 14, Episode 4"
Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual S01E06: "Dinner For One"
Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual S01E05: "Don't Rain On My PSA"
D.C. III ~Da Capo III~ S01E04: "The Place I Wish To Stay Forever"
Dan vs. S03E07: "Dan Vs. The DMV"
Green Lantern: The Animated Series S01E19: "Loss"
Ich bin ein Star - Holt mich hier raus! S07E16: "Das große Finale"
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012) S01E16: "Season 1, Episode 16"
Little Busters! S01E16: "Season 1, Episode 16"
Maoyū Maō Yūsha S01E04: "Since It Is Like This, I'll Stick With The Hero"
Marvin, Marvin S01E08: "Double Date"
Mondai-Ji-tachi ga Isekai Kara Kuru Sou Desu yo? S01E03
My Big Redneck Vacation S03E01: "Season Premiere"
Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru S01E04
Pit Boss S03E04: "Dog Days at Shortywood"
Pit Bulls and Parolees S05E04: "TBA"
Putous S04E04: "Season 4, Episode 4"
Richard Hammond's Secret Service S01E04: "Episode 4"
Saturday Kitchen S11E30: "January 26, 2013"
Saturday Night Live S38E12: "Adam Levine / Kendrick Lamar"
Shinsekai Yori S01E17: "Season 1, Episode 17"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) S05E15: "Shades of Reason"
Stuff You Should Know S01E03: "Minding The Hive"
Sugar Dome S01E09: "Daredevil Stunts"
Take Me Out (UK) S05E04: "Series 5, Episode 4"
Take Me Out: The Gossip S03E04: "Series 3, Episode 4"
The Bronson Pinchot Project S02E03: "TBA"
The Incredible Dr. Pol S02E11: "Flu the Coop"
The Jonathan Ross Show S04E04
UFC on FOX S01E06: "UFC on FOX 6: TBA vs. TBA"
Victorious S04E12: "Star-Spangled Tori"
You've Been Framed S20E20: "Top 100 Holidays"
Young Justice S02E13: "Fix"

Lena Dunham Says 'Girls' Season 3 Starts Shooting in March

HBO has yet to announce whether "Girls" has been renewed for a third season, but that's okay, because Lena Dunham may have done it for them.

The writer, director and star of the critically-acclaimed comedy told Alec Baldwin during his WNYC podcast, "Here's the Thing," that she is preparing to start shooting the next season in March.

"I just finished season two," the Golden Globe-winning actress said on Monday. "We’re starting at the end of March. I’m so excited."

And much to delight of million of the 1.6 total overall viewers that tuned in to watch three airings of the premiere on Jan. 13, Dunham says the episode order may have been increased from 10 to 12.

"Well, we’ve been doing 10," she continued. "I think between you, me and McGee, I think we might do 12 next year."

HBO wouldn't officially confirm the renewal to TheWrap, but Dunham's interview makes it sound like she will call the premium cable network home for years to come. She admits it's "not clear" how many seasons of "Girls" she is contractually obligated to continue writing and directing, but says she's locked in as an actor for six years.

"HBO contractually has me I think as an actor for six years but as a writer and director -- I should pay more attention to my deals, but I’m just so excited to have my job," she said. "I just go, ‘Okay, whatever you say.’"

Another thing she should start getting excited about is the possibility of not just talking to Baldwin -- one of her idols -- but working with him, too.

After she revealed a third season, the "30 Rock" star was quick to add: "I'll be available. I'll come and play your therapist."

"That would be the most fun thing in the world," she responded before later adding: "Working with you is one of my longstanding dreams."