TV SALES
ABC has quickly come aboard the new drama project SENDERA from writer/exec producer Sally Robinson. Series, which is pitched as a primetime soap along the USA/Mexico border, will center on two wealthy families – one in Mexico, and the other in Texas, who are forever in a struggle for power, land, sex and legacy. Series will also be exec produced by Eva Longoria, Kathryn Morris, Alan Barnette, Josh Gold and Virginia Trinkle.
ABC has also sent a second Eva Longoria project into development, picking up PARENTING BY COMMITTEE from writers/exec producers Alyssa Embree and Jessica Koosed, and exec producers Longoria, and Virginia Trinkle. Series will center on four women who are the best of friends, and when one of them become pregnant, decide to raise the child together, without a father figure, and intead by parenting by a committee.
ADULT SWIM has moved ahead with a series order for web-turned-tv series NTSF:SD:SUV from writer/creator, and star Paul Scheer. Series, which is based on a mock police-procedural promo which aired online, and on another Adult Swim series, will also be exec produced by Jon Stern.
CBS is ready to take a run back to the Wild Wild West on the new series DESPERADO from writer/exec producer Kyle Ward and exec producer Anthony Zuiker, of CSI fame. Series, which will center on a band of lawmen who enact cowboy-style justice on modern-day criminals in San Antonio, will also be co-executive produced by Matthew Weinberg.
CBS can’t get enough legal dramas on their network, now deciding to jump in bed for a little KNIFE FIGHT from writers/exec producers Joel Goldman and Gerald Cuesta. Series, which is based on a short story by novelist Goldman, will focus on a female public defender who becomes a prosecutor in order to pursue the truth. Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman also exec produce.
FOX has found something to sing about, signing on to develop IN DEEP from Oscar-nominated musician, and writer/exec producer Bird York. Series, which is being pitched as “Sopranos” meets “Desperate Housewives” will follow a female undercover FBI agent as she infiltrates the Chicago Mob with by becoming friendly with made men’s wives and girlfriends. Gary Randall will also exec produce.
STARZ has picked up the project AZTEC, with an eye toward developing it as an 8-episode mini series. Project, which is being adpted from the Gary Jennings-book “Aztec” by Nicholas Meyer, centers on the empire of Tenochtitlan, during its highest moments, and before the Spanish invaders, would lead to its downfall. Alfonso Arau will exec produce alongside Grant Turck, Eva Longoria and Virginia Trinkle.
TV ATTACHMENTS
Veteran TV producer Bob Cohen has set to work on DIARY OF A DYSFUNCTIONAL FLIGHT ATTENDANT, optioning the rights to the novel of the same name from writer Ellen Simonetti. Project, which is being developed as a sort of “work place” comedy in the vein of “The Office” is now out to writers for takes.
TV DEALS
Law & Order SVU showrunner Neal Baer has signed a very large 3-year-7-figure deal to exit his longtime home at NBC and move over to procedural-heaven at CBS. Deal, which will not start until June, 2011, will cover Baer’s development and showrunner fees for as of yet to be named projects for the network.
