<span style="font-size:10.5pt;">Rough cuts of pilots in contention for next season are starting to trickle into the broadcast networks, and some very early front-runners are emerging.

Such pole position titles are often replaced a few times during the weeding-out process as more footage comes into the networks. At this stage, name-recognition titles like CBS' "Hawaii Five-O" and NBC's "Rockford Files" continue to enjoy a halo effect, but some fresh titles are also turning heads.

Starting with NBC, the network is looking to pick up as many as six dramas to plug its holes in the schedule and has plenty of A-list producers in contention. A remake of "Rockford Files" from "House" showrunner David Shore is considered a near-lock. Same with J.J. Abrams' spy drama "Undercovers," whose completed pilot is getting rave reviews ("looks great, with gorgeous leads").

David E. Kelley's latest legal drama "Kindrids" is very hot, and executives like the dramedy "Love Bites" from "Sex and the City" writer Cindy Chupack. Jerry Bruckheimer's latest, "Chase," also has positive buzz, though a cut's not in yet.

Among NBC's comedies, executives love "This Little Piggy" and "Friends With Benefits," with Paul Reiser's semi-autobiographical "Next," looking good. India-set romantic comedy "Outsourced" is also considered hot. "Perfect Couples" had a good table read and is on track.

Over on CBS, "Hawaii Five-O" sealed the deal with a pilot screening that went great. Buzz is mixed on the "Criminal Minds" spinoff, but with Forest Whitaker on board and the network's luck with procedural spinoffs, it's still expected to get on the air. CIA drama "Chaos" is called "classic fun Brett Ratner," but it's unclear if it fits the network's brand. Legal drama "Defenders" with Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell is heating up.

Among comedies, "Bleep My Dad Says" (aka "[!@#$%^&*] My Dad Says") is looking very strong, with William Shatner nailing the title role. Chuck Lorre's latest comedy, "Mike & Molly," is said to have had a great taping. And ensemble comedy "True Love," starring Tyler Labine and Jason Biggs, is said to have turned out well.

At Fox, the U.S. Marshalls drama "Breakout Kings" continues to generate buzz. "It has a fun, caper-y feel to it," as one insider said. Texas-set con-man drama "Midland" is being called "beautifully shot" by "(500) Days of Summer" director Marc Webb, but some question whether it's on brand. A cut of Shawn Ryan's cop drama "Ride Along" hasn't been finished yet, but it's still considered a contender. Steven Spielberg's prehistoric time-travel drama "Terra Nova" is likely to get some kind of pickup, but it might not happen until after the upfronts.

On the comedy side, several pilots are getting positive buzz while contending for a limited number of spots. Among them, "Security" starring Christian Slater, which might get the actor on the air in a new show for the third season in a row, and "My Name Is Earl" creator Greg Garcia's comedy "Keep Hope Alive" and slacker ensemble comedy "Most Likely to Succeed."

At ABC, Detroit-set crime drama "187" and Shonda Rhimes' latest medical drama "Off the Map" are looking very strong, along with the Dana Delany-starring medical-crime show "Body of Evidence." Also, superhero drama "No Ordinary Family" starring Michael Chiklis is considered a stand out.

ABC is said to be struggling with its comedy pilots and is considering ordering more. "Wright Vs. Wrong," starring Debra Messing as a Republican pundit, is a major exception, with Matthew Perry's "Mr. Sunshine" also receiving some props.

On the CW, "La Femme Nikita" remake "Nikita" starring Maggie Q has turned out very strong, with the network also excited about supernatural drama "BeTwixt."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3ieae2fa145a05b6f7cd9b4c24a9673c11</span>

Betwixt & Nikita are obviously gonna be picked up and i think everyone knew that from the get go. Im actually curious about their other pilots; Nomads, HMS & Hellcats.

Explain Shonda Rhimes to me.

<span style="font-size:10.5pt;">The mastermind behind Grey's Anatomy is looking to expand her universe. ABC announced today that it has ordered a drama pilot from Grey's creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes and her longtime producing partner, Betsy Beers, that focuses on three stateside doctors who opt to work for an isolated tropical clinic. Dubbed Off The Map, the drama script is from fellow Grey's scribe Jenna Bans and was one of several pilots that ABC ordered today. Others include a new drama called Body of Evidence from Chris Murphey (2004′s Dead Lawyers) that's about a female medical examiner who used to work as a neurosurgeon, and a single-camera comedy pilot from ex-ABC topper Jamie Tarses and newcomer David Caspe that focuses on a couple that breaks up at the altar.</span>

Does this look like a real cheap, shitty re-working of Private Practice or what? And it's going to be picked up?

I'd like to see HMS.

Edited April 24, 201015 yr by Sylph

<span style="font-size:10.5pt;">Hellcats - New CW Pilot Show - Plotline and Casting Call

STORY LINE

An upwardly mobile girl from the wrong side of the tracks, MARTI BERGER is determined to go to law school and get out of Memphis. But when she loses her scholarship because of budget cutbacks -- and her own mother's chronic irresponsibility -- Marti's hopes seem dashed. Desperate for a new scholarship, Marti tries out for the Hellcats, the college's competitive cheerleading team, and is accepted into the ranks of the colorful squad. Initially leery about becoming a cheerleader, Marti finds the sport unexpectedly exhilarating. And equally exhilarating is LUIS, a "cheer jock" on the team, with whom she shares an intense chemistry..

[MARTI BERGER] Early 20s, slender, fit, she's a "townie" from Memphis, Tennessee, from the wrong side of the tracks, who is determined to become a lawyer and escape her home town of Memphis. A "wicked smart" and acerbic young woman with the perspective of a lifelong outsider, Marti is currently attending college on a full scholarship. Accustomed to acting the parent to her irresponsible mother, Wanda, Marti is distraught to learn that, thanks to Wanda's goof-up, she has just lost her scholarship. Desperate to find the money to continue her education, Marti tries out for the Hellcats, an competitive cheerleading team -- and to her amazement, gets accepted. Marti's background as a gymnast, not to mention her amazing skills as a dancer, make her well-suited to the challenge. What's she's not as prepared for are the personality clashes among the cheerleaders. Deeply attracted to Luis, her "base" on the team, Marti has incurred the undying enmity of Alice, a bitchy rival who is determined to sabotage Marti and get her drummed off the squad...SERIES REGULAR (3)

[LUIS FAMOSA] Early 20s, this easy-going, laid-back Latino youth has a "ripped" body and a love for action. A cheerleading "base," Luis tried out for the team on a dare from his frat brothers. Luis was instantly hooked on the physical challenge of cheerleading, and the rest is history. Luis bitterly regrets his brief hook-up with Alice, a fellow cheerleader, who adamantly refuses to accept that he's just not that into her. That's not the case with Marti, the new girl on the team, with whom Luis immediately experiences a sizzling chemistry. When Luis selects Marti to be his permanent "flyer," a position Alice held, his decision puts Alice into a dangerous snit that could bode very ill for Marti...SERIES REGULAR (1) PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES.

[VANESSA HODGE] Early to mid 30s, this striking, elegant African American woman was a Hellcat herself back in the day. Now, she's the team's coach, but unless she scores a championship this season, she may not be for long. A tough but loving task-mistress, Vanessa is wowed by Marti's raw talent, and appreciates the funky new energy that this townie brings to her team. She finds herself acting as a surrogate mother when the embarrassing behavior of Marti's real mother threatens to wreck her performance at the qualifying event sptv050769...SERIES REGULAR (2)

[ALICE VANDEMARK] Early 20s.. she's a "willowy beauty with jaded New York cool." A dangerously narcissistic and "bitchy" young woman, Alice is sidelined by a wrist injury, and she's furious when Marti replaces her on the squad -- and in Luis's affections. But Alice is determined get Marti drummed off the team -- and she's not above lying, cheating and sabotaging to accomplish that aim...SERIES REGULAR (1) PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES.

[sIERRA SLOAN] Early 20s, she's the captain of the Hellcats, a blonde, petite and peppy Texan with a lot of fierce intensity. After an initial clash with Marti, Sierra realizes that Marti just might be the godsend the Hellcats need to win the championship. Marti's new roommate, she's a bit of a control freak who is perky to the point of hyperactivity. But she's a well-meaning girl who has her eyes on the prize -- not only on the upcoming championship competition, but on the charming rebel Dan, Marti's townie pal...SERIES REGULAR (1)

[DAN PATCH] Mid 20s, from Tennessee, this big, good-looking, unconventionally sexy townie is a "shambling charmer" who is very successful where women are concerned. Ostensibly Marti's platonic pal, he enjoys a comfortable relationship with her; he is hyper-articulate and very smart, and they have a rat-a-tat chemistry in their banter -- in reality, he has a huge crush on Marti that is unspoken. Somewhat taken aback when she becomes a cheerleader, Dan is further dismayed by her obvious chemistry with Luis, who is on the team. However, his own attraction to the perky Sierra may yet prove a welcome distraction...SERIES REGULAR 10/13(4) PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES.

[WANDA BERGER] 36 to 40, Southern, from Tennessee, Marti's mother, she's a "party girl who never grew up" and who has always relied on Marti to be the true "parent" in their relationship. A hard-drinker whose antics in the past have publicly humiliated her daughter, Wanda works a low-level job at a university pub, and seems unrepentant when her blundering loses Marti her scholarship. Referring to her daughter as "Marti the Martyr," Wanda just doesn't have a clue about just what a terrible mother she actually is. And when she shows up at the qualifying heats, her presence there may prove a dangerous distraction to Marti...SERIES REGULAR (6)

[PATTY "THE WEDGE" WEDGERMAN] Early 20s.. she's a "ballsy, fearless, cheerfully profane" girl, a "base" on the cheerleading squad. Big, beautiful and unabashedly plus-sized, Patty is enormously strong. She has to be in order to hoist up her more petite teammates. Utterly comfortable in her own skin, Patty is the "base" of the team in more ways than one. In fact, she's a rock of support when all around her are melting down...SERIES REGULAR (2) PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES.</span>

Edited April 24, 201015 yr by Sylph

I'm glad the Rockford remake didn't pan out.

What happened to that Wyoming soap by Palladino? Is it still up?

<span style="font-size:10.5pt;">"Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's untitled Wyoming project has reportedly not been building much buzz thus far. The project stars Sean Faris ("The Vampire Diaries," "Reunion") as a horse trainer who must take over his parents' ranch after their death.

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/05/one-tree-hill-life-unexpected-the-cw-may-keep-both.html</span>

<span style="font-size:10.5pt;">The Wyoming Project, the upcoming pilot from Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino (creators of Gilmore Girls), is starting to get some promotion. The CW has recently released a couple of images for the project, which is currently only called The Wyoming Project as a development title – it’s also sometimes known by The Damn Thorpes.

The new series focuses on a horse trainer who must take over his parents’ ranch after their death and raise his 3 sisters.

http://www.gilmorenews.com/2010/05/07/first-photo-of-amy-serhman-palladinos-new-series/</span>

it doesnt stand a chance, IMHO.

Not with hellcats, hms, nomads, that other scifi show.

I'm glad the Rockford remake didn't pan out.

They may still do it: http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/08/19/josh-holloway-rockford-files/#more-10662

Wake me when vampires are over.

RE: "Rockford Files" reboot ~

Source: “[it] looked like it was shot in the ’70s."

IOW, not enough close-ups of DNA samples or internal body parts. (That tends to happen w/ a character-driven series, though.)

Seriously, Josh Holloway (as a possible Rockford)? Josh Lucas, maybe; but Josh Holloway???

God forbid they put on a show that has a different look and feel from the rest of the [!@#$%^&*] on the air.

If they want CSI with The Rockford Files name on it, then they should stop being little bishes and own that.