Tell-Tale TV’s 2019 Pilot Season Round-Up

Tell-Tale TV’s 2019 Pilot Season Round-Up, organized by network (continued):

ABC • CBS • FOX • NBC • The CW

NBC

Bluff City Law (Status: Ordered To Series) 

Logline: A character-driven legal drama that follows the lawyers of an elite Memphis law firm that specializes in the most controversial landmark civil rights cases. Led by legendary lawyer Elijah Strait (Jimmy Smits) and his brilliant daughter, Sydney Keller (Caitlin McGee), they take on the toughest David-and-Goliath cases while navigating their complicated relationship.

Here’s who’s involved: Jimmy Smits, Caitlin McGee, Barry Sloane, Michael Luwoye, Maame Yaa Boafo, Jayne Atkinson Crew: W/EP Dean Georgaris (The Brave); EP David Janollari, Michael Aguliar

Keep an eye on this one: If you love politics and law dramas, you’re Big City Law‘s ideal viewer. 

Council of Dads (Status: Ordered To Series) 

Logline: Based on Bruce Feiler’s memoir of the same name, the drama revolves around a father whose life is thrown into upheaval when he is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Facing his morality, he and his wife assemble a group of friends to support his family and guide them through life’s challenges.

Here’s who’s involved: Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead), Michele Weaver (Love Is), J. August Richards (Agents of SHIELD), Clive Standen (Taken), Michael O’Neill, Steven Silver, Emjay Anthony, Thalia Tran Crew: W/EP Tony Phelan and Joan Rater (Grey’s Anatomy, Doubt); EP Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, KristieAnne Reed; P James Oh, Bruce Feiler

Keep an eye on this one: If you love actually needing to keep a box of tissues next to you while watching TV, you’ll enjoy this show if it survives. 

Emergence (Status: Ordered To Series)

 

Logline: A character-driven genre thriller that centers around a sheriff (Allison Tolman, Fargo) who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.

Here’s who’s involved: Allison Tolman (Fargo), Alexa Skye Swinton (Billions), Clancy Brown, Robert Bailey Jr., Ashley Aufderheide, Owain Yeoman,Donald Faison Zabryna Guevara (New Amsterdam) Crew: W/EP Michele Fazekas, Tara Butters (Agent Carter); EP/D Paul McGuigan; P Robert Atwood

Keep an eye on this one: It seems like fans of murder mysteries will love Emergence.

Law & Order: Hate Crimes — STRAIGHT-TO-SERIES ORDER/DELAYED  

Logline: Based on the real-life Hate Crimes Task Force within the New York Police Department. The unit works under the Special Victims Unit (the basis for SVU) within the department and often borrows SVU detectives for help with investigations.

Here’s who’s involved: EP Dick Wolf, Warren Leight; EP Peter Jankowski, Arthur Forney, Michael Chernuchin, Julie Martin, Mariska Hargitay, Alex Chapple

Keep an eye on this one: I don’t know much about this one besides that it’s been delayed; no cast has even been announced. But still, it has a built-in audience with fans of SVU. 

Lincoln (Status: Ordered To Series)

 

Logline: Based on the bestselling Bone Collector book series, the drama follows legendary forensic criminologist Lincoln Rhyme (played in the movie by Denzel Washington), who was seriously injured during his hunt for the diabolic serial killer known as the Bone Collector. Called back into action when the killer re-emerges, Lincoln forms a unique partnership with Amelia Sachs (Angelina Jolie in the film), a young beat cop who helps him hunt the deadly mastermind while also taking on the most high-profile cases in the NYPD.

Here’s who’s involved: Russell Hornsby (second position to Fox’s Proven Innocent), Arielle Kebbel (Midnight, Texas), Michael Imperioli, Ramses Jimenez, Brooke Lyons, Roslyn Duff, Tate Ellington Crew: W/EP VJ Boyd (Justified), Mark Bianculli; EP Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman, Peter Traugott, Rachel Kaplan; D/EP Seth Gordon

Keep an eye on this one: This story is already a film and a book series, so there is already a built-in fan base that is very lucky that the story might appear on the big and small screens. 

April 12 Update: Cast updated. 

Prism (Status: Dropped)

 

Logline: A provocative exploration of a murder trial in which every episode is told through the perspective of a different key person involved. Each new version of the facts ratchets up the mystery and the suspense, calling into question everything we have seen so far and asking is the right person on trial? Driven by an ensemble of complicated characters, the show lets the audience ask if truth matters less than who can tell the most compelling story.

Here’s who’s involved: Malin Akerman (Billions, 27 Dresses), Mykelti Williamson, Ramon Rodriguez, Chloe Wepper, David Alpay, Brooke Smith, Sara Rue Joe Tippett (Rise),  Alex Neustaedter (Colony) Crew: W/EP/D Daniel Barnz (Cake); EP Carol Mendelsohn (CSI), Julie Weitz, Ben Barnz

Keep an eye on this one: If you like murder stories or shows that play with point-of-view to create a unique narrative, this show may be for you.

April 12 Update: Cast updated.  

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (Status: Ordered To Series)

 

Logline: An innovative musical dramedy about a whip-smart but socially awkward girl (Jane Levy, Castle Rock) in her late 20s who is suddenly able to hear the innermost thoughts of people around her as songs and even big musical numbers that they perform just for her. With this new ability at her disposal, she is able to use her “gift” to not only help herself understand people in her life, but also to help others around her.

Here’s who’s involved: Carmen Cusack, Jane Levy (Suburgatory, Castle Rock) Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) Alex Newell, Mary Steenburgen (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Peter Gallagher (The O.C.), John Clarence Crew: W/EP Austin Winsberg (Gossip Girl); EP/D Paul Feig, Jesse Henderson, Kim Tannenbaum, Eric Tannenbaum, Jason Wang; EP/D Richard Shepard (Girls)

Keep an eye on this one: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend fans, we’re in luck! Nothing can replace it, but Zoey‘s Extrordinary Playlist is in the works, and it may just be the next best thing. Replacement Greg, Skyler Astin is even set to star!

Friends-in-Law (Dropped)

Logline: Brian and Jake are polar opposites who must quickly figure out how to coexist when their respective best friends decided to get married.

Here’s who’s involved: W/EP Brian Gallivan (Splitting Up Together) Michael Urie (Ugly Betty) Vella Lovell (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Zach Creeger, Gil Ozeri; EP Tom Werner (The Conners); EP/D Pamela Fryman

Keep an eye on this one: There really isn’t much information on this one other than the fact that it’s been re-ordered. But if it makes it to air this time, it could be funny. 

Apr. 5 Update: Cast announcements added. 

The Kenan Show (Status: Ordered To Series)

Logline: A newly widowed dad (Kenan Thompson) is determined to be everything for his kids while begrudgingly letting his persistent father-in-law become more involved in their lives.

Here’s who’s involved: Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live), Andy Garcia Punam Patel Crew: W/EP Jackie Clarke (Superstore); EP Kenan Thompson, Lorne Michaels, Andrew Singer; EP/D Chris Rock

Keep an eye on this one: If this means Thompson is leaving SNL — that’s really sad. But everyone should know he’s funny by now, so if this makes it to air, it will be worth the watch. 

Apr. 5 Update: Punam Patel is set to costar, according to Deadline. 

Like Magic (Status: Dropped)

 

Logline: A workplace comedy following an optimistic young woman (Jee Young Han, Station 19) who pursues her dream of becoming a headlining magician in the eccentric and ego-driven world of the Magic Palace.

Here’s who’s involved: Jee Young Han (Station 19), Rory O’Malley (Hamilton), Freddie Stroma, Hayley Magnus, French Stewart, Mike Lane Crew: W/EP Bridget Kyle, Vicky Luu (Superstore); EP/D Julie Anne Robinson, EP Matt Hubbard, Kelly Pancho

Keep an eye on this one: If an eccentric work comedy seems like a fun watch, look out for this one. 

April 5 Update: Criss Angel will guest star, according to a Variety exclusive. 

Perfect Harmony (Status: Ordered To Series) 

Logline: A rural church choir gets the director it never thought it needed when a salty, Ivy League music professor (Bradley Whitford) stumbles through their door.

Here’s who’s involved: Bradley Whitford, Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect), Will Greenberg, Geno Segers, Rizwan Manji, Tymberlee Hill Crew: W/EP Lesley Wake Webster (Speechless); EP/D Jason Winer; EP Bradley Whitford, Adam Anders, Jon Radler

Keep an eye on this one: If you like musical comedies, NBC has another title for you in Perfect Harmony. 

Sunnyside (Status: Ordered To Series) 

Logline: Revolves around Garrett Shah (Kal Penn), a former New York city councilman, who finds his calling when faced with immigrants in need of his help and in search of the American Dream.

Here’s who’s involved: Kal Penn, Kiran Deol, Moses Storm, Diana Maria Riva, Samba Schutte, Poppy Liu, Joel Kim Booster, Tudor Petrut Crew: W/EP Kal Penn, Matt Murray (Parks and Recreation); EP Mike Schur, David Miner, Dan Spilo

Keep an eye on this one: If you like your politics with a side of a laugh, this one could be for you. 

Indebted (Status: Ordered To Series)

 

Logline: Young parents Dave (Adam Pally) and Rebecca (Abby Elliott) end up having to take care of Dave’s parents, who have mismanaged their finances and need help paying down a sizable debt.

Here’s who’s involved: Adam Pally (The Mindy Project), Abby Elliott (Saturday Night Live), Fran Drescher, Steven Weber, Jessy Hodges, Amer Chadha-Patel Crew: W/EP Dan Levy (The Goldbergs), EP Doug Robinson, Alison Greenspan; Co-EP Adam Pally

Keep an eye on this one: This seems like a pretty straightforward comedy, perhaps especially gratifying to watch if you have annoying in-laws. 

Village Gazette (presentation)(Status: Dropped)

 

Logline: Amber (Amber Ruffin) is the editor of the Benson Village Gazette. She loves fluff pieces that demonstrate the idyllic nature of life in her hometown. When the newspaper owners hire a reporter who’s looking to uncover a juicy story in Benson, he threatens to unravel the happy denial Amber has been living in.

Here’s who’s involved: Amber Ruffin (Late Night with Seth Meyers), Tommy Dewey Team: W/EP Amber Ruffin, Shelly Gossman (AP Bio); EP Seth Meyers, Mike Shoemaker, Lorne Michaels, Andrew Singer

Keep an eye on this one: This seems like a funny show overall, especially for anyone interested in journalism. 

Next Up: The CW