‘Night School’ Pilot Not Moving Forward at NBC (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterUTA has signed Estevan Oriol for representation in all areas, Variety has learned exclusively.He will continue to be managed by Marco Valadez at The ID Agency and represented by attorney Eric Sherman at Ziffren Brittenham LLP.Most recently, Oriol executive produced the Universal Pictures feature “Lowriders” and produced and directed the Netflix documentary “L.A.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIn a competitive situation, Amazon has acquired the rights to the Bill Konigsberg’s novel “The Bridge” with David Mandell set to adapt the book for television, Variety has learned exclusively.The limited series will be produced by Amazon Studios in association with PKM Productions. Mandell will write and executive produce, with Konigsberg also executive producing along with Patrick Moran of PKM.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Superstore” may be coming to an end, but the world of the show could live on in the form of a spinoff.Variety has confirmed that NBC is developing a spinoff entitled “Bo & Cheyenne,” which would see Johnny Pemberton and Nichole Sakura reprise their roles from the mothership series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNBC is developing the drama series “Heirs” from Carlos Portugal.The series is set in Miami Beach’s exclusive Star Island. It follows the heirs of a Latin American ex-dictator as they face an unexpected dilemma when a young girl is kidnapped from their home on the night of their own daughter’s lavish quinceañera.Portugal will write and executive produce the project, with John Davis, Jordan Davis, and John Fox executive producing via Davis Entertainment.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe planned “Lizzie McGuire” revival is officially dead at Disney Plus.Series star Hilary Duff made the announcement on Instagram on Wednesday, saying “I’ve been so honored to have the character of Lizzie in my life.”“I know the efforts and conversations have been everywhere tyring to make a reboot work but, sadly & despite everyone’s best efforts, it isn’t going to happen,” she continued.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA sequel series to “Night Court” is in development at NBC, Variety has confirmed.The followup to the classic sitcom will see original series star John Larroquette return as Dan Fielding.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSebastian Stan and Lily James are in talks to star in a Hulu limited series about Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson.The project will delve into the tumultuous relationship between the rock star and the model/actress, including the infamous incident in which their honeymoon sex tape was stolen and leaked to the public.Rob Siegel will serve as writer on the eight-episode series, with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg producing via Point Grey.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterParamount Plus is in early development on a dark comedy that hails from Katie Wech, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.The project is titled “RIP.” Wech will write and executive produce, with Gina Rodriguez and Jennie Snyder Urman also executive producing. The trio previously collaborated on the hit CW series “Jane the Virgin.” The project originated with Rodriguez and Tiana Feghali.

Fox has announced that they are not moving forward with the planned Empire spinoff focused on Taraji P. Henson‘s character, Cookie.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe potential “Empire” spinoff centered on Cookie Lyon starring Taraji P. Henson is not moving ahead at Fox, Variety has learned.The spinoff was first announced as being in development back in July, part of a first-look deal Henson had signed with studio 20th Television.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRachel Polan has joined Jessica Rhoades’ Pacesetter Productions as senior vice president.In her new role, Polan will help identify and foster development for the company and add support to the current productions. In addition, Dana Echt has been named manager at Pacesetter.

As many pilot cast options are coming to an end this month, the broadcast networks are making decisions on the projects that have been shot this fall.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChris Messina is set for a lead role in the upcoming HBO Max pilot “Verbatim,” Variety has learned.The project is based on Brett Weiner’s New York Times Op Docs Series that screened at Sundance in 2014 and 2016.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCraig Macneill has signed on to direct and executive produce the pilot for the upcoming “I Know What You Did Last Summer” series at Amazon, Variety has learned exclusively.Macneill made his feature directorial debut in 2015 with “The Boy,” which was loosely based on the novel “Miss Corpus” by Clay McLeod Chapman and premiered at the SXSW Film Festival that same year. Macneill also served as co-writer on the film in addition to directing.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has given a series order to “Extrapolations,” an anthology series about climate change from Scott Z. Burns, Variety has learned exclusively.Burns will write, direct, and executive produce the series, which hails from Media Res.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFreefrom has ordered a pilot for the comedy “Single Drunk Female,” Variety has learned.In the series, after a spectacularly embarrassing public breakdown, irreverent alcoholic Samantha Fink (Sofia Black-D’Elia) is forced to move back home with her “Smother” (Ally Sheedy) to sober up and avoid jail time.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterEitan Bernath has signed on to be the principal culinary contributor on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Variety has learned exclusively.The role will see Bernath make recurring appearances on the daytime talk show, during which he will showcase original recipes and his expertise and perspective on food-related topics.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor “Saturday Night Live” player Chloe Fineman spent most of the pandemic in Los Angeles, but returned to New York City when NBC late-night sketch show came back on air in October.In addition to getting rave reviews and crazy social media love for her impressions of Reese Witherspoon, Drew Barrymore and Nicole Kidman (did you see her as Kidman in ‘The Undoing’ in the cold open this past Saturday?!), she has teamed up with the Prisoner Wine

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe HBO Max comedy pilot “Minx” is rounding out its cast.Idara Victor, Oscar Montoya, Jessica Lowe, Lennon Parham, and Michael Angarano have all been cast in series regular roles, with Jake Johnson attached to guest star.