Media Murder

 

Plum Pictures is developing an adaptation of Harlan Coben's 2005 thriller The Innocent.

The Jim Henson Company's Henson Alternative label for "adult" content is developing Happytime Murders, a puppet comedy in the film noir detective genre. The plot takes place in a world where human and puppet characters co-exist and includes a disgraced puppet LAPD detective turned private eye with a drinking problem. (Hmm...a comedic noir puppet/human drama? Could be interesting.)

NBC has given a series commitment to a new legal drama from David E. Kelley (LA Law, Boston Legal, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public). With Boston Legal ending this season, Kelley certainly isn't letting any grass grow under his feet.

CBS is going to include free complete episodes of classic TV shows on You Tube, but also includes the season premiere of Dexter, for those who don't get Showtime.

A new ABC "crime dramedy" titled Castle will debut sometime later this season, featuring a crime writer named Castle who is bored with his work until a real-life murderer starts ripping off his plots for crimes. Castle is pulled into service by the NYPD and teamed with a detective named Kate Beckett.

Speaking of crime dramas, the genre still dominates the TV ratings, with 9 shows in the Top 20 this past week (which included a presidential debate, throwing off the ratings somewhat). Two freshmen shows, Life on Mars and The Eleventh Hour made it onto the list. Other crime dramas like the Mentalist and Numb3rs are also doing well.

And a new Elizabethan murder mystery about playwright Christopher Marlowe, written by British playwright Peter Whelan and titled The School of Night, will begin its run October 30th and last until December 17th at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.