The television world moves so fast that by the time you learn of a show’s premiere, it could already be canceled. It’s hard to keep track of the constant stream of television news, so Flavorwire is here to provide a weekly roundup of the most exciting — and baffling — casting and development updates. This week: HBO finally confirms some True Detective casting news, Real Genius is set to become a sitcom, and two networks pick up science-fiction book adaptations.
The biggest news of the week is obviously True Detective casting. HBO announced that Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn will play two of the leads while Deadline is reporting that Rachel McAdams is in for the female lead. [Deadline]
CBS has renewed Big Brother, the show you’re always surprised to learn is still on, for two more seasons. [THR]
Every time you think television has had the worst idea in the world, something else ridiculous is announced. This week it’s a Real Genius reboot. Adam Sandler’s production company will reboot the show to be a modernized workplace sitcom. [A.V. Club]
Starz announced the date for Outlander‘s midseason premiere. The eight remaining episodes of Season 1 will begin April 4. It’s a long wait but until then, you can just keep rewatching that steamy wedding episode. [Deadline]
Syfy ordered a 13-episode season of Hunters based on the book The Alien Hunter “in which the disappearance of a decorated Philadelphia cop’s wife leads him to a secret government unit assembled to hunt a group of ruthless terrorists – shadowy figures that may or may not be from this world.” The show comes from Walking Dead producer Gale Anne Hurd. [Variety]
In other science-fiction book news, Spike TV is adapting Red Mars with Game of Thrones co-exec producer Vince Geradis. [Variety]
AMC released a quick Walking Dead Season 5 teaser.
As part of its rebranding, Oxygen ordered five new series this week, including a spinoff of Preachers of L.A. and a reality series based on the man who officiated Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s wedding, because we’re only a few years away from literally everyone in the world having their own reality series. [THR]
To celebrate Saturday Night Live‘s 40th season, NBC will air classic SNL episodes on Saturday nights at 10 PM. Kicking off the run this weekend is a 1975 episode with Richard Pryor and musical guest Gil Scott-Heron. [A.V. Club]
CBS is switching up their programming a bit during the fall season. The Big Bang Theory will continue its double episodes for another three weeks, pushing back Mom‘s premiere to Thursday, October 20. The Millers will now premiere Monday October 20. And, for some reason, the two shows will switch back in January. Who even knows what CBS is up to? [TV Line]
The CW is so comfortable in the success of its upcoming dramas The Flash and Jane the Virgin that the network ordered three additional scripts for each show before either premiered. [Deadline]