Hot Topics:

Showtime narrows the TV pilots field

Robbins' 'Side Effects' is last pilot standing

'American Idol' rules Wednesday

Polish filmmakers call for boycott

Digital pay TV sparks soccer war

ABC Family nabs Disney 2009 films

Buscemi, Tucci seal Lionsgate deal

'New Moon' crosses $200 million(4891 views)

Invictus(2127 views)

The costs of Hollywood spending(1759 views)

Hollywood sea of change(1502 views)

Pearce hops on to 'Hungry Rabbit Jumps'(677 views)

Football player elbows vampires on Turkey day(676 views)

And then there was one. Showtime has winnowed its latest batch of prospective series to one pilot, drama "Possible Side Effects," written and helmed by Tim Robbins, though there's no word yet if the project has gotten a greenlight.

It's understood that the pay cabler passed Thursday on a comedy from Lionsgate TV, "Ronna and Beverly," which has generated strong industry buzz as an offbeat half-hour revolving about two middle-aged Jewish women who tirelessly promote their book, a dating guide for Jewish singles. "Ronna" was co-created by "Weeds" maven Jenji Kohan and its stars, Jessica Chaffin and Jamie Denbo. It's expected that Lionsgate will shop "Ronna" to other outlets.

"Side Effects" stars Josh Lucas and revolves around a dysfunctional family that made its fortune in the pharmaceutical biz.

Earlier this month, Showtime passed on two other completed pilots, dark comedy "The End of Steve," starring Matthew Perry, and a spinoff of "The L Word" (Daily Variety, April 3).