Thursday, July 2, 2009

July 2, 2009

Expect mass TV coverage of Tuesday's Michael Jackson memorial
CBS is the first to announce "comprehensive coverage." Other networks are expected to follow.


Rumer Willis signs on as a "90210" lesbian

The daughter of Bruce and Demi is making yet another TV guest appearance, working at the West Beverly student newspaper.


Aubrey O'Day eyes VH1 reality show

Cameras are expected to follow the former Danity Kane member as she joins the "Peepshow" cast in Las Vegas.


Neil Patrick Harris' Emmy deal is done

He'll host the 61st annual ceremony on CBS on Sept. 20.


Washington "Real World"-ers arrive to chants of "GO HOME!"

Check out the new cast with cameras in tow.


"The Simpsons" to repeat Michael Jackson's 1991 episode on Sunday

"Stark Raving Dad" was the cartoon's 3rd season premiere.


Simon Cowell: Susan Boyle sounds "fantastic" on her 1st recording

Says Simon: "I've cut one track with her and she sounds fantastic on record."


Gary Coleman's wife arrested on suspicion of domestic violence

Shannon Price, 23, allegedly locked Coleman out of the house during an argument while yelling obscenities at him.


David Hasselhoff hangs with pigs for his UK reality show

But the "Baywatch" alum angered local lifeguards when he canceled a shoot at the last minute.


Katie Holmes will appear on "SYTYCD" July 23 for the show's 100th episode
Her appearance will celebrate Judy Garland and the new Dizzy Feet Foundation, which Holmes, Nigel Lythgoe and "Dancing with the Stars" judge CArrie Ann Inaba founded to give dance scholarships to underprivileged kids. (Watch the video)


Billy Mays' infomercials will continue to air

After a one-week hiatus to mourn his passing, Mays' infomercials will return to TV next week after the company behind them consulted with his family and longtime partner Anthony Sullivan. "Will the consumer keep buying the products? No one really knows, because this is brand-new territory for everyone," says Bill McAlister, who runs Media Enterprises, which puts out Media Putty. "I believe Billy is so big and so loved, his brand will go on. But none of us realized, until we got on the telephone, how much he affected our industry. … Ninety percent of my (sales) volume relates to Billy's pitches."

Discovery will pay tribute July 9 // New Playboy has an eerie Billy Mays profile
Top 5 creepy moments from last night's "Pitchmen" finale


TNT ad campaign brings Los Angeles to New York City

"Now entering Underground L.A.," reads a giant poster in Grand Central station promoting the crime drama "Dark Blue." Meanwhile, the shuttle bus outside Grand Central has been wrapped in the L.A. skyline.


Jay Leno wins the rights to TheJayLenoShow.com

The U.N.'s World Intellectual Property Organization ruled that the Texan who purchased the domain name must transfer it to "The Jay Leno Show" host.


Sanjaya's "Crying Girl" auditions, gets rejected by "Idol"

Ashley Ferl, who gained international fame two years ago when she broke out in tears over Sanjaya's "You Really Got Me," turned 16 this year, making her old enough to audition and get the "Idol" boot.


Who should play Al Franken on "SNL"?

The future Minnesota senator isn't sure — either Fred Armisen or Alec Baldwin.


Michael Emerson predicts "Lost" will go out with an unhappy ending

"I would put money on major characters being killed," he tells EW. "I believe it will be a sad ending to the show — or at least bittersweet." (scroll to last question)


Why Neil Patrick Harris is a mind-blowing choice for Emmy host

The "How I Met Your Mother" star is perfect for the job, which is why it's shocking that the TV Academy has apparently agreed to have him host.


Kristen Bell doubts a "Veronica Mars" movie will ever be made

She says there is no enthusiasm at Warner Bros. to turn the TV show into a feature film.


U.S. Customs seizes Homer Simpson-shaped ecstasy

A woman who tried to cross the border from Canada had thousands of tablets of ecstasy shaped like Homer's head.


Ex-husband fears for "Real Housewives" star Danielle Staub's life

"She helped put a couple of big-time Colombian coke dealers in jail," says ex-husband Kevin Maher. "These are dangerous men who never forget…and they could be back out on the street now. It's mind-boggling to me that she’d put herself at risk!"


"The Bachelor" Jason Mesnick plans to marry Molly — someday

Melissa Rycroft's bosses invited Jason and Molly this morning on "GMA," where the couple said their relationship was going great.


"Nightline" was No. 1 in late-night last week

The ABC News show beat Conan and Letterman thanks to Obama and Michael Jackson.


Karl Malden's face: An appreciation

The actor, who died at age 97, had a face full of character, says A.O. Scott. He explains: "The jutting chin and oft-broken nose curve toward each other as though affixed to a Punch-and-Judy puppet, but Karl Malden's face was not made for comedy. Like his voice, pitched between a honk and a growl, it was an instrument full of gravity and dignity, capable of showing strong measures of menace, passion and hurt."

ODDS & ENDS

July 2, 2009

Check out the 4th of July weekend TV marathons

"Wire's" Dominic West reads Jane Austen for new coffee ads (watch it)

Will "Nurse Jackie" inspire more half-hour dramas?

Did Fox leak "The Cleveland Show" on BitTorrent?

"Bachelorette's" Jake is sure Wes lied: "God can strike me down … right now"

"Vampire Diaries" producer says: "The vampire is the new James Dean"

Sci Fi Channel chief: SyFy name-change won't matter in a few years

Leighton Meester is NOT engaged

Check out Jon Gosselin's Match.com "profile" // Kate's clothing line is on hold

NYC has run out of money for its TV tax credits

"Got Talent's" Chicken farmer had never performed in public before

Dear TNT: Get rid of those annoying promos at the bottom of the screen!

Can a dancing dog win "America's Got Talent"?

John Stossel isn't happy that he was bumped for Michael Jackson

Is "Lost" on Blu-ray worth repurchasing?

We're going to see a lot more Sloan on "Entourage" this season

How is Ellen Pompeo keeping physically fit during her pregnancy?

After falling out with Whitney, Erin Lucas leaves "The City"

Simon Cowell's ex Terri Seymour urges him to quit one of his shows

BBC cancels "Robin Hood"

Not everybody is happy to see CBS' walled-off "Neighborhood"

NFL commish climbing a volcano with Super Bowl halftime shows on his iPod

Enough with NBC's Wimbledon tape delays!

"Ruby" returns — and it's not all about shedding the pounds

Catching up with "Survivor" Ethan's cancer treatment

From "Oz" to "Ninotchka": TCM tonight celebrates the films of 1939

"Survivor" Mark Burnett's Walk of Fame star is in front of Supply Sergeant store

"Gavin and Stacey" star reclaims his identity on Twitter (2nd to last item)

John Barrowman is hopeful for a "Torchwood" Season 4 with full episodes