Katherine Heigl should stick with TV, where women have better roles
Being a big-screen star is still a bigger deal these days, but "while Heigl and other stars are stuck in narrow, nasty movie roles, women get to do just about anything on TV," says Mary McNamara. "There are more and better roles for women on one season of 'Brothers and Sisters' and 'Big Love' or 'Damages' and 'Desperate Housewives' than there will be in an entire year of Hollywood films," she says. "Roles that require depth and wisdom and boundless energy, that demand of their performers the dramatic flexibility and exploration of character. Roles that don't seem to punish them simply for being women."
Marcia Cross' "Desperate" son won't be back
Shawn Pyfrom, 22, won't return this fall as troubled Andrew Van De Kamp. He may, however, reprise his role in guest appearances.
Mischa Barton will return to "The Beautiful Life" on time
She's expected to return to work at the same time as the rest of the case.
Kate Gosselin moving to Maryland
The "Jon & Kate" star is buying a condo in the wealthy Rockville area.
George Lopez's "Lopez Tonight" launches on TBS in November
It'll be an unusual talk show, airing Mondays through Thursdays. Some nights Lopez will kick off the show with a musical guest, a monologue or an interview.
"Heroes" promotes Robert Knepper
The "Prison Break" alum will become a series regular on the NBC drama.
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Fox tweaks schedule: "Glee" & "SYTYCD" will return earlier, "Dollhouse" delayed a week
The fall debuts of "Glee" and "So You Think You Can Dance" will happen one week earlier than planned, while "Brothers" and "Dollhouse" will premiere one week later.
John Kerry joins "Shark Week"
The former presidential candidate is partnering with the Discovery Channel to stop the illegal practice of "shark finning."
Study predicts "The Jay Leno Show" will become a "powerhouse"
Analysis by NewMediaMetrics also claims that "NCIS: Los Angeles" will boast big ratings.
Lauren Conrad's book might become a movie
Will the former "Hills" star end up playing "herself"?
Jimmy Fallon pitches "Lost" guys and Joss Whedon on his new superhero character
The "Late Night" host attended Comic-Con as "The Recharger."
Tobey Maguire's mom gets her own reality show
"Growing Up Maguire" will follow Wendy Maguire and her son, 15-year-old Weston, as they try to navigate the entertainment industry.
"The Bachelorette" felt as real as "The Hills" this season
Last night's two-hour finale felt scripted, especially in wake of last season's "Bachelor," says Ramin Setoodeh. "Consider: the eventual groom whom Jillian selected, Ed, was the same guy who packed up and left in the middle of the season because he didn't love her as much as he loved his job as a technology consultant," says Setoodeh. "And he's also the same guy who had trouble seducing Jillian during their night together in the fantasy suite (ie, un-hubba, un-hubba). At best, Jillian is more forgiving than Hillary Clinton when it comes to men. At worst, the producers of the show rigged these scenes to toy with our emotions."
Microsoft employee Ed wins! // All about Jillian's $60,000 ring
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Conan gets William Shatner to perform Sarah Palin's speech
As if it were beatnik poetry.
"CSI" drops Lauren Lee Smith
Her character, Riley Adams, "never quite found its footing in terms of the rest of the gang," says exec producer Naren Shankar.
"Ugly Betty's" Ashley Jensen is pregnant in real life
Her character just went through a pregnancy this past season.
"Saved by the Bell" inspires a stage show
An Austin improv group will recreate the famous "Jessie's Song" episode in "Staged by the Bell."
tru TV viewers are violent idiots
That's according to the cable channel's new ad campaign.
MTV's "Paris, Not France" delves into the life of Paris Hilton, the character
The documentary is made up of the heiress' own home videos, as she traveled the world in 2006.
"Ugly Betty's" dad sued by ex-manager
Tony Plana's former manager, Tracy Quinn, claims she's owed a piece of his "Betty" paycheck.
"More to Love's" heavy-set bachelor was hesistant at first
Luke Conley, the 26-year-old star of "The Bachelor" creator's hefty Fox dating show, admits he was worried about how he'd be portrayed. "I was concerned off the bat that the main premise was to poke fun,” says the former college football offensive lineman. "But as I got to know the producers, and had them explain to me that this is a legitimate show, I (believed) that the desire of the show is for two people to make a sincere connection. It just happens that it’s not size-2 models. As I got to know them I felt better about it…I definitely wanted to find someone special. I came with my heart open."
Conley: "To be voluptuous is scrumptious" // Many of the big girls wanted to be skinny
Lots of desperation, little fun // Conley spouts reality TV clichés at an alarming rate
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"Lost" spent 4 months prepping a 1-hour Comic-Con appearance
Planning for that one-hour panel started way back in April, as the New York Times reports: "That hourlong show, complete with scripted comedy routines and 13 glossy original videos, took a dozen people four months to produce. The budget for song rights, props and actor travel alone was $25,000." Damon Lindelof says of all the hard work: "We really want the fans to leave feeling satisfied."
Which Season 1 cast member is returning? // Chatting with Nestor Carbonell
Michael Emerson auditions for Hurley // Sawyer & Ben spoil the final episode
Shonda Rhimes reveals what "Grey's Anatomy" would've done to George
"I thought it would have been a beautiful episode," she says of the storyline we'll never get to see.
Will NBC suck less without Ben Silverman?
E! runs down his two-year Peacock resume: "A prime-time stinkfest filled with Knight Rider, Bionic Woman and the last couple Heroes seasons. Ever-declining ratings. A fourth-place network…" PLUS: Ryan Seacrest defends pal Silverman on Twitter.
Arrest made in "Idol" hit and run
Daniel Bark, 23, allegedly killed Alexis Cohen, the profane "Idol" auditioner who was showcased in January 2008.
"MythBusters" takes over Popular Mechanics
Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage guest-edited the September issue.
GLAAD: HBO is No. 1 at showing gay characters
About 42% of HBO's programming hours show gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. PLUS: MTV ranks among lowest in GLAAD report.
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Carly Simon: "You're So Vain" was written about Simon Cowell
Cowell celebrated his 50th birthday three months early Saturday, and as a present Piers Morgan got Carly Simon on the phone to roast the "Idol" judge.
"The Bachelorette" became postmodern and shattered its narrative mythology this year
Traditions were violated numerous times, says Jon Caramanica, with the show "operating on multiple timelines at once, with a completely disrupted mono-story." PLUS: Jillian calls the ending "brilliant and positive."
Jennifer Love Hewitt talks directing "Ghost Whisperer" and the time jump
“We really felt it would allow us to tell better stories," she says of the season premiere, which will show the delivery of her baby and then jump five years into the future.
Guinness names "Doctor Who" the most successful sci-fi series
The Guinness Book of World Records used everything from DVD sales to illegal downloads to determine that the "Doctor" was deserving of such an honor. "It is too good a show to have just one record," said Guinness editor in chief Craig Glenday.
Highlights of "Doctor Who" at Comic-Con // Russell T. Davies on leaving
"The Simpsons" pay tribute to "Psycho," "Dawn of the Dead"
Matt Groening and Al Jean also revealed at Comic-Con that this year's "Treehouse of Horror" episode will air before Halloween and that Comic Book Guy will invent his own superhero, called Everyman.
Guest voices include Sarah Silverman, Chris Martin, Jonah Hill, Eartha Kitt, Seth Rogen
Guinness honors "The Simpsons" as the world's longest-running sitcom
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Ben Silverman leaves NBC
The much-maligned NBC entertainment boss, whose "Office" and "Biggest Loser" credentials got him hired by NBC two years ago with disastrous results, is leaving the Peacock to launch a new digital media venture with Barry Diller. Silverman will stay at NBC through September, as the network launches its new slate of shows. "I am invested in what happens in the fall, and they are invested in my helping with the transition," he says. His role will be taken over by Jeff Gaspin, head of NBCU's cable operations. PLUS: Silverman reportedly wants to make Ryan Seacrest a mini-Merv Griffin.
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HBO to sell a "True Blood" drink; what about the love triangle?
It was announced at Comic-Con that HBO will begin selling a True Blood drink starting Sept. 10. Alan Ball says it'll actually be "a very tasty blood orange soda" that has "all natural ingredients," using the same bottle from the show. As for a Sookie-Bill-Eric love triangle, Ball would only say "yes," before Stephen Moyer and Alexander Skarsgard chimed in.
"Eric was misunderstood," says Skarsgard // Paquin & Moyer talk, together
Watch the "True Blood" Comic-Con panel // Watch the "True" Comic-Con trailer
"Heroes" tries to get redemption at Comic-Con
But for those who hate the time travel, Masi Oka has some bad news: "We see time traveling a lot more (this season). His redemption is going back in time and fixing things he's done wrong. He has kind of a bucket list. He wants to make amends."
Watch "Heroes" panel Part 1 and Part 2 // Who would win, Spock or Sylar?
"Glee" will tackle Barbra Streisand and the Rolling Stones in the same episode
The cast spoke at Comic-Con before embarking on a 12-day, 10-city summer tour of the country.
Profane "Idol" auditioner killed in hit and run
Alexis Cohen, who gained brief fame in January 2008 as the hippie chick who cursed out Simon, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver early Saturday morning in New Jersey. She was 25. (Watch her audition video)
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"Lost's" final year will resemble Season 1, Juliet & Faraday will return
Team Darlton said at their last Comic-Con that the last season will de-emphasize the Dharma Initiative mythology, while providing more Richard Alpert backstory. They also promised a season that will represent the first season in tone and adventure, with a different approach to flashbacks.
Watch Hurley's new Chicken Shack ad
Final scene is going in a vault, and it will be opened on "Jimmy Kimmel Live"
Josh Holloway "tasered" producers for secrets // Sawyer will be saltier
Watch "Lost" Comic-Con panel Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 and Part 4
Presenting DamonCarltonAndAPolarBear.com — watch the video!
"Family Guy's" does an abortion episode that Fox likely won't air
The controversial episode could end up being released on DVD instead. "Twentieth Century Fox, as always, allowed us to produce the episode and then said, 'You know what? We're scared to f–king death of this,'" said Seth MacFarlane.
"Family Guy" teases new "Star Wars" spoof // How well does the cast get along?
Versus to stick with Tour de France 5 more years
With Lance Armstrong returning next year, Versus can expect more big ratings.
"Caprica" vs. "Battlestar"
Jane Espenson explains the difference between the two series.
Matt Groening: "We love our 'Futurama' actors"
Groening said at Comic-Con that he's hopeful the original voice cast will return: "I send loving thoughts to all living beings, including the 'Futurama' cast and Fox executives."
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Both "American Idol" judging deals could be done as early as this week, according to the L.A. Times. Cowell's salary is expected to be bumped from $36 million a year to $45 million. Meanwhile, Paula has softened her demands for $20 million a year, which would put her above Ryan Seacrest's big $15 million a year deal. Her $4 million salary is expected to go up to $12 million a year.
This morning's panel opened up with a video of Zachary Levi and Josh Schwartz eating — what else? — Subway sandwiches. To which moderator Alan Sepinwall asked: "Have any of you been fitted for a Subway uniform yet? How are you going to work Subway in the show next year?" "TBD," Schwartz responded. "This year we could only afford for Adam Baldwin to grunt." When Schwartz asked Baldwin to grunt for the crowd, he said, "My inner monologue when I grunt is 'Joss Whedon.'"
