July 2009

July 21, 2009

Jon Stewart gets chilly with Brian Williams
Last night's "Daily Show" interview quickly went into "not-so-amicable territory."


How "The Daily Show" is translated for France

Not every French person understands Jon Stewart's bleeped-out expletives, Yiddishness and quirky American slang.


Who marries "Desperate" Mike?

Check out two of the "Housewives" in wedding dresses.


"Dancing with the Stars" coming to Broadway

Carrieie Ann Inaba will present a 12-week Latin ballroom dance spectacular called "Burn the Floor," featuring Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff for the first three weeks.


Report: NBC wants to use Michael Jackson rehearsal to launch "The Jay Leno Show"

Negotiations are at an impasse, says Roger Friedman, but the network was offering $10 million to air the special immediately preceding the debut of 10 o'clock Leno.

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July 21, 2009

"Bachelorette" producers turned down Wes for "Men Tells All" after he pulled out
Wes declined to be on last night's special, but "at the eleventh hour he had a change of heart and wanted to be on the show," says Chris Harrison. But he was rejected because, as Harrison says, "My opinion was I've heard enough B.S. to last me a lifetime with this guy. He doesn't matter in the grand scheme of Jillian's life…" PLUS: What you didn't see.


Susan Boyle calls fame "like a demolition ball"

"Anyone who has that kind of impact finds it really hard to get a head around it," she tells Meredith Vieira. PLUS: Harper's Bazaar putting Boyle on the cover.


"The Colony" is a catastrophic "Survivor" in a warehouse

The new Discovery Channel reality show tonight puts 10 people inside a building where all hell breaks loose.


"Entourage" hooks up with W Hotels

The hotel will soon have A-list "Entourage"-branded amenities, including a three-story "Entourage Bungalow" at the W South Beach.


Dallas Cowboys reserve spot for "4th and Long" winner

Michael Irvin's Spike TV reality show may actually become a dream come true for one wide receiver.


Katherine Heigl jokes that "Grey's" is "cruel" and "mean"

She also tells David Letterman it was "weird" to return to work without best bud T.R. Knight.

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July 21, 2009

Another Kevin Federline reality show?
Britney's ex is mulling a new reality show featuring him and his former volleyball player girlfriend, Victoria Prince.


Jennifer Love Hewitt is NOT engaged to Jamie Kennedy

Her publicist disputes a report that he popped the question on stage at the Laugh Factory.


John Schneider: From "Smallville" to "90210"

He's set to play Liam's stepfather.


How is Gordon Ramsey dealing with "Hell's Kitchen" contestants cursing at him?

"I encourage their level of confidence," he says of the new season, which premieres tonight. "That’s great. But when you have the arrogance and the confidence and you can’t cook, you look stupid."

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ODDS & ENDS

July 21, 2009

"Idol" alumni show their support for Paula // "X Factor" judge: I'm not replacing Paula

Gov. Schwarzenegger tweets about Conan mocking him

Lady GaGa unveils her Kermit the Frog clothing

Could "True Blood" be promoting an anti-gay worldview?

New York Post puts up pics of the naked Erin Andrews

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

July 20, 2009

Did Susan Boyle force President Obama to reschedule his press conference?
NBC had a special "America's Got Talent" interview with Boyle scheduled for Wednesday at 9 o'clock, the same time the White House announced Obama was having a primetime news conference. NBC wouldn't air the press conference, so the White House moved it to 8 o'clock, and now NBC is on board, along with CBS and ABC.


"The Beautiful Life" prepping a Plan B — without Mischa Barton

The so-called Plan B would call for another female actress lined up to replace Barton, if Mischa isn't ready to film the show.


Happy 88th birthday, Letterman's mom!

Dorothy Mengering celebrated 88 years with her own Top 10 list.

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July 20, 2009

Simon Cowell: Paula will be back because I want her back
"She'll be fine," the "Idol" judge tells "Extra." "She'll be on the show…I don't get a lot of say. I've just made it clear that I want Paula on the show."


Tyra Banks does Twitter

It is really her, strange-looking photo and all, as Twitter as verified her account.


India is hoping late-night TV  combats overpopulation

"If there is electricity in every village then people will watch TV until late night and then fall asleep," says Ghulam Nabi Azad, India's Health and Family Welfare Minister, who is proposing bringing electricity to the smallest villages. "They won't get a chance to produce children," he says. "When there is no electricity there is nothing else to do but produce babies." He adds: "Don't think that I am saying this in a lighter vein. I am serious. TV will have a great impact. It's a great medium to tackle the problem … 80 percent of population growth can be reduced through TV."


Brooke Burns joins "Melrose Place"

She'll play the wife of Dr. Michael Mancini, and the mother to their son Noah.


CBS and ABC will carry Obama's Wednesday press conference

The president's news conference has been moved up an hour, to 8 o'clock.


Jeffrey Donovan charged with one count of DUI

The "Burn Notice" star is unlikely to do any prison time because he's a first-time offender.


"90210" bringing back Jennie Garth

She just inked a deal to return in episode 3 and other episodes.

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July 20, 2009

Paula Abdul is obviously using the media to negotiate her "Idol" contract
An antsy star, a new agent, a lack of a deal — "you have all the ingredients for a backstage star meltdown that pushed the agent into leaking this suspicious story to the media," says Eric Deggans. "I can almost hear Abdul shrieking over the phone to her beleaguered agent — 'Tell them I'm not coming back! That will make them give us a new deal.'"
Paula jealous of Ryan Seacrest's $15M? // 7 reasons why "Idol" needs Paula to stay
Who should replace Paula? // Twitterverse rallies to "KeepPaula"


Oprah's ratings take a tumble

Is it just a summer slump, or is Oprah in serious ratings trouble?


"Burn Notice's" Jeffrey Donovan busted for DUI

The USA Network star was actually arrested Sunday, July 12, for allegedly driving under the influence in Miami Beach.


89-year-old rape victim follows "CSI" technique to get attacker's DNA

Police in England say an 89-year-old double rape victim helped catch her predator by getting his DNA under her fingernails, something she saw on "CSI."


ABC gives Shaquille O'Neal his own reality show to battle other athletes

"Shaq Vs." will find the NBA star taking on top athletes in their own sports, including Michael Phelps, Serena Williams and Ben Roethlisberger.

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July 20, 2009

Bill Cosby takes to Twitter
His not frequently updated accounted has been verified.


Moon landing's 40th anniversary is celebrated in a History channel docudrama

"Buffy's" James Marsters plays Buzz Aldrin in the British-made TV film "Moonshot." PLUS: Watch the moon landing as it happened 40 years ago.


NBC is poised to win the rights to broadcast Michael Jackson's rehearsal footage

Rights for the TV special could cost $10 million.


Report: Mischa Barton suicidal, was on a 3-day coke binge

The NY Post says that friends had to call the police after her marathon cocaine bender last weekend. "She is on a downward spiral," says one friend. "She is a mess. She is a suicidal, uninsurable mess." PLUS: Mischa's rep denies coke binge story.


Julie Chen: Braden didn't apologize for "Big Brother" slur

She talks to Ryan Seacrest about the decision to not broadcast the racial slurs.


Syfy announces fall premiere dates

"Stargate Universe" debuts Oct. 9.


PETA rushes to release Simon Cowell PSA

In responsde to an "Idol" auditioner leaving his dog in the car, PETA has released this video featuring Cowell.

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July 20, 2009

"The Ugly Truth" gets some "Big Brother" product placement
For bored housemates, the new Katherine Heigl/Gerard Butler movie was hilarious.


How "Mad Men" came up with Don Draper drowning in his office

The advertising guru explains the new poster, and why this season's catchphrase is "The World's Gone Mad."


TV's funniest ladies hang out

What happens when you put Amy Poehler, Sarah Silverman, Christina Applegate, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mary-Louise Parker and Jane Krakowski around a single table?


Watch Jimmy Fallon's 1st appearance on Conan

Fallon was just 24 and starting out on "SNL" when he first visited "Late Night," the show he would go on to host.


"Entourage" feels like it's regressed back to high school this season

This more mature season hasn't exactly lived up to its billing, at least so far. PLUS: What do the "Entourage" names mean?


"Lie to Me" nabs Erika Christensen

She'll play a law student suffering from multiple personality disorder.

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ODDS & ENDS

July 20, 2009

Walter Cronkite's voice to stay on the "CBS Evening News"

Why is summer TV so sucky this year?

"Dollhouse's" 13th episode and scrapped pilot have been leaked online

Paramedics rush Bam Margera to hospital for "possible overdose" // Mom blames dehydration

It takes 8 producers to cobble together "The Daily Show's" video news footage

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

July 20, 2009

"Torchwood: Children of Earth" is the kind of epic miniseries you don't see anymore
So says Alan Sepinwall, who calls this week's BBC America event "the goods, the real deal. It has scope, and action, and horror, and, for that matter, heart. In a different, less-fragmented viewing era, it's the kind of thing that would get us all gathered around the set for the whole week so we could all talk about it the next day. (In the U.K., where it aired to big ratings a couple of weeks ago, it had nearly that effect.)"
Could "Torchwood" boost Barrowman's profile? // Barrowman on playing an omnisexual


How shallow is "The T.O. Show"?

"So shallow mosquitoes couldn't breed in it," says Jonathan Storm, "though it appears some of the humans are trying to, as Terrell Owens joins up with two publicists, who are also supposed to be his best friends." PLUS: T.O.'s physical features are the only thing the show has going for it.


Jon Gosselin dating another Kate — from Star magazine?

Gossip reporter Kate Major was spotted with the "Jon & Kate"s  star over the weekend, and the two are becoming more than "just friends," according to the NY Daily News.
Claim: Jon & Kate split up last year // Paparazzi clash with Kate plus 8 in NYC


"Bachelorette's" Wes accuses producers of editing out "vital sentences"

Says Wes Hayden: "For instance, when I said … in one episode 'Look man, I've already made six shows, I've got the publicity, I can haul (expletive)'; I did say that, but they didn’t show what I said right after that and before that."


ABC's "Dating in the Dark" is no "Mr. Personality"

The show, in which singles actually date in the complete darkness, may bring back memories of the Monica Lewinsky-hosted reality show "Mr. Personality." But it's actually better than it sounds.

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July 19, 2009

Padma Lakshmi: From "Top Chef" to sitcom?
NBC has signed Lakshmi to a development deal that calls for the creation of a half-hour sitcom that would feature her culinary skills. One suggested title: "Single Serving."


TLC tackles obese families

The cable channel is the latest to showcase the overweight with "One Big Happy Family," a reality show chronicling morbidly obese families.


Gumby's voice dies

Dallas McKennon, 89, was the main voice of Gumby, voicing the cartoon character in 1959 and throughout the '60s. He also voiced Archie Andrews and Buzz Buzzard.


"Big Love" adds Adam Beach

The actor, most recently seen on "SVU," will play the son of Bill's partner, the head of the Indian Gaming Casino Jerry Flute.


Report: Jon Gosselin's began dating after divorce

His romance with Hailey Glassman happened days after Kate filed for divorce on June 20.


HBO's "Games of Thrones" finds its man

Actor Sean Bean has nabbed the lead role, playing Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark.

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July 17, 2009

"The Beautiful Life" on hold
Mischa Barton's hospitalization isn't the reason the CW has delayed production on the drama, which was to begin on Wednesday. Filming will now begin on July 31.


Producers lied about "Futurama" stars returning

Billy West, Katey Sagal and the rest of the voice cast were all on board, producers confirmed last month in announcing the revival of "Futurama" on Comedy Central. But in fact, they were not signed on, and talks have broken down between 20th Century Fox TV and the actors. Because the budget for the show has been slashed dramatically, a casting notice has gone out for cheaper voice actors.


ESPN aims to stop alleged Erin Andrews peephole video

The sports network managed to get the video removed from the Web, saying the video was taken in a "fashion constituting a trespass/assault on the rights of the woman involved."


CBS defends editing out "Big Brother" slurs

The network says slurs targeting gays, Mexicans and Julie Chen weren't broadcast because they were too offensive for primetime.

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July 17, 2009

Walter Cronkite is dead at 92
America's most trusted anchorman had been suffering from cerebrovascular disease. As CBS News anchor, Cronkite made TV the dominant national news medium. "He was the voice of truth, the voice of reliability," says journalism and sociology prof Todd Gitlin. "He belongs to a time when there were three networks, three oil companies, three brands of bread."
CBS pays tribute Sunday night // Watch Cronkite's big TV moments, including JFK


Paula Abdul's manager: "Idol" is driving her away

With auditions three weeks away, Paula is still without a deal. "Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on 'Idol,'" says Paula's manager David Sonenberg. He tells the LA Times of the contract negotiations: "I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful. I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that they haven't stepped up and said what they want to do."


Pal says Mischa Barton is on a "destructive path"

"Her drug and alcohol (use) has gotten to a point where it drove people away," a friend of the actress tells People.


Susan Boyle: "I don't want it to end"

"It’s just been unbelievable – it’s indescribable,” the "Britain's Got Talent" star tells Meredith Vieira, in an interview that will be broadcast during next week's "America's Got Talent." “Being plucked from obscurity, it’s like a long journey, really.”


Will Comic-Con make the TV Critics press tour extinct?

By the time this year's TCA meeting starts, Comic-Con — and all the TV hype that surrounds it — will be over. Will TCA have anything juicy to offer?


"Big Brother's" Braden defends bashing Lydia, says he's glad to be out.

"She’s gross-looking," he says of Lydia, "and she does weird things and she hangs out with old men and she’s tattooed from head-to-toe and I think she’s disgusting."

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July 17, 2009

Jorja Fox returning to "CSI"
Sara Sidle will appear in the 10th season premiere.


Jon Gosselin buys a NYC bachelor pad

The Upper West side apartment might not be big enough for eight kids.


Obama to hold another primetime news conference, on Wednesday

No word yet on which networks will air the 9 o'clock press conference, reportedly on health care.


It's a "Gilmore Girls" reunion

Alexis Bledel joined Lauren Graham last night at "The Answer Man" movie premiere.


Watch a "Project Runway" preview

"The wait is finally over."


Shonda Rhimes on T.R. Knight's shaved head: "Put him in a military uniform"

The "Grey's Anatomy" creator tells more about the emotional season finale scene that almost featured Jeffrey Dean Morgan.


Jack McBrayer is very angry

For this Funny or Die video.

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July 17, 2009

Has "Family Guy" surpassed "The Simpsons"?
It's a question that's being debated after "Family Guy" was able to score an Emmy nomination, something "The Simpsons" never achieved. Seth MacFarlane, for his part, says he's torn over the nod: "On the one hand, it's really exciting and we’re delighted," says MacFarlane, "and the other hand, we feel like, really, 'The Simpsons' should have been on this list in the 90s when they submitted. It’s kind of too bad that it’s taken this long for an animated show to reach that point, but we’re overjoyed that it's us."


"Big Brother" buys "The Real World"

John de Mol, the Ductch creator of the "Big Brother" format, is buying Bunim/Murray Productions, the makers of "The Real World" and shows like "Keeping Up with Kardashians." Bunim/Murray has also taken over producing "Project Runway" as it moved to Lifetime.


Susan Boyle will sit down for a special "Got Talent" interview with Meredith Vieira

The Scottish "Britain's Got Talent" star's first post-finale TV interview will take place next week on the "Today" show and a special extended version of Wednesday's "America's Got Talent."


Can Mischa Barton work on "The Beautiful Life"?

While Barton remains hospitalized on psychiatric hold, filming is set to begin next week in New York City. Her rep says her work on the show "will ultimately be contingent upon her progress and doctor's orders." PLUS: Is Mischa "Britney 2.0"?


"Idol" auditioner lets his dog die in the car

Quincy Vanderbilt, 24, was charged with a misdemeanor for animal cruelty after leaving his dog in the car at the Denver auditions.


Larry King: Michael Jackson addict?

"Larry King Live" can't stop talking Michael Jackson, three weeks after his death.

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July 17, 2009

Are "True Blood's" sassy black characters offensive?
Newsweek's Joshua Alston says he has trouble watching the HBO series because of the portrayal of Tara and Lafayette. "Tara and Lafayette take turns filling the role of the sassy black person who says what the audience would be thinking if the audience's thoughts were quippier," he explains. He points out that "neither Tara nor Lafayette seems to exist outside of their relationships to the white characters. They are the racial equivalent of the wise, gay sidekick who has plenty of love advice for his female friend, but no apparent love life of his own." PLUS: Meet "True Blood's" Christian conservative.


AMC's 23 Emmy noms lead all basic cable networks

The "Mad Men"/"Breaking Bad" channel eclipsed other cable networks known for their dramas, including TNT, FX and USA.


Did Bethenny Frankel steal her new show name from a Web site?

The owner of SkinnyAndTheCity.com was shocked to hear about the "Real Housewives" star's reported new Bravo show, titled "Skinny and the City."


Phil Keoghan happy to be nominated

"The Amazing Race" host got the news while renovating his home, in his underwear. "Obviously it's a lot better to be part of it than not, you know. I could be home still scraping my wall, right? In my underpants," he says.


Jimmy Fallon: Hip-hop's savior?

With The Roots as his band, Fallon's "Late Night" has become responsible for "the reintroduction of rap music to network television," says Ben Westhoff. "The show has been able to pull everyone from Ludacris, N.E.R.D. and Rick Ross to Beastie Boys, Mos Def and Wale. You might see the more famous of these artists once in a while on Letterman, Conan, or Kimmel but you certainly don't see them sandwiched in with such regularity–and between such A-list indie rock acts as Grizzly Bear and Dinosaur Jr. at that."
Fallon is Robert Pattinson // "7th Floor West": An appreciation

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ODDS & ENDS

July 17, 2009

Will "Futurama" voices be recast for Comedy Central?

It was Emmy nomination No. 11 for Michael J. Fox

McCartney on Letterman was the event of the summer

Now available: "Big Brother" video game

Inside Conan's control room as "The Tonight Show" is starting

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

July 16, 2009

Can Emmy nominee Justin Timberlake save the awards?
Timberlake is up for three Emmys this year — two for original music ("Motherlover" and  the ESPY song "I Love Sports"), plus one nomination for guest starring on "SNL." Which begs the question: Will producers bring him on stage to boost ratings by having all the original music nominees perform?


Hardly watched vs. Not-watched at all

That's what this year's Emmy race boils down to, at least in most cases. PLUS: NBC dominates online Emmys.


John Goodman joins Ben Stiller's Fox stcom

Goodman will play a gruff CIA vet in "The Station," which Stiller is producing.


"Shark's" Sarah Carter joins "CSI:NY"

She'll play an aspiring CSI who cleans up crime scenes, while harboring a secret.


Conan was No. 3 last week

"The Tonight Show's" overall viewership fell to another low last week, to 2.8 million. Conan was beaten by Letterman and "Nightline," which received a boost from its Michael Jackson coverage.


Ivanka Trump gets engaged

The "Celeb Apprentice" star is set to marry the 20-something owner of the New York Observer.

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July 16, 2009

"Jon & Kate" are back together, at least for this morning's filming
The divorcing couple spent this morning filming scenes for their TLC reality show. PLUS: Jon insists he's not engaged.


Paul McCartney performs on Letterman's roof

Also: Watch his interview/return to the Ed Sullivan Theater and his extended performance that CBS posted online.


Bethenny Frankel leaving "Real Housewives" for her own Bravo reality show?

Bravo declined to comment on "Skinny & The City," which reportedly would follow Bethenny planning her wedding.


"Real World" signs deal with a Washington, D.C. restaurant chain

Film crews will be allowed to film at five restaurants under the deal.


Another Twitter reality show?

In "Final Tweet," four teams of "young entrepreneurs would use Twitter to battle with non-profit organizations to win a $100,000 prize.

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