Emmys: "Family Guy" for best comedy, "True Blood" snubbed, 22 for "30 Rock"
The best comedy category is getting new blood this year, with the addition of "Weeds," "How I Met Your Mother," "Flight of the Conchords" and "Family Guy (which became the first-ever animated series to be nominated for best comedy since "The Flintstones" in 1961). Meanwhile, "Lost" and "House" were the only network dramas nominated this year. And also noteworthy is the fact that "The Big Bang Theory" and "True Blood" failed to net a nomination in the best comedy and drama categories, respectively (though Emmy nominee announcer Jim Parsons has been nominated for best comedic actor). All in all, "30 Rock" led comedies with 22 nominations, while "Mad Men" was No. 1 among dramas with 16 nods.
Check out the complete list of Emmy nominee
Jeff Probst nominated, "Survivor" not nominated
Sarah Silverman vs. Christina Applegate for best comedic actress
"The Wire's" David Simon should win for "Generation Kill"
No "The Shield"!?!?; "SNL's" Kristin Wiig for best supporting actress
Best supporting actor, comedy: Tracy Morgan vs. Neil Patrick Harris vs. Jack MacBrayer
Pointless "Lost" over brilliant "Shield"? Academy must've not been watching
"Amazing" Phil Keoghan nominated for best reality host for 1st time
The snubbed: "Battlestar," January Jones, Kiefer Sutherland…
"FNL" to "NCIS": 12 dramas as good or better than the best drama nominees
Jaw-dropping snubs: No "Jon & Kate, no Katherine Heigl, no "Two and a Half Men"
Nominees react // Were "30 Rock" and "Mad Men" over-nominated?
"24" snubbed, but Kiefer Sutherland is up for "Redemption"
Why nominate one "Conchord," and not the other? // 8 nominations for "Idol"
Everybody's happy!: The Emmy wealth was spread around this year
The 10 most shocking snubs: Eva Longoria! "FNL"! "In Treatment"! Josh Holloway!
Emmy nominee Ryan Seacrest chats with Emmy nominee Jim Parsons
"SNL's" 13 noms include Tina Fey as Palin, Amy Poehler for supporting actress
Something's wrong when one show can capture 4 of 5 noms in a single category
From Sarah Silverman to Kenneth the Page: 10 things the Emmys got right
[Permalink]
"Big Bang Theory" is a summer hit
Reruns of the geeky comedy have been so big this summer that last week it was No. 6 in the all-important 18-49 demographic.
Could "Big Bang" reclaim the Emmy for multi-camera comedies?
The buzz is with "The Big Bang Theory," which stands poised to win the best comedy Emmy that has gone to single-camera sitcoms the past three years.
Can 6 nominees save the Emmys from moving to cable?
A 6th nominee was added this year in an apparent attempt to boost the chances of broadcast network shows winning Emmys, rather than obscure cable shows. As Lisa de Moraes points out, the Emmys could be jettisoned to cable if the broadcasters are largely shut out once again. Broadcasters, she says, "are threatening privately that they may dump the show. It will wind up on Bravo. Or A&E. Or HBO. Then it's just the CableAce Awards — the trophy show the cable execs concocted for themselves before they started winning Emmys."
Handicapping the dramas // Picking actors, actresses
FX begins filming fantasy football sitcom
"The League" revolves around a group of friends that includes Nadine Velazquez of "My Name is Earl," Leslie Bibb, Nick Kroll and Paul Scheer.
"Dancing" sued by 2 disabled people in wheelchairs
A double amputee and a quadriplegic claim that the show's CBS' Television City Studios is unfriendly to disabled people.
Timothy Hutton: "Leverage" is more relevant in the wake of Bernie Madoff
The TNT drama's conceit of "hustling the hustlers" is "exactly the thing that rubs off on the audience — the revenge," Hutton says of Season 2, which premieres tonight.
[Permalink]
Malia Obama turns down "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?"
The game show, as a publicity stunt, decided to approach the president's daughter to make a cameo.
Adam Lambert protested by anti-gay/anti-everybody group
The infamous Westboro Baptist Church — which has picketed everybody from Billy Graham to the funerals of Coretta Scott King and Jerry Falwell — targeted Lambert on Sunday outside of the "Idol" concert in San Jose.
Cake TV shows are all the rage — now TLC has 2
"Ultimate Cake-Off" is joining "Cake Boss" on the TLC lineup. Take that, Food Net's "Ace of Cakes"!
How did "Michael and Michael" end up having issues on Comedy Central?
Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter say their new show evolved after "Stella" was canceled"Speaking personally, we also really wanted to make a TV show and stay in that medium," says Showalter. "I've enjoyed the experiences I’ve had in features, but I think I really, really, really love television, so I think there’s been a concerted effort to try to get a TV show back on the air." PLUS: "Michael and Michael" works because of chemistry.
Dylan McDermott: Jerry Bruckheimer saved my career with "Dark Blue"
"I've been looking for a show since 'The Practice,'" says McDermott. "I kind of floundered a little bit, as most actors do, I think. What I learned along the way is you have to have a strong producer. You need that 800-pound gorilla to help you because you get pushed around a lot. When you have a producer like Jerry Bruckheimer, he’s able to cut to the chase and protect you."
Who wants to watch a dreary drama in tough times? // Bruckheimer misfired
[Permalink]
Producer sues, claiming he came up with "Lost" in 1977
Anthony Spinner, who once worked on "Baretta," says in his lawsuit that he wrote a 121-page TV pilot script in 1977 called "Lost," which has many similarities to the current series.
VH1, not Nick, tells "The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants"
The Nickelodeon cartoon is being feted tonight on VH1, with noted TV professor Robert Thompson proclaiming it "one weird puppy of a TV show." The special also features LeBron James and Ricky Gervais.
Target: "Gossip Girl" clothing line is still alive
Says a spokesperson for the company: "The collection is moving forward as always intended. We're continuing to work with The CW and 'Gossip Girl,' and the four main characters will continue to serve as the muses for the Anna Sui for Target collection."
Russell Brand will return as host as the VMAs return to New York
"This year will be a controversy-free festival of love and discrete orgasms," says Brand, who adds that he wants the Jonas Brothers to perform at his wedding.
"The Wire's" Jamie Hector: I had nothing to do with shooting outside my baby bash
The actor, who played Marlo Stanfield, says he had no connection to the shooting that took place Sunday night outside his wife's Brooklyn baby shower, which resulted in two men wounded and another man killed.
[Permalink]
"Wendy Williams" makes "Tyra" look like "Jim Lehrer"
"Maybe her attention-deficit disarray works great on the radio, but on television, Williams seems lost and unable to stick to a subject," says Hank Stuever.
HBO's Sunday soars to new heights
"Entourage" doubled last year's season premiere, while "True Blood" hit another series high and even "Hung's" ratings rose.
Kris Allen's grandma dies
The "Idol" winner had to pull out of a scheduled appearance on Conan Wednesday after his grandmother's sudden passing.
"The Wire's" Aiden Gillen: American actors don't want to play scumbags
The actor behind Mayor Tommy Carcetti says: "Many American actors don't really want to blot their resumés by appearing as scumbags. British actors – and Irish ones too if I'm anything to go by – are less bothered about playing disgusting or even flawed people. They're often the most interesting roles, after all, but in the US they can be career death."
Michael Jackson is dead, "Big Brother" UK housemates have just learned
Producers managed to keep the big news a secret for 19 days. That is, until this morning, when a former "Big Brother" UK contestant was brought into the house to celebrate the show's 10th anniversary. Upon entry, he quickly blurted out the old news that Jackson had died. (Watch the video)
[Permalink]
Ryan Seacrest: $45 million reality host
The "Idol" host has signed a three-year deal that would pay him $15 million annually and make him possibly reality TV's richest host, tripling his previous salary of less than $5 million per season. The deal clears the way for "Idol" producers to negotiate deals with the other judges, including Simon, Paula, Kara and Randy.
Ryan Seacrest expects everybody to return to "Idol" next year
The "Idol" host posted on his Twitter this morning: "Lots of conversations going on behind the scenes but I fully expect you will see the whole team next year."
Judge denies Richard Hatch's request to travel to "Survivor"
The 1st-ever "Survivor" winner, who is in home confinement, wanted to take part in the 10th anniversary series, which films next month.
Kris Allen dumps Kara DioGuardi's "Idol" finale song After a few nights of the "Idol" tour, Kris has jettisoned the song "No Boundaries," which was passionately derided after it was revealed during the "Idol" finale.
Simon Cowell calls alleged $144M "Idol" deal "absolute nonsense" "I wish! Come off it," Simon tells "Extra" correspondent/ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour. "It's absolute nonsense… crazy, crazy nonsense. Speculation. Not true. Nothing has been signed."
[Permalink]
Coming to stores: The Jon Gosselin children's clothing line
The "Jon & Kate" star is finalizing a deal to come out with his own clothing line, with the help of his new girlfriend, the daughter of Kate's plastic surgeon. Jon says his kids will even model his clothes in ads. "Everyone knows this family," he says. "And everyone will know our clothes. They'll be fun, easy clothes for kids."
Check out Jon's girlfriend's mugshot // "Kate" films Match.com video
Neil Patrick Harris: Which voice should I use when I host the Emmys?
CBS has made it official: "After having had such a hoot hosting the Tonys, I was thrilled to get the call about the Primetime Emmys," says Harris in a statement. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of the show – adding my own voice to it, while honoring the nominees and the entire year in television. But which voice to choose? I'm torn between gangsta, foppish Brit, and robot. Really proud of my robot. We'll see what happens on the night."
Fat people are all the rage on reality TV
Thanks to "The Biggest Loser," we now have "Ruby, "Dance Your Ass Off" and, coming soon, "More to Love."
Fearful of its image, Target may drop "Gossip Girl" clothing line
Executives have apparently just figured out that the show has a lot of sex and debauchery.
[Permalink]
Dentists lash out at "Ugly Betty's" braces
The British Orthodontic Society is outraged because Betty Suarez is still wearing braces after three seasons, a portrayal that the group also considers "detrimental" because the braces are considered "ugly." "This is not a true reflection of orthodontic practice. It is highly unlikely an adult would wear braces beyond two years," says a spokesperson for the group. "Betty's braces are certainly intended to be seen by viewers as damaging to her appearance. "People who wear braces are not ugly. People considering treatment should not be put off by such a stereotype."
Showtime is No. 1 in "Grimedies" — Grief + Comedy
Shows like "Weeds," "Tara," "Nurse Jackie" and "Californication aren't dramedies, says Matthew Gilbert. "No, the tone of the grimedy is hard to encapsulate – it’s farcical, satirical, cynical, realistic, dramatic, poignant, hopeless, and affectionate, almost all at once," he says. "And that is its beauty."
Tourists to L.A. are flocking to reality TV locations
Stores frequented by "The Hills" and the "Kardashians" have seen a boom in business from reality TV fans on vacation in Los Angeles.
Did "The Blair Witch Project" pave the way for "Survivor"?
On the landmark film's 10th anniversary, the L.A. Times says that "Blair Witch" set a template for "Survivor" and "Fear Factor" in punishing its starts through deprivation and punishment.
"Flipper's" trainer expresses regret in new documentary
Ric O’Barry, 69, who trains the dolphin on the '60s TV series, is now an activist who fights against the exploitation of dolphins.
[Permalink]
Why does NYC have better cop shows than L.A.?
Newsweek's Joshua Alston wonders why the Big Apple has been so dominant with its fictional police officers: "Between 'NYPD Blue,' the hydra-headed 'Law & Order' franchise, and the Manhattan-set 'CSI' spin-off, New York procedurals have stuck in a way that recent Angeleno shows ('Boomtown,' 'Robbery Homicide Division,' etc.) have not. Sure, there are exceptions. 'The Shield' just finished a stellar seven-season run, and 'The Closer' is still going strong. But given that Los Angeles practically invented the cop show and monopolized the genre in its early years (see: 'Dragnet,' 'Police Story,' '77 Sunset Strip'), it's curious that the city has largely relinquished its dominance."
Morgan Spurlock to direct "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice"
The January 2010 documentary — which won't be in 3-D or on ice — will celebrate the 20th anniversary of "The Simpsons," which debuted in December 1989.
Showtime gets religious with "Revelation"
Craig Wright, a "Dirty Sexy Money" creator who once was a minister, will pen this drama about an unconventional minister who moves to a Texas church with his two teens after his wife suddenly dies.
Blind Aussie "Dancing" star accidentally drops his partner
Gerrard Gosens' dance partner, Jessica Raffa, was rushed to the hospital after she was dropped during rehearsals.
Mariah Carey to premiere her new music video on hubby's "Got Talent"
Carey is taking advantage of Nick Cannon hosting "America's Got Talent" to unveil her new music video.
Watch Jay Leno film "Top Gear"
Leno got to appear on his favorite show during a visit to London last week.
[Permalink]
Is America stupid enough to 
