August 2009

August 31, 2009

"The L Word" becoming a reality show
Showtime will follow six lesbians in "The Real L Word: Los Angeles," from "L Word" creator Ilene Chaiken and the producers behind "Top Chef."


Erin Andrews talks to Oprah about nude "nightmare"

The ESPN star spoke to Oprah last week for an interview that will air Sept. 11. Andrews, who will work ESPN's "Thursday Night Football" game this week, said she "opened up the computer (and) could feel my heart pounding."


"The View" goes interactive, will add a green room cam

Babs & Co. are revamping the show to allow viewers more access.


"Idol" guest-judge Katy Perry calls Simon a "very truthful, honest a*shole"

Perry won't hold back when she works alongside Simon Cowell: "I'm not there to build them up, buttercup," she says.


It's true: Paula Abdul she's getting a Vegas show

The former "Idol" judge also reveals that her "Drop Dead Diva" stint has been bumped up from a guest spot to recurring. PLUS: Check out Judge Paula.


MTV's "Teen Wolf" remake won't be like the movie

"It has a fresh take and is very different from the original," says MTV's Liz Gateley. "It has more of an 'American Werewolf in Paris' feel to it. It's a dramatic thriller with two best friends in the center who provide a great comedy element: They are two very relatable characters on the outer circles of popular cliques."


Josh Schwartz's next project: An ABC female lawyer dramedy

On the heels of selling CBS on his first comedy, Schwartz will try his hand at a dramedy based on a real-life high-powered lawyer.

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August 31, 2009

Paula Abdul will still watch "Idol," says she might host a talk show
Paula says one of the offers she's considering is a talk show. "It would be a lot of fun variety with a ton of unexpected stuff and tributes to everyday people getting their big chance," she says.


Jon Gosselin blames the media — but not TLC — for exploiting his kids

The "Jon & Kate" star reportedly tells "GMA" he's sick of the exploitation of his kids.


Fire strikes the "Entourage" mansion

The house used in the first two seasons caught on fire Sunday morning.


Kara DioGuardi sings "No Boundaries"

After all the criticism, Kara went into the studio and recorded a much-better version of the widely panned song that Kris Allen sang on "Idol."


Is the Smithsonian trying to get rid of the "American Idol" desk?

The desk, which was given to the Smithsonian because Fox needed a bigger desk for the 4th judge, may be en route to another museum.


"Supernatural" creator: I want to go past Season 5

“I’m looking at this season as the last chapter in this particular story," says Eric Kripke. "That doesn’t mean there can’t be a new story. Buffy did it. The X-Files did it. You close a chapter on a big mythology storyline and then you begin a new one."


Pakastani man drowns in reality TV challenge

Saad Khan, 32, died while filming a reality promotion for Unilever shampoo.

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August 31, 2009

"Mad Men" is turning into "The Sopranos" with its lack of plot movement
According to Dave Itzkoff, "Sopranos" alum Matthew Weiner and his "Mad" writing staff "seem to be so enamored with their characters that they are content to assemble them in potentially interesting settings, let the cameras linger on them and hope that an interesting scene emerges. This unhurried strategy may produce the occasionally transcendent image — think of Don and Betty Draper kissing in the moonlight at the end of the episode — but doesn’t do much to advance the internal narrative of the series."
Last 2 episodes have felt like an eternity to watch // "Mad Men" finally tackles race
What's with all the singing? // "Mad Men" likes complex adult-kid relationships


"Home Improvement" creators are working on another dad-centered family sitcom

The ABC project would revolve around a sports psychologist and father of three who works at home.
"The Sarah Connor Chronicles," the direct-to-DVD movie?
Thomas Dekker says there's been talk of reviving "Terminator" for a direct-to-DVD release.


Audrina Patridge: I'm leaving "The Hills"

"It feels like I'm graduating," she says of filming her final three episodes. "I'm taking the next step and growing up and maturing and moving on in my life."


Check out the "Dancing" stars and their partners

Plus, here are pics of them at rehearsal, starting with Tom DeLay.


It's an "SNL" reunion as Fred Armisen guests on "Parks and Rec"

He'll play Amy Poehler's counterpart from Pawnee's sister city in Venezuela. Armisen just happens to be part Venezuelan himself.


Report: Ashton Kutcher casts Demi Moore as "Janice Dickinson" in "Beautiful Life"

Though nothing's confirmed, Moore will reportedly play a Janice Dickinson-type former model who's obsessed with plastic surgery. UPDATE: CW denies Demi's cameo.

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ODDS & ENDS

August 31, 2009

Daytime Emmys fall to record-low ratings on the CW

"The Wire" creator: Advertising is killing TV

DJ AM was talking about buying a crack pipe just last month

TLC to probe beauty pageants with "King of the Crown"

"Wizards of Waverly Place" movie is cable's most-watched telecast this year

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

August 30, 2009

NBC's new slogan: "more colorful"
When "The Jay Leno Show" debuts in two weeks, NBC will unveil a branding campaign that is aimed at harkening back to its Peacock heritage. "The NBC peacock is 53 years old but has incredible heritage and brand equity," says NBC's marketing boss Adam Stotsky. "We've seen research that suggests an incredible unaided awareness that the icon means NBC." He adds: "Color is also what we strive to do in our programming."


"The View" gals finally win a Daytime Emmy, so does "Bold and the Beautiful"

Both shows, for the first time ever, won awards for best daytime talk show hosts and best soap opera, respectively. Rachael Ray and Tyra Banks also won Emmys, for the 2nd year in a row.


George W. Bush's daughter Jenna joins the "Today" show

Jenna Bush Hager, now 27 and a Baltimore school teacher, will contribute stories on education on a part-time basis.


"Glee" will drop several soundtracks

The first one, "Glee: The Music, Volume 1," will go on sale Nov. 3 with 17 tracks, including "Sweet Caroline" and "Gold Digger."


Twitter teams with "Glee" & "Fringe" for "tweet-peats"

Cast and producers will be live online this week to chat on Twitter during encore presentations of their episodes.


Kate Mulgrew joins "Mercy"

The former "Star Trek: Voyager" captain will play mom to one of the show's leads.


"Greek" star heads to "Grey's Anatomy"

Jessie Williams will play somebody in the medical field as part of a multi-episode arc.

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August 28, 2009

DJ AM dies: What will happen to his MTV reality show?
TMZ reports that Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein, 36, was discovered dead this afternoon in his NYC apartment. His death comes less than a year after he survived a plane crash in South Carolina. In April, MTV announced that DJ AM would star in a reality show called "Gone Too Far," which would chronicle tough-love interventions. In a Twitter post on Tuesday, DJ AM tweeted that he just wrapped up filming in Connecticut. PLUS: Watch DJ AM talk about his reality show, in an interview last month.


ABC to celebrate Matt Damon's lifetime achievement

He may only be 38, but Damon acting work is deserving of the American Cinematheque's  lifetime achievement award, which ABC will air in March.


Jay Leno rounds out his 1st week with Tom Cruise, Miley Cyrus

Jerry Seinfeld will appear on Monday, followed by Cruise on Tuesday, Robin Williams on Wednesday, Halle Berry, Bruce Hornsby and Eric Clapton on Thursday and Drew Barrymore on Friday.


NASA astronauts will wear a Stephen Colbert patch

In commemoration of the "Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill" that's going into space.


Garret Dillahunt's latest guest gig: "Burn Notice"

Since "Terminator's" cancelation early this year, Dillahunt has popped up on "CSI," "SVU" and "Lie to Me."

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August 28, 2009

TV network viewers are getting older and older
Eight years ago the median age of a network viewer was 43. Now it's 51, with CBS having the oldest viewers.


"Reading Rainbow" says goodbye after 26 years

After 250 awards, including two dozen Emmys, the LeVar Burton-hosted series aired its last episode this morning due to lack of funding. Each episode cost $150,000 to $175,000, but additional funds never came through. PLUS: Remembering "Reading Rainbow."


Jon Gosselin admits marriage was over last October, says he's in love with Hailey

"I went to therapy," says the "Jon & Kate" star. "I have huge bills so (detractors) can't denounce that … For (Kate) to say she'd been working on it – well, I'd been working on it too, and at one point in time I just gave up. There's a point in time where you just say, 'This is not going to work.' So I just moved on." That point, he says, was October 2008. In May, he started "talking to Hailey Glassman, but they didn't start dating until the divorce papers were filed. Now, he says, they are "boyfriend and girlfriend." PLUS: "Jon & Kate" send their sextuplets to school.


"Ugly Betty's" braces will come off later this season, but fans are "freaking out"

So says Ana Ortiz, who points out that fans are divided over Betty's makeover. "There’s a huge sort of battle," she says, "half the people are like, get them off! And other people are like, no! It’s Betty!”


IBM files patent for a Twitter TV remote control

You'll be able to tweet instantly from the couch, without a laptop or smartphone.


"Bones" in talks to reunite the Deschannel sisters

Emily and Zooey may appear together in a December episode.

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August 28, 2009

Sitcom spoofs a boon for porn: "Brady Bunch" incest? "Mary Tyler Moore XXX"!
Will Ryder, the director of sitcom porn versions of "The Brady Bunch" and "The Cosby Show," calls it "the new gold rush in porn." He adds: "I don’t think people realized that this was more akin to making sitcoms as opposed to making porno. We’re entertainers, not pornographers … We wanted to make Hollywood sitcoms that had sex. And that’s all we’re doing. And we really achieved it." Ryder has directed many "Brady Bunch" porn spoofs, but he doesn't plan to have the adopted brothers and sisters have sex with each other, at least not yet. What's next? Possibly a "Mary Tyler Moore" porno.


Fired "Entourage" Playmate says: I was treated like a "piece of meat"

Irina Voronina claims she was dismissed for refusing sexual advances during filming.


CW saves the Daytime Emmys from becoming a Web-only event

The Daytime Emmys are on life support this year, airing on a Saturday night on the CW.


Study: "Heroes" is No. 1 in illegal downloads, with 55 million stealing the show

A new study ranks "Lost" in 2nd place with 51 million downloads and "24" in 3rd place.


Prankster creates a "Wire" feud by impersonating Baltimore's mayor

A blogger named "R Monkee Esq" created fake Mayor of Baltimore Web sites, a Twitter account and a YouTube channel in successfully duping the British media and the Baltimore Sun.


"Ax Men" star arrested after rolling his jeep with 3 unbelted children aboard

Michael D. Pihl, 48, lost control Wednesday night while driving on an Oregon highway.

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August 28, 2009

Jon Krasinski gets engaged to Emily Blunt
One month after Jenna Fischer announced her engagement, Krasinski is also set to get married. "The Office" star has been dating Blunt since last November.


"Futurama" is coming out with a limited edition DVD box set

Only 25,000 copies are being produced of the 19-disc collection.


Conan's bacon and white chocolate bust was made to lure him to Minnesota

No Name Premium Meats created the 305-pound bust in response to a pledge Conan made during his affiliate trip that he'd do the show from Minnesota if he could get his body weight in chocolate-covered bacon. NBC Universal says, however, it has no plans to take Conan on the road. PLUS: Conan tries to boost ratings with puppies dressed as cats.


Tim Gunn plans to write an autobiography — in 10 years

"I’m keeping a diary, let me tell you," says the "Project Runway" guru. "There are so many stories I can’t wait to tell. I keep saying, truth is stranger than fiction!”


"Project Runway" all-star sues Beyoncé's costume designers

Chris March claims he never got paid for designing her outfits for her world tour. PLUS: "Runway" finalist Kenley Colins releassed from jail after two "hilarious" days.


Lifetime seems to have watered "Project Runway" down

Has "Runway" become too mommy-ish? Has the "queer quotient" been toned down? Has it become too safe? Amelia McDonell-Parry thinks so, and that's why she says "Runway" is over. "On Bravo’s 'PR,' she writes, "often the edgiest designers were given the opportunity to harness their creativity over the course of the show, she writes. But "in the first two episodes of Lifetime’s 'Project Runway,' the two edgiest and forward-thinking designers—Malvin and Ari—were given the boot before those who lacked innovation or, um, sewing skills."

ODDS & ENDS

August 28, 2009

"True Blood": An allegory for nearly every strain of tension in American life?

Networks plan a weekend full of Ted Kennedy coverage

"The Divorced Dads' Club" would've starred Jon Gosselin, K-Fed, Michael Lohan

Jeff Probst handicaps the "Survivor: Samoa" cast and goes behind the scenes

Report: Farrah Fawcett's son is NOT doing a reality show

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

August 28, 2009

"Rescue Me" will end in 2011, to mark 9/11's 10th anniversary
Co-creator Peter Tolan confirms that the FX series will bow out in two years time. "Within the next couple of weeks, we're going to begin shooting the last 19 episodes, which will be the final two seasons of the show," he says, adding: "I think they're stretching the airing of it out until the 10th anniversary. So if you put 10 episodes on next year and nine the following year, you'll land there."


Jim & Pam have an "Office" wedding at Niagara Falls

Tourists were surprised the wedding on a boat, which had been rumored for weeks around the Niagara area. PLUS: Check out Pam's wedding dress and a photo gallery of the shoot.


Campbell Scott joins "Damages"

He'll appear regularly next season, but it's unknown if he'll become Patti's client or new enemy.


DirecTV may put TBS and TNT shows online

The satellite provider is currently in talks to offer Web access to the cable networks' hit shows.


Reno tries to save "Reno 911"

The canceled Comedy Central show has been an important marketing tool for Reno.

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August 27, 2009

Laurey Linney's "C Word": She'll star in Showtime's cancer comedy
Linney will also exec produce "The C Word," is a dark comedy in which Linney portrays a cancer patient. "Cancer is not usually the subject of a half-hour comedy," says Showtime's entertainment president, but Laura saw what we did in this complex show — a woman who gets a wake-up call that causes her to shake up her life and family. She will no doubt make this character both heartbreaking and disarmingly funny."


The Hoff will perform on "America's Got Talent"

David Hasselhoff will sing "Feeling Good" during the Sept. 2 semifinal results show.


Mischa Barton calls her hospitalization "a perfect storm"

"Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom about things and have to get the most stressed out just to feel better again," she says. "I got completely stressed out and couldn’t handle everything, and now I feel really in control."


Kristin Chenoweth is the latest "Idol" guest-judge

She'll sit in on this week's Orlando auditions.


Kim Kardashian turns TV producer with PR reality show

Kardashian has teamed with Bunim-Murray in a reality pilot has been filed starring her PR guru pals. No word yet on which network will pick it up.


"True Blood's" vamp-hating reverend is writing a comic book

Mike McMillian, who plays Rev. Steve Newlin on the HBO series, is working on a comic book titled "Lucid" for his friend, "Heroes" star Zachary Quinto.


"House's" cane up for auction — so are other TV goodies

You'll have to fork over at least $1,150 to win the Hugh Laurie-autographed flame cane, which is being auctioned off by the TV academy along with a whole bunch of other TV souvenirs.

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August 27, 2009

Fox making a "Heathers" TV show
The 1989 film starring Christian Slater and Winona Ryder is getting a small-screen redo with "Sex and the City" writer Jenny Bicks at the helm.


Meet "Survivor: Samoa's" (older) cast

The 20 castaways include a mixologist and a rocket scientist, with half the cast is in their 30s or older. (Watch the video)


Oprah Winfrey Network is struggling

It's been nearly two years since Discovery decided to partner with Oprah, yet the OWN has yet to get on the right track.


"Superman" Brandon Routh flying to "Chuck"

He'll play a spy who somehow becomes Chuck's mentor.


A&E takes over Lifetime

The merger of the two cable networks will place the head of A&E in charge of "Project Runway" and other Lifetime programming.

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August 27, 2009

Paula Abdul: Headed to the Vegas stage?
Reports claim the former "Idol" judge is in talks to star in a revue-style stage show.


Forget "Law & Order": A German police drama has been on air since 1970

"Tatort" (translation: "Crime Solving") still manages to be a hit nearly 40 years after its premiere.


It's official: Summer Glau joins "Dollhouse"

She'll reunite with Joss Whedon as the character Bennett, beginning with the Sept. 25 episode. PLUS: Check out Jamie Bamber marrying Echo.


TNT renews "Leverage" for 3rd season

The drama has been averaging 4.1 million viewers, up from its first season.


Older viewers love Letterman, younger viewers love Conan

That's what's clear from three months of the new late-night battle.


Summer TV-watching is at an all-time high, thanks to cable

"Royal Pains," "The Closer" and other cable fare have made this one of the most-watched TV summers.

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August 27, 2009

"Seinfeld" cast reunites on the cover of Entertainment Weekly
Jason Alexander says it was "freaky" how George Costanza "just came right back out" of him.


Conan O'Brien shows off his white chocolate head with bacon for hair

Last night Conan unveiled the 200-pound bust, which broke apart. PLUS: Conan is already repeating guests — Bradley Cooper appeared in June and last night.


"SVU" fan: "Law & Order" helped me catch a crook

Justine Faeth, 24, used her "SVU" knowledge to help the NYPD arrest a career criminal.


Hope Davis: Transforming into Hillary Clinton can be tricky

For instance, Hillary's accent has changed over the years, David says as she preps for an HBO film about the Clintons in the 90s.


"Design Stars" to work in homes of Kathy Griffin, Jason Priestley, Tiffani Thiessen

They'll be charged with building a home office for Griffin, a baby nursery for Priestley and a guest bedroom for Thiessen.


"Royal Pains" star Mark Feuerstein is happy to be part of a hit, for once

As Season 1 wraps up tonight, Feuerstein says: "This one has been the perfect mix/combination/alchemy/synergy of so many different forces, both production-wise, executive-wise, timing-wise, network-wise, and then cosmically. We are … flying high. It's awesome." PLUS: Paulo Costanzo is a lot like his character.

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ODDS & ENDS

August 27, 2009

Chris Brown to sit with Larry King // Rod & Patti Blagojevich will guest on "The View"

Isn't it eerie that MSNBC had a "Kennedy Brothers" doc already scheduled for tonight?

"Dancing" stars gather for kick-off party

Couple marries with "The Flintstones"-themed wedding

"The Jay Leno Show" adds a "rad" backup singer

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

August 26, 2009

Ted Kennedy spent his final weeks watching "24" DVDs
The NY Times reports that Kennedy and his wife Vicki spent their final weeks watching every James Bond movie and episode of "24" on DVD.


Jon Gosselin denies he wants to quit "Jon & Kate"

"I never said that," the Jon says of his quote in Us Weekly.


"V" shutting down production for 2 weeks

No reason was given for the hiatus, which won't affect production since the ABC series won't debut until Nov. 3.


"Southland's" return delayed 1 month

By premiering Season 2 on Oct. 23, instead of Sept. 25, NBC hopes "Southland" won't get lost in the avalanche of fall premieres.


"CSI: Miami" offers a taste of Season 8

Is he going to live?

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August 26, 2009

VH1 may cut down on the number of "Love" reality shows in wake of model's murder
The cable channel's top five shows all have the word "love" in the title. VH1's president wants to change that.


Josh Schwartz getting into the sitcom business

CBS has hired the TV mastermind behind "Gossip Girl," "The O.C." and "Chuck" to create a comedy about a 20-something newlywed couple.


Anne Heche disses her ex for taking her TV money

"Can you say 'lazy ass' on TV?" she tells Letterman, adding: "He goes out to the mailbox and he opens up the little mailbox door and goes, 'Oh! I got a check from Anne! Oh! I got a check from Anne! Yay!'"


"Giuliana and Bill" renewed for Season 2

The reality show featuring the E! news gal and her "Apprentice" hubby has boosted the Style network's ratings.


"Gilmore Girl" Melissa McCarthy joins "Hank"

She'll play Kelsey Grammer's sister-in-law in a recurring role.


Sam Raimi is expanding his TV presence

The "Spider-Man" director has inked a deal with Sony Pictures TV to develop more shows.

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August 26, 2009

"Survivor" supersizes with 20 contestants
Check out the preview for "Survivor: Samoa," which promises "the biggest 'Survivor' villain ever."


TV networks clear space for Ted Kennedy tributes

ABC and CBS will air one-hour tributes to Kennedy. NBC plans to air a one-hour "Nightly News," while CNN will replay the HBO documentary "Teddy: In His Own Words."


Watch Ted Kennedy's last TV acting role, on "Chicago Hope"

The Massachusetts senator played himself in a 1997 episode. PLUS: Kennedy also appeared on "Designing Women" in 1991.


Conan visits his porn neighbors

Turns out NBC Universal (and "The Tonight Show" studio) is located across the street from Vivid Entertainment. PLUS: Conan gets a white chocolate bust of his head.


Chelsea Handler dumps her boss/boyfriend

Comcast CEO Ted Harbert, who oversees E! Entertainment, has been kicked to the curb after years of dating the comedienne.


"Idol's" Blake Lewis may be in trouble with the IRS

The Season 6 "Idol" runner-up reportedly owes $125,000.

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August 26, 2009

Kate Gosselin to co-host "The View"
She'll fill in for Elisabeth Hasselbeck on Sept. 14 and 15. PLUS: Jon Gosselin wears "Lies Lies Lies Lies" T-shirt.


Meet the new B.A. Baracus

UFC fighter Quintin "Rampage" Jackson has reportedly been tapped to fill Mr. T's shows in "The A-Team" movie. UPDATE: Jackson's manager denies he's the new B.A.


Bravo's ratings are up, even without "Project Runway"

As Media Life reports, "In the week that 'Project Runway' made its season six premiere on Lifetime, Bravo actually ranked higher in primetime than it did the week that 'Project Runway' had its season five premiere on Bravo itself last July."


Bob Costas hitting the road for "Football Night in America"

He'll host each highlights show from the "Sunday Night Football" location.


"Big Brother UK" canceled, will air its final season in summer 2010

The Channel 4 show, which once was a massive sensation with 69% of Brits tuning in to Season 1, will air its 11th and final season next year after declining ratings. About 2 million viewers have watched this year's "Big Brother," which airs 7 days a week for 93 straight days. PLUS: This year's "BBUK" winner will get $0, as punishment after housemates broke out of the house yesterday.


MTV plans "Made" and "Super Sweet 16" scripted TV movies

The "Made" movie will be in the vein of "Bring It On," while "My Super Psycho Sweet Sixteen" will add a horror spin to the reality show. Also on tap: "Turn The Beat Around," about LA's competitive dance scene.

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