From the daily archives:

Monday, August 10, 2009

August 10, 2009

Fox will air a 2-hour Octomom special
"Octomom: The Incredible Unseen Footage" will air next week, promising  “an intimate look inside Suleman’s life.”


TNT renews "Hawthorne"

A 10-episode 2nd season will debut next year.


Pee-wee Herman begins his comeback — on the stage

Could the limited engagement run of "The Pee-wee Herman Show" this November lead to a TV revival?


"CSI: Miami" snags Cheryl Ladd as a Cougar

The 59-year-old "Charlie's Angels" star will be joined by Tia Carrere.


"Days of Our Lives" goes streaming

Starting today, NBC.com will start airing episodes in case you miss one of them.


Jon Gosselin's E! News interview canceled

The "Jon & Kate" star and his "close pal" Kate Major had been scheduled to speak with Ryan Seacrest about Kate's "Today" interview.

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August 10, 2009

Tearful Kate Gosselin is "shocked" by Jon's flings, says reality didn't cause divorce
"It is hurtful. It's very hurtful," she said on the "Today" show. "To be very honest, the most hurtful part is when his decisions directly affect our children. That's the hardest part for me." (Watch the video)


Oprah lifts ban on rappers

After nearly a decade of non-rapping guests, the Oprah Winfrey show will welcome Jay-Z onto her show this fall.


Mostly women shape "Mad Men"

In fact, as the Wall Street Journal reports, "Behind the smooth-talking, chain-smoking, misogynist advertising executives on 'Mad Men'is a group of women writers, a rarity in Hollywood television. Seven of the nine members of the writing team are women. Women directed five of the 13 episodes in the third season." Matthew Weiner, for his part, didn't intentionally hire mostly female writers, but he's grown to love their emotional honesty, which has resulted in a freewheeling writers' room.


Tracy Morgan files for divorce

The "30 Rock" star says he's been separated from his high school sweetheart for eight years.


Would Jennifer Aniston reunite with Courteney Cox on "Cougar Town"?

"I'm sure she'll be glad to do it" if a part was written for her, Cox said of a possible reunion with her old "Friend."


"Millionaire's" return disappoints, "Shark" tanks

It was a disappointing night Sunday for non-scripted TV premieres, as "There Goes the Neighborhood" joined "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and "Shark Tank" in turning in disappointing ratings.


Is "V" a slap at the Obama administration?

Exec producer Scott Peters warns about reading too much into the show — "there is no particular agenda," he says.

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August 10, 2009

ABC boss slams Katherine Heigl
Calling her Letterman remarks "unfortunate," Steve McPherson says many of "Grey's Anatomy's" anonymous employees have no sympathy for her: "the people who are really busting their tail every day and feeling like they're either being looked down upon or criticized."


Many "Kitchen Nightmare" restaurants are failing — is it Gordon Ramsay's fault?

Of the 13 restaurants in the New York area that Ramsay visited, eight have closed shop. Said one restaurant owner: "We should have taken a page out of history, revolted and sent him packing and bleeding back to King George."


"The Shield" creator sets his next cop drama in Chicago

"Ridealong" will follow three groups of police officers, from the beat cops to the female chief of police.


"Gossip Girl's" new ad campaign says "WTF"

CW says WTF stands for "Watch This Fall." PLUS: Check out the "Gossip" cast at the Teen Choice Awards."


Report: Victoria Beckham was an awful "Idol" judge

"She tried to hard to be 'nice,' but came off as icy and wooden," a source tells Radar Online.


"Big Brother" housemate recalls rape that became a "Cold Case File"

Chima was almost murdered by a serial killer.

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August 10, 2009

"Bachelorette" couple still together, host says Us Weekly paid accusers
"The problem," says Chris Harrison, "is the two girls cashed in and took a paycheck for the story in US, so, they kind of sold out, which is unfortunate. They sold out at the expense of Ed and Jillian."


Watch Jeremy Piven on "Big Brother"

He was in the house promoting "The Goods."


Tina Fey won't host the Emmys next year

In this extensive Q&A, the "30 Rock" honcho also has kind words for Ben Silverman ("Ben was always very good to us and good to 30 Rock").


"Dancing with the Stars" will have its biggest cast ever

Exec producer Conrad Green explains: "We are going to start big, and then about halfway through, we are going to do three double eliminations back-to-back. The middle of the season is going to be brutal when half of our cast goes in three weeks."


Mark Ballas doesn't want Paula Abdul joining the "Dancing" judges panel

"I think we're good with our judges," he says. "I think she should be on the show as a competitor."


"The Simpsons" won't leave out Peyton and Eli Manning's anonymous big brother

Oldest brother Cooper, the only non-football playing Manning brother, will also lend his voice to the show.

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August 10, 2009

"Eastwick" will look a lot like Stars Hollow from "Gilmore Girls"
That's because the show is shooting on the old "Gilmore" townie set. PLUS: Cybill Shephard to visit "Eastwick" for several episodes.


Jeremy Piven takes on Chris Kattan

The two actors got into a dust-up backstage at the Alexa Chung show.


"Ally McBeal" complete DVD box set will inlcude all the original music

The 32-disc collection will also feature a brand-new retrospective.


Miley Cyrus pole dances at the Teen Chocie Awards

The Disney Channel star did her best stripper impression while singing "Party in the USA."


"House" gives Cameron and Chase their old jobs back

They'll return after two years on the sidelines.


"Idol" honcho buys modeling agency

Simon Fuller now has a 51% stake in the agency that represents Emma Watson, Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford.

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ODDS & ENDS

August 10, 2009

Will "The Office" wedding take place at Niagra Falls?

Beverly Hills Council won't strip L.A. residents of the 90210 zip code

The title of the first two "Lost" episodes are ….

Check out TV's Teen Choice Award winners

Majority of U.S. homes now own an HDTV set

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]