Monday, August 17, 2009

"24" is working on a contingency plan in case it's canceled
"We have a scenario that would work well (if it's the end]," says exec producer Evan Katz. "But we also have a bunch of scenarios where the show could go on in different ways…. We’re remaining flexible." PLUS: "Alias" baddie David Anders joining "24" for Season 8.

How will Tom "The Hammer" DeLay fare on the "Dancing" floor?
The Republican former House majority leader — who was forced out of office in 2005 amid scandal — "is known less for twinkle-toed grace than brutish ferocity," reports Lloyd Grove, who uses DeLay's 2007 memoir to find clues on his "Dancing" potential. PLUS: Does a polarizing figure like DeLay risk alienating "Dancing" fans?

In 2006, Tom DeLay sent a "Dancing" e-mail endorsement against Jerry Springer
The Republican sent out an e-mail back in the fall 2006 endorsing Sara Evans as somebody who "represents good American values in the media" while "ultra liberal talk show host Jerry Springer" did not. Evans, as you'll recall, went on to quit the show because her marriage was falling apart.

Jessica Simpson denies her dad is lobbying for her to replace Paula Abdul
"There is absolutely no truth to this," says her rep.

Will Cartoon Network drop "Cartoon" from its name?
That's the rumor going around as a slew of new live-action have failed to reverse a ratings slide.

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Report: Paula Abdul wants back on "Idol" — and she's mad at "Ugly Betty" producers
TMZ says Paula is reconsidering her options after backing away from joining "Dancing with the Stars" or "Ugly Betty." In fact, she pulled the plug on her "Ugly" guest stint after producers leaked the news, according to TMZ.

Oops!: "NYC Prep" stars dress like Hitler
Their excuse? Sebastian and Gabe had just seen "Inglourious Basterds."

HBO making a Rolling Stones-inspired comedy
The series would be based on the memoirs of Andrew Loog Oldham, the Stones' former producer and manager.

"Gossip Girl" dad Matthew Settle likes to skateboard in dangerous NYC traffic
The 39-year-old actor says it's the most authentic way to get around town.

No more free T-shirts!: TLC blurring out Jon Gosselin's logos
The cable channel won't let Gosselin promote Ed Hardy on "Jon & Kate."

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"The Wire" writer: It's wrong to watch with subtitles
George Pelecanos says that subtitles on "The Wire" remind him of the captions used when black guys would speak in the movie "Airplane!" "We wrote it so audiences would have to work at it!" he says. "We were not going to compromise in making it immediately accessible for everyone."

Olympic Channel delayed
The U.S. Olympic Committee is postponing plans for its own network so it won't hurt the efforts to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago.

ABC puts up fake real estate ads to promote "Cougar Town"
They look like any other real estate ad, featuring a photo of Courteney Cox and the name Jules Cobb Real Estate.

Watch original "SNL" auditions
For Phil Hartman, John Belushi, Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell and Jim Breuer.

Steve Harvey joins "Good Morning America"
The comedian will report on family and relationship topics.

WWE are using celeb guest-hosts to plug their new projects
Is the wrestling ring the new talk show couch?

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Robert De Niro returned for Jimmy Fallon's 100th show

Kelly Clarkson & LeBron James team up for a "Get Schooled" special

Mary Murphy warns of a potential catfight if Paula joins "SYTYCD"

Twitter is having a real-time impact on "Real World D.C." filming

Shaquille O'Neal is already thinking a 2nd "Shaq Vs." season with Usain Bolt

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

Matthew Weiner explains "Mad Men's" return date
"I really wanted to go back in there and say, okay, it's six months later, the British have taken over, and Betty is still pregnant," he says of last night's premiere. "I wanted to deal with the fact that there is a hope that when the baby comes, everything will be okay. She made that decision by keeping the baby. She made the decision when she got the letter he wrote, which was really beautiful, but it was also an 'Oh, s–t' moment where she didn't know what to do. So the ball's in her court now, and I wanted to see him trying. So that's really what's going on. I wanted to hit the ground running with that all in place."
Rich Sommer gives a "spoilery" tour of the "Mad" set // "Mad Men" takes Times Square
Premiere was about wishes // Where were women? // Was "lesbian" widely used?
Jon Hamm's girlfriend, Jennifer Westfeldt, wants to make a cameo appearance
Why ladies love Hamm // How to read like Don Draper // Season 3 Online extras
Meet Mad Men Yourself's illustrator, a comedian from the Upright Citizens Brigade
"Mad Men" is theater on TV // Read everything Don Draper said in Season 1
Stolichnaya vodka and London Fog get season premiere product placement
Silence is golden on "Men" // "Mad" vs. Woodstock // How to "Mad Men" your home
The Tech of "Mad Men" // "Mad Men" is the truest example of style over substance
Bryan Batt talks about last night's "Mad" scene // Theme was birth: Was Don reborn?

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Macy Gray, Michael Irvin, Tom DeLay, Donny Osmond will go "Dancing"
Also hoofing it up this year: MMA figher Chuck Liddell, Kelly Osbourne, Aaron Carter, Olympic swimming champion Natalie Coughlin, model Kathy Ireland, former "Sabrina" star Melissa Joan Hart, "Iron Chef America" star Mark Dacascos, model Joanna Krupa,  snowboarder Louis Vito, actress Mya, Ashley "George's son" Hamilton, Debi Mazar of "Entourage." They'll join the biggest cast ever — at 16 competitors — which will also feature former House Majority Leader Tom "The Hammer" DeLay, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin, Macy Gray and Donny Osmond. Tom Bergeron says this season will feature a "ballroom bloodbath" of many double eliminations.

Paula Abdul won't guest-star on "Ugly Betty" or "Dancing"
Talks between ABC and the ex-"Idol" judge broke down over the weekend.

"Big Brother" producers boot out unruly Chima
"Chima has been evicted by the producers from the Big Brother house for violating the rules," CBS said in a statement. "She will not be part of the show's jury. Her eviction will be addressed on an upcoming broadcast of the show."

Patton Oswalt joins "Caprica"
The comic will recur as Baxtur Sarno, a popular Caprican talk show host.

NBC picks up "Midnight, Mass" — another comic book headed to TV
DC Comics' series revolves around a husband-and-wife supernatural crimefighting team.

Alyssa Milano weds agent
The 36-year-old walked down the aisle with David Bugliari over the weekend.

"2012" will feature Adam Lambert's song
The upcoming blockbuster movie will include on its soundtrack a secret song by the "Idol" runner-up.

Meet the newest "Scrub"
Actor Dave Franco, a 24-year-old veteran of "Greek" and "Privileged," will play a rich med student.

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