Fox may buy Simon's "X Factor" — and extend his "Idol" stay 2 years
It looks like Simon Cowell's British sensation "The X Factor" is coming to America, if Simon and Fox could come up with a deal. According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Fox and Cowell are said to be hammering out a deal to launch an American version of 'X Factor' — while locking in Cowell as an 'Idol judge for two more years, through the 2011-12 season." The deal could generate $100 million a year in income for Cowell ($50 million from "Idol" and $50 million from "X Factor"), though it's unclear if he'll judge the new show.
"24" nabs Stephen Root
The "NewsRadio" funnyman, most recently seen on "True Blood," will play a parole officer in a multiepisode arc.
"Dancing" pays tribute to Patrick Swayze
Tom Bergeron called Swayze a friend of the show. He made a cameo in Season 1. PLUS: Debi Mazar suffers a neck muscle strain.
Federal judge declines to release Richard Hatch from jail
The "Survivor" champ will likely stay behind bars until Oct. 16, after prison officials disciplined him by taking away nine days of good time.
MTV will likely air DJ AM's reality show
"Gone Too Far," which finished taping last month days before DJ AM's death, could air depending on when his family wiill be comfortable with its broadcast.
"90210" gets Samantha Rosen and Pharrell to perform
Lindsay Lohan's ex will play — what else? — a DJ in a club.
Jim Breuer's life may become an NBC sitcom
The former "SNL" star has signed on to play a father who decides to stay home and raise his three daughters — while taking care of his elderly parents. Just like in real life.
"One Tree Hill" gets full season, CW orders more "Melrose" and "Vampire"
The netlet has ordered six and nine more scripts, respectively, for "Melrose" and "Vampire."
The "Dancing with the Stars" politico demanded not to be dressed in frilly costumes, but he ultimately relented. “I’m being more feminine and a little prissy,” he tells Maureen Dowd, using a word that smacks of über-alpha “I am not gay even though I have on heels and sparkles and want a disco-ball trophy” Asked if he'd ever consider another reality show, DeLay responded with a "no." “I’d probably end up killing somebody on ‘Big Brother,'" he says.
"Cougar Town" may be the most deliciously profane network show ever made, says Hank Stuever. And the best role Cox has had since "Friends." "Prepared to merely endure 'Cougar Town,'" he says, "I instead burst out laughing several times, watching as Jules endures one humiliation after another: writing alimony checks to her loser ex-husband; finding out that her picture on her real-estate ad serves as masturbatory material for a neighborhood boy; accompanying her younger assistant (brilliant Busy Philipps from 'Freaks and Geeks') to a nightclub where two cocktails turn Jules into a lecherous drunk."
"Just when we were thinking it couldn't be done," says Mary McNamara, "ABC's 'Modern Family' has single-handedly brought the family comedy back from the dead. Astute in a way we haven't seen since, oh, I don't know, "Family Ties" or maybe 'Married . . . With Children,' 'Modern Family' is sharp, timely and fresh, complicated enough to be interesting but with a soft, sweet center because, and I'm speaking loudly so even cable channels can hear, there is nothing wrong with that."
Twitter