November 2009

November 30, 2009

Sendhil Ramamurthy: Leaving "Heroes" for NBC pilot?
Ramamurthy — along with Jane Curtin — has been tapped to star in NBC's "Rex Is Not Your Lawyer," a casting that is sure is to raise questions about the future of "Heroes." Ramamurthy is set to play a lawyer in a role that is in 2nd position to "Heroes."


Nicole Richie signs on for ABC sitcom

"The Simple Life" star has signed on to star in her own comedy loosely based on her life. Richie would play a professional woman struggling with her family life.


"Today" lands interview with White House crashers

"Real Housewives" wannabes Michaele and Tareq Salahi will, of course, appear on Bravo's sister network Tuesday at 7 a.m.


"Three Rivers" yanked

CBS has pulled the Pittsburgh-set medical drama from its December schedule, but no permanent decision on its future has been made.


TNT cancels "Raising the Bar"

The Mark-Paul Gosselaar series was the latest disappointment coming from Steven Bochco.


"Prison Break" son joins "True Blood"

Marshall Allman, who played L.J. Burrows on Fox, is moving to HBO to play Sam Merlotte's long-lost brother. PLUS: Shannon Lucio will play Bill's wife.

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November 30, 2009

Obama's speech will be broadcast on all major networks
ABC, CBS, NBC and even Fox will show the president's speech on Afghanistan Tuesday at 8 o'clock Eastern time.


ABC will scrutinize all live performances in wake of Adam Lambert

Before putting them on air, artists will have to ensure ABC that their stage shows will resemble their rehearsals.


"Lost" becomes a chess game in Spanish promo

Why does Spain get a better "Lost" promo than the United States?


Man gets Simon Cowell tattoo on his butt after losing a bet

Blane Dickinson of Wales now has a giant Cowell face on his left buttcheek.

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November 30, 2009

"Real Housewives" White House crashers deny trying to cash in on their notoriety
Michaele and Tareq Salahi were supposed to tell their story tonight on Larry King, but the couple reportedly opted out because they were seeking a cash payment. But a spokesperson for the couple say their money demands are "completely false." PLUS: Gatecrashers asked to testify before Congress.


Alec Baldwin is ready to quit "30 Rock" in 2012

"I don’t have any interest in acting anymore," he tells Men's Journal.


Adrian Pasdar glad "Heroes" let Nathan Petrelli live this long

"Some deaths really need to stick," Pasdar says of tonight's episode. "Heroes" creator Tim Kring adds that "we were starting to run out of ways to keep that character around."


Britain hosts the first-ever "The Wire" conference

Academics from around the world attended the "The Wire as Social Science Fiction?" conference over the weekend in Leeds, discussing topics like "Omar: Ethics, Power and Performativity." Academics from Oxford, Harvard, Vanderbilt and the University of Canterbury in New Zealand also discussed whether the HBO series was a real sociological exercise or not.


Matthew McConaughey's brother's life becoming a Fox cartoon

"Rooster Tales" will be exec produced by McConaughey, following the lives of his redneck sheriff brother, his wife from Mexico and her humongous family.


How many reality stars are currently on TV — 1,000?

The NY Times tries to do the math: "If 20 networks or so are offering an average of four reality shows, and each show starts out with at least 10 participants …"

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November 30, 2009

Study debunks the "CSI Effect"
The belief that "CSI" and similar programs has led juries to acquit defendants is nonexistent, according to a new study in the Vanderbilt University Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law


"Trauma" producer happy to still be "in the hunt"

After premature reports of its demise, "Trauma" has found creative ways to save money — and bolster its lifespan.


"Dexter" writers have gotten really sloppy this season

The Thanksgiving episode, in particular, was too far-fetched.


"GMA" changes mind, won't let Chris Brown sing

The R&B singer was supposed to perform on "Good Morning America," but ABC nixed it in wake of the furor over the Adam Lambert kiss.


Snoop Dogg: I want to be the next Oprah

Says the hip-hop star: "I'm trying to proposition the networks right now. If you're wanting to hire a nice black exciting young male who wants to turn the TV world right up – get at me."


"The X Factor's" American edition might be set in Vegas

Simon Cowell and his "X Factor" partner want to replace Hollywood with Las Vegas, which they say will take "it up a peg."

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November 30, 2009

Kris Allen CD sales disappoint — Adam Lambert poised to outsell him
Allen sold just 80,000 albums in its first week, the worst-ever by an "American Idol" winner. Lambert, meanwhile, is expected to sell 225,000 albums. PLUS: Allen mistaken for Lambert.


Lawyer: David Hasselhoff didn't have a seizure and wasn't placed in psych ward

The Hoff was hospitalized Friday after reportedly passing out, requiring an ambulance to transport him to the hospital.


Is "Glee" anti-Christian?

In one youth minister's view, the Fox show portrays Christians as phonies and hypocrites. But isn't "Glee" actually serving up a moralistic message?


Levi Johnston: I'd do "Dancing"

"I think if my phone were to ring right now, I would probably say yes," says the father of Sarah Palin's grandchild.


Manly-man shows are all the rage in reality TV

"These shows have dramatic story lines, unpredictable endings, beautiful scenery, great characters, action adventure," a CMT exec says of shows like "Deadliest Catch," "Ice Road Truckers" and his own "Gator 911." "These guys are larger than life."


The Elliotts: TV's funniest real-life family?

The NY Times visits with Abby, Bob and Chris Elliott.


Ricky Gervais an "Office" scam victim

Fraudsters tried to steal money from his bank account, but were caught after using a fake passport with an ID photo of Gervais as David Brent.

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ODDS & ENDS

November 30, 2009

Conan hosts Pee-wee Herman Thanksgiving pageant

Jay Leno is losing viewers to DVRs

NFL makes it official: The Who will perform at Super Bowl halftime

George Hamilton quits "I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here"

Meet the "Guidos" of MTV's "Jersey Shore"

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

November 25, 2009

CBS under fire for blurring Adam Lambert's gay kiss, but not Madonna's
There's a "double standard," says the editor of the Advocate, after CBS "Early Show" blurred Lambert's gay kiss while showing Madonna kissing Britney Spears unedited. "We gave this some real thought," says a CBS rep. "The Madonna image is very familiar and has appeared countless times including many times on morning television. The Adam Lambert image is a subject of great current controversy, has not been nearly as widely disseminated, and for all we know, may still lead to legal consequences."


Secret Service screws up, allows "Real Housewives" stars to crash White House dinner

Turns out socialites Tareq and Michaele Salahi of the Washington, D.C. edition of "Real Housewives" were never invited to Tuesday's state dinner at the White House, but both managed to make it in after the White House's Secret Service checkpoint didn't follow procedures. UPDATE: Bravo admits following the couple with cameras on Tuesday . UPDATE 2: They met Obama! and Brian Williams saw them being trailed by a Bravo camera.


Eminem wants to judge "The X Factor" next with Simon Cowell and Dr. Dre

Says the rapper: "So much average talent comes out of these reality shows, it's time to give people a chance who deserve it."


15 classic Thanksgiving episodes

From "Full House" to "Friends" to "Seinfeld."


Scott Bakula doubts "Quantum Leap" will get a remake

As the "Men of a Certain Age" star explains, "There’s a big, long, complicated paper trail in terms of ownership – it was bought by different studios."


Regis Philbin to sub for Meredith Vieira on syndicated "Millionaire"

The "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" host taped his weeklong appearance earlier this month, before making his hip replacement surgery announcement.


Bill O'Reilly meets Spill O'Reilly, his Muppet counterpart

"Welcome to the no spew zone."

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November 25, 2009

Stewie is Darth Vader in "Family Guy's" tribute to "Empire Strikes Back"
"Something, Something, Something, Dark Side" will air Dec. 22.


Meet the new "Scrubs"

Donald Faison introduces us to who's back and who's new.


"SYTYCD's" Mia Michaels: I'm working on 3 new shows

"One," she says, "is a choreography show, one is a doc-reality show of a stage show that will be touring the states and the third one was inspired by a Web site called 'Mia Michaels, Please Choreograph My Life.'"


Mya to guest on "Mercy"

The "Dancing" runner-up will play the daughter of a dying old man.


Fox hires Adam West to promote its lineup

Watch the "Batman" star urge you to watch Fox's Sunday lineup, the Thursday lineup, Wanda Sykes, "Lie to Me," "Glee" and "Fringe."


"Glee" and "FlashForward": When great pilots become bad TV shows

The lesson is to never trust a show by its pilot.


Roger Ebert reveals his thoughts on his TV replacements

Ebert still can't speak, but he comes clean on what he really thought of Ben & Ben.

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November 25, 2009

"SNL" calls up Taylor Lautner and James Franco for hosting duty
"Saturday Night Live" will have three back-to-back shows in December — Blake Lively and Rihanna on Dec. 5, Taylor Lautner and Bon Jovi on Dec. 12 and James Franco and Muse on Dec. 19.


Adam Lambert got "carried away," but won't apologize

Saying he got "I'm a performer, not a babysitter," the "Idol" rocker dressed like Elvis on "The Early Show" and made the point that "I can see how some got offended." He also said he "forgot" he was on TV. "I have a tendency to divide," he added. "Apples oranges, either you like me or you don't."
Let's not forget: Adam is just living up to his rocker image
Pen Boy calls Adam "a sham" // Adam in disguise // Who did Adam flip off?


Report: "The Biggest Loser" contestants are dieting dangerously

The very first "Loser" winner is back above 300 pounds after confessing that he starved himself and deprived himself of water to achieve his weight loss results on the show. In fact, several contestants and even the show admits that dangerous weigh loss techniques aren't all that unusual. Jillian Michaels calls it "the dark side of the show." But as one med school professor warns, somebody on the show is going to have a heart attack one of these days. PLUS: "Biggest Loser" won't let contestants speak to the media without an NBC minder.


Obama bumps Jay Leno for 1 night only

The president is scheduled to address the nation in primetime on Dec. 1, which means "The Jay Leno Show" will not air that night.


Nicole Richie & Joel Madden: Talk show hosts?

The former "Simple Life" star and her Good Charlotte husband are reportedly in talks to star in their own talk show set in their house.


Oprah to host "Christmas at the White House" special

Oprah Winfrey will interview President Obama for the Dec. 13 special on ABC.


Regis Philbin guest-hosts "Jimmy Kimmel Live"

Reege subbed for Kimmel after having him bound and gagged.


Chace Crawford dated Lorenzo Lamas' ex-wife

Shauna Sand says she romanced the "Gossip Girl" star — who is 14 years her junior — when he was an 18-year-old college freshman.


Watch the D.C. "Real World" trailer, shot inside the White House

In one scene, a housemate tries out the White House Press Briefing Room podium.

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November 25, 2009

MTV defends "Jersey Shore"
Responding to a call for the "Guidos" show to be canceled, MTV says in a statement: "The show continues MTV's history of documenting various subcultures, rites of passage of young people, and the ways they self-identify. The Italian-American cast takes pride in their ethnicity."


Kate Gosselin's toy line and beauty products aren't finding any buyers

Meanwhile, Jon Gosselin is having a tough time shopping his reality show.


"Real Housewives" stars attend White House State Dinner

Tareq and Michaele Salahi, who are the unconfirmed stars of "Real Housewives of Washington," were guests at last night's event, though their names didn't appear on the official guest list.


Oprah cancels "Favorite Things"

Oprah Winfrey's gift-giving episode usually takes place during Thanksgiving week.


TNT bringing "Leverage" back in January

Six episodes from Season 2 have yet to air.


Fox wins its first-ever solo November sweeps

The only other time Fox won November was in 2001, when it tied with NBC.


Can "Glee" become the next "Buffy"?

Despite its wildly tonal shifts, "Glee" has the potential of following the "Buffy" and "Veronica Mars" path of mashing up adolescent angst and genre tropes.


Donny Osmond wins "Dancing's" worst season

Why did Donny win? He was much more famous than Mya, says Eric Deggans, and he had a hardworking attitude that led to steady improvement. He explains: "I've said before the only thing DWTS fans love more than a good dancer, is a mediocre dancer who gets good over the course of the show. (which also explains why another celebrity offspring, Kelly Osbourne, survived long enough to land third place tonight) And it doesn't hurt that Osmond's core fan base is smack dab in the middle of the fiftysomething female demographic most likely to addicted to the show."
Jimmy Kimmel asks Kym Johnson: "Are you sexually attracted to Donny?"
Kelly Osbourne: "I never f****ing thought I was going to win anyway!"

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ODDS & ENDS

November 25, 2009

Study: 80% of Nickelodeon ads are for junk food

"Lost" vs. "Glee": Which will win the Tuesday at 9 timeslot battle?

Showtime is selling a fine "Dexter" watch for only $100

The Muppets perform their theme song on "Dancing"

Jerry & Larry were the real highlight of the "Curb"-"Seinfeld" reunion

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

November 24, 2009

Fox's midseason schedule sends "Glee" packing 'til April
"Glee" will air its last original episode on Dec. 9, before taking a really long four-month break. The next "Glee" episode will air on April 13, a Tuesday, following the "Idol" performance shows on Tuesday nights. Speaking of "Idol," Simon Cowell & Co. return Jan. 12 and 13 while "24" returns Jan. 17 for its usual Sunday season premiere. "Fringe" will also take a lengthy break through February and March so in can make room for "Past Life." Meanwhile, the final "Dollhouse" episode airs Jan. 22. PLUS: Will the long break destroy "Glee"?


TiVo subscribers are fleeing

The numbers of TiVo users have steadily gone down for the past two years.


Lea Thompson joins "Greek"

She'll play Cappie’s free-spirited mother.


Did Stephen Colbert pad his bobsled suit to highlight his anatomy?

What is up with his "bulge"?


Lisa Rinna shows off her makeup-less face

The former "Melrose" and "Dancing" star admits she "overdid" her plastic surgery.

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November 24, 2009

"Lie to Me" earns a full season
Fox just picked up the "back nine" for Season 2.


Italian-American group wants MTV's "Jersey Shore" canceled

The new reality show featuring the "hottest, tannest, craziest Guidos" (watch the trailer) is "trash television" packed with too many offensive stereotypes, says a nationwide Italian-American group. which is pushing MTV to cancel the show.


Muppets perform "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Watch the "epic, genius, perfect" video.


Gayle King: I'm not replacing Oprah

"That is not true," she says of the rumors. "I haven’t had one conversation with CBS about taking over that 4 PM slot."


About 4.3 million watch the demise of "Jon & Kate"

The TLC show had its biggest ratings in June, when 10 million tuned in to watch the end of the couple's marriage.

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November 24, 2009

"GMA" cancels Adam Lambert performance — "Early Show" snaps him up
The "Idol" champ was dropped. Says ABC: "Given his controversial live performance on the AMAs we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning." But Lambert has just been invited to "The Early Show" Wednesday to performan and discuss the controversy. He'll also perform on Letterman later Wednesday. PLUS: Lambert says "I respect" "GMA's" decision while Twitter responds with #ShameOnYouABC.


AMAs didn't expect Adam Lambert's performance

According to sources, the sex acts were omitted from rehearsals. "Due to the live nature of the show we did not expect the impromptu moment in question," said Dick Clark Productions in a statement.


"Neil Young" performs the "Fresh Prince" theme

Watch Jimmy Fallon's rendition of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."


Paula Abdul pitches herself as the next Oprah

"It would be fun and quirky and it would be insightful," the ex-"Idol" judge says of hosting her own talk show. "It would be fun to jam with the band and have amazing guests and introduce amazing different formats on the show." PLUS: Paula has lost a lot of weight since quitting "Idol."


"The Lying Channel" ends "Jon & Kate" by making Jon look bad

The way TLC ended its biggest hit show was "vile," says David Zurawik, for concluding the series with a "total takedown of Jon Gosselin" while making Kate look as good as possible. "Jon is an idiot, adolescent, self-absorbed, low-life fool of a fool," says Zurawik. "But he is not a bad person for taking his kids off TV, even if Kate said several times Monday night how much the kids "miss" being circus animals for TLC." PLUS: Audio proves Jon breached his TLC contract.


Conan's first black writer has become a big part of "The Tonight Show"

Meet Deon Cole, who has taken on some of Conan's comedy load, especially concerning racially sensitive topics.


Shakira to "Modern Family"?

Sofia Vergara is trying to recruit the Latin singer. "I'm trying to convince her to act," she says. "Hopefully, she'll say yes."

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November 24, 2009

Michael C. Hall takes his "Dexter" voiceovers very seriously
The actor does two versions of the voiceover, one a preliminary version taped in his trailer. Says Hall: "I think (the voice-over) reinforces the sense on the part of the audience that we're seeing things from Dexter's point of view, that we're in on a secret that no one else in his world is and as a result have an intimate relationship to him and are perhaps, just by continuing to watch, knowing what we know, implicated and complicit."


USA renews "Psych" and "Burn Notice"

"Psych's" 16-episode fifth season will air sometime in 2010-11, while "Burn Notice's" pickup became official yesterday.


5 TV families to avoid during Thanksgiving

From the Dunphy/Pritchetts to the Teller/Morrows.


"Cathouse" star was stabbed, shot and slashed multiple times

An autopsy report has found that Brooke Phillips likely died of a gun shot to the right temple.


Blake Lively set to host "SNL"

The "Gossip Girl" star will helm the Dec. 5th edition.


Most new Web TV shows are created by advertisers

Webisodes are borrowing a strategy from the early days of TV, when sponsors names appeared in the title.


ABC helps give Hulu a huge traffic bump

Thanks also to the start of the fall season, Hulu's October figures spiked 47% from September.

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November 24, 2009

Diddy to host a Home Shopping Network "talk show"
He'll appear Nov. 30 for two hours to sell his fragrances on a specially built living room set.


Who deserves to win "Dancing"?

Mya for her talent, or Donny for being entertaining? PLUS: Kelly Osbourne falls on her behind.


Will TVs get their own iPhone-like apps?

Imagine buying applications from an online TV Apps store.


Check out photos from "24" Season 8

Here's Katee Sackhoff, and here's Freddie Prinze, Jr.


National Geo's new "Live Curious" slogan is just an empty phrase

And doesn't its new ad (watch here) reek of bad grammar?


Watch the "Seinfeld" reunion in its entirety

It's the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" reunion with most of the Larry David bits cut out. PLUS: Jerry's apartment now has an iMac, instead of a classic Mac.


It's time for Larry David to retire "Curb  Your Enthusiasm"

He should do what he did with "Seinfeld," suggests Tom Shales. "Strangling the previously golden goose seems like the right idea," he says. "Even though the seventh season contained a wonderfully crowd-pleasing idea — reassembling the cast of 'Seinfeld' (which David co-created with Jerry Seinfeld) for a revised season finale that would also serve as "Enthusiasm's" seventh-season finale — David's seventh was one of his weakest seasons ever and included some of his least plausible episodes." PLUS: "Curb" delivered the best comedy of the year.

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ODDS & ENDS

November 24, 2009

Kris Allen: "A strange woman stuck her tongue down my throat"

HBO offers a glimpse of "Big Love" Season 4

Kirk Cameron clashes with UCLA students while trying to hand out fliers

Was there a Lady Gaga wardrobe malfunction on Leno?

Conan O'Brien:"The New Oprah"  (Watch Part 2)

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

November 23, 2009

"FlashForward" halts production temporarily
The show was temporary halted last week to give the writers a chance to "boost the writing." Filming resumes next week.


"Cougar Town" is going back to work

The show was shut down for only one day, according to Busy Phillips, due to Courteney Cox's "family matter." Production resumes next Monday after a Thanksgiving break.


Amanda Peet jumps on "HIMYM" celeb guest carousel

What she'll play has yet to be revealed.


Drea de Matteo has not been fired from "Housewives"

Don't believe everything the National Enquirer reports.

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November 23, 2009

Regis Philbin is taking a leave of absence
Reege said on this morning's "Regis and Kelly" that he'll recover from hip surgery by taking time off starting Dec. 1 and into the new year.


ABC: More than 1,500 people complained about Adam Lambert

The network characterized the response to last night's American Music Awards as "moderate." PLUS: J.Lo insists fall was intentional.


NBC inadvertently shows male buttocks

Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester got pantsed during last night's "Sunday Night Football" game.


Martha Stewart denies feud with Rachael Ray

Martha followed up on her seemingly Rachael-bashing comments on her show this morning, saying "just for the record there are no bad feelings between us nor have there ever been." Meanwhile, Rachael says she was not offended by Martha's words.


How "Glee" was cast

Watch the auditions for Quinn, Tina, Artie and Kurt.


Iranian police use "The Daily Show" to interrogate Newsweek reporter

Why was he talking to a guy (Jason Jones) dressed like a spy?

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November 23, 2009

Adam Lambert upset ABC censored his AMA performance for West Coast
Simulated fellatio and man-on-man kissing got his racy performance (watch the video) resulted in ABC censoring the American Music Awards for West Coast viewers. "If it’s gonna be edited, then in a way that's discrimination. I don't mean to get political, but Madonna, Britney and Christina weren't edited," Lambert said. "It’s a shame. Female entertainers have been risqué for years. Honestly, there's a huge double standard." PLUS: ABC edits out Jennifer Lopez's fall from the West Coast broadcast.


"Entourage" creator "shocked and horrified" by racism and homophobia on set

Rex Lee recently revealed to TMZ that the crew "occasionally" makes jokes about his race and sexual orientation. "I try not to let it bother me," he says. "Entourage" creator Doug Ellin responded by saying that "will be speaking to everybody before we start filming again in March. It's not something condoned or acceptable."


Al Roker writes "Today" show-inpspired murder mystery

The protagonist in "The Morning Show Murders: A Novel" is loosely based on Roker.


National Geo's "The Lost JFK Tapes" reveals local TV coverage of Nov. 22, 1963

Made in conjunction with the Sixth Floor Museum in the former Texas School Book Depository, tonight's documentary looks at the local angle of that fateful day.


Chris Elliott used Balloon Boy's dad as inspiration for Lily's "HIMYM" father

"That's the kind of dad he was when she was growing up — a guy obsessed with invention," he says of his character. PLUS: Josh Radnor has no idea who is the mother.


Joseph Gordon-Levitt: The Jackie Chan of "SNL"?

"His opening monologue dance number to 'Make Em Laugh' was adorable, eager (very very very eager) and physically intimidating," says Gina Carbone, who wonders why all the good material was saved for Gordon-Levitt and not January Jones. "Gordon-Levitt was a sweet puppy of a host (so excited, so effusive), but it was the regular SNL players who picked themselves up after last week's debacle and brought back the funny they used to do fairly regularly."
Best episode ever? // Al Gore makes a cameo on "Update" and in a sketch
Seth Meyers' post-"SNL" routine: Alcohol, then arrive home at 5 a.m.

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