From the daily archives:

Monday, November 30, 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]