December 2009

Coming to stores: Paula Deen-brand paper
The Food Net star is coming out with a designer paper product line that includes stationary, gift wrapping, recipe cards, organizers, boxes and food containers.

"Glee's" Matthew Morrison insists: I'm straight!
"I grew up singing and dancing, so people have been calling me gay since fifth grade," he tells Elle magazine. "I've heard everything you could possibly hear about it." PLUS: Italy hit by a "Glee" flashmob.

Michael Jackson's doctor gets a UK TV special
Documentary cameras followed Dr. Conrad Murray one month ago when he returns to work.

Why are syndicated TV repeats shown out of order?
Because some episodes are simply more popular than others, demanding higher ad rates.

Vatican newspaper congratulates "The Simpsons"
L'Osservatore Romano joined in the celebration of the show's 20th anniversary, noting that there should be a "Simpsonian theology."

Lady Gaga to judge Gaga-themed "Launch My Line" episode
Designers will be tasked with designing the most boundary-pushing, Gaga-esque outfit.

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TV's revolutionary 2000s were akin to 1990s music and 1970s film

Is Comedy Central canceling "Jeff Dunham" after 1 season?

Kelly Pensimon's P.A. tells all: What's it like to assist a "Real Housewife"?

Report: Drunk Kiefer Sutherland had to be carried out of a NYC restaurant

Reality show to follow cops with cameras mounted on their head

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

"Idol" reveals schedule: 24-singer semifinals will return
After deviating with a 36-person semifinals last season, "American Idol" will go back to the 24-person format, split between men and women.

Introducing the Conan O'Brien Yule Log
You can enjoy Conesy with your Christmas at ConanYuleLog.com.

Warrant issued for O.C. "Real Housewife's" arrest
Lynne Curtin and her hubby were supposed to appear in court yesterday, but they never showed up.

Is "SYTYCD" avoiding a Season 6 tour?
Some "So You Think You Can Dance" fans aren't happy that no tour has been announced, as of yet.

Marg Helgenberger will be officially single on Feb. 1
That's when the "CSI" star and her hubby of about 22 years, former Screen Actors Guild president Alan Rosenberg, will be divorced.

Carrie Bradshaw: Feminist icon?
Some end-of-decade lists are debating the "Sex and the City" character's influence on women this decade.

Watch a preview of "Undercover Boss"
See the CEO of Waste Management picking up trash.

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Joan Rivers returns to E!
She'll host a series of "Fashion Police" specials next year.

"Jersey Shore" stars: They're really well-trained "actors"!?
Pauly D has a British accent?

Jersey Shore residents are still not happy with "Jersey Shore"
As one resident puts it, the show hasn't been good for the town's image: "You're trying to create a family town, and you got a bunch of kids acting very rude, and it doesn't create a good image." PLUS: The Situation and Pauly D are each charging $7,500 for a personal appearance.

Jimmy Fallon revives "SNL's" Christmas song with Julian Casablancas
Horatio Sanz and The Roots also joined in singing "I Wish It Was Christmas Today."

"Entourage's" Turtle & Meadow Soprano have broken up
Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Jerry Ferrara have apparently mutually decided to split up.

"Dollhouse" reunites Eliza Dushku with her real-life boyfriend
Rick Fox will play an Active on the Jan. 8 episode.

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CBS was smart to put "Undercover Boss" after the Super Bowl
It's a better idea than putting "How I Met Your Mother" on after their Super Bowl. "The Office," for instance, didn't get a long-term boost from last year's Super Bowl. PLUS: TLC had its own "boss"-like show.

"Sopranos" actor busted in $13,000 insurance scam
Raymond Franza, who appeared on five "Sopranos" episodes as mobster "Donny K," allegedly tried to defraud the government after a car wreck.

Ex-HBO mastermind Chris Albrecht becomes head of Starz
Albrecht, who was responsible for everything from "The Sopranos" to "Sex and the City" before a domestic charge forced his resignation, will become the president and CEO of Starz.

Kate Gosselin gets a "Carol Brady" makeover
Will her real life become the "Brady Bunch"?

Apple talking to cable and broadcast networks about a subscription service
Would you be willing to pay $2 to $4 a month for each broadcast network, or $1 to $2 for each cable channel?

Sofia Vergara's dad dies
The "Modern Family" star's father died Sunday, several years after suffering a stroke that left most of his body paralyzed.

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Happy Holidays from "Cougar Town"!

"Lost" promos are getting more intense // What will Sayid do with these "Lost" twins?

Check out more photos from "24" Season 8

Benjamin Bratt is the latest celeb to stop by "Modern Family"

Would you buys Eva Longoria's perfume?

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

"Survivor" Russell launches RussellGotScrewed.com
"It kind of shook me up," he said on Monday of his loss. "I knew I didn’t win because I can read people that good. It’s like, you try so hard for something, and when you hear you didn’t win it, it’s rough. I thought maybe there’s a shot, but I started thinking and thinking about it when I was home, and analyzing everything that everybody said, and I was like, ‘I didn’t win.’ That’s why I already opened the website, russellgotscrewed.com."

Jeff Probst calls Russell "the victim"
"Okay, now that the show is officially over I’m going to take off my hosting and producing hat and just give you my personal reaction to what went down last night," the "Survivor" host writes on his EW blog. "I think Russell was the victim of a jury of bitter people."

Fox yellowing itself in honor of "The Simpsons"
The week of Jan. 3rd will see just about everything Fox-related turning yellow, from Web sites to promos to on-air graphics.

ABC falls for another gender comedy: "Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid"
Just days after picking up "Awkward Situations for Men," ABC has ordered another gender-based comedy inspired by a book.

Stewie Griffin does his Top 10 on Letterman
Here's a preview of "Things You Don't Want to Hear from Your Child."

Kate is keeping the "Gosselin" name
The mom of eight has opted not to return to her maiden name, Kreider.

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Simon Cowell will leave "Idol"after next season, his brother claims
Tony Cowell said on his weekly podcast, "The Cowell Factor," that “a press statement is being prepared which will confirm what everybody expected: Simon will leave ‘Idol’ at the end of 2010 to concentrate on bringing the American version of ‘X Factor’ to U.S. TV in 2011." That same podcast also included an earlier recorded interview with Simon, but the "Idol" meanie  wouldn't comment on his brothers words.

Starz renews "Spartacus" before it even premieres
Season 2 has been picked up one month in advance of the debut of Season 1.

Dell is the latest advertiser to dump "Jersey Shore"
The computer maker says it doesn't "condone or support ethnic bashing in any form."

Have a "Mad Men" Christmas!
Check out this elegant Sterling Cooper drawing.

Check out "Big Love's" new promo
"Our whole life is under attack and we need to push back."

Joe Jonas to fill in for Regis
He'll host "Live!" with Kelly Ripa, interviewing such guests as Marion Cotillard and Zach Braff.

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Report: Nancy O'Dell quit "Access Hollywood" over Billy Bush's bad behavior
"The atmosphere at ‘Access Hollywood' is like walking on a landmine because of Billy," a show insider tells the NY Daily News. "He throws tantrums and tirades and oftentimes for no apparent reason. It was one of several things that had Nancy at her wit's end after 13 years."

Rage Against the Machine defeats Simon Cowell
Thanks to a Facebook campaign, "Killing in the Name" became the Christmas No. 1 in Britain, beating "The X Factor" winner's debut single.

Alyssa Milano transforms into a "Jersey Shore" guidette
She almost looks just like Snooki, poof and all.

Carrie Underwood gets engaged to a hockey player
Ottawa Senator hockey player Mike Fisher popped the question on Sunday: "We're both obviously excited and very happy," he says.

Jimmy Fallon accuses British talk show host of ripping him off
Fallon says Jonathan Ross stole his bit when the UK host had Christopher Walken do a dramatic reading of Lady Gaga.

What is it like to watch TV without a DVR?
Once upon a time, we used to watch whatever happened to be on TV. But, as Jon Caramanica points out, "the DVR isn't the death of appointment viewing so much as it's the death of happenstance."

Why does "Men of a Certain Age" have a '70s-flavored soundtrack?
Ray Romano calls the show's music "needle-drop songs," adding that that's all he has on his iPod. "It’s kind of a lame iPod," he says. "It’s all classic rock, it’s soft rock, it’s Neil Sedaka, it’s Chicago, it’s Air Supply."

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Why Natalie's "Survivor" victory over Russell was well-deserved
Ultimately, Natalie played a better game than Russell, despite gripes by naysayers. As James Poniewozik points out, "Not that I especially cared for Natalie, but I was kind of glad to see her win, if only to reject this idea that the "coattails" strategy is somehow any less legitimate than any other strategy in Survivor. For one thing, if you're a less physically strong player, you have fewer protections, especially in the early rounds, and the coattail strategy is one of the ones available to you. Saying that Russell's strategy was more legitimate on some Calvinist grounds that it required harder work, supposedly, is not only nonsensical, it's unfair."
Russell: "I don't think she deserves it. That's my opinion"
Natalie: I had as much game as Russell // Finale gets ratings boost
Did Russell not winning ruin this season? // What a satisfying end!

Reality TV mostly celebrates the "utterly mundane"
Sure there are reality shows like "Project Runway" and "SYTYCD" that are informative, says Mary McNamara. "But from the nurse log of 'American Idol' and 'The Amazing Race' have sprouted all manner of shows in which the time-honored division between fame and notoriety has been unforgivably mangled, creating a pop culture smoothie in which there is not so much flavor as sensation. Raising children, surviving marriage, gossiping with your friends, looking for a job, losing weight and buying expensive things — for all their bravura, most reality shows celebrate nothing quite so much as the utterly mundane."

Showtime giving "Ronna & Beverly" a midnight tryout tonight
The "Jewish AbFab" from "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan was filmed as a pilot but never picked up. Instead, the comedy about two Boston Jewish divorcees will get a special airing tonight and Dec. 29.

"Amazing Race" returns Feb. 14, paired with "Undercover Boss"
"Cold Case," meanwhile," will move to 10 pm on Sunday nights.

"SNL's" comedy secret: Repeat, repeat, repeat!
Repetition is hilarious on "Saturday Night Live," as Roger Catlin points out: "Just about every sketch on 'SNL' Saturday dealt with repeating a phrase or action, ad infinitum, to the end of the sketch." PLUS: Jack McBrayer & Mike Tyson pop up on the umpteenth "What Up With That?" sketch.

NBC affiliates seem peeved over Jay Leno's low ratings
“We remain hopeful that it will get better,” Howfield says NBC's Las Vegas affiliate GM says of November's "a little scary" ratings. “But we'd sure like to have a few of those ratings points back.”

Fox sends "Fringe" to knock out "Heroes"
"Fringe" will remaining in its Thursday timeslot, but an unaired "Fringe" episode from Season 1 has been scheduled to air on Monday, Jan. 11.

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Kate Gosselin offers herself up for "Dancing"
Asked by Jay Leno which reality show she'd be willing to do, Kate responded: "Yes, 'Dancing with the Stars' because I cannot dance. I want to laugh at myself. I so cannot dance. It would be a sad sight."

Mia Kirshner joins "The Vampire Diaries"
"The L Word" alum will pplay Alaric's wife.

BBC America will launch "Survivors" 2 days after CBS brings back "Survivor"
The apocalyptic BBC drama about the aftermath of a deadly virus (watch here) has been scheduled to premiere on Feb. 13, just two days after the next season of "Survivor" debuts.

Bravo to turn over "Real Housewives" crasher footage to Congress
Turns out the White House ignored the cable channel when it inquired in advance if the Salahis' invitation as legit.

Lovable losers are making a TV comeback
From "Community" to "Men of a Certain Age," humility is slowly becoming all the rage.

Mark Burnett: "Our Little Genius" isn't harming kid contestants
"These are the kinds of kids who've been on a lot of daytime shows and you say, 'I can't believe what this kid knows,'" he says, adding that "the kids don't seem to feel any pressure."

"Sesame Street's" Olivia dies of breast cancer
Aliana Reed Hall, who also starred on "227," was 63.

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Kathy Najimy on her "Hill" co-star: "Brittany Murphy was like no other"

Happy holidays from "Modern Family"!

Stewie Griffin to deliver the Letterman Top 10

Watch Alec Baldwin's "60 Minutes" profile

Check out the Fox's Season 9 "American Idol" campaign

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

NBC yanks "SNL" clip poking fun at Brittany Murphy
Just two weeks ago, Abby Elliott portrayed Murphy on "Weekend Update" (watch it here) as being out of it after she was fired from the thriller "The Caller." In light of Murphy's unexpected death today, NBC opted to pull the clip from Hulu. PLUS: Watch Brittany Murphy's "SNL" promo and read a transcript of her hosting the show in September 2002.

"Undercover Boss" wins CBS' post-Super Bowl slot
The reality show where CEOs go undercover will get the coveted timeslot Feb. 10.

"Survivor's" 20th season will pit past Heroes vs. Villains
Exact names weren't revealed tonight, but tonight's promo showed villains Coach, Jonny Fairplay and Richard Hatch.

A rival to the Emmys?
The networks are talking to the Paley Center about coming up with their own awards show that would become an alternative to the Emmys.

PBS finally signs up for daily TV ratings
With a new Nielsen deal, we'll be able to know exactly how many people are watching shows like "Sesame Street" and "Frontline."

Trista Sutter: "The Bachelor" is "tainted now"
The former "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" star says that nowadays, "People know the right things to say and do, and how to act." She adds: ""When we were on it, it was more innocent. It came from a pure place…I'm sure many people go on now to be a part of the public eye."

Bettheny Frankel reveals un-Photoshopped nude picture
"Everything I'm about is being honest and being upfront," she says. "So if people are talking and saying (the photo) was airbrushed…then, you know what? Here's the picture. Have it your way."

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Brittany Murphy dies suddenly at age 32
The "King of the Hill" star, who has voiced Peggy Hill's niece Luanne Platter since the launch of the Fox series, died of cardiac arrest this morning, TMZ reports.

"Snooki" from "Jersey Shore" drops by "Weekend Update"
"The Situation" also made a cameo to show off his back abs.

Charles Barkley returns to host "SNL" after 16 years — he last hosted with Nirvana
The last time the retired NBA star hosted, on Sept. 25, 1993, the musical guest was Nirvana six months before Kurt Cobain's death. Barkley will host the first "Saturday Night Live" of the new year, on Jan. 9.

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"Italy's Got Talent" accused of blatantly ripping off Susan Boyle
Another frumpy middle-age singer: Carmen Masola (watch her here) stunned a teary-eyed audience this past week when she belted out the "Casta Diva" aria from Vincenzo Bellini's "Norma." Masola, a newsstand agent who trained as an opera singer, even cited Boyle as her role model. Italian TV critics are accusing "Italy's Got Talent" of looking for its own Boyle to boost ratings.

Maura Tierrney could be well enough to return to "Rescue Me"
Co-creator Peter Tolan expects her to be back, saying "we know we're going to bring back Maura Tierney, because we loved her and she loved us, which is even more fulfilling."

"Survivor" Shambo won't cut the mullet — she knew Russell was evil early on
Any chance for a makeover? "I would respectfully decline that," she says, "because I think everybody has the right to have their hair the way they like, and I have always liked my hair. My mom hates it this way. She would love it if I would cut it off." PLUS: Jeff Probst's "Live for the Moment" reality show will air, after all, on Jan. 28.

ABC burning through "Scrubs" and "Better Off Ted"
Both low-rated comedies will get numerous airings over the next 3 1/2 weeks, with ABC taking the unusual step of airing "Scrubs" and two "Ted" episodes after the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. Each show will air two episodes each on Jan. 5 and 12.

You can rent "Jersey Shore's" Snooki for $2,000 plus transportation
The recently fired MTV star is pitching herself for personal appearances. PLUS: "Jersey's" ratings keep going up.

Newly single Kate Gosselin goes on Jay Leno
What's the first thing she'll do after getting divorced? "I’m a wild woman Jay," she answered. "I’m baking cookies with the kids."

USA grants "White Collar" a 2nd season
Of course, the well-received series was a lock for renewal.

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"Glee" wrote Lea Michele's part for her, Sue Sylvestor will get beefed up
Ryan Murphy had Michele in mind when he wrote the part. The tough part was getting her through the audition process. As for Jane Lynch, Murphy says, "Jane has really broken out on the show and people love her, and we're writing to that. If you thought she was bad in the first 13, she'll be doubly wicked and funny and vulnerable in the back nine."

ABC orders "Awkward Situation for Men"
Based on an upcoming book, the comedy follows an awkward Brit who moves to the U.S. and discovers that his behavior rubs Americans the wrong way.

Dr. Drew: I never said I was an expert in sex addiction
Responding to a story by a "Sex Rehab" star claiming he was a phony, Dr. Drew says he's a substance abuse expert: "I learned a lot about treating sex addiction while working on the show. Knowing that I’m not an expert on sex addiction, I surrounded myself with a team of people who were. I’m leading the team, I’m organizing the team, but I’m not the expert.”

Meet the latest "True Blood" casting addition
It's Lindsay Pulsipher, from "The Beast."

DirecTV to air a bunch of "Lost" specials
The specials will look back at previous seasons with special unseen footage.

"Gilmore Girls" matriarch coming to "Mercy"
Will Kelly Bishop and Lauren Graham appear on NBC at the same time?

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"Jon & Kate" are officially divorced
Kate Gosselin's lawyer says that under the agreement, which was signed this morning, "Our client will continue to reside with all eight of her children in the former marital home." She adds, "I am very relieved that our divorce has been finalized, and I look forward to the New Year, focusing on our children." PLUS: Broke Jon Gosselin will have to pay "huge child support payments."

"America's Best Dance Crew" judge arrested for child molestation
The LAPD took Shane Sparks into custody this morning on a felony warrant charging him with molestation. He's being held on $590,000 bail.

Fox may disappear from Time Warner Cable
The cable giant is refusing Fox's demands that it pay $1 per subscriber.

Did the nation of Georgia rip off "The Simpsons"?
"The Samsonadzes," a new Georgian TV show about a yellow-skinned cartoon family (watch the trailer), appears to be a "Simpsons" rip-off — but its creator insists the show is more of a tribute. "There are some similarities to The Simpsons, but there are also a lot of differences," says Shalva Ramishvili, who also serves as a producer. "We have tried to make the programme relevant to Georgian reality and touch on social issues that will resonate with a Georgian audience."

Study: TV-watching may perpetuate racial bias
Tufts University researched racial perception on TV in a series of four studies, which found that white characters consistently received more positive treatment than their black counterparts.

Will "The Beautiful Life's" YouTube viewers be accurately counted?
So far, the pilot of the canceled CW series has received about 266,000 views, but what if one person watches each episode thousands of times?

MTV "Hires" with a job-search reality show
In a sign of the times, job applicants to the digital agency Huge in Brooklyn will be filmed as they try to get hired. Part of the process will see them going through a meeting with a career coach.

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Will "SNL" declare the 2010s "The Al Franken Decade"?
It has become a "Saturday Night Live" tradition to end each decade with Al Franken going on Weekend Update" to declare the next decade as "The Al Franken Decade." Franken did it in December 1979, and in December 1989 and again in December 1999. But now that he's a big-time U.S. senator, will he go on "SNL" tomorrow for the final "Update" of the year? Here's what he said at the end of the 1970s: "I believe we're entering what I like to call the Al Franken Decade. Oh, for me, Al Franken, the 80's will be pretty much the same as the 70's. I'll still be thinking of me, Al Franken."

All Christmas TV specials have one of 3 basic plotlines
They are 1) Gift woes threaten to ruin Christmas, 2) Work threatens to ruin Christmas and 3) Absent holiday spirit threatens to ruin Christmas.

"Soul Food" star joins J.J. Abrams' "Undercovers" as the male lead
Actor Boris Kodjoe will be one-half of a couple spy team.

Ex-"Top Model" star sues NFL wide receiver for child support
Nik Pace, who appeared on "ANTM" in 2005, claims Braylon Edwards of the New York Jets, is the father of her baby. She's demanding $70,000 a month.

Why "Vampire Diaries" is so better than "Twilight"
Here are five reasons, including the fact that the CW "Vampire" characters actually sleep with each other.

4 of "The Office" stars once interned for Conan
Angela Kinsey, Mindy Kaling, John Krasinski and Ellie Kemper all have a Conan internship on their resumes. "We created the show the office using our intern pool," Conan tells Krasinski, neglecting to mention that his Harvard roommate, Greg Daniels, runs "The Office."

Did George Costanza inspire Major League Baseball?
His "Seinfeld" vision of a snow tire day at Yankee stadium is becoming closer to reality, thanks to a new pact between MLB and Firestone.

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Master P's 13-year-old daughter could be Nickelodeon's next teen star
Cymphonique, who is also the sister of Romeo, has inked a big-time talent development deal with the cable network.

"Sex Rehab" star: Dr. Drew is a phony when it comes to sex addiction
Duncan Roy claims that Dr. Drew — who has hosted "Loveline" for 25 years — was so ignorant of sex addiction that he'd recycle lines from cast members. "It was," he says, "immediately apparent that while Drew may be an astounding drug and alcohol specialist, he knows very little, or anything, about the precise science of sex addiction. More disturbingly, he does not believe in God, which is a fundamental prerequisite to any 12-step program." PLUS: Roy claims all the women on the show have the same agent.

Martha Stewart & Snoop Dogg bake brownies together
Says Snoop: "We're missing the most important part of the brownies."

Paul Shaffer has a "Late Night" bone to pick with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots
Letterman's bandleader doesn't like Jimmy proclaming The Roots as the "greatest band in late night."

"Gossip Girl's" costume designer pens book: "You Know You Want It"
Eric Daman's book will teach you how to be a "Serena" one day, and a "Blair" the next. PLUS: Check out the "Gossip Girl" cast Top 10 lists.

TLC's "Mall Cops" show off for the camera
There was a little bit of showboating as camera crews followed Minneapolis Mall of America cops. "You feel the pressure with cameras and 16 people behind you," said one of the mall cops.

So long, "Survivor's" Mullet
It was too obvious last night that Shambo was a goner.
Shambo, day after // Probst sad about Shambo // Will she vote for Russell?

MTV blacks out "Jersey Shore" punch, airs PSA about violence against women
Viewers saw nothing but darkness last night when Snooki was bunched at a Jersey bar.  At the end of the episode, viewers were warned about the reality of violence against women.
The Situation tan-less in high school // Pauly D and Mike are moving to Hollywood
"Jersey Shore" cast visit George Lopez to talk about the "Guido Revolution"

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