Thursday, December 3, 2009

December 3, 2009

Mark Wahlberg: "Entourage" should end after 2 seasons, then become a movie
Two more seasons seems like the perfect amount of time to wind down the HBO comedy, Wahlberg says. "We'll see; there could be more," he said at the premiere of "The Lovely Bones." "But then, a movie." An HBO spokesperson says two more seasons aren't out of the question. "It is not out of the realm of possibility," says the spokesperson.


U.S. speedskater calls sponsor Stephen Colbert "a jerk"

"He's a jerk," American Olympic gold medalist Shani Davis, who trains in Calgary, said of Colbert's mock bashing of Canada. "You can put that in the paper." Davis wouldn't elaborate on his words, but last month it was revealed that he and Apolo Anton Ohno refused to wear the Colbert Nation logo.


"FlashForward's" will take a break till March 4; "V" returns March 30 after "Lost"

ABC is bringing back the show on March 4th in order to run the final episodes without reruns.


Adam Lambert not totally banned from ABC — he'll return next Wednesday

The "Idol" runner-up will make his post-AMAs ABC comeback in a taped appearance for Barbara Walters' "Most Fascinating People."


James Franco writes about his "performance art" stint on "General Hospital"

The actor explains the unusual career move in a Wall Street Journal essay: "I disrupted the audience's suspension of disbelief, because no matter how far I got into the character, I was going to be perceived as something that doesn't belong to the incredibly stylized world of soap operas. Everyone watching would see an actor they recognized, a real person in a made-up world. In performance art, the outcome is uncertain—and this was no exception."


Is "Gossip Girl" resurrecting Bart Bass?

The CW has released a photo of Bart in an upcoming episode.


Joey Lauren Adams joins Trace Adkins' Nashville drama

The "Chasing Amy" star will Sam Shepard's wife in the drama about three generations of a Nashville music dynasty. And for you Australian TV viewers, "Rush" star Claire van der Boom is also joining the cast.

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December 3, 2009

Did Disney push the Muppets to promote Queen album with "Rhapsody"?
Disney not only owns the Muppets but it one of its record labels owns the U.S. distribution rights to Queen's catalogue. And, as the Wall Street Journal points out, it just so happens that the Muppets' viral video for "Bohemian Rhapsody" was posted on YouTube less than a week before the release of "Queen: Absolute Greatest" album. A Disney spokeswoman declined to comment on the coincidence.


White House crasher's TV hosting past unveiled

Check out "Real Housewives" wannabe Michaele Salahi reporting for Plum TV.


It's a girl for "Scrubs" star Judy Reyes

Leila Rey Valencia was born Nov. 27.


Cash-strapped city decorates a "Charlie Brown Tree"

To save money, the San Francisco Bay Area city of Concord decided against buying a fancy $20,000 tree.


Is Comcast embarrassed by NBC's primetime lineup?

This morning's presentation included 36 slides. Not one touting the Peacock's primetime lineup. PLUS: Check out the NBC-Comcast merger as a nutrition label.


Syfy sending 50 giant well-dressed white rabbits into NYC to promote "Alice"

They'll hand out playing cards featuring Alice and the Mad Hatter.


Mark Burnett taking over "Design Star"

The "Survivor" boss will try to make the HGTV reality competition more entertaining.


ABC assuages GLAAD's concerns over Adam Lambert

"It would appear that the kiss between Adam Lambert and his keyboardist did not factor into ABC’s decision, says the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in a statement. "ABC has a history of positive gay and transgender inclusion that includes featuring kisses between gay and lesbian couples on-air."

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December 3, 2009

With "mediocre" Jim, "The Office" has become TV's most depressing show
The downer recession storylines has gotten to Meghan Keane, who writes: "Now Jim has developed into the most depressing archetype: a mediocre man who has already realized his full potential. Gone is Jim's charming lack of enthusiasm for his job. Now he's proving exactly where a lack of drive is likely to lead you—to the mediocrity of middle management, where one is gripped by the fear of losing whatever corner of inanity you've carved for yourself in the workplace."


Wealthy "My Super Sweet 16" dad indicted for fraud

Oilman Gary Milby, who appeared with his daughter on MTV in 2007, allegedly bilked investors out of $12 million.


"Gossip Girl's" Josh Scwartz picks the albums that defined the decade

"The O.C." creator's picks include Arcade Fire's "Funeral" and White Stripes' "Elephant."


Taye Diggs' wife looks a lot like Rachel from "Glee"

So why doesn't Idina Menzel guest-star as Lea Michele's mom?


Rascal Flatts suspected of a "CSI" crime

One will be a victim, the other two will be the suspects. But will they also perform?


Jaimie Pressly to guest on "Rules of Engagement"

The "My Name is Earl" star returns to TV as a potential surrogate mother for Patrick Warburton.


Gallery to showcase "Lost" underground art

Catch a viewing of 16 "Lost"-inspired posters.


Steven Seagal delivers A&E's most-watched new show

With 3.5 million viewers, "Lawman" was the highest-rated new show launch in A&E history.

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December 3, 2009

NBC's sale to Comcast means the devaluation of free TV
This morning's 13.75 billion deal is mostly about NBC Universal's cable assets. As James Poniewozik points out, "For starters, it reminds us how small a part of the package what we recently knew as 'TV'—free, over-the-air broadcast entertainment—now is. Comcast, a cable company whose interest is in finding new ways to sell viewers media, be it cable packages or movies on demand, is especially interested in NBCU's cable and theatrical properties. The Peacock, Jay Leno, 'The Office,' et al., are more or less being thrown in the deal like complimentary floor mats in a new car. Keep in mind that one big reason GE bought NBC way back when was because broadcast TV was valued as a reliable cash cow. Not so much anymore."
Comcast could drop the "NBC" name — New name: Comcast Entertainment?
Jeff Zucker to become CEO: "This marks the start of a new era for NBCU"

What this deal means: More Leno-like moves, to the detriment of NBC affiliates

NBC Universal is worth $30 billion, and other big numbers
// No big changes for Hulu
Lawmakers, consumer groups voice concern
// Will Comcast have to appease DirecTV?

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December 3, 2009

"Real Housewives" crashers turn down Congress invite, may be subpoenaed
The Salahi's have declined to appear at today's House Homeland Security Committee investigating their security breach, so the chairman of the committee is threatening to subpoena the couple. PLUS: Investigators have yet to ask Bravo for "Real Housewives" footage of their White House journey.


Meredith Baxter's "Family Ties" hubby knew she was a lesbian for years

"I'm just thrilled this has happened because now my wife and I don't have to hide this from everybody we know," says Michael Gross, who was born on the same day as Meredith Baxter. "Occasionally people will say to us, 'Hey, Michael, you still see your costar? How's she doing? Is there a man in her life?'" PLUS: Baxter is writing a book.


NBC follows Green Week by lighting 33,000 Christmas Tree lights

Despite threats of a labor union interruption, the 30 Rock treelighting ceremony went on last night without a hitch.


British TV reunites "Arrested Development's" David Cross & Will Arnett

Check them out, along with Spike Jonze, in Channel 4's new series "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Margaaret."


"Beverly Hills 90210" gets its own porn

According to the press release for "This Ain’t Beverly Hills 90210 XXX," Brandon has a three-way at the Peach Pit.

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December 3, 2009

"Park and Rec's" Ron Swanson explains his "glorious mustache"
"100 percent real," says Nick Offerman. "It takes about a month to get it good and thick. I've always been a Lon Chaney-style whiskers-and-hair actor. When Mike and I started talking about Ron Swanson back in inception, the first thing we said was, 'This guy's got a big f–king mustache.'"


"The Office" isn't getting enough credit for tackling the financial crisis

Recent "Office" episodes have been "remarkable and profound," says Alex Strachan, adding: "Quietly, with no hype, chest-thumping or press publicity, The Office has become a ferocious and incisive commentary on the financial crisis as witnessed through the eyes of the middle-class wage slaves who are bearing the brunt of the economic recession. This season, 'The Office' has been all about wage freezes, job cuts and financial ruin — but it has remembered to bring the funny."


Rainn Wilson begs Comcast to give him a new trailer, "like Steve's"

"Dear Comcast, Congrats on Buying NBC & being my new employer. Now, can I have a trailer like Steve's? Jacuzzi?, holograms, bidet, etc…"


Check out Courteney Cox & Lisa Kudrow reunited on "Cougar Town"

"They didn’t want to play friends," Bill Lawrence says of the mini-"Friends" reunion, adding that Kudrow "plays a dermatologist who is a horrible, horrible person…"


"I Get That a Lot" returns with Rachael Ray, Paris Hilton, Snoop Dogg, Julie Chen

Check out Snoop Dogg as a parking lot attendant, Rachael Ray as a dry cleaner, Gene Simmons as a psychic guru, Paris Hilton as a gas station attendant, Tony Hawk as an obnoxious salesman and Julie Chen as a yogurt shop worker.

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ODDS & ENDS

December 3, 2009

ESPN doesn't want to follow the Tiger Woods story, but it has no choice

New "Scrubs" draws a small audience

Barney Stinson + Frosty = Frosty the Inappropriate Snowman

Reminder: "Jersey Shore" premieres tonight

From Walter White to Avon & Stringer: TV's 5 Best Drug Dealers

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