Thursday, March 18, 2010

March 18, 2010

Sarah Palin wants $1 to $1.5 million per episode
The former governor is asking for an unusual amount of money for a first-year cable show.


Ashley Tisdale to play a "Hellcat" cheerleader on CW

She'll play the captain of the cheerleading team in the drama from "Smallville's" Tom Welling.


Check out Betty White, TV Land sitcom star

Here she is on "Hot in Cleveland."


Beau Bridges signs on for "Rockford Files"

He'll play Dermot Mulroney's dad.


Ryan Seacrest's spoiler has ramifications on "Idol" ratings

The night Seacrest tweeted this week's bootee more than one hour before it was televised on the West Coast marked one of the lowest-rated results show in "Idol" history among the coveted 18-49 demo.


"HIMYM" is casting for Stella

Who will play Sarah Chalke's role?


Skeet Ulrich returning to CBS

The former "Jericho" star is joining John Wells' mobile medical team drama.

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March 18, 2010

Report: Paula Abdul rejects lucrative "Star Search" offer, stunning ABC
ABC made a "rich offer" to Paula, but she passed, according to Kim Masters, who adds: 'What's unclear is whether the erratic Abdul ditched the project because Simon Cowell swooped in to claim her for his new Fox show, 'X Factor,' which will start in the fall 2011. Fox executives have been hoping that's not the case."


Lacey Brown: "Idol" judges are too confusing

"The criticism this year has been confusing, and therefore I would change week to week, which would leave the audience questioning who I am," Brown said in her exit interview.


Tim Burton to direct 3-D stop-motion "Addams Family" movie

The famed director will reportedly use the original "Addams" New Yorker cartoons as inspiration.


"Davey Crockett" star Fess Parker dies at 85

Parker also played — and sung — "Daniel Boone" in the '60s. (Watch an interview with Parker.)


"Losties" say "mm…cake"

Twenty-three seconds of "mm…cake."


Heidi Montag fires psychic/manager whom she just hired to replace Spencer Pratt

According to Us Weekly, the psychic was"demanding a significant portion of her Hills money."

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March 18, 2010

It's A&E vs. Discovery for Sarah Palin's reality show
The two cable networks are finalists for the Mark Burnett-produced Alaska series.


Report: Fox putting pressure on affiliates to make way for a Conan show

According to TMZ, Conan's reps and Fox have been "seriously talking," though no deal has been made. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the two sides haven't communicated in the past two weeks.


"Modern Family's" Ty Burrell adopts a baby girl

The hapless father has become a real-life dad.


Betty White turned down "SNL" 3 times — now, she's nervous

But White tells Larry King she was never personally asked to do the show by Lorne Michaels.


Letterman to pit pets vs. humans in "The Ultimate Stupid Trick Tourney"

Sixteen finalists from the past 17 years of "Late Show" have been selected to compete in this very special competition.


"Glee" to invade Oprah

The April 7th "Oprah Winfrey Show" will be devoted to all things "Glee," with the entire cast and Ryan Murphy in attendance. PLUS: Watch the newest "Glee" promo.


"Scrubs" airs yet another finale

This time, it looks like "Scrubs" will officially be put to sleep.

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March 18, 2010

Ryan Seacrest: My feud with Simon is all part of the show
Seacrest basically on his radio show this morning that it was all an act when Simon said last night, "Do you want to get the eyeballing out of the way?" Said Seacrest: "Just for the record, it's all part of the show. We went to dinner last night. And I paid."


"Idol" voters get it right with Lacey Brown ejection

She just didn't have the star power to compete with contestants like Crystal, Siobhan and Big Mike.
Next week's theme: Teen idols // "Idol" cannot handle cock rock


How did an aspiring movie screenwriter end up working on "The Bachelor"?

Bennett Graebner never imagined he'd use his USC film school degree on reality TV. "I must admit when 'The Bachelor' came along I was a little reluctant," says Graebner, the show's supervising script producer. "It had never been my dream to work in reality TV. I dreamed of being the next Cameron Crowe, not someone responsible for a reality TV show about falling in love. I took the job and never looked back. I love it."


Andy Samberg loves the "Parks and Rec" theme, but not the cast

Says Samberg, who appears on tonight's episode: "I don't want to jinx it, but I'm pretty sure it's the best episode ever of any show ever to air on television. I think this is going to be the thing everybody talks about for the rest of our lives."


China buys the rights to make its own "Amazing Race"

On "China Rush," however, teams of two will travel within the country of China.


Bob Odenkirk: "Breaking Bad" changed the way I perform

Before Saul Goodman came along, Odenkirk always envisioned himself as a writer first and an actor second. "I’ve had more fun performing since taking 'Breaking Bad," he says, "because 'Breaking Bad' made me have to take my performing seriously, which is not really something I ever did."


"FlashForward" returns: Does anybody care?

It's been three months since the last new episode, and the producers have two hours tonight to prove if there is any there there.
Why "Flash" deserves a 2nd chance // UK broadcaster won't save "FlashForward"

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ODDS & ENDS

March 18, 2010

"24" showrunner's next project: "Prisoners of War"

Ellen Pompeo: I took only a 4-week maternity leave because "I needed to work"

Watch the trailer for the new "Futurama"

"Jersey" stunner: Snooki was charged in drunk driving death of a teen

Bill Paxton: The Pinball Machine

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]