April 2010

April 26, 2010

TNT renews "Southland"
The on-the-bubble TNT drama will return for a 3rd season, after being canceled by NBC. The new season will begin in January.


Rob Lowe dropping by "Californication"

The busy Lowe will audition to play the movie version of "Hank Moody" in the season premiere.


Kathy Griffin visits Sarah Palin's house for the "D-List"

Well, sort of: She and Levi Johnston knocked on Palin's door in Wasilla, Alaska.


Google now allows you to search TV episodes

The new feature will allow you to find specific episodes.

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April 26, 2010

"South Park" gets support from "The Simpsons"
Last night's episode opened with Bart Simpson writing on the chalk board, "South Park – We'd Stand Beside you if we weren't so scared."


NYPD beefed up security at Comedy Central HQ weeks ago

Cops were tipped off before the controverisal "South Park" episode aired. PLUS: Comedy Central let the terrorists win.


Fox seeking Aussie & Brit actresses to avoid Americans with plastic surgery

"I think everyone either looks like a drag queen or a stripper," Fox's head of casting scripted shows says of the overabundance and sameness of American actresses, many of whom have gotten plastic surgery.


NBC wanted Rob Lowe on "Parks and Rec" for his sexy star power

NBC entertainment boss Angela Bromstad came up with the idea of having Lowe join the show to give Pawnee a big-name, good-looking star that will lure more viewers. "They want Rob to be their Alec Baldwin," one agent says of the decision, referring to "30 Rock." (Watch Lowe on "Parks" set)


Watching "Lost" while on Twitter can be a mesmerizing experience

"It’s collective hermeneutics and forensics, a spectacle of state-of-the-art, real-time crowd-sourcing," Virginia Heffernan says of "Lost" live-tweeting. PLUS: "Lost" wraps shooting exactly 6 years later.


"Tight": The female version of "Hung"

Watch Funny or Die's video starring Michaela Watkins.


"Gossip Girl," mapped out

Check out a more comprehensive flow chart of all the hook-ups on the CW series. PLUS: William Baldwin begins "Gossip" stint and the "*itch is back."

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April 26, 2010

Chelsea Handler: I've had network offers, and I may branch out from E!
"I'd been approached to go to a network a while ago, and I thought it was a little premature," the 35-year-old Handler says. "There's only so much you can talk about celebrities only. Obviously, I'm going to want to branch out at some point," she adds, saying that she'd like to a show that had more discussions on politics and books.


Did "Undercover Boss" actually boost the brands of its stars?

7-Eleven benefitted, but brand recognition for Hooters and White Castle are currently at a lower level then they were before the show.


Adam Lambert: I don't want to judge "Idol"

It's all talk, for now, but Adam says: "I would be honored to be asked – but I think at this point I'm just focusing on my career as a recording artist."


"Chuck" gets even better with Sarah romance

Tonight kicks off six bonus episodes as "Chuck" continues to live off borrowed time. PLUS: Zachary Levi says, "It's in God's hands."


Gabourey Sidibe upstaged on "SNL" by Betty White

The "Precious" star didn't deliver on last week's "Saturday Night Live," so the highlight was Betty White's promo for next week's show. PLUS: The writers failed Sidibe.


Sean Young: From movie to soap opera star

CBS has tapped Young for a stint on "The Young and the Restless."


Kate Gosselin's kids OK'd for her TLC spinoff

The Pennsylvania Dept. of Labor have cleared them for "Kate Plus 8."


"Legend of the Seeker" canceled

The Sam Raimi series got the ax after many Tribune stations dropped it from syndication.

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ODDS & ENDS

April 26, 2010

Charlie Sheen's uncle, Joe Estevez, wants to join "Two and a Half Men"

Philippine court lifts ban on "Big Love"

"Mad Men's" Vincent Kartheiser doesn't own a toilet or drive a car

Conan confirms he's staying put in L.A.

Introducing "Seinfeld" Rock Band

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

April 25, 2010

Conan returns to NBC Universal, featuring Jim Carrey as Superman
Conan's tour became even more star-studded for his Saturday and Sunday Los Angeles stint at the NBC-owned Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City, near Conan's old "Tonight Show" studio. Celebrity guests included Jon Hamm pulling the Walker Texas Ranger Lever, Aziz Ansari and Jack McBrayer and Jonah Hill. Saturday's show ended with all of them dancing together on stage.


Conan's TV production company moving to Warner Bros.

Conaco will be part of the Turner family, too.


Doctors still seeking the source of Bret Michaels' bleeding

"He is under 24 hour doctors' care and supervision," Michaels' tour manager said in a statement. "We are hopeful that further tests will locate the source of the bleeding, which has still not been located.


"America's Got Talent" will start auditioning via YouTube

YouTube users will be able to vote for "Got Talent" competitors to advance.

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April 23, 2010

Bret Michaels is conscious and talking
After suffering a brain hemorrhage, the reality star has been stabilized.


Lauren Graham & Peter Krause: Dating "Parenthood" siblings?

According to Us Weekly, Graham, 43, and Krause, 44, have become a real-life couple.


"Lost" characters, mapped out

Just how complex is the "Lost"-iverse?


Read Conan's prom rejection letter to a high school girl

He wrote it in 2003 — complete with a drawing of himself — when an 11th grader asked him to prom.


Charlie Sheen and his wife are living apart, but have no plans to divorce

A rep for Sheen denies that their two-year-old marriage is over.


Tim Urban: "I would love to be on 'Glee'"

"That," he says, "would be amazing."

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April 23, 2010

Bret Michaels rushed to the hospital with a massive brain hemorrhage
The 47-year-old Michaels is in critical condition after experiencing an excruciating headache last night. According to People, he suffered a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding at the base of his brain stem) less than two weeks after undergoing an appendectomy.


"Glee" considering an all-Britney Spears episode

In wake of her manager's lobbying campaign, Ryan Murphy says: "I’m interested in the Britney Spears idea. I’ve always loved her. I’m entertaining it. I think young kids would like that."


Micheal C. Hall is "fully recovered" from cancer, says his wife

"Dexter" co-star Jennifer Carpenter called her hubby "incredibly brave" after his battle Hodgkin's lymphoma.

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April 23, 2010

"Survivor" J.T.: "I had no idea that Russell was such a villain"
"I’ve been getting a lot of flack," he says of his boneheaded decision to give Russell the idol. "People calling and asking me if I’m crazy." He adds: "Never trust women." PLUS: Russell released from jail — check out his mugshot.


"Entourage" and "Hung" return June 27

They'll begin their 7th and 2nd seasons, respectively.


Latin America loves "Jersey Shore"

MTV Latin America has gotten big ratings out of "Jersey" in Colombia, Argentina and Mexico.


CBS brings back dumped Daytime Emmys

The formerly orphaned awards show, which last year was saved by the CW, will return to CBS, broadcasting its ceremony from Las Vegas.


Barney gets makeover for "HIMYM" season finale

Check him out with long hair, wearing…


Conan pays a visit to Twitter HQ

In between two shows in San Francisco, Conan O'Brien decided to entertain the tweeters. (Check out more photos.)


"Chuck" pays tribute to "Hart to Hart"

Watch a preview of the May 3rd episode featuring Fred Willard and Swoosie Kurtz.

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April 23, 2010

NFL Draft in primetime boasts big ratings, as network shows fall to season lows
The first-ever primetime NFL Draft seemed had ratings that were up 26% over last year — ratings that appear to have hurt network viewership. Last night, "CSI," "Community" and "Private Practice" recorded their worst ratings of the season.


Tom Cruise returning to Oprah for May sweeps–along with many big-name celebs

Among her guests: Rielle Hunter, Laura Bush, Julia Roberts, Simon Cowell, Will Smiht and Justin Bieber.


West Virginia town has fully embraced Jamie Oliver's menu

Many of his recommendations have become a permanent part of the school menu.


"Big Brother" housemate arrested for beating pregnant girlfriend

Matt McDonald from Season 9 was taken into custody by Boston police after his girlfriend filed a complaint.


"Eastbound & Down" heading to Mexico for Season 2

THe HBO series has added Michael Pena and Ana de la Reguera to the cast.


Why viewers love "The Marriage Ref"

Turns out we like to watch celebrities in new, unfamiliar situations.


J.Lo will do "Glee," but not right now

"I kind of offered myself up," says Jennifer Lopez. And Ryan Murphy, she says, wants to do her episode "really right" down the road.

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April 23, 2010

Al Pacino is "extraordinary" as Dr. Jack Kevorkian
"It’s a cliche, but he disappears into the role," Matthew Gilbert says of HBO's "You Don't Know Jack," "putting just enough — but never too much — of Kevorkian’s cranky, frumpled demeanor and Midwestern accent into his portrayal. He makes Kevorkian believable as an extrovert who enjoys being dubbed 'America’s Quack' by Newsweek and can threaten a hunger strike to a judge and scream at him with heavy irony, 'You are assisting in my suicide.' But he also gives us a withholding introvert who writes poetry and plays the flute — a world-famous figure who has almost no charisma."
Problem with the movie is that it's presented from Kevorkian's POV
Barry Levinson on making of // Pacino on playing Kevorkian


"Party Down" thinks it could survive cast exodus

The casting of Jane Lynch, Ryan Hansen, Lizzy Caplan and Adam Scott on other series won't damage the Starz, according to its creators. It's catering. People come and people go," says co-creator John Enbom. Adds Rob Thomas: "We love our cast, but I think it's a show that can survive. In the real world catering is not a career choice for most people, so it would make sense that new people would come into the show."
Season 2 just as good as Season 1 // Megan Mullally a perfect replacement

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ODDS & ENDS

April 23, 2010

Britney Spears campaigning for her own "Glee" episode, via her manager

Check out Hayden Panettiere with her hair chopped off

Jimmy Kimmel shows Chace Crawford Nate's "Gossip Girl" sex chart

"Breaking Bad" gets a comic

Report: "Two and a Half Men" will end if Charlie Sheen leaves

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

April 23, 2010

Russell Hantz arrested
The "Survivor" star allegedly lived up to his "villain" label early this morning when he was taken into custody for shoving a person to the pavement at the Festival International de Louisiane. TMZ reports that Hantz was immediately taken into custody and put in a nearby jail.


Jon Stewart defends "South Park" while tweaking Comedy Central

Watch his "Daily Show" rant from last night.


Will Ferrell helps "30 Rock" mock former NBC boss Ben Silverman

Check out Ferrell in "Bitch Hunter."


Spoiler: "Lost" final call sheet leaked?

ABC confirms this piece of paper, found at a Honolulu restaurant, is the real deal. PLUS: ABC will re-air the "Lost" pilot before the finale.


TV Land Glee Club sings "Don't Stop Believin'"

Watch David Hasselhoff and Marilu Henner and a host of TV classic sitcom stars come together for Journey song.

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April 22, 2010

"South Park" creators: We've never been censored like this before
Says Matt & Trey: "In the 14 years we’ve been doing South Park we have never done a show that we couldn’t stand behind. We delivered our version of the show to Comedy Central and they made a determination to alter the episode. It wasn’t some meta-joke on our part. Comedy Central added the bleeps." PLUS: Matt & Trey are reminders of why America is great.


Tim Urban: I was "sad" to be part of Vote for the Worst

"I really didn’t like being on there and basically working my hardest to get off of it," the "Idol" bootee told reporters today. "I’m actually sad I was on that website." PLUS: "Idol" falls to a season low with "Gives Back."


Globe-hopping "Bachelorette" nearly crossed paths with the Icelandic volcano

"The Bachelorelette" has been sending Ali Fedotowsky around the world, including Turkey, Portugal and Iceland, where Ali says she was within 100 yards of the volacno two days before it erupted.


QB J.D. McCoy done with "Friday Night Lights" after Season 4

Actor Jeremy Sumpter confirmed he's moving on: "No.  I will not be going back to Friday Night Lights for season five. I have a few movies that I am doing that are on the horizon."


Debbie Allen's daughter, 2 other "Glee" backup dancers injured filming season finale

Vivian Nixon, Allen's daughter, injured herself when she collided with a camera.


Bette Midler recruited as a "Marriage Ref" judge

She'll be joined by Howie Mandel on the May 13 episode.


"Romancing Rachel": Tiger Woods mistress shopping a reality show

Turns out that Rachel Uchitel isn't "Dancing with the Stars." Instead, she's been shopping a reality show to at least four different cable networks.

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April 22, 2010

"South Park" censored following threats from a radical Islamic Web site
The Prophet Mohammed in a bear suit was blacked out with the words "CENSORED" on last night's episode, while the prophet's name was bleeped out, as part of Comedy Central's censorship. A message on the "South Park" Web site states, "We do not have network approval to stream our original version of the show.


CBS will begin sharing March Madness with TBS, TNT and truTV

Starting next year, the NCAA tourney will expand to 68 times and air on the Turner cable networks.


MTV to dump "Jersey Shore" stars for Season 3?

Page Six says some regulars may face the ax, but MTV denies that any decision has been made regarding Season 3.


Heather Locklear likely won't face hit-and-run charges

Cops, acocrding to TMZ, don't have the proof that she was driving her car when it crashed.


Jim Parsons returns to his Houston theater roots for a "Big Bang" honor

His experience as a member of Houston's Infernal Bridegroom Productions "was very life-encompassing … it really took over, and I threw myself into for a period of time," says Parsons."

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April 22, 2010

Jon Gosselin fires his attorney, and won't seek custody of his kids
The attorney, says Jon, was actually fired a week ago. But Gosselin didn't make the firing known until this morning when the attorney called Kate "shameless." On Twitter, Jon writer that he and Kate intend "to work out things privately and amicably." PLUS: Jon says he never wanted to seek custody in the first place.


Maura Tierney: I'm glad "Parenthood" didn't document my battle with cancer

She says of having to leave the show and her new stage role: "I felt terrible leaving the ‘Parenthood’ team in the lurch, but doing the show would have been very stressful because I didn’t want that phase of my life documented on film. There is no HD in the theater."


Ian Somerhalder on his "Vampire Diaries" brother: "We love each other"

"We are like brothers," Somerhalder, who wrapped Season 1 last night, says of Paul Wesley. "We dress alike. It’s kind of freaky. But we do have a great rapport." PLUS: "Caroline" says season finale will be "one giant cliffhanger."


Alex O'Loughlin: "Hawaii Five-O" let me say "book 'em Danno"

The actor also reveals: "We're keeping the theme tune and I'm going to grow the quiff out and keep it sitting there like a banana."


"Idol Gives Back" has a feel-good ending: Tim Urban's ouster

For the first time in "Idol Gives Back" history, a contestant was actually sent home packing.
Crystal Bowersox's hometown hit with paparazzi, gossip dirt-diggers
Why Annie Lennox wore an HIV positive shirt // Christina Aguilera to sing on finale

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ODDS & ENDS

April 22, 2010

"Sons of Anarchy" gets Hal Holbrook to play Gemma's dad

Madonna could earn "Glee" the show's first No. 1 album

Watch Obama open History channel's "America: The Story of Us"

John Goodman will narrate TLC's "Best Food Ever"

Mindy Kaling signs a book deal: "The Contents of My Purse"

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

April 21, 2010

Hulu's $9.95 subscription service may begin as soon as May 24
Under a proposal, the most recent five episodes will be available for free. But older episodes will require a subscription.


Fox opts not to remake "Torchwood"

But the BBC is still shopping the remake of the "Doctor Who" spinoff to other networks.


Captain Phil's "Deadliest Catch" son wanted by police

A warrant has been issued for Jake Harris' arrest after the 24-year-old failed to appear today at a pretrial hearing.


Watch Ronald Reagan & James Dean together as TV stars

Both appeared in a December 12, 1954 episode of CBS' "General Electric Theater."


CW may rebroadcast British reality shows this summer

Should American reality TV makers be worried?


Showtime to air Lisa Kudrow's Web show "Web Therapy"

Her 45 episodes will either be combined together or used as interstitials on the pay cable network.


"Big Love" star lands AMC "Killing" lead

Actress Mireille Enos, who played both Kathy and Jodeen Marquart on "Big Love," will star opposite Billy Campbell.

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April 21, 2010

Crystal Bowersox: "I never intended on quitting"
Last week's report was false, "Idol's" Bowersox says. "We had a conversation," she says of Ryan Seacrest, "but it definitely didn't go down the way that it has been portrayed as. We had a simple, civil conversation. Ryan gave me great advice. And I highly respect him. I am not mad at Ryan Seacrest. He is a great man. We just bumped into each other and had a good talk."


HBO renews "How to Make it in America"

The Mark Wahlberg-produced series will be back for a Season 2.


Twitter war: "Glee" Gleeks vs. Justin Bieber Beliebers

Both "Glee" and Bieber have been slugging it out for Twitter supremacy for Twitter supremacy on the Trending Topics list. PLUS: Fox will repeat Madonna episode on Friday.


"Castle's" ex-wife returns

Monet Mazur will reprise her role from the pilot in the season.


Justin Bieber: I could've tried out for "Idol"

The 16-year-old Bieber, who'll perform on "Idol Gives Back," told his mom while watching "Idol" that he could "get on there." "When I turned 16, I might have went and tried out, but this was faster," he says of his YouTube-aided rise.


Esquire attempts to categorize television

Check out the Unified Theory of Primetime TV in the Year 2000.


Obama adviser David Axelrod going on Leno

The president's main an will appear on Friday's "Tonight Show."

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April 21, 2010

Heather Locklear arrested for hit-and-run
The "Melrose Place" star was taken into custoday last Saturday after police say her BMW went up a curb and hit a "no parking" sign.


Overrun cuts off "Idol" and "Glee's" big Madonna number

DVR users were fuming last night when Crystal Bowersox's "Idol" critique was cut off before Simon Cowell got a chance to speak. The overrun also resulted in "Glee" running into the 10 o'clock hour as it went into its climax, the big "Like a Prayer" number, which you can watch here.


Crystal Bowersox: "American Idol's" savior

Mary T. Kelly says she had lost fan in "Idol": "If 'American Idol' is to faith what faith is to believing in God, then I went from agnostic to atheist in no short order," she says. But Bowersox's performance last night changed her mind: "Forget about goose bumps! I had been filled with the Holy Spirit and was jumping up and down in my humble living room screaming, 'Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia!' I became a born-again believer that "American Idol" could actually be redeemed, saved from its lost and depraved ways by its savior, Crystal Bowersox."
Crystal won "Idol" with that performance // Best "Idol" performance ever?
Ryan Seacrest and Crystal make up on stage // Her tears hit like a little earthquake


Ryan Seacrest: The new King of All Media?

Forget Howard Stern: The Financial Times profiles the "mogul" Seacrest, his many projects and examines his "grand plan for moguldom."


This week, "Dancing" beats "Idol"

Monday "Dancing with the Stars" attracted 21.1 million viewers to "Idol's" 19.1 million on Tuesday.


Letterman making a return visit to "Regis and Kelly"

Dave will make a rare talk show appearance on April 30. He last visited "Live" in April 2007.


CBS plans a mommy "View" with Julie Chen & Sara Gilbert

Chen, "Roseanne" star Gilbert, Lisa Rinna and "Real  Housewife" Bethenny Frankel are reportedly going to film a pilot next month on a new daytime talk show resembling "The View," but with a parent angle.


truTV picks up "Wicked Summah" — "Jersey Shore" for  New Englanders

The reality show will follow the "Massholes" on Cape Cod.

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April 21, 2010

"Dancing" puts "pretty pathetic" Kate Gosselin out of her misery
Her creepy exit last night was interesting because it showed Kate's true colors, as David Zurawik notes: "While Kate did the crying game like there was no tomorrow at the end of the show after she was told that she was gone, you saw the real Kate earlier when she said, 'It is what it is,' as if there was something wrong with the judges and not her dancing. 'I'm having fun — contrary to popular opinion,' she added a few beats later, upping the defiance factor even higher." PLUS: Kate tells Kimmel: No, I won't do "The Bachelorette."


Leonard Nimoy to re-retire from acting

After emerging from pseudo-retirement for J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" and "Fringe," Nimoy says he's now done with acting.


UK women vote Simon Cowell as the No. 1 sexual guilty pleasure

Cowell topped a list of the Top 10 men who are "the most desirable – when they shouldn't be," beating out No. 7 Barack Obama, No. 8 Ricky Gervais and No. 10 Justin Bieber.


Obama to introduce History Channel's "America" series

The president will open Sunday's premiere episode of "America, The Story of Us."


Cooking Channel to pit "Food Trucks" against each other

"Food Trucks: Race Across America" will have the best food trucks compete to sell the most food in select locations.


Cooking Channel lines up "Food Jammers," "Spice Goddess" and "Drink Up"

The Food Net spinoff's new lineup will also include "Unique Eats" and "Dolce Vita."

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