Report: ABC entertainment boss resigned amid sex harassment probe
Steve McPherson quit yesterday as ABC was investigating multiple harassment claims made by females executives against the ABC entertainment president, according to the Hollywood Reporter. McPherson's attorney, while not addressing any specifics, released a statement saying: "It is not uncommon for high level executives to be the subject of gossip and innuendo. That would include rumors of internal situations which can easily be misinterpreted or misrepresented."
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Obama tells "The View": I've never heard of Snooki
"I'm sorry, I don't know who that is," President Obama said when asked about the "Jersey Shore" star, according to several audience members (watch a preview). "We all liked that he didn't know who she was," said audience member Nella Cerminara. During his visit today, which will air tomorrow, Obama was also asked a "pointed question" about jobs from Elisabeth Hasselbeck. PLUS: Katie Couric defends Obama's "View" appearance.
No deal yet, but "Big Bang" stars are expected back at work next week
Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco were reportedly offered $100,000 an episode one month ago, but they are holding out for more money, probably closer to $250,000 an episode. Still, they are expected to return to work next Wednesday when filming resumes on "The Big Bang Theory."
William Shatner: I'd rather we use "Sh*t" than "$#*!"
"I wish they would just call it (sh*t)," he told TV critics during CBS' portion of the TV press tour. "What's wrong with that? I've got grandchildren. I brought up three girls. Eventually poo-poo becomes (sh*t). 'Go take a (sh*t), you'll feel better.' It's a word around us, it isn't a terrible term, it's a natural function. Whay are we pussyfooting around it?" PLUS: Shatner hired a "young man" to do his tweeting.
CBS boss insists: "The Talk" is NOT a knockoff of "The View"
Does "The View" feature all moms? No! Was it created by Sara Gilbert? Nope!
"Survivor's" 3rd and 4th seasons are coming to DVD
"Survivor: Africa," featuring Ethan Zohn, and Boston Rob's "Survivor: Marquesas" will be released as part of Amazon's new "manufacture-on-demand" program, which presses DVDs on-demand using DVD-Rs. PLUS: CBS disguises the "Survivor: Nicaragua" cast.
CBS' "The Defenders" was originally a reality show
The drama starring Jerry O’Connell and Jim Belushi as macho Vegas defense attorneys was originally pitched to the network as a resility show. "It was pitched to us as a reality series, and we didn’t quite see it that way," says CBS entertainment boss Nina Tassler. "We loved the characters but used it as an inspiration to develop a scripted drama."
Simon Baker gets a "Mentalist" brother in law
He'll be played by Kevin Rankin of "Friday Night Lights" fame.
"Sopranos" producers go from anti-heroes to heroes with "Blue Bloods"
Mitchell Burgess and Robin Green were among David Chase's top writers, but with their new NYPD police family show, starring Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg, they wanted to focus on the world of heroes. PLUS: Why is Tom Selleck returning to network TV?
Ex-staffer accuses Jimmy Fallon of sexual discrimination, favoring females
Former "Late Night" stage manager Paul Tarascio filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission alleging that he was fired from his job because Fallon "just prefers to take direction from a woman." In his complaint, Tarascio, who also worked for Conan O'Brien's "Late Night," claims that Fallon only allowed females to place microphones on him, and that he would only allow a man if there were no females available.
Eric Roberts tweets from "Celebrity Rehab"
He says, "I'd like to move out of the weed garden & into a place where things can blossom & grow."
Sara Gilbert: How I came up with "The Talk" for CBS
It was the former "Roseanne" star's idea to create a sort of mommy version of "The View," though a press release for the show wouldn't go into details about her significant other.
Did CBS offend its "young" 40-something viewers by declaring them "old"?
"Survivor: Nicaragua's" old vs. new premise has the "old" tribe consisting of "individuals over the age of 40." But on old-skewing CBS, 40 years old is actually young for the network.
Hefty "Mike & Molly" stars will be allowed to lose weight
The comedy may have an obese premise, but Chuck Lorre has no problem with Melissa McCarthy and Billy Gardell getting in shape. "This may sound ridiculous to some of you," he said, "but this isn't a show about weight."
"Hawaii Five-0" is a reboot, not a remake
"'Remake' suggests doing the exact same thing again," says Alex Kurtzman, who co-wrote last year's "Star Trek" "reboot." But the new "Five-0," like the new "Trek," is a modern take with the same spirit of the original franchise. "We had to make sure we stayed true to the spirit of the show but brings something new to the table that a modern audience would recognize," he says. "That's why the word 'reboot' feels more appropriate."
CBS promises to add more gay characters
Following a failing GLAAD grade, CBS entertainment boss Nina Tassler said this morning that the network will work to add more gay characters. "We're disappointed in our track record so far," Tassler said. "We're going to do it. We're not happy with ourselves."
CBS' "The View"-like talk show will be called "The Talk"
CBS entertainment chief Nina Tassler fended off questions that she picked up the Julie Chen-fronted show because she's married to her boss, Les Moonves. "I made the decision," Tassler said. "I don’t think Les is unhappy with it,… but show screened great and tested the best of all the pilots." PLUS: Kaley Cuoco jokes about contract negotiations.
Chuck Lorre: "Big Bang Theory's" Thursday move is "a good thing"
Lorre told critics this morning: "I would be crazy to argue the choices CBS has made along the way, because it’s been wonderful (and it's worked). They think this is a good call and it’s our job is to make a good show, not to program the show. We grow the crops we don’t have the trucks to bring it to market." PLUS: Kaley Cuoco jokes about the cast's contract negotiations.
Rosie O'Donnell: I don't want to see Obama on "The View"
"I have mixed feelings about that," says former "View" star Rosie of today's taping with the president. "I don't really think sitting presidents should go do fluffy daytime TV shows. Maybe an hour on Oprah or something."
"The Hills" nixed an ending with Lauren Conrad as Brody Jenner's girlfriend
The co-creators fought over two endings, with the more "realistic" one winning out.
Emily Procter is pregnant, but not on "CSI: Miami"
Procter, 41, is expecting her first child — but she plans to hide her pregnancy on "CSI: Miami." "We played around with the idea of my character being pregnant and the general consensus was, a pregnant woman shooting people might freak our audience out," she says.
Watch Justin Bieber's duet with Shaquille O'Neal
Their performance was taped for Season 2 of "Shaq Vs."
Laura Linney: I couldn't turn down "The Big C"
If the Showtime cancer comedy is a hit it could affect her career in the movies and on Broadway. But she couldn't turn down the show, she says, because "the subject matter is important to me personally. The undertow of it deals with all of the stuff I’ve been obsessing about anyway: time. Living. Aging. Mostly, the privilege of aging.”
"Desperate Housewives" wants Betty White, too
"I adore Betty," says Marc Cherry, a former "Golden Girls" writer. "Betty got me a seat at Saturday Night Live, so I was there when she hosted. She’s so astounding. I would love to have her do the show. She works harder than any of us. She is constantly employed. I’m trying to just see if I can get her for dinner. It’s so hard to book her!" PLUS: "Housewives" shooting a Western-themed promo.
Meet the new British boss of ABC entertainment
Paul Lee was a war reporter in Belfast, Northern Island and helped launch BBC America before revamping ABC Family. PLUS: Ex-ABC boss Steve McPherson deserves credit for "CSI's" success.
"Jersey Shore's" new star has an N-word past
CBS boss: Charlie Sheen's legal woes won't affect "Two and a Half Men"
Will the final scene of "Smallville" be of Clark Kent in Superman suit?
History is going 3-D, at least on DirecTV
Together at last!: Kathy Griffin & Chelsea Handler
Jessica Simpson as "Idol" judge?
NBC's "Today" show is reporting that "American Idol" approached Jessica about replacing Simon.
"Survivor: Nicaragua" will pit young vs. old
Players younger than 30 will face off against players over 40, including Jimmy Johnson.
Piers Morgan dodges Larry King question on Leno
He told Jay last night: "I can't actually talk about it; All I can say is … I just signed a 3-year contract with 'America's Got Talent.'"
"Undercover Boss" recruits DirecTV and NASCAR execs
Last week DirecTV CEO Mike White said he was inspired by "Undercover Boss" to work the DirecTV phone lines. Turns out, he's actually a participant on the CBS reality show. Other bosses next season include the heads of Chiquita Brands International and Great Wolf Resorts.
Old Spice Guy lands on "Chuck," but dreams of "SNL"
"'Chuck' was my top choice," says Isaiah Mustafa. "'SNL' would be a dream. It was one of the first television shows my mom let me stay up to watch. I was in love with Mr. Bill."
Melissa Rycroft is pregnant
"The Bachelor" and "Dancing with the Stars" alum and "Bachelor Pad" co-host is expecting her first child in February.
"Friday Night Lights" boss: Season 5 is "quite possibly the final season"
"We just finished shooting the fifth and quite possibly the final season," says Jason Katims. "It looks like that's what it will be. It was a wonderful show to be a part of. It was unqiue and a one-of-a-kind show."
"The Simpsons" gets visit from Cheech and Chong
Homer Simpson will join Cheech in a new duo called "Cheech and Chunky."
