July 2010

Levi & Bristol are demanding a long-term reality show commitment
Contrary to what their rep says, Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin are indeed shopping a reality show, according to People. But they want to sign a deal that would give them a full season, not just a pilot.

Scott Porter joins "The Good Wife"
The "Friday Night Lights" alum will play a foil to Kalinda as part of a multi-episode arc.

Jordana Spiro is a grad student at Columbia University
The "My Boys" star, who was dumped from NBC's "Love Bites," is working on her masters of fine arts in directing, even though she never got an undergraduate degree.

"The Middle" reuniting Doris Roberts with Patricia Heaton
The "Everybody Loves Raymond" reunion will feature Roberts as Brick's teacher.

Icelandic volcano kept David Cross from appearing in the original "Running Wilde" pilot
Cross' reunion with "Arrested Development's" Mitch Hurwitz and Will Arnett was supposed to take place months ago, but Cross had to be dumped from the role when he was stranded in Europe during the volcano eruption.

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"Modern Family" Season 2: Expect more of the same

Parents outraged by a British school's "The Simpsons" class

Report: Rachel Uchitel had to get an addiction for "Celeb Rehab"

"Banned From TV": "Family Guy" puts abortion episode on standalone DVD

Jane Lynch hosts VH1's Do Something Awards with an army of Sue Sylvesters

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

NYPD arrests Ice-T
The "SVU" detective was taken into custody this morning when he was found to be driving with a suspended license.

Conan's Emmy moment won't be televised!?
So tweets Conan writer and comedian Deon Cole: "'not NBC' but someone with power has kicked us in the nuts again! the more i know the more u will. stay tune. wow, unbelievable!" UPDATE: Conan's category WILL be televised, but his writers' category won't be shown on NBC.

Jeff Probst was the minister at Jenna Fischer's wedding
Probst, an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church, took a break from "Survivor" in Nicaragua to preside over "The Office" star's wedding. Fischer and Probst are longtime pals.

How "Bachelorette" Ali dealt with getting dumped
She tells Jimmy Kimmel Frank would've definitely be in her Top 2. PLUS: Ali says, "I really cared for him and I always will."

Aubrey O'Day gets her own reality show
The "Making the Band" alum will star in Oxygen's "The Aubrey O'Day Project."

Watch the "Weeds" Season 6 trailer
"Normal Newmans from Normaltown."

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DirecTV rescues "Damages"
The satellite provider has agreed to pick up "Damages" with Glenn Close for two more seasons. But unlike with the "Friday Night Lights" deal, "Damages" won't air on another network, broadcast or cable.

Report: "Jersey Shore" cast may get a 200% raise
Negotiations are underway to bring the "Jersey" cast back to work, at $30,000 per episode. UPDATE: The Situation signs on for Season 3.

Rep: Levi & Bristol aren't insterested in a reality show
Bristol Palin's rep says offers have been made, but she won't be doing a reality show with baby daddy Levi Johnston.

Ex-"24" president Gregory Itzin joins "Big Love"
Itzin will get to boss around Bill as the Republican Majority Leader of the Utah State Senate.

"Shaq  Vs." settles lawsuit
The author of "Andy Roddick Beat Me with a Frying Pan," who accused the ABC reality show of stealing his idea, will receive a six-figure settlement.

Watch David Hasselhoff tease his Comedy Central roast
"Bring it on," he says. Watch his car wash/"Baywatch" spoof.

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Trump "fires" Rachel Uchitel for doing "Celebrity Rehab"
Just days after he offered the former Tiger Woods mistress a spot on the show — and she accepted it — Trump has opted to pull his offer after news broke that she has agreed to rehab.. "It's a terrible decision," he says. "We have zero interest in her now." He adds: "Celebrity Apprentice is a huge show and 'Celebrity Rehab' is not.  I have 10 people who want to be on the show for every slot that's available.  I'm moving on."
Uchitel's addiction: love — not drugs or alcohol // She'll earn $500K

How can late-night's boy's club endure when women are rising everywhere?
It's not just "The Daily Show" that's dominated by men. "The writing staffs of this year's five Emmy-nominated comedy talk shows read like a boys' baby-name book, full of Bills and Joshes and Brians," notes James Poniewozik, who adds: "More and more, such disparity is at odds with the real world that these shows spoof, in which women were the past two Supreme Court nominees and anchor two of three network news programs."

DirecTV alters "The Wire" to fit a widescreen HDTV
"The Wire" never aired in HD and was presented in full screen for all of its five seasons on HBO. But now that it's on DirecTV, "The Wire" has been modified — either stretched or cropped — to fit the widescreen format (check it out).

Conan O'Brien: I wouldn't be a success if there were viral videos in 1993
Speaking at the SF Sketchfest — drunk with wine, along with Andy Richter and Patton Oswalt — Conan said there's so much competition nowadays he he probably wouldn’t have been given a shot. "Today, 75,000 people could replace me and there would be miles of footage of them," he said, adding that if the Internet had been a factor in 1993, "I'd have lost my job to a cat s- on a toilet." (Watch video)

"Jersey Shore" may cut ties with everybody but The Situation, Snooki, Pauly D
According to TMZ, producers think that all the striking cast members are expendable, except for those three. PLUS: The Situation is writing a self-help book.

Funny or Die is shopping a reality show based on Jewel's Undercover Karoke
The video featuring Jewel going undercover as a shy frumpy woman has attracted 2.5 million views in just five days.

"Hot in Cleveland" pits Tim Conway vs. Carl Reiner for Betty White's affections
Other guest stars coming to "Cleveland" include Dave Foley, Gary Anthony Williams and Mark Indelicato.

"Glee" creator poised to sign $24M deal with 20th Century Fox
Ryan Murphy's pact would cover TV, music and theater over four years.

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Rep says "Glee's" Charice got botox "to relieve a jaw problem"

Mario Bello signs up for 2 "SVU" episodes

Watching TV on the iPad: "Glee" works, "Friday Night Lights" doesn't

Did the New York Times spoil "Mad Men"?

Valerie Bertinelli's talk show pilot with Aussie Rove McManus bombs

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

"Celeb Rehab" cast announced: Rahcel Uchitel, Jeremy London, Janice Dickinson
Uchitel, the former Tiger Woods mistress (and future "Celebrity Apprentice" star), joins musician Leif Garrett, Keyshia Cole's mom Franie Lons, "The Hills" alum Jason Wahler and "socialite" Jason Davis.

New "Glee" star Charice, 18, gets botox to prepare for her role
The Filipino singing sensation underwent a 30-minute procedure to make her "naturally round face" more narrow and to "look fresh on camera."

MTV yanks "The Dudesons" episode from the web after Native American outrage
The cable network says it won't rerun the episode in which "The Dudesons" become honorary Native Americans.

"Big Brother's" Annie: I made a mistake as the saboteur
"I was really stressed out all the time," she says. "I was always worried about getting caught or someone calling me out or someone discovering I was the Saboteur. It probably changed my mental approach to the game and made me more emotional."

Ex-Food Network star may get probation after allegedly putting a hit on his wife
Juan-Carlos Cruz, who still has his wife's support, is working on a plea agreement with authorities.

"Big Brother" UK housemates will leave the house to perform a "Glee" musical number
The housemates are reportedly training all week to sing "Don't Stop Believin'" before Friday's eviction crowd.

Watch the Asian "Jersey Shore" trailer
"K-Town" is promoting itself with the music of Ke$ha, though it has yet to find a network home.

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"Arrested Development" reunion: David Cross joins "Running Wilde"
Cross and Will Arnett will team up for seven of 13 episodes of the Fox comedy next season.

"Glee's" Jenna Ushkowitz & Kevin McHale "are dating"
According to People, "Tina" and "Artie" are a real-life couple, though they won't confirm their romance.

Report: "Jersey Shore" stars are on strike
Season 3 was to begin shooting today, but the cast didn't show up because they're unhappy with their contract.

"Spartacus" prequel adds 3
Australian "Satisfaction" prostitute Dustin Clare (warning: nudity!) will play Gannicus, the first gladiator to become Champion of Capua. He'll be joined by Jaime Murray and Marisa Ramirez.

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"CSI" gets more Jorja Fox
Fox is the last of five "CSI" stars to agree to return for Season 11.

TBS paying a "Seinfeld" tribute to George Steinbrenner
Starting Monday, TBS will air 10 classic Fake George Steinbrenner episodes.

Report: "Price is Right" announcer is out
Rich Fields, who's took over for Rod Roddy in 2004, won't return to the Drew Carey-hosted game show, according to Buzzer Blog. There's no word on why he's no longer with the show.

Dax Shepard's "Parenthood" girlfriend and son earn a promotion
Jasmine and Jabbar, played by Joy Bryant and Tyree Brown, are now series regulars on the NBC drama.

"Community" creator on Betty White's role, and ignoring "Big Bang"
Betty White's anthropology professor character is, says Dan Harmon, "eccentric but quite the opposite of insane. She's very lucid, to the point of maybe being scary. She's an impersonal cosmic force." As for the new "Big Bang Theory" competition, he says, If "I write to compete with them, then I'm not writing 'Community' — I'm playing a chess game with production decisions."

HBO buys William Morris agent's marriage/masturbation/vasectomy comedy
The comedy is based on the agent's wife's blog, which reveals all the intimate details of their lives.

DirecTV begins airing every "The Wire" episode starting Sunday
Episodes will be shown uncut without commercials.

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Will FCC ruling mean more raunchiness and sexuality in primetime?
The federal appeals court ruling striking down the FCC's indecency regulations could put the networks in line with the risque programming on cable TV.

Louis CK's sex (with shirt on) talk gets "Fresh Air" dumped in Mississippi
Mississippi Public Broadcasting has announced that it has dropped Terry Gross' interview show after her "inappropriate" conversation with Louis CK last week.

Intel is developing a TV remote that recognizes whoever is holding it
Intel's new biometric sensing remote control will measure your grip, button-pushing force and hold angle to distinguish between users and instantly offer a customized TV and Internet viewing experience.

"Hawaii Five-0" kicks off filming a special traditional blessing
Like "Lost," the CBS series will offer a special premiere to local residents on a Hawaiian beach. At yesterday's ceremony, a prayer was held "calling upon the elements and inviting goodness, protection, peace, happiness and success" for the project.

Mitch Hurwitz: We've begun writing the "Arrested Development" movie
"It is our absolute next priority and we can't wait to do it," he says, adding: "We're changing some of the Bush references to Obama because we started it awhile ago. And the Bluths may not be vacationing in the Gulf of Mexico anymore."

"Community's" Danny Pudi: I played 3 different "Sanjays" in 2007
One in a TV pilot, one in an independent film, and one in a cable show.

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"Idol" auditions kick off in Nashville: What do producers really want?

Larry King wants to interview and promote Piers Morgan

Seth Meyers' ESPY job: Oscar-worthy? (Watch his opening monologue)

Happy 30th birthday to Kristen Bell! (She's raising money to celebrate)

John Stamos releases statement: "I am shocked and perplexed"

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

Bristol Palin & Levi Johnston are shopping a reality show
Surprise, surprise: According to TMZ, the newly reunited couple has been shopping "multiple reality shows" around Hollywood.

Trump wants a Tiger Woods mistress on "Celebrity Apprentice"
The Donald, a longtime pal of Tiger's, said he personally invited Rachel Uchitel to compete on his show.

"Big Brother" saboteur is booted after just 1 week
The season-long twist featuring Annie as the mole barely lasted after she was booted out unanimously last night.

"Criminal Minds" FBI computer tech may pull double duty on the spinoff
Expect to see Peneope Garcia on both shows.

Ex-"Baywatch" Babes: The reality show?
Gena Lee Nolan, Nicole Eggert, Traci Bingham and Donna D'Errico are reportedly filming a "Baywatch"-themed pilot.

"Speed Racer's" voice dies
Peter Fernandez, 83, also provided the voices of many of the cartoon's chcaracters, including Speed's brother Racer X.

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John Stamos' extortionists found guilty
A jury said that Allison Coss, 24, and Scott Sippola, 31, tried to extort $680,000 from Stamos with threats of exposing his alleged use of strippers and cocaine. They each face up to five years in prison.

Erin Andrews sues hotel chains over peeping videotapes
Andrews claims that Marriott, Radisson and other hotel chains gave Michael David Barrett her room number after confirming her stay in their hotels.

James Tupper joins "Grey's Anatomy"
The "Men in Trees" and "Mercy" alum will play Andrew Perkins, a trauma counselor brought in to help Seattle Grace with its recovery from last season's gunman.

AT&T U-Verse settles "Mad Men" dispute
There will be no disruptions to AMC, IFC and WE tv service.

'The Good Wife" hires Emmy-winning new attorney
Actress Tammy Blanchard won an Emmy for her 2001 portrayal of Judy Garland in the ABC miniseries "Me and My Shadows."

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NBC unveils fall premiere dates
"Chuck" kicks off the season Sept. 20, and NBC plans to debut all its series during premiere week.

Letterman's extortionist is up for an Emmy for his CBS work
Robert Halderman's work on "48 Hours" today was nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy award.

HBO wants $800,000 per "True Blood" episode
But will any basic cable network be willing to pay that much, especially after other HBO hits like "Six Feet Under" and "Entourage" bombed in syndication?

"Glee" gets a karaoke Wii game
Karaoke Revolution Glee, due this fall, will give "Glee" fans the chance to perform songs from the show, alongside their favorite characters.

FX announces slew of return dates: From "Sunny" to "Sons of Anarchy"
"Sons of Anarchy" will return with Season 3 on Sept. 7th, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" premieres Season 6 on Sept. 16, followed that night by "The League's" Season 2. Shawn Ryan's "Terriers," meanwhile, debuts Sept. 8.

Why "The Bachelorette" is dull this season: 2-hour episodes, too-young Ali
Supersizing might be hurting the franchise, so might the fact that Ali is 25 years old, the youngest "Bachelorette" yet, and seemingly not interested in entering into a long-term relationship.

Janice Dickinson to "Celebrity Rehab"?
The former "Top Model" star has reportedly signed on for next season.

"Supernatural" creator: Why I'm stepping away
Says Eric Kripke: "I really think after five years of all of my crap, to have someone who has a fresh perspective and a fresh energy on these characters and this universe is healthy for the show."

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Steve Carell & Paul Rudd spoof LeBron James' "The Decision" at ESPYs

Another "Mad Men"/"SNL" couple: January Jones & Jason Sudeikis!?

Check out "The Walking Dead" cast photo

Oprah's ratings hit an all-new low

Coming to reality TV: Avril Lavigne & Brody Jenner?

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

George Eads signs on for more "CSI"
Details of his new contract haven't been revealed, but Eads wanted to be paid on par with Marg Helgenberger and Laurence Fishburne.

Sex harrassment lawsuit against Steven Seagal is dismissed
The $1 million suit that led to the suspension of of "Steven Seagal Lawman" has been dismissed.

Amy Ryan will have a big "Office" role next season
"She’s definitely coming back," says Mindy Kaling.

"Project Runway's" Season 8 contestants revealed
They include two Michaels and a Peach.

Letterman goes easy with his Bristol Palin jokes
Despite the Sarah Palin controversy last year, Dave couldn't resist acknowledging Bristol's engagement to Levi Johnston.

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Amber Tamblyn  agrees to "House" stint
The "Joan of Arcadia" alum will play a med student for a few episodes.

Captain Phil's death gives "Deadliest Catch" massive ratings
Last night's episode was the 3rd most-watched telecast in Discovery history, with 8.5 million viewers.

Craig Ferguson tweets baby news
The "Late Late Show" host is expecting with his wife of a year and a half, Megan Wallace. Ferguson already has a 9-year-old son, Milo Hamish, from a previous relationship.

"Urkel" won't be charged in alleged baby mama beatdown
Police say there wasn't enough evidence that Jaleel White punched the mother of his baby in her breast implants.

"The Hills" goes out with big ratings
About 3 million tuned in to say goodbye to the MTV hit. PLUS: "Covert Affairs" debuts to 4.9 million.

Kelsey Grammer didn't have a prenup
That means that seven years of his "Frasier" money — when he was TV's highest-paid actor — could go to his future ex-wife.

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Betty White's next stop: "Community"
She'll play an anthropology professor in the season premiere.

HBO picks up "Luck," starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte
The horse-racing pilot from Michael Mann and "Deadwood's" David Milch also stars Dennis Farina, Jason Gedrick, Richard Kind and Jill Hennessey as a guest-star.

Rainn Wilson sued for $11.3M
An Oregon company is suing "The Office" star, claiming it wasn't compensated for developing Wilson's website, SoulPancake.

"MADtv's" Oprah: I'm not playing Winfrey in TV movie
Debra Wilson, who's famous for her Oprah impression,says she would turn down the role, if offered.  "First of all, Oprah would have me killed," she says, adding: "I heard from an insider that she doesn't particularly like the parodies."

"Chuck" enlists Dolph Lundgren for the season premiere
No word yet on what the "Rocky IV" star, who's now 53, will be playing.

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