February 2011

NBC yanks "Chase"
The freshman drama seems all but dead after the Peacock opted instead for "Minute to Win It."

Howard Stern confronts Letterman on his Super Bowl ad with Leno
"We had the guy on the ground," Stern said, adding: "I didn't like it."

Jane Seymour to visit "Castle"
She'll play Gloria Chambers, a daytime soap star.

"Buffy's" James Marsters weds
The 48-year-old former "Angel" star and his longtime girlfriend, Patricia Rahman Masters, 25, got married on Jan. 14.

Jesse McCartney joins Fox's "Locke & Key"
The singer will play Ty, the eldest of the Locke children.

Clearasil won't pull out of "Skins," despite pressure from the Parents TV Council
The acne cream maker — which is also the title sponsor of "Skins" UK — recently became the PTC's No.1 target.

Jamie Oliver banned from Los Angeles public schools
The Los Angeles Unified School District has suspended all filming of reality TV shows in district schools after concerns over Oliver's reality plans.

Ex-"Scrubs" star John C. McGinley heading to HBO
He'll play swindler on "Luck."

NBC orders shows that are "Office"-like and "Inception"-like
One is called "Free Agents," based on the UK series, the other is from "Lone Star" creator Kyle Killen. PLUS: NBC orders 2 more shows.

"Glee's" Dianna Agron: Engaged?
Both Us Weekly and People are reporting on Agron's engagement to actor Alex Pettyfer, but both of their reps say it isn't true.

Bravo renews "Top Chef: Just Desserts"
The spinoff will return for Season 2.

Conan launches the Lingerie Puppy Bowl
What happens when the Lingerie Bowl meets the Puppy Bowl?

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Camille Grammer lands on "$#*!"
Kelsey Grammer's future ex-wife is parlaying her "Real Housewives" fame into a "$#*! My Dad Says" guest role as a divorced reality star.

Watch a preview of "Real World: Las Vegas" — complete with hotel-trashing
MTV says of Season 25: "Everything in Vegas is on a grander scale, and that comes through loud and clear this season. Romance among the cast members is at an all time high, and as secrets each cast member has brought with them are revealed, those relationships will be challenged and tested."

"Justified" stuntwoman seriously injured in accident
No details have been released, but the stuntwoman's condition isn't life-threatening.

"Beavis and Butt-Head" could be too much of a show for "old people"
And by "old people," James Poniewozik is referring to Gen-X-ers like him when talking about the "Beavis and Butt-Head" comeback. "The series," he says, "was such a signal comedy of its time and generation that it feels like it would be out of place. There's something definitively Generation X about B&B's sarcastic, dismissive attitude—that dystopic, Mike-Judgean picture of a culture in decline that simultaneously derided the content of MTV and the soft, underchallenged audience watching it."

"Idol" to release a 10th anniversary compilation album
Each of the nine winners will be represented, plus tracks from three other finalists, including Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert. PLUS: Is "Idol" couple a fraud?

"The Chicago Code" snags Billy Corgan for its theme song
The Smashing Pumpkins frontman is, of course, a Chicago native.

Barry Watson returning to the tube in TV Land's "Rip City"
The former "7th Heaven" star will join Christine Taylor in the office-set sitcom as a possible love interest.

Ethan Suplee & Danny Materson team up for Comedy Central's "Playing with Guns"
The former "My Name is Earl" star and the "That '70s Show" vet will play best friends who happen to be lazy cops.

Why Bravo postponed "Real Housewives of New York"
The Miami season is bumping NYC because "they need some more time to edit," says Sonja Morgan. "We've filmed like crazy, more than ever, and we're seven ladies so they have a lot of footage to go through."

Kevin McKidd: "You have to have balls to direct"
McKidd learned that directing tonight's "Grey's Anatomy" episode was tough work. "You're the first one in, the last one out every day and have to stand by your decisions," he says. "You have to have balls to direct. You’re at the steering wheel of an enormous ship that you have to bring in on time and on budget while still getting performances and telling the story properly. There's a lot of pressure, most of it self imposed, because I didn’t want to mess up in front of my peers."

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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin admits: I watch "Jersey Shore"

Ellen DeGeneres spoofs "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"

Psychologists studying "The Office" UK to see what grandparents can be embarrassing

Check out Rachael Ray in a "Dancing" dress // Coming to retail stores: "Dancing" outfits

Justin Bieber teaches Regis & Kelly how to Dougie

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Charlie Sheen expects to return to work by month's end
"I understand that is what is being targeted," says his publicist Stan Rosenfield.

Teens "thank" the Parents TV Council
Watch Funny or Die spoof the whole "Skins" controversy.

Mario Lopez as "The X Factor" host? How about Zac Efron?
"Extra's" Lopez is said to be the "hot American favorite" for the job, according to The Daily Mirror. He could face off with Efron and British "X Factor" host Dermot O'Leary.

Howard Stern to call for a nationwide Jay Leno boycott tonight on Letterman
"When I go on Letterman, I'm going to call for a boycott of Leno. I'm gonna talk to all of show business," says "The King of All Media" of his first "Late Show" visit since Letterman admitted his affair (will Stern bring it up?) Meanwhile, Stern announced this morning he has joined Twitter (@HowardStern) but he won't be tweeting.

USA announces "Law & Order: CI's" final season, "In Plain Sight's return
Both will premiere on May 1st.

Charlie Sheen's estranged wife may join "Dancing with the Stars"
Brooke Mueller is said to be on talks with the show.

Super Bowl QB Rodgers not dating a "Gossip Girl," but he has a "Bachelor" link
According to his parents, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is not dating Jessica Szohr from "Gossip Girl," as has been widely reported. But it turns out that "Bachelor" funeral director Shawntel Newton is a family friend, and her little sister is Rodgers' personal guest at the Super Bowl.

"The Vampire Diaries" companion is put on hold as its boss joins another CW show
Kevin Williamson will help produce "Secret Circle," from "Vampire Diaries" author Kevin Williamson.

Mick Jagger to perform at the Grammys for the 1st time
His last appearance at the Grammys was via satellite in 1986.

"Idol" wannabe Johny Wayne Schulz recorded an album at age 14
Not just any album, but one that was considered for a Grammy.

Introducing "The Real Housewives of Miami" cast
The cast includes Scottie Pippen's wife, known as the "Hottest NBA wife."

Check out Joel McHale doing sketch comedy in the 90s
Long before E! and "Community," McHale built up his comedy chops on the Seattle TV sketch show "Almost Live," according to the Oregonian.

A&E to get into the female detective business with "Overload"
"Rocky" producer Irwin Winkler is behind the project, about a female detective with hyper-acute senses. PLUS: CBS orders "The Assistants."

Whitney Cummings wins the James Burrows lotto
The legendary sitcom director has chosen Cummings' "Two Broke Girls" to direct, which is a good omen. Burrows directed the pilots of "Mike & Molly," "$#*! My Dad Says" and "Better With You" from this season, as well as "Friends," "Frasier," "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men" from seasons past.

Syfy adds "Spider-Man" to its upfront presentation
"We are thrilled to share the stage with the most ambitious Broadway show ever," says the cable network.

"Grizzly Adams" creator dies
Charles Sellier, 67, was responsible for the bear-friending man that would become a movie and TV series.

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Charlie Sheen: Egypt is more important than "my bullsh*t"
Sheen says in a text to E! Online that the story of his father trying to gain a conservatorship over him is "all crap." He adds: "Believe nothing. I will never speak about any of this as long as I'm alive. You're all gonna have to keep towing the same redundant line, guessing wrong. BTW, two wars are in an endless state of sorrow. Egypt about burned to the ground, and all you people care about is my bullsh-t….?"

"Idol" apology: A big joke?
Tonight's show began with a black screen with the following words: "'American Idol' would like to apologize for Steven Tyler’s outrageous behavior…Mr. Tyler has been warned…it will not happen again." Then, to make it seem like a joke, a contestant with the last name "Muck" (rhymes with …) appeared. (Watch the video) UPDATE: Nigel Lythgoe says don't take his shows so seriously.

Jennifer Aniston: I turned down "SNL" for "Friends"
Lorne Michaels, she tells Oprah, wanted her to join "Saturday Night Live," but she declined. They were like, 'You're so stupid,'" she said. "They thought I was making a huge mistake."

CBS renews "NCIS" after getting Mark Harmon on board for $500K an episode
After much negotiating, Harmon has signed a two-year deal for reportedly more than $500,000 an episode, which cleared the way for a Season 9 pickup.

Katey Sagal: "Futurama" is coming back for Season 8
While Comedy Central has yet to announce an official renewal, it looks like, despite what Sagal says, talks for an 8th season are ongoing. Meanwhile, Season 7 is set to begin on June 23.

Hulu restores Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert
One year after Viacom yanked the Comedy Central stars, "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" will be restored tonight.

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MTV announces the return of "Beavis and Butt-Head"
The "Skins" cast was brought out today to make "Beavis and Butt-Head's" return official at MTV's Upfront presentation. PLUS: MTV will unveil "Teen Wolf" on June 5, after the MTV Movie Awards.

Parents TV Council wants states to investigate "Skins"
The PTC is now calling for its members to pester state attorneys general into investigating the MTV series for child pornography.

NBC's "Playboy" wants Amber Heard
The "Zombieland" actress is in talks to play the lead role, a new hire at a 1963-era Playboy club.

TLC hopes to drop jaws with "Outrageous Kid Parties"
The new series is the "My Super Sweet 16" for out-of-control kiddies.

NBC sets "Friday Night Lights" final season premiere for 10 days after its DVD release
The DVD comes out April 5th, the final season debuts April 15.

Steven Tyler brings his outrageous behavior to Twitter
Tweet him tonight, after "Idol's" apology for his behavior.

Why isn't there studying on "Glee"?
The high school students on "Glee" never seem to behave like really high schoolers. "Have you ever seen any of those amazingly talented characters on that show doing their homework?" asks Washington Post education writer Jay Matthews. "Or discussing an upcoming exam? Or opening a textbook? The glee club adviser, played by Matthew Morrison, is supposed to be a Spanish teacher, but I haven't seen him ask anybody to conjugate a single verb." PLUS: Check out "Glee's" Justin Bieber "tribute," watch another Super Bowl teaser and help Matthew Morrison help his high school.

Craig Ferguson becomes a dad again
Liam James Ferguson is the "Late Late" host's 2nd son. Ferguson is dad to Milo Harnish, age 9, from a previous marriage.

How did "Human Target" fall apart?
A once-promising series is suffering an identity crisis, going from exciting to dreadful.

Sally Kellerman joins "90210"
The "M*A*S*H" star will play Annie's boss in a multi-episode arc.

Las Vegas creates odds on who will replace Regis Philbin
Martin Short has 15/1 odds, Jeff Probst has 18/1 and Ryan Seacrest is 22/1.

Charlie Sheen issues "thank you" statement
His statement to fans, cast and crew ends with, "Like Errol Flynn, who had to put down his sword on occasion,  I just want to say, 'thank-you.'"

Farrah Fawcett's "Charlie's Angels" memorabilia joining the Smithsonian
Scripts from the first season of "Angels" will join Farrah's iconic red swimsuit at the Smithsonian.

Whoopi Goldberg stuns her "View" co-stars with talk of her druggie past
"I sat on a bed for four days, pooped and pissed myself," she said on "The View."

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Is Mitt Romney's presidential campaign revolved around "Big Love"?

Can't afford a Super Bowl ad? Get publicity by getting one banned!

"Lost" stars: Where are they now? (1 year after the final season premiere)

Bill O'Reilly's Obama interview will air 90 minutes to 2 hours before Super Bowl

Watch the ReelzChannel's version of "The Kennedys" trailer

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"Idol" will apologize tonight for Steven Tyler's "outrageous behavior"
But will it be a serious apology? Find out tonight…

"SNL" going backstage for a new 2-hour documentary
"Saturday Night Live Backstage," airing Feb. 20, promises untold stories of audition, censorship and more.

NBC bringing back "The Event"
A two-hour midseason premiere has been scheduled for Monday, March 7.

Listen to the Charlie Sheen 911 call
"Real Housewives" husband Dr. Paul Nassif tells the 911 dispatcher Sheen is "very, very intoxicated" and in a "lot of pain."

Syfy announces "Tresure Island" with Elijah Wood and Donald Sutherland
Eddie Izzard will also star as Long John Silver in the two-hour miniseries.

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Robert Redford turns down "Hot in Cleveland" — and Betty White
"We tried desperately to get him" to make a cameo, says the TV Land show's creator.

Dana Carvey's "SNL" promos relive his "Wayne's World" glory days
Schwinggg!

Watch the "Criminal Minds" spinoff trailer
"Suspect Behavior," with Forest Whitaker and Janeane Garofalo.

"The Bachelor" franchise welcomes another baby
"Bachelorette" winner Jesse Csincsak and his ex-"Bachelor" contestant wife Ann Lueders welcomed a boy this morning.

An "Idol" apology?
Ryan Seacrest says: "Make sure u watch the producers apology at the top "

"Parks and Rec's" Nick Offerman looks like a different man, sans mustache
"I'm unrecognizable. It's the ultimate disguise," he tells Conan. What does he call his Ron Swanson hairstyle? "The Full Douche."

Jeffrey Donovan pleads guilty to reckless driving
The "Burn Notice" star will avoid a DUI charge as part of a deal with Miami prosecutors over a 2009 arrest.

Anderson Cooper survives Egypt beating
No one was seriously hurt, though Cooper was "punched 10 times in the head," according this CNN colleague.

"Episodes" tries to get laughs out of rape prevention
"Matt LeBlanc" gets insensitive at a rape prevention benefit.

"NCIS" reaches yet another series high
Nearly 23 million watched last night's episode.

Mexico slams "Top Gear" as "offensive and xenophobic"
Presenter Richard Hammond is taking heat for saying, "Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat."

A Super Bowl ad will have an embedded code for the first time
The commercial for the 3D film "Rio" includes a tie-in to the Angry Birds app.

Michael Steele meets his "Daily Show" puppet
The former Republican National Committee Chairman finally was allowed to meet Jon Stewart face to face last night.

Lifetime finds its Kate Middleton
Actress Camilla Luddington will star in the Lifetime biopic "William & Kate."

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Charlie Sheen to return to "Two and a Half Men" in 3 to 4 weeks?
That's the plan, according to TMZ, which reports that none of the cast or crew will lose any money if all goes well. "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre wouldn't comment on a timeline, but he did tell the NY Times: "People get the fundamental good guy that Charlie Sheen really is."

NBC cuts down on "The Cape"
The reduction from 13 to 10 episodes is bad news for the ratings-challenged superhero drama.

Ricky Gervais: Golden Globes didn't ask me to return, NBC did
After the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association denied inviting him back, Gervais clarified that the Globes didn't invite him back, the network asked him to return.

TNT announces "Dallas" reboot with Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray
The new cast willl include Josh Henderson and Jordana Brewster.

"Community" stars pose for "racy" Twitter photos
Britta and Annie kissing!? PLUS: "Community" creates a "Who's the Boss?" history class.

CW orders 4 pilots, including "Heavenly" and Josh Schwartz's "Hart of Dixie"
Schwartz and his "Gossip Girl" partner will make "Hart of Dixie," about an NYC doctor who moves to the South. "Heavenly" is about female attorney who used to be an angel. "Awakening" is about zombies and "Cooper and Stone" mixes fashion with crime-solving.

"Lost" would usually return this time of year
And to mark the occasion, Damon Lindelof reflects on a year without "Lost": "Even the people who absolutely hated how we ended it still have the need to tell me this in a variety of creative ways eight months after the fact," he says.

ABC orders "Good Christian Bitches!," plus more
"Melrose Place" and "Sex and the City" mastermind Darren Star is behind "Bitches!," a "Dallas"-set drama about a grown-up former mean girl. ABC has also picked up "Revenge," "Once Upon a Time," "Identity" and "The River." PLUS: ABC picks up Josh Schwartz's "Georgetown."

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" may lose Kim Richards, too
With Camille Grammer considering exiting, Kyle Richards says she's unsure if her sister will return next season.

"Harry's Law" is a certified hit
The David E. Kelley drama attracted 11 million viewers in its 3rd week, maintaining most of its viewers from its first two outings.

Kathy Griffin to guest on "The Defenders"
As a second-rate nightclub comic.

Fox promoting "The Chicago Code" by sending TV critics frozen deep dish pizza
The pizzas from Chicago's famous Lou Malnati's eatery comes with a note from creator Shawn Ryan to enjoy while watching the Super Bowl.

NBC confirms Carson Daly as the host of singing competition "The Voice"
Will Daly find primetime success as the Peacock's Ryan Seacrest?

The Situation jumps on the Justin Bieber bandwagon
First MTV had Pauly D promote "Never Say Never," now it's The Situation's turn.

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Russell Brand to host "SNL" with musical guest Chris Brown
The Feb. 12 show will mark the "Saturday Night Live" debuts for both the British comic and the controversial R&B star.

"The Kennedys" finds a home: ReelzChannel
The independent cable channel devoted to movies will air the canceled HBO miniseries, starting April 3. "We think it will drive ratings and put a spotlight on this network that has never been on it before," says ReelzChannel CEO Stan Hubbard. "We're going to do a full-blown marketing campaign."

Ed Westwick: I'm ready to leave "Gossip Girl"
Westwick says he's no longer fascinated by Chuck Bass. "To be completely honest, I'm ready to do something else," he tells the British magazine Tatler. "Really ready to do something else."

Craig Ferguson tonight celebrates Black History Month
With guests Dr. Cornel West and George Clinton, Ferguson tonight proves that white people can talk about Black History Month.

"HIMYM" promises to reveal the identity of a "very special lady"
…if and when the show's Facebook page reaches 10 million fans.

Is Oprah Winfrey Network packed with too many white people?
Should it be a concern that most of the high-profile are led by white people?

Aaron Sorkin: My HBO cable news drama will be "aspirational," not cynical
"It'll be wish fulfillment," he says. "But they're going to lose as much as they're going to win. In other words, it's not going to be a fantasy. They're going to be trying to do well in a context where it's very difficult to do well when there are commercial concerns and political concerns and corporate concerns."

"The Office" adding 2 more characters
Including an assistant to the office manager who's "Scranton hot."

Justin Bieber fist pumps with Pauly D
The "Jersey Shore" star is helping promoting Bieber's new movie.

Watch "Glee's" Super Bowl episode opening
With cheerleaders and "California Gurls."

"Dancing with the Stars" returns March 21
Next season's cast will be revealed Feb. 28 on "The Bachelor."

Jaime Pressly charged with DUI
Santa Monica police caught the former "My Name is Earl" star with a blood alcohol level of .22. If convicted, she could face 6 months in jail.

MTV ends up keeping "Skins" nudity intact
Despite editing threats, last night's episode showed one of the male stars naked from behind. PLUS: Clearasil jumps on "Skins" bandwagon, Proactiv jumps off.

Shame on "The Bachelor"!
Chris Harrison may defend last night's episode, but putting the former fiancee of a NASCAR driver on a NASCAR racetrack in NASCAR uniform was totally callous.

HBO teases Pee-wee Herman's Broadway show and "Treme's" return
Check out the "Treme" Season 2 teaser here.

Marc Cherry's "Hallelujah" gets ABC pickup
The "Desperate Housewives" creator's newest project revolves around the battle between good and evil in the small town of Hallelujah, Tennessee.

PBS tonight delves into the history of "Crime Dramas"
For the latest installment of "Pioneers of Television."

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Report: Martin Sheen may try to obtain a conservatorship over Charlie Sheen
Would a court grant a conversationship that's similar to the one granted to Britney Spears' dad over her estate? PLUS: A "Two and a Half Men" rerun was last night's most-watched show.

A.J. Cook will return to "Criminal Minds" — for 1 episode only
Her guest appearance will happen sometime this spring.

Jane Lynch to release "Happy Accidents," her memoir
The "Glee" star plans to release her autobiography in September, with details of how she came to be famous. Sue Sylvester, she says, "didn't come out of a vacuum."

"Chuck's" Sarah Lancaster is pregnant in real life — and married
Lancaster, 30 wed her attorney boyfriend on Saturday.

Russell Hantz accused of leaking "Survivor" spoilers
When Mark Burnett and CBS sued the poster of accurate "Survivor" results on the SurvivorSucks.com website, the poster fingered Russell as his source.

Chrisinta Applegate welcomes a baby girl
Sadie Grace LeNoble was born Thursday in Los Angeles.

Bill Clinton watches "White Collar" on Hulu?
Matt Bomer has learned the former president is a big fan.

"Cake Boss" baker dies
Sal Picinich, 63, passed away Sunday of cancer.

Snooki snubs her U.S. senator
Sen. Charles Schumer of New York was trying to get the "Jersey Shore" star's attention, to no avail.

Blake Lively: The most desirable woman of 2011
AskMen.com ranked the "Gossip Girl" star No. 1, while Sofia Vergara ranked No. 3, "Mad Men's" Jessica Pare No. 10 and Minka Kelly No. 99.

"Damages" adds Chris Messina
The film star will play Ellen's high school friend.

"Conan" giving away a Valentine's Day dinner on his show
Here's your chance to eat with your romantic partner on TV.

Howard Stern lashes out at Piers Morgan
Two weeks after their cordial CNN interview, the shock jock can't stand Piers' big ego. "He's really good, because he already thinks he’s already arrived, and maybe he’ll carry everyone along with him, in this understanding he has," says Stern.

Camille Grammer blames Fox News for her breakup with Kelsey
He was too busy watching Fox News to cuddle, she tells Joy Behar. PLUS: Kelsey has his wedding set, with invites sent out.

Shannen Doherty is now an infomercial star
Has her career sunk this low?

Logo picks up Sarah Silverman-produced show, "The Nanny" creator's "Queen of Harts"
Silverman's "Tig and Friends" will have Silverman's pal Tig Notaro interviewing a cast of a TV show or movie or band each week, while "Queen of Harts" follows a nanny who's really a man disguised as a woman.

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