September 2011

September 30, 2011

Jason Lee to romance Maya Rudolph
The former "My Name is Earl" star is returning to NBC as a guest on "Up All Night."


"South Park's" Matt & Trey: We were on acid when we wore dresses at the Oscars

Matt Stone and Trey Parker recall their Oscar acid trip on Jimmy Kimmel's show.


Ricky Gervais returns to Twitter nearly 2 years after finding it "pointless"

Follow Gervais @rickygervais. Gervais tweeted briefly in December 2009 and January 2010, before quitting. "As you may know I've stopped with Twitter," he wrote on his blog. "I just don't get it I'm afraid."


New couple alert: Derek Hough and Lauren Conrad?

Hough, who earlier this year dated former "X Factor" judge Cheryl Cole, has reportedly hooked up with the former "Hills" star.

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September 30, 2011

Jim Breuer snags an ABC sitcom
The "SNL" alum will star in a multi-camera family comedy pilot.


Regis Philbin blames cable for the declining quality of broadcast TV

"It has all been a step down," he says. "The cable shows have no boundaries and they can do whatever they want with it, and the broadcasting stations are beginning to look at that and see how it attracts an audience and are beginning to take that step down too."


Danny Masterson joins TBS' "Men at Work"

The "That '70s Show" alum will star in a pilot about a recently dumped nice guy who tries to regain his manhood.


Why Lexie has been missing from "Grey's Anatomy"

Turns out Chyler Leigh was granted a short leave from the ABC series. She'll return for the Oct. 13 episode.


Kenan Thompson gets engaged

The 33-year-old "SNL" star and his model girlfriend are set to wed in November.


NBC pushes "Chuck" and "Grimm" back at week

They'll debut on the night of Oct. 28, instead of one week earlier.


"One Life to Live" keeping its head writer and key cast members for online version

Melissa Archer  and Sean Ringgold will be among the cast members returning.


"The Office" writers don't know how to use James Spader

When it comes to Robert California, the writers seem to be confusing funny ha-ha with funny-strange, which is what we got when Will Ferrell was a guest-star. PLUS: How often can they recycle Michael-style plots?


Sara Gilbert tears up on "The Talk"

Watch her address her recent breakup.


Nicole Sullivan coming to "Cougar Town"

The "Mad TV" alum will pay a couples therapist for Jules and Grayson.


"Modern Family" stars meet "Sesame Street"

Check out Jesse Tyler Ferguson with Cookie Monster and Sofia Vergara with Elmo. PLUS: Ty Burrell spends "7 Minutes in Heaven."


Kelsey Grammer wins custody battle over Camille

With strings attached.


Boston Rob goes "Around the World in 80 Ways"

The History channel reality show follows "Survivor's" Rob Mariano and a monster truck driver as they travel 30,000 miles through 10 countries and four continents.


Michael C. Hall: "Dexter" gets a fresh start this season

"There is a sense of a fresh start," says the actor. "I think Dexter's returning to form in a sense. He's as close to the Dexter we met at the beginning of the series, but all that water is now under the bridge. It's still a much more complicated proposition." PLUS: "Dexter" finds religion, but does he find love?


Tee-totaling Ken Burns talks "Prohibition" vs. "Boardwalk Empire"

Burns recently got to watch the HBO series and talk with is creators. "Our film," he says, "complements your enjoyment of "Boardwalk Empire.'" As for staying sober, Burns says, "I'm not much of a drinker. I have a little bit now and then. But through most of the Prohibition project I was myself tee-totaling, not through any sort of desire but because every once in a while I just do that, just to get a lot more work done."
"Prohibition" is an absorbing 5 1/2 hours // Lots of stretches of "sober boredom"

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FRIDAY ODDS & ENDS

September 30, 2011

Conan O'Brien is sorry for mocking Tampa

Disney Channel orders "Dog With a Blog," about a talking dog who blogs

Melissa McCarthy creating a plus-sized clothing line

By the 8th hour of grueling "X Factor" auditions, everybody started blending together

Bruce Jenner: I want to do "Dancing," too

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

September 30, 2011

"Homeland" is "24" for grown-ups
The Showtime series, says Alessandra Stanley, is "well made and gripping, and a lot of its allure lies in those uncertainties .. This series is not particularly high-tech, and it doesn't have a real-time ticking clock conceit, spectacular special effects or preposterous red herrings." In particular, Claire Danes' character is hard to like, yet the show is "almost impossible to resist."
The best and most compelling new fall show
It's the first telling of a post-9/11 story that is all the things it should be
It's spellbinding // It's ambiguity is what makes it so compelling
Claire Danes: "I'm no longer an ingénue. I'm grown up"

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September 30, 2011

NBC isn't ready to cancel any new shows just yet
NBC entertainment boss Bob Greenblatt is going to be patient with "The Playboy Club" and "Free Agents," which have suffered terrible ratings. Greenblatt, the former Showtime boss, comes from the cable world, where shows are given time to find an audience.


Viewers flee "Charlie's Angels," "Whitney" and "Prime Suspect"

The three newbies were down 29%, 24% and 17% off of their debut numbers, respectively. Meanwhile, "How to be a Gentleman" had trouble holding on to "The Big Bang Theory" viewers.


Ashton Kutcher stops following Demi Moore on Twitter

And, to fuel more marriage breakup rumors, it appears Demi Moore unfollowed her husband on Twitter than refollowed him.


Christopher Meloni is "The Vigilogna"

Jon Stewart has tapped the former "SVU" star's new Wall Street-protests-inspired "Daily Show" acting role.


Watch Kal Penn on "HIMYM"

Here's the first look at the former Obama aide as Robin's shrink.

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September 29, 2011

Arnold Schwarzenegger: I didn't know I was running for governor until I visited Leno
In the summer of 2003, Schwarzenegger admits that he had no idea whether or not he was going to run just before made his famous announcement on "The Tonight Show." It was not until just before he sat on Leno's couch that he decided to run.


"Lost's" Carlton Cuse sells a spiritual drama to ABC

He's teaming with author and pastor Rob Bell on the project, which revolves around a musician who serves as a spiritual guide.


Check out Nick Offerman in high school

"Parks and Rec's" Ron Swan was once "A Real Stud???"


ESPN sells a sports fan sitcom to ABC

The comedy from former "Scrubs" producer Bill Callahan follows four Boston-area guy friends who meet up once a week to watch their favorite teams play.


NBC orders 2 more "Parenthood" episodes

That brings the total number of episodes for this season to 18.


Watch Melissa McCarthy shout in her new "SNL" promo, featuring Lady Antebellum

What is her favorite part of hosting?


Sara Gilbert will "Talk" about her breakup on tomorrow's show

"It's emotional for me, because we’re not together. I wouldn’t trade that time," she says according to a transcript of Friday's "The Talk."


Stan Lee's next guest-star gig will be on "Chuck"

Chuck will encounter the comic book legend in  "the most unexpected of places." In the past year and a half, Lee has guested on "The Big Bang Theory," "Eureka," "Nikita" and "Entourage."


Kaley Cuoco: I dated a hoarder

"Making out on a hoarder's coach is such a bad thing," she tells Letterman.


"HIMYM" bosses wanted confusion

Carter Bays and Craig Thomas address the ending to this week's episode.


Jack Osbourne gets engaged

Ozzy's 25-year-old reality TV son is marrying actress Lisa Stelly.


Rob Kardashian had never heard of Fred Astaire

"I YouTubed him," the "Dancing" star says after learning he had to do an Astaire dance.

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September 29, 2011

Leno and Letterman see their ratings decline during premiere week
Jay Leno was down 4% over last year, David Letterman dropped 15%.


Rosie's 1st guest: Russell Brand

The British comedian will be the first guest when "The Rosie Show" debuts on Oct. 10.


Barbra Streisand tweets Lea Michele

Streisand, who follows the "Glee" star on Twitter, responded to one of Michele's tweets by saying she'll send her a Barbra Streisand doll. "But," she added, "I want a Lea Michele doll when it comes out!"


Jon Hamm has become the NY Times' litmus test for establishing male trends

If the "Mad Men" star is sporting stubble, then stubble is officially cool. PLUS: Check out Matthew Weiner's home.


Kim Kardashian crowned "Most Annoying Celebrity"

According to a poll, she beat out Charlie Sheen, Snooki, Lindsay Lohan, Donald Trump and "Bachelor" Brad Womack."


"The X Files" creator Chris Carter is set to make a TV comeback

He'sl close to signing a deal to create a mystery drama starring a female lead for MRC.


Looks like Jacqueline Laurita has quit "Real Housewives of New Jersey"

The rumors are apparently true, according to People. PLUS: Joe cheating on Teresa?


"CSI:NY" casts Sela Ward's ex-partner

"House" and "Six Feet Under" vet Michael Weston will guest-star.


"Private Practice": What to expect in Season 5

Will Addison have a baby?


TCM taps Chris Isaak as guest host

The singing star will host Turner Classic Movies the week of Oct. 10 – 16.


Ted Danson is due to become a grandfather on his birthday

His first grandchild, a girl, is due Dec. 29, the day Danson turns 64.


Watch a preview of "Who Wants to Date a Comedian?"

The reality show from Byron Allen hasn't announced where it will air.

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September 29, 2011

"The X Factor" is looking bloated — "an orgy of overreaction"
Has this six hours been worth the investment? asks Neil Genzlinger. "Is it just me, or would all of these two-hour audition episodes have been more entertaining at one hour?" PLUS: Almost everyone's a winner.


Joel McHale recalls his college football past

The former University of Washington Huskies tight end was originally recruited to row, before he ended up walking on to the football team. "It was baptism by fire like I've never experienced in my life," McHale writes.


"Jersey Shore" spawns talking pens

Now you can listen to Snooki, The Situation and Pauly D talking as you write.


"Bachelor" Ben Flajnik and his bachelorettes ski — down the streets of San Francisco

See photos of the winter wonderland producers created in sunny San Francisco, so that "The Bachelor" and his bachelorettes can ski down one of the city's famous hills.


John Francis Daly to pay a visit to the "Bones" spinoff

Dr. Lance Sweets will pop up on "The Finder."


Kate Gosselin denies she's having trouble shopping a reality show

She also is denying reports that TLC has rights to her until February.


Michael Scott vs. Andy Bernard

How will the new "Office" boss differ from his predecessor?


Anderson Cooper sticks up for Nancy Grace

Cooper thinks there was no nipple flash, though he did put Wolf Blitzer's face over the alleged nipple. PLUS: Cooper brings an Alpaca to Letterman, and who should play Cooper in an "Anderson" movie?


Jaleel White: I got mistaken for Kanye West

The "Family Matters" star, speaking to Wendy Williams, talks about the possibility of a "Family Matters" reunion.


Fred Armisen recruits "SNL"-ers to "Portlandia"

The IFC series returns Jan. 9 with guest-stars Andy Samberg, Kristen Wiig, Jack McBrayer, Penny Marshall, Tim Robbins and Amber Tamblyn.


Should Matt Lauer wear sunglasses on "Today"?

Lauer's wearing of sunglasses while outdoors has annoyed some "Today" fans.


"The Vampire Diaries" travels back to the Roaring '20s

Tonight's episode, "The End of the Affair," is a big one.

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September 29, 2011

"How to Be a Gentleman": A remarkably dated sitcom
The CBS sitcom, says Matthew Gilbert, "depicts masculinity in the way 'The Odd Couple' did in the 1960s and '70s, with the persnickety Felix and the slobby Oscar locking horns. And it will be joined by two other stubbornly simplistic sitcom takes on men in the next few weeks – Tim Allen's 'Last Man Standing' and the bromantic 'Man Up!' Has no one told the writers of these shows that being a dumbo who talks down to women is no longer every man’s greatest wish?"
Sluggish, unfunny // Reminiscent of NBC's many Must-See TV sitcom failures
It even sucks the funny out of Dave Foley and Mary Lynn Rajskub
Blame David Hornsby for the unfunny // Hornsby juggling many jobs these days

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September 29, 2011

White powder sent to "Dancing with the Stars" is likely a hoax
Officials say the substance sent to CBS Television City, where "Dancing" is tapes, is harmless.


Which will be the season's 1st cancelation, "Free Agents" or "Playboy Club"?

"Free Agents" fell to 3.11 million total viewers last night for its 3rd episode. "The Playboy Club," meanwhile, attracted just 3.97 million viewers this week.


Report: Ashton Kutcher is "buck naked" when filming Two and a Half Men" nude scenes

According to Life & Style, Kutcher doesn't wear underwear in front of the studio audience. PLUS: Kutcher photographed with his alleged mistress, Kutcher tweets to not assume anything, and Taiwanese TV animates Kutcher.


VH1 next week will count down "The 100 Greatest Songs of the '00s"

Read the entire list, including No. 1 …


Why "Community" is set in Colorado

Creator Dan Harmon is trying to use a somewhat vague setting for his sitcom, like Springfield on "The Simpsons." Colorado, he says, is "my code for 'in the middle of somewhere.'" PLUS: Meet "Community's" "continuity guru," who's always under pressure from Twitter.


Inside the "Parks and Rec" writer's room

Alan Sepinwall visits the NBC comedy's Studio City offices and learns how a pitch becomes a joke (Read Part 2). PLUS: Indy NBA star Roy Hibbert guests tonight, and Nick Offerman tells Letterman how he met Megan Mullally — while living in a basement.


"Girl Next Door's" Holly Madison insures her breasts for $1 million

She wants to protect herself as she takes the stage in a Las Vegas "Peepshow."


Bravo orders a "Real Housewives" spinoff special for Kandi Burruss

On "The Kandi Factory," Burruss will transform two wannabe singers into the next big pop star.

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September 29, 2011

Report: "The Playboy Club" was not abandoned by 7 advertisers
The Parents Television Council's claim that seven advertisers dropped out is untrue, says Adweek, which notes that Kraft only ordered advertising for the pilot and P.F. Chang will advertise in the future.


Nelson Mandela's grandkids get a reality show

"We’re definitely not the African Kardashians," says one of its stars.


Ashton Kutcher: "Don't believe the hype"

The "Two and a Half Men" star used his Spotify account to apparently address his marriage rumors.


Wednesday ratings: "Modern Family" is still No. 1, "The X Factor" steady with 11.5M

Meanwhile, "Suburgatory' debuted to 9.8 million and "Revenge" in its 2nd airing had about 7 million viewers.


"Rescue Me's" John Scurti to be treated by "House"

He'll guest in a November episode.


Danny McBride becomes a first-time dad

It's a boy for the "Eastbound and Down" star.

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September 28, 2011

White powder discovered at the "Dancing"/Craig Ferguson TV studio complex
The mailroom at CBS Television City — which is home to "The X Factor," "Dancing with the Stars," "The Price is Right," "American Idol" and "SYTYCD" — found white powder this afternoon in an envelope. Emergency vehicles are currently at the scene. UPDATE: The letter was addressed to "Dancing with the Stars."


CBS will blur out Ashton Kutcher's tech stickers from "Men" repeats

The network is reportedly unhappy that Kutcher used "Two and a Half Men" to promote his tech investments.


Thomas Gibson: I never had a problem with Chuck Lorre on "Dharma & Greg"

Unlike Charlie Sheen, the "Criminal Minds" star says, "I had a great experience, five years working with Chuck."


Felcity Huffman's "Desperate" fighting with her TV hubby spills off-screen

"You spend so many hours acting a certain storyline that it bleeds into real life," says Huffman. "Dougie (Doug Savant) and I have been fighting for real. Not huge things, but little barbed comments. A little rough around the edges."


Enough with super-sized reality TV episodes!

From three hours a week of "Dancing with the Stars" to four hours a week of "The X Factor" to the summer's three-hour "Bachelor Pad" episodes, reality shows have never been more time-consuming.


L.A. Reid regrets dumping Lady Gaga before she became a star

"It was the worst thing I've ever done," "The X Factor" judge says of signing Gaga then letting her go a few months later.


SPEED channel orders a gas station game show

"Pumped!" will send comedian Greg Fitzsimmons to ambush people in answering pop-culture and automotive questions.


"Happy Endings": What to expect in Season 2

Megan Mullally guest-stars this season, and she was "out of this world. It was sick," says Casey Wilson. PLUS: Casey Wilson "hoped against hope" that there would be a Season 2, and Damon Wayans Jr. on Season 2.


"Luther" returns: The last truly weird detective standing

Idris Elba's British detective character is seemingly the last in a breed of old-school eccentric TV cops. PLUS: "Luther" may be the most complex antihero.

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WEDNESDAY ODDS & ENDS

September 28, 2011

Can MTV sue New Jersey for pulling the "Jersey Shore" tax credit?

Snooki used diet pills to lose weight // Taiwanese TV animates "Jersey" tax credit

Premiere week: "Dr. Phil" is No. 1 daytime talk show

Check out the delicious-looking "Modern Family" cake

"Vampire Diaries" fans take over 3 of Twitter's Top 10 trending topics, worldwide

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

September 28, 2011

"Suburgatory" gets nearly everything right
"It's not often that a comedy pilot that aims for various forms of tone — nuance, snark, sweetness — hits everything just about right," says Tim Goodman. "Mostly, that takes some tinkering, into the third or fourth episode. But ABC's 'Suburgatory' comes out of the gate as one of the biggest surprises of the fall, if mostly because ABC's development slate was all over the map and creating very little buzz among critics. But 'Suburgatory' is an interesting little sitcom in that all on its own the show deserves your attention for the merits mentioned above."
Stereotypes are done with a wink, a nod and a lot of affection
It's the TV version of well-made movies like "Easy A" and "Juno"
Who is "Suburgatory's" target audience? ABC doesn't make it clear
"Mean Girls": The series? // It's more ABC Family than Tina Fey
"Suburgatory" has a voice, something a lot of good shows instantly have
Cheryl Hines: I drew inspiration from "Real Housewives"
Meet "Suburgatory's" real-life inspiration // Hines: "Curb" vs. "Suburgatory"

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September 28, 2011

Fox grants "New Girl" a full season
The Zooey Deschanel comedy will run 24 episodes this season after a 2nd night of stellar ratings.


TV's highest-paid TV actresses: Tina Fey and Eva Longoria are No. 1

They each made $13 million over the past year, according to the Forbes list. In addition, Longoria's three "Desperate Housewives" co-stars are in the Top 10.


David Arquette's new girlfriend is a reporter for "Entertainment Tonight"

Yes, Arquette tells Howard Stern, Courteney Cox — who has become the "Dancing's" star friend more than wife — knows he is dating Christina McLarty, who also works for "The Insider" and who is the ex-fiancee of "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis.


Watch Jimmy Kimmel's fake Michael Jackson fan mess with the media

Jake Byrd at the Dr. Conrad Murray trial.


"The Walking Dead" comes out with its 2nd Season 2 trailer

"We're facing a long hard journey."


Kardashian family members will co-host "Today's" 4th hour next week

Each day, one family member will sit with Hoda Kotb. PLUS: Kim K confronts her "H8R" tonight.


Introducing Ron Swanson's Tammy One

Check out Patricia Clarkson's first appearance on "Parks and Recreation."


Jennifer Tilly to visit "Modern Family"

She'll play the girlfriend of Chazz Palminteri, who will reprise his role of Shorty.


See the trailer for "Being Elmo"

The documentary about the "Sesame Street" puppeteer.

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September 28, 2011

How about Jon Stewart as Andy Rooney's "60 Minutes" replacement?
"The Daily Show" host has been one of the names floating around, though he already has a full-time job, according to Verne Gay, who adds of Stewart: "He'd make noise, though intelligent noise. He'd get attention. He'd make some people laugh. Other people furious. He'd get attention for the show." PLUS: In defense of Andy Rooney.


Kate Gosselin is having trouble getting a new reality show

The former "Kate Plus 8" star has reportedly shopped her services to various networks, but nobody is interested, so far.


Watch Melissa McCarthy's "SNL" promos

"Melissa, I'm so pumped you're here. You're my jam."


NBC snags Dane Cook for his own sitcom

He becomes the 2nd standup comedian from cable to sign an NBC sitcom development deal, after Sarah Silverman.


CBS: We weren't paid for Ashton Kutcher's "Men" tech product placement

Kutcher on Monday's show had a laptop with stickers of companies he had an interest, but only Foursquare was given an acknowledgement in the "Men" closing credits.


Bravo's next cast shakeup: "Real Housewives of New Jersey"?

There may soon be some openings in the Jersey "Housewives" cast.


See the trailer for Comedy Central's "South Park" documentary

"6 Days to Air" premieres Oct. 9.

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September 28, 2011

GLAAD: Fox has the most gay characters on TV
While Fox had eight LGBT characters, HBO was No. 2 with seven, according to a new survey. CBS had the lowest number with just one. PLUS: GLAAD says there are fewer gay and bisexual characters on TV this season.


"Dancing" boss: I don't know if we saw Nancy Grace's nipple

"I'm not entirely sure what any of us saw," says exec producer Conrad Green. "But I do know that she was wearing the petals for protection. So all of our systems worked." PLUS: Jon Stewart devotes segment to Grace's nipple.


"New Girl" hangs on to 92% of its Week 1 viewers

"NCIS" was Tuesday's No. 1 show, but Fox was tops in the all-important 18-49 demo.


Jason Alexander explains his new head of hair: It'll open up acting jobs

"The way my hair has receded in the last two years was best defined as 'dorky,'" the former "Seinfeld" star writes, adding: "onstage and even to a degree on film, my head had become a big beacon, reflecting light in a very obvious and distracting way."


Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore: Broken up?

Nothing has been confirmed, but according to Radar Online the marriage is almost over.


"The Playboy Club" loses 7 advertisers under pressure from the PTC

According to the Parents TV Council, companies like Kraft and Subway have yanked their ads from the NBC series.


Ashley Tisdale stars in "Toddlers & Tiaras: Where are they now?"

Watch her Funny or Die video, featuring Leah Remini as her mom.


"Army Wives" star Sally Pressman moving on, to NBC

She's expected to leave "Army Wives" next season for a yet-to-be-determined series on an NBC Universal network.


It's official: Kelly Cutrone in, André Leon Talley out at "Next Top Model"

Talley said his exit is a "mutual agreement," adding: "It's all good in the neighborhood."


"Lost's" Sonya Walger lands on USA

She'll play a psychiatrist on buddy cop drama "Common Law."


Check out AMC's "Hell on Wheels" poster

The post-Civil War drama stars Anson Mount and rapper Common.


Watch the opening credits for "American Horror Story"

It's from the same guy who created the openings to "Seven" and "The Walking Dead."


Report: Nicole Richie got breast implants

The reality star is sporting a fuller figure these days.


Paul Rudd, Dennis Haysbert & Anne Hathaway "audition" for "Jersey Shore"

Watch their special "Conan" video.

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September 27, 2011

YouTube to launch TV-like channels with regularly scheduled shows
Google is reportedly finalizing a deal for TV channels that will rival broadcast and cable TV.


Nancy Grace shows "breast petals" she claims were mistaken for her nipple

"I am in full nip denial," she says of her "Dancing with the Stars" wardrobe malfunction.


CNN puts Jimmy Kimmel's fake Michael Jackson fan on its front page

Kimmel writer "Jake Byrd," who has made a mockery of Jackson trials in the past, was sent to cover the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, where he was once again mistaken for an actual Jackson fan.


Anderson Cooper's ratings are up on both of his TV shows

Both "Anderson Cooper 360" and "Anderson" have been doing well in the ratings. PLUS: Watch Anderson drink coffee and eat spinach and brussels sprouts for the first time in his life.


"Bones" boss: We'll never show Booth-Brennan sex scenes

"You don't need to see that on Fox," says exec producer Stephen Nathan. "That's health class in junior high."


How terrible do the "Terra Nova" dinosaurs look?

Producers spent $20 million, and got dinosaurs that look straight out of a bargain-bin videogame.


"Once Upon a Time" picks up Kristin Bauer

The "True Blood" alum will guest as the character Maleficent, the evil witch from "Sleeping Beauty."


New "Office" boss Ed Helms credits Steve Carell for paving the way

Helms doesn't know where he'd be if Carell didn't find success outside "The Daily Show" with "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." "It allowed the general public as well as the entertainment industry to suddenly see the 'Daily Show' correspondents as something more than just these snarky news reporters," says Helms who received a note from Ricky Gervais last week. "That’s just something I'll always be grateful that Steve did." PLUS: Why Andy Bernard won the job.


Jeff Probst: My Twitter followers put Ozzy back on "Survivor"

Probst talks about his tweeting and, lately, Touting, saying that social media has become very influential on the show. When he asked which "Survivor" alums should return, Probst says, "So many people said Ozzy, and I called the casting director and I said, "'Ozzy is our No. 1.' That was the deal-clincher to put him back on the show. It wasn't even a planned idea."


FX boss: Why we're better than other cable networks

John Landgraf, who has been at the helm of FX since January 2004, says rival networks "don't aspire to be deep, complicated, penetrating character studies.… I think we've found a way to remain distinctive."


Shayne Lamas to sign her unborn baby to a talent deal

"The Bachelor" winner's first child isn't due for two months, yet she's already planning off the baby, whom she plans to name "Press."


Anna Kournikova can identify with "Biggest Loser" contestants

"I know what it's like to be judged, dissected, picked apart for all of my life," says the 30-year-old tennis player. "It was so painful."


Patti Stanger continues to make offensive comments

"The gay men, they whip it out at eye lock," the "Millionaire Matchmaker" said yesterday on Joy Behar's show.


Oprah to launch an OWN "Super Soul Sunday" block, with help from Rainn Wilson

The block will include content from Wilson's Soul Pancake production company, as well as never-before-seen episodes of "Oprah's Soul Series."


"Downton Abbey" fans are furious over Season 2's "Breakneck" pace

The 2nd series, currently airing in the UK, has become like a soap opera in the way its sprints through storylines. PLUS: "Abbey" costumes are recycled from period films.


"The Chew" debuts with bigger ratings than "The Talk"

The new foodie talk show even matched "All My Children's" ratings, while offering nothing new.

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TUESDAY ODDS & ENDS

September 27, 2011

Report: Hulu's highest bidders are Dish Network and Google

"The Bachelor" threatens newspaper for taking pics of Ben Flajnik's bachelorettes

What if Don Draper invented the Facebook Timeline?

Check out Debbie Allen with her "Grey's Anatomy" son Jesse Williams

Has Melissa McCarthy become too big for "Mike & Molly"?

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

September 27, 2011

Andy Rooney will end his regular "60 Minutes" segment
Sunday will mark the 92-year-old Rooney's last regular appearance on the newsmagazine after 33 years. The appearance will be preceded by a segment looking back at Rooney's career, including an interview with Morley Safer. CBS News says Rooney won't be replaced because "because he can't be replaced." PLUS: Read the "60 Minutes" announcement, and Rooney's grumpiest moments.


Jimmy Buffett lands on "Hawaii Five-0"

The legendary singer will play Terry O'Quinn's pal, a veteran pilot.


Showtime making a documentary about Suge Knight

Antoine Fuqua will direct the documentary about the Death Row Records co-founder, who will oversee the film's soundtrack.

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