Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

So, what is the consensus of my new layout for the daily updates? Like, dislike, indifferent? Please let me know your thoughts. I hope to continue to make improvement as time goes on, while still bringing you the breaking news for each day.

With that being said, let’s get into the update for today:

MOVIES

Current rumor has it that Amber Heard could be playing the character of Mystique in the upcoming movie X-Men: First Class that is set to star James McAvoy has Professor Xavier The movie is to open in theaters nationwide on June 3, 2011. (ScreenCrave)

Sources are reporting that director Sam Raimi will direct the Wizard of Oz prequel called Oz: The Great and Powerful, which tells the story of a circus wrangler who is carried by a tornado to the marvelous land of Oz where he’s mistaken for an all-knowing wizard. Rumor has it that Robert Downey Jr. could be playing said “wizard”. This movie will be in 3D. (TheWrap.com and Variety)

TELEVISION

The third season of FOX’s drama Fringe will introduce Olivia’s mother in a story arc that is expected to stretch three to four episodes. The character is described as loving, stable and sweet. She dotes on Olivia since her other daughter died at birth. No casting has been announced yet. (William Keck at TV Guide)

It looks like the new ABC drama Edgar Floats, the highly-touted character-driven procedural from Life creator Rand Ravich is getting a major overhaul (and not in a good way). No official announcement has been made by the network yet, but the series, which received a six-episode script order from ABC, is being completely reconceived with only Robert Patrick remaining from the original cast, which was to include Tom Cavanagh and Alicia Witt [among others]. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Fans of Friday Night Lights will be happy to know that not only will Zach Gilford be back for the show’s fifth and (likely) final season but also Adrianne Palicki and Taylor Kitsch will return as well. Jesse Plemons is also in talks to appear in the fifth season. As previously announced, Scott Porters will be back for one episode next season. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

It looks like actress A.J. Cook will not be coming back to Criminal Minds, as the “producers have opted not to pick up her contract”. In entertainment speak that means she’s been fired. Ouch! Fellow cast member Paget Brewster, however, is in talks to remain as a series regular, but with reduced episode-appearances. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Mekia Cox (90210) has been cast in the upcoming NBC drama series Undercovers, where she will play Lizzy, the sister of Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s Samantha, who is unaware of her sister’s professional capacity as a CIA agent. Cox replaces Jessica Parker Kennedy, who appeared in the role in the pilot. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Brian Benben has been promoted to a full-fledged series regular on Private Practice. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

FALL TV REVIEW

THE FUTON’S FIRST LOOK: “LOVE BITES” (NBC)

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant/2010/06/14/the-futons-first-look-love-bites-nbc/20100614_lovebites/

ON-LINE VOTING

And the Most Anticipated New TV Show of the Fall Is…

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b185694_most_anticipated_new_tv_show_of_fall.html

INTERVIEWS

Jeffrey Donovan, Matt Bomer and Mark Feuerstein — The Boys of Summer

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Jeffrey-Donovan-Matt-1019616.aspx

We Take a Trip Down Memory Lane with EVERWOOD’s Gregory Smith

http://thetvaddict.com/2010/06/15/we-take-a-trip-down-memory-lane-with-everwoods-gregory-smith/

‘Twilight’ screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg talks Kristen Stewart, Bill Condon and ‘Breaking Dawn’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/06/twilight-melissa-rosenberg-talks-breaking-dawn.html

Q&A SECTION (with Kristin from E! Entertainment Online)

Question: If Idina Menzel returns to Glee next season, any chance her hubby, and fellow Broadway star, Taye Diggs will join her? And if so, can Fox cast you as the third party in their love triangle?

Kristin: We just chatted up Taye and asked him the exact same question—and Spoiler Alert—he’s onboard! “I would love to do it,” Taye gushed at the prospect of guest starring on Glee. “I love the show; I’m a straight up fan. It’s so enjoyable to watch and to see a show for people who to sing and dance. Plus, I love how they integrated Idina into the show, and I would love to be a guest.” Ryan Murphy, Shonda Rhimes, are you guys hearing this?! Clearly, we need a Glee/Private Practice crossover.

Question: I’m so glad you loved the Glee finale as much as I did! Do you know if Jonathan Groff will be back?

Kristin: I’m hearing that producers “definitely want him back” at some point, so yay! My bet? He’ll show up as the new coach of Vocal Adrenaline, or an assistant coach now that Shelby has a newborn at home and can’t spend so much time devoting herself to kids who can’t even look like they can cure cancer. By the way, Ian Brennan (the writer/exec-producer who writes most of Sue’s awesome lines) saw my Tweet on finale night [“I think we all learned a valuable lesson tonight: Purell up so you don’t catch poor. #JaneLynchForEmmy #GleeWritingForEmmy”] and emailed me: “So glad you liked it. Finale is my favorite episode. And get that baby immunized against poor.” Don’t think I didn’t already book an appointment with my son’s pediatrician.

Question: Any update on your scoop that ABC is working on a new Alias? And by the way, that Pick Your New Fave thing was so bogus because JJ’s new show wasn’t there. What gives?!

Kristin: The Alias idea is just that for the time being—an idea. I’m told it most likely would be a complete reboot and not include any of the original cast (though something tells me if Jennifer, Bradley, Victor or Michael wanted to take part, they wouldn’t be kicked out of the casting session). As for JJ’s new show Undercovers, it did rank as the second most anticipated NBC show, so that’s something! JJ himself tells me it’s a “very different show” from Alias. “It’s definitely in the same genre,” JJ says, “but it’s much more a throwback to like the Hart & Hart days of like, really light and fun kind of breezy romantic sexy type show. It’s not heavy mythology at all.” No Rambaldi?! Damn! I actually just got a copy of the pilot so I’ll be watching that tonight.

Question: With The Event coming out this fall, is Jason Ritter done with Parenthood for good?

Kristin: Obviously if The Event has as much success as it should (trust me!), Jason’s time on Parenthood will be few and far between. Still, he wants it out there that he did not abandon the lovely Lauren Graham. “Hey, first of all, she broke it off with me,” he jokes. “That door is not necessarily closed because we’re both NBC shows, so I hopefully can do both. Maybe some crossover episodes.” Having seen The Event pilot, something tells me that’s not a very real possibility.

That’s it. Enjoy!