Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

There is quite a bit of interesting entertainment news to share with you today, covering television, movies, DVD and more. Please read on:

TELEVISION

Gail O’Grady will guest star in the August 29 episode of Drop Dead Diva, playing the mom of a 16-year-old girl who’s being sued for “cyber-bullying.” Grady will next be seen in this fall in the new CW series Hellcats. (Zap2It)

Former soap star Blair Redford (Passions) will have a major recurring role in the CW series 90210 when it returns this fall. He will play Oscar, a handsome, charismatic, and charming Brit that a show insider describes as “one part Talented Mr. Ripley, one part young Johnny Depp, and all parts sexy.” But don’t be fooled. Oscar, who moves in with Ivy and her mom, is trouble with a capital “T” that rhymes with “P” that stands for pot stirrer. 90210‘s third season premieres on September 13. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

None other than John Schneider himself will be returning to Smallville for its tenth and final season. Considering his character, Clark Kent’s father Jonathan Kent, passed away in Season 5 details are scarce as to how he will return, but the episode will be called Lazarus and Schneider is expected to appear in at least one other episode as the season continues. (IGN)

Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared are coming back to television. The cable channel IFC has acquired syndication rights for both shows, from executive producer Judd Apatow. Freaks and Geeks will begin airing this Friday at 11 pm ET/PT (along with repeats on Sundays at 10 pm and Mondays at 11 pm), while Undeclared will bow in the fall. (IFC will also air a never-been-aired episode of Undeclared.) (Variety and Televisionary)

SPOILER! Actress Harriet Sansom Harris (Frasier) will reprise her role as Felicia Tilman on ABC’s Desperate Housewives next season as part of the return of Mark Moses’ character Paul to the series. (TV Guide and Televisionary)

Make It Or Break It is heading to Tuesday nights. ABC Family will shift the show’s sophomore season to Tuesdays at 9:00/8:00c starting July 13. There the series will serve as lead-out to its freshman hit Pretty Little Liars. The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Huge will stay put on Mondays, giving the cable channel a pair of originals on Mondays and Tuesdays. (The Futon Critic)

FIRST LOOK AT FALL TV

Pilot View: NBC’s new drama ‘Outlaw’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-nbcs-new-drama-outlaw.html

Pilot View: NBC’s drama ‘Chase’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-nbcs-drama-chase.html

Pilot View: NBC’s new drama, ‘Undercovers’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-nbcs-new-drama-undercovers.html

DVD ANNOUNCEMENT

Andromeda

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Andromeda-season-2-artwork/13999

MOVIES

Amanda Seyfried has signed on to play Cinderella in the Disney film based on the classic cartoon. (From the website: In Case You Didn’t Know)

Lauren Graham is out and Adam Brody is in. At least that is the lasting in a dizzying array of casting twists over at Scream 4. (Zap2It)

Deborah Ann Woll (True Blood) has joined the cast of Catch .44, playing one of three female assassins alongside Malin Ackerman (Watchmen) and Nikki Reed (Twilight). Bruce Willis and Forest Whitaker also star. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and True-Blood.net)

Oscar winner Meryl Streep is set to play Margaret Thatcher in Thatcher, a biopic of the former British Prime Minister. The film is set in March 1982 in the days leading up to the Falklands War when her support from both the public and within the party was at its lowest. Her victory in the Falklands led to Thatcher’s re-election along with helping her push through major societal reforms. Jim Broadbent is also in talks to play her husband Denis. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

FIRST LOOK AT BOX OFFICE

First Look Photos: Aguilera & Cher in Steven Antin’s Burlesque

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/30/first-look-photos-aguilera-cher-in-steven-antins-burlesque/http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/30/first-look-photos-aguilera-cher-in-steven-antins-burlesque/

INTERVIEWS

‘White Collar’ star Matt Bomer is our Must List Summer Crush

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/01/matt-bomer-white-collar/

‘Drop Dead Diva’ star Ben Feldman takes the EW Pop Culture Personality Test

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/01/drop-dead-diva-ben-feldman/

VOTING

Tater Top Awards: Who Brings the Funny?

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b188246_tater_top_awards_who_brings_funny.html

Q&A SECTION (with Michael Ausiello from Entertainment Weekly)

Question: Can you please give us some information on season 3 of Castle? It’s my favorite show. —Malisa M

Ausiello: How’s this? The season premiere promises to be a hot one, as it takes place in a hush-hush burlesque club and introduces us not only to the joint’s star/owner, a knockout by the name of — I kid you not — Kitty Canary, but also her equally attractive hubby.

Question: Regarding last Sunday’s True Blood sexcapades, I was not expecting that from Bill. Please may I have a scoop since I have to wait until July 11 for the next episode? —Angi

Ausiello: I warned you it would go down as the most, ahem, twisted sex scene in television history, didn’t I? Anyway, Kevin Alejandro — who goes back to work on Southland in October — says we’ll “be seeing more of Jesus” beginning July 18. “I come back in the fifth episode, then you see me pretty regularly from there to the finale.” And, erm, a lot of him. As things heat up between Jesus and Lafayette, he says, “I promise it gets racy.”

Question: More True Blood scoop, please! —Sam

Ausiello: Alan Ball reveals that there will be a lot of “werewolves and vampires throwing down” at the end of the season. I know, not much of a scoop. Cut me some slack. It’s the Thursday before the 4th of July. Is anyone even reading this thing?

Question: Please answer my burning question: Will Jason Ritter be returning to Parenthood in season 2? —Cowsxgoxmooxtoo

Ausiello: Ask me again in September when the ratings come in for Ritter’s new NBC drama The Event. In the meantime, remember my item last week about Parenthood producers casting the role of Adam’s (Peter Krause) boss? Well, I neglected to tell you that the new guy will also be a love interest for Sarah (Lauren Graham).

Question: I am loving Pretty Little Liars. Definitely my new guilty pleasure. Have any scoop? —Kim

Ausiello: Silly question, Kim. And here’s a serious answer: yes. By season’s end, our plot will thicken so much, it’ll damn near solidify. For starters, Emily’s dad is about to come home and get a big shock from his little girl. Plus, Agent Wilden’s “bad cop” will soon get a “good cop” counterpart, a lady Fed who sounds like a Diane Lane dream role. And we’re about to start spending more time at the bank where Ashley works – at least enough to delve into her desperate financial situation and meet her 30ish boss.

That’s it. Enjoy!