Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

The news for today is coming out a little later than usual due to unforeseen circumstances and it isn’t overly long, but there are still some good items to share:

TELEVISION

Chris Vance (Prison Break and Burn Notice) has booked a multi-episode arc on Dexter, playing Cole – a meticulous, physically fit, well-spoken personal aide to a famous businessman. Vance is slated to appear in at least 3 episodes of the Showtime series. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Michael Ealy (FlashForward and the upcoming box office movie Takers) will be the co-lead in the new USA Network buddy police dramedy called Common Law. He will play LAPD officer Travis Marks, who is a polar opposite of his partner Wes Mitchell. So far USA has only ordered a pilot of this series. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Michael Douglas has been diagnosed with a tumor in his throat. The 65-year-old Oscar-winning actor will undergo eight weeks of radiation and chemotherapy to treat the tumor. (Natalie Abrams at TV Guide)

Syfy has picked up their hit series Eureka for a 5th season. (The Futon Critic)

Chad Faust (The 4400) has landed a recurring role on the new FOX drama Lone Star, playing Harrison, the roguish ex-husband of Cat Thatcher (Adrianne Palicki from Friday Night Lights). Lone Star is about as a con man (Jimmy Wolk) juggling two lives and wives (one of whom is Palicki’s aforementioned Cat). The new drama premieres on September 20 and the cast includes David Keith, Jon Voight, and Eloise Mumford. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

‘Glee’: Cast reclaims the slushie in Season 2 campaign

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

Question: Shane in Pittsburgh, Pa.: Will Jenna finally find out the truth about vampires on The Vampire Diaries?

Kristin: Nope, you can expect Aunt Jenna to remain blissfully unaware of the supernatural happenings in Mystic Falls, at least for now. How can that be when she was in the house while Katherine was chopping off Uncle John’s fingers and Jeremy was upstairs downing blood and pills? Executive producer Julie Plec tells us, “We’ll learn in the first episode that she was actually out talking to the fire marshal. Katherine actually lured Jenna out of the house before all the craziness happened.” Finger slicing aside, that Katherine seems like a fine young lady, no?

Question: Beth in Phoenix, Ariz.: Got any scoop on TVD’s flashback episodes?

Kristin: We have three tidbits about the three, possibly four, planned walks down the Salvatore brothers’ memory lane:

We chatted with Bianca Lawson, a.k.a. the original Bennett witch, who spilled that “Emily Bennett’s coming back to maybe be a good witch, maybe be bad witch.” Maybe we’ll finally see her make the deal with the devil himself, Damon, which sealed the vamps in the tomb?

When we spoke with Kevin Williamson at Comic-Con he confirmed that we will be seeing some of season one’s dearly departed via flashbacks. Our fingers are crossed for the return of fan favorite Anna.

Expect to learn about a lot more about the infamous Katherine. Williamson teased, “Why wasn’t she in the tomb? How did she escape? Where did she go? Why did she come to Mystic Falls to begin with? What brought her to Mystic Falls? There’s all those fun questions that we’re gonna explore.”

Question: Jacqueline in Arizona: Any news on Life Unexpected? I miss them!

Kristin: LUX returns to the CW Sept. 14 at 9 p.m., whoo-hoo, and the title character, Lux herself, might be getting a new love interest later this season. Producers are looking to cast a broody musician type to romance our fave lost-and-found orphan. Sounds like bad news for Lux’s former flame Bug.

Question: Elle in Utah: Any scoop on Parenthood? I love it.

Kristin: Yes, in an upcoming episode of NBC’s Parenthood Sarah Braverman (Lauren Graham) meddles in Drew’s love life, an initiative which not surprisingly goes horribly wrong. Ahhh…remember way back when Lauren Graham was the model of the modern mama? Good times.

Question: Teresa in Washington, D.C.: Are we going to see any more of Henry Winkler this season on Royal Pains? Except for maybe that winery episode, he’s been almost wasted as Papa Lawson.

Kristin: Henry Winkler is absolutely back in a major way on Royal Pains as Eddie R. Lawson, and in fact, he’s the medical patient at the center of episode 13. Actually, you better wish Hankmed good luck, because they’re going to need it in this episode—not one but two Lawson loved ones are going to be a serious danger!

Question: Nelson: I hate to admit it but I am loving Pretty Little Liars. Any scoop?

Kristin: Bianca Lawson tells us: “We’re gearing up to go back and unravel the rest of the mysteries and maybe find out who A is. So get ready for even more drama. The people that you think are the bad guys may not be and people that you think are the good guys may not be. I think there might be a death….It’s gonna be really good!”

Question: Adi in Lake Havasu, Ariz.: Any dish on my fave summer guilty pleasure, Rizzoli & Isles?

Kristin: Someone Jane (Angie Harmon) loves is in grave danger in episode nine.

Question: Marnie in Pittsburgh: So who’s going to become the new Chief on The Closer: Brenda or Pope?

Kristin: Umm…let’s just say that Major Crimes needs both of those good cops to stay in close proximity to the actual crimes.

Question: Melody in Cleveland, Ohio: Digging Covert Affairs—but I can’t decide who’s supposed to be with whom! Got any idea how Annie’s love life turns out?

Kristin: Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) is a lucky girl! Oded Fehr, Sendhil Ramamurthy and Eion Bailey make for a superstar lineup of possible lovahs, and you can add Chris Gorham’s Augie to the mix as well! Gorham says that a romance between Annie and Augie is possible “long-term story arc” for the show.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Did everyone have a nice weekend? I sure hope so. They never last long enough, though, do they? The work week always rolls back around much too soon, right? Anyway, here are the news items for today:

NEWS

An apparel line inspired by the FOX’s musicomedy Glee was launched at Macy’s over the weekend. Now fans can proudly advertise their ‘Gleek’ status (for under $35). While you shop for your Glee hoodie or fashion top, Macy’s will immerse you in the Glee experience with in-store vignettes and window displays. So far, the clothes are only available at the retail locations, although a junior’s line should be available on Macys.com on Sept. 14. (Hanh Nguyen at Zap2It)

TELEVISION

NBC is cutting their summer series Persons Unknown short by one episode. This skipped episode (called Seven Sacrifices) will turn up online, though. The 10th episode (Called Identity) will air on Saturday, August 21 at 8 PM; episode 11 (Seven Sacrifices) will debut online before the shows signs off with it 2-hour final on Saturday, August 28 at 8 PM. (The Futon Critic)

Actress-singer Mandy Moore will be back for the 6th episode of Grey’s Anatomy, reprising the role she played in the show’s stunning season finale. (William Keck at TV Guide)

Sam Page (Desperate Housewives) is joining Gossip Girl for a multi-episode arc as Serena’s (Blake Lively) new love interest. His first appearance is expected to be in October. The show returns on September 13 on the CW. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Victor Webster (Charmed and Mutant X) will play the new boyfriend of Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) on Castle this fall with his first appearance being in the 4th episode of the new season. His character will be “more of a motorcycle guy … a person that is going to intrigue Castle, because he’s going to see a different side of Beckett.” Castle returns to ABC on September 20 at 10 PM. (Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

Antonio Sabato, Jr. has just been cast on Bones as a guido bouncer at a Jersey Shore club that Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and Booth (David Boreanaz) visit to question someone involved with a murder. Expect the club to be filled with plenty of gold chains and big hair, making Brennan and Booth stand out like sore thumbs. (William Keck at TV Guide)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

ABC Family has ordered a script for the drama pilot What Would Jane Do, about a dateless high school outsider living a double life as a twentysomething career girl in the corporate world. (The Hollywood Reporter and Televisionary)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here is a list of the top 10 movies at the box office from this past weekend courtesy of E! Entertainment Online:

1. The Expendables, $35 million
2. Eat Pray Love, $23.7 million
3. The Other Guys, $18 million
4. Inception, $11.4 million
5. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, $10.5 million
6. Despicable Me, $6.8 million
7. Step Up 3D, $6.6 million
8. Salt, $6.4 million
9. Dinner for Schmucks, $6.3 million
10. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, $4.1 million

Rose Byrne (Damages) is in talks to play Moira MacTaggert in the upcoming box office movie X-Men First Class. In the comics, MacTaggert is a scientist and an authority on genetic mutation who also serves as the love interest of Charles Xavier (James McAvoy). Meanwhile Jason Flemyng (Clash of the Titans and Kick Ass) has been cast as the teleporting mutant Azazel. The character was the lead of an ancient race of mutants who looked like demons and could teleport into other dimensions. He was also the father of Nightcrawler. (The Hollywood Reporter, Coming Soon and Dark Horizons)

Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars and Heroes) will join the ballet-themed indie black comedy Dance of the Mirlitons. The story is about an ambitious, slightly overweight ballerina with an overbearing mother (Bell) who will stop at nothing to become a star. The girl enters a “Mean Girls”-type environment where she has to prove her worth in class. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Karl Urban (Star Trek and Lord of the Rings) is to appear in the re-telling of the Judge Dredd story (made “famous” by Sylvester Stallone). This version is expected to be R-rated though. (Empire and First Showing)

Actress Rooney Mara, who appeared in the newest re-invention of The Nightmare on Elm Street movie and will be seen in this fall’s The Social Network movie has been cast in the much-sought after role of Lisbeth Salander in the English-language version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. She will star opposite Daniel Craig in the three films adapted from the books by the late Stieg Larsson. (Amy Kaufman at The Los Angeles Times)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Watch: Paul Haggis’ ‘The Next Three Days’ New Official Trailer

INTERVIEW

Jewel Staite talks about Firefly fights, her dream role and more

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Roush from TV Guide):

Question: Throughout my history of reading your column over the past several seasons, I’ve gone from show to show based on your recommendations to fill certain parts of my TV habit. I wasn’t fond of the Brothers & Sisters pilot, but found it much improved by midseason and started watching based on your recommendation, then found Everwood on DVD during the B&S summer hiatus because I found I liked Greg Berlanti’s work. Then I picked up Friday Night Lights. In that they share the same kind of life-focused, small-town family drama feel, FNL kind of dulled the ache while waiting for Everwood’s further seasons to arrive on DVD. Knowing that FNL is finished at the conclusion of the upcoming season, I’m sad to see it go but grateful that it has lasted this long. So now I wonder: Where is the next great family drama that will dull the ache of its cancellation and carry on the tradition?

I’ve seen a few episodes of Parenthood and while it is certainly very watchable and there’s a lot of talent there, it seemed to me that it was often trying too hard to get certain emotional responses from me, which FNL has never had to because it plays more naturally. I also found Life Unexpected a delightful surprise and am looking forward to its return. However, many of the later episodes in its freshman season seemed to be hitting the same points over and over again: Lux bouncing between living residences depending on which parent she was more upset with at the moment, then reconciling and starting the cycle again, so if it is going to continue to be interesting, it needs to raise its game and try new things this year. But nothing else other than the shows I mentioned above on the networks’ fall schedules seems to fit this genre, and that’s a shame. What do you think? — Jake

Matt Roush: Family drama is one of TV’s trickiest formats. People often say they wish there were more of it on TV, but they rarely support it in the numbers you see for garden-variety crime dramas, cheesy reality, etc. It’s too bad that the only way Friday Night Lights could survive in the long term was because of the joint deal with DirectTV (but thank heavens for it). I don’t see anything on the immediate horizon with the ambitions and quality of FNL. I agree with you regarding Parenthood’s limitations: a good cast squandered in predictable, heavy-handed schmaltz, and Life Unexpected at first had me convinced we’d seen a rebirth of classic WB family drama, but it devolved quickly into a tiresome cycle of self-righteous pouting and bickering. (Hoping they’ve worked out the kinks and things improve in season 2.) I’d like to be able to recommend some of the dramas on ABC Family, but with the exception of this summer’s evocative Huge, I find them way too plastic and lacking in nuance. My favorite new fall drama has a family dynamic, but Fox’s Lone Star operates on a much more heightened level of intrigue and soap operatics, so it may not fill this particular void. But I’d still recommend it.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Friday is finally here – YES!! Can you tell I really wanted this week to end? Just need some down time for the day job, ya know?! I’m looking forward to seeing some movies this weekend and visiting with some friends. Got anything fun planned for your weekend?

In the meantime, here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Idris Elba will star in the new BBC America thriller Luther, which premieres on the network on October 17 at 10 PM. The series is about a brilliant detective tormented by the darker side of humanity. Luther shines a light into the hearts and minds of psychopaths and killers, and the shadowy spaces of his own soul. (The Futon Critic)

Jeremy Davidson (Roswell and Army Wives) will have a recurring role in Brothers & Sisters this fall as a love interest for the widowed Kitty Walker (Calista Flockart). His character will debut in late October/early November. The series returns to ABC for its 5th season on September 26. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Michael B. Jordan (Friday Night Lights) will be playing the love interest to rebellious teen Haddie Braverman (Sarah Ramos) on the NBC series Parenthood this fall. Right now, he will only appear in two episodes. Jordan will be back on Friday Night Lights as a series regular when the show returns to DirecTV starting October 27. (William Keck at TV Guide)

ARTICLE ABOUT TV

UPDATED: Shhhh! One of TV’s Best-Loved Couples Is Getting Married…And Now You Can See the Final Four!

ME: My top guesses would be The Office and then Chuck, simply because Steve Carrell is leaving the show; and it would make sense – because of that departure – that they have his character marry (not that I watch the show so…) and then 2nd would be Chuck and Sarah on Chuck simply because this could potential be the show’s last season and what better way to go out with a bang than with a wedding of two of the more beloved TV characters on the air right now, right?

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

More cast members have been added to the Syfy pilot called Alphas, which already stars David Strathairn, Ryan Cartwright, Malik Yoba, Warren Christie and Laura Mennell. The new cast members are Azita Ghanizada (who has appeared in episodes of Castle, Psych and The Closer, among others) and Callum Keith Rennie (Due South and Battlestar Galactica). Alphas follows a team of ordinary citizens whose brain anomalies imbue them with extraordinary mental and physical abilities. (The Futon Critic)

ABC is planning to do an adaptation of the hit British series Spooks (also known as MI-5). Spooks follows the work of a group of MI5 officers based at the service’s Thames House headquarters in highly secure offices known as The Grid. It is still to be determined if the “spooks” will be American or British. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Neal McDonough will executive produce and star in the Starz drama pilot called Vigilante Priest, which is about an ex-cop turned priest who is cleaning up the streets of Los Angeles ‘one sinner at a time. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Televisionary)

Ben Esler (The Pacific) has been cast as a series regular in the AMC Western drama pilot Hell on Wheels, where he will play Sean, an Irish immigrant who opens a show for railroad workers. (The Hollywood Reporter’s The Live Feed and Televisionary)

DVD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fringe

Dexter

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White will star in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie called The Lost Valentine, which will air on CBS in early 2011. The project, based on the novel of the same name by James Michael Pratt, will revolve around a journalist working on a profile of a woman (White) whose husband was declared MIA during WWII. (Variety and Televisionary)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Jamie Bell (Billy Eliot) will star alongside Cillian Murphy and Thandie Newton in the box office movie The Retreat, a British thriller that focuses on a couple vacationing on a remote island as they try to repair their marriage. When they find a soldier washed up on the beach in a biohazard suit, they discover everyone else has been killed by an airborne virus. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Dark Horizons)

The “Terminator” franchise is coming back sooner than anticipated, but in an unexpected format. Hannover House and Red Bear Entertainment are teaming to develop “Terminator 3000”, a $70 million 3D animated feature based on the characters and storyline of the franchise. The project will tone down the violence as it plans to target a PG-13 rating. Story details, however, are being kept top secret. (Dark Horizons)

The new issue of Entertainment Weekly confirms that the splitting point between the two parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will take place later in the book than expected. SPOILER ALERT!!: According to the magazine, Part 1 will end (around) Chapter 24 of the book, with Voldemort gaining possession of the Elder Wand. This comes later than expected as the book itself is 36 chapters long, making the cut off point at the end of the first film around the two-thirds mark of the story. This would mean the second film opening next July would mostly consist of the Battle of Hogwarts, while the Gringotts break-in would likely kick off the film. (Entertainment Weekly, Hollywood News and Dark Horizons)

Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen) will play the lead role in the upcoming action film The Courier. He will play the title character, a renegade courier who takes on near-impossible missions and yet has never failed. When he’s given a job to deliver a briefcase to a shady crime lord that can’t be found, he finds himself being pursued by everyone from crooked cops, shady federal agents and underworld rivals to the mysterious crime boss. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Movie Web)

That’s it. Enjoy! Have a great weekend!!

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Hey All

How is it not Friday yet? It feels like it should be Friday, right? Anyway, here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Jay Mohr (Gary Unmarried and Ghost Whisperer) will face off against Jimmy Smits in the 4th episode of the new upcoming fall drama Outlaw, arguing over a case involving a mother who leaves her baby locked in a car, resulting in the unfortunate tot’s demise. (William Keck at TV Guide)

Ken Baumann (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) will play the recurring role of Alexis’ new boyfriend in Castle. He will appear starting in the 4th episode. The new season of Castle will start on September 20. (William Keck at TV Guide)

AMC is picking up another pilot. This one is called The Killing and it has a 13-episode order. Set in Seattle, the series is based on the wildly successful Danish television series Forbrydelsen, telling the story of the murder of a young girl and the subsequent police investigation. The series is slated to premiere in 2011 on AMC. Mireille Enos (Big Love) portrays the lead homicide detective who investigates the death of Rosie Larsen. The cast includes: Billy Campbell (Once and Again); Michelle Forbes (True Blood) and Brent Sexton (W. and In the Valley of Elah). (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

James Purefoy (Rome) has joined the cast of the HBO series Camelot in the recurring role of King Lot (Gawain’s father). Camelot is a retelling of the legend of King Arthur, and the series will begin with his birth. The series stars Joseph Fiennes as Merlin, Eva Green as Morgana, Jamie Campbell Bower as King Arthur, Tamsin Egerton as Guinivere, and Claire Forlani as Arthur’s mother, Queen Igraine. The first season of Camelot will have ten episodes and is set to air on Starz in early 2011. (DaemonsTV)

Masi Oka (Heroes) will guest star as a coroner in the 4th episode of the new CBS drama Hawaii Five-0. There is a potential, however, that his character could recur. Comedian/Actor D. L. Hughley will also guest star in the series as a character named Skeet. (William Keck at TV Guide)

Broadway veterans Anika Noni Rose and Bobby Steggert, will guest star on the same episode of The Good Wife. No information is available on Rose’s character, but Steggart will play the son of a deceased man who had been the suspect in a series of sniper attacks. The Good Wife returns with new episodes on September 28. (TV Fanatic)

ARTICLES ON TV

Shhhhh! One of TV’s Best-Loved Couples Is Getting Married…and No One Will See It Coming

DVD ANNOUNCEMENT

Caprica

BOX OFFICE

Isaiah Mustafa, better known as the guy from the Old Spice commercials, has swapped one Tyler Perry movie for another. He was scheduled to play a small role in Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf” currently scheduled to open early next year. Now it seems Perry has nixed his role in that film and given him the lead role in his next project “Madea’s Big Happy Family” instead. Mustafa plays a man struggling with his marriage and family relationships. Loretta Devine and Bow Wow also star. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE FEATURETTE

Watch: New Featurette for Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

NEWS

Comic strip queen Cathy Guisewite has announced that she will end her iconic Cathy comic strip this October after 34 years. The strip has spawned over 30 books and an Emmy winning animated TV special in the ’80. (Adam Markovitz at Entertainment Weekly)

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

Question: I need some Glee scoop. — Pablo

Ausiello: The show’s season 2 stud muffin, Chord Overstreet, tells us that McKinley High may be about to go the way of All About Eve. “I join the Glee Club and also the football team,” he reveals. “I start off as Finn’s friend, [but] by the end, I slowly become more of his competition [and] give him a run for his money. He doesn’t like that I do both of the things he does, and I do them pretty well, if I do say so myself.” What about Rachel? Will he be a rival for her attention as well? “There are lots of single characters on the show, so who knows?” he non-answers.

Question: What else do we know about Beckett’s new love interest on Castle? —Jonathan

Ausiello: I don’t know what else we know, but I know he’ll be a biker. I also know he won’t be in every episode. “I think [viewers] need to know that Castle and Beckett are in other relationships, but they don’t necessarily need to see those people all the time,” says exec producer Andrew Marlowe. “And then they’ll show up from time-to-time to remind the audiences that they’re in relationships.”

Question: Last week’s NCIS scoop was kinda lame. My socks weren’t knocked off—maybe pulled halfway down, but not knocked off. Got anything else this week? —Chelsea

Ausiello: This should do the trick: The hit procedural will air an origin episode or two this season, according to exec producer Shane Brennan. “You’ll find out how certain members of the team first came to NCIS,” reveals the big boss, who all but confirms that said episodes will feature flashbacks. “It’ll be hard to do them without flashbacks.” Where are your socks now, Chelsea?!

Question: I just watched the summer finale of Pretty Little Liars and loved it! It is such a great show. Please tell me you have some scoop on the second half of season 1. —Ashley

Ausiello: Aria will still be doing naughty things with her teacher when the soap returns. “The affair with Mr. Fitz is my character’s main storyline, so I assume it will continue and become more complicated,” says Lucy Hale. “It is fun to play, and he’s a hot teacher.” It’s also “nice and illegal,” points out Ian Harding (a.k.a. Mr. Fitz). “I am just glad the actress I play it with is nice and legal in real life. That would be weird and creepy if she wasn’t. And let’s be honest—it’s not like I am 50 or something. I am a pretty young teacher.”

Question: How long will Olivia be behind bars in the alt-universe on Fringe? —Grace

Ausiello: Sounds like she’ll be sprung well before November sweeps. “I don’t want to spoil it, but I think it is safe to say she is not going to spend too much time stuck in a cell,” says Anna Torv. “That’s not her bag…. I don’t know how she will get home though. Remember how much energy and planning it took to get the others home in the finale?”

Question: The wedding blind item you posted has to be Peter and Olivia from Fringe, only the biggest shocker is that it’s actually Bolivia (bad Olivia) from the other side. —Caroline

Ausiello: Compelling theory. Too bad it’s wrong. But you bring up a good point: Given the intimate moment Peter and Olivia shared in the finale, Fauxlivia may not be able to keep up her little ruse for long. “I guess we will see how similar they really are,” Torv says with a wink. “You have to wonder how long Fauxlivia can stay undercover with him.”

Question: I just bought the first season of Vampire Diaries and watched every episode back-to-back. Can you help out a new (sleep-deprived) fan with any Season 2 spoilers that may have popped up since Comic-Con? —Brandon

Ausiello: At Sunday’s Teen Choice Awards, Katerina Graham told us that Bonnie will become “even less tolerant” of the vampires this season. “She is going to become quite the power player among the supernatural [set]. I think she is going to be noticed by some of the big baddies this season. She is gaining powers rapidly this season so I encourage all the villains and the bad boyfriends to stay clear of the Bennett witch!”

Question: Do you happen to have any spoilers on the two-hour NCIS: Los Angeles season premiere? —MJ

Ausiello: It’ll be the “Kensi and Marty Deeks show,” reveals exec producer Shane Brennan, referring to the spin-off’s nascent crime-solving duo played by Daniela Ruah and newly-minted series regular Eric Christian Olsen. “The banter they are writing for us is hilarious,” adds Ruah. “I burst out laughing during table reads. I think our viewers are going to really appreciate the addition [of Eric].”

Question: I’m still not clear on how exactly Castiel fits into Supernatural‘s new monster-heavy theme this season. —Kim

Ausiello: I’ll let EP Sera Gamble take this one. “Castiel is a full-powered angel,” she explains. “He was restored at the end of last season. He went back up to Heaven, and Heaven is kind of a mess. Dark angels are locked in the basement. It’s kind of chaotic. He has what he feels is a mission to clean things up. That’s where we start him off. He also has a very personal relationship with the boys. That also continues. That’s where we start him this season. He’s in a very interesting position. He’s sort of caught between the problems of Heaven and the problems of Sam and Dean on Earth.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

It’s over the hump day. How is your week going so far? Let’s get into the news items for today, shall we?

TELEVISION

General Sam Lane (Michael Ironside) and Lucy Lane (Peyton List), the father and wild-child sister of Lois (Erica Durance), will return to Smallville in a late-October episode. Details on the duo’s arrival are sparse, though. Smallville’s 10th and final season premieres September 24 at 8 PM on the CW. (Natalie Abrams at TV Guide)

Marcia Gay Harden is making a return visit as Federal Agent Dana Lewis on Law & Order: SVU in the eighth episode of the series upcoming 12th season. (William Keck at TV Guide)

Bonita Friedericy, who plays General Beckman on Chuck, has been promoted to series regular. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Bret Harrison (Reaper) has landed a pivotal recurring role on V, playing Dr. Sidney Miller, an evolutionary biologist who may have the scoop on what caused the sky to turn red in the finale. His character will show up in the season 2 premiere (slated for November) when Erica (Elizabeth Mitchell) appears on his doorstep looking for answers. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Judd Hirsch will appear on Warehouse 13, playing Artie’s estranged father in the Syfy show’s first-ever stand-alone holiday episode. Paul Blackthorne (The Gates) will also appear in the hour as a workaholic who runs afoul of a thief with a Santa fetish. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Chris Parnell (Saturday Night Live alum and 30 Rock star) will guest star in an episode of Eureka, playing a Global Dynamics scientist who endangers more than the office Christmas party when one of his experiments goes awry. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Kevin Alejandro (True Blood and Southland) is joining the NBC drama Parenthood for a multi-episode arc as a possible love interest for Sarah (Lauren Graham). Also, Zosia Mamet (United States of Tara‘s Courtney) will play the recurring role of Kelsey, Amber’s moneyed new best friend. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

The debut for Friday Night Light’s final season on DirecTV has been announced: October 27. Mark your calendars. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Merlin will return for a third season on Syfy with 13 all new episodes in early 2011. The series is based on the mythical legends of Camelot. (Rich Sands at TV Guide)

Edwin Hodge (Jack & Bobby and Boston Public) will guest star in early Season 8 episode of One Tree Hill, play a character who crosses paths will Clay (Robert Buckley), who remains in the hospital following his shooting in the Season 7 finale. One Tree Hill returns September 14 at 8 PM. (Robyn Ross at TV Guide)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

A medical drama by Privileged creator Rina Mimoun has landed at CBS with a put pilot commitment. The untitled project centers on a mother who reconnects with her adult children when she joins the family medical practice. Mimoun also worked behind the scenes on Everwood, Gilmore Girls, Pushing Daisies and Eastwick. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller has just sealed a deal with Syfy to adapt The Lotus Caves for the small screen. The Lotus Caves is uber-popular book by novelist John Christopher. In it, the rebellious lunar colonists dare to take a peek beyond their borders and discover a bunch of brainiac aliens living in the caves. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Oscar winner Frances McDormand has been working behind the scenes as a producer to set up two high-profile projects. The first is a potential small screen adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, which is being set up at HBO. The book is comprised of 13 interconnected tales that involve the residents of a fishing village in Maine. McCormand is negotiating to play the town’s titular 7th-grade math teacher should the pilot go to series. Additionally, McDormand will produce a big-screen adaptation of the crime novel Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman. Diane Lane is attached to star as a detective investigating the mysterious disappearance of several children. Every Secret Thing follows two pre-teenage girls who are sent home early from a birthday party for behaving badly. As they head home, they happen upon a baby in a carriage who later turns up dead. The girls are incarcerated for seven years and once they’re released, other children begin to go missing. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and The Wrap)

Caroline Goodall (Schindler’s List) has been cast as the wife of Bruce Willis’ character in the box office movie The Cold Light of Day. The thriller, which stars Henry Cavill (The Tudors) as a young American whose family is kidnapped while vacationing in Spain, and is given hours to find them. He uncovers a government conspiracy and discovers the connection between the kidnapping and his father’s secrets. Willis will play Cavill’s father, while Sigourney Weaver will play the villain. (The Wrap)

Channing Tatum is set to produce and star in an adaptation of novel by Craig Clevenger called The Contortionist’s Handbook. He will play a forger capable of switching identities because of his adherence to a strict code of conduct. But, when he falls for a beautiful woman with a dark secret, his own troubled past threatens to re-emerge. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Must Watch: First Trailer for Universal’s Sci-Fi Movie Skyline

CONDOLENCES

Legendary producer David Wopler passed away last night of congestive heart failure and complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Wolper was the Emmy winning producer of the ABC mini-series Roots. He also produced the children’s classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, which starred Gene Wilder and directed the 1959 documentary The Race for Space, which was nominated for an Academy Award. Deepest condolences are extended to his family, friends and fans. (The Wrap)

Q&A SECTION (with TV Gurus at TV Guide)

Question: Have you learned any extra details about Sela Ward’s character on CSI: NY? — Elle

ADAM: I got a few straight from Ward’s mouth during a recent visit to the set. Her character, Jo Danville, has a son, whom she adopted from a woman she helped put away. She’s also amicably divorced, which Ward says she hopes will lead to some romantic tension between Jo and Gary Sinise’s Mac. Also, her first day on the job will be a doozy: She finds a dead body — in the crime lab!

Question: Is it really over between Rigsby and Van Pelt on The Mentalist? — Amber

ADAM: It is for now, at least on the surface. “They’re skirting around the idea. They’re pretending that they’re OK with the fact that they’re not dating anymore, but they’re not OK with it,” says Amanda Righetti, who feels the ‘shippers’ pain. “I was sad they weren’t together longer. There’s something about his protectiveness with her that I think is really charming.”

Question: What can you tell me about the returns of Brainiac and Supergirl on Smallville? — Jeff

ADAM: James Marsters returns as Brainiac 5, who, despite being a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the comic books, executive producer Kelly Souders describes as “a slippery fish” with a questionable moral compass. As for Supergirl, expect her to have a more dramatic impact this time around: “She’s going to shake up the world for our superheroes,” Souders says.

Question: When will Jesse figure out that Michael burned him on Burn Notice? — Mitch

ADAM: It will definitely happen before the finale, and things are going to get ugly — and deadly — fast. “There is a big blowout,” Sharon Gless tells us. “I can say without ruining the story that Jesse’s going to try to kill Michael.” Wow, what can’t she say?

Question: Confirm for me my suspicion that Kate is not really dead on White Collar. — Jonathan S.

MICKEY: I’ll do no such thing. Instead I’ll say only that Kate will be returning to the show in a manner that will present her character, and that plane explosion, in a very different light. It won’t be good news for poor Neal.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Let’s get right into the news for today, shall we?

TELEVISION

Daniel J. Travanti (Hill Street Blues) will guest-star as Mr. Mullens, a crotchety 75-year-old whose brutal murders 20 years ago earned him the nickname “The Butcher” in an upcoming episode of Criminal Minds. His character, now suffering from Alzheimer’s and depending on the live-in care of his adult son, crosses paths with Hotch (Thomas Gibson) and the rest of the Behavioral Analysis Unit when he comes out of retirement in a desperate attempt to reprise his violent past — a past he can no longer remember. (Adam Bryant at TV Guide)

Looks like the FOX drama The Good Guys is rethinking a few elements for its fall run. In order to boost their female viewership, they are bringing on a new female character in the form of a yet-to-be-cast and potentially recurring young crime scene investigator. Her introduction also means an increased focus on the series’ romantic entanglements, which have thus far taken a back seat to the procedural aspects of the buddy cops. Another change for series brings more screen time for actor RonReaco Lee, who appeared in three episodes as criminal informant Julius. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Mikey O’Connell at Zap2It)

There will be a crossover episode between the CW’s Tuesday companion shows One Tree Hill and Life Unexpected this fall. One Tree Hill songbirds Haley (Bethany Joy Galeotti) and Mia (Kate Voegele) will guest star on the October 12 episode of Life Unexpected, as they travel to Portland to perform at a music festival sponsored by Cate’s (Shiri Appleby) radio station. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Eric Winter (Brothers & Sisters and Moonlight) is joining the CBS series The Mentalist this fall in the recurring role of Craig O’Laughlin, an FBI agent who catches the attention of Grace Van Pelt (Amanda Righetti). (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Glee creator Ryan Murphy talked to LA radio DJ Ryan Seacrest and confirmed that Britney Spears is “I think 100 percent” going to appear on the show, whatever “I think 100 percent” means. The episode (date TBD), in which the Glee kids have hallucinations while under dental anesthesia, will praise the pop queen and won’t refer to her personal life. (LA Radio Station KIIS FM and TV.com)

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DVD ANNOUNCEMENT

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BOX OFFICE

Columbus Short (Stomp the Yard and Armored) and Alicja Bachleda (Ondine) are set to star in the box office movie The Girl Is In Trouble alongside Wilmer Valderrama (That 70’s Show) and Jesse Spencer (House). This noir thriller follows a Lower East Side bartender who unravels a mystery that connects a desperate young woman (Bachleda) to a missing drug dealer and the scion of New York’s most powerful stockbroker. (The Wrap)

Reese Witherspoon will star in an untitled biopic about singer Peggy Lee, which is currently in development at 20th Century Fox. The story will explore the professional and personal life of the singer, prolific songwriter, composer and actress who is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists in history. Nora Ephron is writing the script and is attached to direct, while Witherspoon will produce alongside Marc Platt. Witherspoon recently secured the rights to Lee’s story from the late singer’s estate. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

Wentworth Miller isn’t the only Prison Break star who is making endeavors into the screen writing world. Now his on screen love interest, actress Sarah Wayne Callies, has seen her new screenplay optioned. Entitled Elena’s Serenade and adapted from the award-winning children’s book by Campbell Geeslin, this coming-of-age story fuses dreams, music and magic in its story of a girl who crosses the Mexican desert to become a glass blower. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Wedding Drama in Galt Niederhoffer’s ‘The Romantics’ Trailer (Starring Katie Holmes, Anna Paquin, Candace Bergen, Elijah Wood, Malin Akerman and Josh Duhamel)

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

Question: Kelly in Boise, Idaho: I’m a diehard Everwood fan and so happy Sarah Drew will be back on Grey’s this season. She will….Right?!

Kristin: Yes, she will! She’s been promoted to series regular, actually. I just interviewed Sarah at her house today (that interview will run closer to Grey’s premiere in September on E! News and E! Online). And I can tell you that not only is Sarah one of the most instantly likable people you could ever meet (pinky swear), she vows that her character April will be less hateful this year. “This season is all about the redemption of April!” Sarah promises. “Her McDreamy crush is completely over and what happened with the shooting will change, her I think.” Speaking of, she’s also already spent some quality time with McTreemy (James Tupper of Men in Trees) and says he’s fab, “the fans will love him,” and also “he’s not hard to look at.” Who knew?!

Question: Monica in Santa Barbara: Will Sarah Drew be back on Glee? Please say yes!

Kristin: Apparently Brad Falchuk said yes, and that’s even better, since he’s one of the show’s bosses! Sarah tells me that Brad assured her that her character Suzy Pepper would be back to offer some “sage advice” in the new season of Glee. When I verbally smacked her down for stealing all the jobs on shows with hot dudes, Sarah told me flatly, “I don’t care!” Love. That. Girl.

Question: Paula in Franklin, Ind.: Glee! Glee! Glee! I need news on Glee!

Kristin: So, what you’re saying is that you’re dying for some scoop on Bachelor Pad? Got it. But we’ll throw you some Glee info anyway. Chord Overstreet, the new dude at McKinley High, tells us that among other things, his character will be “competition” for Finn. Awww, poor Finn. We don’t know how much more he can take after Jesse St. James stole his solos and his girl last year! Chord also reveals that Finn will discover his character’s singing skills as he’s singing in the shower. Sound familiar?

Question: Dionne in W. Va.: Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!

Kristin: Don’t you worry your pretty little heads about any continuity issues on Chuck because Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak have assured us that the barely introduced Governor from last season will be seen again in the new year. “The governor is still a part of the show,” says Chris. “We want to do big, exciting stories. So right now, going into season four, it’s really about the search for mom.” So the governator will be a side story…but still a priority.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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