Hey All,
It’s the end of the week already – YEAH! – and I know everyone is looking forward to the weekend, right? (Right!) But, before the celebrations start, please check out the news for today:
TELEVISION
ABC Family is said to be close to giving a back order of 10-12 episodes to comedy Melissa & Joey. (Deadline and Televisionary)
Charles Dance (Bleak House) will star opposite Rhys Ifans, Anna Friel, and Bob Hoskins in Nick Willing’s Neverland, the four-hour mini set to air on Syfy and Sky Movies HD. (The Hollywood Reporter and Televisionary)
Lifetime has given a pilot order to the drama Meet Jane, which revolves around an unhappily married mother of two daughters in the Washington, DC area who is suddenly re-energized and empowered when the FBI enlists her to spy on her husband, a computer technician because the government suspects he is selling top-secret information to Russia. (Deadline and Televisionary)
Adult Swim has picked up a 14-episode second season of the web series Childrens Hospital, which was created by Rob Corddry, who stars and executive produces the series. The cast includes Malin Akerman, Lake Bell, Erinn Hayes, Ken Marino, Megan Mullally and Henry Winkler. (Jon Weisman at Variety)
CONDOLENCES
Prolific producer of iconic TV shows such as The A-Team, 21 Jump Street and The Rockford Files (among MANY others) – Stephen J. Cannell – passed away last night at the age of 69 due to complications associated with melanoma. Condolences are extended to his family, friends and fans. (Entertainment Tonight)
DEVELOPMENT NEWS
ABC has given a script order to an untitled one-hour dramedy from executive producers Jennifer Lopez, Simon Fields, and Alexa Junge about three branches of an extended Los Angeles family, as told through the eyes of their three Latina nannies. (Variety and Televisionary)
MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE
ABC Family Channel will air the made-for-TV movie The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation on November 28 at 8 PM. The movie features Paris Hilton (in her first voice-over role) as Bella, a French poodle who becomes the target of inept thieves during a holiday getaway. Returning as the voice of the misguided guard dog Zeus, in pursuit of Bella’s affections, is Mario Lopez. The cast also includes Gary Valentine (The King of Queens), Dean Cain (Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman), Elisa Donovan (Clueless), Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers), Catherine Oxenberg (Dynasty), and Adrienne Barbeau (Maude and Carnivale). (The Futon Critic)
BOX OFFICE MOVIE NEWS
Emma Thompson is in negotiations to join the cast of Men In Black 3D as Agent OH, who is monitoring a, presumably alien, prison breakout. She joins returning cast member Tommy Lee Jones and new additions Jemaine Clement (as the villain Yaz) and Josh Brolin as a younger version of Jones’ character, Agent Kay, during a part of the story that involves Jay traveling back in time to 1969 for some unknown reason. (Heat Vision and First Showing)
The Denali clan has been cast. Who are they, you ask? The other “vegetarian” vampire family in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. As announced earlier, Maggie Grace (Lost) has been cast as one of the Denali sisters (Irinia) and now MyAnna Buring and Casey LaBow will portray the other two Denali sisters, Tanya and Kate meanwhile Mía Maestro and Christian Camargo will portray the Denali parents, Carmen and Eleazar. (Movie Web)
That’s it. Enjoy!
Have a great weekend!!
Rueben's Ramblings 
Not that I’m the biggest fan of the SyFy childrens book retreads, but I really loved Charles Dance in Bleak House. He was liked Emperor Palpatine scary in that.