Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

The news isn’t too long today, but there are still some interesting items to share with all of you. And, before I forget to mention it, please make sure to tune in to the USA Network tonight for the return of Royal Pains at 9 PM followed by the debut of the new series Fairly Legal at 10 PM.

TELEVISION

The USA Network has picked up two pilots for series. They are A Legal Mind and Necessary Roughness. Both are getting an 11-episode order in addition to the 90-minute pilots. A Legal Mind centers on a top Manhattan corporate lawyer (Gabriel Macht) who recruits a brilliant but unmotivated college dropout (Patrick J. Adams) as a new associate. Meanwhile, Necessary Roughness focuses on a tough, sexy Long Island divorcee (Callie Thorne) who gets a job as the therapist for a professional football team in order to make ends meet. When these shows will be scheduled, however, is unclear at this time. (Deadline)

Actor Eric Balfour (Haven) will appear in two upcoming episodes of No Ordinary Family, playing a death row inmate named Marcus Winnick. These episodes are expected to air in March. (William Keck at TV Guide)

Actress Sheila Kelly (most recently seen in the final episodes of Lost) will now appear as “Aunt Carol” in Gossip Girl. She replaces Illeana Douglas who was forced to drop out due to scheduling reasons. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Well-known character actor Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) will guest star on Modern Family as Jay’s (Ed O’Neill) brother Tommy, who is described as a working class lunk of a guy who’s more comfortable communicating with his fists than his mouth. Tommy reunites with his brother in an episode slated to air in February or March. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

NBC has been given a pilot order to the Ronald D. Moore project now being called 17th Precinct, which is an ensemble drama in the “Hill Street Blues” vein, but is set in the town of Excelsior, where magic and supernatural elements rule over science. (The Futon Critic)

General Hospital cast member Annie Ilonzeh has reportedly landed one of the three leads in the pilot of the remake of Charlie’s Angels, which will be set in and will be a modern take on the Angels. It will center on a new trio of young and sexy private eyes – Kate, Abby and Marisa – working for a wealthy mystery man. Ilonzeh will play Kate, a very smart and very athletic ex-cop and a master of martial arts. (Nellie Andreeva at TV Line)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

It looks like Keira Knightley may be replacing Marion Cotillard in the upcoming sci-fi thriller Cosmopolis. She would play the female lead and love interest of Robert Pattinson’s character. (The LA Times and Dark Horizons)

Robert Downey Jr. has dropped out of the prequel movie Oz, the Great and Powerful, which follows a young illusionist with a grandiose attitude who is forced to flee a traveling circus. His hot air balloon is swept up by a tornado to the land of Oz, which is run by two magical wicked witches. He of course goes on to become the titular Wizard. It sounds like Johnny Depp MIGHT take over the role, but there is no confirmation of that yet. (Heat Vision and Dark Horizons)

CELEBRITY BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT (because, just like Jewel Staite, David Hewlett is pretty damn cool)

David Hewlett: My ‘hilariously unhappy’ life as Dr. Rodney McKay

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

The truth about TV ratings, online viewing and sci-fi shows

That’s it. Enjoy!