Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

It’s over the hump day. I sure hope your week has been good so far. Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Kristy Swanson (best known as the original Buffy Summers from the 1992 film version of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer) will make a guest appearance on an upcoming episode of Psych when it returns for its sixth season this summer on the USA Network. Swanson will play Marlowe Viccellio, a beautiful and mysterious woman who catches the attention of Lassiter. Despite their love connection, Shawn and Gus begin to suspect Marlowe of killing someone “vampire-style” after the police find a blood-drained body. (Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

Actress Emily Meade (Boardwalk Empire) will appear in the season finale of Fringe that is scheduled to air on May 6 as a new FBI agent who is a wide-eyed and eager rookie who is ready to face all of the challenges in front of her. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

The cable network Starz has announced the premiere date for Torchwood: Miracle Day as July 8 at 10 PM. The US installment of the BBC smash hit series will star Mekhi Phifer (ER and Lie to Me), Bill Pullman (Independence Day) and, in an extended guest role, Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) along with return alumni John Barrowman and Eve Myles. (The Futon Critic)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order) has joined the as-yet untitled Susannah Grant/CBS supernatural medical drama pilot, which centers on Michael (Patrick Wilson), an ultra-competitive surgeon whose life is changed forever when his ex-wife (Jennifer Ehle), a doctor running a free clinic, dies and begins teaching him what life is all about from the hereafter. Merkerson will play Michael’s assistant Rita. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

CONDOLENCES

Legendary film actress and Oscar winner Elizabeth Taylor passed away this morning at the age of 79 after being recently hospitalized in recent weeks for congestive heart failure. She starred in over 50 movies, making the leap from child star (National Velvet) to one of the world’s biggest stars, appearing in movies such as Giant and Cleopatra as well as her Oscar winning roles in Butterfield 8 and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (E! Entertainment Online)

ME: RIP, Ms. Taylor. Condolences to her family, friends and fans.

MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE…

MUSIC NEWS WITH TV TIE-IN

Looks like Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow will be featured on the solo album being done by Glee actor-singer Matthew Morrison. They will duet on a new rendition of “Over the Rainbow.” (E! Entertainment Online)

BROADWAY NEWS WITH TV TIE-IN

Departing Private Practice star Audra McDonald is heading back to Broadway, starring in a new production of the George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward opera Porgy and Bess at the American Repertory Theater production in September. This new production is a re-imagining of the classic opera, which follows Porgy, a disabled beggar, and his love for Bess. (Joyce Eng at TV Guide)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Alan Rickman is in negotiations to join Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz in the remake of the classic 60’s caper movie Gambit that follows a British thief (Firth) who plans to steal an expensive statue from one of the richest men in the world (Rickman) and needs the help of a woman (Diaz) who closely resembles the rich man’s late wife. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

The next Chronicles of Narnia film being made is going to be based on the sixth book – The Magician’s Nephew – in the famous series of novels. It is actually a prequel to the The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and will set the stage as an origins story, learning where the wardrobe came from, where the lamp post came from and where Narnia came from. The brief run-down of the book’s story is: British schoolchildren Polly and Digory inadvertently tumble into the Wood Between the Worlds, where they meet the evil Queen Jadis and, ultimately, the great, mysterious King Aslan. The film is currently under development. (Coming Soon and First Showing)

Casting for the sequel to the box office remake Clash of the Titans was released today, including returning cast members Sam Worthington as Greek demi-god hero Perseus and Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson as the gods Hades and Zeus respectively. The film is to be set a decade after the heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken with Perseus attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. Other returning cast members are Danny Huston (Robin Hood) as Poseidon, god of the sea; Edgar Ramírez (The Bourne Ultimatum) as the god of war, Ares; Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest) as Hephaestus; Toby Kebbell (Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time) as Agenor, and Rosamund Pike (Barney’s Version) as Andromeda. (Warner Bros., Legendary Pictures and First Showing)

Q&A SECTION (with Adam Bryan and Natalie Abrams at TV Guide and Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Question: Please give me some NCIS news on Abby and McGee! — Leslie

ADAM: I’m not sure McGabby ‘shippers are going to love this, but … Abby’s going on a date! And McGee is not going to be happy about it. “If another girl comes around McGee, [Abby] definitely has a little bit of a jealous streak,” Pauley Perrette says. The feeling is mutual, she says. So what do we know about Abby’s new suitor? She’ll look up to him, in some respect, and he’s a stick-around kind of guy.

Question: What can you tell me about Glee? — Amanda

ADAM: Who wants to meet Sam’s little brother and sister? You’ll soon get your chance, and from everything we’ve heard, Sam isn’t the only “Trouty Mouth” in the family.

Question: Any scoop on Hoyt and Jessica? They’re my favorite True Blood couple! — Nancy

NATALIE: Hoyt’s mother will be the couple’s biggest obstacle next season. “She did not just buy that gun and leave it at home,” executive producer Alan Ball teases. Adds Deborah Ann Woll: “She is dangerous and wants the best for her son, [but] he may not agree with what that is, so we’re definitely going to fight her on that.”

Question: I can’t wait for Rizzoli & Isles to come back this summer. Any details?

ADAM: Get ready to meet Janet, a bilingual doctor who will be working under Sasha Alexander’s Dr. Isles. Janet’s non-American point of view will provide fresh insight to cases. She’s also a constant source of amusement for Angie Harmon’s Rizzoli.

Question: Any scoop on Nikita? — Heather

NATALIE: Someone close to Nikita will betray her, which will land her in CIA custody. The Agency’s director, a Colin Powell type, will threaten her with the death penalty. Good thing she still has friends on the inside.

Question: Any scoop on the next six episodes of Glee? —Emma

Ausiello: Look for a VERY unlikely “romantic” pairing to take shape as the show’s second season enters the homestretch. And you know that when I do “very” in all caps like that, I mean business.

Question: Will Glee end its season with a cliffhanger? —Todd

Ausiello: That’s negatory. I’m not saying the show won’t leave you with some questions to ponder over the long, hot summer. But the episode doesn’t end with an OMGWTF-type mind twister.

Question: What leads Kurt to return to McKinley High on Glee? —Erin

Ausiello: With the Warblers’ competitive season kaput, New Directions eyes an opportunity to get their old soprano back. But there’s a twist, and it involves a power play from an unexpected source within the NDs.

Question: I need some White Collar scoop to tide me over until the show returns this summer. —Melodie

Ausiello: The upcoming third season will pull the curtain back on Diana’s (Marsha Thomason) personal life and introduce her quick-witted and sophisticated doctor girlfriend, Christie. Casting is underway, so now’s the time to hit the comments section with your suggestions. Think actresses in their 30s who can convey a wild child/sexy/smart/lesbian vibe — all at the same time.

Question: I hear Luc and Sarah will finally tie the knot in the Brothers & Sisters season finale. Is anyone coming back for the wedding? Will Balthazar Getty return? —Delmonico

Ausiello: Getty’s Tommy will put in an appearance at the nuptials, but, as far as notable “alums” go, that’s about it.

Question: Two weeks in a row with Fringe scoop. Keep the streak alive! —Jeff

Ausiello: OK, we’re now three-for-three, because I happen to have found out the titles of this season’s last two episodes, and at least one of them sounds VERY ominous. (And you know when I do “very” in all caps like that, I mean business.) Let’s start with the penultimate episode (3.21), which is called “The Last Sam Weiss.” I previously reported that Kevin Corrigan would be back as Olivia’s bowling alley counselor/confidant, but what’s intrigued me now is that “last” bit. Before you hit the comments with your theories, grab a seat, take a hit of oxygen, and behold the title of the season finale: “The Day We Died.” Go ahead. Take a moment to process that. [Beat] Moment’s up. It sure sounds to me like we’ll be down one universe if/when Fringe returns in the fall, right?

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Happy Tuesday!! The news isn’t too voluminous today, but there were some good items that broke today:

TELEVISION

Actor Jonathan Cake (Six Degrees and Empire) will play a major love interest for Marcia Cross on Desperate Housewives, appearing in this season’s final four episodes. He will then return in the fall as a full-fledged series regular. He will play Aaron, a handsome, sexy, college-educated police detective with strong family values who comes to Wisteria Lane to investigate a case. (Nellie Andreeva at TV Line)

Actresses Jennifer Tilly (most recently seen on Caprica) and Romy Rosemont (Finn’s mom on Glee) will guest star on the third episode of the Lifetime drama Drop Dead Diva when it returns with new episodes this summer. Rosemont will play one of Jane’s (Brooke Elliott) clients – the mother of a little person – who is suing the sperm bank that provided the sperm. Meanwhile Tilly will play an actress who Fred (Ben Feldman) hires to play his mother for Stacy (April Bowlby). (Jethro Nededog at Zap2It)

It looks like actor Steven Weber (Wings) is joining the cast of Parenthood as a potential love interest for Lauren Graham’s lovelorn single mom. He will play Jack Kraft, a charismatic artistic director of the Berkeley Theater Company who crosses paths with Sarah when her play is submitted to his New Voices reading series. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Actor Jason George (Off the Map) will guest star on Castle in an upcoming episode where Castle and Becket head to Los Angeles. He will play an entrepreneur, who ends up being a key character in solving their new case. This is the same episode for which actor Dominic Purcell will appear. (TV Overmind)

Actor Judd Hirsch will appear in the new season of Damages when it comes to DirecTV with all new episodes this summer. He will play a former mentor of Patty’s whose reappearance in her life shows just how much has changed in his. (TV Overmind)

TNT has renewed the critically acclaimed drama Southland for a 4th season, ordering 10 new episodes of the gritty, realistic cop drama. (The Futon Critic)

Additionally, TNT has given the green light to the new drama Perception that stars Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) as Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric neuroscientist who uses his unique outlook and expertise to help the federal government crack difficult cases. His intimate knowledge of human behavior and masterful understanding of the mind are matched by his equally odd and imaginative view of the world. The cast includes Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That), as FBI agent Kate Rossi, Pierce’s former student and the person responsible for recruiting him to work for the government and Kelly Rowan (The O.C.) as Natalie Vincent, Pierce’s best friend, who is every bit his intellectual equal. The show is expected to premiere in 2012, receiving a 10 episode order. (The Futon Critic)

Actress Connie Nielsen will star opposite Kelsey Grammer in the Starz series called Boss, which is an 8-episode political drama with Grammer starring as Kane, the Mayor of Chicago who is diagnosed with a degenerative mental condition that only he and his doctor know about. Nielsen will play his immaculately groomed wife Meredith who is a pro with the press and tough when she needs to be. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actress Laura Allen (Terriers) has been bumped up to the female lead opposite actor Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter franchise) in the NBC drama pilot REM. Additionally, actresses Michael McManus (The Vampire Diaries and Law & Order: SVU) and Cherry Jones (24) have also joined the cast. The drama is described as an Inception-style thriller and centers on Detective Michael Britten (Isaacs), who wakes up after an accident to find he is living in two different realities, one in which he has killed his son Rex (Dylan Minnette) and one in which he has killed his wife Hannah (Allen) in a car accident. McManus will play Rex’s tennis coach, who has become his confidante in the wake of the recent loss of his mother. While Jones will play Dr. Stephanie Evans, Mark’s shrink in the reality in which his wife has been killed. (The Futon Critic and Deadline)

Actress Natasha Henstridge (Eli Stone) has joined the CW drama pilot called The Secret Circle, based on the book series by L.J. Smith (author of The Vampire Diaries books for which the series is based). This pilot centers on Cassie (Britt Robertson), a young girl who moves to New Salem, Maine and learns she is a member of a secret coven of witches. She is also the key that will unlock a centuries-old battle of good versus evil. Henstridge will play Dawn Chamberlain, the vice principal of New Salem High School. (Zap2It and Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Acting legend Ian McShane (Deadwood) has joined the cast of the upcoming box office movie Jack the Giant Killer, which is a re-telling of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale that follows a farm boy (Nicholas Hoult) who leads an expedition to free a princess taken hostage by a giant, a situation which threatens the uneasy truce between humans and giants. He will play King Brahmwell, the father of the kidnapped princess (Eleanor Tomlinson) who is not thrilled about the idea of his daughter marrying a farmer boy. (Dark Horizons)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Happy Monday! Did everyone have a good weekend? Sure hope so. Let’s get right into today’s news, shall we?:

TELEVISION

Actor Benjamin Bratt (Law & Order and The Cleaner) will be joining Private Practice as a series regular next season, making his first appearance in the show’s season finale this May. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Former American Idol contestant-turned actress Lisa Tucker has been tapped to play Greta Martin on The Vampire Diaries. As viewers may remember her father Jonas and brother Luka were killed by the Salvatore Brothers; and she has been held captive by Klaus (Joseph Morgan). Like her family, she is a witch and will play a key role in the big showdown between Elena and the brothers. (Zap2It)

Actor Dominic Purcell (Prison Break) will guest star in an upcoming spring episode of Castle that finds Castle and Beckett heading to LA to investigate a murder. Purcell will play a Hollywood businessman who may have a connection to the killing. (Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actress Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights) has landed the female lead in American Horror, the much-buzzed-about FX drama pilot from Glee bosses Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. She will play the role of Vivien Harmon, one half of the show’s central couple. The premise of the show is being kept under tight wraps, but this much can be revealed: Each season will feature an entirely new cast. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Actor Boris Kodjoe (Undercovers) has joined the ABC drama pilot Georgetown that is about a quartet of young staffers in Washington, D.C. – Sam (Daisy Betts), Nikki (Katie Cassidy), Peter (Joseph Mazzello) and Andrew (Jimmy Wolk) – who share a DuPont Circle townhouse together. He willplay Sam’s boss, a White House Senior Adviser Michael Kline. (The Futon Critic)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

It has been revealed that actress Julianne Moore will join actor Jeff Bridges in the box office film The Seventh Son, which is an adaptation of The Last Apprentice (or The Wardstone Chronicles) book series. She will play the role of Mother Malkin, the most sinister of witches who uses blood magic. The story is described as: when 12-year-old Thomas, seventh son of a seventh son, is apprenticed to the local Spook, whose job is to fight evil spirits and witches, he expects a life of danger. However, the boy doesn’t realize just how soon he’ll face a powerful enemy alone, as Mother Malkin escapes her confinement while the Spook is away. Thomas is forced to use his wits, and the help of his enigmatic new friend, Alice, to fight the evil witch. And defeating her is only the start of the boy’s problems. The rest of the cast is yet to be announced. (The First Showing)

Here are the top 10 movies in the box office according to Exhibitors Relations and E! Entertainment Online:
1. Limitless, $19 million
2. Rango, $15.3 million
3. Battle: Los Angeles, $14.6 million
4. Lincoln Lawyer, $13.4 million
5. Paul, $13.2 million
6. Red Riding Hood, $7.3 million
7. The Adjustment Bureau, $5.9 million
8. Mars Needs Moms, $5.3 million
9. Beastly, $3.3 million
10. Hall Pass, $2.6 million

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Oscar winner Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park and Downton Abbey) has written the long-gestating four-hour mini-series Titanic that has finally found a home on ABC. The mini-series is slated to coincide with the ship’s sinking next year. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

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

Question: I have a different sort of “relationship” question regarding Castle. The big thing always seems to be the potential relationship between Castle and Beckett. But honestly, the parts I rewind and watch again and again are the scenes with Castle, Ryan and Esposito. I adore their interactions and reactions. Do you think there is any chance those scenes might be expanded? For me, they make the show. — Renee

Matt Roush: It does seem like they’ve developed the sidekick characters a little more this season,
which is probably a good thing, because I’ve always wondered how these detectives (and those on The Mentalist, for that matter) earn their keep when they’re upstaged on almost every case by the amateur “consultant” in their midst. If these guys are popping for you in their scenes with Castle, it’s a sign of good ensemble chemistry. But they’re still very much co-stars to the leads, and I doubt that would change significantly on a regular basis.

Question: Just wanted to give two big thumbs up to Anna Torv’s “channeling” of Leonard Nimoy (as William Bell) in Friday’s episode of Fringe. I could have watched her do that for two hours instead of just one. From the graveled hoarseness in her voice to the arching of her eyebrow, she had Leonard down pat. I have no idea if Leonard Nimoy would have watched this impersonation of him, but I hope if he did, he appreciated it as much as the rest of the Fringe fans. This reminded me of what David Duchovny did on The X-Files in the “Small Potatoes” episode where he had to behave like the little shape-shifting guy Eddie Van Blundht trying to masquerade as Mulder. Granted a little more complex role, but nonetheless the same kind of quirkiness that made The X-Files such a treat to watch, and Fringe can do the same (as does Supernatural). Of course Anna Torv does a great job throughout the series being her alternate Olivia, but this was a step above. Keep up the good work, Anna. — JG

Matt Roush: Wasn’t she great? I especially got a kick out of the more playful moments: Bell-Livia remarking on how binding a bra was, or creeping Astrid out with her/his flirting. And the final moment, when the church bells brought the dormant Olivia back to the surface for a fleeting panicked moment, was just chilling. In the first season of Fringe, I found Anna Torv’s performance the show’s greatest liability. This season, with her pulling double duty as Alt-livia in the parallel world and now this inspired twist, she’s among its greatest assets. Nicely played indeed. And comparisons to The X-Files are very apt these days. Fringe is that good.

Question: I know you don’t usually go too much into the business side of things, but I was wondering about your take on Netflix’s apparent foray into original programming with House of Cards. It seems to match the model put forth by HBO (start as a content consolidator and then become a content creator), except that Netflix will be creating a TV show that many people may never see on a TV. Given the success of YouTube as well as web-based programs, the definition of “television show” is getting rather blurry (indeed, Dr. Horrible made many critics’ top TV list for 2008, though it never aired on TV). What do you think the ramifications of Netflix’s original programming will wind up being? Will it be just another cable outlet, albeit one that’s entirely “on-demand,” or will the inclusion of original programming that people can access without cable, a dish, or even a TV cause ripples throughout the industry? — Erin

Matt Roush: This may well be seen as a watershed moment in the ongoing evolution of how we consume TV. But for now, it’s only one series, and much as I don’t prejudge anything on network, cable or (these days) satellite, I don’t want to read too much into this. Yet. Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is another excellent example of someone skirting the usual distribution system with a landmark piece of entertainment, but the way that was produced (during a writers’ strike, with everyone deferring payment until it hit the DVD market) was unusual to say the least, and since then, has anything made for-Internet-only had the same sort of impact? The real question here is how deeply Netflix and its peers will invest in original programming. Because the best stuff doesn’t come cheap. (Just look at HBO.) I’m happy for any new entity to come along that will invest in and support the production of high-quality long-form scripted programming. Even if House of Cards turns out to be a winner — and the original British miniseries it’s based on is still regarded as one of Masterpiece Theater’s very best — do I think it’s going to make the networks, cable and satellite method of watching TV obsolete? Probably not, and certainly not immediately.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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