Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Barry Sloane, who is playing Aiden Mathis, the man from Emily’s past, on Revenge is being promoted to series regular. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actor Larenz Tate (Rescue Me) and Nia Long (Third Watch) are joining the cast of the Showtime dramedy House of Lies in recurring roles. Tate will play Marty’s (Don Cheadle) younger, less ambitious activist brother, while Long will play a fellow consultant and former classmate of Marty’s who proves to be a formidable foe. The series return for a new season starting on January 13. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

Actor Rick Worthy (Supernatural and Battlestar Galactica) has been cast as Bonnie’s dad (Kat Graham) on The Vampire Diaries. (Natalie Abrams and Robyn Ross at TV Guide)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor David Conrad (The Ghost Whisperer) has landed the male lead in the Lifetime pilot The Secret Lives Of Wives inspired by the book by Iris Krasnow that explores the unvarnished truth behind the marriages of four different women: Michelle (Kim Raver), Reed (Salli Richardson), Keaton (Amber Clayton) and Jessie (Lauren Bittner). Conrad will play Michelle’s husband Wil, an erudite, handsome English lit professor who Michelle nursed through a serious illness 15 year earlier. Still head-over-heels in love, the two are about to renew their wedding vows, making it all the more shocking when Michelle learns that Wil has been leading a double life. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

The CW has bought a drama project from writers/executive producers Laurie McCarthy (CSI: Miami) and Stephanie SenGupta (Outlaw) called Reign that will be a fantastical reimagining of the teenage Mary Queen of Scots, who as the age of 6 days old succeeded her father, King James V of Scotland, to the throne. This project is described as Game Of Thrones meets Marie Antoinette if Marie Antoinette had a girl posse and was coming of age as a warrior queen. It’s about the secret history of survival at French Court amidst fierce foes, dark forces, and a world of sexual intrigue. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

The drama project called The Return of Daniel Shepherd – from writer David Hubbard – has landed at HBO. This project tells the story of a family thrown into disarray when their son returns home after 13 years missing. When his abductors turn up murdered, he is the prime suspect. That further shrouds the mystery surrounding this family: the boy’s father, a former FBI operative-turned-college criminology teacher; his mother, a stay-at-home-mom-turned-congresswoman; and his fraternal twin brother. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actress-producer Charlize Theron has sold the sweeping drama called The Clan to ABC. It is set in the Highlands of medieval Scotland, where the great clans battle one another and the Viking invaders. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

A modern Sense and Sensibility has been sold to CBS by writer Margaret Nagle (Boardwalk Empire). The untitled drama project is being described as a modern reworking of classic story set in the world of medicine, where three devoted sisters have their lives turned upside down when the father who abandoned them during their childhood returns, seeking more than forgiveness. Additionally, she has sold the crime drama called Paradise Falls to FOX. The project revolves around a down-on-his-luck documentary filmmaker sent by a crime reality show to cover a trial of a heinous crime that has engulfed the town of Paradise Falls, Pa. As he looks into the facts, he uncovers corruption and deceit at every turn and realizes the case is merely a smoke screen for the town’s twisted ambition for fame and profit. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

It looks like FOX is developing another drama with a brilliant but self-destructive professional as the lead, but this time it will be a lawyer instead of a doctor. The network has ordered the pilot called RAKE, based on the hit Australian series, about a criminal defense lawyer named Cleaver Greene. Actor Greg Kinnear (As Good As It Gets) is attached to star and to executive produce. (Lynette Rice at Entertainment Weekly)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Safe Haven Trailer: Watch Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel Spark a Romance

Q&A SECTION (with Team Watch with Kristin at E! Online, Natalie Abrams and Adam Bryant at TV Guide and Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Question: I loved the Pretty Little Liars Halloween special! What’s next for my favorite couple Emily and Paige when the show comes back? – Lauren

Team Watch with Kristin: When PLL returns in January (boo, so far away!); the girls will be in a pretty solid place as Emily will have to take care of Paige. “Paige sort of deals with some PTSD from being trapped in a closet and you see Emily having to care for her and lift her up,” Lindsey Shaw tells us. “You definitely see them enter a new chapter. And then Paige comes back more feisty than ever!”

Question: Since we didn’t get a new episode of Castle this week, can I get some scoop instead? — Jackie

ADAM: Been waiting to see what would happen when Martha Rodgers and Jim Beckett get in a room together? You’ll get your chance during November sweeps! Unfortunately, the family affair happens on the same night Castle and Beckett are stranded without their phones while protecting a witness from the mob. “There’s some tension because they’ve had the ‘meet the folks’ dinner and it hasn’t gone particularly well,” creator Andrew W. Marlowe tells us. So, what’s the problem? “It’s about who Martha is versus who Jim is,” Marlowe says. “It’s a bit of oil and water.”

Question: Got any NCIS scoop about Ziva? — Kristen

ADAM: In addition to a couple of “aw” moments with Tony during November sweeps — including Ziva reminiscing with her partner about her dead sister Talia — executive producer Gary Glasberg promises a “huge Ziva story” right after the holiday break in January. Although the precise details of the arc are still being hammered out, Glasberg confirms that “it’s going to rock Vance’s world” and it will feature the return of Michael Nouri as Ziva’s father, Eli David. “What goes down affects everybody and propels us into [the season’s next chapter],” Glasberg says. “I think it all sticks to the idea of knocking people down and picking them back up again, emotionally and psychologically.”

Question: Is Phoebe Tonkin going to get between my favorite Vampire Diaries couple, Tyler and Caroline? — Jonah

NATALIE: Tonkin’s character Haley has much more on her mind than hooking up with her old friend Tyler. “Haley isn’t there to do anything bad or mess up anyone’s relationship,” Tonkin tells us. “Haley’s a tomboy; she just likes hanging out with the guys!” So what is she coming to town for then? Adds Tonkin, “She’s trying to find out some things about her past and there are people in Mystic Falls holding onto that information that she wants.” Considering she’s a fellow werewolf, those people better watch out!

Question: I’m loving Nashville so far, but I have to know: Is Deacon going to choose Juliette over Rayna? — Amy

ADAM: I’ll just say this: Deacon makes his choice clear in the next episode — but he may have waited too long for anyone to truly benefit. In truth, both Rayna and Juliette will be distracted by family issues: Juliette is forced into closer quarters than she’d like with her junkie mother and Rayna will finally learn exactly why her father looks down on her career as country music’s queen. (Hint: Rayna’s mother probably inspired a few broken-hearted love songs in her day.)

Question: Can I get some scoop about what might be my new favorite show, Arrow? —Katy

Ausiello: This week, of course, marks the debut of DC Comics baddie Deadshot. But it’s Episode 4 (airing Halloween night) that promises to be the show’s first game-changer when, well, let’s just say that someone spies Oliver slipping into his “costume.” And that lookie-loo might not be the only person who gets wise to Arrow’s true identity that episode!

Question: What does Nikita‘s horrible ratings mean for Season 4? —Jarrod

Ausiello: Relax. Breathe. Chill. Let’s get a little deeper into Season 3 before we start worrying about a fourth season, k? Besides, there’s something more pressing you should be freaking out about. Like, what exec producer Craig Silverstein meant when he told my colleague Megan Masters that “no one on the show is safe,” adding, “There’s going to be some direct changes and threats to people in the core group and how you define the core group.”

Question: Any Alex-related Nikita teases you can share? —Jill

Ausiello: Hope you’re patient, because “The bigger Alex stuff is planned for a bit further down the line,” shares Silverstein. “One thing I can tell you is that she starts to flirt with a darker path starting around Episode 4.”

Question: Um, holy Switched at Birth finale bombshell! Any Season 2 scoop? —Lisa

Ausiello: Series creator Lizzy Weiss tells TVLine that the Angelo’s alleged baby mama “will be a huge part of Season 2 in terms of everyone’s responses to her, and what it means for each character to have this potential half-sibling out there.” Bonus Scoop: Next January’s season premiere will also feature a new character, Teo, played by Stephen Lunsford, who is part of “a big new story for Bay that will shake up her world. There will be a new friendship for [her].”

Question: This Psych-O needs to know. — when is Season 7 starting? —Samantha

Ausiello: Someone (read: Samantha!) didn’t get the memo: Shawn and Gus are back on the case Wednesday, Feb. 27. And I can confirm exclusively that Full House and 90210 vet Lori Loughlin has just signed on to guest star as a gifted plastic surgeon who rekindles a past relationship with a major character whose identity will not be revealed here. Guesses? Hit the comments!

Question: Pretty please could we get some Grimm scoop? —Stacie

Ausiello: The beautiful and oh-so-beastly Adalind (Claire Coffee) resurfaces in the Nov. 16 episode and promptly makes life miserable for Nick, Juliette, Renard and Hank. Bonus Scoop: A surprising spice shop patron will leave Monroe in a state of shock and awkwardness.

Question: After Sunday’s beyond intense and fantastic episode of Homeland, I marvel at the fact that we’re only four episodes into the season. Is Episode 5 another game-changer? —Jorge

Ausiello: You. Have. No. Idea. Brace yourself for another rollercoaster ride. There’s a 15-minute, uninterrupted scene between Claire Danes and Damian Lewis that packs in more plot development than whole seasons of other shows. Bonus Scoop: Dana’s romance with the VP’s son is going to take a literal and figurative turn for the worse.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy) will guest star in an upcoming episode of The Good Wife, playing a political operative. The series airs Sundays at 9 PM on CBS. (Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

Actress Annie Wersching (24) will have a recurring role on the TNT series Dallas, playing an ambitious and sexy transportation commissioner. The series will be back with a new season starting on January 23. (Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

CBS has given a full season order for both new dramas Vegas and Elementary. (CBS Press Release)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

MTV is developing the young adult novel called Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris into their new scripted drama. The book revolves around Janelle Tenner, who, after being hit by a car, is convinced she died and that her sexy and mysterious classmate Ben is responsible for her miraculous resuscitation. As she searches for answers, Janelle discovers that Ben might be linked to an ongoing FBI investigation that has catastrophic consequences. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Jeremy Renner and actress Julianne Moore will star alongside Al Pacino in the upcoming box office film called Imagine that will feature Pacino as an aging 1970s rocker who can’t give up his hard living ways; but when he discovers an undelivered letter written to him when he was 19 by John Lennon, he straightens his life out and reconnects with his estranged son (Renner). Moore will play the owner of the small New Jersey hotel where he takes up residence. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Here are the top 10 box office movies from this past weekend, which I inadvertently missed posting in yesterday’s update courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1. Paranormal Activity 4 – 29 million
2. Argo – 16.4 million
3. Taken 2 – 13.3 million
4. Hotel Transylvania – 13 million
5. Alex Cross – 11.4. million
6. Sinister – 8.8 million
7. Here Comes the Boom – 8.4 million
8. Pitch Perfect – 6.8 million
9. Frankenweenie – 4.3 million
10. Lopper – 4.2 million

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

‘Iron Man 3′ – Hot First Full Trailer

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

ABC has ordered additional scripts of the new dramas Last Resort and 666 Park Avenue. (Philiana Ng and Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

Private Practice has been cancelled by ABC and will conclude at the end of this current season. (Deadline and The Futon Critic)

The CW has picked up the new drama Arrow for a full 22-episode season. And, the news shows Beauty and The Beast and Emily Owens, MD have both received an order for three additional scripts each. (Deadline and Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Homeland has been given a third season 12 –episode order by Showtime. (Variety)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

The creators of the TNT drama Memphis Beat are developing a new project called The Big easy for CBS. This project is a supernatural mystery series set in New Orleans, centering on the complex life and cases of Jack Lyons, a hard-living trumpet player and paranormal investigator with a dark personal tie to his work. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

CBS is developing a new drama called Darkness Falls from executive producers from Criminal Minds. The project is a being described as a character procedural that will explore the complex dynamic of an FBI psychologist and a homicide specialist as they journey into small communities around the country to solve the darkest, most twisted single murders. (Deadline and The FutonCritic)

Actor Titus Welliver (Lost) has had to leave the TNT drama pilot called The Last Ship due to a family health emergency. Taking his place is actor Adam Baldwin (Chuck). The project is based on the novel by William Brinkley that centers on the crew of a naval destroyer who, after a global catastrophe decimates the Earth’s population, are forced to confront the reality of their new existence in a world where they are among the only survivors. Baldwin will play Mike Slattery, second in command to Captain Tom Chandler (Eric Dane) onboard the USS Nathan James. He’s a fair man who cares deeply for his family. He and Tom clash at times over the best course of action. (Deadline and TNT)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Nicolas Cage is in talks to take over the lead role in the reboot of The Left Behind 16-book series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins that tells centers around the Christian belief of the Rapture, telling the story of what happened to those left behind after Jesus Christ returned to Earth and brought all Christians to heaven. It follows a group of people who eventually become believers and form a worldwide network to oppose the Antichrist, who rises to power in the years following the Rapture. (Variety and First Showing)

Actress Anna Kendrick (the Twilight franchise and Pitch Perfect) will appear in the upcoming film called The Last Five Years, an adaptation of the stage musical that tells the love story that is told backward and forward at the same time through the perspectives of the two people involved. (Moviehole and First Showing)

Q&A SECTION (with Team Watch with Kristin at E! Online)

Sean: Revolution is my new obsession! Any scoop on what’s ahead, especially for Elizabeth Mitchell’s character?

Team Watch with Kristin: How about a scooplet based on Rachel and Miles’ complicated past? You know, the fact that he turned her over to Monroe? Well, Charlie won’t stay in the dark about it for long, and creator Eric Kripke teases that it will be “pretty explosive” for fans when she finds out. We suggest Miles starts watching his back now.

THE SPOILER ROOM (with Sandra Gonzalez at Entertainment Weekly)

‘SUPERNATURAL’: ‘THINGS QUICKLY FALL APART’

Intel from Sandra: If you, like me, are still haunted by the image of Castiel calling out to Dean in Purgatory, sit back. I have some interesting intel for you. While talking to Misha Collins about his charitable scavenger hunt (more about that here), he also confirmed a hunch we’d had about the last time Dean saw Cas. It was, in fact, while Dean was exiting Purgatory. But there’s much more to it than that. “That very moment is a pivotal moment. I think Dean is confused about what happened at that moment and won’t actually find out what happened then until episode 7,” he reveals. “It’s going to take a while to see that moment play out.” Suffice to say the truth hurts — especially on this show. But when Cas does return topside, look for him to be “reinvigorated with a sense of purpose,” says Collins. “He essentially feels like he has to do good in order to right the wrongs of his past. So he starts to collaborate with Sam and Dean for that reason — so that he can continue to try to make things right. He’s no longer paying penance, really, because it’s no longer an act of suffering for him. But he’s doing his best to right the wrongs of his past.” Doing so won’t be as easy as he hopes, however. “He’s doing that in ways that help Sam and Dean and then, ultimately, it might also make life — as per usual with the Supernatural universe — complicated for Sam and Dean. At first, it seems like everything is hunky dory. But things quickly fall apart.”

Question: Are they leading up to a Carter/Reese romance? — @MollyFaraday

Sandra: My guess is no. But only because I preach the word of the lovely Taraji P. Henson, who had some majorly insightful thoughts on this would-be pairing. “I think just from being involved and knowing the characters in-depth like I do, I honestly don’t think Reese is capable of that kind of love anymore,” she says. “I don’t think that he has the capacity to give himself up in that way and save lives.” Of course, there’s never any telling what’s in the plans further down the line, but would you agree, fans? Would it be out of character for Reese? (Also, for the record, Henson says she’s “open to it.”)

Question: Please give me some Zoe/Wade scoop! They are the BEST part of Hart of Dixie! — Lara

Sandra: Really? Because I would go with 1) Wade’s abs. 2) Zoe/Wade. But we’re all entitled to our opinions. Anyway, according to Wilson Bethel, there’s plenty in store this season for this pair. “Zoe and Wade fans will be pleased to see where this season is going,” he says. “It’s not all roses by any means, but it’s a lot of fun Zoe-and-Wade stuff. For fans who’ve picked that side in the love triangle, they’ll be pleased.” Plus, Zoe Hart is a stronger woman than I if she can continue NOT falling for the good-looking guy who is constantly ready and willing to help her when she’s in a tough spot. One upcoming example? Wade finds Zoe a rent-a-Santa after she accidentally takes the town’s out of commission. And who he finds to step in is definitely someone we’ve seen before!

Question: What a GREAT Nikita premiere. I’m loving that Michael and Nikita are going to make it official. (Best engagement ever?) To celebrate, how about some Mikita scoop? — Nicole

Sandra: What’s the saying? First comes love, then comes marriage, then…NOT so fast. In next week’s episode, a little session of girl talk between Alex and Nikita will spur into a conversation about children. More specifically, Nikita’s desire to run far, far, away from them. But the week’s case may enlighten her a bit on the subject. Meanwhile, do NOT miss the epic Doctor Who reference that Birkoff makes. I want it as my ringtone.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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