Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items, few though they are, for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Ron Rifkin (Alias and Brothers & Sisters) will appear in the season finale of the FOX drama Touch, playing Isaac, an imposing rabbi and true believer in destiny. Touch finally returns to FOX for the start of its second season on February 8. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

The CW is developing a new potential drama tentatively titled Sherwood (based on the Robin Hood story) but with a slight twist. It will take place in 1072 England, following the tale of a young noblewoman who seeks help from the long-vanished Robin of Locksley to free her serf boyfriend from ruthless Norman occupiers. In doing so, she inadvertently joins up with the fabled Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Together, the group looks to inspire new hope for Nottingham and its oppressed people. (Michael Schneider at TV Guide)

Showtime has ordered its first pilot for 2013, greenlighting the project from Oscar nominees Paul Attanasio and Ridley Scott called The Vatican, which is being described as a provocative contemporary genre thriller about spirituality, power and politics set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic Church. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

The back-door pilot The Saint (based on the original TV shows) has cast the original actors who played the lead role in the former incarnations: Roger Moore and Ian Ogilvy. This reboot stars Adam Rayner (Hunted) and Eliza Dushku (Buffy and Dollhouse) in the lead roles as well as the following: James Remar (Dexter), Enrique Murciano (CSI), Thomas Kretschmann (Wanted), Beatrice Rosen (The Dark Knight), Yani Gellman (Pretty Little Liars), Greg Grunberg (Heroes) and Sammi Hanratty (Pushing Daisies) [among others]. The pilot follows the exploits of Simon Templar (Rayner), a brilliant criminal who uses his considerable illicit skills as a modern-day Robin Hood as he infuriates local law enforcement and woos Patricia Holm (Dushku), his on-again, off-again romance. Moore will play a character named Jasper while Ogilvy will play The Banker. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a terrific, long holiday weekend.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!