Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Film star Uma Thurman will be showing up in a multi-episode arc on the mid-season NBC musical drama Smash. She will play a famous and somewhat difficult movie star who flirts with the idea of starring in Marilyn, the musical within the musical. Smash will debut on February 6 at 10 PM. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

ABC has given Castle an order for one additional episode, bringing its fourth season to 23 episodes. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actress Diane Neal (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) will guest star in an upcoming episode of A Gifted Man, playing a lawyer. It is unclear when this episode will air, though, and there are no other details on the episode. (Robyn Ross at TV Guide)

The popular Canadian sci-fi series Lost Girl has been picked up for a third season. The series is currently airing its second season on Showcase and the first season will debut here in the States on Syfy starting on January 16. (Showcase)

Actor Jim Beaver (Supernatural) will return to Justified, reprising his role of Shelby, the manager of the mine where Boyd (Walt Goggins) worked for much of last season. He has been confirmed for one episode, but there is a potential for him to appear in as many as 7 episodes if not more. (Vlada Gelman at TV Line and Twitter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Believe it or not: Lifetime has given the greenlight to a contemporary remake of the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon. Yes, you read that right!! Supposedly casting is already underway. The executive producers of Drop Dead Diva and the mid-season series Smash – Neil Meron and Craig Zadan – are the men behind this new version. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Ben Kingsley is in talks to join the cast of the film adaptation of the Orson Scott Card novel Ender’s Game. The film already stars young actors Asa Butterfield (Hugo) and Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) in the lead roles. (The Hollywood Reporter and First Showing)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Watch: Zac Efron is Touchy Feely in First Trailer for ‘The Lucky One’

Q&A SECTION (with Sandra Gonzalez at Entertainment Weekly)

Question: NCIS seems to set up things for some bigger Tiva movement. The lack of emotional scenes, the “we need some time”-moment early this season, Tony’s bucket list and Tony’s dad telling his son he should come to his senses and pick Ziva. Am I delusional or are they up to something? — Svenja

Sandra: Well, these are interesting clues you’ve pieced together, but a return from a very important character might throw a wrench in this plan you predict. The Jan. 10 episode will see a return from none other than Agent Ray Cruz (Enrique Murciano), who, according to executive producer Gary Glasberg, “returns to sweep Ziva David off her feet.” “There are always plenty of sparks between Cote and Enrique, but this time we’re taking things to a whole other level,” he teases. One other blast from the past we’ll be seeing? The infamous ring box!

Question: Any chance you have any scoop for Will and Emma from Glee? — Michael

Sandra: Erm, my bag of tricks reveals a shortage of Wemma for you. Can I offer a consolation prize with some good news on another character? We hear word that newbie Gleek, Damian McGlinty has been offered an extended stay on the show! He reports: “I found out this week that I am getting more than seven; I am getting kept on,” he says. “That’s nice. That’s what I was working towards. It’s an early Christmas gift. For how much longer, who knows? I am trying to learn to just enjoy things as they come.” And what IS to come? A possible new flame! “There’s a line in the Christmas episode that possibly hints at it for Valentine’s Day,” he tells us. “All the girls on Glee are gorgeous. I’d be a lucky guy with any of them, I’m telling ya.”

Question: Any Vampire Diaries scoop please? — Sophie

Sandra: While Paul Wesley has made no secret of his love for playing Evil Stefan over Good Stefan and while there’s always a possibility he might revert to the latter sometime this season, there’s one character the actor says will likely never show his sweeter side. “I don’t think Klaus is in any danger of ever becoming a good guy,” he tells EW. He will either stick around as a villain for quite a while or he’ll be sent out with a big bang. I don’t think we’ll ever convert Klaus into like one of the guys in Mystic Falls who works at the Mystic Grill flipping burgers. That would be a big mistake. He needs to be that big dark entity.” Additionally, Wesley teases that Klaus is “definitely still a huge part of the second half of the season,” and that he and Stefan will “continue to walk that fine line between friendship and foe.” “There’s things we need from him and there’s things he needs from us. It’s that sort of back-and-forth for the rest of the season,” he says.

Question: I’m so excited for the return of White Collar. Scoop, please? – Anna

Sandra: Considering the cliffhanger we left off on, count me among the excited! I mean, we can all pretty much assume Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen) is going to be found alive and well. But Neil and Peter’s relationship won’t emerge from her kidnapping quite as unscathed, according to Matt Bomer, who we ran into at the Trevor Live! benefit last weekend. In fact, he teases, things get physical! “Oh, we’re definitely on the outs,” he says. “When we come back in January, it’s really the most fraught with tension their relationship has ever been. It even gets physical at one point. But in typical Neal and Peter fashion, they find a way to work together and sort of make amends, only to have the tension re-created, I assure you. That’s the natural cycle of their relationship, it seems.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the few news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives) will gust star on an upcoming episode of CSI, playing someone who makes wigs for women losing their hair because of the side effects of cancer treatment. The episode will air in February. (Entertainment Weekly and TV Guide)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Helen Mirren has joined the cast of the dramatic comedy called Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho, which is being adapted from the Stephen Rebello non-fiction book. Actor Anthony Hopkins will portray Hitchcock and the story will focus on the director’s quest to make his 1960 horror classic film Psycho. Mirren will play his wife Alma Reville, a talented editor in her own right who was particularly good at error correction including dialogue revision, plot inconsistencies and continuity problems. (Heat Vision and Dark Horizons)

Q&A SECTION (with The TV Addict)

Question: This big fan of Jewel Staite (FIREFLY4EVER!) is curious if you’ve heard anything about a premiere date for HIGHLAND GARDENS? — Arden

The TV Addict: Funny you should ask because just this morning we received word from our good friends at Epitome Pictures (The Production company behind the series) that the sexy new original series that follows the exploits of six attractive, young hopefuls in search of stardom in Hollywood didn’t just receive an air date, but a title change as well. Now called THE L.A. COMPLEX (Golf claps for the double entendré!), the series will premiere on both CTV and MuchMusic in Canada on January 10th, continuing Tuesdays at 9PM exclusively on MuchMusic.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Mark Pellegrino (Lost and Supernatural) will make a guest appearance in an upcoming 1940s-set film noir-themed episode of Castle. He will play Tom Dempsey, a ruthless club owner from 1947 who has it out for a private eye and his best girl (who Castle imagines as himself and Beckett) and whose shadowy dealings may be tied to a murder Castle and Beckett are investigating in the present day. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Actor Chris Zylka has been promoted to a series regular on The Secret Circle. (Sandra Gonzalez at Entertainment Weekly)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

TNT has given the greenlight to a new pilot called Chelsea General from award-winning producer David E. Kelly and Dr. Sanjay Gupta (from CNN). The project will be based on Gupta’s upcoming novel called “Monday Mornings”. The book is to follow the lives of five surgeons as they push the limits of their abilities and confront their personal and professional failings, using their hospital’s weekly morbidity and mortality conference as a backdrop. This new project is one of three projects picked up by the cabler. The other two projects are Gateway, a Western saga and Scent of the Missing, which is about a canine search-and-rescue team. (The Futon Critic)

Lifetime has given the greenlight to a two-hour original movie called Sworn to Silence that will act as a potential backdoor pilot, starring Neve Campbell (the Scream franchise and Party of Five). The project is based on the book by Linda Castillo that is set in the Amish farming community of Painter’s Mill, Ohio, which was shaken up by a series of brutal murders 15 years ago. Kate Burkholder (Campbell), who as a young girl survived the terror and left the Amish life behind, now returns to Painter’s Mill as its Chief of Police. But Kate’s renewed life in her hometown is shattered when a murder investigation triggers deep-seated emotions from her childhood and exposes dark secret that could destroy her. The telefilm will also star Poppy Montgomery (Unforgettable) and Barbara Lieberman (Lifetime’s upcoming The Pregnancy Project). (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

J.J. Abrams and Mark Schwann (creator and executive producer of One Tree Hill) will be working together on a new project for The CW tentatively called Maine. The story will be set at an inn in Maine and revolve around the staff and the inn’s guests. (Think Gilmore Girls for the male set, maybe?!) (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

A&E Network will be working with Tom Fontana and Barry Levinson on the new half-hour cop drama for The Box that will take place largely within the walls of an interrogation room. The project has gotten a two script order and will feature a small ensemble of detectives as they interrogate the key suspect or witness of a case. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

MINI SERIES NEWS

The BBC and BBC America are bringing back the mini-series The Hour for a second “season” with six installments. This version will also introduce new cast members. The new batch of episodes will take place a year after the events of the first season, in 1957, with the world on the brink of the Cold War. (The Hollywood Reporter)

CONDOLENCES

Harry Morgan, the prolific character actor best known for playing Colonel Potter in the long-running television series “M*A*S*H” passed away yesterday. He was 96. (Twitter)

ME: Rest in peace, Mr. Morgan. Condolences are extended to family, friends and fans.

MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE…

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor William Hurt has joined the cast of the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s sci-fi novel The Host. Hurt will appear as Uncle Jeb, one of the grizzled leaders of the human survivalists fighting off the alien invasion. The film focuses on an alien invasion of parasites who take over human bodies by fusing to each person’s consciousness and systematically erases their personalities. The cast already includes Saoirse Ronan (Hanna), Max Irons (Red Riding Hood) and Jake Abel (I Am Number Four). The film is slated to be released in March of 2013. (Entertainment Weekly and First Showing)

Despite being derailed awhile back by Disney and then being put back on schedule, the box office film The Lone Ranger is close to a deal to cast actor Tom Wilkinson as the lead villain Latham Cole. The film already stars Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp (in the lead roles of the Lone Ranger and Tonto, respectively) and Ruth Wilson (from Luther). Deals are also being worked out to include Barry Pepper, Helena Bonham Carter, James Badge Dale and Dwight Yoakum as part of the cast. (Mike Fleming at Deadline)

Actor Benjamin Bratt has joined the cast of the box office film Snitch that stars Dwayne Johnson as a father forced to become an informant for the DEA to reduce his falsely accused son’s 10-year jail sentence. Bratt will play a major player in the Mexican drug trade exposed by Johnson. Susan Sarandon, Barry Pepper, Jon Bernthal, Melina Kanakaredes, Michael K. Williams, Rafi Gavron and Nadine Velazquez also star. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

Actor Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do) is joining the cast of airline thriller called 7500. He will play a commercial airline pilot on a transpacific flight who starts seeing things beyond reality due to a supernatural force on the plane. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

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

Question: Got any scoop on the holiday episode of Chuck? — Henry

NATALIE: ‘Tis the season for mistletoe, and boy, will there be a lot of smooching going on! Not only will Chuck kiss another woman, but Sarah will kiss another man — But that won’t be the biggest secret that she’s hiding from her hubby. There’s another that will change the dynamic of their relationship forever.

Question: I am really digging Person of Interest. Got any scoop? — Shawn

ADAM: Thursday’s hour is all about Taraji P. Henson’s Detective Carter, who just so happens to be the next name Finch’s magic machine spits out. You’ll see her time in Iraq and meet for the first time a couple of people she holds in high esteem, one of whom is a criminal informant. Things get extra sticky, though, when Reese — whom Carter has been chasing all season — must choose between saving Carter’s life and exposing himself.

Question: All I want for Christmas is Hawaii Five-0 scoop! — Linda

ADAM: Get ready to meet Danny’s old partner from New Jersey! But this won’t be a happy reunion. You see, Danny once testified against his former pal, who Danny suspected of stealing money and drugs from crime scenes. That landed him in the slammer for 10 years, where he’s been plotting a nasty bit of revenge. Yeah, but how does he look with his shirt off?

Question: Question: Please tell this Revenge addict the dead guy on the beach is someone other than Daniel. I love the way Josh Bowman has played this unwitting pawn in Emily’s plot. I’d hate to see him go. —Cindy

Ausiello: You better believe that was the first question I asked leading lady Emily VanCamp when she dropped by TVLine’s new Times Square headquarters on Tuesday. All she would say is that the “original plan” called for Daniel to be the dead man beached. And the current plan…? “I don’t think [the producers] are completely certain,” she hedged. “I guess the best thing I can say is that nothing is as ever as it seems on this show.” Well, one thing is as it seems: VanCamp confirms that “someone is dead on the beach. That I can say.”

Question: Do you have any scoop on Grimm? I wasn’t sure about this show at first, but my family and I watched the first episode online last night and added it to our DVR list before it even ended! —Cindy

Ausiello: This Friday’s episode is a big one for everyone’s favorite blutbad, Monroe. Not only will we watch as he struggles to contain his wild side, but we’ll also observe his romantic side when his former flame (played by Eureka‘s Jaime Ray Newman) comes to Portland and really, ahem, tests his discipline.

Question: I’ll take any Pretty Little Liars scoop you’ve got! —Lila

Ausiello: Lucy Hale says that just because Aria’s parents will be clued into her romance with Ezra during Season 2.5, it doesn’t mean they — specifically her dad — will like it. Instead, the reveal “only causes more problems,” the actress tells TVLine’s Matt Mitovich. “There’s a lot of friction between Aria and her parents because of this big bombshell that she drops.” As a result, she promises “more sneaking around” and “a lot more lying, obviously. It’s Pretty Little Liars!”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Misha Collins will be back on Supernatural for three episodes next year, but it is rumored he may not necessarily be back as Castiel, which will back fans go “What?!”, but let’s wait to see what the creative team has done before we judge, ok? (TV Line)

Actor Sage Brocklebank (Buzz on Psych) will appear on Once Upon a Time as Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. He will star alongside Lost’s Emilie de Ravin as Belle. The episode is set to air on February 12. (Tierney Bricker at E! Online)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Actor Toby Jones, who played Truman Capote in the indie film Infamous, will appear as legendary director Alfred Hitchcock in the planned telefilm from the BBC. The film will chronicle Hitchcock’s “obsessive relationship” with his blond muse, actress Tippi Hedren [and mother of actress Melanie Griffith] (actress Sienna Miller). Actresses Imelda Staunton and Penelope Wilton will also star in the telefilm, which does not have an air date yet. (Aly Semigran at Entertainment Weekly)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Zoe Kravitz (X-Men: First Class and daughter of rocker Lenny Kravitz) and actress Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) have joined the cast of the latest, long-in-gestating M. Night Shyamalan sci-fi project called 1,000 A.E. set to star father and son duo Will and Jaden Smith. The film is about a young boy and his father who crash land on Earth 1,000 years after humans have abandoned it. Kravitz would play Smith’s daughter while Okonedo would play his wife. The film is slated to start shooting early next year for a June 2013 release. (First Showing and the Hollywood trades)

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

Question: Anything on Once Upon a Time please!! – Charvi5

Kristin: There will be fairy tales that branch out of the central European folklore: “I wouldn’t be surprised to see fairy tales from other traditions coming in as well,” consulting producer Jane Espenson teases. “So keep your eye out for some stuff that’s maybe not quite so Swiss looking.” In addition to Hansel and Gretel, this certainly opens the doors for Greek mythology, Middle Eastern folktales, perhaps enough material for 50 seasons and two movies? We can only hope.

Question: Any scoop at all on the Hot Hipster Sheriff (on Once Upon a Time) would be very appreciated! – Tiffanydiane08

Kristin: You’re in luck because we actually chatted with the HHS himself Jamie Dornan about his upcoming episode. While he wouldn’t reveal who he is in the fairy-tale world, he did say they originally had a different character in mind, “But that didn’t end up happening because of rights.” He wouldn’t tell us who, but when he guessed Robin Hood he said, “You’re probably right.” Check back with us later in the week to hear more from TV’s hottest Sheriff ever! And the answer to your question is yes, his accent is every bit as swoon-worthy on the phone as it is on the show.

Question: Was the prince’s death on once upon a time’s latest episode the big death? – JeHong9

Kristin: Nope. And here’s a small tease: the upcoming death puts that one to shame. It’s epic.

Question: When is the real Emily leaving Jack alone? And why isn’t real Amanda doing anything about it? – Bronzia88

Kristin: Well, we’re not sure what our Emily (Emily VanCamp) can do about it, considering she’d have to out herself as the real Amanda in the process. And unfortunately, real Emily/fake Amanda (Margarita Levieva) is still hanging with the clueless (yet adorable) Jack (Nick Wechsler) in episode 13. Rage with us in the comments, won’t you?

Question: Any Revenge spoilers? – Iknitandtell

Kristin: Break out your notebooks and sweats ’cause Revenge is heading back to college! We’re going to see Daniel (Joshua Bowman) during his college years, getting his flirt on at a bar. Who knows maybe we’ll get to see his first meeting with the Hamptons’ very own Talented Mr. Ripley Tyler (Ashton Holmes)?

Question: Anything about Tyler/Nolan on Revenge? – Jmnzl

Kristin: As you know from the promo for this Wednesday’s episode, Emily finds out about Nolan’s (Gabriel Mann) arrangement with Tyler and is less than thrilled. Combine that with the frosty exchange between Emily and Nolan in the pilot’s flash-forward and it’s safe to say their alliance is probably over. “You don’t want to mess with Nolan. Somewhere underneath it, he’s just as revenge-y as everyone else, so don’t mess with him that way,” Mann tells us. “He’s got too much money, he’ll do bad, bad things and when his feelings get hurt, that will set him off.”

Question: I have not read a single Castle-related thing from you…how about some juicy spoilers? – Martucacomayuca

Kristin: Things to look forward to coming up on Castle: a dog show, paparazzi and a flashback to the 40s. Not all in one episode, of course. But how awesome would that be?

Question: Anything you can hint about what is to come on Nikita when it returns? – Goldstaarr

Kristin: It’s time to meet the original Nikita (Maggie Q): Carla. Remember how Nikita helped Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) recover? Described as compassionate and spiritual, Carla did the same for Nikita ten years ago before she suddenly disappeared. When the two ladies are reunited, shocking secrets are revealed about both parties. What interested us? There’s a chance for Carla to pop up on a recurring basis.

Question: Any NCIS scoop you care to share? – Christina

Kristin: Sharing is caring, so here’s what we can tell you: The show is currently looking to cast the possibly recurring role of Elaine, a friendly waitress who knows her regulars well. She’ll first appear in the monumental 200th episode.

Question: Anything on Hart of Dixie? – The1nonlynisha

Kristin: One of our three leading men, George (Scott Porter), Wade (Wilson Bethel) and Lavon (Cress Williams), will win Bluebell’s Man of the Year. Seriously.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

The planned fall finale of Bones that was to air on December 15 is now being moved to January 19 as a lead-in to the Bones spin-off The Finder, which will take over the Thursday night timeslot from Bones while the show goes on hiatus. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Lost alums Daniel Roebuck and Titus Welliver will both guest star on the new NBC drama Grimm. Welliver will play Farley Holt, a Grimm creature who has the ability to morph into a steinadler. Coolly unflappable, even when being interrogated by Nick (David Giuntoli), Farley explains to Nick the history behind a cache of gold coins that seem to exert an uncanny hold over whoever takes possession of them. Meanwhile, Daniel Roebuck will appear as Lt. Orson, an officer in the Portland arson division who is investigating a series of suspicious fires with links to Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell). (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actress Sara Rue (Less Than Perfect, Eastwick and Popular) has landed a script deal for multi-camera comedy called Poseurs with The CW. The project centers on Lucy (Rue), a young woman whose life is upended when her fiancée moves out and her fresh-from-rehab collegiate best friend Alexandra moves in. In order to maintain her swanky New York co-op, which doesn’t technically allow for roommates, Lucy and Alex enter into a mutually beneficial domestic partnership – complete with all of the challenges and few of the perks. Rue will write the script and serve as a co-executive producer. (Lacey Rose at The Hollywood Reporter)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the top 10 box office movies for this past weekend from Exhibitor Relations and E! Online:

1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1, $16.9 million
2. The Muppets, $11.2 million
3. Hugo, $7.6 million
4. Arthur Christmas, $7.4 million
5. Happy Feet Two, $6 million
6. Jack and Jill, $5.5 million
7. The Descendants, $5.2 million
8. Immortals, $4.4 million
9. Tower Heist, $4.1 million
10. Puss in Boots, $3.1 million

Actor Peter Weller (best known for his role in the classic film RoboCop) will appear in the sequel to the J.J. Abrams rebranding of the Star Trek franchise. His role is currently unnamed, though. The film is expected to hit theatres in May 2013. (Variety and First Showing)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Indie Trailer Sunday: Michael Corrente’s ‘Loosies’ with Peter Facinelli

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items, few though there be, for today:

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Young actress Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) is in negotiations to star opposite young actor Asa Butterfield in the film adaptation of the Orson Scott Card novel called Ender’s Game. She would play Petra Arkadian, the rare female student at the Battle School and one of Ender’s dearest friends. (Geek Tyrant and Blastr)

British actress Felicity Jones (Like Crazy) is set to star in the next project from actor/director Ralph Fiennes called The Invisible Woman. This film is a drama about the relationship between author Charles Dickens and his secret, young mistress Nelly Ternan (Jones). (Vulture and First Showing)

All those recent rumors about a Doctor Who for the big screen with a different cast, et al are now being debunked by Steven Moffat, the man behind the current airings of the long-standing classic series. Moffat posted at Twitter: “Any Doctor Who movie would be made by the BBC team, star the current TV Doctor and certainly NOT be a Hollywood reboot”. (Radio Times and Blastr)

SIDE DISHES (with Sandra Gonzalez from Entertainment Weekly)

Question: Can you give me any scoop about Caroline on The Vampire Diaries? — Amy

Sandra: Boy can I. It looks like Elena isn’t the only person who’ll be celebrating a birthday on-screen this year. Executive producer extraordinaire Julie Plec recently dished to EW about the second half of the season, which will find Caroline celebrating her 18th birthday — but there’s one small issue. She’s technically not aging anymore, leaving Caroline experiencing a bit of a “teenage life crisis.” “She says ‘I couldn’t wait to be 18. Seventeen is a filler year. I’m stuck in a filler year for the rest of eternity,’” says Plec. “She’s just starting to question what her life is gonna be as a vampire and kinda mourning the loss of her relationship with Tyler and feeling kind of unsettled and a little sad. And for Caroline to be sad, especially when there’s a party to be had, makes Elena and Matt and Bonnie realize they need to do something nice for her to kind of get her out of her funk, and they give her a very unconventional, untraditional birthday.” Fun, right? Erm… maybe not. “As things tend to happen in our show, things go terribly, terribly wrong,” Plec adds with a laugh.

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a terrific weekend!!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, The Crow and more recently The Secret Life of the American Teenager) will appear as the dad of Bluebell Mayor Lavon Hayes (Cress Williams) in an upcoming episode of Hart of Dixie. He plays, ironic or not, Ernie, who visit Bluebell with not so good news for his son Lavon. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

Actor Michael Hogan (Battlestar Galactica) will appear on the MTV drama Teen Wolf as Allison’s grandfather, a lethal werewolf hunter with plans to draw her into the family business. Also actor Stephen Lunsford (Private Practice) will appear as a Beacon Hills High School student with a knack for photography and an eye for Scott’s girl and actor Daniel Sharman (The Nine Lives of Chloe King) will play a lacrosse teammate of Scott’s, and Alpha Derek’s dangerous new pet project. There is another role that is still to be cast: a mystery lady who may figure into a love triangle for Scott and Allison. (Damian Holbrook at TV Guide)

INSIDE LINE (Scoop from Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Burn Notice: I cued up the Season 5 finale (airing Dec. 15) this morning, and it’s got Michael, Fi and the gang jumping through all kinds of hoops, largely because of a big reveal that’s uncorked at the close of the preceding episode. The good news is that the good guys find evidence that links Anson to the explosion/deaths he’s been threatening to pin on Fi; the bad news is that said “smoking gun” might not be around long enough to prevent Fi from turning herself in. Why now, more than before, is Ms. Glenanne compelled to “confess”? Let’s just say that Anson is going to ask Michael to do the unthinkable.

Once Upon a Time: Fans of ABC’s fantastical freshman series geeked out more than a little when Emma Caulfield was cast as the Blind Witch from Hansel and Gretel lore. And the show’s bosses share that enthusiasm. “We’ve been huge fans of hers since Buffy, so we’re very excited to have her on the show,” Adam Horowitz told me. Added Edward Kitsis: “We couldn’t think of anyone better to trap two children in a house and try to eat them” than the portrayer of a onetime vengeance demon. Though the EPs were hesitant to share much more about Caufield’s Episode 9 storyline, I’m hearing it will be revealed that the Blind Witch has a none-too-friendly past with the Evil Queen – something having to do with an item that one of the villainesses stole from the other.

Awkward: Dipping into the reader mailbag, Raissa asks: “Any Awkward scoop?” Oh, honey, everything I do is awkward. TVLine recently met up with the MTV charmer’s creator, Lauren Iungerich, and she confirmed that Sadie (Molly Tarlov) will for sure get a love interest in Season 2 — namely a fella who is “a lot different than Sadie, although very confident. He has to have enough of a backbone to take her on.” Iungerich typified the romance as “very surprising” and – wait for it – “definitely love.”

Q&A SECTION (with The TV Addict)

Question: Does admitting to you that I’m a thirty something gal obsessed with ABC Family’s PRETTY LITTLE LIARS warrant any scoop about the show’s January return? — Brenda

The TV Addict: Indeed it does! And you’ll be happy to know that when the hit ABC Family show returns for the second half of its sizzling second season on January 2nd, it will make up for lost time by delivering an incredibly action-packed episode. Emphasis being on the physical fireworks that doesn’t just go down when Ezra and Aria decide to fess up to Aria’s not-so-receptive parents about their relationship, but also when the girls finally come face-to-face with a certain letter of the alphabet. Suffice it to say, there will be blood. There will also be a long overdue development that may finally give the girls the upper hand in the battle to bring down A!

Question: Now that ONCE UPON A TIME has solidified itself as my favorite new show of the season, I could really use some scoop? — Brandon

The TV Addict: Us to! Unfortunately, co-creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz spent six years learning about the LOST art of secret keeping from Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse so they know a thing… or five about keeping secrets. Which means, all we have to share with you are some brief teases culled from across the internet that has Sunday offering up a very Charming episode that will see our favorite new prince being forced to choose between Mary Margaret and Kathryn. More exciting still, when ONCE closes out the first half of its 2011 season, it will do so on a decidedly hopeful note when another resident of StoryBrooke begins to remember his (or her!) fairytale past.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

ABC Family has picked up Pretty Little Liars for a third season. That season will include 24 new episodes and is expected to air next summer. The remainder of its current second season will be back on January 2. (James Hibberd at Entertainment Weekly)

Lifetime has picked up 10 more episodes of Army Wives. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actress Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries) will guest star in a late January episode of Supernatural, playing Lydia, a character who is wry, independent, and as fun-loving as Dean. She will also supposedly get to have a “sizzling one-night stand” with Dean. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Recently it was announced that NBC has picked up a pilot by Bryan Fuller (the man behind Pushing Daisies) that will reimage the classic 60’s series The Munsters. Now news has broken that Bryan Singer (director of X-Men and Superman Returns will be directing the pilot. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League) has been chosen by J.J. Abrams to join the ensemble cast of the second installment of the new Star Trek franchise. While details are scare on what part she will be playing, it is believed to be a new character to the legendary canon. Most of the cast from the previous installment is returning, including Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto. (Justin Kroll at Variety)

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

Question: When will the curse be broken on Once Upon a Time? — James

NATALIE: Well, first of all, it’s not going to be like — poof! — and all of the sudden everyone knows they are beloved fairy tale characters. In fact, they’re definitely not going to find out all at the same time. But one person will, and soon. But this knowledge might end up being more of a curse than a blessing. “Even if you do know who you are, that doesn’t mean everything immediately comes back to you and you get your happy ending,” executive producer Adam Horowitz says. Adds executive producer Edward Kitsis: “In a lot of ways, it might just make it worse.”

Question: I can’t stand thinking of Jason Dohring as a rapist on Ringer. Please tell me that it didn’t really happen! — Jessica

NATALIE: It didn’t really happen… or did it? You’ll find out for sure after the New Year, but let’s just say things aren’t exactly what they seem between Juliet and her teacher. In fact, there’s actually a third party involved.

Question: So glad Leverage is back. What can you tell me about the new episodes? — Todd

ADAM: Look for Hardison to take more of a leadership role. “We’ve addressed Hardison’s interest in running his own team,” Aldis Hodge tells us. “[He’s] taking a shot at it and… it’s a very interesting turn for him because he’s never had that kind of responsibility.” Don’t worry, Hardison’s not leaving the team. In fact, the experience may serve as an attitude adjustment. “I think he’s still learning,” Hodge says. “I think he’s ready in ways that he still doesn’t understand, but he still has a few tactics that he needs to get comfortable with.”

Question: What do you know about the new season of Pretty Little Liars. — Meg

NATALIE: Remember when Pretty Little Liars star Ian Harding told us that Ezra was going to have a “tumultuous” interaction with a certain someone’s parents that involved a stunt coordinator? That violent confrontation takes place in the premiere. And if you’re anything like us, you’ll be quite surprised by who throws the first punch.

Question: Any scoop on Rookie Blue for the upcoming Season 3? —Elizabeth

Ausiello: Blue is introducing a new Rookie. The show is casting the role of Leslie, a smart detective in her 30s who has the gravitas to run a division. She’ll appear in three episodes of Season 3 and will likely recur during Season 4 (assuming there is a Season 4).

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

While there is no official confirmation from the network, it’s looking like the new ABC period drama Pan Am is on the cancellation block. (Twitter)

Actress Nora Zehetner (Everwood and Heroes) will have a recurring role in the upcoming buddy-cop dramedy Common Law from the USA Network that is set to debut on January 26 at 10 PM. The series is about butting detectives Travis (Michael Ealy) and Wes (Warren Kole) who are ordered to attend couples therapy. Zehetner will play a pretty and offbeat female detective fresh out of training at Quantico and the new head of the digital technology unit. She’s immune to Travis’ flirty charms but is impressed by Wes. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actor Brandon Jay McLaren (The Killing) has joined the cast of the untitled drama pilot for USA from White Collar creator Jeff Eastin. The project follows agents from various federal and local agencies (DEA, FBI, LAPD) who all live at an undercover house in Southern California. He will play Dale Jakes, a quick-tempered U.S. Customs agent living at the house. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor Liev Schreiber will star in the Showtime drama pilot Ray Donovan that takes a novelistic look at contemporary Los Angeles. He will play the title character, a professional “fixer” for the rich and famous in Los Angeles. (The Hollywood Reporter)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

TNT has greenlit an original movie adaptation of the best-selling novel from Patricia Cornwell called Hornet’s Nest. Actresses Sherry Stringfield (ER) and Virginia Madsen (Sideways) have been cast to star in the film, which will premiere next spring as part of the TNT Mystery Movie Night. The story is about reporter Andy Brazil, Police Chief Judy Hammer (Madsen) and her top deputy, Virginia West (Stringfield). (The Futon Critic)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actors Michael Chiklis (The Shield) and Forest Whitaker are set to star in the indie crime thriller called Pawn that follows an ex-con who becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob during a hostage situation that has gone terribly wrong. Common and Ray Liotta also star. (Deadline and Dark Horizons)

Actor Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights) has landed a role alongside Russell Crowe and Mark Wahlberg in the political thriller film Broken City that will follows a New York City detective (Wahlberg) who is hired by a powerful politician (Crowe) to identify his wife’s lover, who is subsequently found and killed. Barry Pepper also stars in the film as a mayoral candidate and Chandler is working at the core of his political team, but it is unclear how the two tie into the logline of the story. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright and Griffin Dunne also star. (First Showing and Variety)

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

Question: You guys have been slacking on the Supernatural scoop lately! Any idea what’s coming up on my favorite show?

Kristin: Bobby’s (Jim Beaver) flirting with death after that whole being shot in the head thing that happened last episode. So where does he find himself? Purgatory! Yes, our beloved Bobby will be reliving his life and will come across a dear old friend in the process: Rufus (Steven Williams).

Question: Anything on Once Upon a Time please! When will we found out more about Mr. Gold?

Kristin: We’ll learn more about Mr. Gold (the ah-mah-zing Robert Carlyle), and his fairy-tale counterpart Rumpelstiltskin, in episode eight, penned by Jane Espenson! “Some crucial facts about where Rumpel comes from,” are revealed in the episode, Espenson tells us. As for whether or not he’s truly evil, that remains to be seen. “He’s a wild card,” she says. “His ulterior motives are still always very complicated.”

Question: Once Upon a Time, please! I am obsessed with this show!

Kristin: Remember that deal Emma (Jennifer Morrison) made with Mr. Gold? “He’s going to hold onto that for a while,” Espenson teases. “He’s going to make sure that’s paid off when he can get the maximum bang.”

Question: some Revenge please?

Kristin: Grandpa Grayson is comin’ to town! Yes, Revenge is currently looking for someone to play Donald Grayson (who will first appear in episode 14), an imposing, self-made man who is a little rough around the edges. Donald made his children (including Conrad) work very hard for their share of his fortune as he’s a believer in hard work. Seems like just the person to light a fire under Daniel

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

I sure hope everyone had a relaxing and fun-filled Thanksgiving weekend. Here are the news items, few though they be, for today:

TELEVISION
Actor Justin Hartley (Smallville) will guest star in an upcoming episode of Castle. He will appear in the same episode as Hilarie Burton (White Collar and One Tree Hill) as the boyfriend of Kay Cappuccio (Burton), a Kim Kardashian-like reality star who’s famous for being famous. (TV Line and TV Guide)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Matthew Goode will star in the BBC five-part drama called Dancing On The Edge that is set in the 1930’s, following a black jazz band in London. Jacqueline Bisset and Anthony Head co-star. (BBC and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE NEWS
Here are the top 10 box office films for the past weekend courtesy of Exhibitor Relations:

1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1, $42 million
2. The Muppets, $29.5 million
3. Happy Feet Two, $13.4 million
4. Arthur Christmas, $12.7 million
5. Hugo, $11.4 million
6. Jack and Jill, $10.3 million
7. Immortals, $8.8 million
8. Puss in Boots, $7.5 million
9. Tower Heist, $7.3 million
10. The Descendants, $7.2 million

That’s it. Enjoy!

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