Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

The news isn’t too long again today, but there are interesting items to share with everyone. Please read on:

TELEVISION

Legendary actor William Shatner will guest star on an upcoming episode of Psych, playing the estranged con man/father of Juliet (Maggie Lawson). Viewers will meet Frank when he attempts to mend his broken relationship with Juliet, with a little help from Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dule Hill). However, the chance to pull off a dream con will make Frank’s decision to give up his life of crime more complicated. Psych returns in the fall on USA. (TV Guide)

TNT has picked up the off-network cable rights to the ABC hit series Castle, which means the popular series will begin to reair episodes from season 1 and season 2 on the cable network next summer. (TV By the Numbers)

Actor Mark Pellegrino (Lost, Supernatural and Being Human) will have a recurring role in the TNT police drama The Closer starting in mid-August. He will play Brenda’s high-powered defense attorney Gavin Baker, who is ruthless in court and still manages to project an air of friendly professionalism. Baker specializes in defending police officers in civil actions. Brenda will require his help after she’s sued by the family of a gang member she placed in harm’s way. (William Keck at TV Guide)

Actors Kelly Lynch, Seymour Cassel and Danny Houston have joined the cast of the upcoming drama series called Magic City that will air on Starz in 2012. The 10-episode drama stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen and Supernatural) as Ike Evans, the cool, visionary force behind Miami Beach’s newest hotel and a man with dangerous secrets; Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace) as Ike’s wife Vera, a former showgirl who is deeply loyal to her husband and family and Danny Huston (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), as Ben Diamond, Miami’s most dangerous mobster. The cast also stars Jessica Marais (Legend of the Seeker) as Ben’s beautiful, caged wife, Lily; Steven Strait (10,000 B.C.), as Ike’s eldest son, Stevie; Christian Cooke (Cemetery Junction) as Danny, Ike’s innocent, hard-working younger son; Dominik Garcia Lorido (City Island) as Mercedes, a maid in the Miramar Playa who has grown up with the Evans family in the shadow of the hotel; and Elena Satine (Just Go With It) as Judi, a platinum blonde escort who works out of the Miramar Playa and helps Ike out from time to time. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor Danny Glover is set to co-star in the FOX drama pilot Touch, which is about a father (Kiefer Sutherland) who discovers that his genius son (David Mazouz) is communicating with him through a complex series of numbers and may even be able to predict events before they happen. Glover will play a professor who works with the boy. (Nellie Andreeva at TV Line)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Matthew Goode (Watchmen and Leap Year) is in talks to play the male lead in the upcoming movie called Stoker that follows a teenage girl (Mia Wasikowska from Alice in Wonderland) who, while mourning the death of her father, must deal with the unexpected appearance of a mysterious uncle (Goode). Nicole Kidman also stars. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

There was a bit more news to share with all of you today than the last couple of days so please sit down and read on:

TELEVISION

Looks like actors Aml Ameen and Brittany Snow won’t be returning to the NBC legal drama Harry’s Law when it returns this fall for its second season. While the exact reasons for the split have not been announced it was a “mutual decision” with producers and the actors have been invited to return as guest stars. (TV Line)

Actor Laurence Fishburne has not opted to renew his contract with the long-running CBS drama CSI. The question now is who will replace him? (Deadline and E! Online)

Twin Peaks alums Madchen Amick and Dana Ashbrook will show up on separate episodes of White Collar. Amick will play Selena Ellis, a sultry femme fatale who is suspected of marrying wealthy men for money. The very next week, Ashbrook will appear as Carlisle, a millionaire playboy who loves to spend big bucks on extravagant, over-the-top objects that label him as a status symbol of wealth. Additionally, Robert John Burke (Gossip Girl) will play an Irish mob boss who is in direct competition with the Deluca family, a Detroit mafia organization who is after Mozzie (Wille Garson). (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

Actor Cristian de la Fuente (In Plain Sight) will guest star in an upcoming episode of Haven, playing Cornell, a straight-laced, conservative, mild-mannered banker who is hiding a double life. (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Child actor David Mazouz (the Lifetime movie Amish Grace) will play the younger lead opposite Kiefer Sutherland in the Fox drama pilot Touch that is considered a lock for a midseason series order. The project centers on Martin (Sutherland) who discovers that his genius son Jake (Mazouz) is communicating with him through a complex series of numbers and may even be able to predict events before they happen. Jake rarely shows emotion, refuses to be touched, and instead busies himself with cast-off cell phones, able to see the world with something akin to the eye of God, where every action, thought, breath is interconnected. (Deadline)

BOX OFFICE MOVIE NEWS

Young actor Kodi Smit-McPhee (Let Me In and The Road) is in discussions to play Romeo’s cousin Benvolio in the latest adaptation of the Shakespeare classic Romeo and Juliet. Benvolio is Romeo’s cousin who futilely tries to keep the peace between Tybalt (Ed Westwick) and Mercutio. Hailee Steinfeld and Holly Hunter have already been cast as Juliet and her nurse respectively. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

Filipina singing sensation Charice (Glee) will play the character of Malia Dela Cruz, a musical brainiac student, in the upcoming comedy film called Here Comes The Boom that follows a high school teacher whose school is facing drastic budget cuts. He decides to moonlight as a mixed martial arts fighter to win prize money. Kevin James, Salma Hayek and Henry Winkler also star. (Zezbiz and Dark Horizons)

Q&A SECTION (with Natalie Abrams and Adam Bryant at TV Guide)

Question: Any scoop on the new season of True Blood? — Renee

NATALIE: On a show where the term dead is, to say the least, fluid, we’ll discover yet another permutation when we witness a chilling resurrection. Tara has a new ‘do — and a hilariously entertaining new job. And if I were to tell you that the hottest human-vampire couple among the Bon Temps faithful is no longer Jessica and Hoyt, would you be as sad as I am? Eric wouldn’t be.

Question: Is it just me, or did Brennan seem shocked that Booth was happy about her being pregnant on Bones? — Josh

ADAM: It’s not just you. “There was a little something in that,” executive producer Stephen Nathan says. “She’s spent six years slowly becoming more and more in touch with a softer side of herself. And this was sort of one final emotional touch from Booth that says, ‘You can enjoy this. You can accept this as the most wonderful thing in the world.'”

Question: I can’t wait for Burn Notice to return! What’s happening with Michael? — James

NATALIE: Michael has been quite busy tracking down the organization involved in burning him — this time alongside the CIA and a sly handler played by Grant Show. He’ll make it back to Miami in the premiere, if only briefly, long enough to get a very warm welcome from Fiona.

Question: Will Grayson ever find out about Jane on Drop Dead Diva? — Mina

NATALIE: Creator Josh Berman is taking over my job this week to answer your question, Mina: “Absolutely … although for Jane and Grayson to ever have a successful romantic relationship, he needs to fall in love with Jane — not just because she is Deb, but because he loves the person she has become.” But something unexpected will complicate that goal. “There is also a second half to that equation — Jane must continue to be in love with him.”

Question: I hear the Pretty Little Liars girls have to see a therapist in the new season. True? — Katelyn

ADAM: True, and while the girls are naturally skeptical at first, they will soon realize how beneficial the relationship could be — that is, until one of the girls discovers a clue in the shrink’s office that suggests that A is, as usual, one step ahead of them.

Question: Any good scoop on Rizzoli & Isles? — Sarah

NATALIE: Maura Isles has a lover! Ian is a ruggedly handsome doctor who works in the Third World — but when he’s in America, he’s all about Maura, their passionate affair and the secret they’ll be attempting to hide from Jane.

Question: Can we Leverage fans count on some good Parker-Hardison scenes this season? ¬— Doug

ADAM: If you take executive producer Dean Devlin at his word, you sure can! “The Parker-Hardison relationship really goes to a much higher level this year — much deeper intensity,” Devlin says. He adds that the season will be much more emotional. “The fun is still there, the heists are still there, but … [the team’s] relationships are going to develop in ways that are profound.”

Question: It’s been a while since you’ve given us anything on Psych. ¬— Anne

NATALIE: Who wants to meet Juliet’s father? An upcoming episode will find Shawn and Gus trying to repair her relationship with her estranged con-man dad. His hard shell will be softened by some new information Juliet has to share — perhaps enough to give up his life of crime.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

The news is really short for today, but there are still a few good tidbits to share:

TELEVISION

Actress Jaimie Alexander, who just appeared in the box office film Thor and has appeared in Nurse Jackie and Kyle XY, will have a recurring role (i.e. three episodes) on the USA Network drama Covert Affairs, playing new tech Reva Kline, who was the youngest person to ever land a project in the CIA’s Directorate of Science & Technology but her inability to socialize with others presents a challenge for CIA agent Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) when the two are forced to work with each other. (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

The BBC has confirmed that actor Matt Smith will return as the Doctor in the hit series Doctor Who when it returns for its 7th season, which will consist of 14 new episodes (the Christmas episode and 13 all-new episodes). It is unclear at this time if co-stars Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will be returning to their roles of Amy Pond and Rory Williams, though, as they are both have signed onto other projects. Time will tell… (TV Overmind)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Actress Keke Palmer (True Jackson and Madea’s Family Reunion) has been cast in Nickelodeon’s brand-new original TV movie called Rags, which is a modern-day fairy tale about Kadee Worth (Palmer) and Charlie Prince (Max Schneider). The story follows Charlie Prince, an orphan living with his acerbic and unloving stepfather and spoiled, simple-minded stepbrothers. Charlie’s dream is to be a singer, and while he is vocally talented and can write music, he can’t seem to catch a break. Kadee Worth, on the other hand, is the daughter of music mogul Reginald Worth and is an international pop phenomenon. While the world knows her as a glamorous superstar, she is secretly frustrated with singing other people’s songs and wearing clothes other people choose for her. Kadee wants the world to hear and see her true talent. Despite every obstacle that gets thrown in their way, once Charlie and Kadee find one another, they each finally get what they have been looking for – a voice, a stage, an audience and each other. The movie is set to premiere in 2012. (The Futon Critic)

MUSIC NEWS WITH TV TIE-IN

Naya Rivera, one of the many cast members of the FOX musicomedy Glee has signed a deal with Columbia Records and will begin recording her debut album after the Glee tour wraps later this month. She is the third Glee star to sign a record deal, following Matthew Morrison and Mark Salling. (The Hollywood Reporter and TV Guide)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

There isn’t a lot of news to share today, but there are a few interesting tidbits to share with everyone:

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

The next, new Procter & Gamble and Walmart made-for-TV family movie called Field of Visio will air on Saturday, June 11 at 8 PM on NBC. Through mysterious footage captured on an old malfunctioning video camera, Sinclair High School’s star quarterback, Tyler McFarland (Tony Oller from the TV series Gigantic), learns that some of his teammates have been bullying Cory Walker (Joe Adler from the box office film Prom), a troubled new transfer student. Aware that sharing this information with the coach might get his friends kicked off the team and ultimately cost the school the state championship, Tyler must choose what’s more important: winning or doing what’s right. As these events unfold, the camera also reveals more surprising footage to Tyler’s kid sister Lucy (Alyssa Jordan Shafer from the TV series The Unit). She learns that Cory has a secret past, unknown even to him. Now Lucy must convince her mom (Faith Ford) and family that the camera’s revealing insight is not a product of her imagination as she enlists their help to find the answers Cory so desperately needs. (The Futon Critic)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the top 10 movies at the box office this past weekend according to Exhibitor Relations and E! Online:

1. X-Men: First Class, $56 million
2. The Hangover Part II, $32.4 million
3. Kung Fu Panda 2, $24.3 million
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, $18 million
5. Bridesmaids, $12.1 million
6. Thor, $4.2 million
7. Fast Five, $3.2 million
8. Midnight in Paris, $2.9 million
9. Jumping the Broom, $865,000
10. Something Borrowed, $835,000

Actor Rami Malek (24 and the upcoming Twilight: Breaking Dawn movie) and Madisen Beaty (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) have joined the cast of the as-yet untitled religious drama film from Paul Thomas Anderson. Malek will play Clark, the son-in-law of Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) the creator of a new faith that closely mirrors Scientology. Beaty’s role is currently unknown. Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Laura Dern and Jesse Plemons [among others] also star. (Movies.ie and Dark Horizons)

Actor Jon Tenney (The Closer) has replaced Clark Gregg in the upcoming film called As Cool As I Am. The story follows a Montana teen girl dealing with her self-centered parents trying to recapture the youth they feel they missed. The cast includes Claire Danes, James Marsden, Peter Fonda, Alanis Morissette, Jeremy Sisto and Anika Noni Rose [among others]. (Variety and First Showing)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are today’s tidbits for the world of entertainment.

MINI-SERIES NEWS

HBO and BBC have given the green light to a 5-part mini-series set during World War I that will star actor British actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Rebecca Hall. The mini called Parade’s End is based on the series of four books by British novelist Ford Madox Ford, which were published between 1924 and 1928. It will be set against the backdrop of World War I, telling the story of a complex and destructive love triangle among a conservative English aristocrat (Cumberbatch), his beautiful but cruel socialite wife (Hall), and a vibrant young suffragette. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Actors Anne Heche and James Tupper are set to star in the Lifetime movie called Girl Fight, that is inspired by the true story of Florida cheerleader Victoria “Tori” Lindsay, a 16-year-old, stellar high school student whose life spirals downward when her “friends” brutally beat her up and then upload a video of the attack onto the Internet. Heche and Tupper will play the girl’s parents. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE FILMS

Actors J.K. Simmons, Olivia Wilde, Zoe Saldana, Ben Barnes and John Hannah have joined the cast of the upcoming film called The Words, which stars Bradley Cooper as a writer who, at the peak of his literary success, discovers the price he must pay for stealing another man’s work. Jeremy Irons and Dennis Quaid also star. (First Showing)

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes, the PBS mini-series version) has dropped out of the upcoming box office adaptation of the Tolstoy classic Anna Karenina due to the above mentioned mini-series with actor Matthew Macfayden taking his place. The story focuses on a 19th century Russian woman (Keira Knightley) trapped in a loveless marriage who becomes a social outcast when she has an affair with the aristocrat Count Vronsky (Aaron Johnson). Meanwhile, actresses Olivia Williams and Andrea Riseborough have joined the cast. (Daily Mail and Dark Horizons)

CONDOLENCES

Legendary Gunsmoke actor James Arness passed away at the age of 88. Gunsmoke was the longest-running series in American television history.  (Entertainment Weekly)

ME: Rest in Peace, Mr. Arness. Condolences to his family, friends and fans.

MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE…

BOX OFFICE TRAILERS

Hot Trailer: ‘The Whistleblower’

Watch: Rachel McAdams & Channing Tatum in Sappy ‘The Vow’ Trailer

Must Watch: Stellar ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ Theatrical Trailer

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

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Hey All,

There are a lot of interesting little news tidbits to share with everyone. Let’s get into them:

TELEVISION

Jane Lynch has officially been set as Emmy host. The awards show will air on September 18 on FOX. (Variety)

The new NBC fall drama The Firm, based on the book by John Grisham, now has its leading ma: Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama and The Lincoln Lawyer). The series picks up the story 10 years after the events of the film and novel. As a young associate, McDeere brought down the prestigious Memphis law firm of Bendini, Lambert & Locke, which operated as a front for the Chicago mob — and his life was never the same. After a difficult decade, which included a stay in the Federal Witness Protection program, Mitch and his family now emerge from isolation to reclaim their lives and their future — only to find that past dangers are still lurking and new threats are everywhere.  (Deadline)

Bush frontman (and husband of fellow rocker Gwen Stefani) will guest star on an upcoming episode of Burn Notice, playing the wealthy and powerful Armand, a baddie with a hand in atrocious projects across the globe. Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) asks Armand for help, but in return she must help him with a big heist job. Burn Notice returns with all new episodes on June 23 at 9 PM on the USA Network.  (Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

Actress Andrea Anders (Better Off Ted) will appear in multiple episodes of the new USA Network series Necessary Roughness that premieres on June 29 at 10 PM. The series stars Callie Thorne (Rescue Me) as Dr. Dani Santino, a down-on-her-luck psychotherapist who, through a whirlwind chain of events, finds herself serving as the “shrink to the stars.” The cast features Mehcad Brooks (True Blood) as Terrence King, a football all-star and Dani’s first high-profile patient; Marc Blucas (Buffy) as Matt, the team’s trainer; and Scott Cohen (Gilmore Girls) as a sports “fixer.” Anders will play Laura, a PR exec hired to rehab King’s (Brooks) image. The pretty spin-mistress also has a “history” with Matt (Blucas), so expect her to get pulled into a bit a love triangle with him and Dani. There is a potential this role for Anders could be recurring. (Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

ONLINE SERIES NEWS

Actress Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse) has been signed to star in an online animated “motion comic” series based on upcoming series Torchwood: Miracle Day. Entitled Torchwood: Web of Lies, Dushku will be front and center in the short-form story, which will also have voice appearances by Torchwood stars John Barrowman as Capt. Jack Harkness and Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper. Jane Espenson is writing the series along with co-writer Ryan Scott. The series will consist of 10 three-minute video and is expected to launch before Torchwood premieres on July 8 on Starz. New installments of the online series will go up after each new Miracle Day episode.  (James Hibberd at Entertainment Weekly)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) will star in the upcoming movie called Cooked Arrows, a standard underdog sport film that mixes things up by setting the familiar story in the world of lacrosse. The film follows a rag-tag Native American high school lacrosse team that is forced to join the local prep school league, which is comprised of better trained and better equipped rivals. Routh will play the tribal chairman’s part-Native American entrepreneurial son who is tasked with coaching the reservation’s motley lacrosse team in the hopes that he’ll reconnect with his fellow tribe members. (Variety and First Showing)

Actor Bradley Cooper (Alias) has joined the cast of the upcoming film called The Place Beyond the Pines that is about a motorcycle pro (Ryan Gosling) who takes up bank-robbing to support his family. Cooper will play the cop chasing Gosling’s character. (Sam Morgan at Hollywood.com)

It looks like Hollywood is intent on remaking the horror flick Carrie with young True Grit actress Hailee Steinfeld being eyed for the lead role. (Cinema Blend and Dark Horizons)

Actor Nick Nolte has joined the cast of the upcoming film called A Walk in the Woods where he will play an old chum of Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) with whom the author decides to walk the Appalachian Trail. (The LA Times and Dark Horizons)

Actors Lucas Till (Battle: Los Angeles), Kyle Schmid (Blood Ties), Sonja Kinski (daughter of Nastassja Kinski), Rachel Blanchard (7th Heaven) and Juliet Landau (Buffy) are all part of the cast of the independent thriller called Dark Hearts. In the film Goran Visnjic (ER) and Richard Edson (Platoon) star in the story of a struggling artist who accompanies his younger brother to a secret gig where he finds his muse in sultry singer (Kinski) only to be thrust into a maelstrom of art, blood and passion, leading to a dangerous love triangle. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

“Official” Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Trailer Hits the Web

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

There was a bit more news to today than yesterday, funny how a holiday can slow down the news process, huh? Regardless, here are the news tidbits for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Erica Durance (Smallville) has landed the lead role in a CTV (Canadian broadcaster) drama called Saving Hope. The show begins production in Toronto on June 22. Many CTV dramas like the TV series Flashpoint has aired in the US as well, so it is possible that US audiences could see this new show if it should get picked up. Saving Hope is described as a sexy, fast-paced drama set in a Toronto hospital. (Kryptonsite)

Actress Morena Baccarin (V, Firefly, Stargate: SG-1) has landed a role in the upcoming fall series Homeland, which will air on Showtime. The series centers on Marine Sergeant Scott Brody (Damian Lewis), who returns home eight years after going missing in Iraq, and Carrie Anderson (Claire Danes), a driven CIA officer who suspects he might be plotting an attack on America. Baccarin will play Jessica Brody, Scott Brody’s smart, strong wife. She replaces Laura Fraser who played the role in the pilot. (Deadline)

Canadian viewers will get to see World Without End, which is based on Ken Follett’s multi-million best seller of the same name, as it will air on the Canadian channel known as Showcase in 2012. The eight-hour special event takes place in the same fictional town as Pillars of the Earth — Kingsbridge — and features the descendants of some Pillars characters two centuries later. The plot incorporates two major historical events, the start of the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death. (Spoiler TV)

Actor Sam Waterson (Law & Order) has joined the cast of the tentatively-titled More As This Story Develops, which is the Aaron Sorkin-HBO drama pilot that is set behind the scenes at a cable news network. The much-buzzed-about project stars Jeff Daniels as Will McCallister, the host of a popular cable news show. Waterston will play McCallister’s boss. The cast also includes Olivia Munn, Alison Pill, and possibly will also include Emily Mortimer. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Actress Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse) will guest star on an upcoming episode of White Collar, playing a very sexy woman who works for Matthew Keller (Ross McCall). The series is back with all new episodes on the USA Network on June 7. (Robyn Ross at TV Guide)

While the news broke over the past few weeks, Life Unexpected creator Liz Tigelaar and former Buffy producer Jane Espenson have both joined the team behind the upcoming fall ABC series Once Upon a Time. Tigelaar is a consulting producer while Espenson will co-executive producer. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

It looks like actress Halle Berry just might be doing a TV series on one of the pay cable networks if the current buzz about town is true. Rumor has it that a spec script called Higher Learning is being shipped around to cable networks such as HBO and Showtime (among others). The only detail on the story is that Berry would play a college professor and that the script was written by 30-year industry veteran Lee Rose. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

CONDOLENCES

Actress Clarice Taylor, who had a pivotal recurring role on The Cosby Show, passed away on Monday, succumbing to heart failure at the age of 93. Her career spanned the stage, the big and small screen, and radio, including the original Broadway cast of The Wiz and a supporting role in Clint Eastwood’s Play Misty For Me. (Entertainment Weekly)

ME: Rest in Peace, Ms. Taylor. Deepest sympathies to her family, friends and fans.

MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE…

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actors Seth Green and Michelle Trachtenberg will join actress Katee Sackhoff in the independent film called Sexy Evil Genius. The film centers on a group of strangers brought together in a downtown Los Angeles bar by their mutual ex-girlfriend (Sackhoff). The woman is mysterious about her intentions, but by the night’s end, revenge will be had, romance kindled and the wronged woman will have delivered on her reputation as the sexy evil genius at the center of all their lives. Also among the cast are Billy Baldwin and Harold Perrineau Jr. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Q&A SECTION (with Natalie Abrams and Adam Bryant from TV Guide)

Question: What’s up with Sookie and the fairies on True Blood? — Sarah

NATALIE: When the show returns, Sookie will reconnect with some familiar faces in Fairyland. But the glowing lumières the fairies offer up as a snack notwithstanding, it won’t be all sweetness and light. Sookie will have a lot of questions for Claudine, her fairy godmother. First up: If she’s supposed to be Sookie’s protector, where the heck has she been all this time?

Question: What do you have on White Collar? Will we have to wait long to learn who stole the treasure? — Joshua

ADAM: Nope. In fact, the June 7 premiere deals almost entirely with Neal’s dilemma with the pilfered Nazi booty. And Peter won’t make it easy: After the U-Boat explosion, he’s much less trusting of his con man compadre. Not only will Neal have to figure out how to get to the loot out of the country, he’ll also have to fool Peter’s polygraph.

Question: Tell me more about this lawsuit Brenda’s facing on The Closer! — Christine

ADAM: She won’t have to face it alone. She’ll hire a sharp lawyer who specializes in defending cops. He’s a former city attorney who’s now a very successful partner at a private firm. The good news: He’s never lost a case. The bad news: He sees right through Brenda.

Question: I can’t wait for Rizzoli & Isles to return. Got any spoilers? — Erin

NATALIE: Jane and the rest of the Boston PD will have to pull out all the stops when an undercover officer’s daughter is kidnapped. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that Jane’s busybody mom has a theory about the missing kid, but can you believe that she actually cracks the case?

Question: What’s coming up on In Plain Sight? — Rosie

NATALIE: It’s Brandi’s wedding day, and a very pregnant Mary has to work… of course. She’ll have to choose between her sister and an endangered witness, and I think we all know how that’s going to go. The upside: Bridezilla Brandi is a veritable TV treat.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

I hope everyone had a terrific holiday weekend and that your first day back to work (or whatever your daily grind may be) hasn’t been too horrible, as I know it’s always hard getting back to “normal” after a holiday weekend.

The news for today is rather short, but there are a few good things to share with everyone:

TELEVISION

AMC has announced that Breaking Bad is set to return with new episodes starting on Sunday, July 17 at 10 PM. (The Futon Critic)

Actress Rachel Nichols has been drooped by Criminal Minds with actress Paget Brewster returning as part of a new deal that includes fewer episodes in which she will appear. Also, negotiations are ongoing with actor Thomas Gibson for next season. Meanwhile, original cast member A.J. Cook is coming back to the show as are Kirsten Vangsness and Shemar Moore. The show returns for its seventh season this fall. (Deadline and E! Online)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Legendary actor Donald Sutherland has been cast as President Snow in the film adaptation of the best-selling novel The Hunger Games. (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

Actor Jamie Campbell Bower (the TV series Camelot and the Twilight movie franchise) has landed the lead role alongside actress Lily Collins in the film adaptation of The Mortal Instruments from the young adult novel series by Cassandra Clare. Collins plays Clary Fray, a girl with a psychic gift that allows her to see both demons and Shadowhunters. When her mother is abducted, she is forced to learn about her bloodline and abilities in order to get her mother back. Bower will play Jace Wayland, one of the best Shadowhunters around. (Deadline and Dark Horizons)

Here are the top 10 movies from the long holiday weekend, courtesy of TV Guide:

1. The Hangover Part II – 86.5 million
2. Kung Fu Panda 2 – 48 million
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – 39.3 million
4. Bridesmaids – 16.4 million
5. Thor – 9.4million
6. Fast Five – 6.6 million
7. Midnight in Paris – 1.91 million
8. Jumping the Broom – 1.9 million
9. Something Borrowed – 1.85 million
10. Rio – 1.79 million

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today on this day before the long Memorial Day holiday weekend:

TELEVISION

Actress Rebecca Mader (Lost) will guest-star on Covert Affairs, playing Franka, a German flight attendant whom Auggie meets while en route to Istanbul. (Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Actor Brady Smith (and real-life husband Tiffani Thiessen) will appear on his wife’s show White Collar, playing an ex-Navy commander and COO of a Blackwater-type private security company. (Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Actor Gary Cole will appear in an upcoming episode of True Blood, playing Earl Stackhouse, Sookie’s grandfather from whom she inherited her telepathic abilities. Since her grandfather is known to be gone, it is anticipated that he will either appear in a flashback or dream. (The Wrap)

CONDOLENCES

Actor Jeff Conaway, who is best known for his roles in the box office film Grease and the TV series Taxi passed away today at the age of 60. (LA Times and Twitter)

ME: Rest in Peace, Mr. Conaway. Condolences to his family, friends and fans.

MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE…

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Zach Braff (Scrubs) has been cast in the upcoming film Oz: The Great and Powerful and is expected to play the role of Frank, the loyal but under-appreciated assistant to Oz (James Franco), a charismatic circus magician who is treated as a powerful wizard after his balloon blows off course into Oz. (Deadline and Dark Horizons)

Actor John Cho has been added to the cast of the upcoming film Total Recall, playing McClane, the smooth-talking rep for the mind-messing company that tempts Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) to implant fantastic memories into his brain but ends up inadvertently making him think he’s a spy. (Entertainment Weekly and First Showing)

Actor Kenan Thompson and actress Virginia Madsen have joined the Rob Reiner film Summer at Dog Dave’s that follows Morgan Freeman as a wheelchair-bound author of Western novels whose alcoholism is making him lose his passion for writing. Madsen is expected to play his new neighbor, a single mother going through a divorce who has three daughters. The family strikes up a relationship with the novelist and helps him rediscover his talent and find his passion for writing again. Meanwhile, Thompson is expected to play Freeman’s helpful nephew. (Variety and First Showing)

Actor Colin Hanks will join Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand in the upcoming film My Mother’s Curse that follows an inventor (Rogen) who invites his overbearing mother (Streisand) on a cross-country trip as he tries to sell his new product while also reuniting her with a lost love. Hanks will be playing husband to Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck) who plays Rogen’s high school sweetheart with whom he previously proposed marriage. The couple let Rogen and Streisand’s characters stay in their house after they get caught in a blizzard. (The Hollywood Reporter and First Showing)

Actress Rosie Perez and actor Lance Reddick (Fringe) have joined the cast of the upcoming movie Still I Rise, a drama about two frustrated mothers (Maggie Gyllanhaal and Viola Davis) who team up to transform an inner-city public school in Pittsburgh. Perez will play a former teacher who is now the poised-yet-frank head of the school board, while Reddick will play Davis’ husband who is also a teacher. (Variety and First Showing)

Actor Orlando Bloom will reprise his role of Legolas in the upcoming movie The Hobbit. Director Peter Jackson confirmed the casting on Facebook. (Facebook and Blastr)

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a terrific weekend!

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Hey All,

The news is a little short again, but there are still some interesting items to share with everyone:

TELEVISION

Actor James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek) will appear in an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Rex Tamlyn, an overconfident, hard-partying playboy and partner in a Facebook-Like website devoted to “connecting people who share fleeting romantic encounters.” The episode involves a lawsuit surrounding a stolen idea. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

Actress Saffron Burrows is out of the new fall drama The Finder (the Bones spin-off). Her role will be recast and it is reported the role will be reimagined from that of a cocky bar owner and helicopter pilot. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actresses Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under) and Alexandra Breckenridge (Life Unexpected) have landed roles in the FX drama pilot American Horror Story that comes from the co-creators of Glee Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The project is centered on Ben Harmon (Dylan McDermott), a handsome therapist who, along with his wife (Connie Britton) and their kids, move into a new house. Conroy will play their housekeeper, while Breckenridge will play a younger version of the character. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Casting announcements were made yesterday for the Seven Dwarfs for one of three (yes, three) planned Snow White films. This version has Lily Collins (The Blind Side and Priest) playing Snow White, Julia Roberts as the Queen, Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as the Prince and Nathan Lane as the Queen’s servant. The dwarfs will be portrayed by actors Mark Povinelli (Water for Elephants), Jordan Prentice (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle), Danny Woodburn (Watchmen), Sebastian Saraceno (Bedtime Stories), Ronald Lee Clark (Epic Movie), Martin Klebba (Hancock) and Joey Gnoffo (Pirates of the Caribbean series). Also joining the cast is actress Mare Winnigham. In this version of Snow White, an evil queen steals control of a kingdom, and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright. (seat42f)

It has been confirmed that actress Beckinsale will star opposite Colin Farrell in the remake of the film Total Recall. Meanwhile, actress Jessica Biel will be the other female lead in the film. Additionally, actor Bill Nighy is in negotiations to join the cast. (Collider, Heat Vision and Dark Horizons)

Actresses Jamie Chung (Sucker Punch) Julie Bowen (Modern Family), Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), Jennifer Morrison (House) and Rebecca Mader (Lost) as well as actor Titus Welliver (Lost) are all in negotiations to join the cast of the indie political drama Knife Fight that stars Rob Lowe as a political crisis manager who specializes in playing hardball on behalf of scandal-plagued clients. Chung would play his savvy assistant, Bowen would be an ambitious TV reporter who sleeps with him for scoops, and Britton would be an earthy liberal looking to run for public office. Mader would play a masseuse/prostitute bent on blackmail, while Morrison would play one of her classmates, and Welliver would be a private investigator working for Lowe. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

Actresses Kim Basinger, Heather Graham, Catherine O’Hara and actor Jason Patric will appear in as-yet untitled dark about a petty thief who pledges to save his life after a roadside killing and two financially destitute sisters who grudgingly team up to track down a female mobster for bounty. They all land in Las Vegas, where violence and destinies collide. (Variety and First Showing)

Actresses Gemma Arterton and Julie Andrews as well as actors Matthew Goode and Gabriel Byrne will all star in the film Crooked House, which is a big screen adaptation of the Agatha Christie book of the same name. The story is about a multimillionaire who is suddenly murdered as he’s surrounded by three generations of a family that lives together in a large and seemingly crooked house and who all have reasons to kill him. (Variety and First Showing)

Child actress Joey King not only as a role (unknown though it may be at this time) in The Dark Knight Rises, but she will also appear in the film Oz: The Great and Powerful that stars James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz. She will play the character of “China Girl”. (Variety and First Showing)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Must Watch: Fantastic Trailer for Alexander Payne’s ‘The Descendants’

That’s it. Enjoy!

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