Rueben's Ramblings

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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Hey All,

There is quite a bit of news to share with all of you, including a lengthy Q&A section with the folks at TV Guide and TV Line:

TELEVISION

Actor Christopher Meloni will not be back on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit when it returns for its 13th season this fall. A search for a big name to take his place is reportedly underway. (Matt Mitovich and Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

The 4th season of Damages, exclusive to DirecTV users, will debut on July 13 at 10 PM. This season will find Patty (Glenn Close) and Ellen (Rose Byrne) embroiled in a wrongful-death suit against a private military contractor, Howard T. Erickson (John Goodman). Erickson has made a fortune supplying the U.S. Government with security forces in Afghanistan and is protected by his connections within the highest echelons of power in Washington, D.C. Chris Sanchez (Chris Messina), a decorated soldier who now works for the security firm, is drawn into the web of intrigue when Ellen and Patty set their sights on his corrupt employer. Complicating matters is Jerry Boorman (Dylan Baker), a shadowy opportunist with ties to both Erickson and the Middle East who is intimately involved in the conspiracy at the heart of the lawsuit. (The Futon Critic)

Actor Billy Brown (Lights Out) will have a recurring role in Dexter when it returns for its new season this fall. He will play Mike Cutler, a no-nonsense Chicago homicide detective who transfers to Miami Metro, where he immediately ruffles some feathers. (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

Actor Rockmond Dunbar (Soul Food and Prison Break) has signed on for a multi-episode arc on Sons of Anarchy, playing Eli Roosevelt, the new sheriff in Charming. (Adam Bryant at TV Guide)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

The History Channel will air a mini-series about the most infamous family feud between The Hatfields and the McCoys next year that stars actor Kevin Coster as “Devil” Anse Hatfield. The film will coincide with the 150th anniversary of the bloody war between the two clans that has become a popular metaphor for bitterly feuding rivals. The Hatfield-McCoy saga begins with “Devil” Anse Hatfield and Randall McCoy, who were close friends and comrades during the Civil War. They return to their neighboring homes to find increasing tensions, misunderstandings and resentments that soon explode into all-out warfare between the two families. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

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

NOTE: Some of the details below are SPOILERISH so please tread lightly!! SPOILER ALERT!!

Question: Why did Bones not show Booth and Brennan’s hookup? Are the writers going to reveal that Brennan actually got pregnant by using Booth’s donated specimen instead? — Melanie

ADAM: Executive producer Stephen Nathan likes your conspiracy theory. “Let’s keep that one alive until next season,” he says with a laugh. “Let’s let people get all upset.” In truth, Nathan says the writers were more concerned with feelings. “Whether or not we see them jumping around in the sack did not seem as important as the emotional acceptance of who they were to each other,” Nathan says. “Moving into Season 7, [the pregnancy] cements their relationship and forces them to accept the fact that they are a couple, they are in love and that they will be moving forward together.”

Question: Got anything on The Closer? — Erica

ADAM: The new season will introduce a new recurring character, a smart, fearless and devious attorney who is suing Brenda and the LAPD on behalf of a slain gang member’s mother. He’s quick on his feet and plays her share of mind games with Brenda, starting with pretending to be a process server. He’ll create a rift when he serves everyone on the squad except Sgt. Gabriel with papers.

Question: I can’t wait for Drop Dead Diva to return. What can you tease? — Leah

NATALIE: When the show returns, Grayson will still be in the hospital after being run down by a car. And sorry, fans, but Grayson will end up in a new body. (Boo! No more sexy Jackson Hurst on the show?) Don’t worry; it’s not permanent — or real! Jane won’t have too much time to ponder that, though. We hear she may be getting fired.

Question: What’s coming up on Rizzoli & Isles? — Shari

NATALIE: Look out, Jane Rizzoli, your brother’s life is about to get very interesting. When the show returns, the love of Frankie Jr.’s life, aka Jane’s nemesis, returns — and she’s bringing some serious baggage.

Question: I read that Fox will launch The Finder in Bones‘ Thursday slot this fall and then Bones will return in the spring, significantly shortening its season. Is this true? —Nancy

Ausiello: Nope, sure isn’t. Bones will launch in the fall, pass the baton to spinoff The Finder in January, and then return to the schedule in the spring. I hear producers may keep the spirit of Bones alive during its three-month, Emily Deschanel baby-fueled midseason hiatus by integrating some of the show’s supporting players into The Finder.

Question: I’m dying for some Hetty scoop after the NCIS: LA finale. Is Linda Hunt on board next season as a series regular? —Daniel

Ausiello: Yes, she’ll be back as a regular. In fact, I predict Hetty will be the last one standing on that show.

Question: Will we ever see Adam again on Supernatural? There could be Smurf paraphernalia in it for you. —Donna

Ausiello: Showrunner Sera Gamble puts the chances of an Adam comeback at a “very strong maybe.”

Question: I was hoping for a scoop from any one of the many USA shows. Psych, Burn Notice, White Collar, Covert Affairs, Royal Pains… I’m not picky! — Elizabeth

Ausiello: In that case, the third episode of Royal Pains, titled “Rash Talk,” will feature not one, not two but three notable guest stars. Shiri Appleby (Life Unexpected) plays a flibbertigibbet whose business plan doesn’t account for a health crisis, and Tony winner Joanna Gleason (seen last on The Good Wife) and David “Sledge Hammer” Rasche play a hoity-toity couple who — what a coincidence! — also require medical attention.

Question: I’m in serious need of some Psych info! Are you getting any vibes? —JessLayne

Ausiello: Not only vibes but tingles. After a hot hippie chick witnesses a murder, Gus thinks he’s died and gone to heaven. But there’s more a foot than romance. There actually is a crime to investigate in this upcoming episode, as well as the likelihood of a “name” guest star to play the leader of the commune where the aforementioned hot hippie lives.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

The news is rather short for today, but there are still some interesting items to share with everyone:

TELEVISION

Actor Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galactica) has joined the cast of Dexter, playing a brilliant, charismatic professor of religious studies. (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

Actress Jane Lynch is said to be the top choice for host of the 2011 Emmy Awards since the awards show will air on FOX. No confirmation of who the host will be has been made yet, though. (Twitter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

FX and Fox International Channels announced that it will partner with Graham King’s GK-TV and Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment on a new one-hour drama Port Royale that will be set in 17th century Jamaica and will chronicle the country’s development into a safe haven for piracy. The series is based on the original idea by Hurd. (The Wrap)

Meanwhile, FX’s corporate cousin Fox is in talks to acquire Pyrates a new series from Ridley and Tony Scott’s Free Productions and Ensemble Entertainment. No deal is in place, but if picked up, this series would likely have a 10- to 13-episode limited run in the summer of 2012. (The Wrap)

MGM has teamed up the masterminds behind The Tudors and Camelot – Michael Hirst and Morgan O’Sullivan – for Vikings (the current working title), a drama series about the famous Scandinavian warriors. The series is eyed to begin production on a 10-episode first season next year would chronicle the Vikings’ exploits as warriors, explorers, builders, merchants, pirates and mercenaries through what is known as the Viking Age of Scandinavian, British and Irish history from the late-8th to the mid-11th century. It will center on Ragnar Lodbrok, one of the most popular Viking heroes, a great commander who briefly ruled Denmark and Sweden and was linked to two shield maidens and a queen. No specific network is attached to this project, though. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor-rocker Lenny Kravitz and veteran actor Toby Jones have joined the cast of the film adaptation of the best-selling novel The Hunger Games. Kravitz will play the role of Cinna, the assigned fashion stylist for lead heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) while Jones will play legendary arenas announcer Claudius Templesmith. (Dark Horizons)

Actors Brett Cullen (Lost) and Chris Ellis (Transformers) have signed on for roles in the box office film The Dark Knight Rises. Cullen will appear as a judge and Ellis will appear as a priest. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Happy Monday, Everybody! Hope the start of your work (or school) week is going smoothly. There wasn’t too much news today, but there are still some interesting items to share:

TELEVISION

Much to the disappointment of many a fan, Actor Misha Collins will not be a series regular on Supernatural when it returns with new episodes in the fall. (TV Line)

Showtime announced today that they renewed new drama The Borgias and comedy series Nurse Jackie for new seasons; but comedy series The United States of Tara has been canceled. (Variety and Twitter)

Actress Andrea Parker (The Pretender and Less Than Perfect) will appear as Allison’s mother, Jessica DiLaurentis, on Pretty Little Liars. She is expected to appear in the 6th episode of the second season, which starts on June 14. (TV Line)

Actor Rod Hallett (The Tudors) has landed the new series regular role on the upcoming fall drama Terra Nova for FOX. On the fantasy drama, an ordinary family — Jim Shannon (Jason O’Mara), his wife Elisabeth (Shelley Conn) and their kids — go on a journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a daring experiment to save the human race. Hallett will play the charming and confident Dr. Malcolm Wallace, who becomes Jim’s nemesis as they rival for Elisabeth’s affection. (Deadline)

TELEVISION TRAILER

First Look: Torchwood: Miracle Day Trailer

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the results of the top 10 box office movies for the past weekend according to Exhibitors Relations:

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, $90.1 million
2. Bridesmaids, $21.1 million
3. Thor, $15.5 million
4. Fast Five, $10.6 million
5. Rio, $4.7 million
6. Priest, $4.6 million
7. Jumping the Broom, $3.7 million
8. Something Borrowed, $3.4 million
9. Water for Elephants, $2.2 million
10. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family, $990,000

Tom Cruise will star in an adaptation of the graphic novel Oblivion that is set in an apocalyptic future where the earth has been nearly wiped out by alien scavengers. Humanity has retreated to a space station and the planet is inhabited by aliens. Cruise’s character, Jak, is a human who goes to earth to hunt down the aliens. (The Wrap)

Actors Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket) and Tom Conti (Derailed) have both joined the cast of The Dark Knight Rises, but their roles are currently unknown. (First Showing)

Actor Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl) will play Tybalt in a new adaptation of Romeo and Juliet that stars Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit). (Variety and First Showing)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here is today’s entertainment news, albeit a very short one again:

TELEVISION

The recurring role that actress Nancy Travis would be playing in the recently picked up CW series Hart of Dixie is being recast because Travis is a series regular on the new ABC comedy Last Man Standing. The studio will not permit her to recur on the CW drama. (Deadline)

British actor Chris Vance (Prison Break and Burn Notice) has been cast as the lead in the TV version of the Transporter action movie franchise. He will play expert driver and “professional transporter” Frank Martin. Meanwhile, Hungarian actress Andrea Osvart will play his handler Carla. The first season will be shot this summer and broadcast next year on Cinemax. There will be 12-episodes in the first season. (Deadline)

CONDOLENCES

Professional wrestler “Macho Man” Randy Savage passed away in a car accident. He was only 58. (Twitter)

ME: RIP, Mr. Savage. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans.

MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE…

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actresses Latarsha Rose and Brooke Bundy will portray Portia and Octavia – the Glam Squad – in the upcoming movie The Hunger Games. Rose has had bit parts on All My Children, CSI, Bones and Law & Order while Bundy is a relative newcomer. (E! Entertainment)

Actress Holly Hunter (Saving Grace) will appear in two upcoming films. The first is the film Still I Rise with Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal. This film tells the story of two mothers who channel frustration into action and join forces to transform a Pittsburgh inner-city public school. Hunter will play the head of the teacher’s union. The second film is the latest adaptation of Romeo and Juliet with Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit). At this time, it is unclear what role Hunter will play in the film. (Deadline and First Showing)

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a terrific weekend!

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Hey All,

Today was the final day of upfront presentations by the major networks to the advertisers in New York. My final report on the schedule as announced by The CW is up on the home page. I also provided a run-down on the new shows and preview clips of each. Hope you will check those out.

In the meantime, here is the other news, albeit a short list, for the day:

TELEVISION

Actor Joel Gretsch (V and The 4400) will guest star in an upcoming episode of In Plain Sight, playing Major Lucas Provo, a JAG Corps attorney who comes to Albuquerque to help with Mary (Mary McCormack) and Marshall’s (Frederick Weller) most recent witness: a decorated war vet with a troubling secret. Provo proves unflappable and inscrutable as he and Mary spar over the best course of action for the witness. Despite Mary being six months pregnant and feeling completely unromantic, there seems to be a spark between Mary and Provo. (TV Squad)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Jonny Lee Miller (Eli Stone) has joined the cast of Dark Shadows, joining a cast that already Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Bella Heathcote, and Chloe Moretz. He will play Elizabeth’s (Michelle Pfeiffer) ne’er-do-well brother, Roger Collins. (Dark Horizons)

Actor Topher Grace (That 70’s Show) has joined the cast of the upcoming box office film Gently Down The Stream. He will play Jared, the son of the characters played by Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton. Jared is a doctor who ends up falling in love with a young Latin woman, awkward since she’s the sister of his adopted brother. Katherine Heigl and Amanda Seyfried also star. (Deadline and Dark Horizons)

Actress Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Michael Ealy (FlashForward) have joined the film adaptation of comedian Steve Harvey’s book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. The story follows the relationship between a dreamer with culinary talents (Ealy) and a high-powered ad executive (Henson). (Variety and Dark Horizons)

English actor Stephen Fry (who American audiences should remember from Bones) has joined the cast of The Hobbit, playing The Master of Laketown. (Facebook and Dark Horizons)

Actress Mia Maestro (Alias and the soon to be seen Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn movie) will star in the movie The Darkness of the Road, playing a young mother whose daughter disappears after picking up a mysterious hitchhiker. (The Wrap)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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