Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Wow, can you guys believe it is the first full week of December and the holidays are this close – hard to believe, huh? Enjoy today’s news:

CONGRATS

One [SUPERNATURAL] Fandom to Rule Them All

PALEY FEST 2011

Though it’s not official, it looks like a reunion of the TV series Freaks and Geeks just might be on tap for the 2011 Paley Festival. The first official announcement about Paley Fest 2011is scheduled for next week. (Variety)

TELEVISION

Actress Dawn Olivieri (True Blood and Heroes) will guest star on The Vampire Diaries as Andie Star, a local newscaster for Mystic Falls. (The Vault and Televixen)

Sadly, FX is not renewing their acclaimed new series Terriers (due to low ratings). (Twitter)

ABC is finally pulling the plug on The Whole Truth, taking it off the schedule with 7 episodes remaining to air. There is no word if these episodes will be available online. Episodes of Modern Family and Cougar Town will fill the open time slot. (The Live Feed at The Hollywood Reporter)

Actress Rachel Nichols (Alias and G-I Joe: The Rise of Cobra) is set to become a series regular on Criminal Minds, playing FBI cadet Ashley Seaver. This comes on the heels of the departure of former regular A.J. Cook and the currently questionable status of Paget Brewster. (TV Overemind)

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE NEWS

Actor Eddie McClintock (Warehouse 13) will star in the upcoming Syfy movie The Boogeyman, which is scheduled to air on Syfy in 2011. The movie is a modern-day retelling of the Cain and Abel story, co-starring Emma Samms (Dynasty, General Hospital). The story centers on a deadly supernatural creature who escapes into the world after its keeper suddenly dies, killing indiscriminately while hunting for a new human to be its brother. It finally targets a young boy – the son of a widowed cop, played by McClintock. (The Futon Critic)

A sequel to the box office movie Mean Girls will be airing on the ABC Family Channel on January 23 at 8 PM. The movie stars Meaghan Martin (10 Things I Hate About You and Camp Rock 1 & 2), Maiara Walsh (Desperate Housewives and The Vampire Diaries), Jennifer Stone (Wizards of Waverly Place), Nicole Gale Anderson (Make It or Break It), Claire Holt (H20: Just Add Water) and Diego Boneta (Pretty Little Liars). The movie is about new girl Jo (Martin), who arrives at North Shore High School, with her main goal being to skate under the radar to survive her senior year and definitely not get involved in any of the typical high school trappings. But her plan goes awry quickly when she meets Abby (Stone), a girl stuck at the low end of the high school food chain and favorite target of “The Plastics” (Walsh, Holt and Anderson). After defending Abby against the queen bee of the school and lead Plastic, Mandi (Walsh), Jo is dragged into the very same girl drama she was hoping to avoid. T im Meadows returns as the school’s principal, Mr. Duvall. This sequel will be available on DVD on February 1. (The Futon Critic)

The Hallmark Channel movie Smooch – loosely based on the Brothers Grimm short story The Frog King – will air on February 5 at 9 PM. In this version, Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) plays Zoe, a young girl obsessed by fairytales and happy endings who is searching for the perfect man for her widowed mother Gwen (Kellie Martin). It is Zoe’s belief in a frog’s potential charm that compels her to abduct one from her middle school science class, carrying him to Golden Gate Park in a water-filled lunchbox where she intends to set him free. Having skipped class, Zoe is surprised to see another schoolmate at the park, and in her anxiety, accidentally loses her green friend into a pond. As she surveys the scene, a male monarch (Simon Kassianides) in full royal regalia and who was mugged the night before, appears in a dinghy. The dazed prince, sporting a goose egg on his head, has little memory of who he is or how he got into such a predicament. But he is in luck. Zoe knows precisely how this fairytale ends. (The Futon Critic)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

The search for a Smallville replacement continues: First with talk of a Blue Beetle TV project and now with the CW looking to one of the Teen Titans for a possible TV series in the form of the DC Comics character Raven, a half-demon also known as Rachel Roth, who has empathic abilities and divine secrets. But, nothing has been confirmed yet and the presumed project is still in the talking phase. (Variety and K-site TV)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Courtesy of Box Office Mojo, here are the top 10 movies from this past weekend:

1. Tangled, $21.5 million
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, $16.7 million
3. Burlesque, $6.1 million (tie)
3. Unstoppable, $6.1 million (tie)
5. Love and Other Drugs, $5.7 million
6. Megamind, $5 million
7. Due Date, $4.2 million
8. Faster, $3.8 million
9. The Warrior’s Way, $3.1 million
10. The Next Three Days, $2.7 million

Actor Irrfan Kahn (Slumdog Millionaire and The Namesake) is negotiating to take the role of Van Atter, a villain that no fan seems to be aware of in the Spider-Man universe. Meanwhile, Campbell Scott (Royal Pains) and Julianne Nicholson (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) will play Richard and Mary Parker, the parents of Peter Parker. Annie Parisse (Rubicon) is also negotiating to play Van Atter’s wife. But who is this unknown villain anyway? The theorgy is that Van Atter might be Proto-Goblin, a villain who only ever appeared in one Spider-Man comic book. (Heat Vision and First Showing)

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Roush at TV Guide)

Question: I was wondering if you’ve seen the new Game of Thrones trailer that aired before Boardwalk Empire. It looks like HBO is putting a lot of promotion into the series, but I’m wondering if TV audiences will give a fantasy show, even on HBO, a chance. The series isn’t fantasy in the Lord of the Rings style of high magic, magical races and so on, so I’m hopeful that many people who are turned off by classic fantasy tropes may give it a try. It seems like many people dismiss fantasy as a genre out of hand, which puzzles me, because isn’t True Blood a fantasy series? Vampires, werewolves and fairies aren’t exactly reality. Game of Thrones is a character-driven series with captivating characters, compelling story arcs with many twists and turns, and some fantastic acting talent including Sean Bean, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey and more. Do you think audiences will give it a chance? — Rob

Matt Roush: If the series is anywhere near as good as the books, I hope and trust the HBO faithful will check this out. Game of Thrones (and here I’m only talking about the source material, having seen nothing but the alluring trailers at this point) is no more a typical fantasy epic than Deadwood was a standard Western or Rome an everyday costume drama — or Sopranos, to bring up another story of families under siege, a clichéd mob drama. Even True Blood veers from many of the usual vampire cliches with its sexy Southern Gothic excesses and anything-goes supernatural framework. The HBO audience has been conditioned to expect something different, something more, in the channel’s various detours into classic genres, and I would doubt that a predisposition against fantasy would keep them from at least sampling it. The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter franchises appeal to all kinds of people, and if executed properly, this very adult saga should do the same. I know I can’t wait to see it.

Question: In reference to the recent passing of Stephen J. Cannell, who do you think should be the newest member of the writers-only poker game on Castle? My vote? Stephen King, of whom I am a HUGE fan, with Dean Koontz coming in a close second. With Castle and his Nikki Heat books, King and/or Koontz (BOTH!! Eeek!) would be perfect fits for the group! — Shelley

Matt Roush: I forwarded the gist of this question to ABC, and executive producer Andrew Marlowe responds: “We do plan to have another poker game after an appropriate amount of time has passed. We are aiming toward the end of season. No word yet on who else will be joining us. Would love to hear the fans’ suggestions.” So consider yourself heard. Personally, I’d like to see some action at the table from some of the great female crime writers: Laura Lippman, maybe, or Patricia Cornwell. But whenever they bring back the poker game, I’m sure they’ll pay due respect to the empty seat once held by one of TV’s great crime-drama visionaries. On another Castle note: To the person who asked if the 12th precinct is a nod to Barney Miller (sorry, I lost the original question), the answer is yes.

Question: I have loved your column for years — thanks for the great critiquing of our real “national pastime.” I was fortunate to buy a season pass to Luther, and my gosh, it did not disappoint. I read the criticism from across the pond that it had a bit of a “deus ex machina” quality to it or that it was silly and not realistic. I get that — it’s that critic’s opinion. But wasn’t Ruth Wilson amazing in one of the most chilling, most, dare I say, flirty roles written for a female psychopath? When she uttered “There is love in the world,” I gasped. It was just amazing work from a mesmerizing actress. Is there a chance she could be nominated for an Emmy or is the award just for American television? — John

Matt Roush: Thanks for those kind words. And for the opportunity to plug Luther one last time. Yes, the show was extreme in its plotting and twists, but Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson were mesmerizing, and I can’t wait to see how they continue the story next year. As for American-based awards, British actors and shows are eligible, if submitted, and since BBC America is already targeting the trades with “for your consideration” ads regarding Luther and its stars, you may just get your wish. The show may not be on many Emmy voters’ radar, though, so it could be a tough sell. (The Globes, being an international group, tend to be a little more welcoming to foreign product.)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Happy Friday to everyone! The news isn’t too voluminous, but there are some interesting items to share. Please read on:

TELEVISION

Actress Anna Chlumsky is set to co-star alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the HBO comedy pilot Veep, which centers on former Senator Selina Meyer (Louis-Dreyfus) who becomes Vice President. Chlumsky will play her responsible and insecure chief of staff Amy. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actress Kelly Rowan (The O.C.) has the lead role in the TNT drama pilot Perception, which centers on Dr. Geoffrey Pierce (Eric McCormack), an eccentric and brilliant university professor in neuropsychiatry who helps the FBI solve complex cases. Rowan will play Pierce’s best friend and intellectual equal. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

News broke today that NBC has dropped the episode order from 22 to 18 episodes for their new series Chase. The show is also being moved to Wednesday nights at 9 PM starting in January. (The Live Feed at The Hollywood Reporter and TVLatest.com)

Jeremy Irons will guest star on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, playing Dr. Cap Jackson, a sex therapist who runs a sex addition rehab clinic. The episode will air in early 2011. (The Futon Critic)

AMC will kick off a landmark marathon of Breaking Bad, featuring all 33 episodes of the series’ three season. Two back-to-back episodes will air every Wednesday night starting on December 8 through March 2011. (The Futon Critic)

TV SPOILERS – SPOILER ALERT!!

Want some juicy intel on upcoming episodes of Nikita?! Read on or skip to the next section if you don’t want to be spoiled:

SPOILER ALERT!!

Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) will finally get out of Division’s lair, allowing her and Nikita to work together on the outside. Alex will be in the real world with her own apartment, wardrobe and car. And, she will get a potential new love interest in the form of soap actor Thad Luckinbill, who will make his first appearance in the January 27 episode. Also, actor Brendan Fehr (Roswell and Bones) will show up in a February episode. Additionally, the location and origin of Nikita’s lair will be divulged and how she got all her money will be revealed. Plus, Nikita and Michael’s relationship will take another turn, bringing them closer in an unexpected way. (Tim Stack at Entertainment Weekly)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Ryan Phillippe is set to star in thriller Set Up that is to star Bruce Willis and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The story follows a group of friends caught in a diamond heist that turns deadly. Actress Jenna Dewan will co-star. (Buzz Sugar)

CONCERT UPDATE

Due to overwhelming popular demand, two more concert dates for the Glee Live! In Concert! have been arranged. The kids from Glee will now perform two additional concerts at the O2 arena in London on June 28 and 29. You can get tickets here or by phone at (800) 745-3000 or at any Ticketmaster Outlet. For more information, please visit here. (The Futon Critic)

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

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Hey All,

The news isn’t too voluminous today, but there are still some goods items to share:

TELEVISION

Actress Paula Marshall (Gary Unmarried) will guest star as Cuddy’s sister Lucinda in an upcoming January episode of House. (William Keck at TV Guide)

Actress Margo Martindale (Mercy, Dexter and The Riches) will have a recurring role in Justified as Mags Bennett, a towering figure in the Harlan County criminal world as she is the matriarch of the Bennett clan, who have had a Hatfield and McCoys-type relationship with Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) and his family for years. Season 2 is scheduled to premiere sometime in February. (Adam Bryant on TV Guide)

Showtime should be making an official announcement soon about Dexter being picked up for a 6th season. (Kristin at E! Entertainment Online)

The sci-fi series Primeval will not only return for its new season on New Year’s Day in the UK but here in the US via BBC America. It will air at 9 PM in both countries. The new season picks up approximately one year after the last season ended – Abby (Hannah Spearritt) and Connor (Andrew Lee Potts) finally escape from the Cretaceous period, only to be followed by a giant Spinosaurus, the largest of all known carnivorous dinosaurs. A new Anomaly Research Center (ARC) team springs into action, leaving Abby and Connor’s place within the team in jeopardy while their former leader Danny (Jason Flemyng) is still missing. The new ARC recruits are: Matt (CiaranMcMenamin), the new field leader, who’s more than just an ex-soldier. He’s a zoologist, with an uncanny ability to understand animals. A private man, Matt carefully guards the secrets of his past and the real reason he joined the team. Unconventional Jess (Ruth Kearney) now runs operations from the ARC Control Centre. S he is highly efficient and her work ethic is second to none, though she is human enough to nurse an unrequited crush on Captain Becker (Ben Mansfield). And Alexander Siddig as a charismatic scientist who is now a part owner of the now public/private partnership, which is also partly-owned by the government. Here is a trailer to get fans excited. (The Futon Critic)

The BBC is in talks about a fifth season of family fantasy drama series Merlin. A 4th season of 10 episodes has already been picked up and will air in 2011. (ATV Today and Dark Horizons)

AMC began production on another new series called The Killing, which tells the story of the murder of a young girl in Seattle and the subsequent police investigation. The series stars Mireille Enos (Big Love), Billy Campbell (Once and Again), Michelle Forbes (True Blood) and Brent Sexton (W. and In the Valley of Elah). There will be 13 one-hour episodes of this series, which is expected to air on the network in March of 2011. (The Futon Critic)

SNEAK PEEK AT DOCTOR WHO CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

9 brand-new Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol pics

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor Michael Urie (Ugly Betty) has been cast in a TBS pilot, Brain Trust, which is described as a comic detective series about a disgraced cop who turns to three “hyper-smart geniuses” from a think-tank to help him solve cases. Urie is one of the geniuses, and D.B. Sweeney is the detective. (Margaret Lyons at Entertainment Weekly)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song) will star in Broken Run, a political thriller to be directed by John Singleton. The story is set in Washington D.C., following a recovering alcoholic who becomes addicted to the thrill of stalking strangers and discovering that her new obsession is perhaps more dangerous than she originally thought. (The Wrap and First Showing)

Joel Edgerton (The Thing remake) and Teresa Palmer (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) will star in an Australian psychological drama called Say Nothing, which is the story of four friends who lose themselves in the fun of a carefree Southeast Asian holiday. However, a mystery unfolds after a fateful night when they were dancing under a full moon in Cambodia and one disappears. (The Hollywood Reporter and First Showing)

Emily Blunt has joined the growing list of celebrity cameos in the upcoming The Muppets movie that will star Jason Segel. (Heat Vision and First Showing)

Ben Foster (The Messenger) and Giovanni Ribisi (Avatar) will join Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale in the box office film Contraband, which is a remake of the Icelandic thriller that follows a security guard and former alcohol smuggler on the Iceland-Netherlands route who is tempted back into illicit business by a dubious friend after encountering financial problems. (Variety and First Showing)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Happy Over the Hump Day. Lots of news to share so let’s get right to it all:

TELEVISION

Actress Valerie Harper (from the classic series Rhoda) will be guest starring in an upcoming episode of Desperate Housewives as Susan’s Aunt Claire, who comes to visit her niece along with her sister, Susan’s spacey mom Sophie. Harper will appear in the second new episode of 2011. (William Keck at TV Guide)

The much-talked-about-since-Comic-Con prequel movie of Burn Notice that is to focus on Sam Axe (played by Bruce Campbell) will air on the USA Network sometime in the spring and will be directed by Burn Notice lead actor Jeffrey Donovan. The two-hour movie will center on Sam’s final 2005 mission with the Navy SEALs, which involved a group of Colombian rebels. (Kate Ward at Entertainment Weekly and Dark Horizons)

Casting is underway for a new series regular for Hawaii Five-0. This new character (who could male or female) is in his or her late 20s to early 30s, a wise-cracking, multilingual Asia expert recruited into the CIA right out of Harvard. The new addition also has a deep-rooted connection to McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin), having taken a bullet for him years ago. (Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

ME: Who would you like to see cast in this role?

Sad new: The Cartoon Network one-hour live-action drama Unnatural History has not been renewed by the network. (Daemon’s TV)

Actor Doug Hutchinson (who played Horace on Lost) will guest star in Lie To Me, playing Lane Bradley, whose rising career as a police detective comes to a screeching halt when his infant daughter is kidnapped. The episode will air later this season. (Movieline and Zap2It)

Two more actors have joined the cast of the J.J. Abrams time-warped Alcatraz pilot for FOX. Jonathan Coyne (Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life) will play the infamous prison’s warden and Jason Butler Harner will portray his cruel lieutenant. (Jeff Labrecque at Entertainment Weekly)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

ABC is developing a couple of music-themed series for next fall, including a drama with musical elements from writer Bob Kushell (Samantha Who?) that would star Tony winner Idina Menzel AND a musical comedy from Robert Horn, who wrote the High School Musical-spinoff Sharpay Fabulous and The Suite Life: The Movie. The drama with Menzel would be an hour-long project about a mother-daughter relationship in the vein of Gilmore Girls. Menzel would be a single mother with a teenager who, to make ends meet, waits tables and performs at weddings and bar mitzvahs. Meanwhile, the as-yet-untitled Horn project is described as a half-hour female-driven musical comedy. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Shonda Rhimes (the creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice) is creating a new series for ABC set in the world of public relations crisis management; based on the career of legendary public relations consultant Judy Smith, who worked with Bill Clinton, Michael Vick and New York Governor David Paterson. Not much more is known about the project other than it is being developed for the 2011-12 season. (Vulture and Zap2It)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Luximation Films is set to produce an animated feature adaptation of the graphic novel The Clockwork Girl, which is the first in a series about the coming of age tale about a young robot girl named Tesla and a young monster boy named Huxley who set out to save their world from destruction. Alexa Vega and Jesse McCartney will voice the two characters. Joining them are Carrie-Anne Moss, Brad Garrett and Jeffrey Tambor as Wilhelm. (Dark Horizons)

Ray Wise (Reaper and Twin Peaks) has landed a role in the box office movie X-Men: First Class, playing the Secretary of State of the United States. (First Showing)

Jackie Earle Haley (Human Target), Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars), Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass) and Bailee Madison (Just Go with It) will star in the independent black comedy called Dance of the Mirlitons, which follows an ambitious, slightly overweight ballerina (Madison) with an overbearing mother (Bell) who will stop at nothing to become a star. The girl enters a catty clique-type environment when she has to prove her worth in class and face-off against the star ballerina (Moretz) who becomes her school nemesis. Meanwhile, Haley will likely be bringing laughs as a subtly sadistic Russian ballet teacher of the highest order. (The Hollywood Reporter and First Showing)

Paul Giamatti is in negotiations to possibly star in the box office movie Cosmopolis, which is an adaptation of the Don DeLillo book of the same name. The story follows 24 hours in the life of a newly married billionaire (Colin Farrell) as he cheats on his wife (Marion Cotillard), is pursued by a stalker, gets attacked by a protester and gradually loses his entire fortune over the course of a single day. (The Playlist and First Showing)

Angela Bassett has joined the cast of the action comedy film This Means War, which stars Chris Pine and Tom Hardy as two retired spies who battle with one another after they fall in love with the same woman (Reese Witherspoon). Bassett will play both of the spies’ boss who has dedicated her entire life to the spy business and has no life outside the CIA. (Variety and First Showing)

Director Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) is in early negotiations to direct the movie called Maze Runners. The movie will be based on the first book in the young adult sci-fi trilogy by James Dashner. The story follows a boy named Thomas who wakes up in a strange place called the Glade with no memory aside from his first name. The Glade is an enclosed structure populated by other boys, and is surrounded by tall, stone walls that protect them from monsters called Grievers that live in the Maze, which surrounds the walls around the Glade. Every day, some of the kids who are Runners venture into the labyrinth trying to map the ever-changing pattern of walls in an attempt to find an exit. As soon as Thomas arrives, unusual things begin to happen and the others grow suspicious of him. The Maze seems familiar to Thomas, but he’s unable to make sense of the place despite his extraordinary abilities as a Runner. When the first girl arrives in the Glade, she brings a message that she will be the last one to ever arrive in the Glade, as the end is near. (The Wrap)

Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine and There Will Be Blood) has joined the cast of the movie Looper, which also stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt. The film follows a group of hitmen (called Loopers) in the present-day who are sent their targets from the future. Dano will play a character named Seth who is one of the Loopers. (Variety and First Showing)

The family friendly franchise from the 80’s – Benji – is being considered for a big screen relaunch, but there doesn’t seem to be any other specifics available at this time. (First Showing)

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

Question: Got anything good on Hawaii Five-0? — Peter

ADAM: I was just saying to myself last week, Daniel Dae Kim’s Chin Ho needs more to do than play computer jockey back at HQ. (Granted, they’re very cool computers, but still.) Looks like someone heard me because in an upcoming episode, we will meet Chin’s ex-fiancée, a beautiful doctor who helps solve one of the team’s cases by identifying a dead body. Naturally, the couple has lots of unfinished business, which might be why the good doctor still wears Chin’s engagement ring around her neck.

UPDATE: According to Michael Ausiello, it looks like actress Reiko Aylesworth (who played Dharma Initiative member Amy on Lost) will play the potentially recurring role of Malia, the ex-fiancé of Chin Ho.

Question: What is the deal with Delko and Calleigh on CSI: Miami? What’s the status of their relationship? — Tanesha

ADAM: For the immediate future, they will be more friends than lovers. “Delko having to do things behind his colleagues’ back kind of threw a wrench into the works as far as their relationship goes,” co-executive producer Marc Dube tells us. “There’s been a bit of an agreed backing-off on both sides. It’s something that will be revisited, but right now it’s more of a brother-sister relationship. They love each other very much. Will it spike again? Probably, but they’re taking a little break from the intensity.”

Question: Are there any more superheroes showing up on No Ordinary Family? — Emily

NATALIE: No, but there is a supervillain coming. My Name is Earl’s Ethan Suplee has been cast as Tom Seeley, an ex-con who finds himself out of jail and imbued with superpowers. But there’s a catch: He has no memories, including how he escaped from prison. Who else thinks Dr. King (Stephen Collins) is behind this?

Question: When are we going to see the Triple Killer again on Castle? — Ellie

ADAM: He most likely won’t appear until the latter part of the season, but his presence may be felt sooner. “There are ways to deal with the storytelling where you’re not necessarily confronting the character head-on,” creator Andrew W. Marlowe tells us. “It’s possible his character ends up being a puppetmaster.” In whatever form he takes, look for 3XK’s continued freedom to haunt Castle. “Castle feels a responsibility that this guy is out there,” Marlowe says. “If he’d just been a little bit smarter … then whatever might happen in the future wouldn’t have happened. Castle is going to feel that burden.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Happy Tuesday, folks. Quite a bit of news to share with all of you so let’s get started, shall we?:

TELEVISION

Actress Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse and Buffy, the Vampire Slayer) has landed a leading role in a new pilot for TNT called Bird Dog. The central premise of the series focuses on police officer Gail McGrath (Dushku), who trailed her father into the world of law enforcement – the only mutual interest she shared with her estranged old man. With time, McGrath would leave the big
city she once called home in order to settle out West. A piece of home, however, soon finds McGrath as her father turns up at her house to announce that he is her new partner. (Screen Rant)

Dan Aykroyd has signed on to appear in two episodes of The Defenders, playing a judge needing help. The episodes are slated to air early next year. (Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

The new ABC Dana Delany drama Body of Proof has finally been given a premiere date: Tuesday, March 29 at 10 PM, following the end of the 18-episode run of the new series Detroit 1-8-7. The series follows Dr. Megan Hunt (Delany), a brilliant neurosurgeon whose world is turned upside down when an accident puts an end to her time in the operating room. In her new career as a Medical Examiner, she is determined to solve the puzzle of who or what has killed the victims. Along the way, Megan finds that their lives and the lessons they hold can be applied to her own personal journey of redemption and forgiveness. The series also stars Jeri Ryan, John Carroll Lynch, Nicholas Bishop, Sonja Sohn, Geoffrey Arend and Windell D. Middlebrooks. (The Futon Critic)

FX has announced a debut date for its new original series Lights Out: Tuesday January 11 at 10 PM. The series stars Holt McCallany (CSI: Miami) as Patrick ‘Lights’ Leary, an aging former heavyweight boxing champion who struggles to find his identity and support his wife and three daughters after retiring from the ring. The financial downturn coupled with a series of failed investments leave him at a perilous crossroads, battling the urge to return to boxing or reluctantly accepting a job as a brutal and intimidating debt collector. Catherine McCormack, Pablo Schreiber and Stacy Keach co-star. FX has ordered 13 episodes of Lights Out. (The Futon Critic)

ARTICLES ABOUT TV

Sources: Vampire Diaries “Companion” Series Is in the Works

‘The Vampire Diaries’: Six teasers from executive producer Julie Plec

‘Greek’ exclusive First Look: The new season goes ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

J.J. Abrams has found his new TV leading lady: Sarah Jones will join the ranks of Jennifer Garner, Keri Russell, Evangeline Lily, Anna Torv and Gugu Mbatha-Raw in the FOX pilot Alcatraz, which revolves around the reappearance of a group of Alcatraz prisoners and guards, who mysteriously went missing 30 years ago, and the team of FBI agents picked to solve the mystery. Jones will play Rebecca Madsen, a smart, thoughtful and a little obsessive police officer. Jones has appeared in Sons of Anarchy and Justified as well as guest starring stints on Ugly Betty, Big Love, and House. The project is in contention for a slot on the 2011-2012 Fall TV Schedule for FOX. (Deadline and TV Overmind)

WEB SERIES

Warner Premiere and Dolphin Entertainment announced casting for their forthcoming multi-platform teen action series called Aim High that will star Jackson Rathbone (the Twilight franchise) as teenage government operative Nick Green. He will be joined by Aimee Teegarden (Friday Night Lights), who stars as Nick’s charming love interest Amanda Miles. MCG is one of the producers. The web series will also stars Rebecca Mader (Lost) as Nick’s sultry science teacher Ms. Walker, Johnny Pemberton (Megadrive) as the well-connected best friend Marcus, Clancy Brown (Highlander) as Russian mercenary Boris the Bear, Jonathan McDaniel (That’s So Raven) as Amanda’s jealous boyfriend and swim team captain Derek Long, and Greg Germann (Ally McBeal) as the protective Vice Principal Ockenhocker. Aim High is the story of a young man leading a double life, juggling his studies by day and serving as a government agent by night. The series chronicles the life of Nick Green, a junior who’s just starting a new school year as one of the country’s 64 highly trained teenage operatives. When he’s not handling international spies, Nick is dreaming of Amanda Miles, the most popular girl in school who’s cool, intelligent and very alluring. Amanda mercilessly flirts with Nick, but before he can enjoy her advances he has to avoid Derek her overly protective boyfriend who threatens him for even looking at her. (Coming Soon)

AWARD WINNERS

Here is a list of winners from the 2010 Gotham Awards courtesy of E! Entertainment Online:

Best Feature: Winter’s Bone
Ensemble Performance: Winter’s Bone
Breakthrough Actor: Ronald Bronstein, Daddy Longlegs
Breatkthrough Director: Kevin Asch, Holy Rollers
Documentary: The Oath
Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You: Littlerock
Festival Genius Award: Waiting for Superman

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Tom Hanks has joined the cast of the forthcoming movie Triple Frontier, which is the next movie to be done by Oscar Best Director winner Kathryn Bigelow, which is an ensemble picture set in the notorious border zone between Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil where the Igazu and Parana rivers converge, making “la triple frontera” difficult to monitor and a haven for organized crime. (Coming Soon)

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

Question from Ben: Any idea what we’ll see NBC’s new shows Friends with Benefits or Love Bites? They weren’t on the January lineup.

Kristin: Fret not, tubers. Both shows will see the light of day. There just wasn’t enough room on NBC’s winter docket to include all of their new goodies, but Friends with Benefits and Love Bites are both in production with tons of episodes already in the can. So we’ll just have to wait a teensy bit longer to see our favorites Becki Newton, Ryan Hansen and Greg Grunberg back on the small screen. Fact: It’s totally worth it.

Question from Portia: Any chance that Terriers will get a second season?

Kristin: A second round of Terriers is pretty unlikely—the ratings are terrible but we’re whole-heartedly pulling for it. The Terriers season finale, which airs Wednesday, introduces a great new villain—a fellow we have long loved around WWK HQ and whom we generally call “the world’s hottest albino.” (Hint: He was on Desperate Housewives.) We’re crossing our fingers that Donal Logue, Michael Raymond-James and aforementioned gorgeous albino make it back for season two.

Question from Sandra: Glee, please! Is there any hope for Will and Emma?

Kristin: And how! It’s too early to talk about it yet, but I can tell you that at least one squee-worthy moment is in the works for an upcoming episode. Anyone else missing Finn and Rachel and Will and Emma the past few episodes?

Question from @redsoxnation80 via Twitter: something…anything…PRETTY LITTLE LIARS!!

Kristin: This looong Pretty Little Liars hiatus is like being tortured by “A”, right? We’ve got some clues about the return episode (“Moments Later,” airing Jan. 3) to tide you over (or torment you more): Someone receives a surprise kiss, another girl reveals a huge secret…and “A” visits Hanna in the hospital. Gah! No wonder star Ashley Benson told us, “I think Hanna is going to have a breakdown” when we visited the PLL set last month.

Question from Lily: Any hope of a Julie-Matt reunion before the end of Friday Night Lights?

Kristin: We can’t promise anything, but we have a good feeling…Our boy Matt does get a mention in Wednesday’s episode of FNL—it seems Julie’s not completely over him yet. Sadly, Julie’s devotion to good boy Saracen doesn’t keep her from canoodling with a teacher’s assistant at her school, and finding out in the most embarrassing way possible that that’s not a good idea. (Sidenote: Because we wholeheartedly love FNL we won’t mention how every show out there seems to be doing the student/teacher fling thing lately. You’re welcome, Jason Katims.)

Question from Marlnie: How about something good on The Vampire Diaries?

Kristin: This Thursday’s episode (yes, it is back this week!) is not one to be missed. (Dear Kevin and Julie and the powers that be, thank you for not succumbing to the almighty sophomore slump like some other series we know.) The episode is Tyler and Caroline-centric…they are hitting a cave. So romantic! And there is also a full moon coming, which Michael Trevino (Tyler) promises will be a “scary ordeal.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Did everyone survive the long holiday weekend? Hope so and I hope you all had a great holiday and enjoyed the weekend. But now, it’s back to reality and here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

It looks like Jane Badler isn’t the only original star from the original V series appearing on the new reboot. Marc Singer, who played freedom fighter Mike Donovan in the original, will play a new character named Lars Tremont, who is a member of a super top secret organization comprised of high-ranking military and government leaders from around the globe, who have long suspected that the Visitors — despite what they tell us — are very much not here in peace. Jane Badler will make her debut in the January 4 season premiere, while Marc will pop up in episode 10, which is also the second season finale. Badler and Singer will not share any screen time together, though. (William Keck at TV Guide)

Michael Weatherly will pull double duty later this season on NCIS, as he makes his directorial debut. He expects to go behind the camera for an episode filming in January, but no other details about the episode are immediately available. (Adam Bryant at TV Guide)

James Franco and Anne Hathaway as hosts of the 2011 Academy Awards? Yes, according to Deadline (and every outlet on the map since the broke the news this morning) have signed on to host the Oscars. (Deadline and Fancast)

Kristoffer Polaha has signed a talent holding deal with CBS, which pretty much puts the final nail into the coffin that was Life Unexpected. See here for more details. (The TV Addict and Deadline)

It was only a matter of time until this happened. Actress-singer AJ Michalka (who recently starred in the movie Secretariat as Diane Lane’s daughter) will make her debut on her sister Aly’s CW series Hellcats. She will guest star as a girl who works at a record store near Lancer University. AJ is expected to appear in several episodes but which episodes those will be have not yet been confirmed. (Zap2It)

ARTICLES/VIDEOS ABOUT TV

Primeval to Return

‘Being Erica’: SoapNet’s Season 3 Promos Are Here!

CONDOLENCES

Legendary actor Leslie Nielsen passed away Sunday afternoon due to complications from pneumonia. He was 84 years old. (E! Entertainment Online)

ME: Condolences are extended to his family, friends and fans. Moment of silence, please…

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE NEWS

Luke Perry and Jason Priestley (from the original Beverly Hills 90210) will reunite for the Hallmark Movie Channel film Goodnight For Justice, which is slated to debut on January 29 at 8 PM. Perry is Executive Producer and lead star of the film whose character Judge John Goodnight, a Circuit Judge, renders justice with a perfect persuasion of eloquence and deadly aim. Priestley directs the film. Here is a more broad description of the film:

In a stagecoach, a young boy creates an eidetic memory of his childhood, each sight and sound of all the days of his life recalled with stunning accuracy: Waiting outside a General Store; a candy barrel filled with peppermints; his mother and father, defeated, but still proud, hold hands as they talk about giving up the hardscrabble land they tried to call home and the excitement of new beginnings back East; an eloquent Circuit Judge, Aldous Shaw, and his elegantly-dressed wife offer solace to the Goodnight family; the judge’s six-gun and rich leather holster gleam in the sun; the slow hum of good conversation mixed with hoofbeats; out of nowhere, noise, confusion, a brilliant flash; six masked outlaws surround the coach; gunfire explodes without cessation; horses flail; Judge Shaw is felled by a pearl-handled knife; carriage overturns with deadly force; bullets fly; all are lost, except the boy and the Judge’s wife who will become his surrogate mother. The boy who hid in weeds to save his own life is now a man who walks with grandeur and purpose. He is, a Circuit Judge, hell-bent on justice. (The Futon Critic)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the top 10 movies for the past holiday weekend according to Exhibitor Relations:

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, $50.3 million
2. Tangled, $49.1 million
3. Megamind, $12.9 million
4. Burlesque, $11.8 million
5. Unstoppable, $11.75 million
6. Love and Other Drugs, $9.9 million
7. Faster, $8.7 million
8. Due Date, $7.3 million
9. The Next Three Days, $4.8 million
10. Morning Glory, $4 million

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Roush at TV Guide)

Question: Please tell me that Luther’s six-episode arc on BBC America was a success and that we will be treated to a subsequent series. I can’t believe they will leave us hanging, after that wonderful season finale. Of course, this cliffhanger seems to leave the door open for more. What will happen to Luther? Will they try to pin the latest shooting (Ian Reed) on him? Will the brilliant but disturbed Alice Morgan character continue to help Luther or disappear to leave him with no alibi? Too bad Indira Varma’s character of Zoe was killed off. (A necessity as she is also now starring on Human Target?) Such interesting, eccentric characters with enough twists to keep the audience interested. The only show other than HBO’s offerings (and Mad Men) that is truly worthy on Sunday night. Six episodes are not enough! — Pam

Matt Roush: Have there ever been better last words than Luther declaring “Now what?!?” as that intense finale came crashing down around him? Sensational stuff. The good news is that the story of Luther will continue next year with two two-hour movies. Now we just have to wait for BBC America to schedule it. Perhaps easier said than done, given how far the channel has moved away from crime-drama programming — which is a pity, given how good the British are at making them (though they tend to fall short of the ratings BBCA gets with sci-fi/fantasy and reality).

That’s it. Enjoy!

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As usual, at this time of year, there was a lot of football on TV yesterday. There was also the pre-requisite news programs, reality and animation on FOX. What was left to watch were repeats and a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. Here is how those fared in the overall ratings:

9 PM Shows:
Desperate Housewives (ABC) [repeat] – 4.3 million
November Christmas (CBS) [Hallmark Hall of Fame movie] – 13 million

10 PM Show:
Brothers & Sisters (ABC) [repeat] – 3.3 million

What did you watch last night? Please share.

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Hey All,

How is everyone doing this day before Thanksgiving? I hope everyone is well and that you’re all prepared for the big day.

To get you up-to-date on the news before the big holiday weekend, here are the items I found today:

TELEVISION

Actress Jenny Gago (24, The Closer, Lost and The West Wing) has joined the cast of the TNT series Southland, recurring as Detective Josie Ochoa, a take-charge investigator partnered with Detective Lydia Adams (Regina King). She’s been shot in the line of duty and is a tough mother of several sons. Josie’s Latina culture gives her a unique perspective on cases that changes the way Lydia thinks about her work. The series will be back with new episodes starting on January 4 at 10 PM. (Adam Bryant at TV Guide)

The annual holiday episode of Psych will air on the USA Network on December 15 at 10 PM. The episode is called “The Polarizing Express” and is described as:

Shawn’s (James Roday) antics cause evidence to be thrown out in the high profile prosecution of a known crime lord named Czarsky, resulting in the dismissal of the entire case and the firings of not only the Psych agency but also of Henry as their liaison. After Henry wonders to Shawn what life would have been like in Santa Barbara if he had never returned, Shawn travels through a series of dreams which answer that question and aid him in discovering a new way to bust Czarsky for good. The episode includes guest stars Tony Cox and Keshia Knight Pulliam. The USA Network will also run a full 24-hour marathon of episodes of House on December 31, starting at 6 AM. Mark your calendars. (The Futon Critic)

Actress Helen Slater (Supergirl herself – and who has also been seen in Smallville and Greek) has been cast as an upper-crust mom in the ABC Family pilot called The Lying Game. She will play Kristen Mercer, the wealthy adopted mother of a teen girl named Sutton. The pilot is based on the book by author Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars). The story revolves around Sutton and her long-lost twin, Emma, reuniting to find their birth mother — until Sutton goes mysteriously missing. (Jennifer Armstrong at Entertainment Weekly)

NOTE: I wonder if this role will, in any way, conflict with Helen’s recurring role in the Teen Nick series Gigantic. Hmmm??

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor William Sadler (best known for his role in Roswell, but also seen in the pilot of the Hawaii Five-O reboot, starring as McGarrett’s dad) has joined the cast of the new box office movie Man on a Ledge that stars Edward Norton and Sam Worthington. The film tells of an ex-cop turned con who threatens to jump to his death from a Manhattan hotel rooftop. The NYPD dispatch a female police psychologist to talk him down. However, unbeknownst to the police on the scene, the suicide attempt is a cover for the biggest diamond heist ever pulled. The film also stars Elizabeth Banks, Ed Harris, Jamie Bell, Edward Burns and Kyra Sedgwick. (Movie Hole)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

CSI creator Anthony Zuiker is heading out of the crime lab and into the Wild West for his next project. The writer and producer is developing a modern-day Western crime drama, Desperado, for CBS. Not unlike FX’s Justified, Desperado will blend modern crimes with outlaw justice, focusing on a group of San Antonio policemen who clean up the streets cowboy-style. (Joyce Eng at TV Guide)

NOTE: I wonder if this project is being done in an attempt to compete against the proposed Wild, Wild West reboot for which uber-producer Ron Moore (the man behind Battlestar Galactica and Caprica) is to be working on. But, maybe that’s just me…

Additionally, CBS is also developing a legal drama called Knife Fight, which based on a short story by crime novelist Joel Goldman that revolves around a female public defender who becomes a prosecutor in order to pursue the truth. (Mandi Bierly at Entertainment Weekly)

Actress Andie MacDowell (Groundhog Day) has been as the character Grey in the ABC Family drama pilot What Would Jane Do, which follows Jane (to be played by The Lake‘s Erica Dasher), a 16-year-old who goes to work for a cutting edge fashion company after the people there mistake her for an adult. MacDowell’s Grey is the hard-nosed, tough-as-nails boss that Jane goes to work for. (Tanner Stransky at Entertainment Weekly)

Q&A SECTION (with Adam at TV Guide)

Question: I am dying for some Vampire Diaries scoop. Can you help? — Valerie

ADAM: Klaus is comin’ to town. The oft-mentioned member of the Originals is described as handsome, charming, and 1,000 years old. We sense a Klaus-Damon snark-off coming. Klaus’ immediate plans will involve Alaric, whom Klaus *SPOILER ALERT* will force to work for him when he kidnaps and feasts on Jenna. (Can’t that girl ever catch a break?)

Question: Got any new details on NCIS? — Bradley

ADAM: Thomas Calabro has one of the hardest-working agents in town: The former Melrose Place star, who recently signed on to play a murder suspect on Castle, will also appear in a January episode of NCIS. He’ll play Sam Feeney, a charismatic businessman who runs a high-end billiards club. A former military officer, he’s also tough enough to deal with unruly regulars when they get out of hand.

Question: When are we going to get some more Castle-Beckett goodness on Castle? — Samantha

ADAM: After the winter break, you’re definitely going to see the duo go at it — just not in the way you might want. When one of Castle’s old friends from prep school is suspected in his wife’s murder, Castle and Beckett’s friendly partnership is put to the test. “Beckett is convinced that Castle’s friend is guilty of this crime, and Castle, who’s known this guy and really looked up to him, can’t conceive that he was the murderer,” creator Andrew W. Marlowe tells us. “We uncover some secrets about the guy’s past and challenge Castle’s point of view, but you get to see Beckett and Castle on completely opposite sides of an investigation.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Is everyone getting excited for Thanksgiving? I know I actually am (for once), but I think that might have to do more with the long weekend than anything else.

Anyway, here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Mariana Klaveno (best known as Lorena on True Blood) will guest star in the upcoming spinoff Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. She will play Veronica, a spotlight-hungry hell raiser who excels at manipulating the opposite sex. (Michael Ausiello)

FOX is actually going to air the remaining episodes of their new comedy Running Wilde after all. Fans can see them on Sunday nights this December.

Here is the schedule for those episodes:
Episode 7 – Tuesday, November 30 at 9:30 PM
Episode 8 – Tuesday, December 7 at 9:30 PM
Episode 9 – Sunday, December 12 at 7:00 PM
Episode 10 – Sunday, December 19 at 7:00 PM
Episode 11 – Sunday, December 26 at 9:30 PM
Episodes 12 & 13 – Tuesday, December 28 at 9:00 PM

As previously reported, repeats of the comedy will continue in the network’s Saturday, midnight/11:00c slot for the foreseeable future. (The Futon Critic)

Thomas Calabro (the original Melrose Place) will guest star on an upcoming episode of Castle, playing Scott Donner, a client of a Millionaire Matchmaker type who sets up wealthy men with beautiful women. Donner becomes a murder suspect when the matchmaker turns up dead. This episode also features guest star Laura Prepon (That 70’s Show). (Adam Bryant at TV Guide)

Eric Mabius (Ugly Betty) has been cast in an upcoming episode of the NBC drama Chase where he will Justin Tate, a cop-turned-fugitive who uses his law enforcement know-how to lure innocent prey. He’s also the first fugitive clever enough to elude the U.S. marshals. This episode will air in January. Chase will begin airing on Wednesdays starting January 12 as part of the network’s new mid-season schedule. (Lynette Rice at Entertainment Weekly)

NBC will air two more episodes of Undercovers on December 22 and 29 both at 8 PM. The will episodes 10 and 11 out of the original 13 episode order the series received. The next new airing of the show will be on December 1 at 8 PM. (The Futon Critic)

Michael J. Fox will reprise his guest starring role on an upcoming episode of The Good Wife, playing Louis Canning, a shrewd, cynical litigator who last faced Alicia (Julianna Margulies) when he represented a large pharmaceutical firm. The episode is set to air in early 2011. (The Futon Critic)

Not only has actress Jessica Tuck been made a regular on True Blood (for its upcoming fourth season), but also actress Janina Gavankar (The Gates) will be a regular. Meanwhile, actresses Alexandra Breckenridge (Life Unexpected) and relative newcomer Vedette Lim will have recurring parts in the new season. (Deadline)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings franchise) has joined the cast of the project Locke and Key, yet another comic adaptation. Otto would play the mother of three children who move into a New England mansion filled with fantastic doors that transform those who walk through them, and a malevolent creature bent on opening one particular door. (Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Director Gore Verbinski has been brought on to helm the Disney movie The Lone Ranger that will find Johnny Depp playing Tonto. There is no word yet on who portray the Lone Ranger, though. No release date has been set either. (Deadline and The Wrap)

Q&A SECTION (with Kristin from E! Entertainment Online)

Question: @jillkorte (via Twitter): Vampire Diaries!!!

Kristin: David Boreanaz is guest starring on The Vampire Diaries! OK, not really, but they are adding a character named Angel—only in this case Angel is a lady TV reporter who gets her flirt on with Damon Salvatore after she comes town to cover a “drug-related” bloodbath. Oh, and speaking of new characters, we can expect to first meet über-vamp Klaus in episode 16, which will probably air during February sweeps.

Question: Hanah: What happened to Pretty Little Liars? Is the show coming back soon?

Kristin: Pretty Little Liars returns Monday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m., and it is better than ever. In fact, we’ll find out who “A” is…well, who Hannah thinks “A” is anyway. (We doubt it’s true. Seems more like a jealous lover to us…) Plus, one couple gets married, one couple reevaluates their relationship and one (potential) couple is born.

Question: @seggler: What’s the deal with Lux and Eric? Any updates on their relationship?

Kristin: Ooh, things are getting juicy for Life Unexpected’s star-crossed lovers. According to our sources, Lux (Britt Robertson) and Eric’s (Shaun Sipos) relationship takes a big turn in the next few episodes for two reasons. (1) More secrets about Lux’s past will come to light, which affect the student-teacher relations, and (2) Sam (Landon Liboiron) knows their secret and is holding it over Lux’s head, causing things to come to a, um, head.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Happy Week of Thanksgiving!! Is everyone getting ready for the big day and the much-anticipated long weekend? I know I am.

In the meantime, let’s get right into the news for today as I found some pretty interesting items:

TELEVISION

FOX has confirmed it will not be ordering more episodes of The Good Guys or Running Wilde. The official line is neither show has been canceled, nor have they been renewed. Take that for what it is. The Good Guys will end on December 10. (TV by the Numbers)

The Syfy version of the BBC hit series Being Human has been given a premiere date: January 17 at 9 PM. The US version is much like the original: three paranormal roommates, one a vampire Aidan (Sam Witwer), one a ghost Sally (Meaghan Rath) and one a werewolf Josh (Sam Huntington) – who share their secrets and a Boston brownstone. Together they try their best to be human while navigating the complexities of living double lives. Mark Pellegrino (Lost) co-stars as Bishop, Aidan’s charismatic but menacing vampire mentor. (The Futon Critic)

Legendary actress Olympia Dukakis has been cast as an attorney on Law & Order: SVU where she will play Debby Marsh, an attorney hired to represent the son of guest star Drea de Matteo. The episode will air on January 5 at 9 PM on NBC. (William Keck at TV Guide)

Being Erica fans rejoice! SoapNet has finally set the premiere date for season 3 of the popular Canadian series. Set your DVR’s for January 26 at 11 PM. (Jennifer Armstrong at Entertainment Weekly)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Executive producer Carlton Cuse (Lost) has teamed with director Randall Wallace for a Civil War-set drama at ABC. Little is known about the project, though. (Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

Jorge Garcia (Lost) has joined the J.J. Abrams FOX drama pilot Alcatraz, which centers on a group of missing Alcatraz prisoners and guards who reappear in the present day. It is to chronicle the efforts of a team of FBI agents to track them down and unravel the mystery behind their disappearance thirty years prior. Garcia will play the hippy geek Dr. Diego Soto, the world’s foremost expert on Alcatraz. (Deadline)

MADE FOR TV MOVIES

Syfy has announced their upcoming made-for-TV movies for mid-season, including the following (via The Futon Critic):

Behemoth – Scientists discover a giant creature under the Earth that is wrapped around the entire planet. When the creature wakes all grumpy, it causes worldwide destruction. The movie stars Ed Quinn (Eureka) and will debut on January 15 at 9 PM.

Mega Python Vs Gatoroid – Debbie Gibson and Tiffany (yes, the former 80’s singing stars) will co-star in this about set in the Florida Everglades where giant pythons are threatening the alligator population. Gibson portrays a fanatical animal rights advocate who frees illegally imported exotic snakes from pet stores, while Tiffany plays an over-zealous park ranger worried about the growing ecological damage. The movie premieres on January 29 at 9 PM.

Metal Monster (working title) – Alien bacteria arrives on a meteorite and infects metal, animating a giant iron statue that goes on a killing rampage in a small town. The movie stars Kavan Smith (Stargate Atlantis and Eureka), Chris Gauthier (Eureka and Sanctuary), Nicole DeBoer (The Dead Zone), Paul McGillion (Stargate Atlantis) and Donnelly Rhodes (Battlestar Galactica). A premiere date has yet to be set.

Sinbad and the Minotaur – In this re-imagining of Greek and Arabic folk tales, starring Manu Bennett (Spartacus: Blood and Sand), the legendary voyager and his hearty crew of sailors and adventurers seek a long lost treasure. A premiere date has yet to be set.

Scream of the Banshee – The movie stars Lauren Holly (NCIS) as an archeology professor who unearths a dangerous artifact, unwittingly releasing a creature that is able to kill with the power of its bone-splitting scream. Lance Henriksen (Aliens) co-stars. A premiere date has yet to be set.

51 – The film chronicles what happens after political pressure from the American public forces the Air Force to provide a few well-known reporters with limited access to the most secretive base on the planet: Area 51. When one of the base’s hidden “long term visitors” exploits this unprecedented visit as a chance to liberate himself and his fellow alien captives, Area 51 turns from a secure government base to a horrifying destination of terror. The movie is a production of After Dark Films. Stars Jason London (Monsterwolf), Bruce Boxleitner (Scarecrow and Mrs. King and Tron) and Rachel Miner (Supernatural).

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Chris Zylka (10 Things I Hate About You – the TV series) is set to play Eugene “Flash” Thompson, Peter Parker’s bullying high school nemesis, in the upcoming Spider-Man reboot. (Comic Book Movie and Dark Horizons)

Here is the top 10 movies in the box office for the past weekend courtesy of Exhibitor Relations:

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, $125.1 million
2. Megamind, $16.2 million
3. Unstoppable, $13.1 million
4. Due Date, $9.2 million
5. The Next Three Days, $6.8 million
6. Morning Glory, $5.2 million
7. Skyline, $3.4 million
8. Red, $2.5 million
9. For Colored Girls, $2.4 million
10. Fair Game, $1.5 million

BOX OFFICE MOVIE ARTICLES

Disney Animation is closing the book on fairy tales

Joss who? Meet the writer of the new ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ film

NOTE: It’s amazing how many fans are 1) upset by the title of the above article and 2) even more upset that Warner Bros. would try to reboot the franchise. Me, personally, I think it’s awesome that a woman has been brought in to write it, but that’s about as far as my enthusiasm goes (for right now).

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Must Watch: First Official Trailer for Duncan Jones’ ‘Source Code’!

AWARD WINNERS

Congrats to the winners of the American Music Awards that was announced last night. Here are just some of the winners (some of whom I simply cannot name because it is too farcical to believe they even won): Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum, Michael Bublé, Muse, and Glee (The Music, Volume 3—Showstoppers). (Zap2It)

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Roush at TV Guide)

Question: Do you think moving Fringe to Friday nights indicates that Fox wants to give the show a chance and is willing to accept lower numbers on a Friday than on a Thursday? Can Friday night truly become a place for more genre type shows? After all, The X-Files started on Fox on Friday nights more than 15 years ago. Or is Fox simply using it as a dumping ground recognizing that both Sarah Connor and Dollhouse failed there? Can’t there be a place on network TV for those of us more into science fiction rather than crime shows? — Faye

Matt Roush: Kind of hard to put a positive spin on this move, since this is the last place a fan of Fringe wants to see it end up on Fox’s lineup. In Fringe’s favor, this series is more established than many of the shows that Fox has hung out to dry in the Friday graveyard in recent years. And as you suggest, the expectations will be lower than on other nights, and if Fringe can hold on to much of its Thursday audience when it moves to Fridays in late January (following Kitchen Nightmares, not the most compatible lead-in), that could be seen as a win. But this move is hardly a sign of confidence in a show that took a big risk this season with its alternating split-universe structure. To answer your rhetorical question about the future of sci-fi on network TV: It’s always a risk, but there should be a place on the schedule of an adventurous network like Fox for cult TV with strong media buzz and loyal (if relatively modest in size) fan support.

Question: Is there anything you can do to get Terriers a second season? I love the show so much, and it’s one of the few new shows this year—or maybe the only one—that I fell in love with so quickly in such a short period of time. (I really like Boardwalk Empire, The Walking Dead and Justified, but I don’t love them yet, and Caprica and Rubicon, two flawed shows that I have a soft spot for, are already cancelled.) It’s so odd, too, because it seems like such an accessible show. It has great stand-alone stories that technically qualifies it as a “procedural” show, but on top of that it also has great ongoing arcs for the season, great writing, emotional and really hilarious at the same time, awesome characters, and really interesting relationships between those characters which makes it easy for people to get attached to it. But knowing how abysmal the ratings are, and that TV is a business after all, is there any possible way that FX could renew the show? This year hasn’t been a strong year for new shows, and I hate to see the strongest new show to get axed. Hmm, maybe just to cheer me up, are there any past examples where a show has horrendous ratings but gets a second (or third, or fourth) season despite it? — Belly

Matt Roush: As I noted in last week’s Q&A, whatever call FX makes regarding Terriers’ future will not be an easy one. If it doesn’t get renewed, I’ll be unhappy—and I agree with you that the show is easy to watch and enjoy without being simplistically formulaic—but I can’t say I’ll be surprised. To answer your first question, there’s nothing I can personally do to save the show beyond urging people to watch, as I have been doing pretty relentlessly since at least the show’s midpoint, when it became clear Terriers had something more going for it than the frothy diversion I positively reviewed at the start. To answer your last question, HBO seems unwilling to cancel almost anything these days regardless of how few people are watching (this applies mostly to the network’s dismal comedies, but also to In Treatment). And then there’s Friday Night Lights, which had the good luck to be rescued by DirecTV when it was on the brink of being canceled by NBC.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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