Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

There is lots of good news to share with all of you for this Friday. Let’s get started, shall we?:

TELEVISION

Jennifer Esposito is joining the cast of Blue Bloods as a series regular in the role of Detective Jackie Curatola. (The Futon Critic)

The first season of Damages will be reaired on DirectTV starting on January 5 at 10 PM followed by the airing of the second season of the show on April 6 at 10 PM. The third season will then launch on May 25 at 10 PM leading up to the summer debut of the all new fourth season. (The Futon Critic)

Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights and Lone Star) will guest star in an episode of Criminal Minds that pays homage to Oliver Stone’s seminal criminal satire Natural Born Killers. Palicki will play Syd, a tough, irreverent and sexually manipulative lunatic who sets out on a cross country killing spree with her badass sociopath husband Ray (Jonathan Tucker from The Black Donnellys). The episode is slated to air in early 2011. (Michael Ausiello)

Syfy has scheduled the start of the third season of UK import Merlin for January 7 at 10 PM and the five remaining episode of the recently canceled Caprica will air in a 5-hour marathon on the network on January 4 starting at 6 PM. (The Futon Critic)

Claudia Black (Farscape and Stargate SG-1) will appear in the CW series 90210, starting in late January. She will appear in a three episode arc as Sona, a yoga guru who the West Beverly girls meet on a yoga retreat. (William Keck at TV Guide)

James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek and Mercy) will guest star on the new TNT series Franklin & Bash, which stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer, as two young, fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants street lawyers who cause a seismic culture clash when they join a legendary, button-down law firm. Meyer plays Jared Franklin, who loves sticking it to authority every chance he gets, while Gosselaar plays Peter Bash, who has a knack for connecting with jury and judge. Van Der Beek will play Nathan Connor, Peter’s ex-girlfriend’s fiancé. Nathan hires Peter after his bachelor party gets too wild in a hotel. (Mandi Bierly at Entertainment Weekly)

Fox has picked up the comedy pilot Breaking In for mid-season with a 7-episode order. The work place comedy stars Christian Slater. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

TV RELATED MUSIC TOUR

LONDON CALLING! LIVE! IN CONCERT! “GLEE” HEADS TO STAGES ACROSS THE ATLANTIC THIS SPRING

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Katelyn Tarver (Nick’s Big Time Rush), Valerie Tian (Juno), Ana Lucasey (Lie to Me), and Christian Serratos (Twilight) have joined the ABC Family Channel’s new pilot from The Secret Life of the American Teenager creator Brenda Hampton that centers on a diverse group of private high schoolers. (Deadline)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Jane Seymour (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman) returns to the Hallmark Channel in the made for TV movie Perfectly Prudence, which will premiere on January 8 at 9 PM. This movie is the sequel to the 2008 Hallmark Channel movie Dear Prudence. In the sequel Prudence MacIntyre (Seymour), infamously clever deviser of unique remedies for common, household problems, is being asked to make changes to her successful television show and she is resistant. But much to her surprise, one of the new producers who is eager to revamp her image (Joe Lando, Seymour’s former co-star in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman) is an old flame. Unfortunately, the other is a seedy womanizer (Adam Kaufman) who enchants Prudence’s daughter. Once again, Prudence will have the assistance of her faithful sidekick Nigel (Matt Jones) as she attempts to rekindle a love she thought she lost, protect her daughter from the wrong guy, and find a way to keep her show on the right path. Hopefully, the head of the network (James Keach, Seymour’s off-screen husband) will have her back when the battle draws down! (The Futon Critic)

The Syfy movie Ice Quake will debut on December 11 at 9 PM and stars Brendan Fehr (Roswell and Bones) and Victor Garber (Alias and Eli Stone). The movie focuses on the melting Alaskan permafrost creates underground rivers of volatile liquid methane, causing a succession of violent and destructive earthquakes. One family, separated by the disastrous events, must find each other during Christmas and together stop the deadly rivers before a catastrophic explosion threatens the entire planet. (The Futon Critic)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Daniel Day-Lewis will star as the 16th President of the United States in the movie Lincoln to be directed by Steven Spielberg. The film will be based on the best-selling book, Team of Rivals, by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. The film is expected to be released in the latter part of 2012. (Deadline)

Leonardo DiCaprio will star in and produce the movie Legacy of Secrecy, an adaptation of Lamar Waldron and Thom Hartmann’s non-fiction book of the same name. DiCaprio would play FBI informant Jack Van Laningham who apparently witnessed the confession of Mafia godfather Carlos Marcello for the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Apparently the confession came about after a dangerous and long-secret undercover operation, wherein the FBI positioned Van Laningham to become a confidant to Marcello, who ruled organized crime in Louisiana and most of Texas for decades. (Deadline)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Watch: First Look Featurette for D.J. Caruso’s ‘I Am Number Four’

NOTE: Timothy Olyphant is in this movie too so I am TOTALLY there!

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

The news is on the light side today, but there are still some interesting tidbits to share with all of you:

TELEVISION

Actor Anthony Carrigan (The Forgotten) is joining Parenthood as Adam’s (Peter Krause) new wunderkind-esque boss. His character, Cory, is described as a super-smart and highly opinionated young millionaire who replaces William Baldwin’s Gordon as the head honcho at T&S Footwear. (Michael Ausiello)

Sources confirm that actor Harry Shum Jr., who plays Mike will become a series regular next season on Glee. (Kristin at E! Entertainment Online)

A message to Medium fans from series creator Glenn Gordon Caron: “It’s true. Allison Dubois will dream her last dream on “Medium”, Friday, January 21st. In what we believe will be a series defining episode, Allison and her family will stare destiny in the eye. And destiny will not blink.” (Medium Community Forum at CBS)

Beau Bridges will appear in a “handful of episodes” as a new love interest for Nora (Sally Field) on Brothers & Sisters. Meanwhile, Calista Flockhart will be gone from the show for three episodes, including the 100th episode). This absence is part of her personal request to work a little less this season. There also might be interest in a sixth season, but nothing has been confirmed yet. And, actor Christopher J. Hanke (he played the waiter for Scotty cheated on Kevin) is coming back and that could be trouble for Scotty and Kevin (or could it?). (Kristin at E! Entertainment Online)

COULD THIS REALLY HAPPEN ON TV?

Who Wants to See Zachary Levi Sing on Chuck?

DEVELOMPENT NEWS

Singer-Actress Raven Symone (The Cosby Show and That’s So Raven)will star in the comedy pilot The Great State of Georgia for the ABC Family channel. The pilot centers on Georgia (Raven Symone), an exuberant curvy performer from the south who is trying to make it big as an actress in New York City. Actor Brock Cuchna (Melrose Place) stars as Georgia’s Southern ex-boyfriend who, still madly in love with her, comes to New York to bring her back home. (Deadline)

Pierce Brosnan is working on a new project that would mark his return to series television. Brosnan would appear in and produce the show, centered on an international operative and problem solver for hire. The main character is called into situations such as kidnappings and business espionage. (Hollywood Reporter and Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

Actress Angela Bassett has been cast in the new ABC drama project called One Police Plaza, she will play New York City’s first female commissioner in the project, which is currently in development. (Deadline and Robyn Ross at TV Guide)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Fans Select “Roswell” Concept for Syfy and IGN.com B Movie Mogul Saturday Original Movie

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Michael Caine, Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter), Emily Mortimer, Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds), Peter Jacobson (House) and Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong) have joined Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy, lending their voices to the forthcoming animated sequel Cars 2. (First Showing, Empire and Slash Film)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

It’s over the hump day and we’re that much closer to the weekend AND that much closer to Thanksgiving. There was quite a bit of news to share so let’s get right into today’s update:

TELEVISION

TNT has canceled Dark Blue after two seasons. (The Futon Critic)

Actor Tim Guinee (Lie To Me) has been cast in the potentially recurring role of Wiley, an investigator working for the State’s Attorney’s office for the CBS series The Good Wife. Wiley (who will debut in early 2011) agrees to do a little reconnaissance for now-prosecutor Cary (Matt Czuchry) and hits pay dirt. (Michael Ausiello)

More guest stars have been added to the second half of the fourth season of Eureka. Wallace Shawn (Gossip Girl), Dave Foley (News Radio) and Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica) will be seen in 2011 episodes of the popular Syfy series. Shawn will portray Warren Hughes, a relationship auditor sent to Eureka to shadow and report on Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) and Allison Blake (Salli Richardson- Whitfield). Douglas appears as Ray, the exuberant leader of Galaxy Camp while Foley will appear in the finale as Drew Plotkin, a former weapons specialist turned eco-scientist whose research may be wreaking havoc in Eureka. (The Futon Critic)

Actress Clare Danes is in talks to return to TV for the Showtime pilot Homeland, which is based off the Israeli format Hatufim (aka Prisoners of War). The pilot would center on U.S. Marine Sergeant Scott Brody, who is found 10 years after going missing during the invasion of Baghdad. Danes would play Carrie Anderson, a smart, driven CIA case officer who handles threats to homeland security from the Middle East. She gets a tip that Brody has turned up and is leading a strike against the United States. Homeland would follow her efforts to get to the truth. This would be her first regular TV series role since her days on My So-Called Life in 1994. (Deadline and Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

Mark your calendars, Doctor Who fans!! BBC America announced today that the latest Doctor Who Christmas Special called A Christmas Carol will air on December 25th at 9 PM. The Dickens-inspired installment, written by head writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, is described as: Newlyweds Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) are joined by Harry Potter’s Michael Gambon and Opera diva Katherine Jenkins, for what may be the Doctor’s most Christmassy adventure yet. The next season of Who will make its way to the airwaves in Spring 2011 as Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill, Alex Kingston (reprising her role as River Song) and Mark Sheppard shoot the two-part premiere in Utah. Meanwhile, the channel will air a Doctor Who marathon beginning December 24th at midnight, featuring a slew of favorite episodes, Christmas specials, and the US premiere of Doctor Who at the Proms, all leading up to the launch of Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol. (Televisionary)

Actress Megan Ward (General Hospital) will guest-star in a February episode of CSI: NY. She will play a lawyer who helps out a woman haunted by her past. (Matt Mitovich at Fancast)

Shelly Long will encore on the ABC comedy Modern Family, reprising her role of rather unpredictable Jay’s ex-wife, DeDe, in a January episode celebrating Lily’s birthday. (Matt Mitovich at Fancast)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Dylan Walsh (Nip/Tuck) will star in a procedural about an agent at a Washington D.C.-based government agency for CBS. (Deadline)

Molly Parker (Deadwood) has landed the lead in Meet Jane a Lifetime pilot about an unhappily wed mother of two who is recruited by the FBI to snoop on her computer tech hubby. (Deadline and Matt Mitovich at Fancast)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Director Steven Soderbergh has become associated with the film adaptation of the 1960 classic NBC TV series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The original series starred Robert Vaughn and David McCallum as two agents of the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement (U.N.C.L.E.), who fought the forces of Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity (T.H.R.U.S.H.). (Heat Vision and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE TRAILERS

Little Red Riding Hood Gets the Twilight Treatment

Green Lantern Trailer

First ‘Cowboys & Aliens’ teaser hits the Web

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

Question: When is Brennan finally going to wake up and see what she’s missing with Booth on Bones? — Sara

ADAM: Sooner than you think. In the midseason finale, Brennan investigates the murder of a workaholic, and Bones quickly draws parallels to her own life. “She’s forced to face feelings that she’s never had to deal with before,” executive producer Stephen Nathan says. “She confronts the fact that this woman was running her whole life from feeling anything and she has to confront whether she’s going to run her whole life from feeling anything. It butts right up against her relationship with Booth and the past five years of history.”

Question: Is Castle going to revisit the story of Beckett’s mother’s murder this season? — Houston

ADAM: That’s the plan for one of the show’s January episodes, and executive producer Andrew W. Marlowe expects it to be a blockbuster. “There will be some closure; we’ll have some understanding as to exactly why Joanna Beckett was killed,” Marlowe teases. “The audience will find out how high the conspiracy goes and the elements that we’re dealing with. I think it can provide us with an interesting insight into [future] storytelling.”

Question: Who was in that picture Marcus threatened Hobbes (Charles Mesure) with in the V finale? — Kristin

MICKEY: That’s Sarah, Hobbes’ ex-lover. That means while Hobbes has been fighting for the humans, he’s also been sabotaging them in order to protect Sarah. “[Hobbes is] trying to support the resistance, but he’s trying to keep Sarah alive,” Mesure says. “So there will be some shady dealings going on.”

Question: What’s ahead on Smallville? — Brian

MICKEY: A new villain is coming to town. The producers are looking for a chiseled young man to play a recurring character who begins to realize his special abilities after a freak accident. (Don’t they all?) Though he idolizes Clark, a darkness within will eventually put him at odds with the future Man of Steel.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Quite a number of items to share with all of you so let’s get right into the entertainment news for today:

TELEVISION

NBC announced their mid-season schedule yesterday and while the programming is a bit confusing even to avid TV followers like me, there are some things for which you should be aware. The new shows The Cape and Harry’s Law have been confirmed for 13 episodes each, but not all of those episodes will air when each debuts in January. The back half of each season will air at a later date. Also, the as-yet-to-be-scheduled shows Love Bites and Friends With Benefits have also received 13 episode orders with The Paul Reiser Show supposedly receiving a 6 episode order. There is no word on when these shows will make it onto the NBC line-up, though. (The Futon Critic)

Actress Mayim Bialik (Blossom) has been promoted to series regular on the CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory. She plays Sheldon’s quasi-girlfriend. (Michael Ausiello via Deadline)

Annette O’Toole will be back in Smallville in early 2011. (Ksitetv.com)

Despite the network not stating the CBS series Medium has been canceled, the writing is on the wall not only due to the series having its episode order reduced but also by its leading lady stating the obvious: “We got canceled,” states Patricia Arquette. (Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

Actress Lindsay Price (Eastwick) will guest star in an episode of CSI: New York in February. She will play Kate, a young woman who experienced a past trauma that she can’t forget. Her character ends up forming a bond with Det. Lindsay Monroe Messer (Anna Belknap) when her past returns to haunt her. (Lynette Rice at Entertainment Weekly)

When Balthazar Getty returns to Brothers & Sisters in January for the show’s 100th episode, his character Tommy won’t be coming home along. His new lady love Rose (Cara Buono from Mad Men) will be joining him. They are expected to appear in at least three episodes this season. (Lynette Rice and Nicholas White at Entertainment Weekly)

TV SCOOP

Sci-fi Preview: Scoop on Smallville, Supernatural, Walking Dead and More!

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Rachael Leigh Cook will star alongside Eric McCormack in the TNT drama pilot Perception, which centers on Dr. Geoffrey Pierce (McCormack), an eccentric, frequently erratic and absolutely brilliant university professor in neuropsychiatry who helps the FBI solve complex cases. Cook will play sexy, sharp-tongued and smart FBI agent Kate Rossi who recruited her former professor Pierce to work for the bureau. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Director Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth and the Hellboy movie franchise) and David Eick (Battlestar Galactica executive producer) are finalizing a deal to create the new TV series version of The Hulk for ABC. This will be del Toro’s first TV project. Details of the premise are sketchy but rumor has it the project will follow the origin story of physicist Bruce Banner, whose alter ego is the green and raging Hulk. He will be in his mid-twenties, less reactive and more energized as the world is still his oyster. (Deadline)

From a TV Version of True Lies to More Sex and the City Wannabes: The Shows in Development for 2011

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Lucy Liu (Ally McBeal and Charlie’s Angels) will star in the Lifetime original mini-series called Marry Me. Liu stars as Rae Ann Carter, a single aspiring artist-turned-social worker who always wanted a fairytale romance – to fall madly in love and live happily ever after. But when her two-year relationship falls apart, Rae unexpectedly falls for a new man, Luke (Steve Pasquale from Rescue Me), who asks her to marry her after a few short dates. Just as everything seems to fall into place for Rae, her ex-boyfriend Adam (Bobby Cannavale from Third Watch) suddenly re-emerges into her life with a proposal of his own. Things get even further complicated when a third man (Enrique Murciano from Without a Trace), smitten by Rae, enters the picture and asks for her hand in marriage, as well. With three men after her heart, who will be Rae’s Prince Charming? The movie also co-stars Annie Potts (Designing Women), Vanessa Marano (Dexter), Elizabeth Bogush (The Big Bang Theory) and Danielle Nicolet (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation). (The Futon Critic)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Three major movie projects have seen their female leads recently depart with two of them finding replacements already. First, the film adaptation of the play Albert Nobbs was to star Amanda Seyfried, but who has been replaced by Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland). Second, Rachel Weisz had been signed to play the female lead in a new untitled comedy from Lynn Shelton. Weisz and Emily Blunt were to play sisters who end up fighting over a man. Rosemarie DeWitt (Rachel Getting Married) is now taking over for Weisz. Lastly, as briefly mentioned in yesterday’s update, Katherine Heigl has dropped out of the box office movie he last Adaline, but no replacement has been cast as yet. (Dark Horizons)

Carey Mulligan (An Education) is confirmed to be playing Daisy Buchanan the upcoming new film adaptation of The Great Gatsby. She will star alongside Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, while the role of Nick Carraway is not yet set though will probably go to Tobey Maguire. (Deadline and Dark Horizons)

Karen Gillan (Doctor Who) will play a Jersey girl who finds herself trapped in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Brittney will find Gillen playing a high school drama clubber who magically wakes up in 13th century Verona, as the mythical Juliet, surrounded by the characters she knows all too well. The X-Files veteran Gillian Anderson is set to play the dual role of both Juliet’s Nurse and Brittney’s real-world mother. (Deadline and Blastr)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Watch: Long Promo Trailer for ‘Winnie’ Starring Jennifer Hudson

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Mitovich at Fancast)

Question: Can we expect a really big Tiva moment on ‘NCIS‘? – Michaela

Mitovich: In a word, yes. In 50 words: “Like Tony, ‘Tiva’ fans have been teased by several references this season to a mysterious man Ziva is acquainted with in Miami,” ‘NCIS’ executive producer Shane Brennan tells me. “This ‘Miami Man’ could be Washington-bound before the end of the season, and his arrival is sure to cause a stir for the NCIS team – particularly Tony.”

Question: Can we get some ‘NCIS: LA‘ scoop – specifically in regards to Kensi and Deeks? – Lori

Mitovich: The partners in crime solving (but potentially more) have “some fiery moments” coming up, promises series creator Shane Brennan. For one, “Kensi will reveal a previous relationship that will shock Deeks.” Also, Shane teases, “Watch for a close encounter between the fun pair that crackles with romantic possibilities.”

Question: Any scoop on my favorite new show, FX’s ‘Terriers‘? Britt and Katie broke my heart last week! – Jen

Mitovich: If their break-up wrecked you, wait until you see Katie say goodbye to their dog this Wednesday at 10/9c. (By the way, you don’t really think Britt is going to let the guy his fiancée bedded in a drunken stupor get away unscathed, do you?) The focus of this week’s terrific episode, though, is a flashback to the case that ruined Hank’s career as a cop, as well as crippled his marriage. Donal Logue rocks, that is all.

Question: I vote for some ‘V‘ scoop to help tide us over for the rest for the long wait. – clairethebelle via Twitter

Mitovich: ‘V’s January 4 return still seems an eternity away, right? Remember what I previously Tease’d about Sarah, the love of Hobbes’ life whose vanishing sent him down his dark path? Well, she is what Marcus is using to compel Hobbes to play for both teams. “He’s caught right in the middle,” previews Charles Mesure. “Hobbes wants to be 100-percent behind Erica and the resistance, but Marcus and the Vs have a lot of leverage over him now.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Lots of news to share with all of you so let’s get into the items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Stephen Colletti has been promoted to series regular on One Tree Hill. (Matt Mitovich at Fancast)

Actor Daniel Sunjata (Rescue Me) will have a recurring role in Grey’s Anatomy as a nurse who just might be making Bailey happy during her off hours. He will first appear in the December 2nd episode. (Matt Mitovich at Fancast)

Nia Long (Third Watch) will appear in the NBC series Chase, as Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Randolph, a feisty lady who will face off with the show’s Deputy U.S. Marshal Jimmy Godfrey (Cole Hauser). The will possibly be multi-episode arc, staring in mid-December. (William Keck at TV Guide)

FIRST LOOK AT NEW TV SHOW

First Look: MTV’s Teen Wolf

MID-SEASON SHAKE UP

NBC Mid-Season Schedule: Thursday Comedy Now Goes to 11

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE NEWS

Sara Rue (Eastwick) and Barry Watson (7th Heaven) will star in the ABC Family movie Always and Forever that is set to premiere in Spring 2011. The movie is about P-A-X-497/341, aka “Pax” (Watson), a young man from the well-ordered but loveless future who travels to present day New Orleans in search of romance novelist Elizabeth Barrett (Rue) – whose book he has come upon during an archeological dig in the year 3125. Hoping Elizabeth can explain the concept of love to him, which is now nonexistent in his time, Pax embarks on an adventure filled with new discoveries. Elizabeth introduces Pax to life in the year 2011, filled with love, music and of course, destiny. Valerie Harper plays a confidante and colleague to Elizabeth; meanwhile, Fred Willard portrays Bob, Pax’s scientific superior from the future who reluctantly helps him go back in time. (The Futon Critic)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Amy Pietz (Aliens in America) has joined the cast of the ABC Family drama pilot Nine Lives of Chloe King, which is about a seemingly normal teen (Skyler Samuels from The Gates) who starts developing heightened abilities (super speed, agility, hearing…claws), and discovers she’s being pursued by a mysterious figure. Pietz will play Chloe’s adoptive mother and protector. (The Futon Critic)

Actress Amanda Walsh (Sons & Daughters and the movie Beauty & the Briefcase) has landed the lead in the hour- long CW dramedy pilot Dannie Lowinski based on the German series of the same name. The pilot is being targeted for next fall. The series is about a scrappy hairdresser (Walsh) who has worked her way through law school and finally graduates only to be brushed off by law firms that aren’t interested in her type. Determined to make her way in the professional world, she sets up her own practice in a shopping mall kiosk. (Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

The following is the top 10 movies in the box office over the past weekend courtesy of Exhibitor Relations:

1. Megamind, $30.1 million
2. Unstoppable, $23.5 million
3. Due Date, $15.5 million
4. Skyline, $11.7 million
5. Morning Glory, $9.6 million
6. For Colored Girls, $6.8 million
7. Red, $5.1 million
8. Paranormal Activity 2, $3.1 million
9. Saw 3D, $2.8 million
10. Jackass 3D, $2.3 million

Legendary actress Angela Landsbury will play the daughter of Katherine Heigl’s character in the movie Adaline, which follows a young woman (Heigl) killed and then revived in a freak accident that physiologically locks her into her late 20’s. After decades of living a solitary existence, she finally meets a man who might be worth losing her immortality over so they can grow old together. Lansbury will play the eighty-something daughter of Heigl’s character who needs her mother’s care as her health declines. (Deadline and Dark Horizons)

UPDATE: Heigl just dropped out of this movie per Deadline. More details tomorrow.

David Tennant (Doctor Who) will star in the BBC soccer film called United, which is the true story of Manchester United’s Busby Babes, the youngest team to win the English soccer league before eight players died in the Munich air crash of 1958. Though the role of Matt Busby is yet to be cast, Tennant will play coach Jimmy Murphy. In addition, Jack O’Connell (Skins) has landed the role of Bobby Charlton and Sam Clafin will play Duncan Edwards, a player who dies 15 days after the plane crash. (Variety and First Showing)

BOX OFFICE TEASER POSTERS

First Skull & Crossbones Poster from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 4’

First Badass Teaser Poster for Jon Favreau’s ‘Cowboys & Aliens’!

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

Question: Couldn’t agree with you more regarding Terriers. This has fast become one of my favorite shows. The problem is that the show is not the show that the promotions (what little there was) showed us. I could have done without the “quirky detectives on the beach” show in the promos, but this show is no more about private detectives than Friday Night Lights is about football. Virtually every scene with Hank Dolworth and his sister (played by Donal Logue and HIS sister!) was heartbreaking. Is it too early to contact DirecTV with a candidate for the 101 Network? — Rick

Matt Roush: Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Yet. I’m hoping FX will decide to give this show a second season and a second chance. There’s been quite a bit of fan and critical buzz swelling lately which could work in its favor. In fact, Terriers seems to be getting more fuss, at least in my corner of the world, than Sons of Anarchy these days (although, sadly, nowhere near the ratings). But you’ve hit on a major problem where Terriers is concerned: Perception. It was clearly a devil of a show to market and promote, and even now, it takes some explaining to get across just how entertaining — and devastating — this show can be. It’s not just a buddy romp and it’s never merely a caper-of-the-week show. Character-driven hardly begins to describe a show that’s original yet accessible, amusing without being silly, suspenseful and violent without being gratuitous or exploitative, and always deeply human. It’s the nicest surprise of the fall season. I just wish more people would find and embrace it. But regarding a rescue from DirecTV or any other corner, I find that possibility highly unlikely, in part because the show has flown so far under the radar, for whatever reason.

But the show has generated a fair amount of mail lately, including this question from Michael: “I am happy Terriers is still on FX, and would just like to know if it will be played out entirely through the first season, and how long before we know if it’s renewed for a second season? And my biggest question is how long before we find out if Britt is the Baby Daddy or not???”

Let’s wait and see on that last question. (No spoilers here.) But the good news about a show like this airing on a network like FX is that regardless of ratings, we’re almost always likely to see as many episodes as are initially ordered. (There are three more left, with the season finale airing Dec. 1.) It’s pretty rare, though not unheard of (see Caprica), for a cable network to pull a show before it concludes its original run. Can’t say how long we’ll have to wait for word of a renewal. Whichever way FX goes with this one, it won’t be an easy call.

Question: I have thoroughly enjoyed the three episodes of the new Sherlock on Masterpiece Mystery. The talent of the two lead actors playing Sherlock and Dr. Watson make the show more than just another crime-solving series but a real gem in terms of the heart and humor of this fantastic new take on a beloved literary figure. Do you know if there are more of these Sherlock stories in the works and if we will get them here in the States on Masterpiece Mystery? I look forward to seeing more of this modern Sherlock and Watson. — JG

Matt Roush: There will definitely be a second batch of Sherlock movies, and I would look for them in the next season of Masterpiece Mystery! in 2011. (Too early to suggest a ballpark air date.) I bring this up again to cushion the blow that there were only three movies in the delightful first series, and they’ve all already aired. But it also gives me an excuse to once again mention Benedict Cumberbatch (Best. Name. Ever.), who was pure magic as the 21st-century Sherlock, matched at every step by Martin Freeman as his long-suffering Dr. Watson. Easily one of my favorite shows of 2010.

Question: Do you think that the Chuck writers named Timothy Dalton’s pre-reveal character Tuttle as an homage to the classic 1st-season M*A*S*H episode Tuttle, where Hawkeye creates a fictional captain in order to get supplies to Korean orphans? It was sticking in my head during the hour, and then when Dalton says, “there is no Tuttle,” it finally clicked with me. — Al

Matt Roush: Great catch! Can’t imagine this being a mere coincidence. Makes me enjoy the whole situation even more. Thanks for sharing.

Question: Is the (deserved) success of Tom Selleck’s Blue Bloods the death knell for the Jesse Stone TV-movie franchise? It seems unlikely that CBS would endorse Selleck, whose series character is so far rather squared away, continuing to appear (semi-)regularly on their schedule as the distinctly un-squared away, fascinatingly flawed Chief Stone. It would be a great loss, since Selleck has often professed his devotion to continuing and even expanding the movie series, and he has steered the franchise’s stories and tone with admirable loyalty to Robert Parker since his passing. — Randall

Matt Roush: Given the success of Blue Bloods, it’s in CBS’ best interests to keep Tom Selleck happy. And that includes keeping the Jesse Stone franchise alive, which I agree is a very good thing. There is apparently one movie already in the can, Innocence Lost, awaiting an air date — CBS has no regular TV-movie slot, so be patient — and last summer, Selleck indicated a script was being developed for yet another movie, so there’s definitely more to come. Just can’t say when or with what frequency, now that the star is tied up in what looks to be a long-running new hit series.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Thank God it’s Friday, right?! I don’t know about all of you, but I’m really looking forward to this weekend specifically so I can catch up on all the shows I had to DVR this week and to get some much needed writing done. Whatever you have planned for this weekend, have a great time.

Meanwhile, please read on for today’s news:

TELEVISION

Actress Arlene Tur (Crash) is joining the 4th season of Torchwood as recurring character Vera Juarez, a surgeon. Enver Gjokai (Dollhouse) and Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill) had been circling the new male role — a sharp-as-nails, funny-as-hell, tough-as-rawhide CIA agent — but producers ultimately deemed neither to be a good fit. Meanwhile Amber Stevens (Greek) had been circling the female part — a CIA Watch Analyst who possesses an unshakable faith in human nature. (Deadline)

Jason Wiles (Third Watch and Persons Unknown) will appear in No Ordinary Family as Mike Powell, the brother of Jim (Michael Chiklis). He is signed for just one episode. (Matt Mitovich at Fancast)

Legendary actor/comedian Bob Newhart will guest star on NCIS as a medical-examiner, who will be working closely with Ducky (David McCallum). His episode is scheduled to air in January. (TV Done Wright)

Parenthood is recasting Sarah’s (Lauren Graham) ex-hubby and the father to Amber and Drew. Darin Heames (Sons of Anarchy) played the role of Seth in the show’s pilot. This character will appear in multiple episodes. (Michael Ausiello)

Drea de Matteo (Sopranos and Desperate Housewives) will guest star in an upcoming episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, playing a pregnant, battered wife. The episode will air in early 2011. (Natalie Abrams at TV Guide)

FOX has pulled its new comedy Running Wilde from its Tuesday lineup for the remainder of the November sweeps period (October 28-November 24). Repeats of Raising Hope will fill the Tuesday time slot for the next two weeks. (The Futon Critic)

Alanna Ubach (Legally Blonde and Hung) will play Michelle, a possible love interest for Joe (Ray Romano) in five episodes of Men of a Certain Age, which returns to TNT on December 6. (Lynette Rice from Entertainment Weekly)

It would seem the folks behind The Event are pursuing actress Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights) for a major recurring role in the series. No word yet on if she has accepted let alone is considering the offer. (Michael Ausiello via Deadline)

Actress Courtney Ford (Dexter and Mrs. Brandon Routh [of Superman Returns]) will appear in the next season of True Blood, playing Andy’s sister Portia Bellefleur, who is an attorney. Some TV viewers may have also seen her in recent episodes of NCIS and The Vampire Diaries. (Deadline and Gina DiNunno at TV Guide)

There is a boatload of guest stars lined up for the next season of the popular TV Land comedy Hot in Cleveland, including Bonnie Franklin (One Day At a Time), Melanie Griffith, Illeana Douglas, Wayne Knight (Seinfeld), John Schneider, Sherri Shepherd (The View) and Jack Wagner (The Bold and the Beautiful). (Matt Mitovich at Fancast)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Tisha Campbell-Martin and Chris Payne Gilbert (10 Items or Less) are set as leads opposite Ally Walker in the Lifetime drama pilot Exit 19, which follows single mother Gloria Shepherd (Walker) as she juggles her demanding personal and professional lives raising two children while working as a New York Police Department homicide detective. Campbell-Martin will play Gloria’s smart and vivacious partner. Gilbert will play Gloria’s younger brother, a recovering alcoholic, with whom she shares the house the two co-own. (Deadline)

Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, the executive producers of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess as well as Legend of the Seeker and Spartacus: Blood and Sand, are working on a possible new series for Starz based on a 2001 anime called Nori, which is about female assassins. (Darren Franich at Entertainment Weekly)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Lots of people are getting involved in the new Muppets movie that is to star Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother). Paul Rudd will provide the voice of Walter, a new, hip, young Muppet named Walter. Jane Lynch (Glee), Danny Trejo (Machete) and Donald Glover (Community) will also show up in the film. Glover’s role isn’t known as of yet, but Lynch will play a prison guard while Trejo will play her prisoner. Zach Galifianakis will make a cameo as a character called Hobo Jo. The cast already includes Chris Cooper (The Town), Amy Adams (Enchanted) and Rashida Jones (Parks & Recreation). Rumor also has it that singer Lady Gaga may somehow be involved and her entourage is reportedly going to be made up of John Krasinski (The Office), Ed Helms (The Hangover) and Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family). And topping off the new additions is Jack Black in an unspecified role. The film will have Segel and new Muppet Walter attempting to save a failing theater by showcasing the talents of Kermit the Frog and the rest of the gang. (First Showing)

Actor Lee Majors (The Six Million Dollar Man and the original The Big Valley) has been tapped to play his old character’s father, Tom Barkley, in a 2011 big-screen remake. The movie has been delayed in filming for various reasons, which could cost the movie Stephen Moyer (True Blood), who was to play Tom’s son Jarrod who will need to film his TV series and that will probably conflict with the movie’s filming so he will probably have to drop out. However, that has not been confirmed as of yet. (William Keck at TV Guide)

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

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Hey All,

First of all, Happy Veteran’s Day! Second, the news is rather short today, but I think I found a few interesting items. And, three, how excited are you guys for tonight’s smorgasbord of TV viewing? There are new episodes of Vampire Diaries and Nikita on the CW, new episodes of Bones and Fringe on FOX, new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice on ABC and new episodes of CSI and The Mentalist on CBS. And, of course, there is the ongoing Burn Notice marathon followed by a brand new episode of Burn Notice on USA Network. I think there is something there for every viewer, don’t you?

And now, on with the news for today:

TELEVISION

AMC has decided not to renew Rubicon for a second season. (Twitter)

British actor Rob Kazinsky (EastEnders and one of the many stars in the upcoming The Hobbit movie) will appear on Brothers & Sisters as Dr. Rick, an ex-boyfriend of Annie’s (Odette Yustman) who makes Justin (Dave Annable) jealous. He is expected to appear in only one episode, but more may be planned. (Kristin at E! Entertainment Online)

Actor Kevin McKidd will be directing episode 13 of Grey’s Anatomy, which is slated to air in early February. (Natalie Abrams at TV Guide)

AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to the following award winners from last night’s Country Music Awards:

Entertainer of the Year
Brad Paisley

Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert

Male Vocalist of the Year
Blake Shelton

New Artist of the Year
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum

Vocal Duo of the Year
Sugarland

Single of the Year
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

Album of the Year
“Revolution,” Miranda Lambert

Song of the Year
“The House That Built Me” (Miranda Lambert)

Musical Event of the Year
“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton, featuring Trace Adkins

Music Video of the Year
“The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert

Musician of the Year
Mac McAnally, Guitar

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Catherine Bell (Army Wives and JAB) will star in the made for TV Lifetime movie called Close Quarters, which is about a special-ops agent-turned-suburban mom. Anthony Michael Hall (The Dead Zone) will play her husband, while Mekhi Phifer (Lie To Me) will co-star as another agent. (Deadline)

CONDOLENCES

Legendary Italian movie producer Dino De Laurentiis passed away at the age of 91. A cause was not released. (LA Times)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Elizabeth Banks is in final negotiations to join Chris Pine in the DreamWorks movie called Welcome to People, which marks the directorial debut by Pine himself. The story follows a young businessman who returns home after the sudden death of his wealthy yet estranged father. He learns a devastating family secret that sends him on an unexpected journey of self-discovery. Banks will play the alcoholic sister who Pine has never met. (The Wrap)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

How is Wednesday going for everyone? Having a good day, I hope. There is quite a bit of interesting news, some cool trailers and first look photos and more to share with you today.

Please read on:

TELEVISION

Southland will return for its third season on TNT starting January 4 at 10 PM. Mark your calendars. (The Futon Critic)

Steven Weber (Wings) and D.L. Hughley (The Hughleys) have signed on to star in the as-yet untitled TNT pilot based on The Rabbit Factory novel by Marshall Karp. The pilot follows two Los Angeles detectives. Weber will portray Detective Mike Lomax, who still receives weekly letters from his dead wife a year after her passing. Hughley will play Terry Biggs, Lomax’s newly married partner. (Natalie Abrams at TV Guide)

Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Cosby Show) will appear in an upcoming episode of Community, starring as Andre, the ex-husband of Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown). (Lynette Rice at Entertainment Weekly)

Della Reese (Touched By An Angel) will guest star in an upcoming episode of the ABC drama Detroit 1-8-7 that is set to air on December 7. She will portray Lorraine Henderson, an urban, working class mother in her 70s, whose son’s body is found in an abandoned fallout shelter. (The Futon Critic)

Darren Criss who debuted on last night episode of Glee is in talks to become a full-fledged series regular. This promotion would likely happen at the start of the show’s third season. (Michael Ausiello via Deadline)

ARTICLE ABOUT TELEVISION

Sherlock will be back for a second series says BBC

SUPPORT A STRUGGLING SERIES

Roush Review: Give Terriers a Chance

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Ron Moore (the man behind Battlestar Galactica) has sold an action-adventure series to NBC. The show is to focus on the men and women of the fictional Coast Guard cutter The McCulloch as they travel around the world. (James Hibberd at The Hollywood Reporter)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Patrick Fugit will appear in the box office movie called We Bought a Zoo, which is an adaptation of a memoir by Benjamin Mee. The story follows a man (Matt Damon) who used his family’s life savings to buy a dilapidated zoo in the English countryside. Mee and his children had to balance caring for his terminally ill wife and dealing with all the related animal issues including readying the zoo for a reopening. There are no details on Fugit’s role as of yet. Also, Elle Fanning will portray a thirteen-year-old worker at the zoo despite being not legally old enough to have a job. Scarlett Johansson is in final negotiations to play a zookeeper on the estate. Colin Ford will play Damon’s son, while Thomas Haden Church is Damon’s brother. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Channing Tatum is at the top of the list for the lead role in the film adaptation of the TV series 21 Jump Street. The story follows a group of baby-faced cops who go undercover at high schools. (Deadline and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Must Watch: Thrilling Gothic Horror in Official ‘Jane Eyre’ Trailer

Watch: Epic Ancient Rome Action in First Trailer for ‘The Eagle’

BOX OFFICE FIRST LOOK

First Look: Daniel Radcliffe in Ghost Film ‘The Woman In Black’

Q&A SECTION (with Adam and Mickey from TV Guide)

QUESTION: Loved seeing Tony’s dad again on NCIS! Anything else coming up for DiNozzo? — Andrea

ADAM: You bet. After the winter break, you will see Tony like you have never seen him before: humorless. “We wanted Tony to have no sense of humor for a whole episode,” Michael Weatherly tells us. “At the end, you realize an awful thing has happened to Tony and he’s just responding this way.” He says Tiva fans won’t want to miss it. “Ziva confronts Tony about what’s going on and it’s her insight that allows him to unlock this thing that’s got a grip on him,” Weatherly says. “It’s the truest, most romantic and painful scene, and I think it may be my favorite series moment for DiNozzo.”

QUESTION: What’s the deal with McGarrett’s sister on Hawaii Five-0? — Jen

ADAM: Mary’s presence will be explained in an upcoming episode in which she’s kidnapped. McGarrett and Danno’s investigation will reveal that her disappearance is connected to the murder of McGarrett’s mother years before. The lead suspect: a businessman with significant ties to the Japanese mob who’s also a close friend — and major campaign contributor — to the governor.

QUESTION: What is the deal with Alex and Michael on Nikita? Please tell me they aren’t heading for a Alex-Michael-Nikita triangle. — Kelly

MICKEY: I think you can stop worrying for now, as the show is looking to add a possibly recurring character to play Alex’s good-looking, confident new neighbor. We’re hearing that love is in the air for Alex, perhaps because Hunk Across the Hall offers her a glimpse at life outside of the endlessly depressing Division.

QUESTION: Are we going to see more Chance flashbacks when Human Target returns? — Sam

MICKEY: Not flashbacks per se, but when Baptiste (Lennie James) returns, we’ll definitely learn more about Chance’s back story. “Chance has to go to jail and bring him back to solve this other case,” Mark Valley tells us. “They’re working together reluctantly, but you get to see what relationship they had. In doing so, you understand more about Chance’s past as well.”

QUESTION: Since Aria and Ezra reconnected in last season’s finale of Pretty Little Liars, will they be a couple this season? — Megan

MICKEY: Aria and her English teacher will continue to explore their relationship, but look for Aria’s old babysitter, Simone (Alona Tal), to come between them when Aria’s mom sets Simone
up with Ezra. Mother couldn’t possibly know about her daughter’s secret fling, could she?

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

So how is everyone’s Tuesday treating them? Well, I hope. I had quite a fun night last night, attending the Paley Center for Media’s panel for the popular USA Network series Royal Pains, which featured the entire cast and the executive producers plus a sneak peek at the first new episode that will air on January 20. It was a fun night.

Meanwhile, here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Rebecca Mader (Lost) will appear on No Ordinary Family, playing an employee of Global Tech — the company where Stephanie (Julie Benz) works — who may be hiding a few secrets of her own. This episode is slated to premiere in January. (Natalie Abrams at TV Guide)

Shohreh Aghdashloo (24 and FlashForward) will appear in an upcoming episode of Law & Order: SVU, playing Sunny Qadar, an employee of the Brooklyn DA’s office. (William Keck at TV Guide)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

FOX has picked up a drama project tentatively called Full Nelson, which is to be set in the music industry in the 1980s and follows a woman as she rises in the business. This project comes from Jeffrey Lieber and Jerry Bruckheimer Television. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer are in negotiations, while Hilary Swank and Ashton Kutcher are circling key roles in the planned sequel (of sorts) to the movie Valentine’s Day called New Year’s Eve for which Lea Michele (Glee) and Abigail Breslin are already set to star. If the sign on, De Niro will play a bitter, dying man in a hospital; Pfeiffer would be a frustrated secretary tackling her unfulfilled resolutions; Swank would play a producer of the Times Square New Year’s Eve show, and Kutcher plays a guy who hates the holiday. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Camilla Belle is in negotiations and Ryan Kwanten (True Blood) is set to star in the inspirational drama Zebras, based on the true-life story of a music producer who discovers talented young soccer players in the ghettos of South Africa. He soon forms them into a successful team dubbed the Zebras because it brings together black and white players. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

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

Bethany: If Life Unexpected doesn’t come back beyond the 13 episodes, will every storyline be wrapped up? Specifically the story between Ryan and Julia that was introduced in the premiere?

Kristin: LUX boss Liz Tigelaar promises that “every single thing we’ve set up in the course of this season will be fulfilled.” That said, The Ryan-Julia storyline certainly won’t be as fleshed out as originally planned, but fans will be pleased. “We can’t do everything that we had planned on doing, but I want to make it great,” Liz tells us. “If this is the end of the series, it’s going to be just like the beginning of the series—filled with a lot of hope. It’s just complicated and you get places in ways you didn’t expect.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Welcome to Monday! How is the start of your week going? Hope it’s good. If you don’t already know, mark your calendar for November 22 at 6 AM Pacific time for registration for Comic Con 2011. That’s when the registration will be reopened and hopefully won’t crash again!

In the meantime, here are the news items I found for today:

TELEVSION

Actress Fiona Shaw (Aunt Petunia from the Harry Potter movies) will have a regular role on True Blood as Marnie, a mousy, timid and secretly self loathing storefront medium and palm reader who is taken over by the spirit of a powerful witch. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Goran Visnjic (ER) will appear on Leverage as Damian Moreau, a ruthless international financier who runs money for drug dealers, gun runners, smugglers and other nefarious groups. Nate (Timothy Hutton) and his team searched for Moreau throughout the third season at the behest of a mysterious woman known only as The Italian (guest star Elisabetta Canalis). But when the team members finally come face to face with Moreau, they will be forced to rethink their strategy to take him down and avoid retaliation from The Italian. Leverage returns with a holiday episode on December 12 at 9 PM followed by the two-part season finale on December 19. (Adam Bryant at TV Guide)

Dean Norris (Breaking Bad) will guest star on Law & Order: Los Angeles, playing the father of a college student whose girlfriend’s brother is murdered. (Robyn Ross at TV Guide)

AMC has picked up The Walking Dead for a 13-episode second season. (Twitter)

CONDOLENCES

Actress Jill Clayburgh, who was most recently seen in the TV series Dirty Sexy Money passed away late last week at the age of 66. (Twitter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actors-turned-writers Mark Wilson and Patrick McKenna have booked an ensemble cop drama at CBS which is set in a Canadian-US cross-border town. No other details are available on this project. (The Futon Critic)

MADE FOR TV MOVIES NEWS

NBC has booked the made-for-TV movie A Walk In My Shoes, which will be the third in the Walmart and Procter & Gamble’s “Family Movie Night” franchise. It will air on December 3 at 8 PM. Previous movies include Secrets of the Mountain and The Jensen Project (which aired on April 16 and July 16 respectively). Nancy Travis will star in this new movie as Trish Fahey, a stressed-out high school teacher who can’t understand her students’ lack of effort and why their parents don’t seem to care. This is especially true of Justin (Cameron Deane Stewart), a basketball star who is underperforming in her class. All of this changes when Trish wrecks her car and wakes to find herself living in the shoes of Justin’s mom (Jana Lee Hamblin), a woman she has personally judged and criticized. With the help of a mysterious stranger (Yara Martinez), Trish discovers the real reason behind her struggles, teaching her a whole new meaning of compassion. No one is left unchanged.” Philip Winchester (Crusoe) and Jackson Pace also star. (The Futon Critic)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Abigail Spencer (Mad Men), Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) and legendary actress Cicely Tyson have joined the cast of the movie called The Haunting in Georgia, which has Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill) playing Andy Wyrick, the blue collar, no-nonsense husband to a young mother (Spencer) struggling with horrifying visions, a curse she shares with her wayward sister Joyce (Sackhoff). The mother now fears they have been passed on to her young daughter Heidi (newcomer Emily Alyn Lind). (Heat Vision and Dark Horizons)

Guy Pearce, Peter Stomare and Tom Hollander will star in the sci-fi action feature called Lockout. Pearce will play a government agent trying to save the president’s daughter (Maggie Grace) from rioting convicts in an outer-space maximum-security prison. This movie won’t be out until 2012, though. (Dark Horizons)

Kyra Sedgwick has joined the cast of the thriller movie called Man On A Ledge, which stars Sam Worthington as a disgraced cop who stands on a ledge atop a high rise threatening to kill himself. Sedgwick will play the reporter trying to figure out if he means it or if he has an ulterior motive. Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Ed Harris and Titus Welliver also star. (Mike Fleming at Deadline)

Rebecca Hall (The Town) is in talks to take the lead role in the adaptation of the Tom Bradby novel Shadow Dancer, which is about a young woman who is a former IRA terrorist turned informer for Britain’s MI5. Guy Pearce may also be slated to star in this movie. (First Showing and The Playlist)

The following are the top 10 movies for the past weekend according to Exhibitor Relations:

1. Megamind – $47.7 million
2. Due Date – $33.5 million
3. For Colored Girls – $20.1 million
4. Red – $8.6 million
5. Saw 3D – $8.2 million
6. Paranormal Activity 2 – $7.3 million
7. Jackass 3D – $5.1 million
8. Hereafter – $4.02 million
9. Secretariat – $4 million
10. The Social Network – $3.6 million

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

Question: I recently heard that The Chicago Code is putting Lie to Me into another hiatus. After the first hiatus of the second season, Lie to Me’s ratings dropped and they are still falling now. I was wondering if you knew anything about it or if it might be cancelled. I would like to know if I should prepare myself for a cancellation since Fox has already pulled Lone Star off the air? — Hannah

Matt Roush: It’s probably wise to stop using Lone Star as a yardstick by which to measure any other show’s chances for success. That was (unfortunately) an ambitious but immediate noble failure, and except for the fact that Lie to Me was rushed back on the schedule to fill its time slot, the two shows have nothing in common. Lie to Me seems to me destined to be a somewhat undervalued utility player for Fox, the kind of show that often looks like it’s being taken for granted or badly used. Witness how Fox burned off so much of the second season during the summer months, and then slapped it on Mondays with very little warning. (Not that Fox had a choice.) The fact that Lie to Me will once again fall off the schedule in February when The Chicago Code premieres is hardly surprising, given that prime-time real estate is at a premium in the back half of the season on Fox once American Idol kicks in. But I’m not sure this necessarily means the show is in immediate danger. Networks need shows like this to fill troublesome holes on the schedule, and while it’s unlikely to ever be a breakout hit, I’m hoping Lie finds its place on the network as Bones eventually did.

Question: Outcasts has been on the “coming soon” page of BBC America’s website for many months now. Latest from their press website: “Currently in production in South Africa, the U.S. premiere season of Outcasts begins late 2010.” Can you shed any light on when this program will begin to air, and if you have any opinion on whether it might be worth a watch, I’d love to read it. — Mariah

Matt Roush: No firm air date yet, but look for it in early 2011, at which time I’ll offer an opinion, since I haven’t seen it so can’t possibly handicap it yet. But BBC America’s track record is fairly good when it comes to speculative fantasy and sci-fi, so I’m excited to at least sample this one. The cast is promising, including Jamie Bamber and Eric Mabius among the pioneers establishing a civilization on a new planet after Earth is no longer habitable. Not a brand-new premise, but I always look to the British to put a new spin on classic genres.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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