Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All

Well, in one week’s time, hundreds of thousands of pop culture fans will be in San Diego for Comic Con (and I will be one of them), navigating the myriad panels and crowds over the course of 4 days.

But, in the meantime, there is news to be shared.

TELEVISION

Illeana Douglas has signed on for a recurring role on Entourage. The veteran actress will portray Ari’s sister-in-aw and debut later this season. She may return for season eight, as well. In recent years, Douglas has guest-starred on episodes of Ugly Betty and Law & Order: SVU, but is better known for big screen roles in films such as Cape Fear and Stir of Echoes. (TV Fanatic)

NBC has announced the premiere dates for their fall season. Chuck, The Event and Chase will air on September 20 at 8, 9 and 10 PM respectively. Parenthood will be on at 10 PM on September 21. Undercovers will debut at 8 PM with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Los Angeles on at 9 and 10 PM on September 22. Outlaw will be at 10 PM on September 24. Repeats of Law & Order: Los Angeles, Chase and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit will air on Saturday nights at 8, 9 and 10 PM respectively. (TV Done Wright)

FX has also set their fall schedule with their dramas to air as follows: Sons of Anarchy premieres on September 7 at 10 PM. And, the new series Terriers – a comedic drama starring Donal Logue (Damages) and Michael Raymond-James (True Blood). The series centers on Hank Dolworth (Logue), an ex-cop who partners with his best friend Britt Pollack (Raymond-James) to launch an unlicensed private investigation business. The duo, both struggling with maturity issues, solve crimes while avoiding danger and responsibility. The debut is set for at 10 PM on September 8. (The Futon Critic)

DVD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lie To Me

Dollhouse

Bones

BOX OFFICE

Disney is developing a new Tinkerbell live-action romantic comedy called Tink that has Elizabeth Banks set to star. There is no clue as to how soon this movie could move into production, but Banks’ schedule isn’t too packed, so it could happen anytime in the next few years. (Variety and First Showing)

Julie Bowen (Modern Family) will play Kevin Spacey’s wife in the star-packed comedy Horrible Bosses, which also features Jason Bateman, Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston, and Jason Sudeikis. She will then take on the role of “a high-strung wedding planner” in Jumping the Broom, which revolves around “two black families from opposite ends of the socio-economic spectrum meeting for the first time during a weekend wedding in Martha’s Vineyard.” That ensemble includes Paula Patton (Precious) and Laz Alonso (Avatar) as the happy couple, and Angela Bassett as the mother of the bride. (Variety and Mandi Bierly at Entertainment Weekly)

INTERVIEW

A Candid Conversation with Joanna Garcia

Q&A SECTION (with Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Question: I love True Blood. I love Eric. Scoop, please. —Angi

Ausiello: Is it too soon to be talking about the finale? No? Cool. Exec producer Alan Ball tells me that there will be a “lot of Bill-Sookie-Eric stuff” in the season 3 finale. “It involves blood, it involves trust, and it does not go where we expect it to go.”

Question: I’m just going to keeping asking for some Leverage scoop until you answer me. —Matt

Ausiello: This Sunday’s Leverage finds the gang heading to Nashville to take down a corrupt record producer. Eliot is forced to play the role of a country-music singer-songwriter — and man, the big lug can actually sing!

Question: Supernatural spoilers seem to be few and far between. Any chance you have any new ones to share with us? —Judy

Ausiello: Season 6 will revolve around Dean’s new life as loving husband to Lisa and doting father to Ben. I kid! I made a funny! Here’s the real answer to your question: Despite the domestic situation Dean found himself in at the end of last season, exec producer Eric Kripke assures me that Supernatural will continue to be about the Winchester brothers “on the road together.” That said, Kripke confirms that “Dean’s situation creates all sorts of angst and conflict. The question [we’ll be] exploring is, How can you be a hunter when there are actually people that you care about? I think we will mine it for all of the emotional angst and conflict that we can. But [Lisa] is not — nor is anyone — going to be riding in the backseat of the Impala with Sam or Dean.”

Question: Thanks for all the Good Wife spoilers earlier this week. Got anything else about my fave character Kalinda? —Joel

Ausiello: Major drama! “Kalinda [Emmy nominee Archie Panjabi] always seems to be on top of her game,” says exec producer Robert King. “We are going to throw [her] off her game a little bit in the second season. Her past comes back to haunt her, and she also finds some competition.”

Question: Any more scoop on Charice’s role on Glee? —Kelly

Ausiello: Why, yes, as a matter of fact. Though Ryan Murphy says the hitmaker “comes on in a very sort of minor part,” it obviously grows, and fast, because, notes Lea Michele, while “the rivalry [between our characters] is going to be what everyone will pin it as, you know Ryan — it’s never going to be what you think it’s going to be.”

Question: Any whisperings on the new Torchwood you’d care to share? — Nicky

Ausiello: Among the casting intel I’ve gathered on the new season (airing on my new favorite cable network, Starz), the show is out to cast a new series regular — Rex Matheson, a wickedly funny (operative word: wicked) CIA agent born to make waves. Almost as key to the new season are recurring characters Esther Katusi, a CIA grunt in her early 20s who learns what she’s really made of only when she’s forced to, and Oswald Jones, a convicted murderer and pedophile who will be as shocked as anyone to learn how easily infamy and fame can be exchanged for one another.

Question: Scoop on The Closer will earn you my eternal thanks. —Sasha

Ausiello: FYI: Cold hard cash is the new eternal thanks. Just something to think about moving forward. Regarding The Closer, in the second episode, airing July 19, Captain Raydor (Mary McDonnell) returns and is initially thought to be doing a background check on Chief Pope. But there’s more to the story. And apparently it’s VERY top secret because the screener TNT sent us left out the final scene. Bastards. It’s not like I was going to spoil it or anything.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

It’s over the Hump Day and the news just keeps coming. Here is what I found for today:

TELEVISION

TNT has announced finale dates for their summer lineup. Dark Blue will have a two-hour finale on September 22. Hawthorne and Memphis Beat will finish up on August 24. Leverage is done on September 5 with The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles concluding on September 13. Both The Closer and Leverage will then return this winter for their remaining installments, presumably to help launch the new seasons of Men of a Certain Age and Southland and/or newcomers Franklin & Bash and Fallen Skies. (The Futon Critic)

HBO has picked up the series Luck, which stars none other than Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte. The series is set in the world of high stakes horseracing. The pilot featured an ensemble cast including Richard Kind, John Ortiz, Kevin Dunn, Jason Gedrick, Richie Coster, Ian Hart, Tom Payne, Kerry Condon and Gary Stevens. The pilot episode included a guest appearance from Jill Hennessy. (The Wrap)

CASTING SCOOP

Glee is adding a new high school jock named Sam, who is described as very good looking. Though he plays football, Sam must also have a strong singing voice. CSI is searching for a new female named Kacey Monohan, who is in her 20’s and is a bomb expert who becomes the team’s new tech. It looks like she’ll team with Nick. Life Unexpected will add a forty-something character named Emma as a possible older love interest for Baze. Just one catch: she works for Baze’s father and is a bit stuffy. Torchwood is searching for one series regular and two supporting roles. Rex Matheson is a white, twenty-something CIA agent who sounds sort of like FX’s animated Archer spy: a fearless, cocky thrill seeker. Recurring characters include Esther Katusi, a newbie Watch Analyst in the CIA who is deeply (and secretly) in love with Rex. And Oswald Jones is the dangerous psychotic villain. He’s a forty-something murderer and pedophile who gets sprung from the slammer into the spotlight. (William Keck at TV Guide)

D. B. Woodside (24 and Buffy, the Vampire Slayer) will play Derrick Altman, a handsome young physician who takes care of the cheerleaders on the fall CW series Hellcats. (Zap2It)

Josh Stewart (Criminal Minds and Dirt) will play Watcher to Michael Chiklis’ nascent superhero clan on the ABC fall drama No Ordinary Family. He will recur throughout the first season. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Maxine Peake (Criminal Justice), Rupert Penry-Jones (Spooks), Natalie Dormer (The Tudors), Tom Hughes (Sex, Drugs And Rock And Roll) and Neil Stuke (Reggie Perrin) have been cast in BBC legal drama series Silk, which revolves around the lives, loves and hard cases facing barristers on the front line of criminal law. (BBC and Televisionary)

Dolph Lundgren will guest star in the season premiere of the NBC series Chuck this fall. No details have been made available, yet, as to his character. Harry Dean Stanton (Big Love) is also confirmed to guest-star in the season premiere. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Betty White will appear in the season premiere of the NBC comedy Community, as an esteemed anthropology professor who is slightly unhinged. (The Wrap)

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) has been cast as the lead in the upcoming Lifetime made-for-TV movie Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story. She will play a woman who underwent a daring rescue mission to locate and free her seven-year-old son Kobe, who was seized by her ex-husband during a custody battle and taken to South Korea. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Televisionary)

DVD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Supernatural

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Supernatural-Season-5-Press-Release/14069

Smallville

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Smallville-Season-9-Press-Release/14070

Persons Unknown

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Persons-Unknown-Box-Art/14067

BOX OFFICE

Noomi Rapace’s grip on a gripping role

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-noomi-20100714,0,2413375.story

It looks like Tom Cruise will be back in the fourth Mission Impossible film. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins, Andy Samberg and Jenna Elfman have all joined the cast of the romantic comedy Friends With Benefits. Justin Timberlake will play a headhunter who agrees to sleep together with a female magazine editor friend (Mila Kunis) with no strings attached. He soon falls for her, despite the fact she’s dating someone else. (The Wrap and Dark Horizons)

REVAMPED WEBSITE LAUNCHED

Welcome to Blastr, the next step in the evolution of SCI FI Wire

http://blastr.com/2010/07/welcome-to-blastr-the-nex.php

VOTING

Tater Top Awards: Vote for the Best Newbies!

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b189442_tater_top_awards_vote_best_newbies.html

Q&A SECTION (with TV gurus at TV Guide)

Question: Got any Bones season premiere scoop? — Meg

ADAM: Brennan, Angela and Hodgins are all lured back to D.C. to help Cam, who comes under fire from the local news media during a homicide investigation. Some people don’t appreciate her argument that veterans are suffering brain damage caused by combat.

Question: There are so many stories and new characters on True Blood. Please tell me it gets better! — Carol

MICKEY: We’ve spoken to quite a few cast members about this common complaint, and they’ve all assured us that the season’s multiple plot splinters will eventually coalesce. “I never got to eat at Merlotte’s, but I certainly visit the front porches of many people’s houses,” says Denis O’Hare, who plays Russell Edgington, King of Mississippi. He goes on to defend the new kids on the bayou. “Pam and Eric’s relationship really blossoms this season, in part because of his interaction with people like me.”

Question: When does Dark Blue start up again? — Hal

ADAM: TNT’s undercover cop drama returns with two new episodes on Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 9/8c. Battlestar Galactica’s Tricia Helfer joins the cast this season as an FBI agent who steps all over Carter’s case, getting one of his closest allies killed in the process. Ultimately he forgives her — and sleeps with her for good measure.

Question: We’re so excited for more White Collar! Scoop, please. — Aaron and Carrie

MICKEY: It’s like The West Wing meets Ocean’s Eleven when Neal goes undercover as a shrewd political operative in a corrupt senatorial campaign. Meanwhile, Peter will investigate a high-class escort service, much to Elizabeth’s chagrin and Diana’s delight.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Lots of news to share with all of you, so let’s get right into it.

TELEVISION

Shaun Sipos (Melrose Place) will have a recurring role in Life Unexpected when it returns to the CW with new episodes this fall. He will play Eric, a new teacher at Westmonte High School, where Lux (Britt Robertson) attends. (Fan Cast)

In other Life Unexpected news, Arielle Kebbel (Gilmore Girls and Vampire Diaries) will play Paige, the new hottie in town who may well wind up tending more than bar for Baze (Kristoffer Polaha). Also, Amy Price-Francis (24 and The Cleaner) will play Kelly, a conservative author/chatterbox who becomes a partner on the radio show that Cate (Shiri Appleby) and Ryan (Kerr Smith) front. Both roles are recurring. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Peter Weller will join Dexter for eight of the 12 episodes of the upcoming 5th season. He will play a Miami Metro cop who gets entangled in an internal affairs investigation. The series returns to Showtime on September 25. (Zap2It)

Aidan Gillen (The Wire) will be a series regular on the upcoming HBO drama series Game of Thrones, playing Littlefinger, who is described as a scheming “adviser to King Robert who manipulates those in power to fit his own agenda. (The Hollywood Reporter and Televisionary)

Timm Sharp (‘Til Death) has been cast in the HBO comedy series Enlightened, where he will play the new boss of Laura Dern’s formerly self-destructive character who returns to work after a spectacular meltdown. Sharp replaces Mos Def, who exited the series due to “deal issues,” according to Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Televisionary)

Among the actors lending their voices to Adult Swim’s Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III are: Zac Efron, Donald Glover (Community), and Mike Henry (The Cleveland Show), as well Seth Green, Breckin Meyer, Seth MacFarlane, Abraham Benrubi (ER and Men In Trees), Donald Faison, Rachael Leigh Cook, Adrianne Palicki and Billy Dee Williams [among many others]. The special will air December 12. (Variety and Televisionary)

Joe Jonas will guest star on TV Land new comedy Hot in Cleveland, playing the son of Valerie Bertinelli’s character. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

The FOX series Bones will undergo a big transition as the investigative team finally closes the case on its greatest adversary. But as the dust settles, an even worse threat will emerge — and one fan favorite will not survive! Watch for Deidre Lovejoy to reappear for her final turn as murderous Heather “Gravedigger” Taffet, who has one last card to play after being convicted. Executive producer Hart Hanson says the same episode will introduce “someone much worse, who will dog us for the season.” Who could possibly be worse than the Gravedigger? “It’s someone highly motivated to do great harm to our people — a personal vendetta,” teases Hanson. “One of our characters will be a victim.” Hanson won’t give up any clues, though. (William Keck at TV Guide)

As announced yesterday, Melina Kanakaredes will not be returning to CSI: NY in the fall. Sela Ward will join the show as an experienced investigator from Washington, D.C., whose work is driven by her empathy for the victim. (Entertainment Weekly)

FOX has announced the premiere dates for their shows. The following are the dates for their dramas: House at 8 PM and Debut of new show Lone Star at 9 PM on September 20; Glee at 8 PM on September 21; Bones and Fringe at 8 and 9 PM respectively on September 23; Human Target at 8 PM and The Good Guys at 9 PM on September 24 and Lie To Me at 8 PM on November 10. Mark your calendars. (FOX Broadcasting)

Laura Vandervoort (V) will make a return guest appearance as Clark’s cousin Kara on Smallville for its final season on the CW. The episode is tentatively set to air in October. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

FIRST LOOK AT TONIGHT’S TV

THE FUTON’S FIRST LOOK: “COVERT AFFAIRS” (USA)

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant/2010/07/13/the-futons-first-look-covert-affairs-usa/20100713_covertaffairs/

‘Covert Affairs’ review: Exciting and endearing espionage

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/07/covert-affairs-review-exciting-and-endearing-espionage.html

A Neighborhood of Voluntary Spies: An Advance Review of the Series Premiere of USA’s Covert Affairs

http://www.televisionaryblog.com/2010/07/neighborhood-of-voluntary-spies-advance.html

Television review: ‘Covert Affairs’

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-covert-affairs-20100713,0,1036045.story

‘White Collar’: Where did we leave off? What do we want for Season 2?

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/07/white-collar-where-did-we-leave-off-what-do-we-want-for-season-2.html

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES

Emma Roberts stars in the coming-of-age comedy Wild Child, which will premiere on the ABC Family Channel on August 8 at 8 PM. The movie will premiere during the network’s annual 10-day summer programming event called Campus Crush, which runs from August 1 – August 10. Roberts stars as 16-year-old Poppy, an LA teen diva who does what she wants whenever she wants. But after an over-the-top prank pushes her father (Aidan Quinn) one step too far, she finds herself shipped off to the one place where everything will change – British boarding school. No cell phones, no designer clothes, no way. Desperate to break free, she sets in motion the ultimate escape plan involving the son (Alex Pettyfer) of the head mistress (the late Natasha Richardson) – only to discover that this could be the reason she wants to stay. (The Futon Critic)

DVD ANNOUNCEMENTS

CSI

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/CSI-Season-10/14061

Being Erica

http://tvshowsondvd.com/n/14065

FALL PREVIEW

Fall Preview ‘10: HAWAII FIVE-0

http://thetvaddict.com/2010/07/12/fall-preview-%E2%80%9810-hawaii-five-0/#more-15615

‘Glee’: Rachel and Finn stay together, plus Kristin Chenoweth, Jonathan Groff, and more

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/07/glee-rachel-and-finn-stay-together-plus-kristin-chenoweth-jonathan-groff-and-more.html

BOX OFFICE

Amanda Seyfried has been cast in the lead role in the box office movie called I’m.mortal. The description of the movie is: “Time has become the currency. The rich are immortal, while the rest struggle to stay alive. When a “rebel” from the ghetto is falsely accused of murdering a wealthy man for his time, he is forced to go on the run with a beautiful hostage (Seyfried). Together, they rage against the system, living minute to minute. They discover that love is more powerful than all the time in the world.” (Variety and First Showing)

Sam Trammell (True Blood) will appear in the indie crime thriller Guns, Girls and Gambling, playing a sheriff working with a corrupt sheriff (Dane Cook). (Variety and Entertainment Weekly)

Allison Janney (The West Wing) will play Charlotte Phelan, the mother to heroine Skeeter Phelan, in the film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel The Help. Emma Stone (Zombieland) is set to star as aspiring writer Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, while Viola Davis will play Aibileen. Octavia Spencer has been cast as Minnie, and Bryce Dallas Howard is set to play Hilly, Skeeter’s childhood friend and adult nemesis. The Help will open in theaters next year. (Entertainment Weekly)

VOTING

Tater Top Awards: Shows You Love (and Love to Hate!)

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b188665_tater_top_awards_shows_you_love_love.html

POLL: Who should star in the movie version of Broadway’s ‘Wicked’?

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/07/poll-who-should-star-in-the-movie-version-of-broadways-wicked.html

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

Question: Brandon in Oregon: I saw some Team WWK Twitter action about Showtime’s new series Shameless. What else can you guys spill?

Kristin: Besides the fact that it’s far and away one of the best series pilots we’ve seen in recent history, Showtime announced today that we can all mark our calendars for its much-anticipated premiere date: Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011 at 10 p.m. And get ready to see some acting genius coming from Emmy Rossum, who is easily an awards season shoo-in next year. The picture on the right is a little misleading though, sadly, because Alison Janney (aka West Wing’s C.J. and evilish mother of Lost’s Jacob) is no longer a part of the project because of her new gig on ABC’s Mr. Sunshine.

Question: Pete in Boston: Shower us with some Vampire Diaries love today?

Kristin: Thanks to Ian Somerhalder and the clever tweeter that he is, we’re now in custody of a photo of the season premiere script, titled: “The Return.” So who’s returning?! Our guess is that it’s referencing Katherine or possibly Uncle John (David Anders), who’s not quite dead yet.

Question: Joyce in Maryland: Give me the goods on Pretty Little Liars, please!

Kristin: One of the Pretty Little Liars ladies is going to discover A’s identity sooner than you’d think. Troian Bellisario (Spencer) tells us: “A lot of things are coming to a head. One of the biggest things is one of us finding out who A is.” Even better? A wants to be found out! “We get invited to Mona’s party, and it’s nowhere that any of the PLLs, except Hanna, until we get a text that says that it’s a scavenger hunt, and that A is the prize. Then we’re all very interested in going.” Guesses as to who the lucky lady is?

Question: Betty in Boise, Idaho: Anything else on Pretty Little Liars?

Kristin: Hanna and her hot mamacita (Laura Leighton) are headed for some major financial woes. Like scary, house-losing money probs.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Welcome to another new week and also let the countdown begin to the 2010 Comic Con, which starts on July 21 with preview night. I’m looking forward to the convention even with the crazy schedule I will have each day in order to make all the panels for which I would like to attend. Fingers are crossed that all works out.

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

TELEVISION

Taylor Kinney (Trauma) will be seen in the second season of The Vampire Diaries in the recurring role of Mason Lockwood, the younger brother of late Mayor Lockwood. “Uncle Mason” is sexy and athletic and possesses an easygoing charm. Though he has more control than his nephew, he can “flip in an instant” if crossed. Kinney will make his first appearance in Diaries’ second-season premiere on Sept. 9. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Michael Gambon and Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins will guest star in this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special. The story is said to be a spin on “A Christmas Carol” and will be entitled “Father Who?” (The Guardian and Dark Horizons)

Frederic Lehne will reprise his role of the Yellow-Eyed Demon on Supernatural, at least according to what the actor stated at a Supernatural convention in New Jersey this past weekend. (Zap2It)

Andre Royo (The Wire) will guest star in the third season premiere of Fringe, reportedly playing Henry, “a soulful taxi driver who is unexpectedly forced into a tense situation with Olivia (Anna Torv).” (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly and Televisionary)

Despite the fact that the actor options have expired, the CW’s medical drama pilot HMS is said to still be in contention for a series order. “There is still no final word from the CW but I hear producer Warner Bros. TV is not giving up and is still hoping for a series order for the project, written/executive produced by Amy Holden Jones, co-executive produced by Hayden Panettiere and directed by Mark Piznarski. The actors are aware of the studio’s efforts and appear willing to return if there is a pickup soon.” (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Televisionary)

ABC is renewing its summer drama series Rookie Blue after only three weeks on the air. The series has averaged 7.1 million viewers since its debut. No word yet on when the second season of episodes will be aired, however. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Showtime will bring in the New Year with the premieres of the new drama series Shameless on January 9 at 10 PM; the new comedy series Episodes on January 10 at 10:30 PM and the fourth season premiere of the hit comedy series Californication on January 10 at 10 PM. Shameless is based on the long-running hit UK series with William H. Macy playing a far-from-stellar working class patriarch of an unconventional Chicago brood of six motley kids (headed by eldest sibling Emmy Rossum) who keep the home afloat while he’s out drinking and carousing. Episodes Matt LeBlanc and focuses on a British couple whose hit, erudite UK show is turned into an Americanized sitcom starring LeBlanc (as himself). Californication, of course stars David Duchovny as hedonistic novelist Hank Moody who struggles to raise his teenage daughter Becca (Madeleine Martin), with on-again, off-again girlfriend Karen (Natascha McElhone). (The Futon Critic)

Another long-running CBS procedural has been rocked by a high-profile departure: Melina Kanakaredes is leaving CSI: NY. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES

The first photos have been released for the BBC’s new take on Sherlock Holmes, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Watson respectively. The three 90-minute made-for-TV movies will kick off in the UK in late July/early August. (Digital Spy and Dark Horizons)

FIRST LOOK AT TONIGHT’S TV

THE FUTON’S FIRST LOOK: “RIZZOLI & ISLES” (TNT)

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant/2010/07/12/the-futons-first-look-rizzoli-and-isles-tnt/20100712_rizzoliandisles/

BOX OFFICE

Marcia Cross (Desperate Housewives) will star opposite Milla Jovovich in the indie drama Bringing Up Bobby. Famke Janssen (X-Men) is making her feature directorial debut working from a script which she also wrote herself. The film tells the story of a European con artist and her 10-year-old son who find themselves in Oklahoma in an effort to escape her past and build a better future. The two move quite successfully through a myriad of adventures until the mother’s criminal past catches up with her. Cross plays a woman who’s able to deal with the loss of her own child by becoming the adoptive mother of the son, and Bill Pullman plays her husband. (Variety and First Showing)

Gillian Anderson will appear as MI7 secret agent Pamela Head in the silly sequel Johnny English Reborn. Rowan Atkinson is returning as the clumsy British spy as he embarks on a search for traitors within Her Majesty’s Secret Service. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and First Showing)

Kathryn Morris (Cold Case) has joined the cast of the box office movie Moneyball, playing second wife to Brad Pitt’s Billy Beane, while Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) has signed on to play ball player Scott Hatteberg. (The Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly)

Here is the list of the top 10 movies at the box office for this past weekend courtesy of The Wrap:

1. “Despicable Me” ($60.1 million)
2. “Twilight Saga: Eclipse” ($33.4 million)
3. “Predators” ($25.3 million)
4. “Toy Story 3” ($22.0 million)
5. “The Last Airbender” ($17.2 million)
6. “Grown Ups” ($16.4 million)
7. “Knight and Day” ($7.8 million)
8. “Karate Kid” ($5.7 million)
9. “The A-Team” ($1.8 million)
10. “Cyrus” ($1.4 million)

VOTING

Tater Top Awards: Out With the Old, In With the New

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b188632_tater_top_awards_out_with_old_in_with.html

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

It’s the end of the week, finally! Doesn’t it seem like this week just lasted forever despite it being a short week. And maybe it’s me, but it seems like Fourth of July was a LONG time ago. It’s weird how the mind works sometimes, huh?

Anyway, here are the news items for today, covering television and the box office:

TELEVISION

Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) and Linus Roache (Law & Order) have joined the HBO drama pilot Miraculous Year. The pilot has been described as an examination of a New York family as seen through the eyes of a charismatic, self-destructive Broadway composer (played by Tony winner Eddie Redmayne). Hope Davis, Frank Langella, and Patti LuPone are also part of the cast. Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow is set to direct the pilot. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Brian Austin Green (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) has signed to Desperate Housewives for next season, playing a hot contractor in his 30s, who catches the eyes of some of the neighbors on Wisteria Lane. (Access Hollywood)

The new HBO series Boardwalk Empire will premiere on September 19 (IGN)

Ryan Murphy has confirmed that season two of Glee will include an episode featuring the music of Britney Spears. But according it looks like Spears will not be appearing in the episode. (Buzz Sugar and Kristin at E! Entertainment Online)

Alan Ball, the creator and show runner for the HBO hit series True Blood is launching a new pilot for the network. Adapted from the novel The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death by Charlie Huston, the series is to be called All Signs of Death and is to be considered a comedic drama, following a 20-something slacker who stumbles into a career as a crime scene cleaner, only to find himself entangled with a murder mystery, a femme fatale, and the loose ends of his own past. (Deadline Hollywood Daily, Zap2It and The Hollywood Reporter)

TV finally gets weight in focus

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-ca-overweight-20100711,0,159922.story

FIRST LOOK AT TONIGHT’S TV

The Futon’s First Look: Syfy’s Haven

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant/2010/07/08/the-futons-first-look-haven-syfy/20100708_haven/

Once for Luck: An Advance Review of Season Four of Syfy’s Eureka and New Series Haven

http://www.televisionaryblog.com/2010/07/once-for-luck-advance-review-of-season.html

10 developments will change everything on Eureka (spoilers)

http://scifiwire.com/2010/07/10-developments-will-chan.php

Three mini-reviews: ‘The Glades,’ ‘Eureka’ and ‘Haven’

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/07/three-minireviews-the-glades-eureka-and-haven.html

FIRST LOOK AT THIS WEEKEND’S TV

THE FUTON’S FIRST LOOK: “GLADES, THE” (A&E)

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant/2010/07/09/the-futons-first-look-glades-the-a-and-e/20100709_glades/

Surprisingly, The Glades is Not Just Another Florida Cop Show

http://www.tv.com/surprisingly-the-glades-is-not-just-another-florida-cop-show/story/23375.html?tag=news_hub_stories;

FIRST LOOK AT FALL TV

‘Lone Star’: FOX welcomes James Wolk as a con man deep in the heart of Texas

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/07/lone-star-fox-welcomes-james-wolk-as-a-con-man-deep-in-the-heart-of-texas.html

BOX OFFICE

Ralph Fiennes, Colin Firth and Michael Fassbender have all joined the movie adaptation of the espionage-themed literary classic by John le Carre Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, which is set in the mid-70’s during the height of the Cold War. Gary Oldman will play George Smiley, a judicious, reserved, middle-aged intelligence expert who is recalled out of forced retirement to hunt down a Soviet mole in the “Circus”, the highest echelons of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). (Variety and Dark Horizons)

More casting news has come out for the movie X-Men: First Class. Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy and Clash of the Titans) is set to play a young Beast/Hank McCoy. Official cast members of the movie so far include James McAvoy (Xavier), Michael Fassbender (Magneto) and Alice Eve (Emma Frost). Also recently added to the cast is Caleb Landry Jones (No Country for Old Men and Friday Night Lights), who will play Banshee, an Irish mutant who possesses a sonic scream, capable of harming auditory systems and causing physical vibrations. And, Lucas Till (Hannah Montana: The Movie) will play Havok, while Kevin Bacon is in talks to play a key villain. (Dark Horizons, Ain’t It Cool News, SlashFilm and First Showing)

Amber Entertainment and Chicagofilms plan to bring South Pacific to the big screen. (Variety and Entertainment Weekly)

VOTING

Tater Top Awards: Sexiness and Sobfests

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b188603_tater_top_awards_sexiness_sobfests.html

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Today was the big day – the Emmy Award nominations came out this morning. I have more on that further below. There were some other news-worthy items to share with all of you too.

TELEVISION

Gloria Reuben (ER) will guest-star in the season finale of the Lifetime series Drop Dead Diva. She will play Professor Kathy Miller, Jane (Brooke Elliott) and Grayson’s (Jackson Hurst) latest client. The season finale will air on Sunday, August 29 at 10 PM. (Natalie Abrams at TV Guide)

ABC has opted to drop the mockumentary format from its upcoming cop drama Detroit 1-8-7. ABC is also launching another mockumentary-style series in the fall — My Generation, a soapy relationship drama which revolves around a group of pals who’ve been harassed by documentary makers since they were high school seniors back in 2000 — so one wonders if the network decided that three such shows (counting Modern Family) might test viewers’ patience. (Vulture and Televisionary)

ABC has announced their fall line-up for the season premieres and the new series debuts. The list of dramas looks like this:

Castle – September 20 at 10 PM
Detroit 1-8-7 – September 21 at 10 PM (New Series)
The Whole Truth – September 22 at 10 PM (New Series)
My Generation – September 23 at 8 PM (New Series)
Grey’s Anatomy – September 23 at 9 PM
Private Practice – September 23 at 10 PM
Desperate Housewives – September 24 at 9 PM
Brothers & Sisters – September 24 at 10 PM
No Ordinary Family – September 28 at 8 PM (New Series)

NOTE: Thanks to The Hollywood Reporter for the list.

INSIDE TELEVISION

6 ways the new show Haven gives you Stephen King goodness

http://scifiwire.com/2010/07/6-ways-the-new-show-haven.php

EMMY NOMINATIONS

Complete List of 2010 Emmy Nominations

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b189329_complete_list_of_2010_emmy_nominations.html

DVD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Beastmaster

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/BeastMaster-Season-1/14035

Andromeda

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Andromeda-Season-1/14037

BOX OFFICE

Movie review: ‘The Kids Are All Right’

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-kids-all-right-20100708,0,7212474.story

VOTING

Tater Top Awards: Shows and Stars You’ll Miss Most

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b188584_tater_top_awards_shows_stars_youll_miss.html

Q&A SECTION (with Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Question: Is John Casey’s daughter, Alex (Mekenna Melvin), going to be a series regular next season on Chuck? —Charles

Ausiello: She’ll be the next best thing to a series regular: a recurring guest star.

Question: Castle scoop, pretty please? —Becca

Ausiello: When the show returns this fall, promotion for Castle’s new book, Naked Heat, will be in full swing. Of particular interest to Beckett will be the provocative image depicted in the posters, which will be splashed throughout the city.

Question: Is Patricia Wettig (Holly) leaving Brothers & Sisters? I sure hope not, because I love me some Holly and Nora scenes. —Nathan

Ausiello: All I know for sure is that Holly survives Carmageddon and plays a pivotal role in daughter Rebecca’s impending departure. “The way that Rebecca is going to be leaving is very exciting,” teases exec producer David Marshall Grant, “and it involves not just Justin but her mother. It’s a great story.”

Question: Any Brothers & Sisters scoop? —Ben

Ausiello: Grant all but confirms that Kevin and Scotty will eschew surrogacy for foster care when they take in a homeless teen this fall. “We’re casting a Hispanic kid who is going to be very prominent in Kevin and Scotty’s story this year,” he tells me. Additionally, Grant is on the lookout for an actor to play a possible suitor for grieving widow Kitty. “She has a ways to go before she’s really going to land on a boyfriend,” concedes Grant. “But men will certainly play a part in her life as she moves past the tragedy. We are actually looking for somebody right now that she’s going to meet around episode 3.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

It’s over the hump day and despite the shorter work week because of the Fourth of July holiday; this week seems to be moving along slowly. Or perhaps it’s just me. Anyway, there was a bit more news to cull together for today, including some details about the upcoming Comic Con. So, let’s get started:

COMIC CON DETAILS

Attention Torchwood fans: Make sure you pick up a copy of the new Torchwood comic, which will make its debut at San Diego Comic-Con later this month. The first issue of the monthly will feature a story written by John Barrowman and will be available at the convention exclusively until it hits shelves on August 10th. (Digital Spy and Televisionary)

This Thursday, the first-day schedule for Comic-Con International will be announced, but already all over Los Angeles, studio insiders are playing a game of “show me yours and I’ll show you mine” with their programming plans for film and television. One of the interesting tidbits we keep hearing about is the rumor that Entertainment Weekly is hosting a two-man panel that must come close to the elusive state known as Nerdvana: J. J. Abrams and Joss Whedon! (Geoff Boucher at the LA Times)

TELEVISION

Henry Ian Cusick (Lost) has signed on for at least two fall episodes of Law & Order: SVU, playing a graphic artist named Erik Weber. He may be a love interest for Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay). (William Keck at TV Guide)

Luke Grimes (Brothers & Sisters) and Haley Bennett (Marley & Me) have joined the FX drama pilot Outlaw Country, which will star Mary Steenburgen. The pilot is a crime thriller/family drama set against the backdrop of southern organized crime and Nashville royalty. Grimes will play twentysomething Eli Larkin, a half-cowboy, half-modern guy who tries to get out of the crime ridden life he has grown accustom to in order to help his siblings, however he finds out that it is much harder than he expected. Bennett will play twentysomething Annabel Lee, a gorgeous country singer who is living in the shadow of her overprotective mother (Steenburgen). (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Richard Dreyfuss will be joining the Showtime series Weeds for at least four episodes. He will play “an unexpected character” from the past of “Weeds” protagonist Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker). (The Wrap)

The second season premiere of the FOX series Glee has been set for Tuesday, September 7. (Twitter)

Skeet Ulrich (Jericho) has signed on to play one of the two lead detectives on Law & Order: Los Angeles. His character, Rex Winters, is described as an ex-Marine who possesses the intuition of a natural cop. His experience during the Rodney King Riots — which occurred during his second month on the job — shaped his philosophy on policing. Basically, the world is chaos and people are either good or bad. As an added twist, he’s currently married to his ex-partner. Ulrich is the first actor to sign up for LOLA duty. Five other roles are currently being cast. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES

Jane Kaczmarek (Raising the Bar) and Kim Dickens (Friday Night Lights and Treme) will appear in the Lifetime made-for-TV movie called Reviving Ophelia, which is based on the non-fiction book by Mary Pipher. They will play sisters who must help one another raise their teenage daughters. Project, written by Teena Booth and directed by Bobby Roth, will air later this year. (Variety and Televisionary)

DVD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dollhouse

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Dollhouse-Season-2/14016

Ally McBeal

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Ally-McBeal-Seasons-3-4-5/14017

BOX OFFICE

Gina Gershon, Danny Glover and Robert Patrick will appear in the independent movie Five Minarets in New York, which follows two police officers from the southeastern Turkish province of Diyarbakır, sent to New York to bring back a Turkish smuggler who was arrested in the United States and who will be delivered to Turkish authorities by the FBI. Gershon will play the wife of a Turkish scholar arrested by federal authorities after being wrongfully accused of a crime. (Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Christian Bale is apparently set to star in The Last Photograph, which revolves around a photograph that becomes the catalyst for a journey two men undertake through war-torn Afghanistan. (Pajiba and Dark Horizons)

Virginia Madsen will play the mother of Amanda Seyfried in the supernatural thriller Red Riding Hood. Max Irons (Jeremy’s son), Shiloh Fernandez, Lukas Haas, Julie Christie, Gary Oldman and Michael Hogan co-star in the medieval movie, which is set in a village that is being terrorized by a werewolf. Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) directs. The movie is expected to be released on March 11. (The Wrap)

VOTING

Tater Top Awards: Vote for the Best Bitches and Baddies!

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b188554_tater_top_awards_vote_best_bitches.html

Q&A SECTION (with the TV Gurus at TV Guide)

Question: Will Bones and Booth really be apart when Bones comes back? — Marta

MICKEY: It’s looking that way, particularly now that we know that Booth will meet his new love interest, a journalist, when she’s embedded with his unit in Afghanistan. In a seemingly Grey’s Anatomy-inspired Teddy-Owen-like twist, she’ll follow Booth back to Washington, where they’ll attempt to be together in the real world. And we all know how that goes. But don’t blame Bones — she’ll be nothing but supportive of the born-under-fire union.

Question: I heard Kevin and Scotty will lose their surrogate when Brothers & Sisters resumes. Please tell me it’s not true! — Brittney

ADAM: Would that I could, Brittney, but it sounds like after all that worrying last season, adopting a baby isn’t in the cards for the couple. Instead, look for the guys to open their home to an underprivileged teen this season.

Question: Have we seen the last of Shelby Corcoran on Glee? — Matty

MICKEY: I have a feeling that Idina Menzel will be back when the plot calls for it, but in the meantime, the writers are turning their attention toward Rachel’s as-yet-unseen two dads. It’s a little suspicious that we haven’t met them yet, but it seems that will change next season. Any casting suggestions? I vote for Taye Diggs and House’s Peter Jacobson.

Question: Any scoop on The Vampire Diaries’ new season? — Lally

MICKEY: The much-teased werewolf storyline will get under way quickly when an estranged relative breezes into Mystic Falls to act as a Mr. Miyagi type to the afflicted party. Apparently, Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec didn’t think my idea for a hoops-shooting wolf in the cast was so good (or original).

Question: What can you tell me about the new season of Eureka, particularly about James Callis’ character? — Chris

ADAM: Callis plays Dr. Grant, a brilliant physicist who takes an instant shine to Allison and who butts heads with Sheriff Carter. Despite his brains and his former ties to Eureka, he is a bit … out of place when he turns up on Founder’s Day.

Question: It’s awesome to have Warehouse 13 back on the air. Any hints about what’s ahead? — Trey

ADAM: While Myka and Pete chase down a superhero in Detroit (yes, a missing artifact brings one of Pete’s favorite childhood comic heroes to life), Artie is haunted by the ghost of McPherson in the Warehouse. Also look for Claudia to eventually make peace with Leena, who is still feeling some serious side effects from being manipulated by McPherson’s Pearl of Wisdom.

Question: What can we expect for Season 2 of Life Unexpected? — Liza

MICKEY: Baze will be playing the field a bit this season — both romantically and, well, vocationally. Don’t worry — Open Bar isn’t going anywhere (well, it is, but not right away). But it’s Baze’s unlikely new career that jump-starts his social life. In related news, Open Bar itself will serve as the spark for at least two new love connections, for characters who really deserve them.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

It’s a slow news day today, but I was still able to find some interesting items to share with everyone.

So, let’s get started:

TELEVISION

Reid Scott (My Boys) will have a recurring role on the new Showtime series The Big C. He will play Dr. Todd, the oncologist of Cathy (Laura Linney). The series follows Cathy, a school teacher and suburban mother who tries to rebuild her life after her cancer diagnosis. Since this role is a recurring one, it won’t conflict with his contract with TBS. The Big C premieres on August 16 at 10:30 PM. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and TV Guide)

Oscar winner Javier Bardem will guest star on the FOX musicomedy Glee next season. He will play a rock star who befriends Artie (Kevin McHale). The guest spot was Bardem’s idea, as he watched the entire first season in a week and pitched the idea to his Eat, Pray, Love director and Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly via TV Guide)

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Serenity and 2012), Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who), Sir Antony Sher (The Wolfman) and Stephen Rea (The Crying Game) have been cast in the BBC noir thriller The Shadow Line. The made-for-TV movie is described as “from the cop with a bullet in his brain, whose amnesia leaves him doubtful of his own moral compass; to the drug-lord driven by a profound personal tragedy, risking it all on one last deal; to the brilliantly lethal puppet-master who gradually emerges from the shadows to bring the story to its shocking climax – The Shadow Line explores the morality of these characters as they negotiate the repercussions of [drug baron Harvey] Wratten’s death and attempt to navigate the fine line between right and wrong.” (BBC and Televisionary)

BBC Worldwide is set to launch more television channels within the US to complement BBC America. No details were given about the potential new digital offerings, however. (Variety and Televisionary)

The Disney Channel made-for-TV movie Den Brother, about a teenage hockey star who is suspended from play and then must step in as substitute leader for his younger brother’s scout troop, is expected to air on August 13, but it will be available via Disney Channel on Demand beginning August 6. (Variety and Televisionary)

AMC has commissioned a new pilot called Hell on Wheels, which is described as “a contemporary western that centers on the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, centering on former confederate soldier Cullen Bohannan, whose quest for vengeance has led him to the Union Pacific Railroad’s westward construction of the first Transcontinental Railroad. (The Hollywood Reporter)

ADVANCE REVIEWS FOR TV

On Syfy, Fantasy Lite

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Syfy-Fantasy-Lite-1020186.aspx

Study in Bronze: An Advance Review of Season Two of Syfy’s Warehouse 13

http://www.televisionaryblog.com/2010/07/study-in-bronze-advance-review-of.html

INTERVIEW

Setting his sights on a new challenge, Christopher Gorham Talks COVERT AFFAIRS

http://thetvaddict.com/2010/07/06/setting-his-sights-on-a-new-challenge-christopher-gorham-talks-covert-affairs/

BOX OFFICE

Elisabeth Roehm (Heroes, Law & Order and Angel) has been cast in the action-thriller Abduction, replacing Emily Mortimer as Taylor Lautner’s biological mother. John Singleton is directing the movie about a young man who goes on the run after discovering that his parents aren’t his own when he sees his baby picture on a missing persons website. Lily Collins, Maria Bello and Sigourney Weaver also star. (Hollywood Reporter and Yahoo Movies)

VOTING

Tater Top Awards: Smackdowns and Smooches

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b188543_tater_top_awards_smackdowns_smooches.html

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Did everyone have a nice holiday weekend? I sure hope so!

Of course, because of the holiday weekend spilling into today – since many have today off in lieu of the Fourth of July being a Sunday – there isn’t too much new entertainment news to share with you, but I did find a few good items.

Here they are:

TELEVISION

Jeph Loeb Talks Marvel TV

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=26983

MOVIES

A number of actors have joined Jason Biggs and Joel David Moore in the box office film Grossroots, an independent political comedy that follows a recently fired journalist (Biggs) who reluctantly agrees to spearhead the Seattle City Council campaign of his eccentric friend (Moore), a former pedicab driver with a burning passion for the Monorail. The new cast members include Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother), Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Cedric the Entertainer, Christopher McDonald (Happy Gilmore), Emily Bergl (Men In Trees), and Tom Arnold. (The Wrap and First Showing)

With the big holiday weekend just ending, the box office numbers are rolling in from all over the place and depending on what time frame you look at The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is a HUGE winner. Since Wednesday, Eclipse has grossed over $175 million at the box office. Its closest competitor is The Last Airbender, which has made over $70 million from Thursday through Sunday. If we look at the other movies in the top 10 from Friday to Sunday estimates only it looks something like this:

3. Toy Story 3, $30.2 million
4. Grown Ups, $18.5 million
5. Knight and Day, $10.2 million
6. The Karate Kid, $8 million
7. The A-Team, $3 million
8. Get Him to the Greek, $1.2 million
9. Shrek Forever After, $799,000
10. Cyrus, $770,256

Thanks to the LA Times and E! Entertainment Online for these box office estimates.

FIRST LOOK AT THE BOX OFFICE

Badass New Photo of Jason Momoa as Marcus Nispel’s Conan

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/07/05/badass-new-photo-of-jason-momoa-from-marcus-nispels-conan/

Worth Watching: Trailer for Cairo Time

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/07/02/worth-watching-trailer-for-cairo-time-with-patricia-clarkson/

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

Question: While I applaud network TV for trying to tap into the summertime scripted market (a bastion for cable’s success), I can’t help but be pretty unimpressed thus far. ABC’s efforts have been almost universally disappointing. Scoundrels is a disaster, The Gates is painfully derivative (and for a show about vampires, werewolves, witches and who knows what else, is inexplicably boring), and Rookie Blue is a rip-off of Grey’s Anatomy in just about every way (but, you know, with cops instead of surgeons). Based on the ratings for these shows (with the modest exception of Rookie Blue), it seems to me that ABC’s foray into summertime has been a failure. Other networks are faring no better. Fox’s new series The Good Guys really didn’t appeal to me (even though my fidelity to Matt Nix made me really, really want to like it), and given its anemic viewership, I’m not the only one. Lie to Me seems to be one of the few that’s doing reasonably well, but it developed a fan-base during the regular season, so I don’t think it counts exactly.

 That said, I’m wondering if you have any theories as to why basic cable networks like TNT, ABC Family (although I must say I disagree about Huge—I found it dour and charmless, much to my chagrin), FX and, most notably, USA have such a grasp on summertime scripted programming while the basic networks are foundering. What is it that cable is doing so right and the big four are doing so wrong?

I look at USA Network in particular and wonder if it’s primarily an issue of branding. USA seems to have the best grasp on what it is as a network and has built a portfolio of shows that all seem to work together on a schedule (indeed, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who watches one show on USA and doesn’t watch at least two others). I do wish USA would branch out and make some riskier moves at times, but when looking at the success of their programming model, it’s hard to argue. Indeed, USA’s newest series, Covert Affairs, looks like it’ll be yet another fun, light-hearted dramedy feather in USA’s cap that will do very well (pairing it with White Collar was yet another strategic boon). That said, I’m more apprehensive about Covert Affairs than I have been about other USA series. I’ve never been much impressed by Piper Perabo and honestly don’t think she can anchor a show. Have you seen the pilot? Does she pull it off? Or is it more like watching Perabo trying desperately to be Alias’s Jennifer Garner and failing miserably? I’d love to hear your thoughts.—Lacy

Matt Roush: Let’s start with USA. In some ways, I look at that network as the cable equivalent of CBS. It knows what works for its audience and its brand and it stays mostly on message. Which means a lot of sameness from show to show, with a few doing the job better than others. (I’m particularly fond of Burn Notice and White Collar right now, but can make the case for others, while finding few of them qualifying as actual can’t-miss appointment TV). I too wish USA would try a bit harder to surprise us, but like you said (which also applies to CBS’s schedule, excepting the standout rookie The Good Wife), why mess with success? Covert Affairs has the look of another winner. Not because it’s great; it’s a bit too cutesy for my taste—which applies to the lead performance and a few of the more whimsical subplots and characters—but as a harmless caper paired with White Collar’s second season, if it doesn’t click I’ll be surprised. And I tend to enjoy USA’s shows more once they get past setting up the premise in their overstuffed pilot episodes, so I’ll keep an eye on that one.

While I more or less agree with you about the broadcast networks’ mostly feeble attempts to try scripted shows in the summer—you left out NBC’s burn-offs, which may be the worst of the bunch—I’m glad they’re at least trying something other than mind-numbing reality in a few time slots. One of these days, I’m hoping we’ll witness the next Northern Exposure and have something to celebrate. As I noted in a recent magazine review, the difference between network and cable in the summer is that many cable operations put their very best shows on during the summer, promoting the heck out of them. With the networks, that is certainly not the case. The most we can hope for (and rarely get) is something too offbeat to air during the regular season that can be nurtured during the off-season. Maybe next summer …

Question: Am I crazy or did CBS have a death wish for Three Rivers before it was ever started? They promo’ed it all last summer so we couldn’t wait for it to begin, and our family loved the show. Great cast, good story lines, it just seemed to have everything. Then CBS just killed the show with its scheduling. By putting it on Sunday night during football season, which often ended as late as 7:30 pm/ET, so it had to contend with 60 Minutes, whatever reality show was on and then Cold Case before it ever got on, sometimes as late as 11 pm, who would bother to watch it then? (I would record it on my DVR and watch it the next day, but even that was a challenge since the programming schedule was so thrown off—such a pain!). I’m sure the local news on CBS affiliate stations suffered as well.

Now the rest of the Three Rivers episodes which had not been aired came back on to fill in during the summer hiatus. [The final episode aired Saturday night.] We still love the show and I just wanted to express my displeasure with CBS. For many years now, the overall quality of CBS programming has been far superior to the other major networks and CBS had something to be proud of; but I feel that quality may be slipping away. Bringing back a remake of Hawaii Five-O with Alex O’Loughlin in it, instead of giving him and Three Rivers a fighting chance, is going to backfire, I think. (I read somewhere that Alex O’Loughlin is going to be treated as somewhat of a sex symbol in this remake, which will be the selling point of the show. Too bad, because I think he deserves better than that). Maybe I’ll be proven wrong about that, but my gut tells me it could very well be disappointing. Perhaps you didn’t think much of Three Rivers and we just had poor taste. But I can only say that after it disappeared abruptly partway through the season, off and on since the winter, one or another of us in our family would mention Three Rivers and how much we missed it.—G May

Matt Roush: To play devil’s advocate, the very fact that CBS aired promos all last summer that caught your attention is a sign CBS did not want Three Rivers to fail. (The network brought critics on the set last summer, and it’s clear they spent some money putting this show on its feet.) Though it can appear otherwise, networks don’t have a “death wish” about any show they put on the fall schedule, even the ones CBS chooses to air on Sundays after football. This situation is nothing new for CBS. It has had to deal with those overruns for as many years as I’ve been covering TV, and CBS analyzes the results accordingly. Three Rivers was not a very well reviewed show, that’s true, but lack of media buzz and subpar ratings (coupled with the ill effects of the Sunday scheduling) pretty much doomed it. As for your surprise that CBS is trying to package Alex O’Loughlin as a sex symbol, where have you been? Ever since the short-lived Moonlight, his fan base has been all about the hubba-hubba. That’s only going to intensify once Hawaii gets out there (although on that show, he’s going to have plenty of competition). In the big picture of things, Three Rivers with its transplant storylines always ensuring the death of one character to help another survive may have been too much of a downer for the mass audience.

Question: Why is it that shows that are critically acclaimed but lower on viewership are never recognized with awards or nominations? Shows like Friday Night Lights, Chuck, Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars are (or were) cult favorites of fans and critics alike because of their great writing and acting, but you won’t see any of them nominated for an Emmy. Conversely, I can’t name a single person I know who watches Two and a Half Men, but it’s a very popular show for some reason, and its actors seem to be perpetually nominated. Granted, I am a total TV snob, but do the committees who decide award nominees care more about ratings than quality? During Oscar season, it seems that the quirky, little-known, barely-seen movie is nominated over the megabucks blockbuster almost every time. Why are the circumstances different for TV?—Joanna

Matt Roush: A couple of things at play here. We’ve griped for years about the cold shoulder Friday Night Lights got from the start at the Emmys. Maybe if it had aired on cable, it would be different, because the other side of the equation is that many cable series whose numbers pale by comparison to network shows are Emmy darlings (Mad Men as the most obvious example). Shows on the WB and the CW have never been taken seriously by the Emmy voters, perhaps being seen as part of a “youth ghetto” or some such ridiculous notion. But if you make some noise on cable, especially the pay channels (although FX, TNT and USA and a few others break through from time to time), the ratings seem to be immaterial. It is perverse that the Oscars often reward box-office duds while the Emmys tend to ignore terrific shows that are deemed unsuccessful, and that’s especially true with network series, which tend to get canceled quicker than on cable. And while I hear you on Two and a Half Men, I think it’s dangerous to dismiss a show merely because it’s popular. (And I hear gripes quite frequently from fans who wonder why top-rated shows like NCIS and the various CSI shows are snubbed as well.) Case in point: I will personally be very annoyed if The Big Bang Theory, now a monster hit, doesn’t make the cut for best comedy this year.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Today’s update is being posted later than usual simply because I had the opportunity to leave my day job early today (for the holiday weekend), take in a movie with a friend and then come home to enjoy some of my television shows.

But, there is some good news to share with all of you so let’s get started:

TELEVISION

FX is pulling out all the stops this fall as four of its original series will roll out in September. Promos released today by the cable channel indicate new seasons of “The League” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” are set for said month, as well as the new drama “Terriers,” starring Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James. The three shows join “Sons of Anarchy,” which had previously been booked for September. Exact dates however weren’t specified however one assumes “Anarchy” will remain on Tuesday nights while “Sunny” and “League” will likely continue on Thursdays. (The Futon Critic)

Before the shows can start their new seasons or debut, the USA Network is already setting their season finale dates. White Collar will wrap the opening half of its sophomore season on Tuesday, September 7 at PM while Psych will do the same for its fifth season on Wednesday, September 8 at 10 PM. Both series will then return for the back half of their respective seasons – presumably seven episodes each – this winter. Meanwhile, newcomer Covert Affairs will close its freshman run on Tuesday, September 14 with a two-hour finale beginning at 9 PM. As previously reported, Thursday dramas Burn Notice and Royal Pains will close their summer cycles on August 26 before returning this winter with six new installments. (The Futon Critic)

Before the series could even air it’s already over. Which show is that? The new fall series Chaos, which was to air on NBC, is done for; the actors have been released from their contracts and the show is basically dead. Why, you may ask? Economics. And the show won’t be jumping to another network either so that’s that. (Variety and Televisionary)

Several pilots remain in contention for midseason as the options were quietly renewed for a handful of actors (though not the entire cast) on several pilots, including Wright Vs. Wrong, Awkward Situations for Men, Team Spitz, and HMS. With the exception of HMS, the other projects will shoot new pilots, with altered casts. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Televisionary)

Amy Madigan will step into the role of Olivia’s mother on the new season of Fringe, beginning with the Season 3 premiere. The character, who may only appear “over there,” is described as a devoted mother with surprising ties to the Bishop family. (Entertainment Weekly and TV Guide)

FIRST LOOK AT FALL TV

Pilot View: The CW’s new drama ‘Hellcats’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-the-cws-new-drama-hellcats.html

Pilot View: The CW’s new drama, ‘Nikita’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-the-cws-new-drama-nikita.html

Pilot view: ABC’s new drama ‘No Ordinary Family’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-abcs-new-drama-no-ordinary-family.html

Pilot view: ABC’s new drama ‘Body of Proof’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-abcs-new-drama-body-of-proof.html

Pilot View: ABC’s new drama, ‘Detroit 1-8-7’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-abcs-new-drama-detroit-187.html

Pilot View: ABC’s new drama, ‘My Generation’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-abcs-new-drama-my-generation.html

A LOOK AT WHAT TO WATCH THIS FALL (from TV Guide)

Best New Fall Shows: Our Editors’ Picks

http://www.tvguide.com/News/New-Fall-Shows-1020137.aspx

DVD ANNOUNCEMENT

In Treatment

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Treatment-season-2-announced/14003

VOTING

Tater Top Awards: Vote for Your Drama Kings and Queens

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b188359_tater_top_awards_vote_your_drama_kings.html

BOX OFFICE MOVIES

Heather Graham will star in Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, based on the popular children’s book series. She will play zany Aunt Opal, a globe-trotting, somewhat nutty personality who babysits Judy and Judy’s brother Stink for the summer. The series follows the humorous adventures of third-grader Judy Moody. (Variety and First Showing)

A reboot of the 1980s action hit The Fall Guy is in early development, bringing the action hero to the big screen. The Fall Guy, which was created by action maven Glen A. Larson and starred Lee Majors, aired from 1981 to 1986 on ABC. Majors played Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman by day and bounty hunter by night. He often incorporated his stunts into his bounty-hunting, flying vehicles (his trademark large pickup especially) over large objects, jumping from impossibly high angles and doing other things ’80s heroes did to nab the people they were chasing. Heather Thomas co-starred and often got into trouble with him. Action series from the 1980s have been coming in waves to the movie world: The Dukes of Hazard hit six years ago, The A-Team just hit, The Equalizer” is being developed for Russell Crowe as a possible starring vehicle, and MacGyver (the real one, not the satire) is moving forward apace. (Steven Zeitchik from LA Times)

Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica) and Alison Brie (Community) have joined the West Craven movie Scream 4 and they are joining recent additions Adam Brody, Marley Shelton and Erik Knudsen. Already part of the cast are Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette as well as Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Rory Culkin, Nico Tortorella, Anthony Anderson and newcomer Marielle Jaffe. The film is set to carve up the box office on April 15, 2011. (The Wrap)

Abigail Spencer (Mad Men) has joined the cast of the comic book adaptation movie Cowboys and Aliens. Daniel Craig plays Zeke Jackson, the lead character in a story about Apache Indians and Western settlers who must lay their differences aside when an alien spaceship crash lands in Silvery City, Arizona. Spencer will play a prostitute named Alice, a former lover of Craig’s character who makes him change his ways. Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Adam Beach, Keith Carradine and Paul Dano also star. (Heat Vision and Dark Horizons)

FIRST LOOK AT BOX OFFICE

Meet the New Hot Spider-Man!

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b188693_meet_new_hot_spider-man.html

Official Teaser Poster for Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/07/02/official-teaser-poster-for-harry-potter-the-deathly-hallows/

That’s it. Enjoy!

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