Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

There is quite a bit of interesting entertainment news to share with you today, covering television, movies, DVD and more. Please read on:

TELEVISION

Gail O’Grady will guest star in the August 29 episode of Drop Dead Diva, playing the mom of a 16-year-old girl who’s being sued for “cyber-bullying.” Grady will next be seen in this fall in the new CW series Hellcats. (Zap2It)

Former soap star Blair Redford (Passions) will have a major recurring role in the CW series 90210 when it returns this fall. He will play Oscar, a handsome, charismatic, and charming Brit that a show insider describes as “one part Talented Mr. Ripley, one part young Johnny Depp, and all parts sexy.” But don’t be fooled. Oscar, who moves in with Ivy and her mom, is trouble with a capital “T” that rhymes with “P” that stands for pot stirrer. 90210‘s third season premieres on September 13. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

None other than John Schneider himself will be returning to Smallville for its tenth and final season. Considering his character, Clark Kent’s father Jonathan Kent, passed away in Season 5 details are scarce as to how he will return, but the episode will be called Lazarus and Schneider is expected to appear in at least one other episode as the season continues. (IGN)

Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared are coming back to television. The cable channel IFC has acquired syndication rights for both shows, from executive producer Judd Apatow. Freaks and Geeks will begin airing this Friday at 11 pm ET/PT (along with repeats on Sundays at 10 pm and Mondays at 11 pm), while Undeclared will bow in the fall. (IFC will also air a never-been-aired episode of Undeclared.) (Variety and Televisionary)

SPOILER! Actress Harriet Sansom Harris (Frasier) will reprise her role as Felicia Tilman on ABC’s Desperate Housewives next season as part of the return of Mark Moses’ character Paul to the series. (TV Guide and Televisionary)

Make It Or Break It is heading to Tuesday nights. ABC Family will shift the show’s sophomore season to Tuesdays at 9:00/8:00c starting July 13. There the series will serve as lead-out to its freshman hit Pretty Little Liars. The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Huge will stay put on Mondays, giving the cable channel a pair of originals on Mondays and Tuesdays. (The Futon Critic)

FIRST LOOK AT FALL TV

Pilot View: NBC’s new drama ‘Outlaw’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-nbcs-new-drama-outlaw.html

Pilot View: NBC’s drama ‘Chase’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-nbcs-drama-chase.html

Pilot View: NBC’s new drama, ‘Undercovers’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/pilot-view-nbcs-new-drama-undercovers.html

DVD ANNOUNCEMENT

Andromeda

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Andromeda-season-2-artwork/13999

MOVIES

Amanda Seyfried has signed on to play Cinderella in the Disney film based on the classic cartoon. (From the website: In Case You Didn’t Know)

Lauren Graham is out and Adam Brody is in. At least that is the lasting in a dizzying array of casting twists over at Scream 4. (Zap2It)

Deborah Ann Woll (True Blood) has joined the cast of Catch .44, playing one of three female assassins alongside Malin Ackerman (Watchmen) and Nikki Reed (Twilight). Bruce Willis and Forest Whitaker also star. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and True-Blood.net)

Oscar winner Meryl Streep is set to play Margaret Thatcher in Thatcher, a biopic of the former British Prime Minister. The film is set in March 1982 in the days leading up to the Falklands War when her support from both the public and within the party was at its lowest. Her victory in the Falklands led to Thatcher’s re-election along with helping her push through major societal reforms. Jim Broadbent is also in talks to play her husband Denis. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

FIRST LOOK AT BOX OFFICE

First Look Photos: Aguilera & Cher in Steven Antin’s Burlesque

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/30/first-look-photos-aguilera-cher-in-steven-antins-burlesque/http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/30/first-look-photos-aguilera-cher-in-steven-antins-burlesque/

INTERVIEWS

‘White Collar’ star Matt Bomer is our Must List Summer Crush

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/01/matt-bomer-white-collar/

‘Drop Dead Diva’ star Ben Feldman takes the EW Pop Culture Personality Test

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/01/drop-dead-diva-ben-feldman/

VOTING

Tater Top Awards: Who Brings the Funny?

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b188246_tater_top_awards_who_brings_funny.html

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

Question: Can you please give us some information on season 3 of Castle? It’s my favorite show. —Malisa M

Ausiello: How’s this? The season premiere promises to be a hot one, as it takes place in a hush-hush burlesque club and introduces us not only to the joint’s star/owner, a knockout by the name of — I kid you not — Kitty Canary, but also her equally attractive hubby.

Question: Regarding last Sunday’s True Blood sexcapades, I was not expecting that from Bill. Please may I have a scoop since I have to wait until July 11 for the next episode? —Angi

Ausiello: I warned you it would go down as the most, ahem, twisted sex scene in television history, didn’t I? Anyway, Kevin Alejandro — who goes back to work on Southland in October — says we’ll “be seeing more of Jesus” beginning July 18. “I come back in the fifth episode, then you see me pretty regularly from there to the finale.” And, erm, a lot of him. As things heat up between Jesus and Lafayette, he says, “I promise it gets racy.”

Question: More True Blood scoop, please! —Sam

Ausiello: Alan Ball reveals that there will be a lot of “werewolves and vampires throwing down” at the end of the season. I know, not much of a scoop. Cut me some slack. It’s the Thursday before the 4th of July. Is anyone even reading this thing?

Question: Please answer my burning question: Will Jason Ritter be returning to Parenthood in season 2? —Cowsxgoxmooxtoo

Ausiello: Ask me again in September when the ratings come in for Ritter’s new NBC drama The Event. In the meantime, remember my item last week about Parenthood producers casting the role of Adam’s (Peter Krause) boss? Well, I neglected to tell you that the new guy will also be a love interest for Sarah (Lauren Graham).

Question: I am loving Pretty Little Liars. Definitely my new guilty pleasure. Have any scoop? —Kim

Ausiello: Silly question, Kim. And here’s a serious answer: yes. By season’s end, our plot will thicken so much, it’ll damn near solidify. For starters, Emily’s dad is about to come home and get a big shock from his little girl. Plus, Agent Wilden’s “bad cop” will soon get a “good cop” counterpart, a lady Fed who sounds like a Diane Lane dream role. And we’re about to start spending more time at the bank where Ashley works – at least enough to delve into her desperate financial situation and meet her 30ish boss.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

There is quite a bit of news to share again, covering TV, movies and more. Check it out below:

TELEVISION

Larry King is leaving CNN this fall after 25 years as the host of Larry King Live. (Los Angeles Times and Televisionary)

SPOILER ALERT! Doctor Who show runner/head writer Steven Moffat has teased details about next season of the sci-fi drama, which stars Matt Smith and Karen Gillan. The secret behind just what that voice meant by “silence will fall” will be explored in the new season of Doctor Who, which will air in 2011 (after a Christmas Special, confirmed last weekend by BBC). “What is that, who is that, who are the silence, what’s coming? The whole point of the silence is next series,” Moffat told Doctor Who Confidential “Also, River Song… who is she really? That’s what we’re going to find out next year.” (Digital Spy and Televisionary)

Claire Forlani and Peter Mooney have joined the upcoming medieval drama Camelot from Starz. Forlani will play Queen Igraine, the mother of Arthur (Jamie Campbell Bower), while Mooney will play Kay, Arthur’s brother. The rest of the cast includes Joseph Fiennes, Eva Green, and Tamsin Egerton. Camelot is slated to launch in early 2011. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Televisionary)

Drama-heavy FX is getting serious about comedy. The cable channel has successfully wooed Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) to headline its in-the-works U.S. remake of the hit Australian sitcom Wilfred. The project revolves around a guy (Wood), a girl, and a mixed-breed dog named Wilfred. This marks Wood’s first major foray into television. Production on the Wilfred pilot will begin later this summer. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Starz has decided not to renew critical favorite Party Down after just two short seasons. Starz executive vice president of programming Stephan Shelanski, who also announced the end of freshman series Gravity today, stated: “After careful consideration, we’ve decided not to continue on with subsequent seasons of Party Down and Gravity. We’re grateful to everyone involved in the shows, and are proud to have had them on the channel. Starz remains committed to aggressively expanding our original programming lineup.” (Kristin at E! Entertainment Online)

FALL TV SCHEDULE

THE CW NETWORK ANNOUNCES FALL PREMIERE DATES

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/06/30/the-cw-network-announces-fall-premiere-dates/20100630cw01/

FIRST LOOKS AT FALL TV

Pilot View: Fox’s new drama, ‘Lone Star’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/06/pilot-view-foxs-new-drama-lone-star.html

Pilot View: CBS’ new drama ‘Blue Bloods’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/06/pilot-view-cbs-new-drama-blue-bloods.html

Pilot View: CBS’ new drama, ‘Hawaii Five-O’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/06/pilot-view-cbs-new-drama-hawaii-fiveo.html

Pilot View: CBS’ new drama ‘The Defenders’

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/06/pilot-view-cbs-new-drama-the-defenders.html

VOTING

Tater Tops Awards: Couple Showdown

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b188176_tater_tops_awards_couple_showdown.html

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES (provided by The Futon Critic)

‘FAIRFIELD ROAD’
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 (9 PM ET/PT, 8C)

Noah McManus (Jesse Metcalfe) is leaving his job with the Boston mayor’s office for a dream gig in Washington, D.C. But in a single day, he finds out his new boss in Washington is a corrupt Senator who can no longer employ him and that his girlfriend has been cheating on him. Devastated, Noah travels to a quaint Cape Cod town. When he falls into the middle of a heated local election and finds love with the local bookshop owner (Natalie Lisinska), he unexpectedly finds himself at home.

‘GROWING THE BIG ONE’
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23 (9 PM ET/PT, 8C)

Radio DJ Emma Silver (Shannen Doherty) is leading a chic life in Seattle when she finds her beloved grandfather has died. Traveling to Valleyville to take care of the details, Emma is stunned to learn her grandfather has left her his farm, along with a sizable amount of debt. To keep the bank from foreclosing, Emma decides to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and enter Valleyville’s annual pumpkin growing contest with his prized seeds. She reluctantly teams up with her neighbor Seth (Kavan Smith) in hopes the prize money can save her farm and his business from going under. As Emma works to adapt to farming, grow the biggest pumpkin and win the prize money, she may actually find the greatest prize is one she can’t put a price on.

‘SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR’
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6 (9 PM ET/PT, 8C)

Claudia (Daphne Zuniga) is an ambitious attorney striving to become partner at her law firm. But when Claudia has a run in with Gina (Faye Dunaway), a stranger who introduces herself as a Transpersonal Psychologist, Gina steps in providing Claudia an opportunity to see how the other half lives. Bumping her head, Claudia wakes up in an alternate reality as a wife and mother of two. She unexpectedly finds great joy in having a family and, after being pulled back into the real world, is far less fulfilled as a single woman living only for her career. Realizing how much she is sacrificing, she sets a new direction in life to make room for love and family.

‘THE GOOD WITCH’S GIFT’
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 (9 PM ET/PT, 8C)

Catherine Bell continues her role as the enchanting Cassie Nightingale in “The Good Witch’s Gift,” the third in the series from Hallmark Channel’s highly-rated original movies, “The Good Witch” and “The good Witch’s Garden.” Cassie Nightingale has settled comfortably in Middleton with a successful boutique and is now engaged to Sheriff Russell (Chris Potter). But with only two short weeks till Christmas, the Sheriff is desperate to find the perfect gift. With no wedding date set, the Sheriff wants to give Cassie a family for Christmas this year and suggests they get married on Christmas Eve. But, as usual, things don’t always happen as planned and Cassie must use a bit of magic to give her new family that special Christmas.

‘THE NIGHT BEFORE THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS’
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20 (9 PM ET/PT, 8C)

Angela Fox (Jennifer Beals) and her husband (Rick Roberts) are too busy with their jobs to pay attention to the Christmas season, let alone their two kids, Hannah and Toby. The night before Christmas Eve, they are startled when Santa Claus crash-lands onto their roof, dropping his sleigh and reindeer in the backyard. Santa hits his head in the fall and can’t remember anything about Christmas, including himself. With Santa’s journey around the world in jeopardy of being cancelled, Toby, who still believes in the magic of Christmas, begs this family to get in the holiday spirit to help jog Santa’s memory. As the fate of the holiday rests in their hands, the Foxes must work together to get Santa, and their family, back on track.

DEBBIE MACOMBER’S MRS. MIRACLE 2′
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27 (9 PM ET/PT, 8C)

Based on the book by acclaimed author Debbie Macomber, Doris Roberts reprises her role this Christmas as the enchanting Mrs. Miracle. When a group of troubled New Yorkers are each down on their luck, it is Mrs. Miracle (Doris Roberts) who arrives in town to single-handedly restore the true meaning of the holiday season.

INTERVIEW (from Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Emily VanCamp confirms ‘Brothers & Sisters’ exit: ‘Rebecca has run her course’

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/06/30/emily-vancamp-brothers-sisters-exit/

MOVIES

Dominic Cooper (Mamma Mia) will star as Howard Stark in the Captain America: The First Avenger movie opposite Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan and Stanley Tucci. In the film, Cooper will portray the younger version of Howard Stark, the character which John Slattery portrayed in Iron Man 2. (Movie Web)

Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) will star in the movie Rise of the Apes as the lead ape Caesar the, “chimp who leads the simian revolt.” The cast already includes James Franco, John Lithgow and Freida Pinto. (Movie Web)

Elias Koteas has been cast in the movie Winnie, the Winnie Mandela biopic. He will play De Vries, an overzealous officer in the apartheid police state who rises in power and becomes intent on stopping Winnie and the black anti-apartheid activists from gaining power. (Dark Horizons and The Hollywood Reporter)

Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Jude Law, Ray Winstone, Christopher Lee, Helen McCrory, and Richard Griffiths have joined the Martin Scorsese 3D adventure film Hugo Cabret, which is based on the Brian Selznick novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret. The story follows an orphan boy living a secret life in the walls of a Paris train station. He is soon caught up in a magical, mysterious adventure that could put all of his secrets in jeopardy. The film is set to open December 9th 2011. (Dark Horizons)

Angela Bassett has joined the ensemble comedy movie Jumping the Broom. The movie is set around a weekend wedding in Martha’s Vineyard and follows the class struggle between two quite different African-American families. Bassett will play a Washington heiress and the mother of Paula Patton’s wealthy family matriarch character. Also joining them are Romeo Miller as Patton’s Yale student cousin and Laz Alonso as Patton’s love interest. Loretta Devine also stars. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Peter Sarsgaard (Knight & Day, An Education) is set to star in a biopic of bluegrass musician Bill Monroe. The story will follow the life of Bill Monroe from his childhood on a farm in Kentucky as the youngest of eight children. Similar in tone and style to Johnny Cash’s story in Walk the Line, Monroe didn’t lead the simplest of lives with both of his parents dying before he was 17 years old, but he managed to have a career spanning 60 years which got him inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (The Wrap and First Showing)

Q&A SECTION (with the TV gurus from TV Guide)

Question: Will Bailey’s boyfriend Ben be back next season on Grey’s Anatomy? — Sheena

ADAM: Jason George’s role on Off the Map, Shonda Rhimes’ midseason show, doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Bailey’s romance, according to Chandra Wilson. Whatever happens, she says the relationship is important for Bailey’s growth. “How many of us go through long-term relationships that end and then you have to sit there and figure out what to do now?” Wilson says. “That’s her journey. … It was about that discovery and how it will change her personality.”

Question: Any scoop on the new season of Glee? — Amy

MICKEY: Jayma Mays tells us how she heard that John Stamos had been cast to play a dentist/Emma’s love interest. “I got a text message from a friend and all it said was: ‘Uncle Jesse?'” she recalls with a laugh. The season finale set up a pretty clear love triangle among Mr. Schu, Emma and Dr. Teeth, but what if it’s actually a square? The cutie-pie clean freak may be getting competition on all fronts from Jessalyn Gilsig’s dastardly Terri.

Question: What have you heard about next season of NCIS: Los Angeles? — Trent

ADAM: The team is getting some extra help: Look for them to sign on a tomboy-ish intelligence analyst who often speaks before she thinks. But she’s also unflappable in a crisis.

Question: Will Debbie Pelt be as crazy on HBO’s True Blood as she was in the books? — Tommy

MICKEY: I’m hearing yes, but not initially. Brit Morgan’s debut will be somewhat restrained, and her character’s quick temper and jealous streak will unveil themselves gradually. But once they do, watch out. “I’m going on a rampage against Sookie,” Morgan tells us. “I’m not too happy with her.”

Question: Anything cool coming up on The Good Guys? — Kyle

ADAM: How about a Homer Simpson cameo? Dan Castellaneta, who voices the Simpson patriarch, will play a bank robber with whom Bradley Whitford’s Detective Stark has some history. The episode has an Ocean’s Eleven vibe; the heists are never what they seem.

Question: I can’t wait for the new season of White Collar — where will it pick up? — Whitney

MICKEY: We’ll see that plane explode once more, but then there will be a time jump that allows Neal to move on fairly quickly from Kate’s death — yes, I said death. Plus: Diana (Lost’s Marsha Thomason) is back!

That’s it. Enjoy!

Read Full Post »

Hey All,

Lots of news to share with you today, including some great movie trailers, so let’s get this thing started, shall we?

TELEVISION

Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson will in at least one episode (if not more) of Curb Your Enthusiasm. No details seem available as yet on what part he will be playing. (PaperMag)

Looks like when Vampire Diaries returns in the fall, viewers will be introduced to the “much younger and cooler brother of recently deceased Mayor Lockwood (Robert Pralgo) who has “been estranged from the family.” The brother will introduce a lot of questions about what is so special about that creepy Lockwood family. (William Keck at TV Guide)

The rejected FOX pilot Breakout Kings has found a new home: A&E. The cable channel has picked up the highly regarded hour-long drama for 13 episodes. The series, created by Prison Break’s Matt Olmstead, revolves around a group of U.S. marshals and ex-cons that team up to apprehend escaped criminals. It stars Jason Cerbone, Domenick Lombardozzi, Laz Alonzo, Malcolm Goodwin, and Nicole Steinwedell. (Michael Ausiello from Entertainment Weekly)

Janeane Garofalo (24) may be joining the Criminal Minds spin-off, aptly titled Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. The series already stars Oscar winner Forest Whitaker as the leader of an elite team of agents within the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. Garofalo would play one of those agents. (Michael Ausiello from Entertainment Weekly)

Steve Carell has confirmed that he will leave the NBC comedy The Office following the conclusion of next season, the series’ seventh. (Kristin at E! Entertainment Online)

Mitch Pileggi is officially returning to Supernatural as Sam and Dean’s presumed-dead grandpa on a recurring basis throughout season 6. The show is also looking for an actor in his late-30s to mid-40s to play the recurring role of Christian, who is “capable, calm under pressure, and very good at his job.” Christian has a special relationship to Sam and Dean. (Michael Ausiello from Entertainment Weekly)

Shawn Spencer (played by James Roday) on Psych will meet his match – and then some – when Nestor Carbonell (Lost) joins the series for a multi-episode arc. Carbonell has been cast in the role of Declan Rand, a criminal profiler who over the course of two episodes will shape up to be Shawn’s professional – as well as romantic – rival. So savvy is Declan at what he does that Gus (Dule Hill) will dub him “Shawn 2.0.” Psych premieres on July 14. (Matt Mitovich at Fancast)

Want to Join the ‘Glee’ Club? Audition on New Reality Series

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/29/want-to-join-the-glee-club-audition-on-new-reality-series/?src=tptw

VOTING

Tater Tops Are Here! Vote Now For Breakout TV Star

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b187767_tater_tops_are_here_vote_now_breakout.html

Tater Top Awards: What Was the Best TV Shocker?

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b188136_tater_top_awards_what_was_best_tv.html?

MOVIES

You can expect to see Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce in the remake of the 1973 horror movie “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark,” which opens on January 21st 2011. The story centers on a young girl (Bailee Madison), sent to live with her father (Pearce) and his new girlfriend (Holmes), who discover sinister creatures that live in a formerly sealed off basement fireplace. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

Tyler Hoechlin (“7th Heaven”) and Agnes Bruckner (“24,” “Private Practice”) have signed on for the indie film noir “Open Gate”. Hoechlin plays a rodeo clown and bull fighter in a small East Texas town, who discovers that the bulls are being used to smuggle drugs. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Alexander Skarsgard (“True Blood”) is attached to star in the action thriller “The Elephant”. Based on Magnar Jonsgaard’s novel “Black Rain”, the blond hunk will play a Norwegian roustabout who tangles and then bonds with a redneck American driller as they attempt to stop a building oil rig explosion in the frigid North Sea. Casting is currently under way for three American stars. Shooting will kick off either in late Fall or early 2011. (The Wrap and Dark Horizons)

MOVIE TRAILERS

First Trailer for final Harry Potter

http://scifiwire.com/2010/06/first-trailer-for-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows.php?

Julia Roberts’ Eat Pray Love Final Official Trailer

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/28/watch-this-julia-roberts-eat-pray-love-final-official-trailer/#ixzz0sG0MNwKl

First Teaser for Johnny Depp’s Animated Rango

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/29/must-watch-first-teaser-for-johnny-depps-animated-rango/

MUSIC INTERVIEW

A genuine piece of Sarah McLachlan

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-sarah-mclachlan-20100629,0,5311977.story

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

Question: Do you have any other info on that lost Lost scene?

Kristin: As a matter of fact, we’ve confirmed reports from our pal over at PopWrap that the unseen story of Hurley and Ben will be called “The New Man in Charge”—how exciting is that?! The DVD extra will run exactly 11 minutes, 40 seconds long…just enough time to find out what went down between Jacob’s reign and the end of our beloved Lost. Also, we’ll get the scene on the Season Six DVD and also the complete compilation, so you can drop to your knees and thank whatever deity you like (Jacob?).

Question: I’m in love with Pretty Little Liars. Please tell me there’s hope for more after this season?

Kristin: Why wait? ABC Family is loving it as much as the fans and just this morning upped the first season episode order to 22—that’s 12 more hours of Pretty Little Liars for your viewing pleasure!

NOTE: The remainder of the Q&A Section contains spoilers – SPOILER ALERT! – so please tread lightly:

Question: Alright, give it to me straight. What’s the deal with Sam’s little brother on True Blood?

Kristin: What, you mean little ol’ Tommy? He’s harmless—in the sociopath, crazy-person sorta way! Marshall Allman, aka Sam’s little bro Tommy, is in it for the long haul this season, and a source tells us he intends on “bringing Bon Temps to its knees.” Sounds fun, right? “I go in and have a lot of fun,” Marshall tells us. “There’s not an impulse that I don’t act on. I’m tons of fun. And then I’ll take your wallet, [and] I’ll also steal your girl.” Yes, we’re hearing some girl-stealing is afoot. Any guesses as to which lovely lady Tommy might have on his arm?

Question: True Blood, please.

Kristin: Marshall tells us he’ll be around well into the “shocking” season finale, and that even though he’ll do some pretty terrible things to Bon Temps during his stay (yep, he’s moving in!), don’t judge too quickly. “People will see that I have a heart, but they’re just going to be frustrated that I’m not being who I was meant to be,” he says, “I suffered a lot of dysfunction, and I just need a lot of love.” Sources have also revealed that Tommy might be working to Sam at Merlotte’s soon enough, so watch out for that, ’cause that seems to be where all truly terrible people end up at one time or another. (Note: Hands off Arlene, too, buddy. She’s with child.)

Question: Anything good coming up for Tara on True Blood?

Kristin: That depends on your definition of good. Rutina Wesley tells us our ever-troubled bartender “is gonna struggle with this vampire lover named Franklin Mott. He’s very psychological and very hard. So this relationship is not necessarily by choice.” Probably not your definition of good, huh? One thing you don’t have to worry about? Tara becoming a vamp herself. “Probably not,” she says. “I love being human. It’s like I’m one of the only humans on the show!”

Question: I’m intrigued by USA’s new series Covert Affairs. Piper Perabo and Chris Gorham would make a cute couple! Got scoop?

Kristin: Do I ever! But it will burst your Piper/Chris hookup bubble, so gird your loins. Chris Gorham says that while Auggie “takes Annie under his wing” right from the get-go, the prospect of a romantic pairing is not in the cards for these two. At least not yet. “There’s a real connection. And it’s definitely a big part of the show,” Chris tells us. “I think when they first met, he kind of assumes that they’re going to hookup. But the relationship with her for some reason quickly moves past the casual hookup and into a real friendship.”

Question: Are Jack and Allison finally going to hook up for real in season four of Eureka?

Kristin: Um, remember that heartbreaking alternate timeline in Eureka’s first-season finale when Sheriff Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) and Allison (Salli Richardson-Wakefield) were married with a baby on board? The opening of season four involves another Jack and Allison time-travel hookup. This time they both remember their encounter, but as usual (sniff) circumstances conspire against them—and everyone else involved in their blast to the past. As new cast member James Callis (Battlestar Galactica) told us, “It’s a reset button for this series…it’s exactly the same and everything’s different. Everybody in the show now has things that they can’t quite cope with.” At least Jo and Fargo finally got the promotions they deserve (and how!).

Question: Any details on the new season of Warehouse 13?

Kristin: Like Eureka, time travel is also the theme (it is Syfy, after all!) of Warehouse 13’s second-season premiere. Instead of retrieving an artifact, the team is after a person: original time-traveler H.G. Wells (Dexter’s Jaime Murray). She (it is Syfy, after all!) has been released from the Warehouse by Artie’s (Saul Rubinek) nemesis, MacPherson (Roger Rees). Will they ever defeat this guy? Yes. Soon. The beautiful Wells, however, will probably be back to torment the agents.

That’s it. Enjoy!

Read Full Post »

Hey All,

There is a lot of interesting news to share with you so let’s get started.

TELEVISION

David Anders (Vampire Diaries, Heroes and 24) will guest star in an upcoming episode of Warehouse 13. He will play Jonah Raitt, “a suspected serial killer with a dangerous object who escaped Warehouse capture back in the 1960’s, whom Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka (Joanne Kelly) set out to hunt down and recapture once and for all. Warehouse 13 returns for its second season on July 6, at 9PM. (The Futon Critic)

Funny lady Judy Greer has joined the CBS pilot Mad Love, replacing Lizzy Caplan. The series now stars Sarah Chalke (Scrubs), who replaced Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights). (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Zap2It).

Katie Cassidy (Melrose Place) will have a multi-episode arc on Gossip Girl, playing a student at Columbia and a love interest for fellow undergrad Nate (Chace Crawford). She will appear in the season four premiere. (Michael Ausiello from Entertainment Weekly)

David Strathairn is in talks to star in the Syfy action-adventure pilot Alphas, which revolves around a team of people with extraordinary abilities. He would play the “the overseer/team leader/prescribing doctor and all around mother hen to the team: an eccentric, absent-minded professor at times, who is also a cunning and manipulative power-player willing to bend the rules in pursuit of his objectives.” Ryan Cartwright (Mad Men), meanwhile, would play a team member with Asperger’s Syndrome who is able to receive wireless transmissions. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Televisionary)

It looks like the fan efforts to support recently “fired” Criminal Minds cast member A.J. Cook paid off – at least a little bit. The network has closed a deal for Cook to appear in two episodes early in the new season to tie off her character’s storyline. Her co-worker Paget Brewster will appear in 17 out of the 22 planned episodes of the new season. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Sam Witwer (Smallville) has signed on to play vampire Aidan in Syfy’s in-the-works U.S. remake of the U.K. supernatural dramedy Being Human. Also, Meaghan Rath (The Assistants) has inked a deal to play ghost Molly, and Sam Huntington (Superman Returns) is up for the role of werewolf Josh. Being Human revolves around three twentysomething roommates who attempt to blend in despite, you know, being a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost. (Michael Ausiello from Entertainment Weekly)

Marvel Entertainment created a new Television division, to be headed by Jeph Loeb, an iconic comic book writer with a lengthy TV resume. The new division is still in the early stages however. (Entertainment Weekly)

AWARD WINNERS

Congrats to the following winners of the Daytime Emmy Awards:

Outstanding Drama Series: The Bold and the Beautiful
Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Maura West, As the World Turns
Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Michael Park, As the World Turns
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Julie Pinson, As the World Turns
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Billy Miller, The Young and the Restless
Younger Actor in a Drama Series: Drew Tyler Bell, The Bold and the Beautiful
Younger Actress in a Drama Series: Julie Berman, General Hospital
Drama Series Directing Team: General Hospital
Drama Series Writing Team: The Bold and the Beautiful

Congrats to the winners of the BET Awards, who include the following:

Best Female R&B Artist: Alicia Keys
Best Male R&B Artist: Trey Songz
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Drake
Best New Artist: Nicki Minaj
Best Collaboration: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”
Video of the Year: Beyoncé featuring Lady Gaga – “Video Phone”
Viewer’s Choice: Rihanna featuring Young Jeezy – “Hard”
Centric Award: Monica
Best Actress: Mo’Nique

Best Actor: Idris Elba

Young Stars Award: Keke Palmer

Best Movie: “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Subway Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year: LeBron James

Humanitarian Award: John Legend
Lifetime Achievement Award: Prince

Thanks to TheWrap and E! Entertainment Online for the above lists.

MOVIES

Here are the box office results for this past weekend courtesy of E! Entertainment Online:

1. Toy Story 3, $59 million
2. Grown Ups, $41 million
3. Knight and Day, $20.5 million
4. The Karate Kid, $15.4 million
5. The A-Team, $6 million
6. Get Him to the Greek, $3 million
7. Shrek Forever After, $2.9 million
8. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, $2.8 million
9. Killers, $2 million
10. Jonah Hex, $1.6 million

Jon Tenney will star as the father of Ryan Reynolds’ title character in next summer’s Green Lantern. His scenes as Hal Jordan’s dad, Martin, will take place early in the film when the future Green Lantern is just a young boy. (Entertainment Weekly)

Carey Mulligan (An Education) is in talks to star in the family drama Stoker written by Wentworth Miller (yes, the actor from Prison Break), which follows an eccentric teenager “whose enigmatic and estranged uncle returns to the family after the death of the girl’s father”. Jodie Foster is in talks to co-star, while Ridley and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Productions in talks to produce. (Dark Horizons)

Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League) will appear as Emma Frost, the “White Queen” in the prequel movie X-Men: First Class. It has also been confirmed that Michael Fassbender (Hex and 300) will play Magneto in this movie. (Heat Vision, Deadline Hollywood Daily and First Showing)

DVD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Being Human

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Human-Season-2/13980

Doctor Who (Matt Smith Version)

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Doctor-Series-5/13981

FIRST LOOK

First Look: Summer Glau Takes Off As Supergirl

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Look-Summer-Glau-1019973.aspx

MADE FOR TV MOVIES

Lolita Davidovich and Kathleen Quinlan have joined the cast of HBO made-for-TV movie Cinema Verite, which revolves around the making of the landmark reality series An American Family. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Televisionary)

Emily VanCamp (Brothers & Sisters) has been cast in CBS’ upcoming Hallmark Hall of Fame made-for-TV movie Let Them Shine, where she will play a novice teacher who makes a difference in the lives of several homeless students. Project is written by Camille Thomasson and directed by Jeff Bleckner. (Variety and Televisionary)

MUSIC INTERVIEW

Pat Benatar for the Sunday Conversation

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-0627-conversation-20100627,0,3916088.story

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

Question: I know you’re not a fan of Criminal Minds, but I was wondering what your thoughts are about the situation with the producers’ decision to write AJ Cook out of the show and reduce the number of episodes for Paget Brewster. On Twitter, Brewster says she believes these moves are being made for financial reasons. I feel bad for both actresses as they obviously didn’t see this move coming. In the end, I think the producers along with CBS are to blame for this debacle. — Allan

Matt Roush: It’s not unusual for a long-running show to make cast changes and adjustments along the way, but it does seem especially odd for this show to be doing away with its primary female leads (excepting good old Garcia, that is, one of the few characters I’ve ever enjoyed on a show that tends to sap the life force from any actor who comes aboard). If it is a budget issue, which seems to be the case, my suggestion would be to scrap the spin-off — which looked pretty terrible from the “backdoor” pilot that aired last season — and focus the financial resources on shoring up the original series. Selfishly, though, I’ve always been a Paget Brewster fan (up until this role), so am happy to know she’ll be back on the market and could end up on a show I’d be more likely to watch. A comedy, perhaps?

Question: Do you think that the Emmy categories (or at least the series ones) should be expanded to 10 nominees, similar to the Oscars? It just seems with more channels and shows out there, there are so many deserving picks that get passed over, i.e. Friday Night Lights. Expanding the nominees would also be great press for the shows themselves. Your thoughts? — Nathan

Matt Roush: I wasn’t a big fan of the Oscars rule change, being of a mind that it dilutes the best-movie category to open it up to so many contenders, which ultimately results in populist pandering. It would be even worse at the Emmys, which already splits the series candidates into drama and comedy, giving a dozen shows (6 for each these days) a chance to break through. As bitterly disappointing as it is to see shows like Friday Night Lights be neglected year after year, I’m not sure that the flaws in the nominating system would be remedied by opening up the drama category to even more nominees. The ensuing clutter would likely make the honor of being nominated a lot less significant. I don’t see it happening at the Emmys — although I’m sure the networks, who feel so disadvantaged going up against cable series with less content restrictions, would like the playing field to be either expanded or leveled.

Question: I am surprised that ABC has been relegating Castle repeats to the dead zone of Saturday nights. I understand that truly serialized shows do not repeat well and do not make financial sense to rerun. However, Castle seems to be the type of show that would benefit greatly from the exposure since you don’t have to watch it in order. ABC should learn a lesson from two hits on CBS. The Big Bang Theory didn’t really seem to catch fire ratings-wise until it repeated last summer. Then it became a habitually viewed show by fall. And of course the biggest example is NCIS, a popular show that didn’t become a mega-hit until constant airings on USA made it so familiar to viewers that they began showing up during first-run episodes too. Summer is a time for light, escapist viewing and Castle could fit the bill perfectly. I just think it would make sound fiscal sense to bombard the viewers now so Castle could also become a habit for the public by the fall season. — Sheila

Matt Roush: Couldn’t agree with you more that Castle is exactly the sort of show that ABC should make a summer priority, especially knowing that it will be going up against one of the most hyped shows of the fall season in CBS’ Hawaii Five-O. The good news is that with the collapse (again) of the dreadful Happy Town, ABC is moving Castle into the Wednesday night 10/9c time period effective this week and, I’m hoping, for the rest of the summer. A charming and purely entertaining show like this will only benefit from increased exposure, and now’s the time to do it.

That’s it. Enjoy!

Lee Ann

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Hey All,

Today’s update is probably the shortest one I have done in a very long time, but most of the news seemed to be about reality programs (boring! – at least to me) and the Twilight: Eclipse red-carpet premiere last night in Los Angeles, making for a very meager update to share with all you kind folk. Hopefully that will change next week.

TELEVISION

Jonny Lee Miller (Eli Stone) will appear in a multi-episode arc on Dexter, playing a mysterious man who ends up tangled in a storyline with Julia Stiles. (Variety)

Jordana Spiro has fallen out of Love Bites, the upcoming romantic anthology series at NBC due to her contractual commitment to the TBS comedy My Boys, which returns for a 4th season on July 25. No official word has been announced on whether the pilot that was filmed with Spiro starring alongside Becky Newton (Ugly Betty) will be recast or reshot. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

MOVIES

Channing Tatum is to star in the sci-fi romantic epic Ion, which revolves around a man who travels to different Earths and dimensions in order to find his reincarnated lover. As you can imagine, comparisons to Avatar are being loosely thrown around as the success of it and the likes of Star Trek and District 9 last year have lead to several sci-fi projects being put into development lately. (Heat Vision and Dark Horizons)

AWARD WINNERS

Avatar, Lost Rack Up Saturn Awards

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b187630_avatar_lost_rack_up_saturn_awards.html

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

The big day has arrived. What day is that? The red carpet premiere of Twilight: Eclipse is tonight and all those crazy, er I mean diehard, fans who have been camped out virtually since this past weekend will finally get their chances to glimpse the hair or perhaps one small sliver of a face of the actors as they walk the red carpet at the Nokia Theatre in LA. Good luck all you Twi-hards.

In the meantime, for the rest of us, here is the news that I found on the web today:

TELEVISION

NBC is changing their programming on Monday nights, at least for the next two weeks. The drama series Persons Unknown will now air at 8 PM with the reality series Last Comic Standing taking over the other two hours of the night. Mark your calendars. (The Futon Critic)

Mos Def has joined the upcoming HBO comedy Enlightened, starring Laura Dern as a self-destructive woman who has a spiritual awakening and decides to live an enlightened life, which creates havoc at home and work. He will play her new boss when she returns to work. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Dark Horizons)

Lifetime has ordered three new cop drama pilots, including Exit 19 from Jeff Bell, which had been shot as a pilot presentation at CBS during the 2008-09 season, an untitled drama from Josh Berman (Drop Dead Diva) about a female police detective who may have to raise her two children on her own, and Against the Wall, from Annie Brunner (Huff), about a female cop who is placed in the internal affairs division of the Chicago PD, a fact that doesn’t sit right with her two cop brothers. (Variety and Televisionary)

AMC is said to nearing a deal to develop drama The Wreck, from writers Graham Gordy and Michael Fuller and executive producer John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side), which would revolve around the head coach of a struggling college football team who is given one last chance to turn the team’s fortunes around. (The Hollywood Reporter and Televisionary)

DVD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Robin Hood

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Robin-Hood-The-Complete-Series/13958

Human Target

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Human-Target-Season-1/13959

MOVIES

Jason Biggs and Joel David Moore will star in the indie political comedy Grassroots, the story of 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 film, written and directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal (father of Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal), is based on the memoir Zioncheck for President. (Variety and FirstShowing)

Jeffrey Dean Morgan has joined Jane Fonda and Catherine Keener in the movie Peace, Love & Misunderstanding, which is a portrait of an unconventional family in the story of a conservative New York City lawyer (Keener) who is in desperate need of an escape after her husband asks for a divorce. Along with her two children she takes refuge at her estranged hippie mother Grace’s (Fonda) farmhouse, where she is exposed to a motley crew of free thinkers. What was meant to be a stress-free getaway quickly turns into a reminder of why Diane escaped her mother’s hippie lifestyle in the first place, but the reunion forcers her, her children, and Grace to search for peace with each other and with themselves. (Coming Soon and FirstShowing)

Lukas Haas has joined the cast of the supernatural movie Red Riding Hood. The story is a Gothic update on the Grimm Brothers tale and will see a medieval village haunted by a werewolf. Haas will play the village priest. The cast already includes Amanda Seyfried as the title red hooded girl, Gary Oldman, Julie Christie, Max Irons and Shiloh Fernandez. (Variety and FirstShowing)

Pierce Brosnan will star in the thriller movie Bonded, which is being produced by and co-stars his son Sean. The story, based on true events that took place in El Monte, CA in the early ’90s, follows a Mexican teenager named Jesus who, after the death of his mother, is sold by his father and smuggled into America, where he’s forced to work as a slave laborer in a Los Angeles sweatshop. While imprisoned there, he befriends a young woman named Elena. But when she is claimed by a sex trafficker, Jesus must make a daring escape in order to rescue her. Both Brosnans will be playing police officers in the movie and casting is still on the search for the male lead. (The Wrap and FirstShowing)

MOVIE TRAILER

Must Watch: Bruce Willis in the First Official Trailer for RED!

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/23/watch-this-bruce-willis-in-the-first-official-trailer-for-red/

MUSIC NEWS

Actress Katherine Graham, from the hit CW series The Vampire Diaries, has released a single called “Sassy” (which is now available at iTunes). Look for her listed as Kat Graham, who isn’t a “newbie” to the music industry as her dad was a record executive and she has recorded with will.i.am (from The Black Eyed Peas). (Damian Holbrook at TV Guide)

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

Question: Any spoilers on season 6 of Supernatural? —Shira

Ausiello: I hear the show’s fourth episode back — the one directed by Jensen Ackles — will be Bobby-centric and feature a character named Marcy Ward. Described as attractive in a down-to-earth/woman-next-door way, Marcy is a capable homemaker with a crush on her neighbor.

Question: Throw your international readers a bone and tell us what the big Friday Night Lights spoiler was in last week’s Entertainment Weekly. Not everyone can go out and buy the issue on the newsstand. —Matt

Ausiello: Fair enough, Matt. The spoiler concerned the final episodes of season 5 and a possible reunion between (wait for it) Riggins and Tyra! “Riggins is getting out of prison and Tyra is on break from school,” explains exec producer Jason Katims. “We’re looking at [them] reconnecting.”

Question: I’m desperate for some scoop regarding the new seasons of Friday Night Lights and Dexter. —Sean

Ausiello: Coincidentally, I’m desperate to unload some scoop on both those shows. FNL is casting the role of a “winning and charismatic” president of a non-Texas college (to meet with Riggins, perhaps?), while Dexter is looking for an actor in his late 40s to play an internal affairs agent at Miami Metro (to investigate Dex, perhaps?). Oh, here’s another FNL scoop-bit: Kyle Chandler will be playing coach on screen and off. Sources confirm that Chandler will direct his first FNL episode next season.

Question: I heard a rumor that David Anders will be a regular next season on The Vampire Diaries. Please tell me that it’s true! —Addison

Ausiello: I would if I could, but I can’t. But here’s something I can confirm: Anders will definitely be in the season premiere.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

It’s over the hump day (and Joss Whedon’s birthday to boot – thank you Twitter-verse for that detail) and while the news isn’t too voluminous, there are still some interesting items to share with you.

TELEVISION

Jamie Foxx has shot a trailer for a potential television project entitled Tommy’s Little Girl, which features Paul Sorvino, Selma Blair, James Russo, and Tony Sirico. Project would revolve around the relationship between a mobster (Sorvino) and his daughter (Blair) and will be pitched to cable networks. (Televisionary and Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) has joined the Laura Linney Showtime dark comedy series The Big C. She will have a recurring role as a friend from Cathy (Linney). (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

There will be a two-part episode of Royal Pains, airing on June 24 that will guest star Tony Plana
(Ugly Betty) and Mexican sensation Ana de la Reguera (Cop Out). The action begins with Hank (Mark Feuerstein) heading to a Cuban hacienda, where Boris (Campbell Scott) is ailing. There he meets a sexy bartender named Carmen (de la Reguera). Carmen’s uncle (Plano) has faked his death and is writing an underground political blog criticizing the government. When he is injured in an accident, Carmen recruits Dr. Hank. (William Keck at TV Guide)

MOVIES

John Lithgow and Freida Pinto have joined the cast of the Planet of the Apes prequel called Rise of the Apes. Pinto will play the female lead, a primatologist named Caroline, while Lithgow will play the Alzheimer’s-stricken father to James Franco’s scientist character, who’s trying to work on a cure for his father’s disease. Rise of the Apes is set in contemporary San Francisco and follows a young scientist who becomes a crucial figure in the war between humans and apes. Franco has been testing his Alzheimer cure on apes, but one of them, named Caesar, starts to evolve rapidly, so he takes him home to live with him and protect him from the “cruel doctors,” thus starting the inevitable ape revolution. (Heat Vision and FirstShowing.net)

ANTICIPATING MOVIES COMING IN 2011

The 20 most anticipated sci-fi movies of 2011

http://scifiwire.com/2010/06/the-20-most-anticipated-sci-fi-movies-of-2011.php

INTERVIEW

Spotlight on Gregory Smith

http://thetvaddict.com/2010/06/23/no-longer-in-everwood-anymore-we-shine-the-spotlight-on-rookie-blue-star-gregory-smith/

COMIC CON ANNOUNCEMENTS

FOX has announced that Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz, Kevin McHale, Mark Salling, Heather Morris, and Naya Rivera as well as co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk will get to experience Comic Con this year. The other members of the show – Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison and Dianna Agron – attended last year. Jane Lynch, however, has a scheduling conflict and will not be able to attend. Additionally, the cast will be bringing some never-before-seen clips to their July 25 Q&A. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

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

Question: What can we expect of the new season of The Closer? — Janelle

ADAM: Brenda Leigh will have a harder time adjusting to the Major Crimes Unit’s new digs than she has solving a murder (which will involve an adulterous wife and her jealous husband). Pope, however, has plenty of reasons to love the new workspace, chief among them a new title on his office nameplate.

Question: I can’t wait for Fringe to be back. What do you know about Olivia’s mother? — Jack

MICKEY: So far, we’re hearing that we’ll only see her “over there,” and that her ties to the Bishop family will be surprising.

Question: I loved The Gates! Got any scoop on my new favorite show? — Meg

ADAM: The wolf pack will be divided after the weres are forced to cover up a murder. Also, as you may have already guessed, Nick isn’t exactly a squeaky-clean cop. When his dirty little secret surfaces, it’ll put his life in jeopardy.

Question: Will we see Divya and Raj’s wedding on Royal Pains? — Tracy

MICKEY: No word on the actual nuptials just yet, but we hear that Divya’s pre-wedding jitters will inspire some very immodest behavior. Remember how weird it was that she was all psyched to help virtual stranger Jill with her yard sale? Well, we think the producers were setting up a buddy arc for the ladies, which will culminate in Divya’s not-so-proper “bridal tea.”

Question: Have you heard anything about the new season of Human Target ? —Will

ADAM: The show is currently on the lookout for a female series regular to be a worthy adversary to Christopher Chance. Isla, a sexy, no-nonsense widow, will overcome her hesitations about Chance to become the Charlie to his team’s angels.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

So, with the news that Twilight fans are camped out near downtown Los Angeles in preparation for Thursday night’s red carpet premiere (yes, some of them have been there since this past weekend) and news breaking on some of the scheduled panels for Comic Con, my day is almost complete with good and bad news (you can guess which I mean, right?) But, there is still more news to share with you and here is what is out there for today:

TELEVISION

Mary Steenburgen will star in the FX pilot Outlaw Country, playing a powerful country music superstar who’s protective of her daughter, Annabel. The drama follows Southern organized crime and Nashville royalty. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and TV Guide)

A.J. Cook may be seen in at least one episode of Criminal Minds next season in order to “put a cap on her character’s story”; but that will be it despite efforts by fans to make the powers that be behind the show change their minds. It is rumored, though, that a new female character may be introduced during next season. (Zap2It)

Syfy’s drama pilot Alphas is set to shoot in Toronto. The story revolves around a team of individuals with exceptional abilities who work as vigilantes. (The Hollywood Reporter and Televisionary)

Syfy is also giving fans of its Saturday night movies the chance to oversee each and every aspect of the production of one of its upcoming creature features. “The network is launching a production site, B Movie Mogul, where fans can vote and pitch ideas for the film, from title, creatures, wardrobe, dialogue and character deaths to promotional taglines. The resulting ‘script’ will be shot as a two-hour Syfy original movie to be released next year.” (The Hollywood Reporter and Televisionary)

Jennifer Jason Leigh is set to reprise her role as Nancy’s older sister Jill in one episode of Weeds, while Alanis Morissette is returning for two episodes as Nancy’s baby doc (and girlfriend to Andy). Weeds‘ sixth season, which premieres August 16, finds Nancy and Co. on the run after Shane whacked Pilar with a croquet mallet. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

FIRST LOOKS AT TV AND FILM

THE FUTON’S FIRST LOOK: “BLUE BLOODS” (CBS)

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant/2010/06/21/the-futons-first-look-blue-bloods-cbs/20100621_bluebloods/

First Look: Jason Momoa as Conan the Barbarian Official Photo

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/21/first-look-jason-momoa-as-conan-the-barbarian-official-photo/

DVD ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Good Wife

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Good-Wife-Season-1/13944

Criminal Minds

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Criminal-Minds-Season-7/13949

NCIS: Los Angeles

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/NCIS-Los-Angeles-Season-1-Press-Release/13945

MOVIES

Whales, the true tale of gray whales trapped under the ice of the Arctic Circle, may be adding a new cast member: Kristen Bell. The former Veronica Mars star will join Drew Barrymore, who will appear as a Greenpeace activist, along with John Krasinksi, who will play a small-town reporter. Bell is negotiating to play an LA reporter. (BuzzSugar.com)

Kenny Wormald, a 25-year-old newcomer, who has appeared in Centerstage: Turn It Up, the MTV series Dancelife and was a backup dancer for Justin Timberlake, joins Julianne Hough and new addition Dennis Quaid in the remake of Footloose, which starts shooting in August. The movie is expected in theatres on April 1, 2011. (E! Entertainment Online)

MOVIE TRAILERS

‘The Green Hornet’: Check out the first trailer!

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/06/the-green-hornet-check-out-the-first-trailer.html

Watch: Amir Bar-Lev’s Doc ‘The Tillman Story’ Official Trailer

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/21/watch-amir-bar-lev-doc-the-tillman-story-official-trailer/

INTERVIEWS

‘Heroes’ boss Tim Kring on series wrap-up and his next project

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/06/21/heroes-boss-tim-kring-movie/

‘Eclipse’ interview teaser: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner talk ‘Breaking Dawn’ and the end of ‘Twilight’

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/06/22/eclipse-kristen-stewart-robert-pattinson-taylor-lautner/

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

Question: Barry in Ohio: Glee please!

Kristin: How about some Kristin Chenoweth news that’ll make your heart sing?! Our favorite guest star tells us she’s setting her sights on Glee’s second season, and she’s in talks to have her own show. (Anybody remember Kristin? Yeah, it’s not that.) “I’m working on my album with Sony,” the O.G. Snookie (Olive Snook) tells us. “So I’ll be doing a tour and going back to Glee a little bit and also doing my own TV show.” According to a source close to Kristin Chenoweth, it’s way too early to divulge any other details, but still, feel free to hug me and give me chocolates for sharing this happy news. No really, I don’t mind.

Question: Jamie in Little Rock, Ark.: I’m really excited about Rookie Blue. Have you seen it yet, and do you love it?

Kristin: Rookie Blue is a little rough around the edges, with far too pretty police officers, but it’s definitely not terrible and worth a glance. If you’re a lover of all things procedural, this is right up your alley. Don’t miss the premiere this Thursday, June 24 on ABC.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Another week has started and, if I’m not mistaken, today is the first official day of summer. I hope whatever plans you have for the summer or just for this week will be enjoyable. In the meantime, let’s get into the entertainment news for today:

TELEVISION

Richard Dean Anderson will guest star on the upcoming USA Network series Facing Kate, appearing in at least five episodes. The series stars Sarah Shahi (Life) as Kate Reed, a top-flight litigator who leaves her firm to become a mediator. Anderson will play David Smith, a charismatic but secretive man who enters Kate’s life shortly after the death of her father. In short order, it is revealed that David has deeper connections to the Reed family. (Fancast.com)

Matthew Lillard (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) and Gillian Vigman (Defenders) have landed the leads in the CMT single-camera comedy pilot The Hard Life. Lillard and Vigman will play a married couple who attempt to be great parents and spouses but who find it difficult to juggle everything in their lives. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Televisionary)

International pop star Charice has signed on to recur next season on Glee as a foreign exchange student whose killer vocals get Rachel (Lea Michele) contemplating murder. Not literally, mind you. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

No big surprise here: HBO picks up True Blood for a fourth season. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Four new characters (not including incoming diva Vanessa Williams) will be added to Desperate Housewives this fall. The quartet includes: Maxine: A sweet lady in the 60-80 year-old age range. Maxine is Mike and Susan’s new neighbor in their apartment building, and she has an unusual job that brings in some additional income. Beth: This quirky, sweet thirtysomething woman was Paul Young’s prison pen pal-cum-wife. She’s damaged emotionally but also capable of humor. Penny Scavo: Tom and Lynette’s 12-year-old daughter is being recast. Not sure why. Keith: Hot, sexy, 30-year-old contractor. He’s a charming playboy who turns up on Wisteria Lane. Think Mike Delfino 15 years ago. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous), Shanna Collins (Swingtown), and Caitlin Custer have joined the cast of the HBO made-for-TV movie Cinema Verte, based on the groundbreaking 1970s reality series An American Family, which stars Tim Robbins, Diane Lane, James Gandolfini, and Thomas Dekker. Elsewhere, Alex Wolff (The Naked Brothers Band) has signed on for a multiple-episode story arc on HBO’s In Treatment, where he will play the son of Gabriel Byrne’s Paul. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Televisionary)

MOVIES

Simon Pegg revealed he is the new voice behind the brave pint-sized mouse warrior Reepicheep in The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader. He is replacing Bill Nighy who was announced as a replacement for Eddie Izzard (who voiced the character in Prince Caspian). (First Showing)

Linda Cardellini, Michael Shannon and Tim Blake Nelson will star in the indie drama Return, which tells the story of a woman (Cardellini) who returns home from war to her husband (Shannon) and kids in a small town and struggles to readjust. Nelson will play an older war vet who befriends the female soldier. (First Showing and Variety)

Bruce Dern has joined the movie adaptation of The Big Valley, the 1960’s western TV series of the same name which followed a family of ranchers. (First Showing and Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Disney has lined up 10 young actors and actresses (mostly unknowns) for the ensemble cast of Prom, a high school comedy which the studio hopes will serve as a launch for a new franchise much like High School Musical. The movie is said to be similar in tone to John Hughes’ Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink. (First Showing and Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Walton Goggins (Justified) has landed a role in Cowboys & Aliens where Apache Indians and Western settlers must put their differences aside when a spaceship crash lands in their city. The cast includes Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano and Clancy Brown. (First Showing and Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Michael Shannon and Jamie Chung have joined the cast of the thriller Premium Rush, which stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a New York bike messenger who picks up an envelope at Columbia University, and suddenly finds himself chased throughout the city by a dirty cop desperate to get his hands on it. Shannon will be playing the corrupt cop in pursuit while Chung will play Gordon-Levitt’s ex-girlfriend, a fellow daredevil bike messenger who helps him outwit the cop. (First Showing and The Hollywood Reporter)

MOVIE TRAILERS

Stuart Beattie’s Tomorrow: When the War Began Full Trailer

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/18/full-trailer-for-stuart-beatties-tomorrow-when-the-war-began/

International Trailer for Julia Roberts’ Drama ‘Eat Pray Love’

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/18/international-trailer-for-julia-roberts-drama-eat-pray-love/#ixzz0rVGFZdv7

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

Question: As a longtime fan of intelligent and complex sci-fi on TV, I have been disheartened to see so little interest by producers or writers in the genre. With the success of the whole Star Trek group, Farscape, and, lately, Battlestar Galactica, I would think that the mainstream networks (plus show developers) would be motivated to put together something that stimulates as well as entertains. Of the current series available on TV, Eureka is pretty good to better than good, Sanctuary is way too uneven, Stargate Universe is bleak & boring, and V is cartoon sci-fi. That’s a pretty thin menu. Do you see any indicators that someone/anyone is working on more sci-fi for those with brains and imaginations? Finally, I hope and pray that Joss Whedon cranks up his creative mojo real soon. I miss his quality of work. — Jan

Matt Roush: Sci-fi traditionally is a tough sell for the mainstream networks, especially of the darker and meatier variety. Launching shows in this genre is an expensive and risky proposition, and as you’ll see when you sample most of this fall’s new output, risk isn’t what the networks are particularly interested in right now. (NBC’s The Event does have an element of the fantastic in its premise, so we’ll see how that goes. It can’t be worse than the last few seasons of Heroes.)

Otherwise, a partial list of sci-fi/fantasy titles in active development that have caught my interest includes: AMC tackling horror in a zombie series, The Walking Dead; BBC America’s current success with Doctor Who and a second season of Being Human coming later this summer (which is being developed into a U.S. format by Syfy, and I’ll reserve judgment on that until later), plus a new season of Primeval for next year as well as a bona fide sci-fi series, Outcasts, set on a remote planet; Torchwood’s much anticipated new season, courtesy of Starz; HBO’s epic fantasy series A Game of Thrones, also for next year. And with the exception of the morose Caprica (which is beginning to pique my interest), while Syfy has gone rather light as it aims for mass appeal in many of its sci-fi/fantasy series (Eureka, Warehouse 13, etc.), I’m intrigued by at least one title on their slate: Alphas, whose pilot will be directed by Lost’s Jack Bender. Will any of these be as rich as Battlestar Galactica or as full of potential as Firefly or as peculiar and dangerous as Dollhouse? We’ll see. But yes, let’s hope it doesn’t take too long to get Joss Whedon back doing TV, whether it’s network or cable — or the Internet, for that matter.

Question: I’ve got a question about one of my favorite guilty pleasures, Human Target. I always thought that the show was an enjoyable action piece, and with Jackie Earle Haley and Chi McBride along for the ride, you just had a feeling these guys were seriously having a good time. Here’s my question: While it was picked up, Human Target was moved to Fridays (typically a dead zone for TV, as far as I’m concerned). Will this move help the show, or hurtle it toward premature cancellation (see: Firefly, Dollhouse and just about anything Fox put on Fridays as of late)? — Steve

Matt Roush: Seeing the move to Fridays as a positive development would be disingenuous, but it is a lifeline of sorts for a show that could have fallen through the cracks altogether, especially as it isn’t produced by the Fox studio (already making it an underdog). The upside anytime Fox moves a show to Friday is that expectations couldn’t be lower, so if Human Target does any business whatsoever it would be a pleasant surprise. And should something fall apart on one of the weeknight lineups, a show like this would make a great utility back-up player. I agree with you that this show is lots of fun, and the spark provided by the supporting players is infectious. I’m hoping it finds its niche, but it will almost certainly be an uphill climb.

That’s it. Enjoy!

Lee Ann

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Hey All,

Wow, the end of another week is here and it’s already the middle of June. Where did the first half of the year go already? And, Comic Con will be held in just a little over a month – WOW! Time is flying by…and now on to the news for today:

TELEVISION

ABC has once again benched the series Happy Town. With only two episodes left to go the network has pulled the show from the line-up. Repeats of Castle will fill the empty timeslot (Wednesdays at 10 PM). It is believed; however, that these two episodes will turn up on a Saturday evening later this summer much like what ABC is doing with the two remaining unaired episodes of both The Forgotten (which will be seen on July 3) and Eastwick (which will air on July 10). (The Futon Critic)

Anna Camp – last seen as Sarah Newlin in True Blood – will guest star in a future episode of the new USA series Covert Affairs. The new series will debut on July 13 and stars Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly), Christopher Gorham (Ugly Betty), Kari Matchett (24), Anne Dudek (House), Sendhil Ramamurthy (Heroes) and Peter Gallagher (The O.C.). (Zap2It)

Showtime has renewed the Billie Piper-led dark comedy Secret Diary of a Call Girl for a fourth season, which would be the series’ last. It is expected to return in early 2011 and the final season would likely focus on the relationship between Piper’s Belle/Hannah and her best friend Ben (Iddo Goldberg). (Televisionary and The Hollywood Reporter’s Live Feed)

ABC Family is developing an espionage drama called Shadows, about a secret Harvard-based program that recruits and trains young spies. The project will follow the students and faculty of this shadowy program. (Televisionary and The Hollywood Reporter)

Matt Letscher (Eli Stone) and Camille Guaty (Prison Break) will guest star on the August 22 episode of the Lifetime series Drop Dead Diva. (Zap2It)

AWARD WINNERS

The winners of the 3rd Annual “NewNowNext” Awards were announced by LOGO, the cable network, and some of the winners included: Lea Michele (Glee) for Brink of Fame: Actor; Archer (FX) for Best Show You’re Not Watching and Agnes for Brink of Fame: Music Artist. (The Futon Critic)

TV SHOW REVIEWS

Summer TV Review: ABC’s Ghoul-ash of New Drama

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Summer-TV-Review-1019727.aspx

MOVIES

Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum will star in box office movie The Vow, which tells the real-life story of a newlywed New Mexico couple who end up in a car crash. The wife is put in a coma, where she is cared for by her devoted husband. When she comes to, without any memory of her husband or their marriage, the husband woos her and attempts to wins her heart again. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Bradley Cooper (The A-Team) will star in an as-yet untitled baseball dramedy about a baseball player who sustains an injury that forces him to go back to the minor leagues. The only place he can find lodging is in an old folks home where he meets a retired baseball guru who helps him get back on track. (Dark Horizons)

Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood) will star in the movie Battleship alongside Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights, playing a “straight and narrow” naval officer. (FirstShowing)

Wendy Crewson (The Santa Clause) will play activist Mary Botha in the movie Winnie. Botha became a social worker in South Africa after witnessing a brutal police assault on a black youth. After befriending the Mandelas during the fight against apartheid, Botha is subjected to phone-tapping, police harassment and house arrest. Terrence Howard and Jennifer Hudson are set to play Nelson and Winnie Mandela. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Demi Moore has joined the cast of the indie drama Margin Call, which is set over one day, and follows the story of eight people working at a large investment bank when the financial crisis hit the US. Moore will play the chief risk management officer at the bank. (Deadline Hollywood Daily and Dark Horizons)

MOVIE TRAILER

Watch: Hilary Swank & Sam Rockwell in the Conviction Trailer

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/17/watch-hilary-swank-sam-rockwell-in-the-conviction-trailer/

That’s it. Enjoy! And, have a terrific weekend!

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