From digitalspy

NBC's NFL coverage dominated Saturday night's ratings, according to the latest viewing figures. The Eagles vs. Cowboys game pulled in an average of 28.68m between 8pm and 11pm, trouncing all the other networks. Reruns of Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs grabbed 2.82m and 2.88m at 8pm and 9pm respectively, then 48 Hours Mystery put in 5.34m at 10pm. A repeat of ABC's two-hour The Bachelor: On The Wings Of Love premiere logged 2.25m from 8pm, then a re-airing of Castle interested 3.44m at 10pm. Fox's Cops attracted 5.11m at 8pm, then the audience dipped to 5.09m during the 9pm screening of America's Most Wanted.

NBC has announced plans to develop a new Law & Order spinoff. According to the network's president Angela Bromstad, the latest from the franchise is based in Los Angeles and could co-exist with the other L&O shows. The idea came from NBC, who pitched the new show to Law creator Dick Wolf earlier in the season. NBC Universal chairman Jeff Gaspin said that Wolf is keen on the project and refers to it as 'Lola' - short for Law & Order: Los Angeles. The network currently airs the regular Law & Order and its spinoff Special Victims Unit.

NBC recently unveiled six new drama pilots for the 2010/11 television season, including Jerry Bruckheimer's Chase and Rockford Files, from Steve Carrell's Carousel Productions. FlashForward's executive producer David Goyer has vowed to unravel the show's plot when it returns in March. Speaking in a group interview on the show's set, Goyer promised to "answer a ton of big questions" in the second half of the season. "'Who Suspect Zero' is will be our first episode back," he said. "Even in that first episode back, we answer a ton of big questions, and pretty much every episode afterwards, I can't think of a question we don't answer by the end of the season." He also revealed that fans of the show will get a sneak peek at what's to come when ABC airs a recap show - including new footage - before its full return on Thursday, March 18. "If you're a loyal viewer, we're going to drop a bomb at the end of that one, too. If you watch that episode and you're a loyal viewer, you're going to get a critical piece of information a lot sooner than you would in the life of the show."

The executive producer of The Vampire Diaries has spoken out about a fake spoiler for the show. Reports had surfaced suggesting that Elena - played by Nina Dobrev - would turn into a vampire when the CW drama returns later this month. However, speaking at the VD panel at the Winter Press Tour, Julie Plec maintained: "It's fake. It's completely not even close to what the episode is." Addressing what will happen in the show's first episode of 2010, fellow exec Kevin Williamson revealed that it will be centred around Elena and Ian Somerhalder's Damon. " have some alone time," he said. "There's no Stefan, so we're going to explore how their relationship develops on its own terms without Stefan there to guide it or get in the middle of it."

David Goyer has revealed what will happen if FlashForward is commissioned for a second season. The first run of the ABC drama, which stars Sonya Walger and Joseph Fiennes, has failed to perform well in both US and UK ratings, suggesting it may not return for a second run. However, Goyer remains optimistic about season two and teased fans about the storylines going forward in a recent group interview. "You're going to start meeting some of the faces of the enemy, starting with episode 11," he said. "We'll meet a bunch of them in the second half of the season. "One of the other interesting things is we'll start to let you in on who the people that engineered the blackout are and why. There are a couple more that are coming and assuming we go into season two, one of those guys will be a series regular in season two." FlashForward returns Thursday, March 18 on ABC.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

Chuck made a strong return to NBC last night, early viewing figures show. The season three premiere of the Zachary Levi-fronted series pulled in a decent 7.69m during the 9pm hour - up 21% compared to last year's average. The second episode aired immediately afterwards at 10pm, drawing 7.19m. Dateline NBC, which served as a lead-in to Chuck, grabbed 7.86m. Over on CBS, reruns of NCIS: Los Angeles and Criminal Minds took 6.99m and 9.43m at 8pm and 10pm respectively. A new Cold Case was sandwiched in between, bringing in 10.24m. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition drew 10.61m for ABC at 8pm, 14m watched Desperate Housewives during the 9pm hour, and the 10pm Brothers & Sisters interested 10.59m. The Simpsons attracted an impressive 21m to Fox at 8pm, then the 20th Anniversary Special pulled in 12.32m between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. The Cleveland Show followed, drawing 8.55m.

Glee will return for a second season in 2010-11, Fox has announced. The network also revealed plans for a nationwide hunt to find three new cast members for the next run of the musical comedy, which will air from the Fall. "We’ve loved Glee ever since it was a pilot script, so it’s been an incredible thrill to watch the show take root and see audiences embrace these characters in such a huge way this season," said Fox president Kevin Reilly. "The show is a true and rare gem in television. We couldn’t be more proud of what Ryan Murphy and the Glee team have created so far, and can’t wait to see what they come up with for season two." The show returns for the second half of its freshman season Tuesday, April 13. In the UK, Glee premieres tonight at 9pm on E4.

Olivia Newton-John has taken a recurring guest role on Glee, according to E! Online. The singer will appear in the second half of the first season, which airs on Fox from April. One of her scenes will be a joint rendition of her track 'Let's Get Physical' with acerbic gym teacher Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch). "I'm so excited I can't see straight!" Lynch told the website. "She provided the soundtrack for my tortured adolescence. Her charitable work and commitment to making others' lives and the life of the planet better is so inspiring."


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

On 2010-01-11 11:03 , honeykid Wrote:


Do we really need another one? The original is struggling in the ratings as it is (though I still enjoy it), and a different city really isn't going to make that much of a difference. Just because CSI does it -- they haven't in total been on nearly as long as the various L&O shows and the hundreds of stories they've had to come up with.

From digitalspy

Conan O'Brien is apparently outraged over the recent moves by NBC regarding its late-night lineup. A source close to O'Brien told the New York Post that the Tonight Show host is annoyed by the network's alleged devotion to Jay Leno. "NBC's level of s**tiness was not expected. He's done a great job for NBC. He moved his entire staff, he moved his family to LA and five months later, they repay him like this?" the insider said. O'Brien is yet to accept the network's take-it-or-leave-it offer to move to 12am, but the source added that he would be "happier somewhere else".

Simon Cowell has confirmed that the current season of American Idol will be his last. The music mogul has quit the show after nine seasons in order to launch a US version of The X Factor in 2011. Appearing at the Fox execs session at the TCA press tour today, Cowell confirmed that he would serve as judge and executive producer on the new series. Cowell told reporters that it would have been "impossible" for him to continue on Idol alongside The X Factor. He also serves as a judge on the original UK version of The X Factor as well as Britain's Got Talent. On his potential replacements on Idol, Cowell commented: "I've had the best eight or nine years of my life doing this job. The most important thing is to get someone who knows what they're talking about. I want to leave Idol this year bigger and better than ever before. I hope it'll be higher-rated than it was last year." The new season of American Idol premieres Tuesday night on Fox.

Bones executive producer Hart Hanson has revealed details about the programme's season five finale. Hanson told TV Guide that the forthcoming episode will feature a major wedding. "A couple is going to get married," he said. "It could be ." The show's 100th episode is also said to begin a major change in the two characters' relationship when it flashes back to the first case they ever worked together. "There's a change in their relationship in the 100th episode and in the season finale, a couple will be wed," added Hanson. Emily Deschanel, who plays the title character, revealed that she is against their union, saying: "I do want to see them get together. It's a tricky thing because it's risky once you get the two characters together. Their relationship changes completely during the episode. It reveals a lot of things about their relationship." Boreanaz agreed, adding that he doesn't want to see Booth become a husband. "There's a big revelation in his character and hers and someone has to make a change here. To be honest with you, it would be nice not to see them together. It would be interesting, with potential for the future."

Simon Cowell has suggested that Paula Abdul may join him on the judging panel for the US version of The X Factor. Earlier today it was confirmed that Cowell is stepping down from American Idol to concentrate on the new series, which will launch on Fox in 2011. Abdul was a judge on Idol for eight seasons but quit last year in a dispute over pay. Asked whether Abdul could be part of The X Factor, Cowell replied: "I've gone on record, I adore Paula. Whatever happens, I will be working with her in some capacity because I miss her. You're just going to have to watch this space." Cowell added that an announcement of the judging panel would be made "fairly soon". UK judge Cheryl Cole has been widely tipped to be a judge on the US version, while UK host Dermot O'Leary is in consideration for the same position in the US.

Taylor Kitsch is reportedly leaving Friday Night Lights. The 28-year-old will not return to the NBC drama as a series regular next season, reports TV Guide. Kitsch is exiting the show to focus on his film career. He is attached to co-star in apartheid drama The Bang Bang Club and play the title role in fantasy film John Carter of Mars. "Because this was a big opportunity for him, we wanted to let him do that," said Friday Night Lights producer Jason Katims. He added: "We'll stay in close contact with production and try to get him for as many episodes as possible." Friday Night Lights' fourth season is currently airing on DirecTV. The season will air on NBC later this year. Katims also said that he expects the show's fifth season to be its last.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

The executive producer of 24 has teased that the show may go on for a ninth season. Speaking at the Fox press tour, Howard Gordon said that the uncertainty surrounding the programme's future will not affect the way season eight ends. "The way I've looked at it is that every single season could have been a series ender," he said. "We just want to take it across the line credibly and then let the take care of itself. As long as Jack's not dead, anything is possible." Star Kiefer Sutherland added that he is "absolutely open" to being involved in a ninth season. "I've always said that as long as people wanted us to make it, and people were really interested in watching it, I would be interested. There are a lot of components involved. Right now my focus is on finishing season eight," he said. 24 returns for its eighth season Sunday, January 17 on Fox in the US and Sunday, January 24 on Sky1 in the UK.

David Strathairn has signed up to guest star on House. Last month, it was announced that Hugh Laurie, who plays the titular doctor on the series, will make his directorial debut on an upcoming episode. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Katie Jacobs, the medical drama's executive producer, said that Laurie "hand-picked" Strathairn for a role in the episode. "He’s a patient who has scenes with Dr. House," she revealed. "I’m excited to the two of them in a room together. Hugh really wanted him to play the role and responded." Jacobs also teased that the Laurie-helmed 17th episode will have a different format to the rest of the series.

Fox president Kevin Reilly has confirmed that he will soon start discussions with 24 executives on a possible ninth season. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Reilly said that when Day Eight has premiered, he will sit down with Howard Gordon and Kiefer Sutherland. "Collectively, we just made a decision to launch the season and then sit down in the next four to six weeks," he said. "But my sense is Kiefer will want to keep it going." Sutherland was also quoted as saying he is "absolutely open" to being involved in a ninth season, while Gordon declared that "anything is possible" as long as Jack Bauer is alive.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

On 2010-01-12 03:37 , honeykid Wrote:


Too bad he couldn't wait one more season -- Riggins is my favorite character.

From digitalspy

US TV producers are reportedly interested in hiring Jonathan Ross to co-present a one-off programme with talkshow host Chelsea Handler. The idea surfaced after Ross appeared on Handler's Chelsea Lately show in August, The Mirror reports. An E! Entertainment spokeswoman said: "Jonathan's someone we'd want to work with. "When he came on he was great, they got on really well. Chelsea has a dry sense of humour which the British get." A source close to Ross said that the project would be a "brilliant idea" and added: "He doesn't want to move to America for good as it would mean uprooting the family, but he is certainly investigating projects in America."

True Blood actress Rutina Wesley has suggested that the vampire series may run for 'six seasons or more'. The actress, who stars as Sookie Stackhouse's best friend Tara in the supernatural drama, told SciFiNow that fans will be "dying to watch for a long time". "I think it will run for as long as… I mean there are nine books out there, and is going to do three more, but I don't know if we will that long. "People seem to think that True Blood is going to be one of those shows that will run for five or six seasons if not more." She added: "It's going to depend on audience ratings and stuff like that, but I can't imagine it not running for a long time because the books are just so juicy and Alan Ball has also made everything so vibrant, colourful and imaginative, and so I think it's going to be a show that people are going to be dying to watch for a long time."

ABC has renewed freshman comedies Cougar Town, Modern Family and The Middle for second seasons, says the Los Angeles Times. ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson announced the renewals on Tuesday at a Television Critics Association press conference in LA. The network also confirmed a forthcoming tenth season for Dancing With The Stars. The reality competition series will kick off March 22 and continue to air on Mondays and Tuesdays. ABC recently ordered a Bachelor/Bachelorette spinoff show to air this summer.

ABC has greenlit Matthew Perry's comedy pilot Mr. Sunshine, says The Hollywood Reporter. The project is a single-camera sitcom starring Perry as a man who has a minor identity crisis on his 40th birthday. The former Friends actor wrote the script with partners Alex Barnow and Marc Firek, who have both signed as executive producers. The venture comes from Sony TV and Jamie Tarses's Fanfare Productions.

Heroes failed to improve its ratings Monday night despite being moved to a new timeslot. Episode 15, titled 'Close To You', managed just 4.71m for NBC in the later 9pm slot. The previous episode - the show's midseason cliffhanger - drew 5.9m on Monday, November 30. Heroes was beaten last night by Fringe, which logged 7.79m for Fox, and CBS comedies Two And A Half Men and The Big Bang Theory, which put in 17.3m and 15.81m. The CW's Gossip Girl rerun was last for the hour with 740k. House won the 8pm hour for Fox, bringing in 12.24m. Its nearest rival, ABC's The Bachelor, took 9.82m during the hour and averaged 10.52m across its two-hour slot. Chuck pulled in 7.32m for NBC - down slightly from Sunday night's premiere - a One Tree Hill repeat grabbed 1.22m for The CW, and How I Met Your Mother and Accidentally On Purpose interested 9.82m and 8.52m for CBS. At 10pm, CSI: Miami brought in 13.65m for CBS, ABC's Castle had 9.48m, and 4.79m watched The Jay Leno Show on NBC.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

DS presents a complete list of the nominees for the 2010 GLAAD Awards. The three ceremonies will take place in New York on March 13, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis; in Los Angeles on April 17 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza; and in San Francisco on June 5 at The Westin St. Francis.

Television

Outstanding Drama Series
Brothers & Sisters
Grey's Anatomy
Mad Men
Skins
True Blood

Outstanding Comedy Series
Beautiful People
Glee
Greek
Modern Family
United States Of Tara

Outstanding Individual Episode
'Homeward Bound' (Private Practice)
'Lisa Says' (The Listener)
'Pawnee Zoo' (Parks and Recreation)
'The Real Ghostbusters' (Supernatural)
'Wait and See' (Private Practice)

Outstanding TV Movie or Miniseries
An Englishman in New York
Pedro
Prayers for Bobby
Torchwood: Children of Earth

Outstanding Documentary
Ask Not
Be Like Others
Derek
The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls
U People

Outstanding Reality Programme
The Amazing Race 15
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
Making His Band
The Real World: Brooklyn
RuPaul's Drag Race

Outstanding Daily Drama
All My Children
As The World Turns
Guiding Light
One Life To Live

Outstanding Talk Show Episode
'Ellen DeGeneres and Her Wife, Portia de Rossi' (The Oprah Winfrey Show)
'Hell to Pay – Gay Teen Exorcism' (The Tyra Banks Show)
'Mormon Church & Gays' (The Joy Behar Show)
'The Science of Intersex' (The Dr. Oz Show)
'Sirdeaner Walker Interview' (The Ellen DeGeneres Show)

Movies

Outstanding Film - Wide Release
Everybody's Fine
I Love You, Man
Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire
A Single Man
Taking Woodstock

Outstanding Film - Limited Release
Casi Divas
The Country Teacher
Little Ashes
Phoebe in Wonderland
The Secrets

Music

Outstanding Music Artist
Brandi Carlile
Lady GaGa
Gossip
Adam Lambert
Otep


The Glee cast have revealed their excitement after the show was picked up by Fox for a second season. The network recently confirmed that the hit series will return in 2010-11, with a nationwide casting call planned to find three new cast members. Speaking to Access Hollywood, Lea Michele (Rachel) said: "We're still working really hard, we haven't even completed our first season. So there's still a lot of hard work ahead of us. "We say a lot, we're in a little bit of Glee bubble. But it's great because we get stronger and grow closer as a cast every single day." She continued: "Corey and I will turn to each a lot and be like, 'Oh my god! Is this happening?'. But it's great. I've believed in this show from day one. It's pretty awesome." Jane Lynch (Sue) said: "Knowing that I get to do this show and play this character and work with these people for another year is just thrilling to me! We're booking! It's really good!" Dianna Argon (Quinn) added: "In a few years from now, maybe it will have all sunk in but right now it's just far too grand!"

Matthew Fox has revealed that he will not go to Lost fan conventions when the series ends. Speaking to SFX, the 43-year-old actor said that he will "be moving on to the next chapter" in his life when filming is complete. "I don't know. That's not my favourite thing in the world," he replied when asked about future Lost conventions. "The fans of the show are amazing, it's always really cool to see their enthusiasm for what the show is. But you know, in my mind, when we wrap that final episode of Lost in Hawaii, I'm going to be moving on to the next chapter in my life and that will be a goal of mine." He concluded: "I don't think I will be spending a lot of time going to Lost conventions."

The premiere of American Idol's ninth season pulled in 29.8m between 8pm and 10pm for Fox last night, according to early estimates. The Boston auditions, which featured Victoria Beckham as a guest judge, peaked with 32.32m in the half hour from 9pm. Overall, the audience was on par with that for last year's premiere. NCIS did well for CBS opposite Idol in the 8pm hour, drawing 20.71m, while The Biggest Loser put in 7.88m for NBC. A rerun of Scrubs and a new episode of Better Off Ted had 2.52m and 2.23m for ABC, and on The CW, a 90210 repeat took 771k. CBS remained in second place in the 9pm hour, pulling in 15.5m with a new episode of NCIS: LA. The Biggest Loser continued with 8.31m for NBC, while on ABC, Scrubs and Better Off Ted delivered 2.74m and 2.53m. A rerun of Melrose Place brought in 689k for The CW. CBS climbed to first place after Idol finished at 10pm, grabbing 13.79m for The Good Wife. The Jay Leno Show had 6.2m for NBC and on ABC, The Forgotten picked up 4.37m.

Doctor Who actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw has signed to co-star in J.J. Abrams pilot Undercovers. Mbatha-Raw will join the previously cast Boris Kodjoe in the NBC project, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She will play the female lead. Undercovers was co-written by Abrams and Josh Reims. The pilot centres on a married couple who are also CIA agents. Abrams is to direct the instalment.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

Rob Zombie has reportedly signed to direct an upcoming episode of CBS drama CSI: Miami. The Halloween helmer's episode will be set in Los Angeles, reports The AP. It will involve evidence tampering and secret recordings. The instalment will air March 1. Zombie, 45, is also attached to direct Tyrannosaurus Rex, due for a 2013 release.

Jennifer Morrison is reportedly returning to House. According to Entertainment Weekly, the actress - Cameron on the medical drama - will reprise her role before the season six finale. A show insider is quoted as saying: "You will see Cameron again on House before the end of the season." Morrison departed the series in November last year when her character Cameron left Princeton Plainsboro following the murder of a patient by her husband Chase. It was later announced that she had been cast in Broadway play The Miracle Worker. It is thought that she will film her comeback scenes before the play begins previews in February.

Josh Schwartz has confirmed that Michelle Trachtenberg is reprising her Gossip Girl role later this season. Her character Georgina Sparks was last seen fleeing NYU after her brief relationship with Penn Badgely's Dan Humphrey hit the rocks. Writing on his Twitter, Schwartz confirmed: "You will see the return of Georgina Sparks before the end of Season 3... " Trachtenberg currently stars in NBC's Mercy, in which she plays one of the female leads alongside Taylor Schilling and Jamie Lee Kirchner. Gossip Girl returns Monday, March 8 on The CW.

Damon Lindelof has admitted that Lost fans will not get answers to questions about the island. Previously, the executive producer had promised that fans would get more answers about the series in the sixth season premiere than the first five seasons put together. However, Lindelof has said that those answers will not involve questions surrounding the island's mythology. "There are certain questions I'm very befuddled by, like, 'What is the island?' or 'What do the numbers mean?'" he told SFX. "We're going to be explaining significantly more about the numbers, but what is a potential answer to 'What do the numbers mean?' I feel like you have to be very careful about entering into midi-chlorian territory." He added: " is a place. I can't explain to you why it travels through space-time, it just does. You have to accept that. "So we intend to answer the big questions, but in terms of the island itself, there will be questions left unanswered after the show ends."

Danny Wallace has quipped that he was born to play himself in an upcoming US sitcom. The journalist's ShortList features have been collected for a book titled Awkward Situations for Men and he will star in a pilot adaptation commissioned by ABC. Wallace told DS: "Being asked to play yourself is a strange thing, but at least I've had the practice. In fact, I was probably born to play this role. "I would go so far as to say that out of 6 billion people, I have probably done the most research into it, too. There are few roles in Hollywood these days where the actor has been actively rehearsing for 33 years." Of the show being set in the US, he added: "The columns probably are quite British, but I reckon the themes and situations and pretty universal. Awkwardness travels. Usually about two steps behind us, but always there, and following. "Transferring the stories to the US will heighten that awkwardness, because suddenly, the comfort of home isn't there. I'll give this show a good go, for Britain!" The script for the pilot has been co-written by Jeff and Jackie Filgo of That '70s Show. If picked up, a full series could follow later this year.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

American Idol continued to perform well for Fox last night, early ratings figures show. The second episode of the show's ninth season, which featured the Atlanta Auditions, pulled in 26.4m between 8pm and 9.30pm. Tuesday night's episode was slightly higher, drawing 29.8m. A repeat of the 450th episode of The Simpsons followed immediately afterwards, putting in 8.1m. Over on CBS, The New Adventures Of Old Christine and Gary Unmarried put in 6.2m and 5.8m during the 8pm hour, then 14m watched Criminal Minds at 9pm. The 10pm CSI was seen by 14.1m. A new episode of Mercy grabbed 5.9m for NBC at 8pm, a Law & Order: Special Victims Unit rerun took 7.7m at 9pm, and 5.4m tuned in for The Jay Leno Show at 10pm. ABC's The Middle put in 6.1m at 8.30pm, Modern Family followed at 9pm, drawing 7.8m, then 7.4m watched Cougar Town at 9.30pm. Ugly Betty, which aired at 10pm, managed 4.5m.

Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment has agreed a deal to develop and publish a range of games based on US children's television series Sesame Street. According to The AP, the deal with Sesame Workshop - the non-profit organisation which produces the show - will lead to entertaining and educational games aimed at pre-school age children. Russell Arons, Warner Bros Interactive's senior vice president of marketing, said that there is currently a "big open hole" in the market for pre-school games. "This is the first generation of parents who grew up as gamers," he explained. "Unlike prior generations where people weren't sure of the value of video games, these are people who know there's value and fun for the whole family." Despite no official titles being confirmed as yet, Warner expects that the first games will be ready for release on Xbox 360 and PS3 before the end of this year. The games may also utilise Sony and Microsoft's forthcoming motion control devices - the Wand and Project Natal. Sesame Workshop executive vice president of distribution Terry Fitzpatrick said that using these controllers would make the games simpler to play for the target audience. "That makes it very easy and is developmentally appropriate for pre-schoolers, as opposed to dealing with a very complex controller," he explained. "We also think that kind of technology will make it incredibly fun for parents with a pre-schooler to be engaged around a gaming activity together." Sesame Street characters appeared in various video games in the 1980s and 1990s, but have made few appearances since then. The last console title Sesame Street Sports was released by Bonsai Entertainment in 2001.

Charlie Sheen's sitcom Two and a Half Men has snared its biggest audience in over a year following the actor's Christmas Day arrest. Sheen shot a new episode of the show just days after he was jailed over a violent argument with his wife Brooke Mueller. The 44-year-old was taken into custody on December 25 by police in Aspen, CO after reportedly threatening Mueller with a knife. However, Sheen's arrest appears to have boosted the profile of the CBS series, which secured a season high with 17.3 million viewers on Monday night. The star faces charges of second-degree assault, menacing and criminal mischief. He is expected to appear in court later this month.

Spike Lee is directing a sequel to his Hurricane Katrina documentary When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts for HBO. Production on the new film started on Thursday in New Orleans, according to the network. "When the Levees Broke was a landmark in documentary filmmaking. It's an exciting notion to anticipate Spike going back for this reprise," said HBO documentary films president Sheila Devins. The original 2006 film won three Emmys and a Peabody Award. No airdate was announced for the update.

Conan O'Brien's Tonight Show reportedly has an official end date. According to People, the last episode of the NBC talkshow will air next Friday, January 22. "Conan does not currently plan on doing any more new shows after next week," said a source close to the show. NBC has claimed that a pre-scheduled hiatus beginning on January 25 has been on the books for months. "Everyone is working as usual in getting the show on," added the insider. If January 22 does mark O'Brien's final broadcast, the chatshow will have finished two weeks prior to NBC's scheduled pre-emption for its 2010 Winter Olympics coverage.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

Jay Leno has reportedly struck a new agreement with NBC which allows him to host The Tonight Show from 11.35pm to 12.35am. The 59-year-old had previously been contracted to work from 10pm for his Jay Leno Show. However, a new deal was agreed earlier today, according to TMZ. Leno is expected to be drafted in to replace current presenter Conan O'Brien, who released a statement on Tuesday saying that he no longer wishes to front the series if NBC moves it to a different timeslot.

CBS has renewed hit freshman dramas NCIS: Los Angeles and The Good Wife for second seasons, says Entertainment Weekly. Both shows have reportedly been on a ratings upswing since debuting in the fall. Crime procedural spinoff NCIS: LA has averaged 16.8 million viewers for adults 18-49. Good Wife has averaged 13.7 million viewers in the same demographic. NCIS: LA received an off-network syndication deal with cabler USA in its seventh week on the air. Both shows are produced by CBS Studios and run on Tuesday nights.

Steven Spielberg has signed to produce a documentary about the reconstruction of New York City's former World Trade Center site. The Oscar-winning filmmaker will also act as advisor for the project, titled Rebuilding Ground Zero, says The Hollywood Reporter. "The rebuilding effort at Ground Zero is a compelling story of remembrance and renewal," said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a statement. He added: "The fact that Steven Spielberg - one of the great filmmakers of our time - will produce a documentary on it ensures that the story will be brought to life for people around the world for generations to come." The six-part series is slated to air on Discovery's Science Channel in 2011, two years before the site's Freedom Tower is expected to be completed. The film will be shot in 3D and high definition.

NBC has unveiled its post-Winter Olympics schedule, which features mostly scripted dramas in the 10pm weeknight slot. The network is yet to announce its late-night plans, but claims that "this is a schedule that, given the situation we're in, we're really proud of". The new lineup will come into play from March 1. Digital Spy presents the new schedule in full:

Monday
8pm-9pm: Chuck
9pm-10pm: Trauma (beginning March 8)
10pm-11pm: Law & Order

Tuesday
8pm-10pm: The Biggest Loser
10pm-11pm: Parenthood

Wednesday
8pm-9pm: Mercy
9pm-10pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (encores beginning March 3)
10pm-11pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (originals beginning March 3)

Thursday
8pm-8.30pm: Community
8.30pm-9pm: Parks and Recreation
9pm-9.30pm: The Office
9.30pm-10pm: 30 Rock
10pm-11pm: The Marriage Ref

Friday
8pm-9pm: Who Do You Think You Are?
9pm-11pm: Dateline NBC

Saturday
8pm-9pm: The Biggest Loser (encore episode)
9pm-10pm: Law & Order (encore episode)
10pm-11pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (encore episode)

Sunday
7pm-8pm: Dateline NBC
8pm-9pm: Minute To Win It
9pm-11pm: The Celebrity Apprentice (season premiere March 14)

Game Of Thrones is reportedly close to receiving a series order from HBO. The fantasy pilot, which stars Sean Bean, Alfie Allen and Peter Dinklage, was described by the network's programming chief Michael Lombardo as "fantastic". "I would be surprised if it doesn't ," Lombardo said. "It has everything going for it." The project is a television adaptation of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and focuses on an epic struggle for power between the main characters. If the pickup goes ahead, Thrones is likely to premiere on HBO in March or April next year.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

Former Girls Next Door star Holly Madison has reportedly landed her own reality television series. According to Reuters, the model will appear in a fly on the wall series for E! Entertainment Television called Holly's World. The show will revolve around Madison's professional and personal life in Las Vegas as she appears in the burlesque production Peepshow. E! has reportedly ordered eight half-hour episodes and the series is expected to premiere this summer. It is thought that the decision to hand Madison her own show was sparked by the success of her former Girls Next Door co-star Kendra Wilkinson, who launched her solo show Kendra last year.

Ricky Gervais is reportedly lining up a guest appearance in the US version of The Office. According to Entertainment Weekly, the comedian, who starred as David Brent in the UK edition, is keen to reprise the role for the American show. The NBC version, which stars Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson and John Krasinski, currently airs Thursdays at 9pm. Gervais, who will host Sunday night's Golden Globe Awards, recently claimed that money "ruined" the show. "When I did The Office, I was so proud," he said on 60 Minutes. "The cheque ruined it a bit - I didn't want people to think that was mixed in with my pride."


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

A Simpsons fan has revealed plans to watch the entire series back-to-back to mark the show's 20th anniversary. Glyn Stott from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, will watch all 451 episodes of the animated sitcom with a 20 minute break after every three shows, The Daily Telegraph reports. Stott, 34, said: "I'm a huge fan of the show and I've seen every episode but watching them continuously for almost a week will be a feat of endurance. "The judges have to make sure my eyes are firmly fixed on the screen - I have to be seen to be concentrating all the way through." He added: "I will be watching 20 years of TV compressed into six-and-a-half days - it will be amazing to see how the show has changed over the years." A spokesman for Fox said: "Nearly a week without sleep, watching TV - Homer would be proud of him." If he succeeds in the marathon, Stott - who has spent around £100,000 on Simpsons merchandise - will earn a Guinness World Record for consecutive TV watching.

Jayde Nicole has reportedly revealed that she has no plans to return to The Hills following her split from co-star Brody Jenner. The Playboy star had been regularly featured on the MTV reality series through her romance with Jenner, but the pair parted ways last month. Speaking to OK, she said: "As of right now, I'm not going to be on the show. I'm not a very dramatic person and I don't like all the drama and I feel like that's all it was. "It's hard everybody kind of watching your relationship and kind of scrutinising it and taking all of your good times and only putting the bad ones on TV." She added: "I mean our relationship wasn't like that at all in real life. Of course we fought, everybody fights but at the end of the day we made it through the whole filming so it didn't really affect it that much." However, the model insisted that she still "keeps in touch" with Jenner, adding: "We're still friends. Everyone that I was friends with on the show I'm still friends with now." Nicole is currently preparing to take part in the World Series of Poker as part of the All In Project.

Lex Medlin has joined the cast of Supernatural for its Valentine's Day episode. According to Entertainment Weekly, the Southland star has been tapped to play Cupid in the special episode, which is scheduled to air Thursday, February 11. The plot will apparently see Sam and Dean launch an investigation when couples all over town begin engaging in obsessive and deadly behaviour. With Catsiel's help, they are led to a naked cherub - played by Medlin - who may be involved. Supernatural continues Thursday, January 21 on The CW.

Grey's Anatomy's crossover episode with Private Practice caused a drop in its ratings, early figures show. The 9pm screening pulled in 12.73m for ABC. It was down from the last episode, which aired Thursday, November 19, 2009 and logged 14m. Private Practice followed at 10pm, drawing 11.02m. Earlier, at 8pm, 5.41m tuned in for a Grey's rerun. Over on CBS, a Mentalist repeat grabbed 9.64m at 8pm, 15.38m watched CSI during the 9pm hour, and the 10pm Mentalist took 15.27m. NBC's Community and Parks and Recreation were seen by 5.42m and 4.59m during the 8pm hour, then 5.12m watched 30 Rock at 9pm. A second Rock drew 5.01m at 9.30pm, then The Jay Leno Show interested 4.41m at 10pm. Bones and Fringe averaged 10.67m and 6.6m for Fox. The CW's reruns of The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural put in 1.68m and 1.31m.

Matin Scorsese has reportedly spent $50m (£31m) on the pilot of his new TV series Boardwalk Empire. The iconic director is apparently causing concern at network HBO over the massive budget he has exhausted bringing his interpretation of the '20s New Jersey gangland to the small screen. An insider told Page Six: "It's a huge period piece with a gigantic cast. Obviously, the rest of the episodes are cheaper because they'll reuse props, sets and costumes, but the first one was really pricey." The show, which stars Steve Buscemi and Kelly Macdonald, is due to launch in late 2010.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

Sir Richard Branson has landed a US series documenting his efforts to make space tourism a reality. According to WENN, National Geographic Channel's four-episode Virgin Galactic show will follow the billionaire mogul and engineer Burt Rutan's attempts to send 50,000 people into space over a 10-year period. Branson unveiled his Vss Enterprise spacecraft last month with plans to launch the first Virgin Galactic flights in 2011. The series marks Branson's second foray into TV in recent months. Fly Girls, about flight attendants on the former music executive's Virgin America Airline, is currently in production for The CW. The National Geographic programme has been confirmed for a spring premiere.

Security guards have reportedly responded to a threat on the set of Two and a Half Men. The ultimatum was made against star Jon Cryer on Friday, reports TMZ. According to insiders, the threat was "significant" and related to Cryer's divorce from his ex-wife Sarah Trigger. Taping on the show is to resume later this evening in Los Angeles, although there will be no live audience due to security concerns. Responding to the report, Trigger's lawyer said: "There's no reason in the world why Sarah would do anything like that."

CBS has greenlit an update of classic cop show Hawaii Five-O. The new version is produced by Star Trek screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci along with CSI executive producer Peter Lenkov, says The Hollywood Reporter. The series will follow an elite team of Hawaii State Police investigators headed by Steve McGarret, played by Jack Lord in the original. The first programme aired on CBS from 1968 to 1980. The network attempted to revive the show last season with Criminal Minds producer Ed Bernero at the helm.

Emmy winner John Larroquette has been cast on NBC's Parks and Recreation. Larroquette is to play a former lover of Marlene (Pamela Reed), Leslie's (Amy Poehler) mother, on the Thursday night comedy, reports TV Guide Magazine. "He's the one who got away. Leslie's trying to find that guy and bring him to her mum," said series creator Greg Daniels. Larroquette's character is named Thomas Beckerson.

Rich Sommer has reportedly signed up to appear in Ugly Betty. According to Entertainment Weekly, Sommer, who plays Harry Crane in Mad Men, will be a new love interest for Betty. Sources have claimed that he will take on the role of a fireman called Jimmy who goes on "the date from hell" with the show's heroine. Sommer's first episode is due to air in March.

A teenager who was allegedly involved in burglaries of celebrities' homes has reportedly been given her own television show. The New York Post reports that Alexis Neiers was arrested and charged with breaking into Orlando Bloom's home last year. She has also been linked to a burglary at the home of Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green and is awaiting trial after being found with items belonging to Lindsay Lohan and Rachel Bilson. Neiers has now reportedly landed a reality television show on E!. Pretty Wild will allegedly follow Neiers and her sisters Tess Taylor and Gabrielle Neiers.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

On 2010-01-16 18:14 , honeykid Wrote:


And we have sunk to an all new low.

Indeed. I'm wondering whether they'll film it all via CCTV cameras.

From digitalspy

CBS' NFL play-off coverage topped the ratings last night, according to the latest viewing figures. The Ravens vs. Colts tie scored an average of 24.85m from 8.30pm to 11pm, easily beating all the other networks. America's Most Wanted improved on last week's performance in the 9pm slot for Fox with 6.09m, while repeats of Law & Order and Private Practice drew 3.99m and 2.02m respectively. Another rerun of Law & Order performed better in the 10pm hour, pulling in 5.42m. ABC also stuck with repeat showings, drawing 3.01m for Castle.

Dollhouse performed poorly for Fox on Friday night, according to the latest viewing figures. The penultimate episode of the sci-fi drama, entitled 'The Hollow Men', drew just 2.1m in the 9pm hour, losing 300k week-on-week. Over on ABC, Shark Tank rose from last week by nearly half a million viewers, pulling in 4.44m. Dateline drew 7.75m for NBC, while supernatural drama Medium comfortably won the slot for CBS with 9.01m. In the 10pm hour, Numb3rs climbed to 9.52m to win the hour for CBS. ABC's 20/20 put in a lacklustre performance with only 5.41m, a drop of over 2m week-on-week. The popular news program was edged by The Jay Leno Show with 5.45m. At 8pm, CBS's screening of Ghost Whisperer took a slot-winning 8.63m, slightly down from last week. Meanwhile NBC's Law & Order had 7.73m, and Supernanny put in 5.39m for ABC. A rerun of Bones could only muster 3.88m for Fox, while two Smallville repeats put in 1.19m and 1.29m respectively from 8pm to 10pm on The CW.

The Tonight Show has seen a rise in its viewing audience during a week of controversy for the long-running US talkshow. Conan O'Brien's off-screen problems with NBC have been heavily publicised in the US this week. Reports claim that the host is refusing to accept the network's decision to move the programme from 11.35pm to 12.05am to make way for The Jay Leno Show, which has also been moved back in the new schedule. According to the Times Herald, O'Brien's show has risen throughout the week, beating CBS's The David Letterman Show. In the 18-49 year-old demographic, The Tonight Show even beat The Jay Leno Show this week, Nielsen report. O'Brien's manager, Gavin Palone, said: "People who never watched Conan before are saying, 'I'll try it'." "Now they're saying, 'This is good, I'll stick with it'." However, the host seems intent on leaving the show. He said as part of his monologue: "By the time you see this, I'll be halfway to Rio in an NBC traffic helicopter." O'Brien also wryly commented on the situation on his show earlier in the week: "When I was a little boy, I remember watching The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and thinking 'Someday, I'm going to host that show for seven months'."

Fred Silverman has reportedly labelled the controversial NBC late-night scheduling changes a "corporate embarassment". According to TMZ, a leaked email reveals that Silverman privately disagrees with the plans to cancel The Jay Leno Show and to potentially move Conan O'Brien's Tonight Show to a later slot. The former NBC executive called the shake-up "a corporate embarrassment" and a "Mickey Mouse scheme". However, an email sent by Silverman to top NBC execs reveals that he was keen for the plan to go ahead. It said: "Here's a way to solve your Jay Leno problem, improve your primetime ratings, save untold development costs and make a gazillion dollars at the same time." Silverman is the only executive to have been in charge of CBS, ABC and NBC.

The full list of winners in the television categories at this year's Golden Globes ceremony follows:

Best Comedy or Musical Series
30 Rock
Entourage
Glee - WINNER!
Modern Family
The Office

Best Supporting Actress
Jane Lynch (Glee)
Rose Byrne (Damages)
Janet McTeer (Into the Storm)
Jane Adams (Hung)
Chloe Sevigny (Big Love) - WINNER!

Best Drama Series
Big Love
Dexter
House
Mad Men - WINNER!
True Blood

Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) - WINNER!
Steve Carell (The Office)
David Duchovny (Californication)
Matthew Morrison (Glee)
Thomas Jane (Hung)

Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Joan Allen (Georgia O'Keefe)
Drew Barrymore (Grey Gardens) - WINNER!
Jessica Lange (Grey Gardens)
Anna Paquin (The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler)
Sigourney Weaver (Prayers for Bobby)

Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Kevin Bacon (Taking Chances) - WINNER!
Kenneth Branagh (Wallander)
Chiwetel Ejiofor (Endgame)
Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm)
Jeremy Irons (Georgia O'Keeffe)

Best Miniseries or TV Movie
Georgia O'Keeffe
Grey Gardens - WINNER!
Into the Storm
Little Dorrit
Taking Chance

Best Actress in a Television Drama
Glenn Close (Damages)
January Jones (Mad Men)
Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) - WINNER!
Anna Paquin (True Blood)
Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

Best Actor in a Television Drama
Simon Baker (The Mentalist)
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Michael C. Hall (Dexter) - WINNER!
Hugh Laurie (House)
Bill Paxton (Big Love)

Best Supporting Actor
Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)
William Hurt (Damages)
John Lithgow (Dexter) - WINNER!
Michael Emerson (Lost)

Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)
Toni Collette (The United States of Tara) - WINNER!
Lea Michele (Glee)
Courteney Cox (Cougar Town)


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

Bryan Fuller has reportedly begun work on a comic continuation of his cancelled Pushing Daisies series. Former Pushing Daisies star Chi McBride told Sci Fi Wire that he has read some pages of the script for the comic that Fuller is writing for WildStorm. "It's a whole thing about a whole bunch of corpses coming to life," said McBride - who played private detective Emerson Cod in the show. "That's all I know so far, but Bryan was kind enough to share the first few pages. It really looks good. "It seems a little darker , which is a lot of things that Bryan couldn't do. There's one particular story that I hope he does called 'The Head'. I wished he could've done it during the series. It was awesome." Fuller revealed that he would be continuing the show as a comic after it was prematurely cancelled after its second season. It will follow in the footsteps of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, both of which have continued as comics after the conclusion of the television shows.

Jennie Garth has reportedly revealed that she is not currently working on 90210. The actress, who starred as Kelly Taylor in Beverly Hills, 90210, recently reprised the role for the CW's reboot of the series. Speaking to Access Hollywood, she said: "I'm not really doing it anymore. while. " Garth went on to say that she is working on a children's book and developing a film alongside husband Peter Facinelli. However, she laughed off the suggestion that the pair will be starring together on the big screen. Facinelli reportedly confirmed the news to Hollywood Life, saying: "It was one of those things where she was supposed to do a couple of episodes, it went a bit longer and now she's moving on."

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has broken down in tears on his new ABC healthy eating show. The star's latest series Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution will feature him attempting to change the eating habits of Huntingdon, West Virginia, where over half the residents are clinically obese. When the residents are hostile to his suggestions, an emotional Oliver begins crying on camera, reports The Mirror. "His tears was the lowest we've ever seen Jamie," said a show source. "He is normally so upbeat but the scale of this challenge got to him. Everywhere he turned, he was faced with obstacles. "People were outwardly hostile to some of the ideas he put forward. They thought, 'Who is this jumped-up man from Britain telling us how to lead our lives?' He felt so alone and thought at times of packing the whole thing in." Oliver apparently ends up in a confrontation with a local DJ, who tells him: "We don't want to sit around and eat lettuce all day." He is also shocked when school children mistake vine tomatoes for potatoes and a teacher claims that chips count as one portion of fruit and veg.

Joss Whedon is reportedly considering taking some of his shows to FX. The super-producer has often been criticised by fans who urged him to team up with cable networks to secure longevity for his cult series. According to FX president John Landgraf, a meeting has been set up which may see Whedon's work wind up on the cable network. "Actually his representatives called and scheduled a lunch, I think I'm supposed to have lunch with Joss in the next two or three weeks," he said at the TCA. "And I have enormous respect for him. And by the way, if you look at Shawn Ryan who created The Shield and is running Terriers, Shawn learned at the feet of Joss Whedon, the Joss Whedon school. And Carlton Cuse by the way, as well. "So I don't really know Joss, but I'm really looking forward to meeting him. I love his stuff." Whedon latest project Dollhouse ends its two-season run Friday, January 29 at 8pm on Fox.

True Blood star Mehcad Brooks has revealed details about his new role on ABC's The Deep End. The midseason legal drama, which also stars Matt Long, Clancy Brown and Billy Zane, has been confirmed to begin this week, taking over FlashForward's timeslot. Speaking to TV Guide, Brooks - Malcolm Bennet in the ABC series - described his character as a "pawn" in a game between two powerful bosses. "Billy Zane's character does all the hiring for the associates but he's at odds with Clancy Brown's character," he said. "Because they're at odds, he goes to get this superstar young guy. I'm a pawn, but then I become maybe a bishop!" He added of the show: "It's so much fun shooting the show - I don't see how you couldn't have fun watching it! It's my favourite job ever... I will go out on a limb and say that." The Deep End begins Thursday, January 21 at 8pm on ABC.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

Ricky Gervais's performance as host of last night's Golden Globe Awards has attracted a mixed response from critics in the US. The comedian made jokes about Angelina Jolie, Sir Paul McCartney and Mel Gibson among other stars as he fronted yesterday's ceremony at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles. BBC News reports that The AP has since hailed Gervais as "cheeky, silly and funny as heck", while gossip sites TMZ and Radar Online described him as "hysterical" and "on fire" respectively. However, The Hollywood Reporter accused the 48-year-old of tackling "predictable subjects" in the opening minutes of the show and branded him "disappointingly toothless". The publication's writer Andrew Wallenstein commented: "No doubt award shows will spring him from the bullpen for mid-telecast jumpstarts for some time to come, but his first headline outing was evidence he can't carry an entire event." Last night's ceremony was the first time in 15 years that the Golden Globes had been fronted by a main host.

Gordon Ramsay has said that he is excited about fronting a US version of amateur cookery programme MasterChef. The Hell's Kitchen host told BBC Newsbeat that he hopes to help new chefs through the planned American port of the BBC series. Ramsay said: "You're finding domestic talent. MasterChef is for the amateur. "It really makes me excited to think about getting that young talent and preparing him or her." Of the tasting on the show, he added: "I'm not very good at watching chefs stuff their faces. "When I eat food and you're tasting, whether it's on camera or off camera, small bits. You don't have to wolf the whole thing down."

Last night's season eight premiere of 24 performed well for Fox, early viewing figures show. The first two hours of the new season - covering 4pm to 6pm - averaged 11.4m across the 8pm to 10pm period, slipping from its first half-hour to its second and holding steady for the rest of the night. Earlier, at 8pm, Human Target's series premiere drew 10.1m. The Golden Globes ceremony, which aired between 8pm and 11pm, pulled in an average of 16.9m for NBC. ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition repeat took 5.9m at 8pm, then 11.2m tuned in for Desperate Housewives at 9pm. Brothers & Sisters followed immediately afterwards, drawing 8m. Over on CBS, 60 Minutes and Cold Case logged 18.1m and 10.7m at 8pm and 9pm respectively, then 9.7m watched an NCIS rerun during the 10pm hour.

True Blood creator Alan Ball has revealed that he has cast a new female werewolf named Debbie Pelt. According to TV Guide, the character will debut in the third episode of season three, which airs later this year in the US. He said: " a badass bitch you do not want to get on the wrong side of. She is not going to like Sookie." The HBO series, which has won several awards, has been filming its third season since early December.

Jessica Parker Kennedy has signed to appear in J.J. Abrams's NBC pilot Undercovers. The project centres on married couple Steven and Samantha, who are reactivated as CIA agents after retirement. Kennedy has been cast as Samantha's younger sister who works as a caterer, says The Hollywood Reporter. The actress recently appeared on Smallville and in ABC Family TV movie Santa Baby 2 with Jenny McCarthy.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

Director Rob Zombie has revealed the guest cast for his upcoming TV directing debut on CSI: Miami. According to Movieweb, Zombie posted a promotional image for the episode on his official MySpace page. The image features Malcolm McDowell, Paul Blackthorne, William Forsythe and Michael Madsen as guest stars. The Halloween helmer's episode will be set in Los Angeles. It will involve evidence tampering and secret recordings. The instalment will air March 1.

The Fox network has greenlit two new pilots, says The Hollywood Reporter. The broadcaster has ordered an untitled comedy from director Seth Gordon and writer Adam Goldberg, plus the drama Midland from screenwriter Kyle Killen. The comedy programme centres on a group of young people who crack security codes for a living. It's produced by Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions. Midland is set in the oil business and involves a polygamist living a double life. An airdate for both projects has not been announced.

Jennifer Lopez has signed on to guest star in Glee, according to Yahoo. The 'Do It Well' singer, who recently claimed that she should have won an Oscar, has reportedly been cast as a dinner lady in an upcoming episode. The show's creator Ryan Murphy previously confirmed that he would be meeting with the singer-actress, confirming "she said she wants to be on ".

Neil Patrick Harris is reportedly being lined up to guest star in Glee. According to Entertainment Weekly, the How I Met Your Mother actor is in talks with producers to appear in an episode scheduled to air in May. The episode in question is apparently one which Joss Whedon will helm. Showrunner Ryan Murphy previously said of Whedon: "I'm thrilled he'll be loaning us his fantastic, groundbreaking talent." Harris is said to be keen on the role, which would involve him singing and dancing, but Fox is reportedly waiting for CBS to give the thumbs up to the move.

Glee's showrunner Ryan Murphy has confirmed that he is currently casting a new gay character for the show. Earlier this month, Murphy announced that he will be holding open auditions for three new characters to join the programme for its second season. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly at the Golden Globe Awards, he revealed that one of the characters will be a new boyfriend for Kurt. "We just announced we're doing a nationwide search for the season two cast, and one of the three roles that we're adding. And we're going to make them a power couple. "We're not going to do the whole hiding in the shadows thing. We're going to make them popular, and out and proud and glamorous. Like prom king and king. We're doing the opposite of what's been done." Discussing the other roles, he added: "We're also casting sort of a Eve Harrington to kind of steal Rachel's thunder a little. So those are two of the three."


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

From digitalspy

24 continued to perform well for Fox last night, the latest viewing figures show. The next two hours of the real-time drama averaged 11m across the 8pm to 10pm period, dipping slightly below Sunday night's impressive premiere. A breakdown is as follows: 10.56m tuned in for the first hour, and the second drew 11.45m. Over on CBS, How I Met Your Mother and Accidentally On Purpose logged 10.52m and 9.64m during the 8pm hour, then 16.2m watched Two And A Half Men at 9pm. The Big Bang Theory followed at 9.30pm, bringing in 14.99m, then the 10pm CSI: Miami put in 13.16m during the 10pm hour. Heroes pulled in its lowest ever audience of 3.93m for NBC during the 9pm hour. Earlier, at 8pm, Chuck managed 6.66m. ABC's two-hour The Bachelor: On The Wings Of Love attracted 10.63m between 8pm and 10pm, then Castle grabbed 9.44m at 10pm. The CW's Life Unexpected made a strong debut, pulling in 2.74m with its first episode. Its lead-in One Tree Hill drew 2.2m during the 8pm hour.

Mariska Hargitay has said that she is blaming The Jay Leno Show for Law & Order: SVU's sliding ratings. The actress, who plays Detective Olivia Benson in the NBC drama, claimed that the show's move to 9pm only served to "ruin our numbers". "Nobody knew when the show was on. Finally, we're starting to find our audience again," she told More. Hargitay added: "I hope we go back to where we belong. It was doing so well. Why mess with it?"

Summit Entertainment has announced that it is developing a TV series based around its recent film Push. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the programme will be an extension of the movie which focused on a group of people with various psychic abilities who band together to take down a corrupt government agency. The small screen project furthers the relationship established in 2007 between Summit and E1. The latter licenses exclusive distribution rights to Summit-produced movies in the UK and Canada. Screenwriter David Hayter, who penned Watchmen and two of the X-Men movies, will write the pilot and produce the series.

William Baldwin has reportedly been cast in a major role in Gossip Girl. According to Entertainment Weekly, the former Dirty Sexy Money star has landed the role of Serena's father William van der Woodsen. Serena's estranged father has never been seen on the screen, but the she has been seen searching for him in recent episodes. Reports say that Baldwin has been booked for at least three episodes, with his first airing in April. Gossip Girl is currently on hiatus, owing to new CW drama Life Unexpected, which has taken over its Monday 9pm slot. GG will return to US screens Monday, March 8.

Annette O'Toole is returning to Smallville later this season, says Entertainment Weekly. The 57-year-old actress, who was last seen on screen as Martha Kent in season six, has reportedly signed on to reprise her role towards the end of the show's current season. Producers are said to be working out the exact date of O'Toole's reappearance, but reports suggest she will be back around May. Martha's return will apparently coincide with an "unexpected surprise". Smallville continues Friday, January 29 at 8pm on The CW.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.