All Television News

War Is Over: Fox & Cablevision Reach Deal

2010-10-31T01:01:00.003-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/war-is-over-fox-cablevision-reach-deal/

After a two-week blackout, Fox signal was restored in some 3 million Cablevision homes just before the start of Game 3 of the World Series. Fox just announced that the two sides have reached "an agreement in principal for a new distribution agreement." The agreement covers Fox O&Os WNYW in New York and WTXF in Philadelphia as well as MyNet's WWOR in New York and cable channels FOX Deportes, FOX Business Network, and Nat Geo WILD. It will also allow Cablevision customers in the New York area to watch home NFL team, the New York Jets, in tomorrow's match-up with the Green Bay Packers on Fox. The deal comes a day after Fox reached an agreement in its other carriage dispute with DISH Network. In its statement, Cablevision called the terms of the deal "unfair" and took a swipe at FCC for not intervening in the standoff. It also indicated that the rates in the final agreement were lower than the "unprecedented" fees Fox had initially asked for and that it would pass the rate increases on to its customers. (Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed but Fox had been seeking retransmission fees in the $0.50-$1 range per subscriber for its O&Os from cable and satellite providers.) Earlier this week, Cablevision offered to match the terms of Fox's carriage agreement with Time Warner Cable for the network's O&O stations but Fox turned it down as it wanted its MyNet New York station and 3 lower profile cable channel covered under the terms too. Here is Cablevision's statement:

In the absence of any meaningful action from the FCC, Cablevision has agreed to pay Fox an unfair price for multiple channels of its programming including many in which our customers have little or no interest. Cablevision conceded because it does not think its customers should any longer be denied the Fox programs they wish to see.

Cablevision thanks its customers for understanding the reasons for the dispute and for staying with us. We are also grateful to the 175 government leaders who raised their voices to urge government intervention and binding arbitration to prevent this blackout. It is clear the retransmission consent system is badly broken and needs to be fixed.

In the end, our customers will pay more than they should for Fox programming, but less than they would have if we had accepted the unprecedented rates News Corp. was demanding when they pulled their channels off Cablevision.

Ratings: Newsmagazines And 'Smallville' Up While 'School Pride' Slips

2010-10-31T01:01:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-smallville-newsmagazines-up-while-school-pride-slips/

CW's Smallville continues to fly high as it approaches the end of its 10-season run. The comic book adaptation (1.2/4 in 18-49, 2.9 million) was up 20% in 18-49 and 12% in total viewers from last week. Its lead-out, Supernatural (1.1/4, 2.5) was flat. The network finished third for the night in 18-49 and tied for No.1 in 18-34.

ABC's Primetime: What Would You Do? (1.7/5) led the rise of the newsmagazines this week. With a stronger lead-in, a rerun of It's a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1.6/6) vs. a No Ordinary Family repeat (0.9/3) last week, the newsmagazine surged 31%. At 10 PM, 20/20 (1.6/5) was up a tenth. ABC finished close second to CBS' dramas at 9 and 10 PM and won the 8 PM hour with Charlie Brown for a Friday season high in 18-49 and total viewers.

Like Primetime, NBC's Dateline (1.3/5) from 9-11 PM was also up from last week by 30% but no thanks to its lead-in. New reality series School Pride (0.6/2) continued its slide in Week 3 with a new low, finishing dead last in the 8 PM hour and raking as the lowest-rated program on the night. The show that has been the regular holder of the unenviable title, Fox's The Good Guys (0.7/2) was up a tenth from last week's series low. It followed a House repeat (0.8/3), which was also up a tenth.

CBS' drama lineup was virtually unchanged. At 8 PM, Medium (1.4/5, 6.9 million), whose order was just reduced to 13 episodes for what would likely be its final season, CSI: NY (1.8/6, 10.4 million) and Blue Bloods (1.8/6, 11.5 million) were all flat in the demo, with Medium and Blue Bloods slightly up in total viewers.

'Bones': Meet Booth's new archnemesis

2010-10-29T12:34:00.001-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/29/bones-arnold-vosloo/

Onetime 24 terror mastermind Arnold Vosloo is taking his evildoer act over to Bones. The actor has been cast as this season’s Big Bad — an elite sniper named Jacob Ripkin Broadsky who is accused of assassinating a pivotal recurring character.

“We’ve got someone worse than the Gravedigger coming,” Bones creator Hart Hanson told me over the summer. “And if the Gravedigger is Evil Brennan, this [guy] is Evil Booth. Remember, Booth was a sniper.”

Vosloo — who also played the title role in the Darkman films as well as Brendan Fraser’s nemesis in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns — is slated to appear in at least three episodes beginning in early ’11.

'Grey's Anatomy' boss vetoes controversial Alex/Izzie plot

2010-10-29T12:33:00.002-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/29/greys-anatomy-spoiler-alex-izzie/

It appears Izzie Stevens has cheated death once more.

In an effort to give Alex/Izzie fans some closure in the wake of Katherine Heigl’s abrupt departure last spring, Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes contemplated bringing their love story to a tragic end this season. She stops short of saying cancer survivor Izzie would’ve died off screen, but — keep reading and do the math.

“We discussed a lot of options, and the one we settled on felt like the [best idea] without having Izzie actually there,” she explains. “But it also felt like the cruelest possible thing.”

Ultimately, Rhimes couldn’t go through with it. “It was ready to go, but then I went home and literally couldn’t sleep,” she recalls. “It just felt so mean. It wasn’t closure; it just felt brutal. Alex might have never recovered from it. And the audience who loved Izzie would’ve been devastated. So we didn’t do it.”

What now? “I’m open to seeing Izzie again,” she says. “So if [Katherine] were to come back, we would be thrilled to [wrap up her story]. But if she doesn’t, we’ll just move on.”

HBO Picks Up Female Vice President Pilot That Could Star Julia Louis-Dreyfus

2010-10-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/hbo-picks-up-female-vice-president-pilot-that-could-star-julia-louis-dreyfus/

HBO has picked up Veep, a D.C.-set comedy pilot about a female Vice President of the U.S. from British comedian, writer and director Armando Iannucci. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is in talks for the lead in the project, set "very near the White House" and centered on former Senator Selina Meyer who finds being Vice President is nothing like she expected and everything everyone ever warned her about. Iannucci will co-write and direct the pilot as well as executive produce with Chris Godsick and Frank Rich under the New York Times columnist's deal with HBO. Iannucci has long political satire experience. His popular and BAFTA-winning British comedy series The Thick of It satirizes the inner workings of the British government. (Ianucci is writing Veep with one of his top writers on that series, Simon Blackwell). The Thick of It spawned the 2009 feature spinoff In the Loop starring Tom Hollander and James Gandolfini that earned an Oscar nomination for its script, co-written by Iannucci and Blackwell. ABC attempted to adapt the series during the 2006-07 development cycle with Mitch Hurwitz. The project went to pilot, which was directed by Christopher Guest and starred John Michael Higgins and Oliver Platt. After ABC passed on the pilot, several other networks, including HBO expressed interest, and Iannucci had conversations with the pay cable channel. By his reaction to the ABC pilot, he appears much better suited for cable. "It was terrible...they took the idea and chucked out all the style. It was all conventionally shot and there was no improvisation or swearing," he said of the ABC version. He won't have any problem with swearing on HBO.

Seinfeld alumna Louis-Dreyfus has been in high demand after her CBS comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine ended its 5-season run in May, with a number of writers courting her to star in a new series project. She has had a steady presence at HBO where she has recurred on Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm playing herself. Iannuci and Louis-Dreyfus are repped by CAA. In addition to Veep, HBO has been close to picking up another female-centered comedy pilot, Kate Robin's Fall/Spring starring Tea Leoni.

Eugene Levy, Martin Starr Partner for CBS Project

2010-10-29T07:41:00.001-07:00

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/eugene-levy-martin-starr-partner-33614

CBS and CBS Prods. have made a blind deal for Eugene Levy and Martin Starr to produce and star in a project for the network.

Ben Feigin of Anonymous Content paired the duo and will executive produce. Feigin also brought in fellow exec producers Eric and Kim Tannenbaum.

Levy is best known for co-writing and starring in films including "Waiting for Guffman," "Best In Show" and the "American Pie" franchise. He's working on the feature film "Goon" opposite Seann William Scott and Jay Baruchel.

Starr's recent credits include "Adventureland," "Knocked Up," "Superbad," "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" and the Starz series "Party Down." He's now shooting the feature "Lawless."

Levy is repped by Anonymous Content and ICM. Starr is repped by Anonymous and UTA.

FX Adapting Korean Film 'Soo' To Series

2010-10-29T07:40:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/fx-adapting-korean-film-soo-to-series/

FX is working on a series project based on the 2007 Korean movie Soo (aka Act of Revenge) with Barry Josephson (Life as We Know It) on board to executive produce. A History of Violence writer Josh Olson is writing the adaptation, a drama exploring the nature of identity through the lens of twin brothers -- one a detective and one a hitman. After witnessing the killing of his estranged twin brother, a hitman decides to assume his life and become a policeman to find those responsible. Olson is executive producing with Josephson Entertainment's Josephson and Alexander Young as well as Ted Kim and Jiwon Park from Korean entertainment giant CJ Entertainment which distributed the movie based on the South Korean graphic novel Double Casting by Shin Young-woo. Olson, repped by UTA and Benderspink, has several feature projects in development, One Shot at Paramount, Oz at Warners and a script he is working on with the directing team of Neveldine/Taylor. He is also attached to direct his adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s short story Until Gwen. On TV, Josephson is executive producing Bones, now in its sixth season on Fox.

CBS Picks Up Family Comedy Starring Rob Schneider & Produced By Tannenbaums

2010-10-29T07:39:00.003-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/cbs-picks-up-family-comedy-starring-rob-schneider-produced-by-the-tannenbaums/

Eric and Kim Tannenbaum are fashionably late to the marketplace in their first development season at their new home, CBS TV Studios. But their last-minute comedy sale to CBS is a big one: a half-hour starring Rob Schneider in his first TV series gig in 13 years. The untitled project, to be written by Lew Morton (Saturday Night Live, Big Lake) and Schneider, is based on Schneider's life and centers on a solitary guy who marries into a huge Mexican-American family. Morton, Eric and Kim Tannenbaum are executive producing, with Schneider and his brother John Schneider producing through their From Out of Nowhere Prods. CBS TV Studios and the Tannenbaum Co. are producing the comedy, which has received a script order.

SNL alum Schneider's last major TV gig was as a star of the comedy Men Behaving Badly, which ran on NBC from 1996-97. He has since been focused on films, often collaborating with SNL cohort Adam Sandler, including on this summer's hit Grown Ups. This feels like a familiar territory for Eric and Kim Tannenbaum. The last time they landed a last-minute pickup at CBS for a comedy about a single guy that had an actor with a TV and feature comedy background attached as the lead, it resulted in long-running hit Two and a Half Men. Schneider is with Gersh. Morton and the Tannenbaum Co. are with CAA.

Taye Diggs Sells Adoption Drama to ABC

2010-10-29T07:39:00.001-07:00

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/taye-diggs-sells-adoption-drama-33618

ABC has picked up a drama project from Private Practice star Taye Diggs.

Diggs is partnering with writers Kiersten Van Horne and Cara Haycak for Match, an ensemble drama centering on the ethically complex world of adoption. The show will examine how families are made and broken as the protagonists -- a Los Angeles-based team of lawyers, doctors and caseworkers -- struggle to make dreams come true.

Haycak wrote the young-adult novels Red Palms and Living on Impulse, and Van Horne penned last season's Pretty Little Mistakes for NBC/UMS.

Van Horne and Haycak will produce with O'Taye's Abe Hoch, Jennifer Bozell and Diggs. Van Horne and Haycak are repped by APA, Rain Management Group and attorney Loan Dang.

Chris Colfer Teases Glee's Biggest Moment Yet

2010-10-29T07:38:00.001-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-Chris-1024826.aspx

What's coming up on Glee's November 9 episode that is so big and top-secret that creator Ryan Murphy sat the whole cast down to tell them to keep their mouths shut? We'll find out mid-way through this Kurt-centric episode, titled "Never Been Kissed."

"It's so big that we had a full meeting about it that we can't say anything," says Chris Colfer (Kurt). "That's never happened before. I will say it's about Kurt."

When he read the reveal in his script, Chris went through a rollercoaster of feelings. "At first I was very surprised," he says, "And then I thought, 'This is so terrific.' It's going to send a whole other message to the world."

Since this episode features a game of spin-the-bottle and introduces actor Darren Criss as Blaine, a new gay character from a rival glee club, are we talking about a boy-on-boy kiss? "Maybe," says Chris. "It leads you to believe that...but maybe something else happens that's even bigger. Don't let the title lead you the wrong way. The title of the episode has nothing to do with Kurt."

'Castle': 'That '70s Show' vet Laura Prepon cast as... Beckett?!

2010-10-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/28/castle-laura-prepon/

Apparently, Castle is about to get a new queen: I’ve learned exclusively that Laura Prepon has just been tapped to play Natalie Gray, the actress who’s been cast as Nikki Heat in the movie version of our hero’s book Heat Wave.

Go ahead and read that again: I realize it’s a lot to take in.

As you know, the author based Nikki on his actual partner in crime-fighting — and obvious true love — Beckett. So you can well imagine the sparks that will fly when, in essence, a second Beckett, this one bearing a striking resemblance to the hot redhead from That ’70s Show, arrives on the scene early next year.

'Grey's Anatomy' Scoop: Scott Foley checks in!

2010-10-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/29/greys-anatomy-scott-foley/

Seattle Grace is about to experience a Code Noel: Scott Foley has booked a multi-episode arc on Grey’s Anatomy!

The Felicity (and Unit) alum will play a patient named Henry who, according series creator Shonda Rhimes, “stirs things up” with Kim Raver’s Teddy.

I know what you’re thinking: It’s Denny/Izzie all over again! Not quite, insists Rhimes. “He’s very different from Denny,” she says. “But I guess in the sense that he’s a patient who comes in and has an effect on one of our doctors, I guess that’s similar.”

‘Big Love’ Returns To HBO For Its Fifth and Final Season on January 16

2010-10-28T09:51:00.001-07:00

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/28/big-love-returns-to-hbo-for-its-fifth-and-final-season-on-january-16/70023

via press release:

ACCLAIMED HBO DRAMA SERIES BIG LOVE

TO RETURN FOR FIFTH AND FINAL SEASON JAN. 16

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 28, 2010 – The acclaimed HBO drama series BIG LOVE will return for its fifth and final season SUNDAY, JAN. 16, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming.

“It has been an honor and pleasure to work with series creators Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer on this unique and provocative series, and I’m happy that they will be able to bring the story to its close the way they always envisioned,” noted Lombardo. “We look forward with great anticipation to collaborating with Mark and Will on their next venture.”

“When we created BIG LOVE in 2002, we had a strong conception of the journey the Henrickson family would make over the course of the series, of the story we had to tell,” said Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer. “While we were in the writers’ room this year shaping our fifth season, we discovered that we were approaching the culmination of that story.

“BIG LOVE has been our all-consuming labor of love for the past eight years. We are very grateful for HBO’s continuing support and for the collaborative effort of our partners at Playtone, our producers, our fine cast and our fellow craftsmen and crew for making this show the exceptional and joyful experience that it’s been. This coming January, we look forward to presenting our audience with the most vibrant and satisfying final season of a television series that we can produce.”

“BIG LOVE has been a truly rewarding experience in every way for Tom Hanks and me,” observes executive producer Gary Goetzman. “We’ve been so fortunate to have had such a tremendous cast over the five seasons, and we’ve never been less than amazed with their brilliance and willingness to take risks. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our partnership with Will and Mark and have always been blown away by their storytelling abilities. We believe this final season of BIG LOVE will be the best ever.”

BIG LOVE tells the story of Salt Lake City businessman Bill Henrickson, who balances the needs of his three wives – Barb, Nicki and Margene – their nine kids and three houses, and his own entrepreneurial ambitions. Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin star in the series, which is executive produced by Playtone’s Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, David Knoller, Bernadette Caulfield and series creators and show runners Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer.

Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer have a continuing relationship with HBO, and their next project for the network will be announced when it is confirmed.

Emmy®- and Golden Globe- nominated in the category of best drama series, BIG LOVE continued to inspire critical acclaim for its fourth season, which concluded in March 2010. The Wall Street Journal hailed the series’ “spectacular performances,” while the Salt Lake Tribune called the show “one of the finest hours of drama on any network,” and Entertainment Weekly termed it “bracing,” praising “the mighty performance of Bill Paxton.”

BIG LOVE is produced by HBO Entertainment in association with Playtone and Anima Sola Productions; created by Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer; executive producers, Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, David Knoller, Bernadette Caulfield and Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer; supervising producer, Patricia Breen; producer, Seth Greenland; producer, Peter Friedlander; co-producers, Dauri Chase and Don Bensko; co-producers, Melanie Marnich and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa; executive story editor, Julia Cho; story editor, Jami O’Brien; staff writer, Aaron Allen; casting, Junie Lowry Johnson, C.S.A., Libby Goldstein and Lisa Soltau.

Trio Cast In Lena Dunham's HBO Pilot, Including Brian Williams' Daughter Allison

2010-10-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/trio-cast-in-lena-dunhams-hbo-pilot-including-brian-williams-daughter-allison/

Jemima Kirke and Allison Williams have landed the two leads opposite Lena Dunham in Dunham's HBO comedy pilot executive produced by Judd Apatow and Jenni Kohner. Also cast in the pilot in a supporting role is Adam Driver (HBO's You Don't Know Jack).

The untitled comedy, which 24-year-old prodigy Dunham wrote and will direct/co-executive produce, is about the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of three girlfriends in their early 20's: Hannah (Dunham), an eternal intern at a publishing house in SoHo and a hopeful writer; Marnie (Williams), a sexy, bitchy and ambitious assistant at a slick political PR firm whose goal id to practice environmental law; and Jessa (Kirke), a space cadet with hippie tendencies who wants to be an artist/educator. Driver will play a handsome but slightly off carpenter with whom Hannah has been sleeping for the past 7 months.

Kirke co-starred opposite Dunham in Dunham's much buzzed about feature Tiny Furniture, which won the top prize at this year’s South by Southwest and just earned two Gotham Film Awards nominations. Dunham was the writer, director and star of the film, with Kirke playing her friend. (photo of the two from the movie is above; the trailer for the movie, which features Dunham and Kirke, is at the bottom of the story.) This seems to be the first major professional acting gig for Williams who graduated from Yale earlier this year and is pursuing a career as an actress and a singer. The daughter of the NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams has gained online popularity with several videos, including the viral That's Why I Chose Yale and her recent performance of the Mad Men theme song

Ratings: ABC Comedies Rise Against The World Series

2010-10-28T09:44:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-abc-comedies-rise-against-the-world-series/

Just like its family-friendly Monday lineup posted week-to-week gains against the monster Monday NFL game on ESPN, ABC's Wednesday comedy block last night logged ratings increases facing the opening game of the World Series on Fox. The Halloween-themed quartet was led by Modern Family (5.1/13 in 18-49, up 9% from last week's fast national; 13.1 million viewers), which hit a series high in total viewers and matched its series high in 18-49 from earlier this fall. At 8 PM, The Middle (2.8/9, up 8%; 9.4 million) logged its most-watched telecast and its second highest 18-49 delivery ever. Freshman Better with You (2.5/7) had a nice 19% post-full season-pickup bounce to match a series demo high. Cougar Town (3.3/9, up 6%) posted its best numbers since the season premiere. ABC's boisterous ratings performance ended at 10 PM where recently cancelled legal drama The Whole Truth (1.2/4) was down 8%, falling sharply from the first to the second half-hour.

Just like on Monday against football, CBS' more male-skewing Wednesday lineup felt the effect of the World Series with moderate ratings declines. Survivor: Nicaragua (3.4/10) was down 6%, Criminal Minds (3.4/9) down 8% and The Defenders (2.1/6), down 9%.

NBC's Undercovers (1.4/4) was down a tenth from last week and remarkably ranked as NBC's highest-rated program of the night as the network aired Law & Order: SVU (1.3/3) and Law & Order: LA (1.2/4) repeats.

Fox is projected to win the night with Game 1 of the World Series, which posted 4.5/12 and 14.5 million viewers in preliminary ratings. More on the game's ratings shortly.

New Mentalist Character To Butt Heads with Jane

2010-10-28T09:43:00.001-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-New-1024722.aspx

At the end of The Mentalist's November 18 episode, titled "Red Moon" and directed by series star Simon Baker, something will happen at CBI that casts suspicion on the organization's employees.

Enter Agent J.J. Laroche, played by character actor Pruitt Taylor Vince, the head of CBI's Internal Affairs. He arrives December 9 and will recur in five or six more episodes this the season. The character is described as quirky, charmless, professional, socially awkward and Patrick Jane's intellectual equal.

Pruitt, who has appeared in the films Mississippi Burning and Wild at Heart, previously had recurring roles on Deadwood and Murder One, for which he won a 1997 Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor. And you won't need Jane's keen perception to detect Pruitt's trademark quality: a condition called nystagmus that causes his eyes to move involuntarily.

Ratings: 'Rocky Horror' 'Glee' Rocks, 'NCIS: LA' Slips & 'Loser' Hits Low

2010-10-27T21:31:00.005-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-rocky-horror-glee-rocks-ncis-la-slips-loser-hits-low/

Fox's Glee didn't miss a beat in its return from hiatus. The Rocky Horror-themed episode of the musical dramedy (4.8/13) was up 4% from the fast national result for its last original 2 weeks ago (up 2% from the final as Glee tends to go up a tenth). It also topped the night in adults 18-49 as it has done with every fresh episode this fall. The Halloween-themed episode of comedy Raising Hope (2.6/7) was even with its fast national result for its previous fresh episode 2 weeks ago. It wad followed by another Raising Hope original (2.3/6), which did 64% better than time slot's regular, Running Wilde, did the last time it aired after a first-run Raising Hope.

ABC's recently renewed new drama No Ordinary Family (2.0/5) continued to slide, down 9% from last week for a new low. Dancing with the Stars result show, which featured the surprise elimination of The Hills star Audrina Patridge, was down 6% for its lowest result this season. (It is expected to regain some ground in the finals.) ABC's other newly renewed freshman drama, Detroit 1-8-7 (2.0/6) was up a tenth from its fast national number last week. The cop drama tends to lose a tenth of a rating point in the finals when the Dancing overrun is taken out.

After posting across-the-board increases last week, CBS' drama lineup lost some ground. NCIS (4.1/11) was down a tenth from its fast national last week when it went up a tenth in the finals, a very good hold against an original Glee vs. a repeat last week. It also drew a massive audience: 19.9 million, the largest on the night and the show's largest since January. NCIS: LA (3.4/9, 16 million) was down 13% to a season low. The Good Wife (2.4/7, 12.5 million) was down 8% also for a season low. Both NCIS:LA and The Good Wife won their time slots in 18-49 and viewers, with CBS taking the night in total viewers (16.2 million) and finishing second behind Fox in 18-49 (3.3/9)

NBC's The Biggest Loser (2.4/6) was down 8% to log its lowest rating for a regular original telecast in four and a half years. Parenthood (2.0/6) was up a tenth.

TNT Picks Up 'Bird Dog' Cop Pilot

2010-10-27T21:31:00.003-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/tnt-picks-up-bird-dog-pilot/

TNT has greenlighted another drama pilot, Mike Robe's Bird Dog, which has received a cast-contingent order. The project, from Warner Horizon, is a mystery fashioned around an unlikely partnership of two cops who happen to be father and daughter. It centers on Gail McGrath, who followed in her father's footsteps in becoming a police officer but had little else in common with him. She left the big city she grew up in to move to a small Pacific Northwestern town where she was patrolling the streets until her dad, a NYC cop, showed up on her front doorstep and join her as her new partner. Now this father-daughter team, call sign "Bird Dog," is being put to the test -- not only in solving crimes, but with each other. Robe (Shake, Rattle & Roll) wrote the script and is attached to direct and executive produce the pilot. The pickup comes on the heels of the network putting one of its recently ordered pilots, noir PI drama Hollywood & Vine, on hold because of difficulties casting it. Word spread quickly that TNT was planning to make another pickup in its place. Bird Dog is in the same crime/mystery genre and from the same studio, Warner Horizon, as Hollywood & Vine. Bird Dog joins 3 other pilots ordered by TNT last month: Dallas, Perception and an untitled project from Allan Loeb.

HBO Renews Series 'Bored to Death' And 'Eastbound & Down'

2010-10-27T21:31:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/hbo-renews-bored-to-death-and-eastbound-down/

HBO has renewed sophomore comedies Bored to Death and Eastbound & Down for a third season. With drama Boardwalk Empire already picked up for Season 2, HBO has now renewed its entire current Sunday lineup. The second season debut of Eastbound & Down averaged 1.7 million viewers, up 150% from the show's series premiere, while Bored to Death's season premiere audience was more modest, 1.1 million, despite following Boardwalk Empire. While not hits, the shows have remained relatively steady in the ratings, averaging 1 million viewers (Bored) and 1.44 million (Eastbound) this past Sunday, in addition to garnering critical praise for their sophomore seasons. Bored was created by Jonathan Ames and stars Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis. Eastbound was created by Danny McBride, Jody Hill and Ben Best and stars McBride.

SyFy Pulls The Plug On Series 'Caprica'

2010-10-27T21:30:00.003-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/syfy-cancels-caprica/

It's over for Syfy's Battlestar Galactica prequel Caprica. The cable network said today that it will be pulling the show off the schedule effective immediately. The final five episodes of the sci-fi saga will air in the first quarter of 2011 and will mark the end of the series' one-season run. "We appreciate all the support that fans have shown for Caprica and are very proud of the producers, cast, writers and the rest of the amazing team that has been committed to this fine series," said Mark Stern, Syfy's EVP of original programming. "Unfortunately, despite its obvious quality, 'Caprica' has not been able to build the audience necessary to justify a second season." After a soft start with the first part of its freshman season at the beginning of the year, Caprica returned with the second half of the season earlier this month to disappointing 889,000 viewers and a 0.4 rating with adults 18-49. That was down from where it ended in the spring, with the series falling even further in the ratings since, raising speculation about pending cancellation. But Despite Caprica's cancellation, the Battlestar Galactica legacy will live on at Syfy, at least for now. The cable network just greenlighted a two-hour pilot for Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome, about the young years of Ensign William Adama, which hails from Battlestar Galactica exec producer David Eick.

ABC's 'Charlie's Angels' To Shoot Pilot

2010-10-27T21:30:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/abcs-charlies-angels-to-shoot-pilot/

After a year in development, ABC's Charlie's Angels reboot is headed to pilot production. The Sony TV-produced project was originally set up at ABC with a pilot commitment last November with Josh Friedman as a writer. It didn’t go to pilot stage and, after the upfronts, it was put in redevelopment with new writers, Smallville creators/executive producers Al Gough and Miles Millar. Back then, it was one of 5 projects put on fast-track development under previous ABC president Steve McPherson. After McPherson's successor Paul Lee took over in August, there has been chatter that he liked Gough and Millar's script. Top casting director John Papsidera recently was quietly tapped to start some exploratory search for the leads. The project just released an official breakdown and I hear it has locked in Miami as location for the shoot, eyed for January. Gough and Millar are executive producing with Leonard Goldberg, executive producer of the original series, Drew Barrymore and Nancy Juvonen. The three also produced the two Charlie's Angels movies that starred Barrymore. So far, Charlie's Angels has followed closely the successful reboot of another popcorn 1970s series, Hawaii Five-0, which also went through two cycles of development until its second script by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Peter Lenkov was picked up to pilot. It went on to become a series, which was recently picked up for a full season. Now let the guessing begin who the new TV angels will be?

Ask Ausiello 10/27/10

2010-10-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/27/ask-ausiello-house-glee-castle/

Question: Maybe I missed it, but when is your last day at EW? And where are you going? —Cynthia
Ausiello: Let me see if I can peel back the thick layer of denial long enough to type this next sentence: My last day at EW is this Friday. As far as where I’m going, click here to have your memory refreshed. Or just join — or, rather, like — my new Facebook page. More specific details about my next steps will be posted there shortly. There’s also Twitter. Okay, time to climb back into my denial suit and get crackin’ on my final AA at EW. Sources confirm to me exclusively that I’m going out with a bang!

Question: Any information on when Olivia Wilde is returning to House? —Christine
Ausiello: Probably not until spring. You’ll be happy to know that her temporary replacement, Amber Tamblyn, makes a positive first impression in her Nov. 8 debut. As you would expect, her character — supersmart and moralistic med student Martha M. Masters — gets quite a hazing from House‘s boys club. We’ll soon discover that a member of said club shares a past with House‘s “immutable obstacle,” as Dr. Crankenstein calls her. Other colorful nicknames assigned to the newbie on her first day of work include:

* The Internet with breasts
* Small Wonder
* The love child of Einstein and Mary Poppins
* The Bunny
* Pippy Long Division

Question: House scoop? —Jennifer
Ausiello: House pink-slips a member of his team during November sweeps. Not once, not twice, but three times. Also, three major characters do some jail time.

Question: Could you please give some spoilers on Psych regarding Shawn and Juliet? —Steve
Ausiello: The show’s fall premiere (airing Nov. 10) will pick up shortly after the couple’s big kiss in the finale. “Our viewers are probably a little unsure of what that kiss meant,” says exec producer Steve Franks. “Will Juliet still take some time away on the Amalfi coast with Declan, or did the kiss change her mind? In the 5.5 premiere, she is still on her way to Italy, and Shawn is on his way to Canada at the request of convicted thief Pierre Despereaux [a returning Cary Elwes]. Their divergent travel plans may have derailed their romantic momentum, until Juliet unexpectedly shows up in Vancouver for Despereaux’s extradition and that spark becomes a fire. The question is, Do Shawn and Juliet believe ‘what happens in Canada, stays in Canada’? Stay tuned.”

Question: I recently discovered that we share the same birthday — Feb. 23! In honor of that, I think you should share some Bones scoop with me! — Catherine
Ausiello: Seinfeld‘s Wayne Knight will channel his inner Willy Wonka when he guest-stars as a candy magnate in an episode that features “one of our most revolting body finds ever,” reveals exec producer Stephen Nathan. “A body is discovered inside one of the world’s largest chocolate bars. It’s delightfully revolting.”

Question: Which episode marks Hannah’s permanent exit from Bones? —Lexie
Ausiello: That’s awfully presumptuous of you, Lexie. The fact is, Katheryn Winnick’s stint as Booth’s lover (and Brennan’s new BFF) doesn’t actually have an end date. “We don’t know how long she’s going to be with us this season,” says Nathan. “We want to keep it open. Hannah’s story is still evolving; we don’t know how we want to wrap it up. And even if she does go away, we want to leave open the possibility that she may come back.”

Question: It’s been a while since we’ve had any good Bones scoops. Do you have any interesting information to get me through the baseball hiatus? —Amy
Ausiello: How ’bout another tidbit about everyone’s favorite character, Hannah. “I’m working on an episode right now where Brennan and Hannah’s friendship is tested,” reveals Nathan. “It relates to something that happened between Booth and Brennan at the end of the Brennan-centric episode. It creates some friction between Booth, Brennan, and Hannah that has to be worked out.” Hmm…any thoughts on what happens between B&B? Hit the comments!

Question: May I please have some Puck-related Glee scoop? —Brittany
Ausiello: He’s not the character getting expelled.

Question: Are Burt and Carole getting married on Glee? —Danielle
Ausiello: They are if Kurt has anything to say about it. Speaking of weddings, the rumors are true: Sue is going to make history by becoming the first person on earth to marry — or at least attempt to marry — ****el*!

Question: Any more Glee scoop — maybe something about Kurt and his new BF, Darren Criss? —Matt
Ausiello: Save the date: Their first kiss is scheduled for Nov. 9! In related news, did you hear about this?

Question: Do you have any extra clues you could shed about what exactly Tess “is” on Smallville? —Gage
Ausiello: You’ll get your answer on Nov. 12.

Question: Do you have any Modern Family scoop? It is easily my favorite show. —Billie
Ausiello: Mitchell’s “straight” past comes back to haunt him around mid-November when CTU legend Mary Lynn Rajskub guest-stars as his ex. “She dated Mitchell in high school, and they may’ve done the nasty,” says Rajskub with a chuckle. “I think he broke my heart.” The two have what Rajskub calls an “awkward” reunion at a shopping center. “Mitch and Cam end up coming over to talk to me about an incident,” she teases, “but I can’t discuss that because it’ll ruin the story.”

Question: I was curious if you had any information on the 24 movie. Will it be going into production soon? —Brandon
Ausiello: Based on the following status report from Rajskub, I’m guessing the answer is no. “I don’t know what’s going on with it,” she says. “Everybody asks me about it, but I don’t know anything. I think it would be great if it happened a year after the show went off the air, but I haven’t heard anything.”

Question: Beautiful series finale of Ausiello TV. I laughed, I cried, I was surprised and confused. Thanks for all the great scoop, wit, snark, and Smurfy goodness. I promise to weep for all of six seconds before moving forward with life. —Jen
Ausiello: Thanks, Jenny. That means a lot. One quick thing: You are aware I’m not dying, right? Just want to make sure you knew that.

Question: Can you give us a really juicy Grey’s Anatomy spoiler as a going-away present? —Ashley
Ausiello: Um, shouldn’t you be buying me the presents? Eh, whatever. This has always been kind of a one-sided relationship, so no point screwing with such a winning formula now. Here’s your scoop: Series creator Shonda Rhimes reiterated to me in a recent interview that Callie and Arizona are in it for the long haul. “Their journey is going to be long and hard, but that doesn’t mean they’re not going to end up together,” she maintained. “People better just prepare themselves for things to be difficult.” I then asked her if she would out Mark and Lexie in that same soul-mate-type category, and she replied, “No,” before quickly adding, “That doesn’t mean that I don’t see them as two people who are going to end up together… There’s hope for Mark and Lexie, [but] Lexie has some growing up to do, as does Mark.”

Question: There’s a Grey’s rumor going around about an Alex/April/Lexie triangle. True? —Diana
Ausiello: False. “I honestly have no idea what [fans] are talking about,” responded Rhimes. “We have no plans for an Alex/April/Lexie triangle.”

Question: Got anything on the truly epic Boardwalk Empire? —Hope
Ausiello: We meet Nucky’s (Steve Buscemi) dad in this Sunday’s episode, and to say father and son had a frakked-up relationship is an understatement of epic proportions. The ep also features a memorable showdown between Michael Pitt’s Jimmy and the thug who slashed his hooker girlfriend’s face. Oh, and shocker: Another recurring character gets whacked!

Question: Can I have some scoop on Castle? —Lori
Ausiello: A pivotal couple will break things off in the near future, and I can confirm it’s either Gina and Castle or Beckett and this guy. Elsewhere, a new — and rather surprising — interoffice romance will ignite in January.

Question: Can you please give me some good NCIS scoop, preferably about McGee? —Z.
Ausiello: He’s not the team member who gets “shot” in the big two-parter on Nov. 16 and 23. For those keeping track at home, that leaves Tony, Vance, and Ziva in the running. Oh, and I put SHOT in quotes because it’s not exactly a traditional shooting. The person will be wounded not by a gun, but by an explosive weapon.

Question: Could you please resume using the term “hitcom”? I really like it. Thanks for your consideration. —Ron
Ausiello: Yes! This past week has been HELL without it! Consider it officially reactivated!

Question: I was reading that CBS might cancel CSI: NY. —Jen
Ausiello: I think you’re confusing CSI: NY with Medium, which just had its episode order cut back from 22 to 13. I think CSI: NY — which has been doing solid business on Fridays — is safe for the time being. Speaking of the spin-off, Karina Lombard of Rescue Me and L Word fame has just been cast as the grieving mother of the victim in a January episode.

Question: What chance does Parenthood have of getting a full season? —Chevy
Ausiello: I’d say it stands a pretty good chance, since it already received a full-season pickup in May.

Question: I would like some 90210 scoop, please. —Greg
Ausiello: Casting scoop: Make It or Break It‘s Zachary Abel has been tapped to play, um, Zach, a hot surfer dude that Naomi develops a major crush on.

Question: What is the deal with Juliet on Gossip Girl? —Kathleen
Ausiello: The deal is I’m hearing a major character (or two) will join forces with the troublemaker to take Serena down. Exec producer Stephanie Savage, meanwhile, says, “A good chunk of Juliet’s plan will be revealed by the end of the first half of the season, but elements of it will carry over.”

Question: I’m in need of some Chuck spoilers to make my day better! —Natalie
Ausiello: There’s a major twist at the end of next Monday’s episode, and it involves him and her.

Question: After watching this week’s episode of Brothers & Sisters I’m scared for the future of Kevin and Scotty. Please tell me they’ll live happily ever after! —Stucky
Ausiello: B&S showrunner David Marshall Grant sure isn’t talking like it’s the end. “This isn’t so much about the crisis itself,” he says, “as it is about watching two people fight their way through it.” BTW, we’ll met the “other man” this Sunday, and he’s going to look a lot like Ryan Abbot from Three Rivers (a.k.a. Christopher Hanke).

Question: Like, joking aside, what’s happened to all the Brothers & Sisters scoops?! Please! I’m desperate! —Sophie
Ausiello: As my frenemy first scooped, Balthazar Getty is returning in January for the show’s 100th episode. And per Grant, he’ll be sticking around for a while. “He’s coming back for [at least] three episodes,” says the boss, who confirms that Tommy returns with a new girlfriend on his arm. “It causes a big stir in the Walker family.”

Question: Got any Good Wife scoop? —Carly C.
Ausiello: Casting scoop!! Leelee Sobieski will guest star in a January episode as the girlfriend of one of Lockhart/Bond’s most influential clients. Both stand accused of using prescription stimulants.

Question: What’s the latest on Grey’s giving viewers proper closure for Alex and Izzie? —Jesus
Ausiello: The latest appears in the new issue of Entertainment Weekly. And it’s juicy.

Question: Do you know any Vampire Diaries scoop? —Savannah
Ausiello: Trent Ford and Daniel Gillies have joined the show along with Lauren Cohan as centuries old vampires, Trevor, Elijah, and Rose. “They have deep ties to Katerina Petrova,” reveals exec producer Julie Plec. “They will be heavily featured in November Sweeps episodes ‘Rose’ and ‘Katerina’.”

The Office: Amy Ryan's Return Date Officially Set!

2010-10-26T22:21:00.001-07:00

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b207753_office_amy_ryans_return_date_officially.html

Deck those Dunder Mifflin halls with boughs of Holly...Flax!

Amy Ryan's triumphant return the The Office is already in the bag, but the question of when we'll see her lovely face again has remained a mystery—until now...

Rejoice Hott shippers, because Amy will be back for an adorkable reunion with Michael Scott (Steve Carell) on The Office for this season's one-hour Christmas episode. That means come Thursday, Dec. 9, we'll all be getting an early gift from good ole Santa Claus.

Better yet? This hilarious holiday treat is the brainchild of both Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute) and Mindy Kaling (Kelly Kapoor), which equals total comedy brilliance.

"Finishing 'directing' @mindykaling's brilliant double episode 'Classy Christmas,' " Rainn tweeted last week. Adds Mindy: "Multi-hyphenate @rainnwilson and I are nearly done shooting our Christmas special. It's gonna wreck you, Jackass style."

In case your memory is fuzzy, Holly's Dunder Mifflin return was promised to Michael by Jo (Kathy Bates) in last season's finale. Just don't expect sparks to fly again between the one-time lovebirds right off the bat.

"Holly's in a serious relationship back in Nashua, so she's not thrilled to be back," executive producer Paul Lieberstein (Toby Flenderson) told us. "But Michael's not a guy who gives up easily."

So mark your calendars, kiddies. Amy Ryan will be back on our Thursday night lineup soon enough. Are you excited she'll be making a debut just in time for Christmas? Fill us in below, and don't miss the Dec. 9 episode of The Office on NBC.

'Medium' Order Cut To 13; Is This The End?

2010-10-26T19:20:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/medium-order-cut-to-13-is-this-the-end

Medium cheated death once in 2009 when CBS rescued it after its cancellation by NBC. But the ghost crime drama might now be coming to an end after a respectable 7-season run on two networks. CBS today cut the order to the series starring Patricia Arquette to 13 episodes. While it has not been cancelled as CBS is keeping its options open, its chances for renewal are considered slim. In a similar fashion, CBS last year cut the order to Friday drama Numbers before canceling it in May. The CBS TV Studios-produced Medium, which has made a lot of money for CBS through its syndication deal with Lifetime, has been the lowest-rated series on CBS this fall following its move from 9 PM to 8 PM on Friday (though it inched up in the ratings last week). With CBS recently picking up all 5 of its freshman series, it had to open up some shelf space for the 3 more series it has ordered for midseason, dramas Chaos and Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior and comedy Mad Love. After fulfilling Medium's 13-episode order, creator and showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron, who is very well liked within CBS, will focus on development for CBS TV Studios where he is under an overall deal.

Hawaii Five-0 Brings Back a Big Killer

2010-10-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Hawai-Five0-Casting-1024678.aspx

Mele Kalikimaka! (That's Hawaiian for Merry Christmas). In honor of the holiday, Hawaii Five-0 executive producer Peter Lenkov is giving fans a gift — the introduction of the villainous Wo Fat, Steve McGarrett's archenemy from the original 1968—1980 series.

Just in time for their holiday episode (expect to see Scott Caan's Danny as Santa), Lenkov is planning the return of James Marsters as Victor Hesse, who murdered McGarrett's father in the pilot and, we'll learn, has a connection to Wo Fat. Like he's done with all the characters, Lenkov will give Wo Fat (originally played by Khigh Dheigh) a fresh spin. "There's buzz about Tia Carrere being Wo Fat," Lenkov says. "But we do have a man in mind."

Why ABC Should Save Detroit 1-8-7

2010-10-26T14:31:00.002-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Biz-ABC-Save-1024684.aspx

Aisha Hinds, who plays Lt. Maureen Mason on ABC's Detroit 1-8-7, was feeling the love recently while at a Trader Joe's in Royal Oak, Michigan. "A woman wanted to give me her entire cart of groceries," she says. "I just came in for a bottle of water."

That's a typical reaction in the Detroit area to the stars of the freshman police drama for being part of the first network TV show to be produced full-time in the city. When you hear the numbers involved, you can understand why. The first 13 episodes of the show will inject as much as $29 million into the battered economy of the area, where the unemployment rate is almost 14 percent. Nearly 200 local people are on the production's payroll, and 15 actors from the area are typically used for an episode. One scene can provide a day's work for as many as 146 background actors or extras.

The Detroit 1-8-7 cast members, many of whom live in the city and its outlying neighborhoods, immerse themselves in the downtown art scene, charity functions and fine dining (Crave in Dearborn is a favorite), and show up at Detroit Tigers games and college football games at Michigan Stadium. Along the way, they hear firsthand how the show is making a difference in the lives of locals. "I asked one of the transportation drivers how he was doing and he said, 'I look at my life six months ago and think about how much life has changed because I have a job on this show,'" says Erin Cummings, who plays medical examiner Dr. Abby Ward. "My stand-in has three daughters. This is not just a cop show on ABC on Tuesday night. This is something that's making a difference in a city that a lot of people in America have written off as dead." City officials initially had misgivings about the show's impact on Detroit's image (1-8-7 is a hip-hop term for homicide), but were assuaged when the series' original faux-documentary format was scrapped.

But like most new 10pm dramas this season, Detroit 1-8-7 has struggled in the ratings. The network has yet to decide on giving a full season order to the show. It would pay for ABC to take a close look at the value of shooting in Detroit before giving up. Michigan's incentive program for film work gives the producers a 40 percent rebate on what they spend in the state. That means a show that typically costs around $3.5 million to make is coming in for about $2.6 million, the cost of most original basic-cable dramas.

ABC is also getting a better show than what it originally bought. Detroit 1-8-7 was developed as a straight procedural at the insistence of network executives who were desperate for one. The producers are slowly opening up the personal stories of the squad-room members, making a series that's more in the mold of NYPD Blue and Hill Street Blues, with an authentic local flavor that comes from shooting on location.

Working on a TV series means a lot to the livelihood of actors, producers and directors. In the case of Detroit 1-8-7, it means even more. "It says to the world that you can make a show in Detroit," says exec producer David Zabel. "And that brings in a lot of business.

Friday Night Lights Executive Producer Jason Katims on the Show's Final Season

2010-10-26T14:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Friday-Night-Lights-1024714.aspx

Our favorite more-than-a-football show Friday Night Lights begins its fifth and final season Wednesday (9/8c, DirecTV; the show will air on NBC this spring). Executive producer Jason Katims shares his plans for the folks of Dillon, Texas, as they head toward the final down.

TV Guide Magazine: What are the main stories this season?
Katims: There are a couple. One is about the East Dillon Lions becoming a formidable team, to everyone's surprise. As the team begins to win games, success begins to breed problems. They start to win with a certain kind of swagger. This is a team that challenges Coach Taylor [Kyle Chandler]. Another through line is that Vince's father Ornette [Cress Williams] arrives and affects both Vince [Michael B. Jordan] and Coach. He wants to play a very direct managerial role in his son's football future. But he was in prison, and has a background of drugs and crime. He's really making an effort to come back and change his life. But that's easier said than done.

TV Guide Magazine: What's happening with the Taylor family-Coach, Tami (Connie Britton) and Julie (Aimee Teegarden)?
Katims: The big question that arises for the Taylor family comes at end of the season. It involves the future of the Lions, but also a very personal question about the Taylor family and some fairly big choices they have to make. Without giving too much away, as wonderful as the Taylor marriage is, it's always been very traditional in the sense that Coach Taylor's career has always led the way. This year, we're dealing with not only his career but Tami's career as well. That creates a challenge to their otherwise seamless marriage. We watch them grapple with that toward the latter part of the season.

TV Guide Magazine: Now that she's been forced out of Dillon High, isn't Tami working at East Dillon?
Katims: Tami starts as a guidance counselor at East Dillon. She shows up expecting to do her job and quickly realizes that there's a lack of resources for that school and a population of students shut down to the possibility of education.

TV Guide Magazine: What happens when Julie goes to college?
Katims: She hits a bump in the road. She gets involved with a guy she shouldn't and that leads to her coming back home shipwrecked.

TV Guide Magazine: Is Tim (Taylor Kitsch) still in prison?
Katims: Yes. But he still leaves his indelible mark on the show. We see him in the first episode then he returns for the last four episodes.

TV Guide Magazine: How is Becky (Madison Burge) coping after her abortion?
Katims: Becky is basically trying to throw herself into high school life. She winds up living with Tim's brother, Billy [Derek Phillips] and his wife, Mindy [Stacey Oristano]. She also slowly reconnects with Luke [Matt Lauria] over the course of the season. As soon as you feel like she's done that, Tim shows back up. And there she is again.

TV Guide Magazine: What's doing with Jess (Jurnee Smollett) now that's she back with Vince?
Katims: Jess has a great story this year. Following her dream, she becomes an equipment manager on the team. Having his girlfriend in the locker room leads to some tension with Vince. There's a nice bond that develops between Coach Taylor and Jess as he supports this weird pushy girl trying to create a life in football.

TV Guide Magazine: Talk about all the characters returning for the final season.
Katims: It's so great. To be able to really track these characters over time is fulfilling. Everyone's back for the holidays. Jason Street [Scott Porter] is now a young upstart sports agent, who has a nice storyline with Coach. Tyra [Adrianne Palicki] is in Dillon for the holidays and reconnects with Tim at a time when he's going through a lot. And Matt Saracen [Zach Gilford] bonds with Julie when she's at her lowest. They wind up thinking about bringing the relationship to another level.

TV Guide Magazine: It seems like everyone's storyline has a satisfying ending.
Katims: We wanted to give the show a real ending and hopefully a great ending. We wanted to give resolution to all the characters. But in the spirit of the show, we want to do that in a way that would not be sentimental or nostalgic. I'm really happy with the way it came out. I hope that people will respond to it that way.

'Big Bang Theory' promotes Melissa Rauch to series regular

2010-10-26T14:27:00.001-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/25/big-bang-theory-melissa-rauch-series-regular/

Talk about a genius move: The Big Bang Theory has quietly promoted the hilarious and very much in-demand Melissa Rauch — a.k.a. Howard’s main squeeze Bernadette — to a series regular.

Although Rauch’s deal doesn’t call for her to appear in every episode (and may or may not continue past this season), the upgrade is a nice vote of confidence for the actress — particularly since Bernadette was only meant to be around for an episode or two.

It also gives producers the security of knowing Rauch — who played Hoyt’s scarily devoted girlfriend in season 3 of True Blood — won’t get poached by another show.

I wholeheartedly approve!

Ratings: 'Dancing' And 'Mike & Molly' Up, 'Chase' Way Down On Monday

2010-10-26T14:26:00.004-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-dancing-and-mike-molly-up-chase-way-down-on-monday/

The big Monday Night Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants on ESPN had an impact on the broadcast networks last night, with male-skewing shows down across the board, including series lows for recently renewed freshmen The Event, Chase and Hawaii Five-0, while female-friendly fare did just fine, with ABC's Dancing with the Stars up week-to-week and CW's 90210, scoring its most watched episode of the season. As for MNF, it drew a 12.3 metered market rating, its best this fall, peaking at 10 PM when it was up 93% from last week's game.

Dancing (4.2/11) was up 5%, while Castle (3.0/8) posted another fast national inflated by a Dancing overrun. Expect Castle to go down by a couple of notches and Dancing to possibly go up a tenth in the finals.

Some disturbingly low numbers for NBC, whose Monday night is unraveling. At 2.0/5 The Event, which was down 9%, actually ranked as the network's highest-rated telecast last night, ahead of Chuck (1.9/5), which was flat in 18-49 and saw an uptick in total viewers, and Chase (1.3/4), which was down a steep 19% to ratings levels that doomed fellow newcomers Lone Star, My Generation and The Whole Truth. Both The Event and Chase hit series lows.

CBS' lineup was solid under the circumstances. How I Met Your Mother (3.2/9), Rules of Engagement (2.9/8) and Two and a Half Men (4.3/11) all matched their fast national numbers from last week. (HIMYM and Men went up a tenth in the finals and will probably to do so again today.) Nice bump for new comedy Mike & Molly (3.6/9), which was up .2 from its fast national number last week (.1 from its final rating), improving its Men lead-in retention to 84%. Hawaii Five-0 (2.8/7) was down a tenth from last week to a series low. It currently runs behind Castle at 10 PM in 18-49 and total viewers but will probably pull at least even in the finals.

With a House rerun (1.4/4) instead of an original as a lead-in last night, Fox's Lie to Me (1.5/4) fell sharply, by 21%.

CW's 90210 (2.0 million, 1.3/4 in 18-34) scored a season high in total viewers and matched season highs in the key demos. At 9 PM, Gossip Girl (1.9 million, 1.4/4 in 18-34) dipped in total viewers but built in 18-34 to help CW log its most watched Monday of the season.

'Grey's' boss on this week's 'huge' twist and Cristina's big comeback!

2010-10-26T14:26:00.002-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/26/greys-anatomy-spoilers/

The memory of last season’s bloodbath looms large over this week’s Grey’s Anatomy. With a camera crew invading Seattle Grace to shoot a documentary about the hospital’s recovery efforts, the entire episode is shot from the POV of the filmmakers, giving the hour a very voyeuristic vibe.

“You actually feel like you’re getting a behind-the-scenes look at our characters’ lives,” suggests series creator Shonda Rhimes. “You see our characters in a very different way, because we’re approaching them in a very different way.”

Rhimes has long toyed with the notion of doing a docu-style installment, but it was coexecutive producer Stacy McKee — this week’s scribe — who figured out how best to execute it. “Stacy was obsessed with [ABC's summer docuseries] Boston Med,” notes Rhimes. “So she came in one day after watching an episode and said, ‘I think I have it! I figured out how we can do our own version of that.’ And we used the shooting as our jumping-off point.”

However, by ensuring that this season’s story lines also move forward, Rhimes & Co. avoided getting the episode tagged as a mere gimmick. Case in point: It’s during the hour that Alex figures out “what kind of surgeon he really wants to be,” reveals Rhimes. “It seems [pediatrics] is his thing.”

Other highlights:

• Mandy Moore reprises her role of patient-turned-mercenary from the finale. “Her character is one of the Seattle Grace 13,” notes Rhimes of the Lost-esque nickname she gave the survivors. “She was forced to sort of be a doctor, too, so it felt important to me to bring her back and close that chapter.”

• Through the use of confessionals, we discover how truly unhinged Cristina has become. “She has a long journey [before her],” says Rhimes. “But when she gets a little bit better, she comes roaring back.”

• Lastly, Callie and Arizona make “a huge decision” that will usher them “into a new chapter,” teases Rhimes.

Moreover, the boss lady stresses that Thursday’s episode is a continuation of this season’s overall theme of recovery and rebirth — but not closure. “Closure is the wrong word for every last one of my characters,” she says. “I spent a lot of time really trying to get this right, speaking to grief counselors and reading the Columbine book and really thinking about this, and not wanting to minimize this. I don’t think there’s such a thing as closure. I think you move on and become different, and you’re changed, but I don’t think it’s ever closed.”

HBO Nabs Clyde Phillips Crime Drama

2010-10-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/hbo-nabs-clyde-phillips-naked-truth/

Clyde Phillips has set up his first post-Dexter project. After a bidding war among several cable networks, HBO has landed a character-driven drama from Phillips and Lionsgate TV based on the Israeli series The Naked Truth. Phillips, who spent 4 years at Showtime running Dexter, will write the adaptation and will executive produce the project, his first under the 2-year overall deal with Lionsgate TV he signed in June. The Naked Truth is set in a major East Coast metropolitan precinct and follows the officers investigating the disappearance of a teenage girl from a prominent family in the pressure cooker atmosphere of an explosive high-profile case that has implications not just for the family of the victim, but for the cops themselves and the political infrastructure of the city. "It's about the cops encountering people on the worst day of the citizens' life," Phillips said. "It's a bit of an exploration of the middle class and the challenges we all face; it's a heartbreaking story about a family in a time of crisis and how everyone deals with it."

The original series, created, written and directed by Uri and Benny Barbash for Israel's Channel 10, is set entirely in an interrogation room and the adjacent room, separated by a dividing wall. In his U.S. version, Phillips plans to stay close to the basic story in the Israeli series while adding several changes, including opening up the action to other areas of the precinct but keeping it indoors. With its interior settings and focus on character and dialogue, The Naked Truth draws parallels to another HBO series based on Israeli format, In Treatment. (Israeli creators often say they are confined to a set by the limitations of their budgets but make up for that with inventive storytelling.) However, Phillips said that The Naked Truth actually reminded him more of ER, which too had an interior setting inside a hospital and centered on "intense personal dramas." Phillips had been working on several other series ideas when Lionsgate TV's Kevin Beggs and Barbara Wall gave him a DVD of The Naked Truth. He loved it right away, and half-way through the first episode, he knew he wanted to do it. "I can't wait to write those powerful and challenging scenes," he said. "It's all just character, character, character."

Lionsgate acquired the format rights for The Naked Truth from the Gersh-repped Armoza Formats, which distributes the original series. Alon Aranya will executive produce alongside Phillips. After 4 years at the helm, Phillips departed the Los Angeles-based Showtime drama Dexter in December to spend more time with his family in Connecticut. If The Naked Truth goes to series, it will be filmed on the East Coast so he can stay close to home. In addition to his stint on Dexter, CAA-repped Phillips also created the Fox dramedy Get Real, the NBC comedy Suddenly Susan and the Fox half-hour Parker Lewis. This is the third high profile network deal for an Israeli format in the past month as the Middle Eastern country continues to be the hottest destination for format imports. Showtime ordered a pilot for Howard Gordon's Homeland, while ABC just handed out a put pilot commitment to the Rob Greenberg comedy Tall and Greenbaum. Fox's comedy series Mixed Signals, also based on an Israeli format, launches in midseason. Here is a trailer for the original Naked Truth series.

ABC cancels 'The Whole Truth'

2010-10-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/25/abc-cancels-the-whole-truth/

Despite buzz that ABC was giving The Whole Truth one more week to prove itself, the network has gone and canceled the low-rated legal drama. The news was confirmed on Twitter by co-executive producer KristieAnne Reed. “ABC gave us the word,” she tweeted. “We will only make 13 episodes of The Whole Truth.” It’s unclear how many of Truth‘s remaining unaired episodes will see the light of day; an original episode is still scheduled to air on Wednesday.

Watch with Kristin Spoiler Chat 10/25/10

2010-10-25T18:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b207493_spoiler_chat_smallville_glee_dexter.html

Want to know who's coming back—or not—to Smallville? What's up with Mark Salling on Glee? Whether there's any hope for Life Unepected? Click in for the latest exclusive TV scoop...

Redmond: The CW picked up everything except for Life Unexpected. What gives? Is it canceled?
No…t yet. I'm told that no official decision has been made by the CW suits as of today, but it's "not looking good" at the moment. We should know "pretty soon." So if you're a fan, you know what to do: Cross all your fingers and toes (or does that negate the first cross? I always forget) and tell every single person/animal/alien you know to tune into Life Unexpected Tuesday night on the CW.

Addy in New York City: I haven't heard much from you guys about The Walking Dead. Have you seen it, and if so, what did you think?
The Walking Dead is awesome...and scary, with incredible makeup and special effects. (Check out our video sneak peek!) Executive producer Gale Anne Hurd told us, TWD is more than just zombie-killing fun: "It's the emotional resonance of decisions you have to make when you survive and a loved one hasn't"—like one character's zombie wife, who lurches home every day because he doesn't have the heart to kill her.

Monica: Gossip Girl!
The hot boys just keep rolling in... Kevin Zegers (Damian) tells us he's doing one episode of Gossip Girl and will be back for a couple more later in the season. Who'll he be romancing this time? If only Kristen Bell were here to give us the goods!

Dennis: What's the word on Puck and Rachel on Glee? I'm so tired of all the Finn and Rachel news. When are Puck and Rachel getting back together?
Sorry, but Ryan Murphy was totally serious when he said that there's nothing in the works for Puck and Rachel anytime soon. My condolences to any and all Puckleberry lovers. Something tells me someone is getting some lovin', though. Though Ryan wanted to keep the storyline as much of a secret as possible, my frenemy reveals that Chris Colfer and Darren Criss are singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" lends further proof that eventually, they will be more than friends.

Rebecca: What's the deal on Brothers & Sisters? I hated last night's episode for Kevin and Scotty.
I join you in your hatred, missy girl. But fear not, I'm told things will work out. In other B&S news that is not BS (see what I did there?), I'm told that Dave Annable's real-life now wife Odette Yustman will be sticking around for a few more episodes as his love interest, so it seems that (holy shocker!) there is chemistry there. Also, word is they are just now starting to cast Olivia; Richard Chamberlain will be on roughly three episodes and have heavy scenes with Ron Rifkin; and Nora's new love interest Karl isn't going to make it past the midseason mark.

Meri in Utah: Any dish on The Vampire Diaries?
You know how Katherine likes to pretend she's Elena, just for kicks? Well, Elena's about to take a page from her doppelgänger's book. She pretends to be Katherine in an upcoming ep.

Monica: Any chance Mason will be back on Vampire Diaries?
I'd bet my favorite moonstone he won't. I'm told the death will stick.

Heather: Got any really good spoilers on Supernatural? Impress me!
I'd love to bring you the whole enchilada, but I've been told to only sprinkle a little sauce your way on this one because it's a big reveal. I'm told there's a really cool twist coming up regarding something that is missing. I know. I can't believe I just told you all that too! It's like you just watched the whole rest of the season!

@themagicoflaura (via Twitter): Anything on FNL or 90210! :D
I'll take FNL FTW! The final season of Friday Night Lights starts this Wednesday on DirecTV and is not to be missed. I know. You are so shocked that his quality show is, like, quality! But true story: I loved the season premiere. Tami reunites with her hubby at his school, Julie has all grown-up girl stuff going on (moving away to college), and the new QB Grey Damon (who was also the new quarterback on True Blood last season—but this time isn't hooked on "V") is totally drool-worthy. Plus, I've heard a thing or two about how the series wraps up, and at least one storyline is so giddy-good just the mention of it brought tears to my eyes. Either I'm that pathetic (don't answer) or it will be that good.

Heather: Any word on Michael Rosenbaum returning to Smallville?
I wish! But not as much as the producers and Tom Welling wish. That's what I'm hearing from sources—that Smallville producers have asked him to come back for the final season, but so far, Michael has not signed on. I'm told Tom himself also reached out to ask (beg?) him, but again, so far, no dice. Who's got a plane that can skywrite? Let's get creative, people! In other spoilery (and related!) news I'm told that Tess is a ******. Any guesses on which letters fill in those six blanks?

Veronica: Will Kristin Kreuk or Annette O'Toole return to Smallville?
I'm told there's nothing in the works right now on Kristin but Annette is likely to return. Tip: Don't forget to put gas in that skywriting plane before you take it out to skywrite all your Smallville casting pleas.

Beth in Hollywood, Calif.: Do you know anything more about Teri Hatcher's part of Smallville?
Have a box of Kleenex handy for this one, because Smallville bosses Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson tell us Teri Hatcher's role as Lois Lane's mom, Ella, is a major tearjerker. Apparently someone close to a crew member found out she was dying, so she "sat down and made these videos for her child. What we did with Ella Lane was pull that into the show because it was so heart wrenching," says Brian. "It came together beautifully," adds Kelly. "I just watched three takes and I had to stop for awhile because it was so heart wrenching. Teri just had an incredible performance, and it was beautiful."

Athena: So excited for the January return of Big Love. Any scoop?
Chloë Sevigny tells us, "I think that finally you see the Henricksons having to deal with some consequences, for their actions and for their lifestyle. And they are finally getting a little bit of comeuppance."

Riley in Palm Desert, Calif.: Peter Weller (aka RoboCop) deserved an Emmy nomination for his guest spot in Fringe—are we going to see more of him in Dexter?
Dexter is going guest star to the max! The inimitable Peter Weller returns as Quinn's (Desmond Harrington) private Doakes dick; joining him are Chris Vance (Mental, Burn Notice) as security chief for motivational speaker Jordan Chase (Eli Stone's Jonny Lee Miller). You knew Boyd's creepy "Take it now!" tapes would come back to haunt us, right?

Jojo via Twitter: I need to know what's going to happen with Lumen on Dexter. The tension is killing me!
You're not the only one! Next week Dex finally targets a fresh kill—but as usual, things don't go smoothly. This botched attempt leads to a hilariously staged murder scene—but also a deeper, trusting relationship between Dexter and Lumen (Julia Stiles). We just wish we didn't have to see that bloody bathtub again. Don't people take showers anymore?

Marion in California: Got anything on Will and Alicia in The Good Wife?
When the Lockhart & Gardner team has to leave a fundraising dinner early, Peter and Will's new lady, Tammy (Elizabeth Reaser), have time to chat. Tammy drops some not-so-subtle hints about Will being in love in college and now. Needless to say it just adds to Peter's long list of growing suspicions. On a related note, anyone else wishing for a Will and Alicia at Georgetown flashback episode?

Brandon: Hot mother of all, when will Teddy come out of the closet on 90210? Also, dying to know if Annie and Liam will get back together?
Actually, I'm only the mother of 1.5, but to answer your first question: Next year. And to answer your second question: Soon. That's the word on the scoop batphone anyway.

Megan in New York: Any news on my fave guilty pleasure 90210?
Shenae Grimes is the new Bette Davis, yes? This theory will be tested when 90210 launches an All About Eve storyline for Annie. Annie's cousin Emily comes to visit Beverly Hills and steal away all of Annie's acting jobs and friends while deceptively pretending to be a clueless naïf from the sticks. Interesting…Any casting ideas from the Lucy Hale/Willa Holland/SMG division of tiny fierce actresses?

Jamie in North Carolina: Got anything on No Ordinary Family?
Jim has been keeping a secret from Stephanie, J.J.'s superpower secret finally comes out, and Daphne's powers uncover a student/teacher relationship that is practically an epidemic on TV these days. Also, the Powells might not be the only supers in town. They're getting new neighbors who are harboring a secret—so either this new family has powers too, or they're hiding a homicidal relative in their basement, à la Desperate Housewives back in the day.

Berrycar via Twitter: Got anything on Chuck?
Jeffster is getting some fun-filled airtime tonight on Chuck's awesome "Aisle of Terror" Halloween episode. Says Scott Krinsky (Jeff): "We're given the task of decorating the Buy More for Halloween, [which becomes] another little mission for Jeff and Lester." Adds Vik Sahay (Lester): "[This is] yet again an instance where their worlds cross over into Chuck's world." Translation: Danger ensues. Also, NBC is having a fun virtual viewing party tonight on Philo (for both East and West Coasts!) to support the show, so just click here if you want to join in and the rest is easy.

Alice in Georgia: I love Sam Page, and I love that he's on every show I watch! Can you tell me anything about his upcoming gig on The Event?
Yes ma'am, we can! Sam tells us this about his bad-boy Event character: "I play somebody from Sean's (Jason Ritter) graduate school. We used to be computer hackers, but Sean went the route of video game design, and my character went the route of stock broker. So when Sean's on the run and he needs some help from someone who can find information [through] hacking, he calls me." Sounds like some sexy covert operation fun!

Jesse in Carlsbad, Calif.: What's coming up on Cougar Town?
An Andy (Ian Gomez)-centric episode, that's what. Our favorite Cougar Towner (shhh, don't tell!) is about to ponder his place in the cul-de-sac crew and whether or not he would even be a part of it—better yet, if he'd even be friends with Jules (Courteney Cox)—if he hadn't married Ellie (Christa Miller). Don't worry, Penny Can will live to see another day, it's just a fun look at Jules and Andy's attempt to become besties without his wife hanging around.

Terri in Georgia: Cougar Town has turned into such a great ensemble show—more people should watch. Got any scoop?
We'll soon be meeting Grayson's ex-wife. Hope Jules isn't the jealous type...

Boris in New Jersey: The Office Halloween episodes are always epic. What can we expect from this season's installment?
Get ready to see The Office's version of Lady Gaga, Bill Compton, Sookie Stackhouse, a sexy nurse (from an unexpected Dunder Mifflinite), Popeye and his ladylove Olive Oyl, MacGruber, Michael Moore, Kevin in drag, a shirtless Andy and a bucktoothed Michael—and guess what? Most of these things aren't even part of the Halloween costume contest! Oh, and the return of Michael's always offensive BFF Todd Packer.

Gail: What's coming up on Community?
If you liked Community's paintball episode "Modern Warfare" last season, you'll love this week's Halloween zombie adventure, "Epidemiology." It's on the same action-movie scale, plus there are crazy-scary special effects and some un-freaking-believable "undead" makeovers.

wingster55 via Twitter: I'd like to know if Community is going to return to romantic subplots again (Jeff/Britta, etc.).
As of now, what you see is what you get. The subtle flirty moments (à la Troy and Britta in the space bus episode) between characters will pop up every so often, but right now romance between the gang is on the backburner.

Jessica in Portland, Ore.: Yay for a full season of Hellcats! Any scoop?
If you're still a little anti-Alice (Heather Hemmens), you might actually switch teams in the not so distant future. Hellcats will soon be introducing Alice's rough-around-the-edges dad and his very young wife, and we'll finally get to see why she's as messed up as she is, and learn that there's a much softer side to the bitchy cheer gal.

Melody in Kentucky: I love Raising Hope. Dish!
In case you didn't see it, check out our scoopy convo with Raising Hope show runner Greg Garcia! Plus, we can tell you that tomorrow night's Halloween ep is a big one for Jimmy and Sabrina, who finally have their first date. Sort of.

Edward: Looking forward to the return of Burn Notice in a few weeks. Will Coby Bell still be around in the new eps?
Yes, Coby Bell is still on Burn Notice when it returns Nov. 11 (hallelujah!), even though he's feeling a little (understandably) snippy about having been taken advantage of by Michael, Fiona and Sam. (Dear Burn Notice Powers That Be: Can we please keep Coby for the duration of the series? Pleeeeasse?! Thanks!)

Full Seasons For 'Family,' 'Better'

2010-10-25T18:12:00.004-07:00

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/full-seasons-family-better-32427

Two new ABC shows just landed full season orders ... and one title was left in the cold.

The network has picked up nine more episodes of superhero drama No Ordinary Family, and its latest Wednesday comedy block entry Better With You.

In addition, the network has ordered five episodes of struggling Tuesday night crime drama Detroit 1-8-7, as well as four episodes of Brothers & Sisters (that latter giving the Sunday night veteran a full 22-epsiode season).

Left without a chair when the music stopped: Wednesday's underperforming legal drama The Whole Truth, which risks joining ABC's My Generation on the cancelled list.

ABC's fall lineup hasn't produced a breakout title, with No Ordinary Family recently coming in forth place in its time period and Better With You ranking as the lowest-rated performer in the network's comedy block. Modern Family has continued to impress this season, however, and Grey's Anatomy has been a dominating anchor on Thursday nights.

Fox Gives Pilot Order To 'Locke & Key'

2010-10-25T18:12:00.002-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/fox-gives-pilot-order-to-locke-key/

Locke & Key already had a series commitment attached to it. Now Fox has officially greenlighted a pilot from the Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci-produced project based on the graphic novel, which is eyed for a potential summer run. The Locke & Key adaptation, written by Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles creator Josh Friedman, is produced by 20th Century Fox TV, Kurtzman and Orci's 20th TV-based K.O. Paper Products and DreamWorks TV where the project originated on the feature side. Based on Joe Hill's comic published by IDW Publishing, Locke & Key tells the story of Nina Locke and her three children, Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode, who survive an unspeakable horror and attempt to rebuild their lives at Keyhouse, their family home in Lovecraft, Massachusetts. It is a mysterious New England mansion, with fantastic and transformative keys hidden inside its walls that are also being sought by a hate-filled and relentless creature with ties to the Locke family's past who will stop at nothing to accomplish his sinister goals. Friedman, who will serve as showrunner, executive produces with Kurtzman, Orci, K.O's Heather Kadin, DreamWorks TV's Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank as well as IDW CEO Ted Adams. This is the third off-cycle pilot order for Fox, which also recently greenlighted drama pilot Alcatraz and comedy pilot Outnumbered. Both Locke & Key and Alcatraz originated as sough-after pitches that landed at Fox in early September.

'Glee' Christmas album out Nov. 16

2010-10-25T18:12:00.000-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/25/glee-christmas-album-nov-16/

If you listen very closely in the next few seconds, you’re likely to hear a strange and wondrous noise: the sound of Gleeks everywhere tearing open their letters to Santa. Why? To update their wish lists!

Sources confirm to me exclusively that the Fox hit is releasing a Christmas album featuring the cast (and k.d. lang!) singing covers of 12 holiday classics. The disc is set to drop on Nov. 16 — three weeks ahead of a special Glee Yuletide episode (airing on Dec. 7.)

A complete track listing is below. Beware: It includes what I believe to be a major spoiler about the identity of Kurt’s boyfriend!

1. We Need A Little Christmas (Jenna Ushkowitz, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer)
2. Deck The Rooftop (Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Naya Rivera, Kevin McHale, Heather Morris, and Jenna Ushkowitz)
3. Merry Christmas Darling (Lea Michele)
4. Baby, It’s Cold Outside (Chris Colfer and Darren Criss)
5. The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year (Chord Overstreet, Mark Salling, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Jenna Ushkowitz, and Heather Morris)
6. Last Christmas (Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, Mark Salling, Jenna Ushkowitz, and Chris Colfer)
7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Lea Michele, Amber Riley, Naya Rivera, and Jenna Ushkowitz)
8. O Christmas Tree (Matthew Morrison)
9. Jingle Bells (Cory Monteith, Mark Salling, and Kevin McHale)
10. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch (k.d. lang and Morrison)
11. Angels We Have Heard On High (Amber Riley)
12. O Holy Night (Lea Michele)

If previous Glee sales figures are any indication — to date more than 15 million songs have been digitally downloaded and over 5 million albums sold — I have a feeling this disc will do fairly well.

Will you be buying a copy?! Allow me to rephrase: How many copies will you be buying?

ABC Family 'Nine Lives' Pilot Finds Lead

2010-10-25T14:59:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/abc-family-nine-lives-pilot-finds-lead/

Skyler Samuels (ABC's The Gates) has landed the lead in ABC Family's pilot Nine Lives, which is based on Alloy's Nine Lives of Chloe King series of 3 young-adult novels by Celia Thomson. The pilot, produced by Alloy Entertainment, centers on Chloe King (Samuels), a teenager with heightened abilities (super speed, agility, hearing…claws) who discovers she’s being pursued by a mysterious figure. UPDATE: Also cast in the pilot are Grey Damon as Brian and Alyssa Diaz as Jasmine. Dan Berendsen penned the script and is executive producing with Alloy's Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo.

Comedy Central Greenlights 'Waiting' Pilot

2010-10-25T14:58:00.005-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/comedy-central-greenlights-waiting-pilot/

Comedy Central has handed out a pilot order to Waiting…, a half-hour project based on the 2005 indie comedy of the same name which starred Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris and Justin Long. Written by the film’s writer-director Rob McKittrick, the project follows the young and not so young employees at Shenaniganz restaurant as they gossip, make fun of customers, and avert boredom and adulthood with their antics. Each of the employees projects their own issues into the restaurant as they grapple with sex, booze, and whether they are temporary or permanent fixtures in the restaurant world. McKittrick is executive producing with Thomas Augsberger and Jeff Balis. Waiting... was featured on Comedy Central's 2010-11 Development slate announced in May.

FX Picks Up Comedy Pilot 'Wilfred' To Series

2010-10-25T14:58:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/fx-picks-up-comedy-pilot-wilfred-to-series/

FX has handed out a 13-episode series order to comedy pilot Wilfred for a summer 2011 launch. The project, based on the acclaimed Australian series of the same name, was hot from the script stage and then it solidified its chances in the pilot stage by landing Lord of the Rings's Elijah Wood to star opposite Jason Gann, co-creator and star of the original series. David Zuckerman, who wrote the pilot script and serves as executive producer, describes Wilfred as comedy “about a guy, Ryan (Wood), the girl next door (Fiona Gubelmann), and mixed-breed dog, Wilfred (Gann), who is part Labrador retriever and part Russell Crowe on a bender.” Randall Einhorn directed the pilot for FX Prods. Rich Frank, Paul Frank, Jeff Kwatinetz, Joe Connor and Ken Conner also exec produce. Wilfred is adding to FX's rapidly expending comedy series portfolio, which includes It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Archer, The League and Louie.

Ask Ausiello 10/20/10

2010-10-22T23:18:00.000-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/20/ask-ausiello-spoilers-glee-desperate-30-rock/

Question: Rumor around the Glee circuit is that Quinn and Rachel lock lips in episode 6. Any truth to that? —Joan
Ausiello: Sorry, no. If it’s any consolation, it looks like the frenemies get fairly close to first base in the new GQ. Speaking of Glee, I can now confirm that the show is planning a Christmas episode. I don’t have any other details at the moment. I do, however, have a suggestion for Ryan Murphy: Please give us (read: me) an It’s a Wonderful Life homage with Sue at the center. I, er, we don’t ask for much.

Question: Glee scoop, please! —Jeffrey
Ausiello: Someone’s about to get expelled!

Question: One Tree Hill. You’re a stingy Smurf when it comes to scoop on this gem of a show. —La-roo
Ausiello: Sources close to the National Weather Center confirm that Mother Nature is doing me a solid and sending a major hurricane Hill‘s way before season’s end.

Question: Do you have any spoilers on No Ordinary Family? —Mike
Ausiello: A recurring character has an appointment with the Grim Reaper in early December.

Question: I am loving No Ordinary Family. Got any good spoilers for me? —Deb
Ausiello: Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Julie Benz’s Ordinary parents will be played by Maddie Hayes and D-Day (a.k.a. Cybill Shepherd and Bruce McGill). Ma and Pa pay their superhero daughter a visit next month.

Question: Could you stop using the phrase “hitcom”? It bothers me. —John
Ausiello: Yes, but only because you asked nicely.

Question: Please, we need some 30 Rock scoop! Thank you. —Cindy
Ausiello: Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…wait, it really is a plane. And Matt Damon is flying it, in an episode that sounds like it’s going to take place largely on one of pilot Carol’s flights. Not only is Liz on board, but the show is also casting such fellow passengers as a neurotic suit (seated next to Liz, which I don’t think has ever dulled anyone’s neuroses), a snippy gay male flight attendant, and — this is where things get interesting — an *** ********.

Question: I can’t be the only one who loves Lincoln Lee in Fringe‘s “over there” universe! Will we learn new things about him (like how did he know Nick Lane, or where’s his “over here” version)? —Elena
Ausiello: Sounds like a question for exec producer Jeff Pinkner: “No, Elena, you’re not the only one! We love Lincoln (and Seth Gabel!). We love the energy he brings to the show, and the vibe of the Fringe Team “Over There.” (And we all fantasize about how much fun it would be to see the TV show Fringe that has been playing for the past two years in the Alt Universe with Lincoln, Charlie and Altlivia/Fauxlivia/(b)Olivia as the stars.) But to answer your question: We look forward to spending more time learning about Lincoln. And you raise a very interesting point: What is his doppelgänger “Over Here” up to?!”

Question: Weeds spoilers, for the love of all that is holy, I need some Weeds spoilers! Who is Lars? —Claire
Ausiello: Lars is an old friend of Nancy’s. A very good old friend.

Question: Your frenemy dropped some major Weeds scoop this week, and I know you are not gonna let her one-up you like that! What say you give us the deets on Guillermo’s return and just how far Esteban is willing to go to get baby Stevie back. —Claire
Ausiello: Guillermo shows up at the tail end of this season’s penultimate episode…with Esteban! And they don’t have to go too far to get Stevie back — just to the airport, which is where the Botwin clan is headed to flee the country. Quick, someone ask me who makes it onto the plane!

Question. Hey, there’s been no scoop on 90210 lately. Got anything? —Jane
Ausiello: New-couple alert: Navid and Silver! Look for sparks to start flying around episode 8. In other 90210 news, Ivy’s estranged father will be introduced in early ’11. He’s described as an all-American, Ivy League-educated charmer.

Question: Can’t seem to get enough Smallville spoilers. Have any new ones? —Dylan
Ausiello: If you’re a Clois freak, the Oct. 29 ghost-town-set episode is not to be missed. Trust me. Elsewhere, expect more Justice League appearances toward the end of the season.

Question: How is the new FX show Terriers doing? —Alexandra
Ausiello: Terribly. Seriously, the ratings are abysmal. It’s depressing because the show is fantastic. I screened the first five episodes last weekend and I immediately gave it the official Aushole Seal of Approval. The ceremony was private — i.e., friends, family, and Shawn Ryan — so don’t give me any grief about your invitation getting lost in the mail.

Question: There hasn’t been Desperate Housewives scoop in weeks. Got anything to appease me? —Connor
Ausiello: I hear Marc Cherry is putting the finishing touches on his annual winter cliff-hanger catastrophe, and this is what I’ve been able to glean from my Wisteria Lane moles: Two characters will be in mortal danger, the deadly event is not weather-related, and hordes of extras will be needed for the harrowing sequence. Guesses? Hit the comments!

Question: Do you have anything on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia? —Stephanie
Ausiello: The Oct. 28 episode finds the gang (sans Dee) flashing back to try to figure out who got her pregnant. Mac claims they all “browned out” that night, which is a less severe version of blacking out. They piece together what vague memories they have and arrive at this disturbing conclusion: Dennis might have impregnated his sister! Ewwww!

Question: Do you know if any of last year’s guest stars from Community are coming back this year? I’m thinking John Michael Higgins, Tony Hale, Blake Clark, or Jack Black? —Tommy
Ausiello: Nothing cooking with any of those folks at this time. Here’s something cool, though: Judd Apatow’s go-to baddie Kevin Corrigan has just been cast as a guest professor in an upcoming episode.

Question: Is there any news on the rumored sniper on Bones? —Jessica
Ausiello: His name is Jacob Ripkin Broadsky, he’s slated to show up in early ’11, and I can confirm that he does in fact take out a pivotal recurring character.

Question: I’ve missed House two weeks in a row due to work, which is very depressing. Can I please have some scoop to cheer me up? —Kim
Ausiello: You should check out this new product that just hit the market. It’s called a DVR. All the cool kids are using it. In any event, exec producer Katie Jacobs teases that Taub’s marriage will be tested in “a completely unexpected way” later this season. Might this be connected to a certain spoiler that ran in AA last week? Maybe. Maybe not.

Question: Can you please use your impressive resources to find out if Rubicon will be picked up for season 2? —Nathan
Ausiello: I’m told that AMC would very much like a second season, but the ratings are atrocious. Even worse than Terriers’.

Question: I’m getting super-tired of Cristina’s “can’t do it” story line on Grey’s Anatomy. Tell me she’ll get over it soon. —Farrah
Ausiello: My guess is we’re closer to the end than the beginning. “It gets pretty dark for her,” teases exec producer Shonda Rhimes. “Cristina is a person who has identified herself purely as a surgeon — before anything else. And for her to be at a place where she’s not sure if she can even pick up a scalpel is fairly devastating.”

Question: Um, so tip fail? Unless a certain Mad Men character committed suicide after the credits rolled, I think you pegged that one wrong. What’s the scoop? —Elise
Ausiello: The scoop is there’s a big difference between a spoiler and a prediction. Look it up.

Question: Any Big C scoop? —Jeremy
Ausiello: A major character will commit suicide before the end of season 1. Now that, Elise, is a spoiler.

Question: I’m torn…I’m enjoying The Event, but I’m mildly happy that its ratings aren’t stellar. Why? Because Mr. Cyr [Jason Ritter] and Sarah were so perfect together on Parenthood! What are the chances of The Event lasting, in your expert opinion? —Wendy
Ausiello: Considering it was just picked up for a full season, the chances are good it’ll last at least 22 episodes. If the show’s ratings stabilize — or better yet grow — a second season is probably a safe bet. Chances are you’ll get closure either way. “I do have a shorter way of getting to [the endgame, should it conclude prematurely],” says series creator Nick Wauters. “Hopefully it won’t come to that. But I think it’s important to give viewers some kind of conclusion.”

Question: Any spoilers on The Event? —Sydney
Ausiello: Wauters says we’ll definitely find out who (or what) the “Others” are (aliens? time travelers?) by the end of season 1. “We’ll also find out what they want and where they came from.”

Question: Is there any way you can find out when Interview With the Vampire comes on? This probably isn’t what you normally do, but you are the best. Anyway, if you find out something, please post it or get back to me. —LT
Ausiello: Sometimes I don’t even know who you people are.

Question: Can you tell me more about Nicholas Brendon’s three-episode arc on Private Practice? —Catherine
Ausiello: As I revealed last week, he plays the nutjob who rapes Charlotte. Exec producer Shonda Rhimes describes it as a “random” attack. He comes into the clinic, and “immediately there’s [the suggestion] of some mental illness going on there,” she explains. “Charlotte tells him to wait his turn, and the next thing you know, he’s attacking her.”

Question: I would gladly give up my Papa Smurf action figure for some Private Practice scoop. I’m hoping that the upcoming sexual assault of Charlotte brings Cooper and Charlotte closer. Love this couple. BTW, last week’s episode with Dell’s daughter was one of the best episodes of all time. Ending was a classic. —The Rock
Ausiello: I think the attack will ultimately bring Charlotte and Cooper closer, but initially she’ll push him away. “The interesting bond that springs up is between Charlotte and Amelia,” reveals Rhimes. “They were both addicts, and there’s an interesting [connection] that forms there.”

Question: Damn you for pissing on my My Boys parade, Ausiello! That season finale was perfect, and now you’re telling me the show was cancelled?! I think I deserve some scoopage. Let’s go obscure. How about Huge? —Jenn
Ausiello: LOL! Good one, Jenn. You had me going there for a second. [Beat] Oh, wait — you’re not joking, are you? Um, this is awkward.

'The Wire' grad Gbenga Akinnagbe joins 'Nurse Jackie'

2010-10-22T23:15:00.001-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/21/gbenga-akinnagbe-joins-nurse-jackie/

Nurse Jackie is getting an infusion of new blood: The Wire‘s Gbenga Akinnagbe has scored a major recurring role on the Showtime dramedy, sources confirm to me exclusively.

Akinnagbe’s character — who will be introduced halfway through Jackie‘s upcoming third season — is the new temp nurse at All Saints. He’s described as handsome, qualified, and much-liked by his peers.

Akinnagbe is on board for a minimum of seven episodes.

Jackie‘s third season is slated to premiere in early ’11.

CW Gives Full-Season Orders To Freshmen 'Hellcats', 'Nikita' & Veteran 'One Tree Hill'

2010-10-22T15:03:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/cw-gives-full-season-orders-to-freshmen-hellcats-nikita-veteran-one-tree-hill/

Just like its sister network CBS did yesterday, the CW today handed out full-season orders to all of its freshman series. In its case, it's 2: Hellcats and Nikita. Also getting a full-season order is CW veteran One Tree Hill, which has been a solid ratings performer in its current eighth season. No decision yet on the fourth CW series originally picked up with a 13-episode order, sophomore Life Unexpected. After a promising uptick a couple of weeks ago, it has slipped again in the ratings and continues to rank as CW's lowest-rated series. There is a glimmer of hope - the critically-praised drama recently received an order for 2 additional scripts, but its chances are slim. The network recently greenlighted dramedy pilot Danni Lowinski as a potential midseason replacement. The back-nine episodic orders for Hellcats and OTH follow the pickup of 6 additional scripts for both series a month ago. “By giving our two freshman series and proven performer One Tree Hill full orders, we’ll be able to continue our success and momentum throughout the rest of the season,” CW entertainment president Dawn Ostroff said. Cheerleading drama Hellcats, starring Aly Michalka and Ashley Tisdale, has posted the best retention of any show to follow America’s Next Top Model and has dramatically improved the Wednesday 9 PM period. It is averaging 2.5 million viewers and a 1.2/4 in adults 18-34. The Maggie Q-starring Nikita (3.6 million) has become the second most-watched show on The CW behind its Thursday lead-in, flagship CW drama The Vampire Diaries.

Kristin Davis to star in NBC's 'Happiness' project

2010-10-22T13:37:00.001-07:00

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/kristin-davis-star-nbcs-happiness-32165

Sex and the City star Kristin Davis is set to star in a new NBC project that would mark her return to series television.

NBC has picked up Davis' The Happiness Project, based on the best-selling memoir by Gretchen Rubin about a woman's quest to become a happier person.

The single-camera, half-hour project will be produced by Universal Media Studios and Mosaic.

Kristin Newman (Chuck, How Met Your Mother) is in negotiations to write the pilot and executive produce. Jimmy Miller and Dave Fleming will also executive produce.

Rubin was once a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. She embarked on a year-long quest to make herself happier, trying out scientific studies and pop culture wisdom. She documented her experiments on her blog.

The project was packaged by UTA.

Omari Hardwick Joins the Chase

2010-10-22T13:08:00.001-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Exclusive-Omari-Hardwick-1024633.aspx

Omari Hardwick (Dark Blue, The A Team) will guest star on an upcoming episode of NBC's Chase as Chris Novak, a hard luck criminal facing prison who escapes prison to exact revenge on those who betrayed him. While being hunted by Annie Frost (Kelli Giddish) and her team of U.S. Marshals, Novak cuts "a swath of terror through downtown Houston."

NBC recently announced that the Jerry Bruckheimer produced Chase has been picked up for a full season.

Syfy Gives the Greenlight to Young Adama 'Battlestar' Spinoff; Movie, Possible Series to Come

2010-10-22T13:05:00.001-07:00

http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/10/22/syfy-adama-blood-and-chrome/

A few months ago, the Syfy network commissioned an online series called 'Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome,' a chronicle of the war experiences of young William Adama.

The network liked Michael Taylor's script for the project so much that Syfy will air 'Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome' on the network as the pilot for a possible young Adama TV series.

Mark Stern, Syfy's executive vice president of original programming and the co-head of original content for Universal Cable Productions, said the network hoped to begin production on the pilot in Vancouver in early 2011.

"When we read Michael's script, it was so clearly a full-blown pilot for a series," Stern said in a Thursday interview. "The scope is fantastic and bigger, I think, than anticipated, so we said, 'Let's do it as a 2-hour backdoor pilot.' ... We're trying to get up and running as soon as possible."
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Read on for more on 'Blood & Chrome' as well as a bit of news on 'Caprica,' another 'Battlestar Galactica' spinoff.

'Blood & Chrome' won't air until the fourth quarter of 2011 at the earliest, Stern said, but an early 2012 debut sounds more likely, especially if the network decides to go forward with a full series. Given the project's origins as an online project, expect lots of Web extras as well.

Fans missing the Battlestar Galactica itself -- the valiant old ship that housed Adama, Starbuck, Apollo and the rest -- will get to see it once again, or a version of it, in the new show. High-resolution digital scans were made of all the 'Battlestar Galactica' sets before they were torn down, and those scans will be used in the new project, which, like Syfy's 'Sanctuary,' will employ cutting-edge computer effects to supply virtual sets.

"It's an opportunity to 'see them before they were famous,'" Stern said of 'Blood & Chrome,' which takes place roughly 20 years after the events of 'Caprica' and about 40 years before the events of 'BSG.' "Here's the Battlestar Galactica as a brand-new, shiny ship -- well, not shiny, but as a new ship that had just been commissioned. What was that like?"

The Adama of 'Battlestar Galactica,' as so memorably played by Edward James Olmos, was a capable military commander leading the fight against the Cylon race under almost impossible conditions. Ensign William Adama of 'Blood & Chrome' is newly minted Viper pilot, one who goes through a challenging experiences on a difficult mission.

"This is very much an action-adventure, war series," Stern said. "This is definitely dealing with people who are fighting the fight. ... As you hope 'Battlestar' would do, it kind of comments on that process a little bit... but not in a preachy way, not in an issues-oriented way, not in a hitting-you-over-the-head way. Really, the fabric and the canvas of the series are people in the fight and what they grapple with when it comes to each other and what they grapple with when it comes to the enemy they're fighting."

"Your way into the story is a young William Adama who is not the grizzled old veteran we have come to love in 'BSG,'" Stern noted. "This is someone who is more like us, in terms of coming into this with certain preconceptions and learning as you go. ... It's very much about relationships along the way. I think ultimately the arc of the pilot and of the series is about getting Adama to be who you came to know in 'BSG,' but it's also about the deep relationships he forms. And I don't think there are any deeper relationships than the ones you form in life-or-death situations."

In a July interview, Taylor, a 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Caprica' co-executive producer, said 'Blood & Chrome' was about "a young man's initiation into war: both the realities of war as fought by soldiers on the ground (and in Battlestars and Vipers), and the somewhat less real version portrayed in the media."

Ronald D. Moore, 'BSG's' executive producer, was "in the room" when the 'Blood & Chrome' story was conceived; Stern called him the "godfather" of the project. However at this time, Moore, who has a deal with Sony and is developing projects like 'The Wild, Wild West' there, has no official role on 'Blood & Chrome.'

Given that a full-blown series, if one is ordered, might not go into production for a year, Stern said the hope is that Moore might be able to come on board if 'Blood & Chrome' goes forward beyond the pilot. David Eick and Taylor are executive producers and Bradley Thompson and David Weddle are producers on 'Blood & Chrome'; all are veterans of 'BSG.'

Stern said actor Nico Cortez was "great" as young Adama in the 'BSG' movie 'Razor,' but it is not certain that he will take the lead in 'Blood & Chrome.' "I'm assuming there will be a full casting process for this pilot, but with Nico at the top of the list," Stern said. There's also a chance that we'll meet younger versions of other 'Battlestar' characters or people connected to either that world or to 'Caprica,' but the new project would try to do those things with "a light touch," Stern said.

Asked if 'BSG' composer Bear McCreary would do the music for 'Blood & Chrome,' Stern said no deal had been struck but he "couldn't imagine" the project without a McCreary score.

For 'Caprica' fans wondering what all this means for their show, Stern noted that 'Blood & Chrome' was developed separately from the other 'Battlestar' spinoff, which is in the midst of airing season 1 episodes now.

"To be really categorical about it, this is not about finding something else so we can get rid of 'Caprica," Stern said. "I don't know the fate of 'Caprica' yet, but, if anything, 'Blood & Chrome' going to series would only be a great opportunity to pair it with something.'

Stern said the decision on whether to give 'Caprica' a second season would be made no later than Nov. 15.

A few more clues about the 'Blood & Chrome' story follow. Look away if you'd rather not know them.

'Blood & Chrome,' which takes place in the tenth year of the Cylon War, follows Adama, a recent Academy graduate, as he and a rookie pilot take a female character on an important mission. There's a potential love interest for Adama in the story, but the pilot is basically about that mission, which, if successful, could turn the tide of the war.

2 More Scripts For 'Human Target' And 2 More Episodes For 'Rules of Engagement'

2010-10-22T13:04:00.003-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/2-more-scripts-for-human-target-and-2-more-episodes-for-rules-of-engagement/

Second good news in a row for Fox's Human Target. The comic book adaptation has received an order for 2 additional scripts before its second season has even premiered. This comes on the heels of the series' recent time slot upgrade in the aftermath of the Lone Star cancellation. Human Target, originally slotted on the low-trafficked Fridays, will now air the Wednesday 8 PM time period. It premieres on November 17. Meanwhile, CBS has picked up 2 additional episodes of veteran Rules of Engagement. The network has already done the same with How I Met Your Mother and is in the process of securing additional segments from Chuck Lorre's trio of Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory and Mike & Molly, but those orders would hinge on Lorre's blessing as the man has a pretty full plate already with 3 series of 22 episodes each. The other CBS comedy, freshman $#*! My Dad Says, just received an order for 6 additional episodes and 3 scripts.

Ratings: 'Bang' Tops, 'Mentalist' Dips, NBC Comedies & ABC Dramas Down

2010-10-22T13:04:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-bang-tops-mentalist-dips-nbc-comedies-abc-dramas-down/

There is a new ratings king on Thursday. For the first time, the new kid on the Thursday block, CBS' transplant The Big Bang Theory (4.0/13, 12.9 million), ranked as the highest-rated program on the night in 18-49, supplanting perennial winner Grey's Anatomy. The comedy accomplished the feat on its fifth airing on the night, a nice validation of CBS' risky scheduling move. Big Bang was down a tenth from the comedy's 18-49 fast national result last week, while its lead-out, newly picked-up freshman $#*! My Dad Says (3.1/9) was flat, improving its 18-49 retention from last week to 78%. (Both comedies went up in the finals last week, Big Bang by .2, $#*! by .1) Both Big Bang and $#*! were up in total viewers from last week, by 3% and 7%, respectively. Veteran CSI (3.3/9, up 6%, 14.7 million, up 2%) continued its resurgence with a second consecutive week of ratings gains. But The Mentalist (2.9/9) was down 9% from its fast national number last week to post its lowest-rated telecast in the Thursday 10 PM slot, which it still won. (The Mentalist may gain a tenth of a rating point in the finals as it did last week.) CBS won the night by a wide margin in 18-49 (3.3/9) and total viewers (13.6 million), its fifth consecutive Thursday win.

After getting a ratings boost last week with its live episode, NBC's 30 Rock (2.2/7) took a 27% drop last night vs. its fast national number last weel. Its lead-in, Community (1.9/6) was down 14%. Its lead-out, The Office (3.4/9) and newly renewed freshman comedy Outsourced (2.3/6) were both down 8% fast nationals-vs.-fast nationals. (30 Rock, The Office and Outsourced all went up a tenth in the finals last week). For Outsourced, this was a series low and its weakest retention (68%, tied with last week) to date. At 10 PM, The Apprentice kept its streak alive, logging a 1.3/4 for a fourth consecutive week.

Following a Grey's Anatomy repeat (1.2/4), an original Grey's (3.9/10) was down 13% from its fast national number last week (15% from its final). Private Practice (2.8/8) was down 7%.

Fox's coverage of MLB NLCS Game 5 (2.9/8), in which the Phillies fought off elimination to extended the series against the Giants, was up 12% from the most recent NLCS Game 5 on Fox 2 years ago.

Vampire Diaries matched its season high in total viewers (3.6 million), adults 18-34 (1.9/6) and 18-49 (1.6/5). Nikita (2.8 million, 1.1/3 in 18-34) was up a tenth in the 18-34 its last original airing but its demo retention was a so-so 58%.

Fox's Dramedy 'Bones' Plots Spinoff Series

2010-10-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/foxs-dramedy-bones-plots-spinoff-series/

Fox's veteran procedural Bones is developing a potential spinoff series built around a character that would be introduced as a recurring on the series this season. Casting for the role is expected to begin shortly. If the Bones producers, Fox and studio 20th Century Fox TV find an actor that they feel can carry a new series, the new character, Walter Sherman, will debut in the December 6 episode of Bones. UPDATE: Hart Hanson, creator/executive of Bones, would also create the potential spinoff, which would be based on The Locator series of two books written by Richard Greener that center on Walter Sherman aka "the Locator". Walter is described as an eccentric, obstreperous and amusing reclusive man in his late 20s-30s with highly sought after abilities to find anything. He is skeptical of every statement and often asks offensive, seemingly irrelevant questions which oddly enough turn out to be extremely relevant. A former military policeman, Walter knows Agent Booth (David Boreanaz) from their time serving in Iraq together, and the two dislike each other very much. Meanwhile, Dr. Brennan (Emily Deschanel) finds him very intriguing. Walter was injured overseas and suffered brain damage which lead to his honorable discharge, as well as his ever present state of paranoia.

Planted spinoffs have become the networks' preferred way to spawn new shows from established series. CBS has successfully used the technique on its CSI, NCIS and Criminal Minds franchises. But planted spinoffs not always lead to new series. For instance, the PI character introduced as a recurring on Fox's hit medical drama House two seasons ago didn't pan out. The planted spinoff episodes of CW's Gossip Girl and Lifetime's Army Wives didn't get picked up to series, and the planned Prison Break spinoff set in a women's prison never got past the casting stage. Bones, about a prosaic forensic anthropologist (Deschanel) and a cocky FBI agent (Boreanaz) who team to investigate death causes, has been among Fox's most reliable performers despite being moved around the schedule a number of times. The series hit the 100th episode mark in the spring and is now in its sixth season.

Michelle Trachtenberg To Develop & Star In CW Drama Produced by Josh Schwartz

2010-10-21T16:49:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/michelle-trachtenberg-to-develop-star-in-cw-drama-produced-by-josh-schwartz/

CW has handed out a script order to an untitled drama project starring Gossip Girl's Michelle Trachtenberg, which marks the actress' producing debut. It hails from the creators of CW's Gossip Girl, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, whose Fake Empire banner co-produces the project with Warner Bros. TV and CBS TV Studios. Based on an idea by Trachtenberg, the drama would star the actress as a young criminology student with a gift for profiling and a dark past. Stuart Zicherman (Six Degrees) will write the script and executive produce alongside Schwartz, Savage and Len Goldstein. Trachtenberg will serve as producer. This is Fake Empire's second hourlong project this season toplined by a young actress from one of Schawrtz's other shows. Schwartz is writing Ghost Angeles, a supernatural romantic comedy starring The O.C. alumna Rachel Bilson, which received a pilot production commitment from NBC. Trachtenberg has been recurring on Gossip Girl for the past 2 years. She will next be seen in Kids in America.

CBS Gives Full-Season Orders To All 5 Freshman Series: 'Hawaii Five-0', 'Blue Bloods', 'Defenders', 'Mike & Molly' & '$#*!'

2010-10-21T16:48:00.007-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/cbs-gives-full-season-orders-to-all-5-freshman-series-hawaii-five-0-blue-bloods-defenders-mike-molly/

CBS is not monkeying around, handing out today full-season orders to all of its freshman series: dramas Hawaii Five-0 and Blue Bloods, dramedy The Defenders and comedies Mike & Molly and $#*! My Dad Says. No big surprise here given the fact that those happen to be the five most-watched new series of the season and 3 of them, Hawaii, Mike & Molly and $#*! also rank as the top three new series in adults 18-49. The solid showing by the five freshmen helped CBS win the opening 4 weeks of the season for the first time. "Everything has clicked so far this year—from development in January, to scheduling in May, to production over the summer, to marketing and publicity in the fall," CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler said. Hawaii is averaging 14.2 million viewers and a 4.1/11 in 18-49 and also ranks as the most DVR'd TV program, adding some 3.4 million viewers with live plus 7-day playback. Blue Bloods (12.7 million, 2.2/07) dominates its Friday 10 PM time period. The season-to-date averages for the other newly-renewed series are: Defenders (11.3 million, 2.8/8), Mike & Molly (12.3 million, 4.1/11) and $#*!(11.3, 3.5/10). CBS is the only network to keep all of its freshman series for the whole season this fall. NBC, ABC and Fox have already cancelled one series each: Outlaw, My Generation and Lone Star, respectively. NBC has picked up the rest, giving The Event, Chase, Law & Order: Los Angeles andOutsourced back-nine order and Undercovers an order for 4 more scripts. Fox has picked up comedyRaising Hope for the rest of the season.

ABC Planning Party Planning Comedy

2010-10-21T16:48:00.005-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/abc-planning-party-planning-comedy/

ABC is developing Plan This, a comedy project loosely based on the life of Beverly Hills-based party planner to the stars Mindy Weiss. The single-camera project, from ABC Studios, will be written by Freaky Friday writer Heather Hach who will serve as co-executive producer. Alex Goldstone and Elana Barry will executive produce the comedy, which has received a script commitment. Weiss has planned weddings and parties for such clients as Ellen Degeneres & Portia Rossi, Ashlee Simpson & Pete Wentz; Eva Longoria & Tony Parker; Heidi Klum & Seal; Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale; Jackie & Adam Sandler; Kate Beckinsale & Len Weisman; and Trista & Ryan of ABC's The Bachelorette televised wedding. Party planning is an area the networks have been trying to crack for some time with little success. The more notable efforts include the Fox/David E. Kelley series The Wedding Bells.

Ratings: Big 'LOLA' Rebound

2010-10-21T16:48:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-big-lola-rebound/

There are four freshman series on Wednesday that are still awaiting decision on full-season orders: ABC's Better with You and The Whole Truth, NBC's Undercovers and CBS' The Defenders. None of them made a case for itself one way or another last night, with the first 3 staying flat and The Defenders giving away last week's solid ratings gains.

Much needed good ratings news for NBC which recently handed back orders - episodic or script - to all of its freshman series still on the air. One of them, Law & Order: Los Angeles (2.4/7 in adults 18-49), was up 26% after 2 consecutive weeks of 20%+ declines. It won the 10 PM hour and improved its retention of Law & Order: SVU to 92% from 83% last week. In fact, the entire NBC Wednesday lineup was up. SVU (2.6/7) was climbed 13%. Undercovers (1.5/5), the only new NBC series to only get script order this week, was flat with the show's fast national number last week and up 7% vs. the final.

It was status quo at ABC, with The Middle (2.6/8) up 4%, Cougar Town (3.1/9) down a tenth and Better with You (2.1/6) flat with last week. Flagship comedy Modern Family (4.7/13) was also even with the show's fast national rating last week. (The show tends to go up a tenth in the finals.) Like Undercovers, The Whole Truth (1.4/4) was flat with the fast national for its last airing two weeks ago and up a tenth from the final number. (The legal drama was preempted for a 20/20 special on the Chilean miners last Wednesday.)

CBS' Survivor: Nicaragua (3.5/11) was probably affected by baseball, down 8% to tie its lowest-rated telecast this season. Criminal Minds (3.6/10) was actually up a tenth. But, after a nice 14% boost last week when there was no other pure legal drama competition in the 10 PM hour with The Whole Truth benched, The Defenders (2.2/6) retreated, down 12%. It finished second in the time slot behind LOLA. CBS still won the night in 18-49 (3.1) and total viewers (12.1 million) for a fourth straight week.

Fox's coverage of MLB NLCS Game 4 (2.7/8) was up 8% from the last NLCS Game 4 on Fox 2 years ago. The network finished second for the night in 18-49.

Eric McCormack To Star In TNT Drama Pilot

2010-10-21T16:47:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/eric-mccormack-to-star-in-tnt-drama-pilot/

Eric McCormack is returning to TNT as the star of the network's pilot Perception. The Will & Grace alum is in negotiation to play the lead in the project, Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric, frequently erratic and absolutely brilliant neuroscientist who helps the FBI solve complex cases. Kenneth Biller and Mike Sussman co-wrote the pilot, which is produced by ABC Studios. At TNT, McCormack previously toplined ad agency drama Trust Me. He recently played the title character in the Lifetime movie Who Is Clark Rockefeller?, recurred on the CBS comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine and starred in the Artsclub Theatre production of Glengarry Glen Ross in Vancouver. Perception is one of 4 pilots recently greenlighted by TNT - along with Hollywood & Vine, Dallas, and an untitled project from Allan Loeb - and the first one to cast its lead.

TBS Picks Up Two More Hourlong Pilots

2010-10-20T22:34:00.003-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/tbs-picks-up-2-more-hourlong-comedy-pilots/

TBS continues its shift to hourlong comedies with the pickup of 2 more one-hour pilots: Hound Dogs and The Wedding Band. Hound Dogs, from feature writer/ director Ron Shelton (Bull Durham) and Sony Pictures TV, draws from his experience as a baseball player and is set in the world of minor league baseball. It centers on a minor league team and its general manager as they try to handle life’s ups and downs, both in and out of the locker room. In addition to writing, Shelton serves as executive producer with Michele Weisler, Andrea Buchanan and Todd DeLorenzo. The Wedding Band, from writers-executive producers Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle (South Park), FremantleMedia and Mike Tollin's Tollin Prods., follows a group of guys anchored by 2 lifelong best friends – a perennial bachelor and a married father of two – who try to escape the stress and craziness of their lives by performing in a wedding band. “Ron Shelton is one of America’s favorite storytellers, and Hound Dogs is another wry, sharp look at one of America’s favorite pastimes from a master of the genre," TNT and TBS' head of programmig Michael Wright said. "The Wedding Band mines great humor from its four very likable, and occasionally reckless, young men who have figured out that weddings are often the wildest parties in town. Both pilots affirm TBS' enthusiasm for irreverent, smart comedy and the storytelling advantages of the one-hour form.” Hound Dogs and The Wedding Band join another recently picked up hourlong TBS pilot, the Dean Devlin-produced Brain Trust.

TBS started its switch from half-hour sitcoms to hourlong comedies at the beginning of this year when it greenlighted 4 pilots: Glory Daze, Franklin & Bash, Uncle Nigel and In Security. Two of them, Glory Daze and Franklin & Bash, made it to series, with Franklin & Bash migrating to sister network TNT. Glory Daze, from creators Walt Becker and Michael LeSieur, premieres Nov. 16 on TBS.

Fringe gets a Back to the Future Shock!

2010-10-20T22:34:00.001-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Exclusive-Fringe-gets-1024542.aspx

Great Scott! Back to the Future's Doc Brown will be meeting Fringe's resident Doctor Frankenstein when Christopher Lloyd guest stars early next year as Walter's musical hero.

"We all know how much Walter loves music, right? Well this fellow was one of his icons," explains John Noble of Lloyd's role in the season's 10th episode. "He adored this man. So Walter gets to be a bit of a fanboy."

Lloyd, who is currently enjoying a resurgence thanks to the 25th anniversary of Future, begins filming next week in Vancouver and will appear in the show's 10th episode. And while there remains a Fringe-ian veil of secrecy surrounding his actual involvement in the hour's investigation, it's very clear that Nobel is excited to have Marty McFly's bestie coming aboard. "It's a beautiful role and such good casting," he enthuses. "When I read the script I thought 'I hope hey get someone great.' And Christopher Lloyd exceeds my expectations!"

ABC Developing Comedy Produced By & Starring Mark Consuelos And Kelly Ripa

2010-10-20T18:19:00.002-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/abc-developing-comedy-produced-by-starring-mark-consuelos-and-kelly-ripa/

Kelly Ripa is ready for more daytime-primetime double duty with Port Love, a new comedy project at ABC. Ripa and her husband, actor Mark Consuelos, will co-write the story for the project, with Consuelos set to star and Ripa to recur. Both will executive produce through their production company Milojo Prods. Port Love, from ABC Studios, is a workplace comedy set at a formerly popular network series and revolves around the cast and crew who have more backstage drama in their lives than in the actual show they're working on. Jeffrey Hodes and Nastaran Dibai (According to Jim) will co-write the story with Ripa and Consuelos. Hodes and Dibai will write the script and will executive produce with the 2 actors and Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment. Ripa and Consuelos' producing partner Albert Bianchini also is expected to produce the project, which has received script commitment.

In February, Ripa will mark her 10-year anniversary on Live with Regis and Kelly, the veteran syndicated daytime talk show produced by Disney-ABC. She priviously juggled her duties on Live and a primetime comedy series when she starred for 3 seasons on the ABC sitcom Hope & Faith. There she met Hodes and Dibai who did a stint as executive producers. Last development season, Hodes and Dibai created the ABC comedy pilot Funny in Farsi, which the two executive produced with Kaplan. Ripa and Consuelos recently reprised their roles on the long-running soap All My Children in a two-episode arc.

'CSI' showrunner sells crime drama to CBS

2010-10-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/csi-showrunner-sells-crime-drama-31677

"CSI" showrunner Carol Mendelsohn has sold a new crime drama to CBS.

The currently untitled project brings to the small screen a series of suspense novels from author Thomas Perry.

The thrillers star protagonist Jane Whitefield, known to readers in books such as "Vanishing Act." Across six novels, Whitefield is half-white, half-Indian young woman who works as a one-person witness protection program, helping hide people who are in danger.

"Medium" producer Craig Sweeny will serve as writer and executive producer on the script deal, with Mendelsohn as a non-writing executive producer. CBS TV Studios and Carol Mendelsohn Productions will produce.

HBO And Malcolm Gladwell Plot CIA Drama

2010-10-20T09:40:00.002-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/hbo-and-malcolm-gladwell-plot-cia-drama/

After recreating Prohibition era Atlantic City in Boardwalk Empire, HBO is looking to resurrect Cold War era Berlin in a new spy drama project from Boardwalk executive producers Stephen Levinson and Mark Wahlberg, New Yorker writer/best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell and film/TV writer Charles Randolph (The Interpreter). Set in Cold War Berlin, the untitled project, to be written by Randolph, centers on a missionary who becomes involved in the CIA. Gladwell and Randolph, who are friends, had been working on an idea for a spy project when they met with Levinson and Wahlberg who had also been looking to do a spy drama. The four joined forces and took the joint project to HBO where Levinson and Wahlberg have deep ties as producers of 4 series, Boardwalk, Entourage, In Treatment and How to Make It In America. Randolph, Gladwell, Levinson and Wahlberg will all executive produce the new project, which HBO is producing in association with Levinson's Leverage and Wahlberg's Closest to the Hole Prods.

TV Castings: Actors Board FX's 'Alabama', MTV's 'Death Valley', And CW's 'Nikita'

2010-10-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/tv-castings-actors-board-fxs-alabama-mtvs-death-valley-and-cws-nikita/

Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers in Goldmember) and Natahsa Leggero (Last Comic Standing) are set to co-star in the FX pilot Alabama a half-hour comedy co-created by and starring Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon, co-creators and stars of Reno 911! where Sterling had a minor role. Alabama is set a thousand years in the future aboard the United Nations peacekeeping spaceship: The Alabama and begins six years into their seven year mission to maintain peace and enforce treaties between planets in their jurisdiction: Sector 187-G. The show will follow the crew as they visit hostile planets, meet alien life-forms, and try to have sex with each other in their tiny, metal bunk beds. Lennon plays Acting Captain Glen Frenchman, Garant plays #2, a robot who is second in command; DSA-repped Sterling plays Doc, the ships doctor officer; and Leggero, who will guest in the pilot, plays Roxy Sexbot. Also cast in the pilot is Brandon Johnson. Production begins later this month in Los Angeles.

Actor/comedian Bryan Callen (Hangover, How I Met Your Mother) has landed a lead on MTV’s new series Death Valley, a COPS-type mockumentary about the dark comedic adventures of cops in the 'UTF' (Undead Task Force). Callen plays Capt. Jim Dashell... Noah Bean (Damages) has joined CW's freshman series Nikita as a recurring, playing Ryan Fletcher, a CIA case officer & analyst. he is with Gersh and Antrim Street.

Ratings: CBS' Lineup Up

2010-10-20T09:39:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-cbs-lineup-up/

With the biggest show on the night, Fox's Glee, airing a rerun, CBS' veteran 8 PM drama NCIS (4.2/12, 19.1 million viewers) got a 8% boost, which the network carried over to 9 PM where NCIS: Los Angeles (3.9/10, 16 million) was up 11% and 10 PM where The Good Wife (2.6/7, 12.2 million) was up 4%. All 3 dramas won their hours in 18-49 and total viewers and posted CBS' highest 18-49 Tuesday tally since February. ABC's new superhero family drama No Ordinary Family (2.2/6) didn't get a boost from the weakened competition at 8 PM with a Glee repeat but may have found its comfort ratings zone, down just .1 from last week for a new low. At 9 PM, the Dancing with the Stars result show (3.1/8) was down 11% from last week to a season low. Freshman ABC drama Detroit (1.9/5) was up 12% but might have been inflated by a Dancing overrun. NBC's The Biggest Loser (2.5/7) matched its lowest rating of the season, down a fraction from last week. Parenthood was also down .1 at 10 PM to a series low, tying Detroit 187 in the fast nationals. Following Glee (2.0/6) and Raising Hope (1.7/4) repeats, a new Running Wilde (1.2/3) on Fox was down 14%. At CW, One Tree Hill at 8 PM matched season high in women 18-34 (2.0/6).

'Royal Pains' poaches 'Brothers & Sisters' stud Gilles Marini

2010-10-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/19/royal-pains-gilles-marini/

Gilles Marini is taking a little break from shilling skivvies on Brothers & Sisters to boogie down on Royal Pains.

The ex-Dancing with the Stars runner-up has been tapped to guest star in the second-season finale of the USA Network smash. He’ll play Niko, a dance instructor tasked with teaching Divya and Raj the fine art of the tango in the days leading up to their wedding.‬

The second half of Pains‘ sophomore season kicks off Jan. 20.

Rescue Me‘s Will Chase will also appear in the season 2 finale as the founder of an MS organization who makes an intriguing offer to Jill.‬

'Treme' promotes Morse, Ennenga

2010-10-19T13:57:00.001-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/19/treme-promotes-david-morse-india-ennenga/

Expect to see more of David Morse and India Ennenga when Treme returns with its second season next spring. Sources confirm to me exclusively that both actors have been promoted to full-fledged series regulars.

Morse joined the HBO drama midway through season 1 as NOPD Lieutenant Terry Colson. Ennenga, meanwhile, plays the teen daughter of John Goodman’s Creighton.

Treme boss David Simon foreshadowed Morse’s promotion in a recent interview with HitFix.com’s Alan Sepinwall. “It would be very good to have a police POV at the point at which crime erupts, and the federal investigations of the New Orleans Police Department start to compound,” he said. “That would make perfect sense, wouldn’t it?”

Ratings: Status Quo Monday

2010-10-19T12:32:00.003-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-status-quo-monday/

Viewers must have settled into their viewing habits for the fall because one could play "Spot the Difference" with last night's fast nationals and the ones from last Monday -- that's how close they were. Facing similar competition to last week: football on ESPN and baseball on TBS -- broadcast series mostly hung tough after posting across-the-board ratings drops last week, with CBS the only network that saw declines for freshman series last night (albeit pretty modest). That despite the fact that overall TV usage last night was down 2% from last Monday.

On NBC, soon-to-be-picked up for a full season Chuck (1.9/5) as well as just-renewed The Event (2.2/5) were both flat with last week, while Chase (1.6/4), which also nears a back-nine order, was up a tenth. Fox saw little impact from the network's blackout in some 3 million Cablevision homes, with House (3.5/10) down a tenth and Lie to Me (2.0/5) up a tenth from last week. ABC's Dancing with the Stars (3.9/10) was also down a tenth, while Castle (2.7/7) posted an unusually low fast national number that is often inflated by a Dancing overrun. Last week, Castle posted 3.2/8 before getting adjusted down to a 2.7/7 in the finals.

CBS' How I Met Your Mother (3.2/9) was down 6% from its fast national number last Monday. (HIMYM and Two and a Half Men always get a boost in the finals, so comparison to their fast national results is more accurate.) By that measure, Men (4.3/11) matched its fast national rating from last week. Freshman Mike & Molly (3.4/8) as well as veteran Rules of Engagement (2.9/8) were both down a tenth, while Hawaii Five-0's (2.9/8) 6% drop was a bit more worrisome. (Though the show is a big gainer in DVR viewing.) Hawaii Five-0 still won the 10 PM hour but it hit a new low as did Mike & Molly. (CBS' returning series posted season lows.)

It's Official: NBC's 'Chase' & 'Chuck' Get Full-Season Orders, 4 Scripts For 'Undercovers'

2010-10-19T12:32:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/chase-chuck-get-full-season-orders/

It was UMS' pickup day at NBC yesterday when the studio's freshman series The Event, Law & Order: Los Angeles and Outsourced all received back-nine orders. Today is Warner Bros TV's turn. As expected, the studio and NBC closed deals for full-season orders to freshman drama Chase and fan favorite Chuck, now in its fourth season, which I hear received a super-sized 11 episode pickup. (Digital rights issues held up both deals from being announced at the same time as the other pickups yesterday.) Additionally, NBC and Warner Bros. TV have settled on the number of additional scripts for freshman spy drama Undercovers, 4. NBC primetime chief Angela Bromstad pointed to Chase's "potential to grow” and Chuck's loyal, passionate audience. Indeed, last night Chase delivered a small ratings uptick at 10 PM, while Chuck held steady. Both finished last in the hour among the major networks.

It is somewhat remarkable that, despite average to disappointing ratings performance by NBC's freshman class, with the exception of cancelled Outlaw all have been given full-season orders or, in the case of Undercovers, an additional script order. NBC has become the first network to decide the fate of all of its new series. Fox picked up one, Raising Hope, and cancelled one, Lone Star, with comedy Running Wilde still awaiting a decision. Besides canceling My Generation, ABC has been mum as has been ratings leader CBS, which may renew all of its freshman series. CW, which made the first move this fall with script orders to Hellcats as well as veteran One Tree Hill, is yet to followed it up with episodic/more script orders.

ABC Trims 'V' Order To 10 Episodes

2010-10-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/abc-trims-v-order-to-10-episodes/

I hear the order of ABC's sophomore sci-fi drama V is being reduced from 13 to 10 episodes for scheduling reasons. ABC last week announced that V will return January 4 and will air in Dancing with the Stars' result show slot at 9 PM on Tuesdays, following fellow sci-fi drama No Ordinary Family. That gives V a 12-episode window until the spring season premiere of Dancing on March 29, but I hear the period is expected to include 2 preemptions, leading to V's order getting trimmed. Since the series is still filming, V producers will adjust the storyline for a proper season ending.

Pickup Time At NBC: 'Event', 'LOLA' And 'Outsourced' Get Full-Season Orders, 'Chase' Pending, 'Undercovers' Gets More Scripts

2010-10-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/pickup-time-at-nbc-event-lola-and-outsourced-get-full-season-orders-chase-pending-undercovers-gets-more-scripts/

All remaining freshman series on NBC got some good news today. Three, The Event, Law & Order: Los Angeles and Outsourced, have been picked up for the rest of the season with back-nine orders. A similar pickup for Chase is said to be pending, while Undercovers has received an order for additional scripts, said to be about 6. All renewed series, The Event, LOLA and Outsourced, hail from sister studio UMS. Chase is from Warner Bros. TV, and deals with outside studios sometime take longer.

Neither of NBC's new scripted series has broken through and one, legal drama Outlaw, has already been cancelled. But in her statement, NBC's primetime entertainment president Angela Bromstad indicated that the network brass didn't focus on the ratings when making the decision. “We are pleased with the quality of ‘The Event,’ ‘Law & Order: Los Angeles’ and ‘Outsourced,’ and feel they are an important part of helping to re-build our schedule and our studio pipeline,” she said. “We believe in these new series and the creative auspices behind them.”

The Event launched as NBC's most promising new drama with strong premiere week ratings but has been consistently dropping since. (It regularly regains some ground in Live+7 ratings as it is solid DVR performer.) Through Oct. 11, Event has averaged a 3.0/7 in 18-49 and 9.1 million viewers overall. LOLA has had a similar trajectory, with two 20%+ week-to-week declines. Season-to-date, it has averaged a 2.5/7 share in 18-49 and 8.7 million viewers. Outsourced, NBC's newest Thursday night comedy, has averaged a 3.0/8 share in 18-49 and 6.3 million viewers overall.

CBS, which has the highest-rated freshman class this fall, is also expected to make its full-season orders early this week.

St. Elsewhere Vet Guests on Modern Family

2010-10-18T14:04:00.001-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-St-1024427.aspx

Any other St. Elsewhere fans out there? Norman Lloyd, who played hospital veteran Dr. Daniel Auschlander on the Emmy-winning NBC medical drama from 1982-88, will pop up in an upcoming episode of Modern Family. And most impressive of all — Norman turns 96 on Nov. 8!

The story finds Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) befriending the senior citizen in a shopping mall. Where else have you seen Norman, whose first acting credit was a 1939 TV movie titled The Streets of New York? He was in Hitchcock's Saboteur (1942), Spellbound (1945) and went head to head with Robin Williams in 1989's Dead Poets Society. So next time you're feeling too tired to go to work, just think of Norman!

JAG's David James Elliott Returns to CBS on CSI: NY

2010-10-18T14:03:00.002-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/David-James-Elliott-CSINY-1024436.aspx

One of CBS' biggest stars is coming back to the network! David James Elliott, who starred as Cmdr. Harmon "Harm" Rabb, Jr. on JAG from 1995-2005, has been cast on CSI: NY. And it's an awesome role.

David will play Russ Josephson, the ex-husband of Sela Ward's new investigator, Jo Danville. (Expect Jo to crack a joke about being Jo Josephson.) David will debut in an early January episode he is now shooting, and producers tell me there's a possibility he could come back for more.

Russ is not only Jo's ex, he's also the father of their college-aged son, Tyler, and an FBI agent. According to insiders, "their relationship is civil, but Jo still fights his obvious desire to reignite the past." Sounds juicy!

Random Scooplets: A '24' star heads to 'The Event,' pilot intel

2010-10-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/15/random-scooplets-ausiello-spoilers/

* NBC’s The Event — which has been giving off some serious 24 vibes in recent weeks — has tapped one of that show’s stars for a potentially recurring gig. Actress Necar Zadegan, who recurred as the wife of IRK President Omar Hassan during the show’s eighth and final season, will play a mysterious character named Isabelle. It’s probably worth noting that former 24 boss Evan Katz is now an exec producer on The Event. It’s all starting to make sense, right?

* ABC Family has opted not to move forward with Strut, a cast-contingent pilot about a Las Vegas showgirl-turned-drill team instructor. Rumor has it producers were wooing Jenna Elfman for the title role, but Dharma wasn’t interested.

* Tennis legend Jimmy Connors will play himself in an episode of Matthew Perry’s upcoming ABC comedy Mr. Sunshine. Perry’s character Ben challenges his longtime idol to a tennis match—all in the name of charity.

Carol Leifer To Showcase Spec Comedy Script With Live Table Read For TV Buyers

2010-10-18T13:56:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/carol-leifer-to-showcase-her-spec-comedy-script-with-live-table-read-for-tv-buyers/

Veteran comedian and comedy writer Carol Leifer is taking an entrepreneurial approach with her new half-hour spec script Have a Great Day. Instead of pitching it to the networks, the Seinfeld alumna is staging a live table read for network and studio buyers and producers. Leifer has assembled a cast of actors she has worked with on other shows as well as other talent brought in by casting director Tracy Lilienfield (Will & Grace). Starring in Have a Great Day, an ensemble comedy based Leifer’s life as a comedian and comedy writer living in LA with her partner and extended family, are Andy Kindler (Everybody Loves Raymond), Rachael Harris (The Hangover), Kym Whitley (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Emily Rutherfurd (New Adventures of Old Christine), Eric Allan Kramer (Good Luck Charlie) and Valerie Harper. If Have a Great Day is picked up, "it's my hope to retain this cast, subject to their availability," Leifer said. Richie Keen is directing the project, which Leifer describes as a scripted comedy with room for improvisation. Leifer, who appeared on Celebrity Apprentice earlier this year, received an Emmy nomination for her writing work on this year’s Academy Awards. The table read is held by the Collective, which manages Leifer, and Kaplan Stahler Agency, which recently signed her. It will take place November 1 at Acme Comedy Theater.

'Earl' Star Jason Lee To Appear On 'Hope'

2010-10-18T13:55:00.005-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/earl-star-jason-lee-to-appear-on-rasing-hope/

My Name Is Earl star Jason Lee is reuniting with the show's creator Greg Garcia on an upcoming episode of Garcia's new series, Fox's freshman comedy Raising Hope. Lee will guest star as Smokey Daniels, a washed-up rock star who is hired as the lead act at “Grocery-Palooza,” a rock concert at the supermarket where Sabrina (Shannon Woodward) works. Smokey was once Burt’s (Garret Dillahunt) musical idol, and Burt hopes to relive his rock-star years by playing backup for him at the concert. Lee now stars on TNT's Memphis Beat, which was renewed for a second season. Raising Hope was recently picked up for a full season.

'Hawaii Five-0': 'Pacific' beauty is Danny's ex!

2010-10-18T13:55:00.003-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/18/hawaii-five-0-claire-van-der-boom/

Hawaii Five-0 has tapped Aussie actress Claire Van Der Boom (HBO’s The Pacific) to play Rachel, Danny’s (Scott Caan) ex-wife and the mother of their daughter, sources confirm to me exclusively.

Rachel, who pops up in November, is described as well-to-do and extremely witty. She’s also British.

'Chuck' : Full-season pickup?

2010-10-18T13:55:00.001-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/18/chuck-full-season-pick-up/

And now for some Chucking unbelievable news: Chuck is on the verge of receiving a full-season pickup from NBC, sources confirm to me exclusively. Although a Peacock rep declined to comment, insiders tell me the network and Warner Bros. Television are ironing out the final details of the back-nine order as we speak.

Earlier this month, Chuck cocreator Josh Schwartz expressed cautious optimism about his little-show-that-could surviving past its initial order of 13 episodes. “NBC is really happy with it creatively,” he said. “This is Chuck. We never say die.”

Currently in its fourth season, Chuck has become a steady performer for NBC on Mondays at 8 pm. And in this climate, steady is the new up!

Let the celebration begin in the comments section! BTW, Chuck is all new tonight!

ABC Schedules 'V' & 'Skating With The Stars'

2010-10-15T11:15:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/abc-schedules-v-skating-with-the-stars/

ABC today announced premiere dates for the second season of V and the Dancing with the Stars spinoff Skating with the Stars. Skating will slide into Dancing's Monday 8-9:30 PM slot following the conclusion of the current Dancing cycle, while V will air in the Dancing result show time period on Tuesdays 9 PM. Skating will premiere on Nov. 22, airing twice behind Dancing on Mondays at 9 PM before moving to 8 PM on Dec. 6. V returns Jan. 4.

Ratings: Live '30 Rock' Episode Rocks, 'CSI' Up With Digi-novel Crossover

2010-10-15T11:14:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-live-30-rock-episode-rocks-csi-up-with-digi-novel-crossover/

NBC’s 30 Rock got a big boost from its star-studded live episode last night. The episode, which featured appearances by Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Liz Lemon in flashbacks as well as several SNL alums, drew a 3.0/9 in adults 18-49, up 43% from last week and a season high. There was a halo effect on the two series surrounding 30 Rock: its lead-in, Community (2.6/8) was up 22%, its lead-out, The Office (3.7/10), was up 6%. NBC’s gaines stopped at 9:30 PM, with new comedy Outsourced (2.5/7) and The Apprentice (1.3/4) both flat with last week. Outsourced’s retention (68%) dropped below 70% for the first time, while The Apprentice’s days in the high-profile Thursday 10 PM slot have got to be numbered after 3 consecutive weeks at a 1.3.

Promising uptick for freshman CBS comedy $#*! My Dad Says (3.1/9, 10.1 million), which was up 7% from last week in 18-49 despite its lead-in, The Big Bang Theory (4.1/13, 12.5 million) being flat. (Big Bang still dominated the 8 PM half-hour and ranked as No.2 for the night behind ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy in the demo.) CBS’ ratings gains carried over to 9 PM, where CSI (3.1/9, 14.3 million) was up 15% with the introduction of Sqweegel, a CSI-proof serial killer from CSI creator Anthony Zuiker's digi-novel Level 26: Dark Origins, and to 10 PM where The Mentalist (3.3/9, 15 million) was up 10%. CBS won Thursday in both 18-49 (3.3/10) and total viewers (13.5 million) for a fourth straight week.

ABC’s Thursday ratings performance was virtually identical to last week’s. Following a Grey’s repeat (1.1/3), an original Grey’s Anatomy (4.5/12) was down .1 for another first place finish for the night in the demo, while its spinoff Private Practice (3.0/9) at 10 PM was up .1

Ditto for Fox, with Bones (2.6/8) and Fringe (1.9/5) both down a tenth in 18-49 and up a fraction in total viewers. Fringe’s demo tally will go up significantly in Live+7 after the sci-fi drama recently topped the list of DVR gains for premiere week with a 40% ratings boost. Note: CW aired repeats last night.

ABC Developing 'Incredible Hulk' Series

2010-10-14T19:18:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/abc-developing-incredible-hulk-series/

The Incredible Hulk is muscling his way to primetime TV. ABC is in very early stages of development of a live-action series adaptation of the popular Marvel comic book character. There is no writer on board yet with search underway. Marvel, which was acquired by ABC parent Disney last year for $4 billion, started a major push in TV in June with the launch of Marvel Television whose goal was to adapt Marvel characters and stories to the small screen. Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb and his team quickly zeroed in on The Hulk, with rumors of a potential Hulk live-action series first surfacing in mid-summer.

The Hulk is the giant, green, bulked-up and raging alter ego of quiet physicist Bruce Banner that was the result of Banner’s exposure to radiation in a gamma bomb explosion. Banner involuntarily transforms into the Hulk every time he is angry. The previous Incredible Hulk TV series starred Lou Ferrigno in the title role and ran on CBS from 1978-82. The character has also spawned a half-dozen TV movies and an animation series. On the big screen, The Hulk has been very busy lately, headlining two live-action/CGI movies, one with Eric Bana and one with Edward Norton in the title role. In the upcoming movie The Avengers, the Hulk/Banner is played by Mark Ruffalo.

The Hulk is the second major comic book character eyed for a primetime series targeted for next season. Warner Bros. TV and DC Comics are developing a Wonder Woman show with The Practice creator David E. Kelley.

Ask Ausiello 10/13/10

2010-10-14T18:31:00.000-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/13/ask-ausiello-spoilers-ncis-house-glee/

Question: NCIS scoop, please! —Milea
Ausiello: Ziva’s about to get a major rival. Israeli actress/model Sarai Givaty (pictured) has just been cast in a November-sweeps arc as Liat, a Mossad liaison charged with keeping Ziva’s dad out of harm’s way. Before long, Ziva-With-a-Z is feeling replaced both professionally and personally, so she does what any smart, self-confident tough chick would: She has a knock-down, drag-out fight with the new “her.” May the biggest badass win!

Question: What happened with House spoilers? It’s like a desert nowadays! —Milena
Ausiello: There’s at least one significant breakup coming down the pike. (That noise you hear is the sound of Twitter exploding.)

Question: Season’s greetings! Will there be a Christmas Glee episode? —Ryan
Ausiello: Can’t confirm a Christmas episode. I can tell you that something big happens around the holidays, and it may or may not involve a wedding.

Question: Where is Mark Salling? Is he gone permanently? Is it due to his release of a non-Glee album? You have to know something about this, right?! —Missy
Ausiello: Puck up, Missy! Though I dunno whether his absence is a side effect of his decision to work on music that isn’t in the genre of R&Glee, I do know that it’s only temporary. He’ll miss one more episode—the Oct. 26 Rocky Horror Picture Show tribute—but will be back on the air in a big way in early November.

Question: You’ve been skimping on The Vampire Diaries scoop lately. —Katie
Ausiello: No, I haven’t, you’ve just been demanding more, more, more. (And ya know it, too.) Anyway, Damon’s about to get a new lust interest — a fellow vamp named Rose. Who, please, please, please, will be played by Katharine Isabelle (the she-wolf from the Ginger Snaps trilogy).

Question: Will there be closure between you and Ms. Barrett before you leave EW? Something on Ausiello TV, perhaps? —Bryon
Ausiello: I don’t know about closure. But there will be an ending.

Question: Any chance of Blair and Chuck getting back together on Gossip Girl? —Savanna
Ausiello: There’s a pretty good chance of it happening in the next couple weeks, but I have to warn you: It won’t be pretty. Think The War of the Roses meets lots of sex.

Question: I’ve had enough Chuck and Blair spoilers. Please tell me something good about Nate and Serena! —Ilaria
Ausiello: The former lovers attend Blair’s birthday party together, but as friends. Hey, it’s something. In other GG news, ‘memba the peace treaty I told you Nate and Serena get Blair and Chuck to sign? Well, Dan — who stands to benefit from B&C remaining at war — steals it.

Question: I just read the press release for episode 6 of Brothers & Sisters, and it sounds like Scotty cheated on Kevin. Please tell me this is a mistake, because I will be devastated if Kevin and Scotty break up! —Maria
Ausiello: It’s not a mistake. You shouldn’t assume, however, that it leads to a breakup. It’s a little more complicated than that.

Question: The Good Wife is so, um, good this season. What’s coming up? —Mark
Ausiello: Look for a game-changing twist in the hotly contested race for state’s attorney next week.

Question: Mentalist writer Jordan Harper confirmed via Twitter that Mashburn’s coming back! Please investigate this one for us, Ausiello. Mashburn was awesome in last season’s episode “Redline.” He and Jane had some great scenes together. Plus, watching him put the moves on Lisbon was fun. Any chance you can find out why he’s back this time? —Rachel
Ausiello: Let’s ask series creator Bruno Heller. “As the story unfolds, it seems someone is determined to have Mashburn’s blood, and Mashburn is determined to have Lisbon,” he teases. “Someone is going to get their wish.”

Question: Hey! Where’s the Chuck scoop at? —Natalie
Ausiello: It’s right here, silly: The worlds of Chuck and Firefly will collide when Summer Glau guest-stars as Greta next month. “We’re definitely going to get Casey [Adam Baldwin] and her to cross paths,” says exec producer Josh Schwartz, “so there will be a mini-Firefly reunion.”

Question: Got any intel on the new NBC pilot Josh Schwartz is doing with Rachel Bilson, Ghost Angeles? —Nicholas
Ausiello: While it’s true that Bilson’s character communicates with spirits, Schwartz insists it’s “not nearly as similar to Ghost Whisperer as [it sounds].” He describes it simply as a “fun genre-hybrid show.”

Question: Has Melrose Place been canceled? —Diana
Ausiello: That depends. What year are you writing me from?

Question: I think I saw you shopping at Walmart in Lindon, Utah, last week. Or maybe it was your twin. In any event, I think that earns me some scoop from my favorite show, Supernatural. —Abiah
Ausiello: Wait a second — Lindon got a Walmart?! Get out! When the hell did that happen? I’m always the last to know. Here’s a little Supe scoop from this Friday’s Jensen Ackles-directed episode: Longtime voice actor Alan Ackles (a.k.a. Jensen’s pa) has a cameo as a newscaster. We’ll hear the elder Ackles’ voice during a news story that’s playing on TV at Bobby’s house. How much do we love Jensen for throwing a little work his dad’s way?

Question: You haven’t said a word about Undercovers! Breaks my heart, it does. Will they be getting the back-nine treatment or not? —James
Ausiello: Back nine seems like an iffy proposition right now given the show’s low ratings. Personally, I hope it rebounds. I find the two leads immensely appealing. I’m also excited to hear that the show will be sprinkling in a little mythology in the coming weeks. “We’re building to the reveal of why these two were really called back to the agency,” explains exec producer Josh Reims. “And along the way, we get hints about some secret CIA programs, people who aren’t who they say they are, and some facts about Samantha and Steven’s history that turn out not to be exactly what they thought.”

Question: I was kind of surprised that Derek wasn’t angrier at Mer for hiding the fact that she was pregnant and suffered a miscarriage on Grey’s Anatomy. He wasn’t really bothered by it at all. —Tim
Ausiello: Shonda Rhimes defends her decision thusly: “I would have really disliked Derek for being angry at Meredith for failing to tell him that she had a miscarriage on the day that he had been shot. I would have thought he was an ass.”

Question: How long will Jessica Capshaw be off Grey’s Anatomy for her maternity leave? And how will they explain it? —Joanne
Ausiello: Believe it or not, Rhimes expects Capshaw to be MIA for just two episodes. “We’re basically playing it by ear,” she says. “If she needs more [than two episodes], she’ll let me know. She’s not a new mother; she’s done this before. She feels like she’s in great shape and will be physically ready to come back almost immediately. But if she decides she needs some more time, we’re going to give her some more time.” As far as how she’ll be written out, let’s just say that question will be answered in dramatic fashion at the end of the Oct. 28 episode.

Question: Will we ever see Alex happy again on Grey’s Anatomy? —Julia
Ausiello: I don’t know about happy, but we will catch a glimpse of his tender side on Oct. 28 when he channels his inner Justin Bieber while treating a pediatric patient.

Question: Can we get some Private Practice scoop on Addison? Is she gonna have a story line besides her relationship with Sam? —Anna
Ausiello: Addison will play a key role in the upcoming rape story line, since she’s the only one Charlotte initially confides in. “Charlotte isn’t the kind of person who would want the world to know [that she was raped],” explains Rhimes. “And Addison’s a gynecological surgeon, so she needs somebody to help her in that sense. I love the position that it puts Addison in.”

Question: Any Private Practice scoop? —Diane
Ausiello: If the scene where Cooper first lays eyes on a bruised and battered Charlotte seems eerily authentic, here’s why: “The director of the episode didn’t let Paul [Adelstein] see me in the makeup before we shot it,” explains KaDee Strickland. “I literally walked around with a ginormous scarf over me on set. So when Cooper first sees Charlotte, it’s the first time Paul sees her too. I think it’s so awesome to get that natural reaction.”

Question: Can you tell us anything about the CSI episode with Dita Von Teese and what exactly happens between her and Greg? —Courtney
Ausiello: Sure can’t. Would you settle for a little scoopbit from this week’s episode? A recurring character gets killed. There’s also this: Catherine and Nick visit a sex shop as part of an investigation, and we learn that Cath is something of a regular customer.

Question: Will there be any more Annie-and-Jeff or Britta-and-Jeff developments on Community? It’s hard to believe that they’re just wiping the slate clean as if it never happened. What gives? —Becca
Ausiello: I’m surprised you aren’t asking me about Britta and Troy. Oh, wait, you haven’t seen this week’s episode yet. Oops, spoiler alert!

HBO Eyes Tea Leoni Fashion Comedy Pilot

2010-10-14T18:16:00.002-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/hbo-eyes-tea-leoni-fashion-comedy-pilot/

HBO is looking to add more estrogen to its current slate of all-guy comedy series: Entourgage, Eastbound & Down, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Bored to Death, Hung, The Life and Times of Tim and How to Make it America. A new comedy project staring and produced by Tea Leoni is in serious consideration for a pilot pickup at the pay cable network, whose biggest comedy hit was the female-centered Sex and the City. Like Sex and the City, the Tea Leoni comedy, tentatively titled Spring/Fall, also takes place in New York City. It is set against the backdrop of New York's fashion world and stars Leoni as half of a dysfunctional partnership between two women with different approaches to career, family, and friendship. Kate Robin who was a writer/producer on HBO's Six Feet Under, wrote the script. She and Leoni are executive producing Spring/Fall with documentary filmmaker R.J. Cutler, who knows a thing or two about fashion having directed The September Issue documentary last year. Leoni's manager, Jimmy Miller, also executive produces. This is a nice get for HBO: for the past decade, Leoni has been probably the most consistently pursued comedic actress for pilots on broadcast and cable but had declined to return to TV until now. With the exception of a guest spot on her husband's Fox drama The X-Files in 2000, Leoni, repped by UTA and Mosaic, has not done television since the end of her NBC comedy series The Naked Truth in 1998. HBO already has a female-centered comedy series coming out next year: the Mike White/Laura Dern vehicle Enlightened.

HBO Movie 'Too Big To Fail' & Lifetime Pilot 'Against the Wall' Add To Casts

2010-10-14T18:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/hbo-movie-too-big-to-fail-lifetime-pilot-against-the-wall-add-to-casts/

John Heard and Sex and the City alum Evan Handler have joined the cast of the HBO film Too Big to Fail, while Kathy Baker has boarded the Lifetime drama pilot Against the Wall. Directed by Curtis Hanson, Too Big to Fail dissects the 2008 financial crisis and the power brokers who decided the fate of the world's economy as the system teetered on collapse. Heard will play former Lehman Brothers president Joe Gregory, while APA-repped Handler will prortray Lloyd Blankfein, CEO and Chairman of Goldman Sachs. They join a star-studded ensemble cast led by William Hurt, James Woods and Paul Giamatti.

Against the Wall, from Universal Cable Prods., is a family drama set in Chicago which follows policewoman Abby Kowalski (Rachael Carpani), who causes a rift with her three cop brothers when she decides to join the department’s Internal Affairs division. Baker will play Abby's mother, a Chicago cop's wife, "a gem" who "loves her kids, God and husband, in that order." Treat Williams was recently cast to play the father. Michael Fresco has come on board to direct the pilot. He replaces Dean Parisot who pulled out following the death of his wife, Sally Menke.

Ratings: 'Defenders' Rebounds While 'Law & Order: LA' Drops Big Again

2010-10-14T18:15:00.002-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-defenders-rebounds-while-law-order-la-drops-big-again/

There were big swings at 10 PM on a otherwise pretty uneventful Wednesday night. After declining for 2 consecutive weeks and last Wednesday logging CBS' lowest-rated original telecast in the hour in 7 years last week, the network's new light legal drama The Defenders (2.5/7, 9.9 million viewers overall) bounced back, up 14% from last week among adults 18-49 and winning its time slot in the demo for the first time. CBS' series may have benefitted from having less legal drama competition in the 10 PM hour last night. ABC preempted its new court drama The Whole Truth to air a 20/20 special on the Chilean miners rescue (1.8/5, 6.2 million). The newsmagazine improved on The Whole Truth's last week ratings performance in the time slot by 29% in 18-49, logging ABC's largest audience in the hour in 10 months. Meanwhile, things look grim for NBC's new crime drama Law & Order: Los Angeles (1.9/6), which was down 21% from last week, following last week's 25% drop from the series' premiere. LOLA has not been helped by the fact that its lead-in, veteran Law & Order: SVU (2.2/6), has also been dropping fast, down another 15% last night. Meanwhile, the network's new spy drama Undercovers (1.5/4) seems to have stopped the bleeding, flat with last week but only .1 ahead of CW's America's Next Top Model in the 8PM hour. Other highlights from last night:

Fox's reality series Hell's Kitchen (3.1/9) marked its 100th episode with another solid performance last night, down a fraction from last week and leading the network to a second place finish for the night in the demo, .1 behind CBS.

ABC's Modern Family (4.7/13) was up a fraction from last week to post its second-highest demo rating ever. Also up, by 9%, was Cougar Town (3.2/9), while the 8-9 PM ABC comedies were both down, The Middle (2.4/8, -4%) and new sitcom Better with You (2.1/6), which slipped -9% after a promising ratings uptick last week.

CBS's Survivor Nicaragua (3.7/11, 12.1 million) and Criminal Minds (3.5/9, 13.8 million) were both virtually flat with last week. CBS nabbed its fourth consecutive Wednesday win this season in both 18-49 and total viewers.

CW's America's Next Top Model (1.5/5 in adults 18-34, 3 million) hit cycle highs in all key demos and total viewers. New cheerleading drama Hellcats (1.1/3, 2 million) was pretty much even with last week.

3 ABC Series Get Additional Script Orders

2010-10-14T18:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/3-abc-series-get-additional-script-orders/

Good news for ABC freshman No Ordinary Family -- the supernatural family drama just received an order for 4 additional scripts from the network, the only new fall ABC series to get such an order. The network also picked up 4 more scripts from veteran Sunday family drama Brothers & Sisters, which was given a reduced 18-episode order in May but has performed solidly in the ratings this fall. The third ABC series to get an additional script order is Shonda Rhimes/Jenna Bans' midseason medical drama Off the Map with one extra script picked up. Additional script pickups are usually a precursor to firm episodic orders. The script order to No Ordinary Family is not surprising as the Greg Berlanti-produced drama has emerged as ABC's most promising hourlong fall series, mostly because the others have all struggled mightily. It is somewhat surprising that new ABC comedy Better with You is not on the list. It has been the lowest-rated member of ABC's Wednesday comedy block but has shown some promise. As for the script orders to both Brothers & Sisters and Off the Map, ABC might be considering a new plan for the launch of the latter. Originally, the show was supposed to premiere behind Desperate Housewives just like Rhimes' first ABC medical drama, Grey's Anatomy, did almost 6 years ago, while Brothers & Sisters takes a break (thus the show's reduced order). But if the 4 additional scripts for Brothers & Sisters and the one for Off the Map all get converted to episodic orders, ABC may end up with too many originals for the Sunday 10 PM slot.

The CW orders more 'Life Unexpected'

2010-10-14T18:14:00.002-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/14/the-cw-orders-more-life-unexpected/

Sources confirm that Life Unexpected has received an order for two additional scripts. The second-year CW drama—which received an initial order of 13 episodes—hit a season high in total viewers (1.7 million) this week. ABC, meanwhile, has ordered four more No Ordinary Family scripts. Brothers & Sisters also received a four script pickup.

Wentworth Miller eyeing 'Spartacus'?

2010-10-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/14/wentworth-miller-eyeing-spartacus/

I’m hearing ex-Prison Break con Wentworth Miller has expressed interest in taking over the title role in Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

As I reported last week, the Starz series — which briefly considered “closing up shop” after leading man Andy Whitfield dropped out to resume treatment for his Non-Hodgkin lymphoma — is moving forward with the recast option.

But is Miller right for the part? Since his Fox series wrapped, he’s been largely out of the limelight. And when he has been spotted, he hasn’t quite been the picture of buffness that the sand-and-sandals epic demands. Of course, that’s nothing a month or two with a personal trainer couldn’t fix. Your thoughts?

Personally, while I’m kinda psyched that the actor — who’ll always be Popular cheerleader Adam to some of us — is finally ready to get back in the game, he doesn’t seem quite right for Sparty. My first pick remains True Blood‘s ill-fated Cooter, Grant Bowler.

ABC Wants 'Romeo & Juliet' Series And Maybe 'Twilight' Helmer Catherine Hardwicke

2010-10-13T21:00:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/abc-developing-romeo-juliet-series-with-catherine-hardwicke-possibly-directing/

After ordering contemporary versions of Romeo & Juliet set in New York and Chicago the last two pilot seasons, ABC is going for the real thing this year, picking up for development a retelling of William Shakespeare's classic tale set in Renaissance Verona. Catherine Hardwicke, who directed the feature adaptation of another story about star-crossed lovers belonging to clans that are at odds with each other, Twilight, is in talks to direct the potential Romeo & Juliet pilot in what would mark her TV directorial debut. Feature producers Todd Garner (Paul Blart: Mall Cop, the upcoming The Zookeeper) and Wyck Godfrey & Marty Bowen (the Twilight franchise, Dear John) are behind the series adaptation, which is being written by World Trade Center scribe Andrea Berloff. Romeo & Juliet, which is produced by ABC Studios, follows the famous love story while also pealing away the curtain on the impetuous, incestuous, bloody and violent relationships during the Renaissance in Verona. In addition to Garner, Godfrey and Bowen, Sean Robin will also executive produce the project.

While period dramas are in fashion with AMC's Mad Men, HBO's Boardwalk Empire; AMC's pilot Hell on Wheels, TNT's Hollywood & Vine as well as ABC's own 1960s Pan Am drama in development, costume dramas have been harder for the networks to pull off. Coincidentally, Showtime, which has been successful in the arena with The Tudors, is prepping The Borgias, a drama series which, like Romeo & Juliet, is set in Renaissance Italy. This is not the first Shakespeare work that Hardwicke would be tackling. The director, now in post-production on Red Riding Hood, has also been attached to direct Emile Hirsch in a possible feature adaptation of the Bard's play Hamlet. She has proven she understands teen angst with Twilight as well as her breakthrough directorial debut, Thirteen. Romeo & Juliet would reunite Hardwicke with Godfrey and Bowen who have produced two of her feature directorial efforts, Twilight and The Nativity Story.

The pickup of Romeo & Juliet, which has received a script order, follows ABC's pilot orders to Matadors this past season and Empire State the year before. Both were contemporary takes on the Shakespeare classic: Matadors was about 2 long-feuding Chicago families who battle against each other as one populates the DA's office and the other manages the city's most influential private law firm, while Empire State was about a blue-collar family and a wealthy one who collide over a Romeo and Juliet-style romance in Manhattan. And the year before, in 2008, ABC ordered to pilot The Prince of Motor City, a gothic, family melodrama with overtones of Hamlet set in contemporary Detroit. There have been about 40 major screen adaptations of Romeo and Juliet, interestingly, none of them a TV series. The notable big-screen efforts include Baz Luhrmann's 1996 MTV-style Romeo + Juliet starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, and the one I grew up with, the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli film featuring Nino Rota's haunting score.

Fox picks up reverse ‘Three’s Company’

2010-10-13T14:02:00.000-07:00

http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/10/fox-picks-up-reverse-threes-company.html

"Stayed tuned after 'American Idol' for the series premiere of 'Chicks and Dicks.'"

OK, so Fox will use a different title. But the network has just picked up a premium script for a new comedy that once had this rather provocative name.

Now chastely dubbed the "Untitled Liz Meriwether Project," the script is described as a "reverse 'Three's Company'" from screenwriter Meriwether and produced by 20th Century Fox TV in association with Chernin Entertainment. Executive producers include Meriwether, Peter Chernin and Katherine Pope.

The show is an ensemble comedy about an optimistic Midwestern woman who moves into a New York City apartment with three rather juvenile guys.

The WME-repped Meriwether has a humorously consistent track record for PG-13 project names.

She previously sold a TV pilot called "Sluts," developed a feature at Paramount called "Honey Pot" and wrote the Ivan Reitman-directed romantic comedy "Friends With Benefits" (original title: "Fuckbuddies").

'Lost' boys developing top secret project

2010-10-13T14:01:00.003-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/13/lost-kitsis-horowitz-lindelof-fairytale/

In what is sure to be one of the hottest properties of the rapidly approaching pilot season, former Lost executive producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz are developing a fairy-tale-themed drama series. Oh, and they’re getting a little help from—stop me if you’ve heard of this guy—Damon Freakin’ Lindelof!

Here’s what I know right this second…

Kitsis and Horowitz are getting ready to pitch the project to ABC Studios, where the two currently have an overall deal. If it gets a green light, Lindelof—who also has a deal at ABC—will serve as a consultant.

So what is this thing? Good question. The only additional intel I’ve been able to glean from my sources is that it will have a female lead. (Paging Sarah Michelle Gellar… )

Based on the pedigree alone, I’m going to declare it the breakout hit of the 2011-12 TV season.

'Private Practice' important incident

2010-10-13T14:01:00.001-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/13/private-practice-confronts-rape/

So…you know that dark, tragic tale I told you was coming down the pike on Private Practice? The top secret plot you’ve been begging me to give you more info on? Well, be careful what you wish for: At the end of the ABC drama’s Oct. 28 episode, Charlotte King—the tightly wound doctor played by KaDee Strickland—will be attacked and raped by a deranged patient (Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Nicholas Brendon). The incident kicks off a major season-long story line that will touch every character on the show. “A lot of violence against women on television is from the point of view of law enforcement,” points out executive producer Shonda Rhimes, “as opposed to standing in the shoes of the actual victim and seeing how it is for them and the people around them.” To that end, the Nov. 4 episode will be unlike any previous hour of Private in that it will revolve solely around the immediate aftermath of the attack. “It takes place all in one night, and it’s [set] almost entirely in the hospital,” reveals Rhimes, who penned the episode. “And there’s almost no music. It’s a fairly silent episode. It’s a compelling, painful episode. The work KaDee did in it was amazing.” Speaking of Strickland, what does she think about all of this? In the following interview, the actress reveals her surprising reaction upon first learning of the story line, explains why she didn’t use a stunt double while shooting the assault, and assesses the long-term fallout for Charlotte and Cooper.

What went through your mind when Shonda presented the story to you?
KADEE STRICKLAND: I was thrilled. I was so on board. It’s funny, we were at a table read and I gave Shonda my usual hug and “What’s up?” and she said, “I’m going to do something with your character this season, and it’s huge and you’ll know soon.” And I’m like, “Are you kidding me?” Once she saw the look on my face, she said, “We are going to have Charlotte be raped this season. Are you okay with that?” And my response was “Hell, yes. Let’s do it. Let’s go. I’m in.”

Why were you so enthusiastic about it?
STRICKLAND: There’s something wonderful about playing a character for four years and then having her completely turned on her head. Creatively, it’s a real gift for an actor. I also knew that this would reach so many people who have either experienced it or have been close to people who have experienced it. The only thing I said was that we have to get it right. And Shonda was totally on board with that.

Talk to me about the Nov. 4 episode.
STRICKLAND: It was amazing. It’s a page-turner. It doesn’t feel like our show—and I don’t say that with any negativity toward our show. It almost feels like a movie in some ways, because it takes place in one night.

Rape stories are a dime a dozen on TV these days. How will this one be different?
STRICKLAND: I think what you’ll find different about this is that Shonda poured her heart and soul into getting it as accurate as possible. And it is. I mean, it’s legitimately very accurate. We worked very closely with RAINN [Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network] on this. Also, we in no way are going to let this thing go away in four episodes. Charlotte will live with this for as long as she’s a character on Private Practice.

Over the past three seasons, Charlotte has been slowly tearing down the walls she built up around her. She’s less closed off than she was in the beginning. Is she going to revert to old Charlotte now?
STRICKLAND: It’s a shifting thing. And that’s the other thing that’s so great about this; no one responds to rape in the typical fashion. And that’s the one thing that I learned in doing my homework. I spoke to survivors on [nearly] a daily basis. Also, this is a very violent rape. It’s a very brutal attack. So yes, you will see those walls go up. She’s in denial at first. She is not accepting of what has happened, and she is trying very hard to act as if it didn’t.

Did you use a stunt double while shooting the assault?
STRICKLAND: No way. I wasn’t letting anybody else step into those shoes. I would’ve been heartbroken if anyone suggested it. We had a great stunt coordinator, and we gave [Nicholas Brendon] full permission to go for it. I didn’t want to act around it and play around with it. I wanted to make it as realistic as possible.

Did you get injured?
STRICKLAND: Yeah, a little bit. It was really safe, but I definitely wasn’t unscathed. And I don’t think [Nicholas] was either. Let’s just say that the day after, the makeup artists had a few legitimate bruises to cover up.

I’m assuming this will derail Charlotte and Cooper’s wedding plans.
STRICKLAND: Well, it is Shonda-land. But I think derailing things with something like this is a lot more interesting than [one of us having] an affair or [getting] cold feet. This is very real. Do I think the wedding is off? I don’t. I think that you’re going to see Charlotte and Cooper as you’ve never seen them before. And you will see sides of Cooper you’ve never seen before. I love working with Paul [Adelstein]. Charlotte leans into Cooper in a way that I don’t think she ever has in the history of the show.

I understand Addison is the only person Charlotte confides in about the actual rape. I’m guessing that will bring those two characters closer together.
STRICKLAND: I love what it does to my dynamic with Addison. She is our hero, and it’s really fascinating what they’ve given us here. It’s a different dynamic than we have gotten to play together.

For more on this sure-to-be-groundbreaking story, check out Ask Ausiello tomorrow. And to learn more about RAINN, call 800.656.HOPE.

Ratings: CBS Dramas Inch Up, 'No Ordinary Family' & 'Running Wilde' Slip

2010-10-13T13:59:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-cbs-dramas-inch-up-no-ordinary-family-running-wilde-slip/

Things seem to be settling down on Tuesdays, with most series reaching their ratings comfort zones. After across-the-board declines last Tuesday, last night all but 2 shows stayed very close to their last week's averages and, in some cases, bounced back. That includes the entire CBS lineup as all of the network's dramas went up a notch. CBS tied Fox for the the top spot on Tuesday for first time this season, expanding the network's nightly winning streak this fall from Wednesday-Friday to Tuesday-Friday. (CBS is also breathing down ABC's neck on Monday, finishing .1 behind this week.) NCIS(3.9/11, 19 million viewers), NCIS:LA (3.5/9, 16.1 million) and The Good Wife (2.6/7, 11.8 million) all went up .1 rating point from last week, with NCIS:LA and The Good Wife winning their hours in 18-49 and NCIS once again drawing the largest audience for the night (and probably for the week, football excluded.) CBS averaged a 3.3/9 in 18-49 and 15.6 million viewers, tying Fox in 18-49 for No.1 and winning outright in total viewers.

The two series, both freshman, that posted double-digit drops last night were ABC drama No Ordinary Family and Fox comedy Running Wilde. In its third week on the air, No Ordinary Family (2.3/6) was down 15%. Vs. last week's fast nationals, it was down 12%, which is a more accurate comparison since the superhero family drama added .1 in the finals in each of its first 2 airings. The Dancing with the Stars result show (3.4/9) featuring the dismissal of Jersey Shore star Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, was up .1. New drama Detroit 1-8-7 (1.8/5) was virtually flat. Last week, it posted a 1.8 in the fast nationals, before dropping to 1.7 in the finals, something it may do again over a possible Dancing overrun.

Fox's Glee (4.6/13) was even with last week and will probably pull ahead by .1 in the finals judging by the pattern from the past few weeks. It was once again the top-rated program on Tuesday among adults 18-49. Raising Hope (2.6/7) was also virtually even with last week when the recently renewed new comedy posted a 2.6/7 in the fast nationals before adjusting down to a 2.5. Fellow freshman Running Wilde (1.5/4) was down 17% from its fast national result last week, which also went down .1 in the finals.

After a declining streak since its season premiere, NBC's The Biggest Loser (2.6/7) seems to have found the bottom, bouncing back with .1 uptick in 18-49 from last week. Parenthood (2.0/5) slipped .1 from last week, finishing second at 10 PM. The show is a big DVR gainer, recently adding 37% to its premiere week tally. NBC finished fourth on the night in both viewers and 18-49.

Endangered CW sophomore drama Life Unexpected showed spunk for a second consecutive week. Its One Tree Hill crossover episode last night drew the show's biggest audience this season (1.7 million) and matched its 18-34 high (1.0/3).

'Greek' farewell season begins Jan. 3

2010-10-12T19:48:00.001-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/12/greek-farewell-season-begins-jan-3/

Greek fans, it’s time to start preparing your goodbyes: Sources confirm that my favorite ABC Family series ever will kick off its 10-episode final season on Monday, Jan. 3 at 9 p.m. New episodes of Pretty Little Liars will lead into Greek at 8 p.m.

Mild Greek/PLL spoilers (courtesy of ABC Family) can be found after the jump.

Pretty Little Liars: The mystery and ominous messages continue for best friends Emily Fields, Spencer Hastings, Hanna Marin and Aria Montgomery. No longer just threatening to reveal secrets, the all-knowing “A” has stepped up the game and nothing is off limits in the second half of the first season. And while they work hard to protect what they know, the four girls are also on the hunt to learn the truth about what happened to Alison the night she disappeared. But when those truths start to come out, will the Liars be prepared for what they must face when new secrets are revealed?

Greek: The storylines turn to the post-graduation experience for Casey, Ashleigh and Evan, while the undergrads must continue to deal with life on campus. Die-hard fans will be treated to throw-back references from past seasons. Returning guest stars include Charisma Carpenter, Sam Page, Martha MacIsaac, Nora Kirkpatrick, and Tiffany Dupont.

'Brothers & Sisters': Richard Chamberlain joins the cast as... Saul's ex?

2010-10-12T19:47:00.003-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/12/brothers-sisters-richard-chamberlain/

Another skeleton is about to come tumbling out of Saul’s closet on Brothers & Sisters, and this one is fairly iconic: It’s Dr. Kildare himself, Richard Chamberlain!

The 76-year-old acting vet is joining the ABC drama for a multi-episode arc as “someone who comes back from Saul’s past and complicates things for him in ways he can’t expect,” reveals B&S showrunner David Marshall Grant.

The news comes as Chamberlain is enjoying a bit of a career renaissance. In addition to guest-starring on Leverage earlier this year, Mr. Miniseries (The Thorn Birds, Shogun) recently booked an arc on NBC’s Chuck. The latter gig finds him playing a ruthless international spy who becomes one of Operation Bartowski’s most dangerous foes yet.

Assuming Chamberlain is in fact playing a love interest for Saul (it’s possible they’re just pals!), this would be the second high profile romance for Ron Rifkin’s character this fall. In this Sunday’s episode, former 7th Heaven reverend Stephen Collins guest stars as an old acquaintance who makes a love connection with Saul.

'Nikita' getting a 'slight tweak'

2010-10-12T19:47:00.001-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/12/nikita-getting-a-slight-tweak/

The CW is giving Nikita a chill pill.

Five episodes into its rookie season, the Maggie Q-fronted action drama is undergoing some routine maintenance. Specifically, The CW is looking to lighten the show’s somber mood and jack up its title character’s love life.

The goal? To boost viewership in the network’s sweet spot: young females. While Nikita is off to a solid start among total viewers, it’s losing a huge chunk of the core women 18-34 demo from its Vampire Diaries lead-in. Season-to-date, Nikita is maintaining 94 percent of Diaries‘ overall audience but is squandering an alarming 54 percent of the 18-34 crowd. This could be one reason why the net has yet to give the show a back-nine order. (Ironically, where Nikita is performing particularly well is among horny straight males over 40.)

“We’re really only talking about some slight tweaks,” maintains a source. “The core of Nikita will not change.”

Among said tweaks is the introduction of several new characters, including a confidant and potential love interest for Nikita who’s described as a clean-cut, all-American CIA case officer. “Moms want to marry off their daughters to this kid,” reads the casting notice. “But he’s too busy saving the world.”

Reps for The CW and Warner Bros. Television declined to comment for this story.

Thoughts? Do you agree that Nikita, while a solid show, could stand to cheer up? Sound off below!

Robert De Niro, Richard Price sell cop drama to CBS

2010-10-12T13:47:00.003-07:00

http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/10/robert-de-niro-richard-price-cbs.html

Actor Robert De Niro and gritty crime writer Richard Price are teaming for a new police drama at CBS.

The duo have sold a script to the network for "Rookies," about a team of six freshman cops who are sent into high-crime trouble spots.

De Niro's Tribeca Productions and CBS TV Studios is set to produce the drama. Both De Niro and Price are executive producers.

Price is best known to TV crime fans for his work on HBO's "The Wire," though also wrote films such as "The Color of Money," "Ransom" and "Clockers" (based on his novel). Price and De Niro previously teamed on the film "Mad Dog & Glory."

De Niro's company made an overall deal with CBS two years ago. Last year, the actor developed a drama series at Showtime.

The deal gives CBS another potential crime procedural to add to its successful lineup of shows like "Criminal Minds" and "The Mentalist." Price's usual street-savvy style is more intense than typical CBS fare, which could bring some edge to the network.

Ratings: Broadcast Series Drop Against Football And Baseball On Cable

2010-10-12T13:38:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/ratings-rat-race-broadcast-series-drop-against-football-and-baseball-on-cable/

It's no longer carried by a broadcast network, but Monday Night Football continues to wreak havoc on the broadcasters' Monday lineups. Last night's Minnesota Vikings vs. NY Jets on ESPN as well as the MLB playoffs on TBS (Braves vs. Giants) were probably responsible for some of the ratings declines on the major networks which continue as we enter Week 4 of the season.

NBC's The Event (2.2/5) was down 8% from last week, finishing third in the 9 PM hour and posting its lowest rating to date. That is in no way a good number for a high-end drama like The Event. But on the positive side, the show has been logging significant DRV numbers (27.8% increase in Live+7 numbers for premiere week), it is still running ahead of last season's slot occupant Trauma (1.8) and posted the lowest week-to week decline among freshman series last night. Chase at 10 PM did a 1.5/4 in 18-49, down 12% from last week. That's below the 1.6 rating NBC logged in the hour with the Jay Leno Show a year ago. Meanwhile, Chuck (1.9/5) at 8 PM held steady from last week.

There was a clear divide between the declines for new and returning series on CBS last night: they were small for veterans and larger for rookies. How I Met Your Mother (3.4/9) at 8 PM was down 3%, followed by Rules of Engagement (3.0/8, flat) and Two and a Half Men (4.3/10, down 4% for the comedy's lowest-rated fall telecast). Mike & Molly (3.5/9) was down 10% for a still-excellent 81% hold, while Hawaii Five-0 (3.1/8) was down 11% and lost the hour to Castle in the fast nationals but is expected to come out on top when final ratings are released. Like The Event, Hawaii Five-0 is a major DVR draw, getting a 28.2% ratings bump in Live+7 ratings for premiere week.

ABC's fast nationals were inflated by NFL coverage in Minneapolis. Dancing with the Stars (4.1/10) was down 5%, while Castle (3.2/8) currently runs 23% higher than last week but its numbers were double-inflated by football preemption and Dancing overrun.

Both Fox dramas, House (3.6/10) and Lie to Me (1.9/5), were down 10% from last week.

What Big Screen Villain is Playing a Janitor on Modern Family?

2010-10-11T18:16:00.001-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-Big-1024087.aspx

An upcoming episode of ABC's Modern Family will find Claire (Julie Bowen) taking on the feared janitor at Luke and Manny's school. And who better to evoke dread than feature film character actor Danny Trejo, who has killed countless onscreen? Danny, a reformed drug addict who was in and out of the slammer for 11 years, most recently terrorized moviegoers as the title character of the Robert Rodriguez-directed movie, Machete.

The Modern Family episode finds Claire in charge of an upcoming school dance at the boys' school. While all the other moms are afraid of Danny's menacing janitor, fearless Claire forms an unlikely bond with the guy. And then he chops her up with a machete. Joking!

Which Magician Will Magically Appear on The Defenders?

2010-10-11T18:09:00.003-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-Magician-1024116.aspx

One of Las Vegas' most popular showmen has been cast in a bewitching role on CBS's The Defenders. Penn Jillette, currently appearing at the Rio Hotel with his silent partner Teller, will play a colorful Sin City magic shop owner/magic scholar named Reuben Charles in the Nov. 11 episode. He gets wrapped up with the Defenders when they take on a case involving Las Vegas' most famous magician, a David Copperfield-like phenom intent on protecting his secrets.

"We're thrilled to work with Penn," says executive producer Greg Walker. "He's an amazing magician and wildly intelligent. I've been a fan for years and the instant the role came up, I thought of him. He's everything we look for in our show — he's the real Vegas deal."

The 6' 6½" personality has appeared on many series in the past, including Just Shoot Me, Home Improvement, Dharma & Greg, Friends and The Drew Carey Show. Cool casting, but I won't be totally happy until Carrot Top lands a part on this show. Anyone who has seen that guy's show would want to hire an attorney immediately!

Smallville's Lois Becomes Isis!

2010-10-11T18:09:00.001-07:00

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-Smallvilles-1024207.aspx

Smallville may make us wait until the bitter end to see Tom Welling in his Superman suit, but on the October 22 episode we'll get to see Lois costumed as another Superfriend. An ancient artifact transforms the reporter into the Egyptian goddess Isis, who has powers that rival both Clark's and Green Arrow's.

"She's thousands of years old," says Erica Durance, whose Lois has previously dressed as a gladiator, French maid and dominatrix. "The guys just kind of look at me now and laugh."

In the episode, Isis attempts to sacrifice Clark and use his body as a vessel to revive her mummified lover Osiris, while Daily Planet reporter Cat comes to suspect Lois is the Blur. On the November 12 episode, Teri Hatcher, who played Lois on the 1990s version Lois & Clark, appears as Lois' dead mom in a videotaped message.

"Lois is dealing with how she fits into Clark's life now that she knows his secret, so [viewing the tape] helps her," says Erica. Adds Teri, "I'm at a place where I feel a lot of sentimental attachment to that character, to the show, to the genre of that timeless story, so I was really flattered that they asked."

'Brothers & Sisters' hooks Ryan Devlin up with Calista Flockhart!

2010-10-11T18:07:00.001-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/11/brothers-sisters-ryan-devlin/

Someone over at ABC has a serious crush on Ryan Devlin.

As if employing the in-demand actor on Grey’s Anatomy (as Mandy Moore’s hubby) and Cougar Town (as Busy Philipps’ beau) wasn’t enough, the Alphabet net is adding him to the Brothers & Sisters payroll too!

Devlin has been cast as a fun, smart, and precocious grad student in Kitty’s (Calista Flockhart) law class. Rumor has it little Ms. Grieving Widow will take a, um, special interest in Devlin’s character.

He’s set to appear in at least four episodes of the ABC drama.

I’d say Devlin has rebounded rather nicely since getting dropped from CBS’ smelly $#*! My Dad Says, wouldn’t you?

It's Official: NBC axes 'Outlaw'

2010-10-11T18:06:00.001-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/11/its-official-nbc-axes-outlaw/

NBC has officially pulled the plug on Jimmy Smits’ struggling rookie procedural Outlaw. The Friday-night legal drama, which was already on a production hiatus, will be replaced by a second hour of Dateline. The final four episodes will air Saturdays at 8 pm beginning this week. Any questions?

'Lost' star Perrineau finds 'Whole Truth'

2010-10-11T18:05:00.001-07:00

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/11/harold-perrineau-whole-truth/

Former Lost castaway Harold Perrineau is returning to ABC—for one week anyway: The actor has booked a guest stint on The Whole Truth, sources confirm to me exclusively.

Perrineau will play Paul Braun, a psychic who leads the NYPD to the body of a young woman. This apparently isn’t the first time Braun has helped the police locate a dead body, but this is the first time he becomes the prime suspect.

The gig reunites Perrineau with his former Oz costar (and Truth regular) Eamonn Walker.

Truth has struggled to find an audience on Wednesdays at 10 PM, although the Maura-Tierney-Rob Morrow drama did post a nice increase last week. Is that momentum I smell? Well is it?!

Fox Orders 2 New Animated Comedy Series

2010-10-11T13:25:00.001-07:00

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/fox-orders-2-new-animated-comedy-series/

Fox has picked up two animated series eyed for next season, Napoleon Dynamite, an adaptation of the hit 2004 indie movie, and Allen Gregory, co-written and executive produced by Jonah Hill. Both series are produced by 20th Century Fox TV; Allen Gregory is a co-production with studio-based Chernin Entertainment. The order to Napoleon Dynamite is for 6 episodes, while Allen Gregory has been picked up for 7 episodes. Both projects originated as presentations.

The original cast of Napoleon Dynamite led by Jon Heder is back to voice the animated series, which follows the misadventures of an awkward high school teenager and his quirky friends as they struggle to navigate life in rural Idaho. The film's writers Jared Hess, who also directed it, and Jerusha Hess wrote the adaptation with The Simpsons veteran Mike Scully. All 3 are executive producing.

Allen Gregory's title character is the world’s most celebrated seven-year-old who embarks on the greatest challenge of his life: attending elementary school with regular kids. Hill co-wrote the script with Yes Man co-writers Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul. The three are executive producing with Peter Chernin and Katherine Pope.

The sizes of the orders to Napoleon Dynamite (6 eps) and Allen Gregory (7 eps) are unusual as they represent one regular 13-episode order split in 2. I hear the shows' producers are not particularly thrilled because animated series with such short orders are more difficult to staff and more expensive to make. Also, in success, the small pickups will lead to a pretty large production gap between the initial and the back orders. Fox has a new animated series on deck for midseason, Bob's Burgers.