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http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/chaos-creator-tom-spezialy-sets-new-project-at-cbs-with-blind-script-deal/
Chaos creator Tom Spezialy is getting another shot at CBS. In the aftermath of the implosion of the CBS/20th Century Fox TV deal for a midseason order to Chaos last week, the network has inked a blind script pact with Spezialy for a new project. But this time, the project is set up at CBS TV Studios.
After five weeks of negotiations between CBS and Chaos producer 20th TV, the CIA drama pilot directed by Brett Ratner was on the verge of a 13-episode order before the deal collapsed when the options on the actors were allowed to expired last week after two not-vertically-integrated companies couldn't agree on terms. CBS, which has expressed faith in Spezialy, is looking to avoid that this time around by setting Spezialy’s new show at its sister studio. Ironically, Chaos too came out of a blind script deal Spezialy had at 20th TV last season.
http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/hot-in-cleveland-renewed-for-season-2/
TV Land has picked up Hot in Cleveland for a second season some 3 episodes into the breakout sitcom's freshman run. The cable network has ordered 20 new episodes, which will begin production in the fall with a launch tentatively scheduled for January 2011. Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and Betty White will return as regulars on the show, created/showrun by Suzanne Martin and executive produced by Martin and Hazy Mills Prods.' Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner. “We are so excited that Hot in Cleveland was embraced by viewers in such a big way,” said TV Land president Larry W. Jones. “We absolutely love the show and can’t wait to see what hilarious new experiences these characters will encounter in the next 20 episodes.”
Fueled by the enormous popularity of White, Hot in Cleveland, TV Land' first original scripted series, drew 4.8 million viewers in its June 16 debut, making network history as TV Land's highest-rated and most-watched telecast ever. The ratings have gone down since but the series is still a solid performer, delivering 4.7 million cume total viewers per episode so far. Additionally Hot in Cleveland was recently acquired by Endemol for global distribution. The show already successfully premiered in Canada on July 5. (That was kind of expected as Cleveland is a border town.) Hot in Cleveland revolves around three fabulous best friends from LA (Bertinelli, Leeves, Malick) who start a new life in Cleveland, renting a house that came with a feisty caretaker (White). The quartet recently made a video plea to NBA star LeBron James to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/patrick-j-adams-to-star-in-a-legal-mind-mark-pellegrino-joins-being-human/
Patrick J. Adams has been cast as the lead on USA Network’s pilot A Legal Mind. Meanwhile Lost and Supernatural alum Mark Pellegrino has landed a leading role on the SyFy series Being Human.
A Legal Mind centers on Mike Ross (Adams), a brilliant but unmotivated college student who gets recruited by a top Manhattan corporate law firm despite not being a lawyer. He has to use his book and street smarts and hustling skills to keep the charade. This marks a pretty nice rebound for Adams who landed the lead on the pilot for NBC’s comedy series Friends With Benefits but was recast shortly before the pilot went into production. Adams, whose pilot credits also include Good Behavior and The Dealership, is repped by Gersh and Generate.
Based on the British series, Being Human centers on three mismatched twenty-something roommates, Aidan (Sam Witwer), a vampire, Josh, a werewolf and Sally (Meaghan Rath), a ghost. Pellegrino will play Aidan’s charismatic but menacing mentor Bishop. Pellegrino, who played Jacob on Lost and Lucifer on Supernatural, is repped by Domain and Framework.
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/07/07/smallville-comic-con-deets-revealed/
I’ve got good news for the thousands of Smallville fans making the trek to San Diego on July 25 for the show’s final Comic-Con panel ever: It won’t suck. And here are five reasons why…
* Tom Welling will be there! The show’s leading man and exec producer will be making his second appearance at the Con.
* Welling will be joined by returning series regulars Erica Durance, Cassidy Freeman, and Justin Hartley at the show’s panel on Sunday at 10 a.m.
* Showrunners Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson will also be present to answer all your burning questions about the show’s 10th and final season.
* Did I mention acclaimed Smallville writer Geoff Johns will be moderating said panel discussion?
* Last but not least: You’ll be treated to an exclusive first look at the season premiere!
Who’s going?!
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/07/07/csi-exclusive-marg-helgenberger-is-staying/
Catherine Willows won’t be leaving Las Vegas anytime soon.
Sources confirm to me exclusively that Marg Helgenberger has inked a new contract with CSI.
With Helgenberger’s deal done, the spotlight shifts to fellow CSI vets George Eads (Nick), Eric Szmanda (Greg), and Paul Guilfoyle (Jim), all of whom are negotiating new deals ahead of the show’s 11th season. Jorja Fox is also in talks to return in some capacity.
Liz Vassey, meanwhile, will not be back.
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/07/07/will-brothers-sisters-end-next-season/
Is the Walker family about to sit down to their last supper? ABC’s decision to commit to only 18 episodes of Brothers & Sisters combined with the exits of longtime cast members Rob Lowe and Emily VanCamp has fueled speculation that the show’s fifth season may well be its last. However, exec producer David Marshall Grant insists the plug has not been pulled — at least not yet.
“No one has told me that it’s the last season,” maintains Grant. As a result, the scribe isn’t approaching the season as a bookend to the series. “I don’t want to do that. It’s sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
If anything, Grant is hoping the decision to leap forward one year will add years to the show’s lifespan. “I’m actually looking at this season as a fresh beginning,” he says. “That’s one of the things you can do when you jump a year. I want to put [our characters] in fresh and different places, and hopefully that will have legs.”
What do you think? Should ABC set an end date for B&S — and should that date fall within the 2010-11 season? Sound off below!
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/07/07/law-order-los-angeles-skeet-ulrich/
We finally have a face to put with the name spin-off.
Sources confirm that Skeet Ulrich has signed on to play one of the two lead detectives on Law & Order: Los Angeles.
Ulrich’s character, Rex Winters, is described as an ex-Marine who possesses the intuition of a natural cop. His experience during the Rodney King Riots — which occurred during his second month on the job — shaped his philosophy on policing. Basically, the world is chaos and people are either good or bad. As an added twist, he’s currently married to his ex-partner.
Ulrich is the first actor to sign up for LOLA duty. Five other roles — including Ulrich’s onscreen partner — are currently being cast.
Is NBC off to a good start with Ulrich? Sound off below!
http://twitter.com/gleeks/status/17966670798
#Glee Season 2 premieres Tuesday, September 7th on FOX.
http://www.newyorkpost.com/p/news/local/royal_rip_off_tv_suit_cCNfmnBjntxxuvleZs6D9K
The Force apparently wasn't with "Star Wars" actor Hayden Christensen when he pitched an idea for a new TV series to the USA Network.
The Canadian-born star and his older brother yesterday filed suit in Manhattan federal court against the cable outfit, charging that it stole their idea for a comedic drama about a "concierge" doctor who makes house calls to the rich and famous.
The brothers claim that USA's "Royal Pains" -- which is in its second season -- is a shameless rip-off of "Housecall," which they offered to the NBC subsidiary in 2005.
The Christensens claim a USA exec told them "that, prior to learning about 'Housecall,' he was unaware of concierge doctors and that he thought it was a fascinating idea."
A USA spokeswoman declined to comment.
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/07/07/syfys-warehouse-13-roars-into-second-season-with-most-watched-syfy-telecast-of-2010/56314
added by Robert: Syfy’s Warehouse 13 returned to 2.96 million viewers and 1.354 million adults 18-49. That’s down from the series premiere last July that attracted 3.5 million viewers, but the adults 18-49 viewing last night was slightly higher than the 1.3 million for the series premiere. Especially considering that there was more promotion last year surrounding the Syfy rebranding, Syfy is likely quite pleased with the results.
via press release:
SYFY’S WAREHOUSE 13 ROARS INTO SECOND SEASON
SNAGS, BAGS AND TAGS NEARLY THREE MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS – MOST WATCHED SYFY TELECAST OF 2010
SOARS 13% IN ADULTS 18-49
New York, New York – July 7, 2010 – The Warehouse is open for business again! Picking up where it left off last year, Syfy’s Warehouse 13second season premiere Tuesday. July 6 at 9PM (ET/PT) became the channel’s most watched telecast of the year, snagging, bagging and tagging nearly three million (2.96) total viewers while leaping 13% in Adults 18-49 over the season one average.
During the telecast, Warehouse 13 delivered:
2.03 HH rating
2.961 million total viewers
1.576 million Adults 25-54
1.354 million Adults 18-49 – second-highest delivery in this demo for the series
820,000 Men 18-49 viewers, a series high in the demo.
Online at Syfy.com:
The Warehouse 13 season two premiere was up +9% in page views, +26% in uniques, +27% in visits and +607% in video streams vs season one premiere.
Warehouse 13 delivered 448K page views, 192K uniques, 185K visits and 152K video streams.
The premiere of Warehouse 13 boosted Syfy.com traffic to its best day in page views since March 3 and the best since December 6, 2009 in uniques, visits and video streams.
In the July 6 premiere episode, Jaime Murray (Dexter) joined the cast in a recurring role as H.G. Wells — whom Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka (Joanne Kelly) discover was actually a woman. As Wells says, “My brother George was the writer. I supplied the ideas, the research, the stories. He supplied the mustache.”
H.G. Wells was way ahead of her time in 1890s England. In addition to her public duties, she was a Warehouse Agent apprenticed at Warehouse 12 in London. As the second season unfolds, Pete and Myka will discover how and why she was bronzed, why MacPherson (Roger Rees) de-bronzed her, and ultimately what Wells plans to do – and whose side she’s on.
Syfy’s Summer Premiere Week continues on Friday, July 9 with the fourth season return of Eureka at 9PM (ET/PT), followed by the premiere ofHaven at 10PM (ET/PT).
Warehouse 13 follows two Secret Service agents who find themselves abruptly transferred to a massive, top-secret storage facility in windswept South Dakota which houses every strange artifact, mysterious relic, fantastical object and preternatural souvenir ever collected by the U.S. government. The Warehouse’s caretaker Artie (Rubinek) charges Agents Pete Lattimer (McClintock) and Myka Bering (Kelly) with chasing down reports of supernatural and paranormal activity in search of new objects to cache at the Warehouse, as well as helping him to control the Warehouse itself. Allison Scagliotti plays Claudia, Artie’s apprentice.
Season two features special crossover episodes when Warehouse 13′s Allison Scagliotti visits the town of Eureka and Neil Grayston of Eurekavisits Warehouse 13. The programs will air on Warehouse 13 Tuesday, August 3, and on Eureka Friday, August 6.
Warehouse 13 season two guest stars include Lindsay Wagner (Bionic Woman), Jaime Murray (Dexter),Tia Carrere (Wayne’s World), Jewel Staite and Sean Maher (both from Firefly), Neil Graystone (Eureka), Rene Auberjonois (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Paula Garces (Defying Gravity), David Anders (Heroes, 24), Faran Tahir (Iron Man, Star Trek), Nolan Gerard Funk (Aliens in America), Philip Winchester (Crusoe) and as well as WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes (Friday Night SmackDown).
Warehouse 13 is produced for Syfy by Universal Cable Productions. Jack Kenny (The Book of Daniel) is Executive Producer and Showrunner.
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 96 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)
http://www.movieline.com/2010/07/will-amcs-the-walking-dead-be-the-most-violent-tv-show-ever.php
AMC is well-known for its cerebral dramas like Mad Men and Breaking Bad, but with the upcoming zombie serial The Walking Dead, the brainsss over at the channel intend to do something different: make you throw up. “The stuff that AMC is going to put on air is crazy,” says Robert Kirkman, who created the comic the show is based on (Frank Darabont is directing). “They keep showing me things and I’m like, you’re not doing that.” What kind of things? Read on, but put down that pastrami sandwich first!
Website Bloody Disgusting scored a set visit to the series (because, the name) and here are a few of the lovely images they witnessed during the shoot:
· When the first zombie image from set circulated last month, portraying the rotting corpse of a woman reaching out towards camera, the collective hearts of zombie fans across the nation went aflutter… “Just wait until you see below the waste,” explains a giddy Kirkman. “Below the waste, she’s just a pelvis with a dragging femur. She’s just dragging herself around and it is just horrendous-looking.”
· Rick wanders into an abandoned downtown Atlanta looking for signs of life. Instead, he comes across a mob of hungry zombies. He manages to escape, but his horse isn’t so fortunate. “They rip a horse open and there’s just spaghetti coming out,” says Kirkman. “They actually have things that you see.”
· “It was fantastic,” Nicotero says of the horse scene. “You see the pale, discolored hands going in and then coming out red.”
· The other gory image is of a dead nurse that looks to have been one zombie’s late night snack. Her body is totally massacred, blood streaked and splattered all around her, a dark pool around her corpse. Some of her ribs are exposed and all that remains of one leg is a bloody stump. Did I mention they showed us these images right after lunch?
· “Yesterday [makeup artist Greg Nicotero] was up past his elbows. He was just absolutely covered with blood.”
· [Says Darabont,] “You can’t say fuck but you can shoot a zombie in the head at point blank range. I love this business.”
What inspired AMC’s new bloodlust? We don’t want to point any fingers, but maybe you guys shouldn’t have reacted so excitedly to a certain someone getting certain appendages mowed off by a certain errant tractor…
http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/richard-dreyfuss-joins-showtimes-weeds/
Richard Dreyfuss has joined Showtime's Weeds as a recurring. In at least 4 episodes of the dark comedy's upcoming 6th season, he will play what the network describes as "an unexpected character from Nancy Botwin’s past." Season 6 of Weeds, which premieres on August 16, features Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) and family on the lam after Shane (Alexander Gould) bopped Mexican VIP Pilar to death with a croquet mallet. Dreyfuss joins previously announced guest stars for next season Linda Hamilton, Peter Stormare, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, as well as returning guest stars Alanis Morissette and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Oscar winner Dreyfuss made his full-time series debut with CBS' The Education of Max Bickford. On Showtime, he previously starred as Alexander Haig in the 2002 docudrama The Day Reagan Was Shot.
http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/07/lost-veteran-joins-showtimes-weeds.html
Eric Lange ("You Don't Know Jack," the bespectacled scientist Stuart Radzinsky on "Lost") has booked a recurring role on the Showtime comedy "Weeds."
Lange plays Ellis Tate, an old classmate of Nancy's. Further details about his role are wrapped up in a hush-hush storyline in the show's upcoming sixth season, which gets underway Aug. 16.
Lange is repped by Jackson-Medavoy Entertainment and Domain.
In other "Weeds" casting news, Showtime announced this morning that Richard Dreyfuss will guest star in four episodes next season, joining previously announced guest stars Linda Hamilton and Peter Stormare, along with returning guest stars Alanis Morissette and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/07/ratings-got-talent-hells-wipeout-climb.html
NBC's "America's Got Talent," Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" and ABC's "Wipeout" ruled Tuesday night in the ratings, all posting double-digit increases from last week.
Fox was out in front thanks to two hours of "Hell's" (6.8 million viewers, 3.1 preliminary adults 18-49 rating), up 15%.
NBC was right behind with "Losing It With Jillian" (3.9 million, 1.2), falling another notch and tying its summer low. "Got Talent" (11.7 million, 3.4) gained 17% from last week's one-hour telecast, ranking as the night's highest-rated and most-watched show.
On ABC, "Wipeout" (8.8 million, 2.9) was up 12%, while new game show "Downfall" (3.8 million, 1.3) slipped a tenth. At 10 p.m., ABC ran "Primetime: Family Secrets" (3.8 million, 1.2). CBS ran repeats.
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-Law-1020198.aspx
Lost alum Henry Ian Cusick, who played the time-traveling Desmond Hume on the ABC series, is leaping to NBC. He has signed on for at least two fall episodes of Law & Order: SVU, playing a graphic artist named Erik Weber.
SVU executive producer Neal Baer, a fan of Lost, tells me he cast Ian because he is "a sharp, smart leader and very charismatic."
Could Ian finally help Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay) get over her long romantic dry spell? (Her last lover was Kurt Moss, played by Bill Pullman, way back in 2008!) "There might be some flirtation," Baer says. "Erik meets Olivia when he comes to someone's aid. And then we'll see how it goes. Olivia is devoted to her job and knows that comes first."
While this comes as good news to us, somewhere out there Penny Widmore is sobbing. SVU is also looking for a big-name female to replace the departing Sharon Stone. Maybe Sonya Walger (Penny) could play that role?!
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/07/did_ken_cosgrove_get_a_job_at.html
When we last saw Ken Cosgrove, the short-story-writing, un-troubled account executive with the too-perfect hair — the ying to Pete Cambell's tortured yang — in the Mad Men season finale, he was not being tapped to join the all-new, all-awesome ad company of Sterling Cooper, Draper, Pryce. But, in the off-season it seems like Don Draper, or Roger Sterling, might have had a change of heart about Cosgrove (but, sorry, not Kinsey). Check out the new cast photo for Mad Men's fourth season, above, and look to the right: Why, it's Ken Cosgrove! (Also, check out Peggy, Betty, and Joan's increasingly '60s-flavored outfits.) He's the only person in the image, besides Betty, who does not, as far as we know anyway, work at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. Is this a sign that Ken got a new gig? Or that he's working as a mole? Can the new season start right now?
http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/07/nbc-swaps-out-role-on-outsourced.html
NBC has recast a key role in the upcoming fall comedy “Outsourced.”
Aussie actress Pippa Black has secured the role of Tonya in the half-hour NBC series.
Tonya is described as an athletic, statuesque woman who runs a customer service center in India.
She is repped by Magnolia Entertainment and Aran Michael.
Also, Maria Thayer (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) has been added as a series regular to Cartoon Network’s live-action series “Eagleheart.”
Thayer had a guest role in the pilot, but the part has been expanded to a series regular. She’s repped by APA and Untitled.
http://www.tvguide.com/News/MegaBuzz-House-SVU-Bones-1020215.aspx
Every week, senior editors Mickey O'Connor and Adam Bryant satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to mega_scoop@tvguide.com.
How long can House and Cuddy actually be together as a couple? It almost seems antithetical to the character and the show. — Dave T.
MICKEY: Executive producer Katie Jacobs has made it clear that Huddy is not a ratings ploy; she intends to see it through to its logical conclusion. If the snuggly promo photos are any indication, at least initially they'll be aiming for true romance. But House will still be a medical drama and Master Gregory will still be very, very cranky. So for now, wipe those Moonlighting-related thoughts from your mind.
Will Bones and Booth really be apart when Bones comes back? — Marta
MICKEY: It's looking that way, particularly now that we know that Booth will meet his new love interest, a journalist, when she's embedded with his unit in Afghanistan. In a seemingly Grey's Anatomy-inspired Teddy-Owen-like twist, she'll follow Booth back to Washington, where they'll attempt to be together in the real world. And we all know how that goes. But don't blame Bones — she'll be nothing but supportive of the born-under-fire union.
If this is the last season of Law & Order: SVU, does it mean we'll finally see Benson and Stabler together? — Gloria
MICKEY: Well, it may or may not be the last season; nothing official has been announced. It all depends on how Law & Order: Los Angeles does. As for an ultimate Benson-Stabler hookup, don't hold your breath. First, it's totally not Dick Wolf's style to center one of his shows on a romance. Second, Olivia is already getting a new love interest. (Good to see you again, brutha.)
I heard Kevin and Scotty will lose their surrogate when Brothers & Sisters resumes. Please tell me it's not true! — Brittney
ADAM: Would that I could, Brittney, but it sounds like after all that worrying last season, adopting a baby isn't in the cards for the couple. Instead, look for the guys to open their home to an underprivileged teen this season.
So glad CBS renewed Medium. Got any scoop on the new season? — Evan
ADAM: The Season 7 premiere will revisit Detective Scanlon's relationship with older brother Paul, who was killed last season. Viewers will see pieces of the boys' childhood with an abusive father, which Lee (David Cubitt) reflects on while trying to bust a deadbeat dad. Don't rule out an appearance from Ghost Paul.
Have we seen the last of Shelby Corcoran on Glee? — Matty
MICKEY: I have a feeling that Idina Menzel will be back when the plot calls for it, but in the meantime, the writers are turning their attention toward Rachel's as-yet-unseen two dads. It's a little suspicious that we haven't met them yet, but it seems that will change next season. Any casting suggestions? I vote for Taye Diggs and House's Peter Jacobson.
I need Grey's Anatomy info, stat. I'll take anything. — Melanie
ADAM: How about another dose of Chandra Wilson directing? The actress tells us she will step behind the camera again for the upcoming season's fifth episode. Her most recent directorial effort featured a romantic moment with new boyfriend Ben (Jason George), so should we expect the same? It's too soon to tell, but we do know what we won't be seeing. "[Creator] Shonda Rhimes keeps threatening to do the musical episodes of Grey's," Wilson says. "And I kept saying, 'I'm just walking away!'"
Any scoop on The Vampire Diaries' new season? — Lally
MICKEY: The much-teased werewolf storyline will get under way quickly when an estranged relative breezes into Mystic Falls to act as a Mr. Miyagi type to the afflicted party. Apparently, Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec didn't think my idea for a hoops-shooting wolf in the cast was so good (or original).
Happy to hear that Mark-Paul Gosselaar will guest-star on Rizzoli & Isles. Any other details about his role? — Angela
ADAM: As we exclusively reported, he's a wealthy former college beau of Dr. Maura Isles (Sasha Alexander), but his character is also a triathlete. And although Alexander says she enjoyed checking out MPG's body while filming swimming scenes, it doesn't sound as though the old flames will begin burning again. "I don't know that he will be coming back, if you get what I mean," she says. "He does some pretty bad things. He does some real shady stuff here. Zack Morris, how could you?!"
What can you tell me about the new season of Eureka, particularly about James Callis' character? — Chris
ADAM: Callis plays Dr. Grant, a brilliant physicist who takes an instant shine to Allison and who butts heads with Sheriff Carter. Despite his brains and his former ties to Eureka, he is a bit ... out of place when he turns up on Founder's Day.
It's awesome to have Warehouse 13 back on the air. Any hints about what's ahead? — Trey
ADAM: While Myka and Pete chase down a superhero in Detroit (yes, a missing artifact brings one of Pete's favorite childhood comic heroes to life), Artie is haunted by the ghost of McPherson in the Warehouse. Also look for Claudia to eventually make peace with Leena, who is still feeling some serious side affects from being manipulated by McPherson's Pearl of Wisdom.
What can we expect for Season 2 of Life Unexpected? — Liza
MICKEY: Baze will be playing the field a bit this season — both romantically and, well, vocationally. Don't worry — Open Bar isn't going anywhere (well, it is, but not right away). But it's Baze's unlikely new career that jump-starts his social life. In related news, Open Bar will itself will serve as the spark for at least two new love connections, for characters who really deserve them.
Mickey's Mega Rave: It's not often we get to see a man joyfully fling himself on to the ritual pyre of the celebrity machine (as seen in most Pink Floyd videos). It was a particularly squirmy pleasure to watch Jake Pavelka's studied lacquer of poise and charm crack like the Liberty Bell during ABC's relationship check-in chat as part of Monday's The Bachelorette. Schadenfreude aside, I was stunned at how far the genre has come, and how little was off-limits for public consumption.
Adam's Mini Rant: I've got no problem with Tommy getting introspective in these final seasons of Rescue Me, but I miss the show's mordant comedy.
Reader Quote of the Week: "If they keep losing cast members, they're going to have to change the title to Brother and Sister." — sirlizard, upon hearing that Emily VanCamp will be leaving the cast of Brothers & Sisters
http://www.tvguide.com/News/David-Strathairn-Alphas-1020196.aspx
David Strathairn will star in Syfy's new pilot Alphas, the network announced Tuesday.
Alphas focuses on a team of ordinary citizens with extraordinary mental abilities who tackle cases that the CIA, FBI and Pentagon have been unable to solve. Strathairn, 61, will play Dr. Leigh Rosen, the eccentric Alphas leader who is willing to bend the rules for his objectives and team.
"We're honored to have an actor of David's versatility, caliber and renown join Alphas," Mark Stern, Syfy's executive vice president of original programming, said in a statement. "With his incredible range of work in theater, feature films and television, he is the perfect choice to play the complex and nuanced Dr. Rosen."
Strathairn earned a best-actor Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Edward R. Murrow in 2005's Good Night, and Good Luck. His other credits include The River Wild, The Firm, L.A. Confidential, The Bourne Ultimatum and the HBO movie Temple Grandin. He most recently guest-starred in an episode of House.
Lost director Jack Bender will helm the 90-minute pilot of Alphas.
http://www.fancast.com/blogs/2010/tv-news/the-big-tease-scoop-on-glee-castle-and-more/
Wanna know what’s coming up on your favorite show, from summer or fall? Tuesday is tease-day at Fancast, and MattMtvguy@gmail.com is the place to send your questions. Here now the scoop!
Will Jonathan Groff come back to ‘Glee‘ next season? Please say yes! – IrisWoo
What is Javier Bardem, chopped liver? I’m hearing nothing about a Groff encore, but instead how about a visit from ‘Big Bang’s Sheldon? That’s right, Jim Parsons is open to following in fellow CBS sitcom scene-stealer Neil Patrick Harris’ footsteps by guesting on Fox’s talent-magnet of a musical-comedy. “I feel like I could pop up on ‘Glee,’” Jim said – after much consideration – when I asked what other sandbox he might ever play in. As for what he can bring to the table, “I can hold a tune,” he maintains. “No one’s going to put me in an opera, but I’ve done musicals!” Gleeks, feel free to use the Comments section to suggest who Jim could play.
Is Michael Trucco coming back to ‘Castle‘? I think it would be interesting to have Demming around for a while. – Kat
See, here’s the thing. Though there was talk that Trucco’s recurring run might extend into Season 3, the cold, hard fact is that he is now busy shooting ‘Facing Kate,’ the new USA Network series on which he plays the ex-husband of Sarah Shahi’s titular mediator. The word from ABC is that it’s “too soon to tell” if Trucco will be needed back, while a USA source says they probably wouldn’t be opposed to loaning him out for some ‘Castle’ closure. But one way or another, he’ll be facing a Kate, see?
I love ‘The Closer‘ and can’t wait for the season to begin. How is it looking? – Poetic_line via Twitter
Remember how a few Teases ago I said that the July 12 season opener was fine if nothing terribly special? Well, the second episode more than makes up for it. Seriously, it ranks among the TNT drama’s best hours ever. While the guest cast includes Mary McDonnell (’BSG’), Titus Welliver (’Lost’) and D.W. Moffett (’Friday Night Lights’), it’s series reg Raymond Cruz (aka Sanchez) who really gets a chance to shine. Fun fact: The DVD screener purposely omitted the episode’s “surprising” final scene, which elicited more than one expletive form me on the couch!
Hey Matt, how’s the toe? And now that I have buttered you up, got any ‘Sons of Anarchy‘ scoop? – OliviaRoy via Twitter
The right pinky toe is all healed, thanks for asking/conditionally caring! Turning to ‘SOA’: You know how Gemma is on the lam? Well, her escape route will take her all the way to Belfast, Ireland, where half of Season 3’s dual narrative will take place. Alas, while there she and her Celtic cronies still aren’t able to outrun the law, leading her to pull off one of her baddest-ass moves ever.
How do you think ‘The Office‘ will write out Steve Carell/Michael? – Denise
As quietly as possible, if Carell has his way. “There was one show where Stanley and I waited in line for pretzels the entire show,” he notes. “I love those moments, so I would be inclined to make it a more subtle and kind of simple departure as opposed to any big ‘very special episode’ kind of thing.” (FYI, this is the place to suggest Michael Scott’s replacement.)
Any scoop on ‘House’s Jennifer Morrison? – Aurore59
I checked in with Jennifer’s peeps, and the main headline is that ‘Warrior,’ the indie she did with Nick Nolte and Frank Grillo, hits theaters at Thanksgiving time. As for Morrison scrubbing back in as Cameron, I’m hearing that even though production is underway on the new season, there is no ‘House’ in her immediate future.
I know that Wil Wheaton is returning to ‘Leverage.’ Does that mean trouble for Sophie? Because last time he did send her a motion sensitive bomb! – Hilla
As part of my upcoming feature Q&A with Aldis Hodge (aka Hardison), I asked him to spill on what Wil is up during his next turn as Chaos. Alas, his response: “I can’t tell you what’s going on, but he’s definitely back, doing his thing!” I tried!
Any ‘Leverage’ spoilers? Possibly Parker-related ones? – cyclonekat via Twitter
Hold tight for the aforementioned Aldis Hodge interview, coming Friday!
Any scoop on ‘Human Target‘? – DullyEl via Twitter
Fox’s sophomore action-drama is in the process of casting Ames, a sassy young thing who’s a bit of a thief, and as such aligns herself for a possible job with Chance’s crew. Dichen Lachman, call your agent!
I’m totally loving Cartoon Network’s new show, ‘Unnatural History‘! Do you have any scoop on it? And is the show inching toward a Jasper/Maggie pairing? – Susan
OK, this marks my first time ever scooping a Cartoon Network series. Here goes! Exec producer Mike Werb answers, “I won’t deny there’s chemistry between Jasper and Maggie. But whether or not they deny it is another question!” Werb goes on to reveal that upcoming episodes involve a cursed ruby and the reading of Henry’s godfather’s will, which divulges a dangerous secret.
Got any scoop on the ‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent‘ season finale? I can’t believe it’s here already. – Craig
Yes, this Tuesday’s episode wraps up the season, and the big guest star is F. Murray Abraham, playing Zack’s father. Listen to proud “son” Jeff Goldblum kvell: “The great thing about this show is that every week we get the cream of the crop, and [Abraham] is just spectacular for the role they’re written for him.” Though father and son famously do not get along, Goldblum says, “There is the possibility for some healing to take place. We’ll see what happens.”
I heard a rumor that author Richelle Mead was approached by a major network that wants to turn her ‘Vampire Academy’ books into a television series. Can you tell me if you have heard about this? – Kristi
If true, said major network is now bumming. Lest Bill Compton and Damon Salvatore get any new competition, the ‘Vampire Academy’ series is instead destined for the Cineplex. So game on, Edward!
