Party Over For Starz's 'Party Down', 'Gravity'

http://www.deadline.com/2010/06/party-over-for-starzs-party-down-gravity/

Starz has decided not to renew series Party Down and Gravity. I hear the pay cable network may make the announcement later today. Both shows were developed and launched by Starz's previous regime, but new president CEO Chris Albrecht has stated repeatedly that he is big fan of Party Down. While the off-beat comedy has become an instant cult classic, I hear at the end of the day its appeal was deemed not wide enough to keep the show beyond its recently concluded Season 2. Some of the actors on the show have already taken other jobs, like Adam Scott, who joined NBC's Parks & Recreation. Gravity is bowing out after one season. Starz's slate has evolved following the breakout success of period drama Spartacus. The pay cable network has focused on dramas with big, recognizable title like the upcoming series Camelot, Torchwood and the Spartacus prqeuel as well as limited series The Pillars of the Earth. Additionally, Starz is developing an U.S. version of the hit Australian mob drama Underbelly. 

Ask Ausiello - 6/23/10

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/06/23/ask-ausiello-spoilers-house-vampire-diaries-weeds/

Question: This House fan thanks you for posting that awesome Huddy picture! This House fan is also going to be greedy and ask you what else you know about the season premiere? —Julia
Ausiello: A fellow Trojan tipped me off that Hugh Laurie and Lisa Edelstein were on the USC campus Tuesday night shooting “some Huddy-ness.” Added the anonymous bystander: “They were kissing, hugging, and hand-holding. It was a fangirl’s dream come true. She had on the same outfit as in the beach pictures.” Speaking of those cutesy beach photos, series creator David Shore tells me that all may not be as it seems. “What the image depicts is rather different from what you’re going to experience when you watch the episode,” he reveals. “They’re [at the beach], but it’s not Beach Blanket Bingo.”

Question: I heard a rumor that David Anders will be a regular next season on The Vampire Diaries. Please tell me that it’s true! —Addison
Ausiello: I would if I could, but I can’t. But here’s something I can confirm: Anders will definitely be in the season premiere.

Question: There’s a rumor that Weeds‘ sixth season [premiering Aug. 16] could be its last. True? —Jeff
Ausiello: If it is, no one bothered to tell Mary-Louise Parker, although the actress concedes, “That’s not really up to me. That’s up to [Showtime]. I love doing the show. The only thing that’s tough for me is I live in New York and it gets harder to pick up and move when your kids get a little bit older. But I love doing the show.” In other words, she’s game for a seventh season…provided “they don’t fire me,” she says with a laugh. “You never know what’s going to happen on this show.”

Question: I may be the only person in TV land who actually watches it, but can you give me any My Boys scoop? Is it still on? Has TBS canceled it? —Kim
Ausiello: TBS has not canceled it — at least not yet. A fourth season is already in the can and set to premiere on July 25. A fifth season, meanwhile, remains a question mark. Equally uncertain: what the heck star Jordana Spiro will do if it does come back, seeing as she already hitched herself to NBC’s Love Bites. My guess? Boys will return to mediocre ratings and TBS will announce in early August that season 4 will be the show’s last. And for the record, Kim, you are not the only person in TV land who watches the show. Check out the next question…

Question: Any scoop about the fourth season of My Boys? —Kim
Ausiello: Um… On second thought, Kim, maybe you are the only person in TV land who watches the show. (Anyone else besides Kim watch My Boys? Shoot me an e-mail at ausielloscoop@ew.com.) On the scoop front, Jim Gaffigan’s departure will be addressed within the first few minutes of the season 4 opener. Of course, the big question is who will fill in for Andy at the poker table. And here’s the big answer: *t*p*a*i*!

Question: Love reading your column! You are witty, I follow your tweets, etc. Now could you please share any scoops on The Closer? —Linda
Ausiello: The second most important rule of Ask Ausiello: When showering me with compliments, don’t end with an etcetera. It’s critical that you list each and every reason you worship me. The more specific you are the better. Capisce? Now here’s your scoop: A resignation will rock the department at the end of the season 6 premiere on July 12.

Question: Anything on the new season of Hung? —Lauren
Ausiello: Feeling insecure about her role in their “operation,” Tanya seeks out help from a higher power: a more experienced pimp, played by Jericho alum Lennie James. Bonus scoop: Crossing Jordan‘s Kathryn Hahn will also appear in the first few episodes as a (very pregnant!) client of Ray’s.

Question: Any scoop on Make It or Break It? —Susan
Ausiello: Lauren’s long-lost mother is about to be found. The show is searching for an actress in her 40s to play Lauren’s recovering-drug-addict mom, who shows up hoping to rebuild a relationship with her daughter.

Question: Throw your international readers a bone and tell us what the big Friday Night Lights spoiler was in last week’s Entertainment Weekly. Not everyone can go out and buy the issue on the newsstand. —Matt
Ausiello: Fair enough, Matt. The spoiler concerned the final episodes of season 5 and a possible reunion between (wait for it) Riggins and Tyra! “Riggins is getting out of prison and Tyra is on break from school,” explains exec producer Jason Katims. “We’re looking at [them] reconnecting.”

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

Question: Is there anything that you can tell us about my new favorite show Community? — Seth
Ausiello: Only that I think it’s NBC’s new favorite show, too. How else to explain the network’s decision to devote an entire night of programming to Joel McHale’s super-silly comedy? On Thursday, July 8, the Peacock will air a six-episode Community marathon from 8 to 11 p.m. And we’re not talking about just any six episodes. We’re talking about the best six episodes of the show to date: “Intro to Statistics,” “Romantic Expressionism,” “Modern Warfare,” “Physical Education,” “Contemporary American Poultry,” and “Debate.”

Question: Some friends and I are making an impromptu road trip to New York City this weekend. I realize you are probably too busy to meet with some lowly fans, so can I at least get some 30 Rock season 5 details? —Collin
Ausiello: Yeah, um, sorry, I’m actually even too busy to get together with uppity fans, never mind the lowly ones. But here’s your 30 Rock scoop: We’ve probably seen the last of Julianne Moore — and heard the last of her Boston accent. “It seems like she has bowed out of the Jack race because of [Avery's] pregnancy,” she notes with a sigh. “But I hope in some way she gets to come back. If they asked me, I’d be there in a second” — Beantown patois and all. “I went to school in Boston and worked with a lot of guys from Dorchester, so that’s where [the accent] came from,” she explains. “We made it thick…for humor’s sake, but then again, not really. There are folks with seriously heavy accents there, and they are proud of it.” And if you didn’t like it, Collin? “That’s what TiVo is for,” she laughs. “You can just rewind if you miss something!”

Question: Any spoilers on season 6 of Supernatural? —Shira
Ausiello: I hear the show’s fourth episode back — the one directed by Jensen Ackles — will be Bobby-centric and feature a character named Marcy Ward. Described as attractive in a down-to-earth/woman-next-door way, Marcy is a capable homemaker with a crush on her neighbor.

Question: I know you’re a huge fan of Parenthood. Care to share some scoop on it? —Callie
Ausiello: We’ll meet Adam’s boss in season 2. The recurring role is being cast as we speak.

Question: Season 3 has barely started, but I am dying for some True Blood news. Got any to share? —Kelly
Ausiello: Exec producer Alan Ball teases that a big secret Bill’s “been carrying with him gets revealed at the end of the season.” That noise you hear is the sound of me dipping into the Ausiello Files archives and going Hmm…

Question: Have you received confirmation from Alan Ball that Talbot and Eric will get, ahem, down to business on True Blood this season? —Rob
Ausiello: No, but I haven’t received a denial from him, either. “I think one of the things about being a vampire and living for 100 years is you pretty much try everything,” Ball says. “Whether or not [Talbot and Eric] end up getting together I can’t reveal. I’ll definitely tell you that this season is pretty pansexual.” Yeah, got that bit from the first two episodes.

Question: Do you have something on Bones? I don’t care what, just something? —Margo
Ausiello: Series creator Hart Hanson announced yesterday via Twitter that the “tentative, penciled-in, maybe, unlocked title for [episode] 1, season 6, is ‘The Gorilla in the Room.’” But that’s not the big news. This is the big news: Sources confirm to me exclusively that the title of episode 2 is “Their Arms Around Each Other.” What does it all mean?! Hit the comments with your theories!

Watch w/ Kristin Spoiler Chat - 6/7/10

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b184569_spoiler_chat_hooray_vampire_porn_true.html

Anybody else counting the minutes til Vampire Porn returns?

Or, wait. What 's its real name? Oh right, True Blood. And having just watched the first batch of fangtastic episodes of the third season—which starts this Sunday on HBO—I can tell you: The Vamp-Porn is back, baby! In fact, this season has more eye-popping and jaw-dropping sex scenes than ever before. And you fans know, that's sayin' something.

So who's doing the dirty? And what else can you expect? Put the kiddies to bed and read on for scoop on True Blood, Glee, Dexter and more...
John P. Johnson/HBO

Randall: I saw on Twitter that you got the first few episodes of True Blood. Please let us know what you think!
I think I'm so very grateful for Alan Ball and his cast and crew right now, because the next few months of TV would be looking so bleak if not for this Sunday's return of TB. It's just as gripping and shocking and hilarious as before, and you can keep reading for more juice! Also, I'm going to be interviewing the entire True Blood cast tomorrow night at the show's premiere party in Hollywood, so please help me out with some good questions by tweeting them to me @kristindsantos!

Wendell: What's the word on True Blood? Are Sookie and Bill really over?
They're so not in a happy place. But one of them will be in a sexy place. Here's what I can tell you about the first three episodes: Either Bill or Sookie has sex with someone, and it is hands-down the most unforgettable (you will have dreams/nightmares afterward!) sex scenes in the entire run of True Blood so far. Here's what else you can expect from the first three episodes:
Someone tries to commit suicide.
Someone tries to kill a sibling.
Someone loses his head.
Someone is pregnant.
Someone has a one night stand--and it's the last person you'd expect.
Someone has an underground sex marathon--and it's the first person you'd expect.
There are more bare backsides than a gym locker room, and one belongs to one Mr. Alexander Skaarsgård. This just in from Alan Ball: You're welcome.
Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com

Brett in Los Angeles: Any scoop on Dexter?
Just caught up with the always amazing Jennifer Carpenter (F--kin' Deb!) so stand by for that. In the meantime, Showtime has confirmed that Julia Stiles will guest star in 10 episodes this season, as "a mysterious young woman who forms a unique relationship with Dexter (Michael C. Hall) in the wake of the death of his wife." You have it all figured out what she's playing, right? 'Cause this show is so predictable. (Eyeroll.)

Vicki in Orlando, Fla.: I'm hearing great things about Memphis Beat. Can you tell me anything about it?
We love Jason Lee, and we think everyone else will love him in this cop series that doubles as a love letter to Memphis. You also get to see Jason man a microphone, which should be enough reason to check out the pilot, airing June 22.

Boyd in Maui: Any word on whether or not Joshua Jackson will really guest star on Vampire Diaries?
Not yet, but another Dawson's alum has enlisted my help in securing a spot on Vampire Diaries, and this time Life Unexpected's Kerr Smith is the culprit. "When you interview Kevin today, will you ask him?," he asked me at The CW Upfronts. "I would love to play a vampire!" Hope Kev's taking notes!
ABC/Mario Perez

Yasmine: Do you have anything more to say about the Lost finale?
Just that according to you all, it was the best and worst finale of the TV season! Not surprising, given the intense reaction so many of you had to it. Whether you loved it or hated it, it was certainly by my account the event of the TV season. (We have a reporter meeting up with Jorge Garcia this week in Monte Carlo, so if you have questions for him, holler.) Also, you guys loved Grey's Anatomy finale, because it was crazy good and you guys have excellent taste! And ditto Vampire Diaries. Here's the final rundown of what you crowned the best and worst season finales:

BEST SEASON FINALES TOP FIVE
1. Lost 20.7%
2. Grey's Anatomy 17.4%
3. The Vampire Diaries 8.5%
4. Chuck 8.4%
5. Fringe 6.1%

WORST SEASON FINALES TOP FIVE
1. Lost 12.7%
2. 90210 9.0%
3. The Office 8.9%
4. Bones 5.5%
5. V 5.0%

Karen in Madison, Wis.: Any word on Cougar Town changing its name?
Bill Lawrence hasn't made an official statement, but Courteney Cox is weighing in with a big fat no. Says one of our favorite Friends: "At this point, I don't think so." Her hubby David Arquette had a good suggestion to fix the name fiasco, though. "Maybe they'll do a 'C.T.' [abbreviation] thing—like KFC!" Brills!

James in New Jersey: I love seeing Amy Poehler and Will Arnett working together! Any chance she'll pop up on his new Fox show?
As a matter of fact, we just asked Amy if there'd be any Running Wilde in her future, and while she assured us she's just focusing on her baby-to-be for now, she's not saying no. "We never rule it out," she explained, "but for now we're both going to be working on our own shows. But I'm such a huge fan of Mitch and Will and the whole show...so anything they want me to do!"
Michael Yarish/FOX

Katie in Chicago: I'm not ready for the end of Glee, but do you have some scoop on next season to help me get through the summer?
Sure. Will Schuester is pregnant! *Gasp* But who is the father? "Coach Tanaka!" Matthew Morrison joked to our own Ryan Seacrest on his radio show. All kidding aside, Matthew unfortunately plays dumb on next season: "They're writing the first script back right now and we have no idea what's going on." However, he does give "maybe's" and "you never know" to questions about a Britney Spears episode and a Madonna episode reprise. Another guest star he throws in the mix? "Barack Obama!"

Rebecca in New York: Thank you for the Glee scoop! What else can you tell us about the finale?
Stand by for more scoop tomorrow morning, including how the zombies are coming. Yes, you heard me!

Gracie in Hollywood: Is it true Jessica Simpson is going to be on Entourage this season?
True story! Entourage sources tell us Jess will pop up in one episode this year as another of Ari Gold's many superstar clients. Per usual, expect Jess to play a bit of a caricature of herself.
2009 Starz Entertainment, LLC

Jolene in Arkansas: Will we see Ryan Hanson and Adam Scott back on Party Down if it gets another season?
Even with its sad state of ratings, we adore Party Down--and so do its stars! Adam tells us he's so happy to be a part of the Parks and Recreation family, but he's still onboard for more Party if need be. "By design, the show can withstand cast changes, but I can do three episodes if it gets picked up and I would be anxious to do it." As for Kristin Bell's bestie Ryan, whose NBC pilot Friends with Benefits was recently picked up, he'd love to come back, too. "I don't know how that works, but hopefully," he said. "And hopefully they get a season three."

Mae in Boston: More Parks and Recreation, please!
Ask and ye shall receive. Look for lots of fun stuff between Tom (Aziz Ansari) and Ben (Adam Scott) at the start of season three, as a new brand of bromance ignites in Pawnee.

Martin: I don't get HBO. Wah! What can I watch this summer instead of True Blood?
Actually, ABC's The Gates is pretty engaging. I just checked out the first two episodes and it's sort of like Desperate Housewives (sans camp) meets your favorite vampire series--but a lot more clean for the kiddos. Rhona Mitra stars as a suburban housewife who is a vampire married to another vampire...And really, how can you go wrong with Rhona Mitra? The gated community in which she lives also has werewolves and succubuses.(Succubi? No wait, sorry, they're all hetero. Ba-dum-bump.) And the teenagers are in on the action too. It's worth checking out. Premieres June 20 on ABC.
ABC Family/Andrew Eccles

Brittany in Overland Park, Kan.: Pretty Little Liars are my favorite books. How different is the show going to be?
You probably know that the actresses (except Privileged's Lucy Hale as Aria) don't physically resemble the books' characters (although they sure are pretty!), but their personalities and the plot are pretty spot-on. When we chatted with the cast on set when they were filming episode six, Troian Bellisario (Spencer) said, "We're kind of going out of order right now—we're just hitting on some things in [the first book], and now we're into two." What happened to the girls' nasty friend Alison is revealed at the end of the first episode—and there's nothing pretty about that. (Come back here tomorrow before the show's premiere for more scoop from the Pretty Little Liars set!)

Breanne in New York City: I'm such a fan of the Huge novels, but am a little ambivalent about the new ABC Family series. Any words of encouragement?
My advice to you is to go in with an open mind, and know that Huge is not exactly the same as the novels you know and love. That said, it's fun summer fare and definitely something to fill the void while all your other faves are MIA. And Gina Torres (of Angel and Firefly fame) is absolutely fab in one of the few adult roles on the show.
Kelsey McNeal/FOX

Linc in Atlanta: Forget Lost, I'm still hurting over the end of 24. But at least we still have the movie, right?
Indeed! Howard Gordon is putting hope in all the hearts of Jack Bauer fans around the world. "The current status of the movie is that Billy Ray has written a draft which Kiefer has read, and we're all working together on the second draft," he says. But don't start planning your premiere night outfits just yet, as there have been no official announcements: "It's very much a work in progress. It's all very much speculative at this point."

Jamie in Hollywood: Yay for Lie to Me coming back! What's going on in tonight's season premiere?
The spring season of Lie to Me opens with an intense episode, called "Beat The Devil". Lightman (Tim Roth) chases his suspicion of a young scientist being a psychopathic killer, and he's not just trying to get back at the student for showing him up at his own lying game. The team doesn't really believe Lightman, but they help him unravel the mystery anyway.

Kalee in Boston: Lie to Me is the only reason I'm excited for summer TV. Got any scoop for me?
The June 14 episode has an explosive beginning, and it revolves around Lightman's past. Not only do we get a case that comes from his days with the CIA, but we get to see how Lightman and Foster met and became team members.
Virginia Sherwood/NBC

Gregory in Dallas: Last week's episode of Friday Night Lights was sensational. Any scoop on this week's episode?
Totally agree. Zach Gilford gave an Emmy worthy performance in our book. This week's episode of Friday Night Lights, titled "Stay", brings back the lovely Minka Kelly. Her scenes with Taylor Kitsch are as about a heart wrenching as you can get. More Emmy worthy stuff, I tell ya. If you don't feel a tug on your heartstrings when Lyla asks Tim a not-so-simple question, you must have no soul!

Aileen in New York: I know Taylor Kitsch won't be a series regular anymore on Friday Night Lights, but he'll be coming back for some episodes next season, right?
Jason Katims sure thinks so! "We're hoping he will come back for the last few episodes of the fifth season," he tells us. "I'm certainly hoping he's coming back because we've written the episodes!" Taylor, we know you'll be busy being a huge movie star, but make sure you come back to Dillon, 'kay? As for Adrienne Palicki, she tells me: "Yes. I will be back this final season. Probably a couple episodes. I'm thinking the later part of the season."

Claire in Bridgeport, Conn.: So bummed Nurse Jackie is ending! What can we expect on tonight's season finale?
You can expect Coop (Peter Facinelli) to make a new friend: Sam's fist. Coop is the dumbest doctor we know, but openly admitting to sleeping with Sam's girlfriend and trying to pass it off as a favor is the stupidest move he's pulled in awhile. But you really want to know if Jackie makes a decision between Kevin (Dominic Fumusa) and Eddie (Paul Schulze), right? Well, this episode will actually have you pulling for both men, and the final moments of the finale are ones that we've been working up to allll season long.

Brandon in Poughkeepsie, Pa.: Anything on the United States of Tara finale?
Whoda thunk Tara's kids would be the ones to find out the piece of her past that might just fix this whole personality disorder thing?! We'll that just so happens to be the case.