Fans of cult hits everywhere, pay attention: Rob Thomas, John Enbom and Dan Etheridge, the guys behind 'Party Down' and 'Veronica Mars,' have scored a put pilot order from NBC.
Thomas told TV Squad that the new series, 'Temp,' has been in the works since the trio learned that 'Party Down' would not be getting a third season. It'll feature a group of main characters doing different jobs every week.
"The show is similar to 'Party Down' in the sense that there's a new job each week, but unlike 'Party Down,' we actually see the home life of our main characters," Thomas said. "It has more of a 'Mary Tyler Moore' home life/work life dynamic, except the job changes from week to week."
According to Variety, NBC has given them a put pilot order, meaning if the pilot does not go to air, the network has to pay penalty fees. Warner Bros. TV is the studio backing the pilot. Thomas and Enbom will write the script for the with Thomas, Enbom, Etheridge and Jennifer Gwartz and Danielle Stokdyk as executive producers.
It's still too early to tell if any 'Party Down' or 'Veronica Mars' actors will be part of the new series.
'Temp' isn't the only project Thomas has on his plate. He's currently working on an outline for a show at Showtime.
"Right now it's simply 'Untitled Rob Thomas Spy Show,'" he said. "It's set in the world of corporate espionage. It's dark, so I have projects on the far ends of the spectrum between this and 'Temp.' We've been waiting for David Nevins to take over at Showtime, but he's there now, and we had a terrific creative meeting last week. I feel good about the direction it's heading in."
Even in its series finale, Friday Night Lights tried to score one more touchdown. The drama—which kicks off its fifth (and final) season on DirecTV on Oct. 27—attempted to draft Billy Bob Thornton to reprise his role of Coach Gary Gaines from the feature film on which the TV show is based.
Why? Keep reading for the scoop…
Referring to himself and fellow exec producer Peter Berg—who directed the Oscar winner in the movie version—Jason Katims reveals, “We wanted to pay homage to the movie, so we came up with an idea for a cameo. But Billy wasn’t available.”
To give away the specifics of the proposed story would ruin a major development in FNL‘s swan song, but suffice it to say, it involved Coach Gaines’ small-screen successor, Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler).
And, Katims adds, don’t worry—you’ll never know what you’re missing. “We wanted the episode to be a rich and satisfying ending,” he says. “Nine-tenths good story and one-tenth nostalgia.”
Angela Sarafyan has joined the cast of The Good Guys in a major recurring role, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.
Sarafyan will play offbeat and socially awkward Samantha Evans. Since she's a lowly assistant crime scene investigator, she jumps at the chance to help Jack (Colin Hanks) and Dan (Bradley Whitford) with their cases.
The 27-year-old actress has appeared on such series as The Mentalist, In Plain Sight and CSI: NY.
The Good Guys debuted to 4.9 million viewers and suffered subsequent losses in viewership each week. The show averaged a 1.4 rating in the 18-to-49 demographic through the summer before Fox pulled the series two weeks early.
The show will move to Fridays this fall, starting Sept. 24 at 9/8c on Fox.
Stephanie Jacobsen (Melrose Place) and Naoko Mori (Torchwood) have joined SyFy's drama pilot Three Inches as a regulars. The project, from Fox TV Studios and Landscape Entertainment, centers on Walter (Noah Reid), a twentysomething underachiever who acquires a seemingly worthless superpower after getting struck by lightning: he can move any object three inches with his mind. He goes on to recruit a team of fellow heroes, each with their own less-than-spectacular abilities. Jacobsen, repped by APA and Global Creative, and Mori, repped by Michael Greene & Assoc., will play two of them, Watts, a beautiful “super” hero who has the ability to shape the emotions of anyone she meets at close range, and a woman who can duplicate and recite any sounds she hears, respectively.
Bones fans expecting a knock-down, drag-out catfight this season between Booth’s new girlfriend (played by Canadian actress Katheryn Winnick) and soul mate Brennan (Emily Deschanel) are out of luck.
“We are not playing a jealous triangle,” insists executive producer Stephen Nathan. “I can tell you that categorically. This isn’t high school. It won’t be two women fighting over the same man. There’s no outward tension.”
Regardless, Winnick—whose war-correspondent character met Booth during his tour of duty in Afghanistan—was warned to brace for a backlash when she debuts in the Sept. 23 premiere. “We told her, ‘You’re going to be resoundingly hated [at first],’” says Nathan, “‘but then you’ll be loved.’”
Thoughts? Are you already hating on Winnick? Or are you taking a wait-and-see approach? Sound off below!
Any more hints about the couple getting married on Grey's Anatomy? — Janelle
ADAM: You'll find out soon enough. In the meantime, the second episode of the season will feature a near-proposal involving another fan-favorite couple (one half of which may or may not be pictured above). Before you reach for your Kleenex, though, ask yourself: Does this guy really want to get married?
Stefan seemed different in the Vampire Diaries finale. Where is he heading? — Katherine
MICKEY: Interestingly, it's Katherine's arrival that awakens something in Stefan. "He accepts that he's a vampire more; he's less plagued by being a victim and being run over by his brother," Paul Wesley says. "He becomes more proactive, and he knows how to have fun sometimes." In other words, get ready for Freaky Friday: Sibling Vampire Edition.
Will Ray Langston change after being stabbed by Nate Haskell on CSI? — Bill
ADAM: "All of our characters will be recovering from the events of the finale," executive producer Carol Mendelsohn tells us, adding cryptically that Ray "will have lost something in the attack." She also let slip that Haskell will return to Vegas to stand trial. "Our current plan is to have Nate Haskell defend himself, and anything goes — including putting Langston on the stand!"
Is Vanessa Williams just playing a version of Wilhelmina on Desperate Housewives? Because I would hate that. — Maureen
MICKEY: I wouldn't say that exactly. She plays Renee Perry, Lynette's college "frenemy" who is also the estranged wife of a professional football player. From what I understand, she is no stranger to fine jewelry, treating her household staff poorly, and infidelity. Infer what you will.
Why is Beckett getting another boyfriend on Castle? Can't she and Castle get together already? — Melinda
ADAM: "If you don't create obstacles, the flirtation will lead to something much sooner than the audience wants," creator Andrew Marlowe tells us. But he promises the roadblocks, including Castle's reunion with his ex-wife, aren't just there for the sake of keeping the characters apart. "Part of our metaphor in the early stretch of the season is that these two people, who many feel belong together, 'married' the wrong people," Marlowe says. "So, we're rooting for them to wake up and find each other again."
Wow! President Logan on Big Love? I'm in! — Matt
MICKEY: Matt, would you be surprised if I told you that the man who played 24's most devious commander-in-chief, Gregory Itzin, is going to play a political adversary to Bill? "I am very judgmental of him because of what he did," Itzin tell us. "I feel he betrayed his constituents. He told them one thing and then did another." The Utah state senator better watch his back, though: This ain't Bill's first time at the character-debate rodeo.
Got anything new on CSI: Miami? — Hugh
ADAM: Apparently Bones isn't the only show dedicating an episode to reality TV. We're hearing that an upcoming episode of Miami will feature four stars of a fictional reality show called the The Boroughs. One is described as a "shirtless god" and another plunges to her death during a red carpet event.
I can't wait to LOL at more Modern Family. Scoop? — Tom
MICKEY: Exclusive, context-free scoop! In an upcoming episode, Phil has this line: "Sorry, I burnt my ladyfingers." In other Pritchett news, who would watch a documentary series about Cameron as an overbearing stage parent? [Raises hand.] We'll get a taste of that program when Lily lands a small role in a commercial that pays homage to a classic B movie.
I haven't heard much about Parenthood's new season. Can you help? — Rachel
ADAM: I smell a new love interest for Mae Whitman's Amber: her SAT tutor. The only problem is that he's more interested in a friend of hers — oh, and drugs. Will that stop Amber? The character is set to recur, so it sounds like it won't.
I love Community and I've heard that Betty White is going to be on. Any other guest stars? — Terry
MICKEY: I'm hearing that the producers are circling a big name star to guest in a Pierce-centric episode that happens later in the season. In it, the mischievous leader of a group of older students called the "hipsters" — so named after the surgical procedure they've all had — attempts to "steal" Pierce from the study group. If producers have their way, it'll be a fun little only-on-TV reunion.
What more can you tell me about the Smallville premiere? — Allen
ADAM: I can tell you that it ends with a twist that executive producer Kelly Souders says "rocks [Clark's] world and sends him on a different trajectory. ... He realizes that he's not the guy that everybody looks to when they think of Superman, an inspirational totally pure-hearted guy. That's not who Clark Kent is right now, and that becomes very clear to him."
Do you have any Chuck scoop about Casey? —Melanie
MICKEY: We'll meet two former members of Casey's Special Ops team. One will be as grounded as the other is skittish. They'll also, oddly, kind of remind you of Justin "I'm a Mac" Long and John "I'm a PC" Hodgman.
Adam's Mega Rave: Rescue Me has been on fire lately, culminating in Tuesday's cliff-hanger that left Lou and Damien's lives in the balance. No matter who lives or dies, the show is clearly proving it's not afraid to take risks.
Mickey's Mini Rant: Sookie's not the only one who thinks it's "f---ing lame" that she's a fairy.
Meghan Markle has booked a female lead role on USA Network's pilot "A Legal Mind."
She'll star alongside the male-lead duo of Patrick Adams and Gabriel Macht.
Adams plays Mike Ross, a brilliant yet slacking college student impersonating a high-powered Manhattan corporate attorney. Macht plays the firm's recruiter who brings him on board. Markle plays Rachel Lane is an attractive paralegal with an encyclopedic knowledge of the law who's assigned to Mike and becomes his valuable after-hours research ally.
The Gersh-repped Markle had a role on Fox's "Fringe" and has a part in New Line's upcoming "Horrible Bosses" and was in Universal's "Get Him to the Greek."
Additionally, Gina Torres ("24") was cast in second position to her commitment on ABC Family's pilot "Huge" as Katherine Pearson, a senior partner at the law firm.
Markle's hire represents the final lead role filled on the project, written by Aaron Korsh ("The Deep End").
Fox is finalizing a deal for one of the first major pieces of development this coming development cycle, a Steven Spielberg-produced adaptation of the graphic novel Locke & Key. The project from writer Josh Friedman and producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, hails from 20th Century Fox TV, where Kurtzman and Orci's company is based, and DreamWorks TV where the project originated on the feature side.
Locke & Key will be written by Friedman who will also serve as showrunner. Based on Joe Hill's comic, the project centers on Keyhouse, an unlikely New England family estate where brothers Tyler, Kinsey and Bode Locke uncover fantastic doors that transform all who walk through them and a hate-filled and relentless creature. Friedman, Kurtzman, Orci, Spielberg and DreamWorks TV's Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank are executive producing.
Batter up! Desperate Housewives has placed Life Unexpected actor Reggie Austin on deck to portray the New York baseball star husband of Vanessa Williams' new housewife, Renee Perry. Reggie will not debut until the fifth episode of the new season, as Doug and Renee's marriage is sadly on the rocks.
In addition to his role as Jamie on The CW's Life Unexpected, Reggie also appeared as Devon on the short-lived Debra Messing series, The Starter Wife.
With Renee now attached to boy toys played by 31-year-old Reggie and 37-year-old Brian Austin Green (as Fairview's new contractor), super sexy Williams, 47, is fast on her way to turning Wisteria Lane into TV's new Cougar Town.
Looks like Skeet Ulrich won't be the only former Jericho star fighting crime in Los Angeles this season: Alicia Coppola has signed on to guest-star on a Season 2 episode of NCIS: Los Angeles, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.
Coppola will play FBI agent Amy Rand, an expert on kidnapping cases. Described as athletic, determined and authoritative, she works with the NCIS agents to find a victim to prevent a killing spree.
Besides her role as IRS agent Mimi Clark on Jericho, Coppola, 42, starred on the NBC soap opera Another World for three years in the early '90s. She's played a military lawyer on both JAG and NCIS, and she has also appeared on such shows as CSI, Two and a Half Men and American Dreams. Coppola's character could recur. Her first appearance is slated to air in October.
NCIS: Los Angeles returns with back-to-back episodes Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 9/8c on CBS.
A couple of weeks ago, I clued you in that a popular Grey's Anatomy couple would be getting engaged and married in the Sept. 23 season premiere. Sworn to secrecy, I could only reveal that the newlyweds-to-be were one of these three couplings: Callie and Arizona, Alex and Lexie or Owen and Cristina.
Astute fans that you are, most of you guessed correctly that either Calzona or Owen/Cristina would be the duo walking down the aisle. Now I can officially remove Alex and Lexie from the running. And in just one week — on the morning of Tuesday, August 31 — ABC is allowing us all to share the happy news with fans.
Below, are my exclusive quotes from the remaining contenders, to help you figure out who you'll be throwing your rice at.
So who is going to take over for Michael Scott when Steve Carell ends his run on The Office this spring?
Despite rumblings that Danny McBride (Eastbound and Down), Rhys Darby (Flight of the Conchords) or Portia de Rossi DeGeneres may step in, we're now hearing that at least a few of the show's writer-producers are advocating for...
Promoting from within! Meaning, one of the many "movie stars" in the cast, such as John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Craig Robinson, Ed Helms or Rainn Wilson, would get the gig of Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch manager—after Michael runs off into the sunset with Holly Flax...right?!
We ran into The Office producer Warren Lieberstein at a pre-Emmys event and collared him for the latest developments on Steve Carell's departure—and Amy Ryan's (Holly Flax) return. Here's what we learned:
Does the show crumble without Steve Carell, or can you guys soldier on?
We're really sad. I don't know how you soldier on from Steve leaving. He's such an amazing talent. He's the best. He's the best, honestly. But we're kind of lucky, we have a lot of movie stars in our cast! Craig Robinson, Ed Helms, Rainn Wilson—and that Krasinski guy is not bad, and Jenna Fischer, she's pretty great. I think the reason we've been able to survive as many seasons as we have is because of the supporting cast.
Will Michael Scott be succeeded from within?
We're still debating. A lot of us want from within, because we think we have such a strong cast, but we'll see. We have a network that also [has] wants.
Would the network prefer to announce that a big movie star is joining the cast?
Maybe, but I think there will be mixed feelings about what to do. I'm really excited about this season and seeing if there's someone from within that we could promote. That would be amazing.
Meaning that despite the media frenzy, things are still up in the air?
Absolutely. No decision has been [made]—everything has been talked about and is still being talked about. This season has stuff we've always wanted to do with Steve through the years that we haven't been able to do. [It's like,] "OK, here we go, this is it! We have to do everything this season."
What else do we get to see Steve do this year?
There's perhaps a little flashback—well, not a flashback per se, but a [retrospective] of Michael's girlfriends past. We have kind of a Broken Flowers episode where he revisits all his ex-girlfriends. Melora Hardin, who plays Jan Levinson, gets to come back for that, which we love.
And is Holly Flax (Amy Ryan) coming to take our boy away so they can live dorkily ever after?
Well, she's going to make an appearance for sure. There's obviously a lot of support for that. She will be appearing early in the season and then a little later. Who knows whether they'll ultimately be together, but definitely, you have to bring her back.
So Holly is coming back again at the very end! What's that we hear? Wedding bells and the angels singing? Come on, Office bosses, let's make it happen! If anyone deserves a happy Flax-tastic ending it's the World's Best Boss.
With Alex O’Loughlin starring in the new ‘Hawaii Five-0‘ (premiering Sept. 20, CBS), I would love to see this hottie in an on-screen romance. Any scoop on that? – Amy
Will there be onscreen romance for Alex’s Steve McGarrett? “Goodness gracious, yes!” a (female) source assures The Big Tease. In fact, just three or four episodes into the season, you can count on some seriously “hot ‘n heavy action” for Hawaii’s top cop.
On September 13, ‘Hawaii Five-0‘ premieres at Sunset On The Beach in Waikiki. Which actors will attend the premiere? Alex O’Loughlin, perhaps? – Karen
I am happy to say that the entire ‘Five-0′ ensemble – AO’L included – will be there. Aloha!
Can we expect to see more of Parker this season on ‘Bones‘? That kiddo is just too cute to be off screen for so long. – Amanda
It won’t be long at all ’til you spy the rugrat: Booth’s son – still played by Ty Panitz – shows up in the September 23 premiere.
Temperance wore some strikingly beautiful silver jewelry during the first few years of ‘Bones,’ and I have never seen any jewelry similar. Can you tell me something about it? – Georgeann
According to the show, there are two L.A-based designers they use to accessorize Brennan: Aklia Chinn of Aklia, and Kate Lindsay of Kate Lindsay Designs.com.
Got anything on ‘Supernatural‘? – Beth
Jared Padalecki will seize the spotlight as Season 6 launches Sept. 24, when “Sam comes back under mysterious circumstances – as people tend to do when they get out of Hell!” show runner Sera Gamble shares with a chuckle. And though the bros have the Apocalypse behind them, don’t worry about them kicking back with historically disposable love interests. “No, what the boys need is to be hunters, to save people while probably suffering a lot in their personal life on every level,” says Gamble. “That’s what makes them heroes.”
Will the fact that Tony and Gibbs missed Ziva’s citizenship ceremony in the ‘NCIS‘ season finale be addressed in the Sept. 21 premiere or any episode after? – Lyss
I asked around for you, Lyss, and that topic does not come up, at least in the first few episodes of Season 8.
Matt, I was hoping for any scoop on the ‘Smallville‘ episode “Isis.” – Chrisluvstom via Twitter
As revealed by Kryptonsite, “Isis” is this season’s fifth episode, and there’s been speculation over what/who exactly the title refers to. I have confirmed this much: Although DC lore does boast an Isis character (born of a live-action Saturday-morning series I was addicted to as a lad – “Oh Mighty Isis!”), ‘Smallville’ is serving up a non-branded Egyptian goddess – though the eagle-eyed may catch a wink-wink to the DC heroine.
Can you confirm that Allison Mack will only be in five episodes of ‘Smallville‘ this season? – Jessica
At first glance, that tally seemed skimpy, but it’s the real deal. As Chloe’s portrayer – now starring in the Broadway play ‘Love, Loss and What I Wore’ – told the New York Post, “I didn’t feel comfortable walking away from the show, and my character, without a completion. So I committed to doing five episodes to giving her the ending I think she deserves.”
Any scoop on my favorite ‘Glee‘ couple, Tina and Artie? – Dee
Oh, you haven’t heard? Those two are totes dunzo when Season 2 arrives on September 21. Kevin McHale reveals how Artie blew it big-time in this video Q&A.
I am in love with ‘Covert Affairs.’ Any scoop? And if you wanna be extra nice, I’d love for it to be about Ben (played by Eion Bailey)! – Melissa
As the double-episode, September 14 season-ender nears, I’ve been promised that there will be “a lot of Ben.” Yet at the same time poor Annie will be left to wonder – more than ever – who she can and cannot trust.
Any goodies on ‘Hellcats,’ ‘Nikita’ or ‘No Ordinary Family‘ (premiering Sept. 28, ABC)? – HellcatsNewsTV via Twitter
I choose door #3 and present this video Q&A with Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz. (P.S. I apologize to Buffyverse fans for brainfarting that Julie “died” like 17 times before her ‘Dexter’ demise.)
Thanks for the scoop on ‘Royal Pains‘ new and returning guest stars. But I hope that Brooke D’Orsay is back in the winter, too! “Paigan” = the best ‘RP’ ’ship to date. – Rivier via Twitter
Worry not, the ‘Drop Dead Diva’ beauty will be back as Paige when Season 1.5 arrives in January.
I heard that an ingénue by the name of Amelia Pedlow, a local gal from Philly, will have a part on ‘The Good Wife.’ Any truth to the rumors? – Alan
We here at Fancast – a Comcast site – do love the City Of Brotherly Love, so here’s a shout-out to the local girl done good: Pedlow is guest-starring in the second episode of the season as Daria Joyce, the girlfriend of a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan.
Is ‘Pretty Little Liars‘ returning to let us know if Allison is really alive? Surely they are not leaving us with the way it has ended! – Yolanda
They will not leave you hanging, and stop calling me Shirley. ‘PLL’ will likely resume its freshman run sometime in January. To bide the time, check out my video Q&A with Bryce Johnson (aka Officer Wilden), who hopes to have one of the girls behind bars by season’s end.
Is ‘Big Bang Theory’s move to Thursday the kiss of death for this intelligent and funny show? I note that it will now directly compete with another highly original sitcom, ‘Community.’ Thank heavens for DVR and On Demand. – Jim
Listen, you’re talking to the guy who questioned moving ‘Big Bang’ to the après-’Two And A Half Men’ slot. Result: the gangbustiest ratings ever. Exec producer Chuck Lorre is among those who urge us all to trust CBS. “One assumes they’ve given it a lot of thought, so if they think this is a good call, then that’s great,” he says. “Our job is to make a good show… [to] grow the crops. We don’t have the truck that brings them to market.” To bolster ‘Big Bang’s chances, CBS is running a promotional blitz as we speak, and loading up on winning guest stars such as Mayim Bialik (back in the Sept. 23 premiere as Sheldon’s “perfect match,” Amy Farrah Fowler), Laurie Metcalf (playing Sheldon’s mom) and Apple founder Steve Wozniak as… Apple founder Steve Wozniak.
Is Dillon Casey returning to ‘The Vampire Diaries‘ as Noah? – Johanna
Sorry, Jo, but this is an instance where IMDb “bites.” Says exec producer Julie Plec, ” There is nothing scheduled for him currently.” ‘TVD’ returns Sept. 9.
Do you know if ‘Flashpoint‘ is coming back for another season? – Deacon
I do not – and nether does anyone at CBS. Yet.
I hear The Sopranos alumna Jamie-Lynn Sigler has been tapped to star opposite Sherry Stringfield as the lead in Lifetime's untitled Josh Berman pilot. In another key pilot casting, former Deadwood co-star John Hawkes is set to star in FX's drama pilot Outlaw Country.
Lifetime’s untitled drama pilot from Drop Dead Diva creator/executive producer Josh Berman, from Sony Pictures TV, is a closed-ended drama set in San Diego, which centers on police detective Molly Collins (Stringfield), married mother of two on the verge of divorce, who, along with her partner Brooke Kross (Sigler), investigate the city’s most high-profile crimes while navigating their divergent personal lives. This is one of 3 pilots Lifetime greenlighted in June, along with Against the Wall and Exit 19. If the pilot goes to series, it will mark Sigler's first regular series gig since The Sopranos. She recently recurred on HBO's Entourage and ABC's Ugly Betty.
Outlaw Country, from Fox TV Studios and FX Prods., is a crime thriller/family drama set against the backdrop of southern organized crime and Nashville royalty. It focuses on 4 main characters, played by Luke Grimes, Haley Bennett, Mary Steenburgen and Hawkes. Grimes plays twentysomething Eli Larkin, a half-cowboy, half-modern guy who tries to get out of the crime ridden life he has grown accustom. Bennett plays twentysomething Annabel Lee, a gorgeous country singer who is living in the shadow of her overprotective mother (Steenburgen). Hawkes plays Tarzen Larkin, Eli's uncle and one of the most charismatic and compelling characters in Slaughter, a big-time player in the Southern crime world. Hawkes recently did an arc on ABC's Lost.
Five months after ascending to the big abacus in the sky, CBS’ Numb3rs is being revived by ABC.
Sources confirm to me exclusively that Judd Hirsch will reunite with his former TV son Rob Morrow in an episode of ABC’s new legal drama The Whole Truth.
Hirsch guest stars as Ruben Wright, a distinguished and well-respected judge who is accused of corruption and murder. He hires Morrow’s rising criminal attorney to represent him. Maura Tierney’s character, who tried the first case of her career in front of Judge Wright, reluctantly takes on the task of prosecuting him.
Truth premieres on Sept. 22. Hirsch’s episode is slated to air in October.
AMC has announced that its highly anticipated new serial thriller The Walking Dead will premiere with a special 90-minute episode on—how perfect is this—Halloween night! Wait, the news gets better: The mind-blowing trailer—which made its debut last month at Comic-Con—is embedded after the jump. I don’t recommend watching it alone!
James Marsters has confirmed that he will star in new Syfy series Three Inches.
The actor revealed on his Twitter feed that he will play Troy, the mysterious leader of a band of unlikely superheroes.
In a press release, Syfy executive Mark Stern announced that the show will be "a fun, smart, off-beat spin on the superhero genre".
He explained: "It introduces a new group of crime fighters who possess some imaginative - if not all that super - powers."
Fox Television Studios will produce Three Inches for the Syfy network.
"We felt there was something special and particularly twisted about this script, both in tone and in its sense of imagination," said Fox executive David Madden. "We could not be more thrilled to be working on it with Syfy."
Series star Marsters has previously appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Caprica and Smallville.
Seattle Grace lost a few doctors in the wake of a deranged widower on a rampage last season, but Grey's Anatomy executive producer Shonda Rhimes tells TVGuide.com there are no plans to add anymore series regulars into the fold.
"We're full up," she says.
Last season saw many additions to the regular cast: There was Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) and Teddy Altman (Kim Raver). There was also the group of rough-around-the-edges doctors who invaded Seattle Grace during the merger, though only April Kepner (Sarah Drew) and Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) made it out of the tragic shooting alive. They have since been added as series regulars.
Audiences will get to know Jackson and April much better once they move in with Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) this season. Pompeo says Meredith and April, whose crush on Derek (Patrick Dempsey) proved nearly fatal, will bond this season — which may help audiences change their feelings toward April.
"Meredith will accept April in order to get the audience to accept her," says Pompeo, who hopes Mer will be there to guide the new docs through their surgical residency.
"I feel like Meredith and Cristina [Sandra Oh] are much further along in their careers than April and Jackson," she continues. "The audience hasn't seen them go through as much training as they've seen us go through. I would love there to be a teaching element as opposed to them being our contemporaries."
Grey's Anatomy returns for its seventh season Thursday, Sept. 23 at 9/8c on ABC.
Good news for Facebook campaigners and anyone else who's been waiting with bated breath to see when Modern Family's Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) would pucker up...
The kiss is happening. In fact, they're shooting a Cam-Mitchell "PDA" episode soon. And show boss Steve Levitan wants you to know something very important about it:
It was planned all along. Before the Cam-Mitch kiss controversy started up.
"We've had an episode planned for a long time that dealt with that subject of [Cameron and Mitchell's PDA]," Levitan told us at a cocktail reception for Emmy-nominated producers last night. "So it almost bothers us that there was a little bit of controversy about it. Because we don't want to appear that we're answering that criticism. But sure enough, we're dealing with public displays of affection, and the power of a kiss. Seems simple, but intriguing—I hope."
"I think it's great that people care so much," Stonestreet says. "I always am confused why they don't worry about shows that don't have any gay characters on them. They should put some focus on them as well, but we'll give the audience exactly what they need."
"I mean, Ed and Sofia also never kiss," Ferguson points out, "but they seem to care more ‘cause we are the gay couple. But we're all proceeding and progressing and moving forward, there'll be lots of everything."
Maybe so. But Ed O'Neill still isn't satisfied. "My idea was Christmas," he jokes to me, "but go right to oral sex. You know, in the easy chair by the tree with Christmas carols. Maybe the camera outside, amber light, snow gently falling, some soft moaning. And we go out on that."
And this guy was the only Modern Family actor not nominated for Actor in a Comedy at the Emmys? Puh-lease!
Anyone else counting the minutes 'til Mod Fam returns?
Is Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) jumping ship on 30 Rock? This is the news that has us devastated this week in our roundup of exclusive TV scoop!! But hmmm...perhaps you wanna hear some juicy tidbits about the possible return of Britney Spears to Glee (and confirmation that Jonathan Groff will be back!), a kick-ass new sidekick on Castle, the latest on Chuck and Blair on Gossip Girl, a possible return for John Lithgow to Dexter and True Blood's season finale?
Thought so. Here it is:
Elle in Michigan: OK, forget about the Britney episode of Glee, what can you tell me about the Brittany episode of Glee?
We love Heather Morris (Brittany) too! Ran into exec producer Dante Di Loreto at an Emmys event for nominated producers and he spilled about the upcoming "Britney/Brittany" bonanza, "Heather Morris can really sing. We know she can dance, but to see her dance and hear her sing all at once is really fantastic. She knocks it out of the park. And we learn a lot of new things about Brittany in the episode—we might be surprised to hear what Brittany thinks about Britney Spears." Dante also revealed that "We're all working hard to make more Glee for you: Football players were dancing until about three o'clock in the morning on Friday." Mmmm…were they dancing to Brit's "Stronger," being football players and all? "Ryan [Murphy] would kill me if I told you. But I would say…you're smart." Yay! That gingo bilboa is paying off. Or wait…How is it spelled? (Joaking!)
Frederick in Des Moines: Will Britney be back on Glee or it's just a one-time thing?
They're already talking about bringing her back. How very HIMYM of you! Hey, maybe Brit can bring that Barney guy with her.
Alex in Venice, Italy: Is Jonathan Groff ever coming back to Glee?
Yep! Exec producer Dante DiLoreto (whom you can follow @GleeTV on Twitter, BTW) tells us, "Yes, absolutely, without a doubt Jonathan will be back. He's in London right now. We're hoping he'll finish that pesky play and come back and work with us." Hurry up, dude! Rachel Berry has a raw egg with your name on it!
Scott in Detroit, Mich.: I totally remember Joe Manganiello, True Blood's Alcide, as Brad on How I Met Your Mother! Any chance he'll make another appearance on the show?
Ew. That flabby schlub? "I would bet money that Brad will be back." That's what the ridonkulously hot man himself told us. So what exactly has Brad been up to since we last saw him in the season five premiere? "He revealed he may be a hermaphrodite 'cause he tells Robin, 'I'm a little different down there,' So maybe deeper into the mystery of what Brad is," Joe suggested. "We need to figure out what Brad is. We're figuring out who the mother is and what exactly Brad is. It's kind of the b-plot of the show, 'What is Brad?'" B-plot?! Psh, we're promoting the Brad mystery to the A-plot. Sorry Ted's baby mama, we've had enough of your drama.
Charlotte in Georgia: I love Modern Family, and I hope they win all the Emmys this weekend! Have you been able to get any scoop on season two at the Emmys events?
Alex (Ariel Winter) is getting several storylines this year. Ariel tells us, "Alex gets a little friend who probably will develop into something more. Alex is turning into a teenager and maybe more of the popular girl. She'll still be the know-it-all, the smart aleck, but she's just going to be a little popular." Ooh, and what does big sis Haley (Sarah Hyland) think of that? "I don't think Alex really cares what her big sister thinks. I think once she becomes top dog in her school, it's going to be, 'Hey, I'm as cool as me now so you can't say anything. I can still make fun of you, but you can't make fun of me.' "
Drew in Chicago: What's the latest on Brothers and Sisters? You haven't talked about it in a while!
I forgot! And that's exactly what's going to be happening to Holly (Patricia Wettig) in the new season—except she's gonna forget something much, um, bigger. She has memory loss and can't even remember her own daughter Rebecca, from what I hear. I'm guessing this makes the loss of Emily VanCamp somehow easier? But crazy, right?! I love it. I'm also told that Emily will appear in episode three and four of the new season and that she and Justin will have some serious problems. Oh, and there may be another little Walker on the way! One of the women wants to get pregnant. Guesses?
Heather in Tuscaloosa, Ala.: Why, oh why, is there no Mad Men scoop? Pleeeaaaase give us some dish!
The divine Christina Hendricks, who plays Joan Holloway Harris, tells us, "There is a lot about to happen, so tune in. It's going to be good. Mad Men without darkness is Disneyland without Mickey Mouse. It will be there." Rich Sommer, aka Harry Crane, agrees, promising, "I can say the show doesn't get any less dark. You'll see some deeper levels of despair—but it's still funny! I think as long as someone like Roger Sterling (John Slattery) is around, it'll still stay light." Any guesses about what's so bad?
Heather in Chico, Calif: What's the latest on Finn and Rachel?
In case you missed it: PDA central! Something tells me they're going to be giving Cam and Mitchell a run for the money. Ryan Murphy talks about how they're going to be very visible in very public places with their love (you happy, Finnchel fans!?) and how Will and Emma fans aren't so lucky in this exclusive right here.
Francesca: So happy John Lithgow won the Emmy on Saturday! Will he be back on Dexter at all?
Well, his character Trinity is dead but we here at WWK Central have spent way too much time decoding my on-camera interview with John and have reached the verdict of: Absolutely! John's words said: "You know, people who work on Dexter never answer questions like that. You know that! It's a cultural secrecy surrounding Dexter. It makes it a lot of fun. Half the time, we didn't even know what was coming." But the avoidance of the Q, coupled with John's head shake and smile gave it all away if you ask me! I also broke the news to Mr. Trinity that Julie Benz hasn't been able to take a bath since the last season finale, and Lithgow laughed: "I did for bathtubs what Janet Leigh did for showers back in the '50s." True dat. I miss feeling pruney.
Eli in New York: Can't wait until Sept. 26! Spill me some news about Dexter, please.
According to James Remar, this season brings still more growth for our fave killer and all his family members, dead and alive: "As Dexter's personality progresses, Harry progresses. I believe at this time, Harry's more of a companionate figure. He's more of a companion than a specter that haunts him—and Dexter's not being as rebellious." Hmmm…could Harry be taking the brakes off Dexter this season? Interesting. (BTW, James is ready and willing to return to The Vampire Diaries as Giuseppe Salvatore should he be called upon to do so. "You never know with the vampires." Indeed.)
Greg in New Hampshire: Is Kenneth the Page really off of 30 Rock this season? Didn't he show up drunk at the end of the season finale saying he was fired?
Yes, Jack MacBrayer is off the show because he just really wasn't working out. Also, monkeys are going to fly out of Tina Fey's butt. Translation: They would never let Kenneth/ Jack go! But how crazy is this Twitter photo that Grizz sent out via Twtter http://twitgoo.com/1jn8s1 that clearly shows Kenneth working for some crazy network that has an eyeball logo or something. Traitor! I'm appalled, Kenneth. Just appalled.
Nikki in Bowling Green, Ohio: Parenthood was one of my favorite new shows last year, and I need some scoop on the second season!
You're in luck, because the season premiere date is just around the corner (Sept. 14!) Erika Christensen was gracious and lovely enough to spill some tidbits on what's coming up for Julia, and it involves spawning. "My character decides she wants to get pregnant and have a second child," Erika tells us as at the Creative Emmy Awards. "Her husband maybe isn't quite as enthusiastic about it as she is." And if her hubby ain't gonna do the job, someone else might! There are plenty of hot dudes coming on the show next season, after all. "When a woman makes up her mind, she gets what she wants. I do occasionally think maybe she'll have an affair at one point," she says. Relax, she's joking. Or is she?
Roland in Toluca Lake, Calif.: It would be so double rainbow if you could give me any secrets from the next season of Castle.
Remember when you thought Stana Katic couldn't get any hotter? You are so wrong, bro. "Beckett rides a motor bike!" she tells us gleefully. And this won't be a one time thing either, so don't you worry—it's her new thing. "Beckett definitely has a motor bike at home. I'm so stoked. I can't wait!" We can't either. Meanwhile, that sound you hear is millions of fanboys drawing up concepts for Stana's leather biker-babe ensembles.
Libbie in Georgetown, Texas: Please tell me you've seen the season three premiere of Sons of Anarchy! You have to give me something! I gotta know how the Sons react to poor Abel's kidnapping, if they react at all!
Oh, they definitely react. No doubt about that. Season three is all about the effect that Abel's kidnapping has on the club, and Sons show runner Kurt Sutter just revealed that, "Season three is a bit different for us. I felt like after two seasons of serialized character development, fans would be open to learn more about the history of the club. This season we delve into the mythology of the Sons connection to the IRA and John Teller's relationship with Belfast. It's a huge season for Jax. In fact, it's all about the three generations of Tellers—John, Jax and Abel." (Among other things, we'll actually see John Teller's face for the first time this season.)
Steph in Austin, TX: Kristin, there's a rumor that Chuck tries to rape and beat Blair. Can you clear that up for me because if this happens, [Gossip Girl] can shove this show where the sun doesn't shine. Thanks!
Per my rock-solid source: "LOL. Not true in the least." So no one needs to shove anything anywhere uncomfortable. Phew!
Sarah in Massapequa, N.Y.: Am I the only person sensing some romantic tension between Aria's dad Byron (Chad Lowe) and Hanna's mom Ashley (Laura Leighton) on Pretty Little Liars?
Trust us, you are definitely not the only one catching the pair's meaningful stares and ever-growing connection, but there might be someone standing in their way when this guiltiest of guilty pleasures returns, and that someone ain't his estranged wife, Ella (Holly Marie Combs). We caught up with Amanda Schull, aka Byron's former mistress Meredith, who tells us fans will be seeing more of her in the second half of the season: "As far as I know I will be [back]. I don't know the details of that but I know that the story line, especially the story lines in the book say I will be." Well, according to the books she's around for a (pregnant pause)… long time. Oops, was that too obvious?
Kiley in Colorado: Any scoop on Psych? My friends and I all agree that this season's run of episodes has been awesome—so much better than all of last year's serious drama!
Agreed! Lost's Nestor Carbonell spilled to us about his upcoming guest gig on Psych: "I play a criminal profiler who rivals Shawn, James Roday's character, and who one-ups him at every turn. Shawn's never had somebody one-up him. Shawn's always the man in charge—he's pretty much a superhero. But I come in and I destroy him—which is a lot of fun."
Jessica: True Blood! How great was last night's episode?
So great I'm honestly broken up that there are only two episodes left! I just interviewed the completely amazing Denis O'Hare (Russell Edgington, the big bad vampire king) and he told me that the season finale was his most challenging work yet (gulp!), and that "Sookie is very mean to me…Eric is very mean to me…and I cry tears of joy." I am a little alarmed by that last tease! What on Earth could make Russell so happy? Talbot somehow coming back from the crystal urn? A double rainbow? An all-you-can-eat baby buffet?
Karen in Illinois: Are you going to retract your statement about the werewolf gang rape [on True Blood]? That never happened.
Sorry! My very bad bad. And proof that apparently I am the one with the truly sick mind. I personally thought the werewolf initiation scene to be something of a gang-rape scene, hence my mention on E! News of it…I don't know, perhaps it was open to interpretation, or I'm in need of serious medication? (Don't answer that.) Regardless: I went back and you're right: No actual rape was ever shown. My apologies for my apparently overactive imagination and please know, True Blood remains one of my all-time favorite shows. That is an indisputable fact.
Emily in Toronto, Ontario: Hi Kristin! I have a question about True Blood and I'm really hoping you can help me out. How is Arlene pregnant with Rene? Does this mean that everything that has happened over the past almost two seasons has been over the course of merely weeks? It just doesn't add up to me. Thank you!
It's a reminder that each season of True Blood covers very little time…Only a few weeks! Arlene is only about 7-8 weeks pregnant, so really, very little time has passed since Rene's death in season one. All I know is a lot happens in Bon Temps and I don't want to live there. Well, OK, fine, unless you're going to shack (shackle?) me up with Eric.
Britney in Dallas, Texas: I'm so over Stelena and Delena on The Vampire Diaries. Please tell me we will see more Dalaric!
You can rest easy because we will be seeing plenty of Damon and Alaric teaming up in season two. We asked the show's very own Buffy (spin-off idea: Alaric The Vampire Slayer!) Matt Davis, about the unlikely duo's partnership and here's what he told us: "Our bromance is definitely developing. You'll see much more of that for sure. I love Ian to pieces and I love working with him and I think our chemistry as friends and the way Kevin and Julie write the two of them together, just the archetypes of the two characters together I think fit really well." If that wasn't cute enough for you, Matt recently tweeted a picture of the duo's nifty supernatural rings with the caption, "Wonder Twin power unite in shape of a bromance!!!" Um, I die.
Monica: Hi! Any scoop on 90210?
Michael Steger tells us: "I show up in a Ferrari, I got rid of the Lamborghini, so I am driving a new car to school on the first day." Jessica Lowndes: "My new character is no longer in high school, she's touring and singing, so there's a lot more music, which has been a lot of fun." And Matt Lanter: "There's always drama, love triangles, I've got a half-brother coming in. There's a big earthquake that happens in episode one, so it kind of affects everybody, it's kind of fun." By the way, Matt stars as the Robert Pattison in the new spoof movie Vampires Suck and jokes about his anticipated reaction from Twilight fans: "I got a couple extra deadbolts on my door just as a precaution, but so far, I haven't needed 'em."
Sammi in Temecula, Calif.: Any scoop on my Thursday-night guilty pleasure, Private Practice?
James Remar tells us of his Private Practice character: "He's a bad boy doctor who worked with Doctors Without Borders with Pete (Tim Daly) in the past—and we have history, obviously. My character is a doctor who likes working for people that don't have any money, and he gives his services for nothing, but some of his patients may be questionable."
Jeffrey Mayer/Getty Images
Melody in Indiana: Any dish on Covert Affairs? So excited it's coming back for a second season!
Yes! This week's episode puts the affairs in Covert Affairs. We'll learn that not one but two of Augie's girlfriends are known troublemakers who are being watched by the CIA. Oh, and Chris Gorham takes his shirt off and proves he's definitely no Henry Grubstick skinny nerd. Meow!
Sara in Springfield, Ill.: When, oh when, does Greek come back? I must know what happens to Cappie and Casey!
They are finishing up the filming of season four right now, but it won't premiere until January! Doesn't that seem just ridiculously far away? And while no official announcement has been made on a renewal, when we visited the set we were told that the writers have been wrapping up storylines as if this was the last season. Bummer city. In regards to Cappie and Casey, Spencer Grammer did tell us that they "reconcile in some way." Feel free to speculate on that little gem for the next four months.
