Additional Scripts Ordered for Four New Series
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, ABC, NBC, Ratings, Renewals,
Four new series on ABC and NBC have gotten the go-ahead for additional scripts. Help Me Help You, The Nine, Men in Trees and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip are all big winners—ABC’s shows have gotten the order for four more scripts and Studio 60 is picked up for three more scripts. Studio 60‘s announcement was a surprise to many, as the show has not been a ratings winner. It does, however, rank among the top shows for upscale viewers (incomes greater than $75,000).
This marks a trend of networks to favor ordering more scripts rather than giving full season pickups. In fact, only six new shows have been given the full ride so far—Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty, Heroes, Shark, Jericho, and The Game.
Read More 
| Zap2it
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Jesse L. Martin, who plays Detective Ed Green on Law & Order, was the victim of a robbery during a visit to his hometown of Buffalo, NY. In town to shoot a film, Martin was eating breakfast and signing autographs on Monday morning, only to have his car broken into. The thief got away with Martin’s luggage, iPod and autographed photos. Director Peter McGennis said of the incident, “He’s lived in New York City for 20 years and has never been robbed or a victim of theft. He comes back here and in two days he gets fleeced.” The film Martin was shooting is an indie movie called Buffalo Bushido. Without his luggage, Martin flew to New York City with just the clothes he was wearing and his wallet. Quite a homecoming—Martin graduated from the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.
Read More | Access Hollywood
Nicole Richie—Too Thin?
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Reality, Cable, Cable/Satellite, Rumors,
Finally, Nicole Richie is doing something about her shrinking size. The ultra-skinny co-star of The Simple Life is now looking for help—her publicist told E! News that Richie has gone to a facility “to undergo diagnostic treatment to determine why she’s not been putting on any weight.” The rep further said, “She is working with a team of doctors and specialists whose focus is nutrition. It is important to Nicole that she achieve this goal in a healthy way, [but] this is not a treatment for an eating disorder.” For now, production of The Simple Life is on hold. Her weight has been of question lately—her response was that it was due to the stress of her breakup with Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein.
Last month, Richie responded to a CNN report that she was seeking treatment for anorexia, saying “Contrary to CNN’s false accusations, I did not check myself into an eating disorder rehab… I do not have an eating disorder, and I don’t know how many times I have to say it.” She also spoke out on the Tyra Banks Show, once again denying any eating disorder.
Read More | E! Online
Prison Break—Stolen Idea?
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Drama, Prime Time, FOX, Prison Break,
Hooked on Prison Break‘s storyline? There may be more truth to it than fiction. Two brothers are alleging that Prison Break was their idea—based on their experience in the 1960s. Robert Hughes was wrongfully imprisoned and his brother, Donald, helped him escape. They were on the run for four years following the break out from a juvenile facility.
The Hughes brothers have filed a lawsuit against Fox, saying their agent had sent the network their manuscript in 2001, but the net passed on it. Donald Hughes, now 63, told the Associated Press, “It’s a classic case of the rich trampling on the poor.” No details yet on the damages and costs that the Hughes brothers are seeking.
Their story does share some commonalities with Prison Break—Robert, then 16, was wrongfully accused of threatening his mentally ill mother with an ice pick. Even though she later took back the accusation, the court ruled that he serve time until he turned 21. His brother, Donald, effectively busted Robert out of jail just two months later. For four years, they lived as fugitives—they were exonerated in 1968. Even some of the names and places in Prison Break are similar to those in their manuscript, the brothers contend.
Read More | Access Hollywood
Grey’s Anatomy Actor Issues Apology
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Drama, Prime Time, ABC, Grey’s Anatomy, News,
Remember that little fight that happened on the set of Grey’s Anatomy on October 9th? Actor Isaiah Washington, who started the fight and made some not-so-nice comments, has issued an apology to People magazine about the incident. “I sincerely regret my actions and the unfortunate use of words during the recent incident on-set,” Washington, said. “Both are beneath my own personal standards. ... I have nothing but respect for my coworkers ... and have apologized personally to everyone involved.”
Perhaps the best move to smooth the waters, since Washington uttered a homophobic remark during the dispute with Patrick Dempsey. The October 19th announcement by co-star T.R. Knight that he is gay confirmed for many that the object of Washington’s slur was Knight. Grey’s co-star Katherine Heigl appeared on Tuesday’s Ellen DeGeneres show and called the fight “some scuffle… There was a little burst of testosterone in the room, and then within five minutes ... they were totally fine.” Interestingly enough, Washington was to tape an interview with DeGeneres for Wednesday’s show, but canceled due to a scheduling conflict.
Apparently Washington, Dempsey and Knight have made their peace. Show creator Shonda Rhimes told People “The whole affair was four and a half seconds of one day in three years. I feel like we’ve already moved on.”
Read More | People
Must See TV is Back!
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, NBC, My Name Is Earl, Scrubs, The Office,
Remember when Thursday nights were ‘Must See TV’ on NBC? Well, Thursday nights are about to get a great lineup again. Of course, this is just in my opinion, but I’m sure plenty will agree. First, Scrubs is coming back on November 30th! The long-awaited return is finally just around the corner, and here’s hoping that the 9 p.m. slot on the Thursday night lineup will bring more viewers to this great comedy. Second, 30 Rock, the new Tina Fey/Alec Baldwin sitcom will move to Thursdays at 9:30. This little comedy has got potential and Thursday may give it more exposure. My Name is Earl and The Office will continue at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Oh my god, settle in to your comfy chair for the best night of TV! Kevin Reilly, President of NBC Entertainment, said of the news, “We are excited about the prospect of two-hours of top-notch comedy on Thursday nights, which includes the return of Scrubs. We will stay on-brand with the best comedy block on television, which will position us for the future on the night.” Look for it all on November 30th (and of course, ER is still hanging in the Thursday 10 p.m. spot).
Read More | ComingSoon.net
How I Met Your Mother Barneyism Contest
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, CBS, Internet, News,
If you’re a fan of How I Met Your Mother, then this contest may be right up your alley. One of the things that has made HIMYM such a success are the lines that Neil Patrick Harris, as Barney, delivers. These are the lines that people regurgitate the next day at the office—and the writers just keep ‘em coming. I, for one, have never gotten in the groove of watching this show. It just doesn’t deliver enough laughs for me… but I certainly understand the appeal and think that Neil Patrick Harris does a great job of distancing himself from the Doogie Howser persona.
TV.com is running a contest for the best Barneyism, with the winning entry getting written into a script of How I Met Your Mother. Imagine your clever line being delivered on the show—instant fame! Hurry and get your entry in—the winner will be decided in December.
Read More | TV.com Entry Form
Janice Dickinson Gets Another Year on Oxygen
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Reality, Cable, Cable/Satellite, Ratings, Renewals,
Wow, that headline sounds funny, doesn’t it? What I’m getting at is that the Oxygen Network is giving Janice Dickinson’s show, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, a second season. Dickinson, the self-proclaimed “world’s first supermodel” made her mark on Oxygen over the summer with the most successful original series in the network’s history. Season one included 10 episodes, but the second season will only be eight episodes, plus a holiday special. Never fear though—there may be fewer episodes, but each will be one hour long, versus 30 minutes last season. Debby Beece, head of programming and marketing at Oxygen said of Dickinson, “Janice’s first season was a big hit. She is a one-of-a-kind personality and our audience couldn’t get enough of her. Expanding the second season’s format will give viewers the chance to get to know Janice even better.” Dickinson’s say-what-you-think, no-holds barred disposition certainly made for entertaining television, so it’ll be interesting to see what Janice has in store for the agency and models this go-around. The new season will debut in January.
Read More | Zap2it
Farrelly Brothers Pilot Coming to NBC
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, BBC, NBC,
The Farrelly brothers (Peter and Bobby) are perhaps best known for their films There’s Something About Mary, Kingpin, Stuck on You, and Shallow Hal. Now they’re bringing their brand of humor to the small screen, joining forces with Ben Silverman, producer of The Office and Wil Calhoun, a writer for Friends. The pilot, called I’m With Stupid, is an adaptation of a British show that pairs a homeless man with a disabled man in a wheelchair. The man comes to live at the home for the disabled where the wheelchair-bound man lives. So where is the Farrelly brothers’ signature gross-out humor? Well, it’s sure to have some people prickly over the nature of the show and possibly the title (who is the “stupid” one in this friendship?). The brothers will direct and serve as executive producers. The British version has received high marks for its potrayal of disabled people. We’ll see if the Farrelly’s can bring any sensitivity to the subject. The Farrelly’s are currently working on a Three Stooges project.
Read More | Zap2it
Madonna to Set Things Straight on Oprah
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Daytime, Talk Shows, Syndication, News, Rumors,
If you’re having trouble keeping up with all of the latest happenings of Madonna’s recent adoption of 13-month-old David Banda, look no further than Oprah to clear things up. Things were going swimmingly with her and hubby Guy Ritchie’s recent adoption process. In fact, many child rights groups were saying that things were going too easily for the couple—and too quickly. Madonna was able to gain custody of the child easily and even have him come to live with them in England. Typically, Malawian laws do not allow international adoptions or require the parents to live in the country for up to one year for evaluation. Then, the boys’ father spoke out, saying that he didn’t really understand the permanency of an adoption. He told the Associated Press on Sunday, “If we were told she wants to take the baby as her own, we would not have consented, because I see no reason why I should give up my son.”
So, where does the adoption stand and what is all of the controversy about? Madonna will be shedding light on the details during an upcoming interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The show will air on Wednesday.
Read More | E! Online
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