David Duchovny Comes to the Small Screen (Again!)
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, Cable, Showtime, Cable/Satellite,
Ever since David Duchovny left The X-Files, there has been a little empty place in my heart. Fear not, Duchovny fans, for he returns again to the small screen! This time, however, he’ll be working with Showtime on two projects, according to a report from Variety. One series in the works would have Duchovny starring as a writer addicted to sex and drugs—who is trying to raise a child on his own. The pilot does not have a title attached yet. He will also executive produce the series.
But wait—there’s more! He’s also writing a comedy pilot with Bart Freundlich, called Yoga Man, which is said to be similar to the movie Shampoo (with Warren Beatty), only set in a yoga studio. Hmm. Ahh, just when I’d gotten the last of Duchovny out of my system, he’s back again. Welcome back to the small screen, David.
Read More 
| TV Squad
Gallery: David Duchovny Comes to the Small Screen (Again!)
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Studio 60 Gets the Full Order
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Drama, Prime Time, NBC, Cancellations, Ratings, Renewals,
Seems NBC is taking pity on the ratings-impaired series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. While the show hasn’t been living up to expectations in terms of viewership, the network has extended the show for the full season. Time will tell if the show gains momentum—and numbers. It’s hard to believe that it could see an increase in ratings, since most people who jumped ship on the series are unlikely to dive back in if they’ve missed a number of episodes. NBC Entertainment chief Kevin Reilly said of the full season order, “I am pleased to show our support for this outstanding and ambitious effort from executive producers Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme. From the start, they have delivered the superb show that we wanted. The critical support has been rock-solid and there is a passionate core audience. We can’t wait for what’s going to come in the remainder of the season.” The show had seemed to be in jeopardy of cancellation, but somehow dodged the bullet. While the show started strong with 13 million viewers, it has dropped to about 8 million per episode. The show does, however, draw the highest concentration of folks with incomes of $75,000 or more.
Read More | Zap2it
Gallery: Studio 60 Gets the Full Order
Six Degrees on Hiatus; Men in Trees Given Full Season
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Drama, ABC, Grey’s Anatomy, Ratings,
The ailing freshman show, Six Degrees will be taking a little break—with Men in Trees taking over the timeslot. Six Degrees hasn’t made much of a showing in the ratings, which is remarkable considering it follows Grey’s Anatomy. Surely the show must be able to retain some of Grey’s audience. But it hasn’t. And don’t call me Shirley. With the ratings in the dumpster, ABC has decided to pull Six Degrees through December.
Men in Trees, which has been doing well on Friday evenings, will take over the 10:00 p.m. Thursday spot that Six Degrees will leave vacant (starting November 30th). Men in Trees has also been given a full season order, so it’s likely the move to Thursdays will get it some additional exposure. ABC intends to bring Six Degrees back on the schedule sometime in January.
Read More | Zap2it
Gallery: Six Degrees on Hiatus; Men in Trees Given Full Season
Beverly Hills 90210 Cast Reunite for DVD Release
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Drama, Prime Time, DVD, Video,
Wow, good times. Beverly Hills, 90210 was a 1990s institution. And now the gang is back together again—only this time, not at the Peach Pit, and only for one night… and without Brenda and Dylan. But hey, you can’t have it all! I’m speaking of the recent cast reunion for the DVD release of the first season of Beverly Hills, 90210. “We always worked hard to stay together as a cast,” Jason Priestley (Brandon Walsh), told USA Today. Preggers Tori Spelling (Donna), Jennie Garth (Kelly), Brian Austin Green (David), Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea) and Ian Ziering (Steve) were all on hand for the release. No-shows Shannon Doherty and Luke Perry were speculated to be absent because the cast can in no way profit from the DVD sales. Strangely enough, no one considered the technology of releasing series on video/DVD and so it was not included in their contracts.
Read More | People
Gallery: Beverly Hills 90210 Cast Reunite for DVD Release
As if ABC’s hit drama Brothers & Sisters couldn’t get any better—now Rob Lowe will be joining the cast. Okay, so it’s only for six episodes, but he will be a fantastic addition to the show. Having grown up on a steady diet of Rob Lowe, I’ve followed his career for awhile. And, is it just me, or does he never seem to age? It’s remarkable, really.
Anyway, back to Brothers & Sisters... Lowe has signed on to play a Republican U.S. senator who is going through a divorce while running for re-election in California. Of course, he and Kitty (Calista Flockhart) will meet up on her political TV show. Ba-da-bing, let the romantic sparks fly! Executive producer Jon Robin Baitz, wrote the role specifically for Lowe (and also wrote an episode of The West Wing). “He brings a maturity to the role on a show that’s about people who are no longer kids.” Baitz said.
Read More | Comingsoon.net
Gallery: Rob Lowe Joins Brothers & Sisters
What About Brian Receives Additional Script Order
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Drama, Prime Time, ABC, Ratings,
ABC already seemed to take a chance by bringing back What About Brian for a second season, following less-than-stellar viewership for the mid-season entry last year. The network seems smitten with Brian, ordering four additional scripts—although there has been no commitment by ABC to film any more episodes. ABC has also ordered additional scripts for The Nine, Help Me Help You and Men in Trees; the other networks have also made similar arrangements with Friday Night Lights, Justice, The Class and Studio 60.
What About Brian has made a promising start to its second season, following Brian (Barry Watson), as the only single guy in his group of friends. Ratings are up from 6.3 million last season to 6.9 million this fall. Brian also retains about 85 percent of the show before it, The Bachelor. I’m hoping What About Brian goes the distance this season, since I’ve followed it since last year and am looking forward to seeing where they take the storylines.
Read More | Zap2it
Gallery: What About Brian Receives Additional Script Order
‘Kidnapped’ Latest TV Casualty
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Drama, NBC, The CW, Cancellations, Ratings,
Kidnapped seemed ill-fated when NBC switched it from Wednesday to Saturday nights—the proverbial “kiss of death.” Well, the series has been kissed, and it’s now officially dead. NBC has removed the show from the schedule permanently. Good news for fans, however—NBC will air the eight remaining episodes on NBC.com. I saw a commercial for Kidnapped the other day, and it’s a surprise that it didn’t take off—with stars like Jeremy Sisto, Delroy Lindo, Dana Delany and Timothy Hutton, there was plenty of star power. The original timeslot averaged under 7 million viewers per week; the move to Saturday proved lethal, with numbers dropping to 4 million. So far, we’ve seen the passing of CBS’ Smith and The CW’s Runaway. Twenty Good Years will reportedly get the axe as well, since it will be leaving the air in a couple of weeks. Warner Bros. TV, however, says the show is still in production.
Read More | Zap2it
Gallery: ‘Kidnapped’ Latest TV Casualty
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
Gallery: Additional Scripts Ordered for Four New Series
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
Gallery: Star of Law & Order Robbed
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
Gallery: Prison Break—Stolen Idea?
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