Posted Feb 9th 2010 4:02PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free
Minka Kelly might not be on
'Friday Night Lights' anymore but she is keeping busy. She has just signed on to star in the pilot for
a new CBS comedy, 'True Love.' It comes from Matt Tarses of
'Scrubs.' It's about four close friends in New York City and their relationships.
I know, I know, everyone is going to say "hey, that sounds a lot like
'Friends,' doesn't it?" But is that really fair? There are just so many plots that a TV show can have before it starts to seem like they're copying it. I remember when a lot of 'Friends' clones popped up after that show became a hit, but that was more about the timing of those new shows. It's all about the writing and the cast and the direction and all of those elements, not that it's about single people living in Manhattan.
Besides, 'Friends' ended years ago. How much longer will we compare new shows to it?
Posted Feb 9th 2010 9:10AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Industry, Programming, OpEd, American Idol, Celebrities, Celebrity Commentary, Casting, Reality-Free
Love him or hate him, Howard Stern
has confirmed his interest in Simon Cowell's seat on
'American Idol'. This goes along with
the earlier announcement that 'Idol' producers are interested as having Stern as a judge.
This entire situation seems more sound and fury and it's unlikely that anything would come of it. All Stern has in common with Cowell is the ability to be obnoxious and denigrating of other people. Cowell at least had ties to the music industry before appearing as an 'Idol' judge. While Howard Stern does work in radio, he thankfully has not released a CD of himself singing the Beatles' greatest hits. If he has, I missed it.
Most likely this situation is being used by Stern as a bargaining chip for a renegotiation of his contract with Sirius. Stern would be too much of a turn-off for the majority of viewers for 'American Idol'. If he does end up replacing Cowell, then it could signal the beginning of the end of 'American Idol'.
Posted Feb 8th 2010 4:24PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Casting, Chuck, Reality-Free
The February 8th episode of
'Chuck' will be the last until after the Olympics, so here's a bit a news that should keep all 'Chuck' devotees panting for the return.
Christopher Lloyd will be guesting on 'Chuck' in the spring. He's playing a psychiatrist/therapist/shrink who Chuck consults with when the rigors of morphing into a spy starts to get to Agent Bartowski.
This will hopefully be a case of the right actor in the right role and the writers rise to the occasion to create something memorable. There's every reason to hope for big things because executive producer Josh Schwartz has admittedly being a geek when it comes to anything related to
'Back to the Future.' Having Doctor Emmett "Doc" Brown in the house should be an inspiration, don't you think?
Continue reading Christopher Lloyd Will Be a Doc on 'Chuck'
Posted Feb 8th 2010 3:04PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Other Drama Shows, OpEd, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free
Maybe it's just me, but in every promotion for NBC's upcoming family dramedy
'Parenthood,' the images of Lauren Graham has a
'Gilmore Girls' vibe. Will Lauren be able to convincingly play a new character, divorced mom Sarah Braverman, and erase the nostalgic shadow cast by her performance as single mother Lorelai Gilmore? Or are we to believe what the NBC ads are showing us -- that Sarah B. is really just Lorelai 2.0.
According to Joel, who saw the pilot, Sarah is no Lorelai. She's not chummy-chummy with her children. She's a lot tougher and more of a mom than a buddy. That would definitely be different from 'Gilmore Girls.' Lorelai and Rory's relationship was unique because they were really best friends... most of the time.
Continue reading Lauren Graham in 'Parenthood,' More Than Lorelai Gilmore 2.0?
Posted Feb 8th 2010 10:00AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Lost, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free
CBS's new incarnation of
'Hawaii Five-0' to a huge step towards becoming a reality with one casting move.
Daniel Dae Kim will be playing one of the 'Hawaii Five-0' team. The 'Lost' veteran, who is available for work because the ABC drama ends on May 23, will be a cop on 'Five-0.'
No, they're not making Steve McGarrett, the lead detective.
Kim has been cast as Detective Chin Ho Kelly, the second or third guy, depending on the episode. In the original series, Kam Fong played the role, and James MacArthur as Dano was perceived more of the second guy on the team. But in today's more diverse era, Kim may have a more prominent role than Fong did.
Continue reading 'Lost's' Daniel Dae Kim tapped for 'Hawaii 5-0' remake
Posted Feb 8th 2010 9:26AM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Other Drama Shows, Programming, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free
The season finale of
'Heroes' is on NBC tonight (yup, in February), and no knows yet if the show is coming back for another season or not (though
Greg Grunberg is hopeful). If the show is canceled, there are a couple of shows that are rushing to fill that hole in the superhero genre. One is an NBC show titled
'Cape,' and another is
'No Ordinary Family.' a pilot that ABC has picked up.
This one is a drama from Greg Berlanti ('Brothers & Sisters,' 'Eli Stone,' 'Dawson's Creek,' 'Everwood,' and 'Dirty Sexy Money') and focuses on a family (headed by dad Chiklis) who finds that they have super powers. And by "super powers" I'm sure they mean things like strength, speed, and invisibility and not other powers a family could have, like being a great cook, being able to fix leaky faucets, and organizing closets like no ordinary human.
Posted Feb 6th 2010 7:03PM by Isabelle Carreau
Filed under: Other Drama Shows, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free
Earlier this week, we informed you that
'Brothers & Sisters' was considering
casting Joe Jonas to play a younger version of Tommy in a special two-hour episode filled with flashback sequences and set to air in April.
Fan reaction from the news differed a lot. Some fans were glad at the idea of one of the Jonas brothers to be part of the series as Joe not only shared physical features with actor Balthazar Getty, which would have helped making this younger version of Tommy be believable, but also because the Jonas Brothers' following could have tuned in the show and help boost the ratings.
Other fans were outraged at the idea that Joe Jonas could land the role. Comments ranged from fans claiming that Joe did not look like Getty at all to them wondering if Joe Jonas had the needed acting skills to play such a role.
No matter what's your opinion, Jonas did not get the part after all. A young actor from
'Make It or Break It' was offered the role instead.
Continue reading Jonas Brother Will Not Be on 'Brothers and Sisters' After All
Posted Feb 6th 2010 6:02PM by Isabelle Carreau
Filed under: Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free, Cougar Town
Grammy-winner singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow has been tapped to
appear in three episodes of the hit comedy series '
Courgar Town.'
Crow's past TV and movie appearances were mostly as herself and involved singing. However, she does have some acting experience from having played roles other than herself in movies such as '54' and 'The Minus Man' as well as in TV series such as 'Cop Rock.'
Sheryl Crow will have to tap in her acting skills for her 'Cougar' gig as the singer will not be playing herself.
Small spoilers about her role coming up!
Continue reading Sheryl Crow Sings Her Way to 'Cougar Town'
Posted Feb 6th 2010 11:44AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Other Drama Shows, OpEd, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free
Somebody wise once said that when it comes to movies and television (theater, too), casting is essential. If you get it right, you're half-way home. Recently, that proved true on CBS's
'NCIS' with the casting of Robert Wagner as Tony DiNozzo's dad. Perfect casting.
Here's another instance where the producers seem to have nailed it.
'Royal Pains' has cast Henry Winkler to play Hank and Evan's father, Eddie Lawson. Yes, Henry Winkler. The Fonz from 'Happy Days,' but if you know you're
Henry Winkler IMDB listing, you know he's done so much more than just Arthur Fonzarelli.
In fact, in a case where the casting was off, on the CBS sitcom 'Out of Practice,' he was Stockard Channing's ex and the father of Christopher Gorham, Paula Marshall and Ty Burrell. It never quite worked.
Continue reading Henry Winkler Joins 'Royal Pains'
Posted Feb 6th 2010 11:02AM by Kona Gallagher
Filed under: House, Lost, Casting, Reality-Free
Cynthia Watros, the dearly departed Libby on '
Lost,' is leaving Hurley for Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard). Watros will be appearing in a recurring role on '
House,' playing one of Wilson's many ex-wives. In fact, not only is she playing Wilson's very first ex-wife, but it looks like they'll be rekindling their relationship.
Watros is set to appear on several episodes, so it appears as though House (Hugh Laurie) doesn't chase her off right away. Of course, she probably became intimately acquainted with House during her marriage to Wilson, so his antics can't be anything that new to her. Regardless, it takes a brave woman to step back into that minefield -- especially now that House and Wilson are roommates. He kind of makes the Smoke Monster look like a gentle breeze.
We haven't seen Wilson in a real relationship since Cutthroat Bitch (Anne Dudek) died, and since I don't think House said "yes" to Wilson's recent proposal, it seems like a good time to have him fall in love again. What do you think? Do you want to see Wilson with his ex, or should he really just focus on his true soul-mate, House?
Posted Feb 5th 2010 11:02AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, American Idol, Celebrities, Judges, News and Gossip, Casting
The question of
who will replace Simon Cowell as an 'American Idol' judge began in earnest today with Page Six claiming that
Howard Stern is the 'Idol' producers' top choice to take Simon Cowell's throne. Stunt casting? Attention-grabbing? Total bull? You can take your pick because this smacks of a PR turn if ever there was one.
For a moment, though, let's consider the possibility. Howard's contract with Sirius XM Radio wraps next January. That contract was in the $100 million neighborhood. Could
'American Idol' fork over a pay-out equal to that? Umm, yes. They make enough. Will they? Hard to imagine. The figure mentioned in the report was $50 million a year, which is what Simon will earn this season, but that's based on the fact that Simon has a track record with 'Idol.'
Continue reading If 'Idol' Producers Get Their Way, Howard Stern Could Replace Cowell
Posted Feb 5th 2010 9:36AM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free, V
Are you still watching
'V?' Of course, I say "still watching" even though the show hasn't been on in months. I still wonder about that strategy. A new show that debuts with only four episodes and then it goes on hiatus for several months? Did it even have enough episodes/drama to capture the attention of viewers so they're waiting on the edge of their seat for it to return? We'll find out on March 30 when it comes back to ABC.
For the fans who do continue to watch the show, there will be
three new characters added for you. Nicholas Lea, who played bad guy Krycek on
'The X-Files,' has been added as Erica's (Elizabeth Mitchell's) ex-husband. Lexa Doig (remember 'Andromeda?' I loved the first season of that show) will play a doctor who is treating Valerie. And Charles Mesure (
'Crossing Jordan,' 'Xena') will play a military guy who helps the Resistance.
Posted Feb 4th 2010 7:09PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, Programming, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free
I had no idea that Arianna Huffington was also producing TV shows along with being in charge of a
giant blogging empire. But she's one of the people behind the
new ABC series 'Freshman,' along with Greg Malins (
'How I Met Your Mother'). The comedy will be set in Washington, D.C. and will be about three young politicians. I guess Huffington is going to produce a show about something she's familiar with, politics and Washington, D.C.
One of those three young politicians will be Sarah Chalke, formerly of
'Scrubs.' Can I tell you how embarrassed I was when 'Scrubs' started that I didn't realize that Chalke was the girl who took over in the role of Becky Conner (from Lecy Goranson, now called Alicia Goranson) on
'Roseanne' for a few seasons? Looking back now it's insanely obvious but I didn't make the connection until a few years after 'Scrubs' started.
Posted Feb 4th 2010 2:03PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, Celebrities, Pickups and Renewals, Casting, Reality-Free
When I first heard about this show, I could have sworn I had heard something about it before, only with another star attached to it and not Virginia Madsen. Turns out there was another version of 'Scoundrels' that ABC attempted, a couple of years ago, only it had Catherine O'Hara in the lead role and it was called 'Good Behavior.'
'Scoundrels' is based on a New Zealand show, 'Outrageous Fortune,' and Madsen will star as the mother/head of a family of crooks who decides that they all need to go straight after the dad is put in prison. I'm going to assume that things don't go smoothly and their criminal pasts will catch up to them in some way. But this sounds like it could be a fun show, sort of like
'The Riches' and maybe a hint of the USA show
'Cover Me' (which I really liked - it was canceled way too early).
This won't be a permanent series though. Right now it's going to be an eight episode summer show.
Posted Feb 4th 2010 1:09PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Programming, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free, Castle
I have to admit that
'Castle' is a show that took me surprise. I thought it would be one of those light cop/buddy/romance dramas with two different people thrown together even though they don't really want to be together and they'd banter and solve crimes and then the show would be a trivia question later. But it has actually turned out to be doing well for ABC, so I was wrong. Now ABC is moving the show from Monday to Sunday.
Relax, it's only for one episode. For one night only (for now, anyway), March 21,
'Castle' will knock 'Brothers & Sisters' off the schedule and will follow
'Desperate Housewives' on a Sunday. And fans of the show will be happy to know that there will be another new episode the following night in its regular time slot. It's
a two-parter that will guest star Dana Delany as an investigator who teams up with Fillion and Stana Katic to find a killer.
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