TVSquad

With Maggie Friedman (Dawson's Creek) behind it, I have to imagine that The Witches of Eastwick ABC pilot project just announced may feature a younger cast than the 1987 film on which it is being based. The announcement specifically states that it is a variation on the film as opposed to the controversial John Updike novel. The book has been blasted for being misogynistic, while the movie offered more in female empowerment.

This will be third time someone has made a go of adapting the film for television. I can't help but think think of this as a more serious Charmed. Will the male antagonist, played by Jack Nicholson in the film, remain throughout the series, or will he just be an early problem dealt with by the three witchy leads? Considering Friedman's resume also includes the horridly under-appreciated Jack and Bobby and the brilliant Once and Again, there are a lot of ways she could go with this.

Holy crap. Everybody's favorite Scientology war bride, Katie Holmes, has apparently used those perfect chompers of hers to gnaw through her ankle shackles and score an acting gig. Holmes is set to guest star on Eli Stone this fall. Producers are staying mum on any details, but sources say that she is signed up for one episode of the fledgling drama.

Holmes got her big break on TV, playing Joey Potter on the uber-popular teen soap Dawson's Creek. She also had a few impressive turns in movies, such as Pieces of April and Thank You for Smoking before meeting Tom Cruise and taking an extended hiatus from the business.

Holmes also gave up her role in the Batman franchise before dipping her toe back into acting waters with the critically panned Mad Money. She is set to film her episode later this month and then spread her wings further by traveling to New York to star in a revival of Arthur Miller's play, All My Sons.

I know what you are all thinking. Finally, it's Wednesday night and there is a new... Friday Night Lights! Ok, so only a few of you are thinking that and the majority of you are anxiously awaiting more Idol, the conclusion of Dawson's Criminal Minds adventure, or the return of Lost.

Just in case you need something to pass the time while you wait for your television program of choice, you might want to head on over to iTunes and grab the pilot for Friday Night Lights. Like a drug dealer who has gone straight and started slinging high school drama instead of rocks, the first one is free. If you haven't had a chance to give the Taylor's and the rest of Dillon, Texas a look, I urge you to give it a try. It really is a great show.

If you have had a look, and it's just not your cup of tea, fair enough. For you, the fine folks at Apple also have the premiere of Top Design and the "Guy Love" excerpt from the Scrubs musical episode. All free for the downloading.

[thanks Justin]

(S01E11) After almost a month off, Friday Night Lights is back on a new night. It's great to see a new episode, but will the move give the show a much needed ratings boost? We'll have to wait and see. They did pick a good episode to come back with though. There was a lot of good stuff going on this week.

They tipped their hand with where this episode was going in the previously on segment. Lots of Street and Saracen, and a look back at Saracen talking with his dad. That was driven home with the scene where Henry returned home. At first, I thought it maybe missed the mark a little bit, because it didn't seem to be the happy homecoming it should have been. Of course, as we found out later, it wasn't a happy homecoming.

Almost all of the Saracen story was really good. They've done a great job over the first ten episodes setting up the stresses and pressures on Matt. He's been put in a very difficult position, raising himself and taking care of his grandmother at an age when he really shouldn't have to. Part of what got him through all of that was the belief that with his father's return would come a break from all of it. A chance to just be normal and let someone else carry all the weight. When that didn't come through, he finally snapped. And that was a fantastic scene.

(S01E06) This show just keeps getting better. Episode six brought to a head a few different story lines that have been brewing over the course of the first five episodes, some bigger than others. And some more surprising than others. The episode should have been called Do The Right Thing, as we had a number of characters all struggling with that idea. Would Eric come clean about the Voodoo recruiting? How would he deal with Reyes? Does Saracen stick up for his friend or take one for the team? Will Riggins finally live up to being Street's best friend? Will Lyla finally put an end to the cheating relationship with Riggins?

Former Dawson's Creek actress Katie Holmes gave birth to a baby girl today, according to People magazine. Katie and her fiance, Tom Cruise, named the little girl Suri, which means 'red rose' in Persian and 'princess' in Hebrew.

Their daughter was 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 20 inches long.

Coincidentally, Brooke Shields also gave birth to a baby girl today. Her daughter's name is Grier.