TVSquad

Awhile ago TV Guide's Michael Ausiello reported that ABC would be firing a major executive from a popular television series because of relentless backstage fighting and tensions. After Elton is now reporting that Ausiello was probably talking about Jon Robin Baitz, the openly gay creator of Brothers & Sisters. Such a departure has After Elton asking what this would mean for the show's treatment of gay subject matter or the role of gay brother Kevin Walker in the over-arching plot.

The WGA strike continues. And it doesn't look like there's an end in sight (as all negotiations have stopped). The longer the strike lasts the greater impact it will have on the economy -- especially the California economy. So what is California's Governor Schwarzenegger doing about it?

Nothing, according to Brothers & Sisters creator Jon Robin Baitz. In an open letter to the Governator, on yesterday's Huffington Post, Baitz basically accuses Schwarzenegger of "fiddling while California burns."

For the last session of the day yesterday, ABC decided to do something a little different and put the executive producers of their biggest hour-long shows up on stage. On the panel were Jon Robin Baitz and Greg Berlanti (Brothers & Sisters), Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives), Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy), Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse (Lost), Jenny Bicks (Men in Trees) and Silvio Horta (Ugly Betty).

They answered questions about what it's like to run their shows, from the pilot process to network notes to the writing process to Internet fan scrutiny. Because the reporters were so eager to ask them questions, no more than one or two EPs answered a question at any one time before the next one was asked (and, believe me, if you don't blurt out your question and just keep talking until everyone else stops, you'll never get your question out). The funniest panelist was Cherry, who had something funny to say at almost every turn. The best lines, funny and otherwise, are after the jump.

Rob Lowe likes playing politicians, doesn't he? Well, at the very least, he like playing politically based roles. Maybe those roles give him a chance to jut his chin two or three times per episode, but I can't be sure.

Anyway, the reason why I ask is because Variety reports that Lowe has been signed to play a "John McCain-type Republican" senator (Do Hollywood scribes write any other type of Republicans?) in at least six episodes of the ABC show Brothers & Sisters. His character will be running for reelection while going through a contentious divorce, and will start dating Calista Flockhart's character Kitty when he goes on her talk show.

Jon Robin Baitz, the show's executive producer, wrote the role with Lowe in mind, and tells Variety that he hopes Lowe will stay full time after his six episode stint is over.

Related:
Trouble on the set of Brothers & Sisters
Brothers & Sisters gets full season order