2010/10/29

Arnold Vosloo Finds Some BONES, Gilles Marini To Meet CASTLE

EW's Michael Ausiello reports today that Booth will get to meet his archnemesis in early 2011 on FOX' "Bones".

Arnold Vosloo ("The Mummy", "Darkman", "24") will be coming aboard for at least three episodes playing elite sniper Jacob Ripkin Broadsky, who is suspected of killing someone we know.

And per TV Guide's Adam Bryant, Gilles Marini ("Brothers & Sisters") is going to be guest starring on ABC's "Castle". In one episode titled "Poof, You're Dead", he will play a world-famous magician suspected of killing a magic shop owner in New York City.

His appearance is set for early 2011.

Scott Foley Heading To GREY'S ANATOMY

Hello Folks

Per EW's Michael Ausiello, Scott Foley ("Felicity", "The Unit") has been tapped for a multi-episode arc on "Grey's Anatomy".

According to creator Shonda Rhimes, Foley plays Henry, a patient who "stirs things up" with Teddy (Kim Raver).

But before you scream "Izzie/Denny", Rhimes makes one thing clear: "He’s very different from Denny. But I guess in the sense that he’s a patient who comes in and has an effect on one of our doctors, I guess that’s similar.”

2010/10/28

Fifth Season Of BIG LOVE To Be The Last

HBO has issued a press release announcing that the previously announced fifth season of its acclaimed drama "Big Love" will be the last.

Its final episodes begin airing on January 16.

From the press release:

"It has been an honor and pleasure to work with series creators Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer on this unique and provocative series, and I’m happy that they will be able to bring the story to its close the way they always envisioned,” said Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. “We look forward with great anticipation to collaborating with Mark and Will on their next venture.”
“When we created Big Love in 2002, we had a strong conception of the journey the Henrickson family would make over the course of the series, of the story we had to tell,” said Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer. “While we were in the writers’ room this year shaping our fifth season, we discovered that we were approaching the culmination of that story. Big Love has been our all-consuming labor of love for the past eight years. We are very grateful for HBO’s continuing support and for the collaborative effort of our partners at Playtone, our producers, our fine cast and our fellow craftsmen and crew for making this show the exceptional and joyful experience that it’s been. This coming January, we look forward to presenting our audience with the most vibrant and satisfying final season of a television series that we can produce.”
“Big Love has been a truly rewarding experience in every way for Tom Hanks and me,” said executive producer Gary Goetzman. “We’ve been so fortunate to have had such a tremendous cast over the five seasons, and we’ve never been less than amazed with their brilliance and willingness to take risks. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our partnership with Will and Mark and have always been blown away by their storytelling abilities. We believe this final season of Big Love will be the best ever.”

Laura Prepon Comes To CASTLE

Per EW's Michael Ausiello, the actress who will play the fictional character of Nikki Heat in the movie version of "Heat Wave" has been cast.

Laura Prepon ("That 70s Show") has been tapped to play the character of Natalie Gray, who is the actress to play Nikki Heat in the movie version of Richard Castle's book "Heat Wave".

Syfy Cancels CAPRICA, Re-schedules Remaining Episodes

Hello Folks

Syfy has officially announced that it will bring its "Battlestar Galactica" spinoff "Caprica" to an end after the first season.

In addition, the remaining five episodes have been pulled from the schedule effective immediately, and are set to be aired in the first quarter of 2011.

"We appreciate all the support that fans have shown for 'Caprica' and are very proud of the producers, cast, writers and the rest of the amazing team that has been committed to this fine series," said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions. "Unfortunately, despite its obvious quality, 'Caprica' has not been able to build the audience necessary to justify a second season."

2010/10/27

ABC Orders More Episodes Of OFF THE MAP

According to TV Guide, ABC has ordered six additional episodes of its midseason medical drama "Off The Map".

This brings the latest medical show from creator Shonda Rhimes to a current total of 13 episodes.

CBS Cuts Down MEDIUM Order To 13 Episodes

Hello Folks

Deadline reports today that CBS has trimmed the current seventh season of "Medium" down to 13 episodes.

While the network insists that this does not mean that the drama starring Patricia Arquette is canceled, it sure looks more and more like this will be the show's last season.

The move brings back memories of "Numb3rs", which had its order cut down last season, and ended up getting axed altogether by season's end.

What do you think? Is this the end of "Medium"? Or will it go on beyond those 13 episodes?

2010/10/26

And The Big Return For Episode 100 Of
BROTHERS & SISTERS Is…

… Balthazar Getty.

And according to E!Online's Kristin Dos Santos, Tommy might even bring in some female company. But that has yet to get to the final writing stage.

But yes, Tommy returns for the pivotal landmark episode, which ABC says will air sometime in January.

ABC Cancels THE WHOLE TRUTH After 13 Episodes

Hello Folks

On the heels of handing out a bunch of full season and episode orders, ABC has also decided what happens to the one freshman show that wasn't mentioned in that press release.

Legal drama "The Whole Truth" will never get an order of more episodes, because it is officially canceled, according to a tweet from producer Kristieanne Reed.

"ABC gave us the word. We will only make 13 episodes of #thewholetruth," she tweeted.

But in this case, at least the initial 13-episode order will be produced. Ep. 10 will feature a guest appearance by Mandy Patinkin, according to another tweet from Reed. However, when and if all produced episodes will air, is another story. It should air this Wednesday, as it is scheduled. On November 3 will see a special, and on November 10, the CMA awards fill the whole ABC lineup. After that, it's anyone's guess what will air in the "Truth" slot.

ABC Orders Full Seasons Of NO ORDINARY FAMILY, BETTER WITH YOU; DETROIT, BROTHERS & SISTERS Get More Eps

Hello Folks

ABC has just announced it has ordered full seasons of its freshman drama "No Ordinary Family", as well as freshman comedy "Better With You".

In addition, the network has ordered five more episodes of another freshman show, "Detroit 1-8-7", and four episodes of "Brothers & Sisters", which will give the veteran series a full season of 22 episodes.

2010/10/25

Keith Carradine To Experience THE BIG BANG THEORY

Hello Folks

EW's Michael Ausiello reports that Keith Carradine ("Dexter") will be guest starring in a November sweeps episode of CBS' major hit sitcom "The Big Bang Theory".

Carradine is set to play the father of Penny (Kaley Cuoco).

2010/10/22

The CW Orders Full Seasons Of HELLCATS, NIKITA,
ONE TREE HILL

The CW has just announced that it has given full season orders to its freshman dramas "Hellcats" and "Nikita", as well as veteran series "One Tree Hill".

This leaves "Life Unexpected" the odd show out for the moment, but don't give up hope just yet. The show has an order for two additional scripts, so the network is not yet giving up.

Syfy Orders New BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Pilot

Syfy has officially announced that it has ordered a pilot for a new "Battlestar Galactica" series which will take place in the 10th year of the First Cylon War, titled "Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome".

Here's the press release:

New York, NY – October 22, 2010 – Syfy is readying an exciting all-new chapter in the Battlestar Galactica saga with a greenlight for Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome from Executive Producer David Eick, it was announced today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions. Universal Cable Productions will produce the 2-hour pilot with Syfy utilizing cutting edge CGI and virtual technology.

Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome takes place in the 10th year of the first Cylon war. As the battle between humans and their creation, a sentient robotic race, rages across the 12 colonial worlds, a brash rookie viper pilot enters the fray. Ensign William Adama, barely in his 20's and a recent Academy graduate, finds himself assigned to the newest battlestar in the Colonial fleet... the Galactica. The talented but hot-headed risk-taker soon finds himself leading a dangerous top secret mission that, if successful, will turn the tide of the decade long war in favor of the desperate fleet.

"The 'Galactica' universe as re-imagined by Ron Moore and David Eick is rich with possibilities and backstory," said Mark Stern. "We jumped at the chance to revisit the William Adama character and explore this exciting chapter in the BSG narrative which falls between the events of the original series and the prequel, 'Caprica,' currently airing on Syfy."

"While maintaining the themes of politics, social propaganda, and the timeless question: what does it mean to be human? – 'Blood & Chrome' will also return us to the authentic, relentless depiction of combat and the agony and ecstasy of human-Cylon war, which was the hallmark of 'Battlestar Galactica's' early seasons," said David Eick.


"BSG" exec producer David Eick is on board, but not Ron Moore, the showrunner of the first re-invention of "BSG".

I hear a decision about a possible second season for "Caprica" will be made by November 15.

Newsies: More HUMAN TARGET Scripts, Jeremy Davies To JUSTIFIED, Much More

Hello Folks

I know I'm a bit behind on casting news and such, so here's an overview of what happened this week.

From the Hollywood Reporter:

- FOX has ordered two additional scripts for "Human Target". The show's second season kicks off November 17, and has been moved to Wednesdays for the new season.

- Jeremy Davies ("Lost") has been added to the cast of FX' "Justified". The actor is set to play the heavily recurring part of Dickie Bennet, a new nemesis of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant). For more info on his role, head to the original THR article.

- Michelle Trachtenberg ("Buffy The Vampire Slayer", "Gossip Girl", "Mercy") has teamed up with "Gossip Girl" and "Chuck" creator Josh Schwartz for a new crime drama at The CW.
Trachtenberg has sold a story about a young criminalist with specials skills in profiling and a dark past. She is set to star and produce, with Stuart Zicherman being hired as a writer and exec producer.

From EW's Michael Ausiello:

- Chris Klein ("American Pie") has joined the cast of "The Good Guys" for one episode, playing George, the former partner of Jack (Colin Hanks).

- After appearing in next week's Halloween-themed episode of "Chuck", Robert Englund ("A Nightmare On Elm Street") will also stop by The CW's "Supernatural" on December 10, playing Dr. Robert, the man who patches up the hunters if they get hurt doing what they usually do.

- Gilles Marini ("Brothers & Sisters") will guest star on USA's "Royal Pains". In the second season finale, he will play Niko, a dance instructor who is teaching Divya and Raj the tango in the days before their wedding.‬ The second half of season two of "Royal Pains" starts January 20.

- David Morse and India Ennenga have both been promoted to series regulars for the second season of HBO's "Treme".

- Cynthia Watros ("Lost") has joined the cast of "Desperate Housewives" for the season's ninth episode. She will play a crazy friend of Bree's (Marcia Cross), who goes on a double date with Bree and Keith (Brian Austin Green) and his dad (John Schneider).

- Claire Van Der Boom ("The Pacific") has come aboard "Hawaii Five-O" to play Danno's (Scott Caan) ex-wife and mother of their daughter, Grace. She will appear during November sweeps.

From TV Guide:

- Debra Winger has landed a guest stint on HBO's "In Treatment". She will play a former stage diva who is now making a comeback after years away from all that glitters.

- Christopher Lloyd ("Back To The Future") will be guest starring on "Fringe" early next year, playing Walter's (John Noble) musical hero from the past.

- Mido Hamada ("24") has been cast in FOX' upcoming prehistoric drama "Terra Nova". He play Guzman, a security head serving as an advisor to Frank Taylor (Stephen Lang), the first settler of Terra Nova.

- ABC has shortened the second season of "V" from 13 to 10 episodes, since with two pre-emptions next year, the show will have only 10 weeks before "Dancing With The Stars" returns on March 29.

CBS Orders Full Seasons Of DEFENDERS, HAWAII FIVE-0, BLUE BLOODS, MIKE & MOLLY, S*#! MY DAD SAYS

Hello Folks

CBS has just announced that it has handed out full season orders to all of its freshman shows.

"Hawaii-Five-0", "The Defenders", "Mike & Molly", "Blue Bloods" and half-hour sitcom "S*#! My Dad Says" all got their back nine order.

2010/10/19

NBC Picks Up CHASE, CHUCK For Full Seasons, Orders Four More Scripts for UNDERCOVERS

Hello Folks

Per the Hollywood Reporter, NBC has picked up its freshman drama "Chase" for a full season of 22 episodes.

The Peacock has also made the full season order for "Chuck" official today, but instead of just picking up the back nine episodes, NBC has ordered an additional 11 episodes, bringing the show's current season total to 24.

Additionally, the network has ordered four more scripts of its struggling freshman spy drama "Undercovers".

2010/10/18

NBC Gives Full Season To THE EVENT, LOLA, OUTSOURCED; CHUCK On The Verge Of Pickup

Hello Folks

Per the Hollywood Reporter, NBC has ordered the back nine episodes for three of its freshman shows.

"The Event", "Law & Order: Los Angeles" and "Outsourced" are all getting a full season

And according to Michael Ausiello, a full season for "Chuck" is imminent. Warner Bros. TV and NBC are hammering out the details at the moment for a back-nine order.

2010/10/16

ABC Cancels THE GATES

Hello Folks

According to a tweet from writer/consulting producer Robert Hewitt Wolfe, ABC has officially canceled its summer mystery drama "The Gates".

The fate of ABC's other summer series, "Scoundrels", has yet to be determined. But if "The Gates" didn't make it, I wouldn't expect a better outcome for "Scoundrels".

2010/10/15

ABC Announces "V" Return, Sets Debut Of SKATING WITH THE STARS

Hello Folks

ABC has announced the premiere dates of two midseason shows.

New reality program "Skating With The Stars" will begin Tuesday, November 22, at 9 PM The premiere will air live, with a one-hour segment of "Dancing With The Stars" following.

The second season of sci-fi drama "V" will launch on Tuesday, January 4 at 9 PM, after "No Ordinary Family".

2010/10/14

More Scripts Ordered For LIFE UNEXPECTED,
NO ORDINARY FAMILY, BROTHERS & SISTERS

Hello Folks

EW's Michael Ausiello reports today that The CW has ordered two additional scripts of "Life Unexpected". The show has a 13-episode order for its second season at the moment. This week's episode posted a series high in the ratings with 1.7 Million viewers.

In addition, ABC has handed out script orders for its freshman show "No Ordinary Family" and veteran drama "Brothers & Sisters". Both shows can now produce four more scripts.

No guarantee for pickups, but it gets more promising.

2010/10/12

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, GREEK Return Set For January 3

Hello Folks

According to EW's Michael Ausiello, ABC Family has set some premiere dates for very early next year.

The second half of the first season of this summer's high-rated teen drama "Pretty Little Liars" starts on January 3 at 8 PM, with the final season of "Greek" launching at 9 PM on the same day.

If you'd like to read a general, mildly spoilery outline of things to come on both shows, hit the link above.

NBC Cancels OUTLAW, Moves Remaining Episodes To Saturdays

Hello Folks

Well, chances of NBC's "Outlaw" resuming production just went from slim to none…

According to the EW's Michael Ausiello, the Peacock has pulled the plug and moved the struggling Jimmy Smits legal drama from its Friday 10 PM timeslot to Saturdays. "Dateline" will serve double-duty on Fridays to fill the void.

The show has four episodes left to air in its new slot. But that will be the end of it.

OK, so does this mean that we will see "The Cape" early? Pretty please…

2010/10/08

ABC Family Orders Much More MELISSA & JOEY

According to Deadline, ABC Family has ordered up a whopping 20 additional episodes of its freshman sitcom "Melissa & Joey".

This brings the show's total episodes for the first season to a mighty 30.

No mention yet when the additional segments will air.

Kathryn Erbe Returns For Final Season Of LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT

EW's Michael Ausiello reports today that Kathryn Erbe has inked a deal to return to USA's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent".

Erbe, who, along with Vincent D'Onofrio, has left the show at the beginning of the ninth season, will be on hand for the eight episodes that will be the show's farewell, as will D'Onofrio, whose return was announced a few weeks ago. The last season is set to air sometime in 2011.

“I’m excited and grateful that Katie has decided to rejoin one of the best detective teams in the history of television,” exec producer Dick Wolf said in a statement.

USA Sets Return Dates For WHITE COLLAR, ROYAL PAINS, Start Date For FAIRLY LEGAL

Hello Folks

USA has announced the premiere dates for two of its returning dramas, and the launch date for its new show "Fairly Legal", which was formerly known as "Facing Kate".

"White Collar" returns on Tuesday, January 18 at 10/9c.

"Royal Pains" comes back on Thursday, January 20 at 9/8c, leading into the premiere of "Fairly Legal" at 19/9c.

And for those of you who don't know what "Fairly Legal" is about, here's the outline:

FAIRLY LEGAL centers on Kate Reed (Sarah Shahi), a top litigator frustrated with the endless bureaucracy and daily injustices of the system, who takes a hard left to become the ultimate anti-lawyer: a mediator. Using her knowledge of the law, along with her savvy, intuition and a whatever-it-takes approach to resolving conflict, Kate finds the middle ground for a wide variety of adversaries -- from Fortune 500 corporations to bitter divorces. After the sudden death of her father, she finds herself at odds with the new boss, her stepmother Lauren Reed (Virginia Williams)...and in bed with her soon-to-be ex-husband, Justin Patrick (Michael Trucco), a top gun in the DA's office. Helping her keep all of this chaos at bay is her trusted, geek-chic assistant Leonardo (Baron Vaughn).

2010/10/07

FX Renews SONS OF ANARCHY For Fourth Season

FX has announced via a press release that it has ordered a fourth season of its successful drama "Sons Of Anarchy" for a fourth season.

13 new episodes will air in 2011.

Syfy Renews HAVEN

A day before its first season finale, Syfy has announced that it has renewed its freshman series "Haven" for a second season.

The mystery show, which is loosely based on Stephen King's novella "The Colorado Kid", will return next summer with 13 new episodes.

NBC Puts OUTLAW On "Production Hiatus"

Hello Folks

Could this be the new form of not saying that a show is canceled?

According to various sources, NBC has put its struggling freshman legal drama "Outlaw" on a "production hiatus".

This means that after eight completed episodes, the show's production is now halted. NBC will continue to air the show in its Friday timeslot for now, evaluating its ratings, and then decide if production will resume or the show will be over and out.

"Outlaw" stars Jimmy Smits as Supreme Court Justice Cyrus Garza, who quits his job to battle the flaws of the US legal system as a private lawyer. The show has averaged a poor 1.0 rating among adults 18.49 in its most recent, the show's third episode.

Personally, I wouldn't even bet on seeing all of the five remaining episodes…

FOX Orders Full Season Of RAISING HOPE

Hello Folks

We have the first full season order of the new season.

FOX has announced that it has picked up the back nine episodes of its freshman comedy "Raising Hope". The show has performed well in the ratings, being set as the lead-out for "Glee".

“With "Raising Hope", Greg Garcia captures a smart take on the working-class family with a great mix of wild comedy and a big dose of heart,” said FOX Entertainment president Kevin Reilly. “The show is running like a Swiss clock, and we’re very happy with how well audiences have responded so far – so we’re confident it will build an even bigger audience throughout the season.”

2010/10/04

ABC Family Cancels HUGE

Hello Folks

Per the Hollywood Reporter, ABC Family has canceled its freshman drama series "Huge" after 10 episodes.

The show performed rather mediocre in the ratings, averaging 1.9 Million viewers. That's why the cable network decided not to pick up the "back 10".

"Secret Life Of The American Teenager" and "Pretty Little Liars" both got their extensions earlier this summer.

2010/10/02

ABC Cancels MY GENERATION

Hello Folks

Another one for the chopping block...

After two episodes, several sources report that ABC has officially canceled its freshman comedy "My Generation". Production was halted.

It is not yet clear what will be filling the Thursday timeslot that is also the lead-in for "Grey's Anatomy".

2010/10/01

Legendary TV Producer Stephen J. Cannell Dies At 69

It saddens me to bring along very tragic news before the weekend.

Stephen J. Cannell, creator and producer of such legendary TV shows as "A-Team", "21 Jump Street" or "The Rockford Files", died among his loved ones in his home on Thursday evening due to complications with melanoma. He was 69.

His family issued the following statement to Entertainment Tonight:

"Aside from being a legendary television producer and prolific writer, Stephen was also a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and a loyal friend. Mr. Cannell is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 46 years, Marcia, their three children, Tawnia, Chelsea and Cody and three grandchildren. Stephen was the pillar of strength within his family and he touched everyone he met. He will be most deeply missed.

"The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Cancer Society or The International Dyslexia Association. Details regarding his memorial service will be released."

My sincere condolences to his family, friends and admirers around the world.