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| Joey 'down' as House ratings up Friends spin-off Joey has been put on hold in the US as speculation grows it will be axed, it has been reported. TV network NBC has temporarily pulled Joey from the line-up after just 4m viewers tuned in last week, according to industry paper Daily Variety. Meanwhile, rival network Fox has ordered a third season of medical drama House, starring Hugh Laurie. The series has averaged 14.1m viewers, but numbers have jumped since Fox began airing the show after American Idol. Emmy award House has managed to hold on to 70% of the American Idol audience - 20% more than other shows have managed. Laurie, who plays the grumpy-yet-brilliant Doctor Gregory House, won a Golden Globe earlier this year for his role, and was nominated for an Emmy award last year. Joey was due to be aired in the US at 8pm on Tuesdays, but last week just 4m viewers tuned in. The timeslot will now be filled by Most Outrageous Moments, and Joey will be put back on hold, possibly until the summer. Joey, starring Matt LeBlanc, had already been struggling on Thursday nights, with audiences way down from the 18.6m viewers who tuned in for the show's debut in September 2004. Both Joey and House are shown on Five in the UK. Story from BBC NEWS: |
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| It's the first episode back after a lengthy break so I'd question whether people actually knew it was on, but I'd be seriously surprised if this one gets renewed. House, on the other hand is fantastic, and long may it continue :thumbsup: |
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| BBC America Scares Up Jekyll BBC America will develop a new series based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic SF tale Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde among other new dramas set to air next year, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Jekyll will consist of six 90-minute episodes and will update Stevenson's tale to the modern day. James Nesbitt stars in the title role of a man with two personalities. They share the same body, but Hyde is unaware that Jekyll is now married and will do anything to protect his family from the dark side. It will premiere in the second quarter of next year. BBC America general manager Kathryn Mitchell told the trade paper that the offshoot of the venerable British broadcaster wants to broaden its appeal to a slightly younger audience, "but we don't want to lose those loyal viewers." |
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| Day Break Action-thriller about a cop (Taye Diggs) on the run trying to find out who framed him for murder |
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| Secrets of a Small Town Centers on the mystery of a murdered teenage girl and the disappearance of the sister in a small town; Angie Harmon stars |
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| Sixty Minute Man Suburban family man (David James Elliott) can't recall his actions during one hour of each day and suspects he might be the key player in a conspiracy that could alter the course of U.S. history |
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| BBC commissions 30 years' drama The BBC is to make a series of 30 one-off dramas chronicling the events of the past 30 years. Screenwriters who may contribute to the project include Andrew Davies, who adapted the recent BBC dramatisation of Bleak House. Events that may be covered from the years 1970-2000 include the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. Decades, expected to be one of the most expensive BBC drama projects, is set to be screened on BBC Two in 2008. 'Alternative history' Fifteen episodes are expected to be made in-house, with the other 15 being independent productions. Thirty British writers will be commissioned to produce a single hour-long drama for each of the years. BBC Two controller Roly Keating said the series will be "an alternative history of an entire generation". "We'll be giving the writers huge scope to capture a particular moment of history in the way that they choose. The plays will all be very different," he added. Mr Keating also said that he saw BBC Two as "the channel of record for British culture". The BBC's drama controller, Jane Tranter, has called Decades "the boldest undertaking by BBC drama to date". She added that the project was still under discussion with a number of writers, with ideas for the dramas still being formulated. BBC Two's historical drama Rome gave the channel one of its highest ever ratings when it screened last year, attracting an audience of 6.6m on its debut. A second series of the co-production with US cable channel HBO is currently being filmed. Story from BBC NEWS: |
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| From Tvenvy.com - By Webmaster - 2006-04-15 Marti Noxon - "Buffy" Writer Returns To Television BuffyFans still mourn the loss of the beloved supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer. With its appealing stars and standout writing, it’s no wonder the show developed such a rabid fan base. Buffy fans can rejoice: one of the show’s primary writers is returning to television. Writer Marti Noxon has been serving as a producer-most recently as a producer of Prison Break-since she left Buffy and its spin-off, Angel. Now, she’s returning to her roots with the new show Brothers and Sisters. Noxon will be producing the show, as well as pitching in on the scripts. The show will star Calista Flockhart and Rachel Griffiths, and is described as a family soap opera full of drama. If anyone knows how to write and produce good drama, it’s Noxon. Unfortunately for fans, Noxon has confirmed that her vampire writing days are over. But on the bright side, it will be a treat to see what she cooks up next. Will you be tuning in? |
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| Mick Jagger takes TV sitcom role Sir Mick Jagger is to appear in the pilot episode of a new US TV sitcom. The Rolling Stones star is filming a cameo role in New Zealand during a break in the band's world tour. The comedy revolves around a gang of men who plot to rob the rock star, with Sir Mick featuring in various scenes, the Hollywood Reporter said. The singer has made sporadic forays into film acting in the past 30 years, including lead roles in Performance and Ned Kelly in 1970 and 1992's Freejack. Tour break The Rolling Stones are currently in the middle of their world tour, preparing to start the European leg in Barcelona on 27 May. The pilot episode will determine whether TV network ABC will commission a whole series of the sitcom and whether Sir Mick will remain part of the cast. ABC is already w**king on another new sitcom with another British rock legend. Sir Elton John is executive producer of Him and Us, about an ageing rock icon and his entourage. Story from BBC NEWS: |
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| From Eonline.com - By Webmaster - 2006-04-23 Eonline.com SOS : Save One Show 2006 "Veronica Mars" won in 2004 with more than 50% of the 686,323 votes. "Angel" won in 2003 with 85% and got another season! Here some info from Kristin Veitch at E!Online : Please keep in mind that you should base your vote not only on how much you love each show, but how likely it is to be canceled. The following shows all have not yet been picked up for next season and are divided by how likely it is they will survive. ENDANGERED SERIES Likely to Be Saved: George Lopez, Gilmore Girls, The New Adventures of Old Christine, The O.C., Reba, Scrubs, Smallville, Veronica Mars and The Unit. On the Fence: According to Jim, Close to Home, Commander in Chief, Conviction E-Ring, Everwood, The Evidence, Freddie [Freddie Prinze, Jr.], Girlfriends, Hope & Faith, In Justice, Invasion, Out of Practice, Sons & Daughters, Supernatural, Teachers, The War at Home and What About Brian. Likely Doomed: All of Us, The Bedford Diaries, Courting Alex, Cuts, Eve, Free Ride, Half & Half, Joey, Less Than Perfect, Living with Fran, The Loop, Love, Inc., Modern Men, One on One, One Tree Hill, Pepper Dennis, Related, Rodney, Surface and Twins. As you may know, this SOS campaign has had a pretty solid track record over the years (four of the five winning shows were saved for at least another season, including Roswell, Once and Again, Angel and Veronica Mars), so this poll really can make a difference. Don’t forget to email me your one show (I know, it’s a tough call). And then email this link to everyone you know and get them on board, because there really is strength in numbers. tvdiva@eonline.com |
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| Jones Puts Spin On Blade COQUITLAM, Canada—Kirk "Sticky" Jones, who plays the title role in Spike TV's upcoming Blade TV series, told SCI FI Wire that he's putting his own spin on the vampire hunter, who first appeared in Marvel Comics and most recently in a series of movies starring Wesley Snipes. "I'm definitely going to be borrowing from the films, but one thing that they really didn't do from the films is we're going to be borrowing from the comic books as well," Jones said in an interview during a break in filming on location in this Vancouver suburb. "So it's like a combination of both. Plus you know, my little psycho brain, whatever I add onto it." Jones takes over the role of the half-human, half-vampire superhero from Snipes, who played the character in all three Blade movies, the most recent of which was 2004's Blade: Trinity. Last week, on the set of the show, which has been given a 13-episode order by the cable network, Jones played the character with the familiar black trench coat, samurai sword and black leather suit outfitted with weapons. A former mental hospital was transformed with signs and artfully placed vehicles to appear as a medical clinic on a street in Berlin, where Blade has to rescue a pregnant girl. Between takes, Jones said that he's going to add some humanity to the character, who was played by Snipes as a stoic enforcer. "Well, first and foremost, I think Blade is going to be a little more street," said Jones, a rap musician who was last seen on F/X's war series Over There. "He's going to have a little more of that human side and a sense of humor, but then it's going to be the same Blade that everybody knows." Jones said he can't help but bring his own personality to bear on the iconic character. "Yeah, well, you know, I can only use the elements that I have present," he said. "I mean, basically, I'm from the streets. I'm from the hood. I grew up in Brooklyn, so I carry that everywhere with me. And I think Blade is just the same. He grew up in Detroit. That’s probably worse than Brooklyn, you know?" Another thing that will change: Blade's look. Unlike Snipes' fade haircut, Jones will play Blade with a shaved head and a goatee. "Blade never looked so good," he said with a smile. "Let me stop. No, well you know, actually, I grew the goatee for it. I figured, I love the bald head for Blade. I love it, you know, because, ... actually, in the comic books he didn't have a bald head, but he had this real, real short haircut, like [a] Caesar-type of thing. So I figured the bald head'll be perfect. And I figure, ... even in the comic books he didn't have a beard, he had a mustache. But I figured a goatee would round it off and make it perfect." Jones co-stars in Blade: The Series with Jill Wagner, Neil Jackson, Jessica Gower and Nelson Lee. It premieres with a two-hour movie at 10 p.m. ET/PT on June 28. |
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| "Hex" Gets Axed. The show that's been referred to as the "British Buffy" has been cancelled due to low ratings. |
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| Sky axes supernatural drama Hex Sky One is to drop supernatural drama Hex after two seasons, its controller Richard Woolfe has confirmed. "Hex was an exciting, original idea that captured the attention of critics and audiences alike," he told industry publication Broadcast. "We're extremely proud of the series but feel it's come to a natural end." The announcement follows news earlier this month that Sky One's long-running football drama Dream Team will finish at the end of its upcoming 10th series. Hex, which follows a teenage British public schoolgirl who discovers she has magic powers, has been compared to long-running US series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. New hits It won the prize for best multichannel programme at the 2005 Broadcasting Press Guild awards. A Sky spokesman said the station had more home-grown drama in the pipeline, starting with an adaptation of Terry Pratchett's novel Hogfather starring Sir David Jason. "I'm confident that the ideas we have in development will have a similar impact when they're broadcast," Mr Woolfe said. Speaking at a Meet the Commissioners event in London this week, he challenged independent producers to bring him the next hit drama series, offering around £6m for a 32-week run. Story from BBC NEWS: |
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| SCI FI Unveils Ambitious Slate NEW YORK—SCI FI Channel unveiled a full development slate of scripted series, reality programming and late-night shows in a presentation to advertisers here this week, including new shows from executive producers Eric McCormack (NBC's Will & Grace), Freddie Prinze Jr. and Oscar-winning writer Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects). The scripted series in development include Blink, from executive producers McCormack and Michael Forman and writer Irving Belateche. The series asks the question: What would happen if you could freeze that moment in time when something you do or a decision you make changes your life forever? A group of Afterlife investigators try to help those about to make the wrong choice, in the blink of an eye before destiny is sealed forever. Bink comes from NBC Universal Television Studio and Big Cattle Productions. Persons Unknown, which McQuarrie executive-produces with Heather McQuarrie, is a surreal mind game of a series centering on a group of strangers who awaken in a deserted town with no memory of how they arrived, only to realize that there is no escape. Persons Unknown is from Fox Television Studios. The Bishop, from executive producers Prinze and Conrad Jackson, is a one-hour drama that revolves around a young slacker whose charmed life is disrupted when he discovers that he has a supernatural gift, and he goes on a quest to uncover his secret past. The Bishop is from Brillstein-Grey Television. SCI FI's reality slate includes Destination Truth, from Neil and Michael Mandt, focusing on one man's investigations of unexplained phenomena across the globe, from the Fire Worm of Mongolia to the Chupacabra of Chile. The show is hosted by Josh Gates. Late night programming includes Ground Control, from Carson Daly Productions, a half-hour late-night daily show focusing on a wide range of human interest and news topics relating to science fiction and the world of the supernatural, the paranormal and the unexplained. Also in development is an as-yet-untitled sketch comedy series featuring the Ministry of Unknown Science: sketch comics Jason Berlin, Tim Walker, Rico Gagliano and Eric Truheart. Mocking the classic PBS science news-magazine-show format, the show will feature mockumentary segments, sketches, commercial parodies, field tests, interviews and other stream-of-consciousness comedy. —Patrick Lee, News Editor |
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| Police spin-off planned for Holby The BBC is planning a new police drama linked to Holby City, its popular long-running medical series. Tony Jordan, an EastEnders writer since 1985, has been recruited to w**k on scripts for the programme, which is likely to be launched next year. He is also tasked with w**king out how storylines between the police station and the hospital could be intertwined. A BBC spokeswoman confirmed the series was being considered for a pre-watershed slot on BBC One. The programme's "look and feel" were "in the very early stages of development" and it was not possible to give any further details, she said. Holby City began in 1999 as a spin-off from another medical series, Casualty, and is now in its eighth series. Any new BBC police drama will face competition from ITV1's twice-weekly programme The Bill, which last month marked its 400th episode. Story from BBC NEWS: |
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| Star Wars TV A Ways Off Rick McCallum, George Lucas' longtime Star Wars producing partner, told SCI FI Wire that future projects are a ways off, including a live-action TV show that is at least a year and a half away. "Star Wars TV series, probably not for a couple of years," McCallum said in an interview at the Saturn Awards in Universal City, Calif., on May 2. "George is starting to start the basic concept of it. ... We're interviewing writers. We're seeing a lot of people. But I'd say it's not going to be happening for another at least 18 months." McCallum also denied rumors that the new series would focus on members of the Skywalker family, but repeated that the show will take place in the timeframe between Episode III and IV. "All-new characters," he added. "That missing 20-year period when Luke is growing up. ... Think bounty hunter. That's all I can tell you. There's nobody else that you'll know [in it]. At the moment. You know, it's still [in] really really early stages. He hasn't really sat down to think about which direction [he's going]." McCallum added that 3-D theatrical versions of the Star Wars movies are still planned. "We're w**king on that," he said. "It's just a question of how many theaters will be out there. Hopefully, by the end of this year there will be about 1,500 [3-D] theaters. We need about two or three thousand before it makes it, you know, viable for any of us to go out in 3-D. But that looks like it will happen sometime in the year 2007, so hopefully we'll be happy about that." Lucas is also planning a new run of Clone Wars-themed animated shorts. "There's an animated series being done right now, so that probably also won't be ready for another year," McCallum said. "But, yeah, that's looking really good." |
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| Grunberg Has Hopes For Heroes Greg Grunberg (Alias) told SCI FI Wire that he gets to play an Everyman superhero in Heroes, an SF drama pilot for NBC from writer Tim Kring (Crossing Jordan, Providence). "It basically really covers the humanity of becoming a superhero, what happens when [eight] ordinary people get these super powers, and I get to be one of them," Grunberg said in an interview at the Saturn Awards in Universal City, Calif., earlier this week. "I play a cop who can read people's minds, but I can't control it. So in the pilot it's really interesting how it just comes at me, and I don't know how to deal with it, and then I kind of use it. It could be really, really interesting if we get a series." Grunberg said he's waiting to hear whether NBC will pick up the show as a series based on its two-hour pilot, which also stars Ali Larter (Final Destination) and Milo Ventimiglia (Gilmore Girls). Grunberg added that it's not your typical comic-book superhero story. "You're not going to get me in tights and a leotard," he said. "No one wants to see me in a cape!" He added: "It's high-concept, obviously. It's very creepy and dark. I mean, it's disturbing at times. And then also, it's like, 'Oh, man. I wish I could do that.'" Grunberg, who is a childhood friend of Alias and Lost co-creator J.J. Abrams, has also made a side career out of appearing in his pal's productions, including the upcoming Mission: Impossible III, in which he has a cameo role. As for Abrams' next big movie, a proposed 11th Star Trek film, Grunberg said: "I told J.J., 'Look, if you're going to put me in five hours of makeup, I did that in Hollow Man, and it's going to be even worse with Star Trek.' [But] I hope he gives me a great role in that. I would love it." What would he like to be? "In the Federation. I'd want to do something ... really cool. I don't know. A Klingon would actually be very cool. That would be awesome, actually, now that you mention it. Yeah, I'll call him right now. [Pulls out cell phone.] Get J.J. on the horn! Klingon! That's where I'll go." |
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| USA Series Back For Summer USA Network announced that its supernatural series The Dead Zone returns on June 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT with a fifth season that will feature guest stars Sean Patrick Flanery, Martin Donovan, Kristen Dalton, Dedee Pfeiffer and Ben Cotton. Meanwhile, The 4400 comes back for a third season on June 11 as a two-hour special, starting at 9 p.m. ET/PT, and will air in its normal timeslot Sundays at 9 p.m. starting June 18. On June 4, USA will air The 4400 Special: Unlocking the Secrets, a one-hour clip episode that will catch viewers up on the story so far. It airs at 10 p.m. |
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| NBC Green-Lights Heroes, Raines NBC on May 11 picked up five pilots for the 2006-'07 season, including the Greg Grunberg superhero drama Heroes and the Jeff Goldblum supernatural series Raines, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Heroes features Alias' Grunberg and Milo Ventimiglia in an ensemble about a diverse group of people who discover they have super powers. Raines, meanwhile, stars Goldblum as an eccentric cop who talks to dead victims to crack cases. The network is the first of the broadcast networks set to unveil its fall 2006 lineup officially next week in its presentation to advertisers in New York. |
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| Good news, bad news on pilots. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the early word about pilots is that ABC is "handing a series order" to "Day Break," the Taye Diggs series that co-stars Adam Baldwin, but that "Him and Us," the sitcom starring Anthony Stewart Head, is a "no-go" but might be shopped elsewhere. The article also reports that Christian Kane's "Close to Home" is "looking good to return next season" on CBS. |
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| Exclusive First Look: FOX's Early Pickups LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- As a teaser for its upfront presentation next Thursday, FOX has released images from its four new series announced thus far: |
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| From Thestar.com - By Rob Salem - 2006-05-13 The long goodbye Some are coming back, others aren’t. It’s either "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" (after the famous M*A*S*H closer of 1983), or "See You in September." Either way, this is the week that many of our favourite series bid a fond adieu, some just for the summer, some forever. Through-out this week’s special "farewells" issue, we’ll highlight the best of these ultimate episodes, starting of course with our Will & Grace cover story. Also ending lengthy runs on Sunday, both after seven more-or-less successful seasons: the NBC drama The West Wing, and the Fox comedy Malcolm in the Middle. Interestingly, that means that the double-income household of husband-and-wife actors Bradley Whitford (West Wing) and Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm) has suddenly dropped to zilch. (Though not for long - Whitford is set to star in Wing creator Aaron Sorkin’s SNL-inspired Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, while Kasczmarek still has a recurring voice role as Judge Constance Harm on The Simpsons, and was also a real three-dimensional judge at this year’s Miss America pageant.) The West Wing neatly ties up loose ends with the series’ final episode, "Inauguration Day," as the newly elected Santos administration gently eases the Bartlett bunch out of the White House . . . well, most of them, anyway - Whitford’s Josh gets to stick around (albeit off-camera) as the new Chief of Staff, with returning Rob Lowe as deputy. The 8 p.m finale is preceded at 7 on NBC by the show’s series pilot (SUN TV will only be airing the finale at 8). NBC’s Sunday-night finales end with Law & Order: Criminal Intent’s double-length fifth-season closer, involving an arson-related death in a church and the double murder of a suburban couple. You can either watch it starting at 7 on CTV, or wait until 9 to catch it on NBC. Meanwhile, the 10th-season closer - and landmark 200th animated episode - of King of the Hill kicks off Fox’s finales at 7:30 p.m. (Simpsons wraps next week.) At 8:30 p.m., it’s Malcolm’s farewell episode, "Graduation" - not surprisingly, with our boy fretting over his valedictory speech, his father Hal fretting over his Harvard tuition, and his mom Lois harbouring a secret wish that he will grow up to be President (move over, Jimmy Smits). Cloris Leachman’s Grandma Ida returns for the final episode, the series’ 151st. Over on ABC (and CTV), medical marvel Grey’s Anatomy closes off a successful sophomore season, spreading the joy over two nights, the first hour at 10 p.m., the second and third Monday from 9 to 11. Finally, finale-wise, there is the traditional Survivor season kiss-off, 8 p.m. on CBS and Global, with the winner being declared at the very end, broadcast live from New York’s Ed Sullivan Theatre. The usual recriminatory reunion show follows, also live, from 10 to 11. At 9:30, CH gets the jump on the CBS season finale of How I Met Your Mother, featuring series regular Alyson Hannigan’s hubby, Alexis Denisof, as Robin’s arrogant co-anchor and Ted’s main competitor for her affections. |
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| From Thefutoncritic.com - By Brian Ford Sullivan - 2006-05-14 Sarah Thompson - "7th Heaven" Tv Series returns ! After weeks of rumors, The CW made it official today - "7th Heaven" will indeed return for an 11th season. The news comes within days of the show’s 7.2 million viewer-turnout for its "series finale." Various sources confirmed the deal this afternoon as the soon-to-launch network preps for its inaugural schedule announcement next Thursday. The pact, financial details of which weren’t released, is said to be for at least 13 episodes next season. Making the development a particular surprise: comments about the show’s financial viability by exiting WB executives David Janollari and Garth Ancier at the TCA Winter Press Tour in January. "It is a real bittersweet situation," Janollari said at the time. "We love the show. We want the show. We were in very detailed and substantial conversations with the Spelling Group. At the end of those conversations we both looked at each other and said we can’t figure out how to make this economically feasible for either side." Ancier added: "I’ll be more specific - the show will lose $16 million this season. This year the show will lose $16 million for The WB, and that’s with a license fee reduction from last year. At least to us, that’s a big number." Nevertheless, "Heaven" remains the WB’s top overall draw this season with an average of 5.66 million viewers tuning in each week. Brenda Hampton, Aaron Spelling and E. Duke Vincent are the executive producers of "Heaven," a Spelling Television, Inc. production. |
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| Freshman sci-fi series Invasion has been cancelled by ABC, according to various reports at the weekend. The news of the show's axe comes ahead of the network's upfronts presentation on Tuesday. Although having a prime slot in the network's schedule - Lost was its lead-in - Invasion dropped from 17 million to just 9 million viewers over the course of its first season. Some hope remains that a second season may materialise, however: new network The CW is rumoured to be interested in picking it up from ABC for 2006-07. The final episode airs this Wednesday (May 17) in the US and Sunday, May 28 in the UK. |
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| Ally McBeal star back on screens Former Ally McBeal star Calista Flockhart is to return to US prime time TV with a part in a family soap opera. Flockhart, 41, will star alongside Six Feet Under actress Rachel Griffiths in ABC's Brothers and Sisters when it hits TV screens later this year. Flockhart will play a radio show host in the drama about four adult siblings. Flockhart played neurotic lawyer Ally McBeal in the popular TV series, which ran from 1997 to 2002 and won four Golden Globe awards. Story from BBC NEWS: |
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| 'Joey' axed as NBC unveils '06-07 schedule Monday, May 15 2006, 16:25 BST - by Neil Wilkes The death knell finally sounded for Joey today as NBC unveiled its slate for the 2006-07 season. The Friends spinoff was first pulled by the network in December, then again following its return in March to less-than-impressive ratings. The remaining few episodes may now air over the summer. Also confirmed for the axe are freshman political drama E-Ring, sci-fi series Surface and comedies Four Kings and Teachers. Few returning series shift around in the new schedule; comedies My Name Is Earl and The Office move up to the 8pm hour on Thursdays to make way for new Matt Perry drama Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip at 9, while Law & Order spinoff Criminal Intent switches to Fridays at 10. Deal Or No Deal gets two weekly airings - Mondays and Fridays at 8 - as reality show The Biggest Loser settles at 8 on Wednesdays. Hotly anticipated supernatural drama Heroes has been granted a 9pm slot on Mondays, teaming with Medium. Footie drama Friday Night Lights, originally tipped for Mondays, has instead been pencilled for Tuesdays, ahead of new mystery drama Kidnapped. Two new comedies - 20 Good Years and 30 Rock - occupy the 9pm hour on Wednesdays. Following several lacklustre seasons, The Apprentice will only air one cycle in 2006-07. Furthermore, the show is being kept back until January, where it moves to a Sunday night slot at 9pm. Scrubs has been renewed for a full season of 22 episodes but won't return until "some point later in the season", NBC said. Ditto for fan favourite Crossing Jordan. |
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| Scorecard: What's in and out at NBC Monday, May 15 2006, 16:00 BST - by Neil Wilkes What's in and out at NBC next season - DS has the answers. Returning Crossing Jordan (midseason) Dateline Saturday Deal Or No Deal ER Las Vegas Law & Order Law & Order: Criminal Intent Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Medium My Name Is Earl Scrubs (midseason) Sunday Night Football The Apprentice (January 2007) The Biggest Loser The Office Axed/Ended Celebrity Cooking Showdown Conviction E-Ring Fear Factor Four Kings Heist Inconceivable Joey Surface Teachers The Apprentice: Martha Stewart The Book Of Daniel The West Wing Three Wishes Will & Grace New series 20 Good Years 30 Rock Andy Barker, P.I. Friday Night Lights Heroes Kidnapped Raines Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip The Black Donnellys The Singles Table Uncommissioned pilots 100 Things To Do Before I Die Alpha Mom Community Service Haskett's Change Lipstick Jungle Love At Third Sight Prodigy The Great Malones |
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| Supernatural, Smallville Renewed The WB's Supernatural and Smallville will get new seasons on the new CW network this fall, which will combine The WB with UPN, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It will be the second season for Supernatural, starring Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki as two brothers who hunt supernatural bad guys. Smallville, starring Tom Welling as the young Clark Kent/Superman, begins its sixth season in the fall. The CW is expected to announce its schedule later this week, along with parent company CBS. UPN's cult favorite series Veronica Mars is also expected to make the new CW lineup, getting a renewal for a third season. |
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| It's Official: Veronica Mars Renewed, Everwood Dead Straight from the horse's mouth, Rob Thomas just e-mailed me to confirm that Veronica Mars has been renewed for a third season. The show got a 22-episode order that, depending on ratings, can be reduced to 13. Very reliable sources, meanwhile, are also telling me that One Tree Hill will be back and that Everwood is, in fact, dead. Talk about injustice. |
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| Marti Noxon - "Brothers and Sisters" Tv Series get picked up by ABC Marti Noxon ABC UNVEILS 2006-07 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE Six New Comedies, Six New Dramas and Three New Alternative Series Will Join a Slate of Returning Shows New Series Include "Betty the Ugly," "Big Day," "Brothers & Sisters," "Day Break," "Help Me Help You," "In Case of Emergency," "Greg Behrendt’s Wake-Up Call," "Just for Laughs," "Let’s Rob...," "Men in Trees," "The Nine," "Notes from the Underbelly," "Set for the Rest of Your Life," "Six Degrees" and "Traveler" Returning Series Include "Grey’s Anatomy," "Lost," "Desperate Housewives," "Dancing with the Stars," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Boston Legal," "The Bachelor," "Supernanny," "What About Brian," "According to Jim," "America’s Funniest Home Videos," "American Inventor," "George Lopez" and "Wife Swap" "Grey’s Anatomy" Moves to Thursday "ABC Saturday Night College Football" Also Joins Fall Primetime Lineup Prince Lorenzo Borghese Takes Throne as the New Bachelor Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment, today outlined ABC’s plans for next season and unveiled the network’s 2006-07 fall schedule before a crowd of ABC affiliates and representatives of the advertising and media communities at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. Scheduled to debut next season are six new comedy series — "Betty the Ugly," "Big Day," "Help Me Help You," "In Case of Emergency," "Let’s Rob..." and "Notes From the Underbelly," along with six new drama series — "Brothers & Sisters," "Day Break," "Men in Trees," "The Nine," "Six Degrees" and "Traveler." Alternative series debuts will include "Set for the Rest of Your Life," "Just for Laughs" and "Greg Behrendt’s Wake-Up Call." In addition to the new series, ABC has ordered season renewals for "Grey’s Anatomy," "Lost," "Desperate Housewives," "Boston Legal," "Dancing with the Stars," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "George Lopez," "Supernanny," "What About Brian," "According to Jim," "America’s Funniest Home Videos," "American Inventor," "The Bachelor" and "Wife Swap." "Our success has been driven by great storytelling and memorable characters that audiences have fallen in love with," said Mr. McPherson. "We set out to develop a diverse group of shows that will continue in that vein and also to grow our audience. We want viewers making appointments with ABC Television every night of the week." During the 2005-06 TV Season, ABC is up more in ratings than any other broadcaster in Adults 18-49 (+8%) and Total Viewers (+8%). It is the only network to grow its audience in the key demographic of Adults 18-49 from the same point a year ago. In just two years, since the end of the 2003-04 TV Season, ABC’s primetime delivery has surged by 25% in Adults 18-49 and 21% in Total Viewers. The network is delivering its most-watched season and the highest-rated among Adults 18-49 in five years - since the same point in the 2000-01 TV Season. Also joining the fall schedule is "ABC Saturday Night College Football." Beginning SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2006 (8:00 p.m., ET), ABC Sports will televise 12 games, concluding with the Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship game on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 (8:00 p.m., ET). ABC also announced the new Bachelor, Prince Lorenzo Borghese, a handsome 33-year-old cosmetics entrepreneur. Prince Borghese has been selected to star in the ninth edition of "The Bachelor," ABC’s popular romance reality series, which returns to the network this fall. Once again the series will be set outside the United States in one of the most glamorous, romantic capitals of the world - Rome! Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelor" is produced by Next Entertainment in Association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Lisa Levenson are the executive producers. David Bohnert is the co-executive producer. Editors please note: Photographs are available on www.abcmedianet.com. ABC’s complete 22-hour fall primetime schedule is as follows (all times listed are Eastern, with new shows in bold): DAY TIME SERIES MONDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Wife Swap" 9:00 p.m. "The Bachelor"/"Supernanny" 10:00 p.m. "What About Brian" TUESDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" (new night)/"Set for the Rest of Your Life" (new alternative series) 9:00 p.m. "Let’s Rob..." (new comedy series) 9:30 p.m. "Help Me Help You" (new comedy series) 10:00 p.m. "Boston Legal" WEDNESDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" (new night)/"George Lopez"/"According to Jim" (new night) 9:00 p.m. "Lost" 10:00 p.m. "The Nine" (new drama series) THURSDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Big Day" (new comedy series) 8:30 p.m. "Notes from the Underbelly" (new comedy series) 9:00 p.m. "Grey’s Anatomy" (new night and time) 10:00 p.m. "Six Degrees" (new drama series) FRIDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Betty the Ugly" (new comedy series) 9:00 p.m. "Men in Trees" (new drama series) 10:00 p.m. "20/20" SATURDAY: 8:00 p.m. "ABC Saturday Night College Football" SUNDAY: 7:00 p.m. "America’s Funniest Home Videos" 8:00 p.m. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" 9:00 p.m. "Desperate Housewives" 10:00 p.m. "Brothers & Sisters" (new drama series) Editors please note: Shows picked up but not listed on the schedule will debut later in the 2006-07 season. Following, in alphabetical order, are descriptions of the new series joining ABC’s primetime schedule next season (all times are Eastern): DRAMAS "Brothers & Sisters" (one-hour, Sunday, 10:00 p.m., ET) - The adult children of William Walker, along with their respective families, have gathered to celebrate Kitty’s birthday. Little do they know that, on this day, their lives will take a dramatic turn. Kitty’s radio success has led to a TV pundit job in Los Angeles, but her New York boyfriend just proposed. Down to earth Thomas has joined forces with his sister, Sarah, a high powered executive and mother of three, in an effort to fix the family business. Kevin’s well-ordered life is shaken by the news that his ex-wife is moving his adolescent son to Texas. Justin, a Gulf War vet, has kicked nicotine, but other addictions keep him from moving forward in his career and love life. These siblings are about to find out that underneath the idyllic family fagade lie many secrets that threaten to either tear the family apart or bring them closer together. As told through the insightful eyes of the family’s most outspoken and public sibling, Calista Flockhart ("Ally McBeal") stars alongside Rachel Griffiths ("Six Feet Under") and Ron Rifkin ("Alias") in this warm, humorous and relatable drama from producer Ken Olin ("Alias") and Jon Robin Baitz, one of Broadway’s most prominent playwrights ("The Substance of Fire"). Cast: Calista Flockhart ("Ally McBeal"): Kitty Walker Ron Rifkin ("Alias"): Saul Ashman Balthazar Getty ("Alias"): Thomas Walker Rachel Griffiths ("Six Feet Under"): Sarah Walker Dave Annable ("Reunion"): Justin Walker Patricia Wettig ("Prison Break"): Holly Harper John Pyper-Ferguson ("Smallville"): Jed Traylor Sarah Jane Morris ("Felicity"): Jennifer Walker Jimmy "Jax" Pinchak ("CSI"): Teddy Traylor Credits: EP/Writer: Jon Robin Baitz ("The Substance of Fire") EP/Director: Ken Olin ("Alias") EP: Marti Noxon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") Production Company: Touchstone Television "Day Break" (one-hour) - We’ve all had bad days... the kind of day where nothing goes our way and we just can’t wait to put it behind us. Detective Brett Hopper is having one of those hellacious days... only he can’t put it behind him because he’s living the same day over and over again. On this particular day, Hopper will be accused of killing Asst. DA Alberto Garza. He will offer a solid alibi which no one will believe. He will realize he’s been framed. And he will run, discovering en route that not only he, but his loved ones, are also in danger. He’ll then wake up and relive the same day over and over again. In order to break the cycle and move on, he will have to figure out who framed him and solve the complex mystery surrounding Garza’s death. He will also be forced to heal the fractured relationships with those he loves. Only when Harper figures out why his life is broken and how to fix it will he awaken to a brand new day. Taye Diggs ("Kevin Hill") stars in an action-packed, thrilling re-imagining of the "Groundhog Day" concept from director Rob Bowman ("The X-Files," "Reign of Fire") and the writer of "After the Sunset." Cast: Taye Diggs ("Rent"): Det. Brett Hopper Meta Golding ("JAG"): Jennifer Mathis Moon Bloodgood ("Eight Below"): Rita Shelton Victoria Pratt ("Mutant X"): Andrea Battle Ramon Rodriguez ("Rescue Me"): Damien Adam Baldwin ("NCIS"): Chad Shelton Credits: EP: Jeff Bell ("The X-Files") EP: Matt Gross ("Don’t Say A Word") Co-EP/Writer: Paul Zbyszewski ("After the Sunset") EP/Director: Rob Bowman ("The X-Files") Production Company: Touchstone Television "Men in Trees" (one-hour, Friday, 9:00 p.m., ET) - Finding a good man in today’s world isn’t as difficult as some women think. You just have to watch out for the signs. You wouldn’t drive with a blindfold on but, for some reason, women continue to date with one. Relationship coach Marin Frist knows what to look for, what to avoid and what will make her happy. As the many fans of her two bestselling books could tell you, we’re all in charge of our own happiness. Marin’s personal happiness includes the upcoming wedding to her "perfect man." But like many people full of advice, she fails to apply it to herself. On her way to a speaking engagement in Alaska, she learns that her fianci has cheated on her... the wedding plans are instantly over. Slapped in the face with personal failure, a snowstorm then leaves her stuck in a small town full of the one thing she really doesn’t need — available men. Marin’s friends and her publisher try to lend long-distance support, but the fact remains she’s been living with her eyes closed for too long. Now that they’re finally open, she sees the amazingly beautiful world surrounding her, and for the first time she’ll have the chance to stop and breathe. Now if she could just get the raccoon out of her hotel room, this place might be perfect. From the head writer of "Sex and the City" and the director of the Academy Award®-winning "Walk the Line" comes a fun and sexy drama about finding love in the most unexpected places. Anne Heche ("Nip/Tuck") stars. Cast: Anne Heche ("Nip/Tuck"): Marin Frist James Tupper ("Gilmore Girls"): Jack Suleka Mathews ("The West Wing"): Sara Derek Richardson ("Felicity"): Patrick Emily Bergl ("Gilmore Girls"): Annie Abraham Benrubi ("ER): Ben Sarah Strange ("Life As We Know It"): Theresa Seana Kofoed ("Law & Order"): Jane John Amos ("The West Wing"): Buzz Credits: EP/Writer: Jenny Bicks ("Sex and the City") EP: Kathy Conrad ("Walk the Line") EP/Director: James Mangold ("Walk the Line") Production Company: Tree Line Film, Perkins Street Productions, NS Pictures Inc., Warner Bros. Television "The Nine" (one-hour, Wednesday, 10:00 p.m., ET) - So much in life is beyond your control. You may g about your day like any other when suddenly a random moment, an accident, a blessing, even a stranger redirects your life forever. And on that day, it’s up to you to decide if that moment will stop you in your tracks or lift you up to new heights. Nine people will face just such an unexpected twist when they are caught in a bank robbery gone wrong and endure a 52-hour hostage standoff that will leave more than one person dead. When all is said and done, these people will never be the same. They will share the common bond of what happens inside the bank and will be forever affected and intertwined because of it. From the creator of "Without a Trace" and an executive producer of "The West Wing" comes a dramatic character study that will keep audiences hooked with the mystery of what happened during the hostage standoff. Each episode will begin with a flashback to reveal another 10 minutes of the hostage crisis, uncovering why and how these nine strangers are still linked today. Tim Daly ("Wings"), Chi McBride ("Boston Public") and Scott Wolf ("Party of Five") star. Cast: Chi McBride ("Boston Public"): Malcolm Jessica Collins ("CSI"): Lizzie Tim Daly ("Wings"): Nick Kim Raver ("24"): Kathryn Scott Wolf ("Party of Five"): Jeremy John Billingsley ("Star Trek: Enterprise"): Egan Lourdes Benedicto ("24"): Eva Camille Guaty ("Prison Break"): Franny Owain Yeoman ("Troy"): Lucas Dana Davis ("Veronica Mars"): Felicia Credits: EP/Writer: Hank Steinberg ("Without a Trace") Co-EP/Writer: K.J. Steinberg ("Beautiful People," "Judging Amy") EP/Director: Alex Graves Production Company: Warner Bros. Television, Sunset Road Productions "Six Degrees" (one-hour, Thursday, 10:00 p.m., ET) - Who will you touch? Who will touch you? They say that anyone on the planet can be connected to any other person through a chain of six people, which means that no one is a stranger... for long. In this hour-long drama from the producers of "Lost" and "Alias," six very different New Yorkers go about their lives without realizing the impact they’re having on one another - yet. A mysterious web of coincidences will gradually draw these strangers closer, changing the course of their lives forever. Is it happenstance? Fate? Is there a greater force at w**k in our world, guiding us along and connecting our lives? This intriguing tale of intertwined destinies reminds us that romance, success, peace or forgiveness might be right around the corner, but they can also be lost in an instant. It’s a story that underlines just how small the world really is, and how someone just five people away might be shaping our future right now. Jay Hernandez ("Friday Night Lights"), Erika Christensen ("Flightplan"), Bridget Moynahan ("Sex and the City"), Dorian Missick ("Lucky Number Slevin"), Hope Davis ("About Schmidt") and Campbell Scott ("The Secret Lives of Dentists") star. Cast: Jay Hernandez ("Friday Night Lights"): Carlos Bridget Moynahan ("I, Robot"): Whitney Hope Davis ("Proof"): Laura Campbell Scott ("Loverboy"): Steven Casemen Dorian Missick ("Lucky Number Slevin"): Damian Erika Christensen ("Traffic"): Mae Anderson Credits: EP: J.J. Abrams ("Lost," "Alias") EP: Bryan Burk ("Lost," "Alias") EP/Writer: Stu Zicherman ("Elektra") EP/Writer: Raven Metzner ("Elektra") Director: Rodrigo Garcia ("Six Feet Under") Production Company: Touchstone Television "Traveler" (one-hour) - Jay, Tyler and Will are friends who have spent the last two years in grad school. They are about to depart on a summer trip when a simple prank to rollerblade through one of New York City’s most famous museums makes Jay and Tyler prime suspects in a terrorist bombing that destroys the museum seconds later. Hopeful that Will can help clear up this misunderstanding, they learn he’s been missing since the exploion and think he may be dead. They’re unable to turn to authorities when they realize they can’t prove Will even exists. In every photo from the past two years, he has managed to block his face. Who will believe them? Friends, family, lovers? The boys are pawns in a conspiracy that will take years to unravel, and the government may not have their best interests at heart. Their friendship will be tested like never before as they try to uncover the truth, while avoiding detection of not only the FBI, but everyone in America who has seen their faces on TV as suspects in the bombing. Director David Nutter, who has defined many series including "The X-Files," "Without a Trace" and "Supernatural," along with the writer of "Eight Below" and the Oscar®-winning producers of "American Beauty" combine "The Fugitive" with "Enemy of the State" in a taut, tense thriller of innocents on the run. Flashing back to the prior two years to illustrate the formation of this friendship and Will’s insidious behavior, this action-packed drama taps into our paranoia with pure adrenaline-fueled entertainment. Matthew Bomer ("Tru Calling") and Logan Marshall-Green ("The O.C.") star. Cast: Matthew Bomer ("Tru Calling"): Jay Burchell Logan Marshall-Green ("The O.C."): Tyler Fog Aaron Stanford ("X-Men 2"): Will Traveler Viola Davis ("Law & Order: SVU"): Agent Jan "Naj" Marlow Steven Culp ("Desperate Housewives"): Agent Fred Chambers Credits: EP: Dan Jinks ("American Beauty") EP: Bruce Cohen ("American Beauty") Writer: David Digilio ("Eight Below") Production Company: Warner Bros. Television, The Jinks/Cohen Company COMEDIES "Betty the Ugly" (one-hour comedy, Friday,8:00 p.m., ET) - In the superficial world of high fashion, image is everything. Styles come and go, and the only constants are the wafer-thin beauties who wear them. How can an ordinary girl — a slightly plump plain-Jane from Queens — possibly fit in? If you took a moment to get to know Betty Suarez, you’d see how sweet, intelligent and hard-w**king she is. But few people do because, in the world of fashion, Betty is the oversized square peg in the petite round hole. When publishing mogul Bradford Meade hands the reigns of his fashion magazine, Mode, over to his son, Daniel, he specifically hires Betty as his son’s new assistant - mostly because she’s the only woman in NYC Daniel won’t sleep with. Though this "player" is reluctant to accept her at first, Betty’s indomitable spirit and bright ideas will eventually win him over. Neither of them really knows the ins and outs of the fashion world, but the two of them are a formidable team against the label-wearing sharks who will do anything to see them fail. Executive producers Salma Hayek and Silvio Horta, the creator of "Urban Legend," bring the Latino television phenomenon to an English-speaking audience. America Ferrera ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants") and Eric Mabius ("The L Word") are the "w**king Girl" couple who tackle the colorful, cutthroat world of fashion head on. Cast: America Ferrera ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"): Betty Suarez Eric Mabius ("The O.C."): Daniel Meade Ana Ortiz ("Boston Legal"): Hilda Vanessa Williams ("Chicago Hope"): Wilhelmina Slater Tony Plana ("24"): Ignacio Ashley Jensen: Christina Becki Newton ("Charmed"): Amanda Mark Indelicato: Justin Alan Dale ("The O.C."): Bradford Meade Credits: EP/Writer: Silvio Horta ("Jake 2.0") EP: Ben Silverman ("The Office") EP: Salma Hayek ("Frida") EP: Jose Tamez ("The Maldonado Miracle") Director: Richard Shepard ("Criminal Minds") Production Company: Touchstone Television "Big Day" (half-hour, Thursday, 8:00 p.m., ET) - If "24" married "Father of the Bride," their child would be "Big Day." Everything matters at a wedding, and the smallest imperfections can reverberate throughout the event as if lives actually hang in the balance. Choice of side salad? A trivial decision you would think, but for the mother of the bride, this might as well be the most critical decision of her life, and if you’re the caterer, you’d better get it right. That’s just the beginning — the maid of honor accidentally drinks the best man’s contacts after sleeping with him, and the father of the bride wants to stop the wedding. Things are about to get even more complicated for Danny and Alice, as their day turns into a season-long roller coaster where nothing goes according to plan. Over the course of an entire season, each episode will focus on one day - Danny and Alice’s wedding day. The writers of "What Women Want" and "13 Going on 30" take a full season to dissect the biggest day in any family’s life. Marla Sokoloff ("Desperate Housewives"), Josh Cooke ("Four Kings") and Wendie Malick ("Just Shoot Me") star. Cast: Marla Sokoloff ("Desperate Housewives"): Alice Josh Cooke ("Four Kings"): Danny Wendie Malick ("Just Shoot Me"): Jane Kurt Fuller ("Desperate Housewives"): Steve Miriam Shor ("Hedwig and the Angry Inch"): Becca Stephen Rannazzisi ("Kitchen Confidential"): Skobo Stephanie Weir ("Fun with Dick and Jane"): Lorna Credits: EP/Writer: Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa ("13 Going on 30") Director: Michael Spiller ("Jake in Progress") Production Company: Sony Pictures Television "Help Me Help You" (half-hour, Tuesday, 9:30 p.m., ET) - Whoever came up with the idea of group therapy? Take a bunch of people who are all really messed up in different ways and put them in a room together to try and help each other out. he group leader, Dr. Bill Hoffman, is probably the craziest and most self-obsessed of all, but his patients would never know it because he hides behind his very respectable celebrity image as a bestselling author of phenomenally successful self-help books. Directed by Brian Dannelly ("Saved," "Weeds"), the series explores the comical side of group therapy as members of the group apply the good doctor’s advice to the real world with enthusiastic effort, until they begin to realize maybe Dr. Bill should be doing the heavy lifting along with them. Ted Danson ("Cheers") stars. Cast: Ted Danson ("Cheers"): Dr. Bill Hoffman Charlie Finn ("The Dukes of Hazzard"): Dave Jim Rash ("That ’70s Show"): Jonathan Suzy Nakamura ("Dodgeball"): Inger Darlene Hunt ("I Heart Huckabees"): Darlene Jere Burns ("Good Morning Miami"): Michael Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm in the Middle"): Guest Star/Anne Credits: EP/Writer: Jennifer Konner ("Undeclared") EP/Writer: Alexandra Rushfield ("Undeclared") Director: Brian Dannelly ("Weeds") Production Company: Regency Television "In Case of Emergency" (half-hour) - Who you were in high school is usually not who you end up being. Harry, Jason, Sherman and Kelly all went to the same high school. Several years on since graduation, their lives haven’t exactly turned out the way they planned. Diet guru Sherman will hijack a pastry truck and over-indulge after discovering his wife left him and cleaned him out. In the face of a fraud indictment, financial whiz Jason will dodge the suicide bullet only to shoot himself in the foot... literally. Unhappily divorced, Harry goes for a relaxing "massage," only to discover his scantily clad "masseuse" is Kelly, their high school valedictorian. A series of emergencies will reunite this hapless brood and they’ll find, at the end of the day, that they’ve got each other in case of emergency. Director Jon Favreau ("Elf," "Swingers") directs Jonathan Silverman ("Jekyll"), David Arquette ("Scream"), Greg Germann ("Ally McBeal") and Kelly Hu ("The Scorpion King") as a fresh quartet of emotionally and physically injured oddballs, and Lori Laughlin ("Full House") as the doctor who grounds them all. Together, they’re proving that any colossal mistake can be overcome with a lot of help from your friends... and pain killers. Cast: Jonathan Silverman ("The Single Guy"): Harry Kennison David Arquette ("Scream"): Jason Ventress Greg Germann ("Ally McBeal"): Sherman Yablonsky Kelly Hu ("CSI:NY"): Kelly Lee Lori Loughlin ("Full House"): Dr. Joanna Lupone Nicholas Roget-King ("Yours, Mine and Ours"): Dylan Credits: EP/Writer: Howard J. Morris ("According to Jim") EP: Emile Levisetti ("Hope & Faith") EP/Director: Jon Favreau ("Elf," "Swingers") Production Company: Touchstone Television "Let’s Rob..." (half-hour, Tuesday, 9:00 p.m., ET) - For almost 20 years, Eugene Gurkin has dreamt of opening a bar, but his dead end job on the late, late janitorial shift won’t even fund a bottle of premium booze. In the wake of a co-worker’s death, he catches an episode of television. Call it divine intervention, call it a dumb idea, but whatever it is takes hold of Eugene and soon he recruits a group of misfits into his "gang" for a heist to finance their dreams. The target: Rock icon Mick Jagger’s super-luxe Central Park West apartment. w**king together, this band of affable, new-age Robin Hoods, who have never even shoplifted a candy bar, are soon casing the joint and prepping for their crime. What they don’t know is that there’s a much richer target for them... the chance to find hope, self-esteem and confidence within themselves. From Jon Beckerman and Rob Burnett, producers of "Late Show with David Letterman" and creators of "Ed," comes a hilarious tale of haves and have nots. Donal Logue ("Grounded for Life") stars. Mick agger appears in a cameo (he is not a series regular). Cast: Donal Logue ("Grounded for Life"): Eugene Gurkin Maz Jobrani ("Life on a Stick"): Gary Sofia Vergara ("Four Brothers"): Esperanza Villalobos Kevin Michael Richardson ("The Boondocks"): Rockefeller Butts Lenny Venito ("NYPD Blue"): Francis "Squatch" Scuacieri Josh Grisetti: Louis Plunk Credits: EP/Writer/Director: Rob Burnett ("Ed") EP/Writer: Jon Beckerman ("Ed") EP: Mick Jagger EP: Victoria Pearman Production Company: Touchstone Television "Notes from the Underbelly" (half-hour, Thursday, 8:30 p.m., ET) - Andrew and Lauren have just found out they’re going to have a baby, and they’re having a difficult time following rule number one - keeping it secret. Suddenly switching to decaf, becoming a teetotaler at cocktail parties, and going to the OBGYN are all difficult to keep from family and close friends. Well Andrew and Lauren are about to learn that, when the secret gets out, the politics of parenthood can be just as demanding as raising a child. Sometimes all that "help" from loving but intrusive parents and "advice" from well-meaning but competitive friends who are trying to show you what great parents they are is not exactly what you’re looking for. Knowing what’s best for the child could be the easiest part... maintaining your relationships with family and friends can be the real challenge. Director Barry Sonnenfeld and two producers of "Two and a Half Men" create a comic take on life’s greatest adventure. As these friends watch their lives change to accommodate the little stranger, their relationships change in ways they never expected before they were expecting. Peter Cambor and Jennifer Westfeldt ("Kissing Jessica Stein") star. Cast: Peter Cambor ("Up to the Roof"): Andrew Jennifer Westfeldt ("Numbers"): Lauren Melanie Paxson ("Cupid"): Julie Rachael Harris ("The West Wing"): Cooper Michael Weaver ("Monk"): Danny Sunkrish Bala ("Barbershop"): Eric Credits: EP/Writer: Stacy Traub ("What I Like About You") EP: Eric Tannenbaum ("Two and a Half Men") EP: Kim Tannebaum ("Two and a Half Men") Director: Barry Sonnenfeld ("Lemony Snicket’s a Series of Unfortunate Events") Production Company: Warner Bros. Television, The Tannenbaum Company ALTERNATIVE SERIES "Greg Behrendt’s Wake-Up Call" - Greg Behrendt, acclaimed author of He’s Just Not That Into You, will address one couple’s major issues and use his knowledge of relationships to give them the tools to fix theirs. Through his off-the-cuff comedy and bruised-and-battered romantic experience, Greg takes a close look from a different angle to give our couple advice as a close friend, but also that of sage wisdom. "Just for Laughs" — ABC has licensed six half-hour episodes of the hidden-camera comedy series. The series cuts across cultural boundaries and has universal appeal, entertaining audiences of all ages and demographics by mixing clever practical jokes, hidden cameras and a few unsuspecting victims. "Set for the Rest of Your Life" — Just imagine: You’re leaving the studio financially independent with a monthly payment for as long as you live! Yes, even if you are to live another 100 years. With a big smile on your face, you will be cashing a monthly check for the rest of your life. Now how does that sound? In this high-tension game show, the contestant will first battle for the highest monthly check possible. Does he end up with $50 a month? $500 a month? Or will he receive well over $10,000 a month? The contestant’s next battle is even more important: Time! Does he win that payment just for one month? For a quarter of a year, half a year, one year? For three, ten, twenty years maybe? Or... for the rest of his life? And... did the contestant’s partner, hidden in a sound-proof isolation booth away from where it’s all happening, help to make that dream come true or turn that dream into a nightmare? "Set for the Rest of Your Life" is a game show for strong relationships only, that’s for sure! |