Archive: January 2009 (27-39 of 81)

Jan 21 2009 10:33 PM ET

'Ghost Whisperer' exclusive: Hilary Duff alert!

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Categories: Ghost Whisperer

Ghostwhisperer_l
Lizzie Mac is back!

Sources confirm to me exclusively that Hilary Duff will appear in an upcoming episode of Ghost Whisperer as a “beautiful woman of mystery” who (duh) may or may not have been involved in the death of some dude.

Random fact that may help explain how this whole thing came about: Duff and Jennifer Love Hewitt are BFFs! Who knew?

Duff’s Ghost gig comes amid news that she’ll headline Barely Legal, an NBC comedy about an 18-year-old who passes the California bar and becomes the state’s youngest attorney. (Additional reporting by Oriana Schwindt)

Jan 21 2009 07:52 PM ET

Tina Fey and Jon Hamm talk about coupling up on '30 Rock'

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Categories: 30 Rock, Casting, TV Biz

30rockhamm_l
It’s a cult TV geek’s dream: Don Draper and Liz Lemon together at last. The next best thing will happen when Mad Men‘s dapper leading man, Jon Hamm, guests on NBC’s 30 Rock for a three-episode run as Liz’s neighbor-turned-suitor. We caught up with the short-lived (for now — both said they’re open to a repeat appearance) couple as they shot their final scene on location on Manhattan’s Upper West Side:

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How did this blessed union come to be?
TINA FEY: A lot of times when we’re writing we’ll have an actor in mind and we’ll keep referring to them. Like for this we said, “Then Hamm comes in, blah blah blah.” And I kept saying, You know, you guys, we probably aren’t going to get Jon Hamm. But we were lucky with the timing because Mad Men was on hiatus and he was hosting SNL. So I called over there and asked them [whispering], “Hey, is that guy funny? Tell me the truth.” And they were like, “Yes, he’s really funny.” By Saturday I knew they were right.

So after all Liz’s bad dating experiences, she manages to snag Jon Hamm?
FEY: He plays a divorced gentleman who lives in my building. I meet him because I start getting his mail by accident and I start opening it and making assumptions about him based on it. Then I believe the technical term for what happens is “shenanigans.”
HAMM: Also high jinks. Believe it or not, there are misunderstandings. She jumps to some conclusions, and…
FEY: By the time we meet up at the Regal Beagle, it’s all worked out.

Your series both just won Golden Globes. Again. And that’s on top of all their Emmys. Do you get tired of the accolades?
FEY: I’m probably not as tired of it as everyone else.
HAMM: It’s nice to be recognized for something you’re proud of. But in our culture there’s an inevitable backlash. And that should be happening for both of our shows…right about now. Just as I’m appearing on 30 Rock.

What if you swapped acceptance speeches next time, just to mix things up? What would you say for each other?
HAMM: That would be one half of a good idea.
FEY: First of all, I’d get up there and get shirtless. Then I’d do like 50 push-ups and flip the podium over. That’s it.
HAMM: I’d do the same thing.

Jon, is there any other role you’d like to play on 30 Rock?
HAMM: Here’s an interesting story: I don’t know if Tina knows this, but I actually auditioned for the role of Jack Donaghy.
FEY: You did? Was I there?
HAMM: No, it was way early in the process. So somewhere on tape, there exists me talking about three kinds of heat. The corollary is that Tina auditioned for Don Draper.
FEY: No, I would probably be the wife of the guy in the closet.

addCredit(“Jessica Miglio/NBC”)

Jan 21 2009 07:15 PM ET

Ratings: 'American Idol' sheds 8 million since premiere

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Categories: American Idol, Television, TV Biz, TV Ratings

Barack Obama’s inauguration may be good for America, but it wasn’t good for American Idol. Tuesday night’s audition installment was still the No. 1 prime-time program with 22.4 million viewers, according to overnight ratings — but that’s eight million fewer than what tuned in for last week’s Idol premiere. ABC’s two-hour coverage of the Neighborhood Ball was the second most-watched program of the evening, averaging 12.6 million viewers. Meanwhile, Fox’s Fringe returned with a bang, averaging 12.1 million viewers, a 42 percent increase from its last original airing on Dec. 2. While that’s good news for the freshman drama, it should also be noted that its audience dropped 20 percent from its first half hour to its second. Doing the reverse was NBC’s Biggest Loser: Couples, which grew its crowd as usual hour-to-hour, averaging 8.4 million viewers from 8 to 9 p.m., and 12 million from 9 to 10 p.m. Rounding out the Tuesday night regulars, CBS powerhouses NCIS and The Mentalist took the expected hits airing repeats, while The CW’s 90210 and Privileged recovered from last week’s double-digit ratings dips with double-digit increases (10 percent and 48 percent, respectively).

 
   
   
      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

 

Time Show Viewers (in millions)
8 p.m. American Idol (Fox)
The Neighborhood Ball: An Inauguration Celebration (ABC)
NCIS (CBS)
The Biggest Loser: Couples (NBC)
90210 (The CW)		 22.4
12.6
11.7 (repeat)
10.2
2.4
9:00 Fringe (Fox)
Change and Challenge: The Inauguration of Barack Obama (CBS)
Privileged (The CW) 		12.1
6.9
1.7
10:00 The Mentalist (CBS)
A Moment in History: The Inauguration of Barack Obama (ABC)
Dateline NBC		 10.5 (repeat)
9.5
6.2

More TV News:
Michael Slezak recaps American Idol
Annie Barrett recaps The Obamas’ first dance as if it was an episode of Dancing With the Stars
Ken Tucker loves last night’s Fringe
Jean Bentley recaps The Biggest Loser: Couples
Clip du jour: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart‘s Changefest ’09 inauguration coverage

Jan 21 2009 04:37 AM ET

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on 'Lost,' 'House,' 'Gossip Girl,' 'The Office,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Medium,' 'Chuck,' '24,' 'Brothers & Sisters,' and more!

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Categories: Ask Ausiello

Heiglfisherlively_lQuestion: Come on, Ausiello! Give us scoop on Gossip Girl! — Sam
Ausiello: First let me say that Monday’s episode was an absolute triumph on all levels (acting, writing, directing)…which makes the fact that it was the lowest-rated of the season all the more depressing. (Time to reboot the system, Nielsen!) On the scoop front, I know what brings Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg) back to town, and it’s not her seemingly indefatigable quest to piss off frenemy Serena. Quite the contrary, in fact. Take it away, exec producer Josh Schwartz! "Certain times a situation is so dire that it requires the assistance of even your most sworn enemy," he teases. "It just might come to pass that Serena and Blair find themselves in a situation where they have no recourse other than to recruit Georgina Sparks." In other GG news, the show is casting the possibly recurring role of an "unassumingly cute" 16-year-old male. Sounds like Jenny’s getting a new suitor!

Question: I am absolutely in love with the Jim/Pam relationship on The Office! My body is just itching to see their wedding. Will it be this season, or are the writers going to make us wait? — Kyle
Ausiello: I assumed it would take place this season… until, that is, I spoke to exec producer Greg Daniels. "If people assume it’ll happen this season, then I don’t want to do it," he countered with a laugh. "There are so many stories about a couple getting married that I want to explore." The post-Super Bowl episode on Feb. 1 will introduce one such story when Pam learns that her parents are having marital problems, causing her to wonder, "If they can’t make it work, what chance do Jim and I have?"

Question: The Office? Pretty please. — Katie
Ausiello: BJ Novak confirms to me that Ryan will make a "dramatic" return later this season as part of a top-secret storyline. Theories? Post ‘em in the comments!

Question: Please tell us which Lost female might not make it through the season? — Hippo
Ausiello: I’ll do no such thing. Instead, I’ll tell you that the mystery will be solved in the closing seconds of the Jan. 28 episode.

Question: Lost? Anything? — Bia
Ausiello: Sawyer and a female character whose name isn’t Kate will make out this season.

Question: Tonight’s the night! Lost returns! I think that calls for some exclusive scoop! — Sam
Ausiello: You’ll get no argument from me! A Lost insider tells me that Team Darlton is very quietly looking for an actor to play a "younger Phillip Seymour Hoffman-type" for a smallish arc this season, and a much bigger one next. What does it all mean, Doc Jensen? "My guess is they want the Phillip Seymour Hoffman from Synecdoche, New York, because thematically, that trippy movie is very simpatico with Lost. I’m thinking he’s some kind of Dharma mastermind, or maybe Jacob — the true man behind the curtain directing the crazy stage play that is Lost." Once again, he took the words right out of my mouth! Speaking of Lost, I implore you to check out our award-worthy "Totally Lost" section, featuring (among other things) Doc J’s exclusive, multi-part video Q&A with Team Darlton.

Question: I love both pairs of glasses that Paula Abdul wore on the season premiere of American Idol. Can you tell me where I can get a pair? — Julie
Ausiello: This is more Slezak‘s area of expertise, but did you try the pharmaceutical counter at CVS? That would be the first place I’d look.

Question: Reports have surfaced that Rob Thomas is writing a Veronica Mars movie script. Know anything about this? — Rob
Ausiello: Are you trying to piss me off? If so, congratulations, you’re succeeding with flying colors!

Question: Please tell me that Friday Night Lights will be back next season. — LaToya
Ausiello: FNL will be back provided all (or most) of the 4.6 million people that tuned in for last Friday’s debut on NBC stick around for the entire season. And they’d be fools not to.

Question: Please tell me that Wilson will have more screen time on House soon. I’ve been missing the guy lately. — Ryan
Ausiello: Dr. Crankypants’ soul mate BFF gets some quality time in the 100th episode on Feb. 2 when he finally (and completely) makes peace with Amber’s death. The landmark episode also finds one of the show’s couples contemplating parenthood.

Question: 90210 gets so little attention from you! Got any scoop? — Stephanie
Ausiello: This season’s 19th episode (airing in April) will be must-see-worthy for two reasons: It marks Tori Spelling’s return as Donna and features the arrival of Dixon’s estranged mother.

Question: Is it true that CSI:NY‘s Danny and Lindsay will wed in February? — Sherry
Ausiello: There’s an episode coming up that executive producer Peter Lenkov promises will make D&L fans very happy. Rough translation: YES!

Question: Nice to see you choose Chuck as your favorite comedy of 2008. Any scoops on upcoming episodes? — Kelsey
Ausiello: Exec producer Josh Schwartz is hesitant to use the words "game changing" to describe this season’s final batch of episodes — even though it’s wholly appropriate. "Everyone uses that term," he harrumphs. "Let’s call it show changing. Or Chuck changing…Let’s just say someone is going to start figuring out the truth in Chuck’s world." Schwartz adds that he’s cramming "three seasons worth of stories into the next 10 episodes," in part because there’s no guarantee the show will see a third season. (Note to NBC: The forecast calls for a s–tstorm in the event Chuck is axed.) "We’re leaving nothing on the table," he says. "We’re taking nothing for granted. We’re going for it." To wit, did you see who they got to play Chuck’s dad?!

Question: Anything new on Chuck? — Laura
Ausiello: This just in: Jordana Brewster’s returning as Chuck’s ex Jill in the season finale!

Question: If Denny is all in Izzie’s head on Grey’s Anatomy, how can he appear in scenes without her, like the one in last week’s episode where he was sitting on the edge of the bed with Alex? — Stephanie
Ausiello: That’s a great question. Let me ask ABC president Steve McPherson and get back to you. Because if I learned anything at press tour last week, it’s that McPherson loves to discuss the goings-on at Grey’s, both on screen and off.

Question: Seriously, how much longer is Denny going to be around for on Grey’s? Love Jeffrey Dean Morgan, but it’s just not working for me. — Lauren
Ausiello: He’ll be around at least through March, since that’s when Izzie’s aneurysm-esque medical condition finally gets diagnosed.

Question: I am loving the new doc Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) on Grey’s Anatomy. Any news on whether they plan to keep her on? — Amy
Ausiello: They’re grooming her as a love interest for Callie, so I suspect she’ll be staying put for now. Speaking of which, look for Callie to seek advice from Addison about her feelings for Arizona in the Feb. 12 crossover episode.

Question: Are you suggesting that Kitty is going to have an affair with Eli Stone‘s brother on Brothers & Sisters? — Dave
Ausiello: I asked B&S exec producer Monica Breen point blank if Kitty was going to cheat on Robert, and, whaddaya know, she wouldn’t tell me. Breen did concede that Matt Letscher’s charming, down-to-earth character will become a "serious complication" for the new parents. "He comes to represent what she doesn’t have with Robert," she explains. "It leads Kitty to think about the status of her marriage and what she wants from her marriage." 

Question: Thanks for all the spoilers. Have one on Brothers & Sisters? — Karen
Ausiello: E.P. Monica Breen teases that Jason Lewis’ return as Chad will have an "unexpected" effect on Kevin and Scotty’s relationship, adding, "It’s not what people are thinking."

Question: Any news on Eleventh Hour? — Victor
Ausiello: Mariel Hemingway has closed a deal to guest star later this season as a woman whose children get taken hostage by a terrorist. 

Question: How about you give us a, ahem, large scoop on Medium? (See what I did there?!) — Kevin
Ausiello: Hey, no fair — that’s my shtick! Eh, I suppose I have a big enough, ahem, shtick to go around. (See what I did there?!) Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I have some, ahem, large Medium scoop for you: Upcoming Private Practice guest star Amanda Detmer has been cast as Joe’s sister! "She comes to visit at a time when her marriage is falling apart," previews exec producer Glenn Gordon Caron. "And it’s awkward for Joe, because he genuinely likes his brother-in-law. But his sister is convinced he’s been unfaithful." Further complicating matters, "Allison starts to get impressions about what might have happened." And here’s another Medium tidbit, and this one is size XL: James Van Der Beek has signed on to guest star later this season. His character seeks Allison’s help when his mother goes missing.

Question: When is ABC going to air the last episodes of Pushing Daisies? — Tina
Ausiello: Based on Steve McPherson’s remarks at press tour last week, I’m guessing sometime between never and when hell freezes over. Something tells me those final three eps won’t see the light of day until Daisies‘ season 2 DVD drops — assuming it does drop. In far happier news, Warner Bros. has give Bryan Fuller the okay to keep Daisies alive in comic book form. Now it’s just a matter of Fuller ironing out all the details with DC Comics. I suspect there will be something official to report by month’s end. 

Question: You sir, are a cruel, cruel man! You left the Sarah Connor Chronicles fans totally hanging with your "DEATH OF A MAJOR CHARACTER" tease. Couldn’t you give us just a little more? — Melinda
Ausiello: Okay, here are three hints: The character is female, she has close ties to John, and she’s an out and proud Aushole (and I have video evidence confirming as much).

Question: Got any Snapple-worthy scoop about 24? — Penny
Ausiello: Jack’s lover-turned-frozen vegetable Audrey Raines will play a pivotal role this season, albeit an invisible one. I’ll let Kiefer Sutherland explain: "She’s not a physical presence, but the damage of losing her absolutely [impacts] why Jack might not be able to engage on an emotional level with other people. It adds a huge sense of loss that informs almost everything he does." Kiefer doesn’t rule out the possibility of Audrey returning in the flesh next season, particularly since A) Lipstick Jungle looks to be a goner, and B) as Kiefer reveals to me exclusively, "[Audrey] has finally stopped dribbling."

Question: What happened to Annie-ello TV? — Mark
Ausiello: It returns next week — hopefully with its original title intact!

Question: I just saw the first episode of Big Love (Season 3) and I can’t go another day without some scoop!  Please help! — Shelly
Ausiello: Expect some rather, ahem, medium-sized complications on Big Love when Ana’s ex returns looking to rekindle their relationship.(See what I did there?!)

Question: What’s cookin’ on the Supernatural front? — April
Ausiello: A secret is revealed that will make Dean feel guilty for all of eternity.

That’s a wrap! Send questions, anonymous tips, love notes to ausielloscoop@ew.com. Thanks for playing!

More TV Scoop:
House-Cuddy sex update
Smallville‘s ninth season in jeopardy?!
 Veronica Mars movie update!
Bones star previews "incredibly awkward" sex scene

Jan 20 2009 10:11 PM ET

Ratings: 'House' very healthy in new time slot

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Categories: TV Ratings

Now that the anemic Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Prison Break have moved time slots, Fox’s Monday nights are actually a force to be reckoned with. House debuted in its new 8 p.m. spot to a very strong 14.9 million viewers. Meanwhile, its lead-out, 24, only dropped about 200,000 viewers from the previous week. Most surprising, though, was the rise of The Bachelor and fall of Gossip Girl. ABC’s reality dating series added almost a million watchers to its 9.1 million from last week, while The CW’s teen soap dipped to a mere 2.2 million, a drop of 700,000 from its last installment.

 
   
   
      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

 

Time Show Viewers (in millions)
8pm House (Fox)
Big Bang Theory (CBS)
The Bachelor (ABC)
Superstars of Dance (NBC)
Gossip Girl (The CW)		 14.9
11.1
10.0
6.5
2.2
8:30pm How I Met Your Mother (CBS) 10.8
9pm Two and a Half Men (CBS)
24 (Fox)
One Tree Hill (The CW)		 16.0
12.1
2.6
9:30pm Worst Week (CBS) 9.6
10pm CSI: Miami (CBS)
True Beauty (ABC)
Momma’s Boys (NBC)		 14.6
6.0
4.9
Jan 19 2009 04:29 PM ET

Exclusive: 'Smallville' bosses mull 'Melrose' remake. Is Clark safe?

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Categories: Melrose Place, Smallville

Melroseplace_lThe plot is thickening over at CW’s Melrose Place reboot. On the heels of One Tree Hill boss Mark Schwahn’s departure from the project, sources confirm that the net is now talking with Smallville show-runners Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin about shepherding the update.

It goes without saying that a likely complication in the talks is the duo’s involvement with Smallville and the uncertainty surrounding the show’s future. The net has not formally renewed Smallville for a ninth season, although Warner Bros. is already finalizing deals with the principal cast, including Tom Welling. Should Swimmer and Slavkin depart, fellow executive producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson would likely become the primary show-runners in season 9.

Schwahn’s exit from Melrose 2.0 was announced last week at press tour. According to insiders, the exec was unable to close a deal with producer Paramount due in part to his existing committment to Warner Bros, which produces OTH.

What say you, Smallville fans? Are you willing to lose Swimmer and Slavkin if it means getting a super Melrose Place remake? Sound off below!

Jan 19 2009 04:27 AM ET

'Brothers & Sisters' exclusive: Eli Stone's bro moves in on Kitty

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Categories: Brothers & Sisters

Kittymattletscher_lThink you’re down in the dumps about Eli Stone‘s cancellation? Look at the havoc it’s about to wreak on Robert and Kitty’s marriage on Brothers & Sisters!

Sources confirm to me exclusively that Eli‘s premature demise has paved the way for Matt Letscher (a.k.a. Eli’s bro, Nathan) to join B&S for a multi-episode arc as a potential romantic interest for Kitty (Calista Flockhart).

Letscher’s character, a recent widower, befriends Kitty during a particularly tumultuous time in her marriage. He’s scheduled to start airing in April.

“It’s going to become a serious complication,” reveals executive producer Monica Breen, ominously.

How serious of a complication are we talking? And how did Robert and Kitty’s relationship become so strained that it would lead her to consider straying? Stay tuned to B&S this April and you’ll find out!

Just kidding, I’ll tell you Wednesday in Ask Ausiello.

Jan 16 2009 08:29 PM ET

Ratings: 'CSI' slays the competition

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Categories: TV Biz, TV Ratings

The 8 p.m. slot was a little shook-up with President Bush’s 15-minute farewell speech last night, but no tears were shed as it was back to regular programming stat, minus ABC’s Ugly Betty. CBS was the clear winner of the night, dominating with CSI and its new Brit sci-fi adaptation, Eleventh Hour. Grey’s Anatomy is in need of some medical attention as its viewers went down another 6 percent since last week’s new episode — not even Eric Stoltz and Tyne Daly could breathe some life into the medical drama (A little piece of advice: Re-kill Denny, PLEASE!) — though Private Practice managed to hold onto most of last week’s post-Grey‘s audience. In Fox news, everybody’s most-feared, four-letter-word-loving chef, Gordon Ramsay did not fare so well with Kitchen Nightmares, coming in fourth in its hour. Though maybe viewers will have more of an appetite for him when his staple, Hell’s Kitchen, returns on Jan. 29.

 

 
   
   
      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

 

Time Show Viewers (in millions)
8:00 p.m. Presidential Address/CSI (CBS)
Pres. Address/My Name is Earl (NBC)
Pres. Address/Scrubs (ABC)
Pres. Address/Smallville (The CW)
Pres. Address/Kitchen Nightmares (Fox)		 13.7 (repeat)
6.6 (repeat)
5.7 (repeat)
4.3
4.1 (repeat)
9:00 CSI (CBS)
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
The Office (NBC)
Kitchen Nightmares (Fox)
Supernatural (The CW)		 23.9
12.9
8.3
4.3
2.9
9:30 p.m. 30 Rock (NBC) 6.6
10:00 p.m. Eleventh Hour (CBS)
Private Practice (ABC)
ER (NBC)		 15.5
8.7
7.0
Jan 16 2009 08:27 PM ET

'How I Met Your Mother' exclusive: 'That '70s Show' alum seduces Ted

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Categories: How I Met Your Mother

Lauraprepon_lMaybe this time we’re really going to meet the mother on How I Met Your Mother: That ’70s Show leading lady Laura Prepon has signed on to play Ted’s once (and future) girlfriend in five episodes, sources confirm to me exclusively.

Mind you, if the October Road escapee’s character, Karen, does turn out to be our hero’s future missus, she’ll be a far cry from Sarah Chalke’s Little Miss Perfect. Prepon’s alter ego — Ted’s squeeze through high school, college and then some — is said to be as snooty as she is beautiful, and notorious for cheating on her lovers to avoid having to explain why she’s dumping them.

Thoughts? Mine are 1) This for sure sounds like a fun character for Prepon, 2) She’ll fit right in with the Mother gang, and 3) Okay, now I’ve lost count. So spill: Would you love it or hate it if the show was pulling a fast one and Prepon was the Mother-to-be? (Additional reporting by Andy Patrick)

Jan 16 2009 08:09 PM ET

The 'L Word' murder mystery: Hey, did they just reveal the killer?!

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Categories: TV Biz

Thelword_l_2
The final season of Showtime’s lesbian drama The L Word kicks off Sunday night with a ginormous murder mystery at its center, and unless you fans have been living under a rock, the victim is the show’s most love/hate-worthy character, Jenny Schecter. But never mind all that: Showtime is already looking ahead to a potential spinoff, The Farm. Earlier this week, network president Robert Greenblatt revealed that the series would revolve around Leisha Hailey’s character, Alice (pictured), who’ll be sent to prison. Which immediately begged the question: Um, didn’t they just reveal the murderer??

EW rang up creator Ilene Chaiken to clarify the big reveal. According to her, the murder-mystery storyline was created before talk of a spinoff even began. “My answer to your question is this: If the new show goes on the air, it will be connected to the Who-Killed-Jenny? storyline, and I would say that that’s what Alice is in prison for. I don’t know that she actually killed Jenny…” And she remains coy about whether or not she’s pleased to have the mystery essentially spoiled. “We still have opportunities to resolve the storyline in different ways,” she promises, though she says that no alternate endings were shot—and that are no current plans to shoot new scenes. “To me, it’s not as if the entire final season is only about the murder mystery. It’s all about life and love and everything else that the show fumbled around and wanted to be about.”

Chaiken confirms that three actresses—Melissa Leo, Laurie Metcalf, and Famke Janssen—filmed roles for the potential series. Leo and Metcalf play prison administration officials, while Janssen takes on the role of a fellow prisoner. And don’t go looking for Alice to rock any pink couture jumpsuits on the show. “The tone of the show could not be more different,” says Chaiken. (Indeed, Greenblatt has described it as a “female Oz.”) “It’s not about fashion and glamour.”

Of course, we’ve still gotta get through the final eight episodes of The L Word. And you longtime fans out there will be thrilled to hear about the return of five beloved former characters for the final hour! Chaiken tells EW that Eric Mabius (Tim), Holland Taylor (Peggy Peabody), Karina Lombard (Marina), Kelly Lynch (Ivan), and Sarah Shahi (Carmen) all filmed new scenes for the series finale.

Jan 16 2009 07:58 PM ET

Live blogging 'Lost': Team Darlton break their silence on season 5!

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Categories: Lost

Lostsession_lFollow along as I live blog the most anticipated session of press tour: The Q&A with Lost bosses Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse! As an added bonus, I’ll be sprinkling in mild spoilers about this season’s third episode, which ABC just screened for us as a precursor to the main event. Let’s get to it!

4:01 pm/EST: Team Darlton’s in the house taking our questions!

(Episode 3 spoiler: Someone gives birth in the opening minutes!)

4:02 pm: We will be seeing a “lot more” of Nestor Carbonell (Richard Alpert) this season. Also, Nestor does not wear eyeliner on the show, Darlton insists! Stop the presses!!

4:07 pm: When Cane was axed, Darlton immediately stepped in and “secured [Nestor's] services” until the end of Season 6.

4:11 pm: Are they concerned that all the time travel this season will leave viewers, ahem, lost? “Time travel has been in the show’s DNA from the beginning,” says Lindelof. “The audience is prepared to go on that journey with us.”

(Episode 3 spoiler: A male character poses this question to another male character: “I assume you’ve come back for the bomb.”)

4:14 pm: “Sawyer has a lot to do this year,” says Cuse. Adds Lindelof: “A lot of the focus was on the Oceanic Six last year… this year we tried to make up for lost time [with Sawyer]. Josh has been doing amazing work.”

4:17 pm: “As we get deeper into the season,” Cuse teases, “you’re going to learn a lot more about the island’s history.”

(Episode 3 spoiler: A male character makes this shocking declaration: “Because I am in love with the woman sitting next to me.”)

4:20 pm: The purpose of the four-toed statue is revealed: Cuse says it was there simply to illustrate the island’s long and rich history.

4:22 pm: “If the first episode of Lost you see is the premiere of season 5,” says Lindelof, “you most likely won’t understand the majority of it.”

4:24 pm: Lost currently has 14 series regulars, Lindelof reveals, adding that the rough economic climate has forced them to “kill off five” this season. (He’s kidding! I think!)

(Episode 3 spoiler: Someone — or something — called Jughead plays a pivotal role.)

4:28 pm: Cuse confirms that “you’ll definitely see Jin this season… He’s a series regular.”

4:29 pm: Although Claire has been benched this season, she will be back for season 6.

4:30 pm: Darlton chose to spread the last 48 episodes over three seasons, as opposed to just two. “That was our choice,” he says. “We calculated how many episodes” it would take to adequately tell the story of Lost.

(Episode 3 spoiler: Someone says, “You’re in my life now — you and Charlie.”)

4:31 pm: The session is brought to an end after only 25 minutes! Totally bogus! Just for that, I was going to bank this next episode 3 spoiler for Wednesday’s Ask Ausiello, but I’m giving it to you guys now: At the end of the episode, a significant character dies. I think.

Jan 16 2009 06:53 PM ET

Breaking: ABC prez tackles 'Grey's Anatomy' ghost sex

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Categories: Grey's Anatomy

Greysanatomymorganheigl_lThis just in from press tour: ABC entertainment president Steve McPherson is speaking out about Grey’s Anatomy‘s controversial ghost story involving Izzie and Denny. “[Denny] is not a ghost, which you will learn,” he says. “I actually think when you get to the end of the season and you see everything she had in mind, it might not be your cup of tea, but I think you’ll be surprised at how insightful and smart that storyline itself is in terms of the dynamics it’s creating for the characters involved and where we end up with those characters at the end… The viewers will be the judge. That’s the good and the bad about this business. I think shows ebb and flow. And when you talk about long-term serialized dramas, you’re going to have some stuff that people don’t respond to.”

Other highlights from the Alphabet’s exec session:

• On whether he’ll air the remaining episodes of Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money: “We’d like to air the end of those shows,” said McPherson. “I wish we had been [able to give] the producers series-ending notice so they could really have a finale. But because of the way the timing worked out, we weren’t able to. I really love those shows. They delivered what they promised. For us, it was a frustration that we couldn’t find a larger audience – or that Nielsen couldn’t find a larger audience. ” (Odd response considering producers of all three shows did have time to craft series-ending episodes. This demands a post-panel follow-up.)

• On getting Marc Cherry to reconsider ending Desperate Housewives after just seven seasons: “I think he finally realized that I would lock him up and not let him do that.”

• McPherson is satisfied with the creative direction of Private Practice, and has high hopes for the show’s upcoming crossover arc with Grey’s.

Coming up at 12:45 pm/PST: Live-blogging Team Darlton’s Lost panel!

Jan 16 2009 04:07 PM ET

Exclusive: 'Without a Trace' locates Vanessa Marcil

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Vanessamarcil_lIn what is sure to silence those General Hospital comeback rumors (at least temporarily), Vanessa Marcil is joining CBS’ Without a Trace for a multi-episode arc, sources confirm to me exclusively.

The Daytime Emmy winner, who just wrapped a stint as music manager Josie on NBC’s possibly-alive Lipstick Jungle, will play a NYC social worker and potential love interest for Eric Close’s Martin.

Marcil debuts in this season’s 17th episode, which is slated to air in March.

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