Archive: March 2009 (79-91 of 123)

Mar 11 2009 07:00 AM ET

Ratings: 'American Idol' takes week's gold, silver, and bronze

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Categories: TV Biz, TV Ratings

Lilrounds_l
If weekly TV ratings were the Olympics, Fox’s American Idol would have swept the gold, silver, and bronze in the week ending March 8. The blockbuster karaoke show (which added an extra "wild card" installment last week) took the top three spots in the ratings. But just looking at the three outings, you can see that the show tends to lose steam as the week goes on — the Tuesday episode (featuring Lil Rounds, pictured, among other hopefuls), which was the last of the semifinals, drew 24.3 million viewers, while the "wild card" show on Thursday had dropped 2.8 million viewers to 21.5 million total. It makes sense, however, that the appetite for Idol would wane in its third installment of the week. In fact, No. 4 CSI, which featured guest star Taylor Swift, was nipping at Idol‘s heels with just 600,000 fewer viewers than the lowest-rated episode of Fox’s hit.

The other big story of the week was Jason Mesnick and ABC’s reality hit The Bachelor. ABC hit the jackpot with a 13th season that was off the charts, compared with other recent cycles. The show popped up in the Top 20 in three different spots: The Bachelor: After the Final Rose (Monday, 10:02 p.m.) was the most-watched of the three, landing at No. 5 with 17.5 million total viewers. The actual finale (Monday, 8 p.m.) appeared right below, at No. 6 for the week with 15.5 million viewers. And the second installment of After the Final Rose special (Tuesday, 10 p.m.) was down sharply from the Monday night episodes, but it still posted strongly at No. 20 with 10.9 million viewers. Just for some perspective, the finale was the most-watched in the series since Bob Guiney (season 4) bestowed his final thorns in 2003. The After the Final Rose special generated the best-ever numbers for the series in total viewers and the 18-49 demo. Can ABC replicate the success with The Bachelorette? We’ll find out May 18 when it premieres.

The rest of the Top 20 — which is after the jump, with full numbers — was as standard as usual.

addCredit(“Michael Becker/Fox”)

1. American Idol Tuesday | Fox | 24.3 million
2. American Idol Wednesday | Fox | 22.8 million
3. American Idol Thursday | Fox | 21.5 million
4. CSI | CBS | 20.9 million
5. The Bachelor: After the Final Rose | ABC | 17.5 million
6. The Bachelor | ABC | 15.5 million
    Two and a Half Men | CBS | 15.5 million
8. NCIS (R) | CBS | 13.7 million
9. Desperate Housewives | ABC | 13.6 million
10. CSI: Miami | CBS | 13.4 million
11. 60 Minutes | CBS | 13.3 million
12. The Mentalist (R) | CBS | 12.6 million
      Cold Case | CBS | 12.6 million
14. Eleventh Hour | CBS | 12.1 million
15. Survivor: Tocantins | CBS | 11.9 million
16. Rules of Engagement | CBS | 11.8 million
17. 24 | Fox | 11.1 million
      How I Met Your Mother | CBS | 11.1 million
      Ghost Whisperer | CBS | 11.1 million
20. The Bachelor: After the Final Rose 2 | ABC | 10.9 million

READ FULL STORY »

Mar 10 2009 11:28 PM ET

Emma Samms to return to 'General Hospital'

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Categories: Casting, Television

Generalhospitalsamms_l EW has learned that fan favorite Emma Samms (and her alter ego, Holly Sutton Scorpio) will return to General Hospital just in time for May sweeps. Samms, who started on the show in 1982 and was last seen there in the summer of 2006, starts taping at the end of April, with scenes set to air in mid-May, says a show insider. Little is known about her upcoming story arc but Holly will be reconnecting with a lot of the older characters, such as old flame Luke (Anthony Geary), as well as younger characters, including Lulu (Julie Berman) and newcomer Ethan (Nathan Parsons). So far, her other paramour, Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers), is not set to return as well, but “there’s always a possibility that other vets will be returning,” says the source. Samms, who also played Fallon Carrington Colby on Dynasty, is not on contract and her stint is open ended.

Mar 10 2009 09:29 PM ET

Exclusive first look: Clark comes out on 'Smallville'!

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Categories: Smallville

Smallville returns from hiatus this Thursday with an episode that answers the question: What would happen if Clark stopped hiding his inner superhero? The answer lies in the exclusive clip below. And stick around for a second, bonus scene from this week’s ep that should have “Chlark” fanatics leaping tall buildings with a single bound.

Mar 10 2009 05:55 PM ET

'Star Wars' live-action series...still far, far away

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Categories: Television

Okay, well, at least another year or so anyway. Rose Byrne got the gossip wheels spinning this week when MTV News quoted her as saying her friends had been auditioning for a long-discussed live-action Star Wars television series. But EW has confirmed with a Lucasfilm rep that a casting agent in Australia is “doing some preliminary ground work, but official casting will not start until the scripts are complete.” At the earliest, the series would go into production in 2010, the rep added.

Mar 10 2009 05:50 PM ET

Ratings: 'Dancing With the Stars' premiere hits all-time high

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Categories: TV Ratings

Maybe Bachelor jiltee Melissa Rycroft brought the ratings momentum with her, or maybe America is as obsessed with jailbird Lil’ Kim’s ballroom dancing as I am. But for whatever reason, ABC’s Dancing With the Stars quickstepped up to its highest season-premiere ratings ever Monday night with 22.5 million viewers — that’s 10.8 million more than second-place Fox garnered in the same two-hour period. Those stellar numbers boosted the series premiere of lead-out Castle, which charmed 11.6 million viewers (though note that that means only about half of Dancing‘s audience stuck around for the Nathan Fillion dramedy). All that ABC excitement left CBS unusually strapped for viewers, with Big Bang Theory (9.5 million), How I Met Your Mother (8.5 million), and Two and a Half Men (13.3 million) all dipping.

 
   
   
      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

 

Time Show Viewers (in millions)
8 p.m. Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
House (Fox)
Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Chuck (NBC)
Gossip Girl (The CW)		 22.5
12.1
9.5
5.7
1.2 (repeat)
8:30 p.m. How I Met Your Mother (CBS) 8.5
9 p.m. Two and a Half Men (CBS)
24 (Fox)
Heroes (NBC)
One Tree Hill (The CW)		 13.3
11.3
6.6
1.2 (repeat)
9:30 p.m. Rules of Engagement (CBS) 10.0
10 p.m. CSI: Miami (CBS)
Castle (ABC)
Medium (NBC)		 14.1
11.6
7.1
Mar 10 2009 03:45 PM ET

Exclusive: 'Friday Night Lights' close to scoring a renewal?

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Categories: Friday Night Lights

Fridaynightlights_lIt’s not quite a touchdown yet, but at least they’re near the end zone.

Sources confirm to me exclusively that NBC is engaged in active talks with DirecTV to extend their unique shared-window experiment with Friday Night Lights. But there’s a catch — and it’s a good one. According to an insider close to the negotiations, DTV and NBC might only seal the deal if they can get – holy Connie Britton Taylor! — a two-season pickup.

Though a spokesperson for NBC Universal declined to comment, a Peacock
insider acknowledges that the studio is “actively looking at ways to
keep FNL going.” Another NBC source adds, “We’re very optimistic a deal
will be worked out.”

The one possible complication? The show’s behind-the-scenes
quarterback, Jason Katims, is attached to NBC’s buzzy Parenthood pilot.
If it’s picked up, he would either do double duty or be forced to make
a choice. Similarly, the show’s go-to director, Jeffrey Reiner, is
helming NBC’s Trauma pilot. FNL might be able to carry on without one
of its MVPs, but both? Hmm…

But maybe it’s too soon to be wringing our hands over changes to the
lineup. Once we have a pickup under our belt, then we can worry about
such things. And while we wait for the official word, let’s show NBC
and DirecTV what a wise decision they would be making by keeping FNL
alive by sounding off below.

More Friday Night Lights:
Scott Porter blogs his final show
Is Joe McCoy TV’s best bad-dad?
Who’ll return for season 4?

Mar 10 2009 04:37 AM ET

Melissa Rycroft on 'Dancing With the Stars': 'It'll show everybody I'm okay'

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Categories: TV Biz

Melissabachelor_l_2
Wearing a sequined turquoise dress and dancing to a song that only days earlier was meant for Nancy O’Dell, Melissa Rycroft — a.k.a. The Bachelor’s most famous reject ever — closed out the premiere of Dancing With the Stars Monday with a waltz to "show everybody I’m good, that I’m okay." Rycroft stepped in for O’Dell on the morning of March 7 after a knee injury forced the Access Hollywood host to quit the competition. Rycroft, who was dumped on national TV March 2 by Jason Mesnick, had already returned to Texas to resume her career as an event planner when she got the call about DWTS on the morning of March 6.

"I thought, ‘What is going on now, I thought it was over!’" Rycroft told EW. She didn’t appear frightened at the prospect of performing complicated steps on the ABC reality show, since she studied ballet in grade school before becoming a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. "They said they had a dropout and they would love for me to come and be the replacement. I sat there going, ‘What?’ Did they know who they just asked?’"

It took about an hour for Rycroft to say yes. Twenty-four hours later, she began rehearsals in Los Angeles with Tony Dovolani. Rycroft spent all weekend learning O’Dell’s routine to "Moon River"; costumers even had to fit Rycroft with O’Dell’s floor-length dress while she was learning the steps. "I thought, you know what? Here I go again! Why not?" said Rycroft, who harbors no ill-will toward ABC. "I signed up for The Bachelor, and while it didn’t go quite as I had hoped, everything worked out. I’m fine, and this is definitely helping me to move on from everything."

After Monday’s premiere, Rycroft got a hug (and a microphone in her face) from O’Dell, who was doing post-show interviews while sporting a blue-toned knee brace that matched her strapless mini-dress (O’Dell’s injury, a torn meniscus, will require surgery). O’Dell described her decision to drop out as "traumatic" and said it’s even been hard to hear the strains of her waltzing song. "I was here when they were doing camera blocking and when I heard "Moon River," I called up my ortho doctor and said, ‘Are you sure I can’t do this?’ I’m like, ‘I can run really quick and get the cortisone shot and get my knee drained!’"

O’Dell, 43, also joked that it took Rycroft, 25, only two days to learn what she toiled over for a good two weeks. Melissa and Tony waltzed off with a score of 23.

 

Mar 9 2009 09:35 PM ET

'Big Bang' exclusive: Penny falls for Ugly Betty's ex!

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Categories: The Big Bang Theory

Kaleycuoco_lIt’s a twist only a nerd could love: The Big Bang Theory‘s "cheesecake-scented goddess" is feasting on Ugly Betty’s geeky leftovers!

Kevin Sussman, best known as the poor lad that Ugly Betty dumped in season 2, has been cast as a love interest for Kaley Cuoco’s Penny on Big Bang.

As exec producer Bill Prady first teased in last week’s Ask Ausiello, Sussman will play a comic book-obsessed friend of the guys who starts dating Penny — much to torchbearer Leonard’s horror. 

As of now, Sussman is booked for just one episode, which is tentatively scheduled to air on April 13.

Speaking of BBT, here’s a sneak preview of tonight’s highly-anticipated Summer Glau-infused episode. Prepare to laugh your tuchis off.    

Mar 9 2009 08:06 PM ET

Exclusive: Mariska Hargitay sidelined from 'SVU'

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Categories: Law & Order: SVU

Mariskahargitay_lIt appears the relapse Mariska Hargitay suffered last week was a bit more serious than first thought.

A Law & Order: SVU source tells me that the love of my life Emmy winner underwent a second surgery last week related to a collapsed lung she suffered back in January. (Earlier reports said she was hospitalized for "routine tests" after experiencing "some discomfort.") And although her reps initially said production on SVU would not be affected, they’re now confirming that Hargitay will in fact miss several weeks of work as she recuperates.

"Mariska is recovering well and is expected to return to SVU in the next couple of weeks," her camp said in a statement.

An SVU insider adds that the actress’ prognosis is excellent. "She is doing great," maintains my mole. "She will recoup for a few weeks and be back better than ever." Phew. 

Remarkably, the SVU source says Hargitay’s absence is only expected to translate into one missed episode. And in that episode, titled "Bagagge," Ice-T’s Fin "will step in for Mariska."

Also helping fill the void will be Stephanie March, whose ex-ADA Alex Cabot begins her six-episode return engagement tomorrow night.

Here’s what happens now: You scroll down to the comments and join me in wishing Mariska a speedy recovery. I won’t accept no for an answer.

Mar 9 2009 07:44 PM ET

Ratings: 'Brothers & Sisters' up after that whole death fake-out last week

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Categories: TV Ratings

The two-hour Brothers & Sisters (juiced by that somebody’s-gonna-die-but-they-didn’t promo) last week piqued so much interest in ABC’s family drama that ratings continued to surge this week. The show hit its juiciest stride yet with 10.5 million viewers, up 1.5 mil from its last hour-long episode. And that’s with viewership down 7 percent in its core 18- to 49-year-old demo, thanks to Daylight Saving Time. Victims of the increased daylight also included NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice (7.6 million), down 15 percent from its season premiere last week, and ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (9.4 million), also down 15 percent.

 
   
   
      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

 

Time Show Viewers (in millions)
7 p.m. 60 Minutes (CBS)
America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC)
Saturday Night Live: Game Show Parodies (NBC)
Hole in the Wall (Fox)
Jericho (The CW)		 13.1
7.0
3.4
2.6
.7 (repeat)
8 p.m. Amazing Race XIV (CBS)
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)
The Simpsons (Fox)
Saturday Night Live: Just Commercials (NBC)
Movie: Easy Money (The CW)		 10.2
9.4
6.0
6.0
.9
8:30 p.m. King of the Hill (Fox) 4.9
9 p.m. Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Cold Case (CBS)
Family Guy (Fox)
Celebrity Apprentice (NBC)		 13.5
12.6
7.2
7.6
9:30 p.m. American Dad (Fox) 5.3
10 p.m. Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
The Unit (CBS)		 10.5
9.4
Mar 9 2009 05:54 PM ET

Casting scoops: 'Lost,' 'Glee,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Gilmore Girls,' and more!

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Categories: Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Lost

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What would a Monday be without a fresh batch of mostly-exclusive casting scoops? A pretty dull Monday.

•    Former Full House offspring Candace Cameron Bure has joined the cast of Perfect 10, a new ABC Family drama series that follows a group of teen Olympic gymnastic hopefuls. Her character is the soon-to-be step-mom to one of the top female gymnasts.  Perfect 10‘s inaugural season kicks off this summer.

•    Lost has put out a casting call for the role of "Captain Bird," a charismatic and intelligent ex-military man in his 40s or 50s who is concerned about the safety of his crew. He’ll appear in this season’s 15th episode as well as the finale. Also being sought are actors to play "Young Jeff," a 10-year-old with a Southern accent and a deep anger that hides great pain, and "Doug" a strong and authoritative Southern gent in his 40s who is forced to deliver bad news to his buddy. Paging Doc Jensen for instanalysis…

•    Lane’s hilariously overbearing mom from Gilmore Girls is checking into Grey’s Anatomy later this month. Emily Kuroda will play a patient in the March 19 episode.

•    Cheyenne Jackson is the latest Broadway MVP to sign up for what’s shaping up to be the best show ever, Fox’s Glee. He’s slated to guest star in the show’s third episode, which will air this fall. (As announced last week, Glee‘s pilot will air May 19 after American Idol; the remaining episodes will be held until fall.)

Mar 9 2009 04:00 AM ET

Scoop: Ashlee Simpson moves into 'Melrose Place'

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Categories: Melrose Place

Ashlee_simpson_dlThe countdown to the inevitable Pete Wentz cameo has begun!

Multiple sources confirm that singer-songwriter-sometime actress Ashlee Simpson has become the latest tenant of The CW’s refurbished Melrose Place.

The onetime 7th Heaven star will play small-town girl Violet, a character whose disarming naiveté masks the calculating, shrewd sex kitten within. In other words, the little tramp’s Sydney.

Simpson joins a cast that so far includes Katie Cassidy (as ambitious publicist Ella), Michael Rady (as aspiring filmmaker Jonah), and, if there is a God, original Melrose icon Heather Locklear, who would be slipping back into Amanda Woodward’s office microminis. “Both sides are talking,” whispers my Melrose mole of Locklear. “It’s looking good.”

Melrose 2.0, which is considered a lock to land a spot on The CW’s fall sked (most likely on Tuesdays after 90210), is being shepherded by Smallville‘s Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin. Oscar winner Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) has been tapped to direct the pilot.

Now for the big question: Did Simpson score the part that Mischa Barton had been circling? My sources tell me no. That means the ex-O.C. siren is in talks to stretch her acting chops to within an inch of their life play straight-arrow med student Lauren or revoltingly sweet schoolteacher Riley.

But enough about Barton, let’s get back to Simpson: Thoughts on Melrose‘s newest acquisition? Sound off below!

More Melrose:
Three reasons we’re concerned about MP
Meet the new residents

Mar 7 2009 12:47 AM ET

'American Idol': Michael Jackson is the theme for next week's show, but will he appear?

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Categories: American Idol, Music, Television

Fox has confirmed reports that the Top 13 finalists on American Idol will tackle Michael Jackson (his music, not the man) in their first performances on the main Idol stage next Tuesday, March 10. Several contestants told EW.com at last night’s Top 13 party in Los Angeles that they were excited and more than a bit nervous to take on the King of Pop’s catalog, but it was unclear at the time when that night would fall in Idol‘s schedule. “Michael Jackson might be coming up,” said contestant Kris Allen, “which would be kinda fun, but scary as well since I actually did a Michael Jackson song [in the semifinal round].”

A rep for the show says Jackson will not be mentoring the contestants, but was mum about whether Jackson would be making an appearance, replying only, “Not to my knowledge.” Meanwhile, Kanye West and original American Idol Kelly Clarkson are scheduled to perform on Wednesday’s elimination show.

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