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Archive: February 2011 (118-130 of 302)

Feb 17 2011 10:31 AM ET

'Firefly' returning to cable; Fillion says he'd play Mal again -- EXCLUSIVE

Nathan-Fillion Image Credit: Sidney BaldwinBrowncoats rejoice: Firefly is returning to basic cable — and Nathan Fillion has something to say about it.

The Science Channel has acquired the rights to the cult-hit and will air the series in its short-lived entirety, plus some new extras. Science Channel will wrap each episode with interstitial segments starring renowned physicist Dr. Michio Kaku, who will discuss the theoretical science behind the show’s sci-fi concepts.

According to Firefly studio 20th Century Fox, this will mark the first time Firefly has aired on a fully distributed basic cable channel since 2008, when it ran on USA Network.

In honor of this occasion, star Nathan Fillion took a brief break from shooting ABC’s Castle today to jump on the phone and answer five Firefly questions — including whether he’d ever reprise the role of Captain Mal again. That interview and more details about Science Channel’s Firefly plans below:

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What was the part about playing the character?
NATHAN FILLION: It was my favorite job ever. What wasn’t great about it? I got to wear a low-slung holster. I got to ride horses. I got to have a spaceship. I got to act mean and curmudgeonly. [Creator Joss Whedon] is really good at kicking characters in the nuts so the other characters would have laughs at my expense and that was great too. READ FULL STORY »

Feb 17 2011 10:26 AM ET

ABC News correspondent Miguel Marquez attacked while covering protests in Bahrain

by Hillary Busis

Categories: Politics

Once again, an American journalist has been attacked while covering unrest in the Middle East. On Wednesday, ABC News correspondent Miguel Marquez was set upon by protesters and beaten in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. As The New York Times reports, a group of demonstrators suddenly snatched Marquez’s camera out of his hands and began to hit him with billy clubs. ABC News has posted an audio clip of the attack on their website; in it, Marquez pleads with his attackers, “No! No! No! Hey, I’m a journalist here!” as they begin to assail him. He was not seriously injured.

Feb 17 2011 10:00 AM ET

'Star Wars: The Clone Wars': Grand Moff Tarkin makes his debut! -- EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

by Christian Blauvelt

Categories: First Look, Star Wars, Television

Do we detect a foul stench? This Friday on Star Wars: The Clone Wars (read our recaps here!), Tarkin — future Imperial Grand Moff, Death Star commander, and the only man other than the Emperor himself capable of “holding Vader’s leash” — will make his highly anticipated debut. Portrayed by Hammer Films veteran Peter Cushing in Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, Tarkin became the template for all of the saga’s stuffy, Queen’s English-speaking Imperial officers, sort of the cold, militarist yang to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s warm, grandfatherly yin. At the time of The Clone Wars, 20 years before A New Hope, Tarkin (voiced by Stephen Stanton) is just a captain in the Republic navy. And in Friday’s episode, “The Citadel,” the first of a three-part arc, he meets his future colleague and rival, Anakin Skywalker. READ FULL STORY »

Feb 17 2011 09:31 AM ET

January Jones on 'Mad Men' future: Relax, people!

by Lynette Rice

Categories: EW Exclusive, Mad Men, Television, TV Biz

Image Credit: Carin Baer/AMCJanuary Jones wants the hand-wringing to end. Speaking exclusively to EW while attending the Unknown premiere in Los Angeles Wednesday, the Mad Men star said “people should relax” about the ongoing negotiations between Lionsgate and AMC over the future of the drama. The Emmy-winning series will return for a fifth season but financial issues still remain between the two companies; creator Matthew Weiner also needs to ink a new contract. READ FULL STORY »

Feb 17 2011 09:30 AM ET

'Vampire Diaries': Dawn Olivieri talks playing Ian Somerhalder's love interest (and Don Cheadle's ex on Showtime pilot 'House of Lies')

by Mandi Bierly

Categories: Television, The Vampire Diaries, TV Scoop

Image Credit: Jesse VendettaTV fans are still getting to know the name Dawn Olivieri, but they may recognize the actress as tattoo-laden Lydia from Heroes‘ fourth and final season, or as Janice Herveaux, Alcide’s sister who helped turn Sookie into a biker chic in season 3 of True Blood. Currently, she’s known as The Vampire Diaries‘ Andie Star, the local TV news reporter Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is compelling to be his girlfriend and blood donor. If, like us, you’ve been confused about how much Damon is actually forcing Andie to forget, Olivieri is happy to explain: “The only time you’ve seen Andie herself, really, was the beginning of the bathtub scene,” she tells EW. “From that moment on, it’s almost been a constant hypnotism. Ian and I talked about this a lot. How do we play this? Instead of moment-to-moment compulsion, it has a longer effect on her, so that it does enable them to have these conversations and this relationship. It’s almost like Andie’s split in half because she’s got this one part of herself that’s just being created with Damon, and then her real self is locked away and is not getting a chance to partake in the reality that’s happening.” READ FULL STORY »

Feb 17 2011 09:00 AM ET

Princess Diana's bridesmaid to reveal royal wedding secrets in TLC special -- EXCLUSIVE

by Archana Ram

Categories: Cable, EW Exclusive, Television, TV Biz

Image Credit: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images; Inset: LandovEW has learned exclusively that model, designer and author India Hicks, who served as Princess Diana’s bridesmaid at her 1981 nuptials to Prince Charles, is taping a special for TLC that will give viewers an inside look at the famous couple’s big day. In the special, tentatively titled Secrets of a Royal Bridesmaid, Hicks, who is also Charles’ goddaughter and Prince William’s cousin, will share intimate details about Charles and Diana’s ceremony — the mishaps, the photos, the menu, and more. Viewers will also get an insider’s view of the lavish traditions grounded in royal weddings and the responsibilities that follow the bride and groom. Hicks will, of course, also reflect on the upcoming wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The special is set to air April 24 at 9 p.m. ET.

Feb 17 2011 01:00 AM ET

Christine Lahti lands 'Doctor' pilot

by James Hibberd

Categories: Television, TV Biz

Law & Order: SVU and Chicago Hope veteran Christine Lahti has been cast in the lead role in CBS’ medical drama pilot The Doctor.

She plays a mom who reconnects with her grown-up when she joins the family’s medical practice.

Admittedly, this is one of the less sexy-sounding pilots lined up for the fall season — what with all the wonder women and Playboy bunnies and magical realms in the mix, but that’s how CBS rolls. Rita Mimoun (Gilmore Girls) is exec producer and pilot pro David Nutter (The Mentalist) is director.

Feb 16 2011 08:30 PM ET

NBC casts Wonder Woman! 'Friday Night Lights' star lands coveted role -- PHOTO

by James Hibberd

Categories: Casting, Television, TV Biz, Wonder Woman

Image Credit: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.comNBC has found its Wonder Woman!

Friday Night Lights star Adrianne Palicki has landed the coveted lead role in the broadcaster’s reboot of the classic 1970s series.

In addition to having won praise for her performance on FNL, Palicki looks, well… spot-on perfect for the part, yes?

Wonder Woman is being remade by Boston Legal writer David E. Kelley, who has incorporated the superhero’s signature lasso, cuffs, and plane in the script. The script is a serious, non-campy take on the DC Comics character that pays homage to TV’s original WW Lynda Carter, but it should satiate those fans of Kelley’s memorable soapbox moments his legal dramas: At one point, Diana gives a speech on Capitol Hill. READ FULL STORY »

Feb 16 2011 08:20 PM ET

Charlie Sheen going back to work

by Lynette Rice

Categories: Television, TV Biz, Two and a Half Men

Image Credit: Greg Gayne/Warner Bros.Charlie Sheen’s time off for rehabilitation is coming to an end.

Two and A Half Men will resume production on Feb. 28, EW has learned. The studio, which produces the No. 1 comedy for CBS, will only make 4 more episodes of Men before wrapping its seventh season — 4 fewer episodes than what was originally promised to the network. READ FULL STORY »

Feb 16 2011 07:45 PM ET

The 'Jeopardy!' Man vs. Machine winner is...

by Dan Snierson

Categories: Television

Image Credit: Ben Hider/Getty ImagesThe answer: The winner of the three-day stunt on Jeopardy! that pitted Waston, an IBM supercomputer, against Ken Jennings (whose 74-game win streak is the quiz show’s longest) and Brad Rutter (who is the game’s no. 1 money-winner with more than $3 million in spoils).

The question: Who is… READ FULL STORY »

Feb 16 2011 07:09 PM ET

It's official: Maria Bello set to star in 'Prime Suspect'

by Lynette Rice

Categories: Casting, Casting Scoops, TV Pilots

Image Credit: Maria BelloNBC has its Det. Jane Tennison. EW has learned that Maria Bello — who appeared on the Peacock’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit last year – will star in the Prime Suspect reboot that’s in the works for the fall.

As first reported by EW earlier this month, Bello confirmed that she was talking to NBC about playing the role. Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights) is now shepherding the reboot of the British police procedural drama from the ’90s that starred Mirren. Desperate Housewives producer Alexandra Cunningham will serve as the showrunner.

“Definitely nervous to even think about taking over for Helen Mirren,” Bello told EW exclusively. “C’mon! How could anyone compete with her? Didn’t she do about 10 of them and win an Emmy every time? I’m open to things right now. I’m just trying to go with the flow of my life and I’ve been going back-and-forth to Haiti trying to help out. That has felt good, but I am also wanting to do something spectacular with my life work-wise and that may end up being it.”

Prime Suspect was first dusted off last season as a potential midseason replacement for the 2010-11 season, but the project never made it to pilot for a number of reasons, including NBC’s inability to find someone to play Tennison. Bello is one of those veteran actors whose name topped the wish list of every network each development season.

Feb 16 2011 05:12 PM ET

Michael Vick cancels Oprah appearance for Feb. 24 show

by Kate Ward

Categories: Oprah Winfrey, Television

Image Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesMichael Vick has canceled his upcoming appearance on Oprah. In a statement, Harpo announced: “Michael Vick was scheduled to be a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show for an episode airing next Thursday, Feb. 24. Mr. Vick’s representatives called last night to cancel his appearance for personal reasons.” On the show, Vick was slated to discuss the 18 months he served in prison for running a dog-fighting ring, and his attempts to revamp his image with the Humane Society. Vick is currently playing for the Philadelphia Eagles after being reinstated in the NFL in 2009. Vick also starred in a 2010 docu-series, The Michael Vick Project. UPDATE: Vick’s rep issued the following statement regarding the cancellation on behalf of the NFL player: “After careful consideration, I will need to postpone the taping of the Oprah Winfrey interview scheduled for February 22. I admire and respect Oprah and hope to be able to participate in an interview in the future.”

Feb 16 2011 05:02 PM ET

'Cinema Verite' trailer: Diane Lane, Tim Robbins and James Gandolfini recreate the first reality TV show

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: Cable, Television, Trailers

Reality television didn’t begin with Survivor or The Real World. HBO’s Cinema Verite, starring James Gandolfini, Diane Lane, and Tim Robbins, chronicles one of the first American reality experiments, the groundbreaking 1973 documentary, An American Family. “Remember, we’re invisible,” a cameraman (Patrick Fugit) tells an unsure Pat Loud (Lane), before her family’s life would be turned upside down. Watch it below. READ FULL STORY »