Been a bit slow lately aside from the Mad Men drama. So in honor of April Fools Day, below is our prayer to the TV gods: A dirty dozen of online traffic-boosting headlines we’d like to see:
– Lost prequel announced: Peninsula-set reboot to explain everything
– NBC reveals shocking new The Office boss: Dave Chappelle!
– Fox: “We screwed up, let’s bring back Firefly“
– The Glee and Grey’s Anatomy crossover wedding: Yes, it’s happening! READ FULL STORY »
Two and a Half Men showrunner Chuck Lorre offered an introspective vanity card at the conclusion of tonight’s Big Bang Theory that gives a peek at what he’s been (quietly) going through since Charlie Sheen filed his “torpedo of truth” lawsuit against his former employer Warner Bros. and Lorre himself. Full text below: READ FULL STORY »
CBS is developing an unscripted show from Nigel Lythgoe (So You Think You Can Dance) that, quite literally, asks contestants to search for a hidden stash of cash.
Here’s the official logline from the pilot that’s been dubbed Secret Fortune: “In this game show, 24 envelopes each contain a check made out in your name – from a tiny amount to a life-changing sum. During the game, 23 envelopes are destroyed, until only one remains…and that’s your Secret Fortune. The better you play, the bigger the check you win.”
Hmm, will they have a minute it to win it? Anyway, the pilot is based on a format from Wild Rover Prods.
Image Credit: AMC
Don Draper might make it to the 1970s after all. After a protracted standoff, AMC, Lionsgate and Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner have reached an agreement for seasons five and six of the Emmy-winning drama.
Weiner, who will return as showrunner, has also signed a new long-term deal with Lionsgate. As a result of the negotiations, however, season five isn’t expected to air until March of next year.
Weiner signed a deal that’s worth about $10 million per year. The creator compromised slightly on issue of the show’s running time, agreeing to the show running two minutes shorter in all epiosdes (45 minutes) when on AMC except the fifth season’s premiere and finale (47) — with an option for Weiner to turn in 47-minute episodes for other platforms like VOD and DVD. The main cast is signed on for two more season and no more cuts are expected there.
The deal was originally supposed to be for three seasons, but the cast isn’t yet signed for a seventh season so that’s being tabled for the time being. But everybody thinks that now that Weiner is on board, a seventh season will happen. Weiner is also telling media outlets that the seventh season will be the final one for the show. READ FULL STORY »
Image Credit: Dana Edelson/NBC
Quick poll: Who do we think owns more glasses? Elton John or Danny Gokey? Clearly, the correct answer is John, if only because the thought of Gokey makes me feel like this. But here is the iconic musician — and American Idol favorite — in an exclusive promo photo with cast member Kristen Wiig for this Saturday’s Saturday Night Live. (John is serving as host and musical guest.)
Read more:
Elton John’s ‘Saturday Night Live’ promos: He’s a talented (son of a) bitch
Elton John to host ‘SNL’
‘American Idol’: What should the Top 11 sing for Elton John week?
Image Credit: David Livingston/Getty Images
General Hospital fans, you may want to consider changing loyalties: EW has learned exclusively that Genie Francis, aka Laura Vining Webber Baldwin Spencer Spencer from the ABC sudser, will join The Young and the Restless as a series regular at the end of May. READ FULL STORY »
Image credit: Michael Ansell/Warner Bros.
Here’s your chance to shine, Mike and Molly! CBS insiders have hinted they’ll play around with Monday’s lineup until they know whether Two and Half Men will return with original episodes, and that’s exactly what they’ll do on April 11. Chuck Lorre’s other CBS comedy, Mike and Molly, will get the prime 9 p.m. berth — but for one week only. A repeat of Men (because that’s all they’ve got, remember?) will air afterwards.
If CBS is looking at the possibility of moving Molly to 9 come fall, it will want to see if the freshman comedy can hack it in the anchor slot. More than likely, however, the change is due to the network wanting to break up the string of Men repeats.
Still, what if Molly rocks the slot?
Eh, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The episode focuses on Mike “breaking tradition” by inviting Molly (aka a girl, we suppose) to opening day for the Chicago Cubs.
Hot off second season return of The Hard Times of RJ Berger, MTV has chosen its next youthful scripted series: It’s stateside version of UK comedy hit The Inbetweeners has received a full season order along with several other new shows — including a sex advice series hosted by columnist Dan Savage and a next-generation dating show from the producers of Jersey Shore.
First, MTV is bringing the hit Brit comedy Inbetweeners to the U.S., ordering 12 episodes for a likely debut in 2012. Brad Copeland (Arrested Development) will exec produce the new version along with Aaron Kaplan and original series creators Damon Beesly and Iain Morris.
“It’s got an incredibly strong and authentic young voice,” said MTV’s head of programming David Janollari of the show. “We were really successful in adapting it for our audience and making it sound like a quintessentially American suburban experience.”
Inbetweeners, which follows four suburban teens, will join the upcoming Teen Wolf (trailer here) on MTV’s burgeoning scripted lineup, along with This is Awkward (formerly That Girl), I Just Want My Pants Back, the animated series Good Vibes and the return of Beavis and Butthead (more on that below).
As part of a first wave of pickups for the year, MTV also just ordered four new unscripted series that fit under Janollari’s goal of “smart, funny and fun” programming, and EW has the exclusive scoop on those as well: READ FULL STORY »
The latest installments of 30 Rock‘s web series, Frank vs. Lutz, are here.
We begin with an episode featuring Mama Lutz, who is not too happy about some spending choices her son has made — especially when he tries to blame his “ethnic friends.” So she encourages him to take control of his financial future. And, well, it works out about as well as you’d expect… READ FULL STORY »
Showtime has nabbed British film star Hugh Dancy and indie film veteran Parker Posey as guest stars for the upcoming second season of The Big C.
Both will have multi-episode arcs on the show. Dancy will appear in at least six episodes as a “charming cancer patient who, after a rocky start, befriends Cathy (Laura Linney) during their time in an experimental drug trial.”
Posey will be in four episodes as an “older woman who develops an unlikely relationship with Cathy’s teenaged son.” The Big C returns Monday, June 27 and will also include Alan Alda as a previously announced guest star
Image Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com
NBC’s getting back into the Betty White biz. The Peacock has ordered 12 episodes of Betty White’s Off Their Rockers, (working title) a new hidden-camera comedy show that will be hosted and executive -produced by White herself. Based on the European format known as Benidorm Bastards, Off Their Rockers will follow seven senior citizens who make it their mission to play pranks on unsuspecting younger people.
”Betty White is a comedic genius who escalates hilarity in any situation,” said Paul Telegdy, NBC’s executive vice president, alternative programming, in a statement. “Viewers will thoroughly enjoy watching her pull one over on the unsuspecting youth of America.”
“People have been telling me that I’m ‘Off My Rocker’ for years — now I can prove it,” added White.
The pact reunites White with NBC, where she starred in The Golden Girls for seven seasons. And recently, White’s appearance on Saturday Night Live earned her another Emmy.
Calling all Bettys! Follow me @EWLynette
James Hibberd
@James_Hibberd
Lynette Rice
@EWLynette
