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Archive: March 2011 (53-65 of 337)

Mar 28 2011 12:15 PM ET

'The Celebrity Apprentice' delivers season highs

Categories: Reality TV, Television, TV Ratings

CBS dominated on Sunday thanks to an NCAA overrun and originals of The Amazing Race and Undercover Boss but NBC earned some bragging rights: The Celebrity Apprentice delivered a season-high rating among adults 18-49 (3.0/8) and total viewers (8.5 million) and is up versus the same night last year by 7 percent. For more on last night’s episode, check out Dalton Ross’ recap here.

CBS won the night in the demo (3.2/9) and viewers (12.5 million). Fox came in second in the demo (2.2/6) after airing mostly repeats. NBC, which also aired an original of America’s Next Great Restaurant (1.3/4), was third in the demo. ABC aired repeats of Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters.

Mar 28 2011 10:44 AM ET

Could Will Ferrell join 'The Office' full time?

by Christian Blauvelt and James Hibberd

Categories: Scoop, Television, The Office, TV Biz

Image Credit: Getty Images

Could Will Ferrell go from NBC’s Office temp to full-time boss?

Yes, according to the man himself — though other sources strongly caution against such a blockbuster prospect. Ferrell was attending the Comedy Central’s Comedy Awards this weekend when he said he will continue on NBC’s top-rated comedy beyond his previously announced four-episode arc that airs starting next month.

“Yes, I’m taking over,” Ferrell told EW when asked abut a rumor that he’s going to be Steve Carell’s permanent and full-time replacement. READ FULL STORY »

Mar 28 2011 10:00 AM ET

'Star Wars: The Clone Wars': Take a first look at Chewbacca in action! -- EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

by Christian Blauvelt

Categories: EW Exclusive, First Look, Sci-Fi, Star Wars

Image Credit: Lucasfilm

I am Wookiee, hear me roar!

If Chewbacca could speak English, that’s probably what he’d say, because he’s making his highly-anticipated debut on this Friday’s season finale of Cartoon Network’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars (airing 8:00 pm EST, read our recaps here!). So far, your only real glimpse of the animated Chewie has been a too-brief introduction when he first meets up with Ahsoka Tano and a group of other Jedi Padawans being hunted on a hostile jungle world. But now EW’s got an exclusive first look at the Wookiee … in action. Check it out: READ FULL STORY »

Mar 28 2011 06:15 AM ET

Host swap on 'The Talk' and 'Price is Right' -- EXCLUSIVE

by Lynette Rice

Categories: EW Exclusive, Game Shows, Scoop, Television

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS; James White/CBS

And the actual retail price of the Chenbot is…priceless!

EW has learned exclusively that The Talk’s Julie Chen, together with fellow host Holly Robinson Peete, will participate in a special crossover event with The Price is Right on April 6. The duo from CBS’ daytime talk show will appear on the network’s game show in the morning, and later that day, Price host Drew Carey will “stop by” The Talk.

Actually, nothing’s that spur-of-the-moment in Hollywood. Chen and Peete will actually tape their appearance on Price today, so the installment is ready to air for the crossover next week. It’s unclear what role the two women will serve in the land of Plinko and the Showcase Showdown, but we’ve got our fingers crossed that Chen and Peete will transform themselves into a couple of Carey’s Beauties so they can open the curtain to…a BRAND NEW CAR!!!

Mar 27 2011 11:55 PM ET

'Camelot' vs. 'Game of Thrones' vs. 'Borgias': Which epic TV series is best for you?

by James Hibberd

Categories: Game of Thrones, Television, TV Biz

TV is about to get medieval on your arse.

There’s three lavish premium cable drama series launching in April featuring more scheming, sword fights, ale toasting and bodice ripping than has almost certainly ever graced our televisions at one time. Below is EW’s guide comparing Starz’ Camelot, HBO’s Game of Thrones and Showtime’s The Borgias — three new shows about the struggle to claim (and keep) power in an exotic land. Even if you don’t know mutton from Mordor, this will help you tell the shows apart and you’ll learn which you’ll like best. Fair warning: While there are no real spoilers below, there’s basic details about the each show’s plot and characters that some may not wish to know… READ FULL STORY »

Mar 27 2011 11:01 PM ET

'The X Factor' draws thousands to audition in L.A.

by Bryan Lufkin

Categories: Music, On the Scene, Reality TV, Simon Cowell, The X Factor, TV Biz

Image Credit: FOX

Around 15,000 people filled the Los Angeles Sports Arena parking lot early Sunday morning to audition for Simon Cowell’s new talent search, The X Factor. As the show’s title suggests, contestants must not only be good singers, but also possess that certain, elusive je ne sais quoi. They’ll need that special something to captivate audiences and snag the grand prize: a $5 million recording contract with Sony.

Based on the incredibly popular British singing competition, X Factor differentiates itself from American Idol in a few ways, aside from the cool $5 million deal. First, both solo acts and groups are welcome to audition. Second, as long as they’re at least 12 years old, artists of any age may compete. (Despite the wide age range, most of the contestants in L.A. still looked to be young adults.) Finally, the four judges act as mentors for the finalists, suggesting song choices and acting as coaches throughout the contest. READ FULL STORY »

Mar 27 2011 11:00 PM ET

CBS renews 'Amazing Race,' 'Undercover Boss'

by James Hibberd

Categories: Television, TV Biz

Image Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS

CBS’ Sunday night reality block is coming back next fall.

No big surprise here: The Amazing Race is going to take its 19th trip around the world, while Undercover Boss will continue go behind the scenes in America’s top corporations.

Race and Boss both averaged about 12 million viewers last fall, with the former having won the best competition reality Emmy seven times (until its streak was broken by Bravo’s Top Chef last year).

Mar 27 2011 10:31 PM ET

'Simpsons' exec producer Al Jean: 'I completely understand' if reruns with nuclear jokes are pulled

by Dan Snierson

Categories: Television, The Simpsons, TV Biz

Image Credit: FOX

Japan’s nuclear power plant crisis is no laughing matter in Springfield: Networks in several European countries are reportedly reviewing episodes of The Simpsons for any “unsuitable” references to nuclear disaster. An Austrian network has apparently pulled two eps, 1992’s “Marge Gets a Job” and 2005’s “On a Clear Day I Can’t See My Sister,” which include jokes about radiation poisoning and nuclear meltdowns, respectively. Al Jean — exec producer of the animated Fox comedy featuring inept family man/nuclear power plant worker Homer Simpson — tells EW that he can appreciate the concern. “We have 480 episodes, and if there are a few that they don’t want to air for awhile in light of the terrible thing going on, I completely understand that,” says Jean, citing the previous example of the 1997 episode “Homer Versus the City of New York” that was pulled after 9/11 because it included key scenes at the World Trade Center. “We would never make light of what’s happening in Japan.” READ FULL STORY »

Mar 26 2011 11:29 AM ET

'Shark Tank' returns in fourth place (sniff)

by James Hibberd

Categories: Television, TV Biz, TV Ratings

Those of you who caught Friday night’s return of Shark Tank saw one of the show’s best episodes — compelling high-stakes, drama-filled negotiations featuring a confident Mark Cuban as guest star. Too bad so few watched it: Tank returned to 4.8 million viewers and a 1.2 preliminary adults 18-49 rating, coming in fourth place at 8 p.m., as well as being down considerably from last year’s Sunday night premiere. The show was actually edged out by (really, America?) Steve Buscemi guest starring on NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are (6.6 million, 1.3). Over on Fox, Fringe (3.9 million, 1.5) fans rewarded the show following its fourth season pickup, rising 15 percent from last week’s low.

Mar 26 2011 11:01 AM ET

Tom Hanks tweets upcoming visit to '30 Rock'

by Sara Vilkomerson

Categories: 30 Rock

Good news for 30 Rock fans! Tom Hanks stirred up the twitter-verse last night with the following tweet: “RadioMan delivers msg from T.Fey. Result? I’m on 30 Rock! Thanks, RMan Hanx.” The two-time Academy Award winner, who got his start on television with the early ’80s sitcom Bosom Buddies, has not been a guest star on a TV series since his turn as Uncle Ned on Family Ties in 1984. Of course, 30 Rock has had great success luring big guest stars (including Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Martin, Oprah) and just the idea of a Hanks-Fey team-up is pretty funny already. Hanks’ spokesperson did not immediately return a call to confirm.

Mar 25 2011 08:01 PM ET

Bret Michaels files lawsuit against CBS, Tonys for 2009 injury

by Kate Ward

Categories: Lawsuits, Television

Image Credit: Michael Tran/FilmMagic.com

News that is so not rock and roll for CBS and the Tonys: Bret Michaels filed a lawsuit Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court against the network and the Awards, stemming from his on-stage injury during a Rock of Ages-inspired performance at the 2009 Tony Awards. In the suit, Michaels claims he asked producers whether there were any instructions as to where he should stand on the stage during his performance, but was only told to “simply exit the stage from the rear.” After singing “Nothin’ But a Good Time” — one of the songs used in Broadway’s Rock of Ages — the Poison rocker was hit by a piece of stage scenery. (Michaels had to check into the hospital for X-rays and stitches after suffering a broken nose and cut lip.) Says the suit, “Michaels was never told that the scenery piece would be descending or given any warning of the existence of the dangers it presented. Quite the opposite, Michaels specifically asked for instructions regarding how to exit after his performance and was just told to walk off the rear of the stage — in what was ultimately the danger zone.”

In the suit, Michaels, who is seeking unspecified damages, also claims the producers faulted him for the mix-up, telling press that he had “missed his mark.” READ FULL STORY »

Mar 25 2011 07:27 PM ET

MTV's 'RJ Berger' returns to series-high; 'Jersey Shore' ends strong

by James Hibberd

Categories: Television, TV Biz

The third season finale of MTV’s Jersey Shore helped fuel the return of The Hard Times of RJ Berger to new heights.

The second season debut of Berger has been promoted pretty relentlessly on the network — and it looks like the support paid off. The premiere drew 3.1 million viewers. Now, that’s still down quite a ways from Jersey Shore, but MTV doesn’t expect its efforts in the scripted drama genre to match its reality kingpin. Lead-in

Shore had its highest-rated finale yet, delivering 7.6 million viewers (though that can’t match the show’s crazy 8.8 million peak back in January). For those who want to catch up on Berger, MTV is running a marathon of season 1 starting tonight, and the show will go into its regular Monday night time slot next week. (MTV still hopes to employ some Jersey magic for the second episode — Vinny Guadagnino is doing a guest appearance on the show.)

Mar 25 2011 07:24 PM ET

Dana Delany on her polarizing, 'House'-esque character on 'Body of Proof'

by Sandra Gonzalez

Categories: Television

Image Credit: Donna Svennevik/ABC

Television veteran Dana Delany makes no apologies for her polarizing character on the upcoming ABC drama Body of Proof. In fact, she loves the fact that the “psychically tortured” former neurosurgeon-turned-medical-examiner she plays, Dr. Megan Hunt, is intelligent and flawed. At least, Dr. Hunt’s life certainly is flawed: She gets divorced from her husband, loses her daughter in a custody battle, and gets into a life-altering car accident. It will hopefully make for character-driven TV on a should-have-been “CBS-type” procedural, she says.

In a chat with EW, Delany talks more about her new show’s initial expectations, the undeniable House and Bones similarities, and its eventual evolution into something she hopes will resonate with TV viewers when it premieres March 29 at 10 p.m. on ABC.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So I watched the pilot, and I found Dr. Hunt to be what can only be described as a painfully intelligent person. What did you like about role?
DANA DELANY: Oh, Gosh. I did like that she was smart. I’m sort of laughing inside hearing you say that about “painfully intelligent,” because that’s exactly how I see her. READ FULL STORY »