"Melrose Place" reboot: Thomas Calabro moving back in
Apr 6, 2009 | by Alynda Wheat

EW.com has confirmed that Thomas Calabro ("Greek") is headed back to "Melrose Place." The actor, who played philandering creep Dr. Michael Mancini on the dishy '90s primetime soap, will reprise his role as a recurring character on the CW's much-anticipated reboot, a show insider reveals. Calabro is the second original cast member to jump to the new "Melrose," joining Laura Leighton, who starred as the unhinged Sydney (who once had an affair with brother-in-law Michael).

I just posted this on the previous page

'House' actor explains shocking decision

By Alan Duke
CNN

Editor's Note: The following story contains spoilers regarding the show "House." If you'd rather not know what happens, stop reading now.


Kal Penn, left, with Peter Jacobson on "House," is joining the Obama White House.

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- When Dr. Lawrence Kutner killed himself on the latest episode of "House: MD," it was the beginning of a new career for actor Kal Penn.

The demise of Penn's character cleared the way for the actor to move on to another "House," the White House.

Penn, 31, will be an associate director for the Obama administration's Office of Public Liaison.

"It seemed like something I would enjoy doing," Penn said. "I figured it was something to do."

He's not retiring from acting, just pursuing a longtime desire for public service that was rekindled when he campaigned for Barack Obama's election, Penn said.

Penn played a teen terrorist on Fox's "24" before joining the network's "House" two years ago. He's also known as Kumar Patel in the "Harold & Kumar" movie series.

The White House job likely ends his Kumar roles, he said. In fact, he will not consider any acting jobs until he leaves the Obama administration, he said.

Penn will take a big pay cut to work for the government, but he has committed to at least one or two years in the job, he said.

His focus will be as a liaison for the arts community and the Asian-American community, he said. He filled a similar role in the Obama presidential campaign, he said.

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"We want to make sure that everyone's concerns are heard and they are familiar with the president's plans and proposals," he said.

Penn said he spoke briefly with Obama after the election about "trying to find the right fit" for him in the administration.

He said he has bittersweet emotions as he leaves Hollywood to search for an apartment in Washington next week.

The writers' decision to have Dr. Kutner commit suicide ensures Penn will not return to the show, although he said he leaves on good terms.

He felt "more than a little bit of shock and loss" to learn that his character would die in his final episode.

Even though he spoke no lines in the episode -- and only his legs are seen when his body is found -- he was on the set for the filming, he said.

Leah Remini joins ABC's 'Home'

Net also fleshes out casts of 'Piggy,' Renfroe pilots

By Nellie Andreeva

Leah Remini has been tapped to star on ABC's comedy pilot "Don't Try This at Home."

In other ABC comedy pilot castings, Rebecca Cheskoff has landed a lead on "This Little Piggy," and Spencer Breslin has joined the untitled Anita Renfroe project.

ABC Studios' "Don't Try This" examines marriage and parenthood through the eyes of three couples.

Remini will play a newspaper editor who, along with her husband (Matthew Lillard), is raising their three kids.

"The King of Queens" alumna Remini, repped by TalentWorks, recently starred in the Web series "In the Motherhood."

ABC Studios' "Piggy" is about two adult siblings (Jeff Davis, Cheskoff) who move in with their eldest brother (Kevin Rahm).

The Renfroe comedy, from Sony/Tantamount, is a parenting show about a couple (Renfroe, Ryan Stiles) raising their kids.

Breslin will play the oldest son, who works at Krispy Kreme.

In other pilot castings, Thomas Calabro has closed his deal to appear on the CW's "Melrose Place" as a recurring, reprising his role as Dr. Michael Mancini from the original series. He is repped by Stone Manners.

"Grey"s' scoop: "Everwood," "Gilmore" stars scrub in
Apr 7, 2009 | by Michael Ausiello

If "Grey's Anatomy" boss Shonda Rhimes is trying to win me back over after that whole Izzie-Denny-ghost-sex debacle, mission accomplished!

Sources confirm to me exclusively that Rhimes has tapped two of my favorite actresses on the planet, "Everwood"'s Debra Mooney and "Gilmore Girls"' Liza Weil, to guest star in the show's two-hour season finale on May 14.

Mooney will play mom to Kevin McKidd's emotionally tormented Owen, while Weil will appear as a cancer patient who crosses paths with Izzie.

Interesting piece of trivia: Weil, whose sublime work as Rory's acid-tongued BFF on "Gilmore" turned many a frown upside down, has ties to Rhimes' other show, "Private Practice"; her real-life husband is the equally awesome Paul Adelstein (Cooper).

All's (almost) forgiven, Shonda!

HBO renews "Eastbound & Down"
Network ups dark comedy for second season
by CYNTHIA LITTLETON

HBO has given the official greenlight to a second season of raunchy comedy "Eastbound and Down."

Cabler has ordered an unspecified number of new segs to bow next year. Series, which wrapped its initial six-episode run last month, stars Danny McBride as a washed-up baseball pitcher who returns to his hometown in North Carolina.

"Eastbound" hails from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's Gary Sanchez Prods. Skein, shot on location in North Carolina, is created and exec produced by McBride, Jody Hill and Ben Best. Ferrell, McKay and Gary Sanchez's Chris Henchy also exec produce.

Xander Berkeley joins two drama pilots

Actor cast in NBC's 'Day One,' will recur on ABC's 'Box'

By Nellie Andreeva

Xander Berkeley has joined the cast of NBC's drama pilot "Day One" as a regular and ABC's drama pilot "Inside the Box" as a recurring.

On UMS' "Day One," about residents of an apartment complex who bind together after a cataclysmic event, Berkeley will play Clark, who is seriously injured in an explosion and whose daughter goes missing.

In "Box," about a news producer (Indira Varma) who runs a Washington network news bureau, Berkeley will play her boss, the network's exec vp.

He is repped by Domain and Mosaic.

In other notable pilot castings, Noa Tishby is set to guest-star on ABC's untitled Dave Hemingson drama pilot. She next will be seen in the Warner Bros. romantic comedy "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past."

ABC Schedules Remaining "Daisies," "Eli," and "DSM" Episodes
Apr 8, 2009 by Matt Mitovich

Finally, a triple-dose of closure. And on free TV.

ABC is set to announce return dates for three of this season's celebrated but canceled series: "Pushing Daisies," "Eli Stone," and "Dirty Sexy Money."

The adventures of Ned the Pieman will resume Saturday, May 30, at 10 pm/ET, and air there for three weeks, until the series' sophomore-season inventory is exhausted. Previously, "Daisies" fans only had the out-of-town Paley Television Festival screening (on April 19, in Los Angeles) and a July 21 DVD release to look forward to.

Following "Daisies'" swan song, "Eli Stone" then will hold court in the Saturdays-at-10 time slot, unspooling its final four episodes June 20 through July 11.

Lastly, for four weeks starting July 18, we will welcome the Darlings back into our living room, culminating with an August 8 finale/the reveal of Dutch George's killer.

'Hitched or Ditched,' 'Blonde Charity Mafia' set for CW summer

By Hanh Nguyen

April 06, 02:31 PM

The CW has fulfilled its promise to provide new programming during the summer. They didn't promise it would be good programming though.

The original reality series "Hitched or Ditched" and "Blonde Charity Mafia" will debut on The CW this summer, with the first beginning in late May, it was announced Monday.

"We're very excited to be launching original programming during the summer months for the first time," says C-Dub chief Dawn Ostroff. "We want to keep this season's momentum going by freshening our schedule with two new reality shows with fun, relatable concepts aimed squarely at our young female demo."

Hod "Hitched or Ditched" premieres Tuesday, May 26, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the season (and possible series) finale of "Reaper" and will run for six episodes.

In each episode of the marriage-themed series, a couple in a long-term relationship is challenged by a friend to take the plunge and actually tie the knot or just break up already. In that week, the couple will undergo one of the most stressful experiences -- prepping a wedding -- while going through personal exercises to make their relationship stronger.

Hmm, yes, rushing a wedding sounds like the perfect way to start off a marriage. On the wedding day, everything comes to a head, and the couple must decide whether or not to follow through with the nuptials or call it quits.

The half-hour series "Blonde Charity Mafia" kicks off with two back-to-back episodes on Tuesday, July 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT for six episodes.

Wait a sec, didn't Lifetime do this show already and say it was like "The Hills," but set in DC? Hmm.

The docu-series revolves around the 20-something women in the Blonde Charity Mafia that runs the Washington, DC social circuit events and parties. Besides the elaborate, in-demand events, the show will revolve around the personal lives and exploits of the BCM members that is discussed at length on the invitation-only social website LateNightShots.com

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Joan Rivers up next for "Roast"
Red carpet icon to get "Comedy Central Roast"
by DANIEL FRANKEL

HOLLYWOOD -- Joan Rivers will be the next comic to get the Comedy Central "Roast" treatment.

Coming off a March "Comedy Central Roast" special featuring Larry the Cable guy that yielded 4.1 million viewers upon its premiere, the net plans to comically assault Rivers during a July 26 taping on the Warner lot in Burbank. The special will then bow on the channel Sunday, Aug. 9, at 10 p.m.

The caustic lineup of talent that will be roasting Rivers has yet to be announced; Joel Gallen, who's produced a number of roast specials for Comedy Central in the past, last month's included, is back as exec producer.

The Larry the Cable Guy special was the third highest rated roast ever for the network, trailing only those for Bill Engvall (6.2 million) and Pamela Anderson (4.3 million).

It's 'Lights Out' for Melora Hardin

Actress playing surgeon on FX pilot

By Nellie Andreeva

Melora Hardin of "The Office" is moving to cable, landing the female lead opposite Holt McCallany on FX's drama pilot "Lights Out."

Elias Koteas and Kevin Conway also have been tapped as leads on the pilot from Fox TV Studios and FX Prods.

Penned by Justin Zackham, "Lights Out" centers on Patrick "Lights Out" Leary (McCallany), an aging former heavyweight boxing champion who struggles to find his identity and support his wife (Hardin), a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, and three daughters after his fighting days are over.

That leads him to take a job as a legbreaker, collecting on unpaid gambling debts. He is diagnosed with pugilistic dementia (a neurological disorder that affects boxers who receive multiple blows to the head), so he decides he'll need to make another big payday to support himself and his family before his brain turns to jelly.

Conway will play Lights' father and former trainer, a widower who still runs a gym. Koteas will play Lights' boyhood friend who is his manager/business partner.

Clark Johnson is directing the pilot, which is slated to begin April 15 in New Jersey. Zackham is exec producing with Phillip Noyce and Ross Fineman.

On "The Office," Hardin has played Jan Levinson, Michael Scott's (Steve Carell) former boss and ex-girlfriend. She was last seen in the Oct. 16 "Baby Shower" episode in which she brought her newborn baby to the Dunder Mifflin office, creating tension between her, Michael and his new love Holly (Amy Ryan).

Hardin won't appear on the show's remaining episodes this season, on which she is still formally a regular. She is expected to guest star in one or more episodes next season.

Hardin co-stars in the April boxoffice releases "Hannah Montana: The Movie" and "17 Again." She also recurs as Adrian Monk's (Tony Shalhoub) dead wife on "Monk."

Koteas was recently seen in "The Haunting in Connecticut" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Conway's series credits include "The Black Donnellys," "The Bronx Is Burning" and "Oz."

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Showtime passes on 'Ronna' comedy

Tim Robbins' 'Effects' only pilot still in contention at pay net

By Nellie Andreeva

Showtime has passed on another pilot, the comedy "Ronna and Beverly" from Jessica Chaffin, Jamie Denbo and Jenji Kohan.

In the past week, the pay cable network also passed on the "L Word" spinoff starring Leisha Hailey and the Matthew Perry/Peter Tolan comedy "The End of Steve," leaving Tim Robbins' drama "Possible Side Effects" as the only pilot still waiting its fate.

"Ronna and Beverly" was a relatively late addition to Showtime's current development slate, with the network ordering the pilot based on Chaffin and Denbo's sketches in January.

Like the Sony TV-produced "Steve," Lionsgate TV's "Ronna" is expected to be shopped to other outlets.

HBO news series "Rollers" will shoot the Pilot in May in LA.
I know that because a braziliam actress will be on the show. Her name is Ludmila Dayer and she will play a drug dealer.
All I know is that, if I get more information I'll post here!

From The Hollywood Reporter

Showtime won't take Robbins pilot

Fourth pilot the network has passed on in the last week

By Nellie Andreeva

And then there were none.

In a surprising move, Showtime on Friday passed on Tim Robbins' well-regarded pharmaceutical drama pilot "Possible Side Effects."

That makes it 0-4 for the premium cable network, which originally ordered four pilots in this go-round, including "Side Effects."

In the past week, Showtime passed on the other three pilots, the "L Word" spinoff starring Leisha Hailey, the Matthew Perry/Peter Tolan comedy "The End of Steve" and the comedy "Ronna and Beverly," from Jessica Chaffin, Jamie Denbo and Jenji Kohan.

The dismissal of "Side Effects" is noteworthy because the project was penned and directed by Oscar winner Robbins and attracted top talent, including Ellen Burstyn, Josh Lucas and Tim Blake Nelson.

It is said to have tested very high, and with the other three pilots out of contention, it was considered a shoo-in for a series order.

Industry observers on Friday were scratching their heads over Showtime's decision, with some pointing to the show's subject matter as a potential reason.

"Side Effect" takes a scathing look at the pharmaceutical drug industry, focusing on a dysfunctional family behind a major drug concern.

As a premium cable network, Showtime does not rely on advertisers, but its parent company CBS Corp. does, and pharmaceutical companies are among the top TV advertisers.

Like several other pilots rejected by Showtime, "Side Effects" might be shopped elsewhere.

Two actors added to HBO's 'Maladys' pilot

Adam Scott, Zak Orth join Sarah Michelle Gellar comedy

By Nellie Andreeva

Adam Scott and Zak Orth have joined the cast of HBO's comedy pilot "The Wonderful Maladys" starring Sarah Michelle Gellar.

The single-camera comedy is set in New York and revolves around the dysfunctional lives of three siblings, Alice (Gellar), Mary (Molly Parker) and Neil (Nate Corddry), who lost their parents at a young age.

Gersh-repped Orth will play Mary's playwright husband, the confident moral center of the family. Scott will play Alice's ex, a businessman.

Scott, repped by CAA and Untitled, is filming the romantic comedy feature "Leap Year" toplined by Amy Adams.

Lake Bell joins HBO's 'How to Make It'

Ed Quinn added to network's drama series 'True Blood'

By Nellie Andreeva

Lake Bell has joined HBO's upcoming comedy series "How to Make It In America" as a regular.

Meanwhile, Ed Quinn has been added to HBO's returning drama "True Blood" as a recurring.

Bell guest-starred on the pilot for "How to Make It," which revolves around Ben (Bryan Greenberg) and his friend Cam (Victor Rasuk), enterprising twentysomethings who hustle their way through New York determined to achieve the American dream.

After her guest turn, Bell has been made a female lead alongside Greenberg and Rasuk.

Bell, who recently wrapped "Good Old Fashioned Orgy," is filming the untitled Nancy Meyers project. She is repped by UTA and the Burstein Co.

On the Southern vampire drama "True Blood," Quinn will play Stan, a powerful vampire from Texas. "Eureka" co-star Quinn is repped by ICM and the Burstein Co.

Showtime renews "The Tudors"
Historical drama to return for fourth season
by DANIEL FRANKEL

Showtime has reupped "The Tudors" for a fourth season, allowing the historical drama to complete the saga of King Henry VIII.

The fourth season will include 10 one-hour episodes and bow in spring 2010.

Series creator and exec producer Michael Hirst will once again pen each script, with production slated to start in June in Dublin, Ireland.

Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII, "The Tudors" premiered its third season April 5 to 726,000 total viewers, and a cumulative aud of 1.3 million once encores and on demand viewing was factored in.

"Tudors," from Showtime and Peace Arch Entertainment, is exec produced by Morgan O'Sullivan for Octagon Films; Ben Silverman and Teri Weinberg for Reveille Prods.; Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan for Working Title Films; and Sheila Hockin.

Two play house on pilots for NBC, CBS

Diane Farr joins 'Parenthood'; Andrea Anders in 'Big D'

By Nellie Andreeva

Diane Farr has been tapped to co-star opposite Peter Krause on NBC's hourlong pilot "Parenthood," and Andrea Anders is set as the younger female lead on CBS' comedy pilot "Big D."

For Anders, who co-stars on ABC's midseason comedy series "Better Off Ted," the casting is labeled as a guest star.

Also testing the waters is Joanna Garcia, star of another bubble series, CW's "Privileged." She has been tapped for guest roles on two comedy pilots: NBC's untitled Justin Adler project where she will star opposite former CW star Michael Rosenbaum, and Fox's "Cop House." Both roles originally were designed as regulars.

Garcia is being joined on the Adler project by Jill Clayburgh and Henry Winkler, who have been tapped as recurring.

In other pilot castings, Lyndsy Fonseca and Faith Ford have been tapped as leads on CBS' comedy pilot "The Fish Tank."

"Parenthood," a comedic drama based on the 1989 feature, revolves around four siblings (Krause, Maura Tierney, Erika Christensen, Dax Shepard) and their parents. Farr will play Krause's wife.

The "Numbers" and "The Job" alumna also recently booked a major recurring role on the upcoming third season of Showtime's "Californication." She was able to close her deal for "Parenthood" after the dates for both projects were worked out.

In WBTV's "Big D," a New York couple moves to the husband's hometown of Dallas, where his Southern belle mother (Deanna Dunagan) makes life complicated for his East Coast wife (Anders).

Anders' current series, "Better Off Ted," garnered solid reviews but has struggled to attract a broad audience.

Sony/Tantamount's Justin Adler project revolves around adult siblings and their controlling mother (Clayburgh).

Winkler will play their father, who constantly bickers with his wife. Garcia will play the long-suffering, shy wife of the middle sibling (Rosenbaum).

On the Brett Ratner-directed "Cop House," set a halfway house for troubled cops, Garcia will play the house's psychologist.

Sony's "Fish Tank" centers on Fish (Drake Bell), a teen living alone in his family's house. Fonseca ("Desperate Housewives") will play his girlfriend. Ford will play his best friend's mom.

Actor Josh Gad lines up three gigs

Joins two pilots and will take new role on 'Daily Show'

By Nellie Andreeva

It's a busy time for Josh Gad, who has lined up two pilots and a gig on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart."

Gad, best known for his role as the twentysomething news director on the Fox comedy "Back to You," has joined CBS' comedy "Waiting to Die" as a regular and ABC's comedy pilot "No Heroics" as a recurring.

Additionally, Gad will be a guest correspondent on Comedy Central's "Daily Show." He is slated to make his first appearance next week.

"Die," from Sony/Tantamount/CBS Par, is a buddy comedy about two men (T.J. Miller, Nick Thune) who are happy with their lives, no matter how bad things might look from the outside.

Gad will play their friend, a man who always tries to please his wife.

ABC Studios' "Heroics" revolves around four B-list superheroes living in regular society.

Gad will play their former classmate from Superhero College, Horse Force, who can summon horses and works at a bar where the group hangs out.

Gad, whose feature credits include "21" and "The Rocker," also voices Fox's animated presentation "Good Vibes." He first got attention with his role on the Broadway musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

Gad is repped by ICM and Urge.

HBO plans film on 2008 election
Apr 14, 2009 | by Mandi Bierly

After the success of "Recount," the story of the 2000 presidential election, HBO is ready to tackle the 2008 race. The network has already optioned the 2010 book "Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime," Variety reports. Written by "Time" magazine editor-at-large Mark Halperin and "New York" magazine national political correspondent John Heilemann, the book follows the campaigns from the candidates' perspectives. "Blood Diamond" screenwriter Charles Leavitt will pen the adaptation, while Halperin and Heilemann serve as consultants on the film. "It's funny to call Obama and Hillary characters, but that's how I have to look at them," Leavitt told the trade. "To me, the primary was one of the greatest title fights of the century, and John and Mark have a treasure chest of anecdotes and inside stories. I think it will present itself almost like a stage play, like 'Frost/Nixon' or 'The Queen'. "