Channel Surfing: Campbell Scott Briefed for "Damages," Temporary Production Shutdown on "V," Details of Kristin Chenoweth on "Glee," and More

Welcome to your Friday morning television briefing.

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is reporting that Campbell Scott (Royal Pains, Six Degrees) has signed on as a series regular for Season Three of FX's serpentine legal thriller Damages. No details were immediately available about just who Scott will be playing next season on the Sony Pictures Television-produced drama series, which will return to production next month for a January 2010 premiere. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

ABC's sci-fi drama V is set to take a two-week creative break, with filming to temporarily shut down for a two week period beginning next Wednesday. However, the move won't impact the November 3rd launch date, involve any staff changes, or, writes The Wrap's Josef Adalian, affect "the six episodes its planning for the fourth quarter." For its part, studio Warner Bros. Television wouldn't give any details about the exact reason behind the decision to shut down for two weeks but said that they want to "take advantage of our November premiere to maximize creative opportunities and deliver the audience the best show possible." Adalian says that insiders have indicated that the shutdown stems from the studio's desire to allow the writing staff time to write future scripts and get them to the same level of quality as the pilot. (The Wrap's TV MoJoe)

E! Online's Watch with Kristin has the scoop on the upcoming guest star turn by Pushing Daisies' Kristin Chenoweth on FOX's Glee, where she will play April Rhodes, who is described as "quite the alcoholic and bad influence on the glee club members" who joins the club after Rachel (Lea Michele) drops out. (E! Online's Watch with Kristin)

Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) has been cast in a recurring role on NBC's Chuck next season while Summer Glau (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) has signed on to appear in a multiple-episode story arc on FOX's Dollhouse, along with Alexis Denisof (Angel), Jamie Bamber (BSG), Keith Carradine (Dexter), and Michael Hogan (BSG). (Televisionary)

Christian Clemenson (Boston Legal) has been cast in at least two episodes of CBS' CSI: Miami next season, where he will recur as a medical examiner on the long-running procedural crime drama. (Hollywood Reporter)

Laura Linney (John Adams) is set to topline Showtime dark comedy pilot The C Word (a working title) about a woman battling cancer. Project, from Sony Pictures Television, is written and executive produced by Darlene Hunt (90210) and is slated to be shot this fall. (Televisionary)

The trades are reporting that HBO has optioned Jeffrey Eugenides' novel "Middlesex," which it will develop as an ongoing series. However, this was reported back in early July by Broadcasting and Cable, details of which can be found here.

A&E Television Networks has acquired Lifetime Entertainment Services following the closing of a deal in the works for several months. Under the terms of the agreement, Lifetime will fall under A&E Television Network management, with president/CEO Abbe Raven remaining as the head of the company, with Lifetime's Andrea Wong reporting to Raven, as will A&E's Bob DiBitetto and History's Nancy Dubuc. (Variety)

Stay tuned.