Channel Surfing: One Former "Lost" Star Won't Be Returning, Joss Whedon to Direct "Glee," FOX Gets In Bed with Thieves and Polygamists, and More

Welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing.

E! Online's Kristin Dos Santos is reporting that one former castmember of ABC's Lost is holding out against a return to the series for its sixth and final season. "Sources close to ABC's Lost tell me that although most of the original cast—holler!—will be seen in some capacity for the show's upcoming season, one former Lost castmember has turned down an offer to return to the series," writes Dos Santos. "So who is it? Well, you know we can't name names in such cases, but suffice it to say that this is a person you'd assume would very much want to return to the series. According to my moles, offers went out to the original castmembers several weeks ago, and this particular Lost star decided to decline. While some of the other returning Losties have already filmed scenes, this Lost holdout has not been on the set or filmed anything for the series, according to insiders." And, oh, it's not Ian Somerhalder... So who could it be? [Editor: my guess? Harold Perrineau.] (E! Online's Watch with Kristin)

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is reporting that Joss Whedon will direct an upcoming episode of FOX's Glee later this season, but it shouldn't be construed as a sign about Dollhouse getting the axe; Whedon will shoot the Glee episode after Dollhouse has wrapped its thirteen-episode run. "Joss directed one of the great musical episodes in the history of television on Buffy," Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy told Ausiello, "so this is a great, if unexpected, fit. I’m thrilled he’ll be loaning us his fantastic groundbreaking talent." (Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello)

Whedon himself addressed the news via a comment on Whedonesque, where he wrote, "What can we expect from a 'Joss Whedon' epsiode of Glee? An episode of Glee. God willin' and the crik don't rise, a good one. A television director's job is, on some level, to be anonymous; to find the most compelling way to present a story without calling attention to himself. I had a wonderful time doing just that on The Office, and hope to again. A guest director can bring a huge amount to the party (we've had CRAZY talent on Dollhouse), but the party isn't his. I just want to work with good people on a show that I like enough to have watched every episode several times." (Whedonesque)

In other Glee-related news, Spring Awakening's Jonathan Groff has been cast in a multiple-episode story arc on the FOX musical-comedy series. He's set to appear in roughly five or six episodes as the lead male singer of the glee club's rival Vocal Adrenaline and a potential love interest for Lea Michele's Rachel. (Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider)

FOX has given script orders plus penalties to two new drama projects: a US remake of 1999 British crime drama Daylight Robbery, about a group of housewives who turn to a life of crime in order to raise some cash, and Midland, about a polygamist with two wives. The former project, from 20th Century Fox Television, will be adapted by Karyn Usher (Bones), who will executive produce with creator Jane Hewland, Michael Thorn, and Marty Adelstein. The latter, from Fox Television Studios, is created by writer/executive producer Kyle Killen. (Variety)

Fox21 and Platinum Studios are developing a series based on comic book Indestructible Man, about an "elite secret agent who can't be killed and discovers the hard way the difference between 'indestructible' and 'unbreakable.'" (Hollywood Reporter)

Former NCIS star Sasha Alexander has been cast to guest star in an upcoming episode of FOX's House, where she will play "House and Wilson’s genetically-blessed new neighbor," whom both men quickly develop crushes on. She's currently slated to appear in one episode, which will air in either late 2009 or early 2010. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

FOX has ordered three additional scripts for drama series Lie to Me, which is struggling in the ratings during its second season. The series currently has a thirteen-episode commitment from the network. (Hollywood Reporter)

E! Online's Kristin Dos Santos is reporting that there are more crossovers in the works between Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice as well as rumors of a potential third series. I'm told by insiders that there should be at least two more crossovers before the season is through," writes Dos Santos, "though they have yet to hammer out details." (E! Online's Watch with Kristin)

NBC has ordered eight episodes of Losing It With Jillian, a companion series to The Biggest Loser which will follow trainer Jillian Michaels as she travels the country helping overweight Americans slim down without having to attend a Biggest Loser-style boot camp. Project, from Reveille and Empowered Media, will also feature celebrity chef Curtis Stone and will be executive produced by Michaels, Giancarlo Cherisch, Mark Koops, Howard Owens, and Ellen Rakieten. No airdate has been set. (Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed)

IFC has acquired off-network rights to all three seasons of comedy Arrested Development, which it will air on Sunday and Tuesday evenings beginning October 25th. (Variety)

ABC Family is said to be close to handing out a pilot order to drama Pretty Little Liars, based on the series of novels by Sara Shepard about four friends of a social queen bee who vanished without a trace who are thrown for a loop when they start receiving messages from her from beyond the grave. Former Privileged star Lucy Hale is in advanced talks to star in the series, which will be adapted by Marlene King and executive produced by King, Bob Levy, and Leslie Morgenstein. Project hails from Alloy Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television. (Hollywood Reporter)

TVGuide.com's Natalie Abrams talks with 90210's Gillian Zinser about her role as surfer Ivy the CW soap. "She's definitely the quintessential California girl, but she's smart. She's really smart and sassy and quick-witted," Zinser told Abrams. "She's totally one of the guys, as she's part of the surf team and demands her respect in that manner. But a lot of that confident, bro'd out shtick is soon to be broken down when you see her vulnerable for the first time in her intimate moments with Liam. Although she joins the cast as an atypical chick, you see a lot of layers unravel and unfold the more we get to know her." (TVGuide.com)

Disney Channel has renewed The Suite Life on Deck for a third season. (Variety)

Stay tuned.