Channel Surfing: NBC Launches "Mission: Chuck Me Out," HBO's "Flight of the Conchords" Grounded, Jane Leeves Heads to Wisteria Lane, and More
Welcome to your Friday morning television briefing.
With the third season premiere of Chuck just around the corner, NBC has launched an online incentive called "Mission: Chuck Me Out," reports The Wrap's Josef Adalian. "Using the already existing Chuckmeout.com site, fans can sign up their Twitter, Facebook and MySpace campaign for the game," writes Adalian. "Then, every time they preach Chuck or get friends to watch a clip of the show or otherwise pimp the series, they'll earn points." The winner will have their photo used as one of Chuck's flashes on-air. (The Wrap's TVMoJoe)
Comedy series Flight of the Conchords will not be returning for a third season, according to a statement released yesterday by the series' creators Bret McKenzie, Jemaine Clement, and James Bobin. The Kiwi folk-rock band hasn't broken up, however. [Editor: seeing as the guys ended up back as shepherds in New Zealand, I didn't think there was much of a chance that the series would continue.] (Televisionary)
Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is reporting that Jane Leeves (Frasier) has been cast in a two-episode story arc on ABC's Desperate Housewives, where she will play a psychotherapist for Tom Scavo (Doug Savant). But Ausiello also points out that Tom won't be the only one getting psychiatric treatment in 2010. "Word has it Katherine will also have her brain examined by a shrink in the new year," writes Ausiello. "Better late than never!" (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)
CBS has given a pilot script order to time travel drama Murmurs,from writer Jason Smilovic (My Own Worst Enemy) and executive producer Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas. Project is "set in a world where time travel is a reality and centers on the Commission, an agency that detects and corrects alterations in time called murmurs, ensuring that history remains unchanged." (Hollywood Reporter)
MTV has opted not to renew live talk show It's On With Alexa Chung, which will wrap up its run on December 17th. Chung, who is under contract with the cabler until early next year, has no firm plans with MTV at the moment. (Hollywood Reporter)
Natalka Znak in, Chris Coelen out. RDF USA executive Chris Coelen has stepped down from his position at the production/management company; news comes on the heels of the hiring of former ITV Studios executive Natalka Znak. Variety's Michael Schneider indicates that insiders are pointing to an expired contract and loggerheads over a new deal. Broadcast, meanwhile, reports that Coelen left "by mutual agreement with group chief executive David Frank." (Variety, Broadcast)
Beth Hoppe will serve as executive producer on Discovery Studios' factual strand Curiosity: The Questions of Life, which will launch in February 2011 and air twelve episodes a year over the following five years. (Variety)
Stay tuned.
With the third season premiere of Chuck just around the corner, NBC has launched an online incentive called "Mission: Chuck Me Out," reports The Wrap's Josef Adalian. "Using the already existing Chuckmeout.com site, fans can sign up their Twitter, Facebook and MySpace campaign for the game," writes Adalian. "Then, every time they preach Chuck or get friends to watch a clip of the show or otherwise pimp the series, they'll earn points." The winner will have their photo used as one of Chuck's flashes on-air. (The Wrap's TVMoJoe)
Comedy series Flight of the Conchords will not be returning for a third season, according to a statement released yesterday by the series' creators Bret McKenzie, Jemaine Clement, and James Bobin. The Kiwi folk-rock band hasn't broken up, however. [Editor: seeing as the guys ended up back as shepherds in New Zealand, I didn't think there was much of a chance that the series would continue.] (Televisionary)
Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is reporting that Jane Leeves (Frasier) has been cast in a two-episode story arc on ABC's Desperate Housewives, where she will play a psychotherapist for Tom Scavo (Doug Savant). But Ausiello also points out that Tom won't be the only one getting psychiatric treatment in 2010. "Word has it Katherine will also have her brain examined by a shrink in the new year," writes Ausiello. "Better late than never!" (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)
CBS has given a pilot script order to time travel drama Murmurs,from writer Jason Smilovic (My Own Worst Enemy) and executive producer Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas. Project is "set in a world where time travel is a reality and centers on the Commission, an agency that detects and corrects alterations in time called murmurs, ensuring that history remains unchanged." (Hollywood Reporter)
MTV has opted not to renew live talk show It's On With Alexa Chung, which will wrap up its run on December 17th. Chung, who is under contract with the cabler until early next year, has no firm plans with MTV at the moment. (Hollywood Reporter)
Natalka Znak in, Chris Coelen out. RDF USA executive Chris Coelen has stepped down from his position at the production/management company; news comes on the heels of the hiring of former ITV Studios executive Natalka Znak. Variety's Michael Schneider indicates that insiders are pointing to an expired contract and loggerheads over a new deal. Broadcast, meanwhile, reports that Coelen left "by mutual agreement with group chief executive David Frank." (Variety, Broadcast)
Beth Hoppe will serve as executive producer on Discovery Studios' factual strand Curiosity: The Questions of Life, which will launch in February 2011 and air twelve episodes a year over the following five years. (Variety)
Stay tuned.