BBC America Announces Season Two of "Survivors," New Night

BBC America's post-apocalyptic thriller Survivors will live on... on Tuesday nights.

The Adrian Hodges-executive produced Survivors, which wrapped up its second season in the UK earlier this year on BBC One, will conclude its first season Stateside on Saturday, March 20th... before the digital cabler launches Season Two just three days later on Tuesday, March 23rd at 9 pm ET/PT.

Given that Survivors had previously aired on Saturdays, the move could mark a return for the network to scripted drama series during the week. (Fingers crossed.) In recent years, the network has programmed mostly reality series during the week with a few notable exceptions such as Skins, The Inbetweeners, and Gavin & Stacey... though it's worth noting that the series will now go up against ABC's Lost.

Here's how BBC America described Season Two of Survivors:

"Season Two shows the group now struggling not just against the difficulties of day to day life amid the ruins of the post-virus apocalypse, but also against the threat of other emerging communities and the machinations of the sinister Lab. Returning for this high octane second season alongside Abby is: Greg, a loner, hiding the pain of his past; Anya, a doctor who has seen too much; Al, a playboy who became a surrogate father to young and headstrong Najid; Sarah, a hedonist used to getting her own way and Tom Price – handsome, dangerous and a high security prisoner before the virus hit.

As the season unfolds and the tension mounts, the threat of danger, concealed secrets, lies and violence is eternally present, and the group is forced time and again to ask themselves: are they in it together, or is it each man for himself?"

The full press release from BBC America can be found below.

SURVIVORS CONTINUES WITH THE U.S PREMIERE OF SEASON TWO
NOW ON TUESDAYS
The U.S. premiere season of BBC AMERICA’s thrilling new series, Survivors has viewers glued to their screens and on the heels of season one’s upcoming explosive finale comes the U.S. premiere of season two. TV Guide called Survivors, “down-to-earth sci-fi at its gritty best” while Variety said “Post-apocalyptic visions have been all the rage of late, but BBC AMERICA's Survivors finds a sweet spot in the midst of such mayhem...” Survivors season one finale airs Saturday, March 20, 9:00p.m. ET/PT and season two premieres on a new night, Tuesday, March 23, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

From the co-creator and writer of Primeval, Adrian Hodges, season one introduced viewers to a bewildered but resilient group of survivors led by Abby Grant (Julie Graham). They all experienced the similar devastating loss of family and friends when a mystery virus killed almost the entire human race. Abby left London to discover whether her son Peter, who was on a school adventure holiday, had survived. On her way, she came across the other survivors, some of whom bonded into a group. But without the rule of law she never knew if the next person she encounters would prove friendly or hostile.

Season two shows the group now struggling not just against the difficulties of day to day life amid the ruins of the post-virus apocalypse, but also against the threat of other emerging communities and the machinations of the sinister Lab. Returning for this high octane second season alongside Abby is, Greg, a loner, hiding the pain of his past; Anya, a doctor who has seen too much; Al, a playboy who became a surrogate father to young and headstrong Najid; Sarah, a hedonist used to getting her own way and Tom Price – handsome, dangerous and a high security prisoner before the virus hit.

As the season unfolds and the tension mounts, the threat of danger, concealed secrets, lies and violence is eternally present, and the group is forced time and again to ask themselves: are they in it together, or is it each man for himself?

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 67 million homes.

NBC Unveils New Post-Leno Primetime Schedule

Remember when NBC announced that they were going to cut the 10 pm hour out of their primetime schedule and fill it with a cheaply-produced talk show hosted by Jay Leno? We all scratched our heads.

Flash forward about seven months to the present as NBC has announced that it's pulling Jay Leno out of the 10 pm hour and now filling it back up with a mix of scripted and unscripted offerings. Yes, you might be scratching your head as to how everyone but the Peacock seemed to see that this was a doomed strategy from the first place.

NBC yesterday lifted the curtain on its primetime midseason schedule, which includes reality series The Marriage Ref, The Celebrity Apprentice, and Minute to Win It (formerly known as Perfect 10) and drama series Parenthood, Friday Night Lights, and Trauma.

The full NBC midseason schedule can be found below.

Monday
8-9 pm: Chuck
9-10 pm: Trauma
10-11 pm: Law & Order

Tuesday
8-10 pm: The Biggest Loser
10-11 pm: Parenthood

Wednesday
8-9 pm: Mercy
9-10 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (repeat)
10-11 pm: Law & Order Special Victims Unit

Thursday
8-8:30 pm: Community
8:30-9 pm: Parks and Recreation
9-9:30 pm: The Office
9:30-10 pm: 30 Rock
10-11 pm: The Marriage Ref

Friday
8-9 pm: Who Do You Think You Are?
9-11 pm: Dateline NBC

**Note: Friday Night Lights will take over at 10 pm ET/PT beginning Friday, April 30th.**

Saturday
8-9 pm: The Biggest Loser (repeat)
9-10 pm: Law & Order (repeat)
10-11 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (repeat)

Sunday
7-8 pm: Dateline NBC
8-9 pm: Minute to Win It (formerly known as Perfect 10)
9-11 pm: The Celebrity Apprentice

What do you make of the Peacock's new lineup? Does it work for you? Or would you have rather they just kept Southland this season instead of sending it off to TNT? Discuss.

Rumor Mill: "Chuck" Vs. The End of October?

Well, Chuck me.

NBC's action-comedy hybrid Chuck could be back on the airwaves as early as the end of October, according to a report filed by Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello.

Citing an unnamed insider within the production, Ausiello is reporting that NBC might make the decision to put Chuck back on the schedule earlier than anticipated with the series--currently slated to launch its third season in March--possibly kicking off as early as the end of October.

"While it remains unclear whether the little show that could (and has and shall again) would return to its Monday timeslot or find itself a new perch, NBC insiders who’ve seen the first four episodes are calling this season the best yet," writes Ausiello. "But wait, there’s more. If Chuck does come back sooner rather than later, the chances of NBC ordering additional episodes beyond the 13 it initially commissioned increases dramatically."

So it's good news, right? That's where things get murky.

I'd gladly welcome back Chuck sooner rather than later (hell, I've been pleading with NBC to do just that for months now) but the end of October is, well, nearly upon us. Which doesn't leave much time for on-air promotion, advertising, marketing. Or, really, for any of the necessary behind-the-scenes movement necessary to launch a series--or launch a returning series--well.

And then there's the matter of the narrative for the series' third season, which had received a thirteen-episode commitment from the network. Given that the writers were breaking the tenth script when I visited the Chuck writers' room recently, reconfiguring the season could force the writers to make some adjustments to the arc that they've been planning these past few months. (Though an additional episode order was always a possibility.)

Still, it's not a done deal, so don't crack open the champagne or celebrate with some Orange Orange frozen yogurt just yet. But what is clear is that NBC is considering bumping the premiere up by several months (the network would still have to figure out how to accommodate the Olympics schedule) as the Peacock is surely smarting from the relatively low ratings of some of its series newcomers.

So would Chuck coming back in October be a mixed blessing or the best early holiday present yet? Discuss.

Channel Surfing: NBC Delays "Southland," "Chuck" Co-Creator Josh Schwartz to Pen CBS Comedy Script, "Heathers" Resurrected at FOX, and More

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing.

NBC has announced that it is delaying the second season launch of Southland by a month. The Warner Bros. Television-produced series, which premiered last spring, was slated to launch its sophomore season on Friday, September 25th but will now instead debut on Friday, October 23rd. The reason behind the late change? According to Variety's Michael Schneider, "insiders said the Peacock hopes to use the extra month to further promote the show, which they worried was getting lost in the fall marketing shuffle." Southland was meant to launch on the same evening as Medium and Dollhouse. (Variety)

Chuck co-creator Josh Schwartz and Chuck producer Matt Miller will write an untitled multi-camera comedy pilot script for CBS about a twenty-something couple who have just gotten married and return home after their honeymoon and must learn how to navigate life together. (The premise was inspired by Schwartz and Miller's own recent weddings.) Project hails from Warner Bros. Television, where Schwartz has a deal. (Hollywood Reporter)

FOX is said to be developing a contemporary update of 1989 feature film Heathers (one of my personal faves) with Mark Rizzo (Zip) on board to adapt the dark comedy as an ongoing series. Additionally, Jenny Bicks (Sex and the City) has come on board the project as a non-writing executive producer. Project, from Sony Pictures Television and Lakeshore Entertainment, will reset the film's storyline--about a group of loathsome mean girls who begin dying when one of their members, Veronica, meets J.D., a dangerous new guy at school, and the bodies start to pile up. (Variety)

TNT has ordered a third season of heist drama Leverage, with fifteen episodes of the series expected to air in Summer 2010. (via press release)

Supernatural fans have to head over to The Chicago Tribune where Maureen Ryan has a fantastic and lengthy interview with Supernatural creator/executive producer Eric Kripke, in which he teases that the next season of Supernatural will offer "the fun Apocalypse." (Chicago Tribune's The Watcher)

Melissa McCarthy (Samantha Who, Gilmore Girls) has signed on to appear in a recurring role on ABC's fall comedy series Hank, starring Kelsey Grammer. According to Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello, McCarthy will play Dawn, the wife of David Koechner's Grady, which would make her Hank's sister-in-law. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Sony Pictures Television has signed a two-year first-look deal with Sam Raimi and Josh Donen's shingle Stars Road Entertainment, under which they will develop network and cable drama series projects for the studio while staying away from the horror genre. The duo have hired former CBS executive Robert Zotnowski to oversee the push into television. Meanwhile, Robert Tapert will continue to remain involved as Raimi's producing partner. (Hollywood Reporter)

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello has some scoop on what's coming up for Jane Krakwoski’s Jenna on 30 Rock, revealing that Jenna lands the lead role in a Twilight rip-off. "For tax reasons, they shoot it in Iceland and then they realize the sun doesn’t set," executive producer Robert Carlock told Ausiello. "So they’re shooting a vampire movie without having night." (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

ITV1 has commissioned a seven-part period drama series Downton Abbey from writer Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park) that is set at an Edwardian-era country manor house. Series, which will consist of a 90-minute opener and then six one-hour installments, "will focus on the relationship between the Crawley family, who own the Downton estate, and their staff, who live and work at the house. While some are loyal and committed to the family, others try to improve their status, find love and follow adventure." (Broadcast)

Lennie James (Jericho) has been cast in FOX's Lie to Me, where he will play Ray Marsh, the nemesis to Tim Roth's Cal Lightman. Marsh, writes Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello, is described as "a charming Brit who ran scams with Lightman way back when and who is now on the FBI and Scotland Yard watch lists. Ray once took the fall for Lightman and spent time in prison as a result. Now, after a 20-year estrangement, Ray is back to collect what he believes he is owed." James will make his first appearance in the second season's fifth episode. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Just three weeks after its launch, Style has renewed docusoap Guiliana and Bill for a second season. (Variety)

MTV has ordered horror telepic My Super Psycho Sweet 16, in which a serial killer hunts down teens at a high-end birthday bash at a roller rink. Telepic, executive produced by Maggie Malina, has already been shot. The cabler also ordered musical/dance telepic Turn the Beat Around from executive producers Tony Krantz and Steve Levitan and a scripted telepic version of the channel's Made. (Hollywood Reporter)

Lewis Black will star in an original comedy special Stark Raving Black for the nascent pay cable channel Epix, a joint venture between Lionsgate, MGM, and Viacom, which will air the special, filmed in Detroit, in December as well as playing in select theatres in 20 markets. (Variety)

Former Hat Trick co-founder Denise O'Donoghue has been hired as president of international television productions at NBC Universal International, where she will spearhead the studio's local production business, expand their international format licensing initiatives, and "[shorten] the format pipeline" between the US and the UK. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: NBC Silences "The Listener," "Top Chef: Las Vegas" Premiere Moved Up, More on Acevedo's Cut from "Fringe", and More

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing. I'm still recovering from a very late night involving French cuisine, wine and port, a 1 am viewing of last night's episode of Top Chef Masters, and an early rise for the Emmy nominations. Fortunately, just a few headlines to get through this morning....

NBC confirmed that it will end the run of Canadian drama series The Listener on Thursday, July 23rd and replace the series with repeats of Law & Order beginning July 30th. The remaining five unaired episodes of The Listener will be streamed over NBC.com. (Futon Critic)

Bravo has announced that it has moved the premiere of Top Chef: Las Vegas forward a week. The season premiere will now air August 19th at 9 pm ET/PT followed by the season finale of Top Chef Masters. (Twitter)

More on the reasons behind Kirk Acevedo's departure from FOX's Fringe, courtesy of Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello. "Storyline dictated," wrote Ausiello. "Charlie wasn't going to have much to do this season, and rather than waste Kirk's time, they cut him loose. But as I teased last week, we haven't seen the last of him." (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

NBC announced that, after shifting Parenthood back to midseason (due to actress Maura Tierney's medical condition), the Peacock will now launch medical drama Mercy on Wednesday, September 23rd at 8 pm ET/PT. Parenthood will now launch at a later date. (via press release)

Fox Television Studios has signed a first-look deal with Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment, a comedy production/management shingle that reps the likes of Jenna Ficher, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, and writers on several comedies including Ugly Betty, The Cleveland Show, and Cougar Town. Deal will likely focus on low-cost animated comedies. "We're starting to feel that there are opportunities both in cable and in the international market for comedy," said Fox TV Studios EVP David Madden. "We decided we wanted to figure out a way to get into edgier, less broadcast-oriented comedy. Something more adventurous. That's when Marc [Provissiero] and Naomi [Odenkirk] approached us." (Variety)

Peter Bowker (Blackpool, Occupation) will write a one-off 90-minute biopic about the lives of comedic duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise for BBC One. Bowker told Broadcast that Morecambe and Wise were "true British legends." "The comedy style at the time was very much about making gags to the audience, but Morecambe and Wise realised quite early on that they could be funny by talking to each other as well," said Bowker. "I’ve written quite a lot of extremely dark scripts lately so it was incredibly refreshing to be writing some comedy for a change." (Broadcast)

TLC has ordered eight episodes of reality competition series Ultimate Cake Off, in which three cake artists will create cakes head-to-head with a winner named in each installment. Series will debut on August 3rd with its premiere installment and then return on August 31st. (Variety)

RDF USA EVP of development and current Greg Goldberg has left the company in order to set up Blackbird Television and become an independent producer, signing a one-year first-look deal with RDF USA. (Hollywood Reporter)

Cox Communications might be looking to sell cabler Travel Channel, despite only acquiring the network two years ago, according to reports. "We have received unsolicited inquiries regarding Travel Channel Media," said Cox in a statement. "Our advisers will help us to better understand our options." (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: Lin-Manuel Miranda Checks into "House," Zoe Green Mines "Diamond" for Sci Fi, "Heroes" Nabs Two More Actors, and More

Welcome to your Friday morning television briefing.

Tony Award-winning actor Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights) will appear in at least two episodes of FOX's House next season, where he will play the roommate of Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) at the psychiatric facility where House is currently living. Miranda's first appearance is slated for House's sixth season premiere, which kicks off this fall. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Zoe Green (Book of Shadows) has been hired to write the script for mini-series The Diamond Age, an adaptation of Neal Stephenson's 1995 novel "The Diamond Age: Or a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer," for Sci Fi and executive producers George Clooney and Grant Heslov. Mini-series tells the story about a father and daughter who live in a futuristic society that stifles all creativity; the man creates an interactive book for his daughter, who uses it "as a guide through a surreal alternative world." (Variety)

NBC's Heroes has landed two additional actors, with Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace's Ray Park to join the cast of the drama series in a multiple-episode story arc playing one of the characters at the four season's carnival. Additionally, Deanne Bray (The L Word) will play a hearing-impaired love interest for one of the main characters. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

FOX has ordered a pilot for marriage-themed reality series I Married A Stranger from production company A. Smith a Co. Each week, a marriage-minded woman in her late 30s has her friends and family wheedle down five prospective grooms until one is left; as each man is eliminated, the bride-to-be gets a look at who she won't be marrying... and will finally get to meet her betrothed, right before the on-air wedding ceremony. Project will be executive produced by Arthur Smith, Kent Weed, and Scott Jeffress. (Variety)

BBC America has acquired rights to long-running UK talkshow Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, which it will launch on June 12th at 8 pm ET/PT. The digital cabler plans to pick up airing the series with the 18th episode of the current season, which features actors Dustin Hoffman and Hugh Laurie and British band Gossip. Future installments will feature such luminaries as Ben Stiller, Eminem, Hugh Jackman, William Shatner, Glenn Close, and Lionel Richie. “The wit and wry humor of Jonathan Ross is the perfect addition to the BBC America schedule," said Richard De Croce, SVP Programming for BBC America. "His interviews with A list guests – from Tom Hanks to John Travolta to Nicole Kidman – are always candid and frequently unpredictable. Best of all he fosters an atmosphere which allows guests to relax, open up and allow the viewers in.” (via press release)

The Television Critics Association announced the nominees for its annual TCA Awards, with such The Shield, Battlestar Galactica, Lost, Mad Men, and Saturday Night Live vying for program of the year while Fringe, The Mentalist, No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and United States of Tara are competing for best new program; comedies 30 Rock, The Big Bang Theory, The Daily Show, How I Met Your Mother, and The Office are in the running for outstanding achievement in comedy while Breaking Bad, Friday Night Lights, Lost, Mad Men, and The Shield are competing for outstanding achievement in drama. (Hollywood Reporter)

A&E's Abbe Raven will oversee the new joint venture that is being formed between Disney, Hearst Corporation, and NBC Universal which will act as an umbrella for their cable channels Lifetime, A&E, and History. New company will encompass 10 channels in 145 countries and 15 websites. Lifetime's Andrea Wong will now report to Raven, according to reports, while other management restructuring has yet to be decided. (Variety)

ABC has opted to shift the second season premiere of I Survived a Japanese Game Show up by several weeks, from July 8th to Wednesday, June 17th at 9 pm ET/PT, while the network will shift comedies Surviving Suburbia and The Goode Family to Friday nights beginning June 12th. (Futon Critic)

BET has picked up talk show The Wendy Williams Show, which it will launch on July 13th in syndication and on BET, which will be running the series day-and-date with the syndicated telecasts. (Variety)

Sony Pictures Television has signed a new two-year overall deal with writer/producer team Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, who created 'Til Death. Under terms of the deal, they will develop new projects for the studio while receiving executive producer credits on the FOX series they created. (Hollywood Reporter)

Former NBC executive Jamila Hunter has landed a position as head of programming at OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. She will replace Robin Schwartz, who left the channel earlier this year. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: "Harper's Island" to Graveyard on Saturdays, Abrams Confident About "Fringe" Renewal, "Privileged" Still Kicking, and More

Welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing.

CBS has announced that it will move struggling freshman drama series Harper's Island to Saturday nights at 9 pm ET/PT, beginning May 2nd. What saved the series from outright cancellation are its strong DVR numbers and the fact that all thirteen episodes of Harper's Island's limited run were already in the can, making it much easier for the Eye to just burn off the episodes. "This move gives us an opportunity to improve the time period on Thursday while experimenting with more original programming on Saturday," said CBS senior exec VP Kelly Kahl of the network's decision. Harper's Island won't be alone on Saturday nights, which the networks have been increasingly using as a dumping ground for series with small but loyal viewers; Kings, Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, and Dirty Sexy Money will all air episodes on Saturdays this summer. (Variety)

J.J. Abrams is confident that freshman drama series Fringe will return this fall. "It should be returning," Abrams told SCI FI Wire. "I'm really happy with so much of what we did this year. And I feel like we have barely gotten going. There's so much that we know we want to explore and knew we did from the beginning. A lot of it is yet to come." Apparently, one episode of the second season has already been shot, despite the network not having officially renewed the series. "I think that season two should be pretty great, pretty dynamic," said Abrams. "We have some cool ideas. I'm very excited about that. I'm proud of the group. My only regret is I wish we could have stayed shooting in New York. We had a terrific crew. That's the one thing I'd wish we'd be able to do differently. It's a show that's still, as it's going, evolving. Finding the balance between relatable characters and absolute science fiction takes a while, but I think we're getting there." (SCI FI Wire)

The curtain hasn't fallen on CW's Privileged just yet. Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is reporting that a second season order is still possible, pointing toward the netlet's decision to air repeats of Privileged's first season on Friday nights at 8 pm ET/PT throughout the summer. "It's definitely a positive sign," one Privileged insider told Ausiello, though CW has yet to make a decision about the dramedy series. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

The writing is on the wall: FOX has opted to shift new comedy Sit Down, Shut Up to the less desirable timeslot of 7 pm ET/PT on Sundays. It had aired two installments in its post-Simpsons 8:30 pm slot; the network will now air episodes of King of the Hill after The Simpsons. It's thought extremely unlikely that the series, from Sony Pictures Television, will continue past this season. (Futon Critic)

Missi Pyle (Boston Legal) will replace Leslie Bibb in NBC's untitled Justin Adler comedy pilot, following the latter's departure from the project in the wake of a creative overhaul. Pyle will play domestic goddess Vanessa, the eldest sibling. As Pyle already shot CBS comedy Big D, her participation here will be in second position to the CBS project. (Hollywood Reporter)

ABC is said to be in talks with ABC Studios about continuing comedy series Scrubs next season. Should a deal be reached for Season Nine, the studio would have to accept a reduced license fee while creator Bill Lawrence would return as showrunner/executive producer and star Zach Braff is now "believed to be interested in returning for at least a portion of the episodes." Scrubs is said to be popular with advertisers due to its upscale viewers and ABC is said to need another half-hour on its lineup. Meanwhile, Variety is reporting that Better Off Ted "appears to be a real candidate for renewal as well, thanks to decent buzz -- and the fact that it's not produced by ABC Studios (as the network is looking to spread the financial risk beyond the Disney borders)." And Samantha Who? could also return next season. (Variety)

Lisa Rinna has changed her tune about wanting to join the cast of CW's revival of Melrose Place. "I don’t think I wanna go back anymore," Rinna told Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider. "Seriously, I watched some old tapes recently -- Harry [Hamlin, her husband] and I were going through stuff. It doesn’t feel right! It feels weird. I’ve changed my mind. You can’t go back!" (Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider)

NCIS' still untitled spin-off starring Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J will be set in Los Angeles and will focus on the employees in the Office of Special Projects, "where they do a lot of undercover and surveillance work," said NCIS executive producer Shane Brennan. "There are no forensics or autopsies in it. There is no [lab tech] Abby character in it. It's not going to trample on our traditional NCIS show." (New York Post)

Spooks (which has aired Stateside under the name MI-5) is set to go into production on its eighth season, which will air this autumn on BBC One and will star Richard Armitage, Peter Firth, and Hermione Norris. (BBC)

Talent agencies William Morris and Endeavor formally approved a merger yesterday, laying the groundwork for the two firms to launch the joint WME Entertainment, which is expected to move into new offices that William Morris is building in Beverly Hills in 2010. Many agents are being courted by rival agencies. William Morris chairman Jim Wiatt will serve as the chairman of WME, with Endeavor's Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell sharing oversight with William Morris president Dave Wirtschafter and a nine-person board--five seats from WMA and four from Endeavor--will be formed as well. (Los Angeles Times)

Maureen FitzPatrick has been named SVP of comedy development at FremantleMedia North America, where she will oversee comedy development, sell and adapt British comedy series, and develop formats from the company's Atomic Wedgie online site. She was formerly SVP of digital content and development at the company's licensing arm. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Message from the Action Man: BBC America Pulls "Ashes to Ashes" Season Two, Slots "Primeval" Season Three Instead

Those of you anxious to see Season Two of the Life on Mars sequel series Ashes to Ashes had better hold on to your hats... and sit tight.

BBC America, which was slated to launch Season Two of Ashes to Ashes on Saturday, May 2nd, has indicated that it will be delaying the launch date for the second season, instead opting to launch Season Three of sci-fi series Primeval in the Saturdays at 9 pm timeslot.

The news comes as a bit of a surprise and was discovered only when BBC America sent out a press release for the launch of Primeval announcing that the series, which stars Douglas Henshall, Jason Flemyng, Lucy Brown, Hannah Spearritt, Andrew Lee Potts, Ben Miller, Laila Rouass, Juliet Aubrey, and Ben Mansfield, would be launching on Saturday, May 16th at 9 pm ET/PT.

What it failed to share was that Primeval would be taking over Ashes to Ashes' current timeslot.

Listings services, including TiVo's on-screen guide, Yahoo! TV, and Zap2it, had Ashes to Ashes' sophomore season launching next week and, at press time, still had May 2nd listed as the start date.

A BBC America publicist has confirmed to me via email that Primeval will be taking over Ashes to Ashes' timeslot.

No reason was given for the abrupt and unexpected change in scheduling and, as of yet, no current revised launch date for Season Two of Ashes to Ashes has been made available, other than that it will "air later this year."

Meanwhile, the BBC One trailer for Ashes to Ashes Season Two, which launched earlier this week in the UK, can be seen below.



Fingers crossed that we get Season Two of this sensational series sooner rather than later.

Ashes to Ashes will wrap its first season this Saturday at 9 pm ET/PT on BBC America.

Channel Surfing: More "Big Love" at HBO, "NCIS" Spinoff Nabs O'Donnell and LL Cool J, Anna Friel, Swoosie Kurtz to Get "Desperate," and More

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing. My mind is still buzzing after last night's double-bill of Lost and Damages.

Pay cabler HBO has renewed drama Big Love, about the polygamist Henrickson clan, for a fourth season. Production will begin later this year for a 2010 launch. "The stellar reviews and solid viewership this season confirm that this is a signature series for HBO," said Michael Lombardo, president of programming at HBO. "The series keeps getting better and better." (I have to agree with him: this season has been absolutely amazing!) Once DVR, encores, and VOD ratings are added in to Big Love's initial airing, viewing figures soar to about 5 million, on par with HBO's True Blood. (Variety, Hollywood Reporter)

Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J are said to be in final talks to star in CBS' untitled NCIS spin-off. Chris O'Donnell would play Callen, a man capable of changing into various different personas with ease, while LL Cool J would play former Navy SEAL Sam Hanna. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Pushing Daisies' Anna Friel is said to be in high demand this pilot season. Friel has received three offers so far: ABC drama pilots Eastwick and I, Claudia and CBS drama pilot House Rules. Her former co-star Lee Pace was said to have been offered pilot but declined. (Hollywood Reporter)

Meanwhile, Friel's other Pushing Daisies co-star Swoosie Kurtz has been cast in ABC's Desperate Housewives, where she will play a potential love interest for one Wisteria Lane resident. Kurtz's first episode of Desperate Housewives is slated to air in March; she'll then be seen as high society dame Millie on NBC's Heroes in April. (E! Online's Watch with Kristin)

ABC will launch MRC's Bob Saget family comedy Surviving Suburbia (originally to air during MRC's Sunday night block on the CW) on Mondays at 9:30 pm, following Dancing with the Stars. Move comes on the heels of ABC's decision to move comedy Samantha Who? to Thursday evenings. Thirteen-episode Surviving Suburbia, starring Bob Saget and Cynthia Stevenson, was created by Kevin Abbott (Reba). (Variety)

Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia!) has been cast in at least three episodes of ABC's Ugly Betty, where she will play the wealthy mother of Betty's new love interest, sports writer Matt (Daniel Eric Gold). Baranaski's first appearance is slated to air in March. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

For the first time, Doctor Who will be filmed in high-definition, beginning with the Easter special, "Planet of the Dead." Move marks the first HD outing for the sci-fi series, although spin-off series Torchwood has been filmed in HD since it first launched. (Digital Spy)

Casting is underway for Serena's new European beau on the CW's Gossip Girl, possibly inspired by Anne Hathaway's real-life ex-boyfriend Raffaello Follieri, who was convicted last fall of wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy charges. Executive producer Stephanie Savage wouldn't confirm the rumor but said that Serena's new love interest Giorgio is "very well-traveled, part of the global elite. He's not a brooding artist like Dan or Aaron Rose. He's definitely a grown-up, and that's something Serena is very attracted to." (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Vivica A. Fox (Curb Your Enthusiasm) will host TV Land's eight-episode dating competition series The Cougar, which will premiere on April 15th. And, yes, it's about exactly what you think it is. (Variety)

NBC has delayed the launch of geneology-based reality series Who Do You Think You Are? until the summer. Deal or No Deal will take over the Mondays at 8 pm timeslot, currently occupied by Chuck, for three weeks beginning May 4th. (Futon Critic)

Imagine TV is said to be looking for its next Arrested Development. The shingle, headed by Brian Grazer and David Nevins, is developing FOX single-camera comedy pilot The Chairman of Chatsworth, written by Dan Palladino (Gilmore Girls), about a lawyer with a "questionable moral compass" who is said to be loosely based on Grazer's own father. Also in development: an animated series based on Angry Little Girls (based on Lela Lee's comic) with Simpsons vet Josh Weinstein, the redeveloped Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office at FOX (it was originally shot as a pilot for ABC in 2007), and NBC comedy pilot Parenthood. (Variety)

Battlestar Galactica's Kate Vernon talks to The Daily News about her role on the sci-fi series and hinted at the scope of the series finale. "None of us saw the ending coming," Vernon said in an interview. "I would just say, erase your mind of any expectations and really watch the show with an open mind. So much is to be revealed." (The New York Daily News)

The House of Representatives has voted to approve the DTV delay, shifting the transition from Feb. 17th to June 12th, and has sent the bill to President Obama to sign. The delay, according to White House spokesperson Amy Brundage, "means that millions of Americans will have the time they need to prepare for the conversion." (TV Week)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: "Reaper" To Return to Earth Early, "Torchwood" Sneak Peek on Thursday, CBS Eyes Pilots, "Greek," and More

Welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing.

The CW has unveiled a scheduling shakeup that will feature the launch of Season Two of Reaper earlier than expected. Reaper will take over the Tuesdays at 8 pm timeslot--currently inhabited by 90210--on March 3rd and will air 13 episodes without interruption. 90210 will then move to 9 pm on Tuesdays, taking over Privileged's timeslot. So what happens to Privileged? That series will wrap its run February 14th, much earlier than originally planned after it aired fewer repeats. No decision has been made yet about a second season of Privileged. (Hollywood Reporter)

Torchwood fans should keep their eyes on the internet on Thursday as the 60-second trailer for the series' five-episode Season Three, entitled "Children of Earth," will be released... simultaneously around the world at 4 pm ET. Season Three is set to air later this year on BBC One and BBC America over five consecutive nights. (via press release)

Michael Ausiello has some dish on a certain Greek cast member who won't be returning for the just announced Season Three. Said actor may return as an occasional guest star but won't be featured as a series regular for the third season. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

CBS has handed out pilot orders to three projects: drama House Rules, from writer/executive producer Michael Seitzman, executive producers Mark Gordon and Deb Spera, and ABC Studios, about newly elected members of the House of Representatives in Washington; cast-contingent comedy The Fish Tank, from Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith (The King of Queens) and Sony Pictures Television, about a teenager who finds that he has his parents' house to himself five days a week; and relationship drama A Marriage, from thirtysomething creators Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick and Bedford Falls, about a "marriage that works." The latter project currently has no studio attachment. (Variety)

TNT has renewed action drama Leverage for a second season of 15 episodes. (Televisionary)

HBO has acquired rights to a nonfiction book by Joe Nocera and Bethany McLean about the financial crisis of 2008. Pay cabler plans to develop a series that will explore the causes of the financial meltdown and how Wall Street and Washington handled fallout from the recession. (Variety)

Yet another twist in the ongoing SAG negotiation drama. Set to begin talks with the AMPTP today, the guild has had to postpone talks due to a lawsuit from its own president Alan Rosenberg, who has launched an injunction against the talks and seeks to have ousted chief negotiator Doug Allen reinstated after he and the negotiating committee were replaced by a new task force. (Los Angeles Times)

CMT has ordered a second season of music competition series Can You Duet, with eight episodes expected to air in June. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: Clooney Returns to "ER," Gondry Directs "Conchords," Patti LuPone Heads to "30 Rock," and More

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing. I'm sure many of us didn't get a very good night's sleep after the last night brought us the two-hour premiere of Lost, new installments of Damages and Top Chef, and the launch of FOX's Lie to Me. Since when did Wednesday become the go-to night for top-notch television programming?

George Clooney is filming scenes this week on NBC's ER, where he will reprise his role as Dr. Doug Ross. He last appeared on the series in an uncredited cameo in 2000. No word on whether he'll bring Ross' Caesar cut with him. (Entertainment Tonight)

Season Two of HBO's Flight of the Conchords has lined up a host of intriguing guest stars including Saturday Night Live's Kristin Wiig, My Boys' Jim Gaffigan, and Lost's Alan Dale. Also of note: Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) directed the February 15th episode, in which Jemaine dates an Australian (shock horror!). (Chicago Tribune's The Watcher)

Patti LuPone has been cast in an upcoming episode of NBC's 30 Rock, where she will play the mother of TGS staffer Frank. (Yes, really, Frank.) Lupone was most recently seen on the small screen on ABC's Ugly Betty, where she played the mother of Michael Urie's Marc. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

ABC is keeping Samantha Who? benched until this spring; the comedy series was originally supposed to return on January 12th but the timeslot will now be filled by two-hour editions of reality series The Bachelor through its entire run, concluding March 2nd, and by two-hour editions of Dancing With the Stars to air March 9th, March 16th, and March 23rd. (Futon Critic)

NBC is said to be considering a sequel or potential primetime spin-off of Sunday night's miniseries The Last Templar. Should the Peacock order a sequel to the four-hour mini--which stars Scott Foley and Mira Sorvino, it would be set in India. (Hollywood Reporter)

UK network Sky1 has acquired exclusive free and basic TV rights plus non-exclusive VOD and download-to-own rights to FOX's Lie to Me, which launched Stateside last night. Sky1 plans to launch the series in the spring. (Variety)

Hilary Duff has been cast in an upcoming episode of CBS' Ghost Whisperer, where she will play a mysterious woman who may have been involved in a man's death. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

USA has pushed the launch of Season Eight of Law & Order: Criminal Intent once again, this time until this summer. Season Eight, featuring Jeff Goldblum as Detective Zach Nichols (taking over for Chris Noth), was originally to launch in November 2008, three months after the end of the seventh season; in both cases, the explanation given was the cabler's wish to air all sixteen episodes of Season Eight in a row. (TV Guide)

NBC has hired outside marketing firm Naked Communications to revamp its brand. "We're thinking about how we market the brand, how we present ourselves to the advertising community at upfront and how we present ourselves to the consumer," said Adam Stotsky, president of entertainment marketing at NBC. "Naked is working with us to sharpen our image, (as we) look for a fresh perspective on how we go to market." (Variety)

Reality television employees have settled a class action suit against FOX, CBS, ABC, and several production companies including Rocket Science Laboratories to the tune of more than $4 million dollars. The action, filed in 2005, alleged that the defendants violated wage and hour laws by underpaying story department employees and failed to provide meal periods or maintain accurate payroll records. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: Six Heads to "Chuck," Tyra Heads to CW, "Crusoe" Heads to Saturdays, and More

Welcome to your Monday morning television briefing. I had a fantastically relaxing weekend, filled with some holiday-related events and a lovely private screening of the new film Slumdog Millionaire in my own living room. Good times.

Battlestar Galactica fans, hold on your hats. BSG's slinky seductress Six, a.k.a. Tricia Helfer, has signed on to guest star in an upcoming episode of NBC's Chuck, where she will play Special Agent Alex Forrest, a sexy-yet-by-the-book agent who is assigned to guard the Intersect after General Beckman becomes concerned about Sarah's feelings for Chuck. Look for Casey to fall for Alex's charms... and perhaps Chuck himself. Helfer is slated to appear in the 18th episode of the season, scheduled for next spring.

Also appearing this season on Chuck: Jonathan Cake (Six Degrees), who has signed on for a multiple-episode story arc as a "Gerard Butler-esqe British MI6 agent by the name of Cole Barker" who quickly finds himself drawn to Sarah. (Who wouldn't be?) And look for Sports Illustrated cover girl Brooklyn Decker to turn up in Episode 215 as a possible Buy More recruit being interviewed by Jeff and Lester. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

John Simm (Life on Mars) has stated emphatically that he will NOT be taking over from David Tennant as the Doctor on Doctor Who. (Damn it.) "I'm The Master," Simm told The Times. "Simple as that. I don't want to be [the Doctor]. I might be the Master again... I'm not allowed to say." Simm was definitely one of my top contenders in my list of possible replacements for Tennant but I'm hoping at least that he'll turn up again as the Master. (Digital Spy)

NBC has announced that it will move international co-production Crusoe, which has been sinking (heh) in the ratings since it was launched, to television Siberia, namely Saturday evenings. Crusoe, which is being moved so that the Peacock can use its current Friday night timeslot for Lipstick Jungle, will move to Saturdays beginning December 5th. Lipstick Jungle has four remaining episodes that have been scheduled for December 5th and 12th and January 2nd and 9th. (Variety)

Jennifer Westfeldt (Kissing Jessica Stein) is joining the cast of ABC's Grey's Anatomy, where she will play a patient at Seattle Grace in a multiple-episode story arc. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

ABC is now considering pairing its acquired comedy Scrubs with freshman comedy Better Off Ted on Tuesdays in the 9 pm hour. Better Off Ted, which stars Jay Harrington and Portia De Rossi, could debut as early as January... or be held until February or March. (TV Week)

Following the federal mediator's abandonment of efforts to bring SAG and the AMPTP together, SAG has announced its intent to seek a strike authorization from its members. A 75% approval vote is necessary to authorize a work stoppage. "SAG is bizarrely asking its members to bail out the failed negotiating strategy with a strike vote - at a time of historic economic crisis," said the AMPTP in a statement. "The tone deafness of SAG is stunning." I can only hope that the two sides can resolve their contract differences without resorting to a walk-out which would only further damage the already weakened television and film industry. (Variety)

NBC.com will offer an extended "producer's cut" version of last week's episode of The Office beginning tomorrow. This online-exclusive will offer additional scenes and footage not seen in Thursday's telecast. (Hollywood Reporter)

Los Angeles Times' How I Made It profiles Universal Media Studios topper Katherine Pope, whose contract expires in June. Pope, who had a hand in developing such NBC series as Heroes and Friday Night Lights, said, "This isn't an easy job, but I absolutely love the work. And I'm not finished doing it." (Los Angeles Times)

In other NBC news, the Peacock is said to be developing a series with self-help guru Tony Robbins and has handed out a pilot presentation order for a reality series that is said to be a "transformational-style show in the same vein as NBC’s hit The Biggest Loser.” Producers are currently looking to cast contestants who have had their lives derailed by tragedy and can't recover or who are "paralyzed by fears or anger." (TV Week)

Californication's Pamela Adlon talks about her career as both a live-action actress and a voice actor (Adlon is the voice of Bobby and others on King of the Hill), her "husky" voice, and Lucky Louie. (New York Times)

Josh Cooke (Big Day) has been cast opposite Katee Sackhoff and Brian Dennehy in drama pilot Lost & Found; he'll play Max, a psychiatrist friend of Tessa's (Sackhoff) who had a crush on her when they were in school together. The pilot will be directed by Michael Engler (Privileged). Elsewhere, Jessica St. Clair (Worst Week) will star in ABC's midseason comedy series In the Motherhood, where she will play the younger sister of Cheryl Hines' character, who lets her children run wild. (Hollywood Reporter)

BBC has opted not to commission another series of archeological drama Bonekickers, which aired six episodes earlier this year and lost nearly half of its viewers by the end of its run. "Ashley Pharoah and Matthew Graham have decided to concentrate on new projects," said a BBC spokesperson. (C21)

Tyra Banks' talk show will move to the CW for a fifth season next fall after concluding its current fourth season through syndication. Moving The Tyra Banks Show to the netlet will allow for more "cohesive marketing spin across the net's affils as well as cross-promo with Top Model." (Variety)

Endemol has signed a two-year overall deal with unscripted producer R. Greg Johnson, a former MTV executive who developed The Osbournes and Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica. Under the deal, he will create and executive produce new unscripted series. (Hollywood Reporter)

A&E has ordered reality series Steven Seagal: Lawman, which will follow the former action star as a fully commissioned deputy in the Jefferson Parish County Sheriff's Office in New Orleans and as a musician and philanthropist. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: ABC Might Shift "Mars" and "Practice," Quinlan Locks Down "Prison Break," BBC Drama in Jeopardy, and More

Welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing. While I watched this week's episode of Chuck yet again (and fell in love with it all over again), I couldn't help shake the feeling that last night's episode of Gossip Girl was absolutely beyond ludicrous. Anyone else agree?

ABC is allegedly making some changes to its midseason schedule, with Grey's Anatomy spin-off Private Practice shifting to Thursdays at 10 pm, where it will air right behind Grey's. Meanwhile, the current timeslot holder, Life on Mars, will move to Wednesdays at 10 pm, where it will receive a hell of a lead-in from Lost. The Alphabet didn't comment on the leaked schedule, which it has yet to announce. Can we see ABC launching a Wednesday night around Pushing Daisies, Lost, and Life on Mars... or does this once again signal a death knell for Daisies? (Hollywood Reporter)

Samaire Armstrong's Juliet Darling WILL be returning to ABC's Dirty Sexy Money after all. (Come on, I wasn't the only one who didn't believe producers when they said she wasn't off the series altogether!) Armstrong will return for a special Thanksgiving episode that will air on November 26th that finds chauffeur Clark offering his take on the Darlings' many scandals, including Juliet's year-long globe-spanning love affair with Kai. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Kathleen Quinlan (Made of Honor) has been cast in at least four episodes on FOX's Prison Break, where she will recur as a "mysterious woman who has ties to the Company and a surprising connection to Michael." Quinlan's first appearance is slated to air on the series' December 22nd fall finale. Could Quinlan's character be the basis for FOX's long-delayed Prison Break spin-off Cherry Hill? Hmmm... (Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider)

Lifetime has ordered seven additional episodes of freshman comedy series Rita Rocks, bringing this season's total episodic count to 22 episodes.

Rita Rocks is perhaps some much-needed positive news for indie shingle Media Rights Capital, which has bombed with its scripted offerings this season, courtesy of the CW's Sunday night lineup. (Variety)

Departing BBC drama head Jane Tranter, who commissioned such hits as Doctor Who and Life on Mars, warned that BBC drama budgets were at their "breaking point" and that UK production was in grave danger from cost-cutting initiatives. "There's really not much more we can cut without endangering not just the quality of the work, but also the quality of the lives of the people who work on these things," said Tranter, who will become EVP of programming and production at BBC Worldwide this January. (Hollywood Reporter)

USA Today's Robert Bianco offers up three suggestions on how to improve US networks' ailing schedules, including: create more, import less; get serious about comedy; and develop on your time, not ours. I have to say I agree. (USA Today)

Tracy Pollan (Law & Order: SVU), a.k.a. Mrs. Michael J. Fox, has been cast in a three-episode story arc on Season Five of NBC's Medium, slated to launch in January. Pollan will play Caitlyn, a "corporate intuitionist who befriends Arquette's Allison and attempts to bring her to the corporation she works for because of her gift. " (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

The Hills' Heidi Spencer and Spencer Pratt will guest star on a January episode of CBS' How I Met Your Mother, where they will play themselves (naturally) when they taunt Marshall from the cover of a tabloid as he searches for a "quiet place." (TV Guide)

Colm Feore (24) has been cast in Canadian drama The Listener, which will air in the US on NBC. (Elsewhere, it will air on CTV in Canada and on Fox International Channels.) He'll play the mentor of a young parametic (Craig Olejnik) who uses his telepathic gifts to help the people he heals. (Hollywood Reporter)

Whoopi Goldberg has signed a development deal with Discovery Emerging Networks, under which she will develop series for Investigation Discovery and Science Channel with her Whoop Inc. partner Tom Leonardis, one of which is guaranteed to be ordered to series. (Variety)

Cabler AMC has named Charlie Collier as president; Collier has been EVP/general manager since 2006 and has overseen the cabler's expansion into original programming via Broken Trail, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: Alexis Denisof Heads to "Private Practice," Jessica Walter, Starz Plots "Spartacus," and More

Welcome to your Monday morning television briefing. It's currently freezing here in LA (well, relatively speaking anyway) but I am still shaking after last night's season finale of Mad Men, not to mention another shocking installment of Skins. (Poor Sid.)

Former Angel star Alexis Denisof will guest star in the November 19th episode of ABC's Private Practice, where he'll play a father-to-be with two very expectant wives in need of Addison's specialty. In real life, Denisof and wife Alyson Hannigan announced last week that they are expecting their first child. (TV Guide)

CBS is once again developing some rather, er, unique properties that aren't crime procedurals (did they not learn their lesson from Moonlight or Cane?). Among the projects currently said to be in development at the Eye: Hex Wives, a one-hour drama from Neil Meron and Craig Zadan about four women with magical powers; 1960s period drama Magic City about an iconic Miami Beach hotel from executive producer Mitch Glazer; an untitled medical drama from Curtis Hanson and Carol Barbee; and a variety series. Expected to return: Survivor and The Amazing Race. (TV Week)

Cabler A&E has renewed drama The Cleaner for a second season of thirteen episodes. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Jessica Walter dishes about playing Tabitha on 90210, atonement, Flipper, and that possible Arrested Development movie, of which she says "Mitch [Hurwitz] does have a story line." Reeeeeally? (Los Angeles Times)

Could the struggling economy have anything to do with the networks picking up low-performing series (like FOX's Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles or ABC's Private Practice) for full seasons? (Hollywood Reporter)

NBC is shifting Lipstick Jungle to Friday nights (ouch) beginning October 31st and creating a crime-centric block of programming on Wednesday nights that will include Knight Rider (a crime in and of itself), Law & Order, and Life. Law & Order will return to the lineup on November 5th, the same night that Life will move to its new Wednesday digs. And, oh, the Peacock has delayed reality competition series Momma's Boys once again; it's now set to launch on December 22nd. (Variety)

Following the recent launch of Crash, pay cabler Starz has announced its second drama effort, ordering thirteen episodes of period drama Spartacus from executive producers Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, and Joshua Donen, who are all behind the syndicated drama series Legend of the Seeker, which launches nationally this weekend. The series, which is inspired by the life of a slave in the Roman Republic who leads a revolt, will be reimagined for today's viewer used to "cutting-edge production technology" and is being eyed for a Summer 2009 launch. Steven DeKnight (Smallville) has signed on as head writer and showrunner. (Hollywood Reporter)

Are Booth and Bones the Nick and Norah of the 21st century? The Los Angeles Times seems to think so as they offer a look at FOX's Bones. (Los Angeles Times)

Lifetime announced several casting additions to its two upcoming Nora Roberts adaptations: Emilie de Ravin, Ivan Sergei, and Cybill Shepherd will star in High Noon, while Jerry O'Connell, Lauren Stamile, and Faye Dunaway have joined the cast of Midnight Bayou. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: Priestley to Direct "90210," "Greek" Creator Gets New Pilot at ABC Family, Jimmy Smits, "Kath & Kim," and More

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing. Once again, I am feeling burnt out after an overstuffed night of TV viewing that included new episodes of Pushing Daisies, Top Model, Old Christine, Project Runway, and Dirty Sexy Money. Whew.

Jason Priestley has signed on to direct an upcoming episode of the CW's 90210 but don't expect to see him in front of the camera any time soon. Priestley will direct the series' 18th episode, slated to air in the spring. While Priestley's Brandon Walsh won't be turning up in that hallowed zip code, Shannen Doherty is said to be returning for two episodes later this season (though executive producer Gabe Sachs wouldn't comment officially) and producers are also said to have locked Jennie Garth for six additional segments. (All that hubbub about Garth not coming back? Allegedly just a "misunderstanding.") (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

On the eve of the premieres of US versions of Life on Mars, Kath & Kim, and Eleventh Hour, the New York Times takes a look at the prevalence of format importing but says that "not all copycat shows are equally well made" but that "the closer an original fits into indigenous American settings and sensibilities, the better." It gives high marks to Life on Mars but says that Kath & Kim and Eleventh Hour are both pale imitations of the originals. (New York Times)

Cabler Spike has ordered an untitled two-hour drama pilot about the Irish mob in Boston from executive producers Tom Lynch and Dana White. Project, from MGM Television, will chart the war between various factions vying for power when the head of the mob steps down from his position. Pilot will be directed by Walter Hill (Broken Trail). (Hollywood Reporter)

Over at ABC Family, the cabler has ordered two pilots including a half-hour single-camera series adaptation of feature film 10 Things I Hate About You, from writer/executive producer Carter Covington (Greek) and director Gil Junger, and Ruby and The Rockits, a half-hour multi-camera comedy written and executive produced by Shaun Cassidy and Ed Yeager. The latter project--about a former teen idol who gave up music to settle down with his wife and kids but finds he can't leave his past behind when a former bandmate shows up in his life with a teen daughter--stars Alexa Vega (Spy Kids), Austin Butler (Zoey 101), Patrick Cassidy (Smallville), and David Cassidy (The Partridge Family).

Jimmy Smits (The West Wing) talks about his role on Season Three of Showtime's Dexter, where he plays Assistant D.A. Miguel Prado. Of the role, Smits says in this interview that the character of Miguel "is something different than I've done before on television and what television audiences are used to seeing me as." (Associated Press)

NBC has shifted the premiere of its reality competition series Momma's Boys by two weeks to Wednesday, November 12th at 9 pm. (Futon Critic)

WGA has banned its members from working on FOX's Osbournes-fronted variety series, The Osbournes: Loud And Dangerous, produced by Fremantle North America. According to a letter sent to its members, the WGA asserted that "Fremantle wanted to treat certain portions of the show as 'reality content,' not cover the writers who create it, and lower the compensation of the WGA-covered writers, arguing that they would only be responsible for writing part of the show." (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

USA Today's Robert Bianco says that NBC's US adaptation of Aussie hit comedy Kath & Kim is "the worst sitcom." Ouch. I'm tempted to agree but there are far other sitcoms floating about in the ether that are just as bad as Kath & Kim when you stop to think about it. (USA Today

Sci Fi Channel has signed a deal with RHI Entertainment for five original movies, which include Jason Gedrick-starrer Sand Serpents, Alien Western, Carney, the Ricky Schroder directed Hellhounds, and Rise of the Gargoyle, starring Eric Balfour. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

More Scheduling Musical Chairs at NBC

NBC has once again altered its Thursday night comedy lineup, shifting freshman series Kath & Kim to an earlier hour.

Kath & Kim will now air on Thursdays at 8:30 pm ET/PT, shifting 30 Rock from its berth following My Name is Earl. This is the second move for the Molly Shannon/Selma Blair comedy, which was originally scheduled to air on Tuesdays between a 90-minute format of The Biggest Loser and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

The Peacock's decision to swap Kath & Kim with 30 Rock (which will now air on Thursdays, following The Office) is allegedly due to the better compatibility between Kath & Kim and My Name is Earl (um, I could have told them that) than with the more subtle comedic charms of The Office.

I think that the move is a smart one, especially as The Office and 30 Rock are a much stronger one-hour block when combined across the 9 pm hour, though I am concerned about what will happen to 30 Rock once NBC launches its non-spinoff of The Office in February. Will it move back to 8:30 pm? Or will the new series from Greg Daniels and Mike Schur take over the timeslot vacated by Kath & Kim? Hmmm...

Kath & Kim is slated to launch on NBC on October 9th.

Nine-"30 Rock": NBC Swaps "Scrubs" Timeslot for Tracy Jordan and Co.

There might only be three all-new installments of 30 Rock left this season (the truncated season is, of course, due to the strike), but that doesn't mean I can't get behind NBC's decision to shift the hilarious and subversive comedy series to a later timeslot.

Beginning this week, 30 Rock will move from its 8:30 pm home to a 9:30 pm berth, directly behind The Office. I am sure NBC is hoping that the ratings of the (lately) inferior Office will create a halo effect for 30 Rock and viewers will stick around for the travails of Liz Lemon and the TGS staffers.

I am also sure that NBC was a little concerned that the return of original episodes of Ugly Betty over on ABC might, er, unduly influence the ratings and put 30 Rock in a precipitous position. Sure, the timeslot change puts them opposite ratings powerhouse Grey's Anatomy, but I feel like that series' audience is different than that for 30 Rock.

Personally, I think it's great news. I've been saving 30 Rock for after The Office the last two weeks anyway, just in case I got disappointed by The Office and needed cheering up. (Believe me, this week I definitely needed it.)

And Thursdays are getting very crowded, starting this week, what with Ugly Betty at 8 pm, The Office and 30 Rock snugly at 9 pm, and Lost at 10 pm. Moving 30 Rock means less conflict. For me, anyway.

As Tracy Jordan might say: Thank you, NBC, for coming up with a Thursday night schedule that is pretty attuned to my unique way of life.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Big Bang Theory/How I Met Your Mother (CBS); Deal or No Deal (NBC; 8-10 pm); Gossip Girl (CW); Dancing With the Stars (ABC; 8-9:30 pm); Bones (FOX)

9 pm: Two and a Half Men/Rules of Engagement (CBS); One Tree Hill (CW); Samantha Who? (ABC; 9:30-10 pm); House (FOX)

10 pm: CSI Miami (CBS); Medium (NBC); The Bachelor: London Calling (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Gossip Girl.

The naughty teen soap returns tonight with a brand new episode! On tonight's episode ("The Blair Bitch Project"), a dethroned Blair tries to find the strength to return to school while Jenny tries find a way to have her wallet keep up with the financial demands of being popular.

ABC Finds "Lost" Later at Night; Builds Super Thursday Lineup

ABC announced the return dates for several current series that have gone off the airwaves during the protracted writers strike and while it's good to see scripted series--including Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal, Samantha Who?, and Brothers & Sisters--return to the networks, I am a little apprehensive about one small thing.

ABC is moving Lost to 10 pm again.

It's rare that such a breakout hit should have so many timeslot changes over the past few seasons but I have to say that I was thrilled when Season Four of Lost launched in the 9 pm hour. It wasn't so early (8 pm) that those of us who don't work 9 to 5 hours would miss the start of, but not so late that those of us who have to get up super early the next day couldn't stay awake for (10 pm). No, 9 pm seemed the perfect compromise, the ideal hour for such a thought-provoking, complex, and challenging series.

I can understand why ABC would shift Lost behind the return of ratings powerhouse Grey's Anatomy. Doing so forms a juggernaut of a three-hour block of first-run programming that includes Ugly Betty at 8 pm, Grey's at 9 pm, and Lost at 10 pm, a lineup which will launch on April 24th and run for five weeks straight to the end of May sweeps.

But will the audience of Grey's soapy romantic entanglements really gel with Lost's more obsessive fan base? Does ABC expect Lost do experience an uptick in ratings post-Grey's or will it find less viewers in the more challenging 10 pm timeslot?

That's, ultimately, what concerns me. Not that the fate of the series is in jeopardy (ABC has already renewed the series for the 2008-09 season and the 2009-10 season), but that it will dent the momentum Lost has in its fourth season as it moves to yet another timeslot.

Still, one thing is for certain: I'll be watching Lost, no matter where ABC slots this series.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Survivor: Micronesia--Fans Vs. Favorites (CBS); My Name is Earl (NBC); Smallville (CW); Lost (ABC); American Idol (FOX)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); Celebrity Apprentice (NBC); Supernatural (CW); Lost (ABC); Don't Forget the Lyrics (FOX)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); Lipstick Jungle (NBC); Eli Stone (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Lost.

Missed last week's episode of Lost ("The Economist")? Here's your chance to catch it again before this season's fourth episode at 9 pm!

8 pm: Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on BBC America.

Season Four of the original UK Kitchen Nightmares begins tonight. On this week's installment ("The Curry Lounge"), Gordon Ramsay heads to Nottingham, where he attempts to save a once-busy Bollywood-themed Indian restaurant from closing. Will he succeed? Find out tonight. (A hint to those with some major DVR conflicts: the episode also airs at 5 pm and 10 pm PT AND at 11 pm ET.)

9 pm: Lost.

On tonight's episode ("Eggtown"), Kate attempts to pry information out of hostage Miles, a move which could jeopardize her standing with Locke and Sawyer. Plus, a flash-forward featuring Freckles herself, Kate, reveals her newfound celebrity status.

"Gossip Girl" Moves to Monday in CW's Schedule "Experiment"

Following the networks' lead, netlet CW has announced sweeping changes to its midseason schedule in an effort to combat the lack of first-run scripted programming which is currently plaguing all of broadcast television.

Along with several launches, the CW plans to shift its long-standing Monday night comedy block to Sundays and move freshman dramas Gossip Girl and Reaper to new nights.

The netlet will launch the second season of trashy reality competition series Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious on February 18th, bring One Tree Hill back to the lineup, and launch new seasons of Beauty and the Geek and America's Next Top Model. Reality series Farmer Wants a Wife will likely be held until after the season finales of ANTM and Pussycat Dolls.

Everybody Hates Chris, Aliens in America, Girlfriends, and The Game will shift to Sundays and take over for freshman drama Life is Wild, which completed airing its initial 13-episode order. (Don't look for it to return.)

"We are really trying to take advantage of admittedly a very changed schedule now because of the strike," Kelly Kahl, SVP of program operations at CBS, told The Hollywood Reporter. "With the strike, we have an interesting opportunity to experiment, and with the nice stability from our reality shows, we can get a look at how some of these [scripted] shows do in other time periods."

So without further ado, here's a look at the CW's unveiled midseason schedule.

Mondays:

8-9 pm: Gossip Girl (Beginning January 28th)
9-10 pm: Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious (Beginning February 18th)

Tuesdays:

8-9 pm: Reaper (Beginning January 15th)
8-9 pm: Beauty and the Geek (Beginning March 11th)
9-10 pm: One Tree Hill

Wednesdays (Beginning February 20th):

8-10 pm: America's Next Top Model
9-10 pm: Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious (Repeats)

Thursdays:

8-9 pm: Smallville
9-10 pm: Reaper (Beginning February 28th)

Sundays (Beginning February 10th):

7-7:30 pm: CW Now
7:30-8 pm: Everybody Hates Chris (Repeats)
8-8:30 pm: Everybody Hates Chris
8:30-9 pm: Aliens in America
9-9:30 pm: Girlfriends
9:30-10 pm: The Game

As for the decision to shift Gossip Girl--which will be in repeats after its final first-run episode airs this week--to Mondays, Kahl said it was an effort to introduce the series to new viewers and take it out of American Idol's firing line. "I don't think anyone's expecting miracles in terms of running series repeats, but at the same point there's a unique opportunity to get some new eyeballs on it," said Kahl. "There's great buzz and a great reaction to Gossip Girl -- now we just want to grow the audience a bit. The Wednesday night competition is tough, and it will get tougher with American Idol moving in."

Stay tuned.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: How I Met Your Mother/The Big Bang Theory (CBS); American Gladiators (NBC); Everybody Hates Chris/Aliens in America (CW); Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann (ABC; 8-10 pm)

9 pm: Two and a Half Men/Rules of Engagement (CBS); Deal or No Deal (NBC); Girlfriends/The Game (CW)

10 pm: CSI: Miami (CBS); Medium (NBC); October Road (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

10 pm: No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain on Travel Channel.

Just in time for the new year, it's a brand new season of No Reservations on the Travel Channel. In tonight's installment, Tony travels to Singapore, where he samples some chicken rice (a local favorite) and visits a reflexologist for a traditional foot massage.

Skull and Bones: New Eps of "Bones" in April; Sneak Peek of "Sarah Connor"

Bad news for fans of FOX's forensic drama Bones.

No, before the letter-writing campaigns begin (complete with massive mountains of Paul Smith striped socks being sent to FOX executives, no doubt), the series hasn't been canceled... but fans of the drama, currently in its third season, will have to wait quite a while for new episodes.

FOX has once again tweaked its midseason schedule and announced that, in addition to a berth on Friday evenings, Bones will pop up on the Monday night lineup at 8 pm, beginning in April.

While the above is hardly reason for concern, it's the fact that FOX is pushing the remaining four produced episodes of Bones, which were meant to air during February sweeps, to April 28th.

Which means that anyone waiting for another fix of Brennan and Booth is going to have to cool their heels for quite some time. It also means that FOX is dead serious about digging their heels in for the long term, preparing for the eventuality that the strike will not end in time to get the 2007-08 season back on track...

In other FOX programming news, Terminator fans can get a sneak peek at the pilot for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, starring Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker, Summer Glau, and Richard T Jones over at Yahoo, beginning tonight at 9 pm PT/midnight ET.

Personally, I was let down by the pilot when I saw it in early May, so I am curious to see if there have been any significant changes since then... But I will admit that I am curious to see how they manage to replace Owain Yeoman (The Nine) with Garret Dillahunt (No Country for Old Men) after the pilot episode...