Channel Surfing: Aaron Bids Bye-Bye on "Gossip Girl," Cavanagh Returns to "Scrubs," HBO Gets "Hung," and More

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing.

Those of us who loathed John Patrick Amedori's Aaron Rose on the CW's Gossip Girl have reason to celebrate today. The CW has confirmed that the December 8th episode that saw Serena heading off to Buenos Aires with Aaron will be the character's last appearance on the series. Whew. So what went wrong? "It was the facial hair," says Show Tracker's Enid Portuguez. I have to agree but I'd also add greasy hair and personality bypass. (Los Angeles Times)

Tom Cavanagh has confirmed that he will return to ABC's Scrubs this season as Dan, the screw-up brother of J.D. (Zach Braff), in an episode filmed in September that also sees the return of previous guest stars Amy Smart and Nicole Sullivan. Scrubs launches its final season on January 6th on ABC. (TV Guide)

Matt Lanter (Heroes) has been cast in a multiple-episode story arc on the CW's 90210, where he will play bad boy Liam, a potential love interest for AnnaLynne McCord's Naomi. Lanter's first episode is slated to air in February. (People)

HBO has ordered ten episodes of Thomas Jane-led dark comedy Hung, about a well-endowed high school basketball coach who puts his gifts to use as a gigolo. Series, created by Dmitry Lipkin (The Riches) and Colette Burson and directed by Alexander Payne (Election), is being eyed for a possible June launch. In addition to Jane, Hung also stars Jane Adams, Sianoa Smit-McPhee and Charlie Saxton. (Hollywood Reporter)

ABC has handed out a pilot order for An American Family, a mockumentary-style single-camera comedy about three families living in the same suburban neighborhood, a traditional one with a a working dad, a stay-at-home mom, and three kids; another with a 60-year-old man who becomes a stepfather after marrying a much younger Colombian single mother; and a gay couple who have adopted a Vietnamese baby. Project, from 20th Century Fox Television, is written and executive produced by Steven Levitan and Christoper Lloyd, who recently created FOX's short-lived comedy Back to You. (Hollywood Reporter)

Party Down, the new Starz comedy series from Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas , has announced its cast, which includes Ken Marino (Veronica Mars), Adam Scott (Tell Me You Love Me), Jane Lynch (Role Models), Martin Starr (Freaks and Geeks), Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars), and Lizzy Caplan (True Blood). Series, about a Los Angeles catering team comprised of Hollywood wannabes each hoping for their big break, will launch in March as a companion to comedy Head Cases. (via press release)

James Badge Dale (The Pacific) has been cast as the lead in AMC's untitled Jason Horwitch political thriller pilot opposite Miranda Richardson, Christopher Evan Welch, and Lauren Hodges. Dale will play Will Travers, a gifted analyst at a national think tank who discovers that his employers are not quite who they claim to be. Pilot, from Warner Horizon, will be directed by Allen Coulter (Damages). (Hollywood Reporter)

Sci Fi Channel has signed a new deal with Ghost Hunters creator Craig Piligian, under which the cabler will order six episodes of a college edition of the series (tentatively known as Ghost Hunters: New Generation), a sixth season of Ghost Hunters, a second season of Ghost Hunters International, and an undetermined new series to launch in 2010 that is separate from this franchise.

Comedy Central has ordered six episodes of scripted dating comedy Secret Girlfriend, based on a series of Web shorts on Fremantle's Atomicwedgietv.com. Series, from executive producer/showrunner Eric Weinberg, will be recast for linear television and is likely to launch in late 2009. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: Cherry Wants Four More Seasons of "Desperate Housewives," John Glover to Play Sylar's Dad, Fuller Talks "Heroes," and More

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing.

Mark Cherry announced that he would like to continue ABC's Desperate Housewives through 2013. While Cherry is signed on to executive produce the ABC drama through its seventh season and ABC has only committed so far to the current fifth season, there is currently no deal in place for any additional seasons beyond that. Cherry announced his intentions to keep Desperate Housewives on the air for nine seasons (rather than the seven he previously discussed) during a cast and crew celebration yesterday. "We've been talking with the studio and the network about the conceptual possibilities of additional seasons," said a source close to the situation, "but it's still dependent on a lot of things like cast willingness, ratings, etc... It sure seems like it could happen!" Yes, but four more seasons? (E! Online)

"I think the goal for everybody is to put a face back on the drama." Pushing Daisies creator/executive producer Bryan Fuller talks with Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello about his trip back to NBC's Heroes, where the series went wrong, and what he intends to do to help fix the sagging series. So what should fans expect? "People will die," said Fuller. "And some will return. Matt’s wife [Janice] comes back. We’ll find out what happens when you have a superbaby. We're also going to tell fewer stories per episode. We're going to limit it to three or four with one big one that you can wrap the stories around. We're altering the structure of the show so that there's a very clear A story that takes up a larger percentage of the show so that that story gets traction." (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Speaking of Heroes, John Glover (Smallville) has been cast on the struggling NBC drama, where he'll play the father of Zachary Quinto's Sylar. "When Sylar meets his father, he's going to see a path ahead of him that he doesn't want to take," an insider tells Michael Ausiello. "He has a lot more in common with his father than he realized." (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Looking for some more Fringe to tide you over until new episodes air next year? Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker has a round-up of all the Fringe-related websites available, from Massive Dynamics to Glowing Monkeys. (Los Angeles Times)

Tori Spelling is said to once again be in talks to appear on CW's 90210. Her storyline (and salary) is still under discussion but Donna Martin could be turning up this spring, possibly for one of the episodes that former 90210 cast member Jason Priestley is set to direct. (E! Online)

HBO is slated to air a live telecast of Will Ferrell's Broadway show You're Welcome America: A Final Night With George Bush. No word on when the pay cabler will air the special broadcast to be directed by Marty Callner; Ferrell's play begins preview performances on January 20th and runs through March 15th. (Variety)

Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) has been cast as the lead in Lifetime's four-hour miniseries Maneater, based on Gigi Levangie Grazer's book about a socialite who has a near breakdown when she realizes she's single and in her thirties and set her sights on bagging a Hollywood producer as a husband. Project, from Sony Pictures Television, will be directed by Timothy Busfield from a script by Suzanne Martin (Frasier).

Former FX marketing chief Chris Carlisle has been named president of fox21, the low-cost programming division of 20th Century Fox Television responsible for such series as Beauty and the Geek and Sons of Anarchy. He'll report to Dana Walden and Gary Newman. (TV Week)

DirecTV's 1o1 Network has dug up the corpse of ABC's canceled 2000 drama Wonderland and will air the two episodes that ran on ABC as well as six unaired installments, beginning January 14th. (Variety)

Showtime has ordered a pilot presentation for reality series Way Out, in which closeted gays reveal their sexual orientation during a group meeting that includes friends and family, from executive producer Bryn Freedman (Intervention). (Hollywood Reporter)

Anthony Pellicano's wife is pitching a reality series with Zoo Prods. following her and her three daughters as they cope with a life without Pellicano, who was found guilty of racketeering and conspiracy earlier this year. (Variety)

Susie Castillo (TRL) has been named co-host for NBC's midseason dance competition series Superstars of Dance, alongside former Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley. Series is set to launch on Sunday, January 4th at 9 pm. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: Cliffhanger-Less Ending for "Pushing Daisies," Brooke Smith on "Grey's" Firing, Sonya Walger is the Constant for "Flash Forward"

Welcome to your Wednesday morning television briefing.

Pushing Daisies fans can at least look forward to one thing: closure. The series finale was said to contain a cliffhanger ending for our girl Chuck but no more, according to Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello, who learned that Bryan Fuller and Co. were able to tack on a different opening and ending to the episode in post. "We're doing a lot of work in post to shape it so that it is satisfying for the audience," said Fuller. Ausiello also reports that there are rumors swirling that ABC may burn off the final three episodes in a single night. I don't know about you but I'm already missing Daisies. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Looks like she's always the constant: Lost's Sonya Walger has been cast as the female lead in ABC's drama pilot Flash Forward. She'll play Olivia, the wife of newly sober FBI agent Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes), who is troubled by the vision she has of her future, one in which she shares her life with another man. Also joining the cast: Christine Woods (Welcome to the Captain) who will play computer-savvy FBI agent Janis Hawk, who unearths a vitally important clue about the worldwide blackouts. (Hollywood Reporter)

Fired Grey's Anatomy staffer Brooke Smith says she has "no hard feelings" about her recent dismissal from the ABC drama last month and is currently writing a pilot script with Deadwood creator David Milch. "There's no hard feelings," said Smith. "I have other projects now, so it is what it is." (US Magazine)

A new batch of Battlestar Galactica webisodes entitled "The Face of the Enemy" kicks off this Friday at 9 am PT. After that, the nine remaining installments will roll out each Monday and Wednesday through January 12th... just in time for the launch of Season 4.5 of Battlestar Galactica on Sci Fi on January 16th. As for the plot? "'The Face of the Enemy' follows the gripping action and suspense inside a stranded Raptor carrying a group of passengers including Lieutenant Felix Gaeta (Alessandro Juliani) and a Number 8 Cylon (Grace Park). When passengers suddenly start dying one by one in alarming ways, fear, panic and chaos erupt within the confines of the small ship, as they come to realize there is a killer among them. Michael Hogan (Colonel Tigh) and Brad Dryborough (Lieutenant Hoshi) also star."

Could ABC Studios and ABC be the next corporate merger, following NBC's recent reorganization of a joint studio-network content team? ABC Studios head Mark Pedowitz's contract is said to expire in February and rumors are swirling that the Alphabet might be ripe for reorganization. Possible plan could involve merging development teams (as they did at NBC and Universal Media Studios) and shifting oversight of both the network and studio to Steve McPherson. One should note that there was a time when the two units were combined and they were only separated when McPherson left ABC Studios to run ABC Entertainment. (Variety, TV Week)

Speaking of the recent NBC announcements, panelists at yesterday's HRTS luncheon were quick to twist the knife while speaking of the upcoming changes at the Peacock. "I think it's wonderful that NBC has completed its transformation into AM radio," said James Duff, creator of TNT's The Closer. Chuck Lorre wondered if there were in fact four major networks anymore. Ouch. (Variety)

Brenda Walsh won't be getting killed off anytime soon on CW's 90210. At least, according to series star Shenae Grimes. “They’re not killing off her character,” said Grimes of Shannen Doherty's Brenda. Dustin Milligan, for his part, agreed. “I don’t think the CW would wanna kill anybody,” said Milligan. “[Brenda’s] definitely not going like that." (E! Online)

Laurence Fishburne talks about joining the cast of CBS' CSI, beginning tomorrow. Fishburne's character, criminal pathologist Dr. Raymond Langston, will be replacing William Petersen's Gil Grissom on the series. Petersen is set to depart the series on January 15th. "I'm not fooling myself -- I am filling the shoes of a man who is irreplaceable," said Fishburne. "Once I recognized that, then I knew exactly what my responsibility was. My purpose is to serve the show. That's one of the most important things to remember. This is not about me. This is about the audience. What's really wonderful is that the writing team has managed to introduce my character while also giving Grissom a beautiful send-off. The way he exits the series is very smart." (Los Angeles Times)

Martha Plimpton (ER), Kiele Sanchez (Lost), Eddie Shin (Gilmore Girls), Nate Torrence (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip), and Dreama Walker (Gossip Girl) have joined the cast of Showtime's comedy pilot The End of Steve. Project stars Matthew Perry (Friends) as a self-involved local talk show host who finds himself on the road to redemption. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: Neve Campbell Gets Charitable with NBC's "Philanthropist," CBS Adds "Harper's Island," CW Announces "Reaper" Return Date, and More

Welcome to your Wednesday morning television briefing. Let's get to the headlines, shall we?

Neve Campbell (Party of Five) will return to network television with NBC's midseason drama The Philanthropist, starring James Purefoy and Jesse Martin, about a renegade billionaire who uses his wealth to help people in need. The former Scream queen will play the wife of Teddy Rist's business partner and BFF Phillip (Martin), who runs the men's philanthropic organization and finds herself drawn to Rist (Purefoy). (Hollywood Reporter)

ABC released some new footage from the Season Five premiere of Lost. (Televisionary)

Samantha Who? (and former Ugly Betty) writer Marco Pennette has three projects in development, including ABC drama pilot The Romeos, about four men in the 1960s who eventually become the country's biggest pop stars, which he'll write and executive produce with Brad Meltzer and Steve Cohen (Jack and Bobby), and ABC comedy Straight Up and Dirty, based on Stephanie Klein's autobiographical book about recovering after a traumatic divorce. (Variety)

ABC has announced launch dates for its midseason dramas Cupid, Castle, and The Unusuals. (Televisionary)

Little Britain USA will return for a second season on HBO and BBC. (BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat)

Horror-themed reality competition series 13: Fear Is Real, from executive producers Sam Raimi and Jay Bienstock, will air Wednesdays at 8 pm on the CW, beginning January 7th. Fear will take over the timeslot from America's Next Top Model while it is between cycles. In other CW programming news, Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill will return with new episodes on January 5th and 90210 and Privileged will return on January 6th. And look for repeats of 90210 to take over Stylista's Wednesdays at 9 pm timeslot in January. (TV Week)

In other CW news, Season Two of dramedy Reaper will kick off on March 7th at 9 pm; the thirteen episodes filmed for the series' sophomore season will air uninterrupted this spring. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

CBS is launching thriller series Harper's Island on April 9th, where it will air on Thursdays at 10 pm following the run of current timeslot holder Eleventh Hour. Harper's Island will air its serialized story over the course of thirteen episodes... which will run until July 2nd. The Eye will also return crime drama Flashpoint to the schedule on January 9th and will air on Fridays at 9 pm. (Variety)

Meanwhile, CBS will burn off back-to-back episodes of unscripted series Game Show in My Head--from executive producer Ashton Kutcher--on Saturday nights beginning January 3rd. (Variety, TV Week)

Craig T. Nelson (My Name is Earl) will appear in a three-episode story arc on CBS' CSI: NY, where he will play Manhattan publishing mogul Robert Parker, who happens to be a nemesis of Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise). (Hollywood Reporter)

Christine Ebersole will drop by ABC's Samantha Who?, where she'll play Amy, the "secret sister" of Samantha's mom Regina (Jean Smart)... who has used Sam's amnesia as a way to erase her sister from their family. She'll appear in the fourteenth episode of the current season. (TV Guide)

Disney Channel has ordered six additional episodes of Hannah Montana, bringing the Season Three total to 30 episodes. (Variety)

NBC will be airing two-hour editions of Celebrity Apprentice on Sunday nights beginning in February, with an announcement about the decision to come as early as this week. The decision would appear to be financial, as it would give the Peacock a way to cull some programming costs; NBC would then have five hours worth of unscripted series per week this spring with two-hour Biggest Loser: Couples on deck and Howie Do It to air on Fridays. “Donald has always felt the boardrooms were too short, and I think he’s right,” said executive producer Mark Burnett. “Right now, there’s really only about nine minutes of footage that we use and the boardroom (scenes) go on for hours sometimes. The problem has been trying to squeeze it all in. Every season we go through the struggle of cutting the show down." (TV Week)

Dick Clark Prods. is developing an unscripted series based on the popular "Chicken Soup for the Soul" franchise of books. (Hollywood Reporter)

VH1 has ordered eight episodes of unscripted series Tough Love, which follows a group of women, chosen to live together in a house and trained in the art of meeting Mr. Right via a "Tough Love Boot Camp." Project comes from Flower Films, High Noon Entertainment, and executive producers Nancy Juvoven and Drew Barrymore; Steve Ward will host the series. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: Brenda DeathWatch on "90210," HBO Tackles Sam Kinison, John Noble, and More

Welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing. I'm still laughing about last night's unintentionally hilarious episode of Gossip Girl, which in true Thanksgiving spirit, featured seemingly mortal enemies being polite to one another and everyone refusing to acknowledge the pink elephant in the room: namely Little J's ghastly "makeover." (Shudder.)

Are the producers of CW's 90210 update going to do the unthinkable and kill off toothy Brenda Walsh? Fans are in an uproar about a possible rumor that Brenda (Shannen Doherty) will contract a terminal illness on her latest batch of 90210 episodes and, well, die. While some are livid about the potential storyline, Jason Priestley seemed open to the possibility of Brenda dying on-screen. "This is all news to me, but this is fantastic," Priestly told Access Hollywood. "That is going to be awesome. No they haven't given me anything yet. I don't even know if the episode is written yet, but I love all those rumors. That is juicy stuff." (Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker)

Unhappy people watch more TV than people who describe themselves as "happy," according to a new report from the University of Maryland. Hmmm, I watch quite a lot of television and consider myself to be a pretty happy person. Do you agree with these findings? (Reuters)

Showtime is developing an untitled comedy series with executive producers Seth Rogen and writing partner Evan Goldberg (Superbad) about three twenty-something friends who navigate life and friendship while running an adult store. Rogen and Goldberg's assistant Matthew Bass will write the script and co-executive produce the project. (Variety)

Janina Gavankar (The L Word) has departed Grey's Anatomy after just two episodes. Gavankar played intern Lisa; insiders say that she was disappointed with how small her role ended up being on the ensemble drama and did not receive any guarantee that her character would get more screen time in the future. She's also allegedly circling a larger role in USA drama pilot White Collar with Matthew Bomer, Tim DeKay, and Tiffani Thiessen. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Mad Men's Patrick Fischler will guest star in an episode of Lost when the series returns in January. No word on who the former Jimmy Barrett will be playing but I have to say that I hope it's in a vintage Dharma video because Fischler is so damn perfect as a period cut-up. (Chicago Tribune's The Watcher)

NBC is developing a buddy comedy series based on Nick Adams' book "Making Friends with Black People," which will focus on race relations in America vis-a-vis the friendship of two men--one African-American, the other white--who don't always agree on their viewpoints. The timing of the script order seems to captialize on the election of America's first African-American president; project will be written and executive produced by Mara Brock Akil (Girlfriends) and Salim Akil (The Game). (Variety)

Sci Fi Wire has a new Q&A with John Noble, who plays the deliciously zany Walter Bishop on FOX's Fringe. Look for Walter and Peter's relationship to deepen over the next few episodes, Walter to support Olivia in a paternal manner, and for some added shades of vulnerability when Walter returns to the mental hospital in tonight's episode. (Sci Fi Wire)

Sarah Baron Cohen's Bruno character disrupting shooting on an episode of NBC's Medium recently when he continually interrupted a courtroom scene featuring Patricia Arquette and was escorted from the set by security. Whether or not the altercation was in fact captured on tape remains to be seen. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

HBO is developing a biopic about the life and death of comedian Sam Kinison to star Dan Fogler (Balls of Fury). Directed by Tom Shadyac, the biopic will be based on memoir "Brother Sam: the Short, Spectacular Life of Sam Kinison," by Bill Kinison and Steve Delsohn. As for who will write the telepic, look no further than American Splendor writer/directors Shari Spring Berman and Robert Pulcini. (Variety)

Fremantle is in talks to acquire production company Original Prods., founded by Thom Beers, which produces such reality staples as Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers, and Axemen, among others. Fremantle previously picked up international distribution rights to several of Original's series in August and this deal, said to be in the just under $100 million range, would expand Beers' relationship with the distributor. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: Post-Election Day Tidbits

Welcome to your Wednesday morning television briefing. While the post-election television-related news is pretty scant today (though I am filled with hope at the prospect of change under President Elect Obama... while being pretty disappointed in the still undecided tough race for Prop 8 in California), there are a few tidbits to get through.

As the networks prepare to announce their full midseason schedules, many believe that some of our favorite series are in serious jeopardy. Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, Lipstick Jungle, Eli Stone, and Life are all said to be on the bubble for midseason. Pushing Daisies' cancellation would make me absolutely heartbroken but the writing is starting to appear on the wall for this sophisticated and unique series. Sigh. (TV by the Numbers)

Nikki Blonsky will guest star on ABC's Ugly Betty, where she will play an assistant at Mode's rival publication, Elle, and will make an offer of friendship to Betty, though naturally she'll have ulterior motives. (TV Guide)

Los Angeles Times' Denise Martin chats with 90210's new showrunner Rebecca Kirchner (Gilmore Girls), brought onto the struggling series less than two months ago. She talks about fixing the character of Annie, last night's slumber party, and pregnancy storylines. (Los Angeles Times)

TNT has cast Logan Marshall-Green (Traveler), Omari Hardwick (The Guardian), and Nicki Aycox (Supernatural) in drama pilot The Line, from executive producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman, director/executive producer Danny Cannon, and writer Doug Jung. Project follows a squad of undercover LAPD officers. Elsewhere at TNT, Scott Tony Curran (Miami Vice) has joined the cast of drama pilot Bunker Hill from Warner Horizon. (Hollywood Reporter)

Eriq La Salle will return to NBC's ER before the series finale, just not in front of the camera. The former ER star will direct one of long-running series' final episodes that is scheduled to air in February. (Variety)

CBS has ordered a sixth Jesse Stone telepic entitled Jesse Stone: No Remorse, which will follow the franchise's latest offering, which has yet to secure an official airdate. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: CBS Breaks Up with "Ex List," New "Daisies" for ABC This Week, Katee Sackhoff, "90210," and More

Welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing.

Hope you weren't too attached to CBS' The Ex List. The Eye has pulled the low-performing drama off of its schedule, effective immediately, and will fill the Friday night timeslot with repeats of NCIS for now. Decision comes on the heels of yet another batch of low ratings for the drama (5.3 million viewers and 1.5/5) and the departure of showrunner Diane Ruggiero. No word on whether production will continue (series is currently shooting its eleventh episode) or whether CBS will air the produced episodes later down the line. My thought is that they won't be going to prom any time soon. (Variety)

Barack Obama's presidential campaign has decided not to enlist a full broadcast regime on Wednesday night, opting not to purchase the 8 pm air time on ABC, which will instead air an original episode of Pushing Daisies instead. I'm hoping that the fact that Daisies is one of the few series that will air original episodes in that timeslot (other than the CW's Top Model) will mean some more eyeballs tuning in. Fingers crossed. (Variety)

Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica), recently cast as the lead in NBC's procedural crime drama Lost and Found, will appear in an upcoming episode of NBC's Law & Order, which returns to the lineup on November 5th. (Chicago Tribune's The Watcher)

Writer/director Luke Greenfield (The Girl Next Door) has set up two projects at the networks: ABC comedy My Mom is Hot, about a man whose newly divorced mother reenters the dating scene, from writer Duncan Birmingham (Greenfield will direct and executive produce with his mom, Beth Greenfield), and FOX comedy Broke Friends, about a naive Midwestern kid who moves to New York, where he moves in with two con men. The latter project comes from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia writers Sonny Lee and Patrick Walsh; Greenfield will again direct and executive produce. (Congrats, Sonny!) (Variety)

Megan Dodds (Spooks, a.k.a. MI-5) has signed a talent holding deal with 20th Century Fox, under which she will star in an upcoming one-hour series. Dodds recently starred in the courtroom dramedy pilot Courtroom K for the studio. (Hollywood Reporter)

Jennifer Lopez's Nuyorican Prods. have signed a first-look deal with Universal Media Studios, under which they will create a variety of TV projects for the studio. Company had previous sold a TV version of film Maid in Manhattan to ABC and Amigas to Disney Channel. (Variety)

Comedy Central has ordered an 11-minute pilot presentation for Secret Girlfriend, based on Fremantle's web series of the same name, about a twenty-something guy and his friends "'living the dream' in the pursuit of sex, beer and more sex.” (Broadcasting and Cable)

UK residents will be able to catch the antics of a new generation of Beverly Hills denizens next year: Channel 4 has outbit rival networks ITV, Five, and Living to acquire 90210, which it will air on C4 and E4 early next year. (Variety)

ABC Family has given a pilot order to drama Perfect 10, from writer/executive producer Holly Sorenson, about a group of teen gymnasts training for a shot at the Olympics. (TV Week)

Nina Lederman has been hired by Lifetime as SVP, series programming and development; she was previously the president of Joe Roth TV. (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: NBC Orders More "Knight Rider," Brody and Tudyk Find "Good Vibes" at FOX, "Fringe," and More

Welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing.

NBC has given a full season pickup to Knight Rider, bringing this season's total to 22 episodes despite sagging ratings. And that's all I want to say on the subject. (E! Online)

CW has ordered a few additional scripts for freshman drama series Privileged, which has struggled to find ratings though has shown significant improvement in recent weeks (it's up 22 percent) despite softening numbers for its lead-in, 90210. Should the trend continue, it seems fairly certain that Privileged will get a full season order. (Hollywood Reporter)

One of my main suggestions for improving FOX's Fringe involved giving its supporting cast some real dimension, especially Jasika Nicole's Astrid Farnsworth. Nicole speaks with TV Guide and reveals in this interview that she doesn't know Astrid's backstory either, other than "Astrid majored in music" and is "really, really smart." Not quite the three-dimensional backstory I was hoping for... though look for Astrid to become slightly more integral to the plot in episode 107. (TV Guide)

While David Tennant hasn't walked away from Doctor Who, rumors continue to swirl about possible replacements. Yet another candidate has emerged as a potential new Doctor, should Tennant decide not to pilot the TARDIS again. Paterson Joseph (Peep Show) may be the first black actor to play the Doctor though no one from production have in fact confirmed that Joseph is being considered for the role. He most recently appeared on screen in BBC's Jekyll mini-series, which was written by Steven Moffat, Doctor Who's inbound executive producer/head writer. Coincidence? You decide. (Sci Fi Wire)

Ricky Gervais has indicated that his short-lived BBC/HBO series Extras might not be over yet and that he wants to produce "another Christmas special" of the series, despite protests from co-creator Steven Merchant. "I think it would be funny to see Andy trying to make it in Hollywood," said Gervais in an interview. "The problem is, I don't think Stephen Merchant wants to do it. But I reckon he will if I insist!" (Digital Spy)

Adam Brody (The O.C.), Josh Gad (Back to You), Debi Mazar (Entourage), Olivia Thirlby (Juno), Alan Tudyk (Firefly), and Jake Busey (Broken) have been cast in FOX's animated comedy pilot presentation Good Vibes. Project, from writer/director David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express), 20th Century Fox Television, and Good Humor TV, is under consideration for spring and centers on two high school surfers who live near the beach. Cast will table read the script in November. (Variety)

In other FOX news, the network has signed a talent holding deal with Broadway star Kathryn Hahn, who starred on NBC's Crossing Jordan for six seasons. Under the deal, the network will cast her in either a comedy or drama project, though look for the talented thespian to most likely turn up in a comedy or dramedy. (Hollywood Reporter)

And Vince Vaughn has signed a deal to develop and executive produce a single-camera comedy pilot about the lives of young men who are just out of college and discovering truths about the real world. Pilot will be written by Jim and Steve Armogida (Grounded for Life). (Variety)

Bridget Moynahan (Six Degrees) will star opposite Donnie Wahlberg in Bunker Hill, Jerry Bruckheimer's drama pilot for TNT about crime and corruption in the Bunker Hill neighborhood of Boston. Wahlberg (Runaway) will play Mike Moriarty, a cop who grew up in Boston who returns to his home town to protect the streets of his beloved city but clashes with his sister-in-law Erin (Moynahan) who has a love/hate relationship with Mike since the death of her cop husband. (Hollywood Reporter)

More casting announcements: Kevin Sussman (Ugly Betty) has been cast as the lead in FOX's comedy pilot presentation Sincerely, Ted L. Nancy; his attachment has lifted the cast contingency on the project. Jessalyn Gilsig (Nip/Tuck) has signed on as a regular on FOX's dramedy pilot Glee from Ryan Murphy; she'll play Terri, the put-upon wife of Will (Matthew Morrison), a Spanish teacher who attempts to resurrect the high school's glee club. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: "Star Trek," Will Arnett, "The Mentalist," David E. Kelley Briefs NBC, and More

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing.

While not totally TV-related, you can see a sneak peek of the cover of the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly (which hits newsstands tomorrow) to the right, depicting Heroes' Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine as Spock and Kirk in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek. The issue also features an in-depth interview with Abrams, in which he talks about Star Trek, his YouTube-fueled feud with William Shatner, and also features quotes from Leonard Nimoy and Quinto about the new film.

Are you GOB Bluth? FOX is said to be in final negotiations for a talent/development deal with Will Arnett (Arrested Development); under the deal, FOX would develop a comedy vehicle for Arnett or cast him in a pre-existing project at the network. Arnett, who is currently recurring as Devon Banks on NBC's 30 Rock, also stars (or his voice does, anyway) in FOX's upcoming animated comedy series Sit Down, Shut Up. (TV Week)

Not such good news, however, for another Arrested Development alum. Jessica Walter has been downgraded from series regular to recurring status on CW's 90210, where she plays boozy faded actress Tabitha. The rationale is said to be budget-related, though Jessica Lowndes (who plays irritatingly shrill Adrianna) has been promoted to regular. As much as I love Walter, I have to say that her talents are being tragically wasted here and I hated the way that the writers trotted her out to utter a few humorless lines every couple of episodes. Let's hope she finds some more challenging material quickly. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

CBS has handed out a full season order to Warner Bros. Television's drama The Mentalist, this season's top new drama in viewers and adults 25-54. Series, which stars Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman, and Amanda Righetti, has averaged 16.14 million viewers so far. (Futon Critic)

NBC has issued a series order for a new untitled legal drama from David E. Kelley and Warner Bros. Television (Kelley moved to a new deal at Warners earlier this year), the first scripted deal that Kelley has struck at NBC since LA Law in the 1980s. Series will be "set in a Chicago law firm and revolves around an aging partner and his daughter who works with him as well as a host of eccentric characters around them." Should the pilot not go to series, NBC is on the hook with what's said to be a multi-million dollar penalty. (Variety, Hollywood Reporter)

In other Peacock news, NBC has ordered three additional scripts for midseason drama Medium, which is slated to return to the lineup this winter. However, insiders have indicated that Medium may return as soon as this fall. (Hollywood Reporter)

James Strong will direct the Doctor Who Easter Special, slated to air in the UK in 2009. The Easter Special was co-written by Russell T. Davies and Gareth Roberts. Strong has previously helmed several episodes of Doctor Who, including "The Impossible Planet," "Daleks In Manhattan," "Voyage Of The Damned," and "Partners In Crime." (Digital Spy)

Jason Priestley will guest star on an upcoming episode of My Name Is Earl, where he'll play a character named... Brandon, "Earl's better-looking and more successful cousin, whom we first meet in a flashback to Earl and Joy's first wedding anniversary. On that memorable day, viewers will learn, Earl discovered that prior to his marriage, Joy had a steamy affair with his cousin." (TV Guide)

In other casting news, Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin will guest star on CW's Gossip Girl, where she won't play herself but rather created specifically for her by the series' writers. Liukin wasn't sure whether her character would be appearing in just one episode or in several. (Reuters)
Desperate Housewives' Gale Harold is in critical condition following a motorcycle accident yesterday but is expected to recover. Harold plays Susan's boyfriend Jackson on the current season of Desperate Housewives. Executive producer Marc Cherry acknowledged that some rewrites would have to be done in light of Harold's accident. (New York Times)

Spike has renewed reality series DEA and ordered two new series: nine-episode Deadliest Warrior, which features computer-rendered bouts between historical fighters from Morningstar Entertainment, and ten one-hour episodes of Surviving Disaster, in which former Navy SEAL Cade Coutley offers viewers tips on how to survive various disasters such as earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and plane crashes, from Wall to Wall Media. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: Starz Orders New Rob Thomas Series, Doherty Returns to "90210," More "Gossip Girl,"

Welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing. I hope you all tuned in to watch the third episode of Chuck last night as well as a pretty soggy installment of Gossip Girl in which the laws of college applications, logic, and, well, sense of any kind sort of went out the window. But at least the kids looked fabulous, right?

Rob Thomas is proving himself to be quite prolific, in the post-Veronica Mars universe. Pay cabler Starz has ordered ten episodes of half-hour comedy series Party Down, written by the Veronica Mars creator, who is set to executive produce with John Enbom, Paul Rudd, and Dan Etheridge. (Enbom will act as the series' showrunner.) Series follows the lives of six Hollywood wannabes as they attempt to pursue their dreams while trying to get by day by day with their shared catering company. Party Down will likely launch in March 2009. (Variety)

Brenda will be returning to 90210. Yep, Shannen Doherty has agreed to appear in two additional episodes of the teen soap, with the possibility that she will return for more installments at a later time. Look for Brenda to cross paths with Jennie Garth's Kelly in the series' 11th and 12th episodes, set to air next month. (Los Angeles Times)

Prince Charles has turned down an invitation to appear on Doctor Who, a fact that made outbound Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies very unhappy. (Davies called HRH "a miserable swine" for turning his nose up at the offer.) (New York Times)

Production has been shut down on Easy Money and Valentine, Inc., the two hour-long dramas produced by MRC for the CW's Sunday night block. Both series will go on a "planned" hiatus for four to six weeks in order to "give writers time to catch up on scripts." Both series are, however, expected to fulfill their 13-episode commitments and shooting will continue on the eight segments already written. (Hollywood Reporter, Variety)

Andy Richter will guest star on the current season of Bones in an episode, slated to air in January, that will follow Brennan and Booth as they work undercover as a "knife-throwing team named Buck and Wanda" at the circus. Richter will play the circus' owner and ringmaster. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Jason Jones and Samantha Bee (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) will co-write and star in an untitled CBS comedy series about the behind-the-scenes world of a celebrity chef (Jones) and the two women (one of whom will be played by Bee) who run his culinary empire. The duo have signed separate talent holding deals with CBS and CBS Paramount Network Television. (Variety)

CW has ordered two additional episodes of Gossip Girl, bringing its season total to 24 episodes. If you feel like you've read this item before, it's because the CW had ordered 24 episodes this season back in May... but then allegedly changed their mind and only ordered 22 segments but seemingly have changed their minds again. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Showtime has ordered a pilot for dark comedy The End of Steve, written by and starring Matthew Perry (Friends). Project, from Sony Pictures Television, revolves around an egomaniacal talk show host who is forced to work on an afternoon series in Rochester and seeks personal and professional redemption. (Variety)

Jonathan Prince (Cane) has signed a two-year first-look deal with CBS Paramount Network Television to develop series for cable, network, and new media. Prince already has set up an untitled medical drama at CBS about college grads who enroll in a medical school that throws its students into a teaching hospital rather than have them study. Project was co-created with Elle Johnson (Ghost Whisperer) and Fred Einsman (Private Practice). (Hollywood Reporter)

Spike has ordered six half-hour episodes of Worldwide Biggie's videogame-spoofing comedy MoCap, LLC, a mockumentary about a motion-capture studio. The network plans to launch the series--based on a series of web shorts--in January. (Variety)

Sci Fi has promoted Thomas Vitale to EVP of programming and original movies. (Variety)

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.

Quick Thought: "90210"

One quick thought about last night's episode of 90210 ("Model Behavior"), as it featured the final appearance (for now anyway) of one Brenda Walsh (a.k.a. Shannen Doherty).

Did anyone else feel that the ending--in which Brenda tearfully deleted Dylan's contact information from her mobile phone--was pretty cheesy, as well as woefully lacking in the drama department to boot?

I wished that she would have instead called Dylan and said something to the effect of "She knows," implying some sort of relationship or secret goings-on between Brenda and Dylan. (Why did he call Brenda instead of Kelly?) Some line of dialogue or action that would have at least opened the door to further developments down the road, or changed the interactions we've seen over the last few weeks between Brenda and Kelly. Having her delete his info was meaningless, especially if Luke Perry won't be appearing on the series and if Brenda won't be returning to BevHills anytime soon.

Of course, as I half-joked to my wife after watching this, I also wished that Brenda would have instead placed a call and said something like, "Move to Phase Two. Kill Kelly Taylor and Ryan Matthews."

But that might just be because I still have Chuck on the brain. And because Ryan is proving to be way too whiny for his own good.

Channel Surfing: "Pushing Daisies" Gets Dopplegangers, "90210," AMC Looks West, Denman in "Office," and More

Welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing. Hopefully all of you managed to catch a superlative season opener to NBC's Chuck and a slightly-less-than-stellar episode of CW's Gossip Girl.

Orlando Jones (Drumline), Michael Weaver (Notes from the Underbelly), and Ivana Milicevic (Casino Royale) have been cast in guest roles for a November episodes of ABC's Pushing Daisies entitled "The Norwegians," where they will play Norwegian detectives resembling our favorite troika of gumshoes Emerson, Ned, and Chuck, who leave Scandinavia in search of bigger and better mysteries to solve. Let's just hope these dopplegangers don't try to solve the mystery of how Emerson and Ned, er, solve their mysteries. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Don't hold your breath waiting for an Arrested Development feature film, fans of the Bluth clan. Michael Cera says that he's heard nothing about plans for a feature film based on the short-lived FOX comedy series. “I don't think I would want to see a movie of the series if I was a fan, anyway," said Cera, “and I don't really see a need for it if you can get the three seasons on DVD.” Ouch. I'm going to curl up with my Arrested DVDs and pretend I didn't hear that. (CinemaBlend)

David Denman's Roy is expected to return this season to NBC's The Office, where he could put a damper on the road to the altar for lovebirds Pam and Jim. According to Kristin dos Santos, Roy will appear in an episode coming up very soon in which Jim and Darryl meet up with the former Dunder Mifflin employee at a bar, where Roy reveals something that has Jim worried about Pam being away at art school... (E! Online)

Spike has announced that it has ordered a pilot for its single-camera US adaptation of British comedy series Peep Show (one of my favorities); the announcement comes on the heels of the completion of shooting on said pilot in Chicago. Peep Show follows the misadventures of two mismatched roommates, Jeremy (Rob Chester Smith) and Mark (Brad Morris). David Richardson serves as showrunner/executive producer on the project, which was directed by Dylan Kidd (Roger Dodger) from a script by the British series' creators Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong. Fingers crossed that this turns out better than, say, Spaced or Coupling. (Hollywood Reporter)

FOX has ordered a pilot presentation for animated comedy Good Vibes from writer/executive producer David Gordon Green (director of Pineapple Express) about two high school surfers who live near the beach in California. Move once again marks a different director for Green, who was once best known for his arthouse pics like Snow Angels and All the Real Girls. (Variety)

AMC is developing an untitled period western drama with Robert Duvall (Broken Trail), about the Pony Express, the pioneer mail-delivery service that lasted from 1860 to 1861. Erik Jendresen (Band of Brothers) will write the script, which will be produced by Fox Television Studios, and Richard Donner is expected to direct the pilot. (Variety)

Ellen Burstyn (Big Love) has signed on to star in Showtime drama pilot Possible Side Effects, from writer/executive producer/director Tim Robbins, about a powerful family that runs a successful pharmaceutical company. Already cast: Josh Lucas and Tim Blake Nelson. Burstyn will play the family's matriarch. (Variety)

TV Guide talks to 90210's Ryan Eggold, who plays mysteriously scruffy and yet perpetually upbeat teacher Ryan Matthews. Look for Adrianna to put the moves on his character sometime soon. (TV Guide)

Christina Moore (90210) and David Julian Hirsch (Naked Josh) will star opposite Jada Pinkett Smith in TNT drama pilot Time Heals, about a single mother who is the director of nursing at a North Carolina hospital. (Hollywood Reporter)

Tandem Communications has come aboard TNT's drama series Night and Day--starring William Fichtner, Sherry Stringfeld, and Conor O'Farrell--as international distributors and producers, along with Muse Entertainment. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: CW to Stay in "90210," HBO Renews "Entourage," Producers of "Do Not Disturb" Ask for Second Chance, and More

Welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing. I caught up on television-watching last night and finally got to watch Sunday's episode of Skins (Tony really is a manipulative sociopath, isn't he?) and watched some Season Two episodes of 30 Rock but, sigh, will have to wait to watch last night's Gossip Girl until tonight.

Netlet the CW has given a full season order to freshman drama 90210, with 22 episodes slated to air this season. “The successful addition of 90210 has taken The CW another step forward in building a cohesive schedule that defines this network as a destination for young women with shows that get our audience talking—and watching,” said president of entertainment Dawn Ostroff. "We're very excited about the chance to watch this ensemble of newcomers and familiar faces coalesce and grow together as we move forward." (Hmmm, methinks Ostroff may have just saved her job with this one.) (Variety)

In other 90210-related news, the drama has booked former Gilmore Girls and Buffy the Vampire Slayer writer Rebecca Rand Kirschner as an executive producer; she'll be overseeing the writers' room while Gabe Sachs (whom I met on Saturday and was absolutely charming) and Jeff Judah will be overseeing the day-to-day showrunning. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

ABC ordered an additional eight scripts to its upcoming animated series The Goode Family--about a family of hapless do-gooders--from King of the Hill creator Mike Judge...

... and Vince and the boys will live to see another day as HBO has renewed Entourage for a sixth season of Hollywood-based debauchery. (Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily)

The producers of FOX's multi-camera comedy Do Not Disturb have apologized "for being the perpetrators of such bad television" and have asked critics for another chance, after the network decided not to air the original pilot and instead launched the series with a subsequent episode that "created much confusion" and didn't reflect well on the overall quality of the series. Having seen both the truly awful original pilot episode, the dull-as-hotel-dishwater "Work Sex" episode, and a third equally boring episode, I can say that the sub-par quality of any of those individual episodes hangs like a dark cloud over all of them. Thanks, but no thanks. (Variety)

Tom Everett Scott (Cashmere Mafia), Regina King (24), and Arija Bareikis (Crossing Jordan) have been cast in NBC drama pilot LAPD, from Warner Bros. Television and executive producer John Wells. Scott will play Russell, a cop and father who is married to a blogger who writes about her marriage to a cop; King will play his partner Lydia. Bareikis will play a patrol cop who shares a fondness for surfing with her son. (Hollywood Reporter)

Canucks can finally get HBO... sort of. HBO is launching a pay channel in Canada as a joint venture between Astral Media and Corus Entertainment, which already air HBO content on the Movie Network and Movie Central. Due to laws which restrict foreign companies from owning or operating channels within Canada, HBO won't actually own HBO Canada but the two companies will expand their programming commitment to HBO from 100 hours per year to 300 hours. (Variety)

Kanye West has shot a half-hour pilot for Comedy Central entitled Alligator Boots that's described as "hip-hop meets the Muppets." West would produce and perform music with rapper Rhymefest; he also appears as the host of the pilot, which is under consideration for 2009. West, Rhymefest and Daniel Kellison serve as executive producers on the project, from Jackhole Prods. (Hollywood Reporter)

Lipstick Jungle didn't exactly make a splash across the pond: only 200,000 tuned in to watch Living's latest US acquisition when it launched last night. Ouch. (Digital Spy)

Stay tuned.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: NCIS (CBS); Biggest Loser: Families (NBC; 8-10 pm); 90210 (CW); Opportunity Knocks (ABC); House (FOX)

9 pm: The Mentalist (CBS); Privileged (CW); Dancing with the Stars (ABC; 9-11 pm); Fringe (FOX)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: 90210.

I'm beyond bored with this tired and underwhelming series but there's nothing else on at 8 pm these days. Sigh. On tonight's episode ("Wide Awake and Dreaming"), Ty announces his plans for an after party after the opening night of Annie's musical; Naomi can't come to terms with her parents' divorce; Brenda, Kelly, and Ryan confront Adrianna about her substance abuse; Dixon offers to help Silver backstage at the musical.

8:40-9:20 pm: Gavin & Stacey on BBC America.

If my gushing review of this bittersweet (yes, it's literally bitter AND sweet) comedy wasn't enough, why not tune in yourself to see just how wonderful the brainchild of writer/co-stars Ruth Jones and James Corden really is? On tonight's episode, Gavin and Stacey attend their respective stag and hen parties.

9 pm: Fringe.

On tonight's episode ("The Ghost Network"), the team investigates the death of bus commuters, whose bodies are frozen like insects in amber, and encounters a man who may have a psychic connection to The Pattern. Plus, Walter requests a piano for the lab. Yes, a piano.

Channel Surfing: Fichter and Stringfield Are "Night and Day," CBS Renews "Flashpoint," Emmys, Muppets, "Doctor Who," and More

Welcome to your Monday morning television briefing.

I had a wonderful if busy weekend which--not atypically--revolved around television. The wife and I attended Saturday's BAFTA/LA TV Tea Party and shared more than a few Pimm's Cups with Flight of the Conchords, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, 90210 executive producer Gabe Sachs, The Office's Kate Flannery, Leslie David Baker, and Creed Bratton, Mad Men's Rich Sommer, Aaron Staton, and Michael Gladis, The Riches' Noel Fisher, 30 Rock's Scott Adsit, Battlestar Galactica babe Tricia Helfer, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' Thomas Dekker, Jeff Garlin, and many, many others. (Fun, to say the least.)

Reaction to this year's Emmy Awards--the 60th installment--wasn't quite what producers likely intended, with many critics--myself included--lashing out at the format, the hosts, and the distinct lack of scripted funnies. (Televisionary)

FOX has given a script order to workplace comedy The Station, about the employees of a covert CIA office in South America, from writer Kevin Napier, Fox Television Studios, and Red Hour Films' Ben Stiller, Jeremy Kramer, and Stuart Cornfeld. (Variety)

In other FOX news, the network has given a series order to Sam Baum's procedural drama Lie to Me, starring Tim Roth, Brendan Hines, Monica Raymund, and Kelli Williams. Project, from 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television, is about the fractious partnership between a former police officer who is a "human lie detector" (an expert in reading facial and body language that gives away deception) and a female clinical psychologist as they solve Washington-based crimes. I'm usually not a fan of procedurals but I found this to be a really compelling, interesting twist on a familiar crime-solving formula and a cracking script.

William Fichtner (Prison Break) and Sherry Stringfield (ER) have been cast in TNT drama pilot Night and Day from writers/executive producers Joel Surnow (24) and Todd Robinson. Project follows Dan Hollister (Fichtner), a middle-aged agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms who works for a special intervention task force as he finds himself drifting towards retirement age and dealing with upstarts half his age. Stringfield will play his wife Elizabeth, a stay-at-home mom. Night and Day will be in second position to Prison Break for Fichtner, whose deal expires at the end of the current season. (Hollywood Reporter)

Uma Thurman, Jesse L. Martin, and Jane Krakowski have signed on to appear in NBC holiday special Letters to Santa—A Muppets Christmas, which is slated to air December 17th. Previously announced participants include Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Giffiths, Tony Sirico, and Steve Schirripa. (Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider)

CBS has renewed cop drama Flashpoint, which it co-produces with Canadian network CTV, for a second season; series hit a season high on Thursday night and gained 18 percent in the key demo over the last two weeks. No decision whether the 13 episodes will air during midseason or summer; production on Season Two begins in early 2009. (Variety)

In the resolution to one of the worst kept secrets in the entertainment industry, BBC drama czar Jane Tranter will move to Los Angeles to take a position as EVP of programming and production at BBC Worldwide, working alongside Paul Telegdy to oversee the company's North American production activities in LA and New York beginning January 1st. (Televisionary)

MTV has ordered Sex... With Mom and Dad, a sex-themed series for teenagers and their parents, featuring Dr. Drew Pinsky, who will help teens and/or their parents deal with issues related to sex, dating, and relationships. Series launches September 29th at 9 pm. (Hollywood Reporter)

Kathy Griffin has signed on for a fifth season of her Bravo reality series My Life on the D-List, following unsubstantiated rumors that the series would defect--like Project Runway--to cable rival Lifetime. (Variety)

Outbound Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies has said that he would consider returning to the franchise if a feature film is greenlit. "I'd be very interested in going back for it," said Davies, who said the project will happen one day. "I think it could be lovely and could work as an idea. They did one in the 1960s and that worked and it didn't affect the TV series at all." (Digital Spy)

Sorry, GE, Rupert Murdoch has said that he's not interested in acquiring NBC or even smaller parcels of it though he does admire USA for being a "mature channel" that "makes a lot of money." (Hollywood Reporter)

Jennie Garth might not be appearing in any additional segments of 90210 after her original six episode commitment. "Nothing's confirmed at this point," said Garth. "It's still totally up in the air." Hmmm... (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Stay tuned.

The Bubble Bursts on "90210"

Sigh. I'm already growing way too bored of 90210 and we're only a four episodes in now.

Yes, we learned in last night's episode of 90210 ("The Bubble")--after several weeks' worth of Kelly referring to the father of her child as "Him" (though I preferred to secretly call him "He Who Must Not Be Named")--that her baby daddy is none other than Dylan... which leads me to wonder whether CBS Paramount Television and the series' producers were finally able to reach a deal with Luke Perry (thus the reveal).

Yes, Shannen Doherty dropped by again as Brenda for some reminiscing with Jennie Garth's Kelly as they recounted the "Donna Martin Graduates!" storyline from the original series and filled in the blanks on what Donna's been up to... which apparently involves a child of her own. Clearly, the producers are hoping that they'll get around to paving things over with Tori Spelling and making a deal for her to reprise her role as Donna... but I'm getting a little tired of hearing our older characters talk about the former stars of the series. I am sure this will get wrapped up before we have to hear what Valerie is up to these days. Sheesh.

And, yes, Jessica Walter finally appeared on-screen again as Tabitha, the boozy fading actress grandmother to Annie and Dixon, but I couldn't help but feel depressed by what the writers gave her to work with. After the venom she distributed so freely as Lucille, the boozy matriarch of the Bluth clan on Arrested Development, Walter definitely deserves much better material than what she's being served up here on 90210. The scene in which she recalls a former lover was so flat and unfunny (through no fault of Walter's) that I actually felt really bad for Jessica Walter, clearly slumming it here as Tabitha. While the writers tried to give Walter something to do this week, I couldn't believe for a second that the Wilsons would let Tab direct the school play, given her alcoholism and general flighty ways.

For me, the one interesting thing about the series isn't Annie's love triangle with Ethan and Ty or Naomi's philandering father but Jessica Stroup's Silver, who injects the only real cool factor to the series. Her Silver is brash, outspoken, and individualistic and it's a welcome distraction from the aw shucks Mary Sue routine that Shenae Grimes keeps pulling with her Annie or the wounded-bitch-on-wheels poses that AnnaLynne McCord applies every time Naomi appears on screen.

Silver is hands-down the most interesting element of the new 90210 series and the most genuinely three-dimensional character created by Rob Thomas, Jeff Judah, and Gabe Sachs. Hopefully, Sachs and Judah notice this and wisely increase Stroup's screen time as the only time the series seems to click into gear is when it focuses on Silver.

All that glitters, as they say...

Next week on 90210 ("Wide Awake and Dreaming"), Ty announces his plans for an after party after the opening night of Annie's musical; Naomi can't come to terms with her parents' divorce; Brenda, Kelly, and Ryan confront Adrianna about her substance abuse; Dixon offers to help Silver backstage at the musical.

Channel Surfing: "Dollhouse" Shut Down, "90210" Casting, "Doctor Who," "Fringe" Ratings, and More

Good morning and welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing. I ended up making it a fashion-fueled night last night with new episodes of Top Model and Project Runway and threw on the ABC pilot Single with Parents (starring Alyssa Milano) just for good measure.

What's up first today? Dollhouse, natch. Everyone is talking about the production shutdown on the set of the new Joss Whedon action drama, slated to kick off in January 2009. 20th Century Fox Television has shut down shooting on Dollhouse beginning tomorrow through September 25th so that Whedon can oversee a rewrite of the fourth script and get ahead on the next few scripts. News comes after FOX rejiggered the running order in July: Dollhouse's originally filmed pilot will now bow second, after a newly constructed pilot episode (which I hope to see soon). Does this bode ill for the series? No one can say but it does at least point to the reassuring fact that Whedon does seem to be involved with the decisions and agreed with the studio that the script "needed work." (Variety)

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Doctor's companion? Doctor Who executive producer/head writer Russell T. Davies, who is overseeing the four feature-length specials that will air in 2009 before handing over the reins to inbound head writer Steven Moffat, has indicated that he wants Zeta-Jones to play one of the Doctor's companions in a spin-off feature film version of the franchise. "Being from Wales myself," said Davies, "I would love to have Catherine Zeta-Jones as a companion for The Doctor." And it appears that the rumors of David Tennant signing on for such a feature may have merit. "To have anyone else [playing the Doctor] would be inconceivable," said Davies. (Digital Spy)

90210 fans, get your Brenda fix while you still can. While producers have signed Jennie Garth for another five episodes (in addition to the six episodes she was initially contracted to do), Shannen Doherty's run on 90210 will--at least for the time being, anyway--be reserved to the four episodes she had originally shot. "They asked me to do a lot more," said Doherty. "I'm in the middle of pitching a show, [so] I couldn't commit to more than [I did]." The CW drama, meanwhile, lost roughly 1.4 million viewers between the premiere and this week's episode. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

In other ratings news, FOX's launch for J.J. Abrams drama series Fringe garnered the top spot in the key adults 18-49 demo but underwhelmed with 9 million total viewers, finishing behind America's Got Talent (11.6 million). (New York Times)

Speaking of Fringe, The Los Angeles Times' Patrick Kevin Day offers up five tips to the makers of Fringe, including: (1) Give us a great villain; (2) Avoid the kissing stuff; (3) Develop the side characters; (4) Get gross; and (5) Have a plan. Do you agree with his assessment? (Los Angeles Times)

VH1 has ordered an untitled unscripted series from Ish Entertainment that will follow Antonio Sabato Jr. as he looks for the perfect woman. Series will be shot "like a soap opera" and will follow Sabato as he puts the female contestants through their paces with challenges "such as recreating a steamy love scene or skydiving in a gown." (Variety)

Lost's Tania Raymonde--you know her best as Ben's murdered adopted daughter Alex on the hit ABC series--has signed on to join the cast of Cold Case as Frankie Rafferty, a funky lab tech and potential love interest for the significantly older Danny Pino's Valens. Raymonde's first episode will air in November. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Production is gearing up in Mexico City on Fox TV Studio's Persons Unknown--from creator/executive producer Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects)--about seven strangers who are taken from their everyday lives and wake up in a deserted town, where they are watched by security cameras and quickly realize that there is no escape. The cast so far includes Alan Ruck, Chadwick Boseman, Gerald Kyd, and Kate Lang Johnson and the series will be executive produced by McQuarrie, Heather McQuarrie, and Remi Aubuchon (Caprica).

TBS has ordered a third season of comedy The Bill Engvall Show, with ten episodes to bow next summer. (Variety)

Bravo is developing an untitled docusoap based around "hip and stylish" 18-25 year-olds in Orange County. The cabler hopes to start shooting this fall. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Big Brother 10 (CBS); My Name is Earl/America's Got Talent (NBC); Smallville (CW); Ugly Betty (ABC); Hole in the Wall (FOX)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); The Office/The Office (NBC); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Kitchen Nightmares (FOX)

10 pm: Flashpoint (CBS); 30 Rock/The Office (NBC); Private Practice (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching:

9 pm: Kitchen Nightmares.

Missing the softer side of Gordon Ramsay? Tune in to the US version of his reality series in which he pull back struggling restaurants from the brink of closure. On tonight's episode ("Handlebar"), Ramsay visits the Handlebar Restaurant & Lounge in Mount Sinai, New York, where the owners don't seem to have realized that the 1980s came and went a long time ago.

10 pm: Tabatha's Salon Takeover on Bravo.

Yes, it's a complete and utter retread of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares with salons subbing in for restaurants, but there's absolutely nothing else on tonight to watch, so here goes. On this week's episode ("Images Salon: Oyster Bay, NY"), Tabatha Coffey tries to save another struggling hair salon, this time a Long Island strip mall hair salon, where styling skills and customer service aren't the watchwords of this business.

Not-So Dangerous Liaisons: "90210" Too Tame for This Zip Code

Cue those familiar guitar chords that have echoed in our heads for the last, oh, umpteen years.

Yes, folks, I am talking about the CW's 90210, which launched last night and brought the denizens of one of the world's most famous zip codes back to the airwaves. Of course, a lot has happened since the original Beverly Hills 90210 went off the air back in 2001 and the hallowed halls of teen drama heaven have been joined by such series as MTV's The Hills, FOX's The O.C. and the CW's own Gossip Girl... which seems to have better captured the excess and scandal du jour of the jet set better than this new 90210, which felt more than a little cheesy and trying way too hard to be hip.

One tipoff was the use of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" in the opening scene. Had this aired prior to Coldplay's latest debuting back in June, I would have given the musical director snaps for choosing such a brilliant song, but here it feels a little dated, as did the reference to Superbad. Certainly Veronica Mars would never have settled for such a tired cultural touchstones and that series had enough wit and charm to spare.

It doesn't help that the script--originally written by Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas (albeit with a remarkably different ending than the version that aired) and rewritten by Freaks & Geeks writer/producers Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah--tries too hard to play it every which way but loose, injecting subplots about BevHills newbies Annie and Dixon Wilson (Degrassi's Shenae Grimes and The Wire's Tristan Wilds), parents Harry and Debbie Wilson (Women's Murder Club's Rob Estes and Summerland's Lori Loughlin), boozy grandmere Tabitha (Arrested Development's Jessica Walters, who provides the only laughs here), trophy couple Ethan (Runaway's Dustin Milligan) and Naomi (Nip/Tuck's AnnaLynn McCord), scruffy teacher Ryan Matthews (Dirt's Ryan Eggold), and familiar faces Kelly (Jennie Garth) and Brenda (Shannen Doherty). Hell, they even bring Nat (Joe E. Tata) out so he can grumble about espresso machines and kids today.

Annie and Dixon quickly find themselves enmeshed in a whole heap of trouble within the opening scenes as they discover that they are not quite fitting in at West Beverly High the way they did back in Kansas. This fish-out-of-water scenario, which worked so well in the original Beverly Hills 90210, pales in comparison with those present in Gossip Girl or The O.C., which both are at their core about the pull between the haves and have-nots, though both of these series crafted such charismatic, instantly likable characters that it was impossible not to fall under their spell.

Within minutes of the opening chords of the title sequence, the Wilson kids find themselves in the immediate orbit of some of West Beverly High's power players, including mean girl Naomi, jock Ethan, journalism zealot Navid (Michael Steger), clearly having inherited the mantle of school paper geek from Andrea Zuckerman, and Kelly's rebellious lil' sis Silver (Jessica Stroup), whose mean-spirited blog takes attacks at other BH students.... and somehow garners "half a million hits" per installment.

Lest you think that 90210 will stick to the tried-and-true moral lessons of the original series' early years, the writers have crammed in as many "decadent" behaviors as possible into the two-hour installment. There's a lacrosse team prank involving pigs taken from a porno set, an impromptu jet trip to San Francisco for a first date, term paper cheating, vehicular oral coitus interruptus, and a whole host of other subplots jockeying for center stage, including a bizarre subplot in which Rob Estes' high school principal Harry Wilson discovers that his high school girlfriend--who happens to be Naomi's mother--gave up their illegitimate child for adoption. (This jars somewhat with the already established role of adoption on the series, as Estes and Loughlin's characters adopted Wilds' Dixon.)

And yet none of this so-called decadence seems to compare to that embodied by the teens on Gossip Girl who seem able to be so much hipper, badder, and stylish without trying so damn hard. McCord's bitchy Naomi would be eaten alive by Leighton Meester's Blair Waldorf. (Hell, at this point, Naomi seems like she could easily be dethroned by little Jenny Humphreys, in between sewing some high-end garments.)

Ultimately, I felt like this update was trying way too hard to please everyone: fans of the original aching to catch up with familiar faces Brenda and Kelly (just whom was she talking to on the phone?) and teens barely old enough to remember that there was an original series that this is based on. To me, the most exciting elements were Jessica Walters' boozy Tabitha (her line about ordering takeout from Dan Tana's rather than eat Debbie's tater tots was classic Lucille Bluth) and the reunion of Kelly and Brenda, whose scene together crackled with possibility and long-buried emotion.

As for the rest, the kids do their best with some obvious storylines amid a persistent need on the writers' part to bring everything squarely back to Rob Estes' principal. I'm not sure why he needs to be quite such a large presence amid all of these plots, but time and time again, everyone keeps finding themselves in the principal's office for one infraction or another.

My advice: let Estes slip into the background a little bit and pull the focus on to the kids, with some subplot time given to Kelly, Brenda, and Ryan, and for the love of all things holy, add some much needed depth and charm to the main characters, who all come off as more than a little vapid and one-dimensional. Yes, we get that spoiled Naomi is more sensitive than she seems, that Silver's aggression is really just the sting of betrayal, and Annie is wide-eyed and naive... but that's really just Character Development 101. Where's the clearly defined motivation for these characters? Why should we as an audience be connected to them or care about them?

While the opening installment of 90210 doesn't quite live up to its first line of dialogue ("this sucks"), it proves that it still has a long way to go if it hopes to inherit the mantle of touchstone teen drama. Longer, one can't help but think, than the distance between Kansas and Beverly Hills.

Next week on 90210 ("Lucky Strike"), Harry and Debbie plan a family bowling night without consulting Dixon and Annie first, Naomi has an awful evening with her father, Dixon finds Silver asleep in his car, and Kelly must deal with her mother.

Channel Surfing: "90210," Ashley Jensen, Trailer for "Merlin" Unveiled, NBC Shakeup, and More

Good morning and welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing. Like many of you out there, I'm bummed that my three-day weekend sailed by far too quickly... but am also thrilled that the fall TV season is finally upon us.

Digital Spy has a roughly 90-second trailer up for Merlin, which airs on BBC One and on NBC this winter and stars Colin Morgan, Anthony Stewart Head, Michelle Ryan, Richard Wilson, Katie McGrath, Bradley James, Angel Coulby, and Santiago Cabrera. (Digital Spy)

90210 mania is upon us with mere hours to go before the launch of 90210 2.0, as it were. EW.com has some behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty from their recent cover shoot. (Entertainment Weekly's PopWatch)

Shannen Doherty, meanwhile, sat down with the Los Angeles Times for a brief interview, in which she said that the sudden goodwill being directed towards her from the public "definitely feels good" and "also feels scary." (Los Angeles Times)

While most Americans know her best from her turn as Christina on Ugly Betty, Ashley Jensen won me over much earlier with her winning performance as Maggie Jacobs on HBO/BBC's Extras. She's up for an Emmy in the supporting actress (mini-series or movie) category and talks about the nomination, Extras, and what happens to Christina on Ugly Betty. (USA Today)

Nikki Finke claims that NBC wants to fire second-in-command Teri Weinberg and "hopes that Ben Silverman quits very soon." She says that Marc Graboff and Katherine Pope will take up the reins at the network. Silverman's contract is up in December, but he's said to be looking to secure a way out before then. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

PBS has launched 40 half-hour episodes of kids program Sid the Science Kid from Henson's Creature Shop, which will produce the series via its new Digital Puppetry Studio, which uses a puppet motion-capture technology and applies it to CGI-derived characters and environments. (Hollywood Reporter)

MTV is launching a global HD service on September 15th. (Variety)

Stay tuned.