Jun 15, 2009, 03:45 PM | by Michael Ausiello
Categories: News
File this under "T" for "Things that are going to have to really suck to fail."
Steven Spielberg has tapped Noah Wyle to headline his untitled alien-invasion pilot for TNT, sources confirm to me exclusively.
The potential series -- which was announced last month at TNT's upfront presentation -- takes place six months after evil extra terrestrials decimate mankind. Wyle will play the leader of a ragtag group of citizens who try to bring down the aggressors.
Translation: It's Spielberg's take on V!
The gig marks a small-screen reunion for ex-TV doc Wyle and Spielberg; the Oscar-winning director was one of ER's founding producers. It also keeps Wyle in business with TNT, the network behind his super-fun* Librarian movies.
A TNT spokesperson declined to comment.
Is Wyle the right guy for the role? Sound off below?
More TV Scoop:
Find out when House is returning
Major True Blood spoiler alert
New Melrose Place adds gay character
* So I hear. I've never actually seen a single one.
Fox just unveiled its fall premiere dates. Here are the ones you care about:
So You Think You Can Dance: Wednesday, Sept. 16 @ 8 pm/ET
Glee: Wednesday, Sept. 16 @ 9 pm/ET
Bones: Thursday Sept. 17 @ 8 pm/ET
Fringe: Thursday Sept. 17 @ 9 pm/ET
Dollhouse: Friday, Sept. 18 @ 9 pm/ET
House: Monday, Sept. 21 @ 8 pm/ET (two-hour episode)
The Simpsons: Sunday, Sept. 27 @ 8 pm/ET
Family Guy: Sunday, Sept. 27 @ 9 pm/ET
Lie to Me: Monday, Sept. 28 @ 9 pm/ET
The Wanda Sykes Show: Saturday, Nov. 7 @ 11 pm/ET
Jun 15, 2009, 12:24 AM | by Michael Ausiello
Categories: News, True Blood
WARNING: Stop reading if you have not watched the season premiere of True Blood. I mean it. Everyone else, onward and downward...
Now that you've seen the season 2 premiere of True Blood, join me in a chorus of “Hallelujah, Lafayette lives!” Although last November’s cliff-hanger seemed to suggest that series creator Alan Ball was remaining faithful to Charlaine Harris’ books and sending Nelsan Ellis’ fierce, flamboyant alter ego to an early grave, Sunday’s debut confirmed what many fans had hoped: Ball decided to spare the wildly popular character. But why? In this exclusive interview, Ellis has the surprising answer to that question, as well as scoop on another possible detour Ball has up his sleeve -- this one involving a deep connection between Lafayette and Alexander Skarsgard's Eric.
HawthoRNe: Chuck's older sis, Sarah Lancaster, is set to moonlight on TNT's new nurse drama, HawthoRNe, as the girlfriend of a patient (My Boys' Reid Scott) who's horribly injured in a motorcycle accident. Described as a woman who's never had to face adversity, she finds herself struggling with her newfound fate. So in the name of love (or craziness, you choose) her BF opts to undergo a high-risk surgery that could potentially kill him. Drama!
Psych: James Brolin (a.k.a. Mr. Barbra Streisand) has signed on to appear in a season 4 episode entitled, "High Noon-ish." He'll play Hank, a sheriff in Old Sanora, a city which has recently found itself the victim of vandalism. Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) spent a lot of time there growing up and sees Hank as something of a father figure. Psych's fourth season kicks off Aug. 7.
Read on for scoops on Melrose Place, Kings, and more!
One down, two to go.
With so much attention focused on the Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay talks, I nearly forgot about the up-in-the-air fate of another Law & Order: SVU vet: Stephanie March.
I say nearly because I just did some snooping and learned that the actress has quietly inked a new contract to continue playing ADA Alex Cabot.
How lengthy is her commitment? Read on and find out...
Talk about lousy karma.
Despite reports that TBS was on the verge of rescuing My Name is Earl from NBC's scrap heap, a spokesperson for Twentieth Century Fox Television confirms that the Emmy-winning comedy is officially dead.
In a statement, the studio rep said, "While we had hoped to find a way to produce additional episodes for TBS, in the final analysis we simply could not make the economics work without seriously undermining the artistic integrity of the series. As none of us, [series creator] Greg [Garcia] included, want the show to go out on anything but a high note, we regret that we must put to rest any speculation that Earl will continue. We are grateful to everyone at TBS for their enthusiasm for the series and wish to offer our heartfelt thanks to the cast and crew of My Name is Earl for their incredible work."
Post your eulogies in the comments.
More TV Scoop:
Look who's staying put on Law & Order: SVU
Lost finds familiar faces
House expands to two hours
When it comes to scooping their own shows, spies don't get silent, they get downright chatty! Case in point: Jeffrey Donovan dropped by Ausiello TV last week to discuss his little cable phenomenon known as Burn Notice and among the many spoilers he unleashed was this bombshell about the July 30 midseason finale: "Michael's personal life with Fiona is going to come to a tumultuous fight that will almost probably end their relationship." To find out what else Donovan let slip during our revealing sit-down, and to get answers to your burning questions about Michael's invisible shower and MIA dad, click the play button after the jump!
Jun 10, 2009, 10:05 PM | by Michael Ausiello
Categories: Ask Ausiello, Bones, Burn Notice, Chuck, Dexter, Fringe, Ghost Whisperer, Glee, Greek, House, Lauren Graham, Lost, News, The Mentalist, Ugly Betty
Question: I'm wondering if it's too early for anything related to House. September seems so far away. --Brett
Ausiello: Definitely not too early. House's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest-inspired season premiere has been expanded to two hours and is being directed by exec producer Katie Jacobs. Holla!
Question: You probably get this a lot, but I don't have an agent. I don't have anything. What I do have is previous experience being a patient at Greystone Park State Hospital, the New Jersey psychiatric facility that is doubling as House's temporary home. It would be a true honor to go back there as a quasi-sane person and go play the nut I once was. Think you can tell your insider about me? Everyone's got to get a break somehow, right? --Donna
Ausiello: Answer me this: How are you on the drums? Producers are currently on the prowl for an older actor who "stomps to his own beat" and is a "real percussionist" to play one of House's fellow patients. They're also looking for a young actress who can play the cello if that's a better fit for you. Let me know and I'll see if I can set something up. Given your history, you may have to audition via closed circuit camera from the McDonald's across the street from the studio. It's nothing personal. It's just a safeguard in case you lunge at Katie Jacobs with a hammer. BTW, all of these casting calls have me thinking House is going to form his own loony bin pit band. Hugh Laurie has already established that he can sing as well as play the piano, guitar, harmonica and saxophone. Call me crazy, but I think I'm on to something here.
Jun 9, 2009, 05:20 PM | by Michael Ausiello
Categories: News
Holy Bender Bending Rodríguez!
Six years after getting axed by Fox, Futurama is being resurrected on Comedy Central.
A spokesperson for 20th Century Fox Television confirms that the cable net has ordered 26 new episodes of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen's late, great animated series to air beginning in 2010. The studio cites Futurama's "blockbuster" performance on DVD and in reruns on Comedy Central as the reason for its rebirth.
Hmmm... sound familiar?
Granted, the above textonym gets used a lot in these parts, but trust me, it truly applies to the exclusive clip you're about to see. It's from next Monday's Greek season finale, it features Cappie and Casey in extremely close quarters, and it's been a long time coming...
