Molly Ringwald and Shailene Woodley
Teen drama Secret Life of the American Teenager will be back for a second season.
The ABC Family series examines the relationships within a family and their community when 15-year-old Amy Juergens (Shailene Woodley) unexpectedly becomes pregnant. The show debuted last summer to record-setting ratings on the netlet.
read more
Shailene Woodley, Secret Life of the American Teenager
Secret Life of the American Teenager is going back to band camp to show us the day Amy got pregnant, series creator Brenda Hampton tells TVGuide.com.
The episode will air the week before the March 23 season finale, in which Amy (Shailene Woodley) will finally give birth to the baby, Hampton said in an interview Tuesday.
read more
Molly Ringwald by John Shearer/ WireImage.com
ABC Family on Wednesday announced casting for its new, as-yet-untitled series from 7th Heaven creator Brenda Hampton (which, in case you're curious, is currently referred to as the "Untitled Brenda Hampton Project"). Not only has the show signed on Smallville's John Schneider (Jonathan Kent) and Oz's Ernie Hudson (Leo Glynn), but also the former Sixteen-year-old America loved, Molly Ringwald. The series, to air this summer, will be a one-hour drama that — as Ausiello previously reported — centers on a family and their friends after 15-year-old Amy Nicholson becomes unexpectedly pregnancy (no, Diablo Cody is not signed on). The show's recurring cast members will also include newcomer Shailene Woodley (previously seen on The O.C.), Camille Winbush (The Bernie Mac Show) and Allen Evangelista (Zoey 101). How exciting will it be to see these new cast additions together? We'll have to wait for the drama to unfold. — Anna Dimond
read more
New details are emerging about ABC Family's new Juno-esque drama from 7th Heaven creator Brenda Hampton. And by "new details," I mean the following (rather detailed) synopsis that is making its way to Hollywood casting directors as we speak: "Fifteen-year-old Amy Nicholson, pregnant after having one uncomfortable sexual encounter with the school's Don Juan, Ricky, tries to figure out a way to deal with her dilemma, as all around her peers face the reality of their own sexual (or non-sexual) choices. Unable to face her loving but "nice" middle class parents, Amy confides in her best friends, Lauren and Madison, who are supportive but not too helpful, and struggles to deal with her feelings for Ricky at the same time she's being wooed by the sweet and possibly smitten Ben."So, pretty much, if 7th Heaven got plastered, had a one-night stand with Juno, and gave birth nine months later, this is what their baby would look like. Now, what do you say you give this as-yet-untitled baby a pro...
read more
The 7th Heaven cast reached out to Darfur on and off screen.
If you've watched 7th Heaven over its 11-season run — or even caught a glimpse of one episode — you know that the Camdens aren't just about achieving family harmony but about helping the entire community that surrounds them. This week's new episode (Sunday at 8 pm/ET, on the CW) is no exception. In fact, it covers a pressing issue that we've been hearing about every day: Darfur — a topic so devastating, it's a real departure from the common troubles we usually see on this family drama. Filled with information about the crisis abroad, executive producer Brenda Hampton spoke with TVGuide.com about the motivation behind this episode, 7th Heaven's again-uncertain fate, and saying goodbye to some of our favorite Camdens.
TVGuide.com: I just watched the Darfur episode, and it's amazing how much dial
read more
Question: Are David Gallagher (Simon) and Mackenzie Rosman (Ruthie) really leaving 7th Heaven? What's the latest?!?
Answer: The latest is that Brenda Hampton is still trying to get them to change their minds. But as of now, they're done.
read more
Question: A few of weeks ago you stated that Jessica Biel won't be appearing in the series finale of 7th Heaven, but on Monday, USA Today reported that she will indeed reprise her role! I am trying to catch my breath at this amazing — and unexpected — news. Was this a last-minute decision by her?
Answer: It was so last-minute that Brenda Hampton had to rework the script, which originally had Carlos making two major announcements on Mary's behalf. Now she'll be able to deliver the big news in person.
read more
Stephen Collins of 7th Heaven
In Part 1 of TVGuide.com's Q&A with Stephen Collins, the actor spoke candidly about WB's unexpected — by cast and crew members, especially — decision to make this 7th Heaven's final season, and even hinted that an agreement might have been arrived at to trim the series' costs and perhaps keep it on the air. Here in Part 2, Rev. Eric Camden's portrayer elaborates on that thought, updates us on the spin-off talk and discusses his Rick Nelson worship.TVGuide.com: Are you saying that the 7th Heaven cast would have made some sacrifices to keep it on another year? Would that have been a discussion?Stephen Collins:
read more
7th Heaven just started its 10th season, which will include lots of surprises for its loyal fans — some good, some bad. For starters, troubled actor Jeremy London won't be returning to the WB family drama, nor will Ashlee Simpson or Rachel Blanchard. However, original cast members Barry Watson and David Gallagher are back as the prodigal Camden sons, Matt and Simon.
"We're focusing on our core family again," says creator/executive producer Brenda Hampton. "As the show gets older, you want to give people as much as you can of the thing that they watched it for. And in this case, it's the Camden family."
Watson and Gallagher both return for 11 episodes, so we'll have the opportunity to see the boys dealing with some more adult situations. In fact, Simon "will be the first Camden to have sex outside of marriage." Pretty risqué for the son of a preacher man!
The big story this season will
read more
Mackenzie Rosman — who plays sassy little Ruthie Camden on 7th Heaven — is used to facing adult issues. The 13-year-old actress already has confronted everything from racism to death on the WB's top-rated family drama. However, the show will really hit home when Rosman's stepsister, Katelyn Salmont, guest stars to talk about her real-life struggle with cystic fibrosis.
"We've wanted to do this for a while," Rosman tells TV Guide Online, so she made a pitch to Heaven's executive producer, Brenda Hampton. "Mackenzie came to me, notes in hand, and told me all about CF and asked me if I would do a story for her sister," she recalls. "I thought it was very touching."
Katelyn, 16, has struggled with CF — a genetic disease that shortens the life span to approximately 20 years — since she was 2 years old. Despite the stress this ailment places on her and the family, Hampt
read more
