matt.mitovich

TV's Columbo Is on Broadway's Case

Just one more thing, ma'am....Lt. Columbo squares off against a high-powered record executive in Columbo Takes the Rap, a stage play that bowed in June at a Kentucky festival and is now headed for a national tour and hopefully on to Broadway, says the New York Post. Columbo creator William Link is behind the unexpected adaptation of the cigar-chomping gumshoe made famous by Peter Falk, and in this context will be played by Chicago thesp Norm Boucher. A "name" actor is being sought to play the villain. (Suggest Tony Danza and I'll smack you.)

Thu, Jul 12, 2007

In the Works: Showtime in Bed with Clooney, and More

George Clooney's Smokehouse shingle is developing for Showtime Doubting Thomas, an hourlong drama about a family of televangelists, eyed for a possible 2008 premiere.... Also per Variety, IFC will air all 12 original episodes of R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet" "hip-hopera," as well as collaborate with the recording artist on 10 new installments.... HBO Sports' Costas Now returns with a mid-season baseball special on July 24 at 10 pm/ET.... Hallmark Channel has commissioned 30 original movies for 2008, its biggest slate ever. And only 24 of them star Stacy Keach!.... As scooped by the Ausiello Report, Lifetime has ordered a second, 18-episode season of Army Wives, to launch next spring.

Thu, Jul 12, 2007

Ratings: Eureka Rediscovered by 2.5 Million

The Season 2 bow of Sci Fi Channel's Eureka was watched by 2.5 million total viewers, an 18 percent increase over the freshman season's average, but down from last year's series opener (which drew 4.1 mil). Still, it was Sci Fi's top-rated telecast of the year in key demos.... The Monday-night launch of ESPN's The Bronx Is Burning miniseries delivered 2.2 million fans, on par with the 2005 debut of the cabler's Tilt, but shy of the 2.6 mil who sampled Playmakers last August.

Thu, Jul 12, 2007

Ratings: Eureka Rediscovered by 2.5 Million

Fox's Drive Finale Rerouted to MySpace Site

A Fox spokesperson tells TVGuide.com that the final two episodes of Tim Minear's Drive  which were originally slated to air July 4, then pushed back to July 13, but ultimately got unceremoniously yanked from the broadcast schedule entirely  are now set to be streamed on MySpace.com/fox and network affiliate sites beginning Monday, July 16.

Thu, Jul 12, 2007

Ian Ziering Wants Price Is Right Gig; Steines, Newton Are Finalists

According to the New York Daily News, 90210/Dancing with the Stars alum Ian Ziering has gotten a callback from The Price Is Right, where he is among the crop of possibles to follow in Bob Barker's shoes. "He was all jittery" upon hearing the good news, a source tells the tab. "He really, really wants it." The New York Post, meanwhile, hears that ET's Mark Steines and Todd Newton, who have long been in this seemingly endless race, are the two final frontrunners.It may all come down to whether Nat at the Peach Pit gives Ian a good reference.

Thu, Jul 12, 2007

Ian Ziering Wants Price Is Right Gig; Steines, Newton Are Finalists

Lost, Paul Shaffer and More Short Cuts

Lost director-producer Stephen Williams has inked a new two-year deal with ABC Studios, where he will continue to direct multiple episodes of the drama as well as get promoted to co-executive producer.... Not about to be one-upped by Valerie Bertinelli, Letterman sidekick Paul Shaffer is penning a memoir filled with "anecdotes that have been accumulating in my mind for the past three-plus decades," the musician tells the AP. Expect the tome, due out in '09, to set a record for occurrences of the word "nutty".... Shooter last week repeated as the DVD sales- and rental-charts topper. Blood Diamond was the No. 1 HD DVD seller.

Thu, Jul 12, 2007

Smallville Casts a Supergirl Who Will "Shake Things Up"

So much for getting Amber Heard. Just in time to be paraded before the Comic-Con fanboys, 22-year-old Laura Vandervoort, whom fans of The N (our Angel Cohn included) know as Instant Star's Sadie, has been cast in the role of Smallville's Kara, aka Supergirl. This superstrong  and airborne!  newcomer may prove to be a super-pain to her kin, however. "We've wanted a character to shake things up," series creator Al Gough tells People. "She may be Clark Kent's cousin, but that doesn't mean she's going to be the obedient one!" Sounds like Paris Hilton, minus the gravitational pull. Actually....For the complete story on how Smallville will introduce its take on Supergirl, see the TV Guide News Report.UPDATE: Ausiello has breaking news about a Supernatural role being filled; check it out here.

Thu, Jul 12, 2007

Smallville Casts a Supergirl Who Will "Shake Things Up"

Ratings: Singing Bee Scores a Big "A+"

This Tuesday's ratings recap: Fox's coverage of the MLB All-Star Game put 11.2 million fannies in the seats, a drop of 1.2 mil from the '06 contest. America's Got Talent drew a typical 11.23 mil. Beating Shaq (4.28 mil, down 750K week-to-week) was barely a challenge for Big Brother (6.8 mil). Leading out of AGT, NBC's The Singing Bee was humming a happy tune, sampled by 13.1 million. That is the largest audience for any telecast on any network in the last six weeks, since the season finale of House (NBC proudly reports).

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

Ivanka Trump Has "Zero" Interest in Joining The View

Responding to gossip-column buzz that she is/was on the short list to fill a vacancy on The View, Ivanka Trump is making the rounds, making clear her intent. "There's zero chance I would do that," the Donald's daughter said on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS radio show. That said, she allowed that a guest-host gig "could be interesting." Why does the brainy blonde have no interest in signing on for the gabfest? Citing the many "sexy" business deals she oversees, she tells ET, "At the end of the day I'm not a television personality, and I'm not willing to give up that amount of time towards a daily show."

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

Ivanka Trump Has "Zero" Interest in Joining The View

Harry Potter Orders Up a Record Number of Screens

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix descends today on more than 9,000 screens in 4,285 locations, making it Warner Bros.' widest release ever and the summer's most omnipresent offering since Pirates of the Caribbean 3. It also marks the first time a Potter pic has premiered midweek, affording it a five-day opening. Translation: Abracaching.Though the franchise's review-proof fifth entry is garnering some middling reactions from film mavens, RottenTomatoes.com reports that the critical consensus is 74 percent favorable.

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

Harry Potter Orders Up a Record Number of Screens

ESPN Viewers Burning Mad over Derby Diversion

The onset of the eight-part ESPN miniseries The Bronx Is Burning pretty much struck out with interested fans, when its Monday launch was delayed by the cabler's coverage of the pre-All-Star Game home-run derby, perhaps the fluffiest "sports" events to suck up prime-time space. (And I am a baseball fan, folks.) Though ESPN ran a crawl advising viewers that Bronx would begin as soon as the derby was over, the dinger-athon ran way late, pushing the mini's start to 11 pm, turning TiVos everywhere into paperweights. The Bronx Is Burning will be rebroadcast tonight at 10, Thursday at midnight, next Tuesday at 1:30 pm, and July 28 at noon.

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

ESPN Viewers Burning Mad over Derby Diversion

Blondie's Seeking Susan, and Other Stage Notes

Blondie is lending songs  including "Heart of Glass" and "One Way or Another"  to a West End musical based on the 1985 Madonna film Desperately Seeking Susan, says the AP. Emma Williams (Bat Boy) will channel the Material Girl.... Claire Danes makes her Broadway debut as Eliza Doolittle to Jefferson Mays' Henry Higgins in Pygmalion, opening Oct. 18.... Xanadu, whose Broadway bow was visited by one Olivia Newton-John, is drawing primarily positive reviews. The New York Daily News, for one, deemed the production "90 minutes of souped-up silliness" that translates into "a cure for the summertime blues." The Post, alas, offers one of the few grand slams, calling it "an absolutely ghastly show." I report, you decide.

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

In the Works: As You Like It, Christina Milian's Snow Job

HBO has announced an Aug. 21 premiere for a Kenneth Branagh-helmed adaptation of William Shakespeare's As You Like It, starring Kevin Kline, Bryce Dallas Howard and Alfred Molina.... Actress-singer Christina Milian is attached to star opposite Matt Keeslar (Scream 3) in Snowglobe, an ABC Family pic about a young woman who is able to escape real life by venturing inside her grandmother's Christmas-themed tchotchke.

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

In the Works: As You Like It, Christina Milian's Snow Job

"Barbara Cooper," a Fall TV Poll and More Short Cuts

Valerie Bertinelli is penning a memoir covering her teenhood before the TV camera, her 20-year marriage to Eddie Van Halen, and her battles with depression and weight/self-esteem issues.... Emmy-winning writer-producer Rich Appel, who to date has worked his magic on Fox's The Simpsons, King of the Hill and Family Guy, now has joined American Dad as exec-producer/show-runner, says the Reporter.... Veteran character actor Charles Lane died on Monday at age 102. You may remember him from Petticoat Junction (as Homer Bedloe) and numerous appearances on I Love Lucy.... Which new fall series are you psyched for? Check out our list and vote here (bottom right).

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

"Barbara Cooper," a Fall TV Poll and More Short Cuts

Zac Efron Brings Home the Bacon in Footloose Redo

Let's hear it for the boy! Paramount is developing a full-blown musical remake of 1984's Footloose, with High School Musical cutie Zac Efron picking up where Kevin Bacon's be-bopping, Walkman-toting Ren left off. HSM helmer Kenny Ortega is in talks to both choreograph and direct the redo. The original Footloose, for those so young you sicken me, concerned a rebellious newcomer's arrival in a small town that has banned dancing. (And no, it's not where Ashlee Simpson lives.)Related: Kevin Bacon Clears the Air About Footloose Remake

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

Zac Efron Brings Home the Bacon in Footloose Redo

Kevin Spacey Supes Up Again, and More Movie News

Kevin Spacey is set to return as Lex Luthor in the super-sequel Superman: Man of Steel, to start production next year for a 2009 release. Also per Variety, Spacey will star in Telstar, a film adaptation of Nick Moran and James Hicks' darkly comic West End play about flamboyant '60s record mogul Joe Meek.... Alex Proyas (I, Robot) will direct Dracula Year Zero, the origins tale about Vlad the Impaler.... Danny DeVito and his Jersey Films shingle are eyeing a biopic of electronics shiller "Crazy Eddie" Antar, says the New York Post. Insane, I tell ya.

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

Kevin Spacey Supes Up Again, and More Movie News

Lindsay Lohan Tells Lesbian Pal: "I Want to Marry You"

The private sector of Lindsay Lohan's MySpace page is being made public, as some "friend" has spilled to The Star the starlet's notes to openly gay DJ pal Samantha Ronson. Under the headline "Lindsay's Lesbian Love Letters!" LiLo allegedly writes, "Babe, if I didn't have you in my life, I should just go die. I want to marry you and have children with you." In a separate late-night missive excerpted by the New York Daily News, Lindsay says to Sam, "Go to bed, babe. I love you  Lindsay Ronson."So are we agreed, the nickname changes to "LiRo"?

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

Lindsay Lohan Tells Lesbian Pal: "I Want to Marry You"

Presidential Contenders Debate Gay Issues on Logo

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Christopher Dodd have all agreed to participate in an August 9 Democratic presidential debate on gay issues, to be hosted by the Logo cable network, Variety reports. Questions will be served up by a panel that includes Melissa Etheridge and Joe Solmonese, prez of the Human Rights Campaign (a cosponsor of the face-off). It is said that gays account for four percent of the voting population.Though invites were tendered, no similar forum will be held for the Republican candidates, as Mitt Romney's peeps said no and the Rudy Giuliani and John McCain camps never even RSVP'd  not that there's anything wrong with that.

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

Charlie Sheen Engaged; Denise Richards Says Congrats

It's looking like marriage No. 3 for Two and a Half Men's Charlie Sheen. The film actor turned top-rated sitcom star  whom I have been said to favor, at least during my college days  successfully popped the question to Brooke Mueller, his girlfriend of 15 months, on the beaches of Costa Rica and while brandishing a $500,000 sparkler, TV's Extra reports. What's Charlie's most recent missus have to say about the betrothal? "I am genuinely happy for the two of them," Denise Richards tells People. "In fact, I sent them flowers to congratulate them both. I've spent time with [Brooke], and my girls [daughters Lola, 2, and Sam, 3] really like her. That's all that matters to me."

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

Charlie Sheen Engaged; Denise Richards Says Congrats

The Simpsons Call Springfield, Vermont, Home

A southeastern-Vermont community bested 13 other Springfields nationwide to be named the official hometown of TV's The Simpsons. As part of the honor, Springfield, Vermont  population 9,300, the smallest of any contender  will host the July 16 premiere of The Simpsons Movie. "We're so excited," the vice president of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce tells the AP. "We came in at the last minute, and for us to win, we feel like the underdogs, which makes this so great for us."Via an online poll, 20th Century Fox invited people to vote for their favorite among 14 videos submitted by the Springfields. The Vermont burg's entry showed a local TV personality channeling Homer by chasing a giant pink donut through town. Maybe Smithers now can get that wedding he always wanted?

Wed, Jul 11, 2007

The Simpsons Call Springfield, Vermont, Home

Fox's Drive Screeches to Another, Final Halt

Fox's Drive, which was to resurface with its final two episodes on July 4, then had that send-off pushed back to this Friday, instead has been pulled over and off the airwaves for what appears to be a final time. As stated in a July 13/July 20 scheduling update issued by the network, "There are no plans to air Drive's remaining two episodes on Fox."Instead, Fox this Friday will air a Bones repeat followed by the penultimate episode of Standoff (which actually gets to wrap up its run on the 20th).I'll give y'all a holler the instant I hear of any plans to stream Drive's final episodes online.Fans of Nathan Fillion, meanwhile, can take heart in the fact that the actor is returning to his soap opera roots  albeit only for a day  when One Life to Live sends Joey Buchanan's grandpaw, Asa, to that big ol' ranch in the sky on Friday, August 17. See Soaps News for more.

Tue, Jul 10, 2007

Exclusive! Rachael Ray Has No Appetite for "Marriage Breakup" Talk

Celeb chef Rachael Ray was on vacation with her husband John Cusimano  planning their annual anniversary trip to Italy, no less  when the Internet lit up with a report that their marriage was in shambles, and that cooking-show cohort Colby Donaldson was perhaps to blame. "John and I were having a drink when it came up. I'm like, 'Sure glad I got that margarita first!'" Ray shared with TVGuide.com Tuesday morning at Dunkin' Donuts' "Running of the Cups" event in Herald Square. "It's silly," she says of the breakup talk, explaining that she and John "are the couple that makes everybody want to go brush their teeth because we're always kissin', huggy, touchy-feely.... "How, then, such a misinformed take on the state of their union? "I don't know where it comes from, and I don't really care," Ray told us. "I love my job and if the worst thing that comes out of it is gossip, who cares? People gossip if you're waitin' on a table in HoJo's. It just doesn't matter."  Addit...

Tue, Jul 10, 2007

Exclusive! Rachael Ray Has No Appetite for "Marriage Breakup" Talk