matt.mitovich

Model Citizen Again Tops AFI's Best-films List

As revealed during Wednesday night's AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies 10th Anniversary Edition special, Citizen Kane held onto the top spot on the 100-best-movies list, followed by The Godfather (up a notch from the 1998 countdown). Casablanca slipped from No. 2 to a third ranking. Among the pics making big leaps were John Wayne's The Searchers (from No. 96 to 12), Raging Bull (from No. 24 to 4), Vertigo (No. 61 to 9) and Charlie Chaplin's City Lights (No. 76 to 11).

Thu, Jun 21, 2007

Price Is Right May Carey On; Bob Denies OK'ing Rosie

The ink is barely dry on the announcement that he will front CBS' Power of 10, but already there is talk that Drew Carey is the latest contender for the Price Is Right hosting gig. Both the Eye and TPIR producer FremantleMedia North America (aka ReallyNeeds New Name) met with the comic, sources tell Variety. Should Drew's name get drawn and Power of 10 succeed, he would likely tackle double duty.Bob Barker, meanwhile, clarifies for the AP that his après-Daytime Emmys comments should not be seen as a ringing endorsement of Rosie O'Donnell as a TPIR host wannabe. "I have not been asked for my opinion, nor have I expressed one," Barker maintains. "I think there are several people who could do the show, and Rosie is certainly one of them." But for him to cast his lot one way or the other, he says, would be "terribly presumptuous."

Thu, Jun 21, 2007

Price Is Right May Carey On; Bob Denies OK'ing Rosie

At the Movies: Indiana Jones 4 Books Broadbent

Forget my crack about the slashed Metamucil budget. Per Variety, Jim Broadbent will play a Yale professor in the fourth Indiana Jones film, which Steven Spielberg began lensing Monday in New Mexico, but will also shoot in, among other global sites, New Haven, Connecticut.... Kate Hudson will star opposite Dane Cook in Bachelor No. 2, a rom-com about a man hired to take other men's exes out on horrific dates, thus sending them back to their former fellas.... HBO Films is adapting the British play My Zinc Bed, with Uma Thurman, Jonathan Pryce and Paddy Considine all on board.... DreamWorks and Universal are turning the graphic novel Cowboys & Aliens into a live-action feature.

Thu, Jun 21, 2007

Lifetime Mans Up with Rob Morrow, James Denton

In somewhat of a first, Lifetime is producing a TV-movie centered around two male leads. Custody, says the Hollywood Reporter, finds a widowed college professor (Numbers' Rob Morrow) at risk of losing custody of his 13-year-old stepdaughter (Nancy Drew's Kay Panabaker) to the wealthy biological father (Desperate Housewives' James Denton) that she never knew. Slated for a September bow, the heart-tugger will be sponsored not by Always, but BIKE athletic supporters — now with "wings"!

Thu, Jun 21, 2007

Lifetime Mans Up with Rob Morrow, James Denton

Love Notes: O.C. Actress to Wed Billionaire

This just in from "Life Imitates Art" Magazine: The O.C.'s Kirsten, Kelly Rowan, is engaged to Canadian billionaire David Thomson.... TV Guide cover boy Jeff Gordon and wife Ingrid Vandebosch on Wednesday welcomed a daughter named Ella Sofia.... Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon is expecting twins this fall with her husband Michael, says People. The NYPD Blue alumna has a 15-year-old son from a previous marriage.

Thu, Jun 21, 2007

Short Cuts: Hillary's Sopranos, American Dad and More

Hillary Clinton's video spoof of The Sopranos' finale (available via our Online Video Guide) is a big hit. A half-million hits, actually. The HillaryClinton.com webmaster says it delivered "a massive spike," besting the site's launch-day numbers.... Fox's American Dad has been renewed for a fourth season, to unspool during the 2008-09 TV season.... Turner Classic Movies presents Spielberg on Spielberg, a 90-minute documentary about the two-time Oscar winner, on July 9 at 8 pm/ET.... Nicolas Cage's Ghost Rider rode to the top of the DVD sales and rental charts last week.

Thu, Jun 21, 2007

Isaiah Washington: Grey's "Fired the Wrong Guy"

This story has more wrinkles than Abe Vigoda. In a candid interview with the Houston Chronicle, Isaiah Washington says, "They fired the wrong guy," positing that contrary to popular belief, the anti-gay slur he spewed during the infamous on-set row with Patrick Dempsey was not aimed squarely at T.R. Knight, though the now-out Grey's Anatomy cast member has said that it was. "That's a lie," Washington says, suggesting that Knight was the one responsible for creating a negative workplace environment, and used the incident as leverage for increases in pay and amount of screen time.As first hinted in TVGuide.com's Ausiello Report, Washington confirms he is pondering a lawsuit against ABC, saying, "My livelihood, my honor, my dignity and my name have been so challenged." He then cops to making three errors in judgment: "Believing the cast... were like family; believing I had the freedom to express myself with family and that we could resolve our issues; and trusting ABC was going to take...

Thu, Jun 21, 2007

Isaiah Washington: Grey's "Fired the Wrong Guy"

William Shatner Is Nimoyed by Star Trek Film Dis

Steam me up, Scotty! William Shatner is reportedly flipping his wig over Leonard Nimoy apparently being offered a cameo in J.J. Abrams' planned Star Trek feature film (a prequel to the TV series, by all accounts). The erstwhile Captain Kirk "is very upset," a source tells the New York Post. "[He] has been lobbying for a role [for himself]." Asked about the supposed dis, the Shat's rep tells the tab, "I don't know that to be the case, so I can't comment." OK, fine, break out the mind meld....

Thu, Jun 21, 2007

William Shatner Is Nimoyed by Star Trek Film Dis

Britney's Latest Hits, Moore vs Braff, and More

Is Britney Spears poised to rehab her career? An insider "not affiliated with Spears or her label," the New York Post specifies, says there are "four definite hits" on the fallen pop tart's in-the-works album, adding, "It's amazing".... In other musical notes, Page Six also hears that "Looking Forward to Looking Back," a track on Mandy Moore's new Wild Hope CD, takes digs at ex-beau/Scrubs star Zach Braff (who most recently  and he's a hard one to keep up with!  has been spied up in Six Degrees cutie Shiri Appleby's grill). Says a source, "We all assume it was about Zach, [because] he was such a cheater".... Online buzz says that Kelly Clarkson has been offered "special cameo" appearances on the American Idol summer tour, to help push her My December album.

Thu, Jun 21, 2007

Britney's Latest Hits, Moore vs Braff, and More

On Stage: Seinfeld's George Eyes an Odd Job

Jason Alexander (who got his start as a Broadway hoofer) recently seized the reigns of Los Angeles' Reprise! theater series. For his first offering, he's thinking of starring in a reading of The Odd Couple opposite Martin Short. "I want to do an absolute crowd-pleaser," Alexander told Playbill.com (which must be why he nixed the idea of a Bob Patterson adaptation).... A musicalization of 9 to 5 will enjoy a star-studded reading later this month, as West Wing's Allison Janney channels Lily Tomlin and Bebe Neuwirth takes on Roz, the office suck-up. The Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Dabney Coleman roles will be filled by stage vets Stephanie J. Block (Pirate Queen), Megan Hilty (Wicked) and Marc Kudisch.... Even in death, Law & Order's Lenny Briscoe gets justice: The Snapple Theater Center is rechristening its third-floor house as "The Jerry Orbach Theater." Snappleholic Michael Ausiello is green with envy.  Reporting by Raven Snook

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

Kitchen Nightmare: Gordon Ramsay Sued for Fakery

Hell's Kitchen host Gordon Ramsay has been slapped with a lawsuit claiming that on his upcoming fall-season restaurant-makeover series, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, he fabricated certain elements for the purpose of cooking up drama. According to court papers cited by ABC News, Martin R. Hyde, the former general manager of Dillons in Manhattan, accuses Ramsay of falsely deeming meat spoiled, simulating decrepit furnishings and hiring actors to pose as customers "flocking" to the rehabilitated eatery. Hyde, who was compelled by Ramsay's verbal abuse to quit his job at Dillons, seeks millions in damages. A spokesperson for Ramsay had no comment on the suit, but claimed that such fakery is "not something they would do." Because reality television is, if anything, real.

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

Kitchen Nightmare: Gordon Ramsay Sued for Fakery

The Office Video Game: Because You Asked for It...?

"Casual" game publisher (what does that mean, sleeveless shirts are OK?) MumboJumbo has licensed the rights to NBC's The Office and the likenesses of its "employees," for the purpose of a humorous, low-tech game in which players steer bobblehead versions of the Dunder-Mifflin gang through assorted tasks and pranks. According to Variety, the Office game isn't bound for next-gen systems (e.g., Xbox 360, PlayStation 3) but rather Nintendo DS, Sony PSP and PCs. Yes, nothing screams "Turn me into a video game!" like a documentary-style comedy about a small-town paper company.

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

Big Deals: Nip/Tuck Raises, Bridget Loves ABC

Nip/Tuck stars Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon will receive seven-figure bonuses on top of their standard five-percent salary increases for the coming Season 5, sources tell the Hollywood Reporter. The bump bolsters each actor's total compensation to about $125,000 for each of 22 episodes.... Once she pops out Tom Brady's progeny, Six Degrees stunner Bridget Moynahan has a deal set up at ABC wherein she will either get her own starring vehicle or be cast on one of the network's 2008-09 pilots, says Variety.

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

Big Deals: Nip/Tuck Raises, Bridget Loves ABC

In the Works: Trump's Place, Anna Nicole Judge, More

Raise your hand if you saw this coming: Donald Trump and MTV are collaborating on Pageant Place, a reality series that will find Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA cohabitating in a New York City apartment. (It's like the Justice League, only with whiter smiles.) Says Variety, semi-disgraced former Miss USA Tara Conner will serve as a "den mother" to the three title-holders.... Uber-emotional Anna Nicole Smith Judge Larry Seidlin has committed to develop a fall 2008 court show with CBS Television Distribution, says Broadcasting & Cable.... A new Speed Racer animated series is set to launch next year on Nicktoons.... Nick Jr. has renewed Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! for a second season.

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

In the Works: Trump's Place, Anna Nicole Judge, More

Drew Carey, Wayne Brady Game for Game Shows

Wayne Brady has been tapped to front Don't Forget the Lyrics!, a Fox game show premiering July 12 and asking contestants to complete the words to a song. Do right by 10 songs in a row, get a cool million dollars.... CBS has set an August 7 premiere for Power of 10, a Family Feud-esque quiz show hosted by Drew Carey and produced by Millionaire's Michael Davies.... BET on July 9 will launch Take the Cake, a nightly interactive game show in which viewers can play along online or via text messaging.

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

At the Movies: Michael Apted to Direct Third Narnia

Per the Hollywood Reporter, Michael Apted is set to claim the reins from Andrew Adamson and direct The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the third film in the seven-pic series. Among the returning cast members are (spoiler alert?) Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes.... Marc Forster (Monster's Ball) will helm and cowrite with Paul Haggis the 22nd James Bond film.... Ben Stiller will produce/perhaps star in the comedy In Deep, in which a man fighting a parking ticket gets caught up in a nightmarish chain of events.... Per Variety, a September release is set for National Lampoon's Homo Erectus, a caveman comedy (is there any other kind these days, really?) starring the likes of Ali Larter, David Carradine and Gary Busey.... Frank Miller will adapt Raymond Chandler's Trouble Is My Business as a starring vehicle for Clive Owen.

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

At the Movies: Michael Apted to Direct Third Narnia

Lindsay Lohan Taking Rehab "Seriously," May Stay

Lindsay Lohan has put the kabosh on her mondo birthday party bash, slated for July 4th in Vegas, because though she was slated to check out of rehab later this week, she may extend her stint. "She is staying in Promises for longer than a month," a friend of the actress tells the New York Post's Page Six, explaining, "She is taking rehab very seriously this time, and not messing around." In other words, Promises must keep all the fun and cool cutlery locked up.

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

Lindsay Lohan Taking Rehab "Seriously," May Stay

Baby Talk: Is Christina Aguilera Xpecting?

Let's certainly hope there ain't no other man, because Christina Aguilera is supposedly with child, says the New York Post's Page Six. "She has to be three months [along] now, because she's announcing it [to friends]," a source tells the tab. This would be Xtina and hubby Jordan Bratman's first kid.Page Six also hears that Jill Hennessy and her actor-husband Paolo Mastropietro are expecting their second child, though a rep for Crossing's Jordan had no comment.

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

Ratings: Viewers Flee HBO's Cincinnati

 On Sunday HBO's John from Cincinnati delivered 1.2 million total viewers in its second week, representing a drop of 65 percent from the premiere. The Season 4 launch of lead-out Entourage drew 2.2 mil, shedding 1.2 mil from its recent season-ender, while Flight of the Conchords bowed to 1.2 mil.  The Sunday finale of VH1's Celebrity Fit Club was sized up by 2.7 mil, a series high. Showtime's Meadowlands was visited by 184,000. On Monday TNT's Heartland debuted to 4.3 mil, making it ad-supported cable's No. 2 series telecast for the year to date. Big Love (1.5 mil) got a bit less love, dropping 700K week to week.

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

Hillary Clinton Is a "Hit" in Sopranos Spoof

It features (to indulgent Bill Clinton's dismay) carrot sticks instead of onion rings, but a video produced by Team Hillary Clinton otherwise cannily sends up the series finale of The Sopranos. In the clip (now featured in our Online Video Guide), Hil is seated in a diner when Bill arrives and their (unseen) daughter, Chelsea, labors to parallel park. As Bill grumbles about the carrots and Sopranos star Vincent Curatola (aka Johnny Sack) shoots the pair a glare, Hillary peruses a jukebox, ultimately settling on the song chosen via some contest to be her election campaign theme. Clinton's video, though, delivers the sort of unsettling coda David Chase steered clear of: The winning tune is by Celine Dion.Of his cameo staring down a senator and former POTUS, Curatola tells the New York Daily News, "It's not easy... but as an actor, you do what you have to do."Washington analysts say the pop-culture riff could go a long way toward humanizing Hillary in a way no big-bucks campaign spendi...

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

Hillary Clinton Is a "Hit" in Sopranos Spoof

Stuck in Idol: Kelly Clarkson Can't Top 40

And the hits keep on coming... yet don't. "Never Again," the first single from Kelly Clarkson's new album streeting Tuesday, isn't the tops, say program directors for New York City's top-40 stations. "We're disappointed," WHTZ's Tom Poleman tells the New York Daily News. "It's done OK, not great." Adds WPLJ's Tom Cuddy, "We finally dropped it [in the rotation]. Listener response just wasn't there."Worse yet, the forecast for Clarkson's follow-up single isn't much better. Says Poleman, "I've heard [it] and the potential isn't that great." "You're rooting for her to have hits," says WLTW's Jim Ryan, "but if the listeners don't love it, we can't play it." In other words, for American Idol Kelly, this isn't her now, this is her, "No, thank you."

Wed, Jun 20, 2007

Stuck in Idol: Kelly Clarkson Can't Top 40

Prison Break Locks Up Down Under Sensation

Chris Vance, a London-born actor who has been making waves in Australia (on the prime-time medical drama/sudser All Saints), has been cast on Prison Break in the role of Whistler, a mysterious fellow inmate at the Panamanian hellhole Michael & Co. now call home. With Jodi Lyn O'Keefe and Robert Wisdom previously welcomed on board the Fox series, out of the four new roles originally announced, the only one that remains to be filled is Whistler's drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend.For more TV casting news, the fresh Ask Ausiello has breaking scoop about an X-Files alum joining The Shield.

Wed, Jun 20, 2007