matt.mitovich

At the Movies: Is Jake Gyllenhaal Marvelous?

New Line is "ready to spend up to $200 million" to launch a Shazam! film franchise, with Jake Gyllenhaal playing Captain Marvel aka Billy Batson, a source tells the New York Daily News. Director Peter Segal is said to want to nab the Brokeback hunk before Sam Raimi possibly grabs him to front any Spider-Man 4.... It will be a Monster's Ball reunion  minus that craaaazy couch sex, I imagine  when Billy Bob Thornton joins Halle Berry for Tulia, about an ACLU lawyer out to expose a racially motivated rash of drug convictions in 1999 Texas.

Wed, Mar 14, 2007

Family: Richard Jeni Suffered Depression, Paranoia

A statement from the family of comic Richard Jeni and obtained by TV's Extra seeks to put to rest any assumptions as to the cause of the comedian's recent death, saying, "Pending the results of an autopsy, Richard Jeni did take his own life." Aware that rumors have been circulating as to the catalyst for this tragic turn, Jeni's family dismisses talk that professional woes played a role. "In fact, he had just enjoyed one of his most financially rewarding years to date," says the statement. "The past few years had been more prolific than ever."What, then, led Jeni to end things? "The truth is, earlier this year [he] was diagnosed with severe clinical depression, coupled with bouts of psychotic paranoia," his family shares. "One only needs to have a family member or friend with a mental illness to understand that there is nothing rational, predictable or fair about these diseases. Perhaps Richards passing will encourage people to have sympathy... for those who are afflicted with...

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

TV Guide Exclusive: Superstars Get in Fast Cars

Various-grade celebrities have already attempted dancing and skating on reality shows, and now a fresh slate of would-be winners will be mashing the gas for an ABC series set to air this summer. A dozen stars have signed on for the Fast Cars & Superstars  Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race, with the would-be leadfoots including William "Take Her to Warp 7" Shatner, tennis champ Serena Williams and singer Jewel. This week, each celeb is behind the wheel for speed trials at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., with top NASCAR drivers such as 2006 Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson showing them the ropes.In Monday's first practice sessions, as half the stars got trial runs in, a clearly rattled Serena Williams was at the bottom of the speed chart  with her best time slower than her vaunted tennis serve. NFL legend John Elway made a very respectable showing for a newcomer, with a bubbly Krista Allen hot on his heels.The celebrity participants also include skateboard...

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

Ratings: New Time-slot Woes for Old Christine

This Monday, as a double dose of Deal or No Deal topped both the 8 and 9 o'clock hours, averaging 16.67 million total viewers: The New Adventures of Old Christine was welcomed to its new, earlier time slot by a third-place-worthy average of 8.04 million viewers across its double-episode return, a drain of five mil from the comedy's last fresh outing (Jan. 22, at 9:30). Christine's 9 pm lead-out, a Two and a Half Men repeat, goosed the CBS viewership back up to 12.56 mil, followed by a new Rules of Engagement (down a mil to a series low of 11.48 mil). Even with the Heroes MIA, 24 (12.32 million) was down 700K, while Supernanny's season ender (7.46 mil) dropped two mil week-to-week. Far, far behind a CSI: Miami repeat, The Black Donnellys (6.75 mil) slipped another 290,000, and said good night to 1.6 mil at the half-hour mark. What About Brian held steady at 4.8 mil.

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

Music Vid Musings: Of Shakironcé, 3Xtina and ScarJo

It's no secret to anyone now that my exposure to contemporary music is limited to VH1's Jump Start and Top 20 Countdown, which I watch at the gym on weekend morns. That established, my attention was turned this past Saturday to a pair of vids that had me seeing double, if not triple  not that I'm at all complaining, given the content.First up, there was "Beautiful Liar," featuring what I consider to be the unlikely duet of Beyoncé (whose voice, frankly, I would not recognize in any other crowd of two) and Shakira. But as unexpected of collaborators as they are, the video's concept demonstrated what a fitting pairing they are, at least visually. Starting off in similar yet decidedly different outfits, each occupying their own spaces while crooning the tune, the ladies gradually start looking more and more like each other  Shakira finds a flat iron, Beyoncé bares her belly  until ultimately and rather astonishingly, the two are veritable doppelgangers for e...

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

Will Regis' Bypass Give Live Palpatations?

Now that the well wishes have been expressed for Regis Philbin, who on Monday announced that he will undergo heart bypass surgery, the topic has turned to how Live with Regis & Kelly will fare during his hospitalization and recovery, which all told will sideline the 75-year-old for at least five weeks. "The show is about the chemistry between [Philbin and Kelly Ripa]," Syracuse University professor and media expert Robert Thompson tells the New York Daily News. "Take half the element out, and it changes the chemistry. There's nobody else you could put in there and get the same thing." Still, Live will rotate in a parade of guest hosts during Regis' absence, starting today and Wednesday with Anderson Cooper.The producers of Live, though, aren't the only ones fretting over the numbers possibly faltering during Philbin's furlough. As Thompson notes, "The people in the time slot afterward should be worried, too."

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

In the Works: TBS Says Hi to Bob Newhart

TBS announced on Tuesday morning that in addition to renewing 10 Items or Less for a second season, it has the following series in development: Uncommon Sense, a domestic comedy penned by Larry Miller; Big Shot, a Jamie Foxx-produced series about a teenage NBA rookie; a Dave Caplan (Drew Carey Show)-penned laffer about a woman who finds humor in life despite adversity; and Bob Newhart: In Search of Comedy, a late-night comedy anthology.Over at A&E, Ice Cube has been tapped to produce Good in the Hood, a reality-series pilot in which a reformed gang member, drug dealer or thief helps similar folk turn their lives around.

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

At the Movies: Gerard Butler Ponders Great Escape

Per Variety, several studios are battling over dibs on a remake of John Carpenter's Escape from New York, to headline Gerard Butler (300) as one-eyed convict Snake Plissken.... Luke Wilson, Amanda Peet, Dennis Quaid, Justin Long and Chris Evans have joined the voice cast of Terra, a CG-animated pic about interplanetary conflict.... DreamWorks Animation plans to produce all of its films in 3-D starting in 2009, beginning with the summer release Monsters vs. Aliens.

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

Love Notes: Pam and Tommy Lee, Take 207?

Pamela Anderson and ex-husband Tommy Lee were spied this week sharing a steamy liplock, says Us.... Ugly Betty's big sis, Ana Ortiz, will marry musician Noah Lebenzon in June, in her native Puerto Rico.... Also per People, Mandy Moore and David Silver Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein have split after two months of dating, says People.... CSI franchise creator Anthony E. Zuiker and his wife Jennifer on Monday welcomed a baby boy named CSI: Noah.

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

Short Cuts: Mean Girls, Pussycat Dolls and More

Sophia Bush's underrated The Hitcher remake  and I say that even though she dissed me on a Q&A  arrives on DVD May 1.... Ghost: Special Collector's Edition is now out on DVD.... Mean Girls: The E! True Hollywood Story premieres March 17 at 6 pm/ET.... Best TV capsule review I've seen in ages: "9 pm, CW: The Search for the Next Doll: The girls are dropped off at Hollywood and Vine, and the one who returns with the least money after two hours is removed from competition. Just kidding." Props to the New York Daily News' David Bianculli.... If in your lifetime you read only one pithy retort from me, make sure that it's the one found here. I feel very strongly about it.

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

Dick Wolf's Intent? To Save Two Law & Orders

As relayed to you here over the weekend, both the original Law & Order and Criminal Intent are on the bubble as NBC ponders which shows to bring back for the fall. According to the trades, NBC has begun talks with the producers of the mother ship  whose ratings are down 20 percent versus a year ago  regarding a possible 18th season, provided the license fee paid by the network can be reduced.Though a sweeter deal could be arrived at were franchise creator Dick Wolf to cut above-the-line costs on the lagging L&Os, perhaps by reducing roles for veteran players, insiders tell Variety that may not suffice, and believe one of two will simply be axed. Via a spokesperson, Wolf tells Variety, "I'm hopeful all three shows will be back."

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

Singer Sued for Sexually Harassing Idol Staffer

New if not disturbing light has been shed on Mario Vazquez's abrupt and mysterious February 2005 exit from American Idol. At the time, the crooner cited "personal reasons" for his departure, but now, according to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court and obtained by TMZ.com, Vazquez allegedly sexually harassed Magdaleno Olmos, an employee of Idol producer Fremantle Media, at one time going so far as to pleasure himself in front of Olmos in a backstage restroom. At the time, Olmos tried to report the incident, but was dismissed as "crazy" by his superior, who threatened him with termination (and ultimately did fire him). In addition to Vazquez, Olmos has named Fox Entertainment and Fremantle as defendants in his wrongful-termination suit. A Fox rep tells TMZ they have yet to be served with papers, but would not comment on pending litigation anyway.

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

NBC's 30 to Rock Earlier

NBC's 30 Rock will return from its just-begun hiatus a week sooner than planned, and in a new time slot. The critically acclaimed freshman laffer will come on at 9 pm/ET starting April 5, on which night The Office, 30 Rock, Scrubs and Andy Barker P.I. will run supersized episodes, and Earl will offer an extended repeat. Scrubs will debut in its 9:30 slot on April 19, and air double episodes on May 3.

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

Fall 2007: Christina Applegate Draws a Blank

Who's doing what for whom this pilot season (per Variety and the Reporter): Emmy winner Christina Applegate, long wooed to return to network TV, has opted to star as an amnesiac woman in the ABC comedy Sam I Am. Jean Smart is Sam's mom, and Tim Russ (Star Trek: Voyager) is also in the cast. As first scooped by the Ausiello Report, Judging Amy Brenneman and Merrin Dungey (Alias) have come on board the Grey's Anatomy spin-off, playing Violet and Naomi. Melanie Griffith will guest on the pilot for the CBS musical drama Viva Laughlin. A conniving sexpot, Griffith's character could go recurring. Drew Carey's Diedrich Bader is the loyal friend of CBS' Skip Tracer. Jamey Sheridan (Law & Order: CI) is a wife-beater turned zombie in CBS' Babylon Fields. Stephanie Childers (Studio 60) is the mother of ABC's American Family. Ty Burrell (Out of Practice, indeed) is an ace reporter for Fox's Action News.

Tue, Mar 13, 2007

Regis' Final Answer: Yes, I'll Have Bypass Surgery

Live cohost Regis Philbin announced on Monday's show that upon suffering "chest pains, shortness of breath... and all those little symptoms you hear about," and being examined by doctors, he has been advised to undergo heart-bypass surgery this week. "Nobody wants to do it," said Philbin, who had hoped to skate by with just an angioplasty. "I [got] a second opinion, and they're all in agreement that it should be the bypass. So that's what I'm going to do." Kelly Ripa, in turn, quipped that she's available for sponge-bathing, making my own ticker skip a beat.

Mon, Mar 12, 2007

Ratings: LaPaglia Pens an Amazing Trace

This Sunday's ratings snippets: Despite delivering the joy of seeing Romber "Philiminated," The Amazing Race (10 million total viewers) slipped 740,000 viewers week-to-week. Grease (6.46 mil) was up 250K. Fox's The Winner lost viewers in both its 8:30 pm/ET (6.8 million, down 300 thou) and 9:30 (5.64 mil, down 440K) showings. Cold Case (15.31 million) was up two mil, while lead-out Without a Trace (17.2 million), cowritten this week by Anthony LaPaglia, was up 2.5 mil, giving each CBS series its second-largest audience of the season. The Apprentice (7.59 million) was up a mil.

Mon, Mar 12, 2007

Pilot Season Dismembers Young Frankenstein

One of Broadway's most anticipated premieres  Mel Brooks' musical adaptation of Young Frankenstein  is finding its wish-list ensemble stripped down to the bolt necks, thanks to the TV-pilot casting season. Among the casualties: Kristin Chenoweth, who was to channel Madeleine Kahn, is now Pushing Daisies for ABC, a "real blow" to Frankenstein, a source tells the New York Post. Likewise, Zachary Levi  Brooks' best bet to fill the Gene Wilder role  is now NBC's Chuck, and would-be Igor Roger Bart is testing for Kelsey Grammer's Action News. As a result, the Post reports, a Will & Grace reunion may be in the offing, with Megan Mullally stepping in for Chenoweth and Eric McCormack in the running for Dr. F. OK, but I draw the line at Beverly Leslie playing the monster.

Mon, Mar 12, 2007

In the Works: ABC Eyes Jenna Elfman, NASCAR

ABC is close to landing Literary Superstar, a Darren Star-produced (and tentatively titled) comedy pilot starring Jenna Elfman as a publicist to particularly quirky authors. NBC, though, might still swoop in and grab the project.... Also per Variety: NBC is adapting Baby Borrowers, a U.K. series in which teen couples are "fast-forwarded" through parenthood, first watching over a real newborn, then days later having the tot swapped with a toddler, a preteen, and so on.... ABC News is in production on NASCAR in Primetime, a documentary series examining the world of racing set to debut in summer/early fall.

Mon, Mar 12, 2007

Law & Order Vet Ponders Presidential Run

Fred Dalton Thompson, the onetime Tennessee senator who plays district attorney Arthur Branch on NBC's Law & Order, said on Sunday that he is going to "leave the door open" in the coming months as he considers a possible presidential run. "I'm going to wait and see what happens," the Associated Press quotes Thompson as saying. "I want to see what my [GOP] colleagues on the campaign trail say, what they emphasize, whether they can carry the ball next November." Among the big issues for Thompson: Southerlyn v. Rubirosa.

Mon, Mar 12, 2007

Gamblers Get Kicks Betting on Heather Mills' Leg

With the return of ABC's Dancing with the Stars now a week away, the gambling site BoDog.com has started to accept bets on whether celeb hoofer Heather Mills' prosthetic leg will fly off during competition. As articulated by the site, the appendage "must fall off, not be purposely taken off, during a dance routine for all 'yes' wagers to be graded a win." Thus far, "no" is the heavy favorite, and Mills herself told Extra last week that such a mishap is "very, very unlikely," so bet carefully lest you (here it comes... ) lose an arm and a leg of your own.

Mon, Mar 12, 2007

Comic Richard Jeni Dies in Apparent Suicide

Richard Jeni, a Brooklyn-born comedian who starred in a 1990 Showtime special, was a regular on both Carson's and Leno's Tonight Show, and appeared in such films as The Mask and The Aristocrats, died in an apparent suicide on Sunday. He was 45. Responding to a 911 call from a woman who said, "My boyfriend shot himself in the face," Los Angeles police found Jeni at his home and then rushed him to the hospital, but to no avail. The shotgun shooting is under investigation.

Mon, Mar 12, 2007

Box Office: 300 Slays Record, Earning $70 Mil

The bloody action epic 300 bested the record for best March debut ever, drawing $70 million in its opening weekend. (The previous titleholder was Ice Age 2, with $68 mil.) Rounding out the top five were Wild Hogs ($28 million), Bridge to Tabitha Stevens Terabithia ($6.9 mil), Ghost Rider ($6.8 mil) and Zodiac ($6.77 mil). Fox Searchlight's The Namesake had a strong opening, averaging $42,000 in each of six theaters, and will expand to additional venues this weekend.

Mon, Mar 12, 2007