matt.mitovich

Lie to Me Star Teases Big Twists, Big Guest Stars

Coming up on Fox's Lie to Me (Wednesdays, 8 pm/ET), Cal and The Lightman Group not only will hack away at more half-truths and ferret out many fibs, they'll also welcome some new if familiar faces — namely, those belong to Jennifer Beals (The L Word) and Mekhi Phifer (ER). Monica Raymund, who plays Ria Torres, a relative rookie when it comes to deception detection, previews the episodes to come. TVGuide.com: Do you feel like your own story parallels that of Ria Torres? An airport security guard is picked to work alongside the brilliant cal Lightman, whereas Monica Raymund is picked to star on a series with Tim Roth?Monica Raymund: It absolutely is a parallel life. I had just come out of school in may 2008 when they plucked me up and put me on this show. It was the same deal with Torres — she has a very natural ability but not a lot of experience, and is kind of the rookie of the group.  TVGuide.com: Let's preview some of the episodes coming up. This week, Torres and Foster investigate a shooting tied to rival rappers....Raymund: Yes, there is a rivalry between two rap artists and ...

Wed, Apr 22, 2009

Lie to Me Star Teases Big Twists, Big Guest Stars

Kings Gets Royally Shooed Again, Moved to Summer

Mel Brooks was wrong — it's not good to be the king. NBC has once again shuttled around Kings, its ambitious if poorly received new drama series, yanking it from its Saturdays-at-8 slot after just one airing. Kings originally called Sunday home, but was banished after four low-rated outings. Kings now will conclude its freshman run ...

Wed, Apr 22, 2009

Kings Gets Royally Shooed Again, Moved to Summer

Mega Buzz on NCIS, Heroes, Betty, 24, Smallville and More!

Every week, senior editors Matt Webb Mitovich, Mickey O'Connor and Tim Molloy satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to megascoop@tvguide.com. We've been teased big happenings with NCIS' Tony and Ziva, and I'm all for that, but need I be worrying so much? — KateMATT: I finally got NCIS boss Shane Brennan to dish on "Tiva," and it looks like you might be left to fret all summer long. He told me, "What happens over these next episodes is an evolution of their relationship — though perhaps more extreme than you would get in your normal [workplace]. These people do carry guns!" Then, in the wake of specific events of the May 19 season-ender, he said, "It's up to the audience to decide, and they will over the summer, what might happen [next]. But everything has a life, and eventually things end." Listen very carefully to Brennan's coda here: "Now, if you think I just said that Tiva's going to end, I didn't." I've heard that Heroes' Volume 4 ends with a major death. Any tease? — EricTIM: You're half-right. Of course, not everyone who dies stays dead. Except those who do. Also, look for one character to ...

Wed, Apr 22, 2009

Mega Buzz on NCIS, Heroes, Betty, 24, Smallville and More!

Ratings: Castle Looks Sharp as Horatio Takes a Siesta

Monday's ratings recap: 8 pm/ETDancing with the Stars averaged 20.28 million total viewers over its 90-minute run, up 6 percent week-to-week. A special Monday broadcast of Bones followed with an audience of 8.38 mil, a drop of 470K from its last Thursday foray.  Trailing CBS sitcom repeats, an especially Awesome episode of Chuck drew 6.05 mil, dipping 170K. Gossip Girl talked to 2.36 mil, down 120 thou. 9 pmLeading out of a Two and a Half Men repeat, Rules of Engagement (10.59 million viewers) dropped more than a mil, placing behind ABC's Surviving Suburbia (10.86 mil) at the half-hour mark. 24 clocked in with 10.28 mil, down 550K, while Heroes (6.36 mil) resumed its stumbling ways, slipping 9 percent. One Tree Hill (2.42 mil) ticked up 130K.  10 pmWith a Mentalist repeat (9.43 mil) subbing for CSI: Miami, ABC's Castle enjoyed an 11 percent surge, hitting 8.44 mil. Medium (7.36 mil), however, missed out on the opportunity, dropping 220 thou.

Tue, Apr 21, 2009

Ratings: Castle Looks Sharp as Horatio Takes a Siesta

VIDEO: John Noble, Part 2: More Fringe Mysteries Tackled!

In Part 2 of our video Q&A with John Noble, Fringe's magnificentally mad scientist takes on these topics: • Has Walter and Peter's relationship evolved? Or is Peter still around out of some sense of obligation? • Will Walter ever be truly stumped by a mystery? • Might we ever see Walter out in the field, perhaps toting a gun? • Is more to be made of Walter's past with Nina Sharp? (Reveals Noble, "It will be a major throughline in the next season.") • Will we get more flashbacks to a young Walter, perhaps shedding light on his relationship to "the pattern" and/or William Bell (to be played by Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy in this season's finale)?Watch and discuss Noble's answers, after the jump.

Tue, Apr 21, 2009

VIDEO: John Noble, Part 2: More Fringe Mysteries Tackled!

Mega Minute: NCIS Finale Preview, Private Practice & More!

Now playing in this week's Mitovich Mega Minute: • In but the very first excerpt from my new in-depth interview with Shane Brennan, the NCIS executive producer teases a season finale with utterly unpredictable ramifications. Plus: Who's back to make big waves? • Josh Hopkins previews a Private Practice season-ender that has to be seen to be believed. • Which two Army Wives' lives are poised for serious upheaval? Get the Season 3 scoop!Watch and discuss the new MMM after the jump.

Tue, Apr 21, 2009

Pirate Fever Spreads, from South Park to the Ballpark

Not since Johnny Depp have pirates been so hot, as the entertainment biz continues to capitalize on the Navy SEALs' rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from a band of high-seas bandits. On the heels of Spike fast-tracking a docu-series about the Navy's anti-pirate operations, Comedy Central's South Park will offer its special take on the recent headline this Wednesday, when Cartman runs ...

Tue, Apr 21, 2009

Pirate Fever Spreads, from South Park to the Ballpark

Ratings: Edie's Farewell, Prison Break's Return and More

Sunday's ratings summary: 7 pm/ETNBC's coverage of the Miss USA Pageant averaged nearly 5 million viewers over its two-hour run.  8 pmThe Amazing Race topped the hour with 10.4 million total viewers, followed by a repeat of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (7.56 mil). Fox's Sit Down, Shut Up premiered to 5.2 mil, fumbling 20 percent of lead-in The Simpsons' audience. 9 pmAn audience of 13.65 million turned up for Desperate Housewife Edie's final hurrah, a 7 percent drop from the show's last fresh outing. CBS/Hallmark's The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler placed second, averaging 9.82 mil over its two-hour run. (Watch my video Q&A with Anna Paquin here, fourth item down.) Celebrity Apprentice's double-elimination drew 8.32 mil, a three-week high. 10 pmBrothers & Sisters topped the demos but was matched in total viewers (9.63 mil) by Irena Sendler; in fact, CBS' TV movie pulled ahead of the ABC serial by the end of the night. Other ratings mentions:• On Friday, Prison Break returned to an audience of 3.38 mil, plunging 32 percent from its winter finale.• NBC's Kings, in its first Saturday-night showcase, delivered 2.41 mil, down 33 percent from its most recent Sunday outing.

Mon, Apr 20, 2009

Ratings: Edie's Farewell, Prison Break's Return and More

VIDEO: Lost's Michael Emerson Teases an "Explosive" Finale

With Lost's season finale now three-and-a-half weeks (including one clip show) away, Michael Emerson is letting slip some info about what's in store for Ben, the others and, well, the Others. Airing May 13, the Season 5 finale is "so packed with action," Emerson tells TV Guide Network's Hollywood 411. "So many storylines come to a really big head, and we finally get to lay eyes on ...

Mon, Apr 20, 2009

VIDEO: Lost's Michael Emerson Teases an "Explosive" Finale

TiVo Takes on Nielsen with Second-by-Second Audience Data

Coming soon to your Now Playing list: a must-see face-off between TiVo and Nielsen. TiVo has announced Stop/Watch Local, a plan to offer networks and advertisers second-by-second information about the programs and commercials being watched by users of its DVR service. Get the full story on the new service — including its limitations, and the reaction from Nielsen Media Research — after the jump.

Mon, Apr 20, 2009

TiVo Takes on Nielsen with Second-by-Second Audience Data

Prison Break Is Back with a Huge Reveal and a Major Death

Prison Break continues this Friday, but only for a few weeks longer. Yes, after four seasons, it's time for Michael and Linc to finally catch their breath... or perhaps take a final one.What's coming up as the action resumes with a two-hour return (8 pm/ET, Fox)? For one thing, there's the matter of the brothers' big and seemingly bad mama (played by Kathleen Quinlan)."She plays a big part in the last few episodes," series cocreator Matt Olmstead shares. "A lot of secrets are revealed, and Michael and Lincoln are certainly shook in terms of who they are, where they came from. At a certain point, they're wondering if this is the truth or are they being divided and conquered, so to speak." The maternal meddling is followed by a mother of a twist. "We have a big surprise reveal," says Olmstead, barely able to contain his excitement. "I won't tell you who it is, but a returning character comes in late in the game, when the wheels are coming off, and he or she is either there to save the day or to hijack the whole thing for his or her own benefit."That unexpected return, says Olmstead, "pays off very nicely."Of course, Prison Break being Prison Break, a few bodies will drop before Episode 22 fades to black. And one of them is of such significance, the show's bosses had to fight Fox to take the life in question ...

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

Prison Break Is Back with a Huge Reveal and a Major Death

Getting Lost: Death Pool Update, Finale Tease and More

This week, in TVGuide.com's Getting Lost video: •Get the latest numbers from our "Lost death pool" — and see how your No. 1 pick to kick it compares with that of a major betting site. • Also on the sad, sad topic of death, Elizabeth Mitchell shares a tease about the season finale's big farewell. • Check out the dominant theories about newcomer Ilana and "what lies in the shadow of the statue." Then, check out the new Burning Question, about last night's rather surprising submarine passenger, and send your best theory to GettingLost@tvguide.com after watching the video after the jump.

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Was Fox's "Sci Fi Friday" Fated to Fail?

It turns out that Sarah Connor was the one in need of protection, and not her son John. And Dollhouse? Its engagements may not have proved engaging enough.The future doesn't look bright for Fox's experiment in relaunching a 'Sci Fi Friday" lineup. Poor ratings make it increasingly likely that Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles will be powered down for good, and Dollhouse boss Joss Whedon admits that Echo & Co. are about to be imprinted with a "FIRED" stamp.The show's odds of renewal are "not very good," Whedon told SciFiWire.com. "Obviously our numbers are pretty soft ... but we live in hope. I'm really proud of the episodes that are coming out. More than that, I can't really ask."A source close to Sarah Connor tells TVGuide.com ...

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Was Fox's "Sci Fi Friday" Fated to Fail?

Lisa Rinna's New Playboy Nudes Make a Statement, Says Husband

Arriving on newsstands this Friday, the May 2009 issue of Playboy features former Melrose Place resident and Dancing star Lisa Rinna on its cover as well as inside, in a nude pictorial described as groundbreaking by her husband. See exactly what Harry Hamlin has to say, and get sneek peeks of the new pics, after the jump.

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Lisa Rinna's New Playboy Nudes Make a Statement, Says Husband

Smallville: TVGuide.com Readers' Questions Answered!

To help pass the time until Smallville returns on April 23 with the final four episodes of the season, executive producer Kelly Souders answered questions from the CW series' superfans here at TVGuide.com. Read on to see what Souders had to share about Clark's destiny, Lois' future, Chloe's crises, a surprising pairing and much more. Make the jump to get the super scoop.

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Smallville: TVGuide.com Readers' Questions Answered!

To SNL and Back: After JT, Will Ferrell Close Out the Season?

Saturday Night Live will wrap up its 34th season with at least one familiar face. As revealed during the latest show's promos, Justin Timberlake will bring his sexy back to the long-running sketch show on May 9, marking his third turn as guest host. And Will Ferrell may return to lord over this season's final outing, according to ...

Wed, Apr 15, 2009

To SNL and Back: After JT, Will Ferrell Close Out the Season?

Ratings: Did Tori Spell Big Gains for 90210?

Tuesday's tallies: 8 pm/ETAmerican Idol's night at the movies played to a crowd of 23.48 million total viewers, up 7 percent week-to-week. A not-new NCIS followed with 13.37 mil.  The Biggest Loser (9.04 mil) sank its teeth into third, gaining 13 percent. A pair of According to Jims averaged 4.48 mil. Reaper dipped 230K, to 2.05 mil. 9 pmDancing with the Stars' results show won the hour with 14.76 million viewers, up 320K. A repeat of The Mentalist claimed second with 12.1 mil, followed by Fringe (11.5 mil, down 500 thou). Did the return of Donna Martin "graduate" 90210's numbers? The answer: At 2.13 mil, the CW series enjoyed its largest audience since Feb. 10.  10 pmWithout a Trace was tops with 13.17 million viewers. Opposite an SVU repeat, ABC's Cupid (6.6 mil, up 380K) technically took second, though by the end of the hour Stabler & Co. actually had the bigger audience.

Wed, Apr 15, 2009

Ratings: Did Tori Spell Big Gains for 90210?

Mega Buzz on Grey's, CSI, Mad Men, Lost, Dexter & More!

Every week, senior editors Matt Webb Mitovich, Mickey O'Connor and Tim Molloy satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to megascoop@tvguide.com. Could you give me any scoop you have on Grey's Anatomy, ideally something about Mark and Lexie? I need my fix! — FrancesMATT: Does McSteamy "do" parents? That's the big question in the April 30 episode, when a now-sober Thatcher Grey invites his daughter and her new beau out to dinner. Now, just supposing that Mark is down for some dining, can the reformed cad put on a good show? And this just in: A source tells me that on Mer and Der's wedding day, airing May 7, the groom gifts his bride with (incurable romantic alert!) her first solo surgery. How that fits into a little blue Tiffany box, I do not know. The past two seasons of CSI have ended with a cliff-hanger. Season 7 ended with Sara left in the Vegas desert by the Miniature Killer, and Season 8 ended with Warrick being accused of murder (and eventually murdered himself). Will Season 9 follow that same pattern? — Jocelyn

Wed, Apr 15, 2009

Mega Buzz on Grey's, CSI, Mad Men, Lost, Dexter & More!

Big Bangers Meet Prison Break Bad Girl

What happens in Vegas ... apparently will be played for maximum comic effect when the boys of The Big Bang Theory cross paths with Prison Break alumna Jodi Lyn O'Keefe. In the CBS hitcom's April 27 episode, Leonard and Koothrappali escort a heartbroken Wolowitz to Las Vegas. There, O'Keefe boots the geeks' hard drives as Mikayla, a "working girl" — and not in the Melanie Griffith vein. Meanwhile...

Wed, Apr 15, 2009

Jack Bauer Is Gunning for NYC Next Season

He who takes a big bite out of global crime soon will take a bite out of the Big Apple; A Fox spokesperson confirms that 24's eighth season will be set in New York City. Now, before you go buy bus tickets and only add to the glut of tourists who make evening walks through Times Square rather frustrating, know this...

Wed, Apr 15, 2009

Jack Bauer Is Gunning for NYC Next Season

Ratings: Is Heroes Coming Back to Life?

Monday's ratings recap: 8 pm/ET Dancing with the Stars averaged 19.12 million total viewers over its 90-minute run, dipping just a bit from last Monday's dance-off. House placed second in the hour with 11.84 mil, down 9 percent. Both of CBS' sitcoms — Big Bang Theory (10.13 mil) and How I Met Your Mother (9.56 mil) — saw small gains, while Chuck spied an audience of 6.22 mil, its best tally in six weeks. 9 pm Two and a Half Men, with 14.8 million viewers, was up a hair, while lead-out Rules of Engagement (11.57 mil) engaged an additional 5 percent. Saget's Suburbia (10.7 mil) settled down some, dropping 12 percent from its debut. While 24 held steady at 10.83 mil, Heroes (6.8 mil) experienced a small power surge, reversing its weeks-old series of all-time lows by climbing 12 percent. 10 pm CSI: Miami staked out an audience of13.33 million, while Castle (7.6 mil, down 18 percent) and Medium (7.58 mil, up 6 percent) duked it out for also-ran honors.

Tue, Apr 14, 2009

Mega Minute: Criminal Minds Finale Preview, and More

Now playing in this week's Mitovich Mega Minute: * Save the date for Criminal Minds' two-hour season-ender. Plus: What will Hotch & Co. be up against in the finale? * Is T-Bag's Prison Break run about to end? Robert Knepper previews the show's return. * From the Mega mailbag: Now that his Life on Mars has expired, what's next for Jason O'Mara? Might a return to The Closer be on tap? Watch the video, after the jump.

Tue, Apr 14, 2009