matt.mitovich

In the Works: ABC Gets in Bed with Guy Ritchie

Among the latest pilot orders, ABC has greenlit Suspect, a procedural from director/executive producer/Mr. Madonna Guy Ritchie, and examining all the suspects in a crime, while Fox has given its blessing to The Apostles, a crime drama penned by Desperate Housewives' Charles Pratt Jr.Elsewhere, HBO has ordered a total of 45 half-hour episodes of In Treatment, a drama starring Gabriel Byrne and based on a critically acclaimed Israeli series. The cabler has also picked up the comedy series 12 Miles of Bad Road, starring Lily Tomlin.

Mon, Jan 22, 2007

Barney Miller Star Dead at 71

And no, it is not Abe Vigoda, as Raven Snook pointed out in passing this along. As reported by the New York Times:"Ron Carey, the pint-sized, round-faced comic best known as the unjustifiably cocky police officer Carl Levitt on the long-running television situation comedy Barney Miller, died [of a stroke] Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 71."Aww, I loved Levitt. Represented for the little guy so well. Then again, I loved everything about Barney Miller. Terrific show.

Fri, Jan 19, 2007

Ratings: Smallville Puts Up Big-League Numbers

Another competitive Thursday in ratings. Take note: Talk about your superlatives: Smallville introduced the Justice League to an audience of 5.25 million total viewers, representing a season high.  Perhaps goosed by America's Globes win, Ugly Betty (14.1 million) surged 700,000 heads to have its best outing since Oct. 5.  NBC's entire comedy lineup learned a lesson about, "What goes up... ": Earl was down 1.2 mil week-to-week, The Office plunged 1.7 mil, the musical Scrubs saw 1.35 mil "tune" out, and 30 Rock lost a mil. Drawing 21.89 million, Grey's Anatomy (medical show, ABC, check it out sometime) edged out CSI (21.28 mil) in the rivals' first legitimate head-to-head in ages. Supernatural (3.38 mil) did its best numbers since Oct. 26. Opposite an ER rerun, Shark (15 mil) bested Men in Trees (10.7 million, up 450K).

Fri, Jan 19, 2007

Match.contrite: GLAAD Makes a Date with Isaiah

In light of Thursday evening's mea culpa from Isaiah Washington, GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano has released the following: "We are encouraged by Isaiah Washington's statement, and optimistic that it may mark a turning point in this deeply troubling situation. His acknowledgement of his actions  and of the hurt and harm his actions have caused  is an important first step toward healing his relationships with his cast mates, his fans, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. "Mr. Washington has scheduled a meeting with us for early next week"  likely Monday, TVGuide.com has learned  "and we look forward to exploring opportunities for moving forward together and healing some of the wounds of the past four months."Next stop for Mr. Washington: Waxing regretful for Barbara? Diane? Oprah? Menounos?In related news, the Ausiello Report has out actor Neil Patrick Harris' reaction to the entire brouhaha.

Fri, Jan 19, 2007

Isaiah Washington: "I Can Neither Defend nor Explain My Behavior"

Only three hours after ABC sent forth its stern verbal scolding of Isaiah Washington's behavior, the Grey's Anatomy star issued the following statement:"I apologize to T.R. [Knight], my colleagues, the fans of the show, and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. By repeating the word Monday night, I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on Greys Anatomy. I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help."I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, Ive hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in perso...

Fri, Jan 19, 2007

ABC: Isaiah Washington's Behavior Is "Unacceptable"

You think T.R Knight was surprised by Grey's Anatomy cast mate Isaiah Washington's Golden Globes-night "announcement"? Well, so was ABC, which apparently believed the whole sordid mess had been put behind them. In a statement released to TVGuide.com on Thursday afternoon, the network deemed Washington's encore of sorts to be "unacceptable," adding  ominously, if you ask me  that his actions "will be addressed." Find the complete statement over at the Ausiello Report.

Fri, Jan 19, 2007

Report: Rosie Eyeing (Officially) Solo Talk Show

Accepting for the purpose of this story that The View is technically a group effort, there is talk that Rosie O'Donnell will take her first steps toward fronting a solo talker by spring or summer of this year. According to the trade mag TV Week, though O'Donnell's current contract stipulates that she must first entertain offers from a division of Disney if she is itching to return to the name-in-title daytime talk biz, sources say that she already has a handshake deal with Warner Bros. (though the studio denies that any talks have taken place).In light of The View's double-digit ratings gains since Rosie's arrival, insiders tell TV Week that Disney/ABC would fight tooth and nail to hold onto the motormouth, and that its deal with her would actually make it difficult for her to switch teams, as it were.

Fri, Jan 19, 2007

Gimme a Day Break: Online Return Finalized

An ABC spokesperson just informed me that the dates are now "locked" for all 13 Day Break episodes to be reposted at ABC.com. The schedule looks like this:• Episodes 101 through 107: Jan. 29• Unaired episodes 108, 109 and 110: by Jan. 29• Episode 111: Feb. 5• Episode 112: Feb. 11• Episode 113 (aka series finale): Feb. 19Good luck, Hopper! — MWM

matt.mitovich

In the Works: ABC Gets in Bed with Guy Ritchie

Barney Miller Star Dead at 71

Ratings: Smallville Puts Up Big-League Numbers

Match.contrite: GLAAD Makes a Date with Isaiah

Isaiah Washington: "I Can Neither Defend nor Explain My Behavior"

ABC: Isaiah Washington's Behavior Is "Unacceptable"

Report: Rosie Eyeing (Officially) Solo Talk Show

Gimme a Day Break: Online Return Finalized

Deal-closer: Sedgwick Parlays Her Gold into Green

Crime-time Casting: Dawson Scores Super Gig

Guest Who: Tim Gunn Takes Aim at Betty

GLAAD Understandably Unhappy with Grey's Star

Hell Freezing, Lindsay Lohan Sobers Up

NBC Drops the Soap, Quells Its Passions

Coming Soon: NBC Clears Improv Hour for Rip-off

Pilot Talk: NBC Says Show Me the M.O.N.Y.

Britney's Ex Now a Super Burger-flipper

Hurricane Brangelina Hits New Orleans

Trump, Lauer Grilled on Press-tour Hot Seat

Quick Hits: Smallville Serves Justice, Prison Break Returns

The CEO Has Spoken: CBS Orders More Survivor

Is 24 Teetering Closer to "Mission: Implausible"?