matt.mitovich

Desperate Housewives Tornado Kills the Competition

OK, after watching Sunday's episode, I get it: Marc Cherry's plum is ripe for the watching again. So I don't blame Nielsen's families for tuning in in droves to learn that Tom Scavo (presumably) got swept away by a natural disaster. The dramedy was watched by 20.6 million 18- to 49-year-old viewers, giving it a 7.7 rating/17 share in the demo and its best overall numbers since November sweeps 2006. ABC kicked ass before and after the whirlwind, too, winning at 8 pm/ET with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (14.5 million, 4.9/11) and at 10 with Brothers & Sisters (12.7 million, 4.8/12). Only at 8:30 did Fox surge ahead: Its Bowl Championship Series Selection Show, while down from last year, tackled 10.8 million viewers for 4.3 rating and a 10 share. Speaking of twisters, the first night of the cabler's wack Wizard of Oz revamp blew away the competition to become its most-watched broadcast ever. Attracting more than 6.3 million viewers, it did even better than Steven Spielberg Presen...

Tue, Dec 4, 2007

Desperate Housewives Tornado Kills the Competition

Threatened by Younger Singer, Britney Spears Falls to "Pieces"

According to the New York Post, the human disaster area was all set to blow off her video shoot for the song "Pieces of Me"... until her label, Jive Records, told her, in essence, "Show up, don't show up... whatever. We have Samantha Jade on standby, and we'll just make her clip instead." Says a source, "They were going to recalibrate [the already prepped production] for Samantha, because it was too expensive to just scrap. Britney finally showed up when she realized a new, younger, hotter girl would take her slot." Of course, Twitney being Twitney, she was already having a tough week, what with yesterday's Post report that when she turned 26 on Saturday, she borrowed Paris Hilton's cell to beg Fed-Ex to come out and party with her. I've said it before, I'll say it again: I couldn't make this stuff up.  Ben Katner

Tue, Dec 4, 2007

Threatened by Younger Singer, Britney Spears Falls to "Pieces"

Ugly Betty's Suzuki St. Pierre Breaks Free!

Ugly Betty's intrepid, scandal-seeking fashion reporter Suzuki St.Pierre's scoops often have the "Mode" staff gasping, and actor Alec Mapa, who plays the catty journalist, says his goal for St. Pierre was "to get out of the television." While production for the ABC series has been shut down, there's still a new, upcoming episode in which Mapa gets his wish. In addition to playing opposite star Vanessa Williams, Mapa got to bask in the glow of a Golden Girl, with guest star Betty White. Mapa tells TV Guide, "In the middle of a take, I actually looked over at Vanessa Williams and I was like, 'It's Betty White!'" Mapa enthuses, "She's a pro. She got the lines right every single time. She got the laugh every time. She's amazing." With the strike still suppressing new production, Mapa has managed to stay busy, focusing on "reality" series. "I'm doing VH1's The Smartest Celebrity, a new quiz show that's not about what you know, but how you think." Famous folk get to show off their brain p...

Tue, Dec 4, 2007

Daredevil Evel Knievel, Dead at 69, Is Remembered

Daredevil Evel Knievel, whose legendary exploits included a near-fatal rocket ride across Snake River Canyon, died Friday at age 69. According to the AP, Knievel's health had been failing for years, as he suffered from diabetes and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (an incurable condition that scarred his lungs).As someone who spent many a childhood day (unsuccessfully) trying to get his Mattel Evel Knievel action figure to perform the motorcycle jumps and flips seen in the Saturday-morning TV commercials, I definitely lament his passing. And remember when he guest-starred during his 1970s heyday on The Bionic Woman? Good retro times.More on Evel Knievel: Our Online Video Guide features clips from his daring adventures. On Saturday from 1 to 6 pm/ET: ESPN Classic Remembers Evel Knievel

Sat, Dec 1, 2007

Daredevil Evel Knievel, Dead at 69, Is Remembered

Is Maksim Chmerkovskiy Done Dancing?

After back-to-back season-finale losses, Dancing with the Stars pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy may be done with trying to impress the judges, and America. "If this is the limit of where I can get in the show... I'm satisfied and moving on," Chmerkovskiy tells TV's Extra.Mel B.'s partner already has other projects lined up, including a show in Vegas and choreography opportunities in Germany and China. Some fans will surely be sad to see him depart from the popular reality show. Will you?More on Dancing with the Stars:  Julianne and Helio Dancing Around Romance Talk

Sat, Dec 1, 2007

Hannah Storm Is Out at the CBS Early Show

Hannah Storm is leaving her coanchor chair at CBS' The Early Show. The news division announced today that she will move into a new role at CBS News. A former sports reporter and studio host for NBC, Storm joined The Early Show in 2002, when the program moved to a multi-anchor format. A CBS News spokeswoman had no comment on whether Storm will be replaced. But the talk inside the news division is that execs are high on Maggie Rodriguez, a former Miami news anchor who has been coanchor of The Saturday Early Show since June 2007. It's likely she'll be moved over to the weekday program.  Stephen Battaglio

Thu, Nov 29, 2007

Hannah Storm Is Out at the CBS Early Show

Can ABC Please Dive Deeper into its Guest-star Pool?

Coming in fall 2008: a new ABC sitcom starring Eddie Cibrian and Josh Randall as wacky roommates! That's my prediction based on the omnipresence of those two TV journeymen as guest stars for the Alphabet network. Within the span of a week, Ed alum Randall reprised his Men in Trees role of Annie's loutish brother (in an episode taped last season, I grant you) and also surfaced on Private Practice as Addison's would-be (if not for his propensity for probing his posterior...) beau. Cibrian, meanwhile, recently played Karen's ex-husband on Dirty Sexy Money, and this week can be seen pitching woo at Samantha Who? In a similar vein, ABC tapped Sara Gilbert to play a convenience-store robbing mom-to-be on Private Practice mere weeks after the Roseanne vet visited CBS' Big Bang Theory. (That was the PP episode which went for the sweeps month hat trick: Name Guest Star, Emergency Baby Delivery and Hostage Situation.)Setting aside my opinions of any of the aforementioned actors (Randall's app...

Sun, Nov 25, 2007

Can ABC Please Dive Deeper into its Guest-star Pool?

Donda West's Surgeon Walks off Larry King

The plastic surgeon who operated on Kanye West's mother the day before she died abruptly walked off CNN's Larry King Live during a scheduled Tuesday sit-down. Dr. Jan Adams said he initially agreed to speak with King to clear up "inaccurate reports" about him, but West's family then asked him not to appear on the show. Before Adams left the talker, King asked whether the surgeon would ever answer questions surrounding Donda West's death. "When [the family is] comfortable, I'll be comfortable. If they're never comfortable, then I'll never be comfortable," he answered. Adams told the LA Times that West, a day after she underwent breast reduction, tummy tuck and liposuction procedures, may have died of a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or from an accidental overdose of painkillers. He suspected one theory but wouldn't elaborate until the coroner issues an official cause of death: "I believe I know exactly what happened to her, but I will not comment on it until I see the final report....

Wed, Nov 21, 2007

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You: Um, Nothing

At last, the craptacular side effects of the writers' strike are being felt in the movie biz as well as the TV industry. No sooner had Roswell E.T. Jason Behr and O.C. bad boy Cam Gigandet been chosen to costar with Bruce Willis and Woody Harrelson in Oliver Stone's Vietnam War drama Pinkville than the film's production start date was canceled because the director, a WGA member, likes to nip and tuck his scripts as he shoots. Ron Howard's Da Vinci Code sequel, Angels & Demons, Johnny Depp's Shantaram and the musical Nine have also been put on hold. Suddenly, I'm awfully glad I have DVDs of every Tremors movie ever made.  Ben Katner

Tue, Nov 20, 2007

Dirty-minded Lolita Brings Sexy Back to Papa Darling

First Dirty Sexy Money gets a pickup, now paterfamilias Tripp is gonna get one. Quarterlife's Lolita Davidovich (you may remember her from Blaze) has nabbed the role of Flavia Carazzi, a hospital administrator who puts the spring back in the Darling dad's step. Or back in his, er, something. And luckily for her, since the show still has a couple of pre-strike scripts left, she'll get to start work at once.  Ben Katner

Tue, Nov 20, 2007

Dirty-minded Lolita Brings Sexy Back to Papa Darling

David Duchovny Gets Chili Peppers Hot Under the Collar

Who didn't see this one coming? Yesterday, the Red Hot Chili Peppers filed a suit against Showtime for giving its midlife crisis dramedy the same name  Californication  as their hit 1999 album. (Um, wouldn't the network's lawyers have, like, checked on the legality of reusing a famous title before they, you know, used it?) In Showtime's defense, Alabamashtupping and Ohioh-oh-oh-my-God-yessss! just don't have the same ring to them.  Ben Katner

Tue, Nov 20, 2007

David Duchovny Gets Chili Peppers Hot Under the Collar

Man of Steel to Get a Band of Gold

Brandon "Superman" Routh will tie the knot with girlfriend Courtney Ford on Saturday, the New York Post reports. Guests at the glam to-do, being held at the Santa Barbara ranch of Superman Returns producer Jon Peters, are expected to include Kate "I Know Margot Kidder, and You, Miss, Are No Margot Kidder" Bosworth, Kevin "Lex Luthor" Spacey, Winona Ryder, Mickey Rourke and Ashley Olsen. Apparently mistaking Routh for a big star, Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger has gone so far as to close the air space around the ranch. Exqueeze me, but I didn't see Jennifer Aniston's name on that guest list or Angelina Jolie's, so what's the point? — Ben Katner

Tue, Nov 20, 2007

Method Acting Gets Henry VIII Busted for Carousing

Seven months out of rehab, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers has gotten himself busted for public drunkenness and disturbing the peace. But of course! How better to celebrate a hit series and those enviably high cheekbones? At the Dublin airport on Sunday, the Tudors lead was twice confronted by police about what the Associated Press describes as "erratic, abusive behavior" at a British airline gate. When he refused to chill, they finally hauled him in, cheekbones and all.  Ben Katner

Tue, Nov 20, 2007

Method Acting Gets Henry VIII Busted for Carousing

Britney Spears Hopes We'll Stop Paying Attention

After receiving Friday's court order not to drive her kids anymore, the human headline had her attorney, Anne Kiley, tell Us that she "hopes... by not commenting on court proceedings the media attention in those proceedings will subside." Yeah, um, good luck with that. Kiley added, "Recent aggressive actions by individuals who have followed her and blocked her access, with and without the children, have resulted in her decision to take certain security measures which she hopes will only be necessary temporarily, for the protection of the children." Funny. I was sure the public displays of freakishness and disregard for undergarments would surely safeguard the babies from harm. Go figure. — Ben Katner

Tue, Nov 20, 2007

The Science Guy and Wife Flunk Chemistry

Bill Nye (aka see above) has requested a restraining order against his own wife, TMZ says. He claims that his estranged missus snuck into his vegetable garden on Labor Day dressed like a cat burglar in order to poison his plants. In her defense, Mrs. Science Guy insisted that the attack had nothing to do with hating her spouse and everything to do with hating broccoli. — Ben Katner

Tue, Nov 20, 2007

The Science Guy and Wife Flunk Chemistry

Movie News: Kathy Bates Mothers Ashton, and More

Kathy Bates has been cast as Ashton Kutcher's mother in Personal Effects, a revenge romance (what? I can't coin a new genre?) in which the Punk'd prankster falls for an older woman (Michelle Pfeiffer). Ashton Kutcher with a woman old enough to be Demi Moore? Who'd ever believe that?.... Still coasting on his Veronica Mars cool, Steve Guttenberg has been cast as a soon-to-be-divorcé whose son vanishes in The Well. Um, judging from the title, I think I know where the kid went.  Ben Katner

Tue, Nov 20, 2007

Reality Bites: Chris Brown Gets Nick'd

You know you've made it when even your backup dancers are in demand. Nickelodeon has signed R&B wunderkind Chris Brown to exec-produce a pilot for a reality show about the young dancers on his tour.... Rejecting the American Idol judge's suggested title of "You Did Your Thing, Dawg, But It Was Just A'right for Me," MTV has given the all-clear to an urban So You Think You Can Dance series called Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew.... On Dec. 17, ABC will debut Duel, a six-night game show in which 20 contestants will vie for a whole lotta dough in "matches" that are said to cross trivia questions with poker skills. Wouldn't it be a whole lot easier (and, like, better) to just bring back Card Sharks?  Ben Katner

Tue, Nov 20, 2007

Mary-Kate Hospitalized, and More News Briefs

Weeds lollipop Mary-Kate Olsen has been hospitalized with a kidney infection, People reports. What's shocking to me about this is that there's room in that little twig body for her to even have a kidney.... Former Veep Al Gore won the Founders Award yesterday at the International Emmy Awards, which also honored Death of a President, a British lightning rod about the assassination of Dubya.... Titan Publishing this month launches official magazines for CSI (out now), Heroes (streeting today) and Supernatural (next Tuesday).... Aw, now that's cool. Nicole Richie and father-to-be Joel Madden are said to be donating the gifts from their recent baby shower to 100 expectant families in need through their new free clinic. The couple will, however, keep the baby books that guests brought for Nicole's the baby's library.... Apparently not caring a bit how badly it scars Ausiello's psyche, SOAPnet will air an October Road marathon Saturday from noon to 7 pm/ET.  Ben Katner

Tue, Nov 20, 2007

Mary-Kate Hospitalized, and More News Briefs

RIP, Mr. Whipple: Charmin Icon Dead at 91

Dick Wilson, who over the course of 21 years appeared in more than 500 Charmin bathroom tissue commercials as Mr. George Whipple, died Monday of natural causes. He was 91. In addition to the ad campaign in which his grocer scolded shoppers with, "Please, don't squeeze the Charmin" (all the while being a closeted squeezer himself), Wilson played a drunk on several episodes of Bewitched and various characters on Hogan's Heroes and The Bob Newhart Show.

Tue, Nov 20, 2007

High School Musical Gets Pop-up Video Treatment

Just in time for the long holiday weekend, the Disney Channel will debut the pop-up edition of High School Musical 2. Fun facts, trivia and behind-the-scenes production tricks will all be featured in this special HSM look on Friday, Nov. 23, at 8 pm/ET on Disney. Also over Thanksgiving weekend, a "Company's Coming" programming event features episodes of Disney Channel hit series with celebrity guest stars that include Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Zac Efron, Jesse McCartney, Heather Locklear, Brooke Shields and Dolly Parton.

Mon, Nov 19, 2007

Exclusive: Kyle XY Returns Jan. 14

Kyle XY has many superpowers, and here's another one to add to the list: strike resistance. The ABC Family sci-fi series returns Jan. 14 for the second half of Season 2. All 10 episodes were written and filmed before the Writers Guild went on strike. The show will continue to air on Mondays at 8 pm/ET.When the show returns, superboy Kyle (Matt Dallas) will finally tell his adopted family, the Tragers, the truth about his test-tube origins, and they will set out to take down Madacorp, the shadowy company attempting to control Kyle and Jessi (Jaimie Alexander). In September's cliff-hanger, Jessi literally jumped off a cliff when she realized she couldn't be trusted not to betray Kyle. Her fate will be revealed in the first episode to return.

Mon, Nov 19, 2007

Ratings: CBS Sweeps Another Thursday

Thursday's tallies at a glance:8 pm/ETSurvivor (14.76 million total viewers) and Betty (10.73 mil) were both down a hair. Behind 5th Grader, Earl (7.97 mil) gained 310K, but 30 Rock (6.47 mil) slipped 140 thou. Smallville (4.49 mil) dipped 110K.9 pmAt 21.29 mil, CSI was down 600K from last week's crossover. Grey's placed second with 19.28 mil, but was No. 1 in demos. The Office (8.86 mil) saw a 570 thou increase, while Scrubs (6 mil) dropped 320K. Supernatural (2.89 mil) was down a hair.10 pmTrace was on top with 14.49 mil, down an understandable 33 percent from last week. ER surged more than a mil to 9.52 mil, while Women's Murder Club (8.93 mil) bested Big Shots' last tally by 310K.

Sat, Nov 17, 2007

matt.mitovich

Desperate Housewives Tornado Kills the Competition

Threatened by Younger Singer, Britney Spears Falls to &quot;Pieces&quot;

Ugly Betty's Suzuki St. Pierre Breaks Free!

Daredevil Evel Knievel, Dead at 69, Is Remembered

Is Maksim Chmerkovskiy Done Dancing?

Hannah Storm Is Out at the CBS Early Show

Can ABC Please Dive Deeper into its Guest-star Pool?

Donda West's Surgeon Walks off Larry King

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You: Um, Nothing

Dirty-minded Lolita Brings Sexy Back to Papa Darling

David Duchovny Gets Chili Peppers Hot Under the Collar

Man of Steel to Get a Band of Gold

Method Acting Gets Henry VIII Busted for Carousing

Britney Spears Hopes We'll Stop Paying Attention

The Science Guy and Wife Flunk Chemistry

Movie News: Kathy Bates Mothers Ashton, and More

Reality Bites: Chris Brown Gets Nick'd

Mary-Kate Hospitalized, and More News Briefs

RIP, Mr. Whipple: Charmin Icon Dead at 91

High School Musical Gets Pop-up Video Treatment

Exclusive: Kyle XY Returns Jan. 14

Ratings: CBS Sweeps Another Thursday

Threatened by Younger Singer, Britney Spears Falls to "Pieces"