matt.mitovich

Busy Busy Philipps Checks Out of the ER

Sure, you can catch her soon on How I Met Your Mother (as Ausiello reported), but sorry, fans of Busy Philipps on ER, this season's second episode could very well be her last. That's when her do-good-doc character Hope leaves for South America to fulfill her Christian mission  you know, as in faith, Hope and charity. "But the door is not closed for a return," NBC sources tell TV Guide.com. "She greatly enjoyed her character and we enjoyed her. She's a lot of fun." Unfortunately, viewers can probably expect her sex slave, Dr. Morris (Scott Grimes), to be even more annoying than usual when she dumps him for, you know... God.  Reporting by Ileane Rudolph

Fri, Aug 31, 2007

Big Brother Lockdown! Evictees Off-limits to Press

Late Thursday, media outlets including TVGuide.com received the surprising word that neither Big Brother 8's Amber nor any other upcoming evictees will be made available for "postmortem" interviews. Why the change in long-standing policy? "We have made jury members... available to the press the past two seasons, always with the proviso that their questions not inform the ejected houseguest of influences outside his or her personal experience in the house," CBS says in a statement. "This season, several cast members have made either offensive statements or exhibited controversial behavior. We respect journalists' interest and right to pose questions about these matters, but at the same time believe doing so could provide information that influences the final vote and potential outcome of the 12-week competition." Cue lockdown.CBS adds that any and all castoffs will be available for Q&A... following the Big Brother finale airing Sept. 18.

Fri, Aug 31, 2007

Big Brother Lockdown! Evictees Off-limits to Press

Frak! NBC Universal Pulling Shows from iTunes

NBC Universal, whose programming accounts for some 40 percent of iTunes' video downloads, has told Apple Inc. that it will not be renewing its contract come December. Though negotiations are said to be continuing, the primary issues at hand are pricing  while Apple prefers set $0.99 and $1.99 price points, NBC Universal wants to offer packages of bundled programs at different prices  and NBCU's desire that iTunes stiffens anti-piracy provisions. In a counterstrike, an iTunes VP told the AP, "We are disappointed to see NBC leave iTunes because we would not agree to their dramatic price increase," then revealed the site will cease selling NBC shows as of the onset of the fall season. NBCU's digital offerings include 30 Rock, USA's Psych and Sci Fi Channel's Battlestar Gallactica.

Fri, Aug 31, 2007

Frak! NBC Universal Pulling Shows from iTunes

TNT Pulls Plug on Heartland, Eyes Thief Drama

TNT has taken Treat Williams' Heartland off the donor list after nine episodes. The med drama opened with poor retention of lead-in The Closer's audience, and only waned further when it got bumped to an 8 pm slot. Its audience also skewed a bit old for Madison Avenue's liking. Looking ahead, says Variety, TNT has greenlit production on Leverage, a pilot directed and produced by Dean Devlin (The Librarian) and concerning a team of high-tech thieves who target wealthy crooks, corrupt power brokers and slimy politicos. Ooh, it's as if Robin Hood watched those few episodes of Smith!

Fri, Aug 31, 2007

TNT Pulls Plug on Heartland, Eyes Thief Drama

Fashion Rocks Reveals Plan to Just Duet

This year's Fashion Rocks special, airing Sept. 7 on CBS and hosted by Entourage's Jeremy Piven, has added Grammy faves Mary J. Blige, Maroon 5 and Chad Kroeger to its already-impressive playlist of performers. What's more, the telecast will deliver duets from Blige and Usher, Fergie and Ludacris, and Alicia Keys with Santana. On the mere-presenter side, Jessica Alba, Mischa Barton, Tyra Banks, Teri Hatcher, Denis Leary and Emily Procter are among the new adds.My wife has tickets to this but is all, "Gee, it starts so late...." Should she go? I say yes.

Fri, Aug 31, 2007

American Idol, L&O and More Short Cuts

American Idols Live! tourists Jordin, Blake, Phil, Sanjaya, LaKisha, Haley, Gina, Melinda and the Chrises will preside over NASDAQ's closing bell today at 4 pm/ET.... Former University of Florida and NFL QB (and ABC Bachelor) Jesse Palmer has joined ESPN as a college-football analyst.... CBS is expected to name former GMA exec producer Shelley Ross as the new boss of The Early Show.... TNT is sticking with Law & Order reruns featuring Fred Thompson, despite his official candidacy for president of the United States. "Equal time" rules are not imposed on cablers, anyway.... Boston Legal: Season Three arrives on DVD Sept. 18.

Fri, Aug 31, 2007

24 Plus Nine Star and D.C. Setting Equals...?

John Billingsley, formerly of The Nine as well as Fox's own Prison Break, has been added to the Season 7 cast of 24 in the recurring role of "Latham." No other details on the character have been disclosed, however. Also, says the Reporter, Jeffrey Nordling (a recurring player on Dirt) has landed a series-regular gig on 24 as an FBI agent named Larry. The coming season of 24 will largely be set in Washington, D.C., says the trade.PS to fans of The Nine: If the season/series finale, which broke online Thursday, left you with burning questions, share them in my Trivial Matt'rs blog.

Fri, Aug 31, 2007

24 Plus Nine Star and D.C. Setting Equals...?

Fans of The Nine: Got Burning Questions?

The "final" episode of ABC's The Nine was scheduled to break online Thursday, Aug. 30 (at ABC.com). If the non-finale finale left you with with any "burning questions" about the serialized drama — and I have to think it did — share them here and I may, just may, be able to track down the closure you crave.

Fri, Aug 31, 2007

"Gimme More," Britney Coos in Just-released Single

Is the improbable comeback on track? Sidelining "subpoena this" and "custody battle that" talk for at least several minutes, Britney Spears on Thursday night premiered the first single off her new album at Z-100's website. "Gimme More" (which I gave a listen to in between reading stories to the moppets) kicks off with the pop tart snarling [Earmuffs!], "It's Britney, bitch," before launching into her famous breathy vocals and a techno, dance-friendly and very catchy beat.Spears' new album, says People, streets Nov. 13.

Fri, Aug 31, 2007

"Gimme More," Britney Coos in Just-released Single

Whoopi's View Will Be Mellow Yellow

When The View launches its 11th season on Tuesday, Sept. 4  with "special" guest Danny DeVito on hand  new cohost Whoopi Goldberg won't represent the only splash of... something different on the show. An ABC press release says that the talker's set "has been freshened this year with warm hues of yellow  both paint and fabric." Limoncello yellow, perhaps? This was not made clear.What's more, gone is that cold, icy and apparently acrylic "Hot Topics" table, now replaced with a wooden dais simular to its pre-Rosie predecessor.

Thu, Aug 30, 2007

List of Emmy Presenters Begins to Rock

30 Rockers Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and The Closer's Kyra Sedgwick are among the latest adds to the list of presenters for the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards, airing Sept. 16 on Fox. Per the Reporter, other newly announced presenters include Marcia Cross, Ellen DeGeneres and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.Related: Emmy Presenters Include Office Boss and Jack Bauer

Thu, Aug 30, 2007

Ugly Betty Gets Posh with One Spicy Guest Star

This just in from ABC:"Victoria Beckham  style icon and Spice Girl  will pay a visit to ABC's award-winning comedy Ugly Betty in an episode to film this fall. Beckham will play herself, a celebrity bridesmaid at the wedding of the millennium: Wilhelmina Slater's nuptials to publishing mogul Bradford Meade. Who knows what will happen when 'bridezilla' Wilhelmina takes that march down the aisle, especially with 'Posh Spice' leading the way?"Well, I know at least one person who won't be smiling in the bridal-party photo.

Thu, Aug 30, 2007

Ugly Betty Gets Posh with One Spicy Guest Star

Save the Dates: Chuck's Up, a Naked Debut and More

The new NBC series Chuck will get a sneak preview Sept. 7 at 9 pm, at the New York Television Festival. For tickets, visit NYTVF.com..... Nickelodeon's The Naked Brothers Band will world-premiere their music video "If That's Not Love" on Monday, at 5 pm/ET, with repeats at 6 and 7.... Next Food Network Star Amy Finley's Gourmet Next Door premieres Oct. 14.

Thu, Aug 30, 2007

Save the Dates: Chuck's Up, a Naked Debut and More

Gilmore Girls, Faith Hill's Football and More Short Cuts

I know what Ausiello is getting for Christmas. Gilmore Girls: The Complete Seventh Season as well as The Complete Series (42 discs in a padded vinyl case, plus an all-new 60-plus-page booklet of "Gilmorisms") arrive on DVD Nov. 13. The price points are $59.88 and $258.82, respectively.... Following in the bootsteps of Pink, Faith Hill will sing the opening theme to NBC's Sunday Night Football this season, says USA Today.... E! True Hollywood Story: The View premieres Sept. 8 at 5 pm/ET.... Fox is partnering with Xbox Live Video Marketplace to make Family Guy episodes available for download, starting with Seasons 1 and 2.

Thu, Aug 30, 2007

Gilmore Girls, Faith Hill's Football and More Short Cuts

CBS' The Closer? ABC's MI-5? Strike Talk Has Nets Scrambling

As the threat of a Writers Guild strike continues to loom, network suits are considering perhaps using finished and already aired-elsewhere episodes of international hits and/or cable series to fill schedule gaps should the stop-action happen. According to Variety, non-U.S. programming such as the U.K.'s Footballers Wives and MI-5, CBC's Little Mosque on the Prairie and CTV's Corner Gas could make their way to the Big 3  and Warner Bros. is said to be shopping around The Closer  though execs maintain such acquisitions would be a last resort. "Right now," says NBC entertainment cochair Ben Silverman, "we're just hoping there's not a strike." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Non-American Broadcasting Cooperative says, "Hey, whatever you do, don't send Black Donnellys our way."

Thu, Aug 30, 2007

CBS' The Closer? ABC's MI-5? Strike Talk Has Nets Scrambling

Drew Lachey Enlisted for New Dance War

Dancing with the Stars Season 2 champ Drew Lachey is staying in step, having signed on to host ABC's new midseason dance-off Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann. The show, to air this winter for a half-dozen episodes, has DWTS judges Tonioli and Inaba forming rival performance troupes that will face off in weekly song-and-dance battles. I'm rooting for the Jets, though I hear the Sharks could upset.Previously, the competition was called "Strategic Dance Occupation," but then Congress decided they weren't kidding any one.Auditions kick off Sept. 15 in Nashville. Visit MySpace.com/carrieannvsbruno for details.

Thu, Aug 30, 2007

Owen Wilson Pal: Don't Drug Me into the Blame Game

The downward spiral thatl ed Owen Wilson to ultimately attempt to take his life on Aug. 26 was perhaps helped along by the film funnyman "hanging out around the wrong people," sources tell Us, with several singling out actor Steve Coogan. Courtney Love, recalling her own past association with the Brit bad boy, tells the mag, "I was just out of rehab and he was right there with the drugs." When Coogan cozied up to Wilson (both costarred in Night at the Museum), "I tried to warn Owen," says Love. "I hope... that Owen stays the hell away from that guy." In response, Coogan tells TV's Extra, "These accusations are unfounded, unhelpful and hurtful to all concerned. We are taking legal advice."So bad was Wilson's drug dependency, Us reports, that pal Woody Harrelson staged an intervention in May that, alas, didn't take.

Thu, Aug 30, 2007

Owen Wilson Pal: Don't Drug Me into the Blame Game

Dave and Oprah's Protracted Peace Tour Continues

David Letterman will tape a guest appearance for The Oprah Winfrey Show on Sept. 10 at no less than Madison Square Garden  a sit-down that essentially represents Part 3 of the pair's "All Is Forgiven Tour," which began in 2005 when O dropped by Late Show and then continued when they popped up together in a surprise Super Bowl commercial. Prior to all that, the two were engaged in a decade-long, post-Uma/Oprah "rift" of sorts, as Winfrey turned down repeat invites to do Dave's talker.

Thu, Aug 30, 2007

Katie Couric Marches Off to War

War, what is it good for? Amping up one's profile among the evening-news-anchor elite, that's what. CBS has announced that Katie Couric will mark her first anniversary as Evening News frontwoman with a 12-day trip to Iraq and Syria, beginning Sept. 4. The answer to "OK, but why now?" is the status report being prepared by General David Petraeus that President Bush will use to determine the next steps in Operation Iraqi Freedom (if that is still the campaign's tagline). With Couric on the road, Early Show's Harry Smith will claim the Evening News helm.

Wed, Aug 29, 2007

Seinfeld/90210 Reunions, Lost and More Casting News

Old Christine meets up with an old friend when Jason Alexander guest-stars on an episode of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' CBS comedy this season. Alexander will play a lizard handler for children's parties with whom Christine goes out on a date.... Starting Sept. 23 Ian Ziering guests on three episodes of Lifetime's Side Order of Life, which stars Jason Priestley. Ziering plays Jenny's possible cell-phone mystery man.... Jeremy Davies (Rescue Dawn) has landed a recurring role on ABC's Lost.... The Reporter also says that 18-year-old Steven Christopher Parker is joining ER in the recurring role of a nervous and emotionally fragile intern. Oh boy, someone grab a mop.

Wed, Aug 29, 2007

Seinfeld/90210 Reunions, Lost and More Casting News

Owen Wilson Drops Out of Movie, More Film News

Owen Wilson is no longer scheduled to appear in Tropic Thunder, an ensemble comedy in which he was to have a supporting role.... Also per the Reporter: Brothers Danny (That '70s Show) and Christopher Masterson (Malcolm in the Middle) will star together in Made for Each Other, an indie comedy also featuring Bijou Phillips, Patrick Warburton and George Segal in its cast.... Bennifer 3 alert! Ben Affleck and Kris Kristofferson are Jennifer Aniston's beau and dad in He's Just Not That Into You.... 300 helmer Zack Snyder is eyeing The Illustrated Man, based on a collection of Ray Bradbury shorts.... Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson may climb Witch Mountain in the Disney remake.

Wed, Aug 29, 2007

Owen Wilson Drops Out of Movie, More Film News

Army Wives, Hills Engagement and More Short Cuts

Sunday's season finale of Army Wives delivered 4.1 million total viewers, making it the most-watched series episode in Lifetime's 23-year lifetime.... It's the story of a baby not named Brady. Bridget Moynahan has named her newborn son John Edward Thomas Moynahan.... Recently rehabbed The Hills hangdog Jason Wahler is engaged to college tennis player Katja Decker-Sadowski.... Also per People, Aussie Real World alum Jacinda Barrett and hubby Gabriel Macht welcomed their first child, a girl named Satine, on Aug. 20.

Wed, Aug 29, 2007

Army Wives, Hills Engagement and More Short Cuts