matt.mitovich

Ratings: Law & Order Rises, the Non-Celebrities Fall

Wednesday's ratings recap: 8 pm/ETABC's Wipeout (8.37 million total viewers) once again squeaked past the first half of So You Think You Can Dance, though the Fox series topped the demos and averaged 8.76 mil over its two-hour run. I'm a Celebrity drew 4.78 million, down 13 percent from the night prior and off a full 25 percent from its Monday premiere. 9 pmNight two of NBC's Inside the Obama White House special drew nearly 9 mil, besting a Criminal Minds repeat. ABC's The Goode Family (averaging 2.67 mil across two episodes) got worse, plunging 32 percent from its premiere. Surviving Suburbia returns to the 9:30 slot next week. 10 pmLaw & Order's 19th season finale copped 8.8 mil, up 31 percent from its last fresh episode. Lagging far, far behind a CSI: NY repeat, The Unusuals dropped 25 percent to hit a new all-time low of 2.94 mil.Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows, from this summer or the upcoming fall season? E-mail senior editors Matt, Mickey and Tim at megascoop@tvguide.com. Also, follow TV Guide on Twitter.

Thu, Jun 4, 2009

Ratings: Law & Order Rises, the Non-Celebrities Fall

Heroes Casts Prisoner as Big Baddie, Finds Claire a New Pal

It's a beast ... and a beauty. Robert Knepper, who repulsed yet riveted Prison Break fans as the vile Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell, is joining NBC's Heroes as this season's big baddie, says the Hollywood Reporter. Also, a show rep confirms that Californication's Madeline Zima is coming on board as Claire's new gal pal. In the Season 4 volume "Redemption," Knepper will play ...

Thu, Jun 4, 2009

Heroes Casts Prisoner as Big Baddie, Finds Claire a New Pal

Will Neil Patrick Put on a Show at the Tonys? Plus Dr. Horrible and Kumar Sequel Scoop

Neil Patrick Harris fans hoping to see their fave be a cut-up as host of Sunday's Tony Awards (airing at 8 pm/ET, on CBS) will probably get some satisfaction. But those wanting to see the How I Met Your Mother star cut a rug or break out into song might come up empty. "They have an opening planned that is bigger than they have ever had in Tony history. But I don't think I'm going to be involved in it," Harris shared in a press conference call. Instead, Harris says he will take a cue from Hugh Jackman ...

Wed, Jun 3, 2009

Will Neil Patrick Put on a Show at the Tonys? Plus Dr. Horrible and Kumar Sequel Scoop

Ratings: I'm a Celebrity, Jon & Kate, SVU Finale and More

Some recent ratings highlights:  • Monday's two-hour premiere of NBC's I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! averaged 6.35 million viewers, edging out The Bachelorette (6.34 mil) in both total audience and the demos. I'm a Celebrity then dropped 14 percent (to 5.5 mil) on Tuesday. • Among finales, Medium wrapped up its NBC run with an audience of ...

Wed, Jun 3, 2009

Ratings: I'm a Celebrity, Jon & Kate, SVU Finale and More

Mega Buzz on Grey's, Fringe, Supernatural, Army Wives 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. Any scoop to get us Mer-Der fans through the dog days of summer? Perhaps some "baby talk" about Grey's writing in Ellen Pompeo's pregnancy? — HillaryMATT: Both Chyler Leigh and I are of the mind that Grey's Anatomy would be hard-pressed to accommodate Pompeo's pregnancy, if only because of the timing. "As far as I know they are not [writing it in]," Leigh told me, pointing out that by the time the ABC serial resumes production, "Ellen will be, like, seven months [along]." The only way I see it happening — and at least one source allows, "It could go either way" — is if Season 6 picks up five or six months after the recent finale. Such a jump would also allow poor George time to heal and look like recast Eddie Cibrian. (I kid!)  If Fox is serious about Fringe (and aren't we all), why is it forcing it to compete against CSI, Grey's Anatomy and The Office on Thursdays? — AnitaMICKEY: At first blush, moving Fringe to such a powerhouse night would appear to be a suicide mission. But Fox entertainment prez Kevin Reilly ...

Wed, Jun 3, 2009

Mega Buzz on Grey's, Fringe, Supernatural, Army Wives and More!

Exclusive: Army Wives Enlists Gilmore Gal and Grammy Winner

Lifetime's Army Wives is recruiting some nifty guest-stars for its third season, which premieres Sunday, June 7. For starters, Grammy-winning recording artist Shelby Lynne will appear in an August episode, playing ...

Tue, Jun 2, 2009

Exclusive: Army Wives Enlists Gilmore Gal and Grammy Winner

Mitchel Musso Debuts CD, But Promises He's Not Leaving Montana

Hannah Montana fans got some good news when the Disney Channel picked up the show for a fourth season. But that pick-up came with a "catch" — series regular Mitchel Musso is switching to recurring status for the new cycle. How will Oliver's absence be explained? As his self-titled CD debuts (shop Amazon.com), Musso pondered his future as a TV star and recording artist. TVGuide.com: Congrats on Hannah Montana's Season 4 pick-up.Mitchel Musso: Thank you! We're all so, so stoked because this is our last week [in production] on Season 3, so we were kind of nervous, like, "This is going to be it." But then we got the call. TVGuide.com: You're switching to recurring status next season. Was that dictated by the show's upcoming change-of-setting, or did you want time to spend on your other projects?Musso: In the last episode of Season 3, Oliver leaves on a six-month tour, so I ...

Tue, Jun 2, 2009

Mitchel Musso Debuts CD, But Promises He's Not Leaving Montana

Ratings: Conan's Tonight Show, MTV Movie Awards and More

Some recent ratings highlights: • The premiere of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien delivered the best numbers (a 7.1/17 rating) for a Monday Tonight Show in more than four years, and the seventh-highest Monday overnights for Tonight since Jay Leno took over as host in 1992.  Compared to his final Late Night broadcast, Conan's audience was up 173 percent. (Read Mickey O'Connor's "snap judgement" of Conan's Tonight Show.) • The 2009 MTV Movie Awards averaged 5.3 million total viewers, a year-to-year increase of 73 percent and the show's biggest audience since 2004. • On Saturday night, Harper's Island held steady at 3.85 mil, and Pushing Daisies returned to an audience of 2.35 mil. • Across the pond, the season finale of Britain's Got Talent — in which the dance troupe Diversity bested Susan Boyle — drew 17.3 million viewers, or 72 percent of the U.K. television audience. That represents a 32 percent gain over the competition's previous finale. Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows, from this summer or the upcoming fall season? E-mail senior editors Matt, Mickey and Tim at megascoop@tvguide.com. Also, follow TV Guide on Twitter.

Tue, Jun 2, 2009

Ratings: Conan's Tonight Show, MTV Movie Awards and More

Is Brian Austin Green Moving to One Tree Hill?

Does Brian Austin Green look like a "Clayton" to you? Well, maybe they can change the character's name, because the alum of Beverly Hills 90210 and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is in talks to join the CW's One Tree Hill in the series regular role of ...

Tue, Jun 2, 2009

Is Brian Austin Green Moving to One Tree Hill?

VIDEO: Bachelorette Jillian on True Agendas, "Shrinkage" and the Guy She Eventually Picks

This Monday night on ABC's The Bachelorette, Jillian Harris says she found herself in a situation she was "really uncomfortable with" as "the tables were turned" and she was forced to do something which she, when trying to woo Bachelor Jason Mesnick, did not care for at all. Also in Part 1 of her TVGuide.com video Q&A, Jillian shares her take on talk that would-be beau Wes is in this purely to promote his music career. She also reveals whether Bryan was right last week in claiming that he got cut after suffering "shrinkage" during ...

Mon, Jun 1, 2009

VIDEO: Bachelorette Jillian on True Agendas, "Shrinkage" and the Guy She Eventually Picks

MTV's Eminem-Bruno Stunt Was Completely Staged, Says Host Andy Samberg's Head Writer

The "face-off" between Sacha Baron Cohen's bare backside and Eminem's mug came as a surprise to the viewers of Sunday's MTV Movie Awards, but just how shocked was the rapper also known as Marshall Mathers? To hear host Andy Samberg's head writer, Scott Aukerman, tell it, not at all. Ending nearly 24 hours of silence from all involved parties, Aukerman took to his blog to set the record straight: "Yes, the Eminem-Bruno incident was staged. They rehearsed it at dress [rehearsal] and yes, it went as far as it did on the live show." As previously reported, Cohen's "Bruno" alter ego ...

Mon, Jun 1, 2009

MTV's Eminem-Bruno Stunt Was Completely Staged, Says Host Andy Samberg's Head Writer

Disney Channel Renews Hannah with a Change, Sonny with a Chance

Two of the Disney Channel's teen queens will continue their reigns: The cabler has ordered new seasons of Hannah Montana and Sonny with a Chance. Hannah Montana, starring Miley Cyrus, will begin production on Season 4 early next year. Coming off of this season's upcoming cliff-hanger, the next cycle will find the Stewart clan struggling to say goodbye to their Malibu home. "Hannah Montana has become one of the most iconic series in television history," Disney Channel president Gary Marsh said in announcing the pick-up. "Miley and the producers have proposed a change ...

Mon, Jun 1, 2009

Disney Channel Renews Hannah with a Change, Sonny with a Chance

Exclusive: Greek Dad Comes from A Different World

Cyprus-Rhodes student Ashleigh Howard's pop is no less than Hillman College grad Dwayne Wayne. Kadeem Hardison, who played Dwayne on the Cosby Show spin-off A Different World, will guest-star on ABC Family's Greek next season, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively. He will play proud parent Brian Howard. Ashleigh is played by Amber Stevens, daughter of TV/radio personality Shadoe Stevens. Ashleigh's pop pays a visit as part of Cyprus-Rhodes University's father-daughter weekend event. For that same occasion ...

Mon, Jun 1, 2009

Exclusive: Greek Dad Comes from A Different World

Susan's Dream Comes to an End; Watch Her Final Performance

In the end, Susan Boyle overcame a form of adversity, but she could not surpass Diversity, a dance troupe which bested her to win Britain's Got Talent. Boyle turned to the tune that made her famous — Les Miserables' "I Dreamed a Dream" — for Saturday's season finale performance. But she settled for second place, as Diversity was awarded the 100,000 pound ($159,000) prize and the chance to perform before Queen Elizabeth II. A 10-member dance troupe, Diversity had said that while it would take a "spectacular performance" to beat Boyle, they thought they could ...

Sun, May 31, 2009

Susan's Dream Comes to an End; Watch Her Final Performance

Oh, What a Tonight! Leno Leaves on a High Note

Jay Leno's reign as host of The Tonight Show ended on an appropriately high note, as the NBC talker delivered its best-ever Friday ratings in Leno's 17-year run. The exact overnights — an 8.8/20 in metered-market households — represent more than double (a 126 percent increase) The Tonight Show's second-quarter average. Leno's Tonight Show sign-off also served up the program's best ratings since President Obama's March 19 visit. Excluding that milestone, it was the show's biggest draw in more than four years, since a January 2005 tribute to Johnny Carson. Leno's final Tonight Show was veritably celebrity-free, save for a performance by James Taylor. Instead, the venerable host reflected on the highlights of his tenure and cued up "best of" montages of such segments as "Jay-walking." In his monologue, Leno thanked three people who made his 17-year run such a success ...

Sat, May 30, 2009

Oh, What a Tonight! Leno Leaves on a High Note

24 Hires Mykelti Williamson to Take Charge of CTU

The late Bill Buchanan's heir apparent has been named, and it's Mykelti Williamson. The actor, whose credits include TV's Boomtown and CSI: NY and the Sundance hit Black Dynamite, is joining Fox's 24 in the series regular role of ...

Fri, May 29, 2009

24 Hires Mykelti Williamson to Take Charge of CTU

Meet the New Doctor Who's New Companion

I think I'm turning British-ese. On the heels of our report that BBC America is bringing new batches of Doctor Who and Torchwood to U.S. shores this summer, we now have news as to who will be playing the new Doctor Who's companion in Season 5.Relative unknown Karen Gillan has been tapped to accompany incoming Doctor Matt Smith on the TARDIS' next series of adventures, premiering on the BBC in 2010."I am absolutely over the moon," the pretty Scot tells ...

Fri, May 29, 2009

Watch Out, Boy, Maneater Sarah Chalke Will Chew You Up

Summer is around the corner, so it's time for some fun and frothy fare to liven up the tube. Filling that bill this weekend is Maneater, a two-part Lifetime miniseries airing Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm/ET, and based on the Gigi Levangie Grazer's New York Times best-seller. Starring as the titular minx is Sarah Chalke, who traded in her scrubs for dazzling (mini-)dresses and come-hither bikinis. Can her shallow socialite, Clarissa Alpert, develop a deeper appreciation of what matters in life? Chalke surveyed her character's journey, as well as offered updates on her How I Met Your Mother and Scrubs runs. TVGuide.com: I have to say, you're looking absolutely terrific in Maneater.Sarah Chalke: Thanks, dude! It's all pretend — smoke and mirrors and ...

Fri, May 29, 2009

Watch Out, Boy, Maneater Sarah Chalke Will Chew You Up

Doctor Who and Torchwood Set for U.S. Return: Plus: Get a Video Sneak Peek!

The Doctor will see you now — or, more specifically, in a few weeks.BBC America has acquired the Stateside rights to five Doctor Who specials that mark the end of both Russell T. Davies' stint as show-runner and David Tennant's run as the titular time-traveler. Producer Steven Moffat and actor Matt Smith will...

Fri, May 29, 2009

Doctor Who and Torchwood Set for U.S. Return: Plus: Get a Video Sneak Peek!

Ratings: ABC's Wipeout Dunks Fox's Dance

How Wednesday's fresh fare fared: 8 pm/ETCBS' George Strait concert special was the night's most watched program, averaging 10.6 million total viewers over its two-hour run. The Season 2 premiere of ABC's Wipeout, however, topped the 8 o'clock demos — So You Think You Can Dance included. With an audience of 8.64 million, Wipeout bested its Season 1 average and gave ABC its best numbers in the Wednesdays-at-8 slot since November 2007. Fox's Dance tangoed with 8.58 mil in its two-hour Wednesday premiere. 9 pmThe premiere of ABC's The Goode Family wiped away 50 percent of Wipeout's audience, scoring just 3.93 mil. Lead-out Surviving Suburbia in turn hit a series-low 2.83 mil. Keep in mind, the fate of Bob Saget's new show will be decided by these "summer" numbers. 10 pmABC's soon-to-be unplugged The Unusuals hit an all-time low of 3.9 mil, lagging far behind Criminal Minds and Law & Order repeats. Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows, from this summer or the upcoming fall season? E-mail senior editors Matt, Mickey and Tim at megascoop@tvguide.com. Also, follow TV Guide on Twitter.

Thu, May 28, 2009

Ratings: ABC's Wipeout Dunks Fox's Dance

Latest Grey's Rumors Ripped as "Ridiculous," "False" and "B.S."

Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes is nipping in the bud talk that the role of George — who last was seen barely alive after being mauled, mangled and mashed in a bus accident — will be recast with a new actor.  "A hilarious, ridiculous rumor" is how Rhimes, via Twitter, qualified the speculation. Getting someone new to play a surgically made-over George would conveniently pave the way for T.R. Knight to vacate the role ...

Thu, May 28, 2009

Latest Grey's Rumors Ripped as "Ridiculous," "False" and "B.S."

Chenoweth Scores Date with Twelve Men, Plus the Latest on Her Glee Gig

Tony winner and former Daisies pusher Kristin Chenoweth has landed the lead in Twelve Men of Christmas, a Lifetime original movie to premiere in December, as part of the cabler's "Fa La La La Lifetime" holiday event. "Kristin Chenoweth is a force of nature with a unique charm, wit and warmth that make her the perfect choice," Lifetime senior VP of original programming Tanya Lopez says of the casting. Based on Decent Exposure, a novel by Phillipa Ashley, Twelve Men finds Chenoweth playing ...

Thu, May 28, 2009

Chenoweth Scores Date with Twelve Men, Plus the Latest on Her Glee Gig