matt.webb.mitovich

Smallville's 100th: Whose Number Is Up?

Psst. I'm going to let you in on a little secret: The 100th episode of WB's Smallville, airing this Thursday at 8 pm/ET, features the death of a major character. "No!" you exclaim. "You're making this up!" "First I've heard!" OK, enough, you wisenheimers. Still, much secrecy (some of it rather effective) has surrounded the ill-fated Smallviller's identity, and while this Q&A isn't about to blab who it is, we thought it'd be interesting to chat up cocreator Al Gough about... yeah, that. TVGuide.com: You must feel like this is all you've talked about for half your life, don't you?Al Gough: [Laughs] TVGuide.com: You never want to hear "100th-episode death" again, do you

Mon, Jan 23, 2006

Looking for Comedy, Brooks Finds Trouble

For Albert Brooks, it was a longer trip than expected from Los Angeles to India. His new film, Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World — in which the comic, as a version of his real self, visits India and Pakistan on behalf of the U.S. government to learn what makes Muslims laugh — originally was slated for an October release (and lofty Toronto Film festival showing). Instead, it got shuttled to this weekend due to some nervous Nellies. And all because of the title. After screening some footage almost a year ago for Sony execs, "Everyone felt excited, but I didn't feel as excited as the others," Brooks recalls, "because when I told them the title, one of the big shots made a joke that was weird to me, like, 'Good title. I guess we're going to have to put extra phone lines in to take these calls.' When studios say t

Fri, Jan 20, 2006

Looking for Comedy, Brooks Finds Trouble

Charmed Hits a (Final?) Milestone

With its Jan. 22 broadcast, WB's Charmed (Sundays at 8 pm/ET) — which premiered Oct. 7, 1998 — becomes the longest-running television series boasting all female leads, having bewitched viewers for more years than such estrogen-heavy fare as Laverne & Shirley, Designing Women and Sex and the City. To mark the milestone, TVGuide.com sat down with executive producer Brad Kern to assess the show's assets, assay the avidness of its fans and conjure up a peek at its future — no matter how (gulp!) finite it may be. TVGuide.com: Regarding the milestone you've achieved, how does one even stumble upon such a factoid?Brad Kern: I don't know. I kept pressing the publicity

Fri, Jan 20, 2006

LIVE FROM PRESS TOUR!

To the shock of no one, NBC entertainment prez Kevin Reilly confirmed at press tour today that The West Wing would conclude its seven-year run with a series finale on Sunday, May 14. What did come as a surprise was news that three of the Peacock's established hits — Law & Order, Las Vegas and The Apprentice — will lose their cushy timeslots after the Olympics. Law & Order moves up an hour to Wednesdays at 9 pm, where it'll face off against Lost, beginning March 22; Las Vegas shifts to Fridays at 9 pm effective March 3; and The Apprentice takes over Vegas' Monday-9 pm perch on Feb. 27. Finally, and I saved the best for last, NBC announced that My Name is Earl and The Office will be back next season with 22 episodes each. Rejoice amongst yourselves. (Oh, you're probably wondering what all this has to do with the big yellow bird to your right.

Fri, Jan 20, 2006

Award-Winning Film Asks Why We Fight

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist." The Grand Jury Prize winner at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, Why We Fight (now in select cities) uses President Dwight Eisenhower's legendary 1961 farewell speech — in which he presciently coined the term "military-industrial complex" — as a launching point into a dense discussion of why and for whom the United States decides to go to war. In tackling the formidable topic, director Eugene Jarecki (The Trials of Henry Kissinger) assembles an impressive and more than balanced roster of opinionators, including Senator John McCain, veteran newsman

Fri, Jan 20, 2006

FINE FEATHERED FRIEND

This news item is brought to you by the letter Emmy. Caroll Spinney, 72, who has brought Big Bird to life since the 1969 premiere of Sesame Street, will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Daytime Emmys, to be held April 28 in Los Angeles. He'll be the one in the tux with yellow lint all over it.

Fri, Jan 20, 2006

WHAT WILL IT WB?

Even after this week's flurry of winter-press-tour announcements, two WB series are still awaiting word of their fate. "I've heard nothing," Charmed executive producer Brad Kern says in today's Insider Q&A when asked if this is the final season. "As far as I'm concerned, this is it." Similarly, in a Thursday-afternoon interview with TVGuide.com, Smallville cocreator Al Gough had nothing to report on a possible Season 6, even though the series has been flourishing in its new Thursday home. "We're confident," he says. "But no word yet."

Fri, Jan 20, 2006

CAUGHT IN SPIDEY'S WEB

Bryce Dallas Howard, star of M. Night Shyamalan's The Village and the soon-to-be-released Manderlay, is in talks to play Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker's new love interest — his first, actually, per the comic books, but that's a long story — in Spider-Man 3, which is scheduled to start shooting this month. Onboard already for the sequel are returnees Kirsten Dunst and James Franco, and Topher Grace and Thomas Haden Church as the baddies. I'm sorry, Topher Grace?! Dude couldn't even swing an axe with my boy Josh Duhamel in Tad Hamilton. Anyway...

Thu, Jan 19, 2006

How Low Can O.C.'s Young Kaitlin Go?

"Welcome to the O.C... er, young miss." Tonight at 8 pm/ET, Fox's The O.C. brings back Marissa's kid sister to stir things up — but really, how much trouble can a 14-going-on-15-year-old get into? After realizing just how young Kaitlin and her portrayer, Willa Holland, are, TVGuide.com scrapped our first question — it was snarky and had to do with Lindsay Lohan's recent exploits — then went on to press the ingenue for details about Kaitlin's agenda and ask about her famous stepdad, Brian De Palma, and "uncle" Steven Spielberg. TVGuide.com: Like you, Kaitlin is 14. Hellcats are really starting out young these days, huh?Willa Holland: Yeah!

Thu, Jan 19, 2006

WILL KELLY SNUB IDOL?

Meanwhile, as American Idol kicks off the season by making us listen to singing Statues of Liberty and INS-dodging sexpots, many eyes are on Season 1 champ Kelly Clarkson, whose management has yet to allow her songs to be sung during the competition by new wannabes. The stall has drawn the ire of no less than judge Simon Cowell, who groused in a Tuesday press conference, "Forget the way she feels about us or the producers or anybody else. If she refuses to give songs to be used, it's like saying to every person who voted for [her], 'Thank you, I'm not interested in you anymore.' That is a big mistake, let me tell you." Justin Guarini, meanwhile, says his entire catalog is up for grabs.

Wed, Jan 18, 2006

Mum's the Word for Veronica Mars' Dad

With the next new episode of UPN's Veronica Mars slated to air Jan. 25 at 9 pm/ET, TVGuide.com gave Enrico Colantoni a ring and see if maybe ol' Keith Mars might give us the scoop on what lies ahead. (You call us "naive"; we prefer "optimistic.") Here is what the TV vet had to share about the fate of Neptune, the future of the Galaxy and other out-of-this-world topics. TVGuide.com: Before Veronica Mars ever premiered, you were hesitant to sum it up for reporters, worried that you'd make it sound "cheesy." How would you sum up the show now?Enrico Colantoni: Oh, the same way, but now hopefully they've seen it and they know enough to fill in the blanks. But it's still about a te

Wed, Jan 18, 2006

Office Star Has the Dwight Stuff

He loves Count Chocula, can't be relied upon to keep track of the days of the week, claims he can raise (and lower) his cholesterol at will, comes from lineage that produces "very thirsty babies" and likens his dynamic with boss man Michael to "Butch Cassidy and Mozart." That, in a nutshell, is a passing look at The Office's Dwight Schrute, played as if he were born into the role by Rainn Wilson. TVGuide.com spoke with Wilson about his "brothers," Owen and Luke, the NBC comedy's new Thursday time slot and the truth about working with porn stars. TVGuide.com: What should I watch out for now that The Office's Jenna Fischer (aka

Wed, Jan 18, 2006

RATINGS THAT SING

Fox is whistling an extremely happy tune. Tuesday's two-hour American Idol debut averaged 35.5 million viewers, making it not only the series' highest-rated premiere ever and the network's best entertainment programming outing ever (ever, folks), but the most-watched entertainment telecast of any network since Friends' May 2004 send-off. ("Gigantic," "enormous," "colossal," "mammoth" and "gargantuan" are but a few of the words being heard in the Fox hallways this morning.) For the night, the "closest" also-rans were CBS' NCIS (with 17.5 mil) at 8 pm/ET and a CSI repeat (12.2 mil) at 9. Come 10 pm, NBC's Law & Order: SVU grabbed the helm with 16 million viewers, besting ABC's Boston Legal (11.8 mil) and CBS newbie Love Monkey (8.5 mil).

Wed, Jan 18, 2006

Who's That Monkeying Around with Ed's Ed?

On Tuesday at 10pm/ET, Ed's Tom Cavanagh returns to television as the star of CBS' Love Monkey, a dramedy about Tom Farrell, a record exec whose professional life — and in turn, love life — is turned upside down when his idealism is deemed idiotic by his boss. Serving as buds to Tom are 90210's Jason Priestley, Crash's Larenz Tate, Christopher Wiehl and Judy Greer, while Ivana Milicevic plays the music-biz babe who just might cure what ails him. TVGuide.com talked to the familiar-looking femme about Monkeying around, all the "love" in her life, and her surprising Hollywood crush. TVGuide.com: How on earth am I going to work the name Love Monkey into this Q&A's title?Ivana Milicevic: Hmmm, let's t

Tue, Jan 17, 2006

Who's That Monkeying Around with Ed's Ed?

THERE'S GOLD IN THE HATCH

Monday's Golden Globes ceremony saw ABC's Lost and Desperate Housewives win the best drama and comedy categories, while Brokeback Mountain hauled away a quartet of statues, including prizes for best dramatic film and for director Ang Lee. Although Weeds' Mary-Louise Parker bested four Housewives to take home honors for best actress in a comedy series, Felicity Huffman didn't leave empty-handed, earning dramatic-actress kudos for her turn in Transamerica. TVGuide.com has the complete coverage you seek, including pictures, a roundup of the winners, Watercooler chatter, video interviews and a whole lotta

Tue, Jan 17, 2006

FOX ENDS '70S, MALCOLM

The '70s are over and Malcolm is no longer in the middle, but nearing the end. That's the word from Fox, which announced on Tuesday that it's bidding adieu to two long-running comedies. That '70s Show will air its series finale (and 200th episode) on May 18, while Malcolm in the Middle (rejoining the Sunday lineup starting Jan. 29) will serve up its swan song-150th eppy on May 14. Also from Fox: Prison Break (yeah, I almost forgot about it, too) will return March 13 with a much-needed recap show, then deliver nine consecutive new episodes starting March 20; The Bernie Mac Show starts offering double-episodes on Jan. 20; Bones moves to Wednesdays-at-8 as of March 8; and the ne

Tue, Jan 17, 2006

Who's That Monkeying Around with Ed's Ed?

On Tuesday at 10pm/ET, Ed's Tom Cavanagh returns to television as the star of CBS' Love Monkey, a dramedy about Tom Farrell, a record exec whose professional life — and in turn, love life — is turned upside down when his idealism is deemed idiotic by his boss. Serving as buds to Tom are 90210's Jason Priestley, Crash's Larenz Tate, Christopher Wiehl and Judy Greer, while Ivana Milicevic plays the music-biz babe who just might cure what ails him. TVGuide.com talked to the familiar-looking femme about Monkeying around, all the "love" in her life and her surprising Hollywood crush. TVGuide.com: How on earth am I going to work the name Love Monkey into this Q&A's title?Ivana Milicevic: Hmmm, let's th

Mon, Jan 16, 2006

How "Goos" It with Surface's Miles?

Poor Miles. Not only did the Surface teen have a brush with death after getting nipped by one of the sea beasties, and not only is his scientist buddy starting to diss him, but his first make-out session with the aquarium-gift-shop cutie got all icked up by ethereal goo secreting from his hands. (As if prepubescence isn't hard enough!) TVGuide.com spoke with Carter Jenkins about his character's crummy luck and Surface's race to the season-finale finish line, kicking off Jan. 23 at 8 pm/ET on NBC. TVGuide.com: Dude, what's with the goo?! Miles finally gets to mack on the babe, and whammo, otherworldly messiness. And that's on top of the fact that his last near-kiss was part of a prank. But that hussy

Mon, Jan 16, 2006

Can We Get 24's Chloe to Break?

That glorious glowing digital clock is ticking away again, now that Fox's 24 has returned with a four-hour Season 5 premiere (continuing tonight at 8 pm/ET). TVGuide.com invited quirky little Chloe, aka Mary Lynn Rajskub (rhymes with "rice cub," says the actress), to leak to us some top-secret vittles. TVGuide.com: So what am I missing by not bothering with the Season 5 "prequel" packed in the newest 24 boxed DVD set?Mary Lynn Rajskub: Oh, you're missing both of our hairdos — Jack Bauer has a great hairdo, and my hair is down, which is exciting. OK, it's not really that exciting. I just get to have a different outfit for a minute. It all just kind of tips off the new season, which I guess

Mon, Jan 16, 2006

THE TRUTHINESS HURTS

Stephen Colbert, in truthy Stephen Colbert fashion, is taking issue with an Associated Press story that failed to credit the ersatz newsman with coining the term "truthiness." Deeming the AP "the No. 1 threat facing America," Colbert calls the lack of accreditation in a report on the pervasiveness of "truthiness" "a sin of mission, that's what it is. It's like Shakespeare being alive and not asking him what Hamlet is about." Tongue planted deep in cheek, The Colbert Report host likens the snub to the onset of the Iraq War, "except people got hurt this time." I love fake news.

Fri, Jan 13, 2006

MISS AMERICA GETS MORE DESPERATE

As if having hunky Desperate Housewives plumber James Denton host the 2006 Miss America Pageant wasn't enough, it has since been announced that Brenda Strong, aka narrator Mary Alice (and Miss Arizona 1980 to boot!), will serve on the panel of judges. The annoying thing is when Strong goes to write down her vote during the Jan. 21 CMT telecast, she'll lead off with some drivel like, "It was an ordinary day, one like any other. Birds were singing, bees were buzzing... And so was Gaby...." Ugh. Someone shoot her again.

Fri, Jan 13, 2006

Love Hewitt's Only Wish Is Fulfilled

Years ago, Ghost Whisperer star Jennifer Love Hewitt came across a script that she simply had to turn into a film. ABC Family's If Only (premiering Jan. 15 at 7 pm/ET) tells the story of Samantha and Ian, lovers who, soon after a regrettable row, are blindsided by a tragic accident that claims Sam's life. The morning after watching his sweetheart slip away, however, Ian (played by Brit Paul Nicholls) wakes to find Sam alive and back in his life, as he gets a second chance at that fateful day. The lengths to which Ian goes to save Sam from death — and himself from heartbreak — are great and romantic, but will it be enough? TVGuide.com spoke with Christina Welsh, the writer of If Only, about her and Hewitt's labor of love. TVGuide.com: First, tell me about the genesis of I

Fri, Jan 13, 2006