matt.webb.mitovich

CRYSTAL'S CLEAR

Just weeks after Chris Rock removed himself from consideration to host the March 5 Oscar ceremony, go-to guy Billy Crystal has invited his name to be crossed off the list as well. Asked as recently as last week to once again work his magic, Crystal tells Variety's Army Archerd, "I feel badly," but his dance card already is full as he juggles stage, film and book projects. Perhaps David Letterman is an option, although Academy execs probably worry about him transmitting secreted coded messages and all.

Thu, Dec 22, 2005

New Idol Promises Stars and Snipes

It's a little less than four weeks away, folks: Season 5 of Fox's American Idol premieres Jan. 17 with a two-hour special introducing a slew of the crooners who aspire to be the next Kelly-Ruben-Fantasia-Carrie. Once again making the calls (and leading the catcalls, when need be) is the judging triumvirate of Randy "You were pitchy, dawg" Jackson, Paula "Fabulous!" Abdul and, yes, Simon "Awful, just awful" Cowell. This new round of Idol

Thu, Dec 22, 2005

RICCI KEEN

Grey's Anatomy has tapped film vet Christina Ricci to guest-star on the Feb. 5 episode — an all-important one, as it airs immediately after ABC's broadcast of Super Bowl XL. Although the plot is being kept under wraps, the network has revealed that Ricci, who in my opinion once delivered an underappreciated turn on Ally McBeal, will visit Seattle Grace Hospital "not as a patient, but in a life-and-death situation." Uh-oh, is something wrong with Pugsley?

Thu, Dec 22, 2005

THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER

Someone restrain Miss Piggy, 'cause Mickey Mouse is dissing her guy. Just days after announcing on Good Morning America that Kermit would embark on a 15-month 50th-anniversary world tour, Disney cut funding for the road trip, leaving money for only three of the 50 stops (for now). Adding insult to injury: A source close to Kermie confides that Disney execs "didn't think the public would notice." The tour de farce comes on the heels of Disney's decision to pink-slip a slew of Muppet staffers amid concerns that the new parent company "doesn't know what to do with the Muppets." The proof: The only major Muppet project in the works is ABC's reality show America's Next Muppet — or as Mike Ausiello likes to call it, Pissed Piggy.

Thu, Dec 22, 2005

New Idol Promises Stars and Snipes

Wed, Dec 21, 2005

SPEARS SUES OVER SEX-VID STORY

Britney Spears has filed a $20 million libel suit against US Weekly, charging that a story published about her and hubby, Kevin Federline, fretting over the possible leak of a homemade sex video is patently false. "There is no such video," declares the lawsuit, which seeks $10 million in libel damages, another $10 million for misappropriating Spears' name and image to promote sales, and other unspecified punitive damages. "Not that my punitive has ever been damaged, heh-heh," K-Fed says with a wink. And then a burp.

Tue, Dec 20, 2005

Apprentice's Rebecca Discusses Dis 'n' That

She plays a good game of The Apprentice (on crutches no less), and damn if she doesn't look like the love child of Sandra Bullock and Evangeline Lilly. Even so, Rebecca Jarvis was passed over last Thursday in favor of Randal Pinkett, who had the chance to green-light her a job with Trump, as well, but... um, didn't. What would Rebecca have done in the same sitch? And what secrets does she have to spill about her final task? Here's what the 23-year-old Chicagoan shared with TVGuide.com in an eye-opening Q&A. TVGuide.com: Did you suspect that you and Randal might both walk away from the finale with jobs, as had been rumored?Rebecca Jarvis: The one thing I learned from this experience

Tue, Dec 20, 2005

Apprentice's Rebecca Discusses Dis 'n' That

Is NBC's Big Deal the New Millionaire?

Who still wants to be a millionaire? The contestants on NBC's Deal or No Deal, a new game show airing every night this week at 8 pm/ET, apparently do. Why else would they put themselves through the nerve-frazzling agony of deciding whether to keep one unopened case — which could contain anywhere from a penny to a cool mil — or "deal" it to the mysterious Bank for what could be a higher (or, natch, lower) payout. Sound a touch confusing here on "paper"? Let host Howie Mandel try to sum up the series, which is already a massive hit internationally. Each contestant, confronted with a stage full of fab femmes, each holding a numbered case, "picks a number, and one of 26 different increments of money is in each box," Mandel says. But instead of simply popping open the chosen case to assess your bounty and whether you should walk away with it, "the wa

Mon, Dec 19, 2005

Randal the Apprentice Defends His Decision

When Donald Trump promises a twist, he usually comes through. Such was the case on last Thursday's Season 4 finale of NBC's The Apprentice, when, after crowning 34-year-old Randal Pinkett as the show's first-ever African-American champ, Trump invited his brand-new protégé to recommend runner-up Rebecca Jarvis for a job, as well. Randal, however, held tight to his big night by obviously waylaying Trump's plan for a double-hire. TVGuide.com spoke with Randal the following day to discuss what has become a topic for hot debate amongst Apprentice diehards. TVGuide.com: First of all, congratulations on being named the Apprentice.Randal Pinkett: Thank you very much.

Mon, Dec 19, 2005

Randal the Apprentice Defends His Decision

WEST WING ROCKED BY DEATH

Writers and producers for NBC's The West Wing, which is dark for the holidays, will convene this week to discuss how to handle the death of John Spencer, who was suddenly felled by a heart attack on Friday at the age of 58. Leo McGarry, whom Spencer has played since the series' 1999 debut, figures in this season's central story line as the running mate of presidential candidate Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits).

Mon, Dec 19, 2005

ALL FIRED UP

The Apprentice champ Randal Pinkett stands by his decision not to back Trump on the idea of also giving runner-up Rebecca Jarvis a job during Thursday night's live finale. As he tells TVGuide.com, "[Season 1 finalist] Kwame Jackson was an extremely strong candidate, but Bill Rancic was not offered the opportunity to hire Kwame. [U]ltimately, this was not my decision; this was Mr. Trump's decision. All he did was solicit my opinion." In other words, no second thoughts here. "I firmly stand by the fact that the premise was to hire the Apprentice, not the 'apprenti.'" Watch for our complete Insider Q&A with Randal on Monday.

Fri, Dec 16, 2005

I WANT MY EMT

Ashlee Simpson was hospitalized after a Thursday-night performance in Tokyo. Per US Weekly, Simpson had just performed the single "Boyfriend" for MTV Japan when she told the audience she felt sick; moments later, she collapsed in an elevator. Simpson's rep confirmed her hospitalization to the Associated Press but offered no additional details. And... I shall leave it at that. (Paying attention, Santa?)

Fri, Dec 16, 2005

Steve Guttenberg Is Back as Santa

What a year it has been for Steve Guttenberg. In the past few months alone, he has scored a recurring role on Veronica Mars (as politico Woody Goodman), gone (upside-)down with the ship on NBC's The Poseidon Adventure, and now he's back making merry (and trying to get married) in Hallmark Channel's Meet the Santas (premiering Dec. 17 at 9 pm/ET), a follow-up to the 2004 TV-movie in which his Nick Claus met his would-be missus (played by Crystal Bernard). But as busy as he is, Guttenberg always finds time to play a real-life gift-giver to those in need, and that's one of the topics TVGuide.com spoke to him about in this Q&A. TVGuide.com: Does it make an actor feel all warm inside doing a holiday movie like Meet the Santas?Steve Guttenberg: It m

Fri, Dec 16, 2005

UNHAPPY REUNION

Fox's Reunion, which was canceled a few weeks ago but wasn't scheduled to actually bow out until Feb. 2, aired its final episode on Dec. 15. "Yes, it was [the last episode], unfortunately," a rep for the series tells TVGuide.com. Reunion execs recently issued a statement saying that the central murder mystery could not possibly be wrapped up on a truncated timetable. So whodunit? My buddy Michelle thinks it was either Craig or "the crazy girl he had the affair with." (Now stop bugging me, Shell. Because I. Don't. Know.)

Fri, Dec 16, 2005

Did Science Guy Bill Nye Inspire Numbers?

One of the most famous science geeks, Bill Nye (aka "The Science Guy"), guest-stars on CBS' Numbers tonight (at 10 pm/ET), but his connection to the mathematics-based procedural appears to be much, much deeper than that. TVGuide.com (tried to) put on our thinking cap and quizzed Nye on his Numbers ties, on bow ties and more. TVGuide.com: So what's this about you inspiring Cheryl Heuton and Nick Falacci to create the series Numbers?Bill Nye: That's what they claim — and that's quite an extraordinary claim. I don't know if that's true, but.... I read it first in Wired magazine last spring. After that article came out, I met with them. One of the first thing that Cheryl and Nick embraced when we had breakfast was this idea of sundials. There is so much information in the shadow of a stick, if you kn

Fri, Dec 16, 2005

Did Science Guy Bill Nye Inspire Numbers?

All-Star Comics Send Up Celeb Tell-Alls

Want to hear Fred Willard relate an *NSYNC member's most embarrassing moment? Jay Mohr recount David Cassidy's first taboo mash session with his Partridge Family sister? Julie Brown rehash Madonna's first time with a teenage boy? Bravo's new comedy special, Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words (premiering tonight at 10 pm/ET), offers up those unlikely reenactments and more, as some of today's funniest folk read straight from actual published tell-alls. (One of the spoofed authors, Star Trek's George Takei, is even on hand to hear his tome taken for a riotous ride.) Occupying a spot on the lineup for the event is Saturday Night Live alum Kevin Nealon,

Thu, Dec 15, 2005

BATHROOM HUMOR

Having successfully performed a live season premiere — even working around a last-minute and conspicuous injury to Megan Mullally — NBC's Will & Grace is ready to dip into that well again. On Jan. 12 the sitcom, now in its eighth and final season, will stage another live episode, in which Karen throws herself a lavish birthday soiree only to spend the evening crammed in the bathroom with her three buds. (And no, I don't mean Vicodin, Paxil and Xanax.)

Thu, Dec 15, 2005

INTO THE BLUTHS

Both ABC and Showtime are in talks with 20th Century Fox to rescue Arrested Development from the cold, clammy, hooked hand of the grim reaper. According to Variety, formal negotiations have not yet taken place, but sources still label the networks' interest as "serious," with Showtime being the more fervently interested of the two.

Wed, Dec 14, 2005

Will Mars' Aaron Echolls Go Free?

The trial of Logan's father for the murder of Lilly Kane on UPN's Veronica Mars (Wednesdays at 9 pm/ET) sure seems open-and-shut. So why can't we seem to shake what Daddy Far-From-Dearest said to his son during their Nov. 9 jailhouse heart-to-heart? Is there more to the show's original mystery than meets the eye? Aaron's portrayer, L.A. Law alum Harry Hamlin, talked to TVGuide.com about that, his Dancing wife and showing the funny to Adam Sandler. TVGuide.com: Has the whole Veronica Mars gig turned out to be as fun as you hoped it would?Harry Hamlin: I actually had no hopes going into it, but it turned out to be really great. I'm not doing that much right now but am

Wed, Dec 14, 2005

The Practice Star Returns to Boston

Marla Sokoloff, who once manned the phones for Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt on ABC's The Practice, returns to Beantown to spend Christmas in Boston (premiering tonight at 8 pm/ET on ABC Family). In the romantic comedy, Sokoloff plays Gina, an obituaries editor who labors to dodge her first-ever in-person meet with Seth, a guy she has been e-mailing (and falling for) for years. The catch: Gina and Seth each have been representing themselves with photos of their respective best friends! Always a sucker for good old-fashioned online romance, TVGuide.com grabbed a few with Sokolof

Wed, Dec 14, 2005

SPANNING THE GLOBES

Eva Longoria probably isn't feeling too Desperate this morning. The perpetual award-show bridesmaid scored a long-overdue Golden Globe nod on Tuesday morning, joining cast mates Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher and Marcia Cross in the lead actress (comedy) race. Still, Eva's probably not the happiest of the Housewives today. That award goes to Huffman, doubly nominated for the sudser and her gender-bending turn in Transamerica. Housewives itself overcame all that sophomore-slump chatter to score a nod for best comedy, where it will face off against newcomers Everybody Hates Chris, My Name Is Earl and Weeds, as well as HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage. Other newcomers to the Globes race include Fox's Prison Break and its star, Wentworth Miller; The Office's Steve Carell;

Tue, Dec 13, 2005

Who's Hungry for a Taste of America?

When it comes to second helpings, fans of Travel Channel's Taste of America (Tuesdays at 8 pm/ET) apparently cannot be sated. Having debuted its sophomore season just last week, the series finds actor-comedian Mark DeCarlo hosting a sometimes mouthwatering (and sometimes eye-popping!) look at the nation's cuisine. (Tonight's episode is a discourse on the best in U.S. holiday kibble.) Hungry for some answers, TVGuide.com caught DeCarlo fresh from his latest foodie foray. TVGuide.com: Whenever I watch these types of "let's go around and sample all kinds of food" shows, I have to wonder: What was your weight before you got the gig, and has it fluctuated since?Mark DeCarlo: You know what, I've been pretty steady. When I'm home, I play ice hockey about four times a week, which keeps me in good shape, and on the road I go to the gym a

Tue, Dec 13, 2005