‘Lost’, ‘Grey’s’ Finales Extended
Posted on April 12, 2008
In a surprising turn of events, both Lost and Grey’s Anatomy have been given an extra hour’s worth of screentime to close their current seasons, according to various sources close to ABC.
Lost showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, not wanting to cram so many big reveals into two hours, apparently volleyed for the fourteenth episode to make the finale three hours long to do the fans justice. ABC granted their request, and consequently, the second and third parts will air together, much like Season 1’s “Exodus” three-parter did.
However, because no two-hour slot is available on May 22, what with Ugly Betty and Grey’s Anatomy airing their respective finales on that night from eight to ten, Lost’s end to the fourth season will be shown the following week, on May 29. The first part has been slated for May 15 — two weeks earlier. An encore of that episode will be shown prior to the final two hours.
As a result, due to there now being an empty hour at 10PM on the 22nd that needs filling, ABC has decided to give Grey’s Anatomy a two-hour finale on that night. Darn good if you watch both shows, if you ask me.
Gough, Millar to Leave ‘Smallville’
Posted on April 3, 2008
To much surprise, Smallville creators and showrunners, Al Gough and Miles Millar, have announced their intention to step down from their roles on the drama at the end of the current season.
In an open letter, they stated, “After much heartache and debate, we have decided it is time for us to move on.”
“Over the last seven years, we have had the honor of working with a remarkable team of people here in Los Angeles and in Vancouver. We have been blessed with a wonderful cast who we have watched mature with admiration and affection. We have been rewarded with a fan base that is as loyal as it is vocal.”
“We are incredibly proud of our work on this show. We have achieved what we set out to do. We never compromised our vision,” the letter continues. “The pilot had the highest-rated premiere in the history of the WB. Even in its seventh year, it is still the #1 scripted show on the network.”
According to TV Guide, Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, Todd Slavkin, and Darren Swimmer — all longtime writers for the show — are set to take over as the new executive producers.
NBC Renews ‘Friday Night Lights’
Posted on April 3, 2008
Friday Night Lights has officially been renewed by NBC in their early “in-front” presentation, which details the network’s 2008-09 line-up.
Rumours had been circulating for a while about a potential deal with DirecTV, but the drama is set to return to NBC on Fridays as a midseason replacement after first-run episodes air on DirecTV in October. The third season will consist of thirteen episodes.
Meanwhile, starting from the fall, Chuck and Heroes will air on Mondays followed by new drama My Own Worst Enemy, starring Christian Slater as a father who’s also unknowingly a spy. With Kath & Kim and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit snuggling on Tuesdays, Knight Rider has been scheduled for Wednesdays at 8PM on the same night as renewed Lipstick Jungle.
My Name Is Earl, 30 Rock, and The Office keep their Thursday slots, as an Office untitled spin-off will follow immediately afterwards along with ER. The line-up doesn’t see any mention of Scrubs. Finally, Crusoe and Life will run on Fridays, sandwiching Deal or No Deal.
Casting News on Whedon’s ‘Dollhouse’
Posted on March 30, 2008
By now, you’ve probably heard that Buffy creator Joss Whedon will work with Eliza Dushku, known to a lot of us as rogue slayer Faith on the vampire-dusting cult series, in drama Dollhouse to air in the fall on Fox.
Well, Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica), Fran Kranz (Welcome to the Captain), Dichen Lachman (Neighbours), and newcomer Enver Gjokaj are all onboard.
Penikett will play FBI agent Paul Smith, while Kranz will be Topher Brink, the programmer responsible for imprinting the dolls. Lachman and Gjokaj are to play dolls Sierra and Victor.
Dollhouse stars Dushku as Echo, a member of a group of people known as “dolls”, who have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with new personas — hired out for particular assignments.
‘Dirty Sexy Money’ Drops Armstrong
Posted on March 30, 2008
Samaire Armstrong, spoiled Juliet Darling in the freshman show Dirty Sexy Money, has been dropped as a series regular, according to Michael Ausiello of TV Guide.
She is, however, expected to return as a recurring character, should her schedule allow it.
Last October, Armstrong checked into rehab to deal with “personal issues”, which forced the producers to write her out of an episode. Whether the two are related or not is currently speculation.
‘Prison Break’ Renewed for Fourth Season
Posted on March 25, 2008
Fox announced that Prison Break — despite falling ratings and criticism during the third season this year — has been renewed with its return slated for the fall.
There had been speculation prior to this news regarding the show’s status, hinting that it would follow Jericho and get the axe, but the twenty-two episode order quashed all of that.
The thriller starring Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell is set to relocate to Los Angeles after the events in Panama.
CBS Axes ‘Jericho’
Posted on March 21, 2008
With ratings worse this year than they were during the show’s first season, it doesn’t come to much surprise that CBS is axing Jericho.
“The March 25th episode of Jericho will be the series finale,” said a statement by the network’s Nina Tassler. “Without question, there are passionate viewers watching this program; we simply wish there were more. We thank an engaged and spirited fan base for keeping the show alive this long, and an outstanding team of producers, cast and crew that went through creative hoops to deliver a compelling, high-quality second season.”
“We have no regrets bringing the show back for a second try,” she continues. “We listened to our viewers, gave the series an opportunity to grow, and the producers put a great story on the screen. We’re proud of everyone’s efforts.”
Producers filmed two different endings for the series finale, one with a cliffhanger – in case Jericho was picked up for a third season — and one with more resolution and closure. The latter will be used on Tuesday.
Trachtenberg Joins ‘Gossip Girl’
Posted on March 20, 2008
Michael Ausiello has reported that Buffy star Michelle Trachtenberg, who played the Slayer’s little sister, is set to play Georgina Sparks — described as a troublemaker and scheme queen from Serena’s past – in the freshman series Gossip Girl. Mischa Barton was initially rumoured to have been approached for the role.
This follows the news that Britney Spears will guest-star in How I Met Your Mother as Abby, the receptionist at Ted’s dermatologist. In fact, I believe that’ll air next week. Sarah Chalke of Scrubs is the dermatologist.
NBC, ABC Fighting for ‘Scrubs’
Posted on March 1, 2008
Scrubs, the comedy from ABC Studios, is currently in the middle of a hotly contested battle between networks NBC and ABC.
ABC has apparently been in negotiations to pick up eighteen episodes of it for next season, yet NBC are said to be a little bit peeved off, as they have first negotiation rights with ABC Studios.
The seventh season of the veteran comedy was expected to be its last until the WGA strike hit and before the season had to be shortened from eighteen episodes to twelve. However, the cast — including Zach Braff — are said to be all onboard for another year.
Regardless of which network Scrubs will be on next season, NBC still has possession of five pre-strike episodes and is expected to air them before this season’s out.
ABC Renews ‘Dancing’, Four More Realities
Posted on February 29, 2008
Reality shows Dancing with the Stars, Supernanny, Wife Swap, Extreme Makeover: Home Addition, and America’s Funniest Home Videos have been renewed for next season by ABC.
This comes after the network gave early pickups to Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Brothers and Sisters, Pushing Daisies, Private Practice, Samantha Who?, and Dirty Sexy Money earlier this month.
Meanwhile, the PaleyFest has added Bones, Moonlight, and Kyle XY to their line-up, with their new leg starting on March 28. Tickets will be available on March 14.