Ratings: 'Idol' Maintains Rebound for Second Week, Wins Night for Fox

Tim Kenneally — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:06:09 +0000

"American Idol," which stabilized last week after a period of declining ratings, stayed on an even keel Wednesday night and pushed Fox to an overall win for the night, according to preliminary numbers.

'Idol': Jim Carrey's Daughter and Another Contestant Fall -- One Literally (Video)

Kimberly Potts — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:15:02 +0000

Jim Carrey's daughter, Jane, was cut from "American Idol" on Wednesday's episode -- but at least she didn't fall off the stage.

Sixteen-year-old Symone Black had just finished her performance of "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" and was chatting with the judges about why she'd chosen the classic tune when she slipped.

Ellen DeGeneres Thanks Bill O'Reilly for Support Over JC Penney (Video)

Kimberly Potts — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:17:24 +0000

Ellen DeGeneres thanked Fox News host Bill O'Reilly for supporting her when a conservative group tried to have her fired as a JC Penney's spokeswoman because she is gay.

In a segment on his "The O'Reilly Factor" Monday, O'Reilly called the One Million Moms protest a "witch hunt," and said it was not in "the spirit of America."

Bryan Cranston and 'Modern Family': Directing an Episode and Having a Nerf War (Photos)

Kimberly Potts — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:13:26 +0000

Bryan Cranston stars in and directs episodes of one of the best dramas on TV, and now he's directing an episode of one of TV's best comedies: an ABC rep confirms to TheWrap that Cranston is directing an upcoming episode of "Modern Family."

Ratings: CBS Wins Night With 200th 'NCIS' Episode; 'River' Premieres Modestly

Tim Kenneally — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:54:59 +0000

ABC's new thriller "The River" got off to a so-so start with its series premiere Tuesday, while CBS took the night with the 200th episode of "NCIS," which drew top numbers both in ratings and viewership, according to preliminary numbers.

Ellen DeGeneres on JC Penney Protesters: Haters Motivate Me (Video)

Kimberly Potts — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:26:52 +0000

A court ruling that California's Proposition 8 is unconstitutional prompted Ellen DeGeneres to speak out about conservative group One Million Moms, which wanted her fired as JC Penney's new spokeswoman because she is gay.

'Mob Wives' Throw Down at a Christening in FunnyorDie Spoof (Video)

Kimberly Potts — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:46:41 +0000

As any regular viewer of reality TV about volatile women can tell you, never put your finger in the face of a diva. That's but one of the moves that sets off a throwdown in FunnyorDie.com's new spoof of VH1's "Mob Wives."

Jimmy Kimmel Hosting 7th Live Post-Oscar Show (Video)

Kimberly Potts — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:42:00 +0000

Jimmy Kimmel will host his seventh consecutive post-Oscar "Jimmy Kimmel Live" special on Feb. 26, and his booked guests include George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Helen Mirren, Martin Scorsese, Don Cheadle and Charlize Theron.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards," will also include an introduction by Oscar telecast host Billy Crystal and a show-ending performance by Coldplay.

Madonna's Super Bowl Halftime Show Edges Out the Game

Tim Kenneally — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:09:13 +0000

Madonna might not have been the most obvious choice to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, but she turned out to be a wise choice.

Lifetime Planning Columbine Miniseries

Kimberly Potts — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:33:06 +0000

Lifetime is developing a miniseries about the 1999 Columbine High School shootings, based on author Dave Cullen's bestselling 2009 book on the tragedy, "Columbine."

Ricky Gervais' Super Bowl Ad for Time Warner Cable: Watch a Sneak Preview (Video)

Tim Molloy — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:27:26 +0000

Believe it or not, there's at least one Super Bowl ad you haven't already seen -- one that finds Ricky Gervais running from an explosion as "Weeds" star Mary-Louise Parker indulges in her love of horticulture.

Elton John Gets Royally Dissed in Pepsi Super Bowl Ad

Tim Kenneally — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:32:09 +0000

As Elton John finds out in Pepsi's new Super Bowl ad, sometimes it's not so good to be the king.

Also read: Super Bowl Ad Sneak: Preview Seinfeld, Ferris, "Hunger Games" and All the Rest (Video)

Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' Has Record Night; 'Idol' Stabilizes (Update)

Tim Kenneally — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:41:06 +0000

(Updates with NBC saying a DVR issue affected "30 Rock" ratings.)

"Big Bang Theory" and "American Idol" were essentially tied in the ratings on Thursday night, with "Bang" scoring a win in the time slot and hitting a viewership record, while Fox took an overall victory for the evening, according to preliminary numbers.

'Community' Star Donald Glover: Bees Won't Make Honey Until It Returns (Video)

Kimberly Potts — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:31:37 +0000

"Community" star Donald Glover says in the latest mock PSA for the show that bees won't make honey and people won't laugh -- or even die -- until the show returns.

"If you guys could get 'Community' back on the air, that would be great," Glover says to the camera. "Yeah, I know, I get it … '30 Rock,' 'Parks and Rec' … they're holding you over. It's not the same."

'Jersey Shore': Gary Oldman Performs a Dramatic Reading of Snooki's Pee Problems (Video)

Kimberly Potts — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:14:04 +0000

It's impossible to overstate how disturbing it was to hear about Snooki's urinary tract infection on Thursday night's "Jersey Shore." But Oscar nominee Gary Oldman made it sound captivating.

On Thursday's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Oldman took to a dark stage to recap the "Shore" gang's antics, which included Vinny's return and the group's celebration, Deena getting electrocuted by her hair straightener, and Snooki peeing on herself.

Jon Stewart Yawns at Trump's Romney Endorsement (Video)

Tim Molloy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:07:43 +0000

Jon Stewart was a little underwhelmed by Donald Trump's endorsement of Mitt Romney, he said on Thursday's "Daily Show."

"Oh," he said. "That's it? No, like, 'Omarosa's gonna be the secretary of state!'? Just an endorsement of the current frontrunner and presumed nominee?"

Also read: Jon Stewart Mocks Gingrich's Moon Plans

'Mean Joe' Greene Gets In on Super Bowl Ad Nostalgia Craze (Video)

Tim Kenneally — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:28:38 +0000

Are throwbacks the big trend when it comes to Super Bowl ads this year?

Matthew Broderick created quite the stir this week when it was revealed that he'd spoof his 1986 film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" in an ad for the Honda CR-V to air during the Big Game on Sunday.

And now, as it turns out, football giant "Mean Joe" Greene has offered his own variation on the theme.

The former Pittsburgh Steeler re-creates -- sort of -- his classic 1980 Super Bowl ad for Coca-Cola, in a new ad for Downy Unstopables In-wash Scent Booster.

Pee-wee Herman Returns to the Alamo on 'Top Chef' (Video)

Kimberly Potts — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:36:22 +0000

The last time Pee-wee Herman visited the Alamo, he was on a desperate hunt for his beloved red bicycle. But on Wednesday's "Top Chef: Texas," he returned on the hunt for some pancakes.

"Top Chef" guest judge Herman inspired the episode's Quickfire Challenge, riding into the kitchen on his bicycle to ask them to whip up some creative, "happy, funny" pancakes in 20 minutes.

John Hawkes a No for 'Walking Dead' Governor (Update)

Kimberly Potts — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:41:55 +0000

No, John Hawkes will not be playing The Governor on "The Walking Dead."

That's the word from the Oscar-nominated actor's publicist after another actor seeking the role told Movieweb.com that producers wanted the "Martha Marcy May Marlene" star to play the zombie drama's main villain.

Ratings: Michael Jackson Tribute Gives 'Glee' a Much-Needed Win

Tim Kenneally — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:11:00 +0000

The cast of "Glee" has reason to do a celebratory moon-walk Wednesday morning.

The Fox show's tribute episode to Michael Jackson gave the show a double-digit boost to nab the top ratings spot of the night, according to preliminary numbers.

'Saturday Night Live': The Comic Book

Kimberly Potts — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:24:52 +0000

Live, from Vancouver, it’s "COMICS: Saturday Night Live," a 24-page history of show in comic book form.

'Freaks and Geeks' Creator Paul Feig Developing (Another) Coming of Age TV Dramedy

Kimberly Potts — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:32:44 +0000

"Bridesmaids" director Paul Feig -- who created one of the all-time greatest teen angst portraits with "Freaks and Geeks" -- hopes to mine his past once again for another coming-of-age series.

Bill Murray Fires Up David Letterman's 30th Late Night Anniversary (Video)

Kimberly Potts — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:19:50 +0000

Bill Murray was so fired up about David Letterman's 30th anniversary of the "Late Show" Tuesday that he nearly started a blaze lighting a cupcake in honor of the big day.

Murray, who was Letterman's first guest on "Late Night With David Letterman" on Feb. 1, 1982, brought out a gift-wrapped box, which, when Letterman lifted it, revealed a cupcake with 30 candles.

Justin Bieber, Jonah Hill Hosting 'SNL'?

Kimberly Potts — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:21:08 +0000

Justin Bieber is confirmed as a first-time host and return musical guest on "Saturday Night Live" -- at least that's what Alec Baldwin revealed during his "Here's the Thing" podcast on WNYC.

Jon Stewart Mocks Newt Gingrich's Moon Plans (Video)

Tim Molloy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:43:33 +0000

Comparing presidential elections to horse races is so 20th century. Jon Stewart says Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney's fight for a victory in tonight's Florida primary is more like Mortal Kombat.

Imagining each Republican presidential contender's signature moves and sounds, Stewart saved special derision for Gingrich's plan to establish a permanent base on the moon -- by the end of his second term.

Gossip Girl's Identity Revealed on 100th Episode

Kimberly Potts — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:34:49 +0000

(Spoiler alert: Don't read this if you haven't seen Monday's episode of "Gossip Girl" and plan to.)

The 100th episode of "Gossip Girl" on Monday night was chock full of revelations, including the show's big mystery: the identity of Gossip Girl herself.

'Arrested Development': New Season on Netflix Is Under Way (Video)

Kimberly Potts — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:44:24 +0000

Break into a chicken dance: "Arrested Development" writer Dean Lorey has confirmed he and the show's writing staff are already at work on the new episodes of the show that will premiere on Netflix in 2013.

'Game of Thrones' Season 2 Trailer: 'A Very Small Man Can Cast a Very Large Shadow' (Video)

Tim Molloy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:31:22 +0000

"Power resides where men believe it resides," says the spymaster Varys in the just-released second season trailer for "Game of Thrones."

"It's a trick," he adds. "A shadow on the wall. And a very small man can cast a very large shadow."

It's valuable advice, especially considering its recipient: Varys (Conleth Hill) is speaking to the very small man Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage).

Rainn Wilson: Dwight Spin-Off Would Be 'Even More Far Out and Weird' Than 'The Office' (Video)

Kimberly Potts — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:12:12 +0000

Rainn Wilson says a prospective spin-off centering on Dwight Schrute and life on his beet farm would be "even more far out and weird" than "The Office."

Wilson told E! on the SAG Awards red carpet Sunday that the new series would also feature Dwight interacting with a "crazy menagerie of characters."

Also read: NBC Picks Up 'The Munsters' Pilot

NYTVF Announces Development Partners

Tim Molloy — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:59:05 +0000

The eighth annual New York Television Festival announced nine networks or studios Friday that have committed to development deals with promising entrants.

John Mulaney Talks 'SNL,' Stefon, and How He'd Spin Off 'Law & Order'

Kimberly Potts — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:24:10 +0000

John Mulaney is a man of many talents: He worked on the sadly defunct "Best Week Ever," co-created Stefon on "Saturday Night Live," and is one of the world's biggest "Law & Order" fans.

Ratings: 'Idol' and 'Big Bang' Tie for First; 'The Finder' Improves

Tim Kenneally — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:12:01 +0000

CBS' "Big Bang Theory" pulled up to "American Idol" for a tie in the ratings Thursday night, while Fox was the highest rated and most-watched network as its new drama "The Finder" improved by 32 percent, according to preliminary numbers.