Hey, all! Welcome to upfront week. Today, here in New York City, we start with the NBC “Experience,” which, to my understanding, is a carnival-like soiree with a few of our Peacock favorites. That goes down later this afternoon, followed by ABC and the CW tomorrow, CBS on Wednesday and Fox on Thursday.
So what’s expected to be picked up or canceled this week? We’ll have the news in this column as the official announcements break, but for now, here’s what I’m hearing:
Morning, tubers! Last week, Gossip Girl's gorgeous Leighton Meester came to L.A. to shoot Entourage, and we've got her dish on that series and on Gossip Girl in the WWK Show above. (So press play!) And this week, I'm in Leighton's town, New York City, for the annual network upfronts. Check back early and often every day for the latest from the presentations and parties. There's no spoiler chat this evening because of the busy upfronts schedule, but don't worry—the TV scoop will be flying fast and furious just the same!
You gotta love the loyalty! Jennie Garth, who was the Queen B of her day back on the original Beverly Hills, 90210 and stayed with the series for its entire run, is officially on board for the spinoff.
According to CBS Paramount, which produces the series for the CW network, "Garth will make special guest appearances as her original character, Kelly Taylor, a guidance counselor at her alma mater, West Bev High, where our new characters attend high school."
In an industry where divas with 'tudes so often bite the hands that fed/feed them, it's just plain nice to see that Jennie is still down with the franchise that made her famous. (Dare we hope for a What I Like About You spinoff next? I miss my Jennie-Amanda Bynes tag team!)
Of course, Jennie's all grown up, and does have three kids of her own now, so franchise loyalty aside, the paycheck is no doubt appreciated. (She raises the rugrats with her man, Peter Facinelli, who was himself just cast in a pilot, Showtime's comedy about nurses led by Edie Falco.)
What do you guys think? Is it a good plan? And whatever happened to that fashion-industry thing Kelly was doing with Donna? Post your thoughts in the comments!
Wow. Wow. Wow.
If you're like me, you've done little else today other than think about last night's mind-splitting episode of Lost, what with all its mystery and intrigue and puzzle pieces. Not to mention the apparent time travel, freak-deaky cabin and the reveal that the island must be "moved." WTF?!
Thankfully, the big cheeses in charge, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, agreed to spend a little time this morning answering a few questions. And while I had agreed beforehand to not delve too deeply into anything spoilery, I tried my best to get us all some info we can chew over until the next episode airs!
Among the findings in this interview:
Keep reading for the scoop!
In less than a week, we will finally know the fate of CBS's Moonlight: Picked up or not? I would love to give you some advance notice on the verdict, but there is no word yet according to exec producers Gabrielle Stanton and Harry Werksman. They expect to hear next week, and we'll be sure to bring you the announcement as soon as we know!
Howevah! In lieu of pickup news, I did get the next best thing: scoop about the finale!
According to Gabrielle and Harry, "You can tell the fans we're going to play with some cool Mick-Beth-Josef relationship stuff in our season finale. We're going to delve more deeply into the world of 'freshies' (humans who let vampires feed off them)."
I'm told we'll also learn that Josef isn't as opposed to vampire-human relationships as you would think from the lectures he's always giving Mick.
G&H also spill: "Beth is going to see a shocking side of Mick and be faced with some harsh realities about being in love with a vampire." Of course, the vampire she's in love with is Mick St. John, "So don't expect our intrepid couple to 'close the door' on their future. Or will they? We think fans will like the last scene..."
Squee! Can't wait. In the meantime, let CBS know in the comments that Moonlight fans will continue to put up a bloody good fight for their show!
This just in from CW sources: The new 90210 is getting picked up!
OK, so that comes as a shock to no one, but another development left my jaw on the floor: According to sources, it's looking “likely” that Reaper will get a second season.
Say it with me now: halle-freaking-lujah! (Thank you, Beelzebub!)
Says one highly placed insider: “If you had asked me a week ago, I would have said no, but there have been a few changes, and now it’s looking like it’ll probably get the green light.”
Now, of course none of this is official and is subject to last-minute change before the CW announces its schedule this Tuesday in New York, but here’s what I’m hearing about where things stand in See-Dub Land:
Everything will be announced next week in New York City, and I’ll be there, so keep checking back for the breaking news!
If you haven’t seen "Cabin Fever," tonight’s episode of Lost, then please wait here outside, cop a squat on a rock and spend what seems like an eternity unwrapping a candy bar and sharing it with the dude next to you.
But if you did watch, then congratulations—you are a chosen one! Get on in here...
The upfronts aren't next until week in New York City, which is where all the official pickups and cancellations are set to be announced, but sources close to ABC have tipped me that while bubble show Eli Stone will get the nod for a season two, another hour-long drama, Women's Murder Club, will not be returning.
Like I said, not official, but that's where these two shows currently stand, according to my sources.
Frankly, the news about Club might be for the best. While I adore Angie Harmon and the cast and loved the show in its original state, WMC just hasn't been the same since show runners Liz Craft and Sarah Fain were let go following the end of the strike. (At which point they were immediately picked up by old pal Joss Whedon to write on Dollhouse, so good for them!)
Sad news about WMC to be sure, but hallelujah about Eli Stone, right? I, for one, adore that series and need to know what happens next between Eli (Jonny Lee Miller) and Maggie Dekker (Julie Gonzalo). Post your cheers and laments, respectively, in the comments, tubers!
"It did not go over well."
This is what a source on the set of Ugly Betty tells me about this week's breaking news that the show's production will be moving to New York City for the upcoming third season.
Word is the majority of the cast and crew learned of the move on Tuesday (along with the rest of the world), and shooting the finale this week has been...challenging. "Everyone has been on their BlackBerrys all day long figuring out what the move means for them," says the on-set source. "The mood on the set is low." (Production on season two is set to wrap tomorrow.)
So why is the move happening? Well, for starters, there's that beneficial NYC tax cut that will save the show a heap of cash—something which has prompted the crew to place an ad in Variety asking the Governator to step in and help. (And with Betty's downturn in the ratings, pinching a few pennies is probably a good idea. On some weeks, the ratings are about half of what they were in the series premiere.)
But clearly, it isn't solely a financial decision, as other sources who work on the series told me that Ugly Betty is in talks with wardrobe guru extraordinaire Patricia Field (Sex and the City) to take over styling—and she's not exactly a budget choice. So it seems the producers are highly interested in upping Betty's cool factor with a more authentic New York vibe, new sets and even different costuming. Could that help bring some eyeballs back to the show? Only time will tell.
Obviously, this move could not happen without the cooperation of America Ferrera and the majority of the core cast. According to insiders, America seems to be OK with relocating to Gotham, as are Mark Indelicato, Becki Newton and, of course, Vanessa Williams, who has long had a residence in New York.
Still, at least two main stars are hard-hit by the news: Ana Ortiz, a newlywed who is happily settled into the L.A. life, and Eric Mabius, a new dad and family man. Word is, Ana is expected to make the move, but Eric might not be willing to do so, and would fly to NYC for his episodes, which probably means we would see less of him next season.
As for the writers and postproduction staff, I'm told they will stay in Los Angeles.
Thoughts? Is this move a good thing for Betty? Comment below.
Updated Friday at 3:30 p.m. with an E! News Now exclusive clip! (Brit-Brit, welcome back. NPH, you haven't gone anyway, but stay legendary, 'kay?)
1. Britney Spears, y'all.
2. I love this show.