About.com TV Dramas

Hilary Duff Heads to Gossip Girl

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:26:36 +0000

Serena, Blair and the rest of their tight-knit group are about to have yet one more thorn in their side when a new girl comes to town. That's right folks -- movie and pop star Hilary Duff is coming to the CW drama Gossip Girl this fall.

According to EW, Duff will play Olivia Burke, "a movie star looking for a typical college experience." Olivia and Vanessa will be roommates, which is guaranteed to stir the pot in the absolute juiciest way possible -- especially when she makes a play for Dan!

Duff's character will be introduced in the fourth episode and is expected to appear in several episodes this season. The new season of Gossip Girl gets underway on September 14.

^{Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images}

Law & Order: SVU Stars Make a Deal

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:14:52 +0000

Law & Order: SVU fans can breathe a sigh of relief now that Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni have finally signed a deal which will keep them fighting the good fight for one more year (with an option for a second year).

Meloni and Hargitay reportedly earned roughly $375,000-$385,000 per episode last season, and their new deal will apparently earn them substantially more when they are back on the case this fall. As the two stars endured several months of tough negotiations, many believed that the duo would walk away from the series when it looked as though a deal might not be reached. Thankfully, the two will stick around to solve some of New York's most hideous crimes.

As An Added Bonus....

EW reports that Christine Lahti (Jack & Bobby, Chicago Hope) has signed on to play the Assistant District Attorney for four episodes this fall. So, you may be wondering who will be the ADA once Lahti is finished with her special episode run.... Most longtime fans should be thrilled to hear that Stephanie March (ADA Alex Cabot) has signed a deal to return to the series for a minimum of 10 episodes this season!

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit returns on September 23.

^{NBC Photo: Justin Stephens/� NBC Universal, Inc.}

90210 Adds Trevor Donovan to Cast

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:02:39 +0000

Ethan (Dustin Milligan) may have left town, but our favorite zip code is definitely not going to be lacking in the hottie department as yet another gorgeous guy enters the canvas this fall....

EW reports that former Days of Our Lives star Trevor Donovan has been tapped to play Teddy on the hit CW series 90210. According to Zap2It, Teddy is athletically gifted (he happens to be a tennis champ), has a father who is a big time celebrity, and will have a knack for picking up the hottest girls at West Beverly High.

What do you think about the latest 90210 casting news? Sound off below and stay tuned -- the new season is only 2 months away!

^{NBC Photo: Mitchell Haaseth � NBC Universal, Inc.}

NBC Announces Fall Premiere Schedule

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:22:14 +0000

It may be all about Jay Leno over at NBC, but they do still have a few dramas in their bullpen and we now know when they'll begin airing this September. Will NBC ever reclaim that ratings crown again? Could any of their new drama series become the next big water cooler show?

Heroes will be the first NBC drama to premiere on September 21. Parenthood and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit are due to premiere on September 23. Friday nights seem to have suddenly become one of the most competitive nights on television, so it should come as no surprise that Southland and Law & Order will get ready to rumble on September 25. Last, but not least, NBC's new medical drama Trauma rounds out the pack with a September 28 debut.

NBC Fall Premiere Schedule At a Glance

Monday, September 21

Heroes

Wednesday, September 23

Parenthood
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Friday, September 25

Law & Order
Southland

Monday, September 28

Trauma

All five networks have now set their premiere dates for fall, and the CW will officially kick off the new season on September 8 with 90210 and Melrose Place. Which new series are you most looking forward to watching? Sound off below and stay tuned for another exciting television season!

More Fall TV Resources

CBS Announces Fall Premiere Schedule

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:02:26 +0000

The new television season is rapidly approaching, scripts are being written, production is close to resuming on all of the fall shows and premiere dates have now been set for the CBS series....

CSI: Miami will be the first CBS show out of the gate on September 21. Joining the team this season is former Third Watch star Eddie Cibrian, who will play a police officer from the Hollywood, California Division. NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles and The Good Wife premiere September 22.

Criminal Minds and CSI: NY are back on the beat beginning September 23, as is CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and The Mentalist on September 24. Friday nights take an otherworldly turn as Medium joins Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs on September 25. Cold Case returns on September 27, and new drama series Three Rivers arrives on October 4.

CBS Fall Premiere Schedule At a Glance

Monday, September 21

CSI: Miami

Tuesday, September 22

Wednesday, September 23

Criminal Minds
CSI: NY

Thursday, September 24

Friday, September 25

Sunday, September 27

Cold Case

Sunday, October 4

Three Rivers

More Fall TV Resources

Farrah Fawcett Passes Away at 62

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:10:54 +0000

Television icon Farrah Fawcett has lost her battle with cancer at the age of 62. With longtime companion Ryan O'Neal and best friend Alana Stewart by her side, the actress passed away in the ICU unit at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, CA.

Fawcett was diagnosed in 2006 with anal cancer, went into remission in February of 2007, only to learn that the cancer had returned in May of 2007. Over the past two years, she had undergone experimental treatment in Germany.

Ryan O'Neal released the following message about the death of his longtime love: "After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away. Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."
The former Charlie's Angel star will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

^{Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images}

500,000 Reasons to Love Nurse Jackie's Peter Facinelli

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:56:47 +0000

When we watch our favorite shows each week, it's sometimes hard to remember that these characters we've grown to love often have a completely different personality than the person we know from the tube. They lead real lives, and they really do put their pants on one leg at a time. When a celebrity engages their fan base in a fun way, I think it allows us to see how real these people truly are when the cameras stop rolling. Thanks to a hilarious bet, Nurse Jackie and Twilight star Peter Facinelli has proved that following him can be mutually beneficial for all concerned.

The Bet
Rob DeFranco, co-founder of 211me (a mobile entertainment company), made a bet that the newly �Twitted� Facinelli couldn�t get 500,000 followers within a week (which ended June 19).

The Stakes
If Facinelli lost the bet, he would have to give DeFranco the back of his Twilight director's chair. If the actor was successful, DeFranco would dance his way down Hollywood Boulevard, singing Beyonc�'s hit song, 'Single Ladies' as he holds a sign that says "Twitter Me."

The Winner
Despite some major Twitter technical difficulties on Friday, Facinelli managed to reach his goal. DeFranco's dance of shame is set to take place on June 30. Can't make it over to Hollywood Boulevard? No worries, I am absolutely certain that Facinelli will make sure each moment is captured on film for all to see!

As for the thousands who began following the actor for the sake of the bet -- one lucky fan will be rewarded with the back of his Twilight director's chair.

Follow the Tweet Saga

^{Photo Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Staff for Getty Images}

Josie Bissett Returning to Melrose Place

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:12:22 +0000

For those of you who watched the original Melrose Place back in the '90s, you'll remember that Jane and Michael Mancini were there from the very first episode and were also once happily married -- until Kimberly Shaw (played by a very young Marcia Cross) came along and ripped the happy couple apart. We all know that Michael will be a recurring fixture in the revamp, but it looks as though his ex-wife is going to put in an appearance as well.

People Magazine reports that Josie Bissett, who played Jane Andrews Mancini, is set to appear in at least one episode. For those who didn't watch the original series, Jane and Sydney are sisters. Sydney came to town and quickly stirred up trouble for her sister by marrying Michael (there was a classic scene where they throw each other into the pool after Jane finds Sydney wearing her wedding dress), she then became a prostitute, got arrested, joined a cult, attempted to kill Michael, helped bury a dead body (although he wasn't dead after all), and even became a Madame for an episode or two. She finally appeared to have settled down with a nice man, only to be the "victim" of a hit and run immediately following the wedding ceremony. Death was very overrated on that show.

In other words, Sydney caused nothing but trouble for Jane through the years. Sadly, Jane always stuck by her younger sister and managed to somehow get her out of most of the messes she made. She did eventually grow a backbone, but the massive damage had already taken its toll on poor Jane. I can't wait to find out how and when Jane learned that her sister didn't actually die.

What brings Jane back to Melrose Place? Will she come visit Sydney or Michael? A special event (which I won't speak of because it'll spoil the first episode), or perhaps a flashback? Whatever the reason, I am absolutely sure that it'll be juicy!

^{David Livingston/Stringer for Getty Images}

Grey's Anatomy: It's Official -- Izzie In; George Out

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:16:01 +0000

Another day, another new episode of 'As the Grey's Turns'.... For months now, we've been going back and forth about T.R. Knight and Katherine Heigl's status on the show and the results are finally in -- T.R. is out and Katherine is in.

EW's Michael Ausiello was the first to break the news that T.R. Knight (as well as series creator Shonda Rhimes) has confirmed his departure from Grey's Anatomy. In a statement released by the actor, he reveals that, "Leaving Grey's Anatomy was not an easy decision for me to make. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to play this character and will miss my fellow cast and crew very much."

As for Katherine Heigl, E! Online reports that a source close to the show confirms that the actress will return for season six. After much behind the scenes drama on the set, I'd lay odds that Heigl's status will remain contingent upon good behavior from now on. After all, it would be very easy for Izzie to have a sudden relapse the next time the actress complains about her job.

So, what do you all think about the latest Grey's Anatomy news? Happy, sad, couldn't care less? I just hope that the cast can finally just settle down and bring back that show we once loved so much!

^{Photo Credit: Danny Feld � American Broadcasting Inc.}

An Interview with James Roday (Shawn, Psych)

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:31:24 +0000

Aside from watching and keeping up with great TV series, one of the biggest perks of my job is having the chance to interview some of television's brightest stars. Although the majority of these actors have been terrific (and almost always down to earth), there are only a select few who have completely captured my attention because of many admiral traits including intelligence, humor and charm.

The incredibly talented Psych star James Roday happens to be one of those select few who kept me thoroughly entertained during our interview as we discussed his role on the hit USA Network series, making People Magazine's '100 Most Beautiful' list, and what the future holds for this multi-faceted actor.

^{USA Network Photo: Alan Zenuk}