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Showtime Sets Return Dates

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:47:03 +0000

The first inch of snow has yet to hit the ground on the east coast, but fans of the various Showtime series can now look forward to something more than warm weather when their shows return this spring.

Those of us who are desperately in need of a Nurse Jackie fix won't have to wait until next summer to find out how she's going to get herself out of that major predicament (which included a suicide attempt) when the series returns on March 22.

Henry VIII will marry his sixth and final wife, played by Nip/Tuck star Joely Richardson, and plunges further into madness in the last years of his life as the final season of The Tudors gets underway on April 11.

Winter/Spring 2010 Premiere Dates

^{Photo: Courtesy of Showtime Networks}

Showtime Sets Return Dates originally appeared on About.com TV Dramas on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 23:47:03.

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Is Numb3rs Next to Go?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:58:04 +0000

The mighty axe is getting warmed up over at CBS and it looks as though Numb3rs may be their first victim this season.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS has decided to cut the episode order for their long-running procedural drama Numb3rs from 22 to 16. It's important to note that the network has not officially canceled the series, but fans should prepare themselves for the worst-case scenario.

Are vampires, aliens and psychics taking over primetime? Are we finally starting to show signs of boredom with crime dramas? Well, it's no wonder since we've been inundated with crime/procedural/forensic dramas over the last 10 years. Television viewers have been begging for something different, something that will take us away from the real problems of day-to-day life and transport us to a world created by an absolutely brilliant writing team.

A new trend has begun and seems to be scoring well with those elusive Nielsen families....

Of course it certainly helps that shows such as True Blood and The Vampire Diaries have some of the best looking creatures of the night we've ever seen on television!

Is Numb3rs Next to Go? originally appeared on About.com TV Dramas on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 22:58:04.

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President Logan Returning to 24

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:43:57 +0000

Over the last seven seasons, 24 has elected some of the most memorable presidents on television, but easily one of the most entertaining (and evil) of the bunch was Charles Logan.� After his character meet the wrong end of his ex-wife's knife in season 6, Gregory Itzin is heading back to a living room near you for a multi-episode arc as season 8 gets underway this January.

So, what brings the villainous former president back into the fold? President Taylor will very reluctantly be forced to ask for Logan's help with an "escalating international diplomatic crisis" when a plot to assassinate Middle Eastern leader Omar Hassan (played by Anil Kapoor) is uncovered.

When asked about pairing up Itzin with fellow Emmy nominee Cherry Jones (President Allison Taylor), executive producer Howard Gordan said, "The opportunity for these two remarkable actors to share the stage was simply too compelling to pass up."

Will TPTB bring back the equaly entertaining Martha Logan? I've got my fingers crossed...

Season 8 of Fox's 24 is set to premiere on January 17 and 18 in a two-night, 4-hour special event.

^{Photo: �Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Joe Viles/FOX}

President Logan Returning to 24 originally appeared on About.com TV Dramas on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 23:43:57.

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NBC Ends Trauma

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:52:09 +0000

Where have all the NBC viewers gone over the last few years? When will the network have another big Heroes-type hit on their schedule again? After five airing, NBC has pulled the plug on their new medical drama series Trauma.

According to Zap2It, NBC hasn't officially canceled the series, but has chosen not to order the back nine. The network will air the remaining episodes throughout the fall. Heroes fans should take note that the ratings for Trauma were just slightly less each week. Could the epic drama be on its last legs despite a creatively excellent season? Let's just say that fans should probably enjoy what little time we have left.

Fans of NBC's Chuck have reason to celebrate in light of Trauma's demise -- EW reports that the network has ordered an additional 6 episodes, bringing the season total to 19. The series had been slated to premiere in March, but thanks to this development, it's likely that Chuck will begin this January. Score one for the geeks!

NBC Ends Trauma originally appeared on About.com TV Dramas on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 20:52:09.

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Rumer Willis Gets a Gay Storyline On 90210

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:14:25 +0000

Rumer Willis is about to get a major character bump in the coming months on 90210 when her character Gia begins a lesbian relationship with a series regular.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Gia and Adrianna, who has had her fair share of issues, are about to get into a very serious relationship. After overcoming drug addiction, giving up her baby for adoption, falling for Navid, falling for Teddy (only to get blown off), breaking up with Navid (who now wants absolutely nothing to do with her), it would be an understatement to say that Adrianna has been through the ringer. Could a relationship with Gia be just what she needs?

90210's executive producer Rebecca Sinclair told EW, "This isn't a fling. We're coming at this [relationship] from a genuine place and not going, 'Let's do a titillating story that will grab some promotion.' This is a real aspect of teenager life that's interesting ... And there's been a real void in the 90210 universe in terms of gay and bisexual characters."

From drug abuse, date rape and eating disorders to teen pregnancy, parental neglect and even difficulties funding a college education, the original series always managed to address major issues facing teens and young adults. The new series has already tackled several issues, and adding a gay storyline to the fold is an excellent way to explore a topic many teens/young adults might be afraid to address in their day-to-day lives.

What do you think about 90210's latest storyline? Sound off below!

Rumer Willis Gets a Gay Storyline On 90210 originally appeared on About.com TV Dramas on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 23:14:25.

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Fox Gives 24 Fans a Sneak Peek

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:33:09 +0000

Anyone looking for a much-needed Jack Bauer fix? With less than 3 months to go before "Day 8" gets underway, Fox is giving 24 fans a sneak peek into the new season.

After coming dangerously close to breaking up with 24, I decided to give it one more chance before doing anything rash and was pleasantly surprised by yet another additively wonderful season. Will the new (and possibly final) season keep fans glued to the tube? The 45-second preview certainly got my interest piqued.

The new season finds Jack happier than we've ever seen him. He has embraced the role of retired grandpa to Kim's adorable little girl, recovered from that pesky bioweapon exposure and is all set to move to Los Angeles to be closer to his family. In typical fashion, a new evil has arrived (in New York City) and it'll be up to Jack to save the day one more time.

Mary Lynn Rajskub, Cherry Jones and Annie Wersching are returning for the new season, bringing with them new cast members Freddie Prinze Jr., Jennifer Westfeldt, Nazneen Contractor, Anil Kapoor, John Boyd and Chris Diamantopoulos.

Season 8 of 24 will premiere on Fox in a four-hour, two-night event beginning January 17, 2010.

^{Photo Credit: �Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Michael Muller/FOX}

Fox Gives 24 Fans a Sneak Peek originally appeared on About.com TV Dramas on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 22:33:09.

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George Clooney Bringing Drama to TNT

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:14:56 +0000

TV and film mega-star, director, producer, writer, Oscar winner -- Does George Clooney's talent hold no bounds? Apparently not. Clooney's latest venture brings him to TNT to helm a new crime drama series titled Delta Blues.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Delta Blues is coming to a living room near you courtesy of Clooney and partner Grant Heslov's Smokehouse Pictures and Warner Horizon. The series follows a eccentric cop from Memphis who lives with his mother and spends his spare time entertaining people as an Elvis impersonator.

The pilot was written by Liz Garcia (Cold Case) and Josh Harto, both of whom are expected to share in the executive producing duties.

No word on when we can expect this new drama to premiere -- or if Clooney is planning to make an appearance. Show of hands for those who would love to see him dressed like Elvis....

^{Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images}

George Clooney Bringing Drama to TNT originally appeared on About.com TV Dramas on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 22:14:56.

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Fox Puts Dollhouse On the Shelf

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:11:18 +0000

Another one bites the dust -- well, not quite, but let's just say that the future isn't exactly bright for Fox's Friday night drama Dollhouse now that the network has yanked it off the schedule for November sweeps.

After four dismal outings on Friday nights, Fox has pulled Whedon-helmed drama from the primetime lineup for November sweeps. The show is expected to return on December 4 with back-to-back episodes for 3 weeks before going on hiatus once again. The remaining 3 episodes are slated to air sometime in 2010 (if at all).

Let's face it, unless it's a show on CBS, the likelihood of surviving on Friday nights is slim to none. The 18-25 demographic are probably out at parties, on dates, hanging out with friends, etc., and families in the older demo probably don't have the time or desire to watch television after a long week.

Whatever the case may be, it's just not a popular night for television, so I'm not sure why the networks continue to expect their shows to be a ratings bonanza and then cancel/shelve them when they turn out to be a ratings dud.

Dollhouse wasn't the only Friday casualty -- Fox also wrecked a little havoc on the comedy side. For the time being, reruns on House will air on Fridays through November.

^{Photo: �Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Kurt Iswarienko}

Fox Puts Dollhouse On the Shelf originally appeared on About.com TV Dramas on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 20:11:18.

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Melrose Place Evicting Two Residents

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:21:06 +0000

Two residents at 4616 Melrose Place have received their eviction notices -- Ashlee Simpson-Wentz (Violet) and Colin Egglesfield (Auggie) have been ordered to vacate their cozy apartments this January.

In an exclusive interview with E! Online, Egglesfield claims to have been informed this week that his character would be written off the show. TPTB told him that the network felt his character was, "a little too dark, with his alcoholism. They felt like in the landscape of Melrose they wanted to change the tone of the show."

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, executive producers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer say that both characters leaving the series was "the original plan going into the development of the show." Slavkin also states "they knew ahead of time [that leaving was a possibility], it wasn't a complete shock."

With Heather Locklear heading to Melrose Place in a few weeks, the plan is to end the Sydney Andrews murder-mystery and move the show to a lighter place. New characters are heading onto the canvas, including a love interest for Amanda Woodward (what happened to Peter Burns?).

There's a big murder coming up on the show -- could Auggie or Violet be the victim/murderer? Did one of them murder Sydney? Stay tuned -- the fun is just beginning!

^{Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images}

Melrose Place Evicting Two Residents originally appeared on About.com TV Dramas on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 22:21:06.

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The CW Sticks With Vamps and Tramps

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:44:56 +0000

Now that we're more than six weeks into the new season, the networks are making those crucial decisions as to who they want to stick around for the remainder of the season. CW fans can breathe a sigh of relief now that the network has picked up The Vampire Diaries for a full season, and ordered five more episodes of Melrose Place.

The full season renewal for The Vampire Diaries really is a no-brainer for the network since the series has been a major ratings success week after week, especially given the stiff competition in that time slot. The ratings for Melrose Place have been dismal (the latest episode brought in 1.5 million viewers), which has many wondering why the CW would order five additional episodes....

Heather Locklear

While the network would never admit that they're pinning their hopes on one person, history has proven that Locklear has brought tremendous success to a dying series -- in fact, Aaron Spelling used to call her his good luck charm. Will she help save this delicious drama from that almighty axe? We'll find out when the beautiful blond returns to Melrose Place on November 17.

The CW Sticks With Vamps and Tramps originally appeared on About.com TV Dramas on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 17:44:56.

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