Brothers & Sisters

Brothers and Sisters, Seven, 10pm
After five seasons, this family drama comes to an end tonight. As Sarah and Luc’s nuptials approach, plans go horribly awry and the Walkers learn several surprising lessons about the real meaning of family. Thankfully this episode ties the series together.

MasterChef, Ten, 7.30pm
Tonight the molecular gastronomist, Heston Blumenthal of the three-Michelin starred retaurant “The Fat Duck” puts 4 contestants to an elimination pressure test. They must copy his version of a hamburger and fries, while also making a creative drink on the side to save themselves from heading home.

The Amazing Race Australia, Seven, 8.30pm
Tonight the remaining contestants head to Cape Town. We see the volatile couple, Chris and Anastasia, fighting with each other again, with it escalating at the detour. Will a visit to an orphanage put things into perspective for them or are there more fireworks ahead?

Top Chef All Stars, Arena, 9.30pm
In this premiere episode, 18 former competitors of Top Chef reunite to vie again for the title of Top Chef. Ex contestants include the ego maniac Marcel, bitchy red head Tiffani and the loveable Spike. Tonight the contestants must prepare the dish that sent them home in their initial attempt.

Flight of The Conhcords, SBS ONE, 10pm
This highly successful New Zealand offering has been a huge hit, here and abroad. SBS are starting it off again with the pilot on tonight. If you haven’t seen it yet, try it this time around.

Stars farewell Oprah

The likes of Tom Cruise, Madonna, Beyonce, and Tom Hanks were among those to bid Oprah farewell at the taping of ‘Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular’ this week. Other attendees at the bash to celebrate Oprah’s talkshow career included Michael Jordan, Jerry Seinfeld, Will Smith, Halle Berry and Katie Holmes.

Jackson picks boy/girl Idol finale

American Idol judge Randy Jackson is picking that the finale of the series will “come down to a boy and a girl”. In other words, Jackson is picking either Lauren Alaina or Haley Reinhart to go home this week, with the final then to be contested by the survivor and Scotty McCreery.

Griffiths heading back to Aussie

Australian Brothers & Sisters actress Rachel Griffiths is planning a move back to Australia following the axing of the drama series this week. Griffiths is interested in working on Australian productions.

Weaver joins comedy pilot

Sigourney Weaver has agreed to feature in a new HBO comedy pilot called Spring/Fall. Weaver will join Tea Leoni and Hope Davis in the pilot, which centres on two women in New York who work together in the fashion industry.

Seven have changed their minds about the two hour premiere of No Ordinary Family next Monday May 2. The show will now only air as a single episode at 7.30pm, with a repeat of Bones to air at 8.30pm.

The night now looks like this:

7.30 No Ordinary Family – premiere.
8.30 Bones Rpt.
9.30 Brothers & Sisters.

On Nine at the same time:

7.30 New The Big Bang Theory
8.00 New Mike & Molly
8.30 New CSI
9.30 New CSI: Miami

And on Ten:

7.30 Masterchef
8.30 The Biggest Loser Families Finale
10.00 The BIggest Loser Families Winner Announced.

May 1 marks the return of the 2011 ratings survey, after having two weeks off for Easter.

Much of Seven’s schedule returns with familiar shows in familiar timeslots but there are a few TBA’s around suggesting possible timeslots for some of those new shows Seven have been promoting lately.

Sunday May 1

At 6.30pm Sunday Night continues, followed by a one hour special of The Force. Bones at 8.30 is a repeat (not new as previously suggested) and there is a double helping of new Castle from 9.30 – 11.30.

Monday May 2

7.30 is TBA. Another Bones repeat at 8.30pm, followed by new Brothers & Sisters at 9.30pm. 10.30 is TBA as well.

Tuesday May 3

7.30 is TBA. Winners & Losers is back at 8.30pm, with an episode called “Like a Virgin”. Parenthood continues at 9.30, while 10.30 is another TBA, with Cougar Town at 11pm.

Wednesday May 4

Again 7.30 is a TBA – could Australia’s Got Talent appear over two or three nights, or will it fit into one hour? Normally the show is longer than an hour. We’ll find out in due course. Meanwhile, new Criminal Minds is at 8.30, then Detroit 1-8-7 at 9.30 and the final of I Shouldn’t Be Alive at 10.30pm.

Thursday May 5

At 7.30 is the final episode of Heston’s Mission Impossible (yes, there weren’t many!) looking at Cineworld Cinemas. The rest of Thursday night is as per usual with Grey’s Anatomy at 8.30, Desperate Housewives at 9.30, Private Practice at 10.30 and 30 Rock at 11.30.

MTV orders fourth Jersey Shore season

MTV has greenlit a fourth season of reality series Jersey Shore with talk the new season will be partly filming in Italy. The reality series, which is the highest rating MTV series of all-time in the 12-34 demo, is scheduled to begin filming again this autumn.

British commentator fired over sexist remarks

British football commentator Andy Gray has been fired from his role on Sky Sports in the UK following a string of comments regarding female assistant referee in the past few days. Gray was initially stood down alongside fellow commentator Richard Keys before being axed permanently from his role after new evidence was revealed of another incident involving sexist comments towards female assistant referees.

More ads pulled from Skins

More advertisers are pulling their ads from MTV in the US during episodes of Skins, which is continuing to cause controversy for its depiction of teens. Schick is the latest company to pull its ads, claiming that the “show’s content is not aligned with Schick corporate guidelines.”

Brothers & Sisters actress joins NCIS

Brothers & Sisters actress Jane Morris has signed on for a major role in NCIS. Morris, who plays Julia Walker on Brothers & Sisters, will join the crime procedural as an NCIS agent who is believed to be the love interest for one of the main characters.

Matt Smith hints at more Doctor Who

Doctor Who actor Matt Smith has hinted that he is keen to film a third season of the BBC show. After making his debut as the character this year, Smith has confirmed that he is looking ahead to another season as the Time Lord, saying: “I take it a year at a time. I’m going to do this year, and maybe next year as well. I would like to.”

Mad Men actress joins Brothers & Sisters

Mad Men actress Cara Buono is joining drama series Brothers & Sisters with a recurring role. Buona, who plays Faye Miller on Mad Men, will take on the role of Rose who is described as a “hot-headed Italian.”

Claire Danes in talks to join new pilot

Claire Danes is in talks to join the cast of a new pilot called Homeland which former 24 showrunner Howard Gordon is producing and Ben Affleck is attached to direct. The job would be Danes’ first full-time television role since she featured in 1994 series My So-Called Life.

Former Survivor producer arrested for murder

Former Survivor producer Bruce Beresford-Redman has been arrested for the murder of his wife while the pair were on holiday in Mexico earlier in the year. Beresford-Redman will return to Mexico where there case will be put to trial.

Handler lands new comedy series

E! Channel have ordered a new comedy series featuring its late night host Chelsea Handler. The show is believed to be called After Lately, screening following Handler’s existing show Chelease Lately, and will have a similar feel to ‘90s sitcom The Larry Sanders Show.

Cougar Town actor joining Brothers & Sisters

Cougar Town actor Ryan Devlin will feature on the next season of Brothers & Sisters after landing a role as a grad student in Kitty’s (Calista Flockhart) law class. Devlin, who plays Smith on Cougar Town, has also appeared in Grey’s Anatomy.

Gorillaz say no to Glee

Alternative band Gorillaz have bucked the trend and announced that they definitely do not want hit musical series Glee covering their songs. The band has spoken out saying they are not interested in having the show use their tracks as they believe they are “a very poor substitute for the real thing”.

Klum to launch new show

Project Runway host Heidi Klum is ditching fashion designers for a younger bunch of co-stars in a new unscripted series. Klum will launch a show focussed on children, with the former-supermodel “interacting with children and bringing out the hilarious and often insightful things they say”.

Tina Fey has announced that Mad Men’s Jon Hamm and actor Paul Giamatti will make guest appearances on 30 Rock in the upcoming season. Hamm will reprise his role as Drew on the comedy series while Giamatti will play a “grouchy television editor”.

Gervais not heading back to The Office

Ricky Gervais has confirmed that he will definitely not be taking over from Steve Carell in the American remake of The Office. The comedian confirmed at the recent Emmy Awards that he will not take any acting part in the show and would prefer to simply keep his post as producer.

BBC takes legal action against Stig book

The BBC has taken legal action aimed at blocking the publication of an autobiography by HarperCollins which would fully reveal the identity of Top Gear’s The Stig. It is understood the driver is bound by a confidentiality agreement and revealing his identity would spoil the viewers’ enjoyment of the motoring show.

Monk for Brothers & Sisters

Brothers & Sisters has continued casting for its next season by signing Debra Monk for a recurring role. The actress, who will play a character called Alexandra, has appeared on the likes of Grey’s Anatomy in the past. 

An Idiot Abroad trailer

The first trailer for Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s new series An Idiot Abroad has been released, which centres on collaborator Karl Pilkington’s hilarious adventures in foreign lands.

More Billy Joel music to feature on Glee

More Billy Joel music will pop up in the second season of Glee after the singer agreed to its use. Joel’s Piano Man featured in the first season in a duet sung by guest Neil Patrick Harris and Matthew Morrison.

Miller for The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries has signed Simon Miller to appear in the drama’s second season to play a character called George.  Miller, whose previous TV credits include Gossip Girl and CSI: Miami, will make his debut on the show’s fourth episode in a flashback scene.

Brothers & Sisters casts Soto

Actor Bobby Soto has been cast in Brothers & Sisters for the show’s upcoming season. Soto, who has appeared previously in the likes of Cold Case and The Closer, will play a character called Mateo.

Entourage producers developing new series

Entourage producers Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson are reportedly developing a new HBO series based around the adult entertainment industry. The pilot episode is set to be written by controversial author James Frey, of A Million Little Pieces fame.

Chelsea Handler to host MTV VMAs

Chelsea Handler will take up hosting duties for the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards on September 12. Handler, who hosts E! show Chelsea Lately, will be the first woman to host the awards since 1994.

Brothers & Sisters casting

Brothers & Sisters has acquired Stephen Collins for the show’s upcoming season, with the actor set to play a character called Charlie who gets close to Saul (Ron Rifkin).

Breaking Bad actress joins Lie To Me

Breaking Bad actress Anna Gunn, who plays the role of Skyler White in the drama series, has signed on for a guest role in Lie To me. Gunn will join the Tim Roth series as an ambitious Internal Affairs detective.