The Vampire Diaries

Dexter renewed for sixth season

Dexter has been renewed for a sixth season by its American network, Showtime. The drama series, which features Michael C. Hall, performed well during its fifth season in the US, recording its second highest audience for an episode in its history.

Amell joins Vampire Diaries

Actor Stephen Amell is joining The Vampire Diaries for a two-episode arc. The actor, who has had roles in the likes of CSI: Miami, NCIS and Flashpoint, was on the short list of three actors recently to be cast as the new lead in Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

Oprah gives viewers skewed view of Australia

Americans have been given an interesting introduction to what Australia is all about courtesy of Oprah and McDonalds ahead of the chat show host’s upcoming tour of Australia. McDonalds bankrolled a segment which featured on a recent episode of Oprah which painted a picture of Australians as a group of “blokes” and “sheilas” who met at “hip joints” called McCafes. The segment was delivered by The 7pm Project’s Carrie Bickmore who went on to say that the McCafe rendezvous are “all just a little bit fancy”.

Cheech Marin joins comedy pilot

Veteran actor Cheech Marin is returning to TV in a new pilot called Outnumbered which is based on the UK series of the same name. The actor will join the sitcom pilot which centres on a couple who are constantly overwhelmed by their three children.

Vampire Diaries spin-off?

The creator of drama series The Vampire Diaries is looking to develop a spin-off which would run as a companion series. The series is in the very early stages of development currently.

Misfits pulls three awards nominations

British series Misfits has been nominated for three awards at the upcoming 2011 Broadcast Awards in the UK in the categories of Best Drama Series, Best Multichannel Programme and Best New programme. New series Being Human is also up for the Best Multichannel Programme.

Fran Drescher series picked up

A new Fran Drescher series, which centres on the actresses divorce, has been picked up in the US. The series will parallel Drescher’s real life by focussing on a woman who struggled to get back into the dating world after discovering that her husband is gay.

Seacrest signs TV development deal

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest has signed a $60m deal with a US media conglomerate to develop TV content, a record label and a concert series. Seacrest will still continue his work on American Idol and his radio show in Los Angeles.

Dollhouse actress lands new pilot role

Dollhouse actress Eliza Dushku has signed on to appear in a new drama pilot called Bird Dog. The actress will feature in the pilot which centres on a father-daughter crime-fighting team who solve crimes in a sleepy rural town.

All your favourite shows for the year have finished. Large chunks of TV schedules for the three commercial main channels have transformed into almost unrecognisable lists of shows. Just about everything on is a repeat. New shows a few and far between – except on Pay TV, ABC and SBS.

To me, if you have seen a show, you have seen it. I have never understood watching repeats of procedural shows like Bones, The Mentalist, Criminal Minds, City Homicide, Rescue Special Ops and the like as you already know what the outcome is going to be. You already know the twist or who the baddie is or whose bones were found.

There are some sitcoms you can watch more than once, but it depends on how well written the show is. A well written sitcom can be watched many times as one picks up stuff they may not have first time round. But – again – for the most part, a repeat is a repeat – you already know the jokes, you know what is going to happen, you know the story.

Same goes for movies. A great movie people will watch more than once, but others, no need to see again. To me, a repeat is something you don’t necessarily go out of your way to watch. A repeat you may have on in the background while doing something else. Whereas first run TV you may pay attention to and sit down and watch.

So as a result, when we hit summer non-ratings, less and less of Seven, Nine and Ten end up being watched. More attention turns to what is on Foxtel, ABC and SBS – who all still have first run content. There are a few first run shows on Seven, Nine and Ten, but only those that either do not do well during ratings or the networks thought would not do well and were not worth the risk.

Nine has Chase on Sunday nights, Better with You on Wednesdays. Seven has Outlaw while the Event has one more episode to go. Plus all those factuals – yes – they are first run but half are from NZ and others just didn’t cut it during the year. Ten has season two of White Collar on Wednesday night, and Rules of Engagement on Sunday nights. White Collar I look forward to – as for Rules of Engagement, I am not sure why it still airs on Ten as it rates so low. Rush and Neighbours defy the commercial trend and continue for a few weeks yet.

There is one commercial channel that delivers more first run content than any other – that is GO! The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Fringe, Nikita and new eps of Community to name a few. Yes, GO does have repeats throughout its schedule as well, but the number of new shows leave the main channels for dead. Any wonder it is the number one multi channel in Australia.

As for the other multi channels, 7TWO, there are plenty of first run lifestyle programs, a few movies not shown before on free to air, Jonathon Creek, Benidorm and Not Going Out. 7mate has Gene Simmons Family Jewels, Whacked out Sports, Australia Smashes Guiness World Records, The Shield, Punk’d, Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and a number of its documentaries – actually, probably more of these shows are first run than GO – BUT – many have already been on Pay TV – especially the docos.

And finally GEM needs a mention. First run content on Gem includes Conan four nights a week, Southland, The Big C, Weeds, Rizolli and Isles, The Closer and Hotel Babylon. Let’s not forget Wild Caribbean and David Attenborough’s Life of Mammals on the weekends.

So there is definitely first run content around the free to air commercials if you look for it – the main difference now, is that it is spread over many channels. Having to spread content over multiple channels stretches what the networks can offer on each channel – this is the main reason there ends up being so many more repeats on the main channels.

Before the digital channels arrived, some of those shows seen on the digitals would have been seen on the main channels or not at all.

Can you really still call it fast tracking when only a few shows of a new season have been shown, and those that have, a month or so after their US premieres? Are networks trying to get the best of both worlds here by putting on just a few new episodes – enough for fans to think they are fast tracked, while, at the same time, leaving the majority of the new season until the new year?

Both Seven and Nine have done exactly that.

Nine have only shown three new episodes of The Mentalist since the new season premiered in the US back in September. They have also only shown three new episodes of the Big Bang Theory (thanks to William and Kate which replaced the fourth) and only three new episodes of their favourite show Two and a Half Men.

Seven only aired four new episodes of Bones and Criminal Minds before lapsing back into repeats.

Both networks continue to show repeats of these shows knowing full well that repeats rate quite well, while leaving fans either waiting for months for new episodes or sourcing them by other means.

Ten, on the other hand, despite losing two weeks of programming to the Commonwealth Games back in October have managed to show seven episodes from new seasons of The Good Wife, House and Glee, as well as six of NCIS by the time ratings season ends. They have even gone so far as having one extra episode of Glee (perhaps making up for the one they didn’t schedule on Wed Nov 17) on Monday Nov 29 which is not part of the official ratings survey. These shows are all as close as days behind their US air times.

GO, part of the Nine network have also successfully managed to air Hellcats and The Vampire Diaries so close to the US air dates, that the two shows end up having breaks between new episodes when they are not shown over there.

There was a time when you would see all new episodes of whatever shows were on air on the main channels right until the last week of official ratings. Now, in this new television environment where we have more channels to spread limited content over, and where repeats of shows rate well enough to justify playing them during official ratings time, it seems the true concept of fast tracking is out the window, as networks try to manage stock of new shows, holding back until the new year.

It’s kind of crazy to see just a few new episodes of a show only to have to wait up to three months for more in the new year. Maybe they should just hold back any show they are not going to give a significant run at the end of the year until the next year.

Fast tracking is not fast tracking when a few episodes are show a month after they are in the US, while the rest of the season ends up being many months later.

Updated November 9, 2010

The US ratings season 2010/11 started on Monday Sept 20, 2010.

Here is the Throng guide to what shows are starting when in the US and when they might be likely to be seen in Australia.

The list of shows is presented with the date they premiere or return in the US, followed by if or when we are likely to see them in Australia, in alphabetical order.

30 Rock – US Thur Sept 23. New season on Seven, 10.30pm, Thur Oct 21.

90210 – US Mon Sept 13. Will be shown on Eleven in 2011, but we have a lot of catching up to do.

America’s Next Top Model – US Wed Sept 8. FOX8, 7.30pm, Tuesday October 19, 2010

American Dad – US Sunday Oct 3. Expect to see it on 7mate, after we catch up with old episodes not yet shown. American Dad (first run eps, but still S6) on 7mate Wednesday nights 9pm from Sept 29. 

Blue Bloods – Ten in 2011.

Bones – US Thur Sept 23 – Seven currently airing repeats. New Bones on Seven from Sunday, October 18. Last new ep Sun Nov 7. Only showed four of them.

Brothers and Sisters – US Sun Sept 26. Seven in 2011, most likely back to Monday nights after Desperate Housewives.

Castle – US Mon Sept 20. Seven in 2011. They chose not to run the new episodes for now.

Chase – US Mon Sept 20. Part of Nine’s line up still to come in 2010. Yet to see promos though.

Chuck – US Mon Sept 20. Last season still showing on FOX8. New season in 2011 sometime, although FOX8 are notoriously slow to put it on. No chance of a fast track here, but possibly the new season will just carry on once the current ends.

Community – US Wed Sept 22. GO say they plan to fast track. Possibly late Sept or October.

Cougar Town – US Wed Sept 22. Unlikely to be seen on Seven until summer, if at all. Possibly will go to 7TWO.

Criminal Minds – US Wed Sept 22. CONFIRMED for Monday Oct 25 at 8.30pm. Last new ep Mon Nov 15.

CSI - US Thur Sept 23. New season premires on Nine Thursday October 21, 9.30pm.

CSI: Miami - US Sun Oct 3. On Nine from Mon Oct 25, 9.30pm

CSI: NY – US Fri Sept 24. Will be seen on Nine, but not likely to be fast tracked.

Dexter - US Sun Sept 26. New season on Showcase November 2010.

Desperate Housewives – US Sun Sept 26. Seven in 2011. Probably back to Monday nights as always. No surprises there!

Fringe - US Thur Sept 23. On GO Wed Nov 11, 9.30pm.

Glee - US Tue Sept 21. SUPER Fast Tracked to Ten Wed Sept 22, 7.30pm. With the time difference, that is hours after it airs in the US. However – the Comm Games break will see us fall two weeks behind the US. Last new ep Mon Nov 22.

Gossip Girl S5 – US Mon Sept 13. FOX8 Dec 2010. S3 on GO Mon Sept 13, 10.30pm

Grey’s Anatomy - US Thur Sept 23. Seven in 2011. No fast tracking likely.

Hawaii 5-O - US Mon Sept 20. Will be on Ten in 2011. Part of the 2011 line up. Rating very well in US.

Hellcats – US Wed Sept 8. Premiered on GO, Mon Sept 13, 7.30pm.

House - US Mon Sept 20. Fast Tracked to Ten Wed Sept 22, 8.30pm. Two week break for Comm Games sees us fall behind be 2 weeks.

How I Met Your Mother – US Mon Sept 20. New season not till 2011 now. There are still repeats on Seven as well as 7mate.

Human Target - US Fri Oct 1. First season currently on GO, Wednesday nights – and now off GO. Seeing S2 then I would say is unlikely. Returns to GO Wed Oct 20, 8.30pm

Law and Order: SVU - US Wed Sept 22. Possible for Ten after the Commonwealth Games, but more likely not to be seen until 2011. Ten are playing repeats of SVU after the Games.

Law and Order LA – US Tue Sept 28. Will be seen on Seven (!), but not likely to be fast tracked. So maybe not until 2011.

Lie to Me – US Brought forward to Mon Oct 4. WAS Wed Nov 10. Possible fast track for Ten after the Commonwealth Games. Lie to Me season 3 brought forward due to Lone Star being axed.

Medium – US Fri Sept 24. Returns to Ten 9.30pm Sunday October 17. And off from Oct 31.

Mike and Molly - US Mon Sept 20. Not until 2011

Modern Family – US Wed Sept 22. New season premieres on Ten 7pm Sunday October 17, 2010

NCIS & NCIS:LA – US Tue Sept 21. New NCIS after the Commonwealth Games, Tue Oct 19. NCIS: LA will still play in repeats though. Last new ep Tue Nov 23.

Nikita – US Thur Sept 9. ON GO 9.30 Thur Oct 28.

Parenthood - US Tue Sept 14. Seven will contuinue into season 2 when season 1 finishes in November. Last new eps for 2010 8.30pm Tue Nov 23.

Private Practice – US Thur Sept 23. Seven in 2011, together with Grey’s Anatomy – as they do every year.

Raising Hope – US Tue Sept 21. Ten Wed Nov 17 8pm. Continues Nov 24 8pm.

Rules of Engagement - US Mon Sept 20. Doesn’t do too well for Ten, so not likely to see any more of it until either summer or on Eleven in 2011.

Smallville – US Fri Sept 24. Eleven in 2011. Also some catching up to do before we get to this new season.

S**t! My Dad Says – US Thur Sept 23. Not until 2011 now.

Stargate Universe – US Tue Sept 28. SciFi channel will fast track new season – premieres Friday October 1, 8.30pm. Free to air will see previous season in 2011 on Eleven.

Supernatural – US Thur Sept 23. Although we have some catching up to do, this show is planned to air on Ten’s new channel Eleven in 2011. Unlikely to be seen sooner.

Survivor Nicaragua – US Wed Sept 15. Returned to Tuesday nights from Sept 28 at 9pm on Nine. Start time has drifted back towards 10pm though.

The Amazing Race S17 - US Sun Sept 26. On Seven 8.30pm Thursday September 30. Moved to 7.30 Thursdays from Thur Oct 7th.

The Apprentice – US Thur Sept 16. FOX8 Wed Oct 20, 8.30pm.

The Big Bang Theory – US Thur Sept 23. New season starts on Nine, 8.30pm Wed Oct 20.

The Cleveland Show – US Sun Sept 26. Possible for Ten over summer, or Eleven in 2011.

The Defenders – US Wed Sept 22. Ten in 2011.

The Event – US Mon Sept 20. Seven Mondays, 8.30pm. Encores 7mate Thursdays 10.30pm. Moves to 10.30 Mondays from Oct 25. Week off Nov 8. Back Nov 15. Due to break in US.

The Good Wife - US Tue Sept 28. New night – S2 Wednesdays on Ten, after Glee, from Wed Oct 20, 2010.

The Mentalist – US Thur Sept 23. Confirmed on Nine from October 25, 8.30pm. No more new episodes after Nov 8, until 2011.

The Middle – US Wed Sept 22. New eps on GO, 8.30pm Sundays from Nov 7.

The Office – US Thur Sept 23. Possible for Ten over summer. More likely on Eleven in 2011.

The Simpsons - US Sunday Sept 26. New season, ep 1 on Ten, 6.30pm, Friday October 15, 2010. New simpsons continues on Ten on Fridays from Nov 19, also Nov 26.

The Vampire Diaries – US Thur Sept 9. Premiered on GO, Mon Sept 13, 8.30pm. Continues on Monday nights but there is a break coming up Nov 22 and 29 due to break in US. Back (I assume) Dec 6.

The Whole Truth – US Wed Sept 22. Nine in 2011.

Two and a Half Men – US Mon Sept 20. Confirmed for Nine for Oct 18. No more new episodes after Nov 8.

Undercover Boss – US Sun Sept 26. Season 2 premieres on Ten Monday Sept 27, 7.30pm. Hours after US airing. But no further eps to be shown for now, due to Australian version airing 8.30pm Mondays, from Oct 18.

Undercovers – US Wed Sept 22. Another one part of Nine’s 2010 shows but not known if it will air in 2010 or not. Like many of these Nine acquisitions, whether they are rushed to air or not will depend on how they perform in the US. THIS HAS BEEN AXED – so if Nine keep the rights, expect it on GO or GEM.

V – US Jan 2011. GO plan to fast track – so possibly on air soon after the US date.

Note: I have not yet included new shows where the Australian network the show is likely to air on is not yet known. These I will add as I find out, and hopefully keep up to date.

Some of these titles include: Lone Star, Running Wild, The Cape, Detroit 1-8-7, Better With You, The Defenders, Outsourced (possibly one for Seven), School Pride, Outlaw, and No Ordinary Family.

If you there is something left out that you know about, or have questions about any of the content, please let us know.

Fast tracking score sheet (0-7 days after US air date):

Australian ratings for 2010 ends November 27. Pretty well everything new, fast tracked or semi fast tracked after that date on the main channels will either go into repeats or disappear until 2011. Therefore, all networks revert to having 0 fast track points after that date with the exception of Survivor and Amazing Race, possibly the Event will continue on Seven due to low ratings.

Ten – 0. Comm Games sees Ten lose their fast track points.
GO! – 2. Hellcats and The Vampire Diaries
Seven - 2. The Event and The Amazing Race S17

Semi-fast tracked (between 7 and 30 days after US air date):

Nine 5 – Survivor Nicaragua, CSI, CSI: Miami, Two and a Half Men and Big Bang Theory. Note Mentalist now outside what I would consider fast tracked. Also Fringe on GO outside of what I consider fast tracked.
Ten 4 – The Good Wife, Glee, House, NCIS – all starting or back in the week after the Comm Games, from Sunday Oct 17. Note – I won’t count new Simpsons, as it looks like the new ep on Friday Oct 15 is a one off, and not regular programming.
Seven 1 – 30 Rock. Criminal Minds misses out as it is more than 30 days after US air date. Bones now gone into repeats from Nov 14 – so no more points there.

Here I’ll define Fast Tracking as airing within 7 days of US date. I’ll have a second category for semi-fast tracked if shows air between 7 days and 1 month of the US air date. Anything beyond a month I would consider not to be fast tracked. The networks may see it differently, but to me, the less than seven days rules is most appropriate as it means we see an episode of a show before the US sees the next one. Whereas, after 7 days, we end up episodes behind, which means it is easy to see spoilers across the internet.

Updated as at Nov 9.

At the end of this week, there will only be 12 weeks left of the ratings year for 2010 – yet Nine still have a list of shows still to come in 2010 that simply will no longer fit in their main channel line up unless they start doing some serious overhauling of the schedule or moving more shows to GO! and the imminent third channel.

I would go as far to say, that a number of these shows simply won’t be seen at all until 2011.

Here is the list, with updated comments.

Shows to come in the remaining 12 weeks of the ratings season on Nine include:

AFP (Australian Federal Police) – Seen in promos, possible late September start.
The Ashes – cricket – Starts November 25, continues through summer.
Australian Masters – Golf – November 11-14
Big – similar to Ten’s Biggest Loser – Will air in 2011.
The Block 2010 – Premieres Wed Sept 22, 7.30pm
The Boss Is Coming to Dinner – Premieres Wed Sept 22, 8.30pm
Cops LAC – premiere September 2, 8.30pm
Nikita – will now be seen on GO late September.
Panic at Rock Island – possibly in October
The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show – possibly in October – a 3 part show.
Random Acts of Kindness – possible in October, maybe in a new timeslot – depends what they do with the Block.
The Real Hustle – Premieres Tuesday Sept 14, 9pm, after Top Gear.
The Secret Millionaire – Currently airing, 9.30pm Mondays. Not a long series though.
Top Gear Australia – launching “with an international event” – Tuesday nights soon.
S***! My Dad Says – comedy – Been promoted, should air soon. Maybe If they got rid of the 7.30pm Two and a Half Mens on Monday and Wednesday they could fit more new shows in.
Survivor: Nicuragua – premieres in US Sept 15. If Nine fast track, possible late September date.
Underbelly Files – 1^st of them possibly airs Sunday Sept 19 or 26, 8.30pm
Hey Hey its Saturday – returns to Saturdays from October 16. Final November 27 will be a big party for Nine, as that Hey Hey will be the last show EVER made at the historic GTV-9 Melbourne Studios.

National IQ Test – I left this off the list, but have heard of people being emailed to attend – so maybe possible for November 2010.

The following shows are all possible to air in 2010, but without any promos, its hard to know when or even if they will end up on Nine in 2010:

Chase
The Enforcers
Harry’s Law
Mike and Molly
Mr Sunshine
Undercovers
The Whole Truth
When I Grow Up

And on GO!

Community – Possible for October.
Dark Blue – Already airing, Wednesday nights 9.30pm
Fringe – season 3 fast tracked – Will be on late September. Possibly Sept 21.
Glory Daze – not sure.
The Hard Times of RJ Berger – not sure
Hellcats – Stars Monday Sept 13, 7.30pm.
The Middle – Seeing they have taken this show off again, it is hard to say.
Pretty Little Liars – Definite for late September or October.
Southland – no news
The Vampire Diaries Season 2 – fast tracked
V – season 2 fast tracked – October or later.
Wife Swap – new episodes – possible for October, or even the third channel.
Wipe out – new episodes – already airing.
Human Target – currently airing Wednesday nights. 

GO! bursts into Spring with a stack of fast-tracked Australian premieres and free-to-air firsts ready to hit the screen from Monday, September 13.

Monday nights are set to sizzle with two fast-tracked Australian premieres: Hellcats, the US dance “dramedy” starring Disney alumni Aly Michalka and Ashley Tisdale; and the seriously sexy series return of The Vampire Diaries, starring Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder.

Hellcats follows Marti (Michalka), a smart, sassy, indie rock chick who has lost her law scholarship. The only way she can keep it and stay in college is by winning a spot on the “peptastic” Savannah’s (Tisdale) cheerleading squad. Hellcats premieres Monday, September 13, at 7.30pm.

At the end of the first season, fans of The Vampire Diaries were left amid a scene of anarchy, destruction and death on a night when Mystic Falls came face to face with its biggest threat. The series returns on the same chaotic night, as Elena (Dobrev) and vampire brothers Damon (Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) realise that Katherine (also played by Dobrev) is back, with a serious taste for blood.

The Vampire Diaries returns on Monday, September 13, at 8.30pm.

Then, at 9.30pm, get ready to cringe as 12 American rough guts transform themselves into diamonds in an attempt to take home $100,000 in the Australian premiere of Ladette to Lady USA. This will be followed by the free-to-air television premiere of the salacious third season of Gossip Girl at 10.30pm.

Also returning this month with Australian premiere episodes: the second season of the larger-than-life comedy Drop Dead Diva and the third season of the sci-fi thriller Fringe, starring Australian Anna Torv.

 

Monday, September 13 on GO!

7.30pm Hellcats – Australian premiere

8.30pm The Vampire Diaries – Fast-tracked

9.30pm Ladette to Lady USA – Australian premiere

10.30pm Gossip Girl – Season three free-to-air first

UPDATED: Gossip Girl S3 premieres on GO Sept 13, 10.30pm. The final of the Bachelorette is at 7.30pm Tuesday Sept 14, and again 1pm Thur Sept 16, followed by After the Rose at 2pm.

Original post, written before confirmation of air dates, and now out of date, follows.

GO – Australia’s leading channel for programming changes and random inconsistencies – have bumped back the season 3 premiere of Gossip Girl again.

Originally set to air Monday August 30, then put back to the following Monday September 6, Gossip Girl has now been pushed out altogether, with no word as to when it will now air.

September 13 is also the date that the second season of The Vampire Diaries premieres on GO, as well as possibly Hellcats. Having new Gossip Girl that night – as mentioned here on Throng before – would actually make new sense, giving GO a completely new look Monday night which should do pretty well for them. Nothing has been confirmed for that date yet.

Also suffering the same treatment, is the finale of The Bachelorette. Originally set to air Tuesday August 31, at 7.30pm, it was moved to the following Tuesday, now will not be seen until Tuesday September 14.

On Monday September 6, GO will play two movies (just like they are on August 30) - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at 7.30 and Underworld at 9.30. On Tuesday September 7, the movies are The Wedding Singer at 7.30, followed by Man About the House at 9.30pm.

The sudden move to put movies doubles on Monday and Tuesday nights could be an attempt by the Nine/GO network to gain some extra ratings against Seven’s The X Factor launching August 30.

Another possibility is that shows are now starting to be held back for Nine’s third channel. With Seven announcing 7mate last week, and Ten announcing Eleven today, Nine are the only network not to confirm their plans for their third channel, even though the speculation is out there that they will launch it first – before 7mate, which launches on September 25.

Both Gossip Girl and the Bachelorette are female skewing shows. If the rumour is true that Nine will launch a channel targeted more towards a female audience, then it makes some sens that Gossip Girl is held off until then. As for the Bachelorette – they should just show it on GO as it is the final episode of the series.

With September 25 just under a month away, Nine should announce their new channel any day now – if they truly plan to get it on air before 7mate is on air.

　

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.

GO are at it again.

Just as you thought that Gossip Girl Season 3 was about to premiere on GO on Monday August 30, GO push back the date to Monday September 6.

Instead, at 7.30pm will be the movie Hair Spray, followed by Almost Famous at 9.30. Wonder if the fact that The X Factor launching on Seven that night has anything to do with the programming changes.

Now – here’s a thought – why not just save Gossip Girl season 3 premiere for the same Monday night that Vampire Diaries returns and Hellcats premieres – both most likely to be September 13 – and make a night of it?

We have already seen GO rejuvenate Wednesday nights with new Wipeout, Human Target and Spartacus – which saw the channel achieve a share of 4.4% for the night – way ahead of all other digital channels, and even ahead of SBS ONE – so a makeover of Monday night with 3 hours of new shows should deliver similar results.

Gossip Girl – Season 3 – Mondays 10.30pm from September 6. Unless changed again…

Programming info:TV Tonight