US TV

Blanchett to voice Family Guy character

Cate Blanchett has been confirmed to voice a character on Family Guy next year. It will be the actress’s first TV credit since 1995, when she appeared in an Australian miniseries called Bordertown.

The Firm series planned

American network NBC is reportedly looking at producing a TV series based on John Grisham’s novel The Firm. NBC is considering a full 22-episode season order for the legal thriller project.

Demi Moore signs production deal

Demi Moore has signed a multi-project deal with Lifetime network in the US, where she will develop two scripted dramas alongside a new interview series entitled The Conversation.

Two and a Half Men reboot?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Two and a Half Men creator Chuck Lorre is planning to reboot the sitcom with another well-known actor replacing Charlie Sheen. The idea of a rotating roommate casting has also been suggested, where several actors would visit the show.

First look at UK’s Geordie Shore

MTV has given viewers their first look at the UK version of Jersey Shore, entitled Geordie Shore. The promo for the Newcastle-set reality series features its cast members giving quotes such as: “I’ll never kiss anyone without a six pack” and “my biggest fear is getting wrinkles”.

America’s Next Top Model all-stars announced

An America’s Next Top Model ‘all-stars’ series has been announced that will see returning contestants from previous seasons competing for another shot at success. The network promises “breakout characters” with “memorable stories” from the past will be returning.

SNL’s Sudeikis named host of MTV Movie Awards

Saturday Night Live comedian Jason Sudeikis has been named the host of the MTV Movie Awards for this year. Sudeikis will become the ninth SNL cast member to host the awards, which take place in June.

Lopez and Anthony create new series

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have teamed up with Simon Fuller to create a new Latin music and dance show series. The format will see the musical couple travelling around America to “assemble a cast of incredible performers” for a live show.

Jersey Shore cast face restrictions

The cast of Jersey Shore will face a range of restrictions while shooting for the show’s fourth season in the Italian city of Florence. Among the rules will be no drinking in public spaces and no access to some of the city’s famous historic places.

Kardashian to guest on Law & Order: LA

Reality TV personality Khloe Kardashian will make a guest appearance on and episode of Law & Order: Los Angeles. Kardashian will play herself in the episode, which centres on the shooting of a celebrity stylist.

Evers-Swindell defends royal telemovie

NZ actor Nico Evers-Swindell has had to defend the telemovie he stars in as Prince William after critics panned it as “toe-curlingly, teeth-furringly, pillow-bitingly ghastly” among other things. The actor says the film was designed to get people in the mood for the actual wedding: “This wasn’t a British production, Tom Hooper didn’t direct this, this isn’t The King’s Speech. This isn’t an in-depth look at the royal family.”

$1m for ad spot during Oprah finale

US advertisers are being asked for as much as US$1 million for 30-second ad spots during the upcoming finale of Oprah Winfrey’s daytime talk show. The sum is nearly as much as the $1.22m advertisers shelled out for spots during the Everybody Loves Raymond finale in 2005.

No record deal for Pia Toscano

Eliminated American Idol finalist Pia Toscano has shot down rumours that she has signed a recording deal following her exit from the show. The 22-year-old  says she hasn’t met with anyone yet regarding any contracts.

Grammer launches reality TV production company

Kelsey Grammer has launched a reality TV production company that will produce an upcoming reality series about three single girls in New York. The former Frasier actor is currently shopping the series around the networks.

Twitter ban at Logie Awards in Australia

Attendees at this year’s Logie Awards in Australia will have to do without Twitter thanks to a ban on the social networking website following its misuse last year. Several tweeters posted inappropriate comments during the ceremony last year, leading to organisers of the TV awards banning its use this year.

Seacrest named most powerful reality figure

Ryan Seacrest has been named the most powerful person in reality TV by the Hollywood Reporter’s fourth annual list of reality moguls. The American Idol host surpassed Simon Cowell, who took the title in both 2009 and 2010.

New reality project

Former Bachelor Jake Pavelka and Hills cast member Heidi Montag have reportedly teamed up for a new reality project. Montag wrote on Twitter:  ”Filming’s been great so far. Can’t wait to show you all the new show! People keep asking what my new show is about. I say – imagine if Chekhov & Tolstoy wrote for reality TV.”

Conrad to pen more books

Former Hills cast member Lauren Conrad has signed a three-book deal with HarperCollins to pen a trilogy called The Fame Game. The books will follow fictional character Madison Parker, who Conrad wrote about in her LA Candy novels.

30 Rock not ending in 2012

NBC has denied the reports that 30 Rock will be ending in 2012 despite claims to the contrary by Alec Baldwin. The network says there have been no discussions as to concluding the show next year despite Baldwin announcing otherwise.

Doctor Who promo pics released

The BBC has released new promo pics for the upcoming season of Doctor Who, where the Doctor travels to America for the first few episodes.

Taylor returning to Grey’s Anatomy

Australian actress Rachael Taylor will return to Grey’s Anatomy after leaving to work on the Charlie’s Angels pilot recently. Taylor will have missed only two episodes of the medical drama.

E! updates Charlie Sheen THS

Unsurprisingly, E! Channel has updated its Charlie Sheen version of E! True Hollywood Story. The revamped documentary will now cover recent events in both his personal and professional life with new interviews from those who know him best.

Sheen moves to trademerk catchphrases

Charlie Sheen has moved to trademark some of his well-known catchphrases to seek protection from the range of spin-off merchandise flooding the market. Sheen is looking to trademark 22 phrases including “Tiger Blood”  “Duh, Winning” and “Vatican Assassin”.

Dancing with the Stars cast revealed

The cast for the 2011 season of Dancing with the Stars has been officially announced by Channel 7, with the likes of Lara Bingle, Manu Fiedel, Brynne Adelsten and Nathan Bracken confirmed to be taking part. See the full line-up here.

Top Gear cleared over Mexican comments

Top Gear has been cleared of breaching any programme rules following the controversial comments on a recent episode regarding Mexicans. British media regulator Ofcom has considered the comments made by the show’s hosts that suggested Mexicans to be “lazy, feckless, flatulent and overweight” to be part of the programme’s “irreverent style and sometimes outspoken humour.”

Family Guy comic set for release

A comic book series based on Family Guy is set to be released midway through this year in the US. Titan Comics has announced the development of the long-running animated series into a monthly comic that will “follow the Griffin family on a string of brand new outrageous storylines.”

Lloyd joins comedy pilot

Christopher Lloyd has joined a new comedy pilot for NBC centring on a doctor who joins his family’s medical practice. Lloyd will play the grandfather of the lead character in the pilot, which is penned by Parks and Recreation writer Dan Goor.

Simmons to guest on Castle

KISS frontman Gene Simmons has signed on for a guest role on Castle where he will play himself. Simmons will aid Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett (Stana Katic) in the episode’s investigation.

Mad Men renewed for two more seasons

Mad Men has been given another two seasons by its American network AMC. The show will return for its fifth season next year.

MTV orders full season of US Inbetweeners

MTV has ordered a full season of the US version of UK teen comedy The Inbetweeners. The network has announced a 12-episode season of the comedy that will join MTV’s other new series Teen Wolf, Beavis and Butthead and This Is Awkward in the new season.

HBO developing Ridley and Tony Scott series

HBO is developing a new crime drama series with Ridley and Tony Scott’s production company Scott Free. The series, entitled The Sector, is believed to be inspired by the likes of Blade Runner and District 9.

Fans walk out of Sheen’s first live tour show

Charlie Sheen’s first live outing on his Violent Torpedo of Truth Tour in Detroit has ended with booing crowds and walkouts. Entertainment Weekly reports that the show was “padded and disjointed” with a “hodgepodge of video clips and Sheen-isms that felt hastily assembled and misjudged.”

MasterChef Australia champ releases cookbook

Last year’s MasterChef champion Adam Liaw has released his cookbook entitled Two Asian Kitchens. The book is the same as Liaw pitched it while on the hit cooking series, featuring easy Asian recipes to be cooked at home.

BBC releases Doctor Who teaser

The BBC has released this very short teaser for the upcoming new season of Doctor Who. The season will kick off with the two-part episodes ‘The Impossible Astronaut’ and ‘Day of the Moon’.

Futurama renewed

Futurama has been renewed for a seventh season by Comedy Central with 13 episodes ordered for 2012.

Dushku joins comedy pilot

Eliza Dushku has joined a new comedy pilot that features Damon Wayans as a popular, quick-witted sports radio host. Dushku is expected to play Wayans’ on-air sidekick in the yet-to-be-named project.

Depp joins new Gervais sitcom

Ricky Gervais has acquired the services of Johnny Depp for his new BBC sitcom Life’s Too Short. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor will feature in the comedy series that continues the story of dwarf actor Warwick Davis who appeared on Extras.

David Brent to apply for Michael Scott’s job?

Details of Ricky Gervais’ guest appearance on the season finale of The Office are said to have been released that suggest the actor’s character David Brent will be interviewing for Michael Scott’s (Steve Carell) job.

Galifianakis to develop new comedy

Zach Galifianakis has signed a contract with HBO to produce a comedy series featuring his friend and collaborator Brody Stevens. The Hangover actor will appear in the mockumentary series that follows Stevens in his daily life.

Sheen suffers lawsuit setback

Charlie Sheen has suffered an early setback in his legal bid against his former employers at Warner Bros. The actor’s lawyer tried to prevent the case from going to private arbitration but the court has denied the injunction request, meaning the case will indeed be heard privately.

Midsomer Murders creator to step down 

The creator of Midsomer Murders will step down at the end of the new series after being suspended for racist comments. Brian True-May apologised for any “unintended offence” caused by his comments that addressed the lack of ethnic diversity on the series.

360 degree show in the UK

UK Childrens’ series Blue Peter is attempting to produce an episode of the show with a 360 degree view for those watching. Viewers will be able to select what they want to see by controlling their viewpoint via an online application.