Rumor Patrol: Rashida Jones in Office Spinoff?
Consider this only a rumor for the time being. However, word has been rippling through the TV biz today that Rashida Jones (aka Karen Filippelli, presently of Utica, New York) may star in the upcoming NBC spinoff of The Office.
Sounds pretty amazing to this Office (and Rashida) fan, so I did a little digging, and here’s where this stands: While one inside source (who has always been reliable) says “it’s true” that Rashida will be a part of the new series, another source inside Rashida’s camp says, “As far as I know, she has not been approached.” Hmmm…
Meanwhile, a rep for Universal (which produces The Office) tells me: “Universal Media Studios has a talent holding deal with Rashida. It is premature to speculate about any potential projects she could be involved with.”
So where does that leave us? Right back where we started, with this being—so far—just a fascinating, plausible and wholly unconfirmed rumor. (Hmph.) Still, I know many of you fellow fans are jonesing for a little Office fodder right about now, so I thought I’d share.
And since you asked (What? You didn’t?), I’m definitely rooting for Rashida/Karen to join in on the spinoff fun. And if we can have Phyllis drop by for a makeover from time to time? Well, it’d be so good it almost hurts.
(That’s what she said.)
What say you?
Depp Fans Urge a Little More Wrist Action
Johnny Depp doesn't sport all that jewelry just to look hot. (That's just a by-product.)
In advance of his 45th birthday on June 9, Johnny's Angelsa club whose members share both a love for the Sweeney Todd star and a yen for doing goodis urging fellow fans to don a Children's Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition memorial bracelet (which Depp has been spotted wearing) in honor of the brave kids involved with the organization and the way they've touched the lives of others.
Depp's wristwear is imprinted with the phrase "Today Is a Gift…Have Fun," but other choices include "Only Love" and "Live and Love It Up." The messages are printed on a silver bar on a silver or leather band and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the CHPCC.
"Thanks to organizations like Johnny's Angels, more and more people are learning about the work of [CHPCC]," said cofounders Lori Butterworth and Devon Dabbs. "With the support of Mr. Depp's fans, we know that we'll be better able to make a difference in the lives of children with life-threatening conditions and their families."
Other celebs who have worn the bracelets: Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Mandy Moore, Jeremy Piven, Kiefer Sutherland, Nia Vardalos, Bradley Whitford, Jane Kaczmarek and Tom Bergeron.
Breaking! Friday Night Lights (Almost) Saved
Somebody, quick, wrap your arms around NBC boss Ben Silverman and give him a (possibly preemptive but thoroughly sincere) bear hug on behalf of the fans of Friday Night Lights.
Nikki Finke over at Deadline Hollywood Daily reported tonight that the powers that be at NBC have seen the light about a little show we love called Friday Night Lights and have partnered with DirecTV to bring us season three. According to Finke, the series will air on both NBC and a DirecTV-exclusive channel.
So, we fans are dying to know: Is is it true?
A little digging around with NBC and FNL sources tonight yields this info: Nothing is official yet, but a tentative agreement has been reached with DirecTV, and things look "more than promising" that Friday Night Lights will be back in a dual-platform mode this fall. One highly placed source in particular sounded like a canary-swallowing cat while saying: "I think you'll be happy."
Um, mind-blowingly ecstatic is more the word if FNL goes on to its third season.
By the way, it's only right to mention that our own E! Networks boss, Comcast Entertainment Group CEO Ted Harbert, deserves a big ol', Texas-hair-size shout-out if this deal does indeed go through. I'm told by NBC Universal insiders that Harbert (a fan himself) was the first one to call up NBC and pitch a network-sharing deal in order to help save Friday Night Lights, which led to talks with other networks, such as DirecTV. (Warning: If that doesn't give you fellow fans the warm fuzzies, head straight to your cardiologist.)
Now join me in the Comments for a team rally and chant: Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!
Lost Week: Go Back in Time with the Losties!
Okay, I have to admit something. I've seen the first episode of Lost's season four, which airs this Thursday on ABC.
I love it. I want to tell you all about it. But I can't. Ahhhhhh!
So, instead, I'm just going to simply tell you that you absolutely have to watch Lost this Thursday at 9 p.m., because it is without a doubt the best damn thing you'll have seen in a very long time. And to help you fellow fans deal with the torturous wait (I feel your pain!), I am offering up a fun little video clip above, Best of Lost Moments, with a look back at some of my favorite interview moments of Lost over the years, starting with the show's series premiere party in Honolulu in 2004, and my very first set visit, where I got to witness Terry O'Quinn being a guitar hero and I also went bug hunting with Dominic Monaghan. (My job doth not suck.)
Best of Lost Moments: Part Two launches tomorrow, so check back!