Leno’s options: Could he replace Letterman at CBS?!
You know how people say stuff like “if CBS cancels Moonlight, I’m never watching that stupid network again!”? I think those proclamations are usually silly, but I might be in that group if the following happens: CBS replacing David Letterman with Jay Leno.
That’s one of the options listed in this handy Hollywood Reporter guide to what Leno will do after his stint on NBC is over in 2009. The other options are going to ABC at 11:35, going to FOX at 11:35, a syndicated show with Sony, he stays at NBC and does some other primetime show, he takes over for Larry King on CNN, or he goes back to doing standup full-time. Taking over for Letterman would happen if (and when - he could extend his contract) Letterman retires in 2010.
This would, to me, completely suck, even if Letterman did retire and wasn’t really “replaced” by Leno. But I think that Letterman would be hurt by that decision if CBS were to make it. Just this week we found out that Letterman has suffered his worst ratings since he started on CBS in 1993, for the 18-49 demo anyway, getting a 0.9.
It would certainly be odd to see Leno replace Letterman at CBS, almost like it would be the final nail in the late night talk show coffin and final proof that when it’s all said and done, Leno beat Letterman in the ratings and even beat him on his own network.
Steve Carell is the boss for three more seasons
The title says it all. According to the blog of The Office co-creator Ricky Gervais, Steve Carell has signed on to play Michael Scott for three more seasons.
Gervais follows up the announcement by saying “He is the hardest working man in Hollywood and the harder he works the better it is for me. I mean… well done Steve you are wonderful.”
Gervais also mentions “We are also working on a spinoff series of The American Office but I can’t tell you anything about that yet.”
Mr. Carell victoriously performed the herculean task of taking someone else’s role and making it his own (well, the original character was named David Brent, but you know what I mean). Given the success of his movie efforts, he could easily ditch his television show and go full-time into film roles. Bravo to him for remembering where he came from and not taking Michael Scott away from his adoring fans.
[via themovingpicture.net]
Light it up: FX gives OK to Rescue Me renewal
After much speculation following the end of Rescue Me’s well intentioned, but flaky fourth season, FX has given the green-light for a fifth season renewal of 22 episodes. This marks the second FX drama to receive a network length renewal versus the standard cable renewal of 13 episodes. The fifth season of Nip/Tuck first received the nod for 22 last year.
While I’m a huge fan of this show, the non-direction that the fourth season took does have me a little worried about where it can go for 22 episodes in a new season. Although, this might be helped by the fact that FX plans to split the season into two parts. It wouldn’t surprise me if the split leads to the second half being billed as season six, which happened with The Shield’s fifth and sixth seasons.
Plus there’s still the question about Andrea Roth — will she be back full time or will she focus more on Lost? No matter how you look at this it’s still good news though. Now Leary can hopefully wrap the show up with a proper ending.
Dad Details Billable Hours Spent With Britney
Britney Spears’ father has gotten technical.
Following up on his petition to collect “replacement compensation” for the month of February for being the coconservator of his daughter’s estate, Jamie Spears stated in a declaration filed June 6 that, starting Feb. 1, when he was first given control over Britney’s affairs following her second hospitalization this year, he was with her “on a near-twenty-four-hour basis to ensure her safety and well-being.”
A court commissioner did not allocate $2,500 a week for the elder Spearsplus funds to lease a caruntil March 3.
“After Britney was released from the hospital, I brought Britney home and secured her living and care situation,” Spears said.
“Throughout the time period, I ran errands, including buying groceries and cooking supper on a daily basis. I talked frequently with Britney about her health status…I arranged for Britney’s transport and security to go shopping and so that she could teach a dance class.”
The Spears family’s current arrangement is in effect until at least July 31, when the conservatorship issue is due to be revisited in court.
Jamie Spears also included time spent with the kidsgrandsons Jayden James and Sean Preston and ex-son-in-law Kevin Federlineas well as meetings with Britney’s lawyers and doctors, in his list of billable accomplishments over the month of February.
“I visited with Britney’s children and their father, Mr. Federline,” he stated. “I met and consulted attorneys. I also continued to consult with and meet Britney’s doctors and care providers.”
In his original petition to collect what more or less amounts to back pay, Spears’ attorney wrote that his client, who had been working as a caterer, had “been forced to forego [sic] other employment in order to devote his full time and attention to Britney and her affairs” and had “lost his regular source of income from which to pay his living expenses.”