Blond-Ambition Tour
Hello, lovelies! It’s summertime and the TV-viewing ain’t easy, right?! (Raise your hand if your DVR is cold and lonely.) The good news? Some of our fave shows are getting back to work, and there are a few summer shows that don’t suck, so we have a few juicy tidbits to discuss today (thank you, Jesus), starting with…the Kristens!
Paul in Philadelphia: We needs us some resolution regarding Kristen Bell and season three of Heroes. Will she be a regular or not?
I’d say you needs you some grammars, but I know yous just being cutes. (Hee.) According to sources, Kristen Bell will not be a regular this season on Heroes, but she will appear in a recurring fashion, most likely for five more episodes. (Better than nada, no?) The only new regular is Cristine Rose as Mama Petrelli, who has a lot to do this season. Oh! And I just met up with Brea Grant, the new villain Speedster (otherwise known as Landry’s dread-headed cutie on Friday Night Lights) and she’s all kinds of awesome—and coming to our next Watch With Kristin Show, so stay tuned.
Miss Kitty: We’ve heard rumors about Heroes showing at least one hour of the premiere at San Diego Comic-Con. If the panel is only an hour long, then is that ruling it out? Thanks for any info you can dig up.
I’m told there will just be a Heroes sneak peek, not the full premiere.
Tessa in Austin, Texas: Any idea if Kristin Chenoweth will be singing on Pushing Daisies again? I love Anna Friel, but Olive totally makes that show for me.
Right there with you, babe. And the awesome answer is yes! I’m hearing that Kristin C. will have her very own “Sound of Music” moment, singing on a hillside, after joining the…wait for it…nunnery! Told, ya: awesome.
Quincy in New Jersey: I cannot wait for Project Runway to return! Any juice?
The fifth season starts up July 16 on Bravo, and while Bravo and Lifetime battle it out in court over the show’s move to Lifetime (one day later on July 17), the Weinstein Company is pitching around its third—yes, third!—Project spinoff (Project Triple Threat) to search for the best actor-singer-dancer. (The other two series in the works are Models of the Runway, about the models from Runway, and Project Pygmalion, which turns the winner into a high-class socialite.) And by the way, my good friends at Outfest asked me to remind you that if you’re in the L.A. area July 9-21, you can check out a new documentary by season-one winner Jay McCarroll (and a South Park sing-along). Hope to see you there.
Deidre in Ireland: When does the new series of Entourage start in the U.S., and do you have any scoop from it yet? I will be in L.A. and Vegas (can’t say that enough) on holidays for a few weeks from the middle of September. What are my chances of catching an episode from the new season?
Excellent because the series is back that very month! And if any of you can hop on a plane to Vegas right now, you might catch them shooting. Debi Mazar tells us: “Shawna’s back, and she’s kicking ass. I come in there, and I’m like the mama. I’ve shot a couple of episodes. And we’re actually going to Vegas this week to shoot some really exciting stuff.” My money’s on Vinnie to score with some honeys. (Safest bet in town.) Enjoy your trip, Deidre.
Gloria in Carson, Calif.: Is Shark really gone for good?
Yep, but as a consolation, I can tell you that the endlessly hot Kevin Alejandro (aka Danny Reyes on Shark, aka Santos on Ugly Betty) guests as a baddie on ep two of Burn Notice.
Krista in Montgomery, Ill.: Is Psych coming back this summer?
Yes, on July 18. And there’s a Dulé Hill-James Roday conference call coming up on Wednesday, so hit me up (gently) if you have burning questions about the pineapple gag, Shawn-Juliet, the future of Gus’ love life or anything else under the Psych-otic (see what I did there?) sun.
Phil in Elk Grove, Calif.: Do you have any updates on the cast of Life on Mars, ABC’s new fall drama? I heard recasting was in the works. Please tell me Lenny Clarke, Rachelle Lefevre and Colm Meaney from the original pilot haven’t been canned!
Not sure about Lenny Clarke, but as of last week Rachelle Lefevre’s role of Annie Cartwright and Colm Meaney’s role of Det. Gene Hunt are back on the open market. Sorry.
Shene in Chantilly, Va.: Will House ever have a romantic scene? Because it seems like if he got a little real love, things could turn good for him.
I would argue that he’s had plenty of romantic scenes, and I don’t think I’m the only one who would argue that, so I am opening up the floor for House-related romantic arguing. In the tradition of our Smallville and Lost love debates, if you’re a fan of House with either Cuddy, Cameron, Thirteen or Wilson, send in your 500-words-or-less essays in favor of the couple of your choice to tvdiva@eonline.com by July 7. (I know House will always love Wilson no matter what lady he hooks up with, but pretend it’s like Highlander and there can be only one.) We’ll post the best arguments from each side in an upcoming item!
Fiona in Baltimore: Hey, do you know anything about this show Hopkins? It’s set in my hometown so I’m intrigued. Is it any good?
It’s great. It’s a documentary/reality show set at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and I’m not ashamed to admit that the first episode made me cry more than once. It’s an unscripted version of ER or Grey’s Anatomy, and just like on those shows, a carefully selected ballad over a scene of vulnerability or pain will rip your heart out. Also, it’s distressing (but fascinating) to see “real” people suffer through medical crises that are fictionalized and therefore consequence-free on other shows. Internal bleeding on ER? No problemo—sure it’s a medical crisis, but Neela will save the day. Internal bleeding on Hopkins? Holy crap, can Dr. Mustafa save the day?
SPOILERS
Randall in Santa Fe, N.M.: Jack Coleman is a god. He’s back next season on Heroes, right?
Of course! And what’s totally amazing is that my wish of Zachary Quinto and Jack Coleman sharing loads of screen time is coming true. I’m hearing that Sylar is going to start working with H.R.G. I know. Whaaa? (They might beat out Sayid and Ben as TV’s least expected odd couple!)
April in San Francisco: I know I shouldn’t even be watching it, but can you please give us some more Gossip Girl dish?
Good news: Serena and Dan are hooking up in episode two. Hurrah! Bad news: They so are not long for this world. (Wah-wah.) Meanwhile, Nate’s dad continues to be a schmuck, and Nate continues to be the man of the family. And I’m also hearing that the boy Blair uses in a blatant attempt to make Chuck jealous is hot, and will do the trick!
Louisa in Dallas: I’m dying without Supernatural!
Well, rise from your deathbed, sweetie, and come back to the world of the living, just like Dean and Lazarus! The title of Supernatural’s season-four premiere is “Lazarus Rising,” and according to my bible, Lazarus is that guy Jesus raised from the dead. Methinks this one’s about Dean coming back from hell. Yay!
Gus-Lust in New York: Any news on Psych?
Just saw the season premiere. Cybill Shepherd joins the cast as Shawn’s mom, and of course, she immediately takes to inadvertently stirring things up. She makes Henry nervous and nerdy—he starts dressin’ real nice—and she learns all of Lassie’s secrets (and there are so many) when she is assigned to counsel him after he “drew his weapon” at his last four work assignments, “including a cat show.” I love this show.
Keith in Delaware: Is Smallville going to suck without Michael Rosenbaum this season? I know the answer, I think, but am hoping there is some kind of salvation.
Actually, I’m hearing some very cool things about the new season. The writers are going into more of the Metropolis/Lois-and-Clark storyline and moving away from Smallville. Clark is going to work at the Daily Planet, and with Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) coming back, you can bet your sweet booty that more members of the Justice League will be popping up again. Sounds good, yes? No? Comment below…
Greg in Tallahassee: Any word on Ryan on Brothers&Sisters?
He’s not yet been cast, but he is bringing a whole heap of new drama with him! Word is Holly (spawn of Beelzebub) gets all meddly and discovers the file on Ryan, which reveals where he lives (Bakersfield). Rebecca finds out and tells Justin who tells Nora (don’t you love the constant game of telly-tag in this family?) and Nora confronts Holly, which is a major showdown that’s so intense, it just might spell Emmy for Sally Field.
Paul K. in Kingman, Ariz.: Weeds!
My Guillermo crush grew to unmanageable proportions after seeing him in tonight’s episode: He teaches Ms. Botwin a thing or two about getting drugs (and his semilegal cousin who’s inside, riveted into a secret compartment in an SUV) across the border and he’s just hot to ridic proportions. Meanwhile, one of the Botwin clan is leaving the show, and soon, and courtesy of Nancy’s pillow.
Bobbie in Brisbane, Calif.: Any dish on my fave new show of last season, Samantha Who?
She’s going to maximum-security prison! Or…she might need to do some community service. This all goes down after a high-speed chase, and my money is on the charity option. You?
Alois in France: My favorite show, Stargate: Atlantis, is back next month! Do you have scoop?
I do, thanks to our new supersecret and rock solid SGA source (ahem, Jen’s little brother Mark, who’s seen the premiere). According to little bro: “It wasn’t quite as awesome as last season’s finale, but it was still a very good episode.” He also reports: (a) Col. Carter (Amanda Tapping) from SG-1 is a great addition to Atlantis but at the end of the episode they reveal that they are replacing her with Woolsey (Robert Picardo); (b) McKay (David Hewlett) helping Teyla (Rachel Luttrell) give birth is pretty intense scene; and (c) Michael (Connor Trinneer), the current villain, is defeated but it is clear he had a chance to escape on an enemy-captured Puddle Jumper. He could try to infiltrate Atlantis with its cloak and the technology of the Ancients on board. Thanks, JenBro!
Audrey in Lyon, France: Who is your favorite actor on One Tree Hill? (Girl and boy.) Thanks to answer. XOXO!
Funny, I’m getting a lot of questions like this lately, and I think it might have to do with me saying many of you will be pleased with whom Lucas picks, right? Anyhoo, if you look back, I think you’ll find an answer! In other OTH news, the writers are taking Brooke to a very dark place this season…Somebody, quick, flip a light switch.
Max in North Carolina: Secret Diary of a Call Girl is so hot! It nearly has porn status! What can you dish?
Yay for British porn! Er…I mean, British TV shows! I can tell you that someone in Belle’s life will find out what she does for a living and actually takes it very well…So well he wants to get in on one of the jobs. (Let’s hope he doesn’t meet the same demise as Will Tippin.) Also, we’ll see Belle moonlighting as a girlfriend, as a dominatrix and she’ll even get a little girl-on-girl action. (Wow, I feel dirty just writing about this show. Fun times.) We’ll also learn how Belle “accidentally” got into the business.
Gisele Bundchen Says Tom’s All Good
Gisele Bundchen Says Tom’s All Good
Taking advantage of the beautiful weather being had in southern California, Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady headed out on Tuesday to pay a visit to Landry Design Group in Santa Monica.
For their weekday outing, the New England football stud looked sharp in a white top, jeans and a newsboy cap while his Brazilian supermodel girlfriend kept it casual in a black tanktop with jean shorts.
Meanwhile, Gisele recently opened up to GQ magazine for their July 2008 issue, talking about what she likes about Tom and how the two came to be a couple.
“I think we have a lot of things in common, and I think he is a really great person,” Gisele tells. “He really genuinely doesn’t have a bad bone in his body. And he is a very positive person.”
Of getting to know her quarterback beau, the Victoria’s Secret Angel tells: “We met through a friend who knew us both for a long time. Our friend knew that we would like each other. And we did. So I guess he was right.”
Brea Grant speeds her way to Heroes
Actress Brea Grant just landed a pretty cool role on the hit NBC series Heroes. According to TV Guide’s Michael Ausiello, the young actress was cast as Joy, a woman in her early twenties with the power of superspeed.
This recurring character is said to be introduced in a scene set at a museum. Hiro meets the woman at the museum and asks her if she has powers and is using them to steal art. As expected, Joy will lie to our beloved hero Hiro and leave the scene with a few paintings. Is she part of the villains or is she one of the good guys and somehow lost her way? Only time will tell!
Before landing this role on Heroes, the actress guest starred in three episodes of NBC’s Friday Night Lights as Jean Binnel, Landry’s rebound girl. She also guest starred in a recent episode of Cold Case. Grant also appeared in a few movies since she officially started her acting career last year.
Heroes new season will premiere on September 15.
Friday Night Lights: Leave No One Behind
(S02E14) This episode left me comparing the show itself to its own fictional Panthers football team. Both had their seasons get off to a rough start, but now everyone seems to be coming together in the hopes of a strong finish. There are still no guarantees for another run at state, or a third season, but tonight was a step in the right direction for both teams. With some great development for Saracen, a turn in the Landry/Tyra story that didn’t make you want to kick a writer in the crotch, and the continuation of Smash’s story, a lot of points were put on the board.
Things have been kind of quiet on the Saracen front recently, so let’s start there. I liked almost everything about this one. My only complaint, and it’s a small one, is that it all came on just a bit too suddenly. It’s been one of the bigger weaknesses of the show in this second season. The stories just don’t seem to flow between the episodes as smoothly as they could.
While getting into this latest batch of Saracen story could have been smoother, the setup for it has been long in the making. And the payoff was fantastic. The writers managed to boil 35 episodes worth of Saracen’s story down to that one climactic scene with Coach Taylor in the bathroom. “You left me for a better job. You’re daughter left me for a better guy. Carlotta left me for Guatemala. My dad left me for a damn war. Everybody leaves me. Is there something wrong with me?” It was just perfect.
Saracen has been under so much pressure that some kind of reaction seemed inevitable. You could argue about the odd motorcycle scene, the ease with which high school kids seem to drink in public, or the trip to the strip club and how they fit into his downward spiral, but I don’t know how they could have done any better than they did with that big scene bringing it all together. I will also add that I did really enjoy the little bit with Landry and Smash at school. Landry’s line “I just don’t want to see you become an at risk youth.” was very funny. And Smash’s disgust that Matt would be choosing Riggins as a role model reinforced the fact that while things aren’t as contentious between those two as they once were, they still are far from the best of friends.
Speaking of our friend Smash… I kind of go both ways on the revelation that TMU has pulled his scholarship because of his questionable character. On the one hand, I thought it made for some good TV. There was a nice scene with his mother. His speech before the game was very moving. And that last shot with him breaking down in the locker room was great. On the other hand, if we are to believe that Smash is actually a blue-chip recruit, I’m far too cynical to buy into the notion that any big time school would let something like this dissuade them from offering a scholarship. Even in my happy little burg, we’ve seen athletes with much worse records get away with far more. Have a look at this recent article from The Seattle Times.
The short version, for those of you that are click-averse, finds a highly recruited senior football player at a pre-arranged fight. His friend hits someone in the head with a baseball bat, knocking him unconscious. And then the recruit proceeds to stomp on the unconscious participant’s face, breaking his jaw. He was charged with felony assault and confined to his home while awaiting trial. But then he tested positive for marijuana, violating those conditions, and ended up spending three weeks in jail. Not even that could deter the UW coaches though, as three of them wrote to the judge assuring him that their offer of a scholarship was still good. And things only went downhill from there. It’s a grisly tale, but for our purposes here, it calls to question the believability of the Smash story, for me anyway.
Moving on… I’m starting to wonder if Aimee Teegarden has done something to piss off the writer’s room, because it just seems like they can’t stop kicking Julie around. Every time I think, “Ok, they got past that one, now maybe that well adjusted good kid we met in season one will come back.” they send her off on another bender. I was rolling my eyes a little bit at her jealousy of the Tami and Tyra relationship. It felt a little forced and they seemed to go a little overboard pointing it out. That was a case where less would have been more, because the forgotten meeting at the DMV carried more than enough weight to get them to the conflict anyway. It wasn’t my favorite of the Taylor family moments, but like Charlie running at the football, I think this time Tami and Julie have made some progress.
And finally, a new wrinkle in the Landry/Tyra story. I really like what they are doing with the two of them now. Although, I was rooting for his decision to go the other way. Whether you were rooting for Jean or Tyra though, at least the story now feels like it has a place in the show. The unfortunate part to all of it is that they really didn’t need the crappy murder story to get here. It all would have worked out perfectly fine if that had never entered the picture. They still would have had Tyra unsure of her feelings, concerned about appearances. Landry still would have been nervous, smitten, and gun shy that things were too good to be true. It was the wrong road, but at least it eventually got to the right destination.
And with that, only one episode left before FNL takes its place on the increasingly crowded sidelines. We’re certainly going to be left with more questions than answers, but I’m taking solace in the fact that the ship has been righted.