Front Section

Make your mind up J.Lo, says "American Idol" producer

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 04:43 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jennifer Lopez and "American Idol" producers played a cat-and- mouse game on Friday over the singer's future on the TV talent show that revived her career and sent her to the top of a global celebrity power list. "American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe said on Friday that Lopez must decide whether to sign up as a judge for a third year or go off in a new direction. ...

"Vampire Diaries," Justin Bieber lead Teen Choice nominees

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 05:34 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - TV show "The Vampire Diaries" earned a leading six nominations for the annual Teen Choice awards on Friday, with Justin Bieber and talent show "American Idol" coming a close second with five nods apiece. "Vampire Diaries, which airs on the CW network, pushed aside blockbuster movies like "The Avengers" and "The Hunger Games" to gain the most nominations in an awards show that ranges from film to music, fashion and favorites celebrities. ...

GM passes on running TV ads during 2013 Super Bowl

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 05:43 PM

DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Co will not advertise in next year's Super Bowl because it is too expensive, the top marketing executive for the U.S. automaker said three days after the company announced it was dropping paid ads on Facebook Inc. The 2013 Super Bowl will be broadcast by CBS Corp, which is selling 30-second ads for as much as $4 million. Spots on NBC's broadcast of this year's National Football League championship game, the most heavily watched annual event on U.S. television, cost about $3.5 million per 30-second spot. NBC is majority-owned by Comcast Corp. ...

And the winner is? The sitcom, TV networks hope

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 02:50 AM

(Reuters) - The big winner of this year's upfront TV advertising sales season was an old favorite: the sitcom. By the time the curtain came down on the network previews on Thursday, 16 of the 36 new scripted shows added to the programming lineups of the big four broadcast networks - CBS Corp, Walt Disney Co's ABC, News Corp's Fox and Comcast Corp's NBC - were comedies. Upfront week is the television industry's annual rite at which networks preview upcoming shows for advertisers and media buyers in hopes of persuading them to buy commercial time in advance. ...

"Homeland" heroine turns Mideast sleuth in season 2

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 07:56 AM

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Though booted from the CIA as psychologically unfit, the heroine of the hit TV thriller "Homeland" will return for the second season pursuing leads in the Middle East, the show's producer said on Friday. During a Tel Aviv visit to shoot new scenes and pay homage to the Israeli hostage drama on which Homeland is based, Howard Gordon drew links with "24", another U.S. television series of his about a renegade counter-terrorist. "You'll remember Jack Bauer was usually out for one reason or another. ...

Jessica Sanchez, Phillip Phillips make "Idol" final

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 04:10 PM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - He brought the "American Idol" judges to their feet, but Joshua Ledet couldn't win over fans and was sent home from the top-rated TV talent show on Thursday, leaving Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips to battle for the crown on next week's finale. The elimination of Ledet - through audience voting and not by the judges - sets up a final showdown between Sanchez and Phillips to determine who will be named the next "American Idol," a distinction that has belonged to hitmakers such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, among others. ...

MTV cancels "I Just Want My Pants Back"

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 05:06 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - MTV has canceled its romantic dramedy series "I Just Want My Pants Back" after one season. "We're proud to have aired 'I Just Want My Pants Back,' with its impressive creative pedigree and talented group of actors," MTV said in a statement. "Many factors go in to determining renewals, however, and ultimately, we decided not to move forward with an additional season of 'Pants. ...

"Friday Night Lights" alum Plemons joins "Breaking Bad"

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 03:33 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - No one's what they seem to be on "Breaking Bad" - well, except maybe for the often hapless Jesse - and the show's adding another mysterious character to the mix with "Friday Night Lights" alum Jesse Plemons. The man who played beloved "FNL"-er Landry Clarke will join the fifth and final season of AMC's "Breaking Bad" as a guy named Todd, a network rep confirms to TheWrap. Todd is a nice gu... or so he appears, reports TVLine.com. There will likely be more to the "dependable, innocuous, working-class guy" than meets the eye, however. ...

Kelsey Grammer comedy, Dick Wolf drama among USA's new shows

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 04:49 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - USA Network announced its slate of upcoming projects Thursday, including a comedy project from Kelsey Grammer and a drama from Dick Wolf that the network is developing. Grammer, who's currently starring in the Starz drama series "Boss," will executive-produce "The DiCicco Brothers," about a dot-com entrepreneur whose brash style clashes with the politically correct environment of Silicon Valley. The story comes from Chirs Cannistraci and Ed Cannistraci, while the latter wrote the teleplay. ...

CBS's Moonves on Dish's Auto Hop: "it's illegal"

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 03:34 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - CBS CEO Leslie Moonves told TheWrap Thursday that he believes Dish's new Auto Hop feature, which allows viewers to skip commercials when they watch previously aired shows, is illegal. "They can't put our content on without commercials," he said in a brief interview at the CW's upfront presentation to advertisers. "They just can't do it. It's illegal." Asked if the situation could lead to a lawsuit, he responded, "I don't know. I hope it doesn't come to that, but you never know. ...

CW redeveloping "Hunger Games"-like "The Selection"

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 03:35 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The CW is redeveloping "The Selection," a "Hunger Games"-like series that it passed on for the 2012-13 season - and the network continues to develop a series about the D.C. comics hero Deadman, network president Mark Pedowitz said Thursday. Pedowitz spoke to reporters after the network unveiled its 2012-13 line-up to advertisers, including another drama based on a D.C. comics hero, the gritty "Arrow." He said he planned to meet with the producers of "The Selection," based on the book by Kiera Cass, to discuss it. ...

CW plans new measurements and interactive programming

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 03:36 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The CW has complained for years that Nielsen ratings don't adequately gauge its young audience, and now the network is doing something about it - by developing its own measurement system. At its upfront presentation to advertisers Thursday, CW also detailed plans for CWD, an online source of game shows, comedies, animation and other content. One of its features will allow viewers to choose the outcome of a situation, choose-your-own adventure style. Viewers might decide whether a character kisses someone or storms out of the room, for example. ...

Busy Jennifer Lopez casts doubt on more "American Idol"

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 08:31 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jennifer Lopez is casting doubt on whether she will return to "American Idol" next year as she juggles motherhood with a comeback in both her pop music and acting careers. Lopez, who has young twins, told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres this week that she wasn't sure about renewing her contract as a judge on the TV singing contest for a third year. And on Wednesday, sources close to the singer told E! News that she was "just too busy" and was planning on calling an end to her time on "American Idol". "Now this is my second year - I don't know if I can go for a third ...

"Voice" winner Jermaine Paul to stay true to roots

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 03:16 PM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jermaine Paul, the newly crowned winner of popular TV singing competition "The Voice," said on Tuesday he wants to make music that ordinary Americans like himself and his family can relate to - with a few celebrity cameos, of course. R&B singer Paul, a former backup for Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige, told reporters on a conference call that he has often struggled in his quest for artistic success, an experience he believes is especially common during the economic downturn. ...

And the winner is? The sitcom, TV networks hope

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 06:24 PM

(Reuters) - The big winner of this year's upfront TV advertising sales season was an old favorite: the sitcom. By the time the curtain came down on the network previews on Thursday, 16 of the 36 new scripted shows added to the programming lineups of the big four broadcast networks - CBS Corp, Walt Disney Co's ABC, News Corp's Fox and Comcast Corp's NBC - were comedies. Upfront week is the television industry's annual rite at which networks preview upcoming shows for advertisers and media buyers in hopes of persuading them to buy commercial time in advance. ...

Contestants? It's TV talent judges basking in fame, cash

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 01:43 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Time was when TV talent shows set out to turn wannabes into stars. These days? Not so much. It's the celebrity judges who are raking in the cash and using TV contests not only as a way to re-launch a fading career, but to further boost a thriving one. For music stars in an era of weak record sales, the trend spells victory for their bank account, but for fans and the music industry always hungering for a new star, it's a loss. And for TV networks, the once cheap-to-produce shows are ever more expensive, yet they don't always pay off in bigger audiences. ...

Judd Apatow reviews 100 years of comic gems

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 12:16 PM

(Contains profanity in Paragraph 5) LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Judd Apatow, the modern master of human-scale comedy, sat down with TheWrap to review the Universal Studios archive in honor of the studio's 100-year anniversary this year. The writer-director of "Knocked Up," producer of "Bridesmaids" and director of the upcoming "This is 40" was imprinted early and often by the comedies produced by the Universal machine, from Abbott and Costello to John Hughes' "Sixteen Candles. ...

Richard Dreyfuss joins cast of 'Squatters'

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 12:21 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Richard Dreyfuss has joined the cast of "Squatters," the latest film from "The Hills Have Eyes 2" director Martin Weisz. From a script by Justin Shilton, "Squatters" tells the story of a young homeless couple who move into a vacant mansion in the Pacific Palisades to escape. When the owners return, the couple tries to take advantage of the situation. Also joining the cast are Lolita Davidovich, Nancy Travis, Evan Ross, Luke Grimes and Andrew Howard. Thomas Dekker of "Foreverland" and Gabriella Wilde from "The Three Musketeers" had already signed on. ...

Networks don't like Auto Hop, but what about viewers?

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 05:21 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The least popular thing on TV is Dish's new ad-skipping feature Auto Hop - at least among network executives. But that doesn't mean viewers won't embrace it. The question is whether they'll still like it if it leads to higher Dish bills. Or - if things go completely wild - less access to their favorite shows. Neither are likely to happen soon, especially since the new feature is a mere week old and unknown to most viewers. It's still unclear what effect, if any, it will have on network viewing. ...

CBS advertiser presentation goes big, broad and goofy

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 06:34 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - For its upfront presentation to advertisers, CBS went big, broad and a little goofy - words that also describe many of its shows. The network's upfront at New York City's Carnegie Hall on Wednesday had the feel of a big, grinning victory lap - and not just because it included Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning parading his trophy. Network CEO Les Moonves jokingly questioned whether the most-watched network needed to do an upfront at all. ...

Turner Broadcasting partnering with Funny or Die

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 02:31 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Turner Broadcasting announced a strategic partnership with Funny or Die in which the broadcasters' digital sales force will become the exclusive seller of advertising opportunities with the humor site. TBS, TV's highest-rated comedy network on television, and Adult Swim will collaborate with Funny or Die to boost the digital content provider's sales and help establish the three brands as multi-platform destinations for comedy. ...

"Hulk" series possible for ABC in 2013-14

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 03:18 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The Hulk is getting awfully popular. With a third "Hulk" film increasingly likely given the success of "The Avengers," ABC is also pursuing its long-gestating plans for a "Hulk" TV series, ABC entertainment president Paul Lee said Tuesday. Disney's ownership of Marvel opens up many opportunities for ABC to pursue series based on Marvel comics characters. Lee said a "Hulk" series didn't come together in time for the 2012-13 season, but could be a possibility the season after that. ...

US judge rules against child star Gary Coleman's ex-wife

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 02:02 PM

SALT LAKE CITY (Reuters) - Former child star Gary Coleman's ex-wife failed to prove she had lived with him as a common law spouse even after their divorce, a Utah judge has ruled, in a move that could strip her of rights to the "Diff'rent Strokes" actor's estate. Coleman, whose spunky personality, pudgy cheeks and comic timing at age 10 made him a prime time sensation in 1978, died two years ago at age 42 after suffering a brain hemorrhage in an accidental fall at his Utah home. He died after being taken off of life support - a decision made by his former wife, Shannon Price. ...

Harold and Kumar get animated for Adult Swim

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 09:12 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Harold and Kumar have been to White Castle and Guantanamo Bay. Now they're going to Adult Swim. Adult Swim is developing an animated project based on the "Harold & Kumar" movies, the network said Tuesday. The project, which currently goes under the moniker "Untitled Animated Harold & Kumar Project," is being produced by Lionsgate. The network has also given the go-ahead to a pilot from "Community" creator Dan Harmon. ...

ESPN approves second season of "30 for 30"

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 06:44 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - ESPN Films has announced the return of its "30 for 30" sports documentary series, with a second season that will be accompanied by the launch of a series of 30 short films that will debut at sportswriting website Grantland.com. The "30 for 30" series debuted in 2009 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ESPN. The first documentary shown - "Kings Ransom" - was directed by actor/filmmaker Peter Berg and revolved around the 1988 trade of NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky from Edmonton to Los Angeles. ...

Stern brings Mr Nice Guy to "Got Talent" but less eyeballs

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 08:28 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Howard Stern brought his Mr Nice Guy act to "America's Got Talent" on Monday, but fewer people watched the show compared to last year, despite the publicity over his arrival. Stern, 58, one of America's best-known "shock jocks", left bad language and sexually explicit banter at home in his first stint as a new judge on the NBC show, leading critics to dub him "a sweet old man" and a judge with "a lot of heart." But many TV viewers didn't bother to watch. "America's Got Talent" was watched by 10.5 million viewers, down some 30 percent on last year's season debut (15. ...

Menounos exits in "Dancing With the Stars" semifinal

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 10:58 PM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Perfect wasn't good enough, and failed to impress "Dancing With the Stars" fans who chose to send Maria Menounos home after the TV dance contest's semifinal round on Tuesday. Menounos, who scored a perfect 30 from the three judges on Monday night for her Argentine tango with professional dancer Derek Hough, won the judges' highest combined score of 59 points having also turned in a 29 for a jive that followed the tango. ...

"The Neighbors" gets slot after "Modern Family"

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 03:18 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The new alien comedy "The Neighbors" will follow "Modern Family" on ABC in the fall, to be followed by the Connie Britton drama "Nashville," the network announced Tuesday as it released its 2012-13 line-up. The network's 10 new series - "666 Park Avenue," "The Family Tools," "How to Live with your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)," "Last Resort," "Malibu Country," "Mistresses," "Nashville," "The Neighbors," "Red Widow" and "Zero Hour" - will be split between fall and midseason. ...

Ellen DeGeneres gains top U.S. award for humor

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 02:39 PM

(Reuters) - Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres will receive the annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, following in the footsteps of previous female winners Whoopi Goldberg and Tina Fey. DeGeneres, 54, will receive one of the nation's highest comic honors on October 22 at a special presentation night held at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington D.C, the Kennedy Center said on Tuesday. ...

Univision announces 2012-13 slate of shows

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 02:39 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Univision, the top-rated Spanish-language network, unveiled its 2012-13 lineup of new and returning shows Tuesday, days after announcing a new digital video network and three webnovelas. Univision will present its 2012-13 schedule - and those of sister networks Galavision and Telefutura - to advertisers at their upfront presentations on Tuesday. ...