HBO Expands Its Empire

... Just one epic episode into Boardwalk Empire's first season, HBO has decided to renew the new series. Yes! This is hardly a surprise, as Boardwalk drew 4.8 million viewers (7 million with encore presentations factored in), the most for an HBO series premiere since 2004's Deadwood (which had The Sopranos as a lead-in). Translation: HBO has another hit. [Deadline Hollywood]

... HBO's main competitor Showtime also did some bookkeeping, granting a seventh season to Weeds and a second season to The Big C. Both drew in more than 6 million viewers for their premieres "across various platforms." That number includes online viewings; The Big C was offered for free on some web sites. Always question stats, kids. [Multichannel]

... Some of you watch House for its mysterious diseases, some of you watch it for cantankerous Dr. House's one-liners, and some of you watch it for that hot piece of tail Olivia Wilde. Which means some of you probably won't be watching House that much this season, as Olivia Wilde is taking a "leave of absence" from the show and won't return anytime soon. Wilde currently has a hot movie career taking off, and will be gone from House until "well into this season," according to creator David Shore. At least you wild-for-Wilde guys can get your fill when Tron 2.0 comes out. [EW]

... Seriously, Glee, just stop it. Stop it with all this ridiculous casting. Please. Gwyneth Paltrow is currently in talks to get on the singing-and-dancing hit for a multi-episode arc. She'd play a substitute teacher that catches the eye of Mr. Schuester. [E! Online]

... Steve Carell is leaving The Office, could Mindy Kaling be next? Kaling, who plays Kelly Kapoor on the NBC comedy, also serves as one of the show's main writers and has an offer in place for her own sitcom. If you ask me, the writing is on the wall: She'll be history. [NY Mag]

... Andre Royo, better known as Bubbles from The Wire (the best crackhead ever, sorry Chris Rock from New Jack City and Dave Chappelle's Tyrone Biggums) will come back for more Fringe. Royo plays a cab driver in this week's season premiere but will now return for another appearance later on in the season. Big ups, Bubs! [EW]

... Lost stars Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson have been toying with the idea of a combined return to television for a while now, and at first their idea of playing two retired hitmen sounded like a pretty good joke. But things appear to be getting serious, as J.J. Abrams is now helping the duo out with their new show. Odd Jobs would see the pair playing former black-ops agents, with a touch of humor. Sign me up! [NY Mag]