MEDICAL DRAMA SPIT-SWAPPING NEWS
... A new year means new stunts for ABC's medical wonder duo of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. The two shows are planning another crossover for February, with PP's Amelia heading north to Grey's Anatomy's Seattle Grace and Derek and Lexie heading to LA. Can't they just install a high-speed light rail system between the two hospitals and make it one gigantic two-hour show? It's Season 8! Normal storylines don't cut it anymore. Turn those love triangles into love hexagons! [TV Guide]
SOBERING NEWS
... VH1 has decided it won't film a 2012 edition of Celebrity Rehab (or its spin-off, Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House), the reality program where "celebrities" battle addiction issues under the tutelage of "Dr." Drew. The network didn't give a solid reason for the benching, but the show has come under fire in the last year because two of its former participants have died from drug-related causes: Jeff Conaway and Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr both died from lethal combinations of prescription drugs in 2011. VH1 says the shows are not canceled. [EW]
DEVELOPMENT DEALS
... I don't know if you remember that cool-sounding project from Shawn Ryan (The Shield) about a fractured United States and the crew of a nuclear submarine that refuses to launch a warhead and becomes the target of a government-run hunt (cool, right?), but it's closer to getting a pilot order at ABC. The show will follow the sub crew as they form their own nation -- one that just so happens to have two dozen nuclear warheads. [Deadline Hollywood]
... NBC is close to acquiring the Canadian series Saving Hope for the summer. It's described as "blah blah blah sexy doctors blah blah life-saving decisions blah blah," but really let's just call it Grey's Anatomy in Canada. Michael Shanks (Stargate Atlantis) and Erica Durance (Smallville) play two of the sexy doctors. [Deadline Hollywood]
... The CW is also looking north for new series. The network is close to acquiring a Canadian series of its own: L.A. Complex, which might be the most bland name for a television show I've ever heard. You know what it's about? A Los Angeles apartment complex. It's said to be in the vein of Melrose Place, which was also about an L.A. apartment complex. [Deadline Hollywood]
... Discovery Channel is working on a reality competition show that features engineers. Sexy! [Deadline Hollywood]
CASTING NEWS
... Bianca Lawson, who played Emily on The Vampire Diaries, has been cast in MTV's Teen Wolf. She'll play a guidance counselor for at least four episodes. Let's just hope she can handle the extreme genre switch. [E! Online]
... Catherine Bach, who's best known for playing Daisy Duke in the original Dukes of Hazzard, is joining CBS's The Young and the Restless starting February 7. Bach will play the scheming (duh, it's a soap opera) mother of Chelsea. OMG, Chelsea? Really!? [EW]
... Lee Majors (The Fall Guy, The Six Million Dollar Man) will guest-star on CSI: NY as an old detective who's asked by Mac to help out on a new case. [TV Guide]
PONY NEWS
... Did you see this awesome correction in The New York Times this week? If you followed me on Twitter (hint, hint) you already would have! [Best Week Ever]
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
You all know Canada's awesome :)
Not "Grey's Anatomy in Canada". Eh's Anatomy.
Hey Tim, do you have a problem with Canada? I'm noticing that very rarely do you comment on Canadian related news in a positive way...just sayin'.
So whenever the US copies a British show or just spawns another copy it's all cool. But any time Canada makes something it's blah and bland. I'm getting pretty sick of the Canadian mocking on this site DOES THIS GUY THINK HE IS ACTUALLY BEING FUNNY?
As a Canadian, I say complaining is not very Canadian of you -- Canadians must be humble and polite. Unless you're on a hockey rink.
I don't like the "must be" in your post.
Michael Shanks was in 3 episodes of Stargate: Atlantis. He was a star in Stargate: SG1. I'm assuming you meant to say SG1, but still... As an avid Stargate fan (I'm watching Atlantis as I type this), I had to correct you. :P
You know, Saving Hope didn't sound that interesting until you mentioned Michael Shanks. For him alone I will give the series a shot. I loved him on Stargate SG-1 as Daniel Jackson (he just guest starred on Stargate Atlantis). Forget McSteamy and McDreamy, I'll take McSexy. ... Lee Majors guest starring on CSI: NY = Cool. My Mom will be psyched to hear that. Catherine Bach on The Young and the Restless = Extra Cool. I'm glad to see her (and Mr. Majors) back on TV, again. The folks should be happy about that, too, they watch Y&R everyday.
Shawn Ryan is awesome. The premise of his new show sounds really creative. It's already a must-watch for me (if it's picked up).
That new Shawn Ryan project sounds interesting, can't wait to here more (particularly cast and writers).
All you had to say was "Saving Hope - Erica Durance is sexy doctor" there you go, viewing figures doubled! I'll start watching anyway.
Have to admit Bianca Lawson still gets away with playing an 18-20 y/o, which is saying something because she's about 33 y/o.
If love shapes adhere to standard geometry then I believe it would take 6 love triangles to make a love hexagon. Now that's a cross-over I'd tune in to see!
bianca lawson not playing a high school student? it's about time!
Note to tv.com: you don't have to tell us what Lee Majors was in. Everybody knows. The man is a LEGEND.
it is in the very first paragraph, genious! for gods sake, dont you read? I mean, I get the idea that one may skip the final parts of an article but the first sentences? what are you expecting, that tim to come and whisper it into your ears??
Article wasnt working yesterday trolls there was a big white space and the first text was SOBERING NEWS, learn to think before speaking hypocrites X )
Get a clue XD
youre easily the biggest troll on this site, stop stalking me ya pathetic loser k thanks ; )
You're right Dan *sniff*. You've shown me the error of my ways.
My "trolling" needs to stop. I won't bother you anymore. Just promise me you'll do something about that stick up your butt.
Uhhhh...
It is in the first paragraph Captain Reader.
Why would Canada make a show set in L.A.? It's a huge country, don't they have some equivalent? How many USA shows are set in Canada?
I may have just answered my own question.
While the New York Times correction was funny; nothing tops the Charlotte Observer correction yesterday in regards to NBA star Baron Davis' herniated disc:
"Davis is recovering from a herniated dick".
You're right... this tops Fluttershy.
You're kidding me!!
Haa haa haa haa!
Finlly Bianca Lawson plying more her age. She plays a teenager on PLL and she played a teenager on Dawsons Creek like over 10 years ago. I was wondering when she was going to age!
Biana Lawson, sailing from Buffy to Vampire Diaries to Teen Wolf, big genre switch indeed.