... Showtime has renewed the raunchy Californication for a fifth round, just days after the fourth season premiere delivered the series' best season opening. This should really help star David Duchovny with his sex addiction. [Deadline Hollywood]
... Starz's addition to the Torchwood franchise, now called Torchwood: Miracle Day, continues to build an impressive cast. Joining the show for seven of the first season's ten episodes will be redhead Lauren Ambrose, known best for her work as Claire on Six Feet Under. Ambrose will play a PR person named Jilly Kitzinger. Bonus points for that flashy character name. [EW]
... ABC has picked up a pair of new pilots in an effort to lure ladies. Partners, from Criminal Minds megamind Ed Bernero, follows two cops who are partners. And they're fiercely loyal to each other. And they're secretly... sisters. Grace is about a dysfunctional family in the world of professional dancing. It comes from Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba, because she knows everything about making hit television. /sarcasm. [EW]
... Community will roll the dice (zing!) on a Dungeons & Dragons episode later this season. Creator Dan Harmon says the gang won't be donning longswords and chainmail, but will be playing the game around a table just like you do, you big fat nerd. Another episode will take place entirely in a hospital after Pierce (Chevy Chase) is sent there (maybe to get his casts off?). [EW]
... I've got good news and bad news. Justin Bieber was hospitalized after suffering an allergic reaction while filming a second guest spot on CSI. And now for the bad news: he's okay. [Life & Style Magazine]
... Remember Carson Daly? That Teen Beat poster of him hanging on your wall says you do. Daly is in line to host NBC's The Voice, a competitive singing show. Daly has gone from the poor man's Leno to the poor man's Ryan Seacrest. Next thing you know he'll be writing stories for a website called TV.org. [Deadline Hollywood]
... Merv Griffin Entertainment is creating a reality show based on Pac-Man. Say whaaaa? The producers envision the series like ABC's adult obstacle course Wipeout, presumably with people trying to eat each other in a maze. [Deadline Hollywood]
... The Harris Poll needed some publicity, so they circulated a press release about TV's most popular star after surveying a mere 2,331 people. NCIS' Mark Harmon took the number-one slot, followed by Oprah Winfrey and House star Hugh Laurie (in a tie for second), Conan O'Brien, Jon Stewart, Charlie Sheen, and Ellen Degeneres. With a sample size that huge, it's got to be true. [PDF: Harris Interactive]
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
CSI is really doing the Bieber-thing again? Do they *want* to get cancelled?
"Californication" seems capable of getting past the fact that the biggest secret revealed in the first episode is out of the bag. Rob Lowe finally has a part to show off his deft comedy chops and was hilarious as the actor that is going to play Hank in the film version of "F***ing and Punching". Only thing missing has been Madeline Zima who apparently is off the show.
Californication and Rescue Me best shows EVER!!!
Community Dungeon's and Dragons! Excellent!
Of coz Mark Harmon would take the Number 1 spot, duh. He's the best! I'm only surprised that Charlie Sheen actually made it onto the shortlist.
I'm not a fan of Justin Bieber, but that was a low blow. You should feel ashamed.
Minus the Tea Party, who is voting for Mark Harmon?
Great news catch-up. Especially loved the Bieber and Pac-man bits (btw, I'd totally watch that). Good news for Californication.
Awsome i love Californication!!!!
XO XO
:):):):):):):):):):):):)
Mark Harmon? Really? Really???
ROFL at the Pac-Man comment. And I don't like Mark Harmon. And I can't stand Californication. But I'm definitely looking forward to more original stories from Community! :D
Californication is funny, but those 2 new ABC shows sound frickin' awful! TV for women = LAME, and I don't even care if anyone takes offense to that.
Good news for Californication. Torchwood seems to be adding more and more each day. it is really becoming an joint production between BBC and Starz with big names signing on. In fact, I think that Eve Myles may be the only British person in the cast at this point.
Great news about Californication... Hank Moody is God! :P
Torchwood may make me even want to resubscribe to STARZ!
Congrats to Californication. Love that show!