Now this is fantastic news! Actor David Cross is joining the new FOX comedy Running Wilde. The show stars Will Arnett. The show is created by Mitch Hurwitz. Have you connected the dots yet? It’s an Arrested Developement reunion! In Hurwitz’s Arrested Development, Cross played doctor-turned-aspiring actor Tobias Fünke, the brother-in-law of Arnett’s Gob Bluth. Cross will be featured in 7 of the initial 13 episodes as “the radical environmentalist boyfriend of Keri Russell’s character” according to IGN. Hurwitz and Arnett serve as creators, writers, and executive producers. Arrested Development directors Anthony and Joe Russo and executive producer Jim Valley are also on board.
FOX is giving Hurwitz another chance with Running Wilde, so make sure you tune in Tuesday, September 21 at 9:30PM. We can’t give the network another opportunity to shun Hurwitz & Co. away from making great TV like they did with the prematurally canned ArrestedDevelopment. With a handful of AD alum signed on, I have a good feeling this comedy will tower over other network premieres in terms of quality. AD‘s theme was “family first.” From the looks of the trailer (embedded after the break, along with the synopsis), Running Wilde will take a new yet familar path: Russell’s Emmy to Arnett’s Wilde: “I am going to make you a better man.” Family, relationships, heart, hilarity. Welcome back, Hurwitz.
FOX might have cancelled the sci-fi adventure Dollhouse due to dismal ratings, but that won’t keep the show from living on–in comic book form that is. When Dollhouse season 2 releases on DVD and Blu-ray on October 12, a single comic book issue titled “Epitaphs” will come bundled inside. It’s exclusive to the DVD/BD release meaning you won’t find it in comic book stores. “Epitaphs” was written by Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen (newly husband and wife, Dollhouse creator Joss Whedon’s brother and sister-in-law, respectively). If you happen to be at Comic Con right now, (Jed) Whedon and Tancharoen will be on hand to sign a litho created by Dark Horse Comics on Friday (7/23) from 11am-noon. I will leave you with the official synopsis:
“Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen, joined by longtime Buffy the Vampire Slayer artist Cliff Richards, take us on an intricate trip through the precise moment when the Active technology went global, and how the protagonists from Epitaph One and Two narrowly avoided death, and worse.Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen wrote the Epitaph episodes of Dollhouse Seasons One and Two, and currently write for the Starz series Spartacus. This is their first work in comics. Artist Cliff Richards has drawn more Joss Whedon-related comics than any other artist, including issues of Buffy Season Eight.”
Terra Nova just keeps getting better–and it hasn’t even started yet! The Steven Spielberg/Peter Chernin sci-fi drama is starting to look like a 24 reunion nowadays. Executive producers Brandon Braga (24, FlashForward) and David Fury (24, Lost) are joined by Jon Cessar who served as executive producer and recurring director on every season of 24 (with the exception of season 8). Cessar joins Terra Nova as executive producer and regular series director. He will take over as director for a multi-episode arc after taking the reins from Alex Graves (Fringe) who is set to direct the pilot.
Terra Nova stars Jason O’Mara as Jim Shannon, a man who is sent back in time to prehistoric Earth with family in an attempt to save the human race. Production is set to being at the end of this summer in Australia and the show is expected to debut its thirteen-episode order midseason on FOX.
With Comic Con just around the corner, Gleeks (or ultimate fans of the show Glee) are getting hyped for the Glee panel. Typically Comic Con TV show panels include the show’s biggest stars. For example, at last year’s Glee panel Matthew Morrison, Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, and Dianna Agron took the stage to interact with fans. This year, however, none of those actors will be present. Why? Well it’s because FOX wants to give the rest of the cast time to shine in the spotlight amongst the show’s most rabid fans. Twentieth Century Fox Television rep: “Last year, we brought down Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, and Dianna Agron. Because we have such a large cast and we can’t bring everyone every year, this year we decided to bring down some of the cast who didn’t get to go last summer. So this year, Chris Colfer [Curt], Amber Riley [Mercedes], Jenna Ushkowitz [Tina], Kevin McHale [Artie], Mark Salling [Puck], Heather Morris [Brittany], and Naya Rivera [Santana] will get to experience the convention, as well as co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk.” And Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester) is a no show (again) due to a scheduling conflict. Bummer. But it’ll be a blast to see Heather Morris live in person–she’s got great delivery (who could forget the “Dolphins are just gay sharks” line?). With the promise of never-before-seen clips, I’m sure this year’s Glee panel will be just as memorable as the last.
Well would you look at that? Following in Glee‘s footsteps, FOX has decided to green light a third season for its hit animated program The Cleveland Show. Yes, there’s a solid reason why the Family Guy spin-off got renewed for a third season so early in the game: it was the highest rated new scripted half-hour program among the 18-34 demographic. Voice of Cleveland Brown/co-creator/executive producer Mike Henry on the early pickup: “Thanks to FOX for their continued support. I’m thrilled to keep my multiracial existence going for another season.” Renewal news comes as a big relief for Henry and co. since the turnaround time for animation creation is very time intensive. Henry: “It’s about a ten month process from start to finish. But we don’t really try to be too topical and…I think it works to our advantage because hopefully in five years the episodes will still be as funny as they are now.”
Season 3 is so far out. Want some details about what’s planned for season 2? Will.I.Am, Justin Timberlake, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West (to reprise “Kenny West”), Tony Hawk, Carl Reiner, and the cast members of Glee are planned to lend their voices to the series; a Family Guy crossover episode is planned that’ll land Peter, Joe and Quagmire in LOCALE; and in the finale episode the Browns will journey to Comic Con. Says Henry: “[In the finale] the whole family goes to Comic-Con for summer vacation. Co-creator Rich Appel: “I think it’s safe to say that the nerds on our staff will not disappoint the nerds in our viewing public.” The Cleveland Show is here to stay, folks.
You might be wondering why Mr. Will Shuester is giving us that smirk. Maybe it’s because FOX has gone ahead and renewed Glee for a third season! Though this news does come early, it is definitely not a surprise. The numbers say it all: Glee is the number one new scripted series among adults 18-49 and adults 18-34, and has averaged 9.4 million total viewers, according to EW. Here’s what some people had to say about the early pickup. Peter Rice, the Fox Networks Group Entertainment Chairman: “In just one year, Glee has transcended the television landscape and emerged as a global pop culture phenomenon.” Kevin Reilly, Fox Entertainment President: “Everything about Glee – from the concept to the characters to the marketing – has been innovative and risky, but with [series creator] Ryan Murphy tapping into the zeitgeist, the risk has paid off with this truly remarkable series. Glee has one of the most active, devoted fan bases I’ve ever seen, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to give Gleeks a third season of their favorite show.” Creator Ryan Murphy: “It’s been a whirlwind year – from shooting the pilot to performing at the White House to the concert tour that began last week – and yet we all feel like we’ve just begun this amazing musical journey. We think our Gleeks worldwide are going to love what we’ll have in store for them in seasons two and three.” So in other words…Glee isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Gleek out!
As one TV season ends, another begins. Every year the big networks hold their own press events to preview their new programming to advertisers and audiences. The Upfronts is a time when the networks release program information to the public like the creators, producers, and cast behind their new fall and mid-season shows. Be sure to look after the break for trailers, synopses, and creator/producer/cast information behind FOX’s upcoming TV lineup.
7 new series :: 3 new dramas (Lonestar, Ride-Along, Terra Nova) – 4 new comedies (Raising Hope, Running Wilde, Mixed Signals, Bob’s Burgers)
6 cancellations :: 24 (well, not cancelled but…), Brothers, Dollhouse, Past Life, Sons of Tucson, ‘Til Death
Notable program shuffling :: American Idol performance show is now 90 minutes in length, AmericanIdol result show is now 30 minutes on Wednesdays @ 8:30PM
Drama
Lonestar: From Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman, the creators of “Party of Five”; Marc Webb, the director of “(500) Days of Summer”; and creator Kyle Killen, comes LONESTAR, a provocative soap set against the backdrop of big Texas oil. ROBERT/BOB ALLEN (newcomer James Wolk) is a charismatic and brilliant schemer who has meticulously constructed two lives in two different parts of Texas. He’s juggling two identities and two women in two very different worlds – all under one mountain of lies. As “Bob,” he lives in Houston and is married to CAT (Adrianne Palicki, “Friday Night Lights”), the beautiful daughter of CLINT (Jon Voight, 24, “Midnight Cowboy”), the patriarch of an ultra-wealthy Texas oil family. More than 400 miles away in the suburban west Texas town of Midland, he’s “Robert,” living a second life with his sweet, naive girlfriend, LINDSAY (Eloise Mumford, “Mercy,” “Law & Order: SVU”). In Midland, he plays the perfect boyfriend while secretly bilking local investors of their savings. In Houston, he’s a devoted husband, charming Cat and her family to cement his position in the rich family business he aims to clean out. Bob has lived both lives successfully for years without arousing any suspicions…so far. While one brother-in-law, DREW (Bryce Johnson, “Popular,” “The Mentalist”), admires Bob, his other brother-in-law, TRAMMELL (Mark Deklin, “Nip/Tuck,” “Desperate Housewives”), is suspicious of his motives. Bob begins to fear his secret lives may unravel. With the cons closing in on him, Bob is divided by his love for two women; his loyalty to his father and mentor, JOHN (David Keith, “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “The Class”); and his respect for his father-in-law, Clint. Now as he tries to hold his two lives together, while fending off angry investors and the suspicions of those around him, Bob puts it all on the line hoping he can beat the odds, leave the schemes behind and keep two separate relationships afloat.
Starring James Wolk, Eloise Mumford, David Keith, Adrianne Palicki, Mark Deklin, Bryce Johnson, and Jon Voight. [Mondays @ 9PM]
Last Sunday’s episode of The Cleveland Show featured a guest voice from rapper Kanye West. He played Stoolbend’s greatest rapper “Kenny West” and the character made a number of nods to the real life West. If there’s anything to gain from watching this episode it’s the culmination of animosity between Kenny and Cleveland Jr. Things play out in a rap battle that cannot be missed. If you have some extra time, “Brotherly Love” was one of the season’s finest episodes; watch it here. Also, peek after the break to watch a short gag from the episode that had me in knots. Continue reading Kanye West guest spot on ‘The Cleveland Show’ results in ultimate rap battle→
You can check off another band of misfits who find joy in parodying pop sensation Ke$ha. The Simpsons’ creator Matt Groening made a bunch of the show’s characters chime in on the song “Tik Tok” during the opening segment of the May 2 episode. Classic.
With the second half of Glee season one in full force, there’s no better time than now to preorder the next soundtrack titled Glee: The Music, Vol. 3 Showstoppers. Two versions are up for preorder; the deluxe edition contains 20 tracks, while the standard edition has 14 tracks. All these tunes will be performed during the remainder of this season. Both versions will release on May 18. Order physical copies at Amazon (standard/deluxe) or digital ones at iTunes (standard/deluxe). Note that these soundtracks do not contain any of the Madonna songs performed during the “Power of Madonna” episode. For those you’ll have to pick up the Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna EP (Amazon/iTunes), available today. Check out the track listing for all three soundtracks after the break.
With the Glee tour set to begin May 15 in Phoenix, AZ it’s no surprise that tour details are starting to trickle out. Executive producer and tour director Ryan Murphy shared the scoop with EW. “We’re gonna do between 15 and 18 numbers. We made a decision to do our biggest hits because that’s what fans want to see. It’s a concert tour but it also has a story in it.” According to EW, the story involves the rivalry between Shue’s New Directions and Vocal Adrenaline. Murphy is super excited about the tour, maybe because the set is designed by Lady Gaga’s designer. “It’s a huge stage. We’ve got multimedia. It’s really big. Fox believes in it so much that they’ve hired the best people. It’s not about going out and selling out a lot of dates and making a lot of money. In fact, we won’t make any money with this first tour because we’ve put so much money into the set design. It’s really just a great thank you to our fans.” Aw, how thoughtful. Too bad all the venues sold out in under a minute!
Designed by Smule (the musical geniuses behind Ocarina, Leaf Trombone, I Am T-Pain, and Magic Piano apps), the Glee music app puts you behind the mic and lets you belt out your favorite songs from the FOX hit show. Here’s how it works. You got your iPhone or iPad, right? Plug in some headphones to get the background music pumping. Hit start and music plays in the ‘phones while the lyrics scroll across the screen. Now sing. There’s a live pitch meter that let’s know if you’re in tune or not. But it doesn’t end there. Say you can’t sing all-natural and need some help. The app automatically auto-tunes your voice and generates harmonies from your voice. Neat-o, right!? Once you’re done recording a song, you can share it with friends on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or email (or the entire Glee app network) and listen to other Gleeks rocking out. Everything is stored on Smule’s servers for easy access right from the app. If you choose to “broadcast” your recorded song, other app users can find the track and sing on top of it, creating a band-like experience. A world-wide Glee Club, if you will.
The Glee app is available at the App Store today for $2.99. It comes with three tracks (“Rehab”, “Somebody to Love”, and “You Keep Me Hanging On”) and Smule promises to add new tracks every week. They will appear as in-app purchases. So far, the Glee “music store” includes the following additional songs: “Can’t Fight This Feeling”, “Imagine”, “I’ll Stand By You”, “Lean On Me”, and “No Air”. The social aspects work over WiFi and 3G. Well, what are you waiting for!? Gleek out! (See how it’s done after the break.)
