Send Walt Your Questions For The TV Stars

Syesha Mercado has no regrets about her “American Idol” experience and she’s ready to move on to greater things.

“In my eyes I am a winner,” she said in a telephone news conference today. “I am very, very happy and at peace….Only great things can come from now on out.”

The 21-year-old singer from Sarasota was the last woman standing and one of the top three finalists until Wednesday night. A record 56 million votes were cast and she came up short.

She says that she realized that she probably would be going home after Tuesday night’s performance when she “got too many bad comments from the judges.”

Even the usually complimentary Paula Abdul seemed disappointed. Mercado performed Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You,” Peggy Lee’s “Fever” and Gia Farrell’s “Hit Me Up.”

Of those three, she felt she did her best on “Fever.” She said that she had accepted her fate and decided to move on.

Last week, the Booker High School graduate made a triumphant return home. She was welcomed with parades, awards, accolades and a key to the city. Clips of her visit were shown on “Idol” Wednesday night.

“I can’t wait to get back to visit,” she says. “I want to go to Siesta Key and back to my school again and I want to see my friends and family.”

But it may be awhile before she returns because all of the top finalists perform on next week’s season finale and rehearsals begin for a summer “Idol” tour that launches in July (and stops in Tampa on Aug. 21).

Mercado says that the “Idol” experience taught her how to relax and enjoy performing instead of overworking and stressing out.
She says that while she is still evolving as an artist, she sees herself as a cross between Alicia Keys and Christine Aguilera. “I love pop and R & B,” she says.

As for her future, she wants to do it all: Broadway, a recording career, acting in films and television and even owning an organic food restaurant.

During the show, her father, Jose Mercado talked of how proud he is of her and mentioned that she was an inspiration for him to stay sober. Mercado has talked before about his battles with alcohol and drug abuse. She has said that he was in and out of her life.

“My dad is showing me that he is proud of me and one day he’ll make me proud,” she says, noting that his struggles made her a stronger person. “And it made me humble and really sad a lot of my life,” she says. “It made me more understanding and more tolerant.”

She says her father’s past does not determine who she is.

She can’t or won’t predict which of the final two will win the competition. “David Archuleta has a beautiful smile and makes a connection with the kids who watch” she says. “David Cook makes the girls go crazy; and the older women like him.  I am like a big sister to one and a little sister to the other.”

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The Fox network annnounced new lineups for the 2008-2009 season that includes new comedies and dramas including a supernatural thriller from the producer of “Lost.”

JJ Abram’s “Fringe,” about a team of investigators ( lead by Joshua Jackson of “Dawson’s Creek” ) who are tracking series of unbelievable events, will air at 9 p.m. Tuesdays following “House.”

And coming at mid-season will be “Dollhouse” from Joss Whedon, creator of cult favorites “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Firefly.” Eliza Dushku ( “Tru Calling” ) stars as a member of an underground group of “Actives “ who have their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas to carry out a variety of missions.

Also picked up for the fall is a new comedy “Do Not Distrub” starring starring Jerry O’Connell ( “Crossing Jordan” ) and Niecy Nash ( “Reno 911!” ) as the management team behind one a trendy New York Hotel.  It will follow “Til Death” on Wednesday nighs.

A new reality show “Secret Millionaire” features a different millionaire each week who goes undercover to some of America’s most disadvantaged areas in search of everyday heroes to possibly change their lives forever. 

Two new animated comedies will join the schedule in the spring of 2009. From the creators of “Family Guy” and “American Dad” comes “The Cleveland Show” (working title), the story of what happens when “Family Guy’s” Cleveland Brown moves to Stoolbend, VA, to make good on a promise to his high school sweetheart.

The second animated series “Sit Down, Shut Up” (working title), from Mitchell Hurwitz ( “Arrested Development” ), follows a group of unconventional teachers and staff members working at a high school in a small northeastern fishing town who never lose sight of the fact that the students must always come second.

FOX series returning in 2008-2009 include: 24, AMERICAN DAD, AMERICAN IDOL, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK, ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER?, BONES, COPS, DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS!, FAMILY GUY, HELL’S KITCHEN, HOUSE, KING OF THE HILL, KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, MADtv, THE MOMENT OF TRUTH, PRISON BREAK, THE SIMPSONS, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES and ‘TIL DEATH.

Following are the FOX primetime schedule for 2008-2009 and synopses of the new series:

FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE: FALL 2008

MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
9:00-10:00 PM PRISON BREAK

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-9:30 PM ‘TIL DEATH
9:30-10:00 PM DO NOT DISTURB (wt)

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM THE MOMENT OF TRUTH
9:00-10:00 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER? 
9:00-10:00 PM DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS! 

SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
11:00 PM-Midnight MADtv
Midnight-12:30 AM TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN

SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM THE OT (NFL post-game)
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD

FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE: BEGINNING JANUARY 2009

MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM DOLLHOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM 24

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE
9:00-9:30 PM AMERICAN IDOL Results Show
9:30-10:00 PM TBA Comedy

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN
9:00-10:00 PM SECRET MILLIONAIRE

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-9:30 PM ‘TIL DEATH
9:30-10:00 PM DO NOT DISTURB (wt)

SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
11:00 PM-Midnight MADtv
Midnight-12:30 AM TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN

SUNDAY
7:00-7:30 PM COMEDY ENCORES
7:30-8:00 PM COMEDY ENCORES
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL (January) / SIT DOWN, SHUT UP (wt) (spring)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD (January) / THE CLEVELAND SHOW (wt) (spring)

2008-2009 FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

NEW SERIES SYNOPSES

The following new drama will premiere this fall on FOX:

FRINGE (Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): From J.J. Abrams ( “Lost” ), Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the team behind “Star Trek,” “Mission: Impossible III” and “Alias,” comes a new drama that will thrill, terrify and explore the blurring line between science fiction and reality.

When an international flight lands at Boston’s Logan Airport and the passengers and crew have all died grisly deaths, FBI Special Agent OLIVIA DUNHAM ( newcomer Anna Torv ) is called in to investigate.

After her partner, Special Agent JOHN SCOTT (Mark Valley, “Boston Legal” ), is nearly killed during the investigation, a desperate Olivia searches frantically for someone to help, leading her to DR. WALTER BISHOP ( John Noble, “Lord of the Rings” ), our generation’s Einstein.

There’s only one catch: he’s been institutionalized for the last 20 years, and the only way to question him requires pulling his estranged son PETER ( Joshua Jackson, “Dawson’s Creek” ) in to help.

When Olivia’s investigation leads her to manipulative corporate executive NINA SHARP ( Blair Brown, “Altered States” ), our unlikely trio along with fellow FBI Agents PHILLIP BROYLES ( Lance Reddick, “The Wire” ), CHARLIE FRANCIS ( Kirk Acevedo, “Oz” ) and ASTRID FARNSWORTH ( Jasika Nicole, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” ) will discover that what happened on Flight 627 is only a small piece of a larger, more shocking truth.

The new comedy premiering this fall is:

DO NOT DISTURB (working title) (Wednesdays, 9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT): DO NOT DISTURB (working title) is a hilarious workplace comedy set at one of New York City’s hottest and hippest hotels: The Inn. Named one of the Big Apple’s “10 Best Places to Stay,”

The Inn is just that – the “in” place to be, with its chic décor, stylish staff and celebrity clientele. Behind the scenes, however, the upstairs/downstairs dynamic tells quite a different story.

The hotel’s top-notch reputation and sophisticated look is due in large part to NEAL ( Jerry O’Connell, “Crossing Jordan” ) – at least in his opinion. Although The Inn’s charismatic owner R.J. (guest star Robert Wagner) takes all the credit, Neal is the egotistical, hyper-stylish, detail-oriented general manager who will do whatever it takes to keep the hotel and its employees up to his standards.

RHONDA ( Niecy Nash, “Reno 911!” ) is the head of Human Resources who also keeps Neal’s demands in check. She’s brash, fabulous and brutally honest and runs the HR department from her bullpen downstairs with a set of rules that are all her own. Rhonda does her best to keep the back of the house in line and the front of the house out of trouble.

At the front desk handling check-in while wearing 6-inch Manolos is NICOLE ( Molly Stanton, “Twins” ), an aging model who is svelte, cynical and slightly starving. Fresh from Nebraska is JASON ( Brando Eaton, “Zoey 101” ) , the naïve bellman who would prefer to work behind-the-scenes, but was hired to show off his chiseled face and perfect pecs at the front of the hotel. The downstairs staff includes MOLLY ( Jolene Purdy, “Donnie Darko” ), a reservations clerk who dreams of pop-singer stardom as much as she craves to be part of the action upstairs; and LARRY ( Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “The Class” ), the head of housekeeping who spends more time on the phone cleaning up his messes at home than he does cleaning up after the guests upstairs. 

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Help!  I need a Jack Bauer fix.  And I miss Chloe.

Damn the writers strike.

But there is a light ahead. Fox announced today that the clock will start clicking on Nov. 23 with a special 2-hour prequel to the next season of “24.”

That will get us excited about season 7 which begins in January 2009.

It’s been so long since we last wrote about this series that I forgot the new president will be a woman played by Cherry Jones.  (I wonder if Hilary is the inspiration).  Oh yeah, and the CTU unit was being put out of business so Chloe might not have a job. I also forgot that Janeane Garofalo is joining the cast.

Shot on location in South Africa, Jack Bauer battles an international crisis, while here at home the nation prepares for a new president on inauguration day. Taking place just a few months before the new day dawns, the prequel will set the stage and raise the stakes for season seven, according to the Fox news release.

“We’re excited about the prequel because it explores Jack’s complex emotional state of mind and still has all the signature excitement and suspense that fans have come to expect from 24,” commented executive producer Howard Gordon. “Shooting in South Africa affirms everyone’s commitment to making this season especially memorable for our fans.”

Celebrating its 150th episode this season, the series has resumed production on “Day 7” and will unfold without interruption in its regular time period Mondays beginning in January 2009.

Set in Washington, DC, “Day 7” finds CTU dismantled and Jack Bauer on trial. Bauer’s day takes an unexpected turn when former colleague Tony Almeida) (Carlos Bernard) returns. Meanwhile, President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) leads the country alongside White House Chief of Staff Ethan Kanin (Bob Gunton) and First Gentleman Henry Taylor (Colm Feore). 

A national security crisis prompts an investigation by a team of FBI agents including Agent Janis Gold (Janeane Garofalo), Agent Renee Walker (Annie Wersching), Agent Larry Moss (Jeffrey Nordling), Agent Sean Hillinger (Rhys Coiro) and security specialist Michael Latham (John Billingsley).

Although CTU is no longer, Chloe O’Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub) and Bill Buchanan (James Morrison) are back for another momentous day of shocking events.

Love that Chloe.  And there are some cool Jack Bauer T-shirts out there. Here is one:

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The CW will continue to be a niche network for teens and young adults next fall concentrating on dramas featuring really attractive, mostly upscale income people.

The flagship program used to be “Gilmore Girls” and now it’s “Gossip Girl” which will return on Monday nights.  The big buzz for the fall will be about the “Beverly Hills 90210” spin-off “90210.”

Missing from the fall schedule is the goffy, quirky devil does care series “The Reaper.” But 13 more episodes have been ordered for mid-season.

“Smallville” and “Supernatural” are coming back even though the stars are getting a little too old to be in The CW’s demographic. Both will probably last just one more season.

In addition to “90210,” The CW will add “Surviving the Filthy Rich” (more good-looking, stylish people are in this series about a 23-year old Yale graduate who becomes a chaperon for two twins in Palm Beach.  The network also has “Stylista,” a Tyra Banks produced reality show about wannabe fashion journalists competing for a job at Elle Magazine.

‘
Here the schedule at a glance:

Monday:
8 pm: Gossip Girl
9 pm: One Tree Hill

Tuesday:
8 pm: 90210
9 pm: Surviving the Filthy Rich

Wednesday:
8 pm: America’s Next Top Model
9 pm: Stylista

Thursday:
8 pm: Smallville
9 pm: Supernatural

Friday:
8 pm: Everybody Hates Chris
8:30 pm: The Game
9 pm: America’s Next Top Model reruns

Here’s how The CW describes the new series:

Here’s how the CW describes the new shows:

90210
An edgy, contemporary spin-off of the iconic drama Beverly Hills, 90210, the new 90210 looks at life through the eyes of Annie Mills (Shenae Grimes, Degrassi: The Next Generation) and her brother Dixon (Tristan Wilds, The Wire), whose first day at West Beverly Hills High School leaves no doubt they’re not in Kansas anymore. The Mills family, including dad Harry (casting TBD) and mom Debbie (Lori Loughlin, Summerland), has relocated to Beverly Hills to keep an eye on Harry’s mother Tabitha (Jessica Walter, Arrested Development), a feisty-but-faded former television star and a charter member of the Betty Ford Clinic. For Annie and Dixon, the awkwardness of being the new kids is made worse by the fact that their dad has taken a job as the high school principal. The school is one big culture shock for Annie, a sweet and friendly girl with a passion for the theater, and Dixon, a star athlete and scholar who was adopted by the Mills family after they took him in as a foster child. Annie and Dixon have a close sibling relationship, which they’ll need to help them cope with all the new cliques and classmates, including Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord, Nip/Tuck), a hot, spoiled, rich girl; Ethan (Dustin Milligan, Runaway), a popular jock whose abilities rival Dixon’s; Navid (Michael Steger, The Winner), an aspiring reporter who heads up the school’s daily newscast; and Silver (Jessica Stroup, Prom Night), a rebel who produces and stars in a YouTube-type video series. Even the faculty seems hip and sophisticated at WBHHS, such as smart and funny teacher Ryan Matthews (Ryan Eggold, Dirt) and beautiful guidance counselor Kelly Taylor (guest star Jennie Garth, the original Beverly Hills, 90210). The Mills family has just begun to realize how much their lives are about to change.

Surviving the Filthy Rich

Twenty-three-year-old Megan Smith (JoAnna Garcia, Reba) has a Yale education, a relentlessly positive attitude and a plan to conquer the world of journalism, despite the fact that she is currently slaving away at a tabloid rag. Megan’s plan is thrown off course when, in one whirlwind day, she gets fired, meets cosmetics mogul Laurel Limoges (casting TBD) and becomes the live-in tutor for Laurel’s twin teen granddaughters in the heady Palm Beach world of wealth and power. The girls, Rose (Lucy Kate Hale, Bionic Woman) and Sage (Ashley Newbrough, The Best Years), are beautiful, rebellious and less-than-thrilled with their new tutor, but Megan is determined to win them over as she enjoys the perks of her new job - breathtaking private suite, gorgeous convertible and live-in chef Marco (Allan Louis, Stomp the Yard). Even the neighbors are fabulous in Palm Beach, and Megan quickly catches the eye of Will (casting TBD), the wealthy and extremely hot dilettante who lives on the estate next door and just happens to be dating Megan’s estranged sister Lily (casting TBD). Completing this romantic quadrangle is Megan’s best friend Charlie (Michael Cassidy, Smallville, The O.C), who is secretly in love with her. Despite her own complicated romantic and family relationships, Megan is committed to making a difference in the lives of her two headstrong charges as she navigates the treacherous waters of high society in Palm Beach. Surviving the Filthy Rich is based on the Alloy Entertainment book How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls by best-selling author Zoey Dean (The A-List).

Stylista
If The Devil Wears Prada were a reality show, it would be Stylista. Eleven aspiring fashion enthusiasts vie for a much-coveted editorial job with Elle magazine. They work as assistants to Elle’s Fashion News Director, Anne Slowey, a demanding but well-respected fashion icon. The competitors will carry out an assistant task and a fashion editorial assignment in each episode. Each week, in consultation with Elle’s Creative Director, Joe Zee, Anne fires one person, until the last assistant standing gets “promoted” to the coveted real-life job opportunity. The grand prize includes a paid editorial position at Elle magazine, a paid lease on a great apartment in Manhattan, and a clothing allowance at H&M, all for one year, valued at $100,000.

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This morning CBS announced its 2008-2009 fall lineup, featuring five new series — two comedies and three dramas — and the launch of a new comedy block on Wednesdays.

CBS also announced renewals for most of its series including some that were considered candidates for cancellation such as the Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ comedy “The New Adventures of Old Christine”, the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.” and dramas “Without a Trace” and “The Unit.”

Canceled are the James Wood legal series “Shark” and the romantic vampire drama “Moonlight.”

The new series, coming in September, include:

“Eleventh Hour” a dramatic thriller from producer Jerry Bruckheimer about a special adviser to the government (Rufus Sewell) who investigates scientific crises and oddities.

“The Mentalist,” starring Simon Baker as a former celebrity psychic-turned- detective who uses his gifted skills of observation and expertise at “reading” people to solve crimes.

“The Ex List,” a sexy comedic drama about a 30-something woman (Elizabeth Reaser) who searches her past relationships to find her future husband.

“Project Gary,” a comedy starring Jay Mohr and Paula Marshall as dueling ex-spouses and parents trying to move forward with new relationships.

“Worst Week,” a comedy about a good guy who is always trying to do the right thing, yet something always goes wrong — especially when he’s around his girlfriend’s parents.

“The Rules of Engagement” returns at midseason.

Fall 2008 CBS Schedule at a Glance

MONDAY
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY
8:30-9:00 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
9:00-9:30 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN
9:30-10:00 PM WORST WEEK (N)
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: MIAMI

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM THE MENTALIST (N)
10:00-11:00 PM WITHOUT A TRACE (NT)

WEDNESDAY
8:00-8:30 PM THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE (NT)
8:30-9:00 PM PROJECT GARY (N)
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: NY

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR
9:00-10:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
10:00-11:00 PM ELEVENTH HOUR (N)

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM GHOST WHISPERER
9:00-10:00 PM THE EX LIST (N)
10:00-11:00 PM NUMB3RS

SATURDAY
8:00-9:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY (Repeats of CBS crime dramas)
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
10:00-11:00 PM 48 HOURS MYSTERY

SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE
9:00-10:00 PM COLD CASE
10:00-11:00 PM THE UNIT (NT)

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ABC’s fall schedule is below, with new shows in CAPS.

MONDAY: 
8:00 p.m.  “Dancing with the Stars”
9:30 p.m.  “Samantha Who?”
10:00 p.m.  “Boston Legal”

TUESDAY: 
8:00 p.m.  “OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS”
9:00 p.m.  “Dancing with the Stars” (results show)
10:00 p.m.  “Eli Stone”

WEDNESDAY: 
8:00 p.m.  “Pushing Daisies”
9:00 p.m.  “Private Practice”
10:00 p.m.  “Dirty Sexy Money”

THURSDAY: 
8:00 p.m.  “Ugly Betty”
9:00 p.m.  “Grey’s Anatomy”
10:00 p.m.  “LIFE ON MARS”

FRIDAY: 
8:00 p.m.  “Wife Swap”
9:00 p.m.  “Supernanny”
10:00 p.m.  “20/20”

SATURDAY: 
8:00 p.m.  “Saturday Night College Football”

SUNDAY: 
7:00 p.m.  “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 p.m.  “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
9:00 p.m.  “Desperate Housewives”
10:00 p.m.  “Brothers & Sisters”

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Jim Belushi, who is a like a live action version of Fred Flintstone, will be back in 2009 in the show that the critics couldn’t kill.

ABC has renewed “According to Jim” for an amazing 8th season. That means the late John Belushi’s younger brother will keep getting a paycheck. Belushi, 53, has said that he likes the sitcom because of the hours.  The workload is not too hard and he’s basically playing himself - except in real life he has had three wives.

He has said that playing Jim is like “money for nothing and chicks for free.”

On the season finale, May 27, James Lipton guest stars as the devil. He returns to collect a debt from Jim.

I don’t know what this says about the state of the sitcom on television.  But it doesn’t look like sitcoms will be making a comeback next season.

ABC also announced today that also returning for the fall are: “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Boston Legal,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Eli Stone,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Samantha Who?,” “Supernanny,” “Ugly Betty,” “Wife Swap” and “20/20.”

“According to Jim,” “The Bachelor,” “Lost” and ABC News’ “Primetime: What Would You Do?” come back at midseason.

“October Road” and “Oprah’s Big Give” won’t be coming back.

ABC officials said there will be only 13 more episodes of “Boston Legal” next season.  David E. Kelley, the executive producer of “Life on Mars,” plans to write most of those episodes himself and then throw himself in to “Life on Mars.”

James Spader and William Shatner are going to stick around for another 13 episodes

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Another day of network announcements. Another yawn.  At this morning’s ABC news conference at the upfronts in New York, most of the news of the fall additions ("Opportunity Knocks,” “Life on Mars")and cancellations ("Men in Trees” and “October Road") had already been reported - or at least heavily rumored.

Even the renewals (such as “Boston Legal” and “Eli Stone") were considered done deals, along with the pick-up of “Scrubs” from NBC.

About the biggest surprise is the renewal of “According to Jim” which is the thing-that-will-not-leave.

In announcing its plans for the coming TV season ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson says NBC never gave “Scrubs” the exposure that it deserved. It was moved through 17 different time periods and seldom promoted.  The entire cast will be back when the show debuts on ABC in early 2009.

With 17 projects in development for 2009, ABC plans to add only one new drama in the fall. “Life on Mars,” is based on a British drama about a cop who is knocked unconscious and wakes in the 1970s (where he is so out of touch that he might as well be on Mars).

Normally, these adaptations don’t work but this update will be in the hands of producer David E. Kelley so one has hope. The new show stars Jason O’Mara as the modern-day police detective who, after a car crash, mysteriously finds himself in 1972, where he still works as a detective.

ABC also announced this morning that it is picking up a reality show produced by former TV star Ashton Kutcher ("That ‘70s Show"). His “Opportunity Knocks” is a mobile game show in which a production crew shows up at a home and tests a family’s trivial knowledge about itself. Family members will be asked questions about things that have happened in their own lives.

Among the other shows ABC canceled are “Women’s Murder Club,” “October Road,” “Oprah’s Big Give,” “Notes From the Underbelly” and Miss Guided.”

John Simm (right) and Philip Glenister (left) are on the BBC show “Life on Mars.’’ Photo from BBC America

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Hannah Storm – an award-winning sports and newscaster for the last 19 years with CNN, NBC and CBS – will join ESPN this summer as a host for the new live weekday morning “SportsCenter”. debuting in August.  She will host the 9 a.m. – noon “SportsCenter,”

“We are thrilled to add Hannah’s experience, enthusiasm and personality to our new SportsCenter,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production.  “She connects with viewers who recognize her credibility and passion as a journalist.”

Storm comes to ESPN from CBS News after five years (2002 – 2007) as a host of “The Early Show,” covering numerous major news events, including the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina, Superbowls XLI and XXXVIII, the 2004 Democratic National Convention, the Presidential campaigns of 2004 and 2008 and the London terror bombings. 

In addition to her duties on “The Early Show,” Storm hosted shows for the award- winning CBS newsmagazine “48 Hours.” She also served as co-host of the network’s “CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade” for five years.

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NBC Digital Entertainment today announced plans to premiere fan-favorite webisodes in July.

In the second series of “The Office” webisodes, which premieres on NBC.com, Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) pursues a unique solution in an effort to pay back his looming gambling debts. This installment also stars Oscar Nunez, Leslie David Baker and Craig Robinson.

In the first installment of the “Heroes” Webisodes, titled “Manhunt,” users will uncover a new villain along with their motive. T

he fast-paced, twist-filled web series premieres mid-July on NBC.com and sets fans on a path that leads to the explosive premiere of the third season of “Heroes.”

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A controversial drama being developed for NBC is going to NBC-owned Telemundo.

“Sin Tetas No Hay Paraiso” ("Without Breasts, There Is No Paradise") will debut in June on the Spanish language network.

The drama is based on a best-seller by Gustavo Bolivar and based on real events. It follows a 17-year-old prostitue who wants breast implants to make her more desirable to customers. Telemundo announced the drama at its upfront today in New York.

NBC has been trying for two years to develop a English version for the network but the title alone sent up red flags. A version of the story aired on Columbian television in 2OO6.

Telemundo Communications Group president Don Browne called the program, which will debut June 16, “constructively provocative” and predicted that it will create conversations about teen-agers having their breasts enhanced.

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Today begins the “Upfront” week iin New York when the broadcast networks announce their 2007-2008 schedules at gala events designed to impress advertisers.

For couch spuds, we get to hear about new stuff and cry over what is getting canceled.

NBC had its official upfront last month without a party so they are making more announcements today and entertaining advertisers, too.

ABC and The CW will hold upfronts on Tuesday. On Wednesday, CBS will hold its upfront. Thursday is Fox’s turn.

Some stuff as leaked out and here is what we know:

Fox confirmed its first official new series, sitcom “The Inn”, which is set at a hip New York City hotel. The network has also picked-up sitcom “‘Til Death” for a third season but did not renew freshman “Back To You” because of high production costs. Recent midseason entry “New Amsterdam” will also not be returning.

ABC has renewed “Boston Legal” for a fifth season.  Go Denny Crane. And the network has given a series order to David E. Kelly, the force behind “Boston Legal,” for new drama “Life on Mars.” Based on a BBC drama it’s about a present day detective who wakes up in 1973 after being knocked unconscious.

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While Jason Castro says he is glad to be out from under the pressure of competing on “American Idol” he says he really did want to win.

“I was as happy last night as I was when I made the top 24,” he told reporters in a telephone news conference today.

“But I also wanted to win.”

The 20-year-old novice singer with impressive dreadlocks says he had been struggling with his performances ever since the contestants were required to sing two songs.

He says it was hard to focus on two songs and he was beginning to fear having to face three songs next week in addition to taping a hometown visit for the show’s finale episodes.

“I loved the time I was on the show but really felt relieved that the pressure was off,” he says.

Castro, an inexperienced performer from Rockwell, Texas, got the least number of votes in the weekly viewer’s poll after botching Bob Marley and Bob Dylan songs on Tuesday night’s performance show. He forgot the lyrics to “Tambourine Man.”

“How could I forget such a popular line that’s written on your soul?” he says.

Castro says he didn’t botch the line on purpose. There had been speculation among fans that he wanted to get out of the competition and some viewers thought he mouthed the words “don’t vote” during the program.

He says that what he mouthed was “Vote. Vote.”

Castro, who didn’t start performing until his freshman year in college, says the longest set he had played prior to “Idol” was 30 minutes. “I learned some songs but never a song all the way through,” he says.

He adds that going into the competition, he never thought that he would win.  He just enjoyed the ride. And as the show progressed and he was still there, he began to think that he might win.

“I learned that I could do a lot more than I thought I could,” he says.  He believes that he survived as long as he did because of his uniqueness. “In many ways I am different and I think that catches the eye and the ear a little faster,” he says. “Just being me was an advantage.”

He knows that he “is about as raw as it gets” but he got through the auditions because the judges saw the potential.

He also says he is a goofy and an awkward conversationalist. “All my friends loved it because what you see is what you get and I didn’t change coming out here,” he says.

He says he would like to go home and visit and he will miss working this summer with his father who constructs swimming pools.

“I’m very mellow and grounded,” he adds. “Nothing comes as a surprise if you don’t expect anything.”

He says he struggled learning new songs and had a hard time committing to songs that he didn’t know in such a short time.

About the infamous night when “Idol” judge Paula Abdul rated his second performance before it happened, he laughs and says it was an honest mistake that really didn’t affect his second performance.

His goal for the future is “to be singing some music somewhere” but he’s just not certain what’s ahead.

“I think I did the best I could given the circumstances,” he says.

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Brooke White says that for the past two weeks she had a “gut feeling” that she would be leaving “American Idol.”

When it happened Wednesday night, she was trembling, unsuccessfully fighting back tears and visibly shaken.

“I hoped so much that I could have been stronger,” she said in a telephone news conference today. “But I am an emotional girl and passionate”
She says that she felt very vulnerable throughout the competition.

The 24-year-old former nanny from Mesa, Arizona, says it was quite a ride and she is grateful that she got as far as she did in the competition.
Her departure this week is not surprising. The idol race is shaping up to be a battle of the boys. “Oh to be a boy this year,” Brooke says, noting that the fan mail for the male contestants arrives by the ton.
Brooke was calm, cheery and seemed to be a bit relieved that to be out from under the pressure of competition.
On Wednesday night, she had trouble getting through her swan song, “"I Am, I Said” by this week’s guest mentor, Neil Diamond.

She had received good feedback when she sang the song the night before, including a “well done” from picky judge Simon Cowell. It was an improvement over the previous week when she forgot the lyrics and had to start her song over from the beginning.
Early on in this season’s competition, it appeared that winning it all would be a long shot for White whose strengths included an interesting husky voice; good performing skills; pleasant looks, good musical choices and skills as a musician.

White says she has always struggled with “confidence issues,” comparing herself to others and doubting her abilities.
She said that at times during the competition those feelings would escalate and other times she had a better handle on it.
“I didn’t start singing until I was a teenager and I never thought I had a nice voice,” she says. “I thought it was a low raspy thing. And when I would hear the other contestants sing during rehearsal, I would think ‘Wow! How did I get here?’ “
She said that her best performance was “Let it Be” and that the “Idol” experience helped her face the challenge of finding inner confidence.
White is a clean-living Mormon who says she has never seen an R-rated movie. After she auditioned, Cowell said the show would lead her to the “dark side.” She says she doesn’t think that happened. “It was an amazing journey,” she says. “My faith brought me a lot of peace.”
Her goal is to become a successful sing/songwriter like Carol King.  Her only regret is that she didn’t get to perform songs by Fleetwood Mac or Carly Simon.

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Universal Studios Theme Park in Orlando has opened the new Simpsons Ride, based on the most-famous, longest-running and damn-best-ever animated TV show.

While a grand opening is planned for next month, a soft opening started this week.  The $30 million ride takes visitors to “Krustyland,” a fictional theme park inspired by the cranky weird old Krusty the Clown.

Passengers walk through a two-story replica of Krusty’s head to get on his All-New Thrilltacular Upsy-Downsy Spins-Aroundsy Teen-Operated Thrill Ride.

The attraction replaces Back to the Future: The Ride.  I plan to test the ride myself soon and will report back if I survive.

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