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CBS Boss Talks Vampires, Swingers, and CSI Sans Petersen
Nina Tassler was the third network executive of the week to take the stage at the TCA press tour today, and she shed some light on the departure of Moonlight, the future of Swingtown, and what CSI will look like sans William Petersen. Some highlights:
- To help fill the hole on CSI left by Petersen's departure later this season, Tassler said the producers plan to introduce a new character with "an interesting genetic profile" that is comparable to that found in many serial killers. His character is on something of a journey of self-discovery, she said.
The CBS Fall Schedule: Five New Series, No Vampires
CBS took its turn at the 2008 upfronts this morning, revealing a slate that boasted five new shows — and the cancellation of a couple of fan favorites. Chief among them: Moonlight, the network's Friday night vampire drama, which in recent weeks had fans organizing a blood drive in its honor. I wonder if stakes and cloves of garlic will soon be arriving at CBS' door?
Buzz News Roundup, 4/2
- Joel McHale and Quantum Leap actor Scott Bakula will join Matt Damon in Steven Soderbergh's comic thriller The Informant, writes Hollywood Reporter.
- ComingSoon reports that Brad Pitt will produce and maybe star in The Lost City of Z, about "the search for a lost city in the Amazon."
- 30 Rock, Project Runway, and The Colbert Report were among the shows honored with Peabody Awards for excellence in broadcast, reports Broadcasting and Cable.
- According to Variety, Dave Annable (Justin on Brothers and Sisters) has a role in Julie and Julia, the Julia Child movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.
- This is pretty genius: According to Zap2it, fans of the vampire drama Moonlight are organizing a blood drive to help save their show, with 3,000 folks already pledging a pint.
- The School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University will open a Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, writes Variety.
- The Hollywood Reporter has news that Ben Stiller will produce and possibly star in a film adaptation of graphic novel The Return of King Doug.
- Hayden Panettiere will star in the film adaptation of the book Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List, ComingSoon writes.
- People reports that Jay Leno has issued an apology for his comments to Ryan Phillippe that many perceived as anti-gay.
Pushing Daisies Wins a Full Season
Dandelion high-fives all around for this news: Pushing Daisies has become the newest series to get a full-season order! It joins Gossip Girl, Private Practice, and the Big Bang Theory as the only series guaranteed to stick around for the whole TV season.
With the threat of a writers' strike looming, I expect we'll be hearing about more pickup orders in the coming weeks.
TV Tonight: "Moonlight"
One of the most mysterious series of the fall is "Moonlight," which premieres tonight on CBS. I even put it on my list of five toss-up shows simply because it's been thoroughly overhauled since we first heard about it at the upfronts back in May. The only constants: star Alex O'Loughlin and the basic plot, about an immortal vampire-slash-private eye.
Fall TV Preview: Five Total Toss-ups
All summer long, I've been giving you my first impressions of the networks' new shows. Now, with fall TV upon us, it's time to tell you which shows are deserving of space on your TiVo and which ... well, aren't.
First Look: "Moonlight"
So far, "Moonlight" is winning the award for most retooled pilot. Nearly every main character — except for lead vampire/private eye Alex O'Loughlin, one of this fall's supernatural crime solvers — has been recast since the show was announced in May. As a result, CBS didn't send out an early screener of the pilot, so I can't give you a proper Pilot Watch on the show.
Supernatural Crime-Solvers Are So Hot Right Now
Back when I was trying to guess which fall pilots would get picked up by the networks, I was smart enough to see that cop shows and paranormal phenomena were among the year's major trends. Too bad I didn't realize they were going to smoosh together into one big trend: the supernatural crime-solver show. Four such series are already in the pipeline for the new TV season, and this week, NBC bought the rights to a fifth.
Buzz News Roundup, 7/27
- According to Variety, Heathers writer Daniel Waters will reunite with Winona Ryder for the Starz movie Sex and Death 101.
- The CBS show "Moonlight" has already recast most of its major roles, and now its executive producer is leaving, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
- A track from the Madonna-Justin Timberlake collaboration was leaked online, and then promptly taken down, NME reports.
- Val Kilmer will appear on the season premiere of "Numb3rs," and the Futon Critic has the details.
- Eddie Izzard has replaced Jeremy Piven in the cast of actors lending their voices to the Igor movie, ComingSoon reports.
- Lorelei's dad on "Gilmore Girls," Edward Hermann will guest-star on "Grey's Anatomy" for at least three episodes this season, Zap2it reports.
- Warner Bros. has announced that they will release the definitive director's cut from Ridley Scott's sci-fi hit movie Blade Runner on December 18, says Variety.
- A British newspaper reporter is petitioning for an "Arrested Development" Christmas special, the Associated Press reports.
Get a Sneak Peek of the New CBS Shows!
CBS is joining ABC and NBC by giving us video previews of its new fall shows. Some info on the new series is over at the network's fall preview site, but I've got all the clips and photos right here — including a special look at Hugh Jackman singing in the first episode of "Viva Laughlin"! Check it out:
One more "Viva" clip, plus clips from the other shows and a ton of pictures, so read more
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