3RD ROCK MEETS DEXTER
The latest from FX Insider is that Emmy and Tony award winner John Lithgow is set to join the cast of Dexter. Lithgow is best known for his starring role as Dr. *** Solomon on the quirky sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, and the voice of Lord Farquaad in Shrek.
Lithgow will appear in all 12 episodes of the show's upcoming fourth season, playing Walter Simmons, Miami's latest serial killer and Dexter Morgan's new nemesis. The Simmons character is described as an unassuming, mild-mannered suburbanite who has been living a dual life as one of America's most prolific serial killers, dubbed the "Trinity Killer" because of his style of killing in threes.
YOU SAY REMAKE, I SAY RELAUNCH-REMAKE, RELAUNCH LET'S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF
Not a prequel, not a sequel. So what would one call the new Buffy incarnation. Apppppparently, TV producers and big important movie people are talking about bringing the much loved, long running vamp series to the big screen. What's that you say Luke Perry? A Buffy movie already exists? Well, the new film will have no connection to the TV series whatsoever. Nor will it feature popular supporting characters like Angel. Willow. Xander. Spike. Some production this is turning out to be.
But fans, don't fret-its been assured that the story line will not trample on the beloved existing universe like Paramount and J J feared would be the case when relaunching Star Trek.
Remember to tune in to Buffy the Vampire Slayer on FX.
SAD NEWS
Mike Tyson's daughter Exodus was taken off life support and pronounced dead today. The 4-year old had some how tangled herself in a treadmill electrical cord, effectively hanging herself. I'd just like to extend my deepest condolences to Mike Tyson and his family during thisdifficult time.
YOU WIN SOME YOU LOSE SOME
Cue the Keyboard Cat -long running comedy series My Name Is Earl has been cancelled. But don't despair, for those of you who are just as Karma-obsessed, there is a campaign on Twitter in an attempt to save the show, set up by the guy who plays Randy...an attempt to save a career more like.
But, on a mediocre note, CW has picked up a new sci-fi series about Vampires...another one to add to the list! It's called Vampire Diaries-I haven't seen it yet but I'm guessing better than Mona the Vampire but not quite True Blood.
Speaking of True Blood, only 7 weeks, 3 days, 4 hours and 12 minutes until the launch of season one on FX!
NEW HARRY TV S-POTTER
Fresh new footage of the new Harry Potter first TV spot. The made-for-tv promo shows glimpses of never-before-seen clips like the ginger kid portrayed as somewhat of a casanova and the post-pubescent Harry drinking a latte in a cafe...
Watch it here- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince!
A RECIPE FOR DISASTER?
Following in the footsteps of Gordon Ramsey's USA invasion, Britain's most trusted celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is to team up with American Idol's heart throb host Ryan Seacrest in an attempt to tackle America's poor eating habits. The reality series, unscripted of course, will see the Naked Chef travel to the unhealthiest US cities and miraculously turn them into havens of wellbeing...
If the "heavier-set" locals don't squash him to death, here's to Jamie making a difference.
A TASTE OF REALITY
Everyone loves our very own 'Family Guy, and every 'star' wants in on the action. Lauren Conrad from reality Show 'The Hills' was delighted to blag a guest slot in the show recently but she almost bit off more then she could chew. When it comes to actual acting it turns out Lauren isn’t a natural (not good for someone who has acting aspirations). The Insider found out that the “Hills” star had to enlist the help of an acting coach to get her get ready for her guest starring role - playing herself!
We found out that she did this to get her through lots of the lines that she found very complicated. Lauren said "There are a lot of facts and big words, and I had to say it as if it was coming to me very easily, instead of just reading them. I actually had to research what I was saying!”
This show aired in the US a few days ago and won't broadcast over here for a while. The Insider managed to sneak a look to see if the lessons were worth it though. In the episode, titled “We Love You, Conrad,” Brian (the talking dog) winds up having a brief fling with dear Lauren, who then surprises him by being a genius. Her relationship with Brian quickly goes off the boil as he realizes that Lauren is smarter than him (as if!).
Does Ms. Conrad pull it off? You'll have to wait and see. It's a really funny episode though (isn't every one?). I will say that I can't see Lauren getting a regular role (like Adam West as the town’s mayor and James Woods as himself), De Niro she probably isn't.
LEGEND HAS IT...
If you're an NCIS fan, then consider this insider info gold. A little naval birdie told me that the famous David McCallum, aka Ducky, is coming to the UK. I'm not sure when exactly but here’s what I do know: rumours of an NCIS spin-off that have been brewin’ in tinsletown over the last few months is set to become reality. According to a leaked source, the big wheels over at CBS will produce a two hour offshoot titled Legend. But, before you go all haywire, the producers want to make it clear to everyone that fans will still get their dose of NCIS in the series two-parter. The “backdoor pilot”, if all goes well, will begin as a regular episode of NCIS for its 2009-10 season. Mark Harmon and the rest of the original cast will be joined by new characters before the show splinters off into its own program. And apparently we can expect to see some old-school familiar faces as well-Chris O’Donnell, LL Cool J, Louise Lombard to name a few. Which makes me think the transition will be legendary.
More to come. Until then, Season 6 of NCIS continues on FX, Fridays at 9pm
MUST SEE TV
After I wrote my post about Swine Flu and ReGenesis I came across this sneak peak clip-so I thought I'd share it with you!
SCIENCE (FICTION) TAKES OVER HEADLINES
Enough natter about flu outbreaks, let’s talk vampires. The world has been bitten by the vampire bug following the release of teen (mob inducing) favourite, Twilight, the brilliant Alan Ball fantasy True Blood and the not so brilliant “what were you thinking” *** Vampire Killers from the comedy duo behind Gavin and Stacey. Back in the day, one would expect the vampire fan base to consist of all-black, leather clad, iron deficient, suicide note to hand individuals. But it seems the Vamps have hired some Max Clifford type PR to expand their following. From 12 year old girls to your big city bankers, we are thirsty for blood-sucking! Even I have been lured into the realms of fangtasia. That’s right, your Fox Insider had to charm a few big wigs here and there but I got a taste of probably the best TV show of the year, True Blood. Its sexy, scary and addictive-definitely worth sinking your teeth into…(Now a blog wouldn’t be a blog without a few puns thrown in…) It stars the tantalizing Anna Paquin, NY-LON’s Stephen Moyer and Ryan Kwanten, for you Home and Away fans (he played Vinnie about five years ago!).
It’s set in Bon Temps, Louisiana-home to swamps, shape-shifters, telepathists and of course vampires. But don’t confuse True Blood with your typical Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Dark Angel shows. Thanks to the invention of mass-produced synthetic blood, vampires no longer need humans for their fix and can walk freely, if not yet comfortably, among their living counterparts. The show is wrapping up production of its second season in the US but the first season is coming to the UK this summer!! You’ll be able to catch it on FX from July, but be sure to watch this space as I’m working on posting an exclusive “spoiler alert” clip for those who can’t wait.
Filed under: hbo, fx, True Blood, Anna Paquin, fx uk, twilight, swine flu, home and away, ryan kwanten, vampire, gavin and stacy, edinburgh film festival, stephen moyer