'Dexter' Answers Criticism That Last Season Was the Worst

Television Critics Association panels often feel like softball games, where actors and producers swing at softly lobbed questions along the lines of, "How do you balance so many great projects?"

Monday's "Dexter" panel was a rare exception.

Things took their first turn for the awkward when one reporter asked co-stars and former spouses Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter to describe what they liked about each other's acting. (They paid each other some lovely compliments, with Hall calling Capenter "the best scene partner I've ever had.")

And then things got less comfortable. The show's previous season, it's sixth, was criticized for a widely spoiled reveal involving Edward James Olmos' character. The season was also denied an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series after "Dexter" was nominated for four years straight.

One reporter noted -- with tactful phrasing -- that the show's sixth season is also often considered its "sixth best," and asked the writers if they had any changes in mind.

Gasp.

"That's a very loaded question," said executive producer Sara Colleton. "We have the same writers and we are going to do what we do every year, which is to reach down and find something unique and original and true about these characters to advance them."

Added Hall: "Whatever your opinion about ranking the seasons, I will say that for my money 'Dexter' is never more compelling than when he is in trouble. And he's never been in deeper trouble than he is now."

That's because the show is making a change that can't help but heighten the drama: Season 6 ended with Dexter's sister, Deb (Carpenter) catching him in the act of committing a murder. Until now, Dexter (Hall) has been able to conceal his murdering ways from those closest to him.

Several questions later, Carpenter asked if she could return to the "sixth best" question.

"If you had asked that question before we'd shot a single frame this year, that might have hurt my feelings," she told the reporter who asked it. "But because I know what we're doing this year, I'm really excited."

The panelists were also asked what they would do if they, like Deb, discovered their sibling was a serial killer.

"Call the police," said Carpenter.

"I would think it was ironic," said Hall. "Given my day job."

Fred Willard's Comedy Series Canceled by ABC

Fred Willard has a lot more time to enjoy the theater now.

ABC has canceled Willard's improv comedy series "Trust Us With Your Life," less than two weeks after Willard was arrested for allegedly committing a lewd act in a Hollywood adult theater.

An individual familiar with the situation told that the cancelation was unrelated to Willard's arrest. Indeed, the series' ratings suggest that no other rationale was needed to ax the show. After inauspicious premiere numbers, the series eventually dropped to a 0.6 rating/2 share in the 18-49 demo most important to advertisers, the week after Willard's arrest.

The two remaining episodes have been pulled from the network's schedule.

Shortly after his arrest, which occurred during a routine inspection by LAPD vice officers, Willard was dropped as the host from the PBS antiques show "Market Warriors," which had premiered just two days prior to the arrest.

Last week Willard crowed about his continued involvement with "Trust Us With Your Life" while promoting the latest episode, writing, "I was not fired from TUWYL so B sure 2 watch Trust Us With your life Tues, ABC 9" in a tweet.

Willard has maintained his innocence in the matter.

When Does Obama Have Time to Watch 'Homeland'? Its Star Explains

President Obama has called "Homeland" one of his favorite shows, and the show's male lead, Damian Lewis, got to ask the commander in chief exactly when he finds time to watch.

Lewis was invited to the White House in March during a state dinner for British Prime Minister David Cameron.

How did he score the invitation? "I'm a Brit playing an American," he said. "I kind of ticked a lot of boxes."

He said he had a moment to talk with Obama and Cameron about the show.

"I did ask... when you guys get to watch TV, aren't you supposed to be running the free world together? ... He said, yes, Saturday afternoons, Michelle and the two girls go play tennis, and I go in the Oval Office, I pretend I'm gonna work, and I switch on 'Homeland.'"

Obama golfs sometimes, too. Draw up the articles of impeachment.

'Celebrity MasterChef's Gregg Wallace: 'Victoria Hervey was the worst'

Gregg Wallace has claimed that Victoria Hervey was the worst ever Celebrity MasterChef contestant.

Wallace told Heat that the model and socialite wanted to use a shop-bought jar of pesto in her pasta dish.

Asked who was the best cook, Wallace said: "Since they won it? Lisa Faulkner. At the time of winning? Phil Vickery, closely followed by Nadia Sawalha."

"The worst was that model, Victoria Hervey. She wanted to make spaghetti and pesto using a jar of pesto."

He added: "From the series you can expect to see us break down the façade of celeb and turn these people into normal contestants. That, for me, is the thrill of Celebrity MasterChef.

"If they get through the early stages, they just want it so badly. They stop being celebs and start being MasterChef contestants."

Co-host John Torode said: "At times we see the best cooking we've ever had, and at other times we see the worst. It's real extremes."

Big Brother Adam Kelly confesses to 'lusting' after housemates

Adam Kelly has confessed to Big Brother about lusting after his female co-stars.

The former LA gang member revealed in this week's Confessions challenge that he had inappropriate thoughts about Deana Uppal, Sara McLean and Lauren Carre during his stint on the show.

"I have lusted over housemates, talked in a more sexual way than I should have," said Adam.

Scott Mason also confessed to having sexual thoughts about a housemate - Luke Scrase - mentioning a dream he had about the club promoter.

"It's not recurring, it will never recur, it was just the devil," he joked.

Meanwhile, Luke Anderson confessed to being envious of Luke Scrase, Arron Lowe and Benedict Garrett's physiques and Adam's penis size.

Big Brother continues daily on Channel 5.

Dannii Minogue denies 'Strictly Come Dancing' link

Dannii Minogue has denied reports linking her with a spot on this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

The former X Factor judge was alleged to be deciding on whether or not to take part in the BBC One show, according to The Mirror.

However, her spokesperson later denied the link, confirming that Minogue will not join this year's lineup.

"Dannii is definitely not taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year," her PR stated.

The insider had originally claimed: "The Strictly team would love to have Dannii as a contestant. She would be a huge attraction.

"There has been a series of talks with her and her team, and the ball was very much left in her court."

Minogue was previously rumoured to be making a return as a judge on The X Factor.

However, she allegedly rejected a deal to come back to the ITV1 talent show, which is said to have been in the region of £1 million.

Chris Evans, snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan and Coronation Street's Michelle Keegan have also been tipped to feature in the next series.

'TOWIE' stars 'threatened with sack after walkouts'

The Only Way is Essex stars are reportedly facing the sack following recent walkouts.

Several cast members of the ITV2 series were recently said to have walked out of filming after complaining about low pay and long working hours.

However, producers have now allegedly sent out a warning letter to cast members telling them that they may be axed if they keep halting production.

"Bosses aren't prepared to take any nonsense," an insider told The Sun.

"They know some cast members have been complaining about long hours and low pay, but have told them to stop whingeing and get on with it.

"Producers are particularly annoyed about time-keeping and the way some of them treat production staff. The stars have been told they have to start arriving on time and must be respectful to the crew."

The source added: "They have been told nobody is bigger than the show - and if they don't like it they should leave as there are loads of people who'd replace them in a heartbeat.

"Even though the cast only get paid £80 a day, they earn thousands from personal appearances and deals they wouldn't get if they weren't on the show, so producers feel in a strong position."

James Corden denies 'Gavin & Stacey' revival rumours

James Corden has denied reports that he is planning more episodes of Gavin & Stacey.

The comic and writer was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying that he "definitely" plans to revive the popular BBC comedy.

However, Corden wrote on his official Twitter account: "Getting loads of messages about a Gavin and Stacey special. I'm sorry to say there are no plans right now I'm afraid, but maybe one day!"

Joanna Page (Stacey) previously told Digital Spy that she doesn't expect Gavin & Stacey to return as its stars are now too busy.

"It would be a nightmare trying to get everyone back together again," she suggested. "So I don't think there will be another one."

Mary-Louise Parker Seeking New Show After 'Weeds'

Mary-Louise Parker wants to return to television after the finale of "Weeds," an episode so "beautiful" that she wept upon reading it.

Parker says she will appear in an as-yet-untitled movie that begins shooting Saturday, and will then shoot a sequel to "Red." Then she hopes to return to television, which she said she prefers to film.

The actress, a three-time Emmy nominee for "Weeds," spoke at a Television Critics Association panel for the show's final season.

"I just cried when I read it," she said of the final script. ""I think it's beautiful."

In the film before the "Red" sequel, Parker said, she will play two roles: a suicidal, alcoholic mother, and a "patron saint of teenage boys" who is both sexy and motherly.

'Real Housewives' Star Adrienne Maloof and Husband Split

"The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Adrienne Maloof might not be a housewife much longer.

Maloof's husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Nassif, filed for separation from the reality TV personality on Monday, according to court papers obtained by TheWrap.

The papers, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, cite irreconcilable differences as the reason for the separation.

Nassif and businesswoman Maloof have been married since May 2002. They have three sons: Gavin, 9, and six-year-old twins Christian and Collin.

The papers make note of a prenuptial agreement. (Maloof is one of the owners of Maloof Companies, whose holdings include the Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas and the Sacramento Kings basketball team.)

Separate and community property held by the couple will be determined in an amended petition. According to the filing, Nassif is asking that the court not be allowed to award spousal support to Maloof.

A representative for Maloof has not yet responded to TheWrap's request for comment.

Season 3 of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" will premiere in September.

Showtime Ending 'Big C' With Shortened Season 4

Showtime will end "The Big C" with four one-hour episodes, the network announced. The abbreviated season will be the fourth for the Laura Linney cancer dramedy.

The network also announced plans for a documentary about music executive Tommy Mottola by director Brett Ratner. It joins a slate of previously announced documentaries, including one about former Vice President Dick Cheney.

The announcements came during Showtime President David Nevins' panel at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. He said he "wouldn't assume anything" about how the Emmy-nominated series would end.

"We've been having a lot of really interesting creative conversations. It's really important with a premium network that shows be able to plan their ending and do it the right way," he said. "They've got a very interesting and novel, and I think sort of form-breaking way to handle where the show is going."

He also showed clips of the upcoming "Masters of Sex" and "Ray Donovan" and found himself answering a slew of questions about the lifespans of his current shows.

He said "Episodes" was expected to return and that "The Borgias," now shooting its third season, would likely go for four seasons as originally planned. He also repeated his expectation that "Dexter" -- which returns with "Homeland" on Sept. 30 -- will probably go for two more seasons. But said he wouldn't rule out more.

"I would be stupid if I didn't leave the door open," he said.

He also said no end is in sight for "Homeland," which is beginning its second season. And he said the show was open to killing off major characters if it would help the show maintain credibility.

"Anybody could go at any time," he said.

He also said David Steinbrenner's interview series "Inside Comedy" will be back for a second season.

Nevins also said the network has tried to keep viewers engaged by altering the normal pacing of its plots. On "Homeland," for example, the lead characters slept together at the midpoint of the season instead of saving that for the finale. In the finale, he noted, the Brody character has to decide whether to detonate himself and a slew of government officials fairly early in the episode.

"You keep the audience off balance by making unpredictable choices," he said.

Nevins also said the network changed some of its programming the weekend after the Colorado shootings during a "Dark Knight" screening to avoid upsetting viewers.

Steven Moffat denies 'Doctor Who' movie reports: 'It was a fantasy'

Steven Moffat has denied reports that a Doctor Who movie is in development.

Last year, Harry Potter's David Yates claimed that he was working on a film spinoff from the BBC sci-fi drama, but Moffat described the film project as "some weird fantasy".

"I don't think [Yates] was ever signed to it," the showrunner told Entertainment Weekly. "I never signed him, so he's not.

"I think he's [expressed] an interest in doing it and he's a very fine director, and I think he'd certainly be someone that would be on the list for directing such a project. I'm a big fan of his. But the project as he describes it would not happen."

Moffat added that he hopes to produce a Doctor Who movie "someday", but insisted that a proposal for a film reboot - unrelated to the BBC show's continuity - "did not happen".

"That whole proposal was not true," he said. "I can say that with authority because, as far as the BBC is concerned, I'm the voice of Doctor Who. So if I say it, it's true.

"The BBC own Doctor Who and, for the moment, I run it for them. So I can assure you definitively that was all nonsense - not the idea of making a film, we'd love to make a film, but the idea of a rebooted continuity, a different Doctor."

The writer claimed that rebooting Who for the big screen would be "writing the book on how to destroy a franchise".

"[Any future film] will be absolutely run by the Doctor Who production office in Cardiff," he explained. "It will feature the same Doctor as on television. It will not be a rebooted continuity. All of that would be insane."

Doctor Who will return to BBC One with a new series in August.

TV Tonight 31th of July 2012

The daily list in alphabetical order, of all the new episodes airing.

    American Colony: Meet the Hutterites S01E10: "Barnburners"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E45: "Olympic Games - 45"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E49: "Olympic Games - 49"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E53: "Olympic Games - 53"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E44: "Olympic Games - 44"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E48: "Olympic Games - 48"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E52: "Olympic Games - 52"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E56: "Olympic Sportsday"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E43: "Olympic Games - 43"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E47: "Olympic Games - 47"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E51: "Olympic Games - 51"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E55: "Olympics Tonight"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E46: "Olympic Games - 46"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E50: "Olympic Games - 50"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E54: "Olympic Games - 54"
    Beauty and the Beast: The Ugly Face of Prejudice S02E04: "Corinne and Simon"
    Being Lara Bingle S01E08: "Episode 8"
    Big Brother (UK) S14E61: "BB 13, Episode 61"
    Big Brother After Dark S07E20: "Season 7, Episode 20"
    Big Brother's Bit on the Side S04E57: "Series 4, Show 57"
    Bristol Palin: Life’s a Tripp S01E14: "The Ring Bear-Er"
    Bristol Palin: Life’s a Tripp S01E13: "The Bet (Mom's the Word)"
    Chelsea Lately S06E120
    Chopped S12E11: "Belly Dance"
    Come Dine With Me S19E40: "Series 19, Episode 32"
    Conan S02E122: "Jeff Daniels, Chantal Sutherland, the Fray"
    Covert Affairs S03E04: "Speed Of Life"
    Craft Wars S01E06: "Bedknobs & Gluesticks"
    Daybreak S02E231: "July 31, 2012"
    Deadliest Catch S08E17: "Deadliest Catch Revelations"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E303: "Episode 1983"
    Degrassi S12E10: "Closer to Free (2)"
    Destination Truth S05E05: "Spirits of Tikal/Creature from the Black Lagoon"
    EastEnders S28E119: "July 31, 2012"
    Eat St. S03E10: "Cackalack"
    Emmerdale S41E178: "July 31, 2012"
    Figure It Out S04E33: "Featuring Victoria Justice"
    Franklin & Bash S02E09: "Waiting on a Friend"
    Fred: The Show S01E20: "A Visit from Grandma"
    General Hospital (US) S50E85: "#12613"
    Geordie Shore S03E06: "Series 3, Episode 6"
    Hakuouki S03E04: "Episode 4"
    Half Built House S01E04: "Birmingham"
    Hardcore Pawn S06E04: "TBA"
    Haunted Highway S01E05: "Louisiana Swamp Woman/Pioneer Cemetery"
    Highway Cops S01E07: "Episode 7"
    History Detectives S10E04: "TBA"
    Holby City S14E42: "Breathless"
    Hollyoaks S18E152: "July 31, 2012"
    Hollywood Heights S01E32: "The Video Shoot"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E137: "Episode 5572"
    House Hunters S50E27: "Single Gal Buys a Cape Cod Home to Play Host to Her Family"
    House Hunters International S34E23: "Homes of the Barbadian Coast"
    Jane By Design S01E18: "The Bonus Check"
    Jeopardy! S28E227: "Show #6432"
    Katie S02E09: "Series 2, Episode 9"
    Kendra on Top S01E14: "TBA"
    Level Up S01E18: "The Dark Marts"
    Live with Kelly S29E240: "Rachel Weisz, Dr. Mark Hyman, guest co-host Chris Harrison"
    Love Your Garden S03E06: "South Yorkshire"
    Masterchef Australia S05E04: "All Stars - 4"
    Monkey Life S05E02: "Series 5, Episode 2"
    MTV2's Guy Code S02E04: "TBA"
    Neighbours S28E147: "Episode 6457"
    NY Med S01E04: "Season 1, Episode 4"
    Our America with Lisa Ling S03E07: "TBA"
    Paranormal Highway S01E04: "TBA"
    Pretty Little Liars S03E08: "Stolen Kisses"
    Repo Games S02E17: "Old Man Nasty"
    Rizzoli & Isles S03E09: "Home Town Glory"
    Scooby-Doo - Mystery, Inc. S02E02: "House of the Nightmare Witch"
    Teen Mom S05E08: "The Next Step"
    The 2012 Summer Olympics S01E05: "Season 1, Episode 5"
    The Angel S01E02: "Episode 2"
    The Bold and the Beautiful S26E92: "Ep. #6376"
    The Chase (2009) S05E86: "Series 5, Episode 86"
    The Colbert Report S08E94: "Jeff Koons"
    The Daily Show S17E132: "Dambisa Moyo"
    The Glee Project S02E09: "Romanticality (Darren Criss)"
    The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E220: "July 31, 2012"
    The L.A. Complex S02E03: "Choose Your Battles"
    The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S08E120: "Rosie Perez"
    The Project S04E181: "Season 4, Episode 181"
    The View S15E214: "Woody Harrelson, D.L. Hughley"
    The Young and the Restless S40E91: "Ep. #9960"
    Tosh.0 S04E20: "Banana Sprite Challenge (Regurgitation)"
    Trust Us with Your Life S01E07: "David Hasselhoff"
    Watch What Happens: Live S07E28: "Joan Rivers and Rashida Jones"
    What Not To Wear (US) S09E25: "Vanessa"
    White Collar S04E04: "Parting Shots"
    Winners & Losers S02E06: "Twists of Fete"
    Workaholics S03E10: "Flashback in the Day"
    World Series of Poker S44E02: "The Big One For One Drop"
    World's Strictest Parents (AU) S04E03: "New Jersey"
    World's Worst Tenants S01E08: "Too Hot Tub"
    Yuru Yuri S02E05: "A Japanese Summer is an Easygoing Summer"

Tom Daley's Olympics diving effort seen by 6.2m

Tom Daley and Peter Waterfield compete during the Men's Synchronised 10m Platform final

Team GB's valiant attempt to win a medal in the synchronised diving was seen by at least 6.2m yesterday (Monday, July 30).

Tom Daley and Peter Waterfield, who topped the table after the first few dives, eventually finished in fourth place.

BBC One attracted an average audience of 3.82m (37.3%) between 1.45pm and 4pm, while the channel managed a peak share of 52%.

Then from 4pm, Britain's unexpected bronze in the mens' gymnastics was witnessed by 4.83m (35.1%), before 6.37m (27%) watched swimming from the Aquatics Centre.

Zara Phillips's involvement in the cross-country stage of the equestrian competition pulled in 1.7m (21.8%) between 11.45am and 1pm. Some 2.17m (32.1%) tuned in for rowing from 9am.

Olympic Breakfast (1.54m/39.4%) and Olympics Tonight (2.34m/20.8%) continued to pick up solid figures at 6am and 10.35pm respectively.

BBC Three's wall-to-wall coverage mustered a strong set of ratings, with 1.03m (7.7%) from 2pm and 1.15m (5.2%) between 7pm and 11pm.

More people watched the BBC's coverage online, with the corporation posting record figures for its website and iPlayer yesterday.

'The Voice' UK: Danny O'Donoghue wants Elton John, Adele for panel

Danny O'Donoghue has said that he wants Elton John to replace Tom Jones on The Voice UK.

Speaking to James Merritt for Free Radio, the Script frontman also suggested that Adele could replace Jessie J, who he previously admitted will probably leave the programme.

Asked who could take Jones's place as a coach, O'Donoghue said: "Elton John. I've thought about this long and hard. I think Elton John needs to take over Tom's position.

"And I'm still open - I think possibly Adele, because she'd come on for Jessie. I think that would be one hell of a line-up.

"Then you'd have to probably rethink me, and have someone better than me on. But I think that would be a really, really great line-up."

Tracks by Elton John and Adele have both featured on the songlist for the show.

Of whether he wants to return to the show, O'Donoghue said: "I'd love to, yeah, if they'd have me back I'd love to go.

"Me and will[.i.am] were chatting last week and we'd both love to come back and do it because we had the most fun we've had in a long time."

'Boardwalk Empire' Season 3: Nucky Thompson Goes Great Guns

Looks like the third season of "Boardwalk Empire" will start off with a bang. At least, if the new trailer for the upcoming season of the HBO historical drama is any indication.

In the new snippet from the series, Enoch "Nucky" Thompson (Steve Buscemi) -- who shocked viewers by killing off his associate Jimmy Darmody at the end of season two -- once again goes into life-snuffing mode, gunning down a shadowy stranger as the rain pours down in a no-doubt symbolic indication of his existential situation.

After he puts a second bullet in his target -- this time, as he lies on the ground -- yet more symbolism follows. The pistol drops from his hand, what appears to be an engagement ring slips from his finger and onto the rain-soaked ground, and a flower falls from his lapel.

"You can't be half a gangster," a message that flashes on the screen declares.

Marvel, ABC team on 'Avengers' television show

Marvel Entertainment and ABC Television are teaming up for an "Avengers-themed" show.

The TV series will run on the Disney-owned ABC channel, reports Deadline.

The project is expected to have a "light" connection to Marvel's film franchise.

It will be set in the same universe and share themes with Joss Whedon's Avengers film, but may not feature any of the same characters.

The series has been described as only a "kernel of an idea" so far, with various possibilities being considered including a "high-concept cop show".

ABC is also working on a Hulk show which is planned to debut in 2013 with Guillermo del Toro attached.

Big Brother evictee Caroline Wharram: 'I feel f***ing fantastic'

Caroline Wharram denied being malicious in the Big Brother house following her eviction tonight (July 27).

Asked by Brian Dowling what she thought of receiving more boos than anyone in the series so far, and "maybe ever", she replied that she felt "f**king fantastic".

"I'm sorry but I love it, I think it's hilarious," she declared. "And I think anyone that loves Luke [Anderson] and Adam [Kelly] are f**king deluded."

She then went on to accuse Conor McIntyre of trying to become those two contestants' "best friends" for tactical reasons, saying she would never have attempted the same thing with the "f**king boring" pair.

Explaining her eviction, Caroline described herself as "very, very, very rude, obnoxious, outspoken, [having] no redeeming qualities whatsoever", adding: "I knew I was going, I was 20,000% sure."

However, continuing to a background of "Off!" chants, she claimed that she would "never intend to upset someone", insisting that "it takes two to tango" and saying others had "upset" her.

After the 20-year-old had broken off to tell the audience to "chill out", Dowling suggested that Caroline had repeatedly apologised in the house but never changed her ways.

"I would apologise to anyone I've upset ever," she responded. "I'd never, ever, ever go about to upset anybody.

"I think that's... come on, obviously I'm not a malicious person... I have a sense of humour, I can be a super bitch, and I can be obnoxious and I think aloud, but I'd never try and hurt somebody's feelings, ever."

Caroline later described the Big Brother environment as "f**king awful", and said that Luke A is a "super, super duper manipulator, Caroline isn't".

She finished by describing Sara McLean as "the nicest girl in that house" but "annoying to live with", revealing that she would like Adam to leave next, and picking Scott Mason as her desired winner.

FX Crosses "The Bridge" - Network Orders Drama Pilot Based on International Hit Series

FX has placed an order for its next drama series pilot, The Bridge, based on an international hit series, which will be adapted for American television by Meredith Stiehm (Homeland) and Elwood Reid (Hawaii Five-O), announced John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks.

Adapted from the Scandinavian series Bron, The Bridge centers on two detectives from the United States and Mexico who must work together to hunt down a serial killer operating on both sides of the border after a dead body is found on the bridge connecting El Paso and Juarez.

"We really loved the Scandinavian drama and Meredith's and Elwood's script adaption is very compelling and true to its progenitor," said Landgraf. "This show will introduce two distinctive and truly great characters to American audiences in Sonya North and Marco Ruiz, an American and a Mexican cop whose shotgun partnership leads them on a vast, complicated personal and professional journey. We believe setting this series in the U.S. and Mexican border cities of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez will make the American adaptation both riveting and relevant. We are proud to partner with Shine America on what we believe will be a truly great television series."

Stiehm and Reid worked together as Executive Producers of the CBS hit Cold Case, which Stiehm created. They are Executive Producers of The Bridge, alongside Executive Producers Carolyn Bernstein, Lars Blomgren, and Jane Featherstone. The Bridge is co-produced by Shine America and FX Productions. Production of the Pilot episode of The Bridge begins this fall.

"The Bridge started as a successful drama series produced by our sister company in Sweden and it has since enjoyed tremendous success around the world," says Carolyn Bernstein, Shine America's Executive Vice President of Scripted Programming. "We are thrilled to be developing it with FX, whom we consider the ideal partner to bring this ground-breaking series to an American audience. Meredith and Elwood have written a captivating pilot script that is respectful to the DNA of the original series, but takes it in a bold new direction."

Originally debuting Sweden in September 2011, Bron centers on a murder investigation following the discovery of a body on the Oresund bridge between Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden where a detective from each country has to work together to solve the mystery. The series was originally created by Hans Rosenfeldt, Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein and is a Filmlance and Nimbus Film Production. Lars Blomgren is Executive Producer, Anders Landstrom and Bo Ehrhardt producers. The Bridge has now been sold in 55 territories including the UK where it is currently BBC4's highest rated program of 2012.

Syfy to Debut "Hot Set" on Tuesday, September 18 at 10:00/9:00c

Syfy will roll out a new competition series this fall in which Hollywood production designers go head-to-head in order to create "an original and signature movie set that transports the viewer into an immersive world."

Dubbed "Hot Set," look for the newcomer to premiere on Tuesday, September 18 at 10:00/9:00c following the fellow Mission Control Media-produced "Face Off." Michael Agbabian and Dwight Smith are the executive producers.

As previously announced, "Face Off" will kick off its latest search for the next great special effects make-up artist on Tuesday, August 21 with a special 90-minute premiere at 9:00/8:00c.

Gary Barlow 'to mentor over-25s in next series of The X Factor'

Gary Barlow has reportedly been assigned the over-25s group in the next series of The X Factor.

He has the task of mentoring those selected and attempting to guide them towards victory in the competition, the first for an over-25 entrant since Steve Brookstein's win in the first series in 2004.

The Sun reports that Simon Cowell personally rang the judges and assigned them their categories.

Louis Walsh has the Groups category, Tulisa Contostavlos will be mentoring the Girls and Nicole Scherzinger will look after the Boys.

A source close to the star reportedly said: "Gary doesn't like joke acts and the Overs category is often full of novelty acts. In the past, when Louis has mentored them, the public got used to jokey acts like Wagner Carrilho and Johnny Robinson.

"Gary is preparing himself for an uphill battle."

The next series of The X Factor is also set to feature a number of acts who are returning to the competition, including Jade Richards and Sian Phillips.

FX Asked 'Louie' for Changes to Avoid Offending Catholics

FX, famous for giving creative freedom to its shows, asked Louis C.K. to make changes to an episode of "Louie" called "God" to avoid offending Catholics.

Network president John Landgraf talked about the decision during a Television Critics Association panel on Saturday. He is known for letting his shows push boundaries: The last season of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," for example, featured a mock funeral for a baby.

C.K. said he was grateful for the suggestion. He said he has worked on television long enough to know where the line is, but not always.

"I'm like a dog with a shock collar who you can take off the collar after a while. I know where the fence is," he said.

Neither C.K. not Landgraf described exactly what was changed in the 2010 episode. Landgraf said it involved "Catholic iconography" and that the network asked for the changes to be "a bit senstitive."

The version of the episode that ultimately aired still had the potential to offend -- and plenty of Catholic iconography.

It features a man in a bathroom inserting his penis in a glory hole called "Heaven," and expressing faith that nothing bad will come of it. In another segment, Louie says during a standup set that God is "an asshole" and compares him to "a shitty girlfriend" who constantly wants you to prove your love.

But the most striking scenes occur in flashback. A nun, trying to explain to Louie and his Catholic school classmates how much Jesus suffered, brings in a doctor to conduct a "theoretical autopsy" on Jesus. He delivers a long, joke-free description of how Jesus was tortured and died.

At one point the doctor orders Louie to drive a nail into a classmate's wrist. Louie is so traumatized that he later knocks down a crucufix, pulls the nails from Jesus' statue, and frees him.

The episode, the eleventh to air in the comedy series' first season, makes few attempts to be funny.

Landgraf has asked for a change before to avoid offending Catholics. In the first season of "Always Sunny,"  he asked creator Rob McElhenney to change a child molester priest into a child molester gym teacher. McElhenney agreed.

Development Update: the 29th of July

AREA 51 (AMC, New!) - Annie Jacobsen's best-selling book is set to be the focus of a potential drama at the cable channel. Todd Ellis Kessler ("Pan Am") is on board to pen the AMC Studios-based hour with Valhalla Entertainment's Gale Anne Hurd ("The Walking Dead") also serving as an executive producer. Jacobsen herself will also receive a co-producer credit. The non-fiction tome, subtitled "An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base," is billed as an oral history of the much-ballyhooed military installation. (NYPost.com)

MODERN FAMILY (ABC) - The network and 20th Century Fox Television have successfully concluded their salary renegotiations with co-stars Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Ed O'Neill and Sofia Vergara. Said group - who subsequently have dropped their lawsuit - will now receive between $170,000-180,000 per episode, up from their current salaries of $65,000 (aside from O'Neill, who was previously over $100,000) an episode as well as annual increases and a piece of the show's back-end. In exchange they'll add an extra year to their seven-year contracts. Production on the new season will begin on Monday with co-creator Steven Levitan slated to direct the opener. (Deadline.com)

ROGUE (DirecTV) - Ian Hart ("Luck") has joined the cast of the upcoming drama, about a morally and emotionally conflicted cop, Grace (Thandie Newton), who is tormented by the possibility that her own actions contributed to her son's death. He'll play an Oakland Police Department detective who works with her. Marton Csokas also stars in the project, from creator Matthew Parkhill. Entertainment One Television, Greenroom Entertainment and Momentum Entertainment are co-producing. (Deadline.com)

'Louie,' 'Game of Thrones,' 'Homeland' Thrive at TCA Awards

"Homeland" and "Louie" scored two awards each at the Television Critics Association Awards, as "Game of Thrones" won Program of the Year.

Bryan Cranston, whose series "Breaking Bad" won for Outstanding Achievement in Drama, hosted the awards, held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.

"Homeland" star Claire Danes won for Individual Achievement in Drama, and her show won for Outstanding New Program. Louis C.K. won for Individual Achievement in Comedy, and his series, "Louie," won for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy.

Here is the full list of winners:

Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming: So You Think You Can Dance (Fox)

Individual Achievement in Drama: Claire Danes (Homeland, Showtime)

Individual Achievement in Comedy: Louis C.K. (Louie, FX)

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: Louie (FX)

Outstanding Achievement in News and Information: 60 Minutes (CBS)

Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming: Switched at Birth (ABC Family)

Outstanding New Program: Homeland (Showtime)

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials: Masterpiece: Downton Abbey (PBS)

Outstanding Achievement in Drama: Breaking Bad (AMC)

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: Louie (FX)

Career Achievement Award: David Letterman

Heritage Award: Cheers

Program of the Year: Game of Thrones (HBO)

Paddy McGuinness to host 'TV Burp'-style show for Channel 4?

Paddy McGuinness is looking to star in a TV Burp-style show for Channel 4.

The host of Take Me Out filmed a pilot called Paddy's TV Show in Manchester last week.

The Sun reports that ITV Studios describe the programme as "a comic look at TV shows that might normally slip under the radar".

If picked up, it will be McGuinness's first project for Channel for since Phoenix Nights spinoff Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere in 2004.

McGuinness's Take Me Out has proved a big ratings success for ITV, but has been rocked by a number of scandals in recent months.

The hugely popular TV Burp aired its final edition in March after Harry Hill quit the show, citing the strain of the tough working schedule.

Big Brother housemates to take part in endurance test

Big Brother housemates are to stand on boxes in an endurance task labelled 'Standing on the Shoulders of Prizes'.

Housemates will be called to stand on boxes in the garden, with each box including a potential prize, including a 50" LED TV, a mountain bike, £1,000 cash and a toilet brush.

However, the only person who will win a prize will be the housemate who stays on their box the longest.

The prizes will be listed for the housemates on a board in the garden, but no-one will know what their box contains.

In a twist, one housemate will be called to the Diary Room to allocate the prizes prior to the beginning of the task.

When housemates decide that they can no longer stand on the box, they must say their name followed by 'is no longer present', before they are allowed to see what they could have won.

Big Brother is shown daily on Channel 5 at 9pm.

Russell Brand Explains Sarah Palin: 'People Want to F--- Her'

A barefoot Russell Brand explained to critics Saturday how his talk show, "Brand X," will soon become more conventional.

But not too conventional. He ended a panel at the Television Critics Association on Saturday by explaining what he believes is Sarah Palin's appeal: "People want to fuck her. That's why they tolerate the other stuff."

But first, about the lack of shoes.

Brand has sold himself as a fast-talking, free-associating, antiestablishment force in show business, and dressed the part for the panel. He wore ripped jeans, beads, and some kind of leather strap on his bicep. His hair, beard and stare suggested a more handsome Charles Manson.

The lack of shoes only helped the image. And that's the conundrum of Russell Brand: Is he a delightfully weird anti-authority figure who somehow wandered into television and films, or someone who got there through canny packaging as an anti-authority figure?

Either way, his look provided him lots of material. Where were his shoes, someone asked.

"They're home with their stepmom," Brand said. He later explained that he had sustained a minor injury from a strap while kickboxing -- "essentially a rugburn." But he also noted that shoes are an often non-essential addition.

"The real question is, why are you all wearing shoes?" he asked.

Adding to the argument that Brand is about show business first, and wild self-expression second: He's making his talk show look more like all the others. It will have guests, including, perhaps, Charlie Sheen. (Brand joked that each of Sheen's personalities could appear.) He won't be so "nuts-out anti-establishment." And the show will look more conventional.

That said, he believes comedians should be free to say what they want. Asked about recent jokes by Dane Cook and Daniel Tosh that angered people (Brand's own Palin joke wasn't so different from ones by Tracy Morgan that plenty of people didn't like) Brand said people forget that comedians are comedians.

"I don't think we should create a state where people are afraid to talk," he said. "That could have much worse consequences."

TV Tonight 29th of July 2012

The daily list in alphabetical order, of all the new episodes airing.

    3 S01E02: "We Will Meet Again"
    60 Minutes (US) S45E06: "Season 45, Episode 6"
    Aqua Teen Hunger Force S09E06: "Bookie"
    Arcana Famiglia S01E05: "TBA"
    Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes S02E14: "Behold...The Vision"
    Bar Rescue S02E02: "Tiki Curse"
    Bar Rescue S02E01: "Yo-Ho-Ho and a Bottle of Dumb"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E17: "Olympic Games - 17"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E21: "Olympic Games - 21"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E25: "Olympic Games - 25"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E20: "Olympic Games - 20"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E24: "Olympic Games - 24"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E28: "Olympic Sportsday"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E19: "Olympic Games - 19"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E23: "Olympic Games - 23"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E27: "Olympics Tonight"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E18: "Olympic Games - 18"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E22: "Olympic Games - 22"
    BBC Olympic Games 2012 S01E26: "Olympic Games - 26"
    Big Ang S01E04: "Big Spender"
    Big Brother (UK) S14E59: "BB 13, Episode 59"
    Big Brother (US) S14E08
    Big Brother After Dark S07E18: "Season 7, Episode 18"
    Big Brother's Bit on the Side S04E55: "Series 4, Show 55"
    Black Dynamite S01E03
    Breaking Bad S05E03: "Hazard Pay"
    Bridezillas S09E08: "Brittany & Michelle"
    Builder Boss S01E12: "The Coach House"
    Builder Boss S01E11: "Master Bed and Bath"
    Builder Boss S01E13: "The Plantation Estate"
    Call of the Wildman S02E11: "Night of the Digging Dead"
    Cardfight!! Vanguard S02E17: "Hero's Challenge"
    Chopped S12E10: "Grill Masters (2)"
    Combat Pawn S01E03: "Engraved Gun"
    Come Dine With Me S19E38: "Series 19, Come Dine With Me"
    Continuum S01E09: "Family Time"
    Cupcake Wars S06E11: "Angry Birds"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E301: "Episode 1981"
    Empire Girls: Julissa & Adrienne S01E08
    Engineering Giants S01E03: "Ferry Strip-Down"
    Episodes S02E05: "Season 2, Episode 5"
    Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition S02E06: "Jonathan"
    Formula 1 S04E28: "Hungarian Grand Prix Highlights"
    Gator Boys S01E13: "See You Later, Alligators"
    Good Luck Charlie S03E11: "Wentz's Weather Girls"
    Hillbilly Handfishin' S02E01: "Preachin' to the Catfish"
    Hoarding: Buried Alive S04E04: "This is Unreal"
    House Hunters on Vacation S02E08
    Hunter X Hunter Remake S01E41: "Gathering x Of x Heroes"
    I Survived S06E32: "Midsi/Tammy/Leona"
    Ice Road Truckers S06E09: "Braking Bad"
    Insane Coaster Wars S01E05: "Extreme Heights"
    Iron Chef America S09E40: "Symon vs. Nunez"
    Jerseylicious S04E20: "Battle of Beauty"
    Keeping Up with the Kardashians S07E12: "Parent Trapped"
    Kidou Senshi Gundam Age S01E42: "Girard Spriggan"
    Klusjesmannen, De S02E04: "Season 2, Episode 4"
    Kokoro Connect S01E04: "Twin Feelings"
    Kuroko no Basuke S01E17: "Episode 17"
    Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon S02E04: "Episode 4"
    Masterchef Australia S05E02: "All Stars - 2"
    Masterpiece S42E20
    Mega Dens S03E03: "There's a Plane in my Mega Den"
    Mob Wives: Chicago S01E08: "Daddy Issues"
    My First Place S22E17: "The Search for The Perfect Home"
    My Yard Goes Disney S02E09
    Nightmare Next Door S02E19: "Deadly Dealings"
    On The Case With Paula Zahn S06E09: "Fatal Footage"
    One Piece (JP) S06E41: "Iron Pirate! Entry of Franky Shogun"
    Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle S02E17: "Episode 17"
    Political Animals S01E03: "The Woman Problem"
    Rinne no Lagrange S02E04: "A Reunion in Kamogawa"
    Saint Seiya Omega S01E17
    Shake It Up S02E26: "Slumber It Up"
    Shark Wranglers S01E05: "Line of Fire"
    Sinbad S01E04: "Old Man of the Sea"
    Small Town Security S01E03: "Dr. Sandy and the Swear Jar"
    Snapped S09E15: "Nanette Johnston"
    Storage Hunters S02E08: "Sin City Sucker Punch"
    Strange Sex S03E06: "Sexaholic & Broken Genitals"
    Strange Sex S03E05: "Super Orgasmic Man & Big Love"
    Sunday Best (2007) S05E06: "TBA"
    Taboo S09E07: "Nasty Jobs"
    Tari Tari S01E05: "Throwing Away and Holding On"
    The 2012 Summer Olympics S01E03: "Season 1, Episode 3"
    The Newsroom (2012) S01E06: "Bullies"
    The Only Way Is Essex S06E03: "Series 6, Episode 3"
    The Project S04E179: "Season 4, Episode 179"
    The Real Housewives of New Jersey S04E14: "Pack Your Baggage"
    Thelma's Gypsy Girls S01E04: "Episode 4"
    Titanic: Blood and Steel S01E12: "Season 1, Episode 12"
    Toriko S02E17: "Episode 17"
    True Blood S05E08: "Somebody That I Used to Know"
    Uchuu Kyoudai S01E18: "Kape! Kenji!"
    Ultimate Spider-Man S01E16: "The Attack of the Beetle"
    Watch What Happens: Live S07E26: "TBA"
    Weeds S08E05: "Red in Tooth and Claw"
    Winx Club S05E26: "Duel in the Omega Deminsion"
    Winx Club S05E25: "Home at Last"
    Xtreme Waterparks S01E05: "Getting Wet in Denver"

NBC Scores Best-Ever Overnight Ratings for Non-U.S. Olympics Opening

NBC scored the best overnight ratings ever for an opening ceremony of a non-U.S. Olympics.

The opening ceremony, featuring director Danny Boyle's spectacular, song-filled celebration of Great Britain, earned a 23.0 overnight rating and a 40 share from 8 p.m. to midnight, according to data from The Nielsen Company. Viewers saw James Bond, Sir Paul McCartney, dancing and texting Britons, and a parachuting Queen Elizabeth.

The 23.0/40 is seven percent higher than the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics (21.5/37), 10 percent higher than the Lillehammer Games (21.0/34), and 15 percent higher than the opening ceremony for the 2010 Vancouver Games (20.0/33).

Opening ceremonies for U.S. opening ceremonies have been much stronger: Los Angeles in 1984 had a 29.5/55, Salt Lake City in 2002 had a 27.9/43, and Atlanta in 1996 had a 27.2/47.

Iwan Rheon Cast In 'Game Of Thrones' Season 3

War is coming for Iwan Rheon!

HBO has confirmed to HuffPost TV that former "Misfits" actor Iwan Rheon will be joining the "Game Of Thrones" Season 3 cast as "Boy," which could mean he'll be playing Ramsay Snow, otherwise known as the "Bastard Of Bolton."

Rumors have been swirling that the "Misfits" alum since a photo surfaced of him hanging out with "Game of Thrones" cast.

Rheon is one of many new characters heading to "Game Of Thrones" in Season 3: 14 other Season 3 roles have officially been filled, listed below, per HBO's press release.

-Nathalie Emannuel will play Missandei. "Originally from the peaceful island of Naath, Missandei was sold into slavery as a child, along with her brother. She received education in various languages and became a translator to the slave trader Kraznys in Astapor."

-Kerry Ingram will play Shireen Baratheon. Shireen is "the only child of Stannis Baratheon. An avid reader, she escapes her lonely life through myths and stories –- her books are her most treasured possessions."

-Paul Kaye will play Thoros of Myr. "A key member of the outlaw band known as the Brotherhood Without Banners, he is a Red Priest, in service of the Lord of Light, and originally hails from the Free City of Myr, in Essos."

-Thomas Brodie-Sangster will play Jojen Reed, "a mysterious and enigmatic young man who becomes an important ally to Bran Stark."

-Ellie Kendrick will play Meera Reed. "The eldest daughter of Howland Reed and a staunch Stark loyalist, Meera and her younger brother Jojen seek out Bran Stark to protect him on his hard journey north."

-Richard Dormer will play Beric Dondarrion. "Once the lord of Blackhaven and a celebrated warrior, Lord Beric has now become the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners, a band of vigilante outlaws."

-Kristofer Hivju will play Tormund Giantsbane. "A famed wildling warrior and chief lieutenant of the 'King Beyond the Wall,' Mance Rayder, Tormund is fearsome and strong, with a large build and a beard to match."

-Philip McGinley will play Anguy, "an extremely skilled archer and key member of the outlaw band known as the Brotherhood Without Banners."

-Tara Fitzgerald will play Selyse Baratheon. "The wife of Stannis Baratheon, Selyse spends much of her life in seclusion, shut away in a gloomy tower."

-Tobias Menzies will play Edmure Tully. "The younger brother of Catelyn Stark, Edmure has recently become Lord of Riverrun in the wake of his father’s death."

-Anton Lesser will play Qyburn, "a former maester of the Citadel, who was stripped of his chain many years ago."

James Van Der Beek wants Katie Holmes reunion on 'Don't Trust The B'

James Van Der Beek has called for a reunion with his Dawson's Creek co-star Katie Holmes on his new show Don't Trust The B---- in Apartment 23.

The actor said that he would love to see Holmes cameo in the ABC sitcom as a "demented" version of herself.

"I'd love to see her saucier side," he told TV Guide. "I think it would be fun if she came on as herself, but a demented, bizarro version."

Krysten Ritter, who stars as the eponymous 'b----' Chloe, said that Holmes could be her "lesbian love interest", while creator Nahnatchka Khan suggested playing on a feud amongst the Dawson's Creek cast.

"I think it would be really funny if there is some sort of bad blood between her and James that's not really been addressed," she stated.

"For example, if she thinks it's his funeral and she shows up in a red dress with champagne, like, 'Ding dong, the Beek is dead'."

It was reported shortly after the announcement of Holmes's divorce from Tom Cruise that the Mission: Impossible star had banned her from a Dawson's Creek reunion.

'True Blood's Wes Brown replaces Neil Jackson on NBC's 'Infamous'

Wes Brown has joined the cast of NBC's upcoming series Infamous.

Brown replaces Neil Jackson in the role of womanising bad boy Julian, reports TVLine.

Infamous stars Meagan Good as Detective Joanna Locasto, who returns undercover to the wealthy Bowers family she grew up in as the maid's daughter, in order to solve the death of a famous socialite who was her best friend.

The new show also features Victor Garber, Katherine LaNasa, Tate Donovan and Ella Rae Peck.

Brown was previously cast in 90210 in a recurring role for its upcoming fifth season.

His television credits include True Blood, Private Practice, Hart of Dixie and Scandal.

Steve Levitan: 'Modern Family' Deal May Be Done By Monday

"Modern Family" co-creator Steve Levitan says a deal is close on the contracts for the show's stars.

"They're very close. Everybody is feeling optimistic about how it's going," he told TheWrap. "You know we had a table read Thursday that went very well. I think that lifted everybody's spirits. I will be surprised if we're not back in business on Monday."

Does he expect a deal to be done by Monday?

"We're all extremely hopeful that it will be and it feels like that is doable," he said.

Levitan said he has talked to all sides in the dispute. He spoke to TheWrap after a week in which the cast initially refused to do a table read for the series, and sued 20th Century Fox Television to be released from their contracts. They later agreed to do the table read, in a sign that tensions might be thawing.

ABC entertainment president Paul Lee also said Friday that he was "optimistic" a deal was close.

Spencer Matthews looked like a Ken doll, says 'Bachelor' contestant

Danielle Sheehan from The Bachelor has opened up about the show, calling it "pointless" and its star Spencer Matthews an "arrogant toff".

The 22-year-old spoke to Reveal about how the Made in Chelsea star looked like a "cardboard cutout" and was only after sex.

"He comes across on camera like he's looking for a relationship, and that's all about love, but off camera he said, 'F**k love, let's all just have sex'," the model from Norfolk claimed.

Sheehan also revealed how Matthews was embarrassed about his height, saying: "Anyone taller than him had to wear flip-flops under a long dress."

She added that Matthews's Made in Chelsea co-star Louise Thompson, who was in a relationship with Spencer, is not a fan of the show.

"She always tweets nasty things about the show and slags off the girls," Sheehan said. "She started following me on Twitter the other day."

Read the latest issue of Reveal to see Danielle Sheehan's interview in full - on sale now. The Bachelor currently airs Fridays on Channel 5.

Cheryl Cole's niece on 'X Factor': 'They asked me to talk about her'

Cheryl Cole's niece has claimed that she was prompted to talk about her famous aunt when she auditioned for The X Factor.

Melissa Armstrong, 21, was told she has a "nice sweet voice" by judge Tulisa Contostavlos, but was also urged to follow in Cole's footsteps by joining a girl group.

Asked if she told Cole she was auditioning, Armstrong told Heat: "No, I was too nervous. I didn't want to jinx it.

"I never auditioned before, when she was a judge, because I didn't want everyone to think it was biased. It would have been really weird auditioning for her."

She continued: "I got through two auditions with the producers before they found out Cheryl was my aunt.

"At the [filmed] audition they were prompting me to start taking about Cheryl. They asked us to sing Cheryl's songs a few times and I was dubious at first."

Armstrong added: "I didn't go on to be Cheryl. I think it could be manipulated on telly to make it look like I just want to be her.

"She'll know I didn't go on to copy her. I'm in the recording studio right now, but I think I might try and get in a girlband. I'm done with The X Factor - I hate queueing!"

Emmys Consider More Nominees, Andy Griffith Tribute, Miniseries Category

The Emmys are considering changes great and small as they prepare for this year's awards.

Among the biggest possible changes is one that it's too late to institute this year. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is considering whether to add to the number of nominees in the major categories. The Oscars expanded the number of best picture nominees to 10 in 2009.

"I think that's something that we absolutely need to look at," Academy chairman and CEO Bruce Rosenblum (left) said in a Television Critics Association panel Friday. "You look at the caliber of the six dramas that were nominated, and there's obviously several other dramas on television which are worthy of being in that category. It's something that we as a board of governors should take a look at."

Rosenblum also said the academy is "carefully" monitoring the best movie or miniseries category, where three of this year's nominees -- "American Horror Story," "Luther" and "Sherlock," could also be considered drama series. He said the academy would "see how 'American Horror Story' plays out" and will keep track of whether each entry should continue to qualify as a miniseries.

Producer Don Mischer said in response to a question about whether Andy Griffith might merit a special tribute that the show is considering it. When an especially notable person dies, he says, the show sometimes focuses on that person at the start or end of the "In Memoriam" segment.

Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel, meanwhile, suggested the "In Memoriam" song be whistled in honor of Griffith.

Mischer noted that the segment is often ranked as the most popular part of the show, besides the host. Deciding who to include is always a difficult decision, he said.

"This is an issue that you face often," he said. "There are many more people who in fact deserve to be in there."

Jimmy Kimmel's Best Jokes From the TCA Emmys Panel

Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel's proposals for a better Emmys include whistling the "In Memoriam" song in honor of Andy Griffith and firing awards out of a T-shirt cannon to speed things along.

Or so he told reporters at a Television Critics Association panel on this year's Emmys.

He also talked about why cable shows get so many nominations, his "constant dialogue" with Oprah Winfrey, and, in a serious moment, his thoughts on his former "Man Show" co-host, Adam Carolla, who said that women writers aren't as funny as men.

"I think Adam says a lot of things he doesn't mean," Kimmel told TheWrap.

Here are some of the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" host's best jokes as he prepares for his first turn as Emmys host.

On not being asked to host ABC's last Emmys telecast: "I actually took some satisfaction out of it because everyone, especially you guys, seemed to hate how the broadcast came out, and I was able to look good by not doing anything at all. That's my goal in life, by the way."

Twitter: "I think Twitter has made it easier to say something stupid to everyone in the world in the middle of the night. I think Twitter should be taken away from us."

Why cable shows get so many nominations: "I'll give you two reasons: nudity and profanity. If we could have more of that on network television I think we would have a lot more Emmys. I'd like to appear nude on my show."

'In Memoriam': "I love the 'In Memoriam.' I love that even in death you're subject to a popularity contest."

Oprah: "I have kept in touch with Oprah a little bit, I'm confounded to say. … Oprah and I are always talking. It's a constant dialogue. She calls me her new Gayle."

Joe McElderry 'proud of X Factor roots'

Joe McElderry has asserted that he is proud of his X Factor roots.

The star - who won the 2009 series of the singing competition - admitted that he gets annoyed with people who slate the show and is grateful for the opportunities it has given him.

"I'm always proud of where I came from on X Factor. Without that nothing else would've happened," McElderry told BBC Radio 2's Patrick Kielty.

"I've seen people who slate it and it really annoys me. It's great that people are having success but they used that show and got 20 million people watching them and that's how they're selling albums.

"Without that show I wouldn't have been able to do Popstar to Operastar or be on to this new album. I never try to get rid of it, I just try and progress from it."

The singer is currently preparing to release his fourth studio album Here's What I Believe and will distribute the title track - which he co-wrote - as the set's lead single.

"It's one of the first songs I've written for any of my albums. I've never tried songwriting before and it's one of my first attempts. I hope people like it because I can't blame it on somebody else now!" McElderry joked.

"I was really scared to do it. I think it was a confidence thing and I never wanted to do it but my new manager persuaded me to try it.

"The first song I wrote, 'What Have I Done', got picked up for the album straight away. Everybody at the label liked it and that gave me a bit of confidence. I've got three tracks on the album which is quite a big deal considering I've not written before."

Joe McElderry's new album Here's What I Believe will be released on September 10.

'Area 51' show 'being developed by AMC'

AMC is reportedly developing a show based on the best-selling book Area 51: An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base.

Gale Anne Hurd, executive producer on The Walking Dead, is to take on the same role for this new series, having bought the rights to the source material last year.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, it has been confirmed that AMC is now developing the project.

The book, written by US journalist Annie Jacobsen, uses interviews with scientists and engineers that worked at US military base Area 51 to explore the alien-related stories that are famously linked with it.

The show's plot will centre around two Area 51 employees who end up in danger when they discover highly sensitive government secrets.

Todd E Kessler (The Good Wife) is reportedly on board for the script , with Jacobsen taking on a co-producing role.

Joanna Lumley: 'I'd do an Absolutely Fabulous movie'

Joanna Lumley has said that she would be happy to star in an Absolutely Fabulous movie.

The actress first played Patsy Stone in the sitcom in 1992 and recently reprised the role in this year's Olympics special.

"It was very good fun," Lumley told Metro. "It's 20 years since the first one. It makes us laugh too much to let the characters go.

"It's all up to Jennifer Saunders if there will be more. If she writes a film, I'll be in it."

Asked for people's misconceptions about her, she replied: "That I'm exactly like Patsy. I drink a fraction of what she does and I'm fatter than she is but I'm a bit like her.

"I don't have her vicious language but I adore her. We put some of my experience into her past. She'd been a model in the 1960s who used to hang around with rockers."

Lumley added: "I knew girls like Patsy - Eurotrash figures who didn't seem to belong anywhere but were always immaculately turned out and could be found in Saint-Tropez.

"You could never work out quite how they lived and Patsy was one of those."

Channel 4 to broadcast DJ marathon next month

Channel 4 has announced plans to hand over creative control of its main channel to six world-class DJs for an all-night, advert-free television rave.

DJs have previously taken over warehouses, fields, car parks and derelict office blocks to stage raves, but this summer they will commandeer a national broadcaster for a six-hour House Party.

In what is being described as "an unprecedented live television event", DJs such as Grandmaster Flash and Annie Mac will each give hour-long sets in a "clubbing experience like no other".

As Channel 4 puts it, "This is not a programme about clubbing; this is the club".

But the night will also feature the Idris Elba-narrated two-hour film How Clubbing Changed the World, tracking the history of the greatest youth culture phenomenon of our generation.

House Party will run without any adverts or the mediation of a presenter, and there will not be a studio audience; instead it will just transform living rooms, bedrooms and bars around the UK into dancefloors.

Commissioned by Channel 4 arts commissioner Tabitha Jackson and staged as part of the London 2012 Festival, the live event will be "a visually exciting, experimental and interactive night of music".

Jackson explained: "From the visual artists having to transform our screens by responding live to the DJs; to the scale of the real time on-screen and online interactivity; to the DJs having to reach directly into our living rooms rather than playing to a venue. If we can pull it off, we will have created a pretty unique experience.

"Great DJing is about much more than just hitting play and standing there with your hands in the air. We are about to get up close and personal with some of the world best exponents of the real art of turntablism.

"2012 is also the perfect summer for this television event. Not only does it mark 20 years since the ultimate free rave at Castlemorton, the weather has been rubbish and money is tight.

"There's never been a better time for us to throw the ultimate house party [and] bring an awesome lineup of talent directly into your living room for free. All you have to worry about is making sure you have enough friends and big speakers."

Jackson also confirmed that House Party will be distinct in that it will not be repeated or made available on 4oD, Channel 4's catch up TV service.

"Like all the best club nights and parties, if you want to be there you do have to actually turn up. Don't miss the House Party..." she said.

Hip hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash and new DJ talent champion Annie Mac have already been confirmed for the event, with other names to be announced in due course.

'The Apprentice': Lord Alan Sugar wants more female applicants

Lord Alan Sugar has hinted that he wants more female applicants for the next series of The Apprentice.

The businessman has confirmed his appearance for another two runs of the BBC reality series.

With the application process for the upcoming ninth series underway, Lord Sugar tweeted that he hoped to see more women in the business end of the competition.

"Application still open for The Apprentice. Come on, ladies, show me what you can do, not just the blokes," he wrote.

The series nine application process finishes on Sunday, with interviews set to be held in August in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

The last two series of The Apprentice have been won by male candidates, with this year's run seeing men dominate the final, with four males out of the final five.

Three female candidates have won the show so far, with Ricky Martin becoming Lord Sugar's latest business partner in June.

'Doctor Who' star Matt Smith: 'We want James Corden back'

Doctor Who's Matt Smith has said that he would love James Corden to return for another episode.

Corden first guest-starred in Doctor Who's series five episode 'The Lodger' and later helped defeat the Cybermen in last year's 'Closing Time'.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Smith said that he is keen to have Corden back for a third adventure.

"We'd love him to [return], but he's pretty busy being a Tony award-winning actor on Broadway and having a baby. But we'd love to get James back," Smith joked.

The actor also previewed Doctor Who's series opener 'Asylum of the Daleks', which sees the Tardis crew come up against several variations of his oldest foes.

"[It's] wonderful, because I got to meet my favourite Daleks, which are actually from [Patrick] Troughton's era, I think," he revealed. "They're the sort of pale blue and whitey ones. They're a bit smaller actually. I think they're groovy! I mean, we've got every Dalek that exists in the world."

He added of the Daleks: "I mean, they are frightening. But you can't help but go, 'God, there's 20 Daleks in a room moving around me!'"

Last week, Smith touted The Doctor's new companion (Jenna-Louise Coleman) by hinting that she is "different" from Amy Pond (Karen Gillan).

Doctor Who will return to BBC One in August in the UK and will also air in the US on BBC America.

Big Brother: Caroline Wharram is evicted ahead of Luke Scrase

Caroline Wharram has been evicted from Big Brother.

She lost out in the public vote to seven housemates, made up of Luke Scrase - who was last to secure safety - Ashleigh Hughes, Conor McIntyre, Deana Uppal, Luke Anderson, Sara McLean and Adam Kelly.

Caroline whooped with joy as her name was announced, running around and screaming: "Yes!"

Exiting to what Brian Dowling later called the most boos this series and "maybe ever", the contestant carried on celebrating in front of the baying crowd, waving her hairbrush in the air.

The former boarding school girl has antagonised people both inside and outside the house, most recently with her decision to purchase only sweets, chocolate and junk food with this week's luxury shopping budget.

She also caused a storm by seeming to call Luke A "Mrs" and by describing Adam as "a gorilla".

Caroline was not the bookmakers' favourite for eviction tonight, with Ashleigh having had odds of 11/8 to be axed.

Dawn French wanted by ITV for future shows after 'Superstar'

Dawn French is reportedly wanted by ITV bosses for future programmes.

The Vicar of Dibley star is said to have impressed during her stint as a judge on talent show Superstar, reports The Sun.

"Dawn played a very important part in the show," said an ITV source. "Her wit and warmth were very much valued.

"She is also incredibly down-to-earth and a real joy to work with on set. We would love to work with her again on other shows.

"Despite being new to this, she played an absolute blinder. Watch out, David Walliams!"

French was tipped to join the panel of ITV's Loose Women last year.

Details Behind CNN Chief Jim Walton’s Exit; Time-Warner Seeks Overhaul

The removal of Jim Walton as president of CNN Worldwide on Friday means that Time-Warner Chairman Jeff Bewkes realizes that his news network is in trouble and in need of a major overhaul.

The move has been in the works for a couple of months, insiders tell me.

Bewkes and Turner CEO Phil Kent had been speaking to Walton in recent weeks about the need for change, with a plan emerging for him to be replaced after the November election.

It seems that Walton took their signals and leaped.

Walton’s own memo to CNN staff on Friday acknowledged that he didn't have the stuff to turn things around.

"CNN needs new thinking,” he wrote to the staff, echoing what the outside world has found crushingly obvious for some time.

And he admitted that he wasn't the guy for the job:  “That starts with a new leader who brings a different perspective, different experiences and a new plan, one who will build on our great foundation and will commit to seeing it through."

Bewkes recognizes that CNN is going rapidly in the wrong direction and that the network -- as one executive told me -- is “stuck in the mud” and needs an “overhaul.”

Already speculation is running rampant through CNN that a replacement for Walton (right) will come from another Time-Warner division, like HBO or New Line.

A knowledgeable executive told TheWrap that this is categorically false. An open search is already underway, and I’m told that it’s “unlikely” the replacement will come from Time-Warner.

It’s not an easy job for any executive, no matter how seasoned. How to turn around CNN, which has plunged from a once-unassailable first place to a long-lagging third?

Fixing CNN “is not that complicated,” a journalist at the network tells me. “They need to invest in the news.”

The staff, by most accounts, is frustrated by years of Walton’s cost-cutting and a lack of innovation.

The network has a star in Anderson Cooper, but Soledad O’Brian's lively morning show cannot catch up with MSNBC competitor Joe Scarborough’s “Morning Joe” lineup or Fox's "Fox and Friends." Erin Burnett's OutFront is also struggling.

And Piers Morgan, who replaced Larry King, continues to underwhelm.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there is another casualty from the “lack of new thinking” department. EVP Mark Whitaker ought to watch his back.

Olympics 2012 ratings: First Team GB football match peaks with 6.2m

Team GB Men's captain Ryan Giggs during the Olympic Warm Up match at the Riverside stadium, Middlesbrough.

The Team GB football team's first group match of London 2012 attracted a solid audience last night (Thursday), early overnight data shows.

Some 6.2m watched at the match's peak as Stuart Pearce's men - led by Ryan Giggs - draw 1-1 with Senegal at Old Trafford, after Craig Bellamy's early strike was cancelled out late on.

BBC One's full coverage, fronted by Gary Lineker, averaged 4.77m (24%) between 7pm and 10pm - a marked improvement on the squad's warm-up game last Friday.

Live coverage of the final stages of the Olympic torch relay secured 1.03m (9.6%) in the 5pm hour, while BBC Two's showing of the other games in the Men's Football interested 920k (9.7%) between 2.30pm and 7pm.

Meanwhile, ITV1's Olympics-themed Big Sports Quiz flopped opposite the football, logging just 1.73m (8%) from 9pm (+1: 174k/1%).

The Big Sports Quiz, hosted by Stephen Mulhern, was beaten by Obsessive Compulsive Hoarder: The Big Clear Out, which delivered 2.04m (9.5%) to Channel 4 (+1: 498k/2.8%).

The Hotel Inspector took 1.6m (7.4%) for Channel 5 (+1: 128k/0.7%), then 1.25m (7.2%) watched Big Brother. Meanwhile, Natural World was BBC Two's best-rated programme with 1.37m (6.5%) in the 8pm hour.

Overall, BBC One topped primetime with 23.8%, ahead of ITV1's 17.2% (+1: 0.9%), BBC Two's 5.8%, Channel 5's 5.5% (+1: 0.3%), and Channel 4's 5.2% (+1: 1.1%).

On the multichannels, Dynamo: Magician Impossible slumped to 733k (3.4%) on Watch at 9pm, but remained the night's second most-watched digital shows - a Family Guy repeat had 931k (8.2%) at 11.05pm.

Big Brother: Scott Mason warned again over drunken rant

Scott Mason has picked up another warning from Big Brother after a drunken spat with Becky Hannon.

The history student fumed at Becky after she accused him of being an alcoholic, and a remark about slapping her prompted Big Brother to give him a ticking-off in the Diary Room.

"I'd come over there and slap you if I was," said Scott, following Becky's accusation about his drinking habits.

He continued: "I find people annoying. I've never heard so much s**t in all my life. Just f**k off you tw*ts."

When Becky claimed that Scott might be in trouble over his comments, he added: "It's the truth, bitch. Just kick me out of the house."

Scott has previously been warned by Big Brother about his attempts to use aftershave to get drunk and comments that he made about Deana Uppal using her hands to eat food, which could be considered racist.

Mark Strong to reprise 'Low Winter Sun' role in US remake?

Mark Strong is in talks to play the lead role in AMC's remake of 2006 UK miniseries Low Winter Sun.

Strong played cop Frank Agnew in the Channel 4 original and could now reprise his role in the US version, Deadline reports.

Written and exec produced by Chris Mundy (Criminal Minds), AMC's Low Winter Sun will transpose the original's story of police corruption from Edinburgh to Detroit.

In both versions, Agnew's life is turned upside down when he helps to kill a corrupt fellow police officer.

James Ransone (Inside Man) will star alongside Strong as Damon Callis, a member of a Detroit crime syndicate.

The Low Winter Sun remake was first ordered by AMC in May, alongside a legal thriller from Justified's Tony Goldwyn.

Danny O'Donoghue denies Bo Bruce fling again

Danny O'Donoghue has again denied rumours that he is romantically involved with Bo Bruce.

The Voice UK coach was previously reported to be dating the finalist from the show, but the rumours were swiftly denied by his representative at the time.

"No, not at all," O'Donoghue told Capital Breakfast this week when asked directly if he is dating Bruce.

"The story kind of came out of nowhere. We were on TV, we had this moment where we were face-to-face - part of the BBC choreography is you listen to the choreographer and do what they're saying."

He added: "It was one of those moments on TV that everyone was like, 'Oooh, saucy! There's something going on there'. But there's nothing behind it."

When presenter Dave Berry quipped that the choreographer was his 'wing man', O'Donoghue joked: "Yeah yeah yeah, he's me best mate!

"[He said,] 'This is the part when you're going to put your hand on somewhere, and then you're going to go for...' No, not at all."

Rumours of a fling were fuelled last month when O'Donoghue reportedly split from his then-girlfriend Irma Mali, but the Script singer allegedly told friends that the reports were "complete nonsense".