Ted Danson 'wants Downton Abbey cameo'

Ted Danson 'wants Downton Abbey cameo'

Ted Danson has revealed that he would love to star in Downton Abbey.

The CSI star explained that he enjoys watching the period drama with his wife, actress Mary Steenburgen.

"We're watching the second year in [the US] and my wife and I are completely hooked," he told the Radio Times. "I can't wait for Crawley to get out of his wheelchair and fall in love with Mary.

"It's so sad that you guys [in the UK] only make six or seven episodes a year."

Danson added that he would like a cameo in the series but admitted that it would make Steenburgen "horribly jealous".

"If we could go to England, the two of us, and be in Downton Abbey, we'd be the happiest people on the planet," he added.

Bones star David Boreanaz also recently revealed that he would love to appear in the third season of Downton Abbey.

Meanwhile, Oscar-winning actress Shirley MacLaine has signed up for a role in future episodes and will play Lady Grantham's mother Martha Levinson.

Cara Theobald, Lucille Sharp and War Horse star Matt Milne are among the other actors joining the Downton Abbey cast for the third season.

Tina Fey planned 'Mean Girls' reunion with Lindsay Lohan on 'SNL'

Tina Fey planned 'Mean Girls' reunion with Lindsay Lohan on 'SNL'

Tina Fey had originally planned a short Mean Girls reunion with Lindsay Lohan on Saturday Night Live at the weekend.

Lohan stepped in as guest host on SNL last weekend (March 3) for the fourth time, during which she mocked her own recent legal troubles and rehab visits.

Mean Girls was written by Tina Fey in 2004, where she also starred as teacher Sharon Norbury. Lohan appeared in the lead role of Cady Heron in the teen comedy.

Fey was due to perform a skit featuring the characters during Lohan's opening monologue, but was forced to cancel her appearance at the last minute when her children fell ill.

"Tina was committed to doing the monologue with Lindsay but both of her children got sick. She was unable to participate as planned," her representative said.

Lindsay Lohan was praised by SNL castmembers Taran Killam and Bobby Moynihan for her performance.

'Gossip Girl' Team Developing Chinese Teen Drama

'Gossip Girl' Team Developing Chinese Teen Drama

"Gossip Girl," moving from New York to Shanghai? Well, kinda.

The creative team behind the CW's scandalous hit is teaming with Warner Bros. International Television Production, China's Mei Tian Mei Yu and H&R Century TV and the Metan Development Group to develop a new teen drama to air in China.

The as-yet-untitled series does sound rather similar to its CW predecessor. The project will center on "the students of the prestigious Shanghai International University, the school of choice of the rich and powerful. One’s social status reaches a new level once admitted into the school. Each week, the main characters’ trust, love and friendship are tested, with all the behind-the-scenes tales recorded in a blog."

Chinese actress Yang Mi, known for the TV series "Palace" and "Chinese Paladin 3," will have a recurring role on the show.

Production is set to begin in June of this year and a nationwide casting search will begin later this month.

'Teen Mom 2's Jenelle Evans charged with cyber-stalking boss

'Teen Mom 2's Jenelle Evans charged with cyber-stalking boss

Teen Mom 2's Jenelle Evans has been charged with cyber-stalking her ex-employer.

A warrant was issued for the MTV reality star's arrest in North Carolina last Friday (March 2), but she voluntarily turned herself in to police on Monday (March 5), shortly after returning from filming a Teen Mom reunion show in New York.

Evans' lawyer Dustin Sullivan confirmed to Us Weekly that the charges were brought about by her former boss James Duffy, but also revealed that they are "the very same charge[s]" that she has already laid against him.

Sullivan said that there was "no jail time" for the charges, adding: "She was in and out in about 30 minutes. These are the first allegations by Duffy against her and these charges are completely retaliatory in nature and we will be prepared."

However, he did admit that if Evans is convicted, "it would violate her probation" after she was arrested twice in January for violating a domestic violence protection order.

"She is frustrated with this nonsense. Jenelle has been doing extremely well," Sullivan added.

Evans and Duffy are both due to appear in court on March 23.

Fellow Teen Mom star Amber Portwood recently managed to avoid prison time for drug possession by agreeing to complete a drug rehabilitation programme.

'Doctor Who's Karen Gillan: 'Exit will be strange shock to the system'

'Doctor Who's Karen Gillan: 'Exit will be strange shock to the system'

Karen Gillan has admitted that it could be a struggle to adapt to life away from Doctor Who.

The Amy Pond actress, who will leave midway through the sci-fi drama's next run along with co-star Arthur Darvill (Rory), told Collider that she is preparing for a "shock to the system".

"We have so much fun. It's so life-consuming, but in the most wonderful way," she explained. "We film pretty much every day, for nine months of the year, so it's basically your life.

"When you're not filming it, you're promoting it and talking about it, so it really does take over your life. It's going to be quite shocking. It will be a strange shock to the system, to not be doing it anymore."

Gillan added in the interview her belief that her Who departure will have a strong impact.

She has previously declared that her companion's exit storyline will be "damn good", while Time Lord actor Matt Smith has continually paid tribute to Gillan.

'The Voice' is more credible than 'X Factor', says Reggie Yates

'The Voice' is more credible than 'X Factor', says Reggie Yates

The Voice UK host Reggie Yates has taken a swipe at Simon Cowell's talent shows, claiming that The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent focus too much on sob stories and image.

Yates, who will present the BBC One singing contest with Holly Willoughby, said that The Voice would provide a "credible" alternative to other TV talent shows.

"On another show, where someone's father has nearly died and they've held the note, they're good to go." he told Attitude magazine. "But that's not what The Voice is about.

"Ours is far more credible than any other music competition show that I have seen. It's about musical talent, not about how they're dressed or how good they look."

Tom Jones also criticised Cowell's TV empire at the weekend, claiming that his ITV1 judges didn't have the right experience to be judging musical talent.

The Voice UK launches on Saturday, March 24 on BBC One.

Only Way Is Essex Nanny Pat secures book deal about East End childhood

Only Way Is Essex Nanny Pat secures book deal about East End childhood

The Only Way Is Essex star Nanny Pat has landed an autobiography publishing deal.

The 75-year-old, real name Patricia Brooker, will release Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood in August, according to The Bookseller.

Pan MacMillan has acquired the rights to her story, which will follow her as a youngster growing up in the 1930s and 1940s in Bow, London. Pat ran her household following the death of her mother when she was only 11.

The book will cover her "childhood in the poor but close-knit community, working in a cork factory, and meeting her future husband Charlie".

"This wonderful memoir is filled with Pat's trademark warmth and humour, touching anecdotes of life in the East End and fabulous descriptions of colourful characters, from her deaf Nan to Auntie Alice, who would dress in all her furs and finery just to pop out to buy a pork chop," said editorial director Ingrid Connell.

"Pat takes us right back to the world of her childhood, and in doing so vividly captures a lost way of life."

Pat is the grandmother of fellow TOWIE breakout stars Mark Wright and Jessica Wright.

The Comedy Awards 2012: Nominations in full

The Comedy Awards 2012: Nominations in full

30 Rock and Bridesmaids lead the nominations for the second annual Comedy Awards. The ceremony will air on May 6 at 9/8c on Comedy Central.

A full list of nominees for the Comedy Awards is below:

FILM

Comedy Film
Still from Bridesmaids

The Artist
Bridesmaids
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Horrible Bosses
Midnight in Paris

Performance by an Actor
Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses)
Steve Carell (Crazy, Stupid, Love)
Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover Part II)
Owen Wilson (Midnight in Paris)

Performance by an Actress
Jennifer Aniston (Horrible Bosses)
Cameron Diaz (Bad Teacher)
Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids)
Emma Stone (Crazy, Stupid, Love)
Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids)

Comedy Director
Midnight In Paris

Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris)
James Bobin (The Muppets)
Paul Feig (Bridesmaids)
Glen Ficarra and John Requa (Crazy, Stupid, Love)
Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist)

Animated Comedy Film
Cars
Kung Fu Panda
Puss In Boots
Rango
Rio

Comedy Screenplay
50/50
Bridesmaids
Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Horrible Bosses
Midnight in Paris

TELEVISION

Comedy Series
The cast of 30 Rock

30 Rock
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Happy Endings
Modern Family
Parks and Recreation

Animated Comedy Series
Archer
Family Guy
The Life & Times of Tim
The Simpsons
South Park

Performance By An Actor - TV
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
Louis C.K. (Louie)
Steve Carell (The Office)
Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)

Performance By An Actress - TV
Fox show 'New Girl'

Zooey Deschanel (New Girl)
Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live)
Sofia Vergara (Modern Family)

Comedy Directing - TV
30 Rock
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Louie
Modern Family
The Office

Comedy Writing - TV
30 Rock
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Louie
Modern Family
Parks and Recreation
Saturday Night Live

Late Night Comedy Series
The cast of Parks & Recreation

The Colbert Report
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Show with David Letterman
Real Time with Bill Maher

Sketch/Alternative Comedy Series
Children's Hospital
Louie
Portlandia
Saturday Night Live
Tosh.0

Breakout Performer Of The Year
Zooey Deschanel
Josh Gad
Donald Glover
Melissa McCarthy
Jason Sudeikis

MISCELLANEOUS

Comedy Special Of The Year
Modern Family ABC/Sky 1

Louis C.K.: Live at the Beacon Theater
Norm Macdonald: Me Doing Standup
Patton Oswalt Finest Hour
Colin Quinn Long Story Short
Daniel Tosh: Happy Thoughts

Club Comic
Ted Alexandro
Hannibal Buress
Pete Holmes
Anthony Jeselnik
Moshe Kasher
John Mulaney
Kumail Nanjiani
Chelsea Peretti
Amy Schumer
Rory Scovel

Stand-Up Tour
Dave Attell
Lewis Black
Louis C.K.
Kevin Hart
Jerry Seinfeld

Tim Tebow: 'I'm definitely not going to be on 'The Bachelor'

Tim Tebow: 'I'm definitely not going to be on 'The Bachelor'

Tim Tebow has dismissed rumours that he is taking part in The Bachelor.

The Denver Broncos quarterback was believed to have signed up for the matchmaking reality TV series, but announced on his Twitter page that the reports are not true.

Tebow wrote on the microblogging website: "Haha rumours can be crazy! Even though I've watched the show before, I'm definitely not gonna be on The Bachelor."

The Bachelor host Chris Harrison later admitted that he was "120%" to blame for the rumours, telling TMZ: "So here's the situation - usually I wonder the same thing.... where in the hell do these rumours come from?

"This one is 120% on me. I co-hosted Access Live yesterday and Kit Hoover mentioned that we were doing a story on Tim Tebow... and I was just throwing out this anecdotal story that I had run into Tebow and had asked him to be The Bachelor.

"Kit jumped on the story and I never really got to explain. This was completely and utterly my fault. It was about a year or so ago and someone introduced me to Tim and we got talking."

"With Tebow and I standing together, people said, 'Make him the next Bachelor!'" Harrison continued. "I jokingly said, 'Do you want to be The Bachelor?' He jokingly said yes. Obviously, he is not going to be The Bachelor.

"I love that people think I have the power to ordain the new Bachelor. That's not how it works. Let me tell you this - if Tim Tebow wanted to be The Bachelor, it would absolutely be phenomenal television."

Tebow was romantically linked to singer Taylor Swift last week after they were spotted dining out together.

The current series of The Bachelor, featuring winemaker and former Bachelorette finalist Ben Flajnik, concludes on Monday, March 12 at 8/7c on ABC.

TV Tonight 7th of March 2012

TV Tonight 7th of March 2012

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

    10 O'Clock Live S02E05: "Series 2, Episode 5"
    1000 Ways to Die S04E01: "TBA"
    112 - på liv och död S05E24: "Del 24 av 36"
    Amazing Eats S01E10: "Classic Comfort Foods"
    America's Next Top Model S18E02: "Kris Jenner"
    American Idol S11E17: "13 Finalists Compete"
    American Restoration S02E14: "TBA"
    American Restoration S02E15: "TBA"
    American Weed S01E03: "War Over Weed"
    Anno 1790 S01E10: "A Different Kingdom"
    Antiques Road Trip S04E18: "Series 4, Episode 18"
    Are You There, Chelsea? S01E09: "Fired"
    Big Brother Sverige S08E16: "Del 16"
    Car Warriors S02E03: "Chevelle"
    Chihayafuru S01E22: "Episode 22"
    Cleverdicks S01E08: "Episode 8"
    Coach Trip S09E28: "Series 9, Day 28"
    Come Dine With Me S18E45: "Series 18, Series 38"
    Conan S02E62: "Jon Hamm, Melissa Rauch, Kumail Nanjiani"
    Countdown with Keith Olbermann S10E45: "Season 10, Episode 45"
    Dark Minds S01E07: "Mississippi Five"
    Days of our Lives S47E84: "Ep. #11794"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E178: "Episode 1858"
    Dickinson's Real Deal S08E67: "Series 8, Episode 67"
    Doctors S13E214: "The Fool"
    Dragons' Den (CA) S06E18: "Season 6, Episode 18"
    Dumbest Stuff on Wheels S02E08
    Efterlyst S44E09: "7/3-12"
    Emmerdale S41E56: "March 7, 2012"
    Face Off S02E09: "Dinoplasty"
    Film 2012 with Claudia Winkleman S01E09: "Episode 9"
    Food Inspectors S01E02: "Food Fraud"
    General Hospital (US) S49E237: "#12511"
    Ghost Hunters International S03E09: "TBA"
    Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden S22E133: "Season 22, Episode 133"
    Greatest Tank Battles S02E09: "October WAR"
    Halv åtta hos mig S08E27: "Örnsköldsvik - Johan"
    Happily Divorced S02E01: "TBA"
    Happy Endings S02E17: "The Kerkovich Way"
    Hollyoaks S18E48: "March 7, 2012"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E33: "Episode 5468"
    Hot In Cleveland S03E13: "Tangled Web"
    Hotel cæsar S28E164: "Season 28, Episode 164"
    House Hunters S48E47
    House Hunters International S25E50
    House of Anubis S02E84: "House of Trouble"
    House of Anubis S02E83: "House of Pretenders"
    Jeopardy! S28E123: "Show #6328"
    Kevin Bridges: What's The Story? S01E05: "Lifestyle"
    King (2011) S02E02: "Josh Simpson"
    LEGO NinjaGo: Masters of Spinjitzu S02E09: "The Royal Blacksmiths"
    Lilyhammer S01E07: "The Babysitter"
    Live with Regis and Kelly S29E137
    Masterchef (UK) S16E13: "Series 16, Episode 13"
    Neighbours S28E43: "Episode 6353"
    Nothing Personal S02E01: "Season 2, Episode 1"
    On The Spot (2009) S03E01: "Charlie Gun"
    One Born Every Minute S03E10: "Series 3, Episode 10"
    One Tree Hill S09E09: "Every Breath Is A Bomb"
    Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy S02E09: "TBA"
    Outland S01E05: "Toby"
    Papa no Iukoto o Kikinasai! S01E09: "Episode 9"
    Pointless S06E18: "Series 6, Episode 18"
    Prophets Of Science Fiction S01E08: "George Lucas"
    Psych S06E11: "Heeeeere's Lassie"
    Recorder to Randoseru S01E10: "Episode 10"
    Republic of Doyle S03E09: "Mirror, Mirror"
    Restaurant: Impossible S03E03: "Woody's Tupelo Steakhouse"
    Roger And Val Have Just Got In S02E05: "Poem for Uncle Jack"
    Selling Houses Australia S05E06: "Developer Dreams"
    Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents S02E07: "After The Holiday"
    Survivor S24E04: "Bum-Puzzled"
    Sveriges mästerkock S02E12: "Flygplansmat"
    The Almighty Johnsons S02E02: "Season 2, Episode 2"
    The Biggest Loser (AU) S07E27: "Season 7, Episode 27"
    The Bold and the Beautiful S25E246: "Ep. #6276"
    The Chase (2009) S05E27: "Series 5, Episode 27"
    The Colbert Report S08E34: "Willem Dafoe"
    The Daily Show S17E70: "Cecile Richards"
    The Ellen DeGeneres Show S09E116: "Jon Hamm, Sara Bareilles"
    The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E123: "March 7, 2012"
    The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S08E43
    The Only Way Is Essex S04E12: "Series 4, Episode 12"
    The Real World/Road Rules Challenge S22E08: "TBA"
    The Revolution (2012) S01E38: "Season 1, Episode 38"
    The Soup S09E10: "March 7"
    The View S15E121
    The Young and the Restless S39E244: "Ep. #9859"
    Thuis S17E138: "Season 17, Episode 138"
    Top Guns S01E04: "Pistol Power"
    Tunnelbanan S01E07: "Del 7"
    UEFA Champions League S09E20: "Barcelona v Bayer Leverkusen"
    UEFA Champions League S09E21: "Extra Time - Knock Out Matches"
    Watch What Happens: Live S06E42: "Martha Stewart"
    Waterloo Road S07E23: "Series 7, Episode 23"
    Whitney S01E19: "The Ex Box"
    Wonderland (UK) S05E05: "Granny's Moving In"
    Woodley S01E03: "Greg"

'Mad Men's Christina Hendricks: 'I have little in common with Joan'

'Mad Men's Christina Hendricks: 'I have little in common with Joan'

Christina Hendricks has revealed that she has very little in common with her Mad Men character Joan.

Hendricks explained that she's very demure, whereas Joan is always willing to use her feminine mystique to get her way.

"I feel like I don't relate to Joan that much," the actress told Women's Health UK. "I think we have elements of the characters we play - Joan is much ballsier than I am; I'm a bit of a softie. There's a big difference there."

Hendricks went on to say that there are lessons Mad Men's female fans can learn from Joan.

"I think sexuality is incredibly powerful, but I don't think Joan is aggressive with it, just confident. She 'owns' it," she said. "When a woman is confident with her sexuality men respond to it and I think women aspire to feel confidence.

"The tight-fitting clothes she wears are never vulgar: it's sleek and sophisticated. That era was all about carrying yourself with confidence."

Mad Men's fifth season premieres in the US on AMC on March 25. The series returns to the UK on Sky Atlantic on March 27.

'Modern Family,' 'Bridesmaids,' '30 Rock' Top Second Annual Comedy Awards Nominees

'Modern Family,' 'Bridesmaids,' '30 Rock' Top Second Annual Comedy Awards Nominees

"Modern Family," "Bridesmaids," "30 Rock" and Louis C.K. lead the nominees list for the second annual installment of "The Comedy Awards," each racking up five nominations, Comedy Central said Tuesday.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Horrible Bosses," "The Artist," "Parks and Recreation," "Midnight in Paris" and "Crazy, Stupid, Love" also posted strong showings on the nominees list, with each racking up multiple nominations.

"I want to thank everyone connected to the award and I want '30 Rock' to win," quipped "30 Rock" star Alec Baldwin, who's nominated in the Performance by an Actor - TV category.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" star Larry David, who's also competing in the category, added, "Does this mean I have to go?"

Nominees are chosen by the Comedy Awards' board of directors, which includes Stephen Colbert, Carol Burnett, James Burrows, Brad Grey, Chris Rock and Ray Romano, among numerous others.

Beginning Tuesday, fans can register their vote for Breakout Performer of the Year at the awards ceremony's website.

This year's Comedy Awards will be filmed at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York on April 28 and will premiere May 6 on Comedy Central. As with last year, the Comedy Awards is teaming with the Entertainment Industry Foundation to endow the American Comedy Fund, which endows comedians in need with financial assistance, health benefits and other resources.

Last year's ceremony honored such talents as David Letterman, who was given the Johnny Carson Award, and Eddie Murphy, who received the Comedy Icon Award.

Ratings: 'The Voice' and 'Smash' Rise to Give NBC a Win

Ratings: 'The Voice' and 'Smash' Rise to Give NBC a Win

With "The Voice" and "Smash" both experiencing double-digit ratings increases on Monday night, NBC took a decisive overall win on an evening that saw CBS' formidable Monday night lineup in repeats.

NBC took first place in both ratings and total viewers with an average 4.9 rating/13 share in the key adults 18-49 demographic and 13.7 million total viewers. "The Voice" from 8 to 10 p.m. was the night's best-rated and most-watched program, posting a 6.1/16 in the demo -- a 13 percent increase over last week -- and 16.7 million total viewers.

"Smash" at 10, which stabilized last week after a series of declines from its Feb. 6 premiere, grew 17 percent in the demo for a 2.7/7 and 7.9 million total viewers.

In second place in ratings and total viewers with an average 2.1/6 in the demo and 7.6 million, ABC aired "The Bachelor" from 8 to 10, which saw a modest decrease versus last week, with a 2.5/6 in the demo and 8.1 million total viewers. A "Castle" repeat followed.

Fox shared the third-place ratings slot with CBS an average 1.8/5 in the demo and took fourth place in total viewership with an average 5.7 million. A special airing of "Alcatraz" at 8 posted a 6 percent ratings increase over the last original episode two weeks ago with a 1.9/5 in the demo, and 5.9 million total viewers. A subsequent airing of "Alcatraz" at 9 ran even with its last original two weeks ago with a 1.8/4 and 5.5 million total viewers.

'Desperate Housewives' Trial: Former ABC Studios Exec Says Fate of Nicollette Sheridan Decided Before Fight

'Desperate Housewives' Trial: Former ABC Studios Exec Says Fate of Nicollette Sheridan Decided Before Fight

Former Touchstone and ABC Studios president Mark Pedowitz testified Tuesday that he approved "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry's plan to kill off Nicollette Sheridan's character in May of 2008 -- four months before the actress claims she received "a good wallop" from Cherry.

Sheridan alleges in her $6 million wrongful termination in Los Angeles Superior Court that Cherry struck her at a Sept. 24, 2008, rehearsal and then killed off her character in retaliation for her complaining about the incident.

Pedowitz, the current entertainment president at The CW, said he and Steve McPherson, president of the ABC network at the time, gave the OK to kill off Sheridan's character Edie Britt at the request of the show's creative team on May 22, 2008.

The approvals came at meetings held to discuss the show's direction prior to its fifth season. Pedowitz said Cherry and the "Desperate Housewives" team felt "there was no more storytelling" for Sheridan's character, and they were "seeking approval to kill off the character."

Pedowitz said his permission was required because she was a main series regular, which required both studio and network behind the show to sign off if the character is to be killed off.

Both the network and studio wanted the character to be killed off "later than sooner," Pedowitz said, preferably within May sweeps at end of the season. Cherry, however, wanted to kill off the character in November, he said.

Under questioning from Cherry's attorney Adam Levin, Pedowitz said that Cherry had wanted to kill off Edie in the show's third season. But Pedowitz didn't approve the decision because, "We believed there was more storytelling left in her."

Levin asked about the May 22, 2008, meeting and why this time he approved the character's death.

"The character in my mind had run its course," Pedowitz said.

Asked why Sheridan wasn't informed about the fate of her character after the decision in 2008, Pedowitz said that "we hadn't yet determined when we were going to do it, and by the time they did tell her, I was no longer in that position." Pedowitz left his post in 2009.

He testified that he only once revisited he decision on Edie, when he saw the October 2008 cover of the National Enquirer, which headlined the slapping incident.

Pedowitz said, "I did not want the situation to play out like it is today in court."

Levin asked if Cherry or McPherson ever wavered on the decision.

"No," Pedowitz said.

Cherry took the stand briefly Tuesday afternoon, seeking to counter claims by Sheridan's attorneys that "Desperate Housewives" was a comedy.

"'Desperate Housewives' was my first attempt at writing a show that wasn't a sitcom." Cherry said, "and it became a big hit. I wish I'd have done it sooner."

He added, "I love writing drama when you see the devastation of personal lives."

'Terra Nova' Cancellation: Why Steven Spielberg's Dino Drama Went Extinct

'Terra Nova' Cancellation: Why Steven Spielberg's Dino Drama Went Extinct

"Terra Nova" is extinct -- at least on Fox. And while 20th Century Fox Television, the studio behind the troubled Steven Spielberg-produced dinosaur drama, is exploring its options and looking for a new home for the series, it's worth asking in the meantime, "How did a show that promised so much ended up flaming out after just one season?"

Big, loud and attention-getting like the dinosaurs that populated it, "Terra Nova" promised grand things. A sci-fi production, featuring dinosaurs, from Steven "Jurassic Park" Spielberg? Who wouldn't be intrigued at the notion of such a massive vision playing out across the small screen?

But with big expectations come the potential for big disappointment, and before long "Terra Nova" generated what proved to be an insurmountable amount of hype around it.

Executive producer Alex Graves probably didn't help matters any when, at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in January 2011, he told reporters that "Terra Nova" was aiming for a wider audience than "Lost" -- one of the biggest, and most cherished, surprise sci-fi hits in recent years.

"'Terra Nova,' more than anything I've done before in my life, is for everybody," Graves told the assembled television critics. "Everyone from my kids to a gamer to my dad will love this show. It's incredible."

Could any show do anything but fall short of that kind of build-up? Moreover, could any show that promises to be everything to everybody really come through on that promise?

When "Terra Nova" finally premiered in September 2011, no doubt many viewers were confused as to what they were supposed to be watching. Was this a family drama? A prehistoric action-adventure series? A sci-fi program?

That confusion could very well stem from the long, ever-evolving path that "Terra Nova" took to the TV screen -- it's easy to lose focus when you lay off most of your writing staff, as the series did in November 2010.

The problems that plagued "Terra Nova" go back further than the writers' shakeup, though. Before the series had even shot a single frame, as TheWrap reported in October 2010, the series had experienced a series of misfires, including the departure of writer and director David Fury. Attempts to land Kevin Bacon and Kyle Chandler as the male lead both failed.

The show's upwardly spiraling cost was the biggest wooly mammoth in the prehistoric room, with some estimates saying that the pilot could cost as much as $20 million.

"It’s a debacle. The cost of the show is kind of a moving target,” one individual close to the project told TheWrap. “They’re down in Australia building sets like it's going to be the next ‘Jurassic Park.’”

(Both Fox and 20th Century Fox Television, the studio behind "Terra Nova," declined to comment to TheWrap for this story.)

With so much riding on it, the pressure to make "Terra Nova" a massive hit was certainly bigger than it would have been for the average production.

But things continued to unravel in the months leading up to the premiere.

A May 2011 preview was abruptly yanked, so that further tinkering could be done. And during a panel and screening of the pilot, the biggest selling point for the series seemed to be there would be plenty of humans munching down on dinosaurs.

"We'll satisfy your bloodlust," executive producer Rene Echevarria assured.

But satisfying an audience's blood lust and satisfying an audience over the long term are two different things. And after the show's premiere, it became increasingly clear that "Terra Nova" would not bear the widespread appeal that Graves had boasted of eight months earlier.

Not that the numbers were horrible; the Sept. 2011 premiere of the series drew a 3.1 rating/7 share in the adults 18-49 demographic -- respectable, but when you swing for the fences, anything less than a double is bound to seem disappointing. And the 2.2/6 share that the series drew for its finale didn't exactly expire confidence that the series was headed for upward mobility.

By the January 2012 Television Critics Association winter summit -- a year after Graves predicted that "Terra Nova" would attract a wider audience than "Lost" -- Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly was speaking about the show in almost eulogistic tones.

"It was an exciting bet to take, and I think it's proven that it was worthwhile," Reilly told the assembled reporters. "Everyone kept saying, 'Doesn't it have to do huge ratings?' The fact is, if this is all we produce, we made money on it, the studio made money on it, the audience enjoyed it, the show looked fantastic."

In short, the same claim that many gamblers will make when asked if they're ahead and behind -- "I'm pretty much breaking even."

Now, as the studio makes the rounds and attempts to find a new home for the series, the question remains to be asked -- is anybody willing to double down on the big show that couldn't?

'Justified' Re-Upped for Season 4 on FX

'Justified' Re-Upped for Season 4 on FX

Everyone's favorite U.S. marshal and his Kentucky cohorts will be back for at least one more year, as FX has given a green light to a fourth season of "Justified."

The series, which revolves around the Elmore Leonard-created marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant), is currently airing its third season. Six new episodes remain, including Tuesday's terrifically intense "Watching the Detectives" installment, before the series' April 10 season finale.

"Justified" is averaging 4.3 million total viewers for season three, up 8 percent from season two, which ended with the death of scene-stealing holler crime maven Mags Bennett and earned a Best Supporting Actress Emmy for her portrayer, Margo Martindale.

In January, Leonard released a new novel, "Raylan," which revolves around Givens, the Stetson-wearing marshal he introduced in the short story "Fire in the Hole."

"Justified is one of television’s best series and this season has reinforced that excellence," said FX Executive Vice President of Original Programming Nick Grad. "(Series creator) Graham Yost and his writing team continue to deliver compelling material and richly drawn characters brought to life by the brilliance of Timothy Olyphant and our terrific ensemble cast.  Their work is validated by universal acclaim, awards, and ratings that have grown every year. We look forward to many more seasons to come."

Alan Sugar on 'Apprentice' firings: 'I have made mistakes'

Alan Sugar on 'Apprentice' firings: 'I have made mistakes'

Lord Alan Sugar has confessed that he has made mistakes with his firings on BBC One's The Apprentice.

In an interview with the Radio Times, Sugar said that he was pleased with the winners of his show, but that he had made the wrong call on a couple of occasions during the early stages of the competition.

When asked by a reader whether he had ever made mistakes on the BBC One reality series, Sugar admitted: "Yes, I think so. Yeah, I think sometimes you fire the wrong person.

"I don't think I've made too many mistakes in picking the winner. The mistake or firing the wrong person is usually in the early episodes of the show. Something like episode five, six or seven.

"But not when we get down to the end because at that point you tend to know who your characters are."

Former Apprentice champion Yasmina Siadatan became the latest winner to quit working for Sugar earlier this year. Meanwhile, 2010 champion Stella English is reportedly involved in a legal wrangle with Sugar about her exit from his company.

The Apprentice launches its eighth series later this month on BBC One.

Developement Update: 7th of March

Developement Update: 7th of March

AMERICAN JUDY (ABC) - Jadon Sand and Madison Lintz have both scored roles on the comedy pilot, about a cosmopolitan woman (Judy Greer) who gets married and becomes a fish out of water in the suburbs having to juggle stepkids, her mother-in-law (Mimi Kennedy) and the ex-wife of her husband (Elaine Hendrix), who also happens to be the town's sheriff. They'll play said children, Chuck Norris ("8, energetic, named by his mother") and Annie ("14, pretty and reserved"). Greer, Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont are all behind the ABC Studios-based half-hour, to be directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller. (Variety.com)

APPLEBAUM (CBS) - Rachelle Lefevre ("A Gifted Man") has booked the title role while Marlow Peyton and James Hiroyuki Liao have also been cast in the drama pilot, based on Ayelet Waldman's books about a former public defender who becomes a private investigator to keep from being bored to death as a stay-at-home mom. Lefevre - who's in second position to the fellow CBS drama - will play said woman, Juliet Applebaum ("big mouth, big heart, quick wit") with Peyton as one of her three kids, Sam, 10, Ruby, 6, and Isaac, 3. Liao then will presumably play Kevin Liu ("early 30s, ambitious and by the book"), a detective whose regularly crosses paths with Juliet. Chris Columbus is helming the hour from a script by Ayelet for CBS Television Studios. Jennifer Levin, Sherri Cooper, Jeff Rake and Michael Barnathan are executive producing alongside the duo. (Variety.com)

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (ABC) - Meegan Warner has landed a role on the drama pilot, a drama set in a mythical city where its princess, Grace (Ruth Bradley), is tasked with quelling a rebellion. She's set as Elisabeth, Grace's younger sister that's a little sexier, a little less bright. Chris Egan, Darius Campbell and F. Murray Abraham also star in the ABC Studios-based hour, to be directed by Yves Simoneau from a script by Jonathan E. Steinberg. (Variety.com)

THE CARRIE DIARIES (The CW) - Freema Agyeman ("Doctor Who") and newcomer Brendan Dooling are the latest additions to the pilot, which stars AnnaSophia Robb as a teenage Carrie Bradshaw in the 1980s. The latter will play Carrie's close friend Walt Reynolds ("stylish preppy"), who's dating fellow pal Maggie Landres (Ellen Wong) but may be hiding the fact he's gay. Agyeman then is set as Larissa Loughton ("a fabulous force of nature"), a Style editor at Interview Magazine whom Carrie befriends and sets her on the writing path. Austin Butler, Katie Findlay and Stefania Owen also star the Warner Bros. Television-based hour, from director Miguel Arteta and writer Amy B. Harris. (Deadline.com)

DILFS (NBC) - Anthony Anderson ("Law & Order") is set to return to the Peacock, this time on the comedy side as he's joined the cast of the pilot, about a trio of thirtysomething guys - Nick (Zach Cregger), Chris and Gary - dealing with parenthood despite the fact they haven't grown up themselves. He'll play one of them, Gary, a sad-sack comic book collector turned sad-sack stay-at-home dad. Jimmy Fallon, Charlie Grandy and Amy Ozols co-created the Universal Television-based half-hour, to be directed by Scott Ellis. Jamie-Lynn Sigler also stars. (Deadline.com)

FIRST CUT (The CW) - Mamie Gummer ("Off the Map") has been tapped for the lead role on the drama pilot, about a medical student who discovers that working as an intern at a big hospital is a lot like being in high school. She'll play said doctor, Emily Barnes, who used to frizzy, chubby and uncool but now straightens, diets and well, isn't quite cool yet. Bharat Nalluri ("Cupid") is on board to direct the Jennie Snyder Urman-penned hour for CBS Television Studios. Also starring are Aja Naomi King, Justin Hartley, Kelly McCreary and Michael Rady. (Deadline.com)

GOTHAM (ABC) - Newcomer Megan Ketch has snagged the female lead on the drama pilot, about a cop who, after pursuing a seemingly unsolvable case, discovers a magical world that exists within New York City. She'll play said detective, Annie Travers ("charmingly 30s, radiates efficacy in all she does"), in the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, from director Francis Lawrence and writer Michael Green. Barry Sloane also stars. (Deadline.com)

HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE (ABC) - Rachel Eggleston has boarded the comedy pilot, about Polly (Sarah Chalke), a recently divorced, single mom, who moves in with her eccentric parents, a couple who's full of life but knows no boundaries. She'll play Natalie, her "Little Miss Sunshine"-esque six-year-old daughter. Elizabeth Perkins and Jon Dore also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, from creator Claudia Lonow. Julie Anne Robinson is directing. (Variety.com)

LAST RESORT (ABC) - Jessy Schram ("Falling Skies") is the latest addition to the ever-expanding cast of the drama pilot, about the crew of a nuclear submarine, who, after disobeying a suspicious order become fugitives and declare themselves an independent nuclear nation. She's set as Christine ("accessibly gorgeous"), XO Sam Kendal's (Scott Speedman) dutiful wife whose patience for his return is growing thin as she has plans for their life. Karl Gajdusek and Shawn Ryan are behind the Sony Pictures Television-based hour, which also stars Andre Braugher, Autumn Reeser, Bruce Davison, Camille de Pazzis, Daisy Betts, Daniel Lissing, David Rees Snell, Dichen Lachman, Matt Gerald, Max Adler, Omid Abtahi, Robert Patrick and Sahr Ngaujah. Martin Campbell is directing. (Deadline.com)

LIKE FATHER... (FOX) - Robbie Amell ("True Jackson, VP") was joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about Van Lyons (Colin Ferguson), a bombastic dad who, after his wife dies, moves into his son Will's campus apartment. He'll play the latter role ("handsome, quietly sarcastic and not as confident as you'd think") in the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, from writer/director Bill Lawrence. Erin Daniels, Kevin Michael Martin and Phill Lewis also star. (Deadline.com)

MIDNIGHT SUN (NBC) - David Harbour ("Pan Am") has landed a role on the pilot, a drama about the FBI's investigation into the disappearance of a remote cult in Dugan, Alaska - led by Bennett Maxwell (Titus Welliver) - which taps into a grander political conspiracy. He'll play Ethan Davies ("30s, attractive; hair long for a military guy"), a suspicious lieutenant at the local Coast Guard Station. Connor O'Farrell, Daniella Pineda, Emma Bell, Julia Stiles and Michael Raymond-James also star while Brad Anderson is directing from a script by Lisa Zwerling. Universal Television is producing. (Deadline.com)

NASHVILLE (ABC) - Eric Close ("Chaos") is the latest addition to the pilot, a drama which centers around the Nashville music scene and its stars, both rising and fading. He's set as Teddy Conrad, the handsome and supportive husband of aging superstar Rayna James (yet to be cast), a rich kid who blew through his trust fund and now lives off his wife's income. Clare Bowen, Hayden Panettiere, Jonathan Jackson, Powers Boothe, Robert Wisdom and Sam Palladio also star in the project, from writer Callie Khouri and director R.J. Cutler. ABC Studios and Lionsgate Television are co-producing. (Deadline.com)

QUEAN (CBS) - The Eye has rescinded its pilot order for the drama over a potential legal standoff with Sony Pictures about alleged similarities to "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo." Ilene Chaiken was behind the project, about an edgy and independent Millennial hacker girl who teams up with an Oakland police detective to solve crimes. It's understood Chaiken proceeded with a page one rewrite to quell said concerns, including changing "the lead's employer from a PI to a law firm, her boss from a white male private investigator to a black female lawyer, and the protagonist herself from a loner to a girl with a boyfriend." The lead character being a hacker however remained a sticking point and ultimately the project was mothballed. Jaume Collet-Serra had been set to direct for the Warner Bros. Television-based Silver Pictures. (Deadline.com)

REVOLUTION (NBC) - Billy Burke ("Rizzoli & Isles") has been cast in the drama pilot, about a group of people struggling to survive and reunite with loved ones in a world where all forms of energy have mysteriously ceased to exist. He'll presumably play one of the Marines initially marooned by the event in South Carolina. Anna Lise Phillips, Giancarlo Esposito, Graham Rogers and Tracy Spiradakos also star in the project, from writer Eric Kripke, director Jon Favreau and the Warner Bros. Television-based Bad Robot Productions. (Deadline.com)

SCRUPLES (ABC) - Noot Seear ("New Moon") has scored a role on the drama pilot, about the staggeringly luxurious life of a Beverly Hills boutique and the people who work in it. She'll play Melanie Adams ("21, bewitching in full 70's slinkiness"), a gorgeous young starlet, in the project, which comes from Warner Bros. Television, director Michael Sucsy and writers Bob Brush and Mel Harris. Karine Vanasse also stars. (Deadline.com)

SUSAN 313 (A.K.A. UNTITLED SARAH SILVERMAN PROJECT) (NBC) - Jeff Goldblum has been tapped for a role on the comedy pilot, about a woman (Sarah Silverman) who returns to her old life after a breakup, ready to pick up where she left off and finds it's not as easy as she thought because those around her have moved on. He'll guest as her ex, Benny Burnet, a confident, dashing mega producer. Said role, like many in the pilot, was written specifically for the actor. Harris Wittels, June Diane Raphael, Ken Leung and Tig Notaro also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, to be directed by Ken Kwapis. (THR.com)

UNTITLED KEVIN WILLIAMSON PROJECT (FOX) - Mexican actor Adan Canto has scored a role on the drama pilot, about Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon), a former FBI agent who leads the search to catch diabolical serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) who has created a cult of serial killers. He'll play Billy Thomas, a computer tech who runs the fraud division at TI. He's also - alongside his partner Will Wilson (Nico Tortorella) - the neighbor of Joe's latest intended victim, Sarah Fuller (yet to be cast). His casting stems from a talent holding deal the actor signed earlier this year with the network. Jeananne Goossen, Natalie Zea, Shawn Ashmore and Valorie Curry also star. Marcos Siega is directing for Warner Bros. Television. (Deadline.com)

WHITE VAN MAN (ABC) - Danielle Nicolet ("The Starter Wife") has landed a role on the comedy pilot, about Jack Shea (Kyle Bornheimer), a man who is forced to put his business dreams on hold in order to take over the family handyman business from his father, Tony (J.K. Simmons). She's set as Liz ("lovely, tough; has a calm, bemused, tongue-in-cheek demeanor that tends to charm"), the sister of Jack's employee Darren (Edi Gathegi) , who works behind the counter at the local hardware store. Johnny Pemberton and Leah Remini also star in the ABC Studios-based half-hour, which Michael Fresco is directing from a script by Bobby Bowman. (Deadline.com)