Designer David Bromstad Tapped to Host "The White Room Challenge"

Designer David Bromstad Tapped to Host "The White Room Challenge"

It's everyone's favorite episode of HGTV Design Star, and now, premiering on Tuesday, April 24, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, The White Room Challenge is a series all its own. For a shot at a $10,000 grand prize, some of the country's most successful designers and artists must design 10' by 10' white rooms using such outrageous elements as candy treats, dumpster-dived treasures or more than 1,500 flowers. Hosted by HGTV Design Star champion and Color Splash star David Bromstad, The White Room Challenge will feature such show stopping creative designs as wallpaper made from lollipops and pixie sticks and upholstery made of flower petals.

While they will have the assistance of a carpenter, in the end, each contestant must impress an expert judging panel that features HGTV's Jamie Durie and a rotation of guest judges, including veteran television designer Thom Filicia; Meg Caswell, HGTV Design Star season six winner and host of Meg's Great Rooms; Going Yard's Chris Lambton and Dina Manzo of Dina's Party.

Bromstad, the popular designer who first captivated viewers when he transformed a white room into a spectacular living space using items purchased in a pet store during season one of HGTV Design Star, also will be a fitting judge and mentor for the diverse group of ambitious and talented designers on The White Room Challenge.

"It may be seven years later, but I still remember the pressure cooker of a white room challenge!" laughs Bromstad. "It was a fun way for us to show off our individual creativity and unique design perspective, but we also had to tap into our ingenuity and time and budget management skills. It was incredibly stressful, but people love the idea of transforming a blank canvas into something remarkable, so I know they will love the competition and the designs showcased in The White Room Challenge."

CBS Announces Season Finale Dates for the 2011-12 Season

CBS Announces Season Finale Dates for the 2011-12 Season

Look for two-hour finales for "Survivor," "The Amazing Race," "Criminal Minds" and "NCIS: Los Angeles."

CBS announced today the dates and storylines for its 2011-12 series' season finales. (All times are ET/PT.)

SUNDAY, APRIL 29

9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE - Lockhart & Gardner faces its biggest challenge yet when Patti Nyholm (Martha Plimpton) returns, joining forces with Louis Canning (Michael J. Fox) to drive Alicia's (Julianna Margulies) firm into bankruptcy.

SUNDAY, MAY 6

8:00-10:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE - After traveling five continents, 22 cities and nearly 40,000 miles, the series' 20th installment concludes in a special two-hour season finale as the final four Teams race through Japan and onto Honolulu where one Team will win the $1 million prize. Hosted by Phil Keoghan. (Two Hours)

MONDAY, MAY 7

8:00-9:00 PM 2 BROKE GIRLS - Max (Kat Dennings) and Caroline (Beth Behrs) use Caroline's invite to a Manhattan gala as a means to meet Martha Stewart and present their cupcake business. Martha Stewart guest stars. (One Hour)

TUESDAY, MAY 8

10:00-11:00 PM UNFORGETTABLE - On the trail of her sister's murderer, Carrie (Poppy Montgomery) returns to Syracuse, where the killer may have struck again.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9

10:00-11:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - When a friend of the Sheriff becomes a prime suspect in his wife's brutal murder, the investigation's political fallout reveals the truth behind Russell's (Ted Danson) troubled history with Finlay (Elisabeth Shue). Also, an old foe of the CSIs resurfaces and threatens the team.

THURSDAY, MAY 10

8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY - Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) makes his final preparations to launch into space.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

8:00-9:00 PM UNDERCOVER BOSS - Jose Mas, the CEO of Mastec, one of the largest builders of telecommunication and energy systems in North America, goes undercover in his own company where he experiences a "jolting" revelation.

9:00-10:00 PM CSI: NY - When Mac (Gary Sinise) is shot, he finds himself in limbo as he fights for his life.

10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS - Frank (Tom Selleck) races against the clock when he learns there's solid intel indicating a terrorist attack, but no indication of the place or means.

SUNDAY, MAY 13

8:00-10:00 PM SURVIVOR: ONE WORLD - In the two-hour season finale, the remaining castaways vie for the chance to be named Sole Survivor and take home the million-dollar grand prize. Hosted by Jeff Probst. (Two Hours)

10:00-11:00 PM SURVIVOR: ONE WORLD LIVE REUNION SHOW

MONDAY, MAY 14

8:00-9:00 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER - On Barney's (Neil Patrick Harris) wedding day, his wife is finally revealed, and the gang reminisces about the time they encouraged Ted to follow his heart and go after the one that got away. (One Hour)

9:00-9:30 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN - Jake (Angus T. Jones) graduates from school and makes a huge decision about what to do with his life.

9:30-10:00 PM MIKE & MOLLY - Will Mike (Billy Gardell) and Molly (Melissa McCarthy) finally make it down the aisle?

10:00-11:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0 - Five-0 goes on a manhunt when one of their own is killed in the line of duty.

TUESDAY, MAY 15

8:00-9:00 PM NCIS - Terrorism shakes the foundations of the Navy and NCIS to such an extent that Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and the team face surprises that will devastate them.

9:00-11:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES - The L.A. team is drawn into a deadly mind game against a master criminal motivated by revenge. (Two Hours)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16

9:00-11:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS - When a federal bank is under attack, the BAU is called to negotiate a hostage situation. As events unfold in real-time, tensions rise as one of the team becomes a hostage. Also, Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) says goodbye. (Two Hours)

THURSDAY, MAY 17

8:30-9:00 PM RULES OF ENGAGEMENT - Jen (Bianca Kajlich) volunteers to throw Audrey (Megyn Price) a baby shower, but puts the wrong date on the invitation; Jeff (Patrick Warburton) takes a liking to Audrey's maternity clothes; and Russell (David Spade) accomplishes great things when he decides to give up women.

9:00-10:00 PM PERSON OF INTEREST - As the clock ticks down, Reese (Jim Caviezel) winds up trapped with his POI in the most heavily surveilled part of the city, forced to rely on the help of Finch (Michael Emerson), Carter (Taraji P. Henson) and Fusco (Kevin Chapman) to fend off the FBI, corrupt cops and a slew of old foes.

10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST - After another failed attempt to defeat Red John, Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) hits rock bottom, finds a lover and shoots one of his own.

Neon Trees and Rye Rye Added to Live Musical Performances on Logo's "NewNowNext Awards" 2012

Neon Trees and Rye Rye Added to Live Musical Performances on Logo's "NewNowNext Awards" 2012

Logo announced today that rockers Neon Trees and Baltimore's premier dance-rap spitfire Rye Rye will round out the live musical performances on this year's "NewNowNext Awards." They will join previously announced acts Adam Lambert and Neon Hitch. Additionally, Logo revealed the first group of presenters scheduled to appear. Hosted by Kelly Osbourne, the "NewNowNext Awards" 2012 tapes in front of a live audience at the legendary Avalon in Hollywood on Thursday, April 5th with a telecast premiere on Monday, April 9th at 10/9C on Logo.

On the heels of a banner year, multi-platinum Mercury Record's sensation, Neon Trees, quickly climbed the charts and captured the attention of audiences worldwide. Their debut album, HABITS turned out the RIAA double-platinum debut single "Animal," which hit #1 Alternative, #1 Hot AC and top 10 Pop. Furthermore, "Animal" took home the Top Alternative Song Award at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, and has been covered by industry fans Taylor Swift and Train.

Named "Best New Band of 2010" by influential website Absolutepunk.net, Neon Trees - Tyler Glenn (lead vocals, keyboards), Chris Allen (guitars), Branden Campbell (bass), and Elaine Bradley (drums, vocals) - were also featured on USA Today's influential "On The Verge" column and were named "Artist Of The Week" at RollingStone.com. The eagerly awaited, new advance single "Everybody Talks," is available now, and currently climbing the charts with a Top 15 spot at Alternative Radio. Neon Tree's second album for Mercury, PICTURE SHOW, is set for an April 17th release.

Dubbed "the voice of Baltimore," 21-year-old hip hop dynamo Rye Rye is no stranger to the limelight. She was the first artist signed to M.I.A's label N.E.E.T. Records and past collaborations have included hits with mentors M.I.A., Diplo and DJ Blaqstarr. More recently she teamed with Scandinavian dance queen Robyn for summer's smash, "Never Will Be Mine" and Far East Movement on their fall track "Jello." Rye Rye also unleashed her brand new single "Boom Boom" earlier this month. This bouncy track samples the Vengaboys' 1999 hit "Boom Boom Boom Boom." The video for the single, directed by Georgie Greville and Geremy Jasper of LEGS' (Florence And The Machine, Goldfrapp) will drop later this month.

Rye Rye's quick-tongued rhymes might sound playful, but her witty tracks hit hard, and they've been connecting with fans all over the world. As a special guest on the Cherrytree Pop Alternative Tour, Rye Rye performed alongside label mates LMFAO and Far East Movement (to name a few) all over Europe and Canada this past fall.

Declared "eminently danceable, with up-tempo break beats, electronic flourishes, and double-Dutch-like rhymes," by the The New York Times, Rye Rye's debut album GO! POP! BANG! drops on May 15th guaranteeing the MC's bouncy playground jams will be pumping out of every actual schoolyard - and car stereo, club, block party, and house party - just in time for summer.

The "NewNowNext Awards" is often known for its' eclectic line-up of presenters - and this year is no exception. Presenters announced today include: Kat Graham ("The Vampire Diaries"), Busy Philipps ("Cougar Town"), Wendy McLendon-Covey ("Magic Mike"), Lamorne Morris ("New Girl"), Aisha Tyler ("The Talk"), Carmen Electra, Kyle Richards ("The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"), RuPaul ("RuPaul's Drag Race"), Perez Hilton, Ross Mathews, Eden Wood ("Eden's World"), Heather McDonald ("Chelsea Lately"), and George Kotsiopoulos ("Fashion Police"). Additional presenters and special guests will be announced as they are confirmed.

Fans are encouraged to visit NewNowNext.com or m.newnownext.com/awards to view the entire list of nominees and cast their votes across a wide range of outrageous categories including "Cause You're Hot," "Beyond Style," and "TV You Betta Watch." Additionally, users can vote for the NewNowNext Awards nominees on Twitter by including the nominee name and the hashtag #NNNAwards in their tweet. Nominees for the "NewNowNext Awards" were chosen by the "NewNowNext Academy" - a mix of tastemakers from various creative industries across the country.

Winners will be revealed Monday, April 9th at 10/9C, on Logo's "NewNowNext Awards" 2012 show. The 90-minute special will be taped in front of a live audience of today's hottest emerging and seasoned artists at the Avalon in Hollywood, CA on April 5th. Additional performers, presenters and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks.

Logo's"NewNowNext Awards" have earned a reputation for breaking new ground in pop culture. Lady Gaga gave her first televised performance at the show, Rooney Mara was a nominee well before an Oscar Nominee, Wendy Williams was handed "Guiltiest Pleasure" before her talk show aired, and the cast of Bridesmaids received their first award and made their first televised appearance together at the 2011 show.

"The Ricky Gervais Show," the Animated Comedy Series Based on the Smash-Hit Podcast

"The Ricky Gervais Show," the Animated Comedy Series Based on the Smash-Hit Podcast

the animated comedy series based on the record-breaking podcast, returns to HBO for its 13-episode third season FRIDAY, APRIL 20 (9:00-9:30 p.m. ET/PT), with other new episodes debuting subsequent Fridays at the same time. The voices are recorded by Ricky Gervais, his longtime collaborator, Stephen Merchant, and Gervais' colleague and friend, Karl Pilkington, whose offbeat musings inspire many of the storylines.

THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW animates the podcast that first appeared on the Guardian website, subsequently earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most downloads. In March 2011, the podcast reportedly passed the 300 million download mark.

Topics covered in season three include: Karl ruminating on museum collections, his invention of the mug coaster, a movie pitch, and Karl, Stephen and Ricky shedding new light on charitable causes.

'Big Bang Theory's' Jim Parsons Interview

'Big Bang Theory's' Jim Parsons Interview

When CBS debuted “The Big Bang Theory” in fall 2007, Jim Parsons, who plays neurotic genius Sheldon Cooper, emerged as a breakout star.

The show survived its strike-shortened first campaign and returned for a second season that was so strong the network gave the show a pickup for seasons three, which bows Monday, Sept. 21, and four.

Parsons is Emmy-nominated for the first time this year. He chatted with TheWrap about being on a hit sitcom in today's fickle TV day-and-age, the role Comic-Con plays in its success and, yes, budget cuts.

"The Big Bang Theory" had an interesting path to ratings success. You bowed in the strike-shortened fall '07 season and the ratings were good. But you were on the bubble and the pickup for a second season wasn’t guaranteed. Yet, when you came back for season two last fall, the show really caught fire.
I think the material we are presenting is truly funny (thank you, writers) and that we portray characters who are not only fallible (and therefore relatable), but they have also developed into characters with depth and traits that an audience can rely on, week after week. We have been treated very well by both the network (CBS) and the studio (WB), and, at the end of the day, we've also been lucky.

You guys have been a huge hit at Comic-Con the last two summers. Strange place for a sitcom to catch fire, but it seems like the right audience.
I don't think any of us were sure that we would be an appropriate fit at the convention when we first heard we'd be attending but the fans of the show have been simply terrific. They ask the smartest questions and seem so genuinely pleased to talk with us, as we are with them.

As an actor, have you noticed the effects of budget cuts that everyone in TV is going through right now?
No, I have not. That doesn't mean it isn't happening. Maybe I was memorizing unfamiliar science terms while they took away square footage in my dressing room?

What’s been the biggest surprise and the biggest disappointment to come with fame?
There have been no disappointments for me, as far as this show and my life with it have been, and I say that in all sincerity. I am getting to work at the job of my dreams (certainly one of many versions of that dream that I've had) and that makes me, at a level, continually happy. As far as surprises go, getting a two season pick up from CBS kind of floored me -- I just had not been aware of that ever happening; certainly not lately.

People are in love with your character and transfer that to you, don't they?
I think Sheldon's saving grace, as a character, is that he truly means no harm even when he offends someone or says something that make others feel awkward.

He is a scientist and, in order to get to the truth you must have all the facts and deal with them.

The other actors keep Sheldon grounded in reality: their reactions to him are  honest and usually tinged with love and, I think, when the audience has the chance to view Sheldon through those other characters eyes, they have the chance to love him too.

If you weren’t on "Big Bang Theory," what current show would you like to be on?
I would love to be on “Friday Night Lights.” I don't have a specific pitch for a role that I've had in mind, but that's a damn fine show with some damn fine acting on it. Bravo. I am also from Texas and think they've captured something about it perfectly.

Facebook or Twitter have certainly changed things for everyone. Is your show "into" that?
I believe there is a "fan page" for me on Facebook, but I do not have control over it. As for Twitter, I was a member for about three days. I read other people's Twitter postings and they were so funny and creative and I realized that I was incapable of contributing in that way.

All I had to offer was a listing of what I was up to and I decided that I didn't want everyone to know everything I was doing -- especially since ALL of it centered around what meal I was having or would soon have. How boring. And embarrassing.

Do you have any aspirations to write or direct?
I have aspirations to write and direct. I think. Really, though, I am still having so much fun acting and I still feel like I learn something new with such frequency that I have devoted almost no time to any other career choice in the industry. I really think I will at some point.

You announced the Emmy nominations with Chandra Wilson and you both were nominated. Can you describe what it felt like to find out you were nominated while you were there on stage?
It felt like a lie -- like it wasn’t really happening. It felt like I was doing a play or something with Chandra. It was only after I got home and watched us on DVR that I really felt like it was official.

How does it feel to be a fashion icon? Have you visited Sheldonshirts.com?
I would not know how it feels to be a fashion icon as, I swear, I am not one. However, Mary Quigley, who happens to be a producer of our show in addition to the costume designer, would, I imagine, feel flattered. She could make a couple extra bucks on the side... just sayin'.

'Mad Men' Gathers No Dust in 17 Months on the Shelf

'Mad Men' Gathers No Dust in 17 Months on the Shelf

"Mad Men" has gathered no dust during its 17 months on the shelf.

The AMC drama returns Sunday for its fifth season with one of its freshest episodes yet. The show looks rejuvenated by a long vacation it didn't want. It resulted from creator Matthew Weiner's bruising contract negotiations with AMC and production company Lionsgate.

Some fans have said long delays have killed the momentum of shows like "The Sopranos." That was certainly a risk for "Mad Men," which went twice as long as it usually would between seasons.

But long wait times, it turns out, can also be good for shows.

That’s certainly the case with “Mad Men,” judging from its two-hour season premiere.

Sunday night's episode wastes no time establishing itself: It's now 1965. The old crew is back. We find out very quickly whether Don really went through with plans to marry his secretary, Megan. (We wouldn't dream of spoiling it for you.) Babies have been born since last season. A child has learned to talk. Marriages have entered lulls.

The show opens with a sequence that is simultaneously dated and shocking -- and still scarily relevant today. It features the casual mockery of something modern-day Americans consider almost sacred. (No, it's not prescription birth control. But good guess.) You can't believe it's happening, but you're sure things like it did. Immediately, we're back in the "Mad Men" era -- and it feels more immediate than ever before.

The feeling never lets up. The timely references feel matter-of-fact, rather than like winking asides. (At one point, while driving, Don casually reaches across the front seat to keep his kids from sliding forward -- because these are the dark days before shoulder harnesses.) A party during the episode is hipper than any I've been to. (But maybe I'm not the best barometer.)

The most frequent feeling is one of relentless forward motion, faster than you can stop it or even identify it. Older people putter about, unsure what to do. Younger people almost effortlessly outwork and outsmart them. The old feel disregarded and the young feel underappreciated. The two feelings are almost the same.

The first episode suggests that "Mad Men" could be on a similar path as "Breaking Bad," which came back from a yearlong break with a season that was easily its best. Not that the delay was without cost: Star Bryan Cranston lost his eligibility for what could have been a fourth consecutive best dramatic actor Emmy.

During his long, by-all-accounts miserable negotiations over returning to the show, Weiner fought AMC and Lionsgate on several points. He resisted calls to cut the number of actors and make product placements more explicit.

He got his way on those key points, and in exchange agreed to wait until 2012 to bring his labor of love back to the airwaves.

It turned out to be a good decision for everyone involved. AMC was able to train much more of its promotional power on "The Walking Dead," which repeatedly broke its own ratings records to remain the network's most successful show. (AMC also launched the considerably less impressive "Hell on Wheels.")

Weiner, meanwhile, seems to have poured every extra second into "Mad Men." The show lives and breathes – and sometimes gasps – as never before. He and his talented writers seem to have thought and rethought every small twist, but still produced an episode that feels spontaneous rather than worked over.

"Mad Men" used to be a great show you watched. Now it feels like you're inside of it.

Which brings us to the best part of the long wait between episodes: Weiner's agreement with AMC and Lionsgate also calls for the show to end after seven seasons. Which means we're more than halfway through "Mad Men."

If nothing else, long waits delay the end.

Ratings: 'Bent' Has Poor Premiere; Fox Wins Night With 'Idol'

Ratings: 'Bent' Has Poor Premiere; Fox Wins Night With 'Idol'

NBC's new comedy 'Bent' got off to a discouraging start Wednesday night, while Fox's "American Idol," while down slightly from last week, still pushed the network to an overall win for the night, according to preliminary numbers.

Fox, which ran "American Idol" throughout its primetime roster, took an easy win in the advertiser-cherished 18-49 demographic and total viewership, averaging a 4.9 rating/19 share and 16.6 million.

CBS was a distant second in the demo and total viewership with an average 2.8/8 and 11.1 million. "Survivor" at 8 p.m. took a 10 percent dip in the demo from last week, receiving a 2.7/8 with 10.2 million viewers. "Criminal Minds" the following hour was up 14 percent in the demo from last week with a 3.2/8, with 11.9 million total viewers. "CSI" at 10 was down 11 percent in the demo, receiving a 2.5/7 with 11.2 million total viewers.

ABC, which ran mostly repeats throughout the night, came in third in the demo and total viewers with an average 1.5/4 and 4.9 million. Its sole original programming for the night, "Happy Endings" at 9:30, was down 25 percent in the demo from last week with a 1.8/5, and 4.1 million total viewers.

NBC, in fourth place in the demo and total viewers with an average 1.0/3 and 3.1 million, ran "Whitney" at 8, which was up 14 percent from last week's series low with a 1.6/5 in the demo and 4.2 million total viewers. "Are You There, Chelsea?" at 8:30 enjoyed a 27 percent bump from its own series low last week, taking a 1.4/4 in the demo with 3.5 million total viewers.

The premiere of "Bent" at 9 posted a 1.0/3 in the demo -- the network's lowest comedy in-season premiere ever, and down 9 percent from last year's premiere of "The Paul Reiser Show," which died a quick death.The "Bent" premiere drew 2.8 million viewers. The show's time-period premiere at 9:30 fared even worse, posting a 0.9/2 in the demo and 2.4 million total viewers. The network's night closed out at 10 with "Rock Center With Brian Williams" at 10, which was up 17 percent in the demo from last week with a 0.7/2, and 3 million total viewers.

First shots from CBS’ modern day Sherlock Holmes, Elementary

First shots from CBS’ modern day Sherlock Holmes, Elementary

Jonny Lee Miller is Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu is Joan Watson, as the first shots from the shoot of CBS' Elementary appear...

Shooting has commenced on the pilot episode of CBS’s New York-based contemporary take on Sherlock Holmes, Elementary.

The show stars Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes, and Lucy Liu as, er, Joan Watson, and the pair have been filming on the streets of New York City. Hence, courtesy of MSN, here are the first shots from the shoot...

Fired 'Apprentice' Bilyana: 'I was trying to save the day'

Fired 'Apprentice' Bilyana: 'I was trying to save the day'

Fired Apprentice candidate Bilyana Apostolova has admitted that she is "embarrassed" about behaviour on the BBC One reality show and has insisted that it wasn't a fair representation of her nomal working life.

Apostolova told Digital Spy that she was trying to "save the day" by heading off with a sub-team to London Zoo in last night's series premiere and criticised her female co-stars for "whispering behind my back" rather than confronting her face-to-face.

Speaking about her aggresive sales style on the shows, she said: "It's a real shame, because someone from work watched it and they said it was totally not me, but there was a lot more material to be shown.

"I'm such a balanced person; it's incredible that I come across like that."

Commenting on the bust-up the girls' team had in a boutique, the Bulgarian said: "I was embarrassed right there and then, I wanted the earth to eat me up. Because I led them to the store, I opened up with, 'Good afternoon madam, I used to live here and now we've set up our own business and we have our product', and then Jenna started behaving like a, well I don't even know what word to use.

"Then everyone else started shouting. I'm not saying I didn't partake in it, but all of a sudden it became out of control.

"I could see the woman blushing and it was unprofessional to confront the other girls in front of the customer and then the way Jenna just said, 'Come on guys, we're just wasting time on her', was just so unprofessional. I'd not like to be associated with that episode, within the episode at all."

Although she was only on the show for one task, the risk analyst tipped Jade Nash to go far in the series and doubted the credentials of Jenna Whittingham. "She yaps away a lot. She said something about organic cotton coming from organic sheep. I could see her really irritating people," said Apostolova.

The Apprentice continues on Wednesday nights at 9pm on BBC One.

'Angry Birds Space' cartoon to air on Nickelodeon

'Angry Birds Space' cartoon to air on Nickelodeon

A new short film of Angry Birds Space is to air on Nickelodeon tomorrow, as Rovio launches its biggest ever integrated campaign for the blockbuster game.

Angry Birds Space today became available to download for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices, as well as Mac and PC. A retail copy of the game for PC will follow shortly.

The game marks the first integrated entertainment launch for Finnish firm Rovio, including accompanying Angry Birds Space merchandise, animation and books.

This also includes an Angry Birds Space cartoon airing exclusively on Nickelodeon on March 23 at 6pm, revealing six brand new birds in the series.

The animated short tells the story of how the Angry Birds ended up in space, after a cosmic vortex appears and sucks them into another galaxy. The feathered heroes then have to "slingshot themselves into a new adventure - space".

Since Angry Birds debuted on Apple's iOS devices in December 2009, it has become the most popular mobile game ever, racking up 700m downloads in its first two years alone.

The game is available to play for free supported by adverts, but around 25% of downloads are understood to be for the paid, advert-free versions on smartphones and tablets. Angry Birds remains one of the most popular paid apps in the iTunes App Store.

The success of Angry Birds has transformed Rovio Entertainment into a powerhouse in mobile gaming, helping the firm raise $42m in venture capital funding last March from Accel Partners, Atomico and Felicis Ventures.

Rovio has also been successful in developing Angry Birds into a successful brand, tapping into the lucrative markets for merchandising and licensing, including cuddly toys, branded goods and entertainment spinoffs.

The company announced yesterday that various Angry Birds-themed parks will be built around the world over the next year.

Rovio has teamed up with playground equipment maker Lappset Group to create the activity parks, which will feature interactive content and "exclusive" downloads.

The first Angry Birds park will be constructed in Finland this summer, with UK sites to follow.

Sherlock series 3 “planned out”

Sherlock series 3 “planned out”

Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have the third series of Sherlock mapped out. Now? There’s just the small matter of writing it…

As part of his recent natter with the Radio Times website, at the recent Royal Television Society awards, Steven Moffat had a brief update as to the state of Sherlock series 3.

A further run of the show, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, has already been confirmed. And Moffat has told the Radio Times that he and Mark Gatiss have already been hard at work on it.

“Mark and I have planned it out”, he said. “We haven’t started writing it yet because I've got God knows how many episodes of Doctor Who to get sorted first. But the way it works with Sherlock is that we starve you and then we give you a short burst and then we starve you again. It’s worked so far, we’re not going to change it."

He had no clues as to when the new series would be scheduled. “Given that this is a show I haven’t started writing yet, it’s a bit early to suggest scheduling. Once we hand them over, they’ll be on television quite quickly”.

Dara O'Briain to host BAFTA Television Awards

Dara O'Briain to host BAFTA Television Awards

Dara O'Briain has been confirmed as host of the 2012 BAFTA Television Awards.

The Mock The Week comedian will oversee this year's ceremony at London's Royal Festival Hall on May 27.

He is replacing last year's host Graham Norton, who will be in Azerbaijan covering the Eurovision Song Contest that weekend.

O'Briain said: "I'm delighted and honoured to be taking the reins at this year's British Academy Television Awards, in the prestigious role as the person who introduces the people who read out the winners of the awards."

Referring to the controversy over ITV's decision to cut off Adele's speech at last month's Brit Awards, he joked: "And if Adele wins anything, I promise I'll leave her well alone, no matter what time it is."

BAFTA chief executive Amanda Berry OBE added: "Dara is a fantastic supporter of BAFTA, and I know he will do a terrific job of hosting the Television Awards.

"The ceremony showcases the very best television programmes and performances of the last year, and with Dara at the helm I am sure it will be a truly wonderful event."

O'Briain also served as host for the GAME British Academy Video Games Awards on March 16.

The 2012 British Academy Television Awards will air on BBC One.

'Luther' creator 'plans to end show, make film'

'Luther' creator 'plans to end show, make film'

Luther creator Neil Cross has revealed that he is planning a film spinoff.

The writer told BBC Radio 4's Front Row that he intends to make the movie once the BBC crime drama has ended.

"We'll wrap up Luther as a TV show, but I think we'll then probably make the leap to the big screen," he said.

Cross added that the television incarnation of Luther would have a "powerful and moving ending".

"The final scene of the final episode is great and we wouldn't want to continue [beyond that]," he explained. "We'll go out big and leave it at that."

Last year, Luther star Idris Elba admitted that he is also keen to make a film based on the show.

"I really do want to make Luther into a film," he said. "I think that's where the ultimate Luther story will unfold - the big silver screen."

The Golden Globe-winning drama will return for a third run of four 60-minute episodes later this year.

Netflix Eyes ABC Drama Series ‘The River’

Netflix Eyes ABC Drama Series ‘The River’

Netflix, already in talks with 20th Century Fox TV about possibly picking up recently canceled Fox series Terra Nova, may also be eying another freshman drama facing cancellation: ABC’s The River. I’ve learned that the streaming giant has had conversations with The River producer ABC Studios about the possibility of continuing the thriller/horror series on Netflix.

Sources stress that the talks are exploratory at this point in the context of a larger conversation between ABC Studios and Netflix. The River never got traction on ABC, finishing its midseason run with a 1.4 18-49 rating for its finale Tuesday. But it is the type of show — a heavily serialized genre series — that works well on streaming services like Netflix.

The River‘s Live+7 ratings bump, 36% vs. Live+Same Day according to the most recent available data, is solid though not as high as that of Terra Nova (44%), which also was higher-rated overall. DVR ratings are indicative of how many viewers prefer to “stream” a show on their own timetable instead of watching it the night it airs. Unlike Terra Nova, The River has not been officially canceled by ABC, though that is considered a foregone conclusion. Also, since the series is produced by ABC’s own production arm, the network probably won’t stand in the way of a deal that would make money for its sister studio.

'Downton Abbey' recruits 'Eragon' actor Ed Speleers

'Downton Abbey' recruits 'Eragon' actor Ed Speleers

Ed Speleers has been cast in the new series of Downton Abbey.

The Eragon actor will play a footman named Jimmy when the ITV drama returns, Digital Spy has learned.

The 23-year-old is currently starring in horror comedy Love Bite and previously featured in Echo Beach.

Speleers's Downton Abbey casting follows the announcement last month that Cara Theobald and Lucille Sharp will play maids in series three.

War Horse star Matt Milne has also signed on to portray a new footman, while Shirley MacLaine is due to appear as Martha Levinson, the mother of Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern).

Downton Abbey is expected to air on ITV later this year.

Crackle Sets Cast And Directors For First Long-Form Scripted Series ‘Unknown’

Crackle Sets Cast And Directors For First Long-Form Scripted Series ‘Unknown’

Anthology drama series Unknown, Crackle.com’s first long-form scripted show, has assembled a cast and locked in directors. Frances Fisher (The Lincoln Lawyer), William Atherton (Life) and Taryn Manning (Hawaii Five-0) will star in installments of the thriller/horror anthology, which examines unexplained phenomena. Kevin Connolly (Entourage) will direct an episode featuring Jay R. Ferguson (Mad Men), visual effects specialist Sam Nicholson (The Walking Dead) will direct another episode featuring Christina Pickles, and APA-repped Martha Coolidge will directs the rest of the six half-hour episodes.

Production on the series, executive produced by Chris Collins (Sons of Anarchy) and former LucasFilm executive Steve Tzirlin, started last month for a launch later this year on the Sony Pictures TV-owned digital network Crackle.

Nick At Nite Picks Up Scott Baio Family Comedy To Series

Nick At Nite Picks Up Scott Baio Family Comedy To Series

Nick At Nite‘s first original scripted comedy pilot, Daddy’s Home, will become the programming block’s first homegrown live-action comedy series. I hear that Nickelodeon has given a 20-episode order to the multicamera project starring Happy Days alum Scott Baio. Daddy’s Home centers on David Hobbs (Baio), an actor who, after 10 years of starring as America’s favorite TV dad, becomes a stay-at-home father to honor the deal he made with his soap-star wife so she can return to the limelight. The project was created by writer-producer Tina Albanese (CSI) and actor Patrick Labyorteaux (Little House On The Prairie), who are executive producing with Baio as well as showrunners Mitchel Katlin and Nat Bernstein, Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey. Nick is not commenting, but at the time the network picked up Daddy’s Home to pilot in October, Nickelodeon’s president of original programming and development Marjorie Cohn said the show puts “contemporary and comedic twist on parenthood that will make for a great addition to our existing slate of family programming.”

This marks Baio’s return to scripted comedy series after a decade on the unscripted side, teaming with Hervey for Scott Baio Is 45 and Single, Scott Baio Is 46 and Pregnant, and Confessions Of A Teen Idol. Nick at Nite’s only previous original live-action scripted series was the short-lived 1991 sitcom Hi Honey, I’m Home, which originated on ABC with instant reruns on Nick at Nite, migrating to the cable outlet after ABC canceled it. On the animated side, the primetime and overnight block of Nickelodeon has aired  Fatherhood. Daddy’s Home may soon have a companion — Nick At Nite recently greenlighted its second comedy pilot, Wendell & Vinnie, starring iCarly‘s Jerry Traino, created by Jay Kogen and executive produced by Aaron Kaplan.

Nickelodeon 'Camp Orange' holds auditions for second series

Nickelodeon 'Camp Orange' holds auditions for second series

The UK version of hit Australian children's show Camp Orange has been given a new series on Nickelodeon and is looking for new contestants.

The show features pairs of friends going head to head in a variety of gunge-based challenges, recorded in a secret location in the UK. The series is hosted by former Toonattik presenters Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers, accompanied by former Olympian Denise Lewis.

After five weeks of competing in "the slimiest, grubbiest and smelliest series of challenges", one team will be crowned "Champ Orange" in a public vote.

Last year's winners received a luxury trip on the Norwegian Epic Nickelodeon Cruise around the Mediterranean alongside a lineup of Nickelodeon stars.

"Inviting British kids to be involved in a Nickelodeon series is always fantastic but Camp Orange is such a celebration of friendship, achievement and enjoying the outdoors, that it feels extra special to be giving our audience the chance to be a part of it," said Nickelodeon UK managing director Tina McCann.

"Along with being physically and mentally tested, the teams that are selected for Camp Orange are set to have a lot of fun with the new challenges and fantastic prizes that are part of the second season."

Children aged 11-14 should visit the Nickelodeon website for entry details and to submit their audition videos.

The show is into its seventh series in Australia and will return in the UK in August.

Chloe Madeley to reveal 'Dancing on Ice' "corruption" in tell-all book

Chloe Madeley to reveal 'Dancing on Ice' "corruption" in tell-all book

Ex-Dancing On Ice contestant Chloe Madeley has reportedly vowed to expose the "backstage bitchiness and corruption" of the show in a tell-all book.

The TV presenter, who came third in last year's series and went on to date eventual winner Sam Attwater, cited the ITV competition as inspiration for her first novella.

"It's about all the backstage bitchiness, the corruption and everything that goes on," she told The Telegraph. "Obviously, I will have to change the names for legal reasons, but it is based on what goes on behind the scenes of these contests. It started as a short story, but now it is at the stage of a novella."

Madeley elaborated that the atmosphere on Dancing on Ice had put her in mind of a school, with the judges as teachers and contestants becoming like "gossiping" students.

"I don't know if it's coincidence or deliberate, but the judges kept their distance from us," she explained. "They kept themselves pretty separate. It's a bit like school.

''We all gossiped like mad. We moaned if we were on the receiving end, but when we found out something about someone else we'd all be huddled in the corner smoking and swapping titbits."

Madeley confirmed her separation from Attwater in August.

TV Tonight 23rd of March 2012

TV Tonight 23rd of March 2012

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

    20/20 S34E33: "Season 34, Episode 33"
    7 Days (NZ) S04E06: "Season 4, Episode 6"
    Air Crash Investigation S11E12
    Amagami SS S02E12: "Episode 12"
    America's Most Wanted S25E17: "Season 25, Episode 17"
    Ancient Aliens S04E07: "Aliens and Bigfoot"
    Antiques Road Trip S04E30: "Series 4, Episode 30"
    Bellator Fighting Championships S06E03: "Bellator 62"
    Benidorm S05E05: "Series 5, Episode 5"
    Big Brother Sverige S08E30: "Del 30"
    Black Rock Shooter S01E08: "Overcome the World"
    Cleverdicks S01E20: "Episode 20"
    Come Dine With Me S18E59: "Series 18, Episode 50"
    Come Dine With Me S18E60: "Series 18, Come Dine With Me"
    Comic Relief Does Glee Club! S02E10: "Series 2, Episode 10"
    Coronation Street S53E60: "Fri Mar 23, 2012 [Episode 2]"
    Coronation Street S53E59: "Fri Mar 23, 2012 [Episode 1]"
    Countdown with Keith Olbermann S10E57: "Season 10, Episode 57"
    Dateline NBC S21E32: "Fr2127"
    Days of our Lives S47E95: "Ep. #11805"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E192: "Episode 1872"
    Degrassi S11E37: "Not Ready To Make Nice (2)"
    Dickinson's Real Deal S08E79: "Series 8, Episode 79"
    Doctors S13E226: "Ambition"
    Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers S03E04: "Series 3, Episode 4"
    Emmerdale S41E71: "March 23, 2012"
    Fairly Legal S02E02: "Start Me Up"
    Flikken Maastricht S06E08: "Season 6, Episode 8"
    Four In A Bed S03E10: "Payment Day"
    Fred: The Show S01E11: "Six Degrees of Kevin's Bacon"
    Fringe S04E15: "A Short Story About Love"
    Funny As Hell S02E05: "Season 2, Episode 5"
    Gardeners' World S45E03: "March 23, 2012"
    General Hospital (US) S49E249: "#12523"
    Ghost Adventures S06E03: "The Copper Queen Hotel and the Oliver House"
    Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden S22E145: "Season 22, Episode 145"
    Guilty Crown S01E22: "Prayer:Convergence"
    High School DxD S01E12: "I Came to Carry Out My Promise!"
    Hollyoaks S18E60: "March 23, 2012"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E45: "Episode 5480"
    House Hunters S48E59
    House Hunters International S25E62: "Reconnecting with Grenada"
    In Plain Sight S05E02: "Four Marshalls and a Baby"
    Inu x Boku SS S01E11: "Episode 11"
    Jeopardy! S28E135: "Show #6340"
    Kill Me Baby S01E12: "Of Chocolate, Sleep, and Wounds"
    Killer Trials: Judgment Day S01E14: "A Murder on Cape Cod"
    Killer Trials: Judgment Day S01E13: "Repeat Offender"
    Kitchen Nightmares S04E16: "Chiarella's"
    Late Night with Jimmy Fallon S02E238
    Live with Regis and Kelly S29E149
    Livet på Laerkevej S01E07: "Season 1, Episode 7"
    Mastermind (UK) S40E25: "Series 40, Show 25"
    Mastermind (UK) S40E24: "Series 40, Show 24"
    Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries S01E05: "Raisins and Almonds"
    Moordvrouw S01E10: "Season 1, Episode 10"
    Neighbours S28E55: "Episode 6365"
    Nikita S02E17: "Arising"
    North Woods Law S01E03: "Off Roadin'"
    Nytt På Nytt S26E12: "Anette Trettebergstuen og Andre Oktay Dahl"
    On Death Row S01E03: "Joseph Garcia and George Rivas"
    Persona 4 The Animation S01E24: "The World is Full of Shit"
    Popstokk S02E11
    Primetime S23E09: "What Would You Do? (9)"
    Real Time With Bill Maher S10E10: "Season 10, Episode 10"
    Romanii au Talent S02E06: "Auditii #6"
    Safari Vet School S01E12: "Episode 12"
    Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta S03E16: "Father Knows Dress"
    Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta S03E00: "Top 10 Southern Belles"
    Senhime Zesshou Symphogear S01E12: "Episode 12"
    Shark Tank S03E10: "Season 3, Episode 10"
    Shortland Street S21E50: "Season 21, Episode 50"
    Spartacus: Vengeance S02E09: "Monsters"
    Sport Relief S03E04: "Sports Relief 2012"
    Supernatural S07E17: "The Born-Again Identity"
    Sweet Home Alabama S03E10: "TBA"
    The Bold and the Beautiful S26E01: "Ep. #6285"
    The Chase (2009) S05E39: "Series 5, Episode 39"
    The Ellen DeGeneres Show S09E128
    The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E135
    The Real Hustle (UK) S11E09: "Celebrity Chancers: Episode 9"
    The Revolution (2012) S01E50: "Season 1, Episode 50"
    The Rosie Show S01E90: "Stephen Baldwin, Rachael Harris"
    The Sheriffs are Coming S01E04: "Episode 4"
    The Talk S02E93: "Season 2, Episode 93"
    The Tonight Show with Jay Leno S19E264
    The Ultimate Fighter S15E03: "Season 15, Episode 3"
    The Voice Kids S01E10: "Finale: The Results"
    The Voice Kids S01E09: "Finale"
    The Young and the Restless S39E254: "Ep. #9869"
    Thuis S17E150: "Season 17, Episode 150"
    Tracy Beaker Returns S03E13: "Series 3, Episode 13"
    Who Do You Think You Are? (US) S03E06: "Helen Hunt"
    WWE Friday Night SmackDown! S12E78: "Season 12, Episode 76"

'Smash' Creator Theresa Rebeck to Exit

'Smash' Creator Theresa Rebeck to Exit

Theresa Rebeck, the woman who created the series? Not so much.

Rebeck, who serves as the show's creator and executive producer, is leaving the series, TheWrap has learned. It is not clear whether the departure is voluntary or involuntary.

Rebeck, also a playwright, has television credits that include "Canterbury's Law," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "NYPD Blue."

"Smash," which stars Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty as they attempt to hit the big time in an Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe, was renewed by NBC on Thursday. However, a cloud of uncertainty has surrounded the series virtually since its premiere.

The series, which airs on the back of NBC's massively popular "The Voice," premiered in early February with a strong 3.8 rating/10 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and 11.5 million total viewers. Subsequent episodes showed a significant dropoff, but in recent weeks it has stabilized and even climbed.

It is also the network's top-rated drama in the demo -- NBC has reliably won Monday night since pairing the two series. "Smash" has a champion in NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt, who developed the show when he was at Showtime. The network has invested a significant amount in the series, spending $20 million to market it and "The Voice" and "Smash."

Whether it will flourish or crash without the woman who gave birth to it remains to be seen.

Matt Smith 'very excited' by Jenna-Louise Coleman 'Doctor Who' casting

Matt Smith 'very excited' by Jenna-Louise Coleman 'Doctor Who' casting

Doctor Who star Matt Smith has praised the appointment of Jenna-Louise Coleman as the show's new companion.

The Time Lord actor believes that Coleman, formerly of Emmerdale, gave the "most interesting" audition in front of showrunner Steven Moffat.

During an interview with BBC Radio Wales, Smith said: "[It's] very exciting news."

Confirming that he has already met Coleman, Smith added: "I was part of the audition process where we met a number of wonderful actresses.

"But I think Jenna responded to Steven's writing in the most interesting way. We're very excited to welcome her to the Doctor Who family."

Coleman, who is starring in Julian Fellowes's upcoming ITV drama Titanic, is to replace Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) and Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams), who both depart midway through the next series.

Syfy's 'Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome' Not Moving Forward as TV Series

Syfy's 'Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome' Not Moving Forward as TV Series

Good news, bad news "Battlestar Galactica" fans: That trailer for the planned "Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome" prequel that hit the Interwebs earlier this week was exciting, but Syfy has confirmed that "Blood & Chrome" will live on as a digital series, not a TV show.

The series' pilot, which has already been filmed, will air as a two-hour movie on Syfy at a later date.

"Though the vision for 'Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome' has evolved over the course of the past year, our enthusiasm for this ambitious project has not waned," Syfy President of Original Content Mark Stern said in a statement.  "We are actively pursuing it as was originally intended: a groundbreaking digital series that will launch to audiences beyond the scope of a television screen."

The action-packed trailer for "Blood & Chrome," which hit the Internet after the WonderCon gathering in Anaheim last weekend, excited fans, but was unauthorized by Syfy.

"Blood & Chrome," set in the 10th year of the First Cylon War, is also planned to shed light on the early war battle years of William Adama, the "BSG" leader played by Edward James Olmos in the 2004-2009 "BSG" remake on Syfy.

"Skins" actor Luke Pasqualino portrays Adama in "Blood & Chrome."

Simon Cowell blasts Tulisa sex tape 'scumbag': 'X Factor job is safe'

Simon Cowell blasts Tulisa sex tape 'scumbag': 'X Factor job is safe'

Simon Cowell has insisted that Tulisa Contostavlos has nothing to apologise for following a leak of a sex tape featuring the X Factor judge.

Speaking at the launch of Britain's Got Talent, Cowell made a fiercely loyal defence of the N-Dubz popstar, claiming that she had nothing to be ashamed about.

"Tulisa doesn't have to apologise for anything. The only person who has to apologise is the scumbag who sold the tape," said Cowell.

"It's private, it's intimate and she did nothing wrong. People do these things in the bedroom believe it or not. I feel very sorry for her. He's a scumbag and I feel very, very angry about this."

Cowell claimed that Contostavlos's job on The X Factor is "safe", adding that he wants all four of last year's judges to return if possible.

He also claimed that he didn't want MC Ultra, who Contostavlos has accused of leaking the sex act video footage, "within 100 miles of the X Factor studios".

Contostavlos released a video blog on Wednesday night (March 21) admitting that it was her in the sex tape, confessing that she was "devastated" and "heartbroken" about the footage being shown on the internet.

"You never imagine for one minute that that the footage may at one point be shared with the rest of the UK or even people around the world, so as you can imagine, it's a pretty tough time for me," she said.

Britain's Got Talent launches on Saturday, March 24 at 8pm on ITV1.

NBC'S 'Smash' Renewed for Season 2

NBC'S 'Smash' Renewed for Season 2

NBC has renewed the Broadway musical drama "Smash" for a second season.

Though it has lost much of its lead-in on Monday's from "The Voice," "Smash" is NBC's top drama in viewers in the 18-49 demographic most important to advertisers. It is also a favorite of NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt.

"Smash," which follows two aspiring stars (Kathatine McPhee and Megan Hilty) as they try to make it big in a musical about Marilyn Monroe, is up 160 percent in the demo in the 10 p.m. Monday timeslot. It earned a 2.6 compared to the previous 1.0.

The series, which counts Steven Spielberg among its executive producers, has also doubled viewership in the timeslot from 3.9 million to 7.7 million.

NBC paired it with "The Voice" with hopes to establish a musical-themed Monday. "The Voice" has become the top-rated show of the season, earning a higher average even than "American Idol," which has led in the ratings for the past eight seasons.

"Smash" hasn't hit those highs, but the renewal is a vote of confidence that it can grow.

'The Apprentice' series eight opens with 6.4m on BBC One

'The Apprentice' series eight opens with 6.4m on BBC One

The Apprentice dominated its timeslot on its return but fell short of last year's premiere numbers, according to overnight data.

Series eight of the BBC One reality show opened with 6.42m (25.9%) in the 9pm hour. Last year, the premiere took 7.8m.

The Apprentice: You're Fired! was also down compared to the previous year. The BBC Two spinoff appealed to 1.99m (10.2%) from 10pm - in 2011, it began with 2.84m.

BBC also showed The Fisherman's Apprentice with Monty Halls (1.7m/7.2%) and Wikileaks: The Secret Life of a Superpower (652k/2.6%).

On ITV1, a two-hour instalment of Midsomer Murders averaged 4.43m (18.3%), with an additional 242k (1.2%) on timeshift.

Channel 4's Four Rooms managed 1.35m (5.7%) from 8pm (+1: 165k/0.7%), with One Born Every Minute getting 2.56m (10.3%) from 9pm (+1: 410k/2.4%).

On Channel 5, Big Body Squad took 1.07m (4.5%), NCIS had 1.41m (5.7%) from 9pm (+1: 136k/0.8%) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent was watched by 995k (5.7%).

Overall, BBC One comfortably won primetime with 24.7%, ahead of ITV1's 17.1% (+1: 0.8%). Channel 4 followed with 6.3% (+1: 1.1%) beating BBC Two's 5.5% and Channel 5's 4.7% (+1: 0.2%).

On the multichannels, The Secret Circle and Grey's Anatomy drew 205k (0.9%) and 134k (0.8%) respectively on Sky Living.

Martha Stewart, Tony Hale Guest Starring on 'Law & Order: SVU'

Martha Stewart, Tony Hale Guest Starring on 'Law & Order: SVU'

Martha Stewart is guest starring on an April episode of "Law & Order: SVU," but she won't be baking brownies for the detectives. Instead, the domestic doyenne will play a private school headmaster.

A "Law & Order: SVU" rep confirms to TheWrap that Stewart, along with "Arrested Development" star Tony Hale and "Hung" alum Jane Adams, will guest star in "Learning Curve," a late April episode of the NBC drama.

Stewart will play the headmaster of the school where Hale plays Rick Simms, a teacher who gets fired from his job after being accused of inappropriate behavior with one of his students. Adams will play Simms' former supervisor.

"Law & Order: SVU," the only "L & O" series still on the air from the franchise that has included five series in total, is currently airing its 13th season, and has been renewed for a 14th season by NBC.

Development Update: the 23rd of March

Development Update: the 23rd of March

666 PARK AVENUE (ABC) - Helena Mattsson ("Nikita") has landed a role on the drama pilot, about a young couple (Rachael Taylor, Dave Annable) who accept an offer to manage one of the most historic apartment buildings in New York City where they begin to experience supernatural occurrences. She'll play Alexis Blume, the sexy neighbor of married playwright Brian Leonard (Robert Buckley) whom he spies on from his home office. Mercedes Masohn, Terry O'Quinn and Vanessa Williams also star in the Warner Bros. Television-based hour, which Alex Graves is directing from a script by David Wilcox. (Variety.com)

THE FAMILY TRAP (ABC) - Newcomer Mike Castle has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about newlyweds (Mandy Moore, Nelson Franklin) who get the opportunity of a lifetime to run a hip, new restaurant in her hometown but at the cost of bringing her closer to her needy and high maintenance parents (Stockard Channing, Kurt Fuller). He'll take over for James Pumphrey as Annie's (Moore) younger brother Zach, a change that was made following the table read. Erinn Hayes, Majandra Delfino and Ravi Patel co-star in the project, from director Shawn Levy and co-writers Bob Fisher and Stacy Traub. 20th Century Fox Television is producing. (Deadline.com)

FIRST CUT (The CW) - Jack Coleman ("Heroes") has booked the remaining principal role on the drama pilot, about Emily Barnes (Mamie Gummer), a medical student who discovers that working as an intern at a big hospital is a lot like being in high school. He's set as intern Tyra (Kelly McCreary)'s father Tim Granger, Denver Memorial Hospital's intimidating Chief of Staff. Writer Jennie Snyder Urman and director Bharat Nalluri are behind the CBS Television Studios-based hour, which also stars Aja Naomi King, Justin Hartley, Michael Rady and Necar Zadegan. (Deadline.com)

MIDNIGHT SUN (NBC) - British actor Lucien Laviscount ("Waterloo Road") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, 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 Charlie Watson - Vanessa's (Lucia Walters) teenage son and Miranda's (Alexia Fast) boyfriend - who is among the missing. Connor O'Farrell, Daniella Pineda, David Harbour, Emma Bell, Julia Stiles, Michael Raymond-James and Oz Zehavi co-star in the project, from Universal Television, director Brad Anderson and writer Lisa Zwerling. (Variety.com)

NED FOX IS MY MANNY (FOX) - Austin Stowell ("The Secret Life of the American Teenager") has scored a role on the comedy pilot, about Kate (formerly played by Abby Elliott), an uptight single mom whose aimless brother (Nat Faxon) moves in to help her raise her five-year-old daughter (Maggie Jones). He'll guest as Ryan ("luxurious, bouncing hair"), Kate's high school crush with whom she reunites for a disastrous date. Echo Kellum and Lucy Punch also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, from writer Dana Fox and director Jake Kasdan. (THR.com)

NEXT CALLER PLEASE (NBC) - Ryan Devlin ("Cougar Town") is the latest to be cast in the comedy pilot, about a mismatched duo - Cam (Dane Cook) and Stella (Collette Wolfe) - who host a relationship call-in show in New York City. He'll guest star as Mason, a Ryan Seacrest-esque top-40 DJ-slash-TV host, whom Cam routinely harasses. Stephen Falk is behind the Lionsgate Television-based half-hour, to be directed by Marc Buckland. Joy Osmanski also stars. (TVLine.com)

NOTORIOUS (NBC) - Meagan Good ("Californication") has booked the lead role on the drama pilot, about a police detective who returns undercover to the wealthy family she grew up in - as the maid's daughter - to solve the murder of Vivian Lawson, the notorious heiress who was once her closest friend. She'll play said cop, Joanna Locasto ("tomboy pretty"), in the Universal Television-based hour, from writer Liz Heldens. Katherine LaNasa, Neil Jackson, Tate Donovan and Victor Garber also star. (Deadline.com)

REBOUNDING (FOX) - Aly Michalka has departed the comedy pilot, about Danny Markle (Will Forte), a man recovering from the death of his fiance with help from friends on his pick-up basketball team (Hayes MacArthur, Malcolm Barrett and Matt L. Jones). She was set to play Taryn ("27, smoking hot, super secure, a female Teller"), the girlfriend of Hayes MacArthur's character, Dave Teller. Said role is being reconceived following the table read. Andrea Savage also stars in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, from director Jason Winer and co-creators Joe Port and Joe Wiseman. (Deadline.com)

ROGUE (DirecTV, New!) - Thandie Newton is in talks to star in an original series at the satcaster about an undercover cop who takes on a gangster after her young son is killed in a drive-by shooting. Matthew Parkhill ("The Caller") is behind the Entertainment One-produced hour, which has a 10-episode commitment. Momentum Entertainment's Nick Hamm is also on board to executive produce alongside Parkhill. (Deadline.com)

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE (BET) - Aaron D. Spears and Richard Roundtree have both been cast in the Gabrielle Union-led drama pilot, which chronicles the work and family life of a popular Atlanta talk show host. Roundtree will play Mary Jane's (Union) father with Spears as Mark Bradley, her charismatic co-anchor and close friend. Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil are behind the project. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED KEVIN WILLIAMSON PROJECT (FOX) - Maggie Grace ("Lost") has booked a key 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. She's set as Dr. Sarah Fuller ("a determined woman; bright and cheerful"), Carroll's only surviving victim and presumed first target after he escapes from prison. Marcos Siega is helming the Warner Bros. Television-based hour, which also stars Adan Canto, Jeananne Goossen, Natalie Zea, Nico Tortorella, Shawn Ashmore and Valorie Curry. (EW.com)

UNTITLED MINDY KALING PROJECT (FOX) - Ed Helms, Bill Hader and Richard Schiff have all been tapped to guest star on the comedy pilot, about Mira Kaviraya (Mindy Kaling), a young doctor trying to navigate both her personal and professional lives. Schiff will play Marc Shulman ("a distinguished doctor who has a yarmulke and a Brooklyn accent"), one of her partners at Shulman Womens Health Associates; with Helms as Dennis, a successful Wall Street analyst who goes on a blind date with Mira; and Hader as Tom, her orthodontist ex who recently got married. Anna Camp, Chris Messina, Dana DeLorenzo, Ed Weeks and Zoe Jarman also star in the Universal Television-based half-hour, to be directed by Charles McDougall. (EW.com)