Tamsin Greig: 'Kissing Matt LeBlanc was a technical operation'

Tamsin Greig: 'Kissing Matt LeBlanc was a technical operation'

Tamsin Greig has said that snogging Matt LeBlanc in Episodes was not like real kissing.

Greig, as her character Beverly, kissed the ex-Friends star in the first season of the Showtime/BBC comedy.

Asked what it was like, she told Metro: "It's a technical operation. It's all about angles.

"Because we were on a sofa, we had cushions propping me up so you could see my face at a particular angle."

She added: "It wasn't like any known form of human kissing. It was like yawning close to him while he was also yawning close to me - while being watched by a lot of people."

When the actress was previously quizzed about kissing LeBlanc, she responded: "I'm sure no-one said to Matt, 'What was it like kissing Tamsin Greig? That must have been a real highlight of your career'.

"He's just a bloke and actually kissing is so technical. It's about being at the right angle and having the mouth in a certain position because a real kiss doesn't look very good on camera."

The second season of Episodes premieres tonight (May 11) on BBC Two and on July 1 on Showtime in the US.

Stephen Lord, Writer for 'CHiPs,' 'Fantasy Island,' Dead at 85

Stephen Lord, Writer for 'CHiPs,' 'Fantasy Island,' Dead at 85

Stephen Lord, a writer for more than a dozen television shows over three decades, died May 5 at the age of 85.

Lord, a New Orleans native whose birth name was Stephen Loyacano, passed away in his Sherman Oaks, CA home with his family at his side.

He wrote for iconic shows of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s such as “CHiPs,” “Fantasy Island” and “Johnny Ringo.”

Lord contributed to shows in myriad ways, such as producing, directing and occasionally acting, but above all he was a writer.

He started in the mid-1950s with “Harbor Command” and kept writing into the late 1980s and early 1990s, contributing episodes of “T.J. Hooker” and “Matlock.”

Lord also wrote a handful of features, including “The Bermuda Triangle” and “The Fall of the House of User,” based on Edgar Allen Poe’s short story.

Lord is survived by his wife Joan, his daughter Stephanie, son-in law Pawel, granddaughter Emma and daughters Jennifer and Elizabeth.

'BFF,' 'Bent,' 'Chelsea,' 'Awake' Won't Be Back on NBC

'BFF,' 'Bent,' 'Chelsea,' 'Awake' Won't Be Back on NBC

The ratings-challenged NBC freshmen series "Best Friends Forever," "Bent," "Are You There, Chelsea," and "Awake" will not be back for second seasons, TheWrap has learned.

None of the midseason shows' cancellations came as a surprise. They were cut from NBC's lineup as the network makes room for new series for th 2012-13 season. The writing was on the wall for "Bent," especially: Its male lead, David Walton, had already signed on to a CBS pilot before his show was formally cancelled.

"BFF" and "Bent" were affable relationship comedies, while "Chelsea," inspired by the life of Chelsea Handler, didn't live up to the expectations set by her E! talk show and best-selling books.

"Awake," meanwhile, was one of the most ambitious series of the fall. Created by Kyle Killen, who also created the quickly cancelled Fox drama "Lonestar," it told the story of a detective who lived in two realities, one in which his wife was alive and his son died, and another in which his son lived and wife died. The complex structure and slowly unraveling mystery -- was either reality real? -- didn't help it win viewers.

The highest-rated of the four shows, "Chelsea," yielded only a 1.9 rating in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demo. "Awake" averaged a 1.8, and "Bent" and "BFF" each averaged a 1.1.

The bad news came down soon after NBC announced the renewals of "Fashion Star," "Parks and Recreation," "Up All Night," and "Whitney," which shared Wednesday nights with "Chelsea." The network also announced Friday that it had ordered six episodes of the new Dane Cook sitcom, "Next Caller, Please."

Five great time loop TV episodes

Five great time loop TV episodes

Five great time loop TV episodes, from Fringe, to Red Dwarf, to the X-Files and more...

Please note: ‘Five Great’, not ‘Top Five’ – feel free to add your choices below!

Ah, the time loop episode, otherwise known as the Groundhog Day episode, for obvious reasons. A SFF classic that can be used to explore any number of themes in any number of ways, within a satisfyingly tight structure. The best of these sorts of episodes, though, tend to focus on loss; loss cannot happen in a time loop, and accepting it is usually the key to breaking the circle.

These five episodes represent some of the most memorable uses of the time loop concept. They are listed here with due attention paid to who, if anyone, knows what’s going on and how far the structure named informally for a comedy film exploits the situation for laughs.


Fringe: White Tulip

So what is it? A man called Peck is trying to go back in time to see his fiancée once more before she dies, and it seems the whole universe is caught in the resulting time loop (whether time is passing in the other universe is unclear). Like many Fringe episodes, this itself will sound a bit familiar (see Window of Opportunity below).

Who knows about it? For much of the episode, only Peck, who eventually manages to achieve what he set out to do. At the end, none of our heroes have any idea that it ever happened.

Only joking! There’s actually less humour in this than in many Fringe episodes, because Walter, the source of much of the show’s comic relief, spends the whole episode agonising over whether or not to tell Peter the truth about his childhood.

Are those who forget doomed to repeat their mistakes? Not quite – there are subtle differences in each time loop for which there’s no obvious explanation.

Why should I want to re-live this episode? The heart of this episode is a conversation between Walter and Peck, in which Walter confesses that he is desperate for forgiveness for his actions twenty-five years ago and asked God for a sign to offer him some hope for redemption. ‘God is science’ replies Peck, who then uses the time loop to send Walter (who now has no idea it happened) the sign he wanted. The beauty of the thing is how satisfying it is whatever your religious convictions – either ‘God is science’, i.e. God works through science and human endeavour and God sent Walter a sign through Peck, or ‘God is science’, i.e. there is no God but Walter got what he needed through human science and human kindness – whichever way you look at it, it works, and it’s rather beautiful.


Red Dwarf: White Hole

So what is it? The time loop is a smaller part of a bigger problem in this episode, caused by the White Hole our anti-heroes are getting too close to for comfort. As far as we can tell, only Red Dwarf is stuck in the loop, but since they’re the only life-forms for light years around, it doesn’t make much difference.

Who knows about it? Everyone on the ship is made aware of it during the episode, but by the end it is assumed that no one knows it happened (though Lister has somehow managed to remember playing pool with planets in series 5’s Demons and Angels).

Only joking! Red Dwarf being a sitcom, naturally this is exploited for maximum comic potential. The Cat’s lines, which I’ve shamelessly plagiarised for this very article, are not especially original or startling, but they are so well delivered I defy anyone to watch any time loop episode without thinking of them.

Are those who forget doomed to repeat their mistakes? It’s hard to tell, especially when the Cat keeps cracking jokes.

Why should I want to re-live this episode? Coming from Red Dwarf’s heyday in series 3-5, this is some classic comedy. It’s also, like all the others on this list, ultimately about loss and sacrifice. Holly regains her lost intelligence, but at enormous cost, and is eventually forced to sacrifice her brainpower and return to her computer-senile self with no idea how close she came to genius.


The X-Files: Monday

So what is it? This is The X-Files, so explanations are not necessarily required. A woman called Pam relives the day her boyfriend blew up a bank (with Mulder and Scully in it) over and over again. Presumably the entire planet, possibly the universe, is stuck in the loop, as our heroes don’t seem to have lost any time when they finally emerge.

Who knows about it? Just Pam, though Mulder starts to get some pretty bad déjà vu and has more or less realised what’s happening by the final run.

Only joking! The episode is relatively serious, but it does see the return of Mulder’s water bed, a joke left over from the season’s earlier Dreamland, and also an indication that for some things, there is no logical explanation.

Are those who forget doomed to repeat their mistakes? There are small, random differences for no apparent reason in each cycle, but the major events tend to play out in the same way no matter what.

Why should I want to re-live this episode? This is just a perfect stand-alone episode of The X-Files – tragic, understated, with a powerful guest performance by Carrie Hamilton as a woman trapped in an unimaginable nightmare and a solution that may seem obvious, but that is pulled off so gracefully it feels absolutely right.


Star Trek The Next Generation: Cause and Effect

So what is it? A space-time distortion traps the Enterprise D in a time loop which repeatedly ends with the Enterprise crashing into another ship and exploding. Only the Enterprise D and the other ship (the Bozeman) are stuck in the loop, while the rest of the universe continues, unaware of what’s happened to them.

Who knows about it? No-one, but the more often the crew go through the loop, the more they start to experience déjà vu, until eventually they work out what’s happening and find a way to send Data a message on the next loop around.

Only joking! Levels of humour are fairly average for The Next Generation. It’s always nice to see the crew playing poker together.

Are those who forget doomed to repeat their mistakes? Until they experience enough déjà vu to start to make changes, things tend to play out the same way each time – which is what helps them to work out what’s happening.

Why should I want to re-live this episode? What makes this episode stand out is that, because there is no mad scientist causing the problem, or tragic character whose self-sacrifice is required to get the universe back on course, there is not a single character who knows what’s going on. This in turn means that, in the first few rounds, it seems that getting out of the loop will be utterly impossible, because you can’t solve a problem you don’t realise you have.

Whereas most time loop episodes tend to focus on emotions, this is the concept of the time loop exploited for its maximum brain-teaser potential (not to mention the horror inherent in the idea). Loss is still a theme – Captain Bateson and his crew have lost eighty years and presumably most of their friends and family, who in turn lost them – but it’s the science of the situation that fascinates.


Stargate SG-1: Window of Opportunity

So what is it? Alien scientist Malikai is trying to travel back in time, to spend a little more time with his wife before she dies. The planet Malikai is working from (P4X-639), the Earth and a dozen other planets are caught in the time loop while the rest of the universe carries on and wonders why they can’t make contact with them.

Who knows about it? Aside from Malikai, just Teal’c and Colonel O’Neill. Much to their frustration.

Only joking! Although the final act is tear-jerking and emotional, most of the episode is played for laughs, directly referencing Groundhog Day and getting the most out of Jack and Teal’c’s predicament. The whole thing is full of zingers, from Jack’s cereal to Teal’c’s encounter with the same clumsy redshirt hundreds of times over, but after Daniel suggests they might as well go a bit crazy if no one else will ever remember it, they really go all out (‘In the middle of my backswing?!’).

Are those who forget doomed to repeat their mistakes? Unfortunately for Teal’c, everyone around the two of them behaves in the exact same way on each loop, unless prevented. Since he’s hit in the face by a door right in the first few seconds of every loop with no time to stop it, this causes his usually even temper to wobble a bit.

Why should I want to re-live this episode? The combination of high comedy and tear-jerking tragedy makes for the perfect forty-five minutes with well-loved characters. The interaction of our heroes here is a delight, from Teal’c’s stoicism to the fact it takes Daniel, who isn’t looping, to point out the advantages of the situation, to Jack’s audience-pleasing and thoroughly sensible use of the loop to get in a snog with Carter.

The denouement also works in a reminder of our own lead character’s background and some exploration of his feelings as Jack points out to Malikai that he couldn’t live through his son’s death again (Daniel’s even more relevant loss of his wife is omitted, presumably for reasons of time and because that was a bit of a complicated situation).

As in White Tulip, Malikai cannot save his wife and he knows it, but where Peck wanted to fix one mistake (arguing with his fiancée the last time he spoke to her) Malikai simply wants to see her again – which, as O’Neill points out, will probably do him more harm than good. Loss has to be accepted and we all have to move on, not stick ourselves in a self-destructive loop – the central message of all great time loop episodes.

Episode 1 of Doctor Who series 7 to screen this August

Episode 1 of Doctor Who series 7 to screen this August

Episode 1 of Doctor Who series 7 is screening in Edinburgh this August. Is a BBC air date soon to follow?

Buried in a Guardian profile of this year’s MGEITF (or the Media Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, if you prefer) is an interesting nugget dug out by SFX. Amidst the events of the TV festival, which runs from August 23rd to 25th, a very special screening is set to take place: episode 1 of Doctor Who season 7.

According to The Guardian, “The Doctor Who showrunner, Moffat, will give a masterclass on BBC1's Sherlock, along with his co-creator, Mark Gatiss, and the producer, Sue Vertue, and there will be an exclusive preview screening of the first episode of the next series of Doctor Who.”

If you remember, episode 6.8 Let’s Kill Hitler, was previewed last year at the same Edinburgh festival, and screened on BBC just a day afterwards, so following that logic, could episode 7.1 air on UK TV on Saturday the 25th of August? The bank holiday weekend is considerably earlier than the Christmas date previously expected, but we're sure nobody will complain about that...

Alcatraz cancelled

Alcatraz cancelled

JJ Abrams’ Alcatraz won’t be getting a second season, as the show is cancelled…

The first season of JJ Abrams’ Alcatraz had been a bit of a bumpy affair, but its intriguing premise wasn’t helped by some conventional execution, which it got bogged down in to an extent. That was reflected, sadly, in the ratings, with the show ending on disappointing numbers. From that point onwards, Alcatraz was always going to struggle to get a second season.

And now comes the confirmation that it hasn’t. There’s no big, mighty announcement here, just that Fox has decided not to pick the show up for a second season order. Furthermore, given the low ratings and the cost of making Alcatraz, a second season isn’t likely to be picked up by anyone else, either.

A pity. There was the nucleus of a good show here, as our look-back at season one explains. It’s not the only show that’s not been picked up for a new season either, as confirmation has come through that The Finder has been axed as well.

Saved by the Bell reunion on the cards?

Saved by the Bell reunion on the cards?

Actress Lark Voorhies has been chatting about getting the old Saved by the Bell gang back together

23 years ago, a glorious union of class joker, nerd, jock, cheerleader, brain and um, another cheerleader (we forget what Lisa’s archetype was – rich kid, was it?) assembled on children’s TV. Channelling John Hughes via The Brady Bunch, Saved by the Bell was a sunny idyll for kids on this side of the Atlantic, and made the teen years out to be a series of dates, proms, detentions, and the kind of moral dilemmas that could be satisfactorily resolved within 22 minutes. 

Anyone born between the years of 1978 and 1984 learnt more or less everything they needed to know about teen life from Saved by the Bell, so news that the old Bayside High gang may reassemble should fire some nostalgia synapses. Lark Voorhies (Lisa) recently chatted to Yahoo! about the prospect of a SbtB reunion, telling them, “We tend to circumvent and come around to this topic quite often, so I think the buzz might catch.” Adding, “I really honestly believe if it did happen it wouldn’t be a bad thing. We just did a People magazine spread and that was a nice reunion.”

Only last week did Mr Belding (Dennis Haskins) pop up in Mad Men, so perhaps the planets are aligning for a class of 1993 reunion. Help us out with one thing though, in the picture to the side, who is that Eraserhead-looking kid in the back? We seem to have blocked him out...

Hermione Norris, Martin Clunes to lead ITV1 drama 'A Mother's Son'

Hermione Norris, Martin Clunes to lead ITV1 drama 'A Mother's Son'

Hermione Norris and Martin Clunes will lead ITV1's new thriller A Mother's Son.

The two-part drama - written by Chris Lang (Hustle) - will focus on the aftermath of a shocking murder.

When Rosie (Norris) discovers a pair of bloodied trainers in her home, she begins to suspect that her son Jamie - played by Skins actor Alexander Arnold - may be responsible for the death of a teenage schoolgirl.

Doc Martin star Clunes will play Rosie's new husband Ben, while Paul McGann (Doctor Who) will also star as her ex-husband and unlikely confidante David.

"A Mother's Son is the story of an ordinary mother tormented by her suspicions and thoughts that her son may be capable of murder," said ITV Drama's Victoria Fea.

"She's confronted with this terrifying dilemma and has to ask herself, should she go to the police and give him up? She'll wrestle with this throughout what is a very compelling drama."

"Chris Lang has written a beautifully, compelling script," added ITV Studios exec producer Myar Craig-Brown. "We're delighted Martin Clunes and Hermione Norris have agreed to play Ben and Rosie."

'Happy Endings' Renewed by ABC

'Happy Endings' Renewed by ABC

Add "Happy Endings" to the growing list of shows that have received another season from ABC.

The network renewed the series with a 22-episode order Friday, ensuring that the comedy will receive a third season.

"Happy Endings," which premiered in April 2011, stars Elisha Cuthbert and Damon Wayans Jr. and follows the lives of six friends living in Chicago.

The series is the latest to get an extension for the network. Since Thursday, ABC has renewed nearly a dozen seriers, including "Modern Family," "Suburgatory," "Once Upon a Time," "Dancing With the Stars" and "Wife Swap."

'Wife Swap,' 'America's Funniest Home Videos' Renewed by ABC

'Wife Swap,' 'America's Funniest Home Videos' Renewed by ABC

Fear not, America; there are more clips of people being injured and pets being cute coming to your TV.

"America's Funniest Home Videos" was renewed for another season by ABC on Friday, ensuring that the pioneer in user-generated content will roll into a 23rd season.

The network also renewed "Wife Swap" for another season, with a 13-episode order that will cover both regular edition and episodes of "Celebrity Wife Swap," which premiered  early this year.

On Thursday, the network renewed a number of series, including "Modern Family," "Dancing With the Stars," "Once Upon a Time" and Suburgatory."

TV Tonight 12th of May 2012

TV Tonight 12th of May 2012

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

    48 Hours Mystery S25E27: "Ransom"
    Area no Kishi S01E19: "Iron Wall!! Four Rows"
    Beyblade: Metal Fusion S02E40: "The Climactic DJ Battle!?"
    Big Time Rush S03E01: "Backstage Rush"
    Bleach (US) S13E24: "Muramasa's True Identity Revealed"
    Britain's Got More Talent S06E13: "Season 6, Episode 13"
    Britain's Got Talent S06E17: "Series 6, The Final"
    Casualty S26E35: "Home Truths"
    Dan vs. S02E13: "TBA"
    Fairy Tail S03E35: "Targeted Lucy"
    Fate/Zero S02E06: "Where Justice is Found"
    Flipped Off S01E03: "Kristen Saves The Day"
    Formula 1 S04E10: "Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying"
    Green Lantern: The Animated Series S01E11: "Fight Club"
    Have I Got a Bit More News for You S44E05: "Series 44, Episode 5"
    How to Rock S01E15: "How to Rock a Love Song"
    iCarly S06E05: "iPear Store"
    Iedereen is gek op Jack S02E10: "Smakeloos"
    Jongens tegen de Meisjes, De S02E04: "Season 2, Episode 4"
    Keith Lemon's Lemon Aid S01E05: "Episode 5"
    Kvelden er din S01E08: "Season 1, Episode 8"
    Pokémon S15E13: "Battling the King of the Mines!"
    Power Rangers S19E13: "The Master Returns"
    Saturday Kitchen S10E46: "May 12, 2012"
    Saturday Night Live S37E21: "Will Ferrell / Usher"
    Soccer AM S16E40: "Series 16, Episode 40"
    Tanked S02E05: "Tanks for the Memories"
    That Metal Show S10E07: "Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy of The Cult, and Doro"
    The Cube S05E05: "Series 5, Episode 5"
    The Firm S01E16: "Chapter Sixteen"
    The Football League Show S03E38: "Series 3, Episode 38"
    The Legend of Korra S01E06: "And the Winner is..."
    The Voice (UK) S01E11: "Live Show 3"
    The Voice: La Plus Belle Voix S01E12: "La finale"
    Thundercats (2011) S01E21: "Birth of the Blades"
    Transformers: Prime S02E13: "Triangulation"
    Upotte!! S01E06: "Take It! Hurry!"
    You've Been Framed S19E30: "May 12, 2012"
    Young Justice S02E03: "Alienated"

The Big Brother 2012 housemates sort-of revealed (maybe)

The Big Brother 2012 housemates sort-of revealed (maybe)

We know that the Big Brother 2012 housemates have been chosen (Brian Dowling told us, get us!), and it seems from these pictures that they’re already preparing to enter the house!

People covered in stylish blankets being walked around London was never going to go unnoticed for long, and as these pictures show, Big brother is up to something.

Of course, we’re not entirely sure who they are, and we somewhat doubt they’re housemates as it would mean they’ve met before going into the house.

None the less, let’s jump to some conclusions.

From the pictures, it seems we can expect to see a rather orange girl with rather good legs, a pair of twins or two people who share the exact same taste in burgundy trousers, and a rather small bloke.

Big Brother 2012 starts on Channel 5 next month. Exciting!

'Got Talent' 'No Name' Ryan writing song for Saturdays' Mollie King

'Got Talent' 'No Name' Ryan writing song for Saturdays' Mollie King

Britain's Got Talent finalist Ryan O'Shaughnessy has revealed that he is hoping to woo Saturdays star Mollie King with a personalised song.

King has been tweeting the Irish singer following his appearance on the ITV1 talent show. O'Shaughnessy captured the public's imagination with his romantic ditty 'No Name' and won a spot in the final last night (May 10) after performing another original song 'First Kiss'.

Speaking backstage at rehearsals about a potential blossoming romance with the Saturdays pop singer, O'Shaughnessy said: "She told me that she'd give me a date if I wrote a song for her. So I've started working on that already!

"Would I like a date with her? Of course I would, she's a beautiful girl. Writing a song for her won't be a problem."

On last night's Britain's Got Talent, Katie Lucia Keegan - the girl who Ryan wrote his 'No Name' song for - phoned in to reveal that she would not be able to date him because she currently has a boyfriend.

O'Shaughnessy is one of ten finalists confirmed to perform in tomorrow's (May 12) two-and-a-half-hour finale. They will be joined by one extra wildcard act, who has been selected by the judges from the losing semi-finalists.

'Parks & Rec,' 'Up All Night,' 'Whitney' Renewed

'Parks & Rec,' 'Up All Night,' 'Whitney' Renewed

NBC has renewed the Thursday night comedies "Parks and Recreation" and "Up All Night," a day after renewing "30 Rock" and "Commmunity," two other Thursday shows. It also announced the renewal of the freshman series "Whitney."

Despite inaccurate online speculation that "Parks," like "30 Rock," would be given a shortened, final season, it received a full, 22-episode order.

The new season will be the fifth one for "Parks and Rec," the Amy Poehler-led ensemble comedy that has yielded two Emmy nominations for her in the best comedic actress category. The show, which has also received a single nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, has averaged a decent 2.2 rating in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demo this year.

"Up All Night," a first-year show starring Will Arnett, Christina Applegate, and Maya Rudolph, debuted to strong ratings on a Wednesday night, then struggled for much of the season.

NBC moved it to Thursdays, where it fared well enough to score another season. It has averaged a 2.4 rating.

The network moved "Whitney," starring Whitney Cummings, from Thursdays to Wednesdays at the same time it moved "Up All Night" to Thursdays. Cummings' relationship comedy has also average a 2.2.

Ashleigh & Pudsey storming 'Britain's Got Talent' popular vote

Ashleigh & Pudsey storming 'Britain's Got Talent' popular vote

Ashleigh & Pudsey are currently storming Digital Spy's readers' poll on who should win this weekend's Britain's Got Talent final.

The duo are hoping to become the first dancing dog act to win the show, following near misses for Kate & Gin and Tina & Chandi in previous series.

Teenager Ashleigh Butler and her pet pooch are way out in front in our latest BGT survey with 40.2% of readers backing the canine to triumph and claim the £500,000 prize on Saturday night.

Eleven acts will perform in tomorrow's two-and-a-half-hour extravaganza, which kicks off at 7.30pm on ITV1 - the five semi-final winners, five runners-up and one wildcard act chosen by Simon Cowell and the judges.

Other acts being tipped for success by Digital Spy fans are opera duo Jonathan & Charlotte (19.1%), indie pop trio Loveable Rogues (16.7%), 'No Name' singer Ryan O'Shaughnessy (9.2%) and Welsh choir Only Boys Aloud (5.0%).

The longshots appear to be dance troupe Nu Sxool (0.8%) and 11-year-old singer Molly Rainford (1.1%).

Univision Launching 3 Webnovelas - Yes, Webnovelas

Univision Launching 3 Webnovelas - Yes, Webnovelas

You understand "telenovelas," and now it may be time to add the word "webnovela" to your vocabulary: Univision, the top network for Spanish-speaking viewers, announced Friday the launch of a new video digital network and three webnovels, a format already popular in much of Latin America.

Are webnovelas already a thing? Yes. Univision has offered them in recent years, including "Vidas Cruzadas (Crossed Lives)."

Like telenovelas, they are serialized stories characterized by cliffhanger endings, but ones that air online instead of TV. Two of Univision's new ones will star film and TV star Kate del Castillo (photo credit: Getty Images), who will also direct installments. The first is based on her best-selling book “Tuya” (“Yours”), and the second will be romantic comedy.

All three webnovelas will be produced exclusively for UVideos, Univision's new digital network. UVideos will feature all the video content from Univision’s television networks, and will be accessible via game consoles, smartphones, tablets and Internet-enabled TVs.

Univision Networks President Cesar Conde called webnovelas "a natural extension" from telenovelas, the dominant programming on Univision. He described them as "extremely sticky" online, in part because of the cliffhangers and because they feature some of the biggest stars in Hispanic media.

Univision made the announcements Friday ahead of the network's upfront presentation to advertisers in New York City on Tuesday. The network plans to announce a dozen new shows at its upfront.

Univision also said Friday that it will continue to air the Latin Grammys for a decade.

The announcements came four days after Univision and ABC News announced the launch of an English-language news, entertainment and lifestyle venture.

Univision is one of the top five networks in the U.S., and often beats at least one of the top four English-language networks in the 18-34 demographic. Its networks, which include Galavision and Telefutura, boast an extremely young median age of 36.

"As Univision celebrates its 50th anniversary, marketers are facing the stark reality of a rapidly evolving media landscape and consumer base that looks nothing like it did in years past," Univision president and CEO Randy Falco said in a statement. "Today, at least 20 percent of marketers’ target market is Hispanic, so what was once considered a niche is now an undeniable, mainstream growth opportunity. Over 50 years, one thing has remained the same – Latinos live here, at Univision."

NBC Renews 'Fashion Star' for Season 2

NBC Renews 'Fashion Star' for Season 2

NBC has renewed the Elle Macpherson-produced and hosted reality series "Fashion Star" for a second season.

The show -- which also stars Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and designer John Varvatos as mentors and judges -- will return for 10 episodes.

"Fashion Star" has not been a huge ratings hit for NBC, but it has spawned a successful fashion line of the clothes featured in each episode.

"Fashion Star" fashions are sold at Macy's, H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue, and the winner of the season will receive an order for $6 million worth of his or her clothing to be sold at the three retailers.

The first season finale of "Fashion Star" airs Tuesday.

Paloma Faith slams 'Voice' editing, denies Danny O'Donoghue friendship

Paloma Faith slams 'Voice' editing, denies Danny O'Donoghue friendship

Paloma Faith has accused The Voice UK producers of editing her recent stint on the BBC reality show.

The 'Picking Up The Pieces' singer, who appeared as a mentor in the Battle Rounds last month, blasted the singing contest for falsifying a friendship between her and coach Danny O'Donoghue.

She told the London Evening Standard: "They said we were friends but we had never met before. [The opportunity] came through them contacting my people, who said, 'Do you want to do it?'

"And I said, 'Yeah, but can I say what I really feel?' But they just edited it out. I think I was maybe a bit too realistic.

"I was doing a lot of talking about how you shouldn't really worry about this and I don't really believe in competing in art because it's subjective - so some people think you're amazing but some people won't.

"All that kind of normal human stuff that they don't promote on that show."

Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' Down But Tops in Finale; Fox Wins Night

Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' Down But Tops in Finale; Fox Wins Night

The season finale of "Big Bang Theory" took a ratings hit but still drew the night's most viewers in the key demographic, while Fox won the night overall with "American Idol," according to preliminary numbers.

Fox took first place in the advertiser-friendly 18-to-49 demographic with an average 2.9 rating/9 share and was second in total viewers with an average 11 million. "American Idol" at 8 p.m. was steady since last week with a 3.9/13, and was the evening's most-watched show with 15 million total viewers. "Touch" the following hour also ran even since last week for a 2.0/6. It inched up in total viewers to 7 million.

CBS ran a close second to Fox in the demo ratings and took first in total viewers with an average 2.8/8 and 12 million. The season finale of "The Big Bang Theory" at 8 was down 11 percent in the demo from last week but still had an impressive 4.2/15. (Thursday's finale was also up 17 percent in the demo from last year's finale.) It earned 13.3 million total viewers. "Rules of Engagement" at 8:30 ran even in the demo with last week for a 2.7/9 and 8.9 million total viewers. "Person of Interest" at 9 grew in the demo to a 2.6/7 and had 12.7 million total viewers. "The Mentalist" the following hour was down slightly in the demo for a 2.4/7 and had 12.4 million total viewers.

ABC took third place in the demo and total viewers with an average 2.2/6 and 7.5 million. "Missing" at 8 slipped to a series low of 1.1/4 with 6.4 million total viewers, while "Grey's Anatomy" the following hour climbed slightly in the demo for a 3.4/9 and 9.6 million total viewers. The freshman drama "Scandal" at 10 continued its pattern of modest growth, inching up to a 2.0/6, and had 6.5 million total viewers.

Univision tied for fourth place in the ratings and took fourth in total viewers with an average 1.4/4 and  3.6 million. "Una Familia Con Suerte" at 8 posted a 1.2/4 and 3 million total viewers, while "Abismo de Pasion" the following hour drew a 1.5/4 and had 3.8 million total viewers. "La Que Podia No Amar" at 10 drew a 1.6/4 and 3.9 million total viewers.

NBC tied for fourth place in the ratings and took fifth in total viewers with an average 1.4/4 and 3.2 million. "Community," which was renewed Thursday, ran even with last week with a 1.4/5 and had 3.1 million total viewers. "30 Rock" at 8:30 saw a slight increase in the demo to a 1.5/5, and had 2.9 million total viewers. The season finale of "The Office" at 9 was down slightly in the demo from last week, receiving a 2.2/6, and had 4.4 million total viewers. The season finale of "Parks & Recreation" at 9:30 was even in the demo with last week, posting a 1.7/5, and had 3.5 million total viewers. "Awake" at 10 grew 29 percent in the demo from last week's series low, jumping to a still-low 0.9/2. It had 2.5 million total viewers.

Sundance Channel Puts 5 New Reality Shows Into Development

Sundance Channel Puts 5 New Reality Shows Into Development

Sundance Channel is adding five new reality shows to its 2012-2013 development slate, the network announced Friday.

The network also renewed three of its current reality series.  "Iconoclasts" will get a sixth season, "All on the Line with Joe Zee" a third and "The Mortified Sessions," in which celebs like Bryan Cranston and Ed Helms reveal embarrassing, emotional and sometimes hilarious moments from their pasts, a second.

The new shows, none of which have airdates yet, include "The Trouble with Love and Sex," in which actual recordings from couples therapy sessions are brought to life as animated stories; "Dream School," which "reinvents education to rekindle a generation’s love for learning" by setting up a learning environment where the music teacher is an actual rock star, the gym teacher is an Olympian and the science professor is a Nobel prize winner.

"Dream School" is produced by chef Jamie Oliver and is based on a U.K. series in which Oliver was the school's cooking teacher.

Other unscripted shows in development are "Kenya & Carl," about marriage counselors whose clients are in open marriages; "Dead & Found," about government investigators whose subjects are unidentified bodies; and "Wino," in which a wine sommelier tries to make wine more accessible.

"Sundance Channel’s non-fiction shows tell terrific stories about compelling characters, and at the same time lift the lid on a world you may not have seen before," network general manager Sarah Barnett said in a statement. "By airing shows that shatter expectations and explore our contemporary world in disarming and novel ways, we offer something different on the TV landscape."

Alesha Dixon wants Britain's Got Talent return: I had time of my life

Alesha Dixon wants Britain's Got Talent return: I had time of my life

Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon has declared her intention to remain on the show in 2013.

The 'Breathe Slow' singer also favourably compared her inaugural year on the Simon Cowell reality show to her two-year stint as a panellist on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing.

Dixon said: "I'd love to come back next year. If I'm asked back, I'd jump at the chance. I've had the time of my life.

"I've loved all the banter between the judges and all the crazy dancing in our seats during performances - that never happened on Strictly Come Dancing!"

The 33-year-old added: "Britain's Got Talent is amazing; it's end-of-pier, crazy and credible.

"Acts like Ryan [O'Shaughnessy] and The Loveable Rogues give the show a contemporary and cool feel."

Cowell admitted earlier this year that he signed Dixon from Strictly to frustrate the BBC.

Britain's Got Talent's grand final airs tonight from 7.30pm on ITV1.

'The Voice' UK Jessie J 'snubs BBC One boss'

'The Voice' UK Jessie J 'snubs BBC One boss'

Jessie J has been accused of snubbing BBC One's controller after he tried to congratulate her on The Voice UK's success.

The 'Price Tag' singer refused to speak to Danny Cohen and left him standing outside her dressing room, The Mirror reports.

She is consequently facing being axed from The Voice UK after staff branded her a "diva" who has become "impossible" to work with, it is alleged.

"Jessie is getting far too big for her boots. Nobody can believe what an impossible diva she has become. It was extraordinary, Danny is the most senior man at BBC One and The Voice is his baby," a source said.

"He was the man who gave Jessie J a job and turned her into a household name, so nobody could believe it when she left him standing outside in the corridor like a lemon. It was made clear that she was too busy to see him.

"It's not a smart move to do that to the man who makes the big decisions. Everybody else at the studio was bending over backwards to be nice to Danny, but Jessie didn't seem to care who he was."

Jessie J previously angered producers after describing elements of the show as "lame" and admitting that she didn't watch the series after it was recorded.

Sources also criticised the coach, who is said to earn a six-figure sum for her role on The Voice UK, for being unapproachable and arriving late to the studio with a huge entourage.

She also told Closer magazine that she would never ­audition for the show, saying: "I wouldn't enter myself. I feel like I've worked hard enough to stay here, even if I end up behind closed doors doing make-up. I'll always be around."

The BBC last night insisted that Cohen has a good ­relationship with all of the show's stars.

Zooey Deschanel Signs on for 'Coal Miner's Daughter' Musical

Zooey Deschanel Signs on for 'Coal Miner's Daughter' Musical

Zooey Deschanel, star of the Fox TV series "New Girl," has signed on to portray Loretta Lynn in a stage adaptation of the 1980 film "Coal Miner's Daughter."

Lynn announced the casting and musical during a performance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Thursday, where she was joined onstage by Deschanel. The two then sang the country music singer's signature song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

“It’s a long way from Butcher Holler to Broadway in New York City. I never imagined I’d see Coal Miner’s Daughter on a movie screen, and now I can’t believe it’s going to be on a stage for people to see,” Lynn said. “I’m going to be right there in the front row. And I know Zooey is going to be great – she sings and writes her own songs just like I do, and we even have the same color eyes!”

"Coal Miner's Daughter" tells the story of the country singer's rise from poverty to country music legend. Sissy Spacek won the Oscar for her portrayal of Lynn, and Tommy Lee Jones was nominated for a Golden Globe for playing her husband, Doolittle Lynn.

“Loretta Lynn and her music have been inspirations for me for as long as I can remember,” said Deschanel, who is also a member of the band She & Him with M. Ward.  “She is a true legend and to be chosen to play such an iconic woman is a dream come true.”

The creative team and production dates have not yet been announced. The musical will be produced by Fox Theatricals and Scott Sanders Productions.

Development Update: Series Pick Up the 12th of May

Development Update: Series Pick Up the 12th of May

NEXT CALLER (A.K.A. NEXT CALLER PLEASE) (NBC) - The Dane Cook/Collette Wolfe single-camera comedy, about a mismatched duo - she's spunky and fiercely intelligent, he's disheveled and purposefully detached - who host a relationship call-in show in New York City, is the latest pilot to land a series commitment at the Peacock. Stephen Falk is behind the Lionsgate Television-based half-hour, which was directed by Marc Buckland. Joy Osmanski also stars as the producer of said program with Ryan Devlin as a Ryan Seacrest-esque top-40 DJ-slash-TV host who also works at the station. (NBC.com)

ARROW (The CW) - The Stephen Amell-led drama - a modern retelling of the story of DC Comics character Oliver Queen, better known as Green Arrow - is the first of five pilots that have ordered to series by the netlet. Andrew Kreisberg, Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim are all behind the Warner Bros. Television-based hour, which was helmed by David Nutter. Susanna Thompson and Jamey Sheridan also stars as Oliver's parents; with Willa Holland as his younger sister, Thea. Rounding out the cast are Colin Donnell as Oliver's best friend Tommy Merlyn; David Ramsey as bodyguard John Diggle; Colin Salmon as Walter Steele; Katie Cassidy as Oliver's ex Dinah "Laurel" Lance; and Paul Blackthorne as her father, Quentin Lance. (Deadline.com)

BEAUTY & THE BEAST (The CW) - Kristin Kreuk stars in this drama as Catherine Chandler, a police detective who teams with Vincent Koslow (Jay Ryan), a genetically altered Afghanistan war veteran to solve crimes in New York City. Jennifer Levin and Sherri Cooper penned the pilot, which comes from CBS Television Studios and director Gary Fleder. Brian White also stars as Catherine's boss at the NYPD; with Nina Lisandrello as her partner; Nicole Gale Anderson as Catherine's younger sister/roommate; Max Brown as the medical examiner; and Basis as Vincent's former roommate, a medical researcher who aids him. Bill Haber, C. Anthony Thomas, Paul Junger Witt and Ron Koslow also serve as executive producers. (Deadline.com)

THE CARRIE DIARIES (The CW) - AnnaSophia Robb stars as a teenage Carrie Bradshaw in this 1980s prequel to "Sex and the City." Amy B. Harris penned the hour, which comes from the Warner Bros. Television-based Fake Empire with Josh Schwartz, Len Goldstein, Candice Bushnell, Stephanie Savage and director Miguel Arteta also executive producing. Also starring are Matt Letscher as her father; Stefania Owen as her younger sister; Chloe Bridges as Carrie's nemesis Donna LaDonna; Austin Butler as her chief love interest, Sebastian Kydd; Freema Agyeman as a magazine editor whom Carrie befriends; and Brendan Dooling, Katie Findlay and Ellen Wong as Carrie's circle of friends. (Deadline.com)

CULT (The CW) - The long-in-the-works drama stars Jessica Lucas as Skye Yarrow, a production assistant on a wildly popular television show named "Cult," who teams with Jeff Sefton (Matt Davis), a journalist blogger, to investigate the rabid fans of the series who might be re-creating crimes seen on the program in real life. Robert Knepper and Alona Tal also star in the project, which also comes from the Warner Bros. Television-based Fake Empire. Josh Schwartz, Len Goldstein and Stephanie Savage are executive producing alongside creator Rockne S. O'Bannon while Jason Ensler helmed the pilot. (Deadline.com)

FIRST CUT (The CW) - The medical drama stars Mamie Gummer as Emily Barnes, a medical student who discovers that working as an intern at a big hospital is a lot like being in high school. Said hour, from CBS Television Studios, was written by Jennie Snyder Urman and directed by Bharat Nalluri with Dan Jinks also serving as an executive producer. Jack Coleman also stars as Denver Memorial Hospital's intimidating Chief of Staff; with Necar Zadegan as Emily's heart surgeon hero; and Justin Hartley, Aja Naomi King, Michael Rady and Kelly McCreary as Emily's fellow interns. (Deadline.com)

THE FAMILY TOOLS (A.K.A. RED VAN MAN) (ABC) - "Jack Shea (Kyle Bornheimer) is the King of Epic Fails. When it comes to his career, he always screws things up. In the Army, he accidently shot someone. In the Police Academy, he accidently shot himself. Seminary school didn't work out much better. He's just flunked out - for the third time. So Jack is headed home to regroup, again. Jack's dad, Tony (JK Simmons), has spent his whole life building a successful hometown handyman business, but is suddenly forced to retire due to a heart condition. He loves his business and doesn't want to abandon his clients, but it's clear the time has come to pass the tool belt on to someone else. Now, armed with big dreams, power tools and a slacker assistant named Darren who calls him "pimp juice", Jack becomes the new Mr. Jiffy-Fix. As in his past job experiences, things don't go smoothly, and Jack soon discovers there's quite a learning curve to this handyman stuff. (Note to self: be careful with the nail gun.) And it doesn't help that his dad's looking over his shoulder every step of the way. But if Jack can find his sea legs, with a little help from his family including his cool Aunt Terry (Leah Remini) and his teenage cousin Mason, he just might finally make his father proud. From Bobby Bowman (Raising Hope, My Name Is Earl, Yes Dear, Family Guy) and Mark Gordon (Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds) comes a new ensemble comedy about trying to find your true calling, right at home."

NASHVILLE (ABC) - "What Hollywood is to the movie business, Nashville is to music. This is where today's music is being made and tomorrow's stars are being born. If you're Faith Hill or Carrie Underwood in-the-making, you want to be in Nashville. Chart-topping Rayna James (Connie Britton) is a country legend who's had a career any singer would envy, though lately her popularity is starting to wane. Fans still line-up to get her autograph, but she's not packing the arenas like she used to. Rayna's record label thinks a concert tour, opening for up-and-comer Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere), the young and sexy future of country music, is just what Rayna needs. And scheming Juliette can't wait to steal Rayna's spotlight. But sharing a stage with that disrespectful, untalented, little vixen is the last thing Rayna wants to do, which sets up a power struggle for popularity. Could the undiscovered songwriting talent of Scarlett O'Connor (Clare Bowen) be the key to helping Rayna resurrect her career? Rayna's wealthy, but estranged, father Lamar Hampton (Powers Boothe) is a powerful force in business, Tennessee politics, and the lives of his two grown daughters. His drive for power results in a scheme to back Rayna's handsome husband Teddy, in a run for Mayor of Nashville, against Rayna's wishes. Set against the backdrop of Nashville's thriving contemporary music scene, and political world, executive producers Callie Khouri (writer of Thelma & Louise) and RJ Cutler (The September Issue) take you inside the cutthroat world of country music, family, and politics... from the concert tours to the romantic entanglements, to the halls of power and old demons that threaten to derail a career."

THE NEIGHBORS (A.K.A. DOWN TO EARTH) (ABC) - "How well do you know your neighbors? Meet The Weavers: Debbie (Jami Gertz) and Marty (Lenny Venito). Marty, in hopes of providing a better life for his wife and three kids, recently bought a home in "Hidden Hills," a gated New Jersey townhome community with its own golf course. Hidden Hills is so exclusive that a house hasn't come on the market in 10 years. But one finally did... and the Weavers got it! It's clear from day one that the residents of Hidden Hills are a little... different. For starters, their new neighbors all have pro-athlete names like Larry Bird, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Reggie Jackson, and Dick Butkus. Over dinner, Marty and his family discover that their neighbors receive nourishment through their eyes and mind by reading books, rather than eating. The Weavers soon learn that the entire community is comprised of aliens from Zabvron, where the men bear children and everyone cries green goo... from their ears. The Zabvronians have been stationed on Earth for the past 10 years, disguised as humans, awaiting instructions from home, and the Weavers are the first humans they've had the opportunity to know. As it turns out, the pressures of marriage and parenthood are not exclusive to planet Earth. Two worlds will collide with hilarious consequences as everyone discovers they can "totally relate," and learn a lot from each other. Dan Fogelman (the writer of Cars, Tangled, and Crazy, Stupid, Love), Director Chris Koch (Workaholics, Modern Family), Jeff Morton (Modern Family) and Aaron Kaplan (GCB, Terra Nova) executive produce this new comedy about close encounters of the 3rd kind, in New Jersey."

RED WIDOW (A.K.A. PENOZA) (ABC) - "Melissa Rosenberg (executive producer and head writer on "Dexter" and screenwriter of the Twilight franchise), Howard Klein (executive producer of "The Office," "Parks & Recreation") and Endemol Studios ("Hell On Wheels") join forces for a riveting new thriller that takes you inside the world of crime and intrigue and shows you just how far one woman will go to protect her family. Meet Marta Walraven (Radha Mitchell - Melinda and Melinda) a suburban housewife who's living the good life in Northern California. She has a loving husband, a beautiful home overlooking Sausalito, and three amazing kids. But behind this perfect facade is a family of organized criminals. Marta's father, her brother, and husband Franklin all make their living through illegal means, and up until now, she has turned a blind eye to this fact. But when Franklin is murdered, Marta uncovers a tenacity she never knew she had. She'll do whatever it takes to avenge his death and keep her family alive. Even if it means filling her husband's shoes and joining the family business. As Marta digs into this dark underworld, she'll test her own strength, relying on her resourcefulness, determination and family ties like never before."

ZERO HOUR (ABC) - "Hank Foley (Anthony Edwards) is no stranger to adventure. But this one is a little more than he bargained for. As the publisher of Modern Skeptic magazine, Hank has spent his career following clues, debunking myths and solving conspiracies. A confessed paranormal junkie, his motto is "logic is the compass." But when his beautiful young wife (Jacinda Barrett) is abducted from her store, an antique clock shop, Hank gets pulled into one of the most compelling mysteries of human history, stretching around the world and back centuries. Contained in one of his wife's clocks is a treasure map, and what it leads to could be cataclysmic. Now it's up to Hank to decipher the symbols and unlock the secrets of the map, while ensuring the answers don't fall into the wrong hands. With his two young associates Rachel (Addison Timlin) and Arron (Scott Michael Foster) in tow, along with Deck a sexy FBI agent (Carmen Ejogo), Hank will lead them on a breathless race against the clock, to find his wife and save humanity. Executive produced by Lorenzo DiBonaventura (the Transformers and GI: Joe franchises, Salt, Red), Paul Scheuring (Prison Break) and Dan McDermott (Human Target) comes this fast-paced thriller that will take you on quest around the globe to reveal one of mankind's most riveting conspiracies, one that powerful forces have kept hidden for too long."

666 PARK AVENUE (ABC) - "If you could make one wish, what would it be? And what would you do to get it? At 666 Park Avenue, all of your dreams and burning desires can come true: wealth, sex, love, power, even revenge. But just be careful what you wish for, because the price you pay... could be your soul. Welcome to The Drake, the premiere apartment building on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Owned by the mysterious Gavin Doran (Terry O'Quinn - Lost) and his sexy wife Olivia (Vanessa Williams - Desperate Housewives), The Drake is home to dozens of residents who are unaware they're living in the dark embrace of supernatural forces. They think their dreams are all coming true, only to find they've been lured into making, what feels like, a deal with the Devil. When a young Mid-western couple - Jane Van Veen (Rachael Taylor - Charlie's Angels, Grey's Anatomy) and Henry Martin (Dave Annable - Brothers & Sisters) - is hired to manage The Drake, they soon discover that evil, obsession, and manipulation has a home. Allow yourself to be seduced by 666 PARK AVENUE, and unravel the mysteries of this devilish new drama from Alloy Entertainment (Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars) and executive producers David Wilcox (Fringe, Life on Mars), Leslie Morgenstein (Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries) and Gina Girolamo (The Secret Circle, The Lying Game)."

HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE (ABC) - "When you move in with your parents after your divorce, you tell yourself it's not forever. Even if you're living with crazy, you can survive it. Because, it's only temporary. Polly (Sarah Chalke) is a single mom who's been divorced for almost a year. The transition wasn't easy for her, especially in this economy. So, like a lot of young people living in this new reality, she turned to her parents for a little help. Polly and her daughter Natalie have moved back home with her eccentric parents, Elaine (Elizabeth Perkins) and Max (Brad Garrett), a couple who are full of life, which seems to always collide with hers. And after a year, it kind of feels like a life sentence. Polly's determined to be "the best single working mother in the Universe", the mom she never had, and so far it hasn't been a cakewalk. Polly and her parents look at life through two different lenses. Polly's too uptight. Her parents are too laid back. Polly's conservative when it comes to dating (no action, whatsoever), while her parents are still sexually adventurous. Polly's trying to have perfect parenting skills, while her parents are more relaxed. They think Polly turned out okay, so what's the big deal. Well, they say it takes a village to raise a child... and in Polly's case, this village is on fire. But with help from her best friend Gregg (the one that got away) and her lovable yet irresponsible ex-husband Julian (the one who wants her back), Polly takes her first steps toward getting a life, starting with a social one. From executive producers Claudia Lonow (Less Than Perfect, Accidently on Purpose, Cashmere Mafia), Brian Grazer (Arrested Development, 24, Parenthood, Friday Night Lights), and Francie Calfo (The Playboy Club, Scoundrels), comes a contemporary new comedy about what it takes to start over. Sometimes you need to move home, in order to move on."

LAST RESORT (ABC) - "500 feet beneath the ocean's surface, the U.S. ballistic missile submarine Colorado receives their orders. Over a radio channel, designed only to be used if their homeland has been wiped out, they're told to fire nuclear weapons at Pakistan. Captain Marcus Chaplin (Andre Braugher) demands confirmation of the orders only to be unceremoniously relieved of duty by the White House. XO Sam Kendal (Scott Speedman) finds himself suddenly in charge of the submarine and facing the same difficult decision. When he also refuses to fire without confirmation of the orders, the Colorado is targeted, fired upon, and hit. The submarine and its crew find themselves crippled on the ocean floor, declared rogue enemies of their own country. Now, with nowhere left to turn, Chaplin and Kendal take the sub on the run and bring the men and women of the Colorado to an exotic island. Here they will find refuge, romance, and a chance at a new life, even as they try to clear their names and get home. From executive producer/writer Shawn Ryan (The Shield, The Unit, The Chicago Code) and Executive producer/writer Karl Gajdusek comes this dramatic new international action-thriller about treachery, treason, and nuclear brinksmanship. LAST RESORT contemplates establishing of a new society in the modern world, and character becomes everything when unthinkable decisions must be made."

MALIBU COUNTRY (ABC) - "When Reba Gallagher (Reba McEntire) discovers her husband Russell, a country music legend, has a cheatin' heart... her world blows up, right along with the family fortune. Reba dreamt of becoming a country star herself, but put her career on hold to raise a family with Russell. Now, she's questioning all of that, big-time. With the ink on her divorce barely dry, Reba packs up her sharp-tongued mother Shirley (Lily Tomlin), her three kids, and the U-Haul, and heads for sunny California to begin a new chapter. Leaving Nashville in the rear view, they're moving to Malibu, to the last remaining asset they have left - a little beach house. But liberal LaLa Land is quite an adjustment for this traditional Southern Belle. From the Bentleys to the Malibu Barbies, the West Coast seems like the polar opposite of Music City, and Reba feels like an outsider. But with the support of her family, she sets about finding her voice, jump starting her music career, and embracing this chance to begin again. From country music superstar/executive producer Reba McEntire and executive producer Kevin Abbott (Last Man Standing, My Name Is Earl, Reba) comes Reba's return to series television. Malibu Country is a hilarious new comedy about new beginnings that will make your heart sing."