'Fringe' exec: 'Series finale will be satisfying and bittersweet'

Fringe exec Joel Wyman has promised that the show's ending will be "satisfying and bittersweet".

The Fox sci-fi drama will draw to a close after 13 final episodes, to premiere in the US on September 28.

"How am I going to write 13 episodes that will encapsulate everything that everyone sees?" Wyman posed, at the Television Critics Association Press Tour.

"How am I going to make sure four years of fans' lives have been invested wisely? Personally as a huge fan of television, I'd like to see every single character get what they deserve."

Wyman added that he has no desire to leave Fringe fans with "unanswered questions".

"I want to feel a sense of closure but at the same time what I really want to see is a feeling of hopefulness," he explained.

"I want fans to feel really good and emotional but the next day I want them imagining where the characters are going to be, how their lives will go on and how the people that they fell in love with for four years are going to be okay."

'Glee': Vanessa Lengies to return as Sugar in season four

Vanessa Lengies has agreed a deal to return to Glee.

The actress - who plays rich girl Sugar Motta in the Fox sitcom - will return as a recurring cast member for its fourth season, reports TVLine.

Lengies joined the Glee cast last year as the self-appointed lead singer of rival group The Troubletones, before joining up with New Directions.

Fox president Kevin Reilly said at the Television Critics' Association's summer press tour that Glee's new season will split its focus between McKinley High and NYADA, where Lea Michele's Rachel is attending her first term.

Chord Overstreet has also signed a deal that sees him boosted from recurring to a series regular as Sam Evans in the fourth season.

Matthew Morrison has hinted that the next season will feature a wedding between two characters.

The new season of Glee premieres with 'The New Rachel' on September 13 at 9pm EST on Fox in the US.

'Walking Dead' arrives on iOS this week

The Walking Dead: Episode One has received a release date for iOS devices.

Titled 'A New Day', the first episode will arrive on iPhone and iPad as a universal app on July 26 for $4.99 (£3.99).

The video game spinoff of the popular comic book and TV series features a brand new character named Lee Everett, a convicted murderer with a chance of redemption in the aftermath of the zombie outbreak.

Players will meet familiar characters such as Glenn, as well as new ones who can live or die in a branching story based on the choices made in each episode.

Future episodes can be purchased through the Walking Dead iOS app, or users can buy a multi-pack that will include episodes two through five at a 25 percent discount.

The Walking Dead: Episode One: A New Day launched for PSN, XBLA, PC and Mac in April. It garnered over one million sales in just under two weeks.

Episode two - titled 'Starved for Help' - released earlier this month on consoles, PC and Mac. The third episode is scheduled for release in August.

The Walking Dead: Episode One will be compatible with iPad 2, the new iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and 4th generation iPod touch.

'The Voice' UK try-out cancelled after 'lack of interest'

A try-out for The Voice UK has reportedly been axed in Birmingham.

Scouts from the BBC One talent show were scheduled to attend an open mic night to find singers to attend the nationwide auditions.

However, the event is said to have been cancelled after only five people signed up, reports The Sun.

The evening was due to be held at The Coffee Room Café Bar in Birmingham on Saturday.

The BBC later stated that the open mic night was not an official audition, and that 60 people had attended a similar event the following evening.

"Saturday's event was an open mic night organised by a local businessman," a spokesperson said.

"Our official auditions will run nationwide in August and September and we've had a huge, fantastic response. More than 25,000 people have already applied - a figure that is higher than last year."

Jessie J and Sir Tom Jones are rumoured not to be returning for a second series of the talent show.

However, Jones has said that he would like to make a return with his fellow judges.

'Superstar' Nathan James clashes with Andrew Lloyd Webber over Twitter

Superstar hopeful Nathan James clashed with Andrew Lloyd Webber on last night's (July 23) live show, with the judge accusing him of tweeting "nonsense".

James, who was eliminated from the contest at the end of the show, was picked up for his behaviour behind the scenes and singled out for particular criticism by Webber following his rendition of Lady GaGa's 'Born This Way'.

Webber told James that he could not fault his "amazing" vocals, but suggested that the singer was becoming arrogant and would be a troublemaker in a large production.

"I think you need to love the song more than you love yourself," said Webber.

Commenting on James's tweets about his progress in the show, and in particular a retweet of a fan picture that featured the 23-year-old rocker mocked up as Jesus, Webber continued: "Why do you keep tweeting the things you keep tweeting?

"I worry what you're going to be like in rehearsal room with all these big stars. When everyone is going to be equal. I'm having terrible worries.

"Why did you tweet all this nonsense, why did you tweet yourself wearing a crown of thorns?"

James responded at the time with a puzzled look at Webber's comments. Later, he tweeted that he was not surprised to leave the show because it was clear that the West End composer "didn't like me".

Yesterday, James denied tabloid reports that he was acting like a diva backstage and that he had made a member of production staff cry.

"Guys, don't believe all you read," he said. "People don't want me to do well in this show and i wanna really want to," the Berkshire singer told fans.

Ben Forster, David Hunter, Rory Taylor and Roger Wright remain in with a chance of winning the reality show and a role in Webber's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.

'Absolutely Fabulous' Olympics special grabs 5.6 million

Absolutely Fabulous triumphed in last night's (July 23) ratings for its Olympics special, according to the latest overnight data.

Starring Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, the revived BBC One sitcom attracted 5.61m (24.1%) at 9.30pm.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Ab Fab's previous Christmas and New Year's specials pulled in 7.4m and 7.1m respectively.

Olympics-themed programming aired elsewhere in BBC One's schedule, with a one-off Question of Sport scoring 3.53m (15.4%) at 8.30pm, and late-night Tom Daley documentary Diving for Britain striking gold with 2.89m (20.6%).

EastEnders provided the channel's most-watched broadcasts with 7.6m and 7.3m for its double bill, which contained live scenes.

Despite airing 90 minutes of soaps, ITV played second fiddle to BBC One in primetime, as Superstar drew a poor 2.59m (11.3%) from 9pm (+1: 145k/0.8%), and 2.51m (11.6%) caught Countrywise at 8pm.

University Challenge led BBC Two's charge with 2.17m (10%) at 8pm, after which The Hairy Bakers (1.24m/5.4%), Horizon (1.9m/8.1%) and QI (1.44m/7.1%) performed respectably.

Ruby Wax's Mad Confessions launched on Channel 4 with 730k (4%) at 10pm (+1: 125k/1.2%), while Location, Location, Location returned with 1.23m (5.5%) at 8pm (+1: 209k/0.9%) and Undercover Boss had 1.34m (5.7%) at 9pm (+1: 219k/1.2%).

Meanwhile, Big Brother underperformed with 995k (4.2%) for Channel 5 at 9pm (+1: 149k/0.8%), then The Walking Dead took 695k (3.7%) at 10pm (+1: 124k/1.1%). Megastructures interested 669k (3%) earlier on.

Overall, BBC One secured a rare Monday night victory with 22.9% versus ITV1's 19.8% (+1: 0.7%). BBC Two claimed third place with 6.9%, followed by Channel 4 with 4.8% (+1: 0.9%), and Channel 5 with 3.4% (+1: 0.3%).

NBC Chief Doesn't Want Osbourne to Leave 'America's Got Talent'

NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt said the network was taken by surprise when Sharon Osbourne said on Twitter that she's not returning to the show next season -- and that he doesn't want her to leave.

"I don't know that she's not returning," he told TheWrap at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. "I don't really have anything conclusive to say. ... I haven't spoken to her or her agents so I'm not sure really where it's coming from. It took us all by surprise."

He later added from the TCA podium that he thought the Osbourne news was probably "much ado about nothing."

Asked if NBC wanted Osbourne back, he told TheWrap: "Absolutely. We love Sharon."

Osbourne tweeted to new judge Howard Stern on Tuesday, “My darling @howardstern, money is not the reason I’m not returning to @nbcagt, it’s because …”

And with that she trailed off.

Earlier Tuesday, NBC president of alternative and late-night programming Paul Telegdy said at TCA that he was pleased with "AGT" and that Stern was welcome to return.

"We'd be delighted if Howard wants to come back," he said.

Osbourne, the show's longest-serving judge, joined in its second season in 2007. This season, she serves on the panel with Howie Mandel as well as Stern.

'Doctor Who' star Matt Smith: 'I'm selective about roles I pick'

Matt Smith has admitted that he chooses his roles outside of Doctor Who carefully.

The 29-year-old actor told reporters at a screening of his new BBC Olympic drama Bert and Dickie that he is "selective" about the parts he picks.

"Because we shoot [Doctor Who] for nine, ten months, all in all, you get about a month to do something else," he revealed.

Smith added that he only has time to shoot one additional project outside of Who per year.

"Of course, you have to be selective," he said. "But... I responded to the [Bert and Dickie] script. It's made by people I know at the BBC and people that are of great repute. And that's important.

"There was a good director attached and I always thought it would get a good, strong cast. But it just has to start with a script and I guess I just responded to that."

Bert and Dickie airs on Wednesday (July 25) at 8.30pm on BBC One.

CNBC Announces First Reality Slate

"Exploring new formats in primetime allows us to find new ways to attract a broader viewership at night while still appealing to CNBC's highly affluent, educated and influential audience," said Jim Ackerman.

CNBC is expanding its portfolio with the announcement of seven unscripted projects in development including FAKES AND FORGERIES (working title) from Endemol USA, FRANCHISED (working title) from Eyeworks USA and AT YOUR SERVICE (working title) from Zodiak USA. CNBC's slate includes projects that run the gamut from an antiques detective who works the high-end world of art forgeries using crime lab technology to a life-changing competition that each week gives one person a chance to win his or her own franchise to a concierge service that makes the impossible possible for their extravagant clients. The announcement was made today by Mark Hoffman, CNBC President and CEO, and Jim Ackerman, CNBC's SVP of Primetime Alternative Programming.

"Exploring new formats in primetime allows us to find new ways to attract a broader viewership at night while still appealing to CNBC's highly affluent, educated and influential audience," said Ackerman. "These projects are an extension of CNBC's distinct brand complete with bold characters, big stakes and of course one undeniable common denominator... money."

CNBC's reality slate includes:

FAKES AND FORGERIES (working title) Produced by Endemol USA. Is that Warhol print worth millions or is it just a beautifully rendered fake? That $100,000 bottle of wine may be a great investment or it could be a cheap merlot with a carefully reproduced antique label. Welcome to the fascinating world of Curtis Dowling and his team of art investigators who work with clients that just may be the victims of a counterfeiter's elaborate scheme.

FRANCHISED (working title) Produced by Eyeworks USA, with JD Roth, Todd A. Nelson and Brant Pinvidic serving as Executive Producers. There may be no easier or faster way to start a business than owning a franchise. But steep buy-in fees make it a tough proposition for most. In each episode, "Franchised" gives five deserving contestants - high in qualifications but short on cash - a chance to win a nationally recognized franchise. It's an emotional once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a shot at the American Dream.

AT YOUR SERVICE (working title) Produced by Zodiak USA with Natalka Znak and Claire O'Donohoe serving as Executive Producers. "At Your Service" follows a high-end international concierge service that caters to a clientele that never needs to ask "how much." They are dream makers who take on the most outrageous requests. Need 10 emperor penguins for a "Happy Feet" themed kid's party? Looking for a 15th century castle for a Henry the VIII fantasy vacation? Preparing a meal that requires truffles from a remote farm in Slovenia? When the task borders on the impossible, these are the people who make it happen. Anything is do-able when money is no object.

OUTSTANDING! (working title) Produced by RelativityReal with Tom Forman and Brad Bishop serving as Executive Producers. "Outstanding!" follows four high-achieving teenagers who excel in sports, the arts and academics. It's an inside look at the gifted and talented and the parents who will stop at nothing to help their kids achieve their dreams. We see the glory, but we also witness the sacrifice, hardship and pressures.

VENTURE MEN (working title) Produced by Sharp Entertainment with Matt Sharp as Executive Producer. "Venture Men" gives inventors, dreamers and thinkers a chance to pitch out their business ideas, get instant funding and then bring their products to market, all within a 72-hour period.

AMERICAN STEEL (working title) Produced by Ellman Entertainment with Linda Ellman as Executive Producer. "American Steel" takes you deep inside the world of competitive car flippers where "motor head" Joe Petralia and "money head" Jay Weinberg find, fix and flip classic and muscle cars. With the economy struggling, each transaction represents one more big risk for the owners who have to fight to keep their once multi-million dollar business afloat.

FLIPPING WARS: VEGAS (working title) Produced by MorningStar Entertainment with Gary Tarpinian and Paninee Theeranuntawat as Executive Producers and Christian Robinson as Co-Executive Producer. The housing market plunge has created big opportunities for folks who are willing to strap on a tool belt and take a gamble. "Flipping Wars: Vegas," set in the city hardest hit by the housing crisis, follows four teams of wheeler dealers who see dollar signs every time they bid on a foreclosed home.

Ryan Murphy: One Million Moms Would Love 'The New Normal'

Ryan Murphy says the conservative group "One Million Moms" would love his new NBC show, "The New Normal," if they would only watch it.

The show is about a gay couple who have an African-American woman's eggs implanted into the womb of their surrogate mother, a single mom. Ellen Barkin plays the surrogate mom's bigoted mom, who doesn't want the egg donor's eggs in her daughter, and doesn't care much for gays. Murphy said the character is "100 percent" a member of One Million Moms.

"If they watched the show -- I actually think they would love it," Murphy said at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour. "Because for the first time, they're represented. Ellen Barkin is a member of that group. Which is the truth.

He said the Barkin character would "protest people and events" and that other characters on the show would respond. One Million Moms, which also objected to JC Penney hiring the openly gay Ellen DeGeneres as a spokeswoman, said "The New Normal" was "using public airwaves to continue to subject families to the decay of morals and values, and the sanctity of marriage in attempting to redefine marriage."

Murphy said his show was influenced by "true genius" Norman Lear, who explored social issues in shows including "All in the Family" and "Maude." He said the Barkin character's tirades would spark discussion.

"I think the show is funny, but I think in many ways the show is about tolerance and I think it's about a discussion of tolerance," he added. "And I think that their points of view are delivered with senstiivity and a certain amount of ferocity by Ms. Barkin, so I think they would actually, if they watched it, they would like it."

'X Factor' Tulisa: 'Nicole Scherzinger needs to toughen up'

X Factor star Tulisa Contostavlos has revealed that she is encouraging her new co-judge Nicole Scherzinger to "toughen up".

The 'Young' singer dismissed suggestions of tension emerging on the panel, saying that she had actually scolded Scherzinger for being "too nice".

"Everyone keeps asking me, 'Can you expect any brawls this year, or dramas?' But Nicole is just such a sweetie," Contostavlos told The Sun. "She's too nice. It will never happen."

"I even tell her, 'Come on Nicole, be a meanie, toughen up'. But that's just who she is.

"She's a lovely, girl-next-door, down-to-earth person who is extremely talented. And she knows her stuff."

Contostavlos recently hit back at "bulls**t" reports of a feud with Scherzinger on Twitter, telling the press to "p*ss off" and stating: "Ur always guna try and make a headline cus uve got nothin good 2 write about."

Scherzinger's emotions got the better of her during last week's X Factor Boot Camp in Liverpool when she was reduced to tears by a contestant's heartfelt performance.

TV Tonight 25th of July 2012

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

    24 Hours in A&E S02E11: "Series 2, Episode 11"
    America's Got Talent S07E21: "4 acts advance to the top 24"
    American Guns S02E11: "Motorcycle Shotgun"
    Australia's Got Talent S06E21: "Grand Final: The Winner is Decided"
    Baby Daddy S01E05: "Married to the Job"
    Backyard Inventors S01E12: "Episode 12"
    Baggage Battles S01E12: "North Carolina"
    Barter Kings S01E11: "Shake Your Money Maker"
    Barter Kings S01E12: "Barter Up!"
    Best Sandwich in America S01E08: "Great Lakes"
    Beverly Hills Nannies S01E03: "Nanny-Mama Drama"
    Big Brother (UK) S14E55: "BB 13, Episode 55"
    Big Brother (US) S14E06: "Episode 6 - Veto Competition #2"
    Big Brother After Dark S07E14: "Season 7, Episode 14"
    Big Brother's Bit on the Side S04E51: "Series 4, Show 51"
    Blockbusters (2012) S01E33: "Series 1, Show 32"
    Cajun Pawn Stars S02E15: "Knocked Up"
    Cajun Pawn Stars S02E14: "Birds Brains"
    Chelsea Lately S06E117: "Carla Gugino, Dan Maurio, Loni Love, Josh Wolf"
    Cherry Healey: How to Get a Life S01E06: "Love and Money"
    Come Dine With Me S19E35: "Series 19, Episode 28"
    Conan S02E119: "Kate Beckinsale, Doug Fine, Tennis"
    Coronation Street S53E147: "Wed July 25, 2012"
    Dallas (2012) S01E08: "No Good Deed"
    Damages S05E03: "Failure is Failure"
    Daybreak S02E227: "July 25, 2012"
    Days of our Lives S47E182: "Ep. #11892"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E298: "Episode 1978"
    Degrassi S12E07: "Say It Ain't So (1)"
    Diamond Divers S01E05: "Night Terrors"
    Doctors S14E64: "The Bespectacled Bounder"
    EastEnders S28E117: "July 25, 2012"
    Emergency with Angela Griffin S02E04: "Series 2, Episode 4"
    Emmerdale S41E173: "July 25, 2012"
    Fast 'n' Loud S01E07: "TBA"
    Fast Food Mania S01E10: "Extreme Locations"
    Fast Food Mania S01E09: "Extra Special Service"
    Figure It Out S04E30: "Featuring Drake Bell"
    Final Witness S01E05: "The Devil You Know"
    Four In A Bed S03E58: "Lincoln Yurts"
    Futurama S07E07: "The Six Million Dollar Mon"
    General Hospital (US) S50E81: "#12609"
    Haunted Collector S02E07: "Casino Phantom/California Nightmare"
    Hollyoaks S18E148: "July 25, 2012"
    Hollywood Exes S01E06: "Episode 6"
    Hollywood Heights S01E28: "Melissa's Birthday"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E133: "Episode 5568"
    House Hunters S50E23: "Newlyweds Buying Their First Home in Boston Suburbs"
    House Hunters International S34E19: "Reconnecting with Grenada"
    Income Property S06E11: "Andrew"
    Iron Man: Armored Adventures S02E26: "The Makluan Invasion Part 2: Unite!"
    Jeopardy! S28E223: "Show #6428"
    Jimmy Kimmel Live S09E285: "Colin Farrell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Trey Songz"
    Johnny Test S05E50: "It's All Relative, Johnny"
    Late Night with Jimmy Fallon S02E311:
    Late Show with David Letterman S19E107
    LEGO NinjaGo: Masters of Spinjitzu S02E15: "Pirates vs. Ninja"
    Live with Kelly S29E236
    Mama Drama S01E02: "The Snatch"
    Masterchef Australia S04E70: "MasterChef 2012 Finale"
    Melissa & Joey S02E10: "Pretty Big Liars"
    Million Dollar Listing S05E07: "Los Angeles: Broker Blowout"
    Necessary Roughness S02E07: "Spell It Out"
    Neighbours S28E143: "Episode 6453"
    Operation Repo S10E09: "TBA"
    Picked Off S01E03: "Outside the Box"
    Property Brothers: Supersized S04E09: "High-End Home"
    Restaurant: Impossible S04E03: "Zandi's Grill"
    Restoration Home S02E02: "Sandford House"
    Retired at 35 S02E05: "My Dinner With Alan"
    Royal Pains S04E07: "Fools Russian"
    School Spirits S01E05: "Campus Warning Signs"
    Secret Dealers S03E13: "Series 3, Episode 13"
    So You Think You Can Dance S09E09
    Superstar S01E12: "Live Show 9"
    The Block (NZ) S01E07: "Season 1, Episode 7"
    The Bold and the Beautiful S26E88: "Ep. #6372"
    The Colbert Report S08E91: "Dan Gross"
    The Culture Show S17E06: "Series 17, Episode 6"
    The Daily Show S17E129: "Joseph Stiglitz"
    The Exes S02E06: "Shall We Dance?"
    The Franchise S02E03: "Miami Marlins (3)"
    The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E216: "July 25, 2012"
    The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S08E116
    The Listener S03E08: "Now You See Him"
    The Only Way Is Essex S06E02: "Series 6, Episode 2"
    The Project S04E176: "Season 4, Episode 176"
    The Real World S27E05: "Clean Break"
    The Soul Man S01E06: "Preacher's Block"
    The Soup S09E30: "July 25"
    The Tonight Show with Jay Leno S20E126
    The View S15E210: "Jessica Alba, Pistol Annies"
    The Young and the Restless S40E87: "Ep. #9956"
    Through the Wormhole S03E08: "Mysteries Of The Subconscious"
    Tipping Point S01E18: "Episode 18"
    Toddlers and Tiaras S05E16: "Out of this World Pageant"
    Top Chef: Masters S04E01: "The Buffet Must Go On"
    Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records S01E09: "Bonkingly Big Hits"
    Tricky Business (AU) S01E13: "Episode 13"
    Tricky Business (AU) S01E12: "Episode 12"
    Watch What Happens: Live S07E24: "TBA"
    Who The (Bleep) Did I Marry? S03E05: "A Certified Horror"

Geordie Shore Charlotte okay with on-camera sex: I should win a BAFTA

Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby has jested that her televised sex acts are worthy of a BAFTA.

The reality TV personality said that she is not bothered about having sex in front of the cameras and admitted to having "competitions" with the rest of the cast.

"It's just like normal sex," she told Heat. "You totally forget that the cameras are there.

"We have competitions and ask the crew, 'Who looks like the best at sex?' And they always say on the sly that it's me. If only there were BAFTAs for that."

Crosby added that while the latest series of Geordie Shore is the "dirtiest" yet, she feels the cast have been more in touch with their feelings.

"[It's] more emotional too," she said. "There are going to be some surprise relationships."

Geordie Shore stars Jay Gardner and Rebecca Walker have recently confirmed their exits from the show. New cast members are expected to be brought in for the upcoming fourth series.

'Doctor Who' exec on River Song future: 'Series six was her big story'

Doctor Who exec Steven Moffat has hinted at River Song's role in series seven.

The showrunner told MTV Geek that River (Alex Kingston) will appear in the sci-fi drama's next run.

However, Moffat added that series six of Who - which revealed the character to be the daughter of Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill) - already covered the "big River Song story".

Discussing River's return in episode five of the new series, exec producer Caroline Skinner said: "She's so the queen of mischief in this episode."

Moffat also commented on the departure of both Amy and Rory, which will also occur in the New York-set episode five, and the later introduction of Jenna-Louise Coleman's new companion.

"When you start that story [of the companion] again, you've got a fresh take on it," he said. "You've got someone who's bemused by him, who doesn't know he has two hearts, and you meet him again through their eyes."

The writer previously claimed that the departure of Gillan and Darvill does "not necessarily" rule out further adventures with the River Song character.

Doctor Who will return to BBC One this August.

Sharon Osbourne Tweets That She’s ‘Not Returning’ to ‘America’s Got Talent’

Sharon Osbourne said on Twitter Tuesday that she won’t be returning to "America's Got Talent."

In a tweet to new judge Howard Stern, she mysteriously wrote, “My darling @howardstern, money is not the reason I’m not returning to @nbcagt, it’s because …”

And with that she trailed off.

NBC had no immediate comment.

Earlier Tuesday, NBC president of alternative and late-night programming Paul Telegdy said at the Television Critics Association summer press that he was pleased with "AGT" and that Stern was welcome to return.

"We'd be delighted if Howard wants to come back," he said.

Osbourne, the show's longest-serving judge, joined in its second season in 2007. This season, she serves on the panel with Howie Mandel as well as Stern.

'The Jeffersons' Star Sherman Hemsley Dead at 74

Sherman Hemsley, who played cantankerous dry cleaner George Jefferson on the hit sitcom "The Jeffersons," was found dead Tuesday in his El Paso, Texas, home, the El Paso police said in a statement, He was 74.

No cause of death was reported pending autopsy results, but no foul play is suspected, police said.

Hemsley rose to fame on the sitcom "All in The Family," from which "The Jeffersons" was spun off in 1975. The series ran until 1985 on CBS, lasting 11 seasons and 253 episodes. As the patriarch of the series, Hemsley charmed audiences with his cocky strut and readiness with brash verbal zingers.

Overall, "The Jeffersons" racked up 11 Emmy nominations, with Hemsley receiving Best Actor nominations from 1981 to 1985. (His co-star, Isabel Sanford -- who played his wife Louise, affectionately referred to as "Weezy" -- would take home an Emmy in 1981. She died in 2004 at 86.)

Hemsley would go on to many other television roles, notably as Deacon Ernest Frye in the late-'80s sitcom "Amen."

Hemsley most recently reprised the role of George Jefferson on the TV series "House of Pain" last year.

'Superstar' hopefuls defend Andrew Lloyd Webber in Nathan James row

The Superstar final four contestants have defended Andrew Lloyd Webber following his row with rejected singer Nathan James on last night's live show.

Lloyd Webber was criticised by some viewers for singling out James for criticism over things he had written on Twitter, and for encouraging tabloid allegations that the 23-year-old had been acting like a diva backstage.

However, the final four singers hoping to land the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar said that Lloyd Webber had every right to pull James up for his behaviour behind-the-scenes.

"It was a strange one really and it's difficult, but Lloyd Webber is the man in control," said David Hunter. "It's his show. At the end of the day the guy who wins this competition will be playing the lead role in an incredibly huge arena tour and he needs to be on his side I suppose."

Rory Taylor commented: "I think it was a tough one last night, with Nathan and Roger [Wright] in the bottom two. But I think that what everyone has to remember is that unlike a lot of shows, Andrew actually put a lot of time into this.

"From early in the morning to after the show, he is here. I think his comments are based a lot more on us as people and the process that we've been going through in the day, than on the show."

Ben Forster claimed that he hadn't yet seen the comments from Lloyd Webber, but said it was sad to see Nathan go because they were "close friends". Meanwhile, Wright claimed that saying goodbye to any of the remaining contestants was "sad", but argued that they had to all "move on".

James spoke on This Morning earlier today and revealed that he has plans to crack the US after being dumped off the ITV1 show.

"I'm going off to America, which is really exciting - I've had my visa come through!" he said. "This show has inspired me to go and reach my dreams and find my place I suppose.

"Maybe it's not in the UK... maybe I'm too much! My ultimate dream? I want to front a rock band and I know we're not in the '80s but there's got to be somewhere out there who's going to want that."

Netflix Posts 2Q Profit as Revenue, Customer Base Grow

Netflix warned on Tuesday it may have trouble reaching its year-end target for new subscribers and will record a loss in the last three months of the year, sending the shares of the video rental company down 14 percent.

For the second-quarter, Netflix reported earnings of 11 cents a share, beating analysts expectations of 5 cents, and said it added 530,0000 new customers to its video streaming service in the U.S. market.

But in a quarterly letter to shareholders, the company said the Olympicsg will likely hurt its ability to sign-up new customers in the current quarter, when it expects to add 1 million to 1.8 million subscribers.

Netflix said it would stay on track to reach 7 million net additions for all of 2012 if the company hits the high end of third-quarter estimate.

"Otherwise, it would be challenging to achieve that goal by year end," said the letter from CEO Reed Hastings and CFO David Wells.

The company also said it would be in the red in the fourth quarter when it launches its streaming service in another international market. Netflix had a loss in the first three months of the year as it expanded into Britain, but returned to a profit in the second quarter.

“Guidance on the (subscribers) was cautious," Morningstar analyst Michael Corty said in explaining the share drop.

Netflix shares were down 14 percent at $69.15 in after-hours trading from their $80.39 close on Nasdaq.

The company said its second-quarter revenue rose to $889 million in the April to June period. Profit was $6 million.

'Modern Family' Cast Sues to Void Contracts in Salary Dispute

The stars of "Modern Family" sued to void their contract on ABC's Emmy-winning hit after rejecting the latest salary offer from 20th Century Fox Television.

Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet and Sofia Vergara said their contracts were illegal under California's Seven-Year Rule, which bars personal service contracts of more than seven years. Ed O'Neill decided to join it after it was filed, in solidarity with his castmates.

The lawsuit against 20th Television, which produces "Modern Family," doesn't mean the actors actually hope to leave the show. It only means that they are employing every tactic possible to earn more favorable terms.

"'Modern Family' has been a breakout critical and financial success," says the lawsuit, filed by attorney Jeff McFarland Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. "That success, however, has been built upon a collection of illegal contracts."

A table read for the show was canceled at the last minute Tuesday after Burrell, Bowen, Ferguson, Stonestreet and Vergara rejected 20th Television's latest offer.

The actors had been offered $150,000 per episode and a $50,000 bonus per episode for the upcoming fourth season, and $200,000 for the fifth season, a person familiar with the negotiations told TheWrap.

O'Neill, the biggest name when the show began, negotiated a separate agreement from his castmates and earns more than they do. He was negotiating his own contract, but was not initially named as a plaintiff in the suit.

McFarland said Tuesday afternoon, however, that O'Neill decided to join the suit after it was filed.

20th Television and ABC declined to comment on the negotiations or the suit.

It was unclear from the lawsuit how much the actors currently make. Burrell, Bowen, Ferguson  and Stonestreet say their contracts lock them in for seven years and allow them salary increases capped at 4 percent per year. Vergara's raises are capped at 5 percent per year, according to the suit.

Her agreement with the show is different from that of her coworkers because she had a holding deal after the cancellation of her short-lived 2007 ABC series "The Knights of Prosperity." She was paid $450,000 for the sole rights to her future appearance in an ABC television series. ABC told her in 2008 that she was to join the cast of "Modern Family."

The stakes are high for one of television's most-loved comedies: The two-time Emmy winner for Outstanding Comedy Series is ABC's top-rated show and is tied for television's fifth highest-rated show overall, averaging 7.1 million viewers in they key 18-49 demo and 10.5 million total viewers.

"Modern Family" has also helped ABC launch other shows, including the midseason hit "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23."

The dispute comes nine months after a salary fight nearly ended another 20th Television show, "The Simpsons."

he show's voice actor's agreed to have their salaries cut by a third, to $300,000 per episode, to keep the show going for at least two more seasons.

Vergara was recently named Forbes' highest-paid TV actress -- but not because of "Modern Family." Forbes reported that she earned roughly $19 million from May 2011 to May 2012, thanks largely to her media company, LatinWE, as well as endorsement deals and her Kmart clothing line.

David Hunter becomes last to leave ITV's 'Superstar' before final

David Hunter became the last Superstar contestant to be eliminated before tomorrow's final.

After the public vote, David and Rory Taylor ended up in the sing-off, where they sang Ronan Keating's 'No Matter What'.

Earlier in the evening, David had performed 'I Try', made famous by Macy Gray, while Rory sang 'In The Air Tonight' by Phil Collins.

After the sing-off, Lord Webber said that the reality show clichés about the decision being 'tough' and that we would "see the loser again" were definitely true in this case, before choosing to save Rory.

Webber said the fact that there is going to be a Superstar arena tour had played into his decision.

David told Amanda Holden that being on the show had "been an amazing experience... meeting such great lads and being able to sing in front of [the] crowd and people at home".

Tomorrow's final between Rory, Ben Forster and Roger Wright will go to the public vote to see who wins the role of Jesus in Lloyd Webber's upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers to play Dracula on NBC, Sky Living series

Jonathan Rhys Meyers is to star in the title role in NBC's new drama series Dracula.

The network has ordered a ten-episode run of the show, which is also being produced by UK channel Sky Living, reports Deadline.

Dracula, which was bought by NBC in January, is set in the 1890s and has been described as "Dangerous Liaisons meets The Tudors".

It follows the iconic vampire as he arrives in London seeking vengeance against those who wronged him hundreds of years ago, all the time pretending to be an American entrepreneur extolling the virtues of modern science.

However, his plans go awry when he falls in love with a woman who appears to be the reincarnation of his dead wife.

NBC boss Robert Greenblatt said at the Television Critics Association Press Tour on Tuesday that the show would be a "new version of the classic Bram Stoker" story.

He added: "In the world of Twilight and True Blood and all the contemporised stories, we thought we'd go back to the original."

The drama will be developed by producers Tony Krantz and Colin Callender and writer Cole Haddon.

VH1 Greenlights Dean Cain Scripted Series 'Bounce'

Superman is coming to VH1.

The cable network has given the greenlight to a new scripted series "Bounce," starring former "Lois & Clark" headliner Dean Cain, along with "Glee" alum Charlotte Ross and "Grey's Anatomy" vet Kimberly Elise.

The series, created and written by James LaRosa and executive produced by LaRosa and Maggie Malina, follows the Los Angeles Devil Girls, the dance troupe for the Los Angeles Devils basketball team. Cain will play a former All-Star who comes back to coach his old team, "only to have to contend with the girls both stealing the spotlight and distracting his players," according to VH1.

Elise will play the protective mother of one of the Devil Girls, while Ross will portray Olivia, the dance squad's manager.

The series, which follows "Single Ladies" onto VH1's scripted slate, begins production next year.

Jeff Olde, VH1's executive vice president of original programming and production, said that the new series "has all the elements we know VH1 viewers love; a world very much on the pop culture radar, an incredible cast and compelling, addictive storytelling. These are all set against a glamorous backdrop where amazing dance numbers organically break out as part of the story."

Olde added that music will serve as a "strong narrative force" on "Bounce."

Cain is also competing in NBC's upcoming reality series "Stars Earn Stripes," which premieres Aug. 13.