Big Brother Caroline causes Twitter storm after 'Mr and Mrs' comment

Caroline Wharram has caused a fresh outcry from Big Brother fans following a comment possibly aimed at transgender co-star Luke Anderson.

Caroline was speaking about nominations tactics when she complained about two housemates who she called "Mr and Mrs tactical".

Luke Scrase appeared to believe she was referring to Luke A and Adam Kelly, correcting her by saying: "Mr and Mr."

Caroline did not clarify her remark or suggest that she was referring to a female housemate, which has prompted complaints on the DS forums and Twitter.

Luke A's friends and family complained through an official fan Twitter account: "Grrr Caroline how dare you call Luke a Mrs! I really hope you go Friday, what a vile person you are! Disgraceful.

"Caroline should be chucked out for bullying, calling Luke A a Mrs is a disgrace."

A Digital Spy forum user said: "To me the interesting bit is what Caroline didn't say. When Scrase pulled her up with 'Mr and Mr', she could have very easily said 'no we're thinking of different people' if she'd been referring to Deana.

"Therefore I interpret it that Caroline was referring to Luke A and Adam. Whether she was maliciously calling Luke 'Mrs' or whether it was just another one of her lazy slips of the tongue is the bit that's hard to prove."

'TOWIE' Lauren Goodger: 'Kirk Norcross regrets leaving'

The Only Way Is Essex star Lauren Goodger has claimed that Kirk Norcross would like to return to the show.

Norcross left the ITV2 reality show after its third series in 2011 and went on to compete in Celebrity Big Brother.

Lauren Goodger attends the Barclaycard Unwind Lounge at Day 2 of the O2 Wireless festival

However, Goodger has now said that the boyfriend of Jodie Marsh seems to "regret" leaving the stability of TOWIE behind.

"Some people left with big ideas but don't really have any work anymore," she told the Daily Star.

"I think they regret it. I spoke to Kirk Norcross the other day and he said he would love to come back on the show and do some scenes at the Sugar Hut."

On her own TOWIE future, she added: "[The show] is still on top so it would be wrong for me to leave, but it's not been easy with lots of new characters coming in. Things have definitely changed."

Norcross had been tipped to front a show with fellow Big Brother housemate Frankie Cocozza about "getting p*ssed and pulling fit birds", but the pair ended their 'bromance' in March.

'Fringe' Production Delayed by John Noble's Sleep Disorder

"Fringe" star John Noble has been having trouble sleeping lately -- and the feeling is likely catching among his castmates and crew.

Production on Fox's scifi drama was halted for two weeks earlier this week because Noble, 63, is suffering from a sleeping disorder. Noble, who plays Dr. Walter Bishop, will seek treatment for his condition during the downtime.

"Fringe" is expected to go back into production on Aug. 7. The delay is not expected to affect the series' Sept. 28 premiere date.

The J.J. Abrams-produced "Fringe" was renewed for a fifth and final, 13-episode season by Fox this spring, so that the show could tie up loose ends for fans.

“'Fringe' is a remarkably creative series that has set the bar as one of television’s most imaginative dramas. Bringing it back for a final 13 allows us to provide the climactic conclusion that its passionate and loyal fans deserve,” Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment for Fox Broadcasting, said of the renewal.

'Elementary' star: I assured Cumberbatch it was different to Sherlock

Jonny Lee Miller has admitted that it felt "strange" discussing his Elementary role with friend Benedict Cumberbatch.

Cumberbatch plays a contemporary Sherlock Holmes in BBC series Sherlock, while Miller will play a similar role in new CBS drama Elementary.

"I wanted to assure him that it was a different enough project," Miller told reporters. "He was excited for me and he was very encouraging and we discussed it."

Miller - who will star opposite Lucy Liu (Joan Watson) in Elementary - described Holmes as "a wonderful character to play".

"[Benedict] wanted to pass a lot of that on," he explained. "We discussed that for a bit, yeah. It's a strange one."

At this year's San Diego Comic-Con, Miller insisted that Cumberbatch is "very supportive" of Elementary.

The series will premiere on September 27 on CBS.

Jennifer Beals, Sarah Jones on Working for YouTube vs. TV

Will the day come that appearing on a YouTube series is as desirable as working in TV? It's already here, says Jennifer Beals, star of an upcoming series for YouTube's Wigs channel.

"I think it's so fascinating what's happening -- that we have this other platform for material that is incredibly intimate and it feels like you don't have to wait for somebody's permission to be creative," Beals said. "You don't have to wait for that magic, huge number in order to go tell a story. And I love that."

Also read: Yahoo's 'Cybergeddon' Series to Include Hackers' Real Virus Code

Wigs, created by producer-directors Rodrigo Garcia and Jon Avnet, targets women with dramatic serials starring actresses including Julia Stiles, America Ferrera, and Jena Malone. Each bears a woman's name. Beals' series, "Lauren," will begin Aug. 13. Jones' series, "Kendra," will begin Nov. 12.

In a sign of the disappearing lines between TV and the Internet, YouTube addressed the Television Critics Association summer press tour for the first time on Wednesday. The group's twice annual press tours were long the domain of, well, television networks.

YouTube, meanwhile, once the domain of amateurs, is now creating stars of TV and film -- just as TV and film stars are turning to YouTube.

Beals and Jones (pictured), star of another Wigs serial, are both former stars of canceled Fox shows. Beals appeared on the network's "Lie to Me" and Jones on last season's "Alcatraz."

Jones said she wasn't put off by the lower pay of working online.

"It's a pioneering territory," she said. "I think to be on the forefront of that is an honor."

Kal Penn Joins CBS Comedy Pilot 'Ex-Men'

Kal Penn is moving from his White House gig to a considerably less impressive setting.

"Harold & Kumar" and "House" star Penn, who has worked on and off for the Barack Obama administration (and is currently working on his campaign), has signed on to co-star in the CBS comedy pilot "Ex-Men," about a group of single guys who live in a short-term rental complex.

Penn will play Gil, a guy who moves into the complex as he waits for his wife to forgive him for an affair he had three years earlier.

The pilot, from "How I Met Your Mother" producer Rob Greenberg, who's writing and directing, was greenlit for the 2013-14 season earlier this month.

Penn has worked with Greenberg on "HIMYM," on which he had a recurring role as Kevin.

The actor's most recent pilot, "Prairie Dogs," was passed over by ABC earlier this year.

Noel Edmonds 'drops out of BBC show after filming pilot'

Noel Edmonds has reportedly dropped out of an upcoming BBC One entertainment series.

The Deal or No Deal host had been lined up to make a return to Saturday night television on the BBC for new gameshow The Bodyguard.

However, Edmonds is said to have exited the project after filming the initial pilot, reports The Sun.

The show would see contestants becoming celebrity bodyguards while taking part in challenges and obstacle courses.

The presenter allegedly did not find the show "exciting" enough, and would only decide to take on another series if it met his standards.

An insider said: "The BBC and producers Endemol were really keen for Noel to do the show.

"But he filmed the pilot on the basis that he would only do a full series if he thought it was amazing, different and exciting — and he didn't feel that."

The source added: "To take on another big show it would need to really blow him away.

"Endemol were disappointed by his decision, but understand his feelings - it is all amicable.

"Noel thinks The Bodyguard will be a success, but just with somebody else at the helm."

A BBC insider said that a decision on the future of the show will be made in the near future.

TV Tonight 26th of July 2012

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

    3 S01E01: "My Guy Is Out There"
    Anger Management S01E06: "Charlie Dates Kate's Patient"
    Auction Kings S03E20: "Antique Doctor's Buggy / Cleopatra Folio"
    Awkward S02E05: "My Love is a Black Heart"
    Beautiful Homes S01E26: "Built for Fun and Royalty"
    Behind Mansion Walls S02E08: "Born to Win"
    Big Brother (UK) S14E56: "BB 13, Episode 56"
    Big Brother (US) S14E07: "Episode 7 - Live Eviction #2 & HoH Comp #3"
    Big Brother After Dark S07E15: "Season 7, Episode 15"
    Big Brother's Bit on the Side S04E52: "Series 4, Show 52"
    Binbo-gami ga! S01E04: "Curl Up!"
    Blockbusters (2012) S01E34: "Series 1, Show 33"
    Brand X With Russell Brand S01E05: "Episode 5"
    Builder Boss S01E10: "The Basement"
    Burn Notice S06E06: "Shock Wave"
    Cajun Justice S01E13: "The Great Swamp Escape"
    Cajun Justice S01E14: "Geaux Speed Racers"
    Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell S01E06: "Boston Hot Spot"
    Chelsea Lately S06E118
    Come Dine With Me S19E36: "Series 19, Episode 29"
    Conan S02E120: "Ben Stiller, Olivia Munn, Flo Rida"
    Coronation Street S53E148: "Thur July 26, 2012"
    Daybreak S02E228: "July 26, 2012"
    Days of our Lives S47E183: "Ep. #11893"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E299: "Episode 1979"
    Degrassi S12E08: "Say It Ain't So (2)"
    Doctors S14E65: "Nice Packet"
    Dynamo: Magician Impossible S02E04: "Series 2, Episode 4"
    Emmerdale S41E175: "July 26, 2012 [Episode 2]"
    Emmerdale S41E174: "July 26, 2012"
    Eureka Seven: AO S01E15: "War Head (Humanoid Secret)"
    Figure It Out S04E31: "Featuring Leon Thomas III"
    Four In A Bed S03E59: "The Fieldhead Hotel"
    Four Weddings (2010) S04E05: "...and a Knife Dance"
    Four Weddings (2010) S04E04: "...and a Moustache"
    General Hospital (US) S50E82: "#12610"
    Great Lake Warriors S01E02: "Suicide Mission"
    Hamish & Andys Gap Year S02E07: "Season 2, Episode 7"
    Hollyoaks S18E149: "July 26, 2012"
    Hollywood Heights S01E29: "Chloe Turns Diva"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E134: "Episode 5569"
    House Hunters S50E24
    House Hunters International S34E20
    Impact Wrestling S08E95: "Season 8, Episode 95"
    Independent Lens S13E23: "Strong!"
    İşler Güçler S01E05: "Episode 5"
    Jeopardy! S28E224: "Show #6429"
    Jessie (2011) S01E23: "Creepy Connie's Curtain Call"
    Jimmy Kimmel Live S09E286
    LA Hair S01E09: "L.A. Hair Confidential"
    Late Night with Jimmy Fallon S02E312
    Late Show with David Letterman S19E108
    Live with Kelly S29E237
    Louie S03E05: "Daddy's Girlfriend Part 2"
    Masterchef Australia S05E01: "All Stars - 1"
    Motorcity S01E12: "Reunion"
    My Babysitter's a Vampire S02E04: "Flushed"
    Naruto: Shippuuden S11E29: "Road to Sakura"
    Natural World S32E09: "Tiger Island"
    Neighbours S28E144: "Episode 6454"
    P.O.V. S25E06: "Up Heartbreak Hill"
    Phineas and Ferb S03E47: "Where's Perry? Part 1"
    Polyamory: Married and Dating S01E03: "Poly Lovers"
    Project Runway S10E02: "Candy Couture"
    Property Wars S01E05: "Timber!"
    Property Wars S01E06: "Taking the Heat"
    Rock Center with Brian Williams S01E35: "Season 1, Episode 35"
    Rookie Blue S03E08: "The Girlfriend Experience"
    Saving Hope S01E08: "Heartsick"
    Secret Dealers S03E14: "Series 3, Episode 14"
    Sket Dance S02E17: "Episode 17"
    Snooki and JWoww vs. The World S01E06: "Calm Down Hormonal!"
    Suits S02E06: "All In"
    Sullivan and Son S01E03: "The Bar Birthday"
    Take Me Out (US) S01E08: "Season 1, Episode 8"
    The Big Quiz S01E03: "The Big Sports Quiz - Boys v Girls"
    The Block (NZ) S01E08: "Episode 8"
    The Bold and the Beautiful S26E89: "Ep. #6373"
    The Colbert Report S08E92: "Amb. Peter Westmacott"
    The Daily Show S17E130: "Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell"
    The Hotel Inspector S09E04: "The Bellingham"
    The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E217: "July 26, 2012"
    The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S08E117
    The Midnight Beast S01E04: "Hey Ladies"
    The Project S04E177: "Season 4, Episode 177"
    The Real L Word S03E03: "Season 3, Episode 3"
    The Tonight Show with Jay Leno S20E127
    The View S15E211: "Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard"
    The Young and the Restless S40E88: "Ep. #9957"
    Tipping Point S01E19: "Episode 19"
    Tonight S14E25: "What are Your Kids Up to?"
    truTV Presents: World's Dumbest... S14E08
    Urban Secrets S01E04: "Episode 4"
    Watch What Happens: Live S07E25: "TBA"
    Wilfred (US) S02E06: "Control"
    Wipeout (US) S05E15: "Blind Date 2012"

Yahoo's 'Cybergeddon' Series to Include Hackers' Real Virus Code

How's this for authenticity? "Cybergeddon," the new online series from "CSI" creator Anthony E. Zuiker, will show lines of actual hacker code for creating computer viruses.

The code will come courtesy of Norton by Symantec -- the company behind Norton Antivirus -- which is a "Cybergeddon" sponsor and is providing the hacker serial with security insights. But Norton says showing the code won't help its viewers learn to unleash devastating viruses.

"What we provided to them was, 'Here's an example of what hackers are doing,'" said Norton spokeswoman Rhonda Shantz. "But no, there's nothing in there that somebody could run with."

Why? First, because the code posted will be for old viruses that are already out of date. Also, because the show won't post the complete code for a given virus. And finally, because anyone with the skills to introduce a virus already knows where to find code online.

The creators of "Cybergeddon" expect a global audience in the tens of millions for the series, which will debut in the fall on Yahoo! in nine 10-minute installments. "Cybergeddon" stars Missy Peregrym as a federal agent who is framed by a master hacker (Oliver Martinez) as he plots global cybercrimes.

In a sign of how much the lines are blurring between television and the Internet, Zuiker (above) previewed the series Wednesday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. YouTube also presented its shows to the TV critics Tuesday for the first time in the TCA's history.

Big Brother Luke Scrase reveals large testicle to fellow housemates

Luke Scrase has confessed to his fellow Big Brother housemates that he has a shockingly large testicle.

The 24-year-old Stoke-on-Trent nightclub promoter's revelation was shown during last night's (July 25) highlights show.

After seeing the testicle, Becky Hannon said: "I have never seen a bigger bollock in my whole life."

She then brought Scott Mason over to see the private part.

Explaining the medical condition that had caused the growth, Luke S said: "It's full of veins."

A stunned Adam Kelly merely commented: "Oh my God!"

Luke S is one of eight housemates facing the public vote and possible eviction this week.

Big Brother continues daily on Channel 5.

Fox Announces 'Short-Com Comedy Hour' for Summer 2013

Fox is hoping to redefine alternative comedy with its newly announced endeavor, "The Short-Com Comedy Hour."

Slated to launch in Summer 2013, "The Short-Com Comedy Hour" will represent "a contemporary spin on multi-camera comedy and an alternative development platform," Fox said Wednesday.

Each episode will deliver four "short-coms" -- short for "short-form sitcoms" -- that will feature both established and upcoming actors and comedians in one-act scenes.

The idea, Fox said, is to commission "the most fully realized" of the short vignettes to series and build the network's multi-camera stable.

“We are basically ripping open the traditional scripted comedy development process with 'The Short-Com Comedy Hour,'” Fox Broadcasting Company president of entertainment Kevin Reilly said. “Our end goal is to provide distinct comedy voices with a world-class platform to experiment, grow and perfect their ideas and to hopefully build them into mainstream comedy hits in the future."

Additional details on "Short-Com Comedy Hour" will be divulged in future announcements.

Howard Gordon Starts Production Pod at 20th TV

"Homeland" and "24" executive producer Howard Gordon has created a production pod, Teakwood Lane, at 20th Century Fox Television.

Under his new deal, Gordon will remain executive producer of "Homeland" alongside his co-creator, Alex Gansa. He will also develop and oversee new series for all broadcast and cable networks.

Gordon first gained attention for his Golden Globe award-winning work on Fox’s “The X-Files,” and was the showrunner and executive producer of “24,” for which he received the Golden Globe and the Emmy Award for best drama. "Homeland" was also recently nominated for the best drama Emmy."

Gordon is also the author of "Gideon's War" and its sequel, "Hard Target."

Gordon has also hired Hugh Fitzpatrick as head of television for the company. Fitzpatrick recently served as the vice president of television development at BBC Worldwide Productions, working with writers including David Goyer (“Batman Begins,” “Man of Steel”), Steven Zallian (“The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo,” “Moneyball”) and Richard Price (“The Wire”).

'Superstar' latest episode attracts more than 2.5 million

The latest Superstar episode drew more than 2.5 million viewers on ITV1 last night (July 24), according to overnight data.

The instalment was watched by 2.58m (11.7%) from 9pm and a further 180k (1.1%) on timeshift. Love Your Garden preceded it with 3.16m (16.6%) and 122k (0.6%).

BBC One's Turn Back Time: The Family grabbed 3.11m (14%) in the 9pm hour.

On BBC Two, 8pm's The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best took 1.42m (7.5%) and 9pm's Line of Duty wrapped up for the series with 3.06m (13.8%).

Beauty and the Beast: The Ugly Face of Prejudice was watched by 785k (4.1%) for Channel 4. Embarrassing Bodies later averaged 1.34m (6.1%) with 240k (1.3%) on +1.

CSI continued strongly for Channel 5 with 1.83m (8.2%) and 164k (0.9%) on +1. Big Brother had 1.09m (6%) later, and Bit on the Side followed with 442k (4.7%). 8pm's Half-Built House earned 640k (3.4%).

Overall, BBC One dominated primetime with 20.6% ahead of ITV1's 15.2% (+1: 0.5%). BBC Two came third with 8.6%, beating Channel 4's 5.4% (+1: 0.7%) and Channel 5's 4.9% (+1: 0.3%).

On E4, US comedy Suburgatory attracted 377k (1.7%) and 180k (1.1%) on timeshift.

Big Brother Deana hits out at Caroline: 'She has no sense of reality'

Deana Uppal has hit out at show rival Caroline Wharram, ranting about the 20-year-old's manners and lack of sensitivity.

The Miss India UK had a bitching session in the garden with Luke Anderson, Adam Kelly and Sara McLean about the 20-year-old Surrey boarding school girl.

"Considering that girl has had one of the best educations and her parents are supposed to be so well off, it hasn't done her any favours at all," moaned Deana.

"She's so flipping rude. She's got no manners at all, no sensitivity, she's just unbelievable."

Deana continued: "She has no sense of reality or what life is because her parents have threw money at her.

"She doesn't know how to treat people, she doesn't know how to show any respect, all she can do all day is be sarcastic and make people feel like s**t."

Both Deana and Caroline are among the eight housemates nominated for eviction this week.

Big Brother continues daily on Channel 5.

'Elementary's Jonny Lee Miller: I'll bring darkness to Sherlock Holmes

Jonny Lee Miller has described his new show Elementary as "a little bit edgy".

The actor claimed that he will "bring some darkness" to the role of Sherlock Holmes in CBS's contemporary update.

"I always feel that characters that have got problems and issues to deal with are more fun to play," Miller told reporters. "Especially when you're trying to balance that with a supposed genius."

The English star added that Elementary is something "you don't necessarily see too much on network television".

He explained: "It was just a plus all round for me to bring some darkness into it, and have some problems and something a little bit edgy - I was very happy about that."

Elementary - which also stars Lucy Liu as Joan Watson - will premiere on September 27 on CBS.

'Line of Duty' renewed for second series by BBC

Line of Duty has been recommissioned for a second series by the BBC.

The police thriller starring Lennie James, Martin Compston and Vicky McLure will shortly return to BBC Two, it has been confirmed.

Janice Hadlow, controller of the channel, said: "I'm so pleased to have this brilliantly realised thriller on BBC Two; it is a wonderful addition to the channel's rich landscape of drama.

"With fantastic writing from Jed Mercurio, great characterisation, tightly plotted detail and riveting performances from a stand out cast, I'm thrilled that this complex, contemporary drama has captured the imagination of such a loyal and appreciative audience."

Ben Stephenson, BBC Drama controller, added: "Jed Mercurio and World Productions have realised a brilliant series for BBC Two with Line of Duty that encapsulates my vision for bold, authored and utterly original drama on the channel."

The first series of Line of Duty concluded on BBC Two last night (July 24).

'The Choir' Gets 10-Episode Order from USA

USA has ordered 10 episodes of the reality series "The Choir," in which British choirmaster Gareth Malone tries to assemble ragtag groups of of amateruer singers into one glorious musical assembly.

The hourlong show, from Shed Media, is an American version of a British series of the same name. The announcement from USA senior vice president of reality development Heather Olander is part of the network’s efforts to branch out into reality and comedy, in addition to its beachy dramas.

In an departure from many cable outlets' strategies, USA is focusing, so far, on optimistic and inspirational reality shows. There aren't any housewives throwing champagne on USA, unless it happens on "Burn Notice": Both "The Choir" and USA's reality show "The Moment" focus on helping ordinary people achieve extraordinary goals.

"The Moment," hosted by supermarket clerk-turned-Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner, lets people pursue dream jobs they abandoned in favor of a 9 to 5. The nine episodes of "The Moment" will air next year.

USA played clips from "The Choir" at its upfront presentation to advertisers in May. In one scene, a dandily attired Malone (above) walks into a blue-collar Pennsylvania bar and asks if anyone wants to join his choir.

The surprising answer: Yes.

The network is also developing "Bride or Best Man" (a working title) from Shed Media and "Romancing the Glove" from Mark Burnett and his One Three Media.

'Gavin & Stacey's Joanna Page slams Andrew Lloyd Webber, 'Superstar'

Joanna Page has attacked ITV's Superstar, calling the series "disgusting".

The Gavin & Stacey actress claimed that the show undermines professional performers who have worked in the industry for many years.

Talking to The Stage, the 34-year-old actress said: "There are actors and musical theatre performers who have given their whole lives to the profession because it is their passion, and then you have some bloody van driver on a show [like Superstar] saying 'I didn't do this when I was 12 but I wish I had done, but I didn't have the guts'.

"Well, that's your problem, because you obviously didn't have the passion, spirit, drive and the determination to dedicate your whole life to it."

She added: "I am finding myself really happy now that they are left with people who aren't suitable. There is no-one with the charisma, the authority, the stature or the maturity to play Jesus."

Page also took umbrage with the way Lord Webber apparently neglected performers who have worked for him in the past, saying: "Think about Ramin [Karimloo]. He was in a rock band and he is amazing. He would even look like Jesus.

"But you have Andrew Lloyd Webber saying about a U2 song Rory [Taylor] sang - which was performed with no facial expression because he's dead in the eyes - that he did not know any musical theatre star who could sing like that.

"What about Ramin? He just played the Phantom for you. How insulting. It's disgusting."

The Welsh actress also spoke of her issues with the celebrity casting in the final production - "Mel C is judging who will be Jesus, but how can she then have a working relationship with whoever wins?" - and the depiction of the audition process - "How am I going to believe in the Jesus I am watching when I have seen him in some video with his mum and dad, with his mum showing us baby photos and the contestant messing around with his niece?"

"I could not give a s**t if he loves his niece," she added. "I just want to see Jesus."

Ben Forster crowned as Jesus in ITV's 'Superstar'

Ben Forster has won ITV's Superstar competition to land the role of Jesus in the upcoming Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour.

The 31-year-old from Sunderland - who had previously been tipped to win the final - beat Rory Taylor, who came second in the public vote, and Roger Wright, who came third.

Forster had sung 'Who Wants to Live Forever?' by Queen as his final performance in front of the judges, before joining the other two remaining contestants for a rendition of 'Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)' from Jesus Christ Superstar.

After being awarded the role, Forster sang a rendition of 'Hosanna' with the other finalists.

Forster will now join Mel C, Tim Minchin and Chris Moyles in a nationwide tour of the musical.

The tour dates for Jesus Christ Superstar are as follows:

Friday 21 September - London O2 Arena
Tuesday 25 September - Glasgow SECC
Friday 28 September - Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Sunday 30 September - Manchester Arena
Tuesday 2 October - Cardiff Motorpoint
Thursday 4 October - Birmingham NIA
Tuesday 9 October - Belfast Odyssey (on sale 24th May at 9am)
Friday 12 October - Dublin O2 (on sale 24th May at 9am)
Tuesday 16 October - Liverpool Echo Arena
Friday 19 October - Nottingham Capital FM Arena
Sunday 21 October- Sheffield Motorpoint

WGAE Reaches Deals With 2 Non-Scripted TV Producers

The Writers Guild of America East reached first-ever agreements with two New York TV production companies that specialize in reality and documentary programming for basic cable in the U.S. and U.K.

Lion Television and Optomen Productions have signed off on three-year deals for writer-producers that provide weekly compensation minimums, health benefits, a grievance and arbitration process and vacation time. The pacts are for three years and are effective immediately.

The deals are the first in the New York area for the niche production firms, of which there are roughly 20 of varying size. Employees in the growing sector frequently shift employers based on which companies have projects in progress.

The contracts come after roughly a year of bargaining. The two companies were among four at which employees voted to be represented by the WGAE in 2010. Contract talks with Atlas Media are ongoing, while the National Labor Relations Board is reviewing an appeal of the employee election by ITV Studios.

“We’re thrilled with these agreements,” WGAE executive director Lowell Peterson told TheWrap Wednesday. “We applaud these two companies and believe that this will help them attract the top talent in the field.“

The guild's courtship of reality writers has been ongoing since 2005, when the organization launched its "reality rights" campaign. But the move to unionize them hit a setback during the 2007-08 writers strike, when the WGA shelved its reality demands in favor of trying to get a greater share of revenues for its members from new media and DVD markets.

Optomen produces “Worst Cooks in America” for the Food Channel in the U.S., “Gordon Behind Bars” starring Gordon Ramsay, “Gok Cooks Chinese” and “Saturday Cookbook” in the U.K.

Lion Television produces primarily for the U.K. Its “Horrible Histories” won best comedy at the 2011 British Academy Children's Awards.

'Modern Family' Table Read Is Back On After Lawsuit Filed

Could the "Modern Family" salary negotiations mess be reaching a resolution?

After a table read was abruptly canceled Tuesday amid a pay dispute, the read has been rescheduled for Thursday at 10:30 a.m., an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.

Which seems like a step toward resolution, but there are still a few wrinkles to iron out -- such as the lawsuit that the cast filed against 20th Century Fox Television. The lawsuit asks that the cast members' contracts be voided because they allegedly violate California's "Seven-Year Rule," which bars personal service contracts of more than seven years.

An individual with knowledge of the negotiations told TheWrap on Tuesday that series stars Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet and Sofia Vergara were offered $150,000 per episode and a $50,000 bonus for the upcoming fourth season, with a bump to $200,000 per episode for the fifth season, but rejected the offer.

Ed O'Neill, who was the biggest name on the show when it began, earns more than his castmates and was initially negotiating his own contract, but joined his cohorts' suit in solidarity shortly after it was filed on Wednesday.