Tony Shalhoub Joins CBS's Rob Greenberg Comedy Pilot

Tony Shalhoub is coming back to the small screen.

The former "Monk" star has landed a role in CBS's upcoming comedy pilot from "How I Met Your Mother" producer Rob Greenberg, which is currently untitled after bearing the moniker "Ex-Men."

The pilot centers on a group of single guys who live in a short-term rental complex. Shalhoub, who played obsessive-compulsive detective Adrian Monk on USA's "Monk" from 2002 to 2009, will play Frank, a four-time divorcee and self-regarded ladies' man who lives at the complex.

As previously reported, former "House" star Kal Penn has also signed on for the pilot as 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, which Greenberg is writing and directing, was greenlit for the 2013-14 season earlier this year.

'TOWIE' Maria Fowler: 'I was banned from Celebrity Big Brother'

Former The Only Way Is Essex star Maria Fowler has admitted that she campaigned to join the newly-launched series of Celebrity Big Brother.

The reality TV personality revealed on Twitter that she was prevented from entering the house after producers enforced a ban on TOWIE stars.

Writing about last night's (August 15) launch show, Fowler declared: "[I] would to have gone in but they said No towie this year. Booo xx (sic)."

The glamour model also defended "stunning" housemate Danica Thrall, revealing that she had been a judge at a beauty contestant won by the Sex, Lies and Rinsing Guys star.

Fowler recalled: "When [Danica] won miss derby i was judging,she hadnt actually won on points.But I kicked off as she was by far prettiest.So she won.

"Shame she lowered herself to a 'rinsing' programme bit each to their own. She's a stunning girl."

Fowler's claim of a TOWIE ban may explain why current cast member Lauren Goodger was absent from the Celebrity Big Brother lineup despite numerous reports of her joining the show.

Former The Only Way Is Essex stars Amy Childs and Kirk Norcross were recruited for Channel 5's first two series of Celebrity Big Brother.

'Mad Men' Star John Slattery Joins 'Arrested Development' Season 4

John Slattery is taking time out from Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce to hang out with the Bluths.

"Mad Men" star Slattery, who plays senior partner Roger Sterling on the AMC drama, will appear in multiple episodes of the Netflix-revived "Arrested Development," an individual close to the production told TheWrap.

Details on Slattery's character, or how many episodes he will  appear in, were not available.

Series producer and narrator Ron Howard told MTV News on Wednesday that series creator Mitch Hurwitz would be introducing new characters to the resurrected show.

"Mitch isn't trying to recreate something," Howard said. "It's been away for a while, and part of the fun that Mitch has been mining and exploiting is, what's new to discover about these people? What's delightfully unchanged? He and the writing staff and the actors have a fantastic sense of that."

Production on the new season of cult favorite "Arrested Development," which ran on Fox from 2003 to 2006, began last week, with series star Jason Bateman tweeting a photo from the set and writing, "First day. Away we go..."

Netflix gave a 10-episode order to "Arrested Development" and will make all of the new episodes available simultaneously next year.

AMC Gives Go-Ahead to Venice Beach, Taxidermy Reality Series

AMC is deepening its commitment to unscripted fare with a pair of new reality series revolving around Southern California's Venice Beach and the world of taxidermy, the network said Thursday.

The former, which currently bears the working title "Venice Beach Freakshow," is "a family drama" that focuses on former music producer Todd Ray's attempt to launch his own freakshow on the boardwalk of Los Angeles' famously eccentric Venice Beach. Ray will executive produce, along with Greg Johnston from Endemol USA. The eight-episode series is slated to premiere in the first quarter of 2013.

“Untitled Taxidermy Series," (also a working title), will pit taxidermists from both rogue and classic schools of the craft against each other to create a distinct piece of art "that is judged on overall presentation, creativity and technique," the network said in a statement. Executive-produced by Go Go Luckey Entertainment (which brought the world "Laguna Beach"), the series will also consist of eight half-hour episodes and will debut in the first quarter of 2013.

In addition to the two new offerings, AMC has also renewed its previously existing reality series "The Pitch," which premiered in April and will return for a second season in the second quarter of next year.

'Merlin' star Colin Morgan: 'Arthur will be forced to confront magic'

Merlin star Colin Morgan has described the upcoming fifth series as "the most ambitious yet".

Arthur (Bradley James) will be "forced to confront magic" in the new episodes, Morgan told SciFiNow.

"That could change everything, for Merlin and for everyone," said the Irish actor. "[We have the] most important scenes there has ever been in terms of Merlin's magic."

He continued: "It's definitely the most ambitious series yet. They've pushed our characters into manhood, and this is the Merlin I've been waiting for."

Morgan added that his wizard character was last seen "tipping over into a darker side" at the conclusion of the BBC drama's third run.

"I think that's a reference for me for the rest of this season," he explained. "I think he is so confident in himself now, and in who he is and what he is destined to do.

"He has a resilience and power that drives him for this season. He gives as good as he gets."

The fifth series of Merlin is currently shooting and will air on BBC One in late 2012.

'Inbetweeners' remake won't be watered down, insist producers

The producers of MTV's Inbetweeners remake have insisted that the show will not be watered down for US audiences.

Producer Aaron Kaplan told reporters at the TCA press tour that the new series will be both "offensive" and "sweet" like the original series.

"Like anything else, it's a challenge and that's one of the things that... MTV loved about the original as well," Kaplan said. "In spite of how offensive it could be, it was incredibly sweet.

"We made up a lot of original words that we can get past standards. And... the fact is when you take these four boys and put them in dating situations and situations that involve being irresponsible, you'll find that they can be just as offensive as any kid across the world."

Showrunner Brad Copeland added that the themes of The Inbetweeners are "universal" and not limited to UK teens, IGN reports.

"The idea of kids in high school struggling to have sex and drink... they're universal," he argued. "They've been around since [1982 film] Porky's at least. And I think it's always the same thing, whether it's that or American Pie or Breakfast Club.

"It's just people tapping into their own experiences, and what you're going to see is all of us tapping into our own experiences."

The first season of the US Inbetweeners is comprised of twelve instalments, with half of those being described as "skewed versions" of UK episodes.

"We have plots that we really enjoyed from the series that we wanted to put in, but usually we had to tweak it a little bit just because to fit... the American sensibility," Copeland explained.

"And I think the six episodes that we did on our own this season worked really, really well. It definitely gave us a launchpad to now transition into our own story and to take these universal themes and to take the characters from the original British version and make it our own, our own place, somewhat like The Office did."

The Inbetweeners debuts on MTV on Monday, August 20.

FCC Chief Signs Off on Verizon $3.6B Spectrum Deal

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski and the Justice Department have signed off on Verizon Wireless' plan to pay $3.6 billion for wireless spectrum controlled by Comcast and other major cable companies.

Genachowski will now urge the entire five-person commission to permit the transaction.

Verizon says it plans to use the spectrum to meet growing consumer demand for broadband data services. The growth of smartphones and other internet enabled devices have led to a spectrum crunch in recent years for technology companies.

Responding to concerns by Genachowski and the Justice Department, Verizon and the cable companies involved in the transaction -- Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks -- agreed to restrictions on how they can market each other’s video and broadband services in areas where they compete. Verizon also agreed to divest spectrum to one of its competitors, T-Mobile.

“I believe the Commission should now approve this transaction, and I will be circulating a draft order to my colleagues that would do so," Genachowski wrote.

He said the new agreements would "preserve Verizon's incentives to build out FiOS, increase wireless competition, and ensure that the proposed IP venture is pro-consumer and that its products cannot be used in anti-competitive ways."

The Justice Department also said the changes would provide "the right remedy for competition and consumers."

The public interest group Public Knowledge, however, said the companies should not be able to sell one another's products at all, because it contributes to a monopoly. The group is focused on intellectual property and freedom in the digital market.

"Policymakers can no longer pretend that the broadband market is competitive," said the group's president and CEO, Gigi B. Sohn. "Congress and the FCC should pursue new policies to stimulate competition in wireline internet access service--or resign themselves to regulating a broadband monopoly."

When Verizon announced plans for the spectrum acquisition last December, it said it and its cable industry partners had also agreed to sell each other’s products. Verizon also said the companies had formed a joint venture to develop wireless technology.

Consumer watchdog groups objected, saying the new partnerships would limit competition.

Natalie Cassidy: 'Celebrity Big Brother's Julie Goodyear is a diva'

Natalie Cassidy has given her verdict on the latest Celebrity Big Brother housemates.

The actress, who came eighth in the January edition of the Channel 5 show, said that she has heard rumours that Julie Goodyear is a "diva".

Natalie Cassidy is evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother House at the Elstree Studios, Borehamwood. Picture date: Friday January 20, 2012. See PA story SHOWBIZ Brother. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire

"I cannot believe the lineup! Seriously, I thought my house was good back in January, but last night blew me away!" she wrote on her Reveal blog.

"Firstly we had Julie Goodyear. What an amazing housemate. I have heard on the grapevine over the years that she might be a bit of a diva, so that should be interesting!

"My highlight of the evening was of course Martin Kemp going into the house! I sat and watched and nearly cried. He is an amazing man."

Speaking of Goodyear's secret task with Cheryl Fergison, she added: "They did brilliantly. The nerves and feelings you feel going in and being given a task like that to do, it's unbelievably nerve-wracking. It brought back some memories watching tonight."

Cassidy, who recently revealed that 50 Shades of Grey had improved her sex life, was famously given an earpiece by Big Brother and forced to carry out various tasks when she entered the house in January.

Wanda Sykes to Host Election Specials for Logo

Outspoken comedienne Wanda Sykes will throw her two cents into the upcoming presidential election.

Former "Chris Rock Show" star Sykes will host a pair of election specials for gay-centric cable outlet Logo, the network said Thursday. The specials, dubbed "NewNowNext Vote With Wanda Sykes," will "educate, activate and entertain viewers while shining a spotlight on the state of national politics through an LGBT lens," according to Logo.

Taped in front of a live audience in New York's Times Square, the episodes will employ a "rapid-fire, roundtable format with notable panelists from both sides of the political aisle."

“These specials will be thought provoking, exciting and the perfect forum to discuss important issues facing our community," Sykes said of the specials. "Plus, it is Logo so maybe I'll get to dress in drag!”

The first of the one-hour specials will air Sept. 10 at 10 p.m., four days prior to the Democratic National Convention. The second special will air on Nov. 5, the eve of the election, at a time to be announced.

Nicole Scherzinger: 'I'm still waiting for flowers from One Direction'

Nicole Scherzinger has claimed that the UK X Factor fans had shown her a "lot of love" at the auditions and has promised that she'll perform during the Live Shows in the autumn.

Speaking at the series nine launch, the former Pussycat Dolls star said that the attitude to the British series was "more laidback" when compared to her time working with Simon Cowell and the Fox network in America on The X Factor USA.

"The X Factor family over here are great. I had fun in America too, but it's a different show over here," she said.

"It's a well-oiled machine in the UK and last year was the first year in the US and that played into it for Simon, me and everyone involved.

"Here it is far more laidback and there's more characters involved."

Speaking about the differences between the acts, Scherzinger said: "Typically in the US we have big diva singers like Whitney [Houston] and Mariah [Carey]. Over here, there's more wit, storytelling and folk-y style music. There's more character and tone to the singers."

Scherzinger last appeared on the UK X Factor two years ago, when she helped put together One Direction with Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh at Boot Camp.

Joking about her lack of credit for her helping hand in their creation, she said: "Those little buggers! I haven't received flowers from them. I'm still waiting!

"It has been crazy to see how massive they are in the US. Just yesterday I was remembering how we put those guys together. It's an incredible feeling to feel like you were part of something like that at the very beginning."

Scherzinger was coy when asked about her relationship with F1 star Lewis Hamilton, but did reveal that her schedule with the show and Hamilton's racing commitments meant her move to the UK probably wouldn't help them see any more of each other.

"My job takes up most of the time and a lot of shows will air at the same time as [his] races. We'll try our best.," she said.

The X Factor UK starts on Saturday, August 18 at 8pm on ITV1.

Annie Lennox to join 'The Voice' UK series two?

Annie Lennox has again been linked with the next series of The Voice UK.

The Eurythmics singer, who was first touted as a possible new coach earlier this year, is said to be wanted by BBC bosses following her successful performances at the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert.

"Annie would be a great signing," a source told The Sun. "She really knows her eggs.

"Last year's [coaches] were great but it would be nice to inject some new blood into the panel too."

The Voice UK's first series winner Leanne Mitchell was mentored by Sir Tom Jones, and producers are apparently keen to bring in another star with an established career in the music business.

"Last year, Sir Tom proved that experience really counts and Annie's got that in spades," the insider added. "She's not afraid to give an opinion either."

Lennox has previously criticised rival singing contest The X Factor, calling it "a factory... owned and stitched-up by puppet masters".

The 57-year-old has also deemed reality talent shows "dangerous and cruel", and likened The X Factor to a "casino" where the programme - and not the contestants - always "comes out on top".

Voice UK coach Jessie J is rumoured not to be returning to the show ahead of the new series, with fellow mentor Danny O'Donoghue recently quoted as saying that he's "really sad she's not coming back".

The Voice UK will return to BBC One in spring 2013.

Univision Names NFL Exec as Head of Advertising

Univision Communications has named NFL executive Keith Turner its president of advertising sales and marketing.

Turner, who was most recently the football league's senior vice president of media sales and sponsorship, will be based in New York and report to Univision president and CEO Randy Falco. He replaces David Lawenda, who stepped down.

Falco said Turner was moving "from one incredibly strong consumer brand -- the NFL --  to an even stronger one -- Univision."

"We are confident that Keith has what it takes to build on our relationships with our current clients as well as introduce new clients to the unrivaled power of partnering with the Univision brand," Falco said.

Turner led the return of Anheuser-Busch as an NFL partner after an eight-year hiatus. He also struck new deals with Marriott, Bose, USAA and XBOX.

Before joining the NFL, he worked at NBC, where his roles included president of sales and marketing and senior vice president of Olympic and sports sales.

TV Tonight 17th of August 2012

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

    3 Days to Open With Bobby Flay S01E06: "Confections of a Rock Star"
    Accel World S01E19: "Revolution"
    America's Most Wanted S25E35: "Season 25, Episode 35"
    Better Homes and Gardens S14E29: "Season 14, Episode 29"
    Big Brother (AU) S09E05: "Season 9, Episode 5"
    Big Brother After Dark S07E37: "Season 7, Episode 37"
    Big Brother's Bit on the Side S05E03
    Boss S02E01: "Louder Than Words"
    Bullet in the Face S01E04: "Kiss Me Thrice"
    Bullet in the Face S01E06: "Cradle to Grave"
    Bullet in the Face S01E05: "The World Stage"
    Campione! S01E07: "Wind, Rain, Wolf"
    Celebrity Big Brother S10E05: "Series 10 -Live Nominations"
    Celebrity Big Brother S10E04: "Series 10 - Day 2 Highlights"
    Celebrity Masterchef S07E05: "Series 7, Episode 5"
    Chasing UFOs S01E08: "Alien Baby Farm"
    Childrens Hospital (US) S04E02: "Staff Dance"
    Coronation Street S53E165: "Fri Aug 17, 2012 [Episode 2]"
    Coronation Street S53E164: "Fri Aug 17, 2012 [Episode 1]"
    Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai S01E07: "Want To Let Him Go"
    Dateline NBC S21E64: "FR2148"
    Daybreak S02E244: "August 17, 2012"
    Days of our Lives S47E189: "Ep. #11899"
    Deadly Women S06E01: "Hunting Humans"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S08E05: "Episode 1998"
    Doctors S14E70: "Good Citizens"
    EastEnders S28E130: "August 17, 2012 [Episode 2]"
    EastEnders S28E129: "August 17, 2012"
    Emmerdale S41E194: "August 17, 2012"
    Fashion Police S07E32: "Season 7, Episode 32"
    For Better or Worse (2011) S02E12: "Jack and Jennifer"
    For Better or Worse (2011) S02E11: "Biological Clock"
    Gardeners' World S45E19: "August 17, 2012"
    General Hospital (US) S50E98: "#12626"
    Gold Rush: Alaska S02E23: "Aftershow"
    Gold Rush: Alaska S02E22: "The Jungle"
    Gravity Falls S01E08: "Irrational Treasure"
    Hollyoaks S18E165: "August 17, 2012"
    Hollywood Heights S01E45: "Chloe and Oz"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E150: "Episode 5585"
    House Hunters S50E40
    House Hunters International S34E36
    House Hunters on Vacation S02E09
    In With The Flynns S02E01: "The Tandyman"
    John Oliver's New York Stand-up Show S03E05
    Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate S01E05: "Celebration!"
    Kono Naka ni Hitori, Imouto ga Iru! S01E05
    Late Night with Jimmy Fallon S02E318: "Joe Jonas, 2 Chainz"
    Masterchef Australia S05E17: "All Stars - 17"
    Mastermind (UK) S41E02: "Series 41, Show 2"
    Monkey Life S05E15: "Series 5, Episode 15"
    Neighbours S28E160: "Episode 6470"
    NTSF:SD:SUV S02E02: "The Real Bicycle Thief"
    Phil Spencer: Secret Agent S03E05: "Series 3, Episode 5"
    Pointless S06E65: "Series 6, Episode 65"
    Real Time With Bill Maher S10E23: "Season 10, Episode 23"
    Say Yes To The Dress S08E19: "The BIG DAY SPECIAL - Kelly"
    Say Yes To The Dress S08E18: "New Beginnings"
    Say Yes To The Dress S08E17: "Bling It On!"
    Scooby-Doo - Mystery, Inc. S02E15: "Theater of the Doomed"
    Secret Dealers S03E20: "Series 3, Episode 20"
    Shake It Up S02E29: "Made In Japan"
    Strike Back: Project Dawn S02E01: "Preivew"
    The Angelos Neil Epithemiou Show S01E06: "Jodie Marsh, Jake Shears"
    The Bachelor (UK) S02E08: "Series 2, Episode 8"
    The Bold and the Beautiful S26E105: "Ep. #6389"
    The Dead Files S03E02: "A Banshee's Cry"
    The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E233: "August 17, 2012"
    The Project S04E196: "Season 4, Episode 196"
    The Tonight Show with Jay Leno S20E133
    The Young and the Restless S40E104: "Ep. #9973"
    Tonight S14E30: "The Food We Eat"
    WWE Friday Night SmackDown! S12E99: "Season 12, Episode 99"

Christopher Guest Comedy Ordered by HBO

Christopher Guest is bringing his fake-documentary wit to HBO.

Ordered direct to series, the single-camera "Family Tree" centers on Tom Chadwick, played by "Bridesmaids" cop Chris O'Dowd, a 30-year-old man who loses his job and his girlfriend and begins investigating his family's unusual past after inheriting a mysterious box of belongings from a great aunt he'd never met.

Guest will direct. He and his frequent collaborator Jim Piddock ("Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind") created and wrote the project and will appear on the series, as well as executive-produce, along with Karen Murphy, who has produced Guest films such as "This Is Spinal Tap," "A Mighty Wind" and "Best in Show."

A Lucky Giant, which is a part of NBC Universal International Television Production, will produce the project.