Amy Childs 'begging' for 'Dancing on Ice' role

Amy Childs 'begging' for 'Dancing on Ice' role

Amy Childs has reportedly 'begged' to compete in next year's series of Dancing on Ice.

The former Only Way Is Essex star, whose solo reality show It's All About Amy has been axed by Channel 5, was told by producers that the 2013 run has yet to be discussed.

"Amy was openly chatting up producers in the hope of taking part in next year's show," a source told The Sun.

"Obviously they were flattered that she wants to appear. But it is far too early to be deciding anything like that - we haven't even finished this series yet."

Childs recently said she would back plans by her cousin Harry Derbidge to create a rival show to The Only Way Is Essex.

She has also been linked to a role in Channel 5 dating series The Bachelorette and is confirmed to appear with Derbidge on Let's Dance For Sport Relief in March.

Childs this month described leaving TOWIE as "the best thing [she'd] ever done".

WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange to Play Himself on 'The Simpsons'

WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange to Play Himself on 'The Simpsons'

WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange is turning yellow.

The activist/journalist -- lauded by some and reviled by others for his leaking of classified government information -- will make a cameo on the upcoming 500th episode of "The Simpsons."

During the episode -- which airs Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. and is titled "At Long Last Leave" -- Homer, Marge and their lemon-hued brood are run out of Springfield and join an off-the-grid community outside of town, where they find themselves as new neighbors to Assange.

"Simpsons" executive producer Al Jean told Entertainment Weekly that Assange recorded his part from an undisclosed location last summer, while under house arrest in Britain.

"I was just given a number to call," Jean said.

Jean added that Assange will become "sort of their new Flanders," although with a considerably different twist: "He invites them over for a home movie and it's an Afghan wedding being bombed."

For a guy who's been under house arrest for more than a year, Assange is certainly getting around -- the WikiLeaks honcho will also host an as-yet-untitled talk show, which is set to premiere in mid-March, on which Assange will engage in "in-depth conversations with key political players, thinkers and revolutionaries from around the world."

Steve Jones Out as 'X Factor' Host

Steve Jones Out as 'X Factor' Host

Forget "The X Factor" -- Steve Jones is now experiencing the "ex-factor." As in, he's now the ex-host of the show.

Welsh television presenter Jones -- who hosted the Fox singing competition during his its first season -- broke the news on his Twitter account Monday.

"I wont be hosting next seasons XFactor which is a shame but I cant complain as I've had a great time," Jones wrote. "Good luck to everyone on the show."

Fox confirmed Jones' departure to TheWrap, but did not provide any information about a possible replacement for Jones.

Rumbling about Jones' departure began to emerge in December, when British newspaper the Daily Mirror reported that there were plans to reconfigure the show without Jones. At the time, Jones' publicist dismissed the report.

USA Picks Up Greg Berlanti's 'Political Animals'

USA Picks Up Greg Berlanti's 'Political Animals'

The USA Network is heeding its "Animal" instincts and giving the go-ahead to the latest project from "Brothers & Sisters" executive producer Greg Berlanti.

The network has picked up the six-hour drama series "Political Animals." Produced by Berlanti and Laurence Mark, the series will take "a bold and significant look at a fictional first family in turmoil," according to USA.

"Political Animals" will center around divorced former First Lady Elaine Barrish, who's currently serving as the Secretary of State and finds an unlikely ally in a D.C. journalist who had previously dedicated herself to tearing Barrish to pieces.

"The provocative drama series will tap into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of a high-profile political dynasty, the dark -- yet real -- human side of life, and the often-disastrous effects
of political ambition," the network said.

"Political Animals" is slated to launch in summer 2012. Berlanti wrote the pilot, and will also direct and serve as an executive producer, along with Mark. Berlanti Productions and Laurence Mark Productions are producing in association with Warner Horizon Television, with Melissa Kellner Berman of Berlanti Productions serving as co-executive producer.

The series joins several other recently announced USA projects, including the reality series "The Moment," starring NFL star Kurt Warner, and the Nathan Lane comedy pilot "Local Talent."

Berlanti also recently sold a pilot based on the comic-book character Green Arrow to the CW. Titled "Arrow," the pilot promises a "modern retelling" of the comic-book legend.

Shirley MacLaine Joins 'Downton Abbey' Cast

Shirley MacLaine Joins 'Downton Abbey' Cast

Shirley MacLaine is coming to "Downton Abbey."

Shirley MacLaine will join the cast of Downton Abbey

The veteran actress has signed on for a starring role in the hit historical drama for its upcoming third series, Carnival Films, which co-produces the show, said Monday. MacLaine will play the newly created character Martha Levinson, the mother of Lady Grantham.

Gareth Neame, managing editor for Carnival Films, promised that the Levinson character will be "a wonderful combatant for Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess," adding, "we are excited at the prospect of Shirley MacLaine playing her."

"Downton Abbey," which airs on ITV in the U.K. and on PBS' "Masterpiece" in the United States, has shown growth on both sides of the pond, growing its audience by 20 percent in the U.K. and by 30 percent in the U.S. with its second series.

In addition to her upcoming role in "Downton Abbey," MacLaine has several big-screen offerings underway, including the comedy "The Locals" opposite Alan Arkin and the Ben Stiller-directed adaptation of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."

Muppets Zing Fox Business Network

Muppets Zing Fox Business Network

Miss Piggy didn't appreciate a Fox Business Network segment in which commentators accused the movie of trying to prejudice kids against business.

During a news conference last week for the U.K. premiere of "The Muppets," Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy were asked about a December segment on Eric Bolling's "Follow the Money," that posed the question, "Are Liberals Trying to Brainwash Your Kids Against Capitalism?" One guest on the segment defended the Muppets.

Piggy said of the segment: "It's almost as laughable as accusing Fox News as, you know, being news."

Kermit also denied "The Muppets" was dangerous to children. Commentators on "Follow the Money" questioned why the show had an oil executive as a villain.

"It's so dangerous. I'm so afraid!" he joked. "No, you know, it's a funny thing. (Fox Business Network was) concerned about us having some prejudice against oil companies. And I can tell you that's categorically not true.

"And besides, if we had a problem with oil companies, why would we have spent the entire film driving around in a gas-guzzling Rolls Royce?"

Bruce Seidel Named Head of Electus' Food-Centric YouTube Channel

Bruce Seidel Named Head of Electus' Food-Centric YouTube Channel

Ben Silverman’s Electus multimedia studio has named former Cooking Channel and Food Network executive Bruce Seidel as the head of its new food-centric YouTube channel.

The channel launches in July 2012. Seidel, who started last week, will report to Electus COO  Drew Buckley.

Before joining Electus, Seidel was senior vice president of programming for Cooking Channel. He was also senior vice president of program planning and special productions at The Food Network, where he developed shows including "The Next Food Network Star," "Worst Cooks In America," "Iron Chef America," "The Next Iron Chef," and "Iron Chef America: Super Chef Battle."

"Bruce Seidel’s lifelong talent and passion for food, cooking and entertainment, combined with his outstanding work rebranding the Food Network and launching Cooking Channel, both online and offline, was a driving force behind our decision to ask him to lead this charge," said Silverman. "Bruce is uniquely qualified to build and popularize our slate of food programming in a way that hasn’t been done on the web."