'The Muppets' producers to make puppet chat show for BBC One?

'The Muppets' producers to make puppet chat show for BBC One?

The company behind The Muppets is working with BBC One to develop a new chat show.

The project, which has a working title of No Strings Attached, would be hosted by a puppet and air on Saturday evenings.

The series would see the puppet interviewing celebrities in a "quite cheeky and brash" way, Broadcast reports.

The host could be based on a real person and the show is also expected to include sketches and games with a number of different characters.

The Jim Henson Company, the team behind The Muppets, is involved and Henson's son Brian Henson has had talks with the BBC's executive editor for entertainment Karl Warner.

"It's a really early doors development, but we have high hopes," Warner said. "The idea is that it will be very firmly anchored in the world of the chat show, but based around a new character created by the Henson Company.

"The Muppets were a massive phenomenon and nobody seems to have been developing anything in this area for a long time. The Henson Company has shown us some puppets, and their versatility is very exciting, but we are still only in talks at the moment."

The Muppets have been in the news lately, following the success of the latest movie. Yesterday, it emerged that a sequel is currently in the works.

Fall Pilots 2012: ABC

Fall Pilots 2012: ABC

Here is the full list of the ABC fall pilots.


666 PARK AVENUE (WBTV, Alloy Entertainment)

Based on the book by Gabriella Pierce about a young couple who manages one of the most historic apartment buildings in New York City and unwittingly experience supernatural occurrences that complicate and endanger the lives of everyone in the building. 


AMERICANA (ABC Studios)

Soap set around a legendary fashion designer and his family and business.


BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (ABC Studios and Mojo Films)

A fantasy re-imagining of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale, wherein an embattled princess discovers an unlikely connection with a mysterious beast.


DEVIOUS MAIDS (ABC Studios)

Based on the Mexican format, this soap follows four maids with ambition and dreams of their own while they work for the rich and famous in Beverly Hills.


GILDED LILYS (ABC Studios)

An epic love story, a vicious rivalry and a scandalous secret unfold against the backdrop of the opening of New York’s first luxury hotel.


GOTHAM (20th Century Fox Television)

After pursuing a seemingly unsolvable case, a female cop discovers a magical world that exists within New York City.  A world that goes unseen by normal humans, and takes all of the familiar NY landmarks and reinvents them in a magical otherworldly manner.


LAST RESORT (Sony Pictures Television)

Renegade crew of a nuclear submarine go on the run after defying an order given under strange and suspicious circumstances to deploy their weapons. They seek refuge at a NATO listening post and declare themselves the world's smallest sovereign nation with nuclear capability. They then face the challenges of creating a new society while monitoring the movements of the world's militaries. 


NASHVILLE (ABC Studios and Lionsgate)

A family soap set against the backdrop of the Nashville music scene that follows one star at her peak and one on the rise.


PENOZA (ABC Studios in association with Endemol Studios)

Based on the Dutch format, PENOZA centers on the widow of an assassinated criminal who is forced to adopt her husband’s role in a crime syndicate in order to protect her family.


SCRUPLES (Flame Ventures LLC in association with WBTV)

Based in the 1978 bestselling book, centers on a rich and powerful clothes designer in a world of sex, revenge and scandal.
 

UNTITLED EMMERICH & KLOSER PROJECT (ABC Studios)

An astrophysics grad student in NYC learns that he is the chosen one to destroy the forces of evil.


ZERO HOUR (ABC Studios)

A bizarre twist of fate pulls a man who’s spent 20 years as the editor of a skeptic magazine into one of the most compelling conspiracies in human history.


AMERICAN JUDY (ABC Studios)

Centers on a cosmopolitan woman who gets married and becomes a fish out of water in the suburbs having to juggle step-kids, her mother-in-law, and the ex-wife of her husband who also happens to be the town sheriff.


COUNTER CULTURE (Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios)

Three aging sisters who run their family diner together in West Texas find that sibling dynamics are always getting in the way of getting the job done. 


DUSTY GOES TO AWESOMETOWN (F/N/A UNTITLED ADAM SZTYKIEL PROJECT) (20th Century Fox Television)     

A raw, hilarious peek behind the curtain of modern 20-something relationships.


HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE (20th Century Fox and Imagine Television)

Polly, a recently divorced single mom, moves in with her eccentric parents, Elaine and Max, a couple who's full of life but knows no boundaries.  


MALIBU COUNTRY (ABC Studios)

After her "good 'ol boy" rock star husband cheats on her and burns through most of their money, Reba divorces him and moves her three lods and mom from Nashville to the only asset they have left - a little house in Malibu. There, she'll try to reignite her own singing career and keep herself and her three kids from being corrupted by the materialistic and rarified Malibu world she now calls home.      


ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES (ABC Studios)

Based on the British format, the show follows the misadventures of two streetwise brothers who scrape by selling unreliable goods believing that at any moment they could become millionaires.      


PRAIRIE DOGS (ABC Studios)

Neil, an uncool cubicle worker ("prairie dog") at one of the coolest companies in the world, is victim of identity theft. When he discovers the thief has created a much more fulfilling, kick ass life with his identity than he ever has, he engages the charismatic conman to help him change his life.


THE SMART ONE (A Very Good Production in association with Warner Bros. Television)

Portia de Rossi stars as a brilliant and successful woman who begrudgingly goes to work for her less-brainy but more popular sister -- a former beauty queen, weather girl…and now big-city Mayor.


UNTITLED DAN FOGELMAN PROJECT (ABC Studios)

Family moves into a beautiful, surprisingly affordable gated community in New Jersey only to discover that all the neighbors are literally from another planet.


UNTITLED KARI LIZER PROJECT (WBTV)

Hilary Pfeiffer-Dunne, a high-powered executive who has dominated corporate America for years, faces the biggest challenge of her life when she finds herself unemployed and acting as a full-time mom to her two teenagers.


UNTITLED MANDY MOORE PROJECT (20th Century Fox Television)  

Newlyweds Annie (Mandy Moore) and Ben get the opportunity of a lifetime to run a hip, new restaurant in Annie’s hometown bringing her closer to her needy and high maintenance family.


WHITE VAN MAN (ABC Studios)

Based on the British format WHITE VAN MAN, the show centers on a man who is forced to put his dreams on hold in order to take over the family handyman business from his father.

'The Killing': AMC Reveals 'Moody' and 'Unsettling' Season 2 Key Art

'The Killing': AMC Reveals 'Moody' and 'Unsettling' Season 2 Key Art

The sophomore season's campaign suggests there are still some deeply buried secrets to uncover before Rosie's murderer is discovered.

With the question, “Who Killed Rosie Larsen?,” still unanswered, AMC’s new key art for The Killing's Season 2 portrays that there’s still much to uncover about the players in the case.

“All of these characters have secrets,” AMC’s head of marketing Linda Schupack tells EW, which was the first to post the art. “The tagline ‘Be careful what you uncover’ speaks to the discovery of those secrets and what unravels from their exposure.”

When Season 2 premieres, viewers will join Det. Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) as she continues the case to find Rosie’s killer after thinking it was closed – a result of possible deception by her partner Det. Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman). At the same time, the series will introduce a second unsolved case in its sophomore season.

“When we thought about the second season, we wanted something moody and beautiful and vaguely unsettling,” says Schupack. “This is a cop drama unlike other cop dramas, so our approach to the key art was to be as distinctive as the show itself.”

The Killing returns to AMC on Sunday, April 1 at 8 p.m.

'The Office' exec: 'Dwight spinoff coming next season'

'The Office' exec: 'Dwight spinoff coming next season'

The Office exec Paul Lieberstein has revealed new details about planned spinoff The Farm.

The new series would follow Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) as he runs his family's farm and bed-and-breakfast.

"Basically we have a show about a family working together and a family business in the heartland," Lieberstein, who also plays Toby, told Vulture.

"It's kind of focused on some people who are not often represented on television. I think it's really interesting; I'm super excited about it. I haven't grown up on a farm myself, so I have a lot of research to do."

Lieberstein confirmed that work will begin on the spinoff "early next season".

"We'll be able to focus on casting outside of pilot season," he explained. "We'll get to really do it right."

He also suggested that Michael Schur - who has appeared in nine episodes of The Office as Dwight's cousin Mose - is unlikely to appear as a series regular.

"We're going to have to explain why he's not there," said Lieberstein. "He will do what he can, now and then. But for the most part, he can't be Mose."

The Office continues on Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.

'Jersey Shore' episode 9 recap: The Truth Will Set You Free

'Jersey Shore' episode 9 recap: The Truth Will Set You Free

So, we open this week's Jersey Shore with Vinny and Snooki returning to the house after their solo jaunt, and Pauly and Deena immediately pounce with their questions. Did you make out? Was there any sexual tension? Apparently not. They just played pool. Pauly still isn't impressed though! "Don't think you can just take my man on dates," he warns Snooki. "Stop trying to get in my man's pants!"

Whatever happened on their 'date', Snooki's exhausted and heads off to bed. As does Sammi. And Ronnie. And JWoww. Deena's not happy. "Why even have a shore house if you're just going to sleep?" Adding to her disappointment is the fact Joey isn't coming out tonight. Oh well, she'll have to make do with an MVPD night with the boys at Jenks.

Blast from the past! The group bump into Angelina, but apparently don't hang around for pleasantries. Pauly and Mike are too busy, anyways, having both found possible DTF ladies. Mike's particularly pleased with his efforts this evening, telling us: "I'm just so good with women there definitely should be a butter named after me because I'm so smooth."

Unfortunately for him, his smooth talking doesn't guarantee a good end to the night. His lady gets back to the house, dons his track bottoms, gets under the duvet… and announces she just wants to cuddle or talk. "It's now or never," he warns. "Situation don't do appointments for next time." Pauly isn't faring much better either. Thinking he'd hit the jackpot with a sexy Italian girl from New York, he has to send her packing when he discovers her "friend of the month" is around: "Bye bye and take your tampons with you."

The next morning Mike comes over all generous and orders in breakfast for everyone. His generosity even extends to the delivery boy, tipping him a protein shake. "In the guido world protein is like money… I'm giving out protein powder. I'm trying to better your life."

JWoww, however, has bigger things to think about than breakfast. It's her one-year anniversary with Roger which means a visit to the local sex store to pick up some supplies for her rose petals and bondage-themed redecoration of the Smush Room.

All this couple talk, however, isn't doing it for Pauly and Vinny. Too many people in the house are in relationships. "It's like couple's retreat," laments Pauly. "I feel like I need to be in a relationship to be in this house." They decide the only option is to fight the coupledom, which means moving the bed out of the Smush Room in a bid to foil JWoww's romantic night. "Ew, I just got pregnant," says a grossed-out Vinny when he touches the mattress. "I'll have some of Mike's babies on my chin."

In the end, it's a pretty inconsequential prank. JWoww moves the bed back, decorates it with rose petals and various sex toys, and gets it all done in time to answer the door bell. "Every time you answer the door you look more naked than last time," says the arriving Roger.

Before the happy couple get to try out the room, however, everyone's off for a big night out at Karma. But not before they mock Vinny's dress choice of jeans, plaid shirt and sunglasses. "Where is your tan Vanilla Ice?" says Pauly. "Your sister was nice enough to give you her whole outfit? Shoes and all?" Ronnie chimes in with, "When I'm cooking tonight can I use your shirt as the BBQ mat?" Even Roger gets a piece of the action: "I loved you in The Dukes of Hazzard."

Off to Karma and there's drama brewing for Deena. She's beginning to wonder whether her friends are right about Joey. They've been telling her he isn't the right guy for her (even Ronnie got in on the action) and she broaches the subject with him at the club. Is he using her for sex or does he like her? He thinks her questions are annoying and walks away. Poor Deena. She's over him and embarrassed but tells us she can "never win" with guys.

But that drama is nothing compared to what Mike has planned. The basic gist is he's called Unit to come down to Karma that night where they will both reveal to Jionni what allegedly happened between Mike and Snooki. "She tried to play me like a chess piece," says Mike. "She has to get her medicine."

And could he have picked a more awkward night? Jionni's MUM AND DAD are at Karma! Dancing and drinking with Snooki! The Unit's just arrived and the reveal could go down any minute! Or not. Snooki takes one look at The Unit and hightails out of the club with Jionni. Mike's undeterred, though. On to Plan B. Follow them home. The truth will come out some time, or the truth according to him, anyways.

Or not. Is there a Plan C? The Unit is drunk. Really drunk. So drunk, in fact, that he gets stopped by the police, handcuffed, and taken away to sober up. "I can't catch a break," says a disappointed Mike. "Every time I try to drop the bomb on Jionni something happens!"

There's only one thing for it. He's going to have to tell Jionni himself. And could the timing be better? The next morning he stumbles across Jionni alone in the kitchen while Snooki is still in bed. Mike asks him to step outside for a quiet word. "I want to make this as quick and painless as possible," he begins...

And we'll have to tune in next week to see what exactly happened next.

Developement Update: 3rd of March

Developement Update: 3rd of March

BAD GIRLS (NBC) - Amy Smart and Karolina Wydra have both landed roles on the drama pilot, which follows the ins and outs of a group of unlikely women at a federal correctional institute. They'll play inmates Brandi ("a perfect blonde Barbie doll from Orange County") and Kelly ("oozes sex appeal and danger"), respectively. Jurnee Smollett, Rick Gonzalez and Zoe Boyle also star in the Warner Bros. Television-based hour, from director John Dahl and writer Nancy Marie Pimental. (Deadline.com)

COUNTY (NBC) - Norbert Leo Butz ("The Deep End") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about the lives of a group of young doctors, nurses, and administrators, in a frenetic underfunded and morally compromising Los Angeles county hospital. He's set as 40-year-old intern Billy ("large and gregarious"), a former CPA who took up medicine after his wife cheated on him. Agam Darshi, Aimee Garcia, Jason Ritter, Jess Weixler and Michael B. Jordan also star in the Jason Katims-penned hour, from Universal Television. (Deadline.com)

DAKOTA (The CW) - Amber Stevens ("Greek") and Leah Renee ("The Playboy Club") are the first to be cast in the drama pilot, about a documentary filmmaker who travels back in time to the 1990s where she meets and falls in love with the rock star subject of her film only to return to present day where she must find her way back and prevent his untimely death. Stevens will play said filmmaker, Maya Beaumont ("beautiful, charming, funny"), with Renee as Kelsey O'Neal, a stunning young movie star and one of Maya's best friends. Bert V. Royal is behind the CBS Television Studios-produced hour, which is based on the successful Israeli series "Danny Hollywood." (Deadline.com)

DILFS (NBC) - Jamie-Lynn Sigler ("Entourage") has scored a role on the pilot, a multi-camera comedy about a trio of thirtysomething guys - Nick (Zach Cregger), Chris and Gary - dealing with parenthood despite the fact they haven't grown up themselves. She's set as Nick's wife Emily, who is as cute, bubbly and energetic as Nick is laid back. Jimmy Fallon, Charlie Grandy and Amy Ozols co-created the Universal Television-based half-hour, which Scott Ellis is directing off a teleplay by Grandy. (Deadline.com)

DUSTY GOES TO AWESOMETOWN (A.K.A. THE NEW NORMAL) (ABC) - Jesse Peretz ("Our Idiot Brother") is set to direct the pilot, a single-camera comedy about a group of twentysomethings in the suburbs of Seattle, a mecca for the folks who have happily put on the cruise control of life. He'll work from a script by Adam Sztykiel. Amanda Crew, James Earl III and Nick Kocher star. (THR.com)

THE GILDED LILYS (ABC) - Matt Lauira ("The Chicago Code") is the latest addition to the pilot, a period drama revolving around the family who owns New York's first true luxury hotel, the staff who work there and the people who pass through. He's set as Charlie Carnegie ("tall, dark, dashing, and very shy"), the nephew of famed steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, whom Edwin Lily (Brían F. O'Byrne) has promised the hand of his daughter - Violet (Sarah Bolger), who's in love with a servant (Matt Long). Writer K.J. Steinberg and director Brian Kirk are behind the ABC Studios-based hour, which also stars Blythe Danner, Brigid Brannagh, Madeline Zima and Maury Sterling. (Deadline.com)

GO ON (NBC) - Matthew Perry ("Mr. Sunshine") has signed on for the lead role on the comedy pilot, about an irreverent yet charming sportscaster, who after his wife dies, finds surprising solace from the members of his support group. He'll play said fellow, Ryan King ("cocky, quick with a joke; a Michael J. Fox energy"), in the half-hour, from writer Scott Silveri, director Todd Holland and Universal Television. Julie White and Suzy Nakamura also star. (Deadline.com)

LADY FRIENDS (NBC) - Minnie Driver is set to star in the comedy pilot, about two longtime female friends who are living very different lives - one has a loving husband and family, the other not so much - but couldn't live without each other. She'll play Jennifer Rensen ("40-ish, wicked smart, with imperfect hair, features, weight and life"), the latter half of said duo, joining the previously cast Andrea Anders. Driver had been under a talent holding deal with ABC but was ultimately released. Writer Kari Lizer and director Scott Ellis are behind the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which also stars Danny Comden, Josh Hopkins, Rachel Dratch and Tymberlee Hill. (Deadline.com)

LAST RESORT (ABC) - David Rees Snell ("The Shield") is the latest addition to the drama pilot's sprawling cast, which includes Matt Gerald, Bruce Davison, Sahr Ngaujah, Max Adler, Andre Braugher, Autumn Reeser, Camille de Pazzis, Daisy Betts, Daniel Lissing, Dichen Lachman, Robert Patrick, Omid Abtahi and Scott Speedman. His role however wasn't specified. Sony Pictures Television is behind the hour, which follows the crew of a nuclear submarine, who, after disobeying a suspicious order become fugitives and declare themselves an independent nuclear nation. Martin Campbell is directing from a script by Karl Gajdusek and Shawn Ryan. (@ShawnRyanTV)

MALIBU COUNTRY (ABC) - Sara Rue ("Rules of Engagement") has joined the cast of the pilot, a multi-camera comedy about a woman (Reba McEntire) who divorces her broke, cheating rock star husband and moves her family from Nashville to the only asset she has left - a little house in Malibu. She's set as Kim Lassiter ("a trophy wife and a share too much person"), Reba's new next door neighbor. Writer Kevin Abbott and director John Pasquin are behind the ABC Studios-based half-hour, which also stars Lily Tomlin. (Deadline.com)

PARTNERS (CBS) - David Krumholtz ("NUMB3RS") is on track to star in the multi-camera comedy pilot, about two male architects - one straight, Charlie; one gay, Louis (Michael Urie) - whose relationship itself resembles a marriage. He'll play Charlie in the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, which also stars Brandon Routh, Elizabeth Regen, Lucy Davis and Sophia Bush. James Burrows is directing from a script by David Kohan and Max Mutchnick. (Deadline.com)

REBOUNDING (FOX) - Aly Michalka ("Hellcats") is the latest addition to the single-camera comedy pilot, about Danny Markle (yet to be cast), a man recovering from the death of his fiance with help from friends on his pick-up basketball team. She'll presumably play Taryn ("27, smoking hot, super secure, a female Teller"), the girlfriend of Hayes MacArthur's character, Dave Teller. Malcolm Barrett and Matt L. Jones co-star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, from director Jason Winer and co-creators Joe Port and Joe Wiseman. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED KARYN USHER PROJECT (FOX) - Newcomer Saxon Sharbino has booked the lead role on the pilot, a drama about the orphaned 14-year-old daughter of a CIA agent who is recruited to become an operative herself. She'll play said girl, Jane Forsythe ("earnest eyes and American freckles"), in the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, to be directed by Brett Ratner. (Deadline.com)

THE VIAGRA DIARIES (HBO) - Goldie Hawn has dropped out of the Darren Star-penned comedy pilot, about a woman who, after her husband has a mid-life crisis at 65 and leaves her, struggles with being single for the first time in 35 years. No details were given about her exit other than it is billed as mutual. Wendi McLendon-Covey also stars in the project, to be directed by Paul Feig and based on Barbara Rose Brooker's book of the same name. (Deadline.com)

WHITE VAN MAN (ABC) - Former "The Talk" co-host Leah Remini has snagged a role on the comedy pilot, about Jack Shea (Kyle Bornheimer), a man who is forced to put his business dreams on hold in order to take over the family handyman business from his father, Tony (J.K. Simmons). She'll play Tony's sister Terry ("a Patricia Clarkson type in a bohemian shirt and head scarf"), a licensed masseuse. Remini inked a talent holding deal with the network back in October. Edi Gathegi and Johnny Pemberton also star in the ABC Studios-based half-hour, from writer Bobby Bowman and director Michael Fresco. (Deadline.com)

Jessica Lange will return to 'American Horror Story'

Jessica Lange will return to 'American Horror Story'

If you liked Jessica Lange in season one of American Horror Story, then you’re going to love what creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk have in store for season 2: EW has learned exclusively that the two-time Oscar winner will return to the FX drama this fall.

The actress, who won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award for her work as the hateful, bigoted (and extremely delicious) Constance Langdon, has signed a new deal to stay with the horror franchise. But she won’t reprise her memorable role in the new season, which resumes production in late July for a mid-October return to FX. She’ll play someone entirely new, promises Murphy.