It looks like another member of Young Hollywood's elite has caught the actress-turn-singer bug. Heroes star, Hayden Panettiere has created a video for her song "Wake Up Call" off her upcoming untitled album — which also is where the new Candies commercial (for which Panettiere is the spokesmodel) was lifted from. Our take: Holy black leather mini-dress! How old is this kid again?
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OK, this one is much funnier than Hayden's PSA (probably because you can never have enough McLovin' in your life). Heroes' Kristen Bell is reaching out to all of you to help this young Superbad star, who is destined for failure, from becoming a washed-up Hollywood degenerate. Can we get a "chicka-chicka-yeeeeah"?!
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Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff, NBC Press Tour by Chris Haston/NBC
It was fair to wonder why NBC put Kevin Reilly in the executive ejector seat just after signing him to a new multiyear contract. But after seeing his replacement Ben Silverman's debut performance at the Television Critics Association press tour, we're not wondering anymore.Instead of the doing a rope-a-dope with reporters because he's only been in the job a month, Silverman came out with guns blazing, firing off one programming announcement after another. He even made a deal with legendary sitcom producer Norman Lear. That's red meat for the TCA, since many of its members love TV the way it used to be.He's even ignored the mandate that NBC chief Jeff Zucker publicly issued last year that the network was out of the business of programming 8 o'clock with new, expensive scripted sitcoms and dramas. The first scheduling move under Silverman's watch was moving the new, expensive scripted hi-tech thriller Chuck to Monday at 8, leading into Heroes and Journeyman and turning the night into ...
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• I'm in NBC's executive session, and Kevin Reilly just announced that Heroes, My Name Is Earl, The Office and Law & Order: SVU have been renewed for another season. In far less exciting news, the Peacock has also ordered seven more episodes of Identity.• Regarding Heroes, Reilly says, "I [do know] where it's going, and it's going to be mind-blowing."• Passions' final episode will air in August. "The daypart has become extremely tough for us financially," he says.• Reilly loves Friday Night Lights. Says it deserves a better time slot. No decision about a second year (ditto Studio 60). • I just asked Reilly if he thinks SVU can succeed without Chris and Mariska. His response: "The Law & Order brand has proven that it can be stronger than any one performer. Negotiations are ongoing, and I cannot comment on that. But they are stars, and I hope they'll be our stars for the run of the show."• Heroes spin-off? "I think Tim Kring's head would explode....
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Question: Which are the top five new shows you would recommend this fall? From the previews I have read, I am most looking forward to The Nine, Heroes, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Jericho and Ugly Betty. Six Degrees sounded intriguing to me when I read the premise, but critics have bashed it, so I'm uncertain. Although it does have J.J. Abrams involved, so I'm hoping.
Answer: I'll give you a top six: my three favorite new dramas and my three favorite new comedies (the latter is almost by default because there are so few of merit). Dramas, in no particular order: The Nine, Studio 60, Friday Night Lights. Comedies, in no particular order: 30 Rock, The Class, Ugly Betty. There are a handful of shows I'll be tracking that fall on a second tier, but I can tell you that Heroes and Jericho will not likely be among them. (I know that because I write this particular column on the Internet, I'm supposed to gush on and on about any show with an element of fantasy — call it the Comic-Con factor —
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Question: This past weekend I watched the pilot of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip because I saw it on Netflix and thought it would be cool to get a jump on the fall season. I loved it! Is this a new marketing strategy? Don't you think the ratings for the premiere will suffer if a lot of folks have already seen it on DVD? Thanks, love your column.
Answer: Be on the lookout for more aggressive moves to get new series sampled this fall: on the Internet, through DVDs and elsewhere (such as the Heroes pilot screening at Comic-Con). NBC is using Netflix to get Studio 60 and the serialized thriller Kidnapped in viewers' hands, and as far as the network is concerned, getting the buzz started early is worth any small downside in premiere-week ratings. Cutting through the clutter of the new fall season (Studio 60 goes up against the CSI: Miami premiere) is the biggest challenge many of these series face, and technology is now giving them the tools to try new methods ...
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Question: I know it's still summer, but have the networks announced tentative dates for their season premieres?
Answer: As of now, the only network not to announce premiere dates is CBS, which will likely launch most of its new and returning shows the weeks of Sept. 17 and 24.
Here's how the others shape up: The season kicks off early on Fox, with Prison Break and Vanished on Aug. 21; then the limited reality series Duets on Aug. 29; Justice and Bones on Aug. 30; House and Standoff on Sept. 5; the comedies 'Til Death and Happy Hour on Sept 7; Nanny 911 on Sept. 8; Cops and America's Most Wanted on Sept. 9; Fox's animated comedy lineup plus The War at Home on Sept. 10; and MADtv Sept. 16. (The O.C. won't return until after postseason baseball on Nov. 2.)
On ABC, 20/20 officially kicks off Sept. 8; Dancing with the Stars returns Sept. 12 and 13; Wife Swap premieres Sept. 18; Grey's Anatomy and Six Degrees on Sept. 21; Ugly Betty and Men in Trees on Sept. 22; Extreme Makeover: Home
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Question: I have some big TV issues for next fall, since I think every network has come up with good and interesting concepts for new shows. But I don't have the time or energy to keep track of every single program. For example, on Mondays I have Heroes against Vanished and Two and a Half Men, and later, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is in the same time slot as CSI: Miami. Tuesdays are even more confusing: Boston Legal, Smith and Law & Order: SVU are all at the same time. Wednesdays are not easy, since Kidnapped and
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Question: I am truly nervous about Las Vegas' next season, since the ratings had been truly awful this last year. Josh Duhamel's show used to create some impact on Monday night, but the move to Fridays made it impossible for the show to keep up the good work. Friday night is not made for young, fresh shows. This fall, NBC is developing some interesting options (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Heroes, etc.), so I am scared that these potential hits could help the network dismiss Las Vegas easily. What do you think? I appreciate all the help you could give me, since Las Vegas is my favorite show and the only reason I stay home on Friday nights.
Answer: Well, if it kept you at home on Fridays, then it did its job. Honestly, I wouldn't fret too much about this one. While it's true the show was more visible and successful on Mondays, NBC is actually kind of paying the show a compliment by treating it as a utility player. Moving it to Fridays, where it will be paired, at least initially, with
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Milo Ventimiglia
Question: Please help us put an end to our agony: There have been rumors, but do you know for sure if Milo Ventimiglia and Alexis Bledel have broken up?
Answer: This is your lucky day, Marianna. Last Friday, Milo himself dropped by the TV Guide offices for a quick meet-and-greet with the staff, and guess what question popped out of my mouth first? C'mon, guess. [Pause] Yes — your question! And sadly, it's true. He confirmed that he and Alexis are no longer an item and he's back on the market. The extremely private actor then added with a laugh, "And that's about all you'll get out of me." Well, that's all the private stuff, anyway. Milo did dish about a possible return to Gilmore Girls, saying it's "never going to happen" — especially now that Team
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