Variety reports that Sara Gilbert (Twins, Roseanne) and Maulik Pancholy (Weeds) have joined the ABC pilot Girls on the Bus, about reporters covering a political campaign.... The Hollywood Reporter has Jessica Lucas (She's the Man) and Alona Tal (Veronica Mars) scoring roles on CW's Split Decision, Karen LeBlanc joining CW's Runaway, and John Ducey and Colby Paul getting cast on Fox's Union Jackass. (Am I allowed to say "jackass" here? In a non-K-Fed story?)
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This week the networks began meeting with ad-agency execs to talk about what's in development for the 2006-07 season. That means it's time for producers of current shows with less-than-robust ratings to start worrying about getting picked up for next season. Here's what industry insiders are telling the Biz.
ABC: The network's comedies are having a tough year in the ratings, but you can't cancel all of them. Rodney, Hope & Faith, Crumbs and Less than Perfect aren't likely to make the cut. According to Jim, George Lopez and Freddie have a chance of returning. Since ABC has two more hours to program in the fall now that football has moved to NBC, shows that would otherwise be doomed have a chance. We're talking Invasion and Commander in Chief. Their survival depends on the strength of the network's new-program development.
CBS: Another season of The King of Queens depends on whether the n
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Question: WB's Twins — staying or going?
Answer: Going.
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I've got disappointing news for all those Ask Ausiello readers who weighed in on who should play Veronica Mars’ Aaron Echolls in my Armchair Casting Director challenge. Over the weekend, exec producer Rob Thomas informed me that he's "$100,000 over budget on that episode and we're losing the role." Damn budgets! I'll have more on this in Wednesday's AA. In the meantime, here's some Twins scoop to cheer you up! Nick Lachey has been cast as the new marketing director of Arnold Undergarments, the lingerie company run by Darlene Conner and that blonde chick from Passions. As of now, the burned Newlywed is only booked for one episode during February sweeps, but producers are hoping he'll do more. Kinda takes the sting outta that whole Armchair Casti
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Question: I know that I may be in a minority here, but I'm really enjoying Twins! Any chance of the show getting picked up for a full season? And if not, do you think Melanie Griffith will do Gilmore Girls like she was supposed to last year?
Answer: Earlier this week, WB confirmed that Twins was given a back-order to fill out the season, albeit (for business reasons) only for five additional episodes. Still, that doesn't mean that Twins is going away anytime soon. And that also means that Melanie isn't likely to be popping up in Stars Hollow in the near future — but really, isn't that for the best ...
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