Got a lovely surprise this evening – Parvesh Cheena tweeted a link to my site! Earlier today, I’d shared the news I’d uncovered: he’d been cast in CBS’s Friend Me. I think I should go watch some Outsourced to celebrate!
Photo courtesy of Cheena’s Twitter account.
Twitter / @Parvesh: I guess the cat’s out of t ….
The NBC series pickup sounds interesting, in a creepy psychological way, but not something I’d really want to watch. Notorious, on the other hand, has a promising premise, despite being another of the Downton Abbey meets The Help pilots ordered this season.
NBC Orders Hannibal Series, Notorious Pilot.
I’m familiar with Susanna Thompson’s work on Kings and NCIS – an excellent addition to the CW’s Arrow cast.
The CW’s Arrow Pilot Casts Susanna Thompson.
The most exciting piece of news, for me, in this article has nothing to do with the Law & Order alum pictured above. It’s buried at the very end of this article – Outsourced’s Parvesh Cheena has joined the cast of CBS’s Friend Me. Gupta was my favorite character on Outsourced, so I hope Cheena is able to return to primetime TV soon!
Alana De La Garza Joins NBC Medical Pilot.
I’ve heard bits about Elementary, an American modern take on Sherlock Holmes (as opposed to the British modern take, Sherlock) for months, but they finally have cast the detective himself. Jonny Lee Miller (who I know from his playing the leading man in several Jane Austen adaptions) will be bringing the distinctly British legend to New York.
Some people are claiming it’s a blatant rip-off of Sherlock. I think that it may be inspired by the show, but I’m kind of glad it’s not a direct remake. Those type of shows (Being Human, The Office) usually take a season before they start being their own show. And two recent American remakes of British shows haven’t succeeded very well (Free Agents, Prime Suspect).
For another thing, a modern reimagining of Sherlock Holmes has already been gracing US TV for 8 years. House turned the detective into an antisocial doctor fascinated by medical mysteries. It seems fitting that Elementary should get its chance as House is ending.
I’m not delusional in thinking that Elementary will live up to the greatness of Sherlock. But given that it takes a full year or more to get three 90-minute episodes of the British show, I think there’s room for a show that explores Holmes’ brilliance and idiosyncrasies on a more frequent basis. Plus Elementary will have a unique fish-out-of-water aspect if Holmes is a recent transplant to America.
Thanks to Ruth Anderson for the link!
Dan’s Media Digest: ELEMENTARY, dear Jonny.
Looking forward to tonight’s NCIS! Will be interesting getting a look at DiNozzo’s past, and superhero episodes are always fun!
Michael Weatherly Previews NCIS — Perrey Reeves as Ex-Fiancee.
Well, I was going to write a post speculating where the cast of Chuck would end up this fall, but the pilot descriptions are (usually) so vague it’s hard to see where actors would best fit.
Comedy seems like a great choice for Zachary Levi. I hope Let It Go ends up being more along the lines of the genuinely funny How I Met Your Mother than the annoying awkwardness Fox’s hit comedy, New Girl, has drifted into.
Of course, Chuck fans are already clamoring for Yvonne Strahovski to play his character’s yet uncast wife. Others are eager for a Tangled reunion, though Mandy Moore has already been cast in an ABC comedy. I think No Ordinary Family’s Autumn Reeser (Katie Andrews) would have been a great choice, but she is in an ABC drama pilot already.
Zachary Levi Cast in Fox’s Let It Go.
Yes, the headline of this post is about Glee. But the real reason I’m linking to this article is that it includes news about other shows, like an upcoming death on Community and several pilot updates.
Glee Whitney Houston Tribute: Season 3, Episode 13.
Tonight starts Castle’s annual two-part episode! Previously they’ve featured the FBI and Homeland Security – this time it’s the CIA. And the agent Sophie Turner has a past with Castle – she was his muse before he met Beckett and the inspiration for Clara Strike in his Derrick Storm novels. Jennifer Beals (Turner) answers some questions for TVLine below.
Castle Preview — Jennifer Beals, Season 4 Episode 15 and 16.
Well, the rumors about Becki Newton’s character (whose arc begins this coming Monday) being a perfect match for Barney on How I Met Your Mother have likely been exaggerated, since she’s filming a pilot for another show (and therefore not likely to be on HIMYM next fall). So I’d say it’s almost certain her character will not be the bride at the wedding where Ted meets the mother. Good news for Barney/Robin shippers!
Becki Newton Fox Comedy Pilot.
Maybe I missed it somewhere (like not seeing a preview of this Sunday’s episode until now), but I had no clue until I read this post that Rumpelstiltskin was the Beast in Once Upon a Time’s Beauty and the Beast retelling.
My first reaction was a little bit horrified – how dare they ruin my favorite Disney fairy tale! But now I’m coming to see part of the genius of it. Everyone knows that the traditional Beast, despite his selfishness and anger management problems, is a big old softy at heart when it comes to Belle. Rumpelstiltskin, on the other hand, is truly someone to fear, and exactly the sort of person who would strike a deal to keep Belle locked away at his castle. It would take a very special and persistent person to soften his heart.
But I’m still glad there are two opportunities coming up this fall for a better Beauty and the Beast TV retelling.
Once Upon a Time Preview — Emilie de Ravin of Lost, Episode 12.
Melinda Clarke (Firefly, “Heart of Gold”) dishes on her character Amanda and the upcoming flashbacks we’ll see in future episodes of Nikita.
Nikita’s Melinda Clarke on Season 2, Episode 14 Amanda Flashback.
It’s rare that I read a multi-show spoiler article that mostly features shows I actually watch, but this one does, down to every character pictured above! From a Kensi-centric NCIS: Los Angeles episode to a Chase-centric House episode, there’s tons of news! There are also hints at future episodes of Person of Interest, White Collar, The Big Bang Theory, and 2 Broke Girls.
NCIS: LA, House — News and Spoilers — Inside Line.
Can you tell I’m excited about Angel and Dollhouse vet Amy Acker guesting on TWO fairy tale shows? This link offers more than just a teaser for one episode – TVLine interviews Amy about both guest spots!
Grimm and Once Upon a Time: Amy Acker Compares Fairytale Worlds.
Less than two months before Bones returns! It will replace its spinoff show, The Finder, which will finish its first season in March. Currently, IMDb has 13 episodes listed for The Finder, with the 12th episode airing the last Thursday in March, but they could easily play 2 episodes during one night to make up for it if IMDb’s information is accurate.
The Finder hasn’t been doing so well in the ratings, so I hope it will pick up soon. The fifth episode airs today. Four episodes in, it’s not yet “must watch” TV for me, but it’s quirky and lighthearted. It almost seems a better fit for USA Network than Fox. If I miss watching shows on Thursday, The Finder tends to be the second one I watch online the next day (right after The Big Bang Theory), which indicates I enjoy more than its competition (Person of Interest and The Office). At least House ending will add another slot to Fox’s fall schedule, which may improve The Finder’s chances of being renewed.
Bones Returns in 2012 — Season 7 Return Date, April 5.