In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Ausiello Report
Live Press Tour Diary: NBC, Day 2
Gaius Charles by Paul Drinkwater/NBC
6:53 am/PT: Star stalking sighting! I'm on the elliptical machine at the Beverly Hilton's shiny new fitness center and you're never going to believe who's pumping iron right in front of me: Dillon Panthers' ace running back Brian "Smash" Williams! Let me backtrack: Smash (aka Gaius Charles) showed up around 6:45 am sportin' black shorts and a matching tank top and, after conducting a quick survey of the scene, hopped on the elliptical machine two down from me… only to immediately jump off in favor of a quick warm-up on a nearby treadmill. He made use of the treadmill's personal built-in TV set, flipping channels before settling on the Today show. He then did 20 minutes of free weights, followed by about 15 minutes on the commercial climber, and chased down the whole thing with a bottle of ice-cold Nestle Pure Life water from the gym's all-gratis fridge. Not that I was paying attention.
9:31 am: Some scoop for you while I wait for the Law & Order session to begin: I just learned that big-time movie director Tony Scott (Top Gun, Man on Fire) will direct the season premiere of Numbers. It's not as big a leap as you might think, though; Scott is one of the show's executive producers.
LAW & ORDER BRAND PANEL
9:49 am: Dick Wolf is joined by the brand's newest additions, Jeremy Sisto (mother ship), Alicia Witt (CI) and Adam Beach (SVU).
9:52 am: Scoop! Wolf announces that Linus Roache (Kidnapped) has been tapped to replace Sam Waterston as the show's new prosecutor. As previously announced, Waterston will segue to DA.
9:59 am: Wolf admits that he was a big admirerer of NBC's short-lived Kidnapped, hence his hiring of Roache and Sisto.
10:01 am: Wolf doesn't seem as cranky as usual. Is he softening in his old age?
10:02 am: I take that back. Wolf takes issue with a reporter's suggestion that the characters on the L&O shows aren't very fleshed out. "We dole out [personal information] with coffee spoons," he harrumphs, "not soup ladles."
10:04 am: Alicia Witt is sportin' some serious erect posture up there. Did someone tell her the queen was coming?
10:05 am: Wolf has "no idea" how Chris Noth's likely involvement in the upcoming Sex and the City movie will impact his CI duties.
10:07 am: Wolf says he talked "at length" with Waterston about his demotion transition to DA. "There's a lot to play there," he says.
10:10 am: Jesse Martin, who only signed on for the first 13 episodes of L&O, may or may not stick around beyond that. "Jesse could stay on for the entire season or we could cast another new detective.... It's all up in the air," Wolf says. "Jesse has been doing this for a while. He's kind of conflicted about it."
10:40 am: Someone forgot to send Wolf the memo about NBC's "Green Is Universal" campaign, in which all Peacock programs will feature green-themed story lines during the first week of November. Asked what the three L&O shows have planned, he claims to know nothing about it. D'oh!
BIONIC WOMAN PANEL
11:19 am: An NBC rep announces that Bionic guest star (and BSG babe) Katee Sackhoff won't be attending the panel today due to a "scheduling conflict." My sources, however, say she bailed because there were worries she'd get crushed to death by the post-panel gaggle stampede.
11:23 am: Bionic star Michelle Ryan was shooting a horror film with Faye Dunaway when she got the call to audition for Bionic. That begs the question: Couldn't all films with Faye Dunaway be described as horror films?
11:27 am: Exec producer Jason Smilovic confirms that the deaf-sister role has been recast, with Lucy Hale taking over for Mae Whitman. The character has also miraculously regained her hearing, developed a background in computer hacking, and sprouted bigger boobs. Ah, the magic of television.
11:33 am: Regarding Isaiah Washington's hiring, Smilovic says they "found the best actor for the role," adding, "We believe in second chances."
11:45 am: A reporter asks Smilovic whether Washington's hiring shows any disrespect to the gay community. "Absolutely not," he counters. "We embrace the gay community and we're in no way making any judgments or statements about what was said or done [on Grey's]."
11:46 am: Another reporter suggests one way to make Washington atone for his sins would be to make him kiss another dude on the show. Smilovic balks at the idea, claiming it would break down the fourth wall. Translation: Ask him again when the overnight ratings come in for the premiere.
CHUCK PANEL
12:05 pm: I give this new action/comedy confection from Josh Schwartz a moderately enthusiastic thumbs-up. At the very least, I hope it turns Zachary Levi into the huge star he should've become after Less Than Perfect.
12:09 pm: Sarah Lancaster looks stunning.
12:10 pm: A reporter asks Schwartz to compare Chuck star Zachary Levi with his doomed O.C. starlet Mischa Barton. "They're both tall… and shapely." But unlike Barton, Levi probably won't be killed off after three seasons.
12:11 pm: "I'm not as smart as Chuck," says Levi of his secret-agent alter, "but I think I'm decently intelligent."
12:14 pm: OK, ladies and gentlemen, it's a big moment here in Press Tour Diaryland as we hand out the first Whatchoo Talkin' 'Bout Willis award! The trophy goes to the reporter who just asked Chuck costar Adam Baldwin if he's related to the dysfunctional Baldwin brothers Alec, Daniel, Stephen and William. Today's winner receives free and unlimited access to TV Guide's Movie and TV database! Congratulations!
LUNCH
12:30 pm: Salmon, rice pilaf, a whole wheat bun, potato salad and a glass of Crystal Light lemonade.
THE SINGING BEE PANEL
2:02 pm: Exec producer Phil Gurin isn't the least bit peeved that Fox ripped off their idea with Don't Forget the Lyrics. That's his story and he's stickin' to it.
2:16 pm: Joey Fatone says he lost about "20 to 25 pounds" during Dancing with the Stars. As a result, he's changing his name to Joey Slightlychunkyone.
JOURNEYMAN PANEL
2:45 pm: Mystery drama starring Rome's Kevin McKidd as a San Francisco reporter who inexplicably starts traveling through time. Basically, it's Day Break plus Early Edition multiplied by Time Traveler's Wife, and I likey!
2:47 pm: Exec producer Kevin Falls says we won't learn why McKidd's character is time-traveling until the final episode of the series. Translation: They haven't figured it out themselves.
2:48 pm: Ex-Day Breaker Moon Bloodgood (Best. Name. Ever.) admits she has a thing for time-traveling shows.
3:06 pm: A female reporter grabs the mic and confesses to McKidd that she's turned on by his Scottish accent. So that explains why her hands have been under the table the entire session.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS PANEL
3:25 pm: While we wait for the FNL crew to huddle up on stage, whaddaya say we kick things off with a fresh batch of spoilers. You game? Cool. I present you with the 10 things you must know about the new season of TV's best drama:
1) One of the show's big couples calls it quits.
2) Someone dies.
3) Someone commits murder.
4) The Panthers have a new coach.
5) Someone finds Jesus.
6) Matt's grandma gets a live-in nurse.
7) Remember the name Gracie.
8) Tami makes a new friend.
9) There's a gratuitous locker-room shower scene within the first two episodes.
10) It ain't over between Tim and Lyla.
3:36 pm: The cast is being brought out on stage and... Zach Gilford grew a beard during the hiatus!
3:37 pm: Hey, there's my gym buddy!
3:40 pm: "We may not play quite as many full-out games as we did last season," says exec producer Jason Katims, adding that Season 2 picks up eight months later.
3:43 pm: The FNL soundtrack streets later this month.
3:46 pm: Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, my offer still stands: I'm yours for the adopting.
3:49 pm: Minka Kelly concedes that her character's actions last season didn't exactly endear her to audiences. That's right, blame the writers.
4:02 pm: Katims reveals that the thug who tried to rape Tyra at the end of last season returns in the season premiere. And as a result something happens "that ties Landry and Tyra together in a very intimate way." And I may have teased this plot in one (or two) of the spoilery bits above.
4:14 pm: Gaggle stampede!
4:25 pm: I cornered Katims and got some good, exclusive prattle. Heading to my room to transcribe, and then off to NBC's all-star party tonight. Depending on what state of plastered I'm in, I may post again this evening. Worst-case scenario, I'll see you back here tomorrow morning for Day 1 of CBS!
5:24 pm: I'm back! First off, check out the exclusive Brothers & Sisters casting alert I just posted. Second, guess who I just ran into down in the lobby? My gym buddy Gaius Charles. Guess what else? He reads my Press Tour Diary. As you can imagine, that wasn't awkward at all.
|
|
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 12:41 PM
|
|
Good thing Wolf has the L&O brand beside him.. he actually sounds like a jerk...
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 1:14 PM
|
Adam Beach, Chester "Sounds of the City" Lake?? Zzzzzzzzzz!
Anything on Elliot and Olivia, Mariska and Chris, Michael? Anything at all?
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 1:17 PM
|
I need more information on Alicia Witt's posture. Is she straight in the chair like she's strapped to a board with a stick up her bum or does she just look nervous as all get out?
And was Wolf asked about the Noth Sex involvement or did he voluntarily throw that out there?
Also, what vibe were you getting from Gaius Charles? Gay, Straight? Inquiring minds want to know. Like me!
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 1:21 PM
|
|
Me...too! I'm going to quit while I'm ahead. I might get a little explicit when talking about "Smash".
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 1:28 PM
|
|
Nothing on the highest rated show of the goddamn "brand"?
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 1:51 PM
|
Oh no, my boyfriend only signed on for 13 eps??? Be still my heart!! Him & Epatha are the reason I watch L&O!! I need my Jesse Martin fix!!! LOL!
Adam Beach -- he doesn't even register on my scale. As long as Marish & Chris and Ice & Belzer are taken care of, the rest is history!
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 2:01 PM
|
I am so annoyed by the hiring of Adam Beach. He is a good actor but we do not get of Munch as it is...Finn has had some good stuff lately but seriously MUNCH!!!
Now another guy is coming in?? Come on Dick.
So they found someone to take over for Sam aka Jack. I am not all that excited about that guy. Now about getting rid of that ADA that was with Jack this year...ICK!!
Chris Noth better be in the Sex in the City Movie.
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 2:22 PM
|
|
Just glad Wolf's shows are still around. Will worry about casting when the shows air. Thanks.
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 2:38 PM
|
|
um, dick wolf, aren't you forgetting about the highest rated of your shows? a little show called "SVU"?
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 2:41 PM
|
I just checked out this Linus's photo. He has a weak chin and doesn't look strong enough to play the role formerly held so brilliantly by Sam Waterston.
I only hope he's not some do-gooder liberal who won't go for the maximum penalty like McCoy did. I'm already semi-dreading the new season. I think Ben Bratt and Jesse Martin would have been a good pairing.
BTW, I LOVE your stalker report. You make something so invasive sound like fun.
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 3:08 PM
|
|
Michael, I'm hoping you're saving scoop on SVU for your column tomorrow and that's why there's nothing here. This is ridiculous.
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 3:10 PM
|
|
Michael, I beg that it was you who asked about Washington.
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 3:31 PM
|
|
michael, i have to say that lately you've really been slacking on your svu scoop and this post just proves that. how can you talk about law and order and not even mention svu?! have you jumped off the mariska bandwagon??
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 3:51 PM
|
Adam Baldwin rocks. Everybody loves the man called "Janye"! Couldn't they have come up with a "My Bodyguard" question at least?
Those reporters must really really suck.
|
|
Jul 17, 2007 4:29 PM
|
|
|
