Contributing sources: The internet
TNT has picked up the unaired episodes of the recently-canceled John Wells drama, Southland, which was axed by NBC before a Season 2 episode even aired, even though it was picked up this past spring. TNT will air all 13 produced episodes of Warner Bros. drama,including its seven-episode first season when it premiered as NBC’s
midseason replacement last April. TNT will then decide whether to
commission additional episodes. This move will minimize the cable network’s risks and allow it to evaluate whether the show is worth starting up production again.
“This is a great win for fans of Southland and a perfect
opportunity to introduce the series to new viewers,” said Steve
Koonin, president of TNT. NBC reportedly cancelled the show due to several reasons, including the lack of available programming slots due to The Jay Leno Show running five nights a week in primetime; Peacock execs deeming the show “too dark” and also because of steadily declining ratings. The TNT pickup had been anticipated.
In a surprising result, considering the popularity here in the States, the highly-touted 30 Rock scored a 0.0 rating in Germany for its premiere. That means that fewer than 5,000 viewers tuned ion to the Tina Fey / Alex Baldwin comedy, which has won the Emmy for best comedy three years running. Broadcaster ZDFNeo had made 30 Rock its flagship show for its relaunch. Another show, the British Taking the Flak, also failed to register any ratings points.
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio has joined USA Network’s Law & Order: Criminal Intent for its upcoming ninth season. She will play the new captain, taking over the Major Case Squad. Mastrantonio’s addition completes an almost complete casting makeover which recently saw the departures of original stars Vincent D’Onofrio (Det. Robert Goren), Kathryn Erbe (Det. Alexandra Eames), Eri Bogosian (Capt. Danny Ross) and Julianne Nicholson (Det. Meghan Wheeler). Mastrantonio joines the recently-announced Saffron Burrows, who will be replacing Nicholson. Jeff Goldblum, as Det. Zach Nichols, will become the lead character on the show and head detective. CI will also reportedly be taking on a lighter tone.
Gregory Itzin is set to reprise his role as the villainous former president, Charles Logan on the upcoming Season 8 of 24 in a multi-episode arc. Logan’s last appearance was in Season 6, being rushed off in an ambulance after being stabbed by his former wife, Martha Logan (Jean Smart). In the upcoming season, sitting President Taylor (Cherry Jones)
reluctantly enlists Logan to assist with an escalating
international diplomatic crisis.
“The opportunity for these two remarkable actors to share the stage
was simply too compelling to pass up,” “24” executive
producer/showrunner Howard Gordon said. 24 will debut in a two-night, four-hour premiere January 17-18 and will concern Jack bauer’s attempt to prevent the assassination of a Mideast leader, Omar Hassan (Anil Kapoor), in New York.
David Letterman’s ratings continue to be strong in the post-scandal weeks since it was revealed that he had slept with several female staffers and had been the victim of an alleged extortion plot by a former CBS producer. “It doesn’t appear to have hurt him and likely got him more
sampling,” said Bill Carroll, vp and director of programming at
Katz Television Group. for the season, Letterman’s ratings are up 13% in total viewers to 4.4 million and is solidly beating The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien, which is down 47% from a year ago to approximately 2.5 million viewers.