American Idol finalist Phillip Phillips, who has suffered from ongoing kidney problems throughout the competition, has been ordered by doctors to undergo “immediate” surgery.

The singer refused treatment when he returned to his hometown of Leesburg, Ga., last weekend in order to adhere to the show’s rigorous shooting schedule. And sources inside the production tell The Hollywood Reporter that Phillips has been experiencing pain “so severe” that he’s been granted permission to sit out the weekly high-concept (and physically exhausting) Ford video shoots for several weeks now.

“I’ve been sick, so they gave me those days to rest,” Phillips told THR when asked about his absence. The network has no comment on Phillips’ health status.

Phillips received emergency medical treatment in March for extreme abdominal pain but made it back in time for the Top 13 results show. He’s a favorite to take the title when the winner is announced May 23 on Fox.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/mXc9FFwVndI/american-idol-phillip-phillips-emergency-surgery-326685

Will Jericho live to see another day?

‘Common Law’ Premiere: Michael Ealy, Warren Kole Struggle to Be Cordial (Exclusive Video)USA Network Sets Premiere Date for ‘Common Law’

Reports surfaced that the hourlong drama that starred Skeet Ulrich and ran on CBS from 2006-08 may be revisited on Netflix.

When The Hollywood Reporter recently asked Common Law executive producer Karim Zreik — who worked on Jericho as a co-EP when it was on the air — about the prospects, he was all for it.

“We’d be ecstatic if that happened,” he says. “From what I hear, sides are talking. I wish I knew more. As you know, the fanbase of that show were incredible and they’ve all started reaching out since this report came out. It’s exciting and I know the cast is excited too.”

Jericho, which centered on the residents of a fictional Kansas town in the aftermath of nuclear attacks on 23 major cities in the contiguous United States, has had a unique run. After initially getting the axe after one season, CBS brought back the cult favorite for a second round before canceling it for good.

Zreik wasn’t worried about going back into the Jericho world and creating more stories to tell.

“Story-wise, [Jericho] has been living on in the comic book world,” he says. “It’s all the writers from the series led by Dan Shotz. We’ve done three issues already. Story-wise, we’ve got ample story to tell, that’s not a concern. I think we’re just waiting to see if a deal can be brokered.”

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/j80R7UeaFlA/jericho-revival-netflix-karim-zreik-326689

Did Jennifer Lopez tell the American Idol audience on Wednesday night that she was only committed to the show for two years? It certainly sounded that way during the taping of a farewell and good luck message for executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz, who was recently upped to CEO of FremantleMedia, a position that requires her to move to London. “You’ve been here 11 years, I’ve been here two,” said Lopez during the post-tape minutes after the credits rolled. “Short and sweet,” added fellow judge Steven Tyler while Lopez nodded in agreement.

Jennifer Lopez’s ‘Follow the Leader’ Video Features Massive Tattoos and Product Placement (Video)Jennifer Lopez Recruits Beau Casper Smart to Choreograph Her World Tour Jennifer Lopez Announces World Tour With Enrique Iglesias (Video)

Now, we could be reading into things, as many millions have been doing over the last two days when the internet exploded with reports that J Lo is possibly leaving Idol. E! says it’s a sure thing, citing sources, while Lopez herself has raised doubt when asked both on the red carpet at the What to Expect When You’re Expecting premiere and the Ellen Degeneres Show, where she said, “I don’t know if I can go for a third year. I miss doing other things.”

PHOTOS: Jennifer Lopez, Brooklyn Decker, Chace Crawford Step Out for ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’ Premiere

This, of course, is a near repeat of her position when season 1 wrapped and she told a British radio program that she was “on the fence” about year two. The result: a nice pay bump bringing her salary to the vicinity of $20 million. Keep in mind: that’s $15 million short of what Simon Cowell was being paid by the time he reached season 9, but ratings were much better then. In fact, Lopez’s and Tyler’s arrival has yielded a ratings drop of 25% in season 11 from the year prior, leaving many to believe that the curiosity factor of those early weeks in 2011 had long ago faded.

As for Lopez, she’s reaped the rewards of the high-profile gig in a manner that’s almost masterful. Her movie career is red-hot (what to expect: more topline roles with big pay days), she has endorsements out the ying yang (Kohl’s, Fiat — even a minor controversy where La Lopez fakes walking down a New York City street hasn’t hurt her product pushing power), hit singles (“On the Floor,” “Dance With Me,” the latter currently No. 1 on the dance charts and just certified gold) and a major tour soon to kick off with Enrique Iglesias. What does Idol offer at this point other than a major commitment of her very valuable time?

VIDEO: ‘American Idol’: Jennifer Lopez Wishes She Could Mentor More

And there’s the question of what she offers to contestants as many viewers take issue with judges’ comments that either over praise and are simply too saccharine too much of the time. Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe insists that’s not necessarily the case. “Some people say, ‘[the judges] are just so nice,’ well if you actually listen to what is being said they’re not always nice,” Lythgoe told The Hollywood Reporter in April. “Jennifer might say, ‘I’m worried that you’re doing this,’ or ‘put a little more heart into it…’ And I much prefer that they are nice, because these are the best kids that we have. We searched the country for them. Jennifer and Steven are artists so they’re always going to be exceptionally considerate because they don’t want to chop the legs from underneath these kids. They’re not going to make any money from them.” (On Wednesday Lythgoe told TMZ, “We really, really want her back.”)

It’s a sentiment shared by Idol’s associate musical director Michael Orland. “Her experience as an incredible performer on stage only lends herself to doing this job,” he tells THR. “I have enjoyed watching these three judges together — Jennifer is full of enthusiasm and positive feedback, always trying to encourage and find the good in somebody. I think you get a better Idol performance (as witnessed in seasons 10 and 11) when the contestants aren’t fearing harsh criticism before they walk out or even start singing, like in seasons past. Plus: she’s one of the most beautiful women on television.”

No argument there but is that beauty worth a Cowell-sized salary? And would Lopez take it in place of other offers? No doubt both sides of the negotiating table will be monitoring public opinion closely. 

What do you think Idol Worshipers? Should the show fight to keep this configuration or is it time to change things up completely?

Twitter: @shirleyhalperin

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/kc4vNd5olBg/jennifer-lopez-leaving-american-idol-325892

TOKYO – NTV (Nippon Television Network) is linking with stock photo and video company Amana Holdings to create high-definition clips from its old programs to sell for use in online advertising.

NTV chairman takes president’s job

Because of Japan’s complicated and restrictive laws regarding performance copyright, the venture will initially concentrate on ‘talent-free’ clips featuring shots of nature and scenery.

The first set of clips will come from a program showing scenery from Europe that was broadcast on NTV’s broadcast satellite channel BS Nippon Corp.

Increased demand for content on smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices is expected to drive growth in the high-definition video market.

NTV retook the ratings crown for prime-time viewing from Fuji TV in 2011, ending Fuji’s seven-year run at the top.

Twitter@GavinJBlair

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/uUNkVCqboQE/japan-ntv-online-hd-clips-326029

ABC is one of those networks you look at and think, “Hey, they’re doing great.” Lots of people talking about their shows, old and new. Then the ratings rise up to disappoint.

Upfronts 2012: ABC Chief Opens Up About Marvel Hopes, Broad Comedy and His Own StatusFirst Look: Watch Trailers for All of ABC’s New Series Upfronts 2012: ‘Dancing With the Stars’ ‘All-Star’ Season Set for FallUpfronts 2012: THR Live-Blogs Paul Lee’s ABC Presentation

PHOTOS: ABC’s 2012-13 Season: ‘Nashville,’ ’666 Park Ave.’ and ‘Malibu Country’

It’s hard to get excited about being the third-place network, especially when NBC contends that it will be in a photo finish with you for third. Nobody wants to be in a photo finish with NBC for anything these days. How could this be, with such a strong Wednesday lineup (Modern Family mania!), surprise freshman hits Revenge, Once Upon a Time, Suburgatory and Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23? ABC still has reality franchises such as Dancing With the Stars and The Bachelor, and it loves its female-friendly shows like Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy and Castle.

So how does this compute?

Well, if you look closer, you can see the cracks -– in the faces of its aging shows and franchise reality series. Housewives was well past its sell-by date. Grey’s and Private Practice could use a nip-tuck, and The Bachelor is downright sketchy. Not done, mind you, but viewers might want Something Else. That appears to be especially true of DWTS, which seemed to sag. Maybe the audience is demanding a singing show?

PHOTOS: Broadcast TV’s Returning Shows for 2012-13 Season

Elsewhere, the replacements just didn’t work. An over-the-top pilot probably doomed GCB as the ideal Housewives replacement. Pan Am was grounded after all that pilot hype. Man Up! and Work It were comedy disasters. The River was a bold experiment that ended up as shaky as its camerawork. Body of Proof couldn’t hold its own. The network wouldn’t admit that it had a show called Cougar Town. Charlie’s Angels was a crime against acting. Late addition Missing didn’t find its audience, and even though Scandal probably should have gone missing as well, it got a reprieve. You can’t cancel everything.

Hell, wife swapping went out of fashion, newsmagazines sagged, the wipeouts weren’t as big as the past. So ABC became this weird combination of high-profile shows and flabby, forgotten shows. Thus — third place.

To fix it, ABC is adding 10 new series in its yearly shotgun blast of hope, shifting Revenge to the Sunday Housewives slot and pairing two of its most acclaimed comedies — Happy Endings and Apartment 23 — on Tuesday nights, which, post-DWTS in January, will be a four-sitcom block. By November, the network essentially will have relaunched the TGIF idea with four allegedly family-friendly choices.

VIDEO: Watch Trailers for All of ABC’s New Series

Will that be enough?

Well, you might have noticed that DWTS stayed alive (because it had to and ABC is praying for a comeback), The Bachelor limps or ages onward, there isn’t a singing show that everybody seems to want, Private Practice got moved to Tuesday all by its lonesome (following two cynical comedies), the newsmagazines remain, and there’s more than a little hope in the air that Revenge can work on Sundays and Apt. 23 can work without its Modern Family lead-in.

If nothing else, the 2012-13 schedule seems to make clear precisely how things went wrong in 2011-12. That’s not saying NBC will surpass ABC and dump it into fourth. It’s just that as a variable, the process is a lot clearer now.

ABC did unveil a new slogan: “Why just watch when you can feel.”

Oh, dear.

Based on being No. 3, perhaps it should have been “Feel us up,” but that might have sent the wrong message. Although what the new message is, who knows — or feels?

Come next season, ABC needs to figure out why everyone thinks the network is doing better than it really is. And then the hard part: actually be better. 

Email: Tim.Goodmand@THR.com

Twitter: @BastardMachine

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/zHSwCWUdnOQ/upfront-analysis-abc-Revenge-Happy-Endings-324695

Community’s study group has ventured into alternate realities, the dreamatorium, battled zombie plagues, and they’ve been animated before, but this is a whole new level for the NBC comedy.

Upfronts 2012: ‘Community’ Showrunner Dan Harmon’s Status Still In FluxNBC Renews ‘Community’‘Community’ Top Producers Exit for 20th TV Deal

VIDEO: Alison Brie Talks ‘Community’ and Future Projects

On Thursday’s episode, they become video game characters to help Pierce (Chevy Chase) stay in the one percent. And The Hollywood Reporter has a first look at the crew’s video game avatars.

Pierce stands to lose his inheritance to his late father’s second-in-command, Gilbert Lawson (Once Upon a Time and Breaking Bad actor Giancarlo Esposito). In order to stop him, the study group will have to play through the game.

Take a look at the crew as video game characters in the images above and below.

Community’s season finale night starts Thursday at 8 p.m. and then continues after the 30 Rock finale with episodes at 9 and 9:30 p.m. on NBC.

Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter: @TheRealJethro

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/FueIxjkuY3M/community-nbc-finale-digital-estate-planning-photos-324721

Desperate Housewives had several loose ends to wrap up as it went into Sunday’s two-hour series finale. As these things go, there were births, deaths, mended fences and then departures.

‘Desperate Housewives’ Cast Gives Their Characters Some Finale Advice‘Desperate Housewives’ Star Vanessa Williams Talks Finale and New Series ’666 Park Ave.’‘Desperate Housewives’ Cast Gift to Crew Sheds Further Light on Teri Hatcher’s Estrangement (Photo)‘Desperate Housewives’ Star Eva Longoria Scoffs at the Notion Hollywood Should Avoid Politics

Note: Spoilers if you didn’t watch Sunday’s series finale.

PHOTOS: TV’s Priciest Primetime Shows for Advertisers

The first hour found the resolution of Bree’s (Marcia Cross) trial and ended the back and forth of Lynette (Felicity Huffman) and Tom’s (Doug Savant) marriage… for the time being. 

In the second hour, Rene (Vanessa Williams) and Ben (Charles Mesure) married, Julie (Andrea Bowen) and Porter’s (Charlie Carver) baby was born, and the women’s futures beyond Wisteria Lane were revealed. All the while, Mrs. McCluskey’s (Kathryn Joosten) final actions gave weight to the drama during both hours.

The trial: With the tide shifting against Bree, her attorney, Trip (Scott Bakula), had no choice but to place Gaby (Eva Longoria) on the stand by using their attraction to get Bree to confess to what really happened. Gaby, already feeling the guilt of Bree taking the fall for Carlos (Ricardo Chavira), admitted that the dead man was her sexually abusive stepfather. Later, Mrs. McCluskey overheard Gaby and Carlos arguing about who would confess to the crime the next day. The dying, but still crafty, old lady tricked Trip into letting her testify and she ended up confessing to the crime. That led to Bree’s acquittal. The prosecutor decided not to charge Mrs. McCluskey, because of her advanced illness and the likelihood that she would lose the case in the end if they continued to delve into the victim’s sexual abuse of Gaby.

PHOTOS: 21 of Hollywood’s Ageless Actresses

Lynette: Upon hearing that Tom broke up with Jane (Andrea Parker), Lynette believes that he’s coming over to reconcile with her. Instead, Tom – under the impression that she was in love with someone else – tells her that he’s finally filing the divorce papers. Later at Mrs. McCluskey’s house, Roy (Orson Bean) tells Tom that he should let the people he loves know it before it’s too late. So in an emotional scene, Tom stops Lynette on the street and tells her she’s the love of his life. Prepared to walk away from her after that, she tells him that the other man she’s in love with is him. Grab a tissue, folks.

On the second hour, Katherine (Dana Delany) returns from France where she has made millions off a microwave French food business. And she wants Lynette to head the US division in New York City. Of course, it’s a tantalizing offer for the housewife who has a history of struggling with the draw of her career versus her family. At first, it causes strife with Tom. But later at Renee’s wedding, she makes a speech about remembering when one has true love, they really have everything they want. That old softie Tom is not only moved by her words, but decides they can weather a move to NYC as well.

Gaby: After the trial is finally resolved, Gaby gets a promotion to head the VIP sales department at her store. After struggling with the new role he must play at home, Carlos sees the change in his typically spoiled wife and comes around. Later, he helps her develop her own personal shopping company and the two leave Wisteria Lane.

PHOTOS: Broadcast TV’s Returning Shows for 2012-13 Season

Bree: In one of her last crafty acts of neighborly love, Mrs. McCluskey senses Bree’s attraction to Trip — though Bree won’t speak to him after he placed Gaby on the stand during her trial. Mrs. McCluskey gets the attorney to track down a rare record for her, Johnny Mathis’ “Wonderful, Wonderful” – one of her last dying wishes. When Bree finds out what he did, she forgives Trip. Later, we find out that they’re married and move away from Fairview to Louisville. Bree goes on to become a conservative politician and a member of the Kentucky state legislature.

Susan: The new grandmother finally tells the other housewives that she’s selling her house and moving to help Julie while she finishes up her PhD. She runs into the new homeowner on the way out. The young wife is worried that the suburbs will be too boring for her husband, but Susan knows that is far from the truth. Before she leaves the neighborhood, Susan and her kids decide to take one last spin around Wisteria Lane and we see the ghosts of those who had lost their lives on the Lane watch her as she drives off.

The series ends, but not without first showing the new housewife storing a mysterious box in one of the cupboards, which suggests that the cycle of secrets behind the façade of the picturesque residential community continues beyond Susan, Gaby, Lynette and Bree.

How did you feel about the way the women said goodbye? Tell us in the comments section below.

 Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter: @TheRealJethro

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/8m39hiiWNLM/desperate-housewives-series-finale-abc-recap-323846

You want True Blood spoilers? HBO released a new “Waiting Sucks” trailer for the upcoming fifth season and fans should have a field day with this one.

‘True Blood’ Posters: Christopher Meloni Is All Fanged Up (Photos, Video)‘True Blood’: HBO Releases First Season 5 Teaser Poster ‘True Blood’ Teaser: Eric Questions Pam’s Loyalty (Video)

PHOTOS: ‘True Blood’ Season 5 Character Posters

Clearly, the Vampire Authority isn’t happy about the breakdown of human-vampire relations in and around Bon Temps. Its leader, Roman (Christopher Meloni), originated the integration of vamps into human society and that has been fairly dismantled. Plus, its biggest threat, Russell Edgington (Denis O’Hare), is back on the loose.

PHOTOS: ‘True Blood’ Season 5 First Look Photos

The supernatural havoc has everyone running scared and, once again, the attention centers on Sookie (Anna Paquin).

Watch the new trailer below.

True Blood’s fifth season begins on Sunday, June 10 at 9 p.m. on HBO.

Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter: @TheRealJethro

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/jdWS-QEGhI0/true-blood-hbo-season-five-trailer-spoilers-323852

Roseanne Barr is taking her bid for the White House seriously, and she’s looking for another star to help her on the campaign trail.

Roseanne Barr Is Running For President

Whether it will be Willie Nelson remains to be seen.

Barr, a famously outspoken liberal-libertarian who has made marijuana legalization one of her top priorities, has been working to secure Nelson as her running mate for the past week. And this is no backroom Washington attempt, either; the whole thing has been played out over Twitter. Earlier in the week, Nelson responded to her propositional tweets in the negative, but on Saturday, seemed to be potentially more amenable to the role.

As first pointed out by Gawker, the pair traded tweets Saturday afternoon, with Nelson bouncing between accepting and then changing his mind about the job. You can view their exchange below:

[View the story "Roseanne Barr Courts Willie Nelson" on Storify]

Storified by Jordan Zakarin · Sat, May 12 2012 17:12:36

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/UpKapHjb9jY/roseanne-barr-presidential-willie-nelson-323707

Although Vanessa Williams has only spent a couple seasons on Desperate Housewives as no-nonsense Renee Perry, the singer and actress says that it wasn’t until very recently before she was able to really wrap her head around the fact that the show was ending.

‘Desperate Housewives’ Cast Gift to Crew Sheds Further Light on Teri Hatcher’s Estrangement (Photo)ABC Gives Series Orders to Connie Britton’s ‘Nashville,’ Reba McEntire Comedy, ‘Last Resort,’ 6 More‘Desperate Housewives’ Star Eva Longoria Scoffs at the Notion Hollywood Should Avoid Politics‘Desperate Housewives’ Kevin Rahm Marries Fiancé in ‘Country Chic’ Style

“Probably the last day that we shot,” Williams tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I was there and we were all part of it, and it was fantastic.”

PHOTOS: 21 of Hollywood’s Ageless Actresses

Looking back on the show, Williams’ favorite scenes from her tenure include the time she was literally climbing the walls when Renee’s fear of little people comes to the surface during a romantic dinner with guest star Brian Austin Greene last season. And also when her face grotesquely breaks out from an allergy on this season’s Halloween episode, which scares away the trick or treating kids. “That was all about the physical comedy, which I love to do,” she says.

Heading into the finale, Renee isn’t letting anything get in the way of getting married to Ben (Charles Mesure), but things get complicated by her fiancé’s indirect connection to Mike’s (James Denton) death and Bree’s (Marcia Cross) murder trial.

“Well, Renee is a tenacious gal,” she says. “So, she definitely wants what she wants, and she can get a little Bridezilla, and that’s all I can tell you. It all gets kind of taken care of.”

PHOTOS: TV’s Priciest Primetime Shows for Advertisers

Just as she transitioned from Ugly Betty to Desperate Housewives, the 49-year-old will find herself back at ABC for another season and another show. She’ll be moving from the suburban Fairview to the urban jungle of New York City for her newly picked up series, 666 Park Ave.

The series revolves around an NYC apartment building, whose tenants begin to experience some dangerous supernatural occurrences. Williams’ costars on 666 Park Ave. include Brothers Sisters star Dave Annable, Charlie’s Angels actress Rachael Taylor and Lost alum Terry O’Quinn.

“My character’s name is Olivia Doran,” she explains. “And she’s married to Terry O’Quinn’s character and it’s about an iconic building in New York. And in order to get into the building, you have to make a few sacrifices. And we own the building, so you have to get through us.”

The Desperate Housewives finale airs Sunday at 9 p.m. on ABC.

 Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter: @TheRealJethro

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/0TcRKdDbPZs/desperate-housewives-finale-vanessa-williams-666-park-ave-abc-323709