X17 News

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - According to Variety, Warner Bros. has just unveiled TheWB.com, a website that will feature hit shows such as Smallville and One Tree Hill, which originally aired on the former WB.

The OC and Gossip Girl creator Josh Schwartz and Laguna Beach producer Gary Auerbach are working on original content for the site, and it is expected to go fully live by August.

Bruce Rosenblum, president of Warner Bros. TV group stated, "We are taking this very seriously...this is an important part of where we see television going."

The group is also launching KidsWB.com, with classic Looney Tunes segments and its own original shortform cartoons, as well as games.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Today MTV announced the nominees for the 2008 MTV Movie Awards.

Superbad leads the pack with 5 nominations, followed by Juno with 4 nominations. Knocked Up, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Transformers each earned 3 nominations.

"Best Movie" nominees include the Academy Award winning film Juno, Transformers, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, I Am Legend, Superbad and National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

Nominees for "Best Male Performance" are Will Smith (I Am Legend), Shia LaBeouf (Transformers), Denzel Washington (American Gangster), Matt Damon (The Bourne Ultimatum), Michael Cera (Juno). The nominees for "Best Female Performance" are Ellen Page (Juno), Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End), Katherine Heigl (Knocked Up), Amy Adams (Enchanted) and Jessica Biel (I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry).

The nominees for "Breakthrough Performance" are Zac Efron (Hairspray), Seth Rogen (Knocked Up), Jonah Hill (Superbad), Michael Cera (Superbad), Chris Brown (This Christmas), Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray), Megan Fox (Transformers) and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad).

Additionally, MTV has unveiled a new category for 2008, “Best Summer Movie So Far” which gives a nod to most recent summer blockbusters including Iron Man, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Sex and the City: The Movie, Speed Racer and The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Mike Myers will host the 2008 MTV Movie Awards live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Sunday, June 1st at 8 PM. For more information be sure to visit www.movieawards.mtv.com.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - R&B singer Mario was the latest celebrity competitor to be eliminated from ABC's Dancing With the Stars on Tuesday night. This season he was partnered with Karina Smirnoff, who was the runner up on the third season of the show with actor Mario Lopez.

Before the elimination, Dancing With The Stars celebrated their 100th episode with special performances from alums Melanie Brown and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy as well as season four winner Apolo Anton Ohno and his partner Julianne Hough.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Jason Castro, 20, is the latest competitor to be booted from American Idol, leaving the final three spots to David Cook, Syesha Mercado and David Archuleta.

Last night, Castro sang Bob Marley's I Shot the Sheriff and Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man, during which he forgot the lyrics. Simon Cowell even told the aspiring singer, "I'd pack your suitcase."

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The crew of ABC's Ugly Betty have written a public letter to state and Los Angeles officials regarding job losses due to the show's move to New York this fall. The Los Angeles-based crew was informed that this was the primary reason for the show's move to the east coast; the result, however was the crew losing their jobs and various California industries losing business.

The following letter will be published as a full-page ad in Variety on Friday:

To Whom it Should Concern

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Members of the State Senate and State Assembly, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the Los Angeles City Council, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors:

We are writing to you because we just lost our jobs. We are the 300 plus members of the crew of the television show Ugly Betty. We were informed this Tuesday that the production of our show is moving to New York primarily because of the 35% tax incentives being offered by the state of New York. Instead of making good wages and paying our fair share of California state income tax, we will all be collecting Unemployment Benefits. In addition, we will certainly be cutting our spending back to the bone, which will not only cut back our sales tax contributions substantially, but it could end up costing the jobs of the people who provide services and products to us. Not only are these crew positions being lost; all of our local vendors are losing our business.

Our production buys: lumber, paint, wallpaper, cabinets, other building materials, office products, fabric, art supplies, computer equipment, food, beverages, flowers, film, makeup & hair products, wigs, insurance, jewelry, clothing, etc.

Our production rents: lighting equipment, sound equipment, video playback equipment, heavy machinery, office equipment, backdrops, costumes, furniture, scenery, props, soundstages, offices, parking facilities, cars, trucks, storage facilities, computers, camera equipment, grip equipment, editing equipment, drafting equipment, cell phones, computers, toilets, dumpsters, live plants, production trailers, tools, hardware, artwork, walkie talkies, etc.

Our production also uses the services of: dry cleaners, printers, location companies, Special Effects companies, utilities, caterers, payroll services, restaurants, security, Post Production Services, Clearance Houses, etc.

When we shoot on locations around Los Angeles we pay for permits; we pay homeowners & businesses for the use of their property, we hire police and fire department personnel, we pay for facility engineers, etc.

So, while the loss of our individual positions may be insignificant, the loss of this production is staggering. Now multiply this by all the other productions going to New York, New Mexico, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina and other states with incentives, not to mention Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Eastern Europe, etc. and the cost to the California state economy is monumental. We implore you to do everything in your power to level the playing field and bring our jobs back to California by enacting meaningful incentives to keep film and television production in our state.

Sincerely yours

The Crew of Ugly Betty

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - According to The New York Times, Jimmy Fallon has been named as the third host of NBC's Late Night. He will be replacing Conan O'Brien, who replaced previous host David Letterman.

"Jimmy is more than just a likeable guy and a great comedian, he is genuinely interested in what people have to say," stated Ben Silverman, co-chair of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios at a press conference today.

Fallon will likely make his debut as the new host of Late Night in June of 2009.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Many American Idol fans are hoping that David Archuleta will win the competition, but his difficulty performing Chris Brown's "With You" last night could have hurt his chances.

Archuleta struggled with the lyrics and even the judges noticed - Randy Jackson criticized his choice of songs and Simon Cowell likened his performance to "a chihuahua trying to be a tiger."

One of the final three will be eliminated tonight, and Archuleta will battle it out against Syesha Mercado and David Cook. Last night, Cook gave a stellar performance of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" and he even earned praise from Cowell as the best performer of the night, which could mean Archuleta won't make it to the finals next week.

Be sure to check out American Idol tonight at 9/8c on Fox.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - For the first time in the history of America's Next Top Model, a full figured model won the reality television competition.

Whitney Thompson, 20, of Atlantic Beach, Florida was announced the winner last night on season ten of the CW's hit show. Thompson will have a fashion spread in Seventeen and a contract with Elite Model Managment worth $100,000.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The 2008 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will return to CBS this fall, and this year it will be held at the luxurious Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami, Florida.

Victoria’s Secret supermodels Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Marisa Miller and Miranda Kerr, among others, will strut down the catwalk in the holiday-themed lingerie runway show, which also includes musical performances, red carpet interviews, model profiles and a behind-the-scenes peek at "the sexiest night on television." Past performers have included the Spice Girls, Justin Timberlake, Seal, Sting, and Mary J. Blige.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Though numerous reports have been circulating about Victoria Beckham returning to ABC's hit show, Ugly Betty, her rep just told X17online that "the door has been left open for Victoria to return, but at this time there are no plans for another appearance."

Last season, Beckham appeared as herself in an episode in which she was locked in a cupboard by publishing executive Wilhelmina Slater, played by Vanessa Williams.

Ugly Betty has certainly attracted quite a range of celebrities lately; in the season three finale which aired last night, supermodel Naomi Campbell made a cameo appearance and Lindsay Lohan appeared briefly in the episode as well.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Today MTV announced that Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Rainn Wilson and Anna Faris have been added to the already stellar list of presenters for the 2008 MTV Movie Awards.

Previously revealed presenters include Ben Stiller, Sarah Jessica Parker, Will Ferrell, Lindsay Lohan, Steve Carell, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Liv Tyler, Seth Rogen, Megan Fox, Edward Norton, Jennifer Hudson, Dwayne Johnson, Anne Hathaway, James Franco, Rumer Willis, Emma Stone, Brendan Fraser, Katharine McPhee and Danny McBride. Additionally, Coldplay and The Pussycat Dolls will perform at the awards show and debut new music.

The 2008 MTV Movie Awards will be hosted by comedian Mike Myers, and will be broadcast live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Sunday, June 1 at 8pm/7c.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Though The Hollywood Reporter said earlier this morning that producers of the CW's hit show, Gossip Girl, are planning a spinoff series, it looks like that might have been a premature announcement.

THR reported that producers are either planning to give Jenny Humphrey (played by 14-year-old actress Taylor Momsen) her own series, or introduce a new character who will be given their own spinoff. However, Gossip Girl creator Josh Schwartz told E! Online:

"Not sure how this got out there, but no plans for spinoff at this moment. The books do have a spinoff, but we have nothing in the works right now other than making sure season two gets off to a great start."

Additionally, a source at the CW also told E! Online, "If the second season does as well as we expect it to, then we'll probably try to make it happen."

Due to her financial and social status, Humphrey is a outsider who struggles to fit in with her circle of Upper East Side peers. In the Gossip Girl books, Humphrey embarrasses herself by doing a risque shoot for a teen magazine, among other mortifying incidents. After realizing that she can't save her reputation, she switches to a different private school and goes on to become the popular girl at her new campus. Humphrey's story is told in six spinoff novels titled The It Girl.

Alloy Entertainment owns both of the book series and co-produces the television show. They also have a first-look deal with the series co-producer Warner Bros. Television. Therefore, the CW has right of first refusal on a spinoff series, and if it is refused, Alloy Entertainment could potentially shop the spinoff project to various cable networks with a young female demographic such as ABC Family and MTV.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Matthew Perry is set to get his own scripted series with Showtime called The End of Steve, according to Variety. Perry serve as co-creator and co-executive producer alongside producer Peter Tolan and will also star in the show as a talkshow host seeking professional and personal happiness.

Sony Pictures TV has already secured a pilot order with significant penalty attached, and Sony TV co-president Zack Van Amburg said, "Matthew had a kernel of an idea that he had been fleshing out, and he got together with Peter. Peter worked closely and collaborated with Matthew, and they rounded up a full show."

Production of the pilot and prospective series would be scheduled around another one of Tolan's Sony projects, FX's Rescue Me, where he remains executive producer.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Janet Jackson is getting her own reality television show on MTV, according to Variety.

The untitled project will feature Jackson mentoring a group of aspiring young singers and dancers. The show will be shot in the next few months as Jackson prepares for her world tour, and the casting process has already begun.

Executive producer Dave Broome said, "It's really about finding who's the next Janet Jackson or Justin Timberlake or Usher. And we'll find it from a pool of people who you wouldn't typically find it from. We'll go to YMCAs, church groups, local community centers and try to cast the show."

The series will also take place in various street locales, rather than on a studio soundstage. Producers are still working out the details out the prize for the elimination style show, but it is being reported that it could relate to Jackson's tour, which launches on September 10.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The MTV Video Music Awards are returning to Los Angeles for the first time in a decade, and the ceremony will be held on Sunday, September 7, at the Paramount Pictures lot in Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast from city streets, rooftops, and sound stages on the legendary Hollywood studio lot.

In a statement released today, Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music Group, said:

“With Paramount Pictures as the ideal setting, the glamour and musical heritage of L.A. are sure to be catalysts for creating explosive pop culture moments that the VMAs are known for. By anointing our audience as un-official executive producers, this year’s VMAs will live and breathe the music they love and we’re looking forward to producing a complete music experience that will connect to them beyond television.”

Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures added:

"Paramount is proud to serve for the first time, as the host of the VMAs. Combining the rich history of the Paramount lot with MTV's cutting-edge show will make this one of the year's most exciting and memorable events."

Over the past 10 years, the VMAs have been held in Miami, Las Vegas and New York, among other locations.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists' members approved the union's new deal with the studios yesterday, and despite feuding with the Screen Actor's Guild, around 62% of the voting members agreed to the deal, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

AFTRA president Roberta Reardon said late Tuesday,

"Today's vote reflects the ability of AFTRA members to recognize a solid contract when they see it. We were faced with an unprecedented situation of another union mounting a well-funded and ferocious attack on our contract-ratification process. In the face of that kind of attack, I think the percentage that ratified this contract is really good, and I'm thrilled."

SAG previously argued that a separate deal with AFTRA was not fair because it would lesser its clout at the bargaining table, and grumbled that the referendum was skewed by nonactor members of the union.

SAG president Alan Rosenberg said,

"Clearly, many Screen Actors Guild members responded to our education and outreach campaign and voted against the inadequate AFTRA agreement. We knew AFTRA would appeal to its many AFTRA-only members, who are news people, sportscasters and DJs, to pass the tentative agreement covering acting jobs. In its materials, AFTRA focused that appeal on the importance of actor members' increased contributions to help fund its broadcast members' pension and health benefits."

Reardon contested that Rosenberg was "grossly misinformed" about AFTRA's broadcasting membership, adding that less than 6%, of AFTRA's 70,000 members are broadcasters, while 90% of AFTRA's members are entertainers, including actors, announcers, comedians and dancers.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers made its final offer to SAG on June 30, and the guild will meet with the AMPTP tomorrow to give its response to the offer, which is the same as AFTRA's contract, as well as those passed by the DGA and WGA members.

AFTRA's new contract includes a 10% increase in minimums over three years, employer contributions to health and retirement plans, continued consent for the use of actors clips outside promotional use, jurisdiction over programs produced for distribution on the Internet, as well as a new residual structure for paid Internet downloads.

The AMPTP said the AFTRA ratification was "a vote of confidence by actors."

The 60th Primetime Emmy Award Nominees were announced today, and Showtime made their debut in the Best Series category with their drama Dexter, starring Michael C. Hall (who got nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor).

HBO's miniseries John Adams lead the pack with a total of 23 nominations, including Best Miniseries and Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress for Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney. HBO also took home the most nominations among all the networks, with 85, followed by ABC with 76 and CBS with 51.

The Emmy's will be held September 21, 2008 and will be broadcast on ABC.

Click here to see the complete list of nominees!

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Desperate Housewives creator and executive producer Marc Cherry stated yesterday that he plans to end the hit ABC series after seven seasons, according to the Associated Press.

At the Television Critics Association meeting yesterday, Cherry said, "I love working with these gals, but the idea of letting anyone else take the show from me kind of makes me sad and sick to my stomach. We're going to get out while people still like us. Of course," he added, "this could be some clever ruse on my part to get tremendous amounts of money in season eight, but who knows."

The Emmy Award winning series starring Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman and Marcia Cross returns for its fifth season this fall.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - For some time now, HBO has been wanting to team up with Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West for a reality television show, and it looks like the premium cable network is moving forward with the project.

An insider at HBO reveals to Entertainment Weekly that the network is interested in developing a single-camera series on West's life and his relationship with family and friends. The insider adds that the network is looking for a writer and that they "need to figure out how to capture Kanye in the right way.”

CLICK HERE for all of X17online's stories on Kanye West

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - MTV has announced more nominees for the 2008 Video Music Awards, which will be held on the Paramount lot in Hollywood on September 7.

Those nominated in the Best New Artist category are Miley Cyrus ("7 Things"), Katy Perry ("I Kissed A Girl"), country star Taylor Swift ("Teardrops on my Guitar"), Jordin Sparks ("No Air") and Tokio Hotel ("Ready Set Go").

The nominees for Best Dancing In A Video are Madonna ("4 Minutes"), Chris Brown ("Forever"), Pussycat Dolls ("When I Grow Up"), Ne-Yo ("Closer") and Danity Kane ("Damaged").

The 25th annual MTV Video Music Awards air on MTV on Sept. 7, 2008, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - America's Next Top Model is making history again - last season, the show picked it's first plus size winner, and this season the show will have its first transgendered contestant.

Isis, 22, is a pre-op transgender model who was born a male, but says she was "born in the wrong body" and always felt like a female. Isis was featured as an extra model for the homeless photo shoot last season, and host and creator Tyra Banks encouraged her to try out for the following season.

The 11th season of the hit reality show premieres on the CW on September 3 at 8 p.m.

image courtesy of Jim De Yonker / The CW

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Today ABC announced the 13 contestants who will compete on the seventh season of their hit reality television show, Dancing With The Stars.

Kim Kardashian and former 'N Sync member Lance Bass are among the most recognizable names on the cast, as well as Brooke Burke, Susan Lucci, singer Toni Braxton, comedian Jeffrey Ross and celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito. 82-year-old actress Cloris Leachman is the oldest contestant, while Hannah Montana actor Cody Linley, 18 is this season's youngest competitor.

Dancing With The Stars always includes several professional athletes each season, and they managed to get a stellar lineup this fall, including retired NFL football star Warren Sapp, and two Olympic gold medalists, beach volleyball star Misty May-Treanor and sprinter Maurice Greene.

Dancing With The Stars premieres Sept. 22, 8 ET/PT on ABC.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Fox announced today that songwriter Kara DioGuardi will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul as a judge on the network's hit reality television show, American Idol.

In a statement, American Idol creator Simon Fuller called DioGuardi "a smart, sassy lady and one of America's most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show."

DioGuardi has written songs for Kelly Clarkson, Ashlee Simpson, Faith Hill, Santana, Celine Dion, Gwen Stefani and Kylie Minogue.

photo credit: Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The racy new ads for the second season of the CW's hit series Gossip Girl have not only upset numerous critics, but also Josh Schwartz, the show's creator.

In the suggestive promo shots, the scantily-clad teen characters are shown in bed, kissing, and engaging in other age inappropriate behavior. Schwartz tells New York Magazine, “The network came up with that, and I just stand back. I don’t want anything to do with it...It feels bad. It’s wrong."

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Actress Michelle Rodriguez will return to ABC's Lost for an episode this fall, according to Entertainment Weekly. Rodriguez's character Ana Lucia, who was killed off in the second season, will likely come back in a flashback or hallucination sequence in the series' fifth season.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - MTV announced Tuesday that it's long running video countdown show, "Total Request Live" will end after 10 years on the air. A two-hour finale is planned for November, according to the show's executive producer Dave Sirulnick.

But the show may not be gone forever. Sirulnick said that "TRL" wasn't ending for good, but that he felt now was the right time to give it a break after a decade-long run on the cable music channel.

"We want to close this era of `TRL' in a big celebratory way, and 10 is a great number," Sirulnick said. "And 10 is the number that `TRL' counted down every single day for 10 years, and we hit this 10th (anniversary) and we thought, `You know what? This feels like the right time and let's celebrate it and let's reward it. And let's let it have a little bit of a rest for a minute. Let it catch its breath!'"

Since its debut in 1998, "TRL" has been instrumental in the success of teen pop music stars like Britney Spears, N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) -
Monday's night's episode of the sexy teen soap "Gossip Girl" scored the highest rating in series' history.

More than 3.7 million people watched last night's show which is centered around the lives and loves of the students of an exclusive New York city prep school.

That's more than a half-million viewers over last week and 300,000 eyes over its season premiere in September.

"Gossip Girl's" strong numbers gave the CW network the No. 1 spot for the night with women 18-34 and adults 18-34.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Ratings for Sunday night's Emmy telecast on ABC were the lowest ever, according to "The Hollywood Reporter."

The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony garnered just a 3.8 rating/9 share. That's more than a 10 percent drop off last years broadcast.

Many critics panned the broadcast, emceed by five reality series hosts, including "Project Runway's" Heidi Klum and "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest.

NBC's "30 Rock" was the night's big winner, with Tina Fey taking home statues for best actress in a comedy, writing, as well as the best comedy series award. Her co-star, Alec Baldwin, was named best actor in a comedy.

"Mad Men," won the award for drama series. While Bryan Cranston was the surprise winner as best actor in a drama, and Glenn Close was named best actress for her role in "Damages."

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Saturday Night Live continues to enjoy a surge in popularity, as it scores its highest ratings in more than a decade

Saturday's telecast, hosted by Josh Brolin and featuring musical guest Adele, averaged a 10.7 rating and 24 share in 56 metered markets, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's the highest overnight 'SNL' average since a 1994 episode that was hosted by Nancy Kerrigan and featured musical guest Aretha Franklin.

Saturday's program also included appearances by Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, Oliver Stone and -- once again reprising her role as Palin -- Tina Fey.

'SNL' has successfully capitalized on viewer interest in the election this season. The veteran sketch comedy show's ratings are running 76% higher than during the opening weeks last fall.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - A foot injury sent "Dancing With The Stars" contestant Brooke Burke to the hospital on Sunday. It is just the latest in a string of injuries that have befallen the celebrities on the ballroom dancing show.

Burke was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after severely bruising her foot during a rehearsal. An X-ray revealed a serious bruise, but no broken bones.

Despite the injury, Burke and her partner Derek Hough were able to perform the jitterbug during Monday night's competition, where they received a near perfect score of 29 out of 30.

“Whatever dance you do Brooke, you come out and you are consistently on top,” judge Len Goodman raved.

“That was an unbelievably stylish rendition of ‘American Graffiti,’” judge Bruno Tonioli stated.

“Can I nit-pick?” judge Carrie Ann Inaba teased. “I can’t! That was amazing.”

Burke’s foot injury is the third to occur this season on "DWTS." Two weeks ago, Olympic volleyball star Misty May-Treanor ruptured an Achilles tendon and had to withdraw from the competition.

During the first week of the season, comedian Jeffrey Ross got a corneal abrasion when partner Edyta Slwinska’s hand grazed his eye.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - With the new Beverly Hills 90210 a hit, execs at the CW are thinking about bringing back that other '90s drama Melrose Place.

Talk in Hollywood says a return to the famous apartment building is in the early development stages, and that the new series could be on the air as early as next season.

Melrose Place was originally spun off from 90210 in 1992 with Jennie Garth's character bridging the two shows. Likewise, she was used in the re-launch of the new 90210.

The original stars of the series included Andrew Shue, Heather Locklear, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Grant Show, Daphne Zuniga, Marcia Cross and Doug Savant.

Rob Estes joined Melrose Place later in the show's run - and now stars as the father on the new 90210.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Courteney Cox is returning to network television in a new series for ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Cox will star in "Cougar Town," a single-camera comedy about a newly-single 40-year-old mother. The series will be written by "Scrubs" creator Bill Lawrence and Kevin Biegel.

"Forty-year-old women on TV are so beautiful and perfect and wrinkle-free," said Lawrence, who first worked with Cox when he was a writer on "Friends." "People don't do the reality of it, and there is a real comedy area about a woman who is talking about Botox, about having sex with the lights on and how her body is changing."

Cox recently starred on and exec produced the FX drama "Dirt," which was produced by ABC Studios.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Just 3 days before the election, John McCain will appear on "Saturday Night Live," the long running sketch comedy show that has been a "must stop" for candidates during the campaign.

The Associated Press quotes Aides to the Republican nominee who are confirming the appearance.

Actor Ben Affleck, a supporter of Democratic candidate Barack Obama is hosting this week.

When McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, appeared on the show Oct. 18, "Saturday Night Live" earned its best ratings in 14 years. Former star and head writer Tina Fey, a Palin lookalike, has been at the center of the show's recent parodies of the campaign.

"SNL" regular Darrell Hammond impersonates McCain on the late-night show, now in its 34th season.

McCain last appeared on "Saturday Night Live" in May, after clinching the nomination and while the Democratic primary continued. The 72-year-old Arizona senator joked about his age, saying: "I ask you, what should we be looking for in our next president? Certainly, someone who is very, very, very old."

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - "Heroes" co-executive producers Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb have been fired by NBC, Variety reports.

The writer-producers lead day-to-day production of the show and had been on the series' staff since the first season.

"Heroes," has recently begun to struggle in the ratings. It's reported that Alexander and Loeb were let go because of NBC's frustration with the creative direction of the show. NBC was reportedly also upset with the producers' large budget overruns on the show's relatively expensive $4 million per episode price tag.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - NBC has cancelled the Brooke Shield's series "Lipstick Jungle" and the spy-themed "My Own Worst Enemy," according to Entertainment Weekly.

"Lipstick Jungle," based on a book by "Sex and the City" author Candace Bushnell, is averaging just 5.2 million viewers per episode this season, according to Nielsen. The series had recently been moved from its time slot Wednesdays at 10 p.m. to Friday night.

"My Own Worst Enemy," the spy thriller series starring Christian Slater was only bringing in 4.3 million viewers.

The series' producers were reportedly informed of the network's decision this week.

NBC isn't commenting on the report and it's not clear if the shows will air their remaining episodes or be pulled off the air immediately.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Brooke Shields says reports her NBC drama "Lipstick Jungle" has been cancelled are false.

"They thought that because "My Own Worst Enemy" has been shut down that the same thing had happened to us, and it's not true," she told reporters at Sunday's Kidsfest in NYC.

"They're not breaking down the sets," Shields said. "We’re still working. We still have more to do, so it's erroneously presented that we’ve been canceled, thank God."

"Our bosses are saying, 'You’re not canceled, don’t worry. We’re just trying to figure out how to make this make sense.'"

Shields says she's optimistic about the show's future.

"I actually am," Shields said. "I mean, we're basically No. 1 if you look at DVR. And you look at all that. So the public is watching it."

"The problem that they have is it's not the same day live," she continued. "They just need to figure out how to reconcile advertisers' money because the advertisers don't want you fast forwarding commercials."

The actress added she'll be "heartbroken" if the show is cancelled.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - MTV's Total Request Live finished it's 10-year-run Sunday with a finale celebration at its New York City's Time Square studio.

Beyonce opened the show performing her latest singles and then a fan favorite "Crazy in Love."

Other stars stopping by one last time included, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Taylor Swift, Hilary Duff and Kid Rock.

“This is like a big high school reunion in a way,” Timberlake told Carson Daly, the show’s former host, who had returned for the finale. “We kind of all grew up together.”

Eminem phoned into the show and said, "I feel like they're tearing down my home."

Travis Barker also made his first appearance since surviving a plane crash.

"Every day gets better. I feel better every day," he told the audience via satellite. "I'm already playing my drums again and am back in the studio. I'm thankful to be able to play."

MTV cancelled the daily video count-down show to concentrate more on using their website to showcase music videos.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Brooke Burke waltzed away the champion on Tuesday night's finale of "Dancing with the Stars."

The mother of four out performed former NFL player Warren Sapp and former 'NSync member Lance Bass in the Viennese waltz, earning a perfect score and winning the title.

"Unbelievable," was all Burke could say after being crowned champion.

Burke and her partner, Derek Hough dominated the competition from the beginning. The pair came in first place 8 out of 10 times and received perfect 10's from the judges another 16 times.

"I actually can't believe it," said Derek Hough, Burke's professional partner, who's never won the competition. "I really can't. I honestly can't. The journey's been so long. It's been tough. It's been wonderful. It's been everything I could ever hope for. Wow. I can't believe we actually did it, girl."

Warrren Sapp was the runner up, while Lance Bass was awarded 3rd place.

Photo Courtesy ABC

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The CW network may try to duplicate the popularity of its teen soap "Gossip Girl" by spinning off one of the show's characters into a new series, according to Variety.

Rumors of a new series have been around for some time since the "Gossip Girl" books - on which the series is based - have a spin-off of their own, "The It Girl."

However, sources say the CW's spin-off would likely not focus on Taylor Momsen's "Jenny Humphrey" character, on who "The It Girl" books focus.

The TV spinoff would nonetheless likely center on one of the show's nine regular characters, although sources said bringing in a new character hadn't been ruled out.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Jay Leno is moving to prime time.

NBC announced Tuesday Leno will host a show five nights at week at 10p.m. starting next year. Five years ago, the network promised the "Tonight" show job to Conan O'Brien starting in 2009.

The new arrangement not only prevents Leno from moving to another network and competing with O'Brien, it also has the potential to be a big cost savings for NBC. A talk show is considerably cheaper to produce than the dramas that usually air in the same time period.

NBC announced last summer that Leno's last "Tonight" show would be on Friday, May 29, and that O'Brien would take over hosting duties the following Monday, June 1.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - "Frost/Nixon," "Doubt," and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" were the top Golden Globe nominees announced Thursday, with each movie receiving five nominations.

In the best motion picture drama category, "Frost" and "Button" are up against "The Reader," "Revolutionary Road," and "Slumdog Millionaire."

While, "Burn After Reading," "Happy-Go-Lucky," "In Bruges," "Mamma Mia!," and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" are up for best motion picture comedy or musical.

Angelina Jolie scored a nomination for best actress in a motion picture for "Changeling" (also in that category are Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Kristin Scott Thomas and Kate Winslet), while Brad Pitt earned a nod for best actor in a motion picture for "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button."

Also nominated in the best actor category: Leonardo DiCaprio ("Revolutionary Road"), Sean Penn ("Milk"), Frank Langella ("Frost/Nixon") and Mickey Rourke ("The Wrestler").

The best supporting actor category pits the late Heath Ledger ("The Dark Knight") against Tom Cruise ("Tropic Thunder"), Robert Downey Jr. ("Tropic Thunder"), Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Doubt"), and Ralph Fiennes ("The Duchess").

In the television categories, "Dexter," "House," "In Treatment," "Mad Men," and "True Blood" were nominated for best drama.

"Californication," "Entourage," "The Office," "30 Rock," and "Weeds" are the nominees for best comedy or musical.

The awards will be handed out in Beverly Hills on January 11th.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskly are engaged to be married, E! News reports.

The "Dancing with the Stars" professionals have been dating for about six months.

So far no wedding date has been announced.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The CW network has ordered a backdoor pilot for a new series that will be a prequel to "Gossip Girl," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The series will document the wild teen years of Lily van der Woodsen in 1980s Los Angeles.

According to the network, the show will follow Lily Rhodes (her maiden name) who, after a falling out with her parents, is forced to move in with her sister, the black sheep of the Rhodes family.

Overnight, Lily has to transition from a life of luxury and education at a wealthy Montecito boarding school to living deep in the San Fernando Valley she once made fun of and going to public school. Caught between two worlds, Lily dives into the fast-paced Sunset Strip and the Hollywood lifestyle of the '80s, journeying over the hill to a world of wealth and excess that used to be her own.

The as-yet-untitled series will be headed up by Gossip Girl executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage.

So far no casting decisions have been announced.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - NBC has renewed "30 Rock" and "The Office" through the 2009-2010 season, the network announced today.

Recent multi-Golden Globe-winner "30 Rock" is enjoying its best ratings season yet, with its four highest-rated telecasts airing in the last two months.

"The Office" is this season's number one comedy among adults.

"These renewals represent our faith in 'The Office' and '30 Rock' as they continue to represent the gold standard in acclaimed and award-winning series," said NBC Entertainment President Angela Bromstad.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Whitney Port will be spending another season in "The City."

MTV has renewed the reality series that follows Port's adjustment to life in New York City and her attempts to build a career in the fashion industry.

The network also ordered 20 episodes of "Teen Cribs," which showcases the interiors of young star's homes.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - ABC is revealing the celebrities who'll be competing for the famous mirror ball trophy in the 8th season of" Dancing With The Stars."

The stars are: Denise Richards, Lil Kim, Steve-O, Jewel, Ty Murray, former Go-Go's singer Belinda Carlisle, David Alan Grier, "Access Hollywood" host Nancy O'Dell, NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor, Olympian Shawn Johnson, SATC star Gilles Marini, Apple Computer's Steve Wozniak and singer/songwriter Chuck Wicks.

Season 8 of "Dancing With The Stars" begins on March 9th.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The CW network has made it official: they've ordered a pilot of a revamped "Melrose Place."

The updated version of the '90s drama will stay true to the original with a cast of young beautiful people living in an apartment building in a hip LA neighborhood.

So far a cast hasn't been announced, but it's a pretty safe bet that at least one of the original stars will be moving back into the old neighborhood.

The network is reportedly trying to get Heather Locklear to join the cast, and Lisa Rinna and Grant Show have said they would love to be considered for the new series.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - A former champ and "the voice of a generation" be performing on Fox's "American Idol."

Kelly will be doing her new single My Life Would Suck Without You, while Kanye will perform Heartless.

Kelly, Kanye and the four new finalists will join previously announced finalists Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Scott MacIntyre, Jorge Nunez, Lil Rounds and Michael Sarver during the show’s first week of the Top 13.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Ashlee Simpson is set to join the cast of the CW's revamped "Melrose Place."

The singer/actress will reportedly play Violet, who Entertainment Weekly describes as "a character whose disarming naiveté masks the calculating, shrewd sex kitten within."

Simpson will be joined by Katie Cassidy (as ambitious publicist Ella), Michael Rady (as aspiring filmmaker Jonah).

Original Melerose Place star Heather Locklear, is also reportedly in negotiations to join the series.

"Both sides are talking," whispers my Melrose mole of Locklear. "It's looking good."

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - A man who believes that 17-year-old Olympic gymnast and Dancing With the Stars contestant Shawn Johnson communicates with him through the television and with ESP, was arrested Wednesday trying to sneak into the studio where DWTS is taped.

The man was detained by security personnel at CBS's Television City in Hollywood before being arrested by the LAPD.

Inside the man's car, police found two guns, zip ties and duct tape. The alleged stalker was booked on suspicion of carrying a loaded gun and his bail was set at $35,000.

Meantime, a judge has granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting the man from coming within 100 yards of Johnson, her family or her dancing partner Mark Ballas.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The showdown between Adam Lambert and Kris Allen starts tonight, and although many believe Adam Lambert's a shoo-in for the title, Allen still has a shot at an upset.

These two are pretty much a study in opposites: One's hard rock, the other's soft rock. One is not-so-secretly gay, while the other one proudly displays his wife at every episode. One was a front-runner from the beginning, while the other slowly built his following with quiet confidence.

Whoever does actually win the votes, it's certainly shaping up to be quite the battle tonight at the Kodak theater!

Who will YOU be voting for?

Photo Credit: Michael Becker/FOX

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Olympic gold medallist Shawn Johnson was crowned the winner of "Dancing With The Stars" last night on ABC.

Johnson was paired with professional dancer Mark Ballas.

Shawn was the show's youngest winner (and competitor, for that matter) and she seemed flabbergasted when she took home the top prize.

"This means the world to me," Johnson said after the victory. "I can officially say I'm a dancer, and that's amazing."

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - A TV show based on the micro-blogging website "Twitter" is being developed by Reveille and Brillstein Entertainment.

The show will reportedly put "ordinary people on the trail of celebrities in a revolutionary competitive format."

According to one of the producers, "we've found a compelling way to bring the immediacy of Twitter to life on TV."

It's not clear when the TV show based on "Twitter" will debut.

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW X17online ON TWITTER

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Just hours after giving an interview to NBC's Matt Lauer, Survivor winner Richard Hatch was put back behind bars.

Hatch had been serving house arrest at his sister's home after nearly four years behind bars for failing to pay taxes on the $1 million he won on Survivor.

In the interview which aired on the Today show on Tuesday, Hatch said he felt he had been targeted because he is gay and accused prosecutors of misconduct. The interview had been approved by prison officials.

It's not clear why Hatch was taken back in to custody. Speaking to Lauer in an interview Wednesday morning, Hatch's attorney said she didn't know if Richard's accusations were the reason he was put back in jail.

"I really don't know, everything Rich said is public record," the attorney said.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Family members of reality TV contestant Jasmine Fiore are speaking out now that the man suspected of killing her has been found dead in Canada.

Meanwhile, investigators are looking into whether Fiore's ex-husband, Ryan Jenkins, had help disposing of the swimsuit model's body near a Buena Park, California hotel.

Jenkins, 32, was found hanging from a belt in a room at the Thunderbird Motel near the US border in Canada.

Jenkins was found dead Sunday morning when a motel manager decided to check on the room rented three days earlier.

The "Megan Wants A Millionaire Contestant" had been charged with the murder of his ex-wife, Los Angeles swimsuit model Jasmine Fiore, on Thursday.

Witnesses at the hotel, say a woman in a silver car dropped Jenkins off at the motel. Investigators want to know if he had help escaping to Canada.

Lisa Lepore, Fiore's mother, told "Good Morning America" she had "mixed feelings" when she learned of Jenkins' death, but that it was the first step toward closure for her family.

"It's a relief to know that this man is not out there with the possibility of causing harm to other people," she said of her former son-in-law.

"That was a dangerous person. And now we don't have to worry about him, but I feel like he was a coward. He took the easy way out. He didn't want to face the consequences of his actions."

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the nominees this morning for the 67th annual Golden Globes Awards, and we were delighted to see some of our favorite films and television shows on the list.

George Clooney's latest film Up In The Air led the way with six nominations, including Best Feature, and it was followed by Nine, which earned five nods. Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious and Up in the Air are all contenders for the Best Feature (Drama) category, and (500) Days of Summer, The Hangover, It's Complicated, Julie & Julia and Nine top the list for Best Feature (Comedy).

For television, Glee earned five noms, Dexter, Mad Men, 30 Rock and Big Love snagged three apiece, and fan favorite True Blood earned two, including Best TV Series (Drama).

Click here to see the complete list of nominees!

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Real Housewives of New York's Kelly Bensimon graces the cover of the latest issue of Playboy, and here's a sneak peek at her hot spread for the men's mag.

Click here to see the sexy shot Playboy recently unveiled

Kelly reveals that she initially declined the offer, but then she reconsidered and decided to go through with it. Her ex-husband, famed fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon shot the spread, and the reality TV starlet told E!'s Marc Malkin, "I'm 41. It's a great image for the rest of the world. Yes, you can have it all. You can have two kids, you can be in shape and you can really enjoy life."

Courtesy: NBC

Ratings for The Voice sank by almost 2 million viewers after shifting to 10 p.m. for its first "battle rounds." However, the singing competition was the highest-rated show on Tuesday night.

The Voice managed to pull 10.3 million viewers for NBC. And over on FOX, Glee had 9.1 million viewers.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Superheroes have been succeeding on the big screen, but the Wonder Woman TV show can’t say the same.

Although the series had the great brand of a female comic book hero, creator David E. Kelley and attractive, on-the-rise actress Adriane Palicki, NBC did not pick up the show.

Executives have not commented as to why they skipped on Wonder Woman, but there’s enough evidence for their decision … The pilot’s screenings and testings were “mixed.”

There is a possibility the series may get picked up by ABC. The network has two high-profile comic book shows in progress: Hulk and AKA Jessica Jones.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Conan O'Brien, will take his show on the road yet again, TBS announced Wednesday.

The late-night talk show host will take his LA-based program Conan to New York for a week's worth of shows later this year and he'll set up shot in Chicago next year, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Fox announced Wednesday that Family Guy mastermind Seth MacFarlane, will be bringing The Flintstones back to television.

MacFarlane will give the classic 1960's animated series about Fred Flintstone, his wife Wilma, and their neighbors Barney and Betty Ruble, a 21st century twist.

MacFarlane released the following statement about the project:

"The very first cartoon character I drew at age two was Fred Flintstone ... so, it's appropriate that events have come full circle, allowing me to produce the newest incarnation of this great franchise ... plus, I think America is finally ready for an animated sitcom about a fat, stupid guy with a wife who's too good for him."

The Flintstones will be a joint production between 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. Television, owners of Hanna-Barbera.

Fox executives are hoping they will re-introduce the prehistoric and iconic characters to a "whole new generation."

Production will start in the fall of 2011 and would likely air some time in 2013.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Actress Rosie Perez has filed suit against producers of NBC crime drama Law & Order: SVU, after she was injured during the filming of a scene last year.

The lawsuit claims the 47-year-old actress suffered a herniated disc on the set after an extra forcibly shook the actress for a scene. The injury required Perez to have two surgeries.

Her attorney, Brian O'Dwyer, said in Brooklyn Supreme Court Wednesday:

"The thing to do was taking someone who knows what he's doing to make it look violent without being violent ... this person was not a stuntman, he was just an extra."

The scene in which the incident occurred was in Season 11 of the episode "Hardwired." Perez had a guest-starring role as an incensed mother; she sticks her head in a vehicle and chokes another mother when an actor dressed as a school crossing guards pulls her out and shakes her.

Perez's attorney speculated the extra was "carried away with the scene."

Although Perez suffered injuries, there was pressure to finish filming the episode, which the actress did.

Perez's last operation was a spinal fusion in July, when bone marrow from her pelvic was transplanted into her vertebrae. The actress says she is still suffering from severe pain, numbness of the arms and may never be the same. She claims she's had to miss nearly a year's worth of work -- and lost roles she was scheduled for.

The lawsuit did not specify a dollar amount.

A rep for Law & Order declined to comment.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - In a drama-filled season sparked by rivalries, Donald Trump was able to find a winner for this season's NBC Celebrity Apprentice winner: John Rich.

The final challenge on Sunday night involved promoting a brand of soda and John Rich and Marlee Matlin paired up to perform the song, For the Kids. While Rich sang, Matlin, who is deaf, signed the lyrics.

Then came the highly-anticipated announcement. Trump chose Rich, the singer of the music group Big & Rich, earning quarter-million dollars for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Matlin chose to support the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

The majority of the season's contestants returned for the live finale, but Richard Hatch, who's back in jail for tax evasion, was not able to attend.

Although Trump chose the country star, he did not fire the Academy Award winner, Matlin.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The cast of Glee put on an energetic performance for their kick off of their Glee Live! tour in Las Vegas.

The leader of the singing pack, Lea Michele, Tweeted she was "so excited" before performing. The cast were uniformed in red polo shirts, jeans and sneakers. The bunch opened with their cover version of Journey's Don't Stop Believing, proceeding to Lady Gaga's Born This Way.

The Glee cast have been busy rehearsing for the tour, which will take them across the US, UK and Ireland.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The firing of Charlie Sheen and the hiring of Ashton Kutcher on CBS' Two and a Half Men , could actually expand the life span of the sitcom series.

Kutcher, who signed on to replace Sheen, signed for a year, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The reason being, CBS has one more year in its deal with Warner Bros., the show's producer. When Sheen was the lead role, the show was set to end its nine-year run in 2012. But now that one of the most popular shows on television has a new lead actor, there's speculation CBS may keep the show on air past next year.

Two and a Half Men is the highest grossing shows on TV. The series has reportedly already made $1 billion from rerun rights.