SanLuisObispo.com: Celebrities

`Desperate Housewives' creator says end in sight

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:08 PDT

The women of Wisteria Lane may have only a few more years to resolve their assorted problems.

"Desperate Housewives" creator and executive producer Marc Cherry told a meeting of the Television Critics Association on Thursday that he plans to end the ABC series after seven seasons.

The domestic comedy-drama starring Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross and Eva Longoria begins its fifth season this fall.

Emmy nominations show younger isn't always better

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:53 PDT

Teens and 20-somethings may be the target demographic for many TV shows, but when it comes to top actresses, over 40 is where it's at.

Only one actress nominated for an Emmy on Thursday is in her 20s: 24-year-old "Ugly Betty" star America Ferrera, for lead actress in a comedy series.

Almost all of this year's Emmy-nominated actresses are 40-plus, with many in their 50s and some in their 60s.

Analysis: `The Wire' gets 1 final Emmy snub

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:26 PDT

The Emmys said goodbye to "The Wire" with the same lack of respect that it showed the HBO drama during its acclaimed five-season run.

Call it the final nail in the row house.

The last season of "The Wire," which was called "the best show on television" by more than a few critics, received only a single nomination on Thursday: The show's creator, David Simon, and its most essential writer, Ed Burns, were nominated for outstanding writing in a drama series.

Reality sets in for Seacrest, Bergeron, others

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:48 PDT

Three minutes to showtime, and Cristian de la Fuente still hadn't decided whether he would continue after tearing a tendon in his biceps. The producers of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," the popular live dancing competition, had themselves in a tizzy.

Tom Bergeron, meanwhile, was loving it.

The affable host thrives on the adrenaline rush of anything-can-happen live TV - and he can handle anything that comes his way.

Satellite radio saga takes unexpected turn

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:03 PDT

During his tenure at the Federal Communications Commission, Jonathan Adelstein has been a fierce critic of government policies that allow big media companies to get bigger. So it came as a surprise when the Democratic commissioner put forth a proposal that would allow the nation's only two satellite radio companies to merge.

Adelstein, the potential deciding vote, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he would support Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'s $3.1 billion buyout of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. if the companies agree to a six-year price cap and make one-quarter of their satellite capacity available for public interest and minority programming, plus other conditions.

It may be that the commissioner, a seasoned political operator who spent 15 years as a Senate staffer, recognized a limited window of opportunity.

Dennis Farina pleads no contest to gun charge

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:33 PDT

Dennis Farina may be able to carry a gun on-screen, but he won't be able to own one in California for several months.

The actor's attorney pleaded no contest on Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of bringing a weapon into a secure area at Los Angeles International Airport. A court commissioner sentenced him to up to two years of probation and ordered him to pay $1,991 in fines, said Los Angeles City Attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan.

While on probation, Farina cannot own or carry a gun, Mateljan said.

Amy Poehler says she's bound for 'Office' spinoff

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:23 PDT

Amy Poehler confirmed to The Associated Press that she'll be joining the planned "Office" spinoff, paving the way for her eventual exit from "Saturday Night Live" and promoting the comedian to primetime.

Speaking by phone Thursday shortly after her Emmy nomination for outstanding actress in a comedy series on "SNL," Poehler said she will join NBC's spinoff of "The Office." She's expected to star.

"I can kind of confirm that I will be working in some capacity on that show," said Poehler. "I don't really have any other details yet."

`30 Rock' nets 7 Emmy nominations for guest stars

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:31 PDT

An appearance on "30 Rock" may be the best gig in television.

Seven actors were nominated Thursday for their guest performances on the NBC comedy, a near monopoly on the categories for guest actors and actresses in a comedy series - Edie Falco, Steve Buscemi, Will Arnett, Carrie Fisher, Elaine Stritch, Rip Torn and Tim Conway.

"They write great parts for all the regulars on the show and they write great parts for the people who get to come on the show," Arnett said Thursday. "When they bring guest characters on to the show, they really try to give them something to do."

Seigenthaler joins family's PR firm

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:31 PDT

Former "NBC Nightly News" weekend anchor John Seigenthaler has joined a public relations firm founded and operated by his family as partner and CEO of its New York operations.

Seigenthaler had been with NBC News for 11 years, joining after local news stints in Nashville and Seattle. He was named anchor of the weekend editions of "NBC Nightly News" in 1999, but signed off last year after the network decided not to renew his contract due to budget cuts.

Elizabeth Seigenthaler Courtney, CEO of Seigenthaler Public Relations Inc., announced Thursday that, under her cousin John's leadership, the firm will focus on crisis communications, media consulting, online marketing and public policy.

USA's `Burn Notice is No. 1 on cable TV

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:38 PDT

Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of July 7-13. Day and start time (EDT) are in parentheses:

1. "Burn Notice" (Thursday, 10 p.m.), USA, 3.86 million homes, 5.38 million viewers.

2. "In Plain Sight" (Sunday, 10 p.m.), USA, 3.75 million homes, 5.08 million viewers.

Reactions to Primetime Emmy nominations

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:34 PDT

Reaction from some of those who earned Emmy Award nominations Thursday:

"What an honor, unless I don't win." - Stephen Colbert, nominated for an Emmy for outstanding individual performance in a variety or musical program.

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Stephen Colbert to have spider named after him

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:53 PDT

Stephen Colbert has a big decision to make: Which spider species should bear his name?

The Daily Reflector of Greenville reported Thursday that East Carolina University associate professor Jason Bond has agreed to name a species after Colbert, host of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report."

Bond is a biologist who specializes in spiders and millipedes. He and students study both new and known species and provide names for the new ones.

'Mad Men,' 'Damages' make Emmy noms history

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:53 PDT

Basic cable TV looked more like a pop-culture bargain Thursday as AMC's "Mad Men" and FX's "Damages" snared historic best-series Emmy nominations, while stars from cable's less glamorous channels also made a splash in major acting categories.

Meanwhile, premium channel HBO and broadcast networks saw their share of awards glory erode.

In the lead drama actor category, four of the six nominees were stars of cable shows, including Jon Hamm of "Mad Men." The sleek drama about 1960s America set in New York's advertising world was also the leading drama series contender with 16 nominations.

Nebraska man sues Jesse James over undelivered car

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:29 PDT

A Nebraska man has sued custom car and bike-maker Jesse James, claiming the former television host failed to deliver a custom automobile despite paying more $420,000.

Michael B. Jones, of Omaha, Neb. filed the suit on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against James and his company, West Coast Choppers, Inc.

The lawsuit claims Jones ordered a "sleek and low-slung custom" 1949 Cadillac Sedanette from James and agreeing to pay between $250,000 and $350,000. Jones said he intended to enter the Cadillac in auto show contests.

Katie Holmes goes back to TV roots on `Eli Stone'

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:29 PDT

Former "Dawson's Creek" star Katie Holmes will revisit her TV roots with a guest role on "Eli Stone" this fall.

Holmes was courted by Greg Berlanti, who was a producer on "Dawson's Creek" and is the co-creator and executive producer of ABC's drama about a lawyer (Jonny Lee Miller) who gains prophetic powers.

The idea of bringing Holmes aboard came up in a discussion about how to expand the show's audience in its sophomore year. Berlanti told his fellow producers he was willing to approach Holmes.

Primetime Emmy Awards nods in major categories

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:49 PDT

Nominees in major categories for the 60th annual Primetime Emmy Awards announced Thursday by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Drama Series: "Boston Legal," ABC; "Damages," FX; "Dexter," Showtime; "House," Fox; "Lost," ABC; "Mad Men," AMC.

Comedy Series: "Curb Your Enthusiasm," HBO; "Entourage," HBO; "The Office," NBC; "30 Rock," NBC; "Two and a Half Men," CBS.