Lucy Hale Is a Pretty Little Liar for ABC Family

Lucy Hale, late of the CW’s gone-too-soon Privileged, could be returning to our screens soon. ABC Family is close to giving a pilot order for Pretty Little Liars, based on the young adult book series, with Lucy Hale headlining the series.

The TV version of the series is set three years after the disappearance of the manipulative and vindictive “Queen Bee” Alison. It revolves around her four 16-year-old girlfriends, Aria (Hale), Emily, Spencer and Hanna, who have lost touch with one another until each of them begins to receive mysterious messages suggesting that Alison is watching them and knows every secret they’re desperate to keep. The messages don’t stop even after Alison’s body finally is discovered.

Pretty Little Liars is being developed by Alloy Entertainment (Gossip Girl) and Warner Horizon.

Nia Vardalos Came Up With Today’s Column Topic

No, really. Nia Vardalos asked what we were up to on Twitter, and I Tweeted that I was having a hard time coming up with a topic for my column, so she gave me an idea.  I’m not really going to write about gophers feeling fat, but the issue of body image on TV is one that provokes a lot of discussion, from the tabloids to medical journals. Now that I’ve finally recovered from a neck injury that had me sidelined for about a year, after a couple of years of intense stress led to some very unhealthy eating habits, it’s time to focus on losing 40lbs and getting back to my fighting weight. Ironically, losing 40lbs would still make me “fat” in Hollywood, but if I lost 45lbs, I’d look like a lollipop in real life. Big head, stick body. True story.

Still, as much TV as I watch, it’s hard not to feel like I should give up everything but water (with lemon!) and grapefruit so I can be a size 00. Knowing that Spanx are often involved in perfecting silhouettes on the tube does help, and I’m certainly not planning on acquiring an eating disorder as part of my weight loss plan, but I wonder if working out while watching TV is the best idea. Or perhaps it will serve as motivation to stay on the NordicTrack for another 10 minutes?

Fortunately there are a few “normal” girls representin’ for the rest of us non-size 2’s. Of course, the playing field still isn’t level. I wish I had America Ferrera’s hair (p.s. just watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 on HBO this weekend with Privileged’s Lucy Hale as Alexis Bledel’s lil sis. Love her!) and Sarah Rue’s skin is a-mazing plus her wardrobe on Less Than Perfect is so me. Mariska Hargitay has a figure I aspire to, and Sarah Lancaster’s eyes are…well, a lot like mine, so at least I’ve got that going for me.

And while I’m at it – Nia Vardalos? I covet your hair and eyebrows. Also, your My Life in Ruins wardrobe (except for the tour guide jacket).

Photo credit: Wireimage

Casting News: Privileged Star Heads to Gossip Girl

The CW may have axed Privileged too soon, but they know a star when they see one! Joanna Garcia will stick with the netlet next season when she heads to Manhattan’s Upper East Side for four episodes of Gossip Girl next season. According to reports, she’ll be playing a love interest for Nate Archibald, one Bree Buckley, an irreverent, slightly evil Miss America-type who hails from a conservative Southern family. Can’t wait to see that! She’ll first appear in Gossip Girl’s  September 14 season premiere.

Photo source: the CW

NGTV Guide: Tuesday, March 10

Is anyone else rather underwhelmed by March sweeps so far? We’re still waiting for new episodes of Fringe and The Mentalist. Privileged ended it’s first season in February. Leverage is on hiatus. We’re down to one show on Tuesdays, and that just feels weird.

Trust Me – TNT 10/9c
“Damage Control” – Financial problems mar both Mason and Conner, prompting each to seek employment elsewhere. But their mutual trust is tested when secrets about one another begin to surface. Elsewhere, Sarah is up to her hair in problems over a shampoo account. And an interoffice romance blooms for Tom.

NGTV Radio With Tricia Helfer!

Today on Nice Girls Radio, we have some excerpts from a conference call with Tricia Helfer talking about her guest spots on Burn Notice and Chuck, plus discussion of the season finales of Privileged, Leverage and Psych. Join us live at 12PM Central!

NGTV Guide: Tuesday, February 24

President Obama is comandeering our television sets again this evening as he addresses Congress, meaning a few of our shows will not air. Meanwhile, can you believe we’re already at the season finales for Privileged and Leverage? Here’s hoping season 2 arrives soon!

Presidential Address – 9/8c

Privileged – the CW 9/8c – SEASON FINALE
“All About a Brand new You!” – In the first-season finale, Marco and Keith prepare for their nuptials with the help of a wedding planner (Kathy Griffin). Elsewhere, Megan and Lily gently confront their father about his drinking; Sage is hurt when she hears Rose is skipping their annual spa vacation to go on a wilderness trip; Will and Megan have a fight and break up; and Luis shocks Sage when he reveals he’s opposed to gay marriage.

Leverage – TNT 10/9c – SEASON FINALE
“The Second David Job” – In the conclusion of the Season 1 finale, an underground Nate resurfaces to tangle directly with his nemeses—avaricious CEO Blackpoole (Kevin Tighe) and ex-coworker Sterling (Mark A. Sheppard). His plan: to pilfer two prized David statuettes. But for the caper to succeed, Nate must bring his splintered squad back together. Dean Devlin directed.

NGTV Guide: Tuesday, February 10

We’ve been dreading this day since last November. Today is the day when THREE shows battle for supremecy at at the 9 o’clock hour (8 o’clock Central ‘cuz we go to bed earlier here). Let’s ease into this smackdown with a little bit of 8/7c action, shall we?

90210 – the CW 8/7c
“Of Heartbreaks and Hotels” – Naomi, comfortable with her new living situation, is immediately taken by Liam (guest star Matt Lanter, “Heroes”), a hot bartender at her hotel. Sparks begin to fly between the two but Naomi is confused by the mystery that surrounds Liam. Silver gets extremely upset when her surprise Valentine’s Day dinner for Dixon doesn’t go as planned, but the two find a way to make the date a moment to remember. Annie becomes increasingly jealous of Ethan and Rhonda’s close connection and takes advantage of information about Rhonda’s past in order to benefit herself, causing Ethan to confront her about her terrible actions. Adrianna doesn’t have a date for the dance and decides to spend the night loading up on chocolate, until she hears a surprise knock on her door.

Privileged – the CW 9/8c
“All About Betrayal” – Megan is thrilled when Will tells her that his father (guest star Steven Culp) is starting a new magazine based on Megan and Will’s idea. Eager to pitch ideas for the first issue, Megan and Will soon find the magazine’s new editor-in-chief, David Besser (Robert Buckley), is not easy to please. When Marco decides to win Keith (guest star David Monohan) back and shows up unannounced at his house, he discovers Keith is now involved with his longtime friend Jennifer (Jennifer Elise Cox). Marco takes dramatic action to keep his true love from slipping away. Meanwhile, Rose tells Sagethe shocking news that Miles is their real grandfather. The twins tell Megan what they know, then confront Laurel with the truth. During all the family drama, Rose knows that Sage is keeping something from her and when Sage finally confesses her own personal secret, it causes a profound change in the twin’s relationship.

See more photos in the Gallery.

Fringe – FOX 9/8c
“Ability” – German agents question Olivia about her “relationship” with David Robert Jones, an escaped prisoner questioned months earlier now living in the U.S. Meanwhile, the Fringe Division investigates a threatening case where victims die faceless from their orifices suddenly sealing. With few leads and many questions, German authorities turn to Olivia, Peter and Walter to help makes sense of the return of Mr. Jones and the foreboding mysterious occurrences. As the investigation unfolds, Olivia is put to test.

The Mentalist – CBS 9/8c
“Crimson Casanova” – With Patrick Jane’s help, Cho goes undercover as a ladies’ man with all the right moves in order to catch a killer who has his own set of pseudo-mentalist techniques.

Leverage – TNT 10/9c
“The Juror #6 Job” – Star Trek Reunion Alert! – When Parker attends jury duty in order to keep up the legitimacy of one of her aliases, she notices some strange things at the trial. It seems someone is trying to buy a favorable verdict, but not if the Leverage team can steal it first. Armin Shimerman and Brent Spiner guest star, Jonathan Frakes directs.

NGTV Guide: Tuesday, February 3

We get one more week of reprieve before the Trifecta of Goodies on Tuesdays at 9/8c (whew, long title) makes our viewing decisions harder than choosing your favorite pair of shoes. Until then, here’s what the Nice Girls are watching tonight:

90210 – the CW 8/7c
“Help Me, Rhonda” – Adrianna  reveals her pregnancy to the baby’s father and is shocked by his parents’ handling of the situation. Naomi stands by Adrianna’s side while they devise a plan to break the pregnancy news to Adrianna’s mother, Constance (guest star Maeve Quinlan, “The Bold and the Beautiful”). Annie and Ethan) are still shaken from his accident but their relationship becomes strained when he starts spending a lot of time with Rhonda (guest star Aimee Teegarden, “Friday Night Lights”). Silver confronts Dixon and tells him the words he has been longing to hear.

See more photos for Fringe in the Gallery.

Fringe – Fox 9/8c
“The Transformation” – When the Fringe Division delves into another bizarre occurrence aboard an international jumbo jet, freakish remains are discovered at the crash site. Memories tip the team toward some promising leads, but the bigger picture and mysterious threat eludes them. With limited options and insufficient intelligence, Olivia and Peter go undercover. (Don’t miss this week’s Nice Girls Radio show, featuring a Q&A with Fringe’s Mark Valley!)

Privileged – the CW 9/8c
“All About Confessions” – Megan is surprised to hear that Charlie has been accepted to UCSD and is moving to California. She takes him out to celebration his good news, and he shocks her by kissing her and admitting he has been in love with her for years. When Megan tells Will what happened, he is so upset that he ruins Charlie’s goodbye party by confronting Charlie and starting a fist fight. Meanwhile, Rose is approached by Miles’ daughter, Elyse (guest star Elaine Hendrix), who reveals to Rose that Miles is the girls’ real grandfather. Sage worries that Luis (guest star Ignacio Serricchio) will be disappointed that she is a virgin, but is surprised to learn that he is deeply religious and does not believe in pre-marital sex. Luis invites Sage to church, which brings up her grief about her parents death and leads to a startling confession.

Leverage – TNT 9/8c
“The 12-Step Job” – The team targets an investment broker who swindled a charity. To discover where the money is hidden, they trick the alcoholic financier into entering a rehab facility. There, they learn their mark is not the terrible person he at first appeared and that rehab may be exactly the place one of them needs to be.

NGTV Guide: Tuesday, January 20

Happy Inauguration Day! President Obama’s inauguration is sending the networks into a tizzy of special programming tonight. HBO is covering the inaugural events with FREE access if you have satellite or cable. ABC has inauguration coverage beginning at 8/7c; PBS has a special edition of Frontline airing at 9/8c (check local listings); CBS has a special on the inauguration at 9/8c; and NBC has a special at 10/9c. And when you’re so full of patriotism you just can’t handle any more, there are a few new episodes of our shows to balance it all out.

90210 – the CW 8/7c
“By Accident” – Adrianna comes to terms with her decision about her baby and leans on Naomi  and Kelly for support while also revealing the baby’s daddy. Ethan helps Annie rehearse her lines to prepare to audition for the new school play and both are taken back when they learn that Ty (guest star Adam Gregory) is also auditioning. Ryan returns to West Bev with a new perspective and has an unpleasant encounter with Silver and Kelly. Dixon turns to Debbie for some advice to help his relationship with Silver.

Privileged – the CW 9/8c
“All About the Big Picture” – When Megan tells Will that her mother has disappeared again, along with his money, Will suggests that it’s time for Megan to separate herself from her family’s problems. However, Megan is heartsick that Arthur is in denial about the situation and Lily is angry and hurt that she didn’t even get to see her mother. When a picture of Rose and Sage with bassist Pete Wentz of the band Fallout Boy at a nightclub upsets Rose’s boyfriend Zach (guest star David Franco), Sage has to admit that her pursuit of fame is taking a big toll on their social lives. Meanwhile, Laurel gives Marco the money to start his own restaurant, but he realizes that isn’t what he really wants. Finally, Megan meets Will’s parents, Elliot (Steven Culp, “Desperate Housewives”) and Josephine (Mary Page Keller, “Commander in Chief”), and feels guilty for involving Will with her own dysfunctional family, but Will surprises Megan with a declaration of his true feelings for her.

Fringe – FOX 9/8c
“Bound” -After shifty FBI Agent Mitchel Loeb orchestrated David Robert Jones’ otherworldly escape from a German prison and Olivia’s alarming abduction, indications of a larger threat begin to emerge. Adding to the intense circumstances, one of Olivia’s former adversaries is called in by Internal Affairs to conduct a formal review of the Fringe Division, and Olivia’s sister, Rachel (guest star Ari Graynor), pays a visit. The timing couldn’t be more inopportune, as Olivia, Walter and Peter race against time to solve the wildly grotesque murder of an esteemed epidemiologist – which may link to Olivia’s own abduction – before a catastrophic epidemic is unleashed.

Leverage – TNT 10/9c
“The Mile-High Job” – The Leverage team attempts to expose a conglomerate’s cover-up of their toxic fertilizer, which has resulted in the death of a young girl. But the CEO has put all of the damning evidence on a plane to the Cayman Islands. The team races to catch the flight but, once airborne, they discover that the CEO’s intentions are far more sinister and that to avenge one life they’ll have to save their own.

NGTV Guide: Tuesday, January 6

We missed posting about Monday night’s new shows; we’re not used to having something good to watch the first week of January! But good TV is here and we’re happy to snuggle up on the couch post-holiday hoopla and indulge. Here’s what the Nice Girls are watching tonight:

90210 – The CW 8/7c
“Hello, Goodbye, Amen” – When Debbie (Lori Loughlin), Harry (Rob Estes), Annie (Shenae Grimes), Dixon (Tristan Wilds) and Sean (guest star Josh Henderson) spend the evening playing games, Annie overhears a phone call with Sean that raises suspicion. Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) invites Brenda (Shannen Doherty) to attend a support day at her rehab center, but the day quickly turns upside down when Adrianna learns information that will cause her life to change forever. Brenda and Kelly (Jennie Garth) stand by Adrianna’s side and Brenda reveals a secret she has been hiding from Kelly. Dixon and Christina’s (guest star Lauren London) friendship continues to grow when she invites him over to her house, an invitation he hides from Silver (Jessica Stroup).

Privileged – The CW 9/8c
“All About What Lies Beneath” – Megan (Joanna Garcia) is upset when Shelby (guest star Sharon Lawrence) tells her that Will (Brian Hallisay) is a playboy who will never commit. Megan finally confronts Shelby and lets out all her anger over being abandoned. As an excuse for Sage (Ashley Newbrough) to spend more time with Luis (guest star Ignacio Serricchio), Rose (Lucy Kate Hale) comes up with the idea of throwing an elaborate charity dinner, complete with a synchronized swim team to tell the story of Cuban refugees. However, the plan backfires when Luis reveals he is not of Cuban descent. Meanwhile, Marco’s (Allan Louis) boyfriend Keith (guest star David Monahan) encourages Marco to quit his job and open his own cafe, but they end up arguing about their future together. Charlie (Michael Cassidy) decides to go back to school, but his girlfriend Mandy (guest star Alice Greczyn) turns manipulative when she learns he’ll be spending study time with Megan. Finally, Megan is shocked to get a phone call telling her that her sister Lily (Kristina Apgar, who does not appear in the episode) is in jail.

The Mentalist – CBS 9/8c
“Red John’s Friends” – Patrick Jane, enticed by the promise from a convicted murder that he’ll reveal information about Red John upon his release, becomes singularly focused and quits the CBI in order to prove the prisoner is innocent.

Leverage – TNT 10/9c
“The Stork Job” – The Leverage crew goes after a Serbian adoption agency that’s scamming money from desperate American couples looking to adopt needy war orphans. To entrap the ringleader and rescue the children, the team must hijack the local production of an independent horror movie.

What an embarrassment of riches for a Tuesday in January! What are you watching tonight?

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