The Round-Up for November 22 to 26

Here are the entertainment news items for this past week:

TELEVISION NEWS

FOX has confirmed it will not be ordering more episodes of The Good Guys or Running Wilde. The official line is neither show has been canceled, nor have they been renewed. Take that for what it is. The Good Guys will end on December 10.

The Syfy version of the BBC hit series Being Human has been given a premiere date: January 17 at 9 PM. The US version is much like the original: three paranormal roommates, one a vampire Aidan (Sam Witwer), one a ghost Sally (Meaghan Rath) and one a werewolf Josh (Sam Huntington) – who share their secrets and a Boston brownstone. Together they try their best to be human while navigating the complexities of living double lives. Mark Pellegrino (Lost) co-stars as Bishop, Aidan’s charismatic but menacing vampire mentor.

Being Erica fans rejoice! SoapNet has finally set the premiere date for season 3 of the popular Canadian series. Set your DVR’s for January 26 at 11 PM.

NBC will air two more episodes of Undercovers on December 22 and 29 both at 8 PM. The will episodes 10 and 11 out of the original 13 episode order the series received. The next new airing of the show will be on December 1 at 8 PM.

Michael J. Fox will reprise his guest starring role on an upcoming episode of The Good Wife, playing Louis Canning, a shrewd, cynical litigator who last faced Alicia (Julianna Margulies) when he represented a large pharmaceutical firm. The episode is set to air in early 2011.

FOX is actually going to air the remaining episodes of their new comedy Running Wilde after all. Fans can see them on Sunday nights this December.

Here is the schedule for those episodes:

Episode 7 – Tuesday, November 30 at 9:30 PM
Episode 8 – Tuesday, December 7 at 9:30 PM
Episode 9 – Sunday, December 12 at 7:00 PM
Episode 10 – Sunday, December 19 at 7:00 PM
Episode 11 – Sunday, December 26 at 9:30 PM
Episodes 12 and 13 – Tuesday, December 28 at 9:00 PM

As previously reported, repeats of the comedy will continue in the network’s Saturday, midnight/11:00c slot for the foreseeable future.

The annual holiday episode of Psych will air on the USA Network on December 15 at 10 PM. The episode is called “The Polarizing Express” and is described as:

Shawn’s (James Roday) antics cause evidence to be thrown out in the high profile prosecution of a known crime lord named Czarsky, resulting in the dismissal of the entire case and the firings of not only the Psych agency but also of Henry as their liaison. After Henry wonders to Shawn what life would have been like in Santa Barbara if he had never returned, Shawn travels through a series of dreams which answer that question and aid him in discovering a new way to bust Czarsky for good. The episode includes guest stars Tony Cox and Keshia Knight Pulliam.

The USA Network will also run a full 24-hour marathon of episodes of House on December 31, starting at 6 AM. Mark your calendars.

AWARD WINNERS

Congrats to the winners of the American Music Awards that was announced last night. Here are just some of the winners (some of whom I simply cannot name because it is too farcical to believe they even won): Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum, Michael Bublé, Muse, and Glee (The Music, Volume 3—Showstoppers).

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Executive producer Carlton Cuse (Lost) has teamed with director Randall Wallace for a Civil War-set drama at ABC. Little is known about the project, though.

Jorge Garcia (Lost) has joined the J.J. Abrams FOX drama pilot Alcatraz, which centers on a group of missing Alcatraz prisoners and guards who reappear in the present day. It is to chronicle the efforts of a team of FBI agents to track them down and unravel the mystery behind their disappearance thirty years prior. Garcia will play the hippy geek Dr. Diego Soto, the world’s foremost expert on Alcatraz.

Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings franchise) has joined the cast of the project Locke and Key, yet another comic adaptation. Otto would play the mother of three children who move into a New England mansion filled with fantastic doors that transform those who walk through them, and a malevolent creature bent on opening one particular door.

CSI creator Anthony Zuiker is heading out of the crime lab and into the Wild West for his next project. The writer and producer is developing a modern-day Western crime drama, Desperado, for CBS. Not unlike FX’s Justified, Desperado will blend modern crimes with outlaw justice, focusing on a group of San Antonio policemen who clean up the streets cowboy-style.

Additionally, CBS is also developing a legal drama called Knife Fight, which based on a short story by crime novelist Joel Goldman that revolves around a female public defender who becomes a prosecutor in order to pursue the truth.

Actress Andie MacDowell (Groundhog Day) has been as the character Grey in the ABC Family drama pilot What Would Jane Do, which follows Jane (to be played by The Lake‘s Erica Dasher), a 16-year-old who goes to work for a cutting edge fashion company after the people there mistake her for an adult. MacDowell’s Grey is the hard-nosed, tough-as-nails boss that Jane goes to work for.

Actress Helen Slater (Supergirl herself – and who has also been seen in Smallville and Greek) has been cast as an upper-crust mom in the ABC Family pilot called The Lying Game. She will play Kristen Mercer, the wealthy adopted mother of a teen girl named Sutton. The pilot is based on the book by author Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars). The story revolves around Sutton and her long-lost twin, Emma, reuniting to find their birth mother — until Sutton goes mysteriously missing.

MADE FOR TV MOVIES NEWS

Syfy has announced their upcoming made-for-TV movies for mid-season, including the following:

Behemoth – Scientists discover a giant creature under the Earth that is wrapped around the entire planet. When the creature wakes all grumpy, it causes worldwide destruction. The movie stars Ed Quinn (Eureka) and will debut on January 15 at 9 PM.

Mega Python Vs Gatoroid – Debbie Gibson and Tiffany (yes, the former 80’s singing stars) will co-star in this about set in the Florida Everglades where giant pythons are threatening the alligator population. Gibson portrays a fanatical animal rights advocate who frees illegally imported exotic snakes from pet stores, while Tiffany plays an over-zealous park ranger worried about the growing ecological damage. The movie premieres on January 29 at 9 PM.

Metal Monster (working title) – Alien bacteria arrives on a meteorite and infects metal, animating a giant iron statue that goes on a killing rampage in a small town. The movie stars Kavan Smith (Stargate Atlantis and Eureka), Chris Gauthier (Eureka and Sanctuary), Nicole DeBoer (The Dead Zone), Paul McGillion (Stargate Atlantis) and Donnelly Rhodes (Battlestar Galactica). A premiere date has yet to be set.

Sinbad and the Minotaur – In this re-imagining of Greek and Arabic folk tales, starring Manu Bennett (Spartacus: Blood and Sand), the legendary voyager and his hearty crew of sailors and adventurers seek a long lost treasure. A premiere date has yet to be set.

Scream of the Banshee – The movie stars Lauren Holly (NCIS) as an archeology professor who unearths a dangerous artifact, unwittingly releasing a creature that is able to kill with the power of its bone-splitting scream. Lance Henriksen (Aliens) co-stars. A premiere date has yet to be set.

51 – The film chronicles what happens after political pressure from the American public forces the Air Force to provide a few well-known reporters with limited access to the most secretive base on the planet: Area 51. When one of the base’s hidden “long term visitors” exploits this unprecedented visit as a chance to liberate himself and his fellow alien captives, Area 51 turns from a secure government base to a horrifying destination of terror. The movie is a production of After Dark Films. Stars Jason London (Monsterwolf), Bruce Boxleitner (Scarecrow and Mrs. King and Tron) and Rachel Miner (Supernatural).

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Chris Zylka (10 Things I Hate About You – the TV series) is set to play Eugene “Flash” Thompson, Peter Parker’s bullying high school nemesis, in the upcoming Spider-Man reboot.

Director Gore Verbinski has been brought on to helm the Disney movie The Lone Ranger that will find Johnny Depp playing Tonto. There is no word yet on who portray the Lone Ranger, though. No release date has been set either.

Actor William Sadler (best known for his role in Roswell, but also seen in the pilot of the Hawaii Five-O reboot, starring as McGarrett’s dad) has joined the cast of the new box office movie Man on a Ledge that stars Edward Norton and Sam Worthington. The film tells of an ex-cop turned con who threatens to jump to his death from a Manhattan hotel rooftop. The NYPD dispatch a female police psychologist to talk him down. However, unbeknownst to the police on the scene, the suicide attempt is a cover for the biggest diamond heist ever pulled. The film also stars Elizabeth Banks, Ed Harris, Jamie Bell, Edward Burns and Kyra Sedgwick.

CASTING SCOOP

Actress Jenny Gago (24, The Closer, Lost and The West Wing) has joined the cast of the TNT series Southland, recurring as Detective Josie Ochoa, a take-charge investigator partnered with Detective Lydia Adams (Regina King). She’s been shot in the line of duty and is a tough mother of several sons. Josie’s Latina culture gives her a unique perspective on cases that changes the way Lydia thinks about her work. The series will be back with new episodes starting on January 4 at 10 PM.

Legendary actress Olympia Dukakis has been cast as an attorney on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit where she will play Debby Marsh, an attorney hired to represent the son of guest star Drea de Matteo. The episode will air on January 5 at 9 PM on NBC.

Mariana Klaveno (best known as Lorena on True Blood) will guest star in the upcoming spinoff Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. She will play Veronica, a spotlight-hungry hell raiser who excels at manipulating the opposite sex.

Thomas Calabro (the original Melrose Place) will guest star on an upcoming episode of Castle, playing Scott Donner, a client of a Millionaire Matchmaker type who sets up wealthy men with beautiful women. Donner becomes a murder suspect when the matchmaker turns up dead. This episode also features guest star Laura Prepon (That 70’s Show).

Eric Mabius (Ugly Betty) has been cast in an upcoming episode of the NBC drama Chase where he will Justin Tate, a cop-turned-fugitive who uses his law enforcement know-how to lure innocent prey. He’s also the first fugitive clever enough to elude the U.S. marshals. This episode will air in January. Chase will begin airing on Wednesdays starting January 12 as part of the network’s new mid-season schedule.

Not only has actress Jessica Tuck been made a regular on True Blood (for its upcoming fourth season), but also actress Janina Gavankar (The Gates) will be a regular. Meanwhile, actresses Alexandra Breckenridge (Life Unexpected) and relative newcomer Vedette Lim will have recurring parts in the new season.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

With the fall season fully upon us, there is a lot of programming for which to keep track. The list below covers most of what you can expect this coming weekend and next week:

Saturday, November 27:
CSI on CBS at 8 PM (reair)
CSI: Miami on CBS at 9 PM (reair)
Dexter on Showtime2 at 9 and 10 PM (reairs)
In Treatment on HBO2 at 8, 8:30, 9 and 9:30 PM (reairs)
Big Love on HBO2 at 10 PM (reair)
Debbie Macomber’s Call Me Mrs. Miracle movie on Hallmark at 8 and 10 PM (Debut)
Triassic Attack movie on Syfy at 10 PM (Debut)

Sunday, November 28:
Desperate Housewives on ABC at 9 PM (reair)
Brothers & Sisters on ABC at 10 PM (reair)
The Walking Dead on AMC at 10 PM
Dexter on Showtime at 8 PM (reair)
Dexter on Showtime at 9 PM (New)
Boardwalk Empire on HBO at 9 PM
Big Love on HBO at 10 PM (reair)
Debbie Macomber’s Call Me Mrs. Miracle movie on Hallmark at 8 PM (reair)
November Christmas movie on CBS at 9 PM (Debut)
The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation movie on ABC Family at 8 and 10 PM (Debut)

Monday, November 29:
Hawaii Five-0 on CBS at 10 PM (reair)
House on FOX at 8 PM (reair)
Lie To Me on FOX at 9 PM
90210 on the CW at 8 PM
Gossip Girl on the CW at 9 PM
Chuck on NBC at 8 PM
The Event on NBC at 9 PM
Chase on NBC at 10 PM
CMA Country Christmas special on ABC at 9:30 PM
Dexter on Showtime at 9 PM (reair)
Boardwalk Empire on HBO2 at 8 PM (reair)
In Treatment on HBO at 9 and 9:30 PM (New)
Unanswered Prayers movie on Lifetime at 9 PM (Debut)
The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation movie on ABC Family at 9 PM (reair)
Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam movie on Disney at 8 PM (reair)

Tuesday, November 30:
NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS at 9 PM (reair)
One Tree Hill on the CW at 8 PM
Life Unexpected on the CW at 9 PM
No Ordinary Family on ABC at 9 PM (New Time)
Detroit 1-8-7 on ABC at 10 PM
Glee on FOX at 8 PM
Christmas in Rockefeller Center special on NBC at 8 PM
Sons of Anarchy on FX at 10 PM
Tower Prep on Cartoon Network at 8 PM
Stargate Universe on Syfy at 9 PM
Glory Daze on TBS at 10 PM
Dexter on Showtime at 10 PM (reair)
In Treatment on HBO at 8 and 8:30 PM (reairs)
In Treatment on HBO at 9 and 9:30 PM (New)

Wednesday, December 1:
The Whole Truth on ABC at 10 PM
Criminal Minds on CBS at 9 PM (reair)
Grammy Nominations Concert Live special on CBS at 10 PM
Human Target on FOX at 8 PM
Hellcats on the CW at 9 PM
Terriers on FX at 10 PM (Finale)
Friday Night Lights on DirecTV at 9 PM
Undercovers on NBC at 8 PM
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on NBC at 9 PM (possible reair)
Law & Order: Los Angeles on NBC at 10 PM
Psych on USA Network at 10 PM (Twin Peaks Reunion)
Boardwalk Empire on HBO at 8, 9 and 10 PM (reairs)
In Treatment on HBO Signature at 9, 9:30, 10 and 10:30 PM (reairs)
Dexter on Showtime2 at 8 PM (reair)
The Town Christmas Forgot movie on Hallmark at 8 PM (Debut)

Thursday, December 2:
Grey’s Anatomy on ABC at 9 PM
Private Practice on ABC at 10 PM
CSI on CBS at 9 PM (reair)
The Mentalist on CBS at 10 PM (reair)
The Vampire Diaries on the CW at 8 PM
Nikita on the CW at 9 PM
Bones on FOX at 8 PM
Fringe on FOX at 9 PM
Burn Notice on USA Network at 10 PM
Dexter on Showtime at 10 PM (reair)
The Santa Suit movie on Hallmark at 8 and 10 PM (Debut)
Avalon High movie on Disney at 8 PM (reair)

Friday, December 3:
Medium on CBS at 8 PM
CSI: NY on CBS at 9 PM
Blue Bloods on CBS at 10 PM
Smallville on the CW at 8 PM
Supernatural on the CW at 9 PM
House on FOX at 8 PM (reair)
The Good Guys on FOX at 9 PM (Finale)
A Walk in My Shoes movie on NBC at 8 PM (Debut)
The Walking Dead on AMC at 10 PM (reair)
Law & Order: UK on BBC America at 9 and 10 PM (reairs)
Sanctuary on Syfy at 10 PM
Dexter on Showtime2 at 9 PM (reair)
Boardwalk Empire on HBO at 9 PM
Debbie Macomber’s Call Me Mrs. Miracle movie on Hallmark at 8 PM (reair)
CMT Artists of the Year special on CMT at 8 and 9:30 PM

NOTE: Please check your local listings for the correct air dates and times for all of the above.

Have a great weekend!