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"Voice" winner Jermaine Paul to stay true to roots
 NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jermaine Paul, the newly crowned winner of popular TV singing competition "The Voice," said on Tuesday he wants to make music that ordinary Americans like himself and his family can relate to - with a few celebrity cameos, of course. R&B singer Paul, a former backup for Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige, told reporters on a conference call that he has often struggled in his quest for artistic success, an experience he believes is especially common during the economic downturn. ...
05/15/2012 - 03:16 PM
Busy Jennifer Lopez casts doubt on more "American Idol"
 LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jennifer Lopez is casting doubt on whether she will return to "American Idol" next year as she juggles motherhood with a comeback in both her pop music and acting careers. Lopez, who has young twins, told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres this week that she wasn't sure about renewing her contract as a judge on the TV singing contest for a third year. And on Wednesday, sources close to the singer told E! News that she was "just too busy" and was planning on calling an end to her time on "American Idol". "Now this is my second year - I don't know if I can go for a third ...
05/16/2012 - 08:31 PM
Contestants? It's TV talent judges basking in fame, cash
 LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Time was when TV talent shows set out to turn wannabes into stars. These days? Not so much. It's the celebrity judges who are raking in the cash and using TV contests not only as a way to re-launch a fading career, but to further boost a thriving one. For music stars in an era of weak record sales, the trend spells victory for their bank account, but for fans and the music industry always hungering for a new star, it's a loss. And for TV networks, the once cheap-to-produce shows are ever more expensive, yet they don't always pay off in bigger audiences. ...
05/17/2012 - 09:01 AM
Networks don't like Auto Hop, but what about viewers?
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The least popular thing on TV is Dish's new ad-skipping feature Auto Hop - at least among network executives. But that doesn't mean viewers won't embrace it. The question is whether they'll still like it if it leads to higher Dish bills. Or - if things go completely wild - less access to their favorite shows. Neither are likely to happen soon, especially since the new feature is a mere week old and unknown to most viewers. It's still unclear what effect, if any, it will have on network viewing. ...
05/16/2012 - 05:21 PM
CBS advertiser presentation goes big, broad and goofy
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - For its upfront presentation to advertisers, CBS went big, broad and a little goofy - words that also describe many of its shows. The network's upfront at New York City's Carnegie Hall on Wednesday had the feel of a big, grinning victory lap - and not just because it included Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning parading his trophy. Network CEO Les Moonves jokingly questioned whether the most-watched network needed to do an upfront at all. ...
05/16/2012 - 06:34 PM
Turner Broadcasting partnering with Funny or Die
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Turner Broadcasting announced a strategic partnership with Funny or Die in which the broadcasters' digital sales force will become the exclusive seller of advertising opportunities with the humor site. TBS, TV's highest-rated comedy network on television, and Adult Swim will collaborate with Funny or Die to boost the digital content provider's sales and help establish the three brands as multi-platform destinations for comedy. ...
05/16/2012 - 02:31 PM
"Hulk" series possible for ABC in 2013-14
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The Hulk is getting awfully popular. With a third "Hulk" film increasingly likely given the success of "The Avengers," ABC is also pursuing its long-gestating plans for a "Hulk" TV series, ABC entertainment president Paul Lee said Tuesday. Disney's ownership of Marvel opens up many opportunities for ABC to pursue series based on Marvel comics characters. Lee said a "Hulk" series didn't come together in time for the 2012-13 season, but could be a possibility the season after that. ...
05/15/2012 - 03:18 PM
US judge rules against child star Gary Coleman's ex-wife
 SALT LAKE CITY (Reuters) - Former child star Gary Coleman's ex-wife failed to prove she had lived with him as a common law spouse even after their divorce, a Utah judge has ruled, in a move that could strip her of rights to the "Diff'rent Strokes" actor's estate. Coleman, whose spunky personality, pudgy cheeks and comic timing at age 10 made him a prime time sensation in 1978, died two years ago at age 42 after suffering a brain hemorrhage in an accidental fall at his Utah home. He died after being taken off of life support - a decision made by his former wife, Shannon Price. ...
05/15/2012 - 02:02 PM
Harold and Kumar get animated for Adult Swim
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Harold and Kumar have been to White Castle and Guantanamo Bay. Now they're going to Adult Swim. Adult Swim is developing an animated project based on the "Harold & Kumar" movies, the network said Tuesday. The project, which currently goes under the moniker "Untitled Animated Harold & Kumar Project," is being produced by Lionsgate. The network has also given the go-ahead to a pilot from "Community" creator Dan Harmon. ...
05/15/2012 - 09:12 PM
ESPN approves second season of "30 for 30"
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - ESPN Films has announced the return of its "30 for 30" sports documentary series, with a second season that will be accompanied by the launch of a series of 30 short films that will debut at sportswriting website Grantland.com. The "30 for 30" series debuted in 2009 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ESPN. The first documentary shown - "Kings Ransom" - was directed by actor/filmmaker Peter Berg and revolved around the 1988 trade of NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky from Edmonton to Los Angeles. ...
05/15/2012 - 06:44 PM
Stern brings Mr Nice Guy to "Got Talent" but less eyeballs
 LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Howard Stern brought his Mr Nice Guy act to "America's Got Talent" on Monday, but fewer people watched the show compared to last year, despite the publicity over his arrival. Stern, 58, one of America's best-known "shock jocks", left bad language and sexually explicit banter at home in his first stint as a new judge on the NBC show, leading critics to dub him "a sweet old man" and a judge with "a lot of heart." But many TV viewers didn't bother to watch. "America's Got Talent" was watched by 10.5 million viewers, down some 30 percent on last year's season debut (15. ...
05/15/2012 - 08:28 PM
Menounos exits in "Dancing With the Stars" semifinal
 NEW YORK (Reuters) - Perfect wasn't good enough, and failed to impress "Dancing With the Stars" fans who chose to send Maria Menounos home after the TV dance contest's semifinal round on Tuesday. Menounos, who scored a perfect 30 from the three judges on Monday night for her Argentine tango with professional dancer Derek Hough, won the judges' highest combined score of 59 points having also turned in a 29 for a jive that followed the tango. ...
05/15/2012 - 10:58 PM
"The Neighbors" gets slot after "Modern Family"
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The new alien comedy "The Neighbors" will follow "Modern Family" on ABC in the fall, to be followed by the Connie Britton drama "Nashville," the network announced Tuesday as it released its 2012-13 line-up. The network's 10 new series - "666 Park Avenue," "The Family Tools," "How to Live with your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)," "Last Resort," "Malibu Country," "Mistresses," "Nashville," "The Neighbors," "Red Widow" and "Zero Hour" - will be split between fall and midseason. ...
05/15/2012 - 03:18 PM
Ellen DeGeneres gains top U.S. award for humor
(Reuters) - Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres will receive the annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, following in the footsteps of previous female winners Whoopi Goldberg and Tina Fey. DeGeneres, 54, will receive one of the nation's highest comic honors on October 22 at a special presentation night held at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington D.C, the Kennedy Center said on Tuesday. ...
05/15/2012 - 02:39 PM
Univision announces 2012-13 slate of shows
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Univision, the top-rated Spanish-language network, unveiled its 2012-13 lineup of new and returning shows Tuesday, days after announcing a new digital video network and three webnovelas. Univision will present its 2012-13 schedule - and those of sister networks Galavision and Telefutura - to advertisers at their upfront presentations on Tuesday. ...
05/15/2012 - 02:39 PM
ABC plans all-star "Dancing With the Stars"
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - More Bristol Palin, anyone? ABC plans an all-star edition of "Dancing With the Stars" next season, the network announced Tuesday. We hear you grumbling: "Oh, they're going to try having stars, this time?" Yes. The network plans to take some of the most popular of the famous and semi-famous contestants who have competed on the show over its past 14 cycles. ABC entertainment president Paul Lee made the announcements while describing the network's 2012-13 slate for reporters. ...
05/15/2012 - 02:36 PM
No more monkey business at NBC, time for Revolution
 (Reuters) - The NBC network brought a monkey to pitch new programs to prospective advertisers on Monday, looking to highlight a new comedy set in a veterinary clinic rather than the circus its primetime lineup has been in recent years. "Animal Practice" was among the shows NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt showcased at the upfront presentations held at Radio City Music Hall in Midtown Manhattan, as the network looks to finally climb out of the ratings basement. That would be something of a revolution for NBC and new owners, Comcast Corp. ...
05/15/2012 - 09:52 AM
Stern brings Mr Nice Guy to "Got Talent" but few new eyeballs
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Howard Stern brought his Mr Nice Guy act to "America's Got Talent" on Monday, but the show failed to deliver the bumper ratings expected given the publicity over his arrival. Stern, 58, one of America's best-known "shock jocks", left bad language and sexually explicit banter at home in his first stint as a new judge on the NBC show, leading critics to dub him "a sweet old man" and a judge with "a lot of heart." But many TV viewers didn't bother to watch. ...
05/15/2012 - 04:06 PM
Cowell vows to "kick butt" with new "Factor" stars
 NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Britney Spears and former Disney Channel star Demi Lovato officially joined the U.S. version of "The X Factor" on Monday, leading creator Simon Cowell to pledge the second season would "seriously kick butt" when it returns in September. Spears, 30, the world's biggest pop phenomenon of the 2000s, and Lovato, 19, will fill the judge's slots left open by Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who were both fired by Cowell after a disappointing first season in 2011. Spears and Lovato appeared with Cowell and fellow judge Antonio "L. ...
05/14/2012 - 06:54 PM
No more monkey business at NBC, time for Revolution
(Reuters) - The NBC network brought a monkey to pitch new programs to prospective advertisers on Monday, looking to highlight a new comedy set in a veterinary clinic rather than the circus its primetime lineup has been in recent years. "Animal Practice" was among the shows NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt showcased at the upfront presentations held at Radio City Music Hall in Midtown Manhattan, as the network looks to finally climb out of the ratings basement. That would be something of a revolution for NBC and new owners, Comcast Corp. ...
05/14/2012 - 06:56 PM
"Desperate Housewives" find happy endings on TV
 LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - For eight years, the women of Wisteria Lane battled alcoholism, cancer, cheating husbands and direct attempts on their lives, but in the TV series finale on Sunday, four "Desperate Housewives" lived a fairy tale ending. "This street is a lot of things. Boring is not one of them," Teri Hatcher's Susan Delfino told the new owner of her home as she packed up and said goodbye to her infamous street as the ghosts of Wisteria Lane looked on. ...
05/14/2012 - 02:55 PM
"Glee" album a po(m)p and circumstance-themed "Graduation"
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Lest they take over Dick Clark's old title as the "world's oldest teenagers," some of the "Glee" kids are finally graduating (from high school, if not the series). Lea Michele and cohorts will exit William McKinley High in May 22's tassel-tossing season finale, but first comes this week's release of "Glee: The Graduation Album," a complete set of celebratory and/or valedictory songs. Well, nearly complete. Unfortunately, these aging young ‘uns never get around to "My Way. ...
05/14/2012 - 08:18 PM
Four failed TV gambles, and their lessons for next season
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - If next season turns out to be a tame or even timid one on network television, you can thank the season that's winding down. This week, networks are debuting their plans for next season at their upfront presentations to advertisers - and their decisions about what new shows to air are rooted in hard looks at the big gambles of their 2011-12 lineups. From Fox's multimillion-dollar dino-drama "Terra Nova" to NBC's sexy '60s set piece "The Playboy Club," networks took some very big risks this season - and few of them panned out. ...
05/14/2012 - 06:17 PM
Real Housewife NeNe Leakes lands role in Ryan Murphy comedy
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star NeNe Leakes has landed a role on Ryan Murphy's upcoming NBC comedy "The New Normal," TheWrap has learned. It is not yet known what character Leakes will play, but this won't be the first time that the reality personality/actress has worked with Murphy - she also has a recurring role on "Glee," as Coach Roz. The single-camera series is described as a "heartwarming comedy about a blended family of a gay couple and the woman who becomes a surrogate to help them start a family. ...
05/14/2012 - 08:17 PM
Jessica Chastain to be in "The Heiress" on Broadway
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Dan Stevens, who plays Matthew Crawley on the PBS series "Downton Abbey," will make his Broadway debut in a revival of "The Heiress," with Jessica Chastain and David Strathairn. Stevens has appeared on the stage in London in David Leveaux's 2009 West End production of Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia," André Previn's "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" at the National Theatre in 2009 and Noel Coward's "Hay Fever" in 2006 at the Royal Haymarket Theatre. He also played Orlando opposite Rebecca Hall in Peter Hall's 2004 touring production of "As You Like It. ...
05/14/2012 - 02:10 PM
Fox 2012-13 TV schedule makes room for new shows
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Fox is adding the new comedies "Ben and Kate" and "The Mindy Project" to its Tuesday lineup to create two hours of comedy, plus bumping "Glee" from Tuesday to Thursday and moving Kiefer Sutherland's "Touch" to Friday to create a sci-fi block with "Fringe." Fox also announced in its 2012-13 schedule released Monday that the new drama "Mob Doctor" will air on Monday nights in the fall, after "Bones." The new Kevin Bacon serial killer drama "The Following" will air on Mondays in midseason. ...
05/14/2012 - 02:39 PM
"30 Rock"s' final season details revealed
NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "30 Rock" will run for 13 episodes for its seventh and final season, the network said at its upfront presentation Monday. The series will also run a one-hour series finale. NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt also said that "30 Rock" creator Tina Fey will remain involved with the network in some capacity long after the show is gone. News broke that "30 Rock" had been renewed last week, along with word that the comedy "Parenthood" will return for another season. "30 Rock"'s current season has averaged a 2. ...
05/14/2012 - 04:23 PM
"Storage Wars" season 3 premieres on June 5
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Yuuuuup! "Storage Wars," the most-watched series on A&E, returns on June 5 with more than two dozen new episodes for its third season. Back-to-back new installments kick off a season that will include 26 episodes in all. Season two averaged 4.7 million total viewers as the show continues to be the most popular program in A&E history. ...
05/14/2012 - 04:23 PM
Telemundo announces over 800 hours of new programming
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Telemundo announced a whopping 800 new hours of original programming on Monday, marking a nearly 40 percent increase in the network's original programming. ...
05/14/2012 - 03:00 PM
Eric and Bill team up in "True Blood" season 5 trailer
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - The newest trailer for the fifth season of HBO's vampire drama "True Blood" comes with the Twitter hashtag #WaitingSucks, an appropriate sentiment after an action-packed clip that features vampire king Russell wanting "anarchy," and Chris Meloni joining the cast as Vampire Authority head Roman. Vampire-human relations have broken down, to say the least, and Roman is none-too-pleased about it. ...
05/14/2012 - 02:40 PM
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