ABC Addresses Heigl Concerns; Isaiah Hires a Gay PR Specialist

ABC has released a statement addressing the rumors concerning Katherine Heigl's possible departure from its blockbuster series "Grey's Anatomy". Meanwhile, Isaiah Washington has hired a new PR specialist who happens to be gay and whose task is to help the troubled actor build a more positive image.

Here is what ABC had to say about the Katherine Heigl reports that appeared in the media today:

"Katherine is an integral part of Grey's Anatomy and its success. Fortunately, we have a long-term contract to ensure she'll be with the show for several years to come. In recognition of her tremendous talent and value to the show, we recently approached Katherine with an offer to raise her compensation significantly above the terms of her current contract. We were surprised to see this gesture reported negatively in the press, and want to reassure fans that she will continue as Izzie Stevens."

Meanwhile, TMZ reports that Heigl's co-star Isaiah Washington has signed with PR crisis expert Howard Bragman and his company, Fifteen Minutes.

Bragman is the man responsible for the wildly successful launch of out and gay NBA center John Amaechi's best-selling book, "Man in the Middle," which was the subject of a homophobic slur by NBA car wash owner Tim Hardaway.

Bragman released the following statement: "Our work with Isaiah is about his future - not the past. There is an important dialogue in our society about diversity that needs to happen, and Isaiah is uniquely positioned to be the catalyst for this."

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NBC To Re-brand "Must See TV"

The Peacock network will re-brand its Thursday night comedy line-up that was known in the 90s as "Must See TV" using a new slogan: "Comedy Night Done Right" in a multi-million dollar campaign.

The famous 1990s tagline "Must See TV" may have been the best-known and longest-running broadcast slogan in television history and it was used for promotion of NBC's signature comedy series: "Cheers," "Seinfeld," "Frasier," and "Friends".

"We still have campaigns for individual shows, like 'Save the Cheerleader, Save the World' for 'Heroes,' but this is the first one we've done for a whole night since 'Must See,'" said Vince Manze, president and creative director of The NBC Agency.

The new slogan comes at a time when the broadcast networks have largely abandoned national campaign mottos, which once were grandly unveiled every fall season.

NBC hopes the slogan will help drive viewers to its Thursday comedy block, which was reconstructed in November after several years of cycling reality shows into the 9 p.m. hour.

Though NBC is currently in fourth place for the season, the network has been on an upswing this year.

After freshman NBC series "30 Rock" emerged as a critical favorite earlier this season, the network decided to rebuild the block by making room for "Scrubs" and "Rock," along with Thursday mainstays "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office."

Since the new lineup debuted Nov. 30, all four shows have hit season highs. Season to date, NBC is tied for second place with ABC in the 8 p.m. hour.

Before deciding on "Comedy Night Done Right," the NBC Agency rejected slogans including "Thursday Night: The Joke's on Us," "Comedy Night With a Guy Named Dwight" and "Comedy Is a Funny Thing."

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"Desperate Housewives" Star Felicity Huffman, Husband at "Wild Hogs" Premiere in Hollywood

ABC's "Desperate Housewives" star Felicity Huffman joined her husband William H. Macy for the premiere of his new film with all-star cast "Wild Hogs" in Hollywood last night.

The movie starring Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and many other is a comedy about a group of suburban biker wannabes looking for adventure.



The Touchstone Pictures movie premiered last night at the El Capitan Theater in Los Angeles.

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VIDEO: Evangeline Lilly on Letterman

The adorable Evangeline Lilly appeared on the David Letterman show last night. Here are some pictures taken as the sexy "LOST" star arrived for taping of the show and met fans and photographers. Also check the video of her appearance on the show.

Evi talked about her house burning down before Christmas and how she dealt with that; expressed frustration over fans never being pleased with scheduling of her hit drama; and finally planted a little smooch on lucky Letterman's forehead.

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TV Ratings: FOX Outsmarts Competition

The series premiere of FOX's new game show "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" retained a huge chunk of "American Idol's" audience on Tuesday night scoring 26,5 million viewers. Will the show do equally well tonight?

Earlier in the evening "Idol" delivered an improved all-guy edition pulling in 30,4 million viewers and making FOX the #1 network with as many viewers as ABC, CBS and NBC combined.

The most watched show on ABC was Bob Wudroff's special "To Iraq and Back" at 10pm with 10,1 million viewers, doubling the audience of its lead-in "Primetime".

CBS's sleeper hit "NCIS" continues to battle "American Idol" with grace - last night's episode scored 16,1 million viewers, becoming the #1 non-FOX telecast.

"Law & Order: SVU" was NBC's top program bringing 11,7 million viewers to the network at 10pm.

"Veronica Mars" mystery was resolved at 9pm on the CW, but only 2,7 million viewers tuned in to watch it. Still, the drama inched up 400K since last week's season-low.

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Is Katherine Heigl Leaving "Grey's Anatomy"?

People Magazine is reporting that "Grey's Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl has dropped out of her contract talks with ABC Studio (formerly Touchstone) over a salary dispute.

An inside source told the magazine that Katie was hurt because she felt the studio did not seem to value her as much as they did her co-stars Sandra Oh or Isaiah Washington.

Katherine hit the headlines earlier this year when she publicly voiced disapproval of her Isaiah Washington's homophobic slur in support of co-star and close friend T.R. Knight.

The actress told a Hollywood entertainment magazine at the time "I will probably get into trouble for this."

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Marsha Thomason Joins "LOST"

"Las Vegas" babe Marsha Thomason who also starred in Eddie Murphy's "The Haunted Mansion" is joining the cast of ABC's hit drama "LOST", TV Guide reports.

The actress who has kept a relatively low profile since leaving the NBC drama two years ago has scored a recurring role on the drama.

Thomason will first appear in an episode airing in late April or early May. Her role (as just about anything on LOST) is veiled in mystery.

According to the drama's producer Carlton Cuse: "She does not appear in a flashback, she is not an Other, and she is not one of the survivors of Flight 815."

Sources say however she will be a pivotal character on the show.

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"The Matrix" Star Returns To Television

"The Matrix" star Carrie Ann Moss who previously appeared on FOX's "Melrose Place" spin-off "Models Inc" will return to television after nearly a decade in a new ABC drama pilot directed by Madonna's husband Guy Ritchie.

Moss whose other film credits include "Memento", "Chocolat" and "Disturbia" will play a tough-but-tender police lieutenant in "Suspect, a crime drama that begins with a list of suspects in a case and narrows it down to the actual perpetrator.

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"Prison Break" Spoilers: Patricia Wettig Returns

"Thirtysomething" veteran Patricia Wettig who plays Emily Van Camp's mother Holly on ABC's family drama "Brothers & Sisters" will make another appearance on the show that gave her critical and fan praise for her portrayal of an evil female US President.

Expect to see Wettig's President Reynolds in the next episode (#19) entitled "Sweet Caroline" airing next Monday at 8 on FOX. ABC has so far allowed Wetting only to appear as a voiceover in couple of telephone conversations. This will be her first appearance on the show this season.

According to spoilers, as Kellerman prepares for assassination of the President, Michael is determined to confront her and expose her secrets recorded on the audiotape.

The episode press release lists among the guest cast Jeff Perry who played the President's brother Terrence Steadmen who was killed off earlier this year. That probably means we will finally hear what is on "the tape".

Elsewhere, Mahone plays a tense waiting game with Sarah who is rumored to end up on a trial by the end of the season. Someone you least expect will however come to her aid and help her with their testimony.

T-Bag's lost luggage may prove a windfall for Bellick and Sucre, as Bellick spots T-Bag at the Mexico City airport.

FOX says C-Note's drastic actions leave him hanging in the prison - which I believe does not refer to his suicide attempt as he might be saved at the last moment. After all, Mahone did not catch Scofield, did he?

Finally, as earlier reported - Michael and Lincoln will escape to Panama, but they end up in a prison much bigger and more difficult to escape from than Fox River.

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Lucy Liu Joins "Cashmere Mafia"

Ally McBeal vet who currently guest stars on ABC's hit comedy "Ugly Betty" has been cast as one of the series regulars in the new pilot from "Melrose Place" and "Sex and the City" creator Darren Star entitled "Cashmere Mafia".

The ABC pilot produced by Sony TV revolves around four female executives in New York. Lui's co-stars include Frances O'Connor and Miranda Otto. "Cashmere" marks Liu's first full-time series gig since "Ally McBeal."

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NBC Renews "Las Vegas"; Cann & Cox Out

NBC has announced it is picking up "Las Vegas" for the 2007-2008 season, the show's fifth, helping the drama cross the 100-episode mark, a good sign for its syndicated after-life. Meanwhile, James Caan and Nikki Cox have announced they are leaving the series.

"Las Vegas" becomes the fifth show NBC has ordered for next season, along with "Heroes," "Law & Order: SVU," "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office."

The show has been a steady performer for the network on Friday nights, averaging 9 million viewers and a 2.8 rating among adults 18-49 this season.

"Vegas" will end its slightly abbreviated fourth season (17 episodes) on Friday, March 9 on a somewhat suspenseful note.

Casino host Sam (Vanessa Marcil) will be kidnapped by one of her high-roller clients. Mike (James Lesure) goes after her, while Delinda (Molly Sims) learns some "life-altering news" that will also affect Danny (Josh Duhamel, pictured above).

Meanwhile, sources confirm that James Caan and Nikki Cox will not be part of the show's upcoming fifth season.

"I've had a wonderful four years, worked with great people and made friends for life working on Las Vegas," Caan says.

"But I am eager to return to where my heart is, which is film. And due to the show's schedule, I've missed some great opportunities to do that."

"I wish the show and everyone involved with it continued success."

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VIDEO: "Smallville" Hunk's "C.S.I." Towel Scene

Whatever happened to "Smallville's" green archer and romantic vigilante Oliver Queen simply known as Green Arrow after he said a tearful goodbye to Lois Lane? Why he ended up on CSI: NY replacing his costume with nothing more than a towel!

Daytime soap stud Justin Hartley who plays Green Arrow on the CW's young Superman drama guest starred on "CSI: NY" earlier this month as a male model who helps the investigators in a high-profile music industry mogul murder case.

Later this season, Hartley who lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter, will be coming back to CW Thursdays and can also be seen in a new Parker Posey movie "Spring Breakdown" currently in post-production.

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"Prison Break" Spoilers: Michael Scofield To Go Back Behind Bars

"Prison Break" star Wentworth Miller has recently reminded viewers that his character on the show Michael Scofield has done some very bad things while trying to help his brother hinting as to the direction of the show for the next season. Now E! Online reports Michael is headed back to the slammer!

The producers have promised to wrap up the conspiracy storyline by the end of the current season with most (but not all) of the loose ends neatly tied up.

Since a third season renewal is a shoe-in at this point (the ratings for the drama have been rock-solid throughout the entire "manhunt" season), the writers have come up with a new premise.

E! Online meanwhile reports Michael ends up behind bars before the season is over. He will not however be going back to Fox River.

Instead, Michael will be spending some hard time in one of the worst prisons south of the border. And this time, he will not exactly have an escape plan mapped out on him.

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Victoria Beckham Lands NBC Reality Gig

Hollywood press reports Victoria Beckham will star in her own reality show for the Peacock network to be aired later this year.

Ex-Spice Girl recently moved to the US with her husband David Beckham who recently signed a deal to play soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Beckham's manager, Simon Fuller, told London's Evening Standard, "The Americans were falling over themselves to sign Victoria up for a TV show, but we had to choose the right deal for her."

The series will focus on the family's move to Southern California. It is unclear whether David or the Beckham children will appear.

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TV Ratings: "24" Hits Season-Low; "The Black Donnellys" Suffers Tune-Out

Kiefer Sutherland's heart-pounding FOX thriller "24" lost another head-to-head battle with NBC's "Heroes" hitting a season-low, while NBC's new drama "The Black Donnellys" at 10pm lost over 3 million viewers in the second half hour.

The most watched telecast in America last night did not air on the #1 network CBS, but rather NBC that opened the night on a winning note courtesy of its hit game show "Deal Or No Deal" with 17,35 million viewers.

Then at 9, "Heroes" scored slam-dunk as the drama once again managed to beat out FOX's "24" scoring 14,27 million viewers - up quarter of a million since last week.

"24" pulled in 12,8 million, a season low for the series. The show however grew over 3,5 million viewers out of its lead-in "Prison Break".

The new drama "The Black Donnellys" opened the 10pm hour holding on to almost 10 million viewers from its plum lead-in.

Unfortunately for NBC, over 3 million people abandoned the program in its second half-hour. That means "The Black Donnellys" scored an average of 8,42 million viewers.

Those numbers may very well go down once "Heroes" wraps up its current chapter next Monday.

Although this may indicate there is still hope for "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip", I personally believe football drama "Friday Night Lights" (which scored season-high ratings in its single airing in the timeslot back in October) or supernatural series "Medium" (which used to air in the timeslot when it premiered in 2005) would be a much better fit out of "Heroes" on Monday nights.

Earlier last night, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS managed to beat out FOX's "Prison Break" for the second place in the timeslot by a very narrow margin (9,41 vs. 9,39 million viewers). "Prison Break" was however stronger in the 18-49 demo.

CBS's top sitcom "Two and a Half Men" at 9pm nabbed 16,7 million viewers, while its 10pm drama "CSI: Miami" (17,23 million) had to settle for the second place for the evening. The show was however #1 last night in the crucial 18-49 demo.

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"America's Next Top Model" Ads Ripped Off Buses

Wearing bikini on the beach in Santa Monica is not a problem. Wearing bikini on an advertisement plastered on a bus serving Santa Monica however is something completely different. And that is the lesson that the CW marketing department has just learned - the hard way.

The reality contest which opens its 8th cycle on The CW tomorrow night with a 2-hour season premiere was advertised with posters plastered all over Big Blue Buses, a city-owned busline.

Since the company operating the busline is a public entity, after it received a number of complaints, the management felt it had no choice but to rip all posters out.

"It's a matter of public taste," said Stephanie Negriff, director of transit services for the city. "We try to be sensitive to the community."

Negriff didn't say just how many complaints she got but said it was "enough of a number that it allowed me to make the decision."

Contrary to what you may think, the objections did not come from people sensitive to seeing a little skin.

In fact, the campaign was attacked by people who were concerned that the city was endorsing a program that objectifies women.

Although the campaign ran for two weeks before being pulled, Big Blue Bus refunded The CW to the last coin.

Televisionista is of course naughty enough to bring you the ad in question in all of its juicy HQ glory. Enjoy.

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"God" Replaces "Friday Night Lights"; "Heroes" To Return April 23

NBC will roll out its new comedy show "Thank God You're Here" on Wednesday nights in April following "Friday Night Lights" season (or series) finale. The program will get two special previews on Monday nights prior to the return of "Heroes" on April 23.

The one-hour show will air on Wednesday nights at 8pm starting April 18.

Based an Australian show, "Thank God You're Here" will feature a rotating cast of comedians who have to think and act on the fly.

In each show, an actor will walk into a scene they know nothing about; another performer will greet them with the line, "Thank God you're here," and things take off from there.

The premiere episode will feature "Malcolm in the Middle" star Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Coolidge ("Joey,"), Wayne Knight ("Seinfeld") and Joel McHale ("The Soup").

The show will be hosted by actor-comedian David Alan Grier.

Future celebs to appear on the show will be Jason Alexander, George Takei, Mo'Nique, Shannon Elizabeth, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Chelsea Handler, Fred Willard, Alanis Morrisette and Angela Kinsey ("The Office") acting without a net.

"Friday Night Lights" will have aired all 22 episodes of its current season by April 11.

"Heroes" which airs its midseason spring finale next Monday, March 5 will be back on April 23 - "Thank God You're Here" will air in its timeslot on April 9 and 16 before it settles into its regular timeslot on Wednesdays.

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Director Set For "Grey's Anatomy" Spin-Off

Michael Grossman has been tapped to direct the two-hour episode that will serve as a pilot for ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff. Entitled "My Favorite Mistake", the special will also serve as the show's 22nd and 23rd episode of the current season (out of 24).

Grossman has already directed this year's 13th episode of "Grey's Anatomy" called "Great Expectations".

The pilot will introduce an as-yet undisclosed character played by Taye Diggs as well as Mr. Torez, father of Dr. Torez (Sara Ramirez) played by Hector Elizondo.

ABC hasn't confirmed an airdate for the episode; it will however be broadcast in May prior to the one-hour third season finale.

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"Brothers & Sisters" Casting Senator McAllister's Gay Brother

ABC's "Brothers and Sisters" have begun casting the role of Todd McAllister, Senator McAllister's (Rob Lowe) younger gay brother who will be Kevin Walker's (Matthew Rhys) significant romantic interest in the upcoming episodes.

The script describes Todd as a baby-faced man in his late 30s, charmingly rumpled and wry.

Kevin's sister Kitty (Calista Flockhart) who has already learned about Todd in an earlier episode, meets him at the Senator's office and tries to set him up with her brother Kevin.

Todd will be introduced in episode #19 and Kevin's current boyfriend Chad (Jason Lewis) is supposed to make his final appearance on the show in episode #18. Both episodes are supposed to air in April.

If you have been following spoilers for the drama you may have read that Kevin and Chad's relationship will hit the rocks once bloggers get hold of their intimate pictures and Chad's career of a soap star is in jeopardy.

Thanks to Kong Chang of LukeMacFarlaneFans website for the scoop.

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Ellen Pompeo, Hayden Panettiere, Nicolette Sheridan at Academy Awards

It may not have been their night, but the stars of the hottest shows on television were giving fellow big screen actors a run for their money at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Hollywood last night.

Take a look at Ellen Pompeo of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (with fiance Chris Ivery), teenage Hayden Panettiere of NBC's breakout smash "Heroes" and Desperate Housewife Nicolette Sheridan with on-and-off fiance Michael Bolton.

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TV Ratings: Academy Awards Hold Up

ABC's coverage of the 79th Annual Academy awards in Hollywood was on a par with its previous 4-year average pulling in 39,48 million viewers and making ABC the #1 network on Sunday night.

NASCAR overrun on FOX (11,96 million) followed by a strong animated line-up of repeats helped the News Corp. network score the second place.

CBS was third averaging 8,2 million viewers for the night, with 60 minutes being its most watched program (9,24 million viewers).

NBC was a distant fourth with only a little more than 5 million viewers. Its reality contest "Grease" was able to attract only 4,59 million viewers at 8pm.

Finally, the CW's line-up of repeats was barely visible with as little as 2,2 million viewers tuning in.

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Alex and Addison - It's Off!

Since the New Year began Shonda Rhimes and her writing team have been teasing us about the possibility that an unlikely couple would flame up our screens on Thursday nights. Now it seems it was all just a tease. Or was it?

E! Online reports that plans to have "Grey's Anatomy" characters Addison Montgomery Shepherd and Alex Karev engage in a torrid love affair have been shelved for the time being as there is a realistic possibility that the character played by Kate Walsh would be leaving Seattle Grace hospital crossing over to her own spin-off series.

Meanwhile, insiders say before she makes her ultimate decision whether to stay in Seattle or not (that is, before the ratings justify the spin-off or not) Addison will engage in some hot loving back in Seattle with a repeat offender.

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Neil Patrick Harris Sings Covered In Blood

What a bizarre headline! And before you Doogie fans get all worried - it was all just a brilliant attempt to break up the monotony of conventional awards shows as the star of CBS's "How I Met Your Mother" joined a host of celebrities singing each of the Best Picture nominees at Saturday's Independent Spirit awards in Santa Monica.

"Little Miss Sunshine" that failed to win the Best Picture at last night's Academy Awards won that honor on Saturday taking home as many as four Spirit awards. Neil Patrick Harris a.k.a. Barney on the CBS sitcom, who has extensive background in theater, sang a song in honor of Best Picture nominee "American Gun."

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"Studio 60" May Get Axed

NBC will cancel its troubled Monday night drama "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" if the new midseason series "The Black Donnellys", which takes over its timeslot on NBC tonight, even matches the lackluster ratings of the Aaron Sorkin-penned series, reports Kristin Veitch of E! Online today.

According to Veitch, inside sources at NBC claim "Studio 60" - the most anticipated new show of the season that went out with a whimper last week hitting series low in the ratings - would have been canned months ago had it not been for a special clause in Aaron Sorkin's contract.

Apparently, the network was so confident in the program, which some TV critics believed it would be one of the greatest new shows of the season, that Sorkin got a clause in the contract ensuring his services for an entire season, making it equally expensive to cancel the drama as to make it.

The network would cancel "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" even if "The Black Donnellys" only matched its poor ratings because the behind-the-scenes TV industry drama with an all-star cast is much more expensive to produce.

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2007 Academy Awards Fashion Highlights

Oh the glitz! Oh the glamor! Hollywood stars arrived on the red carpet at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday making bold fashion choices with Jennifer Hudson in her brown ruched gown with a metallic python bolero by Oscar de la Renta generally considered one of the worst dressed and Cate Blanchett in a stunning one-shoulder Swarovski crystal mesh gown by Giorgio Armani Prive one of the best. Here they are now for your viewing pleasure in all of their multi-million-dollar glory.

Gwyneth Paltrow made a strong fashion statement in Zac Posen's apricot spider-web tulle-and-chiffon gown, and Nicole Kidman made a bold color choice with her bright red Balenciaga halter gown with an oversized bow at the neck.

Reese Witherspoon's strapless Nina Ricci with a tiered bottom was a deep purple, and Jada Pinkett Smith wore a corset-style strapless gown in gold lame by Carolina Herrera.

Penelope Cruz's strapless Versace was a blush color with an intricately swirled tight bodice that exploded into an exaggerated skirt.

Jennifer Lopez's lilac Marchesa gown had an antique jeweled neckline that created a chain-link effect.

Beyonce's Armani gown also had an interesting neckline. It was basically a light green strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline, but there was a strand of stones over one shoulder.

Giorgio Armani attended the ceremony, presumably in his own design. "It's very important to be elegant and simple rather than be flashy," he said.

Many top male celebrities chose classic tuxedos by Armani, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Clint Eastwood and Martin Scorsese.

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