BONNIE FINALLY HAS HER BABY ON AN ALL-NEW “FAMILY GUY” SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, ON FOX
Jennifer Tilly Guest-Voices
After being pregnant for seven years, Bonnie (guest voice Tilly) finally gives birth to a beautiful baby girl named Susie! Stewie quickly falls for the little tyke and vows to do anything to win her heart and get in her diaper. Meanwhile, Joe borrows $20,000 from a bookie to pay for Bonnie’s medical bills, but then plans to steal the money from Mr. Pewterschmidt to pay his debt in the all-new “Ocean’s Three and a Half” episode of FAMILY GUY airing Sunday, Feb. 15 (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (FG-611) (TV-14 D, L, V)
Voice Cast: Seth MacFarlane as Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Brian Griffin, and Quagmire; Alex Borstein as Lois Griffin; Seth Green as Chris Griffin and Dylan; Mila Kunis as Meg Griffin; Mike Henry as Cleveland
Guest Voice Cast: Jennifer Tilly as Bonnie
Source: Fox
HOMER GETS A GLIMPSE OF WHAT HIS LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE IF HE HAD BEEN ELECTED CLASS PRESIDENT IN HIGH SCHOOL ON AN ALL-NEW “THE SIMPSONS” SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, ON FOX
First Episode of Series to Air in High Definition
All-New High Definition Main Titles
When Mayor Quimby inducts Vance Connor into the Springfield Walk of Fame, Homer recounts how he ran against Vance for class president in high school and lost. After a little digging, Homer learns that the election was rigged, and he wonders what course his life would have taken if only fate had smiled upon him. Homer soon meets an old Italian cook at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant whose magical tomato sauce, when stirred in just the right way, reveals what Homer’s life would have been like had he won the election. However, when Homer gets a chance to see what could have been, he wonders if fate was actually on his side all along in the all-new “Take My Life, Please” episode of THE SIMPSONS airing Sunday, Feb. 15 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (SI-2001) (TV-PG D)
Voice Cast: Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson; Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson; Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson; Yeardley Smith as Lisa Simpson; Hank Azaria as Moe; Harry Shearer as Skinner; Pamela Haden as Milhouse; Tress MacNeille as Dolph
Source: Fox
WHEN A FEMALE SCI-FI ENTHUSIAST IS FOUND MURDERED, THE TEAM INVESTIGATES A FANTASY CONVENTION GONE WRONG ON "BONES" THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, ON FOX
When a group of eighth-graders find the decomposed body of woman wearing a medieval princess dress, the team is on the scene to investigate. With Booth incapacitated due to a back injury, Agent Payton Perotta (guest star Marisa Coughlin) steps in to help with the investigation. With insight from "squint" Colin Fisher, a self-professed geek and expert in the language of sci-fi, the team identifies the woman as a promotional model from ImagiCon, a convention for fans of comic books, video games and other sci-fi genre entertainment. Brennan and the team must navigate through the outlandish landscape of ImagiCon in order to track down the killer. They soon find the victim may have owned a highly valuable piece of sci-fi memorabilia that many would kill to possess in "The Princess and the Pear" episode of BONES airing Thursday, Feb. 19 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (BON-409) (TV-14 D, L, V)
Cast: Emily Deschanel as Dr. Temperance Brennan; David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth; TJ Thyne as Dr. Jack Hodgins; Michaela Conlin as Angela Montenegro; Tamara Taylor as Dr. Camille "Cam" Saroyan; John Francis Daley as Dr. Lance Sweets
Guest Cast: Marisa Coughlan as Agent Payton Perotta; Joel David Moore as Colin Fisher; Poetri (aka Devin Smith) as Chip Derf; Tara Buck as Valerie Daniels; Betsy Rue as Shiny Kopinsky; Oliver Muirhead as Badgley Mormont; Eric Nenninger as Peter Kroon; Charles Rahi Chun as Bruce Kim; David Greenman as FBI Tech Marcus Geier; Josh Sussman as Afro Geek; Jon Collins as Geek On-Looker; Charles Stewart as Trev the Mage; Austin Rogers as Warrior; Carlon Jeffery as Ezra the Elf
Source: Fox
Doctor Who is to face his most challenging villains yet, according to a show insider.
The Time Lord will be forced to battle the Tritovore, described as a half-man half-fly creature, in the forthcoming Easter special, reports The Mirror.
"They are disgusting and will last long in the memory," said a source, who added that Who bosses hope that the Tritovore would become as iconic as the Daleks and the Cybermen.
"Everyone remembers the Daleks and the Cyberman, but not a lot else if they're honest. The Tritovore will change that.
"Scriptwriters are confident they'll make a huge impact."
The insider added that Who showrunner Russell T. Davies was hoping to use the Tritovore in future episodes, saying: "Russell is telling everybody to expect some real surprises. He wants [David Tennant] to go out with a bang."
Last week, it was confirmed that former EastEnders actress Michelle Ryan and comedian Lee Evans would guest star in the Doctor Who Easter special, titled Planet Of The Dead.
Source: Digital Spy
CBS made its first drama pilot pickups Thursday with orders to three projects, all from CBS Paramount Network TV.
-- The U.S. Attorney project, from "The Unit" co-exec producer Frank Military, is an ensemble legal show about a team of federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan.
-- "Back," from writer Dean Widenmann and exec producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, centers on a man who returns home, only to discover he had been reported missing eight years earlier, after Sept. 11. He must learn how to reconnect with his family and a world that moved on without him.
-- "Washington Field," from "Criminal Minds" exec producer/showrunner Ed Bernero, is named after FBI's Washington Field Office that houses the National Capital Response Squad, a unit comprising elite experts in different areas who travel around the world, responding to events that concern the U.S. national interest.
Bernero penned the project with brothers Jim Clemente, an FBI profiler who has written an episode of "Criminal Minds," and his brother Tim Clemente, a former terrorism expert on NCRS. Bernero is exec producing, with the Clementes serving as producers.
The project is done with the cooperation of the FBI.
In addition to the three newly picked up pilots, CBS has previously greenlighted a spin-off of the hit crime procedural "NCIS."
Source: Hollywood Reporter
'Tis the season for comedies to be casting on-screen parental units, 'twould seem!
On the heels of Big Bang Theory tapping Christine Baranski to mother Leonard, My Name Is Earl recruiting Danny Glover to call Crab Man "son," Scott Bakula making a leap as Chuck's pop, and 30 Rock picking Patti Lupone to coddle Frank (per EW), How I Met Your Mother has ventured forth to find the woman who gave unto the world... Barney. And it's a darn good get — Frances Conroy, who as Six Feet Under's matriarch collected a Golden Globe and four Emmy nods.
Conroy will appear on the CBS hitcom's 15th episode of the season, "The Stinsons," in which the gang discovers that Barney has a fake wife-and-kid on call should his mother ever come to town. (Apparently New York City's most eligible bachelor has told quite the white lie over the years, as mom Loretta's health ebbed and flowed.)
Sure enough, an occasion presents itself where Barney has to produce his "family," and it's Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle's Brooke D'Orsay fulfilling the wifely duties.
To date, Barney's mother has been partially glimpsed in flashbacks, but her face never shown. Oh, and his dad is supposedly Bob Barker, but... we're not buying it.
What's your take, Mother-lovers? Is Conroy who you envisioned bearing god's gift to women?
Source: TVGuide
Planet Of The Dead becomes Planet Of The Rewrite as a bust bus scuppers production...
Filming on the upcoming Doctor Who special, due to be screened in Spring, has been dealt such a severe blow that Russell T Davies is in the process of re-writing Planet of the Dead.
But why? It seems that a red double decker bus (integral to the plot) was shipped overseas (reportedly to Dubai) but was so badly damaged that the vehicle is now unusable for filming. This has forced the writer into some hasty re-writes of the script, co-written with Gareth Roberts.
Another red double-decker bus has been spotted cruising around the streets of Cardiff with David Tennant and Michelle Ryan on board. It is rumoured this bus transports its human passengers to an alien world. The story also stars comedian Lee Evans who revealed that his character, Malcolm, is a professor during an interview with Jonathan Ross.
Showrunner Russell T Davies is on record as saying that although this is the "Easter Special", there is no guarantee that Planet Of The Dead will be broadcast at that time; hence the use of "Spring" in the BBC press releases.
This is not the first time Doctor Who has faced problems with overseas production. During the filming of Fires Of Pompeii, some of the production crew arrived a day late due to border problems. Let's hope these current problems don't hinder the production of another excellent adventure for the Time Lord.
Source: Den of Geek
THE BAU TEAM TRACKS A FEMALE SERIAL KILLER WHO TARGETS POWERFUL BUSINESS EXECUTIVES, ON "CRIMINAL MINDS," WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25
"Pleasure Is My Business" - The team searches for a female suspect who uses her professional skills as a high class call girl to lure and kill high-powered executives, on CRIMINAL MINDS, Wednesday, Feb. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
SERIES REGULARS:
David Rossi................................ Joe Mantegna
Aaron Hotchner....................... Thomas Gibson
Emily Prentiss........................... Paget Brewster
Derek Morgan.......................... Shemar Moore
Dr. Spencer Reid........... Matthew Gray Gubler
Jennifer Jareau................................. A.J. Cook
Penelope Garcia.................. Kirsten Vangsness
GUEST CAST:
Megan Kane............................. Brianna Brown
Ellen Daniels............................. Catherine Dent
Andrew Kane................................... John Getz
A.G. Patrick Jackson.................. Chet Grissom
Mrs. Yvonne Ashford.......... Kristin Richardson
Lauren ........................................... Nora Dunn
Hoyt Ashford.................................. Rick Dano
Customer................................. Patrick W. Day
Joseph Fielding........................... James Rekart
Security Guard.................. Robert John Brewer
Larry Bartlett........................ Richard V. Licata
Lawyer....................... Felice Heather Monteith
Lawyer #2...................... Gregg Edward Perrie
Trent........................................... Dirk Blocker
Allison Barnes............................. Abigail Eiland
Katherine................................... Melissa Keller
Jack Hotchner............................. Cade Owens
WRITTEN BY: Breen Frazier
DIRECTED BY: Gwyneth Horder-Payton
Source: CBS
ABC has ordered a pilot for V, an update on NBC's 1983 sci fi miniseries. Considering the flurry of emails the news elicited from EW's TV department -- and the fact that 40 million people tuned in for V the first time -- I'm going to give this a TAG (Totally Arbitrary Grade) of A-. (The minus is because this is the network that canceled Invasion.) The script, written by Scott Peters (The 4400), centers on a female Homeland Security agent, according to The Hollywood Reporter. To relive the joy that was V -- from the advertising (ABC must be salivating), to the Independence Day-inspiring imagery of alien spacecraft hovering over our cities, to the swallowing of a guinea pig whole -- read Kristen Baldwin's fascinating 1999 look back.
Considering ABC is the network that also just ordered Eastwick, an adaptation of the 1987 film The Witches of Eastwick, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Alphabet is also moving ahead with the appropriately titled Lost in the '80s. Per THR, it's "considered an '80s version of The Wonder Years and described as Fast Times at Ridgemont High meets The Ice Storm." (You gotta love Hollywood.) The script is from veteran Wonder Years scribe Bob Brush; the exec producers are from Two and a Half Men (Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum) and Arrested Development (Mitch Hurwitz), who are also behind Fox's planned Ab Fab import. So wrong it's right , or so wrong we'll never see it? TAG: B
Source: EW
THE BAU TEAM HUNTS FOR A SUSPECT WHO IS COPYING THE MURDERS OF FAMOUS PAST SERIAL KILLERS, ON "CRIMINAL MINDS," WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18
"Zoe's Reprise" - The team pursues a copycat serial killer who is recreating the techniques used by past famous murderers, on CRIMINAL MINDS, Wednesday, Feb. 18 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
SERIES REGULARS:
David Rossi................................ Joe Mantegna
Aaron Hotchner....................... Thomas Gibson
Emily Prentiss........................... Paget Brewster
Derek Morgan.......................... Shemar Moore
Dr. Spencer Reid........... Matthew Gray Gubler
Jennifer Jareau................................. A.J. Cook
Penelope Garcia.................. Kirsten Vangsness
GUEST CAST:
Zoe Hawkes............................. Amy Davidson
Michelle................................. Karen Brundage
Teresa......................................... Laura Simms
Dana.............................................. Alex Boling
Concerned Mom............................ Heidi Fecht
Eric Olson................................... Johnny Lewis
Det. Brady.................................... Scott Klace
Sheila Hawkes........................ Bess Armstrong
Paula McConnell....................... Beverly Leech
Danny............................................ Ted Fenton
Dr. Edwards............................... Peter Gannon
Amber.................................. Mandy McMillan
Linda............................... Shannon Woodward
Matthew Cannon............ Jeremy Scott Johnson
WRITTEN BY: Oanh Ly
DIRECTED BY: Charles S. Carroll
Source: CBS
CBS might extend its crime brand into the reality genre.
The network has ordered a pilot presentation of a procedural reality show called "Missing You," in which a team of investigators takes on a different missing-persons case each week.
One of the show's executive producers is '70s teen sensation Shaun Cassidy, who has since gone on to produce such scripted TV fare as ABC's 2005 series "Invasion" and the CBS cult fave "American Gothic."
If the project is picked up, "Missing" will provide a reality counterpoint to the network's scripted crime fare including "CSI" and "The Mentalist."
CBS has toyed with a similar idea before, teaming with Mark Burnett in 2004 to develop "Recovery," a show about the search for kidnapped children.
With CBS' dramas and comedies performing well, and reality competition veterans such as "Survivor" and "Big Brother" continuing to be strong on the unscripted side, the network has been trying to figure out what's next for the reality genre at the network.
Cassidy and "Girls Next Door" producer Ned Nalle are creators and executive producers, along with exec producer James Bruce and Raquel Prods.
Source: THR Feed
STORY LINE
Castle helps the detectives search for the murderer of a long-underground radical bomber...
[WILL SORENSON]
35-38, an attractive and very confident FBI agent. He previously worked on a child abduction case with Det. Beckett (Stana Katic), and has been brought in to work on a new case with similar characteristics. He and Beckett had a past personal relationship, which will push him to go toe-to-toe with Castle (Nathan Fillion).sptv050769 GUEST STAR, 2 EPISODE ARC
Source: SpoilerTV
Demons of the past come back to haunt Gibbs when he finds a cryptic message waiting for him at a crime scene.
Airs: 10th February 2009
Source: SpoilerTV
It's "Ab Fab" time at Fox.
The network has handed a pilot pickup to "Absolutely Fabulous," an U.S. version of the cult British comedy about a neurotic fashion publicist, Edina, and her best friend Patsy, an outrageous fashion editor, who drive Eddie's sensible teen daughter, Saffron, up the wall with their wild behavior.
Christine Zander penned the set in Los Angeles adaptation, which is produced by Sony Pictures TV, BBC Worldwide Prods. and Tantamount.
Zander is exec producing the pilot with Jennifer Saunders, who wrote and starred in the original series as Edina, as well as BBC Worldwide Prods.' Ian Moffitt and Tantamount's Mitch Hurwitz, Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum.
"Ab Fab" marks the latest pilot pickup for Fox, which in the past week ordered four other comedy pilots, "Walorsky," "The Station," "Two Dollar Beer" and "Sons of Tucson" and three drama pilots, "Maggie Hill," "Human Target" and an untitled reincarnation project.
Fox originally picked up the project in the fall with a script commitment plus penalty.
There have been several attempts to develop "Ab Fab" for American audiences, but this is the first one to go to pilot.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
What a Big Bang bummer.
Five months after it was announced that TV's funniest traditional sitcom, The Big Bang Theory, had wisely upgraded the sublime Sara Gilbert from an occasional guest star to a full-fledged series regular, the former Roseanne star has practically vanished from the CBS hit. What the heck happened?
Well, I did a little digging and it turns out Gilbert is no longer a series regular! An insider tells me that the actress was bumped to recurring because producers weren't able to generate enough story for her character, who had been paired romantically with Leonard (played by Gilbert's former Roseanne co-star, Johnny Galecki). "They couldn't write for her, so they changed her status to recurring," whispers the insider. "It's a little mystifying."
A Big Bang spokesperson declined to comment, but a source close to the show noted that Gilbert will continue to be a presence on TBBT, adding that she's scheduled to appear in the episode that tapes next week. "Sara has a long-standing relationship with [Big Bang exec producer] Chuck Lorre that dates back to their Roseanne days," the source points out. "He adores her, and he will continue to use her on the show."
My take: I'm still a little disappointed by this, but a little Sara Gilbert is better than no Sara Gilbert. You agree?
Source: EW
4 interviews with David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel about the upcoming episodes including the one that ran last night on Bones
If you need an intense local sheriff to help Gibbs & Co. work a case, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better fit for the meaty role than Lance Henriksen. Awesomely, that's precisely who NCIS has nabbed to guest-star on the hit series later this season, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.
Specifically, the star of TV's Millenium and the guy also known to sci-fi enthusiasts as Alien's Bishop will play Sheriff Clay Boyd in the episode "South by Southwest," which is earmarked for a February sweeps showcase. In the outing, Gibbs is led to the Arizona dessert when an NCIS agent turns up (gulp) dead.
How do you like that tasty morsel of news, NCIS fans? Hey, maybe the spin-off can star Lance, and drop any NCIS angle all together?
Source: TVGuide
Thanks to rambabe for the heads up.
LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
TRANSITIONS
02-10-2009 10:00PM
WHEN A MAN IS FOUND BRUTALLY BEATEN AND BARELY ALIVE OUTSIDE A STRIP CLUB, HIS TRANSGENDER TEEN IS THE PRIME SUSPECT.
When a man is found badly beaten with no memory of what happened in a strip club parking lot, Detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) are at a loss for evidence as a rainstorm washed away any clues. A fake fingernail embedded in the victim's back leads the detectives to believe that the attacker is female. Detective Benson and Stabler turn to the female dancers at the club for questioning, but a homeless man, Sid Gabbert (guest star Paul Lazar), points the detectives to the victim’s truck. Using evidence found in the truck, the detectives learn that the victim, Mark Van Kuren (guest star Frank Grillo), was sent to repossess the car of strip club dancer, Molly “Misty” Lambert (guest star Heidi Marnhout). After questioning “Misty,” Van Kuren awakes in the hospital with no memory, but brings the attention to his ex-wife Ellen (guest star Wendy Makkena) and their 13-year-old transgender son Henry (guest star Bridger Zadina). Also s! tarring: Richard Belzer (Detective John Much), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen), Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Michaela McManus (A.D.A Kim Greylek), Tamara Tunie (Dr. Melinda Warner), and B.D. Wong (Dr. George Huang).
Show Cast: Chris Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Dann Florek, Richard Belzer, Ice T, Tamara Tunie, Michaela McManus
Source: NBC
Sheldon helps Penny with a financial crisis, but his solution leads to a confrontation between Leonard and Penny's burly ex-boyfriend Kurt (Brian Patrick Wade).
Airs: 2nd February 2009
Source: SpoilerTV
Thanks to Anne for the heads up
Can you tell us anything about what’s coming up on How I Met Your Mother?
We’re shooting the finale right now because both Alyson [Hannigan] and I are pregnant, so we’re going to be bigger and bigger — we like doing things together. But I think there’s going to be a lot of Barney and Robin stuff coming up, like a bit of a flirtation game with that. I think there’s definitely going to be a lot of sexual tension that’ll manifest itself, however. And I think all of us are sort of in this weird place of employment and figuring out what we really want to do. In terms of Robin, I think she’s probably going to get another job and go back to reporting in some sense of the word. I hope they keep these really fake newscasts, because they’re kind of my favorite thing to do.
Source: NY Mag
Three modern-day witches and three hospital nurses have entered the fall 2009 fray as ABC and NBC handed out pilot orders to dramas "Eastwick" and "Mercy," respectively.
"Eastwick," from Warner Bros. Television, is loosely based on the 1987 feature "The Witches of Eastwick," which starred Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeifer and Jack Nicholson.
Penned by Maggie Friedman ("Jack & Bobby"), the project follows three women in the town of Eastwick who embark upon lives with new powers after an enigmatic stranger comes to town.
NBC's "Mercy," Universal Media Studios, is a drama with comedic elements that revolves around three nurses bound together in friendship by the highs and lows of their personal and professional lives.
Liz Heldens ("Friday Night Lights") wrote the script and will exec produce.
NBC is on the verge of a couple of other drama pilot pickups, with Dario Scardapane's medical drama "Trauma" said to be pending and a project from Jesse Alexander said to be very close.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
The BBC has confirmed that Michelle Ryan and Lee Evans will guest star in the forthcoming Doctor Who Easter Special which began filming this week in Wales.
Michelle, best known for her roles as Zoe Slater in EastEnders, and Jaime Sommers in the recent remake of Bionic Woman, will play the mysterious Lady Christina de Souza in the special episode entitled Planet of the Dead. Christina joins the Doctor on a bus-trip which takes a very unexpected detour into danger.
"I'm a huge fan of Doctor Who and very excited to be joining David Tennant and the Doctor Who team," said Michelle, who recently guest-starred in the hit BBC Wales drama Merlin. "It is such a fantastic show and I can't wait to get started!"
One of Britain's best loved and biggest comedy stars, Lee Evans, will also be joining the cast playing a character called Malcolm, whose life becomes connected to the Doctor's under extraordinary circumstances.
Planet of the Dead is the first of four Doctor Who Specials which will air in 2009. Michelle joins David Tennant as he continues his role as The Doctor, and Noma Dumezweni who returns as Captain Erisa Magambo - last seen helping Rose and Donna save the world in Turn Left.
"Michelle is one of the most sought after young actors in the country and we are delighted to announce that she will be joining the team," said Executive Producer and writer Russell T Davies. "As always the script is being kept strictly under wraps - however we can reveal that Lady Christina is a woman with a mysterious past who's going to have a huge impact on the Doctor!"
Planet of the Dead, written by Russell T Davies and Gareth Roberts, is currently in production and will be screened on BBC One in Spring 2009.
Source: BBC
THE GRAVE DIGGER RETURNS AND KIDNAPS BOOTH ON “BONES” THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, ON FOX
Brendan Fehr Guest-Stars
When Brennan, Hodgins and author Thomas Vega are summoned by a Federal Judge along with the United States Attorney regarding the ongoing investigation of the Grave Digger, they learn that evidence from the case has recently gone missing. With Brennan and Hodgins having been victims of the Grave Digger and Thomas Vegas currently writing a book about it, they become prime suspects in the missing evidence case. However, when Brennan and the team receive a phone call from the Grave Digger informing them that Booth has been buried alive with only 24 hours worth of oxygen, the Grave Digger threatens to leave him to die unless Brennan brings the missing evidence. The team immediately goes to Booth’s apartment to assess the crime scene, knowing from Sweets’ psychological assessment of the Grave Digger that they cannot tell the authorities about the situation or else the Grave Digger will retaliate against Booth. As Booth struggles to free himself from confinement, the team joins forces to locate him with precious time ticking away in the “Hero in the Hold” episode of BONES airing Thursday, Feb. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (BON-408) (TV-14 L, V)
Cast: Emily Deschanel as Dr. Temperance Brennan; David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth; TJ Thyne as Dr. Jack Hodgins; Michaela Conlin as Angela Montenegro; Tamara Taylor as Dr. Camille “Cam” Saroyan; John Francis Daley as Dr. Lance Sweets
Guest Cast: Brendan Fehr as Jared Booth; Marisa Coughlan as Agent Payton Perotta; Deirdre Lovejoy as AUSA Heather Taffet; Noel Fisher as Teddy Parker; Richard Licata as Judge Williams; Marco Sanchez as Thomas Vega; Sarah Allan as Claire
Source: Fox
Thanks to rambabe for the heads up.
LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
SNATCHED
02-03-2009 10:00PM
A YOUNG GIRL IS KIDNAPPED AND DETECTIVE ELLIOT STABLER (CHRISTOPHER MELONI) MUST WORK WITH EX-CONVICT, GENO PARNELL (GUEST STAR RON ELDARD), TO GET HER BACK.
When young girl Rosie Rinaldi (guest star Daisy Tahan) is kidnapped, the girl’s mother, Liz Ranaldi (guest star Michelle Ray Smith) immediately points Detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) in the direction of her ex-husband, Geno Parnell (guest star Ron Eldard), a recently paroled convict. When Parnell’s alibi checks out, a fight erupts between Parker and Detectives Stabler and Odafin Tutola (Ice-T), which in turn unveils some knowledge on Parker’s ex-wife. Parker admits Liz’s father is Frank Hagar (guest star Dabney Coleman), a master thief with a lot of enemies. The detectives pay a visit to Hagar, but are surprised to find he has a severe case of Alzheimer’s disease. With the help of Dr. George Huang (B.D. Wong), the detectives are able to put together a few clues to solve the case, but must pair up again with Parker in order to find Rosie. Also starring: Richard Belzer (Detective John Much), Dann Florek (Captain Don! ald Cragen), Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Michaela McManus (A.D.A Kim Greylek), Tamara Tunie (Dr. Melinda Warner), and B.D. Wong (Dr. George Huang).
Show Cast: Chris Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Dann Florek, Richard Belzer, Ice T, Tamara Tunie, Michaela McManus
Source: NBC
The SciFi Channel has started running this teaser for their new X-files type sci-fi investigation series Warehouse 13 which will premiere this summer.
One thing seems fairly certain — she's not the mother. Still, Laura Prepon is poised to have a very good time guest-starring on CBS' How I Met Your Mother later this season.
That gal from That '70s Show (as well as October Road) has been cast in the role of Karen, a rather infamous ex of Ted's. Yeah, it seems these two have been off and on and off again countless times since college - to the point that Lily visibly seethes at the mere mention of repeat-cheater Karen's name.
Now, why do I dare venture that Karen isn't the mother? Well, 1) the show isn't called I Had Already Met Your Mother, and 2) Prepon is only around for two episodes, not five as reported elsewhere.
But I like this casting, especially given the somewhat naughty nature of Prepon's role. Are you willing to let her break Ted's heart one more time?
Source: TVGuide
In one fell swoop, Fox has ordered most of its pilot slate this development cycle.
The network has greenlighted four comedy pilots, "The Station," "Walorsky," "Two Dollar Beer" and "Sons of Tucson"; and three dramas, "Maggie Hill," "Human Target" and an untitled reincarnation-themed project.
The seven pilots -- hailing from 20th TV or Warner Bros. TV -- join drama pilot "Eva Adams," which is finishing casting, and fall comedy pilot "Boldly Going Nowhere," which is being tweaked and will be reshot.
Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly said last week that he planned to order five comedy pilots and at least five drama pilots and that his comedy picks would be closer in tone to the quirky, offbeat "Malcolm in the Middle" and "The Bernie Mac Show" than uninspired recent additions like "Do Not Disturb."
-- "The Station," a single-camera pilot from 20th and Ben Stiller's Red Hour Films, revolves around a covert CIA operative and his workmates who are embedded in a South American banana republic with a mission to install a new dictator.
Stiller is exec producing with Stuart Cornfeld and Jeremy Kramer and might direct. Kevin Napier penned the script and is co-exec producing.
-- "Walorsky," a single-camera pilot from 20th TV/American Work, is in the tone of the 2003 comedy "Bad Santa" and centers on a lazy ex-cop-turned-security guard patrolling a mall in Buffalo, N.Y., who is forced to grudgingly step it up after he is assigned an idiot partner.
Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka are the writers/co-exec producers. Ravi Nandan and Scot Armstrong exec produce.
-- "Two Dollar Beer," a multicamera pilot from 20th/3 Arts, is set in Detroit and revolves around a blue-collar couple and their extended family and friends.
Multihyphenate Mike Binder wrote the script and is exec producing with Michael Rotenberg and Jonathan Levin.
-- "Sons of Tucson," a single-camera pilot from 20th and J2TV, is channeling the spirit of "Slums of Beverly Hills." It centers on a charming but misguided hustler hired by three rich young brothers to act as their "father" while their real one serves time for a white-collar crime.
Tommy Dewey and Greg Bratman penned the script and serve as supervising producers. Harvey Myman, Jason Felts and Justin Berfield exec produce.
On the hourlong side, Fox is casting a wide net with a medical drama, a comic-book adaptation and supernatural cop show.
-- "Maggie Hill," from 20th and Imagine, is about a brilliant female surgeon who thrives despite enduring adult-onset schizophrenia. "Shark" creator Ian Biederman penned the script and is exec producing with David Nevins.
-- "Human Target," from WBTV, DC Comics and McG's Wonderland, is based on the DC Comics title. It centers on Christopher Chance, a mysterious security-for-hire who assumes the identities of people in life-threatening danger, becoming the "human target" on behalf of his clients.
Jon Steinberg penned the script and is exec producing with McG.
-- The untitled reincarnation project, from WBTV, revolves around past-life investigators who use the concept of reincarnation to solve mysteries of their clients' previous lives in order to resolve their problems in the present.
David Hudgins wrote the script and is exec producing with Lou Pitt and MJ Rose.
Fox lands squadron of pilots
Ben Stiller comedy among seven pickups
By Nellie Andreeva
Jan 20, 2009, 12:00 AM ET
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More TV pilot news
In one fell swoop, Fox has ordered most of its pilot slate this development cycle.
The network has greenlighted four comedy pilots, "The Station," "Walorsky," "Two Dollar Beer" and "Sons of Tucson"; and three dramas, "Maggie Hill," "Human Target" and an untitled reincarnation-themed project.
The seven pilots -- hailing from 20th TV or Warner Bros. TV -- join drama pilot "Eva Adams," which is finishing casting, and fall comedy pilot "Boldly Going Nowhere," which is being tweaked and will be reshot.
Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly said last week that he planned to order five comedy pilots and at least five drama pilots and that his comedy picks would be closer in tone to the quirky, offbeat "Malcolm in the Middle" and "The Bernie Mac Show" than uninspired recent additions like "Do Not Disturb."
-- "The Station," a single-camera pilot from 20th and Ben Stiller's Red Hour Films, revolves around a covert CIA operative and his workmates who are embedded in a South American banana republic with a mission to install a new dictator.
Stiller is exec producing with Stuart Cornfeld and Jeremy Kramer and might direct. Kevin Napier penned the script and is co-exec producing.
-- "Walorsky," a single-camera pilot from 20th TV/American Work, is in the tone of the 2003 comedy "Bad Santa" and centers on a lazy ex-cop-turned-security guard patrolling a mall in Buffalo, N.Y., who is forced to grudgingly step it up after he is assigned an idiot partner.
Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka are the writers/co-exec producers. Ravi Nandan and Scot Armstrong exec produce.
-- "Two Dollar Beer," a multicamera pilot from 20th/3 Arts, is set in Detroit and revolves around a blue-collar couple and their extended family and friends.
Multihyphenate Mike Binder wrote the script and is exec producing with Michael Rotenberg and Jonathan Levin.
-- "Sons of Tucson," a single-camera pilot from 20th and J2TV, is channeling the spirit of "Slums of Beverly Hills." It centers on a charming but misguided hustler hired by three rich young brothers to act as their "father" while their real one serves time for a white-collar crime.
Tommy Dewey and Greg Bratman penned the script and serve as supervising producers. Harvey Myman, Jason Felts and Justin Berfield exec produce.
On the hourlong side, Fox is casting a wide net with a medical drama, a comic-book adaptation and supernatural cop show.
-- "Maggie Hill," from 20th and Imagine, is about a brilliant female surgeon who thrives despite enduring adult-onset schizophrenia. "Shark" creator Ian Biederman penned the script and is exec producing with David Nevins.
-- "Human Target," from WBTV, DC Comics and McG's Wonderland, is based on the DC Comics title. It centers on Christopher Chance, a mysterious security-for-hire who assumes the identities of people in life-threatening danger, becoming the "human target" on behalf of his clients.
Jon Steinberg penned the script and is exec producing with McG.
-- The untitled reincarnation project, from WBTV, revolves around past-life investigators who use the concept of reincarnation to solve mysteries of their clients' previous lives in order to resolve their problems in the present.
David Hudgins wrote the script and is exec producing with Lou Pitt and MJ Rose.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Former Eastender Michelle Ryan is being lined as Doctor Who's new assistant.
She has been picked by show bosses to replace Freema Agyeman in the new series next year.
Michelle, 24, will star with previously little-known actor Matt Smith, 26, who was announced as the 11th and youngest Time Lord earlier this month.
A source on the show said: "Michelle's been in secret talks with BBC bosses.
They are likely to announce her as Doctor Who's new assistant very soon. She is perfect for the role. She is goodlooking and the right age to star alongside Matt. Everyone agrees they look great together and reckon fans will think they're the perfect team too."
Michelle - who recently played sorceress Nimueh in hit BBC series Merlin - auditioned to play the Doctor's helper in 2005, hoping to take over from Billie Piper. She was turned down in favour of Freema, 29, and a year later got a big break and went to the US to star in The Bionic Woman. But the remake of a 70s TV favourite lasted just eight episodes and Michelle returned to Britain.
The source added: "The BBC launched Michelle's acting career as Zoe Slater in EastEnders and she will be thrilled to be back with them in such a legendary role.
"It's an incredible opportunity for her and even though she's had a lot of success already she is still young and at the start of her career."
Lily Allen, 23, Kelly Brook, 29, and 23-year-old Carey Mulligan - who played Sally Sparrow in a previous Doctor Who episode - have all recently been linked to the coveted assistant's role.
Source: Mirror
Thanks to pheral for the heads up
io9.com initially posted a hulu preview of the show, and a commenter on that io9.com post (LoreleiArmadillo) found this worldwide-accessible version of the preview on scifi.
Source: SCI-FI Wire
On Wednesday March 11, 2009 at 10 pm EST South Park goes HD. We are really excited because, not only will the season premiere be in HD, but we have been working hard for over a year re-rendering previous seasons in native HD. We are not up-converting the episodes, but actually going into each episode and re-rendering every shot and frame at true HD.
Source: South Park Studios
Update: 19th Jan Sorry for the confusion. This episode is not for 4.13. We're currently not sure of the title.
Brennan and the team get a phone call from the Grave Digger, who informs them that Booth has been buried alive with only 24 hours of oxygen.
Airs: 5th February 2009
Source: SpoilerTV
We’ve known since October that AMC had renewed “Mad Men” for a third season, though creator/showrunner Matt Weiner was not yet contracted to oversee it.
Today comes word that Weiner has just signed to steer the adventures of ad agency staffers Don Draper, Peggy Olsen, Roger Sterling, et al for another two seasons.
Season three is slated to hit AMC this summer.
Source: Ain't It Cool News
Thanks to b3rt4 for the heads up.
Maybe this time we're really going to meet the mother on How I Met Your Mother: That '70s Show leading lady Laura Prepon has signed on to play Ted's once (and future) girlfriend in five episodes, sources confirm to me exclusively.
Mind you, if the October Road escapee's character, Karen, does turn out to be our hero's future missus, she'll be a far cry from Sarah Chalke's Little Miss Perfect. Prepon's alter ego -- Ted's squeeze through high school, college and then some -- is said to be as snooty as she is beautiful, and notorious for cheating on her lovers to avoid having to explain why she's dumping them.
Thoughts? Mine are 1) This for sure sounds like a fun character for Prepon, 2) She'll fit right in with the Mother gang, and 3) Okay, now I've lost count. So spill: Would you love it or hate it if the show was pulling a fast one and Prepon was the Mother-to-be?
Source: EW
How I Met Your Mother - Episode 4.14 - Barney Stinson: That Guy's Awesome - Press Release
THE GANG TRIES TO HELP ROBIN FIND A JOB SO THAT SHE WON'T BE DEPORTED, ON "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER," MONDAY, FEB. 2
"Barney Stinson: That Guy's Awesome" - When Robin realizes that she only has four days to get a job or she will be deported back to Canada, she agrees to let Barney produce a video resume for her, on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, Monday, Feb. 2 (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
SERIES REGULARS:
Ted………………………………………… Josh Radnor
Marshall…………………………………… Jason Segel
Barney……………………………… Neil Patrick Harris
Lily…………………………………… Alyson Hannigan
Robin ………………………………… Cobie Smulders
RECURRING CAST:
Narrator…………………………………… Bob Saget
Daughter…………………………… Lyndsey Fonseca
Son……………………………………… David Henrie
GUEST CAST:
Producer…………………………………… Regan Burns
Director……………………………………… Seth Morris
Rochelle Harper…………………… Angela Martinez
Marisela Diaz………………………… Tina Casciani
Lottery Girl………………………… Colleen Shannon
Dr. Goodman……………………… Mark Tomesek
Herm…………………………………………… Ara Anton
Referee…………………………………… Wayne Lopez
WRITTEN BY: Jonathan Groff
DIRECTED BY: Pamela Fryman
Source: CBS
The traditional broadcast pilot pickup season has kicked into gear.
Fox is close to greenlighting dramas "Maggie Hill" and "Human Target." Meanwhile, CBS has handed out a cast-contingent pilot order to the comedy "Tick Tock."
Over at TNT, the network has ordered six additional scripts from its promising new drama series "Leverage," which premiered to 5.6 million viewers in Decenber.
"Maggie Hill," from 20th Century Fox TV and Imagine TV, was written by "Shark" creator Ian Biederman. It is about a female heart surgeon who is suffering from schizophrenia.
"Human Target" hails from Warner Bros. TV, McG's Wonderland Sound and Vision and DC Comics.
Based on the cult DC Comics book and written by "Jericho" co-creator Jonathan Steinberg, it centers on a mysterious security expert who goes undercover to protect clients in danger.
The single-camera "Tick Tock," from CBS Paramount Network TV, centers on a single mom in her 30s who decides to focus all of her energy on finding love.
It was penned by Bill Kunstler ("The War at Home") on spec, which drew interest from three studios, landing at CBS Par.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Episode 1.1 09 Mar 09 - Pilot
Episode 1.2 16 Mar 09 - Hell Hath No Fury
Episode 1.3 23 Mar 09 - Nanny McDead
Episode 1.4 30 Mar 09 - Hedge Fund Homeboys
Episode 1.5 06 Apr 09 - A Chill Goes Through Her Veins
Episode 1.6 13 Apr 09 - Home Is Where the Heart Stops
Episode 1.7 20 Apr 09 - Always Boy Retail
Source: SpoilerTV
THE TEAM DISCOVERS A LINK BETWEEN A SERGEANT'S BIZARRE MURDER AND HIS POSSIBLY TREASONOUS PRIVATE LIFE, ON "NCIS," TUESDAY, JAN. 27
Chris Carmack ("The O.C.") Guest Stars As Kevin Nelson
"Love & War" - A slain sergeant's private life is on full display as the team must determine if a suspected act of treason lead to his death, on NCIS, Tuesday, Jan. 27 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
SERIES REGULARS:
NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs.................. Mark Harmon
NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo............. Michael Weatherly
Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard................................ David McCallum
Abby Sciuto............................. Pauley Perrette
NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee......................... Sean Murray
Ziva David, Mossad Liaison....... Cote de Pablo
NCIS Director Leon Vance....... Rocky Carroll
GUEST CAST:
Kevin Nelson........................... Chris Carmack
Rebecca Jennings................... Christine Woods
Jessica Shore............................ Danneel Harris
Adrianna Lopez........................... Eva Tamargo
Dr. Rod Daniels...................... James Urbaniak
Navy Captain Thomas Jennings................................. Michael Toland
Sheriff Lee Chandler..................... David Pease
DIRECTED BY: Terrence O'Hara
WRITTEN BY: Steven D. Binder & David J. North.
Source: CBS
THE GANG REFUSES TO LET A BLIZZARD RUIN THEIR RITUALS OF HAVING FUN, ON "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER," MONDAY, JAN. 19
"Three Days of Snow" - When A blizzard shuts down the city, Marshall and Lily try to continue their longstanding airport reunion tradition while Ted and Barney volunteer to keep MacLaren's open so they can meet up with some college girls, on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, Monday, Jan. 19 (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
SERIES REGULARS:
Ted.............................................. Josh Radnor
Marshall........................................ Jason Segel
Barney................................ Neil Patrick Harris
Lily........................................ Alyson Hannigan
Robin ..................................... Cobie Smulders
RECURRING CAST
Narrator.................................Bob Saget
Ranjit.........................Marshall Manesh
GUEST CAST:
Carl................................................ Joe Nieves
Amanda................................... Amy Gumenick
Melissa....................................... Eileen Boylan
Thelma............................ Pat Crawford Brown
Viveka.......................................... Ute Werner
Rachel Sondheimer............................ Gita Isak
Patrice........................................... Yves Bright
Colin.................................... Jordan Masterson
Ryan ...................................... ..Cal Gibson
WRITTEN BY: Matt Kuhn
DIRECTED BY: Pamela Fryman
Source: CBS
Thanks to my good friends at Series Addict here are the pilot scripts from
Good Behavior - US remake of outrageous fortune by Rob Thomas and Patient 2344 a HBO drama set in the near future at a state of the art medical research facility.
The Mentalist is already a big winner with only 11 episodes under its belt this season- its ratings have been great! It won the People's Choice Award this week for favorite new drama beating out 90210 and Fringe. Here are stars Simon Baker and Robin Tunney accepting the award.
Second video- interview with co-star Tim Kang talking about his character and what it is like working on the show. Wonder why he sounds like such a smarty? Well he is- Tim went to UC Berkley and Harvard before heading to Hollywood joining the ranks of only a few other Ivy league actors on TV.
The episode’s title has a double meaning. In one case, Ted is setting out on his own in the wide world of architecture with Mosby Designs, though his first project isn’t as dignified as he’d like: it’s a restaurant shaped like a cowboy hat.
The other leap? I don’t know who initiates it and I don’t know how it ends, but Barney and Robin have a conversation that includes the words “I love you” (from him) and “let’s get married” (from her, though she’s not serious). If you’re concerned about it getting mushy and losing the true Barney, don’t be. It looks like a confusing (for him) and hilarious (for us) scene.
UPDATE: Just to clarify some of the reactions I’ve seen here and on other sites:
▪ Robin is not suggesting a green card marriage. I don’t know anything about how that gets resolved.
▪ As far as I can tell, she doesn’t seem to be shooting him down, and she doesn’t seem to be mistaking it for a joke. The most likely scenario is that she’s pointing out the problem that everyone has pointed out: Barney might not want to be just friends, but he’s also not going to want to be a one-woman man.
Source: Legen- Wait For It
How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory - New Promos
Search for new Doctor Who's partner begins
Singer Lily Allen has been tipped to join the doctor in the Tardis Photo: GETTY IMAGES
The producers of Doctor Who have begun the search for a "high profile" female companion after unveiling little-known actor Matt Smith as the new Time Lord.
By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor
Last Updated: 6:55AM GMT 05 Jan 2009
Smith, 26, a surprise choice for the 11th Doctor and the youngest actor ever to take the role, is largely unfamiliar to audiences and BBC bosses are keen to pair him with a showbusiness name.
The singer Lily Allen is an early favourite, while sources say Strictly Come Dancing stars Rachel Stevens and Kelly Brook are high on the BBC's wish-list.
Producers are looking for someone who is famous outside the world of acting – replicating the success of former Doctor's assistant Billie Piper, who was better known as a teenage popstar and the wife of DJ Chris Evans when she landed the role but proved a hit with viewers.
Auditions will take place over the coming months and filming begins in the summer. Piers Wenger, executive producer of the BBC One show, said: "Having got the casting of the Doctor out of the way, the companion role is where we will be looking next.
"Someone terribly exciting like Billie Piper, who was at the beginning of her acting career but who had a profile for other reasons, would be great. We are looking for someone whose light can burn brightly."
Allen, 23, was linked with the role once before, but it went to comedienne Catherine Tate. She is a favourite with bosses at the BBC, where she has her own chat show, and is keen to try her hand at acting. She would follow in the footsteps of singer Kylie Minogue, who was cast as the companion in the 2007 Christmas special.
Wenger said: "We would never cast anyone on the basis of their celebrity, but if Lily wanted to audition we would be delighted. It would be a lot of fun."
Brook, 29, has acting experience, including a remake of the Italian Job, but has never had a major television role. Doctor Who sources say her name has come up in discussions several times. She will face competition from Stevens, 30, who is keen to carve out a screen career and recently took acting lessons in Los Angeles. Model Agyness Deyn, 25, is another possible choice.
All are close in age to Smith, who takes over from David Tennant in 2010. Nearly seven million viewers tuned in to BBC One on Saturday to discover the 11th Doctor's identity.
There had been much talk of a black Doctor Who, with actor Paterson Joseph among the favourites. Wenger disclosed: "We saw a dozen or so people, some of them black. There was never any resistance to the idea of a black Doctor and it would have got us all sorts of headlines and brownie points, but we set out to cast the best actor for the role irrespective of ethnicity or age, and that was Matt."
Source: Telegraph
Thanks to Rosalind for the info.
Matt Smith has been named as the actor who will take over from David Tennant in Doctor Who - making him the youngest actor to take on the role.
At 26, Smith is three years younger than Peter Davison when he signed up to play the fifth Doctor in 1981.
Smith will first appear on TV screens as the 11th Doctor in 2010.
He was cast over Christmas and will begin filming for the fifth series of Doctor Who in the summer. Tennant is filming four specials in 2009.
Smith was named as Tennant's replacement in Saturday's edition of Doctor Who Confidential on BBC One.
He said: "I've got this wonderful journey in front of me where I've got this six months to build this Time Lord - and that's such an exciting prospect."
Piers Wenger, head of drama at BBC Wales, said that as soon as he had seen Smith's audition he "knew he was the one".
"It was abundantly clear that he had that 'Doctor-ness' about him," he said. "You are either the Doctor or you are not."
The 11 Doctors
Peter Davison
1. William Hartnell (1963-1966)
2. Patrick Troughton (1966-1969)
3. Jon Pertwee (1970-1974)
4. Tom Baker (1974-1981)
5. Peter Davison - pictured (1982-1984)
6. Colin Baker (1984-1986)
7. Sylvester McCoy (1987-1996)
8. Paul McGann (1996)
9. Christopher Eccleston (2005)
10. David Tennant (2005-2010)
11. Matt Smith (2010 - ?)
Wenger said a broad range of people had been auditioned, but they had not set out to cast the youngest Doctor.
Smith's TV debut was in the 2006 adaptation of Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke, which starred former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper as Sally Lockhart.
He has also acted opposite Piper in the follow-up, The Shadow in the North, and in ITV2's Secret Diary of a Call Girl.
In 2007, he had a leading role in BBC Two's political drama Party Animals, in which he played a parliamentary researcher.
Smith's stage work has included stints with theatre companies such as the Royal Court and National Theatre. His West End debut was in Swimming With Sharks opposite Christian Slater.
He was born in Northampton in 1982 and studied drama and creative writing at the University of East Anglia.
Creative team
Tennant said in October that he would stand down from the show after filming four special episodes in 2009.
The star is due to begin shooting the first special this month, just weeks after surgery on his back forced him to pull out of a London run of Hamlet.
The last of these special episodes is expected to run in early 2010.
With a new creative team in place for the 2010 series led by executive producers Steven Moffat and Piers Wenger, the casting of the Doctor was the first job to be completed before scripts could be finalised.
Doctor Who began in 1963, and seven actors played the Doctor before the show was dropped in 1989.
After a TV movie in 1996 - starring Paul McGann - the TV series returned in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston in the lead role. Tennant took over the same year.
Source: BBC
New Doctor Who to be announced
The name of the actor who will replace David Tennant as Doctor Who will be announced on Saturday.
Tennant said in October that he would stand down from the show after filming four special episodes in 2009.
His replacement - the eleventh Doctor of the TV series - will be revealed in a Doctor Who Confidential programme on BBC One at 1735 on 3 January.
The casting was confirmed over Christmas and filming for the 2010 series begins in the summer.
Tennant is due to begin shooting the first of his four specials this month, just weeks after surgery on his back.
The last of these episodes is expected to run in early 2010.
'Nail-biting Christmas'
The casting decision has been a priority for the show's new creative team, led by executive producers Steven Moffat and Piers Wenger.
The BBC said that in Saturday's Doctor Who special "the actor playing the new Doctor will be giving his or her initial reaction" to becoming TV's most famous time traveller.
Wenger, head of drama at BBC Wales, said: "We believe the actor is going to bring something very special to the role and will make it absolutely their own.
"I just can't wait to tell everyone who it is - it has been a nail-biting Christmas trying to keep this under wraps!"
Shortly after Tennant's announcement, bookmakers were tipping several well-known names as the next actor (or actress) to step into the Tardis.
Murphy's Law and Cold Feet star James Nesbitt emerged as one of the favourites, along with Paterson Joseph, John Simm and David Morrissey - who appeared in the 2008 Christmas special.
Paterson Joseph, who recently starred in Survivors and appeared in two Doctor Who episodes in 2005, has said "any actor would love the challenge" of playing the Time Lord.
Bookmakers made him an early favourite - offering odds of 3-1 on him becoming the first black Doctor.
Comedian Jennifer Saunders, former Doctor Who assistant Billie Piper and film star Catherine Zeta Jones have also been mentioned in connection with the role.
The show's outgoing executive producer Russell T Davies said last month: "Whoever becomes the Doctor has got to take on a whole life. It's not just becoming a part of a TV show."
In October, when Tennant was asked who he thought should replace him, he joked: "Well, I've always been a big supporter of Wee Jimmy Krankie!"
Doctor Who began in 1963, and seven actors played the Doctor before the show was dropped in 1989.
After a TV movie in 1996 - starring Paul McGann - the TV series returned in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston in the lead role. Tennant took over the role the same year.
Source: BBC News
