If my Twitter feed is any indication, a slew of lucky TV types have already been given the opportunity to check out at least some of Fall’s new offerings. Are you one of the lucky ones, and if so, what our your thoughts thus far? — Mike
The TV Addict: Seeing as though we were only granted access to a select number of Fall pilots under the strict condition that we were not allowed to “review” them (Cue Boilerplate: Episodes were provided for planning purposes only. NOT FOR REVIEW. Episodes are rough cuts that contain temporary picture, graphics, audio and music) our thoughts on what is already shaping up to be a far more exciting September than its predecessor will unfortunately have to wait. Well, except to say one thing that we’re fairly confident the proverbial powers that be won’t mind us spilling: When it comes to shows that may-or-may-not star Emily Van Camp, Sarah Jones and Jennifer Morrison, we are already counting down the days until we can find out what happens next.
Any scoop on ENTOURAGE’s final season? — Alison
The TV Addict: Suffice it to say, after last season’s drug bust, Vince’s career won’t be the only thing going up in flames. So much so that your very own TV Addict has just learned that the gang’s not-so-humble abode will be going up in smoke thanks to a incredibly irresponsible amphibian named Turtle. Oh, and that’s not the only thing heating up this summer. According to sources, one gang member’s hard-partying ways may come back to haunt them in the form of a bun in the oven. But will it serve as the wake up call Vince needs to turn his life around? Stay tuned…
Any chance you happened to pick up any intel on the always mysterious Observers during last week’s Paley Event honoring FRINGE? — Dave
The TV Addict: We didn’t, but our West Coast Correspondent extraordinaire Tiffany Vogt did, who was on the scene and had this to say, “Are FRINGE’s Observers really angels in disguise? Not according to producer/writer Akiva Goldsman who made a point to emphasize that FRINGE is not an exploration of science versus religion. In fact, he shared, ‘[FRINGE] is an exploration of the experience of life — the dramatic and intense humor — with relationships seen through the mirror of science fiction’.”
I’m so stoked about GENERAL HOSPITAL finally having gotten rid of headwriter Bob Guza. Any early hints as to what the new guy, Garin Wolf, might have in store? — Brenda
The TV Addict: We’re hearing buzz that a popular character from the past could be returning… albeit with a new face. A casting call recently went out for a 30something female described as “caucasian/Italian, dark haired… accomplished… self-confident.” Okay granted, if the description stopped there, it could be just about anybody. But get this: The casting notice goes on to describe the character as having a “blue collar, Brooklyn background of unfettered fire and passion.” Starting to ring any bells? What if we throw in “leans toward letting her hair down in no-label jeans and simple leather jackets over a bottle of beer”? Sounds to us a whole lot like Lois Cerullo, played most famously by Rena Sofer and later Lesli Kay. Viewers will recall that Lois was married to Ned Ashton and is the mom of Brook Lynn. If one of Wolf’s first moves is to bring back the classic character, he’s off to a good start. Look for the character — whether it be Lois or not! — to first hit the airwaves in late summer or early fall.
I can’t seem to turn TNT on without seeing ads for FRANKLIN & BASH. Is this new series worth checking out? — Amber
The TV Addict: Judging from the slew of guest stars that we were just informed will be joining Breckin Meyer (Franklin) and Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Bash) in the coming weeks — including but not limited to Natalie Zea (June 8), Fred Willard (June 8), Harry Hamlin (June 22), Tom Arnold (June 29 ), Beau Bridges (June 29 ), Jason Alexander (July 6), Tommy Chong (July 20), Kathy Najimy (July 20), James Van Der Beek (July 27), Tricia Helfer (August 3) — we’re going to go out an a limb and say yes.
Any intel on the new season of COVERT AFFAIRS? — Sandy
The TV Addict: Still seething over BP’s handling of last year’s Gulf Coast disaster? The writers of COVERT AFFAIRS sure as heck seem to be. Or at least that’s what we’re assuming based on an upcoming story line that will see Annie, Ben and Joan head off to Mexico city to save a roomful of oil executives who are being held hostage by an terrorist organization… Or so we’re led to believe.
Any idea as to why I should bother checking out ABC Family’s upcoming new series SWITCHED AT BIRTH? — Jordana
The TV Addict: Having not had the chance to screen the pilot yet — which tells the story of two teenage girls who discover they were accidentally switched as newborns in the hospital — we have very little to say on the subject. Luckily for ABC Family, co-star Lucas Grabeel (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL) didn’t need any prompting when asked that very question during a recent interview, “I think it’s got a lot of heart. It’s kind of an interesting concept because its not something that we think about on a day to day basis. We woke up one day and found out that the people who raised us our whole lives were not our real biological parents and that we had been switched at birth. Kind of a crazy thing to be put in as that position, but also coming from the parent’s point of view, raising this child that you think is your kid. You call this love and you think you’re doing everything that you can to be right and everything flips upside down and you kind of have to deal with the madness. So, it’s a very interesting concept. I think that’s really drawing me to loving the project even more.”
Cannot wait for WEEDS return, any scoop? — Jason
The TV Addict: Funny you should ask , because just as we were about to pad this week’s edition of “Ask the Addict” with some newly-released photos from the upcoming seventh season of the hit Showtime series, some fairly big scoop popped up in our inbox. Turns out, when WEEDS returns this June 27, Nancy will have just completed a three-year (!) stint in Federal Prison. She’s now in New York, where she must complete her probation in a strictly monitored halfway house, which means she’ll have to deal before curfew, wile re-starting her business from scratch. Meanwhile, the boys – Andy (Justin Kirk), Silas (Hunter Parrish) and Shane (Alexander Gould) – who were camped out in Copenhagen – are now Big Apple-bound with Doug (Kevin Nealon) in tow, of course and will be stirring up major trouble.
Also joining the adventure this season are Martin Short as an eccentric attorney in at least 3 episodes, Aidan Quinn (Prime Suspect) who plays a charismatic investment firm CEO in at least 4 episodes, Jennifer Jason Leigh who returns for 4 episodes as Nancy’s estranged sister Jill Price-Grey who has been watching Little Stevie while Nancy was incarcerated. Lindsay Sloane (Grosse Pointe) who has signed on for 6 episodes as Maxeen, an eccentric conceptual artist who Andy (Kirk) meets at a gallery event, and noted actor David Clennon (Ghost Whisperer) will play her husband, Charles. Pablo Schreiber (Lights Out) will star as Demetri Ravitch, an army supply sergeant and brother of Nancy’s former cellmate Zoya (guest star Olga Sosnovska), who begins to supply Nancy in her newest endeavor. And Gary Anthony Williams (Mad, The Boondocks) will play Ed Watson, Nancy’s halfway house counselor.
Additional Reporting by Tiffany Vogt