December 22, 2004 |
EXCLUSIVE!
Burt Reynolds will guest-star on CBS's The King of Queens during February sweeps as Doug's (Kevin James) former high school football coach. As reported in the new issue of TV Guide magazine (on sale tomorrow), James invited the former Evening Shade star to appear on the show after the two became fast friends working on the big-screen comedy Grilled. |
MR. PERSONALITY
Recently departed NBC Nightly Newsman Tom Brokaw has the best personality among TV anchors, according to a just-released survey by research firm Insight Express. ABC's Peter Jennings ranked second, followed by Fox News Channel's Shepard Smith, NBC's Tim Russert, Brokaw successor Brian Williams and CNN's Anderson Cooper. And further down the list... keep going... a little more... you're almost there... you'll find CBS's Dan Rather. |
DEAD REBORN?
Reports of Dead Like Me's untimely demise have been greatly exaggerated. Although Showtime axed the two-year-old drama series, execs at MGM (the show's producer) confirm that they are "exploring every opportunity" to keep the show alive. For more on that, read "Ask Ausiello." (Yes, there's actually a little substance to this week's column. The key words being "a little.") |
HOT HOUSEWIVES
With 22.3 million viewers, Sunday's fresh episode of Desperate Housewives was the most-watched show of the week. Still, CBS — with eight of the Top 10 programs — came out on top with an average 12.6 million viewers. |
FAT DEAL
Jenny Craig has tapped Hollywood's new plus-size poster girl, Kirstie Alley, as its new celeb spokeswoman. The upcoming Fat Actress star says she was approached by four other companies before settling on Jenny. "I wanted to go with the safest, most well-rounded, fun approach," Alley says. "And let's face it, Jenny Craig's food is hands-down the yummiest." And their checks the cashiest! |
CLARK UPDATE
Dick Clark, who continues to recover from a mild stroke, will remain hospitalized through Christmas and perhaps New Year's Eve, USA Today reports. As previously reported, Regis Philbin will be pinch-hitting for Clark on ABC's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005. |
WILL IT BE LIVE?
Embattled pop star Ashlee Simpson will embark on her first solo tour in early '05. The tour kicks off Feb. 18 in Los Angeles and makes stops in Seattle, Denver, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas and Lipsyncville. |
RIDDLE ME THIS
What's sadder (read: funnier) than Apprentice 2 star Stacie J. putting her infamous Magic 8-Ball up for auction on her personal web log? Finding out that her highest bid — $1 million — came from Dr. Evil. Click here for all the depressing (read: hilarious) details. |
SHORT CUTS
NBC has tapped Will & Grace's Bobby Cannavale to headline its in-the-works French Connection-esque cop drama NY-70, per The Hollywood Reporter... The Man Show's Adam Carolla is returning to Comedy Central to host a new weeknight talk show... Listen Up's Jason Alexander and Malcolm-Jamal Warner will host CBS's coverage of the 31st annual People's Choice Awards on Jan. 9. |
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