NBC Says No to Kristin Chenoweth Pilot ‘Legally Mad’
Sorry, Kristin Chenoweth fans, but I bear very bad news. Variety reports that NBC has declined to pick up the Pushing Daisies dynamo’s David E. Kelley pilot called Legally Mad.
Rumors had been flying that was the case since the network failed to mention the potential show during its “infront” announcement last Monday. The event was scheduled to tell the world about the slate of new series NBC intends to give a chance during the 2009–2010 season.
In addition to Chenoweth, the cast of the would-have-been drama included Eli Stone alumna Loretta Devine, as well as Charity Wakefield, Hugh Bonneville, Jon Seda, and Kurt Fuller. What I would have given to see Kristin and Loretta on the same show each week.
‘Eli Stone’s Jason George Lands New Gig
February 26, 2009 by Chandra
My TV-lover heart breaks a little more each time I hear another piece of casting news involving an actor from a prematurely canceled show I happen to love.
This time the damage is due to learning that Jason George — who most recently played Keith Bennett, effective attorney and possibly Patti’s future son-in-law, on Eli Stone — has been added to the pilot for another ABC project, the potential drama Inside the Box.
That high-profile series comes from the mind of Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes. Considering her clout as a result of Grey’s and its spinoff Private Practice’s success, there’s a better than usual chance Inside the Box will be picked up as a full-fledged series eventually. If so, hopefully it will enjoy a longer than usual life, as well, or at least much longer than Stone’s too-short two-year run.
Washington-set Inside the Box follows a news producer and her coworkers at a television news bureau, one of whom is George’s on-air network correspondent.
Fans Must Wait for Dirty Sexy, Eli, Pushing Daisies Finales
January 16, 2009 by Chandra
This news truly sucks.
E! Online’s Kristin and tons of other TV industry insiders in the know all report pretty much the same dismal development: ABC is holding off on airing the final episodes of canceled gems Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, and Pushing Daisies until the summer.
For those of us who remember the vastly boring wasteland the summer TV season used to be before basic cable swooped in and made it a legitimate occasion for new stuff, waiting isn’t such a big deal. But, for fans who wanted closure as soon as possible, it’s a whole ‘nother story I’m sure.
The reason for the delay is very simple, of course. Chalk it up to money, meaning ratings too low to have a large enough positive impact on the network’s bottom line. As Kristin points out, the shows that replaced the three series in their former time slots, including repeats of other series, have been bringing in much more Nielsen bacon — often twice as much or more.
Seal and Bridget Moynahan Visit ‘Eli Stone’
Tonight’s “Help” is a very special episode of Eli Stone for Seal fans. The musician also known as the husband of supermodel and Project Runway host Heidi Klum guest stars as himself in a storyline featuring Taylor and Matt, the last of whom scores tickets to his concert.
Elsewhere, Eli, played by real-life recent first-time dad Jonny Lee Miller, gets a hookup, courtesy of Chen, who fixes the attorney up with a patient on a blind date to help him combat what the acunpcturist perceives as loneliness.
Fairly famous actress Bridget Moynahan is a guest star, as well, so I’m guessing she’s involved with this particular segment, especially since she and her character Ashley makes a return appearance on next week’s episode “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” Eli could definitely do worse.
However, the best plot of all, in my opinion, is the one that’s been evolving for the last couple of episodes, namely Patti’s aspiring doctor daughter Angela (Taraji P. Henson), whom we were first led to believe has an alcohol and then cocaine problem — and she very well still might — but then later learned has actually been dismissed from her hospital job. More details emerge about that ugly situation, and I can’t wait to find out what happened there as Eli and Keith represent her on drug charges.
Take a look at the trailer for “Help” after the jump. And, yes — that’s a big old hearty slap Patti delivers to what looks like her daughter’s face. Ouch!
Dissed by ABC: Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Pushing Daisies
November 21, 2008 by Chandra
The news is spreading like wildfire all over the Internets: on November 20, ABC announced more changes to its midseason schedule that include:
• The Thursday pairing of Grey’s Anatomy and its spinoff Private Practice, beginning on January 8
• The Wednesday pairing of Lost and Life on Mars, which has also received an order for four additional episodes, beginning on January 28
• The simultaneous return and ABC premiere of Scrubs on Tuesday, January 6 at 9pm EST, following double episodes of According to Jim at 8pm
What’s most notable about the schedule, however, especially to us dramedy fans, is the absence of three of television’s most engaging, entertaining, and arguably unique series: Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Pushing Daisies.
Comedy TV Guide: Tue, Oct 28
The Midseason End Is Here for Greek
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Tuesday, October 28 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
Rita Rocks — Nobody Does it Better
Rita gets grief and no appreciation from her daughters, both of whom show more respect for what little their father does at home.
[8:30pm-9pm | Lifetime]
Greek — Hell Week
As herself, special guest star Lauren Conrad (The Hills) advises Casey in a dream sequence when Casey frets over how to spend her summer. Elsewhere, the eager pledges endure one last massive challenge, Hell Week, to gain entry to their preferred house.
[9pm-10pm | Second-Midseason Finale | ABC Family | Sneak Peeks | Trailer]
Comedy TV Guide: Tue, Oct 21
October 21, 2008 by Chandra
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Tuesday, October 21 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
Rita Rocks — Lies, Lies, Lies, Yeah-Ah
Shannon learns her mom lies when Rita does just that after missing her karate class because of band practice.
[8:30pm-9pm | Lifetime]
Greek — Three’s A Crowd
Heads-up, Aliens in America fans: Dan Byrd (Justin Tolchuk) guest stars on this episode as Dale’s high school “Purity Pledge” friend, about whom Rusty will discover a secret that he hesitates to tell Dale. Also, new Zeta Beta Zeta president Ashleigh still can’t escape being in the middle of Casey and Fannie’s continuing rivalry.
[9pm-10pm | ABC Family]
Eli Stone: 2.01 ‘The Path’ Recap
October 15, 2008 by Chandra
Original Air Date: October 14, 2008
On the season opener of Eli Stone, Eli is back, alive, and in a pretty foul funk. It’s been six months since the Season One-ending brain surgery on his aneurysm, and although the operation appears to have worked, removing all traces of the medical problem and the accompanying divine visions, Eli has clearly lost his “faith and prophecy” mojo as a result.
The episode begins with a stark change for Eli. As he walks down the street, he hears music for the first time since before his surgery. It’s Patti belting out Martha and the Vandellas’ classic party tune “Dancing in the Streets,” while every pedestrian in the vicinity provides backup dancing and harmonizing. Uh-oh — that’s not supposed to be happening.
Eli has been seeing seeing a therapist (Sigourney Weaver) weekly for the last three months. However, their relationship is far from smooth, as Eli repeatedly asks her to sign his “permission slip” — the recertification form for his law license — and she repeatedly ignores that request in favor of asking more deep questions and making more biting observations.
Comedy TV Guide: Tue, Oct 14
October 14, 2008 by Chandra
Eli Stone Opens Season Two
And Jen K. Resurfaces on Greek
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Tuesday, October 14 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
Greek — The Popular Vote
Frannie and Casey play dirty with each other as Zeta Beta Zeta’s presidential election draws nearer, while Rusty bumps into Jen K. (Jessica Rose) unexpectedly when he’s out on a date and Calvin copes with cheating on Michael (Max Greenfield).
[9pm-10pm | ABC Family | Sneak Peaks]
Eli Stone — The Path
Jordan accidentally is trapped inside a building, leading to a legal confrontation between his daughter Taylor and Eli. Sigourney Weaver guest stars.
[10pm-11pm | ABC | Second-Season Premiere | Sneak Peaks]
Scare Tactics — When the Larvae Breaks
The new episode is followed by the repeat “Rage from the Cage.”
[10pm-10:30pm | Sci Fi Channel]
‘Eli Stone’ Is Back on October 14
When we last saw the title character of Eli Stone (Jonny Lee Miller) back in April, the lawyer-prophet was fresh out of brain surgery with an uncertain future ahead.
When he returns to the tube tomorrow night for a deserved second season that kicks off with “The Path,” not only will Eli have Oscar winner Sigourney Weaver along for the ride — she plays a therapist — but he’ll be alive and vision-free for a miraculous six months. Great news!
Unfortunately, more disaster is still in the cards. An accident is going to occur that will leave Jordan Wethersby (Victor Garber) trapped inside a building and Eli’s doctor brother Nate (Matt Letscher) with a vision and a brain aneurysm of his very own.
The legal part will come into play when Eli and and his ex-fiancée Taylor (Natasha Henstridge) disagree about her father’s precise location in the building. I’m guessing after all he went through during the first season, Eli will be firmly on his brother’s side.