One of the best pieces of television development news last week came from basic cable’s Lifetime. The network that prides itself on its programming geared towards women announced the pickup of its first original sitcom in ten years, a half-hour comedy called Rita Rocks.
The series is slated to premiere this fall and will star Nicole Sullivan (Kim Possible, The King of Queens) as title character Rita Clements, a married working mother of two daughters who attempts to regain her youth by returning to her earlier happy days as a garage-band guitarist.
Other cast members include Richard Ruccolo (Joey, Two Guys …read more

Cable’s Showtime has a new comedy called Secret Diary of a Call Girl premiering Monday night at 10:30pm EST that stars former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper as a companion of a whole ‘nother kind.
The U.K. series already aired across the pond from September to November 2007, where it quickly gained popularity. Based on a book based on a blog — yes, a blog, and one hosted by Blogger at that! — anonymously written by a person who claims to be a London prostitute, the show follows her life and times as she mostly contentedly plies her trade.
In other …read more

Who needs an Emmy when you can have a Peabody Award? Although the first award gets tons more coverage and fanfare in the general entertainment industry and among the general public, it’s the second honor that seems to generate the most respect and admiration among TV-industry insiders.
That fact might have something to do with the roster of past Peabody winners, which consistently includes the best, boldest, brightest, and bravest contenders possible. The annual Emmy extravaganza can’t hold a candle to that reputation in an era where its voters consistently overlook potential nominees that seem like a shoo-in to …read more

ABC Family
Greek

Second half of first season (12 episodes) premieres on March 24
Complete first season will have 22 episodes
RENEWED for a 12-episode second season on February 14

AMC
Breaking Bad

Currently airing its 9-episode first season
Has not been renewed for a second season

Hustle

Currently on hiatus
Completed its fourth season on May 23
Complete fourth season has 6 episodes
Has not been renewed for a fifth season

Comedy Central
Reno 911!

Currently airing the first 8-episode half of its fifth season
Slated to complete its fifth season this summer
Complete fifth season will have 16 episodes
Has not been renewed for a sixth season

The Sarah Silverman Program

Second half of second season (8 episodes) premieres …read more

HBO
Curb Your Enthusiasm

Currently on hiatus
Completed its sixth season on November 11
Complete sixth season has 10 episodes
Has not been renewed for a seventh season

Entourage

Fifth season premieres this summer
Has not been renewed for a sixth season

Flight of the Conchords

Second season premieres this summer
Has not been renewed for a third season

Showtime
Californication

Second season premieres this summer
Complete second season will have 12 episodes
Has not been renewed for a third season

Weeds

Fourth season premieres this summer on June 16
Complete fourth season will have 13 episodes
Has not been renewed for a fifth season

I received my December 17–23 print issue of TV Guide in the mail yesterday, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it contains an overview of what various editors and contributors at the publication consider to be the best of U.S. television in 2007. Even better, the comedy genre is very well represented among the shows and stars mentioned.
Behind the cover featuring a smoldering Kate Walsh of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice fame is the special section My Big Year 2007. The notable comedy mentions are (in magazine order):

Actor, producer, and writer B.J. Novak of The Office …read more

The hit Showtime comedy Weeds closes its third successful season tonight with a fourth of thirteen episodes already secured. Get high on the final hijinks for this fall.

Go
As the wildfire approaches, everyone must evacuate. Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) tells her family to pack up, while Conrad (Romany Malco) and Heylia (Tonye Patano) must say goodbye to the growhouse.
The authorities question Sullivan (Matthew Modine) and Celia (Elizabeth Perkins), while Shane (Alexander Gould) continues to ask Nancy about Pittsburgh.
As Andy (Justin Kirk) deals at the evacuation center, Silas (Hunter Parrish) realizes the truth about Tara (Mary-Kate Olsen).
Weeds airs Mondays on Showtime at …read more

The Last Waltz
Hank struggles with the onrushing reality of Karen’s wedding to Bill. Becca receives an unexpected visitor, prompting some vintage Hank Moody problem solving. Bill, meanwhile, breaks it to Mia that he has no intention of allowing her book to be published.
Californication airs Mondays on Showtime at 10:30pm EST. The series has already been renewed for a second twelve-episode season, which will most likely begin airing next summer.

Source: Showtime

Well, there they are. All together now: “Awwwwww!!!”

Following in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie and Madonna, Weeds actress Mary-Louise Parker has adopted an infant from Africa, People reports.
The film and television regular was nominated for two Emmy awards this year, one for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in honor of her work on Showtime’s Weeds, and another for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her performance in the Oxygen Network telefilm The Robber Bride.
Although Parker went home sans even one statuette on Sunday, she probably didn’t mind so much as the newest addition to her family—the single mom also has a …read more