Entertainment News for May 2009

Here's the latest word on the L Word spin off series. Though only a pilot movie, Showtime has decided to give it a pass as a series but will probably still air it. Originally called 'The Farm,' it stars Leisha Hailey, playing Alice after she's been convicted for murder and is spending time in a women's prison in Humboldt County. The cast includes Famke Janssen (Jean Grey from The X-Men) with Laurie Metcalf (Roseanne) as the Prison Warden. Ilene Chaiken is both writer and producer. *** Though not cast in The Farm, Jennifer Beals has been busy working on a Network series. if you caught the April 29th episode of the FOX series Lie To Me, you saw the first episode of a multiple episode story arc featuring Beals in a recurring role. The Flashdancer has also been working on the motion picture The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington. Described as a Post-apocalyptic western, it is clear that the producers never heard of the Kevin Costner film The Postman and what a bomb it was. At least be unique and set it in a world of only water. ***
Another L Word veteran was in the news, as Kelly McGillis, has come out and pronounced her love for women. In a website interview, the 51 year-old actress, relayed how she struggled with her sexuality as it was counter to her religious up-bringing. Ironic that Kelly played a closeted Army colonel on the L Word. So naturally one has to consider the cliche question about art imitating life and vice verse. *** This years edition of Dancing with the Stars has really taken a toll on celebrity performers. Jewell dropped out due to a fractured tibiae, Jack-ass star Steve-O hurt his back and Steve Wozniak (founder of Apple computers) fractured his foot. I'm mostly disappointed about the Woz because I was waiting for his rendition of a - "Laptop dance." At this rate of injury, here are some of my suggestions for celebrity contestants on the next edition of Dancing with the Stars, Elizabeth Taylor, Jose Feliciano and Dr. Steven Hawking. *** Delayed from last November, the recently settled lawsuit over Project Runway's move to Lifetime will bring the return of the fashion-forward series this summer. And just in time too as unemployment benefits were about to run out for Nina Garcia, Michael Koors and Tim Gunn. The new deal with lifetime includes 5 more seasons of Project Runway, the creation of a spin-off series called "Models of the Runway" and a third show called "Project Pygmalion." During it's hiatus, Bravo created a new show to satiate fashionistas called The Fashion Show. This latest design competition debuts May 7th, with 15 contestants creating their concepts of couture. Isaac Mizrahi and and former Destiny's Child singer, Kelly Rowland will co-host and judge. Among this years hopefuls are 31-year-old Andrew, an LA designer known for his underwear line and the nickname of Panty-Christ. 26-year-old Johnny R of San Diego whose adventurous style is found in his Grandma's Glock Streetwear line, and 30-year-old New York designer Laura whose creations have been worn by Moby and the Scissor Sisters. . ***
For years, fans of Jane Lynch (The 40 Year Old Virgin) have had to make due with her occasional film appearance and now, we get to enjoy her talents weekly with the May 19th preview airing of Glee on Fox. It comes from Ryan Murphy, the creator of Popular and Nip/Tuck and features Lynch as a hard as nails high school coach who screams "you think this is hard? I'm living with Hepatitis and THAT'S hard!" I can't think of anybody more perfect to utter a line like that. The one hour musical comedy begins with a teacher's desire to take over the Glee club and transform them into National contenders. The cast includes Matthew Morrisson (As the World Turns), Emma Pillsbury (Ugly Betty,) and Cory Monteith (Kyle XY.). Watch for out Gay actor, Cheyenne Jackson to appear in the show's third episode. But don't get too excited. The May preview is just a sampling before the show debuts as a regular series in the Fall*** The LOGO network had it's highest ratings ever with the recent airing of RuPaul's drag race. But that record may be broken with this months' debut of the series Beautiful People. Best described as a cross between Fame, Ugly Betty and Absolutely Fabulous it's no surprise that it comes from Jon Plowman, one of the producers of Ab Fab. The six episode series originally aired across the Atlantic on BBC Two and is based on the best-selling over-the-top childhood memoirs of Simon Doonan, creative director of Barneys, New York. The show explores the world of Simon and Kyle, two gay high school mates who are obsessed with the performing arts. In one scene, the two boys sit in a pub with their drama teacher as she reminisces about a long lost french lover "Francios said my tits were like two upturned creme brulee, - without the burnt bits on the bottom." You can catch HYSTERICAL clips of the show before it's American premiere on Youtube. Just search Beautiful People BBC Two. I predict viewing parties all over the nation. *** Sure, the movie Spartacus was remade as a TV miniseries with ER's Goran Visjnic and you're thinking why on Earth would someone bother again. Well, it never made it to a regular TV series and it never starred Xena Warrior Princess, Lucy Lawless. Coming next year to the Starz pay cable channel, it's called Spartacus: Blood and Sand, not to be confused with Spartacus: Roman Celebrity Apprentice. It comes from Xena producers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, which explains how Lawless got cast in the role of one of the owners of Spartacus. Also in the cast are Erin Cummings (Dollhouse), Craig Parker (Legend of the Seeker) and, playing the title role of the Roman soldier who becomes a slave is Australian actor Andy Whitfield. *** And finally, if you are as much a fan of the brilliant and under appreciated ABC series Pushing Daisies as I am, you'll be thrilled to learn, the last three, unaired episodes will begin airing on Saturdays beginning May 30th. The complete season 2, and final season, DVD set will be released this summer.