TV Fodder

Lost Review: "Cabin Fever"

"Lost" fans: TV Fodder's sister site, Filmfodder, has a brand new review of "Cabin Fever." Stop on by for stimulating conversation and conjecture.

Read the review.

Peggy Hill: The Mother of All TV Mothers

Actress Kathy Najimy may find TV voice-over work to be easier ("There's no makeup, there's no wardrobe, there's no wardrobe fitting, there's no line memorizing..."). However, as one of TV's longest-reigning TV moms, Peggy Hill, the actress knows that a mother's work is never done.

"Peggy has a very strong parental code and is very proud of it," says Najimy. "Not only will she parent her own kids, but she'll parent yours as well... She will advise you and stand by it, and then bask in the glow of her opinion for quite a few hours."

Her character may choose herself as the greatest TV mom, but as a distant second, she has to give some props to "that lady with the blue hair." [Possibly because "The Simpsons" is the show's Sunday night lead-in.]

If you ask the actress, however, there are others to add to her list:
• Roseanne: "I found that to be one of the most realistic."
• Mary Tyler Moore: "In her little Spandex pants... I loved her."

Najimy is expecting a Mother's Day massage. However, the rest of the day's plans are a mystery. Something her alter ego Peggy might want this Sunday? "Better Mother's Day presents," jokes Najimy.

"King of the Hill" airs every Sunday at 8:30 p.m. (EST) on Fox. -- Rachel Cericola

Is "Reaper" Getting the Axe?

Viewers seem to fear this "Reaper."

Despite critical claim, the LA Times says that The CW's freshman comedy could be going straight to hell -- and by hell, we don't mean The CW.

Producers say it took some time for the show to get into a groove. It probably didn't help matters that the show has flip-flopped from Tuesdays to Thursdays and back. Considering what the competition is airing on those nights, you'd have to make a deal with the devil to expect any ratings.

A spokesman for The CW says that the network is hopeful, but won't formally announced its fall schedule until May 13.

For now, "Reaper" airs every Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. (EST) on The CW. -- Rachel Cericola

Lindsay Lohan on "Ugly" Finale

Is "Betty" getting another buddy?

Lindsay Lohan has signed up for an extended guest role on ABC's "Ugly Betty." The actress will first appear in the show's season finale, as one of Betty's classmates.

Lohan is following in the footsteps of fellow tabloid target Britney Spears, who gave her career a much needed jolt with an appearance on the CBS sitcom, "How I Met Your Mother."

The season finale will air on May 22. Newsday says that she will appear in five additional episodes next season.

"Ugly Betty" airs every Thursday at 8:00 p.m. (EST) on ABC. -- Rachel Cericola

Is Katee Sackhoff Joining "CSI?"

With "Bionic Woman" out of the picture, "Battlestar Galactica" star Katee Sackhoff has a bit of extra free time. She had it anyway, since the defunct NBC drama never expanded on her character, even though she was the best part of that show.

According to TV Guide's Michael Ausiello, the producers of "CSI" were interested in filling her dance card -- by having her take the gap left by Jorja Fox.

The two sides got together. However, they ultimately decided they didn't want her for the part. While it seems like kind of a non-story, I just wanted to point out that it is their loss.

"Battlestar Galactica" airs Sundays at 10:00 p.m. (EST) on Sci Fi. "CSI" is on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. (EST) on CBS. -- Rachel Cericola

Is Lex Luthor Out of "Smallville?"

Has Superman finally defeated Lex Luthor?

Michael Rosenbaum, the actor that portrays the villian on The CW's "Smallville," has announced that he is leaving after seven seasons with the show. The actor states that he’s ready to move on to other opportunities.

"It is time for me to start the next chapter of my life and career," Rosenbaum said Thursday. "I hope that I gave you some enjoyment over the years and that you found my portrayal of Lex Luthor to be satisfying."

While Rosenbaum may pop up next season, producers have planned to replace Lex with two new villains -- one of which is Doomsday, according to Reuters.

"Smallville" airs every Thursday at 8:00 p.m. (EST) on The CW. -- Rachel Cericola

Hulk Hogan Wrestles Another TV Gig

It's Hulkamania all over again!

After recent stints on VH1 and NBC, Hulk Hogan has scored another TV gig -- this time with CMT.

The Hulkster will host series "Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling." The show will invite 10 celebrities to get into the ring. Of course, that will comes after the celebs train with a few former pros.

None of the celebrities or trainers has been announced yet.

The Hollywood Reporter says that CMT has ordered eight episodes, which will start this fall. -- Rachel Cericola

Photo: © NBC, WWE/John Giamundo

Lost Review: "Something Nice Back Home"

"Lost" fans: TV Fodder's sister site, Filmfodder, has a brand new review of "Something Nice Back Home." Stop on by for stimulating conversation and conjecture.

Read the review.

J.Lo Takes Reality Out of TV Show

If you were waiting to get a peek at Max, Emme, and the rest of the Lopez/Anthony clan, you'd better pick up a tabloid.

Jennifer Lopez has decided not to feature any of her personal life in her upcoming TLC reality show, says SFGate's Daily Dish. Apparently, J.Lo never gave permission for camera crews to follow her at home.

It seems that the show will be more of a vehicle to promote the actress/singer's new fragrance -- whose launch will be the focus of the program.

It's a show that will track the creation, production and eventual launch of a new fragrance,” Lopez’s manager Simon Fields tells People.com. “Jennifer will appear in a creative, entrepreneurial capacity and will absolutely not feature her children and family life." Boo! -- Rachel Cericola

Fox Wants Your Sitcom Script

How hard can it be to get a deal with Fox?

The network has just announced a contest in conjunction with The New York Television Festival, which will see the winner $25,000 richer and with bragging rights to a TV deal.

"FOX is proud to continue to support the NYTVF," said Kevin Reilly, head of entertainment for the network. "And this contest will not only expand that mission, but will also give us an opportunity to discover fresh new writing talent and invigorate the network's comedy development process by reaching out to a wider artistic community."

Leave your ideas about young lawyers in love at home -- unless they're funny lawyers. The contest is strictly looking for half-hour sitcoms. It's also only open to U.S. residents over 18, who already don't have development deals.

Fox will accept submissions from June 2 to June 13, 2008. However, don't wait until the last day, because once they hit 1,500 submissions, they are cutting people off.

You can check out all of the rules on the NYTVF's website. -- Rachel Cericola

"I Love Money" Comes to VH1

VH1 will be milking the reality TV genre once again this summer as it plans to unveil its new show “I Love Money.”

MovieWeb reports the competition will be a spin-off from several of its most popular shows, namely “Flavor of Love,” “I Love New York” and “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels,” and will star contestants from all three. But while each of these shows focused on a celebrity searching for a soul mate (specifically Flavor Flav, New York and Bret Michaels), this new competition is all about the moola.

Personally, I can’t wait to see some of the crazy biker ladies from Bret Michaels’ show try to interact with some of Flav’s past girlfriends. Hosting the show will be MTV VJ Alani “La La” Vasquez.

“I Love Money” will start sucking your time away on July 13. –Chris Sardelli

David Blaine: Out of Ideas?

Bullwinkle: Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of a hat.
Rocky: Again??

That's pretty much the sentiment behind David Blaine's latest "trick." The AP is reporting that Blaine will attempt to hold his breath for 17 minutes in front of a captivated "Oprah" audience.

I say "captivated" because I am guessing that they will all be hoping that Blaine can make free cars and/or other goods appear.

If not, it will all seem a bit lame, considering Blaine's previous endeavors, which includes spending 44 days suspended in a glass box over the Thames in London.

Still, the trick will involve a "water-filled sphere" that his team calls the "human aquarium." The real trick: Blaine has a team.

Blaine previously attempted the stunt, and needed to be rescued after 7 minutes. The world record stands at 16 minutes, 32 seconds, held by Switzerland's Peter Colat.

Blaine will appear on Wednesday's episode of "Oprah." Check your local listings for showtimes. -- Rachel Cericola

Lori Loughlin Joins New "90210"

Get ready for Aunt Becky to switch zip codes, as former “Full House” actress Lori Loughlin joins the cast of the new “Beverly Hills, 90210.”

According to MovieWeb, Loughlin will play Celia Mills, mother to lead character Annie on The CW’s remake of the classic 90s teen drama. Variety reports that producers had apparently been trying to woo Hilary Duff to the role of Annie, but she declined.

Loughlin is best known for her roles as an aunt who takes care of her recently orphaned nieces and nephews in the WB’s “Summerland,” as well as the role of Aunt Becky in the ABC show “Full House.”

Production on the pilot should start soon, with a possible debut during next fall’s television season. –Chris Sardelli

Angela Bassett Checks into "ER"

"ER" is getting Angela Bassett -- stat!

The Oscar-nominated actress ("What's Love Got to Do With It") will come to County General for the drama's 15th and final season. She will play an attending who returns from Indonesia with a bit of baggage. Sounds like we will have a few very special episodes coming.

This will be Bassett's first full-time TV role. The Hollywood Reporter (via Entertainment Weekly) says she will pop up in the second episode of next season, staying until the end of the series run.

"ER" airs every Thursday at 10:00 p.m. (EST) on NBC. -- Rachel Cericola

Rebecca Romijn Making "Ugly" Move?

It looks like things could get ugly on the set of "Ugly Betty."

Rebecca Romijn, former model and current Mrs. Jerry O'Connell, will see a lot less screen time this season, and may even leave the hit ABC comedy.

According to the NY Post's PopWrap, Romijn feels that new writers have ruined her character, Alexis Meade.

"And while I know I'll be coming back next season, with all the changes, I'm not sure they can take care of my character they way they have been,’ said the actress. “So I'll be leaving, back in a recurring capacity, but time for me to leave and find something else." Romijn also went on to say that she thinks the world of the cast, so there's no actual drama there.

Of course, there's no official word on whether or not Romijn will be back after the season wraps. For now, she is working on the 2009 thriller "Hatter." You can also still see her on "Ugly Betty," which airs Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. (EST) on ABC. -- Rachel Cericola