Some Big Stars Have Joined The New Muppet Christmas Movie
NBC has tapped several celebrities for the first ever tv muppet movie, A VERY MERRY MUPPET CHRISTMAS MOVIE. In the movie, Kermit the Frog must try and save the Muppet theater from a Scrooge-like character. Whoopi Goldberg, Joan Cusack, David Arquette, Sir Michael Caine, William H. Macy, Snoop Dogg, Carson Daly, Kelly Ripa, Jon Stewart and Rachel Hunter will all appear in the Christmas movie.
‘The West Wing’ Lets Lowe Go
In the latest behind-the-scenes drama involving the NBC series “The West Wing,” Rob Lowe is quitting his role as White House deputy communications director Sam Seaborn.
Barring some unforeseen twist, his character will be phased out in an episode to air next March, the result of an exit strategy that has already been agreed upon by both parties. The show has just wrapped its third season.
Sources on both sides paint the pending exit as amicable but clearly, money is at the heart of it. The prime reason, said sources, is that Lowe was stung by the unwillingness of the show’s producers to even discuss raising his per-show price of $75,000. This comes right after they tripled Martin Sheen’s salary to $300,000 per episode and last season doubled the salaries of Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer and Bradley Whitford after a protracted salary stalemate that ended when the quartet committed to a seventh season, each getting $70,000 an episode.
That left Lowe the only cast member to not get his first season salary bumped up. Warner Bros. TV, the show’s producer, feels the show has evolved into Sheen’s show, surrounded by an ensemble on equal footing. Sources on the show point out that all of the stars are Emmy-nominated this year except Lowe, who petitioned in the lead actor category, which is TV’s toughest ticket.
They were unwilling to even open pay hike talks with Lowe’s reps, Creative Artists Agency and veteran manager Bernie Brillstein. That left Lowe feeling hurt, after believing that his turn would come. Lowe is expected to wing his way back to features or star in another series. If he does the latter, Lowe, who got one Emmy nomination and two Golden Globe nominations during his “Wing” run, will probably command a higher salary.
The show’s makeup has changed since Lowe signed on for the pilot as the regular cast’s most recognizable name. Back then, he cut a higher price quote that had been established in a previous Paramount TV deal. Sheen at the time was only supposed to serve as a diversion to the drama’s core players on the White House staff. Sheen’s participation grew while Lowe’s scenes have progressively diminished.
Sources on both sides doubted this was another salary posturing exercise, and that the show would survive his exit, even if it does come as WB is working out a new license deal with NBC.
“From The Whatever Happened To?” File
One posed for Playboy, one battles a deadly disease, another drifts between dead-end jobs and another is a successful businessman. Its time to find out whatever happeend to The Waltons?
Springsteen to Appear Twice on ‘Letterman’
Viewers of “The Late Show With David Letterman” will be getting a double dose of Grammy and Academy Award-winning musician, Bruce Springsteen and his E Street band in August.
Springsteen will be returning to the show as a guest musical act for the first time since 1995. Making up for lost time, he will be performing on consecutive nights: Thursday, August 1, and Friday, August 2.
Incidentally, Springsteen was the last musical guest on David Letterman’s NBC show, “Late Night,” on June 25, 1993.
Springsteen will be kicking off his international tour shortly afterward, beginning on August 7 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He and the E Street Band are promoting their latest release, The Rising, their first all-new studio recording since 1984.
Fox Premiere Dates
If you are sick of Summer TV here are the premiere dates and times for all of your favourite Fox series:
The Bernie Mac Show: Sept. 18 8 p.m.
Boston Public: Oct. 21 8 p.m.
Cedric the Entertainer Presents: Sept. 18 8:30 p.m.
Fastlane: Sept. 18 9 p.m.
Firefly: Sept. 20 8 p.m.
Futurama: Nov. 10 7 p.m.
Girls Club: Oct. 21 9 p.m.
Grounded For Life: Sept. 17 9:30 p.m.
The Grubbs: Nov. 3 11 p.m.
John Doe: Sept. 20 9 p.m.
King of the Hill: Nov. 3 8:30 p.m.
Malcolm in the Middle: Nov. 3 9 p.m.
The Simpsons: Nov. 3 8 p.m.
That ë70s Show: Sept. 17 8 p.m.
24: Oct. 29 9 p.m.
CHANGING THEIR TUNE
Variety is reporting that directors Joel and Ethan Coen are producing “Romance and Cigarettes,” a new musical written by John Turturro.
The filmmakers are looking at an all-star cast for the film, eyeing James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon, Julia Stiles, Christopher Walken and Steve Buscemi, among others, for roles.
ON THE LINE
‘N Sync popster Lance Bass signing a contract with the Russians to join them on an October Soyuz flight to the International Space Station. The move comes despite concerns raised by NASA over whether Bass has enough education and fluency in the Russian language.
Coming Soon On DVD
First Up, Spock Lives!
Just in time for the big screen debut of the latest Star Trek adventure Nemesis, Paramount Home Entertainment has announced a 10/8 street date for a new two-disc special edition of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Retail is $29.95, and stay tuned for specs.
Also just announced for a 10/8 release from Paramount is The Carol Burnett Show: Showstoppers, a 42-minute reunion special with clips of some of Carol’s best skits. Presented in 4:3 full screen and 2.0 stereo, retail is $19.95. Finally, making its way to DVD is the recent limited theatrical release Lucky Break, starring Christopher Plummer. Presented in 1.85;1 anamorphic widescreen with English 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby surround tracks, extras include the trailer. Retail is $29.95.
Mr. Sandler Goes To Washington
Quick! Preorder yours today before Winona steals it! The latest Adam Sandler comedy smash Mr. Deeds is coming to DVD on 10/22, complete in a new special edition from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. Presented in both anamorphic widescreen and full screen presentations with English and French 5.1 Dolby surround tracks, extras include an audio commentary with director Steven Brill and writer Tim Herlihy, two making-of featurettes, deleted scenes, a Dave Matthews music video, production notes, filmographies and trailers. Retail is $27.95.
‘Friends’ Producers Ponder Show’s Finale
NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker left open the possibility on Tuesday that television’s top-rated show, “Friends,” might remain on the air beyond its upcoming ninth and presumed final year, but the show’s producers say they are approaching the season as their last.
Conan O’Brien to Host Emmy Awards
The job of Emmy host is going to Conan O’Brien instead of NBC’s top late-night star, Jay Leno.
“We think it’s Conan’s turn to be seen by the biggest audience that will ever” see him, NBC Entertainment president Jeff Zucker said of the “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” host.
“Jay was thrilled with that,” Zucker added. The network gave “Tonight Show” host Leno the “courtesy” of informing him that O’Brien was NBC’s Emmy pick, Zucker said Tuesday.
The show has been on a four-network rotation for several years and is often used by the networks to showcase their own talent.
In addition to O’Brien, “Today” hosts Katie Couric and Matt Lauer will anchor an hourlong pre-ceremony show for the Sept. 22 Emmy Awards, Zucker told the Television Critics Association.
O’Brien, talking to reporters later, was asked if he was concerned that Leno might be hurt because he was bypassed.
“That guy has so many cars,” O’Brien said, jokingly, then added that Leno had called him Friday to offer advice.
“I mean, he’s the host of the ‘Tonight Show,’ and I’m sure he’s thrilled to have me do it. It’s a lot of work,” O’Brien said.
A call to Leno seeking comment was not immediately returned.
Bryce Zabel, chairman of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which organizers the Emmys, said he looked forward to an emphasis on the awards and glamour after last year’s disruptions.
The 2001 ceremony was twice delayed, first by the Sept. 11 attacks and then by U.S. strikes in Afghanistan. A subdued show was finally held Nov. 4.
“One of the things we want to do is return to normalcy for the Emmys … which means it’s a high-stylin’ night,” Zabel said. “It’s a time for people to walk the red carpet” and celebrate TV excellence.
“Six Feet Under,” HBO’s funeral home drama, is the leading Emmy contender with 23 Emmy nominations, followed by “The West Wing,” NBC’s White House drama, with 21 bids.