About TV Dramas

Hayden Panettiere Gets Naked: Bad Career Move?

2009-07-12T21:55:46Z

Marilyn Monroe did it, she got naked -- as did countless other actresses as they climbed that proverbial Hollywood latter. Heroes star Hayden Panettiere is the latest actress to get naked in the movie I Love You, Beth Cooper. Did she just make a terrible career move, or will it make her more famous than ever?

Some actresses take it all off very early in their careers just to get a foot in the door, some pose nude once they've already become famous (such as Farrah Fawcett), and some have appeared nude many times throughout their career, never making a big deal out of it. TV shows such as Nip/Tuck and True Blood regularly feature nude scenes (some of these scenes are on the verge of soft porn).

Each decade brings with it a different perspective on the subject, and everyone has his or her own opinion. In general, have we accepted or rejected the idea of the naked body on the big and small screen? Going forward as a society, will we become so desensitized by nudity that it won't faze us anymore?

Did Hayden Panettiere make a bad career move by appear naked in her new movie? Vote in our poll and post your comments below.

^{Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images}

Mercy Steps in for Parenthood This Fall

2009-07-10T23:30:23Z

The premiere of NBC's upcoming drama Parenthood has been postponed until midseason due to an undisclosed illness that has struck series star Maura Tierney. As a result, midseason medical drama Mercy will switch places with the family drama this fall.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tierney must undergo an eight-week medical evaluation. NBC is keeping tight-lipped about what is ailing the actress, simply stating, "We are unable to release further details and ask that you respect her privacy at this time."

Production was due to begin later this month and has been delayed until Tierney is able to return. In the meantime, Mercy will get the ball rolling as soon as possible so the show will be able to premiere this September.

Christian Slater Returning to Television

2009-07-08T23:13:11Z

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That is exactly what Christian Slater is going to do when he returns to primetime television this fall in ABC's drama series The Forgotten.

Slater will play the role of Alex Donovan on The Forgotten (Rupert Penry-Jones was originally cast in this role). The series is about a group of ambitious amateurs who take on cases that involve unidentified victims in an effort to both give the victim their identity back and then solve the case. Alex Donovan leads the group of these ordinary people who solve extraordinary crimes.

Last year Slater attempted to make his mark on television when he starred in the short-lived NBC drama My Own Worst Enemy. It was hard to believe that a star of his caliber couldn't make it on the small screen, but it was also an indicator as to the state of television at the time.

Hopefully second time will be the charm for this incredibly talented actor. I love the idea of being able to see him in something new and exciting each week.

Premiering This Week: Drop Dead Diva

2009-07-06T23:02:20Z

Summer is in full swing and the cable networks are enjoying yet another successful off-season run of their original programming. Lifetime's new dramedy Drop Dead Diva is coming to a living room near you this week and I don't think viewers will be disappointed in the least with this highly likable summer offering.

Drop Dead Diva in a Nutshell
When Deb, a beautiful model-in-training, dies suddenly in a car accident, she pleads with Heaven's gatekeeper to bring her back to life. Her wish is granted, but her soul ends up in the body of Jane Bingum, an intelligent and unremarkable plus-size attorney. It will be the ultimate test of beauty versus brains and you may be surprised to see how it all turns out!

Drop Dead Diva makes its premiere this Sunday at 9pm ET on Lifetime (check local listings), so now's your chance to get better acquainted with the series to help enhance your viewing experience:

^{Photo Credit: Patrick Ecclesine/Lifetime Television}

Drea de Matteo Joins Desperate Housewives

2009-07-04T13:41:56Z

The ladies on Wisteria Lane may have rid themselves of one vixen, but former Sopranos star Drea de Matteo is moving into the neighborhood and is sure to make life a lot more interesting as Desperate Housewives heads into season six this fall.

A source close to EW confirmed that De Matteo has signed on to be a series regular and will play an Italian housewife with a landscape designer husband and "tightly wound son." With Edie Britt gone from the canvas, the series was in dire need of a housewife who would add conflict and intrigue each week and I think they may have picked the perfect actress to fill those very large stilettos.

Do you think Drea de Matteo will be a welcome addition to Desperate Housewives? Sound off below!

^{Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images Entertainment}

Hilary Duff Heads to Gossip Girl

2009-07-02T23:26:36Z

Serena, Blair and the rest of their tight-knit group are about to have yet one more thorn in their side when a new girl comes to town. That's right folks -- movie and pop star Hilary Duff is coming to the CW drama Gossip Girl this fall.

According to EW, Duff will play Olivia Burke, "a movie star looking for a typical college experience." Olivia and Vanessa will be roommates, which is guaranteed to stir the pot in the absolute juiciest way possible -- especially when she makes a play for Dan!

Duff's character will be introduced in the fourth episode and is expected to appear in several episodes this season. The new season of Gossip Girl gets underway on September 14.

^{Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images}

Law & Order: SVU Stars Make a Deal

2009-06-30T23:14:52Z

Law & Order: SVU fans can breathe a sigh of relief now that Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni have finally signed a deal which will keep them fighting the good fight for one more year (with an option for a second year).

Meloni and Hargitay reportedly earned roughly $375,000-$385,000 per episode last season, and their new deal will apparently earn them substantially more when they are back on the case this fall. As the two stars endured several months of tough negotiations, many believed that the duo would walk away from the series when it looked as though a deal might not be reached. Thankfully, the two will stick around to solve some of New York's most hideous crimes.

As An Added Bonus....

EW reports that Christine Lahti (Jack & Bobby, Chicago Hope) has signed on to play the Assistant District Attorney for four episodes this fall. So, you may be wondering who will be the ADA once Lahti is finished with her special episode run.... Most longtime fans should be thrilled to hear that Stephanie March (ADA Alex Cabot) has signed a deal to return to the series for a minimum of 10 episodes this season!

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit returns on September 23.

^{NBC Photo: Justin Stephens/© NBC Universal, Inc.}

90210 Adds Trevor Donovan to Cast

2009-06-29T22:02:39Z

Ethan (Dustin Milligan) may have left town, but our favorite zip code is definitely not going to be lacking in the hottie department as yet another gorgeous guy enters the canvas this fall....

EW reports that former Days of Our Lives star Trevor Donovan has been tapped to play Teddy on the hit CW series 90210. According to Zap2It, Teddy is athletically gifted (he happens to be a tennis champ), has a father who is a big time celebrity, and will have a knack for picking up the hottest girls at West Beverly High.

What do you think about the latest 90210 casting news? Sound off below and stay tuned -- the new season is only 2 months away!

^{NBC Photo: Mitchell Haaseth © NBC Universal, Inc.}

NBC Announces Fall Premiere Schedule

2009-06-27T23:22:14Z

It may be all about Jay Leno over at NBC, but they do still have a few dramas in their bullpen and we now know when they'll begin airing this September. Will NBC ever reclaim that ratings crown again? Could any of their new drama series become the next big water cooler show?

Heroes will be the first NBC drama to premiere on September 21. Parenthood and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit are due to premiere on September 23. Friday nights seem to have suddenly become one of the most competitive nights on television, so it should come as no surprise that Southland and Law & Order will get ready to rumble on September 25. Last, but not least, NBC's new medical drama Trauma rounds out the pack with a September 28 debut.

NBC Fall Premiere Schedule At a Glance

Monday, September 21

Heroes

Wednesday, September 23

Parenthood
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Friday, September 25

Law & Order
Southland

Monday, September 28

Trauma

All five networks have now set their premiere dates for fall, and the CW will officially kick off the new season on September 8 with 90210 and Melrose Place. Which new series are you most looking forward to watching? Sound off below and stay tuned for another exciting television season!

More Fall TV Resources

CBS Announces Fall Premiere Schedule

2009-06-26T00:02:26Z

The new television season is rapidly approaching, scripts are being written, production is close to resuming on all of the fall shows and premiere dates have now been set for the CBS series....

CSI: Miami will be the first CBS show out of the gate on September 21. Joining the team this season is former Third Watch star Eddie Cibrian, who will play a police officer from the Hollywood, California Division. NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles and The Good Wife premiere September 22.

Criminal Minds and CSI: NY are back on the beat beginning September 23, as is CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and The Mentalist on September 24. Friday nights take an otherworldly turn as Medium joins Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs on September 25. Cold Case returns on September 27, and new drama series Three Rivers arrives on October 4.

CBS Fall Premiere Schedule At a Glance

Monday, September 21

CSI: Miami

Tuesday, September 22

Wednesday, September 23

Criminal Minds
CSI: NY

Thursday, September 24

Friday, September 25

Sunday, September 27

Cold Case

Sunday, October 4

Three Rivers

More Fall TV Resources