Entertainment News from Eye On Weho

Eye on Entertainment
Nathaniel Grey
Entertainment Editor
May 15, 2012

TV Beefcake in Beverly Hills

MTV's series Teen Wolf, a show which I believe displays more shirtless beefcake per minute than any other show I can think of, returns with a second season June 2nd with a two-hour episode. If you can't wait, the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills is hosting an advance preview screening with a discussion panel of stars and producers on May 23rd. Scheduled to appear are star Tyler Posey and cast members Dylan O'Brien, Tyler Hoechlin, Colton Haynes and Executive Producer Jeff Davis. On June 4, the Paley Center will present She's Making Media: A Conversation with Lily Tomlin at 7:00pm. Main theatre tickets sold out in less than a day and now only tickets to the adjacent video monitoring room are left.

Recently, the Paley Center, hosted a book signing by former NBC president Warren Littlefield with a panel that included Friends creator Marta Kaufman, Will & Grace Executive Producer James Burrows and E.R. star Noah Wyle. While talking about the old days of NBC programing, Burrows spoke about the hurdles of getting Will & Grace on the air. He explained how he insisted the pilot end with the two characters kissing, even though platonically, because he felt that the 25% of the country that research said wouldn't watch the show, might give it a chance naively believing that they would eventually fall in love. On the topic of proud moments, Kaufman didn't hesitate when stating that hers was the lesbian wedding on Friends. One of the best moments of the evening was when asked to compare the days of television under the old NBC slogan of 'Must See TV' to the network today, Burrows described it as "If you must - TV."

The LA Gay & Lesbian Center's annual Evening with Women event returns to the Beverly Hilton on May 19th. Names scheduled to appear included Linda Perry, Aimee Mann, Kat Von D, Wanda Sykes and music provided at the after party by Lindsay Lohan's ex, Samantha Ronson. Additional entertainment will be provided by controversial texter Courtney Love with Camp Freddy the occasional rock band consisting of Billy Morrison of The Cult, sexy Dave Navarro of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Matt Sorum of Guns N Roses, Chris Chaney of Jane's Addiction and Donovan Leitch son of folk singer legend Donovan. If those names don't draw you in there's some pretty impressive auction items. Among the perfect gift list for those hard to buy for friends and family are an autographed script from Friends, a Glee prize package with autographed cast photo, DVD sets, posters, clothing and best of all - a custom slushie machine. What? no Chord Overstreet underwear? Also available for bidding will be a vintage George Hurrell photograph of Joan Crawford, Law & Order: SVU autographed memorabilia, a Desperate Housewives gift basket and among the specialty live auction items are a tattoo by Kat Von D valued at $1000 and Linda Perry's 1993 custom Harley Davidson motorcycle.

If you haven't heard the rumors, it is true, that the late Jonathan Frid does make a cameo appearance in Tim Burton's remake of Dark Shadows. Joining him, in roles as party guests are his former costars from the original series, Kathryn Leigh Scott, David Selby and Lara Parker. While some may consider this spoiler information, there is a strong backlash among original series fans who do not favor Burton's comedy approach to the remake. I found it disappointing news but plan to catch the film just to see these four iconic alumni.

Celebrity watchers, autograph hounds and paparazzi galore were at the May 14th premiere of What To Expect When You're Expecting at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Among the cast members who attended were 300 vet Rodrigo Santoro, The Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks, Glee star Matthew Morrison, Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford, hunky True Blood star Joe Manganiello, Twilight's Anna Kendrick, and Cameron Diaz. Upon the arrival of Diaz, the welcoming roar of the crowd along Hollywood Blvd. was the loudest of the evening. That is, until Jennifer Lopez and current boy toy Casper Smart arrived. As did Crawford, Manganeillo, Kendrick and Diaz, Lopez also crossed the, still open to traffic, street and signed autographs for the hundreds of screaming fans jammed together outside the Jimmy Kimmel Theatre.

One cast member no show was Will & Grace vet Megan Mullally who will can also be seen in Lionsgate's comedy Gay Dude about two guys who make a pact to lose their virginity before prom but the concept changes when one of them comes out. Well this will certainly bring a new definition to the words Wrist Corsage.

Last fall, the usual circle of religious hypocrites blasted ABC for airing GCB which, per the book it was based on, represented the three words Good Christian Bitches. The fact the alphabet network was sensitive enough to use just the initials was lost on them. Now that that the very witty comedy has been cancelled I expect their victory dance (with snakes) will be short lived. The show taking it's time slot on Sundays, is a supernatural drama called 666 Park Avenue. Three cheers for Karma. The series is written and produced by Fringe's David Wilcox and stars Brothers & Sisters vet Dave Annabelle, Desperate Housewives' Vanessa Williams and Lost star Terry O'Quinn as the sinister building owner.

Among ABC's other new fall series is the comedy How To Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) starring Scrubs vet Sarah Chalke and Weeds alumni Elizabeth Perkins. Their thriller Last Resort focuses on a submarine given orders to fire it's missiles because America has been attacked and stars Sy Fy's Being Human cast member Dichen Lachman. Thrilled is what at I am at the news that ABC picked up the new Reba McEntire comedy Malibu Country, mainly because it costars Lily Tomlin and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Jai Rodriguez. American Horror Story's Connie Britton comes to the network as a legendary country singer in Nashville. Heroes star Hayden Panettiere plays a voluptuous upcoming country singer that gives the drama an All About Eve tone. Fasten your guitar strap, it's going to be a bumpy show.

Angels in America star Justin Kirk stars in NBC's Animal Practice, which might described as a veterinarian version of House. He's great with pets but lacking in people skills. Joining it on the Peacock network is Chicago Fire starring House alumni Jesse Spencer with one-time Vampire Diaries star and Lady Gaga's ex-boyfriend Taylor Kinney. Adding to Ryan Murphy's growing crown of successes comes The New Normal with National Treasure's Justin Bartha and The Book of Mormon vet Andrew Rannells as a Gay couple who hire a woman to be a surrogate mother. Didn't they hear that Octomom needs work. The last series of note from NBC's fall schedule is Save Me, featuring Ellen Degeneres' ex, Anne Heche, as a woman who recovers from an accident and thinks she's channeling God. Wow, isn't this called type casting. The advance promo shots show her wearing a straight jacket with matching shoes of course. Heche is joined by American Horror Story's Alexandria Breckindrige and Madison Davenport from Shameless. Other networks announce their schedule in the days ahead and I'll cover highlights next time.

Darryl Stephens, star of the short lived LOGO series Noah's Arc, has written his first novel. Titled Shortcomings, the work centers on a group of men whose jaded views on true love takes them to dive bars, addiction, pornography and the fear of being alone. The book is available for purchase at www.lulu.com.

A re-release of Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black's 2010 directorial debut What's Wrong with Virginia opens Friday. Re-edited and retitled Virginia, the story looks at a Sheriff who's political aspirations come to a halt when his daughter begins dating the son of a woman from his past. A Beautiful Mind's Jennifer Connelly plays the title role, with costars Toby Jones (Infamous), Lucas Grabeel (High School Musical), Emma Roberts (Niece of Julia Roberts), Ed Harris and his real life wife Amy Madigan.

For the latest in production, casting and release news, follow my Twitter account #Greyagenda

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