CSI / Two and a Half Men crossover

In one of the strangest TV crossovers in living memory, the team from CBS' CSI are set to investigate a mysterious death at the house of Charlie Harper in Two and Half Men.

Writers from both shows have even swapped projects.

The episode "Fish in a Drawer" is written by the CSI scriptwriters and airs in the US on May 5th.

Robert Wagner (Hart to Hart, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me) returns as Teddy, Evelyn's new husband. Jenny McCarthy (Scary Movie 3) returns as Courtney, his devious daughter and George Eads from CSI will make a cameo appearance.

Meanwhile, a CSI episode "Two and a Half Deaths" penned by the Two and a Half Men writers will be broadcast on Thursday, May 8. Katey Sagal (Married with Children) plays a diva sitcom star who meets an untimely demise while filming her show in Las Vegas.

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Seven BB housemates in profile

In one of the first examples of collusion between TEN's Big Brother and Austereo radio, 7 housemates have spoken to the Hot 30 Countdown. They were described as "busty, bogan, blonde, pretty boy, angry, hated and weird."

With the reality show hosted by Austereo's Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O it will be interesting to watch how other radio embraces the show this year.

The contestants have been in lockdown on the Gold Coast since last Sunday.

The Hot 30 broadcast its Friday show from inside the BB house. Here's how they described the seven:

Housemate Number 1
The Hated Housemate
He’s a law student, debater and thinks he’s going to be the most hated in the House. Perth’s Secret Housemate.

Housemate Number 2
The Busty Housemate
She’s busty, well travelled and ready to confront people in the House that piss her off.

Housemate Number 3
The Pretty Boy
He wears speedos, got a girlfriend and has already come up with ways to “pleasure” himself in the house. Newcastle’s Secret Housemate Number 3.

Housemate Number 4
The Bogan Housemate
She works in an abattoir, can’t get a guy, gets into fights and hates animal rights activists. Dubbo’s diamond in the rough.

Housemate Number 5
The Blonde Housemate
She’s like, totally freaking out about not having a hair straightener, is a massive animal lover and has dropped out of school to be in the House.

Housemate Number 6
The Old Angry Housemate
At 52 years old, she’s the oldest housemate ever on the show. People describe her as negative, grumpy and a yobbo (Obviously Terri).

Housemate Number 7
The Weird Housemate
Sleeping with someone in the House? This guy says he’d do it! He goes to the toilet in front of his mates and thinks he was a porn star in a past life.

You can hear the interviews with the housemates here.

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Ernie Dingo thwarts London street thugs

Great Outdoors star Ernie Dingo is being dubbed a hero after averting a street assault in London.

When a young boy was confronted by thugs who stole his mobile phone, he followed them pleading for its return. Onlookers reportedly did nothing.

"Right when one of the bullies was about to belt the boy to stop him following them, they walked straight into the clutches of a fierce Ernie Dingo," said an onlooker.

"The bad boys were a little shocked, to say the least, to have someone confront them in the street. They gave the phone back quickly, then ran off," the witness said.

"The boy thanked Ernie, then the whole street cheered him and he went back to work."

A publicist Seven confirmed that Dingo was still on duty in London, but said they had been unable to reach the good samaritan for comment.

Source: news.com.au Read more...

Meet the new cast of 24

It might be January 2009 (or February in Oz) until we get to see the new 24, but you don't have to wait until then to see the new-look cast.

Here's Kiefer with Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O'Brian), James Morrison (Bill Buchanan) and yes Carlos Bernard (Tony Almeida, supposedly deceased). And look who else has joined up: Janeane Garofalo.

As has been previously reported, Season 7 will no longer be set in CTU. Plans to link the delayed season with a 2 hour telemovie in the US Fall appear to be in jeopardy, putting strain on the writers whose focus remains the series.

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History Channel kicks goals with Hird

Former AFL footballer James Hird will host a two hour special for the History Channel, The Spirit of Australian Sport: Australian Football.

The special will span 150 years of AFL, through archival footage and interviews with some of the game's heroes from today and yesteryear.

"Australian Football plays such an important role in bringing Australians together. From junior and local footy, right through to the elite AFL level, it gives millions of Australians a common interest like nothing else," said Hird.

It airs on The History Channel in June.

Press Release:

The History Channel today announced that it has commissioned a new series of locally produced documentary specials which will celebrate the spirit behind some of the country’s most loved sports including Australian Football, Rugby League, Swimming and Horse Racing.

One of AFL’s biggest stars, former Essendon Captain James Hird, will host the first of these specials – The Spirit of Australian Sport – Australian Football, which will premiere exclusively on The History Channel in June.

"Australian Football plays such an important role in bringing Australians together. From junior and local footy, right through to the elite AFL level, it gives millions of Australians a common interest like nothing else," said Hird.

The Spirit of Australian Sport – Australian Football celebrates 150 years of Australia’s indigenous football code by exploring the proud history of “Aussie Rules” and why it has become a national sporting phenomenon. The spirit of this great game is told through archival footage and interviews with some of the sport’s greatest heroes from today and yesteryear.

Its off-field impact is also explored through a collection of touching stories that illustrate why the game means so many different things to so many different people across all walks of life.

Host James Hird is universally regarded as one of the greatest AFL players of all time. He played 253 games for Essendon in a glittering 15-year career that earned him the 1996 Brownlow Medal, five All-Australian awards, four club Best & Fairests and the Norm Smith Medal as best afield in the Bombers' 2000 flag win – his second premiership.

The Spirit of Australian Sport – Australian Football has been produced for FOXTEL’s The History Channel by Bennett Creative Services and the two-hour special will also feature the passionate volunteers and devoted fans who pack the stadiums week after week, year after year.

The History Channel will soon announce its all-star line-up of hosts who will present this insightful series of documentary specials on the sports that have shaped a nation. Read more...

You're going to Sydney!

Six Australian singer from the Australian Idol London auditions have landed a place in the Top 100.

Hundreds turned up at London's Tate Modern this week, with Tina Arena and Darren Hayes helping Ian "Dicko" Dickson select the best.

Queenslander Scott McLintock and Victorian Sophie Patterson were "serious stand-out performers" says news.com.au

They will return to Sydney for the top 100 week in July.

Arena and Hayes apparently offered "constructive advice" after Arena previously dumped on the song contest for "exploiting" young performers.

Plans to scout for stars in LA were canned after producers claimed the American version complained more Aussies, like Michael Johns, would steal focus from its current series....surely a bit of a exaggerated media spin if ever there was one!

Source / Photo : news.com.au Read more...

Late Night with Rove O'Brien?

UPDATE: Variety has since reported Jimmy Fallon to be announced as Conan's replacement.

Rove has been tipped by top showbiz publication Variety as a possible contender to replace Conan O'Brien in 2009.

O'Brien will replace Jay Leno when he steps down from the Tonight show.

As Variety notes "Some of the names floated for O'Brien's replacement have included Jon Stewart, Dane Cook and Australian television star Rove McManus. As one concerned blogger pleaded, 'Anyone but Carson Daly or Jimmy Fallon.'"

However, as impressive as the nod is, transition may not be so easy. For starters, Leno is said to be having second thoughts about his intention to vacate the role.

"...it's unclear what will happen with Late Night, and the show's replacement may get caught up in an expensive, ego-laden game of musical talkshow chairs" says Variety.

"Leno, still on top in the ratings, appears happy with his latenight gig and reportedly has misgivings about leaving Tonight in 2009. ABC and Fox have hinted that they want to scoop up Leno if and when the time comes, while NBC, which lost an embittered Letterman to CBS when he was passed over to replace Carson, has suggested it wants to keep Leno in some capacity.

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Airdate: The Black Donnellys

NBC drama The Black Donnellys will screen next month on Showcase.

The series was co-created by writer Paul Haggis (Walker, Texas Ranger, Due South, Family Law and the films Million Dollar Baby and Crash)

The Donnellys are four young working class Irish-American brothers who live by the motto “Family First,” despite their involvement with organised crime in New York City.

But after just over one month of screenings NBC dropped the drama and screened remaining eps online. Seven is understood to have purchased the show, but may have on-sold it to subscription TV.

It stars Jonathan Tucker, Michael Stahl-David, Tim Guiry, Billy Lush, Keith Nobbs and Kirk Acevedo (Oz).

The drama premieres at 8:30pm Thursday May 15, replacing Dexter.

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