July 2009 News Archive (Page 9)

As one star returns to CSI, another is leaving the lab.

Producer Naren Shankar told TV Guide Magazine that Lauren Lee Smith won't return as the character of Riley Adams in the fall.

“She’s not going to be back for Season 10,” he said. “It was an issue of how we were feeling the ensemble was working. When we brought in the character of Riley, it got lost in the shuffle a little bit because we had lost Warrick, we had lost Sara, and then in the middle of last season Grissom finally left. I think, as a result, the character never quite found its footing in terms of the rest of the gang.”

As the result of Riley's exit, a slot will be open for Sara Sidle (Fox), who is now ready to return to work after her burnout in season eight.

“She shows up because the team is understaffed,” said Shankar. “The undersheriff reaches out for a recommendation and Sara says, ‘I think that person might be me.’”

Sidle will appear on at least five episodes, and Shankar assures fans that the character wll be featured prominently during this time.

Shaquille O'Neal served as this week's guest host and general manager on Monday Night Raw.

As you might expect, this resulted in two hours of hilarious entertainment, as the NBA star even got involved in the main event.

In what way? Find out now, via our detailed Raw recap!

Geek and hunk alert!

Following the news that Joss Whedon would bring many of his favorite actors on board for guest-starring stints on Dollhouse, E! News reports that a Battlestar Galactica alum will appear on the show this fall.

Jamie Bamber - forever known as Lee Adama to fans of the iconic Sci-Fi series - will play a pivotal role on the second season premiere of the Fox drama in September.

According to E! sources, Bamber's character will be prominently involved in an engagement Echo and her new handler, Paul Ballard, have been assigned to. For now, this appears to be just a one-episode appearance by Bamber.

After her most recent meltdown, which landed her in an L.A. hospital for "personal issues," is Mischa Barton going to be on The Beautiful Life or what?

Sources close to The Beautiful Life remain hopeful that Mischa's health will hold up enough for her to be on the CW series, but no one knows for sure yet.

Her character, supermodel Sonja Stone, has already been written in to the first several episodes, so if Mischa can't make it, things will get messy fast.

The show has already worked out a contingency plan to cast an alternate (and similar) character in the event Barton is not able to fulfill her obligations.

Producers are casting a new, open-ended recurring character with a resemblance to Sonja. But you know they would rather not go down that road.

Fortunately, our guess is they won't have to. Barton's involuntary hold has been lifted and the actress set free. Her rep says Mischa is doing a lot better.

With filming beginning this week, she should be there.

Welcome to TV Fanatic's Monday afternoon rundown of the hottest and heaviest soap opera action as we begin the week of daytime drama. See what happened on ...

• All My Children
• Guiding Light
• One Life to Live
• The Young and the Restless
• The Bold and the Beautiful
• As the World Turns
• General Hospital
• Days of Our Lives

A son. A new house. And a new serial killer to track down/admire.

Dexter Morgan has a lot on his plate on the fourth season of this Showtime hit.

It won't premiere until September, but fans were treated to an early look at the fall season of Dexter at last week's Comic-Con event. Enjoy the trailer below:

Following a hilarious eighth season, which culminated in a perfect season finale, we were a bit apprehensive when NBC announced another season of Scrubs; one that will feature a slew of new characters.

But we're encouraged by the promotion of Eliza Coupe to series regular. Her intern character of Denise was hilarious this spring.

Who will join Denise, Dr. Cox and Dr. Turk as the main characters this season? NBC sent out a casting notice this week, as it seeks to fill the following key roles for the fall:

• Lucy Tompkins: A 22-year-old first year medical student, quite attractive all-American girl, from a close-knit family of commercial fishermen.
• Drew Suffin: A 30-year-old medical student, scruffy but attractive with sex appeal, and charisma. Similar to Bill Murray.
• Cole McCallister: A 22-year-old medical student, very handsome, charming, conservative, confidently stupid, impeccably-dressed and very entitled. Annoys the heck out of Dr. Cox.

Creator Bill Lawrence has said he wants at least one major name to join the show. Does anyone come to mind for any of these roles?

Dr. Cox will have a new set of students to scream out on season nine of Scrubs. We can't wait.

It will soon be deja vu all over again for As the World Turns viewers.

A rep for the show has confirmed that Alexandra Chando will return to the series as Maddie, a role she last played in 2007.

Actress Kelli Barrett briefly stepped into Maddie's shoes in December 2008, portraying the character until the first week of January 09. No word yet on Chando's return date.

There was a major cast shake-up to close last week at Days of Our Lives.

According to Soap Opera Digest, Felisha Terrell has been let go from the show. Lindsay Hartley (pictured) was immediately hired to take over the role of Arianna. There's no word yet on the reason behind the switch.

The move reunites Hartley with her former Passions brother Galen Gering and on-screen love interest Eric Martsolf.

Lots of gloating and scheming highlight the week ahead on The Bold and the Beautiful...

• Stephanie (Susan Flannery, pictured) gloats, and for good reason.
• Steffy and Thomas scheme to keep Brooke away.
• Owen won't be intimidated by Whip.
• The day Taylor has been dreaming about finally arrives.