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If you follow tweats by Justin Bieber you will already know that he has posted a photo of himself as a "bad boy" from the opening episode of next season's CSI. It is reported that his character will have an ongoing story related to a decision he makes about his brother. Whatever producers are obviously going to bring in a younger audience to the series with the teen idol's apprearance on the show.
There is possibly going to be more changes to the series if hints in last season are to be believed so one to watch.
Wondering what is coming back. Check out our returning page for current news.
Looks like it wasn't only Martin Freeman who managed to get some time off for filming and you can read more about that here. Sky last year recommissioned its big drama Strike Back and it is now a co-production with HBO and has two new leads one of which is Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton. The series has been extended from its original 6 episodes to 10 so it was a foregone conclusion when the cast of the Hobbit was announced that the original star Richard Armitage who was taking the part of Thorin would not be in the whole of the new series. How many episodes? Good question as it appears he becomes a hostage and the new characters are going to save him. One way of allowing Armitage to be away. Since the series is due for transmission shortly (August in US probably) filming may have begun in winter the same time frame as the previous season filming schedule. Fans won't have long to wait to see how many episodes Mr Armitage has managed to appear in. On the question of his other series Spooks (MI5) that has already started filming Season 10 and yes he does have a chance for a cameo appearance before leaving for New Zealand so we will have to wait and see (generally is transmitted in Autumn/Winter) whether the Lucas/John story completes or it is simply an aside. Remember characters have not always died but just disappeared, some to return like Ruth or left in limbo like Tom Quinn. No one wants to give the game away!
BSKYB pledges to increase spend on British programming by 50% and reaching a target of $100m by 2014.
The cancellations are coming in thick and fast. Firstly let's look at ABC. This network will undergo some major schedule changes this fall and the series not coming back include V, Brothers and Sisters and No Orfdinary Fanily. Freshman show Body of Proof has been renewed after a good mid-season openiing. If anyone watched and liked America's Next Great Restaurant then sad news is has been cancelled. No surprise to us here. It goes with another series School Pride. Also the Law & Order franchise is now down to just one series SVU as Law & Order LA gets the chop. CBS has announced some of its cancellations including freshman show Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. However the possibility of CSI: NY being cancelled has gone away as it has survived and been renewed by the network. Oh and just in case anyone was still watching Hellcats is not coming back for another season. Shocker!
For more news on what is surviving and those getting the chop check out Returning. One show returning in mid-season will be The Voice. Since Donald Trump recently announced that he was not running for President then it looks like The Apprentice will be back for another season in the same format. Apparently The Donald has cited the amount of money raised for charity by Celebrity Apprentice as a factor. Also in perhaps a surprise move Chuck got renewed. For upcoming announcements of new series please check in regularly to our Fall Season page
For all those wondering if a new season of Spooks (aka MI5) will appear. The caption at the end of season 9 mentions Season 10 will appear in 2011. Of course as always who is still in the series is always the question. For all those watching on BBC America and outside the UK we won't say what happened in the last season so as not mess up your enjoyment so we also won't be able to tell you who is likely to return in Season 10! Dah! it is likely you will get Season 9 very shortly and not see Season 10 until 2012.
Tis the season for network changes. As the summer schedule takes hold the studios and cable networks look at what is working and what will go as they test the pilots for next season.
Likely already on the chopping block are Human Target whose ratings have continued to fall. Lie to Me may shift to a summer schedule. The Defenders are also not doing well and are likely to get the chop. There are some who even think The Good Wife is up for the review despite some good showings at award ceremonies. We think it will probably get another season to see how it does. Cost is always a strong point in the cancellation of shows. If the show is already expenseive to make in its first season it may not get another chance to pull in more viewers. Once it gets to its third season then every year is crucial.
We'll keep a look out for news as it comes in and also what you might be able to see this winter as soon as definite details are available.
Watching movies on TV is nothing new but with Netflix gaining so much popularity and Blockbusters demise studios are looking to cash in on what they see as a trend. First run movies in the home! The window of DVD release to theatrical has eroded anyway. Now barely 12 weeks apart for many movies. DVD sales are also on the wane - down 43% over the last few years and theatrical attendance is also down just higher ticket prices covering the lack of viewers. Sony is looking to launch a prime service which will cost about $30 per movie so you can watch at home. Of course if you go as a family that may well be a good price to pay. However how about $500 and $20,000 for the set=top box? Yes, we thought the same thing! A company is looking to launch an exclusive service for those that have home theatres to screen theatrical releases in their home. Ramifications are many not least of which is piracy but isn't this just transferring the theatre experience to a smaller venue? Those with money may well think it a good idea. The face of watching movies is in for change no doubt about that.
Looks like CBS is going to win the new show kudos for this season with Hawaii Five O and Blue Bloods #1 in the time slots on Monday and Friday. We will have to wait and see if the CSI changes to air day have made them better or worse in the ratings. CSI Miami nows plays on Sundays and CSI NY leads into Blue Bloods. For more on new and returning either click word links or those on the left.