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Lets hope Malibu Country turns out to be a show worthy of Lily Tomlin.

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Kal Penn will host a competition series on Discovery, The Big Brain Theory, that will focus on engineering challenges. I have to admit, I'm intrigued by the concept.

A day after it made the cancellation of Common Law official, USA announced that it cancelled Fairly Legal. Since the gay character stopped appearing by the second season, I gave up trying to endure it.

Revolution and Supernatural creator Eric Kripke says that the reason why the power went out is at least somewhat scientifically possible and repeated that we won't have to wait very long to get some answers.

HBO has ordered eight episodes of Hello Ladies, the comedy from Ricky Gervais' frequent collaborator Stephen Merchant.

Here's what you'll be doing on election night.

In a surprising development, Hell on Wheels has lost its showrunner...

Chicago – NBC revealed their Fall schedule today and there were multiple surprises including comedies moving to Tuesday and Friday nights (we were wondering where all of the sitcoms would go) and a Fall cycle of the hit singing show “The Voice.” Other major news is that “Smash” is being held for mid-season. The network also revealed that six new shows — two dramas, four comedies — will premiere in the Fall.

The big news for comedy fans is that Thursdays have been tinkered with again as the final season of “30 Rock” will kick off the night at 7pm Cst, followed by “Up All Night,” “The Office,” and “Parks and Recreation.” In the 9pm Cst timeslot that was the kiss of death last season with “Prime Suspect,” “The Firm,” and “Awake,” the network has given up and will air the low-rated but inexpensive “Rock Center with Brian Williams.”

“Whitney” and “Community” move to Friday nights,...

Common Law S01E01: .Pilot.

I can.t help but wonder if it wouldn.t be easier for everyone if detectives Wes Mitchell and Travis Marks just requested new partners. According to their co-workers, in the past, the duo have derailed cases by arguing over testimony details in court, come to physical blows with such regularity that when it happened in the office during the pilot, everyone in the immediate vicinity just kind of shrugged and went back to work, and finally, apparently, Wes once...  More >>...

Is Tim Burton's macabre shtick getting old? Or is it just an acquired taste? "Dark Shadows" may aim at being silly, but many critics are finding it terribly dull. It even made The Detroit News "long for a 'Twilight' movie." Now that's bad.

Meanwhile, HBO's "Girls" is still getting heat from Gawker, and USA's "Common Law" is apparently dead on arrival. USA Today calls the new buddy-cop series, "TV you need to escape."

HuffPost Entertainment has rounded up the week's snarkiest reviews just for your enjoyment in this latest installment of our "Week In Ouch" series.

Let us know what you think deserved the harsh critiques, and which ones you think critics should ease up on, in the comments.

On TV this Friday: The Finder embarks on one last search, CSI: NY‘s finale puts Mac in limbo, Fringe and Blue Bloods serve up terror-fying season-enders, USA Network gives TV a new odd couple and more. In addition to TVLine’s original features (linked within), here are nine programs to keep on your radar.

Preview | Hot Shots: Nikita Heads Back to Division

8 pm Shark Tank (ABC) | Billy Blanks, Jr. (son of Tae Bo legend Billy Blanks) asks the Sharks to invest in a “dance fitness program for people of all shapes and sizes.” (Sounds like Zumba to me…) P.

The anticipated premiere of Common Law airs tonight at 10pm on USA. The show follows two cops working together to solve crimes in La. The only catch, they fight like brothers. Travis isn't afraid to break a few rules along the way while Wes takes a more by-the-book approach to the law. When the (hilarious) drama gets in the way of work the duo are sent to couples counseling!

To kick off USA's newest show we're giving away an awesome prize pack. You'll have to duke it out with other fans to get it though. Keep reading to learn more about the awesome prize and how to enter.

Dr. Brown is checking into White Collar!

Treat Williams (Everwood, Heartland) is set to join the upcoming fourth season of the USA hit on a recurring basis, playing Sam, a gruff and elusive undercover officer from D.C. who has some “deeply rooted ties to Neal’s past.” (Speculation: Could he be Neal’s dad?! Discuss.)

In related casting news, Entourage’s Perry Reeves will guest in an upcoming episode as a high-powered “fixer,” who will go to any lengths to get her clients what they need.

In the season finale of White Collar, Neal (Matt Bomer) removed his court-ordered anklet and fled the country.

The Big News: Paul Heyman returned as Brock Lesnar’s legal representative and announced that Lesnar had quit the company. Daniel Bryan tortured Cm Punk in the Yes Lock following a handicap victory over his rival with the assistance of Lord Tensai and the aftermath of a tag match featuring Sheamus/Orton vs Del Rio/Jericho led to John Laurinaitis booking a fatal four way title clash between the competitors at the Over the Limit PPV.

In a Nutshell: Legitimacy has come to a grinding halt with John Laurinatis now the main focus of programming.

John Laurinaitis opened the show by claiming that he was an authority figure who refused to be disrespected by John Cena which served as the explanation for why he had lost his temper the previous week. He then said that he would finish what Brock had started at WWE Over the Limit in a match...

Happy Monday, Boys & Girls.   Time for another installment of The Firewall & Iceberg Podcast.   Due to a paucity of new show premieres this week -- USA's "Common Law" is our only review -- most of this podcast is dedicated to premiering next week's upfronts. Oh and we talked about Rory Gilmore and Mr. Belding guesting on "Mad Men."   As we mention in podcast, due to upfronts we have no clue when we'll be able to podcast next week or how many times. Smart money says there'll be a podcast on Monday or Tuesday and then a second...

Next week will be crazy for the Firewall & Iceberg Podcast due to the broadcast network upfronts, so we tried to prepare both ourselves and our listeners this week with 40+ minutes of speculation on which bubble shows will survive and which are doomed. Also, we found a bit of time to review USA's "Common Law," look back on the unlikely success of "Desperate Housewives," and, as usual, chat about last night's "Mad Men."  The line-up:  Here's today's breakdown: "Common Law" (00:01:00 - 00:11:10) "Desperate Housewives" reflections (00:11:10 - 00:18:20) Upfronts Preview (00:18:20 - 01:01:50) "Mad Men" (01:02:00 - 01:26:20)   As we discuss...

Necessary Roughness has just scored a casting touchdown.

EW has learned that comedienne Amy Sedaris will appear in the sixth episode of the show’s upcoming second season as a successful therapist named Dr. Jane Crosetti, who goes toe-to-toe with Callie Thorne’s Dani.

Necessary Roughness, which last year earned Thorne a Golden Globe nomination, returns June 6 on USA.

Related:

Ellen Burstyn joins cast of USA’s ‘Political Animals’

‘Common Law’: Meet USA’s newest dynamic (and dueling!) duo — Exclusive Promo...

Exclusive: USA Network’s head of scripted development Bill McGoldrick has been elevated to Evp, original scripted programming. He will continue to oversee all USA scripted development of drama and comedy series, long-form and event programming, reporting to Jeff Wachtel, who serves as co-president of USA alongside Chris McCumber. “Bill has an incredible track record in developing and managing the success of our strong and diverse slate of scripted programming,” said Wachtel. McGoldrick is a homegrown USA talent, having started at the network in 1998 as an executive assistant. He segued into an executive position in series development where he worked on dramas and comedy projects for both USA and Syfy, including The Invisible Man, Good vs. Evil and Monk. In 2003, he was named VP, series development, in which capacity he worked on Psych and The 4400. After a four-year stint at Spike TV as VP and Svp original series development, McGoldrick...

While the networks are playing the shell game with what pilots they’re going to go forward with, USA is locking up the premiere dates of its entire summer lineup which includes heavy hitters like White Collar, Covert Affaris, and Burn Notice while series on the rise, Suits, Royal Pains, and Necessary Roughness also get time slots. Take note of new lead-in partners Royal Pains and Necessary Roughness on Wednesday nights to give viewers a lot of therapy and medicated troubles.

Series Starting in May:

• Common Law finally debuts on May 11 and run on Friday nights at 10Pm.

Series starting in June:

• Royal Pains Season 4 kicks off on June 6, Wednesdays at 9Pm.

• Necessary Roughness Season 2 will begin on June 6, Wednesdays at 10Pm.

• Burn Notice Season 6 will see the first episode with Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) behind bars on June 14, Thursdays at 9Pm.

• Suits Season 2 will begin the following week on June 14, Thursdays at 10Pm.

USA has mapped out its schedule for the summer, setting premiere dates for "Burn Notice," "Suits," "Royal Pains" and three more returning series.

The cable channel also says its miniseries "Political Animals" will air on Sunday nights starting in July, but it hasn't set a specific debut date yet. New show "Common Law" will also continue into the summer following its May 11 premiere.

"Royal Pains" will kick off the summer slate at 9 p.m. Et Wednesday, June 6. Hank (Mark Feuerstein) and Evan (Paulo Costanzo) are on the outs as the season begins, with Divya (Reshma Shetty) caught in between. It will be followed at 10 o'clock that night by Season 2 of "Necessary Roughness" which picks up with Dani (Callie Thorne) and the team in the wake of T.K. (Mehcad Brooks) being shot.

"Burn Notice" and "Suits" will open new seasons at 9 and 10 p.m. Thursday, June 14. "Burn Notice" will kick...

Get ready for a busy summer of original programming on USA.   USA has announced a summer schedule that includes six returning shows, one new drama launch and the premiere of an ambitious new miniseries.    As was previously announced, the new drama "Common Law" will be premiering on Friday, May 11 at 10 p.m. Et. That's just an appetizer, though, for the real USA summer.   The summer starts on Wednesday, June 6 with "Royal Pains" starting its fourth season in the 9 p.m. hour and the Golden Globe nominated "Necessary Roughness" returning for a second season in the 10...

We’ve seen them sing, we’ve seen them dance — heck, we’ve even seen them claymated. So, it’s only fitting that nearly a week before its much anticipated return (eight days to be exact!), the Community gang is getting full-on animated, via its brand-new web series, Abed’s Master Key.

Press Play below to watch Part 1, in which Cartoon Abed acts as Greendale’s “Depu-Dean.” Plus find out which member of the gang harbors a deep dark secret (Hint: It involves a Tamagotchi!).

Ready for more of today’s TV dish? Well…

• Dominic Purcell has booked a pivotal...

Good riddance, cheesy holiday specials: The midseason lineup can’t start soon enough!

Lucky for you esteemed TV lovers, originals of some cable shows begin before you get all blotto on Dec. 31. But the ball really starts rolling the next day, when we’re treated to more fresh episodes of Hoarding: Buried Alive and Baseball Wives. Joy!

Here are the premiere dates for broadcast and cable shows through the end of February:

Dec. 28

True Life (season premiere, MTV)

Dec. 29

Urban Oasis Giveaway (series premiere, Hgtv)

The Best Place I Ever Sold (series premiere, Hgtv)

NY Ink (season premiere, TLC)

Hook,...

USA Network, which is finishing as the No. 1 cable network for a sixth straight year, has long ago secured a place at the big table next to the broadcast networks. Now the top cable network is formalizing its status as a peer to the broadcast nets by holding an upfront presentation and party during the traditional broadcast upfront week in May. USA’s upfront event will take place at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall on the last day of upfront week — Thursday, May 17 — in the evening. After years of private dinners with ad agencies, USA Network held its first upfront presentation at the Tent at Lincoln Center last year on May 2, two weeks before upfront week. The network is moving to a higher-profile time slot and a bigger space this year but plans to keep the emphasis on talent with actors from USA’s original series Burn Notice,...

Star Power!

... NBC's upcoming musical drama Smash already has a thousand beehives' worth of buzz, and it's just earned more. The midseason show has added Uma Thurman for a five-episode arc as a feisty and difficult-to-work-with movie star. The show, which is looking destined to be a hit, debuts February 6. Quick question: Uma Thurman... Hot Or Not? [NBC, via press release]

Schedule Adjustments And Finalizations

... USA has pushed back the debut of Common Law, a buddy...  More >>...

USA network announced today that their newest legal drama, Common Law, will debut on Thursday, January 26th at 10pm. Starring Michael Ealy and Warren Kole, the series revolves around a pair of cops who've grown sick of one another. Instead of splitting them up, their captain orders them into couples therapy. USA ordered 12 episodes and they're expected to run until April 12th.

The cable channel has also announced the returns of White Collar and Royal Pains.

Starring Matthew Bomer and Tim DeKay, White Collar is coming back on Tuesday, January 17th at 10pm. The drama's currently in its third season and 10 episodes aired last summer. That leaves six more installments and they'll run until February 21st. If that's not enough for you, White Collar's already been renewed for season four. In August, USA gave the go-ahead for another 16 episodes and they'll air...

Even though I live in southern California, I still need something warm and fluffy to get me through the winter, so the news that Royal Pains and its pastel summer-in-the-Hamptons cardigans are coming back in January made my day. White Collar is also returning that week, with Matt Bomer’s impossibly good-looking art thief and its mounting concern over the future of Kelly Kapowski Elizabeth.

Let’s start with Royal Pains. From toxic cleaning products to a painting that made Fez, er, Wilmer Valderrama, faint, last season was full of bizarre maladies. What is the weirdest ailment we’ll see this winter?...

USA Network announced the debut date for "Common Law" and the return schedule for two of its high-profile programs "White Collar" and "Royal Pains."

The new series "Common Law" is set to premier Jan. 26 at 10 p.m. Et. The program stars Michael Ealy and Warren Kole as two cops who are growing sick of each other. Rather than split them up, their captain forces them into couples' therapy. It also features Jack McGee and Sonya Walger.

The third season of "White Collar" kicks off Jan. 17 at 10 p.m. Et. The series is set to pick up where its summer cliffhanger left off when Neal (Matt Bomer) was in possession of stolen Nazi treasure, this leading to his wife's kidnapping. The series also stars Tim DeKay, Willie Garson and Tiffani Thiessen.

The series "Royal Pains" is back as of Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. Et. The series stars Mark Feuerstein, Paulo Costanzo and Reshma Shetty.

USA Network today announces the January premiere dates for the new original series Common Law on Thursday, January 26 at 10/9c and returning original favorites White Collar on Tuesday, January 17 at 10/9c and Royal Pains on Wednesday, January 18 at 10/9c.

The new original series Common Law kicks into high gear when two cops discover they have one problem - each other. Despite their differences, they are still the best detectives on the force but when things come to a head on the eve of their "seven-year itch," their captain forces them into couples' therapy to save their "marriage." The 12-episode one-hour series stars Michael Ealy (The Good Wife, Californication), Warren Kole (The Chicago Code, 24), Jack McGee (The Fighter, Rescue Me) and Sonya Walger (Lost, In Treatment) and is currently in production in New Orleans.

Travis Marks (Michael Ealy) and Wes Mitchell (Warren Kole) are a pair of odd couple detectives who...

Enjoy some bite-sized pieces of TV news, including a very early pickup for a cable series and some notes on the pilot front.

- "America's Next Top Model" is going through another judge shakeup. Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley will leave the show after this cycle and be replaced by Kelly Cutrone ("The Hills," "Kell on Earth"), who runs the fashion publicity/marketing firm People's Revolution. "I had a great ride and will always consider my experience with 'Top Model' one of the best moments of my life," Talley says. [People]

- "FlashForward" star and "Lost" star-crossed lover Sonya Walger will head to USA for her next series project. She's joined the cable channel's "Common Law," about two cops (Michael Ealy and Warren Kole) whose constant conflict lands them in couples therapy -- with Walger as their therapist. [EW]

- Starz has given a second-season order to its drama "Boss" -- even...

Tom’s new girlfriend on Desperate Housewives has undergone a last-minute makeover: Friends alum Jessica Hecht is out and Less Than Perfect‘s Andrea Parker is in.

According to an insider, talks between Hecht and Housewives broke down unexpectedly late Friday, at which point the role was offered to Parker.

Parker’s character, Jane, enters Tom’s life at a pivotal time: In Housewives‘ Season 7 finale, he and Lynette (Felicity Huffman) announced that they were sticking a fork in their nearly 20-year marriage.

Parker recently shot a recurring role in the forthcoming USA series Common Law.

Housewives eighth (and final) season launches on Sept.

Andrea Parker (Less Than Perfect) and Miguel Ferrer have been cast in recurring roles on the final season of ABC's Desperate Housewives. Parker will play Jane, a love interest for newly separated Tom Scavo (Doug Savant). Jessica Hecht had been in final negotiations for the role, but I hear the deal unexpectedly fell through at the last minute. Apa-repped Parker, who starts on Tuesday, most recently shot a recurring role in the USA pilot Common Law. Crossing Jordan veteran Ferrer will play Andre Zeller, a renowned and temperamental contemporary artist who is teaching a course at the local college where one of his students is part-time illustrator Susan (Teri Hatcher). Ferrer currently stars in the Lifetime procedural The Protector.

Exclusive: USA Network has passed on its pilot Eden. The hourlong project, from Universal Cable Prods. and writers Ken and Mary Hanes, centered on a young hotel worker (Nick D'Agosto) who, with the help of his escaped con artist cousin (Enver Gjokaj), gets a job as the concierge at an elite NYC hotel. Together they manage to provide the hotel guests with whatever they desire. Eden is the first USA pilot to get a pass this cycle, which included 2 batches of 3 pilots each. All 3 pilots from the first group, Necessary Roughness, Common Law and A Legal Mind, have been picked up to series. The remaining 2 pilots from the second batch, Over/Under and Wild Card, which were ordered at the same time as Eden in November, have been cast but not shot yet, with filming eyed for late August.

If it’s getting hot out by you this time of year, know that it’s nothing compared to the summer USA Network is having.

With White Collar as criminally good as ever, Covert Affairs and Burn Notice serving up irresistible spy games, and the new Suits fitting great on the schedule, the cabler is having a moment. But as USA co-presidents Jeff Wachtel and Chris McCumber point out, it’s the aggregate nature of multiple moments like this that enable the network to trumpet “unprecedented” success and “historic” ratings weeks.

TVLine spoke with the USA bosses, inviting them to survey their ever-expanding slate,...

As news begins to circulate that Johnny Depp is close to a deal for Pirates of the Caribbean 5, financial details have begun leaking about what the series has done for Depp. His take, thanks to his cut of the profits of the wildly successful franchise, is estimated at $350 million so far. No wonder he owns an island.

The new craze for vacation packages has the concierge confiscating your electronics as you check into a room with no television. You spend the week doing puzzles, board games and exercising. It sounds both lovely and terrifying. I'm not sure I could do it.

Google is going to rebrand Blogger and Picassa into more "Google-centric" names as they begin their push into social media with Google+.

At least three U.S. networks are bidding to bring the Chloe Sevigny Hit or Miss Sky production stateside. She'll play a pre-op hitwoman in what sounds like a very original idea.

Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Just want to say hi? Send any/all of the above to askausiello@tvline.com

Question: Will Peter come back in Season 4 of Fringe? Will Olivia find out the existence of Fauxlivia’s son? And, if so, how will she react? —Silvia

Ausiello: I don’t have any concrete answers to those questions, but my gut is telling me probably, eventually and not well. Meanwhile, sources confirm that producers are casting a new recurring female character. Interested actresses should be Asian and between the age of 25 and 50. Got casting tips?...

Give It Up For Greg Giraldo (Friday, 11:30/10:30c, Comedy Central)

Celebrity roasts just won't be same without him. In this affectionate tribute special profiling Greg Giraldo, the comedian who died last September at 44, Comedy Central celebrates one of its most familiar faces and voices, as comedy contemporaries including Conan O'Brien, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman and Colin Quinn remember a good friend and colleagues. Lots of clips from career highs — and a few lows (including the short-lived sitcom Common Law).

The Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway (Saturday, 10/9c, HBO)

The magic word is "Fun!" Feel free to scream along with the Broadway audience as...

Read More >...

USA Network is maintaining its perfect batting average in pilot-to-series pickups, ordering both A Legal Mind and Necessary Roughness to series. Both projects have been given 11-episode orders in addition to the 90-minute pilots. Last year, USA ordered a total of 6 pilots in two batches of 3 each, Necessary Roughness, A Legal Mind and Common Law, followed by Wild Card, Eden and Over/Under. Because of casting issues, Common Law was delayed, so of the first group, Necessary Roughness and A Legal Mind were completed and delivered together. Word was USA brass were looking to pick one of them up to series, but the network ended up ordering both. The decision was easy, USA's president of original programming Jeff Wachtel said. "We were so pleased, we said right away: we're making both shows." A Legal Mind, which has an odd pairing at its center reminiscent of USA's White Collar, centers on...

USA Network has handed out cast-contingent pilot orders to three more hourlong projects, Eden, about a resourceful young hotel concierge, Wild Card, about 2 very different lawyers in Las Vegas, and Over/Under, about an ex-day trader with a gambling problem who starts a new life. That is addition to the 3 pilots the cable network has in various stages of production or pre-production, Necessary Roughness, Common Law and A Legal Mind, bringing the total number of pilots to 6, the most ever for USA in a calendar year. "The company is investing in our success," said USA president of original programming Jeff Wachtel, who noted that USA is projected to top the cable ratings for a fifth year in a row despite increased competition. "We’re fighting to stay No.1, and we have to step up our game. You do that by building up your portfolio, pushing out with a little more...

Comedian Greg Giraldo is in critical but stable condition in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey after suffering an accidental overdose on Saturday, September 25. The comic was found unconscious by a friend after mixing up prescription medication, according to reports.

Sources insist the overdose was not a suicide attempt, according to TMZ.com. He collapsed in his New Jersey hotel room.

Greg Giraldo was the star of short-lived "Common Law", and also starred in several pilots, including "The Greg Giraldo Show" and "Gone Hollywood" for Comedy Central. He has also appeared as a member of the panel in the NBC show "The Marriage Ref".

More TV casting news (see the post just below this one).

Pretty boy Michael Ealy will star in a new series for USA Network, titled, Common Law, described as “a comedic buddy cop drama.” Lemme guess, the other half of this “buddy-pairing” will be white.

Ealy will play Travis Marks and his partner’s name will be Wes Mitchell – 2 Lapd cops. One (Ealy’s character) a free-spirited ladies’ man; the other a former attorney, and a stickler for procedure. Naturally, they don’t get along! What’s new, right?

And in an unorthodox move, their Captain sends them to “couples” therapy.

Hence, “common law,” I guess. Although, it’s nice to see the black guy play the ladies’ man; often, the white partner gets to have a romantic life, while his asexual black partner provides the comedy relief, or the drama and intensity. Of course, I’m assuming the other partner will be white.

I think we can now safely refer to Michael Ealy as an in-demand actor.

The ex-FlashForward thesp—who recently landed a pivotal role on The Good Wife—has scored the co-lead on USA Network’s buddy police dramedy Common Law, sources confirm.

Ealy plays Lapd officer Travis Marks, who’s charismatic, casually attired, and unshaven—the polar opposite of his police partner, Wes Mitchell. An abandoned baby who raised in eight foster homes, he lives in a motel and is quite comfortable being rootless and carefree. In contrast to the rigid Wes, Travis is a freewheeling, impulsive maverick, not...

Michael Ealy has been tapped to star in USA Network's pilot Common Law, a comedic buddy cop drama from producer Jon Turteltaub. Ealy is the first actor cast in the project, written by Cormac & Marianne Wibberley, which centers on cops Wes Mitchell and Travis Marks (Ealy), partners at Lapd. The problem is Wes, a methodical former lawyer with a passion for cars, gardening and his ex-wife, and Travis, a maverick ladies' man who served time in juvie, can't stand each other. To revive their flagging professional relationship, their Captain sends them to couples therapy. CBS TV Studios and Turteltaub's Junction Entertainment are producing with Cormac & Marianne Wibberley and Turteltaub executive producing. Sleeper Cell alum Ealy, repped by Gersh and manager Darryl Taja, most recently had a role on ABC's FlashForward and next co-stars in Screen Gems' Takers. Lifting the Common Law's cast-contingency hinges on casting both leads.

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing. E! Online's Kristin Dos Santos caught up with Glee's Jane Lynch, co-creator Brad Falchuk, and executive producer Dante Di Loreto to discuss five secrets from the Glee season finale, including the fact that the smooch between Will (Matthew Morrison) and Emma (Jayma Mays) wasn't scripted ("Her reaction is totally real," he said), no tear enhancers were used, Jonathan Groff and Idina Menzel may return next season, the writers deserve an Emmy (according to Lynch), and Sue Sylvester won't be turning all mushy next season. [Editor: personally, I thought the Glee season finale was pretty weak, coasting by on sentimentality rather than genuine--or earned--emotion. But I've found that to be true throughout the first season.] (E! Online's Watch with Kristin) USA has given a cast-contingent pilot order to buddy/cop comedy Common Law, which revolves around two Lapd officers--Wes and Travis--whose once-strong friendship has fractured, leading their captain to send them to couples therapy. Project, from CBS Television Studios and Junction Entertainment, is written/executive produced by Cormac and Marianne Wibberley (National Treasure...

HollywoodNews.com: USA Network has given a cast-contingent green light to the pilot Common Law, it was announced today by Jeff Wachtel, executive vice president, USA original programming & co-head, original content, Universal Cable Productions.

Common Law (working title) is from CBS Television Studios and Junction Entertainment, and is executive produced and written by Cormac & Marianne Wibberley. (“National Treasure,” “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle”). Jon Turteltaub (“Harper’s Island,” “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” “Jericho,” “National Treasure,” “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”) will executive produce. Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (“Harper’s Island,” “Jericho”) of Junction Entertainment will serve as co-executive producers.

“If you’re going to do a cop show, it better be something special -and we believe this one is,” said Wachtel. “It’s funny, it’s fresh, and the writing is just fantastic. We’re thrilled to be working with the Wibberleys and Jon.

By Hunter Walker  

USA Network gave a cast-contingent greenlight for the pilot of "Common Law."   "Common Law," which is a working title, deals with a mismatched team of cops who are ordered by their bosses to enroll in couples counseling. Produced and written by Cormac and Marianne Wibberley, Jon Turtletaub is executive producing and Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik of Junction Entertainment will serve as co-executive producers. It's from CBS Television Studios and Junction En...

In a press release, the producers of Broadway’s Evita announced Ricky Martin and Elena Roger will star in a 2012 production of the show. (Martin will also be presenting at this year’s Tony Awards, according to a CBS rep.) Roger will play the title role, while Martin will play Ché. Does this mean William Hung will play the role Off-Broadway?

Snatch star Vinnie Jones will be a series regular on NBC’s The Cape, starring as Scales, “a frightening man with a freakish skin condition that gives him the appearance of green and gold scales.” Will Kanye West be cast as a romantic interest?...

USA Network is stepping into the ever-popular cop drama arena with a cast-contingent pilot order to "Common Law," according to Deadline Hollywood.

The project centers around incompatible Lapd partners Wes Mitchell and Travis Marks. In order to help them get along, their Captain sends Wes, a former lawyer with a gardening hobby, and Travis, a ladies' man with a juvie record, to couples therapy.

USA's president of original programming Jeff Wachtel promised that this isn't just another cop drama: "If you're going to do a cop show, it better be something special -- and we believe this one is," said Wachtel. "It's funny, it's fresh, and the writing is just fantastic."

"Common Law" is penned by Cormac & Marianne Wibberley and will be executive produced by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik.

The drama will join two other pilots recently greenlighted by USA, "Necessary Roughness" and "A Legal Mind."

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USA Network has given a cast-contingent pilot order to Common Law, a comedic buddy cop drama from producer Jon Turteltaub. The project, written by Cormac & Marianne Wibberley, centers on cops Wes Mitchell and Travis Marks, partners at Lapd. The problem is Wes, a methodical former lawyer with a passion for cars, gardening and his ex-wife, and Travis, a maverick ladies' man who served time in juvie, can't stand each other. To revive their flagging professional relationship, their Captain sends them to couples therapy. CBS TV Studios and Turteltaub's Junction Entertainment are producing with Cormac & Marianne Wibberley and Turteltaub executive producing. Dan [...]...

Filed under: TV News

You have to hand it to the USA Network -- it knows its niche and it knows it well, as evident today by its latest pilot order.

According to Deadline Hollywood, the network has said yes to 'Common Law' about Lapd partners Wes Mitchell and Travis Marks who are forced to attend couples therapy in an attempt to save their professional relationship.

The two characters are described as completely different: Wes is a former lawyer with a passion for cars, gardening and his ex-wife, while Travis is popular with the ladies and did time in juvie.

 

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New York -- USA Network has given a cast-contingent green light to the buddy cop comedy pilot "Common Law."

"Common Law" is the working title for the CBS Television Studios and Junction Entertainment project, executive produced and written by Cormac and Marianne Wibberley ("National Treasure"). Jon Turteltaub will also executive produce.

 

"If you're going to do a cop show, it better be something special -- and we believe this one is," said Jeff Wachtel, executive vp original programming at USA and co-head of original content at Universal Cable Prods.

 

The show centers on cops Wes Mitchell and Travis Marks, who have a problem -- each other. So their captain sends them to couples therapy.

"As partners, they were Lapd's dream team," the show description reads. "Now Wes, a methodical former lawyer with a passion for cars, gardening and his ex-wife, and Travis, a maverick ladies' man who served time in juvie,...

Hollywoodnews.com: Quentin Tarantino is an awesome director and doesn’t need any kind of curse associated with the actors from his films. To date, Chris Penn, former “Reservoir Dogs” actor died young of an enlarged heart at age 40.

David Carradine, 72, aka Bill from “Kill Bill” died as a result of autoerotic asphyxiation. And we’re not counting Brittany Murphy who was in one third of Tarantino’s “Sin City.”

Now, Michael Madsen, 52, of both “Kill Bill” and “Reservoir Dogs” is on suicide watch after a nine-day bender in U.K. He was found knocked out on his hotel doorstep according to The Sun. Madsen is across the pond shooting a horror film.

A source at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro tells the Sun: “He was held under Common Law rules on mental health. If he had attempted to leave he would have been sectioned. He was a high-risk...