News

It’s that time of year again — the chestnuts are roasting, the marshmallows are toasting, and the Hallmark holiday movies are airing multiple times a week from now until the end of the year.

Of the 40 new original movies Hallmark is rolling out this holiday season, 24 are part of its 10th annual “Countdown to Christmas” event. The other 16 will air on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

Some of the original movies have aired since the end of October, which can be streamed on Hallmark Movies Now. The rest of this year’s holiday programming, like “Christmas at Dollywood,” starring Dolly Parton and “Merry & Bright,” starring Jodie Sweetin, will continue to roll out on both channels until Dec. 28.

Also Read: 'Masked Singer' Sets Holiday-Themed Semifinals Episode With Double Elimination

Here is a full list of all this year’s Hallmark holiday movies, separated by channel and as described by the network:

Hallmark Channel

(All premieres at 8 p.

‘Tis the season!

Hallmark announced its 2019 holiday movie lineup on Wednesday — and it’s packed with romance, family reunions and all the wintery goodness imaginable.

The special 10th anniversary edition of the top-rated programming event, Countdown to Christmas, begins in October on the Hallmark Channel and encompasses 24 new, original holiday movies. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ Miracles of Christmas will also premiere 16 new films.

A total of 40 films will premiere on both networks in 2019, starring everyone from Kristin Chenoweth to Kathie Lee Gifford to Lacey Chabert.

“I’m so excited for fans to see my 8th Christmas movie for Hallmark Channel, Christmas in Rome,...

Exclusive: Wme has signed writer-director team Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, a week after Deadline scooped that they are attached to their feature film writing and helming debut, an untitled pic at Lionsgate that will star Janelle Monáe. The agency will rep the duo in all areas.

The pair, who as Bush + Renz launched their careers in fashion and luxury advertising directing national campaigns for Harry Winston, Vogue and Porsche among others, have also been writing and directing cause-based short films and music videos. They were behind the 2017 PSA “Against the Wall,” which was produced by Harry Belafonte and featured Michael B. Jordan, Danny Glover and Michael K. Williams (check it out below).

In addition to several national ad campaigns, they also directed the short “Kill Jay-z” for his album 4:44 and shorts The Glass House starring Maxwell and actress Yomi Abiola, and 17 for Tidal.

The pair’s Lionsgate film...

Grammy award-winning rapper Sean Paul has teamed up with Latin singer J Balvin for the single "Contra La Pared" (Against the Wall). "'Contra La Pared' out now! Big up J Balvin," Sean tweeted on Thursday. Directed by Andy Hines, the song's music video was shot at Utah's Lake Powell, reports etonline.com.

"Working with artistes like Sean and J Balvin, these are the kind of artistes that I like to work with because they actually do things that are different and they are not afraid to take planes, trains and automobiles to get out to a place like this," Hines says in the video. "(This) is a location where no one has really shot here before."...

Dancehall king Sean Paul and reggaeton royal J Balvin released visuals for their latest track, “Contra La Pared,” which means “Against the Wall.” The duo had previously joined forces on the 2017 Major Lazer song “Buscando Huellas.”

In the Tainy-produced reggaeton-hall track, Balvin calls to mind an old Spanish nursery rhyme in the chorus, in which he tells a demanding lover that she has his back against the wall: “Cúcara, mácara, dique fue,” he sings, “Ya me tiene’ contra la pared.” Between playful verses in Patois, Paul sings the chorus in Spanish as well,...

“The obvious choice is Ryan Murphy for ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace’ because it’s the Limited Series front-runner and those often go hand in hand with a directing win. But this is his fifth consecutive nomination, and he never wins and never won at the Directors Guild,” Riley Chow explains to me and our fellow Gold Derby contributors Charles Bright, Zach Laws and Tony Ruiz in our Emmy predictions slugfest about the race for Best Movie/Mini Directing (watch above). Based on our latest predictions, Murphy is ahead with 8/11 odds as of this writing, but might there be an upset?

Our odds currently place David Lynch’s revival of “Twin Peaks” second with odds of 9/2, and both Laws and Bright make passionate arguments for Lynch’s achievement directing a full 18 episodes of television. “This category seems uniquely qualified for a ‘Twin Peaks’ upset,” Bright declares. But “Peaks” was snubbed for Best Limited Series.

On tap right now are a new trailer and a set of fresh stills from Stanley Yung's new spooker 2 Bedroom 1 Bath. Look for the flick in limited California theatres beginning on September 5th, and stay tuned for VOD/home video news to follow.

From the Press Release

Al Bravo Studios and Chemical Mind Studios have partnered to give horror fans a new thrill with their haunting new film 2 Bedroom 1 Bath, coming to theaters on Friday, September 5th.

Starring Michelle Hicks (Mullholland Drive, “The Shield”) and Andrew W. Walker (Steel Toes, Against the Wall), 2 Bedroom 1 Bath is the chilling tale of a couple whose seemingly perfect dream home quickly becomes their nightmare.

This psychological thriller comes from the new voice in horror, writer/director Stanley Yung, producer Al Bravo (The Chicago 8, The Wailer), and the independent studio that brought audiences the cult horror film The Wailer (La Llorona). As...

As the television market kicked off in Cannes, actress Kim Cattrall, director Hugo Blick and crime-writer Michael Connelly were among those hitting the Croisette to promote their upcoming shows.Conferences

Kim Cattrall on Sensitive Skin

Actress Kim Cattrall unveiled the first trailer for her Canada-set remake of BBC comedy drama Sensitive Skin.

Cattrall stars as an aging former model who moves to an edgy, inner city neighbourhood with her husband in a bid to revitalise their lives. The role was played in the UK version by Joanna Lumley.

The former Sex and the City star is executive producing the series alongside writer Bob Martin and director Don Mckellar, who also co-stars.

The 56-year-old, former Sex and City star told MipTV execs that there was a dearth of good roles for women of her age. “Women my age have very much to say and unfortunately this business doesn’t recognise that most of the time,” said Cattrall...

As the television market kicked off in Cannes, actress Kim Cattrall, director Hugo Blick and crime-writer Michael Connelly were among those hitting the Croisette to promote their upcoming shows.Conferences

Kim Cattrall on Sensitive Skin

Actress Kim Cattrall unveiled the first trailer for her Canada-set remake of BBC comedy drama Sensitive Skin.

Cattrall stars as an aging former model who moves to an edgy, inner city neighbourhood with her husband in a bid to revitalise their lives. The role was played in the UK version by Joanna Lumley.

The former Sex and the City star is executive producing the series alongside writer Bob Martin and director Don Mckellar, who also co-stars.

The 56-year-old, former Sex and City star told MipTV execs that there was a dearth of good roles for women of her age. “Women my age have very much to say and unfortunately this business doesn’t recognise that most of the time,” said Cattrall...

Miptv roundup (day 1): As the television market kicked off in Cannes, actress Kim Cattrall, director Hugo Blick and crime-writer Michael Connelly were among those hitting the Croisette to promote their upcoming shows.Conferences

Kim Cattrall on Sensitive Skin

Actress Kim Cattrall unveiled the first trailer for her Canada-set remake of BBC comedy drama Sensitive Skin.

Cattrall stars as an aging former model who moves to an edgy, inner city neighbourhood with her husband in a bid to revitalise their lives. The role was played in the UK version by Joanna Lumley.

The former Sex and the City star is executive producing the series alongside writer Bob Martin and director Don Mckellar, who also co-stars.

The 56-year-old, former Sex and City star told MipTV execs that there was a dearth of good roles for women of her age. “Women my age have very much to say and unfortunately this business doesn’t recognise that most of the...

The TV biz has for years been declaring “sweeps” periods about as antiquated as wired remote controls, but Fox apparently wasn’t copied on the memo.

The network on Tuesday issued an extensive bulletin touting its “massive” plans for November sweeps, which kicks off this Thursday. We sifted through the release to weed out the old news (X Factor’s return, Almost Human‘s premiere, etc) and play up the stuff that really matters: the spoilers.

Bones

Monday, Nov. 4 at 8/7c: “The Nazi on the Honeymoon”

While honeymooning in Buenos Aires, Brennan and Booth just can’t get into vacation...

Comedy Central has ordered Ben Stiller-produced comedy pilot, "Big Time In Hollywood, Fl," a network representative told TheWrap. The single-camera comedy follows two delusional brothers and wannabe film makers who are kicked out of their parents' home and embark on a cinematic adventure. Joining the pilot are Kathy Baker ("Against the Wall") and Stephen Tobolowsky ("Californication") as the parents. Also read: Ben Stiller & Bob Odenkirk's 'Birthday Boys' Gets Premiere Date From Stiller's production company Red Hour, the pilot is written and executive produced by Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf. Stiller will exec produce with...

Blue Bloods fans will be seeing plenty more of Danny’s newest partner, Detective Maria Baez, because actress Marisa Ramirez has been officially boosted into series regular status.

Danny is of course brought to life by Donnie Wahlberg in the CBS series. Not so long ago, his partner was Detective Jackie Curatola, acted by the beautiful Jennifer Esposito. This, my friends, is the bitter side of what is very sweet news for Ramirez.

I’m a big fan of Esposito, who has had a tumultuous few years, which led up to her finally getting diagnosed with Coeliac disease. Many can argue that the network treated the actress unfairly when they booted her from the series due to an illness that is beyond her control. There are two sides to every dispute however. The actress scolded CBS publicly for what she called “shameful” behavior.

I was hoping the break from Blue Bloods,...

Marisa Ramirez has received a nice promotion from CBS.

The actress will be a series regular when Blue Bloods returns for Season 4 in the fall, after the former Against the Wall star joined the drama toward the conclusion of Season 3.

Ramirez's Detective Maria Baez will be the permanent partner of Donnie Wahlberg's Danny going forward.

She joined the cast following a falling out between producers and Jennifer Esposito in October and also after Megan Boone and Megan Ketch briefly stopped by to fill the void.

Marisa Ramirez has been bumped to series regular status for Blue Bloods‘ upcoming fourth season.

The actress — whose previous TV credits include Body of Proof, Lifetime’s Against the Wall and General Hospital — joined the CBS drama toward the end of Season 3 in a recurring capacity, as Danny’s (Donnie Wahlberg) latest partner, Detective Maria Baez.

The Hollywood Reporter first shared the news of her status upgrade.

Photos | Fall TV Preview: Your Guide to What’s New!

Ramirez boarded Bloods as one of three potential full-time replacements for castmember Jennifer Esposito, who exited the series last October amid some controversy...

As we reported earlier in the week, Marisa Ramirez has signed on for a five-episode arc on Blue Bloods, coming on board the CBS drama as Detective Maria Baez, the new partner of Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny. Her first episode, “Protest Too Much,” airs tonight.

With past roles in Against The Wall and Spartacus: Gods of The Arena (and, yes, another recurring role starting next month on ABC’s Body of Proof) it’s a wonder the in-demand Ramirez found the time to jump on the phone in between shooting scenes in cold NYC - but she delivers an abundance of exclusive scoop to TV Fanatic in the following Q&A.

TV Fanatic: How did the gig on Blue Bloods come about?

Marisa Ramirez: They called my agent and offered an episode to me and it was right before pilot season was about to get crazy. So, I didn...

Blue Bloods has found a new partner for Danny Reagan.

Marisa Ramirez (Against the Wall, Body of Proof) has been cast on five episodes of the CBS drama as Detective Maria Baez. She will debut this Friday and has the potential to come on board as a series regular in the fall.

Ramirez will represent the third temporary partner for Danny, following a four-episode arc by Megan Ketch and a three-episode shiny by Megan Boone.

The series was forced to make these changes after an ugly dispute with Jennifer Esposito led to that star's departure from the drama.

Blue Bloods has found a new temporary partner for Detective Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg). Marisa Ramirez (Against The Wall) has been cast for a five-episode arc playing Detective Maria Baez, who will be paired with Danny. The recurring gig comes with the possibility for Ramirez to continue as a regular next season. Ramirez’s first episode on Blue Bloods airs this Friday, and word of her casting started getting out as the network began to release images from the episode. Ramirez plays the third temporary partner for Danny this season, following a four-episode stint by Megan Ketch and a three-episode one by Megan Boone. They are filling the void left by the departure of series regular Jennifer Esposito who was put on an indefinite medical leave by Blue Bloods producer CBS TV Studios last fall and is unlikely to return to the show. Ramirez also recurs on ABC’s Body Of Proof this season.

Chicago Fire fans are in for a real Treat. The NBC drama has hired former Everwood star, Treat Williams to play another fatherly role.

Taylor Kinney’s character, Lieutenant Kelly Severide, is one of the show’s leads and execs have hired Treat Williams to portray his dad, Benny Severide, in multiple episodes starting this January.

The Lieutenant is described as being “brash” and “unflappable”. He leads Rescue Squad 3 and struggles with intense spinal pain that has come on as the result of a past rescue mission. According to TV Guide, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree in the Severide family.

The character of Benny, which has gone to Williams, is another “tough guy” and former career fireman. Father and son are not exactly estranged, but they are not best buds either. They seem to pop in and out of each other’s lives, but perhaps their relationship will be “on again,...

Dr. Rosen’s band of Alphas is back together — but will the reunion be a lasting, happy one? Or did the time apart create rifts that will be difficult to repair? As the Syfy drama continues Season 2 this Monday at 10/9c, Azita Ghanizada gave TVLine a look down the windy road ahead, which will find Rachel on the scent of a very special man, put her powers “on steroids” and push Rosen’s obsession with mega-Alpha Stanton Parrish to a “scary” place. Also: The brunette beauty throws her tiara into the ring to play a certain Once Upon a Time princess.

Terry O'Quinn as Gavin Doran in "666 Park Avenue" (ABC/Andrew Eccles)

ABC‘s slate of new shows for fall has a strange flavor to it, and it’s going to be a bumpy ride. The network has about as many new shows as returning ones (if you count all the midseasons), and a good percentage of the returning offerings are a year old or less, making this look a bit like a rebuilding year.

Not only is it a rebuilding year, but it’s the year of bringing back every actor and actress who ever had a decent run on a show before. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a network’s new season slate that was so crammed with people returning from something else. If you can’t make it good, I suppose, make sure viewers recognize the faces.

It’s tricky to get a solid feel...

Are White Collar fans about to meet Neal's father?

That's mostly a wild guess, but perhaps not too wild based on the casting news just announced by Entertainment Weekly: Treat Williams has landed an extended season four role on the USA hit.

Insiders confirm that the veteran actor (Everwood, Against the Wall) will portray an undercover officer from D.C. named Sam who has some “deeply rooted ties to Neal’s past.” Hence the father speculation.

Another clue: creator Jeff Eastin has said White Collar Season 4 will focus a great deal on - you guessed it - Neal's family.

Exclusive: A year and a half after Howard Green and Craig Gartner joined Authentic Talent and Literary Management to open a Los Angeles office of the New York-based company, the two have left to form Gartner/Green Entertainment, a new management company based in Los Angeles. Green, a 13-year management veteran who was at Framework before his stint at Authentic, brings to the new company such clients as The Killing star Mireille Enos and Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross as well as Lindsay Pearce (Glee), Brandon Quinn (Against the Wall) and Jay Karnes (The Shield). Green began his career as an agent trainee at Wma. Joining Gartner at Gartner/Green are such clients as Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, writer/director Abe Sylvia, Keesha Sharp (Girlfriends) and Dave Costabile (Breaking Bad). Former Endeavor agent Gartner left the agency at the end of 2007 and co-produced indie feature Dirty Girl before transitioning into management.

Lovelace

James Franco is in talks while Hank Azaria, Bobby Cannavale, Chris Noth and Robert Patrick have all joined the cast of Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's "Lovelace" at Millennium Films which begins filming today in Los Angeles.

Amanda Seyfried is set to play porn star Linda Lovelace. Franco is up for a cameo as Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. Azaria will play the director of Lovelace's most famous film "Deep Throat",

Cannavale and Noth will play the film’s financiers, and Patrick will play Lovelace’s father. Peter Sarsgaard, Wes Bentley, Sharon Stone and Juno Temple also star. [Source: Deadline]

Inside Llewyn Davis

Stage veteran Jeanine Serralles ("Two Lovers," "Across the Universe") has joined the cast while "Amadeus" star F. Murray Abraham is circling the role of legendary manager Bud Grossman in Joel and Ethan Coen's folk music pic "Inside Llewyn Davis."

Set amid the 1960s Greenwich Village folk music scene,...

Lovelace

James Franco is in talks while Hank Azaria, Bobby Cannavale, Chris Noth and Robert Patrick have all joined the cast of Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's "Lovelace" at Millennium Films which begins filming today in Los Angeles.

Amanda Seyfried is set to play porn star Linda Lovelace. Franco is up for a cameo as Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. Azaria will play the director of Lovelace's most famous film "Deep Throat",

Cannavale and Noth will play the film’s financiers, and Patrick will play Lovelace’s father. Peter Sarsgaard, Wes Bentley, Sharon Stone and Juno Temple also star. [Source: Deadline]

Inside Llewyn Davis

Stage veteran Jeanine Serralles ("Two Lovers," "Across the Universe") has joined the cast while "Amadeus" star F. Murray Abraham is circling the role of legendary manager Bud Grossman in Joel and Ethan Coen's folk music pic "Inside Llewyn Davis."

Set amid the 1960s Greenwich Village folk music scene,...

Dimension Films have announced last month that it has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film Penthouse North from director Joseph Ruben (Sleeping with the Enemy). Now, Andrew Walker, who recently co-starred on the new Lifetime’s cop drama Against the Wall, has joined the cast of a psychological thriller that includes Michael Keaton (The Other [...]

Continue reading Dimension Films’ Thriller Penthouse North Adds Andrew Walker on FilmoFilia.

Related posts: Nick Murphy’s New Thriller Blood Adds Bettany, Cox and Graham Dimension Films Acquires ‘How To Defeat Your Own Clone’ Bruce Willis to play commentator Walker in F1 biopic...

Dimension Films' thriller Penthouse North casts Andrew Walker in Joseph Ruben film, starring Michelle Monaghan Andrew Walker (Steel Toes, The Torturer, Lifetime's "Against the Wall") has landed the part of Michelle Monaghan's boyfriend in the film where Monaghan plays a blind photojournalist caught up in a game of cat and mouse with sadistic murderer (Michael Keaton). Walker is repped by ICM and Thruline Entertainment, and is also in post-production on Dustin Riekert's western To Kill a Memory. That film stars Sydney Penny, Ernie Hudson, Courtney Gains, Abraham Benrubi, Don Swayze, William Shockley and Ronnie Gene Blevins. Penthouse North is scripted by David Loughery, and also includes Kaniehtiio Horn, Trevor Hayes and Barry Sloane.

Dimension Films' thriller Penthouse North casts Andrew Walker in Joseph Ruben film, starring Michelle Monaghan Andrew Walker (Steel Toes, The Torturer, Lifetime's "Against the Wall") has landed the part of Michelle Monaghan's boyfriend in the film where Monaghan plays a blind photojournalist caught up in a game of cat and mouse with sadistic murderer (Michael Keaton). Walker is repped by ICM and Thruline Entertainment, and is also in post-production on Dustin Riekert's western To Kill a Memory. That film stars Sydney Penny, Ernie Hudson, Courtney Gains, Abraham Benrubi, Don Swayze, William Shockley and Ronnie Gene Blevins. Penthouse North is scripted by David Loughery, and also includes Kaniehtiio Horn, Trevor Hayes and Barry Sloane.

Dimension Films' thriller Penthouse North casts Andrew Walker in Joseph Ruben film, starring Michelle Monaghan Andrew Walker (Steel Toes, The Torturer, Lifetime's "Against the Wall") has landed the part of Michelle Monaghan's boyfriend in the film where Monaghan plays a blind photojournalist caught up in a game of cat and mouse with sadistic murderer (Michael Keaton). Walker is repped by ICM and Thruline Entertainment, and is also in post-production on Dustin Riekert's western To Kill a Memory. That film stars Sydney Penny, Ernie Hudson, Courtney Gains, Abraham Benrubi, Don Swayze, William Shockley and Ronnie Gene Blevins. Penthouse North is scripted by David Loughery, and also includes Kaniehtiio Horn, Trevor Hayes and Barry Sloane.

We have a new serving of TV snacks for you, including items on a couple of canceled shows and some pilot-season casting. Enjoy.

- Politician-turned-tv personality Sarah Palin is pitching a new unscripted series that focuses on husband Todd's snowmobile-racing career, but she and producer Mark Burnett have yet to find any willing buyers. TLC, which aired "Sarah Palin's Alaska" last year, and parent company Discovery Communications have said no thanks, and so has A&E. [Hollywood Reporter]

- "Grimm" is planning an episode based on the Hansel and Gretel story, with Daryl Sabara ("Spy Kids") and Hannah Marks ("Necessary Roughness") guest-starring as the brother and sister. In the show's version, they'll be homeless teenagers who get caught up in some nasty doings in the creature underworld. [EW]

- Lifetime has pulled the plug on its drama series "Against the Wall" after one season. The show, about a Chicago detective (Rachael Carpani) who...

Lifetime has decided that neither of its freshman dramas are worthy of a second season. The cable channel cancelled The Protector in September and they've now canned Against the Wall as well.

Against the Wall stars Rachael Carpani as Abby Kowalski, a single cop who joins the Chicago department's internal affairs division. The series' co-stars include Andrew Walker, Brandon Quinn, Chris Johnson, Daniel Kash, James Thomas, Kathy Baker, Marisa Ramirez, Mayko Nguyen, Steve Byers, and Treat Williams.

Debuting on July 31st, the show attracted a mediocre 1.8 million viewers with a 0.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic, about on par with The Protector. Unfortunately, the numbers didn't improve throughout the season. The 12th and 13th episodes (now the show's last) aired on October 23rd. They each drew 1.4 million viewers and 0.4 demo ratings.

Lifetime recently ordered 10 more episodes of...

The women’s entertainment cable outlet Lifetime premiered its police drama Against The Wall to great fanfare last July and 1.8 million viewers responded to watch the debut. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lifetime execs proceeded to cancel Against the Wall as quietly as possible with a late Friday Tweet from cast member Brandon Quinn informing the show’s fan base. “I’d like to thank @lifetimetv, the #AgainsttheWall writers and the Amazing fans of Against The Wall but unfortunately we’ve been canceled ?.” Quinn tweeted. Rachael Carpani starred as Chicago police detective Abby Kowalski who faces heat from her family, many of them on the force, after she lands a job in Internal Affairs.

The women’s entertainment cable outlet Lifetime premiered its police drama Against The Wall to great fanfare last July and 1.8 million viewers responded to watch the debut. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lifetime execs proceeded to cancel Against the Wall as quietly as possible with a late Friday Tweet from cast member Brandon Quinn informing the show’s fan base. “I’d like to thank @lifetimetv, the #AgainsttheWall writers and the Amazing fans of Against The Wall but unfortunately we’ve been canceled ?.” Quinn tweeted. Rachael Carpani starred as Chicago police detective Abby Kowalski who faces heat from her family, many of them on the force, after she lands a job in Internal Affairs.

The women’s entertainment cable outlet Lifetime premiered its police drama Against The Wall to great fanfare last July and 1.8 million viewers responded to watch the debut. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lifetime execs proceeded to cancel Against the Wall as quietly as possible with a late Friday Tweet from cast member Brandon Quinn informing the show’s fan base. “I’d like to thank @lifetimetv, the #AgainsttheWall writers and the Amazing fans of Against The Wall but unfortunately we’ve been canceled ?.” Quinn tweeted. Rachael Carpani starred as Chicago police detective Abby Kowalski who faces heat from her family, many of them on the force, after she lands a job in Internal Affairs.

Lifetime has decided not to order a second season of Against the Wall. Cast member Brandon Quinn tweeted the news late Friday evening, writing, "I'd like to thank @lifetimetv, the #AgainsttheWall writers and the Amazing fans of Against The Wall but unfortunately we've been canceled :(." The writers addressed the news shortly thereafter, writing on their Twitter account, "guessing many of you saw @BrandonJQuinn's tweet -- just found out we won't be coming back for a second season." Starring Rachael Carpani as a Chicago cop who joins the internal affairs division, the procedural debuted in July to underwhelming numbers, drawing

read more...

What has Vampire Diaries‘ Stefan been up to? Is Will bitter over his break-up with Good mom Alicia? What’s nudes with Chuck and Sarah? Read on for those answers, plus other teases from TV’s hottest shows.

The Vampire Diaries | Let’s start by dipping into the mailbag and helping fans of this CW drama cope a bit with the holiday hiatus. Amy asks, “Can you give me any Tvd scoop? Specifically, Caroline and/or Stefan scoop?” Amy, here is exec producer Julie Plec’s holiday gift to you: “When the show returns [on Jan. 5], Stefan has been Mia since he stole Klaus’s family coffins,...

Joel McHale and his fabulous pecs may not be on NBC’s midseason schedule

but the net promises all episodes of Community will air.

Why are some shows on all season long but shows like Community, Parenthood and Cougar Town are doing less episodes? – Kim (via Facebook)

While we’ve all gotten hooked on cable series like Dexter, True Blood and The Walking Dead, we’ve also gotten used to less episodes, and the broadcast networks are noticing. The bottom line, though, is (as always) money. Producing fewer episodes means fewer dollars flying out the door and Cougar Town recently seeing it’s season cut back to 15 episodes is a perfect example of that. Don’t get me wrong, though, it’s not only about money. If Parenthood (with 18 episodes this season), Community and Cougar Town were each delivering bigger audiences, they definitely would warrant getting the usual 22-episode season order.

Two and a Half Men is adding a new lady to the mix.

Mimi Rogers is set to appear in multiple episodes of the CBS staple, playing the mother of Ashton Kutcher’s Walden Schmidt, Deadline reports. Men‘s self-made millionaire apparently got his brains from his lookalike mom, who happens to be a noted primatologist.

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

• Looks like The Closer is getting spun off without Corey Reynolds. Deadline is reporting that the actor has turned down a spot on Major Crimes, the long-running TNT drama’s upcoming offshoot. In the meantime,...

Photo by: Ben Mark Holzberg/Lifetime

The shows you get out of Lifetime can be pretty hit or miss. That's generally a good thing as far as I'm concerned. You either love Drop Dead Diva, or you hate it, and I for one appreciate the "not for everyone" approach to show design. It's a recipe that gets trickier when you're venturing out into the massively overpopulated world of crime shows though, and Lifetime's new efforts, The Protector and Against the Wall, are faced with a tough road with genre norms butting heads against network image.

Shows focusing on cops and/or crime aren't well-suited to flights of fancy, or niche shtick, like several of Lifetime's other working models, and when people think Lifetime, a network that's going to suck in crime show fans is not exactly what leaps to mind.

I'm still not convinced by Lifetime's effort at balancing things with The Protector.

In our final part of our roundup of this summer’s television scores, we’ll take a look at the shows on TNT, Syfy, HBO and Lifetime. Also check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the series for the composers on all the other major network and cable shows of the summer.

TNT:

The most successful new show of the summer on TNT is the sci-fi series Falling Skies. The project starring Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Drew Roy, Sarah Carter and Maxim Knight is produced by Steven Spielberg and centers on an alien invasion of Earth and the resistance formed by the survivor. Also producing are Graham Yost (Justified) and Robert Rodat (writer of Saving Private Ryan). Noah Sorota is scoring the show. Check out our announcement from earlier this year here and visit Tracksounds for an audio interview with the composer. The two-hour season finale is airing tonight on TNT.

Sneak Peek the first poster supporting the new Lifetime drama series," Against the Wall" debuting July 31, 2011, starring Rachael Carpani as police detective 'Abby Kowalski' :

"...'Abby' is a Chicago police detective who causes a rift within her family of blue collar cops when she decides to join her department's Internal Affairs division. Abby must now figure out how she can juggle pursuing her dream career while keeping her family intact..."

Cast also includes Brandon Quinn as 'Richie Kowalski', Chris Johnson as 'Danny Mitchel', Daniel Kash as 'Lieutenant Papadol', James Thomas as 'Donnie Kowalski', Kathy Baker as 'Sheila Kowalski', Marisa Ramirez as 'Lina Flores', Mayko Nguyen as 'Mackie Phan', Steve Byers as 'Steve Kowalski', Treat Williams as 'Don Kowalski' and Andrew Walker as 'John Brody'.

Lifetime greenlit the new crime series February 2011 with an order for 13 hour-long episodes.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Against The Wall...