Adrianne Palicki is 'Wonder Woman'

Adrienne_PAdrianne Palicki (FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS) has been signed to star as WONDER WOMAN in the new NBC pilot by David E. Kelley (BOSTON LEGAL).
This is a kind of reboot of the character, with Diana Price reimagined as a corporate executive who is also a crime-fighting vigilante.
Adrianne Palicki has also appeared as the recurring character Jessica Moore on SUPERNATURAL, and played the “fake” Kara on SMALLVILLE back in 2004. She voices Clare on the Cartoon Networks’  stop-motion TITAN MAXIMUM.
The DC Comics-based show is being made by Warner Brothers Television.

BSG's Bamber for '17th Precinct'

BSG_bamber1TVLine reports that BATTLESTAR GALACTICA’s  Jamie Bamber has been cast in BSG producer Ron Moore’s 17th PRECINCT pilot for NBC.
The show, described as  a ensemble police drama, set in a fictional town named  Excelsior, “where magic and with supernatural elements rule over science”.
Jamie Bamber is set to  play Caolan,  a crime scene detective.  He’s coming off OUTCASTS, a UK SF series that hasn’t yet hit American shores.
Already cast is Stockard Channing (PRACTICAL MAGIC, BATMAN BEYOND), who the role of Mira, a former homicide detective, now working in the robbery division.

Stockard Channing
Stockard Channing

Sounds a bit like the dark “magical” world of CAST A DEADLY SPELL (1991), or the recent, comic book-based PARADOX, which starred genre vet Kevin Sorbo as a policeman in a world where magic, rather than science held sway.

'Wonder Woman' Casting Sheet

wonder-woman_jim leeHere’s the casting sheet break-down for the (hopefully) recurring characters for David E. Kelly’s WONDER WOMAN pilot for Wanerenr Brothers Television, greenlit by NBC. 
WONDER WOMAN Pilot SAG
DC Entertainment / Warner Bros. Television/ NBC
Draft: 12/16/10
Exec. Producers: David E. Kelley, Bill D’Elia
Producers: TBD
Director: TBD
Casting Director: David Rapaport
Casting Associate: Lyndsey Baldasare
NY Casting Directors: Beth Bowling & Kim Miscia
NY Casting Assistant: Michael Rios
Start Date: March 15, 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY
NO SCRIPT AVAILABLE
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to disability, race, age, colour, national origin, ethnic origin or any other basis prohibited by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.
[WONDER WOMAN / DIANA THEMYSCIRA / DIANA PRINCE] Female, late 20s to 30s. A kick-ass Superhero / Powerful C.E.O. / A vulnerable woman. Long flowing black hair, blue eyes. Amazon-like, muscular, an Olympian. The charismatic stage presence of a rock star. A crime fighter. Also, a real woman who yearns to live a normal life. She is accessible and appealing to all people, men and women alike…SERIES LEAD. ASP.
[MYNDI MAYER] Female, open ethnicity, 30s. Publicist, Press Secretary and Wonder Woman’s confidant and nurturing best friend. Worldy and edgy. Sexy and persuasive, her appearance is part of her strength. She is beautiful and put together – dressed expensively in the latest fashions, plus she’s got a bit of bite, clever wit and sass. She’s the prodder of Diana’s social life…SERIES REGULAR. ASP.
[ETTA] Female, open ethnicity, 30s. Diana Themyscira’s always cheerful personal assistant. A bit charactery, but real, pretty and effervescent. She is blindly devoted to Diana. She’s her unrelenting cheerleader, with unwavering, unabated support. On the vulnerable side, she sees the humble and sympathetic sides in everyone, including Diana…SERIES REGULAR. ASP.
[CEO HENRY DEMETER] Male, open ethnicity, 40s. Acting CEO of Themyscira Industries. Grounded, intelligent and deeply devoted to Diana. He runs the day to day operations of the company and acts like an Uncle to Diana although he could be a possible love interest down the line…SERIES REGULAR. ASP.
[STEVE TREVOR] Male, open ethnicity, 30s. A leading man Diana can’t look past. Good looking but a real man. An Army vet, he now works in the Justice dept…SERIES REGULAR, ASP.
[ED INDELICATO] Male, late 30s to early 40s. Stoic and tough, he is a liaison to the police department. Devoted and loyal to Diana, he’s blue collar, a no nonsense kind of guy. A chiseled man who subscribes to the old fashion rules of relationships – men don’t talk much. His job comes first and he wouldn’t make room for the possibility that there is potential romantic relationship with Diana…SERIES REGULAR, 10/13.
Ahh… Sounds very much like a LOT of time will be spent in the office, not an encouraging sign for comic book/action fans. It’s top-heavy with regulars, in my view.
And why would a business have a “police liasion”? Does Themyscira Industries do security work or defense contracting? Odd.

'The Cape' Airs Again Tonight

For those who missed last night’s premiere of THE CAPE, there’s another chance to tune in tonight (January 10th). At 9:00 PM NBC will re-broadcast the pilot, followed by the episode ‘Tarot’.
The series, which stars David Lyons as the framed policeman turned costumed crime-fighter and FIREFLY’s Summer Glau as his crime blogger/techie assistant will air new episodes begining next Monday at 9:00 PM.  
Maybe I’ll tune in myself, as I skipped it last night. To be honest, I haven’t been able to generate much enthusiasm for watching the series, judging from the promos shown thus far.

'The Munsters' to be resurrected – Again?

munsters_1According to Entertainment Weekly, Bryan Fuller (PUSHING DAISIES) is working on a modern-day take on the 1960’s TV sit-com THE MUNSTERS for NBC.
Apparently the network, now a part of Universal,  has ordered a pilot. It seems to be a real “re-imagining “,  as it’s being described as “MODERN FAMILY meets TRUE BLOOD.”
I’ll let that pass without comment for now, other than the obvious why use  the name if you intend to change the basic concept?
Then again, who though a dark,  serious BATTLESTAR GALACTICA would be a hit?

'The Event' Premieres Tonight -Teaser

From NBC. COM:

“THE EVENT is an emotional, high-octane conspiracy thriller that follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter, “The Class”), an everyman who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his would-be fiancée Leila (Sarah Roemer, “Disturbia”), and unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in U.S. history.
Sean’s quest will send ripples through the lives of an eclectic band of strangers, including newly elected U.S. President Elias Martinez (Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood, “In Treatment”); Sophia Maguire (Emmy Award nominee Laura Innes, “ER”), who is the leader of a mysterious group of detainees; and Leila’s shadowy father (Scott Patterson, “Gilmore Girls”). Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind.
Ian Anthony Dale (“Daybreak”), Clifton Collins, Jr. (“Star Trek”), Taylor Cole (“The Violent Kind”), Lisa Vidal (“The Division”), Bill Smitrovich (“The Practice”), and Emmy winner Željko Ivanek (“Damages”) also star in the ensemble drama.
THE EVENT is a production of Universal Media Studios and Steve Stark Productions. Evan Katz (“24”) serves as executive producer/showrunner; Steve Stark (“Medium,” “Facing Kate”) serves as executive producer; Jeffrey Reiner (NBC’s “Friday Night Lights,” “Trauma”) is director/executive producer; and Nick Wauters (“The 4400,” “Eureka”) is creator/co-executive producer.”

Science Fiction or not? Probably, but in a mininal way.

THE EVENT - Cast
THE EVENT - Cast

<

CHUCK Season 4 Premiere – Trailer

CHUCK returns with it’s season 4 premiere “Chuck vs. The Anniversary” TONIGHT at 8/7c on NBC.
“Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Morgan (Joshua Gomez) go on a rogue globe-spanning mission to find Chuck’s mom (Linda Hamilton).
Meanwhile, Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) and Casey (Adam Baldwin) follow a trail to Russia as they investigate the mysterious Volkoff Industries and its operative, Marco (Dolph Lundgren).
Back at home, Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) delivers big news to her family.”

Linda Hamilton on CHUCK
Click for Larger

It’s nice to see Linda Hamilton (THE TERMINATOR,  BEAUTY & THE BEAST) back on television.
CHUCK airs Mondays at 8:00 pm/7 Central on NBC.

'Zombies Vs. Vampires' — For NBC?

NightOLD_groupAccording to Deadline.com, NBC has signed a deal for ZOMBIES Vs. VAMPIRES, described as a “fun buddy cop procedural”.
One of the cops will secretly be a vampire, and his/her partner are both assigned to a unit that handles zombie crimes. You see, being a zombie is just a condition that can be controlled with the proper medication, and those afflicted can be part of normal society if they stay on their meds.
The project comes from Austin Winsberg, who created and produced the John Stamos starring sitcom JAKE IN PROGRESS. Warner Brothers Television and McG’s Wonderland Productions are developing the show. Winsberg, McG and Peter Johnson will serve as executive producers.
Sounds more like something for SyFy or maybe The CW — but what do I know?  There was a movie called VAMPIRES Vs. ZOMBIES (aka Carmilla, the Lesbian Vampire 2004). I’ve heard that was unintentionally funny, but I hasten to say that I’m sure there’s no relation.
Photo: Night of the Living Dead

Vinnie Jones Will Fight 'The Cape'

The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Vinnie Jones
(X-MEN: LAST STAND) has joined the cast of NBC’s
THE CAPE as a regular.

Jones will play a freakish criminal named ‘Scales’ on the series, a man with a skin condition that looks like green and gold scales.
A snake-man? A Killer Croc clone?
Guess we’ll have to tune in to find out.
Vinnie Jones joins a cast that includes stars David Lyons (ER), Summer Glau (FIREFLY) along with Keith David (SPAWN) and James Frain (INVASION).
The series is produced by Gail Berman (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER [TV]), Lloyd Braun (VIRTUALITY), and Tom Wheeler (EMPIRE) for Universal Media Studios.