Henry Winkler Returning to 'Arrested Development'

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Henry Winkler

The Bluthfamily attorney is back in the house.

Henry Winkleris returning for the fourth season of Netflix's revived Arrested Development, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

STORY: Ron Howard Tweets Pictures from the 'Arrested Development' Set

Winkler will reprise his role as Barry Zuckerkorn, the dingy and incompetent family attorney who does more harm than good for the Bluths, who was eventually replaced by Bob Lobaw (Scott Baio) on the cult series.

Winkler will appear in multiple episodes of the series, which Netflix brought back from the dead six years after Fox canceled the Jason Bateman starrer from Ron Howard and Mitch Hurwitz.

STORY: 'Mad Men's' John Slattery Set to Appear in 'Arrested Development'

"I am supposed to be memorizing an Arrested Development scene with Maybe for today don't tell anyone I was here OK?????" Winkler tweeted Friday.

"Mitchisn't trying to re-create something," Howard said recently. "It's been away for a while, and part of the fun that Mitch has been mining and exploiting is, what's new to discover about these people? What's delightfully unchanged? He and the writing staff and the actors have a fantastic sense of that."

STORY: 'Arrested Development' to Introduce New Characters, Ron Howard Says

Arrested Development will premiere on Netflix in the spring for at least 10 episodes.

Winkler, who appeared in 15 episodes of the first three seasons of Arrested Development, most recently appeared in Childrens Hospital, Royal Pains and Up All Night. He's repped by ICM and Principato-Young.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit

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Fox Renews Gordon Ramsay's 'Hotel Hell' for Second Season

Jeffrey Neira/FOX

"Hotel Hell"

Fox has renewed Gordon Ramsay's Hotel Hell for a second season.

The network announced Friday that the award-winning chef and hospitality expert will be back for a second year to help save struggling establishments across the country.

STORY: TV Ratings: 'Hell's Kitchen,' 'Hotel Hell' Hit Summer Highs

"With Hotel Hell, Gordon has proved once again that hes one of the most successful and appealing personalities on television," said Mike Darnell, Fox's president of alternative entertainment."He delivered an amazing new show for us this summer that fans immediately embraced, and I cant wait for him to get started on an even more exciting season two."

The six-episode season, which concludes Monday, is fresh off a summer high, posting a 15 percent week-over-week growth in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic. Overall, Hotel Hell ranks as the summer's No. 1 new series among adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and women 18-49, 25-54 and all key male demos, scoring as one of the top 10 shows overall this summer in the key demo.

PHOTOS: Summer TV Preview 2012

"The response to Hotel Hell has been truly extraordinary, and were really excited to have the opportunity to turn around many more hotels in dire need of intervention, Ramsay said.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit

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'Glee's' Naya Rivera on Brittany and Santana's 'New Challenge,' Same-Sex PDA

"Glee's" Naya Rivera

Glee's Naya Rivera is all over the map.

The actress, busy prepping her upcoming solo album, will be traveling back and forth between Lima, Ohio, and the University of Louisville when season four of the Fox musical returns as the cheerleader extraordinaire juggles colleges and missing friends, family and her girlfriend, Brittany (Heather Morris). In addition, the singer-actress is juggling Glee with work on her upcoming solo album.

"At the start of the season, they're definitely still together -- she's at the high school dealing with all the new people and Santana is at Louisville dealing with her new schedule there," Rivera tells The Hollywood Reporter. "It's a completely new thing for her and she's really focusing on cheerleading and trying not to think about the fact that she does miss everyone."

PHOTOS: 'Glee' Season 4 in Pictures

Brittany, who's back to repeat her senior year after the lovable dim-bulb failed to graduate with a whopping 0.0 GPA, will also have a new rival on the Cheerios to contend with in Kitty (played by Becca Tobin), who's described as being "pretty ruthless" and who's out to bump her from her gig as head cheerleader.

Rivera's lonely former Cheerio will, however, make time to make the trip back to McKinley to visit her girlfriend, as their long-distance relationship remains a priority for Santana. "It's definitely a struggle, as is any long distance relationship and they will be dealing with that new challenge," Rivera says. "I know she misses her and she definitely makes time to visit Brittany. I do hope that they're in it for the long-run, but as with any long-distance relationship, it has its challenges -- especially when you're still in high school."

Meanwhile, Santana will adjust to her new collegiate surroundings in Louisville, where Rivera jokes that the top cheerleading university may not prove to be enough to keep the talented and ambitious girl with dreams of stardom interested.

PHOTOS: 'Glee' Season 4 Cast Portraits

"The biggest question that we've been asking the whole season is if Louisville is big enough for Santana," she says with a laugh. "Probably not!"

With Kurt (Chris Colfer) headed to join BFF Rachel (Lea Michele) in the Big Apple, Rivera says it's "definitely a possibility" that Santana could be the latest New Directions graduate to head East.

"Anything's really possible this season," she says. "Anyone can be doing anything, that's the beauty of it. If that were to happen, I'd be ecstatic; it'd present so many new challenges and opportunities for Santana and watching her in that environment would be really, really funny."

STORY: 'Glee' Season 4: Could Santana Join Rachel in NYC? Hope for Brittana? Will Artie Step Up? The Cast Sounds Off

As for showrunner Ryan Murphy's pledge that Brittany and Santana will have an episode in which they have an "equal amount" of PDA as Rachel and the elusive Finn (Cory Monteith), Rivera says she and Morris make those decisions as they see fit.

"A lot of times Heather and I will be in a scene and we have free reign to kiss each other if we see fit but a lot of the times -- especially since they are still in high school and my character was still dealing with this secret [her sexuality] that just got ou, we would tread lightly on when we would have PDA moments," she says. "A lot of times as actors it just doesn't fit; you don't just want to make out to make out."

Between Glee duties, Rivera remains hard at work in the studio for both the Fox musical and working on her upcoming solo album for Columbia Records. "We're still recording and getting everything together. It seems like we're inching closer to actually putting something out very soon," she says, noting "My Heart" will not be the first single released from the untitled effort.

More 'Glee' Coverage

Asked if she'd like to follow in Glee co-star Matthew Morrison's footsteps and have her original music featured on the Fox series, Rivera says she'd like to keep those two worlds separate.

"I know that Ryan is amazing and would definitely be responsive to me asking for something like that but I don't really think that's the route I want to go," she says. "I want to keep it separate; it feels like a separate project to me: a separate person and identity, and I want to keep it away from Glee -- but you never know. If they go on tour or something then I can hop on and sing my own song. There's definitely always going to be opportunities to be in there, but as far as singing it on the show, I don't think that is going to happen."

What would you like to see for Santana and Brittany? Hit the comments with your thoughts. Glee's fourth season returns at 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, on Fox.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit

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TV Ratings: 'Big Brother' Steady on Final Night of Republican National Convention

CBS

Coverage of the final night of the Republican National Convention -- and preseason football in some areas -- have affected ratings for Thursday broadcasts, but for now it looks as if Big Brother was steady with the CW's The Next rising. Expect adjustments to be made in the final nationals later today.

The latest live eviction of Big Brother didn't drop substantially. Instead, the CBS summer reality series remained on par with its previous episodes, averaging 6.5 million total viewers and a 2.3 rating in the adults 18-49 demo. The net aired reruns of The Big Bang Theory (7.8 million, 2.1) and Two and a Half Men (6.7 million, 1.9) in the 8 p.m. hour.

PHOTOS: Broadcast TV's Returning Shows for 2012-13 Season

Over on ABC, Wipeout rose three-tenths (5.8 million, 1.6), while Canadian cop drama Rookie Blue (5.8 million, 1.5) saw a significant jump -- nearly half a point -- for its penultimate season three episode.

NBC's hospital drama Saving Hope (4.1 million, 1.1) also improved in its 9 p.m. time slot, marking a summer high for the Erica Durance series. The CW's try at the singing competition field, The Next, saw a healthy jump, rising to 1.3 million and a 0.5.

According to Nielsen fast nationals, CBS (1.0) and ABC's (1.0) coverage of the final night of the RNC improved from Wednesday evening while NBC's (0.8) dropped. Fox aired repeats throughout the evening.

CBS easily topped the evening, averaging a 1.8, followed by ABC (1.4), Fox (1.1), NBC (1.0) and the CW (0.5).

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@thr.com

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Is Randy Jackson Out as 'American Idol' Judge? (Report)

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Randy Jackson's exit from the American Idol judges' table has been long rumored and now TMZ is calling it fact. Citing sources, the website says that Jackson, the only Idol cast member other than host Ryan Seacrest to have an on-air role since season one, will transition to a mentor role in season 12.

Jackson was expected to remain with the Fox show that's been home to him for more than a decade in part because he co-manages new judge Mariah Carey.

PHOTOS: 'American Idol' Live: The 2012 Tour In Pictures

Reps for Jackson and the show have yet to respond to The Hollywood Reporter's request for comment.

Elsewhere on the judging front, THR hears Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban have yet to sign their Idol deals but are both expected to early next week. As previously reported here, the show is also pursuing Enrique Iglesias for a fourth spot.

Developing...

Twitter: @Idol_Worship

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Mondo Guerra Recaps 'Project Runway' Season 10, Episode 7: The Lord & Taylor Challenge

[Warning: Spoilers ahead if you havent seen Thursday's episode.]

Related Topics

Project Runway

Heidi has a big surprise "in store" for the designers when she sends them off to meet Tim Gunn. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Project Runway, Lord & Taylor will be producing a collection featuring one design from each of the shows nine past seasons (yours truly is proud to represent season eight with my little black dress).

STORY: 'Fashion Is Not for Sissies': An Oral History of 'Project Runway's' First 10 Years

This week, the designers have an opportunity for their look to be the 10th design included in that collection, which will be sold in Lord & Taylor stores and online. Plus, the winners design will be featured in a window display on 5th Avenue. This is a big deal!

In the Workroom

Mood gets a break this week as the designers use materials provided by the manufacturer, JS Collections. This entire episode seems to be all about BOYS VS GIRLS. The girls are plotting to get rid of more guys (the chiffonies), the guys notice that the girls are struggling and Ven notes that guys are stronger designers, while he says girls are more practical. Let the battle begin!

Elena isunnervedtrying to create something simple and wearable -- she hasn't worked so hard for so long, perfecting her high-fashion aesthetic only to dumb it down for mass market. Melissa, who reminds us twice that she wants to go down into history with this dress,goes back and forth about her fabric selection and ends up having to re-do her dress, pushing her to the limits with time. Sanjia seems lost trying to overcome her disappointment of being in the bottom last week. Alicia tries to channel Chanel with her dress, but Tim thinks her look reads Joan of Arc, which she takes as a compliment. Alicia KNOWS the judges won't like her dress but she really doesn't care.

VIDEO: Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn On 'Project Runway' at 10

Gunnar, who points out that Dmitri and Fabio are his competition these days, seems confident about his design but Tim warns him not to take it into matador territory. Fabio is mindful of the whole production process as he approaches his design. Dmitri, Ven and Christopher each stick to their signature techniques in hope of putting his own stamp on the collection. The chiffonies strike again!

Moments before the runway, Sanjia has a meltdown. She has to hand-sew her model into the dress and she is unhappy with the unfinished details. Tim tells her to channel her inner winner. Sonjia -- life as we know it on Project Runway is over! Sewing in a model? Unfinished details?! Never! Go home now! (Ok, Im being sarcastic.)

On the Runway

Joining the judges panel this week is the president of Lord & Taylor, Bonnie Brooks. After the usual round of introductions and challenge details, pink-disco-ball-cladHeidi starts the show.

VIDEO: Behind the Scenes of Heidi Klum's 'Project Runway' Photo Shoot

Heres what I thought of this weeks looks:

Fabio: I like the asymmetrical hem and the detail of the stretch tulle overlay as well as the reverse halter detail of the back, but the exposed zipper cheapens the look for me. Still, this is a modern, wearable dress with lots of styling potential.

Melissa: Despite her concerns, the dress came together nicely. There was a richness in the fabric and the neckline was an interesting, powerful detail. The hem was a little strange, but overall it was a dramatic, well-styled look. At the very least, if the judges dont like it, the neckline will shield what the judges throw at her this week.

Gunnar: Kudos to him for following his gut, but this was too safe for me. Its a pretty dress, but it lacked innovation. At this point in the competition, we should be able to clearly see the designers points of view. I dont see anything here that is unique to Gunnar.

Elena: Unlike Gunnars look, Elenas dress was unexpected and edgy. Its a feminine silhouette but the harness detail gives it toughness. She figured it out! She offered a look for her fashionminions -- er, I mean mass market.

STORY: 'Project Runway' Preview: Heidi Klum Spills Secrets About Season 10

Christopher: This look is very feminine and romantic, it has good proportions and you know its from Christopher as soon as it turns the corner. He was smart to tackle a gown -- it distinguished him from the other designers. Point of view -- check!

Alicia: This look fell flat, in my opinion. I dont know where her woman is going in this dress -- maybe a funeral for a tennis player? Ive seen some very forward designs from Alicia before, but this missed the mark. Not a fan of the placement of the pleats on the skirt either.

Sanjia: This dress was ok. It fit well and I liked the styling, but it wasnt exciting or memorable for me. The peplum flattered her model, but Im on the fence about it. Over-thought and under-executed.

Ven: WE GET IT! Yet another folded floral frock. I think that technique on the bodice is a bit heavy and overwhelming. But I do like the tone on tone mixture of textures he achieved with his different black materials.

STORY: Mondo Guerra Recaps 'Project Runway' Season 10, Episode 5: The Marie Claire Challenge

Dmitri: Even though this silhouette is starting to get repetitive from Dmitri, I thought the draping details in the dress were pretty. He was smart about his fabric choice and constructed his garment impeccably. Not crazy about those earrings, however.

The High Scores

Fabio: Heidi thought the dress had versatility; Michael liked the asymmetry of the hem; Bonnie said she would wear the dress and that it had good taste; Nina thought it was a classic design with a twist and agreed with Heidi that the dress had a lot of legs.

Christopher: Heidi thought it was a beautiful dress; Michael appreciated that the gown looked like separates, but warned Christopher that the shredding technique was getting stale; Bonnie said it was a beautiful marriage between lightness and strength; Nina wasnt sure it was a dress that would work on a lot of women, but thought it was elegant and sophisticated.

Melissa: Michael and Bonnie liked the surprising neckline but did not like the hem; Nina liked the fabric; Heidi called the dress a stunning showstopper.

STORY: Mondo Guerra Recaps 'Project Runway' Season 10, Episode 6: Making Over the Everyday Woman

Elena: After Elenas emotional moment of gratitude on the runway for earning a high score, Heidi said Elenas dress was sellable, flirty and fun; Nina called the back extraordinarily beautiful; Bonnie thought it was fresh and fun; Michael praised the balance of art and commerce and said he liked that the dress was nice but nasty at the same time.

The Low Scores

Gunnar: Nina said the dress was expected and that she had seen it before; Michael wasnt impressed and thought it read too mother of the bride; Heidi liked the dress and thought it was well-constructed; Bonnie thought the unforgiving lace took away the dress fluidity and made it stiff. Gunnar is shocked hes in the bottom.

Alicia: Heidi thought it was a pretty, simple dress; Bonnie felt the dress got lost somewhere between office and cocktail; Nina called it dowdy; Michael said it looked like a field hockey uniform.

STORY: 'Project Runway': Nathan Paul Reacts to Judges' Decision, Ven Budhu's Insults

The Judges Decisions

Is it just me, or were the judges extra nice this episode?

In the end, Christopher was named the winner and no one was bid auf wiedersehen. Heidi claimed that since everybody met the bar of this challenge, the judges felt like no one deserved to go home. Everybody gets a pony! In reality, we all know that because of Andreas escape and Kooans decision to make more LOVE,the show needed to skip an elimination to keep the season on pace.

Christophers dress was really lovely but Im kinda surprised that it won. Considering that the manufacturer now has the task of re-creating that shredding technique, I thought the price point would go over $300 given the extra steps. I expected Fabio to win since his design was simple enough to reproduce but still had special details. He was my favorite again this week.

Between Gunnar and Alicia, I would have sent Alicia home.

What did you think? Are you in love with Christophers gown? Are you relieved that Gunnar and Alicia will get to see another runway? Share your thoughts below! And be sure to shop the Project Runway 10th anniversary capsule collection at Lord & Taylor stores and online starting Friday.

Denver fashion designer Mondo Guerra earned a runner-up finish on Project Runway season eight then went on to claim victory on the debut season of Project Runway All Stars. In addition to an upcoming guest editor position at Marie Claire, Mondo has also launched I Design, a new HIV/AIDS education campaign with Merck. To learn more about Mondo, visit mondoguerra.com.

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'House' Scribe Sells Terrorism Drama to ABC (Exclusive)

Call it the Homeland effect.

ABC has given script orders to a terrorism drama from House alum Pamela Davis, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.

Double Felix revolves around a family man who after suffering from a traumatic brain injury attempts to regain his memory and discovers he may have been part of a domestic terrorist plot.

More TV Development News

Davis, a writer-producer on USA Network's Common Law, will pen the script and executive produce the ABC Studios project alongside Junction Entertainment.

The project comes a month after Showtime's Homeland picked up nine Emmy nominations including for best drama series, with terror-themed projects continuing to be a hot draw this development season.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit

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CBS Circling Robin Williams Comedy From David E. Kelley

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David E. Kelley and Robin Williams

Nanu nanu, CBS.

Robin Williams, who made the expression a household name in the late 1970s and early '80s as Mork from Ork on ABC's Mork & Mindy, could be returning to the small screen.

The Good Will Hunting Oscar winner is prepping a return to TV via a half-hour comedy from The Practice's David E. Kelley, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. CBS is circling the untitled single-camera, which is set in the world of advertising.

STORY: Eddie Murphy, Shawn Ryan Shopping 'Beverly Hills Cop' TV Series

Kelley penned the project and will executive produce for 20th TV. Williams would make his TV 30 years after he starred as the alien Mork for four seasons as an advertising executive working alongside his daughter.

Bill D'Elia, who exec produced Kelley's Harry's Law, Boston Legal, The Practice and Ally McBeal, is on board to exec produce the Williams vehicle as well.

The project marks Kelley's return to the half-hour format, after his second small-screen effort, Doogie Howser, M.D.

For Williams, the project comes after recent guest starring roles on FX's Louie and Wilfred.

The Williams effort marks the latest in former '80s stars making comebacks via the small-screen this development season. NBC gave a 22-episode order to a family comedy starring Family Ties' Michael J. Fox and Sony Pictures Television is shopping an adaptation of Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop with Shawn Ryan attached.

Kelley and Williams are repped by WME and Manatt Phelps.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit

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Taylor Schilling to Star in Netflix's 'Orange Is the New Black'

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Taylor Schilling

Taylor Schilling has landed the lead role in Weeds creator Jenji Kohan's new Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.

The Mercy star will play the coveted lead role in the project from Lionsgate TV that's based on the book by Piper Kerman.

PHOTOS: Netflix's 10 Most Rented Movies of All Time

The one-hour dramedy centers on an engaged Brooklyn resident whose decade-old relationship with a drug-runner in college results in her arrest and multi-year detention in a federal penitentiary. Lacking any real-world experience to deal with this harsh new environment, Piper immerses herself in women's prison culture and finds acceptance, tears, laughter and love amidst an outspoken group of inmates.

Schilling has starred in the 2011 film adaptation of Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged and appeared opposite Zac Efron in The Lucky One. She last toplined NBC's hospital drama Mercy from 2009-10.

PHOTOS: 2011's Biggest Rule Breakers Netflix's Reed Hastings: THR Year In Review

Orange marks Netflix's latest original series, joining the Media Rights Capital-produced political thriller House of Cards from David Fincher and Kevin Spacey, and a revival of cult comedy Arrested Development. In June, it was announced that Kohan's Weeds will end after the eighth season.

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@thr.com

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MTV Ending 'Jersey Shore' With Season 6

MTV

Seaside Heights is about to get significantly more quiet.

MTV announced Thursday that the upcoming sixth season of reality cash cow Jersey Shore will be its last, ending frequent speculation that the network would maintain the franchise with a new cast.

PHOTOS: The Quotable Snooki

The last run of Jersey Shore premieres Oct. 4, with production already completed. The network will start saying goodbye with a retrospective special, Gym, Tan, Look Back, ahead of the Sept. 6 MTV Video Music Awards. The cast will also be in attendance to promote the run.

Jersey Shore, a polarizing fly-on-the-wall look at a group of party-obsessed friends in the Garden State, has been MTV's most successful series of all time. Earning consistently strong ratings throughout its five-season run, the show peaked in late 2011 approaching 9 million viewers and pulling in cable's best returns among adults 18-49. The most recent run bowed to 7.6 million viewers, still blowing the rest of the network's slate out of the water.

There is more life left in the Shore, though. MTV recently renewed spinoff Snooki & JWoww -- despite it not approaching the numbers of its parent series. (It debuted to a decent 2.4 million viewers and a 1.1 rating among adults 18-49 in June.)

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CBS, History, TBS Receive Failing Grade on GLAAD's Network Responsibility Index

David Giesbrecht/CBS

"The Good Wife's" Archie Panjabi

CBS, History Channel and TBS failed to make the grade on GLAAD's annual study mapping the quantity, quality and diversity of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals on TV.

In its sixth annual Network Responsibility Index, watchdog organization the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation evaluated programming on five broadcast and 10 major cable networks, finding that the number of LGBT images stabilized this year as overall impressions continued to grow.

STORY: A&E Fail GLAAD's Report on LGBT-Inclusive Programming

Among its broadcast network findings, the CW lead the way with 29 percent of its primetime programming hours being LGBT inclusive, also registering the most racial diversity with 62 percent of impressions made by LGBT people representing characters of color. ABC and Fox finished in second and third (up 4 percent and down 5 percent, respectively) with NBC finishing in fourth, despite a 4 percent uptick year-over-year.

CBS dropped 2 percentage points compared with 2011 and slid from an "adequate" score to failing marks, finishing in last place for the fourth year in a row. Worth noting: CBS in the fall will premiere Partners, a comedy from the creators of Will & Grace, that features a gay couple among its ensemble cast.

PHOTOS: GLAAD Media Awards Red Carpet Arrivals

On the cable side, 46 percent of Showtime's primetime fare -- which includes unscripted entry The Real L Word-- was found to be LGBT inclusive, followed by ABC Family (34 percent), TNT (34 percent) and HBO (33 percent.

TBS, for the fourth year in a row, received a failing rating with only 5 percent of its primetime offering found to be LGBT inclusive. History (3 percent) also failed to make the grade.

STORY: GLAAD Slams Utah Station for Not Broadcasting NBC's 'New Normal'

"Americans expect to see their off-screen worlds represented onscreen and today more than ever that includes LGBT people and families," GLAAD president Herndon Graddick said. "Story lines of families like Mitchell and Cameron on Modern Family and young people like Emily on Pretty Little Liars are not only growing acceptance of our community, but have found praise from viewers and critics alike at a time when visibility and acceptance of LGBT people is at an all-time high."

GLAAD's 17th annual Where We Are on TV report, an analysis of LGBT characters, story lines and gender, race/ethnicity studying the 2012-13 TV season, is due in September.

The full cable rankings follow:

Showtime 46%
ABC Family 34%
FX 34%
TNT 34%
HBO 33%
MTV 23%
TLC 20%
USA 17%
TBS 5%
History 3%

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit

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'Glee': Meet Brittany's New Rival, Rachel's Potential Boy-Toy (Video)

When Glee's fourth season returns in two weeks, two locations and a lot of fresh faces joining the Fox musical.

Among them, a new (hunky) love interest for Lea Michele's Rachel in Dean Geyer's Brody, who joins the New York-based portion of the dual-location story, and three newbies at McKinley High back in Ohio.

Here are five things to know about the new additions as previewed in the new season four teaser.

PHOTOS: 'Glee' Season 4 Cast Portraits

1. Rachel first meets Geyer's Brody Weston a junior in the bathroom -- walking in on him showering with the NYADA upperclassmen walking out naked. "He's the only guy that Finn has really had to compete with for Rachel," Michele offers in the clip.

2. Meet Melissa Benoist's Marley Rose, a brand new student at McKinley who seems to instantly mesh with New Directions.

3. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree for Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist), the younger half brother to Mark Salling's bad boy. "He definitely has a little bit of an attitude problem," Artist offers. "I think some things in the past have put these guards up for him and we'll see if it hinders him from getting into the glee club or not." We have a hunch that they won't if that acoustic guitar over his shoulder is any indication.

PHOTOS: 'Glee' Season 4 in Pictures

4. Watch out, Brittany (Heather Morris)! Becca Tobin's Kitty -- a new member of McKinley's Cheerios -- is described as being "pretty ruthless" and she's out to get the clueless but lovable Brittany and bump her out of her position as head cheerleader.

5. Rachel is all alone in the big city and is a "little fish in a big city," struggling with a "tumultuous" relationship with her dance instructor, Cassandra (Kate Hudson). "She's pretty nasty, she's pretty tough on her students," Hudson warns, noting that her character wonders what the Ohio transplant is doing at NYADA. As for her ruthless approach to Ms. Berry? She's not so much as "picking" on the McKinley prom queen as she is "motivating" her. "This character actually has some depth," Hudson teases.

Check out the video below.

What do you think of the newbies? Hit the comments with your thoughts. Glee's fourth season returns at 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, on Fox.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit

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CBS Reveals 'The Amazing Race' Season 21 Cast, New Twist (Video)

CBS

CBS on Wednesday announced the season 21 cast of The Amazing Race, which will includes a pair of reality stars, a heavy metal rocker, married monster truckers, a double amputee professional snowboarder and two Chippendales dancers.

Competitors include Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, stars of the cable reality show The Fabulous Beekman Boys; professional dancers Jaymes Vaughan and James Davis; professinoal monster truck drivers Rob French and Kelley Carrington-French; James LoMenzo, a former member of the bands White Lion and Megadeth; and double amputee Amy Purdy, a motivational speaker and snowboarder. (Watch a video featuring the new cast at the end of this post.)

PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes With TV's Biggest Reality Players

CBS also revealed a new twist that gives the teams a chance to double their winnings. If the team that wins the first leg of the season also can outrace the other 10 teams and win the final leg of the race, they will win a $2 million grand prize instead of the usual $1 million.

The 11 teams will travel through three continents, nine countries and cover more than 25,000 miles. Challenges will include rappelling 10 stories in Los Angeles, frying an egg on their heads in Indonesia, working as "rat collectors" in Bangladesh and revisiting one of the show's most infamous roadblocks in the Netherlands in this seasons Switchback.

VIDEO: THR's Reality Roundtable Guests Reveal All

Amazing Race, which is hosted by Phil Keoghan, premieres at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30. The show is an eight-time Emmy Award winner for best reality competition program.

The season 21 teams are (in no particular order):

Name: Natalie Anderson
Age: 26
Hometown: Edgewater, N.J.
Current occupation: Physical Therapy Student

Name: Nadiya Anderson
Age: 26
Hometown: Edgewater, N.J.
Current occupation: Project Coordinator at Bridge2Peace

Connection: Twin Sisters

*****

Name: Josh Kilmer-Purcell
Age: 43
Hometown: Sharon Springs, N.Y.
Current occupation: Goat Farmer/Advertising Executive/Author

Name: Brent Ridge
Age: 38
Hometown: Sharon Springs, N.Y.
Current occupation: Chief Executive Officer of Beekman 1802

Connection: Goat Farmers/Life Partners

*****

Name: Rob French
Age: 46
Hometown: Boston, Ga.
Current occupation: Professional Monster Truck Driver

Name: Kelley Carrington-French
Age: 50
Hometown: Boston, Ga.
Current occupation: Professional Monster Truck Driver

Connection: Married Monster Truckers

*****

Name: Trey Wier
Age: 23
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Current occupation: Land Consultant/Former College Athlete

Name: Alexis Lexi Beerman
Age: 22
Hometown: Dripping Springs, Texas
Current occupation: Clothing Designer

Connection: Dating

*****

Name: James LoMenzo
Age: 53
Hometown: Burbank, Calif.
Current occupation: Professional Musician/
Former Band Member of White Lion and Megadeth

Name: Mark Abba Abbattista
Age: 45
Hometown: Denver, Colo.
Current occupation: Entertainment Lawyer

Connection: Friends

*****

Name: Abbie Ginsberg
Age: 31
Hometown: Encinitas, Calif.
Current occupation: Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Name: Ryan Danz
Age: 35
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Current occupation: Financial Service Company Owner

Connection: Dating Divorcees

*****

Name: Jaymes Vaughan
Age: 30
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Current occupation: Chippendales MC

Name: James Davis
Age: 27
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Current occupation: Chippendales Dancer

Connection: Chippendales Dancers/Best Friends

*****

Name: Rob Scheer
Age: 52
Hometown: Ketchikan, Alaska
Current occupation: Lumberjack and Entrepreneur

Name: Sheila Castle
Age: 44
Hometown: Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Current occupation: Retail Manager

Connection: Engaged

*****

Name: Caitlin King
Age: 24
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Current occupation: Special Ed Teacher

Name: Brittany Fletcher
Age: 25
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Current occupation: Medical Device Sales

Connection: Best Friends

*****

Name: Gary Wojnar
Age: 52
Hometown: Livonia, Mich.
Current occupation: Substitute Teacher

Name: Will Chiola
Age: 53
Hometown: Dearborn Heights, Mich.
Current occupation: Substitute Teacher

Connection: Best Friends/Substitute Teachers

*****

Name: Amy Purdy
Age: 32
Hometown: Summit County, Colo.
Current occupation: Motivational Speaker/Snowboarder
(Amy is a double amputee)

Name: Daniel Gale
Age: 36
Hometown: Summit County, Colo.
Current occupation: Executive Director

Connection: Dating On and Off

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'Pretty Little Liars' Grows in Ratings for Summer Finale

ABC Famliy

"Pretty Little Liars"

Pretty Little Liars made a big reveal, identifying a member of the new "A" team in last night's summer finale. But did it hold up in the ratings?

It sure did. The season three midseason closer hit a season high 3 million viewers, just a tad above the season premiere when it averaged 2.93 million. It also was on par with Pretty Little Liars' previous summer closers, which hovered around the 3 million mark.

ABC Family's buzzy teen soap also reached highs among several key demos: adults 18-34 (1.2 million), adults 18-49 (1.6 million), women 18-34 (951,000) and women 18-49 (1.3 million).

Not surprisingly, Pretty Little Liars dominated the social media conversation Tuesday. According to ABC Family, the show generated more than 709,000 tweets during the finale.

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@thr.com

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'Fringe' Season 5 Promo: Walter Gets Beaten Up (Video)

Let the Fringe countdown begin.

A new season five promo has surfaced on the web for Fox's cult favorite -- and the 30-second teaser is a doozy. A bloody Walter (John Noble) takes center stage, with a happy Peter (Joshua Jackson) and Olivia (Anna Torv) picnicking like any couple would.

But the sight of Walter bloodied and beaten is unsettling. It seems as though the mad scientist is being held against his will by an Observer, so how exactly does he end up in that predicament?

Watch the latest promo below:

Fringe returns for its final season 9 p.m. Sept. 28 on Fox.

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@thr.com

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Bravo Orders 'Most Eligible Dallas' Spinoff, Renews 'It's a Brad, Brad World'

Bravo

Bravo continues to beef up its 2013 slate. The NBCUniversal cable network announced Wednesday that it's given a second season to stylist Brad Goreski's It's a Brad, Brad World and ordered a spinoff of Most Eligible Dallas starring cast member Courtney Kerr.

PHOTOS: Broadcast TV's Returning Shows for 2012-13 Season

Brad, produced by Shed Media U.S. and Television 360, is a spinoff of sorts of The Rachel Zoe Project. Goreski made his first appearance on the Bravo series before ultimately parting ways with his former employer and starting his own business -- and television series.

It hit a series high in ratings in January -- 1.1 million viewers and 782,000 adults 18-49 -- though it did not garner as quick of a renewal as other Bravo freshmen The Shahs of Sunset or Million Dollar Listing: New York.

In new ventures, 2013 will also see the premiere of Courtney Loves Dallas. The Pink Sneakers Production follows the title character, a fashion blogger first introduced on Most Eligible Dallas, as she navigates her social and professional life in the Texas city.

Most Eligible Dallas, which premiered in the summer of 2011, has yet to be renewed by Bravo.

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'Obama's America' Producer: CNN Snubbed Ad for Being 'Too Political'

An executive producer for 2016: Obama's America says CNN declined to air the conservative documentary's commercial because it was "too political," EW.com reports.

John Sullivan, who also co-directed the film, tells the entertainment news site: "They rejected our ad, actually. A really weird situation. That was really funny. They said it was 'too political,' which is very odd because we have no affiliation with any political party of any sort, or PAC, or anything of that nature."

According to Sullivan, networks including MSNBC, Fox News, Discovery Channel and A&E aired the ad. CNN, meanwhile, disputes his allegations that they snubbed the spot.

PHOTOS: The Top 20 Political Players in Hollywood

CNN did not reject the ad, a cable news channel's spokeperson says in a statement to EW.com. We asked them to explain why they believe the ad is not subject to political advertising disclosure requirements, and we did not hear back from them with any explanation.

Sullivan, in turn, calls CNN "too political" but hopes the cable news channel will approve the film's second ad being shopped to outlets; CNN has not yet received the commercial for approval, according to the site's sources.

At issue for CNN: a Federal Election Commission ruling in which an advertisement advocating for or against a political candidate must include a disclaimer notice on who paid for it. But MSNBC did not tack on a disclaimer when it aired the Obama's America teaser as a standard movie ad, according to EW.com, citing a network representative as saying it had been cleared through NBC News's standards and practices department.

REVIEW: '2016: Obama's America'

Meanwhile, Sullivan asserts, "There's no grand investor conspiracy here," and that "business Democrats and Republications" were among those who financed the movie.

On Monday, Obama's America surged to No. 2 at the domestic box office as the Republication National Convention rolled out in Tampa. The documentary, bested only by The Expendables 2, grossed an estimated $1.2 million for the day from 1,091 theaters, dropping a narrow 37 percent from Sunday.

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'Modern Family' Creator: Fan Ann Romney Should Marry Cam and Mitchell 'As Soon As It's Legal'

Getty Images; ABC

Asked by Entertainment Tonight to name her favorite TV show, aspiring First Lady Ann Romney replied thatModern Family -- the hit ABC sitcom about the lives of three very different and intertwined families -- was the show she most looked forward to watching each week.

PHOTOS: On the Set of 'Modern Family'

The endorsement did not go unnoticed by Modern Family executive producer Steve Levitan, who tartly tweeted, "Thrilled Ann Romney says ModFam is her favorite show. We'll offer her the role of officiant at Mitch & Cam's wedding. As soon as it's legal."

The remark was aimed squarely at the views of her Republican presidential candidate husband, Mitt Romney, who has been an outspoken opponent of marriage equality throughout the campaign. At theConservative Political Action Conference in February, Romneytold attendeesthat he "prevented Massacusetts from becoming the Las Vegas of gay marriage."

When I am president, I will defend the Defense of Marriage Act, Romney said during his CPAC remarks. And I will fight for an amendment to our constitution that defines marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman.

PHOTOS: Hollywood's Campaign Contributions: 15 of the Best Election-Themed Movies

Still, if Mr. and Mrs. Romney don't see eye-to-eye on this particular social issue, it wouldn't be the first time for a Republican family with designs on the Oval Office: Former First Lady Laura Bushdeclared her support of same-sex marriage on a 2010 appearance on Larry King Live -- an "area" where she and husband George W. Bush "disagree."

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Eddie Murphy, Shawn Ryan Shopping 'Beverly Hills Cop' TV Series

Eddie Murphy in "Beverly Hills Cop," with Shawn Ryan, inset

Axel Foley could be coming to the small screen.

Sony Pictures Television, The Last Resort EP Shawn Ryan and Eddie Murphy are shopping a small-screen version of Paramount's Beverly Hills Cop, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

As first reported by Vulture, the pitch is being taken to broadcast networks Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday.

PHOTOS: Broadcast TV's Returning Shows for 2012-13 Season

Murphy, who starred in the three films as a crafty Detroit detective working in Beverly Hills, is attached to have an onscreen role in the spinoff. Murphy and Ryan would executive produce the project, which is described as an hourlong crime procedural with comedic elements. Murphy would appear in the pilot and a few episodes throughout the first season, according to Vulture.

Speaking to Rolling Stone in November, Murphy confirmed that there wouldn't be a fourth movie in the franchise and that he was interested in telling a different story about his former alter ego.

PHOTOS: Summer TV Preview 2012

"What I'm trying to do withBeverly Hills Copnow is produce a TV show starring Axel Foley's son, and Axel is the chief of police now in Detroit," he said at the time. "I'd do the pilot, show up here and there. None of the movie scripts were right; it was trying to force this premise. If you have to force something, you shouldn't be doing it. It was always a rehash of the old thing. It was always wrong."

It was unclear if the SPT-Murphy-Ryan pitch being shopped this week was similar to the idea Murphy discussed in November.

The three films -- released in 1984, 1987 and 1994 -- have collected more than $1.5 billion at the worldwide box office.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit

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'General Hospital' Star Steve Burton Quits After 21 Years

Getty Images

Steve Burton is leaving General Hospital -- at least that's what he's saying.

ABC had no comment Tuesday morning, following a TV Guide interview in which he announced his departure from his job of the last 21 years, but he seems adamant.

PHOTOS: Famous ABC Daytime Alums

"I have no complaints, no negative feelings at all," Burton said. "But it's time to go."

Burton followed the lengthy Q&A with comments on his personal Twitter, thanking fans and calling it a "difficult time."

The 42-year-old actor, who first joined the series as Jason Morgan in 1991, recently appeared alongside his fellow cast members at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. While all were cautious about their embattled genre, new showrunner Frank Valentini spoke optimistically about the immediate future.

"All I can say is they invited us here, and that's a great sign," said Valentini. "They're very excited about the 50th anniversary. I'm pretty confident... I like the way that we're being positioned with the other shows around us. The network is doing a big push to inform the viewers."

General Hospital was renewed in April, just a year after ABC canceled its fellow soaps One Life to Live and All My Children. When Katie Couric's new daytime talker premieres on Monday, Sept. 10, General Hospital will move from 3 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET.

STORY: Daytime Emmy Awards 2012: The Winners List

Burton told TV Guide his last tape date will be Sept. 25, likely placing his last episode somewhere in October, though the series does not schedule that far in advance.

His rep at James, Levy, Jacobson & Associates did not immediately respond to The Hollywood Reporter's request for comment on the actor's immediate plans.

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TV Ratings: 'Hell's Kitchen,' 'Hotel Hell' Hit Summer Highs, 'Stars Earn Stripes' Falls

Patrick Wymore/FOX

Staving off the bigger drops seen by many reality series this summer, Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen climbed to a new high on Monday night. Fast affiliate ratings give the Fox show a 3.0 rating among adults 18-49, moving up 15 percent from last week and topping all other broadcasts for the night. Hotel Hell saw similar growth at 8 p.m., rising 15 percent for a new series high of a 2.3 adults rating. The network averaged a 2.6 rating in the demo and 6.5 million viewers.

PHOTOS: Broadcast TV's Returning Shows for 2012-13 Season

CBS encores -- How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls, Mike & Molly, Hawaii Five-0 -- averaged a 1.6 rating among adults 18-49 on CBS. The block also brought in the night's second-strongest audience, 5.7 million viewers.

NBC saw a 25 percent drop in the third Monday of Stars Earn Stripes. The episode pulled in a 0.9 rating among adults 18-49, tying its lead from a repeat of America's Got Talent. Grimm was steady with last week's fast affiliate showing of a 1.6 adults rating, down just a tenth from the final and besting the other nets during the 10 p.m. hour. NBC averaged a 1.2 adults rating for the night and 3.95 million viewers.

An even Bachelor Pad posted a 1.3 adults rating on ABC, followed by an encore of Castle (0.7 adults rating), filling the gap left by The Glass House. ABC averaged a 1.1 rating with 18-49-ers and 3.97 million viewers over the course of the night.

The L.A. Complex's move to Monday's brought in a 0.3 adults rating for the CW.

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Rosie O'Donnell Marries Michelle Rounds

Getty Images

Rosie O'Donnell married her longtime girlfriend, Michelle Rounds, ahead of Rounds' June surgery to combat a rare and potentially fatal disease.

The former talk show host announced the news Monday on her personal blog, writing in her signature haiku style: "we married in private before her surgery just the 2 of us/when we r both well enough will have the wedding of r dreams surrounded by those we cherish thankful for the love and support so many have given us during these trying times."

Earlier this month, O'Donnell revealed Rounds' health scare and operation to remove desmoid tumors, "a non cancer that acts cancerous." According to the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation, the tumors arise from connective tissue and are locally aggressive. While they don't have the capacity to metasize, or spread distantly, throughout the body, they can grow into and destroy adjacent normal tissue, including bones.

Only 900 cases a year in the U.S., an orphan disease beyond rare, ODonnell wrote at the time. Only 3 people per million get this. Michelle is one of them.

Also in August, the 50-year-old comedienne suffered a heart attack and said she was "saved by a TV commercial" because she took Bayer aspirin, based on information she absorbed from the ads.

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'X Factor': Nick Jonas Paired With Demi Lovato for Judge's House Round (Exclusive)

Getty Images

If theres one thing weve learned in the past four-plus years while observing the neverending shuffles of judges on shows like American Idol, X Factor and The Voice, its that singing competitions make for strange bedfellows.

Take, for example, the latest news to come out of the Fox fortress: X Factor'sDemi Lovato is being paired up with fellow teen star Nick Jonas for the judges house portion of the show, THR has learned. This is the part of the competition where final cuts are made and the Top 16 acts are revealed -- four for each judge (last year, show creator Simon Cowell made a fifth pick in Melanie Amaro, who eventually won the competition).

PHOTOS:MTV Video Music Awards 2012: The Nominees

In an X Factor twist, each judge is given a group to mentor. Season twos split has yet to be revealed, but several sites are reporting that the breakdown will look like this: Lovatowill take on solo singers ages 12 to 16, Britney Spears will mentor singers 17 to 24, L.A. Reid will handle ages 25 and over and Cowell will guide the groups (a show rep tells THR that there have been changes to the divisions but wouldnt confirm any details).

Meanwhile, the Lovato-Jonas connection is a deep and long-lasting one. Not only did the 20-year-old singer get her break with the lead role in the Jonas Brothers 2008 movie Camp Rock, but shes also toured with the group extensively and dated Joe Jonas for a stint.

AUDIO:'X Factor' Winner Melanie Amaro Premieres New Single

For his part, Nick Jonas has been actively campaigning for the judge's seat on Foxs other singing show, American Idol, tweeting that it would be a dream come true. While appearing on X Factor could give network brass an opportunity to see him doling out criticism on-air, it could just as easily dissuade them.

We'll know soon enough as Idol auditions in front of the judges typically start in late September. X Factor season 2 is set to premiere on Sept. 12.

Twitter: @shirleyhalperin

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'Bachelor Pad' Recap: She's Under His Spell

ABC

Its time for a twist!

This week on Bachelor Pad, Chris Harrison introduced a new twist. The contestants will now compete as couples. They will vote together, and can be voted off together.

You know who is really missing her better half? Rachel, who cant stop weeping about Michael being kicked off last week. She claims she was falling in love with Michael. She gets paired up with Nick.

VIDEO: 'Bachelorette' Star Kalon Hints at Romance on 'Bachelor Pad'

The competition this week is a spelling bee. It aint pretty. Ed and Jaclyn and Chris and Sarah end up vying for the title, but no one wants Chris to win. He and Sarah end up winning with the word serendipity, and get immunity and an overnight date. Ed and Jaclyn also get an overnight date.

On their overnight date, Chris and Sarah take a trip to wine country.

"I know that Chris is fresh off the break-up with Emily [Maynard]," Sarah says about her new man. She asks Chris where his heart is these days, and the master manipulator says hes still working on healing his broken heart.

Back at the house, Rachel is still very, very sad. She actually says she feels like a widow. Things are that serious, people. Everyone decides that this drama queen needs to go.

For their date, Ed and Jaclyn take a jet to some islands off the coast of California.

STORY: 'Bachelor Pad' Recap: Dont Hate The Player, Hate the Game

Ed admits that he was dating someone back home in Chicago, and that they broke up right before the show. Jaclyn is mad because now she looks like a promiscuous woman who would sleep with a man in a relationship. Ed says he doesnt want to look like an asshole, either.

Ed ends up talking her down, and Jaclyn decides she doesnt want to end their relationship. How blind can she be?!

Back at the house, Tony sets up a date for Blakely, who he seems to be falling for. Blakely says she feels something for Tony that she hasnt felt for anyone else, so maybe these crazy kids can have something special.

Ed and Jaclyn are given roses to save one other couple. They choose lovebirds Tony and Blakely.

At the rose ceremony, Kalon and Lindzi are sent home. Kalon gets into the same limo as Lindzi, which is the universal sign for were falling in love. (A few months ago, Kalon hinted to The Hollywood Reporter, he found someone really special during the show.)

What did you think of tonight's episode?

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Style Network Sets Weeklong Coverage of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Style Media, which includes the Style network and myStyle.com, has scheduled a weeklong marathon of fashion-themed programming and coverage from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.

From Sept. 6-14, the network and website will air various shortform content, specials, countdowns and fashion-themed marathons of Gossip Girl and Sex and the City, among other acquired series, to celebrate the spring 2013 collections. In addition, fashion guru Jeannie Mai and Marie Claire senior fashion editor Zanna Roberts Rassi will reprise their roles as hosts, reporting from the runways each night.

PHOTOS: Paris Fashion Week

The special programming kicks off at 8 p.m. Sept. 6, with the launch of StyleCandy's Trend of the Day vignettes. At 8 p.m. Sept. 10 comes the premiere of Making a Model: 28th Elite Model Look, a one-hour special from Momentum Entertainment Group that follows the transformations of young women as they compete to be the new face of Elite Modeling.

Set to air Sept. 10-13 at midnight are four special episodes of State of Style, produced by Barracuda Film & TV, which offers an exclusive look into the fashion world, showcasing trend-setting designers and the latest runway styles. The half-hour episodes will include interviews with Betsey Johnson, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger and Patricia Field as well as a peek into collections from Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen and Lacoste.

Mai also will host the countdown special The Style List: Falls Top Ten Trends, set to air at 8 p.m. Sept. 11.

Additionally, Style will air fashion-themed episodes of Gossip Girl and marathons of Sex and the City, Americas Next Top Model and Project Runway throughout the week.

PHOTOS: Paris Fashion Week Top Ten

The coverage will culminate with coverage of the ninth annual Style Awards, which take place Sept. 5 at Lincoln Center and will air exclusively on Style at 8 p.m. Sept. 14. Mai and Harper's Bazaar editor-at-large Derek Blasberg will provide commentary from the red carpet. The telecast will be produced by Sunset Lane Productions, with Salli Frattini (MTV's Video Music Awards) executive producing.

Meanwhile, myStyle.com will feature video streams of various runway shows, detailed blogs, expert commentary and photo galleries.

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'The Office's' Creed Bratton Spoofs Todd Akin in Funny or Die Spot (Video)

A folk rocker and then a sitcom star, Creed Bratton may have found the next stage in his career: very specific political satirist.

The former Grass Roots guitarist will see his run on The Office end after this season, so it's good he's found a new gig with Funny or Die, spoofing Republican Rep. Todd Akin. Once in the lead in the Missouri senate race, Akin caused a national firestorm when he told a local news network that women's bodies had ways of preventing pregnancy if they had been "legitimately raped."

Akin apologized, saying that he chose the wrong words, but the damage was done. After skipping several interviews (including one with an outraged Piers Morgan) and being repudiated by his own party, he trails Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill in the polls.

As for Bratton's impression, it's not exactly spot on (aside from the wig, of course), but that's half the fun. The other half is the song he sings at the end. Watch below.

Todd Akin's Apology from Creed Bratton

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Chris Matthews Yells at Reince Priebus, Accuses Mitt Romney of Race-Baiting on 'Morning Joe' (Video)

MSNBC

Chris Matthews brought his own thunder to the storm-swept Republican National Convention.

The Hardball host joined a panel on the Monday morning, Tampa-set edition of Morning Joe, and unleashed his not uncommon rage on the chairman of the Republican National Committee, Reince Preibus. Matthews was upset that GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney has been claiming that President Obama waived work requirements for welfare recipients, and that Romney made a derisive remark about the president's birth certificate during a speech in Michigan last week.

PHOTOS: THR's 35 Most Powerful People in Media

Priebus and the rest of the Republican party have claimed that Romney was simply making a joke in reference to his being in his home state, but Matthews wasn't having any of it.

"That cheap shot about 'I don't have a problem with my birth certificate was awful. It is an embarrasment to your party to play that card," Matthews raged. "You are playing that little ethnic card there.

"You can play your games and giggle about it but the fact is your side playing that card. When you start talking about work requirements, you know what game youre playing and everybody knows what game youre playing," he continued. "Its a race card and yeah, if your names Romney, yeah you were well born, you went to prep school, yeah, brag about it. This guy has an African name and hes got to live with it. Look whos gone further in their life. Who was born on third base? Making fun of the guys birth certificate issue when it was never a real issue except for the right wing.

Host Joe Scarborough and co-host Mika Brzezinski cast doubt on Matthews' claims; Brzezinski said that Romney was just "an awkward joker" and Scarborough, quite incredulously, pressed Matthews to defend his statement.

"You got your monologue in, so congratulations," Priebus said. "The fact of the matter is that he's from Michigan, he was born in Michigan, he was making the point that 'I was born in Michigan.' And we've gotten to the point in politics that any moment is levity is frowned on by guys like you."

Matthews responded, "What was the joke?"

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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'True Blood' Finale Recap: Death, Destruction and Bill's Dark Side

John P. Johnson/HBO

See that look of shock on Sookie's (Anna Paquin) face in the above photo? That's how every True Blood fan probably feels after seeing Sunday's finale.

What the heck just happened?

Its been an insane fifth season for HBOs True Blood. From Bills (Stephen Moyer) trip to the dark side to Sookies hunt for her parents killer and Terrys (Todd Lowe) troubles with a fire monster, season five has been full of bloody, bloody drama and at least one blood-covered, naked vampire goddess.

PHOTOS: 'True Blood' Season 5 Premiere Red Carpet

[Warning: Spoilers ahead if you havent seen Sundays episode.]

The episode, marking Alan Ball's final as showrunner, followed Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) as he made one final attempt to stop Bill from becoming an insane vampire fanatic set on taking over the world. To do so, he enlists Sookie, who may be the only person who can knock some sense into Bill.

It couldn't have been a crazier finale. Now, THR will try to break down the five biggest things we're taking away from this dramatic turn of events:

1. No More Russell
The episode begins with Russell (Denis OHare) being blasted by the faeries. He taunts them, but then Eric swoops in and kills him. And just like that, one of our favorite characters is off the show. Well miss you Russell!

Nora appears and smells Sookie for the first time, and likes what she smells, but Eric tells her to back off because Sookie has saved his life more than once.

STORY: TV Characters Gone Too Soon: From 'True Blood' and 'Lost' to 'Parks and Recreation'

2. Shifters Save Spawn
Sam (Sam Trammell) is brought before Bill, who says that Sam has seen too much. But Sam shifts into a fly before Bill can kill him off. Sam finds Luna and wants to make a plan to get out of that nut house, but Luna wont leave her child.

Luna skinwalks as Steve Newlin and goes to get his puppy/Lunas kid for a walk. But shes stopped by Roslyn, who is pissed at Newlin for killing all those frat boys.

Steve/Luna goes on TV to do some damage control, but Luna ends up shifting back. Just before Roslyn can kill her, Sam, as a fly, kills Roslyn.

STORY: 'True Blood's Ryan Kwanten: Jason Is 'Profoundly' Affected By Mystery of His Parents' Death

3. Werewolf War
Alcide (Joe Manganiello) and his pop are talking when Martha and Rikki arrive. Packmaster J.D. has been forcing the pack to drink V, and Rikki may have overdosed. Alcides dad says Alcide should fight J.D. on his terms take some V and get on with it.

Alcide gets on the V and kills J.D. As new packmaster, he announced that the pack will stop using drugs. Tonight, we choose pack, he says. Itll be interesting to see how Alcide deals with a position of power.

4. Fairy Baby
Morella and Andy arrive at Merlottes where Lafayette is hard at work. Andy reveals that Morella is going to have a baby like now.

She delivers a baby girl with Holly acting as midwife, but shes not done. She ends up having four and leaves them with Andy. She says its up to him to make sure at least two make it to adulthood.

5. What Everyone Really Cares About: Bill and the Human-Vampire War
Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and Sookie get some guns to go to war. They are on a mission to rescue Bill, Pam and Jessica.

Back at the Vampire Authority complex, Bill and Salome (Valentina Cervi) have some sex.

Jason, Sookie, Eric, Nora and Tara (Rutina Wesley) return to the Vampire Authority complex to save Pam, Jessica and Bill. Jason gets to kill some vamps, including the receptionist. They find Pam, and Tara runs up to her and kisses her. Surprising? Not really. I knew it! exclaims Jessica. Everyone leaves except Sookie and Eric, who want to find Bill.

Bill finds Salome is in the Lilith blood room, and she wants to drink it because she believes she is the chosen one.

Bill tricks Salome into drinking silver and then stakes her because he seems to believe he is the chosen one.

Eric and Sookie enter the room as Bill is planning on drinking the Lilith blood. Eric tries to convince Bill that Lilith is a mad God, but Bill has lots of religious speeches to throw back at them. Bill reminds Sookie that he told her that vampires often turn on the ones they love.

Bill drinks the blood, and melts into goop. Then, a new Bill rises up, covered in blood.

Thats it! So Bill has officially gone over to the dark side. What will this mean for Sookie and Eric next season? And how great of a bad guy will Bill be? Waiting sucks!

Favorite line of the night:

"Must all roads lead to f---ing Sookie?" -- Pam

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6 Big Reveals From the 'Newsroom' Season Finale

Patrick Harbron/HBO

"The Newsroom's" Jeff Daniels

[Warning: This story contains spoilers from Sunday's season finale of The Newsroom.]

The freshman run of HBO's The Newsroom came to a close Sunday, with an episode that put the spotlight on the "greater fool," which ultimately proved to be a good thing for Will (Jeff Daniels) and almost everyone on the News Night team.

After the staff failed to win the Republican debate in last week's penultimate episode, Will finds himself in the hospital after over-medicating himself following the fallout from a blistering magazine profile.

Here are the six biggest reveals from the episode, which set the stage for more of the "will they or won't they" romantic story line between Will and Mackenzie (Emily Mortimer).

STORY: Aaron Sorkin '100 Percent' Disagrees With Critical Jabs at 'Newsroom'

1. Will finally realizes what being called the "greater fool" means. After Sloan explains that it can be a good thing, Will turns around and implements it when in the final moments of the hour, he confronts the Northwestern student who asked him why America was the greatest country, which marked the beginning of the anchor's unraveling. In the newsroom to interview with Mac for an internship, Jennifer Johnson (Riley Voelkel) reveals that she not only watches News Night but wants to be a "greater fool" like he is -- someone who is idealistic enough to think they can change the status quo, no matter how risky it may be. Naturally, she's hired on after Will responds to her with the answer he should have in the pilot: "You do."

2. Will still loves Mac. Turns out Mac never received the voicemail that a high Will left for her. Ultimately, Charlie, Will and Mac put the pieces together and realize that Leona's (Jane Fonda) son Reese (Chris Messina) deleted Will's message in a phone-hacking ploy designed to boost the fortunes for the network's tabloid effort, TMI. While Will never did confess what he did say during the message -- other than being high -- Nina (Hope Davis) plays nearly all of it before permanently deleting it. "After tonight, I've never stopped " and then it ends. Expect more on that in Season 2.

STORY: Tim Goodman on How to Fix 'Newsroom'

3. Jim (John Gallagher Jr.) and Maggie (Alison Pill) finally kiss. It may have taken a ridiculous Sex and the City tour to spark Maggie into a screaming fit of rage aimed at a tour guide, but Jim heard her confession that she's fallen for a guy who's dating her best friend and chases after her. It's a good, although far too brief, payoff to a story line that's been building all season.

4. That (budding?) romance is short-lived, however, when Maggie -- armed with a hastily written speech -- shows up at Don's (Thomas Sadoski) apartment to end. Ultimately, she's wooed by his candlelit living room and his request that she move in with him and they're suddenly back on again. After rejecting Jim's phone call, he winds up lying to Lisa (Kelen Coleman) that he was looking to profess his feelings for her -- not Maggie -- on the Maggie questioned. Back at work the following day, Maggie is all smiles with Don, while Jim is still clearly pining for her. Sigh.

5. Speaking of Don thinking that she's not long for News Night as Will was threatening to quit the biz after Mac's ex-boyfriend penned a "hatchet job" in New York Magazine, Sloan (Olivia Munn) confesses that she's single because Don never asked her out. The sparks between the two are very clear, as she insists that he's not the bad guy that he thinks he is -- and that she knows he's trying to do the right thing by Maggie even though his heart isn't completely in it. Once Will returns and Sloan turns down a rich job offer to go elsewhere, she insists Don never speak to her again, setting up a potential new love triangle for next season.

PHOTOS: Broadcast TV's Returning Shows 2012-13

6. New death threats? With the OK from Charlie to smoke out the source of Will's death threats, Neal (Dev Patel) goes back online and doesn't exactly come out the wiser for it, with 100 new death threats aimed at the News Night host. Looks like Lonny (Terry Crews) will be on duty as Will's bodyguard a bit longer than expected.

What did you think of the Newsroom finale? Did all the relationship story lines turn you off? What would you like to see more and less of in Season 2? Hit the comments with your thoughts.

Email:Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter:@Snoodit

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Emmys 2012: Choreographer Travis Wall on the Differences at 'Dancing With the Stars'

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After years of watching Travis Wall compete on and choreograph So You Think You Can Dance, fans are seeing a different side of the 24-year-old with a new Oxygen reality show, All the Right Moves. Two of his co-stars and partners, Teddy Forance and Nick Lazzarini, recently joined him in coming up with a massive ensemble number on ABC's Dancing With the Stars, which earned Wall his second Emmy nomination in as many years.

The Hollywood Reporter: Do you approach a Dancing With the Stars routine differently than you would one on So You Think You Can Dance?
Wall: For this, I was dancing with my best friend for our dance company. You get to bring in people from your own crew, just people that you work with all the time. Usually what I would do on Dancing With the Stars is a lot harder than what I would do on So You Think You Can Dance because of the caliber of talent I'm working with.

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THR: How different is collaborative choreography?
Wall: There are more cooks in the kitchen. It's just cool because it's the dance company, Shaping Sound, that was nominated, and then our first television performance got nominated. It was great last year when I was alone, but it's cooler when you can share it with your friends.

THR: Choreographers are a small community in Hollywood.
Wall: I've known Stacey Tookey for a very long time. I used to take her class, and she's a key mentor of mine. Obviously, I love dancing with her. I've known Spencer Liff from New York. And I know Chris Scott from films like Step Up Revolution and The LXD: The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. I've never met the choreographer for Smash [Joshua Bergasse], but I'm such a huge fan of his work. What he did on that show is amazing.

THR: A few So You Think You Can Dance alums have become pros on Dancing With the Stars. Did that ever hold any interest for you?
Wall: God, no! Dancing With the Stars is all ballroom, and I've never been a ballroom dancer. That's not in the cards!

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'Project Runway': Nathan Paul Reacts to Judges' Decision, Ven Budhu's Insults

Richard McLaren/Lifetime

Project Runway contestant Nathan Paul admits that the dress that got him booted from the competition was not his best effort.

The Manhattan-based designer, 33, was eliminated in Thursday night's episode for a challenge that asked the contestants to make over an everyday woman. His client, an aspiring R&B artist, asked for a garment she could wear onstage. Paul ended up making a blue satin dress that featured black panels and black mesh sleeves.

During the judging, Heidi Klum said the dress made the woman look like a "hoochie mama," while Nina Garcia called the whole look a "disaster" and Michael Kors said the sheer sleeves looked too "ice skater or old lady."

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In a conference call with reporters Friday, Paul admitted there wasn't much of his design aesthetic reflected in the garment.

"The challenge was to have enough of my personality in the garment but still remain true to the client," he said, adding that he knew his design would be a risky one from the start. "I did have a little bit of Nathan in there, but it probably wouldn't be a garment that I would normally do and it wouldn't make my collection."

Paul said if he had to do it over, he'd probably change the fabric -- the judges didn't like how "shiny" the dress was -- but he'd likely stick with the same silhouette, because the client was comfortable with it.

STORY: Mondo Guerra Recaps 'Project Runway' Season 10, Episode 6: Making Over the Everyday Woman

Still, Paul said he deserved to go home over the other bottom-two designers, Ven Budhu and Sonjia Williams, based on the judges' critiques of all three outfits.

"But, at the end of the day, if it pleased the client, then that is my measure of success," he said.

The episode also was notable for Budhu's comments to his own client, a full-figured woman whom he brought to the verge of tears for his numerous remarks about her size.

VIDEO: Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn On 'Project Runway' at 10

"I would have never treated my client in that manner," Paul said. "I respected everyone especially since I do plus-size clothing, and I don't even call it that -- I call it upsize clothing. I am very sensitive to that [and] I felt he was very disrespectful."

In fact, Paul said he plans to work with local politicians to draft legislation calling for "size equality in stores."

Paul actually thought Budhu would be the designer to beat on this season of Project Runway, but "after seeing his progression through this competition, my mind has changed." Now he believes that Christopher Palu is the one to watch.

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'Suits,' 'Burn Notice' Summer Finales Hit Ratings Gold

Christos Kalohoridis/USA Network

"Suits"

USA Network hit the goldmine with Burn Notice and Suits.

The summer finales for the two Thursday night dramas posted season highs, with Suits powering USA as the top cable and broadcast network among the adults 18-49 and 25-54 demos for the 10 p.m. hour.

At 9 p.m., Burn Notice's midseason closer drew a high of 5 million total viewers for season six, up 14 percent from the previous episode and a 13 percent improvement from last year's comparable hour. (The viewership for Thursday's episode was on par with the fifth episode of the season.) In the demos, the spy drama led by Jeffrey Donovan saw increases from the penultimate episode: adults 18-49, up 13 percent (1.7 million), and adults 25-54, up 10 percent (1.9 million).

That led to the sophomore summer finale of Suits, which drew a season high when it averaged 4.5 million viewers, topping all other competition in its 10 p.m. time slot. The legal drama outgrew its previous episode and had massive double-digit jumps compared to the season one finale among the key demos. Among adults 18-49, Suits drew 1.9 million, up 8 percent from the previous week and a 30 pecent improvement from last season.

According to social TV tracker Trendrr, Suits ranked as the third top TV show on social media.

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@thr.com

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Utah Station Says It Won't Broadcast NBC's 'New Normal'

NBC

"The New Normal"

NBC's new comedy The New Normal is feeling the heat again.

One month after Ryan Murphy and Ali Adler's upcoming series drew the ire of anti-gay group One Million Moms, Utah station KSL-TV says it will not be broadcasting New Normal when it premieres this fall. New Normal centers on a single mother's life as she becomes a surrogate for a gay couple.

"After viewing the pilot episode of The New Normal, we have made the decision to keep it off our fall schedule," Jeff Simpson, CEO of KSL parent company Bonneville International, told Deseret News. "For our brand, this program simply feels inappropriate on several dimensions, especially during family viewing time.

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Crude dialogue, explicit content and offensive characterizations were the main reasons why KSL-TV would not bring New Normal to air when it launches Sept. 11. The same station opted not to broadcast the shortlived NBC drama The Playboy Club, which was canceled after three episodes last fall.

"The New Normal is a contemporary look at how families are defined today, portrayed through a comedic prism. We are confident that the show will find another home in the Salt Lake City market, an NBC spokesperson said in a statement.

Meanwhile, co-star Ellen Barkin-- who plays an often racist and homophobic character on the comedy -- took to Twitter to call out KSL-TV's decision.

"Anyone in Utah interested in @NBCTheNewNormal please clog up @ksl5tv feed 4 their blatantly homophic decision 2 not air the show KSLBigots," she wrote. Another tweet read: "Shame on u @kslcom not airing @NBCTheNewNormal So L&O SVU (rape & child murder) is ok? But loving gay couple having a baby is inappropriate?"

However, Simpson made it clear that the decision for KSL-TV not to air New Normal was not a slight against NBC.

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"NBC is a valued partner and as the Summer Olympic Games prove, they are committed to great news, sports and entertainment programming," he said. "KSL is confident that with the proliferation of digital media, those who wish to view the program can easily do so."

In July, One Million Moms told advertisers to boycott New Normal, which also stars Andrew Rannells and Justin Bartha.

"NBC is using public airwaves to continue to subject families to the decay of morals and values, and the sanctity of marriage in attempting to redefine marriage," the group said at the time. "These things are harmful to our society, and this program is damaging to our culture."

A preview of New Normal was shown during NBC's coverage of the London Olympics.

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@thr.com

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