casting

'Desperate Housewives' is introducing Susan's (Teri Hatcher) boozy Aunt Claire, played by none other than Valerie Harper.

According to TV Guide, the 'Rhoda' star will appear in early 2011 when Lesley Ann Warren returns as Sophie, Susan's mom. Bob Newhart, who plays Sophie's husband, will not appear this time around.

In other casting news ...

• Reiko Aylesworth has been tapped to play Daniel Dae Kim's love interest on 'Hawaii Five-0.' The role of Chin Ho's ex-fiancee could become recurring. Fans will recognize Aylesworth from 'The Good Wife,' '24' and of course 'Lost.' [Movieline]

• Newcomer Kody Batchelor has landed a possible recurring role on 'Glee.' Batchelor will play a new McKinley High football player and appear in the Super Bowl episode. [Movieline]

• 'Hawaii Five-0' is on the hunt for a new series regular. The show is casting a former CIA buddy of McGarrett. Think late 20s, early 30s Asia expert. [TV Guide]

ABC wasn't kidding when it said 'Body of Proof' would get a proper promotional push. The Dana Delany drama will premiere March 29 at 10PM ET, right after 'Dancing With the Stars.'

According to Zap2It, the medical examiner drama will premiere in Italy, Spain and Hungary in January and February.

ABC originally intended 'Body of Proof' to be a Friday contender, but this season, networks have had both success and failure on that night. NBC failed to attract an audience for 'Outlaw' and 'School Pride,' whereas CBS has found millions of viewers for 'Blue Bloods' and its transplanted 'CSI: NY.'

The Tuesday time slot puts 'Body of Proof' directly in competition with another female-driven series: 'The Good Wife.'

In other TV news ...

• ABC is developing two musical shows, one starring Idina Menzel. The Menzel project comes from 'Samantha Who?' veteran Bob Kushell and will feature the Broadway star as a single mother working gigs to support her teen daughter. The second project, a female-driven comedy, comes from 'Sharpay Fabulous' writer Robert Horn. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Sarah Jones has landed the lead role in J.J. Abrams' 'Alcatraz.' The 'Sons of Anarchy' actress will play Rebecca Madsen, a brainy and slightly obsessive police officer in the Fox pilot. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank is working on a fashion-based game show for The CW. The series, which hasn't received a pilot order, would pit fashionistas against one another in a test of their fashion and style knowledge. [Vulture]

Eliza Dushku is returning to TV, but this time the sci-fi/fantasy darling is getting a gun and a badge. Dushku has been tapped to play the lead in TNT's pilot 'Bird Dog.'

According to Deadline Hollywood, Dushku will play Gail McGrath, a young cop who has a fractured past with her police officer father. The character is living a seemingly normal life until her cop father turns up on her doorstep as her new partner. The name of the mystery series, 'Bird Dog,' is also the duo's call sign.

D.B. Sweeney has also landed a pilot role. 'The Event' actor has been tapped to star in TBS's 'Brain Trust' as Detective Billy Doyle. The character goes from rock bottom to a career high after he gets unexpected help from three geniuses who work for a private company.

In other TV news ...

• The Blues Brothers are getting back together -- but this time on CBS's 'The Defenders.' Aykroyd will play a corrupt judge over two episodes that are scheduled to be shot in January. [Variety]

• 'The Walking Dead' saw its best numbers yet on Nov. 28. The season's fifth episode brought in 5.5 million total viewers and 3.7 million in the 18-49 demographic. The ratings were 15 percent higher than episode four's viewership. [Live Feed]

• Marc Singer, star of the original 'V,' will appear on ABC's 'V' reboot this winter. Singer has been tapped to play Lars Tremont, a member of a secret society of high-powered humans who believe the Visitors are not on Earth to spread peace. [TV Guide]

• Fox has released the first teasers for Simon Cowell's 'The X Factor.' However, the series is still close to a year away from airing. Watch the promo after the jump. [Deadline Hollywood]

Albie and Chris Manzo are ready for their close-up on Bravo. The sons of 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star Caroline Manzo have begun work on a new spinoff, according to the New York Post.

The two Manzo brothers appeared on Bravo's 'The Millionaire Matchmaker' earlier this season, bringing in the show's highest ratings and getting a lot of female attention.

The New York Post reports that the brothers have signed a contract with Bravo and recently moved into their own place in Hoboken. "The boys were looking for some independence," a source told the Post. "They're getting a ton of attention from the ladies and needed their own space."

Bravo is staying mum on the topic, telling the Post they have "not made any announcement."

In other TV news ...

• 'The Munsters' star Butch Patrick is in rehab following a reported overdose. Following a 40-year drug and alcohol battle, Patrick has checked into a California treatment center on a scholarship. The former child star is at work on a new A&E reality series 'Life's a Butch.' [Radar Online]

• Dr. Drew Pinsky is heading to HLN. The reality show doctor who became known for programs such as 'Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,' 'Sober House,' and 'Loveline' will headline his own series that will tackle a variety of subjects. Look for it in spring 2011. [Variety]

• Fox is developing a sitcom with comedian Owen Benjamin. The comic will play a high school counselor who is balancing his bachelor lifestyle and bizarre family. [Deadline Hollywood]

Alicia Florrick, prepare to go toe-to-toe with Louis Canning once again. According to Entertainment Weekly, Michael J. Fox will return to 'The Good Wife' early next year as Canning, the manipulative lawyer who gave Lockhart/Gardner & Bond one heck of a court battle.

"As soon as we saw the dailies of Michael playing Louis Canning, we started pleading with him to return," creators and executive producers Robert and Michelle King told EW. "Luckily he agreed. He's amazing in this role: unpretentiously brave and funny. It's good to have him back."

Fox played Canning in 'Poisoned Pill,' the sixth episode of the CBS drama's second season. Look for him in episode 13, competing with Alicia (Julianna Margulies) to reach homeowners for a class-action lawsuit.

In other casting news ...

• Eric Mabius is heading to NBC's 'Chase.' The 'Ugly Betty' veteran will play Justin Tate, a former cop who has become a fugitive and uses his law enforcement knowledge to prey on innocents. [Entertainment Weekly]

• Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban were confirmed as two of the guests on Oprah's upcoming Sydney shows. The Australian episodes will be filmed on Dec. 14, and will also feature Hugh Jackman and wife Deborah Lee Furness, Baz Luhrmann and wife Catherine Martin, Cate Blanchett and Jon Bon Jovi. [The Hollywood Reporter]

• Mariana Klaveno, Lorena on 'True Blood,' will guest star on 'Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.' Klaveno will play Veronica, a spotlight-loving woman who is quite good an manipulating men. [Movieline]

If all goes according to plan, meet your new fictional vice president, Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

According to Deadline Hollywood, Louis-Dreyfus will officially headline HBO's pilot for 'Veep,' a half-hour comedy about Selina Meyer, the new vice president. The 'New Adventures of Old Christine' actress will serve as a producer. HBO plus Julia Louis-Dreyfus sure sounds like a winning formula to us!

In other TV news ...

• VH1 is adding more wives to its reality slate. The network has ordered 10 episodes of 'The X Life,' a reality series that follows skater Pierre Luc Gagnon and his girlfriend Denise Russo, BMXer Cory Nastazio and his girlfriend Nicole Panattoni and FMXer Jeremy Stenburg and his wife Susie. [Hollywood Reporter]

• 'Facts of Life' star Mindy Cohn is heading to ABC Family. Cohn has been tapped to play Cecelia, the mom of one of the four leads in Brenda Hampton's new untitled drama project. [Movieline]

• Miranda Otto will star in Fox's 'Locke & Key.' Otto will play Nina Locke, the mom of three who tries to rebuild her life in her family's mysterious mansion. [Deadline Hollywood]

This week, a fan favorite who's been on the show for a little less than 20 years may not be sticking around to reach that major anniversary. Another star has found a happy, new home across town, and a bachelor tries his wings in the skies of 'The Bold and the Beautiful.'

Also, don't forget to check out the Soap Round-Up every Saturday to find out what's been happening on screen the soap world.

Will There Be More 'Days' Ahead for Alison?
It won't be the same without Sami ... That's how fans feel, but it may not make a difference. 'Days of Our Lives' star Alison Sweeney may not re-sign with the soap. The problem is financial; in the 17 years that Sweeney has been on 'Days,' she's become a big star for NBC and has other, lucrative offers.

She has grown up before viewers' eyes as Sami Brady, and shown herself to be a capable host of NBC's biggest reality franchises, 'The Biggest Loser.' Now, Sweeney may have the chance to do more than just soaps; she wouldn't be the first daytime star to be lured by primetime. In fact, at one point, her former on-screen mom -- Deidre Hall (Marlena) -- did both 'Days' and the NBC drama 'Our House' simultaneously.

Carlton Cuse is taking on the 1800s with a new ABC drama.

The 'Lost' executive producer is teaming with 'Secretariat's' Randall Wallace for a Civil War-set drama. The two are co-writing the pilot script and if it's picked up, Wallace will direct.

According to Variety, details are still vague, but the project is set in Virginia and has been envisioned as an "event" series.

In other TV news ...

• Syfy will air the final five episodes of 'Caprica' in a January marathon. The episodes will start at 6PM on Tues., Jan. 4 and end at 11PM. [TV By the Numbers]

• 'Mike & Molly' is using its Thanksgiving episode to address the Marie Claire blog controversy. Look for the mention to happen in a speech by Billy Gardell. "It's a very eloquently put thing that I get to say at the Thanksgiving speech that kind of says everything we feel." [Entertainment Weekly]

• Jennifer Esposito has been promoted to a series regular on 'Blue Bloods.' Esposito plays Detective Jackie Curatola, the partner of Donnie Wahlberg's Danny Reagan. [TV Guide]

Kelsey Grammer is heading back to TV, but don't expect him to make you laugh.

Grammer will star in 'Boss,' an eight-episode drama series on Starz. According to Variety, Gus Van Sant will to direct the pilot.

The 'Frajer' -- sorry --'Frasier' actor will play the powerful mayor of Chicago in the series Variety described as "a modern-day 'Spartacus.'"

Writer Farhad Safinia did the script on speculation and has been working with Grammer to polish the project.

'Glee's' cast is the cast that never stops expanding.

After the confirmation of Darren Criss' promotion, now comes word that Harry Shum, Jr. will be a series regular next season. Yep, according to E! Online, Mike Chang and his abs are sticking around.

Like current series regulars Heather Morris and Naya Rivera, Shum started out as recurring character during the first season. Morris and Rivera were promoted at the start of season 2.

In other TV news ...

• Alex Trebek will guest star on 'How I Met Your Mother.' The 'Jeopardy!' host will appear in the Christmas episode of the CBS sitcom. [TV Guide]

• Raven Symone has been tapped to star in an ABC Family pilot. Symone will star as Georgia, a southern woman trying to make it as an actress in New York in 'The Great State of Georgia.' [Deadline Hollywood]

• Angela Bassett is taking another stab at series TV. Bassett has signed on to star in 'One Police Plaza,' the ABC drama about New York City's first female police commissioner. [Deadline Hollywood]

You better put your box of wine down before you read this: Kathy Griffin told Entertainment Weekly that her hit reality show, 'My Life on the D-List,' is over.

The Emmy-winner told EW that she's unsure of the show's future and format. "I don't think it will come back, especially not as the same show it was," Griffin said. "I would love to do a hybrid show, like a half-scripted kind of thing or something based on what I built on 'My Life on the D-List' and what I experience, but not a full-on reality show."

Griffin said a scripted series would be a natural progression for her brand and humor.

The past few seasons of 'D-List' have focused on the diva's misadventures with celebrities, with the situations seeming less organic and more staged. Bravo has yet to make a decision on the future of the series.

In other TV news ...

• The striking 'Biggest Loser' crew got a bit of a boost from the talent. Trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper along with host Alison Sweeney have not crossed the picket line even though they have no-strike clauses in their contracts. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Ready for more 'Luther'? BBC is at work on two more two-hour TV movies about the character. No word on whether the new movies will air on BBC America. [Variety]

• Kevin Eubanks is returning to 'The Tonight Show.' Eubanks will appear on the Nov. 23 episode to promote his new CD, 'Zen Food.' [NBC]

If you want to be on 'Glee' and are not an A-list recording artist or an Oscar nominee promoting your new movie, there's still hope for you!

The official rules and regulations for the new 'Glee' reality series have been announced. To enter for your chance to win a guest stint on 'Glee,' you must be at least 18 and if older, be able to play high school age; not be a candidate for public office or run for office for up to one year after episodes have aired; and be eligible to work in the U.S.

According to the New York Times, the series will debut in June and hold open casting calls in Chicago on Dec. 18 and 19, and in Dallas on Jan. 8 and 9.

Those hopefuls who submitted videos via MySpace this summer are also eligible for a spot on the show. MySpace applicants who have made the shortlist will be contacted by Nov. 19. For more details, head on over here.

In other casting news ...

• Annette O'Toole is returning to 'Smallville.' Martha Kent will appear in episode 13, which is set to air sometime early 2011. [TV Guide]

• Tim Guinee has been tapped to guest star on 'The Good Wife.' The 'Lie to Me' veteran will play Wiley, a new investigator. Look for Wiley to work for the State's Attorney's office. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Cara Buono will guest star on ABC's 'Brothers & Sisters.' The 'Mad Men' actress will play Tommy's (Balthazar Getty) new girlfriend. [Entertainment Weekly]

The sun is surely going to shine for Mayim Bialik. The former 'Blossom' star has been promoted to series regular on CBS's 'The Big Bang Theory.'

Bialik's deal is for this season only and does not call for her to appear in every episode, Deadline Hollywood reports. The previously recurring guest star first debuted at the end of last season and has popped up a handful of times this season.

This move is similar to one made earlier this year with recurring guest star Melissa Rauch. She's also signed as a regular for this season and not contracted for all episodes.

Since 'Blossom,' Bialik has appeared on many shows, including 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' 'Bones' and most recently 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager.'

In other TV news ...

• TLC has renewed 'Freaky Eaters.' The show, about people plagued with strange eating habits, averaged 1.2 million viewers during its first season. Past subjects have included a man with a cheeseburger addiction and a woman who only eats sweets. Look for the new season next summer. [Live Feed]

• Lindsay Price will guest star on 'CSI: New York.' The 'Eastwick' alumna will play Kate, a woman who bonds with Det. Lindsay Monroe Messer (Anna Belknap) after her traumatic past comes back to haunt her. [Entertainment Weekly]

• Fans of 'The Walking Dead' may have to wait until October 2011 for a season 2. AMC's October Fearfest programing served as a great tool to launch the series, and the network is hoping to replicate that success. Plus, season 2 hasn't begun filming yet. [Live Feed]

Nothing says "Happy Birthday!" like a visit from grandma. On 'Modern Family' that means Shelley Long is returning to the mix.

According to TV Guide, the 'Cheers' alumna will reprise the role of DeDe Pritchett in early 2011 to celebrate Lily's birthday on the hit ABC comedy. Look for Long's character to be as offensive -- if not more -- as she was at Gloria and Jay's wedding.

In other TV news ...

• Darren Criss is officially joining 'Glee' as a series regular. The breakout guest star has made just one appearance on the Fox series, but he's already created quite the fan following. "Darren has become such a sensation in one week, which I love. I think there's a hunger for him and a positive relationship role model." [AfterElton]

• Daniel Sunjata has been cast as a nurse on 'Grey's Anatomy.' The 'Rescue Me' star will play a nurse in the Dec. 2 episode. Sunjata's character is recurring and a potential love interest for Bailey. [Fancast]

• Nia Long is heading to 'Chase.' Long will play Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Randolph, a character set to be at odds with Jimmy Godfrey (Cole Hauser). The actress will first appear in mid-December. [TV Guide]

First, Tina Fey and '30 Rock' gave us their take on 'Survivor' with 'MILF Island.' Now, they're taking on the hottest reality franchise on cable right now: 'The Real Housewives.'

According to TV Guide, Angie Jordan (Sherri Shepherd) gets cast in a 'Real Housewives'-esque series that puts cameras on Tracy (Tracy Morgan) 24/7. What's this do to him? "Having the cameras around forces Tracy to act on better behavior,"'30 Rock' executive producer Robert Carlock told TV Guide.

Look for a potential appearance from Bravo's Andy Cohen. "Tina certainly enjoys him and we have joked about having him on," Carlock said. "Maybe we will."

In other TV news ...

• It's official, NBC has greenlit its 'Survivor'-meets-'The Bachelor' dating show. 'Love in the Wild' will pair up 20 men and women and force them to compete in emotional and physical challenges. At the end of day, some couples will receive romantic treats and then decide if they want to continue with the partner or switch to a new one. Look for this gem next summer. [Hollywood Reporter]

• 'Party Down' star Lizzy Caplan will guest star on Matthew Perry's 'Mr. Sunshine.' Look for the effortlessly funny Caplan to have a fling with Perry's character, Ben, and then show up as his boss' new assistant. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Disney is creating a plan for 'Sonny With a Chance' in case they must film without Demi Lovato. The network will focus 'Sonny' on the fictional show 'So Random!' when shooting begins in January. [E! Online]