TVLine

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK CITY

It was another momentous week for the New York City housewives. There were cat fights, brief glimpses of other C-list stars (Dina Lohan) and per usual, the only episode’s wisdom was delivered by a housewife’s pint-size offspring. That’s not to say that the women didn’t try to philosophize about their relationships — the most valiant effort was delivered by Jill Behar about Bethenny: “I really made a deposit in that friendship bank and I feel like she took the money and ran. I feel like she cleaned out our bank account.” After the jump, Movieline sifts through rest of wives’ sentiments and fundraiser clashes to pinpoint the truest and fakest moments of the night.

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Written by Seth Abramovitch | 19 Mar 2010, 11:10 AM | Comment

FlashDownward: ffql.jpgFlashForward’s return after a three-month hiatus yielded its lowest ratings yet for ABC: 6.6 million viewers, down 10% from its last new episode back in December. First Paula Abdul pulls out of Star Search and now this? Sheesh. TV blackouts are having the worst week ever. [THR]

Project Runway

Project Runway’s getting choked up because it loves New York. And because Michael Kors couldn’t make it to the taping. No, wait, that’s me getting choked up — and downright peeved — because we were promised full attendance from our pitcher’s mound-colored maven! At any rate: Recall your favorite Carrie Bradshaw narrations and Academy Award-winning performances from Dianne Wiest, because Project Runway’s tribute to the Big Apple’s neighborhoods is inspired, quintessentially Manhattan, and a little hare-brained.

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WHAT'S ON

Hasselbeck225.jpgJust face it, ABC is totally onto something with their live figure skating competition in which professionals shred the ice for the chance to win cash for their favorite charity: themselves. And by adding pop music, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and a voting system for viewers at home….psssshh, who needs the Olympics? If ABC’s Thin Ice (which airs tonight and Sunday) is successful, we can surely look forward to the Disney network adding popular votes to other Winter Sports. America’s Next Top Luger, anyone?

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NUMBER GAMES

PalinFox225.jpgYes, you read that figure correctly. Sarah Palin is asking $1 million to $1.5 million per episode of the reality show she is shopping with uber-producer Rob Burnett. And a few networks are considering the offer, even though they could get five Heidi Montag, Audrina Patridge and Lo Bosworth trios for the same price. (Psychic manager not included). After the jump, see which television networks are considering Sarah Palin’s price tag on the real Last Frontier.

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LATE NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS

“Hey Jimmy, do you mind wearing this celery headdress and letting us lower you into a 45,889-ounce bloody mary?” “No not at all guys, that sounds great.” That is how Movieline imagines yesterday’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon pre-production meeting went. The result, as well as the other clips you missed last night while channeling Gene Kelly for advice on your career as a psychic manager, after the jump.

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TV BITES

BeauBridges225.jpg· Two weeks after casting Dermot Mulroney in the leading role of the Rockford Files reboot, NBC has enlisted Beau Bridges to play Jim Rockford’s father and best friend, Rocky. A truck driver for the past 30 years, Rocky regularly helps his son out of investigative jams while providing unwelcome commentary. Noah Beery, Jr. originated the role of Rocky 35 years ago. Bridges’ last NBC gig was on My Name Is Earl, where he played Earl’s father. [THR]

Ashley Tisdale connects with her inner Hellcat, Skeet Ulrich takes a few notes from Patrick Dempsey, and more TV Bites after the jump.

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Written by Kyle Buchanan | 18 Mar 2010, 3:30 PM | 1 comment

Star Search Fails to Find Paula Abdul: 070417_abdul_vmed_12p.widec.jpgThis television season is missing a little something in the way of reality judge incoherence, and the drought continues. THR reports that Paula Abdul has passed on the gig judging ABC’s Star Search reboot because producers couldn’t meet the $5 million salary she’d already turned down at American Idol. Unfortunately for Abdul, that’s the problem she’s been encountering all over town, since no show besides television’s biggest will blow its comparatively meager budget on the entertainer. Sorry, Paula…here, have a look at some babies! [THR]

America's Next Top Model

If you missed last night’s America’s Next Top Model, you overlooked the most surreal runway mishap in any of the show’s 200 cycles. Model Alexandra biffed twice during her presentation: Her first fall was a magnificent Miss Piggy faceplant down an epic staircase, but the second was a slice of gladiatorial wreckage for the ages. A giant pendulum thwacked young Alexandra into the stands, ripping her dress and dampening her competitive edge. Ahem: A PENDULUM. You may realize this is exactly like the old American Gladiators game “The Eliminator,” where contenders had to dodge swinging obstacles that could feasibly knock them into a pit or concuss them for years. Insanely incredible. After the jump, we post the instant classic vid and four other ideas for withering reality shows in need of a Larry Csonka-approved overhaul.

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Written by Julie Miller | 18 Mar 2010, 1:15 PM | 1 comment

Psychic Manager for Hire: AidenChaseQL.jpgAre you in need of a third-generation intuitive healer to manage your career? Aiden Chase, the Beverly Hils-based psychic Heidi Montag hired last week to guide her acting path, has already been fired after allegedly “demanding a significant portion of [Montag’s] Hills money,” claims Us. Sorry Heidi, but Movieline is siding with Team Chase on this one — any man who can summon entertainment advice from the graves of Gene Kelly and Brandon Tartikoff is not cheap. [Us]