TV News Page 580

The wait is over, "Chuck" is officially renewed. A day before the formal presentation regarding the Fall schedule, NBC has announced that there will be a third season of the action comedy starring Zachary Levi. The network is expected to make the official announcement on Tuesday, May 19.

However, due to the mediocre rating that it received during the second season, NBC only orders 13 episodes to cut some budget. Also, two staff writers reportedly will be let go and some supporting cast will get reduced time of appearance during the season. Worse, according to EW, a regular actor will be dismissed permanently.

Paulina Porizkova was being implicit when she revealed on Craig Ferguson's "Late Late Show" earlier this week concerning the reason she has been fired from "America's Next Top Model". But the judge who was the replacement of Twiggy, opens up more to Access Hollywood regarding the real reason she was let go. And it concerns a lot with Tyra Banks.

In the "Late Show", Paulina admitted that producers thought she has a big ego. Explaining further what she meant by that, the supermodel said on "Billy Bush Show", "I must admit I was having a little bit of an issue with Tyra being late for every judging. It's six hours later and I feel like I am being told my time is not as valuable as hers. They pointed out that I should shut up and be grateful for the job and that Tyra is really busy."

There are rumors on the street that Justin Gaston will star in a TV series developed by Simon Fuller's 19Entertainment. The show is a television drama titled "Santa Cruz" which is being offered to several networks including FOX and HBO. No other details are released, but the series is reportedly in development and that 20-year-old is said to fill in a lead role.

Gaston started off his career in Hollywood at the age of 18 as an underwear model for several brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Diesel, Ferre and Armani. Beside modeling, he also jumps into the music business.

The recently-crowned "The Biggest Loser" winner paid a visit to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Friday, May 15 to talk about her victory. At 48, Helen Phillips proved to the world that age does not limit someone from getting slimmer when she lost 140 pounds and became the oldest contestant to win the reality show.

She was welcomed with the song "I Feel Good" and later admitted that she indeed felt good. "I feel like I'm 20. I do," she gushed. Ellen DeGeneres then asked her about the heavy past and Helen answered "It was horrible. I was to the point where I wasn't even getting out of bed. I was so depressed it was drawn." And then she went on that 10 and a half hours waiting in line for the audition was the most fulfilling hours in her life.

Coming out of disappointment over her choice the first time around, Paris Hilton is back in search for another BFF in the second season of "Paris Hilton's My New BFF". MTV has aired a promo of the reality show, presenting more drama, fun, fights and tears.

Through the TV spot, it is revealed that there will be a set of guest stars, some are unlikely. Kathy Griffin, Three 6 Mafia, Lil' Kim and more will show up to help Paris in determining who should be her next best friend. "But because I was fooled last season, I'm gonna push these BFF wannabes to the edge," Paris said.

"One Tree Hill" season finale on Monday, May 18 is given a sneak peek of Nathan and Jamie's scene. Nathan is preparing for his departure to join NBA, playing for Charlotte Bobcats. In the official synopsis, it is said that Nathan is released from the Chiefs, and is forced to face Haley and Jamie.

A story arc has been created for Nathan in the next season. A character named Clayton will be introduced as a "young and brash" sports agent who represents Nathan's basketball interest. Clayton, who is in his 20s, will be a close friend, ally, business partner as well as an advisor for Nathan. In the casting call, Clayton is described as "fiercely protective" of Nathan.

The fight for the new Queen throne is given a sneak peek via the just-released "Gossip Girl" clip. With the seniors' graduation approaching closer, the Mean Girls are looking for someone to replace Blair and they are challenging Jenny to throw her hat in the ring.

The season finale of "Gossip Girl" is scheduled to air Monday, May 18. Some scoops regarding Jenny's fate in the episode have been thrown out, hinting that she will take the chance to rule the school although reluctantly. Also, she will get an unlikely competition for the queen title from someone who once also "threatened Blair's own ascension".

FOX is putting faith in "Dollhouse". Talks were circulating that the network was close to renewing the Joss Whedon-created show, and now it is officially confirmed that "Dollhouse" will be back for a second season with 13 episodes in order.

It will be included in the fall schedule and fill in the same time slot, Fridays. This confirmation was reported in an updated story by THR but FOX is expected to formally announce it on the Monday, May 18 presentation.

The CW is likely to give a 'go ahead' for two new pilots, the "Melrose Place" spin-off and the adaptation of LJane Smith's novel series "Vampire Diaries". Should the reports are true, then both series will be included in the Fall schedule.

THR noted that the network has given a thumb up on the staff hiring for both projects on Thursday, May 14. However, it is only the first indication of the full series pick up. The execs previously had watched the pilot of "Melrose" and "Vampire" and reportedly liked them.

Talks are rive on the good chance "Scrubs" will get for a ninth season pick-up, although nothing has been set in stone yet. Moreover, original cast Zach Braff and Sarah Chalke are reportedly on board for at least six transitional episodes that may change its direction from single camera to multi-camera approach.

Others reportedly billed to return are John C. McGinley, Donald Faison and Neil Flynn. However, the three actors' participation in the series will depend on whether or not their other pilots are being picked next week. Faison and Flynn are both involved in ABC's "The Law" while McGinley is tied to CBS' "Back".

Matt wants to move on with their relationship, but Betty faces one final challenge. In the two-hours season finale of "Ugly Betty" that airs May 21, Christopher Gorham is back as Henry, the old flame of Betty who left to marry his pregnant girlfriend and moved out of town in season 2.

In "Curveball", just as Betty agrees to move in with Matt, Henry pays a visit to NYC, forcing Betty to admit she still has feelings for her former fiance. Meanwhile, Betty and Marc wait to see if their YETI editor interviews resulted in actual jobs; Daniel's transformation from playboy to devoted husband makes him a media darling; and Wilhelmina cozies up to Victoria Hartley to find out just what kind of connection Claire Meade has to Cal Hartley.

The dismissal of Peyton and Lucas from "One Tree Hill" after 6 years of running had set up a roar among fans of the show. But here to provide the truth as well as some insights regarding the reason behind their characters' exit is Peyton's depicter herself, Hilarie Burton.

In an exclusive interview with EW, Hilarie wanted to deliver the message that she would never say bad words about "One Tree Hill" and that the decision was based on "adults being good to each other and being kind". She elaborated, "I think everyone was kind of agreeable about the situation. There were a lot of really wonderful conversations. It wasn't a rash decision; a lot of thought, emotion, and kindness was put into it."

Previously only a whisper, the news about Lauren Conrad being replaced by "Laguna Beach" rival, Kristin Cavallari, turns out to be true. After the 5th season of "The Hills" which is airing on MTV now, Conrad officially signs off as the leading cast and that's when Cavallari steps in.

To EW, Cavallari confirmed that she is going to take over the spotlight starting the 5th season finale that airs May 31. Her first appearance will be on the wedding of Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt where she got a hold of the bouquet thrown by Heidi. Two things that the 22-year-old emphasized are the fact that it's merely a TV show and that she is way "more" than Lauren Conrad.

Those included as the nominees of the 36th Annual Daytime Emmys have been announced. Noticeably missing from the list is "The View" and 'Daytime's Leading Lady' Susan Lucci. But the former indeed pockets a nod for its host ensemble in the category of Talk Show Host.

Plump with two nominations under their belts are "Rachael Ray", "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "Live with Regis and Kelly". All three of them compete against each other under the category of Talk Show/Entertainment and their hosts are in the run for Talk Show Host along with "The View" ladies Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Sherri Shepherd, and Barbara Walters.

Things are shaping up for the second season of "True Blood" that premieres on June 14. A brand new poster, posted via EW's Ausiello Files is unveiled to show Sookie and Bill playing "it hurts so good".

Several new stills are also coming out to show the other characters such as Sookie's brother Jason shirtless while working, Tara and Maryann, Sam in the water as well as the new vampire, Jessica. In addition, two more TV spots have been released on top of the first one. Both of the spots still use Bob Dylan's new song "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'", but the third TV spot also delivers a few lines from the episodes, including when new waitress, played by Ashley Jones, whispers to Sam's ear "I know what you are".