Speaking Friday at the Television Critics Association, Showtime made a host of programming announcements, the most salient of which is its renewal of its Mary-Louise Parker dark comedy series Weeds, and handed out some series orders.The pay cabler has renewed Weeds for two additional seasons of 13 episodes a piece. Which means that the series will air its fifth and sixth seasons--which follow the misadventures of suburban pot-dealing mom Nancy Botwin (Parker) and her eccentric associates and family members--in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
Weeds is currently airing its fourth season on Monday nights at 10 pm ET/PT.
Showtime handed out series honors to the untitled Edie Falco comedy pilot, which will now officially be known as Nurse Jackie. (The name follows a series of name changes over the last few years for this long-dormant project, including Nurse Jenna, Nurse Mona, and Nurse Helen.) Edie Falco will star in the half-hour comedy series about a tough-as-nails Manhattan nurse who does whatever she has to in order to make it through the day, while she harbors a few secrets of her own.
I have to say that the most recent draft of the script for Nurse Jackie--from writers Lix Brixius, Linda Wallem, and Evan Dunsky was one of the strongest pilot scripts I've read in a long, long time, effortlessly creating an entire world for Jackie at the hospital, a collection of intriguing and compelling supporting characters for Falco to work with, and with Jackie herself, an incredibly complicated and layered character.
The cast of Nurse Jackie, which is set to launch next spring, includes Falco, Merrit Wever, Paul Schulze, Peter Facinelli, Anna Deavere Smith, Eve Best, and Haaz Sleiman.
Meanwhile, the Toni Collette-led comedy The United States of Tara about a suburban housewife with multiple personalities--from creator/executive producer Diablo Cody (Juno)--is set to bow in early 2009.
And fans of The L Word can rejoice. In addition to eight episodes slated to air in 2009, Showtime has ordered an untitled spinoff of The L Word featuring one of the series' main characters. No word on who will anchor this spinoff series yet, but fans can start buzzing about who this might be.
Stay tuned.
What's On Tonight
8 pm: The Big Bang Theory/How I Met Your Mother (CBS); American Gladiators (NBC); Gossip Girl (CW); High School Musical: Get in the Picture (ABC); Bones (FOX)
9 pm: Two and a Half Men/New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS); Nashville Star (NBC); One Tree Hill (CW); Wanna Bet (ABC); House (FOX)
10 pm: CSI Miami (CBS); Dateline (NBC); The Mole (ABC)
What I'll Be Watching
8 pm: Gossip Girl.
Looking to relive the freshman season of the teen soap? On tonight's repeat episode ("A Thin Line Between Chuck and Nate"), Gossip Girl reports that Serena is seen purchasing a home pregnancy test before the facts are checked. But if the test isn't for S., then who is it for?
10 pm: Anthony Bourdain: No Reservation on Travel Channel.
This week, Tony heads to Saudi Arabia, where he meets up with Danya, a superfan selected by a worldwide search, to get a taste of the real Saudi.
10 pm: Weeds on Showtime.
On this week's episode of Weeds ("Excellent Treasures"), Nancy finds herself in deeper trouble than before, Silas flirts with a new crush, and Isabel moves.
10: 30 pm: Secret Diary of a Call Girl on Showtime.
On tonight's episode, Belle meets a guy that she likes but he's not a client, a conflict that could cause some issues for Hannah. If you're not watching this frothy, fun series, you are definitely missing out.
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