Channel Surfing: Kranz Talks "Dollhouse" Attic, Zahn and Dickens Circle HBO's "Treme," Faux Peacock Fall Schedule, and More

Welcome to your Wednesday morning television briefing.

The Los Angeles Times has an interesting and revealing Q&A with Dollhouse's Fran Kranz, who plays techie Topher on the FOX drama, which launches next Friday. Kranz reveals, "There is a place in the Dollhouse called the Attic that stores failed Dolls and personalities. There’s like a whole warehouse where actual bodies are kept." As for the, uh, unconvention post-order redevelopment surrounding Dollhouse, Kranz is forthcoming. "I’ve read things where Joss has said that... Fox wanted to cut to the chase," he said. "They thought there was too much on the characters within the Dollhouse and the conflict and mythology of the Dollhouse, as opposed to seeing what the Dollhouse does on a day-to-day basis. In one sense, I think it’s a good thing. I think it’s important for the audience to define the Dollhouse before they’re introduced to the rest of the conflicts and stories." (Los Angeles Times)

Steve Zahn (Sunshine Cleaning) is in talks to star in HBO's drama pilot Treme, from creator David Simon (The Wire); he would play Davis Rogan, a radio DJ, musician, and New Orleans native with anger management issues. Meanwhile, Kim Dickens (Deadwood) has joined the cast, where she will play a chef and restarateur involved in an strained relationship with Zahn's Davis. Already cast in the project: Clark Peters, Wendell Pierce, and Khandi Alexander. (Hollywood Reporter)

ABC has cut the episodic order for its midseason drama Cupid to seven episodes. (Televisionary)

The Jonas Brothers will host a night of CW programming including 90210 and Privileged on Tuesday, February 10th that will also offer a sneak peek of their new film Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. They'll be joined on screen by 90210's Jessica Lowndes. (via press release)

Sofia Vergara (Dirty Sexy Money) will co-star in ABC comedy pilot An American Family, which will be directed by Jason Winer (This Might Hurt) and Stephen Graham (Gangs of New York) has been cast in Martin Scorsese's HBO drama pilot Boardwalk Empire, where he will play a young Al Capone. Elsewhere, Yves Simoneau (The 4400) will direct ABC sci-fi pilot V, Dean Parisot will direct ABC's I, Claudia; Jeremy Podeswa (The Pacific) will direct ABC drama pilot Empire State; and Eden Sher (Weeds) has been cast in ABC comedy pilot The Middle. (Hollywood Reporter)

Sarah Shahi's pregnancy will impact the plot on her NBC drama Life, according to Kristin Dos Santos. Showrunner Rand Ravich has told her that Shahi's Dani Reese and Charlie Crews (Damian Lewis) will be split up when Reese gets a new job on an FBI-LAPD joint task force. "[Sarah's pregnancy] is a challenge," said Ravich. "Episodic television is a grueling schedule, and Sarah and Damian were practically in every scene together, and we certainly can't expect Sarah to work 15-hour days... So we were able to carve Sarah out of the main story a little bit—keeping her always related to Crews and always involved with Crews—and just give her some relief as well." (E! Online's Watch with Kristin)

Nikki Finke has a sneak peek at Vanity Fair's upcoming Hollywood Issue, which has a tongue-in-cheek look at a possible Fall 2009 NBC schedule. My favorites: the combo of A Bunch of Universal Pictures Trailers and JetBlue's Snack-Options Screen on Wednesdays and Weak Link Sitcom T.B.A on after My Name is Earl on Thursdays. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Chef and frequent Top Chef guest judge Eric Ripert has landed his own ten-episode series, Avec Eric, which will air nationwide on PBS stations this fall. (Hollywood Reporter)

E! has ordered eight episodes of Kendra, a docusoap spin-off of Girls Next Door which will focus on Kendra Wilkinson's life after she left the Playboy Mansion and got engaged to Eagles receiver Hank Baskett. The cabler plans to launch the series this summer and has also ordered another season of Girls Next Door, which it plans to air this fall. (Variety)

Season Two of Mad Men will launch on BBC Four on Tuesday, February 10th. (BBC)

The second episode of TNT's new drama series Trust Me landed only 1.9 million viewers, representing an audience loss of 65 percent of lead-in The Closer. The ratings also showed a staggering drop from the premiere episode's 3.4 million viewers. Elsewhere, HBO's Big Love increased its viewership by 29 percent of the season premiere up against the Super Bowl. (Variety)

Lifetime has renewed weight-loss reality series DietTribe for a second season, with eight episodes slated to air this summer. (Variety)

Stay tuned.