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Channel Surfing: "Dollhouse" Remains on Fridays in January, NBC Keeping "Trauma" Alive for Another Three Weeks, Kudrow Set for "Cougar Town," and More

Welcome to your Wednesday morning television briefing.

Good news for Dollhouse fans. After double-booking Dollhouse episodes on Friday nights in December, FOX has indicated that it will continue to air the remainder of the second season of Dollhouse, with the series returning to its regular timeslot of Friday evenings at 9 pm ET/PT beginning January 8th. Meanwhile, 'Til Death will move to Sundays at 7 pm beginning January 10th while Brothers will wrap its run on December 27th. (Futon Critic)

NBC has announced that it will keep underperforming medical drama Trauma in the Monday night timeslot for the next three weeks. No decision has yet been made about the ultimate fate of the medical series, which failed to garner a back nine pickup along with fellow freshman series Community and Mercy. (Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed)

Lisa Kudrow will guest star on an upcoming episode of ABC's Cougar Town, which will reunite her with her former Friends co-star Courteney Cox. Kudrow is slated to appear in an upcoming episode as a mean-spirited dermatologist. TV Guide Magazine broke the story and Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello has confirmed the casting, saying that Kudrow's episode will air sometime in early 2010. (TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Lost executive producer Carlton Cuse has teased the identity of an upcoming guest star on the sixth and final season of ABC's Lost. Via Twitter, Cuse sent the clue-laden message, "Damon and I are die hard fans of this impeckable actor who keeps the barr high and just signed to guest star on the show. Life is good!" After sending fans guessing for roughly two hours, Cuse confirmed the theories of many readers that veteran character actor William Atherton (Life) would be guest starring on Lost. (Twitter)

In other Lost-related news, Jeff Fahey has been upgraded to a series regular for Season Six of Lost. USA Today's Whitney Matheson has a fantastic interview with executive producer Damon Lindelof about the final season of Lost, where he reveals Fahey has been promoted. "Lapidus is definitely a series regular this season," said Lindelof. "Jeff Fahey was just a recurring character up through last year. Now, whether or not Lapidus makes it until the end of the season is anyone's guess, but he's definitely one of the A-team this year." This and much more in the interview. (USA Today)

NBC is developing an untitled legal drama about "a vigilante lawyer who uses any means necessary to defend his clients against a corrupt district attorney and city establishment," that will star Idris Elba (The Wire). Project, from writers Sean O'Keefe and Will Staples, will be executive produced by David Eick (Battlestar Galactica). Elba appeared in a seven-episode story arc on NBC's The Office; deal could potentially keep him on the network, should the project go to series. (Hollywood Reporter)

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is reporting that former Women's Murder Club star Paula Newsome has been cast in a multiple-episode story arc on ABC's FlashForward this season, where she will play a doctor. Her first appearance on the series is set for early 2010. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Gabourney Sidibe (Precious) is said to be in talks to appear in Showtime comedy pilot The C Word opposite Laura Linney. If a deal closes, Sidibe would guest star in the pilot as a "teen whom Linney's character tries to help lose both weight and the bad attitude." (Variety)

E! Online's Jennifer Godwin has some spoilers for Season Three of HBO's True Blood. I won't be reading it (I prefer to be surprised) but if you're of the spoiler-loving persuasion, you can check out what tidbits she's pulled together. (E! Online's Watch with Kristin)

Lakers star Pau Gasol will guest star in the November 16th episode of CBS' CSI: Miami, where he will play a person of interest in an investigation involving a car accident. (Hollywood Reporter)

Comedy Central has acquired 13 episodes of ABC's short-lived animated comedy The Goode Family beginning in January. The cabler is also said to be in talks to pick up FOX animated comedy Sit Down, Shut Up. (Variety)

Disney Channel has given a pilot order to musical comedy Dance Dance Chicago, which will follow two teens working as back-up dancers on an American Bandstand-esque series. Project, from writer/executive producer Chris Thompson, is slated to begin production in January. (Hollywood Reporter)

Reveille has formed a joint venture with former Ish Entertainment co-founder Stella Stolper. Company, dubbed Wikked Entertainment, will focus on reality projects that are talent-driven, with the venture run by Stolper. (The Wrap's TVMoJoe)

TruTV has ordered eight episodes of an untitled reality series set inside the Vegas county jail from executive producers John Langley and Morgan Langley's Langley Prods. Project, which is currently known under its working title of Las Vegas Lockdown, is slated to launch in January. (Variety)

Stay tuned.
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Comments

Samantha Hunter said…
I keep hearing word that Lie to Me could be canceled, which would be a shame. Smart, compelling show. Any word?

Sam
10/28/2009
Jace Lacob said…
Sam,

FOX has ordered three additional scripts for Lie to Me, so it seems as though they are open to the idea of picking up additional episodes. Stay tuned!
10/28/2009
Heatherette said…
That's great that Jeff Fahey has been upgraded to a series regular. I love Frank Lapidus!
10/28/2009
Samantha Hunter said…
So happy to hear that. I am addicted to that show (though I would like a stronger romantic subplot -- the kiss in the epi before last was far too platonic). The writing has been strong, and I like the cast (LOVE Tim Roth, his swagger kills me...), though they do need to get back to doing interesting things with the supporting cast like they did last spring, IMO.

Thanks for the info,

Sam
10/28/2009
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