If there are any fans of the CW’s Hidden Palms take note, tonight there is two episodes airing back to back starting Wed. @ 8pm. The ratings have been so so under 2 million, which is too bad, summer ratings are slow for most shows, it really wasn’t a fair start. Even though the pilot was average the show has really stepped up and the mystery’s twist and turns really leave me up in the air as to what really happened to Eddie and why, which makes great TV.

Also take a look at D.W. Moffatt’s blog (Bob, Johnny’s step dad on the show) on TVGuide with insights from the show. For now here are the description for the rest of the shows:

06-27-07 Dangerous Liaisons: Johnny (Taylor Handley) confronts Greta (Amber Heard) about the bloody angel costume Liza (Ellary Porterfield) found in Cliff’s (Michael Cassidy) room. Greta confesses she and Cliff found Eddie’s (J.D. Pardo) body in his room then fled but not for the reasons Johnny thinks. Meanwhile, at Tess’s (Sharon Lawrence) birthday bash, Nikki (Tessa Thompson) catches Cliff kissing Mrs. Nolan (guest star Valerie Cruz) and dumps him. D. W. Moffett and Gail O’Grady also star. Paula Yoo wrote the episode directed by Patrick Norris.

06-27-07 Stand By Your Woman: Johnny (Taylor Handley) tells Greta (Amber Heard) and Liza (Ellary Porterfield) about Cliff’s (Michael Cassidy) affair with Maria Nolan (guest star Valerie Cruz), causing them all to conclude that Cliff had a motive to kill Eddie (J.D. Pardo). However, after Johnny finds a video of Liza and Eddie kissing, he decides he can’t trust anyone.  Meanwhile, Cliff tries to win Nikki (Tessa Thompson) back while fending off Maria’s advances.  Tess (Sharon Lawrence) and Skip (guest star Kyle Secor) continue their courting dance. D.W. Moffett and Gail O’Grady also star. Bryan Holdman wrote the episode directed by Dan Lerner.

07-04-07 Season Finale:

Second Chances The first season concludes with the identity of Eddie’s killer being revealed. Johnny is certain Eddie’s mom is involved in her son’s death and that the evidence is on her laptop computer. Meanwhile, Cliff attempts to get Nikki to give him a second chance; and Karen and Bob decide whether they should stay together or separate.

Since Gilmore Girls is now gone, I have decided to adopt, Brothers and Sisters as my new favorite show, Supernatural comes in a very close second! I loved the show since the beginning, but bringing in Emily VanCamp from an old favorite Everwood just made it perfect. Ausiello has an interesting and very cryptic spoiler for season 2, and the season regular leaving is probably Joe, I can’t imagine it would be any of the brothers.

Question: You can tell me your hush-hush Brothers & Sisters news. I can keep a secret.—Lindsay

Ausiello: OK, but I have to be a little cryptic about it, so dust off your thinking cap. (Spoiler alert) According to extremely reliable sources, there is a huge story coming up this season involving half siblings Rebecca and Justin. Coincidentally, I hear producers are well aware that there is palpable chemistry between Emily VanCamp and David Annable. Them’s the dots. Get busy connecting ’em.

Question: Please tell me Dave Annable is not leaving Brothers & Sisters!— Sandra Oku

Ausiello: Dave Annable is not leaving Brothers & Sisters. But someone else is. And he’s a series regular. Well, he was a series regular.

It’s too bad CW’s new show Hidden Palms really didn’t have a chance for rating success, at least by CW’s standards.  I have truly been enjoying this new show with so many familiar faces. Yes, it feels very much like the OC/Dawson’s Creek cross that it is, (it even has a Katie Holmes look-a-like in the form of the Nikki character), but still it’s fun, and and fills that void of rich teenagers in sun that is missing now that the OC is gone. But being buried in the summer is its downfall. Still if you are watching or would like to start here is a low down of who’s who from TVGuide, and remember it’s on Wed. @ 8 and repeats Sun. at 8.

Who’s Who in the Steamy-hot Hidden Palms

by Ali Gazan

Amber Heard and Taylor Handley, Hidden Palms

Hot, rich kids with equally attractive parents, a sexy California setting, and a new guy who doesn’t quite fit in. Sound familiar? “Of course we’re getting all The O.C. comparisons,” says Kevin Williamson, the creator of the CW’s brand-new Hidden Palms (Wednesdays at 8 pm/ET), who was also the brains behind Dawson’s Creek. “But we were just trying to make something fun and juicy, a guilty pleasure.” There’s Johnny, who moves to Palm Springs with his mom and her new husband after his dad’s suicide and his own brief stint in rehab. He’s befriended by slick Cliff and falls for gorgeous Greta, whose former boyfriend supposedly killed himself in what is now Johnny’s bedroom. But if you ask science geek Liza, it was more like murder. Hooked yet?Johnny, “The New Guy” (played by Taylor Handley)
“Johnny’s like any kid who gets uprooted from his familiar surroundings and put into a new one,” says Handley (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning). “He’s had some problems in the past, so he’s got a lot of different elements to deal with. He’s just trying to find his way.”

Greta, “The Heartbreaker” (Amber Heard)
“Greta’s the link that connects everyone in the story,” says Heard (who played the young Charlize Theron in North Country). “Johnny’s a fighter and relates to that sensibility in Greta, but she’s more manipulative. She doesn’t need anything or anybody. She can fend for herself.”

Nikki, “The Party Girl” (Tessa Thompson)
“Nikki has a lot of problems she doesn’t want to deal with directly,” says Veronica Mars alumna Thompson. “Drinking is her way of escaping. But there’s more to her than that. Deep down, she’s a kind, open, loyal person, which you wouldn’t expect.”

Cliff, “The Charmer” (Michael Cassidy)
“Cliff is the kind of guy you want to be friends with,” says Cassidy (The O.C.‘s Zach during Season 2). “He’s comfortable in every social situation. But you definitely can’t trust him. You may think you know everything about him, but you don’t know anything.”

Liza, “The Outsider” (Ellary Porterfield)
Liza’s the shy girl next door who crushes on the neighborhood guys. “She’s sweet and innocent, but there’s something more,” says Porterfield, who’s still in high school. “She’s always lurking — not just hiding — in the shadows.”

Let our new Online Video Guide sneak you into the exclusive Hidden Palms.

Veronica Mars is Now “Officially Dead”

Michael Ausiello just announced this sad news about Veronica Mars. It seems that TV is insistent on turning their backs on quality TV, and strong female characters that can serve as role models.

In a culture where young women look at celebrities and TV characters as role models, there is a definite void in positive ones like Veronica Mars’ character, who was smart, independent minded and career conscious.

This past season we have lost a number of positive female characters such as Rory Gilmore whose academic inclined aspirations at Chilton and Yake where inspirational to young women, Veronica as I already mentioned, and even Jennifer Finnigan’s Annabeth Chase character on Close to Home. Annabeth was a young mother with a a successful law career; a strong young character. The new TV season lacks such female characters, catering more to the men or with female characters that are more weak and whiny than anything else. Paging Dr. Addison Montgomery, and Dr. Meredith Grey!!!

Veronica Mars by Patrick Ecclesine/The CW

Maybe now the healing can begin…

The CW has officially pulled the plug on Veronica Mars. Series creator Rob Thomas confirmed the news for me via e-mail just moments ago.

“I’m afraid I have to report that Veronica Mars is officially dead,” he wrote. “At least in TV show form. There’s really no way that it can happen now. I’m not sure the CW should’ve given the glimmer of hope. I think Dawn Ostroff genuinely would have liked to have continued on with a version of the show, but there was too much resistance around her. At the end of the day, it would’ve been kinder had the band aid simply been ripped off rather peeled away in than this agonizingly slow manner.”

Ironically, the news comes just as Veronica Mars fans — emboldened by Jericho‘s 11th hour resurrection — are in the midst of bombarding The CW with thousands of Mars candy bars in advance of that June 15 deadline.

In light of this development, it might make sense to redirect those deliveries to Warner Bros.’ feature division — specifically, the folks who would be responsible for greenlighting a Veronica Mars film. Just a thought. If you’ve got a better idea, by all means, post it below.

From Michael Ausiello, followed by related articles  at TVGuide.com

Isaiah Washington by Ron Tom/ABC

Yeah, you read that headline correctly.

Multiple sources are telling me that Isaiah Washington will not be returning to Grey’s Anatomy next season. An ABC Studios spokesperson confirms that the actor’s contract option has not been picked up, but declined further comment.

One insider, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, speculated that the decision was likely due only in part to the T.R. Knight homophobic-slur scandal and the subsequent fallout. “There was a pattern of problematic behavior going back before he used the F-word,” says my spy. “I imagine [his dismissal] was the result of all of that.”

Washington’s rep, Howard Bragman, confirmed the news, adding that his client was informed by Grey’s executive producer Shonda Rhimes earlier today that he was not being invited back to the show. In a statement, Washington, referencing the iconic line from Network, said, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” (He’s kidding…. I think.)

Plot-wise, it won’t be difficult to explain Washington’s absence. In last month’s season finale, Burke left Cristina at the altar and moved out of their apartment.

Personally, I think ABC did the right thing. As much as I’ll miss Burke, Washington’s behavior was inexcusable and it was tearing apart the show. But enough about me and my opinion, what do you think of ABC’s decision to fire Isaiah? Sound off below….

POLL: Do you think ABC was right to fire Isaiah? Vote here.

“Mad as Hell” Isaiah Discharged from Grey’s

The Ausiello Report, which first reported the firing on Thursday afternoon, has all of the details — and 144 comments at last count! — so check out the story there. But in a nutshell? ABC isn’t picking up the actor’s option for next season, and Isaiah is a William Holden fan.

POLL: Do you think ABC was right to fire Isaiah? Vote here.

At the risk of being late for my Hostel II screening, I have prepared for you this retrospective:

One Isaiah Washington and one Patrick Dempsey have a to-do over something or another on the Grey’s set (10/11/06)

Chandra addresses recast talk (10/25/06)

Ellen Pompeo says things have “calmed down” backstage (12/29/06)

T.R. says Isaiah lied with Globes denial (1/17/06)

ABC calls Isaiah’s behavior “unacceptable” (1/18/07)

Isaiah speaks: “I can neither defend nor explain my behavior” (1/18/07)

GLAAD slams Isaiah (1/18/07)

Heigl says Isaiah needs to just “not speak” (1/19/07)

Isaiah axes publicist (1/20/07)

Isaiah enters counseling (1/25/07)

Former cast mate calls Isaiah a “hothead,” not a homophobe (1/29/07)

Gay slur may cost Isaiah a pay raise (3/6/07)

Isaiah withdraws name from Emmy race (4/19/07)

GLAAD books Isaiah for pro-gay PSA (5/3/07)

T.R. enters his “blue” period (5/18/07)

Isaiah’s rep insists he’s coming back (5/19/07)

Ausiello is first with the firing news (6/7/07, 9:51 pm/ET)

by Megan Cherkezian

Alexis Bledel knows she can’t shake her lovably sweet character Rory so soon after the series ending of long-running Gilmore Girls — and she’s not trying to. But she is excited to try new roles, like the quiet, calm-talking Kate Peterson in her latest film I’m Reed Fish (in theaters now), where she faces marriage and romantic turmoil, far from the fast-paced “Yale Daily News” and the hustle and bustle of Luke’s Diner. TVGuide.com caught up with the Stars Hollow favorite for her thoughts on Rory’s final moments and moving on after Gilmore.

TVGuide.com: How do you feel about Logan (Matt Czuchry) and Rory’s breakup and how the series ended in general?
Alexis Bledel: I guess it’s not what people might have expected as far as their relationship goes, but it’s something that happens to a lot of people when they graduate from school and go off to start their lives elsewhere. I think it’s a make-or-break [time] for a lot of relationships. I felt pretty strongly that I wanted my character to finish up somewhere that we would have liked to see her finish when the whole story started, because she was so driven and academic and I wanted to return to that in some ways. She did get pretty caught up in [the] relationship — in her relationships with guys in general, not that that’s a bad thing — but it seemed to end on a strong note. She made a choice that was very true to herself.

TVGuide.com: Did you feel the job she got was sudden?
Bledel: Well, they needed something. She needed to get some kind of job, and I like that she didn’t get hired for something right away. I hope it’s not too auspicious a job for her to get right off the bat, but I guess she did have somebody she knew who hooked her up. Hopefully that makes a little bit of sense. But yeah, they needed for her to go off into the world in some way or another. I like that it was for Barack Obama‘s campaign.

TVGuide.com: Do you think 13 more episodes could have resolved the story lines any better?
Bledel: It was an organic ending for Rory to graduate from college, because it all started with trying to get her into prep school and figuring out how to pay for it because she had so much potential. For it to end this way felt good to me, because I think we would have been trying to come up with things if we had done more [episodes].

TVGuide.com: And you would have entered this whole other post-college territory.
Bledel: Yeah, and the relationship between Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson) had been played out and needed [to be resolved] in some direction. Where it left off — kind of hopeful — I like that, too, because she has entertained all the possibilities with Rory’s dad.

TVGuide.com: Yeah, it just lets fans fantasize.
Bledel: Right.

TVGuide.com: What will you miss most about playing Rory? The fast talking?
Bledel: [Laughs] No. I was certainly lucky to play a teenage character that was so academic and intelligent and unique from a lot of other characters on television, as far as teenagers go, but I’ll be happy to play adults. If I don’t get to play characters as unique as she is, then I’d miss that.

TVGuide.com: Is it important to you to break away from being known as Rory?
Bledel: I don’t know how much it’s possible to completely get away from it. I’m looking forward to playing different characters and seeing how far I can stretch, but I don’t know that it’s a good idea to do something just because it’s different. I’m more concerned that the projects I’m involved with are strong material.

TVGuide.com: I watched I’m Reed Fish and it’s really simple with this big message behind it. Why did you want to be in the film?
Bledel: It felt a little different from a lot of things I read, because it’s a movie within a movie and I like the trick that happens in the middle that I don’t really want to give away. The small town felt, in a way, like Stars Hollow; it’s a very strong setting for a story to take place in. It’s all-inclusive — it’s a tiny little town and has all these unique characters.

TVGuide.com: And everybody knows everybody.
Bledel: And everybody knows everybody. That’s why I liked it.

TVGuide.com: The movie-within-a-movie aspect surprised me, but it took on this whole new meaning, so it was a good twist.
Bledel: Oh, good. Yeah, that’s what drew me to it.

TVGuide.com: Are you working on anything else?
Bledel: I’m hoping that a few independent projects come together, but nothing definite yet. I’m still reading stuff and seeing what else is going to come together.

Watch some of your favorite Gilmore Girls clips in our Online Video Guide.

Send your comments on this Q&A to online_insider@tvguide.com.

June 5, 2007 Veronica Mars abrupt ending left fans hungry for more detective drama and closure. However, there might be a way to ease disappointment and satisfy Veronica Mars’ fans.

Though series creator Rob Thomas has not confirmed it yet, there is now considerable hype surrounding possible closure for the teen drama. According to TV Guide, the FBI trailer for an alternative fourth season will be included in the season three DVD set. In addition, Thomas is reportedly considering the idea of generating a script for a feature-length in order to wrap up the cult favorite.

In attempt to entice CW execs to renew Veronica Mars, Thomas has made a six-minute feature clip, which takes the show on a different curve. The trailer fast tracks four years in the future and showcases the character Veronica Mars as a full-blown FBI agent. However, the network has decided not to pick up the series.

Given the show’s cancellation, fans will just have to grab a copy of the season three DVD set in late fall of 2007 to catch a glimpse of a mature Veronica. The 6-disc set with 20 episodes also includes some commentaries from the program’s creator.

As for the movie, many loose ends have been left hanging since Veronica Mars was taken off the air. A Veronica Mars movie will hopefully resolve the unsettled questions of fans, not just for the lead character but for the rest of the cast as well. Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino is already reportedly pondering about making a Gilmore Girls movie to give some closure to the many unresolved plots left in the air, which have generally sprouted positive comments among its fans.

Would you like a Veronica Mars movie to push through?

-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist

Source: TV Guide, TV.com

_{(Photo Courtesy of CW)}