TV news: March 2008 Archives

‘‘Arrested Development’’ star Jason Bateman is returning to Fox, this time as a director of the comedy pilot ‘‘The Inn.’’

Comedy Central has handed out series pickups to David Alan Grier’s fake magazine show and a reality spoof from the producers of NBC’s ‘‘The Biggest Loser.’’

The news comes on the heels of Comedy’s 2008-09 development slate announcement, which included both projects as well as the series order for the fantasy comedy ‘‘Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire,’’ which debuts in first-quarter 2009.

Britney Spears' guest shot on ‘‘How I Met Your Mother’’ meant a million to CBS — in curious viewers.

Her appearance Monday was seen by 10.6 million viewers, or a million more than the audience for the comedy’s first new episode back from the strike last week. Among the 18-to-49-year-old demographic, it was the most-watched episode of the series ever.

Bob Newhart will return to television in August as the star of ‘‘Herb’s Murders,’’ a two-hour original telefilm on the Hallmark Channel.

In ‘‘Murders,’’ Chicago-native Newhart, 78, will play a Los Angeles detective who investigates a publisher’s killing along with his daughter, also a police officer.

Tuesday's season finale of "Jericho" will be the show's series finale. Producers of the nuclear-war drama have been told the show is ending its run on CBS, sources said.

The ending allegedly helps give closure to viewers.

‘‘Friday Night Lights’’ just may score another season.

Executive producer Jason Katims said he’s ‘‘incredibly optimistic’’ about a third season for the drama, which has been in limbo since the writers strike ended.

The Disney Channel has greenlighted a reality series centering on the pop-rock band the Jonas Brothers.

The series, which is shooting under the working title ‘‘Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream,’’ will follow the on- and off-stage lives of the platinum-selling trio — Kevin, Joe and Nick — on their current Look Me in the Eyes tour.

Robin Williams will guest star on ‘‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,’’ but don’t expect him to bring laughs to the NBC crime drama.

ABC is going abroad for its next reality series. The network has ordered a new unscripted show from the producer of ‘‘Hell’s Kitchen’’ in which Americans go to a foreign country to compete in challenges.

The project has been circulating the creative community under the title ‘‘Big in Japan.’’

A 15th season of ‘‘ER’’ is within reach, sources said.

The NBC medical drama has been casting two recurring characters. ‘‘The Sopranos’’ alumna Aida Turturro has been tapped for one of the roles, a car accident victim; Australian David Lyons is in talks for the other part, a handsome new doctor who lacks conscience, sources said.

A&E Network said its drama pilot "The Beast" — part of which was filmed in Chicago late last year — still is under consideration for a series pickup following the news that star Patrick Swayze is being treated for pancreatic cancer.