Pilot Season: Reba McEntire, '70s Show Team Sell Comedy Projects to ABC

Reba McEntire Reba McEntire might be coming back to TV soon! ABC has purchased comedy aircraft pilots Malibu Country, that will star the nation singer-actress Reba McEntire, and Prairie Dogs, from That '70s Show's Jackie and Shaun Filgo. In Malibu Country, McEntire stars like a broke divorcee who moves her family to Malibu where she tries to revive her music career and keep her children from being corrupted through the city. McEntire will reunite with Reba showrunner Kevin Abbott, who'll write and executive-make the pilot, together with Mindy Schultheis, Michael Hanel, Pam Williams, Dork Stewart and Narvel Blackstock. Obtain the latest news on all of the pilot pick-ups here Prairie Dogs follows Neil, an uncool cubicle worker (or "prairie dog")who becomes the victim of id theft.As he finds out the thiefhas produced an infinitely more fulfilling, kick-ass existence together with his identity, he decides to create the charming conman his existence coach. The Filgos will write and executive-produce.

House First Look: Jeffrey Wright Puts Dr. House on Trial!

Jeffrey Wright and Hugh Laurie Just how important is Jeffrey Wright's upcoming guest role on House? "Jeffrey's character really decides the fate of the series - he puts House's process on trial," executive producer Greg Yaitanes tells TVGuide.com of Monday's episode, "Nobody's Fault."Get more scoop on your favorite shows in our Winter TV previewWright plays Dr. Walter Cofield, a renowned neurologist and the former mentor of Omar Epps' Foreman. When one of Princeton Plainsboro's patients is involved in a violent incident, Cofield questions House (Hugh Laurie) and his team about their particular style of practicing medicine. At the very least, his ruling could cost House his license and possibly send him back to the slammer."These are questions we've never really asked of the series before, one of which is: What is the responsibility of everybody in an environment of recklessness?" Yaitanes says. "I think every character is forever changed by the events that take place in that episode."In the first-look video below, which features clips from the upcoming episode, Yaitanestakes us behindthe scenes for the making of this pivotal hour. In particular, he notes the importance of casting Wright, who won an Emmy for his role on Angels in America.Jeffrey Wright checks in to House"I needed somebody across the table from Hugh Laurie that was formidable," Yaitanes says. Laurie, meanwhile, was less impressed. "I'm very jealous, by the way, because I wanted to play Cofield," he jokes."Nobody's Fault" airs Monday at 8/7c on Fox. Get your first look at the episode below.

Universal counts to 'Thirteen'

Universal has pre-emptively bought "13," a spec by Benjamin Magid, and arrange it with Uni-based Strike Entetrainment and Brooklyn Weaver at Energy Entertainment.Veteran production professional Kristel Laiblin introduced the project into Strike's Eric Newman and can oversee."13" focuses on possession and it is understood to employ a combination of found-footage reason for sights. The storyline is similar to 1990's "Flatliners," which starred Jennifer Aniston and Kiefer Sutherland as school of medicine students experimentation using the line between existence and dying. Purchase closed Friday evening. Magid composed "Pan," a supernatural undertake J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan," that is scheduled to enter production later this season with Chris Tuffin, Renee Tab and Weaver creating and Ben Hibon pointing. Magid's repped by WME and handled by Energy Entertainment. WME and teamed on last week's spec purchase of Kaira Ingelsby actioner "Run Through The Night" to Warner Bros. inside a preemptive deal. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

'White Collar' sees ratings dip

Posted: Wed., Jan. 18, 2012, 12:25pm PTUSA Network staple "White Collar" took a hit Tuesday night in its premiere episode for the second half of season three. Skein, starring Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay, drew 3.2 million total viewers. That was good enough to just edge past FX's "Justified" in the same 10 p.m. timeslot, but it was down 600,000 viewers, or about 16%, from a year ago. In the 18-49 demo, the episode scored 1.4 million viewers, down from the 1.3 million viewers from last January. Also competing in the same timeslot Tuesday was TNT cop drama "Southland" as well as new episodes of NBC's "Parenthood" and ABC's "Body of Proof." CBS aired a repeat of "Unforgettable." As is the case for all cable series, numbers for "White Collar" will increase during the week when multiple telecasts and DVR viewing is accounted for. The first half of the third season of "White Collar" aired during the summer. USA Network, with an ever-expanding lineup of original shows, is considering not breaking up seasons as it has often done in the past. Series, from Fox Television Studios, was created by Jeff Eastin, who exec produces with Mark Goffman. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Lookout! Records wooden wooden shutters

Lookout! Records, the Berkeley, Calif.-based indie label that released early efforts from such key third-wave punk bands as Eco-friendly Day, Operation Ivy, the Mr. T Experience as well as the Donnas, has shuttered. News in the closing was revealed by singer-songwriter Ted Leo, whose band Ted Leo as well as the Pharmacy specialist was signed for the label from 2001-2006. The label will be in dire straits lately, ceasing to create audio in 2006, and may now cease to reprint its back catalog material too, with lots of Lookout!-distributed music getting already disappeared from digital retailers and streaming services. Founded later by David Hayes and Ray Livermore, the label will be a key hub for bands inside the pop-punk genre that skyrocketed around the rear of Eco-friendly Day's major-label jump to Reprise inside the mid-1990's. The label was later handicapped having a spate of complaints over delinquent royalties in the heart of yesteryear decade, with bands for instance Squealing Weasel, Avail, and lastly Eco-friendly Day all declaring back rights for his or her masters. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

5 Reasons We Like The Peanuts Gang

Happy Year, Charlie Brown As Chuck and Co. gather to have their "Auld Lang Syne" on in Happy Year, Charlie Brown, tonight's adorable finish-of-the-year special from 1986, we want to consider a mug of kindness and count lower the reason why these old acquaintances should never be forgotten. 1. They rock the holiday season. The Emmy-winning It is a Charlie Brown Christmas has trained decades the real meaning of year, and when you haven't joked about "obtaining a rock" while trick-or-dealing with, it is possible you was raised living under one. 2. Snoopy! Since his debut on October 4, 1950, Daisy Hill Puppy Farm's top graduate has stolen our hearts like a The First World War flying ace, a writer and, obviously, Charlie Brown's four-legged closest friend. No surprise the boy and the dog required no. 8 just right TV Guide Magazine's listing of the 50 Finest Cartoon Figures ever. 3. From Scrubs to Robot Chicken to Saturday Evening Live to Due To Jimmy Kimmel Live, they've inspired a number of TV's sharpest spoofs. Our fave? The Simpsons' place-on parody of It is the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. 4. They are total fashion symbols. Chuck's zigzag. Lucy's little blue dress. Peppermint Patty's sandals. Project Runway could be lucky to attain looks that timeless. And do not even get us began on the dancing abilities! 5. They have remained gold. Debuting in 1947 as Li'l Folks within the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the children have continued to be a wonderful reflection from the innocence, optimism and sometimes melancholy charm of creator Charles Schulz. Guess you can say happiness is getting buddies such as these. Happy Year, Charlie Brown airs tonight at 8/7c on ABC. Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

TV Ratings: 'Person of Interest' Grabs Largest Audience Since Debut, 'Prime Suspect' Hits Series Low

This article appeared in the Dec. 23 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.our editor recommendsOscar Dog Showdown: Who's Cutest? 'The Artist' Tops Golden Globe Nominations 'Hugo' and 'The Artist' Top the Broadcast Film Critics' List of Nominations With 11 EachYoung Adult: Film Review A round of a-paws, please! These four-legged thespians may be ineligible for an Academy Award, but their performances in the Oscar contenders of the season are stealing the show. The season's awards contenders feature numerous animal stars, from the horses of War Horse to the feline star of Puss in Boots. But these four dogs have gone above and beyond with their on-screen performances this year. PHOTOS: Oscar Dog Showdown: Who's Cutest? Uggie, 9 | The Artist His barks might all be silent, but the energetic Jack Russell, seen here playing with a toy Oscar, is one of the big stars of Michel Hazanavicius' tribute to the days before talkies. A seasoned performer -- his specialty is riding a skateboard -- Uggie also appeared this year in Water for Elephants. Says trainer Omar von Muller, who rescued him when he was headed for the pound: "He was a very hyper puppy, but he's now one of the best-trained dogs in the industry. Just look at the scene where he rescues Jean Dujardin from a burning building without missing a cue." Cosmo, 9 | Beginners This all-white long-hair Jack Russell, who previously appeared in Hotel for Dogs and Paul Blart: Mall Cop, is trained by Mathilde de Cagney, who knows a star when she sees one: She also trained the late Moose, who played the long-running role of Eddie on Frasier. "The hard thing in training a dog for a movie isA round of a-paws, please! These four-legged thespians may be ineligible for an Academy Award, but their performances in the Oscar contenders of the season are stealing the show. making his behavior look natural," says de Cagney. But that proved no problem for Cosmo, who not only tags along loyally beside Ewan McGregor but also has dialogue of his own thanks to director Mike Mills' clever subtitles. STORY: Golden Globe Awards Nominations Complete List Blackie, 3, Hugo He was one of three Dobermans in Hugo that portrayed the fearsome Maximilian, who patrolled the Parisian railway station alongside Sacha Baron Cohen's Inspector. Because Martin Scorsese shot in 3D, often panning 360 degrees, de Cagney, also his trainer, was sometimes costumed as a character in scenes so she could work with the dogs without destroying the illusion. Hummer, 4, Young Adult A compact Pomeranian, he is, by showbiz standards, a non-pro. Director Jason Reitman discovered the purse-sized pooch while Hummer was out on a walk on the streets of NY and convinced his owner to let him make his film debut opposite Charlize Theron. View more photos from THR's photoshoot with the top dogs of the awards season here. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Oscar Dog Showdown: Who's Cutest? Related Topics The Artist Beginners Young Adult Hugo