day 183

will this movie ever get made?

the musical remake of footloose sure has a lot of buzz around it, but with production supposed to start in the next month or so, the film is still without stars.  from all the news, it seems like the creative team behind the flick isn't satisfied with any of the actresses they've seen for the leading role of ariel.  actresses who have been seen by director kenny ortega and the casting department include heroes' hayden panetierre, dancing with the stars julianne hough, and even amanda bynes.  now sources close to the production are saying that the casting director really only has one name in mind for the role: miley cyrus.  miley hasn't auditioned for the part, but why would she need to?  she can obviously "sing" and dance, and fits the country girl bill to a tee.  the problem with miley?  the disney star is booked straight through the summer and fall, when shooting would need to take place for footloose.  cameras begin rolling later this summer on the last song, miley's new nicholas sparks flick (the book hasn't even been released yet) and her (possibly final) hannah montana season shoots right before and after song.  so what's the kevin bacon flick reboot to do?  that remains to be seen.  the movie doesn't even have a leading man yet - chace crawford is said to be a lock, but no contracts have been signed and derek hough is still in the running.  the production team better make some decisions fast; the studio already announced the movie will hit theaters june 18, 2010.  if miley does somehow fit another project into her schedule, i'd say male lead casting needs to be refocused; chace crawford is a little old for the 16 year old starlet, even if she dates one of his peers.  

update: chace crawford was confirmed today as the movie's frontman! i'd say go with julianne hough or amanda bynes then (but only amanda if there's some really good comedy bits)

even more fall tv changes

some of your favorite series may be goners come september.  samantha who? is no officially dead at abc, amongst others (the unusuals, cupid) and ugly betty may be headed to death's door.  the show is no longer a thursday night comedy - it's been moved to the typical "we're done with you" night of fridays, alongside supernanny and wife swap and is being replaced on thursdays by flash forward, an experimental drama (i, for one, won't be watching  - plus i don't understand a night of dramas, forward being played alongside grey's anatomy and private practice).  but, the alphabet net doesn't want us to think the worst; execs say they hope betty's move will reinvigorate the night, which abc owned in the 90s with their tgif line-up.  they're looking at cbs' ghost whisperer as an example; the show has been a ratings winner for the eye net.  ghost whisper may actually get some company on fridays at cbs; nbc decided not to pick up psychic themed medium, but cbs owns the show and thinks an other-worldly themed friday night might be great for them.  nbc also decided not to pick up my name is earl (which, in my opinion, is a move in the right direction), but it's owned by 20th century fox, who plans on shopping it to fox and abc. nbc did, however, decide to keep chuck around for 13 eps (yay!).  and, as for the cw?  they're making some changes, too.  though it has a strong fan base, the freshman dramady privileged won't be back (though many thought a midseason pick-up was possible).  instead of privileged, the ceedub has picked up ashlee simpson-wentz's starring vehicle melrose place, mischa barton's model-themed a beautiful life, and the twilight inspired vampire diaries.  the gossip girl spin-off is in limbo right now, being retooled in hopes of a mid-season pick-up.  god, fall tv is getting confusing. i have yet to see a show that i'm really excited about, but i'll give most of them a try.  remember to check entertainment weekly's cheat sheet for up-to-the-minute cancellation and pick-up news.