Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni will return to 'Law & Order: SVU' after all. The stars have reportedly finalized a deal that will extend their run on the Emmy-winning series for an additional two seasons. Also joining the cast: 'Chicago Hope''s Christine Lahti (in a four-episode gig), as well as the return of ex-series regular Stephanie March, who has signed on for at least 10 episodes. [Variety]
'The Sopranos'' Drea de Matteo has landed a series regular role on 'Desperate Housewives.' The Emmy winner will play the mother of Wisteria Lane's new Italian family, although no word on when she will officially move in. Wonder what their dark secret will be? (Can you say "witness protection"?) [Ausiello Files]
Looks like TV audiences have just crowned Disney's newest princesses. The Disney Channel original movie 'Princess Protection Program,' starring best friends Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, drew in a whopping 8.5 million viewers on Friday -- the biggest audience for a scripted cable program so far this year. Take that, Miley. [Variety]
T.R. Knight is officially heading back to Broadway. The ex-'Grey's Anatomy' star will headline the upcoming musical revival of 'Lend Me a Tenor,' directed by Stanley Tucci. 'Tenor' is currently eyeing a Feb. 2010 premiere. Hopefully, there won't be any backstage drama this time. [Ausiello Files]
Chris Kattan is caught in 'The Middle.' The 'SNL' alum joins the new ABC comedy as a series regular, where he will play a car salesman and close friend of Patricia Heaton's Frankie Heck. [Hollywood Reporter]
'My Name Is Earl' writer Greg Garcia will write and direct a new pilot for Fox. The pilot will reportedly be about a 25-year-old man whose family helps him raise a child after he has a one-night stand with a woman on death row. Looks like Garcia's got some good karma. [Variety]ALSO IN THE NEWS ...
CBS' 'There Goes the Neighborhood' has found a premiere date. The new reality series, which has eight families competing for $250,000 behind a 20-foot wall in their neighborhood, will begin its seven-episode run Sun., Aug. 9 at 9PM. [Hollywood Reporter]
Reader Comments (26)
Pat at 3:23PM on Jun 30th 2009
I'm really happy that Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay will be back on SVU. They make the show.
Cole at 3:27PM on Jun 30th 2009
This is great news about Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay. I've been a Law & Order: SVU fan ever since the show started, and would miss seeng the two if they left.
jeb at 3:33PM on Jun 30th 2009
They need to write more scripts that have Christopher Meloni in a LOT less clothes, like OZ!!! He is the perfect man :)
rich at 3:48PM on Jun 30th 2009
criminal intent what up with that show it is the best on t.v.
greg miller at 4:20PM on Jun 30th 2009
who cares
Phyllis at 4:27PM on Jun 30th 2009
Who cares about Criminal Intent, the only good thing is they finally got rid of that guy who sounded like a robot. He could not act, glad he's gone.
SUV is the bomb!!!
erica at 5:11PM on Jun 30th 2009
I'm really glad Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni are returning to SVU! The show wouldn't be the same if they left.
Vincent D'Onofrio Fan at 4:55PM on Jun 30th 2009
Phyllis - I disagree with you - the guy who sounded like a robot (Vincent D'Onofrio - happy birthday Vicent) - is the best part of the show. I never saw the show before and just recently started watching reruns - D'Onofrio got me hooked. I love his style! He's got kinda of a Monk thing going there. When I tried to watch the current show I was so disappointed that D'Onofrio wasn't on there - except last night - guess it was a rerun - he was there and poor thing wound up alone in his apartment. Gotta find out more about this particular story line. As for the new actors - eh - not interested. Does anyone know if D'Onofrio will be back? By the way, I loved him as the cockroach man in Will Smith's movie Men In Black - so coooool!!
Wish Belkin at 5:00PM on Jun 30th 2009
I can't stand these two.
They make the show unwatchable for me.
It must be me. Everyone else seems to like it.
Cathy at 5:05PM on Jun 30th 2009
Glad to hear Stephanie March is coming back. She was the best. Sounds like a great season. Christine Lahti is also a great addition!!