Edward Norton was so enamored with the pilot episode of ABC's upcoming mockumentary 'Modern Family' (debuting Sept. 23) that he's signed on for a guest stint, playing the bassist of a famous band that Claire (Julie Bowen) hires as an anniversary surprise for her husband Phil (Ty Burrell). The fact that Norton and Burell are old pals probably had nothing to do with nabbing the big-screen star. [EW.com]
Let's face it: No one will ever really be able to replace Paula Abdul on 'American Idol' -- but Ellen DeGeneres sure is going to try. The beloved daytime talk-show host has signed on to join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi on the judging panel for the top-ranked show's ninth season, which debuts on Fox in January. [AOL Television]
In what sounds like the set-up for a buddy-cop movie but is really a Hallmark Channel tearjerker, Green and Greene -- as in Brian Austin Green and Graham Greene -- are set to star in 'The Wild Girl.' Based on Jim Fergus' book of the same name, the 1930s-set flick follows an aspiring photojournalist (Green) who teams with an Apache tracker (Greene) to find a kidnapped boy in Mexico. [Variety]
'Pushing Daises' creator Bryan Fuller and 'X-Men' director Bryan Singer are teaming up to bring Augusten Burroughs' best-selling novel 'Sellevision' to NBC as an hour-long dramedy. 'Sellevision' will offer a "grounded take" on the world of home-shopping through the eyes of an advertising exec. [Variety]ALSO IN TV NEWS ...
Fox is developing a sitcom based on the popular Web site 'Texts From Last Night,' which invites users to post embarrassing, hilarious and often lewd text messages they sent to friends the night before ... usually while inebriated. Written by 'Big Bang Theory' scribe Steve Holland, the show will focus on twentysomethings navigating the debauchery-laden and text-filled minefield of post-collegiate life. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Oh, 'Brother.' CBS has renewed the three-times-a-week reality show 'Big Brother' for a twelfth season, set to air next summer. The news comes in the wake of the success of this past summer's edition, which premiered to a mediocre viewership and then steadily grew into a ratings juggernaut. [The Hollywood Reporter]
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