If you haven’t been following it, CBS is currently on the lookout out for a new host on ‘The Price is Right’, following Bob Barker’s departure.  Several names have been thrown around, including Mario Lopez, George Hamilton and Rosie O’Donnell.

Add another name to that list…TVGuide reports that CBS and ‘Price’ producer FremantleMedia is talking to comedy vet Drew Carey about stepping into the role.   Really, I like him for the spot more than any other name I’ve heard. 

Mario has his whole career ahead of him…why get caught up in something like ‘Price is Right’?  The same for Rosie, who’s so hot right now, with the rumors of her own talk show.  I haven’t heard anything on Hamilton in a while, which makes me think he may be out of the running.

We know that Drew can think fast on his feet, he can carry the game show thing, as he proved with the game show-esque ‘Whose Line…”, and the people I know in the ‘Price’ demographic love him.  My money’s on Carey in this race…for now.

Hollywood Reporter has the scoop on a lot of casting news for the second season of ‘Heroes’.

First up, Eriko Tamura is set to play a Japanese princess, and a rumored love intereset for time-traveling pimp Hiro.  While she’s not familiar to American viewers, she’s apparently a pretty big pop star and actress in Japan.  Hiro, you’re a tru playa.

Also cast were the characters of NYPD cop Detective Fuller, played by Barry Shabaka Henley and Ricky, a ringleader of an Irish group of thugs, played by Holt McCallany.  As for the parts of Southern California cheerleaders, Lyndsy Fonseca and Dianna Agron have been cast.  There are rumors of a gay cheerleader, so…yeah, for what that’s worth.

Finally…and this has to be an error…they’ve got Alias’ David Anders set to play Takezo Kensei, the Japanese warrior who was referenced repeatedly during the last season, and who made a brief appearance in the last couple minutes of the finale.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but, despite the mask, the guy to the left doesn’t look a whole lot like this guy.  Kristin at eOnline broke the news yesterday that Anders was hired on to play Kane, an ageless womanizer, rumored to be over 1,000 years old, and possibly the evil dude that scared Molly Walker so much.  I suppose they could be one in the same if they go the shape-shifting route or something like that, but I’m feeling like there’s some misinformation on the Hollywood Reporter’s part.

Have you ever wanted to get in on the prank playing action at Dunder Mifflin?  Well, you just may have your chance.

Variety is reporting that game publisher MumboJumbo will be devloping a game based on the antics in ‘The Office’.  Featuring audio and video clips from the show, you will control bobblehead versions of the show’s cast, playing pranks and handling tasks around the office.  The game hits this fall on the Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and PC.

“We were anxious to expand our audience with a property that has broad appeal and works well as a game,” said MumboJumbo VP of product development Mike Suarez. “It will help us to demonstrate that casual games are the true mass videogame market.”

Personally, I’d like to see a “Sims”-esque game where you can choose which office member you’ll control.  As Michael, you could go around handing out Dundie awards, as Dwight you could enforce the law as the Assistant to the Regional Manager, and as Creed, you can see how much stuff you can swipe without getting caught.  Brilliant!

Part 38
It Take a Village
Part 4 of 4

As a youth, the Haitian looked up to his father, Guillame.  Guillame protected the village from the corrupt government forces of the Tonton Macoute.  But Guillame learned that his son might be an even greater threat.  He had to make a terrible decision…

Today we conclude the backstory of the mysterious Haitian. 

When we last left off, the Haitian was about to be struck down by his father, who viewed his ability-stopping ability as a curse.  As we begin, Guillame has begun attacking his son in an effort to rid himself of this poison.  Ever wanting the best for his father, the Haitian is prepared to die for him. 

Before Guillame lands the killing blow, however, his son reaches out and touches him briefly.  Suddenly, Guillame is flooded with memories…memories of the birth of the Haitian, of watching him play, of fishing with him, etc.  This stays Guillame’s hand, and he collapses in tears.  He apologizes, saying that he has “forgotten the ground”.  He gives his son the “snake and the crane” necklace, then, as the Haitian walks away, Guillame learns to fly again…he throws himself off the mountain.

The Haitian returns to his village with his father’s final command ringing in his ears: “Give peace to those I have forsaken.  Bury my shame with your own hands…so when the crane comes to you with the promise of sun and clouds, you never forget the ground.  Never forget.”  He tries to restore the people’s souls, but what’s gone is gone, and he sees no other option than to literally bury their shame. 

At this moment, a young Thompson shows up.  He is shocked to see what the Haitian has done, and, seeing his necklace, asks him if he is special.  The Haitian, speechless, doesn’t respond.  He simply draws an image in the dirt of a hand pulling memories out of a person’s head.  Despite everything that his father told him, he takes hold of Thompson, the metaphorical crane, and flies away.

Kyle XY - The Homecoming - ABC Family - 8/7c

Kyle returns to the Trager household but agonizes over the secrets he must keep from the family; XX journeys outside the walls of Zzyzx.

The Closer - Homewrecker - TNT - 9/8c

Everybody seems to rave about Kyra Sedgwick’s performance in this show, but for some reason her voice just grates on me.  Ah, well…still a great show.

The team investigates the murder of a family; budget cuts force Brenda to choose between giving up one of her team to another unit or force one of them into early retirement.

Heartland - Pilot - TNT - 10/9c

The series description is:

The dramas at an organ-transplant center in Pittsburgh focus on an overworked transplant surgeon and his ex-wife, an organ-recovery coordinator.

And in tonight’s episode:

…a young female patient needs a heart; and Grant’s mentor (Dabney Coleman) falls ill as Grant vies to become the new chief surgeon. Series creator David Hollander wrote and directed the episode.

Big Love - The Writing on the Wall - HBO - 9/8c

Bill must rethink his advertising strategy; the family forgets Nicki’s anniversary.

Let’s get the factual stuff out of the way first.  The Hollywood Reporter is…um…reporting that Nick D’Agosto will join the ranks of ‘Heroes’ next season as Claire’s new boyfriend, who has “a very cool superpower.”  He’s played a few parts in some episodes of ‘House’ and ‘Without a Trace’, but you probably would recognize him from his part as Hunter, Jan’s administrative assistant on ‘The Office’.  (”Tell her I wanna sqeeze ‘em…it’s code.”)

Now, Claire, since I know you read this blog daily, I’m going to send this one out to you…drop the goobers.  I could let the goofy guy go that you were with in “Five Years Gone” since I know that you must have been through a lot in those years.  But, come on.  You can do better.

Summer gets such a bad wrap.  In ages past, summer programming and “boring” went hand in hand.  There has been a definite shift in recent years, though, to some really quality TV during the hot summer months…some shows that even overshadow their big-boy, fall season counterparts.  Here are some shows to check out this summer…you may just like what you find.

Kyle XY - ABC Family - Mondays 8/7c

I like ‘Kyle XY’ alot.  It’s not the deepest show on TV, it doesn’t have the best acting and it’s not the most well-written thing around.  But it’s got a really fun storyline, which follows Kyle (Matt Dallas) as he struggles to find out why he can’t remember anything before the point when he woke up naked in the forest, and why he has these amazing supernatural abilities.

‘Kyle XY’ is a great summer family show, in that it offers something for everyone…for the girls you’ve got the cute guys; for the dudes there’s the sci-fi storyline.  If you’re a fan of either of those, check this one out.

The 4400 - USA Network - Premieres Sunday, June 17 9/8c

The 4400 was Heroes when Heroes wasn’t cool.  See, the 4400 were ordinary people who, over the course of history, were somehow abducted.  They all return at once, completely unaware of the time that has passed, and all manifesting different abilities.  Rather than focus on the “secret abilities” angle that ‘Heroes’ used this season, ‘The 4400′ brought the powers right out in the open, so the question of what to do with these potentially dangerous people brings a great political aspect to the story that ‘Heroes’ only hinted at this season. 

If you’re a fan of ‘Heroes’, check out ‘The 4400′.

Monk - USA Network - Premieres Friday, July 13 9/8c

At one time a detective working for the San Francisco Police Department, obsessive-compulsive Monk retired from the force after his wife was killed in a car bomb attack.  He now consults for the department on some of their more difficult investigations.

Tony Shaloub was born to play the role of Adrian Monk.  He can go from side-splittingly funny to touchingly pathetic in a heartbeat.  I urge you to check this one out, if only to see his performance.

Rescue Me - FX - Wednesdays 10/9c

‘Rescue Me’ is consistently the roughest, most envelope-pushing drama on television today. Dennis Leary plays Tommy Gavin, a New York fireman battling with the bottle, a family that’s spinning out of control around him…oh, yeah, and the whole fire thing. And he’s hooked up with Sheila, the wife of his late cousin, who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Oh, and his cousin appears to him from time to time.

If you’re looking for a bright, happy hour of television, look elsewhere. But if you want fantastic drama, tremendous performances, and are not easily offended by a steady stream of “how far can we go without getting fined”, ‘Rescue Me’ is the best show you’ll find this summer.

We’re finally at the end of the early summer limbo.  This weekend, specifically Sunday, sees the premiere of several summer series.

Standoff - Backfire - FOX - Friday, 9/8c

With Matt at another hostage scene, Emily must negotiate with two suspected bank robbers holding 25 people hostage on a train.

The 34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards - CBS - Friday, 9/8c

“What?  The Emmys?  How did I not know about this?  Oh…oh, wait…that’s the Daytime Emmy’s.  Drat.”

^ My actual train of thought.

The 4400 - The Wrath of Graham - USA - Sunday, 9/8c

In the fourth-season opener, the NTAC deals with a new director and a high-school student who developed a special ability after taking promicin. Meanwhile, Tom (Joel Gretsch) visits Isabelle in prison and Diana searches for her sister, who took promicin.

The Dead Zone - Heritage - USA - Sunday, 10/9c

The sixth season begins with Johnny receiving visions of his friends in danger at a local festival. While it appears he successfully avoids disaster, a fire later claims two people, altering Johnny’s life and the fate of the world.

John from Cincinnati - His Visit: Day Two - HBO - Sunday, 9/8c

The sixth season begins with Johnny receiving visions of his friends in danger at a local festival. While it appears he successfully avoids disaster, a fire later claims two people, altering Johnny’s life and the fate of the world.

Entourage - Welcome to the Jungle - HBO - Sunday, 10/9c

The sixth season begins with Johnny receiving visions of his friends in danger at a local festival. While it appears he successfully avoids disaster, a fire later claims two people, altering Johnny’s life and the fate of the world.

We’re at the end of another week, so let’s take a look back and see what’s been going on in TV world…

Battlestar Galactica

(BuddyTV)In Bless my BG source who was able to get me spoilers for 1 upcoming episode. “Razor,” we join young Bill Adama in his fight against the cylons when he was just a Lieutenant. He can’t believe a treaty is signed, ending the war at that time. We’re also on Battlestar Pegasus when Lee Adama moves in as the new Commander, and he meets some of the old crew. He’s trying to get everything running again. “Razor” is said to be a two-part arc that which will take place for episodes 4.01 and 4.02. 

Grey’s Anatomy

(AOL) Executives tied to the show say the fourth-season plan is to add several cast members, including at least one fresh-faced new intern: Meredith Grey’s half-sister Lexi (Chyler Leigh) will become a frequent presence with a multi-episode story arc. They are also seeking a new recurring male character to compete with Patrick Dempsey’s Dr. McDreamy.

Heroes 

(TVGuide) …the Japan-born Riyo Mori says one “super” job lead might find her on no less than NBC’s Heroes, playing Yaeko, a new character whom she describes as a love interest for one of the main characters. “I went to the casting audition and read a script in English and Japanese, and they said it was really good,” the 20-year-old dancer tells the Associated Press. “So I hope I can be in the show.”

(eOnline) …they’re welcoming a new recurring character named Will, aka Blackie, an Irish mobster who’s mixed up in small-time crime!

(eOnline) I’m hearing we meet a new character who’s been alive for 1,000 years. And sadly, he is not played by David Boreanaz. I’m pretty sure it’s the character David Anders is in the running for, but not sure.

(Spoilerfix) The episode will feature a villainous Japanese warlord who is known as “White Beard,” various old Japanese villagers as well as Tuko, a West-African man working for Irish mobster Ricky.

(This is Bollywood) Bollywood actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai has signed up to star in top US sci-fi serial Heroes. The Indian babe, who recently married fellow actor Abhishek Bachchan, will appear in 8 episodes of the coming series of the NBC show revolving around a batch of super-enhanced human beings. It has been reported that Aishwarya Rai will play the role of Dr. Mohinder Suresh’s elder sister Shanti Suresh, and will have a super-power of her own, something which has not yet been disclosed. Aishwarya will begin shooting in Los Angeles later this month, and is expected to be seen on-screen as early as October of this year.

(National Ledger) With all the talk about new heroes showing up on “Heroes” in the coming season — which, by the way, starts shooting next week — it’s especially interesting that the show is casting for several possibly recurring characters. Per casting sources, they include: a pretty and kind elementary school teacher, a hippie-ish high school chemistry teacher, a Kinko’s store manager, a small-time Irish mobster and a California high school girl who isn’t especially athletic. Save the klutz, save the world?

Kyle XY

(BuddyTV) Darcy, one of our chat regulars, sent me the following spoilers: Episode 2.02, “Homecoming,” Claiming that his parents were killed in a car crash, Kyle is back at the Tragers’ to stay. But his homecoming isn’t as happy as he thought it would be when he realizes all of the secrets he must keep from the family he loves. Torn between wanting to be home and not wanting to keep anything from the Tragers, Kyle wonders if he should have come back after all. Meanwhile, XX begins her journey outside of the walls of Zzyzx.

Darcy also sent us spoilers for “The List is Life,” episode 2.03. Kyle finds that returning to his old life is virtually impossible, as Tom Foss hounds him to work on his new skills and he is devastated to know he played a part in Lori and Declan’s break-up. Meanwhile, now that Madacorp’s boss Ballantine knows of Kyle’s existence, he has a new mission for Emily and XX to bring Kyle back at any cost.

The Office

(FOX News) Is Dwight Schrute about to have his own TV series? That’s the buzz at NBC, where new head of programming Ben Silverman could be thinking about a spin-off from the hit sitcom “The Office.”…When I ran into Rainn Wilson, the actor who plays Dwight on the show, at Sunday night’s post-Tony party, he actually brought up the idea, then seemed a little surprised he’d said it out loud.

(TVGuide) …a source close to Mr. Schrute’s portrayer, Rainn Wilson, tells TVGuide.com that the “buzz” is “totally made up… a complete farce.”

Prison Break

(BuddyTV) What I can tell you tonight is that in “Orientacíon,” Lincoln goes to a bar in a high rise restaurant. He is set to meet someone there. He sits at the bar and orders water. A woman, known as Betty Crocker for now, sits besides him and starts talking to him. He doesn’t know her, but she does know him and Michael. As they talk, he clearly tells her it is the wrong time and he is waiting for someone. But she presses on and eventually says that it is the right time “Lincoln” and “We have a lot to discuss. Specifically your brother.” She then gives him an iPod. It is not clear what/who Betty is exactly but she seems to be an agent of some sort. Question is, for which side is she working for?

It’s been tough to find quality stuff to watch over the past few weeks, but we’re starting to get some quality TV programming coming up.  Granted, not much of it is happening tonight, but I’m determined to get this feature resurrected.  In short, you’d do well to just tune in to NBC reruns tonight.

Pirate Master - Bribes, Lies and Vengeful Eyes - CBS - 8/7c

Some shipmates support Capt. Joe Don, but others want a change; Crew Red goes all out to find the booty and strip the captain of his command; another pirate must leave.

Fast Cars & Superstars - ABC - 8/7c

Gabrielle Reece makes a great save, William Shatner sets a personal best, and Bill Cowher gets a new nickname.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - K & R Part 2 - NBC - 10/9c

How unfortunate that the only quality show on tonight is just a couple of episodes away from being gone forever.

Jordan takes a turn for the worse; Simon loses his temper with the press.