Confessions of a “Simpsons” virgin
Megan Greenwell had never seen an episode of the Fox cartoon. So before FXX”s marathon, she decided to immerse herself in as much “Simpsons” as possible over two weeks. “I”ve now watched 68 episodes of The Simpsons in 14 days, an absurd and wholly unhealthy pace,” she says. “During the height of my mania, I saw Simpsons parallels everywhere in my life.” PLUS: An appreciation of Moe Szyslak, the 11 best celebrity cameos, ranking the first 14 seasons, here are 12 things you might not know, what “The Simpsons” taught us about money, and the voice of Homer Simpson loses his dad.
Shonda Rhimes now says she won”t rule out breaking up MerDer on “Grey”s Anatomy”
“I”m not going to say that Meredith and Derek are never going to break up,” she tells TVLine. “I”m not going to say that simply because we”re writing a story and we”re on this long, long journey. I”ve learned never to say absolutes about anything anymore. People always say, ‘Seven seasons ago you said… ‘ Well, I didn”t think we”d still be here.”
New “The Voice” trailer showcases Gwen Stefani and Pharrell
Here”s your first look at Season 7.
Are the Emmys too obsessed with movie stars like Julia Roberts?
Roberts, who is nominated for an Emmy for “The Normal Heart,” is the latest movie star to be featured prominently on the Emmy broadcast. Previous Emmys have also showcased movie stars like Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet and Gwyneth Paltrow.
“True Detective” begins shooting next month with Season 2 expected to air next summer
“It”s set in California, all of California,” says HBO boss Michael Lombardo at the Edinburgh TV Festival. “There are three cops. One of the characters is female. I think that”s probably all I”m allowed to say. We”ll probably be announcing casting soon.”
There”s no consensus at “SNL” or NBC on who should replace Lorne Michaels
“Saturday Night Live” oral history co-author James Andrew Miller delves into Michaels” past and future as the “SNL” honcho begins Season 40. “Mortality has to be the cruelest imaginable concept for anyone who”s lived a life as exciting, enviable, and admired as Michaels has, and for anyone who”s managed to play the kind of fascinating character he created,” Miller writes. But don”t tell him that. The Michaels ecosystem looks like it is built around a 40-year-old. Not only is there no named 'No. 2' or successor, there”s not even a consensus among those at SNL, NBC, or the entertainment world in general who, if anyone, would or could take over when Michaels decides he”s had enough.” PLUS: Who is the greatest “SNL” cast member?, and past “SNL” stars recall working on the show.
Why AMC is struggling to find its next big hit
The cable network might have gotten to cocky after “Mad Men,” “The Walking Dead” and “Breaking Bad,” resulting in alienating some top-notch showrunners.
“Parenthood” boss” next project: A Silicon Valley medical drama
CBS has bought Jason Katims” pitch about “a controversial, outrageous, young tech titan who opens his own hospital with a cutting-edge approach to medicine.”
“Real Housewives” contract revealed: One Bravo star earned $600K for 4 months of work
Stars of “Real Housewives” can earn extra via a “wardrobe fee,” a “location fee” or even an “on-camera services fee.”
Why are the Emmys on a Monday this year?
Because on Sunday, NBC has a “Sunday Night Football” preseason game while MTV has the VMAs. And apparently no other Sunday was available.
HBO boss defends sex, violence, rape scenes on “Game of Thrones”
“We have certainly not given them an edict or a note that they need to tone down the sexual content in the show,” says HBO programming chief Michael Lombardo.
Billy Eichner and Rhys Darby are coming to “The Millers”
Eichner will play Sean Hayes” ex-husband, while “Flight of the Conchords” vet Darby will play Will Arnett's nerdy high school classmate who became a George R.R. Martin-like author.
NFL gets its first pay to play Super Bowl halftime offer – from the band The Carnabys
Hard Rock Records has offered to pay $1 million to the charity of the NFL”s choice if The Carnabys perform at next year”s Super Bowl.
“Criminal Minds” to pay tribute to Meshach Taylor
The late “Designing Women” star appeared twice on the CBS series as Joe Mantegna”s former Marine sergeant.
Anderson Cooper gets a comic book makeover
The CNN anchor will appear on Marvel”s “Black Widow” series.
GSN renews “The Chase” and “It Takes a Church”
Both shows have been strong performers for GSN.
Lena Dunham and Judd Apatow win a PEN Literary Award for “Girls”
The PEN Literary Awards also announced that Norman Lear will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Why do men on “Bachelor in Paradise” wear necklaces?
Is it a standard part of the wardrobe?
Recalling reality TV”s one-hit wonders
From “My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss” to “Kid Nation.”
Frankie Valli will join Carol Burnett on “Hawaii Five-0”
He”ll play her fiancé.
Syfy”s “The Expanse” casts Shohreh Aghdashloo and Steven Strait
They”ll join Thomas Jane in the space opera based on the best-selling book series.
Watch a preview of “Manzo'd With Children”
The “Real Housewives” spinoff stars Caroline Manzo.