“Sons of Anarchy” creator hasn”t figured out how the series will end
“Considering I”m a week-and-a-half behind writing episode 7, it could all change,” creator Kurt Sutter told critics on Monday. “I”ve always had a sense of where I wanted it to go, and I come in each season with a blueprint with the big arcs and mile markers. And I”ve learned over seven seasons the looser I grip that idea the better the seasons are. And this season isn”t any different. I came in with how I wanted the season to end … but things change. It”s always been heading in the same direction, but the way I”m getting there continues to change.” PLUS: A potential prequel would last just 1 season, and Charlie Hunnam doesn”t give a “sh*t” about Emmys.
Fox News: President Obama canceled “surprise” Jimmy Kimmel appearance because it would look bad
Both reps for Kimmel and ABC deny the president is booked for Wednesday, and Fox News is saying the president canceled his appearance due to the crises in Ukraine and Gaza.
TCM to celebrate James Garner”s life with a 24-hour marathon
Twelve of Garner”s films will be shown starting Monday, July 28, including “Grand Prix” and “The Americanization of Emily.” PLUS: Don”t call Garner “TV”s Cary Grant,” and watch Garner look back at his career in an extensive 1999 interview.
A “Nostradamus” drama is in the works starring Joseph Fiennes
The “American Horror Story” alum will play the famous clairvoyant as he looks for revenge on the people who killed his family.
Michigan sheriff dumps orange prisoner jumpsuits, citing the popularity of “Orange is the New Black”
His inmates will now wear black-and-white striped jumpsuits.
Watch a bearded Taylor Lautner on his BBC sitcom “Cuckoo”
Lautner replaces Andy Samberg in the 2nd season of the BBC3 comedy.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner got to ride his own motorcycle on “Sons of Anarchy”
The former “Cosby Show” star says he had to audition for his role as Sticky, but he was allowed to bring use his Harley on screen.
“Fargo”s” Billy Bob Thornton would love to join “Boardwalk Empire,” Alison Tolman wants to visit “New Girl” and “Walking Dead”
“Hopefully something else will come along,” says Thornton. “I don't have another job right now. And I hope the dry spell is not as long this time around.”
“Tyrant” will film in Turkey for the rest of Season 1
The FX series had been based in Tel Aviv but relocated to Turkey amid fighting in Gaza. PLUS: FX boss addresses questions about tension with the show”s creator, and producers are still talking to Muslim groups.
University of Virginia is offering a 4-week English seminar on “Game of Thrones”
Says the English professor who is teaching the course: “One of the goals behind this class was to teach students how the skills that we use to study literature are very useful skills for reading literature and TV in conjunction.” PLUS: Watch a compilation of all 4 seasons, and Maisie Williams goes on an anti-British Airways Twitter rant for not letting her use the business-class lounge.
Nelsan Ellis: This week”s “True Blood” contained my 2nd-favorite scene of the series
“I didn”t add a thing,” he says of Lafayette”s speech. PLUS: Nathan Parsons on his scene with Lafayette, about Eric and Pam”s flashback attire, and “True Blood” slams Ted Cruz.
Paula Deen”s new online network debuts Sept. 24
The $100 million-network will give the former Food Network star”s fans a chance to “engage and access Paula and her Southern home cooking, anytime, anywhere — on computer, smartphone or tablet.”
Happy 50th birthday, David Spade!
The “SNL” alum and star of “Just Shoot Me” and “Rules of Engagement” turns the Big 5-0 on Tuesday. PLUS: An appreciation of “Just Shoot Me.”
Elizabeth Berkley has no interest in Lifetime”s “Saved by the Bell” film
“I know nothing about what they are planning,” she tells Us Weekly. “I”m not really curious about it because we know the life we led, and I have no idea what their picture of it is. So who knows!”
Corey Stoll”s “The Strain” wig, explained
Stoll says his wig “helped increase the eccentricity of the character and bring him more into the world. It functions more as a mask.”
Why “The Bridge” ditched its serial killer storyline
“The show we have this season was the show I think 'The Bridge' was aching to be,” exec producer Elwood Reid told critics. PLUS: Emily Rios on being gay and playing gay.
Introducing “Smile TV”
This TV set, built by a college student, only works when you smile at it.
John Oliver has proven to be the anti-Piers Morgan
“Fortunately,” says Stephen Marche, “after ten episodes of 'Last Week Tonight' on HBO, John Oliver is now redeeming his countrymen. He's a Brit in America who for once doesn't come off as superior and smug, and who is nonetheless utterly hilarious. 'Last Week Tonight' has developed a new and surprisingly effective form for television: the extended rant.” PLUS: Oliver is taking the “slow food” approach to topical comedy.
“The Bachelorette” is a religious experience, while “The Bachelor” is mere idolatry
That”s according to Elizabeth Wurtzel, who says: “Women are so invested in finding the most perfect man-perfect can be modified by a woman searching for the perfect man-and they are so steeped in the granular particulars of what they want that they are so willing to read relationship guides and self-improvement manuals as part of this quest, and their patience with the process is itself a process that hardly matters except as it pleases a belief system that knows no bounds.”
“The Lottery” has an OK debut
Lifetime”s dystopian reproductive drama attracted 1.1 million viewers.
Is Krusty the Clown the greatest “Simpsons” character ever?
Why you should be outraged by Krusty”s rumored death.
“SNL's” longtime bandleader calls his job “The Lorne Michaels Grant”
Saxophonist Lenny Pickett, who has led the “Saturday Night Live” band since 1995, is releasing his second album.
Check out outtakes from Conan”s Tinder bit with Dave Franco
Is Conan too old to respond to a 20-year-old? PLUS: See Conan's Emmy billboard for “Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda.”