Today's News: Our Take

Sigourney Weaver Puts Eli Stone on the Couch

• Oct 13, 2008 10:46 PM ET
• by TV Guide News

Sigourney Weaver, Eli Stone

What's the best way to create interest in a sophomore shown like Eli Stone that bounced from the bubble to a surprise second season? Stunt casting, of course! Sigourney Weaver plays Eli's therapist in the Oct. 14 season opener, and is just is one of several stars scheduled to pop us this year. (Others include Katie Holmes and singer Seal.) We chatted with Weaver about what drew her to this little show that could, whether we might see more of her character this season and what it would take to see her on the small screen in her own show.

Catch the full Q&A after the jump. read more

Janet Jackson Postpones Her Rhythm in the Nation, Again

• Oct 13, 2008 10:29 PM ET
• by Anna Dimond

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson fans are going to have to wait one more night to rock with her in concert. The pop star has canceled her scheduled Monday performance at the Turning Stone Resort in New York.

Jackson's cancelation comes after a string of postponements along her Rock Witchu tour in the past two weeks, due to an unspecified ailment. She was hospitalized at the end of September before her concert in Montreal.

Tour promoters promise that postponed dates will be rescheduled.

Not-So-Easy Money: Two CW Shows Put on Hiatus

• Oct 13, 2008 09:09 PM ET
• by Matt Mitovich

Laurie Metcalf and Kristoffer Polaha

Media Rights Capital, the third party firm which was given the task of producing the CW's Sunday-night programming, has shut down production on the scripted series Easy Money and Valentine. A spokesperson for MRC tells TVGuide.com the break is "a planned hiatus," noting that writers and producers have been working non-stop since July. Both shows, says the rep, are expected to complete their original 13-episode orders.

As detailed in this Sunday's ratings recap, Valentine dipped a bit from its already tepid premiere numbers (to just over a million viewers), while Easy Money plunged nearly 30 percent from its debut, to 753,000.

The unscripted In Harm's Way, which this week delivered 729K, remains out of harm's way, while the dysfunctional family comedy Surviving Suburbia (the fourth of MRC's initial offerings) isn't set to premiere until early 2009.

Veronica Mars Creator Is Ready to Party Down

• Oct 13, 2008 08:44 PM ET
• by Anna Dimond

Rob Thomas

Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas is will soon be whetting our TV appetites weekly with his new comedy, Party Down.

The program, to be produced for Starz Media, will focus on six Hollywood wannabeens who work together at a catering company. With dreams of living the dream starting to fade, the group will serve up the laughs at their catering events — to include everything from Sweet 16s to video porn awards afterparties — in each half-hour episode.

Music Artist M.I.A. Is Pregnant with First Baby

• Oct 13, 2008 07:05 PM ET
• by Anna Dimond

M.I.A.

Contrary to her chart-topping song's lyrics, taking your money isn't the only thing that M.I.A. wants to do — being a mom might trump it.

The Sri Lankan artist confirmed to Pitchfork Saturday that she is, in her words, "creating a baby" with fiancé Ben Brewer. Pregnancy, though, isn't her only recent good news: M.I.A.'s single, "Paper Planes" is currently rocking pop radio rotations and sales charts.

Exclusive New Details: NCIS Gets Sexy

• Oct 13, 2008 04:53 PM ET
• by Matt Mitovich

David Eigenberg

On Emmys night, at TV Guide's after-party, Michael Weatherly teased the casting of a Sex and the City star on NCIS. (Watch the video here, at the 1:00 mark.)

Now, after much diligence, I have secured an actual name. David Eigenberg — aka Steve Brady, he of the singular... love for Miranda — is the Sexy guy who will be visiting the high-rated military drama, sources confirm for me exclusively.

Eigenberg will be playing a former NSA Analyst who was suspected of mishandling classified information, and thusly lands smack dab in Gibbs' crosshairs.

Crave scoop? E-mail Matt and Mickey at mega_scoop@tvguide.com.

Mega Minute: Deadly Sexy Money Scoop and More

• Oct 13, 2008 03:36 PM ET
• by Matt Mitovich

Now playing in this week's Mitovich Mega Minute:

• Another Dirty Sexy death is on the way!

• A trio of 30 Rocking teasers from the first new episodes

• SVU casts an Outkast and a castaway.

Click open our video player, go to the second one down ("Another Dirty Sexy Death?") and enjoy!

Taylor Momsen Credits "Good Genes" for Thin Frame

• Oct 13, 2008 03:14 PM ET
• by Joyce Eng

Taylor Momsen

Save the skinny talk for the 90210 chicas. Gossip Girl Taylor Momsen thinks her dress size is just fine.

"Not at all," the 15-year-old told Us Weekly when asked if she feels pressure to be thin. "I mean, I'm just kind of naturally thin. My mom's really thin, and I'm tall. Good genes."

Momsen, who stands at 5 feet 8 inches, also ...
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Hot Gossip: Who's Getting a Funeral?

• Oct 13, 2008 01:38 PM ET
• by Gina DiNunno

Jessica Szohr

A death to come on Gossip Girl? OMG — say it ain't so!

While attending Mohegan Sun's Wind Casino celeb-filled grand opening this past weekend, we bumped into Jessica Szohr on the red carpet, and got some shocking scoopage on what's to come for Vanessa and the Gossip gang.

Read everything she had to share, after the jump. read more

Zac Efron Is Not Getting Naked for Broadway

• Oct 13, 2008 01:19 PM ET
• by Joyce Eng

Zac Efron and Daniel Radcliffe

Sorry, ladies — you won't be able to see Zac Efron in the buff any time soon.

The High School Musical star has shot down talk that he is replacing Daniel Radcliffe in the all-baring Broadway play Equus, People reports.

"No, I think it's a great role, but I was not approached," Efron said.

So does that mean he would say "yes" if he was approached? Hmm…

While he is not headed to the Great White Way ...
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