Top Moments: Catherine's CSI Goodbye and Rob Lowe's Lifetime Movie

Marg Helgenberger Our top moments of the week: 11. It Takes Three to Tango Award: Kim Zolciak sets the scene for a romantic evening with her man, Kroy, on Real Housewives of Atlanta: candles, rose petals and a bathtub built for two. But is there room for one more? Because Kim's father suddenly barges in on the new parents' date night. He offers this sage advice. "I want you to be careful," he says. "If you can't be careful, be good. And if you can't be good, then just name it after me." Father knows best! 10. Best Kiss: It's been a rough road this season for Aria and Ezra on Pretty Little Liars. After they were forced to split up, Aria leaves Ezra a message, asking him to meet her under the clock tower to give their relationship just one last chance. He shows up, of course, but not until after it starts raining, all the better to seal this long-awaited reunion with a passionate (wet) kiss. 9. Best Game of Chicken: Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio takes Grayson to task for making a simple chicken salad sandwich for a competition challenge. Grayson, however, isn't afraid to challenge his characterization of her food not being exciting enough compared to the other dishes. "Like a meatball?" she asks sarcastically, a clear reference to Lindsay and Sarah's submitted dishes. Her chutzpah works: She makes the normally stone-faced Tom laugh out loud and she makes it to the next round. Who you callin' (boring) chicken? 8. Funniest Case of Mistaken Identity: After reluctantly agreeing to a more traditional (read: common) bachelorette party, Blair Waldorf's evening quickly goes up in smoke on Gossip Girl when she amiably (and very drunkenly) agrees to hold on to what she thinks is a stranger's cigarette (but what is actually a joint). When cops balk at her public toking, she mistakes the men in blue for strippers, reaching south of the holster to find out if they're really "NY's finest." That very un-ladylike gesture gets her very publicly arrested. Cue the paparazzi's flash bulbs. 7. Best (Non-Specific) Character Revival: This week's Justified features some cheeky guest casting when Carla Gugino shows up as the very specifically named Assistant Director Karen Goodall. It's a clear nod to the title character she played on ABC's beloved-but-quickly-canceled Karen Sisco, which, like Justified, was based on an Elmore Leonard character. The chemistry between Karen and Raylan crackles and their partnership picks up right where it left off. Surely we're not the only ones who think she'd make a great permanent addition to the cast. 6. Free at Last Award: House's new year's resolution? To get his ankle monitor - aka his "training wheels" - off. But Foreman needs to sign off on the approval, so the mischievous doc decides to stroke his ego by letting him win arguments. When Foreman gets hip to his plan, House says that he moves better without the monitor and that if Foreman were as confident as his former boss, he wouldn't need to keep House shackled. Foreman ultimately realizes House is right and approves the removal. "Bikes go faster without training wheels," he says. And they also drive their cars into people's houses. 5. Most Moving Bad Day: Despite a passing report from her mandated therapist on Criminal Minds, Hotch knows Prentiss has not fully dealt with nearly being killed by Ian Doyle last year. "You're going to go weeks, months even, feeling fine. Then you're going to have a bad day," he tells her. "Just let me know when you do." Stuck in the "denial" stage, Prentiss doesn't move on until a victim in their case realizes that Prentiss had once been attacked as well and asks her about it. Fighting back tears, she finally admits to Hotch, "I'm having a bad day." 4. Most Delicious Coming Out: After trying to keep her many new bedpost notches hidden from her nosy neighbors on Desperate Housewives, Bree faces a sticky situation when she's confronted by one of her suitors and his very angry wife when she shows up drunk at the church bake sale after the reverend himself disinvited her. (Bree's delicious defense: "Every bake sale needs a tart.") Instead of fighting with the angry wife, Bree decides to own her new status as "town whore" and walks away with her head held high. Watch out, Bree, God is listening. 3. Most Contrived Reality: On Kourtney and Kim Take NY, Kim Kardashian decides to meet with psychic John Edward to communicate with her late father, who was O.J. Simpson's lawyer. "Do you have a father-in-law or an older male that would be like an uncle who passed from cancer?" Edward asks her and Kourtney. "Our dad passed from cancer," Kim answers. "Would your dad have a connection to a person who drowned?" he asks. "O.J. Simpson's daughter drowned," Kim says. Yeah, Edward's totally tapped in to... Wikipedia. Did we also mention that he and Kim have the same publicist? 2. Most Ridiculous Line: Lifetime's Drew Peterson: Untouchable is brimming with cheesy and outrageous dialogue characteristic of the network's usual offerings, but it's strange hearing it coming out of Rob Lowe's mouth. Case in point: When Drew's neighbor, Karen, suspects he is responsible for his fourth wife's disappearance, she tells him, "Going to prison is going to stop you." His response: "I'm untouchable, bitch." Who writes this stuff? 1. Saddest Goodbye: She may have taken a bullet during a blaze of gunfire last week, but Catherine's CSI farewell is anything but big, bold and bloody. No death, no cliff-hanger, no big twist - just a new job and lots and lots of tears. "There comes a point in one's life in which one feels compelled to make a change," she tells the team. "I have been offered another job with the FBI. And I have decided to take it." And with that, Catherine Willows has left Las Vegas. Our one gripe: No William Petersen? What were your top moments?

Compact disk Donna Rosenstein on In in the start of the TV Series

Donna Rosenstein has turned into a fan of casting aircraft aircraft pilots. "I like being part of an activity right from the start,Inch she states. "I become close using the producers and many types of individuals Sometimes with. Casting an airplane pilot is similar to beginning a completely new family. It's also like having a baby you neglect the discomfort." Rosenstein has seen the birth of several television series. Recent ones include "Castle," "Grimm," "Necessary Roughness," "Ghost Whisperer," and "October Road" (that have been cast by her office after pickup). She's also casting the half-hour pilot "Save Me" for NBC. She attended Binghamton College, initially thinking she wanted operate in film and tv production. Because her college didn't have a very film and tv department, she created one. She also created the tv station at Binghamton, which is still available. After college, she labored inside a talent agency too as with development and production jobs prior to the early eighties, when her friend, casting director Rhonda Youthful, asked for if she'd help her cast an activity. "I type of fell into casting," she states. "I learned to visit swimming by jumping within the pool."Rosenstein found her getting within this new kind of work. She what food is at ABC from 1984 to 1999, and throughout her last 10 years there she was your brain of casting. Following a Disney merger, however, she left to begin her company, Donna Rosenstein Casting. "I used to be only one mother motherhood,In . Rosenstein states. "I loved the independent casting lifestyle, and I've been carrying it out since.InchRosenstein loves the matchmaking element to casting: "It's finding a perfect person for your perfect role. Even though television has cast many established stars, it's still a medium of discovery and making stars. This is the positive thing in the job." Piloting the summer season The simplest approach to hop on her radar is always to "be accessible, doing plays and achieving whatever work you'll be able to.In . Although she doesn't typically conduct courses, she thinks they are helpful. "Both my cocasting company company directors, Kendra Castleberry and Marlo Tiede, do courses, plus they bring folks,Inch she states.She's not just a great fan of drop-offs or self-distribution throughout pilot season. "There's just almost no time with this,Inch she states. "I'll get 2,000 distribution around the role. Time for you to obtain on our radar is before pilot season."When who audition for just about any pilot, Rosenstein suggests that you just be as prepared as you can, even if you simply have the script a few several hours ahead of time. "Be as off-book as possible,In . she states. "Then can be found in and do work. Once the people inside the room desire to chat, great, do not ensure it is about youmake it in regards to the work. Should you aren't getting an adjustment, it doesn't mean they didn't just like you. You need to be professional and know a great deal.InchChallenging that stars frequently have when who audition for just about any pilot is identifying a bad tone from this, simply because they haven't any frame of reference yet. Rosenstein states it's perfectly okay to request questions inside the audition room, although it's more appropriate to own your agent call and ask for ahead of time. In the event you couldn't have the information just before the audition, don't get thrown if you're asked for to behave completely different from what you've prepared. "You may even say, 'I prepared it using this method, however can re-adjust. Tell me everything you think.' Be up-front."Besides like a good actor and being professional, Rosenstein stresses the value of searching confident. If she loves for that role, she'll be delivering you to definitely certainly a callback while using studio after which for the network next. "I must believe you've that capacity which strength to keep the quantity of work," she states."The main one factor stars have to realize," she adds, "is always that you need to cast the aircraft aircraft pilots nearly as much as that like be cast. We wish you to definitely certainly be great.InchRosenstein suggests stars being by themselves A game title title throughout pilot season by remaining healthy and being ready inside a moment's notice being new character, to accomplish an audition, simply to walk right into a place of work and roll while using punches. "There are many rejection," she states. "You will find plenty of items that move very quickly. Just understand that everybodyeven the best choice in the networkeverybody's inside the same boat. Everybody desires to make good products. Everybody desires to have hits. Everybody wants to uncover the following great person. Whenever your perception by doing this, it is actually a very even playing area for talent. If you've got the talent, it might stick out.Inch By Jessica Gardner The month of the month of january 26, 2012 Donna Rosenstein has turned into a fan of casting aircraft aircraft pilots. "I like joining an activity right from the start,Inch she states. "I become close using the producers and many types of individuals Sometimes with. Casting an plane pilot is similar to beginning a completely new family. It's also like having a baby you neglect the discomfort." Rosenstein has seen the birth of several television series. Recent ones include "Castle," "Grimm," "Necessary Roughness," "Ghost Whisperer," and "October Road" (that have been cast by her office after pickup). She's also casting the half-hour pilot "Save Me" for NBC. She attended Binghamton College, initially thinking she wanted operate in film and tv production. Because her college didn't have a very film and tv department, she created one. She also created the tv station at Binghamton, which is still available. After college, she labored inside a talent agency too as with development and production jobs prior to the early eighties, when her friend, casting director Rhonda Youthful, asked for if she'd help her cast an activity. "I kind of fell into casting," she states. "I learned to visit swimming by jumping inside the pool."Rosenstein found her getting within this new kind of work. She what food is at ABC from 1984 to 1999, and throughout her last 10 years there she was your brain of casting. Following a Disney merger, however, she left to start her company, Donna Rosenstein Casting. "I used to be just one mother motherhood,In . Rosenstein states. "I loved the independent casting lifestyle, and I've been carrying it out since.InchRosenstein loves the matchmaking element to casting: "It's finding an ideal person for your perfect role. Even though television has cast many established stars, it's still a medium of discovery and making stars. This is the positive thing in the job." Piloting the summer season The simplest approach to hop on her radar is always to "be accessible, doing plays and achieving whatever work you'll be able to.In . Although she doesn't typically conduct courses, she thinks they are helpful. "Both my cocasting company company directors, Kendra Castleberry and Marlo Tiede, do courses, and so they bring folks,Inch she states.She's not just a great fan of drop-offs or self-distribution throughout pilot season. "There's just almost no time with this,Inch she states. "I'll get 2,000 distribution around the role. Time for you to obtain on our radar is before pilot season."When who audition for just about any pilot, Rosenstein suggests that you just be as prepared as you can, even if you simply have the script a few several hours ahead of time. "Be as off-book as possible,In . she states. "Then can be found in and do work. Once the people inside the room desire to chat, great, do not ensure it is about youmake it in regards to the work. If you don't come with an adjustment, it doesn't mean they didn't just like you. You have to be professional and know a great deal.InchChallenging that stars frequently have when who audition for just about any pilot is identifying a bad tone from this, simply because they haven't any frame of reference yet. Rosenstein states it's perfectly okay to request questions inside the audition room, although it's more appropriate to own your agent call and ask for ahead of time. In the event you couldn't have the information just before the audition, don't get thrown if you're asked for to behave completely different from what you've prepared. "You may even say, 'I prepared it using this method, however can re-adjust. Tell me what you consider.A Be up-front."Besides like a good actor and being professional, Rosenstein stresses the value of searching confident. If she loves for your role, she'll be delivering you to definitely certainly a callback while using studio after which it for the network next. "I must believe you've that capacity which strength to keep the quantity of work," she states."The main one factor stars have to realize," she adds, "is always that you need to cast the aircraft aircraft pilots nearly as much as that like be cast. We wish you to definitely certainly do well.InchRosenstein suggests stars being by themselves A game title title throughout pilot season by remaining healthy and being ready inside a moment's notice being new character, to accomplish an audition, simply to walk right into a place of work and roll while using punches. "There are many rejection," she states. "You'll find a number of things that move very quickly. Just understand that everybodyeven the best choice in the networkeverybody's having the same problem. Everybody desires to make good products. Everybody desires to have hits. Everybody wants to uncover the following great person. Whenever your perception by doing this, it is actually a very even playing area for talent. If you've got the talent, it might stick out.Inch

Taylor takes development reins at DWA

SchwartzDreamWorks Animation has tapped Gregg Taylor as its new head of development. He replaces Alex Schwartz, who is switching roles at the toon studio to produce "Mr. Peabody & Sherman."In his new post, Taylor will oversee development of all of DreamWorks Animation's projects. He previously served as a senior development and production executive, overseeing DreamWorks Animation's expanding franchises, including the upcoming sequel to "How to Train Your Dragon," "The Penguins of Madagascar" and the company's various TV initiatives.Before DWA, Taylor spent six years as executive VP of development and production for the Kennedy/Marshall Co., during which it produced "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," "Persepolis" and "The Bourne Ultimatum."DWA has had a long relationship with Taylor, beginning with "Shrek," when he ran Mike Myers' production shingle. His credits there include "Austin Powers in Goldmember" and "The Cat in the Hat.""Gregg is an exceptional executive with a wide range of creative experience that will positively influence our future slate," said DreamWorks Animation chief creative officer Bill Damaschke. "I am confident that he will thrive as the new leader of DreamWorks Animation's development team." Schwartz had been head of development at DWA since 2008, putting together various projects including "Mr. Peabody & Sherman," "Rise of the Guardians" and "Trolls." "Mr. Peabody & Sherman," helmed by Rob Minkoff and produced by Denise Cascino, bows March 14, 2014."Alex's exemplary work in development over the years makes her an ideal choice to assume the role of producer on 'Mr. Peabody & Sherman' and I look forward to her continued creative input and leadership," Schwartz said.Before joining DWA, Schwartz served as Walden Media's executive VP, where she was in charge of the creative group and served as executive producer on films including "Holes," "Bridge to Terabithia," "Charlotte's Web" and "Journey 3D to the Center of the Earth.""I have enjoyed four wonderful years overseeing development at DreamWorks Animation, thanks in large part to the unparalleled quality of my team, including Gregg, Damon Ross and Chris Kuser," Schwartz said. "I am eager to take on the next creative challenge of producing 'Mr. Peabody & Sherman,' which has long been a passion project of mine."DWA has three pics skedded for release in 2012: "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" and "Rise of the Guardians," and "The Croods." "Turbo" and "Me and My Shadow" are scheduled to bow in 2013. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Ratings: Giants-49ers Game Grabs Huge Audience for Fox

Eli Manning of the NY Giants Fox's NFC Championship that saw the NY Giants beat the San Francisco 49ers in sudden-death overtime grabbed a huge audience that's becoming typical for the conference championship game that airs in prime time, according to preliminary Nielsen data. Dan Bell, a Fox Sports vice president, tweeted that the game was the highest rated NFC title game in 17 years (going back to the 1995 game when the 49ers played the Dallas Cowboys). Kelly Clarkson to perform national anthem at Super Bowl XLVI The Giants will play the New England Patriots, who won the afternoon game on CBS, in Super Bowl XLVI - a rematch of four years ago in what's sure to be the year's most-watched program. (Kickoff is set for about 6:20/5:20c, Sunday, Feb. 5, NBC.) Madonna will star in Super Bowl halftime show ABC's lineup went relatively unscathed, while CBS' shows took a hit and NBC emptied its inventory of the final two episodes of Prime Suspect to relatively execrable numbers. The only downside for Fox was that the length of the game and subsequent postgame show pushed a Sunday edition of American Idol to 11 p.m. ET. (It'll be rerun Tuesday at 8/7c.) On Saturday night, Lifetime got huge numbers (for Lifetime) with its real-crime original movieDrew Peterson: Untouchable, starring Rob Lowe and Kaley Cuoco -- averaging 5.8 million total viewers, of which 2.2 million were in the coveted 18-to-49 demo, Nielsen said. Catch up on today's news 8 p.m.CBS: Undercover Boss 9.17 million viewers (2.2)ABC: Once Upon a Time 9.30 million (3.2)Fox: NFC Championship 54.40 million (19.5) {7-10:30 p.m.}NBC: Dateline NBC 5.98 million (1.3) 9 p.m.ABC: Desperate Housewives 7.46 million viewers (2.6)CBS: The Good Wife [rerun] 5.61 million (1.1)NBC: Prime Suspect 4.26 million (1.4) 10 p.m.CBS: CSI: Miami [rerun] 6.23 million viewers (1.4 demo rating)ABC: Pan Am 3.86 million (1.3)NBC: Prime Suspect 3.64 million (0.7)

Syndie ratings strong for 'Big Bang'

When Warner Bros. professionals needed "The Big Bang Theory" out obtainable in spring 2010, they understood they'd an enormous hit by themselves hands.Since the show opened up in 2007, the sitcom had grown within the 49th-ranked scripted series among audiences in primetime to No. 7 in general audiences, plus it was the fifth-finest ranked series inside the 18-49 demo. The studio's job was only to prove the show's syndie possible ways to customers and secure the finest possible cost.That switched to become no problem. In the competitive investing in an offer war, Fox held off Tribune to win the offnet broadcast rights in May 2010 and also the best spinner's outbid other bidders for your cable rights.Overall, Warner Bros. apparently acquired $2.5 million an instalment for your sitcom, that's while using paydays of the best syndie laffers, including WBTV staples "Two and Half Males" and "Pals," Sony's "Seinfeld," and CBS Television Distribution's "Everybody Loves Raymond.""Large Bang" opened up in distribution well, nabbing 6.7 million audiences within the first week. That debut marked probably the most effective off-internet opening connected having a syndie since "Males," nevertheless the show elevated next. Under two several days later, "Large Bang" had grown to 9.8 million audiences." 'Big Bang' has already established over from 'Two . 5 Men' since the new, dominant 'A' sitcom on television,In . states Ken Werner, leader of Warner Bros.' Domestic Television Distribution. "The long run looks incredibly vibrant for your show.""Right from the start, 'Big Bang' was improving cycles for people, however it's doubling the time-frame and there has been some excellent is because of it," states Frank Cicha, senior V . p . of programming for your Fox Television Stations.The very best spinner's may also be happy with the very first performance of "Large Bang," where it airs four days each week in a number of cycles. Since the skein's cable premiere in September, it's grown from nearly 1.5 million audiences to just about 2.4 million audiences inside the week ending 12 ,. 5, a noteworthy difference of nearly 60%."?'Big Bang' is wonderful for a network like ours," states The very best spinner's topper Michael Wright. "It is good achieve plus it amplifies that brand we're trying to craft and then sell -- an up to date, smart and funny network."'THE Large BANG THEORY' 100TH EPISODEGals grow new ground Authenticity apparent in scientific situations Timeslot shuffles don't slow ascent Syndie ratings strong for 'Big Bang' Cast confessions Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Starz, Weinsteins, Electus on 'Marco Polo' trek

AlbrechtSilvermanB. WeinsteinH. WeinsteinStarz is joining up while using Weinstein Co. and Electus on new original series "Marco Polo," by getting a watch toward a premiere inside the partner of 2013. Harvey Weinstein developed the idea through conversations with Starz prexy/Boss Chris Albrecht, showing it to Electus topper Ben Silverman and making John Fusco ("Spirit: Stallion in the Cimarron") to produce the pilot. Known to love a personality-driven, fighting styles epic that will lense in China, Weinstein billed the series as "most likely probably the most pricey shows ever for pay TV.""Marco" will begin inside the fa-mous explorer's early years within the court docket of Kublai Khan. "It's a great challenge to accomplish and hopefully a legacy tv series,In . Weinstein told Variety, adding that "the fact (Fusco) had traveled the Silk Road and was familiar with Marco Polo was quite amazing,"The series might have facets of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" elements. "Clearly this is often a effective story that has European roots and Asian components which is naturally an international story," Silverman mentioned. It arranged in to the wheelhouse of Starz, which has featured such shows as "Spartacus" and "Camelot." A Ten-hour first season, plus a two-hour premiere, is planned."We've plenty of fascination with these semi-historic period pieces," Albrecht mentioned, "because In my opinion they may be a lot of fun and play well, but they should be not just a retelling of history. When Harvey found tell me it absolutely was 'Marco Polo as Indiana Manley,' that appears just like a very awesome idea."Silverman and Albrecht added that mixing by utilizing fighting styles plus an exotic location that television has rarely looked into aided seal the sale.InchIt's very ambitious," Silverman mentioned. "You need to produce a large epic series with visual trademarks that were not noticed in scripted television before."Fusco, Weinstein and Silverman will professional produce alongside Bob Weinstein. Producers are striving to begin principal shooting this summer season in China at two primary locations. The Marco Polo role might be the only real series regular who certainly are Whitened. "Lots of casting should be finished with Asian stars and hopefully Chinese stars," Albrecht mentioned, "because you need to get this authentic as you can.InchStarz Entertainment will own the exclusive license for the domestic premium pay TV rights and certain digital rights for the series for your Starz network, while Starz's Anchor Bay arm will distribute the house within the united states . States in homevideo. The Weinstein Co. and Electus Intl. control all remaining rights."Knowing the world marketplace additionally to production," Albrecht mentioned, "(Weinstein and Electus) set off and not develop the assets to accomplish this justice, however the associations in China that will hopefully let's perform a ongoing series in China, that's not the same as undertaking a theatrical movie for X volume of days. ... This really is pricey, however they have develop a great production team."Starz' next series premiere is an additional period piece, although an even more recent period: 1959-set "Miracle City," which bows April 6 with Mitch Glazer professional creating."We are trying to find these highly entertaining, fun, high-quality, popcorn-type suggests that potentially have a very broad appeal," Albrecht mentioned. "We will probably bring everyone else with a place where they could be thinking about regularly." Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Miller to head Celestial Tiger

SHANGHAI -- Former Sony Pictures Television exec Todd Miller is to return to the biz as topper of Celestial Tiger Entertainment, the Asian media company launched last month by Celestial Pictures, financier Saban Capital Group and Lionsgate. Miller will drive Celestial Tiger's core businesses of branded pay TV channels, content creation and content distribution across Asia and beyond, the company said in a statement. He spent 17 years at Sony Pictures Television, where he served most recently as executive veep for Asia-Pacific networks. Miller has been appointed prexy and chief operating officer, while Tiger Gate CEO William Pfeiffer will assume an advisory position. "Todd's experience, achievements and relationships in Asia and beyond is exactly the leadership we are looking for to help realize our goals for Celestial Tiger Entertainment," said Adam Chesnoff, prexy and COO of Saban Capital Group and chairman of the board of directors of CTE. The company's senior management team, based at its Hong Kong headquarters, also includes Ed Stansfield, chief finance officer and senior veep of business development; Ofanny Choi, executive veep TV Networks, and Wendy Reeds, executive veep, content sales and distribution. Also on the management team are Andy Chang, senior marketing veep, and Jef Lim, head of programming and production. Miller said: "Celestial Tiger Entertainment is uniquely positioned as Asia's largest regional pay TV broadcaster dedicated to Asian entertainment." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Time Warner seeking new digs

Time Warner chief financial officer John Martin said Thursday that the storied media company may move to new digs outside of NY City as it consolidates office space to cut costs. Leases on a handful of properties, include Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle, expire later this decade and the conglom is looking to move into one or more larger spaces. "We can't just limit it to NY City,'' Martin said at a Citigroup media conference in San Francisco. "Unfortunately, operating in NY City is extremely expensive so we will be aggressive about looking around in any number of places to see where we can get the best deal.'' News of upcoming real estate moves for one of the city's biggest tenants came out last fall. A spokesman for Time Warner said the company had maintained all along that it would look both inside and outside NY City. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com