Category: TV

Fantasia to star in reality series

American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino will star in her own VH1 reality series.  Premiering in 2010, the show will follow the North Carolina native’s life as a singer and a young single mother.

“Fantasia’s life has been an open book, but at 24 years old, her story has just begun,” said executive producer Randy Barbato to the Hollywood Reporter. “We look forward to smashing expectations and revealing the fresh, funny and unexpected side of this one-of-a-kind country girl and superstar.”

The nine-time Grammy nominee’s autobiography, “Life is Not a Fairy Tale,” was made into a Lifetime movie, in which she played herself.

Impeached Illinois Gov. to star in reality series

Impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich may star in the NBC reality series, “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.”  Premiering June 1, the show will feature 10 celebrities facing challenges as they adjust to living in the Costa Rican jungle for four weeks.  The contestants of the live series will also raise money for their favorite charities.

A federal judge must first approve the former governor, who faces corruption charges, leaving the country.

“Everybody Hates Chris” is over

The CW series, “Everybody Hates Chris” was not picked up by the network for a fifth season.  The show’s creator Chris Rock is planning the series finale on May 5th to mirror his real life.  Rock quit high school in the 10th grade to pursue a career in comedy.

16-year-old Tyler James Williams, who plays Chris on the show, told TV Guide that the character will complete a high-school equivalency test. “An envelope arrives,” Williams said. “But before we find out the results, we fade to black. If it ends here, we ended it the right way.”

“It might not be a bad way to go,” Rock agrees.

‘Kumar’ goes to the White House

Kal Penn, who starred as Kumar in the movie, “Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle,” is now part of the Obama administration.  Penn most recently had a recurring role on the FOX series, “House.”  There is no start date yet for his new job as associate director in the Office of Public Liaison.  Penn will connect President Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific-Islander communities plus the arts & entertainment groups.

‘Game’ may become an hourlong show

As the CW network moves away from half-hour comedy shows in its lineup, “The Game,” is trying to pitch itself as an hourlong dramedy, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  There is still some doubt whether the “Girlfriends” spinoff will be renewed for a fourth season.  The show has already been pushed to the low-rated Friday night.

Wanda Sykes becomes late-night host

Comedian Wanda Sykes will host a Saturday late-night show this fall. The Fox hour long show will replace the cancelled comedy, “MadTV.”  The show will feature a panel of guests discussing popular topics as well as field segments. 

Sykes currently co-stars on the CBS series, “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”  The comedian is set to host the 2009 White House Correspondents Association Dinner.

Taye Diggs expecting first baby

Taye Diggs, 38, and his wife Idina Menzel, 37, are expecting their first baby later this year, reports People magazine.  The couple met while performing in the 1996 Broadway production of Rent and married in 2003.  Diggs currently costars on the ABC drama, “Private Practice.”

Kanye appears in ‘Family Guy’ spinoff

Kanye West will guest star in the new animated FOX series, “The Cleveland Show,” a spin-off of “The Family Guy,” which will premiere this fall, reports People.  West will play the “not-so-mega-star rapper Kenny West.”

Last week, West, 31, read his lines with series regular Sanaa Lathan, who plays Cleveland Brown’s wife Donna, and guest star Taraji P. Henson.

“It was surprising to us that [he] was so into it that he came to the table [read], and wonderfully surprising how cool he was, how funny he was and how unassuming he was,” says executive producer Mike Henry, who voices Cleveland Brown and other characters on the show. “He’s just a great presence.”

Check out a teaser for the new show.

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