ABC shuts Adam Lambert out of 'Kimmel': Is the FCC to blame?

That naughty American Music Awards performance isn't going to be behind Adam Lambert anytime soon.

Even after his well-received performance on "The Early Show" last week, ABC continues to feel uncomfortable around Lambert. His Dec. 17 "Jimmy Kimmel Live" appearance was canceled today--news Lambert himself delivered on his Twitter page an hour ago.

The performance on Kimmel's live stage was scheduled before Lambert made his now infamous debut on the AMAs on Nov. 22.  In one of his tweets about the matter, Lambert told his fans not to blame ABC but rather "It's the FCC heat."

It's not clear whether ABC told Lambert to put the blame there or if the "American Idol" runner-up is making his own assumptions. But we do know the following: The FCC doesn't monitor programming after 10 p.m. Don't believe us? The following is an excerpt from its website:

"The FCC has determined, with the approval of the courts, that there is a reasonable risk that children will be in the audience from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Therefore, the FCC prohibits station licensees from broadcasting indecent material during that period.

"Material is indecent if, in context, it depicts or describes sexual or excretory organs or activities in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium...The 'safe harbor' refers to the time period between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., local time. During this time period, a station may air indecent and/or profane material."

We are not saying Lambert is indecent, but, either way, it's been deemed OK for him to be after 10 p.m. (His AMA appearance, by the way, aired at 10:55 p.m.).

In a statement to The Times, an ABC spokeswoman made no mention of the FCC and would only explain the network's decision to disinvite Lambert from performing on "Kimmel" as follows, "We decided not to move forward with the booking at this time." ABC declined to be interviewed about the issue.

You will recall that ABC also disinvited Lambert from "Good Morning America" last week.  And to just make it a dissing trifecta, Lambert also tweeted that he was disinvited from performing on "New Year's Rockin' Eve." Sources at Dick Clark Productions, however, tell us those plans were never finalized.

Lambert assured his fans he will still appear on "The Jay Leno Show" and he thinks "it'll all blow over."

Do you?

--Maria Elena Fernandez

--Photo: Lambert at the AMAs; Credit: Associated Press

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Adam Lambert calls the controversy a double standard

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CBS responds to blurring of image of Lambert kissing a male band member

'Sons of Anarchy' finale hits ratings high, scores Season 3 renewal

More than 4.3 million viewers tuned in to Tuesday’s season finale of FX’s "Sons of Anarchy," making it the most-watched episode in the series' history.

The 10 p.m. event also topped rankings among men 18 to 49 and men 18 to 34. On Wednesday afternoon the network announced it had ordered a third season.

“The success of 'Sons of Anarchy' is very gratifying, and the show has become a bona-fide hit,” said FX President-General Manager John Landgraf said.

Production on the next 13 episodes will begin in September 2010, and all series regulars are set to return. Kurt Sutter executive-produces the drama about an outlaw motorcycle gang. Katey Sagal, Charlie Hunnam and Ron Perlman star.

In its second season, "Sons" averaged 3.7 million total viewers (up 66% from last season) and 2.6 million adults 18 to 49 (up 75%).

-- Denise Martin

ABC moves 'Ugly Betty' to Wednesdays at 10 -- but will it help?

Will ABC's move of "Ugly Betty" from the Friday-night dead zone to Wednesday be enough to save what was once a watercooler show?

The network is expected to announce today that "Betty" will begin airing Wednesdays at 10 in January, replacing the ill-fated "Eastwick."

But is the move too little too late?

On one hand, the Wednesday move does give the fourth-season show a strong lead-in with hit comedy "Cougar Town." Meanwhile, some critics are rallying behind what they've deemed a creative comeback this season, which has seen Betty undergo a makeover and become an editor at fashion magazine Mode.

On the flip side, "Betty's" most recent episode -- which concluded the major storylines revolving around Daniel joining a Scientology-esque cult and Wilhelmina's demonic daughter -- drew just 3.26 million viewers. Ten o'clock might also be too late for the "Betty" audience, which stuck with the show through three seasons Thursdays at 8 but did not all follow it to Fridays at 9. And "Betty" has lost more viewers in its new time slot than any other returning show.

Drawing viewers back to its heavily serialized stories, after many have already abandoned it, will be the show's real challenge -- one that will determine whether or not those braces come off in time to see Season 5.

-- Denise Martin

Photo: America Ferrera stars in "Ugly Betty." Credit: ABC

Exclusive: Six actors from "The Shield" to appear in the same episode of Fox's "Lie To Me"

 

Be still our "Shield" hearts.

Six -- count 'em, six -- cast members of "The Shield" will reunite for an episode of "Lie To Me" with their former boss, Shawn Ryan, who joined the Fox drama this year as its show runner.

No, they won't be reprising their Los Angeles police officer roles, but half a dozen actors from the brilliant FX drama working together with Ryan is the stuff of TV lovers' dreams. (Ho! Ho! Ho!)

The episode, which is in production and will air in the spring, is heavy-duty and revolves around the execution of a man who was convicted 17 years ago of murdering an 8-year-old boy. Lightman (Tim Roth) and Zoe (Jennifer Beals) worked on the case together and witness the execution only to have to face the possibility that they sent an innocent man to death when his family is targeted by the real killer.

Which "Shield" veterans will appear?

Benito Martinez and Catherine Dent as the uncle and aunt of the murdered boy; Kenny Johnson as a photographer who becomes a suspect; David Marciano as the wrongfully executed man; Cathy Cahlin Ryan (who's married to Shawn Ryan) as the ex-girlfriend of the executed man; and David Rees Snell, who plays the brother of the executed man.

And, in case you are wondering, no, this is not a lie.

--Maria Elena Fernandez

Photo: Roth as Lightman: Credit: Fox

Related:

Shawn Ryan to focus on character development on "Lie To Me"

Shawn Ryan: The Man Behind "The Shield"

Charles Gibson set to leave 'World News' Dec. 18

Charles Gibson’s last day as anchor of ABC’s “World News” will be Dec. 18, the network announced today. Diane Sawyer is expected to take the reins of the broadcast the following Monday, Dec. 21.

Jon Banner, executive producer of “World News,” broke the news of Gibson’s departure date in a blog post. “It’s that time of year in this great country of ours when we give thanks for family and friends and focus on the things that matter most to us. It’s no different here in the newsroom, where we are preparing to see our very good friend and anchor off as he begins a new journey,” Banner wrote. “We’ve known this day was coming; Charlie first told us of his desire to retire in early September. As he said then, it’s the right time for him and his amazing family.”

Banner said the broadcast was going to devote the last week of his tenure recapping the stories Gibson has covered in his three decades at the network.

ABC announced in September that Gibson had decided to retire and that Sawyer, who had long sought the evening news post, would succeed him. Publicly, ABC has sought to be low-key about the transition and has planned little in the way of a major marketing campaign to announce the changeover. But behind the scenes, Sawyer has spent much of the last few months focused on her plans for the broadcast, meeting extensively with producers about how to put her imprint on the program.

The network has yet to announce how it plans to replace Sawyer on “Good Morning America," though sources close to the morning show said “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos was viewed as the leading candidate. Network executives are also considering "GMA" news anchor Chris Cuomo.

-- Matea Gold 

White House party crashers insist they were invited to state dinner

The Virginia couple accused of crashing a state dinner at the White House last week told NBC’s Matt Lauer  they were invited to the event and that they were pained by the portrayal of them in the press as social climbers who went there seeking attention.

“This has been the most devastating thing that’s ever happened to us,” Tareq Salahi told Lauer on the “Today" show. “We’re greatly saddened by all the circumstances that have been involved and portraying my wife and I as party crashers – I can tell you, we did not party crash the White House.”

“Right now it’s just been really unbearable to go through,” Michaele Salahi said, adding: “We were invited, not crashers. And there isn’t anyone that would have the audacity or poor behavior to do that. The White House is the house. And no one would do that, and certainly not us.”  

The couple said they could not yet go into details, saying they are cooperating with the Secret Service but added that they are sure they will be exonerated.

“The truth will soon come out,” said Tareq Salahi, who said he had e-mails that document their side of the story. “In our view it’s clear to us, and based on the timeline. I think the American public is actually going to be extremely surprised with all the details that went from beginning to end in what was supposed to be a lovely evening.”

The sought-after interview was the first by the couple since the news broke last week that the Salahis had managed to enter the White House without being on the official guest list. The couple had first been booked to appear on CNN’s “Larry King Live,” but canceled that interview amid reports that they were seeking to be paid for their appearance. On “Today,” Lauer took pains to solicit assurances by the Salahis that they had not been paid by NBC, whose sister network, Bravo, is developing a reality show the couple was hoping to be cast on.

“You are not,” said Michaele Salahi. “At no time have we ever talked about doing that.”

The couple said they’d been horrified by the maelstrom of attention. “Our lives have been destroyed,” Michaele Salahi said. “Everything we worked for, Matt, for me, 44 years, just destroyed.”

-- Matea Gold

RELATED:

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'Lost' final season promo: que bueno!

The last season of "Lost" is shrouded in so much secrecy that ABC is refusing to use new footage in its promotions. 

But Spain's Cuatro Network has created its own trailer, which poses a theory for what is really happening on the island. Are they right? Quien sabe? But executive producer Carlton Cuse retweeted it today, calling it "the best promo ever."

What do you say, fellow "Perdidos?" Up for a game of chess? We only have 64 days to kill before the final season premieres Feb. 2.

-- Maria Elena Fernandez

Related:

Final season premieres on Feb. 2

Will all original cast members return?

CBS responds to criticism over blurring of Adam Lambert's kiss on 'The Early Show'

Does Adam Lambert have it right?

This morning, during his appearance on "The Early Show," Lambert said he believed the furor over his sexually charged American Music Awards performance on Sunday was due to the fact that he's a gay male. He pointed out that Janet Jackson, for example, who opened the telecast, grabbed the crotch of a male dancer and no one had even mentioned that.

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton expressed his disgust over the "double standard" in a post this morning and asked why CBS' "The Early Show" blurred the image of Lambert kissing one of his band members but showed Madonna's famous 2007 kiss with Britney Spears at the Video Music Awards.

We thought it was a valid question, and we took it to CBS.

A CBS representative responded: "We gave this some real thought.  The Madonna image is very familiar and has appeared countless times, including many times on morning television. The Adam Lambert image is a subject of great current controversy, has not been nearly as widely disseminated and, for all we know, may still lead to legal consequences."

What do you think?

-- Maria Elena Fernandez

Photo: Adam Lambert's AMA kiss. Credit: Dick Clark Productions

Related:

Adam Lambert answers his critics

Adam Lambert asks and answers 'Whataya Want From Me' on 'The Early Show'

Adam Lambert didn't think he needed to redeem himself today on CBS' "The Early Show." But he may have done just that and a little bit more.

At the same time he was reminding his "American Idol" fans what they loved about him in the first place, Lambert probably managed to instill some regret over at ABC headquarters over Tuesday's decision to disinvite him to perform on "Good Morning America" after his controversial, highly sexual appearance at the American Music Awards on Sunday night.

This morning, Lambert was relaxed and articulate as he answered questions about his decisions on Sunday night to improvise kissing a man on stage and simulating oral sex with another. Later, he took questions from fans who attended his live performance and capped the morning with two strong vocal performances of his new songs, "Whataya Want From Me" and "Music Again."

In his interview, Lambert admitted that performing in front of many of his favorite pop artists "got the best of me" and that the controversial parts of his Sunday night performance were not rehearsed. Having a background in theater, he said, doesn't automatically make him think of the audience at home when he is on stage, he said.

"Honestly, it didn't even cross my mind — children," he said. "It was almost 11 o'clock. I was there in the audience full of mostly adults. Sometimes I forget, oh, there's a camera on. I come from the theater and I'm programmed to look at who's in the live audience, and that's kind of where I come from, and so I was looking out into the crowd and saw some of my favorite pop stars and thought I want to let loose. It just kind of got the best of me. I had a really great time. Unfortunately, there are people that are really upset, but there are also people that enjoyed it. So, like "Idol," I guess I have a tendency to divide people. Apples and oranges. You either like it or you don't."

Later he added: "It got the best of me. I'm obviously learning. This is my first performance post-"Idol" on television. The song lyrically is sexual, and I was just performing the lyrics of my song. I think in the future I will probably make a little bit more of an effort to stay consistent with what I do during rehearsal to what I do during the show. That's something I'm learning now, and that way if anyone has a problem with what I'm doing, it can be explored during rehearsal."

Fox announces its midseason lineup

Fox announced its midseason lineup today and it contains a couple of surprises. Dr. House and Jack Bauer will team up on Monday nights, "Fringe" will remain in its challenging Thursday night time slot, and "Glee" will be off the air until April 13, when it returns on a new night following "American Idol" but up against the last episodes of ABC's "Lost."

"American Idol" returns on Jan. 12 and will help launch "Our Little Genius," a new game show by Mark Burnett ("Survivor" and "The Apprentice") the following night. "Our Little Genius" then will shift to Tuesdays paired with "Idol" until April 13, when "Glee" returns for its remaining nine episodes at 9 p.m.

The new drama "Human Target," starring Mark Valley, premieres on Jan. 20 after "Idol."

As previously announced, "24" returns with a two-night premiere on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 and then settles into its regular Monday 9 p.m. slot after "House" on Jan. 25.

"Fringe," which has taken a ratings hit on its new night, will remain on Thursdays but will take a break beginning Feb. 11, when Fox launches the new drama "Past Life."  "Fringe" returns to the schedule on April 1.

As previously announced, "Dollhouse" will end on Jan. 22. "Kitchen Nightmares" will take over its Friday time slot the following week.

The new comedy "Sons of Tuscon," starring Tyler Labine, will premiere March 14 at 8:30 p.m. when "The Cleveland Show" moves to 9:30 p.m. and "American Dad" is off the schedule.

Fox also ordered a complete second season of "Lie To Me."

--Maria Elena Fernandez

Photo: Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer on "24" / Credit: Fox

Related:

Fringe looks for an identity in its second season

Mark Valley stars in "Human Target"

24: First Look of new season

Dollhouse is canceled

Morning round-up: Rating tonight's 'V' fall finale, 'Twilight' movies head to FX, Adam Lambert's AMA performance comes under fire

Reviewing tonight's "V" fall finale (with no spoilers attached): "V" Show Tracker Jace Lacob has seen tonight's goods and he says this episode is the one to watch. Or as he puts it: "If you've been on the fence at all about ABC's reimagining of "V," this is the episode to watch. Unfolding at a breakneck speed, there's a slew of neck-snapping plot twists, defining character moments and some enticing reveals designed to sate our appetite until "V" returns in the spring."

USA renews "Psych": Season 5 coming your way next summer, says Variety. The second half of the current fourth season begins in January.

"Twilight" heads to FX: The cable network, home to such gritty male-skewing dramas as "Sons of Anarchy" and "Rescue Me," has just bought the rights to the four "Twilight" movies (including the unreleased sequels "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn.") Also included in the deal with "Twilight" producer Summit Entertainment are the movies "The Hurt Locker," "Knowing," and "Push." THR reports that the first of the vampire romance films will debut on the channel in 2011.

Susan Boyle gets profiled: TV Guide Network announced it would air "I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story," on Dec. 13.

Adam Lambert draws record audiences: The singer's controversial performance helped boost ratings for Sunday's "American Music Awards." More than 14.2 million viewers watched his racy moves (and J.Lo fall on her butt). That's the show's biggest draw since 2002.

...he also drew complaints: Some 1,500 of them. No word on whether or not the Federal Communications Commission will take any action.

First 'Cougar Town,' now 'FlashForward': ABC has temporarily shut down production on the freshman sci-fi drama. Sources tell EW.com that the break was accounted for in production schedules. "FlashForward" has already been picked up for a full season. Elsewhere, People.com reports that "Cougar Town" goes back into production Nov. 30, at which point star Courteney Cox's "family matter" will have been resolved.

-- Denise Martin

Morning round-up: Oprah gets into bed with HBO, 'Cougar Town' shuts down, and 'Fringe' producers talk ... Season 6?

Oprah goes risque at HBO: While industry observers ponder the syndication biz without its queen, Oprah is focused on other projects. The latest (outside of the yet-to-launch OWN)? Her production banner Harpo Films has set up an hourlong series pilot at HBO about a woman who leaves her seemingly perfect family to indulge in "her secret fantasies and desires" in the underbelly of L.A. The project is being written by Erin Cressida Wilson, who wrote 2002's kinky love story "Secretary."

Speaking of Oprah... The talk show host's former personal chef Art Smith (more recently of "Top Chef Masters") has signed a deal to star in his own show on TLC. The series, according to the Hollywood Reporter, "Craving Comfort," will follow Smith as he travels the country exploring different takes on classic dishes, such as fried chicken and apple pie. Variety reports that TLC also has ordered the reality series "Mall Cops: Mall of America" (thanks to the many of you who made "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" a hit) and "Ghost Intervention."

"Cougar Town" shuts down: A rep for ABC told US Weekly, "We can confirm production of 'Cougar Town' has been temporarily shut down in order for [star Courteney Cox] to deal with a private family matter." No word on when production is expected to resume.

David Tennant's end draws near: BBC America has announced the actor's final two "Doctor Who" specials: "Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part 1" and "Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part 2." The first will air Dec. 26 at 9 p.m. Break out the Kleenex!

"Fringe" executive producers plan for ... Season 6? According to Digital Spy, during a conference call with reporters, executive producer Jeff Pinker said, "If we're lucky enough, we have six seasons that we're really excited about." Might have to get those ratings up first, no?

Tune-in reminder: "Battlestar Galactica" fans! Katee Sackhoff guest stars in tonight's "Big Bang Theory" on CBS.

-- Denise Martin