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Basinger vs. Baldwin

While we're totally siding with "30 Rock" star Alec Baldwin, we still think this cartoon is pretty funny.

WTF: Tori Spelling on Smallville, Clark Kent Directs

Tori Spelling will be playing a meteor freak on tonight’s "Smallville," a meteor freak who’s a gossip columnist. One or the other would have been just fine thank you very much. In an interview with TVGuide she also lets us know that Tom Welling directed the episode. Yes, Tom Welling, the guy that plays Clark Kent. Think that’s weird? He’s too young? Nope, the dude’s like 40. OK, I made that up but he is 29. It’s probably a good idea for him to be looking for other avenues besides acting. Because even though he’s good looking, once you play Superman on TV you’re fucked. Look at Dean Cain or even George Reeves.

Parnell and Sanz Out at SNL

Let the shake-up begin. Chris Parnell, Horatio Sanz and Finesse Mitchell have been LET GO by Saturday Night Live. There is no mention of anyone taking their place. The number of season regulars is now at 11 compared to 16 from last year.

I don’t know what to think of this. Sanz wasn’t really funny. You just laughed whenever he flubbed a line. Parnell was solid but Will Forte and Seth Meyers pretty much cover the same ground. I’m betting Lorne Michaels is leaning towards Andy Samberg and Bill Hader as the new darlings but I haven’t seen them do much outside the pre-taped stuff. This is going to be a strange season for the cast. Let’s just hope the writers are hard at work for the September 30 premiere with Dane Cook.   

30 Rock Replaces Dratch, FJZ Update

Hey guys. Sorry we’ve been so MIA lately. There was a little TypePad lockout that prevented The Other Half from posting and we’ve been in the middle of moving at the same time. Don’t worry we’re ready for the new season. Big Time.

A little bit of news came over the wires yesterday. NBC has replaced Rachel Dratch as the lead in the fictitious show that “30 Rock” centers around with Ally McBeal alum and Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski. This makes some sense since in the Pilot I couldn’t figure out why America would be in love with Dratch’s character propelling the “Girlie Show” to top ratings. So good move NBC. And for Dratch fans, word is she will reappear on “30 Rock” as a number of different characters. 

Casting Weekend Update 2006-2007

Now that it’s official that Tina Fey is leaving SNL it’s time to start casting the most important segment of the show. Saturday Night Live has relied on the “Fake News” since Dennis Miller was relevant and funny, oh about 20 years ago. So who on the cast should fill the two seats?

There are a few possibilities in my mind. Listen up Lorne.

First decide whether to keep Poehler or not. I say keep her, mainly because she’s good and I don’t think there are two male cast mates I want to see together. And if they go to one anchor you know its going to look like “The Daily Show.”

My #1 pick would be Seth Meyers. He already plays the alcoholic morning show host opposite Poehler, now he just has to play the disgruntled, yet well groomed anchor role. Shouldn’t be hard and those are some of the funnier skits of the past few years.

#2 Will Forte: He does the perfect President Bush so he may be off limits. But like Meyers, he kind of has the newsman look already.

#3 Andy Sandberg: He’s funny enough and might bring a different style. If they want edgy they go with him. If they want polish they go with Meyers or Forte.

#4 Finesse Mitchell: Sorry Finesse, it isn’t going to happen. Aren’t you tired of being pushed around on this show?

#5 Chris Parnell: He’s probably not right for this every week but he’s one of the funnier cast members left.

#6. Bill Hader: Does anyone find this guy funny? I’m trying to remember a skit with him in it that I liked…ummm…nope. Can’t think of any.

If you had your druthers who would you want in the anchor chair opposite Amy?

Post Emmy Talk: It's All About the Snubs

We said it in our post yesterday and today everyone else is talking about it. Critics, experts and bloggers are all outraged that Jason Lee and Zach Braff were skipped over for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series nominations.

Read what others are saying:

USA Today  The site is even polling the worst snub, although Braff is not included on the list. As of 8:45 CDT this morning, 34 % of voters said the biggest snub was Hugh Laurie of "House," with Lee coming in second with 18% of the vote.

LA Times/Gold Derby

San Jose Mercury News

Chicago Daily Herald

Boston Globe

Too bad Zach Braff isn't talking about it on his blog. We'd really like to hear his thoughts.

Another Friends Alum Returning to NBC

According to the Hollywood Reporter and E! online, Lisa Kudrow, whose shortlived "Comeback" was cancelled by HBO, has inked a two-year development deal with NBC. While there's no guarantee Phoebe will return to the small screen any time soon, NBC will have first dibs on any series developed by Kudrow and and her producing partner.

Who Could Win On An NBC Sitcom

Just checking out the latest TV gossip and came across news that Jason Bateman, late of Arrested Development, is expecting a baby with his wife Amanda Anka. Congrats!

Now here’s a guy that could definitely drive a smart and edgy sitcom for NBC while still retaining some every-guy charm if you went the family route for the show.

NBC Likes Old Farts

Actually, it seems all the networks like old farts. Phil Rosenthal, the Chicago Tribune media industry guru, wrote a story yesterday about old (and familiar faces) you'll be seeing on TV this fall. Some of the old timers you'll see on NBC this fall are John Lithgow, 60, and Jeffrey Tambor, 61 on 20 Good Years and of course all of the old foagies over at Law & Order inclusing Sam Waterston, 65, and Fred Thompson, 63.

While Mr. Rosenthal says "Old is becoming TV's hot new thing," we'd actually prefer some fresh faces this fall. While we love Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry, and granted they're not that old, it's hard to not see them as Josh Lyman and Chandler Bing on Studio 60. And boy would we love to see Campbell Brown, 37, or Natalie Morales, 34, versus old hag Meredith Vieira, 52, in the mornings on Today.