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Hit animated film Kung Fu Panda is making the transition to the small screen - the movie is to be adapted into a TV series.

The 2008 movie, which featured the voices of Jack Black and Angelina Jolie, was a box office smash, grossing $600 million (£400 million) worldwide.

It was also nominated for an Oscar at this year's Academy Awards.

And now the film's success is set to continue, with a Kung Fu Panda cartoon series in production for cable children's network Nickelodeon.

The 26-episode series will use the same computer-generated process as the film but it is not known whether any of the stars will reprise their roles. The show is scheduled to air in 2010.

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'CSI' Writer Accused of Televised Revenge Plot

This is one of the best lawsuits we've seen in a while -- a writer for "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" is accused of naming some seriously perverted characters on his show after a real-life couple who allegedly screwed her in a real estate deal gone bad.

According to the suit, filed moments ago in L.A. County Superior Court, Scott and Melinda Tamkin claim "CSI" writer Sarah Goldfinger sought revenge against them by allegedly using their names and likenesses to craft a recent episode of "CSI."

Here's the rub -- the Tamkins claim their fictional counterparts "engaged in a reckless lifestyle of sexual bondage, pornography, drunkeness, marital discord, depression, financial straights and possibly even murder."

The Tamkins claim CBS acknowledged the problem and changed the names "at the eleventh hour," but because the first names matched, and the original last names had already made it to the Internet -- the damage was already done.

Now the Tamkins claim their good names have been sullied -- and are suing CBS, Goldfinger and the production company behind the show for at least $6 mil.


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ABC greenlights 'Crash Course'

ABC has given the green light to a new car-based reality series.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Crash Course will be given a late summer run.

"It’s going to be visually stunning and hysterical," said executive producer Arthur Smith. "Nothing brings out the worst in people than sitting in a passenger seat."

During its seven-episode run, five couples will undertake four extreme driving challenges, with one couple being eliminated at the end of each round.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Orlando Jones and Dan Cortese will host the new series.

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No, it isn't 1998. It's just that former Dawson's Creek show runner Tom Kapinos spoke at a Los Angeles Times Envelope Screening Series panel about his current show, Californication, last night, and well, he went off on his former starlets.

In talking about the genesis of Californication, Tom explained: "The idea came out of my own misery of working on Dawson's Creek. I came out here to write screenplays, and I ended up on Dawson's Creek, which was very lucrative and fun, but it was not what I wanted to do."

Tom then went on to seemingly trash Dawson's stars Katie Holmes, James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams. Check this craziness out...

"The experience was miserable," he continued about Dawson's. "But it was a four-year boot camp. It was like going to TV grad school and learning how to run a television show. Anybody on that show who could make a decision was allowed to run it at some point. I inherited the very awkward college years, and I almost ran the show into the ground. But I learned everything that I needed to know about how to run a show."

When the panel moderator asked, "What was it specifically that made it such a challenge?" Tom dropped this bomb: "It was the four monstrous actors at the core of it."

The audience erupted in laughter as Tom continued, saying: "They were very young, and they got very famous, and they made life miserable for any writer or producer on the show."


Are you surprised at Tom's comments about Dawson's Creek? Fire away below.

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Patrick Swayze’s TV show The Beast has been cancelled, it has been reported.

A source involved with the production of the A&E crime drama claims that a second season will not transpire, People reports.

The Ghost star filmed 13 episodes of the series last summer while he underwent treatment for pancreatic cancer, and had been unable to promote the show when he dealt with a bout of pneumonia in January.

"He had challenges while he was working because he was still doing chemo and it wasn't always easy but in spite of all of that, he'd suit up and show up," his wife Lisa Niemi said. "He was always there."

The actor, 56, had also received praise for his professionalism from co-stars.

A rep for A&E said "no decision has been made" regarding the future of the show. Swayze’s rep had no comment. The last episode of The Beast aired on April 23.

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James Corden plans 'break' from Horne

James Corden has admitted that he wants time away from his TV co-star Mathew Horne.

The comedy duo have worked on a number of projects together in recent years, including BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, sketch show Horne & Corden and comedy-horror movie Lesbian Vampire Killers.

The pair have also launched careers as TV presenters, teaming up to front the Brit Awards and E4's Big Brother's Big Mouth.

Speaking to The People, Corden revealed: "We still love each other but we need to spend a bit of time apart. We are going to have a break like couples sometimes do.

"We'll probably do another series of our comedy show, but I want to do more movies. With Mat or without Mat, I'm not sure. The main thing is I am in them. What more do the public and screaming girls want?"

Corden was recently tipped to make a guest appearance on Take That's current 'Circus' tour.


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'Prison Break' actor joins 'Entourage'

William Fichtner has joined HBO's Entourage, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The actor, who played Agent Mahone in Prison Break, has reportedly been tapped for a multi-episode arc on the comedy's upcoming sixth series.

Fichtner will play Phil Yagoda, a slick TV producer who had a hit teen series in the '90s.

Additionally, Matt Letscher has been cast as Dan Coakley, a handsome, arrogant TV studio executive, and Ocean's Eleven star Scott Caan has joined as Scotty Lavin, a cocky and highly competitive manager.

Recently, it was announced that Zac Efron had filmed a cameo for the series.


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Cyrus: Hannah Montana To End After Next Season

Disney star Miley Cyrus will quit her role as Hannah Montana when the show's fourth season ends next year.

The 16 year old skyrocketed to stardom as a normal schoolgirl who leads a double life as a pop star at night.

Rumours Cyrus was itching to move on from the TV series were silenced when she signed up for another season of the hit show earlier this month.

But the star's dad Billy Ray Cyrus - who also plays her father in the programme - has confirmed the fourth season will be her last.

He tells U.S. news show Access Hollywood, "Quite frankly, I give a lot of credit to Miley for taking it to another year. She didn't want it to just end with whatever was the last episode we did... She wanted there to be an official ending to Hannah Montana."

Cyrus is scheduled to tape 11 episodes and a special one-hour series finale starting in January.


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Exclusive: Noah Wyle + Steve Spielberg + Aliens = Big fat hit?

File this under "T" for "Things that are going to have to really suck to fail."

Steven Spielberg is pursuing Noah Wyle to headline his untitled alien-invasion pilot for TNT, sources confirm to me exclusively.

The potential series -- which was announced last month at TNT's upfront presentation -- takes place six months after evil extra terrestrials decimate mankind. Wyle would play the leader of a ragtag group of citizens who try to bring down the aggressors.

Translation: It's Spielberg's take on V!

The gig would mark a small-screen reunion for ex-TV doc Wyle and Spielberg; the Oscar-winning director was one of ER's founding producers. It would also keep Wyle in business with TNT, the network behind his super-fun* Librarian movies.

A TNT spokesperson declined to comment.

Is Wyle the right guy for the role? If not, who's on top of your short list of actors to lead the resistance?


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The Stig 'preparing to reveal identity'

Jeremy Clarkson has claimed that his Top Gear co-star The Stig will finally be unmasked in tonight's episode.

The identity of the test driver, who wears a white racing suit and white crash helmet, has remained a mystery for years, prompting several theories about who is really under the mask.

Writing in The Sun, host Clarkson said: "Stig barges into the studio and in an atmosphere that you could cut with a knife removes his helmet.

"Hardened, emotionless camera crews said the hair on the back of their neck prickled. As a television moment, it's up there with Neil Armstrong walking on the... corpse of J.R. Ewing."

Reports had previously suggested that The Stig was actually portrayed by four different individuals, while others have claimed that he is a Norwegian or French racing driver.

Last year, the query 'Who is The Stig?' was revealed to be one of the most frequently searched questions on the internet.


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Kudrow, Cox reunite for online comedy

Former Friends co-stars Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox will reportedly reunite for an online comedy series.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cox has been lined up for a guest appearance in the second season of Kudrow's Lexus series Web Therapy.

She will cameo as a psychic who seeks the help of Kudrow's web-based doctor after beginning to lose her visionary powers. Her episode will be broadcast on July 6.

Kudrow won the outstanding comedic performance prize at this month's Webby Awards for the role of Fiona Wallice, a medic who counsels her clients via webcam.

Cox and Kudrow starred together in Friends from 1994 until 2004, playing Monica Geller and Phoebe Buffay respectively.


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Law & Order: UK' gets second series

ITV1 has commissioned Law & Order: UK for a 13-episode second series, it has announced.

The first series, starring Freema Agyeman, Jamie Bamber and Bradley Walsh, opened its seven-episode run with strong ratings earlier this year. The second half of the series is yet to air.

Series two will see the return of the original cast and will go into production later this year.

"This new commission brings our total order to 26 episodes, which demonstrates our commitment to series that have concepts and storylines that can run long-term," said ITV's Laura Mackie.

"Audiences clearly loved the first series, which featured the cream of British acting talent with gripping 'torn from the headlines' storylines, and this will again be at the heart of the new series."

Series creator Dick Wolf added: "This is a great day for the Law & Order brand. On the heels of the original Law and Order tying Gunsmoke's all time drama series record of 20 years, and Law and Order: SVU's renewal for season 11, it's wonderful to have pick-ups on both sides of the Atlantic."


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Rapper Eve to Guest-Star on Glee

Eve has signed on for a guest-starring gig on Glee, TVGuide.com has confirmed.

The rapper will play the coach of a competing glee club for one episode. She joins previously announced guest stars Kristin Chenoweth, Victor Garber and Josh Groban.

See photos of the cast of Glee

Though she's best known for her hip-hop stylings (watch the videos for "Let Me Blow Your Mind" and "Rich Girl", her addictive collaborations with Gwen Stefani) and paw-print tattoos, Eve has also done some acting.

First off, she had a self-titled sitcom on UPN for three seasons. She co-starred with Vin Diesel in xXx and with Ice Cube in the Barbershop films. She'll also appear in Whip It!, Drew Barrymore's upcoming directorial debut about a roller-derby team, as a skating sensation named Rosa Sparks.

Glee had a special preview of the first episode before the penultimate outing of American Idol in May, scoring an impressive 10 million viewers. Fans will have to wait until Wednesday, Sept. 16 for Episode 2, but a Fox source tells me the network plans to rerun the pilot episode before then for anyone who hasn't streamed it yet. Speaking of...

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Mary J. Blige for 'Extreme Makeover'

R&B star Mary J. Blige and rapper Xzibit will appear on season seven of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, ABC has confirmed.

The two celebrities will join the design team and connect with those in need of help when the new season kicks off on Sunday, September 27.

The volunteers will roll up in the bus and surprise the deserving family, and will get to know the family's circumstances and needs one on one.

Other participating surprise guests are expected to be announced shortly.

Mary J. Blige recently lent her support to a campaign involved in raising awareness about home possession.


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Missy Peregrym cast in ABC's 'Copper'

Missy Peregrym has landed the lead role in ABC's Canadian cop drama Copper, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The actress, best-known for playing Andi on The CW's Reaper, has been cast as Andy McNally, a newly-minted cop fresh from the academy and the daughter of a homicide detective.

Filming for the series, which has been given a 13-episode order, is due to begin this month in Toronto.


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Chris Kattan joins ABC's 'The Middle'

Chris Kattan has been added to the cast of ABC's new comedy The Middle.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor/comedian - best known for his work on Saturday Night Live - has joined the cast as a series regular.

Kattan, who guest-starred in the pilot, will play Bob, a good friend of Patricia Heaton's character Frankie Heck.

The Middle will join Courteney Cox's Cougar Town and mockumentary Modern Family to make up a new comedy block on Wednesday nights in ABC's 2009 Fall schedule, which was unveiled last month.

Earlier this year, Former Femina Miss India Neha Dhupia praised Kattan for his work on US TV series Bollywood Hero, in which she also co-starred.

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Christian Slater joining 'The Forgotten'?

Christian Slater is reportedly in talks to join ABC's new series The Forgotten.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Slater has been approached to take over Rupert Penry-Jones's role as the male lead.

The mystery series, which sees amateur detectives try to identify John and Jane Does, was recently picked up as part of ABC's 2009-10 schedule.

Shortly afterwards, Penry-Jones and Reiko Aylesworth dropped out of the project. Aylesworth's role is yet to be recast.

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Wentworth Miller to guest star in 'SVU'

Former Prison Break star Wentworth Miller has reportedly signed on for a guest appearance in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

The actor, who played Michael Schofield in the recently finished drama, is understood to have been cast as an NYPD officer in the 11th season premiere.

According to TV Guide Magazine, the British-born star will play a policeman called Nate Kendal who rescues a rape victim but will only discuss the case with Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Christopher Meloni).

Miller's episode is scheduled to air on September 23.

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NBC schedules terrorist programme

NBC News has announced plans to air a programme which sees an elite team hunt war criminals.

The show, titled The Wanted, follows specialists in counter-terrorism, foreign intelligence, war crimes and investigative journalism profiling suspected international terrorists.

"We hope this programme sheds light on an overlooked story," said David Corvo, executive producer at NBC News. "It is surprising how many people with serious accusations against them are living openly and avoiding any sort of judicial process."

The show is scheduled to air on Monday, July 20 at 10pm.

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Alien Nation' resurrected for US TV

Sci-fi movie Alien Nation will return to television with Tim Minear attached to pen the series.

The Firefly and Angel scribe is developing a new take on the 1988 James Caan and Mandy Patinkin vehicle, in which a human cop partnered with another from outer space after aliens attempted to assimilate into human society.

The film was also made into a 1989 short-lived programme on the Fox Network, while the reboot will appear on the Sci Fi Channel.

"It's genre mixed with procedural mixed with funny and mixed with big, giant scary," Minear told Variety. "I love serialized stuff, but this is also a cop franchise. That Starsky and Hutch/Lethal Weapon buddy cop comedy is absent from TV right now."

He added: "Twenty years (after Alien Nation), TV as a whole has evolved, and you can explore issues and go deeper with subject matter than you ever could before. On cable, you can play with ambiguity. This is a place I want to be."

The new series will be set in the Pacific Northwest sometime in the 2020s, and will pick up 20 years after the aliens first landed on Earth.

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