Big Brother 9 in February?!?! Thanks writers strike!

Due to the crazy ass writers strike that is going on, Variety reports that CBS may rely on its "Big Brother" as a strike contingency. The reality show, usually a summer staple, has started staffing up for an in-season run that could be on the air as soon as February.

Indeed, in anticipation of a strike, the network quietly began casting for the next edition of the show a few weeks ago.

Executive producer Allison Grodner is also said to be working on a new creative twist for the Julie Chen-hosted series, in which a group of strangers live together in a house for three months.

The trade adds that the next edition of "Big Brother" might actually use celebrities, as opposed to ordinary people.

Original Post: Big Brother Fans Blog

What happens if the Writer's strike?

LOS ANGELES — TV viewers hooked on cliffhanger episodes of hit shows such as Heroes and Grey's Anatomy could be left dangling if writers walk off the job.

With Hollywood writers poised to log off their laptops as soon as Thursday, TV networks were bracing for the need to fill the airwaves with reality shows, game shows and even reruns if a threatened strike devours their script inventory.

Viewers could start seeing an onslaught of unscripted entertainment by early next year, when popular series such as Desperate Housewives and Heroes run out of new episodes.

Members of the Writers Guild of America and the group representing film and TV producers were set to meet Tuesday with a federal mediator after scant progress in contentious talks that have dragged on since July.

With the current contract set to expire at midnight Wednesday, negotiators remain far apart on the central issue of raising payment for profits on DVDs and shows offered digitally on the Internet, cellphones and other devices.

More than 5,000 members of the Writers Guild of America recently voted, with 90% authorizing negotiators to call the first strike since 1988 if necessary.

If writers walk out, the effect wouldn't be felt immediately. Networks have enough episodes of shows such as Ugly Betty and CSI written and in production to last at least through the end of the year and possibly into next February, industry executives and analysts said.

But after that, schedules will run into trouble.

Producers already have tried to hurry shooting in preparation for a strike but not always successfully.

The CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother was asked by 20th Century Fox Television to shoot an extra episode during a planned production break last week.

Source credits: USA Today, A.P. News

Ousted Shock Jock, Don Imus, finally returning to the air!

Ousted radio personality Don Imus, who was fired from his CBS show last April after calling the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos," will make his comeback on the air on Dec. 1, according to the New York Daily News.

WABC has hired Imus for the morning spot, currently occupied by Curtis Sliwa and Ron Kuby.

Imus, who refused to comment about on his return, recently settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit with his former employers for a reported $20 million.

When asked about Imus' new show, Rutgers women's coach Vivian Stringer said, "He has every right to go back on the air."

Don Imus, you can call me a nappy-headed hoe any day of the week!

Dan Rather to CBS: I'll see you in Court!

Dan Rather filed a $70 million lawsuit Wednesday against CBS, claiming the network made him a "scapegoat" for a discredited story about President Bush's military service.

The 75-year-old Rather, whose final months were clouded by controversy over the report, says the complaint stems from "CBS' intentional mishandling" of the aftermath of the story.

The lawsuit, filed in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, also names CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves, Viacom Inc. Chairman Sumner Redstone, and former CBS News President Andrew Heyward.

Rather, the former anchorman of the CBS Evening News, is seeking $20 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages.

CBS spokesman Dana McClintock said: "These complaints are old news, and this lawsuit is without merit."

Rather narrated the September 2004 report that claimed President Bush skirted some of his duties during his National Guard service and that a commander felt pressured to sugarcoat Bush's record. He maintains the story was true.

But an independent review for the network determined the story was neither fair nor accurate. CBS fired three news executives and a producer for airing it.

The New Fall Line-Up!

The new Fall Season is upon us, and here's a GREAT preview of the shows to come! If you see something you like, make sure to let us know in comments! We'll be keeping tabs on all the great Reality Shows ever on our upcoming Reality TV Shows Blog!

Mon. Sept. 17	NBC	DEAL OR NO DEAL	8-9PM	To those who say Celine Dion is Canada’s most annoying export, this TV Addict says, "Have you met Howie Mandell?"
	FOX and GLOBAL TV in Canada	PRISON BREAK	8-9PM	Just when you thought PRISON BREAK couldn’t get anymore ludicrous… get ready for season three.
	FOX	K-VILLE	9-10PM	Most definitely not brought to you by the good folks at the New Orleans Bureau of Tourism
Tues. Sept. 18	CW	BEAUTY & THE GEEK	8-9PM	We miss Stars Hollow already.
Wed. Sept. 19	FOX and GLOBAL TV in Canada	BACK TO YOU	8-8:30PM	Kelsey Grammer returns to that place where everybody knows his name — and by that place we mean ‘TV’. Bet you thought we were going to say CHEERS didn’t you? Didn’t you!
	FOX and GLOBAL TV in Canada	‘TIL DEATH	8:30 - 9PM	‘TIL DEATH — also known as — how we feel when we watch this show.
	FOX	KITCHEN NIGHTMARES	9PM-10PM	We’d say something negative about yet another FOX reality TV offering, but frankly we’re scared of Chef Gordon Ramsay
	CW	AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL	8-9PM	Let’s hope the contestants are smarter than Miss South Carolina.
	CW	GOSSIP GIRL	9-10PM	OMG! We like totally can’t wait to live vicariously through twenty-six year olds playing high school students. No seriously, our inner thirteen year old girl is going suffering through withdrawl since the cancellation of THE OC.
	CBS	KID NATION	8-10PM	Perhaps you’ve heard about it! Investigations! Angry Parents! The end of reality TV! We can’t wait!
Thur. Sept. 20	CBS	SURVIVOR and Global TV in Canada	8-10PM	SURVIVOR CHINA! For your first challenge, guess which of these children’s toys contain lead paint.
Sun. Sept. 23	CBS	60 MINUTES	7-8PM	Still too young to tune in.
	CBS	VIVA LAUGHLIN	8-9PM	A musical drama comedy hybrid set in Las Vegas. Place your bets… how many episodes until it’s cancelled?
	CBS	COLD CASE	9-10PM	Five seasons in, never seen an episode.
	CBS and GLOBAL TV in Canada	SHARK	10-11PM	Star Trek Nerd Alert: We love Jeri Ryan.
	FOX and GLOBAL TV in Canada	THE SIMPSONS	8-8:30PM	Just for fun, how about a costume change this season. Blue pants and shorts are so 1990.
	FOX and GLOBAL TV in Canada	KING OF THE HILL	8:30-9PM	Why isn’t this show cancelled? Oh wait, it already was! So why is it back on the air?
	FOX and GLOBAL TV in Canada	FAMILY GUY	9-10PM	Another FOX gem brought back from the dead! Can someone please hire theTVaddict to run FOX.
	CW	CW NOW	8-8:30PM	CW NOT.
	CW	ONLINE NATION	8:30-9PM	It’s called YouTube.
	CW	LIFE IS WILD	8-9PM	We’re WILD about this show (get it!) No really, it stars Stephanie Niznik (Nina from EVERWOOD) — thus a MUST WATCH.
Mon. Sept. 24	CBS	HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER	8-8:30PM	Our favorite CBS program is back. And we have a feeling, this season’s going to be LEGEN… (wait for it)… DARY!
	CBS	THE BIG BANG THEORY	8:30-9PM	Now I know what you’re thinking. From the ‘guys who brought you TWO AND A HALF MEN’ doesn’t exactly scream ‘funny.’ But give the show at least one chance. Kaley Cuoco rocks.
	CBS	TWO AND A HALF MEN	9-9:30PM	Any chance the CSI scribes will ‘off’ these MEN when they write an episode this season?
	CBS	RULES OF ENGAGEMENT	9:30-10PM	Rule #1… to quote Homer Simpson, “be more funny.”
	CBS	CSI: MIAMI	10-11PM	And just like that, CBS’s night of funny comes to a screeching halt.
	NBC	CHUCK	8-9PM	Meet Chuck, or, as I like to think of him — the TV Addict if he had his own show.
	NBC and GLOBAL TV in Canada	HEROES	9-10PM	Perhaps you’ve heard about it. This little known show, NBC rarely talks about it. Oh who are we kidding. Kristen Bell, David Anders… we’re counting down the days.
	NBC and Global TV in Canada	JOURNEYMAN	10-11PM	Flawless pilot with one big problem — you need to be a PhD to keep track of the story — or at the very least be smarter than a fifth grader.
Tues. Sept. 25	ABC	DANCING WITH THE STARS	8-9PM	Three words: Go Jennie Go!
	ABC	THE BACHELOR	9-10PM	THE BACHELOR could learn a little something from DANCING WITH THE STARS. If you want the TV Addict to get excited, cast a 90210 Alum. Free advice for next season: Meet Ian Ziering the bachelor?
	ABC	BOSTON LEGAL	10PM	Wanna bet William Shatner does something wacky?
	CBS	NCIS	8-9PM	Another CBS show we’ve never seen.
		THE UNIT	9-10PM	See above!
	CBS and GLOBAL TV in Canada	CANE	10-11PM	Yes, we’re slightly bitter Jimmy Smitts isn’t starring in THE WEST WING: TNG — that said, CANE’s pilot was pretty damn sweet. (Pun indented. You’ll get it when you see the pilot)
	NBC	LAW & ORDER SVU	10-11PM	This season’s special victim — the cast of LAW & ORDER CRIMINAL INTENT. Demoted to the USA Network, ouch!
	CW	REAPER	9-10PM	Produced and Directed by Kevin Smith. ‘Nuff said.
	FOX and GLOBAL TV in Canada	BONES	8-9PM	Tip of the Week: Want to ensure your bones are never broken? Don’t ask star David Boreanaz about ANGEL.
	FOX and GLOBAL TV in Canada	HOUSE	9-10PM	Does anyone else find it odd that AMERICA’S favorite doctor is British!
	ABC	PRIVATE PRACTICE	9-10PM	How’s this for brilliant ABC sweeps stunt — four words: Isaiah Washington Guest Spot!
	ABC	DIRTY SEXY MONEY	10-11PM	Three words: We Can’t Wait!
	CBS	CRIMINAL MINDS	8-9PM	So excited for Mandy Patinkin’s return to TV!… What’s that… what HAPPENED? oh uh…
	CBS	CSI: NY	9-10PM	How long until LOST returns?
	NBC	BIONIC WOMAN	9-10PM	Michelle Ryan vs. Katee Sackhoff… cue nerd orgasm.
	NBC and GLOBAL TV in Canada	LIFE	10-11PM	Good show, bad title.
Thur. Sept. 27	ABC	UGLY BETTY	8-9PM	The return of UGLY BETTY means the return of the Marc & Amanda podcast. Could we love Becki Newton and Michael Urie any more?
	ABC	GREY’S ANATOMY	9-10PM	Down with Gizzie! Who’s with us?
	ABC	BIG SHOTS	10-11PM	Or as they’re calling it within the confines of ABC headquarters — BIG Re-Writes!
	CBS	CSI	9-10PM	I’ve officially run out of witty filler for all the generic CBS procedurals that I simply don’t watch.
	CBS	WITHOUT A TRACE	10-11PM	See above.
	NBC	MY NAME IS EARL	8-8:30PM	I know I’m supposed to like this show, I just don’t.
	NBC	THE OFFICE	9-10PM	Pam’s 30% more fun! We’re 30% more excited for the new season
	NBC	ER	10-11PM	Let us know if you think theTVaddict.com should jump back on the bandwagon for ER’s final season.
	CW	SMALLVILLE	8-9PM	The addition of SuperGirl proves yet again that SMALLVILLE’S officially run out of ideas. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Fri. Sept. 28	CBS	GHOST WHISPERER	8-9PM	Honestly, who watches this show?
	CBS	MOONLIGHT	9-10PM	Ever wonder what Logan Echolls would have been like as a Vampire. Wonder no more.
	CBS and GLOBAL TV in Canada	NUMB3RS	10-11PM	Bringing Sexy Math Back!
	NBC and GLOBAL TV in Canada	LAS VEGAS	10PM	Not to be confused with VIVA LAUGHLIN. Really. There’s no singing in this LAS VEGAS, we promise.
Sun. Sept. 30	ABC	EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION	8-9PM	Who do I have to pay to get Ty and the gang over to my place?
	ABC	DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES	9-10PM	Raise you hand if you think Edie’s really dead! Oh, you’re the one!
	ABC	BROTHERS & SISTERS	10-11PM	Sponsored by the America’s Vineyards
	SHOWTIME/td>	DEXTER	10-11PM	We have a feeling Sgt. Doakes is in for a world of hurt. Nobody messes with our boy Dexter.
Mon. Oct. 1	CW	EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS	8-8:30PM	Especially this woman.
	CW	ALIENS IN AMERICA	8:30-9PM	A genuinely funny show on the CW network? Perhaps we have been taken over by aliens.
	CW	GIRLFRIENDS	9-9:30PM	While we’re sure something exciting happens, we just don’t care.
	CW	THE GAME	9:30-10PM	The Game: Find someone who watches this show.
Tues. Oct. 2	ABC	CAVEMAN	8-8:30PM	No really, ABC is actually going through with this.
		CARPOOLERS	8:30-9PM	As much as we’d like to say something positive about this show, we can’t. Why? Because ABC remains the only network that doesn’t send theTVaddict.com screeners (and yes, we’re bitter!)
Wed. Oct. 3	ABC	PUSHING DAISIES	10-11PM	Set your PVR to Season’s Pass. PUSHING DAISIES is the MUST WATCH show of the season.
Thur. Oct. 4	NBC	30 ROCK	8-8:30PM	Jerry Seinfeld returns to TV in the 30 ROCK season premiere. Which means you officially have no excuse not to tune into last season’s funniest new show.
	CW	SUPERNATURAL	9-10PM	Question for SUPERNATURAL fans. Would you love the show as much if the stars looked like this?
Fri. Oct. 5	NBC	FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS	9-10PM	The confusion is finally over. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS airs on Friday. Tune in.
Fri. Oct. 12	ABC	WOMEN’S MURDER CLUB	9-10PM	Or as ABC should be calling it — really ANGRY housewives.
	ABC	MEN IN TREES	10-11PM	Turns out MEN IN TREES wasn’t cancelled last year. Here’s hoping ABC treats it a little better this season.
Mon. Oct. 15	ABC	SAMANTHA WHO?	9:30-10PM	Christina Applegate gets ready to discover if the curse of JESSE’s worn off?
Thur. Oct. 25	NBC	SCRUBS	9:30-10PM	Eighteen episodes and counting. Enjoy them while they last. No really, that wasn’t meant to be sarcastic. Really do enjoy them, because once they’re gone — all we’ll be left with is reruns.

Big Brother Fans Unite!

One of our recent blogs on all the recent great Showtime shows has brought us some new visitors who we'd also like to know about our Big Brother Coverage over at Big Brother Fans Unite! With the madness of the CBS Show, Live Feeds, and of course Showtimes Big Brother After Dark going on, we're following the ultra popular reality show and posting daily updates on all the goings on, including Head of Household, Power of Veto, and of course nominations being updated regularly. We also throw our famous (or almost) spin on things as we give our uncensored opinions, thoughts, and predictions about everything, and we mean EVERYthing going on in the Big Brother House. So Big Brother fans, please join us at Big Brother Fans Unite!