TV Chatting

It is widely known that Noah Wyle will be making a return as Dr. Carter for a few episodes of ER this season, but Wyle says we can expect a few other ER docs to return.  In an interview with TV Guide, Wyle said that Eriq LaSalle, who will be directing an episode of the final season, will also be returning as Dr. Benton and he says it is his understanding that George Clooney may be back to reprise the role of Doug Ross as well.  "From what I heard, George said, ‘absolutely,’ schedule permitting," said Wyle.  Clooney’s rep would not give any comment on Wyle’s remarks.

Sara Rue, who was so perfect on the ABC sitcom Less Than Perfect, will be heading to The Big Bang Theory for a multi-episode arc as Dr. Stephanie Barnett, the new girlfriend of Wolowitz, who is “stolen” away by Leonard.

Hairspray’s Nikki Blonsky will join Ugly Betty for an episode as an assistant at Mode’s rival magazine Elle.  Her character will befriend Betty, but she may have ulterior motives.  Her episode will air before the end of the year.

Emilio Estevez will guest star on Two and a Half Men with brother Charlie Sheen.  Estevez will play a former drinking buddy of Charlie’s who comes to visit.  No air date has been announced for his appearance.

James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek) and David Denman (The Office) have been announced as co-stars for Fox’s pilot Eva Adams.  The hourlong show, from writer/executive producer Kevin Falls and Sony TV, is set at a sports agency and will center around a character named Adam who is an egotistic, sexist agent who is put under a witch’s spell and turned into a beautiful woman so he can see the other side of things.  Van Der Beek will play Connor, a friend and co-worker of Adam’s and Denman will play single dad, Paul.

ABC has pulled the order for Alyssa Milano’s new who, Single with Parents.  ABC also reduced it’s order for two other new shows, two of its midseason drama series, Castle and The Unusuals.

The American Latino Media Arts Award, or ALMA Awards, were held last night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The event was hosted by Desperate Housewives star and ALMA award winner Eva Longoria Parker.

Ugly Betty was the big winner of the night, coming away with the awards for directing, best ensemble cast and the Entertainer of the Year award for America Ferrera.

Linda Ronstadt, who was recognized with the Trailblazer Award, received a musical tribute from BeBe Winans, Wynonna Judd and Lucero.  Other performers at the ceremony included the Black Eyed Peas, the Cheetah Girls, Sergio Mendes and Cheech and Chong. 

Other winners included:

• Humanitarian award: Shakira
• Actor in a television series, drama: Edward James Olmos, "Battlestar Galactica," SciFi Channel.
• Actress in a television series, drama: Roselyn Sanchez, "Without A Trace," CBS.
• Actor in a television series, comedy: Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men," CBS.
• Actress in a television series, comedy: Judy Reyes, "Scrubs," NBC.
• Supporting actor in a television series, drama: Jorge Garcia, "Lost," ABC.
• Supporting actress in a television series, drama: Julie Gonzalo, "Eli Stone," ABC.
• Writing for a television series: Gloria Calderon Kellett, "How I Met Your Mother," CBS.
• Comedy special: "George Lopez: America’s Mexican," HBO.
• Made-for TV documentary: "American Experience: Roberto Clemente," PBS.
• Career achievement award: David Wader, Stage Manager.
• Special achievement in fashion: Narciso Rodriguez.
• Special achievement award: Spanish-language motion picture: "La Misma Luna."
• Special achievement award: Director of a made-for-TV movie: Kenny Ortega, "High School Musical 2," Disney Channel.

The ceremony will air on September 12 on ABC.

Yes, Regis Philbin is expanding his empire to include a guest appearance on CBS’s hit sitcom, How I Met Your Mother. Regis will play himself (who else?) on the show. Apparently Marshall (Jason Segal) will run into the TV giant while on a quest to find the site of the first hamburger he ever ate in New York City.

Regis is also slated for a guest appearance on ABC’s Ugly Betty. He and his co-host, Kelly Ripa, will interview Mode editors Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams) and Alexis Meade (Rebecca Romijn) when they make an appearance on Live with Regis and Kelly in the season premiere on September 25.

Both How I Met Your Mother and Ugly Betty are known for their big guest stars.  Last season on HIMYM we saw Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, James Van Der Beek, and Enrique Iglesias. Betty’s guest stars included Victoria Beckham, Tim Gunn , Rita Moreno and Lindsay Lohan, who will return in season 3.

Reege’s HIMYM spot can be seen on the second episode of the season on September 29.