Wow, we’ve been waiting weeks to hear if FX was going to renew their amazing thriller DAMAGES and word just came out that they have… for 2 more seasons!

Per Ausiello:

FX has ordered not one more but two new seasons of the critically acclaimed Damages, for a total of 26 episodes. “To be able to tell 26 more hours of mind-blowing stories with Todd A. Kessler, Daniel Zelman and Glenn Kessler is an incredible position to be in,” says Jamie Erlicht, Co-President of Programming and Production, Sony Pictures Television. “FX has continually shown enormous support for both this show and for Sony, and it’s evident in this extended renewal.”

I’m psyched! As you know, DAMAGES was one of my favorite shows this summer and over the past television year. I cannot wait to see Ellen work Patty over and bury her. If you missed any of my INTERVIEWS WITH THE DAMAGES CAST head on over to the Interview page.

Well G-Willickers this is swell news. AMC’s uber stylie and gosh-darn amazing MAD MEN has been renewed for a second season! Not only does this mean more corsets, bobby pins, knickers, and pomade than you can shake a stick at, it means we’ll be going even deeper into Don Draper’s mysterious backstory. That’s aces if you’re asking me!

According to E!’s Watch With Kristin:

Just heard from reliable sources that AMC’s Mad Men will be coming back for a second season. Hurrah!

I can tell you that as of Sunday night, not even the cast knew of the show’s fate (I ran into a couple of castmembers at the HBO soiree), but they said they’ve loved being a part of the series and were crossing their fingers it would return. Ditto for us fans!

It’s official, next summer we once again will have our summer obsession back. SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE has been renewed for a 4th season!

The Pittsburg Post-Gazette has an interview with JERICHO Exec. Producer Stephen Chobsky since the announcement by CBS that Jericho was saved from sudden death.

“It was 100 percent the fans,” Chbosky said in a phone call yesterday. “It means a great deal to me that the viewers actually had an impact. I think that’s pretty inspiring and I’ll be grateful forever for it.”

“A woman in Washington, D.C., was the leader of the campaign,” Ingram said. “I thought we had a snowball’s chance in hell, but we led a high-road campaign. Because of my experience in radio, they sent me out there as a spokesperson.”

“We need to be as supportive of the show in reruns and when it comes out on DVD as we were vocal about its cancellation,” said Ingram, who intends to return to work in a few weeks.

“It’s a lower budget, there’s less money for guest stars, less money for recurring cast, we’re trying to make the numbers work right now,” he said. “In season two we want to investigate and explore Cheyenne and a line producer could say, if we explore Cheyenne, we’ll never be able to afford it and Cheyenne may come to Jericho now.”

With a short seven-episode order, Chbosky promises, “You don’t have to stretch anything out. It’ll be seven episodes with a great cliffhanger at the end.”

Uh-oh! Another cliffhanger? What if the show’s canceled again?

Chbosky said his understanding is “Jericho” will be the first midseason replacement on CBS, meaning it will likely premiere before the end of the year, allowing writers time to script an ending if the ratings are again low.

“We know how to wrap up the show if we have to,” he said. “Ultimately it will depend when they put us on the schedule, but it could be as early as October and in that case we will have time to wrap it up if necessary.”

To read the entire article and interview with Stephen Chobsky head on over to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

If you’re wondering where this whole Jericho NUTS Campaign came from that miraculously saved Jericho from extinction here is the clip that spawned all the madness. And I haven’t watched the show since the th episode but does this make sense or was he supposed to say a curse word instead?

Watch Jericho Go Nuts

JERICHO survives the apocalypse known as Upfronts and Nina Tassler surrenders! CBS just sent this to its online press:

To the Fans of Jericho:

Wow!

Over the past few weeks you have put forth an impressive and probably unprecedented display of passion in support of a prime time television series. You got our attention; your emails and collective voice have been heard.

As a result, CBS has ordered seven episodes of “Jericho” for mid-season next year. In success, there is the potential for more. But, for there to be more “Jericho,” we will need more viewers.

A loyal and passionate community has clearly formed around the show. But that community needs to grow. It needs to grow on the CBS Television Network, as well as on the many digital platforms where we make the show available.

We will count on you to rally around the show, to recruit new viewers with the same grass-roots energy, intensity and volume you have displayed in recent weeks.

At this time, I cannot tell you the specific date or time period that “Jericho” will return to our schedule. However, in the interim, we are working on several initiatives to help introduce the show to new audiences. This includes re-broadcasting “Jericho” on CBS this summer, streaming episodes and clips from these episodes across the CBS Audience Network (online), releasing the first season DVD on September 25 and continuing the story of Jericho in the digital world until the new episodes return. We will let you know specifics when we have them so you can pass them on.

On behalf of everyone at CBS, thank you for expressing your support of “Jericho” in such an extraordinary manner. Your protest was creative, sustained and very thoughtful and respectful in tone. You made a difference.

Sincerely,

Nina Tassler
President, CBS Entertainment

P.S. Please stop sending us nuts

That is amazing! The Jericho fans are a mad rabid crew and we need to employ them for all future campaigns. Way to go guys! 7 episodes at mid-season is wonderful and the possibility is there for more. Seriously, could the fans ask for anything more? This is really incredible from a fan movement standpoint and it honestly inspires me!

**Update: I know that The CW has announced their new fall lineup but I need a few to mourn the death of the incredibly smart, incredibly witty, and ever great VERONICA MARS which was canceled.  I need a little bit to not hate The CW and then I will be back with their new lineup which thankfully still has those Winchesters.  Dawn Ostroff is a CUNextTuesday.

The CW will be announcing their lineup today and folks, there are a couple tidbits that TVGuide are already reporting.

The first being that Kristen Bell might be narrating Josh Schwartz’s new show GOSSIP GIRL (post ANTM). Sounds good to me, but I hope they don’t have the balls to ask her to narrate a new show when they might not renew her own show.

Top Model will remain on Tuesday’s at 8pm, SUPERNATURAL will remain on Thursdays at 9pm after Smallville. On Wednesday, it looks like Beauty and the Geek will be back (how and why I do not know).

Reaper will follow Beauty and the Geek which means Veronica Mars goes where?

Official word to come soon…

CBS finally announced the Fall Lineup today and amen, How I Met Your Mother is still on the hunt for a Mother!!!

I realize there is really NOTHING on CBS I watch. I thought ABC was my least watched network, but looking below at the lineup for the fall, I realized it’s the Eye.

What am I interested in NEW shows wise you ask? Let’s see…

VIVA LAUGHLIN
It’s about a businessman wanting to open a Casino in Laughlin, NV. Too bad Hugh Jackman runs a rival Casino. Wait, Hugh Jackman? Hells yeah, he’s also Exec. Producer.

I like it. I love it! The singing to music that actually moves the plot forward but is still just music in an episode. It’s like watching Moulin Rouge but where the actors just sing along. What you ask? Oh yes, there is singing!

Did I mention Melanie Griffith shows up, President Palmer the 2nd chimes in also. Well that and the fact that Madchen Amick co-stars and she’ll forever be Shelly from Twin Peaks! “New Shoes *raspberry noise*” I’m soooooo there!

MOONLIGHT
Vampires, enough said!

And the coolest show since Freaks & Geeks… SWINGTOWN! Swingtown doesn’t start until mid-season but it is hands down the best new show besides Pushing Daisies on a rival network. Granted, have I seen the pilots? Not yet but I will and I’m making assumptions based on my keen sense of picking what’s awesome.

Yeah, that’s about it… Well, besides those pesky 40 kids without parents for 40 days trying to make a town successful again. Yes folks, reality TV took kids and left them to their own wits in KID NATION.

The Amazing Race was renewed but not until the Spring 2008 season and the other good thing is that Without a Trace is going back to Thursdays!

Monday
8 p.m. How I Met Your Mother
8:30 p.m. The Big Bang Theory*
9 p.m. Two and a Half Men
9:30 Rules of Engagement
10 p.m. CSI Miami

Tuesday
8 p.m. NCIS
9 p.m. The Unit
10 p.m. Cane*

Wednesday
8 p.m. Kid Nation*
9 p.m. Criminal Minds
10 p.m. CSI: NY

Thursday
8 p.m. Survivor
9 p.m. CSI
10 p.m. Without a Trace

Friday
8 p.m. Ghost Whisperer
9 p.m. Moonlight*
10 p.m. Numbers

Saturday
8 p.m. Crimetime Saturday
9 p.m. Crimetime Saturday
10 p.m. 48 Hours Mystery

Sunday
7 p.m. 60 Minutes
8 p.m. Viva Laughlin*
9 p.m. Cold Case
10 p.m. Shark

*=new show

2007 Upfront Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc.

This news is wait for it… AWESOME! CBS announced this morning that they in fact have renewed How I Met Your Mother for a third season.

That means more Mr. & Mrs. Awesome, more Ted Mosby, more Let’s Go To The Mall-ing, and more more more BARNEY!

ABC just announced their lineup and so far, it’s about on par with NBC. A mix of old and new. Do I watch ABC that much? I couldn’t remember but I guess I don’t?

I’ve got LOST (coming back on Winter 2008), Grey’s, and Brothers & Sisters so really ABC could stand to gain me as a more frequent viewer. With the addition of Pushing Daisies and Private Practice, they’re on the right track.

Here’s the Fall/Winter Schedule on ABC
* = new show

MONDAY
8-9 pm Dancing With the Stars
9-9:30 pm Miss/Guided* (???)
9:30-10 pm Sam I Am*
10-11 pm The Bachelor

TUESDAY
8-8:30 pm Caveman*
8:30-9 pm Carpoolers*
9-10 pm Dancing Results Show
10-11 pm Boston Legal

WEDNESDAY
8-9 pm Pushing Daisies*
9-10 pm Private Practice*
10-11 pm Dirty Sexy Money*

THURSDAY
8-9 pm Ugly Betty
9-10 pm Grey’s Anatomy
10-11 pm Big Shots*

FRIDAY
8-9 pm Men in Trees
9-10 pm Women’s Murder Club*
10-11 pm 20/20

SATURDAY
8pm Saturday Night College Football

SUNDAY (Fall 2007)
7-8 pm America’s Funniest Home Videos
8-9 pm Extreme Makeover
9-10 pm Desperate Housewives
10-11pm Brothers & Sisters

*Post-Fall Shows to debut and renewals: Cashmere Mafia*, Notes from the Underbelly, October Road and obviously LOST will have it’s 16 week uninterrupted season in the spring.

The ones I’m most interested in are:

PUSHING DAISIES
Lee Pace is amazing and its about time he found a vehicle for his abilities. I’ve loved him since playing a transgendered person in SOLDIER’S GIRL. Then, HELLO, Wonderfalls? I heart Lee Pace. Swoosie Kurtz as well? I love her. This is being pumped as The Next Big Thing. This is the Heroes for next fall. Speaking of Heroes, I think that Audrey/Sylar’s Mother is in this as well! Lee Pace, dreamboat…

PRIVATE PRACTICE
Addison, Piz and those Abs? I’m there with fingers crossed that I can stop watching Grey’s if this is good enough! You go Kate Walsh breaking away and getting your own gig. I only wish it didn’t have the title it has. Private Practice sounds so pedestrian and medically. What else would it have been called? Oceanside Wellness Clinic? Okay, so maybe Private Practice isn’t all that bad.

As for the rest, I’m not sure. I’m very interested in Sam I Am because I love Christina Applegate and Jean Smart. Women’s Murder Club interests me because of Laura Harris and I’ve been down with her since FIFTEEN! But really, this show’s gonna go nowhere with show killer Angie Harmon. Cashmere Mafia because women like Lucy Liu and Frances O’Connor kick ass. Lastly, Dirty Sexy Money is also of interest because let’s face it… Peter Krause is amazing and there’s a Baldwin in it.

NBC was first to kick off UPFRONTS! This is the week where every network blows their load and announces the new shows and lineups for the upcoming Fall TV season.

Of the new shows NBC has to offer, I’m only interested in the following two dramas and one comedy.

LIFE (Wednesday’s 10pm)
It’s about some guy that gets a second chance at life. Fine, not the best concept but the supporting cast is great. Sexy (last seen as a lesbo) Sarah Shahi, Deadwood (and Juliet’s sister on LOST) alum Robin Weigert, and Adam Arkin join Damian Lewis for what will hopefully be a good show.

LIPSTICK JUNGLE (Sunday’s 10pm)
Sure Candace Bushnell is behind this show and its kinda like a sequel to Sex & The City but PPD-Survivor Brooke Shields stars along with Kim Raver (Audrey from 24) and Lindsey Price (hello, 90210 – but sadly still not Emily Valentine) will be working it as the NYC power women who I’m sure are looking for love and companionship in all the wrong places.

And the only Comedy I’m even remotely interested in stars one of my TV Crush’s JOEL MCHALE (The Soup on E! – So Meaty) and it’s called The IT Crowd. Granted, I was into it by title alone because I used to love that movie The IN Crowd and for a minute I thought maybe it was a show based on that movie. But, then I realized that Joel McHale’s in it and whatever he’s doing, I’m all about it.

I’m semi-interested in BIONIC WOMAN because well, let’s face it… it’s the BIONIC WOMAN and I had her lunchbox as a kid.

Here’s the Fall/Winter Schedule on NBC
* = new show

MONDAY
8-9 pm Deal or No Deal
9-10 pm Heroes
10-11 pm Journeyman*

TUESDAY
8-9 pm The Biggest Loser
9-10 pm Chuck*
10-11 pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

WEDNESDAY
8-9 pm Deal or No Deal
9-10 pm Bionic Woman*
10-11 pm Life*

THURSDAY
8-8:30 pm My Name Is Earl
8:30-9 pm 30 Rock
9-9:30 pm The Office
9:30-10 pm Scrubs
10-11 pm ER

FRIDAY
8-9 pm 1 vs 100/The Singing Bee*
9-10 pm Las Vegas
10-11 pm Friday Night Lights

SATURDAY
8-9 pm Dateline NBC
9-11 pm Drama Series Encores

SUNDAY (Fall 2007)
7-8 pm Football Night in America
8-11 pm NBC Sunday Night Football

SUNDAY (January 2008)
7-8 pm Dateline NBC
8-9 pm Law & Order
9-10 pm Medium
10-11 pm Lipstick Jungle*

Well Panthers fans, the news is in and it’s pretty good. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS will live to see a second season. The bad news, it will find its new home on its namesake… FRIDAY NIGHT at 10pm.

I’ll take FNL whenever I can get it. I’m so there because seriously lets face it. I’m over 30 and in a long time relationship, I’m straight-edge so I don’t drink and I actually hate bars and most people so Friday nights and my television are well acquianted!

Bring on the drama and the tears with Coach Taylor, Tami Taylor, Saracen, Riggins, Tyra, et al.

It appears that those Frakkin’ Gods are smiling on us. Ausiello is reporting that Battlestar Galactica has been renewed today for a fourth season! Though it will only be getting a 13 episode pick up (considerably less than this seasons 20 episodes) I’ll take it! Any BSG is better than no BSG! Battlestar Galactica Season 4 will premiere January 2008!

SO SAY WE ALL!

Bravo’s cooking reality show TOP CHEF has quickly become one of my favorite reality shows on television. Not only does it offer incredible characters, some insane drama, it also offers up some amazing recipes. For instance, Christmas Day I made Elia’s Mushroom Soup (modified to be vegetarian) for 8 people and it was a smashing success!

Well another smashing success would be the show itself! Bravo just announced a 3rd season of the culiary fave to premiere sometime later in 2007!

Can they top a jackass like Wolverine Marcel?  Or someone as sex as the diabetic Sam?  Top Chef returns TONIGHT with an extended episode.  So set those dvr’s correctly.