TV Bits: ‘Community’, ‘The Colbert Report’, ‘American Horror Story: Asylum’, ‘Grimm’, ‘Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell’, 50 Cent, Brad Pitt, Seth MacFarlane
TV-related odds and ends after the jump, including:
Chevy Chase’sexitfromCommunitywas sudden, if inevitable, butPierce Hawthorne’s departure won’t be quite so abrupt. Inside sources say the series filmed its Season 4 finale out of order once it became clear Chase wasn’t sticking around, and that the episode happens to include a cliffhanger that could explain Pierce’s disappearance should the show get a fifth season.
In addition, it’s rumored thatCommunityhas found ways to work Chase into the remaining episodes he didn’t shoot — perhaps in animated or non-human form. What awkward exit?Community’s fourth season premieresFebruary 7on NBC. [TV Line]
Communitymay not have a ton of viewers, to NBC’s eternal regret, but the fans it does have are a devoted bunch. A group of them have banded together to plan the first-ever CommuniCon, a convention to be held at Los Angeles City College onFebruary 9and10. Not coincidentally, the school is the site of some of the exterior shots on the show.
No confirmation yet on which on- and off-camera talents will be attending, butDan Harmon’s already expressed his interest. Hit the officialTumblrandTwitterpages for more info. [viaSplitsider]
If the mere mention of something onThe Colbert Reportcan result in a “Colbert bump,” imagine what a whole week of dedicated episodes can do. The Comedy Central series is planning a week ofThe Hobbit-themed programming onDecember 3-6, including guest appearances by starsIan McKellan,Martin Freeman, andAndy Serkisand directorPeter Jackson.
Stephen Colbert, a lifelongJ.R.R. Tolkienfan, expressed his excitement in a statement. “Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo… I mean that sincerely,” he wrote. Translation: “A star shines upon the hour of our meeting.” If there was any doubt he deservedthat cameobefore, there certainly isn’t now. [EW]
Curtis Jackson, a.k.a. 50 Cent, is branching out from movies and music to television. The rapper is developing Starz’sPower, an hourlong drama about a New York City nightclub proprietor who “skirts the line between legitimacy and criminality.”
Jackson will executive produce withMark Canton(300) andRandall Emmett(End of Watch), who worked with him on the featuresFreelancersandThe Tomb. In addition,Courtney Kemp(The Good Wife) is on board to write and produce. [Variety]
Brad Pittisn’t likely to lead a TV series anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean he can’t produce one. The actor is producing the HBO dramaPaper, through his production company Plan B.
Based onJake Halpern’sNew Yorker essay"Pay Up," the series centers around a former gangster in Buffalo, NY who tries to set his life straight by getting a job as a professional debt collector… only to find his new job isn’t any less lethal than his old one. [Variety]
Here’s a little something for the lit nerds: BBC One has commissioned a six-part minseries based onSusanna Clarke’sJonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, an alternate history set in 19th century Britain. The plot revolves around a magician and his apprentice who ultimately find themselves at odds with one another.Toby Haynes(Sherlock) is set to direct. [Deadline]
After seven seasons,30 Rockis winding to an end onJanuary 31. But fear not, NBC viewers, the network has other entertainments in store. The same date will mark the debut ofDo No Harm, a new drama about a neurosurgeon with a split personality disorder, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-style. The show will air at 10PM.
That pushesRock Center with Brian Williamsout of its regular Thursday evening slot and into Fridays at 10, startingFebruary 8. A month later, Grimm will return from its fall hiatus on Friday,March 8. [TV Line]
Seth MacFarlaneis ready to bridge the gap between Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin. TheFamily Guycreator has scored a guest spot onThe Simpsonsas charismatic Ben, a man who tries to woo Marge after meeting her on anAshley Madison-esque website. ComedianLisa Lampanelliwill play his wife. [EW]
American Horror Story: Asylumwatchers already know the identity of Bloody Face, the serial killer who terrorized Briarcliff in the ’60s. Now his modern-day counterpart has just revealed himself. Check out the picture below to find out who it is. (Spoiler ahead.)
That’s right, it’s Season One starDylan McDermott! The actor gave away his big secret viaTwitter. [EW]
