TV News: ‘Psych’ renewed, Sorkin on ‘Simpsons’, Burnett adapts Bible

Credit: USA Network

-Fake Psychic or not, I don’t know if anyone at USA Network predicted in 2006 that ‘Psych’ would be as successful for the network as it would. The seventh season doesn’t premiere until February 27, yet the network feels confident in the show’s viewership to give it a tentative eight-episode order for an eighth season.

“Psych” stars James Roday as a faux psychic, with Dule Hill as his sidekick. Corbin Bernsen, Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson and Kirsten Nelson also star. The detective comedy averaged 4.5 million viewers in its sixth season.

Full story: Variety

Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

-Aaron Sorkin, the Oscar winning screenwriter and creator of HBO’s The Newsroom, will lend his voice to an episode in The Simpsons’ upcoming 25th season. In the episode, titled “Four Regrettings and a Funeral”, Sorkin will portray the inner adviser to Springfield newsman Kent Brockman, appearing in a thought balloon as the venerable anchor contemplates defecting to Fox News. If Sorkin’s character is anything like Newsroom head-honcho Will McAvoy, I’m guessing he’s going to spend most of the episode skirting the edge of a nervous breakdown, like any of us would when Fox News is involved.

NFL Hall of Famer Joe Namath and chef Gordon Ramsay are also scheduled for the episode, which will premiere next fall as part of a star-studded 25th season that already includes writer/producer/director/actor/Oscar host/adjective Seth MacFarlane.

Full story: Entertainment Weekly

Credit: CBS

-CBS will add Mark Burnett’s latest reality competition series to its schedule in February.

The Job, from Burnett and co-executive producer Michael Davies, will join CBS’ schedule on February 8 in the 8 p.m. time slot currently occupied by Undercover Boss, which will be on hiatus until April 19.

The series offers prospective candidates an opportunity to win a position at any one of several of the nation’s most prestigious companies. Each episode features five candidates competing in challenges in front of a panel of high-ranking executives, with eliminations occurring throughout the hour, until only one candidate remains. Just like in the real world, I suppose?

However, the featured company isn’t the only firm that will get a crack at the candidates, as representatives from three smaller, guest companies will have the chance to make an on-the-spot offer to a candidate, who must decide if they’ll take the offer or hedge their bets on the bigger job. Ohhhh okay, so ‘Deal or No Deal’ then. I get it now.

The Job will be hosted by The View’s Lisa Ling.

Full story: The Hollywood Reporter

Credit: History Channel

-In other Mark Burnett-related news, History Channel’s The Bible, executive produced by Burnett, has finally gotten a premiere date. The 10-hour, five-part miniseries will debut Sunday, March 3 at 8 p.m.

The miniseries, which is the network’s attempt at recapturing more of that Hatfields & McCoys-related lightning in a bottle, will be a blend of live-action and CGI. It will be narrated by Emmy winner and overall badass Keith David, feature a musical score by Oscar winning composer Hans Zimmer.

Actress Roma Downey, Burnett’s wife, will play Mother Mary, because even the adapted works of a religious tome can’t escape the touchy embrace of nepotism. But that’s not to say there won’t be plenty of variety in the series, which will adapt several stories from The Good Book, including Noah’s Ark, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, the Exodus, and “The Greatest Story Ever Told”, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The cast includes Sean Teale, David Rintoul, Amber Rose Revah, Peter Guinness, Greg Hicks and Simon Kunz.

Following its initial televised run, a Blu-Ray and DVD release of The Bible will follow in April. Just in time for Easter?

Full story: The Hollywood Reporter