News Roundup: The Muppets Head to the Smithsonian, Casting Intel and More
by Chris Harnick, posted Aug 24th 2010 6:00PM
Fonzie's jacket had better watch out -- more legendary TV props are moving into the Smithsonian. Jim Henson's original Muppets will join the Fonz's jacket, Dorothy's ruby slippers and other famous pop culture items at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.According to the Washington Business Journal, the original Kermit is among the donations from Muppet co-founder Jane Henson. Yes, it's the Kermit made from Jim Henson's mother's coat and ping pong balls. Kermit will be joined by nine other donations including the oldest surviving Muppet, Pierre the French Rat.
Jane Henson and 'Today' weatherman Willard Scott will present the donation on Wednesday.
In other TV news ...
• Jamie-Lynn Sigler will star opposite Sherry Stringfield in a pilot for Lifetime. Sigler will play police detective Brooke Kross, partners with Stringfield's Molly Collins in the drama from 'Drop Dead Diva' creator Josh Berman. [Deadline Hollywood]
• Judd Hirsch is reuniting with his TV son on 'The Whole Truth.' Hirsch played Rob Morrow's father on 'Numb3rs,' but on ABC's 'Whole Truth,' he'll play a judge on trial for corruption and murder who hires Morrow's character. [Ausiello Files]
• The Miss Universe pageant hit an all-time low on NBC. The beauty pageant brought in 6 million viewers, compare that with the 5.9 million viewers for 'The Bachelor Pad.' The ratings were down 10 percent compared to last year. [Live Feed]
• 'Life Unexpected' actor Reggie Austin will play Vanessa Williams' husband on 'Desperate Housewives.' Austin's character is a baseball player and will make his debut in the fifth episode. [TV Guide]
• John Hawkes as joined the cast of FX's pilot 'Outlaw Country.' The pilot about organized crime and Nashville royalty also stars Mary Steenburgen. [Deadline Hollywood]
• 'Jericho' star Alicia Coppola will guest star on 'NCIS: Los Angeles.' Coppola will play Amy Rand, an FBI agent who is an expert in kidnapping cases. [TV Guide]
• CBS has released new photos of 'The Good Wife' cast. The season 2 shoot includes shots of Alicia holding Peter's hand with Will looking on and individual shots of the cast. [CBS]
• Angela Sarafyan has joined the cast of Fox's 'The Good Guys.' Sarafyan will play Samantha Evans, an awkward crime scene investigator, when the show returns in September. [TV Guide]
• 'Howdy Doody' writer Edward Kean has died. Kean was 85 and was credited with coining the phrase "kowabunga" and writing the 'Howdy Doody' theme song. [NY Times]

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