'NCIS' Creator Sues CBS Over 'NCIS: LA,' Mark Pedowitz Named New CW President and More
'NCIS' creator Don Bellisario is suing CBS for not including him in the creation of the now-franchise's successful spin-off, 'NCIS: Los Angeles.'Although Bellisario was fired from the show after season 4 when star Mark Harmon threatened to leave, Deadline reports Bellisario is saying that the network was still contractually obligated to include him in the spinoff show.
The network has countered via a statement to Entertainment Weekly, saying "Don Bellisario has no rights to what he is claiming in this suit. The contract is clear, the facts are undeniable and the courts won't need Naval intelligence to conclude that the case has no merit. We continue to honor all of our obligations to Mr. Bellisario under the actual agreement."
In other TV news ...
• The CW network has a new boss. Mark Pedowitz was named the new head of the network. Former chief Dawn Ostroff announced her exit earlier this year. [TV Guide]
• The 'Glee' gang has scored a major guest star while they film the Nationals episode in New York this week. Apparently, Broadway leged Patti LuPone is filming scenes today with 'Glee' stars Lea Michele and Chris Colfer. [TV Line]
• NBC is working on a TV series based on John Grisham's 'The Firm.' The author is on board the project as a producer. [EW]
• Next year's Golden Globe Awards will be held on January 15. The nominations will be announced on December 15. [THR]
• Two of the final three 'Oprah Winfrey Show' episodes will tape in Chicago May 17. The all-star guests will apparently be a surprise to the host, who notoriously doesn't like surprises. [EW]
• The writers behind the new Cameron Diaz/Justin Timberlake movie, 'Bad Teacher,' have signed a TV deal. Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg have a new two-year overall deal with ABC Studios. [Deadline]
• Bill Engvall will guest star on TNT's 'HawthoRNe.' The 'Blue Collar Comedy' star will play a police detective investigating an incident at the hospital. [EW]
• HBO will re-broadcast its Lady Gaga concert special for 24 hours after its debut. 'Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden' will premiere at 9PM ET on Sat., May 7. [HBO]
• Elmer Lynn Hauldren, the Empire Carpet commercial spokesman, died. He was 89. Hauldren first began appearing in the company's ads in 1973. [THR]

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