NotesFromTheUnderbelly
Miss Guided's Judy Greer gets a new gig
If Judy Greer was in tears about Miss Guided not being picked up by ABC for the fall schedule, she can wipe her eyes and blow her nose because something else -- maybe better -- has come along. Greer has been cast as the lead in HBO's Suburban Shootout. This is the same comedy that has already been announced with Kelly Preston, Rachael Harris (Notes from the Underbelly) and Kerri Kenney (Reno 911).The comedy pilot is being directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, best known for features like Men in Black and Addams Family (I'll be kind and not harp on The Wild, Wild West), but on TV is one of the prime players behind ABC's Pushing Daisies (as well as Notes from the Underbelly which is the connection to Rachael). So, you see, Judy may have landed in a project that's bound for glory. Well, we'll see, but it does sound interesting.
ABC's winter schedule

It was finally ABC's turn to unveil its winter schedule yesterday. There aren't many surprises in it except that Lost, as rumored, will now air on a new night and that Big Shots, who was benched last week, will get
ABC renews October Road, Notes from the Underbelly
The Upfronts are this week, but already information is starting to leak about which shows are being renewed by which networks. The latest news is that ABC has renewed two newcomers: October Road and Notes from the Underbelly.I haven't seen October Road, but Paul says it's an awful lot like Ed. I have, however, seen Notes from the Underbelly and I am quite shocked that it's getting a second season. You see, I come to this from a unique perspective because I am a pregnant woman and I find the entire show to be completely ridiculous. I watched the first four episodes because I wanted to like it and to have my own special pregnant-lady show to watch (A Baby Story is just waaaay too much labor). But I can't stand it. The characters are stereotypes to the extreme and their situations are always taken to the most illogical conclusion. I can't identify with any of them. But, as Liz says, maybe it's a show only a mommy can love.
Is Underbelly a show only a mommy can love?
If you don't think breast pumps are fodder for good comedy, it's probably because you've never found yourself on the other end of one. Me, I think they're a hoot.For weeks, I've heard nothing but bad buzz about Notes from the Underbelly. Joel saw a screener for the show in July and he thought it was horrible. And to tell you the truth, the commercials didn't look all that funny.
That's why I sat down on Thursday night for the premiere of Notes from the Underbelly fully expecting to hate this show. So imagine my surprise, when I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times during Underbelly's first two episodes.
Dancing With The Stars: Week 4 results
(S04E07) They opened the show tonight by naming Apolo and Joey as the standouts. I think they have it right on that one. Ian and Laila have the stuff to get themselves back in contention, but as we sit now, Apolo and Joey are a step ahead of everyone else. Two steps in front of a few people. When it came time to pick the encore, Len credited Ian, Apolo, and Heather as having great performances the night before, but the encore went to Joey & Kym. It was a good choice. They were the best of the night, and their paso doble was just as good the second time around. They were followed up by the first musical performance of the night.
What to Watch April 9 - 15
Here are AOL Television's top picks for every day of the week. Get more TV recommendations here.
Thank God You're Here (Mon., 9PM ET, NBC) series premiere
Confession: I miss Whose Line Is It Anyway? What can I say, I like improv. That's why I'm excited for the premiere of this new improv show, hosted by David Alan Grier. Four celebs don costumes and play out scenes they know nothing about. In the first episode, Wayne Knight is a medical quack, Bryan Cranston a randy rock star, Joel McHale a clueless archaelogist and Jennifer Coolidge a ditzy pageant queen. Then, judge Dave Foley crowns one the best performer of the night.
Dog the Bounty Hunter (Tue., 9PM ET, A&E) 4th season premiere
Much happened to Duane "Dog" Chapman in 2006. Last May, he married business partner Beth a day after daughter Barbara died in a car crash. In September, he was arrested for bounty hunting in Mexico, where it is illegal. His request not to be extradited was denied, so he too will have his day in court. Despite all of this, Dog is back and better than ever. In the premiere, he personally takes on the case of a female fugitive after learning she shares the same birthdate as his late daughter.
Underbelly creator inks deal with WBTV
If you've been having trouble sleeping at night because you're concerned about what might become of Notes from the Underbelly creator Stacy Traub if her show doesn't make it, you can stop worrying. Traub has signed a two-year deal with Warner Bros. Television that will allow her to develop new series should Notes from the Underbelly not get picked up for another season. Otherwise, Traub will remain with the show as a show runner and executive producer. As far as what new shows she would develop, Traub says she likes shows with "flawed characters." She's also written for Kitchen Confidential and Spin City.
Notes from the Underbelly is about a young couple who become pregnant and must settle into a more mature lifestyle while simultaneously hearing advice from meddlesome family and friends. It will air on ABC.
Notes from the Underbelly premieres April 11
Barry Sonnenfeld (Addams Family, Men in Black) is executive producing the new ABC comedy Notes from the Underbelly, about a couple, Andrew and Lauren (Peter Cambor and Jennifer Westfeldt) who become pregnant and must deal with advice from their friends and family while also dealing with the pressures of giving up their once carefree lifestyle for a more mature one. See Joel's take on the series here (he didn't like it much).
The couple's friends include overzealous parents Julie (Melanie Paxson) and Eric (Sunkrish Bala); Cooper (Rachael Harris), an attorney who values her work over the idea of raising a family; and Danny (Michael Weaver), a womanizer.
It appears that all the stereotypes needed for a basic sitcom are in place, now it's just a matter of seeing if everything can come together to create something that's worth watching. I must say, though, that the premise alone doesn't sound all that exciting.
TV Squad previews ABC's new shows
Now that NBC and CBS have us all excited about its fall season, it's time to move along to the screener DVDs we've been receiving from ABC. While we're not allowed to technically "review" each new show, we can give you a short preview with our initial thoughts.For ABC, we're covering: The Knights of Prosperity (formerly Let's Rob...), Help Me Help You, The Nine, Big Day, Notes from the Underbelly, Six Degrees, Ugly Betty, and Men in Trees. (We'll do a Part 2 of the ABC previews once we receive the remaining shows.)
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