Saturday, July 28, 2012
newsmakers
Past rivals will return to ‘Dancing with Stars’
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.
“Dancing with the Stars” is repeating some steps for its fall season.
ABC says an “All-Star” edition of the competition show will bring back 12 former rivals including Pamela Anderson, Kirstie Alley and Bristol Palin.
Former ‘NSync member Joey Fatone and gymnast Shawn Johnson also will be returning.
In a break from the past, viewers can vote online for the 13th contestant, choosing among three former contestants including actors Kyle Massey and Sabrina Bryan and celebrity stylist Carson Kressley.
The announcement was made Friday at the Television Critics Association conference.
“Dancing” returns on ABC on Sept. 24.
ABC: ‘Family’ pay dispute will be settled
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.
The high-profile “Modern Family” battle over pay between several key actors and the studio producing television’s No. 1 comedy will be resolved, ABC’s entertainment chief said Friday.
“I expect the season to start on time,” ABC Entertainment Group President Paul Lee told television writers at the Television Critics Assn. gathering in Beverly Hills. “We are in the middle of negotiations, and we are hopeful and optimistic that we will be able to resolve it.”
The salary dispute exploded earlier this week when several of the actors — Sofia Vergara, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell — failed to show up for a table read and promptly filed a lawsuit, claiming their contracts are illegal.
Lee said Friday that the show’s cast has since performed the reading.
Billie Joe Armstrong joins ‘Voice’ as mentor
LOS ANGELES
NBC’s “The Voice” is adding a high-powered rocker to the mix.
NBC said Thursday that Green Day vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong has joined the talent contest as a mentor to Christina Aguilera’s team this coming season.
In a statement, Armstrong said he and his family are fans of the show.
“The Voice” has won over viewers because “it’s not molding artists, it’s just giving them a little bit of guidance and direction without giving them a complete makeover,” he said.
“The Voice” returns Sept. 10.
In addition to Aguilera, the show’s coaches include Cee-Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. Carson Daly is the host.
Vindicator wire services