TV Bits: 'Terra Nova', 'Arrested Development', 'The Walking Dead', 'Fringe', 'Community', Terry Brooks
The Bluth family's historic bad luck with relationships is apparently following them into the new season — bad for them, probably, but great for comedy and therefore great for us. After the jump:
The Bluths aren't the only ones returning to the O.C. Orange County for Season 4 of Arrested Development. Over the past few weeks, recurring guest stars Henry Winkler, Scott Baio, and Judy Greer have all been confirmed to return, and now Liza Minnelli and Mae Whitman (her!) are on board to give the Bluth boys some love.
Minelli arrived on the Arrested Development set this week to reprise her role as Lucille Austero a.k.a. Lucille 2, vertiginous older lover of Buster (Tony Hale) and best frenemy of the other Lucille (Jessica Walter). But I'm even more curious about Whitman's plain, ultra-religious Ann Veal, who last we saw had ditched her first love George-Michael (Michael Cera) for his uncle Gob (Will Arnett). It doesn't sound like Whitman's shot her scenes yet, but she recently said she'd "definitely" be part of the new episodes. Season 4 of Arrested Development hits Spring 2013. [Hollywood.com, TV Guide via Vulture]
Terra Nova's cancellation left quite a few loose ends dangling, but Fox has come up with a novel way to provide viewers with some closure. The network is inviting followers to create their own ending, using high quality graphics and editing software provided on the official website.
The best entries will then be featured for all to see in an online gallery. First, though, you'll have to prove you're really a fan — the site is only accessible to those who have a 16-digit code from their Terra Nova Season 1 DVD set, available now. [Screen Crush]
Given the massive success of HBO's Game of Thrones, it's not surprising that TV folks are taking a closer look at some other popular fantasy series. Sonar Entertainment and Farah Films are teaming up to produce a TV show based on Terry Brooks' bestselling Shannara books, which has grown to 25 installments since the first volume was published in 1977. Two more novels are due out in 2013.
Set hundreds of years after a massive conflict brought about the end of our civilization, the epic fantasy centers around the Shannara family of nobles. Due to their combined human and Elf heritage, the Shannara clan have the ability to wield magic. Season One of the TV show will be based on The Elfstones of Shannara, the second entry in the book series. Producers are currently looking to attach a showrunner and director, after which they'll begin shopping the series to networks. [Variety]
Fox's Fringe only has thirteen episodes left, but according to showrunner J.H. Wyman, it'll be several months yet before we actually say goodbye to the sci-fi series. Wyman recently revealed via Twitter that the finale is scheduled to air February 1, 2013.
The network hasn't confirmed this timetable, and plans this far out are always subject to change. But logistically speaking, it seems to add up. Wyman says the season will have "two little breaks": "Four [episodes], and then two... and the rest is a[n uninterrupted] run-on," he told TV Line. And while there's no special extralong finale in sight, Wyman also added that the final three episodes would be "like a three-parter." Fringe's last season premieres September 28.
Oh, hey, speaking of Fringe, here's a creepy viral PSA with some hidden messages.
[via Screen Crush]
Season 3 of The Walking Dead promises to see Rick and his ragtag band of survivors heading to still more new locations, and AMC has posted a video tour of one of those sets. Explore the abandoned prison with series creator Robert Kirkman below:
The Walking Dead returns to AMC Sunday, October 14. [Super Hero Hype]
We've fallen a little behind on our coverage of FX's endless teasers for American Horror Story: Asylum, so here are three more below:
As you can see from the video titles, we are up to 17 teasers and AMC's showing no signs of slowing down. Presumably the promo series will end sometime before the show returns on October 17. [Screen Crush]
The departure of series creator Dan Harmon has Community fans understandably worried about the new season, but judging by these photos, replacement showrunners David Guarascio and Moses Port have the show's absurdist sense of humor down pat.
The first episode back sees Dean Pelton (Oscar winner Jim Rash) staging contest to determine who'll get to enroll in a class called "The History of Ice Cream." Said competition is said to be inspired by The Hunger Games, but somehow I don't remember seeing any glittery bike shorts and unicorn horns in this spring's feature adaptation...
Community's fourth season begins October 19. [EW]